Whew! The holiday hubbub is behind us, and it's getting time to dive back into work and school. Did you set any New Year’s resolutions? If not, you might find some inspiration here.
I’m excited about the fresh start! There’s so much to look forward to in Stillwater this year: Block34 this summer, the Dancing Turtle Arts Festival, the HUB—and hopefully, a better OSU football season 🏈 !
In today’s Lokal Life Letter:
Where to recycle your tree 🌲
A Potterheads gathering ⚡︎
A must-see magic show 🪄
Let’s get to it!
– Nate Cheever
Local business shout-out!
Winter formals, Valentine’s dances, and prom season are coming up fast. Trust Ms. Tori Kahle at Wandering Wildflower Florals to make sure you stand out with the best blooms in the room. 🌷
Wandering Wildflower Florals has you covered with: 🌸 Handheld micro bouquets 🌸 Stunning boutonnières 🌸 Gorgeous corsages
Choir Rehearsals Are Back!🎶 Is one of your New Year's resolutions to sing more? Make friends? Expand your musical horizons? Well you can cross all of those off by showing up to the Stillwater Community Singers Spring rehearsals.
This season, they’re preparing an April concert featuring The Great American Songbook. I don’t know exactly what the songs are, but they’ll likely be from some of the best musicals and classy Tin Pan Alley songs you love. And choir director Paula Fitch makes being in the choir fun.
📅 When: Thursday, Jan 16 @ 7:30 PM 📍 Where: North Stage Room, Stillwater Community Center
Warm up those vocal cords and prepare to unleash your inner Dean Martin or Ella Fitzgerald!
Is your live tree down yet? Ah, the problem of where to put that thing. Don’t let it needle you any longer!
Chris and Marin Leafer at Leafer Lodge Farms would love to take that tree off your hands. Drop it off at their place, and they'll turn it into fresh, eco-friendly mulch, saving it from the landfill. And who knows? Maybe last year's tree might end up nourishing next year's! It feels like anything is possible at the Leafer's.
The Stillwater Public Library is wrapping up its winter reading program with a Harry Potter trivia night at StoneCloud. There will be prizes for the winners!
They'll be selling their very own "Butterbeer" to raise money for the library. All ages are welcome, Harry Potter dress is encouraged and the event is free.
📅 When: Saturday Jan 4 @ 2 PM 📍 Where: StoneCloud Taproom, 917 S Husband St.
Speaking of a magical time, I wanted to let you know about this neat magic show before it sells out: The Magic of Jen Kramer at the McKnight Center.
It might be stark and cold outside, but this event is a great chance to inject some wonder into winter. I believe Ms. Kramer will deliver. She’s been practicing magic since she was 10 and recently won Best Magician in the 2024 Best of Vegas Awards and was named Female Magician of the Year by the International Magicians Society. And tickets are only $5!
📍 Where: McKnight Center Performance Hall 📅 When: Wednesday, Jan 29 @ 7 PM 💵 Tickets: $5 here 👨👩👧👦 Who: All ages welcome
Seats are limited, so grab your tickets before they magically disappear.
Back to School Dates 🎒📚
🖍️ SPS Third Quarter Begins on Tuesday Jan 7 🖊️ OSU Spring Semester begins on Monday Jan 13
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🐶 Adopt a Doggie 🦮
Meet Shadow, a quiet, friendly, and house-trained lady Pit Bull Terrier mix.
She's 3-5 years old, up-to-date on her vaccinations and enjoys long walks...anywhere!
LOCAL BUSINESS
Eskimo Joe’s Turns the Big 5-0 🎉🎂
That most Stillwater-esque of restaurants, Eskimo Joe’s, turns 50 this year. That’s right! As the movie JAWS was making waves on the big screen in the summer of 1975, Eskimo Joe’s was opening on 501 W. Elm St. Stillwater.
If you’re turning 50 this year too, Eskimo Joe’s is offering you a birthday gift of a free meal this year on the house at their Elm street location. Be ready to show your ID to claim your exclusive 50th anniversary gifts.
Mr. Denver Evans just dropped his new podcast, Still Connect, and kicked it off strong with five episodes.
Denver has lived and worked here his whole life and after working with over 80 local businesses, he realized social media doesn’t quite cut it when it comes to truly connecting. So, he grabbed his gear, hit record, and here we are—getting to hear straight from local business owners.
Here’s who you’ll meet in the first five episodes:
Some big hair news! Ms. Amber Fladie is bringing Blown and Bronzed Blow Dry Bar and Beauty Lounge to Lakeview Pointe. She’s looking for blow dry specialists and niche beauty pros to join her team.
If you’re not familiar with the idea of a blow dry bar, think of it as a salon focused solely on styling. No cuts or no coloring—just the style of hair you want for weddings, proms, big dates, or simply because you want to feel fabulous.
Follow Amber to stay tuned for their grand opening.
CIVIC NEWS
Meet Stillwater’s New City Manager 👔
Last month, I had the chance to talk with our new City Manager, Brady Moore. I left feeling pumped about Stillwater’s future. He’s a long-time local and OSU grad and brings an entrepreneurial mindset and a knack for innovative problem-solving to the job. And it’s quite a big job too!
But before I spill all the rice and beans—hear more from him directly:
The playground at Myers Park is temporarily closed due to safety concerns. If you need a backup plan and you’re willing to brave the cold, you can also head over to nearby Ingram Park or east to Southern Woods Park to play.
Speaking of parks, do you have ideas for Stillwater’s parks and public spaces? Stillwater City wants to hear from you! Be sure to attend their open house next week to share suggestions, learn about volunteer opportunities, and check out insights from recent community surveys.
📍 Where: Stillwater Community Center, Lowry Activity Center 📅 When: Thursday, January 9 @ 5:30 PM
WEATHER
Enjoy the warm winter while it lasts. A cold front is coming Sunday. Stay warm!
Thursday 🥶 53 🌡️ 26 | 🌤️ | 0% | 💨 S 8 mph
Friday 🥶 50 🌡️ 32 | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 SE 10 mph
Saturday 47 🌡️ 34 | ☁️ | 20% | 💨 N 15 mph
Sunday 🥶 42 🌡️ 18 | 🌧️ | 50% | 💨 NW 18 mph
Monday 🥶 36 🌡️ 16 | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 NW 12 mph
Tuesday 🥶🥶 31 🌡️ 17 | 🌤️ | 0% | 💨 NE 8 mph
Wednesday 🥶 41 🌡️ 27 | 🌤️ | 0% | 💨 SE 10 mph
LIVE LOCAL MUSIC
Thursday Jan 2
Iron Monk | Larry Newsom | 7–9 PM Bad Brad’s Bar-B-Q | Songwriter Circle w/ T Dylan Moss and Guests | 6:30–9 PM Stillwater Comm. Center | Troubadour Thursdays - Sharing Music | 7:30 PM | Free
Sunday Jan 5
Willie’s Saloon | Open Mic Night | 9 PM
Monday Jan 6
The Great White Buffalo Tavern | Josh & Kyle Unplugged Song Swap | 9 PM
Thanks to our supporters, Visit Stillwater!
SPORTS
Upcoming Pioneers games & matches =͟͟͞͞🏀
OSU Wrestling vs. Air Force 1/3 @ Gallagher-Iba Arena | 7 PM | Tickets
Nate Cheever
