In this week’s episode of the Ponca City Monthly Podcast, I sit down with Calley Lamar, writer for the Ponca City News. I have wanted to interview Calley for a while. He seems to be every where around town. I see him out at numerous events and ribbon cuttings, camera in hand documenting and reporting. So, I was naturally curious to get to know him. In this month’s Ponca City Monthly we feature a story about the Ponca City News, and in it we talk about Calley and his contribution to the News, so it seemed fitting to have him as a guest this month. From his start in Okeene, Oklahoma to his love for theater and movies, we turn tables on Calley and ask him the questions this round. Calley was such a fun interview I hope you will listen this week!

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This week on the Podcast, Andy talks with Shelley Arrott, President of Ponca City Chamber of Commerce. It’s been a busy two weeks for Shelley, so we are glad she could take a few moments and chat with us. Back to School has always been a busy time for the Chamber between their annual New Teacher Luncheon and generous Stuff The Bus fundraiser. As we talk about all the back-to-school fun, Shelley also reflects on her 40-year career in education and her tenure as superintendent.

Amidst all the back-to-school activities last week, the Chamber also welcomed its 39th class into the Ponca City Leadership Program. The Leadership Program is a project of the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce designed to cultivate and develop new business leaders in our community. Shelley discusses Leadership’s past community projects, including Mr. Ponca City, which raised a substantial amount of money for local nonprofits, and the wildly popular Ponca Passport.

Before wrapping up, we, of course, discuss this week’s big event, The Party At The Palace. Shelley gives us some behind-the-scenes insight into the food and fun that are in store for this year's attendees. This year’s event is special as it’s a fundraising year, so there will be numerous items up for auction. New this year, they are also having a raffle for items, allowing everyone to enjoy the fun.Online ticket sales has ended but you can still purchase tickets by dropping by the Chamber office located at 420 Grand Ave E.

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This episode is sponsored by Greenwood Aerospace a proud support of Northern Oklahoma Humane Society.

This week on the podcast, Andy sits down with Dallas, the operations manager at the Northern Oklahoma Humane Society, for a candid, funny, and sometimes emotional peek behind the shelter doors. Dallas discusses the daily challenges of animal rescue, everything from taking in abandoned pets to managing limited kennel space, all while keeping tails wagging and whiskers twitching.

You’ll learn about their Pet Pantry program, which ensures local pets don’t go hungry, and the creative ways they stretch donations from generous community partners, including Tractor Supply, PetSense, and Walmart. Dallas also dishes on their big-ticket fundraiser, a raffle for a brand-new Arctic Cat Wildcat ATV, donated by the ever-supportive Greenwood Aerospace.

And of course, there are the animals themselves. In this episode, we discuss Dune, the energetic husky mix with a love for zoomies; Beefcake, the one-eyed gentle giant pit bull; and Meatloaf, the 18-pound cat whose weight loss you can follow on NOKHS’s Facebook page.

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This week on the Ponca City Monthly Podcast, Kevin Emmons stops by to chat with me about his growing list of downtown projects. From boutique hotels, BBQ pop-ups, entertainment venues, you name it, Kevin is involved. He’s not just flipping buildings; he’s reimagining what downtown Ponca could be, blending historic charm with new energy and hoping to cash in on some delicious ribs.

We talk about his vision for making downtown an entertainment hub, transforming an old bank meeting room into a hotel that will be The Grand Ghost. Of course, we discuss whether it is actually haunted, which leads to a whole conversation about Ponca City’s haunted history. Kevin also explains why investing in old buildings is as much about community as it is about business.

Along the way, you’ll hear about Provisions’ sandwich experiments, Big Snake Barbecue’s secret spice rubs, and I explain why I think a ghost hunt should be a new tourist draw for Ponca City.

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Ponca City Monthly is a locally owned publication that delivers hyperlocal news in print and online.

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Wow, can you believe we’ve already made it to August! This week, Kelsey and I sit down to talk about the August issue and maybe get a little gabby about life and back to school. The big news this month is that Mr. Ponca City, Relo Adams, and his wife, Ashley, are expecting! Over the last few months, they shared their IVF journey, and this month, they announced, on the cover, that their prayers had been answered. We are excited for them.

We also cover other exciting stories featured in this issue, including a story about author Annie Vanhoose and her new book called The Black Gold Heriss, which tells a fictional tale about Lydie Marland. There is also a story about The Mission, a nonprofit here in Ponca City that feeds the hungry every week. We also chat about the history of Ponca City News.

Grab and copy and listen now.

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This week, I sit down for a chat with Ponca City Public School Superintendent and Ponca City Monthly contributing writer, Adam Leaming.

As students get ready to head back to school, I talk with Adam about two subjects that have recently been making headlines. First, we get into the details of State Superintendent Ryan Walter's announcement that all schools in Oklahoma will provide free lunches to all students with no additional State funding. Second, we talk about the new No Phones during school hours law and what that means for students.

We also talk about PCPS STEM programs and their successful internship program.

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Ponca City Monthly is a locally owned publication that delivers hyperlocal news in print and online.

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Host Andy sits down with longtime contributor and community icon Marlys Cervantes for a heartfelt conversation about writing, creativity, and community impact.

From her early days as a young poet to decades of teaching creative writing, Marlys shares how storytelling has shaped her life—and the lives of others. They discuss her current articles in the July issue, including a deep dive into Ponca City’s surprising 3D archery range and a look at Project Transformation, a summer literacy program helping local kids fall in love with reading.

The episode also spotlights Marlys’s decades-long involvement with the Ponca Playhouse, where she’s acted, served on the board, and championed accessibility and inclusion. Whether you’re a budding writer, a theater lover, or just someone who believes in the power of community, this episode is packed with inspiration and insight.

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Ponca City Monthly is a locally owned publication that delivers hyperlocal news in print and online.

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Andy welcomes Kestrel Tinklenberg from Ponca City’s City Arts to talk about one of the most beloved youth programs in town—Art Camp!

Happening July 14–18 at City Central, this year’s camp will guide kids (ages 6–12) through the styles and stories of legendary artists like Van Gogh, Monet, and Seurat. Each student will create original art inspired by the masters and take part in fun, hands-on projects each day. Breakfast is included thanks to a partnership with the Community Health Foundation, and camp runs from 8 a.m. to noon. The cost is $185 per camper.

The two also chat about Art Fest, City Arts’ biggest annual event, which celebrates local creativity with dozens of vendors, food, live music, and some of the best artwork you’ll find in Oklahoma. After a record-breaking 50th celebration last year, the team is working hard to make this year’s event even better.

Kestrel shares what it's like behind the scenes, the power of helping kids come out of their shells through art, and how crucial community support and sponsorships are to keeping local programs alive.

Want to support local art or become a sponsor?Visit pcarts.org or email [email protected] for more info.

Ponca City Monthly Plus is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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Ponca City Monthly is a locally owned publication that delivers hyperlocal news in print and online.

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Get ready for a jam-packed episode as Andy and Kelsey walk through the standout stories from the July issue of Ponca City Monthly. This week’s conversation covers everything from community-driven success stories to long-awaited developments that have locals buzzing.

One of the biggest highlights is the return of Project Transformation, a summer reading initiative that nearly lost its funding—but thanks to the heart and hustle of a local church, it’s back in action and helping kids bridge the learning gap. Kelsey also shares the emotional moment of witnessing the original Marland Mansion dining table being returned to its rightful place—a priceless piece of Ponca City history that had been missing for decades.

The episode also touches on the long-anticipated revival of the Icon Cinema, which is getting a $2 million overhaul complete with heated seats, unlimited popcorn, and a completely reimagined movie-going experience. There’s also a fun spotlight on the 3D-target archery range hidden in plain sight, a peek at the empowering Strong Dads program for local fathers, and a nod to the ever-growing BookTok culture anchored by Brace Books and More.

But what really makes this episode special is the debut of our brand-new segment, Mayor Moment. In her first official update, Mayor Kelsey talks candidly about the downtown street redesign—a project years in the making. She breaks down why the new layout, expanded parking, and improved accessibility are more than cosmetic changes; they’re part of a larger plan to create a safer, more walkable, more vibrant city center. Whether you love the updates or have questions, this is a conversation worth hearing.

If you care about where Ponca City is headed—or just love hearing good stories about good people doing meaningful things—this episode delivers.

Ponca City Monthly Plus is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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Ponca City Monthly is a locally owned publication that delivers hyperlocal news in print and online.

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On this week’s Ponca City Monthly podcast, Andy chats with Kaleb from Stuteville Ponca City about their heartfelt July campaign, Fill Up the F-150. Kaleb shares how his own time in foster care inspired the dealership to collect donations for Northern Oklahoma Youth Services—everything from socks and board games to kitchen supplies and towels. Drop-offs start July 1, and no, they won’t try to sell you a car. Just stop by, pop your donation in the truck bed, and help a local kid feel a little more at home.