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Table of Contents

Herland Voice June 2009

Annual Herland Pride Picnic

This is a second Casting Call for anyone that wants to share their musical, comical, or poetic talent with us for our backyard Pride Picnic, on June 27 from 5–9 pm. We have Peggy Johnson as our illustrious MC again this year, with an awesome lineup of talent…and you could be a star too! Please call Sannie at (405)550–2312 or leave a message at Herland, 405–521–9696.

The Herland Board of Directors will provide hotdogs, hamburgers, veggie dogs and burgers, and provide some side dishes and condiments. A donation of $5 is requested, but you can always give more for this wonderful evening of family, food and entertainment! Bring your lawn chairs, kids, and friends. The crowd has gotten so big that pets are sometimes a problem, so please, no pets.

Herland will have a booth at the Pride Festival at Memorial Park on Saturday and Sunday, June 27–28 and an entry in the Pride Parade on Sunday evening. Please call Herland if you would like to help staff our booth or participate in the parade.

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Herland Garage Sale

June 20th from 8 am to 4 pm

Here’s your chance to help Herland make a little money, do some great shopping, AND an incentive to get on that (late) spring cleaning you’ve been meaning to do! We have some wonderful treasures donated, and you can still bring things during our regular Saturday hours, from 1–5 pm. Call ahead if you need help bringing large items, such as furniture.

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Obama Chooses Sonia Sotomayor for Supreme Court Justice

On May 26 President Obama nominated U.S. Circuit Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the Supreme Court, tapping the daughter of Puerto Rican parent to succeed retiring Justice David Souter and become the first Hispanic to serve on the high court.

Judge Sotomayor, 54, was raised in the Bronx, New York, by parents who moved from Puerto Rico. If confirmed, she will be the third woman to serve on the Supreme Court. Sotomayor is known for being thoroughly prepared for cases before her, and for her penetrating questioning, though some have described her coutroom style as overly aggressive. In announcing his choice, Obama praised her “rigorous intellect” and called her an “inspiring” woman with a “depth of perspective” on the human condition.

Sotomayor was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age 8. Her father, a factory worker with a third–grade education who did not speak English, died a year later. Her mother, a nurse, raised her two children in a Bronx housing project near Yankee Stadium, working six days a week in order to send Sonia and her brother to Catholic School. It was as a child that Sotomayor became intriqued by the law. She first wanted to be a police detective, but a doctor suggested that it would be difficult with diabetes. So Sotomayor became a judge instead.

Hispanic groups lauded the presidents choice. “The Supreme Court should reflect the diverse population of the United States to ensure that our nation’s highest court understands the unique circumstances of all Americans,” said Brent Wilkes, national executive director of the League of United Latin American Citizens. Planned Parenthood’s president, Cecile Richards stated in a letter to supporters, “What our nation needs from our Supreme Court Justices is a deep understanding of the law and its impact on everyday Americans, and a Commitment to the protection of our individual liberties. We look forward to Judge Sotomayor bringing these qualities to the Supreme Court.”

Sotomayor said she was strongly influenced by her mother, who served in the Women’s Army Corps, and often worked two jobs to support her and her brother, Juan. “I have often said that I am all I am because of her, and I am only half the women she is” Sotomayor said, Recognizing her mother and other family members seated in the audience as the president announced her nomination.

Exerpted from Planned Parenthood (ppfa.org) and National Public Radio (npr.org)

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Scranton’s Uniques: a Family Biz

Rita Scranton is the owner of a business started many years ago by her mother. The original name was Scranton’s Uniques, which became Scranton’s Antiques, as the appreciation for “old stuff” had a revival after the 1970’s.

This year Rita has returned the store to its original name, and is inviting us to have a look. Though she is modest about all the knowledge she has about antiques and collectibles, she has many years of experience in the buying and selling of such items. Scranton’s Uniques–Thrift & Gift is a collection of individual booths where people sell glassware, books, clothing, costume jewelry, tools, furniture, household items and collectibles. There is a “Dollar Room” at the back of the store.

You may know Rita by a different name: April Fool, the mime and clown. One of the first times she put on a mime performance was for a Herland event, and she recently charmed everyone at our Red and White Party on Valentine’s Day. She has performed at many functions, as a solo artist and with the Just Say Ho clowning organization. She has been generous with her talents and gifts to Herland through the years.

Her other hats include: locksmith, actress, volunteer firefighter, CERT (Citizen’s Emergency Response Team) volunteer, softball umpire, and poker player.

She is a handy person to have around!

Visit Scranton’s Uniques at 7512 N. Western, or contact her at scrantonOKC@aol.com. Due to a hearing loss she doesn’t do phones! We hope you’ll patronize this generous Herland supporter!

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Spring Retreat Recap

The Spring Retreat has come and gone, and I’m already looking forward to the Fall Retreat! What a Great Weekend! The weather was perfect, many new friendships were made, and even more old ones were rekindled.

As usual, Christa kept our tummies happy with her culinary talents. Tara Henry performed our Saturday evening concert, and blew us all away! Ginger’s Bread Making Workshop was fun and creative, and benefited us all with some incredible breads, and the Bartlesville/Tulsa Latino led Salsa Dancing Workshop and dance after the concert were a blast!

I want to thank every single one of you that came to the retreat. The awesome blend of women made for a really great time! Whether you made a potluck dish, scrubbed a kitchen dish, dished out a song at the open mic or simply dished with friends around the campfire – you are appreciated and you helped to make the weekend what it was.

Mark your calendars – The Fall Retreat will be at Lake Eufaula on October 23 – 25, 2009. Hope to see all of you there!

In addition to the retreats, Herland organizes great events all year long, and is always looking for volunteers to help make these special times happen. If you are interested, you can stop by Herland any Saturday from 1 to 5 pm, or leave a message on the Herland answering machine at (405) 521–9696, and we’ll get back with you.

Peace & Love to you all –
Sannie

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june events

Saturday the 6th:
Tulsa Pride Parade and Diversity Festival
Sponsored by Oklahomans for Equality
Festival is from 11 am to 11 pm at Centennial Park, 6th and Peoria
Parade is at 7:30 pm, from the Brady Arts District to Centennial Park
More info at okeq.org or tulsapride.org

Sunday the 7th:
Join Herlanders at 2 pm at the Pollard Theater in Guthrie for
a matinee performance of “The Full Monty”. Mary and Louise are in the band!

Sunday the 7th to July 25:
Performing Arts Studio in Norman presents the paintings of Sue Schofield
“Forms Large and Small”, opening from 2–4 pm, 200 S Jones Ave, Norman 307–9320

Monday the 8th:
OGLPC monthly meeting at the Neighborhood Alliance
NW 36th St and Classen, at 7 pm

Saturday the 13th:
Herland Supper Club goes to Norman!
5:30 at Sandalwood & Sage, 322 E Main, 366–SAGE

Monday the 15th:
The Equality Coalition (a group planning an OKC LGBT community center)
monthly meeting at Herland, 6 pm. All are welcome!

Wednesday the 17th:
6 pm HSR spit and shine! Pizza and drinks provided.
Indoor and outdoor prep for our Garage Sale and Pride Picnic

Saturday the 20th:
Herland Garage Sale from 8 am to 4 pm
Herland Board Meeting at 4 pm
Deadline for submissions for the Herland “Voice” newsletter

Wednesday the 24th:
Prepare the “Voice” for mailing 6 pm, snacks provided

Thursday the 25th:
Church of the Open Arms, Pride Movie Night showing “For the Bible Tells Me So” 7 pm

Saturday & Sunday, the 27th and 28th:
OKC Pride Festival and Parade
Festival at Memorial Park, NW 36th & Classen. Parade at 5 pm on the 28th
OKC Pride planning meetings every Monday in June, at 7 pm at the Days Inn Hotel
Contact: 405–410–8102 or www.okcpride.org

Saturday the 27th:
Annual Herland Pride Picnic, at HSR, 5:30 pm

Sunday the 28th:
Church of the Open Arms, Pride Ice Cream Social, 6 pm
(after the parade) 3131 N Penn

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Herland Fundraiser and Supper Club at Sandalwood & Sage

June 13th Herlanders will go to Norman for an evening of delicious food and entertainment, hosted by Natasha Rice and Deb Clark, owners of Sandalwood & Sage, a store full of magical and mystical treasures, books, rocks & gemstones, and hand–made art and clothing. Deb and Natasha have created a patio in their back yard, where they host yoga classes, meditation and drumming groups.

The patio will be the site of our June Supper Club, catered by the Pink Elephant Café, (across the street from S & S) and served buffet style.

The menu is:
Mild curry chicken breast with orzo
Quinoa and black bean salad
Tossed salad
Seasonal green vegetables
Bread & butter
Banana –walnut cake
Iced tea

The cost for the evening is $15.

Please RSVP to Natasha at 366–7243 by June 10th, so that they know how many are coming. The community in Norman will be there, so you better be there too!

In addition to their hosting duties, Deb and Natasha will donate 25% of their day’s sales on the 13th to Herland! So if you can’t come to the dinner, you can still contribute to Herland by shopping that day!

And please thank Deb and Natasha for their generosity! They are located at 322 E Main Street.

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A POEM I WOULD NOT WRITE

Jennifer Kidney 2008

Last year all four
of the tires on my Toyota
collapsed or exploded
or lost their breath
to a puncture
from a three inch tack.

The first went
when an old fart
in a red pick–up
pulled out in front
of me on the road
west of Binger.
I stood on the brake
to avoid a collision,
but a few miles later
it was apparent
that my right front tire
was flat. When I found
a level place
to pull over I faced
those green signs
with glow in the dark
lettering erected
by the owner
of King Sod Farms.
I faced the side that asked
“Where will you spend eternity?
Heaven or Hell?”
It was a steamy morning.
I knew the other side
carried the warning:
“The wages of sin is death.”
I’d left Cheyenne in a hurry,
skipping a shower and make–up,
so I had little hope
of a savior, but one came
in another truck
but had to check
a pump in a field.
“I’ll be right back,”
he promised.
When he returned
he was soon joined
by the driver
of an OG&E vehicle.
The tire was still smoking,
too hot to touch,
so cigarettes were smoked
and small talk passed.
Then they deployed the jack,
removed the tire,
and replaced it with the doughnut.
I hadn’t had breakfast.
I was directed
to the tire shop in town
where I was directed
to the other tire shop in town
where the proprietor again said,
“We don’t stock that size,”
and aired up my spare
and sent me on my way.

The second was in a school zone–
twenty miles an hour–
when I gently bumped
the curb and WHOOM!
My hubcap went flying
while my tire was dying
into frayed flapping rubber.

The third occurred
just after I’d checked
my tires at the gas station.
Walking out of Wal–Mart
I was startled to see
my left rear wheel
lying on its rim.

Lastly I’d gone
to get a manicure
and hair trim
when Jeff, who owned
the tanning salon,
pointed out
my right rear tire
was completely flat.
He drove my car
across the street
to the filling station
and filled the tire
up with air,
but the air seeped out
before my nails were dry.

Then one thing led
to another
as things tend to do.
Driving to Noble
I lost control
of the Corolla.
The service rep said
I needed a new rack
and pinion
steering system.
My car savvy friend
suggested it was
that bump on the curb–
at twenty miles an hour?
And then my aching back
was diagnosed
as a bum hip,
so I too succumbed
to the mechanic.

Now Toyota and I
are moving along
at a good clip.

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S. Clancy Cartoon

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website of the month

www.okcpride.org

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All Rights Reserved
Herland Sister Resources, Inc.