Claremore Driveway: Not for Sale
1970s Pontiac Trans Am: Not for Sale
From my desk at the Gallery, I see people as they come through the front door. Nine of ten times, smiles light up and they walk right past the supercharged Jaguars and Mercedes; they walk straight toward the only car we own that is not for sale. A 37-year-old Pontiac Trans Am.
Many of our customers, perhaps most of them, were not even born when Smokey and the Bandit gave the slip to Sheriff Buford T. Justice. Yet it reminds us all of times we now, rightly or wrongly, believe were simpler and better.
But were they? Certainly the cars of the seventies were nowhere near as good as we have today. These cars were far more dangerous, far less reliable and used gasoline by the barrel. Just walk by this car and you get a faint smell of gas.
Although, you have to admit, they had style. They had the guts to put a huge bird on the hood and declare it cool. The dashboard, instruments, and steering wheel just shouted “Drive me fast!”
To the Trans Am I have to say, “Thanks for the memories, but I believe I’ll stick with my new Charger RT.”
My name is Robby Melton. I’m old enough to qualify for a “senior coke” at McDonalds and don’t have to work anymore, but find myself here on the lot most days because that’s where the cars are. That advertising slogan, “We sell cars for fun,” is not far off-base for my brother and me.
My Pink Story
I thought I’d share with you my own “pink story” on how I came to be a Mary Kay Consultant. When I watch a movie or read an article that I connect with, I like to look up the main character’s journey and find out how they got into their line of work. So I figured I’d tell my own story, and I hope you enjoy it.
My mom began her own Mary Kay journey when I was 18 months old. She was a school teacher and wanted to spend more time with my sister and I, and wanted the option of working part time hours but still make an executive income. Growing up, I was surrounded by Mary Kay products and heard the names of consultants who were in the company longer than a hot minute, and I have I vivid memories of putting info labels on products and sorting newsletters to send. But regardless of being immersed into this wonderful pink world, I informed my mom and anyone who asked I would NEVER be in Mary Kay…
Never say never, my friends. I’m living proof.
I was a tomboy, not afraid to get dirty and enjoyed a passionate soccer career for 10 years and didn’t even have an interest in learning about the ins and outs of cosmetics until I went to college! But the night my roommate asked me to do her makeup for an event, i was exposed to how much FUN dabbling in cosmetics could be. When I mentioned this to my mom, she asked me, “You realize that’s what I do all the time, right? We have fun all day long!”
That was the first time I’d even considered that Mary Kay was something I could do too, but I wasn’t motivated to take action about it until the summer after I graduated. I was working in an office on salary, and the day I figured out I was making $4/hr with a college degree I knew it was time for a change. Things got worse when I was showering…and the lights went out. I was crying to my mom about being BROKE when she looked at me, smiled knowingly, and said, “Are you ready to join Mary Kay?”
I finally was, but even I couldn’t believe it! I used the last $100 to my name to sign my agreement, order my starter kit, and open my business. I worked 4-6 hours a week like most new consultants, and my success didn’t happen overnight, but a year later I was a full time Mary Kay Consultant. Today, I live my pink life & it’s my career of choice – and I’m loving every minute. Of course, it isn’t perfect, and if I don’t work the business it doesn’t pay me like a business – but that’s like anything else in life. However, almost 5 years ago I was ready for a change, and willing to go after the opportunity that was before me.
I want to encourage you to do the same – if you’re ready for more in life, including more money or more choices – please let me know! In Mary Kay, we’re looking for women who are professional, passionate, hard working, and positive. You are the boss, but we are your business coach; ready to help and lead you to your version of success!
If you’d like to know more about how Mary Kay could be the answer you’re looking for, please call anytime or contact me on my website! I’d love to help you write your own pink story.
Kendyl Heins
918-639-3230
Www.marykay.com/kendylheins
You Spoke. We Listened. Bring It, Claremore.
The response to BringItClaremore.com has been amazing– Thank You!
We’re proud of our city. Few places still value community, treat neighbors like family, and dig deep to work together for the common good. Claremore is a special place.
We’re busy organizing your responses into a priority list. Just like a birthday, this will become our wish list. Nothing is guaranteed, but we have an amazing opportunity to pursue retail and restaurant growth within city limits and we are hard at work to attract the right businesses.
Pay it forward.
We’ve “hit the tip of the iceberg” and would love more feedback! Here’s your chance to share BringItClaremore.com with your friends and neighbors. If you know someone who hasn’t participated, encourage them to join the conversation by visiting BringItClaremore.com.
Together we’re reminding the world of our charm and honest living. We have their ear and they are falling in love with Claremore.
Ohio Boy Pays it Forward to a Soldier
I totally got some dust in my eye as I was watching this.
Keeping Cool in the Hot Hot Heat
The sun is out and IT’S HOT…to state the obvious. Even though the temperature is up, many of us don’t stop to think about the importance of cooling our bodies. Overheating can lead to serious physical problems such as heat stroke. Today we’re going to talk about how to keep ourselves cool while enjoying the summertime heat. We’ll start with some of the symptoms and then talk about how to avoid pushing our temperatures past the limit.
Dizziness, headache, nausea, cramps, fatigue and lack of coordination are just some of the side effects that have been associated with overheating. The caveat here is that by the time we experience them, we’re already over the limit. Even more alarming, Professor Larry Kenney of Penn State University says if body temperature gets between 104 and 106 we may experience heat stroke. The old method of diagnosing heat stroke was a lack of sweat on the skin. However, Kenney warns that this only applies in about half of all heat stroke cases. If our body temperature gets too high and we are experiencing unusual symptoms, we need to seek immediate medical attention. Fortunately, there are ways to help us avoid the issue altogether.
Overheating our bodies can be easy, but so can decreasing the risk of overheating. We can start with our clothes. Wear loose fitting, light colored, lightweight clothing. This allows your body to cool naturally by promoting the flow of air to the skin and allowing heat from the sun to reflect off of the light colors. Drink lots of fluids. Since we need fluids to generate sweat to cool ourselves, dehydration can certainly be an issue. According to Texas A&M’s Agrilife Extension program, we can lose 5 to 8 pounds of fluid in a relatively short amount of time when it’s hot outside. Also, if we’re not using the restroom every 2 to 4 hours, we’re not taking in enough fluid. If we do experience symptoms such as cramps, A&M recommends taking in clear juices or sports drinks containing electrolytes and salt. Finally, take it easy in the heat. Avoid going out in the hottest period of the day. If we have to be outside, take regular breaks in the shade to cool off. It’s easy and can save us a lot of trouble later on.
Remember, always consult your physician when you have concerns about health related issues. Summertime heat is no joke. Make sure you are diligent and informed of the risks and precautions to help avoid overheating.
To find out more info from Dr. Kenney or the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension program, click on the hyperlinks.
Stay cool out there!
Swan Bros. Dairy: Keepin’ it Raw Since 1923
Growing up in Claremore, my family lived in Oakwood, near Claremore Lake. My parents built the home upon arriving in town in 1981, and the neighborhood reached a couple of blocks south of our house. There, it stopped, and became…”the woods.”
Back then, “the woods” were located at the end of my best friend’s street; she lived around the corner from me. Faulkner Drive just stopped…and a muddy dirt road led into the cool, dark, mysterious, enchanted forest. (We were kids. Cut us some slack.) Many afternoons were spent exploring the area, but nothing exciting ever happened (except the time I fell into a ditch full of water up to my waist). But one day, we roamed a little farther, and the woods opened up to an endless sea of green….and cows. We had just discovered the property line for Swan Bros. Dairy.
That was the extent of my knowledge of the dairy. I have always known it was there, and my aforementioned best friend’s dad used to purchase milk occasionally. I vaguely remember a glass jug with a red handle.
So when I was contacted through moreClaremore a few weeks ago to come pay a visit, I jumped at the chance. After all, my toddler has been there twice, so he’s been there double the amount I have. There’s something wrong with that.
When I arrived at Swan Bros. Dairy, I immediately noticed the stream of customers. The front of the dairy boasts a pull-through driveway; customers pull in, enter the store, pay for their merchandise, and head back out the door. It’s quick and efficient. Being that I was planning to stay longer than a couple of minutes, I chose a regular parking space directly in front of the milking parlor. Or as I knew it then, a room with a large window and a sign that said not to enter if the cows were being milked.
The front door to Swan Bros. Dairy is a screen door, like you’d imagine on a farmhouse. The small front room contains a glass cold case filled with fresh dairy products; cheese, cream and milk. Behind the cash register is a walk-in cooler full of more milk. There is a shelf displaying “Made in Oklahoma” goodies, like raw honey from Oologah, Pepper Creek dip mixes from Lawton, and Walke Brothers barbecue sauce. They also carry Amish jams with flavors such as elderberry and jalapeño.
I asked to speak with Zach Hollingsworth, who had contacted me. Zach recently married Ashley, who is the fourth generation of family to work in the dairy. (Does that mean he married her for her “moo-ney?” Okay, that was bad. I apologize.) First, the couple took me to the room adjacent to where I had parked, which is actually called the milking parlor.
Swan’s cows are milked twice per day; once at 2a, and again around 1:30p. The cows are run through what I jokingly called the “cow wash” before entering the milking parlor. (Yes, my jokes are terrible. I’m aware.) Four cows at a time are hooked up to the machines, and are fed grain while they’re being milked. Apparently it’s a relief to have the milk released, and the grain is a nice change from grass. I imagine it’s like having a massage while being fed fine European chocolate. The milk runs through a glass tube, which serves to chill the milk, and then it’s deposited into an 1100-gallon tank. After that, it takes a long journey into the next room, where it hits the bottling machine, which can bottle 14 gallons of whole milk in just 60 seconds. Then it heads into the cooler. The fascinating part of this to me, is that the milk doesn’t travel more than about 40 feet, from the cow to the cooler. It doesn’t get fresher than that, folks.
Grade A Raw Milk is available for purchase every day in whole, skim and 2% varieties. On Mondays and Thursdays, fresh cream is available starting at 10a, but get there early because it will sell out quickly! A gallon of milk is $5. Cheaper than the grocery store, and a whole lot fresher. Plus, there are no taxes on milk, cheese or cream.
Another popular item at the dairy is cheese, which is Diane Williamson’s (Ashley’s mom) area of expertise. Both raw and pasteurized varieties are made on a regular basis. The raw milk cheese is aged for 60 days and the pasteurized for 14. Swan’s has two aging rooms just for cheese. All kinds of flavors can be found at Swan’s, like colby, cheddar, mozzarella and jalapeño. (This is the same cheese that has won numerous blue ribbons at state fairs, including Best in Show.) While I was learning about the cheese-making process, Diane asked if I had ever tried a cheese curd. Um, no? What is that? She reached into the cooler and pulled out a bag for me to take home and sample. The term “curd” doesn’t sound appetizing, but man, these things were delicious! I’ve been advised by several friends that I must try the jalapeño next time. I certainly plan to! It’s really a perfect snack, and they pair delightfully with Ritz crackers.
If you want to share the gem that is Swan Bros. Dairy with out-of-towners, you can send a gift pack. These include items like cheese, smoked sausage, jam and other Oklahoma products. There is a gift basket for every budget, as they start at just $21.00. They can be picked up at the dairy or shipped, but shipping only takes place in the cooler winter months. Hint, hint: your Christmas shopping is finished! You’re welcome. To place an order, please call 918-341-2298 or stop by the dairy. A complete list of gift baskets and pricing can be found on the Swan Bros. Dairy Facebook page.
The dairy first opened in 1923, by Ruby and Harley Swan, Sr., with one cow. Gradually the size of the herd increased, and they made a good living delivering the milk around Claremore. In 1951, the Swans started selling the milk at the dairy and sold the milk route. Harley, Jr. and his brother, Larry, bought the dairy from their dad in 1962, with Harley purchasing the entire operation in 1972. Remember the cheese lady, Diane? She is the daughter of Harley, Jr., and is the third generation to work in the dairy. Newlywed Ashley is the fourth, along with her brother, Jason, who also works in the family business.
Now get this: Harley, Jr., and his wife, Dorthy, still work at the dairy. Harley is 83 years old and still milks the cows on a regular basis. The success of the dairy rests in the legacy of this hardworking couple. Born in the white house just north of the milking parlor, Harley has been here all his life, and the Swans have seen a lot of change in Claremore over the years.
“I have been doing this all my life and I cannot see myself not doing this. I will keep doing this until I can’t do it anymore,” avowed Harley Jr. “My dad started this farm with one cow in 1923. From there, it grew. My brother Larry and I purchased it in 1962 and then I bought the entire operation. Larry still helps out.” Larry, 72, enjoys the connection to the herd.
There are only two licensed and inspected dairies in the entire state where customers can buy raw milk, and the other is hours away. People travel from all over to buy fresh milk at Swan’s. Luckily, we are blessed here in Claremore that we don’t have to drive for hours. And we don’t even have to walk through the woods to get there.
Swan Bros. Dairy is open Monday – Saturday from 8a – 6p. Closed Sunday. If you want to stop by and watch the cows get milked (possibly by Harley, Jr.!), show up around 1:30 in the afternoon. The dairy is located at 938 E. 5th Street in Claremore.
Keep it local, Claremore.
-MCM Staffer Ashley aka “No Longer a Cheese Curd Virgin”
