OKMULGEE, Okla. – In the dark, early hours of Dec. 8 volunteers from the Okmulgee Indian Community Activities Committee opened their community center doors and fired up the stoves to prepare food for their second breakfast sale. Dec. 8 was a special date for members, it marked their 40th anniversary as a chartered community within Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
Tara Allen is the OIC Activities Chairperson. According to Allen, the sale had no shortage of delectable foods including biscuits and gravy, eggs, and potatoes. Ice coffee and holiday treats were available for sale as well.
The event saw steady foot traffic, with customers rolling in early to sit and enjoy breakfast with others, or grab a to-go box.
The sale’s main chef was OIC Vice Chairman Makayla Harjo, who was hard at work whipping up the sale’s main dish of biscuits and her signature gravy.
“She (Mikayla) makes good gravy,” Allen said with a smile.
Funds from the sale will benefit the activity budget that allows the community to host events like movie nights, and field trips throughout the year. Field trip destinations the community enjoys include museums, the zoo and going out to see Christmas lights around the holidays.
Allen is an Okmulgee native and has lived in the area her entire life. The OIC has played an important role in Allen’s life for over 40 years. She even recalled when the community sent her a card for her high school graduation. Within the past few years she has taken on more responsibilities within her community as the activities chairperson. According to Allen, her current role is one she enjoys.
“My mom used to be on the board. I used to do activities back then. I’m just trying to prosper our community for our grandkids so it will be here when they grow up and hopefully they will be involved as I am.” Allen said.
Over the years the OIC has seen a lot of great change. Just two years ago this month, the community moved to a larger facility. Now the community sees an average of 50-90 members per meeting.
On Monday Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. the OIC will celebrate their 40th anniversary at their monthly meeting. Additionally they will also host their annual Christmas party.To stay up to date on the OIC’s sales and events, visit their Facebook page, Okmulgee Indian Community Center.
