Gretchen Eichenberg

Gretchen Eichenberg

Writer • Reporter • Storyteller


Oklahoma Magazine •

A New School Support Model

As student mental health needs continue to rise, school districts across Oklahoma are building more comprehensive systems to support students — recognizing that academic success depends on far more than what happens in the classroom. At Tulsa Public Schools, that work has been years in the making. The district has developed a layered approach that combines social-emotional learning, on-campus support and extensive community partnerships. “We sort of built that foundation of resiliency and...
Oklahoma Magazine •

Turning A New Page

For generations, libraries have been quiet cornerstones of their communities, places where shelves of books hold the promise of discovery. But in an era defined by an overhaul of digital infrastructure, libraries are being challenged to redefine their role.  Rather than fading away, many are evolving in creative ways, blending tradition with technology to remain essential gathering places for learning, connection and curiosity. From major urban systems to small-town branches, libraries are pr...
Wacoan® | Waco’s Magazine™ •

Rewriting of a Tragedy

Like the long-awaited winds that allowed the Greek fleet to sail for Troy, a local playwright’s career-spanning work of theater will blow, sweep and surge onto the stage this month in a rare world premiere at McLennan Community College (MCC). “The Song of Iphigenia,” written by 20-year MCC English professor Nick Webb, is the culmination of a five-year writing process and a love of Greek tragedy that began during his college years in the late 1980s and ‘90s. Adapted from “The Oresteia,” a trilogy of ancient Greek tragedies by Aeschylus, the play confronts ethical dilemmas and societal change, reflecting challenges that remain strikingly relevant today.
Wacoan® | Waco’s Magazine™ •

The Art of the Front Porch

In an age of communities where neighbors often remain strangers, seasoned homebuilder Steve Sorrells is quietly reviving a lost art: the front porch. Designed not just as an architectural detail but as an invitation, Sorrells believes homes with porches on the street side — where conversations linger, children ride bikes until dusk and people know each others’ names, not just house numbers — bring back a sense of belonging that once defined American neighborhoods.
Wacoan® | Waco’s Magazine™ •

Breaking Down Barriers

With youth behavioral health challenges — anxiety, depression, trauma and ADHD — on the rise, Waco ISD is working to give its students access to professionals who can help them address issues before they get in the way of education and success. “When there’s anxiety, there’s emotional dysregulation — and those two pieces combined are really challenging for students,” Waco ISD Deputy Superintendent Dr. Melissa King-Knowles said. “They are challenging for adults, but when children don’t necessarily have fully developed coping skills, it can be even more challenging. When you don’t feel safe, you’re not going to learn because you don’t have a sense of security to take those risks that learning requires.”
Wacoan® | Waco’s Magazine™ •

Lifelong Learning

It was a typical Wednesday morning for local veterinarian Ray Emerson, 85. Shortly after arriving at the clinic at 7:45 a.m., he stepped into an exam room and helped a family make the difficult decision to euthanize their very sick 13-year-old chocolate Lab named Luke. With a steady hand, he put his 60 years of experience to work with as much heart and compassion as someone just beginning their career — and he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I have never planned on retirement,” Emerson said. “I have people all the time saying, ‘Well, why don’t you retire and just enjoy life?’ I tell them I am enjoying life.”
Oklahoma Magazine •

Five pillars of Healthy Aging

Caring for both body and mind becomes a powerful way to stay steady, strong and independent as people age. Five areas of focus: mind, mobility, medications, multi-complexity and what matters most – help healthcare providers deliver holistic, patient-centered care, addressing the unique needs of older adults by looking beyond individual diseases to their overall well-being, according to Kathy Thompson, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at the Reynolds Section of Geriatric Medicine at the...
Oklahoma Magazine •

Bell-to-Bell Cell Ban

When each day starts within any Oklahoma public school this year, the only ringing that will be heard is the school bell, thanks to Senate Bill 139, which passed before the start of the 2025-26 school year. From the first bell at the start of the day until the dismissal bell, personal electronic devices – cell phones, smart watches, smart headphones, laptops, tablets and smart glasses – are prohibited. It’s a step lawmakers and school administrators are taking to keep students on track in th...
Wacoan® | Waco’s Magazine™ •

Family Traditions

The holiday season is a time when homes feel warmer, families gather closer, and traditions take center stage. Some traditions are rooted in generations-old customs, passed down like treasured heirlooms. Others are newer rituals—born from changing times or the simple desire to create moments that matter. Two Waco families — the Bauers and the Youngs — share how their family traditions bind them to their history, their faith, their community and to each other.
Wacoan® | Waco’s Magazine™ •

Vintage Holiday Décor

In the historic Castle Heights neighborhood, holiday décor always feels magical from the inside out. Century-old homes along tree-lined streets glow with twinkling lights and tradition — almost like a winter village inside a snow globe. The home of Jennifer and Troy Neumann, along with their daughter Piper, is no exception as they lean into a timeless country retreat vibe where luxury meets warmth for the Christmas season.
Wacoan® | Waco’s Magazine™ •

A Presidential Pardon

A Waco connection was part of the 78th National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation as National Turkey Federation (NTF) Chairman Jay Jandrain, president and CEO of Butterball, LLC, presented the National Thanksgiving Turkeys named Gobble and Waddle to President Donald Trump. Jay and his wife Leslie Burgess Jandrain, who now live in Raleigh, North Carolina, attended the formal pardon ceremony in the White House’s Rose Garden Club.
Oklahoma Magazine •

The City's Harvest

Across Oklahoma, a growing number of residents are rediscovering the landscape and harvesting edible goodies in an activity called urban foraging.While living solely off the land may not be practical for most people, everyone can enjoy the bounty of Oklahoma on occasion through the practice of urban foraging. Wild mushrooms, herbs and fruits can all be found in nature, and, if harvested responsibly, can be a source of nutritious, unprocessed and chemical-free food. “Foraging is what people ha...
Oklahoma Magazine •

Fueling Oklahoma's Future

While the global energy transition raises questions about the future of oil, Oklahoma’s legacy has stood the test of time. For more than a century, its oilfields have powered economies, built cities and shaped communities — making petroleum a big part of the Sooner State’s identity. We dive into the timeline of Oklahoma’s oil reign.Early Discoveries of Oil – Late 19th CenturyOklahoma’s story as an oil powerhouse began in the late 19th century. The first commercial oil well in the state, Nellie J...
Wacoan •

Taste of Waco: Editor's Picks

Every year, we celebrate the Best of Waco, as voted by you, our readers. This year, we had many categories we wanted to highlight. So many, that we couldn’t even get to all of them because of how many exciting submissions we received from our team and our contributors. From the painter who captured the spirit of a beloved family member to the new spot in town for an exhilarating date night to the cozy atmosphere in the jazzy little wine bar, these are the places and the people that have made an impact in our lives. I hope the following pages will lead you to your next beloved spot.
Oklahoma Magazine •

Oklahoma's Offline Appeal

When Onikah Asamoa-Caesar added wine to the menu of her bookstore and coffee shop in July, it wasn’t just for fun. It was a strategic move to encourage even more folks — beyond readers and coffee drinkers — to gather at Fulton Street Books & Coffee in downtown Tulsa. “It’s really about connection,” Asamoa-Caesar says. “I think everyone really wants to connect with other people and be somewhere where they feel safe, they feel seen and where they’re reflected in the space that they’re in. That’...
Wacoan® | Waco’s Magazine™ •

Conversation with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh

Just one day after the shocking assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk — and on the 24th anniversary of 9/11 — civility and the need for civil discourse was the overriding message of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh as he spoke to a crowd of about 2,500 as part of McLennan Community College’s Ken Starr Lecture Series on September, 11, 2025 in the Highlands Gym.
Oklahoma Magazine •

A Different Kind of Desert

When you picture a desert, it’s usually a hot, dry and desolate place with no water, smack dab in the middle of nowhere. What many don’t know is that there are actually deserts right here in Oklahoma — ones that have buildings and trees and are full of people. They are called food deserts, and like more traditional deserts, people might have to travel for miles and miles before finding sustenance to fulfill their nutritional needs. According to the Feeding America Network, 745,000 Oklahomans a...
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