Gretchen Eichenberg

Gretchen Eichenberg

Writer • Reporter • Storyteller


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...
Oklahoma Magazine •

Incubating Innovation

Nurturing. Care. Protection. Just as an egg needs all these things to hatch, so does a new business in order to launch, grow and succeed in a world that can quickly chew up and spit out entrepreneurs and their ideas. “As a young founder, it can be cutthroat, even predatory,” says William Colton, inventor, patent owner and CEO of Paldara Pharmaceuticals. “When you’re dealing with all the emotions and the financial risk, having someone on your side, on your team, that’s there for you and your b...
Oklahoma Magazine •

Future In Session

Oklahoma’s higher education landscape is in the midst of a quiet transformation, driven by shifting workforce demands, advanced artificial intelligence technology and a renewed focus on innovation. Colleges and universities statewide are rethinking how they educate students, strategically partnering with businesses and preparing their graduates for an uncertain future. We explore just a few ways they’re swiftly adapting – whether that’s embracing the perks of skills-based learning or fostering e...
Oklahoma Magazine •

A Modern Masterpiece

In the heart of midtown Tulsa, a Midwest modern style home, constructed with Oklahoma-sourced limestone, a natural colored stucco, wood timber and plate steel, stands out. And, by design, it also fits in. “My vision of modern architecture is that it is clearly of this era, and fitting and responsive to this climate, culture, geology and building practices,” says architect Brian Freese, who owns Tulsa-based Freese Architecture.  The best architecture, he says, looks natural to its location....
Fox News •

Medical experts warn 'Big Food' is fighting back against Ozempic with addictive items for sale

Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs may be cutting through "food noise," yet the junk food industry is only getting louder, some medical experts claim."Ozempic is breaking the food addiction cycle – but Big Food isn't going down without a fight," Dr. Mark Hyman, an internationally recognized advocate for functional medicine, said in a recent Instagram post. "For decades, ultraprocessed foods have been engineered to hijack the brain's reward system – perfecting the 'bliss point' of sugar, salt an...
Fox News •

Some alcohol choices like dry red wine and clear liquor are less harmful than others, experts say

You may have heard that red wine is good for your heart health — or that vodka is a better option than darker liquors like bourbon. A recent study in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology even found that Champagne could reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Yet according to the World Health Organization and others, no alcohol is considered healthy for the body. A few factors, however, such as the amount consumed and its sugar content, could offer drinkers a slightly less damaging choice."There...
Wacoan® | Waco’s Magazine™ •

Woman of Interest: Monica Sedelmeier

Whether promoting a community concert, celebrating the opening of a new fire station or sharing the journey of a local business owner, Monica Sedelmeier is helping tell the story of Waco. As chief communications officer for the city, she’s made it her mission to learn about the history and heritage of Waco and how that plays into the successes of today — as she and her team work to ensure all citizens know about everything the city has to offer.
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