November arrived, bringing with it falling temperatures, rainfall, holiday excitement, and new activities. One such new activity involved people gathering and painting a new mural at North Main Street and West 12th Avenue. To learn more about the mural, though, we need to rewind a few years.
Back in 2021, a new nonprofit formed in Bristow and grabbed the town’s attention when its blue “Act Out” signs popped up in yards throughout the community. That organization, Activation Outreach, also served as a ministry run by none other than Bristow’s own Majel Wisotsky Cofer. She stated that a group of locals convened in 2021 and noted the need for a local volunteer network, so the group joined with local churches and other organizations to address and fulfill community needs and projects. To that end, she founded the nonprofit.
Now, 3 years later, Cofer has recently been married and is moving to Texas. With a desire to create a tribute to her hometown and join her father’s and the community’s desires to prepare for and celebrate 100 years of Route 66 for its centennial celebration in 2026, she decided to create a mural on the east side of her dad’s business. Bristowans noticed the group as they began painting a couple of weeks ago.
Cofer found inspiration for the mural’s layout and design in other murals found throughout the country. Once inspired, she designed the mural, which was funded by Activation Outreach and Sotsky’s Liquor & Wine. For inclusion as parts of the mural, items of local and state significance were chosen: OU & OSU logos, the shield from the catcher, a football, a tornado, an arrow, and “Pudge the Pirate Peanut”. Cofer explained that Pudge is the creation of her cousin, Laura Killian, and is a nod to Bristow’s self-proclaimed status as “Peanut Capital of the World.”As for why she chose the location for her tribute, Cofer stated that at least 5 members of her family either have owned or worked in the building.
Numerous volunteers and organizations dedicated their time, resources, knowledge, and talents to completing the mural. Cofer wished to thank all of them for their efforts, specifically thanking Thomas Arnett, Karen Coleman, Bill Gurley, Steve Wisotsky, Susan Hughes, Melanie Killian, Laura Killian, Lauren Gardner, Vicki Groom, Lexi Williams, Lindsey Mayberry, Kathy Wisotsky, Karigan Schumacher, Josh Baughman, Audra Dunbar, Kadence Varner, Cody Horn, Betty Pfeifer, Majel Shattuck, Johnny Wisotsky, Peggy Gurley, Peter Killian, Allyson Infield, Aja Richburg,Tricia Buckley, Activation Outreach Ministries, Bristow Police Department, Sherwin- Williams, and Romeo Cofer, who served as night guard dog.
A couple of those volunteers shared their thoughts on being part of the project: 'I LOVE when my friend Majel gets a wild idea and then I get roped in to help….cue the sarcasm! It has been a little fun, and extra time with my friend before she moves, so I better not complain much! Go check out the mural! Did I mention how unartistic I am?!' - Lindsey Mayberry 'I ask God every night to use me to help others, and I saw Majel doing this project and hopped on board. Luckily, I was Majel's principal and she's still scared of me and I made her hurry up because she's meticulous!' – Vicki Groom As for Cofer, she teared up, saying “I just really wanted to leave Bristow with something special. I just love it so much. I just hope that people will be inspired to do their part to keep it a wonderful place by using their talents and abilities for the greater good.”