b'Its a lot different than home landscaping,Weve seen a lot of changes, Robert said ofEverybody was cool about it and left him Robert said. The biggest thing is theres athe cousins four decades at Utica Square.alone, says Ronald); And more.lot more of it. A homeowner might plant 20Some of the older merchants back in the bulbs. We might plant 20,000.1980s, theyll still come around to say Hi.So how does it feel being two of H&Pslongest-tenured employees?Robert and Ronald help oversee sevenWe see a lot of former employees. They landscapers who tend to Utica Square yearcome by and visit us, Ronald said. TheyIt hasnt occurred to me, Robert said.round. While theres always something tocant believe were still here.We just come to work and do our job.do, even in winter, some times of the yearIts a good feeling to be involved with a are much busier than others.Ive stayed so long mostly because ofthe people I work with, Robert said. company that big, but were focused on The employees. The real estate office. what we do, Ronald continued. So muchOr as Robert puts it: Wed like to think The merchants and customers. goes on day to day. Its joyous one momentUtica Square is so popular because of our and 50 days later theres something else. flowers and landscaping.The customers are always complementing our work and asking questions about plants, Ronald said. Thats what brings me here is the people. Thats our biggest reward, the compliments we get.The warmer months we do more, Robert Thats what brings me here is the people. Thatssaid. In the fall were doing the Christmas lights. Were planting bulbs. Spring wereour biggest reward, the extremely busy.compliments we get.In spring of 2020, most of Tulsaincluding the nearly 100 retailers, restaurants and The Hensons have made a lot of memories, services around Utica Squarewereincluding: Their first Lights On ceremony closed due to COVID-19. in December 1981 (I was so amazed seeing all these lights just light up at the same The Square itself was closed during springtime and hearing people cheer, says Robert);UTICA SQUARE: FROM TRAILBLAZER TO LANDMARK2020, Robert said. It was like a ghost town.playing with the Finance and DrillingIt was weird. departments on the company softball teamUtica Square opened on May 22, 1952 as Tulsas first suburban shopping center. In 1964, (We qualified for a tournament in OKC andH&P purchased Utica Square and weve been proud to play a role in its growth ever since. It was definitely different, Ronald said.played a team from Tennessee. We werentWe do mean growth literally, as Walter Helmerich, III, immediately commissioned the But we got a lot of work done. We couldreally successful, but had a great time, saysplanting of 300-plus trees. With store buildings designed in Williamsburg, Georgian, use power equipment all day. Normally weRonald); celebrity sightings (I saw GarthCountry French and contemporary styles, and unique bronze sculptures keeping watch stop at 10 a.m. Brooks shopping for his wife at Dillards.throughout, Utica Square was a trailblazer when it opened, and is a Tulsa landmark today.5EnterpriseWinter 2021 EnterpriseWinter 20216'