Surrey - May/June 2013

y e r r Su Taking You Places Today!

Home Cooking The The Hammett Hammett House House offers delicious, homestyle meals

SUMMER 2013 Vol. 5 No. 5 • A Claremore Daily Progress Publication

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Project Hope — Page 5

Surrey Taking You Places Today!

Vol. 5 No. 5 n SUMMER 2013

5 Celebrating the Stars and Stripes — Page 8

8 10 14 16 21

Project Hope: helping orphans Project Hope is more than just a mission for Owasso’s Kelley Scott-Compton, it’s her passion and a way God allows her to minister to orphans all over the world.

Celebrating the Stars and Stripes Americans will celebrate Flag Day on June 14, recognizing our nation’s flag as a symbol of strength, unity and freedom.

The Hammett House People have been coming to Claremore for the past 43 years to enjoy a home-cooked meal, exceptional hospitality and a slice of history.

Master Gardeners of Rogers County Come springtime, members of the Master Gardner Association of Rogers County are out and about, creating or maintaining an area of the community that is aesthetically pleasing to residents.

Mr. 606: Coach Brent Payne When it comes to the game of baseball, Claremore head coach Brent Payne is head and shoulders above the rest in Oklahoma.

Summer Blockbusters sizzle Summertime brings blockbusters to the big screen. Take a look at what will be the entertainment this summer.

The Hammett House - Legacy of Deliciousness — Page 10

COVER — Bill Biard, owner of The Hammett House, shows off one of the restaurant’s famous pies.

SUMMER 2013 Surrey 3

Summer Season Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.

— Henry James Days at my grandfathers meant one trip down to the bayou to fish, sit lazily under a willow tree and trade tales of the family. Occasionally, we'd catch a few sun perch, mostly catfish, once a giant sucker fish. The fishing was always secondary to the jokes my aunts, uncles and grandfather told.

It was worth the chigger and mosquito bites we endured.

Summer is a time for taking a break from the riggers of work and school. It is a time to relax; but most importantly, it is a time to connect with those you love.

In this Summer issue of Surrey, we bring you stories of people who are making a difference in their communities.

An Owasso woman — Kelley Scott-Compton — spends RANDY COWLING part of her summer helping Ugandan orphans as a volunteer with Project Hope. Project Hope’s goal is to provide the most basic needs for orphans. In Uganda, there are more than 3 million orphans.

Locally, Bill Biard, owner of The Hammett House, is carrying on a tradition which began 43 years ago by Jim and LaNell Hammett. Now, people travel from across the country to enjoy the delicious, home-style food at The Hammett House.

American celebrate Flag Day on June 14, recognizing our nation's flag as a symbol of strength, unity and freedom. Cadets from the Claremore High School Navy Junior ROTC program annually led a Flag Retirement ceremony. They keep the flag flying high, so others can watch it fly.

The Master Gardener Association of Rogers County musters their efforts each spring to create and maintain areas in the community so others might enjoy the blooms scenery. Each year the association's Safenet Garden Tour shows off some of their handiwork.

When it comes to the game of baseball, Claremore head coach Brent Payne is head and shoulders above the rest in Oklahoma. For 26 years, he has led young men the right way on the diamond. This year he won his 606th game.

Summer is a time when film makers churn out some of their best work. The summer blockbuster is an annual rite. This summer's features include Man of Steel, Star Trek Into the Darkness, Iron Man 3 and two animated features, Monsters University and Despicable Me 2.

Summer is a time for taking it easy, enjoying family and finding some place to keep cool.

4 SUMMER 2013 Surrey

Surrey Taking you places today!

Surrey © 2013 All rights reserved.

Published Bi-monthly by The Daily Progress SEND COMMENTS TO: The SURREY @ The Daily Progress 315 W. Will Rogers Boulevard Claremore, OK 74017 P.O. Box 248 Claremore, OK 74018 E-mail — rcowling@claremoreprogress.com Bailey Dabney, publisher Randy Cowling, editor and designer CONTRIBUTORS Tim Ritter Rebecca Hattaway Tom Fink Salesha Wilken Mark Friedel ADVERTISING INFORMATION: 918-341-1101 addir@claremoreprogress.com All copy and advertising in the Surrey are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced.

Some photos used by permission of source.

Project Hope Helping Orphans Around The World

SUMMERâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;2013

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Providing a safe place in Uganda

By TIM RITTER

P

roject Hope is more than just a mission for Owasso’s Kelley Scott-Compton, it’s her passion and a way God allows her to minister toward orphans all over the world.

Four years ago, Compton and a group of hardworking individuals from the Tulsa area started Project Hope with a vision of bringing hope to kids that didn’t have a hope.

“After taking a trip to Uganda, and seeing the deprivity of kids in an orphanage that had been ran-sack by war, we wanted to give them a voice with Project Hope,” Compton said. “There’s over 3 million orphans around the world that are suffer-

ing and not being cared for. When you’re over there (in Uganda) and seeing kids that are helpless, you can’t walk away from it without feeling concerned for their safety and providing love.”

Compton said the mission of Project Hope is to provide orphans with the most basic needs of all people.

“It’s important that they have a safe home, food, clothes, water, an education and help in discerning a vocation which will allow them to provide for themselves,” Compton added.

In order to accomplish that, Project Hope partners with nationals in each country.

Left: School boys run and play.

Above left: Boys study in a school provided by Project Hope.

Above right: Kelley Scott-Compton holds Gloria.

6 SUMMER 2013 Surrey

“Working with them, we identify children who are truly orphans and create a home for them which are staffed by widows from the community,” Compton said. “Through Child Sponsorship programs, the child’s needs for food, clothing and access to medical care, education and vocational training are provided.”

A couple of times a year, Compton leaves her husband and son in Owasso to travel thousands of miles across the world offering God’s love and support to these precious orphans.

“When you grow up in middle class America and see pictures of other side of the world, you think to yourself, ‘it’s not my problem,’,” Compton said. “Then, you see it first hand, it can be your problem.”

Compton added that we (Americans) can be closeminded and think everything is about us.

“We think we have it rough here in the United States, but go to Uganda and our troubles aren’t near as bad as what those orphans are going through.”

The United Nations estimates that there are as many as 150 million orphans in the world today. Without help, millions will die from starvation or treatable ill-

Project Hope provides a well rounded, safe atmosphere for the orphans of Uganda. nesses before they reach six years old. Millions more will become slaves, forced into prostitution, offered as child sacrifices and coerced to become child soldiers, or live off the streets and resort to crime and violence.

“Our work with orphans, widows and the poor is CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

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Cadets from the Claremore High School Navy Junior ROTC program fold up the colors at the annual flag retirement ceremony..

Celebrating the Star and Stripes

By REBECCA HATTAWAY

O

n June 14, Americans will celebrate Flag Day, recognizing our nation’s flag as a symbol of strength and unity. The American Flag has been a prominent icon throughout our country’s history. The history of the flag and flag etiquette are among the first lessons learned by cadets in the Navy Junior ROTC program at Claremore High School.

“We have an entire chapter in our textbooks dedicated to this subject, which we all take very seriously,” said Chief Skip Jasper, USN (Ret), Naval Science Instructor at CHS. “After the history of the flag, Flag Day, we teach our cadets how to raise, take down, and fold the flag. We discuss how the flag of the United States of America is a living symbol that calls to our spirit. It’s what represents us, what we stand for, what we feel, what we value. We teach our cadets to view the flag with devotion, that it signifies a people dedicated to liberty, justice and freedom to all.”

It was Jan. 1, 1776 that the Continental Army was reorganized in accordance with a Congressional resolution which placed American forces under George Washington’s control. On that New Year’s Day the

8 SUMMER 2013 Surrey

Continental Army was laying siege to Boston which had been taken over by the British Army. Washington ordered the Grand Union flag hoisted above his base at Prospect Hill. It had 13 alternate red and white stripes and the British Union Jack in the upper left-hand corner.

In May 1776, Betsy Ross reported that she sewed the first American flag.

On June 14, 1777, in order to establish an official flag for the new nation, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act: “Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”

Between 1777 and 1960, Congress passed several acts that changed the shape, design and arrangement of the flag and allowed for additional stars and stripes to be added to reflect the admission of each new state.

Today, the flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with six white. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies, the stars represent the 50 states of the Union.

The colors of the flag are symbolic as well: red symbolizes hardiness and valor; white symbolizes purity and innocence; and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.

During the course of their studies, the NJROTC cadets learn about the Pledge of Allegiance and the meaning of each word, phrase and sentence.

“We collect flags all year long that are worn, torn or are in such condition that they cannot be flown proudly, and on Veterans Day we have a Flag Retirement Ceremony so we can properly retire these flags in a dignified manner,” Jasper said. “We collect over a thousand flags each year.”

Flag Day, which is the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777, was officially established by a proclamation from President Woodrow Wilson on May 30, 1916. But, it wasn’t until Aug. 3, 1949 that President Truman signed an act of Congress, designating June 14 each year as National Flag Day. The idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the flag is believed to have originated in 1885 by a school teacher.

Nineteen-year-old Bernard J. Cigrand arranged for his students in Fredonia, Wis., to observe June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as ‘Flag Birthday.’ He placed a 10inch, 38-star flag in a bottle on his desk then assigned essays on the flag and its significance.

This observance was also the beginning of Cigrand’s long years of fervent and devoted effort to bring about national recognition and observance of Flag Day. On June 14, 1889, George Balch, a kindergarten

teacher in New York City, planned appropriate ceremonies for the children of his school, and his idea of observing Flag Day was later adopted by the State Board of Education of New York. On June 14, 1891, the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia held a Flag Day celebration, and on June 14 of the following year, the New York Society of the Sons of the Revolution, celebrated Flag Day. Following the suggestion of Colonel J Granville Leach (at the time historian of the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the Revolution), the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames of America on April 25, 1893 adopted a resolution requesting the mayor of Philadelphia and all others in authority and all private citizens to display the Flag on June 14. Leach went on to recommend that thereafter the day be known as “Flag Day,” and on that day, school children be assembled for appropriate exercises, with each child being given a small Flag.

Two weeks later, on May 8, the Board of Managers of the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution unanimously endorsed the action of the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames. As a result of the resolution, Dr. Edward Brooks, then Superintendent of Public Schools of Philadelphia, directed that Flag Day exercises be held on June 14, 1893 in Independence CONTINUED ON PAGE 25 SUMMER 2013

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The Hammett House A Claremore tradition of deliciousness

By SALESHA WILKEN

P

eople have been coming to Claremore for the past 43 years to enjoy a home-cooked meal, exceptional hospitality and a slice of history.

The Hammett House has become a household name since Jim and LaNelle Hammett founded the restaurant in 1969.

In April 1969, the doors opened to what would be a trendy new place to eat; however, plans quickly changed for the Hammett family.

Jim, a long-term Claremore Mayor, and his wife, LaNelle, had proposed a trendy phone-in restaurant featuring bright red booths, dark wood accents and phones at each table.

Each customer would have the opportunity to call in their order directly from the table as the Hammett’s tried to join a trend that was sweeping the nation.

However, the phones never arrived and the doors opened to the public. As the weeks passed with no phones, the trend became less of a priority.

Jim and LaNelle decided to change to a full service restaurant after the equipment did not arrive.

10 SUMMER 2013 Surrey

That decision changed their future and the Hammett House evolved to an upscale restaurant, serving nightly specials including menu items such as prime rib, according to current owner Bill Biard.

“It is a neat story and how the phones would have worked. But, if they had put that in, I doubt the restaurant would be here today,” Biard said.

Years later, when the restaurant was sold, a remodel revealed the phone jacks located at each table. Although, the original plan did not work, LaNelle never stopped creating firsts for the restaurant. LaNelle primarily ran the restaurant although she was legally blind, Biard.

“It never slowed her down. She was the driving force of the restaurant back in those times,’ Biard said. “She loved to cook.”

In the early 1970’s, she started with a light menu and skinny soup, years before the trend for healthy menu choices began.

Skinny soup, a low-fat low-calorie vegetable soup, remains our number one signature soup served every day and “it is so good,” Biard said.

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Biard carries on legacy of Hammetts “That idea was something that “It was a wonderful marriage,” ple interested in culinary arts and was 30 years ahead of the trend for Biard said. others just wanting to develop a healthy food. The only problem is With the ability to get the Hamwork ethic. that everything else in this restaumett family backing, we knew that The Biard family continued a rant is not that healthy,” Biard said the restaurant needed to be reinwonderful success story by helping referring to the large selection of vented so renovations went under- an independent restaurant flourish specialty pies. way to change the color scheme in a fast-food trending market.

Most of the pies were her “There are just not to invention and she made many independent type them from scratch, he restaurants left around that added. still make food from That was only the beginscratch,” Biard said. “That ning of the home cooking, is what we do.”

LaNelle made homemade Keep it fresh and keep it bread and many other really good, he added. unique menu items.

The fresh twist on the faShe served chicken livers vorites, hometown hospiand gizzards, he added. tality and one of a kind Lamb and turkey fries recipe have sustained the were another very unique business after 40 years. item that only a few restau“I have the best staff. I rants across the state offer. would not trade it for all The menu was very exthe tea in China. The key is tensive and when Biard, and the food and the staff,” wife Linda, bought the Biard said. restaurant in 1991 the The number one recipe menu had to be reduced. is the country-fried steak or “We had to cut somecountry fried chicken, a thing and the gizzards got Hammett family recipe. cut,” Biard said. “But, if I “In the early days, Bill Biard visits with customers at The Hammett get a special request we will LaNelle coined the term — House. still cook them today.” pampered fried. It is just the The staff has had a little way we feel about our fun with the unique items through and lighten the rooms. chicken,” Biard said. the years even teasing some Euro“Linda and I added our flavor to Other recipes evolved from pean visitors about where those the restaurant,” Biard said, “But we friendship and invention. fries come from, Biard said. kept most of the favorites.”

Biard bought the recipe for the The main focus was on keeping Early on, we decided not to have famous pink salad dressing from a the family atmosphere and special- a bar, because we were going to friend for $400 and learned the seties alive as the restaurant reopened raise our children in this restaucret to the perfect onion blossom after closing for five years. by accident. rant, he added.

The Brandy and butter sauce The Hammett’s son, Jim, was key The Biard’s transformed the dinused for the apple delight came all to carrying on the tradition as he ner into a legacy in fine dinning. the way from Florida, after a friend worked for Biard when the restauThe 123-seat restaurant became rant reopened. the training ground for young peo- in the business came to visit Biard.

12 SUMMER 2013 Surrey

“No way your going to get the recipe, the Brandy and butter sauce is just incredible,” Biard said.

One thing the Hammett House has always been willing to share is LaNelle’s recipes for the famous homemade pies.

Each guest receives a copy of the recipes as a slice of Hammett House hospitality.

LaNelle started the tradition of sharing the recipes and it is something we have not changed over the years, Biard said.

Sometimes we even get calls from customers that come from out of state, just wanting a little help with the recipe, he added.

“I am glad to share with the customers it is something we give back to our customers,” Biard said.

What makes us so unique and wonderful is that the community has embraced both families and made us a part of it and we try to give it back.

Through the years, Biard has had the pleasure of meeting famous people including Jim Rogers and Jim Hearts, as well as politicians or government officials.

“When it comes down to it, I like the little old ladies that come in everyday, that are so sweet and the couples that come in on Sunday after church,” Biard said.

The relationships our staff has developed with people is the driving force of the business.

“I have lived in this town for 42 years and I think it means more than anything in the world the relationships and the love that has been given to us,” Biard said. “I have a found affection for my town and what it has given to us.”

Claremore is the crown jewel of Oklahoma, and we are blessed to be a part of the community, he added.

Biard said he promised the Hammett family with a handshake to continue the tradition years ago and that is his goal for as long as he can.

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Passion at its Finest

Rogers County Master Gardeners plan for new projects

By MARK FRIEDEL

C

ome springtime, members of the Master Gardener Association of Rogers County (MGARC) are out and about, creating or maintaining an area of the community that is aesthetically pleasing to residents. However, MGARC is more than just a group of friends working in a garden. It is an organization that shares ever-growing knowledge of a rare passion and dedication with each other and members of the community.

“We have a diverse group of people who all love to garden,” said Co-President Ann Baker. “We love it enough to teach it.”

As a non-profit volunteer organization, MGARC works with Oklahoma State University to support the Rogers County Extension Office located in Claremore. Master Gardeners work with the Rogers

14 SUMMER 2013 Surrey

County Conservation District staff to manage the butterfly gardens and vegetable gardens at the District Reserve. With joint efforts from both organizations, more residents and students learn how to conserve natural resources through education and practices.

MGARC was originally organized and established

by OSU Extension Educator John Haase who began training the first class of master gardeners in 2002.

Today, the association has approximately 55 active members and has continued to grow every year.

Haase teaches classes once a week during the fall and winter, said Baker. Anyone and everyone is invited to enroll.

“Master gardeners are required to earn 50 community service hours during the first year to keep

status,” she said. “We want to be able to share our interests and use our abilities to assist others.”

In addition to community service, all members are required to earn 25 hours of continuing education.

“Whether it is participating in seminars or reading a home and garden magazine, we strive to remain as knowledgeable as possible so that we can act as a resource for those who may have questions.”

Recently, MGARC set up a booth at the annual Rogers County Home, Garden, Farm and Ranch Show. Members presented a demonstration on landscaping and provided OSU fact sheets for attendees to use as resources.

In May, master gardeners held educational outreach events at Stillwater Milling and Atwoods. Members answered questions while promoting MGARC, offering information on what it takes to become a master gardener.

“We plan to host a farmer’s market at least once a month in the parking lot between the Expo Center and the VFW,” said Baker.

The association’s Safenet Garden Tour in early June gives residents a chance to walk through some of Rogers County’s most elaborate

Master Gardeners Association of Rogers County Chairwoman Connie Shilling, left, discusses plans with MGARC President Ann Baker, for the upcoming Will Rogers Park teaching gardens project. Baker said the gardens will provide residents and visitors a place for family photos as well as a place to relax and enjoy the “beautiful” outdoors. home gardens. Residents open up their homes as participants familiarize themselves on how to maintain a garden. The garden tour as well as the annual plant sale are two major fundraisers that support the association’s publicity, helping expand projects and garden development.

During the recent plant sale, donations were accepted for

MGARC’s biggest upcoming project, the teaching gardens at Will Rogers Park which sits across from the Will Rogers Memorial. Plans have been made to build the garden on the former city pool site near the park’s parking lot, providing a location for educational outreach events, programs and fundraisers for the association. The teaching CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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Mr. 606 Coach Brent Payne leading young men the right way

By TIM RITTER

W

hen it comes to the game of baseball, Claremore head coach Brent Payne is head and shoulders above the rest in Oklahoma.

For 26 years, Payne has led young men the right way on the diamond, teaching them the fundamentals and life lessons that it takes to be a ‘winner’ and a state champion. He’s coached a lot of great teams and a lot of outstanding players over his celebrated career, and even won several games. ... 606 to be exact.

16 SUMMER 2013 Surrey

Dr. Ali Torabi D.D.S., P.L.L.C.

The first win was just as important as the 600th, Payne said.

“I may not be able to remember that first win, but I owe a lot to my parents, my family, my players and coaches,” he added. “My wife, Kari and I have been blessed to live in communities that wanted success.”

And, in Claremore, success is something Payne and the Zebras strive for on a daily basis. The past two seasons, Claremore has appeared in the Class 5A State Finals with a shot at winning a championship.

“Year in and year out, I’ve been blessed to coach good players,” Payne said.

On April 26, Payne witnessed a milestone moment in his baseball coaching career. His No. 1-ranked Zebras, at the time, run-ruled Coweta, 10-0 and gave their coach a key win — No. 600 — on his resume.

On that chilly, spring night in Coweta, the Zebras took a commanding 3-0 lead in the top of the second inning on Dalton Clifton’s two-run double. They kept applying pressure to Coweta later in the third inning with Matt Whatley’s two-out RBI-double and then blew the game wideopen with five runs in the top of the fourth.

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Celebrating The Claremore High School baseball team honored Coach Brent Payne for his 600th victory. The team presented Payne with a poster signed by the entire team.

18 SUMMERâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;2013 Surrey

Coaching Claremore High School Baseball Coach Brent Payne, right, visits with his high school baseball coach Bill Fisher. Payne notched his 600th win during the 2013 season. He completed the year with 606 wins and an appearance in the state baseball playoffs.

Seniors Isaac Hollihan, Tyler Cagle and Brandon Varnell drove in runs with base-hit singles as the Zebras poured it on with a 9-0 lead.

“We wanted to get this one for Coach Payne in a big way,” said Whatley in a previous interview. “He’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever played for, and a man that I truly respect on and off the field.”

On the field, Payne is tough on his players, but with a caring heart.

“He (Payne) wants us to be at our best, whether it’s in practice or a game,” Whatley said.

Since taking over the Claremore baseball program in 2008, Payne has instilled a winning philosophy in his players that is second-to-none in northeastern Oklahoma.

“Our goal every year is to make the state tournament and have an opportunity to play for a championship,” Whatley said.

Payne, who has baseball coaching stints in Berryhill, Tulsa Webster, Haskell and Oologah, lives for the bright lights of Legendary Legion Field

from March to May. It’s his safe haven and home away home.

His loving and supportive wife, Kari, never misses a game nor do his kids, Natalie Young, Brittni Jernigan and Justin Payne.

Family time revolves around Zebra baseball, and the Paynes wouldn’t have it any other way.

According to Kari, in an article written by Wayne McCombs, “You have to be there to support him and you have to love it (baseball) too. But I don’t see how any marriage can survive if Christ is not the center.”

Payne met Kari in 1980, during his first year of coaching at Berryhill.

“Kari was the best friend of the wife of head football coach Jim Cherry,” said Payne in McCombs’ story. “They fixed us up for a date in September and we got married during Spring Break in March 1981. I married way above myself.”

Payne, who have a 159-66 record in Claremore, agrees with Kari that it takes great support to be in a coaching family.

“You must have an understanding wife,” Payne added.

Also, the Payne children inherited their father’s passion for sports. Both daughters — Natalie and Brittni — were involved in gymnastics and their son — Justin — played football and baseball.

Though the wins are praise-worthy, Payne says his greatest blessing in life is being Kari’s husband and knowing that all the members of his family live a Christian lifestyle.

Payne’s ‘faith’ in coaching truly exemplifies the way the players carry themselves on the diamond.

Hard work, commitment to excellence and taking pride in representing Claremore, whether it’s on the baseball field, in the classroom or in the community are the winning ingredients to playing the Payne way.

“There’s no other coach that I would want to play for than Coach Payne,” said Jacob Teague, former Zebra pitcher. “He’s the best in the state.”

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Master Gardeners FROM PAGE 15

gardens is one piece of Claremore’s overall Will Rogers Park Project which will include a large community playground, “splash pad” and veterans’ memorial “This park is in a beautiful location and should be enjoyed by everyone,” said Baker.

“The gardens will provide a place for residents and visitors to relax and enjoy the outdoors.”

Members recently met with city-hired architects to discuss area measurements and landscaping plans for the garden. MGARC will sell bricks to veterans and residents for laying in the park’s future veterans’ memorial and walkways. Sales will be used for development of the teaching gardens. Bricks will be designated for either the children’s area (children or family’s name on brick) or veterans’ memorial (name of serviceman or woman on brick along with time of service or war served in).

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The

Heat Is On Summer blockbusters sizzle

By TOM FINK

W

hen country artist Kenny Chesney sang about summertime, bare feet on the dashboard, young love, swimmin’ holes, and an old Ford were mentioned as some of the sights of summer.

Although Chesney didn’t mention it, there’s an even better indicator that summer has arrived — the summer blockbuster. With the arrival of the summer months, so do the “must see” movies in local cinemas, the hits and the mega-hits, i.e., the blockbusters.

The term “blockbuster” has its origins in the early 1940s, describing the impact of a particularly popular play or movie on the public as being similar to that of an aerial bomb (or blockbuster) dropped on Germany during the second World War, only with fewer casualties (one would hope).

It wasn’t until Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” in 1975 that the term truly caught on with movie audiences, perceived as something new — a cultural phenomenon, which signified fast-paced, must-see entertainment, almost their own genre.

Blockbuster audiences would not only go just to

see the movies, but they would discuss them afterwards, tell their friends, and go back to see them again, just for the thrill. It didn’t take long for movie studios — savvy and to be honest, fairly greedy chaps that they are — to catch on to this trend, and begin targeting the release of certain properties for the Christmas or particularly summer movie season in hopes that they would catch on with audiences as the latest “blockbuster.”

Although the first day of summer isn’t until June 21, the summer blockbuster season has already been making its presence knowing in theater with movies like “Iron Man 3” and “Star Trek Into Darkness,” with more blockbusters and blockbusterhopefuls waiting in the wings. But which summer 2013 films are the most likely to come out at the top of the summer movie pile? While there are rarely any guarantees, the following are the most probable contenders for box office champs this summer.

Iron Man 3 Rated PG-13 (now in theaters) Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Swyneth Paltrow, SUMMER 2013 Surrey 21

Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Ben Kingsley.

Directed by: Shane Black (”Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”) Synopsis: When Tony Stark’s world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.

Summer Blockbuster Status Likelihood: 9 out of 10 Star Trek Into Darkness Rated PG-13 (now in theaters) Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, Benedict Cumberbatch Directed by: J.J. Abrams (”Super 8”, “Star Trek”) Synopsis: After the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone

22 SUMMER 2013 Surrey

world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction.

Summer Blockbuster Status Likelihood: 9 out of 10 Man of Steel Rated PG-13 (opens June 14) Starring: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner Directed by: Zack Snyder (”Sucker Punch,” “Watchmen,” “300”) Synopsis: A young boy learns he has extraordinary powers and is not of Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do.

But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.

Summer Blockbuster Status Like-

lihood: 10 of 10.

The Wolverine Rated PG-13 (opens July 26) Starring: Hugh Jackman, Will Yun Lee, Brian Tee, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Rila Fukushima Synopsis: Based on the celebrated comic book arc, “The Wolverine” finds Logan, the eternal warrior and outsider, in Japan.

There, samurai steel will clash with adamantium claw as Logan confronts a mysterious figure from his past in an epic battle that will leave him forever changed.

Summer Blockbuster Status Likelihood: 8 of 10 World War Z Rated PG-13 (opens June 21) Starring: Brad Pitt, James Badge Dale, Mireille Enos, Eric West, David Morse Directed by: Marc Forster (”Quantum of Solace”) Synopsis: United Nations employee Gerry Lane traverses the world in a race against time to stop the Zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments, and threatening to decimate humanity itself.

Summer Blockbuster Status Likelihood: 7.5 out of 10 Despicable Me 2 Rated PG (opens July 3) Starring: (voices of) Steve Carell,

Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Russell Brand, Steve Coogan, Benjamin Bratt Directed by: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud “Despicable Me,” “The Lorax”) Synopsis: Reformed bad guy and foster dad Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help deal with a powerful new super criminal.

Did you know: Javier Bardem was originally slated to voice the villain but dropped out of the project.

Summer Blockbuster Status Likelihood: 8.5 of 10 Monsters University Rated PG (opens June 21) Starring: (voices of) John Goodman, Billy Crystal, John Krasinski, Helen Mirren, Steve Buscemi, Nathan Fillion Directed by: Dan Scanlon (”Tracy”) Synopsis: In this prequel to Disney/Pixar’s “Monsters Inc.,” Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan meet in college and can’t stand one another, but the pair soon learn to overcome their differences and become the best of friends.

Summer Blockbuster Status Likelihood: 8 of 10

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Orphans finding a life worth ‘living’ FROM PAGE 7

rooted in our understanding of justice,” Compton said. “We believe in the dignity and honor of every human being.”

Compton’s first trip to Uganda was definitely an eye-opening experience.

“There are so many kids just walking the streets that are literally starving,” Compton said.

Uganda is one of the poorest nations in the world, with 37 percent of the population living on less than $1.25 a day. People in rural areas of Uganda depend on farming as the main source of income and 90 percent of all rural women work in the agricultural sector. In addition to agricultural work, rural women also have the responsibility of caretaking within their families.

The average Ugandan woman spends 9 hours a day on domestic tasks, such as preparing food and clothing, fetching water and firewood, and caring for the elderly, the sick as well as orphans.

Statistics show that women in Uganda work longer hours than men, between 12 and 18 hours per day, with a mean of 15 hours, as compared to men, who work between 8 and 10 hours a day. Project Hope’s involvement in Uganda is to adopt kids between the ages of 3-6 years old and keep them until they’re 18.

“We give them the best of the best when it comes to food, clothing, shelter and education,” Compton said.

“We place 8 children to a house, and hire a widow to serve as the ‘house mom’.”

Compton added that a lot of the orphans don’t even have the means for medical care, which Project Hope has provided through funding for a medical clinic.

“We created a clinic that is able to give medical care to a community of 8,000 to 10,000 people,” Compton said.

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“When you see things happen through God, it’s pretty incredible.”

Compton, who was raised on the softball diamond in Claremore, said she was never geared toward missions.

“I was always involved in church and leading worship, and graduated from college with a masters in accounting,” Compton said. “Though I’m not one to be a stay at-home mom, I love to work and Project Hope allows me to reach out to others.”

The decision to start an organization from the ground up proved to be a way Compton could use her competitiveness and determination outside of the playing field.

“When kids lives are at stake, it motivates you in a lot of ways,” Compton said. “A lot of the kids (in Uganda) come from terrible situations. One girl that we met was starving to death and her soul was gone. In just two months, though, we were able to give her hope and a smile, a sense of love that she hadn’t felt in a long time. To see that kind of life transformation, it’s mind-blowing.”

Compton said that there are over 100 members from the Tulsa/Owasso area that are involved in Project Hope.

“We believe in giving 100 percent to the orphanages in Uganda and around the world,” Compton said. “My life philosophy has always been that life is too short to sit around.”

Project Hope Worldwide thrives through the hearts of people who want to maximize the impact of their lives and leave an external legacy.

“Every man dies, but not every man truly lives,” Compton said.

In Uganda, millions of orphans are finding a life worth ‘living’ through Compton’s compassionate heart.

FROM PAGE 9

Square. School children were assembled, each carrying a small Flag, and patriotic songs were sung and addresses delivered.

In 1894, the governor of New York directed that on June 14 the Flag be displayed on all public buildings. With Cigrand and Leroy Van Horn as the moving spirits, the Illinois organization, known as the American

Flag Day Association, was organized for the purpose of promoting the holding of Flag Day exercises. On June 14, 1894, under the auspices of this association, the first general public school children’s celebration of Flag Day in Chicago was held in Douglas, Garfield, Humboldt, Lincoln, and Washington Parks, with more than 300,000 children participating.

Flag Etiquette Federal law stipulates many aspects of flag etiquette or the Flag Code. Below are some Flag Code guidelines: •The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.

•The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.

•The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.

•The flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.

•The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.

•The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.

•The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.

•The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

•When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

•The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.

•When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

Adults, too, participated in patriotic programs. Franklin K. Lane, Secretary of the Interior, delivered a 1914 Flag Day address in which he repeated words he said the flag had spoken to him that morning: “I am what you make me; nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself.”

On Flag Day this year, the NJROTC upperclassmen will be at a leadership academy in Nevada, Mo., followed by a basic leadership camp for the underclassmen.

“There we will have morning formation and greet every day with the national anthem and raise the flag to her glory height so that she may watch over us and guide us,” Jasper said. “We teach our cadets how to respect the flag because of the love for country; the customs and traditions which surround the proper display and use of our flag; and when the flag should be flown at half-mast and how to do it properly.”

With information from www.usflag.org and www.nationalflagday.com.

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