EdmondActive Magazine June/July 2017 Vol. 9

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Shop. Eat. Play.

45th Annual LibertyFest Preview



Table Of Contents

Vol.9 2017 Issue 03

Publishers/Editorial/ Photography Sherri Hultner Trevor Hultner

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4. Around Edmond

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6. 4th of July Local Flavor

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8. LibertyFest Preview

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16. OKC Riversport Kayak Nationals 17. Dogs of Heard on Hurd

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18. Events Calendar

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Around Edmond

Hi everyone! Can you believe it’s June already?! So much has happened in Edmond over the last month since our last issue. Our Arts Festival was delightful, graduations happened with Heard on Hurd celebrating with the Class of 2017 to kick off summer with fun & music, and the LibertyFest Board is working hard to make sure we all have a memorable 4th of July. Regardless of which party you belong to, I believe this 4th of July, our country’s Independence Day will mean so much more for so many reasons. I am hoping for safety for our troops who are deployed and so thankful for them, am hoping to see more apathy in our citizenry peel even further away, and am hoping everyone’s day is safe and happily spent with friends and family. I am hoping to see more able citizens who have a plan with the skills to implement them come into our local and state political arena – and less of those who are money minded for only the sake of politics. I am of the belief that way of thinking will continue to knick away at the moral of our state’s citizens, and instead of waiting for someone else to do something, we all need to figure out how to make our situations better – together. This year, I am hoping to see more people come together and connect – with businesses helping each other in the face of online business threatening not only the national level businesses physical locations, but especially affecting our local businesses that are our neighbor’s and friends, as well. I am hoping that residents understand how online sales are about to affect their daily lives, and in some cases not for the best. I am watching our local organizations and residents already feeling the need and desire to support and help out our local businesses, and they are also getting involved to help our local schools and teachers, too. Watching how Citizen’s Bank of Edmond collaborates with local business owners through Heard on Hurd to collect funds for the Edmond Public Schools Foundation and watching how

awesome it is to see our residents happily support those businesses for this reason always brings a smile. And it is contagious. With the 4th of July coming in a month, the Edmond Kiwanis Club is now doing this same thing with a Hot Air Balloon Event and Carnival on July 1 starting at 4 pm at Mitch Park, to which proceeds will go directly to the Edmond Elementary Schools. This event will be heavily traveled, because of this support. I shared this at EdmondActive’s Facebook Page and as of this writing, it has been shared over 250 times and reached over 24,000 people. More of this is what I am hoping for – love, concern, empathy for our communities. We should demand our leaders make events like this become unnecessary to fund our kids schools, and to actually care about the people they serve on just a human level, over their own self interests. I must give a shout out quickly to a new locally owned business, The Super Scoop, Edmond’s newest ice cream shop (serving the area’s best homemade ice cream!). This new business embodies all of these amazing qualities, and I hope you will visit soon. The shop is located on 5th St. & Littler, and after June 12, will be open from 11 am to 10 pm. It is a breath of fresh air to see new business owner’s create a space that is inclusive to people of all abilities. I hope you enjoy this month with friends and family, I hope you enjoy this issue, and keep a hold of it as it has our 8th Annual LibertyFest Preview inside! And, if I don’t say it enough as an independent publisher, thank you so very much for your support over the last 8 years, without your readership and following at our social media networks, I wouldn’t have this job that I created and love so much! Happy Independence Day! See you around Edmond, Sherri

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Advertise your business affordably this Spring, and utilize Edmond’s largest online network of almost 30,000 people to reach more local residents!

Call Sherri at 315-7325


Local Flavor JULY 4TH CINNAMON ROLLS by Martha Hall Do you have a family holiday treat that everyone looks forward to, even if they are grown and married? Who would ever dream that the 4th of July could hold as much family tradition meaning as Christmas or Thanksgiving?! It didn’t start out that way. Actually, 4th of July used to go right by us and we hardly even celebrated. We lived in a humble home on the west side of the tracks in downtown Edmond. The children were very little guys. It was a holiday from work, so of course we tried to sleep in. Then one 4th of July morning, we woke to find cars parked up and down our street and people walking to downtown! It was the first time we knew about the annual LibertyFest Parade in Edmond! As history tells, we moved from our humble home on the west side of the tracks to a fabulous historical home on the east side of downtown. We lived right on the LibertyFest Parade route! For our family of 4, Mom and Dad and 2 little boys, the 4th of July grew into a great big party starting with breakfast at the Bed & Breakfast, a usually hot colorful parade, and followed with a huge potluck dinner for family and friends. There we were to celebrate the 4th of July in hometown style for the next 27 Independence Days! Let me share our tradition with you! We start the night before, making dough for Aunt Judy’s Cinnamon Rolls. Even the grandchildren get in on the action now. Miss Allie (15) made the dough for us last year! Son, Stephen, likes to roll them out precisely adding just right amount of butter, cinnamon sugar and pecans. The rolls bake in the morning along with Gail’s Chili Relleno Casserole. Grandma Edith looks forward to the fresh tomato salsa I make to go with the casserole. Also the night before, we start roasting the Beer Jalapeno Brisket and Martha’s Rub Ribs. These would be the stars of the potluck dinner following the parade. Pastor Joe would go on and on about the brisket, made better every year he said. Yes, the holiday is tasty with family recipes and filled with stories. The morning that it started raining at 5 am after I had been up 2 hours baking for the party. It turned cold and we were afraid they would cancel the parade! We actually still had the parade but had to wear jackets! One year the holiday fell on Sunday so the parade was held on Monday, the 5th. Uncle Mark didn’t know that and early on Sunday morning he arrived with cousins Jason and Jesse for cinnamon rolls. Yes, he had to come back.

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Local Flavor There was Bob, the famous photographer from New York City, who came just to be with our family for the 4th of July. He invited friends to join us for lunch. Several of us were sitting with them at the dining table when his guest mentioned that he had been sailing. Jack asked if he had been sailing at Lake Hefner. Bob’s guest answered, “No, the America’s Cup.” The table became very quiet. No one could top that! We had our annual 4th of July guests, Virginia and Albert, who stayed in the Crown Jewel Suite to watch their children in the parade. Gary and I loved to carry their breakfast tray and candelabra out the back door of the Inn and over to their separate Villa. There was always a crowd lined up across the street waiting for the parade. We had an audience! Our two little boys are grown now with wives and children of their own. Many of the family members that used to join us are gone. The Inn is gone. Yet the family love and tradition is as strong as ever. You see, it wasn’t the place that made the 4th of July great, it was the company, the love, and the tradition. Time moves on. We have moved to the country to host our guests. The 4th of July holds even more importance as we are grateful for the freedoms and opportunities afforded us as Americans. Our traditions may change yet making memories will carry on. JUDY’S CINNAMON ROLLS 1 box Duncan Hines Butter Recipe Cake Mix 2 1/4 cups warm milk 2 pkgs. yeast pinch of salt about 5 cups flour Dissolve yeast in warm milk. Let set, should begin bubbling if yeast is alive. After 5 minutes or so, add yeast to cake mix and salt. With dough hook in electric mixer, slowly add flour to make a stiff dough. Turn out onto floured counter and knead for 5-10 minutes. Place in large greased bowl, turning once to grease all of the dough, and cover with towel. Set in draft-free space and let rise 1 hour until doubled in size. Turn out onto floured counter again and roll into rectangle 1/2 inch thick. Spread with 1/2 cup melted butter, then sprinkle on cinnamon sugar, brown sugar, raisins, and nuts (all to your own tastes). Roll wide side towards you and slice into 2 inch thick slices. Place slices in greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Let rise till doubled and bake at 350º for 20 minutes. Brush with melted apple jelly immediately after removing from oven. Make a powdered sugar glaze to drizzle over rolls just before serving. Glaze… To powdered sugar gradually add milk until you get the desired consistency (not too thick, not too thin).

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LibertyFest Preview 45th Annual LibertyFest In 1923, Edmond started celebrating the 4th of July at Stephenson Park, and while the current Libertyfest event hosts 10 family friendly events, it didn’t actually start off that way. As the year’s passed, more and more events were added. In 1972, Edmond hosted the first fireworks display at the Edmond Rodeo grounds, and not until 1976 were they hosted at UCO. And not until 1987 did Edmond name the festival “LibertyFest”. Since then, approximately 125,000 people from all over the state come to Edmond to partake in the Taste of Edmond, Libertyfest Rodeo, the Concert in the Park, the Car Show, the Road Rally, KiteFest, Miss Libertyfest Pageant, and ParkFest held at UCO just before the fireworks display on the 4th of July. We should all thank over 500 Edmond volunteers for participating in what we consider the crowned jewel of events happening in Edmond. So much so, that LibertyFest in Edmond, Oklahoma was selected as one of the top 10 places to be in America on July 4th by CNN & USA Today. In previous years, there have been really fun events, such as the Chalk It Up event, the Cardboard Boat Regatta and more. This year, the Concert in the Park will be relocated due to construction at UCO, and there will be a really fun addition of a Balloon Festival and Carnival benefiting Edmond Elementary Schools hosted by the Edmond Kiwanis Club on July 1 starting at 4 pm at Mitch Park! For more information on locations of events, how to purchase Taste of Edmond armbands, etc., please visit Libertyfest.org for more information!

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LibertyFest Preview

LibertyFest Car ShowSat, June 24—Hafer Park

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LibertyFest Preview LibertyFest KiteFest Sat, June 24 – Sun, June 25—Mitch Park

LibertyFest Rodeo Sat, June 24 – Sun, June 25—Carl Benne Arena 10 edmondactive.com


LibertyFest Preview

Miss LibertyFest Pageant Sat, June 24—Santa Fe High School

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LibertyFest Preview LibertyFest A Taste of Edmond Sun, July 2—Festival Market Place & Plaza

LibertyFest Road Rally Sun, July 2—Earl’s Rib Palace

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LibertyFest Preview LibertyFest Concert in the Park Thu, June 29—UCO

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LibertyFest Preview LibertyFest Parade Tue, July 4—Downtown Edmond

LibertyFest ParkFest Tue, July 4—UCO

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LibertyFest Preview LibertyFest Fireworks Tue, July 4—UCO

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OKC Riversport Kayak Nationals

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Dogs Of Heard On Hurd

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Edmond Events June 2017 Triple Crown Fast Pitch Tournament Fri, June 2 – Mon, June 5— Mitch Park 2017 KickingBird Senior Championship Sat, June 3 – Sun, June 4— Kickingbird Golf Club Edmond Farmer’s Market and Junior Market Wed, June 7—Mitch Park CMSA Central National Wed, June 7 – Sat, June 10— Lazy E Arena

Vintage CountrE Market 2 “Junkin’ at the LazyE” Fri, June 16 – Sat, June 17— Lazy E Arena Cloth as Community: Hmong Textiles in America Fri, June 16 – Thu, August 10— Edmond Historical Society & Museum Citizens Bank Of Edmond’s Heard on Hurd Sat, June 17—Downtown Edmond Edmond Farmer’s Market Sat, June 17—Festival Market Place & Plaza Live Music - Crooked Feet Sat, June 17—The Patriarch Concerts in the Park- Vinyl Stripes / Gotcha Covered Band Thu, June 22—Hafer Park

Concerts in the Park- Souled Out / Champaign Jam Thu, June 8—Hafer Park

Live Music - Edgar Cruz Thu, June 22—The Patriarch

18th Annual UCO Endeavor Games Thu, June 8 – Sun, June 11— UCO

Oklahoma 4-H State Horse Show Thu, June 22 – Sat, June 24— Lazy E Arena

Movie Night @ The Park Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb Fri, June 9—Stephenson Park

Upstage Theatre Presents: Grease Thu, June 22 – Sat, June 24— Mitch Park

Arcadia Lake’s Kids Fishing Derby Sat, June 10—Spring Creek Park at Lake Arcadia

LibertyFest Car Show at Hafer Park Sat, June 24—Hafer Park

Edmond Farmer’s Market Sat, June 10—Festival Market Place & Plaza Edmond Farmer’s Market and Junior Market Wed, June 14—Mitch Park Concerts in the Park- Squeeze Box / Teasing Weasel Thu, June 15—Hafer Park Upstage Theatre Presents: Grease Thu, June 15 – Sat, June 17— Mitch Park

Miss LibertyFest Pageant Sat, June 24—Santa Fe High School LibertyFest KiteFest Sat, June 24 – Sun, June 25— Mitch Park LibertyFest Rodeo Sat, June 24 – Sun, June 25— Carl Benne Arena Edmond Farmer’s Market and Junior Market Wed, June 28—Mitch Park Concerts in the Park- Bonham Revue / Red Dirt Band

Thu, June 29—Hafer Park LibertyFest Concert in the Park at UCO Thu, June 29—UCO USTRC Oklahoma Classic Team Roping Fri, June 30 – Sun, July 2— Lazy E Arena

July 2017 Edmond Farmer’s Market Sat, July 1—Festival Market Place & Plaza Live Music - Jamie Bramble Sat, July 1—The Patriarch National Little Britches Rodeo Association Finals Sat, July 1 – Sun, July 9—Lazy E Arena LibertyFest A Taste of Edmond Sun, July 2—Festival Market Place & Plaza LibertyFest Road Rally Sun, July 2—Earl’s Rib Palace

Live Music - Erick Taylor Sat, July 8—The Patriarch 15th Annual KickingBird Classic sponsored by Edmond Electric Sat, July 8 – Sun, July 9— Kickingbird Golf Club Edmond Farmer’s Market and Junior Market Wed, July 12—Mitch Park Concerts in the Park- Nasty Weather / Out of the Box Thu, July 13—Hafer Park DiveIn Movies: The Little Mermaid Thu, July 13—Pelican Bay Aquatic Center Live Music - Bob Powers Fri, July 14—The Patriarch Movie Night @ The Park Zootopia Fri, July 14—Mitch Park

LibertyFest Fireworks at UCO Tue, July 4—UCO

Citizens Bank Of Edmond’s Heard on Hurd Sat, July 15—Downtown Edmond

LibertyFest Parade Tue, July 4—Downtown Edmond

Edmond Farmer’s Market Sat, July 15—Festival Market Place & Plaza

LibertyFest ParkFest at UCO Tue, July 4—UCO

Live Music - Mike Rae Sat, July 15—The Patriarch

Red, White, and Blue Bash Tue, July 4—Pelican Bay Aquatic Center

Edmond Farmer’s Market and Junior Market Wed, July 19—Mitch Park

Edmond Farmer’s Market and Junior Market Wed, July 5—Mitch Park

Concerts in the Park- Micheal Fresonke Jazz Combo and Claire Peirsol Band Thu, July 20—Hafer Park

DiveIn Movies: The Wizard of Oz Thu, July 6—Pelican Bay Aquatic Center

DiveIn Movies: Finding Nemo Thu, July 20—Pelican Bay Aquatic Center

Live Music - Kelly Raines Fri, July 7—The Patriarch

Live Music - Edgar Cruz Thu, July 20—The Patriarch

Edmond Farmer’s Market Sat, July 8—Festival Market Place & Plaza

Upstage Theatre Presents: Les Miserables Thu, July 20 – Sat, July 22— Mitch Park

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Live Music - Will Gaines Fri, July 21—The Patriarch Edmond Farmer’s Market Sat, July 22—Festival Market Place & Plaza Live Music - Rick & The Mystery Dates Sat, July 22—The Patriarch Lake Aracdia Sprint Distance Aquathlon Sun, July 23—Arcadia Lake Edmond Farmer’s Market and Junior Market Wed, July 26—Mitch Park Concerts in the Park- Mike Black and the Stingrays and O.K. City Chorus Thu, July 27—Hafer Park DiveIn Movies: The Lego Movie Thu, July 27—Pelican Bay Aquatic Center Live Music - Edgar Cruz Thu, July 27—The Patriarch Upstage Theatre Presents: Les Miserables Thu, July 27 – Sat, July 29— Mitch Park Live Music - Stephen Salewon Fri, July 28—The Patriarch Bonus Barrel Race Regionals & National Barrel Racing Tour Finale Fri, July 28 – Sun, July 30— Lazy E Arena Edmond Farmer’s Market Sat, July 29—Festival Market Place & Plaza Krazy Daze Sat, July 29—Downtown Edmond Live Music - Brad Fielder Sat, July 29—The Patriarch

August 2017 Edmond Farmer’s Market and

Junior Market Wed, August 2—Mitch Park Live Music - Jamie Bramble Fri, August 4—The Patriarch Edmond Farmer’s Market Sat, August 5—Festival Market Place & Plaza Live Music - Jordan Law Sat, August 5—The Patriarch Lazy E Red Dirt Classic WSTR Sat, August 5 – Sun, August 6— Lazy E Arena Arcadia Lake Triathlon & Aquabike - SMW Regional Sprint Championship Sun, August 6—Arcadia Lake Edmond Park Edmond Farmer’s Market and Junior Market Wed, August 9—Mitch Park

Edmond Farmer’s Market Sat, August 19—Festival Market Place & Plaza Edmond Farmer’s Market and Junior Market Wed, August 23—Mitch Park Live Music - Will Gaines Fri, August 25—The Patriarch 33rd Annual Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association Range Round-Up Fri, August 25 – Sat, August 26—Lazy E Arena Edmond Farmer’s Market Sat, August 26—Festival Market Place & Plaza Edmond Farmer’s Market and Junior Market Wed, August 30—Mitch Park

September 2017

Live Music - Brett Vanderzee Fri, August 11—The Patriarch

Live Music - Jamie Bramble Fri, September 1—The Patriarch

Movie Night @ Park - Middle School: The Worst Year of My Life Fri, August 11—MAC in Mitch Park

The Power of Children: Making a Difference Fri, September 1 – Sat, October 21—Edmond Historical Society & Museum

Edmond Farmer’s Market Sat, August 12—Festival Market Place & Plaza

Edmond Farmer’s Market Sat, September 2—Festival Market Place & Plaza

Live Music - Tacit Sat, August 12—The Patriarch

Live Music - Joe Mack Sat, September 2—The Patriarch

14th Annual Parent Child Championship Sun, August 13—Kickingbird Golf Club Arcadia Lake Deer Harvest Management Wed, August 16—Arcadia Lake Edmond Farmer’s Market and Junior Market Wed, August 16—Mitch Park Citizens Bank Of Edmond’s Heard on Hurd Sat, August 19—Downtown Edmond

Slide Outta Summer Sat, September 2—Mitch Park Edmond Farmer’s Market and Junior Market Wed, September 6—Mitch Park Edmond Farmer’s Market Sat, September 9—Festival Market Place & Plaza Faith Family Friends 5k Race Sat, September 9—Mitch Park

Patriarch Craft Beer House 21 & Up! Edmond Farmer’s Market and Junior Market Wed, September 13—Mitch Park Oklahoma City Ballet: Rodeo & Firebird Thu, September 14—Armstrong Auditorium Citizens Bank Of Edmond’s Heard on Hurd Sat, September 16—Downtown Edmond Edmond Farmer’s Market Sat, September 16—Festival Market Place & Plaza Edmond Farmer’s Market and Junior Market Wed, September 20—Mitch Park 2017 Asian Moon Festival Fri, September 22—UCO Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation - Wildlife Expo Fri, September 22 – Sun, September 24—Lazy E Arena Edmond Farmer’s Market Sat, September 23—Festival Market Place & Plaza Edmond Farmer’s Market and Junior Market Wed, September 27—Mitch Park 2017 Western Dressage World Finals Thu, September 28 – Sun, October 1—Lazy E Arena Live Music - Will Gaines Fri, September 29—The Patriarch Edmond Farmer’s Market Sat, September 30—Festival Market Place & Plaza

Live Music - Justin Joslin Band Sat, September 9—The

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ShopEdmond.

We offer affordable & stylish accents, re-styled furniture, fun jewelry, unique holiday and home decor & gifts and we have an Etsy like atmosphere! Stop in now to see all of the latest decor & gifts and accessories for you and your home. Find Serendipity Market at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest! Our Location: 917 E Danforth Rd, Edmond (Across from Ted’s Cafe Escondido) and you can call us at 405-340-8869

Emory Anne Interiors is one of the trendiest stores in Edmond, with a fantastic selection of new high end to affordable pieces for your entire home, very unique home accessories, full line of Company C, Lenny & Eva and Waxing Poetic Jewelry, Thibaut fine fabrics, wallpaper and custom furniture. Emory Anne’s also offers fabric by the yard and design services in store. Be sure to stop by to visit this store first when redecorating on any

budget. You can find Emory Anne Interiors at 15020 Bristol Blvd, on 33rd between Kelly and Santa Fe Open M-F 10 am to 6 pm and Sat. 10-5 pm. Be sure to follow at Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for sales & inspiration and online at www.Emoryanneinteriors.com! If you have any questions, you can call the store at 405753-4466.

Millies is the place to go for weekly prepared meals, catering for your wedding or special event and for your Graduate! Millie’s also has new healthy items available for pick up in their Meals to Go freezer! Give Millie’s a call at 330-9156 or visit her website for more information! Located at 1333 W. Danforth Rd in Edmond! For more information, visit her website at www.MilliesTable.com

2 Doors Down Furniture Consignment is now accepting select gently used brand name quality furniture and accessories. If you’re looking to make a change in your home, this store is the place to check first as their stock is unique, trendy, and affordable, but you have to check in often as their inventory changes daily. Be sure to stop in to 2 Doors Down, located at 15020 Bristol Park Blvd Ste 400, off 33rd

Street, between Kelly & Santa Fe, and take a look around, great owners and great pieces! You can also find them at Facebook & Instagram at 2DoorsDownEdmond or by calling them at 405-254-5175 if you see something you’d like to place on hold! If you’d like to consign your gently used pieces, send your email to twodoorsdown.edmond@yahoo.com Store hours are M-F 10-6 and Sat. 10-5

It’s almost Mother’s Day, time for Spring Weddings, and Graduations! Now is a great time to save on something new with Edmond Wine Shop’s Employee Picks! Cases are discounted, too! Be sure to follow Edmond Wine Shop on social networks at Twitter, Instagram & Facebook @EdmondWineShop! Located on 15th & Boulevard and open Mon– Sat. from 10 am until 9 pm! You can also call in any order at 405-341-3122 for a later pick up, visit Edmond Wine Shop online at EdmondWine.com.

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ShopEdmond.

Enjoy the arrival of Fall in the country at any one of the 5 cozy cottages at Arcadian Getaways, formerly Aaron’s Gate, in Guthrie! Located just a few minutes north of Edmond, on a beautiful wooded 10 acre property, you can relax with the outdoor jacuzzi’s or just relax indoors in front of the fireplace and wake up to a beautiful candlelit breakfast of pumpkin pancakes and Martha’s World Famous Vanilla Butter Sauce. Be sure to check out the 4 and 7 day packages online at www. Aaronsgate.com to discover the cottages & to reserve your getaway, or call 405-282-0613.

Roost Interior Design is Designer owned, offering interior design services metro wide. Previously Roost Oklahoma, Andrea and Lauren are focusing their energy and talents on the interior design aspect of Roost for 2016! If you are interested in their services, you can find them online at Facebook and Instagram at @RoostOklahoma.

Paper Arts is a scrapbook and art boutique that provides top of the line supplies for scrapbooking, card making and other fun projects, classes and one-on-one instruction, as well as, ready to buy gifts. We love scrapbooking, card making and all things paper crafting. We also love to share our creations and the products that we find with our customers. There is nothing more satisfying to us than to hear the joy in a customer’s voice as they learn a new technique or find the perfect product for their projects. Paper Arts 632 W. Edmond Rd. Edmond, OK 73003 (405) 330-2055

Thanks to all of you who support our advertisers and who take the time to shop, eat and play at locally owned independent businesses in and around Edmond. The difference it makes keeping your sales tax dollars in Edmond means more spent on our roads and parks, city improvements, paying local residents salaries, and more. ShopLocal. ShopSmall. ShopEdmond.

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Life Happens 13 Reasons Why NOT A Response from the Staff Edmond Family Counseling 13 Reasons Why, a book by Jay Asher, has recently been adapted by Netflix into a series, narrated by the now deceased character, Hannah Baker. Hannah has committed suicide. She places blame, in large part, on the horrific events involving 13 individuals who undeniably bullied, abused, stalked, and assaulted her during her first year at a new high school. Both the book and the series are popular and many parents are concerned that suicide is presented as justifiable; even glamorous. In a world where teens are obsessed with seeking attention of any sort, the concern is understandable. Recently, Edmond Family Counseling was asked to respond to the series, “13 Reasons Why”, and recommend whether teens should watch. We’ve compiled the responses here. AUDREY WOODS, STAFF THERAPIST In order to effectively educate young people, forums in which young people are already present are among the best ways to begin, making television and social media prime avenues to start the conversation. However, this beginning must be extended into meaningful and informative interactions between young people and their caregivers. Often, there is a misperception that extensive conversation or education regarding sensitive topics will invite higher rates of occurrence whereas the opposite is true. It helps to keep young people safe and informed. Take these opportunities to ensure the people in your life have accurate information by starting what should be an ongoing conversation.

CHAD MCCOY, LPC Suicide is an infinitely complex process. As we have a responsibility to each person to treat others with dignity, respect, and general pleasantness, each individual has a duty to themselves to safeguard their future by being a proactive agent in their lives. Hannah Baker took her own life. There were multiple times through this series that I wished she had acted differently; wished she had the foresight to understand the outcomes to some of her decisions or the strength to reach out and ask others for help before it became too late. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make for a best-selling book or TV series. QUINTON ELLIS, LPC A real “slice of life” story. Sorry, that was a poor, but absolutely deliberate choice of words. While technically well-done, and expertly acted, there is ultimately nothing redeeming about this project. Obviously, the show wants us all to be more empathetic toward one another. But it wants more than that. The show strongly encourages all of us to be psychic as well – as nothing else would’ve saved this girl. Put simply, and in its own language, the show is its own “unhelpful Yoda”. There is no symptom or social ill “13” wishes to treat for which the show doesn’t prescribe us an overdose. A client explained to me something that I cannot now un-know about the folks who made this emotional black hole. She was a fan of the book, which she thought was more personal and moving than the TV version. In the book, Hannah takes pills. In the show, these sadists pointlessly force you

to watch every horrid wretched instant of Hannah carving open her forearms with a razorblade. They chose to make a “snuff” film. Just have your kids watch “Friday Night Lights” instead, m’kay? JOHN GOETZ, LPC For full disclosure, I have not read the book or watched the Netflix production of “13 Reasons Why” so I will keep my comments to what I know. First, suicide is a tragedy that is often but not always preventable. One way to conceptualize it is in three parts; feelings of helplessness, followed by feelings of hopelessness, and then feelings of despair. I would like to add another element that is often present with thoughts of suicide; thoughts of homicide. Who did you want to kill before you thought of killing yourself? This might be applicable to Hannah’s story and a point for parents to discuss with their children. Violence against others is never acceptable. Suicide is most effectively dealt with by asking the person you are concerned about the question, “Are you thinking about suicide, of killing yourself?” Then by carefully listening to them, just listening with no judgment, no opinion, and then offering to help them find help. Edmond Family Counseling is committed to providing counseling and educational programs to individuals, families, and groups in Edmond and surrounding communities. We serve as a professional referral source for Edmond schools, churches, Edmond Juvenile Court, area health clinics, hospitals, and other… edmondfamily.org

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Stop by Emory Anne Interiors to see whats in store for Spring! Fresh. Fun. Unique.

Company C for Norwalk furniture and coordinating fabrics are now in stock!

Emory Anne Interiors has a full Bridal Registry!

HOURS: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm Saturday 10am-5pm 405.753.4466 www.emoryanneinteriors.com 120 NE 150th Street, Edmond (at 150th and Santa Fe)


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