February 15, 2018

February 15, 2018 Vol. 18, No.38

In This Issue BELLY DANCER

‘Man of La Mancha’ Musical Theatre production this weekend

Belly Dancer, in real life is located in front of On Cue at 33rd and Kelly but is hidden somewhere in our paper this week. Email contest@ edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing. For more information see page 4.

It’s that time again!

Vote for your favorite Edmond businesses!

See Ballot on pages 21 - 24

PHOTO PROVIDED

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Cloudy High 39° Low 24°

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Mostly sunny High 53° Low 38°

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Partly cloudy/Wind High 62° Low 44°

From left to right, students Ryan Brown, Nicole Phillips and Michael Andreaus star in “Man of La Mancha,” presented by UCO School of Music’s Musical Theatre division at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15-17 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Mitchell Hall Theatre on the UCO campus.

The University of Central Oklahoma School of Music’s Musical Theatre division kicks off 2018 with “Man of La Mancha” at 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 15-17 and 2 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Mitchell Hall Theatre on Central’s campus.

Adapted from the Dale Wasserman teleplay “I, Don Quixote,” based on the 17th-century novel “Don Quixote”

by Miguel de Cervantes, “Man of La Mancha” is the story of mad knight Don Quixote and his fellow prisoners awaiting a hearing with the Spanish Inquisition.

“It’s really quite spiritual and is about being able to see beyond the perceived exterior of things,” said Greg White, Ph.D., director of Musical Theatre at UCO. “Quixote sees the good in everything, despite

his surroundings.”

With a cast of 30 students, pre-production for “Man of La Mancha” began in late 2017 and rehearsals started on the first day of the spring semester. As opening night nears, the sets and costumes, designed by Kristy Benson and Elisa Bierschenk, respectively, are putting the finishing touches on the show.

“The stage and costume design of our show is quite different than the original, but done with great attention to detail. Everything is layered – reflecting not only the musical’s message, but also the structure of the musical itself,” White said.

“Man of La Mancha” is performed as a play-within-a-play, in which the story of Don Quixote is presented

by Miguel de Cervantes, the author of the novel “Don Quixote.” Music

is used as a storytelling device, as the character of Quixote is played by the character of his creator. When the musical was last performed at UCO, in 1992, White took on the lead role. Now, Quixote is played by musical theatre student Michael Andreaus, with White directing.

“It’s been on our shortlist for a while,” White said. “With the cast and crew we have, it just felt like the right time to do it again.”

Tickets for “Man of La Mancha” are free for students with a valid UCO ID and range from $10-$20 for all others. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.mitchellhalltheatre.com.

For a complete listing of UCO College of Fine Arts and Design events and performances, visit cfad.uco.edu.

Page 2 • February 15, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 15, 2018 • Page 3

Rebekah Wheeler

Rebekah Wheeler of Edmond

Pageant hopeful brings light to eating disorders

By Rose Drebes An Edmond woman, getting ready to compete in March for Mrs. Oklahoma, is hoping to raise awareness of the issue by speaking to local groups.

Also Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett has issued a proclamation recognizing Feb. 26-March 4 as National Eating Disorder Week for Oklahoma City.

The 2015 Mrs. Oklahoma, Rebekah Wheeler, said she is the only former crown holder to make a repeat run at the title. The pageant is set for March 10 in Guthrie and will include interview, swimsuit and evening gown competition.

Rebekah said she battled an eating disorder when she was younger and wants to use her platform to bring awareness to them. She is also a National Ambassador for Project HEAL – Help to: Eat, Accept and Live – and involved with the National Eating Disorder Association.

Eating disorders affect everyone, Rebekah said. Women and men and the young and the old can all fall victim.

In fact, she said, 1 in every 100 American has anorexia and 2 in every 100 battle bulimia. A mental disorder, Rebekah said “you just can’t quit.”

“The only way to really heal is to get recovery,” she said.

That is where the work of Project HEAL is making a big impact. As one of 12 National Ambassadors, Re-

bekah is helping raise money so the organization can give grants for medical help to those affected by an eating disorder.

Rebekah said the cost of recovery for in-patient treatment is approximately $30,000 – a sum many people just can’t come up with and which is often not covered by insurance. Over the past three years, Project HEAL has awarded 36 such grants.

Ten years ago, Rebekah said she “absolutely” wouldn’t have thought she would be speaking to groups and sharing her story, as before she was very “private.” But the rewards are great.

For instance, the Norman Regional Hospital offer treatment for eating disorders. Rebekah said she often visits with patients there.

“I’ve seen such an impact,” she said.

People who are battling an eating order see that recovery is possible and that it can happen to anyone.

Rebekah has taken her message of hope to schools, Rotary Clubs, the Junior League and other groups. She said she would love to speak to others. Email her at rebekah.hailey.wheeler@gmail.com to schedule a time.

For more information on Wheeler and her platform, visit www.mrsrebekahwheeler.com,: or www.nationaleatingdisorders.org and theprojectheal.org.

Touch-a-Truck event now accepting entries Edmond Electric is accepting entries for their annual Touch-a-Truck event set for Saturday, June 28.

Touch-A-Truck is a fundraising event that provides kids of all ages with the opportunity to experience life-size vehicles and interact with community support leaders like police officers, firemen, construction workers and many more.

Families will have the opportunity for a hands-on exploration of many vehicles such as Edmond’s own fire trucks and police cars, an Edmond Electric bucket truck and even a solid

waste truck.

Last year, the event displayed over 50 different vehicles for kids to enjoy.

Admission for the Touch-A-Truck event is a suggested $2 donation with all proceeds going to the Edmond Hope Center to benefit local residents in need.

If your group or organization would like to participate in this kid friendly event, sign up information can be found at http://edmondelectric.com/touchatruck or you may call Jessica Lyle at 216-7729.

Sign up forms are due by June 1.

Page 4 • February 15, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

From the Publisher

Support Coffee Creek homeowners On Page 18 of this week’s newspaper you will find a very complete letter from Tonya Coffman, president of the Coffee Creek Homeowners Association explaining in detail about the issues at hand in their neighborhood. She articulates the issues well.

As you may remember Coffee Ray Hibbard Creek has been a golf course community. In 2016, owners of the golf course sold the course to developers with no notification to the Coffee Creek Homeowenrs Association. Her letter describes what has happened since that time.

Many times, in Edmond, homeowners are shocked when land near them is used for a purpose different than what they imagined. Many still remember the battle years ago when a grocery store wanted to change the zoning on the southwest corner of Bryant and Danforth. It was a bitter battle and nearby homeowners were convinced that their home values would dive and that their neighborhoods would be destroyed. None of this happened and there is now a nice Homeland store in this location.

The Super Wal-Mart on the corner of Danforth and Santa Fe is another example of how gloom and doom did not occur with commercial development. This battle got a new council member elected and gave rise to a much stronger Edmond Neighborhood Alliance. Once again, home values increased around the store, more single-family homes were developed, and neighborhoods were not destroyed.

The abrupt betrayal that has happened in Coffee Creek is different, much different. Here was one of Edmond’s most premier home additions that was developed by one of Edmond’s oldest and most successful residential development companies. You had arrived if you were able to purchase a home in this prestigious residential division. It was on a beautiful golf course with homes overlooking fairways and green belts. In one swipe of a pen and the transference of cash to a bank account, the area’s greatest feature was snatched away from these homeowners.

Was it legal? Of course, it was folks. Was it right? It certainly was not right. I would call it egregious and that is what sets it apart from previous land development issues here in Edmond.

While there was no signed document that the golf course would be in place forever and ever it was

certainly implied by the folks that developed the area.

“Our golf course could just get sold and apartments could go in its place at the drop of a hat,” was not said by anyone, ever when developing Coffee Creek, by builders building homes in Coffee Creek or by realtors selling homes in Coffee Creek.

Lesser issues are required to be disclosed when you sell a home so why isn’t this one required to be disclosed?

It reminds me of a movie I watched years ago about a family purchasing a home in another part of the country from where they lived. The young couple purchasing the home from an older couple would admire something about the house such as the built-in refrigerator or pool. Every time they did so the old guy would say, “Ha, I’m taking it with us,” then laugh and the couple laughed along assuming he was joking. When it came to move in day after the closing, the young couple found the old guy had taken all the built-in appliances, closets, fixtures, glass out of the windows and had even dug up the swimming pool. There was a giant mud hole in the backyard where the pool had been. The young couple called, and his reply was, “I told you I was taking it with me.” It was funny in the movie but nothing humorous in real life.

The golf course is a major feature of Coffee Creek and one that set the home values. It may have been an easy way out for the owners of the golf course, but it was just wrong to do for your friends and neighbors. My family had looked at purchasing a home in Coffee Creek. It is a beautiful neighborhood. We just couldn’t find a layout that fit our five kids at the time. We purchased a home in Fairfax instead.

Fairfax is a great example of where a developer and golf course owner did the right thing. The Armstrong family purchased Fairfax from the previous owner and decided to improve the existing golf course because it gave them the best chance of selling more lots. Builders flocked to Fairfax because the improved golf course would allow them to sell the homes they build at a premium. As the addition got closer and closer to having all the lots sold, J.W. Armstrong and his family wanted to exit the golf course business.

I asked J.W. at one point if he would ever close the golf course to sell to developers or develop it himself. He was quick with his answer, “NO.” He told me it would not be right and that there was too much liability in doing so. He had sold lots and builders had sold homes in a neighborhood with a

golf course. The family looked at many options including a partnership with UCO and their golf program. Instead, they found a great family out of Texas who had been in the golf business for years to purchase the course and improve it even more.

J.W. Armstrong and his family did the right thing by their friends and neighbors. It took time to find the right buyer. While there is now commercial development on the corner of the property, Covell and Sooner, it is the kind that will improve home values and not destroy the core of the neighborhood. When it came time for me to sell my home in Fairfax for a smaller place, home values were excellent, and I enjoyed the benefits of home value appreciation.

So, what is next for Coffee Creek? Much of the future is held by the current owners of the 181 acres that was the golf course. There are 300 families affected by what they decide to do and how they develop the land that touches so many homes in the addition. The homes are certainly still beautiful in Coffee Creek and the quality of the building is outstanding for these homes. The difficult part is a seller of a home that is on the golf course cannot say for certain to a potential buyer what the home will be backing up to in the future. Until this is solved, it is going to be a burden on current homeowners wishing to sell their property.

The odds of the property going back to be a golf course are not good. It is our hope that the owners of the property and the homeowners will be able to develop a plan together that will increase values to the homes and provide a feature that is both unique and attractive to home buyers keeping Coffee Creek one of Edmond’s most desirable neighborhoods. It is certainly in the best interest of both parties to do so. It would be regrettable if the new owners develop a take it or leave it attitude instead of a vision that benefits not only the homeowners in Coffee Creek but all of Edmond as well.

In her letter, Coffman thanks Edmond for the encouragement and support. She asks for all Edmond homeowners to lend support to their circumstances. I think that includes letting your elected Edmond City Council members and Edmond Mayor know your thoughts on what happens at Coffee Creek. While we hope it turns away from a battle and toward neighborly cooperation, if it comes to a battle, we will be squarely on the side of the Coffee Creek homeowners.

(Ray Hibbard may be reached by e-mail at ray@edmondpaper.com)

Check out what’s inside! n n n n n n n n n

High school philanthropic efforts are starting this week at Edmond’s three high schools. Read details on Page 11.

Find the ‘Belly Dancer’ bear’ We are continuing the bear art for our regular weekly contest.

Belly Dancer, in real life is located in front of On Cue at 33rd and Kelly but is hidden somewhere in our paper this week. Email contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing.

Belly Dancer is by artist Joshua Tobey.

“We love that Edmond encourages business owners to purchase art. Beyond the aesthetic appeal of the artwork, our bear is friendly and greets our customers with a wave and a smile. Our bear has personality and has been known to dress up from time to time (we think he may be a Thunder fan). We encourage customers to take selfies with our bear and tag @oncueexpress and use the hashtag #MyOnCue.”- Laura Griffith Aufleger, VP Corporate Communications for OnCue

Weekend calendar of events ........................................................Page 7.

A look at words that bother people..............................................Page 8.

Schools philanthropic efforts starting ........................................Page 11.

George Gust reviews ‘The Florida Project’ ..................................Page 13.

Crossword ..................................................................................Page 15.

ACM@UCO to host music fest....................................................Page 17.

Business News ............................................................................Page 19.

Sr. news ..........................................................................Pages 20 & 25.

Worship directory ......................................................................Page 27.

Publisher Ray Hibbard Jr. ray@edmondpaper.com

Legal Counsel Todd McKinnis Ruebenstein & Pitts, PLLC

Partner Christopher T. Hoke

Copyright © 2018 by Edmond Media Publishing

Editor Steve Gust news@edmondpaper.com

107 S. Broadway Edmond, OK 73034 405.340.3311 (office) 405.340.3384 (fax)

Production April Burgess, Enrique Ruiz III Advertising Director Alexx Harms alexx@edmondpaper.com

Mailing address: P.O. Box 164 Edmond, OK 73083

Contributing

All rights reserved.

Writers Dave Farris, Mallery Nagle, Kacee Van Horn, Rose Drebes, Anne Schmidt, George Gust.

Material contained herein may not

Photographer Anne Schmidt anne@edmondpaper.com

be reproduced in any form without the express written permission from Edmond Media Publishing. edmondlifeandleisure.com facebook.com/edmondlifeandleisure twitter.com/edmondlifeaneleisure

Cover Design April Burgess

instagram.com/edmondlifeandleisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 15, 2018 • Page 5

At EEDA Economic Preview

Miller supports tax hikes to boost state’s budget

By Steve Gust State Treasurer Ken Miller outlined challenges and possible solutions with the state's troubled budget during last week’s Edmond Economic Development Authority's annual Economic Preview.

Held at the new Edmond Conference Center at the Hilton Garden Inn, Miller noted good news for overall state economy. His evaluation of the budget wasn't as rosy.

Concerning the economy, Miller said the state enjoyed a relatively low unemployment figure at 4.1 percent and prices were up for both natural gas and crude oil.

Yet with an increasing state population, budgets were going down. IN 2015, the budget was $7.2 billion, Miller noted. It's been less than that the past three years. Miller, a former Edmond state representative, is hoping for $7.3 billion budget this year.

He then produced charts and graphs outlining the "core four," services of state government. Those include education, transportation, health and safety.

"We lock up too many people," Miller told the hundreds in attendance. "We are No. 1 for female incarceration and No. 2 for male incarceration.

On education Miller noted money alone won't fix the outcome. He took time to praise the local school districts.

"This community has good education outcomes," he said.

In addition, the Treasurer said Oklahoma's funding of some services couldn't accurately be compared to states such as New York and Hawaii because of their higher "cost of living."

In another bit of bad news, Miller said Oklahoma was No. 3 in the nation in deficient bridges. He was hoping a pending initiative by President Trump to fix infrastructure would be a benefit in Oklahoma as well.

"We have a lot of work to do," he said.

Part of a budget fix, endorsed by Gov. Fallin, includes a proposal called the "Step Up Oklahoma Plan."

This would raise taxes on cigarettes as well as gasoline. Miller said the plan was an idea of nonpartisan

State Treasurer Ken Miller group of business, civic and community leaders. The idea is to stabilize state funding and ultimately give teachers a $5,000 a year pay raise.

Miller, also a professor at Oklahoma Christian University, told the crowd all five living ex-Governors endorsed "Step Up Oklahoma Plan," while five candidates running to replace Fallin didn't support the plan.

"I don't know what they know that the ex-Governors don't," Miller said.

Of the ex-Governors, four are Democrats.

During his presentation, Miller said he visited with a treasury official from Australia.

That official said voting there included almost 100 percent of the population., "I asked him how they did that and he told me it (voting) was compulsory," Miller said.

He said that might be an idea worth studying here.

Miller has 10 months remaining in his term and told the Economic Preview crowd he wasn't seeking another office.

"The only thing I'm running for is the door," he said.

2017 saw almost $79 million in commercial construction

By Richard Mize NewsOK.com/The Oklahoman Take The Shoppes at Cheyenne Plaza, Astoria Executive Park, St. Monica Catholic Church's Education Building, add a Taco Bell and a Starbucks, toss in a city wastewater treatment plant and 50 other projects, and it all adds up.

Last year, Edmond saw commercial construction starts to the tune of $78,808,716.

The Edmond Economic Development Authority presented year-end statistics Thursday at the annual Economic Preview. It was in the new Edmond Conference Center at Hilton Garden Inn, northwest of Interstate 35 and Covell Road. First Fidelity Bank sponsored the event.

The biggest part of it the construction was miscellaneous commercial, which came to $36,531,600, and the biggest part of that was for the water treatment plant at 1600 N Midwest Blvd., for $19,530,000.

Next came retail at $31,281,816.

Then industrial at $5,509,894.

Then office at $3,495,833.

Then multifamily at $1,989,573.

Commercial construction overall was down 27.8 percent compared with 2016, down 26.1 percent compared with 2012, and up 26.4 percent compared with 2007.

The past decade saw a high of $109,153,010

More Edmond stats n Population, 94,826. 36,233 households. Metro OKC 1.4 million. n Sales tax rate. Edmond 3.75 percent and Oklahoma 4.5 percent. n Home ownership rate, 65.4 percent. n Edmond Public School enrollment, 24,878. n University of Central Oklahoma enrollment, 15979.

Stats by EEDA

in 2016, and a low of $12,650,750 in 2009 at the bottom of the Great Recession — with five year-to-year increases, and five yearto-year decreases.

Here are highlights from other real estate reports released at part of the Edmond Economic Preview.

Retail Retail centers planned or in the works, according to a Price Edwards & Co. report by broker Susan Brinkley include: • Broadway 33, southeast of 33rd Street and Broadway, 9,636 square feet.

• Shoppes at Cheyenne Ridge, southeast of 33rd Street and Bryant Avenue, 28,000 square feet.

• Shops at Spring Creek, 15th Street and Bryant Avenue, up to 200,000 square feet.

• Shops at Rose Creek, 16325 N May Ave., 18,105 square feet.

• Shoppes at Covell Village, southwest of Kelly Avenue and Covell Road, 80,685 square feet.

• Shops at East Covell, southwest of I-35 and Covell Road, 11,880 square feet.

Multifamily "After experiencing banner years for new construction in 2014 and 2015, new construction slowed in 2017" across the Oklahoma City metro area, according to a CBRE report by Eva Wills and William Forrest.

"At year end 2014,

approximately 3,292 units were under construction, at year end 2015, approximately 2,520 were under construction. Fortunately, the number for 2016 and 2017, approximately 1,052 units and 1,386 units, represents a normal pace for Oklahoma City new construction."

Edmond apartment occupancy ended the year at 91 percent, matching the metro area, but down from 93 percent in 2016. Rents still increased.

According to CBRE: • The one bedroom/one bath average monthly rent stayed the same at $632 for a 667-square-foot apartment.

• Two-bed/one bath rent increased $22 to $728 for an 838-squarefoot apartment.

• Two-bed/two bath rent increased $30 to $770 for a 936-squarefoot apartment.

• Three-bed/twobath rent increased $94 to $1,215 for a 1,215square-foot apartment.

Office Office property sales totaled $107 million in 2017 for a combined 604,620 square feet, with an average price of $176.97 per square foot, according to a Turner & Co. report by Jonathan Thompson.

Office rents averaged $24 per square foot per year for Class A properties, $18 for Class B, and $15 for Class C, Thompson reported.

Page 6 • February 15, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond GOP Women’s club will host war book author The Edmond Republican Women will hear Diana Mankin Phelps, author of “The Other Side of War,” at their regularly scheduled meeting Monday, Feb. 19 at Johnnie’s Charbroiler, 33 East 33, Edmond. Diana’s son, Cpl. Aaron P. Mankin sustained extensive injuries and burns in Iraq while serving as a Marine Corps combat correspondent.

Dr. Billye Peterson, ERW President, stated, “I served on the Board of Directors for The Hugs Project for many years and would be asked to speak about their care package program.

One of the pictures I always showed was of Aaron before he went to Iraq and then after he returned. It was such a moving story; so, I was elated to finally meet Diana, an Edmond resident, last year at one of our board meetings. She has written a touching and honest book as a mother of a soldier. This is one program you won’t want to miss.”

Everyone is encouraged to wear red to February’s meeting to support the American Heart Association’s “Go Red For Women.” Caring for America Chair Deb Corbett emphasized “Go Red for Women” is about saving lives. She said, “Currently, on average, heart disease kills one in three women.

More women die of heart disease each year than all cancers combined.”

She continued, “What’s more frightening is Oklahoma has the second highest rate of heart disease related deaths among women in the nation.

We want to promote awareness.” For those that wear red, they will receive a ticket to win a special prize.

The Edmond Republican Women meet at noon on the third Monday of each month excluding July and December; however, this election year March and May will feature candi-

Author Diana Mankin Phelps and her son, Aaron P. Mankin.

date forums. Vice President of Programs, Joy Crouch, explained, “We thought it was important citizens become educated on not just the big gubernatorial races, but on the minor races as well. On March 26, we will be hosting a “Primary Preview” along with the Heartland Republican Women’s Club from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the new Conference Center near Covell and I-35 featuring candidates for auditor, attorney general, state treasurer, labor commissioner, and others. Then on May 14 at the same venue, we will feature the gubernatorial and Lt. Governor candidates in another evening program.”

Guests are always welcome regardless of party affiliation. For more information about Edmond Republican Women, contact Dr. Peterson at 405.812.0138.

Cunnyngham named to Integris post Christopher Cunnyngham, M.D., is the new Medical Director of the Integris Children’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Baptist Medical Center.

Cunnyngham comes to Integris from Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center where he was the ECMO medical director of the pediatric intensive care unit and an assistant professor of pediatrics. Before that, he was a children’s critical care specialist at Methodist Children’s Hospital of South Texas in San Antonio.

Cunnyngham received a Bachelor

of Science degree from the University of Oklahoma and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. He completed his residency at Children’s Hospital of Oklahoma and his fellowship training at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. He is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree from Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University.

Cunnyngham is a member of the Oklahoma County Medical Society.

Edmond school board meeting

Memorial athletic projects studied

By Steve Gust Two major athletic projects at Edmond Memorial High School, worth an estimated $20 million, came under review by the Edmond School Board.

The district's chief operation officer, Justin Coffelt, outlined plans Monday for a new track facility and football stadium. The new track, complete with bleachers and locker room facilities, will be built to the north of Memorial, across from 15th Street.

Coffelt said after the meeting it will cost somewhere between $7 and $8 million. The board voted 5-0 to bid out the work. He hoped a winning bid could be awarded by March or April with work to start shortly after that.

The track's bleachers has seating for 1,500 and will be built into a hill, said superintendent Bret Towne. Board member Jamie Underwood was curious why so many trees would remain near the new track. Board president Cynthia Benson said it was her understanding the trees would act as a sound barrier with homes to the east and an apartment complex to the east.

The board then heard about one of the district's marquee project, the remodeling of the school's football stadium. For years the district has been involved in expansion of stadiums on its three campuses to host varsity high school football games. Prior to that the district leased the University of Central Oklahoma's Wantland Stadium for decades.

Santa Fe opened its stadium in August 2016. North is scheduled to start playing varsity game this fall.

Annual public forum Feb. 26 Edmond Public Schools will host its annual public forum from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26 in the Board of Education Room at the district’s Administrative Center, 1001 W. Danforth.

“This is an evening for our district and site level administrators as well as school board members to listen to ideas, accolades or concerns from parents, students and community members,” said Superintendent Bret Towne.

Towne said the feedback provided at this forum helps the district make decisions regarding its programs and services.

There is no preregistration required. Patrons should sign up the night of the event and will be called to the podium in the order in which they are received. Each speaker is limited to five minutes.

Board members and administrators take notes during the forum but do not engage in dialogue and no votes are taken.

Due to state and federal privacy laws, patrons may not discuss individual personnel issues, contract negotiations, and due process or student disciplinary actions.

For more on the forum, call (405) 340-2800.

Plans call for Memorial's enlarged stadium to open in fall of 2019.

Coffelt estimated the work would cost between $10 and $12 million.

Towne told the board the current football field, used now for freshman and junior high games, would remain.

"Not having to move the field will save us $1 million," Towne told the board.

In addition Memorial will see new parking spots built on the southeast portion of the campus. Towne said that was an advantage also.

"We can take that dirt and use it for the track," he said.

Underwood, and other board members, complimented Coffelt and architects for the look of the front of the stadium.

"It says Edmond Memorial and there's a Bulldog right there. It looks very nice," Underwood said.

Other board members were curious about

the traffic flow, for athletic events as well as students getting around during construction.

Coffelt conceded it was going to be a "challenge."

Coffelt, a former principal at Memorial, said the Memorial campus simply didn't have the space around the campus like North and Santa Fe. Yet the former principal credited current parking lot attendants for the work in monitoring the situation and keeping the traffic flowing now. Towne did note the new parking lot on the southeast side would have an exit on the south. Towne also added the district would be sensitive to neighbors to the east of the new stadium.

The work is being funded by a $111 million 2017 bond package, which passed with more than 80 percent of the vote. The board voted 5-0 to approve the preliminary stadium plans. Coffelt thought it could go out to bid in May or June.

New book tells the story of Okla. Honor Flights The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) is proud to announce the recent release of “Just in Time,” a book chronicling the Oklahoma Honor Flights (OHF) Program. This work was written by former State Representative Gary W. Banz with a foreword by OHS Executive Director Dr. Bob L. Blackburn. The book describes the hard work and determination of thousands of individuals as they honored Oklahoma’s World War II veterans with a pilgrimage to see the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. “Just in Time” may be purchased through the Oklahoma History Center Museum Store for $29.95.

OHS membership discounts will apply.

The National World War II Memorial was dedicated on May 29, 2004.

After it was dedicated, the dilemma facing World War II veterans was that most were physically unable to make the trip or afford the expense. The first effort to get a group of WWII veterans to the memorial was accomplished by Earl Morse, a physician’s assistant and retired Air Force captain from Springfield, Ohio. In May 2005, he arranged six small planes to carry 12 WWII veterans to the visit the me-

morial in Washington, D.C. With that, other state and local leaders began to collect donations and gifts that would ensure other veterans willing and able to travel the opportunity to see their memorial. The Oklahoma Honor Flights Program was established in 2009, and its first flight took place in 2010.

“Just in Time” reflects the sentiment of thousands of individuals who were directly and indirectly affected by the Oklahoma Honor Flights program.

These stories are told through logistical details, personal testimonies, remembrances of friends and relatives and heartwarming and heartbreaking recollections from OHF staff and associates.

The goal of OHF was to honor as many World War II veterans as possible, even if it was “just in time.”

Author Gary Banz was the cofounder and executive director of Oklahoma Honor Flights. He served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970 and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal in 1970. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1982 to 1988 and was awarded the Army Achievement Medal in 1985.

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 15, 2018 • Page 7

February 16 ---- Lance Graves International Barrel Racing Championship ---- Man of La Mancha ---- Annual RV Super Show ---- Valentine Cabaret ---- Luke Combs ---- Souled Out ---- The Little Mermaid ---- A Few Good Men ---- In the Gallery ---- The Raise-the-Roof Gospel Musical with “Hattitude!”

---- DNA Galleries: Tawnya Corrente, Sarah Day Short & Claire/Art Opening ---- Unlocking the Vault: Mysteries and Marvels of the Museum February 17 ---- Lance Graves International Barrel Racing Championship ---- Man of La Mancha ---- Annual RV Super Show ---- The Little Mermaid ---- A Few Good Men ---- Wolf Cub Scouts “Digging in the Past” Workshop ---- Learn to Pick a Tune with Lucas ---- Bear Cub Scouts “World of Sound” Workshop ---- Eldredge Jackson ---- Valentine Cabaret ---- Lance Graves International Barrel Horse Sale ---- Monster Jam ---- Women’s Basketball v. Lubbock Christian ---- Men’s Basketball v. Lubbock Christian ---- Oklahoma State Drill Team Championships ---- In the Gallery ---- The Raise-the-Roof Gospel Musical with “Hattitude!”

---- DNA Galleries: Tawnya Corrente, Sarah Day Short & Claire/Art Opening ---- Unlocking the Vault: Mysteries and Marvels of the Museum ---- Do you See What I See? Painted Conversations by Theodore Waddell ---- Docent-Guided Signature Tour ---- KRXO Tennis Shoe & Tuxedo Ball ---- Banana Seat February 18 ---- Man of La Mancha ---- Annual RV Super Show ---- The Little Mermaid ---- A Few Good Men ---- Monster Jam ---- In the Gallery ---- The Raise-the-Roof Gospel Musical with “Hattitude!”

---- DNA Galleries: Tawnya Corrente, Sarah Day Short & Claire/Art Opening ---- Unlocking the Vault: Mysteries and Marvels of the Museum ---- Do you See What I See? Painted Conversations by Theodore Waddell ---- Docent-Guided Signature Tour ---- Read the West Book Club: Empire of the Summer Moon February 19 ---- President’s Day ---- History Speaks – An Evening with Wheeler Parker, Jr More Information In the Gallery Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute Extra Info: Featuring works by Brad McNeill Lance Graves International Barrel Racing Championship Location: Lazy E Arena Man of La Mancha Location: Mitchell Hall Theatre, UCO Extra Info: 7:30 pm & Sunday 2 pm Purchase tickets online at Mitchellhalltheatre.com, or by calling 405974-3375 Annual RV Super Show Location: Bennett Event Center & Centennial Building, Oklahoma State Fair Park Extra Info: 10 AM – 8 PM, Sunday until 6 PM Valentine Cabaret Location: Garvey Center, Judd Theater, Oklahoma Christian University

Extra Info: 7 PM – 10 PM Luke Combs Location: The Criterion, Bricktown Souled Out Location: UCO Jazz Lab Extra Info: Doors 7 PM- Show 8 PM, $15 First come first serve seating The Little Mermaid Location: Civic Center Music Hall, Oklahoma City Ballet Extra Info: 8 pm, 2 pm on Sunday Hans Christian Andersen’s story of The Little Mermaid has ignited the imagination of the young and youngat-heart for generations.

A Few Good Men Location: The Pollard Theater Company Extra Info: by Aaron Sorkin If you can handle the truth, get ready for the electrifying original Broadway play that became the legendary Oscar-nominated film starring Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise. This Broadway hit about the trial of two Marines for complicity in the death of a fellow Marine at Guantanamo Bay sizzles on stage.

Wolf Cub Scouts “Digging in the Past” Workshop Location: Sam Noble Museum Extra Info: 9 am – 11:30 am Dive into the wonderful world of dinosaurs! We'll identify, create and dig for fossils in this prehistoric adventure. Wolf Scouts will complete all the requirements for the "Digging in the Past" adventure loop.

Learn to Pick a Tune with Lucas Location: The American Banjo Museum, Bricktown Bear Cub Scouts “World of Sound” Workshop Location: Sam Noble Museum Extra Info: 1 PM – 4 PM Prepare yourself for a musical adventure around the world! Join us as we make instruments from different countries and learn about the cultures they come from.

Eldredge Jackson Location: UCO Jazz Lab Extra Info: Doors 7 PM ---- Show 8 PM, $15 First come first serve seating Valentine Cabaret Location: Garvey Center, Judd Theater, Oklahoma Christian University Extra Info: 7 pm – 9 pm Lance Graves International Barrel Horse Sale Location: Lazy E Arena Monster Jam Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena Extra Info: February 17 1 pm, 7 pm & February 18, 1 pm Monster Jam® is the most actionpacked live event on four wheels where world-class drivers compete in front of capacity crowds in both monster truck racing and freestyle competitions. Celebrating 25 years of adrenaline-charged family entertainment, Monster Jam combines spontaneous entertainment with the ultimate off-road, motorsport competition. Note: Costumes not permitted for guests 14 years & older.

Women’s Basketball v.

Lubbock Christian Location: Payne Athletic Center, Gym, Oklahoma Christian University Extra Info: 1 pm Men’s Basketball v. Lubbock Christian Location: Payne Athletic Center, Gym, Oklahoma Christian University Extra Info: 3 pm Oklahoma State Drill Team Championships Location: Jim Norick Arena, Oklahoma State Fair Park Extra Info: 8 am – 5 pm Presidents Day is Feb. 19

Submit News If you have a news item or photograph of local interest, please e-mail to news@edmondpaper.com Please include a telephone number. There is no charge.

Page 8 • February 15, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side

A look at words that offend I was cruising through Facebook the other day and saw a forum where people could mention phrases or words that bugged them.

Steve Gust I was a little surprised by one of them and by how many people complained about it. Many have an issue with folks who say “no problem,” after they thank them.

I have to admit I’m probably guilty of this myself. I didn’t even know this saying offended people until I read Dear Abby’s column five to 10 years ago.

What’s at issue here is some people believe there is a possibilty that they could be seen as a possible problem to someone.

I know. I know. I don’t understand it either. But that’s the thinking.

I always thought the “no problem,” response translated into “I’m more than glad to help you.”

I guess people should always be ready to say “you’re very wel-

comed” instead.

What’s also odd, is the Spanish for “you’re welcomed.”

The phrase is “de nada” or of nothing. De nada literally translates into “there is nothing to be thankful about.”

So let’s suppose someone gives you $1 million. You answer “de nada?” I’d think there was something to be thankful about.

In fact I’d have a million reasons to be grateful.

Also in the sampling, a lot of people are offended with people who cuss, especially dropping the infamous four-letter word we all hear too much.

What would be interesting about that is to find out how many of the people offended by that word actually use it themselves?

Like real estate, using a foul word is location, location, location.

When you’re in the office, even a slob knows you don’t say, “Hey can somebody get me a ‘bleeping’ pen?”

If you’re an employee you might get fired. If you’re an employer, you might get sued.

Yet, let’s say you’re at home

watching alone OU play in the Rose Bowl. The Sooners pull a bonehead play and you say your favorite curse word.

That’s a case of no harm, no foul, my opinion.

Here’s a real given. If you go out to a motion picture, be prepared to hear some colorful language, unless the movie is rated G. Just don’t be too shocked.

I also have advice for people trying to make a good impression, either at a job interview, a date, courtroom or meeting. Be as articulate as possible. Don’t use empty phrases such as “you know,” or “like.”

Remember, employers value those with communication skills.

After all, who would you rather hire, someone who says “Thank you for this opportunity. I look forward to working here and conquering the challenges.” Or would you pick the person who says, “Hey, you know, this is like a totally awesome place and I will be so, like happy here. You know what I’m saying?”

(Steve Gust may be reached at news@edmondpaper.com)

‘Step Up’ is a tax hike scheme

EDITOR: I read the story, with much amazement, in Business News page 21, Feb 1, “Energy Group Endorses ‘Step Up’ Plan.”

I am not a tall buildings person, nor part of their families or their Oklahoma companies. BUT I can do math and recognize a hog's ear parading as a rose.

This is a tax hike scheme, by the men who back big government, masquerading as a plan to repair, reform and restore OK. The name is highly offensive, suggesting we taxpayers need to Step Up as if we were not paying our share of taxes now.

There is a $425 million budget shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year, while the government still does not have enough money to fund services for the current year.

Letter to the Editor

Ways to decrease the use of tobacco One well-known way to reduce smoking in Oklahoma is to raise cigarette taxes. Yet even if tobacco taxes are left unchanged, there are other, if less high-profile, ways to reduce tobacco consumption. Unfortunately, lawmakers have not only failed to raise cigarette taxes, but have also put little focus on advancing those alternative measures.

“Oklahoma is woefully behind in tobacco policy,” said John Woods, executive director of the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust.

He adds, “There's a lot of policies out there that will help reduce the smoking rate.”

One option is to raise from 18 to 21 the legal age someone can purchase tobacco. Woods notes six states and more than 250 communities

School superintendent and sour grapes?

I went to the 2018 budget proposal for upcoming year and it says: "Governor Fallin’s budget proposes $1.5 billion in recurring revenue sources that permanently diversify and strengthen revenue streams for the appropriated budget."

Make no mistake this is taking Oklahoma in the wrong direction, it is not for the people, but for the politicians and the rich individuals who fund them.

It's incumbent for your forum to tell both sides of this budget deal.

This is a crisis caused by mis-management, improper use of tax money, horrid loses in agencies wasting our money and plain old self interest.

After his idea to remove non-public high schools from the state playoffs was rejected by the board that governs Oklahoma high school sports, Blanchard Superintendent Jim Beckham said he may turn to the Legislature for help. “At this point the membership is not controlling the rules and so somebody else has to make the rules,” Beckham said. What he really wants is for someone to make rules he agrees with. The 17-member board of the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association comprises representatives from schools large and small, and from across the state. The board weighed his argument, and the other side's, and voted 12-2 to keep the current system in place. That system bumps non-public school sports teams into the next-largest classification if they have sustained success. Non-public teams have won 12.9 percent of all state championships under this arrangement. If Beckham comes calling, lawmakers should tell him they have more pressing matters to attend to.

SHARON FERNANDEZ

NewsOK.com/The Oklahoman

Quote of the Week ‘A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.’

- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

Letters to the Editor policy We love mail, especially mail from Edmond Life & Leisure readers with complaints, compliments or comments about what they read here. The rules, even for e-mail letters: 1) You must tell us your full name; 2) You must give us your complete address and phone numbers (but we will identify you only by name); and 3) We reserve the right to edit letters for length, clarity and taste (our taste). Send mail to Letter to the Editor, Edmond Life & Leisure, 107 S. Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034, orr e-mail to news@edmondpaper.com.

already have such regulations in place. Roughly 25 percent of the U.S. population lives in those areas.

One benefit of an age21 law is that it helps further drive down teen smoking because the law reduces peer access to tobacco. In many instances, 16- or 17-yearolds obtain tobacco via an 18-year-old friend.

Raising the age limit to 21 therefore also reduces peer access.

Polling conducted for TSET shows 72 percent of Oklahomans support raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21. And those who support the change include two out of every three daily smokers. That's not shocking. Those who struggle breaking the habit are often the most eager to take action that helps prevent others from repeating their mistakes.

The age regulation would involve no meaningful cost to implement and could reduce smoking and indirectly save lives. Yet so far, lawmakers have shown little interest.

In 2017, Rep. Ben Loring, D-Miami, filed House Bill 1818, which would have raised the age limit for tobacco purchases to 21. The bill never received a committee hearing, but could be brought up again this year if lawmakers find the will. They should.

While Oklahoma has made gains in reduction of tobacco use, consumption here still exceeds the norm in many other states.

The adult smoking rate in Oklahoma is now 19.6 percent, marking the first time the rate has fallen lower than one-infive adults. But the national average is 17.1 percent.

Among middle school students, cigarette use has fallen from 10.3 percent in 2002 to 4.1 percent in 2015 (the most recent year for which data was available).

Among high school students, the rate has declined from 24 percent to 14.6 percent over the same period. Raising the age limit to 21 should only accelerate those declines.

Lawmakers could adopt other anti-tobacco policies that involve little or no cost. Support for adopting a true statewide smoke-free law has reached 70 percent, an all-time high. And four out of five Oklahomans support making it illegal to smoke in your car if minors are present.

While smoking remains a legal activity, public understanding of the negative consequences — to the smoker and to those nearby — has increased dramatically in recent years These policies have little cost and enjoy broad public support. Lawmakers should pass them.

From NewsOK.com The Okahoman

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 15, 2018 • Page 9

Page 10 • February 15, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

PHOTO PROVIDED

A recent rehearsal at Okla. Christian for the annual Valentine Cabaret.

OC performing Valentine Cabaret The songs of “Hamilton” and “La La Land” are coming to Oklahoma Christian University’s annual Valentine Cabaret this month.

The long-standing tradition at OC is a compilation of songs from 37 Broadway shows, performed by the cabaret singers, jazz ensemble and a string quartet.

The show will run early this week as well as Feb. 15-17 in Judd Theater at 7:30 p.m.

Terry Attebery, OC’s vocal instructor, has directed Valentine Cabaret for the past four years.

Before coming to OC, he directed high school choir for more than 20 years and performed with two theaters: Lyric and Summer Stock. This year, Attebery added some newer songs.

“There are songs from “Hamilton,” “La La Land,” “Wicked” and more,” Attebery said. “I think audiences will be surprised by what our students are doing on stage by how professional they are. It is going to be a great show.”

This year, the show has been moved from Adam's Recital Hall to Judd Theater to accommodate an expanding show and audience. Several new elements have been incorporated into the show, including four additional vocalists, new lighting and technical equipment, a string quartet, a new piano and a live jazz band.

Atteberry enjoys directing the Valentine Cabaret but not just for the musical and production aspects.

“My favorite part is seeing the performers come in a little apprehensive about what I expect and what their abilities might be,” Attebery said.

“Watching them grow and know that they can do it, they can accomplish more than they ever thought possible.”

Junior music education major Kayti Alvarez has been a vocalist in the show for the past three years. She enjoys being a cast member because of how much of a close-knit family the cast becomes and the joy of performing.

“This year, I am singing a solo called “Never Get Married,”” Alvarez said. “I am also singing “Tonight” from “West Side Story” as a duet. My freshman year, I was scared to death to sing a solo.

Now, I still get nervous, but I can say, ‘I can do this because I have done it before.’”

The cast learns all of the music independently over Christmas break and rehearses nearly every weeknight from the beginning of the semester leading up the performance week.

“We have put a lot of hard work and dedication into this show, and we want to be able to showA case that,” Alvarez said. “I want all of my friends to come so I can tell them, ‘I know I’ve spent a lot of time away from you, but this is why.’”

Freshman psychology major Cade Diester is performing in his first Valentine Cabaret this year. He said he appreciates how each person gets a chance to sing a solo and how they can express themselves.

“There is a wide variety of slow songs, fast songs, silly songs and fast songs. There is awesome choreography and special effects; it will be a really exciting show.”

Professor of Music Heath Jones will direct the jazz band. Barbara Berard serves as the choreographer.

Tickets for OC’s Valentine Cabaret are $12. The show will be Feb. 13 and Feb. 15-17 at 7:30 p.m.

To order tickets, visit www.oc.edu/valentinecabaret or call 405-425-6310.

School announces book store partnership OC announces new campus store partnership with Tree of Life Bookstores Oklahoma Christian University is pleased to announce a new course materials and campus store partnership with Tree of Life Bookstores. The transition to Tree of Life is scheduled for late February 2018.

The partnership will provide OC students with more affordable course material solutions while expanding the selection of branded apparel and merchandise inside the remodeled campus store coming in the summer of 2018.

OC President John deSteiguer welcomed the faith-based company.

“We’re thrilled about OC’s partnership with Tree of Life Bookstores,” he said. “Their innovative ap-

proach to delivering affordable course materials is a win for our students and faculty. Tree of Life supports OC’s commitment to faith and stellar academics. We’re thrilled they are going to be an important part of our home.”

Tree of Life will offer its innovative Textbook Butler service to students. This free service allows students to receive all course materials delivered to their campus residences before classes begin. Students will have the option to choose new, used, rented or digital preferences for course materials.

According to Scott LaMascus, vice president for academic affairs at OC, the new partnership will offer OC students additional options for finding necessary books and course materials for modern college courses.

OC baseball player honored Oklahoma Christian's Chad Kennedy is the recipient of the first Heartland Conference hitter of the week award for the 2018 baseball season, the league announced last weekend.

Kennedy, a senior outfielder from Hooker, starred at the plate during OC's four games in the AirHogs Classic in Grand Prairie, Texas, over the weekend. He hit .500 (9 for 18) with two home runs, eight RBIs, a .526 onbase percentage and a 1.000 slugging percentage against stiff competition that included a pair of top-20 teams.

He had a double, triple and home run in an 8-6 loss to Central Oklahoma on Thursday and hit a three-run homer that put OC ahead 5-0 against No. 20 Angelo State (Texas) on Sunday in a game the Eagles eventually lost 11-8. He went 3-for-5 and scored three runs in an 83 win over No. 8 Emporia State (Kan.) on Friday.

The weekly Heartland award is the first of Kennedy's career.

Chad Kennedy

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 15, 2018 • Page 11

FILE PHOTO/MELINDA INFANTE

A large crowd was on hand last March at Memorial High School during Swine Week 2017. More than $400,000 was raised.

Annual prep philanthropic efforts set to start

By Steve Gust Over the next five weeks Edmond's three high schools will be involved in separate philanthropic drives, which annually help non-profits with hundreds of thousands.

Last year the schools were able to collect $890,721 all together. Over the decades, millions of dollars has been raised.

On Monday, during the regular Edmond Board of Education meeting, superintendent Bret Towne noted the upcoming campaigns. He pointed out the strong lesson students learn by helping others and their community.

The first drive will be North High School. Its week will culminate with a final assembly on Feb. 16 at the Siberian Gym. The final assemblies feature the grand total raised during the campaigns.

Called BALTO, or a Bring a Light To Others, the school has held the benefit since 1995, around the founding of North.

This year's cause is subtitled "Hugs for Hope," and is a collaboration benefiting three nonprofits, Mother Huggers, Anna's House Foundation and Pepper's Ranch. Mother Huggers' web site bills it as a group empowering needy women and children worldwide by creating social entrepreneurs.

Anna's House Foundation helps foster children and Pepper's Ranch in Guthrie aids abused and neglected children.

Each of the schools schedules various benefits

Ways you can help This year's philanthropic community service projects each have their own web site. To find out more about the non-profits served and ways you can help please visit the following: BALTO Feb. 12. to 16. www.baltoweek.org Double Wolf Dare Week Feb. 26 to March 2. www.dwdw.org Swine Week March 12 to 16 www.swineweek.org during the school year, and especially in the weeks and days leading up to the final assembly. For instance, BALTO will hold a dog show Feb. 12 with a $10 entry fee.

Scheduled after BALTO is Double Wolf Dare Week at Santa Fe High School. The event is named after a twist on a somewhat popular saying "I double dog dare you." The cause selected this year is the Cavett Kids Foundation. That group funds camps for children who have severe illnesses.

Santa Fe's final assembly usually features a pig being kissed as well as the shaving of heads -- all done to raise last-minute funds.

The philanthropic campaigns end right before spring break with Swine Week at Memorial. Until

the 1990s, Memorial was the only high school in Edmond. It kick started the season of giving in 1986 as a school administrator vowed to kiss a pig to help raise funds.

That led to the name Swine Week and students have banded together for decades in helping others.

For the 32nd edition, they'll be involved with assisting Make Promises Happen -- a non-profit dedicated to providing an outdoor-oriented safe haven for people over six years old with special needs.

Stressing the importance of Swine Week and helping to fund Make Promises Happen is Student Council president Jennifer Belardo.

"Their mission of empowering children with disabilities is awe-inspiring," said Jennifer Belardo.

"Not only did we know that we could make a big difference in their charity, we knew they were dedicated to improving our community."

Another one of Belardo’s fellow students agrees.

Ellie Hankins is one of the Swine Week chairs.

“Swine Week is such an amazing event that changes countless lives, transforms our community and brings together Edmond Memorial High School in such a unique way,” she said.

This year's common thread cause for all three high schools is the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma.

Each school will donate 5 percent of their respective grand totals to the group.

Page 12 • February 15, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

‘The Vaudevilian’

OCU opera is this weekend

Rosa Ponselle

Oklahoma City University will present the world premiere of Thomas Pasatieri’s opera, “The Vaudevilian,” inspired by the real-life rise and fall of American diva Rosa Ponselle from Feb. 16 to 18.

“This is a great backstage backstory, an operatic melodrama, a true American tale of triumph, loss and reinvention,” said David Herendeen, who will direct a cast of 18. The 37-piece opera orchestra is led by Jan McDaniel.

The music and libretto were written by Pasatieri, whose family were long-time friends with Ponselle.

“He is one of the great composers you don’t know that you already know,” Herendeen said.

The creator of two dozen operas, Pasatieri has orchestrated soundtracks for movies including “The Shawshank Redemption,” “Legends of the Fall,” “The Little Mermaid” and “Scent of a Woman.”

Pasatieri grew up knowing the story of Ponselle, a daughter of Italian immigrants who played piano for silent movie screenings and sang when the projectionist changed reels. She and her sister toured the vaudeville circuit before auditioning for Enrico Caruso, who recommended her to the man-

ager of the Metropolitan Opera.

Ponselle made her operatic debut on Nov. 15, 1918, four days after the end of World War I, performing as Verdi heroine Leonara opposite Caruso.

She had little operatic knowledge or training and the Met role marked her first time before an opera audience. She was 21 years old.

“The Vaudevilian” chronicles her 19 seasons at the Met and the decades that followed. Upon her death at the age of 84, The New York Times declared her “indisputably one of the greatest operatic talents this country has ever produced.”

Oklahoma City University’s 66th season of opera and music theater continues with Bedřich Smetana’s operatic comedy “The Bartered Bride“ March 2-4; followed by Leonard Bernstein’s, “On the Town,“ on April 20-22, as part of the celebration of the centennial of his birth.

An opening-night dinner themed to the show will be held in the Bass Music Center beginning at 6:15 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 405-2085227 or online at www.okcu.edu/tickets.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Godfrey (Michael Page) enjoys treating his daughters (Shermaine Taplin at left and Dashari Miller) to goodies from the bakery where he works in a scene from ‘Crumbs from the Table of Joy.’ Lynn Nottage's comedy-drama about an African-American family in Brooklyn 1950 plays at Carpenter Square Theatre Feb. 16-March 10. All performances are at the theatre located at 800 W. Main in downtown Oklahoma City. Call 405-232-6500 for tickets.

Carpenter Square Theatre premieres play ‘Crumbs’ Carpenter Square Theatre presents the Oklahoma City premiere of “Crumbs from the Table of Joy,” by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage.

The coming-of-age story about an African-American teenage girl and her family in 1950 Brooklyn, New York plays Feb. 16-March 10. All performances are at the theater, located at 800 W. Main in downtown Oklahoma City.

1950 is a time of change in America. The country is dealing with the after effects of World War II, the Cold War has started, and racial tensions are on the verge of spilling over, readying for the Civil Rights movement to come. It is a time of change in the Crump household, also.

We meet the family through the eyes of Ernestine and the play is her memory of her senior year of high school. Her mother has recently died, and her father Godfrey is in deep mourning for his wife. He seeks solace in religion, and in particular, Father Divine and the Peace Mission Movement.

Hoping to get closer to Father Divine and find answers to many questions, Godfrey uproots his two teenage girls from Florida and moves north to Brooklyn. Ernestine and her younger sister, Ermina, have different ways of coping with the culture shock. Ernestine finds solace in glamorous actresses in the movies and movie magazines, while Ermina craves the attention of boys.

Their mother’s sister, Aunt Lily, soon finds their new home and moves in one day uninvited. Lily wants to mother her nieces, and free

them from their father’s strict religious teachings; however, Lily’s Communist political leanings and free thought are too much for Godfrey, and when he leaves home one day after an explosive argument, he meets a German immigrant named Gerte.

In just a few days, the two are married. When he returns home with his new wife, Lily and his daughters must grapple with not just a stepmother, but a white stepmother.

Godfrey and Gerte’s relationship is not only challenged at home, but also on the streets of their Brooklyn neighborhood.

As Ernestine comes of age, we learn if her family can bridge the cultural divide, at least at home, and find a kind of peace.

Playwright Lynn Nottage has twice received the Pulitzer Prize for “Sweat” and “Ruined.” Her many plays have been honored with OBIE Awards, Drama Desk Awards, New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards, and others too numerous to mention.

She was the recipient of a MacArthur "Genius Grant" Fellowship. In addition, she is working with composer Ricky Ian Gordon on adapting her play “Intimate Apparel” into an opera. She is the co-founder of the production company, Market Road Films. Over the years, she has developed original projects for HBO, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, Showtime, This is That, and Harpo.

She is writer/producer on the Netflix series “She's Gotta Have It” directed

by Spike Lee. Albert Bostick directs “Crumbs

See Play, Page 13

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 15, 2018 • Page 13

Review of ‘The Florida Project’

An overlooked big screen gem

By George Gust This time of year, between the announcement of the Oscar nominations and the awards ceremony (especially elongated this Winter Olympic year) is a great time to catch up on some of the best movies of last year that may have been overlooked by general audiences.

"The Florida Project" is an independent film that only grossed about $6 million from an up-and-coming, yet broadly unknown, writer/director Sean Baker, and is a prime example of the kind of film that many might have missed, but most should check out.

Set over one summer, the “The Florida Project” follows precocious six-year-old Moonee (newcomer Brooklynn Prince) as she courts mischief and adventure with her ragtag playmates and bonds with her rebellious but caring mother (Bria Vinaite), all while living in the seedy shadows of Walt Disney World.

Writer/director Sean Baker has an uncanny ability to portray a realistic and naturalistic world that many people are unfamiliar with and goes mostly ignored otherwise. In "The Florida Project," to borrow a popular Internet meme, the struggle is real.

The complexity and harshness of these characters' troubled lives is apparent through Baker's phenomenal handheld cinematography and powerful performances from the basically unknown cast (save for the incomparable Willem Dafoe).

However Baker's naturalistic style of filmmaking and departure from a traditional story structure produces a stream of consciousness film that moves at a slower pace than the other wide-release movies that general audiences may be used to, but if you stay with it you get an overwhelmingly empathetic feeling for the film's characters.

Whenever dealing with child actors, it can be difficult to get a genuine and emotional performance, but in this film 6 year old Prince is a natural and charming performer. She is equal parts charming and compelling as she portrays the innocence of a child who is un phased by the tumult of the troubled and struggling adults around her.

Also adding to the surprising and unconventional charm of the film is the fantastic (Oscar nominated) performance of Dafoe. Dafoe plays against type in this film, where he normally plays characters over the top and broadly drawn, he is understated and relatable as the manager who

Answers Page 27

Actor Willem Dafoe in ‘The Florida Project.’

Crossword Puzzle

Play From Page 12 from the Table of Joy” with Mark Fairchild assisting as stage manager. Shermaine Taplin stars as Ernestine Crump with Michael Page portraying her father, Dashari Miller is her sister, Mariah Warren is her Aunt Lily, and Erica Tschida plays her stepmother Gerte. Ben Hall is in charge of the set, Jay C. Schardt is lighting designer, and Rhonda Clark serves as the costume designer.

Specific performance dates and times over four weeks are: 8 p.m.

Feb. 16-17 and 23-24; 7:30 p.m. March 1, 8 p.m. March 2-3, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 4; 7:30 p.m. March 8 and 8 p.m. March 10-11. In addition to the regular run, the theatre is offering two performances at 10 a.m. Feb. 23 and March 2 for students in the metro area. The theater’s educational outreach program targets at-risk teenagers.

Tickets are free and space is still available for both dates. Educators may contact the theater office at 405232-6500 or email csttix@coxinet.net for more information. The play is rated PG-13.

“Crumbs from the Table of Joy” is supported in part by the Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Allied Arts, and the Kirkpatrick Family Fund. Season Sponsors include Ed and Janet Bucknell and Mel and Cindy Ables.

feels protective of the tenants of his motel. If nothing else, his heartfelt performance in this film is worth the on demand rental price and is deserving of all the praise that it has already been given by the academy and other awards shows this year.

Overall, "The Florida Project" is a dramatic and emotional journey into a seedy world that is far from the magic and glamour of the nearby Disney World theme park. Marvelous performances and interesting filmmaking style make this movie a hidden gem in a year for film that is turning out to be one of the better years in recent memory.

“The Florida Project” is rated R for language throughout, disturbing behavior, sexual references and some drug material.

4.3 out of 5 starse

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: THE OSCARS ACROSS 1. Can't stomach 6. Styling goo 9. Hightailed it 13. Ten million, in India 14. "____ takers?"

15. Like a girl 16. Spanish small plates 17. School of thought suffix 18. Pay hike 19. *Oscar nominated meet-the-parents thriller 21. *He played Getty 23. Right-angle building extension 24. Splints site 25. Mammoth site, e.g.

28. Write on a tombstone 30. Self-centeredness 35. Land measure 37. Crucifix 39. "Sesame Street" regular 40. *In 1992 De Niro was nominated for "Cape ____" 41. *Best category 43. Tiresias in "Oedipus Rex" 44. Desert mirage 46. S-shaped molding 47. Dionysus' party 48. "____ the unexpected" 50. Celestial bear 52. Rolodex abbr.

53. Purple precipitation 55. Before, old English 57. *Evacuation location 61. *Olympic hopeful's story 64. Deprive of weapons 65. *Sarandon was nominated for "Lorenzo's ____" in 1993 67. Unfit 69. Like anchor aweigh 70. Zilch 71. *Cathy Bates' or Louise Fletcher's role 72. Google ____ 73. Bro's sibling

74. Had supper DOWN 1. *Do this and hope for an Oscar?

2. Toot one's horn 3. *18-time Oscar host 4. Speak from a podium 5. Fix a shoe 6. Manner of walk 7. Ensign, for short 8. Bodily fluid 9. Thailand, once 10. "____ and proper" 11. Additional 12. Indigo user 15. Nirvana genre 20. Extremist 22. Bald-faced ____ 24. "I call passenger seat!"

25. *"The Florida Project" nominee 26. Mountaineer's tool 27. Comprehend 29. *Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song nominee 31. Guesstimate phrase 32. Apathetic 33. Lay ____ to a castle

34. *21-time nominee 36. Albany-Buffalo canal 38. Opposite of talker?

42. Button on electrical outlet 45. Economize 49. Feather glue 51. Ray Charles' "Mess ____" 54. Paintings in an Orthodox church 56. Boredom 57. Two of the same 58. "Do ____ others..."

59. Narcotics agent 60. "Me and Bobby McGee" singer-songwriter 61. Ailments 62. Spinner's product 63. Altar location 66. *J. Paul Getty's grandson 68. Ideas worth spreading, acr.

See Answers Page 27

Page 14 • February 15, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

PHOTO PROVIDED

From left, are, Troy Johnson (Chair-elect, Midwest Vice President, Wilbur-Ellis), Sen. James Lankford, Tim McArdle (immediate Past Chairman; Executive Vice President, Brandt Consolidated), and John Oster (Chairman, Sales, Morral Companies).

Association lauds legislative work of Lankford U.S. James Lankford (R-Edmond) last week received the Legislator of the Year award from the Agricultural Retailers Association for his work to make commonsense regulatory reforms and efforts to streamline the federal rulemaking process.

Lankford serves as the chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management. As chair, Lankford has held hearings and introduced regulatory reform legislation such as the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act, which requires that agencies fully consider the impact regulations have on small businesses, and the Truth in Regulations Act, which ensures the proper use of guidance documents, to protect small businesses and retailers in Oklahoma and across the country from costly, unnecessary, and duplicative regulations.

During the past Congress, Lankford also held multiple hearings on federal agency abuse of regulatory guidance, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s attempt to limit the sale of long-standing ag products, like common pesticides and fertilizers. Regulations such as these impact farm budgets and increase costs for the consumer.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the Agricultural Retailers Association,” said Lankford. “The work our agricultural community does every day to feed, clothe, and support our nation never ends.

Farmers and ranchers respect the land, their neighbors, and the rules. But they want the rules to be fair, and they want their voices to be heard. Regulators that live their lives on concrete should listen to the insight of families who live on the soil before they make policy decisions about agriculture.

Our Oklahoma farm communities rely on their local agricultural retailers to meet their farm business needs. In this never-ending work, agribusinesses should not have to battle their federal government over-burdensome regulatory guidance.

We need more commonsense reforms, like the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act, so we can continue to allow individuals to serve others without government intrusion.”

Previous recipients include Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Thad Cochran (R-MS), John Thune (R-SD), Tom Carper (D-DE), Kay Hagan (R-NC), Congressmen Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Patrick Meehan (R-PA). The Agricultural Retailers Association is a non-profit trade association that represents the interest of agricultural retailers and distributors across the US on legislative and regulatory issues.

Engagement, Wedding notices Do you have a wedding or engagement notice? If so, please contact us at Edmond Life & Leisure, either by phone, 340-3311 or e-mail, news@edmondpaper.com. We will then send or fax you an engagement or wedding form.The cost is $35, which includes a photograph.

Payment is due upon submission by noon Thursday.

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 15, 2018 • Page 15

PHOTO PROVIDED

Brooke Medley (Dr. Goose) at left and Paige Medley (Nurse Gosling) are part of the upcoming FAI production of ‘Doc Doc Goose.’

Tickets go on sale for FAI’s ‘Doc Doc Goose’ Four performances of “Doc Doc Goose” will be held Friday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 24 at 3 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Feb 25 at 3 at the Edmond Fine Arts Theatre, 27 E Edwards, Edmond.

Reservations for all performances can be made online at edmondfinearts.com.

“Doc Doc Goose” is an imaginative tale weaving of nursery rhymes with modern twists offers something audiences of all ages will enjoy. Just think about those old-fashioned nursery rhymes and it's easy to see why Mother Goose went to medical school and opened up a clinic in Nurseryland. There's no "happily ever after" here. These poor nursery rhyme characters are plagued with freak accidents. A typical morning in Dr. Goose's clinic includes a cow with a sore calf from moon-jumping, a crooked man wanting chiropractic adjustment, a daredevil who burns his

seat jumping over candles, and a blonde juvenile delinquent who breaks into bears' houses. With the help of her assistant, Nurse Gosling, Dr. Goose even runs nutritional support groups and aerobics classes for a man who eats no fat and his opposite wife, a tea-guzzling girl named Polly and a Queen who craves tarts.

But will Dr. Zhivago from Fairy Tale Land close down the clinic? There are three blind mice without tails who sure hope not! Fast-paced with slapstick humor and silly situations this play is appropriate for families and children ages 3 and up.

Under the direction of Brent Pedersen, a local actor and director, this whimsical production is sure to be a delight. “Brent’s productions are professional and entertaining,” states Shannon Price, FAI executive director.

“He always brings the natural talent forward from cast members.” Cast includes: Brooke Medley and Grace

Beattie to lead program for Genealogical Society The Edmond Genealogical Society (EGS) is pleased to announce the program for its February meeting is “The OK Cemetery Directory Project.”

Presenting the Beattie program is the President of the OHCE Genealogy Group in Oklahoma City, Jan Beattie.

The meeting will be held on Monday, Feb. 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 1315 E. 33rd in Edmond.

Jan Beattie is a native of California, but came to Oklahoma more than 35 years ago to attend college and never left. Now she is married with two children and retired from the medical field. She has degrees in Biochemistry and a Master's in Epidemiology from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

As a Specialist Microbiology, she spent her career at the Veterans' Administration Medical Center in Oklahoma City. She was also an adjunct professor at the OU College of Medicine and Health Sciences Center for more than 16 years. Now she has time for her genealogy hobby of which she is passionate. She is involved in several genealogy and line-

age-based societies and loves to share her knowledge with others. She has presented numerous presentations, seminars and workshops across the state on topics relating to genealogy and family history.

Jan is currently President of the OHCE Genealogy Group in Oklahoma City, Secretary for Samuel King Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution in Edmond and Secretary of the Edmond Genealogical Society Board of Directors. She was Member of the Year for Oklahoma County OHCE for 2015 and was again selected in 2017.

She is also a Board Member of the Mountain Meadows Association and holds memberships in several other organizations including Oklahoma Genealogical Society, First Families of the Twin Territories, First Families of Central Missouri, First Families of Eastern Tennessee, The White River Valley Historical Society, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Colonial Dames 17th Century, The Mayflower Society, The Towne Family Association and several others.

Jan’s presentation will describe the project called “The Oklahoma Cemetery Directory”, which is a published documented index of all known cemeteries and burials in the state of Oklahoma. Its purpose is to help people find the cemetery where their Oklahoma ancestors are buried.

Kendrick (Dr. Goose), Paige Medley and Maggie Kuydendall (Nurse Gosling), Aubree Churchill (Mac Donald Jr.) Lily Foyers (Cow), Tyler Dunkleberger (Crooked Man), Colton Anderson (Wee Willie Winkie), Ava Engelke (Jack B. Nimble), AJ Boyer (Jack Sprat), Addyson Orcutt (Wife), Claire Keenze (Polly), Rianna Redling (Queen of Hearts), Kyler Ketchum (Goldilocks), Makayla Burns (Jack), Caroline Medley (Jill), Kinzey Shirazi

(Dr. Zhivago) The goal for the Edmond Fine Arts children’s play is to help young people experience the arts through drama and to discover the world of expression.

This production is made possible with funding from the Oklahoma Arts Council. Reservations are $10 and available online. For information, call 340-4481 or visit edmondfinearts.com.

Page 16 • February 15, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

An Affair of the Heart

Photos

by Melinda Infante An Affair of the Heart made one of its two annual stops in Oklahoma City over the weekend at the State Fairgrounds.

Again, huge crowds came out for the arts, crafts, collectibles, food and fun. An Affair of the Heart has been holding events in Oklahoma City for more than 30 years.

Laura Mottey with her crew of Boyd Bears at the Affair of the Heart Krystle Cole with her artwork.

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 15, 2018 • Page 17

PHOTO PROVIDED

The Revolution, best known as the iconic band behind Prince, will headline the ACM@UCO’s Metro Music Fest alongside legendary singer Mavis Staples on April 6. The band also has two No. 1 Billboard 200 albums.

The Revolution, Mavis Staples part of ACM@UCO Metro Music Fest The Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma (ACM@UCO) will welcome Prince’s iconic band The Revolution and legendary singer Mavis Staples to Oklahoma City for the ninth annual Metro Music Fest Friday, April 6.

The Revolution, composed of Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Bobby Z, BrownMark and Dr. Fink, is best known as the band behind Prince. The Revolution have two No. 1 Billboard 200 albums – “Purple Rain” and “Around the World in a Day” – and multiple No. 1 singles. The band also has won three Grammys and three American Music Awards. After Prince’s death in 2016, the band remained united to continue to play in his honor.

“Only by playing for you, the fans, can we be Prince’s Revolution,” the band stated in its official biography.

“He gives us to one another now, as we all start to heal and fill forever emptiness with sound. Together, we are The Revolution.”

Two-time Grammy winner and civil rights icon Mavis

Staples, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, brings soul and gravitas to the festival this year. Mavis and her five-person band move fluidly between the gospel, soul, rock, rhythm-and-blues and country genres of the American roots music she helped pioneer with her family band, The Staple Singers. She was recognized as a 2016 Kennedy Center Honoree, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and has been honored by the Berklee College of Music and Columbia College Chicago with honorary doctorate degrees. Her 2017 album, the critically-acclaimed “If All I Was Was Black” (ANTI-), is her third collaboration with songwriter and producer Jeff Tweedy of Wilco. The album is the first for which Tweedy composed an entire album of original songs for Mavis' legendary voice.

“Bring us all together as a people, that’s what I hope to do,” Staples said of the songs on her new album.

“You can’t stop me. You can’t break me, I’m too loving.

These songs are going to change the world.”

See Music Page 18

Mavis Staples

Page 18 • February 15, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Coffee Creek addition objects to developers EDITOR: Coffee Creek has remained somewhat silent to allow the developers, among others, to show their true colors. Sometimes the truth takes time to ferret out. It is now time to set the record straight.

Coffee Creek was designed as, and is, a golf course community. It is a quiet community intertwined with the view and serenity of a golf course, with streets bearing such names as Wildmeadow, Birdsong and Shortgrass. We have always believed it should stay that way and have never abandoned that goal and ideal.

In 2016, to our shock and amazement, the owners of the golf course, some of whom were viewed as friends, sold the golf course to developers without any notice to the Coffee Creek Homeowners Association ("HOA") or the homeowners.

Since that time, what is set forth below represents the "highlights" of our journey and what the Coffee Creek community has been, and is now, faced with: In early 2017, members of the Coffee Creek community met with the developers and attempted to open the lines of communication. At that time, the developers stated that they had not had time to formulate a development plan, but desired to leave the lines of communication open, and promised to provide documents relating to the golf course property.

Later, when inquiry was made, the

Letter to the Editor developers refused to acknowledge and honor their promises.

We also asked the City of Edmond to place a moratorium on any redevelopment of the golf course. Our goal was to encourage and allow for meaningful arms-length dialogue regarding the future of Coffee Creek.

That request was rebuffed. We still believe a moratorium is necessary and proper, and, again, publicly challenge the City of Edmond to immediately pass just such a measure.

During the summer and early fall of 2017, the developers filed with the City two improper "preliminary plats" in which the developers: (1) omitted the content and layouts required by the City's ordinances, failing to comply with virtually every legal requirement for their submission, review or consideration; (2) incorporated property owned by the HOA and possibly homeowners; (3) failed to disclose what we understand to be the real initial plan, withholding the size, scope and scale of their proposed multi-family and commercial development; (4) proposed only dense and intrusive residential development completely incompatible with the Coffee Creek community and existing homes, which, along with streets the developers named "Ramett Road" and "Sacc Way," unnecessarily abutted our homes, which were

specifically designed and constructed to support a golf course and its aesthetics. Areas they did not cram with residential development were identified only as "developable."

At the same time, we were provided an off-the-record plat attributed to the developers that proposed jamming 157 new single-family homes on lots much smaller than our average existing homes; additional streets running right down the fairways and directly abutting many yards and homes; more than 200 apartment units; 135,000 square feet of commercial development; a convenience store of almost two acres; a nursing home of 107,000 square feet; meager or no allowances for green space; and the destruction of the trees and remnant forests.

Coffee Creek was unnecessarily required to spend substantial amounts of time and energy, and experienced unplanned financial expenditures, defending against an off-the-record plat and the multiple "preliminary plats" that should have never been accepted, let alone reviewed or set for City Planning consideration.

During the time the so-called "preliminary plats" were unnecessarily pending before the City, the HOA meet with the developers. Persisting in our efforts to open the lines of communication, suggestions were made for development ideals more suitable to Coffee Creek. These efforts and ideas were completely ignored.

Last fall, we were introduced to an out-of-town firm, Planning Design Group ("PDG"). Contrary to what has been suggested, Coffee Creek did not in any way invite PDG and has not in any way endorsed PDG or its efforts.

PDG was hired and paid by the developers to implement a redevelopment plan for them. We have absolutely no relationship of any kind with PDG. In the meeting, the developers blamed their engineers and attorney for nature of their prior "preliminary plats."

PDG said it was starting with a clean slate. We also tried to start with a clean slate. Obviously, we were skeptical and, as it turns out, rightfully so.

In January, the Coffee Creek homeowners attended a PDG sponsored meeting. Prior to the meeting, the HOA sent written requests to PDG. Our goal, yet again, was to open meaningful dialogue. We asked PDG to cooperate with the Coffee Creek community and share their redevelopment vision and the information they gathered in regard our community.

We asked PDG to work with their client, i.e., the developers, to finally comply with their promises to the Coffee Creek community. We asked PDG to give us advance notice of any meetings regarding our community, so we could also attend and participate in matters with which we are so deeply and directly affected. All of this was directed to attaining open and transparent two-way communications. PDG partially responded to our letter and forwarded it to an attorney for further response, that is, the same attorney that represents the developers. In response, PDG said what we were asking was beyond the scope of their work. The developers' attorney said, "No." At the PDG sponsored meeting, the homeowners were prepared with tough questions, which clearly took PDG aback. Ultimately, their responses to our tough questions, as well as to our letter, are as follows: PDG simply provides a potential development concept, nothing more.

PDG and the developers never have, and do not now have, any interest in meaningful open bilateral discussions with the community about something that directly and dramatically affects our lives. PDG does not know if their development concept can or will meet all the City's ordinances to even allow it to be built as drawn. PDG does not know if their concept will be economically feasible and, therefore, capable of ever being implemented. Finally, PDG does do not know if the developers will ever actually "redevelop" based on their concept.

Over the last year, we have fought hard to protect and preserve the Coffee Creek community, its values, our homes and our way of life, including the golf course itself, and we will continue to do so. We cannot take stock in what may only be a trojan horse. We will meet all present and future challenges head on. For example, should we reach the point where the developers apply for rezoning, we know exactly how many signatures we will need on petitions. The amount of support and encouragement that we have received from the citizens of Edmond is overwhelming.

We cannot thank you enough for your past support and your continued support.

Tonya Coffman President Coffee Creek Homeowners Association

Music

From Page 17 “The Revolution and Mavis Staples are representative of everything that is right with the music industry,” said Scott Booker, CEO of ACM@UCO. “These are artists that cross musical boundaries of soul, rock, pop and dance, as well as being representative of who we are as an American people.

The Revolution and Mavis Staples are shining examples of how great it is when creative people collaborate and bend the rules, and ACM is proud to bring these incredible artists to Oklahoma for Metro Music Fest.”

ACM@UCO’s Metro Music Fest began in 2010 as a showcase of student talent and has grown to a large music festival, hosted in the Oklahoma City metro every April. The festival organizes performances by dozens of student bands, Oklahoma-known musicians and internationally recognized headliners across more than 13 venues

throughout the Bricktown district.

More than 15,000 attendees converge to experience the growing music culture of the Oklahoma City metro.

A complete lineup of all artists performing at the festival, as well as starting times and venue locations, will be released at a later date.

To learn more about the festival, including sponsorship opportunities, visit acm.uco.edu/metro-music-fest/.

To learn more about ACM@UCO, visit acm.uco.edu or follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/ACM.UCO. For more information about College of Fine Arts and Design events, visit cfad.uco.edu.

The Revolution, best known as the iconic band behind Prince, will headline the ACM@UCO’s Metro Music Fest alongside legendary singer Mavis Staples on April 6.

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 15, 2018 • Page 19

2018 Economic Preview held

EEDA director reports vibrant economy

By Steve Gust If Edmond were being traded on the Dow, it would be a blue-chip stock.

That was the message given last week at the Economic Preview by Edmond Economic Development Authority director Janet Yowell.

The presentation, which also featured a speech by State Treasurer Ken Miller, was held at the new Conference Center at the Hilton Garden Inn. Please see related articles, Page 5. Statistic after statistic showed a vibrant local economy, Yowell said.

“One of the reasons people like to come here is the low crime rate,” she told the hundred of business

leaders gathered.

Yet that wasn’t what attracted industry. Yowell said more than 50 percent of the adult population had a bachelor’s degree. She explained that businesses interested in relocating to Edmond valued an “educated workforce.”

That wasn’t the only good news. She pointed out that 2017 sales tax collections, a top economic indicator, were 5.2 percent higher over last year. Also the Edmond Realtors Association reported the most homes ever sold last year, with an average price of $312,000.

The director noted many new businesses, especially

PHOTO PROVIDED

From left - Deputy State Chaplain for the Oklahoma National Guard Major David Jordan, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, Green Shoe Board Member Shannon Rowe, Sen. Anastasia Pittman, Green Shoe Executive Director Jeanean South, Councilman John Pettis, Gov. Mary Fallin, Green Shoe Board Chair & Founder Chad Richison, Representative Jason Lowe, Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Terri White, Green Shoe Board Member Dr. Katrina Bright Cochran and our Green Shoe Groundhog - Kensie Lyon of AMP Resources.

Green Shoe breaks ground on a new metro retreat center

The Green Shoe Foundation of Oklahoma City, along with special guest Gov. Mary Fallin, officially broke ground last week for the new 7,500square-foot Green Shoe Retreat Center in Oklahoma City.

The new Green Shoe Retreat Center, located on 10 acres of land at 645 NE 63rd, will allow the non-profit organization to offer up to six free self-discovery and transformational change retreats a week in the Oklahoma City area.

The Green Shoe Foundation is a 7non-profit organization committed to improving and impacting individual lives and communities through self-discovery, awareness, education, programs and resources. The Green Shoe Foundation is the recipient of the 2017 Dr. Murali Krishna Eliminating the Stigma Award.

Recognizing the need to address the social challenges and behaviors that hold back success, The Green Shoe Foundation hosts five-day events that promote transformational change, focusing on personal growth, self-actualization and self-realization. The Green Shoe Foundation helps participants raise their awareness of how past family roles and family systems

reverberate in their current relationships.

Green Shoe’s free retreats are comparable to for-profit workshops that are only available out of state and generally cost thousands of dollars per person including fees and travel expenses. At Green Shoe, a deposit is required to secure the space and is refunded in full upon completion of the entire, five-day workshop.

Because of the unprecedented growth and popularity of retreats, spurred by recommendations from past participants, Green Shoe recognized the need for a larger facility to accommodate its mission. The Green Shoe Retreat Center is expected to open within 12 months.

Special guests at the groundbreaking included Gov. Fallin, Commissioner for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Terri White, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, Senator Anastasia Pittman, District Judge Kenneth Stoner, Oklahoma City Councilmember John Pettis, County Commissioner Brian Maughan, Rep. Jason Lowe and Green Shoe Founder and Board Chair Chad Richison.

Baseball team sets Job Fair

The Oklahoma City Dodgers will host the team’s annual job fair for 2018 customer service staff and food service staff on Thursday, Feb 22 from 4-8 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 24 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The Dodgers are seeking multi-talented, highly motivated team players.

Available positions include ushers, gate attendants, ticket window attendants, retail workers, field crew, cashiers, cooks, kitchen/stand managers, premium-level wait staff and much more. There are also hospitality internships available.

“Each event we host at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark is a large-scale operation,” said OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael

Byrnes. “We typically have over 100 gameday employees working during our home games, and the people we hire during our job fair are the ones on the front lines assisting fans and providing a high level of customer service.”

The job fair will be held in the Legends Lounge at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on both days. Interested job seekers should enter the ballpark through the glass doors adjacent to the team store located on South Mickey Mantle Drive. Those applying for any position must be available for all 70 Dodgers home games as well as other events held during the baseball season. All applicants must be at least 16 years of age.

For more information visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-1000.

restaurants, coming to Edmond. Three major projects saw groundbreakings just in the past few months.

They include $30 million for new emergency room center at Mercy near Interstate 35. Not far from there will be a $31 million Arcadia Trails center at Integris campus. That will treat people with addictions. The latest was a $20 million ShowBiz Cinemas entertainment center, with 10 motion picture screens.

Perhaps one of the more interesting nuggets of information came from the restaurant industry.

Yowell said 24 percent of Edmond visited a Chickfil-A restaurant at least one time in the past six months.

Page 20 • February 15, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Ombudsman program helps those in need

Assisted living centers & resident rights A person entering an assisted living center brings along a lifetime of habits, preferences and beliefs. Moving to a facility does not mean that individuals lose the rights and privileges they enjoyed before. However, it may take more effort to continue to exercise these rights and maintain a sense of individuality.

At admission, the assisted living facility must verbally explain the rights a resident enjoys and provide residents and their loved ones with written statements of these resident rights. A list of resident rights must also be posted in the facility where a resident can easily find and read them.

The Long-term care Ombudsman Program can provide Resident Rights both to assisted living communities and to residents living within the community. Assisted living facilities are required to make reasonable accommodations to honor residents’ preferences, as long as the health or safety of the resident or others is not endangered.

Often times what is considered “reasonable” is a source of conflict. Sometimes residents seeking accommodation will likely need to engage in negotiations with the facility staff.

Resident Rooms & Roommates Residents have a right to clean, comfortable, and orderly living spaces.

Most assisted living rooms are occupied by only one resident. However there are times when residents choice to share a room with either their spouse, friend, or relative.

Most individuals that live in assisted living communities furnish their own rooms with their own belongings.

Rooms must be equipped with full doors that can be closed for privacy.

The resident must also be allowed to lock their door, unless it is not medically advisable. The facility is required to provide a reasonable mechanism for the residents to control the temperature in their private rooms. A resident has a right to receive notice before being moved to a different room.

Social & Religious Activities Residents have the right to participate in social and religious activities as long as they do not interfere with the rights of other residents. Residents also have the right to refuse any activities they choose not to participate in that is offered.

Visitors A resident can choose whether or not to receive any visitor. When a family conflict arises, sometimes a residents’ representative will try to restrict certain visitors or force a resident to see an unwanted guest. The right to receive or refuse a visitor belongs to the resident unless a court has declared the person incapacitated and appointed a guardian. Family members are allowed to visit a resident at any hour, as long as the resident consents. The resident’s doctor and certain government representatives, such as long-term care ombudsman or health inspectors can also visit with residents at any time. The facility is allowed to impose reasonable restrictions on visiting hours for other types of visitors, such as friends or service providers. A person who has been prevented from entering a facility or visiting a resident may request a hearing within 10 days of being refused. At the hearing, the facility must prove the refusal to allow the visit was justified, either because the resident did not consent to the visit or for another allowable reason.

Food Facilities are required to provide at

least three meals per day that are nourishing, palatable, and well-balanced. They are required to meet each residents’ nutritional and special dietary needs. Menus must be planned, posted, and followed. Fresh drinking water must be easily accessible to residents at all times. It is a good thing to confirm with the facility that they will be able to meet any special needs before moving in.

Smoking There is no right to smoke in assisted living facilities. Oklahoma regulations prohibit the use of lighted tobacco products in the community or within 15 feet of an entrance. An assisted living community can designate a smoking area as long as it meets the Oklahoma requirements of the law.

The facility is required to post their tobacco use policy near the main entrance and notify potential residents of these policies before admission.

Personal & Medical Rights Residents of assisted living have the right to make decisions concerning their medical care. They also have the right to be informed of their condition and the medical treatments or changes to their care. Residents have the right to refuse medications or medical treatment after being informed or the consequences of such decisions. They also have the right to privacy. The only exception is if a resident has been declared incapacitated by a judge in a court of law and a guardian has been appointed to make decisions on behalf of the resident.

Physical & Chemical Restraints A restraint is anything that prevents free movement. Restraints can be physical, such as bed rails or ties, or chemical, such as sedatives. Physical or chemical restraints can never be used to discipline a resident for the convenience of the staff. Restraints may only be used when it is medically authorized and must be specific how long the restraint is to be used and for what purpose. Assisted living facilities are not allowed to have residents who require physical restraints on an ongoing or regular basis.

Privacy Residents have the right to privacy which includes, private consultations with doctors and when receiving personal care, medical exams, and treatment. Residents also have the right to private telephone calls, and in-person visits. They also have the right to send and promptly receive unopened personal mail. Resident’s medical and personal records must be kept confidential by the facility.

Money Matters Residents have the right to continue to manage their own money without the facility requiring the resident to allow the facility to manage or hold their money for them. The resident can sign a consent form if they choose to have the facility handle their money, but must be witnessed by at least one person who has no personal or financial interest in or connected with the facility. The facility must provide itemized statements of all deposits and withdrawals. The residents’ funds cannot be kept in the same account as money belonging to the facility.

Your Ombudsman Supervisors at Areawide Aging Agency are here to help resolve any concerns you may have. You may contact an Ombudsman Supervisor by calling 405-9428500. You may also contact the LTCOP State Offices at 405-521-6734.

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 15, 2018 • Page 21

See inside for details...

Favorite Food / Restaurant: Asian Food

Food Truck

__________________________

__________________________

Bakery

Ice Cream / Frozen Yogurt

__________________________

__________________________

Barbecue

Lunch Spot

__________________________

__________________________

Breakfast / Brunch

Mexican Food

__________________________

__________________________

Burger

Night Spot

__________________________

__________________________

Caterer

Pizza

__________________________

__________________________

Coffee House

Sandwiches / Subs

__________________________

__________________________

Desserts

Seafood

__________________________

__________________________

Ethnic Food

Special Occasion Restaurant

__________________________

__________________________

Page 22 • February 15, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

VOTE ONLINE!

goo.gl/NdReue Food / Restaurant (cont): Steak ___________________________ Sushi

Flooring ___________________________ Furniture

___________________________ ___________________________ Gifts Favorite Place To Buy: Antiques ___________________________ Appliances ___________________________ Athletic Shoes / Apparel ___________________________ Beauty / Cosmetic Supplies ___________________________ Books

___________________________ Groceries ___________________________ Home Decor ___________________________ Jewelry ___________________________ Mattresses ___________________________ Men’s Clothing

___________________________ ___________________________ Children’s Clothing / Accessories Plants / Landscaping ___________________________ ___________________________ Consignment / Resale

Shoes

___________________________ ___________________________

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 15, 2018 • Page 23

Simply answer each question below.

Feel free to elaborate on a separate piece of paper!

We will announce your Edmond Favorites in our March 1 issue.

Ballots can be mailed to: Edmond Favorites, 107 S. Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034 You are welcome to drop your ballot at our office (same address as mailing address above).

You can also vote online goo.gl/NdReue

DEADLINE FOR ENTRY IS FEBRUARY 23

50% OF BALLOT MUST BE COMPLETED FOR YOUR VOTE TO COUNT! Please write clearly and completely.

Favorite Place To Buy (cont): Custom Framing Sporting Goods / Outdoor Gear ___________________________ Tires

___________________________ Dance Studio ___________________________

___________________________ Wine & Spirits

Dentist ___________________________

___________________________ Woman’s Clothing / Accessories

Dry Cleaning ___________________________

___________________________ Businesses / Services: Automobile Repair ___________________________ Barber ___________________________ Birthday Parties

Eye Care ___________________________ Financial Planner ___________________________ Fitness / Health Club ___________________________ Florist

___________________________ ___________________________ Car Wash

Golf Course

___________________________ ___________________________ Chiropractor

Hair Salon

___________________________ ___________________________

Page 24 • February 15, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Businesses / Services (cont): Insurance Agent ___________________________ Lawn Care ___________________________

Romantic Place To Stay The Night ___________________________ Travel Agency ___________________________

Live Music Venue / Live Music Spot Veterinarian ___________________________ ___________________________ Massage

Other:

___________________________ Best Customer Service Most Attractive Building ___________________________ Nail Salon ___________________________ Oil Change

___________________________ Civic Organization ___________________________ Edmond Event Or Festival ___________________________

___________________________ Locally Owned Business Park

___________________________

___________________________ Pet Grooming

Long Term Business

___________________________ ___________________________ Pharmacy

Public Art Piece

___________________________ ___________________________

You can also vote at

goo.gl/NdReue DEADLINE FOR ENTRY IS FEBRUARY 23

50% OF BALLOT MUST BE COMPLETED FOR YOUR VOTE TO COUNT! Please write clearly and completely.

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 15, 2018 • Page 25

Touchmark names its new executive director Michael Stockman has been appointed Executive Director of Touchmark at Coffee Creek and will oversee all aspects of the retirement community. Michael brings more than 20 years of experience managing properties in almost every type of market.

“I’m so excited for the opportunity to work with Touchmark and further enhance people’s lives,” Stockman says. “My experience in the hospitality industry will add a focus on many aspects of living at Touchmark that are important to residents.”

During his time as a Director of Operations across luxury hotel brands that included Marriot, Hilton, IHG and Hyatt, Stockman consistently earned awards for excellence, quality and customer service and has extensive experience with new openings, renovation planning and asset management.

In addition, he has worked for top management companies, such as The Procaccianti Group, Chesapeake Hospitality and Noble Investments.

Stockman earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin.

As the son of an Air Force officer, Stockman moved often while growing up, living all over the U.S. and the Philippines. He and his wife, Lau-

Michael Stockman rie, have been married 17 years and have two children, Emma and Russell, and two rescue dogs.

Touchmark is part of the Coffee Creek 638-acre planned residential development, which includes recreational centers and walking and biking trails for Coffee Creek homeowners. A full-service retirement community, Touchmark at Coffee Creek offers a wide range of singlefamily and apartment homes and lifestyle options.

For more information, contact Touchmark at 405-340-1975 or visit Touchmark.com.

The many benefits of becoming older

Many people are quick to think of growing older in a negative light. Although there certainly are some side effects of aging that one may wish to avoid, people may find that the benefits of growing older outweigh the negatives.

Seniors are a rapidly growing segment of the population. In the United States, the Administration on Aging states that the older population - persons 65 years or older numbered 46.2 million in 2014 (the latest year for which data is available). Statistics Canada reports that, in July 2015, estimates indicated that there were more persons aged 65 years and older in Canada than children aged 0 to 14 years for the first time in the country's history. Nearly one in six Canadians (16.1%) was at least 65 years old.

With so many people living longer, it's time to celebrate the perks of getting older rather than the drawbacks.

Here are some great benefits to growing old. · Higher self-esteem: The insecurities of youth give way as one ages, and older people have less negativity and higher self-esteem.

A University of Basel study of people ranging in ages from 18 to 89 found that regardless of demographic and social status, the older one gets the higher self-esteem climbs. Qualities like self-control and altruism can contribute to happiness. · Financial perks: Seniors are entitled to discounts on meals, museum entry fees, movies, and other enter-

tainment if they're willing to disclose their ages. Discounts are available through an array of venues if one speaks up. Seniors also can enjoy travel perks, with slashed prices on resorts, plane tickets and more. The U.S. National Park Service offers citizens age 62 and older lifetime passes to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites for just $10 in person ($20 online or via mail). · Reasoning and problem-solving skills: Brain scans reveal that older adults are more likely to use both hemispheres of their brans simultaneously - something called bilateralization. This can sharpen reasoning skills.

For example, in a University of Illinois study, older air traffic controllers excelled at their cognitively taxing jobs, despite some losses in shortterm memory and visual spatial processing. Older controllers proved to be experts at navigating, juggling multiple aircrafts simultaneously and avoiding collisions. · Less stress: As people grow older, they are able to differentiate their needs from wants and focus on more important goals.

This can alleviate worry over things that are beyond one's control. Seniors may realize how little the opinions of others truly mean in the larger picture, thereby feeling less stress about what others think of them.

Growing older may involve gray hair or wrinkling skin, but there are many positive things associated with aging

Page 26 • February 15, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

PHOTO PROVIDED

Conductor Randi Von Ellefson, along with soloists, instrumentalists and the choristers of Canterbury Voices, accepts the audience’s applause at the conclusion of Canterbury’s December performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ at the Civic Center Music Hall.

Civic Center will host March Canterbury Voices concert Canterbury Voices presents a musical montage of Mozart, contemporary Latin American, and music from the Reformation in “Mosaic” on March 9 at 8 p.m. at the Civic Center Music Hall.

The first part of the concert will feature performances from the Southwestern American Choral Directors Association Collegiate Honor Choir, conducted by María Guinand. For the second portion of the concert, Canterbury is collaborating with the Tulsa Oratorio Chorus to sing Mozart’s Great Mass in C Minor, accompanied by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.

“Although incomplete, the Mass truly is great,” said Dr. Randi Von Ellefson, Canterbury Voices’ artistic director. “It is firmly part of the choral canon. In the music, the listeners will hear some incredible musical tributes to Bach and Handel.

In July of 2015, Pope Francis declared that the 'Et Incarnatus Est' is matchless and ‘lifts you to God!’” Canterbury is thrilled to be joining forces with

the Tulsa Oratorio Chorus, directed by Dr. Tim Sharp, to sing Mozart’s Great Mass. The combined forces of over 230 voices singing one of Mozart’s most memorable choral pieces will thrill music lovers. Soloists Meray Boustani, soprano, Shannon Salyards-Burton, mezzo-soprano, Jeffrey Picon, tenor, and Kevin Eckard, bass, will also be featured in the performance of the Mass in C Minor.

María Guinand, who will conduct the Southwestern ACDA Collegiate Honor Choir, is frequently invited as conductor and teacher to different events and concerts in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America. She specializes in Latin-American choral music of the 20th and 21st centuries. She has obtained the 'Kulturpreis' (1998) of the InterNationes Foundation, the Robert Edler Preis für 100Chormusik (2000) and the Helmuth Rilling Preis (2009). She currently conducts the Schola Cantorum de Venezuela, a group that has toured extensively and recorded many times, and is a professor in the Master’s Program for Choral

Conductors at the University Simón Bolívar in Venezuela.

The Southwestern ACDA Collegiate Honor Choir is comprised of over 170 of the region's most talented college students, each nominated by their professors to represent their university. Students from Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma will be represented in the choir.

The performance will be held at the Civic Center Music Hall on Friday, March 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $15, and can be purchased by visiting CanterburyOKC.com, or calling (405) 232-7464.

About Canterbury Voices: Now in its 49th season, Canterbury Voices encourages the development of the arts through its large-scale choral music performances and multiple music education programs, attracting world-renowned performers to share their talents in Oklahoma City.

For more concert information, visit CanterburyOKC.com

Miss Black UCO

Braum’s Opens New Location Near I-35 Braum’s held a ribbon cutting with the Edmond Chamber on Tuesday, February 6th to celebrate their Grand Opening at their newest location: 2624 Market Street Edmond. From the countless ice cream flavors to the delicious hamburgers, Braum’s continues to offer a unique and delicious customer experience at their neighborhood ice cream shop and Fresh Market. All of the stores are located within a 300-mile radius of the Braum Family Farm, and they are open seven days a week. Each store is like ‘three stores in one’ with a Grill, Old Fashioned Ice Cream Fountain, and a Fresh Market Grocery.

To find out more, visit www.braums.com.

PHOTO PROVIDED

PHOTO PROVIDED

Kedriuna Townsend, a sophomore nursing major from Idabel, Oklahoma, was crowned Miss Black UCO 2018 during the 34th annual pageant held on Central’s campus earlier this month. The first runner-up was Chrishell Seals, a sophomore premed psychology major from New Orleans and the second runner-up was Lakisha Woodard, a sophomore psychology major from Oklahoma City.

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 15, 2018 • Page 27

McGuinness benefit draws 700 Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School celebrated its 32nd annual dinner and auction recently at the Criterion Event Center. The theme this year was “McGuinness Rocks On.” Breaking attendance records, 700 guests arrived at the rock ‘n roll decorated event center. Bathed in fluorescent green lights and large glittery guitars, you couldn’t help but think the KISS look-a-likes were the real thing. They were quite the attraction for photo op’s.

There were a variety of items from the silent and live auctions as well as mouthwatering delicacies from the Sweet Shoppe. Entertainment was provided by the band SquadLive, featuring a wide range of popular music from the past 40 years.

The crowd had their dancing shoes on and rarely left the dance floor. The master of ceremonies for the evening was Jamie Meyer.

The highlight of the evening was recognizing our Honorary Chairmen this year, Dr. Jay and Susan Johnston. The Johnston’s are no stranger to McGuinness. They have three BMCHS graduates Carter ’87, Chris ’89 and Leslie ’91 and acted as chairmen for the 1991 auction “Irish Eyes are Smiling II.” We are very blessed to honor such a wonderful couple who exemplify the phrase “a person for others.”

Auction Chairmen this year were Shannon Hill and Julie Naifeh. Lori Fitzgerald and Sherry Klechka were responsible for the awesome decorations.

Other committee members were Debbie Margo, Becky Roten, Chris Engel and Kelly Moody. Once again, audience participation events, “Lady Luck” and “Heads or Tails” were crowd favorites. In Lady Luck, guests hoped to win a trip to fabulous Las

Vegas by purchasing a card for $100 out of a deck of 52 cards. As card holders assembled on the dance floor, the lucky winner holding the last card was former McGuinness teacher and alum parent, Ann Whitbeck. In Heads or Tails, sponsored by the Bishop McGuinness Alumni Association, participants purchased a $10 string of beads for a chance to win $500. At the flip of a coin, guests touched their hands to their head or tail.

Proceeds benefit the Bishop McGuinness Work Grant Scholarship program, a new 14 passenger bus and capital and infrastructure upgrades. The Work Grant Program allows students whose families cannot afford to pay full tuition to attend Bishop McGuinness while working in the school throughout a semester. Final figures are still pending but are expected to exceed previous year’s totals.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Honorary Auction chairmen, Dr. Jay and Susan Johnston, right, pose with McGuinness Principal David Morton and wife, Debbie.

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.

Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

Matthew 10:16 “Like a bird that wanders from its nest is a man who wanders from his place.”

Proverbs 27:8

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Proverbs 18:24

Page 28 • February 15, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure