Edmond Life & Leisure - April 16, 2020

April 16, 2020

Vol. 20, No. 48

In This Issue FOUR SEASONS

Four Seasons, by Kevin Box, in real life is located in front of the Center for Transformative Learning on the UCO campus, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper.

Email contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing.

For more information, see page 4.

EPS serving thousands of meals to students See Page 5

FRIDAY, APRIL 17 AM Showers High 52 Low 40°

PHOTO BY DEEN VAN MEER

Broncho senior softball catcher Halley Randolph recalls the pain she felt when the COVID-19 virus abruptly cancelled her season. The comfort she received from officials at UCO has her wanting to return next year.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18 Partly Cloudy High 67° Low 50°

SUNDAY, APRIL 19

Scattered Thunderstorms High 69 Low 48°

(Editor’s Note: As a global pandemic, COVID-19 has affected the on-goings of everyday life in countries around the world, in the United States and even at Central.

For many UCO student-athletes, their seasons came to an abrupt end much sooner than expected. This is the experience of softball player Halley Randolph – in her own words.)

By Halley Randolph Prior to leaving we did bullpens and we hit a little. With the Thunder game being cancelled the night before, we all had an uneasy feeling.

We get on the bus, another league had cancelled and the Ivy League had shut it down, so we get on the bus hoping for the best, but it was a super uneasy feeling.

We were all kind of sitting there talking, because nothing had really hit yet. We thought we could at least get through the weekend.

Then Coach White (head coach Cody) comes back there with tears in his eyes and we just knew. And he told us all NCAA postseason has been cancelled. And, it broke us, the amount of emotion that ran through that bus was unreal.

Then he came back like 20 minutes later and said, guys, they just cancelled our whole season.

His voice was shaky. Him and Coach Hunter (Jon), seeing two grown men coaches that put their whole lives into coaching the way they did, we didn’t know how to respond. People were bawling and

crying. It was just gut wrenching.

It was a feeling that I would never wish upon anybody. It’s a feeling that I’ll never forget for the rest of our lives, him saying, guys our season’s just been cancelled.

I’ve lived in Stillwater my whole entire life. I actually played baseball competitively until I was 13. I played basketball, baseball, and soccer.

My heart was in basketball. The competitiveness in softball and baseball and the grit, the grind I felt like I was putting in for softball and baseball had my heart way more than it did in basketball and I absolutely fell in love with the game.

I played baseball till I was 13, then continued on Page 3

Page 2 • April 16, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • April 16, 2020 • Page 3

Cover From Page 1 in an instant. It didn’t played softball around even seem real. We were Stillwater when I was 14, trying to take it in and then was I was 15, I just be there for each started making the comother but there was nothmute to Oklahoma City ing we could do. That to play softball. So I’ve was the worst part. We played since I was three didn’t get to end on our years old. own terms.

I remember coming on I was already a fifthcampus, and the campus year and I’ll graduate in looked nothing like it did May. If we get that eligiright now. We had the bility back, can my body dirt field, we didn’t have go for a sixth year? I was a locker room, we didn’t Halley Randolph sitting there and everyhave an indoor field, we thing in me was telling me, this isn’t didn’t have the Sports Performance how this was supposed to go. So in Center (for training). It’s nothing compared to what it is now. I remem- minutes, like seconds, I knew that I wanted to go back out there and give ber sitting in the office and Coach it another shot. It didn’t end the way White was showing me the plans.

And we were overlooking the softball it was supposed to and you don’t field, the dirt field, and they had won work your whole life for something just to let it end. it the year before. They had won the My dad told me, Halley you have national championship the year beyour whole life to do everything else, fore. I knew it right then. you’re being given one more year to The way that Coach White and play, why would you not? And from Coach Hunter were talking to me, it was a family atmosphere. It was gen- then, I knew that I needed to end on my own terms. uine to me and they’ve proved that The only thing that was concerning ever since I stepped on campus. It’s me was, can my body take it. I’ve been bigger than softball. It’s about had shoulder surgery, I’ve had the making us better people. It was the fifth-year, I’ve done the offseason, family atmosphere and I was drawn the grinds that every athlete underto the way the facilities were going stands. And that was the only thing to look and I wanted to be part of that was stopping me. Then I was that change.

I tell the girls all the time they have like, I have a chance to go back and play with one of the, this team that no idea. It’s because of people like we have this year as a family, was the Coach Pinkston (Gerry) and the girls that played before us is why we have closest team that I’ve ever been a part of. what we do. Coach Pinkston does The family atmosphere that we everything she can for this program.

She’s amazing. But it’s because of the had wasn’t something that I was ready to give up. The underclassmen, people that laid the foundation before us that we are able to have what they came in and bonded with me immediately and all the girls that we have now. have been there from the get-go, I’ve If you would have told me when I was a freshman that the place would been there since they’ve been there. I feel like I owe it to myself to give it look the way it does now, it doesn’t look like the same place. But the fam- another shot with them.

Because we didn’t have the season ily atmosphere is the same thing. I am beyond honored to have what we we wanted. We have a chip on our shoulder now. We know what we’re do. Nobody owes us anything, but capable of and we didn’t show it. For it’s because of the people that came me, it’s we have something to prove before us that we are able to have and I’m not ready to be done with what we have now.

When I woke up the next morning that.

I think with the leadership roles after the season was cancelled it felt like a dream. It was like, wake me up that we have, we have a lot of leaders, and leaders that emerged as this from this nightmare. I caught myself year went on as we faced adversity. just sitting in my room thinking, is We saw leaders emerge as time went this real life? You don’t hear about on. We finally got that momentum that stuff. We didn’t have, for the against Rogers State and saw what seniors, we didn’t have the year we we were capable of and that was wanted. We didn’t have the start we wanted. But we had just come off of that fire we needed. We were like, if a sweep against Rogers State, who is we can sweep the number whatever team in the country then why can’t a really good team and is ranked nationally really high. We came off that we win out the year.

The talent we have coming in is sweep and we felt like that was the unreal. And we all have the opportumomentum we needed and then, it nity to come back. So it’s the same was just over. team we’re just adding more people Our immediate feeling was, we’ll to make us even better. I’m super exnever put on a softball uniform again. The game we’ve known for 18 cited for next year and I wouldn’t want it any other way now. years is totally ripped away from us

Page 4 • April 16, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

From the Publisher

OKC bombing remembered It was a perfect spring day in Oklahoma City. The sun was out and the weather was Oklahoma at its best. You could have called it a chamber of commerce day up until it happened. Life was good for me at 36 years old. I was working at the Oklahoma Press Association and had just been promoted into a fantastic Ray Hibbard job. It was going to be challenging and it would pit me against one of my mentors in this business competing for our largest accounts, but I felt ready. I was pumped for the battle.

At the time, the Oklahoma Press Service, newspaper service placed advertising for the old C.R. Anthony Company clothing chain. We didn’t just place it for Oklahoma, but we placed it into newspapers all over the country. I hadn’t been the one to bring the business in, but it was going to be my job to make sure we kept it. To lose the business would have made me the disappointment of my friends in the newspaper business and probably would have gotten me fired. As part of my determination to keep the business, I would appear every morning at their headquarters at opening time with baked goods for the entire office. They looked forward to whatever I might have in the boxes I would carry in and I enjoyed getting to know these great folks and learning more about what we could do to help their business. The office opened at 9 a.m.

The morning of April 19, 1995, I was headed out to take the goodies I had picked up fresh out of the oven at Browns Bakery to the offices of the C.R. Anthony located in downtown Oklahoma City. Just as I was crossing the lobby the receptionist let me know I had a phone call. “It’s Jack Hovorka,” she said.

My temptation was to keep going and ask her to tell old Jack that I would call him later. He was the Advertising Director of The Edmond Sun at the time. I was thinking that he probably just had a couple of new jokes for me but after a little consideration I thought he might need some help, so I went back to my office and took the call. I decided if I got to the headquarters 15 minutes later than normal it shouldn’t matter. As it turns out, it did matter a great deal but not in the way I would have thought.

My first instinct was correct. Jack had some new jokes he just couldn’t wait to tell me. He was a great guy and would do anything for you. He was not only a great friend but a good person. Before he got to the punch line of the second joke a giant boom shook the building to the foundation. My office had giant plate glass windows on two sides, and I saw the glass bow. How it didn’t shatter is still a mystery to me. “Did you hear that,” Jack asked me.

The Oklahoma Press Association is located at 36th and Lincoln and located only three miles from what became the worst domestic terrorist attack in the history of the United States. The shock and sound from that incredible explosion reached all the way to Edmond and beyond was powerful.

Like many buildings in the wake of the blast, we all emptied out of our offices into the hallway. We had no clue what had happened before the reports

The Survivor Tree at the Memorial. started coming in.

I’ve always credited Jack with saving my life. The Anthony’s building was located on fourth street just across from the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The building faced the side where the now famous Ryder truck was parked. If my friend had not detained me with his great sense of humor, I stood a good chance of being just outside of my car and in front of the Anthony’s headquarters. Many of the folks inside that building were seriously injured.

The homemade bomb wiped out at least a third of the federal building. The gutless coward that committed this horrible attack went to great links to make sure the blast would project toward the federal building, right toward the day care center on the bottom floor, but there were still over 300 buildings in the area that sustained damage.

Once we learned of more details, one of my coworkers turned to me and said, “If you hadn’t been on the phone here in the office, you would have been right outside across from the building, in the open.” I didn’t give it much thought at the time but have given it a lot of thought over the years. It changed how I look at life and gave me much more of an appreciate for it as well. At 36 years old, you still pretty much consider yourself bullet proof, but it changed my attitude forever. Each day is a gift, a gift that 168 people, including 19 children, did not get that day.

The days that followed were nothing but surreal.

Driving down the street you would look at another driver at a stop light and they would have a blank look on their face. Life was a daze of activity. You went through the motions because we had to, but it was mostly with confusion and lack of meaning.

I questioned how Oklahoma City would ever survive this horrible attack.

Thanks to our incredible leadership at the time, Oklahoma City not only survived but flourished.

These men and women in charge refused to let this senseless attack define our community. In the days and hours after the bombing, folks in our community did what came naturally. They poured out to help in anyway they could. There was no looting, no crime but only love and help from the brave first responders and others that did whatever they could to support them. Instead of being known for the place that the bomb exploded, the Oklahoma Standard was born. Folks from Oklahoma didn’t think it was anything special, we just did what had to be done. Others from around the world now know Oklahoma not for what happened but how we reacted in the days, weeks and years following the bombing.

The best of who we are as Oklahomans continued right through the construction and design of the memorial. The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is the result of Oklahomans doing the right thing. There were no personal agendas in the room. Good people just went about the business of honoring those that died, were injured and families that were forever changed. They created a memorial that would make sure that we always remember, even 25 years later.

It is too early to tell how the reaction of our nation to the COVID-19 crisis will compare to how folks reacted to the OKC bombing. The circumstances are different and more widespread this time around. Just as we did not think we would get past the tragedy in the weeks after the bombing, we will move forward as we recover from this crisis. We have to folks. Some things may be changed forever but a full life will return to us.

While we still don’t know many of the details, the path is forward just like it was only hours after those tragic hours on April 19, 1995.

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

Check out what’s inside!

---- Senior news ........................................................................Pages 7 to 9.

---- Is the handshake extinct? ..........................................................Page 10.

---- A filing for House seat No. 96....................................................Page 11.

---- AAA helping out first responders and medical personnel ..........Page 13.

---- George Gust not fond of a romantic comedy ............................Page 15.

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

---- OKC Dodgers help out the community ....................................Pages 16.

---- Business News ............................................................................Page 17.

---- Church directory ........................................................................Page 19.

See if you can find ‘Four Seasons’ “Four Seasons” in real life is located in front of the Center for Transformative Learning on the University of Central Oklahoma campus, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper.

Please e-mail contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing.

Commissioned as a partnership between UCO, the City of Edmond and the Edmond Visual Arts Commission, “Four Seasons” was created by sculptor Kevin Box of New Mexico and was dedicated on the campus on March 24, 2011.

Kevin is a member of the National Sculptor’s Guild. His Box Studio LLC is a strong supporter of the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle concept, using recycled metal as part of the casting process for his sculptures. All of his work is 100 percent recyclable.

For more information on Edmond public art, please visit http://visitedmondok.com/public-art.php.

Publisher Ray Hibbard Jr. ray@edmondpaper.com Partner Christopher T. Hoke Editor Steve Gust news@edmondpaper.com Production Deanne York Advertising Director Alexx Harms alexx@edmondpaper.com Contributing Writers Mallery Nagle, Kacee Van Horn, Rose Drebes, and George Gust.

Photographer Melinda Infante

Cover Design Deanne York Legal Counsel Todd McKinnis Ruebenstein & Pitts, PLLC Copyright © 2020 by Edmond Media Publishing 107 S. Broadway Edmond, OK 73034 405.340.3311 (office) 405.340.3384 (fax) Mailing address: P.O. Box 164 Edmond, OK 73083 All rights reserved.

Material contained herein may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission from Edmond Media Publishing. edmondlifeandleisure.com facebook.com/edmondlifeandleisure twitter.com/edmondlifeandleisure instagram.com/edmondlifeandleisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • April 16, 2020 • Page 5

PHOTO PROVIDED

EPS Child Nutrition Worker Miyuki Drakes hands sack lunches to students at the Ida Freeman Elementary School feeding location.

EPS providing more than 4,500 meals to students Edmond Public Schools is providing more than 4,500 meals a week to students during the statewide school closure in response to the COVID -19 pandemic.

Child Nutrition Services is handing out about 900-1000 meals a day at seven different locations. Initially these district-sponsored “Grab-andGo” locations were only permitted to be set up within the attendance areas of Ida Freeman Elementary and Sunset Elementary.

A federal waiver will allow the district to set up and serve meals at five additional locations beginning April 20. The additional locations are Angie Debo Elementary, Frontier Ele-

mentary, Heritage Elementary, Northern Hills Elementary, and Orvis Risner Elementary.

Several community partners have stepped in to assist the district in providing meals to students during the pandemic. They are Edmond Church of Christ, First United Methodist Church of Edmond, First Christian Church of Edmond, Memorial Road Church of Christ, New Covenant Church, Quail Springs Baptist Church, and St. Luke's United Methodist Church.

Families in need of meals should check the feeding locations and times by going to www.edmondschools.net.

PHOTO PROVIDED

EPS is providing more than 4,500 meals a week to students during the statewide school closure.

Page 6 • April 16 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

PHOTO PROVIDED

Cindy Radford prepares devices to be handed out to parents during a drive-thru device pickup at Sunset Elementary School.

EPS’ ongoing online outreach Edmond Public Schools has distributed more than 600 devices to families in need during the statewide school closure in response to the COVID -19 pandemic.

Oklahoma schools moved to a continuous learning model beginning April 6. Every Sunday, EPS is uploading weekly lessons on the EPS Learning Dashboard to support the academic standards for the last quarter of the school year. The purpose of the dashboard, which can be found by going to www.edmondschools.net, is to provide families with the support they need to keep learning at the forefront and for students to not regress academically during the school closure.

School sites surveyed parents to find out which families needed devices to use during this time and staff quickly mobilized to hand out the devices at school sites. The devices were primarily handed out at the district’s 17 elementary schools. All middle and high school students at the district already had Chromebooks for use at home. The district also launched a Chromebook and iPad repair service and a helpline to assist parents with technology.

Chromebook and iPad Repair EPS technology staff are available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday to replace Chrome-

books, iPads, or chargers as needed.

The location is 1216 S. Rankin, between Central Middle School and the YMCA. Families should pull into the parking lot and staff will come to your car and exchange your lost or broken component with a new one.

Students/parents will keep the loaner device until the end of the school year.

Parent Technology Help Desk Technical phone support is available to parents Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The phone number to call is (405) 726-3333. The district can help with student passwords, general use information for EPS iPads and EPS Chromebooks, Canvas, Infinite Campus, Zoom (elementary), Google Hangouts (Secondary), and related issues. For questions pertaining to specific content delivery through SeeSaw, Capit, Prodigy, Epic, IXL, etc, parents should email their child’s teacher directly.

School sites also surveyed families to identify who is in need of help with internet access. Once the families were identified, the curriculum support staff reached out to the families individually to support them and will be soon providing hard copies of lessons and resources which will be delivered by U.S. mail. Teachers will also be offering support via phone calls.

Edmond Life & Leisure • April 16, 2020 • Page 7

For older adults during pandemic

OU Health Sciences Center offers online classes To keep older adults connected to the meaningful interactions that are so important for their well-being, the OU Health Sciences Center is using technology to reach out to seniors across Oklahoma during the COVID19 pandemic.

Research has linked social isolation to a higher risk of both physical disease and mental health disorders.

However, the very action that can protect people from the COVID-19 virus – socially distancing from other people – brings the potential to send older adults spiraling into loneliness.

The OU Health Sciences Center has moved many of its classes for older adults online through Facebook Live and Zoom. Those programs might usually be held in community centers and libraries across Oklahoma, but seniors can now safely access them from their homes.

“Older adults are at higher risk of serious illness with COVID-19 and need to continue social distancing so they can remain safe. But that also means they are disconnected from

their usual social networks at this time,” said Lee Jennings, M.D., a geriatrician at OU Medicine and director of the Oklahoma Healthy Aging Initiative (OHAI). “We knew we needed to think creatively about how we can continue our programming, but also gear it toward helping older adults and their caregivers during this time.”

The OU Health Sciences Center has received several federal grants and gifts in recent years to provide a variety of educational opportunities to older adults. OHAI, with 11 community educators working in five centers -- in Enid, Tulsa, Lawton, Durant and Oklahoma City, each serving its surrounding counties -- has been providing community-based health promotion education for older adults since 2012. A more recent initiative, the Oklahoma Dementia Care Network, helps people with dementia and their caregivers, and the Oklahoma Falls Prevention Program leads older adults in exercises that reduce the risk of falls.

Areawide Aging Agency urges caution for senior community (Editor’s Note: The metro’s Areawide Aging Agency is again issuing reminders to older residents about the risks posed by the COVID-19 virus to the senior community.)

Residents and family members should protect themselves and their families from encountering the COVID-19. That means understanding what COVID-19 is, how it is spread, and why it is dangerous. Practicing the social distancing rules, during this outbreak, which is staying 6ft apart from another person. Wearing a mask and gloves are other ways to prevent encountering the COVID-19 virus.

COVID-19 can include a sudden onset of a high fever, bodily aches

and pains, sore throat/dry cough, shortness of breath and feeling fatigued. The symptoms can be like the common cold or the flu and can be fatal in elderly persons, people with chronic diseases, and anyone with a weak immune system.

All nursing homes have been locked down since this outbreak began at the beginning of March 2020. The primary method to keep our residents safe from the spread of COVID-19 is the lock down of all nursing, assisted, and residential care facilities, per the instructions of the CDC. For the elderly, if our society continues to practice the precautions put in place it can reduce the future serious complications and spread of

See Caution, Page 7

n Among the many classes are: n Diabetes self-management n Chronic disease management n Tai Chi for Better Balance n Healthy Brain, Healthy Mind n How to Talk to Your Doctor n Powerful Tools for Caregivers n Staying Active and Independent for Life OHAI is live-streaming five classes each day on its Facebook page. The Oklahoma Dementia Care Network is using the videoconferencing platform Zoom for its educational classes.

“Several of our current participants have commented that the Facebook classes are helping them to stay connected and active, although they miss their regular classes,” said Paula Cockrell, education director for OHAI’s Central Oklahoma Center of Healthy Aging. “We are hopeful the Facebook Live and interactive Zoom classes will help to address the isolation and loneliness that older Oklahomans are feeling during this time.”

For more information about all online classes, visit www.ohai.org.

Page 8 • April 16, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Sunbeam providing essential services during the outbreak As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across Oklahoma, Sunbeam Family Services continues providing essential services to seniors experiencing homelessness through the Emergency Senior Shelter “We have enhanced safety procedures and implemented a quarantine protocol for new residents to preserve everyone’s health,” said Sarah Rahhal, LCSW, chief executive officer of Sunbeam Family Services. “We are committed to helping seniors experiencing homelessness find permanent housing and providing them the resources they need to thrive.”

Since 2001, the holistic efforts of the Senior Shelter have resulted in a

94 percent success rate in helping seniors find permanent homes. After departure from the Shelter, staff develop an aftercare plan providing key steps for residents to maintain this success rate.

To make a donation to help Oklahoma seniors, visit sunbeamfamilyservices.org or call (405) 609-2311.

Established in 1907, Sunbeam is Oklahoma’s longest-serving social service agency. Each year, Sunbeam helps more than 10,500 Central Oklahomans with life-changing services through its robust Early Childhood Education program, long-standing Foster Care program, compassionate Counseling progr

Caution From Page 7 the COVID-19. The precautions will also reduce the number of people who die or need a hospital stay because of the COVID-19 virus.

Important Facts: COVID-19 is transmitted from person to person and is very contagious. Just because you can’t go inside and visit with your loved one’s the facilities can arrange a visit through windows of the facility or skype/facetime phone calls. Simply contact the facility and

inquire how you could visit with your loved one during these trying times, and facilities will work with those families.

If you need assistance regarding keeping in contact with a loved one residing in a long-term care facility due to social distancing and restricted visitation you may contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at Areawide Aging Agency at (405)942-8500.

Happy Thoughts at Touchmark

PHOTO PROVIDED

There is now chalk art work outside Touchmark at Coffee Creek on many surfaces! Residents are able to see this from many vantage points. Emma Stockman, Lesley Mora, Davis Needham are the talented servers at Touchmark. Touchmark employees vow to always to a friend, ally and giver to the residents. This is an example of these young people living out the company’s values and brightening the days of residents.

Edmond Life & Leisure • April 16, 2020 • Page 9

Virus & Alzheimer’s: What caregivers need to know

By StatePoint Service The COVID-19 pandemic threatens the health of millions in this country and around the world, but the novel coronavirus presents unique challenges for more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and more than 16 million family members and friends serving as their caregivers.

“Public health strategies aimed at limiting contact with others are nearly impossible for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias who rely on family caregivers and others to live their daily lives,” says Beth Kallmyer, vice president, care and support, Alzheimer’s Association.

“This reality affects these individuals across all settings, including home, adult day services, residential and assisted living facilities and nursing homes.”

To help family caregivers navigate the complex COVID-19 environment, the Alzheimer’s Association is offering additional guidance to families, including: n Foster safe hygiene habits. People living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias may forget to wash their hands or follow other precautions to ensure safe hygiene. Caregivers are encouraged to be extra vigilant in helping individuals practice safe hygiene. n Monitor sudden or sustained behavior changes. People living with

Alzheimer’s and other dementias may not be able to communicate if they are feeling bad or showing early symptoms of illness. Caregivers should monitor family members closely and respond quickly to any signs of distress, discomfort or increased confusion. These signs do not necessarily indicate a serious condition like COVID-19, but it’s important to determine the underlying cause. n Prepare for potential changes in care and support. As public health containment strategies for COVID-19 escalate, families need to anticipate that less help may be available. It’s important for families to anticipate these changes and make plans for filling gaps in caregiving. n Be calm and create a nurturing environment. The current COVID-19 pandemic is creating added anxiety for everyone. Do your best to remain calm, particularly in your interactions with family members living with dementia. These individuals often take their cues from the people around them. Creating a calm environment will help them feel safe and protected. n Play gatekeeper with outside caregivers and guests. Carefully monitor who is coming into the home to ensure all who enter are healthy. Be proactive in asking outside caregivers and guests about their current health status and make sure they are not experiencing any early or recent symptoms of illness.

PHOTO PROVIDED

If you’re a caregiver and have questions during this challenging time, call 800-272-3900.

n Ask residential care facilities about communication policies. To protect the health of residents, many facilities are restricting access to outside visitors. Ask the facility about alternative communication methods during the crisis, including phone calls, video chats or emails. If your family member is unable to engage in calls or video chats, ask the facility how you can connect with staff to get health updates.

For more information, visit alz.org, the website of the Alzheimer’s Association or call its free 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.

Many primary caregivers are not good about asking for help even as care responsibilities escalate. It’s important for family members and friends to be proactive during the current crisis in asking caregivers how they can help.

Page 10 • April 16, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side

Handshake extinct?

It will be interesting to see how people interact with each other once some of the social distancing has been lifted.

On one hand people will be excited to see their friends and associates once more. Steve Gust Yet many people, including task force physician Dr. Anthony Fauci, want touching to be a thing of the past.

They claim the action can spread germs, including the dreaded virus.

So our happy reunions probably won't feature any handshakes and definitely not any hugs. After all, a hug is just a handshake on steroids.

(This must be a real difficult time for people who want to start dating.)

Far be it from me to question Dr. Fauci, but have we really seen the end of the handshake?

If so, then we can eliminate that advice in job searches, where officials urge job seekers to offer a "nice firm handshake."

When you think about it, it's amazing any of us are still alive, if the handshake is the vehicle, which transmits so many germs. Try to recall of all the people in your lifetime you've pressed flesh

with. It probably numbers in the thousands.

When Fauci, and others, made the decree on the greetings, I thought back to former Edmond Schools superintendent David Goin as well as current superintendent Bret Towne. In a span of one day every May, those guys would shake hands with every single graduate of Edmond's three high schools. I may be wrong, but I think that's over 2,000 students. It never put them in an ICU anywhere.

I also remember the five members of Edmond School Board shaking dozens of hands each month at the meetings.

In May they would stand in front of their seats and personally shake every hand of every retiring teacher. And that could be dozens of people. They would do the same for a state championship sports team or the many academic achievers here in Edmond.

I'm not sure I heard of any board member becoming ill because of the friendly gesture.

I hope the alleged experts revisit this subject again sometime in the future.

Then again, the experts haven't gotten everything right about this virus.

Still it's a good idea to be careful and, for now, not shake hands.

Whether it has to be that way forever remains to be seen.

Online learning can be a positive development

By Robert Ruiz If there is an upside to great disturbance and upheaval — and we are certainly living through both — it is that unforeseen challenges can often lead to innovations that permanently and positively alter our society.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us indoors, but it also has challenged us to seek new ways to connect to each other, do business and go about our lives.

No one should be surprised if telemedicine, for example, gains a permanent foothold in our medical community or if businesses realize there are benefits to letting many of their employees work from home.

It is extremely important that public education is a part of this conversation about inno-

vation and modernization, because the shortcomings of today’s system are glaringly obvious and holding back our kids.

In a world that is digitally focused and internationally connected, most of today’s public schools are chained to a system of brick and mortar buildings assigned by ZIP code. For many schools, the order to adopt “remote learning” — which in the 21st century should mean “online classes” — was like an order to take their students on a field trip to Mars, an impossibility for institutions where learning has occurred basically the same way for 100 years. Oklahoma City Public Schools’ decision to end the year on May 8, the earliest day allowed by the state,

seems like an admission that it has little confidence in the quality of their “remote” instruction, which largely avoids having to use digital resources.

OKCPS will defend its opposition to online learning by saying that low-income families may not have access to the internet at home and that, if they cannot serve all students, they will not serve any. Whether that makes any logical or moral sense, there are many tools at our disposal to try and get lowincome families online.

Partnering with Cox’s Connect2Compete program, for instance, or building on AT&T’s offerings of low rates for recipients of SNAP might offer some underserved communities and students a way forward.

Furthermore, there are schools all across Oklahoma that serve low-income students and families that find ways to use technology and digital learning in their classrooms. Epic Charter Schools and K-12 are both offering free public education to kids of all income levels. Tulsa Honor Academy, Crossover Prep and Cristo Rey OKC have all implemented successful distance learning programs while exclusively serving low-income students. These are schools that could have offered excuses and instead found solutions.

It’s important that we hold our schools to account for the ways they seek to improve and modernize during this time, or the ways they do not. Digital learning is here. We need to embrace it, not make excuses.

Ruiz is executive director of ChoiceMatters.

Lawmakers want abortion ban during pandemic A group of Republican representatives last week sent a letter to Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter requesting he appeal the ruling of Judge Charles Goodwin, from the United States Sixth District, that grants abortion providers in Oklahoma a restraining order which in effect blocked Gov. Kevin Stitt’s temporary ban on abortion services during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are respectfully and prayerfully requesting that you appeal the ruling to resume abortions here in Oklahoma,” the lawmakers wrote. “In addition, we also respectfully request that you issue an emergency stay from the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals to stop the abortion clinics from reopening.”

The representatives received a response from the AG’s office saying he plans to immediately appeal the decision to the Tenth Circuit. This is his public statement regarding the appeal: “I am very disappointed by the court’s judicial

override of Oklahoma’s response to the COVID19 pandemic instead of deferring to the state’s duly elected officials’ discernment. Carving out abortion from the state’s comprehensive efforts to flatten the curve creates a horrible precedent that may encourage a flood of other judicially conjured exceptions, completely undermining the state’s ability to combat the worst public health crisis in Oklahoma history. We all are making adjustments to help save thousands of lives—abortion providers should be no different. The state is not required to prioritize ending human life in utero over saving human lives, and certainly nothing in the Constitution says so.”

Legislators expressed their gratitude for the attorney general’s quick response to this ruling and for his stance on the side of saving every life. In addition, the lawmakers are grateful to Gov. Stitt for clarifying that abortion clinics are not-essential and for his stance on saving all lives through this crisis.

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Joining in the call for appeal are Speaker of the House Charles McCall, Speaker Pro Tempore Harold Wright (R-Weatherford and Reps. Rhonda Baker (R-Yukon), Jeff Boatman (R-Tulsa), Brad Boles (R-Marlow), Chad Caldwell (R-Enid), Trey Caldwell (R-Lawton), Sherrie Conley (R-Newcastle), Denise Crosswhite Hader (R-Piedmont), Sheila Dills (R-Tulsa), Jon Echols (R-Oklahoma City), Scott Fetgatter (R-Okmulgee), Ross Ford (RBroken Arrow), Tom Gann (R-Inola), Jim Grego (R-Wilburton), Tommy Hardin (R-Madill), Toni Hasenbeck (R-Elgin), Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow), Brian Hill (R-Mustang), Justin Humphrey (R-Lane), Ronny Johns (R-Ada), Chris Kannady (R-Oklahoma City), Dell Kerbs (R-Shawnee), Lundy Kiger (R-Poteau), Mark Lawson (R-Sapulpa), Mark Lepak (R-Claremore), Robert Manger (R-Oklahoma City), T.J. Marti (R-Broken Arrow), Stan May (R-Broken Arrow), Mark McBride (R-Moore), Kevin McDugle (R-Broken Arrow), Nicole Miller (R-Edmond), Garry Mize (R-Guthrie), Lewis Moore (R-Arcadia), Carl Newton (R-Cherokee), Jadine Nollan (R-Sand Springs), Jim Olsen (RRoland), Mike Osburn (R-Edmond), Kenton Patzkowsky (R-Balko), Randy Randleman (R-Eufaula), Dustin Roberts (R-Durant), Sean Roberts (R-Hominy), Cynthia Roe (R-Lindsay), Todd Russ (R-Cordell), Mike Sanders (R-Kingfisher), Lonnie Sims (R-Jenks), David Smith (R-Arpelar), Chris Sneed (R-Fort Gibson), Marilyn Stark (R-Bethany), Jay Steagall (R-Yukon), Danny Sterling (R-Tecumseh), Johnny Tadlock (R-Idabel), John Talley (RStillwater), Zack Taylor (R-Seminole), Tammy Townley (R-Ardmore), Mark Vancuren (ROwasso), Josh West (R-Grove), Kevin West (RMoore), Tammy West (R-Oklahoma City) and Rande Worthen (R-Lawton).

Edmond Life & Leisure • April 16, 2020 • Page 11

Lawmaker worried over GOP’s Margaret Best files rural hospitals’ future for House District 96 seat State Rep. Lundy Kiger (R-Poteau) last week sent a letter to Gov. Kevin Stitt asking his help in keeping rural hospitals open during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kiger said in the letter that during the past few months, but especially over the past four weeks, many who represent areas with rural hospitals have been speaking with the governor’s staff alongside rural hospital administrators and representatives from the Oklahoma Hospital Association to convey concerns about large financial losses suffered by the hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said they have asked the governor questions and submitted suggestions to help keep rural hospital needs in the forefront of the governor’s mind during this crisis.

“Our rural hospitals are dying, and we need your help immediately to ensure our county hospitals remain financially solvent and avoid certain closure under these pandemic circumstances,” Kiger wrote.

“I understand the state of Oklahoma is obligated to work off the recommendations of the CDC, and this prompted the order to cease all elective surgeries, OB, and many other surgical procedures during this pandemic. This one move alone in the order has reduced most rural hospital's incomes by approximately 80%. While ending these procedures is understandable, our rural hospitals still have employees, utilities, services, food suppliers, and supplies and equipment invoices that will have to be paid on a monthly basis.”

Kiger said he, other rural lawmakers, hospital administrators and their staff had high hopes that the almost $2.2 trillion stimulus package recently passed by the U.S. Congress would provide needed income to help bridge the gap for rural hospitals that are on the brink of closure, bringing them back onto a firmer financial foundation. After further investigation, however, he’s discovered that the hospital in LeFlore County would only quality for about onequarter of the proposed $10 million maximum loan amount allowed under the package. In addition, closing on the loan could take up to 60 days, by which point the hospital

would likely be closed or massive layoffs or terminations of staff would have occurred.

“At this point, our local rural hospital is now within days of closing and/or laying off many more of our finest people that we will likely never get back,” Kiger wrote.

He said to date, the hospital has been forced to terminate five doctors and two certified registered nurse anesthetists, close a walk-in clinic, suspend a physicians’ bonus program, premium pay for clinical staff and contributions to employee retirement accounts, and reduce over 50 staff in the hospital and clinics, leaving only minimal staffing until the pandemic is over.

Kiger submitted to the governor an idea from Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center CEO, Bob Carter, to add two people to his COVID-19 team: 1) a rural hospital liaison, and 2) a metro hospital liaison. He asked the governor to consider tasking these two liaisons with researching the following questions and to report the findings back to the governor weekly.

Days of cash on hand.

Days of cash to be received in the next week.

Is cash on hand for payroll only or payroll and AP? How many staff furloughed or terminated each week?

Any department closures?

Survival probability of hospitals if Executive Order ends April 30.

Could the hospital survive if an additional 30-day ban on elective procedures is enacted?

Kiger closed his letter by asking the governor to give immediate attention to rural hospitals that serve numerous Oklahomans and to help find a funding solution to keep the hospitals open. Kiger said in his opinion the fastest solutions he’s submitted is the option of using TSET money that is available right now.

Kiger ended by writing, “I want you to understand that I cannot leave this important topic to fall through the cracks. I can't and I won't allow this to happen. We need your help as quickly as possible! The turnaround for our Oklahoma hospitals has to happen right now!”

For Frontier Elementary

New principal named The Edmond board of education has named Dr. Beth Kanaly principal of Frontier Elementary School. The position at Frontier became open when Cara Jernigan was promoted to Executive Director of Elementary Education in March and moved to the district office.

Kanaly has served as an assistant principal at Frontier for four years.

She has also served as an assistant principal at West Field Elementary, Chisholm Elementary and Beth Will Rogers Elementary.

“Dr. Kanaly has a true passion for the families at Frontier,” said Jernigan. She has a strong desire to help every person who walks through the doors of the school to become the best they can be. Having been at Frontier and knowing the culture and community, she is ready to take the next steps to ensure the school continues to excel.”

Kanaly says being able to continue at Frontier in the role of the principal is a dream come true.

“I am honored and humbled by the board's decision. Frontier has an amazing and unique culture centered on family and high expectations. My goal is to propel and foster that culture. I am excited to connect in a more deep and personal way with the staff, students, and families.”

Kanaly says the culture at Frontier

was started with a vision of excellence, and with a mission and purpose to serve all.

“Frontier is a special place because our parents, care, support and promote the routines, structures, and procedures we have established and continue to enhance. I fully intend to continue those expectations and high standards for the students, staff, and families.”

Frontier Elementary was the first school in Kanaly the nation to be named a Great Expectations Model School in its first year of operation. In addition, the school was chosen as a demonstration site for the Oklahoma State Department of Education (SDE), a collaborative program in which the department and the school work together through the Oklahoma Tiered Intervention System of Supports to improve both academic and behavior outcomes for all students.

Kanaly graduated with a master's degree from UCO in Special Education and a doctoral degree in educational administration from OSU. This is her 30th year in education. She is part of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and Association of Curriculum and Development (ASCD). She enjoys fishing, camping, and cooking

Edmond real estate agent and registered nurse, Margaret Best, announced last week she is seeking the Republican nomination for Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 96, which includes portions of Oklahoma City, Edmond, Arcadia, Choctaw, Harrah, Jones and Luther.

“After careful consideration, thoughtful prayer and time spent discussing with my family, friends and those within the community – today, I filed to run for House District 96,” Best said. Best is a real estate agent for Metro First Realty Premier. Additionally, she worked as a registered nurse in critical care for over 10 years and continues to keep her nursing license active should she need to return to the medical field.

“If elected, I will continue Oklahoma’s turnaround with a vision of expanding our economic prosperity and ensuring government is efficient without all the red tape,” Best said.

She also wants to focus on the right to life, improving the Oklahoma education system to “pave the way for our future leaders” and supporting industry deregulation. “These are challenging times all of us are living in.

As a nurse, I feel a calling and a duty to serve in a different capacity. As a business owner, we have to find cre-

Margaret Best ative solutions to get people back to work and get the economy moving again,” Best said.

Best and her husband Rance, have been married for 23 years. Together, they have four children: Hartley, (21) a student at Oklahoma State University; Caroline, (19), a student at John Brown University; Harrison, (17), a sophomore at Edmond North High School and George, (12), a sixth grader at Central Middle School.

Page 12 • April 16, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • April 16, 2020 • Page 13

Edmond educator nominated for a national teacher honor Justin Carroll, a teacher at Deer Creek Middle School in Edmond, was nominated for the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year award. The award is sponsored by Patricia Behring, widow of the late Kenneth E. Behring, who previously sponsored the National History Day National Contest for many years.

Each of the 58 National History Day affiliates may nominate one middle school teacher for this award, and Carroll is the junior division nominee from Oklahoma. Every nominee for the $10,000 award is a teacher who demonstrates a commitment to engaging students in historical learning through the innovative use of primary sources, implementation of active learning strategies to foster historical thinking skills, and participation in the National History Day Contest. Each nominee will receive $500 as a result of their nomination.

“Teachers are among the greatest resources children have to develop the skills necessary to become critical thinkers,” said National History Day Executive Director Dr. Cathy Gorn. “The nominees for the Behring Award have shown a dedication to teaching that goes beyond the classroom. I congratulate Mr. Carroll on his well-deserved nomination.”

Patricia Behring sponsors this award in recognition of the pivotal role teachers play in the lives of students. The national winner will be selected by a committee of experienced teachers and historians, and will be announced on June 18 at the National History Day National Contest Awards Ceremony held at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Nominees’ work must clearly illustrate the development and use of creative teaching methods that interest students in history and help them make exciting discoveries about the past.

AAA offering help to first responders as well as health care professionals State Sen. Greg Treat

Treat seeks re-election Oklahoma Senate leader Greg Treat has filed for reelection. Treat represents District 47 in the Senate, which includes northwest Oklahoma City, portions of Edmond, Deer Creek, and Bethany.

“It has been an honor to serve my friends and neighbors in District 47 in the Oklahoma Senate, and I am humbly seeking another term to continue to fight for them at the Capitol,” Treat said. “I am proud to say I led the charge to give schools a record-setting funding increase, and the largest pay raise in state history. If reelected to the Oklahoma Senate, I will make sure we continue our investments in our schools and teachers, and implement policies to enable businesses in Oklahoma to grow and prosper.”

Treat currently serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, where he has implemented many reforms to increase the efficiency and transparency of the Senate.

Throughout his time at the Capitol, Treat has been known as an effective leader and policymaker.

“From Day One, I’ve fought for conservative, commonsense ideas and have successfully passed bills to increase government accountability and transparency, cut red-tape for small businesses, and protect the sanctity of life at all stages,” Treat said.

“I’ve also worked with lawmakers from across the state and from both parties on important issues like DHS reform, and child welfare issues. By working together, we can solve our state’s problems and move forward.”

Treat has led the Senate as the chamber has navigated the impact of the COVID-19 health care crisis.

“In these challenging and extraordinary times, we must all come together and show everyone the true meaning of the ‘Oklahoma Standard.’ I encourage everyone to continue the social distancing guidelines recommended by local and national health professionals. We can and will get through this like we have throughout our state’s history, by working together for the common good.”

Treat and his wife Maressa have been married 15 years in May and live in northwest Oklahoma City. They have three children: Mason, Cooper, and Olivia, who all attend Deer Creek public schools. The Treats are active members of Frontline Church.

BBB offering online seminar for businesses Better Business Bureau Serving Central Oklahoma is offering events online to make networking and learning opportunities more accessible to our local community.

BBB events focus on providing local business owners, leaders and entrepreneurs the tools they need to continue building their businesses while practicing social distancing.

“TRUST Talks” will be held April 23 from 11 a.m. to noon, CST. The seminar helps businesses businesses prepare and plan for natural disasters, public health crises and more. Register for free at this link: https://bit.ly/2ypPTiO BBB Serving Central Oklahoma will continue to develop and reshape events to help local businesses stay connected and find new ways to #WeatherTheStorms. The goal has always been and continues to be providing businesses with resources that will help them continue to succeed.

Follow BBB on social media, @BBBCentralOK for regular updates, new content, events and ideas.

AAA, the premier roadside assistance provider for more than 100 years, is offering local heroes peace of mind as they keep our communities safe and healthy.

New offers, available through May 1, for first responders and health care professionals who must travel to work include a free oil change and other Car Care savings, 50 percent off primary dues for new Members and one free associate membership for existing Members.

Memberships include roadside assistance and an array of discounts for everything from restaurants to online orders of clothing, gifts and floral arrangements.

Store associates are available to assist with membership sign-ups by phone as listed at www.aaa.com/store. These limited time offers for those involved in protecting our communities include 50 percent off primary dues plus one free associate, 50 percent off a second associate and

$5 off annual renewal.

Metro-OKC AAA Car Care, Insurance and Travel Centers are providing free standard oil changes or $35 off full synthetic oil changes and tires at cost plus $19.99 installation. Curbside drop-off service is available along with complimentary LYFT service for those who call ahead to these locations: 6163 N. May Ave., OKC, (405) 717-8200 1701 S. Broadway, Edmond, (405) 348-8281 “We appreciate the tireless dedication of our health care workers, first responders, and law enforcement partners who are steadfastly doing their jobs during this challenging time,” said Craig Sumerel, President of Car Care, AAA Club Alliance Inc. “Our teams are actively helping these heroes so that their vehicles are ready when they need them.

Page 14 • April 16 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Chuck Bailey tabbed to be interim AD

Chuck Bailey

The University of Central Oklahoma announced Thursday Chuck Bailey will assume the role of interim athletic director May 1, 2020, as a national search begins for a new director following the retirement of Eddie Griffin.

“I am pleased to announce Chuck Bailey, a familiar member of the Broncho sports family, will assume the role of interim Athletic Director beginning May 1,” University President Patti Neuhold-Ravikumar said. “His experience, positive contributions and operational strength will be extremely valuable during this leadership transition. I’m grateful for Chuck’s willing-

ness to serve the university in this role.”

“I have tremendous confidence that Chuck can and will effectively lead our athletics department as we undertake the search for our next Athletic Director,” UCO Vice President of Finance and Operations Kevin Freeman added.

Bailey came to UCO in 1984 as an assistant football coach. He helped lead the Bronchos to two Lone Star Conference championships and four NCAA Division II playoff appearances during his coaching tenure.

Bailey assumed the additional responsibilities of Director of Football Operations in 2003 and served both

roles until moving into athletic administration in 2006. He served as Assistant Athletic Director for Operations before becoming Senior Associate Athletic Director in 2007.

Bailey left UCO to become the District Athletic Director for Mustang Public Schools in 2009 where he served until retiring in 2016. He returned to UCO in 2017 as Development Director for Athletic Scholarships and contributed in that capacity for two years.

A national search for the next athletic director will begin this week with the goal of having this person in place for the fall semester.

Can we give coronavirus to our pets?

By Ryan Stewart When a tiger at the Bronx Zoo tested positive for covid-19, a zookeeper was pegged as the likely source of infection. So, if we can transmit the virus to tigers, do we also pose a risk to our pets?

According to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation attending veterinarian Jennie Criley, D.V.M., it’s highly unlikely.

“We’ve seen no evidence in the U.S. of companion animals being important Noah, the pet of OMRF veterinarian Jennie Criley. players in this outbreak,” Criley said.

“The Bronx Zoo tiger was the first case RNA,” said Criley, who also serves as director of comparative medicine at of human-to-animal transmission reOMRF. ported in the U.S.” “In the U.S., an estimated 150 milTigers share more than 95 percent lion animals live in close proximity to of their genomes with domestic cats, us, and there have been no reported and there have been very isolated recases,” she said. “The CDC and the ports of the detection of low levels of American Veterinary Medical Associathe virus in household pets in other tion agree at this time that chances of countries their owners fell ill with transmission appear really small.” covid-19. One cat is reported to have Preliminary data from one study tested positive in Belgium, Criley said, demonstrated that the virus may replialong with one cat and two dogs in cate and be transmitted between exHong Kong. perimentally infected ferrets and cats, “And those animals are reported to but not in dogs. The ferrets developed have gotten only low levels of viral

respiratory disease, while the cats did not.

But, Criley said, that study involved extremely high levels of viral exposure much greater than pets would typically encounter in a home.

To be safe, Criley recommends using the same hygiene practices with your pets as you do with humans. “Wash your hands before and after tending to them. Socially isolate your pets with the rest of your family,” she said. “But don’t panic.”

Nadia, the 4-year-old tiger at the Bronx Zoo who has developed the virus, is reported to have a dry cough and a slight loss of appetite. Paul Calle, D.V.M., the zoo’s chief veterinarian, said that she’s doing well, as are three other tigers and three lions who show the same symptoms.

“All of the tigers and lions only had mild illness and they’re all showing progressive signs of recovery, and we’re expecting them to make a full recovery,” Calle told The New York Times.

If you’re sick with suspected or confirmed covid-19, OMRF’s Criley recommends isolating yourself from your pet

as you would the rest of your family.

Delegate pet care to healthy family members if possible.

While this coronavirus – like its viral cousins SARS and MERS – appears to have started in animals and jumped to humans, Criley said there’s no evidence at this time that a sick pet could pass the illness to people. “Still, there’s no reason to take chances, so be vigilant about handwashing after touching your pets,” she said.

She urges people not to overreact to the current fears when it comes to their pets. And, in fact, U.S. animal shelters have reported a surge in recent weeks of adoptions, as people seek companionship during a time of social isolation.

During this pandemic, Criley and her husband are enjoying the company of their two dogs, Tony and Noah. Although the humans are staying isolated from one another while living under the same roof, separation rules don’t apply to the furry members of the household, said Criley. “The dogs get to choose, and they’re spending the majority of their time with me.”

Edgar Cruz

Edgar Cruz will do virtual Facebook concert April 19 Acclaimed Oklahoma City guitarist Edgar Cruz will kick off the Arcadia Round Barn’s Facebook Live version of this year’s Elm Tree Concert Series.

Cruz will present a virtual concert from 1 to 3 p.m. April 19 on the Arcadia Round Barn Facebook page.

The barn will be closed at least through the end of April due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cruz is a classical and fingerstyle guitarist who has recorded nearly 20 CDs in styles ranging from classical to flamenco to pop to jazz. He is perhaps best known for his fingerstyle arrangement of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Joe Baxter, who coordinates the live music at the barn, encouraged fans to listen to the concert and donate to Cruz online. Musicians who perform at the Round Barn have lost much of their income due to concert postponements.

“Edgar has been a great friend to

the Arcadia Historical and Preservation Society, donating his time for a concert every year to help us maintain the barn built in 1898,” Baxter said.

The Round Barn’s Saturday morning concerts known as Morning Music have also switched to the Facebook Live format. Marco Tello is scheduled to perform on April 11, Rick Reiley on April 18 and Amanda Cunningham and Nellie Marie Clay on April 25.

The next-scheduled Elm Tree Concert Series performance is on May 3,

by Baxter’s band, The Regular Joes.

That concert will also likely be presented via Facebook Live.

The historical society depends on donations and gift shop sales to maintain the Route 66 icon. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 134, Arcadia, OK 73007.

For more information about music at the barn, call Baxter at 405-8331350.

Edmond Life & Leisure • April 16, 2020 • Page 15

A subpar romance comedy lacking in charm

By George Gust “Love. Wedding. Repeat” follows Jack (Sam Claflin) who while trying to make his sister's wedding day go smoothly, finds himself juggling an angry ex-girlfriend, an uninvited guest with a secret, a misplaced sleep sedative, and the girl that got away in alternate versions of the same day.

“Love. Wedding. Repeat” is a high concept romantic comedy with a premise (and title) similar to the Tom Cruise 2014 sci-fi/action film “Edge of Tomorrow” which was marketed as Live Die Repeat.

However, outside of a strange narration by Dame Judi Dench and a short montage, “Love. Wedding.

Repeat” fails to deliver on the sliding doors concept promised by the title and premise.

Instead, what you get is a subpar wedding romantic comedy that is lacking in humor and any scrap of charm or imagination.

Even the soundtrack featuring the most generic and overused classical compositions gives “Love.

Wedding. Repeat” a flat and emotionally distant feel.

Comedy comes in all kinds of forms, from the

broadly slapstick to the cleverly constructed witty repartee. “Love. Wedding. Repeat” aims for the awkward cringe inducing comedic style, and unfortunately hits its mark all too well. The R rated humor delivered by a cast of unlikable characters so often feels flat and forced that not even the tried and true rom-com wedding day shenanigans can encourage the slightest chuckle. So often in this movie you’ll find yourself frustrated by the script that relies on its characters ignoring blatant social cues that result in the most awkward at-

tempts at comedy.

Netflix has become one of the last places to find romantic comedies in the current movie landscape (heaven knows they’re not being produced by Hollywood anymore), and their offerings have been pretty hit or miss in the past.

“Love. Wedding. Repeat” is a miss. Lacking in charm, humor and romance, “Love. Wedding. Repeat” is a movie that squanders an interesting premise and talented cast. If you were looking for a cheesy and raunchy rom-com, you’d do better to revisit one of your old favorites than firing up “Love. Wedding. Repeat” “Love. Wedding. Repeat” is rated TV-MA for profanity.

Available to stream on Netflix 1.9 out of 5 stars

To comment on this film review, or any other movie review, please e-mail George at gust.george@gmail.com

PHOTO PROVIDED

Caption: Sam Claflin and Olviia Munn star in Netflix's sliding doors wedding rom-com ‘Love. Wedding.

Repeat.’

Metro May event is rescheduled Oklahoma City’s Cinco de Mayo Festival, previously planned for May 3 in Scissortail Park, will be rescheduled to Sept 13, when it will be combined with the Fiestas Patrias Festival at the same location.

The Fiestas Patrias Festival will kick-off Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations in Oklahoma. Scissortail Community Development Corporation, which organizes both events, made the decision to postpone Cinco de Mayo in light of the current COVID-19 crisis.

The Oklahoma City Cinco de Mayo festival is the largest in the state and was expected to draw over 20,000 people celebrating Hispanic heritage and culture. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt mentioned the Cinco de Mayo festival in his State of the City address this year, and Scissortail CDC Executive Director Robert Ruiz thanked him for the recognition as well as his leadership during the COVID-19 crisis.

“The mayor knows how important this event is and we appreciate his support,” said Ruiz.

Ruiz said the rescheduled event would be even larger than the original celebration.

“The decision to reschedule is disappointing, but necessary given the current environment and the need for social distancing,” said Ruiz.

Crossword Puzzle STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: FAIRY TALE CREATURES ACROSS 1. *Like many mythical creatures 6. Second mo.

9. Spill the beans 13. Convex molding 14. "___ the President's Men" 15. Ankle support, e.g.

16. Make a logical connection 17. *E.T.'s craft?

18. Des Moines native 19. *Fire-breather 21. *Household spirit 23. Tucker of "Modern Family" 24. Antonym of is 25. *Grimm's Queen ____ 28. Tailor-made 30. Showing on TV 35. "All's well that ____ well" 37. Golly!

39. Punctuation mark 40. Seaport in Yemen 41. Hitching post?

43. Additionally 44. Poison ivy or Poison oak 46. One more than The Beatles 47. Hold as a conviction 48. *Mrs. Potts or her son Chip 50. Andrew Sean Greer's 2017 Pulitzer-winner novel 52. Toast choice 53. Jack and Jill's water jug 55. "____ Now or Never" 57. *Horse's cousin 61. *One of the seven dwarfs 64. Ascetic holy Hindu 65. HHS agency 67. Relating to #25 Across 69. Banana treat 70. Go bad 71. Australian canid 72. Lou of "Walk on the Wild Side" fame 73. Card in the hole?

74. "The Forsyte ____," pl.

DOWN 1. Wisecrack 2. Like a zealous fan 3. Regular attendee 4. Hipbone-related 5. Cuban music genre, pl.

6. *Half-man, half-goat 7. *Santa's helper 8. Splotches 9. Arch on a face 10. Croquet turf 11. Popular smoothie berry 12. Well, to Sofia Loren 15. Relating to living organisms 20. Opposite of alpha 22. Genetic initials 24. Parents hope to do this with values 25. *Beauty's beau 26. Empower 27. Dropsy 29. *Big Bad One 31. Yellow brick one 32. Feeling worse than before

33. *Like Curious George 34. *Garden dweller 36. Finger move 38. Moneyed one 42. Pine product 45. Choose not to do something, 2 words 49. Toni Morrison's "____ Baby" 51. 1862 plots, for short 54. Prefix for below 56. Old photo color 57. Stalin's domain 58. Back of the neck 59. Not active 60. Past tense of chide 61. Fill beyond full 62. Sound of passing bullet 63. *Baba ____ 66. *Who Bugs Bunny talks to?

68. Numbers, abbr.

See Answers on Page 19

Answers to the puzzle On Page 19

Page 16 • April 16, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Dodgers Spread Goodwill to Community Last week, on what would have been Minor League Baseball’s Opening Day – the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation delivered over 5,000 hot dog lunches across the Oklahoma City metro area to frontline workers and essential personnel who are helping the community in fighting COVID-19. In addition to hot dogs, the deliveries included chips, condiments, soft drinks and bottled water thanks to generous donations from sponsors Schwab Meat Co., Sara Lee, Pepsi and US Foods. The 15 organizations that received deliveries specialize in public health, public safety and child/youth care, and each organization was nominated by members of the community. In the photo, are Dodgers mascot Brix and Chef Will.

Sen. & Mrs. Lankford launch effort to help the vulnerable Last week, Sen. James and Cindy Lankford announced the “Hope to Your Doorstep” initiative, to safely coordinate assistance for Oklahomans during the COVID-19 emergency health crisis.

Oklahoman's know what it means to weather a storm. Our resilience, strength and community will help us through this storm as well. This is an unprecedented season for the country, as we learn more about COVID-19 and take educated steps to stop this pandemic.

Thousands of Oklahoman's are volunteering every day to care for the most vulnerable among us. However, there are still unmet needs throughout our communities.

In an effort to help identify people who still have unmet needs and connect them with volunteers who are willing to serve, the Lankfords are starting an initiative called “Hope to Your Doorstep.” The initiative seeks to discover people across the state who are willing to safely assist others in their local area.

“This crisis presents a unique opportunity for Oklahomans to help each other at the most local level and fill unmet areas of need. I encourage able individuals to safely help your neighbor, meet local needs, and reach out to those in your community who are limited in their abilities to perform tasks

outside the home,” said Lankford. “These simple acts of service may take you mere minutes, but could be very significant to those who are most at risk. We are committed to serving alongside our fellow Oklahomans to make sure no one is missed.”

The Lankfords encourage all Oklahomans to follow guidelines put out by federal, state, and local governments concerning slowing the spread of COVID-19. If you are higher risk, over 60 years old, or uneasy to be out in the public, #TeamLankford would like to partner you with one of our volunteers to ensure you have the basics needed during this time. Additionally, if you have a desire to help your fellow Oklahoman’s during this time, please sign up today at JamesLankford.com and we will match you with a local need as they may arise. We would be honored to have your help!

Individuals in need of assistance, interested in volunteering to serve, or are looking for COVID-19 resources should visit JamesLankford.com. We recently converted our website to prioritize the current needs of Oklahomans with Hope To Your Doorstep. Oklahomans can also call the Oklahoma Department of Health call center at 877-215-8336 for state guidelines and resources or call 2-1-1 for help in the community.

SBA can help both contractors & the self-employed Starting right now, independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply for and receive loans to cover their payroll and other certain expenses.

Program Highlights: Potential 100 percent loan forgiveness for eight weeks of qualified loan uses.

Fixed low interest rate at 1.00 percent No collateral required Two-year terms Who Can Apply: Independent contractors receiving 1099-MISC forms and self-employed individuals are eligible to apply for these potentially 100 percent forgivable loans beginning on April 10, 2020.

The requirements are straightforward. n You must have been in operation on Feb. 15, 2020, n Also, your business must have been harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic and you must submit the required documentation along with your loan application.

For more information, visit the U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program Information Page.

A look at OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine the shortage of rural veterinarians Oklahoma State Univerand is working to address those sity’s College of Veterinary needs.

Medicine strives for innovaAs part of a land-grant institution, tion in both animal and CVM’s research is a strong focus. Rehuman health, serving edusearch productivity is dramatically incation, research and extencreasing. According to the 2019 sion efforts.

Comparative Data Report from the Each year, the CVM welAssociation of American Veterinary comes bright, energetic stuMedical Colleges, the CVM ranks dents. There are 106 13th of 30 among U.S. schools of students in the veterinary veterinary medicine when research class of 2023; 58 are Oklafunding is normalized to faculty numhoma residents. Forty-seven bers.

Oklahoma counties are repOur signature research programs resented by current classes. include respiratory and infectious disThe college’s faculty and Dr. Rosslyn Biggs, an an assistant ease, interdisciplinary toxicology, parstaff work diligently to enclinical professor at Oklahoma asitology, zoonotic and tick sure all students are well pre- State University’s College of Vetpared. Our graduates have erinary Medicine. She earned her transmitted diseases, lung biology, achieved a National Board DVM degree from Oklahoma State exercise physiology and microbiome Examination pass rate of 100 University and is a beef cattle ex- science. tension specialist and director of Extension is also a focus area for percent for the last three continuing education. the CVM, specifically through outyears. reach and education. Additionally, For the last five years, the collaborations with other segments of extension CVM has consistently ranked higher than the naenhance programming. This includes the Integrated tional average in students seeking employment in food animal-mixed animal practice (OSU 22.8 per- Beef Cattle Program for Veterinarians, a project cent, national 16.02 percent). The CVM recognizes funded by a USDA National Institute of Food and

Agriculture grant. This project aims to retain veterinarians and attract new graduates to rural practice.

It expands business opportunities by improving veterinary training in areas impacting herd management, health and production. It is a cooperative multidisciplinary project, uniting the CVM and the animal science and agricultural economics departments of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

The Veterinary Medical Hospital is a teaching facility that serves patients from across the region.

The food animal service offers around-the-clock emergency care, treating thousands of animals annually.

Surgery, medicine, reproduction and on-farm services are offered. The CVM caseload is in the top 10 of U.S. veterinary schools and growing.

The Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (OADDL) operates within the CVM, promoting animal health through diagnostic testing, professional student instruction and research in diseases of economic importance. OADDL is a National Animal Health Laboratory Network Level 1 laboratory.

This is the highest level of designation from the USDA. In 2018, OADDL served 75 Oklahoma counties and 40 states on more than 17,000 cases involving 89,000 tests.

Edmond Life & Leisure • April 16, 2020 • Page 17

Wings adds three Francis Tuttle Tech Center new board members helps business community Wings, a non-profit special needs community providing programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities announces the addition of three new members to its Board of Directors.

Joining the Board of Directors are Carolyn Hansing, Heather Carver and Kris Wooten.

Carolyn Hansing attended the University of Oklahoma and Rose State College Health Science Division, and brings experience in both human resources and volunteer management to the Wings board. Carolyn is an active volunteer, holding positions on the board of directors for other non-profits including: Cleats Hansing For Kids and KLife, and has served as a past board member for Infant Crisis Services and Junior League Oklahoma City.

Heather Carver received her degree in Journalism and Broadcasting from Oklahoma State University with an emphasis in Public Relations and a minor in Leadership and Ethics.

Heather and her husband successfully operated the Cookie Advantage franchise both in Central/Western Oklahoma and the Dallas/Fort Worth market area for many Carver years prior to selling the franchise this past year.

Kris Wooten has served as President, Vice President, and Treasurer of Crossings Christian School, and a past board member of Crossings Clinic. She received a degree in finance from Oklahoma State University and a masters of business administration from the University of Central Oklahoma.

“These new additions to our Wings Board will help strengthen both our leadership and Wooten missional needs”, said Cheri Weaver, Wings Executive Director. “I’m grateful and excited to work with each of them”.

Founded in 2004, Wings is a 501(c)(3) special needs community whose mission is to enhance the lives of adults with development disabilities through social, vocational and residential programs guided by principles of the Bible.

As Oklahoma companies grapple with the impacts of coronavirus and the ever-changing business landscape the pandemic has caused, Francis Tuttle Technology Center is providing timely and impactful programming to the state’s business community.

Through its Workforce and Economic Development consultants, Francis Tuttle is providing workforce information, training and support in many areas, including data analytics, organizational support, leadership and manufacturing.

Francis Tuttle recently introduced FT 24/7, a leadership and organizational development platform that provides employers access to a catalog of individual and team training topics.

Francis Tuttle is offering free licenses for 60 days to help support and motivate leaders as they guide their teams through this difficult time.

With data in high demand, the school is offering training to help companies analyze and understand COVID-19 information and its impact on their business operations. Francis Tuttle is also offering data analytics courses as an option for displaced workers looking to develop this in-demand skill set.

For manufacturing companies, Francis Tuttle is offering SafetySkills, a virtual safety training, as well as tools and Industry 4.0 techniques through ATC Trains.

The Workforce and Economic Development team is also partnering with industry experts to provide informational video updates on various topics including how virtual assistants can help increase remote work productivity, guidelines for downsizing and reduction in force as well as tips for working from home. Video sessions also include interviews with officials from the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance and Oklahoma Works.

PHOTO PROVIDED

It may sound simple, but there are many considerations to take into account while you set up your home office.

Some challenges of going remote with your business The number of professionals working remotely has risen dramatically over the last decade-plus. According to an analysis from Flexjobs and Global Workplace Analytics, there was a 159 percent increase in remote between 2005 and 2017.

That shift toward remote work might have been silent and gradual for much of the 21st century, but the volume was ramped up during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the United States in March 2020. In an effort to slow the spread of the potentially dangerous virus, government officials urged businesses to allow their employees to work remotely, and just like that the number of remote workers skyrocketed.

The internet has made it possible for businesses in various industries to go remote, but such a transition does have some unique challenges. n Software: Hasty transitions to remote work, like those forced by the

COVID-19 outbreak, created a crisis of sorts for companies that previously had not had many remote employees. Employees were suddenly asked to work on home computers that may or may not have had all the necessary applications for them to perform the daily tasks associated with their jobs. Companies that must transition to being remote, whether that transition is temporary or permanent, must recognize that remote employees will need access to software necessary to do their jobs. Workers who only have old computers at home may need to be provided with computers that are compatible with the versions of software used in the office. n Communication: Communication issues between remote workers can be an easy fix. Even businesses that are facing sudden and forced

See Remote, Page 18

With data in high demand, the school is offering training to help companies analyze and understand COVID-19 information and its impact on their business operations.

“Our role at Francis Tuttle is to support Oklahoma businesses and business leaders with the training, expertise and job-ready workforce they need to grow and prosper,” said Cody Mosley, director of workforce and economic development. “COVID-19 has forced unfamiliar and uncomfortable change upon many companies and we have adapted our offerings to provide support and access to help employers during this trying time.”

These resources are available at Francis Tuttle Workforce and Economic Development’s LinkedIn page, www.linkedin.com/showcase/workforce-and-economic-development.

Francis Tuttle Technology Center serves companies in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area with career-specific training, in support of developing and maintaining a quality workforce for the region. Francis Tuttle also offers workforce training and consulting services, and short-term training for career development or personal enrichment. With four locations in Oklahoma City and Edmond, Francis Tuttle offers central Oklahoma diverse training programs in fulfillment of the school’s mission to prepare customers for success in the workplace. More information is available at www.francistuttle.edu/workforceeconomic-development or by calling (405) 717-4740.

Page 18 • April 16, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Exercise can reduce symptoms of stress

By Brian Attebery It is safe to say that the world of fitness has changed the last several weeks like most of everything else.

My gym, Results Fitness and NutriAttebery tion Center was closed down due to order of Civil Authority on March 18.

We are projected to stay closed until April 30th. We originally opened our doors in November of 2003 and this has been quite a shock to all of us.

One of the other things that I would have never thought would happened when I opened up back then would be that I would be designing programs and consulting clients online but I have actually been doing that for over 10 years. Now, it is my only way to impact other’s health.

We must adapt to new ways to stay active during these times for our health, both physically and mentally.

Stress is a major contributor to bad health. Exercise is one of the greatest ways we can reduce the symptoms of stress and the harm it can cause on our bodies. Even if you don’t want to “let it go,” your body does go through the physiological processes of letting stress release when you exercise. During these times, remember that you still need to focus on the fundamentals of exercise. These fundamentals are resistance training, cardiovascular (aerobic) exercise and flexibility.

Many people have found out that those home gyms that have been collecting dust for years have become valuable these past few weeks. Sporting good stores, online fitness equipment warehouses and Walmart have been selling out of equipment. If you have run into this, don’t despair. Remember it is called “resistance training” and there are many ways to create resistance. Push-ups, pull-ups, step ups on a chair, lunges, body squats or curling your back-pack full of books can be “resistance”. It may not be the gym but it is SOMETHING. Your body does not know the difference of resistance from an actual dumbbell or machine versus gallons of milk, bricks or your body weight. It just knows that you are being challenged, burning calories and toning those muscles that don’t need to just sit around.

Cardiovascular exercise like walking doesn’t require any equipment and for the most part, we have been very

Blessed with excellent weather the last few weeks. I have noticed that there are numerous people walking in our neighborhood by themselves and as a family. What a silver lining in all of this. Spend time with your family.

Make aerobic activity a priority to keep your heart and lungs in shape.

After all, Covid is affecting the lungs and I can’t imagine that healthier lungs would be a bad thing to limit your chances of contracting this disease but this is just my theory. When the shut down first occurred, we began filming our Group Exercise Instructors teaching classes such as pilates, yoga, core, modified step-aerobics and some “family fun” type classes. You can watch them for FREE on our Results Fitness and Nutrition Center Facebook page during these times. Our gift to you.

Flexibility is vitally important for protecting your joints and specifically, it has a great impact on your lower back health. If you sit around, your hip-flexors will get tight and this can lead to lower back problems. In addition, tight hamstrings can also lead to lower back problems and there is no need to have that with some basic daily stretching along with core strengthening to limit these potential issues. Basic toe touches with 20 second holds, keeping neutral spine is an easy way to keep those hamstrings flexible. If you want to really take it up a notch, use this time to get BETTER with some of the classes I mentioned. They will help your core and spinal health for sure.

As a business owner that will be shut down for at least 6 weeks once this is said and done, I understand first thing what stress feels like during the pandemic. I also know that we are all in this together and keeping my body moving along with being as positive as possible is important too.

Surround yourself with positive people. Limit the negative social media feeds along with hyper-focusing on the news when they are speaking as they are trying to figure it out too. It is not good for your health to focus on the negative. Through prayer, team-work and the American-spirit, this community will come together and lift each other up to a new level once the smoke clears. We are stronger than we know. God bless.

(Brian Attebery is a Degreed/Certified Trainer. He owns and operates Results Fitness and Nutrition Center, L.L.C. in Edmond. www.resultsfitnessusa.com)

Remote From Page 17 tions to remote workerplaces can utilize instant messaging apps like Slack to facilitate immediate communication between employees. This can drive greater efficiency and promote the sense of community among staff that many companies are proud to have fostered. n Customer service: Ensuring customers can seamlessly connect with your business, and your customer service staff in particular, should be a priority when switching to a remote work setting. A 2014 study published in The Quarterly Journal of Economics even found that remote working allowed customer service staff to get through 13 percent more calls each day. Remote customer service employees won’t have the direct access to management and fellow team

members that they had when working on-site, so business owners can employ central management platforms that make it easy to access information regarding new products and services and previous interactions with and responses to customers.

That access can help solve issues while reducing the likelihood of substantial lag time as customer service employees wait to hear from coworkers and managers about how to respond to certain issues.

Many businesses were thrown into the proverbial deep end when forced to go remote due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Challenges present themselves during such transitions, but these challenges can be overcome with a handful of effective strategies.

Edmond Life & Leisure • April 16, 2020 • Page 19

State’s Tobacco Helpline revamps its website Visitors to the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline website will experience a fresh, new user friendly website that aims to help Oklahomans quit tobacco, live tobacco free and reduce their risks of serious health issues, including complications from COVID19.

OKhelpline.com has provided FREE cessation services for Oklahomans since 2003 that have helped tens of thousands of Oklahomans successfully quit tobacco.

Through FREE services, resources, a Helpline community and more, the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, funded by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), supports tobacco users during their quit journey and to stay quit.

The redesigned Helpline website also provides tools for friends and family supporting a quitter, and free materials for health care providers and guidance for employers seeking to create tobaccofree workplaces. “We are excited to provide Helpline resources and information in a relatable, user-friendly format,� said Julie Bisbee, TSET executive director. “The improved Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline website makes it easier for every tobacco user in Oklahoma to find the services and support they need to quit tobacco for good.�

In the works for several months, the redesigned OKhelpline.com, includes information on how the Helpline can support tobacco users during stressful times, including during the emergency response to COVID-19.

The disruption and uncertainty of COVID-19 can be challenging for tobacco users, as stress is a main motivator for tobacco use. Since the virus attacks the lungs, those who smoke or vape could

be more vulnerable to infection because their lung health is already compromised, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One way to reduce the risk of serious illness is to quit smoking and vaping. “There has never been a better time to quit tobacco than now,� said Paola Klein, Oklahoma Tobacco coordinator. “Signing up at OKhelpline.com is a quick way to start the process. It’s also a great resource for quitters who need help staying quit right now.�

Improved navigation and simplified information improves visitor access to services offered by OKhelpline.com. Specific pages were developed for SoonerCare members, Native Americans, smokeless users, vapers, youth and women who are pregnant or may become pregnant. In addition, a new page was developed to walk potential registrants

through the Helpline process to help registrants know what to expect, answer questions and encourage tobacco users to sign up for services.

To learn more about the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline and to explore the new website, visit OKhelpline.com. You can also connect with the Helpline through social media by liking the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline on Facebook or following @OKhelpline on Twitter and Instagram. ___ The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is a free service for Oklahomans wanting to help themselves, loved ones, patients or employees live tobacco free.

Funding is primarily provided by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), in partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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In light of COVID 19 for the time being, all worship services are suspended.

Please check with your house of worship for more information.

Page 20 • April16, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure