June 28, 2018

June 28, 2018 Vol. 19, No. 5

In This Issue ROUGH CUT SWISS

Rough Cut Swiss, in real life, is located in front of Othello’s Restaurant at the southwest corner of Main and Broadway, but this week it 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.

Major Edmond church has new pastor See Page 11

FRIDAY, JUNE 29 Sunny High 95° Low 77°

SATURDAY, JUNE 30 Sunny High 93° Low 76°

SUNDAY, JULY 1 Partly cloudy High 92° Low 72°

The staff of Edmond Life & Leisure wishes you and your family a safe and joyous Fourth of July.

This marks the 242nd year of America’s birth. Many people celebrate in different ways.

Barbecues appear to be one of them as approximately 150 million hot dogs and 700 million pounds of chicken are consumed on this day.

As a reminder, there is still time to enjoy most of Edmond’s LibertyFest activities.

That includes the annual parade and fireworks show. The parade gets under way at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 4. That night, approximiately 9:30 p.m. or so, there will be the annual fireworks extravaganza.

Please note the show has moved

to Hafer Park this year, in the Bryant and Ninth area.

The city has issued the following press release on the show.

Due to the relocation of the Libertyfest Fireworks to Hafer Park, there will be closures at the park to ensure spectator safety.

These closures will take place on July 3rd & 4th.

The first closure to impact the park will be both parking lots next to the baseball fields. The parking lots fall within the fireworks safety zone and will be completely closed to vehicles and spectators. The lots will be closed all day on July 3rd & July 4th.

The second closure will restrict all motor vehicles from the park on July 4th. This closure will last

all day and is necessary to ensure pedestrian and spectator safety before and after the show. The park will remain open for pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles.

The Libertyfest Committee did a viewing test during the Spring and found most viewing locations within 1-2 miles of the park provide an excellent view. For more information, please visit libertyfest.org.

Also, please don’t forget the Taste of Edmond, is Sunday with food from several restaurants in town. The event is 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Festival Market Place in downtown Edmond. Check out libertyfest.org for more information.

Again, please have a star spangled fun time.

Page 2 • June 28, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • June 28, 2018 • Page 3

Effective June 30, 2019

Betz to retire Don Betz announced last week he will retire next year as president of the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO). His last day will be June 30, 2019.

“I have been honored to serve as UCO’s President. It is an exceptional, student-centered institution energized by its devoted faculty and staff and educating Oklahomans for 128 years. I can think of no greater investment in Oklahoma’s future than encouraging our citizens’ passion for learning, leading and serving,” Betz said. “I have complete confidence in the Regional University System of Oklahoma Board of Regents to select a successor who will lead Central.”

Betz was named UCO’s 20th president in June 2011.

The RUSO Board of Regents will coordinate the search for UCO’s next president.

Don Betz

Keep in mind water safety

Just like Americans’ hectic Thanksgiving Day holiday travel habits, July 4 is recreational boating’s biggest holiday of the year. The nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water predicts crowded launch ramp and marina facilities with significant recreational boat traffic congestion on lakes, rivers and coastal waters.

Operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, machinery failure, and alcohol use rank as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents according to the U.S. Coast Guard, and each could come into play on boating’s biggest time of the year.

Here are five July 4 safety tips from the BoatUS Foundation: n Stop the distractions: Being distracted — even for an instant — can make a good day go bad. Before you head out on the water, learn how to use your GPS at the dock, rather than with your head down, trying to figure out how to toggle between screens while underway. Can you move your hand between the throttle and wheel without looking? Do you know the locations of the trim switch, running lights or bilge switch by feel? If not, spend some time memorizing the locations of your boat controls. When running, try to zone out of unnecessary conversations that are going on around you, with the exception of valuable input from a helpful lookout. Texting and boating is a dangerous activity, just as it is in a car. n Hold off on the alcohol until you’re safely ashore or tied up for the night: Added to the effects of sun, wind and waves, alcohol lowers situa-

tional awareness. Bring lots of water and other nonalcoholic beverages. n The best life jacket is the one you will wear: Spending the extra money on a comfortable life jacket means your chances of wearing it greatly increase.

Check out the newer, small lightweight inflatable-style life jackets that are nothing like the uncomfortable life jackets of old. And it’s also always wise to have everyone aboard in life jackets when going to fireworks shows – accidents can happen very quickly, especially after the shows end and the mad dash for home begins. If you need a right-sized kids life jacket, you can borrow one for free from one of 550 locations by going to BoatUS.org/Life-Jacket-Loaner. n Some help just for paddlers: Paddlers should understand all of the nautical rules of the road, practice defensive paddling and assume no one can see you. At night, show a white light (glow sticks hung around the paddler’s neck do not qualify). Avoid crowded anchorages and congested ramp areas. n About that broken down boat: The nationwide TowBoatUS on-water towing fleet traditionally reports hundreds of requests from boaters needing assistance with battery jumps and anchor-line disentanglements over the July 4 holiday. To avoid having to contact BoatUS 24-hour dispatch (BoatUS.com/App) monitor your boat’s battery drain during the long day on the water, go slow while hauling your anchor line, watch for wakes, and be super vigilant so you don’t run over someone else’s anchor line after the fireworks show ends.

Truck-A-Truck helps HOPE Center Edmond Electric's recent Edmond Touch-A-Truck event raised $5,200 in donations that will benefit HOPE Center of Edmond.

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

year, families had the opportunity for a hands-on exploration of many vehicles such as Edmond’s own fire trucks and police cars, an Edmond Electric bucket truck, cement trucks and even a solid waste truck.

To participate in next year’s event or to find out more information, contact Jessica Lyle with Edmond Electric at 405-216-7729 or jessica.lyle@edmondok.com.

Page 4 • June 28, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

From the Publisher

Thanks to LibertyFest volunteers

For the Hibbard household, the start of LibertyFest activities mean the real beginning of summer in Edmond.

It is my favorite time of year in our town. Many Ray Hibbard communities shut down during the summer months.

Here in Edmond, we may get a little more relaxed but there is always plenty going on and LibertyFest is the highlight of festivals.

It is consistently voted by our readers as their favorite Edmond festival of all. LibertyFest is 10 festivals spread over 12 days this year.

Each year LibertyFest entrusts Edmond Life & Leisure with the production of its official program. We do not take this responsibility lightly. We are also happy to donate a portion of the proceeds back to offset some of the cost of the fireworks. The program was inserted in last week’s edition of Edmond Life & Leisure, The Oklahoman and is distributed at all the events. While you are out and about, you can access the official program by going to issuu.com and search for LibertyFest to view a flip page version of the official program.

For our readers, it means you receive the most accurate and official information about the 10 events that make up LibertyFest. This is the only official and authorized LibertyFest Program produced. Be sure and support the advertisers in the program as well. They make it possible.

Two of the most notable changes this year involve ParkFest and the LibertyFest fireworks. They have moved location from years past. ParkFest held on July 4 will be at Mitch Park, 501 W Covell Road and north of the baseball fields this year. You still get free, ice cold watermelon as long as it lasts. There will be an inflatable obstacle course, slides, food trucks, music and more. Same fun for the whole family but just at a new location.

The second location change will be the grand finale of LibertyFest, the fireworks display. This year it will be in Hafer Park. It is the largest fireworks display in the metropolitan area and featured as being among the top ten in the nation according to CNN and USA Today. The park will be closed to vehicle traffic on July 3 and 4 to ensure spectator safety. Because of the ability to use a larger shell that travels higher at this location, the fireworks will be visible

within one or two miles of the park with an excellent view. The big show starts at 9:30 p.m.

The big fund raiser for LibertyFest is known as Taste of Edmond and it will be this Sunday, July 1 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Festival Market Place in downtown Edmond.

You can purchase wristbands online or at several locations listed in the program including our office at 107 S. Broadway. Your donation gets you the opportunity to sample away from over 30 of the best restaurants in our community.

Taste Event Chair Maggie Murdoch Nichols and her taste team members have done another incredible job this year. How they can recruit so many restaurants to return year after year and donate the food and labor that this event takes are amazing to me.

This event has a great history with so many good folks that got it started.

Nichols and her crew have not only carried on that great tradition but also have done needed updates.

Taste is like a giant community picnic. You see folks that you may have not seen in years as well as familiar faces in the community. It gives you a chance to catch up and break bread with the great people that make up Edmond.

First time I brought my youngest son Kyle at the age of 2 to the event he thought he was in heaven. That was 20 years ago. Kyle was and still is a lover of food but never gains any weight. We pushed him in his stroller going from booth to booth. I think the boy tasted about every restaurant at the event until he just fell fast asleep in his stroller. The food is outstanding, but the company is even better folks, so you don’t want to miss this chance to enjoy yourself

and help offset the cost for the mostly free events that make up LibertyFest.

The giant LibertyFest Parade is probably the most attended event next to the fireworks. Spectators line the 1.5-mile parade route that extends from the University of Central Oklahoma and through downtown Edmond. There are bands, floats, marching groups, antique cars, clowns, round up clubs, Shriners and so much more.

This is the largest parade to take place in Oklahoma all year long folks and it happens right near your home in Edmond. A few years ago, the LibertyFest Parade organizers moved the start time on the Fourth of July to 9 a.m. because of the heat that builds later in the day. It was a great move.

This incredibly successful event has grown because of the event co-chairs, Jerry and Charles James. We like to call them the James boys. Yes, they are brothers and have taken the leadership role in the LibertyFest Parade since its inception. They have a difficult job of making sure the process along the parade route is safe but fun for both the participants and the spectators. I’ve had the pleasure of riding along the route several times over the last 18 years and enjoyed every one of them.

I think the most fun was riding on top of the stage coach with Edmond legend and LibertyFest volunteer Carl Benne. Riding on a stage coach must be every kids dream. Carl and his daughter Kimberly Benne-Gray serve as event chairs for the LibertyFest Rodeo now in its 50th year. The rodeo is Friday June 29 and Saturday, June 30.

It is held at the Carl Benne arena located at 300 N. Kelly starting at 8

p.m. both nights. I love to stick around and watch them run slack. If you don’t know what slack is folks, then come out and learn all about it.

LibertyFest has a car show, band concert, scholarship pageant, kite festival, road rally and more. If you need more information and don’t find it in this edition of Edmond Life & Leisure, then please go to www.libertyfest.org or get caught up with all the events on their Facebook page.

The honest to goodness unsung heroes of LibertyFest are all the volunteers who serve to make this such an exciting but safe group of events.

The LibertyFest committee works year-round to plan, organize and make sure these events happen.

Most of them have been serving for literally decades.

There are thousands of volunteer hours invested in LibertyFest between the committee members and the volunteer “boots on the ground” at each event. The amazing thing about LibertyFest is that it functions with 100 percent volunteers. There is not a paid staff member in the entire organization and that is impressive.

From Terry Officer who serves as president this year to Gwen SpringerBoots who has been the treasurer for many years, all the committee members work hard to make sure our community has the best Fourth of July Festival in the state. LibertyFest exceeds those expectations and is one of the best in the country according to many credible sources. I hope you will take the time to say thank you at any of the events to the volunteers that make all this possible.

See you at LibertyFest!

(Ray Hibbard may be reached by email at ray@edmondpaper.com)

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

Weekend calendar of events ........................................................Page 6.

Columnist looks at nation’s toxic political atmosphere ................Page 8.

Dave Farris recaps gangster’s demise ..........................................Page 9.

A new pastor in Edmond ............................................................Page 13.

George Gust looks at latest Jurassic Park movie ........................Page 15.

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

Tips on lowering your AC bill ....................................................Page 19.

Business news ............................................................................Page 21.

Worship directory ......................................................................Page 23.

Find the ‘Rough Cut Swiss’ Rough Cut Swiss, in real life, is located in front of Othello’s Restaurant at the southwest corner of Main and Broadway, but this week it is hidden somewhere in our paper. E-mail contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing.

Rough Cut Swiss is by artist David Phelps. Phelps is an Oklahoma based sculptor whose work has been featured throughout the state. He is inspired by expansive spaces and hopes his works will inspire meaningful meditation.

Said Phelps, “I grew up on a farm in the central valley of California where the fields became an extension of oneself. I continue to live in the wide open spaces of Oklahoma where my sculptural images expand to include their environments as part of the aesthetic experience.”

Publisher Ray Hibbard Jr. ray@edmondpaper.com

Legal Counsel Todd McKinnis Ruebenstein & Pitts, PLLC

Partner Christopher T. Hoke

Copyright © 2018 by Edmond Media Publishing

Editor Steve Gust news@edmondpaper.com

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

Production April Burgess, Deanne York Advertising Director Alexx Harms alexx@edmondpaper.com

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

Material contained herein may not

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

the express written permission from

Photographer Melinda Infante

facebook.com/edmondlifeandleisure

Cover Design April Burgess

be reproduced in any form without Edmond Media Publishing. edmondlifeandleisure.com twitter.com/edmondlifeandleisure instagram.com/edmondlifeandleisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • June 28, 2018 • Page 5

Homebuilder helps food bank Homes by Taber recently presented the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma with a $9,750 donation, which will provide 39,000 meals for chronically hungry children, hardworking families and seniors living on fixed incomes.

The donation was made through Taber Cares, the company’s initiative focused on giving back to nonprofits throughout the Oklahoma City metro area.

“We have been fortunate in our lives and shouldn’t allow members of our own community to go hungry, but it’s happening all around us,” explains Taber LeBlanc, Homes By Taber’s founder and a native Oklahoman. “We believe that giving back is a privilege and we don’t take it for granted. Our goal is to step up to ensure that others have food on the table. We’re thankful to be a partner with the Regional Food Bank to make sure no one goes hungry

LibertyFest Parade reminder FILE PHOTO/MELINDA INFANTE

Thousands will again be on hand in downtown Edmond as the annual LibertyFest parade will be held Wednesday, July 4 starting at 9 a.m.

in our community.”

As part of Taber Cares, employees also donate their time with various nonprofit organizations. Since February 2018, Homes by Taber employees have volunteered 100 hours at the Regional Food Bank, saving the nonprofit $2,414 in labor costs. Employees will continue to fight hunger by volunteering the first Wednesday of every month throughout 2018.

“Working together, we can make this a hunger free summer,” said Katie Fitzgerald, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank.

“Thanks to support from business like Homes by Taber, the Regional Food Bank provides enough food to feed 136,000 Oklahomans each week.

Thank you Homes by Taber for helping us fight hunger and feed hope throughout Oklahoma.”

Page 6 • June 28, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

More information on holiday events LibertyFest Road Rally Location: Earl's Rib Palace ---- 2121 S. Broadway Release forms required Extra Info: Registration begins at 10 a.m. ---- First car out 11 a.m. ---Award Ceremony at 5 p.m. $10/Vehicle The Road Rally is designed as a fun family event and easy participation. Instructions/driving directions/and the questions are given to you at the start line. Follow the directions to tour all around the city answering questions as you go.

For more Information: 405-820-9667 or www.libertyfest.org LibertyFest Fireworks New location Location: Hafer Park, Ninth and Bryant. on July 4.

Extra Info: 9:30 p.m. www.libertyfest.org

LibertyFest Parade Location: Downtown Edmond Extra Info: 9 a.m.; Bands, floats, marching groups, antique cars, clowns, round-up clubs, Shriners and more provide color and excitement to our annual parade. No vehicle parking on parade route. www.libertyfest.org LibertyFest ParkFest New Location: Mitch Park Extra Info: 4 to 6 p.m. July 4; celebrate Independence Day with fun, festive activities, fabulous food, music and wait for the amazing fireworks show later that evening! www.libertyfest.org Summer Signature Tour Location: National Cowboy & Heritage Museum, Meets at Canyon Princess (cougar sculpture in West Hallway)

June 28 ---- LibertyFest Concert in the Park ---- Concerts in the Park: Zero 2 Sixty & The John Clifton Band June 29 ---- In the Gallery ---- The 46th Annual Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition & Sale ---- Always ... Patsy Cline ---- NRHA Derby ---- Freaky Friday ---- Brian Gorrell & Jazz Company ---- LibertyFest Rodeo ---- Vintage CountrE Market ---- Summer Signature Tour ---- 2018 USA Softball 12 & Under All American Games ---- Kansas ---- Cody Johnson ---- Fiesta Friday June 30 ---- In the Gallery ---- The 46th Annual Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition & Sale ---- Always ... Patsy Cline ---- NRHA Derby ---- Freaky Friday ---- LibertyFest Rodeo ---- Vintage CountrE Market ---- Library Day ---- LibertyFest Car Show ---- LibertyFest KiteFest ---- Art Moments ---- Edmond Farmer’s Market ---- 2018 USA Softball 12 & Under All American Games ---- Trace Adkins in Concert ---- Big G’s Blues Band

Brian Gorrell & Jazz Company Location: UCO Jazz Lab Extra Info: Doors open at 7 p.m.; Show starts at 8 p.m.; Instrumental Jazz---- First come first serve seating.

405-974-2100 or www.ucojazzlab.com LibertyFest Concert in the Park Location: UCO Extra Info: 7:30 p.m.; Free concert featuring a mixture of light classics, marches and patriotic music. The band numbers 88 with members from area high schools, college students, and community members.

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets.

Following the concert the audience will be treated to free watermelon and ice cream while supplies last.

405-820-9667 or www.libertyfest.org or email atasteofedmond@cox.net Concert in the Park: Zero 2 Sixty & The John Clifton Band Location: Hafer Park Time: 6:15-8:45 p.m.: Free: Classic Rock & Blues/R&B LibertyFest Rodeo Location: Carl Benne Arena – 300 N. Kelly Extra Info: 8 p.m.; 12 yrs & up $10 /11yrs & under $5; Events Include: Bareback Riding, Barrel Racing, Bull Riding, Calf Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping. 405-820-9667 or www.libertyfest.org

July 1 ---- In the Gallery ---- The 46th Annual Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition & Sale ---- Freaky Friday ---- LibertyFest KiteFest ---- LibertyFest A Taste of Edmond ---- LibertyFest Road Rally ---- Art Moments ---- 2018 USA Softball 12 & Under All American Games

Vintage Country Market Location: Lazy E Arena Extra Info: Friday --- Parking gates open 9:30 a.m., Doors open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday---- Parking gates open 8:30 a.m., Doors open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. variety of vendors with product selections ranging from junk and antiques, to repurposed and industrial. 405282-RIDE or www.LazyE.com

July 4 ---- In the Gallery ---- Summer Signature Tour ---- LibertyFest Fireworks ---- LibertyFest Parade ---- LibertyFest ParkFest

Edmond Farmer’s Market Location: Festival Market Place & Plaza, downtown Edmond Time: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

More Information In the Gallery Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute Extra Info: Featuring works by Jason Wilson; Featuring works by Marilyn Garvey (beginning July 1) http://www.edmondfinearts.com/ The 46th Annual Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition & Sale Location: National Cowboy & Heritage Museum Extra Info: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Art exhibit of more than 300 Western paintings and sculpture by the finest contemporary Western artists in the nation with art seminars, receptions and awards.

Always ... Patsy Cline Location: The Pollard Theater Company in Guthrie Extra Info: More than a tribute to the legendary country singer who died tragically at age 30 in a plane crash in 1963. The show is based on a true story about Cline's friendship with a fan, Louise Seger, who befriended the star in a Texas honky-tonk in l961, and continued a correspondence with Cline until her death.

NRHA Derby Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park; Barn 3, Barn 6, Barn 9, Sales Facility, Jim Norick Arena, Performance Arena & Super Barn Time: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., starts 11 a.m. Friday & 9 a.m. Saturday Freaky Friday Location: Lyric Theatre Extra Info: When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right again before mom’s big wedding.

Library Day Location: Sam Noble Museum Time: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Free admission Kansas Location: Riverwind Casino Showplace Theatre, Norman Time: Doors open 7 p.m.; Show begins at 8 p.m., www.riverwind.com Big G’s Blues Band Location: Riverwind Casino River Lounge Time: 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.

LibertyFest Car Show Location: Hafer Park Extra Info: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Free. For more information, contact LibertyFest at 405-340-2527 or www.libertyfest.org LibertyFest KiteFest Location: West side of Mitch Park ---enter off Santa Fe north of Covell Extra Info: Sat. 9:30 a.m. ---- 4:30 p.m. & after Sundown Lighted Night Flight (wind & weather permitting) Sunday 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m, Free; KiteFest will include many activities for the experienced flyer as well as the novice. The sky will be painted with hundreds of kites flown by anyone who wants to "go fly a kite."405-8209667 or www.libertyfest.org LibertyFest A Taste of Edmond Location: Festival Market Place Extra Info: 6:30 ---- 8:30 p.m., $12 in advance, $17 day of event. Children 10 & under free Over 40 restaurants will provide tasty food. This is a fundraiser for LibertyFest, ensuring the festival for years to come. 405820-9667 or www.libertyfest.org or email tasteofedmond@gmail.com LibertyFest Road Rally Location: Earl's Rib Palace ---- 2121 S.

Edmond Life & Leisure • June 28, 2018 • Page 7

PHOTO PROVIDED

Anne Akiko Meyers, billed as one of the most in-demand violinists in the world, is at Armstrong Auditorium this Nov. 1. She is one part of what is stacking up to be one of the strongest Performing Arts Series seasons in Armstrong Auditorium’s history.

Armstrong Auditorium’s 2018-19 Arts Series he Armstrong Auditorium continues its tradition of presenting worldrenowned artists with the announcement of its 2018-2019 Performing Arts Series. The series showcases a rich diversity of performances from around the globe for all audiences to enjoy.

“We are celebrating our 20th season this year with some famous familiar faces from early on in our series, plus some other legendary names debuting here,” Armstrong Auditorium Concert Manager Ryan Malone said. “We are excited to share these world-class artists with our fellow Oklahomans.”

The season opens on Oct. 18 with the trio, Time for Three. This musical group defies any traditional genre classification with an uncommon mix of virtuosity and showmanship. The trio fuses elements of classical, country western, gypsy and jazz idioms that form a blend all its own.

Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers comes to the Armstrong stage on Nov. 1 with the renowned conductor Gerard Schwarz at the helm of the Mozart Orchestra of New York. The allMendelssohn program will feature Meyers in the composer’s beloved Violin Concerto in E minor. She is one of the most in-demand violinists in the world, acclaimed for her passionate performances, purity of sound and deeply poetic interpretations. Returning to Armstrong for an encore performance, Gerard Schwarz’s 45piece chamber orchestra is comprised of New York City’s most highly skilled musicians.

On Nov. 20, returning for their fifth appearance, are the Vienna Boys Choir. Their program, Vienna Waits for You, will showcase the celestial voices, pure tone and irresistible charm for which audiences and critics worldwide have praised this centuries-old institution. The program will include selections from famous composers such as Mozart and Bruckner, as well as composers of the Imperial Chapel, parts of the choir’s forthcoming Johann Strauss CD, a selection of traditional Viennese songs plus Billy Joel’s “Vienna.”

The revered ensemble, the Bach Collegium Japan, and its renowned conductor Masaaki Suzuki will perform at Armstrong on Dec. 4, as part of a rare North American tour. This award-winning and prolifically recorded ensemble is famed for its impeccable performances and masterful interpretations of the Baroque repertoire — all on authentic instruments from that period.

With a proven track record of cre-

Tickets: 405-285-1010 ating breathtaking artistry, the Russian National Ballet returns to the Armstrong stage on Jan. 29, 2019, for its fifth appearance — presenting Swan Lake. Set to Tchaikovsky’s wellknown score and original choreography by the legendary Marius Petipa, the 60-strong company brings the exquisite grace and technical precision for which great Russian ballet tradition is known.

The season continues with a tribute to the legendary “King of Swing” Benny Goodman on Feb. 14, 2019.

Presenting this will be acclaimed clarinetist Julian Bliss and his Septet.

From Ronnie Scott’s legendary jazz club and the Wigmore Hall in London to Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Julian Bliss Septet has shared its uplifting, classy, humorous shows and exceptional musicianship to packed venues around the world since forming in 2010.

The famous strains of Tchaikovsky’s first piano concerto will emanate from the Armstrong stage on Feb. 24, 2019, when the Shanghai Opera Symphony Orchestra teams up with pianist Hao Duandaun. Established in 1956 along with the famous Shanghai Opera House, this orchestra is renowned for its interpretations of great symphonic repertoire. In addition to the Tchaikovsky concerto, the orchestra will perform Rachmaninoff’s masterpiece: the Symphony No. 2.

On Mar. 4, 2019, Celtic Nights will bring their spectacular tradition to Edmond for the first time. Their program Oceans of Hope weaves together the lilting melodies and plaintive lyrics of the rich Celtic heritage, telling the story of families moving across oceans to pursue dreams of liberty, freedom and peace. Playing to sold-out audiences across the globe, Celtic Nights tells the tale of the epic journey of our ancestors through song, music, dance and narration.

To conclude the season, and returning for a fifth appearance on the Armstrong series, the Canadian Brass will perform April 2, 2019, in their traditional tuxedos and tennis shoes.

Continuing its nearly half-century legacy of brilliant music making, the group is renowned for genre-bending versatility and joyous performances.

The award-winning Brass is almost single-handedly responsible for elevating the art of the brass quintet to what it is today.

The performing arts series of the

See Series, Page 10

Page 8 • June 28, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side

Keep debates civil

These days it doesn’t seem like people take a “live and let live,” approach to politics.

For decades political discourse has been polarized and divisive. That’s nothing new. At least it Steve Gust hasn’t reached the levels we had during the Civil War. That proved deadly for hundreds of thousands of Americans.

Yet there are signs we’re heading down a dangerous road where people are confronted at restaurants and attacked for their political beliefs or jobs. For now those attacks are only verbal. It may not take much for that to escalate.

Why is it we all have to agree on everything anyway?

Just because you have opinions different from someone doesn’t mean you should automatically become mortal enemies.

If that was the case with me, I would never visit more than half of my relatives. They have some odd stands on many issues. Also there are times when I believe they try to goad me into some kind of fierce debate.

I may express a view but a fiery

discussion is out of the question.

What good are heated words?

But lets say you do win a bruising debate. You’ve made all the points and it’s obvious you’re right. In the meantime you’ve attacked your opponent’s core beliefs and made them feel two inches tall and you’ve possibly humiliated them in front of others.

That doesn’t sound much like winning to me.

What difference does it make anyway? It’s not like a senior White House aide will bolt into the Oval Office and say something like, “Mr. President we need to take action. We just got word Steve Gust in Oklahoma won an argument on immigration at his family reunion.”

Besides what’s wrong with listening to the other side?

It’s all like an old adage I read once.

“Most arguments have two sides, but many have no end.”

The bottom line is we need to make our points, express our views and do it in a civilized way, without mean spirited ad hominem attacks.

It’s not always easy but it’s the right thing to do.

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

State needs cash reserve

By The Oklahoman Editorial Board Growth in Oklahoma government's gross tax receipt collections shows how quickly events can shift political narratives. A few months ago, state leaders proclaimed financial crisis. Today, government is awash in cash.

Politicians may be tempted to heave a sigh of relief and go on with business as usual. Instead they should take advantage of this moment so we don't repeat this year's chaos and dysfunction.

Treasurer Ken Miller reports state gross receipts reached a record high for May collections, and total gross receipts during the past 12 months are within a whisker of an all-time high. Expansion has been ongoing for 14 months.

Contrast that to the start of the year when politicians warned of a

budget shortfall and associated spending cuts unless taxes were increased. Lawmakers then raised income, fuel, tobacco and energy taxes by nearly $600 million combined.

Yet at the end of the session, The Oklahoman's Dale Denwalt reported state appropriations totaled “nearly a billion dollars more than the state spent in fiscal years 2017 and 2018.”

The amount exceeding the funds generated by tax hikes, Denwalt reported, was “attributed to growth in Oklahoma's economy.”

So lawmakers ultimately had hundreds of millions in growth funding available even without tax increases. Tax collections have surged so briskly it's now expected the state could end the budget year with a surplus of more than $300 million.

Virtually all the new money comes from economic growth. The treasurer's office reported just 2.7 percent of gross collections since August 2017 were due to tax increases approved that year (and 2018's tax hikes have yet to take effect).

The revenue boom is an opportunity to enact reforms that put Oklahoma on a sustainable path. First and foremost, lawmakers must understand they don't have to spend every tax dollar just because it's there.

By instead increasing state savings, officials can prepare government for future downturns without poorly implemented budget cuts or economically damaging tax increases.

Furthermore, it's in good economic times that organizations have the greatest ability to identify and implement cost savings and efficiencies in an effective manner. Delaying such decisions until another downturn only ensures cuts will be made without requisite planning and consideration.

Some will object that only by increasing spending as much as possible, as fast as possible, can Oklahoma improve its national standing on a host of measures. Yet past application of that theory contributed much to the state's financial instability.

Rather than ramp up spending at unsustainable rates while putting little aside for inevitable downturns, officials must devote more money to long-term budget stabilization and increase spending only at carefully planned, reasonable and sustainable rates. And they must constantly re-evaluate spending practices.

Otherwise, as this year's session proved, a failure to plan is only a plan to fail.

Free speech & its historical significance

By James Finck There has been a lot of talk lately about protests.

The recent story was the President uninviting the Philadelphia Eagles from their White House visit because he feels NFL players are being unpatriotic by disrespecting the flag. This story Finck comes on the heels of the new NFL rule that will no longer allow players to kneel during the anthem, but they are allowed to remain in the locker room. Firestorms have erupted on both sides arguing about freedom of speech and protests.

On the one side are those upset at the President for making this a political issue and at the NFL for not allowing its players to express their views. On the other side are those upset with wealthy players, feeling that the players are disrespecting soldiers who have risked their lives defending what the flag stands for.

As always, I will leave these arguments for the readers to decide, but I want to take a quick look at the history of protests.

The First Amendment reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Clearly, the Constitution gives all people the right to protest, as long as they are peaceful. However, what the Constitution does not give

Our nation was founded by protest. The Sons of Liberty began complaining about ‘No Taxation without Representation’ long before they spoke about revolution.

Women began protesting for the vote as early as the 1840s. people is the freedom from consequences. In other words, you may protest against the government without fear of arrest, but if you write on Facebook that your boss is a jerk, your First Amendment right will not guarantee your employment.

Our nation was founded by protest. The Sons of Liberty began complaining about “No Taxation without Representation” long before they spoke about revolution. Women began protesting for the vote as early as the 1840s. Workers protested for labor rights during the Gilded Age and beyond.

The Bonus Army marched on Washington in 1932.

Of course, the standard for protest today is the 1960s with the students protesting against the Vietnam War and minorities protesting for basic human rights.

When we picture protest, the images in our minds are students protesting the Democratic Party convention in Chicago in 1968, Hispanic students walking out of schools in California, or civil rights workers walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama. What makes these protestors

different? They protested in spite of the consequences.

Ben Franklin told the members of the Continental Congress, “If we do not hang together, we shall surely hang separately.” These men knew if they were captured their lives were over. When suffragists chained themselves to a government building, they knew they would be arrested. When Rosa Parks boarded that bus, she intended to sit in the front, knowing the police would drag her off.

When students took over an administration building with a sit-in, they know they risked expulsion.

Today, however, protests are much different. I have been a university teacher for 15 years and at four different institutions. During that time, I have seen my share of student protests. The difference between current students and past is that before the protest the students will ask for permission to walk out of class and join the march. When I tell them no, even if for a cause I believe in because then it would not be a real protest, they complain that I am not being fair. Most show up to class the next day.

They want to protest; they just do not want to ever suffer consequences. NFL players have similar attitudes.

Do NFL players have the right to kneel during the national anthem? Yes. Should they? You can decide. Yet on the other side, do owners have the right to require their employees to stand during the pledge? Also yes. Last year the NFL lost fans and dropped revenue for possibly the first time in their history. Patriotic and

See Protest, Page 9

Edmond Life & Leisure • June 28, 2018 • Page 9

Going after suspects in KC massacre

By David Farris Six months after four lawmen and their prisoner were killed in an ambush at the Union Train Station, in Kansas City Mo., on June 17, 1933, the FBI's Farris investigation seemed to be going nowhere.

Due to a series of long distance phone calls made less than 24 hours before the massacre, agents had arrested several people who were believed to be involved in the conspiracy; but, the question still remained as to who were the shooters.

In fact, investigators were not even sure how many shooters had been involved. To make matters worse, some witnesses were uncertain about the suspects they had identified. Regardless, the Bureau's Director, John Edgar Hoover, assured a stunned America that, “We will never stop until we get our men,...”

Without a doubt, one of the hoods firing his machine gun on that morning was a former South Dakota sheriff, turned bank robber and hit-man, Verne Miller. There was much connecting Miller to the massacre, including a phone call he made hours earlier from Union Station. In addition, he was the type of go-to gangster one would recruit for such work.

Unfortunately for him, because he was sought in a nationwide manhunt, he had become very unpopular with his underworld friends. His associates, who usually ran their rackets without obstruction from local authorities, were now feeling the heat.

Not only was Miller running out of friends, he was becoming a liability to many of them.

Investigators had connected the timing of the massacre with the escape of 11 inmates from the Kansas State Prison in Lansing two weeks earlier. Agent Reed Vetterli, who was nicked in the arm during the shootout, identified one of the shooters as escapee and Oklahoma bank robber, “Big” Bob Brady.

After a failed bank robbery on Oct. 6, Brady was brought down by a load of buckshot and arrested in Tucumcari, N.M., along with fellow escapee Jim Clark. Agent Vetterli, who had been transferred to the San Francisco office, raced to New Mexico for what he thought would be a dying declaration. When Vetterli laid eyes on the wounded robber, he decided that Brady was not the man he saw firing a machine gun on that morning. His retraction was very much to Hoover's displeasure.

In the meantime, agents in search of Miller used a time-tested method for locating outlaws known as “find the woman.” In his haste, Miller had to leave his sweetie, Vi Mathias, behind to fend for herself.

Her friend, Bobbie Moore,

FBI agents involved in the manhunt.

arranged for her to move into a Chicago apartment house where she was staying. Agents learned of the arrangement and also moved into the building to keep an eye on her.

As a man on the run, Miller needed a new identity. An associate provided him with samples and credentials so that he could pose as a traveling eye-glass salesman, Stephen J. Gross, Jr. He also let his hair grow long and grew a mustache. Miller then completed his disguise with a pair of horn-rimmed glasses to help hide his gray eyes.

By Halloween, Verne's longing for Vi became too much and he had to see her. Agents were on alert when he arrived at the apartment house, but they couldn't be sure that it was him. By Nov. 1, 20 heavily-armed lawmen surrounded the building, only to wait on orders from Hoover in Washington. The agents almost had their man; but, due to a spectacular mis-communication fiasco, he was able to slip away.

At the last minute, lawmen noticed Moore behind the wheel of Miller's Auburn with him in the passenger's seat as the car sped away. An agent fired his machine gun at the fleeing car, shattering windows and blowing out the left rear tire. Miraculously, the fugitives were not killed as at least seven rounds flew past them within inches. Six blocks away, the Auburn was found bloody and abandoned. Miller had jumped over the fence of an apartment complex and disappeared, while Moore simply walked away with her face bleeding from the flying glass.

As it turned out, Miller should have taken his chances with the FBI. On Nov. 29, his body was found, nude and tied in a fetal position, in a drainage ditch about 11 miles outside of Detroit, Mich. He had been strangled and bludgeoned with a claw hammer by, it is believed, a notorious collection of Jewish hoods known as the “Purple Gang.”

His death was in retaliation for bringing temporary disruption to various, lucrative, organized crime operations. A week earlier, another man was found in the Connecticut countryside after having suffered a similar

Protest right-leaning football fans upset with NFL protests began turning off their TVs on Sunday afternoons in their own form of protest. NFL owners are all similar in one way. They are rich.

That does not mean they all agree on politics. But when the NFL commissioner makes a ruling requiring players to stand for the flag or be fined, it is more financial than political.

I am not saying there are no politics involved, yet if forcing players to stand on their heads during the National Anthem brought in more fans and revenue, you would see some awkward flag ceremonies next year.

I watch a lot of sports programming, probably too much, and all I hear from commentators is why the NFL commissioner is wrong for not allowing the players the right to protest. The morning talk shows are criticizing the President for calling out players and pushing the NFL to take a stance. Since when did protesters need permission? Why is the NFL wrong for taking care of their business or the President wrong for an

From Page 8 opinion?

In this case, the consequences are not even that bad. If the players kneel, they will keep their jobs, they will not be arrested or led off the field. They will be fined.

Granted, even for men who make more during one contract cycle than many of us will make in our lifetime, fines are hard. But is not standing up for what we believe in supposed to be hard?

I am not saying NFL players should not protest, or that my students should not protest. In fact, sometimes I wish I were brave enough to protest for things I see as wrong. I am just saying from a historical perspective that if we want to stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, those whom we hold up high and respect for what they did, we need to be willing to accept the consequences of protest and not complain that it is not fair.

Dr. James Finck is an Associate Professor at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha.

fate. It was Al Silvers, Miller's associate who helped him obtain his disguise.

There remained only one Lansing escapee who was still at large. Wilbur Underhill was another bank robber from Oklahoma and cop-killer who

was known as the “Tri-State Terror.”

After his escape, he returned to rural Oklahoma and took full advantage of its continued, well-deserved reputation as a haven for AmerUnderhill ica's most wanted outlaws. He freely traveled the state without a care as he resumed his bank robbing reign of terror.

By December, Underhill had finally pushed his luck for too long. An informant told Agent Frank Smith from the Oklahoma City Bureau office that he was willing to put Underhill “on the spot” in exchange for rewards totaling $850. Smith had survived the massacre, and lived near Shawnee where the outlaw was holed-up with his new wife of two weeks.

See Farris, Page 10

Page 10 • June 28, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Farris

From Page 9 On Dec. 30, at around 1:30 a.m., a posse of 14 lawmen, which included agents and local police, poured about 1,000 rounds into a neighborhood house occupied by the newlyweds during an extremely onesided gun fight. When they arrived on the scene, Agent R.H. Colvin, and Oklahoma City Police Lt. Clarence Hurt had spied Underhill, in his long johns and barefoot, through a window. The lawmen rushed towards him as Hurt shouted, “Throw up your hands.”

Underhill turned “as if to pick up his guns” prompting Colvin to fire his Thompson machine gun, and Hurt his tear gas grenade launcher. Instantly, the remaining lawmen opened fire on the house with everything they had. The startled outlaw managed to get off a few shots, before running through the house and out the front door past a series of blazing guns. Underhill stumbled a couple of times, but regained his footing and sprinted away between two houses. It seemed impossible that he was able to escape such a fusillade of flying lead and remain unscathed; he hadn't.

The lawmen continued to fire at the house until they were satisfied, before calling for those inside to come out and surrender. Raymond Rowe, who had been shot in the shoulder and elbow, and was blinded by the tear gas, replied that he couldn't stand. Rowe had invited a beauty parole operator, Eva May Nichols, to join him at the Underhill's on that night. She screamed as she ran from the house and fell mortally wounded,

Edmond Schools Enrichment Class Ian Landwer constructs a robot using Lego Mindstorm technology. The enrichment class is part of Edmond Public Schools Summer Celebration-two week courses which offer engaging, hands-on learning for first through sixth graders.

PHOTO PROVIDED

shot in the stomach and abdomen.

Hazel Underhill was unhurt.

Despite 13 wounds from bullets and buckshot, Wilbur made it several blocks to a second hand furniture store, where he was found the next morning near death lying on an old bed by the owner, R.E. Owens. He was promptly arrested by the Shawnee police, and not FBI agents, which further infuriated Hoover.

As Underhill lay dying, he assured Agent Smith that he had nothing to do with the massacre and was able to give an alibi. On Jan. 2, 1934, at Hoover's insistence, Underhill was forced to travel 90 excruciating miles to the hospital at the McAlester State Prison. On Jan. 7, at 11:45 p.m., the Tri-State Terror finally succumbed to his gunshot wounds in the tradition of so many Cookson Hill outlaws before him. He was 33 years old.

Speculation continued as to known gangsters who may have been involved, such as Fred Barker and Alvin Karpis, but there were just no leads.

The only suspects that remained were the longest of long shots; Charles Arthur Floyd and Adam Richetti.

Even the lead investigator, Special Agent Gus Jones, stated, “...I don't believe that Pretty Boy Floyd had anything to do with it.”

Neither of the men were “torpedoes,” as Miller was known. They were just a couple of rural bank robbers from Oklahoma who happened to be in town at the time of the massacre visiting their girlfriends. Connecting Floyd and Richetti to the massacre would require a miracle; or, at the very least, a conspiracy.

Series

From Page 7 Armstrong International Cultural Foundation began years before Armstrong Auditorium opened. In the fall of 1998, the non-profit humanitarian organization began a small series in various smaller venues throughout Edmond until it opened the auditorium in the fall of 2010.

Ticket packages for Armstrong Auditorium’s 2018-2019 season are now available, and individual event tickets go on sale July 1.

Three- and five-performance FlexPass packages allow patrons to create their personalized subscriptions while saving 15 and 10 percent off regular ticket prices, respectively. Packages start at just $84 for three concerts. A full-season subscription ensures great seats for each performance, and a host of additional benefits including 20 percent off ticket prices to all season performances, preferred seating in advance of the general public, free and easy ticket exchanges, access to the exclusive subscriber pre-paid parking lot and more.

To subscribe to the Armstrong Auditorium 2018-19 Performing Arts Series, call 405-285-1010 or visit ArmstrongAuditorium.org.

Groups of 20 or more may be eligible to receive a discount off of the original ticket price. Please contact the box office for more information.

Currently at the Armstrong Auditorium through Aug. 19, the Armstrong International Cultural Foundation is hosting the world premiere “Seals of Isaiah and King Hezekiah Discovered.” The archaeological exhibition premieres two of the most significant artifacts discovered in Jerusalem, allowing visitors to discover the history of ancient Judah’s most famous kingprophet pairing.

Items on display include 40 artifacts from the time of King Hezekiah, including the recently discovered royal seal impressions of King Hezekiah and Isaiah from the Ophel excavations, royal Judean clay vessels, and weapons used during the siege of Lachish. The exhibit also features key Assyrian history including replicas of such artifacts as the famous Annals of Sennacherib Prism, also known as the Taylor/Jerusalem/Oriental Prism, various other Assyrian inscriptions, and the famous Assyrian wall reliefs of Lachish from the British Museum.

PHOTO PROVIDED

The Bach Collegium Japan, and its renowned conductor Masaaki Suzuki make a rare North American stop at Armstrong on Dec. 4,

Edmond Life & Leisure • June 28, 2018 • Page 11

UCO Alumni Association to host ‘Splash Bash’ for alumni & friends

9

The University of Central Oklahoma Alumni Association will host its third annual Splash Bash for UCO alumni and friends from 7-9 p.m.

Thursday, July 19, at Andy Alligator’s Water Park, 3300 Market Place Drive in Norman, Oklahoma.

“Splash Bash is a family-friendly event we host for UCO alumni and friends each summer,” said Lauri Monetti, director of UCO Alumni Relations.

“By reserving the water park for our alumni and friends, this event is a great way for our Broncho family to

PHOTO PROVIDED

OMRF researchers Courtney Griffin, Ph.D., and Siqi Gao.

Discovery could help treat Tylenol overdoses

Acetaminophen, sold over the counter as Tylenol, is one of the world’s most widely used pain relievers. But too much of the drug can lead to serious liver damage.

Now, new research from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation has pinpointed the cause of liver bleeding during acetaminophen overdose. OMRF scientists have also discovered a new potential treatment for the condition, which often strikes users of Percocet and Vicodin, pain medications that also contain acetaminophen.

OMRF scientists Courtney Griffin, 7Ph.D., and Siqi Gao discovered that a marked increase in the activity of an enzyme called plasmin caused liver bleeding in the event of acetaminophen overdose.

“It was well known that acetaminophen, like most drugs, is metabolized in the liver. When you get too much of it, toxic byproducts start to build up and can damage liver cells,” said Gao, who is also a Ph.D. student at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. “It was also known that a lot of plasmin is generated in acetaminophen overdose, but it wasn’t clear why.”

Griffin and Gao broke new ground by making a connection between plasmin activity and liver bleeding following acetaminophen overdose. While this finding is important on its own, Griffin said, the OMRF researchers also made a related discovery that yielded important treatment options for overdose patients.

In laboratory mice, the scientists were able to reduce plasmin levels through treatment with tranexamic acid, a prescription medication used to prevent excess blood loss from major trauma or surgeries.

“If the plasmin is breaking down the blood vessels and causing them to rupture, this can help dampen that effect to prevent excessive bleeding,” said Griffin.

In humans, it’s possible that treating this bleeding with tranexamic acid could help facilitate liver recovery from an overdose and also lessen the damage, said Griffin.

“We think it can certainly protect against the bleeding itself, but its role in overall liver recovery is still unknown. That’s the next step for this work."

The treatment impact of the findings could be significant, said Griffin, especially since tranexamic acid has already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for another condition.

“It could be administered soon after a patient arrives at the hospital," she said. "We are excited to see where the next stage takes us.”

The new findings were published in the journal Hepatology. OMRF researchers Florea Lupu, Ph.D., and Robert Silasi-Mansat, Ph.D., also contributed to the findings. This work was supported by grant No. P30GM114731 from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, a part of the National Institutes of Health.

New Pastor, Family in Edmond PHOTO PROVIDED

The Rev. John Wohlgemuth, wife Emily and their three sons, are getting settled in at their new assignment at Henderson Hills Baptist Church. Last weekend was scheduled to be Rev. Wohlgemuth’s first weekend at Henderson Hills as the new pastor.

Previous to this assignment he was the head Pastor at Normandale Baptist Church in Ft. Worth, Texas and previously pastored in Weatherford. Henderson Hills is near 15th Street and Interstate 35.

have fun and connect with us and one another!”

Registration for Splash Bash is $5 per person and is limited to six registrations per individual, helping to ensure more Bronchos are able to attend. To register, visit www.centralconnection.org/splashbash.

For more information, contact Jamie Hadwin, marketing manager, at 405-974-3553 or jhadwin@uco.edu.

For more UCO Alumni Association news and events, visit www.centralconnection.org.

Page 12 • June 28, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

PHOTO PROVIDED

A group of University of Central Oklahoma students recently placed first in the EdVenture Partners and American Petroleum Institute’s (API) “Educating Our Energy Future” competition, aimed at increasing awareness about the role that natural gas and oil play in everyday life. This is Central’s third consecutive first-place finish in an EdVenture Partners competition. Pictured from left, Larson Miles Woods, Vanessa Anaya, team advisor Sandra Martin, API’s Megan Bloomgren, Natalie Cooper, Vanessa Middaugh and Faith Kelly celebrate the team’s first-place finish in Washi

Mass Communication students continue winning streak A team of University of Central Oklahoma students recently placed first in the EdVenture Partners and American Petroleum Institute’s (API) “Educating Our Energy Future” national competition, aimed at increasing awareness about the role that natural gas and oil play in everyday life.

This is Central’s third consecutive first-place finish in an EdVenture Partners competition.

The UCO team, advised by Central Mass Communication professor Sandra Martin, developed the enPower Project as their entry for the API competition.

With a tagline of “Energy From Within,” the project was designed to introduce America’s youth, specifically Generation Z (born between 1998-2016), to how many petroleum-, natural gas- or fossil fuel-based products contribute to their daily lifestyles. For their first-place finish, the team received a $10,000 prize.

UCO’s team specifically focused on personalized lessons, allowing participants to experience the absence of these petroleum-based products and what it would mean for them individually.

The team’s research identified that younger Americans have limited-to-no knowledge of the petroleum industry and an overall negative perception about the industry’s national and global impact.

Through hands-on curriculum, experiences and social media messaging and interaction, the enPower Project team aimed to educate its audience about the importance of petroleum-based products, as well as offer information about the industry’s environmental measures.

“The amazing students from the College of Liberal Arts’ Department of Mass Communication, under the guidance and advisement of the inimitable Sandra Martin, developed a phenomenal campaign for the American Petroleum Institute,”

said UCO College of Liberal Arts Dean Catherine Webster, Ph.D. “There is now a tradition of excellence and history of recognition associated with these projects that Martin coaches and shepherds – from the first brainstorming session through research and final presentation – that is truly outstanding. The college could not be more proud of these students.”

The group of UCO mass communication students includes Vanessa Anaya, from Oklahoma City; Natalie Cooper, from Oklahoma City; Faith Kelly, from Tulsa, Oklahoma; Vanessa Middaugh, from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; and Miles Woods, from Choctaw, Oklahoma.

For more information about the enPower Project, visit enpower.weebly.com. For more information about UCO’s Department of Mass Communication, visit www.uco.edu/mcom.

Edmond Life & Leisure • June 28, 2018 • Page 13

A month men can focus on health From Father’s Day to the U.S. Open and World Cup, June can be a pretty good month for guys.

It’s also Men’s Health month, which makes it a good time for men to focus on their wellbeing.

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation President Stephen Prescott, M.D., has five tips to help men live longer, healthier lives: Shape up Having an “apple” shape increases the risk for disease and death. A 2014 study from the Annals of Internal Medicine found that a man of normal body mass index with an abnormally large belly has an 87 percent higher risk for death than a man with the same B.M.I. but a normal waist-to-hip ratio.

“Eliminating belly fat is especially deadly when it comes to heart disease in men,” said Prescott, a physician and medical researcher.

Move it After a long day, the lure of the sofa or recliner can be overwhelming. But a sedentary lifestyle may literally be killing us.

“Research has shown that sitting for long periods of time is harmful to our health and can lead to heart disease and even death,” said Prescott. He recommends avoiding prolonged periods of inactivity. “No matter what you’re doing, make a point of getting up and walking around every hour.”

What’s up, doc?

“A lot of men’s health issues can be detected or avoided through an annual physical exam,” he said. Many men put them off until it’s too late.

Getting your blood pressure checked can give you an upper hand in evading strokes and heart at-

tacks. Annual blood work can often reveal problems before medical intervention is needed.

Colon cancer is another major killer of men, so it’s important to start colonoscopies at age 50, Prescott said. And prostate cancer is fairly common in men. “If you have risk factors or a family history, talk to your physician about getting screened, especially if you’re older.”

Take a shot Whatever your age, vaccinations can go a long way toward preserving your health.

The annual flu shot is critical, as the flu kills up to 50,000 Americans annually. It is also crucial to make certain you’ve received your TDaP or DTaP combo vaccination for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). Once you’ve had the first one, you need a tetanus and diphtheria booster every 10 years. And the new shingles vaccine is also a must for men (and women) after age 50.

Have a drink (but not two or three) In moderation, alcohol consumption seems to benefit your health. Studies show that moderate alcohol consumption—about one drink per day— correlates with reduced risks of heart disease, ischemic stroke, diabetes and certain cancers.

"Drinking too much is always bad for your health," said Prescott. "But evidence is mounting that light drinkers have a lower overall risk of mortality even than those who don't drink."

More research is needed to understand why this might be true, he said. "In the meantime, a glass of wine with dinner seems to be just what the doctor ordered."

Page 14 • June 28, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

PHOTOS PROVIDED

ABOVE --- Kenna Rollins visits with Thunder Girls, Jaimie and Mina.

LEFT ---One trio having fun were, from left, Brianna Stevens, Emma Sawyer and Kennedy Rozneck

Helps ill children & families

‘Walk for Kids’ benefit raises over $60,000

Supporters of Ronald McDonald House Charities Oklahoma City (RMHC-OKC) earlier this month came together for Walk for Kids and raised over $60,000 which will house families for over 800 nights.

“We are so grateful to have so many friends of RMHC-OKC,” said Susan Adams, RMHC-OKC President and CEO. “We serve families with sick or injured children staying in the hospital. Because of our generous community, we are able to provide all of our services free of charge for families in a medical crisis.”

The Walk for Kids featured fun activities such as: a one mile walk, crafts for kids, basketball and football inflatables, Oklahoma City Police and Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office Static displays, Oklahoma City Fire Station 21 display, Shimmers Snow Cones, yard games, face painting, Coffee Junction Food Truck, Instabus Photobooth, Hula Hoop Activities with HooplaHoma, and flower pot planting.

There was a special appearance by the Thunder Girls to help with warm up and stretching before the walk. Also, kids of all ages enjoyed meeting and dancing with Ariel, Anna and Pocahontas with Forever After.

“This year’s Walk for Kids was a great way to spend the Saturday morning,” said Jay Phillippe, RMHC-OKC Board President. “There was so much energy and excitement. It was so good to see families having so much fun while supporting a great cause.”

Walk for Kids would not have been possible

PHOTO PROVIDED

A crowd of hundreds got together recently to help raise funds for the Ronald McDonald Charities Oklahoma City. The benefit was entitled Walk for Kids and raised more than $60,000.

without the support of amazing sponsors: CocaCola Southwest Beverages, BKD Foundation, Dell EMC, Mercy, Benham and INTEGRIS. For more information about Walk for Kids or

families served by RMHC-OKC, please contact Jill Edenstrom, Director of Marketing/Communications at 405-424-6873 x103 or jedenstrom@rmhcokc.org.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Also enjoying the day were Eliza, Susannah and Lydia Irvine.

Past RMHC guest family (stayed 55 nights) Cassaundra and Dax Herring with RMHC-OKC Board President Jay Phillippe. The event was held on the campus of Del Computer, near SW15th and I-44.

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

Latest ‘Jurassic Park’ film a bit flat

By George Gust It's been three years since theme park and luxury resort Jurassic World was destroyed by dinosaurs out of containment.

Isla Nublar now sits abandoned by humans while the surviving dinosaurs fend for themselves in the jungles.

When the island's dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) are called upon to mount a rescue mission for the remaining dinosaurs by the Estate of Benjamin Lockwood (James Cromwell), the old partner of the founder of Jurassic Park, whose plan to save the dinosaurs seems altruistic at first, but is later revealed to have an unscrupulous underpinning.

Over the past few years we’ve become accustomed to the franchising of Hollywood with a near endless barrage of movies that seem to be focused more on replicating box office success across decades than exploring new and interesting ideas.

The “Jurassic Park” series is an interesting study in this sequel laden movie landscape.

We’ve seen the films devolve from awe-inspiring, thought provoking, “How on Earth were they able to bring the dinosaurs to life?” to “Ugh, here we go again.” “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” ditches the thought provoking philosophical debate in favor of yet another groan inducing manmade military focused dinosaur plotline.

There are times in the movie when director J.A. Bayona is able to breathe life into the proceedings, but the truly successful moments are fleeting at best. For every intense underwater dinosaur sequence and tense horror suspense scenes there are three cliché character moments that take you out of the experience.

The tone is constantly jarring the audience between schlocky action stereotypes to killer in the house horror movie. Boyana brings an interesting set of skills to the direction of the movie, but is ultimately foiled by a poorly plotted script and paper thin charac-

terizations colored by clichéd and obvious dialogue.

In terms of performances, the majority of the cast is either forgettable or outright irritating. Back from "Jurassic World" is the will-theywon't-they relationship between Owen and Claire, which on its face feels perfunctory, but the chemistry between Pratt and Howard made their scenes together work for the most part.

Outside of their interactions "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" is filled with cliché character after cliché character, from Justice Smith as the nerdy coward whose only role is to scream loudly and occasionally "hack the system" to the comically evil and constantly incompetent antagonist played by Rafe Spall, whose decisions and motivations throughout will leave you with

maddening questions.

Overall, there is plenty of dinosaur action to be had in "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" for the most avid dino fans among us, but lacks the cohesive adventure and story telling that the Jurassic series always delivered. The end of "Fallen Kingdom" sets up for another installment, which certainly has a wealth of potential, but hopefully the third installment of this revival has more focus on telling an interesting story rather than mindless dinosaur action.

2.4 out of 5 stars

PHOTO PROVIDED

It’s man vs. the big living dinosaurs again in the latest Jurassic motion picture, entitled ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.’

"Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of science-fiction violence and peril.

Crossword Puzzle STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: FAMOUS FAMILIES ACROSS 1. Ankle support, e.g.

6. Talk, talk, talk 9. Shakespeare, e.g.

13. Pretend 14. C.E.O.'s degree 15. Printer cartridge contents 16. Smells 17. 16th birthday gift?

18. Undo laces 19. *Film-makers Francis or Sofia 21. *NFL's Archie, Peyton or Eli 23. Famous T-Rex 24. Bud holder 25. "For ____ a jolly..."

28. Like the White Rabbit 30. This hot!

35. In the middle of 37. Acid gritty-textured apple 39. Star bursts 40. Apple's apple, e.g.

41. Provide with ability 43. *Brangelina partner 44. ____ vs. pathos 46. "CliffsNotes," e.g.

47. Dissenting clique 48. Unquestioning ones 50. College party chant 52. Like a wallflower 53. Whiskey without water 55. Scheduled to arrive 57. *Jermaine, Michael, or LaToya 61. *Bobby or Jack 65. ____ acid 66. *O'Shea Jackson Jr.'s father ____ Cube 68. *Donny and ____ 69. Revolving mechanism 70. mL 71. Cruising 72. Place at an angle 73. "____, drink, and be merry"

74. Required things DOWN 1. Coalition of countries 2. Make over 3. At the summit 4. C in ROTC 5. Imbue with soul 6. "It's fun to stay at the ____" 7. Bar association 8. Deserved consequence 9. Capital of West Germany, 1949-1989 10. Against, prefix 11. Horse control 12. Fortune-telling coffee remnant 15. Go to NPR, e.g.

20. Renter's paper 22. Pharaoh's cobra 24. Judge's pronouncement 25. *Kunta Kinte's descendant and author 26. Be theatrical 27. Bridge of ____, Venice 29. Chinatown gang 31. *"Blackish" dad's dad 32. Brown, Dartmouth

and Yale, e.g.

33. Naturally, in slang 34. *"All the Money in the World" family 36. Gloom partner 38. *Family with two former Presidents 42. Chopin's composition 45. Metal detector, e.g.

49. New, prefix 51. Armed robber, e.g.

54. "PokÈmon," e.g.

56. Related on mother's side 57. Jelly holders 58. Every which way 59. Make a reference 60. Be savvy 61. Same as Celt 62. Gaelic 63. Cashed in one's chips 64. Those not opposed 67. Langley, VA agency

See Answers Page 23

Answers Page 23

Page 16 • June 28, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

PHOTOS PROVIDED

ABOVE --- A Sunnyside Diner will soon occupy the place of a former car repair shop at Second and Broadway.

LEFT - The band NoiseBleedSound entertains at Heard on Hurd, a popular street party that monthly brings thousands to downtown Edmond during the warm months.

BOTTOM -- An aerial view of downtown Edmond, now being transformed into an area of vitality.

Downtown Edmond has become cool

By Steve Lackmeyer and Eriech Tapia NewsOK.com/The Oklahoman A flurry of development and announcements of venues aimed at creating a nightlife are starting to come together in a way that might provide an otherwise suburban Edmond with its own vibrant downtown.

Broadway, the heart of Edmond's downtown, has seen several historic facade renovations accompany an influx of creative firms, restaurants and shops. New construction includes urban homes and a mix of offices and retail that brought in a vintage candy and soda shop, coffee house and wine bar.

And earlier this month, Lulu & Lo's boutique opened as the latest retailer on Broadway, selling clothing, home décor and locally inspired gifts.

A long-blighted former Getty gas station at the gateway to downtown, meanwhile, is set to be redeveloped into a Sunnyside Diner.

In what may be the most ambitious effort yet to bring urban entertainment to Edmond, developers are set to convert the former lumberyard between Broadway and the BNSF Railway tracks into a trendy mix of restaurants, shops and a mix of outdoor food and micro-beer venues.

On Campbell Avenue between downtown and the University of Central Oklahoma, construction is set to start this summer on a dense mix of retail, offices and housing. To the east, an urban style apartment building is set to be the next addition to a cluster of buildings around Stephenson Park that includes Hideaway Pizza, the UCO Jazz Lab and Skinny Slims.

Buying in All of this is a welcome addition for Bob and Tammy Weiss, whose friends were bewildered when they decided to buy a building that was

once home to a hospital and the town's original theater. The space was converted into a restaurant during the 1980s, but the building's owners went bankrupt, giving the couple a chance to buy the building followed by opening their own restaurant, Othello's, when the previous tenant, Garfield's, closed in 1994.

“Downtown Edmond was nothing then,” Bob Weiss said. “We were the only thing open at night and we weren't doing very well. We could go out on Broadway and play baseball — there were no cars, no people on the street.”

Antique shops filled most of the downtown storefronts and they closed by late afternoon.

But as the urban renaissance gained momentum in downtown Oklahoma City on the other end of Broadway, Edmond leaders looked at their territorial-era Main Street and saw an opportunity to bring back the historic facades, bring life to the street and create a central district that would connect to UCO to the east and to Stephenson Park to the south.

Earlier efforts Efforts to make downtown Edmond more of a destination date back more than a decade to when Broadway was rebuilt with angled parking spaces and new trees and the Edmond Marketplace was built as a permanent home for the Farmers Market at the gateway to downtown Edmond.

The disappearance of shingled awnings placed over the historic storefronts began with a restoration of the original facade of the Edmond Sun. Architect Thomas Small, who oversaw the newspaper project in 2004, was then hired by the city to do a historic asset study two years later. By 2010, Small and his firm,

The Small Group, were restoring the facade of its own historic building.

Efforts continued with the city creating the Central Urban Development Plan in 2014 with a focus on downtown development and connecting with the urban style development emerging around Stephenson Park.

UCO, meanwhile, started buying key properties between the campus and downtown Edmond.

Edmond created a streetscape along Campbell and Broadway and built a new police headquarters. The city has also budgeted around $750,000 to replace its failing, decades-old streetlights.

Taking it to the streets But when did downtown Edmond begin to transform from a sleepy stretch of antique shops to being on the cusp of being, of all things, “cool”? Some might point to Citizens Bank of Edmond CEO Jill Castilla and the creation of the Heard on Hurd festivals. Now in its fifth year, the March through October monthly festival, with its food trucks, pop-up shops and live music, draws thousands to downtown Edmond.

Or maybe the spark started with the opening of The Patriarch in a renovated 1903 home that is open afternoon through late evenings, Monday through Saturday. The popular venue includes an outdoor courtyard and a mix of games and micro-beers.

The Grant Group, which already offices in downtown Edmond, is ready to expand on that nightlife with their upcoming Edmond Railyard at one of the town's oldest buildings.

Located at 23 W First, the more than 20,000-square-foot former lumber yard will include open-air vendors in a common space. The building is 75 percent pre-leased, with tenants set to include Roxy's Ice Cream, Wicked Hangry, Chosen Juan and Hott Wings, a wing shop from the owner of Eddie's just south of the

UCO main entrance on Second.

Other tenants will include a craft bar with public outdoor seating and some offices.

Casey Massegee, principal with the Grant Group, thinks the time is right to create an urban destination for a city with a population of nearly 98,000 people and growing.

"Let's be honest, Edmond is the mecca of national chain restaurants along with terrible patio space options,” Massegee said. “People here in Edmond have been asking for something different for quite some time.”

Both sides of the building include public parking, but they are also hoping to attract students from the University of Central Oklahoma less than a mile away.

That walk, if development follows planning by both the city and UCO, might very well follow along Campbell Avenue, which serves as a clear path to the university's landmark Old North. Currently, that path is lined with empty lots and rundown homes, providing no reason for students to make the journey.

The Campbell Brandon and Jennifer Rader are hoping to transform the link with their mix of retail, offices and housing they call The Campbell. The two buildings will include 50 apartments, ground floor and fourth-floor rooftop restaurants, offices and retail.

“It's cool because it allows downtown Edmond and UCO to come together,” Brandon Rader said. “We're looking to brand the area as ‘University village.'”

UCO, meanwhile, is buying up other properties leading to downtown with talks ongoing for a performing arts auditorium. University President Don Betz sees the connec-

See Cool, Page 17

Edmond Life & Leisure • June 28, 2018 • Page 17

Cool tion as one of the university's missions.

“We need to give people five reasons to spend money between walking off this campus and Broadway, and once they get there, five more reasons to spend money there,” Betz said. “I am talking about getting people out of their cars on onto their feet ... we are not geographically remote from downtown."

UCO is negotiating a trade with Edmond First United Methodist to exchange the ownership of multiple parking lots to allow the church to have a direct connection to boulevard while UCO would be able to consolidate its divided holdings in the area.

University officials are also hoping that the location of Saint Mary's Episcopal Church will one day be the site of an Edmond Performing Arts center.

“You need a Walmart-size piece of property to make it happen,” Betz said.

South of downtown Just a couple blocks south of downtown and the campus, Stephenson Park has emerged as another potential cluster of retail, restaurants and entertainment that can be connected to the rest of the core area.

At the June 11 city council meeting, the city approved a master plan for the Stephenson Park upgrades which include more angled parking and new park amenities including a pavilion and seating.

As construction of the park begins later this year, Massegee is hoping to also begin construction on a new mixed-use development called Park 17 and new townhomes called The Towns at Stephenson Park.

He said the developments have been awaiting permit approval from the city.

David Chapman is among those betting for-sale housing will be a part of the ongoing infill with downtown, having built his own brick town house on the expanding north end of Broadway toward Danforth Road.

After years of teaching students at UCO about urban design, David Chapman decided to take his home to downtown Edmond and bought additional lots to build even more housing.

“We wanted a very urban home, we wanted a comfortable home that we could age in, but we wanted something that would fit into the fabric of the existing downtown Edmond,” Chapman said, who is a professor of real estate and finance.

Since moving into his three-story, 2,400-square-foot home he has become accustomed to walking to places in downtown Edmond and even to work at UCO, which he hopes more people will do. For now, he and his wife get to enjoy a full view of downtown Edmond from their rooftop patio.

From Page 16

Heard on Hurd event a success

Earlier this month, Citizens Bank of Edmond rocked the downtown streets of Edmond during the “Fun in the Sun” themed Heard on Hurd. Ariel and Moana from Project Princess met with the kids of all ages inside Citizens Bank of Edmond. Festival goers were also intrigued by the world’s only portable walk through heart exhibit displayed in the Kid’s Area provided by OU Medical Center.

“One of the great things about Heard on Hurd — and one of the reasons why it has thrived — is that there’s always something for everyone,” Jill Castilla, president and CEO Jill Castilla of Citizens Bank of Edmond of Citizens Bank of Edmond, said.

“We’ve hosted musical artists with a Coming attractions All of this momentum has even projects once declared broad range of styles and sounds. The food trucks offer something for every dead coming back to life, notably Chip Fudge's plans to taste, whether you’re vegan, on a convert an early day ice house west of the BNSF tracks along Second into a restaurant and entertainment venue. paleo diet, or just love delicious food.

Fudge has canceled plans to sell the property, purchased The pop-up shops offer an eclectic mix of merchandise that fits any style, in adjoining lots, and is working on a master plan with araddition to the activities and merchanchitect Wade Scaramucci. dise for kids.”

Back at Citizens Bank of Edmond, Castilla has spent The weather was warm with enough the past few years as CEO rebranding the bank as both a wind to keep festival goers cooled off downtown Edmond anchor and a player in some of the while they watched Original Flow and more popular projects in downtown Oklahoma City including the Tower Theater and the Swanson's Tire devel- The Fervent Route, NoiseBleedSound, opment in Midtown that is now home to a micro-branch and Grant Adams rule the stage. The first to take the stage, Original Flow of Citizen's Bank. and The Fervent Route, were the first When she took over in 2009, Castilla closed the bank's four other Edmond branches, consolidated opera- hip hop artists in Heard on Hurd history. They drew in people off the tions in downtown Edmond and restored its midcentury streets with their catchy beats and home. lyrics. NoiseBleedSound continued “Our focus was to return all of our staff back downtown and to re-establish ourselves as a destination for Ed- rockin’ the block party with their explosive energy and unique twist on mond,” Castilla said. modern Rock N’ Roll. The night ended Adjoining buildings purchased by the bank before her with the smooth soulful sounds of arrival, meanwhile, have been converted to co-op workGrant Adams drifting through the spaces and soon, a second location for Urban Agrarian, crowds and out onto the streets alive which is based at Farmers Market on the west fringe of with energy. downtown Oklahoma City.

The next event will be held July 21 “We knew downtown Edmond was the crown jewel of from 6 to 10 p.m. at the usual spot, our little suburban city,” Castilla said. “But to see it live, Broadway and Hurd St. Running from and reach its potential, and with the investors seeing it Bank to Bank, starting at the block of and really believing it and how this is related to the 1st St., running North down Broadway urban core and Oklahoma City, it exceeds any vision I all the way to Hurd St., and traveling had. And to see us infill and connect to UCO, that will down East Hurd St. ending at Littler St. be incredible.”

Page 18 • June 28, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Metro college president joins State Fair Board Ronald J. Norick, Chairman of the Board, recently announced the Oklahoma State Fair Board of Directors has added, by unanimous approval: Dr. Jerry Steward, Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) President, to its ranks.

“It is with great pleasure that Jerry is welcomed as a valuable Steward new member to our Board,” stated Norick. “His input and enthusiasm will, no doubt, be instrumental in the continued progress and success of State Fair Park and the Oklahoma State Fair, being presented this year from September 13 to 23.”

Biographical Information Dr. Jerry Steward is the 10th President of Oklahoma City Community College. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma, and his law degree from the University of Oklahoma. President Steward is licensed to practice by The United States Supreme Court, the Oklahoma Supreme Court, The United States District Courts for the Western and Eastern Districts of Oklahoma and The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Pictured from left, are members of Edmond’s Newcomers Club. They are Paula Spadaccini, president; Sandra Byrd, treasurer; Marsha Fisher, Debbie Blair, Rosemary Boeckman and Tietje German. They attended the Newcomers’ budget meeting brunch to discuss this upcoming year’s budget and upcoming summer luncheon.

Newcomers Club planning July social Edmond Newcomers Club is a special organization comprised of women in the area — newcomers and not-so-new to Edmond, that provides an opportunity for socializing and meeting other women through a variety of events and interest groups.

Those activities include bridge, bunco, book club, garden club, crafts, mahjong, and discovering Oklahoma. The July social will be a luncheon on July 18 at 11:30 at Mary Weber’s home.

The September through May meetings include informative educationals held at the First Christian Church in Edmond the first Wednesday of the month. Time is 10 to 10:30 a.m. for social time with educationals following from 10:30 to 11:30 am.

After each meeting a surprise lunch destination is announced for those who would like to participate.

If you are interested in joining, please contact Paula Spadaccini at 285-8075. Newcomers would love for you to attend.

Marker honoring heroes refurbished Don Powers, Edmond Attorney, and President of the Oklahoma City Chapter of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, announced that the national organization has sent notice that all is complete on the Chapter’s Project to update the Oklahoma Acre at Freedoms Foundation Medal of Honor Grove in Pennsylvania.

Powers said, that “President and CEO

David Harmer of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge and Deborah Woolson, Curator of the Medal of Honor Grove - adjacent to the campus of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, were scheduled this week to have a ceremony to re-dedicate the Oklahoma Acre.”

The reason for the project said Powers was “the original monument pieces had run their course; and the OKC Chapter wanted to properly honor Oklahoma Medal of Honor recipients. The names of the Medal of Honor recipients are a memory of their deeds and needed to be set in stone. Therefore, the OKC Chapter board authorized up-grade of the Oklahoma Acre. The Chapter is pleased to partner with the national campus of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge to insure that the memory of these Medal of Honor recipients never fades from the American conscience."

The remodel project of the Oklahoma Acre was accomplished with $50,000 in funds raised by the OKC Chapter and assistance from the national campus. Each state has an acre of land on which to honor recipients of the Medal of Honor.

The new rose-colored granite obelisk, ob-

PHOTO PROVIDED/FREEDOMS FOUNDATION

Contractors for Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge deliver and place a rose-colored obelisk at the Oklahoma Acre in the Medal of Honor Grove.

The Oklahoma Acre was scheduled to have a rededication this week.

tained for the Oklahoma Acre, lists 23 names of Medal of Honor recipients who came into the military through Oklahoma.

“There will be members of the Oklahoma City Chapter present, along with President Harmer, a statement from Gov. Mary Fallin will be read and two recipients of the Medal of Honor will also speak during this re-dedication ceremony.” Powers said.

Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge is a national Patriotic Organization with a campus for teaching the foundations of America and American History at Valley Forge, Pennsylva-

nia. Along with the campus there is a Medal of Honor grove in which each state of the republic has one acre on which to recognize that state's Medal of Honor recipients. The OKC Chapter provides scholarships for students and teachers to attend Patriotic training at the national campus and offers recognition to members of the local community for outstanding service to their country or community by awards from the National Foundation. The OKC Chapter was chartered in 1978 by Dr. and Mrs. Henry Freede and Mrs. Edward L. Gaylord.

Edmond Life & Leisure • June 28, 2018 • Page 19

Balloon Fest plans return to Shawnee on Aug. 10 The FireLake Fireflight Balloon Fest is set to return to Shawnee this August, anticipated to be the largest balloon festival in the state, bringing live performers, family-friendly activities, giant kites, a display of 30 hot air balloons and more. Admission to the event is free and it is open to the public.

The two-day festival kicks off on Friday, Aug. 10 at 4 p.m. at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Powwow Grounds. It will be a weekend filled with balloon glows, balloon rides, food trucks, retail vendors, amusement rides, a 5k, an outdoor hunting and fishing expo and balloon flight competitions.

Festivalgoers can expect to see balloons embracing the Shawnee sky throughout the weekend and enjoy balloon glows on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Saturday’s events start with one of many kite performances, performed by the Austin End of the Line Kite Team, at 6:45 a.m. followed by fun flights, balloon competitions and commercial rides. The festival includes a kids’ zone and petting zoo, a carnival that’s open until midnight and tethered rides that begin at 6 p.m. Festivalgoers can continue to enjoy the live music and food trucks all day long, including performances

Some advice for cutting summer cooling bills It’s almost officially summertime and it is already heating up. Oklahomans will try to beat the heat by cranking up their AC and doing anything they can to keep cool.

With temperatures and energy prices on the rise, there are a few ways you can trim costs without allowing your house to turn into a sauna. The Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accounts (OSCPA) recommends the following tips to help keep you cooler without breaking the bank. n Check your filters. Depending on what type of filter your unit has, experts say it is best to either clean or replace filters once a month. Your air quality will be better and your unit will not have to work as hard trying to get air through a dirty filter. n Check your window unit. Make sure your window unit fits properly in the window and the area around is sealed tight so that you aren’t letting cool air out and hot air inside.

For central units, check for holes or separated joints in the air ducts. n Newer could be nicer. If your AC unit is no longer cooling properly, you might consider investing in a newer, more energy efficient model.

This can help cut energy costs and save money in the long run. n Start smart savings. Invest in a programmable thermostat, so that you can turn the temperature up a few degrees while you are away and have it cooling by the time you arrive back home. n Make a move. Move your heat generating appliances away from thermostats and window units so it can’t trigger a false reading and spike up your bill. n Get the air circulating. Consider

using stand, box or ceiling fans to help the cool air get around your home. Using fans with air conditioning can help better circulate the air and lower the internal temperature of your home. n Supplement with supplies. Stop drafts from windows by adding weather stripping, caulk or inexpensive plastic film to help with insulation. n Close the curtains. Keep curtains and blinds closed during the heat of the day. You may also consider in investing in some heat blocking curtains (blackout curtains) or blinds. n Give the oven a rest. Especially during the hottest portion of the day, ovens can heat up the entire house. Eat a meal that doesn’t require any cooking or try using another small appliance or firing up the outside grill. n Heavy hitting heater. Turn down the temperature setting of your water heater. You could save money by lowering the temperature of your water heater by just five degrees.

Making energy improvements around your home are just a few ways you can help lower your overall household expenses. If you would like advice on any of your family’s financial concerns, be sure to consult a local CPA. If you don’t have one, get a free referral and free 30minute consultation at www.FindYourCPA.com.

For more financial advice, like Know What Counts on Facebook, follow Know What Counts on Twitter or visit KnowWhatCounts.org, where you can sign up for a free enewsletter, read financial columns and more.

from Amanda Coffee, the White Lighters and Vince Van, followed by Zodiac to close the night.

The FireLake Fireflight Balloon Fest 5K race will also take place on Saturday, Aug. 11 starting at 7 a.m. It starts at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center and FireLake Golf Course at 1899 S. Gordon Cooper Dr. Shawnee. It will be conducted in an out-and-back format and will not be timed, but all finishers will receive a commemorative finisher’s medal. Runners of all ages are welcome and can register online for the race at FirelakeBalloonFest.comfor $25.

A limited number of commercial balloon flights are available for $250.

Outdoor Nation Expo will take place at FireLake Arena throughout the weekend. The expo includes a turkey calling competition, a free youth archery tournament, hunting and fishing seminars and demonstrations, a youth fishing tournament a vendor market and more.

Entry to the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Fest is free and limited RV parking is available for $50 per night with a two-night minimum.

For event schedules, vendor information, directions and more, visit FirelakeBalloonFest.com.

Page 20 • June 28, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Carpenter Sq. Theatre has a ‘Brilliant’ comedy Carpenter Square Theatre presents the Oklahoma City premiere of “My Brilliant Divorce” by Geraldine Aron June 29-July 21.

The heartwarming comedy follows the exploits of Angela, a 39going-on-51-year-old American in London whose British husband leaves her for an exotic, twenty-something lass. All performances are at the theater, located at 800 W. Main in downtown Oklahoma City.

When we first meet Angela, it is Guy Fawkes Night and she is alone with her dog Dexter, staring at the front door that her husband Max has just exited. Over the next 24 hours, she waivers between joy and panic. Soon Angela’s house cleaner becomes her spy. It seems the house cleaner has a sister who has just been hired to clean the “lovebirds’ nest.” With reports from the two sisters and her own daughter, Angela realizes she needs to move on. Thus begin her single lady escapades: Trips to the divorce lawyer, calls to help lines, solo pub visits, Lonely Hearts ads, solo vacations, a hilarious, embarrassing trip to a sex shop, running a B & B with odd clients, and fielding phone calls from her disapproving mother.

Over the next year, Angela also manages a lot of doctor visits. Is she seriously ill? Is she a hypochondriac or suffering from L.A.M.B. (Layman’s Access to Medical Books)? When one year roller coasters into two, Angela’s journey plays out like a mid-life “Alice in Wonderland.”

Lilli Bassett stars as the hapless Angela torn between divorce and devotion to her wayward husband. Laurie Blankenship and Richie Rayfield portray over a dozen characters each in “Angela’s Wonderland.”

Linda directs the fast-paced comedy with Rosemary Waits assisting as stage manager. Rhonda Clark serves as costume designer. Ben Hall is in charge of the set design and execution, and Jay C. Schardt is the lighting designer.

For “My Brilliant Divorce,” specific performance dates and times over four weeks are: 8 p.m. June 29-30 and July 6-7; 7:30 p.m. July 12, 8 p.m. July 13-14, and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 15; and 7:30 p.m. July 19 and 8 p.m. July 20-21. The play is rated PG-13.

“My Brilliant Divorce” is supported in part by the Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Allied Arts, and the Kirkpatrick Family Fund. Season Sponsors include Ed and Janet Bucknell and Mel and Cindy Ables. The Costume Sponsor is the estate of Ann Eggers. Cast Sponsors are Bruce and Jo Ewing, and the Opening Night Party Sponsor is Mikie Gillmore. Ticket Sponsors are Danny and Michele Bell.

In conjunction with the play, the exhibit in the theater’s lobby gallery is the work of Lacy Gustafson, an Edmond artist who also teaches in the public schools. Her exhibit includes large, colorful acrylic paintings of flowers and plants. The public can view the exhibit starting one hour prior to each performance and by appointment Tuesday-Friday afternoons.

Regular adult tickets are $25 with $20 tickets available for seniors aged 62 or more, military, and groups of ten or more. Educator tickets are $10 and students are only $5.

Two-for-one tickets may be purchased when presenting the Allied Arts City Card or when attending Thursday evening performances.

Reservations are highly recommended for the intimate 90-seat theater. For tickets, call 405-232-6500 or e-mail csttix@coxinet.net. Visit www.carpentersquare.com for more information.

PHOTO PROVIDED

One thing Angela and her estranged husband still have in common is a love for their dog Dexter in ‘My Brilliant Divorce’ playing at Carpenter Square Theatre Friday to July 21. Geraldine Aron’s bright comedy follows the exploits of Angela, a middle-aged American in London whose husband leaves her for an exotic 25-year-old. Pictured are Richie Rayfield and Edmond resident Lilli Bassett as Max and Angela. All performances are at the theater, located at 800 W. Main in downtown Oklahoma City. For more information, visit carpentersquare.com. For tickets, call 405-232-6500.

July will feature a chance to ‘Find Waldo’ in Edmond Where’s Waldo? In Edmond, of course!

The iconic children’s book character in the red-and-white-striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting twenty-five local businesses throughout our community this July. Find Waldo Local is a great summer vacation activity and a wonderful way to support local businesses and the Shop Local movement in our community, including Best of Books, Eileen’s Colossal Cookies, Kickingbird Cinema, the Edmond Historical Society Museum & many more!

Anyone who wishes to participate can pick up a “Find Waldo Local in Edmond!” passport, which contains the names of all the participating sites, and get their passport stamped or signed for each Waldo they spot.

And to make things a little more challenging, Waldo and his friends have each dropped a precious item in Best of Books. These items can be spotted as well. Collecting store stamps or signatures at twenty or more businesses will entitle diligent seekers entry into a grand-prize drawing on July 28, with the top prize being an eight-volume set of

Waldo books.

Martin Handford’s collections of crowd scenes took the world by storm in the late 1980s, and since then they have held a cherished spot on bookstore shelves. There are now over 70 million Waldo books in print worldwide, and they’ve been translated into over 31 languages. An entire generation has grown up searching for Waldo. Participants of Find Waldo Local will have the added fun of searching for items dropped by Waldo’s intrepid traveling companions: Wenda, Woof, Wizard Whitebeard, and Odlaw.

Once again, in celebration of Waldo’s longevity and popularity, his American publisher, Candlewick Press, is teaming up with the American Booksellers Association and two hundred and fifty independent bookstores across the country for some hide-and-seek fun to encourage communities to patronize their local businesses. There is no charge to participate, and the hunt lasts for the entire month of July.

For more information about hunting for Waldo in Edmond, call Best of Books at (405) 340-9202.

Museum art sale a success The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum sold more than $3.45 million in art sales during the esteemed 46th annual Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition & Sale Opening Weekend, June 8 – 9.

The money raised represents an 11 percent increase compared to last year, and a portion of proceeds are allocated toward funding the National Cowboy Museum’s exhibitions and family programming.

More than 1,300 people attended the seminars, artist demonstrations, and sale and exhibition over the three day weekend.

The top-honored Prix de West Purchase Award winner, given to

the artist whose work of art is selected by the Prix de West Committee and purchased for the Museum’s permanent collection, was the southern China native Mian Situ, for his 48-by-32-inch oil on canvas painting titled Blasting A Route Through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, 1865, Central Pacific Railroad. In addition to the purchase price, Situ received a $5,000 award sponsored by Roberta M. Eldridge Miller.

After the announcement was made in the Museum’s Sam Noble Special Events Center, Situ said, “This is a higher honor than I know how to express.”

Edmond Life & Leisure • June 28, 2018 • Page 21

Online taxes may bring state millions

By David Dishman NewsOK.com/The Oklahoman An analysis of increased Oklahoma tax collections following an agreement with Amazon.com could lend insight into how much the state stands to gain following a U.S. Supreme Court decision Thursday.

Robert Dauffenbach, director of the Center for Economic and Management Research at the University of Oklahoma, showed what could be in store for Oklahoma after the Supreme Court ruled states could make laws for the collection of online sales taxes from internet retailers.

Dauffenbach estimates Oklahoma could eventually expect to see $5.6 billion in online sales in the coming years. At that level of sales, with a state sales \tax rate of 4.5 percent, it would yield $253 million in revenues.

This estimation could take several years to

reach, Dauffenbach added, and it will require legislation to be passed within Oklahoma.

“The magnitudes may eventually be a lot larger than they are originally,” Dauffenbach said. “States are going to be writing their laws in terms of who has to pay. Depending on how the law is written, and who has to pay, can make the ultimate difference.”

The Supreme Court decision is widely regarded as a victory for states and municipalities, as well as local retailers. For years, brick-and-mortar retailers across the country have felt the sting of competing with online retailers who don't always collect sales tax on their goods.

If an online consumer purchases an item sans sales tax, the tax is still owed but the customer bears the responsibility of reporting the amount.

Many do not report the taxes and states have felt millions in potential revenues are lost.

RIBBON CUTTING --- Regional Medical Laboratory held a ribbon cutting with the Edmond Chamber on June 13th to celebrate the grand opening of their new Patient Draw Center in Edmond, located at 500 W. 15th Street.

RML is a fully integrated, clinical laboratory established in 1982, in Tulsa.

With numerous Patient Service Center ‘draw sites’ through-out Oklahoma, revenue stays in the state to help pay for indigent healthcare and provide jobs for Oklahoman’s. For more information, visit them on Facebook or visit their website at www.rmlonline.com.

New president & CEO is named for Integris Pehrson succeeds Bruce Integris announced TimoLawrence, who retired in Dethy Pehrson as its new presicember. Pehrson officially dent and CEO last week. steps into his Integris role Aug. Pehrson comes from Inter1. mountain Healthcare in “Tim distinguished himself Utah, where he worked for throughout the interview Intermountain Healthcare as process with his impeccable regional vice president and record of accomplishment, an CEO for the company's Pehrson impressive understanding of north region, and vice presinot only today's health care indent of continuous improvedustry and its challenges, but more ment. importantly his insights into areas of “I am both humbled and pleased to be joining Integris, a health system opportunity for sustainability, affordability and even greater success,” Inalso recognized nationally for exceltegris Health Board Chairman Pete lence, pioneering medicine, innovaDelaney said. “Tim's strong physician tion and commitment to and employee focus and his genuine community,” Pehrson said. “The enthusiasm for the possibilities that physicians, clinical professionals and employees at Integris are some of the exist here make him the right choice most accomplished anywhere. Profes- to lead Integris.”

Pehrson's career at Intermountain sionally and personally, my family began in 2000 as operations officer and I are excited to be making the move to the Oklahoma City area and at one of its hospitals, and he was named that hospital's CEO in 2004. being part of a growing community Before his career at Intermountain, that offers an excellent quality of Pehrson worked for United Healthlife.” care, Samaritan Health and Henry Integris has a network of services Ford Health System. He earned his across Oklahoma. The hospital netB.A. in history from Brigham Young work serves tens of thousands of paUniversity and his master's in health tients every year and employs more services administration from the Unithan 9,500, including about 1,200 versity of Michigan. physicians.

Avant a new Arvest Bank associate with his wife, Elizabeth. The Arvest Bank is pleased to couple has two children and announce the hiring of Jarod is expecting a third.

Avant.

Additionally, Avant is a Avant will serve as a commember of the Edmond Area mercial banker in Edmond Chamber of Commerce and is and brings more than 10 involved with Edmond Young years of banking experience Professionals, an organization with him. In his new role, with the goal of establishing Avant will generate, evaluate Avant community leaders. Avant is and approve commercial active in his children’s school loans, among other duties. and his family’s church community as Avant graduated from the Univerwell. Arvest Bank was named by sity of Central Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in arts and adverForbes magazine as one of “Amertising. He currently resides in Edmond ica’s Best Large Employers” for 2018.

Amazon.com entered into an agreement with the state of Oklahoma to collect and remit sales taxes beginning in 2017. The internet retail titan left a noticeable impact on online sales tax collections in their first full year of collections.

Oklahoma saw an increase of about $26 million in online sales tax collections from the last full year before the Amazon deal, June 2015 to May 2016, to the first full year after the deal, June 2017 to May 2018.

Oklahoma City saw an increase of about $4 million and Tulsa saw an increase of about $2.4 million in the same period.

Online sales continue to grow, having risen from about 3.6 percent of retail sales in 2008 to about 9.5 percent today.

Some estimate that number will increase to about 20 percent of retail sales in the next decade, Dauffenbach said.

NEW CENTER -- Homes by Taber held a ribbon cutting with the Edmond Chamber to celebrate their brand-new design center. At their location on 305 W. Memorial Rd.Homes by Taber, a new home builder in the Oklahoma City area, offers new homes starting at 1,500 square feet of indoor living space and going up to 2,800 square feet of indoor living space. Prices for these new single-family homes start below $200,000 and go up to the mid $300,000 range. Homes by Taber was founded in 2000 by Taber LeBlanc. They currently build in 18 different locations around the metro. For more information, homesbytaber.com.

Page 22 • June 28, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

320 ACRES - VENUE -MAJESTIC VIEWS

20301 E. Waterloo

$3,500,000

13TH FAIRWAY - OAK TREE BEAUTY

6708 Oak View Road

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(VIEQ ,SQI %TTVS\ WU JX [MXL FIHVSSQW JYPP LEPJ FEXL GYWXSQ XSYGLIW XLVSYKLSYX JEFYPSYW YTHEXIH OMXGLIR KVIEX SYXHSSV PMZMRK WTEGIW TSSP WTE SYXHSSV OMXGLIR JT ERH QSVI

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8 ACRES IN EDMOND SCHOOLS

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EDMOND SCHOOLS

1400 Hidden Lake

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ROSE CREEK 9TH FAIRWAY

STUNNING BORGATA HOME

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2924 Lakeshire Ridge Way

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3000 Lavender $699,000 7XYRRMRK LSQI %TTVS\ WU JX FIHVSSQW FEXLW PMZMRK MQTVIWWMZI WXYH] [ WIGVIX HSSV XS QEWXIV GPSWIX KVERMXI MR OMXGLIR WEJI VSSQ YRFIPMIZEFPI FEGO]EVH FAIRFAX ESTATES

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3901 Red Deer Crossing

EDMOND OFFICE BUILDING

2932-2934 NW 156th St. - $600,000

OAK TREE

1103 Saint Andrews Dr. - $599,900

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5 ACRES IN EDMOND SCHOOLS

1925 S. Air Depot Blvd. - $499,900 %TTVS\ WU JX FIHVSSQW FEXLW XSRW SJ EQIRMXMIW HIXEGLIH WU JX KEVEKI [ L E FEGO]EVH TEVEHMWI SR EGVIW QSP

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820 Fox Lake Lane - $449,900

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2308 Berryhill Circle – $389,900

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7450 Winterwood Drive - $485,000

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MILLION DOLLAR APPOINTMENTS

2425 Nay Circle - $449,900 9RMUYI &YMPHIVW 'YWXSQ ,SQI %TTVS\ WU JX [MXL FIHVSSQW FEXLW WS QER] EQIRMXMIW EYXSQEXIH FPEGOSYX WLEHIW NETERIWI WSEOMRK XYF W[MQ WTE ERH QSVI

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2809 Harness Creek Court - $349,900

PRISTINE - IRON HORSE RANCH

2716 Open Range - $569,900

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7324 NE 94th Street - $449,900

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2009 Cambridge Way - $579,000 )\GITXMSREP UYEPMX] %TTVS\ WU JX FIHVSSQW JYPP FEXLW LEPJ FEXLW STIR ERH WTEGMSYW EQIRMXMIW KEPSVI JEFYPSYW FEGO]EVH [ TEXMS ERH TSSP MR TVMWXMRI GSRHMXMSR %QE^MRK LSYWI

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1608 Faircloud Drive - $449,900

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5515 Covey Run Drive - $349,900

16317 Stephanie Court - $349,900

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WONDERFUL HOME

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CENTENNIAL AT IRON HORSE

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4800 Hillside - $309,900

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8710 Palermo Drive - $299,900

EDMOND SCHOOLS

CHIMNEY HILL

MONTIGO FIELDS

SEMINOLE POINT

811 Sunny Brook Court - $269,900

2312 Colchester Drive - $229,900

7720 Hawk Lane - $212,400

2600 NW 162nd Terrace - $169,900

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PHOTO PROVIDED

The 81-acre property and home of late boxer Muhammad Ali is on the market for nearly $3 million.

Late boxer’s home now up for sale In 1975, almost 10 years before Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, he bought an 81acre property in Berrien Springs, Mich., insulated from city noise and crowds by the St. James River which surrounds the lush green fields.

It was where he spent his summers and a portion of his retirement years until his Parkinson’s became more advanced. According to boxing experts, Ali was on the wrong end of over 200,000 punches during his career, contributing to the Parkinson’s. In 2006, he and his wife Lonnie, moved to Arizona. He succumbed to the disease in 2016 and his widow is now selling the St. James River property.

Born as Cassius Clay, he grew up in Louisville, Kentucky during the 1950’s Jim Crow era where African Americans had few opportunities.

The family was not destitute, but fairly middle class within Louisville’s black community. A twist of fate came when he was 12-years-old that changed his life forever when he hurriedly parked his bike and ran inside a building for protection from a rainstorm. When he came out, his bike had been stolen. He found a policeman to tell and said he wanted to fight the thief. The policeman asked him if he knew how to fight, and Cassius realized he didn’t.

The policeman said, “Come with me.� He introduced Cassius to a police-sponsored youth boxing club where he was amazed to see blacks and whites fighting each other as though color segregation didn’t matter. That’s when he saw his future which led to Olympic Gold and one of the all-time boxing champions. Ali was known for being verbose as much as his boxing skill, but his charm was what won people over.

He loved attention and loved people and found boxing to fill all his needs.

He did what he loved and became one of the most important athletes of the 20th century.

Muhammad Ali's farm in southwestern Michigan, near Indiana, was the place where he and his family could relax away from the fame. The path of the river, enclosing three sides of the property, ensured privacy from neighbors and onlookers as did the gated entry. By 1975, Ali could afford to design it exactly the way he wanted and he added buildings customized to his needs which also have universal appeal. Structures on the property include the main house, carriage house, pool, gym, garages, barns and office epicenter. The elaborate gym has the boxing ring in the center, exercise equipment, a steam room, baths, massage room, laundry and spa. A few steps outside the gym’s French doors is a full-size basketball court. Next door to the gym is the office epicenter with his private office, conference area, private bath, mail room, vault, kitchen, loading dock and several other offices and a basement. There are two separate climate-controlled garages, each accommodating over five cars, RVs and space for equipment. The two houses, main house and carriage house for guests, are on either side of the pool terrace, which includes a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, bath house, sound system and pergola.

The main house has four bedrooms, living and family rooms and kitchen with large pantry and a three-car, climate-controlled garage. The carriage guest house also has a sun room and deck overlooking the pond and fountain by the river. Grounds are lushly landscaped with fire pit and a waterfall rock garden.

Muhammad Ali’s pastoral Michigan home with every amenity to make a world champion boxer happy in his time off, is now for sale at a very specific price. The last two numbers represent Ali’s 37 career knockouts - $2,895,037. The listing agent is Tim Mitchell of Cressy & Everett Real Estate, Dowagiac, Mich.

Eagle track athlete recognized Oklahoma Christian sprinter Sawyer Pehkonen was named last week to the Google Cloud Academic All-America second-team list for NCAA Division II track and field/cross country, as chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

Pehkonen's selection means OC has had at least one person chosen for the Academic All-America honor in track and field/cross country in six of the past seven years. Pehkonen, who made the Academic All-America list for the first time, is the 19th OC male track and field or cross country student-athlete to receive the honor, with nine of those men having received the honor twice.

The CoSIDA honor recognizes student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom and is considered one of the most prestigious in collegiate athletics.

The Academic All-America teams are voted upon by sports information directors throughout Division II. To qualify for the honor, a studentathlete must have at least a 3.3 gradepoint average on a 4.0 scale, have reached sophomore status athletically, have legitimate athletic credentials and have been at the nominating institu-

Sawyer Pehkonen tion at least one calendar year.

"Sawyer has made so many sacrifices and worked hard to achieve a high level on the track and in the classroom," OC coach Wade Miller said.

"Our program is excited that he has been recognized for such a prestigious honor."

Pehkonen carries a 3.82 GPA in mechanical engineering. The senior from Fort Collins, Colo., is a two-time Division II All-America selection the indoor 4x400-meter relay, helping the Eagles finish sixth nationally in 2017 and seventh in 2018.

Edmond Life & Leisure • June 28, 2018 • Page 23

Cox Communications helps Food Bank Cox Communications is once again partnering with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to increase fresh produce grown through the nonprofit’s Urban Harvest Program. Thanks to a $5,000 donation from Cox Communications, close to 9,500 starter plants were grown and distributed to more than 30 of the Regional Food Bank’s partners.

“The starter plants, known as ‘seedlings’ are grown inside the Urban Harvest greenhouse during fall and winter months using proven, regionally appropriate seeds that are open pollinated,” said Mason Weaver, urban harvest manager of the Regional Food Bank.

“Seeds can be collected from the plants as they mature and used again in future years. Provision of these seedlings encourages urban gardening, especially in low-income neighborhoods, as a way to support the health and well-being of families. It provides greater access to nutritious foods, strengthens community ties and reduces environmental hazards.”

Seedlings and seeds donated included: cucumbers, eggplant, herbs, okra, yellow squash, tomatoes, watermelon and zucchini. Regional Food Bank partners benefiting from this partnership included: Community Market of Pottawatomie County Food & Resource Center in Shawnee; Loaves and Fishes Food & Resource Center in Enid; Oklahoma County Senior Nutrition Program Mud Pot in Oklahoma City; Urban Mission in Oklahoma City; University of Central Oklahoma’s Community Garden in Edmond and Skyline Urban Mission Food & Resource Center in Oklahoma City.

Fresh produce is one of the most essential staples in a healthy diet, yet Oklahoma has one of the lowest rates of vegetable consumption in the nation.

Limited access to healthy food is linked to higher rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other chronic diseases. That’s why the Urban Harvest Pro-

gram, and support from Cox Communications, is so important.

“We are proud of our long-standing partnership with the Regional Food Bank. Their innovative efforts like the Urban Harvest Program are critical in getting needed resources to our city’s most vulnerable families. We look forward to the great results that are to come of this amazing program,” said Shelli Osborn, vice president, Customer Care Centers of Excellence.

Urban Harvest is the educational gardening program of the Regional Food Bank. In addition to growing fresh fruits and vegetables on-site at the Regional Food Bank, the program provides gardening support to partner agencies and charitable projects throughout the state to help clients with inconsistent access to healthy food.

Together, we can end hunger in Oklahoma. To learn more about the Regional Food Bank visit regionalfoodbank.org or call 405-972-1111.

Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi Good Shepherd Anglican Church (Traditional Episcopal) 1000 N. Broadway, Edmond •314-8715 Sundays - Holy Communion 8:00 & 10:00am Animal Friendly Parish “If you have people who exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have those who deal likewise with their fellow human being.”

St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)

www.anglicancgsedmondok.com 1928 Book of Common Prayer • anglicancgesedmondok.com

SCRIPTURE • TRADITION • REASON

North baseball coach Ledbetter resigns post Edmond North baseball coach Grant Ledbetter is headed to the collegiate level.

Ledbetter resigned as the Huskies’ coach last week and accepted a position as an assistant coach at Southern Nazarene University, Edmond Public Schools athletic director Mike Nunley told The Grant Ledbetter Oklahoman in a text message.

Ledbetter spent two years at Edmond North and won 41 games, including 27 this spring in a run to the Class 6A state tournament.

“Really appreciate him and his work at Edmond North,” Nunley said in the text message.

Page 24 • June 28, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure