Edmond Life and Leisure - June 30, 2022

June 30, 2022 Vol. 23, No. 7

In This Issue FOUR SEASONS

Enjoy the Fourth Weekend

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

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

For more information, see page 4.

Scenes from LibertyFest Rodeo

See page 12

FRIDAY, July 1

Sunny High 95° Low 74°

SATURDAY, July 2 Mostly Sunny High 94° Low 72°

SUNDAY, July 3

Partly Cloudy High 94° Low 76°

Lots available this weekend Despite some of the nation’s challenges, of late, most Americans can still agree that the USA is still a great country and worth celebrating.

The annual Edmond LibertyFest party, already under way, kicks into high gear this weekend with a bevy of events and happenings.

The highlight will be Monday with the annual parade at 9 a.m. and the fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. The finale of the fireworks will originate at Hafer Park.

Earlier at the parade, dozens of entries are scheduled to delight and entertain the large crowd lining the parade route ion Edmond. As a special treat this year, spectators will get to see the 2022 parade marshal, Edmond’s own Miss Darci Lynne.

The very talented ventriloquist and singer won NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” show. She has been on a roll since then, entertaining audiences throughout the nation. She has even performed at the Grand Old Opry.

Please note there will be no parking on Broadway during the parade from Second Street to Ayers.

And if you want to enhance your fireworks experience, please listen to KZUC 99.3 FM as music will be synchronized to the colorful show.

For additional information on LibertyFest, please read Ray Hibbard’s “From the Publisher,” column on Page 4 of today’s edition.

Have a safe and pleasant weekend and happy birthday, America.

STEVE GUST, Editor

Page 2 • June 30, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • June 30, 2022 • Page 3

Artist Elisha Gallegos creating chalk art pieces at May 2021 VIBES event.

PHOTO PROVIDED /ERIECH TAPIA

Downtown VIBES event to be held Thursday, July 7 VIBES Edmond's First Thursdays invites attendees to join chalk artists in covering the sidewalks of Downtown Edmond with colorful and creative chalk art!

Join five chalk artists: Chandler Domingos, Theresa Hutlberg, Al Lovett of FLWR PWR OKC, Sara Sharp and Sat as they create chalk artwork on the public sidewalks of Downtown Edmond. In addition to these artist creating pieces, there will be multiple locations setup throughout DTE with chalk encouraging attendees to join the fun and add their own artwork.

This event is free for all ages to participate in and enjoy.

Check out the other excellent features at the July VIBES, including the high-flying feats of Scissortail Flying Co., street dancing by the Groovemeant Community in front of Vault 405, a duo performance by Edgar Cruz and Stan Carrier at the corner of 1st and Broadway, and all the visual and performing artists. Stay up to date on all the monthly features by following @Edmond_Vibes on Instagram or the www.edmondvibes.org website.

Don't forget to participate in the VIBES Visa Challenge happening each month! Attendees can pick up a VIBES Visa Challenge “task card”

from participating downtown businesses, complete any variation of tasks listed on the back, and return it to the drop-box located at the Edmond Fine Arts to enter the challenge. Tasks include visiting visual artists and businesses, making purchases from any VIBES business or artist, or posting on social media using the hashtag #VIBESVISA. Monthly prize packages vary but include gift cards, original art, and VIBES merchandise. A new winner is selected each month!

VIBES, Edmond's First Thursdays is a program of the Fine Arts Institute, Edmond's nonprofit community arts organization providing visual and performing art classes for children and adults year-round, and the 3rd and 4th grade Art in Schools Program in Edmond Public Schools. For more information, visit EdmondFineArts.com or call 405-340-4481. The 2022 VIBES Season is made possible by Citizens Bank of Edmond, Mercy, Edmond Electric, First Bank & Trust Co., Engel & Volkers The Duncan Group, The Mule, Small Architects, Valor Bank, and the City of Edmond.

Page 4 • June 30, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

From the Publisher

On Saturday, 145th Army Band to perform Please do not think for a minute that the 4th of July activities are over for Edmond. We had the Car Show, KiteFest, and Rodeo were all this last weekend but as they say in the television ads, “Wait, there is more.” In fact, there is much more coming up this week and this weekend leading us right through the 4th of July. I will list the other Liber- Ray Hibbard tyFest activities further down in the column. This is the 50th year of the LibertyFest celebration and not another one like it in the state.

There is a great activity coming this Saturday that may not officially be part of LibertyFest but is a big deal coming to Edmond you will not want to miss.

The 145th Army Band is Coming to Downtown Edmond on July 2nd at 10am to perform for all of you. The large band will be located at the corner of Broadway and Campbell across from the post office. Bring your lawn chairs and stay for the free concert. The smaller band will be located at Farmers Market for your musical enjoyment, and you can shop after for your 4th of July cook out items.

Known as the "Governor's Own," the 145th Army Band, based out of Oklahoma City, is one of the top bands in the United States Military.

Throughout its 104-year history, the 145th Army Band has performed in front of presidents, vicepresidents and members of royal families from all around the world. The unit has participated in multiple campaigns in World War II and the Korean War and served as a ceremonial band in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom deployments. The mission of the band is to provide music to instill the Oklahoma National Guard with unit spirit, promote troop morale and support military operations through bolstering civil and military relations.

It will be a fantastic performance folks and you will want to bring the entire family. Kids and grandparents alike will enjoy this. It will wind up your patriotic mood going right into the weekend.

Lisa and I were at Edmond’s own farmers market this last Saturday. If you have not been in a while, you need to see what has been added. It has really grown. They even have a guy that sharpens your knifes while you hunt for that perfect tomato. We have seen this at other Farmers Markets around the country but did not know it was in Edmond. We will be back with dull blades in hand this week.

Our friend from Coyle, Okla. is back with the most amazing corn we have ever eaten. The kernels are small and tender. I asked him the best way to prepare the corn and he told me, “Start the pot boiling when you are out in the field picking it.”

What our cowboy friend meant was that you should not let the husks and silks stay on the corn.

Peel them off as soon as you get it home. Wash it and put it in a clear freezer bag and just put that in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it. It did not last that long with us. We cooked and ate it Saturday evening. Honestly, the best corn I have ever had in my life.

My mom loved this guy’s corn. I took her a basket of it and there were a few worms on the husks. I apologized that I had not removed them,

and her answer was, “Do not worry about it. That is how you know it is real, homegrown corn.”

Mom was totally raised on a farm in western Oklahoma. He has great tomatoes as well and a number of other vegetables.

The is the 50th LibertyFest celebration. Some of the original founders of this two-week span of activities are still serving on the committee. Thousands of volunteer hours have gone into this event and does every year. A special thank you to Citizens Bank of Edmond for being the premier sponsor for this year’s celebration. The committee needed help to make this 50th anniversary special for our community and the folks at Citizens Bank stepped right up to do just that.

Here is what is left for LibertyFest fun: LibertyFest Band Concert is this week on Thursday, June 30 which is the same day our newspaper is published. It is on the UCO Campus adjacent to Mitchell Hall. The UCO Summer Band is conducted by Dr, Brian Lamb, Director of the UCO School of Music. It is an all-volunteer band but this year for the 50th LibertyFest celebration the 77th Army Band from Fort Sill is scheduled to appear.

This will be the 71st year for one of the longest running musical tradition and the 49th year it has been part of Edmond’s LibertyFest. It is free and free ice cream is being served after the concert.

LibertyFest ParkFest will be this Saturday, July 2nd at Mitch Park north of the baseball field. It will be held from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. Free watermelon while supplies last folks. There will be inflatables and family entertainment. Food trucks will be on site, and I understand the Edmond Summit Rotary Club will be serving hot dogs. As you probably know, no ice chests allowed for security reasons.

Road Rally is going to be Sunday July 3. It kicks off from Earl’s Rib Palace on Broadway. Registration begins at 10:00 a.m. and the scavenger hunt

starts at 11:00 a.m. Entry fee is $15 per vehicle and is cash only. The awards ceremony is at 5:00 p.m. at Earl’s.

New LibertyFest Sprint will take place this year.

Check in is at 7:15 and start time is 8:15 a.m. It kicks off at the corner of Ayers and Broadway with one lap around the parade route. Fee $20 plus a $2.20 sign up fee. Registration ends July 3rd, and you can get more information at the LibertyFest website.

LibertyFest Parade will kick off at 9:00 a.m. on Monday July 4th in Downtown Edmond. The parade route is 1.5 miles long and is the greatest parade of any kind held in Oklahoma. A fly over of WWII warbirds is scheduled this year during the parade. This year’s Parade Grand Marshal is Edmond’s own Darci Lynne and Petunia.

LibertyFest Fireworks is the big granddaddy of events that wraps up this year’s celebration. For the first time this year there will be a short drone show right before they shoot off the fireworks. It is something new that the committee wanted to try.

Please do not expect the kind of drone shows you have seen at the Olympic ceremonies, but it should be plenty good and fun as well. The key is getting all the drones recovered before the fireworks are shot. Otherwise, it would be a different kind of show all together folks. They are being shot off again this year from Hafer Park but the park will be closed for safety reasons. Plenty of places to go around the park to see them. Show should start around 9:30 p.m. As always, the best fireworks show in the state.

You can get more information at www.libertyfest.org or at their social media page. Please remember that alcoholic beverages are prohibited at all LibertyFest events. You will have so much fun that you just will not need it folks.

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

Check out what’s inside!

---- Police report ..............................................................................Page 6.

---- Weekend calendar of Events ......................................................Page 6.

---- Columnist puzzled by American left ........................................Page 10.

---- Pets & fireworks a bad mix ......................................................Page 11.

---- Cancer breakthrough? ............................................................Page 14.

---- George Gust reviews “Father of the Bridge’ ............................Page 14.

---- Crossword puzzle ....................................................................Page 14.

---- Business news ..........................................................................Page 17.

---- Comics ....................................................................................Page 18.

This and so much more in this week’s edition

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photographer Melinda Infante

Cover Design Deanne York Legal Counsel Todd McKinnis Ruebenstein & Pitts, PLLC Copyright © 2022 by Edmond Media Publishing 107 S. Broadway Edmond, OK 73034 405.340.3311 (office) 405.340.3384 (fax) Mailing address: P.O. Box 164 Edmond, OK 73083 All rights reserved.

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

Edmond Life & Leisure • June 30, 2022 • Page 5

LibertyFest Fun

Hafer Park saw lots of car fans walking around aSaturday nd taking in the sights of the 22nd annual Car Show. Hundreds of entries were expected.

Kayden, 6, sends his kite soaring at LibertyFest Kite Fest held last weekend at Mitch Park. Children, and adult kite experts, were both on hand for the 32nd edition of the Kite Fest.

Photos by Melinda Infante

Page 6 • June 30, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

(The following arrest reports are provided by the Edmond Police Department.

Guilt or innocence is determined in a court of law.

Also, CDS is controlled dangerous substance; APC is Actual Physical Control; DUI is driving under the influence.)

June 13 Savonjae Nyjee Nickerson, 27 of Edmond. (Misdemeanor) domestic abuse assault.

Janice Gale Evans, 53 of Edmond. Attentive driving required and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and any other intoxicating substance.

June 14 Aliyah Taijanae Marcellas Young, 22 of Edmond.

Grand larceny and public intoxication.

Demetrion De”Sha Simpson, 28 of Edmond.

Two counts of failure to appear.

Michael Mu Shod Lee Ru Allen, 27 of Oklahoma City. No proof of insurance, expired tag – over three months and driving while license is canceled, suspended,denied or revoked.

Cameron Dewayne Escamilla, 22 of Bethany.

Obstruction of police officer and domestic abuse assault (strangulation.)

Cora Rosa Elliott, 23 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.

Shawn Michael De Bow, 37 of Oklahoma City.

Disregard signal light, no proof of insurance and driving while license is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Sabriyah Hadiah Perkins, 22 of Edmond. Failure to appear.

Andrew Robert Leath, 32 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant and public intoxication.

William Lowe Wiley, 75 of Edmond. Three counts of failure to appear.

Roxbert Ally Helgenberger, 21 of Oklahoma City. Misdemeanor warrant.

June 16 Patricia Patterson, 50 of Lawton. Felony DUI/APC.

Branden Scott Grant, 32 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or above.

Meg Ever Guess, 44 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Brendon Kyle Sadowski, 33 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Kenneth Andrew Cotton, 36 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.

Juble Dale Barrett, 42 of Oklahoma City. Misdemeanor warrant.

Eddie Spoummonte Carr, 29 of Edmond. Four felony warrants and four counts of failure to appear.

June 17 Asiaerri Lewis, 21 of Edmond. Two misdemeanor warrants.

Johnny Lee Perry, 60 of Oklahoma City. Failure to appear.

Sean William Dozier, 40 of Edmond. Felony warrant.

Courtney Nicole Sawyer, 32 of Wewoka. Felony warrant, (misdemeanor first and second offense) larceny of merchandise from a retailer and misdemeanor warrant.

Michael Lee Lackey, 54 of Oklahoma City.

Felony DUI/APC. Richard Joseph Swing, 28 of Guthrie. Felony warrant, public intoxication, possess drug paraphernalia, obstruction of police officer and two counts of possession of CS. June 18 Daulton Skyler Carpenter, 19 of Oklahoma City.

Felony warrant.

David Joseph Randall Jr., 28 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Tonya J. Lesseg, 49 of Edmond. Non-assault resisting officer and trespassing after being warned.

Caleb Scott Matlock, 22 of Edmond. Possession of marijuana and public intoxication.

Darrell Wayne Garrett, 55 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Travon Tyshawn Williams, 32 of Edmond. No proof of insurance and driving while privilege is

canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Kyle Cameron Dallas, 50 of Edmond. Domestic abuse assault (strangulation.)

June 19 Nhe Van Vu, 53 homeless. Indecent exposure.

Yan-Amont Billy Darianssen, 48 homeless. Possession of marijuana and public intoxication.

Paige Nicole McNeal, 37 of Edmond. Failure to appear.

Nathan Lee Griffin, 27 of Edmond. Non-assault resisting an officer.

Kevin Michael Berggren Jr.,22 homeless. Public intoxication.

Jorey Brooks Stockton, 38 of Edmond. Two felony warrants and two counts of failure to appear.

Jonathan Wesley James, 31 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant and public intoxication.

Tyler Dean Owens, 21 of Oklahoma City. Two counts of failure to appear.

June 20 Philip Wayne Evans, 38 of Oklahoma City. Possession of CDS. Adam Holmes Johnson, 27 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant and three counts of failure to appear.

Camden Gage Britt, 18 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of anything other than alcohol.

Travon Tyshawn Williams, 32 of Edmond. Public intoxication and trespassing.

Robersi Alfredo Aguilar Escobar, 22 of Oklahoma City. Operating a motor vehicle with no valid driver’s license and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.

Isaiah Lamar Coulter, 31 homeless. Two counts of larceny from a retailer.

Jackson Henry Brown, 31 of Edmond. Transport open container of intoxicating beverage or beer, operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and a misdemeanor warrant.

Tiffany Ann Kaulaity, 41 of Oklahoma City. Possession of marijuana and public intoxication.

Weekend calendar of events, June 30-July 4 What’s Happening Weekend June 30---- July 4 ---- ---- In the Gallery ---- Board Game Night with Parks & Recreation ---- Farmer’s Market ---- Kyle Dillingham & Horseshoe Road: American Musical Ambassadors ---- LibertyFest Exhibit ---- Edmond Bike Night ---- LibertyFest Concert in the Park ---- Brian Gorrell & Jazz Company ---- Edmond Jr Rodeo ---- LibertyFest Park Fest ---- Shortt Dogg ---- LibertyFest Road Rally ---- 1940s Radio Theater Presents Superheroes of Liberty ---- LibertyFest Fireworks ---- LibertyFest Parade ---- LibertyFest Sprint ---- National Little Britches Rodeo Association – National Finals Rodeo ---- Kids Take Over the Cowboy – Fourth of July Celebration ---- Signature Tour ---- Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival ---- Summer Canine Olympics ---- Bricktown Comedy Club presents: Kelsey Cook ---- First Friday Gallery Walk ---- Summer Music Series ---- Reb Brick Nights ---- Fireworkz A’ Poppin” Independence Day Celebration ---- Stars & Stripes River Festival ---- Red, White & Boom Extra Information In the Gallery Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute Extra Info: Free; enjoy the art of Rory Morgan; edmondfinearts.com; facebook.com Board Game Night with Parks & Recreation Location: MAC in Mitch Park Extra Info: Sun, May 1 – Sat, Aug 6; 6 – 10 p.m.; Free; edmondok.civicrec.com

Location: Edmond Historical Society & Museum Extra Info: Sun, May 1 – Sat, Dec 1; edmondhistory.org LibertyFest Exhibit Location: Edmond Historical Society & Museum Extra Info: Fri, Jul 1 – Sat, Sep 3; edmondhistory.org Edmond Bike Night Location: Edmond Railyard Extra Info: Tue nights through Tue, Oct 18; Free; 6 – 9 p.m.; edmondbikenight.com LibertyFest Concert in the Park Location: University of Central Oklahoma – Old North Extra Info: Thu, June 30; 7:30 p.m.; libertyfest.org

Extra Info: Mon, July 4; Free; 9:30 p.m.; libertyfest.org LibertyFest Parade Location: Downtown Edmond Extra Info: Mon, July 4; Free; 9 a.m.; libertyfest.org LibertyFest Sprint Location: Downtown Edmond (before the parade, run the route) Extra Info: Mon, July 4; $22.20; 8:15 a.m.; libertyfest.org National Little Britches Rodeo Association – National Finals Rodeo Location: Lazy E Arena Extra Info: Mon, July 4 – Sun, Jul 10; nlbra.com

Brian Gorrell & Jazz Company Location: UCO Jazz Lab Extra Info: Fri, July 1; 7 p.m.; $15; calendar.uco.edu

Kid Take Over the Cowboy – Fourth of July Celebration Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Extra Info: Sat, July 2; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Edmond Jr Rodeo Location: Edmond Round Up Club – Carl Benne Arena Extra Info: Fri, July 1 – Sat, Juyl 2; Adults (12 & over): $5; Children (11 & under): $1; edmondroundupclub.com

Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Extra Info: Thu, Jun 30 ---- Sat, Jul 2; redearth.org

LibertyFest Park Fest Location: Mitch Park Extra Info: Sat, July 2; Free; 12:30 – 3 p.m.; libertyfest.org

Signature Tour Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Extra Info: Sat, July 2 & Sun, July 3; 1-2 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Short Dogg Location: UCO Jazz Lab Extra Info: Sat, Julyl 2; $15; 7 p.m.; ucojazzlab.com

Summer Canine Olympics Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park Extra Info: Wed, June 29 – Sun, July 3; 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.; oksummercanineolympics.com

LibertyFest Road Rally Location: Earl’s Rib Palace Extra Info: Sun, July 3; $15; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; libertyfest.org

Bricktown Comedy Club: Kelsey Cook Location: Bricktown Comedy Club Extra Info: Thu, Jun 30 – Sat, Jul 2; Thu Show: 7:30 p.m.; Fri & Sat: First show: 7:30 p.m. & Second Show: 10 p.m.; bricktowncomedy.com

Farmer’s Market Location: Festival Market Place Extra Info: Sat, Apr 16 – Wed, Oct 19; 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.; edmondok.gov

1949s Radio Theater Presents Superheroes of Liberty Location: Edmond Historical Society & Museum Extra Info: Mon, Juyl 4; $5; 4 – 5 p.m.; edmondhistory.org

Kyle Dillingham & Horseshoe Road: American Musical Ambassadors

LibertyFest Fireworks Location: Hafer Park

First Friday Gallery Walk Location: Paseo Arts District Extra Info: Fri, July 1; 6 – 9 p.m.; thepaseo.org Summer Music Series Location: Riversport OKC Extra Info: Sat, July 2; 7 – 10 p.m.;

Edmond Life & Leisure • June 30, 2022 • Page 7

Presenting Sponsor Revenue Management Solutions CEO, Scott Thomas and guest snag a couple ‘space puppies’ at the 2022 St. Jude Songwriters & Symphony event held on June 10 at Will Rogers Theater. The puppies represent the therapy dogs at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and they are dressed in space suits to reflect the Inspiration4 mission that went to space in 2021.

Event for St. Jude’s raises $370,000 Celebration is in order for the third annual St. Jude Songwriters and Symphony event that was held earlier this month at Will Rogers Theater benefitting the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: Finding cures. Saving children.

Together, through the support of sponsors, attendees, local committee members and staff, the event raised $370,000, nearly tripling revenue since the last event was held in 2019.

Live entertainment from top Nashville songwriters, Rivers Rutherford and Lee Thomas Miller, helped to celebrate the magic of St. Jude.

Cocktails, dinner, live and silent auctions, along with multiple St. Jude patient moments allowed guests to learn more about how their support impacted St. Jude research and treatment achievements for childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases over the past six decades.

This was a 60th anniversary celebration of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. When its doors opened on Feb. 4, 1962, St. Jude became the first fully integrated children’s hospital in the South to defy racial inequities in healthcare. Thanks to generous donors, St. Jude continues to deliver on its promise that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food, so they can focus on helping their child live.

This event would not have been a success without the help of its sponsors. The evening was presented by Revenue Management Solutions and

supported by the following generous sponsors: American Fidelity Foundation, Bank7, Robin Byford, Caliber Fluids, The Chickasaw Nation, Clubby Seltzers, Hahn Appliances, JDME Heart of a Lion Foundation, Heartland, The Law Office of Courtney Lee, Le Norman Companies, Mercedes-Benz Oklahoma City, The Meritage Group of Wells Fargo, ONEOK, Poulos Family Foundation, Randy Bowen Chevrolet GMC, Scott & Jemma Stemmons, Stack Energy Partners, Adam & Neely Thomas, Valliance Bank, Wake Energy and Wells Fargo Advisors.

Next year’s event will be held on Friday, April 28, 2023 at Aspen Ranch in Edmond.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other lifethreatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since the hospital opened more than 60 years ago. St. Jude won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children

PHOTO PROVIDED

Dippin’ Dots CEO, Scott Fischer poses with Oklahoma St. Jude patient Connor.

Send news to news@edmondpaper.com

Page 8 • June 30, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

UCO Foundation awards Broncho Strong Scholarship The University of Central Oklahoma Foundation, in collaboration with longtime supporters Larry and Leah Westmoreland, has established the Broncho Strong Scholarship in honor of Gerry Pinkston, a UCO Athletics Hall of Fame coach and educator.

The Broncho Strong Scholarship was established to recognize Pinkston and her dedication to Central.

“We have created several scholarships in honor of professors who have made a difference in our lives but have passed on,” Larry said.

“We decided – why don’t we recognize someone living who has impacted many lives and is continuing to make a difference. We’ve known Gerry for several years and know that all she has accomplished has indeed made a difference.”

The Broncho Strong Scholarship was recently presented to

Pinkston at a softball tournament and awarded to a softball player at Central.

“It’s humbling. I value education more than anything. The more we can help students get their education, the better,” Pinkston said.

Kylee Lynch, a sophomore psychology major and Central softball player from Chandler, Oklahoma, received the inaugural scholarship.

“I am very honored to have been selected to receive a scholarship in honor of Coach Pinkston,” Lynch said.

“This scholarship will impact me financially, as well as hold me to a higher standard on and off the field.”

The Broncho Strong Scholarship is open to students who achieve academic success, contribute to the UCO Softball program and demonstrate strong character.

To support the scholarship, visit www.centralconnection.org/donate.

The University of Central Oklahoma Foundation, in collaboration with longtime supporters Larry and Leah Westmoreland, has established the Broncho Strong Scholarship in honor of Gerry Pinkston, a UCO Athletics Hall of Fame coach and educator. Kylee Lynch, a sophomore psychology major and Central softball player from Chandler, Oklahoma, received the inaugural scholarship. Pictured, left to right, Pinkston; Lynch; Leah Westmoreland; and, Larry Westmoreland during the scholarship presentation at the Gerry Pinkston Stadium on Central’s campus.

Free grief seminar scheduled in July Calm Waters Center for Children and Families, the only grief center in Oklahoma City offering free grief support services to children and families, will host a free workshop on Thursday, July 14, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at their Center located at 501 N. Walker Suite 140 in Oklahoma City.

Calm Waters’ summer grief workshop, “How to Support a Grieving Loved One,” is a free, in-person, hands-on event at Calm Waters Center for those in grief to learn about expressing their needs to their support people and for support people to learn how to best serve their grieving loved one.

Through this workshop, Calm Waters will educate the support people about grief so the griever does not have to, while also helping those grieving establish boundaries and coping skills to help them on their grief journey.

“Grief is challenging to navigate, not only because of the emotional pain that individuals endure, but also the ways it impacts our relationships,” said Heather Gaglio, LMFT, Calm Waters Clinical Director. “People do not often know how to support their friends and family after a loss. Well-meaning people often end up saying or doing things that result in additional sadness or hurt. Those who are grieving are often just surviving and do not know how to respond to communicate their needs and set boundaries with their well-intentioned friends and family. This workshop will provide tools for both those who have lost a loved one as well as their support systems navigate the difficult times after loss.”

The July 14th workshop, led by Hannah Showalter, LMSW, and Kasydee Molina will facilitate grief conversations for adults and children as young as 3 years old, to learn coping and boundary-establishing skills for those in grief, as well as best practices for grievers’ support people. At Calm Waters, we serve those who are experiencing grief due to death, divorce, deportation, incarceration, deployment and foster/adoptive loss.

Register by July 10, 5 p.m. at calmwaters.org/2022-summer-grief-workshop/

Stallone show still seeking extras Extras of all ethnicities, shapes, sizes and walks of life, are needed next week to play Brooklynites in the Paramount+ streaming series TULSA KING, starring Sylvester Stallone.

The scenes require people of all ethnicities to play Brooklyn pedestrians, cab drivers, NYPD and more.

Filming is in Oklahoma City.

Pay for extras is $100/day. Overtime will be paid after 10 hours.

A free, pre-engagement Covid-19 test will be required, compensated at $36. Testing is in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

The series is created by Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone, 1883, Mayor of Kingstown). It is scheduled to premiere on Paramount+ beginning November 13.

For more information and to apply, visit TulsaKingExtras.com

Edmond Life & Leisure • June 30, 2022 • Page 9

Edmond sailor part of combat casualty drill PHOTO PROVIDED/MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS COLBY A. MOTHERSHEAD)

Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Seaman Stephen Mauldin, right, from Edmond, Okla., applies a tourniquet to Sonar Technician (Surface) 3rd Class Andrew Deveroux, from Jacksonville, Fla., during a tactical combat casualty care (TCCC) training evolution on the mess decks aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) sailing in the Pacific Ocean. Abraham Lincoln Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in U.S. 7th Fleet to enhance interoperability through alliances and partnerships while serving as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Integris Edmond & Wound Care June is National Wound Care Awareness Month and the wound care clinic at INTEGRIS Health Edmond wants to highlight the importance of early detection and treatment of wounds.

Nearly seven million Americans are living with a chronic wound. In fact, one in four families has a family member with a wound that won’t heal. People living with diabetes, heart disease or a vascular disorder may be more likely to develop this type of wound.

Chronic wounds are a growing health care problem with unrealized risk. Avoiding or delaying care can lead to infection, hospitalization or even amputation. Pandemic-related delays in care have been associated with a 50% increase in amputations. This risk is reduced by nearly half when care is provided by a multi-specialty wound care team.

INTEGRIS Health Edmond Wound Care and Hyperbarics opened in Feb. 2020 with Guy Peterson, D.O., as the medical director. Treatment focuses on the causation of the wound, co-existing conditions that impact wound healing and topical wound management.

One service that INTEGRIS Health Edmond Wound Care and Hyperbarics offers is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. There are two chambers on site that allow treatment for wounds associated with chronic bone infection, diabetic ulcers of the lower extremities, compromised skin grafts and much more.

Other services include non-invasive vascular studies, specialty wound dressings and compression therapy.

INTEGRIS Health Edmond Wound Care and Hyperbarics is located at 4509 INTEGRIS Parkway, Suite 145 in Edmond. Patients may be referred by a physician, health care professional or through a self-referral. Call 405-657-3195 to learn more.

Reminder on mandatory city water conservation As a reminder, the City of Edmond participates in a mandatory year-round regional water conservation plan with other Oklahoma City water customers in the metro area. Edmond is currently in Stage 1 of the plan, but water conservation stages can change at any time.

You can readily access and monitor the current stage at edmondwater.com/cu. Additionally, you can find lots of free resources there to help you conserve water and save money.

Edmond’s daily water use is typically 10 to 11 million gallons per day (MGD). During summer peak use, that amount can climb to more than 25 MGD. Along with the City of Edmond, other customer cities include Norman, Moore, Piedmont, El Reno, Yukon, Mustang, Blanchard, and the Deer Creek water district.

Water Conservation Plan Chart: http://edmondok.com/DocumentCenter/View/5789/Conservation-U--Water-Conservation-Chart

Page 10 • June 30, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side

Different standards for the left

By Steve Gust If the issues weren’t so serious, then it would be comical to watch how the national press covers the news.

We had a big court ruling Friday and immediately the attention shifted off the Congressional hearing of Jan. 6. Outside we had Congresswoman Maxine Waters Steve Gust riling up a crowd by saying to “hell with the Supreme Court,” and “we will defy them.” Sounds a bit like insurrection talk to me.

People tend to forget that in the summer of 2020, a group of radical leftists rioted near the White House. They burned a church across the street and injured dozens of Secret Service agents protecting the president. Where is the hearing for that threat against democracy? And, as I pointed out a few weeks ago, our incompetent Attorney General Merrick Garland has allowed people to break the law by protesting at the homes of conservative Supreme Court justices. Thank goodness mob rule didn’t prevail and they didn’t change their votes because of the threatened violence..

There’s so much going on here. We have a twotier system of justice in America, where liberals can riot and face practically no consequences most of the time.

I’m afraid I don’t understand the Jan. 6 hearings. One thing I know about most Americans. We value a system of fair play. The House commission members are all liberal partisans and there is no questioning of statements or evidence made at the hearings. Nobody is there is there to ask Nancy Pelosi why she didn’t approve Trump’s request of extra guardsmen at the Capitol that day.

If our court system was run like this Jan. 6 hearing, we would never convict anyone of a parking ticket. Everyone deserves due process and a fair shake. The Jan. 6 panel folks don’t believe that.

It’s an odd time. When something happens liberals don’t like, they throw tantrums and burn down pregnancy centers, which help expectant mothers.

Merrick Garland should be prosecuting these people for terrorism, but he won’t. Liberals can protest at churches and riot elsewhere. It’s all very disturbing.

The left certaintly has the right to be upset with court rulings and all peaceful protest is welcomed.

What they do not have the right to do is to get violent. And, in my opinion, they do not have the right to go to someone’s house and protest.

If protesters were going to liberal homes, Biden would have them all arrested in a nano second.

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

Refugees need help

By Jen Hund Since September 2021, Catholic Charities has moved roughly 90% of Afghan families into permanent housing — that’s nearly 900 individuals resettling in apartments and homes across the Oklahoma City metro area. As the final group of Afghan families arrived this spring, Afghan neighbors and supporters alike began to wonder: How do we create a spirit of welcome and belonging here in Oklahoma City?

How can we meet, form trusting relationships, engage in mutual learning and share our lives — in other words, how do we build community together?

Before arriving in Oklahoma City, many Afghan families experienced severe trauma, having witnessed acts of violence

and the total disruption of their lives and homes, even compared to the chaos of living through four decades of war in their country. Between having to flee overnight with few to no personal possessions, being housed on military bases for weeks or months awaiting security processing, and having to live in multiple temporary locations, Afghan families settling permanently in OKC have had to rely on others for basic needs and place their trust in complete strangers. The generosity of the Oklahoma family in responding to this historic project has been nearly overwhelming, flooding the Council on American Islamic Relations-Oklahoma office with daily calls and emails asking “What can I donate?

Where can I serve? How can I help?”

Money, volunteer service and donated items are all essential to defraying the expenses in Afghan households during the process of building lives here in Oklahoma. Just as important, however, are the personal connections made as neighbors, colleagues and friends.

Volunteers are always greeted with peace and a smile, and are often welcomed in for tea. They’ve been introduced to family members and neighbors, and have shared stories and pictures of family, viewed hometowns on Google maps, learned words in Pashto and Dari — and all of this is often done without speaking the same languages.

Jen Hund manages the CAIR Refugee Resource Center and a team of volunteers to offer support to Afghan neighbors in the OKC metro area.

Lankford welcomes court ruling

By Sen. Lankford Senator James Lankford (R-OK) last week celebrated the biggest win for life in a generation when the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to overturn Roe v.

Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey to allow decisions about abortions to return to elected representatives.

Lankford In its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Court ruled that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion and that the authority to protect life at all stages falls to the American people.

“Today is a historic day for our nation and for life,” said Lankford. “After praying, speaking and challenging our nation for years to see the value of every child, I am overwhelmed with joy for our nation and for the lives of unborn children who will have a chance to grow up because of the Supreme Court’s action and the stand of millions of Ameri-

cans for life. Oklahoma is leading the way to immediately protect each child. We will continue to help support and protect mothers and children while encouraging fatherhood and family involvement for all children.”

Lankford has been a pro-life advocate and proparent advocate for his entire career, ensuring that babies, mothers, and parents are supported. Lankford has fought to protect life at every stage, make adoption more affordable, expand the child tax credit to the unborn, provide food assistance and healthcare to needy families, fund maternal and infant health programs, and incentivize giving so that local nonprofits can more easily assist those in need.

Lankford pushed back on the Biden Administration’s rule to allow taxpayer-funded abortions. He successfully secured language to save the longstanding Hyde and Weldon Amendments, which prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars to fund abortions and abortion-related discrimination against health care workers, including insurers.

Ahead of the oral argument in Dobbs before the US Supreme Court, Lankford met with Students for Life during a prayer vigil. Lankford gave a mov-

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

Send mail to Letter to the Editor, Edmond Life & Leisure, 107 S. Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034, or fax to 340-3384 or e-mail to news@edmondpaper.com.

ing speech on the Senate floor recognizing the significance of Dobbs in the fight for life. He joined an amicus brief signed by more than 220 Members of Congress supporting the state of Mississippi in Dobbs.

Lankford published an op-ed ahead of Dobbs highlighting the pivotal moment the case presents for protecting the right to life in the nation. Lankford released two episodes of a four-part series on his podcast, The Breakdown with James Lankford, highlighting the science behind life in the womb and the stories behind the pro-life movement.

Other reaction Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, lasst week released the below statement after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned of Roe v. Wade on Friday.

"We rejoice that Roe v. Wade has been overturned. The prayers from God's people for many years have been answered!

Roe v. Wade was a flawed and unconstitutional decision to begin with. Now the decisions are properly left to the sovereignty of the states, and many states will chose to protect innocent life.

To God to be the glory!"

Olsen was the House author of Senate Bill 612, which was signed in April. The law prohibits the performance of an abortion or attempt to perform an abortion except to save the life of a pregnant woman in a medical emergency.

Olsen also authored House Bill 1102, passed during the 2021 legislative session. The bill directs the Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision and the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners to revoke the licenses of physicians who perform abortions for at least one year. The bill provides an exception for abortions performed to save the life of the mother.

Edmond Life & Leisure • June 30, 2022 • Page 11

Remember pets this July Fourth The food, fireworks, and festivities associated with July 4th are fun for most Americans, but the same can’t be said for our pets.

Ask any pet owner - this holiday is often traumatic for four-legged family members, who can have a phobic reaction to fireworks and other loud sights and sounds. Anxious dogs have been known to dig under or jump over fences, break tethers, or even shatter windows in response to their fireworks fears.

That’s why it’s best to prevent your pet ending up injured or at a busy shelter overflowing with other lost pets. Best Friends Animal Society offers these tips to keep your pets as safe as possible during the holiday: Bring all pets indoors whenever neighborhood fireworks displays are likely, making sure that any potentially harmful food or alcohol is kept out of reach.

Secure pets in a room, close the windows, draw the curtains, surround them with comforting toys, and play loud music or turn on the television to drown out the frightening sounds.

Always keep pets away from lit fireworks (including in your own backyard). Some will chase after the bright moving objects and are at risk of being burned or blinded in the process.

Fireworks also contain substances that are toxic if ingested, so be sure to keep unlit fireworks out of reach.

Ensure that pets are wearing current identification tags, and make sure your current contact info is recorded with the vet clinic or shelter that implanted the microchip.

Have a plan in place in case your pet does go missing that includes calling and visiting the local shelter and posting information about your missing pet on platforms such as Nextdoor and Facebook.

With staffing shortages and decreased availability across the country, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure for your pets.

“The last thing you want is an emergency over a holiday, when many veterinary clinics and shelters are closed or open only for limited hours,” said Dr. Erin Katribe, veterinarian, and medical director of Best

Friends Animal Society. “If you know your pets get severely anxious, discuss pharmaceutical options with your veterinarian in advance. Several medications to treat anxiety in pets are available.”

As Katribe noted, it’s important to do this based on your pet’s weight, age, and health issues, so make sure to get the proper prescription and dosage from your veterinarian. Milder anxiety may be helped with supplements, such as those containing tryptophan, or a compression-style garment, such as a Thundershirt, which swaddles your pet and comforts them.

Pet first aid kits can help treat minor injuries such as scrapes or cuts at home while more serious situations such as puncture wounds, burns, broken bones, eye injuries, or heat stroke require consulting with a veterinarian immediately.

“If medical care is warranted, start by contacting your veterinarian’s office to see if they can take your pet for an emergency exam. If not, you may need to go to a 24/7 emergency facility, which your vet can refer you to,” Katribe said. “I recommend that all pet owners find out the contact information of their local emergency clinic ahead of time, so that it’s quickly within reach in those unexpected moments.”

For more information, visit www.bestfriends.org.

About Best Friends Animal Society Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters by 2025. Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a pioneer in the no-kill movement and has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters from an estimated 17 million per year to around 355,000. Best Friends runs lifesaving programs across the country, as well as the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary. Working collaboratively with a network of more than 3,600 animal welfare and shelter partners, and community members nationwide, Best Friends is working to Save Them All®. For more information, visit bestfriends.org.

Trio of educators selected for honor A trio of Oklahoma educators whose dedication to public education has benefited generations of Oklahoma children have been selected for induction into the prestigious Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame.

Weldon Davis, H.J. Green, and David Pennington will be honored at a Nov. 4 induction ceremony at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.

“Our 35th class of hall of fame honorees served the state in so many different ways but always focused on ensuring the success of Oklahoma students,” Sharon Lease, executive director of the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame, said. “They are the type of educators we should all aspire to be, and we’re thrilled to recognize their incredible contributions.”

Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame President Eugene Earsom also lauded the honorees.

“It is heartwarming and appropriate to honor these three whose devotion to the teaching profession has been so admirable and accomplished,” Earsom said. “This year’s inductees collectively have more than a century of dedication to achieving a first-class quality education for every student in Oklahoma.”

Davis’ education career began small, teaching elementary and junior high students in Barnsdall. Returning to his hometown of Lawton, he spent two decades as a teacher, counselor and adjunct professor. During his time in Law-

ton, Davis grew into a formidable public education advocate, while rising to president of the Lawton Association of Classroom Teachers.

He left Lawton schools for the halls of the state Capitol as the first multiyear Oklahoma Education Association (OEA) president. During his six years as OEA president, Davis traveled statewide to fight for public education.

He provided advocacy opportunities to teachers, recruited and campaigned for pro-public education legislative candidates, and deftly navigated Capitol politics to help secure new state revenue for schools and better retirement benefits for teachers.

Davis’ career came full circle when he returned to the schoolhouse, closing out a distinguished education career with 16 years at Oklahoma City Public Schools, including the last six as principal at Northwest Classen High School.

Even in retirement, Davis remains a fierce public education advocate through leadership positions with the Oklahoma Retired Educators Association.

“The breadth of Weldon’s career and educational influence is staggering,” Kenya Kraft and Joe Wynn wrote in Davis’ nomination. “He has impacted countless lives ... and has consistently been recognized as a trusted voice for education in our state.”

See Educators Page 11

Page 12 • June 30, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Educators From Page 11 Pennington’s four-decade career in Oklahoma education likewise had rural roots that eventually carried him to the national stage. After teaching and coaching in Kansas and Bristow, Pennington began his career as an administrator with building and central office positions in Bristow. He began the first of two superintendencies in Blackwell in 1995, and, in 2004, he accepted the position of Ponca City Public Schools superintendent where he served for 13 years.

His leadership in Ponca City was marked by progressive initiatives to modernize the educational experience for students and for staff professional development. Pennington was deeply involved in a number of civic endeavors and his peers selected him to serve in statewide leadership roles with the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators (OASA). His time with the OASA also led to service opportunities at the national level, where he served for more than a decade with the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), including as AASA president in 2014-2015.

Pennington was named OASA District 4 Superintendent of the Year four times and was honored with OASA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.

AASA also recognized Pennington for distinguished service in 2017. Since his retirement from Ponca City in 2017, he has continued to serve as executive director of the United Suburban Schools Association.

In nominating Pennington for the Hall of Fame honor, Guthrie Public Schools Superintendent Mike Simpson reflected on Pennington’s impact and the respect he has within the education community.

“I have personally witnessed his service to students of Oklahoma in the districts he served,” Simpson said. “His mentorship has built countless other educational leaders, impacting instruction in Oklahoma for generations.”

From start to finish, change has been a hallmark of Green’s career path. While he hails from tiny Wakita, Oklahoma, the story of his education career has an urban foundation that led to a lifetime of work focused on high school reform. Green’s early career in Tulsa Public Schools aligned with desegregation efforts, and his leadership as Booker T. Washington High School’s principal helped establish the school’s cutting-edge specialized curriculum as part of a voluntary integration plan at the all-Black school. During his eight years as the school’s principal, he was named one of the 60 most effective high school principals by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and was eventually inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame.

Green’s experience as a football player at Oklahoma State University and as a high school coach served him well when he served for three years as executive director of the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association. However, his focus wasn’t just athletics. Green helped establish a statewide academic bowl and, under his leadership, OSSAA began awarding academic state championships for athletic teams. After years serving as an administrator in California, Green returned to Oklahoma in 2008 to serve as Tulsa’s deputy superintendent and turnaround officer under former superintendent Keith Ballard.

LibertyFest Rodeo

The annual LibertyFest Rodeo was held last Friday and Saturday at the Carl Benne Arena in Edmond. It featured seven events, including bareback riding and bull riding.

Photos by Eriech Tapia

Edmond Life & Leisure • June 30, 2022 • Page 13

OMRF study helps spot MS relapse New findings from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation may give doctors more certainty when diagnosing multiple sclerosis relapse in patients.

Someday, said OMRF scientist Bob Axtell, Ph.D., who led the study, the results could help detect a relapse sooner or perhaps even prevent it.

“That’s the goal: to identify relapse before inflammation causes damage within the brain,” Axtell said.

MS is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy tissues, resulting in inflammation that can cause vision issues, muscle spasms, tremors and paralysis. According to the National MS Society, the condition affects nearly 1 million Americans.

The disease is marked by periods of remission and relapse. Physicians diagnose a relapse with an MRI or by interpreting symptoms, said Gabriel Pardo, M.D., director of OMRF’s Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence, where more than 3,000 patients from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Texas receive treatment for the condition.

Diagnosis isn’t foolproof, however. Sometimes the inflammation-related neurological damage precedes the onset of symptoms. Other times, symptoms can disappear within 24 hours or result from an infection or unrelated condition. Neurologists call this a “pseudo-relapse.”

Recently, a blood protein called sNfl has emerged as a biomarker, or strong indication, of an MS relapse. But, says Axtell, monitoring MS activity with a single protein “has limitations.” Age, sex and other neurological conditions could affect the protein. And it may not behave the same way in all patients.

To increase diagnostic precision, Axtell’s lab looked for other biomarkers. The scientists examined blood samples from 87 patients experiencing an MS relapse from the MS Centers at OMRF and Stanford University.

Axtell’s team found that patients showed significantly different levels of three proteins in addition to sNfl. While a spike in sNfl correctly reflected a relapse in 69% of patients, the four-protein panel increased the accuracy rate to 87%.

Pardo said verifying a relapse is “critical” in a disease where both swift action and avoiding unnecessary intervention are equally important. “These additional biomarkers will provide enhanced accu-

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist Bob Axtell, Ph.D. racy and add confidence to the crucial decisionmaking process,” he added.

Axtell said a more expansive study is needed to verify the results. Ultimately, he hopes to develop predictive tools. One potential outcome is a home test that would use a finger prick to detect blood biomarkers.

“Early treatment of relapses is important for long-

term prognosis in patients,” Axtell said. “If we could use these biomarkers for early identification of a relapse, we might be able to prevent long-term disability in patients.”

The findings were published in the journal Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. Axtell’s research was supported by National Institutes of Health grants R01AI137047 and R01EY027346.

Page 14 • June 30, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Review of film ‘Father of the Bride’

A movie the entire family can enjoy

By George Gust “Father of the Bride” (2022) is an HBO Max original update of the film from 1950 and the two Steve Martin films from the 90s. This iteration follows a father's (Andy Garcia) coming to grips with his daughter's (Adria Arjona) upcoming wedding through the prism of multiple relationships within a big, sprawling Cuban-American clan.

The original “Father of the Bride” is a quintessential work in the romantic comedy subgenre I think of as Kitchen Movies. The ‘Kitchen Movie’ is the kind of family/romcom movie that revolves around plenty of scenes of love and family gathered around the perfectly acquainted kitchen.

These movies provide the kind of warmth and laughs you can have when you’ve got the whole family together in one place and all the eye candy of décor from the cinematically financially stable. “Father of the Bride” 2022 is a wonderfully charming Kitchen Movie that has a nice sense of character and place of the large Cuban family living in colorful Miami.

Where “Father of the Bride” movies shine is the grumpiness and exacerbation of the titular father and the steadiness of the mother of the bride.

This iteration brings Garcia in a role that didn’t seem to be in his wheelhouse, but he brings a fun charm and heart that is refreshing.

He’s played suave and comedically knowing in tongue in cheek roles like the Ocean’s movies, but in this he’s having a lot of fun being the kindhearted traditional father who is already tired of your nonsense. And in relief of this old

school style is Gloria Estefan, as the beleaguered wife and has a fun combative chemistry with Garcia that brings a new dynamic that is in fun contract to the picturesque relationship of the 90s films.

Overall, “Father of the Bride” (2022) delivers on all the promises that a ‘Kitchen Movie’ like this makes- a delightful family movie with fun generational comedy and a whole lot of heart. It has a delicate balance between too broad comedically and still ring true emotionally, and for the most part this movie achieves that balance.

“Father of the Bride” (2022) doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but there is a cozy familiarity to this film that feels right at home for an original movie streaming service like HBO Max. “Father of the Bride” (2022) is rated PG-13 for brief suggestive material.

3.8 out of 5 stars.

You can reach George Gust to comment on this film, or any of his motion picture reviews at gust.george@gmail.com.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Andy Garcia and Adria Arjona bring a new spin to a familiar familial wedding story in HBO Max's charming update to ‘Father of the Bride.’

Answers appearing on Page 19

OU Health & creation of cancer fighter OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center has announced a historic first for the campus and the state: A new cancer drug, called OK-1, which was conceived and created by an OU College of Medicine researcher and developed entirely in Oklahoma, without the support of a pharmaceutical company, is being tested in humans for the first time in a Phase 1 clinical trial.

The drug was created by researcher Doris Benbrook, Ph.D., whose work on the compound began more than 25 years ago. New drugs developed within an academic institution, without the aid of a pharmaceutical company, are exceedingly rare. The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug to be given to humans in the clinical trial, which is underway at Stephenson Cancer Center. The drug is initially being given to women with advancedstage ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancer.

“It is very exciting to reach the point where we can test OK-1 in a clinical trial,” said Benbrook, who is a professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the OU College of Medicine.

“This drug is not available anywhere else in the world right now. We be-

Cancer, Page 15

Crossword Puzzle STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: Classic Children’s Books ACROSS 1. Kitchen boss 5. Churchill's "so few" 8. Epochs 12. "Watch out!" on a golf course 13. East of Java 14. *Pinocchio's state of being 15. Hard currency 16. Emanation 17. TV and radio 18. *Mr. Popper's birds 20. Newspaper piece 21. *Like "Goosebumps Classic" 22. "What?"

23. *Richard Scarry's Things That Go 26. Oxygenate, as in lawn 29. Skin cyst 30. Middle Eastern meat dish, pl.

33. Antonym of "yup" 35. Dispatch boat 37. Female sheep 38. Throat infection 39. Searching for E.T. org.

40. *"I think I can, I think I can...", e.g.

42. *"____ Spot run!"

43. Accounting journal 45. *The Plaza Hotel resident of kids' book fame 47. Long, long time 48. Caffeine-containing nut trees 50. Off-color 52. *Ludwig Bemelmans' Parisian boarding school resident 55. Middle Eastern porter 56. Movie "____ Brockovich" 57. Karl of politics 59. In a cold manner 60. Obscenity 61. Middle of March 62. Fringe benefit 63. *Side for Green Eggs 64. Put in the outbox

DOWN 1. Chlorofluorocarbon, abbr.

2. Obstacle to jump through 3. Great Lake 4. Tiny fox with large ears 5. Two halves of a diameter 6. Like one in isolation cell 7. Evergreen trees 8. *Babar, e.g.

9. Thumb-up catch 10. Full of enthusiasm 11. *"The Little Mermaid" domain 13. Stock exchange, in Paris 14. Affair, to Emmanuel Macron 19. Michael Douglas' 1987 greedy role 22. "For ____ a jolly ..."

23. *Clement Clark Moore's famous beginning 24. Live it up 25. Join forces 26. Aid in crime 27. Bodies

28. *Athos', Porthos' and Aramis' swords 31. *Corduroy or Paddington 32. Stiff grass bristle 34. *D'Artagnan's sword 36. *It ends, according to Shel Silverstein 38. North American purple berry 40. ____ at Work, band 41. Give in 44. Worshipful 46. Isis' brother and husband 48. Cause and effect cycle?

49. Abhorrence 50. RBG's collar, e.g.

51. Arabic for commander 52. Screen 53. Lymphatic swelling 54. Like certain Steven 55. Senior's fragile body part 58. New York time

Answers on Page 19

Edmond Life & Leisure • June 30, 2022 • Page 15

Lankford celebrates decision Senator James Lankford (R-OK) Monday celebrated a big victory for religious freedom when the Supreme Court held 6-3 in favor of Coach Joe Kennedy in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District that “the Free Exercise and Free Speech Clauses of the First Amendment protect an individual engaging in a personal religious observance from government reprisal” and that “the Constitution neither mandates nor permits the government to suppress such religious expression.”

This decision reversed the Ninth Circuit’s decision that allowed Kennedy to be fired for silently kneeling and praying after school football games.

“Today’s Supreme Court ruling in favor of Coach Kennedy’s right to take a knee and pray at a football game ensures Americans know their First Amendment rights are preserved and protected,” said Lankford. “Oklahomans and all Americans of faith are grateful for our freedom to speak and practice our faith in public and in private in this nation, unlike in many countries around the world. I am glad the Supreme Court once again affirmed the purpose and tremendous value of the First Amendment.

Thank you for standing up for the right to freely live your faith, Coach Kennedy, and for taking your case all the way to the highest court in the land.”

Background Kennedy was head coach for the Bremerton High School junior varsity football team and an assistant coach for the varsity team. After each

game, he waited until the players cleared the field, then took a knee and silently prayed. Bremerton High School sent Kennedy a letter demanding he stop praying after games. In 2015, Lankford led a letter to the School District in support of Kennedy. Kennedy’s contract with Bremerton School District was not renewed, resulting in his termination.

Kennedy filed a lawsuit against Bremerton School District, which a federal district court dismissed. On appeal, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit argued Kennedy’s prayers were not protected by the Constitution because he was praying as a public employee rather than in his private, personal capacity. In 2019, Kennedy asked the Supreme Court to review the case, and Lankford filed an amicus brief in support of Kennedy.

The Court denied review of the case, with a concurring statement by four Justices requesting more information. As such, the case went back to the lower courts. In March 2021, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit upheld the District Court’s decision that Kennedy’s silent, public prayers after football games violate the Establishment Clause, and the circuit court denied an appeal for review. In 2021 Lankford once again asked the Court to take up Kennedy’s case, and when the Court agreed, Lankford led his colleagues in filing another friend of the Court brief to support Kennedy’s right to live out his faith.

Cancer From Page14 lieve it has tremendous potential for treating cancer without causing toxic side effects.”

OK-1 is derived from the natural compound vitamin A. The human body uses vitamin A to make retinoic acid, a nutrient that supports healthy functioning.

Some forms of retinoic acid, as well as synthetic versions called retinoids, have been used to treat cancers such as leukemia.

However, both are highly toxic, Benbrook said, and patients often become resistant to their effectiveness. Her aim was to create a better version of the drug that is able to kill cancer cells but is less toxic to normal cells.

That effort has taken over two decades of experimentation. Benbrook worked with a collaborator to modify the drug’s chemical structure and test the biological activity of new versions. The new drug they ultimately de-

veloped has been modified to such an extent that it works in a completely different way than vitamin A. Collaborators in the OU College of Pharmacy performed research that was necessary to test OK-1 in clinical trials. The work has been supported by millions of dollars in grants from the National Cancer Institute.

OK-1 works by taking away one of the “tricks” that cancer cells use to survive. When cancer cells develop, the body

naturally tries to stop their invasion and growth. In response, cancer cells increase their production of “chaperone proteins,” which act like “bodyguards” to keep the cancer cells from dying.

The drug OK-1 is able to attach to the chaperone proteins, disabling them in the process. The body’s immune system, or another drug like chemotherapy, is then better able to kill cancer cells because they are no longer protected by “bodyguards.”

Page 16 • June 30, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

UCO honor roll students from Edmond Edmond (President's Honor Roll) Richard David Adams; Eric Matthew Adkins; Micah DaVaughn Adkins; Nicholas Akin; Nawaf Mohammed Albakri; Yaqeen Aldubaisi; Brody Douglas Alexander; Grace Caroline Alexander; Kylie R. Alexander; Brandon Allen; Adnan Ali Almoghalliq; Kala Anderson; Isabel Angulo; Greta Asmenaite; Aja Raele Assad; Olivia G. Autry; David Lane Bagheri; Prashannata Bajracharya; Natalie Bard; Hanah Brooke Barnard; Shayla Barr-Curry; Logan R. Batley; Christy Rae Batterson; Madison Elise Baugh; Maegan Renee Beam; William Tyler Beasley; Payton Elizabeth Bell; Addie Beller; Victoria Anne Bennington; Mycala Bevenue; Faith Bible; Nathaniel Alexander Blair; Abrianna Bohn; Mothi Avinash Bonda; Sara R. Box; Arden Faye Boydstun; Elizabeth Margaret Boyles; Kayla Nicolle Brasel; Parker Lee Brecheen; Daniel Robert Brock; Tizia Brocks; Aubre LeNae Brollier; Justin Brown; Caitlin Suzanna Bryant; Brennan Bumpas; David Burgess; Braxton Nicole Burton; Marlena Denise Butler; Michelle A. Canning; Micaela Grace Carothers; Abigail Victoria Carr; Kassidy Nichole Carsten; Kyla Grace Carter; John Angelo Casaria; Alicia Chambers; Tanner Alan Chambers; Kenna Michelle Chamlee; Ju Eun Chang; Tara Chase; Mattie Elizabeth Cheeney; Richard Christian; Bailey E. Christiansen; Mary E. Clark; Chloe B. Clinton; Melody Coco; Cole Michael Collins; Garrett Edward Collins; Rylee Claire Cook; Robert Coote; Derek T. Corvelo; Baylor Andrew Cox; Isabelle L. Cox; Jake D. Cox; Sydney Cricklin; Madigan Robin Cuneo; Mohammad Daouk; Cydnee J. Davis; Richard Kyle Deatherage; Peyton Drew Decker; Jose Fabian Diaz; Max Anthony Diaz; Claire Elizabeth Dickinson; Delaney Faye Donnohue; Devin Lynn Doutaz; Louis Tj Du; Andrew Easley; Koultan Brett Eddy; Fleur Eggink; Jayd Nickole Egner; Jessica Renee Ellis; Benjamin Engel; Isabelle A. Esau; Nomel Marc Arthur Esso; Morgan N. Fick; Nathan Fiegel; Adahlia Justine Fillmore; Hannah Firanski; Haley Angelina Fort; Rebekah Anne Frank; Leslie Ann Franklin; Matthew Frech; Mikayla Frech; Zoe Corinne Freeman; Joshua Friscic; Matthew A. Friscic; Nami Fritz; Emily Elaine Fry; Roshini Gadde; Rebecca Garber; Elena Marie Garcia; Erica Garcia; Srikanth Gayapu; Zoe Grace Gfeller; Sara Omar Ghurayeb; Gracie R. Ging; Alexandria Renee Godwin; Laura Christine Goehler; Nikhila Gogineni; Mackenzie Elizabeth Goings; Spencer Golden; Adriana L. Gonzalez; Nelson Alejandro Gonzalez; Angela Gonzalez Bueno; Dawn Ember Graham; Travis Jun Gray; Peyton Green; Trinity Royahna Greenfield; Wesley Grove; Leitner Gumerson; Mildred Achiaa Gyasi; Tyler Michael Hallett; Mary Noelle Hamilton; Tamela Hamilton; Kendall Renee Hannon; Mackenzie Ann Haralson; Trevor Harrold; Tabor Sterling Haws; Dual McCall Haynes; Briana Marie Heilman; Darah May Henley; Jessica Lynn Herrera; Sarina Laura-Jean Herron; Clara Louise Hibbs; Rebekah Marie Higginbotham; Juliana Y. Hing; Thang Tat Hoang; Madison Alexandria Howell; Cheyenne Michelle Howington; Katelyn Hudson; Lacy Huffman; Aaron Hui; Jacqueline Zhuo-Lin Hui; Melissa Hynd; Miyuki Iguchi; Sarah Evelyn Jacobs; Lakshmi Jadala; Omar Jawabreh; Anne Michelle Jean Baptiste; Jiyoon Jeon; Yifeng Jiang; Rebekah Christine Joash; Kaitlan Johnson; Madison Ryleigh Johnson; Lauren Elizabeth Jolley; Ethan C. Jones; Tucker Jones; Vaishnavi Kachamgottu; Gustavo Kajiwara; Cassandra Dawn Kalancha; Megan Lea Kane; Usha Sri Kannamareddy; Olivia Grace Kay; Owen Ross Kay; Bishop Shawn Bailey Kelly; Dean Kelly; Brittany Kersh; Taylor Grace Keys; Nisha Khadka; Jieun Kim; Judy Niccetta Kimani; Ashley Elizabeth King; Bonnie Elizabeth King; Kiersten Kay Kinghorn; Tess Caroline Knox; Sunghyeok Ko; Kiwami Kogai; Maneesha Kolli; Sage Nicole Kroeker; Kateri Helene Krug; Omini Pranemyaa Kudikala; Phuong Thao Lam; Joydev Lama; Cody Ryan Landers; Jake Daniel Landes; Chelsea Elizabeth Larsen; Phu Huu Le; Olivia Virginia Leal; Andrea Jill Lee; Eun Hyun Lee; Eun Ju Lee; Hanju Lee; Soobin Lee; Yeojin Lee; Brittany Lefler; Lauren Elizabeth Leighton; Samantha Leintz; Benjamin Joe Letourneau; Kelvin Albert Leu; Caitlin Lewis; Hao Lin; Riley Alexandra Livingston; Paul Lloyd; Yian Lu; Yong Wen Lua; Kaitlyn Macha; Alexandra Blair Majors; Shravya Malladi; Maria Crispina Marcos; Payton Marr; Braeden Martin; Elizabeth Caroline Martin; Mackenzie Darlene Martin; Jordynn Ainsley Martinez; Jerrica Renee Maxey; Julia L. McCabe; Madison Taylor McClatchey; Lynna G. McGavock; Lauren G. McPhetridge; Brayan Medrano Miramontes; Tyler Merrill; Michelle Joanne Metzger; Kristofer David Mikelson; Megan Reann Millsap; Katayla M. Mongold; Katelynn Grace Moore; Daniel Morales; Aliya Colette Morehouse; Elisha Gavin Morse; Chad Mortenson; Jordan Nicole Mosele; Rocio Mullaney; Lily M. Mullins; Jocelyn E. Muntean; Jeremiah Rashaad Navarro; Devann Eleanor Neal; Presley R. Nelson; Thomas Nash Nelson; Wen Xin Ng; Kevin Win Nge; Anthony Thanh Ngo; Diem Thi Hong Nguyen; Lynn Nguyen; Thuy Anh Thu Nguyen; Gabrielle Rose Nickels; Chiemeziem Godsfavour Nwaiwu; Imuseoluwa Adeola Obembe; Aseel Bassam Odetalla; Sharon Ogden; Evan Oldham; Kaylee Shae Olguin; Abiola Omosowon; Ivy Ellis Ott; John Parker; Krista Parker; Sarah Elizabeth Parker; Sowmya Pasam; Nishra Ma-

heshbhai Patel; Sunil Patibandla; Dalton Garrett Payne; Katelyn Marie Payne; Amelia Ann Perez; Holly Lynn Perreira-Secundino; Kyle Samuel Persons; Kaycee Dea Peterson; James Cole Pettigrew; Ngoc Hoang Yen Pham; Stephanie Van Phung; David Pittman; Heather Pittman; Alexus Pollock; Chinwedu Porter; Bailey Poslick; Sousan Najafabadi Pourmalek; Samuel David Powell; Saul Price; Reagan Shea Proctor; Zarena Pruitt; Aneeqa Hassan Qazi; Jasmine Quill; Bisma Ramzan; Raimie Ann Rasmussen; Vivian Bryant Rasnake; Cori Ratliff; Logan William Ray; Megan Elizabeth Reed; Jason Robert Reinhardt; Suzanna Kathleen Reinhardt; Heidi C. Reust; Muhammad Huzaifa Riaz; Alleah Lynae Rich; Payton Richards; Jaime Allison Ridenour; Megan Vella Rippinger; Tori Ritz; Elizabeth Kay Roberts; Mason D. Roberts; Emma Renee Taylor Robison; William Mason Robison; Claire Sabby; Sannam Salarvandi; Jordan Sandini; Suhas Sangam; Hari Naga Manohar Sannamuri; Alyssa Marie Santos; Dalton Sawyers; Jace Schara; Caleb Jordan Scott; Josiah David Scott; Ruth Seba; Randy Jeanne Seiter; Ashley Nicole Selby; Zakeer Hussain Shaik; Elena Jewell Shimanek; FNU Shivani Antaal; Brooke Ashley Shugart; Sarah Sigman; Proggaparomita Singha; Chloe Grace Singleton; Vineesha Siramsetty; Nahman Levi Sisco; Kaylyn Skinner; Colton E. Smith; Grayson Keith Smith; Madyson Smith; Ryli Smith; Toluwalope Abimbola Sofeso; Faezeh Soltani; Zoe Brooke Spencer; Angel Lynn Stark; Amanda Marie Stevens; Brianna Stevens; Noah Wisdom Stinson; Lauren Grace Stoll; Haotian Sun; Vivek Vasantpuri Swami; Mika Sweetman; Garrett Logan Taylor; Khai Herng Darryl Tee; Peifan Tian; Marcus William Titterington; Sarah Tracy; Joselin Trejo; Brittiany B. Tu; Emma Claire Upthegrove; Austin Michael Van Meir; Jordyn Michelle VanBuskirk; Michaela Lynn Vance; David Vargas; Nithi Mariam Varghese; Olivia Kate Vigil; David Wagner; Kristen Danielle Waldman; Emma Claire Waldrip; Blair Len Wallace; Haylie Jayne Walters; Winston Kya Wambeke; Maggie Cathleen Ward; Kiara Jane Warren; Mackenna Warren; Brittney Meagan Waugh; Ben Webb; Kindle Webb; Jamie Werhun; Kennedy J. Williams; Lauren Kate Williams; Baile Nicole Willmon; Jace Wilson; Shellby Wilson-Walker; Benjamin Winterscheidt; Sophie Elizabeth Wong; Jacob Creath Wooley; Emmaleigh Wright; Sydney Jean Wright; Riley Wyatt; Kaleb Yates; Joel Yearous; Skylar M. Yocham; Jing Hao Yong; Yuyu Yoshida; Ethan Milad Youssef; Phillip Youssef; and Matthew Beaudoin Zizzi Edmond (Dean's Honor Roll) Sameer Ahmad; Sara Umair Ahmad; Mahnoor Ahsan; Laurence Lea Akins; Brooklyn Nichole Allen; Sugair AlSugair; Alexander Patton Andrews; Melany Erin Arnold; Hannah Nicole Ash; Faith Katherine Ashford; Sara Ashley; Sungwoo Bae; Christiana A. Bakare; Sadae Monique Baker; Kathryn Christene Barber; Zachary Lawson Barrett; Natalia Bebee; Colton Matthew Bertus; Ashanti Monét Biehl; Sarah Blank; Misti Jo Boatman; Andrew Bold; Becca L. Boulden; Irelia Jazmin Box; Gracelyn Faith Boyd; Camden Joseph Boykin; Tahlon Lee Brahic; Kristen Brandon; Ryan Bray; Makayla H. Briand; Mackenzie Rae Brock; Ashante Brown; Catherine Brown; Sydney Ellen Brown; Morgan L. Brunger; Logan Tanner Buckner; Mattison Ivy Bullard; Emma Grace Butler; Brian Calhoun; Michael Henry Campo; Maria Fernanda Carbajal Alvarado; Jaima Carder; Daniela Cardona; Zachary Mason Carter; Cody Caruthers; Joseph Michael Case; Stephenie Cecelia; Charissa Mae Champion; Christian Robert Champion; Kelvin Lafe Chandler; Shalini Chandran; Hazzik Ali Chaudhry; Linxin Chen; Yi Yao Cheong; Tien Yeu Chin; Faith Adelle Clarke; Rebekah Grace Clemmons; Ainsley Clifton; Kylie A. Cocklin; Cody Heath Colburn; Jordan Collier; Moriah Daineze Contino; Isabel Contreras; Alexia Renee Converse; Casey Dale Cooper; Mackenzie N. Cooper; Ethan F. Cope; Damien Michael Corser; Jordon Corwin; Treven Murray Cowherd; Aaron Clayton Cox; Reagan Elizabeth Crichton; Nikita Singh Dadabhai; Nisha Daungudomdej; Jessica Davis; Brenda Robina Ddamba; Karissa Riquel Denham; Shelby Carol Denney; Emma Chanel Dennin; Christina Dennis; Nathanial Allen Dennis; Jessica Cailinn Dobey; Montana Brook Douthit; Ashlynn Mackenzie Doyle; Benjamin Robert Drumm; Nguyen Minh Duong; Micah H. Dye; James Ebersole; Jude Ebingha; Kaitlynn N. Ehnert; Lauren I. Emerson; Miguel A. Esparza; Audrey Marie Estes; Cade Estes; Kaydn Ann Estes; Triston Dillon Ewbank; Chance Fears; Anna Beth Ferguson; Kayla B. Fitzgerald; Monica Issela Flores; Mya Alisabeth Flores; Dillon Charles Folkner; Cameron Scott Foral; Jennifer Marie Forsythe; Margaret Elizabeth Foster; Laura Rebekah Zeira Francis; Brooke S. Franklin; Tamar Galbraith; Victor Manuel Gallardo; Beatriz Idalia Garay; Rigel Sebastian Garcia Ames; Stevie Lynn Geisler; Lorena Genuzio; Grace Chidinma George; Daniel M. Ghazanfari; William Colin Gilliland; Elijah X. Godinez; Yujin Gong; Ezri Elena Gonzalez; Elizabeth Grace Gorman; Spencer W. Grant; Derrik Lee Graumann; Alexis Rae Green; Megan Ann Green; Leah J. Gregory; James Daniel Griffin; Alex Riley Griffith; Janie Marie Griffith; Zachary Jay Guerra; Carson Lee Gullett; Sasha A. Gun-

derson; Jose Gutierrez; Trey Austin Guzman; Nancy Tien Ha; Tracey Hamann; Doug Hanigar; McKenna Danielle Harris; Kyel D. Harwell; Eli Eugene Hellstern; Brooke Ann Hembree; Gaeun Heo; Katie Pahouasa Her; Stacey Hernandez; Ayden Lynn High; Fletcher Campbell Hill; Auburn Hilliard; Jesse Ho; Logan James Hobart; Ashlynn Hope Hodges; Ryan Anthony Holcomb; Felicia Holt; Alex WooChang Hong; Madison Kacia Hooker; Asher E. Horst; Spencer Jay Hoskins; Hashem HosseinZadeh; Mexx Hu; Jacob Luc Huynh; Jazlyn Phuong Huynh; John Hyland; Asmaa Hazim Ibrahim; Joshua Jackson; Ryann Danielle James; Dave Janssen; Kylee Tanner Jernigan; Shanglin Jia; Catherine Baird Johnson; Emma D. Johnson; Haley Deonne Johnson; Garrett Noble Jones; Jenni Marie Jones; Precious Bola Kameni; Connor Allen Keenum; Ryann Mackenzie Kelley; Katherine Ellen Kerr; Dalton Key; Hisashi Kitayama; Meagan Knowles; Subin Ko; Dohile Balla Kone; JohnPaul Clement Krug; Emma Renee Kubicki; Mary-Rose Faith Labad; Amy Hoang Yen Lam; Emma Elizabeth Lammers; Christian Andrew Landolt; Jacob Edward Landolt; Mary Katherine LaSaxon; Oscar Lee Sum Lau; Chanceay R. Lee; Taleaha D. Lee; Mateah Selah Lewis; Joyce Li; Gabriella Lillis; Kai Huan Lim; Aubree Kalyn Lock; Caitlyn Ashley Lodhi; Caben M. Longest; Kayla Cathleen Lopas; Kelton Rogers Lott; Yu Jing Low; Luz Angelica Lugo-Ponce; Veronica LugoVargas; Sheridan Louise Luis; Harley Faith Lunsford; Camila Machuca; Ryan C. Mains; Raegan N. Majors; Kaden Cole Marshall; Jherra Martin; Salina Massion; Adyson Reed Mastropietro; Kevin L. Mauldin; Sunnie Dawn May; Zachary Price Mayfield; Kierra Louise Mcclanahan; Meagan E. McCrary; Elizabeth McDowell; Neely Kay McGee; Philana McHenry; Kersten Fay Mckenzie; Cade McNeil; Olivia Dawn McRae; Macie Lynn Meek; Mallorie G. Mefford; Ajith R. Melakayil; Brooke Alexis Metzger; Umar Maqsood Mian; Denver Ethaniel Miller; Emily Faith Miller; Grace Morgan Miller; Peyton Diane Miller; Jacee L. Minter; Anna Gabrielle Mitchell; Jacob Michael Mohr; Teresa Monterrubio; Josh Douglas Morgan; Alexia Xavier Morris; Tamara Morrison; Bayli Faye Morton; Isabella Marie Murphy; Dylan Hunter Muse; Trace Nicholas Myers; Mayu Nagano; Mikaela Grace Newkirk; Nguyen Hoang Nguyen; Bao Lin Da Nguyen; Duy Dinh Nguyen; Kim Ho Thi Thien Nguyen; Thi Han Vy Nguyen; Thi Truc My Nguyen; Thuy Le Minh Nguyen; Laura Nurbyek; Allison Nuttall; Hannah Michelle Oden; Mackenzie Kay O'Hagan; Cassidy Nicole Okeefe; Reagan Leigh Oliver; Wyatt Olson; Brianne Elise O'Neill; Kaito Ono; Gabrielle Ifeadikachukwu Oragui; Kiyona D. Outlaw; Rylin Noelle Paddleford; Kayleigh Mason Page; Anthony S. Palmer; Deanna JoEllyn Palmer; William Randolph Park; Chloe Marie Parker; Jaden Parsons; Nicholas Alexander Pata; Holly Kristine Penna; Kamber Dawn Perry; Anaiah Rain Pfeiffer; Luke D. Pickle; Audrey Faith Pittman; Kiana Marie Polley; Savannah Michelle Price; Taylor Vonn Priest; Ana Valeria Prospero Avila; Tuong Van Quach; Kassidy Rae Quillin; Iram Ramirez; Ariadna Ramirez Macias; Georganna Paislee Reed; Tanna Blair Reed; Chyann Reeder; Steven Christopher Reese; Skylar Jo Reeves; Connor Reinhardt; Paige E. Ridings; Connor Seth Rightmire; Citlali Rivas; Bobby-Lee Roberts; Patricia Rodriguez; Cameron Michael Rogers; Cesar Omar Rojo Vargas; Layne Garrison Rollins; Paxton Rosen; Skye Marlys Rustad; Krystle Ruvarashe Rwodzi; Tony Kiplangat Saina; Pedro Henrique Santos; Rameshwari Sathasivam; Katie Sawyer; Zoe Schulz; Audrey Elizabeth Scott; Govinaash Selvantiran; Caitlin Marie Serangeli; David Eduardo Serrano; Abby Michelle Sewell; Emma Elizabeth Shady; Arpit Ashwinkumar Shah; Alondra A. Silva Leon; Damien Terrell Simmons; Sarah Singletary; Brooke Annamarie Sivard; Clark Matthew Sivard; Ian Skinner; Dillon Ringer Slane; Brooke Hannah Sloan; Justus Uriah Smart; Hayden Daniel Smith; Indyarria Marie Smith; Kaleigh Alyssa Smith; Marissa M. Smith; Robert Tyler Smith; Kum Bit Soh; Kerlen Andin Somanji; Ethan Aaron Sparks; Adam Tyler Spicer; Hayden Stafford; Jacelyn Kate Stanley; Ryklee D. Starns; Rachel Lee Stokesberry; Riley Lynn Stokesberry; Daniel Hussein Sulbaran; Vinay Vasantpuri Swami; Nevaeh Taylor; Rachel G. Taylor; Ross Patrick Taylor; Cassandra Lacy Tengbeh; Marissa Arden Teter; Anupa Thapa Magar; Jacob Matthew Thomas; Raven Judith Thompson; Gunnar Lance Tignor; Sam Hunt Hunt Tignor; Kayla Ann Tinsley; Hannah Tran; Elizabeth Elaine Trojanowski; Nadia TroncosoMales; Gia Thinh Truong; Alexis Tucker; Savannah Leigh Uhl; Chelsea Dawn Vap; Morgan Renee Vaughan; Jada Rylee Vick; Sarah LeAnn Villines; Kyla Marcella Vorel; Hieu Trung Vu; Audra Waggoner; Hailey Walker; Phillip Wall; Kye Christopher Wedel; William F. Westerman; Abbey L. Wetzel; Jessie Katherine Wheeler; Daniel Adam White; Garrett J. White; Haley Fallon White; Karen Elizabeth White; Tyler David Whitehead; Samantha Rose Wichert; Olivia Grace Willeford; Asher Dean Williams; Christopher John Williams; Joel David Williams; Nathan Philip Williams; Tyler Grant Williams; Hunter MacKenzie Wilson; Michelle R. Wiseman; Liberty Grace Wolfe; Baylor Michael Wood; Grace Olivia Wray; Katharine Aline Wray; Kuan Chen Wu; James Midland Reeves Wynn; Kevin Yen; and Cherokee Ann Young

Edmond Life & Leisure • June 30, 2022 • Page 17

Craft Homes celebrates Edmond grand opening

Chamber officials and others roll out the welcome wagon for Craft Homes.

Craft Homes recently held a ribbon cutting with the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate their grand opening at 9868 Barrington Avenue in Edmond.

Craft Homes is an affordable homebuilder in the OKC metro and surrounding areas that specializes in building homes on half acre lots in areas that you love.

Craft Homes understands that the home is an extension of your lifestyle. That’s why at Craft Homes, their plans are designed around both functionality and efficiency.

Craft Homes combines the affordability and quality in a new home to give you a lasting value for your investment. With a focus on firsttime home buyers, Craft Homes is committed to providing a home that meets your lifestyle, while delivering quality construction and versatile design.

For more information on Craft Homes, please , visit thecrafthomes.com.

Investments being made in airports & infrastructure During a recent meeting in Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission approved a $184 million Airport Construction Program (ACP) for fiscal years 2023-2027, with a total of 85 airport infrastructure projects serving 57 communities throughout Oklahoma.

“I am thrilled to see this commitment and investment in Oklahoma’s rapidly growing aeronautics industry,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “This significant upgrade to airport infrastructure will impact communities across the state, and help the state retain and recruit more companies to do business in Oklahoma.”

More than $127 million in federal funds will pay for the majority of the projects based on federal formula funding as well as competitive discretionary projects, while $22.2 million in state grants and

$33.7 million in local matching funds will cover the remaining costs.

Through its ACP, the Commission determines funding for airport projects at the 104 general aviation airports across Oklahoma. While projects are prioritized based on safety, standards, pavement preservation and being aviation business ready, the overall Oklahoma Airport System Plan (OASP) that is approved by the Commission is the long-term planning tool used to identify the network of airports and the infrastructure requirements needed to serve the state.

The OASP identifies airports by their functional capabilities and services they provide to the aviation community at large. The ACP allows the Commission, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and airport sponsors to anticipate airport funding needs and accommodate changes in project scope, cost, and

Shandy

Walker

Hoffhines

Larimore

McQuigg

Thompson

Six Edmond attorneys are singled out for recognition Chambers and Partners, an international legal research and analysis provider, has recognized six Crowe & Dunlevy attorneys from Edmond in its 2022 USA Guide.* Edmond attorneys Donald K. Shandy, Environment, and L. Mark Walker, Energy & Natural Resources, received a Band 1 rankings. Kari Hoffhines, Real Estate; James W. Larimore, Corporate/Commercial; Tynia McQuigg, Intellectual Property; John M. Thompson, Litigation: General Commercial; and L. Mark Walker, Environment,received Band 2 or Band 3 rankings.

The publication gave the Crowe & Dunlevy firm its highest honor of Band 1 rankings in nine practice areas; Corporate/Commercial, Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Healthcare, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, Native American Law, Real Estate and Tax. The

firm’s Litigation: General Commercial practice was ranked in Band 2.

Attorneys and firms are ranked on a scale of 1 to 6 based on client service and professional conduct, technical abilities, commercial vision and business understanding, diligence, value and team depth. Rankings are based on information submitted by law firms and in-depth telephone interviews with attorneys. More than 200 editors and researchers independently seek out information and verify submissions to create a comprehensive guide each year.

Chambers and Partners guides have ranked law firms and attorneys since 1990 in more than 200 jurisdictions in the United States and throughout the world. Find ranking guides at https://chambers.com/. *Crowe & Dunlevy has no input in the rating methodologies used by Chambers and Partners.

schedule based on multi-year planning.

“I appreciate the Commission’s support of the fiveyear Airport Construction Program, which contains record investments in Oklahoma’s airport system,” Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz said.

“The projects in the ACP will improve the safety, reliability and competitiveness of our aviation infrastructure and continue the great partnerships the state has with all of our airports in rural and urban areas.”

The State Director of Aeronautics Grayson Ardies stated, “We are very fortunate that our aviation industry is recovering at a record pace in Oklahoma and these investments will ensure that we continue on our upward trajectory. With the state’s leaders investing even more into airport infrastructure our ACP will undergo changes in the upcoming months and years.’

Page 18 • June 30, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Volunteers sought to help with music’s ‘Rocklahoma’ This Labor Day Weekend, get ready to rock with Rocklahoma. This prominent music festival brings thousands of music fans to the Pryor Area each year, and Pryor Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting volunteer applications for the three-day event.

Rocklahoma will be held on September 2nd, 3rd and 4th, roughly four miles north of Pryor on Highway 69 at 1421 West 450 Road. Voluntary positions include greeting, armband distributing, assisting with check-in, and overseeing the VIP and sponsor tents by cleaning tables and picking up trash, and many other positions.

In exchange for working on shift, each volunteer will receive a general admission wristband for the day worked, a t-shirt and a parking pass.

Family Circus

Beetle Baily

Hi and Lois

Blondie

Shoe

Hägar the Horrible

Zits

Volunteers are welcome to sign up for one, two or all three days; however, if a volunteer signs up for more than one day, the volunteer must work at least one closing shift.

This year’s amazing festival will be headlined by Korn, Shinedown, Five Finger Death Punch and over 50 other bands including Evanescence, Megadeth, Seether and Three Days Grace.

To apply, please fill out the volunteer application found on the Pryor Chamber website at https://www.pryorchamber.com/rock lahoma.html. For more information, please call 918-825-0157.

The Pryor Area Chamber of Commerce is a member of Green Country Tourism, one of eight Multi-County Organizations promoting regional tourism in Oklahoma.

Edmond Life & Leisure • June 30, 2022 • Page 19

CEO named for Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma With more than 27 years of nonprofit experience under her belt, Janienne Bella has been named CEO of Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma (GSWESTOK).

Bella previously served as CEO of A Chance to Change. Prior to joining a Chance to Change, she was Regional CEO for the Oklahoma-Arkansas region of the American Red Cross.

“Janienne Bella is a role model for women and girls, and we are thrilled to have her leadership at Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma,” said Catherine Oster, Chairman of the Board of Directors for

Janienne Bella

GSWESTOK. “Janienne’s body of work includes organizational growth throughout urban and rural Oklahoma.

She joins us ready to put her experience to work for our girls in the 39 counties we serve.

She is the perfect person for this job.”

Bella succeeds Shannon Evers, who was named CEO of Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington earlier this year.

“I am proud to join a strong organization with a critical mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character,” Bella said.

Puzzles appear on Page 14

In light of CO COVID OVID 19 for the e time being, some s worship servi services ces may be suspended su uspended or online. on nline.

Ple ease check with h your house of o worship for more m informatiion.

Please information.

Page 20 • June 30, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure