Edmond Life and Leisure - December 24, 2020

December 24, 2020 Vol. 21, No. 32

In This Issue FOUR SEASONS

Merry Christmas Hope emerges in year's long virus fight

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.

Well known Realtor honored.

See Page 8

FRIDAY, December 25 Mostly Sunny High 57° Low 36°

SATURDAY, December 26 Sunny High 61° Low 42°

SUNDAY, December 27 Sunny High 57° Low 27°

Your friends at Edmond Life & Leisure newspaper would like to wish you, our dear readers, a very Merry Christmas tomorrow.

No doubt about it. It’s been, and remains, a challenging year, brought on by the COVID-19 virus. Yet, right before Christmas, the year is ending with hope as thousands of vaccines are being administered.

That includes right here in Edmond. Integris Health Edmond Hospital, last week alone, administered vaccines to it caregivers.

Systemwide hundreds at Integris have had the vaccine. One of the first here in Edmond was Dr.

Aamir Mohammad. Please see the photograph and article on Page 9.

It’s expected to still take months for everyone to get the vaccine.

In the meantime, please follow the safety sanitation protocols, including mask wearing.

The Christmas holiday will also interrupt the curbside pickup of ice storm debris.

According to Casey Moore of the City of Edmond, the holiday period will allow contractors the opportunity to return home and be with family. There will be no debris curbside collection from Thursday, Dec. 24 through Sunday, Jan. 3. Crews will resume

their city-wide efforts on Monday, Jan. 4.

To track their progress, please visit https://gis.edmondok.com/ stormdebris2020/ According to the city’s web page, this will not affect regular trash collection on Thursday.

Friday’s pickup will be delayed a day.

Edmond Life & Leisure’s office, in downtown Edmond, will be closed Christmas Friday so employees can be with their families.

Take the time this season to cherish your blessings.

Don’t forget our Worship Directory on Page 19.

Page 2 • December 24, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 24, 2020 • Page 3

Wes Singleton, the choir director, reviews class material with his men’s choral class.

Michael Glenn, a sophmore at Edmond Memorial.

Memorial Band overcomes virus obstacles to perform

By Eriech Tapia It was the first time that many of the students in the Edmond Memorial Band had come together to practice on Thursday evening. The pressure was on as it was only 30 minutes before the winter concert.

“There is no blueprint for this year,” said Jeff Jahnke, the band director at Edmond Memorial High School. “They did not teach us about pandemics in our college music education class.”

Due to social distancing, the woodwinds had to be separated from the brass and percussion sections during practices leading up the concert, but Jahnke said the students made the best of their circumstances.

The Winter Concert was held in the Edmond Memorial Gym to allow for social distancing and at the end of each band’s performance, everybody left the room for a cleaning crew to spray and wipe down surfaces.

“We are grateful that we are still able to do what we can do,” Jahnke said. Despite the challenges, four students made it into the Oklahoma AllState Ensembles this year, along with around 13 making it to the all-region band.

While the Edmond Memorial bands had a socially-distanced concert, the men’s choir students in the Edmond Memorial Men’s Choir had to cancel theirs due to inclement weather, but plan on having a spring concert. But that did not stop them from continuing to practice at half capacity due to the A and B student schedule.

“We still sound like a full choir, but we are still missing being a full choir,” said William Loughridge, a senior at Ed-

mond Memorial. There are around 50 in the men’s choir alone. “I cannot wait until we are back to normal,” he said.

All across the district, students are adapting as fine arts teachers go to extraordinary lengths to ensure that practicing and performing continue, despite the pandemic.

For the choirs, they can only practice in the same room for a limited time and then transition to a new room.

This allows any air particles to dissipate before the next class occurs.

The rehearsal rooms are even socially distanced and masks are always required.

“Our students continue to do a great job,” said Wes Singleton, the choral director at Edmond Memorial. “The parents have also been a great support this year.”

This year has presented unique challenges to playing wind instruments as Covid precautions are taken to ensure a safe surrounding. The most notable changes include spacing students at sixfoot increments, placing bell covers at the end of every wind instrument, or soaking pads on the floor to allow saliva to be soaked up from the instrument’s water key.

“It has been a challenge for us all,” Jahnke said.

Jahnke stays on top of the medical research reading articles on reducing aerosols when playing instruments. He understands that even though the pandemic had disrupted everything, his students yearn to be together and express themselves with their art.

“Our kids need the experience and doing it safely is my No. 1 priority,” Jahnke said.

ABOVE -- Michael Glenn, a sophmore at Edmond Memorial.

LEFT -- Jeff Jahnke, the director of bands at Edmond Memorial, walks around making sure students are prepared for their concert.

Photos by Eriech Tapia

Lillian Banks, a junior at Edmond Memorial, plays in the Jazz Band.

Page 4 • December 24, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

From the Publisher

The man & the birds Editor’s Note: Our publisher Ray Hibbard is recovering this week from a knee operation.

Today’s message is given to us

by Fr. J. Michael Robertson. As a reminder, Fr. J. Michael Robertson is with Church of the Good Shepherd here in Edmond.

Fr. Mike, as we call him, is pretty much our corporate chaplain Ray Hibbard here at Edmond Life & Leisure.

Enjoy the story and please have a blessed and Merry Christmas tomorrow.

Steve Gust The man to whom I’m going to introduce you was not a scrooge, he was a kind decent, mostly good man. Generous to his family, upright in his dealings with other men. But he just didn’t believe all that incarnation stuff which the churches proclaim at Christmas time. It just didn’t make sense and he was too honest to pretend otherwise. He just couldn’t swallow the Jesus Story, about God coming to Earth as a man.

“I’m truly sorry to distress you,” he told his wife, “but I’m not going with you to church this Christmas Eve.” He said he’d feel like a hypocrite.

That he’d much rather just stay at home, but that he would wait up for them. And so he stayed and they went to the midnight service.

Shortly after the family drove away in the car, snow began to fall. He went to the window to watch the flurries getting heavier and heavier and then went back to his fireside chair and began to read his newspaper. Minutes later he was startled by a thudding sound … Then another, and then another. Sort of a thump or a thud … At first he thought someone must be throwing snowballs against his living room window. But when he went to the front door to investigate he found a flock of birds huddled miserably in the snow. They’d been caught in the storm and, in a desperate search for shelter, had tried to fly through his large landscape window.

Well, he couldn’t let the poor creatures lie there and freeze, so he remembered the barn where his children stabled their pony. That would provide a warm shelter, if he could direct the birds to it.

Quickly he put on a coat, galoshes, tramped through the deepening snow to the barn. He opened the doors wide and turned on a light, but the birds did not come in. He figured food would entice them in. So he hurried back to the house, fetched bread crumbs, sprinkled them on the snow, making a trail to the yellow-lighted wide open doorway of the stable. But to his dismay, the birds ignored the bread crumbs, and continued to flap around helplessly in the snow.

He tried catching them … He tried shooing them into the barn by walking around them waving his arms … Instead, they scattered in every direction, except into the warm, lighted barn.

And then, he realized that they were afraid of him. To them, he reasoned, I am a strange and terrifying creature. If only I could think of some way to let them know that they can trust me…

That I am not trying to hurt them, but to help them. But how? Because any move he made

tended to frighten them, confuse them. They just would not follow. They would not be led or shooed because they feared him.

“If only I could be a bird,” he thought to himself, “and mingle with them and speak their language. Then I could tell them not to be afraid.

Then I could show them the way to the safe warm barn. But I would have to be one of them so they could see, and hear and understand.”

At that moment the church bells began to ring.

The sound reached his ears above the sounds of the wind. And he stood there listening to the bells – Adeste Fidelis – listening to the bells peal-

ing the glad tidings of Christmas.

And he sank to his knees in the snow.

Collect for Christmas Day Almighty God, who hast given us thy only - begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that we being regernerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit ever, one God, world without end.

AMEN

Check out what’s inside!

---- Obituary notice............................................................................Page 5.

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

---- DAR supporting veterans..............................................................Page 7.

---- Commentary Page ....................................................................Page 10.

---- George Gust reviews latest Pixar motion picture ........................Page 11.

---- Couple looks back on 10 years in business ................................Page 16.

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

---- Worship directory ......................................................................Page 19.

A famous local Reatlor is honored. See Page 8

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photographer Melinda Infante

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

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

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 24, 2020 • Page 5

On Jan. 2, the OKC National Memorial & Museum will host a ‘First Walk.’

Welcome new year with a First Walk at Oklahoma City National Memorial A fresh start is something we are all looking forward to in the New Year. Join the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum as they kick off 2021 with First Walk at the Memorial on Saturday, Jan. 2 from 10 a.m. until noon.

Whether you’re looking forward to the Memorial Marathon, or want to start the year off healthy – this is a great opportunity to get outdoors, exercise and experience the Memorial. In addition to the natural beauty of the Memorial, evergreen wreaths are placed on the 168 Chairs in the spirit of the holiday season. The First Walk is free. Walkers are invited to visit the Memorial Museum with spe-

cial Buy One, Get One Free, admission tickets.

The Memorial is partnering with the National Park Service. As you walk around the Memorial, get a deeper understanding of the site with interpretive talks from the Park Rangers.

Answer a few questions as you tour the Memorial site for a chance to win an Oklahoma City Culture Box. The Culture Box includes 2 admission tickets to seven Oklahoma City cultural sites and souvenirs.

Share your photos on the Memorial Museum’s social media channels.

For more information, visit MemorialMuseum.com/events

Ministries of Jesus gets donation Ministries of Jesus (MOJ), a local Edmond nonprofit, is celebrating one of its largest charitable gifts ever received following a $600,000 donation made by the Oklahoma City-based Butterfield Memorial Foundation. The gift was made to MOJ’s $3.5 million comprehensive campaign, Restoring Hope, which aims at expanding the clinic’s footprint as well as expanding program offerings. The organization touches roughly 10,000 patients annually.

“Butterfield Memorial Foundation is remarkably supportive, said Kim Swyden, MOJ Executive Director.

“They have become dear friends, and together we move forward on this journey to touch our community and Kingdom work. Their grant has enabled MOJ to move forward with facility expansion to prepare this ministry for the next 20 years.”

MOJ is a nonprofit charitable medical and dental clinic serving only the uninsured and also houses a counseling center with Licensed Professional Counselors who see clinic patients as

well community members who are looking for clinical counseling from a Christian worldview. MOJ’s social services department connects people to state and federal agencies that can help them with life necessities and steps toward restoring hope to a population that often feels hopeless. The organization also houses one of the largest recovery ministries in the state of Oklahoma.

“Butterfield Memorial Foundation is thankful for the amazing work Ministries of Jesus does providing nocost, whole person healthcare for Oklahomans,” said Butterfield Foundation President, Hal Hoxie. “I pray and hope our grant allows MOJ to help even more people in the future.”

The Restoring Hope campaign seeks to add $1.5 million in capital improvements and increased space to the organization’s facility as well as adding $2 million in increased staffing and education training. The campaign fulfills the organization’s vision to bring healing, hope, and compassion to the whole person.

Obituary notice Dr. John Wilson “J.W.” Weatherford Dr. John Wilson “J.W.” Weatherford—a devout man of faith, loving husband and father, and lifelong educator, of Edmond, Oklahoma—passed away on December 15, 2020.

He was born in Pauls Valley, OK to Troy & Eva Weatherford on August 18, 1936. As a Pauls Valley Panther, J.W. played football, and was a member of Distributive Education Clubs of America. There, he met his high school sweetheart and wife of 66 years, Barbara.

J.W. lived every day for Christ. He was an active member and served as a deacon of Edmond’s First Baptist Church Family always came first for J.W. No father could have been more proud to watch his son officiate NFL games near and far, and share his love of education with his daughter throughout her own teaching career. He knew that good food could bring family together. He could tell you where to find the sweetest cinnamon rolls, the best burger in town or how to “doctor up” a pot of beans to his liking. He loved family cookouts, tossing around the football with his grandkids, and finding any way to make you laugh.

J.W. earned a bachelor’s degree from East Central State University, a master’s degree from Oklahoma State University and a PhD from THE Ohio State University. He touched the lives of so many throughout his career in education, earning him an honorary lifetime membership in DECA and an induction into the Career Tech Hall of Fame. Weatherford retired from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1999 after working for the university for 27 years.

J.W. was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; daughter, Diana Roberts; son-in-law, Richard Roberts; brother, Leroy Weatherford; and parents. He is survived by his brother, Clovis Weatherford and wife Millie; son, Mike Weatherford and wife, Stephanie; daughter-in-law Lynn Weatherford; grandchildren: Megan Roberts, Daniel Roberts and wife Shelby, Rachel Branch and husband Chad, Drew Weatherford and wife Haley, Jake Weatherford and wife Shelbie; 4 great-grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews. The family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Touchmark staff for their love, care and support throughout J.W.’s final years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the J.W. Weatherford Scholarship Fund at the UCO Foundation.

Page 6 • December 24, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond Police arrest report (The following arrest reports are provided by the Edmond Police Department. Guilt or innocence is determined in a court of law.

Dec. 7 Kirk Douglas Smith Jr., 34 of Edmond. Failure to appear.

John Patrick Milliner, 53 of Noble.

Possession of CDS and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or combination of CDS chemical or controlled substance.

Nichole Marie Krin Larose, 33 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication and possession of marijuana.

Lindsay Shea Bonsall, 31 of Guthrie. Possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of CDS and a felony DUI/APC. Matthew Isaac Hicklin, 40 of Edmond. Non-assault resisting officer, public intoxication and failure to ap-

pear.

Anthony Vance Roberts, 42, of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Dec. 8 Corey Allen Louk, 29 of Edmond.

Operate (DUI or APC) vehicle under the influence of alcohol and possession of CDS. Dustin Lee Meadows, 34 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Mona Parmar, 42 of Edmond.

Felony warrant, obstruction of an officer and misdemeanor receiving stolen property.

Mason Rex Boyer, 19 of Midwest City. Non-assault resisting officer and public intoxication.

Dec. 9 Cameron Lee Carter, 27 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Michael Angelo Smith, 32 of Edmond. Failure to appear.

Alyssa Lynn Cipponeri, 20 of Ed-

mond. Non-assault resisting officer and disorderly conduct.

Sierra Alena Lucas, 22 of Edmond.

Public intoxication.

Dec. 10 Latoya Monique Frederick-Ivy, 38 of Edmond. Possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of CDS. Francisco Alexander Downey, 22, homeless. Petit larceny and public intoxication.

Dec. 11 Randi Nicole Rose, 35 of Edmond.

Domestic abuse assault. (Strangulation) Todd Kaleb Pearson, 31 of Norman. Disregard of signal light, no proof of insurance, no tag/improper tag and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied of revoked.

Jennifer Anne Jones, 39 homeless in Edmond. Public intoxication.

Matthew James Adams, 31 of Ed-

mond. Public intoxication and failure to appear.

Dec. 12 Rachel Renee Lowe, 35 of Oklahoma City. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08 or more.

David Jay Hoffman, 22 of Edmond. Possession of CDS and carrying a weapon under the influence of alcohol.

Dalton Robert Canter, 26 of Greenville, Pa. Public intoxication.

Timothy James Garrett Rhymes, 20 of Edmond. Possession of CDS, possession of drug paraphernalia and operate (DUI or APC) vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Dec. 13 Philemon Carlekaa Randle, 34 of Edmond. Obstruction of a police officer and misdemeanor assault on a police officer or peace officer.

‘Buses to the Border’ is one of the many pieces to be featured in the exhibit ‘Ada Trillo: La Caravana Del Diablo’ at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Melton Gallery, Jan. 14-March 4, 2021. The exhibit showcases artist Ada Trillo’s documentary photo series of individuals in migrant caravans traveling through Central America to the U.S.-Mexico border.

UCO exhibit at Melton Gallery will examine life of migrants CO’s Melton Gallery Exhibit ‘Ada Trillo: La Caravana Del Diablo’ Highlights the Humanity of Central American Migrants The University of Central Oklahoma’s Melton Gallery will host a free, public opening reception from 57:30 p.m. Jan. 14, 2021 for “Ada Trillo: La Caravana Del Diablo,” a solo art exhibition featuring artist Ada Trillo’s documentary photo series of individuals in the migrant caravans traveling through Central America to the U.S.-Mexico border. The exhibit will be on display Jan. 14-March 4, 2021, at the Melton Gallery, located in the UCO Art and Design building on Central’s campus.

“Trillo’s work honors the humanity of each person represented and creates space for us to shift focus from viewing asylum seekers as an anonymous mass to viewing them as individuals. Each with their own stories to tell,” said Veronica Cianfrano, Melton Gallery curator.

From 2017 to 2019, Trillo, a Philadelphia-based photographer, returned to her hometown of Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, to document the struggles of asylum seekers affected

by President Donald Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy. In January 2020, she traveled with a massive caravan for eight days from Honduras to Guatemala and into Mexico. They were met by the recently established Guardia Nacional, composed of former federal, military and naval police.

In addition to Trillo’s photographs, “La Caravana Del Diablo” will feature an interactive installation of notes and videos from asylum seekers.

"While the media often covers what is happening at the border, they all too often overlook the individual trials, struggles and humanity of those seeking to escape violence in

pursuit of a better life,” Trillo said.

“It’s critical to unveil individual journeys and explore the reasons why people were forced to leave their home.”

A panel discussion with Trillo, humanitarian workers and nonprofit professionals will take place from 57:30 p.m. Jan. 15, 2021. The gallery also will host a closing reception from 5-7:30 p.m. March 4, 2021, in the Melton Gallery.

Additional weekly events are available for UCO faculty, staff and students. These events include “Lunch and Learn Tuesdays” and “DreamerAlly Training.” For more information, visit www.meltongallery.com.

The Melton Gallery is free and open to the public noon-4 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and Fridays by appointment.

To schedule an appointment, contact Melton Gallery at meltongallery@uco.edu or call 405-974-2432.

All visitors to the Central campus are required to wear a face mask while on campus, both inside buildings and outdoors.

Stay up to date on UCO Melton Gallery’s social media for livestreams of events and additional announcements: @ucomeltongallery on Facebook and Instagram and @meltongallery on Twitter.

For more information about the UCO College of Fine Arts and Design, as well as a listing of events and performances, visit cfad.uco.edu.

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 24, 2020 • Page 7

GET IN THE GAME SUNNY THOMAS

The Final Salute Ceremony, conducted recently by Regent Andrea Aven, Cordelia Steen Chapter, NSDAR, Edmond.

Ceremony gives vets a final salute The Cordelia Steen Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution of Edmond and the Patriot Guard Riders of Central Oklahoma honored two veterans with U.S. flags Nov. 21. The Final Salute Ceremony at the Oklahoma History Center was the culmination of months of collaboration.

Last summer members of the group took a donation of blankets to the YMCA Military Welcome Center at Will Rogers World Airport and noticed 12 framed flags on the wall. They were flags issued to veterans who had died, but no family members who had been found for a flag presentation.

As a DAR Service for a Veterans project, and with agreement of the Patriot Guard Riders and the Military Welcome Center, Cordelia Steen Chapter genealogists Cathryn Schmid, Jan Beattie and Andrea Aven started research to try to find a family member for each of the 12 veterans. To

SUNNY THOMAS

Lt. Col. Steven Snyder, USAF, Honor Guard; Maj. Gen. Rita Aragon, USAF (Retired), Board President Honoring America's Warriors; Sgt. Machnicz, USA, Honor Guard.

date, a family member for four of the veterans have been located, and the November ceremony honored Jerry Billings, U.S. Navy; and Staff Sgt. Albert Hinton, U.S. Air Force.

Billings’ flag was presented to his cousin, Carla Creekmore and her husband, Sgt. Maj. Chris Creekmore.

The Oklahoma Patriot Guard Riders took Hinton’s flag to the border of Oklahoma and Arkansas, and then it went to Tennessee and Georgia, where it was delivered by Patriot Guard Riders to the Polk County Historical Society Museum in Cedartown, Georgia. It was given to Dr. Sherri Garret, Hinton’s cousin.

The search continues Cordelia Steen Chapter’s goal is to locate a family member for each flag on the wall at the Military Welcome Center, and the Oklahoma Patriot Guard Riders will ensure that each flag goes home.

Register for Y Spring Sports now through Feb. 14, 2021.

Golf | Soccer | Tennis Track & Field Volleyball Miracle League Baseball Season: March - May We continue to take safety precautions for participants and spectators.

SUNNY THOMAS

From left are, Cordelia Steen Chapter Librarian Ellen Lee, Capital District Direct Connie Tate, Cordelia Steen Chapter Regent Andrea Aven, Oklahoma DAR State Regent Teresa Cales.

REGISTER TODAY, TODAY, REGISTER ymcaokc.org/ ymcaokc.org/ sports sports

AIMEE MADDEN, CITY OF CEDARTOWN, GA

SSgt. Albert Hinton's Flag of the U.S.A. presented to his cousin Dr. Sherri Garrett, by a Georgia Patriot Guard Rider.

Page 8 • December 24, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Character Council winners Pete Reeser recognized for his courage Longtime resident and realtor, Pete Reeser received honor as Champion of Character for Courage at the Edmond City Council at last week’s City Council meeting on Dec. 14.

Edmond City Council member, Josh Moore nominated Reeser for Edmond Character Council’s featured trait of the month for July 2020.

Moore said, “From leading his own family to Oklahoma to work for the Sears corporation, to reinventing an entire new career in the real estate business; Pete has never backed down from a challenge that requires courage.”

Reeser accepted a job at Sears and moved in 1963 from Iowa City, Iowa to Oklahoma City with his wife, Betty and four children, Brad, Steve, Korky and Carla.

He worked for 15 years at Sears. He started with a sales position and moved up to store manager at the Midwest City Store.

In August 1978, Pete made the decision to begin a new career in the real estate business and opened a ReMax franchise. The business thrived for the first five years. During that time Reeser built an office building at 10 E. Campbell in Edmond. that accommodated about 75 people.

Penn Square Bank failed and area businesses struggled.

Reeser said, “Then 1985, 1986 and 1987 was awful. Keys were being mailed to mortgage companies.”

Brad Reeser, Pete Reeser’s oldest son, began his career in real estate four years after his father. He described, what he calls, his father’s “gumption.” Pete Reeser remained optimistic. He refused to file for bankruptcy, even though many businesses did during that dark time. He pressed through with an unswerving resolve to pay his people. There were three people in the new office building at that time.

Brad Reeser said, “He became unbelievably successful.

That’s the way he faced adversity throughout his life.”

After the real estate market perked up, a respected competitor, Mo Anderson, brought her Keller Williams franchise to Edmond. Pete Reeser said, “I called her, set an appointment and in one day, made arrangements to move into 10 E. Campbell.”

When asked his view of courage, Reeser recounted his only daughter, Carla Reeser Pribble’s nine-year battle with breast cancer. Pribble flew to Germany to receive treatment that she wasn’t able to receive in the U.S. Reeser said, “Carla’s license plate read, ‘NVRGVIN.’” She determined to live and see her son Brett graduate from high school. Reeser said, “She went to be with her LORD the morning of May 22, 2004. Brett graduated from Edmond High School the afternoon of May 22, 2004.” Reeser concluded by saying, “That my friend is courage.”

In later years, Betty Reeser died from Alzheimer’s disease.

They had been married for 54 years. Brad Reeser said of his dad’s courage, “It’s incredible the things that happened, but he continued to move forward. He doesn’t have a rear-view mirror.”

Moore said, “Communities require people like Pete Reeser so we can witness what courage looks like and go be the best that we can be.”

Pete Reeser’s real estate career spanned 40 years. He has been a resident of Edmond for 56 years. He and his wife, Kathy, have been married for nine years.

On behalf of the City of Edmond and the Character Council of Edmond, Pete Reeser was honored before the City Council They are two of the most successful Realtors in Edmond’s history, Pete Reeser, with his oldest son, Brad Reeser. The Edmond Character Council recently honored Pete Reeser. as a Champion of Character for exemplifying the character trait of courage (overcoming fear by saying and doing what is one person at a time, one community at a time. Toward that end, the Characright). ter Council of Edmond seeks to recognize residents who demonstrate characThe Character Council is a grassroots, nonprofit organization committed to ter, as witnessed by those who have been affected and influenced. creating a citywide initiative to build Edmond into a "Community of CharacTo nominate a citizen as a “Champion of Character,” one who exemplifies ter." these character traits, visit www.edmondcharacter.org or write: Champions of The group believes that the character of a nation can only be strengthened Character, PO Box 392, Edmond OK 73083-0392.

Laura Liles honored as a Champion of Character for resilience

Laura Liles

Laura Liles received recognition as Champion of Character for her resilience from Character Council of Edmond President, Jim Hulsey and board member Gloria Baumann. The “drive-by presentation” took place at Hello Love Salon and Boutique, a business Liles and friend Mackenzie Edgeman opened in 2017.

Liles dreamed of opening her own boutique. She formed a friendship with Edgeman about three years ago when the two worked together. One day, Edgeman shared her vision to offer salon services as a ministry to women undergoing cancer treatment. The two partnered together and the Hello Love Salon became reality.

Due to a family history of breast cancer, Liles had frequent mammograms and testing from the age of twenty-seven, in hopes of early detection and avoiding the need for radiation. It wasn’t a total surprise when her doctor informed her that she had breast cancer. Despite their measures to catch the cancer before it was able to progress, she still needed chemotherapy.

In her nomination of Liles for Champion of Character for Resilience, Executive Director of the Downtown Edmond Business Association Stephanie Carel said, “All the time she is fighting this disease, she has remained steadfast and true to her business, her faith, her family and her friends.”

After the diagnosis, Liles continued to work when she could. Flexible hours at the boutique allowed her the ability to take off when she needed.

Edgeman shaved her head. Liles got a wig. When

people saw her out and about, they complimented her and asked where she got her hair done.

Liles described herself as a fighter, who stands for what she believes. She has been through difficult times before.

Liles said, “Life throws curves. It’s how you respond that marks your character.” Another one of those times came when she and her husband, Gary Liles, had their first child. Their son, Campbell was born two months early, weighing in at two-and-a-half pounds. Laura said, “There were so many risks. That was a faith building time. We learned early on that we could trust God with our children and He loved them more than we did.”

Liles and her family stood strong during the trials. Liles said, “It all comes down to relationship with the Lord. He is the one who gives me the strength. I don’t know how I would’ve done it without Him.” Psalm 138:7,8 inspired Liles in the midst of hard times. Liles said, “We are a testimony for the Lord when we are strong. The test for character is how we handle the adversities in life.”

Laura and Gary Liles have been married for thirty-one years. They raised five children: Campbell, a neurosurgeon at Vanderbilt University; Hannah, an occupation therapist; Jonathan, in medical school at Medical College of Wisconsin; and daughters, Emily and Faith, who are both attending Oklahoma State University.

On behalf of the City of Edmond and the Character Council of Edmond, Laura Liles was honored

See Laura, Page 9

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 24, 2020 • Page 9

Dr. Aamir Mohammad was one of the first to receive the Pfizer COVID19 vaccine last week at Integris Health Edmond.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Integris Edmond starts vaccinations Integris Health Edmond started vaccinating its caregivers with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, Dec. 15. One of the first to receive the vaccine was Aamir Mohammad, M.D., who oversees the hospitalist program. He has been working basically non-stop for the past few months and is relieved the vaccine is finally here.

“This has been a long time coming,” says Mohammad. “Vaccination is a game changer. I feel confident this will turn the tide and look forward to the day in the near future when the vaccine is available to the entire community.”

Alexis Long is a nurse in the hospital’s intensive care unit. She hopes when others have the chance to receive the vaccine that they make the choice to take it. “My mask really does hide the hope and gratitude I am feeling today,” says Long. “I am so lucky to be one of the first to receive this vaccine and I am so grateful for all of the medical specialists and scientists who have made this vaccine possible. We still have a long

way to go but there is finally light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel.”

Jon Rule is the Chief Hospital Executive of INTEGRIS Health Edmond.

He says distribution of the vaccine has rejuvenated his staff. “This week we were fortunate that almost 300 of our caregivers had the opportunity to receive the Pfizer vaccine. The past nine months have been extremely challenging, but our caregivers have responded heroically to this pandemic.” He adds, “It seems appropriate that the first glimpse of hope for our caregivers – an end to the pandemic - would arrive during this blessed holiday season. Our hospital is full, and we know we have a great deal of work ahead of us, but we are optimistic for the future.”

It will take several more months and majority compliance to see the true impact of the vaccine. In the meantime, we need to continue to wear masks, wash our hands and watch our distance from others. Click here for more information on the COVID-19 vaccine.

Free tobacco cessation counseling now offered Oklahomans who want to quit smoking can breathe easier knowing that tobacco cessation counseling treatment is offered at no cost to participants in Oklahoma City through the TSET Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC; formerly the Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center).

The HPRC is a program of the NCI Designated OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center and its mission is to reduce the burden of disease in Oklahoma by addressing tobacco use, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and risky alcohol and other substance use.

The HPRC’s Tobacco Treatment Research Program (TTRP) offers free tobacco cessation counseling services, nicotine patches, lozenges, and gum; opportunities to participate in paid tobacco cessation research studies involving smartphone apps, prescription medications, and monetary rewards for quitting.

Dr. Darla Kendzor, Co-Director of the HPRC, advises that, “Quitting tobacco is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health and the health of your loved ones. To have the best chance of success, it is important to use effective treatments, like counseling and nicotine replacement therapy.”

The year 2020 has been challenging for everyone, but many of us continue to make strides toward improving our physical and mental

health. TTRP strives to help Oklahomans start 2021 on a new foot by offering tools to live a healthier lifestyle. To participate in this program, you must be 18 years or older and use tobacco or other nicotine products. The TTRP has ongoing research studies focused on helping those who want to quit smoking and as well as studies for those who are not yet ready to quit.

The Health Promotion Research Center is supported by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) with the purpose of extending the impact of the trust’s health promotion initiatives and leveraging investments to bring additional funding to Oklahoma from the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other sources.

For more information about smoking cessation treatment and participating in research, please call: (405) 271-QUIT (7848), email: TTRP@ouhsc.edu, or visit: 271quit.com The HPRC receives funding from OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center via an NCI Cancer Center Support Grant (P30CA225520) and the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust grant R21-02. Tobacco Treatment Research Program | IRB # 6951 Darla Kendzor, PhD, Principal Investigator

Laura From Page 8 before the City Council as a Champion of Character for exemplifying the character trait of resilience (in times of adversity, has found ways to move forward by being flexible to realign to new circumstances, with a new plan, new perspective or a new approach).

The Character Council is a grassroots nonprofit organization committed to creating a citywide initiative to build Edmond into a "Community of Character."

The group believes that the charac-

ter of a nation can only be strengthened one person at a time, one community at a time. Toward that end, the Character Council of Edmond seeks to recognize residents who demonstrate character, as witnessed by those who have been affected and influenced.

To nominate a citizen as a “Champion of Character,” one who exemplifies these character traits, visit www.edmondcharacter.org or write: Champions of Character, PO Box 392, Edmond OK 73083-0392

Page 10 • December 24, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side

A very Merry Christmas for thinking a vaccine could be I really hope everyone produced so soon. gets to slow down a bit this There’s something interesting weekend and enjoy the holiabout the disruptive college footday. ball schedule this year.

A lot of people aren’t Because of the postponegoing to have the traditional ments, there isn’t going to be a Christmas get together. big lag between the end of the I imagine some families regular season and the start of will be scaling back this year. I know we are.

Steve Gust the college football bowl season.

Usually, OU and OSU will And if you aren’t, please have about three to four weeks before try to be as safe as possible. actually playing in a bowl.

As I said on the cover of today’s Oklahoma State plays Tuesday, Dec. issue, there is hope in the battle 29 in Orlando. The Sooners play against COVID-19.

Wednesday, Dec. 30 back at Jerry We now have a few vaccines and World in Texas. Less than a week! thousands of doses are making their I remember one year, Ohio State way to Oklahoma. wrapped up its regular football season What’s amazing is how political the the first week of November. They entire issue remains.

We prioritize who gets the vaccines, didn’t play again for almost two months later. I’ve always believed a which is a good idea. But some of the people, who are fifth or sixth down on football team loses some of its timing the list may get their feelings hurt that with that long of a layoff.

NOTES: I get why they limit crowds they aren’t higher on the list. at football games, but it seems to me Then there are the people who most of the Iowa State people were claim Trump had nothing to do with sitting pretty close to each other for the vaccine being ready so fast. Of course when Trump proposed “Opera- the Big 12 Title Game. tion Warp Speed,” most of the folks in (Steve Gust may be reached at the mainstream media laughed at him news@edmondpaper.com)

Support adoptive community this holiday

By Lorenzo Banks Home can have many meanings to different people. Home is as much a feeling as it is a place. Everyone deserves a chance to feel like they have a home.

Supporting children in foster care and the families who care for them remains essential as the holiday season approaches.

As a practicing family law attorney and community activist, I offer help to those looking to finalize their adoption process in any family situation. From grandparents to stepparents the need for family security is significant. I love helping families find that security and celebrate the love that comes with knowing that family is forever.

However, every day in my work, I see populations forgotten, people missed and resources run dry for hundreds in Oklahoma City. The adoption and foster care community has been especially hard hit during COVID-19 times. Delays with virtual court appearances, the inability to conduct home inspections and longer approval times are all making it more difficult for families to finalize adoptions. Children, in turn, are waiting longer to find their homes.

Support through the holidays is crucial for children and their supporting foster families, alike. Efforts like OK Foster Wishes is a great place to ensure foster children are celebrated

during the holidays through monetary and physical support. Buying Christmas gifts can have a meaningful impact on a child, but for those wanting to do more, time is just as important than money.

Often, we don’t know how to provide that time — where do we start to make a dent in changing the future of more than 9,000 children in foster care in Oklahoma? Supporting Oklahoma foster families is the biggest step.

By providing relief care, a cup of coffee or finally hitting “send” on that application to become a foster parent, you can make a difference in the children’s lives by creating strong and supported family homes.

Or, volunteer as mentors in your local schools and at organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters. This makes a huge difference in the lives of children, whether in foster homes or homes of origin. Taking part in the life of a child will strengthen your life in ways you never imagined and can make Oklahoma a stronger state.

Adoption and foster care community members are a resilient group, and they will bounce back from COVID-19. I look forward to helping my current and future clients welcome children into their home, as we work toward placing more resources in the hands of those working to find homes for children in Oklahoma. Join me and my colleagues as we work to create forever families.

Banks is a founding partner of Banks, Gillett & Gillett Attorneys at Law

‘There are problems in the system’ Editor’s Note: The following are excerpts from Sen. James Lankford’s (R-Edmond) address last week before a senate committee looking into fraud allegations in the 2020 presidential election.

An December 2016, there was a poll that was done on if the American people believe the Russians interfered and changed our election. At that time 32 percent of the people believed that the Russians had influenced the outcome of the election—in December of 2016. Based on that belief and what was going it launched a whole series of hearings. Certainly the Russians were trying to interfere in our elections, but we spent millions and millions of dollars investigating it, going through it, ramping up entities like CISA and others to be able to go engage to be able to protect our next election. Senator Klobuchar and I worked for years on election security legislation and worked to be able to get that implemented. We did six different public hearings on Russian interference just on that one topic to make sure we were paying attention to it—when it all started with 32 percent of Americans in December of 2016 believing that the Russians had interfered in our election.

A few days ago, another poll asked the question, “Do you believe there was election voter fraud in the presidential election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump?” This December 46 percent of the voters in America have said yes, 45 percent saying no. Interestingly enough, Trump voters said there was fraud 80 percent. Biden vot-

opportunity for accusations of fraud ers also said 16 percent that they because all of our ballots were in. believe there was voter. The reaAmazingly enough, a week after son I bring that up is, we watched the election was completed this Nowhat happened in 2016 and what vember, Oklahomans were listening the American people thought and to other states that were saying saw—so we engaged with hearthings like ‘we don’t know how ings, we looked at the issues and many more ballots there are left to determined do things need to count.’ We had been done for a change? Much of the work that week. We and 27 other states had has gone on the last several years been completed for a week. That to get paper ballots in to states gives opportunity for fraud and queshappened because this Congress tions and problems. That’s a reasonengaged on an issue where we able question to ask. It’s reasonable saw an obvious problem. And so to be able to ask if people can drift we distributed federal dollars, asaround and gather ballots from other sistance, and a constant drumbeat people and do ballot harvesting—and to say these states have got to fix in some states that’s legal. Does that the areas where they don’t have provide an opportunity for fraud? I paper ballots and we have the pothink the obvious answer is yes. The tential for problems. That was the obvious answer is if you mail a ballot question—is there a potential for a Sen. Lankford to everyone in the state even if they problem? The answer was, yes didn’t ask for it does it provide an opportunity for there was a potential and we ought to fix that.

Now, amazingly, after this election all kinds of is- fraud? Especially when the state did not first purge or verify those addresses and they sent thousands sues have come up and said there are potentials of ballots to people that no longer live there. I’ve for problem and everyone seems to be saying talked to a Nevada resident that received multiple ‘move on.’ The only reason that I can think that would be different is of the election outcome seem at their home for people that no longer live there.

That’s a problem, and we should at least admit to be different. And one side is now saying let’s that’s a problem. And for some reason the other just move on and ignore this. In my state on elecside was very focused on, ‘we’ve got to fix the potion night, like 27 other states in the country, by that evening we were counting votes and all absen- tential for problems from 2016, but in 2020 when tee ballots had been received. There was much less See Lankford, Page 11

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 24, 2020 • Page 11

Lankford From Page 10 there is potential for problem in things that have been shown everyone seems to say, move along. Let’s not discuss this. There’s a system call the ERIC System that’s in place that 30 states cooperate with. It helps them verify if people moved and they’re registered in two different states or if they moved into your state and they’re registered somewhere else. It helps determine if they’re voting in two different states.

Only 30 states use that. Other states

Julian and Gerald Schwarz

BocaMag.com

‘Two Fathers, Two Sons’

Armstrong Auditorium sets special show on Jan. 7 Under the direction of his father, the internationally-recognized conductor Gerard Schwarz, acclaimed cellist Julian Schwarz will make his debut appearance at Armstrong Auditorium with the Mozart Orchestra of New York on Thursday, Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

The program “Two Fathers, Two Sons” will also feature Armstrong’s music director Ryan Malone on harpsichord and his son Seth Malone on cello. The program was rescheduled from March last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re excited to welcome a cellist of Julian’s caliber, as well as the return of his father who is worldrenown as one of the great conductors of our day,” Armstrong’s Concert Manager Ryan Malone said.

“It will also be an honor to perform with the Schwarzes alongside my son Seth.”

The illustrious Schwarzes will meld their musical talents with the Mozart Orchestra of New York to deliver an exciting program of masterpieces from legendary composers Haydn, Vivaldi and Mozart. In addition to the well-known cello concerto by Haydn, the performance will include a highly anticipated rendition of the rarely performed Vivaldi Double Cello Concerto, featuring both sons on cello.

Heralded as an exceptional cellist from a young age, Julian Schwarz receives praise for his powerful tone, effortless virtuosity and extraordinarily large color palette. His captivating performances have dazzled audiences around the world, beginning with his concerto debut at the age of 11. His achievements include winning first prize at the 2013 Schoenfeld International String Competition and at the 2016 Boulder International String Competition's "The Art of the Duo" alongside his fiancée, Marika Bournaki.

Celebrated for his moving performances and innovative programming, Gerard Schwarz is a prolific conductor as well as an inspired musician and composer. His diverse talents and command of his craft are on full display in each of his evocative performances as conductor of the Mozart Orchestra of New York,

which he created in collaboration with the New York Chamber Soloists, who act as the principal players.

Among his numerous accolades, he has received seven Emmy Awards, 14 GRAMMY nominations and eight ASCAP Awards.

Tickets to Julian Schwarz, Cellist, Gerard Schwarz and Mozart Orchestra of New York range from $31 to $71 for orchestra seating. Seating is limited to 30% of capacity to create needed space between patrons for social distancing. Masks will be required for patrons while not seated.

To promote safety at the event, there will not be an intermission break. For tickets please call (405) 285-1010.

The performance will also be available via live-stream. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/3qFpiVS The award-winning Armstrong Auditorium has established itself as a world-class center for the arts in Oklahoma since 2010. The theater has hosted acclaimed local and international performances from a vast array of genres, including classical, jazz and folk music, theater, classical ballet, folk dance and more. Designed to provide an exceptional acoustic experience, only 75 feet separate the stage from the back wall.

Upcoming Performances Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021 - 7:30 p.m.

Mark Jenkins and Friends Oklahoma Jazz Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 - 7:30 p.m.

The King’s Singers Finding Harmony Thursday, April 8, 2021 - 7:30 p.m.

Cellist Sara Sant’Ambrogio Journey Through North and South America Sunday, April 18, 2020 - 7:30 p.m.

An Evening with Branford Marsalis The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul Thursday, April 29, 2021 - 7:30 p.m.

Zukerman Trio Featuring Pinchas Zukerman

are not and even of the 30 states that use it not all of them are actually using it. They are literally on the system but they’re not actually purging their rolls when they know there are people that have moved out of their states and have been informed of that. Just this last year in the ERIC system they identified 91,000 people that are registered voters that are dead. 91,000 that that one system had recognized. There are problems in the system.

Page 12 • December 24, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Young man will get to spend holidays at home

Leukemia treatment has officials hopeful This spring, five years after his diagnosis with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Ryan VanZandt experienced his second relapse, the type of bad news that typically would mean his treatment options had run their course. However, the return of his cancer coincided with the arrival of a new immune therapy at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, which is giving new hope to Ryan and patients like him.

This year, Ryan became the first patient at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital to receive CAR-T, a new treatment for blood cancers in which a patient’s own immune cells are genetically modified to recognize and attack cancer cells. Since receiving CAR-T, Ryan has been in remission and will be able to spend the holidays at home with his family for the first time in years.

“This revolutionary new treatment successfully eliminated Ryan’s leukemia, and it did so by attacking only the cancer cells, not the normal cells in his body,” said Rikin K. Shah, M.D., interim director of pediatric transplantation and cellular therapy at the Jimmy Everest Center at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital. “This treatment is changing the landscape of pediatric cancer treatment because it is giving an opportunity for survival for those patients who had run out of treatment options.”

CAR-T stands for Chimeric Antigen Receptor Tcell therapy. Patients being treated with CAR-T first have their blood collected in a process similar to a typical blood donation. White blood cells (which include T cells) are filtered out and sent to a company that inserts the gene for a chimeric antigen receptor into the T cells, which binds to cancer cells and activates the T cells. This process allows the newly engineered T cells to recognize and attack cancer with remarkable efficiency. Once the CAR-T cells are generated, they are shipped back to the hospital and given to the patient through an IV, much like a blood transfusion.

Ryan’s long journey with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, began in August 2015. A typical teenager and a high school athlete in Duncan, Ryan was running on a freshly mowed track during cross-country practice when he became exhausted and couldn’t finish his lap. In the days ahead, he became increasingly tired and sleepy and quit hanging out with his friends. He even lost interest in playing games on his Xbox, one of his favorite things to do.

After his diagnosis with ALL, Ryan received chemotherapy at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital for nearly three-and-a-half years, a standard length of treatment to ensure the cancer doesn’t return.

Ryan faced complications during that time, including serious bouts with pancreatitis, but at the end of his chemotherapy, in January 2019, he was declared cancer-free.

“I was feeling pretty good,” Ryan said. “I rang the bell at the hospital,” a tradition for patients who are free of cancer.

But the good news was short-lived. Four months later, in May 2019, Ryan’s leukemia returned in his

PHOTO PROVIDED

Ryan VanZandt with Rikin K. Shah, M.D. Dr. Shah has been very impressed with the success of Ryan’s latest treatment.

spinal fluid. He started back on chemotherapy, and again the cancer cells were eliminated. He stayed on a chemotherapy regimen, but a year later, in May 2020, he had a second relapse, this time in his bone marrow and his spinal fluid. That’s when his doctors decided he was a candidate for the new option of CAR-T “The success rate of treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia with chemotherapy in young people is usually very high. The problem is that when patients have a recurrence, the outcomes are dismal,” Shah said. “That’s why CAR-T is so important – because it allows us to help patients whose cancer would otherwise be deemed incurable. And Ryan was able to have CAR-T therapy in Oklahoma instead of going out of state, which would bring an additional burden of travel and finding housing for a month.”

Although CAR-T therapy has cleared his body of cancerous cells, Ryan’s treatment for ALL is not quite over. Next year, he will have a bone marrow transplant from his sister Savannah, who is a perfect match for the donation of a brand-new immune system.

However, the transplant would not be possible without Ryan first receiving CAR-T. “Patients are not eligible for bone marrow transplants when they still have leukemia cells, and because Ryan had relapsed, he still had cancerous cells,” Shah said. “CAR-T therapy allowed us to put his leukemia into remission so that he will be able to have the transplant.”

As CAR-T continues to be studied, it will likely

help patients at several different stages of their treatment, Shah said. For some patients, it will serve as the final treatment and the CAR-T cells will stay vigilant in the body in an effort to eliminate any new cancerous cells. It also may move up earlier in the treatment process, or be used to treat patients whose bone marrow transplants fail.

“This type of immune therapy is going to change the way we treat cancer in the next five years because we are harnessing the patient’s own immune cells to fight cancer,” Shah said.

Ryan’s mother, Bylynn VanZandt, read online about CAR-T before it was approved for use in the United States. Like any mother, she was nervous about her son receiving a new treatment, she said, but the timing was a godsend.

“We were down to some of the last options, so we decided to do it,” she said. “It was clear that it would make the transplant possible for him.”

Ryan’s five years with leukemia have not been easy, his mother said, but their faith, family, friends and church family have supported them in numerous ways. Ryan graduated from Durant High School and has taken classes at Southeastern Oklahoma State University as his health has allowed; he is majoring in business and envisions a career in banking.

“It’s definitely been a long journey,” Ryan said.

“All my friends and family have kept my spirits up.

I do my best to look on the brighter side of things.

This has given me a new perspective on life, especially to value the people who have cared for and supported me.”

Billye Putnam

Recalling famed basket weaver Billye Putnam, member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International, Edmond chapter Gamma Zeta, presented an educational on award- winning Cherokee basket-weaver Mary Aitson.

Aitson, a Cherokee Nation citizen, was named the 2018 Red Earth Honored One, an award bestowed upon a Native master visual artist whose support of Indian art has been substantial throughout her life. She works with cultural designs and native materials including honeysuckle and buck brush.

Her choices of natural dyes include black walnut and bloodroot as well as blueberries, elderberries and pokeberries.

She embraces a spectrum of basketry mediums and has produced pieces in palm using both commercial dyes as well as non-traditional natural dyes like red onionskins and peach leaves. Her baskets have been in the gallery at the southern Plains Indian Museum in Anadarko, Kirkpatrick Galleries in Oklahoma City, Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum in Woodward, and the Red Earth Art Center in Oklahoma City. She has also demonstrated basket weaving at the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa.

This year’s educational theme is Prominent Women in Oklahoma, and Mary Aitson is indeed an outstanding Oklahoman.

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 24, 2020 • Page 13

Came back to a campus profoundly changed by virus

Deployed reservist & a unique graduation When Thomas Drakeley boarded the Airbus 777 on Jan. 1, 2020, to fulfill a dream of serving his country, he had visions of what to expect. The 22-year-old planned to take a semester off from classes at Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, delay graduation, serve six months in Qatar with the Air National Guard and return to a campus similar to the one he left.

When he left for the Middle East, OSU’s Stillwater campus was bustling with more than 20,000 students, and almost no one had heard of COVID19. But the coronavirus pandemic delayed his return to the United States; when he arrived back in Oklahoma in August, he found a campus transformed to combat COVID-19.

Despite the changes, including socially distanced classrooms and group projects conducted by video chat, Drakeley and his classmates made the best of the situation. He was one of more than 6,000 graduates from 2020 recognized during OSU’s virtual commencement ceremonies held earlier this month.

“I just really appreciate the opportunity that Oklahoma State gave me,” Drakeley said. “I’ve gained a lot of insight and I’ve gained a lot of knowledge from the school. It’s definitely prepared me to become a leader.”

Born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut, Drakeley followed his sister, Molly, to OSU. She graduated in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in ani-

Thomas Drakeley mal sciences and is a third-year student in OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He pursued a management degree and decided to join an Air National Guard unit based in Tulsa.

In October 2019, he volunteered for a six-month deployment to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

“I asked them if there’s ever an opportunity (for deployment) in January or closer to May where I’d just miss a semester,” Drakeley said. “I never really had the opportunity to fully engage in the military environment, so I really wanted to deploy, and I really wanted to make sure it only took up one semester. So, when that January opportunity arose, I decided it was too good to pass up.”

Drakeley served with an aircraft re-

fueling team at the air base, a hub for all U.S. aircraft in the Middle East.

“It’s the largest operating base for the Air Force in the Central Command, and I really enjoyed my job,” said Drakeley, whose 180-day stay was eventually extended to around 220 due to the pandemic. “I’ve had the opportunity the past four years to work in the career field of fuel distribution. But I got to do that overseas, and I got to fuel more planes in my six or seven months over there than my entire time in Tulsa. They had so much more equipment, and there were so many more different planes from different countries.”

It’s also where he met his fiancée, Destiny Dailey. They met in a Student Flight program for new members in 2016 and quickly became friends.

The pair kept in touch as they completed basic training and throughout tech school, and the friendship turned into something more.

Drakeley plans to pursue a master’s degree in business administration (MBA), while Dailey is studying to become a registered nurse at Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma. The pair plan to marry in January 2022, and both hope to graduate in May of that year.

He says none of this would be possible — meeting his fiancée, joining the Air National Guard, traveling to the Middle East and earning his bachelor’s degree — without following his sister to OSU.

“The business school has done a great job of finding professors who care about what they teach, and they have made the learning experience something I’ve enjoyed,” he said. “I’m so very glad that I took the opportunity to come to Oklahoma State, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Destiny Dailey and Thomas Drakeley met shortly after joining an Air National Guard unit in Tulsa, and are now engaged to be married.

Daffodils soon to beautify grounds of Arcadia Round Barn Volunteers gathered at the Arcadia Round Barn on Nov. 27 to plant 750 daffodil bulbs awarded by the Oklahoma City Community Foundation to the Arcadia Historical and Preservation Society.

Ann Young, vice president of the historical society board, applied for the grant and spearheaded the planting of the bulbs. Board members and other Round Barn volunteers planted the flowers on the slope in front of the barn, where they will provide an explosion of spring color for travelers along Historic Route 66.

“The nonprofit Arcadia Historical and Preservation Society depends on donations for beautification projects at the Round Barn, and we are so appreciative of this generous gift from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation,” said Young, whose husband, Hank, and son, Tom, helped the planting crew get the bulbs in the ground within a couple of hours.

As part of the Rebloom Oklahoma initiative, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation provided 65,000 free bulbs to neighborhood associations and volunteer organizations for planting in highly-visible public spaces in Oklahoma County. Neighborhood medians and entryways, schools, libraries, community parks and greenbelts will be beautified with flowers expected to bloom in the spring of 2021.

The Arcadia Historical and Preservation Society owns and operates the Arcadia Round Barn, which was built in 1898 and became a museum in 1992 after it was lovingly restored by a group of volunteer carpenters. The downstairs museum is currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the grounds and loft remain open daily.

PHOTO/KIMBERLY BURK - ROUND BARN PUBLICIST The barn is located six miles east of Interstate 35 on Historic Round Barn volunteer Ben McDonald, Arcadia Historical and Preservation Society Vice Route 66. The board of directors appreciates tax-deductible finanPresident Ann Young and her son, Tom, were among those who planted bulbs last cial donations, which can be made on the Arcadia Round Barn webweek at the Arcadia Round Barn. site or by mailing to P.O. Box 134, Arcadia, OK 73007.

Page 14 • December 24, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Review of ‘Soul’

Another triumph for Pixar filmmakers

By George Gust 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the land not a theater was open, not even a mouse.

The TVs were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that a new movie from St. Disney Plus soon would be there. And alas what joy would the children find when they look to their screens and find the newest Pixar film “Soul” to add to their new Christmas routines.

“Soul” tells the story of Joe (voice of Jamie Foxx), a middle-school band teacher whose life has not quite gone the way he expected. His true passion is jazz, and he is good. But when he travels to another realm to help an infant soul (voice of Tina Fey) find their passion, he soon discovers what it means to have soul.

Pixar has this knack for finding the zone between being a children’s piece of entertainment and thoughtful contemplative stories for adults.

“Soul” finds itself leaning more towards the mature contemplative big ideas, a la “Inside Out,” but still has some goofy circumstances and sequences kids can enjoy. Particularly the sequences set in the realm between the living and the dearly departed where the souls all have a pleasant fluffy and cute presentation for the children while the

implications of grandiose concepts like ‘why are we here?’ are absorbed by the adults. This fine line between the brooding and the broad is walked wonderfully by the film as they can keep the characters’ goals front of mind while being light and entertaining.

When taking years to create massive, animated movies like “Soul” the amount of time and attention that is put into the story and visual is astounding. “Soul” takes place in New York City, and does not shy away from showing the dirt, and grime of the real-world city streets. When viewing “Soul” you’ll often notice the passing details like the remnants of overflowing garbage cans or the distinctive wear on a student’s trombone, all of

which enrich the visual world of an introspective story about savoring the little details of life.

The voice work of Foxx & Fey brings loads of life and charm to these disparate characters that only build upon each other throughout the film.

The film works best when the characters are running around the beautifully animated New York City contemplating the meaning of life through their relationships to people and the other small wonders of life.

However, when we’re spending time in the undefined between realm there are a lot of rules and bureaucracies to sort out that make you wish for more of the mainline story. But overall, ”Soul” is another triumph of animated filmmaking for Pixar, that brings together emotionally genuine storytelling using the most cutting edge animation techniques.

“Soul” is rated PG for some language and thematic elements. Available to stream on Disney + Christmas Day. 4.6 out of 5 stars

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

PHOTO PROVIDED

Jamie Foxx brings to life (and beyond?) Joe-a down on his luck band teacher who never got his break to be a jazz piano musician in Pixar's latest contemplative animated romp ‘Soul.’’

Memorial grad wins choir spot Answers appearing on Page 19

Nathan Milligan, a 2018 graduate of Edmond Memorial High School, is the newest member of Vocal Point, a nine-member male a cappella ensemble at Brigham Young University.

Vocal Point is BYU’s premiere pop a cappella group and has a recording contract with Universal Music Group as part of its Decca Gold Label. During the past four years, the ensemble has won eight CARA awards, the equivalent of a Grammy in the a cappella community.

“It’s just been a lifelong dream, for sure. I remember watching them in 2011 when they were on The SingOff on NBC, and falling in love with them,” said Milligan, who is a junior information systems major at the private university associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and located in Provo, Utah.

“Ever since then I have wanted to go to BYU and wanted to audition for them. It’s still hard to believe that it’s real.”

Milligan was a member of the show choir at Edmond Memorial, which he said performed a lot of a cappella jazz music. He also held leadership roles in the annual Follies variety shows, and See Grad, Page 16

Crossword Puzzle STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: BOARD GAMES ACROSS 1. Dealer's hand, in cribbage 5. Wade's opponent 8. Galsworthy's "The Forsyte ____" 12. Nevada city 13. Prima donna 14. Weasel's cousin 15. Makes collar for RBG 16. Between the id and super-ego, pl.

17. Can be hot or cold, meteorologically speaking 18. *Real estate-related board game 20. Elvis Presley's "____ and Fortune" 21. Preface, e.g.

22. *A top one is a game piece in #18 Across 23. Open carriage 26. Having a malignant influence 30. "Wheel of Fortune" request 31. Stay clear of 34. Knife wound 35. Touch of color 37. Computer network acronym 38. Awaken 39. Wet nurse 40. Castrated man 42. Yale-____ College, Singapore 43. Aircraft's additional equipment holder 45. They're denoted in red 47. Eric Stonestreet on "Modern Family" 48. Allergic reaction to bee sting 50. Amusing 52. *Word game 55. Don McLean: "Drove my chevy to the ____" 56. Joie de vivre 57. Charlie Parker's nickname 59. Bake an egg 60. Knocks on the door, e.g.

61. 1970s hairdo 62. Milk ____, candy 63. Swallowed 64. Reason to cram DOWN 1. Tube in old TV 2. Paper unit

3. "He's Just Not That ____ You" 4. Herzegovina's partner 5. Excessive sternness 6. Convex molding 7. *Candy Land difficulty level 8. *Napoleon-themed game of strategy 9. Niels Bohr's study object 10. Autry or Wilder 11. Simon's former partner 13. Performed comprehensively or in-____, pl.

14. Butcher's refuse 19. Beginning of sickness 22. TV classic "Hee ___" 23. *Board game island ready for settlers 24. True inner self 25. Linear particle accelerator, for short 26. Take-out handout 27. Half human-half goat, pl.

28. February "People," e.g.

29. *Game with rooks

32. *Game involving Mr. Boddy's murderer 33. Chewbacca's sidekick 36. *a.k.a. draughts 38. Type of parallelogram 40. Liberty Tree, e.g.

41. Vacuums, e.g.

44. Extra shirt, e.g.

46. Sabbath, alt. sp.

48. Audienceís approval 49. Window treatment 50. Bloody king of Israel 51. "Metamorphoses" poet 52. Serum, pl.

53. *The Game of ____ 54. Makes mistakes 55. Acid drug 58. Part of URL

See Answers On Page 19

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 24, 2020 • Page 15

Pomegranates: An exotic fruit & no relation to Joe

By Carol Smaglinski Got an old T-shirt that has seen better days? Slip it on if you are going to be wrestling with a pomegranate.

After splitting open, giving a pomegranate a big squeeze, its red juice may splatters all over and leave stains.

The brilliant red juice is used in dye for staining Persian rugs. Even though the fruit has been called nature’s most labor intensive fruit, the sweet-tart taste is worth the effort for many recipes.

Pomegranates, also known as Chinese Apples, are available in late fall through winter. I picked some up the other day in a large local supermarket for about $2 each.

Due to the fact that they stay fresh in a bowl for a week or under refrigeration for up to three months, the jewel-like seeds are worth the money. Its name comes from the Latin pomum granatum, translated as the fruit of seeds or apple.

Technically, this sturdy fruit is classified as a leathery berry (at 2 to 5 inches in diameter) and they are picked off on a bushy shrub that can reach up to 20 feet.

The pomegranate originated in Persia (Iran) and has bumpy leather-like skin. At times, that skin kept people alive crossing the desert because of its staying power.

Inside the fruit are membranes that contain hundreds of potassium-rich translucent seeds. It is for that reason alone that pomegranates are a symbol of fertility. The seeds are called arils, also called an arillus, which is a specialized

outgrowth from a seed that partly or completely covers the seed.

Ever heard of grenadine used in cocktails? The base for that is pomegranate juice. You see, when dealing with pomegranates, there are several possibilities.

Some people grind the seeds into a powder and use them in Indian and Middle Eastern recipes. Others press the seeds to get to the juice, or chew on the seeds, swallow the juice and spit out the shells of the seeds.

To open a pomegranate, lay out some paper towels and you can hit the fruit with a rolling pin to loosen the seeds, and begin by cutting around its middle, not through the stalk. Then, set it in a bowl and pry open the halves. Give it a good swat with the back of a spoon and the seeds will fall out. Throw away the pith and the white membrane that forms its compartments for the seeds and the stained paper towels.

A simple but surprisingly beautiful dessert is to peel several oranges, lay the segments out on the most attractive flat dish you have and sprinkle with the glistening pomegranate seeds.

For an attractive salad presentation, sprinkle red seeds over the top or spread around the dish as a delightful garnish.

Or, just eat the seeds as a snack.

For a captivatingly cool non-alcoholic drink, fill a champagne flute ¾ of the way with club soda, add a splash of pomegranate juice and a squirt of fresh lime. No complex creations here.

Cheers!

Page 16 • December 24, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Couple reflects on business milestone

By Mary Nhin On Dec. 10, 2010, just over 10 years ago we opened our first store that would soon become a chain.

Time really does fly by when you’re having fun. What’s even more surprising to me is that my relationship with Kang has only grown stronger as we weather the business storms together. I really admire those of you who are able to work hand in hand with your significant other. It’s a dance.

He goes one way and I pull him back. I go one way and he pulls me back.

And somehow, we meet harmoniously in the middle. In many ways, we are yin and yang. While Kang provides much needed creativity (food recipes) and technical know how (restaurant operations), I make up the difference on the back end pulling from my love of strategy, marketing, and finance.

There have been so many times we have almost called it quits both in our marriage and business, together. Like the time, an employee stole close to six figures from us by refunding his own credit card over a one year period. (He was a criminal justice major, too.) We felt the painstaking wounds of backstabbing. As an involved and engaged employer, there’s nothing we won’t do for our employees short of breaking the law so every embezzlement case hurts us on a very personal level.

Then, there was the time in the beginning when Kang was working 16 hour days to get the business off the ground and I felt like I was raising three boys on my own. Those were hard times.

And that’s not to mention the years where the sales were lean and fights would ensue over finances.

But through it all, we made it. And I think partnering with my husband was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. But I may not be the only one who feels like this…

These days consumers value personal connection over the drum hum of automated businesses. Family-owned businesses bring forth unique, organic side hustles to life. Husband and wife teams comprise of 1.4 million businesses in the U.S. These family run businesses have and can weather the economic downturns better than their corporate counterparts. The difference lies in the founders’ strong belief in their vision, and family and workplace bonds.

Couples who run a business together enjoy a beautiful combination of yin and yang that isn’t found elsewhere. I’ve taken our hard-earned lessons and whittled it down to the best hacks for making a couple-owned business not only work, but excel in all parts of life. However, there are potential landmines that you want to avoid. Here are my best couple crushing it tips found by hard-earned lessons learned along the way.

Yin and Yang We both feel like a key to our success is that we each do what the other views as “the annoying work.” While Kang enjoys the artistic side of their work, I am best at the analytical and business side. This allows each of us to do only what we love. I never have to deal with creating food recipes, and Kang never has to post on social media. By working in tandem, we’re allowed more time with our family. The trick is to find what you both love to do, while complementing each other.

Living the Dream Another advantage to partnering with your significant other is that you can continue the discussions at home and never have to worry about leaving your spouse at home alone while you work late. In this way, Kang and I was able to grow the business faster. impromptu business discussions over breakfast or over dinner have resulted in the best strategic decisions for the business. It’s so easy to work day and night. Just make sure you are having off time from discussions about work, too. We do this by leaving our phones at home while on date nights. I’ve made it thing to take our picture before we leave on our dates and then we focus on each other the rest of the evening.

Mary & Kang Communication is KEY While Kang was the silent, passive aggressive type, I was the hot and heavy one, releasing every thought that came rushing to my brain. These days, we’ve learned how to navigate our feelings in a way that conveys our ideas while respecting each other’s views. I think having an additional business relationship has strengthened our bond. Because we had money and our livelihoods on the line, it forced us to mature faster. We needed to find a smart resolution instead of stonewalling or hastily taking off. The easiest route is to blame, fight, or become passive aggressive. We had to learn how to use alternative methods; better methods to increase communication and thus performance and productivity. It’s important to be a good communicator, both in your personal and business life.

If a couple can withstand the business hurdles that face them, they will eventually succeed not only in business, but in marriage and life.

For more information, visit www.nhinja.com

Grad From Page 14 took voice lessons from choir director Wesley Singleton.

“Nathan was an exceptional student and a great vocalist. He was a kind, compassionate leader in the choral department with a most positive attitude,” Singleton said.

“I always suspected Nathan would do great things in the field of music beyond high school,” Singleton said.

“His God-given talent and his responsibility to it are the foundation of a lifelong love of singing, whether it be as a career or generously sharing his gift with others as a performer.”

The November audition process for Vocal Point started with a video audition, Milligan said, and he was one of six basses who earned callbacks. The in-person auditions included prepared numbers, sightreading and a choreography routine. That narrowed the list to two basses invited back for personal interviews, and on the day after Thanksgiving he learned he was in.

No concerts are scheduled until at least May due to the pandemic, but the group is busy recording and creating videos.

“I hit the ground running,” he said in early December. “We had four rehearsals this past week. We are doing a music video to be used in January.

Our director is absolutely phenomenal. His name is McKay Crockett.”

Vocal Point was founded in 1991

Milligan as a private venture by BYU students Bob Ahlander and Dave Boyce, who grew up in Oklahoma. The ensemble became the school’s newest performing group in 1994 when it joined with the School to Music to establish a permanent tradition of a cappella music.

At the invitation of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, Vocal Point performed at nearly every major venue for the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 24, 2020 • Page 17

Metro high school seeks business partners Cristo Rey Oklahoma City Catholic High School (Cristo Rey OKC) is calling on Oklahoma City businesses to become a partner and help train students, who represent the city’s future workforce.

Created to support students of limited economic resources, Cristo Rey OKC’s Corporate Work Study Program is what makes the high school unique. The program offers an opportunity for students to understand the value of hard work while helping stabilize high-turnover positions for businesses, reduce burnout in full-time staff, and bring community engagement into workplaces. However, due to COVID19, the school is experiencing an extreme shortage of business partners.

“The impact COVID-19 has had on the education industry is striking, but Oklahoma students are some of the ones suffering the most,” Cristo Rey OKC Pres-

ident Chip Carter said. “Our business partners are the reason our students can gain access to the professional and educational opportunities that they otherwise may never receive.

Assuming the role of an employee-leasing agency, the Corporate Work Study Program has streamlined the process for employing students. Through a feefor-service contract, paid quarterly, annually, or monthly by the sponsoring organization, our students are employed through the Corporate Work Study Program and assigned jobs at our individual partners.

Students work in a four-person, job-sharing team to fill one full-time equivalent position during standard daily business hours, Monday through Friday, for the entire academic year. Academic schedules are strucStudents of Cristo Rey OKC work in a 4tured so that students work without ever missing person, job-sharing team to fill one full-

See School, Page 18 time equivalent position.

Possible evictions threaten 20,000 metro households

By Vicki Clark Gourley OKC FRIDAY Newspaper A grandmother is caring for her grandchildren, ages 6, 7, and 8. She has a job and is making ends meet. Then the pandemic strikes. The schools close. She has to cut back her hours to take care of the children.

She gets a little behind on her bills. Her debts grow larger with each month. Now she and the children are facing eviction in January.

The Homeless Alliance estimates 20,000 households are at imminent risk of being evicted in Oklahoma County the first of the year. Several local agencies are working to keep people from becoming homeless.

Dan Strong, executive director of the alliance, told OKC FRIDAY that beds in homeless shelters have shrunk from 900 to 600 due to COVID social distancing rules. But even 900 would not be nearly

If you are living comfortably, please choose an agency dealing with keeping people in a house and donate. enough.

The Homeless Alliance facilitates collaboration between Neighborhood Services Organization, Upward Transitions, Catholic Charities, the Oklahoma Community Foundation, Community Action, Community Cares Partnership, and several other organizations. These help people pay rent and utilities and stop homelessness. $500 to $2,000 can save a family The total financial cost is enormous, but agen-

Baker new CEO & president of CareSource Okla. Health needs of the stakeholders. As Long-time managed health a long-time leader in the mancare operator William (Bill) aged Medicaid industry, he Baker, Jr. has agreed to join has implemented and led sevCareSource Oklahoma eral new managed Medicaid Health Plan Co. as CEO and markets. Baker has a history of Oklahoma Market President. developing innovative partnerThe company, a joint venture ships with both providers and between CareSource and hospitals and successfully neHealthcare Highways, is bidBaker gotiating contracts that create ding on Oklahoma’s Soona strong provider network to erSelect Medicaid program. drive member access to care and “CareSource is fully committed to quality outcomes. One of his key acOklahoma and it is important to us complishments was spearheading a to identify a Medicaid managed care expert to lead CareSource Oklahoma, public-private partnership with a large social service agency that combined in the event that we are fortunate education and outreach with tradienough to be awarded a contract,” tional case management and prevenCareSource President and CEO Ertive medicine for high-risk, inner-city hardt Preitauer said. “Bill brings unfamilies. matched knowledge and expertise in “If selected and awarded a conthe managed care industry. He is an tract, CareSource is slated to hire 279 accomplished leader with superior new employees in Oklahoma with a management and operations skills, potential $60 million economic imwhich will be important for the sucpact to the state,” Baker continued. cessful implementation of the Soon“This is the perfect opportunity to erSelect program.” lead the expansion of managed care Baker has dedicated his profesin the state with an organization that sional career to designing, building, has developed game-changing proimplementing and managing Medigrams around the Medicaid members caid managed healthcare operations that are market tested.” in order to successfully meet the

Sonic supports education For the 12th year in a row and during an especially urgent time of need, SONIC Drive-In donated an all-time high of $1.3 million to fund public school teacher requests across the country as part of its annual Limeades for Learning Fall Voting Campaign. In partnership with nonprofit teacher crowdfunding platform, DonorsChoose and with the help of SONIC fans, a teacher from Edmond, was among the community heroes up-voted to receive $312 for essential materials to create an engaging learning environment.

"Celebrating public school teachers through our Fall Voting Campaign feels special every year, but especially this year, as our incredible public

school teachers are going the extra mile to keep their students inspired, regardless of where their classroom may be," said Christi Woodworth, vice president for public relations for SONIC. From Monday, Sept. 28 through Sunday, Oct. 25, SONIC fans voted for teacher requests that moved them at Limeades for Learning, and the requests with the most votes nationwide received funding, totaling $1.3 million at the close of the campaign.

The following local teacher earned funding as part of the annual Fall Voting Campaign.

Becky Karcher at Oakdale Elementary School for the project "Making Math Fun!"

cies can negotiate with landlords not to evict a family, sometimes for as little as $500. Your donation of any size can make a difference.

The federal moratorium on evictions is due to expire at the end of the month, Dec. 31.

“OKC has about $4.5 million CARES Act money.

All of the big foundations, Inasmuch, Oklahoma City Community Foundation are “very engaged,” said Strong.

“Studies show Oklahoma City is short 4,500 units of truly affordable housing,” Strong continued. “The pandemic has exacerbated the problem beyond the nonprofit organizations’ abilities to fund the 18,000 requests for assistance.”

If you are living comfortably, please choose an agency dealing with keeping people in a house and donate.

Also remember City Rescue, Jesus House,Salvation Army and the shelters.

Page 18 • December 24, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Arledge & Associates Q&A

A look at the home office deduction

CASUAL CASUAL ELEG ELEGANCE ANCE

OAK O AK A TREE

GRAND TIMBER

Mullins

Are there multiple methods to claiming the home office deduction?

Yes, there are two methods to claiming a home office deduction. he first method is the Simplified Option for Home Office Deduction. This method allows you to claim up to a maximum amount of 300 square feet of home office space and take a deduction of $5 per square foot. The maximum deduction in this scenario is $1,500. The second method is the Regular Method. This is generally deductions under this method are based on the percentage of your home devoted to your business use.

ABBEY PL PLACE ACE

11TH GREEN OF O OAK A AK TREE N NATIONAL! ATIO T NAL!

By Josh Mullins For tax purposes self-employed individuals are allowed to take a deduction for a home office if this is your primary place of your business and you must regularly and exclusively use the space for your business.

STAYCATION ST TAYC CA ATIO T N RETREA RETREAT! AT! T

IC ICONIC ONIC O OAK AK TREE N NATIONAL ATIO TI T NAL

IN THE HEAR HEART RT OF EDMO EDMOND ND

May I take the home office deduction as an employee since I work remotely now due to COVID19?

Unfortunately, employees are not eligible to take the home office deduction. In some instances the employer may provide reimbursement policies for expenses you incur due to working from home but those are decided by each and every employer.

Also, something to consider, if you are working from home and your home state is different than the state the business operates in you should talk to your employer and your tax preparer about making sure your state withholdings are in the correct state.

13TH F FAIRWAY AIR RWAY - O OAK AK TREE BEA BEAUTY UTY

WO NDERFULL WONDERFULLY RFULL LY MAINT MAINTAINED! TA AINED!

AMAZING REMODEL!

FABULOUS F AB A ULOUS O ON N THE 9TH F FAIRWAY AIR A RWAY

What type of expenses can I take through the regular method?

Per the IRS, you may deduct mortgage interest, insurance, utilities, re-

GRAND TIMBER

OLDETOWNE!

From Page 17 class.

“One of our initiatives at The Boldt Company is to inspire and educate future leaders about the many careers open in the construction field. We’re excited so many young people can be exposed to futures that use STEM skills,” said Tony Yanda, Senior Director of The Boldt Company, “It’s exciting to see the skills and abilities our Cristo Rey OKC student workers develop as they are exposed to more opportunities.”

Cristo Rey OKC began in 2018 and oversees the educational and career development of students with limited resources. Out of those 232 students, however, 77 of them are without a business partner —

BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME!

HIDDEN TREASURE

THORNBROOKE

6 CAR GARAGE

LUXURIOUS “LOCK-N-GO”

IMMACULATELY KEPT!

SOLD! SOLD! SOLD! SOLD!

CHARMING IN EDGEWATER!

School

BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME!

Josh Mullins, CPA, is a partner at Arledge and Associates, PC, an Edmond-based accounting firm. Arledge and Associates, PC is a recognized leader in the accounting industry offering practical solutions in the areas of tax planning, auditing, consulting, accounting advisory services and client accounting. Through its Gateway Executive Solutions division, the firm offers outsourced CFO, controller and cloud-based accounting solutions.

This article contains general information only and does not constitute tax advice or any other professional services. Before making any decisions or taking any action that might affect your income taxes, you should consult a professional tax advisor. This article is not intended for and cannot be used to avoid future penalties that may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Service.

NEAR L LAKE AKE ARCADIA!

pairs, maintenance, depreciation, and rent. These expenses must be allocated based on the percentage of your home devoted to your business use. Also, keep in mind that when you take depreciation expense, if you sell your residence in the future you may have to report income from the sale of your home for the percentage of your home you used as a business because of the depreciation expense you used. This would be different than people who do not claim a home office deduction because many time people are able to take the primary residence deduction to offset the gain on the sale of a personal residence. Please discuss this with your tax preparer.

One last thing - please keep in mind that to qualify for this deduction, per the IRS, “There must be exclusive use of a portion of the home for conducting business on a regular basis.” You must be cautious about using common areas of your home for the home office deduction because of this rule.

SOPHISTICATED IN ESPERANZA

BARRINGTON

VALENCIA

SOLD! SOLD! SOLD! SOLD!

LO LOTS TS & ACREAGES ACREAGES

keeping them from receiving on-thejob training that not only propels their personal and professional skills, but diminishes the reason they chose to attend Cristo Rey OKC in the first place.

“We are calling on our Oklahoma City community to support our students — our future workforce — in this time of need,” Carter said.

“When businesses choose to partner with our school, they receive topnotch talent at a highly-competitive rate, in addition to the satisfaction of contributing to a student’s brighter future.”

For more information or for businesses interested in becoming a Corporate Work Study Partner, visit CristoReyOKC.org/work-study.

DC Foundation makes a $100,000 donation The Deer Creek Schools Foundation recently awarded $100,000 to Deer Creek Schools for technology.

The grant will be used to address an increased need for student technology in the district, as a result of COVID19 and online learning.

“In a year that has been full of changes and challenges, the Deer Creek Schools Foundation is proud to be able to support our students’ needs so they have access to the devices they need for learning. In this moment, creating access is key,” said Jennifer Elliott, Foundation Board President.

The school district plans to use the grant to order approximately 360 devices, such as IPads and Google Chrome Books, for students.

“This grant really helps our Deer Creek families and our students who are learning from home. Having enough devices for our students is our most critical need. Because of this generous funding, by January we will be close to a 1:1 student-to-device ratio,” said Ranet Tippens, Superintendent of Deer Creek Schools.

The Deer Creek Schools Foundation Board is a nonprofit organization, composed of parent volunteers, who raise money to support Deer Creek Schools. The Deer Creek Schools Foundation also annually funds college scholarships for graduating seniors and honors its alumni and supporters. Visit dcsfoundation.org for more information.

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 24, 2020 • Page 19

Some advice for trees with ice storm damage (Editor’s Note: The following is advice released by the OSU Extension Office) How should I deal with all my ice damaged trees? Things to consider for storm damaged trees are: Rehabilitation or Removal. Is the tree now hazardous? Will the tree ever look right? Is there enough bark damage to attract insect and disease damage? Do Not Top or Pollard your trees! Thick stumps will create multiple weakened and clustered growths. The ends will also be an open invitation to rot and other infestations. Is the remaining tree valuable enough to justify continued pruning and correcting for years to come? It’s best to leave high and large branch pruning to professionals. Verify their License and Liability insurance and get a written quote before signing a contract. EPP-7323 Managing Storm-Damaged Trees is a great guide for decision making. For smaller and ornamental trees and shrubs Pruning Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, and Vines, F-6409 or Training Young Shade and Ornamental Trees #6415, are great resources available at your County Extension Office.

When should I prune my roses and fruit trees?

Roses are generally pruned in mid-February. Take no more than one third of the growth, making each cut at an angle to drain water away from the ends. Discard and dispose of cuttings and accumulated leaves and debris from the area to remove any disease traces. Some species may have other pruning dates: Check plant labels for more information. Ornamental and fruit trees can usually be pruned in December or January, after they are dormant. As always, prune out damaged or crossing branches. Many fruit trees need pruned for open centers. Pruning ornamental Trees Shrubs, and

Vines, #F-6409 and Annual Pruning of Fruit Trees #6228 are excellent guides. There are too many specifics for each type fruit to cover here. Do not neglect your spray schedule, starting with Dormant Oil, as the year progresses. You may fertilize trees and shrubs after at least two hard freezes, assuring your Bermuda grass is fully dormant.

Should I cut back my cannas? Cannas should be cut back to the ground after they have died back.

You can lay these as a blanket over your stumps for insulation during the winter months. It’s best if you can add a few inches of loose compost or clippings over the top of these cut stems. Easiest thing is to blow a few inches of leaves over your canna beds. hese can be removed and added to your compost bin after your daffodils have grown to about

8 inches tall.

Is all the ice damage a catastrophe or an opportunity? Maybe your trees have overgrown the space they are in. Historically trees get planted too close to the foundation or drive, creating problems down the road. Explore the many new varieties now available.

Did you know you can buy Crepe Myrtles that mature from two feet to 30 feet? No more Crepe Murder!!! With young children or grandchildren, you may want to go back with a different type of large or small shade tree. How about some fruit trees, taking in special knowledge of pollination requirements? With large trees gone, is it really still a shade garden around the stump? Make this month a planning and planting time, expand your horizons.

In light of COVID 19 for the time being, some worship services may be suspended or online.

Please check with your house of worship for more information.

Page 20 • December 24, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure