December 27, 2018

December 27, 2018 Vol. 19, No. 31

In This Issue ROUGH CUT SWISS

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

Email contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing. For more information see page 4.

WISHING YOU A JOYOUS

New Year!

Actor Chuck Norris meets new Edmond Life & Leisure ad rep Chris Thomas.

See Page 21

FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28 Partly cloudy High 42° Low 25°

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29 Partly cloudy High 42° Low 28°

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30 Rain/snow showers High 41° Low 27°

Edmond Life & Leisure Our next issue will mark the start our news coverage for 2019.

We hope it’s a prosperous and happy new year for all of our readers. Please don’t forget that in January we’ll be releasing our annual Calendar of Events special section.

It’s a perfect way to keep up with what’s happening in Edmond and the metro area. You’ll want to hang onto it all year long.

As usual if you have a story, or know someone who deserves recognition, please e-mail us with the details at news@edmondpaper.com.

We look forward to covering our community and the wonderful people here who make this town special.

Looking for ideas to make 2019 special? A recent report listed these ideas. n Write down your goals.

According to Forbes Magazine, vividly describing goals in written

form is strongly associated with goal success, and people who very vividly describe or picture their goals are more likely to accomplish their goals than people who don’t. n Read a book a month. To keep your brain active, take some time away for yourself and enter the “magical world of reading.” n Why not use 2019 to clean up the home’s clutter? If you haven’t worn a clothing item in the closet for the past 12 months, it’s not likely you will. Why not donate it to the Salvation Army? n If you haven’t done it in the past it might be a good time to think about an exercise program and eating healthy. n The next year might be an ideal opportunity to reconnect with people. In other words put down the phone and consider playing board or parlor games with close friends or family.

n Make sure you get enough sleep. It’s said most humans need eight to 10 hours of quality sleep every night. Waking up refreshed is a great way to start a day. n Establishing priorities is a good idea also. Everyone should look at where they spend their time. People outgrow some activities. Ask yourself if you’re getting a return on your investment of time, money and energy. n If you’re not supporting a cause, then 2019 could be the perfect time to start. Whether it’s children, animals or veterans, you can pay it forward and give back. Each week in Edmond Life & Leisure we list many organizations and people needing a helping hand. There are many ways to get involved. Almost everyone who does give back usually says later that they’ve benefited more than the group they helped.

Once again, Happy 2019 everyone!

Page 2 • December 27, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 27, 2018 • Page 3

Late-mayor will remain on ballot

Vacant Ward 2 council seat will be filled by Jan. 25 Due to the appointment of Elizabeth Waner to fill the unexpired term of Mayor for the City of Edmond, there is a vacancy in the position of Ward 2 Councilmember. The City Council is accepting letters of interest and resumes from eligible persons who are interested in being selected to the fill the vacancy.

The Ward 2 Councilmember position appointment will run until May 6 when a newly elected representative will take office.

To be eligible for this appointment, the City Charter requires the following criteria be met: n Legal citizen of the United States. n A minimum of twenty-five (25) years of age. n A freeholder (land owner) and resident of at least one year prior to selection to serve. n A qualified voter of the City of Edmond & of Ward 2.

If interested, eligible persons should submit a letter of interest and resume addressed to the Edmond City Council by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019. Materials can be submitted via mail to P.O. Box 2970, Edmond, OK 73083; hand-delivered to the City Manager’s office at 24 East First Street; or emailed to Director of Management Services Andy

Conyers at andy.conyers@edmondok.com.

It is anticipated that the Edmond City Council will vote to fill the vacancy at their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019.

To view a ward map of the City of Edmond, please visit: https://edmondok.com/DocumentCenter/View/117 8/WardMap-2012.

In other Edmond City Council election news, last week Oklahoma County Election Board Secretary Doug Sanderson said late-Mayor Charles Lamb will have his name remain on the upcoming 2019 municipal election ballot. In early December, Lamb filed for re-election to the post. He died Dec. 11. Sanderson explained Lamb died after a period in which his name could have been challenged on the ballot.

The primary election, which also features races in Wards 1 and 2, will be on Feb. 12. Also filing for Mayor are former Edmond Mayor Dan O’Neil and Richard Prawdzienski. The top two vote getters from the Feb. 12 election proceed to to the city’s general election on April 2.

Lamb could win the election.

Sanderson said if that happened, it would be up to the Edmond City Council on how to proceed.

“We simply run the election and certify the winner,” Sanderson said.

By Chancellor Johnson

Higher education’s needs outlined at UCO address Strengthening Oklahoma’s workforce pipeline through degree and certificate completion continues to be the state system of higher education’s top priority.

That was the message delivered by Chancellor Glen D. Johnson as he presented the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s FY 2020 budget request and 2019 legislative agenda to an audience of lawmakers, community leaders and educators at the University of Central Oklahoma on Dec. 19.

“As we continue our work to build Oklahoma’s economy and workforce by increasing college degree completion, we must focus on increasing faculty salaries, restoring base operational funding and fully funding the concurrent enrollment program for high school seniors,” said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “Low salary levels are straining public college and university faculty retention and recruitment in nursing, business, education, sciences, engineering and other high-demand programs that are essential to meet Oklahoma’s workforce needs. Concurrent enrollment, which strengthens student preparation, reduces family costs for college and decreases the time required to complete a degree, is currently funded at approximately 87 percent of the cost to our state system colleges and universities.”

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education recently voted to request $878.2 million for FY 2020, which reflects an increase of $101.5 million or 13.1 percent over the FY 2019 appropriation of $776.7 million.

The State Regents are requesting $38.7 million to provide a 7.5 percent increase in faculty salaries. The average faculty salary at Oklahoma’s public colleges and universities is more than 10 percent below their peers in other states. The request also includes $20.4 million to increase the number of faculty and instructor positions and restore course sections to meet academic instruction requirements. Increased funding for financial aid and scholarship programs will also be a priority; the State Regents are seeking $12.3 million to restore significantly diminished scholarship programs and fully fund the concurrent enrollment program.

The State Regents will also continue efforts to protect the dedicated funding source for the Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship program, through which more than 80,000 students have earned college tuition scholarships since the program’s inception in 1992.

Another area of legislative focus for the state system of higher education will be to maintain current law regarding weapons on campuses.

Oklahoma higher education supports the second amendment and gun ownership.

Under current law, campus presidents have the discretion to permit the carrying of weapons when an exception is warranted. The State Regents and the presidents of all 25 state system institutions strongly believe that the current law with regard to weapons on campus is working.

To learn more, visit the OSRHE website at www.okhighered.org.

Page 4 • December 27, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

From the Publisher

Effort to support our vets While our community was still dealing with the loss of Edmond Mayor Charles Lamb last week, one of our civic leaders made an interesting challenge to the Edmond Chamber of Commerce board of directors at the end of their monthly meeting.

He said that the way he planned to deal with the loss of Ray Hibbard a person that made such great contributions back to their community was to step up and be of service more in 2019.

Helping fill the gap by each of us doing just a little more to help in our community is a great way to honor our mayor. It would be the best legacy of all for him.

My friend, Chad Watts from Edmond, and his business partner, Brad Dean, are way ahead of us folks. They have created an outstanding product that most homes in the world consume daily and to help veterans at the same time on two fronts, financially and with support. The company is called Scars & Stripes Coffee. That requires some explanation but let me tell you something about these two who, along with their families, are out making a difference.

Watts is not a veteran but has always admired them. He works with the VA Medical Center of Oklahoma City and has observed first-hand the “scars” that some veterans live with each day. He learned that many of our veterans return to civilian life with both physical scars and emotional ones.

Watts also learned that they just don’t like to talk about either much. “I have found that no matter if a veteran had a keyboard or a rifle in their hand they sacrificed. Whether it was missing birthdays or even missing child births they sacrificed and were scarred,” Watts said.

His partner Brad Dean has worn the uniform for 22 years and currently serves in the Oklahoma Army National Guard. “Scars and Stripes is truly for the veterans,” he said. “Being a part of this amazing brotherhood has been a true blessing. My very best friends are those whom I have served with, sacrificed with, and collected scars with. As I’ve grown older, I want to share my passion with other veterans,” Dean added.

Watts had seen a coffee company that was helping veterans. They were a brick and mortar store planning to franchise in 2019 but he felt there was a better way. The first order of business was to find the right coffee and preferable one that was roasted locally. He knew the coffee had to be outstanding or folks just would not order it on a regular basis.

He found a local coffee roaster that said they had a coffee blend in mind for them. Watts confessed that his company didn’t have much startup money and couldn’t buy in big quantities at first.

The local roaster liked what Scars and Stripes was doing and wanted to help. They agreed to help them on the production side to get started and they knew the quality of the coffee they had was such that folks would come back for more.

I purchased some of the coffee and let me confirm that it is outstanding. Downrange is the name of the current coffee blend. The coffee is fresh

roasted and will be at your doorstep within days of the bean being roasted. I am a picky person about my coffee beans.

We have an incredible espresso machine I use on weekend mornings, but we also brew coffee through a drip coffee pot each morning.

This coffee is amazing. There is absolutely no bitterness to the coffee. It has a smooth coffee taste and flavor with a hint, forgive me for using that word, of chocolate to it. Some of the coffee beans you get today and ones that our kids drink are strong, almost bitter. This is what I would call excellent coffee for every day. It will wake you up but is not acidic in any way.

Here is how it works for participating veterans according to their web site, www.scarsandstripescoffee.com: “We are very excited and honored that you are joining the Scars and Stripes Coffee team. After you sign-up, you will be redirected to a page with a few next steps. This is a single-level distributor ecommerce marketing business in which your income is directly related to your individual sales and not connected with anyone else. There is a start-up cost of $45 dollars which will be a kit that includes your registration, marketing material, and sample coffee. In addition, you will use your PayPal account to receive your commissions.

If you do not have a PayPal account, then you will need to register an account.”

Veterans receive cards with their own pin number on them so that when folks order, they can put in a pin number so that 30 percent of the sale goes directly to the veteran’s account. Payments are distributed each month. Anyone can order the coffee. If you don’t have a pin number for a specific veteran in the program, the 30 percent goes into a general fund that is split between all the participating veterans equally. Just by signing up, the veteran could receive some income. In addition to the coffee, customers can purchase T-shirts. They hope to develop more products to offer including some flavored coffee.

Ethics of the ownership caused them to reject multi-level plans. They felt only a few make money in those business plans and they wanted all veterans that participated to benefit equally from the opportunity. A veteran that has 26 bags of coffee sold per month would see about $125 per month in extra income. While that may not sound like a lot, it can be a tremendous help to veterans that might have a financial challenge in their life. As they say, it is a hand up and not a hand out.

“The commission from the coffee sales goes directly to the supported Veteran, it doesn’t go to a company, or to Scars and Stripes for us to decide where the profits should be spent. This is a grass roots organization that 100 percent puts the service member first. That is why I support this company and why I have partnered to help it grow and change lives of my favorite people, the Veterans.

Brothers and Sisters, join us in our crusade in helping those that have served so selflessly and join me

sometime for a hot cup of coffee,” Dean explained.

While this alone would be a great way to help veterans financially, there is more. Watts and Dean have already found an even greater way for the organization to be of help. Future plans call for each veteran that signs up to be assigned to a team in their area. As members of the military, they are already used to working in teams. The purpose of the team is not for selling more coffee but to provide a natural network for veterans to help one another. They can fellowship with other veterans who can understand what they experienced and the issues they may have in a way that the rest of us cannot. Because many veterans are not inclined to talk about the emotions they may be having, odds are better that they will open to another veteran for advice or referral to organizations that can help.

Both Watts and Dean are doing what their faith and heart are leading them to do and I admire it.

They are producing a great product that folks can use every day, they make it easy to order and most of all, they are helping veterans both financially and helping them with a support network of other veterans. Something tells me that our mayor would have liked it especially since he was a veteran as well.

Watts is open to ideas on how their company can be of more help to veterans. He is the first to admit that they are operating on faith and not experience. Please contact him at chad@scarsandstripescoffee.com if you have suggestions for the company.

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

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

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

Reporter recalls late-Mayor Charles Lamb ....................................Page 8.

Dave Farris’ latest story on Pretty Boy Floyd ..............................Page 10.

ROTC student earns her military commission ............................Page 13.

Spider-Man movie review by George Gust..................................Page 15.

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

Shakespeare in the Park releases 2019 schedule ........................Page 17.

Business news ............................................................................Page 22.

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

Publisher Ray Hibbard Jr. ray@edmondpaper.com Partner Christopher T. Hoke

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

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

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

Editor Steve Gust news@edmondpaper.com

Cover Design April Burgess Legal Counsel Todd McKinnis Ruebenstein & Pitts, PLLC Copyright © 2018 by Edmond Media Publishing

Production April Burgess, Deanne York

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

Advertising Director Alexx Harms alexx@edmondpaper.com

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

Advertising Account Executive Chris Thomas chris@edmondpaper.com

All rights reserved.

Material contained herein may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission from Edmond Media Publishing.

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

Photographer Melinda Infante

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Edmond Life & Leisure • December 27, 2018 • Page 5

Students from Edmond honored at Oklahoma State The OSU Honors College held a hooding ceremony earlier this month in the Old Central Assembly Hall. The degree is the highest academic distinction awarded to those receiving an OSU undergraduate degree, and students donned the Honors College hood during the fall 2018 commencement ceremony.

This award designates the successful completion of all the Honors College degree requirements with a minimum grade point average of 3.5. Several hours of additional academic studies are required for a General Honors Award and a Departmental or College Honors Award.

Students from Edmond honored included Michael Goldbeck, Biochemistry James MacNaughton, Chemical Engineering Ryan Hollands, Economics Samuel Wood, Mathematics and Computer Science Taylor North, Psychology Lauren McAdow, Elementary Education

A perfect 36 on ACT Edmond Santa Fe sophomore David Yao has scored a perfect 36 on the ACT college entrance exam.

David is active in orchestra and Double Wolf Dare Week and is well-known for his card tricks.

Page 6 • December 27, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Thursday Dec. 27 ---- In the Gallery ---- Exhibit: Seals of Isaiah and King Hezekiah Discovered ---- Signature Tour ---- Edmond Outdoor Ice Rink ---- Devon Ice Rink ---- Downtown in December ---- Christmas in Downtown Edmond ---- Luminance: An Enchanted Stroll ---- Christmas Lights in Edmond ---- Frontier City’s Holiday in the Park ---- Red Earth Treefest Friday Dec. 28 ---- In the Gallery ---- Exhibit: Seals of Isaiah and King Hezekiah Discovered ---- Signature Tour ---- Edmond Outdoor Ice Rink ---- Devon Ice Rink ---- Downtown in December ---- Luminance: An Enchanted Stroll ---- Christmas Lights in Edmond ---- Red Earth Treefest ---- Frontier City’s Holiday in the Park ---- USTRC SuperBowl Team Roping ---- Brett Young Saturday Dec. 29 ---- In the Gallery ---- Exhibit: Seals of Isaiah and King Hezekiah Discovered ---- Signature Tour ---- Edmond Outdoor Ice Rink ---- Devon Ice Rink ---- Downtown in December ---- Red Earth Treefest ---- Luminance: An Enchanted Stroll ---- Christmas Lights in Edmond ---- Frontier City’s Holiday in the Park ---- Electric Avenue ---- USTRC SuperBowl Team Roping ---- Third Eye Blind ---- Thunder Run ---- Oklahoma High Performance Racing Auction Trade Show & Swap Meet ---- Oklahoma Gun Show Sunday. Dec 30 ---- In the Gallery ---- Signature Tour ---- Devon Ice Rink ---- Red Earth Treefest ---- Downtown in December ---- Luminance: An Enchanted Stroll ---- Christmas Lights in Edmond ---- Frontier City’s Holiday in the Park ---- Edmond Outdoor Ice Rink ---- USTRC SuperBowl Team Roping ---- Oklahoma Gun Show Extra Information on Weekend Happenings In the Gallery Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute Extra Info: Featuring works by Jennifer Hustis For information go to: http://www.edmondfinearts.com/ Exhibit: Seals of Isaiah and King Hezekiah Discovered Location: Armstrong Auditorium Extra Info: Free Admission; an archaeological exhibition that will enable visitors to discover the history of ancient Judah’s most famous kingprophet pairing—a story which illuminates how Jerusalem escaped annihilation at the hands of King Sennacherib’s Assyrian army at the end of the 8th century B.C. For more information visit armstrongauditorium.org.

day from 5 to 10 p.m. Residents and visitors will get to experience a oneof-a-kind holiday lighting event that will for sure get you in the holiday spirit. With Edmond being the premier city to have 3D lighted displays, you are sure to see something you've never seen.

Christmas Lights in Edmond Location: Downtown Edmond Extra Info: Edmond celebrates the season with Christmas lights in 6 areas: Downtown, the University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma Christian, Spring Creek shopping area, Mitch Park and Shannon Miller Park.

Red Earth Treefest Location: Red Earth Art Center Extra Info: Open Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. for more information visit redearth.org Signature Tour Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, OKC Extra Info: 1 – 2 p.m.; see some of the finest Western art in the country during this docent-facilitated Museum tour. For more information, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org Frontier City’s Holiday in the Park Location: Frontier City, OKC Extra Info: OKC’s only theme park is decking the haps, the gift shops and the roller coasters in preparation for the park’s first ever HOLIDAY IN THE PARK. Six Flags’ signature holiday extravaganza will made its highly-anticipated Oklahoma debut November 23 and run select days through January 6.

Edmond Outdoor Ice Rink Location: Mitch Park Extra Info: $8+; for more info visit edmondoutdooricerink.com The Groove Merchants Location: UCO – Jazz Lab Extra Info: 8 p.m., $20, ucojazzlab.com, 405 974-2100.

Electric Avenue Location: River Lounge, Riverwind Casino Extra Info: riverwind.com Brett Young Location: Showplace Theatre, Riverwind Casino Extra Info: Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m., Platinum:$80, VIP/MEZZ: $75, Premium: $70.

Third Eye Blind Location: Showplace Theatre, Riverwind Casino Extra Info: Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m., Platinum:$85, VIP/MEZZ: $80, Premium: $75.

USTRC SuperBowl Team Roping Location: Lazy E Arena Extra Info: The 23rd Annual USTRC SuperBowl will be held on Friday, December 28th –Sunday, December 30th, 2018in Guthrie, Oklahoma.

This Guthrie rodeo is held at Lazy E Arena LLC. https://rodeosusa.com Thunder Run Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena Extra Info: Rumble’s Family Fun Run: $40; Thunder 5K (ages 8 and older): $50; nba.com

Devon Ice Rink Location: Myriad Botanical Gardens Extra Info: 3 – 9 p.m. Mon – Thurs through Jan 27, 2019, 3 – 11 p.m.

Fri, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sat, 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. Sun., for more info visit downtownindecember.com

Oklahoma High Performance Racing Auction Trade Show & Swap Meet Location: Centennial Building, Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Extra Info: for more info visit raceshow.net

Downtown in December Location: Downtown Oklahoma City Extra Info: visit downtownindecember.com

Oklahoma Gun Show Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park Extra Info: visit Oklahoma gun show on Facebook

Luminance: An Enchanted Stroll Location: Mitch Park Extra Info: Luminance is the new walk-thru holiday light display that will be open to the public in Mitch Park during the month of December.

The lights will be on Monday to Sun-

Please send Calendar events to Melinda Infante at infante318@cox.net There is no charge for a listing.

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 27, 2018 • Page 7

Francis Tuttle Tech Board

Mullen appointed to post

Road Roundabout PHOTO PROVIDED/RICK BUCHANAN

People traveling in the western portions of Edmond will notice a new road addition. Officials with Oklahoma County reported a new roundabout at 178th and Meridian opening last week.

Mullen, an Edmond resiChad Mullen has been dent, is the Associate State appointed to serve on the Director of Advocacy and Francis Tuttle Technology Outreach at AARP OklaCenter Board of Educahoma. He was sworn-in by tion, the career training the board last week. school announced.

Francis Tuttle Technology Mullen was appointed Center serves high school by the board to fill the students and adults in the previously vacated Zone 2 Oklahoma City metropolitan position representing the area with career-specific Edmond school district. training, in support of develAn election to permaMullen oping and maintaining a qualnently fill the board seat ity workforce for the region. was set for April, but Mullen was the only candidate to file Francis Tuttle also offers complete for the office. Therefore, he will com- business and industry training and consulting services, and short-term plete the term which expires in training for career development or 2022. personal enrichment.

“We’re very pleased to have Chad With four locations in Oklahoma Mullen become a member of the City and Edmond, Francis Tuttle ofFrancis Tuttle Board of Education,” said Dr. Tom Friedemann, Francis Tut- fers central Oklahoma diverse training programs in fulfillment of the tle superintendent/CEO. “His backschool’s mission to prepare customers ground in workforce development, for success in the workplace. More inentrepreneurial initiatives, and public formation on Francis Tuttle is availservice uniquely qualify him to help develop Francis Tuttle’s vision for the able at francistuttle.edu or by calling (405) 717-7799. future.”

Tourism soars A star in the Oklahoma economy continues to grow: tourism.

Over the past calendar year, tourism added close to $9 billion to the state's economy, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Commerce. That is a 4.4 percent increase over last year. Dollarwise, tourism in Oklahoma has grown 28 percent since 2010.

"The numbers are up across all tourism sectors," said Leslie Blair, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma State Department of Commerce.

Page 8 • December 27, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side

Glancing at headlines This will be our last commentary page before moving on to the new year.

The past 12 months, as usual, have been filled with lots of twists and turns. I'm pretty sure 2019 will Steve Gust have many more surprises.

Here are a few events which have caught my attention in recent days. n There seems to be some controversy over pulling American troops out of Syria. I can understand the thinking on both sides of the issue. I do have to admit that I either forgot, or wasn't aware, that we had troops in Syria.

That's not to make light of the situation. There's a terrible conflict over there between rebel and government forces. Way too many people have been hurt and killed. Then again it brings up the age old issue this nation has debated for decades. Should we be the policeman of the world? I'll let people with more expertise than me decide that one. n We're a few weeks away from Kevin Stitt being sworn in as the new governor. I wish the guy a lot of luck.

In Oklahoma the governor looks like

a genius when the price of oil is high.

When the oil price is low, and there are cutbacks, people get restless.

Doesn't take much to get the critics excited. n The state budget is expected to have a $612 million surplus as Stitt comes into office. Everyone will want a piece of that pie. n Sometimes I even wonder about the role of government. We have this involved process where we elect people to various lawmaking posts.

Those people, after a lot of discussion, pass legislation. The laws are enacted and then boom. A federal judge somewhere will decide that the new law passed isn't constitutional.

One person can undo all the work of a federal or state lawmaking group. I know. Sounds crazy to me also.

In the next year we'll have many issues facing the public. Please do your best to research and know what's at stake. It will make it a lot easier to cast an intelligent vote at the polls.

As a followup, I noticed a military veteran followed up and actually opened a GoFundMe page to help finance a southern border wall. As of press time he had millions of dollars of donations pledged.

One person can make a difference, I guess.

Message from AAA

Don’t drink and drive Editor Oklahoma holiday festivities that include alcohol will be setting up prime opportunities for impaired motorists to be on our roads.

AAA Oklahoma warns, if you feel differently, you’re going to drive differently.

During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month drivers need to remember that illicit drugs and also prescription and over-thecounter medications can impair their ability to drive safely. When combined with alcohol, they can be even more deadly. AAA’s free RoadwiseRx.com allows you to enter prescription and over-thecounter drugs to learn if they may have an effect on safe driving as well as their interactions with each other.

The responsibility to

Letter to the Editor drive sober or not drive at all if you have been drinking can’t be neglected. Have a game plan before heading out the door. These days, there is NO excuse to get behind the wheel while buzzed when there are so many alternative options to get home safely – designated driver, taxis and ride shares such as Uber and Lyft. You can also call a sober family member or friend for a ride home. While it might not be a happy conversation, they will be thankful they received a call from you rather than a knock at the door from a police officer.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 885 people nationwide lost their

lives in traffic crashes involving a drunk driver during December 2017.

Three died in alcohol/drug-related crashes on Oklahoma roads during the Christmas holiday period last year, according to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office. Fourteen were seriously injured.

Be a responsible host if the celebration is at your home: keep plenty of non-alcoholic beverages on hand and be prepared to take the keys away from any of your impaired guests and arrange for them to get home safely or make them spend the night on your sofa.

Oklahoma law enforcement agencies are increasing patrols and checkpoints throughout the holiday season to keep our roads safe, according to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office. Several ENDUI activities are planned across the state during the holiday season as a part of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.

These high-visibility patrols and sobriety checkpoints have demonstrated success in getting impaired drivers off our roads.

If you see someone driving that you suspect is impaired, ask a passenger to call *55 or 911 or pull over to a safe spot on the side of the road to make the call. During the 2017 New Year’s holiday period, zero alcohol-related fatalities were reported by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol!

Let’s start now with focused attention on safe celebrating to prevent unnecessary loss of lives the entire 2018 holiday season.

Officials with AAA

Reporter recalls legacy of our late-Mayor (Editor’s Note: Eriech Tapia of The Oklahoman recalls his experiences with Edmond Mayor Charles Lamb and Lamb’s legacy to Edmond.)

By Eriech Tapia He was known as a simple man who loved his community in Edmond. On Dec. 11, Charles Lamb, 72, died after a life of being a community servant.

Anywhere he went, Lamb was never without his aviator glasses, fully buttoned-up shirt, Moped scooter and most importantly his pocket knife.

During early interviews together, I would always ask him which knife he would have, as he had a collection of more than 300, all of which he kept polished and sharpened. His father started him on that hobby.

But for Lamb, he never wore a tie and shied

away from big speeches. Instead, he was a oneon-one individual who loved talking about his city.

Although he wasn't born in Edmond, he had lived in the city since he was 13 years old in the same neighborhood by 15th and Rankin Streets, never wanting to move out of his grandmother's home that contained his father's handiwork.

While his father was in the cabinet-making business, Lamb would instead go off to Wentworth Military Academy and then came back to the University of Central Oklahoma in 1967 to earn a bachelor's degree in history. He would return in 1978 for a master's in political science.

Through this, longtime friends said he was still a humble man who loved municipal government as he worked for the Oklahoma City office of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

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

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

He began serving Edmond in 1987 when he was appointed to the board of adjustment and appeals. It was not until 1993 that he would become a councilman. He was instrumental in getting Lake Arcadia built.

Municipal power was also a big passion for Lamb. He had served on the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority since 1993. He often said Edmond was in the business of providing power and enjoyed wearing his Edmond Electric polo.

Serving Edmond was in his blood and he enjoyed mentoring people, including me.

On Dec. 10, during what was a normal city council meeting, Lamb was sick but dismissed it, pushing through, keeping an attentive eye on everybody in the room. He was an observant individual.

Afterward, the two of us walked out of the council chambers as we had many times before, stopping on the northeast corner of Littler Avenue and 1st Street. We began discussing what had happened regarding a controversial issue that was before the council.

He told me that whatever the outcome, he would fight for the people and then he chuckled and said, “Do good when you are running this city.”

Doing good is what Lamb did for the city of Edmond. As the next generation of leaders takes charge, they too need to “do good” for the city and may the citizens give, as Lamb would say, a "chorus of seconds" for that.

(Tapia covers Edmond city government for The Oklahoman.)

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 27, 2018 • Page 9

Page 10 • December 27, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

In the aftermath of Pretty Boy’s death

Trial was a challenge for the FBI

By David Farris The trial of Adam Richetti was going to be a real problem for the FBI. He and his deceased partner, Charley “Pretty Boy” Floyd, were charged in the ambush murder of four lawmen and their federal prisoner on the morning of June 17, 1933, at the Union Train Station Farris in Kansas City, Mo..

Their problem was that they didn't seem to have any evidence against the suspects. Regardless, Bureau Director John Edgar Hoover specifically expressed in a memo to Oklahoma City Agent Joe Lackey, “... they (Floyd and Richetti) must be exterminated by us,...”

Richetti had surrendered to the Wellsville, Ohio, Chief of Police, John Fultz, after a close-quarters gunfight. Had agents gotten to him first, he may have been shot to death while attempting to escape just like Floyd and their previous Public Enemy, John Dillinger. This seemed to fit a pattern, and a purpose; if the suspect was dead, then there was no trial. Agent Lackey was one of two agents wounded during the assault, and was a witness in the investigation.

The case against Pretty Boy and Richetti began

to fall apart on Oct. 22, 1934, after Floyd's body was autopsied.

Less than two weeks earlier, on Oct. 10, Hoover had presented a six-page, single spaced, publicity release naming the two partners, along with mob hit-man Vern Miller, as suspects in the massacre.

It also stated that Pretty Boy “was wounded in the Otto Reed skirmish” believed shot in his left shoulder or upper arm. This statement was supported by the bureau's primary witness in their case, Miller's girlfriend, Vi Mathias.

Miller had been tied to the massacre by a series of phone calls, and it was the goal of agents to connect him with Floyd and Richetti.

The detail about the wounded bandit was included in the statement that Mathias finally signed, after having been held in a motel room and interrogated by agents for a week. The coroner's report documented numerous bullet wounds, new and old, that Floyd had suffered during his many gun battles; however, none were found where Hoover claimed their suspect had been shot.

Fortunately for Hoover's men, this was an easy fix. They provided Mathias with a new statement to sign which explained that the bloody rags found at the home she shared with Miller were actually from a mortally wounded member of the Barker gang. Her revision in regard to Floyd's shoulder wound read curiously, “That was the only part I wasn't telling the truth about in the first statement.”

The FBI had much bigger problems than Mathias. In their earlier days, the Bureau didn't have an in-house laboratory for investigating evidence, and had to farm-out such services. Merle Gill was a pioneer in the scientific investigation of ballistic evidence, but was not an employee of any law enforcement agency.

The self-proclaimed “ballistician” was an independent investigator with his own laboratory who was hired to examine ballistic evidence found at crime scenes. His clients included the Kansas City Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff's Office, and the FBI's Kansas City office.

Throughout his career, he had investigated hundreds of cases and had testified many times as an expert witness.

Gill's evaluation of the Union Station massacre did not support the version presented by agents.

The shooters were three men armed with machine guns, or at least one may have used two automatic Colt pistols. All of their weapons fired .45 caliber cartridges which made their path of destruction easy to follow. The focus of the three shooters seemed to be the two-door Chevy owned

by Kansas City Agent, Ray Caffrey, where the McAlester, Oklahoma, Police Chief Otto Reed and their prisoner, Frank “Jelly” Nash were killed and Agent Lackey was seriously wounded. Inside the car was found two, spent 16-gauge shotgun shells.

To Gill this implied a fourth shooter, and he was right.

Agents had told the ballistician that the only shotguns present on that day were a couple of 12gauge pumps in the possession of lawmen that were never fired. In fact, Chief Reed had brought with him his personal 16-gauge that was designed to fire when the slide was racked forward, without touching the trigger. Something else unique about his weapon was that he had, himself, loaded each shotgun shell with three ball bearings.

The shrewd, crime scene investigator was able to see through the deception and determined the truth about what happened. Windshield glass on the car's hood indicated to Gill that Kansas City Police Detective Frank Hermanson and Agent Caffrey had each been shot once in the head by someone inside the Chevy. Hermanson's autopsy did not mention what type of fatal projectile was used; however, a ball bearing was found next to Caffrey, where it had rolled out from his gaping head wound. It was also determined that Nash had been shot in the back of his head from inside the car.

Hoover's men knew that a 16-gauge shotgun firing ball bearings had been used to kill three men on that morning, yet never mentioned their knowledge of the weapon to Gill. Another fact that agents had to have known was that, at one point, Chief Reed and Lackey had exchanged shotguns on that morning before they climbed into the back seat of Caffrey's Chevy.

The next shocking discovery made by Gill involved the two fatal head wounds suffered by Reed. One was inflicted by a .45 caliber round, obviously fired by one of the assailants, and the other wound was from a .38 caliber revolver. The only ones firing .38s on that morning were the good guys.

That meant that four of the five men killed had been shot in the head by lawmen. Kansas City Police Detective Bill Grooms was the only murder solely committed by the shooters. Grooms was able to draw his gun and fire a few rounds before he fell, which lead the FBI to believe that Floyd had been wounded.

Gill's associates within the Kansas City Police Department finally told him about Reed's shotgun.

The incensed ballistician fired off an angry letter to the FBI, and also sent a copy to the Kansas City Journal-Post, that ran it in their Nov. 19, 1934, issue. He explained, “Until yesterday I was unaware that Chief Reed had a 16-gauge shotgun with him when he was killed.”

Chief Reed's unique cartridges had been found in his pockets, leading Gill to believe that he had fired the fatal rounds. To making things even worse for the FBI, he then went on to say that, “Pretty Boy Floyd had nothing to do with the massacre.”

The Bureau had a lot of problems when it came to their case against Richetti. There was no physical evidence connecting him to the massacre, and their ballistic expert had publicly proclaimed that at least three of the deaths were the result of an unfortunate, friendly fire accident. The truth, of course, was far worse; that Lackey was in possession of the 16-gauge.

Richetti's trail was going to end up being more about Pretty Boy Floyd. It didn't matter that the bandit was dead and buried, the FBI was basically going to try him anyway. And, unfortunately for Richetti, he would receive the sentence.

City’s tree grant program The City of Edmond Urban Forestry Department has implemented a new program, making trees available for neighborhood groups and K-12 public schools or their associated parent teacher organizations. Through the Edmond Tree Grants program, groups within Edmond City Limits may apply to receive seedlings, 3-gallon or 15-gallon containerized trees for planting within the areas that they manage.

A partnership between the City and our residents and schools, Edmond Tree Grant projects will enhance tree canopy within areas that are often not served through other Urban Forestry Department programs.

“Trees are a valuable resource within the areas where people live and recreate, providing such benefits as improved air quality, cooler temperatures, UV ray protection, energy conservation, health benefits, beautification, and higher property values,” says Leigh Martin, City of Edmond Urban Forestry Program Specialist.

The format of this program fosters community and provides education about proper tree care and planting practices. Edmond Tree Grant recipients will work closely with the Urban Forestry Department to execute their projects, involve their communities through a tree planting event, and implement their maintenance plans.

The deadline to apply for this round of Edmond Tree Grants is Jan. 31. For full program information about Edmond Tree Grants, visit https://edmondok.com/treegrants.

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 27, 2018 • Page 11

Golfer signs college intent letter Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School senior Ethan Dawson signed a letter of intent to play golf for Birmingham-Southern College last week. Ethan is the son of Shane and Shana Dawson of Edmond.

A two year member of National Honor Society, Ethan is on the Presidential Honor Roll maintaining a grade point average of 3.50.

He has also been on the National Spanish Honor Society roll since 2017.

Leadership rolls include the Bishop McGuinness Leadership class and Cleats 4 Kids Teen Board. He is also an active member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Volunteer opportunities include Cleats 4 Kids, Feed the Hungry, and Twin Hills Golf Club helping with the junior golf program. An

altar server at Christ the King Church for the last four years, Ethan was very instrumental in the McGuinness annual Canned Food Drive and the Bishop McGuinness Senior Service Project.

Earning a varsity letter in Golf his freshman year, Ethan has played varsity ever since. As a freshman, he was a member of the Irish State Championship Golf team and 2nd team All-Conference. The last two years, the Irish were Regional Champs, State runner-up and Ethan was 1st team All-Conference. Last year the team was selected as the Academic State Champion.

Ethan is Red Cross certified in life saving.

His hobbies include fishing and hunting. He plans on majoring in engineering while attending Birmingham-Southern College.

PHOTO PROVIDED

From left are Andrew Horton, Memorial football coach Luke Orvis and Seth Osborne. Orvis congratulated both players on being recipients of the annual Shelby Hudson memorial college scholarship.

Shelby Hudson scholarship winners named at Memorial Andrew Horton and Seth Osborne, of Edmond Memorial High School class of 2019, recently received the 14th annual Shelby Hudson football memorial scholarship during the annual football banquet.

The $3,000 scholarship, that each will receive, may be used at the college or university of their choice.

The scholarship was established Aug. 2, 2005, in honor of Davis and Lisa Hudson's son, Shelby, who was a 2003 EMHS graduate and is awarded annually to two players who display the qualities and characteristics that Shelby exemplified as a Bulldog football player.

These include personal motivation and character, heart and desire to excel, drive and determination to accomplish goals and perseverance in the face of obstacles.

"We are extremely pleased and honored to be able to make this scholarship available to these two outstanding young men. Both Andrew and Seth had outstanding ca-

reers in football as both are very competitive and will no doubt be successful in life," said Davis Hudson.

While Seth hopes to attend either Lispcomb University in Tennessee or Pepperdine College in California, Andrew is still considering his college options.

Shelby Hudson was a 2003 graduate of Edmond Memorial High School. He was participating in his annual training camp with the Oklahoma National Guard when he drowned in Lake Tenkiller on May 24, 2005, while working on a unit moral activity.

Since inception of this tuition based scholarship, 25 recipients have been awarded $75,000.

The Edmond Public Schools Foundation administers the scholarship and tax deductible donations for the fund may be sent to 1001 W. Danforth Road, Edmond, Okla. 73003.m For questions contact Lori Dickinson Black, executive director of the foundation at (405) 340-2819.

Osburn’s committee assignment Gov.-elect Stitt. There’s a lot of House Speaker Charles Mcwork to be done and I look forCall announced last week the ward to working with our new appointment of Rep. Mike Osadministration to move the burn, R-Edmond, as Chair of needle forward.” the Government Efficiency Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, Committee for the upcoming will serve as Vice Chair. session. Osburn was also Osburn previously served as named an Assistant Majority Vice Chair of the A&B JudiciWhip.

Osburn ary Committee. He also served “I’m honored to serve as on the Common Education, Chair of the Government EffiGovernment Modernization and ciency Committee this year,” Osburn Rules Committees. Osburn was said. “Government efficiency and reelected to the House in 2016. form is one of the highest priorities of

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

PHOTO PROVIDED

Surrounded by family and coaches, Bishop McGuinness senior Ethan Dawson signs a letter of intent to play golf with Birmingham-Southern College. Front row, (left to right): Shana Dawson, Ethan Dawson, Shane Dawson. Back row, (left to right): McGuinness Assistant Principal Robert Epps and McGuinness Head Boys Golf Coach Gary Savely.

Page 12 • December 27, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Volunteers with CASA of Oklahoma County are sworn into duty recently in Oklahoma County District Court. The group hopes to serve 1,500 children in the county by the year 2021.

Child advocacy group adds volunteers CASA of Oklahoma County concluded a successful volunteer recruitment year by swearing in 24 new volunteers last week.

“Our program has experienced incredible expansion over the past year,” said Jennie Hill, CASA of Oklahoma County’s Executive Director. “We are so excited to see a 24 percent increase in the number of new CASA volunteers in 2018 vs. 2017. We are tremendously thankful to the outpouring of community interest in joining CASA this year. We’re excited to be able to facilitate high quality, best interest-focused advocacy for more of the county’s foster youth.”

One of the volunteers sworn in was Cristina Pozadas, who moved to Oklahoma from Bolivia in 2010. “I was shocked to learn that there was just as much to do here in the States as there was in my country,” said Pozadas. “That’s when I realized poverty and hardship wear many masks. After

learning about the mission of CASA I was very moved.”

CASA of Oklahoma County, Inc. is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides trained volunteers to be champions for the individualized best interests of children in foster care. The program served 28 percent of the children in foster care in the Oklahoma County juvenile court system last year with an ambitious growth goal to double the impact over the next three years.

In 2017, CASA of Oklahoma County trained 75 new volunteers. That number rose by nearly a quarter in 2018 with 93 total volunteers sworn in as officers of the juvenile court this year. Those same community members have successfully advocated on behalf of 222 additional foster children in 2018.

Director of Communications BC Phillips was quick to thank those who made the program’s

growth possible. “This expansion is thanks in large part to funding awarded to us in 2017 by the Arnall Family Foundation. We were able to hire additional supervisory staff as well as implement a new marketing plan. We cast a wide net across the Oklahoma County community to find those individuals who care deeply about the future of kids in foster care.”

As of June 30, 2018, CASA of Oklahoma County had 239 individuals volunteer to serve 675 foster children. Safe, permanent homes were found for 32% of those children. The program's goal is to grow to serve 1,500 children annually by 2021.

For any additional information or questions please contact CASA at 405-713-6605. For information on other CASA programs around the state, visit the Oklahoma CASA Association website at oklahomacasa.org. CASA of Oklahoma County is a proud United Way Partner Agency.

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 27, 2018 • Page 13

Student earns a commission

PHOTO PROVIDED

University of Central Oklahoma student 2nd Lt. Jordan Dodson received a military commission in connection with her completion of the UCO Army ROTC program and bachelor’s degree during the university’s annual fall commissioning service held Dec. 14 at Central.

University of Central Oklahoma student 2nd Lt. Jordan Dodson received a military commission in connection with her completion of the UCO Army ROTC program and bachelor’s degree during the university’s annual fall commissioning service held Dec. 14 at Central.

Army ROTC serves as the largest commissioning source for the Army, producing approximately 70 percent of all the officers for the active Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve. Cadets complete a rigorous curriculum of classroom and leadership lab instruction, physical training and various summer training opportunities, all while attending college as full-time students.

Dodson, a native of Cache, will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and serve as an Armor officer in the Texas National Guard with the 1112th Cavalry Regiment.

In addition to serving the UCO community, Central’s Army ROTC program is host to five other affiliated universities: Oklahoma Christian University, Oklahoma City University, Southern Nazarene University, Langston University and Southwestern Christian University, allowing non-UCO students to commission through the UCO Army ROTC program with the completion of a bachelor’s degree at their home university.

For more information about the UCO Army ROTC program, visit www.uco.edu/business/rotc.

University of Central Oklahoma student 2nd Lt. Jordan Dodson received a military commission in connection with her completion of the UCO Army ROTC program and bachelor’s degree during the university’s annual fall commissioning service held Dec. 14 at Central.

Page 14 • December 27, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Waiting for a special visitor from the north

Right before he had to head back to the North Pole, Jolly Ole St. Nick paid a visit to the Edmond Safety Center, which is home to the Edmond Police Department. Many little ones, as well as their folks were on hand. Santa promised he would be returning to Edmond in 2019.

Austin Jean-Louis, 4, and Laila Nededog visit Santa at the Edmond Police Department earlier this month.

Even the outside of the Safety Center got into the spirit of the holiday.

Photos by Melinda Infante

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

‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’

Film is a worthy effort

By George Gust This year has been the year of content. With more and more viewing options like Hulu, Amazon Prime, Netflix and even YouTube our collective appetite for content is seemingly endless.

The result of this insatiable desire for more and more movies and shows is the proverbial scraping of the barrel for new #bankable ideas. When you hear about yet another incarnation of Spiderman in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”, you might (like me) think, “Ugh, here we go again.” Much in the same way you would respond to the thought of a movie based on Legos or a movie version of a to the proceedings, and Jake Johnson plays the washed-up Peter Parker with a gruff comedic short lived 80’s sitcom, both of which were grace. However, the main voice performances that brought to critical and box office success by “Spisell the heart of the film are from Moore and Brian derman: Into the Spider-Verse” writer Phil Lord.

However, was Lord able to bring the freshness and Tyree Henry whose father and son relationship is the strongest emotional core of the film and sets it uniqueness of those previous projects to yet anapart from being a straight to DVD animated feaother version of Spider-Man? Spoiler Alert: Yes. ture film.

Miles Morales (voice of Shameik Moore) beOverall, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is a comes the Spider-Man of his reality and crosses refreshingly unique take on a beloved (maybe the paths with his counterparts (featuring the voices most beloved) movie superhero who’s been on the of Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld and Nic Cage to big screen for nearly two decades. In a crowed name a few) from other dimensions to stop a landscape of content, “Spider-Man: Into the Spithreat to all reality. der-Verse” is worth swinging into the movie the“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is a visually ater to check out. There may even be an Oscar for arresting and surprisingly heartfelt examination of Best Animated Feature on the horizon for this film.

Spider-Man as a character in our universe as well “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is rated PG as a touching original story of a new character (to for frenetic sequences of animated action violence, most audiences). “Spider-Verse” is unafraid of thematic elements, and mild language. being slapstick and silly, but the most successful el4.3 out of 5 stars ement is the tightrope walk the narrative takes to make you care about the film’s characters. The visual animation style to the film is unlike any big budget animated film this year. There is an unbelievable amount of detail put into the film, with self-aware Easter eggs for fans of the Spider-Man franchise and comicbook flourishes peppered throughout.

However, the slick comic-book visual style is always in service of the heart of the film.

“Spider-Verse” was seemingly cast to perfection featuring voices both voices you’ll recognize and new ones as well. Cage is unmistakable with his gravelly 30’s detective noir style, coPeter Parker (voice of Jake Johnson) coaches up a new Spidermedian John Mulaney as Spider-Ham Man, Miles Morales (voice of Shameik Moore) in the new anibrings a fun whacky Looney Tunes stylemated feature "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse"

Crossword Puzzle STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: WINTER FUN ACROSS 1. Most populous continent 5. Mayan language 8. *Bumpy winter transport 12. Spiritual leader 13. Ledger entry 14. In a cold manner 15. Deodorant's target 16. African chieftain 17. Asiatic wild dog 18. *Used in fun winter fights 20. Overnight lodgings 21. *Whoville's ____ beast 22. Tropical constrictor 23. E.B. White's Little 26. What siren does 29. Not a thing 30. Bear the expenses of 33. Between larva and adult 35. In a fitting way 37. Neighbor of Ger. 38. Up and about 39. Unadulterated 40. Excessive protection 42. Middleearth creature 43. No balance due 45. *Winter Gathering spot 47. Resident uncle?

48. Diarist Anne 50. *Christmas pudding raisin 52. *Done with #8 Across 55. "Fahrenheit 9/11" filmmaker 56. *"The stump of a ____ he held tight in his teeth..."

57. Pout 59. Machu Picchu mountains 60. Snaky swimmers 61. Wild swine 62. Words from Wordsworth 63. Kind of humor 64. Southern stew staple

DOWN 1. Gone by 2. Wash froth 3. Fe 4. Light display 5. Cass Elliot and Michelle Phillips 6. Like a crooked kilt?

7. Lime-rich soil 8. *Hot chocolate add-on 9. One with biggest share 10. Olden-day elbow-related measurement, pl.

11. Do after tie 13. Formal discussion 14. "Bite the bullet," e.g.

19. Verbose 22. BeyoncÈ, a.k.a. Queen ____ 23. Finger move 24. *Angler's accessory 25. U in UV 26. Uber alternative 27. Your own teacher 28. Sudden stream 31. Box office failure 32. *Hot Buttered ____

34. St. Louis monument 36. Time for relaxation, pl.

38. Change, as in U.S. Constitution 40. "____'s the word" 41. Grey's fifty 44. Female sirs 46. Hands on hips 48. Marketing give-away 49. Email option 50. *Hockey turf 51. Ore deposit 52. Expel 53. E-reader brand 54. ____ gum on a list of ingredients 55. Zedong of China 58. Major time period

See Answers Page 23

Answers on Page 23

Page 16 • December 27, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

For rancher ‘Home is where the Herd is’

By Bryan Painter MUSKOGEE – A lot of people say they are thankful for what time has taught them. However, Kelly Wiedel, who ranches with husband Bart in eastern Oklahoma, has a lifetime of experiences to back that up.

There are simple things she has learned.

Take for instance haying.

“I’ll never forget the day when my father-in-law Jim Wiedel said I had tractor driving in my blood because I asked him if I could rake again,” Kelly Wiedel said.

She also won’t forget what she learned one day when she was out haying.

“When raking hay with a tractor without a cab, stay away from bumble bees,” she said.

Wiedel has painted countless feet of pipe fence and gateways.

“From that I have learned to always paint with the wind at my back,” she said.

There are also things she’s learned that weren’t so simple, such as the first time her husband was ever involved in a vehicle accident. She was a passenger.

“It caused me to get vertigo and after time with it not going away and many different tests and scans of my head,” she said, “we found out that I had a brain aneurism and had to have brain surgery. So the wreck was a blessing because it saved my life.”

Perhaps it was all those experiences and more that led her to place a sign in their dining room that reads, “It may not be the easy way, but it’s the Cowboy Way.” On a Sunday morning Kelly was only 6 years old when she met this lanky boy named Bart at church on a Sunday in the early 1970s. Her family had just moved to the area and as it turned out, she grew up living roughly 10 miles from his family’s cow/calf and haying operation.

Kelly and Bart married in 1984 and started out with a small cow/calf operation near Muskogee. Three years later they became partners with his parents and together the families had 400 momma cows.

In between then and now, they have purchased more land and cattle.

They have taken on the management of another 1,000-acre ranch.

Beverly Delmedico has known Kelly and Bart for several years.

“I don’t know of a couple that is closer together than Bart and Kelly,” she said. “They do absolutely every-

PHOTO PROVIDED/ DUSTIN MIELKE, Vice President of Communications and Public Relations, Oklahoma Farm Bureau

Kelly Wiedel is being recognized as a Significant Woman in Oklahoma Agriculture.

thing together. They are just something else. I love Bart and Kelly both.”

Very proud of their family Wiedel has another sign hanging on the wall, “Home is where the herd is.”

While they are proud of their ranch, they are extremely proud of their family. Others have recognized

the Wiedels as well.

Kelly and Bart’s family received the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee’s District Six Farm and Ranch Family Recognition during the organization’s 77th annual meeting on Nov. 17.

They have three children, James Robert Wiedel, Jared Jay Wiedel and Lacy Miller, along with six grandchildren.

So, Kelly Wiedel says this about agriculture.

“It has given me a life to work beside my husband and raise our children in a way of life that has made them want to continue to live their lives in agriculture,” she said. “Our two sons have cattle of their own and work with us in the hay field.

Our daughter and her husband have their own cattle operation about 45 miles away. We hope that our children and grandchildren have learned that hard work will make them better people.”

There is that word again, “learned.”

Life on an agricultural operation provides its own forms of continuing education.

There are the enjoyable lessons.

“I am most happy on the ranch when it is spring time and all the baby calves are running around,” she said.

Editor’s note: This is part of a continuing series of stories on Significant Women in Oklahoma Agriculture. The project is a collaborative program between the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry and Oklahoma State University to recognize and honor the impact of countless women across all 77 counties of the state, from all aspects and areas of the agricultural industry.

The honorees were nominated by their peers and selected by a committee of industry professionals.

Then, there are the challenging lessons.

“We went through a bad drought and had to bale cornstalks to provide hay for our cattle, because we sold more hay than our fields made because of the drought,” she said.

A key part of that comment is, “We went through…” They didn’t stop, they didn’t turn back. They put on their work gloves and they “went through.”

So how does Wiedel summarize the lessons learned so far in life?

Kelly Wiedel said, “It takes a person who is willing to put in a lot of time and hard work to make a ranch successful.”

Kelly Wiedel and husband Bart have a ranch in Muskogee County.

PHOTO PROVIDED/ DUSTIN MIELKE,

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 27, 2018 • Page 17

OSP announces show schedule for 2019 Oklahoma Shakespeare announces the 2019 season, celebrating Shakespeare, classics and new plays and the company’s 35th year. “The process of season selection has never felt more joyful,” said Executive/Artistic Director, Kathryn McGill.

“To celebrate 35 years of existence for any arts organization feels monumental so we’ve decided to go back to our roots by celebrating Shakespeare a bit in our choices. We are doing three plays by the bard and a new play about Shakespeare and his legacy, as well as a new holiday classic.

For the first time in 35 years the season will officially open early in the year on Feb. 7 and continue through Dec. 21,.

The 2019 season includes changes to the production schedule—including an earlier season opening—in response to patterns of patron demand and to adjust to the potential of more indoor shows. “This adjustment is one that allows us to focus on building a strong and sustainable future for OSP that is rooted in equity and engagement across the organization and with our audience,” said McGill. “This change will allow access to our plays for more of the year, and we anticipate will help make workloads more manageable for our staff at peak times in the season.”

“If music be the food of love, play on.” The 2019 season will open in February indoors with one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, “Twelfth Night”, directed by Kathryn McGill. “This is the first play we ever produced in 1985, so it is especially appropriate that we revisit it this year,” said McGill, who looks forward to joining Viola and company in Illyria on a comedic journey laced with themes of female strength and empowerment and love and gender in their myriad complex manifestations.

Laughter will ring out under the stars as Shakespeare’s hilarious tale of mistaken identity takes the outdoor stage in June with “Comedy of Errors” directed by D. Lance Marsh. A young man and

Stevenson stars as Prospero, OSP Managing Director Tyler Woods directs.

The season concludes in December with “Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker” by Erin Woods. Based on the novels and letters of Jane Austen, this play is a celebration of the life and love of Jane Austen, as seen through the eyes of her most beloved characters. Audience participation is encouraged through the song and dance of the period!

Tickets are on sale online now! www.oklahomashakespeare.com

his servant arrive in town, unaware that each of them has a separated-at-birth identical twin already there. This can’t end well—or maybe it can, but not before the unexpected double vision leads to furious wives, confused mistresses, scandalized family members, and general mayhem.

In August we move back indoors with the Oklahoma premier of Lauren Gunderson’s look at the creation of Shakespeare’s First Folio in “The Book of Will” a lively, funny, poignant love letter to theatre and the printed word. Washington D.C. director, Rex Daugherty helms the production.

“The Book of Will” was the recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award and the American Theatre Critics Association Award for Best New Play.

Brimming with magic and romance, William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” plays in October.

The play sweeps us through stormy seas to an island where airy and earthly spirits captivate or free us. Pollard Theatre Artistic Director Jerome

Twelfth Night

By William Shakespeare Directed by Kathryn McGill Performances: February 7 – March 2, 2019 February 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, March 1, 2 @ 8pm February 17 & 24 @ 2pm 2920 Paseo Gasping on the shores of Illyria after a shipwreck which cast her brother into the raging sea, Viola finds solace disguised as a boy in the service of Duke Orsino, for whom she falls hard. Orsino is smitten with idea of love in the person of Lady Olivia, who has recently lost her own brother and couldn't be more underwhelmed by his affections.

Olivia's uncle, Sir Toby Belch, and his crew find great delight overturning the household with their raucous antics and song while driving the penultimate of stuffed shirts, Malvolio, nuts. A rich, romantic, and deeply funny story of longing, love, and laughter led by one of Shakespeare’s most beloved heroines.

The Comedy of Errors

By William Shakespeare Directed by D. Lance Marsh

See OSP, Page 18

Page 18 • December 27, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

OSP From Page 17 Performances: June 6 – 29, 2019 June 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 @ 8pm Myriad Gardens Two sets of twins, each with the same name— what could go wrong? Everything, apparently.

Leave logic behind and delight in the confusion of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, where servants misplace their masters, wives overlook their husbands, and sons forget their fathers.

The blunders double, triple and cube until chaos reigns — and everyone is pretty sure that everyone else is completely insane. It's amazing the hilarious havoc two sets of twins can unleash on an unsuspecting town.

Remember tickets are on sale online now! www.oklahomashakespeare.com One of the rare photos of The Beatles to be shown during the concert next month in Oklahoma City.

Rare photos of Fab Four also to be shown

OKC Philharmonic will feature music of The Beatles Jan. 4-5 On Jan. 4 and 5, The Beatles come to life in “Revolution,” the new authorized symphonic tribute of the Fab Four, featuring The OKCPHIL along with top vocalists and musicians performing Grammy-winner Jeff Tyzik’s arrangements, transcribed from the original master recordings at Abbey Road.

The event will be at 8 p.m. both nights at the Civic Center in downtown Oklahoma City.

In addition, the concert features hundreds of rare and unseen photos from the historic London-based archives of ‘The Beatles Book Monthly’ the official Beatles fan magazine, along with stunning animation! “Revolution,” takes audiences on a magical, musical, and visual journey with the Beatles, and features arrangements of 25 top hits including “Ticket to Ride,” “Penny Lane,” “All You Need Is Love,” “Get Back,” “Here Comes the Sun” and “Hey Jude.” Tickets are available by calling (405) 842-5387, (405) TICKETS from Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or online at okcphil.org/beatles.

Says Susan Webb, Marketing Director of The OKCPHIL “We are pleased to bring this concert event to Oklahoma City, only the second city on its premier tour. Beatles lovers of all ages won’t want to miss this exciting, concert experience. From the beloved music of The Beatles to the exclusive, authorized digital archives to the stunning animation, you are sure to be transported to a time when The Beatles made a lasting impression on your life”.

Grammy Award winner Jeff Tyzik is one of America’s most innovative and sought after pops conductors. Tyzik

is recognized for his brilliant arrangements, original programming and engaging rapport with audiences of all ages. This is the fifth season that Tyzik has held The Dot and Paul Mason Principal Pops Conductor’s Podium at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. He also serves as Principal Pops Conductor of the Detroit Symphony, the Oregon Symphony and The Florida Orchestra.

This season, Tyzik will celebrate his 24th season as Principal Pops Conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. In his 24 years with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Tyzik has written over 200 arrangements, orchestrations and compositions for orchestra. A consummate musician, Tyzik regularly appears as a guest conductor in the orchestra’s classical subscription series. Tyzik earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Eastman School of Music. While there, he studied composition/arranging with Radio City Music Hall’s Ray Wright and jazz studies with Chuck Mangione. Tyzik subsequently toured with Mangione as lead trumpet and worked on five Mangione recordings as a producer and performer from 1976 to 1981.

To preview the photo gallery go to: http://schirmertheatrical.com/show/revolutionthebeatles/

This Chickasaw Nation Pops concert is the third of the 2018-2019 season. Concert sponsorship provided by Express Personal.

The Oklahoma City Philharmonic has gained recognition as one of the nation’s premier regional orchestras. Tracing its roots to 1924, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, was formed in 1988 by Music Director Emeritus Joel Levine and has remained steadfast in its mission “to provide inspiration and joy for the community through orchestral music.” Through its consistent commitment to excellence, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and new Music Director Alexander Mickelthwate strive to enrich lives, expand cultural development, educate future generations, and provide audiences with a diverse and inspirational performance experience. Committed to expanding its reach well beyond the concert hall, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic enjoys a close collaborative relationship with Oklahoma’s colleges and universities as well as the city’s other premier arts organizations including Oklahoma City Ballet and Canterbury Voices.

Additionally, the Phil presents the free, annual Red, White and Boom concert. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 405-"TICKETS" (8425387), or visit okcphil.org.

Musician and singer Paul McCartney during his tenure with The Beatles during the 1960s.

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 27, 2018 • Page 19

Julian Bliss Septet

Armstrong Auditorium will host Julian Bliss Septet Armstrong Auditorium welcomes the Julian Bliss Septet to the stage for a joyful, humorous and authentic swinging affair on Thursday, Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m.

“Julian Bliss is an absolutely astounding clarinet virtuoso with an incredible knack for re-creating Benny Goodman’s work in an authentic way,” said Armstrong Auditorium Concert Manager Ryan Malone. “We are thrilled to bring him, his septet and this legendary program to Armstrong.”

From Ronnie Scott’s legendary jazz club to the Wigmore Hall in London to Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Julian Bliss Septet has shared its uplifting, classy, humorous shows and exceptional musician-

Ticket Information: 285-1010 ship to packed venues around the world since its formation in 2010. Handpicked by one of the finest clarinet virtuosos of our day, Julian Bliss, the Septet returns to its roots exploring the inspirational music of the legendary swing master Benny Goodman in their tribute program at Armstrong on Feb. 14.

Armstrong Auditorium champions Oklahoma as a world-class center for the arts by bringing cultural experiences to Oklahoma's heartland. Since 1998, each performance series has featured

Reasons why cryptocurrency may rebound in new year The cryptocurrency industry has been on a roller-coaster ride in recent years, with prices shooting up, then falling sharply. Bitcoin (BTC) lost nearly 70 percent of its value in 2018, triggering a domino effect as other cryptocurrencies such as Binance Coin (BNB) and EOS also experienced losses.

But some market experts who follow cryptocurrency closely think it will rebound in 2019, and apparently many investors are still strapped in for the wild ride.

“There are plenty of facts to back up the case for an imminent crypto rebound,” says Daniel Ameduri (www.futuremoneytrends.com), cofounder of the Future Money Trends newsletter. “One fact is that cryptocurrency has game-changing technology.

“After some inevitable corrections over the past few years, the bouncebacks have shown that crypto is built for the new global economy. And keep in mind, Amazon fell 95 percent in 2002.”

Ameduri reviews some reasons cryptocurrency could rebound in the coming year: n History repeats. “Cryptocurrencies have a history of crashes and recoveries just like other asset classes, but on an accelerated timeline,” Ameduri says. “You’re getting all of the ups and downs that you’d expect to see in any investment class – stocks, real estate, commodities, etc. except it’s moving at a faster pace.” n It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Patience for the long haul is vital to staying invested in stocks that seem exciting at their inception. “BTC is a

prime example of that,” Ameduri says. “Without exception, BTC recovered all losses from past corrections and then reached new all-time highs, handsomely rewarding patient and level-headed investors. For example, even if the recent decline were to exceed 80 percent, Bitcoin historians can cite multiple times where the price has staged a full recovery from a drop of that magnitude.” n Crypto and techno are a perfect marriage. “BTC and the others have groundbreaking technology attached to them,” Ameduri says. “Immutable digital ledger technology is now part of the fabric of the global economy and is here to stay.” n Real grassroots enthusiasm.

Along with the investments, Ameduri says, are waves of entrepreneurs flocking to crypto conferences, reflecting the building momentum of an industry fighting for relevance in a changing economy. “Those are the underpinnings of success,” Ameduri says. “It’s still an exotic currency for early adaptors, moving forward and right on the cusp of reaching the masses. An exciting time.” n Institutional investors. With major banks such as Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs planning to serve the crypto market, Ameduri says waves of capital could be released as institutions feel comfortable entering the market. “This will help build the infrastructure necessary for far more investing,” Ameduri says.

“Crypto moves at an accelerated pace,” Ameduri says, “so it won’t be long before massive-scale adoption kicks in.”

today's brightest stars in classical, jazz and folk music, as well as theater, classical ballet, folk dance and more. With only 75 feet from the stage to the back wall, Armstrong Auditorium is the ideal venue for this particular performance. The 823-seat theater is crafted for the most exceptional projection of balance and sound and boasts a nine-millisecond initial time-delay-gap — providing an intimate listening experience.

Tickets to the Julian Bliss Septet performance begin at $31. For more information about ticket options, subscriptions, group rates or current exhibits, please visit www.ArmstrongAuditorium.org or call 405-285-1010.

Page 20 • December 27, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

PHOTO PROVIDED

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for Highland 55 at Spring Creek. Pictured left to right: Kelly Brander, Central Bank of Oklahoma; Rhone Bird, Highland 55 at Spring Creek, LP partner; David Forrest, Highland 55 at Spring Creek, LP partner; Grant McKinney, Highland 55 at Spring Creek, LP partner; and Chris Franklin, Highland 55 at Spring Creek, LP partner. Not pictured are Dave Biggers, Highland 55 at Spring Creek, LP partner and Cliff Cabaness, Highland 55 at Spring Creek, LP partner.

Age-restricted rental community

Groundbreaking for Highland 55 A groundbreaking for Highland 55 at Spring Creek, a luxury age-restricted rental community, was held last week, Dec. 19 at 1117 S. Bryant Ave. Highland 55 at Spring Creek will be a 72-unit active lifestyle community, catering exclusively to adults age 55 and older. Highland 55 at Spring Creek will offer residents maintenance-free living with amenities, services, and programs tailored to enhance a socially active lifestyle while also facilitating their goals of maintaining a healthy body and mind.

“Highland 55 at Spring Creek fills a niche in an underrepresented segment of the housing market,” said David Forrest, Partner of Highland 55 at Spring Creek, LP and developer of Highland 55 at Spring Creek.

“More specifically it is lifestyle housing for renters by choice, 55 and older, who do not yet have a care component requirement. Common terms for this housing niche are ‘active adult’ or ‘active lifestyle’; regardless of the term, our intent is to focus on being active!”

The community’s location within the heart of Edmond, directly across the street from Hafer Park, offers residents ease of access to restaurants,

retail services, grocery, medical facilities and more.

The property exteriors will be craftsman style with every unit having a direct access garage. Four different floorplans will be available, beginning with the smallest a 999square-foot one bedroom, up to the largest two-bedroom floorplan at 1,594-square-feet. All units will offer large open kitchens with stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, wood cabinets and pantry.

Other features will include large bathrooms, full-size washer and dryer, large closets, nine-foot ceilings, outdoor patios, intrusion alarms and fire sprinkler systems.

Property amenities will include a gated entry, 24-hour maintenance, resident clubhouse with great room and large outdoor patio. A separate fitness facility will include one indoor pickleball court, a large fitness center, along with a multi-purpose activity room, which doubles as a storm shelter. The community will also include a resident and dog park, as well as community gardens. Concierge trash pickup, pet sitting, plant watering, and house cleaning services will also be available.

For more information, visit highland55.com.

RENDERING PROVIDED

Rendering shows the resident clubhouse, which will include a great room and large outdoor patio beside the activity center which will include an indoor pickle ball court, fitness area with yoga studio and exercise equipment, and a multi-purpose room which will double as a storm shelter.

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 27, 2018 • Page 21

Official lauds ruling on Obamacare

ShowBiz Cinemas now open

Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak is praising the ruling by a federal judge that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional.

Judge Reed C. O'Connor said the tax bill passed by Congress in Dec. 2017 effectively rendered the entire health law unconstitutional because it eliminated the penalty for not having insurance. O'Connor, judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, ruled that without that penalty, the law was no longer valid.

"I applaud the decision by Judge O'Connor to rule that the ACA is unconstitutional,” said Doak. “It offers an opportunity to refocus efforts on choice, affordability and consumer protections, elements that have been absent in the marketplace since the inception of the ACA. Whether the ruling is upheld through the appellate process or not, it is now time to apply sensible free market alternatives and fix the ACA problems legislatively.

Part of this strategy should be the promotion of consumer alternatives such as association health plans and short-term limited duration plans.”

The administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which oversees federal insurance exchanges, said the ruling will have no impact to current coverage or coverage in a 2019 plan.

An appeal is expected in the case which will likely end up in the Supreme Court.

ShowBiz Cinemas is now open at the northwest corner of Interstate 35 and Covell.

Its grand opening last week also included a visit from television star Chuck Norris.

“We really have not had entertainment at this level in this area,” said marketing director Beth Miska. “We are very excited to be here.”

With 14 bowling lanes, a lane-side cafe and arcade, guests can enjoy more than just a movie.

The cinema also offers a full bar with food, which can be taken into the bowling area and cinemas.

“Everybody is always trying to find the lowest cost way, but we went a different, more special way,” said Rob Warnes, ShowBiz Cinemas chief operating officer. “This is a special place.”

The theater includes 10 wall-to-wall movie screens with electric recliners, Dolby Atmos surround sound and an auditorium featuring 4K digital laser projection.

Every plush seat in the cinema reclines.

Famed actor Chuck Norris, and wife Gena pose with Chris Thomas during a VIP reception at ShowBiz Cinemas. Thomas is also the new advertising sales representative for Edmond Life & Leisure. Thomas graduated this month from the University of Central Oklahoma with a major in professional media and a minor in photography.

If you’d like to help your business grow, please give Chris a call at 340-3311.

Bank promotes Blades, Acosta Quail Creek bank has announced a pair of promotions.

Summer Blades was promoted to Vice President, Internal Auditing, recently by the bank’s board of directors. Blades worked as a part-time auditor for the bank from 2003 to 2006 before entering the public accounting sector. After a four year stint, she returned to the banking industry and held several internal auditing positions at Blades Florida and Texasbased banks before returning to Quail Creek Bank in 2016.

Blades earned a Bachelors Degree in Accounting from the University of Central Oklahoma and is a certified member of the Institute of Internal

Auditors.

---Elisabeth Acosta was promoted to Operations Officer recently by the bank’s Board of Directors. Acosta joined the bank as a Acosta teller in 2006, then worked her way through various operational roles, mastering each of them along the way.

Her primary duties include Debit Card portfolio management and Accounts Payable management. Acosta earned a Bachelors Degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Central Oklahoma and is a recent graduate of the Oklahoma Banker’s Association Operations School.

Feds forecasting a brisk economy for state in 2019 The Oklahoma City Branch of the Federal Reserve of Kansas City has released its latest issue of the quarterly publication the Oklahoma Economist.

Oklahoma’s economy continued to expand in 2018 with employment increasing solidly and the unemployment rate below the national average with wages rising, according to Chad Wilkerson, branch executive, vice president and economist at the Oklahoma City Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

“Growth in 2018 was not limited to one sector of the economy, as the energy, manufacturing and services industries all posted solid increases while income in the agriculture sector showed some stability,” said Wilkerson. “With rising employment and positive outlooks across most industries, Oklahoma’s economy heading into 2019 also appears positive, especially if commodity prices and trade discussions stabilize.”

Wilkerson said the outlook for key

goods-producing sectors is encouraging heading into 2019 despite tariffs and lower oil prices.

“Additionally, state tax receipts have been strong,” he said. “Together, these factors suggest the state’s economy is on good footing heading into 2019.”

The complete issue is available at https://www.kansascityfed.org/publications/research/oke.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City serves the Tenth Federal Reserve District, encompassing the western third of Missouri; all of Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wyoming; and the northern half of New Mexico. As part of the nation’s central bank, the Bank participates in setting national monetary policy, supervising and regulating numerous commercial banks and bank holding companies, and providing financial services to depository institutions. Info is available online at www.kansascityfed.org.

Page 22 • December 27, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure

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Gifts, big and small, are part of many holiday traditions. While you can’t put a price on the sentimental value, if you decide to give something expensive, you should consider insuring that gift. From jewelry to vehicles to major electronics, insurance will help in case these items are lost, stolen or destroyed by a fire or other disaster.

If you receive or give an expensive present, here on some things you can do to make sure it’s adequately covered.

Know Your Coverage In general, high value personal possessions like jewelry, furs, fine art, musical instruments or guns are covered under homeowners and renters insurance policies. However, many policies limit the amount of coverage to less than $1,000. Check with your insurance agent to better understand your policy.

If your current policy is not enough to cover the items you want to protect, consider purchasing a separate policy or adding an “endorsement” or “floater” to your existing policy.

Floaters are available as add-ons to homeowners and renter’s insurance.

Prices will vary depending on what you’ll be covering, the insurance company you choose, where you live and where the item will be kept.

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Obtain an Appraisal An item's dollar value has the most influence on your premium and deductible. If you give or receive heirloom jewelry or antiques, you’ll want a written appraisal to tell you the exact dollar value. When you are ready to purchase insurance on the items, plan on providing the recent appraisal and a receipt if you have one.

Purchasing a Vehicle as a Gift If you're giving a car, SUV or truck as a gift, make sure the recipient updates the insurance. If you share an auto insurance policy with the person receiving the gift, the process can be easy. Simply add the car to your shared policy.

Update Your Home Inventory Remember to add any expensive or sizable gifts to your home inventory.

This will help you purchase the right amount of insurance and speed up the claims process if there is a loss.

Whether you use a physical list or an app for your home inventory, makes sure to include as many details as possible, take photos of each item and take video of rooms in your house.

For more information on creating your home inventory visit our website at oid.ok.gov or contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 800-522-0071 with your questions.

Senate leadership last week were cautiously optimistic about next year’s budget after a state board certified an estimated $612 million in new funding for the upcoming budget year.

However, Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat and Senate Appropriations Chairman Roger Thompson both said lawmakers and the public should not set unattainable expectations for next year.

“Our financial picture is improving in Oklahoma thanks to a recovering economy and tough choices made by the Legislature,” said Treat, R-Oklahoma City. “I’m optimistic about 2019 but want expectations to be realistic. Even though the preliminary estimate shows growing revenue, there are many existing obligations and priorities heading into next year.

Senate Republicans will keep our commitment to teachers and want to build on the huge investment made in education last year. There are other critical needs the Legislature will prioritize and balance as we work on the budget.”

Senator Thompson, R-Okemah, said the new revenues will be helpful but won’t cover the growing list of budget requests from state agencies.

“It’s great news to anticipate growing revenue coming into the state, but we can’t overlook the expenses that must be covered. Before the first budget bill is even considered, the state has obligations like bond indebtedness, the ad valorem reimbursement fund, and replacing lost

Treat federal dollars that went to our state’s teaching hospitals,” Thompson said. “Agencies continue to hand in their budget requests for next year.

Not every request is in but the total amount of budget increases being sought by agencies already exceeds the total amount of estimated new revenue. Senate Republicans have been at work on the next year's budget since August and we’ll keep working hard to make sure we’re investing those new dollars in ways that reap a great return and provide maximum benefit for Oklahoma.”

The Board of Equalization is comprised of the governor, lieutenant governor, state treasurer, attorney general, state superintendent of education, the state auditor, and the secretary of agriculture.

The board meets to approve the certified amount of revenue available to spend in the state budget.

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 27, 2018 • Page 23

Metro transplant recipients part of upcoming Rose Bowl parade Two Oklahoma City locals will be representing their state in the 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade.

Mike McClellin and Kaylee Rayburn will be a part of the Donate Life Float and featured in the parade.

Every year, LifeShare of Oklahoma helps sponsor the Donate Life Float in the Tournament of Roses Parade to spread the message about organ, eye and tissue donation to a nationwide audience.

LifeShare is the organ procurement organization in Oklahoma responsible for the recovery of organs and tissue for transplant purposes.

As a sponsor, LifeShare is able to send one recipient to ride the float and one donor portrait to be honored on the float. This year, the Aidan Hooper Foundation and Promathera Biosciences are allowing LifeShare to send an additional donor portrait and recipient to be honored on the float.

The 2019 Donate Life Rose Parade Float, Rhythym of the Heart, highlights the musical diversity and rhythms of Africa. Djembe drums from Senegal, along with a Kuba drum from the Congo will carefully integrate 44 floral portraits in their beautiful design, honoring the brave lives of deceased donors. Overlooking the floragraphs is a dramatic double Senufo mask from the Ivory Coast that gives thanks to ancestors and remembers those who have gone before. The double face suggests male, and female, past, and present generations, as well as the interconnectedness of all of those who have been touched by the power of donation.

Twenty-six living donors or transplant recipients ride or walk beside the float, gathering around the drums, a giant marimba from Ghana, and an exotic kora from Burkina Faso. The kora and marimba play important parts in the passing down of stories of previous generations in song. Rising over the rear of the float are spectacular chiwara headdress from

Mali; these stylized antelope headdresses are featured in dances that teach youth the value of community, in the same way the donation and transplantation community come together to share the importance of donation.

This January, Oklahoma will be represented by these two transplant recipients: Mike McClellin – Kidney Recipient Mike will be honored as a rider on the Donate Life Float. He is one of 26 donors to be featured as a recipient.

About Mike McClellin: Mike McClellin, of Oklahoma City, was born with Nail-Patella Syndrome, a hereditary condition which affects the skeletal system and puts those with the disease at risk of kidney issues. Growing up, he had a few physical limitations but lived a pretty normal life with activities and functionality.

After his father died when Mike was nine years

old from the same condition, Mike was told he too would one day be in renal failure and would need a kidney transplant like his father did.

As soon as Mike reached his late 20s, he began to tire easily and had high blood pressure issues. His doctor began running more frequent tests to monitor his declining kidney function. Mike became fearful and began to resign himself to the same fate of his father.

Mike was 34 years old when his doctor delivered the news to him that his kidney function had reached the point where he needed to start the process of getting ready for a transplant. Initially, he was terrified and assumed his days were numbered, as his timeline mimicked his fathers.

He continued to be treated for his renal failure and started dialysis. Mike was officially listed on the transplant waiting list, and as everyday passed, he hoped it would be the day he would receive a second chance at life.

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

St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)

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

SCRIPTURE • TRADITION • REASON

Page 24 • December 27, 2018 • Edmond Life & Leisure