Edmond Life and Leisure - August 17, 2023

FOUR SEASONS

Community helps Back-to-School cause

Four Seasons, by Kevin Box, in real life is located in front of the Center for Transformative Learning on the UCO campus, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper. Email contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing. For more information, see page 4.

Back to School High School Edition

See pages 12-15

FRIDAY, August 18 Sunny High 99° Low 75°

SATURDAY, August 19

Mostly Sunny High 101° Low 75°

SUNDAY, August 20 Sunny High 100° Low 74°

By Elaine Warner Approximately

1500 people turned out for the Back to School Resource Fair, held at Edmond’s First Christian Church earlier this month. Sponsored by the church and Project 66, 700 backpacks with grade-appropriate school supplies including pens, pencils, notebooks, markers, crayons, colored pencils and notebook paper were handed out.

First Christian and Project 66 volunteers had prepared over 1,000 backpacks for the event. Left-over supplies will be distributed to Edmond’s Title 1 schools and Project 66 clients. In addition to the supply giveaway, eighteen other organizations participated with information booths, give-aways, and treats.

The Edmond Public Schools Foundation passed out books and toys and provided information on free school-readiness programs for parents. Edmond Parks Department set up games on the church lawn. The SWAT vehicle brought by Edmond Police was a big attraction as families

lined up to see the vehicle, chat, take selfies with the policemen and cool off with “copsicles. Firemen from Station No. 1 showed off a ladder truck and set up a pedal car course in the parking lot and the City of Edmond handed out treats from a tent on the lawn.

Inside the building, other organizations including Sox of Love and Laundry Love of Central Oklahoma, SNAP, the YMCA and a variety of social service and health-oriented organizations chatted with visitors and passed out information about their programs.

In another area, kids got haircuts, had their faces painted and posed with Captain Supertooth, courtesy of Delta Dental

Over 100 volunteers made things go smoothly in this annual event which drew participants from across the Metro area. The wide range of organizations which offer services to adults and children should be a source of pride for the Edmond community.

Project 66

First Christian Church

Breakfast on Boulevard

Edmond Public Schools Foundation

Edmond Public Schools

Sox of Love & Laundry Love of Central Oklahoma

SNAP

Regional Food Bank

Northcare

Oklahoma Department of Mental Health

Integris Heath

YMCA

True Dads/Work Ready Oklahoma

Ministries of Jesus (Henderson Hills clinic, etc.)

Christ Fit Gym

Delta Dental (Captain Supertooth)

City of Edmond (outdoor tent/ giveaways)

Edmond Parks Department (lawn games)

Edmond Police Department (SWAT vehicle, go-carts, cop-cicles)

Edmond Fire Department (ladder truck)

PHOTOS BY ELAINE WARNER kits, and toys to guests. Left to right: Olivia Romanson, Rihana Murphy, David Boyd, Adya Ohri, Jack Moler and Makenzie Richner. Sgt. Randy Payne and Officer Ethan Eastep take a break to enjoy free donuts. Gervaise, Addison and Alexus Jones from Little Axe pose with Lt. Mark Sanders from Edmond Fire Station 1. Charlotte Velarde from the Central Oklahoma College of Cosmotology trims summer shags before the start of school.

Parks-Schlepp, former EPS official, now director for public relations firm

Susan Parks-Schlepp has joined Price Lang Public Relations as the firm’s director of client services.

Parks-Schlepp, a Colorado State University graduate, has worked in diverse communications roles including most recently as director of communications at Edmond Public Schools. She is a former television reporter and anchor.

“Our team is dedicated to helping our clients tell their unique stories through purposeful outreach,” said Price Lang Co-Founder Charlie Price. “As a masterful communicator and strategist, Susan embraces the challenge of purposeful storytelling that translates across media platforms. Her peoplecentered approach will further enhance the services we provide to our clients.”

Founded in 2011, Price Lang’s services include a range of communications and public relations functions, including community advocacy, copywriting, social media support, graphic design and strategic and crisis communications. For more information, visit www.pricelang.com.

Gourmet Gallery will have Made in Okla. Day Saturday

Longtime Edmond business, Gourmet Gallery, will be having its annual Made in Oklahoma tasting event this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The store is at 3325 S. Boulevard, Suite 107.

In addition, Gourmet Gallery will be marking 22 years of being in business. Oklahoma food vendors will be on hand sampling products complete with recipes.

The vendors include Butcher BBQ, Trader Dave’s Gourmet Treats, Cutters Cross Specialty Products, Pepper Creek Farms, Rick’s Chocolates, Prairie Gypsies, Mrs. Chadwich’s Bakery and Bedre Chocolate.

There will be a 20 percent discount offered. The event is sponsored by Dennis Chaumont State Farm.

To know more, call 405-715-3663 or thegourmetgallery.com

Susan Parks-Schlepp

Martha Mitchell’s Watergate view

If you are too young to remember Watergate, you need to do some reading. There is much to be learned from history and Watergate was full of lessons. What most people remember about that part of history is when President Nixon declared, “I am not a crook” and the rest of the country said, “No sir, you really are a crook”. All of which led to his resignation and subsequent pardon by President Gerald Ford.

Ray Hibbard

Many memorable phrases out of the scandal including follow the money, deep throat, plausible deniability and more. It was a great lesson in just telling the truth. As our editor, Steve Gust, likes to say, “Our best defense is the truth”. Nixon’s ratings were so high that if he had just told the truth when he found out about the break-in at the now famous hotel and not participated in the coverup, he would have been able to stay in office.

I was in high school at Heritage Hall during all of it and even at that time a budding journalist. We had a journalism teacher help us dissect the book All the Presidents Men during a class that met at lunch time. We would bring our paper bag lunches (mine always smelled like garlic) and discuss all that the book encompassed. I watched the hearings as much as I could as well. Lisa tells me that I was always sitting at the smart kids table in high school, but it was more like a table of nerds.

Having thought I was well versed in all things Watergate, the series Gaslit caught my interest. Gaslit is an American political thriller television limited series based on the first season of the podcast Slow Burn by Leon Neyfakh. It stars Julia Roberts, Sean Penn, Dan Stevens, Betty Gilpin, Shea Whigham, and Darby Camp. It premiered last year but just now caught our attention. Penn plays John Mitchell and does an amazing job.

Gaslit begins in early 1972 and follows the story of the Watergate scandal through the lives of several individuals on its periphery. Nixon, for example, is rarely seen, while the main protagonist is Martha Mitchell—known as "The Mouth from the South" due to her propensity for talking to the press, often at inopportune times for her husband, John. He opens the series as Nixon's Attorney General. She is aware that her behavior makes her unpopular with the government and her husband, on one occasion telling her husband "get another wife if you want a silent one". Seen as a liability by both, she eventually blows the whistle on Nixon's knowledge of the activities of his staff.

Other perspectives come from the burglary's coordinator, G. Gordon Liddy, who leads a gang of ex-FBI agents and Cuban exiles. In one of the episodes there is a long stretch about Liddy that I found unnecessary. If the point was to prove that Liddy was nuts, it didn’t need much help.

John Dean, White House Counsel, is at first pleased to be chosen by the President himself for his position but becomes increasingly unnerved at the extent of the administration's involvement in criminality until he realizes he is being set up as a fall guy. Dean was always hard to understand for me. His ego got him in trouble most of the time,

but he really wanted to follow the law as well. I think the biggest concern of his was getting caught.

Here is a quote from Julia Roberts that sums up Mitchell’s attitude: JULIA ROBERTS: (As Martha Mitchell) I decided long ago that I will say how I feel. And if that does not conform to the president's message, so be it. If that gets me banned off Air Force One, I will fly commercial.

If you do not know much about Watergate, this may not be the show for you. But, if you are old enough to remember the news of the day during the difficult period in our history, I think you would enjoy the different viewpoint.

Here is an update to some of the players:

G. Gordon Liddy

After his release in 1977, Liddy remained in the Washington, D.C. area and rebranded himself as a conservative talk-show host and military and weapons expert. He also worked as an actor, appearing on shows such as “Miami Vice.” In his 1980 memoir, Will, he talks about conquering his fears by subjecting himself to gruesome experiments in which he eats rat meat and burns his own flesh. He retired from the airwaves in 2012, saying he wanted to spend more time with his grandchildren. He died on March 30, 2021, at age 90.

John Ehrlichman

After his release, Ehrlichman, who had been disbarred, divorced his wife and moved to New Mexico, where he focused on writing. In addition to several novels, he published a 1982 memoir titled Witness to Power: The Nixon Years, in which he wrote, "I don't miss Richard Nixon very much, and Richard Nixon probably doesn't miss me." He later moved to Atlanta, where he worked as a business consultant to the hazardous-waste removal industry and, in 1996, exhibited a collection of pen-andink drawings from the Watergate years. He died in 1999, having admitted more than 20 years earlier that his Watergate woes were largely self-inflicted: “If I had any advice for my kids, it would be never—to never, ever—defer your moral judgments to anybody.”

John Dean

After his release, Dean moved to California and reinvented himself as an investment banker. He wrote in his 1976 Watergate memoir, Blind Ambition: “I don’t want to be known as just the snitch of Watergate,” following up that book in 1983 with a second memoir titled, Lost Honor. Dean has become a go-to source for journalists seeking to contrast the Nixon and Trump administrations. "I've been inside a cover-up,” he told The Los Angeles Times in 2017. “I know why we could make certain things go away and other things not go away."

John Mitchell

After his release, Mitchell lived in D.C.’s Georgetown neighborhood and founded the consulting firm Global Research International, Inc. While Mitchell reportedly accepted a $50,000 advance from Simon and Schuster for his memoirs, he ultimately chose to keep quiet on the subject—and was sued in 1981 for failing to deliver the book. He died in 1988.

E. Howard Hunt

After Hunt was released from prison, he moved to Florida, started a new family and continued to write spy novels—as he had been doing for years— totaling about 80 over the course of his life. He won $650,000 in a libel suit in 1981, after a rightwing newspaper linked him to the assassination of John F. Kennedy yet received none of the money when the suit was overturned several years later. Weighed down by legal fees stemming from Watergate, he declared bankruptcy in 1997. He died in 2007, months before the publication of his cowritten memoir, American Spy: My Secret History in the CIA, Watergate and Beyond.

H.R. Haldeman

After serving 18 months in prison, Haldeman worked as a business consultant and focused on his real-estate interests and Florida-based Sizzler steakhouse franchises. In a post-Watergate memoir titled The Ends of Power, published in 1978, Haldeman wrote: “I believed in tough campaigning, too, but even from my hard-liner standpoint, Nixon went too far at times. But political strategy wasn't my province, only the mechanics.” He died in 1993, six months before the book was published.

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

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

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

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

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

For more

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

RAY HIBBARD

Jan Moran with AT&T welcomes Edmond Mayor Darrell Davis to the Edmond Chamber’s state of the city luncheon last week. AT&T was the presenting sponsor for the event.

Mayor Addresses Chamber Luncheon

(Editor’s Note: The following arrest reports are provided by the Edmond Police Department. Guilt or innocence is determined in a court of law.

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

July 26

Kevin Scott Hutchins, 48 of Edmond. Two felony warrants and four misdemeanor warrants.

Preston David Yearout, 23 of Edmond. Possess drug paraphernalia, possess CDS, transport open container of intoxicating beverage or beer and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

David Kenneth Bergeron, 40 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

July 27

Angela Virginia Gattenby, 23 of Oklahoma City. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

Sebastian Alejndro Orozco, 22 of Kingfisher., Felony DUI/APC.

Yanamont B. Darianssen, 50, homeless. Public intoxication, possess CDS and possess drug paraphernalia.

July 28

Emily Ann Blais, 25 of Edmond. Expired tag and felony DUI/APC.

Cody Dexter Norman, 43 of Edmond. Failure to appear.

Walter Jerome Funches Jr., 42 homeless. Trespassing after being warned.

Charles Derek Hodges, 33 homeless. Trespassing after being warned.

Marcus Tyler Williams, 29 of Oklahoma City. Failure to appear.

Avery Logan Tawater, 19 of Edmond. Two misdemeanor warrants, driving with license canceled, suspended or revoked and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

July 29

Rachel Marie Wilson, 18 of Edmond. Social host violation.

Parker Scott Gum, 18 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Amanda Jean Newby, 44 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

Zachary Wyatt Jorgensen, 21 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level .08 or more.

Ivan Daniel Mora, 25 of Warr Acres. Driving with a license canceled, suspended or revoked and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle3 with a blood alcohol content level or .08 or more.

Samuel Raycharles Young, 18 of Edmond. (Felony) domestic abuse assault & battery.

Reandra E’Lisha Maxwell, 34 of Muskogee. Leaving scene of accident damaged fixtures.

Michael Dale Turner, 56 of Guthrie. Possess firearm after conviction of felony, three misdemeanor and two counts of failure to appear.

Max Christian Cole, 35 of Edmond. Non as-

sault resisting officer and five counts of stop sign violation.

Troy Alan Methvin, 54 of Claremore. Carrying a weapon under the influence of alcohol or drugs and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

July 30

William Trent Littlejohn, 22 of Oklahoma City. Expired tag — over three months and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Draedun Reece Wood, 21 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

Cesar Acosta Ugalde, 21 of Guthrie. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

Timothy Deshawn Brady, 28 of Edmond. Failure to stop — accidents involving damage to vehicles and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Tanner Wade Sebert, 34 of Edmond. Two counts possession of CDS.

Quinten Anthony Vann, 31 of Edmond. Non assault resisting officer.

July 31

Channing Dewayne Penn, 47 of Oklahoma City. Driving with license canceled, suspended or revoked and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

Caleb Lee Wilson, 41 of Arcadia. Failure to appear, expired tag — over three months, no proof of insurance and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Jose Alfredo Delgado-Ramos, 52 homeless. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Aug. 1

Jessica Lauren Jones, 30 of Edmond. Expired tag over three months and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Heather Shaun Knox, 45 of Edmond. Public intoxication;

Britni Share Johnson, 33 of Edmond. Failure to appear, no proof of insurance and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Craig William Buckhanon, 35 of Chandler. Driving with license canceled, suspended or revoked, possess drug paraphernalia and possess CDS.

Sabrina Ann Kaupumai Bell, 30 homeless. Possess drug paraphernalia and possess CDS.

Aug. 2

Justin Matthias Deemy, 20 homeless. Burglary in the second degree.l

Aug. 3

Gabryella Hunter-Madyson Westfall, 22 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Adrian Deshon Fleming, 23 of Oklahoma City. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Mohammed Muktar Bah, 25 of New York City. Three felony warrants, possess CDS, present false ID for purpose of committing felony, misleading officer, avoid prosecution, obstruction of police officer, (Felony) uttering forged instrument, counterfeit gold/silver coin and (felony value) possess incomplete credit cards or tools to reproduce card.

Thierno Ousaousmane Barry, 26 of Lynhurst, N.J. Possess CDS and three counts of conspiracy.

Jason Dwayne Daigle, 45 of Huntington Beach, Calif. Public intoxication.

Aug. 4

Favian Camacho, 18 of Guthrie. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

Attiq Akhtar, 44 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Rakiem Rashaud Booker, 33 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication.

Daisha Lashai James, 25 of Edmond. Three counts of failure to appear, no proof of insurance and false representation to an officer.

Matthew William Simmons, 37 of Edmond. A felony warrant and a misdemeanor warrant.

Aaron Isaac Wilson, 33 of Edmond. Shoplifting.

James Winters Ratliff, 37 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Michelle Renee Fery, 47 homeless. A misdemeanor warrant.

Aug. 5

Raymond Elijah-Lamar McGuire, 35 of Oklahoma City. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level or .08 or more.

Joan Caitlin Novotny, 35 of Oklahoma City. Felony DUI/APC.

Matthew Dale Self, 38 of Edmond . (Felony) Domestic abuse assault & battery.

John-Paul Kobyn Connelly, 21 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

Justin Matthias Deemy, 20, homeless. (Misdemeanor) receiving stolen property and burglary/theft from a motor vehicle.

Syeda Massoma Abedi, 42 homeless. Non-assault resisting officer.

Jonathan Lee Meierhoff, 40 of Edmond. A felony warrant.

Patrick Smith Matlock, 23 of Edmond. A misdemeanor warrant.

Julie Sue Diaz, 52 of Edmond. Carrying a weapon under the influence of alcohol or drugs and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

Russell Boen, 42 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication.

Rakiem Rashaud Booker, 33 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication.

Eric Stonee Moore, 28 of Pawnee. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

Wesley Allan Mauk, 40 of Oklahoma City. A felony warrant.

Crystal Dawn Fletcher, 40 of Nicoma Park. Possess drug paraphernalia, possess CDS and a misdemeanor warrant.

What’s Happening This Weekend Aug 17 -20

---- In the Gallery

---- Tiny, But Mighty! Exhibit

---- Unveiled: Edmond’s Bridal Fashion 1875 ----

2020

---- Beginners Pickleball Club

---- Farmer’s Market

---- Heard on Hurd

---- Live Music at Frenzy

---- Kidflix Summer Movie Series

---- Dwight Yoakam

---- Oklahoma Shakespeare Presents: Shakespeare in Love ---- OKC Broadway presents: Ain’t Too Proud ---- Pool & Spa Show

---- Prevention & Recovery in the Park

---- Just Between Friends Consignment Sale

Extra Information

In the Gallery Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute

Extra Info: Featuring Artist Katherine Sanders; free; Gallery is open Mon – Thu ; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; edmondfinearts.com

Tiny, But Mighty! Exhibit

Location: Edmond Historical Society & Museum

Extra Info: Wed, Oct 5 – Thu, Aug 31, 2023; edmondhistory.org

Unveiled: Edmond’s Bridal Fashion 1875 – 2020

Location: Edmond History Museum

Extra Info: Sat, Jul 1 – Sun, Dec 31; visitedmondok.com

Beginners Pickleball Club

Location: Kickingbird Pickleball Center

Extra Info: Sat, May 6 – Sat, Dec 30; 8 – 10:30 a.m.; Free; edmondok.com

Farmer’s Market

Location: Festival Market Place and Farmers Market

Extra Info: Sat, Apr 15 – Sat, Oct 28; 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.; edmondok.gov

Heard on Hurd

Location: Downtown Edmond

Extra Info: Sat, Aug 19; 6 – 10 p.m.; Free; mycitizens.bank

Live Music at Frenzy

Location: Frenzy Brewing Company

Extra Info: Thu, Aug 17; The Brave Amigos @ 7 p.m.; Fri, Aug 18; Robert Allen @ 8 p.m.; Sat, Aug

19; Maddox Ross @ 7 p.m.; frenzybrewing.com

Kidflix Summer Movie Series

Location: ShowBiz Cinemas

Extra Info: Thu, Aug 17; $1; 10 a.m.; showbizcinemas.com

Dwight Yoakam

Location: Riverwind Casino, Showplace Theatre

Extra Info: Sat, Aug 19; 7 p.m.; riverwind.com

Oklahoma Shakespeare Presents: Shakespeare in Love

Location: Shakespeare Gardens, OKC

Extra Info: Thu, Aug 10 – Sun, Aug 20; Thu & Sun: 7:30 p.m.; Fri & Sat: 8 p.m.; okshakes.org

OKC Broadway presents: Ain’t Too Proud

Location: Civic Center Music Hall

Extra Info: Tue, Aug 15 – Sun, Aug 20; Tue – Thu: 7:30 p.m.; Fri & Sat: 8 p.m.; Sat Matinee: 2 p.m.; Sun Matinee: 1:30 p.m.; Sun: 7 p.m.; okcbroadway.com

Okla. Cattlemen’s Association Ranch Rodeo

Location: Lazy E Arena

Extra Info: Fri, Aug 18 – Sat, Aug 19; okcattlemen.org

Acclaim Living recently held a ribbon cutting with the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate their reopening/rebranding at 12525 N Pennsylvania Ave. Acclaim is Legend's trademark independent lifestyle with emphasis on social interaction, wellness, and providing a stress-free, carefree life to allow more time to explore new interests, enjoy family, and live a vibrant life Oklahoma's seniors are looking for.

As with other Legend Independent Living residences, Acclaim is a pets-welcome residence featuring beautiful amenities and services for a total neighborhood experience, including chef-prepared meals, freedom from home maintenance, and weekly housekeeping. Residents enjoy on-site common areas and lounges, lush landscaping in courtyards and gardens, game rooms, a beauty salon, theatre, and a library. Acclaim is near restaurants, shopping, and other attractions. To learn more about Acclaim Living visit Acclaim Living | Independent Living in OKC (legendseniorliving.com)

Medicare fraud alert

The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID)’s Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) warns about rising cases of Medicare fraud across the state. Recent cases of fraud focus on COVID-19 test kits and self-catheter kits.

COVID-19 Test Kit Fraud

With the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, test kits are no longer available for free after May 11, 2023. Scammers began taking advantage of Medicare beneficiaries by sending at-home COVID-19 test kits and billing Medicare for the test they never requested. Also, many beneficiaries have seen charges on their Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) for COVID-19 tests they have yet to receive, with cases ranging from individual test kits to bulk shipments.

Since June, the MAP has received over 55 calls reporting this issue, leading to 276 unrequested COVID19 test kits. The cumulative impact remains significant despite not every test kit leading to Medicare payment. At an approximate rate of $94 per test kit, the total payment by Medicare is estimated to exceed $18,000.

Self-Catheter Kit Fraud

Medicare recipients also reported urinary catheters being billed to Medicare when they don’t have a medical diagnosis that requires these

medical supplies. The monetary implications are substantial, with Medicare being charged nearly $3,000 for each beneficiary allegedly receiving these unneeded catheters.

How to Protect Yourself from Fraud

The OID’s MAP division is available to help all Oklahomans prevent, detect and report Medicare fraud.

The MAP Director Ray Walker encourages Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers to contact his division immediately if they see suspicious activity, such as billing for unwanted and unnecessary at-home COVID-19 tests or other items and services they didn’t receive.

“Unfortunately, the pandemic provided fraudsters with many opportunities to take advantage of Medicare beneficiaries to benefit themselves,” said Walker. “We are actively working with State and Federal partners to detect and fight these new, emerging scams.”

Medicare allows claims to be submitted up to 12 months after receiving an item or service receipt.

This results in charges showing up on MSNs for alleged medical services and equipment from months earlier.

The MAP counselors can help beneficiaries determine a course of action to address their situation and report the potential fraud to the proper authorities.

Movie’s action OK, rest is so-so

By George Gust

“Heart of Stone” is the latest Netflix original action film movie-star vehicle starring Gal Gadot (“Wonder Woman”). Gadot stars as Rachel Stone, an intelligence operative for a shadowy global peacekeeping agency who races to stop a hacker from stealing its most valuable and dangerous weapon.

Every year there are a number of movies that break out from the noise of all that Hollywood has to offer and will be remembered for years to come. 2023 will certainly be remembered for the “Barbenhiemer” experience and maybe the breakthrough of The Super Mario Brothers on the big screen at the beginning of the summer. “Heart of Stone” will likely be buried amidst the other failed action franchise attempts from Netflix (looking at you “The Grey Man”). And while not every movie needs to be a film that echoes down the halls of film history, “Heart of Stone” is a kind of forgettable that is becoming more and more common in streaming exclusive action films.

When we’re in between actors to portray James Bond, there is almost always a discussion of why not a female Bond? And the response is that there should be a new female character to be the counterpoint to Bond and “Heart of Stone” attempts to answer this

call. However, this movie takes it for granted that you know how lethal and awesome Gadot is as Stone, but doesn’t properly lay the groundwork in This film to earn that reputation. So when the overly convoluted espionage plot continues to twist and turn you don’t have the history and charm with the character that the film wants, so the familiar twists and retread action set pieces lack the charm and heart of cheesy Bond films at their best/worst.

The two mainline stars of “Heart of Stone” are Gadot and former “Fifty Shades of Gray” star Jamie Dornan have all of the movie star looks and charisma

to pull of this kind of goofy spy movie, but the paintby-numbers script and dialogue leave them working with very little substance. Gadot brings her effervescent screen presence as the tried and tested shadow agent, but she’s not given much of a character to play outside of the physical action good guy role. Dornan’s character has a bit more ethos, but like Gadot is stuck playing the same note over and over.

Overall, “Heart of Stone” is the kind of movie for action buffs who enjoyed “Wonder Woman” and the promise that Gadot shows as a leading lady. There are some action sequences that have compelling moments that are pretty to look at, but the rote and predictable spy plot will have you checking your phone throughout large swathes of the 2 hour run time.

“Heart of Stone” is an acceptable distraction for when you’re cleaning the house or folding laundry, but the film will quickly be released from your memory by the time you’ve hung up the mop. “Heart of Stone” is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, and some language. Now available on Netflix.

2 out of 5 stars

To reach George for comment on this review or any for others movie reviews, please e-mail him gust.george@gmail.com

Answers on Page 19

Next Elm Tree Concert will be held on Aug. 27

ARCADIA – The musical duo known as “Miss Brown to You” will present an Elm Tree Concert at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, at the Arcadia Round Barn.

Vocalists and multi-instrumentalists Louise Goldberg and Mary Reynolds have appeared throughout central Oklahoma since 1990, playing jazz, blues and folk music and original compositions. They are frequently featured at the Woody Guthrie Festival in Okemah and have also appeared at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas.

The concert will be held on the north side of the barn, beneath the shade of the giant elm tree. Admission is free but donations are accepted for the maintenance of the Round Barn, which was built in 1898.

The Round Barn is six miles east of Interstate 35 on historical Route 66. For more information about music at the barn, call Joe Baxter at 405-833-1350.

Arcadia Concert Series

Crossword Puzzle

of Stone.’

Teacher pay raises

By Steve Gust

This is the day when thousands of Edmond children go back to school.

What an undertaking that is for thousands of people associated with Edmond Schools.

Steve Gust

I wish them nothing but success. For kids, it seems as if the school year will last an eternity. In reality, you blink your eyes and May is almost here. At least it seems that way at my age.

I read an interesting guest editorial in The Oklahoman Sunday. Our State Schools of Superintendent Ryan Walters is serious about wanting pay increases for teachers.

It’s no secret the unions and politically left aren’t terribly fond of Walters. He did play a role in getting a Catholic charter school started. I think it’s a great idea. If kids learn then it’s a win. I do realize a lot of people don’t agree with me. But everyone should take a deep breath and see how it works out.

I digress a bit. How ironic it would be if all teachers could get a substantial raise for their occupation because of Walters. And it could happen.

One thing about Walters. He’s not interested in “going along to get along.” He wants serious reforms. And people who earnestly try to make things happen usually run into a lot of opposition.

—-

Speaking of school, I was a few classes ahead at McGuinness of a guy named David Roewe. He went to St. Monica’s here in Edmond and unexpectedly passed away last week at age 65. My condolences to his family.

David was a good man. After graduation from McGuinness, he was in the Marines for five years. He was from one great family and then started another great family with his wife, Melani.

He also was extremely involved in the fraternal Catholic group, Knights of Columbus. He was the state leader a little over 10 years ago and ended up holding about every office there was.

He threw himself into the charitable work of the order and claimed it all made him “a better son, better husband, better father and better Catholic.’

The world desperately needs more guys like David. May he rest in peace.

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

Lankford among those reforming disaster forms

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) applauded Senate passage of his legislation with Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member and Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, to simplify the application process for federal disaster recovery assistance. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives.

“Our families, nonprofits, and churches are the first boots on the ground in a disaster situation, but the federal government does have a unique role in providing timely disaster assistance to families and businesses,” said Lankford. “I’ve consistently heard from Oklahoma disaster victims about how difficult and disjointed the process was when they were trying to put their life back together. That’s just bad customer service. Our proposal creates one online application portal to use across federal agencies to ensure disaster victims can easily apply for assistance on their phone or tablet while they clean up.”

“Over the past few years, Kentucky has endured several deadly tornados

and flash floods, leaving significant damage and displacing thousands throughout the Commonwealth,” said Paul. “Many of those impacted have expressed challenges in receiving quick assistance and updates from government agencies. As part of my commitment to always put Kentuckians first, I’m proud to cosponsor the Disaster Assistance Simplification Act, which will reduce the burden on disaster survivors by ensuring the process of receiving aid is simple and speedy. I look forward to working with a bipartisan coalition to get this important legislation passed expeditiously.”

“People in Michigan and across the nation whose lives have been upended by natural disasters should have a straightforward process to access federal assistance,” said Peters. “By creating one universal application to get federal help to recover from natural disasters, this bipartisan legislation will reduce the burden on disaster survivors who seeking help to rebuild their lives.”

Background

After a disaster, there are various types of federal disaster assistance that may become available to disaster survivors. For example, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individuals and Households Program can provide financial or direct assistance for housing and other needs, and the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Real Property Disaster Loans and Personal Property Loans are available to eligible homeowners and renters who have incurred damage to their home or personal property. However, a recent analysis found that more than 50 percent of the questions on the application forms for both of these programs are duplicative. These burdensome applications can overwhelm some survivors, causing many to simply give up trying to access desperately needed assistance and pushing survivors beyond their breaking point.

The Disaster Assistance Simplification Act would require FEMA to establish a universal application across federal agencies for those seeking federal assistance to recover from natural disasters such as severe storms, floods, wildfires, and more. Currently, individuals must fill out separate and detailed applications

It’s vital to invest in the military

By Senator Markwayne Mullin

One of Congress’ most significant responsibilities is to provide for our national defense. Each year, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizes funding levels and provides authorities for the U.S. military and other critical defense priorities, ensuring America’s forces have the training, equipment, and resources they need to carry out their missions.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), it’s my great responsibility to fight for the priorities of Oklahoma’s installations to be included in the NDAA, securing significant victories for our state and our country in the process. Our state and the entire nation succeed when our military communities succeed. I’m proud to announce the Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA has passed the U.S. Senate, and within it, we were able to secure $170 million dollars for Oklahoma’s military installations.

The Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA authorizes $876.8 billion for military and national security programs at the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Energy. This year’s bill offers historic support for our troops and their families while making significant progress in modernizing our resources and technology, refocusing on warfighting, and maintaining peace through strength to counter our adversaries.

This legislation sends a clear message: the United States will always invest in the strongest, most elite fighting force on the planet to protect the homeland and deter foreign threats.

Military success is impossible without brave men and women willing to put their lives on the line for our country. This bill secures a 5.2 percent pay raise for servicemembers. It also requires the DOD to submit a revised pay scale to increase junior enlisted pay and reinvests $400 million in savings into new recruiting and retention efforts. This NDAA also seeks to return the Pentagon’s focus to readiness instead of misguided diversity initiatives. We owe our troops a debt we can never repay, and providing adequate support for them and their families is the very least we can do.

We are at a critical point in our nation’s history. We must refocus our efforts on warfighting and modernize our technology and military intelligence. This legislation harnesses cutting-edge technologies and includes new authorities to modernize the Pentagon with measures like establishing an office of strategic capital to enable private investment in defense tech.

Numerous provisions included in this bill prioritize developing other defense and deterrence programs, such as a sea-launched nuclear cruise missile program to offset Russian and Chinese tactical nukes and reduce the risk of schedule delays in nuclear forces in hypersonics. In addition, it invests in naval power –rejecting Joe Biden’s disastrous plan to shrink our Navy and ensuring the Marines’ 31 amphibious ship requirement is met. Thankfully, the NDAA also makes necessary cuts to senseless red tape on emissions reporting to streamline production and support our defense contractors. Oklahoma knows – operational readiness and efficiency are critical to promoting global stability.

As our nation faces increased security threats and unprecedented global challenges, we must approach these aggressions head-on and ensure our priorities remain clear. Peace through strength is essential in countering threats from our top adversaries, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. China has emerged as America’s primary competitor, proving its capability to challenge the United States’ national security and economic interests. The FY2024 NDAA includes multiple provisions to oppose advances by

Beijing in the Indo-Pacific and increase oversight measures to correct the Biden administration’s recent national security failures. The bill supports the manufacturing necessary for our armed forces to catch up with China’s massive military buildup, including the addition of critical munitions to the Pentagon’s highly successful multi-year procurement (MYP) program like 155MM Excalibur rounds produced here in Oklahoma. It also requires a full public accounting of Chinese military spending to ensure the rest of the world understands the Chinese Communist Party’s global military goals. This legislation allows the U.S. to confront China with power and enhance regional cooperation.

While the FY2024 NDAA includes tremendous victories for our nation, I’m especially proud to report many significant wins for our bases. We fought to ensure Fort Sill received over $76 million for their Microgrid and Backup Power project. Vance Air Force Base (AFB)’s Consolidated Undergraduate Pilot Training Center received $8.4 million for planning and design, and the bill contains a provision to divest the T-1A training aircraft until USAF can certify that simulators are equally or more effective than the current program, keeping their flying mission alive.

Oklahoma’s five military installations have remained critical to our military’s success for over a century, and I’m proud this legislation funds essential projects to keep our installations strong. We made sure that the NDAA included $78 million for Tinker AFB’s 3-Bay KC-46 Depot Maintenance Hangar.

Exploring the rich past of Cologne

By Elaine Warner

The large, red umbrellas handed out by the Viking crew provided the only bright spot in the gray, rainy day. Puddles pooled on the sidewalks. At 9:15, the tour groups stepped carefully down the gangway, braving the deluge for a twohour walking tour. My little travel group – husband Jack, daughter Zoe, friend Mark, and me –watched them leave. This was Cologne, home to Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The sky showed no sign of clearing but by 10:30, the rain had downsized to a drizzle and we set off on our own. With no guide, we were clueless about the sights we were seeing. I took a picture of an impressively tall, richly ornamented building which stood out from the boxy, modern structures which surrounded it.

Later research revealed that this was the City Hall, the oldest in Germany, built in the 14th century. The façade features statues of royalty and a group known as the Nine Worthies. These notables included Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Joshua and King David from the Bible, and Arthur, King of Britain. (I haven’t discovered the origins of the list – but then I don’t know who picked the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, either.)

We finally reached the large square on the south side of the cathedral. In Roman times, the area was full of houses. If you go into the museum building by the cathedral, you can see parts of a Roman cellar.

The present cathedral sits on the site of several earlier churches; there are still remnants of the 9th century cathedral in the present structure. The foundation stone of the present cathedral was laid in 1248. Work on the building has gone on through the centuries. Today’s construction consists of maintenance – repairing or replacing bits and pieces of the church. The local saying is, “When the cathedral is finished, the world will end.”

Cologne Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe and contains many treasures which make it unique and worthy of its UNESCO designation. The two towers rise 516 feet, making it the tallest man-made structure in the world – until the Washington Monument (555 feet) was built in 1880.

Inside, the nave soars 142 feet – tall enough to accommodate a 10- to 14-story building. The effect is powerful, guiding the eye towards heaven.

Since we had missed the official Viking tour, we were on our own. If you’re not on a tour, I’d suggest you stop in the gift store and buy a guide. I bought mine after our visit – I wish I had known what I was seeing when I was in the cathedral. I took lots of pictures – and I’ve done a lot of research since to tell you what I saw. The best thing about our timing was that, before we left, a mass began and we were able to hear one of the two magnificent pipe organs. (If you want to hear a snippet, my Instagram account is Okietravel).

The most impressive artifact in the church sits behind the High Altar. Protected by a transparent case, a gold and silver reliquary decorated with semi-precious stones is said to contain the bones of the three Magi. The back-story of the peregrinations of the bones comes from a 14th century monk, John of Hildesheim.

According to his writing, the three wise men were all buried in Asia in a tomb on a hill where the Star of Bethlehem was first sighted. Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine, made a pilgrimage to the

site in the 300s C.E. and brought the bodies and pieces of cloth back to Constantinople where they were placed in the church of Santa Sophia.

Later, another Roman emperor had them moved to Milan, where they remained for several hundred years. In the 12th century, Frederick I, King of Germany and Holy Roman Emperor, challenged the papacy for more power for Germany. The Archbishop of Cologne sent men to fight for him in Italy. In gratitude, Frederick gave the bones to the Archbishop. The golden shrine, which we see now, was completed in the early 13th century.

I’ve seen a lot of reliquaries in my travels – lots of bones of saints and other holy artifacts. There are probably enough pieces of the “true cross” to build a cabin. When I expressed skepticism to my daughter, her tongue-in-cheek reply was, “Mom, those people in the Bible had a lot more bones than we do.” I respect the significance of these artifacts to the faith of many. And I admire the workmanship and beauty of this, the world’s largest reliquary shrine, even if I question the story.

A much newer reliquary is the Shrine of Agilolphus, Archbishop of Cologne, martyr. His bones originally rested in a wooden shrine, but an elaborate, gold one was created in 1914. An intricately-carved altarpiece, created in Antwerp around 1520, stands nearby.

A book could be written, and probably has been, about the stained glass windows in the church. With over 26,000 square feet of glass, the windows include the largest existing cycle of early 14th century glass in Europe.

The cathedral has lots of nooks and crannies. Twelve small chapels hold the tombs of archbishops from 976 to 1612. One of the chapels contains the raised tomb of Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden, who presided over the laying of the foundation stone in 1248. Figures of others involved in that ceremony are carved into the pedestal.

I’m of two minds when I travel – do I research ahead so I know details or do I want to be surprised? It’s probably a good thing for my companions that I didn’t have the guide book with me. I could have spent all day in the cathedral.

. I’m a museum maven and, had it not been such a messy day, I would have sought out the Chocolate Museum – a major attraction complete with growing cocoa trees, a nine-foot chocolate fountain, a model factory, and samples. Nearby is the Mustard Museum with a 200- year-old mustard mill, a little history, and more samples. Both of these were close to the Viking dock.

Instead, umbrellas up, we sloshed back to the ship

Outside, flying buttresses relieve the weight of the vaulted ceiling on the walls, allowing vast expanses of glass and more delicate supporting pillars.

Elaine

The best view of the cathedral is from the large plaza facing the south facade

Must-Have Items for Your High Schooler’s Back-to-School Shopping List

Setting your high schooler up for a successful school year all starts with having the right educational tools and personal supplies. Here are the must-have items to add to your cart this back-to-school shopping season:

A Tablet or eReader

If you remember your own high school years as being defined by lugging heavy textbooks around campus all day and then home with you each night, consider sending your teen back to school with an e-reader or tablet. This slim, back-saving technology makes it possible for students to access the educational content of all their many courses in one place. What’s more, some studies suggest electronic devices facilitate learning better than physical textbooks. Look for options that offer annotation and note-taking capabilities, as well as a full-color display, so that textbook diagrams and images can be fully understood.

A Graphing Calculator

In high school STEM classes such as trigonometry, calculus and physics, students need to go beyond simply arriving at the correct answer. They must also understand the theory and foundation behind the mathematical principles they are studying. That’s where a highly-functional graphing calculator can come into play. Designed for high school students and beyond, Casio’s affordable fx-9750GIII graphing calculator builds on the cutting-edge capabilities of its predecessors, offering a more seamless learning experience, an enhanced natural

display and an improved keypad for fractions, standard-to-decimal conversion and scientific notation. Expanded menu options include Exam Mode, to comply with major standardized test-taking rules, as well as a Python Add-In, giving students the ability to create, save, edit and run Python files, as well as import and export these files with streamlined computer connectivity.

Personal Items

Send your teenager to school with some basic personal supplies that they can leave in their locker. Having access to these items between classes will help them feel their best throughout the day and eliminate distractions, so they can better concentrate on learning. A stick of deodorant is especially useful for students enrolled in physical education or who are involved in sports. Also include a bottle of hand sanitizer to help fight infections, particularly as cold and flu season draws near, feminine hygiene products, dental floss and tissues. An extra layer is also always helpful in both cooler weather and during the warmer months when the air conditioning may be running at full force.

In high school, the coursework becomes much more challenging and the social terrain much more complex. However, with the latest tech tools and a stash of personal supplies, your teenager can navigate both arenas with less stress. - Statepoint

Back to school

High school & college Edition

Tips to Get Your Student Prepped for College Entrance Exams

Is the SAT or ACT on the horizon for your high schooler? A lot of emphasis is placed on college entrance exams, and your child may be anxious about their scores. To adequately prepare for the SAT or ACT, consider these tips:

• Practice, practice, practice: Encourage your student to take free online practice tests early and often. Not only is this an effective way to get familiar with the types of questions that will be on the test, it can give your child a sense of where they stand currently and help them identify areas where they may need some extra review. It’s helpful to simulate test day as much as possible. Have them take the practice test in a quiet place and time each portion of the test accurately.

• Have the right STEM tools: Acing the math portion is easier when you fully understand the principles behind the test questions. Fortunately, you can affordably equip your student with tools that facilitate that understanding. Casio, dedicated to making STEM education more engaging, has developed the fx-CG50, a graphing calculator in the brand’s PRIZM line-up that offers a color LCD with a full textbook-style display. Jam-packed with features that enable students to solve the most challenging equations, it offers the ability to easily draw three dimensional graphs such as planes, cylinders and spheres, and view them from various angles in order to better

Did you know? Did you know? Did you know?

Many schools now recognize the importance of helping students develop skills that will help them be competitive in the world and workforce. One way they are doing so is through the development of educational academies or specific academic tracks to give students an advantage later in their academic careers. Early college academy

Early college academy, also known as early college high school, is a program that enables high school students to earn two-year associates degrees at the same time as they earn high school diplomas, according to U.S. News & World Report. The Early College High School Initiative was established in part in 2002 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Early colleges have expanded over the last 20 years, and these programs may work in different ways. Some bring high schoolers to college campuses to take courses in-person, or there may be remote course offerings. Others provide college courses in a high school setting. High schools develop complementary relationships with accredited colleges in the area, typically community colleges. Upon completion of the programs, students in the early college courses will receive associates degrees. Advantages to an ECA is that students already have completed two years of college, which saves time and money.

Dual enrollment/Advanced placement

High schools have been offering this option for some time now. Dual enrollment classes are essentially college courses that high schoolers take while in high school. Professors from nearby colleges may teach these courses right in a high school classroom. High school teachers also may be trained to instruct a college’s approved coursework. At the end of the course, the student will have received credits for that college course. Advanced placement (AP) classes are classes with college-level curricula created by the College Board. AP students must pass AP exams at the end of the classes. Certain colleges will accept AP classes as college credit depending on students’ scores on the tests. Both of these avenues may help students earn college credits, provided the school they attend will accept the credits.

Career tracks/pathways

Students may choose to follow particular tracks in high school if they pick a college major or choose a trade school. Sometimes these programs are called pathways. Nevertheless, they may be offered in Visual Arts, STEM, Business Management, Automotive Repair, Hospitality, or Mathematics. While students will still get an array of core classes, by enrolling in a track, their electives and certain other classes may be geared toward a particular pathway. For example, an eligible math course for a business student may be accounting as opposed to calculus for a general education student. These pathways help develop passions and interests and enable high schoolers to grow accustomed to the customization of a degree. High school has evolved to introduce students to higher education in novel ways.

analyze their shape. Plus, a cross-section option and special zoom function can be used for greater analysis.

• Build vocabulary: An expansive vocabulary is not just useful in the real world, it can greatly improve a student’s chances of success in the English, reading and writing sections of the exam. Getting familiar with some of the more frequently used words on the test is important. However, it’s best to break up the studying into chunks. Select a few words to master each day with flash cards. Hopefully, students will start to see etymological patterns that will help them make educated guesses when they don’t know a word.

• Take a break: It’s tempting to assume a last-minute study session the evening before the exam is going to make or break their performance, but a mental breather is actually a better use of time. Urge your child to get a good night’s sleep not just the night before the test, but that entire week. Pre-test jitters may lead to insomnia, but having a solid foundation of rest will help ensure your student is alert on test day. The morning of the test, encourage them to eat a healthy, filling breakfast and do activities that will warm up their brain, such as reading a book or solving a crossword puzzle.

Sufficient preparation and great study tools can alleviate college entrance exam anxieties so that your student walks into their testing center with confidence. - Statepoint

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Essay-writing tips for students

Students face a number of challenges during their academic careers. Those challenges are unique to each student, as some excel in certain subjects that their classmates find difficult, and vice versa.

At some point in their academic careers, students will be asked to write an essay. University applications typically feature student essay portions, but essays are even incorporated into elementary school curricula. Indeed, students of all ages are periodically asked to write essays, which underscores how useful some basic essay-writing tips can be.

• Identify the assignment. Essays run the gamut from personal essays to papers on historical figures to precis on particular texts. Before students can write an effective, engrossing essay, they must first identify what’s being asked of them. Does the instructor want students to argue a point? Is the idea to examine a meaningful personal experience? Is the essay similar to a book report? Once the ball gets rolling and writing begins, it’s easy to lose track of the assignment. But an effective essay must follow the guidelines set forth in the assignment. Students can routinely read the assignment provided by the instructor so they stay the course.

• Identify the point of the essay. Once students gain a firm grasp of what the instructor is looking for, they can then identify what their point of view or argument will be. This can require some research and should conclude with a thesis statement that will determine the rest of the essay.

• Write an outline. Outlines can help frame the essay and keep writers on track. An outline also serves as a time for writers to determine what to keep and what to omit from an essay. Longer essays typically require ample research, and it’s unlikely that all of that research will make it into the final essay. Writing an outline provides a chance to narrow the scope of the essay and cut it down, which should prove useful when sitting down to begin writing the composition.

• Engage readers early. An engaging question or assertion at the beginning of an essay will entice readers to want to continue reading. The question should be one writers can answer while an assertion should be supported throughout the rest of the essay. But some engaging prose in the opening paragraphs can draw readers in and set the stage for a well-written essay.

• Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence. Topic sentences are similar to outlines because they establish the structure of a paragraph. Each new paragraph should include its own topic sentence. If a new topic needs to be addressed, then do so in a new paragraph. Paragraphs should flow into each other, but writers should avoid introducing more than one topic in a single paragraph.

• Write a strong conclusion. The thesis statement will help to define the introductory paragraph, and it also can be utilized to establish the conclusion. Revisit the thesis in the conclusion and show how the points made throughout the body of the essay support that thesis. Conclude the essay with a statement that highlights the significance of the point the essay attempted to make.

Students of all ages write essays. Some basic writing tips can help students master those assignments.

Unique academy and educational tracks in school

Schools continue to evolve and change their curriculum to meet the needs of modern students. Many schools now recognize the importance of helping students develop skills that will help them be competitive in the world and workforce. One way they are doing so is through the development of educational academies or specific academic tracks to give students an advantage later in their academic careers. Here’s a close look at such offerings, which tend to be primarily at the high school (secondary school) level.

Early college academy

Early college academy, also known as early college high school, is a program that enables high school students to earn two-year associates

degrees at the same time as they earn high school diplomas, according to U.S. News & World Report. The Early College High School Initiative was established in part in 2002 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Early colleges have expanded over the last 20 years, and these programs may work in different ways. Some bring high schoolers to college campuses to take courses in-person, or there may be remote course offerings. Others provide college courses in a high school setting. High schools develop complementary relationships with accredited colleges in the area, typically community colleges. Upon completion of the programs, students in the early college courses will receive associates degrees. Advantages to an ECA is that students already have completed two years of college, which saves time and money.

Dual enrollment/Advanced placement

High schools have been offering this option for some time now. Dual enrollment classes are essentially college courses that high schoolers take while in high school. Professors from nearby colleges may teach these courses right in a high school classroom. High school teachers also may be trained to instruct a college’s approved coursework. At the end of the course, the student will have received credits for that college course.

Advanced placement (AP) classes are classes with college-level curricula created by the College Board. AP students must pass AP exams at the end of the classes. Certain colleges will accept AP classes as college credit depending on students’ scores on the tests. Both of these avenues may help students earn college credits, provided the school they attend will accept the credits.

Career tracks/pathways

Students may choose to follow particular tracks in high school if they pick a college major or choose a trade school. Sometimes these programs are called pathways. Nevertheless, they may be offered in Visual Arts, STEM, Business Management, Automotive Repair, Hospitality, or Mathematics. While students will still get an array of core classes, by enrolling in a track, their electives and certain other classes may be geared toward a particular pathway. For example, an eligible math course for a business student may be accounting as opposed to calculus for a general education student. These pathways help develop passions and interests and enable high schoolers to grow accustomed to the customization of a degree.

It’s a one-year celebration for an Italian restaurant

Emma Elle’s Italian Kitchen recently held a ribbon cutting with the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate their one-year business anniversary at 4401 Grant Blvd, Yukon,.

Emma Elle's Italian Kitchen is a locally owned Italian restaurant featuring locally sourced ingredients. The atmosphere at Emma Elle’s is bright and welcoming, and the food offers a fresh take on Italian favorites and delicious wood-fired Neapolitan inspired pizzas. Emma Elle’s offers gluten-

friendly, vegetarian, and vegan options at no additional charge.

The restaurant is perfect for business lunches, family pizza nights, a date night with someone special or a girl's night out. Emma Elle’s accepts reservations and walk-ins. You can also place an order online for pick up or curbside to-go.

To learn more about Emma Elle’s visit Emma Elle's Italian KitchenOklahoma City, Yukon, OK (emmaelles.com)

Events at State Fairgrounds help pump millions into economy

The Arabian & Half-Arabian Youth and Mid Summer National Championship took place at the OKC Fairgrounds July 13 through 21. The equine competition took place in the Jim Norick Arena and across Barn Row. Ninety percent of attendees traveled from out-of-town, while 10 percent were locals. Attendance for the event exceeded 53,000, generating more than $11.86 million in direct spending into the Oklahoma City economy.

The Oklahoma Summer Classic took place at the OKC Fairgrounds June 28 through July 2. Competitors and spectators filled the Bennett Event Center, Hobbies, Arts & Crafts Building, and the Modern Living Building for the multi-discipline canine competition. Ninety-five percent of attendees were from out-of-town, while five percent were locals. Attendance for the event exceeded 32,000, generating more than $7.48 million in direct spending into the

Oklahoma City economy.

The OKC Fairgrounds hosted a total of 8 events during the month of July. In addition to the above mentioned, other events included the National & Youth World Appaloosa Horse Show, Buchanan’s Vintage Flea Market, Oklahoma Summer Bead & Jewelry Show, Claude Hall’s Original OKC Gun Show, Maple Brothers Auto Auction, and New World Comic Con. In all, there were 107,920 visitors present during July events held at the OKC Fairgrounds, generating more than $23.33 million in direct spending into the Oklahoma City economy.

For more information regarding July events, or any upcoming months, please contact the OKC Fairgrounds Office at 405-948-6700. To stay up-to-date on all the OKC Fairgrounds has to offer, visit www.okcfairgrounds.com, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

Emma Elle’s Italian Kitchen staff and chamber members mark a ribbon cutting.

Hundreds of the pizza chain nationwide already

First Donatos in Okla. comes to Edmond

Donatos, the renowned fast-casual pizza franchise celebrated for its Edge to Edge® toppings, is delighted to announce its expansion into Oklahoma with a franchise partnership group of operating partners and brothers Matt and Will McLain, the sons of former Sonic Drive-In President Scott McLain and industry veteran Pattye Moore, former Sonic Drive-In President and former Board Chairman at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers. The group is excited to open the first Donatos restaurant in Edmond at 1148 S. Bryant Ave this week.

The brothers, both Edmond residents, learned about Donatos through long-time family friend and now co-franchise partner Pattye Moore.

“I first got acquainted with Donatos while I was at Red Robin and we were developing the partnership,” said Moore. “I was so impressed with Donatos that I knew I wanted to bring this high-quality pizza to Oklahoma. I’m delighted to partner with Matt and Will McLain, two smart young entrepreneurs who I have known for a long time.”

The brothers see this location not only as an opportunity to bring a unique national franchise to Oklahoma, but they see the restaurant as a vehicle for engaging with the community and sharing the brand’s culture of family.

“We’re excited to open Donato’s first location right where we grew up and where we are raising our families,” said Matt McLain, Franchise Partner.

“We want to be a big part of the community,” said Will McLain, Franchise Partner. “There are baseball fields right next to our location that Matt and I grew up playing baseball on, and pools we enjoyed as children, and we want to be engaged community partners.”

Matt and Will plan to be deeply engaged in the community as operating partners of the locally operated and run franchise. With their deep ties to the area, they are eager to bring a sense of community and togetherness through Donatos’ deli-

cious pizzas, subs, and wings, making the Edmond location a true hometown flagship store.

“When possible, we want to provide more than just a quick meal,” said Matt McLain, “We want to be able to bring families together, to sit down, have a meal together, and pizza is a really easy, fun and delicious way to do that.”

One of the community’s areas high on the brother’s priority list of organizations to engage with, in addition to the local chamber of commerce, is the local school systems in the Edmond area.

“We want to be a big part of the community. Edmond public schools are huge for us. Both Will and I are Edmond Public School graduates all the back to elementary school,” said Matt McLain. “I

Lottery makes man millionaire

Larry, a Tulsa resident, claimed a $1 million Mega Millions prize today at the Oklahoma Lottery Winner Center in Oklahoma City. The winning ticket was purchased at QuikTrip at 5955 S. Lewis in Tulsa. Larry is now the Oklahoma Lottery’s 79th millionaire.

When Larry checked his ticket on Saturday morning, he thought he had won $10,000. But when he came to the Oklahoma Lottery Winner Center to claim his prize, he was told it was actually a $1 million-dollar prize and he was shocked!

The ticket was purchased for the $1.35 billion drawing that occurred on Friday, August 4, 2023, the second largest Mega Millions jackpot ever at the time.

Last fiscal year, the Oklahoma Lottery paid out more than $213 million in prizes to players, helping to drive both the local and state economy and bolster retail revenue throughout Oklahoma.

Since its launch, the Lottery has generated more than $1.21 billion in funds that have been given to the Oklahoma Education Lottery Trust Fund.

played basketball, and Will played basketball and basketball for Edmond. Many of our new and future part-time associates will be EPS students like we were.”

The collaboration between Donatos and the McLain brothers marks the beginning of an ambitious plan to open multiple Donatos locations in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas.

Donatos features the Edge to Edge® pizza, created by Jim Grote who founded Donatos in 1963. With 431 locations in 27 states, Donatos, and its franchise partners operate 173 traditional restaurants in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Florida

Brothers Matt McLain, Franchise Partner and Will McLain, Franchise Partner poise outside their first Oklahoma location in Edmond at 1148 S. Bryant Ave. They are highlighting Donatos famous 100 pieces of pepperoni pizza.

Recognition for Theater Dept.

The University of Central Oklahoma Department of Theatre Arts took home five national awards at the regional 2023 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) with their performance of “Rooster,” a thriller and mystery drama depicted in the south. Pictured, from left to right, Benjamin Barker, a senior theatre arts – performance major from Oklahoma City; and, Erin Thompson, a junior theatre arts – performance major from Spencer, Oklahoma.

Hi and Lois

Shoe

Zits

Family Circus

Beetle Baily

Blondie

Hägar the Horrible

Cameron Steele, M.D

Edmond Renaissance welcomes new doctor

Cameron Steele, M.D., is a board-certified family medicine physician with INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Edmond Renaissance. Before going into medicine, Steele worked in medical research.

He graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and completed his residency at the INTEGRIS Health Great Plains Family Medicine Residency Program. Steele enjoys treating people of all ages, from all walks of life.

He offices at INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Edmond Renaissance located at 1700 Renaissance Blvd., Edmond, OK 73013. He is accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, please call 405-844-4300.

The positive effects of music

Jacque Cantrel, Gamma Zeta member, presented her educational “The Enjoyment of Music and the Effects on a Person.”

"Appreciate the Little Things in Life" is Epsilon Sigma Alpha’s Gamma Zeta chapter’s educational theme this year. Cantrel spoke about how music makes life better. Music helps with cognitive loss, increases blood flow to brain regions, affects a person’s mood, and increases overall feelings of well-being. Decoding music is quite a task for the brain.

Epsilon Sigma Alpha, an international philanthropic organization, works with UR Special, No Boundaries, Int’l., Boys Ranch Town, Salvation Army, and Free to Live as well as Oklahoma School for the Deaf in Sulphur, Oklahoma and Oklahoma School for the Blind in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Our national project is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Listen to the music all around you. Come and visit our energetic group by calling Jacci Gantz at 405-922-5954.

Jacque Cantrel