Edmond Life and Leisure - July 20, 2023

FOUR SEASONS

Darci delights crowd

See page 15

FRIDAY, July 21 AM Thunderstorms High 84° Low 67°

SATURDAY, July 22 Mostly Sunny High 86° Low 66°

SUNDAY, July 23 Sunny High 90° Low 69°

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.

PHOTOS BY MELINDA INFANTE

Heard on Hurd, sponsored by Citizens Bank of Edmond, had a special musical guest last Saturday. Darci Lynne, a past winner of America’s Got Talent and hometown girl, introduced some of her own original music in front of a massive crowd in downtown Edmond. Heard on Hurd is in its 10th year. The next street party will be Aug. 19.

Edmond DAR at Arlington Oklahoma Election Board urges online registration

On June 28th members of the Edmond Samuel King Chapter of DAR were afforded the privilege of placing a commemorative wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. The Oklahoma State Regent Nancy Baker Lisle assisted Samuel King Chapter member Sue Hubbert Martin in presenting the wreath. Samuel King Chapter Regent Kristen Ferate and Vice Regent Mary Meritt accompanied them onto the field.

The Oklahoma State Election Board has launched its new Online Voter Registration System, State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax announced.

The new online system allows individuals to complete and submit a Voter Registration Application electronically following a match of data from the applicant’s Oklahoma Driver License or State Identification Card.

“Oklahoma's new Online Voter Registration System allows citizens to securely complete and submit a Voter Registration Application electronically from a desktop or mobile device. Best of all, the system has undergone rigorous testing to ensure it is safe and secure,” Ziriax said.

To register to vote online, state law requires that eligible applicants must:

Be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the State of Oklahoma, and 18 years or older by Election Day; Have a valid Oklahoma Driver License or State Identification Card issued by Service Oklahoma (Oklahoma’s driver license agency); and Have a digital signature on file with Service Oklahoma.

Those without an Oklahoma Driver License/State Identification Card or a digital signature on file cannot submit a voter registration application online, but may fill out an application using the OK Voter Portal “voter registration wizard” and submit the application by mail or in person to the applicant’s County Election Board.

All Voter Registration Applications – including those submitted online –are reviewed and manually processed by the County Election Board Secretary prior to approval.

Related article, Page 18

Once a Voter Registration Application has been processed and approved, the voter will receive a Voter ID card by mail confirming the registration. If an application is unable to be approved, the County Election Board will notify the applicant by mail.

"The implementation of Online Voter Registration was the product of a team effort," Ziriax said. "The State Election Board is grateful to our partners at OMES and Service Oklahoma for helping us make online voter registration a reality in Oklahoma."

Individuals with questions about registering to vote should contact their County Election Board or the State Election Board at (405) 5212391 or info@elections.ok.gov.

More information about registering to vote in Oklahoma is available on the State Election Board website.

Turning 65 doesn’t mean retirement

Turning 65 does not mean retirement for me anyway. It seems like it should be more impactful than it has been but honestly, it does not seem so. I get questions about retirement and what will happen to the newspaper. Some ask me my “exit strategy”. My answer is that Matthews Funeral Home is my exit strategy. I have told the staff that I will be working until I drop dead at my desk. All they need to do is call Randy Matthews and he knows what to do.

Ray Hibbard

The paper will still be in good hands. Our staff are the ones who do all the work. They only want to see me twice a month at payroll time. Other than that, they got this folks. We have no plans to leave Edmond without a locally owned newspaper. John Mellencamp said something that makes me think of my work position in life. He said, “I have no more ambition, but I enjoy the work”, when they asked him why he still tours.

I have been on a quest for the last couple of years of asking folks in business if they plan to retire and what would they do if they did. The majority have said they do not have plans to retire. It was good to hear so many like what they do. Some are cutting back on the size of their business but intend to work well in their 70’s and beyond.

I look back at some of my mentors and when they retired. Two of them did not and one still works every day even into his 90’s. He stays healthy. What you hear a lot of when you ponder the question with others is you can always do volunteer work. I do that anyway and this job lets me do that along with having a great staff to take care of business when I am away. Heck, I even have a second career in banking as chairman of the board of a local bank. I have enjoyed taking classes and learning so much and have even received a certification or two.

I think the key to staying young is to have some stress in your life. I know that sounds counter intuitive to what you should do when you turn 65. Just having your kids all out of the house and gainfully employed takes away a bunch of stress which is a good thing. But reducing all stress may not be good for you medically. I have no evidence to back that up, it just seems that all volunteer work does not provide enough real-life stress to get your hormones in gear.

I believe the quickest way to poor health would be for me to go home and sit in a chair every day. I have heard it said that folks need to retire to something and not from something. I do know folks that have retired and love it and they stay busy. Lisa told me she would be fine with me at home all day, but I do not think she had thought that through. A friend of mine got an office in downtown Edmond when he retired because his wife told him if he retired that would be great, but her rule is that Monday through Friday he has to leave the house by 8 a.m. and cannot return until 5 p.m. He has many projects that he now has time to work on.

Switching over to Medicare has been interesting. Honestly, the government part of it was pretty easy but the supplemental policy was like pulling

teeth for mine. Lisa’s went well but a hitch in the paperwork caused mine to be messed up for a while. It does give me concern turning over my medical care in large part to the federal government. Hope it goes well. Between my individual tax contributions and contributions as an employer, it would be nice to get some of that back in the form of good care. Fingers crossed on that my friends.

I did get a new drivers license for no charge since it expired in July. I was thrilled with the perk. One fellow told me that when he and his buddies get together for coffee, they have an organ recital. They talk about problems with kidneys, liver, heart and more. Here are a few other things about turning 65 that others have observed:

Retirement at sixty-five is ridiculous. When I was sixty-five, I still had pimples.

- George Burns

My my, 65! I guess this marks the first day of the rest of our life savings.

- H. Martin

On my 65th birthday, I’m going to lie down in a crop circle and wait for aliens to abduct me. That’s my retirement plan.

- from a cartoon by Randy Glasbergen

I'm 65 and I guess that puts me in with geriatrics. But if there were fifteen months in every year, I'd only be 48.

- James Thurber

At 65 I don’t mind watching my grandkids. It’s when I have to run after them that is the problem.

- Melanie White

Get ready for the 65-year-old shuffle: shuffling along, shuffling cards, and playing shuffleboard.

- Greg Tamblyn

At 65 if you wake up and nothing hurts it means you died in the night.

- Unknown Author

You know you’re turning 65 when you start ordering drive-up food at a mailbox.

When you hit 65, “Rock ‘n Roll” no longer describes your music, but your chair options: rocking or wheel.

What’s the best thing about turning 65? No more calls from life insurance salesmen.

65 is when you start to have weird hobbies, like growing giant radishes and collecting aluminum foil.

By 65 you tend to sleep more soundly. But it’s usually in the afternoon.

Good news: at 65 there is no noticeable decline in memory storage.

Memory retrieval, however, is something else.

Advice for 65-year-olds: use valet parking.

Valets don’t forget where they parked your car.

Want to look younger at 65? Remove your glasses before looking in the mirror.

Where can 65-year-old men find younger women who are interested in them?

In the bookstore, under “Fiction.”

At 65 you can go to antique shops and visit your old furniture.

At 65, “getting down” on your birthday means not necessarily getting back up.

By 65, you're telling your pals that all your aches and pains are old sports injuries.

At 65 it’s important to be on time for your birthday party. If you’re a few minutes late, everybody might be napping.

We were going to put 65 candles on your birthday cake, but we didn’t want it to look like a torchlight procession.

65 means waking up with that “morning after” feeling even when you stayed home and went to bed early.

Congrats - 65! You're another year older and wiser. Except when it has anything to do with technology.

At 65, almost any place works for a nap.

Happy 65th! If you spent your first few decades laughing at old people, guess what? Karma's a b#@$!

At 65 you start wearing Depends just in case somebody throws you a surprise party.

At 65 your body is still a temple, but the steeples are pointing downward.

At 65, "getting lucky" means finding your cell phone in your dirty laundry.

I pledge to go bravely into the years ahead. Having a blessed life and my faith in God demands it. I am not done until He says so my friends.

(Ray Hibbard may be reached at ray@edmoindpaper.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 information on Edmond public art, please visit http://visitedmondok.com/public-art.php.

OMRF named a top charity for 21st time

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation has again earned the highest rating from the nation’s largest charity evaluator.

For the 21st time, Charity Navigator awarded a four-star rating to the Oklahoma City-based biomedical research institute. OMRF scored 97 out of a possible 100. Charity Navigator awards points for demonstrating a strong commitment to accountability, transparency and financial health.

The rating designates the foundation as an official “Give with Confidence” charity, indicating that OMRF is using its donations effectively and meets or exceeds industry standards.

“Every time someone gives to OMRF, it’s an expression of hope for a better tomorrow,” said OMRF President Andrew Weyrich, Ph.D. “We strictly adhere to the intent of each donation, which is to fund life-saving research. Every penny of every donation goes directly to that purpose.”

Founded in 2001, Charity Naviga-

tor promotes intelligent giving by preparing annual report cards on U.S. and international charities. It uses publicly available financial information to evaluate nearly 200,000 organizations and provide unbiased information for more than 11 million donors.

Charity Navigator measures performance in areas such as fundraising, program and administrative expenses, fundraising efficiency, revenue and expense growth and overall transparency. It then assigns a rating of zero to four stars to give donors confidence when making a charitable donation.

“We are delighted to provide OMRF with third-party accreditation that validates their operational excellence,” said Michael Thatcher, president and CEO of Charity Navigator.

“The four-star rating is the highest possible rating an organization can achieve. We are eager to see the good work that OMRF is able to accomplish in the years ahead.”

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 submissionj by noon Thursday.

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation President Andrew Weyrich, Ph.D.

(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 3

Branden James Austin, 24 of Edmond. Malicious injury or destruction of property, resisting arrest, domestic abuse assault (strangulation). And public intoxication.

Shelby Leewayne Obiarinze, 31 of Edmond. Three misdemeanor warrants and one felony warrant.

Thomas Alexander Moore, 35 of Oklahoma City. Operating (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

Cody Ryan Henderson, 33 homeless. Possess drug paraphernalia, possess CDS, use a firearm while committing a felony and possess with intent to distribute CDS.

July 4 Wuilmer Alberto Barrios, 23 of Oklahoma City. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

Armando Perez, 26 of Dallas. Misdemeanor warrant.

Luis Gutierrez Perez, 28 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Edward Anthony Runnels, 40 homeless. Petty larceny.

Kristin Andrew Franklin, 27 of Oklahoma City. Three felony warrants and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Joe Benjamin Rosenhammer, 45 of Edmond. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked and expired tag – over three months.

Matthew Allan Gierat, 60 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

July 5

Freddie Doyle Johnson, Jr., 43 of Edmond. Two felony warrants.

Brandon Devanta Grissom, 31 of Edmond. (Misdemeanor first offense) domestic abuse assault (in the presence of a minor child.)

July 6

Krystina Michelle Tapley, 36 of Edmond. Two misdemeanor warrants and a felony warrant.

Joshua Russell-Remiel Lee, 24 of Oklahoma City.

Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

Adrian Deshon Fleming, 23 of Oklahoma City. Misdemeanor warrant, speeding 16-20 mph over and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Andrew Blaine Atkinson, 44 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Latrayia Dashawn Michelle Johnson, 21 of Oklahoma City. Possess CDS, aggravated assault & battery and robbery in the first degree.

Danny Dwayne McConnell, 41 homeless. Indecent exposure.

July 7

Jonathan Lee Meierhoff, 40 of Edmond. Felony warrant.

Auburn Noelle Hilliard, 22 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

Blake Alexander Patrick, 22 of Piedmont. Public intoxication.

Jesse De Los Santos, IV, 32 of Edmond. Felony warrant, obstruction of officer and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

Lakeeta Longino, 30 of Edmond. Public intoxication,

Lori Dawn Moore, 47 of Oklahoma City. Two misdemeanor warrants, driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked, no proof of insurance, no tag – improper tag and following too closely.

Ashlee Rae Cody, 40 of Edmond. Assault – resisting officer.

Nathan Matthew Barnhill, 39 of Edmond. Felony warrant.

Joseph Lynn Taylor, 20 homeless. Felony warrant.

Carson Riley Beatty, 22 of Edmond. Domestic abuse assault (dangerous weapon.)

Andy Doyle Jones, 39 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Johnathan Garfield, 43 of Norman. Three misdemeanor warrants.

July 8

Wilvern Enrique Lopez, 26 of Edmond. Driving with license canceled, suspended or revoked and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

Jonathan Enrique Hardman, 35 of The Village. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the

influence of alcohol.

July 9

Toneya Marie Hoskins, 26 of Oklahoma City, Failure to appear, speeding (10 mph or less in excess) driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked, no tag – improper tag) and no proof of insurance.

Ali Shane Aelaei, 49 of Luther, Misdemeanor warrant.

Kallinna Joanne Williams, 22 homeless. Possess CDS, (misdemeanor value) receiving stolen property and petty larceny.

Jessica Nicole Crabtree, 30, homeless. (Misdemeanor value) receiving stolen property and possess CDS.

Yan-Amont B. Darianssen, 50 homeless. Possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, public intoxication and trespassing.

Travis Don Horton, 29 homeless. Trespassing.

Clinton Lee Miller, 37 homeless. Felony warrant, two misdemeanor warrants, four counts of failure to appear, possess drug paraphernalia and possess CDS.

Mark Alan Williams, 39 of Edmond. Two counts of failure to appear, no proof of insurance and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Dakota Gene Kappus, 27 of Edmond. Failure to appear.

Tonya Ann Wright, 48 of Guthrie. Felony DUI/APC.

Whitney Nicole Akins, 32 of Edmond. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

July 9

Michael Leon Smiley, 27 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

George Elden Maze III, 44 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Gulwinder Singh, 30 of Queens, New York. Public intoxication.

Richard Lee Wells, Jr., 44 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.

Amber Delois Dickerson, 38 of Edmond. Expired tag over three months, no proof of insurance and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Israel Barrera Hernandez, 30. Obstruction of police officer, unlawful use of license or identification card and public intoxication.

Weekend calendar of events, July 20-23

What’s Happening This Weekend July 20-23

---- In the Gallery ---- Tiny, But Mighty! Exhibit

---- Unveiled: Edmond’s Bridal Fashion 1875 ---2020 ---- Beginners Pickleball Club ---- Farmer’s Market ---- Twilight Swim

---- Jeff Smith & 3-Point Productions Guthrie, OK Championships

---- Concert in the Park ---- Live Music at Frenzy

---- Kidflix Summer Movie Series ---- Collective Soul ---- Summer Drop-In Activities

---- National Day of the Cowboy

---- Youth & Mid Summer National Arabian & HalfArabian Championship Horse Show

---- Oklahoma International Dance Festival Summer

Intensive: Session II

Extra Information

In the Gallery

Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute

Extra Info: Featuring Artist Tanner Muse; free; 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: Wed, Mar 1 – Fri, Dec 1; 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 a nd Farmers Market

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

Twilight Swim Location: Pelican Bay Aquatic Center

Extra Info: Thu, Jun 29 – Thu, Aug 3; 7 – 9 p.m.; pelicanbayaquatics.com

Jeff Smith & 3-Point Productions

Guthrie,Championships

Location: Lazy E Arena

Extra Info: Fri, July 21 – Sun, July 23; 8 a.m.. – 5 p.m.; lazye.com

Concert in the Park

Location: Hafer Park

Extra Info: Thu, July 20; 6:15 – 9 p.m.; Above the Fray and Jokers to the Right; Free; Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets; Bug spray is highly en-

couraged; edmondok.gov

Live Music at Frenzy

Location: Frenzy Brewing Company

Extra Info: Thu, July 20: The Brave Amigos @ 7p.m.; Fri, July 21: AJ Myers @ 8 p.m.; Sat, July 22: Ravens Thee @ 7:30 p.m.; frenzybrewing.com

Kidflix Summer Movie Series

Location: ShowBiz Cinemas

Extra Info: Thu, July 20 – Thu, July 27; 10 a.m.; $1; showbizcinemas.com

Collective Soul

Location: Riverwind Casino, Showplace Theatre

Extra Info: Fri, July 21; 8 p.m.; riverwind.com

Summer Drop-In Activities

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Thu, July 20 – Fri, July 21; Geocache

Quest & Leather Bracelets; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

National Day of the Cowboy

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Sat, July 22; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Youth & Mid Summer National Arabian & Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show

Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park

Extra Info: Thu, July 13 – Sat, July 22; arabianhorses.org

Oklahoma International Dance Festival Summer Intensive: Session II

Location: Mitchell Education Center

Extra Info: Sat, July 22 – Sat, July 29; dancefest.org

(E-mail items for calendar to infante318@cox.net)

PHOTO PROVIDED

The National Day of the Cowboy will be this Saturday.

What seniors should know when traveling

Travel was once a key component of the picture working professionals created of their ideal retirements. While the COVID-19 pandemic put many retirement travel plans on hold in recent years, jetting off to distant locales is once again on retirees’ radars.

A 2022 survey from AARP found that individuals 50 and over were poised to not only get back on the road, but also spend significantly more money on travel. Prior to the pandemic, Americans 50 and over spent $7,314 annually on travel, according to data from AARP. By spring 2022, individuals in that same age bracket indicated a readiness to spend $8,369 on travel.

Eagerness to get back on the road, in the air or on the high seas could make it easy to overlook some principles of safe travel. However, such an oversight could lead to complications that could make it hard to enjoy time away from home. The following tips can reduce the likelihood that seniors encounter trouble while traveling.

• Determine if any health issues are affecting your desired destina-

tions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a website devoted to travel vaccines (cdc.gov/travel/page/travel-vaccines), and that page can be an invaluable resource for individuals planning a vacation. What’s more, the CDC even provides a specific list of destinations and the latest travel health notices for each of those nations. That list, accessible at cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list can help seniors determine if there are any health-related safety issues in countries they hope to visit.

• Speak to your physician. A pretrip consultation with a physician can uncover any issues that might arise while you’re away. Such issues may be easily managed for domestic travelers who are not planning to visit any especially remote locations, but they will not necessarily be as easily navigated when traveling overseas. Physicians can recommend certain vaccinations or measures to ensure your health while away. In addition, a pre-trip doctor visit is a great time to refill prescriptions that you will need while you’re away.

• Take financial precautions as well. Of course, not all travel-related concerns are medical. Finances also require some pre-trip attention. Inflation has caused a sharp spike in the price of various commodities since the start of 2022, so travelers should study up on the cost of food and attractions at their destination to ensure they have enough money to enjoy themselves. Baggage costs

have risen significantly in recent years, so seniors traveling on a budget may want to pack less and do laundry while traveling in an effort to save money. In addition, the unpredictable nature of travel since the onset of the pandemic has underscored the utility of travel insurance. Seniors can look into travel insurance that could reimburse them in the case of delays or cancellations

Seniors can avoid trouble away from home by heeding a few safety tips.

Polish coach thinks so More Olympians from Oklahoma in the future?

Creating future Olympians is the philosophy driving Coach Janusz Zebracki as he moves to Oklahoma City to create a new competitive kayaking program at RIVERSPORT in the Boathouse District. But his first job is introducing kids to the sport.

“Oklahoma City is poised to become one of the great centers for paddlesports in America,” RIVERSPORT executive director Mike Knopp said. “We have been selected to host multiple international kayaking events including a World Championship in 2026. We believe Coach Zebracki can build a program that gets kids on the water now and lays a foundation for the future.”

A 20-year coaching veteran in the sport of canoe/kayak in Poland, Zebracki has coached at all levels of the sport from kids just getting on the water to Olympians competing at the Athens (2004), Beijing (2008) and London (2012) Olympic Games.

“We introduce children to the water in a safe and entertaining way,” Zebracki said. “Once they have paddling fundamentals down, then we start teaching them about sprint racing on flatwater. Some kids will naturally also want to try whitewater, so we can then teach them the basic skills to get on the whitewater course. We’ll eventually have racing teams in both flatwater sprint and whitewater slalom, so kids can choose the discipline they prefer.”

The program begins this summer with camps for children ages 8-12 who will learn kayaking skills plus water safety during week-long day camps. Designed to introduce kids to a variety of paddle sports, the camps include stand -up paddle boarding, recreational kayaking, and Olympic canoe/kayak sprint and slalom, plus whitewater kayaking, rafting and tubing.

“Youth who really enjoy the experience can join our program starting in August,” Zebracki said. “We’ll continue working with the kids as part of our RIVERSPORT Juniors Canoe/Kayak Team with racing opportunities next spring.”

“We are introducing children to the water in a safe and entertaining way. Students may not know which discipline they would like to pursue, so we want them to try everything” Zebracki said. “We have a world-class river for flatwater paddling and a world-class whitewater kayaking facility right in the heart of Oklahoma City, and there is no better place for young kayakers to train.”

A native of Krakow, Poland, Zebracki has been a coach in the Olympic sport of Canoe Slalom in Poland for over 20 years, first serving as the Junior Head Coach, U-23 Head Coach and later the Head Coach of the Senior Canoe Slalom Olympic teams. Zebracki has coached the Poland Senior Team at three Olympic Games and numerous World Championships. Before becoming a coach, Zebracki was a member of the Polish National Team in Canoe Slalom.

For more information on the Junior Canoe/Kayak Team, visit: https://www.riversportokc.org/get-involved/coached- teams/canoekayak-teams/junior-ck/

Future Olympians?

New Riversport coach Janusz Zebracki

Some progress reported in fighting drunk driving

A new research study released ;ast weel by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) finds that state laws dictating when ignition interlock devices (IIDs) may be removed from drunk driving offenders’ vehicles can help reduce repeat offenses. This promising finding comes halfway through what is known as the 100 deadliest days of summer, when alcohol- and drug-impaired driving rise dramatically, putting everyone on the road in danger.

Drunk driving is one of the deadliest yet most preventable behaviors that accounts for nearly one-third of the nation’s traffic crash fatalities. Alcohol-impaired driving deaths have skyrocketed 31% in just two years, rising from 10,196 in 2019 to 13,384 in 2021. IIDs, which prevent a vehicle’s engine from starting if alcohol is detected on the driver’s breath, are a proven and effective tool for significantly reducing drunk driving. Nearly 12,000 roadway deaths could be prevented each year if alcohol detection systems, such as IIDs, were installed on all vehicles, according to a 2021 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study.

Currently, all states have some type of IID program, with 33 states and the District of Columbia having a compliance-based removal (CBR) law. Under a CBR law, drivers with an IID installed in their vehicle must have a certain number of violation-free days before the device can be removed. After surveying all states to determine which had the ability to provide reliable, accurate and complete data in a timely manner, researchers focused on two states with CBR laws –Tennessee and Washington – and two states without – Arkansas and Iowa. Their analysis of the state-supplied data for the period January 1, 2016,

through December 31, 2019, found that the alcohol-impaired driving recidivism rates in Tennessee and Washington were 1.7% and 3.7%, respectively. Meanwhile, the recidivism rates for the two states without CBR statutes – Arkansas (5.6%) and Iowa (6%) – were higher. While there are several factors that can affect drunk driving recidivism, the data indicate that CBR requirements can be a promising tool to address these highrisk drivers and that states without these laws should consider implementing them.

“Every day, 36 people die because someone got behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. We can and must get that number to zero,” said GHSA Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Adkins. “Ignition interlocks are a powerful tool in our fight against the scourge of impaired driving. This new study suggests that enacting requirements governing the removal of IIDs can make them even more effective in preventing alcohol-impaired driving and save lives.”

The study was funded by Consumer Safety Technology, LLC (CST Holdings) and Intoxalock Ignition Interlocks. Neither were involved in the independent research, which was conducted by Tara Casanova Powell, Principal, Casanova Powell Consulting, and Dr. Ryan C. Smith under contract with GHSA.

“Ignition interlock devices help prevent impaired driving, create safer roads and save lives. Yet, there are still an astounding number of attempts to drive impaired by people who already have one installed,” said Sabra Rosener, Senior Vice President, Legislative Affairs for CST. “This new GHSA research validates that compliance-based laws are a crucial step towards effectively reducing recidivism.”

Downtown metro group giving thought to Christmas season

Summer is here and that means Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership is gearing up for another spectacular season of holiday festivities with Downtown in December presented by Devon, produced by Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership. Now in its 22nd season, Downtown in December is a beloved tradition that unites the community in celebration of the holiday season. From November through January, Downtown will be bustling with festive events, outdoor attractions, performing arts, holiday shopping, family activities, delightful treats and refreshments, stunning light displays, and much more. This year promises to be the most extraordinary celebration yet, inviting everyone to create new traditions and memories downtown.

Individuals, organizations, and businesses are invited to get involved and contribute to the success of this year’s series and help ensure that downtown remains an exciting destination for residents and visitors alike. Submissions for events and attractions, as well as opportunities for sponsorship and partnerships, are being accepted through August 31, 2023, and those interested can visit downtownindecember.com for more information.

The official kickoff of Downtown in

December presented by Devon will take place the week before Thanksgiving with the Oklahoma City Tree Lighting Festival in Bricktown on Thursday, November 16, 2023. This free community event invites the public to join Mayor David Holt and Santa Claus for a family-friendly evening of holiday festivities including diverse performances highlighting the city’s many cultures and traditions. The annual lighting of the Bricktown Christmas Tree during the festival will shine brighter than ever with new LED lighting and ornament improvements planned for this season.

Downtown in December presented by Devon is made possible through the dedicated efforts of Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership with generous support from Devon Energy, the Downtown Business Improvement District, and many other sponsors and partners. The series’ events and attractions impact over 350,000 individuals each season and reaches an audience of over one million through print and digital media.

For more information about Downtown in December and how to be a part of the 2023-2024 season, please contact Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership or visit downtownindecember.com.

Cancel-mania

By Steve Gust

I’m not a huge fan of cancel culture.

I didn’t like it when the left embraced it and I’m not that thrilled with it now that the right is participating.

Steve Gust

Don’t get me wrong. If you don’t like what a company does or stands for, then don’t support them. That makes sense.It’s the way people have always shopped.

These organized boycotts can sometimes be a bit much.

The boycott against Bud Light has been successful – well at least for the people organizing it. But I’m still a bit bothered that most of the Bud Light people affected are the regular folks, probably like a plain Joe who has a wife and five kids. They’re the ones paying the price for management embracing a hotbutton issue.

But Bud Light isn’t alone.

About a month ago, the religious television production “The Chosen,”

came under fire. Someone saw a small rainbow pride sticker on a piece of production equipment. It turned out to be one guy who was a contract worker. But some people immediately began to think that the entire “Chosen,” cast and crew were encamped on the pride side and therefore not worthy of support. Holy mackerel. That boycott smacks of being a Salem witch hunt. Maybe companies should really think about avoiding political issues.

Where does it end anyway?

Do we check everyone’s voter registration card before they go into a business?

Let’s face it, folks. Not everybody is going to agree with everyone on every issue. And quite frankly it would be a mighty dull world if everyone did.

We’ll most likely see more businesses and people canceled – by both sides. Folks' livelihood will be hurt. And most of them will be people who need the money the most and had nothing to do with company policy.

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

The Constitution prevails

By Senator Markwayne Mullin

Last month, the United States Supreme Court released three landmark decisions that strengthened Constitutional protections for all Americans. The Court struck down racism with affirmative action, upheld the freedom of speech over government mandate, and put a stop to Joe Biden's illegal student loan scheme –all significant victories for the rule of law.

While some far-Left Democrats would prefer to expand the Supreme Court into an activist organization, the Constitution dictates the role of the judiciary to impartially interpret our laws and uphold civil liberties. I’m glad to see the Court take important steps to protect our God-given rights while rejecting Biden’s unlawful executive over-

reach.

On June 30th, the Supreme Court ruled that the executive branch does not have the constitutional authority to cancel student debt. The Court correctly determined that the Constitution gives Congress the sole power of the purse. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi even told reporters herself: “People think the president of the United States has the power for debt forgiveness. He does not… that has to be an act of Congress.”

In blocking Joe Biden's illegal student debt scheme, the Court made clear that Joe Biden's cheap political attempt to transfer the burden of student loans to millions of hard-working taxpayers was an abuse of executive power. Without action from the Court, Biden’s student loan scam would have cost American taxpayers $400 billion dollars over the next 30 years.

One day prior, the Supreme Court also struck down race-based affirmative action in college admissions as unconstitutional. The Court agreed: college admissions must be decided on equal standards of merit and achievement, not “race-based preferences,” as Justice Thomas notes in his concurrence. The Supreme Court emphasized that affirmative action was intended as a temporary plan for universities to increase diversity in their schools, not a permanent solution. Admission programs can no longer give points just for checking a certain racial box. In America, no student should be denied opportunities because of their ethnic background or skin color. This ruling was a win for equality and fairness under the law.

Lastly, the U.S. Supreme Court protected our critical First Amendment rights by ruling that a state government cannot violate Americans’ religious freedom. The Court upheld religious liberty for a Colorado website designer who refused to create wedding websites for same-sex couples.

Federal retirement system frustrates Lankford

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today sent a letter to the Director of the Office of Personnel Management Kiran Ahuja on the need to modernize the decades-old retirees’ system that is causing backlogs and delays in processing retirement applications. Lankford asked several questions of the Director on why responses to retirees can involve wait times of more than a year, which often causes retirees financial harm.

Lankford wrote in the letter, “While OPM fails to make significant progress on identifying and correcting the underlying causes of the retirement services backlog, the backlog is unacceptable. The inventory of claims spiraled out of control and reached its zenith in March 2022 with 36,349 open cases. Even as the inventory has begun to decline, the claims processing time has continued to increase; in March of 2023, over two-thirds of the claims took more than 60 days to process.

“In Oklahoma, my staff has found it difficult to obtain timely inquiry responses from OPM. These wait times have extended beyond a year for a few cases. Unfortunately, this does not appear to be uncommon. The frequency and volume of requests to me and my colleagues illustrate that OPM is failing

to deliver on a basic promise it has made to our civil servants. I cannot help but imagine that for every one person who calls a Congressional office, there are countless others who suffer in silence.”

Lankford is the Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management which is charged with oversight of the management and efficiency of government agencies and operations, including the federal workforce and federal employees.

Read the full letter below.

Dear Director Ahuja:

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) administers the federal retirement services program. For decades, this program has failed to quickly serve federal retirees, and as a result, backlogs and delays in processing retirement applications is a longstanding problem. In 2019, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that while the agency had “developed a strategic vision for modernizing the current paper-based application,” OPM’s modernization plan “lacks cost estimates and timelines,

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which means there are no measurable results with which to evaluate resource needs or interim progress.” To address these shortcomings, GAO made six recommendations for executive action, five of which remain open over four years later.

While OPM fails to make significant progress on identifying and correcting the underlying causes of the retirement services backlog, the backlog is unacceptable. The inventory of claims spiraled out of control and reached its zenith in March 2022 with 36,349 open cases. Even as the inventory has begun to decline, the claims processing time has continued to increase; in March of 2023, over two-thirds of the claims took more than 60 days to process. Of that group, it took OPM an average of 142 days to process claims. Congressional offices across the country are receiving high volumes of calls from concerned, and at times, desperate retirees. This backlog directly harms retired civil servants and their beneficiaries.

In Oklahoma, my staff has found it difficult to obtain timely inquiry responses from OPM. These wait times have extended beyond a year for a few cases. Unfortunately, this does not appear to be uncommon.

The frequency and volume of requests to me and my colleagues illustrate that OPM is failing to deliver on a basic promise it has made to our civil servants. I cannot help but imagine that for every one person who calls a Congressional office, there are countless others who suffer in silence. The delays in both response and in processing of retirement applications result in genuine difficulty for constituents and, too often, financial harm.

Please respond to the following questions and requests no later than July 20, 2023:

What progress has OPM made to adopt management practices to enhance the use of performance information on processing timeliness to inform how OPM manages operations, identifies problem areas, and allocates resources?

Life & sights from a Viking cruise ship

By Elaine Warner

The weather was fine – Zoe and I were not. Day four of our Viking cruise started in Speyer, home to the Imperial Cathedral of Speyer, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This designation is a biggie for me – it marks places of historical, cultural, scientific, and/or universal scenic importance. (There are 24 sites in the US as diverse as the Grand Canyon and Taliesen East.)

I was really looking forward to seeing the 11th century, Romanesque cathedral, burial place of eight emperors. I was also looking forward to learning about the town’s Jewish heritage – and seeing the remnants of the 1104 synagogue and the beautifully constructed mikvah (ritual bath), preserved because it is 33-feet underground.

All of our party had been battling colds and this was the day that Zoe and I gave up and stayed on the ship.

We took advantage of the weather to sit on the top deck, enjoying the sun and the scenery as we cruised from Speyer to Worms where we would pick up the passengers who participated in the morning tour in Speyer.

There are four decks on Viking longships – the Main, Middle, Upper and Sun. We hadn’t seen much of the Sun Deck thanks to chilly weather or showers. In addition to lounge chairs, this area of the ship has an extensive herb garden, putting greens, shuffleboard, and a walking track.

The scenery was soothing with small towns and countryside, interrupted occasionally with industrial sites and larger cities like Mannheim and Mainz.

We arrived in Worms, cruising under an impressive bridge. Another phrase from an early time reminded me of learning religious history in Sunday school. Who could forget “Diet of Worms”? I remembered the phrase but had forgotten the details. Once home, I started researching and discovered Luther footprints all over this part of Germany.

Diet is simply the name for an assembly.

At the 1520 Diet of Worms, Luther was condemned by the heads of state of the Holy Roman Empire and disseminating or following his teachings was forbidden. By 1526 and 1529, he was again the subject of investigation by diets in Speyer. This second diet was where the term Protestant originated. If you have an appetite for church history, Luther’s life offers a meaty, mental meal and a great itinerary.

Skipping the morning walk gave us more opportunities to check out the ship. We found the small business center where guests could use a computer and a wellstocked library and comfy chairs for those so inclined. We were already familiar with the dining room. Seats are unassigned so at meals we tried to sit at different tables. Passengers were primarily Americans with a smattering of Canadians – a diverse mix of geographic locations and occupations. One of our most frequented areas was

either of the two niches with coffee and hot chocolate machines – and cookies or other sweet treats. The lounge was where we gathered for entertainment and drinks and casual conversations. The lounge and the Aquavit Terrace and open deck on the Upper Deck was where we enjoyed two treats that afternoon.

First, Maria Komarica, bar chef, gave us a lesson in Rudesheimer Espresso. To do it correctly, you must have special cups. Sugar cubes are dropped into the empty cups; Asbach brandy is lighted and poured over the sugar cubes, which are stirred until dissolved. Black coffee is then poured in; whipped cream sweetened with vanilla sugar is heaped on top and sprinkled with grated chocolate. It looked beautiful – but I’m not a coffee drinker and much preferred the hot chocolate from the handy dispensers on board.

I was more enthusiastic about the next treat, tiny sandwiches and sweets served on three-tier dishes. It was billed as a German tea, but it looked a lot like every English tea serving I’ve experienced.

It was late afternoon when we docked in Rudesheim – still light enough for some exploring. Jack was napping, so Mark, Zoe, and I set out. We walked beside a lovely park. The ground between the park path and the river was scattered with tiny wildflowers. The park featured more formal plantings.

The first sight in town was the Adlerturm (Eagle Tower), a 15th century construction, part of the original city wall. We wandered down streets and alleys and came to a small shop selling gelato. It was chilly, but we were bundled up – so we indulged. As we sat savoring and chatting, we saw Jack coming up the street. He, too, felt the need for a gelato cone.

Walking on, we came to a square and St. Jakobus’ Church. This structure has a 10th century basement and an 11th century chapel. The main portion of the structure was constructed in the 1400s. Near, and facing the church, is a fountain topped with a man raising a wine glass. We weren’t sure if he was supposed to be toasting the church or simply celebrating the town’s great wine history.

We saw a few half-timbered buildings, but the most scenic part of the historic area was too far to walk. Drosselgasse is the most famous street – lined with halftimbered buildings and chock-a-block with weinstubes. Viking offered an evening in this part of town which included wine and dinner – but it didn’t fit in our budget. We weren’t unhappy, since dinner on the ship was, as usual, excellent – that night’s regional menu included Mainz spundekäs (a cheese dip with toast), wiener schnitzel,warm potato salad, and an apple tart. It was followed by a performance by a string ensemble from Koblenz, our next stop. With a restful day, and a hearty German meal, we were ready for a good night’s sleep and a good tomorrow.

Twin towers were part of the Nibelung Bridge, built in Worms in 1900. The east tower was destroyed by German forces fleeing at the end of World War II, but the west tower remains an icon of the city.

The Adlerturm, part of the city’s fortifications served as an inn where Goethe stayed in the 19th century.

Elaine

The ship’s bar chef, Maria Komarica, shows her skills with Rudesheimer Espresso

Chef Karl and the kitchen crew were kept busy providing not only meals for 170 guests, but special treats like this afternoon tea service.

The University of Central Oklahoma marketing, public relations, graphic design and communication professionals from across campus took home 21 awards at the 2023 Oklahoma College Public Relations Association (OCPRA) awards ceremony. Pictured are those who attended the annual conference. From left to right, front row, Michele Lewis, graphic designer, Campus Enterprises; Manuela Soldi, photographer, Photographic Services; Gerald Leong, photographer, Photographic Services; and, Sarah Ward, director of special publications and projects, University Communications. Back row, left to right, Chelsea Ratterman, director of marketing, Campus Enterprises; Lauren Bieri, director of Photographic Services; Adrienne Nobles, vice president for Communications and Public Affairs; and, Deirdre Steiner, assistant vice president of University Communications.

UCO students clean up at awards competition

The University of Central Oklahoma marketing, public relations, graphic design and communication professionals from across campus took home 21 awards at the 2023 Oklahoma College Public Relations Association (OCPRA) awards ceremony July 10, during the OCPRA annual conference held at the Downstream Casino Resort in Quapaw, Oklahoma. Central received 10 first place awards —the most the university has won in an OCPRA awards competition.

In addition, UCO’s winning entries included seven Excellence Awards (second place), three Achievement Awards (third place) and one Honorable Mention. Awards went to projects submitted by University Communications, Photographic Services and Campus Enterprises. Adrienne Nobles, vice president for Communications and Public Affairs, emceed the awards and served her final year on the OCPRA board of directors after 12 years of service on the board, including a term as board president.

OCPRA received approximately 523 entries from 39 institutions across the state.

UCO’s winning entries are:

Grand Award (First Place)

Logo Design – “EYEcon Logo”

Craig Beuchaw

Lauren Bieri

Limit”

Portrait Photography – “Bright Future”

Lauren Bieri

Traditional Photo – “Intimate Gestures of Gender in Dance”

Manuela Soldi

Promotional Item – “Housing Live Central Keychain”

Michele Lewis and Chelsea Ratterman

Bright Idea – Recruitment – “Buddy Broncho Car Air Freshener”

Craig Beuchaw and Katy Roybal

Events/Promotion – “UCO’s Annual President’s Breakfast”

Michele Lewis

Poster Design (Culture/Fine Arts) – “UCO Día de Los Muertos Poster 2022”

Craig Beuchaw

Video Feature – “Presidential Partners 2023: John Maisch Tribute”

Sam Ferguson and Quin Tran

Video Feature – “Surprise Scholarship”

Sam Ferguson and Quin Tran

Excellence Award (Second Place)

T-Shirt Design – “Communications and Public Affairs Retreat Shirt”

Craig Beuchaw

Traditional Sports Photo – “Sague Mate”

Manuela Soldi

Bright Idea – Alumni/Fundraising – “UCO Foundation - Impact Report - Pocket Folder Brochure”

Michael Wallo, Kandace Taylor, Sandy Stewart and Liz Hall

Poster Design (Culture/Fine Arts) – “UCO President's Breakfast Poster”

Michele Lewis

Small Brochure – “OKA+ The Art Auction – TriFold”

Michael Wallo

Full Length Feature – "Teaching Through Trauma: Breaking the Mental Health Stigma in Newsrooms"

Deirdre Steiner

Viewbook – “UCO Admissions Viewbook 2022”

Craig Beuchaw, Sarah Ward and Lauren Bieri

Achievement Award (Third Place)

Direct Mail Piece – “OKA+ The Art AuctionSave the Date Card”

Michael Wallo

Portrait Photography – “Fugitive Songs”

Lauren Bieri

Poster Design (General) – “MLK Oratory Competition”

Michael Wallo

Honorable Mention

Holiday Greeting – “Housing ‘Cho Cho Cho’ Holiday Card”

Michele Lewis

Founded in 1969, OCPRA provides networking and professional development opportunities to staff working in public relations and associated fields at Oklahoma’s public and private colleges and universities.

Next Elm Tree concert set

The McKedys, a family band from McLoud, will present the Elm Tree Concert at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 23, at the Arcadia Round Barn.

The brand is comprised of dad Bryon and his teen children Mackynsie and Austin, along with Terry Dobbs on bass. Mackynsie has been playing fiddle since age 5 and also sings and plays guitar and mandolin. Austin sings and plays guitar, mandolin, bass, harmonica and drums.

Bryon is a singer-songwriter with more than 30 years in the music busi-

ness. Elm Tree Concerts are held beneath the shade of the giant elm tree on the north side of the Round Barn. Admission is free but donations are accepted. Guests can bring lawn chairs or sit at the picnic tables.

The Round Barn is six miles east of Interstate 35 on historic Route 66. The museum is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about live music at the barn, call Joe Baxter at 405-833-1350.

Chamber announces promotion of Kristen King to director’s post

The Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the promotion of Kristen King to Director of Operations. In addition to King’s current responsibilities, she recently completed her second year at Institute for Organization Management, a four-year nonprofit leadership training program at the University of Georgia in Athens. Institute for Organization Management is the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It is the premier nonprofit professional development program for association and chamber professionals, fostering individual growth through interactive learning and networking opportunities.

King started at the chamber as an intern and began full time work in 2020 after graduating from Oklahoma Christian University. Over the last five years she has worked for the Edmond Chamber, her efforts have led to record numbers of attendance at events, as well as an increase to the chamber’s overall budget through her events and programs, sponsorship earnings and the Total Resource

Campaign.

“Kristen has been a hard-working member of our team since day one and has proven to play a key role in our organization. Kristen has the dedication and vision to bring the Edmond Chamber to new heights,” said Sherry Jordan, President and CEO.

Obituary

Billy Gene Ivey

Billy Gene Ivey was born in Elmore City, OK on May 5, 1942 to John and Floy Mae (Walls) Ivey. He was raised in and around the Satterwhite and Elmore City communities. In 1962, he fell in love with Jo Ann Richardson and they were married that June shortly after she graduated high school. Their family quickly grew to include daughter Tammy and son Terry. Around the same time, Bill answered the call to preach and surrendered his life to ministerial service of the Lord. This led the family to many locations in Oklahoma and Arkansas during his multi-decade career. He eventually retired from full-time ministry and settled in Hinton, OK where he and Jo Ann would remain until they learned of the impending birth of their first great-grandchild. At that point, they moved to Edmond to play with great-grandchildren full time.

Bill loved all and never met a stranger. Even into retirement, he stayed active in various church groups and ministries. Nobody experienced his love more, however, than his family. Whether he was fishing, hunting, watching Sooner football, or simply playing the role of chauffeur, he was virtually never away from one or more of his immediate family members. He led his family by example and was always the first to sacrifice his needs for those of his family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Terry, brothers Charles and Raymond, and a sister Sue. He is survived by daughter Tammy (and wife Linda with great-grandson Liam), granddaughter Stacey Timmons (and husband Cody with great-granddaughters Piper and Ava), sister Vivian Bratcher (and husband Garland), sister Ann Mozley, sister Pearlene Perkey (and husband Larry), brother David Ivey, sisterin-law Norma Ivey, and many nieces and nephews. Viewing will be on Friday July 21 from 12:00-7:00 at Crawford Funeral Service in Edmond. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday July 22 at Waterloo Road Baptist church in Edmond, OK, followed by graveside services at 2:00 at Maysville Cemetery in Maysville, OK.

Kristen King

Great action & over-the-top stunts

By George Gust

“Mission: Impossible-Dead Reckoning Part One” finds Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and the IMF team tracking down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity if it falls into the wrong hands. With control of the future and the fate of the world at stake, a deadly race around the globe begins.

Last summer’s smash success of “Top Gun: Maverick” showed not only is the movie theater experience still alive and well, but also that Tom Cruise and his brand of cinematic realistic action solidifies him as our final remaining blockbuster movie star. However, as this summer has shown even the most reliable of movie franchises have lost some steam as the years draw on (see “Fast X” “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” and “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”). However, in “Dead Reckoning Part One” Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie have delivered another thrilling entry into the nearly 30 year film franchise.

For many fans of the series “Mission: ImpossibleFallout” marked a series high in terms of non-stop action and globetrotting intrigue. Luckily McQuarrie and Cruise as the auteurs of the series have manage to avoid trying to be bigger and better than the previous film, instead opting for a change

approach that harkens back to the original 1996 Brian DePalma paranoid political thriller style of film even with the inclusion of the stuffed-shirt bureaucrat Kittridge (Henry Czerny) who chased Hunt in that original entry.

This adventure finds Hunt and crew fighting a chillingly relevant and mysterious foe-Artificial Intelligence, which is enough of a change from the powerhouse villainous performance by Henry Cavill in “Fallout” to justify the shift towards espionage and away from the stunt after stunt pace of the previous entry.

In terms of performance all the familiar crew from the previous entries of the series are firing on

all cylinders including Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg who again add the charming comedic grounding that is needed when you’ve got Cruise running the show. The two major additions to the cast in this film include a couple of intriguing and entertaining turns from Pom Klementieff and Haley Atwell. However its Cruise’s ability to somehow manage to upend his larger than life movie star persona and deliver a balanced performance that bridges the absurdity of the over-the-top stunts and the personal sincerity that makes “Dead Reckoning Part 1” another phenomenal example of blockbuster action filmmaking.

Overall, “Mission: Impossible-Dead Reckoning Part 1” is an exciting entry into the Mission Impossible series and should be taken in on the largest screen you’re able to find as the action set-pieces are some of the best you’ll find in recent years. Being a “Part 1” does take some of the satisfaction out of the third act, but the ride of the film is well worth the time at the movies.

“Mission: Impossible-Dead Reckoning Part 1” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some language and suggestive material.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Answers on Page 19

FAI & schools team up

The Edmond Fine Arts Institute (FAI) is thrilled to announce that after providing the Art in Schools Program to 3rd and 4th grade students in Edmond Public Schools for 20 years, the Edmond Public School Board approved adding art education to the curriculum for all students in K-5th grades at their meeting on July 10, 2023.

FAI has been working toward this goal since 2002 when an innovative partnership called the "Art in Schools Program" (AIS) was developed between the Edmond Fine Arts Institute and Edmond Public Schools to meet the need for art education due to a lack of funding. Prior to the AIS program, students in Edmond did not receive formal art education until 5th grade.

With new funding through the state and continued efforts to provide supplemental support for arts education from Edmond Fine Arts and the Edmond Public School Foundation, Edmond Public Schools will hire additional elementary art education instructors to implement art classes for students in K-5th grade beginning August 2023.

Crossword Puzzle

PHOTO

“Tom Cruise returns to the high stakes espionage world as the adrenaline fueled spy Ethan Hunt in "Mission: Impossible-Dead Reckoning Part One"

Chad Breske

Nearly electrocuted in 2021

‘Home Run for Life’ honor goes out to hurt lineman

On June 12, 2021, was working his shift as an electrical lineman when an accident changed his life.

Breske, of Choctaw, will be honored during the fourth INTEGRIS Health “Home Run For Life” of the 2023 OKC Dodgers baseball season Friday, July 21 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

“Home Run For Life” recognizes individuals in the community who have overcome a significant medical event with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals. To symbolize the end of their battle against adversity, honorees take a home run “lap” around the bases during a pregame ceremony.

Chad’s Story:

Breske suffered a near electrocution but doesn’t remember much of the day. “Not real sure what happened,” he said. “All I know is I woke up in the hospital two weeks later.”

When he woke up, the medical staff told him some unwanted news. “They informed me I had to have my

Presidential appointment

Trait Thompson, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, was appointed to the Route 66 Centennial Commission by President Joe Biden. Congress established the Commission to study and make recommendations on how to celebrate the centennial anniversary of Route 66 in 2026.

“I would like to thank Senator Mitch McConnell for nominating me to the federal Route 66 Centennial Commission and President Joe Biden for appointing me. It is an honor to represent Oklahoma on this distinguished panel,” said Thompson. “Route 66 is indelibly tied to the de-

velopment of our state, and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to plan activities for the centennial that shine a light on the importance of the Mother Road.”

Route 66 was established on November 11, 1926, by the American Association of State Highway Officials. The new highway was 2,400 miles long and wound through eight states, including Oklahoma. It was not completely paved until 12 years after its designation. With the establishment of the interstate highway system, Route 66 lost much of its traffic and was decommissioned as a federal highway on June 27, 1985..

arms amputated because of the burns,” Breske said.

In addition to losing both arms, he also lost two ribs, his left ear and part of his skull.

“For the longest time I sat there, pretty much in shock,” Breske said. Although he was stunned, he immediately got to work with his physical therapy at INTEGRIS Health Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation and credits both the staff and his family as key reasons for his optimism.

“If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know if I’d still be around or not,” Breske said.

Breske acknowledges that the recovery is hard, but he pushes through for his family. “I do have times where it is the end of the world, but I push through it,” he said.

After two years of continued therapy, Breske has regained a sense of normalcy and hopes to get back to enjoying his hobbies like hunting and fishing. “I’m just hoping to be a better person and maybe help other people,” he said.

ESA stops and smells the flowers

This year’s educational theme for Epsilon Sigma Alpha’s Gamma Zeta chapter is “Appreciating the Little Things.” Dr. Putnam’s topic was “The Blossoming and Smell of Flowers.” When it comes to fragrance, today’s roses and flowers are practically lifeless compared to the blooms Shakespeare was familiar with. The top five most fragrant flowers are jasmine, gardenia dianthis, nicotiana, and the oriental lily.

Improving floral scent is a goal of the $20 billion per year horticulture industry; however, unfortunately for gardeners, modern plant breeding has caused many of the most popular flowers to lose much of the scent of

their ancestors. As plants have been bred to maximize color, shape, and other characteristics, such as longlasting blooms after cutting, the scents have mysteriously disappeared.

Epsilon Sigma Alpha, an international philanthropic organization, works with UR Special, No Boundaries, Boys’ Ranch Town, Salvation Army, and Free to Live a 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.

Stop and smell the flowers. Come visit our engergetic group by calling Jacci Gantz at 405-922-5954.

Dr. Billye Putnam, Gamma Zeta member, gives educational on “The Blossoming and Smell of Flowers.”

How to stay safe with a generator

Increasingly, consumers are turning to generators for power in emergency situations, because the world is unpredictable.

“Consumers want and need reliable power. When the electricity goes out, generators keep your home or business humming with light and power,” said Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI).

“Today’s generators offer a variety of features, and there is a product for every need,” said Kiser. “While shopping for your generator, consider other equipment that could be useful in cleaning up after challenging weather such as a water pump, chain saw or pole pruner. And don’t forget outdoor-rated extension cords and fuel cans.”

Tips from OPEI for safe generator use:

• Consider what you need. When purchasing a generator, determine how many kilowatts are needed for essential items (charging family cell phones, a refrigerator, etc.) during an emergency.

• Research generators online before you buy. Talk with the staff at the store or ask questions online. Discuss safety features and ask about manufacturer fueling and care instructions. Generators offer a variety of features. Circuit-breaker-protected outlets will guard against generator overload. A larger fuel tank will provide extra running time. Integrated fuel gauges will help keep tabs on fuel levels and prevent power interruptions. Low tone mufflers make for quieter operation. Fold-down handles and wheels can make it easier to move your generator.

• Keep an outdoor-rated extension cord on hand. Be sure it is long enough to place the gener-

ator a safe distance from your home, and is certified to carry the generator’s power load.

• Identify where you will put the generator. Place the generator outside and away from windows, doors, and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors. Never put a generator in your home, garage, porch or breezeway. Give portable generators plenty of room for ventilation. Determine now how you will secure the generator.

• Install a carbon monoxide detector. Add this safety device to your home and be sure to keep extra batteries on hand for it.

• Keep generators dry. Before a storm hits, identify how to cover and vent the generator. Buy model-specific tents or generator covers online, at home centers or a hardware store.

• Have the right fuel on hand before a storm hits. Use an appropriate container designed to hold fuel that seals well.

• Store fuel in a safe place away from heat sources and out of the reach of children. Label the can with the date of purchase and the ethanol content. Check filled cans regularly and replenish them

if needed. Remember fuel more than 30 days old should not be used in any outdoor power equipment and can phase separate.

• Use the type of fuel recommended by the generator manufacturer. It is illegal to use any fuel with more than 10% ethanol in outdoor power equipment (for more information on proper fueling for outdoor power equipment visit www.LookBeforeYouPump.com).

For safety information and to find out which manufacturers make various outdoor power equipment products, go to www.opei.org.

About OPEI

OPEI is an international trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers of outdoor power equipment, small engines, battery power systems, portable generators, utility and personal transport vehicles, and golf cars. OPEI is the advocacy voice of the industry, and a recognized Standards Development Organization for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in the development of safety and performance standards. OPEI owns Equip Exposition, the international landscape, outdoor living, and equipment exposition, and administers the TurfMutt Foundation, which directs the environmental education program, TurfMutt. OPEI-Canada represents members on a host of issues, including recycling, emissions and other regulatory developments across the Canadian provinces.

City’s Open House will give public a look at its recycling

The City of Edmond will hold a recycling open house, July 25, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Cross Timbers complex, 2004 Old Timbers Drive.

This come-and-go event will be a great chance to ask questions about the City’s recycling program, to learn more about what happens after your blue recycling bin is collected, where the materials go once they arrive at the recycling processing center and much more.

In response to support from a citizens survey, in effect this month, the new contract with Republic Services for recycling pick up and processing means Edmond residents can again place glass items in their residential blue recycling cart.

More than 3,500 customers responded to the survey, and of those 3,461 said they participate in the curbside recycling pickup program. More than 61 percent of customers responding said they would be willing to pay an additional monthly fee for the expanded service option.

Glass is accepted only for residen-

tial service. Just like plastic and paper items, glass items must be clean and dry before being placed in the recycling cart. Glass items are not accepted at the drop-off facility, located at 5300 Recycle Trail. The drop-off facility accepts only paper, cardboard, plastic, and cans.

As part of the curbside service, blue recycling carts are picked up on a bi-weekly basis. Recycling collection is scheduled for the same day as the weekly trash cart collection. However, the recycling and trash are collected by different trucks and at different times of the same day.

To cover the cost of adding glass to the acceptable recycling items list, the City of Edmond Solid Waste fee for recycling service has increased $1.58 per residence per month. That fee is part of the Solid Waste base rate, which now is $16.93 per month.

For information on pickup schedules, items that can be placed in the residential recycling bin and more, go to Edmondok.gov/EdmondRecycles.

Improving customer retention

One of the principles of good business is to remember that it is less expensive to have customers become repeat shoppers than to try to entice new customers to come in and try products or services. Harvard Business Review says onboarding a new customer can be as much as 25 times more expensive than retaining an existing customer. However, profits can grow even when businesses retain a small number of customers.

Consumers can be fickle, and there is always some shiny new "something" that may draw their attention away. That fickle nature is on display whenever a new product hits the market. An existing phone may still function at or near peak capacity, but the newer one boasting different bells and whistles captures the attention of a buyer who doesn't want to feel like he or she is missing out on the latest and the greatest.

Zach Russell State Farm recently held a ribbon cutting with the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate their 5-year anniversary with the chamber and their sixth year of business at 4225 W Memorial Rd Suite 102, which opened on April 1st, 2017.

Zach and his team also celebrated their major accomplishment of qualifying for State Farm Chairman's Circle in 2022, which recognizes the top agencies across the country for their remarkable service in Auto, Home, Business and Life insurance. Zach and his team live everyday by their mission statement which is to do 3 things: 1) Make sure you understand where every dollar of your premium is going, and make sure you understand every detail of your coverage. 2) Make sure you're aware of any other State Farm product that can help your life or get life back on track if something unfortunate happens. 3) Make you smile!

To learn more about Zach Russell State Farm, visit www.ridewithzach.com/

Small business owners have to do their part to ensure their customer base is not drawn away by something shiny and new - particularly if that something is a big box retailer who has moved into the neighborhood. These strategies can improve customer retention and benefit small businesses.

· Prioritize strong first impressions. Customers will judge a business by its cover. How they were treated, how smoothly a process ran and how quickly action was taken when an issue arose will affect how likely a customer is to stick around. Businesses who perfect their first impressions, particularly by putting their key employees in position to initiate contact, may find they are more successful at customer retention.

· Customize the customer experience. Businesses can use omnichannel support to gather informa-

tion about clients as they attempt to curate highly personalized experiences. Omnichannel support provides customer service across various channels and touchpoints, says Zendesk. This includes cohesive usage of live agents, chatbots, emails, and more. Omnichannel support streamlines customer service conversation history from channel to channel, ultimately making things easier on the customer.

· Offer loyalty incentives. Businesses can foster goodwill and customer retention by rewarding customers who stick around. Rewards can include VIP events, early access deals, special offers, discount codes, and other loyalty programs. These programs help collect data to improve the customer experience and indicate to customers that they're valued.

Business marks six years in business

Women’s conference at OC

IEEW's 2023 Leadership Development Week is taking place this week at Oklahoma Christian University. The event is designed to empower women from Afghanistan and Rwanda through the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS ® program.

The week-long event will cover a wide range of topics such as leadership, marketing, international trade, risk and crisis management, managerial accounting, empowerment, strategy, clarity, and human resources. The goal is to provide real-world insight on relevant topics and give students a broad understanding of scaling and running a business successfully. The event will also focus on developing leadership skills in the community.

"We are excited to host the 2023 Leadership Development Week at Oklahoma Christian University," said Terry Neese, founder, and CEO of IEEW. "Our goal is to empower women from Afghanistan and Rwanda and help them become successful business leaders in their communities."

The event is open to the top academic PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS ® graduates from Afghanistan and Rwanda. It will provide a platform for the graduates to network and learn

from each other. The event will also feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, and interactive workshops.

"We are thrilled to be a part of this event," said Dr. Brian Starr, Provost at Oklahoma Christian University. "We believe in the power of education and empowerment. This event aligns with our values and mission as a university."

IEEW's 2023 Leadership Development Week will wrap up on Friday, July 21 with a graduation ceremony, a Leadership Panel Briefing with women business leaders from Afghanistan and Rwanda, the Business Pitch Competition winners will be announced, along with the presentation of awards from Enterprising Women and the National Business Association award and scholarship.

In conclusion, IEEW's 2023 Leadership Development Week is an excellent opportunity for PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS ® graduates from Afghanistan and Rwanda to learn, network, and develop leadership skills. The event offers sponsorship opportunities for those who want to support empowering women in business. For more information about the event, visit the IEEW website.

‘Career Night’ at History Center

On Thursday, July 27, from 4-6 p.m., the Oklahoma History Center will host a career night for students in kindergarten through 12th grade and their families. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet and talk with professionals from a variety of fields, explore exhibits and enjoy fun activities. This event is free, but registration is required.

The Oklahoma History Center is located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr. in Oklahoma City. It is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Please call 405-522-0765 or visit www.okhistory.org/historycenter for admission costs and group rates.

The Oklahoma History Center is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, National Archives and is an accredited member of the American Alliance of Museums. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma.

FROM Metro News

Oklahoma voters are asked to confirm their registration

Voters who have received an Address Confirmation Notice in the mail from the State Election Board are asked to respond as soon as possible to avoid having their registration become “inactive.” Notices were sent to some voters as part of the voter list maintenance process required by both state and federal law.

According to State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax (pronounced ZEER-icks), Address Confirmation Notices are just one part of the voter list maintenance process. “The State Election Board relies on multiple sources to keep its voter rolls accurate, but the address confirmation process allows us to contact and receive updated information directly from the voter. Confirming your address helps ensure you are ready to vote when the next election comes around,” Ziriax said.

There are two ways to respond – online using the OK Voter Portal or by completing the Address Confirmation Notice return card and returning it by mail. Voters who don’t respond within 60 days will be designated as “inactive,” and are required by law to be removed from the voter rolls after the 2026 General Election. However, “inactive” voters can reverse their status and avoid removal by up-

Avoid being inactive

dating their voter registration or by voting in an election on or before the 2026 General Election.

State law requires Address Confirmation Notices be sent to some voters, such as those who have had a first-class mailing returned as “undeliverable,” those with a possible duplicate registration in Oklahoma or another state, or those that have not updated their registration or voted since the second previous general election.

Voters who did not receive a notice, but need to update their registration can do so using the OK Voter Portal or by completing a new Voter Registration Application and submitting it to their County Election Board. A directory of county election boards is available on the State Election Board website.

To learn more about the voter list maintenance process in Oklahoma, see 26 O.S. § 4-120.2 or visit the State Election Board website. Voters with specific questions regarding their registration should contact their County Election Board.

Family Circus

Beetle Baily

TSET: Youth make better nutrition choices

A new study shows Swap Up, a program of TSET’s Healthy Youth Initiative, is helping teens make healthier choices with its statewide messaging campaigns.

Swap Up shows teens how nutritional choices impact their health and mood. The program empowers teens in realistic ways to take charge of their health, by educating on healthy "swaps" for everyday beverages, snacks and side dish choices at gas stations and fast-food restaurants, as well as at home.

A recent survey shows Swap Up campaigns are effectively reaching Oklahoma teens. More than half of rural and urban teens surveyed reported they’ve seen and interacted with Swap Up through digital advertising. This is the highest level of campaign exposure and interaction since the launch of Swap Up in 2021.

The latest findings come from surveys conducted from January 31 to March 3, 2023.

Survey results also show teens who interacted with the Swap Up campaign are shifting their attitudes, beliefs and behaviors around nutrition. This is especially true for outcomes related to water and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).

More than 80 percent of teens who had interacted with Swap Up campaigns online, by either watching ads or clicking campaign call-to-action links to the Swap Up website, believed drinking more water would help them think more clearly, improve their mood and perform better in school sports.

Teens surveyed in 2023 were significantly more likely than those in 2022 to report they have considered or have been trying to decrease their consumption of sugary drinks. Teens who saw Swap Up messaging online were significantly more likely to report intentions to drink more water and fewer SSBs, compared to teens not familiar with Swap Up.

Additionally, teens who are aware of Swap Up were 15% more likely to have consumed fruit and 21% more likely to have consumed vegetables in the past 7 days, compared to those who had not been exposed to the campaign.

“TSET cares deeply about creating a healthier fu-

ture for all Oklahomans. When our data shows that teens who saw the campaign made healthier choices, that’s encouraging,” said Julie Bisbee, executive director of TSET. “We launched this effort in 2021 knowing that young people in our state had room for improvement in their nutrition. Swap Up empowers teens to make healthier choices. This is essential for our state if we want to prevent more serious issues like heart disease, diabetes and obesity.”

The findings from the survey, along with other scientific research, will be used to inform future campaign messaging – keeping it relevant to reach more Oklahoma teens.