Edmond Life and Leisure - May 9, 2024

In This Issue

FOUR SEASONS

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

Scenes from Arts Festival 2024 See Page 3

Graduation Season

UCO to award over 1,464 diplomas

FRIDAY, MAY 10

Mostly Sunny High 76° Low 54°

SATURDAY, MAY 11

Mostly Sunny High 80° Low 57°

SUNDAY, MAY 12

Partly Cloudy High 82° Low 61°

The University of Central Oklahoma will celebrate the achievements of approximately 1,464 graduates during the Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremonies May 10-11, in Central’s Hamilton Field House.

UCO President Todd G. Lamb will give remarks at each of the university’s five ceremonies.

Commencement ceremonies are scheduled as follows:

· 3 p.m., Friday, May 10: College of Education and Professional Studies;

· 7 p.m., Friday, May 10: Jackson College of Graduate Studies;

· 10 a.m., Saturday, May 11: College of Business and College of Fine Arts and Design;

· 2 p.m., Saturday, May 11: College of Mathematics and Science; and,

· 6 p.m., Saturday, May 11: College of Liberal Arts.

Graduates and guests attending the ceremonies are asked to arrive early, as the field house traditionally fills to capacity. All guests are required to have a ticket for entry; children under 3 do not require a ticket.

Limited parking to the west of the field house will be reserved for those with disabilities. All campus parking spaces, except those in the reserved lot to the west of the field house, will be open during the commencement events for those attending the ceremonies.

The ceremonies may be viewed online at streaming. uco.edu, with livestreaming beginning approximately 15 minutes before each ceremony.

Additionally, Central will livestream each commencement ceremony on UCO’s Facebook page. The Facebook livestream will capture the traditional graduate walk from Old North to Hamilton Field House, weather permitting.

For more information about Central’s graduation, visit www.uco.edu/commencement.

Arts Festival 2024

It was another successful Downtown Edmond Arts Festival — as thousands came downtown for the annual event. There was music, games, art for sale and overall fun for everyone.

The event was sponsored by the Downtown Edmond Business Association.

MELINDA INFANTE

Piper, 5, gets her caricature drawing done while grandma watches.

The crowds walk downtown past the various art vendors.

From the Publisher

Monster hit 25 years ago

Last week was the 25th remembrance of the May 3, 1999, tornado. It was also the remembrance of me having no house, no clothes, no stuff of any kind. But my kids were all safe and well and even though you hear folks say it all the time, the stuff in your life really does not matter. Your family and friends are what matters. It is hard to recall what happened 25 years ago in my life, but this is a day I will never forget.

bathrooms, tubs, closets or walls left. We never found the bathtubs they tell you to hide in. There was just a water line sticking out of the ground where the tub had been squirting water.

I made a decision that day to load everyone in our house and my inlaws into cars and leave. We ran like scared children. I had always been told that this was not the thing to do but when I heard weathercaster Gary England say, “You cannot survive this tornado above ground,” I made the call and hoped like heck it was the right call. I was 40 years old, and it was the first life and death decision I had ever made. It turned out to be the right call, but it could have gone the other way as well. This is where I give God the credit.

It was a very violent F5 tornado that hit the Bridge Creek and Moore areas of Oklahoma on that evening. It had the highest wind speed ever recorded at 301 miles per hour (484 km/h). A total of seventy-four tornadoes touched down across the two states in less than 21 hours. At one point, there were as many as four tornadoes reported on the ground at the same time. The strongest tornado, rated a maximum F-5 on the Fujita Tornado Scale, tracked for nearly an hour and a half along a 38mile path from Chickasha through south Oklahoma City and the suburbs of Bridge Creek, Newcastle, Moore, Midwest City and Del City.

As the skies cleared, the states counted forty-six dead and eight hundred injured, more than 8000 homes damaged or destroyed, and total property damage of nearly $1.5 billion. This tornado was so deadly because it started near Chickasaw and kept building speed and getting wider. It did not let up until well past the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.

The tornado made a pivot north on top of my house when it was headed for Tinker according to the Del City fire chief. There was no way we would have survived it if we had stayed. England was right on the button with that call. There were no

The yard was full of rubble but not necessarily our rubble. It had been blown in from miles away. The winds had blown so hard that the metal handles of my golf clubs had been imbedded with insulation. It had become a permanent part of the golf club. We left the newest car in the garage and took my company car thinking it would be safer for the new car. Turns out no hail on the company car but the new Honda Accord was no longer in the garage and a tree had split it down the middle.

Cars had been lifted up and thrown two blocks away like they were toys. I did find one of my neigh-

bors walking along the street looking for the crab her child took care of for her school. She hated that crab. When she told me what she was doing I suggested to her it was fair to say it got away. Odds are the thing was banged up beyond repair. The funny thing is that she found the darn thing alive and well.

There was not much point in going through the rubble. There was nothing there. Everything was torn to pieces. The clothes on our backs were literally all we had to our name. We had just gotten back from Mexico and my shirt said “Hogs breath is better than no breath at all” on it. I wore it when we were interviewed on Larry King live.

Here is a blatant plug for State Farm folks. They were incredible and I will never have another insurance company, ever. They were so on top

of our situation and made sure we got the help we needed. The next day, our agent called me and said come pick up a check for $5,000 so you can get clothes and other items. Gary Baccus represents State Farm in this area, and I would encourage you to call and get a quote. Other family in the area had horrible things to say about their insurance companies but State Farm was more then a good neighbor to us. They truly treated us like family. One piece of advice I can give you is to review your policy now with your agent. After the tornado hits is the last time, you want to think about reading your policy. We had just done that in April before the May tornado. To upgrade the homeowner’s policy, we had a total of $165 for the year. I wrote the check and thought nothing else about until after the tornado. The increased benefits turned out to be worth more than the $165 check. Best investment I have ever made.

If it does happen to you or any other disaster another piece of advice is to keep moving. If you stop and think of yourself as a victim, it will bog you down. Make a list and get organized. Divide the duties up and get after it. Each family is going to be different with different priorities but do not over think it. Just move.

We were lucky in that my parents had room for all seven of us. I will note that after the first week they decided to leave and vacation in Colorado for a couple of weeks. They claimed it was a vacation that had been planned but it was they could not stand to see the chaos. It was better that they got out of the way. I had always heard that after a disaster the Red Cross, FEMA and other groups would be around to help. Do not trust it folks. These organizations were of little to no help. You are on your own. The churches in the area were the most helpful and had boots on the ground. Other big nonprofit groups just used the disaster as an opportunity to raise money and that was proved later by their use of 911 funds. You can count on your friends but do not be afraid to ask for help. I was not used to it and discovered that I needed it.

As we enter this next tornado season, stay weather aware, hug your loved ones and get your insurance policy reviewed!

(Ray Hibbard may be reached for comment 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 information on Edmond public art, please visit http://visitedmondok.com/public-art.php.

Ray Hibbard

State won’t do business with Barclays

Oklahoma State Treasurer Todd Russ announces his office added another company to the Oklahoma State Treasurer’s Restricted Financial Companies List, which is published on the treasurer’s website and subject to revision annually, but not more than quarterly as needed. By law, the Treasurer is required to identify financial institutions that boycott energy companies. According to state law, 74 O.S. § 12002, ‘boycott energy company’ means: Without an ordinary business purpose, refusing to deal with, terminating business activities with, or otherwise taking any action that is intended to penalize, inflict economic harm on, or limit commercial relations with a company because the company: engages in the exploration, production, utilization, transportation, sale, or manufacturing of fossil-fuel based energy and does not commit or

pledge to meet environmental standards beyond applicable federal and state law

During his continued efforts to implement state law, Treasurer Russ has determined that Barclays PLC is another financial company ineligible for state contracts because they have publicly committed to boycott fossil-fuel companies.

Barclays PLC set project restrictions with direct financial boycotts to ‘Energy Groups’ against any expansion or infrastructure projects. They are targeting coal mining and power companies stating that “from 2024 we will no longer provide project finance, or other direct finance to energy companies, for new upstream oil and gas projects or related infrastructure.” By January 2025, Barclays PLC “expect[s] all ‘Energy Groups’ to produce transition plans and decarbonization strategies” far exceeding Oklahoma’s requirements.

PRECINCT TRAINING — Gamma Zeta members completed a Precinct Official Training in Oklahoma County. Members going through the 4 hour training class were Jacque Cantrel, Linda Coniglio, Jacci Gantz, Dottie Cather, Shirley Moore, and Ruth Foote. Training is offered several times a year and this year will be an especially busy one at the polls because of the presidential election in November. Training consists of videos, presentations, question and answer periods, and perusing a 107 page manual of regulations. Working at the polls consists of a long day from 6 am to 8 pm the election days. Gamma Zeta, a chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha international philanthropic organization, wanted to dedicate service to the election system and to voters of Oklahoma County.

(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.)

April 15

Blake Paul Morton, 25 of Edmond. Domestic abuse assault (strangulation).

Jonathan James Burgandine, 34 homeless. Public intoxication and two counts of failure to appear.

Nancy Amber Raper, 38 of Edmond (Felony) domestic abuse assault & battery, Ling Feng Zou, 46. (Misdemeanor) possession of another’s debit card, (felony value) obtaining merchandise by false pretenses, trick or deception and (misdemeanor 1st & 2nd offenses) larceny of merchandise from a retailer.

Vamsi Krig Modepalli, 22 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Kendall Jason Clark, 43 homeless. Non-assault resisting officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and false representation to an officer.

Leslie Lee Winstead, 45 of Edmond. (Misdemeanor) false declaration to a pawn broker and conspiracy.

Christy Marie Eaton, 43 of Oklahoma City. Possession of drug paraphernalia and shoplifting.

Jonisha Jonay Brisker, 34 of Edmond. Felony warrant.

Robert James Wright, 70 homeless. Possess CDS and (misdemeanor 1st and 2nd offense) larceny of merchandise from a retailer.

Blake Raymond Koss, 22 of Edmond. Failure to appear.

Deontre DaQuan Price, 27 of Edmond. Shoplifting.

April 16

Skylar Lee Daniel, 23 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

David Gene Michels Jr., 62 of Ednond. Two felony warrants.

Brian Joseph Cloud, 33 of Edmond. Three counts of failure to appear.

Desirae Star Cloud, 33 of Oklahoma City. Driving without proper/valid driver’s license and no proof of insurance.

April 17

Vincent Niogu Gateri, 22 of Norman. Disregard signal light, no proof of insurance, driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked and speeding (15 mph over).

Kasha Ramae Parrish, 38 of Edmond. (Felony) publication, distribution or participation of obscene material or child pornography – unsolicited mailings and purchase procure or possession of obscene material.

Johnathan Patrick Risly, 28 homeless. No proof of insurance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked, possession of marijuana and felony warrant.

April 18

John Scott Pinney Jr., 47 of Edmond. Violation of protective order, burglary in the first degree and misdemeanor warrant.

Antonio Fontane Fuller, 46 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.

Matthew Gregory Hatcher, 30 homeless. Possession of marijuana and misdemeanor warrant.

Cade Isaiah Nelson, 29 of Edmond. Two charges of possession of schedule III, IV and V. Lynsey Amanda Thompson, 33 of Grandfield, Okla. Possession of drug paraphernalia, false representation to an officer and shoplifting.

Dania Kylee Anderson, 22 of Okmulgee, Okla.

Public intoxication. ‘

April 19

Alcia Deontra Coulter, 23 of Tulsa. Non-assault resisting an officer and shoplifting.

Jesse Alexander Chavarria, 29 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.

Jonathon Wesley James, 33 of Edmond. Trespassing and public intoxication.

Jeremiah Andrew Bell, 48 of Tulsa. Misdemeanor warrant.

Kristi Jean Meierhoff, 42 of Edmond. Public intoxication and shoplifting.

Christian Nordell Carter, 34 homeless. Trespassing.

April 20

Isaiah Jared Roddam, 23 of Edmond. No proof of insurance and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Chad Wesley Schwerdtfeger, 52 homeless. Possession of marijuana and public intoxication.

Emilee Anne Miller, 38 of Edmond. Pedestrians walking along roadways, non-assault resisting an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and public intoxication.

Donnell Malon Crutchfield, 36 of Oklahoma City. Felony warrant.

Lacie Nicole Imel, 32 of Oklahoma City. Misdemeanor warrant.

April 21

Michael Ryan Wright, 38 of Oklahoma City. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

Rhianna Michelle Murphy, 30 homeless. Possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to appear.

Jordan Paul Krug, 33 homeless. Possess drug paraphernalia, possess CDS and trafficking in illegal drugs.

Andrew Joseph Esau, 41 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication.

April 22

Demetrious Tnomas Dooley, Jr., 44 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication.

Robert Dale Johnson, 42 of Okmulgee. Allowing use of motor vehicle without ignition interlock device, obstruction of police officer and felony warrant.

Sai Manogna Reedy-Bachamolla, 27 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Christina Correll Wagner, 36 homeless. Possess drug paraphernalia, possess CDS and misdemeanor warrant.

Carey Scott Kirk Jr., 37 of Edmond. Two counts of failure to appear.

Andrew Joseph Esau, 41 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication.

April 23

Jessica Dawn Ellenburg, 38 of Edmond. Possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Sheryl Sosbee, 52 of Edmond. Proceeds derived from illegal drug activity, possess drug paraphernalia and possess with intent to distribute CDS.

Jian Yong Zheng, 40 of Oklahoma City. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of anything other than alcohol.

Haskell Leroy Wilkerson, III, 46 of Edmond. Felony warrant.

Amye Sueann Ledbetter, 37 of Edmond. Felony warrant.

Janelle Lynette Thomas, 34 of Oklahoma City. Possess drug paraphernalia, obstruction of police officer, (misdemeanor 1st & 2nd offenses) larceny of merchandise from retailer, false personation of another, conspiracy, felony warrant and two counts of failure to appear.

Jose Angelo Gomez, 43 of Perryton, Texas. Felony warrant.

Juenita Dawn Sotuyo, 41 of Mangum. Misdemeanor warrant.

Zacharih Levi Green, 38 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Warren Capice Minnifield, 23 of Oklahoma City. (Misdemeanor value) receive stolen property, (misdemeanor) malicious injury or destruction of property and burglary in the first degree.

April 24

Roger James Burland, 52 of Edmond. (Misdemeanor) receive stolen property, petit larceny, burglary/theft from motor vehicle, failure to appear and public intoxication.

Andrew Joseph Esau, 44 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication.

Hayden Blaine Hughes, 33 of Edmond. Possess drug paraphernalia and possess CDS.

Boniel Joel Vincente, 33 of Warr Acres. Expired tag (over three months), non assault resisting officer, failure to use child passenger restraint, no proof of insurance and operating a motor vehicle with no valid driver’s license.

April 25

Gregory Eugene Stiger, 41 of Wichita. Public intoxication.

Landres Dewayne Battle, 56 of Oklahoma City. Misdemeanor warrant.

Brian Mark Miller, 37 of Oklahoma City. Misdemeanor warrant and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

April 26

Nicholas Ian Tarrant, 35 of Dallas, Texas. Possess CDS, possess drug paraphernalia and felony DUI/APC.

Donald Wayne Grove, 62 homeless. Public intoxication.

April 27

Riese Preston Lernall, 39 of Edmond. Failure to appear.

Michael Wayne Dawkins, 52 of Oklahoma City. Misdemeanor warrant.

Maria Teresa Aguilar Gutierrez, 22 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication and possession of marijuana.

Jessia Moran Montoya, 25 of Oklahoma City. Transporting open container of intoxicating beverage or beer, Possess CDS and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

Antonette Mona Gully, 31 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Marcus Lynear Johnson, 47 of Tulsa. Breaking and entering, obstruction of police officer and public intoxication.

Erik Avalos-Rios, 37 of Stillwater. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

Sergia Navarro-Rubio, 41 of El Reno. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, transport open container of intoxicating beverage or beer and operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license.

Jack Colin Foster, 18 of Oklahoma City. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and unlawful use of license or identification card.

April 28

Joshua Lael Utt, 48 of Ardmore. Public intoxication.

Riese Preston Lerdall, 39 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Jason Lamar Thompson, 46 of Edmond. Obstruction of a police officer and domestic abuse assault (strangulation).

Starling Marchillo Green, 42 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Location: Armstrong Auditorium

Extra Info: Mon, Feb 26 – Fri, Jan 17 2025; Free; Mon – Thu: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Fri & Sun: 10 a.m. –4 p.m.; closed Saturdays; armstrongauditorium.org

Outdoor Edmond Farmer’s Market

Location: Festival Market Place & Farmers Market

Extra Info: Sat, Apr 20 – Sat, Nov 2; 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.; edmondok.com

Extra Info: Fri, May 10 – Sat, May 11; Adults: $5; See Calendar Page

18 & younger: $1; Fri: 7 p.m.; Sat: 4 & 7 p.m.; edmondroundupclub.com

Asian Mini Market

Location: Festival Market Place and Farmers Market

Extra Info: Sat, May 11; 5 – 8 p.m.; free; facebook.com

The DAM Arcadia 66 Race

Location: Arcadia Lake

Extra Info: Sat, May 11; $20 ---- $35; 9 a.m., 10 a.m.; 12:40 p.m.; bikereg.com

Brantley Gilbert

Location: Riverwind Casino, Showplace Theatre

Extra Info: Fri, May 10; 8 p.m.; riverwind.com

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Events

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Thu, May 9 – Sun, May 12: Choose Your Adventure!; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sat, May 11 – Sun, May 12: Signature Tour @ 1 – 2 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Oklahoma City Ballet presents: Shorts

Location: Civic Center Music Hall

Extra Info: Fri, May 10 – Sun, May

From Page 6

12; Fri & Sat: 7:30 p.m.; Sun: 2 p.m.; okcballet.org

Lyric Theatre’s Thelma Gaylord Academy presents: High School Musical Jr

Location: Lyric Theatre, 1725 NW 16th St, OKC

Extra Info: Fri, May 10 – Sun, May

12; Fri: 7 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.; Sun: 2 p.m.; thelmagaylordacademy.com

Paint Horse Club of Oklahoma “World Warm Up Circuit” Show

Location: Oklahoma City Fairgrounds

Extra Info: Fri, May 10 – Sun, May 12; Fri: 6 – 10 p.m.; Sat: 7 – 9 p.m.; Sun: 7 – 8 p.m.; okpainthorse.org

Oklahoma City Flower & Garden Festival

Location: Myriad Botanical Gardens

Extra Info: Sat, May 11; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; myriadgardens.org

Mother’s Day Jazz Brunch

Location: The Jones Assembly

Extra Info: Sun, May 12; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; thejonesassembly.com

Round Barn Rendezvous

Location: Round Barn

Extra Info: Sun, May 12; 12 – 4 p.m.; arcadiaroundbarn.com

Treat lauds Governor Stitt for signing Mason Treat Act

Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, last week applauded Governor Kevin Stitt’s signature of Senate Bill 2035, the Mason Treat Act.

“On behalf of my wife Maressa and the entire Treat family, I can unequivocally express our sincere gratitude to Governor Stitt for taking immediate action on Senate Bill 2035,” Pro Tem Treat said. “This legislation will save lives and ensure no one will have to endure what my family has gone through since my son Mason’s accident on January 5, 2024. I greatly appreciate all the support shown in both the Senate and House to get this across the finish line, especially House author, Rep. Kyle Hilbert, who renamed this legislation in honor of Mason. My family also is grateful to everyone across the state for keeping Mason and our family in their prayers.

“I have said since filing this legislation - this goes beyond politics and has been my main priority this session. I, again, thank Governor Stitt for signing this and for recognizing how impactful this is to me and my family.”

Mason was driving legally on the morning of January 5 but did not have a car tag because current state law requires a private seller of a vehicle to retain possession of the physical car tag. While he was pulled over, the driver of a commercial pickup truck hauling a trailer full of steel fell asleep and veered off the road and slammed into the back of his car, severely injuring him and the deputy sheriff who had pulled him over.

Pro Tem Treat’s son Mason spent 20 days in the hospital recovering from his injuries. He continues his recovery at home and in various physical therapy sessions.

Man accused of 2016 homicide

Detectives with the Edmond Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division have made an arrest in the 2016 suspicious death of 19-year-old Jennifer Kyli Molloy. On October 5, 2016, Molloy was found deceased in her Edmond apartment on 900 E. Wayne Avenue. While the investigation has drawn multiple leads over the years, no arrests have been made until now.

trooper made contact with 28-yearold Joseph Tyler Beck, Beck began voluntarily telling him about his involvement in a 2016 Edmond death.

The trooper detained Beck, notified Edmond Police, and transported him to the Edmond Police station where Detectives were waiting to interview him.

Based on the information he disclosed in the interviews, Detectives placed Joseph Tyler Beck under arrest for First Degree Homicide and transported him to the Oklahoma County Detention Center.

At approximately 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, May 2, 2024, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol responded to a routine check welfare call of an individual sitting on the side of I-40 near the Reno/Scott exit. When the

The Edmond Police Department would like to thank the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for their swift actions in apprehending Beck. Teamwork and cooperation between law enforcement agencies are vital in keeping our communities safe.

Beck

Prof gets DaVinci Fellowship

The University of Central Oklahoma’s College of Liberal Arts’ John R. Wood, Ph.D., professor of public administration, has been awarded the prestigious DaVinci Institute’s 2024 Creativity in Education Fellowship and UCO student Isabelle Esau was awarded a DaVinci Scholarship.

The DaVinci Institute’s Creativity in Education Fellowship is a distinguished honor given to educators who exhibit exemplary creativity and innovation in their teaching methods. Wood is among this year's three fellowship recipients, receiving the DaVinci "Vitruvian Man" medal and a $1,000 grant to help develop his groundbreaking projects.

“Dr. John Wood is a valued member of our department and worthy recipient of the DaVinci Fellowship,” said Ken Kickham, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Political Science at UCO.

“His commitment to serving our students is evident in his work with the Central Oklahoma Sustainability Collaborative, study abroad programs, course design and Making-a-Difference projects. Dr. Wood inspires his students by exemplifying what it means to be a conscientious and impactful citizen.”

Wood's grant funds are dedicated to enhancing his "Making a Difference" projects, which provide students with hands-on, experiential learning opportunities to address real-world challenges facing local city government managers. Through working on, experiencing and writing about these locallevel challenges, students gain practical problemsolving and critical-thinking skills while networking with industry professionals.

“I'm humbled to receive this state-level award from my college and university peers for what I have been working on for the last nine years, facilitating my students with outside experience into the classroom,” Wood said.

Isabelle Esau, a senior elementary education major at UCO, was awarded a DaVinci Scholarship at the ceremony. The service learning project she proposed in her application was “Native American Culture in the Classroom and Community.” She is the state president for Oklahoma in the Oklahoma Aspiring Educators Association, which operates under the guidance of the Oklahoma Education Association.

In addition to her medallion and certificate, Esau received $500 to help implement her project with her class when she begins teaching. Another $500 will be awarded when she begins teaching in an Oklahoma school.

Jeanetta Sims, Ph.D., professor in UCO’s Marketing Department in the College of Business, presented at the awards.

Her presentation was titled “Maximizing Diverse Student Scholars to Build an Undergraduate Research Viral Ecosystem.”

The DaVinci Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing the arts, sciences, humanities and education in Oklahoma. They recognize the contribution and potential of higher education faculty members, promising pre-service teachers and in-service teachers.

For more information about UCO, visit www.uco.edu.

Edmond

GOP Women will meet on May 20

The next meeting of Edmond Republican Women will be held Monday, May 20th, back at our regular meeting location at Oklahoma Christian University. Our April meeting was at the State Capitol as the guests of District 39 Representative, Erick Harris, and it was such a great time for everyone.

While there, we met with and presented gift bags and box lunches to several of our local legislators.

The guest speaker for our May meeting will be Oklahoma Speaker of the House, Charles McCall. Charles McCall, Oklahoma's longest serving Speaker of the House, has steered state government from trying times into prosperity through steady leadership developed as a fourth-generation banker in rural Oklahoma. He has enacted lower taxes, increased education funding and solvent state budgets with record reserves. McCall is a fifth-generation Atoka native with a long commitment to public service in and around his hometown.

His sons, Chase and Carson, attend the University of Oklahoma, where he met Stephanie Ann (Hays) McCall, his wife of 29 years.

ERWC is also co-sponsoring, with other Republican Womens Clubs, a Candidate Forum for all Republican Candidates who will be taking part in the June 18th Primary Election.

This forum will take place on June 10th, at the Will Rogers Event Center, 3400 NW 36th St., OKC, beginning at 6:00 pm. A second forum will be held on August 12th at this same location for the candidates who will be taking part in the August 27th Primary Run-off election. The General Election will be November 5th, 2024.

The Republican National Convention is being held this year on July 15 - 18, 2024, in Milwaukee, WI.

Potholes done right?

Editor: It seems that the Edmond city fathers have finally noticed that street potholes are in abundance around town and have launched repair efforts.

Laudably, some have been professionally treated and rolled, but most have been accomplished by filling the holes with warm asphalt and finished by the time-honored practice of tamping it down with the back of a shovel! Predictably, when traffic resumes, the flimsy patch starts to fragment and the resulting detritus is scattered around, a situation made worse as rainfall aggravates the deterioration, so we're left with worse holes and rougher rides.

And here I thought that the old makeshift busywork of digging holes and then filling them up again to provide jobs for needy people went out after the Great Depression!

UCO Professor of Political Science John Wood is one of three recipients of a $1,000 grant from the DaVinci Institute’s 2024 Creativity in Education Fellowship for his work in creating “Making a Difference” projects with UCO students. Isabelle Esau, a senior elementary education major at UCO, was also awarded a DaVinci Scholarship. Pictured, John Wood with his "Vitruvian Man" medal.

DEREL SCHROCK EDMOND

McCall

Harris recaps week at Capitol

By Rep. Erick Harris

I am excited to announce that Gov. Stitt signed Alanda's Law, House Bill 2478, last week. It will expedite the legal process for victims of domestic abuse seeking temporary relief.

Under the legislation, courts are required to schedule a hearing on temporary orders within 10 days of a domestic abuse victim filing a request for temporary custody orders unless both parties mutually agree to waive this timeline. This provision is particularly significant in cases where the application contains allegations of domestic abuse and either an emergency temporary protective order is already in place against the accused party or the accused has been criminally charged with domestic abuse.

HB 2478, known as Alanda's Law, is named after Alanda Bradshaw, a victim of domestic abuse, in honor of her memory and beautiful daughter. Alanda suffered sustained abuse, which tragically contributed to her premature passing.

The law is aimed to protect victims of domestic abuse during the most dangerous moment - when they try to leave their abuser.

This week, Tristan Randall, an Edmond North junior, served as a page for me at the Capitol from April 29 to May 2. Tristan is planning to attend Auburn University, where she aims to earn a degree in business. Her ultimate career goal is to become a corporate attorney and eventually own a business. Hosting Tristan as a page this week was great; she demonstrated hard work and an eagerness to learn throughout her time here.

Pages are assigned for one week, Monday through Thursday, during session from the first Monday in February until the last Friday in May.

The students work in the House Chamber during daily session, run errands for representatives and staff, and participate in the House Page Mock Legislature on the floor of the House Chamber.'

I am thankful and honored that the constituents of House District 39 have entrusted me with the responsibility of serving in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any concerns at 405-557-7342 or erick.harris@okhouse.gov.

OMRF opens osteoarthritis treatment & research clinic

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation has opened a new clinic for people with knee and hand osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis.

By some estimates, osteoarthritis, or OA, affects 80% of people over age 55. OMRF physician-scientist Matlock Jeffries, M.D., a board-certified rheumatologist, is now actively seeking patients, particularly those willing to participate in research aimed at discovering better treatment options.

Osteoarthritis involves the breakdown of tissues in one or more joints, most frequently the knees, hands or hips. Anyone can get OA, but the condition becomes more common as we age, and it’s the most common cause of disability in the U.S.

“For people with late-stage OA, joint-replacement surgery is usually the last option,” said Jeffries, who leads the clinic. “More than a million joint-replacement surgeries are performed each year in the U.S., making it the top Medicare expense. The vast majority of those surgeries involve OA.”

There is no known cure for OA. Treatment involves symptom management through medication, physical therapy, and changes to diet and exercise.

“People with OA typically are treated by their primary care physician, but a rheumatologist is more knowledgeable about all the various treatment options,” Jeffries said. “Patients of our new OA clinic can ex-

pect excellent care and a dedication to study changes in their joints and blood samples. That research will lead to more precise diagnostics and treatment in the future.”

Jeffries also serves as director of OMRF’s new Arthritis Research Center, where he studies environmental factors involved with the development and progression of OA. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s College of Medicine, Jeffries joined OMRF in 2020.

He is particularly interested in the trillions of tiny organisms in the gut that comprise the microbiome. His lab recently discovered that microbiome transplantation in research models can significantly improve cartilage healing.

Separately, Jeffries has been awarded a $2 million federal grant to test a single-injection treatment aimed at stopping OA progression. With a clinical trial anticipated to begin in about three years, Jeffries will seek research volunteers among patients of the new clinic.

“Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States, and Oklahomans are more likely to be affected – and affected earlier – than the vast majority of the nation,” said OMRF Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Judith James, M.D., Ph.D. “We are excited to focus on providing clinical care, offering cutting-edge clinical trials, and advancing knowledge to combat osteoarthritis, a major cause of pain and decreased function.”

Matlock Jeffries, M.D.

Rep. Erick Harris and Tristan Randall.

By Steve Gust

Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side

Those of you who have read this column in the past know that I dabble a bit in the book world.

About four or five years ago, I started as a ghostwriter for an independent publisher. They have me writing books about the Old West. I’m not an expert on the time period, but I’ve managed to create many tales. In fact last week I turned in my 35th such e-book.

Why not write a book? Democrat Caucus not pleased with law

Some stages had passengers on the top as well.

I digress. My books aren’t the only reason for today’s topic. What I would like to do again is encourage everyone to write their own book about your life, a fictional story, a true story or whatever you want.

There are platforms where you can get help printing a book, without it costing a fortune.

And in the world of e-books, some people get away with writing a magazine length article and calling it a book. That’s not the case with my westerns. They’re usually 70,000 words.

The Old West is an interesting time in history. There is a lot to know about horses and a lot to know about firearms. Some of you may not know that the movies aren’t always right about their depiction. For instance, in most westerns I’ve seen, a stagecoach will show three passengers on one side and three passengers on the other side. This is obviously the easiest way to film it. In reality, most stages also offered three seats in the middle with drop down straps for people to hold. I bet that was uncomfortable as heck.

It’s been almost eight years since I’ve written a book called “Editor’s Total Recall.” I started my career a long time ago. I chronicle some of my unique, and often crazy, newspaper experiences. I re-read it recently and got a kick out of some of the things that had happened years ago – a few that I hadn’t thought of in a long time.

Recently I sent my sons a copy of the book. If they ever wanted to know what their dad’s job was like, it’s in that book. To be honest, I should update it.

The book obviously isn’t going to be a bestseller and make me rich, but it’s nice to have a record.

I urge everyone else to consider doing the same thing.

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

According to the Democratic Caucus, last week the Governor signed one of the most strict and unconstitutional bills about immigration into law, HB 4156.

The bill targets undocumented immigrants and would make the first offense for being undocumented in Oklahoma a misdemeanor with jail time of up to a year, or a fine of $500, or both. The individual would have 72 hours from the time given to them to leave the state and will not be allowed back at any point afterward. The second offense would be a felony.

The bill would prohibit the ability of the courts or prosecutors to consider probation, delayed or community sentencing, or a future pathway to citizenship.

House Democrats were extremely vocal in their opposition of the bill, saying that it encourages racial profiling and attacks current undocumented Oklahomans who contribute millions in tax dollars every year.

House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, said the legislation is unconstitutional and an example of political pandering.

"This legislation is dangerous and scary, and I am saddened to see the Governor overlook the many — progressive, conservative, and religious — voices in opposition of this bill. Not to mention the voices of people who would be directly impacted," Leader Munson said. "This legislation is all about partisan politics in an election year, not about solving real problems for Oklahomans. Border security is the responsibility of the federal government. House Democrats provided real solutions to helping undocumented Oklahomans that this legislation otherwise completely ignores, like creating a process for better documentation and collecting taxes. This bill is hateful policy that does nothing to protect Oklahomans or bolster our workforce — simply put: it is politics at its worst."

Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, acknowledged that there are challenges at the border, but said this legislation is not the answer.

"The rationale behind this bill is clear and understandable," Menz said. "The bill itself is extreme, otherwise it wouldn't have taken the Governor so long to sign it. While the issue of immigration remains largely a federallevel issue, there were things we could do on a state level to secure Oklahoma's future and that requires a coalition of leaders having honest discussions. The legislature has the resources, the will, and the intelligence to create good and lasting policy, which HB 4156 is not. As a result of this bill becoming law, there will be expensive legal challenges paid for by taxpayers, and a lot of good, hardworking people will leave Oklahoma."

Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, D-Oklahoma City, says the bill will end up costing Oklahoma and does not provide a solution.

"With the signing of HB 4156, it has become evident that our leadership has chosen to prioritize divisive political talking points over substantive policy solutions in an election year," Alonso-Sandoval said.

Reader takes issue with state school leader

Dear Editor:

Have you ever visited the Holocaust Memorial and Museum in Berlin? The Memorial park is a very somber and contemplative place. The museum is also thought provocative and very informative about the rise of fascism (Nazis) and the playbook Hitler and his minions used to commit the greatest atrocities of the 20th Century. I purchased a book at the museum that chronicled the rise of Hitler and his Nazi ultra-Aryan Nationalist party. Like all hucksters, Hitler offered quick, simple solutions to difficult and complicated problems. As has often happened both before and after the third Reich, many suckers looking for a quick fix bought into his finger pointing and blame game, his book bans, his marginalizing of certain minority groups and his telling many lies so often that people believed them to be true. I go into the

Letter to the Editor

Nazi playbook because it appears to be the same game plan our state school superintendent, Ryan Walters, and others, particularly his white Christian Nationalist supporters, are using.

His lies are numerous as follows:

1. TEACHER UNIONS ARE COMMUNIST. Suppose he never really learned unadulterated history. Unions brought most of us the 40 hour work week, workers’ safety measures and elimination of child labor, as well as a better middle class income. Oh yes, unions also brought us the weekend.

2. SCHOOL LIBRARIES ARE FULL OF PORNOGRAPHY AND PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS PUSH PORN. I doubt Walters understands the legal definition of pornography. By the way, teaching about

Chamber endorses June 18 lodge tax vote

The Board of Directors of the Edmond Chamber has endorsed the passage of the Edmond Lodging Tax vote on June 18. We encourage Edmond residents to vote yes on June 18 to increase the Edmond Lodging Tax from 4% to 6%. This tax will only apply to overnight stays in Edmond. Citizens will not pay this tax unless they spend the night in a hotel, bed & breakfast, or vacation home.

"We are thrilled to endorse the passage of the Edmond Lodging Tax vote," stated Sherry Jordan, President, and CEO of the Edmond Chamber. "This opportunity aligns with our mission to foster economic prosperity and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. By investing in initiatives that promote tourism and economic development, we are paving the way for a stronger, more vibrant Edmond."

Lodging tax revenue generates more sales tax dollars by encouraging visitors to dine and shop in Edmond. Sales tax funds amenities like streets, parks, trails, and attractions to improve citizens' quality of life.

Edmond's 4% tax rate is the lowest in the metropolitan area. In comparison, Norman (8%), Guthrie (7%), Stillwater (7%), and Oklahoma City (5.5%)..

sex is not pornography. It is an actual necessity in this state given the high rate of unwed teen pregnancies. (What do you know, we are a Top Ten state!) Teaching about gender difference is not porn. Teaching to love the others as yourself is not porn. It is literally Biblical.

3. TEACHERS WHO RECEIVED WALTERS’ HIGHLY TOUTED TEACHER RECRUITMENT BONUS AND WERE DEMANDED TO RETURN IT COMMITTED FRAUD. This, in spite of the fact that his inept administration approved the applications and presumably checked the validity before paying out hundreds of thousands, if not millions under this program.

4. EVERYTHING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS WOKE. If we had a dollar for every time he uses that word, we could adequately fund public education. Does anyone really know what woke means other than it is disparaging? I think he means teachers teach liberal propaganda, though he cannot pinpoint exactly what that is. That, as opposed to his white Christian Nationalist agenda and view of our country which he seeks to inject into our curriculum as his indoctrination.

5. OUR SCHOOLS TEACH CRITICAL RACE THEORY. More lies. Our schools teach real history. The treatment of African Americans and Native Americans in this state and in our country is criminal. The school superintendent thinks the Tulsa Race Massacre and Native American treaties that the white man breached over and over again is taboo critical race theory. It is in actuality a fact, not a theory. It happened. It is real history. The fact that it might make some kid uncomfortable knowing the truth is a good thing. Perhaps that will keep the next generation from repeating history.

6. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS AND PRAYER SHOULD BE IN EVERY CLASSROOM. Most all of us agree with the moral teachings of the 10 Com-

Yum. Did someone say chocolate strawberries?

By Carol Smaglinski

“In the childhood memories of every good cook, there’s a large kitchen, a warm stove, a simmering pot and a mom.”

Those are words from Barbara Costikyan (19282020), a contributing food writer for the New York magazine.

Costikyan’s words are so right as looking back at my own childhood, one of the best memories that my sister, Joan Gordon, and I can conjure up, puts us right back in our grandmother’s kitchen as she heated up the stove to roast one of her own chickens raised in her own backyard.

That being said, perhaps the easy following recipe for Chocolate Covered Strawberries will be one that your children will recall fondly for years to come.

Nothing could be more delightful after a heavy meal than offering just the right touch with a nice light ending. Yes, strawberries can be served au naturel, with only 50 calories per cup and a good source of Vitamin C, but with the chocolate addition, you will even be pleasing those fussy chocolate addicts.

Nonetheless, there are a few guidelines for success with a three-ingredient recipe for chocolate strawberries.

++Buy the largest strawberries you can find. Plan to use them within three days.

++Don’t soak the berries, but simply dust them. They usually are not that dirty unless it was a windy Oklahoma day.

++Make sure they are completely dry before you start.

++Keep the green top part intact, and you might never find them, but those with stems are the best. Local outdoor markets could help in the fresh produce section and a pint of berries should satisfy about four people. Strawberries ripen only a bit after being picked, and its size has nothing to do with its taste.

++++Don’t make this recipe too far in advance and do not refrigerate after they have been coated due to moisture forming. Serve as soon as they set up or up to 24 hours. If you by chance refrigerate them, you risk the berries sweating, which could turn the chocolate brittle.

+++There are several ways of melting chocolate, from the microwave to using a small double

boiler. Take it easy and keep the heat under the water just warm enough to melt the chocolate easily.Note that you can choose and use any kind of chocolate that suits you from dark or milk chocolate or bitter, sweet or semi-sweet. Of course, you can add a touch of Grand Marnier, too.

Have a cookie sheet ready covered with waxed paper, parchment paper oraluminum foil.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

4 oz. chocolate, coarsely chopped with a sharp knife

1 pint of strawberries, green tops left on, but cleaned (or rinsed and dried)

1 scant Tbsp. of Crisco, (needed if the chocolate is too thick)

First, partially fill the bottom of a double boiler with warm water. A double boiler is a set of two

stacked pans, with a smaller pot that fits right inside. That is done to trap the steam from the pot. Set the heat on low as chocolate can easily be scorched.

Add the chocolate, and allow to melt while stirring constantly until it is completely smooth.

Dip each berry bottom only half-way with chocolate. Carefully wipe the excess chocolate off along the side of the pan, but do not leave a part uncovered.

Lay each dipped berry on the cookie sheet and let them stand until set.

Then pick up each berry carefully by its stem to release it from the paper. Place on an attractive serving plate.

For any leftover melted chocolate, mix in some chopped walnuts or almonds and drop by spoonfuls onto a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet and let set. These should tickle your fancy.

Public play closed during event

K-Bird hosting college golf tourney

KickingBird Golf has been selected as a host site for the 2024 NCAA Division II men’s golf Central/Midwest Regional tournament, meaning all golf facilities at the City of Edmond public course will be closed to the public now through May 11.

The Lookout restaurant will be the only facility open to the public during practice rounds and tournament play. The restaurant is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

This is the first time KickingBird Golf has hosted the Division II regional tournament.

“We are very excited to host this Super Regional featuring the Top 20 teams in Division II golf from the Central and Midwest regions,” said Brian Soerensen, Director of Golf.

“We are anxious to see how the new course will play for this group of talented college golfers. We have added more than 200 yards in length to our Championship tees and we will see what type of challenge the greens and the surrounds give to the players. We are excited for the teams to experience our other amenities as well, and hope to provide the players, coaches and spectators with an exceptional experience.”

Tournament play begins May 9 at 7:30 p.m. KickingBird will be the site for the 20 teams and eight individual qualifiers competing for a spot in the regional finals.

The teams competing from the

Central Region are Central Oklahoma, Henderson State, Missouri Southern State, Harding, Southern Arkansas, Rogers State, Central Missouri, Winona State, Minnesota State Mankato and Northeastern State. The four individuals competing are Dalton McGinnis (Southeastern Oklahoma State), Jeffrey Johnston (Missouri Western), Jackson Cole (Arkansas Tech) and Brandon Sperling (Concordia- St. Paul).

Teams competing from the Midwest Region are Grand Valley State, Indianapolis, Missouri S&T, Ferris State, Wayne State, Findlay, Tiffin, Missouri-St. Louis, McKendree and Davenport. The four individuals competing are Bryson Oots (Wiliam Jewell), Gunnar McCollins (Malone), Kyle Buzaki (Walsh) and Evan Johnson (Northwood).

“We are excited to welcome golfers and their supporters and invite them to enjoy Edmond before and after the tournament,” said Jennifer Thornton, Tourism Director for Visit Edmond. “This is the best tourism for our city – celebrating big wins at local businesses.”

The top five teams and the top two student-athletes not with a team from each regional will advance to the NCAA finals, May 2125 at the Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge in Winter Garden, Florida. The finals will be hosted by Rollins College and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission.

Biden sued over Title IX

On behalf of a Louisiana school board serving more than 20,000 students, Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys filed a federal lawsuit last week against the Biden administration for unlawfully rewriting Title IX.

On April 19, the Biden administration announced it would redefine “sex” in Title IX rules to include “gender identity,” requiring schools to ignore the biological distinction between male and female in favor of “an individual’s sense of their gender.” The Department of Education’s fundamental and radical rewriting of federal law forces schools across the country to embrace a controversial gender ideology that harms children— including the very children it claims to help. Schools will have to allow males who identify as female to enter girls’ private spaces like bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers; to participate in girls’ physical education classes; and—despite logically inconsistent disclaimers saying otherwise—

to play on girls’ sports teams.

In the case, Rapides Parish School Board v. United States Department of Education, ADF attorneys explain that the rule will force schools—including those in Rapides Parish—to impose widespread harms on young people and deny free speech on campus. This is the first of multiple lawsuits ADF plans to file challenging the rule.

“The Biden administration’s radical redefinition of sex turns back the clock on equal opportunity for women, undermines fairness, and threatens every student’s safety and privacy,” said ADF Senior Counsel Natalie Thompson. “The administration continues to ign\mon sense. The Rapides Parish School Board, and other schools and teachers across the country, are right to stand against the enforcement of this extreme gender ideology, which will have devastating consequences for students, teachers, administrators, and families.”

The beautifully remodeled Kickingbird Golf Course is hosting a college golf tournament this week.

mandments and most of us violate some of them regularly. Most other faith based religions have similar tenants of moral conduct. None of them belong in the public schools. Let the churches, mosques, synagogues, etc. do the moral teaching. There is no place for a singular religion getting preferential treatment in a public school. The Governor and Walters, on many occasions, opposed critical race theory because it might make some sweet kid in a classroom feel guilty. How does the Governor and Walters think a Christian doctrine or prayer in school would make a young Muslim, Jew, Sikh, Hindu, Buddhists or agnostic, etc. feel? To Walters it does not matter how it makes a non-Christian feel. He is only interested in his narrow minded fundamentalist Christian view and putting the indoctrination in the schools.

7. AMERICA WAS FOUNDED AS A CHRISTIAN NATION. That is a crock. Most Americans came to America to escape religious state run religion and persecution. Freedom of religion is also freedom from religion. Sadly, the morphing of the Republican Party and the

From Page 10

white Christian Nationalists will be the undoing of the Republican Party and perhaps Christianity. It is harming Christianity as the number of religious folks in the United States continues to decline. The Republicans and the fundamentalist zealots have done more to harm religion and the teachings of Christ than any other institution, pagan or infidel could ever do.

8. JOURNALISTS ARE LIARS. This from a guy who excludes certain members of the press from his news conferences because they don’t buy his line of crap and ask him for proof when he puts out his daily lie. Feels like the Joe McCarthy era is coming back around. One thing about history, it always repeats itself, only the names and dates change to protect the guilty.

I generally get my philosophical information from Jack Handey’s “DEEP THOUGHTS” or from my favorite bumper sticker store. The best one I have seen lately is “When Fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.” Look around you and wake up, Oklahoma.

Randel Shadid

Chemistry & fitness

By Brian Attebery

Most Americans came to America to escape religious state run religion and persecution. Freedom of religion is also freedom from religion.

Randel Shadid

Chemistry is a class that many of us took in Highschool and/or College. I will admit, it wasn’t my favorite subject although Mrs. Adams, was one of my favorite teachers. I also must admit that we all use it and should use it more than we realize. If you are trying to burn fat and build muscle tone, you better apply some principles of chemistry in your plan. Let me explain. The goal of a chemical experiment is to get a desired outcome. That could be things like that silly volcanic reaction that you see utilized in many basic chemistry examples. You have a variety of elements we call your “constants” and then you add the one catalyst we call the “control” variable and see if the addition of that control creates the reaction or outcome we are wanting. If the experiment doesn’t work, we try another “control” variable and see how it works. We know what the other “constants” are, and we just change the one “control” systematically to figure out what combo works. If we change too many things at once, we don’t really know exactly what combination was working. Exercise and nutrition are much the same. If you have absolutely no idea how many calories and what kind you eat, or follow a consistent plan of fitness, you will not be able to best determine the path to follow for success.

I have always said, “A good trainer is a problem solver, not a rep counter.” A moron can stand there and count your reps while you work out. Frankly, I am terrible at counting my clients’ reps. The reps are arbitrary goals usually. I

am concerned about challenging them with good form, whether that happens in 8 reps or 20 reps. When I do program and nutrition designs and re-evaluations, I have my clients keep track of their food and workouts and I quiz them when trying to figure out the best path forward. This allows us to see how much and what we are really doing. How do you know how to fix a problem if you have no idea what you are really doing other than in general. My very profound southern statement is, “Kinda sort of, gets kinda sort of.” If you do a little, you will get a little. How many days per week are you weight training? Are you following a plan or just winging it? How about cardio? Do you perform it 3 days per week or 6 or 0? How about the length of the sessions or type of cardio? The same applies to nutrition. If you have a perfect workout but your nutrition is terrible, how do you expect to recover, burn fat, and/or build muscle tone if you don’t really know how many calories and what ratios of carbs, fats, and proteins? Sure, if you eat terribly and suddenly quit eating terrible, you will make some initial changes but that will level out and you will get frustrated with the stalemate. If you track it more, you may find out you are eating too little, and this has caused your body to go into starvation mode and stop the weight loss.

We are just one big “chemistry experiment” in the gym. How does our body react to certain workouts, diets, and maybe supplements? Keep logs, write things down, and be consistent long enough to really see if it works. The outcome will be worth it.

(Brian Attebery owns and operates Results Fitness & Nutrition Center in Edmond. JOIN his NEW online society and further your wellness journey.

Attebery

Review of ‘The Fall Guy’

Summer movies off to a good start

By George Gust

We made it to the summer movie season! As temperatures and box office expectations rise, 2024 seems to already be a different kind of blockbuster movie year. With Marvel, Fast & Furious and Star Wars taking an overdue hiatus from peppering the multiplexes, a new (reminiscent) kind of blockbuster appears to have taken their place. This week sees “The Fall Guy” kicking off the Summer blockbuster festivities with a (mostly) fresh story not based on big time established characters instead banking on the charisma and move-star power of its two leads.

A down-and-out stuntman (Ryan Gosling) must find the missing star of his ex-girlfriend's (Emily Blunt) blockbuster film.

Director David Leitch (“Bullet Train,” “Atomic Blonde”) has carved out a corner in action cinema for making compelling action that is actually fun to watch. From the “John Wick” school of stuntmanbased action, “The Fall Guy” finds Leitch making another entertaining action film that knows exactly what kind of movie it is and delivers on the promise of big bold popcorn filmmaking. “The Fall Guy” can be categorized as an Action/Comedy/Romance and in that order. The action sequences are

Answers on Page 19

exciting and only sparingly utilize computer enhancements, but the way in which these sequences feel motivated by the story instead of spectacle for spectacle’s sake help this movie rise above just another big dumb action flick.

And if “The Fall Guy” is an Action/Comedy/Romance, its two leads in Gosling and Blunt are more than up to the task of delivering on the comedy and romance with their chemistry and pure movie star charm. Gosling, riding high off the comedic success of last year’s “Barbie” performance is pitch perfect in this role and shows a turning point in his career towards leading man movie star. This kind

of comedic timing and physical action capability has been seen in his career but “The Fall Guy” finds him combining the brooding wordless performances from films like “Blade Runner 2049” and the motor mouth humor from films like “The Nice Guys.” And while this movie is propelled and centered on Gosling, Blunt is also phenomenal here. While her role takes a back seat, in other hands, this character could have been overpowered by the rest of the cast. Instead, Blunt is as charming as ever and plays well off Gosling both comedically and romantically.

Overall, “The Fall Guy” is the kind of Hollywood action blockbuster movie that we’ve been pining for amidst the constant barrage of nostalgia driven franchise movies in recent years. There’s still a nostalgia at play with the homages spread throughout to plenty of other Hollywood films of the past but done in a fresh and entertaining way that doesn’t feel pandering. However, much like the rest of the films these days, “The Fall Guy” could use a trimming of 15 minutes off the over 2 hour run time to help the slightly bloated pacing of the film.

“The Fall Guy” is rated PG-13 for action and violence, drug content and some strong language.

4.3 out of 5 stars.

Dress exhibit all set at History Center

A new exhibit that showcases dresses worn by Oklahoma’s first ladies at inauguration balls will open to the public at the Oklahoma History Center Museum on Friday, June 7. A special members-only reception at the Oklahoma History Center on Thursday, June 6, will start at 5:30 p.m. The reception will feature hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Some of Oklahoma’s living first ladies have promised to attend the event.

“Inaugural Impressions: Oklahoma’s First Ladies Go to the Ball” will feature an array of gowns worn by first ladies.

Interactive exhibit components will allow children and adults to explore the history of social practices, don clothing from other eras, and present themselves as if they were attending an inaugural ball..

“Inaugural Impressions” will be open in the Sam Noble Gallery through May 30, 2025.

"The Fall Guy" kicks off Summer movie season with big fun action that provides a perfect runway for its two leads to showcase their movie star charm.

Rolling out the Red Carpet for conferences

By Jennifer Thornton

Tourism Director — Visit Edmond

The Edmond Conference Center welcomed the Oklahoma 911 Management Authority on April 2425. For the first time in Oklahoma, 911 coordinators gathered from across the state for a training workshop. Ninety-six people from towns like Idabel, Woodward, Tulsa, Weatherford and Elk City got to enjoy Edmond before and after the workshop. This is a prime example of “Edmond Ambassadors” in action. Many residents are members of professional and social organizations that have annual conferences. Recommending Edmond to host these conferences shows our hometown pride and increases sales and lodging tax. Benjamin Curry, Director of Communications and Emergency Management for the City of Edmond, said “I serve on the board and when we decided to put on a work-

shop, I suggested Edmond for the location.”

For every person that spends the night in a hotel or short-term rental, they spend an additional $65 in dining and shopping. This contributes to sales tax which funds amenities like streets, parks and trails to improve citizens’ quality of life. Attendees of the 911 Coordinators Workshop who drove more than 150 miles spent the night in Edmond. Many attendees drove in early to have some fun in Edmond before the training began. Planners hope this will be an annual opportunity with more supervisors. Workshop organizers said they will come to Edmond again!

Edmond has 45 creative venues ready to welcome meeting planners. Spaces that accommodate more than 200 people inside Edmond city limits are Oak Tree Country Club, Venue 102, University of Central Oklahoma, and Edmond Conference

Center. Since opening in 2018, the Edmond Conference Center is the only joint hotel/event space in Edmond and is attached to the Hilton Garden Inn. It is conveniently located at I-35 and Covell (exit 149), has 20,178 total square feet of event space, 11 meeting rooms and 158 guest rooms. In 2023, the Edmond Conference Center was honored as a Silver Winner in the "Best Conference Center" category by Northstar Meetings Group. Edmond Conference Center hosts more than 500 events a year and welcomes more than 36,000 people annually.

The next time you or someone you know is looking for a space for a conference, training or meeting, recommend Edmond! For more information about Edmond’s meeting spaces and event sponsorship applications, visit www.visitedmondok.com/meetings.

Oklahoma 911 Emergency Training at the Edmond Conference Center on Wednesday, April 24.

Coordinators learning in Edmond.

Stay safe this boating season

How can you make your summer on the water a safe one? With National Safe Boating Week coming up May 18-24, the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water offers seven practical tips to keep you boating safely all summer long. These suggestions come from more than 40 years of helping to ensure that every day on the water is a great one, without an injury or fatality.

Follow the dates. Some required safety equipment, such as flares, have an expiration date. Fire extinguishers must be replaced 12 years after their date of manufacture, so you will have to do some math. And if you have automatic life jackets aboard, the dissolvable bobbin inside the inflation mechanism also has an expiration date stamped on the outside. Practically speaking, these dates help ensure the equipment will work when you need it. But don’t stop there. While inflatable life jacket inflation cylinders don’t expire, a thorough annual inspection of the cylinder and life jacket, including an overnight inflation test, is something you should have on your calendar every season. Get comfy. 83% of people who drowned in recreational boating accidents in 2022 were not wearing life jackets. To wear your life jacket more often, you need a life jacket you don’t mind wearing. There are many styles of life jackets today, such as inflatables, hybrids and special use vest types (eg., fishing, paddling) that are comfortable even on hot days and allow all the movement you need. Wearing yours also influences guests to wear theirs. Regardless, ensure a life jacket is always within reach of everyone aboard. Youngsters should never wear an adult jacket, and if you find yourself short on a correctly sized jacket, go to one of the BoatUS Foundation Kids Life Jacket loaner program locations to borrow one for free. Brush up on basics. It’s been a long winter without boating on your mind. Refresh your boating safety by taking BoatUS Foundation free online course, on-water powerboat training course or brushing up on the rules of the road with the BoatUS Foundation study guide.

Start each outing right. Before a day on the water, take a few minutes before you depart to share a safety briefing with your guests. If an emergency arises, you’ll have a team aboard to address it quickly. If you’re wondering what to share, download a customizable predeparture safety briefing checklist.

Don’t go alone. Let a trusted family member or friend know where you’re going, when you expect to return, and what to do if you fail to check in. Having someone ashore who knows your whereabouts and trip plans can potentially shorten a response time.

One hand for yourself. Always be prepared for sudden, unexpected vessel movement by having a firm footing and one hand connected to the boat. With alcohol a leading factor in boating fatalities, it’s best the other hand isn’t holding a wine, beer or other alcoholic drink – save it for ashore.

Don’t rush the startup. For boats with enclosed engine compartments, it is always important to run the blower for a minimum of four minutes before starting the engine and after each refueling. This is especially important after a visit to the gas dock.

For more information on boating safety go to BoatUS.org

BancFirst helps storm effort

BancFirst announced an initial donation of $250,000 to benefit the immediate needs of Oklahoma communities affected by the devastating storms on Saturday, April 27. BancFirst also established a relief fund account accepting donations for the Sulphur community at BancFirst locations statewide and online at bancfirst.bank/sulphur.

“Our hearts are broken for our friends and neighbors in Sulphur, Marietta, Holdenville and all those affected by the April 27th storms,” David Rainbolt, BancFirst executive chairman, said. “Oklahomans are resilient, and we will stand together to rebuild and restore these communities. We are grateful for all those responding to this tragedy with kindness and acts of service in the spirit of the Oklahoma Standard.”

Paseo Arts Festival

The 47th Annual Paseo Arts Festival is May 2527! The festival is one of the largest celebrations of the arts in OKC and is free to the public! The festival is also the largest fundraiser for the Paseo Arts Association and attracts thousands of visitors every year and showcases the works of over 90 juried artists from across the country. The festival provides a diverse range of art forms, including painting, sculpture, jewelry, pottery and more.

Visitors can enjoy the entertainment of over 50 live performers on two stages, including blue, jazz, pop and rock n' roll. They can also enjoy the food court featuring 20 food and drink vendors. With its relaxed and friendly atmosphere, the Paseo Arts Festival offers a wonderful opportunity to discover new and exciting works of art and connect with the vibrant arts community in Oklahoma City.

Man’s story an inspiration

As hard as it is for Ben Hylden to relive the painful moments of a nearfatal car accident and the aftermath when he teetered between life and death, he does it to share his message of faith and to inspire others to live life to the fullest.

“Looking back now I would never trade it, honestly,” Hylden said during a recent interview. “For all the things I've been through mentally, physically, emotionally — it’s taught me so much in life. I see the bigger picture of life and what’s truly important and how short this life is and how fragile this life is, and what it’s really all about — not to chase the world but to chase the kingdom of God within yourself.”

In his powerful true story, Finding Faith in the Field, Hylden recounts in chilling detail the day he drove his car down an old dirt road where he admits he “could go as fast as I wanted.” He was late for an appointment but didn’t account for the icy road conditions. He flew 60 mph into an approach. His car flipped several times, and Hylden was ejected, slamming head-first into a halffrozen field.

“My entire body hurt. My face felt

like it was crushed from the inside out,” he wrote. “In a few moments, my eyes and face swelled up so badly I couldn’t see any more. I was alone, and there was no one to help me.”

Or so he thought.

He soon heard the faint voices of a man and a woman. In his mind, he called them “two nice people.” Little did he know, the “two nice people” were his parents, and his face was so badly damaged they hadn’t recognized their own son until they spotted a familiar winter coat that had been thrown from the car.

Riddled with severe internal injuries, a shattered face and a traumatic brain injury, Hylden was given just a 5% chance of survival.

“Many miracles happened on that day for my life to be saved,” Hylden recounted. “Yet the greatest miracle on that day remained a secret, even from me, until much later.”

In Finding Faith in the Field, Hylden shares with readers the secret that was revealed to him when he revisited the site of his crash as well as his long road to recovery and his remarkable journey of faith.

Hi and Lois

Shoe

Zits

Family Circus

Beetle Baily

Blondie

Hägar the Horrible

Girl Scouts to have recruiting event May 20

Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma (GSWESTOK) will host an Information & Sign-Up event for parents of soon-to-be pre-k and kindergarten students interested in joining a local Girl Scout Troop from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 20 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church located at 15400 Western.

Lynette Blevins, GSWESTOK membership support specialist, will present information on how for more than 100 years Girl Scouts has been providing opportunities for girls to grow through friendships, mentoring and activities. Local volunteers will also assist girls who attend with a Girl Scouts-related activity.

Reservations are strongly encouraged. To RSVP, text “3370” to (405) 442-0684.

Girl Scouts learn important life skills, benefiting girls in these five areas: strong sense of self, positive values, challenge seeking, healthy relationships and community problem-solving. Girl Scouts is open to girls in pre-K through 12th grade.

In recent years, the organization has deepened its focus on science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM), helping prepare girls for careers once unavailable to them.To learn more about Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma or find information about future meetings, visit www.gswestok.org.

About Girl Scouts

Located in 39 Oklahoma counties in the central, southwest and northwest regions of the state, Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Through leadership-building programs, GSWESTOK offers girls pathways to explore their interests - including STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math), healthy lifestyles and activities like our High Adventure Team and summer camps

Local Briefs

Event May 18 for Veterans awareness

Reps. Collin Duel, R-Guthrie, and Ty Burns, RPawnee, invite all Oklahomans to attend the second annual Oklahoma Memorial Trail Ruck-Off in Guthrie, Oklahoma, on Saturday, May 18, 2024.

The event aims to raise awareness about veteran issues, support military recruitment efforts and promote the newly created Oklahoma Military Trails.

I encourage everyone to join us on May 18 in Guthrie, whether you're walking or attending the closing ceremony," Duel said. "Your presence will help us honor and raise awareness for our veterans. I want to

thank the City of Guthrie, Guthrie Chamber of Commerce and the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs for their partnership in organizing this event."

This year's ruck-off is named in honor of Pvt Oscar J. Upham, a U.S. Marine who earned the Medal of Honor during the Boxer Rebellion. Pvt. Upham passed away at the age of 77 in Guthrie.

"Members of the Legislative Veteran's Caucus and several departments in Oklahoma have been working on this project for a while now," Burns said. "We are thrilled to host it once again and excited to expand it to other regions of the state."

The march will begin at 7:00 a.m. Participants can choose between a four-mile or a 12-mile route, with or without a 35-pound ruck. The closing ceremony is scheduled for noon at the WPA Armory