Edmond Life and Leisure - July 6, 2023

In This Issue

FOUR SEASONS

Fore-ward with revamped KickingBird Golf Course

FRIDAY, July 7

Isolated Thunderstorms High 85° Low 70°

SATURDAY, July 8

Partly Cloudy High 90° Low 75°

SUNDAY, July 9

Partly Cloudy High 94° Low 74°

When it came time to reimagine KickingBird Golf, staff, stakeholders and City of Edmond Director of Golf Brian Soerensen spent a lot of time checking out public and private courses across the region, looking for ideas about how Edmond’s oldest golf course could grow and improve.

But that team also spent a lot of time thinking about things beyond the traditional golf audience.

“We have had for years – and continue to have – some of the most loyal players in the area, if not the region,” Soerensen said. “And, for that reason, when it came time to give our clubhouse, our course and our facilities a fresh look, we were committed to raising the bar.

We want KickingBird to redefine what people envision when they think of a municipal course. We focus strongly on the relational aspect of our business and our customers’ overall experience, and we hope our new facilities will help us attain these initiatives.

“We also wanted to offer up something to appeal to maybe the

novice golfer, or the non-golfer. We wanted to make this place as much about the overall experience as we did golf. We want KickingBird to be a place that offers something for everyone.”

Mission accomplished.

With nearly $21 million invested in the project, when the course opens for public play July 1 – right after a special celebration on June 29 and an opening tournament on June 30 – what visitors will find is a facility that offers state-of-the-art amenities.

At more than 13,300 square feet, a larger, modern and more comfortable clubhouse, features a well-appointed golf shop, modern locker rooms and both a full-service restaurant and “turn bar” for players and someone looking for a great meal in a fun atmosphere. The multiple TVs inside and out on the patios will make KickingBird the perfect place to watch the big games.

See page 9 continued on

An expanded covered and open driving range with a huge, 57,000 square foot hitting area that in-

cludes the latest in technology for both the serious and casual golfer. Lighted and open until 11 p.m. nightly, the range is the first in Oklahoma serviced by TrackMan Range, meaning golfers can log in through a mobile app and track all shots when practicing. And the new range pavilion also offers golf entertainment games through Flite Golf Technology.

Next to the range on the north end is a new indoor teaching facility with a well-respected instructor, Chase Cooper, a 15-year teaching veteran, available to help players take their game to the next level. KickingBird is excited to start offering year-round instructional programs through this facility with an emphasis on creating a year-round Junior Golf Academy.

A new, three-hole short game practice facility on the north side of the clubhouse that partners with a 12,000 square foot putting green on the south side just outside the restaurant and turn bar, near the tees for holes Nos. 1 and 10.

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.

Edmond Electric answers the call in Arizona

LOWER LEFT PHOTOS BY MELINDA INFANTE

Mayor Darrell Davis gets the first tee on the newly opened golf course

Mayor Darrell Davis and city VIPs gather June 29 to officially re-open KickingBird Golf Course, closed since July 1, 2021.

The course has undergone an upgrade, as well. All the greens have been rebuilt and some have been strategically moved, including No. 9, formerly a par 5, but now a 450-yard uphill par 4. The fairways have been widened and re-sprigged with Tahoma 31 bermudagrass. The adjustments mean the course now plays about 200 yards longer than before, at more than 6,900 yards. A new, more robust irrigation system has been installed to keep the course in great playing condition.

“We think our regular players will notice the enhancements and changes right away,” Soerensen said. “We are very excited about the expanded driving range and all the technology that can benefit both serious players and people looking for a fun way to spend some time with family and friends. And having Chase Cooper as our Director of Instruction will allow us to take our golf instruction to a new level.

There is so much more to offer to players – before, during and after their rounds. The goal always has been to have players leaving here after their day thinking, ‘Wow, that is not like any other municipal course I’ve ever played.’ We want to be the

facility that everyone is talking about when they choose where to play golf in our region.”

But, beyond the course, KickingBird offers plenty of non-golf attractions.

The new restaurant – The Lookout at KickingBird – is operated by Hole In One Food and Beverage LLC, which also owns and operates The Mule and The Press, and will be fully staffed for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The “turn bar” on the east end of the clubhouse has a covered, comfortable patio and handy to-go choices for players heading out for the back 9.

Also new is a 144-seat special events center adjacent to the clubhouse that, at 6,670 square feet, can easily accommodate corporate events, wedding receptions, dinners and more. In addition, in the clubhouse is a spacious boardroom available for gatherings or when an off-site meeting is needed.

“Our special events center is new and has catering capabilities so it can host comfortably a variety of events,” Soerensen said. “We’ve also added new multi-media screens to provide up-to-date information on events, tournaments, restaurant offerings and

more throughout the clubhouse.”

Closed for the project since July 1, 2021, Soerensen is eager to get KickingBird Golf open and operational.

“This was a very large project and this operation will be new for all of us,” he said. “We ask our customers to please be patient with us as we learn how to best operate all the different facets of our operation. The course will be hosting its traditional events, including the Oklahoma Golf Association State Junior Championship, as well as other annual collegiate, high school and fund-raising tournaments.

“What is very exciting are the new events that we are already booking because of these new improvements. We have been named the host site for the 2024 NCAA Men’s Division II Super Regional and were recently named as the host for the 2025

NCAA Women’s Division II Super Regional. We will be hosting the 2023 South Central Section PGA Walter Hopper Junior Championship which will bring in junior golfers from all of Oklahoma, Arkansas and southern Kansas.”

Poised for the future, Soerensen is eager to “tee off.”

“Economic development is one of our strategic initiatives,” he said. “It was sales tax revenue that built this new facility and we look forward to creating a successful business operation that will generate high levels of sales tax revenue for many years to come. But, mostly, we want KickingBird Golf to be the place where everyone in Edmond can find a way to come and enjoy themselves.”

For more information, including how to reserve tee times, go to KickingBirdGolf.com.

MELINDA INFANTE

Part of the crowd on hand for the grand re-opening of KickingBird Golf Course on June 29.

Which president was first to appoint a woman to his cabinet?

A few months ago, I gathered up some interesting facts about our U.S. presidents. I had too much information to print so I thought it would be fun to share some more of what I found during this LibertyFest season.

Do they even teach this stuff about our presidents of the past in school any longer? I hope so because the study of past presidents is sure to guide our young folks in their decision making when voting in the future. History is a great teacher.

Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first president to name a woman to his cabinet

In 1933, our 32nd president became the first one to hire a woman by naming Frances Perkins as secretary of labor in 1933. She had previously worked for him when he was governor of New York.

Abraham Lincoln allowed seances in the White House

First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln reportedly invited mediums to the White House to call on departed spirits through seances during Abraham Lincoln’s tenure. While there is no definitive evidence, the president was said to have attended some of the events. He was also thought to believe in the occult to an extent.

George Washington’s teeth were made of something more disturbing than wood

It is a popular misconception that our first president’s teeth were made of wood. In fact, they were made of something even more horrifying: other people’s teeth—likely those of slaves or impoverished people. The dentures apparently also contained ivory.

Two rival presidents died on the exact same day

Though friendly in their personal lives, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were political competitors. On his deathbed, Adams is believed to have uttered, “Thomas Jefferson still survives,” in a final act of rivalry. Little did he know that Jefferson had actual died hours earlier.

No one could dance in the White House during James Polk’s tenure

The wife of 11th President James Polk was a strict Presbyterian and looked down upon dancing, so it was banned in the White House while her husband was in office and at the Inaugural Ball. She also disapproved of horse racing and the theater.

Ulysses S. Grant’s middle initial stood for nothing

You might know who is buried in Grant’s tomb, but do you know what his middle initial stood for? Well, neither did he. Apparently, it came from a typo on his application to West Point.

Rutherford B. Hayes was the first American to own a Siamese cat

The First Cat during Hayes’s presidency was literally the first cat—as in the first Siamese cat to be owned by a U.S. citizen. She was a gift to the president and First Lady. They originally named her Miss Pussy, but eventually simplified things by calling the cat Siam.

James Garfield’s spine was on display at a museum

At the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Washington D.C., the spine of President Garfield was displayed along with other medical oddities in 2000. A bullet hole from his 1881 assassination is clearly visible.

Chester Arthur held a White House yard sale to finance a redecorating project

In what was probably the first White House yard sale, the 21st president sold two dozen wagon loads of presidential merchandise including a pair of Abraham Lincoln’s pants and John Quincy Adams’ hat. He then used the money to hire an interior decorator.

William McKinley gave away his “lucky” red carnation right before he died

The 25th president was known for wearing a red carnation on his lapel for good luck. The boutonniere probably was a good luck charm after all. While greeting a little girl at an event in 1901, he decided to give his lucky flower to her. Moments later, he was assassinated.

Herbert Hoover had his own sport

To keep our 31st president fit, his physician invented a sport that was later called Hoover-ball while Herbert Hoover was in office. It is a combination of tennis and volleyball and uses a medicine ball. The sport is still played competitively in Hoover’s hometown of West Branch, Iowa.

Dwight Eisenhower ordered the assassination of squirrels

Our 34th president, an avid golfer, got sick and tired of squirrels messing up his game by digging up the green to bury their acorns. He ordered his valet to shoot the rodents, but the Secret Service forbade the use of guns on the White House

grounds, so groundkeepers trapped and released the animals instead.

Four presidents were cheerleaders

What did Ronald Reagan, Dwight Eisenhower, Franklin Roosevelt, and George W. Bush have in common? They all served as cheerleaders either in high school or college. Talk about squad goals!

John Adams skipped school a lot

A lifelong outdoors person, Adams often chose to hunt and fish rather than go to school as a child. Despite his truancy, he made it into Harvard at age 15 and went on to become the second president of the United States. Do not miss these other fifteen fascinating facts about America you never learned in school.

Andrew Jackson trained his parrot foul language

What? Andrew Jackson’s pet parrot began shouting obscenities at the seventh president’s funeral and had to be conducted. The president was a former war hero known for his tough exterior, so it surprised no one that he had trained the bird its colorful language. Here are more historical facts that sound fake but are not.

Benjamin Harrison was afraid of electricity

When the Edison Company installed electrical wires into the White House for the first time in 1891, 23rd President Harrison and his wife refused to touch the light switches for fear of getting electrocuted.

Ronald Reagan did standup comedy

When movie roles began drying up in the mid1950s, Ronald Reagan decided to try his hand as a stand-up comic in Las Vegas. He later became a TV host, which led to the biggest role of his life: 40th president of the United States. Check out the most hilarious jokes told by 23 U.S. presidents.

Calvin Coolidge befriended a man who tried to rob him

When Calvin Coolidge woke up to find a burglar rifling through his belongings, he managed to calmly talk down the would-be thief. The president found out the man was desperate to pay his hotel bill and buy a ticket back to his college campus, so Coolidge willingly gave him the contents of his wallet—$32—and snuck him out of the room and past Secret Service. These are the Secret Service’s most clever code names for U.S. presidents.

Jimmy Carter believed in UFOs

In 1973, four years before becoming the 39th president of the U.S., Jimmy Carter filed a report of a UFO sighting in 1969 in Georgia. He called it “the darnedest thing I’ve ever seen.” He promised if elected president, to disclose government information about UFOs, but backpedaled while in office.

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July and look forward to the rest of the summer folks.

(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.

Darci Lynne

A very special guest for next Heard in Hurd

Citizens Bank of Edmond’s Heard on Hurd will kick off its 5th event of its 10th season in downtown Edmond on Saturday, July 15. Headlining the Heard on Hurd stage this month is Darci Lynne.

Darci Lynne, from Edmond is the youngest contestant to ever win NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”, and the star of “A Cowgirl’s Song” feature film now on NETFLIX. This hometown appearance will be her debut musical performance as a singer/songwriter. Darci will take the Heard on Hurd stage at 8:40 p.m.

“I am super excited to make my debut as a singer/songwriter on July 15 at Heard on Hurd! I’ve worked up a very special show with my band for this event: some new original songs, including my latest single, “Just Breathe” – as well as some of my favorite covers to perform. I can’t wait to see my hometown friends and family at Heard on Hurd,” said Darci Lynne.

“Citizens Bank of Edmond is thrilled to present Edmond’s own Darci Lynne, as well as Sugar Free All Stars, and Chole Beth to the Heard on Hurd stage in July! This is a night you won’t want to miss,” said Jill Castilla, President and CEO of Citizens Bank of Edmond and founder of Heard on Hurd.

Sugar Free All Stars will take the stage at 7:20 p.m. The Grammy-featured Sugar Free All Stars is a highenergy family funk super duo from Oklahoma City, listed as one of Time Magazine's top 12 family music acts in America. Their music is a blend of soul, rhythm & blues, disco, gospel and New Orleans street parade music.

Chloe Beth will kick off the evening at 6:00 p.m. A Folk Rock artist from Oklahoma City, Chloe Beth perches barefoot balanced on the teeter-totter of strength in her

voice and vulnerability in her lyrics. She recently released two singles: “Be Alright,” and “Goodwill”.

The local music and shopping event is located on Broadway, between 1st and Hurd. Attendees will enjoy local music, more than 5 dozen food trucks and pop-up shops, and children’s activities 6:00-10:00 p.m. Citizens Bank of Edmond’s Community Lobby will feature photos with Santa and a Christmas in July theme.

Heard on Hurd was started by Citizens to revitalize downtown Edmond, showcase Oklahoma’s homegrown talent and small businesses and provide sustainable support to the Edmond Public Schools Foundation. In its 10th season, the event has drawn almost 2 million attendees, resulting in more than $60 million in economic impact and a transformed downtown Edmond small business community. Heard on Hurd was named the Urban Land Institute’s “Best Community Building Effort” and is regularly recognized as one of the state’s favorite events. Stepping into the footsteps of the legendary H&8th food truck festival, Heard on Hurd is now both the nation’s largest monthly food truck event as well as America’s most popular monthly original music concert series.

To find out more about the event, follow Heard on Hurd on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the website at www.mycitizens.bank/heard-on-hurd.

Engagement, Wedding notices

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

Payment is due upon submission by noon Thursday.

(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.)

June 20

Austin Howard White, 29 of Guthrie. Public intoxication.

Dariyan Koshara Dixon, 29 of Oklahoma City. Pattern of criminal offense and (felony) larceny of merchandise from a retailer.

Lanceon J. Hobgood, 51 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.

June 21

Danny Dwayne McConnell, 41 homeless. Public intoxication.

June 22

Nima Saghafi, 33 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Shea Renique Bowden, 32 of Edmond. Petty larceny.

Santee Justin Wood, 45 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Scott Anthony Lehma, 38 homeless. Two misdemeanor warrants, non-assault resisting officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and public intoxication.

Zachary Daniel Gray, 18, of Piedmont. Public intoxication.

Megan Mevalene McKinley, 32 of Edmond. Petty larceny.

June 23

Charles Derek Hodges, 33 homeless. Public intoxication and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Derek Edwin Conatser, 43 homeless. Public intoxication.

Zhifeng Iv, 57 of Riverside, Calif. Misdemeanor warrant.

Alexa Marie Aranzubia, 22 of Edmond. Failure to appear, obstruction of police officer, possess CDS, Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or a combination of schedule one chemical or controlled substance.

June 24

Tina Lasche Akinsola, 46 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

Ian Isaac Berry, 33 of Edmond. Two misdemeanor warrants.

Douglas John Hammann, 32 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and any other intoxicating substance.

Kaiden Matthew Lippert, 19 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

Ronnie Jay Stancle Jr., 43 of Oklahoma City. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Stephen Richard Olah, 53 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Mindy Lee Udell, 52 of Edmond. Public intoxica-

tion. Ashley Kay Dawson, 39 of Edmond. Two counts of no proof of insurance, two counts of expired tag over three months and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Calvin Maurice Owens, 43 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

June 25

Christopher Jay Flatrock, 39 homeless. Public intoxication.

William Duncan Bard, 29 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Daniel James Bishline, 39 of Edmond. Operate (DUi or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

Ally Elizabeth Sharp, 33 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Gage Marshall Langley, 27 homeless. Twenty eight counts of failure to appear, prohibited crossing/pedestrian, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of non-assault resisting officer.

Alexis Nichol Crummy, 25 of Oklahoma City. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

Bill Ted Leroy II, 41 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication.

Jon Charles Hand, 49 of Guthrie. Two counts of possess CDS, possess firearm after conviction of felony, obstruction of police officer and misdemeanor warrant.

Chad Andrew Lute, 50 of Guthrie. Two counts of possess CDS, possess firearm after conviction of felony and two felony warrants.

Weekend calendar of events, July 6-9

What’s Happening This Weekend

What’s Happening This Weekend July 6 - 9

---- In the Gallery

---- Tiny, But Mighty! Exhibit

---- Unveiled: Edmond’s Bridal Fashion 1875 ---- 2020

---- Beginners Pickleball Club

---- Farmer’s Market

---- Twilight Swim

---- National Little Britches Rodeo Association Finals

---- Songs & Stripes

---- LibertyFest Fireworks at the Pool

---- LibertyFest Parade

---- LibertyFest Sprint

---- VIBES: Downtown Edmond’s Art

Experience

---- Edmond Jr Rodeo

---- Celtic Throne – The Royal Journey of Irish Dance

---- Beats & Bites Festival: Mark Chestnut

---- Summer Drop-In Activities

---- Sunday Spotlight: The Art of Paul Moore

Extra Information

In the Gallery Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute

Extra Info: Thu, July 6; Gallery Opening for Julyy Artist Tanner Muse; 5 –8 p.m.; edmondfinearts.com

Tiny, But Mighty! Exhibit

Location: Edmond Historical Society & Museum

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

Unveiled: Edmond’s Bridal

Fashion 1875 – 2020

Location: Edmond History Museum

Extra Info: 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 and 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

National Little Britches

Rodeo Association Finals

Location: Lazy E Arena

Extra Info: Sun, July 2 – Sun, July 9; lazye.com

VIBES: Downtown Edmond’s Art

Experience Location: Downtown Edmond

Extra Info: Thu, July 6; Free; 6 – 9

p.m.; edmondvibes.org

Edmond Jr Rodeo

Location: Edmond Round Up Club – Carl Benne Arena

Extra Info: Fri, July 7 – Sat, July 8; 6:30 – 11 p.m.; Adults: $5; 18 & younger: $1; facebook.com

Celtic Throne – The Royal Journey of Irish Dance

Location: Armstrong Auditorium

Extra Info: Sun, July 9; Starting at $40; 4 p.m.; armstrongauditorium.vbotickets.com

Beats & Bites Festival: Mark Chestnut

Location: Riverwind Casino

Extra Info: Sat, July 8; Gate Time: 5 p.m.; Show Time: 6 p.m.; Fireworks after the show; riverwind.com

Summer Drop-In Activities

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Mon, July 3 – Fri, July 7; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Sunday Spotlight: The Art of Paul Moore

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Sun, July 9; 1 – 1:30 p.m.; natioalcowboymuseum.org

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

What to do when a loved one has dementia

A comprehensive safety plan is important for a person living with a memory disrease. Taking measures to improve safety can prevent injuries and help a person living with dementia feel at ease and maintain independence longer.

Safety at Home

• Evaluate certain areas that may be more prone to safety hazards such as garages, work rooms or basements.

• Take precautions to avoid injuries during daily activities such as ensuring food is not too hot, install walk-in showers, or add texture stickers to slippery surfaces.

• Ensure all areas are well lit.

• Evaluate potentially dangerous objects to make sure they are not easily accessible, i.e. stoves or power tools.

• vKeep medication and harmful substances locked away.

• Consider removing weapons from the home.

• Learn how to help prevent falls at Oklahoma.gov/health/falls

Wandering and Getting Lost

Six in 10 people living with dementia will wander and become lost; many do so repeatedly. Signs of wandering behavior:

• Forgetting familiar places.

• Returning from walks or drives later than usual.

• Trying to “go home” when already at home.

• Having a hard time locating familiar places.

• Experiencing restlessness.

Tips to reduce wandering:

• cProvide opportunities to engage in structured activities throughout the day.

• Encourage exercise.

• Place deadbolts high or low on exterior doors to prevent wandering at night.

• Consider a GPS device if the person drives.

• Reassure the person if he or she feels lost, abandoned or disoriented.

Driving Safety

Driving demands good judgement and quick reaction time. Because of the progressive nature of Alzheimer's, a person living with the disease will eventually become unable to drive. It’s helpful to have a conversation early on about how independence can be maintained when the person can no longer drive. Signs it may be time to stop driving:

• Forgetting familiar places.

• Making poor driving decisions such as speeding or missing traffic signals.

• Becoming angry or confused while driving.

Emergency Preparedness

Disaster situations can significantly impact everyone’s safety, but they can be especially upsetting and confusing for individuals living with dementia. Being prepared for an emergency is crucial. Prepare an emergency kit that includes:

• Copies of important documents.

• Extra clothes and medication.

• Incontinence products if needed.

• Identification items.

• Water and food.

• A favorite item of the person.

If an emergency occurs and you need to evacuate, make sure your plans are compatible with the specific needs of the person living with dementia. If an individual lives in a residential facility, learn about its disaster and evacuation plans. Find out who is responsible for evacuating the person in the event of an emergency.

Traveling

A dementia diagnosis does not necessarily mean that it’s time to stop traveling; however, doing so does require careful planning. The following may help facilitate a safe and enjoyable trip:

• Pack copies of important documents.

• Stick to a familiar destination.

• If staying in a hotel consider informing staff about your specific needs.

• Contact the Alzheimer's Association to find the nearest office that can provide assistance at your travel destination.

Specifically for Air Travel:

• Avoid flights that require tight connections.

• Consider requesting a wheelchair so that an attendant can help you get from place to place.

• Contact the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to determine if a pass can be issued to family members or friends to escort the passenger through security to their gate terminal.

• Do not hesitate to ask for assistance from airport employees or crew members.

•Stay with the person at ALL times.

Staying safe becomes increasingly important as Alzheimer's disease progresses. Visit alz.org/safety for more information and resources.

This publication was issued by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), an equal opportunity employer and provider. 2,000 copies were printed by Quickprint at a cost of $721.39. A digital file is available for download at documents.ok.gov / September 2022

Audit confirms accuracy of voting in Oklahoma

Oklahoma State Election Board

Secretary Paul Ziriax announced that the State Election Board recently published the results of post-election audits conducted in 2023 – including an audit of election results in all 77 counties for the State Question 820 held on March 7, 2023.

The post-election tabulation audits for the February 14, March 7, and April 4 elections were conducted by county election board secretaries from May 22 through May 25. The tabulation audits for the June 13 elections were conducted from June 21 through June 23.

Post-election audits were open to the public, and included a mix of Election Day, mail absentee, and “early voting” ballots.

Each of the post-election audits confirmed the accuracy of the certified election results. Ziriax also noted that two candidate-requested hand recounts were included in the April 4

audit report and provided additional verification of the consistency and accuracy of Oklahoma’s voting process.

"It is unfortunate that we continue to hear some outlandish claims that Oklahoma elections are being determined by computer algorithms, 'phantom' voters, and other such nonsense," Ziriax said. "But the facts tell a different story: Oklahoma has one of the most accurate voting systems in the entire nation."

The 2023 post-election audit reports and archived post-election audit reports are available on the State Election Board's website.

Oklahoma began conducting postelection tabulation audits in 2022, pursuant to legislation enacted by the Oklahoma Legislature.

For more information about Oklahoma’s voting devices and election security, visit the Oklahoma State Election Board website at www.oklahoma.gov/elections.

OMRF discovery could lead to easier diagnosis of disease

A discovery at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation is paving a path toward a more accurate and less intrusive diagnosis of Sjögren’s disease, an autoimmune disorder affecting up to 4 million Americans.

Currently, at least 30% of people suspected to have Sjögren’s disease undergo a diagnostic lip biopsy because they lack a telltale biomarker found through a blood test, said OMRF scientist Darise Farris, Ph.D.

“That biomarker has traditionally played a primary role in diagnosing the disease,” Farris said. “Over time, we’ve determined that many people with Sjögren’s don’t test positive for it. This study confirmed that different biomarkers exist for many of those patients.”

In Sjögren’s, immune cells mistakenly attack and destroy healthy cells in the glands that produce tears and saliva. Dry mouth and eyes are the most noticeable symptoms, but Sjögren’s also can affect the blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas and brain. The disease occurs in all races and ethnicities but most commonly affects women over age 50.

Farris, who directs OMRF’s Sjögren’s Research Clinic, led a proof-

of-concept study involving 126 volunteers diagnosed with Sjögren’s, about half of whom lacked the previously known blood marker. In the blood samples of 65 participants without that known biomarker, the OMRF researchers found more than 12 new protein targets connected to this autoimmune disease.

“What this suggests is that it is possible to discover new biomarkers for Sjögren’s,” Farris said. “It also suggests that we may ultimately be able to prevent thousands of people from undergoing a lip biopsy.”

“We’re still trying to understand the essential nature of Sjögren’s,” said OMRF Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Judith James, M.D., Ph.D. “Dr. Farris’s research made significant progress in that effort. The next step is to expand this study to a larger set of people with the disease and with similar diseases to see how these tests might lead to earlier and simpler diagnosis for Sjögren’s patients.”

The study was published in the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. This research was supported by National Institutes of Health grants

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist Darise Farris, Ph.D.

Helping to bring power to Navajo Nation

Edmond Electric answers the call again

When Wes Bennett loads up and heads out to volunteer to help communities across the state –and even the nation – one thing is always on his mind. Home.

“My motivation is simple: helping people,” said Bennett, a veteran Electric Crew Supervisor with Edmond Electric. “I think about my wife or kids or grandparents at home in a tough situation, maybe without power for a long time, and I know how much I would appreciate someone coming to help them. So, when there is a need or an opportunity to help, you load up and go, because you’d want the same thing for your family.”

Navajo Lighting 03 Opens in new windowThe latest call Bennett and linemen from Edmond Electric answered was with the Light Up Navajo project, a mutual-aid program to extend electricity to homes in the Navajo Nation without the infrastructure to get that service. The initiative was created in 2019 through a unique partnership between the American Public Power Association (APPA) and Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA). Electric line workers from throughout the United States recently traveled to the Navajo Nation to help connect the homes of Navajo families to the electric grid.

Bennett and a team from Edmond Electric traveled to Chinle, Arizona as part of Light Up Navajo IV, working alongside line personnel from the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority (OMPA), as well as NTUA electric crews to assist in line construction within the Navajo Nation.

“I first heard about the program four or five years ago,” Bennett said. “Once I heard about it, I thought, ‘This is amazing – we have to go!’ When you can help and make a difference, then, really, it’s kind of your duty to do that. And, you can’t look through the yellow pages and find linemen

who have the skill and training to do this, like looking for a plumber or electrician. These are specific skills that can make a real impact on people’s lives, so when you can make a difference you really should make the effort.”

Bennett led a crew of Edmond Electric linemen that included Jason Smith, Daniel Ketch, Travis Matthews and Chance Tipken. Working for a week, alongside OMPA crews and a crew from Murray County, they were able to put in place infrastructure and bring electrical service to nearly 30 homes.

Bennett described the area as “very, very isolated,” and the need great because of a combination of economic and cultural influences. And, Bennett said, the impact of bringing reliable power to the families in that area was apparent and immediate.

“I’ve been part of Edmond Electric crews that have responded to crisis situations many times,” he said. “That’s part of our culture – to be there to help whenever we’re needed. But, it’s one thing to go help someone who’s lost power; showing up to help someone who has never had power was, honestly, mind-blowing.”

With power available, the homes the Edmond Electric crew touched now can connect to a well for daily fresh water – and not to have to haul water daily – and have service available to make things like lighting in the home, a refrigerator to keep food stored fresh and safe, and indoor plumbing a reality for the first time.

“The things I take for granted and we all take for granted – when I come home from work, I expect to be able to turn on a switch and have lights and turn on a faucet and have water,” Bennett said. “But, for so many families we saw, it’s a daily effort to have the things needed just to survive. It really puts things in perspective.”

Of course, volunteering to help is nothing new for Edmond Electric and Bennett. He was part of crews from the City of Edmond utility that traveled to Florida to help with communities impacted by Hurricane Ian in 2022. Even while this crew was in Arizona, Edmond Electric crews rolled out to help communities in Oklahoma that were impacted by recent storms.

Navajo Lighting 01 Opens in new window“We have great partnerships with APPA and municipalities across the state and country,” said Glenn Fisher, Director of Edmond Electric. “There have been times when we have needed help, and we know we can count on people pitching in and helping out, and so when we have an opportunity to be part of a great cause, we won’t hesitate.

“This crew is typical of that spirit of community and service we see daily at Edmond Electric. There never was a question of if we should help, but more how and when can we help? Whether it’s here in Edmond, in Oklahoma, Florida, Arizona or anywhere, the people who work here at Edmond Electric are always ready and willing to go and do what we can do to help make a difference.”

The results from this first trip – and reactions from the community in Arizona – have Bennett thinking about a return mission soon.

“The welcome we received was awesome,” he said. “The people we interacted with were so thankful and excited that we were there. We had an appreciation dinner Thursday night and some of the families we met and worked with were there. When they stood and told their stories about how long they had waited to get power, and how it was going to change their lives, several became very emotional.

“I’ve been doing this for 26 years, and I don’t believe I have ever seen an honor that was more heartfelt than what we heard that night. It was

Edmond Electric was part of a special Light Up Navajo project —- bringing electricity to the Navajo Nation in Arizona.

Several members of Edmond Electric made the long trip to bring power to the isolated area. They also met some of the residents.

Miss the cold yet?

By Steve Gust

This time of year, it’s hard to believe the thermometer ever actually gets to under 30 degrees.

But it does. And when it does, we all wish for these warm or hot days when our cars turn into ovens. It’s incredible how hot they can get. Be careful with children and pets.

Steve Gust

In June we all knew the hot days were coming. Yet we had some pretty good rains during the month. A lot of us could live without the high winds and power outages.

What got me about the rain in June was that such-and-such storm was always going to be the last one we were going to get. After that there was going to be a long dry spell. But a funny thing happened on the way to the weather map, another storm would come and then another.

I know weather forecasts aren’t an exact science. And I marvel at how they know something will happen in a few days. But there are still some misses involved.

Remember folks. Even though a weather forecast for tomorrow can go bust, be reassured that the liberals know exactly what the temperature will be in fifty years.

I came across a great video clip of environmental warrior Al Gore predicting around 2006 how the ice and snow would be gone from the polar cap in six or seven years. Oops. Albert got that one wrong. It’s like when liberal writer Paul Ehrlich predicted doom and gloom with his book “The Population Bomb,” in the 1960s. Of course he was proven wrong.

But it really doesn’t matter to these people. If they’re wrong they write it off, to “it’s only a matter of time,” excuse or the “I sounded the alarm and saved humanity,” excuse.

What you don’t hear from them is that they don’t admit they simply want a bigger and bigger role for the government to run our lives.

I respectfully say “no thank you.”

The track record for government intervention or spending isn’t good. Do you really feel good putting your hope and faith in people like Al Gore or Joe Biden?

I don’t.

Biden must take on China

By Senator Markwayne Mullin

Our nation is at a turning point. China is expanding its influence, threatening our allies, and exploiting American weakness to achieve its goal of world domination.

To counter this threat, the Biden administration must do all it can to project U.S. strength on the world stage, regain energy independence, and equip American manufacturers with the resources and deregulation they need to support our nation and deter our adversaries. The reason is simple: U.S. strength is key for global stabilization.

Instead, under the current administration, the world has watched while China routinely exploits Joe Biden’s weaknesses in global manufacturing, trade, and national security.

While hard-working Oklahomans view China as the predominant global threat and adversary, Joe Biden thinks

otherwise. He said so himself.

From manufacturing to critical mineral supply, Joe Biden has increased our dependence on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) at every turn.

China currently dominates the global supply chain, and Joe Biden’s tax hikes on American manufacturers have made our nation more dependent on China while stifling our economy.

Recently, Biden vetoed bipartisan legislation that would have protected our economy from Chinese solar companies which are actively circumventing U.S. trade laws. Biden’s veto made clear his support for Chinese goods manufactured on the backs of slave labor, and his disinterest in building American independence from China.

Whether it be fear, cowardice, or appeasement that fuels Joe Biden’s policy decisions, it’s clear his view towards China puts Americans in harm’s way. If Biden got his way, our country would be entirely dependent on China to feed, fuel, and power every inch of our nation.

However, the consequences of Biden’s appeasement strategy don’t stop there. The CCP is also actively exploiting and profiting from Joe Biden’s open border disaster.

Record amounts of fentanyl have flowed from China to Mexico and into the United States since Joe Biden took office. Over the past two years, Border Patrol has seized 41,000 pounds of fentanyl – enough to kill the entire U.S. population 28 times over. This deadly drug surge threatens border towns and states across the country, including Oklahoma.

According to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, there were 47 fentanyl overdose deaths in 2019. In 2022, the number of deaths skyrocketed to 300. Our top priority must be the safety and security of our citizens, and that means securing our border and getting tough on bad actors like China who are weaponizing the border crisis. To remedy Joe Biden’s national security, humanitarian, and public health crisis, the Biden administration must close our southern border and enforce immigration laws to reduce the dangers of Chinese fentanyl.

Lankford takes on high prescription drug prices

Senator James Lankford (R-OK), who serves on the Senate Finance Committee with jurisdiction over the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), introduced two vitally important bills to tackle the biggest drivers of the high cost of prescription drugs, particularly for senior adults on Medicare: the Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act and the Prescription Drug Supply Chain Pricing Transparency Act.

Lankford introduced the Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act in partnership with Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), a senior member on the Senate Finance Committee. This bipartisan bill would ensure that patients can finally benefit from lower-cost products instead of being forced to pay for higher-priced drugs solely because of pricing gimmicks used by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), the drug pricing middlemen. This legislation would clearly establish pricing “tiers” to separate lower-cost generic drugs and biosimilar products from name-brand drugs so that patients pay less out of pocket for truly lower-

priced drugs, therefore incentivizing prices to drop in order to get into the hands of patients.

“Most Oklahomans and people around the country do not know that because of complex and unfair pricing practices, sometimes a generic drug— which they think should come with a lower price tag at the pharmacy counter—actually costs as much or more than the brand name drug product, if it is covered by insurance at all. That’s not right,” said Lankford. “My bill requires cheaper generic or biosimilar drugs to be offered at a lower price than name-brand drugs. It’s a simple solution that should not be controversial. We need to get this passed immediately to address unfair pricing gimmicks that only hurts patients at the pharmacy counter.”

“I’m proud to be working with Senator Lankford on this bipartisan solution, which takes on PBM discriminatory formulary practices that unfairly drive up the costs of prescription drugs for seniors on Medicare Part D,” said Menendez. “I am committed to lower costs for my constituents and

Letters to the Editor policy

We love mail, especially mail from Edmond Life & Leisure readers with complaints, compliments or comments about what they read here. The rules, even for e-mail letters:

1) You must tell us your full name;

2) You must give us your complete address and phone numbers (but we will identify you only by name); and

3) We reserve the right to edit letters for length, clarity and taste (our taste). Send mail to Letter to the Editor, Edmond Life & Leisure, 107 S. Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034, or fax to 340-3384 or e-mail to news@edmondpaper.com.

Americans all across the country at the pharmacy counter, and this legislation is another step towards reforming PBMs so they cannot continue gaming the system on the backs of patients.”

The Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act requires:

Medicare Part D to cover a generic or biosimilar if it costs less than its name-brand counterpart.

Generic drugs or biosimilars to be placed on a generic/biosimilar formulary pricing tier and namebrand drugs to be placed on a brand tier, with the generic tier having a lower insurance cost-sharing requirement for patients than the name-brand tier.

A new tier for specialty generics or biosimilars that would also have a lower insurance cost-sharing requirement for patients.

Lankford also introduced with Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), a member of the Finance Committee, the Prescription Drug Supply Chain Pricing Transparency Act to require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study and submit a report to Congress about the ways the current drug-pricing supply chain structure actually incentivizes drug manufacturers, PBMs, and insurance companies to price drugs higher. The required GAO report would look at the payment structures across the prescription drug supply chain, as well as their implications for taxpayer spending, patient out-of-pocket costs, and potential conflicts of interest.

“I’ve said it many times: Congress can’t fix what we can’t see, and the dark alley of prescription drug pricing is an area that needs as much sunlight as possible,” said Lankford. “A lack of information and reluctance on the part of those involved in pricing prescription drugs have made it difficult for Congress to provide oversight and make positive change. Our bill helps Congress better understand

The rich heritage & sights of Strasbourg

By Elaine Warner “Gallia

est omnis divisa in partes tres,” according to the writings of conqueror Julius Caesar. Strasbourg was in one of those three parts. (Who’d have thought that that phrase I learned decades ago in Latin class was stuck somewhere in my brain!) In the centuries since Caesar founded the city in 12 BC, Strasbourg (and the surrounding area, Alsace) has served as the yo-yo of Europe, flip-flopping between being German territory and French until after World War II. Now French, the German heritage remains, creating a rich, mixed culture in this eastern part of France whose eastern border is the Rhine. The city is now one of four seats of the European Union.

Our Viking ship docked on the German side of the river and we took a bus across the bridge for a quick tour of part of Strasbourg. When we were dropped off, we split up into smaller groups. As usual, my family chose the “leisure” group – the kind designation for those of us who needed a slower pace.

We stopped for photos of the beautiful Ill River which wanders through picturesque parts of the town. Our walk took us past the Palais du Rhin – the German imperial palace constructed in the late 1800s and the Place de la Republique (formerly called Kaiserplatz). There we saw an impressive memorial, erected after World War I. It features a mother with her two dead sons –one who fought for France, the other for Germany – a sad situation which would be replayed in World War II.

In the heart of the historic district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we stopped at Place Broglie, a long space, once the site of jousting knights. It is surrounded by historic buildings including the Strasbourg City Hall, housed in an 18th century structure. At Christmas, the area attracts two million visitors annually to its monthplus Christmas Market.

Our ultimate destination was the spectacular Strasbourg Cathedral. This Gothic beauty with Romanesque roots was built between 1015 and 1439. On the way we passed a number of small shops including a bakery where we saw a window display featuring pastries including kugelhopf, a favorite regional dessert which incorporates fruits and nuts. Another shop was full of gingerbread items in a variety of shapes.

Because we were there on Easter Sunday morning, we had to admire the church from the outside. Hundreds of sculptures adorn the façade of the building. A large, rose window is installed above the main door and above the window are niches with figures of 11 apostles. The soaring spire, completed in 1439, made the cathedral the tallest building in the world. Today it is the world’s sixth tallest church.

I’d love to go back some day and see the interior – particularly the stained glass, the oldest pieces of which date back to the 12th century. Although the church was damaged in World War

II, the stained glass windows had been removed and stored by the Nazis in a salt mine near Heilbronn, Germany. Hitler intended to turn the church into a symbol of German nationalism. If you’ve seen the movie “Monuments Men,” this is the group that recovered the windows.

My time was running short, but we had a bit of free time, and I wanted to see the particularly photogenic area known as Petite France. I was told that it was close by and given directions.

One person’s close is another’s quite a walk. By the time I reached the edge of the district, it was time to go back to the ship. I did get a couple of pictures, but not as impressive as the ones I have seen which feature lots of half-timbered buildings, trees, flowers, and the Ill River.

We were met on the ship by Chef Karl and Maitre d’ Gil with plates of colorful macarons. In case you aren’t familiar with them, they are French, almond meringue-based, ganache-filled cookies in pastel colors – not the same as coconut macaroons.

We were in for another treat later in the afternoon. Chef Karl, who, in addition to being an excellent chef is also a talented raconteur, gave a cooking demonstration (enlisting the help of two unwary passengers). The culinary creation was flammkuchen – an Alsatian cousin of a pizza. The name – flame cake – refers to the tradition of cooking it in a wood-fired oven. The crust is more like flatbread than regular pizza crust and the toppings a bit different. It looked simple enough to make and the chef handed out recipes. I haven’t tried it myself – but if you’re brave, here is the recipe.

Flammkuchen

Dough:

1 c. all-purpose flour

½ tsp. salt

3 – 4 tsp. olive oil

1/3 c. water

Topping:

2 T. sour cream

½ red onion, thinly sliced

½ c. firm farmer’s cheese or Monterey Jack cheese grated

2 slices prosciutto, chopped

Preheat oven to 475° F. Combine flour and salt in a bowl; stir in oil and water until mixture begins to stick together. Knead well until dough form. Let dough rest 30 minutes. Divide into 2; dust a piece of parchment paper with flour and roll out to 1/8 inch thick; repeat with remaining dough. Transfer dough and parchment to baking sheets. Spread dough with sour cream, sprinkle with cheese, onion and prosciutto. Bake until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Makes four servings.

For a slightly different take, google Flammkuchen Viking Cruises. This recipe uses bacon, white onions and a bit of wine. I’m sure Alsatian cooks have many variations – not only savory ingredients but also dessert versions.

Petite France, an area is the historic district, is considered the city’s most picturesque spot.

Elaine

Chef Karl holds up a flammkuchen ready for the oven.

The Strasbourg Cathedral, which took 400 years to complete, is an important element in the city’s historic district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Democrats concerned over audit

Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd and House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson released the following statements regarding the Single Audit Report for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2021.

“The findings in the state auditor’s report are deeply concerning. The people of Oklahoma entrust their elected officials to make decisions on their behalf and allocate their hard-earned dollars to improve their lives. The corruption, fraud, and abuse revealed in the auditor’s report betrays their trust. It is especially alarming the funds in question were intended to provide pandemic relief. Oklahomans desperately needed help to navigate the upheaval of COVID-19, and those state leaders failed them. Oklahomans deserve better.” – Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City.

“House Democrats have and will continue to sound the alarm on the lack of accountability and transparency in state government. We issued formal letters to the state auditor and attorney general because of our concern about the inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars. Throughout this legislative session, we fought against the private school voucher program that would shield public taxpayer dollars from accountability and transparency, but the supermajority overwhelmingly passed legislation that would divert public dollars to pay for private schools. It’s clear Republican leadership, at all levels of state government, has not prioritized addressing the systemic issues that allow for the misspending of public taxpayer dollars.” – House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City.

1,700 electric fans

Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company (OG&E) recently donated 1,700 electric fans to seniors and families with low income across its service area to help these residents stay safe and cool during the hot summer months.

Throughout the month of June, OG&E volunteers handed out 1,700 fans to residents in Oklahoma and Arkansas who may be at higher risk for heat-related injuries and illnesses. To ensure fans were distributed to members in the community who need them the most, the electric company partnered with local nonprofit organizations that serve these vulnerable residents.

“For many, the summer is about relaxing and having fun, but for our more vulnerable community members, it can be a dangerous time,” said Joyce Willis, president of the Garden Oaks Neighborhood Council in Oklahoma City. “We are thankful to have a partner like OG&E who truly cares about improving the quality of life for our neighbors.”

Since the program’s inception in 2006, including this year’s donations, the electric company has provided more than 19,000 fans totaling nearly $304,000 to thousands of residents in the service area.

"We want our customers to be safe and cool in the summer heat,” said Lindsay Laird, community outreach manager at OG&E. “Our fan donation program is an effective way for us to help residents in the areas we serve. We are grateful for the opportunity to give back to our customers and provide assistance during these hot months.”

Redlands Neighborhood in Edmond held a July 4th Children’s Parade on June 24, then had refreshments at the Redlands Playground Park with lemonade and patriotic cookie. The parade was led by Boy Scout Troops 79, 479 and 6079.

OG&E donates

Boy Scouts treat neighborhood to ‘red, white & blue’ parade & fun.

New dental provider in Edmond

Revive Dental recently held a ribbon cutting with the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate their grand opening at 15260 Lleytons Ct.

Dr. Ronisha Durham is an OKC native with a big heart for spreading smiles in her hometown. Her early love for dentistry stems back to shadowing her childhood dentist at the age of 15. She saw firsthand how happy, strong smiles can transform a person’s life, and that is when she knew she wanted to become a dentist.

Flash forward, and Dr. Durham is the owner and founder of Revive Dental - her dream practice. With over 10 years of experience under her belt, Dr. Durham is reimagining what it means to visit the dentist. She has created a fun, stress-free experience that patients of all ages can look forward to. She cares about getting to know you as a person

and a friend, so you feel truly heard, known, and valued as her patient.

When it comes to dental excellence, you’re in the best hands with Dr. Durham. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences at Oklahoma City University and achieved her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Baylor College of Dentistry at Texas A&M Health Science Center in 2012. She’s also a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, providing her patients with superior quality and results in dental implants, cosmetic dental care, and restorative dental care. She’s always learning more to give her community the highest level of care.

Revive Dental was built from the ground up and opened its doors in April 2023. At the core of their care, they want to see the Edmond community come alive with confidence. Not only are they

UCO speech-language preschool taking applications

The University of Central Oklahoma's Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) therapeutic preschool now is accepting applications for the summer and fall 2023 semesters. The preschool offers morning and afternoon sessions, each lasting half a day, four days a week, for children aged 3-5 with communication delays and disorders.

The framework of the SLP therapeutic preschool will include playbased learning, which will allow children to develop and practice new social and cognitive skills around self-directed play activities. Additionally, the program will provide individual and small-and-largegroup therapy that will address communication needs and academic readiness.

"Our program has experienced significant growth in enrolled children, benefiting both our students and graduate clinicians,” said Amy Thomas, director of the UCO SLP therapeutic preschool.

“Witnessing the tremendous progress made by our children this past year has been incredibly fulfilling, and we're excited to continue building on that success in the year ahead."

The goal of the program is to en-

well as promote their overall development through a multisensory and multimodal communication approach that includes voice, sign language, written word and pictures.

The UCO SLP program, part of the UCO College of Education and Professional Studies, has been providing therapy services to individuals in the Edmond and greater OKC area since 1964. The program offers students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree. UCO’s SLP students practice their craft through the UCO Scott F. McLaughlin Speech and Hearing Clinic. Under close supervision of licensed/certified staff and faculty, senior and graduate student clinicians provide individualized treatment and evaluations for clients through various speech and hearing services.

In Oklahoma, there is a critical need for speech-language pathologists. The profession is included on Oklahoma’s “100 Critical Occupations” list, with a projected growth of nearly 20% in available SLP jobs by 2030.

For more information about UCO’s SLP therapeutic preschool or admissions, visit go.uco.edu/therapeuticpreschool or contact slpkids@uco.edu.

renewing and restoring smiles at their office, but they’re also reviving hope and confidence in our city. They have partnered with Dress For Success Oklahoma City to help bring this vision to life. For every 20 new patients they see at Revive Dental, they will provide an entire outfit of professional attire to a woman entering or re-entering the work force.

This amazing non-profit exists to help women realize their full potential and break the cycle of poverty by providing an ongoing network of support, professional attire and the developmental tools needed to thrive in work and life. As a women-owned practice with a like-minded mission, Revive Dental couldn’t imagine a more meaningful way to give back to the community they love most.

To learn more about Revive Dental visit Dental

Chamber officials and others welcome Revive Dental to Edmond.

Film amusing & a ‘breath of fresh air’

By George Gust

“Asteroid City” follows a writer on his world-famous fictional play about a grieving father who travels with his tech-obsessed family to small rural Asteroid City to compete in a junior stargazing event only to have his world view disrupted forever.

In a film landscape of buzz words like “intellectual property” and “artificial intelligence” writer/director Wes Anderson stands as a direct counterpoint. As a filmmaker, Anderson is in rarefied company of film directors who bring a unique and personal style to each of their films that is recognizable to general audiences and hardcore film buffs alike. With this recognizability, it can become easy to write off Anderson’s films as being a copy of a copy of his previous films, but with “Asteroid City” the signature filmmaking style and 1950s setting is a beautiful backdrop to tell one of Anderson’s more complex and dense stories to date.

The story structure of “Asteroid City” is the largest barrier to entry for general audiences. There’s a nesting dolls element to the way in which “Asteroid City” plays out that is disorienting at first, but as the story progresses, you’re able to see how the layers add to the characters’ emotional arcs as you join in with the story discovering the same

epiphanies along with the characters. As the film switches between aspect ratios, black and white to color you’re reminded that these visual aesthetics and production design are unlike the nostalgia fueled safe filmmaking of summer blockbusters and worthy of the price of admission. Without having to be one hundred percent understanding of every 1950’s Hollywood and pop cultural references you’re still able to enjoy the world that is created in the film.

Much of the criticism of Anderson’s films revolves around the emotional distance that is found in the deadpan delivery of the esoteric dialogue. In

“Asteroid City” this distance and dead pan delivery is still present, but the performances of Jason Schwartzman and Scarlett Johansson bring what could be flat dialogue to life. Johansson in particular was able to bring so much character to her limited screentime with a piercing and haunting performance that utilizes the vacant and deadpan in an effective way.

Overall, “Asteroid City” is a breath of fresh air for film goers looking for a unique film that is tied to the past in an interesting way that doesn’t feel like a heartless attempt to exploit your nostalgia. This film is listed as a comedy but isn’t particularly laugh out loud funny, instead it is endlessly amusing with its quick wit and visually entertaining sequences. Upon first viewing the story to “Asteroid City” may be quite hard to follow, but the incredibly well-crafted production design and visual style make this film an entertaining experience for Wes Anderson fans and general audiences alike.

“Asteroid City” is rated PG-13 for brief graphic nudity, smoking and some suggestive material.

3.9 out of 5 stars

To reach George Gust for a comment on this review, please e-mail gust.george@gmail.com

Answers on Page 19

Lankford likes ruling

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) last week issued the following statement celebrating the Supreme Court decision in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, which affirms a Colorado business owner’s right to exercise her free speech:

“The Supreme Court once again affirmed that the government should never have the power to compel speech or threaten Americans with fines to force them to say things they disagree with. A diverse nation has diverse opinions that should be heard and respected. Compelling speech does not honor diversity. The Supreme Court firmly upheld Americans’ First Amendment rights and ensured no one is forced to speak against their will or conscience.”

Background Lankford and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) led a bicameral amicus brief for this case. The petitioner, Lorie Smith, runs the website design company 303 Creative and cannot provide custom services for same-sex weddings without violating her Christian faith. Under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act

Crossword Puzzle

Answers on Page 19

Long time Wes Anderson collaborator Jason Schwartzman stars alongside a calvcade of talented actors (including Tom Hanks) in the 1950s set dry comedy ;Asteroid City.’

Agency has advice for storm damage

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) is available to assist Oklahomans affected by the recent severe storms that swept through Eastern Oklahoma over Father’s Day weekend. Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready encourages residents to contact the OID with insurance questions or concerns at 1-800-522-0071.

“Navigating through the insurance claim process during this time can be confusing and stressful. I would like to remind all Oklahomans that we are here to help if you are overwhelmed by the insurance claim process or have issues with your insurance agent or insurer,” Commissioner Mulready said.

Commissioner Mulready also said understanding your coverage and deductible amount is important to decide whether you want to file a claim. If your damages do not exceed your deductible, the repairs will be an out-of-pocket expense.

The OID shares some commonly asked questions and the answers about storms and home insurance coverage:

Will my insurance company pay for repairs if a fallen tree damages my roof? Your policy has a list of covered perils; if the tree falls on your house because one of the covered perils occurred, then the company would pay to remove the tree from the roof and repair the damage to the house. Insurance is not responsible for wear and tear or neglect, so if you have a dead and unsafe tree, they could deny coverage if it just topples from being dead.

A tree fell and landed in my yard. Will my insurance pay to remove it?

Typically, fallen trees are not covered unless it has fallen on your house or driveway. It will cover damage to your fence, roof, troughs, windows, porches and outbuildings. However, debris removal from your yard, in the absence of physical property damage, will generally be at your own expense.

If a neighbor’s tree caused

damage to my property, are they responsible for damages?

Only if your neighbor was negligent would their policy pay for your damage. If the damage is from an act of nature, then the neighbor is not liable, and you would need to file the loss with your insurance company or agent.

A storm caused my tree to fall on my car. Will my homeowners insurance pay for the damage to my car and to remove the tree?

The homeowner’s policy pays for damage to the home and for liability when an insured is negligent. In this case, you would need to file the claim with your auto insurance carrier to have the vehicle repaired. If you only had liability coverage, then you would be out of pocket for repairs or replacing the vehicle.

Does homeowners insurance cover the cost of a hotel in the event of loss of power?

In the event of a covered loss, like fire, and your house is uninhabitable during repairs, unsafe living conditions, or loss of utilities, temporary lodging costs are often covered. However, homeowners insurance policies generally won’t pay for additional living expenses such as a hotel room simply because of an offpremises power outage. You would have to have a direct/physical onpremises loss before most insurance carriers would consider Additional Living Expenses (ALE) reimbursements for hotel stays. I encourage you to contact your insurance agent to determine if your policy would provide ALE for your particular situation.

Does homeowners insurance cover spoiled food after a power outage?

The homeowner's insurance policy generally pays for food spoilage as long as the power outage was caused on your premises. Ask your agent or adjuster to verify how this scenario would be adjusted as it would follow your policy language. Finally, take pictures, keep a detailed

list of the food items you had to throw away, and share it with your adjuster. This will assist the adjuster in assessing the loss.

When it comes to effectively submitting home insurance claims, the most important thing is to immediately document the damage to your property. Take photographs of the

damage and make a list of everything you want to show the adjuster. Contact your insurance provider to get clarification and details regarding your policy. For more information, please visit our post-disaster resource page at www.oid.ok.gov/AFTER or call OID Consumer Assistance Division at 1-800-522-0071.

Edmond AMBUCS celebrate many accomplishments

Edmond AMBUCS held their Annual Installation & Awards Banquet on Saturday, June 2nd at Pepperoni Grill. Our club was joined by David Feisal, District Governor who conducted the installations. We were also joined by Gordon Shaw, Region Director, and Donna Hingtgen, National President-Elect. Past National President, Scott Buckelew was sworn in as President of the Edmond Club for 2023-24. We are looking forward to his Presidency in the coming year. We would like to thank Wayne Pettigrew for his fantastic service as President for 2022-2023. With his leadership the following accomplishments for our Edmond club include; We welcomed 53 new members, 6 new Big Hat leaders and we are currently ranked as one of the top Superior Clubs of Ambucs nationally. We provided 19 Amtrykes to children with physical disabilities, built 6 wheelchair ramps and sponsored 9 Physical Therapy Scholarship applicants. We raised over $10,000 in our club-sponsored fundraisers to help local charities and we provided community service to local organizations in all four quarters. We heard from over 40 excellent speakers and kept out membership informed on events, organizations and issues on the local, state, region and national level! We hosted our first ever Christmas Samaritans program and helped bring holiday joy to over 20 children in need!

The 2023-2024 Board Officers were also sworn in. The incoming Board officers consist of Chairman Wayne Pettigrew, Vice President Steve Reeser, Treasurer Charlotte Nutt, Sergeant at Arms Patricia Ayling, Secretary Carole Fields, and Board Members Qt Lloyd, Kirsten

Land, Heston Bush, Andrea Buckelew, Galen Brinson, Terry Lanham and Judy Courtney.

Qt Lloyd was elected as Big Hat President for 2023-2024. She was also awarded Rookie of the Year. We would like to thank Terry Lanham for her service as former Big Hat President.

Kelly VanOsdol was named Project Manager of the Year for his work on our very successful fundraiser Trivia Night. Steve Reeser was named AMBUC of the Year for his outstanding service and commitment to our Edmond club.

Three members were presented with Lifetime Achievement Awards Monty Courtney, Carole Fields, and Terry Lanham. This award was given last year to June Cartwright for membership of at least 20 years and the member has stayed active and involved. “Being recognized with this award really means a lot to me. I have been a member of Edmond Ambucs since 2000 when Leah Kessler was planning to retire and she asked me to take her place in this club. I am eternally grateful she chose me.” Terry Lanham.

Edmond AMBUCS has a bright future ahead of it with all of these officers, and the growth in the coming years will be significant.

Finally, we would like to remember Jim Buckelew and June Cartwright who passed away in the last year. They gave their lives to AMBUCS and will be deeply missed by all.

Ambucs is a nationally recognized 501c3 organization. We meet every Friday at UCO in the Nigh Center Cherokee Room at noon for lunch. For more information or to be our guest for lunch please contact Edmond.Ambucs@gmail.com.

Past National President Scott Buckelew. left, is sworn in by David Feisel, District Governor as the 2023-2024 Edmond Club President, he has been a member of the Edmond Club since 2001. His father, Jim Buckelew was to be sworn in but he passed away suddenly earlier in 2023 and Scott wants to continue the plans he and his dad discussed for the future of the Edmond Club.

The 2022-2023 President Wayne Pettigrew. right, presents Monty Courtney with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Courtney has been a member of the Edmond Club since 1980, just 4 years after the club was chartered. Courtney has chaired the New Member Orientation Committee, served as Big Hat President, chaired the Amtryke recipient coordination and pulls the Amtryke float in the LibertyFest parade annually.

Hough Ear Institute working to help Kimray leader & millions more

Busy CEO hoping research can help his tinnitus

Thomas Hill serves as Chief Executive Officer of Kimray, a leading manufacturer of valves and controls for oil and gas production. Kimray began in 1948 and employs more than eight hundred people at its production facility in Oklahoma City and service centers throughout the United States.

Thomas Hill

Thomas leads Kimray while also suffering from tinnitus and hearing loss. If you ask him, his symptoms are “not that bad,” but he recognizes that his hearing issues, while mild, are impactful. “As a CEO, I’m

constantly working towards moving forward, mapping out the next 5 to 10 years, and everything I do is laser-focused on setting those projects into motion. I’ve even simplified my wardrobe, so my morning routine is as decision-free as possible. My energy isn’t needed for picking out a pair of shoes; it’s in leading this company. I’m constantly doing things to make me a more effective leader, but my tinnitus and hearing loss do just the opposite.” Hill describes his tinnitus as a tinny sound that’s a mild 10 to 12 dBs at its

lowest and 35 to 45 dBs at its peak. That’s the difference between the hum of a lightbulb and the hum of a refrigerator – not debilitating, but also impossible for Thomas to completely ignore and a constant distraction. “When I’m in a crowded restaurant at a table with 10 people and it’s a particularly bad day for my tinnitus, I can only hold conversations with the person directly next to me or across from me. That’s a very limiting thing when

See Hearing, Page 18

Edmond Chamber welcomes Leadership Edmond Class 38

Class XXXVIII of Leadership Edmond has been selected by the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce. There are 45 members in this year’s class, presented by Edmond Electric.

Leadership Edmond is a 10-session program, coordinated by the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce to identify, educate and develop a select group of Edmond citizens for positions of community leadership.

The program’s goal is to build a resource of community leadership on a planned, continuing basis with four specific objectives. The first two objectives are to identify potential community leaders, and to expand the leadership potential of participants. This is cultivated by increasing the participants’ knowledge of Edmond, informing them of critical issues happening in the community and allowing them to be familiar with community leaders. The third objective is to improve communication between present and future leaders. And the fourth objective is to provide a channel of ac-

cess to positions of community leadership for those not presently in leadership roles. This program provides a backstage pass to the Edmond community.

Class XXXVIII includes: Michael Andres: Acts 2 United Methodist Church; Sara Andrews: GH2 Architects, LLC; Gina Arter: EEDA; Stacy Bozarth: SAB Consulting, LLC; Sharon Bycko: Cox Media; Jim Canton: First National Bank & Trust; Shanna Carnes: Edmond Chamber of Commerce; Angel Connell: Servpro of Edmond; Courtney Curtis: Oklahoma Christian Academy; Jennifer Donahoe: Intrust Bank; Chanel Elgin: INTEGRIS Health; Jodi Fetrow: Visit Edmond; Thomas Fiordelisi: Mr. Handyman of North Oklahoma City and Edmond; Sean Fitzgerald: MidFirst Bank; Ryan Free: First Fidelity Bank; Phillip Gunderson: Flintco, LLC; Anne Hall: Metropolitan Library System; Acey Hopper: City of Edmond - Police Department; Mary Johnston: BancFirst; Joshua Johnston: TEIM Design; Cameron Kay: YMCA; Jayme Kelton: Peaceful Fam-

Expected to open for 2024-25 school yr.

Jr. Achievement seeking learning lab for youth

Junior Achievement of Oklahoma

(JA of Oklahoma), a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young people to own their economic success, is thrilled to announce its capital campaign for the establishment of the JA Experiential Learning Lab in Oklahoma City. The innovative facility, set to open during the 24-25 school year, will be located on the Chesapeake Energy campus, made possible through a visionary partnership with Chesapeake Energy.

"Chesapeake Energy is honored to partner with Junior Achievement of Oklahoma, and we commend their dedication to fostering financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship among young Oklahomans,” said Usha Turner, Chesapeake Energy’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “By opening the doors of this facility, we are creating a space where students can learn, grow, and explore their potential. We believe that investing in the education and development of our youth is paramount to building a prosperous and thriving community in Oklahoma City."

The JA Experiential Learning Lab is poised to become a pivotal educational resource for urban and rural Oklahoma students, providing an immersive environment where they can gain invaluable skills and practical knowledge essential for their future success. This state-of-the-art facility will house Oklahoma City's first JA BizTown, a hands-on simulated city that engages young minds in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and real-world business scenarios. Additionally, the facility will serve as a permanent home for JA Finance Park, enabling students to develop critical financial skills through interactive, real-life simulations.

"With the opening of this new facility, Junior Achievement of Oklahoma will be able to reach more

Oklahoma students than ever imagined,” said Herman Meinders, the Campaign’s Honorary Chairman.

“This organization prides itself on putting the success of students first, providing them with the education necessary to be able to lead their own futures. The construction of a new building in Oklahoma City will cement Junior Achievement’s presence in the area and provide new opportunities that are not currently available to local students."

One of the core tenets of Junior Achievement is to ensure that all students, regardless of their background or financial means, have access to their life-changing programs. The new facility is estimated to cost $2.5 million, which includes the educational and programmatic elements of the building. Through private financial contributions, the organization has already raised $1.5 million.

"Junior Achievement of Oklahoma is proud to embark on this capital campaign to establish the JA Experiential Learning Lab in Oklahoma City," said Shannan Beeler, President of JA of Oklahoma. "We are immensely grateful to Chesapeake Energy and Herman Meinders for their unwavering support and their commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders. This facility will provide students with hands-on learning opportunities, equipping them with the skills necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving global economy."

The JA Experiential Learning Lab represents a significant milestone in JA of Oklahoma's mission to foster financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness skills among young Oklahomans. By bringing the facility to the Chesapeake Energy campus, students will have access to a dynamic learning environment and gain practical experiences that will shape their future endeavors.

ily Oklahoma; Heather Lawrence: Arvest Bank; Devin Lawrence: Oklahoma Christian School; Britley Little: Anna's House Foundation; Ning Liu: FSB Architects + Engineers; Quintana Lloyd: Pete Reeser Properties; Justin Lockwood: Crossland Construction; Erin Logan: University of Central Oklahoma; Maci Majors: University of Central Oklahoma; Luis Mendoza: Regent Bank; Jamey Mullin: ServiceMaster by Eagle Eye; Colton Murphy: Oklahoma County; Tabitha Narvaiz: UShine, Inc.; Tristan Newbold: Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority; Emma Oubelkacem: Citizens Bank of Edmond; Lorie Prater: Edmond History Museum; Kevin Pyle: First United Bank and Trust Co.; Jennifer Rader: Rader Building Co; Tami Shaw: Edmond Public Schools; Gina Stanley: TTCU Federal Credit Union; Nancy Williams: Mercy; Luke Williams: RCB Bank; Edith Quinonez: Lofi Dental; April Jolley: Turning Point Ministries.

To learn more about Leadership Edmond, visit EdmondChamber.com/LeadershipEdmond.

people are counting on you to represent the company and forge important relationships. You can have the best ideas in the room, but if you can’t communicate them to others, those ideas never become tangible projects. Even if someone has minor tinnitus, it limits their ability to connect.”

Thomas’ tinnitus is also coupled with hearing loss, enough hearing loss that it was suggested he try hearing aids, but as he said, simplicity is what he’s after, and hearing aids would be another thing he has to remember every single day. There are also limitations to hearing aids; they have to be adjusted, and their batteries have to be charged and/or replaced. Even the best hearing aids will eventually need repair, and they still aren’t guaranteed to “fix” his hearing issues. That’s why the research at Hough Ear Institute (HEI) caught his attention.

HEI’s mission is to restore hearing through research, teaching, and humanitarian efforts until all who have ears can hear. HEI’s work centers around developing therapeutics to preserve or restore natural hearing without the use of devices. HEI scientists, in collaboration with the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), have developed one drug, called NHPN-1010, to address cochlear nerve damage and tinnitus and another drug formulation, AOK-1, to regenerate lost cochlear hair cells; the latter of which is licensed

by Boehringer Ingelheim. Both drugs are in the clinical development pipeline.

“There is so much more to hearing loss and tinnitus than simply not being able to hear,” CEO, Dr. Richard Kopke explained. “Hearing is the most relational of the 5 senses, and when it’s lost or damaged, it can have catastrophic consequences practically, physically, and emotionally. Patients are passed over for jobs and promotions, speech and language development are greatly impacted, traditional education is a far more rigorous task, and they have a higher risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Even worse, they will isolate themselves to keep

from being a ‘burden’ to others, have a higher chance of suffering from anxiety and depression, and in some cases, be suicidal. That’s why we’re so passionately pursuing better hearing treatments. We hope much more than hearing is restored by our medicines.”

Hill instantly connected to HEI’s mission and wanted to use his talents to help push their drugs into clinical trials and beyond. “There aren’t many people who can say what they’re doing is literally going to change the world, but the medicines HEI has developed will literally change the world. When I hear about something like that, I have to be part of it.” Thomas joined HEI’s board in 2022.

The institute seeks funding for NHPN-1010’s continued development. Donations will help HEI support clinical trials and harvest clinical indications to support this first-in-class therapeutic and support outreach programs that serve individuals that face challenges associated with these conditions.

About Hough Ear Institute

Hough Ear Institute is a non-profit organization committed to restoring hearing worldwide through research, teaching, and humanitarian efforts. HEI is pursuing the dream “that all who have ears will hear.” Hough Ear Institute is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For more information, email ptimmons@hoghear.org or visit www.houghear.org.

Hi and Lois

Shoe

Zits

Family Circus

Beetle Baily

Blondie

Hägar the Horrible

Dr. Matthew West, Hough Ear Institute.

What’s involved in balancing the state budget

By State Treasurer Todd Russ

Across the country, the core constitutional objective for state governments during their legislative sessions is passing a state budget. The same is true for Oklahoma.

As the State Treasurer, I serve on the Board of Equalization (BOE), which is comprised of six statewide elected officials and one appointed official. The BOE provides an estimate of all revenue that’s available to be appropriated for the upcoming fiscal year.

Using this estimate, the Governor presents an executive budget proposal during his State of the State address, House and Senate leaders hold committee hearings to consider additional spending requests, and then negotiations ensue.

The Oklahoma Constitution and statutes require the approval of a balanced budget for the next fiscal year. In order to provide some breathing room, appropriations are limited to no more than 95% of certified revenue estimates.

The wisdom of our forefathers is clear. Compared to many states, Oklahoma has stringent budgeting standards. These conservative principles are designed to prevent deficits and the accumula-

tion of massive and unmanageable debts.

Reaching a consensus is never easy. The Governor and members of the House and Senate will usually have different ideas on how best to allocate the funds to move the state forward.

As a former State Representative, I fought for my constituents and communities and expected my colleagues to do the same. When our priorities were not aligned, we had to find a way to work together and iron out the differences. The back and forth of this year’s budget negotiations show this tradition continues.

Since representatives of our government are free to express their differences of opinions, the final

outcome is usually more reflective of the entire state’s needs and goals. The approved budget makes record investments in education, reduces the tax burden on small businesses, and saves money for future rainy days and needed infrastructure investments.

No budget is perfect. Each elected official would craft something different if working alone. However, this is not how the system works, nor should it be.

The hard-won agreements of last session were accomplished within the parameters of our balanced budget requirements and will lay the foundation for a more secure future.

The Oklahoma Constitution and statutes require the approval of a balanced budget for the next fiscal year.