Edmond Life and Leisure - October 3, 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 2.

UCO remains unbeaten

See page 8

Fall - a great time To be in Edmond

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4

Sunny High 91° Low 60°

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5

Sunny High 90° Low 63°

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6

Sunny High 90° Low 57°

By Jennifer Thornton Tourism Director

Visit Edmond

We like to tell visitors that Edmond has small-town charm with big city experiences. With 13.4 miles on Route 66, favorite roadside attractions include a quirky Blue Hippo, the 1889 Territorial Schoolhouse (first school built in Oklahoma Territory) and the “Hallmark Movie” feel of downtown Edmond with 40 blocks of shopping, dining and year-round festivals. Visitors from across the nation and around the world enjoy free parking and experiences that include history, public art, local flavors, family-friendly events and vintage shopping. Spending the night is easy at 13 hotels and 115 vacation homes. Fall weather is the perfect time to explore 47 miles of trails and 33 parks! “Lovers Rock” at Fink Park has initials and pledges of love carved in a cluster of sandstone in the middle of a shaded area. A suburban oasis, Hafer Park is located amidst shopping and dining. Complete with multipurpose trails, an adjacent baseball complex, performance stage, a pond with flocks of geese and ducks, and inviting playgrounds, the park is perfect for picnics that linger, hammocks, exercise and playdates. Mitch Parkis a spacious recreational area in North Edmond. Adventure awaits with an accessible playground, pollinator gardens, pond, an amphitheater, community programming and classes in the Multipurpose Activi-

Center (MAC). The

golf course, the Mathis Skate Park, primitive and paved trails. Bickham-Rudkin Park is in South Edmond, an expansive dog park sits at the entrance. Follow the trail through an urban pollinator prairie, beside a well-populated fishing pond that serves as home to turtles and all varieties of wild birds. Beyond the park lies the Margaret Annis Boys Centennial Arboretum, which connects to Oklahoma Christian University’s Eagle Trail. Find more fun things to do in Edmond at visitedmondok.com.

ty

park holds sports fields, a disc

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Hafer Park in bloom this fall season.

Two girls enjoy an Edmond park.

From the Publisher

Schools need to teach critical thinking

There are two items I would add to our elementary curriculum if I were King for a day. They are classes in critical thinking and personal finance. Many school systems will tell you they do both, in junior high school or high school. Both are too late. I will tackle critical thinking today.

I saw a story over the weekend on how Finland teaches critical thinking skills starting in elementary school even as young as six years of age. Too soon? I do not think so folks. They work hard at encouraging that kids can still be creative and enjoy their fantasy world but what they teach is how to tell the difference and know when you are playing make believe. They do not want to become dream killers for young children.

it was automatic which is what Finland is trying to instill at an early age. Students can use critical thinking to explore characters, themes, and language, understand what the writer is trying to tell them, and then decide using this information.

So, why is critical thinking so important for your students after they leave school?

1. Because higher education and jobs require it.

The fundamental truth is that critical thinking is vital for graduating students to achieve a successful academic and/or working career. It is not just doctors, lawyers, and detectives; no matter what career students aim toward, having good critical thinking skills will help them stand out against their peers. Critical thinkers can problem solve, so when the hiring manager asks, “how would you solve this issue?” they are directly asking candidates to prove they can think critically.

One of the main roles of a teacher is to help prepare students for their futures. Critical thinking and the inevitable outcome of mastering that skill means we can trust that our students have everything they need to make informed decisions.

This means that when students face challenging situations and adversity, they are equipped with the tools needed to overcome them.

4. Because it helps students think independently

If we think back to Paul’s definition of critical thinking, he said that critical thinkers can comprehend their thoughts. Knowing how others think and how we think can lead to understanding ourselves better. We learn what our motivations are and how we prefer to reach these goals.

Finland always ranks at the top for education skill in their country. They spotted the same problem as many other countries in that getting folks to be critical of what they see on social media is key. Taking at face value all the junk that is out there leads to a more divided society. Most countries are trying to educate the adults but wisely Finland has started to build a culture of critical thinking by starting so young and let it propagate through out the rest of their country.

The lack of critical thinking is not new. I had a friend who was a college professor in the early 1990’s and she was astounded at the lack of critical thinking of her first-year students. She was shocked that they would so readily not question advertising they saw. Of course, we did not have the social media to deal with, but her prediction back then was that if we did not educate students in the secondary education system about the importance of critical thinking it was going to be a big problem. She was so ahead of her time on this one.

What is critical thinking?

Critical thinking is "thinking about thinking." It is a way of deciding if a claim is true, false, or sometimes true and sometimes false, or partly true and partly false. It can be split into two key areas, logical fallacies and cognitive bias. A cognitive bias is when someone makes a bad choice that they think is an excellent choice. A fallacy is a misleading argument that might sound true and may even be based on truth but is in fact false. Social media is full of both.

It can be easy to assume that critical thinking is simply the ability to analyze to decide. While that is true, there is so much more to it. Students need to see both sides of an issue and welcome new evidence that challenges their ideas, insist that claims be backed by facts, draw conclusions from the evidence, and solve problems.

Dr Richard Paul said, “Critical thinking is the art of thinking about thinking in an intellectually disciplined manner…they analyze thinking, they assess thinking, and they improve thinking.” Effective critical thinkers will first analyze why someone thinks the way they do, evaluate quality and reliability and use that evidence to inform their judgment.

This type of thinking is, of course, imperative for English and Drama classrooms which is where I remember being taught the process in high school. It was expected that you would apply this process to any book we were assigned to read and best of all

It is also what makes us human. A computer, along with AI, can recite facts, analyze data and draw conclusions, whereas a human can do this while also considering circumstances and emotions. In a world where technology poses a threat to some job roles, critical thinking is the tool to ensure that students stand out against both peers and computers.

2. Because it is needed to process the news

We are all faced with fake news, biased information, and propaganda more. The rise of social media is playing a massive role in how we all consume our news, which means we all must ensure that we are thinking critically about everything we read.

The ability to debate source reliability is necessary to help us understand what fact is and what is an opinion. After we have discovered and analyzed that, we can then draw our conclusion on the information we are being told. So, whether it is choosing whom to vote for, deciding whether to see a film with a fantastic review, or digesting a major international incident, we simply would not be able to do this without critical thinking skills.

3. Because it supports students to make better decisions about their life

This means that we can change parts of our lives to ensure that we are content. We can analyze parts of our lives that do not give us joy and adjust them to help ensure that we have overall happiness.

5. Because, well, everything else

The truth is that the list of why students need critical thinking skills is never-ending. In addition to the above, this crucial skill helps with communication, improves relationships, allows for creativity, supports mental well-being, and so on. Critical thinking skills are vital for just about every aspect of a student's life.

Maybe critical thinking is a buzzword in schools now, but the reason is very, very important. And as vital as the skills are after students leave school, the fundamental learning of the skill must begin in the classroom.

Declining and stopping the lack of critical thinking is splitting this country apart. We need to change the culture to get folks to talk with each other and thinking about what the other person is saying. Too often folks either refuse to listen to someone else’s logic or even worse assume it is flawless. One of the educators in Finland put it this way, “You have a right to your opinion but not a right to alter the facts.”

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

---- You don’t want to miss the Haunted Radio Station....................Page 5.

“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

The University of Central Oklahoma invites the community to celebrate Asian culture at the 24th Asian Moon Festival from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 10, in UCO’s Plunkett Park, located on the west side of campus. Hosted by the UCO Asian American Student Association (AASA), the festival is free and family friendly. Inspired by the Chinese Moon Festival, the event is a traditional celebration of the fall and harvest season. Pictured is a lion dance performance at a previous Asian Moon Festival on UCO’s campus.

UCO gets ready for Moon Festival

The University of Central Oklahoma invites the community to celebrate Asian culture during the 24th Asian Moon Festival from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 10, in UCO’s Plunkett Park, located on the west side of campus.

The family friendly festival, hosted by the UCO Asian American Student Association (AASA), is inspired by the Chinese Moon Festival, a traditional celebration of the fall and harvest season.

The Asian Moon Festival is free and features Asia’s rich cultures and performances, including a traditional lion dance performed by the Oklahoma City Hung Viet Dragon and Lion Dance Association, lawn games and kid’s activities. Tao Cha Café will be onsite to provide food, which will be free for the first 100 people.

For more information, contact the UCO Office of Student Engagement at se@uco.edu or call 405471-3456.

Oklahoma Homebuilders celebrate model home

OklaHome Homebuilders recently held a ribbon cutting with the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate their Parade of Homes grand opening featuring their new model home.

OklaHome Homebuilders is a 100% custom homebuilding company specializing in building homes on land. They're excited to present their new model home now open for the Parade of Homes! This European Manor style home is named "Grand Manor", full of classic design style and intrigue. Located right off of I-35 on a private 2.5-acre wooded lot offering a way to have country privacy that comes with acreage and still making it a low-maintenance homesite.

The meandering drive is reminiscent of the welcome to a grand manor soiree. Custom designed by OklaHome’s inhouse architectural and interior design team, this home is like no other and will be a unique one to tour. Historically inspired with classic elements such as a grand curved staircase, 20ft French stucco fireplace and whimsical wallpaper. Discover the secret study hideaway and private Mother-inlaw suite on the first floor.

Fall in love with the Chef’s kiss kitchen with Thor appliances, creative storage solutions and a working butler’s pantry. The carpentry craftsmanship in this home is like no other. Truly a work of art. This home is Instagram worthy and Pinterest-perfect. We’re thrilled to invite you to experience it with us!

OklaHome Homebuilders is a 100% custom homebuilding company specializing in building homes on land. With in-house architectural and interior design services as well as land-experts, they love bringing your forever home dreams to life! Call 405-509-2299 to schedule a complimentary design appointment today. Tour this home for yourself during the OKC Parade of Homes Friday, September 27 through Sunday, Oct 6,12-6 pm, 1551 N Midwest Blvd, Edmond OK

To learn more about OklaHome Homebuilders or the Parade of Homes check out their websites, https://www.paradeofhomesok.com/, and https://oklahome.com/, or give them a call at (405) 509-2299.

Army band to perform Oct. 26

The 145th Army Band, also recognized as the “Governor’s Own,” will play a public concert on Saturday, October 26, from 1-3 p.m. at the Oklahoma History Center. The band will play selections including jazz, show tunes, classics and patriotic music. There is no charge for the event, but seating is limited, so an early arrival is recommended. The event will be held in the Devon Great Hall of the Oklahoma History Center, located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr. in Oklahoma City. It is free and open to the public. For further information, please call 405-522-0765.

The band has a long, successful

history. It was organized and federally recognized on August 31, 1918, in the Oklahoma National Guard at Oklahoma City as the Band Section., Headquarters Company, 2nd Infantry.

The group has traveled all over the world and participated in numerous wartime campaigns in Sicily, Naples, Rome, Southern France, Ardennes, Central Europe and Korea. Always in demand, the 145th Army Band is called the “Governor’s Own” and performs at the governor’s request while still maintaining its role as an active recruiting force for the Oklahoma National Guard.

Business marks relocation

McMullen Insurance AgencyCountry Financial recently held a ribbon cutting with the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate their relocation. At Country Financial they are more than just Insurance. 9 out of 10 recommend them and they work hard to provide the best support possible. They’re honored to have more clients return every year. They show up for you, they’re not about gimmicks and one-size-fits-all-solutions-they’ve committed to getting you the coverage and protection that's right.

They are Insurance that does more. Forbes has named COUNTRY Financial the top life insurance provider in the U.S. in its most recent “World’s Best Insurance Companies” edition. COUNTRY received the first place ranking out of forty other U.S. life insurance com-

panies that were considered.

The honor is based on clients’ overall recommendation, satisfaction, their loyalty to COUNTRY and five subcategories, including advice and client services. COUNTRY also placed seventh out of thirty U.S. companies considered for auto insurance and eighth out of thirty U.S. companies considered for homeowners’ insurance. Their office has been greatly honored to be serving the Edmond community and wants to thank you all for the chance to help the citizens. It's because of you that they are in the position they are in now and can expand and bring more people to their team!

To learn more about McMullen Insurance Agency- Country Financial, give them a call at (405) 898-6905.

The Edmond Chamber held a ribbon cutting for the McMullen Agency.

Oklahoma Homebuilders, and the Edmond Chamber, show off a new model home.

‘Haunted Radio Station’ coming to museum Oct. 11

Edmond History Museum’s 1940s Radio Theater presents: The Haunted Radio Station on Friday, October 11th @ 6:30-7:45 pm. The show features three shows in one: comedy, suspense, and an original melodrama — all with hauntingly spooky themes.

“This show is designed to leave you in….Suspense!” Listeners from the Golden Age of Radio will remember hearing this famous show introduction, and now, you too can experience the riveting broadcast first hand while watching this live reading performance. The show is sponsored by Hyperion Realty.

Devilstone is a Suspense episode in which a man goes to investigate his house in Ireland that is claimed to be haunted. The episode, aired 1962, is considered the last official radio show of the

Golden Era. The museum selected Devilstone because its current exhibit, On the Air in Edmond, inspired by Edmond’s first FM Radio Station, which began at Bill & Gail Payne’s home in 1962.

The show also includes a light-hearted comedy skit from 1947 called Haunt Me a House, in which a real-estate agent and his wife buy a house to resell––but customers are scarce when it turns out to be haunted. Mysteriously, while the actors are performing the skits for the audience, the radio show technicians behind the scenes might be experiencing some unusually spooky happenings of their own at the station.

The 1940s Radio Theater is a national award-winning performance series hosted by the Edmond History Museum and directed by Barrett Huddleston. The one-hour and fifteen minute show features live

local musicians and actors reading from historic radio scripts, with the addition of original material. Be aware that The Haunted Radio Station is performed in the (allegedly un-haunted) historic armory.

Tickets cost: $16 each, $14.40 for museum members, children are $5. Hot chocolate provided. The show is suspenseful, but suitable for elementary-aged children. Purchase tickets at EdmondHistory.org. The show will be performed live at the Edmond History Museum, 431 S. Boulevard in Edmond. (Note: This show was originally scheduled for Oct 10th).

Museum Information: Edmond History Museum hours are 10:00-5:00 Tuesday – Friday, and 1:004:00 Saturday. Please visit the museum website at www.edmondhistory.org or by calling the museum at 405-340-0078 to learn more.

The Circus Radio Show performers. — putting on a show at the Edmond History Museum.

(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.)

Sept. 16

Ryan James Westerhoff, 26 of Edmond. Possession of drug paraphernalia, possess CDS and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

Jessica Dawn Ellenburg, 39 of Edmond. Obstruction of police officer, possess CDS and domestic abuse assault (dangerous weapon.)

Anthony Ryan Crocker, 33 of Edmond. Child abuse and lewd or indecent proposals or acts to child under 16.

Sept. 17

Joshua Arash Fardadfar, 28 of Guthrie. Take or receive debit or credit card, possess drug paraphernalia, possess CDS and (possession of stolen vehicle) unauthorized use of vehicle or implement of husbandry.

Desirae Star Cloud, 34 of Oklahoma City. No proof of insurance, driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked and two counts of failure to appear.

Ryan Michael Hamilton, 26 of Edmond. Biochemical attack (felony),

interruption/disruption interference with emergency phone call, obstruction of police officer and domestic abuse assault (strangulation).

Dante D. Angelo Sanders, 30 of Edmond., Domestic abuse assault (dangerous weapon).

Sept. 18

Allison Danielle Hope Thomas, 23 of Edmond. Failure to appear.

Tyson Alexander Nephew, 29 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Brooklyn Darnelle, Jackson, 24 of Oklahoma City. Misdemeanor warrant.

Windell Antonio Franklin, 45 of Edmond. Possession of firearm after conviction of felony, possess drug paraphernalia, failure to maintain compulsory insurance, driving with license canceled, suspended or revoked and possess CDS.

Sept. 19

Chadwick Christopher Lavender, 48 of Edmond. A felony warrant and a misdemeanor warrant.

Donna Ann Gohman, 57 of South Daytona, Fla. Felony warrant.

Melinda Rose Leclair, 39 of Ponca City. Public intoxication.

Sept. 20

Devon Leeann Lowe, 41 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.

Anthony Troy Mishion Jr., 43 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Marshala Nicole Pete, 31 of Okla-

homa City. Speeding (16-20 mph over), no proof of insurance and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Heather Rose Miller, 44 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

Ju Sun, 58 of Oklahoma City. Failure to appear.

James Earl Shockley, 42 of Edmond. Felony warrant.

Alexah Kaysean Bonds, 29 of Oklahoma City. Possess drug paraphernalia and possess CDS.

Rodney Lane Chambers, 65 homeless. Failure to appear.

Travis Don Horton, 30 homeless. Felony warrant.

Shawn Michael Lowe, 40 of Oklahoma City. Misdemeanor warrant.

Zane Eric Phillips, 25 of Stillwater. Transporting open container of intoxicating beverage or beer and felony DUI/APC.

Sept. 21

Jennifer Jean Satterwhite, 60 of Edmond. Felony warrant.

Bruce Gregory Brunswick, 56 homeless. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Macie Mario Daniels, 36 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Shiloh Wayne Haddox, 27 homeless. Pedestrians walking along roadways and non-assault resisting officer.

Richard Raymond Vlha, 41 of Oklahoma City. Shoplifting.

Anthony Troy Mishion Jr., 43 of Edmond. Trespassing after being warned and non-assault resisting officer.

Anna Louise Contreras, 47 of Edmond. Obstruction of police officer and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of anything other than alcohol.

Sierra Shyann Simpson, 33 of Edmond. Child endangerment and (misdemeanor) personal injury accident while under the influence.

Sept. 22

Justin Brian Stone, 42 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication.

Ulah Gertrude Ustinov, 35 of Oklahoma City. Expired tag — over three months, driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked and failure to appear.

Mason Landon Jim, 21 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Samantha Ann-Marie Henderson, 34 of Edmond. Driving with license canceled, suspended or revoked and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

Cougar Amos, 36 homeless. Nonassault resisting officer and public intoxication.

Tonya Jean Lesseg, 51 of Edmond. Trespassing after being warned and possession of marijuana.

Fudhil Abbad, 31 of Edmond. Failure to appear.

Weekend Calendar of Events Oct. 3-6

Weekend Calendar of Events Oct. 3-6

---- In the Gallery

---- Kingdom of David and Solomon Discovered

---- Outdoor Edmond Farmer’s Market

---- VIBES: Downtown Edmond’s Art Experience

---- Frenzy Events

---- Board Game Night

---- $2K Cookie Contest

---- Jewel and Melissa Etheridge

---- National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Events

---- Fright Fest & Kids Boo Fest

---- Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch

---- Fall Festival at the Orr Family Farm

---- Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma Presents: Once on this Island

---- The Rocky Horror Picture Show

---- Guthrie Haunts

---- Magnified: Macro Photography Exhibit

---- Civic Center Music Hall presents: MJ the Musical

---- Oklahoma Historical Society Research Center Book Sale

---- Scissortail Park Night Market

---- ARTonTAP

---- Pumpkinville

---- Oklahoma Regatta Festival

---- Vintage Market Days

---- First Friday Gallery Walk

---- Dinner Detective Comedy Mystery Dinner Show

---- Brick Convention – LEGO Fan Event

---- Guthrie Crazy Days

---- Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show

---- UCO Symphony Orchestra in Concert

---- TENTTOBER

---- Claude Hall’s Original OKC Gun Show

---- Chef’s Tasting at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark

---- Red Coyote Runtoberfest 5K

---- Workshop: Fall Japanese Floral Arrangements

---- Wanderlust Market & Pop-Up Shops

Extra Information

In the Gallery

Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute

Extra Info: Thu, Oct 3: Gallery Opening@ 5 – 7 p.,m.; Featuring Mark & Jennifer Hustis & William Mantor; free; Gallery is open Mon – Thu; 9 a.m. –5 p.m.; edmondfinearts.com

Kingdom of David and Solomon Discovered

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 and Farmers Market

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

VIBES: Downtown Edmond’s Art Experience

Location: Downtown Edmond

Extra Info: Thu, Oct 3; 6 – 9 p.m.; Free; edmondvibes.org

Frenzy Events

Location: Frenzy Brewing Company

Extra Info: Fri, Oct 4: Shortt Dogg$15; Sat, Oct 5: Oktoberfest @ 12 p.m. – 12 a.m.; frenzybrewing.com

Board Game Night

Location: MAC in Mitch Park

Extra Info: Sat, Oct 5; 6 – 10 p.m.; edmonkok.civicrec.com

$2K Cookie Contest

Location: Twisted Tree Baking Company

Extra Info: Sun, Oct 6; 4 – 6 p.m.; $30; twistedtreebakingcompany.com

Jewel and Melissa Etheridge

Location: Showplace Theatre, Riverwind Casino

Extra Info: Thu, Oct 3; 7 p.m.; riverwind.com

National Cowboy & Western

Heritage Museum Events

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage

Museum

Extra Info: Fri, Sep 27 – Sun, Nov 17; tcaa.nationalcowboymuseum.org

Fright Fest & Kids Boo Fest

Location: Frontier City

Extra Info: Sat, Sep 14 – Sun, Oct 27, open select days; sixflags.com

Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch

Location: 720 S Henney Rd, Arcadia, OK

Extra Info: Wed, Sep 18 – Sun, Nov 3; Wed –Fri: 1 p.m. to dark; Sat: 10 a.m. – dark; Sun: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; parkhurstranch.com

Fall Festival at the Orr Family Farm

Location: Orr Family Farm

Extra Info: Sat, Sep 21 – Sat, Nov 9; orrfamilyfarm.com

Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma Presents: Once on This Island

Location: Wed, Sep 18 – Sun, Oct 6; Wed & Thu: 7:30 p.m.; Fri: 8 p.m.; Sat & Sun: 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; lyrictheatreokc.com

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Location: The Boom!, OKC

Extra Info: Fri, Sep 20 – Mon, Oct 28; ticketstorm.com

Guthrie Haunts

Location: 4524 Riverside Circle, Guthrie, OK

Extra Info: Sat, Sep 28 – Sat, Nov 9; open Fridays, Saturdays & Halloween; 7 – 11 p.m.; guthriescaregrounds.com

Magnified: Macro Photography

Location: Myriad Botanical Gardens

Extra Info: Sat, Sep 21 – Tue, Nov 12; myriadgardens.org

Civic Center Music Hall presents: MJ the Musical

Location: Civic Center Music Hall; 201 N Walker, OKC

Extra Info: Tue, Oct 1 – Sun, Oct 6; Tue – Thu: 7:30 p.m.; Fri: 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; Sun: 1:30 p.m. & 7 p.m.; okcciviccenter.com

Oklahoma Historical Society Research Center Book Sale

Location: Oklahoma History Center

Extra Info: Wed, Oct 2 – Sat, Oct 5; Wed – Fri: 10 a.m. – 4:35 p.m.; Sat: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; okhistory.org

Scissortail Park Night Market

Location: Scissortail Park, 300 SW 7th St

Extra Info: Fri, Oct 4; 5:30 – 10 p.m.; scissortailpark.org

ARTonTAP

Location: Oklahoma City Museum of Art

Extra Info: Fri, Oct 4; 7 – 10 p.m.; okcmoa.com

Pumpkinville

Location: Myriad Botanical Gardens

Extra Info: Fri, Oct 4 – Sun, Oct 20; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; myriadgardens.org

Oklahoma Regatta Festival

Location: Boathouse District

Extra Info: Fri, Oct 4 – Sun, Oct 6; riversportokc.org

See Calendar, Page 7

Vintage Market Days

Location: Chisholm Creek

Extra Info: Fri, Oct 4 – Sun, Oct 6; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; events.humanitix.com

First Friday Gallery Walk

Location: Paseo Arts District

Extra Info: Fri, Oct 4; 6 – 9 p.m.; thepaseo.org

Dinner Detective Comedy Mystery Dinner Show

Location: Skirvin Hilton OKC

Extra Info: Sat, Oct 5; 6 – 9 p.m.; thedinnerdetective.com

Brick Convention

– LEGO Fan Event

Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park

Extra Info: Sat, Oct 5 – Sun, Oct 6; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; brickconvention.com

Haunt the Zoo

Location: Oklahoma City Zoo

Extra Info: Sat, Oct 5 – Sun, Oct 27; Saturdays & Sundays: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; okczoo.org

Guthrie Crazy Days

Location: 110 W Harrison Ave, Guthrie, OK

Extra Info: Sat, Oct 5; guthriechamber.com

Grand National & World

Championship Morgan Horse Show

Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park

Extra Info: Sat, Oct 5 – Sat, Oct 12; Shows daily: 9 a.m., 1 p.m. & 7 p.m.; Wed – Sat show: 6:30 p.m.; gnwcmhs.com

UCO Symphony Orchestra in Concert

Location: Mitchell Hall at UCO

Extra Info: Sat, Oct 5; 7:30 p.m.;

calendar.uco.edu

TENTTOBER

Location: Mitch Park

Extra Info: Sat, Oct 5 – Sun, Oct 6; 3 p.m. – 12 a.m.; edmonkok.civicrec.com

Claude Hall’s Original OKC Gun Show

Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park

Extra Info: Sat, Oct 5 – Sun, Oct 6; Sat: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun: 9 a.m. –4 p.m.; okcgun.show

Chef’s Tasting at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark

Location: Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark

Extra Info: Sun, Oct 6; 4 – 7 p.m.; fevo-enterprise.com

Red Coyote Runtoberfest 5K

Location: Fassler Hall, OKC

Extra Info: Sun, Oct 6; redcoyoterunning.com

Workshop: Fall Japanese Floral Arrangements

Location: Myriad Botanical Gardens

Extra Info: Sun, Oct 6; 1 – 3 p.m.; muriadgardens.org

Wanderlust Market & Pop-Up Shops

Location: Wheeler Ferris Wheel

Extra Info: Sun, Oct 6; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; revolve-productions.com

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.

Kalen Robinson as Ti Moune, Delanie Phillips- Brewer as Mama Euralie are part of the Lyric Production of ‘Once on This Island’ — now being presented by Lyric Theatre.

ONG donation to help Edmond Mobile Meals

Every day, there are elderly and disabled Edmond residents who cannot prepare meals for themselves. Volunteers from Edmond Mobile Meals make sure they don’t go hungry.

A new donation from Oklahoma Natural Gas will double the daily number of nourishing meals the nonprofit can prepare to 400. Edmond Mobile Meals and Oklahoma Natural Gas held a check presentation and tour on Thursday at the charity’s newly renovated headquarters.

“This new kitchen allows us to target food insecurity, hunger and social isolation like never before,” said Cristi Twenter, executive director of Edmond Mobile Meals. “Our work is more than a meal for our clients, and increasing our meal output helps us cast a wider net.”

Volunteers' meals and daily contact allow homebound residents to remain independent and in their own homes. Edmond Mobile Meals has served over 1.1 million meals.

The over $32,000 donation purchased new natural gas stoves, ovens and other equipment and finishings. The 50-year-old nonprofit began serving meals from the renovated building this month.

“Edmond Mobile Meals serves 100 square miles, which takes hundreds of dedicated volunteers and a dependable energy source to cook the food,” said David Williams, vice president of operations at Oklahoma Natural Gas. “These new natural gas appliances will provide years of reliable, efficient energy to help Edmond Mobile Meals continue its great mission.”

About Oklahoma Natural Gas

Oklahoma Natural Gas provides safe, clean and reliable natural gas to serve more than 918,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Oklahoma. We are the largest natural gas distributor in the state in terms of customers. We are a division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a stand-alone, 100 percent regulated, publicly traded natural gas utility that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.” ONE Gas is included in the S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States.

For more information, visit the websites at oklahomanaturalgas.com or onegas.com. For the latest news about Oklahoma Natural Gas, follow us on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

In the photo are Edmond Mayor Darrell Davis, far leftt, as well as members of Edmond Mobile Meals and the Edmond City Council and employees of Oklahoma Natural Gas.

Bronchos win again, 49-24

No. 23 Central Oklahoma's high-octane offense kept rolling in Week 4 to the tune of a 49-24 MIAA win over Fort Hays State.

The Bronchos scored 21 points with 252 yards of offense in the first quarter. UCO didn't stop there. Central Oklahoma led 35-10 at halftime and star wide receiver Terrill Davis already had over 200 yards receiving and four touchdowns.

Jett Huff, the nation's leading passer, went 22-for-26 for 367 yards and five touchdowns. Davis finished with nine receptions for 217 yards and the four touchdowns.

"The guys did a great job of executing the gameplan," UCO head football coach Adam Dorrel said. "Jett and TD did such a great job, but everyone did too. The o-line did a great job of pass protection and making way for the run. And our defense was really good. Fort Hays is a good team and I'm really proud of the guys, all of them, for tonight's effort."

Central Oklahoma had 591 yards of total offense by the end of the night. The Bronchos had 383 yards passing and 208 yards rushing.

Jaylen Cottrell, who is among the best in the country in yards per carry, tallied 134 yards on 11 carries – an average of 12.2 per rush.

Dylan Buchheit led the defensive effort with nine tackles. Jack Puckett had eight, and Kobey Stephens, who had one interception in the end zone, had six tackles and a sack.

Davis hauled in his first touchdown on UCO's first possession of the game. After forcing a Fort Hays State punt, the Bronchos quickly put together a 7play, 89-yard scoring drive that ended with a 49-yard touchdown. Central took a 7-0 lead after the 1:52 drive.

Davis scored again from 62 yards on the next possession, capping off a 3play, 80-yard scoring.

Cottrell scored to end the first quarter with 34-yard touchdown reception to give UCO the 21-0 lead.

Fort Hays finally got on the board in the second quarter, but the Bronchos still outscored the Tigers 14-10. Davis caught his third touchdown on a 21-yard strike from Huff. He added a 26-yard touchdown to give UCO a 35-10 lead with two minutes left in the first half.

Cottrell got a bulk of his yards in the third quarter on one play. The junior running back, who scored an 83-yard touchdown in 2022 and a 85-yard touchdown in 2023, scored on a 79yard touchdown run in that put the Bronchos in front 42-10.

William Mason, who finished with 55 yards on 11 carries, scored on an 11-yard touchdown run as the Bronchos outscored Fort Hays State 14-0 in third quarter to take a commanding 49-10 lead.

Central Oklahoma is back on the road in Week 5, taking on Missouri Southern Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. in Joplin, Mo. The Bronchos return home Oct. 12 to take on NW Missouri. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. f

20, 1969.

Metro college marks its 52nd year

Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) celebrated 52 years with Founders' Day events last week on Sept. 25.

OCCC traces its beginning to March 20, 1969, when a committee of the South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce was organized to circulate petitions asking the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to establish a junior college in the area.

South Oklahoma City Junior College opened for classes on Sept. 25, 1972, with an enrollment of 1,049 students. In 1983, the name was changed to Oklahoma City Commu-

nity College. "Fifty-two years ago, our founders had a vision for a community-focused institution of higher education in south OKC," said Dr. Mautra Staley Jones, president of OCCC. "Today, OCCC remains committed to our founders' vision and mission of 'Student Success. Community Enrichment.' While we have grown significantly over these past five decades, our values and dedication to serving our students and community remain the same. I'm excited about our recent accomplishments and optimistic about the future of the college."

OCCC was founded on March

Terril Davis scored four TDs and had over 200 yards receiving during UCO’s rout over Fort Hays State Saturday.

By Steve Gust

Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side

Early voting starts State Senator pays visit to the border

Early voting is well under way in many places, including Oklahoma. I should know. I already have my ballot. I haven’t mailed it back yet, but I will. This is the election which draws the most folks to the polls. In case you missed it, we have an election for president. I imagine first time voters will scratch their heads a bit looking at that race on the ballot. Most people should know this, but we use the Electoral College to decide who will lead the country. In addition to Trump and Harris there are three slates of independent candidates, including Robert Kennedy Jr., who has dropped out of active campaigning and endorsed Trump. When you vote for president you’re voting for a slate of electors. On the ballot there is a list of names of electors we’ve never seen before. Those are the people we vote for – who, in turn, will vote for the candidate of our choice.

A lot of people have tried to get rid of the Electoral College for years. They’d like to see a straight popular vote. I’m not in favor of it. If we had a popular vote, then New York and Los Angeles would decide the election. And those municipalities would

probably have non-citizens voting.

The ballot also has a race for Corporation Commissioner. We found out how vital that office was during the Arctic storm Uri in 2021. Then, the commission voted to allow us to be billed for decades for a few days of natural gas charges. But I digress. We also will vote on a bunch of judicial retention races for State Supreme Court judges, criminal appeals court judges and civil appeals court judges. It will probably be the first time most voters have seen their names.

Toward the end of the ballot, there are state questions 833 and 834. The first one deals with infrastructure and I’ll have to pencil out 20 minutes to read it. Lots of legal language there. On the other question, I highly urge everyone to vote a resounding yes on 834. That makes it mandatory that only U.S. citizens vote in Oklahoma.

In Edmond there will be a bond issue and I urge everyone to study the issue and the improvements the city has planned for this wonderful city.

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

Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, visited the U.S.-Mexico Border to complete a three-day training provided by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). The course gave lawmakers and law enforcement officers a first-hand look at the crisis at the southern border and offered insight into the actions and infrastructure needed to secure entry points into the United States and apprehend those attempting to illegally cross the border.

“There is a legal and safe pathway for entry into the United States, but the Biden Administration’s failure to secure the southern border has allowed our nation to be infiltrated by millions of individuals who have ties to cartels or are involved in human or drug trafficking,” Hamilton said. “This training allowed us to hear from law enforcement agencies who have witnessed this invasion firsthand and have successfully apprehended millions of individuals at the southern border.”

Opposition to amnesty program

Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and John Cornyn (R-TX), along with their colleagues, introduced the Visa Integrity Preservation Act, which would close a loophole in current law that the Biden-Harris Administration used to grant amnesty to over 500,000 illegal immigrants in a June 2024 executive action.

“Our wide-open southern border is a national security crisis enabled by the Biden Administration’s weak policies,” said Lankford. “Biden’s executive actions are granting amnesty to illegal immigrants who have broken the law. Instead of enabling illegal immigration, this bill will end this amnesty and ensure those who cross the border or overstay their visa face penalties for breaking the law.”

“For almost four years, the Biden-Harris Administration has waived their magic amnesty wand to create unlawful programs that allow any and every person to enter and stay in the US—legally or not,” said Cornyn. “By strengthening the laws already on the books, our legislation would root out this massive pull factor while also preserving the integrity of our employment-based nonimmigrant visa program, and I’m grateful to my colleagues for their support.”

Lankford serves on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and is the lead Republican on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management. Lankford and Cornyn were joined by

Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Budd (R-NC), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Steve Daines (R-MT), Katie Britt (R-AL), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and Marsha Blackburn (RTN) on the bill.

Current US immigration laws do not allow illegal immigrants who overstay their visas to reenter the United States for up to 10 years if they leave, and those who illegally enter the US are not allowed to reenter at all. The law also requires that temporary visa applicants interview abroad at a US consulate before they can receive their visas, so illegal immigrants are not eligible to regularize their status using the temporary visa programs. The law does allow the US Secretary of State to waive the consular interview requirement, but only on a case-by-case basis where in the national interest of the United States or in emergency situations.

In June 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a new initiative to grant amnesty to over half a million illegal immigrants, including spouses of American citizens. As part of that initiative, President Biden and Vice President Harris waived the consular interview requirement for nonimmigrant visas, enabling immigrants who have illegally entered the US or overstayed a visa to obtain temporary work visas.

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.

“FAIR’s border training is a must for any public official. The increased awareness of how to combat human trafficking and fentanyl are essential to our public safety and national security,” Hamilton added.

The training also highlighted successful strategies implemented by the State of Texas to apprehend illegals, including partnerships between state troopers, local law enforcement, and landowners. Physical borders such as walls, fences, and buoys have also been successful in stopping attempts to illegally cross the border. Hamilton pointed to successful efforts in the Shelby Park area in Eagle Pass, Texas where there were more than 6,000 apprehensions in December of 2023, and only one in August 2024.

“It is unknown exactly how many people are illegally occupying states across our nation, but estimates indicate it is more than 12 million,” Hamilton said. “We must continue collaborative efforts between law enforcement, state governments, and the National Guard to apprehend these individuals before they can make their way into the U.S.” Hamilton added that the statistics related to the border crisis are staggering, as more than 1.4 million individuals were apprehended in 2022, and more than 521,000 apprehensions have occurred so far in 2024. More than 21,000 children have been trafficked through the Rio Grande Valley Sector alone, an area spanning roughly 320 miles of river and 250 miles of coast.

“Oklahoma legislators and law enforcement recognize that every state is now a border state. We are dedicated to finding enforceable solutions to this crisis,” Hamilton said. Hamilton was joined at the FAIR training by Undersheriff James Collins and Deputy Kevin Gray of the Haskell County Sheriff’s Office; Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton; Senator-Elect Avery Frix; and District 27 Drug Task Force Supervisor Tim Turner. The group hopes to return to the border next year along with additional legislators and law enforcement officials.

House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, DOklahoma City, released the following statement after the State Superintendent announced at today’s State Department of Education meeting that OSDE will request $3 million from the legislature to fund bibles in public school classrooms.

“The State Superintendent continues to ignore the Oklahoma Constitution,” Leader Munson said. “He wants to use millions in public taxpayer dollars to fund religion in public schools — something the majority of Oklahomans are adamantly against — while Oklahoma public schools remain some of the most underfunded public schools in the nation. Oklahoma ranks 45th in the United States for perstudent expenditures and Oklahoma public school teachers are paid more than $10,000 less than the national average salary for public school teachers. There are major gaps in funding public education in Oklahoma, and yet the State Superintendent continues to abandon the needs of our public school districts to push for policies that do not benefit teachers, students, or families. He has and continues to fail us and our public schools.”

The surprises offered in western Virginia

By Elaine Warner

One of the best-known tourism slogans ever –Virginia is for Lovers – could read Virginia is for Everybody. Perhaps most people think of spots like Williamsburg, Mount Vernon and Monticello in eastern Virginia. These are important places, but I’m finding surprises in the far western part of the state – cool little towns like Blacksburg and Christiansburg with beautiful mountain scenery, swift-flowing rivers, and great food and, yes, wine.

These two communities are tucked in a valley between the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains. The heart of the valley is the New River. The name is oxymoronic as geologists believe this is one of the oldest rivers in the world, the result of the collision of the African tectonic plate with the North American plate some 300 million years ago.

Members of the press trip were staying at the Inn at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. Pardon my ignorance, but it’s not in the Big Twelve or even the SEC. So I wasn’t prepared for the massive and magnificent campus and I quickly understood that Virginia Tech and its mascot, the HokieBird, were a very big deal in the area.

Opened in 1872 as Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, the school changed names several times, finally settling on. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. That’s a mouthful, so people just call it Virginia Tech. The mascot, the HokieBird dates back to the last century when a football fan would bring trained turkeys to the games to entertain the crowd. The Tech teams adopted the name The Gobblers, which morphed somehow into the turkey-like HokieBird.

Most of the buildings on campus are constructed from Hokie Stone, dolomite from the university’s own quarry, which produces approximately 50 tons of stone per week. The campus covers 2,600 acres with more than 213 buildings. The Inn entrance features stone column topped with glass triangles – striking architecture. And my room and the restaurant were wonderful.

The town is delightfully diverse with great historical elements plus an exciting young vibe. In a quick tour of the downtown area, I found a great independent book store – not only a place to buy books, but a gathering place with cool activities. My favorite section was labeled “Non-boring Nonfiction.” And they have a comfy kiddy corner and a community poetry project that changes weekly. Blacksburg Books is definitely not boring.

Close by was Sugar Magnolia, an ice cream parlor and gift store with a real family feel and superfriendly employees. The ice cream was good, too. My blackberry pomegranate sorbet really hit the spot.

Food is always an interesting element to me and our selections in Blacksburg were diverse. Contemporary met traditional at Preston’s in the Inn. A definite college vibe and out-door dining accompanied super selections at Cabo Fish Tacos. A romantic Italian meal was a hit at Zeppoli’s and historic offerings, including fried chicken, baked ham, biscuits and cornbread, rounded out the tour at the 1892 Blacksburg Tavern.

Drinks were also on the itinerary. A drive through the beautiful countryside brought us to the 165-acre Beliveau Farm Winery featuring Virginia wines and a million-dollar view. The farm also has a brewery, the only gluten-free brewery in the state, and a charming bed and breakfast facility.

Other breweries we visited included lunch at Eastern Divide Brewing. Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich and the Crab Cake Sandwich were tempting, but, feeling a need to go light, I ordered the Summer Salad with chicken. Turned out, I could have split it with two friends! Beers here are brewed with Virginia grains supporting local agriculture. Some are fermented in oak barrels previously used for wine, bourbon or maple syrup, adding new notes to familiar flavor profiles.

In Christiansburg, we stopped at Iron Tree Brewing, a smaller facility with a real neighborhood feel. And it was pet friendly. The company was started by three Virginia Tech friends who began home brewing. Their brews became so popular at tailgates and among other friends that in 2018, they opened their own brewery. Situated in downtown, it’s a center for members of the community – all ages welcome.

I have to admit – I don’t like beer! So my favorite stop was Moon Hollow Brewing Company back in Blacksburg. Woman owned, LGBTQ+ friendly, their brews reflected lots of personality with selections like Mountain Mist Hibiscus Grapefruit Hard Seltzer and E&F Prickly Pear (pale sour ale with prickly pear puree) along with more traditional Moon Hollow Hefewiesen and Lunatic (an American-style IPA). They won my heart with their non-alcoholic choices and I thoroughly enjoyed Smoked Mint Julep, a craft soda.

Lest you think all we did was eat and drink –there were lots of other activities. We enjoyed a peaceful walk around Pandapas Pond in the Jefferson National Forest. The towering trees, trilling birds, geese paddling on the pond past water lily pads and the fresh air made a refreshing break from our busy schedule.

A stop along the New River gave us history on the area. At New River Junction we toured a family-owned and operated campground and recreational park – the ideal place for tubing in the river.

A good Saturday morning stop at the Blacksburg Farmers Market provided a look at produce and crafts – and a chance to pick up breakfast before

heading to the Hahn Horticulture Garden at Tech. The six acres here include a Trident Maple allée leading into a shade garden, a meadow and stream area and a garden with plantings arranged on the color spectrum. The Hahn Garden is the largest botanical garden in western Virginia and is free to the public.

In Christiansburg, Huckleberry Park was an eyeopener. While the park includes expected areas like playing fields, a dog park, picnic facilities and trails, the thing I found most amazing was the playground area. The playground incorporates activities for all abilities including special equipment for guests with social, emotional, cognitive, physical, hearing or visibility issues. There’s also an adult fitness zone and challenge area.

While in the area, we also stopped at Cambria Station Antiques and Old New River Books – three floors of vintage, antique and hand-made items and books – lots of books. So many books, there’s a wall of them with an arched door – of books. We did all these things – and more – in twoand-a-half days. I always say “Travel writers get one lick off the lollipop but we get lots of lollipops.” Sweet stops are more than available to travelers who take the time to explore the New River Valley in Virginia.

Books are big business at Cambria Station Antique and Old New River Books in Christiansburg. (All photographs by Elaine Warner.)

The scenic Virginia countryside is cuddled by the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains.

Sweet treats are served with a big smiles at Sugar Magnolia in Blacksburg.

Elaine

Eastern Divide Brewing headlines their beer options, but their food offerings shine, too.

Trio of new employees at Arledge

Arledge, an Oklahoma accounting firm, recently announced the addition of three new team members: Amanda Boyer, Abigail Rainwater and Chloe Walker.

Boyer, who earned her MBA at Iowa’s Ashford University, has been hired as a tax supervisor. She also graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration at St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee. She has worked in related positions since 1998.

Rainwater will work as an assurance associate. She graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Rainwater is currently pursuing a master’s degree in accounting and financial analysis at Northeastern State University. She was an intern at Arledge in 2022.

Walker will serve as an assurance associate. She graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Walker was an active member of UCO’s student accounting association and earned several academic awards, including the Cherokee Nation’s Undergraduate Scholarship.

“We always seek to hire excellent team members who represent the commitment we hold to excellent customer service,” said Josh Mullins, partner. “The expertise we seek is evident with Amanda, Abigail and Chloe. We look forward to working with them.”

Arledge, the largest locally owned accounting firm in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, is a recognized leader in the accounting industry offering practical solutions in the areas of tax planning, auditing, consulting, accounting advisory services and client accounting.

Lawmaker selected for leadership program

Rep. Erick Harris, R-Edmond, was recently accepted into the Center for Advancement of Leadership Skills (CALS) development program.

CALS is a five-day workshop that takes selected CALS scholars through activities and instruction focusing on the program's four central components: communication, conflict resolution, consensus building, and critical decision-making.

"As an Oklahoma legislator, I am deeply committed to ongoing growth and development," Harris said. "I want to thank Representatives Dick Lowe and Daniel Pae for nominating me for this prestigious program. I am ready to engage in meaningful conversations and learn from my fellow public servants in state government."

CALS brings together Southern state officials from three branches of government in a strictly nonpartisan environment. The class size is capped at 30 maximum state officials to foster connections among classmates.

According to CALS, completion of the program ultimately helps provide the public with highly skilled, educated, and confident state leaders.

Amanda BoyerAbigail Rainwater

Chloe Walker

Edmond lawmaker Eric Harris

VillagesOKC can help during Medicare enrollment period

Open enrollment for Medicare coverage is October 15 to December 7. With major changes coming in 2025, particularly with drug plans, it is important to do a thorough review of your plan’s changes and decide whether it is still the right plan for you.

Paige Peterson, a Navigating Medicare representative, is now available in the VillagesOKC to answer questions and review your options for 2025 coverage. Office hours are Monday-Thursday from 10 am to 3 pm.

“For six years, Navigating Medicare has been the trusted Medicare educator for VillagesOKC members,” said Executive Director Marilyn Olson. “Now we are able to make it even easier by providing space for them in our Bethany office.”

Olson said local hospitals such as Mercy Health and Integris also trust the agents at Navigating Medicare like Peterson to provide the truth about Medicare Supplements, Advantage plans, and thevfinancial impact of your plan selections.

She said Navigating Medicare and VillagesOKC are both focused on education because it is empowering to older adults.

“It’s very important to see a trusted Medicare agent this year even if you have coverage from last year that you love,” Olson said. “And, don’t rely on information found online or 800-numbers. Navigating Medicare is not associated with any government agency. They are local independent agents.”

Peterson said her personal experience as a hands-on family caregiver changed the course of her personal and professional life in early 2010. She had spent 25 years as an entrepreneur in advancing medical technologies as diverse as cardiac rehabilitation, emergency medicine, anti-aging, and stem cell therapies.

“Nothing prepared me for the challenge of sudden family illness and its devastating impact on financial stability and health care,” Peterson said. “I

felt compelled to help others understand their options with Medicare and senior life planning.”

She has served as an adjunct instructor providing training in Medicare planning, long term care planning, and other retirement and financial issues at numerous universities, community colleges and

the Osher Life Long Learning Institute. She encourages Medicare recipients to make an appointment and bring their Annual Notice of Change, lists of medications, doctors and pharmacies. Appointments may be made by calling (405) 892-8446.

Follow the road map to being prepared

By Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready

This is National Preparedness Month! Established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), this initiative empowers Americans to plan for disasters. Preparing for emergencies can help you weather any storm, so this month, I want to share our Road Map to Ready, a simple blueprint you can follow to get ready.

Step 1: Create an Emergency Communication Plan

Your emergency communication plan should contain three sets of contacts: emergency contacts, key contacts and out-of-state contacts. Your emergency contacts should include family members or close friends with whom you must remain in contact during and after a disaster. Medical facilities, doctors and other critical service providers are key contacts. Lastly, you need at least one out-ofstate contact who can provide information in case of local communication disruptions. Make copies of this list for everyone in your household.

Step 2: Build an Emergency Kit

You need to have essentials available during and after disasters, so having a go-bag on standby is essential. This is a bag that you can quickly grab on your way to safety. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has a list of items you might want to include. To summarize, pack nonperishable food, water, medication, important documents like identification and insurance information and a change of clothes.

Step 3: Make an Evacuation and Shelter Plan

Knowing evacuation routes or where to take shelter can be lifesaving in a disaster. Make an evacuation

or shelter plan for different scenarios. Ensure your household knows where and how to take shelter. In case of evacuation, plan multiple ways to leave your home quickly and choose a place to meet up. Locate nearby places for safety, like a friend’s house or a community center.

Step 4: Address Unique or Special Needs

Be mindful of special or unique needs you must address in the aftermath of a disaster. For example, if you or a family member relies on medication or medical equipment, you will want to include these items in your plans. If you have pets, add their supplies to your go-bag and have their carriers ready to go in case of evacuation or seeking shelter.

Step 5: Stay Informed Updates will help you remain safe and know when to act. Monitor emergency alerts through radio, TV or smartphone apps. Enable emergency notifications on your cell phone. Receiving weather updates is especially important in Oklahoma, so consider downloading a weather forecast app, visiting weather.gov or keeping a battery-powered radio handy.

Step 6: Practice and Review Conduct emergency drills to practice your plan. Remember to review and update your plans as needs change. This way, you and your family will always be ready for emergencies.

Don’t wait for the next disaster to have a plan. Prepare today! To find our Road Map to Ready and other preparedness resources, visit www.oid.ok.gov/getready. If you have insurance questions or concerns, please contact OID at 800-522-0071 or visit www.oid.ok.gov.

Paige Peterson of Navigating Medicare answers questions for a VillagesOKC member in Peterson’s Bethany office at VillagesOKC.

Review of movie ‘Megalopolis’

Famed director’s film far from perfect

By George Gust “Megalopolis”

is the long-awaited passion project of legendary writer/director Francis Ford Coppolla (“Apocalypse Now” “The Godfather”). The city of New Rome is the main conflict between Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver), a brilliant artist in favor of a utopian future, and the greedy mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito.) Between them is Julia Cicero (Nathalie Emmanuel), her loyalty divided between her father and her beloved.

From the opening frames of “Megalopolis” you hear the booming voiceover of Lawrence Fishburne and see the carved titles in lavish Roman style that label the movie “A Fable” and you get the feeling that with this film, all bets are off. Throw your expectations out of the window for what you thought this movie was going to be, because perhaps only Coppola knows what he was trying to convey here. Often you hear of movies that are ride off the rails due to too much studio interference, but in this case the opposite is true; this movie goes off the rails because no one was there to tell Coppola to pull back on some of this film’s disparate elements.

To say “Megalopolis” is an uneven film is gener-

Answers on Page 19

ous to say the least. At the core of the film, the conflict appears to be between the established mayor, Esposito and the wunderkind architect (with magical time freezing powers?) Driver for the future of the fictional city of New Rome. However, the cavalcade of storylines and side characters that rise and fall surrounding this battle of ideas for city planning ranges from baffling to absurd. In one scene you have Dustin Hoffman’s character planning to assassinate another character to two scenes later his character being unceremoniously dispatched in a 30 second CGI sequence leading you to say, “Well I guess that

story is just over now?” The plot, as much as there is one, moves both incredibly fast and slow in this way throughout the film where you can’t tell if a year or a week has passed in story time.

Overall, “Megalopolis” is an overbaked overwrought film from one of the canonically great directors in film history, a trainwreck that you can’t help but watch. In the current era of calculated and safe filmmaking this movie stands alone as a singular vision for better and for much worse. The storytelling is nigh incoherent, and the tone fluctuates from selfimportant optimism to unhinged parody with unbelievable dialogue that strains credibility to the point that you cannot believe it was allowed to make it to screen. Wild and broad performances from Shia Le Boeuf and Aubrey Plaza stand out as adding to the insanity of the heighted world from the mind of the famed filmmaker. Coppola’s storied career has shown very high highs (“The Godfather”) and very low lows (“Jack”), and the misguided “Megalopolis” will certainly fall into the latter category.

“Megalopolis” is rated R for sexual content, nudity, drug use, language and some violence.

1.8 out of 5 stars

and

song film ‘Megalopolis.’

Lankford concerned over debt

Crossword Puzzle

The following is Sen. James Lankford commenting on the national debt.

Famous World Sites ACROSS 1. To grab meat off a grill 5. Tire

“Last week, our national debt stands at $35.4 trillion—a dangerous national security risk. This year alone, Americans will pay over $1 trillion (with a T) in interest on that debt, and the amount continues to climb as our debt grows. This is not sustainable, and everyone knows it.

I’ve repeatedly introduced bills and amendments and delivered floor speeches urging my colleagues to address our soaring national debt and get our spending under control. It’s a conversation I’ve had in Washington, DC since I first started serving, and I will continue to push for real solutions to rein in federal spending. We need to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse wherever possible, focus on what is essential, and spend our tax dollars wisely.

Earlier this month, I gave a speech on the Senate floor reminding my colleagues of what real Oklahomans—and Americans—are talking about around their dinner tables. One of the top concerns is how to avoid government shutdowns and ensure that government operations are funded.

Adam Driver

Nathalie Emmanuel star in Francis Ford Coppola’s ambitious yet misbegotten swan

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD

OMRF receives $3.7 million for Alzheimer's research

The National Institutes of Health has awarded the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation a fiveyear, $3.7 million grant to study immune reactions in the brain that may lead to conditions like Alzheimer’s.

Ultimately, the grant could lead to a new medication that slows or even stops the immune response.

Bill Freeman, Ph.D., the principal investigator on the grant, will lead a study that targets the brain’s dedicated immune cells, called microglia. He’ll also look at a surveillance network that’s constantly on alert for potential threats to the body – and also appears to be implicated in Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases associated with aging.

The surveillance network exists throughout our bodies and is particularly crucial following organ transplantation. Until roughly a decade ago, scientists didn’t think it existed in the brain, Freeman said.

“Turns out it is there, and for reasons we don’t quite understand yet, it becomes more active with aging, especially with conditions like Alzheimer’s,” he said. “This grant is about trying to figure out whether this is happening as a cause or as a symptom of aging and these diseases.”

Freeman hypothesizes that in Alzheimer’s, this surveillance network initially is protective. But at some point, its full-alert mode may become counterproductive and actually worsen Alzheimer’s by altering the function of the brain’s immune cells. If proven true, it would join a list of biological processes that can help the body – only to go on too long and end up causing damage. “When that happens, the cure becomes worse than the disease,” Freeman said.

As part of the new grant, one of Freeman’s collaborators, OMRF scientist Heather Rice, Ph.D., will also investigate changes in amyloid beta pro-

Company marks rebranding

Anchor Lawn & Pest recently held a ribbon cutting with the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate their Rebranding.

Anchor Lawn & Pest emphasizes the importance of a well-organized and proactive maintenance plan to keep lawns in top shape. Through consistent monitoring and thorough inspections, the company enables early identification of potential issues, helping clients save both time and money. Their preventive maintenance techniques not only improve the health of lawns but also ensure they remain lush and beautiful throughout the year.

In addition to lawn care, Anchor Lawn & Pest provides a comprehensive approach to pest control. Their

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tein, which is found in the brain and spinal cord. In Alzheimer’s, the protein forms clumps, or plaques, which can be toxic to brain cells.

“The buildup of these plaques is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s, so I’ll be studying what changes occur in these proteins when the brain’s surveillance network becomes hyperactive,” Rice said.

Freeman said that experiments funded by the new grant should cast new light on a “previously underappreciated” part of the immune system.

“Longer term," Freeman said, “we hope this research will lead us toward a new therapeutic approach to modulate the immune response in the brain – one that can maintain brain health into later years and slow progression of neurodegenerative diseases.”

The grant, RF1AG085573-01A1, was awarded by the National Institute on Aging, part of the NIH.

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OMRF scientist Bill Freeman, Ph.D.

Trhe Edmond Chamber with Anchor Lawn & Pest.

Oklahoma Historical Society is holding its annual book sale

The Oklahoma Historical Society’s John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick Research Center will host its annual book sale from Wednesday, October 2, through Saturday, October 5, at the Oklahoma History Center, located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr. in Oklahoma City. The sale is open from 10 a.m.-4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday. No admission is required to come to the book sale.

The sale will feature thousands of books. For the military enthusiast, this year’s sale will also feature a number of books focusing on military history. In addition to magazines and vinyl records, shoppers will have the opportunity to purchase preservation items. Visitors can also shop for collectibles, puzzles, and Oklahoma playing cards. Reproductions of historic posters, maps, photographs, and more will also be available. For family history researchers, several genealogical publications will be for sale. The Research Center will also offer several framed items for 50% off the regular retail price.

Research Center archives documents, books, photographs, genealogical information, American Indian records, audio, newspapers, maps, oral histories, film and video related to Oklahoma.

The book sale is a fundraiser for the Research Center. Proceeds from the sale will support the Research Center’s efforts to collect items of historical significance, provide programming for researchers and school groups and offer resources online. The

The John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick Research Center is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.

State mapping out ways to boost future workforce

Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, hosted an interim study last month, to examine Oklahoma's current and future workforce needs and how industry leaders and state agencies are working toward solutions.

"Workforce pipelines are crucial to our long-term success as a state," Hill said. "It's critical that Oklahoma continues to innovate and ensure we are prepared to seize every opportunity presented to us."

This is Hill's sixth annual interim study on workforce and economic development since taking office.

"Too often we ask questions, do the study, send the press release, and then fail to follow up, which means we miss the big picture," Hill said. "Over the past six years, I've seen the ideas I heard about in my first few studies grow into programs that have started producing results, and I'm looking forward to seeing how those outcomes improve our state."

Hill invited business leaders from several emerging industries to speak, as well as public officials.

Oklahoma Center of the Advancement of Science & Technology (OCAST) Director Jennifer McGrail said conversations about the innovation economy center on Oklahoma City and Tulsa and sometimes fail to consider the rest of the state.

McGrail said during FY23, OCAST created and retained 1,400 jobs within the state, totaling $74 million in salaries and wages.

OKC Innovation District Chief Financial Officer Kathy Cullen explained that they are primarily focused on the bioscience industry. The District received $35 million through the federal Build Back Better grant, which they've allocated to several projects, including 10 translational research labs dedicated to drug discovery within the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center.

Cullen told the committee that Oklahoma is in an advantageous spot. She said scientists recently began growing knee meniscus in microgravity, as well as experimenting with growing heart tissue.

"We're here to talk about economic innovation, so that’s stuff that’s not currently happening today, it's new stuff," Cullen said. "You're going to need a kidney. They're going to take cells from your body. They're going to take them to outer space and they're going to grow a 3D kidney just for you and they're going to come back and put it in your body and you will not have rejection issues."

Cullen told the committee that one

of Oklahoma's biggest assets was Burns Flat, one of 13 licensed spaceports in the U.S. She also praised the efforts of Jim Bridenstine, former National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) administrator and U.S. representative, to connect aerospace industry CEOs with Oklahoma leaders.

"So if you can land it, produce it, Oklahoma is the entire package," Cullen continued. "So we have some assets sitting here that have been developed with intentionality and what we need is the state to get behind us. We need the state to understand that this is the next 30 to 40 to 50 years."

Dr. Jesse McCool, CEO and cofounder of Wheeler Labs, said Oklahoma is situated to be a top biomanufacturing state, but said there are challenges, including marketing.

"We definitely need to tell a story about how Oklahoma is supporting new verticals and new industries," McCool said. "It's not just an oil and gas state."

McCool said support from the Legislature would go a long way toward making Oklahoma a top destination for biomanufacturing and biotech. He gave the example of Australia, which implemented a rebate program to attract biotech companies and has made them a "go-to" country for phase one clinical trials for biopharmaceuticals.

During the afternoon segment of the interim study, which focused on job seekers, Dr. Cassidy Minx with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education said over the past decade, the total number of engineering degrees increased by 43.1%, while STEM degrees increased by 19.2%.

Minx also spoke about resources OSRHE is developing to connect students with businesses offering tuition assistance, including the recently launched Tuition Assistance Benefit Survey.

"It's a list that we've published on our website of employers that offer tuition assistance in some capacity to their employees," Minx said. "We then share this with our colleges and universities so they can share it with students to connect them with employment so they can see what businesses might offer a tuition benefit to help them continue their education."

Secretary of Education Nellie Tayloe Sanders said that while an educational system that prioritizes reading as the best method of learning works well for most people, it presents many barricades for thousands of people.

Chamber leader marks 20 years with group

By Rose Drebes

As Edmond Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sherry Jordan celebrates 20 years with the organization, she said she really has enjoyed her work.

“I love chamber work because it is all about building relationships and helping people make meaningful connections to grow their business,” Jordan said.

She grew up in southwest Oklahoma and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in accounting. She is a certified public accountant.

After college, Jordan moved to Denver and met her spouse there.

They lived in Colorado for nearly 20 years before moving back to Oklahoma when her husband went to work for Kerr McGee.

With young children at the time, Jordan said she only wanted to work part time. She took a position with the chamber in 2004 as the controller.

“Over time, as the kids got older, I took on more responsibility and programs and eventually started working full time,” Jordan said.

She was promoted to chief financial officer and then senior vice president.

“When my boss and mentor, Ken Moore, was getting close to retirement, I went through the US Chamber’s Institute for Organizational Management program which is four years of course work, similar to getting your masters in nonprofit management,” Jordan said. “Then when he retired, I applied for the CEO job and was promoted to that role in August of 2016.”

She said that Edmond is unique because the community is known for working together to make the quality of life the best it can be.

“We capitalize on the strengths of our community and work really hard to meet a high standard,” she said. “The biggest changes over the last 20 years are the strides we have made in managing the needs of a growing community.”

Her favorite part of serving as president and CEO is developing the staff, Jordan said.

“I take great pride in helping them further their professional development and encouraging them both when they work here and also if they leave to pursue other opportunities,” she said.

To learn more about the Edmond Chamber of Commerce, visit edmondchamber.com.

Official: Safeguard pensions for retirement

By State Treasurer Todd Russ

Understanding retirement plans is crucial for securing financial stability in retirement, maximizing tax benefits, and making informed decisions about contributions and investments. It helps ensure long-term financial health and avoids common pitfalls that could lead to shortfalls in your retirement savings. In Oklahoma, the State Treasurer plays an essential role in overseeing the management of pension funds to ensure they are governed responsibly and transparently.

Pension funds pool money from employees and employers, which is then managed by profession-

als who grow the fund over time, providing retirees with guaranteed monthly payments for life. Because pension funds are long-term investors, they can take on larger, riskier investments, generating substantial returns over time.

401(k) Plans, by contrast, are managed at the individual level with portions of salary contributions. Retirement income is not guaranteed and risk on returns is as good or bad as the market performs. While employees can pool their investments in mutual funds or other collective investment vehicles, the individual account holder doesn’t have the same influence as a large pen-

Tourism leader stepping down

After more than a decade of state service, Shelley Zumwalt announced last week her retirement as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD) to pursue the next phase of her career in the private sector. Zumwalt has served in her role at OTRD since October of 2022.

She began her career with the state in an entry-level position and went on to lead two state agencies during incredible times of crisis. Zumwalt will remain in her position to help with the transition and training for the person who will be the next leader of the agency until her final day in office on October 11th.

Accomplishments during Zumwalt's time in state service include:

Welcomed more than 18 million visitors to Oklahoma and contributing $11.8 billion dollars to the state economy.

Led an overhaul of finance and procurement practices at the agency

while overseeing the transformation of the state park reservation system and point of sale systems.

Led the agency to receive a Heartland Emmy for the "Imagine That" campaign.

Received national recognition from the U.S. Travel Association for having the top Travel Guide in the nation in 2023.

Oklahoma Today Magazine named as Magazine of the Year in 2024.

Took over the leadership role at the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission amid the pandemic in May of 2020 and reopened statewide offices immediately while holding claims events throughout July of 2020 serving over 10,000 claimants in person.

Led the team at the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission to distribute over $5 billion in unemployment benefits to support Oklahomans in a critical time of need.

‘Oklahoma Insurance Day’ is scheduled for Dec. 4

The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) is excited to host the second annual Oklahoma Insurance Day on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, at the Embassy Suites Oklahoma City Downtown Medical Center.

This event aims to bring together key players in the insurance sector to discuss important topics and issues affecting Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Insurance Day is an opportunity for regulators, business leaders, industry professionals and beyond to connect, learn, and collaborate. The event will feature informative sessions, panel discussions and networking opportunities.

“We’re proud to bring together regulators and industry professionals for another Oklahoma Insurance Day,” Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready said. “This

event reflects our commitment to fostering an environment that promotes innovation, consumer protection and a robust insurance market, and we look forward to the valuable insights and connections that will emerge from this event.”

In 2023, the inaugural Oklahoma Insurance Day attracted 125 attendees from across the Oklahoma insurance sector and focused on current risks, resilience and captive insurance.

Registration for Oklahoma Insurance Day 2024 is now open. Those who register before Nov. 4 will receive a special early bird rate.

To secure a spot, please visit www.oid.ok.gov/insuranceday. Follow OID and #OKInsuranceDay on social media to stay informed about the event.

Registration is now open

sion fund.

Due to their size, fund managers wield significant power in the financial markets because of the pension funds they manage. They manage billions or even trillions of dollars, giving them substantial influence over the companies and assets they invest in. Pension funds can take large stakes in companies, giving them a voice in corporate governance decisions, such as board appointments or major mergers.

The concentration of power in large pension

See Pensions, Page 19

Sherry Jordan

Oklahoma accounting firm promotes two of its staff

Oklahoma accounting firm Arledge recently announced two staff promotions.

Cassie Divelbiss, formerly a senior tax associate, has been promoted to tax manager. She earned bachelor’s degrees in accounting and church ministry at Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Divelbiss became a CPA in 2021 and has worked in the field since 2018.

Rylee Treloar was hired as an intern in 2023 before accepting a fulltime role. She was promoted to assurance associate II. Treloar earned an associate’s degree in business from Seminole State College in 2021 and a bachelor’s in accounting from UCO in May 2023.

“Cassie and Rylee have been outstanding employees,” said Jake Winkler, partner. “Promoting from within characterizes our corporate culture. We are

proud to be an Oklahoma-owned employer of choice and look forward to serving our clients with the expertise of professionals trained in-house.”

Arledge, the largest locally owned accounting firm in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, is a recognized leader in the accounting industry offering practical solutions in the areas of tax planning, auditing, consulting, accounting advisory services and client accounting.

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Family Circus

Beetle Baily

Blondie

Hägar the Horrible

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Pensions

funds can be both a blessing and a curse bringing in high risk of breach to fiduciary duty. While they have the ability to shape corporate policies and drive market trends, this power can also be misused. Fund managers might push companies to adopt policies that reflect their personal or political views, rather than focusing solely on maximizing returns for pensioners. This can lead to decisions that do not align with the best interests of the employees whose money is being invested. Transparency and accountability are crucial to ensure that pension funds are managed responsibly. Without proper oversight, risky investments or poor decision-making can threaten the financial security of retirees.

TSET announces two new grant opportunities

The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) is continuing its mission to improve the health of Oklahomans with two new grant opportunities opening this November.

These funding opportunities invite organizations to propose community-driven health projects that will make a lasting impact across the state.

Requests for Applications (RFAs) for TSET Built Environment Grants and TSET Discovery Grants will be posted on the TSET website on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

Applications will be accepted for both grants through Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.

During an investment meeting last month for the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Fund, I, along with three other voting members, heard presentations from five nationally recognized investment firms, all focused on strategies to further grow the endowment fund. Managed similar to a pension fund, this process is essential in ensuring responsible allocation of dollars, diversify our portfolio, and make informed decisions to accelerate growth and maximize returns for the benefit of our stakeholders.

In Oklahoma, my office is working to ensure that pension funds are managed with the highest standards of governance. By serving on numerous state boards, the Treasurer helps oversee pension

investments and enforce strict rules that protect the financial interests of public employees. With years of experience in governance laws and financial oversight, the Treasurer ensures that pension fund managers are held accountable and that their investment decisions are made with retirees’ best interests in mind.

As the Oklahoma State Treasurer, I am actively involved in promoting transparency, reducing risks, and ensuring pension funds remain financially stable. This oversight is essential in safeguarding the retirement futures of Oklahomans, ensuring that pensioners receive the benefits they have earned without unnecessary risks or mismanagement.