Edmond Life and Leisure - January 26, 2023

Dublin Irish Dance will Be at Armstrong Auditorium

Editor’s Note: The following article is about an upcoming performance at Armstrong Auditorium. Please check out Page 7 for other weekend events.

Direct from Ireland, Dublin Irish Dance will perform at Armstrong Auditorium on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 p.m. during their U.S. tour. The ensemble of dancers and musicians will present their new show WINGS–A Celtic Dance Celebration.

“We are pleased to have this prestigious group back with a brand new show,” said Program Director Ryan Malone. “We have a rich Irish dance culture here, and we’re honored to bring such renowned members of that art form to our stage.”

WINGS is a brand-new Celtic dance production featuring exquisite Irish and World champion dancers together with Ireland’s finest musical and vocal virtuosos. Complete with original music and choreography, this ground-break-

ing production, infused with world dance and musical influences, will thrill audiences with its transformative emotional energy and imaginative design.

Tickets start at $45 for adults and $35 for youth aged 6 and up (under 6 not recommended). For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit ArmstrongAuditorium.org or call the Box Office at (405) 285-1010.

Armstrong International Cultural Foundation celebrates its 24th season with its 2022-23 Performing Arts Series. The multi-award-winning Armstrong Auditorium has established itself as a world-class center for the arts in Oklahoma since 2010. The theater has hosted acclaimed local and international performances from a vast array of genres, including classical, jazz, folk music, musical theater, classical ballet, folk dance and more. Designed to provide an exceptional acoustic experience, only 75 feet separate the stage from the back wall, allowing the 823-seat theater to

boast a nine-millisecond initial time delay gap—a measure of remarkable acoustic intimacy. Armstrong Auditorium’s exquisite beauty and warm atmosphere continue to make it an extraordinary venue worthy of its numerous accolades.

Upcoming Shows

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15, 2023

7:30 P.M.

DUBLIN IRISH DANCE

WINGS: A Celtic Dance Celebration

TUESDAY, FEB. 28, 2023

7:30 P.M.

LVIV NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC OF UKRAINE

Brahms “Tragic”, Dvorak “New World” Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1

THURSDAY, MAR. 16, 2023

7:30 P.M.

SILK ROAD CLARINETIST KINAN AZMEH & AIZURI STRING QUARTET Music and Migration

PHOTO PROVIDED

DAR chapter hands out community service award

By: Tammy Ross

The Cordelia Steen Chapter awarded the Knotty Ladies at Touchmark at Coffee Creek the DAR Community Service Award for their outstanding efforts in community service. Judith Harris, a member of the Knotty Ladies, received the award on behalf of the organization during the Cordelia Steen Chapter’s January 15th meeting. The DAR Community Service Award recognizes an individual or organization’s contribution to their community in an outstanding manner through voluntary heroic, civic, or benevolent service. The

Award was presented to Mrs. Harris by the Chapter’s Community Service Award Chair and Vice Regent Mary Poulain, also attending the presentation was OSDAR Community Service Award Chair Gayle Demeyer.

The Knotty Ladies at Touchmark was established in 2013 and consists of Touchmark women residents who have made over 900 blankets for students at Positive Tomorrows School in Oklahoma City. Positive Tomorrows is the only school in Oklahoma for elementary students experiencing homelessness.

Obituary notice

John Carl Hancuff

PRIVATE OBITUARY – DO NOT READ!

1930-2023

J. Carl Hancuff was born at a very young age, near his mother in Pocatello, Idaho on April 23, 1930. He remembered it well as it was an overcast day. He spotted a cute girl in the crib next to him, winked at her and she threw up. He was the youngest of four children born J. Carl and Edith Irene Hancuff. Carl graduated Vancouver High School in Vancouver, Washington in 1948. He was class president, captain of the track team, had his own radio show and was the recipient of the prestigious “Joe Trapper” award. That same year, he moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where he began a lifelong career in sales and entertainment. For 16 years he was the comedic bass of the nationally known Salt Flats barbershop quartet; he entertained and emceed in 41 states and 14 countries including an invitational USO trip to Japan, Okinawa and Philippines. He was a successful sales and marketing professional earning top sales awards at Macklanburg-Duncan and Southwestern Bell Yellow Pages/AT&T. After retirement he worked in special sales at Edmond Life & Leisure.

Carl married “his redhead”, Mitzi Glauser Hancuff in 1966 and moved with his family to Edmond in 1981. Survivors include his wife Mitzi, sons, John (deceased), Chris (Charla), Dane (Lynn), of Salt Lake City, son Casey (Teana) and daughter Kelly of Boise, Idaho, Tracy Hancuff and Carmen Hancuff of Edmond, and Travis (Jonelle) of Atlanta. Carl had 21 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren. Hensley, Brady, Harper and Kira brought him joy and vitality.

His passions included entertaining, fishing, gardening, traveling and making people laugh. He was a friend of Bill W., a cancer survivor and veteran.

(This was a private obituary but you read it anyway didn’t ya?)

In lieu of flowers Carl’s wish was for donations to support Veterans be made to the Carl Hancuff Memorial Fund at Kirkpatrick Bank PO Box 2850 Edmond, Oklahoma 73083. Services to honor Carl’s life were held January 23, 2023, at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel.

The Knotty Ladies are able to make blankets for the needy through financial contributions and fleece fabric donations given by individuals and fundraising.

The Cordelia Steen Chapter is proud to give this award to such a worthy organization. The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting Patriotism, Education, and Historic Preservation. For information on membership go to the Cordelia Steen Chapter Website at: https://cordeliasteennsdar.weebly.com/

Above, from left, are Judith Harris with Cordelia Steen Chapter members, Karen Mosely, Antoinette Carson, Jennifer Belcher and Cathryn Schmid. LEFT — From left are, Gayle Demeyer, Judith Harris and Mary Poulain.

The lovely & talented Carl Hancuff

It is with great sadness that we report the death of our friend and community leader, Carl Hancuff. He and his bride Mitzi have contributed so much to our community. Carl fell asleep in the Lord Monday; January 17th and he will be missed by so many folks in this town. Our prayers are with Mitzi and the entire Hancuff family.

Carl blessed us with his sales ability for over 20 years. I first met him at the buffet table of a party. He asked me what I did, and I told him we were starting a newspaper here in Edmond. I returned the question and he explained that among other things, he had worked for the Yellow Pages most of his career. He had my interest because we needed sales help at the paper and those darn Yellow Pages sales folks could sell the pants off of us newspaper folks.

It was not long after that he started selling our special magazines that come out four times per year along with some other special sections. He enjoyed selling those because like Yellow Pages, he would hit the street running, get the “book” as he called it sold up and then go back to his love of fishing. Carl did not care about the money, but he was more interested in the “jazz” of selling and the fun he had with it. He was great and folks would buy advertising from Carl just to make sure he came to see them four times a year. He really boosted our sales at the newspaper.

Carl did much more than sales for us. He lifted the spirits of everyone in the office and was a terrific ambassador. He was not a stay in the office guy but loved coming by, talking with everyone, dropping off a batch of orders and then off he would go.

When he hit the door he would walk right by my desk to the back room where all the real work happens at this place. “I’m sorry but I don’t have time to talk,” is what he would say. When he was done, he would make my desk his last stop and lift my spirits, always.

You may think the headline is odd. Carl had a better sense of humor then anyone I know. It was even on par with my dad’s sense of humor. When I asked him what we were to put on our masthead he replied, “List me as the lovely and talented Carl Hancuff. We did just that and put it

on his business cards. When he would make a phone sales call, he would start with, “This is the lovely and talented Carl Hancuff” in his deep booming voice. How do you say no to a guy like that?

This was a man that had to stay busy. I came in one Saturday and Carl was in the back of the office remodeling our bathroom. “I thought it needed some work,” he told me. He was right and it looked so much better when it was done. If anything, Carl was a team player. Even though he did not work in our office every day, if you needed him to pitch in and help with the overall effort, he was there and ready to help. Best attitude ever.

I think the hardest I ever laughed with Carl, and there were many times, was during a Christmas lunch at our office. We were having a Dirty Santa gift exchange. It was my turn, so I picked a package from the pile. I thought it felt cold on the bottom but just figured that it had been in someone’s car. When I took off the wrapping paper the box started to move. I jumped back and out crawled a live lobster sitting on a cold pack. “I asked the guy at the counter how long it could live like

Check out what’s inside!

See

Police report to return next week

if you can find ‘Four Seasons’

“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.

that,” he said with everyone laughing. Sure enough, it was alive and well until it ended up on someone’s dinner table that night. If you steal that idea next Christmas, please give old Carl credit.

The man was a master at being an emcee. He was truly an award-winning professional. There was a chamber event that he was asked to do the honors for and he insisted on the chamber getting a spot light to follow the award winners from the audience to the stage. The chamber president at the time, Ken Moore, balked at the expense but it made an incredible difference. In a crowd that was hard to keep quiet, when the spotlight came on the crowd went silent following it up and the person to the stage with music playing. The guy really knew his stuff.

He also was a great singer. Carl was part of several Barbershop Quartet over the years. He would tour and go to national competitions. He even hired on a cruise ship at one point to be part of the entertainment in a Barbershop Quartet. He told me he did not like it much. It was an Italian cruise line and Carl was not a fan of Italian food.

When Carl came by the office in

his work clothes, you knew he was headed for yard work. His lawn was always beautiful with plenty of flowers. He came by one day to drop off some orders again. He told me he was going to take out the tree in his front yard that ice had destroyed. Even though he was in better shape than I was, I thought he could use some help.

I called my son, Clark, who was home on winter break. “If you do not have anything planned, could you drop by the Hancuff’s house and give Mr. Hancuff a hand with a tree. Clark showed up with his chain saw and went to work. Neither of the two ever told me what the conversation was but I could tell by the sound in their voices it was a meaningful afternoon for both. Clark’s grandfather had been gone for about a year at that point and he so enjoyed hanging out with a guy like Carl. In Carl’s easy style, I just know he passed on a great amount of wisdom to Clark. Carl made sure he showed up at Clark’s Eagle ceremony later that spring. It was a nice bond between them.

There is absolutely no telling how many people Carl Hancuff had a positive impact on in his lifetime. He never acknowledged it or talked about it. Instead, he just did it. He led by example. My fellow Heritage Hall graduate, Aubrey McClendon coined the phrase, “Onward and Upward.” With all respect to him, Carl wrote the book on that phrase and lived it.

He was such a great member of our team, but he had an incredible life before we got to enjoy him. He was a big supporter of this community. Heck, just a few months before he died Carl was working on the committee to install a Veteran’s Memorial right here in Edmond. He was a husband, a father, a teacher and a mentor to so many. When I needed advice, I would turn to Carl. Even if he did not have the answer, Carl was there and stood shoulder to shoulder with you to help you through any problem.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Mitzi and the rest of his family. I can tell you that the last thing Carl would want is for all of us to sit around and be sad. I think you will understand when you read his obituary in this week’s paper.

Our friend Carl Hancuff lives on in so many folks it is a reason for the celebration of a life well lived.

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

Cover Design Deanne York

Legal Counsel

Todd McKinnis Ruebenstein & Pitts, PLLC

Copyright © 2023 by Edmond Media Publishing 107 S. Broadway Edmond, OK 73034 405.340.3311 (office) 405.340.3384 (fax)

Mailing address: P.O. Box 164 Edmond, OK 73083 All rights reserved.

Writers Mallery Nagle, Patty Miller, Rose Drebes, and George Gust.

Photographer Melinda Infante

Ray Hibbard

Carl Hancuff 1930-2023

40 years for Edmond Women’s Club

Edmond Women’s Club recently held a ribbon cutting with the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate their 40th Year Anniversary.

Edmond Women’s Club (EWC) is a volunteer organization composed of community-spirited women who have combined their talents to promote the cultural, civic, educational, and community efforts of the City of Edmond.  EWC provides unique opportunities for its membership to assist their community in financial and voluntary ways, to expand their abilities to best serve their community, and to experience fellowship with one another.

To learn more about Edmond Women’s Club visit www.ewc.org<http://www.ewc.org>.

Santa Fe’s Maikhi Chambers (4), passes the ball above and runs in for a layup, below. The Wolves went on to defeat the visiting Yukon Millers. 56-46 in high school basketball. Support

Photos by Melinda Infante

Review of Netflix film ‘The Pale Blue Eye’

Mystery thriller worth viewing

By George Gust

“The Pale Blue Eye” follows a world-weary detective (Christian Bale) who is hired to investigate the murder of a West Point cadet. Stymied by the cadet’s code of silence, he enlists one of their own to help unravel the case- a young man the world would come to know as Edgar Allen Poe (Harry Melling).

Netflix original movies somehow always conjure up an uncanny kind of feeling. Once there was a time when a movie production studio would have a signature style that would be easily recognizable, but Netflix movies usually come off feeling like prestige TV rather than get out of the house, drive to the theater must see. “The Pale Blue Eye” is an unassuming mystery thriller with loads of talented actors and beautiful cinematography, but the ultimate experience comes up lacking true gravitas. However, while “The Pale Blue Eye” may be lacking as a blockbuster scope, the macabre and chilly atmosphere combined with some brilliant performances make it a riveting period mystery thriller.

For most of the runtime “The Pale Blue Eye” operates as a two-hander between Bale’s jaded old detective and Melling’s portrayal of the young eccentric poet. Where Bale’s performances is more understated and straight forward, Melling’s having a meal of playing one of the more macabre and intriguing figures in American literature. Melling’s performance walks up to the line of being too broadly theatrical, but ultimately becomes an entertaining interpretation of Poe. And

in support of this duo is one of the most impressive collections of aged British character actors in Simon McBurney, Timothy Spall and Toby Jones, who are mostly overqualified for their supporting roles, but make each scene their in more engaging than it should be.

Overall, “The Pale Blue Eye” is a slow burn period mystery thriller that has hit Netflix with little to no fanfare but is expertly crafted from a technical standpoint and features a bevy entertaining performances. The slow burn pacing and buildup to the mystery’s conclusion don’t quite pay off the way you’d like to see, but the atmosphere and performances are strong enough make this a worth while watch.

“The Pale Blue Eye” is rated R for some violent content and bloody images. Now available with a Netflix subscription.

3.1 out of 5 stars

To reach George Gust for a comment on this review, please send an e-mail to him at this address gust.george@gmail.com

Answer on Page 19

Some road work near Fox Lake Ln.

A section of a multiuse trail will be closed to bicycle and pedestrian traffic while work on a Regent Bank project just north of Fox Lake Lane along I-35 is completed.

A portion of the Fox Lake Trail, which runs north and connects with Spring Creek Trail at the I-35 underpass, will be impacted and rebuilt during the project, which is expected to take approximately 3 weeks, with cooperative weather.

For the safety of trail users, access to the Fox Lake Trail will be closed beginning on the east side of I-35 just before the highway underpass and at the intersection of Fox Lake Lane and the frontage road, where the trailhead entrance begins. The Spring Creek Trail can still be accessed on the east side of I-35 at the Integris-Edmond campus.

Part of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s improvements project, a deceleration lane is being added near the intersection of Fox Lake Lane along the I35 west frontage road. Users of the trail are asked to be aware of the closure and adjust their routes accordingly.

Crossword Puzzle

PROVIDED Christian Bale's retired detective Landor is brought out

retirement to investigate a grisly crime at West Point in the 1800's in Netflix's ‘The Pale Blue Eye.’

Weekend calendar, Jan. 26-29

What’s Happening This Weekend Jan 26 - 29

---- In the Gallery

---- Tiny, But Mighty! Exhibit

---- Indoor Winter Market

---- Downtown in December

---- Devon Ice Rink

---- AMA Arenacross & Freestyle Motorcross Show

---- Live Music at Round Midnight ---- Guitarists Mark & Edgar Cruz

---- Brian Gorrell & Jazz Company

---- Miss Brown to You

---- Brek Osenbaugh

---- Late Night at the Museum: Fun with Forensics!

---- Basket Workshop: Liberty Basket

---- Signature Tour

---- OKC Philharmonic presents: Disney in Concert – Magical Music from the Movies

Extra Information

In the Gallery

Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute

Extra Info: featuring Eric Lyons & Natalie Biggs; edmondfinearts.com

Tiny, But Mighty! Exhibit

Location: Edmond Historical Society & Museum

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

Indoor Winter Market

Location: Mitch Park

Extra Info: through Sat, Mar 18; 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.; Free; edmondok.gov

Downtown in December Location: Downtown OKC

Extra Info: Thu, Nov 3 – Jan 27, 2023; downtownindecember.com

Devon Ice Rink

Location: Myriad Botanical Gardens

Extra Info: Fri, Nov 11 – Sun, Jan 29, 2023; downtownindecember.com

AMA Arenacross & Freestyle Motorcross Show

Location: Lazy E Arena

Extra Info: Fri, Jan 27; 7:30 p.m.; $25-$30; lazye.com

Live Music at Round Midnight Location: Round Midnight

Extra Info: Thu, Jan 26: Vintage

Vinyl; Fri, Jan 27: Adam Ray Trio; Sat, Jan 28: Vinyl Sinatra Night; 7 – 10 p.m.; $60 ---- $75; simpletix.com

Guitarists Mark & Edgar Cruz

Location: UCO Jazz Lab

‘History Alive’ event this Friday

The Oklahoma History Center (OHC) and Colonial Williamsburg are proud to present Stephen Seals in “History Alive!: An Evening With James Armistead Lafayette.” Seals portrays an enslaved Virginian born on a plantation in 1748 and played a key role in the defeat of the British in the Revolutionary War.

The event will take place in the Chesapeake Events Center and Gallery on Friday, January 27, at 7 p.m. Tickets for the performance are $10 for Oklahoma Historical Society members and $20 for non-members.

You may purchase them online or by calling 405-522-0765. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The OHC is located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr. in Oklahoma City.

During the American Revolutionary War, James Armistead likely spent time in Williamsburg, where his owner, William Armistead, helped manage military supplies. In 1781, James was pressed into service under the Marquis de Lafayette, who had James infiltrate the British army as a servant,

Extra Info: Thu, Jan 26; 8 p.m.; $20; ucojazzlab.com

Brian Gorrell & Jazz Company

Location: UCO Jazz Lab

Extra Info: Fri, Jan 27; 8 p.m.; $15; ucojazzlab.com

Miss Brown to You

Location: UCO Jazz Lab

Extra Info: Sat, Jan 28; 8 p.m.; $15; ucojazzlab.com

Brek Osenbaugh

Location: Frenzy Brewing Company

Extra Info: Fri, Jan 27; 8 p.m.; Free; frenzybrewing.com

Late Night at the Museum: Fun with Forensics!

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Fri, Jan 27; 6:30 – 11

p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Basket Workshop: Liberty Basket

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Sat, Jan 28; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Signature Tour Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Sat, Jan 28 – Sun, Jan 29; 1 ---- 2 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

OKC Philharmonic presents: Disney in Concert – Magical Music from the Movies

Location: Civic Center Music Hall

Extra Info: Fri, Jan 27 – Sat, Jan 28; 8 p.m.; okcphil.org.

(Send Weekend Calendar of Events items to infante318@cox.net)

Home & Garden Show

Photos by Melinda Infante

Anna, 5, and Meredith Kearby, 8, enjoying the new John Deere tractor during last weekend’s Oklahoma City Home & Garden Show at the Fairgrounds.

More than 300 vendors were at the Fairgrounds for the annual show. The event was held from Friday to Sunday.

Grace Eaton. 2, admiring the yard ornaments at the Home and Garden Show.

Rotisserie chicken

A ready-to-eat chicken is as good as a pizza

By Carol Smaglinski

Just what is happiness?

It could be a hand-written letter from a dear friend, a compliment from a complete stranger or a simple rotisserie chicken you’ve picked up at the local supermarket.

How life has changed - that readyto-eat chicken is the ultimate convenience food.

People once raised and fattened up their own chickens. Down on the farm, folks chased and tried to catch the squawking chickens. With the rooster acting as a supervisor, not only did the backyard chickens have to be careful of hungry hawks during the day or owls at night, but also humans hungry for delicious chicken.

After being caught, the adult chicken’s necks were wrung, feathers plucked off and later stuffed into pillows, then the chicken was cleaned and readied for cooking.

Back to 2023. After dining on that rotisserie chicken, there are several recipes that can be made  with the leftovers. Don’t throw out the bones, but rather make a broth. Next, with the meat, make a quick stir-fry, or even a delicious chicken salad, or chicken sandwiches.

Above all, when working with already cooked chicken and inserting it into a recipe that will be served hot, take care not to overcook that chicken or else it will turn dry.

One delectable recipe that will make use of cold cooked chicken is the satisfying Chicken Tetrazzini, which uses three cups of shredded chicken, a perfect use for the leftover poultry.

Chicken Tetrazzini was named in honor of internationally known opera singer Luisa Tetrazzini, (1871-1940), a coloratura. This type of soprano is one skilled enough to handle music that is distinguished by agile runs, leaps and trills. The pasta dish is distinguished by bubbling cream sauce, melted Parmesan and tender spaghetti, a perfect match.

The singer had such a passion for

Italian pasta that she inspired a chef at New York City’s Delmonico, which opened in 1837, to create this dish just for her. Others might dispute this, saying the recipe was concocted in San Francisco and made with turkey. And then, chefs have been known to add diced canned pimentos and chopped scallions for a different flavor. What is interesting is that not every Italian pasta dish has to include tomatoes. If you are really in a hurry, substitute a can of cream of mushroom soup and a jar of Alfredo sauce.

Chicken Tetrazzini

5 Tbsp. butter

2 Tbsp. flour

2 cups chicken stock

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

A pinch of nutmeg

1 cup heavy cream

3 Tbsp. white wine or medium dry sherry

½ lb. sliced mushrooms

7 oz. thin spaghetti

3 cups cooked chicken, shredded

½ cup freshly grated Parmesan

Melt 3 Tbsp. of the butter and stir in the flour. Cook for 3 minutes before gradually adding the chicken stock. Stir gently until the sauce thickens. Then, season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Stir in the cream, wine or sherry.

In another skillet, saute the mushrooms in the remaining butter. In a pot of boiling water, cook the spaghetti, drain well and mix with the mushrooms. Stir the shredded chicken into the hot sauce pouring over the spaghetti and mushrooms. Then put both mixtures into a shallow buttered ovenproof dish.

Sprinkle with cheese and broil just long enough to brown the top. Keeping the oven door open (venting the steam) when broiling develops the crustiness you desire and will just cook the top of the dish.

Serve bubbling with hot crusty bread and a crisp salad.

Al Gore returns

By Steve Gust

Not much slows down sports in our society.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not antisports. I owe a great deal to sports — having served as a Sports Editor at three newspapers.

I also believe that the sports pages celebrate human achievement, which is a good thing. Some folks like to criticdize those who play. Not me. Someone who makes it to the NFL or another top league, has no reason to apologize. They’ve worked hard to get there and should be proud of that.

Concerning athlete events in general,there is a conspiracy theory, which claims that sports diverts us from the important issues of the day.

There might be some truth to that. But watching OU or OSU play football is a lot more entertaining than listening to former vice president Al Gore talk about climate change at some European conference for elites.

Did anyone happen to watch Gore

speaking at last week’s conference.

He’s more unhinged every time I see him. He was talking about climate change forcing some one billion people to migrate and the world (according to Gore) is too xenophobic to help them. He also said pullution levels are akin to 600 Hiroshima level bombs going off every day.

I wonder where Gore gets his information anyway?.

More importantly, I wonder why nobody ever challenges him on these outrageous statements?

Right now we’re going to press right before a Tuesday snow storm is expected to hit.

The data forthe storm seems to be all over the place.

The weather people seem to have the same answer. “We’ll know more about the storm the closer we get to the event.”

Contrast that to the elites claiming they know what the temperature of the earth will be in 50 years. I’ve learned that it doesn’t hurt to be a little skeptical.

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

Registered GOP voters top 50 percent

An official voter registration report by the Oklahoma State Election Board shows 2,225,086 people are registered to vote as of January 15, 2023. The annual report comes days after the State Election Board conducted its statutorily-required voter list maintenance process, removing inactive voters and duplicate voters.

Current numbers show Republicans make up 51.9% of registered voters, while Democrats constitute 29.5% of the voting population. Libertarians consist of 0.9% of the voter registration rolls and Independents account for nearly 17.7%.

The routine voter list maintenance process was conducted on January 13 and removed 2,855 duplicate voter registrations and 83,719 inactive voter registrations from Oklahoma’s voter rolls. The removal of inactive and duplicate voter registrations is a thorough, multi-step process the State Election Board is required by law to conduct

every two years following a General Election.

Duplicate registrations that were deleted matched newer registrations by the same person at a new address. Inactive registrations that were removed were for voters who failed to confirm their address in 2019 and then had no voter activity through the 2022 General Election. (The 2019 Address Confirmation Notices were sent to some voters for one of several different reasons required by law, including those who surrendered an Oklahoma driver license upon being issued a new one in another state, or who had a first-class mailing from the Election Board returned as “undeliverable,” or who were identified as a potential duplicate of a voter registration in another county or state, or who had no voter activity from the 2016 General Election through the 2018 General Election.)

The State Election Board reminds voters that the deadline to register or update their registration for the February 14 election was Friday, January 20. The voter registration deadline for the March 7 election is Friday, February 10. Applications must be postmarked or received by the deadline.

For more information on voter registration or to view voter registration statistics, visit the State Election Board website.

Lawmaker wants peace talks.

Last week, Sen. Nathan Dahm, RBroken Arrow, filed a resolution to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Oklahoma.

“Last week we were made aware of an escalation in the war between Russia and Ukraine with the training of Ukrainian troops in Oklahoma,” Dahm said. “While Oklahoma’s leaders should be making sure to put America first by protecting the people of Oklahoma as our first priority, we shouldn’t be helping escalate the war, but should rather be seeking peace.”

Senate Concurrent Resolution 3 would offer the State of Oklahoma as a neutral site for peace talks and negotiations between representatives of Russia and Ukraine.

“There are those who would put the profitability of war as their priority over the human lives being lost,” Dahm said.

Pugh helps lead education reforms

Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, released his public education agenda Wednesday, which he believes will improve public education outcomes for Oklahoma children.

In his agenda, Pugh, who is the Senate education committee chairman, outlined four pillars under which he plans to file bills to improve public education in Oklahoma. The four incentive areas are: Recruiting more qualified teachers to Oklahoma classrooms; Retaining teachers already in the classroom; Rewarding high performing teachers; and Reforming the way public dollars are spent on public education.

“For far too long, Oklahoma has lagged behind the rest of the nation in education outcomes, which is doing a disservice to our children and state overall,” Pugh said. “I was tasked by Pro Tem Greg Treat this interim to come up with a plan that meets our children’s needs today, empowers parents, while ensuring we are rewarding teachers and getting better outcomes for the future of our state. This plan is aggressive, and if implemented will get us on the right path to a better, more prosperous future.”

Pugh met with over 200 superintendents, hundreds of teachers and parents and dozens of education advocacy groups over the interim to gather ideas while deciding what bills to file.

“To be clear, this is my plan, supported by bills that I am planning to file,” said Pugh “They are a direct result of input I received over the sum-

mer after conversations with superintendents, educators, parents, and education advocacy groups. As Oklahomans, and especially as lawmakers, we need to do whatever it takes to ensure our children are getting the best education possible.”

Joining Pugh at Wednesday’s announcement was Jeff James, a veteran of the United States Air Force who is the president of the Air and Space Forces Association of Central Oklahoma and the State STEM Program Coordinator for the Air Force Association.

“Sen. Pugh has outlined an agenda that aims to better prepare Oklahoma students for the future workforce they will face after high school and beyond,” James said. “This plan has the potential to completely alter the future for children in public education. I applaud my friend for his vision and efforts in putting this together.”

Another supporter of Pugh’s work is Edmond Public Schools Superintendent Angela Grunwald, who said she hopes the plan is implemented to help public education across the state.

“I applaud Sen. Pugh’s plan and his efforts to go above and beyond in supporting teachers and children in public education. His legislative goals address the most pressing issues facing our profession by directing funds to incentivize more individuals to go into this amazing profession and rewarding those who stay,” Grunewald said. “We need bold actions to bring back the respect that our educators

and support staff deserve. These pieces of legislation have the potential to do that. We cannot forget that these powerful legislative goals are in the best interest of the students across our state.”

Sen. Adam Pugh’s 2023 Public Education Plan

Recruit/Retain/Reward/Reform

Recruit SB 529 - $15 million- Create Oklahoma Teacher Corps – provide scholarships to students who enter Oklahoma Colleges of Education, graduate and receive teaching certificate. Those who pass their program must commit four years of service in a Title I school or pay scholarship amount back to state.

SB 522 - $5 million – Mentorship Program - this bill will provide $500 stipends for mentors of new teachers. The goal is to pair every new teacher (both to the career or new to the district) with a mentor.

SB 361 – Create a multistate teacher licensure compact – Be the first state to recognize teacher licensure reciprocity in a multistate compact. Recognize professional experience and licensure from other states, and not lose teachers because of bureaucratic paperwork that discourages immediate entry into the workforce upon moving to Oklahoma.

Retain

SB 364 - $25 million Paid Maternity Leave – Will give teachers who have been with a district for at least one year 12 weeks of maternity leave. With a career field that is 76%

female, this will allow new mothers to take time away to be with their newborns and return to the classroom as able. Solves a key workforce issue, is pro-life, and does not force a new parent to choose between career and family.

SB 523 – $50 million School Safety – Provide the Oklahoma School Security Institute with $50 million in grant funding to allocate by application process to meet unique and individual district needs for added security personnel, infrastructure, technology, training.

SB 525 - $1 million Credentialing –Reimburse each school district to pay for recertifying each teachers’ credentials if they are asked to gain additional credentials.

Reward

SB 482 - $241 million Teacher Pay Raise – Provides a teacher pay raise. Moves starting teacher pay to $40,000 with a $3,000 raise at entry through four years. Years fivethrough-nine will receive $4,000; 1014 years of experience will receive $5,000; and a teacher with 15+ years of experience will receive $6,000.

Reform

SB 531 - Removed attendance metric on A-F report card and replace with school climate survey, which includes parents, students, and teachers/staff.

SB 527 – Puts more money toward kindergarten through third grade reading proficiency, with the ultimate goal being 100% reading proficiency for kids entering the fourth grade.

Steve Gust

What students can do to block out distractions

Focus in the classroom

An ability to focus in the classroom can go a long way toward helping students achieve their academic goals. But distractions lurk in every corner, making it easier than ever to succumb to a lack of focus.

Maintaining focus in the classroom can be difficult in the digital age, but students can try various strategies to block out distractions once class begins.

• Disconnect your devices . A 2020 report from the nonprofit association Educause found that the majority of students report connecting two or more devices to campus Wi-Fi each day. Devices often serve as useful tools that augment classroom lessons, but they also can distract students. Students can turn off notifications on their phones and tablets before class begins so that familiar ping does not sound during lectures and lessons. In addition, unless devices are necessary during a class, students can store them in places where they won’t be tempted to check for messages or other alerts when they should be learning. Storing devices in a separate pocket in a backpack or even in a locker outside the classroom can remove the temptation to log on during class.

• Prepare for class in advance . Organizing before class can help students

stay focused when a teacher is lecturing, explaining classroom material or engaging students in a discussion. Students who can’t readily access their notes, books or assignments may be forced to spend valuable class time looking for such materials, thus distracting them from the lesson.

• Bring questions to class. Students who jot down questions about a subject prior to class are more likely to be engaged once class begins. Students can ask their questions during the lesson and listen intently to hear if their teacher or professor is answering their questions during their lecture. Either way, bringing questions to class and going over them before class begins can help students narrow their focus to the subject at hand, reducing the likelihood that they’ll succumb to distractions.

• Sit in the front of class. Students who are having trouble focusing can try sitting in the front of class. Sitting in the front ensures students can hear their teachers or professors, and sitting so close might subconsciously compel students to perk up so they’re not caught wandering.

Devices and other distractions can easily compromise students’ focus in the classroom. But various strategies can help students focus so they can perform better academically.

Students begin a new school year hoping to do their best in the classroom. When those hopes are overcome by academic struggles, students may need a little help to get back on track. Students and their parents must keep in mind that no school year is derailed by a poor performance in the year’s opening months. There’s plenty of time for students to rebound, and the following are some ways for students to get back on strong academic footing.

• Make it a collective effort. Rebounding from a difficult start to the school year may require a collective effort on the part of students, their parents and educators. Concerned parents can reach out to teachers to learn where students are struggling and seek recommendations about what to do to help them rebound. Once those areas are identified, students, parents and educations can work together to devise a plan to help kids improve.

• Ask to move seats. A 2020 study published in the journal PLOS One found that sitting further from the instructor negatively impacted students’ grades. Authors of the study, which examined the responses of more than 1,360 students, concluded that, while the evidence is mixed, students who choose to sit nearer to the front of the classroom will do better than those who sit in the back. Students who are struggling can ask to move seats if they’ve been sitting in the back of the class.

• Go over class notes each day. Lectures require significant note-taking, and many students scribble notes as fast as

possible so they can keep up. Scribbled notes may be hard to decipher days after a lecture, but they’re more likely to be understood immediately after class or when students arrive home at night. Going over notes at the end of the day or after each class, and even transcribing them from notebooks into typed documents, can help students grasp material more effectively. Typed notes also can make study sessions the night before a test more effective.

• Reserve daily quiet study time. Rebounding from a difficult start to the school year will likely require a daily commitment to performing better in the classroom. Daily study time in a quiet setting, whether that’s at home or at the library, can provide the time students need to focus on their studies without distractions getting in the way. Turn smartphone and device notifications off during study time. Students can even keep a study log to track what they’re studying and the amount of time they study each day. This log can be useful if students need to determine which areas require more time down the road.

A school year is long, so students who struggle at the start of the year still have plenty of time to get back on track and achieve their academic goals.

What students can do to rebound in the second half of the school year

How being bilingual benefits kids

Bilingualism has long been advantageous to adults who like to travel. An ability to speak a foreign language fluently can ease travelers’ concerns when visiting a new country, and it also can help professionals advance their careers and expand their networks. But the benefits of bilingualism aren’t exclusive to adults.

According to Waterford.org, a 501(c)(3) organization that seeks to blend aspects of learning science, mentoring relationships and innovative technology to help learners, bilingualism benefits students in myriad ways.

• Bilingualism is advantageous to emergent readers. Waterford.org reports that bilingualism has long suffered from a misconception that knowing two languages makes learning to read difficult. However, a 2012 article in Cerebrum Magazine noted that bilingual students develop metalinguistic skills at an earlier age than most other children. Metalinguistics is the under-

standing of the structure of a language on both a verbal and written level. Waterford.org notes that linguists believe bilingual kids’ exposure to multiple languages at a young age sharpens their ability to pick up on word structure, thus helping them develop the tools necessary to learn to read faster than their monolingual peers.

• Bilingualism improves children’s vocabulary. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology found that bilingual children have a higher vocabulary range than monolingual children. Because of that heightened familiarity with words, spelling and learning the alphabet comes more naturally to bilingual youngsters.

• Bilingualism may improve attention spans and working memories. A 2010 review published in the journal Review of Educational Research found that bilingual students usually have stronger working memories and attention spans than

monolingual students. Working memory is an executive function of the brain that holds new information in place so the brain can work with it and ultimately connect it with other information. A strong working memory is a significant advantage for students, as is a longer attention span.

• Bilingualism affects students’ self-discipline and perseverance. Self-discipline and an ability to persevere can benefit students as they learn to study and work to understand potentially complex subjects. A 2011 study published in the Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology found that bilingual students outperformed their monolingual counterparts on tasks that required self-discipline, perseverance and other skills.

Long thought to adversely affect young students learning to read, bilingualism has since been shown to do just the opposite. That’s just one of the many ways in which fluency in two or more languages benefits students.

Keystone Offers Tours; Prepares to Open Enrollment for School Year & Summer Camps

ideas and benefit to their new communities. Keystone’s summer programs, Summer on the Farm and 4s on the Farm, will start enrollment in April. Keystone’s summer programs are designed to engage all kids from 4yo through 5th grade. Spaces fill up fast, so if you’d like to be added to an email list to be notified about Summer on the Farm, that is available on the website as well.

“Our summer camps let students spend their days outside, the pond and at the creek, or inside creating a functioning city where they earn money by doing reading or math,” said John Duhon, co-founder/ co-director. “Summer kids also take care of our pasture animals in the morning and our organic garden as well.”

More information about Keystone is available on their website at: www.keystoneadventureschoolandfarm.com or by calling 405-216-5400.

For eighteen years, Keystone Adventure School and Farm, an accredited preschool and elementary school in Edmond, has been welcoming students to a safe, inclusive learning environment full of the wonder of childhood.

Keystone students benefit daily from time spent outdoors, unstructured play, individualized education, art, group projects, music, time with animals, and hands-on learning. The school and farm is located on 16 beautiful acres with llamas, mini donkeys, two sheep, a goat, chickens, ducks, geese, a pond, a creek, an organic garden, and more.

If you’ve ever been curious about this unique school right here in our own community, now is your chance to check it out! Keystone is hosting multiple tours in February and March for potential families.

“These tours are a great chance for interested families to tour the school, meet the directors and staff, and even take a peek at our menagerie of animals,” said Jenny Dunning, co-founder/co-director.

Interested families are encouraged to sign up on Keystone’s website for tours. New student enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year will

open in late February, after our returning families are placed. Families are welcome to start the process now by attending a tour and applying online. Keystone graduates attend a myriad of area middle schools, including their neighborhood public schools and private middle schools. Our graduates are often reluctant to leave Keystone, but are ready to greet new learning and friends, transitioning well and excelling in social, emotional, and academic learning. We strive to graduate kind, confident learners, who can develop resources, solve problems, and bring fresh

Citylink offers disabled curb-to-curb service

For Jerre Blythe, the Citylink Access Paratransit Service (CAPS) program is a convenience worth working for. But, she is especially grateful now that she doesn’t have to.

“Well, it’s just absolutely wonderful,” Blythe said. “It’s been around for quite a while, but they’ve extended their territory. Before, I had to walk a mile and I couldn’t go on rainy days. I was very limited when I could use it. But now it’s just wonderful. I just call up and book it and go.”

CAPS is a free curb-to-curb service that enables residents with disabilities to be picked up by Citylink and comfortably driven to appointments in a wheelchair accessible vehicle. CAPS is intended to provide services in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Recent expansion and changes to Citylink routes offers an expanded menu of options to the riders on the City of Edmond’s public transit system. One of the most important benefits is the expansion of service now available to riders who utilize the

CAPS program.

“It comes right to my house and takes me exactly where I need to go,” Blythe said “And then it picks me up. They’re always on time. The people that work there are wonderful. They’re friendly. It’s like a little family. They all get along really well. I was really impressed with the family aspect of the business.

“I use it for transportation, of course. Going to doctor’s appointments, going to nail appointments and grocery stores. I’ve even gone to Starbucks and had a coffee. It’s just been absolutely a godsend.”

The CAPS service, which operates Monday through Saturday, is available only within the Edmond city limits and within three-quarters of a mile from a Citylink fixed route.

While the addition of two new routes – Route 5 and Route 6 – service growing demand for the Broadway corridor and the I-35 corridor, respectively, it also means an expansion of the routes

available for CAPS service.

“CAPS is a vital service the City and Citylink provides to residents,” said Christy Batterson, the Housing and Community Development Manager for the City of Edmond, who also serves at the Public Transit Program manager for the City. “A growing number of the Edmond population need this focused service to ensure they can get to medical appointments, to the grocery store, or just get out and remain active in our community.

“Thanks to the route expansions, more and more residents are within the service area and can take advantage of a free and reliable form of transportation that meets their needs safely.”

To take advantage of the CAPS program, customers should call during business hours at least one day in advance to schedule a trip. To request more information or an application for CAPS, call Citylink at (405) 509-6370.

Learn more about the CAPS program and other Citylink advantages at citylinkedmond.com/caps.

Those with disabilities are hailing the new Citylink Access Paratransit Service, now offered by the City of Edmond.

Preparing first responders for real life emergencies

Area firefighters study electric vehicles

Deer Creek firefighters received a firsthand look at the future of their jobs and the electric vehicles they’ll encounter out on the roads.

For the first two weekends in January, Deer Creek Fire Department members took part in Alternative Energy Vehicle (AEV) training at Francis Tuttle Technology Center. The goal was to orientate the first responders to the inner workings of electric vehicles, so they know what to expect when responding to traffic incidents.

“None of them have anything in common other than hidden dangers,” Chief Corey Beagles said. Beagles and some of his fellow firefighters participated in the training during the first weekend of January. They spent a day learning how an electric vehicle functions, how to stop those functions, and what to look for when responding to an accident.

In the classroom, firefighters worked on training modules that simulated the flow of electricity to various parts of the vehicle. They also learned of helpful tools and materials, such as manuals that can quickly illustrate where parts and vital switches are located. This helps first responders quickly orientate them-

selves to the situation when time is of the essence.

“You need [the information] as quickly as you can get it,” Instructor Mike Foster said when talking about the importance of an effective manual.

Once they were comfortable, the firefighters moved to the shop floor, where a Ford Mustang Mach-E was set up on a lift. They were able to take off the covers on the bottom and see where important parts of the vehicle were located.

They also looked under the hood, which still contains important cables and switches despite the lack of a combustion engine. Seeing where these parts are located and what they look like can save valuable time in the field, Beagles said.

“Getting to put your hands on it, that is wonderful,” he said. “Having the reference material to look it up and putting your hands on it, that’s going to make you more comfortable and less likely to get something wrong.”

AEV training is currently being offered to municipal workers and first responders who work with or will come into contact with electric vehicles during their job.

Deer Creek firefighters identify key components underneath a Ford Mustang Mach-E during their Alternative Energy Vehicle (AEV) Training at Francis Tuttle Technology Center.

Worth over $10 billion to state

Tourism bonanza

In 2021, Oklahoma’s tourism industry showed an impressive rebound, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. New research commissioned by the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department shows the industry generated a record breaking $10.1 billion in direct visitor spending, increasing industry employment by 4.6% and exceeding 2019 visitor spending by 3.2%.

"I am incredibly proud of the impressive strides made by our state’s tourism industry,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “Tourism is Oklahoma’s thirdlargest industry, and its prominence in our economy is a testament to our people, our state and our workforce. Every corner of Oklahoma offers

unique experiences for locals and visitors alike, and I’m thankful for the hard work of the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department who are true ambassadors for the great State of Oklahoma.”

The Oklahoma tourism industry generated $748 million in state and local taxes in 2021, an increase of 3.3% over 2019. That translates to an annual tax savings of $485 for every Oklahoma household, supporting 96,800 jobs.

“Tourism is the front door to economic development,” said Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, who also

See Tourism, Page 18

26 years in Edmond for Autoworks Japanese Car Specialist

Business values customers & doing the job right

By Alexx Reger EL&L Business Editor

Autoworks Japanese Car Specialist has been in business for 26 years now and owners, Joe and Sheryl Janis, love serving the community of Edmond.

The Janis’s knew they wanted to open a business when Joe was working at a dealership and wanted to make more money to provide their family. “Opening a business seemed like the best way to have the ability to do that,” says Sheryl.

Autoworks Japanese Car Specialist offers full service auto mechanical and maintenance work on Japanese and Korean vehicles.

“We do our best to provide quality work at

fair prices and treat out customers like family members,” says Sheryl.

The Janis’s strive to get to know their customers with fantastic customer service. They get to know your needs and make sure the job is done right!

As vehicles in the market get more technical and complex, as the Janis’s have seen, they make sure and keep up with the business by upgrading

State CareerTech director officially takes over post

Oklahoma CareerTech State Director Brent Haken began official duties last week.

Haken was named to the position in November by the Oklahoma State Board of Career and Technology Education. He is the ninth director in ODCTE’s history.

“I am honored to begin serving the state of Oklahoma in meeting the educational, training and workforce development needs of our state,” Haken said. “Oklahoma has the nation’s premier system for career and technical education due to a foundation laid by passionate and dedicated Oklahomans. As an educator and a product of the Oklahoma CareerTech System, I understand the opportunity we have in unlocking the state’s potential for meeting the workforce needs of Oklahoma businesses and providing pathways to rewarding careers for Oklahoma students. Empowering people through education moves Oklahoma forward.”

Lee Denney, who has been serving as the CareerTech interim state director since February 2022, will remain at Oklahoma CareerTech as interim chief of staff.

“Brent Haken is a leader with vision and innovative ideas,” Denney said. “He will be able to lead Oklahoma CareerTech forward as we continue to provide skilled workers for Oklahoma industries.”

Haken comes to Oklahoma CareerTech from Morrison Public Schools, where he served as superintendent since 2019.

He began his educational career teaching agricultural education in Wellston and Stillwater before moving to Morrison, where he became elementary assistant principal and special education director in July 2015 and high school principal in July 2016. He also served as testing coordinator.

Haken received the 2022 Superin-

tendents Chairman’s Award from the Oklahoma Youth Expo and was the Oklahoma Association of Superintendents District 4 Superintendent of the Year for 2022. He is a member of the Oklahoma State Professional Education Council and the Cooperative Council for Secondary Administrators.

He has been a member of the Oklahoma Career Technology Master Teacher Committee, the National Association of Agricultural Educators and the Association of Career Technical Educators and served on the board and as vice president of the Oklahoma Agricultural Education Teachers Association.

Haken earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Central Oklahoma and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from Oklahoma State University.

scanners and tools so you will always know they are using the latest in vehicle technology.

“Edmond is home!” says Sheryl. “We love the families that trust us with generations of cars. It is a very supportive community.”

Sheryl and Joe hope to keep the business in the family for years to come. They have recently brought one of their sons on board and youngest daughter to help in the office. Sheryl’s mom also fills in occasionally.

Autoworks Japanese Car Specialist is located at 200 W. 1st Street in Downtown Edmond. For more information on this locally owned, family business call 405-348-6522 or visit www.autoworksedmond.com.

Brent Haken

‘We love the families that trust us with generations of cars. It is a very supportive community.’

Sheryl Janis

serves as Secretary of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage. “The record breaking $10.1 billion that Oklahoma’s tourism industry generated in 2021 was invested right back into local communities, making a huge impact on businesses and schools. When we invest in tourism, it pays off every time.”

As the pandemic dramatically altered travel demand, OTRD pivoted quickly, becoming one of the first states to run pandemic-focused marketing campaigns promoting outdoor recreation and travel. This swift marketing strategy enabled Oklahoma’s travel industry to rebound in record time.

“Travelers from all over the world flock to Oklahoma, and the recordbreaking numbers are proof that our state has something incredibly special to offer,” said OTRD Executive Director, Shelley Zumwalt. “I am proud of the tremendous efforts of this agency, and I look forward to starting 2023 strong, with new efforts and initiatives to continue growing Oklahoma’s tourism industry.”

The #OKHereWeGO pandemic-response advertising campaign, launched in May 2020, generated more than $50 million in statewide hotel lodging revenue in 2021. With an investment of $748,430 from the state, the campaign yielded a 50:1 return on investment. The campaign also drove 235,000-plus users to TravelOK.com and inspired over 29,000 park visits.

In August 2020, the department launched the Oklahoma Route 66 Passport, a program that allows travelers to collect stamps as they explore Oklahoma’s 400+ miles of the Mother Road. More than 1.2 million unique visitor trips along Route 66 in Oklahoma have been inspired by the first edition, with over 100 travelers, domestic and international, completing all 66 passport stops.

Oklahoma’s recovery in travel compared to 2019 (i.e., 86.6%) outpaces the country’s recovery in overall domestic travel (82.2%).

While in-state visitation increased in 2021, out-of-state travelers still represent a higher proportion of visitation to Oklahoma.

Hi and Lois

Shoe

Zits

Family Circus

Beetle Baily

Blondie

Hägar the Horrible

Some advice on staying warm during winter

The Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC) wants to promote ways to keep warm during cold winter weather.

Older adults and those who are sick are more sensitive to colder temperatures. For these groups, even a home or apartment between 60°F and 65°F may not be warm enough to keep them safe from hypothermia.

“Older people who live alone may find themselves in a dangerous situation this winter if no one else is around to notice symptoms of hypothermia or feel the chilliness of the home,” said Janice Hixson, MD, OKCIC’s Chief Medical Officer. “It’s important to dress warmly and ask a friend or relative to check on you.”

Here are other ways to keep warm during cold winter weather:

• Set your heat to at least 68-70°F. To conserve energy, close off rooms you are not using, and close the vents in those rooms. Place a rolled towel in front of all doors to keep out drafts. For more assistance with heating bills, contact the National Energy Assistance Referral Service at 1-866674-6327 to get information about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

•Keep your blinds and curtains closed to prevent losing heat through your windows. Use weather stripping or caulk to seal any gaps around the windows.

• Layer long underwear underneath your clothes and use extra covers. Wear socks and slippers, and add a hat if needed.

• Eat enough food. If you don’t eat well, you may lose body fat and have trouble staying warm.

• Avoid drinking alcohol, or drink alcohol moderately. Alcoholic drinks can make you lose body heat.

• If you experience a power outage, ask to stay with a relative or friend.

• Use a portable space heater to keep warm, but use it cautiously. Some are fire hazards or can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Check saferproducts.gov for recalls.

“Some medications or illnesses, such as diabetes, arthritis and thyroid problems, make it difficult to maintain your body temperature,” Hixson said. “Talk to your medical provider about any health

problems or medicines that might increase your risk for hypothermia, and discuss how you can prevent it.”

Early warning signs of hypothermia include cold feet and hands, pale skin, swollen face, slow or slurred speech, acting sleepy, or becoming angry and confused. Call 911 immediately if you think someone has hypothermia. Afterwards, try to move the person to a warmer place and wrap the person in blankets, towels or coats. You may give the person something warm to drink, but avoid alcohol and caffeine. Do not rub the person’s arms or legs, use a heating pad or try to warm the person in a bath.

Puzzles appear on Page 6