Edmond Life and Leisure - March 23, 2023

In This Issue

FOUR SEASONS

State singles out Hannah Dangle for major honor

Blind & Visually Impaired Client of the Year

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

UCO’s National Championship Team

See page 11

FRIDAY, March 24

Partly Cloudy High 63° Low 40°

SATURDAY, March 25

Mostly Sunny High 67° Low 46°

SUNDAY, March 26

Mostly Sunny High 67° Low 38°

Commission for Rehabilitation Services

DRS Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

accepted for her remarkable

Edmond resident Hannah Dangle was recognized earlier this month by the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services as the agency’s Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Client of the Year.

Dangle’s mother Lisa Smith accepted the award and played a recorded message from her daughter who was attending training required to get a guide dog at Leader Dog for the Blind in Rochester Hills, Michigan.

The awards ceremony honoring Dangle was part of DRS’ 29th People with Disabilities Awareness Day.

More than 600 Oklahomans with disabilities, service providers and supporters participated in legislative visits at the State Capitol and a resource fair with 73 exhibit tables at the Oklahoma History Center.

Oklahoma Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell congratulated award winners for exceptional achievements and contributions to the disability community.

Commission for Rehabilitation Services Member Theresa Flannery and DRS Executive Director Melinda Fruendt emceed the awards.

“Hannah Dangle from Edmond is a triple threat – a DRS Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired client – an East Central University student -- and an assistive technology trainer at SBVI,” Flannery said.

Dangle’s treatment for Burkitt lymphoma led to total vision loss. Her journey to independence began with the MOVE program at NewView Oklahoma, which was funded by DRS SBVI.

SBVI helped her learn braille, orientation and mobility skills used to travel, grocery shopping, personal finance, home management skills and assistive technology. She also learned to proficiently uses JAWS screen reading software and several software programs.

SBVI hired Dangle as a temporary rehabilitation technician.

Because of her experiences at DRS, Hannah chose rehabilitation counseling as her career goal. She left SBVI to attend college with DRS’ help.

Last summer, she told her story and was a role model for youth in DRS’ Transition Program. She was also official SBVI spokesperson for White Cane Safety Awareness Day.

Hannah and Jordan Dangle were married in September 2022.

“Hannah is currently employed by SBVI as an assistive technology trainer while attending ECU,” Flannery added. “She will miss the awards ceremony today but will be home after a few weeks with a guide dog to help with mobility.”

More than 13,600 have participated in People with Disabilities Awareness Day since DRS began hosting the free event in 1995.

“The award celebration also highlights the value of investing in Oklahomans with disabilities so they can overcome barriers to their educational and career goals,” Melinda Fruendt added. “The individual services our clients receive level the playing field so qualified people who really want to work can become taxpaying citizens who no longer need government assistance.”

The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services served 184,082 people in State Fiscal Year 2022.

An estimated 614,800 Oklahomans or 15.8% have disabilities, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey.

For more information, visit www.okdrs.gov or phone 800-845-8476.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

member Theresa Flannery (right) presented the

Client of the Year award to Lisa Smith who

daughter Hannah Dangle, photo right.

Event set for May 5-7

Featured artist named for Edmond Arts Festival

An artist from Ottawa, Kan, has been chosen as the featured artist for the Downtown Edmond Arts Festival.

Sandy Kay Hunter's painting “Wildflowers and Poppies" (seen above) will be featured on posters, billboards and advertising for the 45th annual festival, held in Downtown Edmond May 5-7.

"The vibrant colors of the poppies provided a wonderful contrast with the cool colors of the grass and wildflowers in the background", said Michelle Schaefer, Festival Co-Chair. "Sandy has been invited to join our festival every year since 2011, so we are excited to be able to feature her work."

Hunter lives in rural Ottawa with her husband, Larry, and many pets. The surrounding countryside and wildlife inspire her.

See Artist, Page 5

Sandy Kay Hunter

Define affordable housing, please

With the elections coming to fill the vacant seats of two Edmond City Council members and with the race for Edmond mayor where current mayor Darrell Davis is being challenged for his seat, there is much talk about “affordable housing”. I honestly do not know what that means.

There are a number of definitions and ideas that surround those words but as far as I can tell, no one in our leadership in Edmond has defined them for us. If folks are going to advocate for or against affordable housing, we really need to know what they are talking about.

Here is how the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines it: Affordable housing is generally defined as housing on which the occupant is paying no more than 30 percent of gross income for housing costs, including utilities.

That doesn’t really help me much since the 30% figure is pretty much what folks in Oklahoma have historically paid for their housing costs. On both coasts, the percentage runs more around 50% of their income. Because it is a percentage of a person’s household income, it really depends on what income levels folks looking to settle in Edmond have. The HUD definitions do not help me much.

I have been told that Edmond residents do not want section 8 housing to come to town. Here is the HUD explanation of it:

Section 8 Housing: This federal program is administered by the local housing authority. Eligible tenants receive vouchers they can use to help them pay for apartments in the private market.

Many Section 8 contracts have expired or will expire soon, and the property owners must now decide whether to renew their contract or leave the program ("opt out"). Most of these contracts are now renewed on a one-year basis. Projects with high risk of opting out typically have rents set by the Section 8 contract below the prevailing market rents for comparable units. Owners thus have an incentive to leave the program and convert their property to private market rentals. My understanding is that the last few apartment developments have had no hint of Section 8 in their planning.

Some of the discussion centers

around what should be referred to as “work force housing”. High housing costs in an area could be making it hard for the local school district to recruit teachers, or the local fire department to hire firefighters or recruiting police officers. Increasing housing costs may even force some residents to choose between paying the rent and paying for food or health care.

Affordable housing, as further defined by HUD, is housing that a household can pay for, while still having money left over for other necessities like food, transportation, and health care. That means that what’s considered “affordable” depends on a household’s income. I have yet to hear a public official or candidate address what this level is for Edmond.

The good news is that the housing needs of many families are met adequately by the private market. In other words, housing costs for a highincome CEO are usually not cause for too much public concern.

The bad news is that a large and growing share of the population cannot afford its housing costs. Nationally, more than one in seven households are what economists call “severely cost burdened.” This means that they spend half or more of their income on housing.

Some of our leadership would have you believe that the goal is to get enough affordable housing to have many of the folks that work in jobs here in Edmond be able to afford to live here as well. Large employers will also tell you that they need affordable housing to attract workers with the idea that their folks want to live in the same community that they work in. How does our city council affect that goal if it becomes one?

The short answer is public officials

or community leaders, can make a big impact—even if you have limited funding available. Through incentives, zoning changes, and targeted investments, it’s possible to significantly expand the availability of affordable housing in your community.

We have seen some of that here in downtown Edmond. We have condominiums going up and some very nice apartments. The area has been zoned for higher density housing to allow for more duplexes and apartments. The trouble for me is that what is now coming out of the ground in no way reflects any form of or definition of “affordable housing.” Just because a condo is small doesn’t make it affordable when they sell for $400,000 or more. Same way with apartments. What is being built is not affordable for working folks.

Here is some data from our Edmond Economic Development Authority to help stimulate your thought process on the subject:

Average Household Income: $135,862

Per Capita Income: $52,392

Median Household Income: $94,000

Cost of living: 90.1% (100% is the national average)

These numbers set the current benchmark on how far away we are from affordable housing.

Average New Home Price: $457,138

Average Sales Price: $408,367

Home Ownership: 65.6%

Edmond Population: 96,391

Number of Households: 37,123

OKC Metro Population: 1,465,824

Unemployment Rate: 2.0%

Population with at least a bache-

lor’s degree: 55.9% Workforce within 30 minutes: 730,100

The challenge for those that want more affordable housing in Edmond will be to work with numbers that are already in play like the figures above. Those numbers are who we are and what makes up this community. We are not building from scratch like a planned community. We have a reality of free market pricing on housing and one that folks are proud of in this town.

No matter what housing options are in front of our city council, the only path to more affordable housing is multi-unit developments or apartments. Yikes, I wrote it. The “a” word, apartments. Generally, Edmond residents fall into one of three groups regarding thoughts on apartments.

The first group is a stern no to any kind of apartments, Upscale or not. Section 8 or not. The second group is good with apartments as long as they are not near their housing. They are all for affordable housing by any definition as long as it is a long way from where they live.

The last group is tiny, but they are folks that are willing to accept quality affordable housing no matter where in town they want to put it. I think you could put these folks in my office and have room left over.

The current pattern is for a developer to bring a quality apartment complex to the city council. It gets approved and then another group in town files a referendum petition putting the decision up for a vote. An election takes place and voters overturn the decision by council and the entire process is back at square one.

My only suggestion is that community leaders take a pause. Please define what is meant by “affordable housing”. Give residents and developers the parameters and definitions so we know what is being decided upon. Practice the art of good communication so if a project is going to be proposed the developer will know the limits that nearby residents are likely to put on them before accepting a project. Break the cycle.

The goal of more affordable housing or even work force housing may be great but currently, we are not going to get there with the way the process works. In short to my friends that want to push for this type of housing, regroup, define and communicate, please.

(Ray Hibbard may be reached by e-mail at ray@edmondpaper.com)

“Four Seasons” in real life is located in front of the Center for Transformative Learning on the University of Central Oklahoma campus, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper.

Please e-mail contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing.

Commissioned as a partnership between UCO, the City of Edmond and the Edmond Visual Arts Commission, “Four Seasons” was created by sculptor Kevin Box of New Mexico and was dedicated on the campus on March 24, 2011.

Kevin is a member of the National Sculptor’s Guild. His Box Studio LLC is a strong supporter of the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle concept, using recycled metal as part of the casting process for his sculptures. All of his work is 100 percent recyclable.

For more information on Edmond public art, please visit http://visitedmondok.com/public-art.php.

Ray Hibbard

By Jennifer Seaton Tourism Director for

Visit Edmond

How often do you enjoy the lake in your back yard? Whether you hike, bike, birdwatch, kayak, hunt, camp, boat, disc golf, swim, ride horses or picnic, there is something for everyone at Arcadia Lake. These numbers may surprise you…

1,820 surface acres of water

26 miles of shoreline

5 parks

6 pavilions

3 overnight campgrounds

3 boat docks

2 beaches

1 UCO Boathouse for kayak, bike and standup paddleboard rentals

Arcadia Lake was constructed as a cooperative effort between the City of Edmond and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1987. It is owned by the Federal Government and operated by the City. The lake has three priorities: Flood Control, Water Supply and Recreation – in this order. Even though recreation is #3, Arcadia Lake is Edmond’s greatest asset along Route 66.

Artist

A self-taught painter, Hunter began her career with watercolors and later branched out to acrylics. "Some consider watercolors difficult to work with," she said. "But I believe they help me become more disciplined. The paint follows the water, so I have to slow down and think about what I was doing." While she enjoys the surprise of watercolors, she also likes the texture and freedom of working with acrylics.

The subject of Hunter's paintings and medium depends on her mood. Out of all the shades of green, there may be one specific one that she looks for ways to use.

An interesting tree may quicken her creativity, making it the motif

Throughout 2020, Arcadia Lake saw a 200% increase in usage and many areas need renovations and new amenities. During COVID, many people purchased boats and RV’s instead of going on vacation and lake lovers expressed concerns that Arcadia Lake not up to the Edmond Standard. A “dream team” of 15 lake enthusiasts led by The Mettise Group met for a few months and agreed on priorities, dreams and aspirations for each lake activity. In 2021, The City of Edmond listened and hired a Master Planner, Land Plan, to turn their dreams into a road map. In 2022, more than 5,000 responded to a public survey for feedback on Arcadia Lake upgrades. The resulting master plan based on community feedback includes ideas such as 20 miles of multi-purpose trails around the lake, new equestrian areas, hammock villages, shade sails at the beaches, new playgrounds, tiny cabins, yurts, more full RV hookups, three baseball fields, a small amphitheater, low ropes course, fuel dock, general store and a lakeside restaurant. The Arcadia Lake Master Plan is in the process of being monetized and prioritized. This road map will guide Edmond’s investment in Arcadia Lake. Find more information at www.visitedmondok.com/news and follow @visitedmond.

From Page 3

of the day. She has fun experimenting with texture and using tools like palette knives, brushes—whatever is handy to get the effect she desires. Her favorite themes are florals, landscapes, birds, and some abstracts.

Hunter has shown her works at various arts festivals in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Colorado and Texas. She only displays originals in her booths.

Pictures from her gallery can be viewed on her website https://natureinwatercolor.webs.com/

To keep up to date with all the arts festival activities, download the Downtown Edmond app.

Edmond Downtown Arts Festival

This May

(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.)

March 3

Kristin Lee Livingston, 29 homeless. Misdemeanor warrant.

Ella Elizabeth Hallmark, 20 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Rhandey Myers McBryde, 26 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Anastasia Donielle Winston, 35 of Edmond. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked, expired tag over three months and no proof of insurance.

Travis Don Horton, 28 homeless, Public intoxication.

Alfred Elwin Anderson, 61 of Edmond. Two counts of failure to appear.

March 4

Travis Jay LaPlante, 39 homeless. Possess drug paraphernalia, possess CDS, misdemeanor warrant and felony DUI/APC.

Elizabeth Dian Hoke Evans, 29 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant, driving with license canceled, suspended or revoked, operating (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

Lindsey Soraya Mombeini, 23 of Oklahoma City. Operating (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

Danny Dwayne McConnell, 40 of Oklahoma City. Possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and public intoxication.

Jesus Ruiz, 23 of Oklahoma City. Speeding (21 to 25 mph over) and operating a motor vehicle with no valid driver’s license.

Matthew Riley Bain, 19 of Edmond. Failure to wear a seatbelt and operating a motor vehicle with no valid driver’s license.

Andrew Blaine Atkinson, 44 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Dina Darnell Latrell Kirven, 26 of Oklahoma City. False representation to an officer and public intoxication.

March 5

Fernando Rocael Rojas Ramirez, 29 of Oklahoma City. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

Marley Haze Fullbright, 24 of Shawnee. Felony warrant.

Ethan Lane Fullbright, 25 homeless. Felony warrant.

Jacob Daniel Tabor, 30 of Oklahoma City. Expired tag, no proof of insurance and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Benjamin David Cochrane, 48 of Oklahoma City. Three misdemeanor warrants.

Riane Lynne Stinnett, 36 of Edmond. Felony warrant and non-assault resisting officer.

Pavithra Bandi, 24 of Edmond. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

March 6

Denton Scott Marsh, 55 homeless. Felony warrant, two misdemeanor warrants, Driving with license canceled, suspended or revoked and possess CDS.

Alejandro Chavez, 36 of Edmond. (Misdemeanor first offense) domestic abuse assault (in the presence of minor child.)

Erin Ann Smith, 43 of Oklahoma City. Two counts of failure to appear.

Todd Joseph Miller, 33 of Oklahoma City. Possess drug paraphernalia, two counts possess CDS and failure to appear.

Dejuan Wjuantrel Matthews, 37 of Edmond. Two counts of failure to appear.

Jonathan Wesley James, 32 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

March 7

Andrew Blaine Atkinson, 44 of Edmond. Prohibited crossing/pedestrian, non-assault resisting officer and public intoxication.

Hayden Cole Turner, 25 of Kingfisher, Speeding (16 to 20 mph over) and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Michael Ray Hemley Jr., 45 of Guthrie, Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Tayvaughn Lashawn Crump, 23 of Arcadia. Possess CDS and driving (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Shannon Renee McLaughlin, 47 of Edmond. Failure to appear.

March 8

Jennifer Jane Ralston, 40 of Guthrie. Possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and two counts of failure to appear.

Xavier Kristofer Manford King, 22 of Guthrie. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or above.

Melody Relyn Thornburg, 38 of Edmond. Speeding (11-14 mph over) and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Michael William Bailey, 40 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.

March 9

Melvin Lamar Isler, 31 of Oklahoma City. Misdemeanor warrant and failure to appear.

Dakota Austin Buntyn, 24 of Friendswood, Texas. Felony warrant.

Chu Jiang, 44 of Edmond. Possess CDS and felony DUI/APC.

Lawrence Marvin Hood, 36 of Crescent. Misdemeanor warrant.

Tykee Acerion Watson, 21 of Oklahoma City. Contributing to the delinquency of minors and (misdemeanor first and second offense) larceny of

merchandise from a retailer.

Mark Lewis Dunlap, 41 of Oklahoma City. Two misdemeanor warrants, assault – resisting officer and pedestrians walking along roadways.

March 10

Michael Dewon Turner, 31 homeless. Felony warrant.

Ryan Raine Forest, 30 of Edmond. Trespassing after being warned.

March 11

Stedman Bernard Ross, 31 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or combination of schedule I chemical or controlled substance.

Richard Chad Brown, 51 ofr Edmond. Two counts of traffic regulations to bicycle riders, resisting arrest and assault and battery (felony) on police officer or correctional staff.

Travis Don Horton, 28 homeless. Possession of marijuana and failure to appear.

Billie Ruth McGivney, 83 of Edmond. (Misdemeanor) domestic abuse assault.

Jacob Calvin Smith, 34 homeless. Failure to appear.

Shenique Tiara Prince, 32 of Edmond. Possession of marijuana and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

March 12

David Joseph Randall Jr., 29 of Edmond. Felony warrant.

Matthew David Harrell, 43 of Edmond. Operating (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Krystina Michelle Tapley, 36 of Edmond. Failure to appear.

Ryan Joseph Alvarado, 29 of Edmond. Failure to stop for red signal light and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level or .15 or above.

Robert Serrano, 54 of Moore. Two misdemeanor warrants and a felony warrant.

Weekend calendar, March 23-26

What’s Happening This Weekend Mar 23-26

---- In the Gallery

---- Tiny, But Mighty! Exhibit

---- As, Not For Art Gallery

---- Live Music at Round Midnight ---- March Events at Frenzy

---- March at the UCO Jazz Lab ---- Border Bash Rodeo

---- Brown Bag: Exploring Comics ---- Signature Tour

---- Sunday Spotlight: Pearl Hart’s Revolver

---- Pollard Theatre presents: Clue ---- The Musical ---- OKC Broadway presents: Frozen

---- India Shrine Circus

---- Guthrie Renaissance Faire

---- The OKC Home & Outdoor Living Show

---- Just Between Friends Consignment Sale

---- OKC Thrive Fest ---- Paycom Center presents: Harlem Globetrotters ---- Bronchothon Car Show

Extra Information

In the Gallery

Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute

Extra Info: Featuring the art of Marie Kash Weltzheimer; edmondfinearts.com

Tiny, But Mighty! Exhibit

Location: Edmond Historical Society & Museum

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

As, Not For Art Gallery

Location: University of Central Oklahoma

– UCO Nigh Center

Extra Info: Thu, Mar 2 – Mon, Mar 27; Free; calendar.uco.edu

Border Bash Rodeo

Location: Lazy E Arena

Extra Info: Fri, Mar 24 – Sun, Mar 26; lazye.com

Live Music at Round Midnight

Location: Round Midnight

Extra Info: Thu, Mar 23: Vintage Vinyl; Fri, Mar 24: Clayton Roffe Duo; Sat, Mar 25: Noah Engh; facebook.com

March Events at Frenzy

Location: Frenzy Brewing Company

Extra Info: Thu, Mar 23: The Rosenbalms; 7 p.m.; Fri, Mar 24: Robert Allen; 7:30 p.m.; frenzybrewing.com

March at the UCO Jazz Lab

Location: University of Central Oklahoma

– UCO Jazz Labb

Extra Info: Thu, Mar 23: Jackson Emmer; 7 p.m.; $20; Fri, Mar 24; Souled Out; 8 p.m.; $20; Sat, Mar 25; Old Bulldog Band; 7:30 p.m.; $15; Sun, Mar 26: Sandra Thompson; 7:30 p.m.; $18; ucojazzlab.com

Brown Bag: Exploring Comics

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Thu, Mar 23; 12 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Signature Tour Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Sat, Mar 25 – Sun, Mar 26; 1 ---- 2 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Sunday Spotlight: Pearl Hart’s Revolver

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Sun, Mar 26; 1 – 1:30 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Pollard Theatre Presents: Clue – The Musical Location: Pollard Theatre, Guthrie

Extra Info: Fri, Mar 10 – Sat, Apr 1; Fri and Sat nights only; 8 – 9:30 p.m.; thepollard.org

OKC Broadway presents: Frozen

Location: Civic Center Music Hall

Extra Info: Wed, Mar 22 – Sun, Apr 2; Tue – Thu:

7:30 p.m.; Fri & Sat: 8 p.m.; Sun: 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.; Tue & Sat: 2 p.m.; okcbroadway.com

India Shrine Circus

Location: Oklahoma City Fairgrounds

Extra Info: Thu, Mar 23 – Sun, Mar 26; Thu & Fri:

7:30 p.m.; Sat: 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m.; okcfairgrounds.com

Guthrie Renaissance Faire

Location: Guthrie

Extra Info: Fri, Mar 24 – Sun, Mar 26; Fri: 3 – 9 p.m.; Sat: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sun: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; guthrierenfair.com

The OKC Home & Outdoor Living Show

Location: Oklahoma City Fairgrounds

Extra Info: Fri, Mar 24 – Sun, Mar 26; Fri: 12 – 9 p.m.; Sat: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sun: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; homeshowokc.com

Just Between Friends Consignment Sale

Location: Oklahoma City Fairgrounds

Extra Info: Sat, Mar 25 – Sat, Apr 1; okc.jbfsale.com

OKC Thrive Fest

Location: Riversport OKC

Extra Info: Sat, Mar 25; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; riversportokc.org

Paycom Center presents: Harlem Globetrotters

Location: Paycom Center

Extra Info: Sat, Mar 25; 2 – 7 p.m.; paycomcenter.com

Bronchothon Car Show

Location: University of Central Oklahoma

Extra Info: Sun, Mar 26; 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.; uco.edu

To Dean McGee Eye Institute

Masons make $250K donation

The Dean McGee Eye Institute (DMEI) has received a grant of $250,000 from the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma to help expand DMEI’s NW Oklahoma City satellite clinic located at 3500 NW 56th Street. The funds will be used to help with the cost of construction as DMEI expands the clinic from nine examination rooms (with one optometrist and one comprehensive ophthalmologist) to 21 examination rooms. This will will allow for the addition of a second full-time ophthalmologist as well as regular visits by some of DMEI’s other providers such as retinal specialists, oculoplastic surgeons, and cornea and exsternal disease physicians.

R. Michael Siatkowski, MD, MBA, chief executive officer of DMEI and Edward L. Gaylord professor and chair of the Department of Ophthalmology states, “With the population growth in the western and northwestern Oklahoma City metropolitan area, there is an urgent need to increase patient access to DMEI’s NW Oklahoma City satellite clinic. Expanded space and

services at one of DMEI’s busiest clinics will help the organization meet current demand and allow for future growth. We are grateful to the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma for helping make this happen.”

“We are excited to assist in the expansion of access to eye care in Oklahoma,”

said John Logan, Executive Director of the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma. “Vision loss is among the top 10 disabilities in the country. Access to quality eye care will help reduce loss of vision.”

DMEI anticipates the expansion will be completed by late 2023.

The Dean McGee Eye Institute (DMEI) has received a grant of $250,000 from the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma to help expand DMEI’s NW Oklahoma City satellite clinic located at 3500 NW 56th Street. The funds will be used to help with the cost of construction as DMEI expands the clinic from nine examination rooms (with one optometrist and one comprehensive ophthalmologist) to 21.

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.

From left are, Neil Still, President, MCFO; Glen Chaney, Grand Master of Masons; Jim Durbin, DMEI Executive Director of Development; Dr. Mike Siatkowski, CEO of DMEI and John Logan, MCFO Executive Directo

Biden’s budget disaster

By Senator Markwayne Mullin

Joe Biden likes to say, “show me your budget, and I’ll tell you what you value.” When looking at his latest budget request, it’s clear this president values higher taxes, massive spending, and more government.

Earlier this month, Joe Biden submitted his official budget request to Congress for Fiscal Year 2024. It should come as no surprise that this $6.9 trillion spending spree would do nothing to alleviate the economic pain that is hurting hard-working Americans. In fact, Biden’s reckless tax-and-spend blueprint will only worsen the economic burden on American families by doubling down on the same failed policies that got us here.

Case in point: during a time of record inflation, Biden has promised to increase taxes on hardworking Americans and job creators. With this budget, he has kept that gross promise.

Biden’s budget proposal includes a stunning $4.7 trillion in new and expanded taxes, the

largest tax hike since the 1960s. His job-killing proposal would increase the federal income tax and hit American energy producers with a $31 billion tax increase to bankroll his radical green agenda. In fact, Biden’s budget text mentions the word “climate” 148 times. Talk about priorities.

Biden’s budget puts partisan priorities ahead of safety and security. His budget proposal cuts funding to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), further neglecting the historic crisis at our southern border and putting America’s national security at risk. He even wants to raise the U.S. corporate tax rate from 21 percent to 28 percent, which is even higher than Communist China’s. Only Joe Biden would see soaring taxes, a neglected border, and weakened businesses as a political success. While Biden’s budget proposal is a clear appeasement to the radical Left’s Green New Deal agenda; every American will suffer the consequences.

The president fails to acknowledge his reckless spending agenda comes at an extreme cost.

In total, the Biden budget would add $17.1 trillion to the deficit over the next decade, ballooning the U.S. national debt to over $50 trillion. This is beyond reckless, as every taxpayer and business owner in America knows, if you spend beyond your means—you’ll go bankrupt.

Joe Biden could not be more out-of-touch. Biden’s inflation has cost American families an additional $10,000 per household since he took office. His failed economic agenda, crippling tax increases, and overregulation have plagued small businesses and job creators. At the same time, Biden’s assault on domestic energy production has hurt Americans’ pocketbooks and weakened our country on the global stage. More wasteful spending is certainly not the answer.

Everyone knows that you can’t spend more than you have without acquiring debt. And eventually, someone has to pay the bill. It’s unfortunate that our president does not seem to grasp this basic principle of fiscal responsibility. But, what do you expect from a career politician who has spent the last 40 years in Washington. Every day, Oklahoma families make tough choices on how to run their households and manage their finances. Unfortunately, the Biden administration refuses to take responsibility and do the same.

State may beef up law on tobacco sales

Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, has secured passage of legislation addressing tobacco and vape usage in people under 21.

In 2022, the Legislature approved legislation eliminating municipal enforcement and ordinances related to underage tobacco use and possession. After working with the Oklahoma Municipal League, Roe filed House Bill 2165 to returns authority to municipalities to enact and enforce ordinances related to tobacco and vape products.

Oklahoma's current age minimum to purchase tobacco is 21, and if HB2165 becomes law, anyone under 21 who purchases or attempts to purchase tobacco must complete a tobacco education program approved by the court. Violators would be required to complete an education or tobacco use cessation program or community service as ordered by the court.

"The use of tobacco, nicotine and vapor products in our young people is a serious epidemic, and many of Oklahoma's underage users are not considering the long-term health risks associated with ingesting these products," Roe said. "It's my hope that this measure will help educate our young people about the dangers of these products and ultimately save lives."

Roe said her measure has a companion bill in the Senate, Senate Bill 462, which would require all municipal judges to go through a mandatory certification program that will address issues like dealing with underage tobacco and vaping use.

Following a 71-16 vote in the House, HB2165 heads to the Senate.

You’re ‘bacon’ me hungry, so let’s go high on the hog

By Carol Smaglinski

“High on the Hog” was originally known in the British army for the way the most tender parts of the meat were portioned out. Officers got the best, which was high on the hog, while the troops with lower ranks shared the remains.

No doubt about it, pork and goat are among the most eaten varieties of meat in the world.

Americans pig-out on more pork than goat, even though goat is prized for its fur, meat and chevre (Shev), which is a delightfully tart goat cheese.

From the best parts of the pig comes Canadian bacon, called Back Bacon in Canada, a cut from the center back of the animal. That is where the most tender and juiciest meat is found, which is reason enough to get out of bed for brunch on a lazy Sunday morning. Regular bacon comes from the belly of the animal.

Cuts from the center area include the bone-in center-rib roast, and the boneless top-loin roast. Tie those two together and you get a boneless double top-loin roast.

When this muscle is cured, the eye of the loin or the central muscle becomes Canadian bacon. The cylindrical piece of pork is very lean and is either brine-cured or smoked and is much drier than ham, but leaner than regular bacon.

Canadian bacon is used in Eggs Benedict and its origin seems to be at Delmonico’s Restaurant in

Manhattan where a Mr. and Mrs. LeGrand Benedict once complained that everything on its lunch menu was boring.

So the chef created Eggs Benedict and the rest is history. The recipe is a heavyweight for unsurpassed flavor. Along with the Hollandaise, your cooking repertoire should include crisp English muffins, a flat, round yeast-raised bread baked on a griddle rather than in the oven with its surface sprinkled with cornmeal.

If not toasted, the muffin will seem a bit doughy, so do toast it. There are several varieties in supermarkets including whole wheat. To open, stick an upside-down fork in and out on the sides all around and gently pull apart.

To warm up the eggs fresh from the fridge for the Hollandaise, place them, still in their shells, in a bowl of hot water for about five minutes before starting. Hollandaise Sauce

Makes 1 cup

4 eggs yolks (save whites for another recipe)

½ cup butter (1 stick)

The juice of one medium lemon

Place yolks in a blender and add lemon juice. Heat butter in a small pan until bubbling, but not burning. Quickly pour into a measuring cup. Working fast, run the blender at medium speed to blend eggs and juice for about 5 seconds. Pour the hot butter into the opening of the blender in a

nice steady stream and watch the sauce thicken immediately. Season with salt and pepper and a pinch of cayenne, if desired. Pour sauce into a double boiler if you have to hold.

Eggs Benedict

Makes 4 servings

Toasted and buttered English muffins thin slices of Canadian Bacon, heated Poached eggs (poached ahead for about 4 minutes and held in hot water)

Place the two halves of the English muffin on an individual serving plate. Place two thin slices of Canadian Bacon on each half of the muffin. Top with a poached egg and then a dollop of Hollandaise over the top. Serve hot!

James Hutchison

May 19, 1943 – March 11, 2023

79 Years, 9 Months, 16 Days

James Howard Hutchison “Hutch” passed away on March 11, 2023, at the age of 79 in Edmond, Oklahoma. James was born to Evelyn and Robert Hutchison on May 19, 1943, in Choctaw, Oklahoma. He was a talented athlete who went on to play football in college where he met his wife Patricia Waldman Hutchison of 59 years who is “still the one.” James received his undergraduate degree from Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma and furthered his education with a Master of Education from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. They lived in Kansas for 13 years where James coached football and started his first business: V and H Construction. With an opportunity to coach at his high school alma mater James sold his business and moved back to Oklahoma to coach football at Choctaw High School.

James was driven professionally with an unmatched work ethic with what began as summer work turned into a 44-year career owning and operating 3 successful companies within the Oil and Gas industry.

His passions in life were his Faith, Family, and Friends. He had an enthusiasm for hard work, adventure, and people. His simple communication style and caring heart often lead to him mentoring many he came to know. He found joy in the joy of others.

He worked hard every day to provide for his family and instill forever learned lessons, memories, and morals to both family and all those fortunate to know him. He had a unique style in how he shared his faith with both his words and his deeds.

He is survived by his wife Pat Hutchison, daughter Heidi May (Robert), and son Kirk Hutchison. He was known as Papa to his 6 Grandchildren: Jacob May (Emily), Emily Power (Blake), Hallie May, and Tessie May and his 1 Great Grandchild: Adalynn May. Jim was preceded in death by parents Evelyn Hutchison Parker and Robert Hutchison and his sister, Jan Wilsey.

A public viewing will be held Friday, March 24th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Matthews Funeral Home in Edmond, OK.

The funeral service will be Saturday, March 25th at 2:00 PM at Edmond Faith Bible Church in Edmond, OK.

Donations in honor of James can be made to either Positive Tomorrow’s in OKC or Loving Choices Pregnancy Center in Rogers, AR.

The family would especially like to thank Carol Ann Corrigan, who worked with James for 42 years as an integral part of his business.

Hutch / Papa will be deeply missed by his family and all who knew him.“No day shall erase you from the memory of time”- Virgil

Eggs Benedict makes for a delicious meal.

By Steve Gust

There is yet another downside to the Silicon Valley Bank collapse. We have many federal officials telling us that “all is well.”

There is a minor issue with that. People don’t have a whole lot of faith in what the federal government says these days. We had lots of conflicting information during the pandemic. But that’s not all. We had people tell us for years that Donald Trump had colluded with the Russians to get elected in 2016 – a claim now refuted and debunked. All governments need more transparency and a lot more people interested in enforcing the law, despite the politics of the situation.

—Along those lines, three cheers for some lawmakers at the State Capitol. There is SB Bill 1103, also called the Ratepayer Protection Act of 2023. This addresses one of the issues I triumph, a commonsense approach to utility regulation. And all of this is from the aftermath of the RIDICULOUS utility charges people were assessed for the

2021 arctic blast. This bill wants transparency with the utility companies and annual reviews of electric costs with the Corporation Commission. They also want the companies to make infrastructure investments to prevent future large rate hikes. And the bill wants excessive revenues refunded to the customer. Gee, what a unique idea that is.

I don’t know the status of the bill. I hope it passes. I suspect there will be a lot of special interest parties opposing it.

—I know television news host Tucker Carlson, triggers a lot of people – especially on the left. Last week he looked at the Climate Change activists. Over the years, most of them, such as Al Gore have made claims and predictions, which have not come true. That failed and flawed record would make a good TV special for “60 Minutes.” Somehow I don’t see that happening anytime soon. I do recommend people watch Carlson’s report on it. E-mail me and I’ll send you a link or ask the Internet to give you a transcript of Carlson’s March 16 program.

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

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (RMS) and their colleagues to introduce a resolution that affirms Congress has no authority to declare the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) ratified as part of the Constitution.

“The Equal Rights Amendment was not ratified by the necessary number of states, and the timeframe to ratify it has long passed,” said Lankford. “Equal rights for all people is a basic American value already guaranteed by the Constitution. The ongoing hustle to try to force the ERA into existence is an attempt to promote a radical pro-abortion, anti-religious liberty agenda. The push to manipulate the constitutional amendment process for the ERA needs to stop. You cannot amend the Constitution in an unconstitutional way.”

“The law and the facts outlined in this resolution are clear. Congress has no authority to go back in time to revive a failed constitutional amendment, which makes the current push to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment wrong on its face,” Hyde-Smith said. “Beyond the illegitimacy of trying to resurrect the ERA, we cannot

ignore the very serious effects adding the ERA to our Constitution today would have on abortion, religious liberty, protections for women, and more.”

Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Pete Ricketts (RNE), Marco Rubio (R-FL), John Boozman (R-AR), John Kennedy (RLA), and Mike Lee (R-UT) joined Lankford and Hyde-Smith to introduce the resolution.

Under Article V of the Constitution, the legitimate constitutional role of Congress in the constitutional amendment process for the ERA ended when Congress proposed and submitted the amendment to the states on March 22, 1972. The ERA expired when its ratification deadline passed with fewer than three-fourths of the states ratifying. Congress has no power to modify a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment after the amendment has been submitted to the states, or after the amendment has expired. The only legitimate way for the ERA to become part of the Constitution is provided in Article V of the Constitution and requires reintroduction of the same or modified language addressing the same subject through approval of a new joint resolution by the required two-thirds votes in each chamber of Congress.

The resolution introduced by Lankford and Hyde-Smith reviews federal judicial findings that shoot down notions that Congress can eliminate the ratification deadline for the ERA, which fell short of the 38 state ratifications necessary for adoption under Article V of the Constitution.

Only 35 states ratified the ERA before its seven-year deadline expired, and four of those states subsequently voted to rescind their ratifications of the ERA.

Concerned Women for America

Legislative Action Committee (CWLAC), the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the Independent Women’s Voice (IWV), Heritage Action, Americans United for Life, and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America support the resolution.

Recently, Lankford questioned Dr. Colleen Shogan, nominee to serve as Archivist of the United States, about her stance on refusing to unilaterally ratify the ERA.

Edmond leaders making us too woke?

EDITOR

On Feb. 24, I attended the update by Urban Land Institute (ULI) at the University of Central Oklahoma. I really didn’t know much about them or the downtown improvement project, so I did a short internet investigation and became aware and upset.

The study was supported by the current Edmond Mayor and City Council. Let me give you my highlevel review of the study’s presentation:

• I applaud the City of Edmond for the attempt to bring in fresh eyes to our city development. Without data, we cannot make informed decisions, but why was ULI chosen?

• The entire presentation appeared to be the same presentation that they may have made multiple times before to other cities. A few specifics were added relative to the Edmond area, but it was obvious that they were here to “sell” us something.

• Within the week of the presentation, ULI had interviewed “100 persons” in Edmond. However, they admitted that they did not speak with anybody in the Edmond Police Department, even though the PD is located within the study area.

Why am I concerned about the Urban Land Institute (ULI)? The following information was obtained from their website:

• The mission of ULI is to “Shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide.” (Transformative… Where have I heard that before? Oh yes, the last two years under the Washington administration was said to be “transformative.” How’s that going for us?)

• The ULI Executive Committee includes people like Lisa Gordon, COO of the City of Atlanta, and Michael Banner, President/Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles LDC. (I don’t know about you, but that scares the heck out of me. I don’t want to be like Atlanta or LA.)

• The ULI Trustees are comprised mostly of Banks including firms like JP Morgan and Avanath Capital Management. (The ULI panelists included representatives from Houston, Atlanta, and Seattle. Does anyone want our city to be like any of those cities?)

• ULI Mission Priorities:

o DECARBONIZATION AND NET ZERO (Essentially, this is the Green New Deal)

o INCREASING HOUSING ATTAINABILITY - Activities include developing practical tools to help developers of affordable housing....

o EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF DIVERSE LEADERS - Enhancing your Environmental, Social, and Governance. (ESG scoring for loans and businesses are being used to gain power over their spending patterns.)

▪ NOTE: Coupled with digital currency (from the Federal Reserve as a substitute for paper currency), this would allow our banks or government to control our personal spending.

• All three priorities will be underpinned by a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)…

o NOTE: DEI has its roots in the 1960's anti-discrimination legislative movement when laws like the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 addressed labor issues based on protected classes.

o NOTE: Why do we have legislation to impact this area of our community along with the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and still need DEI? States like Florida and Texas are standing against DEI. Recently, Texas told agency leaders that using DEI policies in hiring violates federal and state employment laws, and hiring cannot be based on factors “other than merit.”

Reading the ULI website indicated to me that the organization promoted taking power away from the citizens and giving it to the banks and/or the government through financial oversight.

In fact, Tom Robin (a candidate for City Council Ward1) asked if General Obligation Bonds (GO Bonds) should be used to fund ULI’s the recommended projects. He pointed out that Edmond has never used the GO Bonds. Geoff Koski, President of KB Advisory Group in Atlanta, responded that “You have to use the GO Bond, if you are to be open minded.” If you are a conservative Edmond citizen, this is kind of a slap in the face, don’t you think?

My Bottom Line: The development ideas presented were not totally off-base, but to some I would definitely take exception. More importantly, I came away from the presentation with the idea that what was really at risk is our independence. These banks want to ensure that we are financially burdened to a point that they control our city’s decisions now and in the future.

If you don’t think that is possible, ask the Dutch Farmers who are losing their land to the government because they are the reason for climate change!

KEN KAPPERS.

Steve Gust

Bronchos are National Champions

Believe it or not, it’s been 15 years since the University of Central Oklahoma won a national title in wrestling. But that ended March 11 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Dalton Abney and Shawn Streck put the final stamp on Central Oklahoma’s national team title by capturing back-to-back individual gold medals at the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships. Abney earned a tight 1-0 decision to claim his second straight 197-pound crown and Streck breezed to an 8-2 victory at heavyweight to highlight an incredible team performance over the two-day tournament. UCO had a school-record nine All-Americans in finishing with 121 points. Dylan Lucas (133), Nate Keim (141) and Ty Lucas (165) all finished third, while 184 Alex Kauffman took fifth, 149 Brik Filippo sixth and 157 Gabe Johnson and 174 Anthony DesVigne seventh.

Congratulations to head coach Todd Steidley and all of the Bronchos for their great accomplishment!!!

Major work on Broadway & Second Street

New road projects

By Jack Money Oklahoman.com

Two historically foundational roads that help support Edmond's growth and are showing their age are about to get some badly needed care after a lengthy wait.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has awarded a $9 million contract to Haskell Lemon Construction Co. to resurface E Second Street between Interstate 35 and Broadway and to resurface Broadway between Second and the community's southern city limits at Comfort Drive.

The project, expected to begin soon, will be the first time both roads inside of Edmond have been repaved at the same time in decades, if ever.

But this isn't a case where the state is stepping in to help the suburban community out with something it should be taking care of on its own. In fact, the roads aren't owned by Edmond at all. nstead, State Highway 66 (E Second) and U.S. 77 (the Broadway Extension) within the community are owned and maintained by Oklahoma and its Transportation Department through arrangements made more than 60 years ago.

Most residents probably never even think about that issue, said Jay Lemon, president of Haskell Lemon Group, parent of the construction company that will be doing the work.

Someone living in east Edmond wanting to go to a grocery store downtown uses county-, city- and state-owned roads without ever knowing the difference, he explained.

"To them, they are just paved roads," Lemon said. "So, when most people in Edmond think those two roads are city streets, they are not, which is a little bit different animal. They are state-owned roads."

Lemon said the contract between Haskell Lemon and the state calls for work to begin on April 1 and to last a maximum of six months.

The company plans to:

Start the job by strengthening and smoothing several blocks of Second Street's concrete surface between the bridge over I-35 and where asphalt paving begins a few blocks to the west.

Repair a road base under Broadway's southbound lanes, just south of its intersection with 15th Street.

Mobilize two complete resurfacing teams once warmer, drier weather takes hold that will work as quickly as they can to mill away and replace the top2 inches of asphalt across 40 lane miles covering E Second to Broadway, and along Broadway from its intersection with Second south to Edmond's city limits.

Work mostly at night when traffic counts are lower as it resurfaces and restripes the roadways.

Work with business owners lining both sides of the busy thoroughfares to ensure motorists can get in and out of those locations while work moves through their areas.

Barring any weather issues, Lemon expects the company to complete the work on time.

"It's a substantial project because it is happening in a heavily urbanized, developed area," Lemon said. "Trying to minimize everyone's inconvenience and protecting the safety of drivers and our workers is a big challenge."

During the first half of the 20th century, motorists using U.S./SH 66 didn't drive into Edmond. Instead, they turned south at an interchange several miles east of Edmond called Bradbury Corner and used Sooner, which at one point served as U.S. 77 between Edmond and Guthrie, to head south.

Upon reaching a road called the Northeast Bypass (later part of Interstate 44), motorists drove into Oklahoma City using the old Classen Circle interchange. In 1954, things began to change, as Oklahoma's transportation agency designated E Second from Broadway to Edmond's east edge as

See Projects, Page 13

Politics costs state jobs, Munson says

“Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are not bad words, but instead the foundation of multi-national companies like Volkswagen that Oklahoma seeks to attract. Instead of cultivating a sense of belonging, the Legislature continues to foster division and hate,” House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City said.

“If we want big companies like Volkswagen to choose Oklahoma over other states and countries like Canada, we need more than just tax incentives. We need lawmakers to stop making laws that limit access to healthcare for women and transgender Oklahomans. We need the Governor and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to stop working to defund and denounce our public schools. We need to redirect our focus to the proven ways to grow and develop our workforce: ensure quality health care and a strong public school system,” Rep. Munson added.

“The Republican Leadership’s hostility towards anyone that is different from them is costing Oklahomans good, high-paying jobs,” Rep. Munson added.

Projects

U.S./SH 66 at about the same time the Turner Turnpike was built and as planning continued to design and build I-35. The state designated Broadway as U.S. 77 in 1965.

But Broadway's history as a transportation conduit between Oklahoma City in Edmond begins much earlier when it was just a two-lane brick road. Once reaching Memorial Road, Broadway proceeded north using a route previously occupied by the privately owned Interurban rail system to get people in and out of Edmond.

Oklahoma County (which at the time was responsible for highway maintenance within its borders) began looking at improving Broadway into a highway during the early 1930s. Significant mileposts in that journey include:

An announcement by city, county and Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce officials in 1954 that they had acquired needed rights-of-way between Edmond and NW 36 and Broadway in Oklahoma City to widen and improve the road. It carried about 1,200 vehicles daily at the time.

An approval of a $6 million bond issue by Oklahoma County voters in 1957 to improve Broadway between Oklahoma City and Edmond.

Approval by Oklahoma's state highway commission in 1959 to turn Broadway into a four-lane, divided highway between NW 36 and Britton Road.

Approval by the highway commission to build a clover-leaf interchange in 1961 linking the under-construction I-44 and Broadway together.

Authorization by state highway commissioners in 1965 to widen and resurface Broadway between Memorial and Britton roads.

Completions of various widening projects to transform the road into a divided, four-lane highway by the early

From Page 12

1970s. Broadway carried 10,100 cars daily in 1969.

Since then, continued increases in both the use of SH 66 and U.S. 77 have prompted the state to make multiple improvements to the roads.

Inside of Edmond, improvements dating back 30 years on SH 66 and US 77 have included:

Resurfacing Second from Broadway east to I-35 in 1988.

Resurfacing Second from Broadway east 3 miles in 1996.

Resurfacing Broadway from 33rd to 15th in 1997.

Resurfacing Broadway from 33rd north to Second in 2009.

As that work was underway, Oklahoma also spent significant sums of money to improve the extension, known today as Interstate 235, inside of Oklahoma City. Projects include:

Rebuilding and widening various portions of the highway between I-44 and Memorial Road between 1998 and 2008, costing $140 million.

Rebuilding the ramp from southbound U.S. 77 to westbound I-44 in 2011-2012, costing $19 million.

Rebuilding the ramp from eastbound I-44 to southbound I-235, plus widening the merge area on westbound I-44 for traffic exiting to head north on I-235 in 2013-2014, costing $9 million.

Widening I-235 between NW 36 and NW 50 and installing a 45-foottalll railroad bridge above the highway in 2017-2018, costing $88 million.

Widening I-235 between NW 50 and NW 63 and rebuilding the I-235/I44 interchange using 11 bridges (including two flyovers) between 2019-2022, costing $105 million.

Rebuilding the westbound I-44 ramp to northbound I-235 and creating a direct connection from Lincoln Boulevard to northbound I-235. This work, expected to begin later this year, will cost about $16 million.

Kathleen Gay Patterson Thomas

Kathleen Gay Patterson Thomas was born January 11, 1941 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Joseph and Marguerite Patterson, and passed away in her beloved town of Edmond, Oklahoma on the evening of March 16, 2023.

Kathy graduated in 1959 from John Marshall High School. She competed in speech and debate, loved going to the movies, and won 2nd place in Oklahoma City’s Most Beautiful Voice competition. Her senior year, Kathy met the love of her life, Robert Thomas. Following graduation, they married at Linwood Methodist Church in Oklahoma City on November 28, 1959.

As newlyweds, Kathy and Bob moved to South Rankin where Kathy adopted Bob’s love and heritage of Edmond, Oklahoma. They raised three wonderful children, Terri, Robbi, and Allen. Kathy served as PTA President of Orvis Risner Elementary, chaired the Mothers Group at the United Methodist Church, and was an active member and leader of Edmond’s Chapter D PEO. She later served as Church Secretary at Southern Hills Christian Church, then joined the Alcorn State Farm Agency in downtown Edmond. She enjoyed working and spending time with her friends at the neighboring Barrett Drug Store, and retired in 1994 from Rod Eskridge State Farm.

After retirement, Kathy and Bob enjoyed being docents at the Oklahoma Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and supporting the Edmond Fine Arts Institute. Kathy also expressed passion for her town through her work with the Edmond Historic Preservation Trust and the 1889 Territorial Schoolhouse, and as a member of Edmond’s Cambridge Club. She served as chairman of LibertyFest in 1989 and supported the Edmond Chopin Society. Kathy also helped cultivate Edmond’s beauty with her contributions and love of public art, and was the driving force in acquiring the statue “Touch the Clouds,” which sits proudly on the campus of UCO. Kathy was excited about the growth and progress of Downtown Edmond and was an active member of the First Christian Church of Edmond.

Kathy loved to travel and had great stories from Hong Kong, Russia, Italy, Alaska, and her very favorite, New York City. It was her love of travel, and the shared love of art and mountains with Bob, that led them to their “happy place” in Ruidoso, New Mexico, where they enjoyed roaming art galleries and visiting with friends. In later years, Kathy loved sitting on her mountain with her little dog and constant side-kick Cooper, where she crocheted afghans and enjoyed the beauty of her home away from home.

Kathy was preceded in death by her forever love, Bob, and her parents. She is survived and celebrated by her three children: Terri Turner; Robbi Kinnaird and husband, Scott; and Allen Thomas and wife, Chele. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Michele Koopman and husband, Chris; Caitlyn Deason and husband, Jared; Kelsi Thomas and fiancé, Matt Capshaw; Beth Anne Kinnaird and husband, Alan Clark; Jack Kinnaird; Logan Turner; and Theo Kinnaird. Kathy also had six wonderful great-grandchildren: Calvin Koopman, Rylan Deason, Bryce Deason, Adam Deason, Lucas Thomas, and Savannah Capshaw. She is also survived by her sister, Jody Stone of Houston, sister-in-law Jan Boyington and husband Don, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, March 23, at First Christian Church Edmond. The live streaming of the service will be available at www.matthewsfuneralhome.com the day of the service.

Work should be mostly at night when traffic counts are lower as it resurfaces and restripes the roadways.

Each week, follow various opinions expressed on the Life & Leisure OP/ED Page

Film doesn’t capture charm of original

By George Gust

"Shazam! Fury of the Gods," continues the story of teenage Billy Batson (Asher Angel) who, upon reciting the magic word "SHAZAM!," is transformed into his adult Super Hero alter ego, Shazam (Zachary Levi).

When “Shazam!” was released in 2019 it was a breath of fresh air to the struggling DC universe of movies. Bringing in a smaller scale and a surprising amount of heart servicing a story about a group of down on their luck kids forming their own kind of family. “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” suffers from the same scale problem as the most recent “Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania” eschewing the small scale and fresh humor that made the series feel different than every other super-hero movie that litters the box office. What used to be a shake up to the familiar escalating city destructing superhero computer generated spectacle has now joined in with its own epic scale and unbelievably enormous stakes with diminished returns.

Whenever creating a superhero sequel there’s a temptation for the filmmakers to add more lore andmore characters (see “Batman Returns” “Spider-man 3”), sure this is great to sell toys and lunchboxes, but

this is rarely the best move in terms of telling a balanced story. “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” tries to service 6 superheroes each with 2 actors and add in 3 new villains to the mix. This overstuffed storytelling produces a confusing feeling of whose movie this really is or should be.

While the overall path “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” takes is a messy one the talent in front of the camera is as charming as the first film. Once again Jack Dylan Grazer is delightful as the super-hero obsessed kid Freddy Freeman and brings the same kind of fresh en-

Answers on Page 19

ergy that he did to the first film. And Levi as the superhero version of Billy brings the same charm and comedic timing that feels like a cleaner version of Deadpool’s quick wit.

The new additions of Lucy Liu and Helen Mirran in villainous roles feel like they should be a home run and they fit perfectly with the overall tone of the film, but their characters, as with most of the other main players are given short shrift under the massive weight of the storylines the film attempts to fit in, set up, and resolve.

Overall, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” is another example of the super-hero genre run amuck. The siren call of the ‘more is better’ approach was too tempting for the crew behind the film. However, the result is an uneven and unbalanced film that, while having a lot of the charm of the first, fails to produce similar results.

“Shazam! Fury of the Gods” is rated PG-13 for sequences of action and violence, and language.

2.8 out of 5 stars

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

Calderon

Dance event this May

The Plaza District Association is excited to announce the second annual Calderón Dance Festival on Sunday, May 7, from 12 PM- 8 PM. Everyone is invited to the family-friendly event to celebrate dance and community.

The festival is the vision of the late Shannon Calderón-Primeau, former owner of Everything Goes Dance Studio located in the heart of 16th Street Plaza District.

Juliana Lopez, Festival Director for Calderón Dance Festival, says Calderón-Primeau’s impact on the Plaza District and dance community is still felt today, adding, “We honor the life of Shannon CalderónPrimeau by removing the barriers to dance and providing a fun and safe place for all to enjoy learning and moving. With the help of her family members and beloved friends, we are so excited to bring you the 2nd Annual Calderón Dance Festival.”

Nearly 10,000 people are expected to attend the Calderón Dance Festival this year. It is an extension of The Plaza District Association’s mission to foster a vibrant and diverse place where arts, local businesses, and community thrive.

Crossword Puzzle

Answers on Page 19

Discovery made by OMRF scientist

Genetics linked to rare disease

Four decades after a rare neurological disorder first surfaced, an Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist has determined its cause thanks to tiny flies.

Scientist Wan Hee Yoon, Ph.D., used Drosophila, the common fruit fly, to pinpoint a genetic mutation that more recently caused severe developmental and metabolic issues in four children of Middle Eastern descent.

“This discovery was made possible by the Human Genome Project, which gives us the computational ability to unravel genetic mutations,” Yoon said. “Previously, it would have been impossible to identify this mutation as the cause with any certainty.”

Scientists first reported on the disorder in 1982 after studying the symptoms of siblings born to a Tunisian couple. Researchers said the children initially showed normal gait and speech development, but by age 5, a progressive neurological disorder had stolen their language and motor skills.  Scientists ultimately associated their symptoms – and those of children in a few subsequent studies – with a deficiency of an enzyme produced by the gene OGDH.

The most recent study involved four unrelated children. Severe abnormalities first appeared during infancy for all four, ranging from an abnormally small brain to decreased muscle tone to acid buildup caused by kidney failure. One child died before their first birthday.

Using cutting-edge genetic sequencing technology, Yoon and his colleagues determined that

each patient had recessive mutations in the OGDH gene, which strongly suggested the disease’s cause. Fruit flies helped him prove it.

About 75% of the fruit fly’s genes mirror those in humans. Yoon removed the flies’ counterpart gene to the relevant human gene and introduced the mutations found in the human patients. Doing so left the fruit flies with symptoms similar to the human patients.

Yoon previously used fruit flies to discover genetic mutations as the cause of two rare diseases that bear his name: Harel-Yoon syndrome and Yoon-Bellen syndrome.

“Dr. Yoon is an extremely bright researcher, and his discovery was a collaborative effort between scientists, physicians and patient families, all of whom share a goal of advancing our understanding of disease,” said OMRF scientist Benjamin Miller, Ph.D., who leads OMRF’s Aging and Metabolism Research Program. “This was the first step toward hopefully modulating the genetic pathway and perhaps someday preventing this disorder.”

The findings were published in the journal Genetics in Medicine. Two former OMRF scientists, Madison Chilian and Helga Progri, played key roles in the research.

The research was supported by National Institutes of Health grants 5R01 NS121298-02 and 5 P20 GM103636-09, with additional funding from the Presbyterian Health Foundation and the Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research, a program of the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust.

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist Wan Hee Yoon, Ph.D.

Navy Week events provide fun for both the public and those serving their nation in the Navy.

Justin Burns

Edmond Art Association to have meeting March 27

Emond Art Association monthly meeting and demo will be March 27, 7-9pm and the location is St. Mary's Episcopal Church at 3100 N. Broadway, Edmond, OK. Visitors may attend for a small fee of $5 or join for only $35 for the year.

Our demo artist Justin Burns grew up in Farmers Branch, Texas and studied close to home at the University of North Texas. He earned his BFA focusing on Studio Drawing and Painting in 2013. Justin is interested in spaces and objects that may have had special meaning at one point in time but are now an object of permanence or a lingering memory of a time once past. What sparked this interest was when his family had a fire and lost all they owned, and he began to think about the memory of spaces and objects, their presence and the stories they withheld. One place in particular is Justin’s family farm that was established in 1914 and still resides in the small town of Kopperl, TX. The renderings of Kopperl are interior and exterior weathered relic like structures that once were an icon to the town, are now headstones. Nostalgic images of the Burns family farm, the kitchen or living room whispers the memory of family gatherings and quiet moments. Though there is no one left in these spaces and a slow descent as time takes its toll, there is still life, a presence and a story.

Justin is currently an art educator and is a Golden Working Artist for Golden Paints.

Navy Week returning to metro

The U.S. Navy is preparing to bring Navy Week back to Oklahoma City June 26-July 2, with Sailors from across the fleet set to take part in the service’s signature outreach program. Oklahoma City Navy Week will give the community an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its Sailors and its importance to national security and prosperity.

Oklahoma City Navy Week will feature in-person demonstrations, performances, and engagements throughout the week that will include:

Senior Navy Leaders – Flag officer and senior civilian Navy leaders with ties to Oklahoma City and the surrounding area.

Navy Band Southeast - Performances and masterclasses with Navy Musicians.

Navy Expeditionary Combat Command – Educational STEM presentations and fitness demonstrations by technicians, medics, and divers.

U.S. Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command – Educational presentation on the importance of atmospheric and oceanographic science and the overall value of STEM education to the Navy.

Naval History and Heritage Command – Educational presentations and lesson plans about the deep ties between Oklahoma City and the Navy.

Navy Talent Acquisition Group – Educational presentations, community service projects and static displays.

Oklahoma City was selected by the Navy Office

of Community Outreach (NAVCO) as one of 15 locations for the 2023 Navy Week program. The Navy is returning to Oklahoma City following its last Navy Week which was held in 2019.

"We are excited to bring the Navy Week program to Oklahoma City," said NAVCO's director, Cmdr. Anthony Falvo. “Seapower and America’s Navy are more important now than ever before. The U.S. Navy remains our nation’s most powerful instrument of military influence and Navy Weeks allow us to showcase how the Navy serves America at sea, in the air, and ashore.”

“We coordinate about 75 outreach events during a Navy Week,” said NAVCO Navy Week program manager Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Chambers. “Outreach events range from corporate, civic, government, education, media, veterans, community service and youth engagements. We’re excited about this year’s schedule as it allows us to visit new markets as well as return to cities like Oklahoma City.”

Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort to regions without a significant Navy presence, with over 250 Navy Weeks held in more than 80 different U.S. markets. Each year, the program reaches more than 140 million people -- about half the U.S. population.

For more information on 2023 Navy Weeks, visit https://outreach.navy.mil or contact Lt.j.g. James Caliva at james.caliva.mil@us.navy.mil.

Outdoor fitness is different than indoor

By Brian Attebery

The days are starting to become longer as we approach spring. That can mean more opportunities for outdoor activities and exercise. As we prepare for these activities, what have you been doing to prepare for them physically? Is there differences between outdoor activities and similar ones on machines at the gym? How can you take advantage of the nicer weather and more sunlight?

Weight lifting is an essential part of the equation and you will generally need a gym to maximize that. Cardiovascular/aerobic activity is another vital element in the spectrum of wellness and many people don’t like being on machines. I understand that. I also understand that cardio machines and classes are great tools to utilize when the weather is bad or you are needing accountability. The treadmill is one of the most common machines to use for cardio health. Have you ever noticed that when you walk outside it feels different than the treadmill?

The treadmill is awesome because it helps to keep your pace due to the fact that you set the speed and elevation of the belt. There are various programs to use to mix up and vary those dimen-

sions. Outside walking will naturally vary those positions, in terms of elevation. In addition, walking outside is different for your hamstrings and glutes (rear end). When you walk on the treadmill and plant your heel out in front of your body to start the pull back on your leg, the belt is moving backwards too. This helps the leg to pull back into hip extension and aids the glutes and hamstrings since it moves regardless if you move. There is less strength required to drive your legs back as you propel yourself forward when you walk on a treadmill. You know what can happen if you step on a fast moving one? It will shove you right off the back of it. Walking outside requires your hamstrings and glutes to propel you forward as you plant that front foot and start to pull yourself forward. The ground won’t pull back with you. You must do it all yourself. It is a subtle difference but a common question I get from people when they wonder why it seems so different using a treadmill versus being outside. The same considerations need to be factored in when it comes to training for a marathon. If you plan on doing one, you better make sure you are not just using a treadmill. They are not exactly the same.

Biking outdoors is awesome for a lot of people too. Edmond has very extensive road options along with Arcadia and Hefner close by for those that like road and mountain bike opportunities.

Wear a helmet and be aware of traffic and road conditions. What I don’t like about bikes is the risk of wrecks and falling that you are not going to have doing a spin class or riding a stationary or recumbent bike inside. Both are great tools and should be considered for variety.

Yoga, Pilates or simply just doing a comprehensive stretching and core routine on your own are other great choices for doing some things outside when the weather is nice. For many, these are times to relax and reflect for mental health as well. Get up early, drink your glass of water and cup of coffee then throw a blanket down in the backyard and put yourself through a 30 minute routine to get your day started right. Finish off with a time of prayer, study and reflection and have a comprehensive wellness approach that will benefit your total health.

Spring is around the corner and so are more opportunities for us to take better care of ourselves. Don’t neglect your wellness. It is more important that any IRA or savings account you are trying to build. If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything.

(Brian Attebery is a Degreed/Certified Trainer. He owns and operates Results Fitness and Nutrition Center, L.L.C. in Edmond. www.resultsfitnessusa.com)

Attebery

Treasurer reassures public on future of banking

Oklahoma State Treasurer Todd Russ’ office is assessing the situation going on nationally with the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. While this is an unsettling situation for the customers and investors of SVB, this is also a wakeup call to all financial institutions across the nation as rough economic times may be looming on the horizon.

“Bank regulations in America are among the most strict and comprehensive in the world. Contrary to the Biden administration, I don’t think we need more regulations on banks,” said Russ. “The fundamentals are in place. SVB just needed to follow sound practices and the California regulators maybe should have stepped in sooner with guidance.”

“Stress testing the portfolio of a bank is a regular and ongoing practice. California regulators let SVB get out of hand before they identified the weakness in the bank holdings,” Russ continued. “The loan to deposit ratio is also a key indicator of good financial health and liquidity. SVB was clearly over loaned outside of the ratios. Poor liquidity puts extreme pressure on a bank’s capital and the capital to asset ratio is also a critical ratio.”

The State has no direct investments or holdings in Silicon Valley Bank. Some of the pension portfolios took minor changes as indexed funds adjusted to the market but remain on a profitable path.

Russ commented, “The State Treasurer's office has very conservative investment practices in place to keep these kinds of events from harming us, and my office ensures those practices are precisely followed.”

The Oklahoma State Banking Department has been through some of the toughest times in history making them very seasoned and wise overseers. They have experienced senior leadership that works very close with Oklahoma banks to keep them safe and strong.

“At the end of the day, Oklahoma is in great financial condition and ready to ride out potentially rough economic times in the future,” said Russ.

Tax exempt sales for nonprofits?

Nonprofits with 501(c)3 status could soon be exempt from sales tax under a bill approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives kast week.

House Bill 1568, authored by Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, would exempt Oklahomabased 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations who receive $3 million or less in annual gross revenue from paying sales tax on purchases.

"Nonprofit employees and volunteers are pas-

sionate about what they do and most of them provide these services far better than the state could," Stark said. "Exempting Oklahoma's smaller nonprofits from sales tax is just one way we can empower them to continue to serve their communities."

The measure states that alcohol and tobacco purchases are not considered exempt purchases. HB1568 passed the House 70-17. It now moves to the Senate.

Women’s leadership conference set

Oklahoma City University’s 12th annual Women in Leadership conference on April 25 invites attendees to explore what it takes to advance women to the next level in their careers and personal lives.

Under the theme “Evolve,” more than 400 participants are anticipated to attend the annual conference at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. This year’s conference will feature prominent TV journalist Gretchen Carlson, Prairie Surf Media founder and co-CEO Rachel Cannon, and consumer behavioral scientist and Vanderbilt professor Kelly Goldsmith.

This year’s conference theme, “Evolve,” was chosen to reflect the great transformation of today’s modern world. As we look back on the challenges posed by the pandemic, it is clear that the world of work and leadership is changing at an unprecedented pace. The theme "Evolve" speaks to this moment in time, highlighting the importance of adaptability and continuous growth and development for individuals, businesses and leaders.

“Under this theme, speakers will examine the latest trends, best practices and innovative approaches to leadership, and have the opportunity to network and connect with your peers from different industries and backgrounds,” said Melissa Cory, conference co-founder and director of Executive and Professional Education programs at

State names Greg Slavonic as interim veterans director

The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) is excited to announce the appointment of retired Rear Admiral Greg Slavonic of Edmond as its new Interim Executive Director, who officially took charge on March 13, 2023. Admiral Slavonic brings over 40 years of service to our Nation and his appointment signals an important new chapter in the agency's growth and development.

On his first day, Director Slavonic met with ODVA staff members to introduce himself, learn about the agency's history, and listen to their ideas and concerns. He also toured the ODVA Central Office, getting a firsthand look at operations and meeting with key personnel.

Director Slavonic expressed his enthusiasm for his new role and his eagerness to work with the Oklahoma Veterans Commission and ODVA team. Director Slavonic’s priority is to “Take care of our Veterans!" In cooperation with the Oklahoma Veterans Commission, a meeting has been scheduled for next week to discuss the Sallisaw Veterans Home project and address the construction and project budget issues recently brought to light. Other important issues to be discussed include investigating possible past information technology vulnerabilities and strengthening cybersecurity and safeguarding Oklahoma Veterans’ personal information.

The Director and Commission also plan to review the Oklahoma

Greg Slavonic

State Auditor and Inspector’s 2018 Special Audit Report and address any unresolved issues as well as conduct an updated employee survey at the soonest opportunity. Slavonic stated that he “Is a people guy, straightforward with no secrets and we are going to be a team that follows the chain of command.” Director Slavonic expects everyone to treat all Veterans, as well as each other, with dignity and respect.

The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs is confident that Director Slavonic’s leadership and experience will be instrumental in driving the agency's success as we move forward in our efforts to serve the over 300,000 Oklahoma Veterans. The entire team looks forward to working with him in achieving this shared vision.

OCU’s Meinders School of Business. “We hope to add skills to navigate these changes, build resilience and drive success in the future workplace. Whether you are a seasoned leader or just starting your journey, I believe that this conference will provide you with valuable insights and new perspectives that will help you grow and develop as a leader.”

In-person and virtual audiences will hear about reinterpreting business insights in times of change, communicating with multiple generations, tips to increase self-confidence and influential speaking.

In-person conference registration is $225 (lunch and refreshments provided), virtual registration is $125 and can be made online at okcwomeninleadership.com or by calling Cory at 405-2085540. For more information, including speakers’ bios, visit okcwomeninleadership.com.

PASEO FESTIVAL NEARS — Preparations are being made for one of the most anticipated events of the year: The 46th Annual Paseo Arts Festival! The festival will take place during Memorial Day Weekend, May 27 and 28 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. with live music until 10 p.m., and May 29 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. It’s the time of year for visitors to enjoy thousands of original artwork from artists throughout the nation,

Hi and Lois

Shoe

Zits

Family Circus

Beetle Baily

Blondie

Hägar the Horrible

Edmond Family Counseling hosts second community chat

Edmond Family Counseling is hosting its second annual Community Chat fundraising event on April 29, 2023. Edmond Family Counseling has been a pillar in the Edmond community since its founding in 1974. It began as a youth center called “The Looking Glass”, located in the old rectory of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. After 49 years, the local nonprofit has become what it is today. Edmond Family Counseling is committed to strengthening families, individuals and the community by championing mental health through prevention, education and counseling.

The Community Chat fundraising event was created to allow individuals to expand their knowledge and learn tools to assist those who

State will mark loss of unborn & children

The State Senate has given unanimous approval to a measure aimed at raising awareness and better supporting the loss of unborn babies, newborns and children in Oklahoma.  Senate Bill 837, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, designates the month of October as Pregnancy, Infant, and Childhood Loss Awareness Month.

“While pregnancy is a time of excitement and anticipation, tragically, many families suffer the unthinkable loss of their unborn child, their baby or child,” Weaver said.  “The reality is that about one in four women in our country suffers a miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss.  By proclaiming a yearly month to bring attention to this, we’re honoring and remembering those who’ve experienced such a tragic loss.”

struggle with mental health issues. Last year, former foster child and police officer, director of youth ministries for the First United Methodist Church of Stillwater, author and founder of the Alton Carter Inspire Foundation, Mr. Alton Carter joined Edmond Family Counseling to help people discover the amazing resilience of the human spirit. This year’s Community Chat will feature guest speaker Mr. Heady Coleman, former Guthrie Chamber CEO, pastor of NORTHCHURCH Guthrie, founder of the GuthrieAmerica brand and co-founder of Made Possible By, as we discuss the importance of selfcare for caregivers.

Edmond Family Counseling provides individual and family counseling as well as community and

school-based outreach programs. All proceeds and donations from Community Chat will be used to support current and future programs and services. Community impacting services such as GirlStrong groups and school-based prevention services for third and fifth grade students will continue to thrive with support from ticket sales. Proceeds will also be used to provide supplies for Boulevard Academy groups and supplement current and future clients utilizing Edmond Family Counseling’s sliding fee scale.

The event will take place at 11:00AM on Saturday April 29, 2023, at First Christian Church of Edmond. Tickets are $50 and will include lunch and a self-care themed gift. Purchasable by calling Edmond Family Counseling at 405-341-3554.