Edmond Life and Leisure - December 10, 2020

December 10, 2020 Vol. 21, No. 30

In This Issue FOUR SEASONS

20 Years of Giving

A Q&A with Ministries of Jesus leader

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.

2020 Holiday Gift Guide See Page 17-20

Kim Swyden

FRIDAY, December 11 Partly Cloudy High 52° Low 33°

SATURDAY, December 12 Partly Cloudy High 49° Low 31°

SUNDAY, December 13 Partly Cloudy High 49° Low 33°

Editor’s Note: Ministries of Jesus, 1100 E. I-35 Frontage Road, was first imagined in 2001 by a group of Edmond church members who sought to bring medical, counseling, addiction recovery services and Christian ministry to those who were struggling most in our community. In the past two decades, thousands of local citizens have found healing there. In anticipation of its 20th anniversary, the organization is providing a series to increase awareness of mental health-related conditions and share stories of hope and healing from citizens. This month’s story is a Q&A with Kim Swyden, Executive Director of Ministries of Jesus.

Q: Tell us about Ministries of Jesus (MOJ).

A: Our ministry is based on Luke 4:18-19. We ask ourselves the question, “if this is what Jesus said he’d come to do, and if the church is a representation of Christ in the world, shouldn’t we be doing that? If we should, what would that look like in 21st century America?” The answer for us is MOJ. Q: Explain your services and who

you are focused on helping?

A:We have actualized the passage in Luke 4:18-19 to include a charitable medical and dental clinic that serves only the uninsured. That population is 97% indigent and predominantly unchurched. We also have a counseling center with Licensed Professional Counselors who see patients from our clinic as well as people from the community who are looking for clinical counseling from a Christian worldview. MOJ includes a Social Services department that connects people to state and federal agencies that can help them with the necessities of life and steps toward restoring hope to a population that often feels hopeless. MOJ houses one of the largest Recovery ministries in the state of Oklahoma. The recovery demographic touches all socio-economic, ethnic and racial groups.

Q: Talk a little about the impact of COVID on your ability to serve your clients?

A: It’s been interesting that during the pandemic, particularly for July – October 2020, our metrics in substantially all categories have exceeded

PHOTO PROVIDED

the 13 previous months metrics; likely setting new records for the number of patients seen in medical and dental. The waitlist for counseling has increased to 10 weeks. The recovery ministry has outgrown the space they have. People want healing we can offer with the hope we know we can impart to them. We just need the space to do it.

Q: The organization’s 20th anniversary is coming up in a couple weeks. What has been the most rewarding aspect of your mission over these past two decades?

A: Twenty years is a remarkable milestone for any ministry. One of the most rewarding aspects has been the number of lives MOJ has touched in 20 years. We have given away nearly $29 million in free medical and dental services and over 25,000 of hours of 1:1 counseling. We’ve had over 70,000 touches in the recovery ministry. It is also very rewarding that we have never lost sight of our mission. We’ve held tight to the mission of Luke 4:18-19 and we continue continued on Page 3

Page 2 • December 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 10, 2020 • Page 3

Advice on keeping winter safe Oklahoma City Indian Clinic promotes coronavirus winter weather safety.

As winter weather approaches, more people will be spending time indoors where the novel coronavirus is more easily spread.

“During the winter months more people tend to have colds and the flu, which adversely means more coughing and sneezing,” Robyn Sunday-Allen said, OKCIC Chief Executive Officer.

With COVID-19 cases increasing and people interacting more often indoors, this can enhance the chances of transmission of the coronavirus. When staying indoors during winter storms, remember to follow your cities guidelines of practicing social distancing.

Additionally, be winter ready when you need to get out. Have a plan ahead of time if you need to go out in the winter weather, and create an emergency car kit.

These will help you and your family to stay safe on the roads, and reduce the risk of having unintended contact with people that may be sick.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) you should keep the following in your car: •Cell phone, portable charger and extra batteries •Items to stay warm; such as extra hats, coats, mittens and blankets •Windshield scraper •Shovel •Battery-powered radio with

extra batteries •Flashlight with extra batteries •Water and snack food •First aid kit with any necessary medications and a pocket knife •Tow chains or rope •Tire chains •Canned compressed air with sealant for emergency tire repair •Cat litter or sand to help tires get traction, or road salt to melt ice •Booster cables with fully charged battery or jumper cables •Hazard or other reflectors •Bright colored flag or help signs, emergency distress flag and/or emergency flares •Road maps •Waterproof matches and a can to melt snow for water.

Cover From Page1 to be a gospel-centric ministry. We hear the call of God as loud as we’ve ever heard it.

Q: What are your dreams?

A: We know we must continue to reach out to the uninsured and underserved, and to those people who are seeking to find relief from their anxiety, fear, depression, in a clinical way with Biblical principles. We see the growing need for people to heal from their hurts, habits, and hang-ups in the recovery ministry. The brightest light we see on the horizon is knowing we are doing exactly what God has called us to do, to bring healing to body, soul, and spirit, and to touch people’s lives for eternity.

We’ve done that for almost 20 years and we will continue to do it for years to come.

Q: You’re expanding your services and your footprint. How will this help our communities?

A: MOJ stands as a beacon of hope in our community. For 20 years we’ve helped thousands find physical, emotional and spiritual healing.

We’ve seen many rescued from the plague of addiction. We’ve seen families reunited and the unemployed become employed. We’ve seen the hopeless find hope so they can care for their families and teach their children there is a better life. The work we do in the name of the gospel

strengthens everyone that walks through MOJ’s door, and by extension strengthens our community, in Edmond, and touches the world as people from five continents are served here.

Q: How can someone help?

A: There are three primary ways people can be part of the Kingdom work happening at MOJ: People that have a vibrant relationship with Jesus can volunteer – volunteers are the backbone of all that happens here. Be it Providers, front desk, or translators, anyone that wants to serve God can find a place to use their gifts at MOJ. People can pray – prayers are foundational to the incredible ways God works day after day in so many lives at MOJ. Those who are on our distribution lists will receive information on what’s happening at MOJ so they know how to pray.

People can help support the ministry financially – we trust God will provide each year through donations.

It might be $5 or $5,000, but God uses it all to work together for His purpose. Whatever someone can give, is helpful.

Kim Swyden is the Executive Director of Ministries of Jesus, a 501c3 charitable ministry healing spirit, soul and body located in Edmond.

Page 4 • December 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

From the Publisher

Kessler never took credit Leah Rae Kessler called me her son. She has a terrific son and daughter but when she would want to make a point or get after me, she would start the conversation, “Now listen son.” I will miss that because Leah and I were terrific friends and she helped me in so many ways over the years. We lost Ray Hibbard her due to COVID 19 complications last week. It just breaks my heart but there are so many good memories of the projects we worked together.

Many of you may not know our friend Leah.

She and her husband Carl moved out of Edmond several years ago to live closer to their grandchildren. They were downsizing from their big home here in Edmond where they lived for many years, raised their family, and ran a successful repair business for many years to move to a golf course community. Leah and Carl loved to play golf and they were both darn good. I would have them represent Edmond Life & Leisure in different charity tournaments in town. It did not take more than a couple of holes for the players they were matched with to figure out we had sent a couple of ringers. Leah’s play was exceptional, and she could play with the best of them.

I met Leah back in the 1980’s. She was working at The Edmond Sun and I was at OKC FRIDAY newspaper. We belonged to a professional credit association that met at the old Sportsman Country Club. The food was incredible, and Leah and I would share dessert. We both loved our sweets. I knew her boss, Ed Livermore, well and would try to get her goat by teasing her about something I knew about Ed. She never bit. Leah was the most loyal person I have ever known.

She would rise to my friend Ed’s defense in a New York minute.

I got to experience that loyalty firsthand when I came to work for the Livermore family at The Edmond Sun many years later. Leah’s title I believe was office manager, but she was much more then that. She was the mom of the operation. She had the ear of the ownership and would run interference for both management and the staff. When I became publisher, she was quick to let me know when I had made a mistake, but she also saved my bacon more times than I have room to write about.

Leah taught so many of us that we do not have problems. She would say that we had challenges and always came forth with a suggested solution. I learned how to tell what degree of a challenge was before us. If it were a small challenge, she would come to my office and say, “Son, we have a bit of a challenge.” If she came in the office, shut the door, plopped down in the chair, and said, “Son, boy do we have a challenge,” then I knew it was going to be a big one.

We dealt with many challenges together over the years and I cannot think of anyone I would have rather had by my side. Leah was simply the best.

You may remember back in the early 1990’s when businesses would get “slammed.” That meant that another long-distance carrier would change you long distance service without you knowing it from your current vendor to their

to tell them that if our country wanted to make peace in the Middle East, all they had to do was send in these ladies. They would join forces with the mothers and grandmothers in those countries and then set about telling the men leaders that all the nonsense was going to end. It would have worked folks.

Her favorite way to work was behind the scenes. The only thing the woman did not like was recognition for her hard work. She always had a plan to make sure someone else got the credit for the success. If anything went wrong, she took the blame. I worked with her on dozens of events and projects and Leah truly did her work with a servant’s heart, not wanting a single bit of glory. She was the most unselfish person I have ever worked with over my 40-year career.

We extend our sympathy to her husband Carl and her family of children and grandchildren. The entire community loved her and we share in your loss. Thank you for sharing her with us and for letting her spend countless hours making sure Edmond was a better place then when she found it.

Hundreds of thousands of people benefited from the events she put on and the work she did but never knew that she was the one behind it. Leah would not have had it any other way.

Top 8 Ways to Spend the Holidays in Edmond We are using this photograph of Leah at her request. She told us for decades that this is the one to use upon her death. It is sad for us but we would not dare disobey her request.

company. Leah stuck her head in my office one day and announced that we had been “slammed.” I challenged her to find out who the despicable company was that would dare do such a deed.

“I’m on it” she declared.

After the big corporation purchased The Sun from the Livermore family, the chief purchasing officer kept trying to get us to change vendors. I had been ignoring his e-mails because we had less expensive and better service from the vendors we already had in place. Leah entered my office and said that she had figured out who “slammed” us and that it was our own company.

I guess they got tired of waiting for me to make the change and did it themselves. We just laughed until we cried at that point.

Through her willingness to take on difficult projects while working for the Livermore family at The Sun, Leah became the expert at putting on events. She was the best person in Edmond to put on events including LibertyFest’s Taste of Edmond for many years and the Downtown Edmond Arts Festival. She organized concerts, shows, events and more for Edmond for over 30 years before she retired. She had no ego in the game and would do any task that needed done include staying after an event and make sure all the trash was picked up.

She was able to persuade folks to do and donate to whatever events she was putting on at the time. Leah was an organizational expert and a true leader in this town. I have said many times about Leah and her band of ladies that put-on Taste of Edmond for literally decades that they were the most capable fighting force in America.

You just did not say “no” to these ladies. I used

If you are still looking for ways to celebrate the holidays, here are some suggestions.

• Stroll through Edmond Electric’s Luminance in Mitch Park at 1501 W. Covell Road. Luminance is brilliantly lit with 40 larger-than-life displays including a new spectacular 30-foot tree and four colorful 8-foot words: EDMOND, HOPE, LOVE and JOY. Admission is free and the lights are on daily from 5 to 10 p.m. until Jan. 3.

• Before or after visiting Luminance, head across the parking lot to the Edmond Ice Rink. As the largest in the Tri-County area, the rink is open through Jan. 4. Enjoy holiday music, free parking, and food concessions. Admission ranges from $8 to $12.

• Join the Edmond Historical Society & Museum for an old-fashioned Holiday Hop. Enjoy free holiday crafts, activities, cocoa, and socially distanced Santa photos from 1 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 12.

• Take a horse drawn wagon ride through Downtown Edmond on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meet at Campbell and Broadway to board; each ride is limited to 10 people.

• Holiday shopping is in full swing! Browse Edmond's shopping areas and stop by Frenzy Brewing's pop-up shops on Wednesdays from 5 to 8 p.m.

• Miracle on Boulevard is a themed pop-up cocktail bar located inside Jack Rabbit Slim’s at 3323 S Boulevard. Sit back, relax, and enjoy festive treats.

• Book a spot for the Gingerbread Tea Party at Inspirations Tea Room. Celebrate the holidays early with a special lunch of assorted tea sandwiches, scones with lemon curd and desserts.

Browse the shop for gifts for loved ones.

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

Check out what’s inside!

---- Obituaries ....................................................................................Page 7.

---- Police arrest report ......................................................................Page 8.

---- Columnist questions elections’ efficiency ..................................Page 10.

---- UCO gets ready for graduation ..................................................Page 13.

---- George Gust reviews Netflix film................................................Page 14.

---- Crossword puzzle ......................................................................Page 14.

---- A look back at Santa Fe’s appearance in title game ..................Page 16.

---- Business News ............................................................................Page 21 Don’t forget to check out this year’s Gift Guide, Pages 17 to 20

See 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.

Publisher Ray Hibbard Jr. ray@edmondpaper.com Partner Christopher T. Hoke Editor Steve Gust news@edmondpaper.com Production Deanne York Advertising Director Alexx Harms alexx@edmondpaper.com Contributing Writers Mallery Nagle, Kacee Van Horn, Rose Drebes, and George Gust.

Photographer Melinda Infante

Cover Design Deanne York Legal Counsel Todd McKinnis Ruebenstein & Pitts, PLLC Copyright © 2020 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.

Material contained herein may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission from Edmond Media Publishing. edmondlifeandleisure.com facebook.com/edmondlifeandleisure twitter.com/edmondlifeandleisure instagram.com/edmondlifeandleisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 10, 2020 • Page 5

Page 6 • December 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

What program suits me best? ing to get “long and

By Brian Attebery lean”? So many What exerquestions and so cise program is many opinions. best for me?

The late/great Many peofitness legend, ple ask that Jack LaLanne was a question. pioneer in the fitShould you lift ness industry. So weights? If so, was Joe Weider, free weights, machines or Attebery the “Father ofModernBodybuilding” just stick to reand man who started fitsistance bands and your ness magazines such as body weight? Should I Muscle and Fitness, Flex do cardio and if so, and Men’s Health to which mode is best? name a few. Weider is I heard doing high-inthe man that brought tensity, short duration is Arnold Schwarzenegger best while other people will tell you that long-du- over from Austria to America when Arnold ration, low-intensity is better. What about yoga was only 19 years old because he saw the amazand pilates? Can men ing potential he held. do those classes or are These pioneers in fitness they just for women try-

emphasized the importance of mixing up your routines. Applying principles of resistance, endurance, cardiovascular training an d flexibility.

Weight training of some kind is essential for overall health and wellbeing. If you are not doing some weight training, you are getting weaker with age. This has major consequences for your metabolism, blood-lipid levels and heart as well. So many people focus too much on just the “look” and tone of weights and that is very important but you must also not lose sight on the functional aspects of being able to move

around better, perform daily tasks and strengthen your joints. If you are weaking, moving objects are much more difficult on your body and your heart and lungs work harder too. I bet many of you saw how much you needed to have more strength due to the massive tree damage our recent ice storm caused? Did it wear you out more than you thought it would to drag, chop, chainsaw and lift those limbs? Did you wonder how it would have been if youhad been doing resistance training already?

Once you decide that lifting weights/resistance training is important then also understand it is important to vary how you do it. Yes, you need to perform an exercise often enough to be good at it and learn proper form to optimize your strength but you should not do it so many times that your body thinks it is the only exercise you do for that muscle. For example, have you ever noticed that many men bench press for their chest? The bench press is an incredible exercise but it is NOT the only way to work your chest. If you are insistent on doing that exercise, take periodic breaks from it or at minimum, change the width of your grip, angle of the bench slight and the rep range you typically use. These minor variations will keep your joints healthier instead of performing the exact same wear and tear patterns that not varying it will lead to in most cases.

It is important to do cardio. I remember coming to hear Dr. Cooper of the Cooper Institute in Dallas speak a few years ago. He was big on “jogging” and constantly talked about it and the benefits. If it were me, I would have talked about the benefits of “cardiovascular exercise” more than just the one example. The importance is the cardiovascular exercise but you don’t need to “jog” to become more cardiovascular fit. I love the elliptical. I also do the Stairclimber and walk on an incline. I vary those exercises because you need to for your joints, mindand body.

The human body is amazing. The harder you work it, the stronger it can get within reason.

Vary how you workout daily, weekly and monthly. Don’t talk yourself into “one way” to do any type of exercise.

There are many ways to exercise although there are unsafe ways to perform them as well. Exercise is important now more than ever for your heart, mind and immune system. Get into a class, start with a trainer and provide the variety your fitness needs.

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

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 10, 2020 • Page 7

Obituary notices Howard Leslie Owens Howard Leslie Owens, 77 of Oklahoma City, OK was born December 11,1942 in Oklahoma City to Leslie and Anna Lee Owens. On December 1, 2020 he joined his Lord and Savior in his forever heavenly home. Howard graduated from Altus High School and attended college at Central State College (UCO) with a major in Mechanical Engineering. He entered the telecommunication field with SW Bell Telephone and then AT&T where he was a service manager. After retiring from AT&T he worked for Paul Davis Systems and then Adelphia.

Howard married Joyce Ann McLendon on August 14, 1971 and they moved to Edmond where they raised their children. He loved his family so much and was always at church, school functions or sports events supporting his grandchildren who affectionately called him Poppy. Some of the things he loved were antique tractors, corvettes, travel, reading history books and his Wednesday morning Bible Study. He volunteered for many years at Mercy, his church and the grand children’s schools.

He was a master at building and repairing anything.

One of his favorite things was helping his family and friends with any project. He loved his country and served in the US Air Force Reserves. Friday mornings were very special meeting his good friends for breakfast. He was a faithful member of Crossings Community Church. Howard is survived by the mother of his children, Joyce Owens, his daughter, Julie Daniel and husband Josh and 3 Grands Cason, Caden and Kaylor, his son Justin Owens and wife, Shandi and 3 more Grands, Conner, Breckyn and Easton, sister and husband Sherry and Jim Harkins, nephew Michael Harkins and family, also several cousins and many friends. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma or to Water4. Private family visitation was held on December 4, 2020. A memorial service will take place at a later date.

Edwina (Teddi) M. (Brownlee) Rieck Our precious mother, Edwina (Teddi) M. (Brownlee) Rieck, passed away on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. She is survived by her two children, Christopher Gard and Stephanie Rizzuti, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She loved animals, worked with Arabian horses and always had a dog by her side. Teddi never wanted to be the center of attention, so her services will be for family members only. Friends wishing to honor her are invited to leave comments and/or make a donation in her name to The Mr. Mo Project, a non-profit senior dog rescue.

Arcadia attraction temporarily closed In an effort to do its part to stem the spread of COVID-19, the Arcadia Historical and Preservation Society has closed the Arcadia Round Barn museum temporarily until Oklahoma’s infection rate declines.

“This was a difficult decision for us to make, because we know that people need diversions during these trying times, and the Round Barn is a happy place to visit,” said Linda Simonton, president of the board.

“But the seriousness of the situation cannot be ignored, and we want to do whatever we can to protect the health and safety of our volunteers and our fellow Oklahomans.”

The Round Barn museum will be closed until further notice. The grounds and picnic tables remain open to the public, and visitors are encouraged to take photos of the barn, which was built in 1898 and is among the more popular photo opportunities along Route 66.

The upstairs loft, which is an architectural wonder and considered by many to be the showpiece of the Round Barn, remains available for special event rentals. The loft and restrooms will continue to be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day as weather permits. Masks and social distancing are required.

An acute need for more nurses OU Health and the Fran and Earl Ziegler OU College of Nursing are collaborating to bring additional nurses into the workforce, a critical need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OU Health and the OU College of Nursing have created the Senior Nurse Intern Program, which pairs senior nursing students one-on-one with RNs in critical care units at all three OU Health hospitals, giving students in-depth experience as they prepare to begin their own careers.

The program, which was first launched at OU Health, is now being implemented at hospitals across Oklahoma.

In addition, the OU College of Nursing is seeing increased interest in its Nursing Refresher Course, a program that updates knowledge and skills for nurses who have been out of the workforce but want to

reactivate their licenses so they can return to the patient’s bedside.

“As Oklahoma’s comprehensive academic healthcare enterprise, we employ hundreds of nurses at our three hospitals and have a need for nurses within OU

Health Physicians clinics as well. We are grateful for the experienced, compassionate care they provide our patients each day,” said Cathy Pierce, MS, RNC, CENP, Chief Nursing Executive for OU Medicine, Inc.

Page 8 • December 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond Police report (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.)

Nov. 25 Shiloh Wayne Haddock, 23 homeless of Edmond. Charged with two counts of failure to appear.

Dustin Lee Beghisown, 41 of Ponca City. Transporting an open container of intoxicating beverage or beer and operate (DUI or APC) vehicle with blood alcohol content of .15 or more.

Layla Liara Deroin Hubbard, 34 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Jacob Joseph Beghisown Norman, 21 of Tonkawa. Public intoxication.

Derek Brandon Steele, 35 of Edmond. Possession of drug paraphernalia, public intoxication and carrying harmful weapon.

Angela Marie Garrison, 41 homeless of Harrah. Petty larceny.

Sonya Mae Wilke, 40 of Shawnee.

Possession of drug paraphernalia and petty larceny.

Nov. 27 Kimberly Rene Richards, 51, of Edmond. Misdemeanor of receiving stolen property.

Noah Michael Madala, 49 of Edmond. Failure to appear.

Dominque Deon Naff Jr., 23 of Midwest City. Child endangerment and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs

or a combination of chemical or CDS. Christopher Wayne Tucker, 35 of Oklahoma City. A felony larceny of merchandise from a retailer.

Jonathan Bailey Harris, 19 and homeless. Possession of marijuana and public intoxication.

Sylvia Leigh Rodriguez, 19 of Oklahoma City. Possession of marijuana, public intoxication and minor in possession of intoxicating beverage.

Nov. 28 John Charles Hand, 47 of Guthrie.

False presentation to an officer.

Christopher Alexander Dinkins, 29 of Oklahoma City. Larceny from a building.

Shawnell Unique Roney,, 31 of Oklahoma City. Loitering, injuring, molesting, joy riding a motor vehicle.

Pattern of criminal offense and grand larceny from a building.

Isaiah Kyndrick Grimes, 23 of Oklahoma City. Anything other than alcohol operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of anything other than alcohol.

Robert Michael Hood, 28 of Edmond. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Corey Lee Moore, 38 of Edmond.

Public intoxication.

Nov. 29 Seth Thomas Owens, 18 of Oklahoma City. False representation to an officer.

Tester Test, esquire. 34 of Turkey Texas. Drug related possession of contraband in a penal institution and obstruction of police officer.

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 10, 2020 • Page 9

Page 10 • December 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side sports world should School choice support

The be running our elections The thought above came to me after I was watching college football over the weekend.

Those games are operated much better than our elections. I must state that I am not talking about our state elections.

The people in charge there do a good job. They get more than a million and a half ballots by election day and have them all counted Steve Gust before midnight. If a recount is needed there is a paper trail.

If I could change anything about state elections, it might be to cut down on the wait in lines. That could all be blamed on the virus. It may have been more difficult to recruit additional poll workers.

Overall they did a good job.

You can’t say that for the rest of the state election boards.

In football they work hard trying to get every play just right. Sometimes they work a bit too hard. I don’t think I’ve ever seen as many video replays in one game as I did with Oklahoma State and TCU last weekend.

The officials want to have a well regulated game.

This is where elections differ. Some of the county election boards are run by partisans. Can you imagine rabid OU fans officiating games for the Sooners?

The numbers in the last presidential election really don’t add up. I’m not going into detail, but I’m not convinced of the final results. If you question it, the mainstream media calls the allegations “baseless claims.” Who made that determination? If they are so baseless then expose why they’re baseless.

If the claims were made by liberals, you can bet everything you own that the claims wouldn’t be baseless. If we lived in a different time, something might be done about these “baseless claims.” Unfortunately we don’t have many profiles in courage in this political environment.

It’s not just the presidential election though. They had to declare a commissioner’s race in Nevada void after so many irregularities.

And in New York, a Republican candidate was leading the incumbent by 12 votes. But wait. Last week, a full month after the election, 55 provisional ballots were “discovered.” Just ridiculous. The election process needs to be revamped.

----Speaking of football, congratulations to the Santa Fe Wolves.

They’re the runnerup in the Class 6A-1 high school football world. They dropped the title game to Jenks, but what a great season it was for the team. They did a great job.

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

By The Oklahoman Editorial Board About two dozen Oklahoma legislative candidates won their elections last month after including support for school choice among their campaign planks. A recent survey on school reform indicates the issue resonates favorably, and strongly so, with Oklahoma voters.

The Sooner Survey released by Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates found that 61% of voters favor school choice, including allowing parents to use tax dollars to send their child to a private school. Polling by CHS in February, ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic, produced the same result.

Support in the latest poll was at roughly 60% among male and female voters, among those surveyed in urban and rural areas, and for those with children in the house or

not. Party affiliation produced the greatest split — Republicans gave the idea 72% support, compared with 44% for Democrats. Forty-seven percent of Democratic voters surveyed opposed the idea.

“It looks as though the pandemic has strengthened the resolve of Republicans who now support school choice by better than a 3-to-1 margin, while the issue divides Democrats more than we have ever seen,” said Republican pollster Pat McFerron, CHS president.

The survey also found strong support for open transfer to any public school, provided the receiving school has the room. Overall, 68% of those surveyed said they like the idea. There was minimal difference between Republicans (68% approval) and Democrats (66%), or between urban voters (70% support) and rural voters (65%).

The survey touched on other reform ideas that were well received.

One was a proposal to move away from grade levels and time spent in the classroom and instead have students focus on mastering concepts. Seventy-two percent of voters surveyed supported the idea, with nearly identical numbers for Democrats and Republicans.

When posed differently, with the idea of moving away from grade levels moved to the front of the question, support remained high at 64%.

Younger parents showed strongest support for the change.

The survey also found that 75% of voters endorse a change that would use the current year’s enrollment to determine a school’s funding, instead of the highest enrollment total from the previous three years.

From www.Oklahoman.com

Tech tools can help all

By David Ostrowe Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck in the spring, many states have been overwhelmed by as much as $26 billion in unemployment fraud. But even if all that money was recouped, the most vulnerable constituents will have been hurt in the meantime. That’s why it’s critical that in Oklahoma, we acted quickly to use a tech tool called ID.X to prevent future fraud from ever occurring rather than chasing down criminals after the money is already in their pockets.

Typically, unemployment fraud investigations make up about 10% of the U.S. Department of Labor’s workload, but it now sits at 50%. Security experts say the added workload and outdated systems made it easier for criminals to act by using stolen identities collected during past data breaches. But a simple check of an ID is all that is needed to confirm an application is valid — unfortunately, that in-person check was also complicated by the pandemic.

This is why Oklahoma part-

Oklahoma will continue to advance the technology tools that help make our residents’ lives easier, improve our services, and prevent abuses and crime. nered with IDEMIA to make sure we are protecting Oklahomans with identity verification technology ID.X. The way it works is a person uploads an image of their ID and takes a selfie to ensure that the image on the ID matches both the selfie and their photo on file at the Department of Motor Vehicles. The technology is sophisticated enough that it can tell if the photo is of a live person, and not a deep fake or a mask.

The whole process only takes a couple of minutes for the consumer but can drastically reduce fraudulent claims while accelerating legitimate claims.

Mobile ID and ID.X not only makes it far easier for people to prove their identity to state agencies, but it also simply eliminates those little annoyances of daily life — for instance, by early next year, an Oklahoma driver will be able to easily update his

or her address online after a move. Just imagine a world where you only visited the DMV once in your lifetime.

It will make it easy for users to remotely enroll in REAL ID through their phone — that will be available to Oklahoma residents in the new year, well before the deadline of October 2021 when we will need REAL ID to board a plane.

Oklahoma will continue to advance the technology tools that help make our residents’ lives easier, improve our services, and prevent abuses and crime. It’s the best thing to do so we aren’t left vulnerable to cyberattacks and fraud in the future, and more importantly, it’s the best way we can protect our identities in the digital age.

Ostrowe serves as Oklahoma's secretary of Digital Transformation and Administration.

Letter to the Editor

Give the gift of knowledge EDITOR: The Christmas shopping season is upon us! Instead of giving your children and grandchildren another pile of “made in Communist China” junk, I suggest that the greatest, most-timely and longest-lasting gift you can give them is an understanding of their rights, freedoms and rule of law guaranteed under the United States Constitution. Seek out a copy of this foundational document; read and study it together.

Help them understand its critical importance and why it matters to you personally.

Our public education system, hijacked for years by communists and socialists, has been an abject failure in this task as evidenced today by the un-American actions of our ignorant youth. Parents and grandparents, home-schoolers, non-public educators and other patriots who truly care about this country must fill this vacuum! Teach that it is evil and unworthy of any American to join the unruly mob to riot in the streets, loot and burn businesses, threaten or even to kill their fellow citizens who deserve equality and justice rather than hate.

Learn how to fight aggressively and relentlessly for traditional American values and ideals. Stand up to the traitors who are already entrenched in our schools, teacher unions, and government agencies, including the Department of Education. Join the new resistance movement to take back our government of, by and for the people from incoming socialists, Marxists and anti-American activists in Democrat clothing. Don’t let Obama’s belief that Americans are no longer smart enough to govern themselves (uttered repeatedly in 2014) be proven true!

KURT ATKINSON, EDMOND

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 10, 2020 • Page 11

OC helps during nursing shortage Oklahoma Christian University nursing students are helping to fill the nursing gap for hospitals.

The holiday season signals a time of family gatherings, shopping and school breaks that all look different during a global pandemic. In 2020, the semester break for nursing students is creating a desperate need for hospitals that are overrun with COVID-19 patients.

Bachelor of science nursing (BSN) students enroll in clinicals to gain hands-on experience before graduating. Now, hospitals are faced with bidding farewell to the group of fall semester, future-nurses and waiting weeks for the spring semester students to arrive.

"We knew that we had to do something to help," said OC President John deSteiguer. "Our School of Nursing faculty have been actively collaborating with other leaders in the field to pave the way for OC BSN students to begin clinicals a few weeks early. The bottom-line is that we want to serve, our students want

to serve. This is the essence of OC." The arrangement is a win for hospitals with a deeply felt need and for students who typically work for no pay. The Board of Nursing has temporarily changed some rules that will allow nursing students to be paid for their clinical experiences. Hospitals can hire the student as a nurse technician and pay them during their clinical work. The arrangement will continue for the number of hours required to complete the course work.

BSN students practice on high tech patients in the state-of-the-art Ellis Skills Lab. Program Chair for Nursing Shawna Hood and Dean of Professional Studies Dr. Jennifer Gray are members of a group that has been meeting over the last month to address the desperate need for nurses during the COVID pandemic. Other participants include chief nursing officers, managers and leaders of nursing education programs who are working alongside area healthcare providers who are now between expected clinical groups.

Send newsworthy photos to news@edmondpaper.com

Page 12 • December 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 10, 2020 • Page 13

PHOTO PROVIDED

The University of Central Oklahoma will celebrate the achievements of approximately 1,074 graduates during the Fall 2020 Virtual Commencement Ceremony, Dec. 12. The ceremony will include a reading of each graduate’s name and remarks from UCO President Patti Neuhold-Ravikumar.

UCO having virtual Fall Commencement Saturday The University of Central Oklahoma will celebrate the achievements of approximately 1,074 graduates during the Fall 2020 Virtual Commencement Ceremony premiering at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12.

The ceremony will include a reading of each graduate’s name and remarks from UCO President Patti Neuhold-Ravikumar. Students also had the opportunity to personalize a graduation slide with a photo and personal message that will be shown

during the ceremony.

“The Class of 2020 should be commended for their dedication and perseverance. They met the challenges of this year with grit and grace. We are so proud of their achievements, and congratulate them on earning their degrees. We can’t wait to see the difference they will make in our communities,” said Neuhold-Ravikumar.

The ceremony will not be presented live, allowing graduates and their friends and family to ac-

cess it at any time after viewing instructions are distributed.

Each UCO graduate will receive an email with the link to the ceremony and instructions. A link to the ceremony will also be available on the UCO website.

The fall commencement is being held virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For more information regarding Central’s virtual graduation, visit www.uco.edu/commencement.

Page 14 • December 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Review of Netflix ‘Mank’

Film transport viewer to ‘30s Hollywood

By George Gust There was a time in Hollywood when directors and stars were the reason to go to see movies, but as we all know those times are in the past (see Marvel-Star Wars).

For me David Fincher is one of those directors whose career has piqued and sustained my interest in movies and movie making. And throughout his career he has been most known for making darkly drawn beautifully composed suspense films that display a clear and interesting point of view.

His newest film “Mank” keeps the attentive and stunning composition but brings in a more playful tone than his mostly dower previous films.

“Mank” reevaluates 1930s Hollywood through the eyes of scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz (Gary Oldman) as he races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane.

On paper, “Mank” has the distinct feel of an Oscar-bait movie featuring loads of historical insider dealings and some moments of “ain’t the movies grand” moments that Oscar loves (“Argo” “The Artist”…). Fincher has gone to great lengths in this film to recreate the black & white old Hollywood cinematography and even the shortcomings of the time period’s audio capabilities which can

take a few beats to realize that you don’t need to adjust your television set.

However, for all the love Fincher has for the movies of that era there’s no love loss for the money above all mentality of the 1930s Hollywood studio system and the foibles of the people in power of the time.

“Mank” is a film with undeniably sharp writing where all the characters seem to say just the right thing at just the right time. From political discourse at uppity cocktail parties with the rich and powerful to infrequent yet always entertaining back and forth between Mank and Orson Wells (Tom Burke), the dialogue is always popping off the screen. And the wonderfully verbose dialogue

is brought beautifully to life by Oldman as the washed-up screenwriter who is constantly on the verge of falling off the cliff of his various vices.

Oldman once again proves here that he can turn in a larger than life performance that feels unique to this movie and character.

And for all the wonderful dialogue, setting and nostalgic filmmaking techniques Fincher deploys, the overall story experience of “Mank” leaves a mixed impression once complete. Without knowing much of the historical context of the film the script of “Mank” can feel dense and have you searching through Wikipedia on your phone to keep up with the power players of the time.

Overall, “Mank” feels like a unique and personal entry (screenplay by his father) to Fincher’s filmography that is technically fantastic with a story that doesn’t quite fully pull in those unfamiliar with the history of 30s Hollywood.

“Mank” is rated R for some language. Now available to stream on Netflix.

4.0 out of 5 stars.

To comment on this film review, or any other movie review, please e-mail George at gust.george@gmail.comt

PHOTO PROVIDED

Gary Oldman chews the scenery and turns in another fantastic performance in the behind the scenes story of the washed-up alcoholic screenwriter "Mank" as he rushes to finish the script for ‘Citizen Kane.’

Grant to help those in arts Answers appearing on Page 23

The Oklahoma Arts Council is pleased to announce that Governor J. Kevin Stitt has allocated $3 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to support Oklahoma’s arts and cultural sector.

The funding is being made available to organizations statewide beginning Dec. 1 through Oklahoma Arts and Cultural Industry Relief Grants administered by the Oklahoma Arts Council ranging from $2,500 to $100,000.

Oklahoma’s creative sector, which relies heavily on in-person fundraising and eventgenerated earned income has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. A report released in July

by Richard Florida, noted scholar and author of “The Rise of the Creative Class,” estimated pandemic-related losses of 19,000 jobs and $606 million in sales in Oklahoma’s creative sector, with the performing and fine arts being disproportionately affected. Grant amounts will be determined by the Governor-appointed Oklahoma Arts Council board.

Complete grant guidelines and the online application are available at arts.ok.gov.

Questions about Oklahoma Arts and Cultural Industry Relief Grants can be directed to Thomas Tran at (405) 521-2041 or thomas.tran@arts.ok.

Crossword Puzzle STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: HAPPY HOLIDAYS ACROSS 1. "Lord of the Flies" shell 6. *New Year's Eve choice: Brut or Demi-____ 9. Get-out-of-jail money 13. Convex molding 14. *"____ I Want for Christmas..."

15. Sign of life 16. Redo, to a carpenter 17. Flying saucer acronym 18. Often-missed humor 19. *Hanukkah toy 21. *____ Santa, gift-giving tradition 23. Ides mo.

24. Part of a hammer 25. Cook's leaf 28. "Hey!" 30. Brain's ____ system 35. Revered one 37. "____ Your Enthusiasm" 39. Capital of Egypt 40. Went by horse 41. "I do" spot 43. *____ Sandler's "Eight Crazy Nights" 44. Scary movie consequence 46. Dexterity 47. Boundary line 48. Modern self-portrait 50. Superman's last name 52. Actor's domain 53. Wild plum 55. Mama sheep 57. *"I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my ____" 60. *AfricanAmerican celebration 64. Town news announcer 65. Charged particle 67. Elephant poacher's ware 68. Give new guns 69. *The night before Christmas 70. Present 71. *Like a Christmas sweater, often 72. Uncooked

73. Adherents of Sikhism DOWN 1. Umbilical connection 2. *"Grandma got run ____ by a reindeer..."

3. *Santa's "cheeks were like roses, his ____ like a cherry" 4. Request to Geico 5. Carriage on top of elephant 6. Pulitzer winner Bellow 7. *Santa helper 8. Bring to an end 9. Jefferson's Vice President 10. Medicinal succulent 11. Negative contraction 12. Bovine hangout 15. Alfresco meal 20. Novelist Jong 22. Sushi restaurant choice 24. *Have a piece of Christmas Goose, e.g.

25. *"Five golden rings, four calling ____..."

26. Dig intensely 27. Cry of the Alps

29. *Time for log 31. Address with apostrophe 32. Stays somewhere 33. About to explode 34. *Vixen follower 36. Table extension 38. Diamond's corner 42. Sign up again 45. Divest one of a gun 49. "Slippery" tree 51. Mark and Shania 54. Twig of a willow tree 56. End of a poem 57. Fortune-teller's residue 58. Iranian coin 59. Suggestive of the supernatural 60. Was aware of 61. Fall asleep, with 'out' 62. Foot part 63. Pirates' affirmatives 64. French vineyard 66. Female gametes

See Answers Page 23

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 10, 2020 • Page 15

PHOTO PROVIDED/ERIECH TAPIA

Sequoyah’s Sheryl Bell has responded to the challenging needs of teaching during a pandemic.

New skills used to teach during pandemic There are no normal days at Sequoyah Middle School as the pandemic has changed every way in which teachers interact with students, with an emphasis now on technology and mentorships.

Feeling overwhelmed at the start of the year Sheryl Bell, a sixth-grade math teacher at Sequoyah, decided she needed to change gears quickly for her students.

Most are on an individualized education program (IEP).

“It has definitely been a challenging year,” Bell said. “I was scratching my head for the first couple of weeks.”

Bell has worked at Sequoyah for 29 years and started student teaching there when she was a student at the University of Central Oklahoma.

“Bell is a lifelong learner because she is always inquisitive,” said Nancy Goosen, Director of Special Services for Edmond Public Schools. “Her love of learning is that substantial difference between a novice teacher and a veteran," she added.

Bell has always worked to keep up with the newest technology and provide her students with ways to succeed, her Principal Emily Steele said.

“There is always a lot of preparation for a teacher who teaches IEP, but this year there is even more,” Steele said.

When Edmond Schools moved to remote learning for the week before Thanksgiving due to a high number

of staff quarantines, educators like Bell were prepared to transition to teaching students remotely. It would have been more difficult for her had she not been working with a mentor.

Janey Rapp, a younger teacher, stepped up early this year and provided technology mentorship to Bell.

“This year is very technology-driven,” Rapp said. “Luckily I am able to pick it up a little faster and share that with others.”

With the help of Rapp and others, Bell was able to learn how to record lectures on her SMART Board. From these recordings, she shows step-bystep instructions on how to do math problems.

“She has the expertise for teaching math skills, yet it has been exciting to see how technology has enhanced her ability to reach her students on their remote days,” Goosen said. “She will spend her entire weekend learning new technology methods to help her students who may be struggling with assignments on Canvas, our learning management system,” Goosen said.

The recordings have proved useful for students when they are at home.

“I feel as teachers we are learning all these new things just like our students,” Bell said.

Additionally, she learned how to add extra lessons for those on an IEP in Canvas. A bell icon is shown for those students, which links to added lessons Bell recorded.

E-mail News to news@edmondpaper.com

Visuals and paper copies are still a part of Bell’s class as many students need a break from screens. “We still want students writing,” Steele said.

“It shouldn’t be one or another but a combination in a safe environment.”

The added work comes atop everything else a middle school teacher is faced with.

“Sheryl is the perfect evolution of technology,” Steele said. “She is committed to learning.”

Page 16 • December 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Wolves Great Season Ends

A brilliant football season for Coach Kyle White and Santa Fe came to a close Saturday with a loss to Jenks in the State 6A-1 Finals at Wantland Stadium, 41-14. Still it was a great season. Above, ESF DB Talyn Shettron (2) tackles the Jenks receiver.

MELINDA INFANTE

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 10, 2020 • Page 17

Holiday

Gift Guide

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO EDMOND LIFE & LEISURE We hope the gift suggestions in our Gift Guide help you with your last minute holiday shopping. The text and art was provided by each advertiser. In the event any of the copy should contain a typographical error or omission, store price and policy prevail.

Gifts

FOR ANY

Budget

Darci Lynne Puppets - Now available! Choose between Petunia and Oscar. We also have Darci Lynne Gift Baskets with autographed merchandise available, but quantities are limited so you will want to act fast!

Edmond Historical Society 431 S. Boulevard, 405-340-0078

F R E Q U E N T P L AY E R C A R D R I D I N G • K I C K I N G B I R D G O L F. C O M

Green Fee Type: • 5 GREEN FEES AND 1/2 CART FOR THE PRICE OF 4 •

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Free Round

Kickingbird Golf Club Frequent Players Card - Great for the golfer on your list! Buy four Green Fees, get the fifth Green fee free! Or buy 4 Green fees and 1/2 cart and get the 5th Green Fee and 1/2 cart FREE. On sale through December 24, limit 5 per customer.

Kickingbird Golf Club 1600 E. Danforth, 405-341-5350.

Your One-Stop-Shop - Home decor, candles, kids & baby, entertaining, jewelry, candy, pet goods, books, bath & body - PLENTY truly is a onestop-shop with a wide range of price points. BONUS: All products have a positive environmental or social impact!

PLENTY Mercantile 15th & Bryant (between Fuzzy’s and Panera Bread), 405-888-939.

Make a Lasting Impression - For your family, friends and clients with a custom gift basket or our large selection of gift items in an array of prices and sizes to fit any budget. Baskets begin at $50, and gift bags are also available. Local Delivery & Shipping Available.

Gourmet Gallery 3325 S. Boulevard, Suite 107, 405-715-3663

Massage - Gift Certificate $45 per hour massage. Give the gift of relaxation this holiday season.

Therapeutic Touch Massage 420 E. 2nd Street (on the corner of Rankin & 2nd across from the UCO Campus) 405-285-9336.

Page 18 • December 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Gifts

FOR ANY

Budget

Matches - Safety matches for the ones that love candles. Beautifully packaged in apothecary jars so you don’t have to hide them.

Bachles By The Fire 11920 N. May Ave, 405-842-8872 www.bachlesbythefire.com Gifts for Every Collector - Deadlift Collectibles is a comprehensive comic book shop with prices from a $1 to offering high end items. We also carry Funko Pops, toys, and offer weekly new comic books and graphic novels.

If you’re not sure what to get someone, we’ll either help suggest gifts or offer gift cards.

Deadlift Collectibles 328 S. Kelly, 405-696-5030

Gift Ideas FROM $10 - $24.99

Santa - Dress up your tree or mantel with vibrant Santa ornaments.

Bachles By The Fire 11920 N. May Ave, 405-842-8872 www.bachlesbythefire.com

Gifts for Everyone on Your List - The perfect gift for teachers, neighbors, co-workers, friends, babysitters or anyone you want to remember.

Gourmet Gallery 3325 S. Boulevard, Suite 107 405-715-3663 Gifts Galore - Find an assortment of gifts for everyone on your list from home decor to candles and accessories!

Bison Creek Clothing 1 N. Broadway, Downtown Edmond 405-562-3344

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 10, 2020 • Page 19

Gift Ideas Gift Ideas

FROM $25 - $49.99 FROM $50 - $99.99

Holiday Candle - Add the warmth of our richly scented Christmas candles to your home or as a special gift.

Broadway Antiques & Market, 114 S. Broadway, 405-340-8215

Parker and Hyde Neoprene Totes - The perfect tote for all your essentials... and then some. Makes a great gift! More colors to choose from.

Eve’s & LuLu D’s Salon & Boutique 610 S. Kelly, Ste. D, 405-359-9909

Elves - Mischievous little elves in different colors and styles will make anyone entering your home smile.

Bachles By The Fire 11920 N. May Ave, 405-842-8872 www.bachlesbythefire.com Rock and Roll it! Rainbow Flexible Roll-up Piano - Color coded keys for easy learning! Songbook included. 49 standard keys, multiple keyboard tones, battery and USB powered.

Best of Books Kickingbird Square, 1313 E. Danforth 405-340-9202

Gifts for Everyone - Gift items from Capri Blue Candles to beanies and much more!

Eve’s & LuLu D’s Salon & Boutique 610 S. Kelly, Ste. D, 405-359-9909

Deck Out Your Wardrobe - Find women’s and men’s clothing for fashionable gifts for anyone in your family. Look stylish for the holidays!

Bison Creek Clothing 1 N. Broadway, Downtown Edmond, 405-562-3344

Santa - The Alpine Santa looks great anywhere and in any decor. He will give you a warm and calm feeling.

Bachles By The Fire 11920 N. May Ave, 405-842-8872 www.bachlesbythefire.com

Page 20 • December 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Gift Ideas FROM $100 - $500

Nativity - For the traditional Christian Christmas let this Nativity scene tell the story.

Bachles By The Fire 11920 N. May Ave, 405-842-8872 www.bachlesbythefire.com

Adult Mountain Bike - Trek 820 Mountain Bike. Al’s Bicycles 2624 S. Broadway Court 405-341-4331 www.alsbicycles.com

MacKenzie-Childs Tea Kettles - Elegant, timeless and whimsical. Courtly or Royal check, a MacKenzie-Childs Tea Kettle is perfect for every kitchen!

Comes in 2 or 3 quart.

Sterling’s Home Decor & Gifts, 105 S. Broadway, 405-844-7465

Kid’s Bike - Harro Shredder 16” boys bike.

Al’s Bicycle’s 2624 S. Broadway Court 405-341-4331 www.alsbicycles.com

Signed Sports Memorabilia - Baker Mayfield Signed Jersey.

Al’s Sports Cards & Gaming, 116 E. 15th Street, 405-348-7583 www.alssportscardsandgaming.com

Carolers - A set of carolers for the entry table or mantel will greet your guests with love.

Bachles By The Fire 11920 N. May Ave, 405-842-8872 www.bachlesbythefire.com

Signed Sports Photo - A signed photo of the 3 OU coaches Barry Switzer, Bob Stoops, and Lincoln Riley.

Al’s Sports Cards & Gaming 116 E. 15th Street, 405-348-7583 www.alssportscardsandgaming.com

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 10, 2020 • Page 21

Brown

Accounting firm hires Shane Brown

PHOTO PROVIDED

Corey Rucker, manager of Bob Moore Subaru, and Ashley Davis, SVP Lending RCB Bank, stand next to a box of items donated to Infant Crisis Services.

Businesses team up to help Infant Crisis Center Over the last month, RCB Bank and Bob Moore Subaru teamed up to gather donations for the Oklahoma City Infant Crisis Center.

“The outpouring of support has been wonderful,” said Ashley Davis, VP Loan Officer at RCB Bank. “We were able to donate many items to this amazing organization.”

Corey Rucker, the manager at Bob Moore Subaru in northeast Oklahoma

City, was also integral in gathering the items on the Infant Crisis Center’s wish list this year.

“Giving back to our community is important to Bob Moore Subaru, our customers and myself.” said Rucker.

“Through the drive we collected an entire box of items and our employees loved seeing the participations from our customers and staff.”

Infant Crisis Services is located in Okla-

Mathis Brothers plans an expansion to Shawnee

By Richard Mize Oklahoman.com Mathis Brothers is headed to Shawnee with three of its retail concepts in one place: Mathis Sleep Center, Ashley Furniture and a La-Z-Boy store, all in the former J.C. Penney at Shawnee Mall.

The stores should open in spring or early summer next year, Mathis Brothers spokesman Kerry Tramel said Friday. The property fronts Interstate 40 at the northeast corner of I40 and Kickapoo Road.

"It's new life" for the mall, which lost J.C. Penney, an anchor, last summer, said CBRE retail property broker Mark Inman, who handled the sale of the 50,973-square-foot building this week.

The Shawnee J.C. Penney was one of six in Oklahoma and 242 across the country that closed last summer as the long-troubled department

store chain, hammered further by the coronavirus and economic shutdown, sought stability under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. J.C. Penney had been at Shawnee Mall since it was built in the 1980s. JCP Realty Inc., Penney's property development division, was a co-developer of the mall as a limited partner with The Herring Group of Dallas.

Mathis Bros. Oklahoma City LLC paid OOTB Shawnee LLC of Miami, Florida, $2,391,250 for the building and 4.35 acres, county records show.

The property abuts Shawnee Mall but is a separate parcel with different ownership, a typical anchor setup for malls and shopping centers.

Tramel said this expansion will give Mathis Brothers its eighth Ashley Furniture store, counting one about to open in Ardmore; its fourth La-Z-Boy store; and its 16th Mathis Sleep Center.

homa City and provides diapers, food, formula and other essential items to families and babies in central Oklahoma.

RCB Bank is a community bank with locations across Oklahoma and Kansas.

Founded in 1936, RCB Bank is committed to serving its communities with conservative banking practices and progressive banking products. Learn more at RCBbank.com or give us a call at 855.BANK.RCB.

Shane Brown has joined Arledge & Associates as a staff auditor, the Edmond accounting firm recently announced.

Brown is a graduate of the University of Arkansas. He previously worked on the assurance team at Ernst & Young.

“Shane is a great addition to our audit team,” said LaDonna Sinning, partner. “His professionalism and expertise will benefit our firm and the clients we serve.”

Arledge & Associates, PC is a recognized leader in the accounting industry offering practical solutions in the areas of tax planning, auditing, consulting, accounting advisory services and client accounting.

Through its Gateway Executive Solutions division, the firm offers outsourced CFO, controller and cloud-based accounting solutions.

Page 22 • December 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Onions No need to cry; here’s some tricks to try STAYCATION ST TAYC CA ATIO T N RETREAT! RETREA AT T!

IC ICONIC ONIC O OAK AK TREE N NATIONAL ATIO TI T NAL

6 CAR G GARAGE ARAGE

OAK O A AK TREE

ABBEY PL PLACE ACE

11TH GREEN OF O OAK A AK TREE N NATIONAL! ATIO T NAL!

GRAND TIMBER

IN THE HEAR HEART RT OF EDMO EDMOND ND

13TH F FAIRWAY AIR RWAY - OAK OAK TREE BEAUTY BEAUTY

WONDERFULLY RFULL LY MAINT MAINTAINED! TA AINED! WO NDERFULL

AMAZING REMODEL!

FABULOUS F AB A ULOUS O ON N THE 9TH F FAIRWAY A AIR RWAY

BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME!

THORNBROOKE

“LOCK-N-GO”

SOLD!

CANYON PARK

SOLD! SOLD!

COFFEE CREEK!

BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME!

HIDDEN TREASURE

OLDETOWNE!

GRAND TIMBER

By Carol Smaglinski Visiting with Shannon, a marvelous cook, she gave me a few lastminute ideas.

I then asked her for a good recipe for a can of beans and a couple of onions.

What should I call it?

“Tear gas,” Shannon answered with a straight face.

Exactly. Years ago, on my “Carol Cooks!” television show broadcast on cable 20 times each week from The University of Central Oklahoma, my guest was always-the- comedian Carl Hancuff.

The two of us did our best to maneuver through the maze of how to stop the tears from flowing when onion chopping. We hoped to make history and discover how to stop those sulfuric compounds that hurt the eyes.

There was no easy solution. Short of wearing a Hazmat suit, we tried a lot of tricks.

We stuck pieces of bread in our mouths while chopping, and were advised to try cutting onions up under running water - where? In the shower?

Nope. Another possibility was to stand in front of an open window with a fan behind us, or place the onions in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before cutting. Chew gum, light a candle or smoke a stinky cigar, all not quite acceptable.

What was the answer?

Skip the ski goggles, wear airtight safety goggles instead, then reach for the sharpest knife in your collection using slow and deliberate strokes to get out of the way of the onion vapors and out of the kitchen quick.

The onion is a member of the Lilly

CHARMING IN EDGEWATER!

SOPHISTICATED IN ESPERANZA

IMMACULATELY KEPT!

SOLD!

BARRINGTON

VALENCIA

SOLD! SOLD! SOLD! SOLD!

LO LOTS TS & ACREAGES ACREAGES

family and a cousin to leeks and asparagus. It is never listed as a secret ingredient in a recipe because after being cut, the knife cuts wake up an enzyme in the onion called allinaise.

The allinaise bonds with sulfur in the onion when exposed to air, suddenly, our tear ducts are irritated.

The boo-hoo’s are worth it and so is the following French Onion Soup with its irresistible aroma.

French Onion Soup Makes 7 to 8 servings 5 large onions, cut root to shoot and minced 3 Tbsp. butter Freshly ground pepper to taste 1 Tbsp. flour 3-10 oz. cans condensed beef broth 3 cups water 1 bay leaf --6 to 8 slices toasted French bread ½ cup grated Swiss Cheese Mince onions. Heat a heavy saucepan to medium and melt the butter. Add onions and ground pepper stirring frequently until the onions are lightly browned.and sprinkle on the

See Onions, Page 23

Edmond Life & Leisure • December 10, 2020 • Page 23

Edmond Farmers Market indoors The Edmond Farmers Market is now holding an indoor winter market each Saturday at the Edmond Senior Center in Mitch Park. The market is open each Saturday from 9 a.m. to noonnoon through March 27, 2021 but will be closed on Dec. 26 for the Christmas holiday.

Onions From Page 22 flour, High heat will scorch them and turn them bitter.

Keep your wooden spoon going for about a minute. Add beef broth, water and bay leaf.

Bring it to a boil and cook for about 40 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and correct the seasonings.

When ready to serve, pour the soup into a oven-proof soup tureen or individual oven-proof bowls and place bread slices on top. Place cheese on each bread slice and broil or bake in a 400 degree oven and cook until the cheese melts.

Items for sale include seasonal produce, meat, baked goods, pasta, crafts, BBQ sauce, coffee, honey and other Made in Oklahoma (MIO) products. Some vendors may change each week, but the main vendors include Earth Shelter Garden Project, Whitmore Farms, Indigo Acres,

Boutique Bous, Tall Girl Specialty Pasta, i’s Bakery, Don’s Produce, Papa J’s BBQ, Renrick’s Farm and Garden, and Onawa Soaps.

For those wishing to purchase goods remotely for pickup at the market, the WhatsGood platform is available for online ordering.

Page 24 • December 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure