FOUR SEASONS
Four Seasons, by Kevin Box, in real life is located in front of the Center for Transformative Learning on the UCO campus, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper. Email contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing. For more information, see page 4.
Please check out this week’s “Weekend Calendar,” for a look at the many events being offered.
One of them will the OKC Ballet’s presentation of “Cinderella,”at the Civic Center in downtown Oklahoma City. There will be performances from Friday to Sunday.
Also, Armstrong Auditorium, later this month, will feature the National Philharmonic of Ukraine. They stop here in Edmond Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. Conductor Theodore Kuchar leads the orchestra in a program featuring works by Brahms and Bruch, as well as Dvorak’s “New World” Symphony.
“To have one of the most wellknown symphonies played at Armstrong by such a storied orchestra will be a profound experience for our audience,” said Program Director Ryan Malone. “I’m also excited we
can offer, for the first time on our stage, one of the most beloved violin concertos from the repertoire.”
In addition to the “New World” symphony, the Ukrainian orchestra will perform the Tragic Overture by Brahms, as well as the Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor by Max Bruch. This will feature Ukrainian violinist Andriy Tchaikovsky.
Founded in 1902 in Lviv, the National Philharmonic of Ukraine was led by historic figures such as Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss and Ruggero Leoncavallo. This illustrious orchestra continues its two-century legacy in 2023 under the baton of principal guest conductor, the multiple award-winning Theodore Kuchar— the most recorded conductor of his generation.
Tickets start at $45 for adults and $35 for youth aged 6 and up (under
6 not recommended). For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit ArmstrongAuditorium. org or call the Box Office at (405) 285-1010.
Forgive me! Lisa and I spent much of the first big cold spell this year in Palm Beach, Fla. We were there for a conference for one of my “night jobs” as my father in law calls them. It sure was not for a newspaper conference.
Newspaper folks have their meetings in places like Lawton in August. No offense to Lawton. It is a great town but I am sure if you give the folks in Lawton a choice of staying home or being in Palm Beach in January they would pick Florida as well. Lawton also has one of the best newspapers in the state.
Ray HibbardWhile I was locked in meetings and lectures most of our stay, Lisa took full advantage of the beach and 80 degree weather with warm trade winds blowing across the water to keep her cool. Having a tiki drink also helped in the relaxation process. I did get time to enjoy it with her and we stayed a couple of extra days to increase our time on the beach.
Palm Beach is a town in South Florida, separated from the mainland by the Lake Worth Lagoon. It’s known for its glitzy estates and its beaches, including the long, sandy Palm Beach Municipal Beach. Worth Avenue is lined with upscale boutiques, galleries and restaurants. Art and antique furnishings are displayed at the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, inside the hotel and railroad tycoon’s huge Gilded Age mansion.
Palm Beach has long lured America's noted families, from the Kennedys to designer Jonathan Adler. A century-long heyday has taught Palm Beach a thing or two about luxury and fun. Here, adventurers from across the globe migrate to our warm, sunny playground in search of seaside glamour. It is easy to see why former president, Donald Trump, located his beloved Mar-a-Lago in this town. Our driver from the airport told us you know when he is having a party because all the private car services are busy racing back and forth from the airport. He told us you know when he is in town because his big fat jet is parked in the same spot at the airport. I think the Secret Service hates that.
When it was completed in 1902, the New York Herald proclaimed that Whitehall, Henry Flagler's Gilded Age estate in Palm Beach, was "more wonderful than any palace in Europe, grander and more magnificent than any other private dwelling in the world." Today, Whitehall is a National
Historic Landmark and is open to the public as the Flagler Museum, featuring changing exhibitions and special programs.
The 75-room mansion contains many of the original furnishings as well as an art collection. Adjacent to Whitehall, the Flagler Kenan Pavilion houses Henry Flagler's private Railcar No. 91 as well as a seasonal restaurant, the Cafe des Beaux-Arts, which offers a Gilded Age-themed tea service. The Museum Store offers for sale a wonderful collection of books, gifts and memorabilia with a focus on Florida history. Open Tuesday through Sunday.
We seldom shop when we travel but some at the conference did. Worth Avenue is a shopping and dining enclave that is internationally revered for its beauty, its history and its unparalleled legacy of fine customer service. More than a shopping destination in South Florida; it becomes its own experience from the classic grace of its Mediterranean architecture to the bougainvillea that tumbles over stairwells in shady tucked-away vias. Whether it is a champagne break at a cozy bar or a short walk on the beach, it's window shopping, art and courtyard dining at its finest. For more than 100 years, service has been the gold standard, and it's a value that residents, merchants and visitors hold near and dear.
The Royal Poinciana Plaza is an iconic destination that serves as a
Police report returns next week
“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.
jewel box oasis in the heart of beautiful Palm Beach. Built in the late 1950s, it stands today as a landmark property and one of Palm Beach’s most treasured architectural gems. With 180,000 square feet of retail space and lush gardens, it offers a unique international shopping and entertainment destination for indulgence, inspiration, and retreat.
Designed by world-renowned architect John Volk, The Royal Poinciana Plaza echoes Europe’s legendary retail destinations like the Palais Royal in Paris. The property has been carefully restored to its original mid-century glamour while remaining true to its retail roots. Its offerings include a unique mix of luxury retail, fashion, dining and entertainment, along with amenities for both local and international visitors. Arranged around two courtyards, the property provides a destination for guests to enjoy events, gather with family and friends, sip a coffee, or shop.
The Society of the Four Arts is a nonprofit cultural organization founded in 1936 to meet the cultural needs of the growing resort community. The Four Arts campus is home to beautiful sculpture and botanical gardens, a library and children's library, all of which are open to the public year-round. During the winter season, The Four Arts also presents notable speakers, concerts, films, educational programs, and art exhibitions to the public.
When it comes to entertainment,
The Palm Beaches wins best in show. There’s always something happening in the West Palm Beach Arts and Entertainment District and Harbourside Place in Jupiter. Snag concert tickets to top touring acts at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, see Tony-winning musicals at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre and enjoy cabaret sets by Broadway’s brightest stars at the Crest Theatre in Delray Beach.
They are also famous for their polo matches. You can catch them on Sunday but once again I had meetings all day, so we did not get away for them. I know we will be returning so we will make sure we get it on the schedule. The horses are such incredible athletes.
We stayed at the beautiful Eau Palm Beach. Eau is French for water and is pronounced “O.” An intimate ocean retreat; a breath of fresh air. Modern, playful and indulgent. Situated on the sweeping back drop of Florida’s gold coast and with the Atlantic as its playground, Eau Palm Beach invokes the relaxed glamour of America’s first resort destination; a chance to refresh, play and rediscover time.
The beach front property is gorgeous. The beach isn’t wide depending on the tide but you can still walk on it. The resort has a huge patio space that is elevated and all concrete with landscaping. Plenty of room for folks to overlook the beach in a lounge chair or cabana all with food and drink service. The staff was terrific. Young, great sense of humor and will bend over backward to take care of you. They treat you like they would want to be treated on a luxury vacation.
The food was excellent in all their restaurants. They have five different places for you to pick on eating and one of them is a top steak house. There is a coffee house and a house made ice cream shop. There are also many great options to pick from in Palm Springs. We were pretty lazy and enjoyed freshly made guacamole on the beach as often as possible. The fish dishes were all amazing.
All last week I kept sending a screen shot of the weather forecast for Palm Beach to Lisa to show her how warm it was compared to our cold. She asked me to stop.
I have never spent much time in Florida, especially on the Atlantic side. It was truly one of the most beautiful places to relax, stay in a wonderful resort and soak up some sun during the dead of winter. Just go, folks.
(Ray Hibbard may be reached by email at ray@edmondpaper.com)
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Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona visited Northwest Oklahoma City recently to tour Francis Tuttle Technology Center.
Cardona was welcomed to the Information Technology building at Francis Tuttle’s Rockwell Campus. The facility houses several programs that center on technology skills for students, including computer science, programming, and video editing.
Cardona spoke to instructors and students from a variety of programs about their experience at Francis Tuttle and within the Oklahoma CareerTech system. Part of his mission as Secretary is to foster better connections between American students and the careers and industries in which they are interested.
“What I saw here today was something that I want to lift up. You’re doing it right here in Oklahoma,” Cardona said. “In this administration, we’re really big on making sure that we’re giving students career and college pathways. I came to visit Francis Tuttle because it’s doing a great job of it.”
Cardona made stops at a classroom in the Computer Science Academy, the 3-D Animation Program, and the Broadcast and Video Production program. He also held a roundtable discussion with students, where they talked about gaining career and realworld opportunities while still in high school, access to life skills classes, and how attending Francis Tuttle also helps them prepare for college.
“We are so thrilled that Secretary Cardona visited our campus and got to see the benefits of a CareerTech education,” Dr. Michelle Keylon, Superintendent/CEO of Francis Tuttle, said. “He took time to visit with students, ask questions, and discuss how our programs help prepare students for success in the workplace. I am encouraged by his desire to improve the connections between students and the careers and industries that interest them, as that is a key part of our mission and how we serve our community.”
Brent Haken, State Director of Oklahoma CareerTech, joined the tour and welcomed Cardona to Oklahoma.
‘You’re doing it right here in Oklahoma.’Sec. of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona
What’s Happening This Weekend Feb 9-12
---- In the Gallery
---- Tiny, But Mighty! Exhibit
---- Indoor Winter Market
---- February at the UCO Jazz Lab
---- MBG Combo
---- Leotie
---- Live Music at Round Midnight
---- Second Friday Film Night
---- The Icehouse is for Lovers
---- Hearts for Art
---- Sunday Spotlight: Colt Express
---- Signature Tour ---- Prairie Classic Quarter Horse
Show
---- UCO Department of Theatre Arts
Presents: Much Ado About Nothing
---- Cirque Du Soleil presents: Corteo
---- An Affair of the Heart
---- Oklahoma City Ballet presents: Cinderella Extra Information
In the Gallery Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute
Extra Info: Featuring the art of Brad McNeill; edmondfinearts.com
Tiny, But Mighty! Exhibit
Location: Edmond Historical Society & Museum
Extra Info: Wed, Oct 5 – Thu, Aug 31, 2023; edmondhistory.org
Indoor Winter Market Location: Mitch Park
Extra Info: through Sat, Mar 18; 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.; Free; edmondok.gov
February at the UCO Jazz Lab
Location: UCO Jazz Lab
Extra Info: Fri, Feb 10; Souled Out; 8 p.m.; $20; Sat, Feb 11; Garrett “Big G” Jacobson; 8 p.m.; $15; ucojazzlab.com
MGB Combo
Location: Frenzy Brewing Company
Extra Info: Fri, Feb 10; 8 p.m.; Free; frenzybrewing.com
Leotie Location: Frenzy Brewing Company
Extra Info: Sat, Feb 11; 7 p.m.; Free; frenzybrewing.com
Live Music at Round Midnight
Location: Round Midnight
Extra Info: Thu, Feb 9: Vintage Vinyl; Fri, Feb 10: Vintage Vinyl; Sat, Feb 11: Jason Combos Trio; 7 – 10 p.m.; $60 ---- $75; simpletix.com
Second Friday Film Night
Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute
Extra Info: Fri, Feb 10; 7 – 9 p.m.; Free; eventbrite.com
The Icehouse is for Lovers
Location: The Icehouse Project
Extra Info: Sat, Feb 11; 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Free; facebook.com
Hearts for Art
Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Extra Info: Thu, Feb 9 – Sun, Feb 12; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org
Sunday Spotlight: Colt Express
Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Extra Info: Sun, Feb 12; 1 – 1:30 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org
Signature Tour
Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Extra Info: Sat, Feb 11 – Sun, Feb 12; 1 ---- 2 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org
Prairie Classic Quarter Horse Show Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park
Extra Info: Wed, Feb 8 – Sun, Feb 12; Wed & Fri: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Thu: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sat & Sun: 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.; kqha.com
UCO Department of Theatre Arts
Presents: Much Ado About Nothing Location: Mitchell Hall Theatre
Extra Info:
Cirque Du Soleil presents: Corteo
Oklahoma City Ballet presents:
Location: Civic Center Music Hall
Senior citizens have become the favorite target for fraud and scams. The perpetrators are smart and can be very convincing. TRIAD was formed as a collaborative effort between the Sheriff’s office, local police departments and senior citizens to reduce and prevent crimes against seniors. Sheriff Deputy Tara Hardin is determined to make seniors aware of the different types of activities that criminals use and ways to prevent becoming a victim.
Deputy Hardin began her career with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s office in 2011 and became the TRIAD Coordinator in July 2021. She presents a new in-person lesson around Oklahoma county each month and on February 15th she will present her program at the Okla-
homa Home and Community Education Genealogy Group meeting. The meeting is at 10 a.m. at the Oklahoma County Extension office, 2500 SE 63rd St., and the public is invited.
KWGA (Kickingbird Women’s Golf Association) is inviting ladies to attend the group’s annual Golf Registration Coffee on Monday, Feb. 20 at 9:30 a.m. This will be held at Lincoln Park Golf Clubhouse. There will be refreshments and important information given about the upcoming golf season. We will still be playing this year at Lincoln golf course until the opening of Kickingbird later in the year. New members are welcome. The annuaul membership costs $30 and GHIN membership is also $30 (Must pay by cash or check; we cannot accept credit cards) If you can’t attend the coffee, registration forms will be available at Lincoln Park Clubhouse front desk.
Class of 1963 of Midwest City HS will have its 60th reunion this April 21 to 23
“Midwest City High School Class of 1963. Hey, Bombers, come join us for a weekend of fun and fellowship –April 21 to 23. For more information, or to register, call or email Jan Casey Ellis at 405-732-7211 or gregellis@att.net.”
Ten journalists and two Lifetime Achievement honorees highlight Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame’s 53rd anniversary
Ten longtime journalists, the president of the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters and the first Black woman in the Oklahoma City broadcast market will be among those honored at the 53rd annual luncheon and induction ceremony of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame.
The induction ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 4, in the grand ballroom of the Nigh University Center at the University of Central Oklahoma.
“The 2023 induction class shows the quality of journalists who have spent most of their careers in Oklahoma,” said Director Joe Hight, who is also UCO’s Edith Kinney Gaylord Endowed Chair of Journalism Ethics and a OJHOF member since 2013. “This continues as Oklahoma’s highest journalistic honor because of that quality.”
The 2023 induction class will be Bill Braun, a courthouse reporter for 33 years at the Tulsa World; Andrea
Eger, an education and investigative reporter for the World; Joey Goodman a longtime sportswriter and sports editor for The Lawton Constitution; Walter “Skipper” Harrison, a longtime journalist, editor and author before his death in 1961; Chris Lincoln, a sports director, network playby-play announcer and sports production company owner; Don Mecoy, who just retired as managing editor for The Oklahoman; Dee Morales, a freelance national network reporter and producer who was among the first group of TV women reporters in Oklahoma; Chuck Musgrove, longtime managing editor of KFOR-TV; Myron Patton, sports talk show host and sports director at KOKH Fox 25; and Amy Raymond, a copy editor, designer and director at The Oklahoman before her death in 2021.
“First and foremost, the Selection Committee considers their qualities as a journalist. That combined with their other accomplishments distinguish them as future hall of fame members,” Hight said.
KWTV had an interesting report on the massive, and I mean massive, utility costs handed down to ratepayers following the arctic blast in 2021.
We’re almost at the two-year mark of that horrific storm, which had sub zero temps for about four or five days.
Steve GustAnd that ended up costing us $4.7 billion, which will be paid back over 28 years. You might re-read the last sentence. It’s still hard to believe. I think the people in the rolling blackouts then should only be on the hook for 20 years instead of 28.
The problem was that during the storm the utility companies had trouble accessing and getting natural gas. In other words, demand stripped supply. So the companies went to other suppliers, who sold it at exorbitant rates — way too exorbitant if you ask me.
And I will remind everyone about a double standard. I can bring a 24pack of water bottles to a disaster
area and sell each bottle for a dollar. I pocket the whopping $20 profit. But guess what? I’m still a price gouger and the law can arrest me.
But you can be a supplier and up the natural gas cost by what? One hundred percent? Five hundred or 1000 percent? Why not 10,000 percent? Or 100,000 percent?
I’m not sure what ONG’s response was to the recent criticism. KWTV couldn’t get a comment from them. I know in the past they’ve said that their only options were to hit everyone with a massive bill or space it out over time.
The TV station also said “only” $2 billion was the actual cost of the gas and the other $2.7 billion was for interest and various fees for others involved, such as attorneys. Almost $5 billion for a week’s worth of heat?
Wow.
I know it was a tough time for ONG. Just seems like there had to be a better way.
Maybe ONG and OG&E could have had a huge bake sale every other month at the State Fairgrounds for years to come.
(Steve Gust may be reached at news@edmondpaper.com)
The coalition of community, business, and law enforcement leaders filed papers with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission last week to oppose SQ 820, the effort to legalize recreational marijuana under state law. Official documents list former Governor Frank Keating as the chairman of the organization, Protect Our Kids No 820.
“We simply must protect our children.” stated Keating. “This state question goes well beyond the ballot summary voters will see. Just one example is that hidden inside this question is a clause that expressly lowers the legal threshold for child endangerment. It includes a prohibition on our court system from considering marijuana usage in child custody and visitation cases. These are just a few of the problems,” Keating continued.
“The already out-of-control illegal marijuana grows are straining our
state’s utility providers and have brought organized crime and violence to rural areas. It is reckless to even consider expanding marijuana access,” stated Rodd Moesel, President of Oklahoma Farm Bureau and a member of the coalition. “To have execution style killings near Hennessey should be a wake-up call that now is not the time to lessening regulation and to throw things even more wide open,” Moesel continued.
Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler weighed in as well. “Our law enforcement community is just now starting to get a handle on all of the activity around so-called medical marijuana. To go in and pass new laws that further tie the hands of law enforcement could be devastating. For example, passage of this state question essentially prohibits us from even trying to keep marijuana out of our middle schools and high schools because it sets the punishment for underage use at four hours of counseling, regardless of how many times it is on school grounds.”
Logan County Sheriff Devereaux is a member of the coalition. “Every day, we hear another horror story about how marijuana is hurting lives. From toddlers overdosing on high THC gummies, to the prevalence of robbery and murder that has already occurred in this industry. As a Sheriff, it is my responsibility to protect the citizens of my county, with this almost unregulated industry it is becoming almost impossible to do. We as Oklahomans have suffered enough, it is time we stood our ground and take Oklahoma back from this industry. That starts by voting No on SQ 820,” Devereaux stated.
“We know time is short, so we need everyone’s help in educating the public about how SQ 820 will further harm our state,” stated Keating. “By searching NO SQ820 you can find our Facebook page and join our coalition. We’ll have a website and other ways to get engaged soon,” Keating concluded.
Voters are scheduled to decide the measure on March 7.
Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) today sent a letter to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) Chairman Alexander Hoehn-Saric amid rumors swirling that the Biden Administration is looking to ban gas stoves in his near-constant pursuit of a Green New Deal agenda to cater to progressive Democrats instead of letting Americans buy what they want.
Lankford and Manchin wrote in their letter, “While a gas stove ban is not yet on the table, the lead up to one is. In October, the Commission adopted an amendment to begin the process of a Request for Information (RFI) to ‘seek public input on hazards associated with gas stoves and propose solutions to those hazards’….As you know, gas stoves are used in about 35 percent of households nationwide, nearly 40 million homes. The household figure in some states is closer to 70 percent. Natural
gas stoves have been used for well over a century and have been proven to be both safe and efficient appliances… We understand the Commission’s mission is to ensure consumer safety. However, it is unclear what safety angle the Commission plans to take with the recent RFI.”
Dear Chairman Hoehn-Saric,
We write today with deep concern regarding Commissioner Trumka’s recent comments about regulating gas stoves. We have heard from many of our constituents who are now suddenly, and rightfully, concerned about the future of gas stoves.
We recognize you have attempted to dissuade these concerns through reassurances that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (the Commission) is not considering a ban on gas stoves. While that is encouraging, we remain concerned about the Commission’s goals and potential future action on this
the right to edit letters for length, clarity and taste (our taste).
Send mail to Letter to the Editor, Edmond Life & Leisure, 107 S. Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034, or fax to 340-3384 or e-mail to news@edmondpaper.com.
issue.
While a gas stove ban is not yet on the table, the lead up to one is. In October 2022, the Commission adopted an amendment to begin the process of a Request for Information (RFI) to “seek public input on hazards associated with gas stoves and propose solutions to those hazards.”
As you know, gas stoves are used in about 35 percent of households nationwide, nearly 40 million homes. The household figure in some states is closer to 70 percent. Natural gas stoves have been used for well over a century and have been proven to be both safe and efficient appliances.
We understand the Commission’s mission is to ensure consumer safety. However, it is unclear what safety angle the Commission plans to take with the recent RFI.
If the Commission is concerned about the physical safety of consumers, the National Fire Protection Association has already proven that gas stoves pose a lower risk of cooking fires, deaths, and associated losses than other ranges.
If the concern is about consumer health, neither the Commission nor the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has cited gas stoves as a significant contributor to adverse air quality or as a health hazard. In fact, a 2013 study in the scientific journal The Lancet found “no evidence of an association between the use of gas as a cooking fuel and either asthma symptoms or asthma diagnosis.” Additionally, RMI manager Brady Seals said that the recently circulated study by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health “does not assume or estimate a causal relationship” between childhood asthma and natural gas stoves.
If the concern is about environmental health, the American Gas Association notes that residential natural gas accounts for only 4 percent of total US greenhouse gas emissions.
Valentine’s Day used to be a perfect day to get engaged, but now only about 10 percent of couples actually choose that romantic holiday. The most popular day for proposals has shifted to Christmas Day.
Bending on one knee began centuries ago, during the age of chivalry.
Showing his future bride honor and courtesy, a hopeful knight would kneel on one knee, declare his love and propose. And her heart would melt!
Be prepared to share a special drink on this occasion. But what to choose? Club soda sparklers with fruit juice are fine, but, hey, stop chewing on your cheeseburger and read these suggestions.
Margarita:
For a Margarita for one, pour coarse salt onto a shallow saucer.
Moisten the rim of a 4-ounce stemmed glass with a lime wedge; dip into the salt to coat evenly. Place a scoop of ice cubes in a cocktail shaker, add 2 oz Tequila, 1 Tbsp. lime juice and 2 oz. Triple Sec; cover and shake briskly for about 30 seconds; strain and pour into the prepared glass. Repeat for another drink.
Although it looks like gin or vodka, Tequila is a liquor distilled from the Central American Agave tequilana plant and its name hails from the Tequila district of Mexico. Some say this is the best tequila made. You might like to drink it in the Mexican style by sucking a wedge of lime, tossing down a shot of tequila, and finishing off with a lick of salt held in the hollow between the thumb and forefinger.
Martini:
Holland was the first country to produce gin back in the 17th century and it was all due to a professor of medicine, Franciscus Sylvius (16141672). His birth name was Franz de le Boe. He christened it “genievre,” which is the French word for juniper berries. That is also the flavoring for gin. However, the French doctor intended it to be used as a blood cleanser.
To make a gin martini, place a martini glass in the freezer to chill.
Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes. Pour in two dashes of dry French vermouth, then pour 4 ounces of gin over the ice and stir or shake for a minute or two until the ice cubes melt a little. When ready to serve, drop an olive into the glass,
and strain the martini into the glass. Some people may prefer martini on the rocks, so serve it with fresh rinsed ice cubes.
Bloody Mary:
Vodka is the Russian word for water and vodka is very popular in the United States. It is distilled from a fermented mash of grain, not potatoes as some have thought. Other ingredients include water and yeast. Although it is tasteless without distinctive character, or aroma, it is perfect for sparkling mixers or fruit juices such as orange juice, cranberry juice or pineapple juice or in drinks such as a screwdriver or bullshot.
To make a Bloody Mary, place salt on a saucer. With a lime wedge, moisten the edge of a glass and dip the rim of the glass into the salt, making sure it is well-coated. Shake with ice cubes 1-½ oz. vodka, 2 oz. thick tomato juice, a dash of lemon juice, 2 sprinkles of salt, 1 dash of black pepper, 2 dashes of cayenne pepper, and 3 dashes of Worcestershire sauce. Add Tabasco if desired. Stir well and strain into the serving glass.
Some may prefer this drink without the vodka but then it would certainly have to be called a Bloody Shame!
After retiring out of Tinker with the Air Force, new Pillar to Post Home Inspectors franchisee Chris St. Peter says he feels he has landed the perfect next career.
“This company has made me feel right at home, much like the community here in Edmond has made me feel,” he said. “I enjoy everything that Pillar to Post has to offer and love sharing that with my clients.”
St. Peter was looking for a business opportunity that was not only interesting, but offered flexibility, allowing him to dictate his schedule as he and his wife Giulia are the parents of nine children. He said he has always had an interest in home construction and saw providing home inspections as a necessary service for potential customers rather than a discretionary one.
“I didn’t like the idea of going to another government job or the corporate sector where I’m basically making someone else money,” he said. “I like the idea of being an entrepreneur since it shows you can still make a good living without having to spend a crazy amount of money on a degree that might not even get you an interview nowadays.”
Another of the many reasons St. Peter chose Pillar To Post Home Inspectors is the innovative technologies the company introduced in the past 18 months. He said these advanced technologies, along with the business model, provide an exceptional home inspection with unique and innovative features that are all delivered within a seamless brand experience. All developed pre-pandemic and ready to be utilized when the pandemic struck, the new features further highlight Pillar To Post Home Inspectors’ standing as a visionary in its industry.
The package is now known as the Ultimate Home Inspection and it’s revolutionizing the home inspection industry. So much so that the company was just awarded the much-coveted Best Innovators by Franchise Update Media in the category of “best
customer service tools.”
St. Peter said that with his franchise, he received very vigorous training. He has been certified by the state and is licensed as a home inspector. Right now, he is the only employee.
“Later in the year, I plan on hiring local veterans to employ as my business expands,” he said.
As a home inspector, St. Peter said his job is to give a detailed account of the home involved so clients are aware of any potential discrepancies or dangers involved with the home.
There are quite a few things that set Pillar to Post apart from other home inspection services, he said.
“For starters, we have the ability to print our reports in color and on site at the time of the inspection,” he said. “Clients do not have to wait days or weeks to get the report back.
“Another thing that makes us different is that we offer a monitoring service for a lot of the home's major equipment such as air conditioners, furnaces and
water heaters to name a few,” St. Peter continued. “One of the biggest things that make us stand apart is that we include a virtual 360-degree tour with all of our inspections. We even have the ability to include a measured floor plan.”
“Of course, there's even more than what I've mentioned but I think one of the biggest things is the first-class level of service my company offers that continues to impress our clients. It's for these reasons that I purchased a franchise as I believe it is simply the best home inspection company out there.”
St. Peter said he “absolutely” loves being a franchise owner with Point to Post.
“I look forward to serving Edmond and our surrounding neighbors even more and giving back to the community that took me in,” he said.
St. Peter can be reached at (405) 960-2240 or by email at chris.st.peter@pillartopost.com.
Visit his website: chrisstpeter.pillartopost.com/
“Knock at the Cabin” is the M. Night Shyamalan adaptation of the 2018 novel “A Cabin at the End of the World.” The film follows a young family (Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge and Kristen Cui) who while vacationing are taken hostage by armed strangers (Dave Bautista, Rupert Grint, Nikki Amuka-Bird and Abby Quinn) These strangers demand that the family make a sacrifice to avoid the impending apocalypse.
Few directors have garnered as much love and hate in the past decades as Shyamalan. With the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, it seems as though his films are Rorschach tests for the filmgoing audience of the time. Where some people see a return to the filmmaker who made the cultural phenomenon “The Sixth Sense” others may see another try-hard flop maker who made “The Happening.” “Knock at the Cabin” neither reaches the heights of Shyamalan at his best nor stoops as low as his more maligned films, but instead feels like a well-crafted horror/suspense that ultimately doesn’t make much of a lasting impression.
“A Knock at the Cabin” shines most through the
engaging and unsettling performances given the over-the-top circumstances. Highlighted most by the performance of professional wrestler turned surprisingly consistent character actor in Bautista. His menacing performance is not only derived from his imposing physical presence, but instead stems from his innocent intensity of a man who truly believes his outlandish claims and is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. The rest of the cast also turns in committed performances, however in service of a story that ends up losing steam as it hurdles
towards the finish.
With Shyamalan’s work, much of the memory of his films’ rests with its endings and more specifically the twist. This standard is both a blessing and a curse for him, as even when he tries to swerve away from the audience expectations there are people who feel let down by his storytelling style. “Knock at the Cabin” is another example of this. The story begins strong with Shyamalan’s signature moody suspense style, but as the tension builds and the film begins to answer the questions set up the underlying message of story strains your suspension of disbelief and ultimate resolution falls flat.
“Knock at the Cabin” is a professionally executed horror/suspense film and has all the trappings for a exciting time at the movies, but the ghosts of Shyamalan’s twists of the past haunt this film and hold it back from being a memorable entry in the career of this polarizing filmmaker.
“Knock at the Cabin” is rated R for 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
Answer on Page 19
On Friday, April 28 at 6 p.m. CT, the greater Oklahoma City community and special guest, singer and songwriter, Ryan Cabrera will gather at Aspen Ranch for the fourth annual Evening of Hope, with funds raised benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. Because the majority of St. Jude funding comes from generous donors, St. Jude has the freedom to focus on what matters most – saving kids regardless of their financial situation.
The event committee and co-chairs Marc Cline, Brennin Hunt, and Kelly Hunt invite the public to reserve tickets for an evening of dinner, cocktails, and powerful stories from local St. Jude patients and their families, including Faith and Marina.
Guests will also be treated to an exclusive performance by Cabrera. While best known for billboard hits such as “On the Way Down,” “True,” and “Shine On,” Cabrera also uses his talents to bring people together for a greater good.
To become a sponsor of the event, contact Ally Rodriguez at ally.rodriguez@alsac.stjude.org or 405-423-6323.
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DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 24
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Simply answer each question below. Feel free to elaborate on a separate piece of paper! We will announce your Edmond Favorites in our March 2 issue.
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Are Oklahomans special? Yes we are! At the Edmond Genealogical Society’s meeting, Monday, Feb. 20, find out just how special as speaker, Bob Burke, delves into the uniqueness of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma story is not about places and events, but is about its people.
Burke has written more historical non-fiction books (140) than anyone else in history. All of his books are about Oklahoma’s incredible history, with four books having won the Oklahoma Book Award and three have been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Born in Broken Bow, OK, Mr. Burke graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma, and a law degree from Oklahoma City University.
Burke’s community service is extensive. He has served on the governing boards of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Historical Society, Native American Cultural Center, Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence (founding member), the Jim Thorpe Association (founding member), Harold Hamm Diabetes Center and several others.,
In 2004, he received the Governor’s Art Award for Excellence in the Arts in Oklahoma. In 2006, he was named a Distinguished Alumnus at Oklahoma City University and the University of Oklahoma, and was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Oklahoma Center for the Book and the Regents’ Award at the University of Oklahoma. In 2011, he received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from Oklahoma
City University. He is a member of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame, and the National College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers.
In 2019, Burke served as Special Master in the nation’s first trial of a lawsuit against opioid manufacturers, State of Oklahoma v. Johnson and Johnson. He lives with his wife, Chimene, in Oklahoma City where he practices law and writes books… both fulltime. He also spends substantial time with his six children and ten grandchildren.
Edmond Genealogical Society meetings are free and open to the public. Programs start at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are held the third Monday of the month at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 15700 N. Penn, Oklahoma City. Enter through the doors on the south side of the building. The church offers plenty of parking and is fully handicap accessible. For more information on EGS, go to: www.edmondgensoc.org, or visit us on Facebook at Edmond Genealogical Society. If any changes are made to this event, we will post the information on our Facebook page and website.
