November 2022

Well I missed most of this year’s riding season. I just wasn’t feeling up to it. I got in a few rides over to Pops, but mostly the motorcycle I always wanted sat idle in the garage.

My preoccupation with motorcycles started with a trip to Europe when I was a kid. I was fascinated with all the scooters, motorbikes and mopeds zipping around villages - over there it was a way of life. I wanted one and finally in college, I got one, and another one, and then another one. Years later, when it was time for raising kids - I put on the brakes, only for my interest to come back faster and fancier. When the kids moved out, the Ducatis moved in.

For me, it’s not about ownership, it’s about the experience I get when I slip on my helmet and flip down the visor. Everything else goes away. I’m not thinking about work, cancer or home improvement projects I need to get to. But sadly, because of my treatments I just wasn’t up for the experience this past season. Frankly, I was thinking this might be the end of a long relationship. I’ve been feeling the urge to sell.

I’ve been through this before. Back when I was diagnosed, it didn’t look so good for me, so I sold the motorcycle I always wanted. But after a couple of stem-cell transplants and some chemo wizardry, I got to feeling better and started to secondguess the sale. So I searched, found and re-bought the same motorcycle I always wanted for a second time. Same year. Same make. Same model.

I need to get through the next year of treatments, pause on my present thoughts of selling and just let the bike sit in the garage. If I can do that, I can avoid buying the motorcycle I always wanted - for a third time. Although it would make for a good story.

Dave Miller Publisher & Back40 Design President

photography by Jana Carson

Get Your Kicks at Edmond’s Cycle 66

By Maggie Murdock Nichols

Around 800 cyclists will embark this month on Oklahoma’s portion of Route 66, otherwise known as “the most rideable stretch of Mother Road”. This ride and its route represent a major milestone for Oklahoma tourism – cyclotourism to be exact.

A Ride on the Rise

November 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of Route 66, but Oklahoma cyclists and citizens need not wait to celebrate. Recently named an official United States Bike Route, riders can now enjoy a safe, smooth and scenic ride on Oklahoma’s stretch of Route 66.

Bonnie Winslow and Kevin Musset, past presidents of Bike Oklahoma, were instrumental in the 10-year process designating the stretch as a U.S. Bike Route. Both emphasize its importance to our state. “Cyclotourism is an economic driver on the rise,” Bonnie said. “The official bike route designation will bring more cyclists to the area and Edmond’s Cycle 66 is a big draw.”

Setting a New Course

Cycle 66 will hold its second annual ride on November 6th. There are courses for riders of all experience levels with a 66, 33, and 10-mile ride. The ride expects 800 cyclists, a significant jump from the 500 cyclists who participated last year.

Race director, Jason Duncan explained changes to this year’s route. “We want to provide a different experience,” he said. “This revised 66-mile route puts the hilliest part of the course at the beginning instead of the end and also allows cyclists to ride on the Route 66 tarmac.”

Though Cycle 66 is not a timed race, many cyclists made impressive time. The fastest riders averaged around 20 miles per hour, the average speed hovers around 14 to 15 miles per hour.

Criterium Comes to Edmond

New additions to this year’s race include a free kid’s one-mile ride and a Criterium race. The Criterium or “Crit” race is a short circuit route judged by time rather than distance. Cyclists will fly through the streets of downtown at speeds up to 30 miles per hour.

Spectators can expect to see the fastest riders in the area participate in the Criterium, with some participants traveling across the country to attend. “I have been cycling since I was a child,” said Austin Crose. “My dad and brother are traveling from Minneapolis to ride in this race. We all jumped at the opportunity to participate together.”

All Invited to Celebration 66

The best place to catch the action of Cycle 66 is at Celebration 66, held near the start and finish line in Downtown Edmond. Celebration 66 will welcome cyclists to the ride and cheer them in as they approach the finish line. There will be food, drinks, music and kid’s activities. Celebration 66 is free and the public is welcome.

Registration for Cycle 66 will remain open until the rides begin. Broadway will be closed downtown; three lanes will be dedicated to the Crit race and one will be used for Cycle 66.

Routes and registration information can be found on cycle66ok.com.

Photos by Eriech Tapia

Okie Grown Food Purees

For Health-Conscious People of All Ages

By Laura Beam

What happens when an IT specialist, events coordinator and chef become neighbors? A brilliant food puree business is born, of course! Think smoothies, minus any chemicals or additives, with delicious fruit, veggie and meat combos in convenient 4-ounce squeeze pouches. Uber-organic (right down to the packaging), locally-sourced, and naturally delicious, these powerful packets are a satisfying and nutritious find for anyone who is hungry, health-conscious or in a hurry.

A Mission for Better Nutrition

When Edmond resident Kylie Dixon began thinking about food for her 6-month-old child, she was surprised to find that “even ‘organic’ baby foods may contain preservatives, heavy metals and chemicals.” Knowing that her neighbor, Kody Harris, was a celebrated chef with numerous restaurants, and neighbor Janna Harris was an IT Specialist and renowned pastry chef, Kylie asked them to make baby food for her child. “I wasn’t really into it,” Kody admits. “Baby food seemed boring, but Kylie was very persistent.” After looking at products in stores, comparing ingredients and creating her own purees, Kody thought, “Maybe this could be a thing.”

Packet Power

Chefs Kody and Janna worked for a year sourcing all the local, organic ingredients possible and formulating recipes around what was abundant here, like sweet potatoes, root vegetables and apples. Although items like bananas, pineapples and mangos have to be purchased out of state, Okie Grown’s mission from the beginning has been hyper-local.

In April this year, Okie Grown began selling their purees at the Arcadia Farmer’s Market, and are now also sold in Edmond, Tulsa and Piedmont. Online orders are quickly growing too, as people of all ages and nutritional needs are discovering

the benefits of these healthy purees. “At the Arcadia Farmer’s Market, we learned about an entirely different world of people with eating issues, like those dealing with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, strokes or chemotherapy,” Janna remarks. “It’s uplifting to provide food for them.”

Main Squeeze

There’s something so satisfying about the silky smooth purees in chilled pouches that you can slurp on, a little at a time, taking in all the flavors. The Berry A’ Peeling is a tart and sweet blend of organic strawberry, banana, broccoli, prune and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). The Peachy-Blues is another fruity fare and the Pineapple of My Eye is a surprisingly hearty combo incorporating mango, kale and prune. If you need an immunity boost, the Well Baby packs a powerful punch of organic strawberry, blueberry, rutabaga and pineapple, plus flax seed, prune, turmeric, agave, elderberry, coconut and EVOO. Even if you’re feeling fine, this thicker puree hits all the robust, fresh tastes you crave, complete with a slight chew. So good!

No need to give up meat if you’re eating on the go. The Gobble-Gobble is a Thanksgiving feast in a packet, with organic turkey and bone broth, cranberry, sweet potato, cinnamon and clove. Add a side of Best Spuddies–a sensational, pie-like sweet potato combo. Or try the Bok-Bok, made with pasture-raised chicken fed on non-GMO grain and no corn. Seasonal puree newcomers like roasted butternut squash and pumpkin spice are making their debut this month too.

Okie Grown Food Purees take the guesswork out of eating organic, and make healthy eating a fun and flavorful convenience. Just as their slogan says, “Okie Grown is just real, good food.”

Visit okiegrownfoods.com for product locations or to order online. Delivery is also available.

(l-r) Kody Harris, Kylie Dixon, and Janna Harris

Clifford Lewis: Atomic Veteran

By Amy Dee Stephens

Few people have witnessed the explosion of an atomic bomb, but Clifford Lewis distinctly remembers seeing the “explosion of color with a mushroom cloud.” It was 1962, and he was part of Operation Dominic, a series of top-secret tests conducted by the U.S. military.

“I watched them drop the bomb out in the Pacific Ocean while I was at Johnston Island, west of Hawaii,” Lewis said. “It was quite a sight.”

Numerous times, he was chosen to be present during detonations, although he and his fellow men were unclear about the operation’s details. “Each time they put us on the center of an island, we had to bend over and put our head between our legs. They gave us dark goggles and earplugs. There was a countdown, a bomb detonated above, and there was a bright flash. It was scary.”

Lewis and his buddy joined the Air Force after realizing they were about to get drafted as the Vietnam War began escalating. “We figured that by joining, there was a better chance of getting special training we could use when we got out. In my case, it worked,” Lewis said. “I was assigned as a Crash Rescue and Recovery Firefighter, so when I was discharged after four years and one month, I took a chance and applied with the Oklahoma City Fire Department. They hired me, and I stayed for 27 years.”

For the next 15 years, Lewis served as an arson investigator. Since retirement, Lewis has remained active with the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association, serving as past-president and currently publishing the organization’s newsletter. During most of his firefighting career, he was not

allowed to mention his role in nuclear testing, having sworn an oath of secrecy to the government, an oath which was not rescinded until 1996.

Like many people with radiation exposure, Lewis has dealt with cancer. “I don’t know if it was from radiation or not, but in any case, it hasn’t got to me yet.” To help other veterans who need health resources, Lewis is the Oklahoma State Commander for the National Association of Atomic Veterans, and he also serves as an advocate for other atomic veterans.

Lewis, a member of the MuscogeeCreek Nation, has lived in Edmond since the 1970s. He recalls when it was two-lane roads and it “cost a dime to make a phone call between Edmond and Oklahoma City.” When asked to describe his life lessons, he quoted a survival phrase, “Follow waters and do your best.” He added, “I go to church regularly. I don’t smoke or drink. I exercise and try to stay healthy, and I mind my own business.”

In October 2022, the 85-year-old was honored with the first-ever Who’s Who of Oklahoma Veterans medallion, presented by Col. James Wilhite of the Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation. Lewis also received a Quilt of Valor from the Cordelia Steen Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and was presented with a flag of the Muscogee-Creek Nation by Principal Chief, David Hill and Second Chief, Del Beavers. Lewis was humbled.

“I enjoyed serving my country,” Lewis said. “Serving in the military let me meet people and see things I would never have gotten to see otherwise.” Like a nuclear explosion.

(l-r) Tammy Ross, Regent, Cordelia Steen Chapter, NSDAR, Clifford Lewis , and Colonel James Wilhite (Ret.), Ambassador of the Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation and Hall of Fame.

He swore an oath of secrecy to the government that wasn't rescinded until 1996

Clifford Lewis, 1961

Dancing Her Art Out

OKC Ballet Dancer Paints En Pointe

By Taylor Bollinger

It all starts with a blank canvas, paint and pointe shoes. What happens next has captivated 3.1M followers on TikTok, 125K on Instagram and countless patrons of the Oklahoma City Ballet. They all want to see what Autumn Klein will create next.

When Autumn’s parents enrolled their tip-toeing two-year-old in ballet as an outlet for her energy, they never predicted it would become her passion, profession, and one-of-a-kind painting process. While Autumn’s already-famous artwork took form just this year, her dance dates back much farther.

“When I was 9 years old, I saw the Houston Ballet perform Dracula and I was hooked,” Autumn said. She later auditioned and joined the Houston Ballet before moving to Edmond and joining the Oklahoma City Ballet in 2012.

The inspiration to paint en pointe struck during the pandemic. “I thought of it over the lockdown,” Autumn explained, “The idea continued brewing until May of this year.”

For her first piece, Autumn dipped a tentative toe in random colors and danced across the canvas to her own choreography. She had an audience in an instant.

“I was shocked by the response,” she said. “People were asking for prints of that first piece. So I decided to pursue this form of painting for real.” Armed with new canvases, carefully selected paints and choreography from her role as Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty, Autumn danced until an entire ballet piece was reflected across the canvas.

Her artwork has been featured on Buzzfeed, and opened the door for Autumn to dance alongside one of ballet’s big names. “One of the most fun experiences I’ve had so far was to paint Swan Lake with New York City Ballet dancer, Tiler Peck,” Autumn said. Their beautiful collaboration can be seen on Autumn’s Instagram.

Not only has the process mesmerized millions, it is making a measurable difference in the world. In addition to selling original works and their prints, Autumn donates much of her work and is currently creating a piece to benefit a homeless shelter in Houston, Texas.

“I was also able to make a piece for the Osage Ballet to use as an auction item,” Autumn said. “I love that it will ultimately help tell the story of the Osage people through ballet.” Autumn hopes her work will inspire others to appreciate ballet and the stories it can tell.

“I want to keep painting to tell all the big stories of ballet that people often don’t know exist,” she said. “I push myself in the studio every day to become better. I love the journey and I want to keep exploring it.”

While she remains passionate about dance, Autumn describes her artwork as an even deeper form of creative expression. “In the dance world, I am usually following careful instructions and choreography,” Autumn explained. “But with my artwork, I have total creative freedom. I am in charge of the ideas and execution - it is all coming from me.”

Reflecting on her transformation from a toddler in a tutu into a TikTok star, Autumn says she can’t wait to see where it will take her next. “My advice is to take chances,” Autumn said. “Success is a marathon, so don’t get hung up on where you are today. Keep pushing, and you’ll go farther than you expect.”

Keep up with Autumn’s creativity on TikTok @autumnsklein and Instagram @thepointepainter. You can also visit her website autumnsklein.com, or catch her performing with the Oklahoma City Ballet.

Photo by Jana Carson

Photo by Shevaun Williams

Three Lifesaving Numbers: 988

By Taylor Bollinger

Lauren never struggled with mental health until the birth of her son. Looking back on the depths of her postpartum depression, she says a lifeline would have been a “game changer”.

Though Kristen appeared outwardly strong following the loss of her mother, she was experiencing night terrors, feelings of purposelessness and a loss of hope. She knew she needed help, but wasn’t sure where to turn.

After her divorce, J’Shawna found herself wondering if her family and friends would be okay without her. She wishes she could’ve found support for these feelings of worthlessness sooner.

These are three among the thousands of stories that make the 988 Mental Health Hotline a life-changing resource for Oklahomans. Now, expert help for mental health crises are only three digits away.

Oklahoma’s 988 Mental Health Lifeline is staffed round-the-clock by trained mental health professionals. The 99.8% answer rate ensures that the nearly 3,400 Oklahomans who call each month have immediate access to the support they need.

“Unlike the national suicide hotline, Oklahoma’s 988 Mental Health Lifeline is completely staffed by Oklahomans with degrees in the field of mental health,” said Heath Hayes, chief communications officer for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

For up to 91% of callers, it’s as simple as a single call. But the lifeline’s three-pronged approach extends far beyond the phone, with mobile crisis response, integration with law enforcement and alternative transportation for those needing care.

“Oklahoma is leading the charge for mental health crisis response,” Hayes said. “This is not to say that we invented all of it, but we took the best and combined it to create a system that we know is really working for those we serve.”

Out of over 500 mobile responses, only five have required law enforcement involvement.

“In other states, when someone experiences a mental health crisis and needs hospital care, they are cuffed, and put in the back of a police car for transport,” Hayes explained. “This can escalate a situation or even prevent individuals from seeking the help they need in the first place. Now, we have a better option.”

988’s so-called ‘closed loop process’ makes the crucial connection between callers and proper care and treatment. By next year, the lifeline expects an integrated system that allows lifeline workers to view provider calendars and schedule callers while they’re still on the phone.

When asked about future goals for the lifeline, Hayes said, “We want more calls. Let’s double it. We want to talk to every Oklahoman before their challenge becomes a crisis.”

For anyone needing help, 988 offers a sufficiently private and anonymous way to seek it. But even those who may not need help at this time are still encouraged to commit the three digits to memory, or use a number of free resources to make support more accessible to those around them.

Social media shareables, outreach cards, posters and coloring sheets are available for download in both English and Spanish at 988oklahoma.com/resources. The website also includes powerful testimonials, frequently asked questions, and helpful information to help shift the stigma surrounding mental health.

If you are facing a mental health challenge, call 988 today. Expert help is only three digits away.

Finding Success, Secondhand

By Maggie Murdock Nichols

Between the old, new, borrowed and blue, the ‘old’ was by far Lily’s favorite. The bride’s wedding was decked in decor from across the decades, all a result of her long standing love of thrift.

From garage sales to thrift shops, Lilian Swindell (Lily) had long enjoyed finding treasures among the discarded items of strangers. Little did she know, her wedding day would launch this casual pastime into a career.

The Thrill of the Hunt

Lily’s love for second-hand shopping started in childhood. In addition to the thrill of the hunt, she soon noted many other benefits of the hobby. Among them are originality, ethics, and a positive impact on her environment and wallet.

“Clothes don’t have to be new to look great, and I never have to worry about showing up in the same outfit as a friend,” Lily said. “Plus, I feel good about supporting local thrift stores or individuals rather than fast-fashion corporations.”

Lily appreciates the ability to stay stylish on a budget. In addition to shopping for new-to-you items, Lily encourages everyone to give their shoes and clothing second life by donating to local thrift stores.

More Than A Hobby

A student at the University of Central Oklahoma, Lily sought a part time income that would help her balance bills with schoolwork, scholarships, and newly married life. When an Instagram video of her thrifty wedding gained over a million views, Lily realized her hobby had the potential to accomplish that goal. She began sharing unique finds – Prada shoes, Gucci glasses, Chanel shorts and more – on sale sites like Poshmark and eBay. Her socalled “side-gig” took off quickly.

Along with the extra income, Lily says she enjoys giving pieces a second life rather than sending them to the trash. She is now using her platform to help her followers do the same.

“I’ve found that people are interested in buying second hand, but often don’t know where to start,” Lily said. “To help solve this, I post purchasable items on Instagram as well as tips for thrifting and saving money as a newlywed.”

Her vision for thrifting doesn’t stop there. Lily sells old, redesigned t-shirts and uses the proceeds to fund college scholarships for local high school students. The “Difference Maker” tees are available on Lily’s Instagram.

For more about Lily’s vintage finds, follow her on Instagram at @lil.bit.of.my.closet

Oklahoma Railway Museum

By Maria Veres

Trains aren’t everyday transportation in Oklahoma anymore, but they still fascinate us. The Oklahoma Railway Museum (ORM) is a perfect place to discover how railroads shaped our state’s history and even take a train ride of your own.

Explore the Magic of Trains

Admission to ORM is free and includes a close look at railway cars from several different eras. It’s a popular spot for school field trips, and rail cars can be reserved for parties and private events.

The museum is also an actual working railroad, offering train rides two Saturdays a month from April through August.

ORM opened in 2000 and recently began a multi-stage expansion that will include an event center, a roundhouse, and a turntable. “Our goal is to create a prototypical railway station,” says Museum Administrator Anne Murray. “When the turntable is finished, it will be the only working turntable in Oklahoma.”

Oklahoma Railway Museum relies on many volunteers—from archive assistants and gift-shop clerks to rail car attendants. Adults and high school students needing service hours are always welcome to volunteer.

The Polar Express™ and More

The Polar Express™ returns to Oklahoma Railway Museum this month. A hit with kids and kids-at-heart, the event features live actors recreating scenes from the movie during a one-hour train ride. Santa makes a special appearance, and pajamas are encouraged!

The Polar Express™ runs on weekends beginning November 11th and every day from December 15th through 27th . The Polar Express™ is ORM’s biggest fundraiser every year; funds raised help with the ongoing museum expansion.

ORM also hosts Halloween and Easter train rides and other events year round. Whether you want to relive memories of your own train rides or introduce the next generation to the delights of railroads, ORM offers something special for every guest.

Oklahoma Railway Museum is located at 3400 NE Grand Boulevard. Learn more at oklahomarailwaymuseum.org.

The Polar Express™ event at ORM

Summit Medical Center Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center

By Maria Veres

Whenever a wound or injury doesn’t heal in a timely manner, there’s a reason. With more than 50 years combined experience in wound care, the physicians at Summit Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center provide expert treatment for even the most complex cases.

Compassionate, PatientFocused Care

Each patient is unique, and the team at Summit takes extra time to understand the needs, concerns, and

medical history of every person they treat. Communication is their top priority, and they encourage patients to call whenever they have questions. They also work closely with other health providers involved in a patient’s treatment.

Your benefits are verified for wound care before your first appointment. For conditions that aren’t covered by insurance, the clinic also offers cash pay pricing.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

As part of its comprehensive approach to wound care, Summit provides hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Patients enter a clear, comfortable chamber where they receive 100% oxygen to aid the healing process. “The before-andafter results can be incredible,” says clinic director Amy Jacoby, R.N.

Most patients receive wound care daily or weekly until they’re healed. Some injuries might only require a few sessions, while other conditions like diabetic ulcers take longer. Patients are screened to ensure they’re good candidates for hyperbaric therapy, and a physician is always at the clinic to supervise the treatments.

Summit Wound Care treats patients of all ages and accepts most insurance, including Medicare. You don’t need a referral, and most new patients can be seen within five business days.

“I want people to know that they don’t have to live with an open wound,” says Amy. “There is a solution and we can help.”

Summit Wound Care is affiliated with Summit Medical Center, a physicianowned facility in Edmond.

Summit Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center is located at 1705 S. Renaissance Blvd, Suite 160, Edmond. You can contact them at 405-844-3420 or summitmedcenter.com/Wound-CareHyperbaric.

Missing Jay!

By Louise Tucker Jones

Forty-six years ago God sent me one of my greatest treasures—James Ryan Jones—better known as “Jay.” How could I know this baby boy with Down syndrome and a rare congenital heart disease would forever change my life and the world around me? My heart was and still is completely mesmerized by this sweet son and his unconditional love.

Jay had a gentle spirit and happy personality and loved Jesus with all of his heart. He also saw angels, often talking with his guardian angel that stood by his door each night. And I’m certain Jay’s hospital room was filled with angels, both human and heavenly ones, as he fought courageously through surgery, cardiac arrest, ventilators, oxygen crashes and more.

One person Jay desperately missed in his life was his daddy who went to heaven eleven years ago. Jay threw kisses and sang to his daddy daily. And as I held my sweet son in my arms in the hospital, with his brother also beside him, and as I kissed Jay and brushed his soft hair away from his face, I believe God watched and wept then said, “Jay, this life is too hard for you. I’m sending my angels to carry you home.” And in a breath, Jay was in the arms of Jesus and his daddy.

But blessed? Oh, I am so blessed to be the mother of such a precious gem, a hero to our family. He gave me bear hugs every morning and made me laugh daily. And when Jay and his brother, Aaron got together who knew what crazy things they might do. Life with Jay could be hilariously funny and lovingly sweet. And I miss him. More than I could ever put into words.

I thank each of you for all the prayers you said for Jay and our family during his 48 days of hospitalization, 46 in ICU. Please continue. My heart is absolutely shattered. My home empty without Jay’s presence. My world upside down with

no path in this emotional wilderness. But oh, I wouldn’t have missed this life with Jay for the world.

“Love you my sweet son! Love and miss you forever!”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Louise Tucker Jones is an award-winning author, inspirational speaker & founder of Wives With Heavenly Husbands, a support group for widows. LouiseTJ@cox.net or LouiseTuckerJones.com.

Thank You, Amelia Earhart, an All-Okie Film

By Amy Dee Stephens

Award-winning filmmaker, Al Mertens, has just wrapped up postproduction on Thank You, Amelia Earhart, a feature-length film made entirely by Oklahomans––perhaps the state’s first. “From cast to crew, it was nothing but us Okies,” Mertens said. “Our state had every ounce of talent we needed. Mary Buss is our incredible lead actress, our crew included members who’ve worked on a movie nominated for Best Picture Oscar, and the score is by virtuoso Kyle Dillingham, in his first foray into composing for feature film.”

The main setting was filmed in a historic house in Jones, Oklahoma. “It’s a gorgeous two-story house with a white picket fence. Inside is the formerly smoke-filled room where political powers decided to move the state seal from Guthrie to Oklahoma City,” Mertens said.

The film is about Myrtle, a woman in her nineties who grew up when Amelia Earhart was the “girl power” role model. Because of health problems and a difficult personality, Myrtle goes through a succession of caregivers, including the latest, an equally headstrong young woman. What they learn from each other leaves them both forever changed. Earhart’s legacy is present throughout the film.

The idea for the film occurred to Mertens after the passing of a 107-year-old relative. “The year she was born, the North Pole was discovered!” said Mertens. “I wish I had talked to her more. She was a child during WWI and a mother during WWII. How did that shape her ideals? Do we demand tolerance, but not try to understand the perspective of people from a different time?”

Mertens began writing after a close friend died in a small plane crash. Friends asked him to write her eulogy, which released a torrent of emotions in him. He then began writing blogs that he describes as “dark emotional purges.” After taking a five-day screenwriting workshop, Mertens realized that film writing was the creative passion missing from his life.

Working around his career as an investment advisor, Mertens penned a “so-so” short screenplay, in which a fan of his blogs, the filmmaker Patrick George, saw potential and said, “Let’s make this.” Mertens expected to sit on the sidelines and watch the shoot, but instead, George invited him to direct. The essentially no-budget film, Sacrificios, did well at film festivals, screened in Hollywood and was awarded at a Berlin film festival.

Mertens has since written numerous screenplays, three of which achieved #1 bestseller status on Amazon, and has written and directed other short films. He expects his first full-length feature, the internationally award-winning Native Hearts, to be available by the end of this year. Local audiences may be able to catch Thank You, Amelia Earhart on the big screen in 2023 or 2024. He’s proud to have written, directed and produced the film, along with tremendous help from his wife, Brandi.

“We’re the bottom-line production staff, so I get exactly the piece of art that I want,” Mertens said. “We’ve got one life, and we can’t allow fear to keep us from pursuing creativity. Being an introvert hasn’t stopped me from saying crazy things like, ‘I need your pool for a movie scene.’

When people say, ‘I wish I could do what you do,’ I ask, ‘Why don’t you?’

We each decide what to fit into our lives. One of those things for me is the creative process of filmmaking.”

To learn more, follow “Thank You, Amelia Earhart, feature film” on Facebook.

Filmmaker Al Mertens and his wife, Brandi Mertens, Production and Wardrobe Designer.

W Covell Rd., Edmond, OK 73003