April 2023

Enough about me - let’s hear about some exciting economic growth around Edmond from Janet Yowell, Executive Director of the EEDA. Janet, thanks for all you do for Edmond. -

Dave

Edmond has experienced an exciting year of activity with the downtown area leading the way. Since the year 2000, (roughly when the Central Edmond Urban Development Board was created) the EEDA has tracked private investment in the area. An ongoing goal has been to strengthen the character and image of downtown while enhancing economic activity. Since 2000, private investment has totaled over $154,000,000. Here are some larger projects in the works.

The Lark, a residential development west of the railroad tracks between 1st and Main, Fretz and Santa Fe began construction last year and is 35% complete. When completed, it will have 40 luxury modern cottages.

The Campbell, sitting between Boulevard, Jackson, Campbell and Edwards is a $12 million plus development consisting of 2 buildings. The first will total 40,000 square foot of apartments. The second building totaling 44,000 will be a mix of apartments and commercial space.

The largest project of the year at $104 million, not including the parking garage, is The Oxley. This urban multi-family project will include 276 apartments and a 330 space parking garage, with the excess of those spaces open to the public. This project is being constructed on both the north and south sides of Main Street, west of the railroad tracks. The Oxley is scheduled for spring of 2024. Several mixed use projects along Broadway from Campbell to Hurd are going through the city’s approval project and will bring in over 170 additional residential units. All of these new residential units will help to support existing downtown retail.

With continued investment into the Ice House Project for a bakery/ dairy, along with the Grant Group’s investment around Stephenson Park, one thing is certain, downtown Edmond is evolving into a stronger, more diverse economic base, enhancing the heart of the Edmond community.

Janet Yowell Executive Director, Edmond Economic

Cover photography by Ely Fair Photography

Development Authority

Edmond Farmer's Market

By Maria Veres

The Edmond Farmer’s Market is much more than a place to find superior Oklahoma foods. It’s a weekly celebration of community and family, and a chance to support local businesses all through the year.

Celebrating 20 Years

The outdoor season of the Edmond Farmer’s Market begins April 15, kicking off their biggest and best year yet. The market will celebrate its 20 th anniversary all season long with activities and giveaways. On opening day they’ll hand out free shopping bags featuring a new 20 th anniversary logo. With dozens of vendors participating, customers will have plenty of opportunities to fill their new bags with local vegetables, fruits, meats, and handcrafted specialty foods.

The 20 th season includes a focus on education for kids and adults alike. Coordinator Emily Young and her team have already arranged a presentation on freezing produce. They’re working to schedule other learning opportunities like a home canning demo. “I want to see people start to build these skills,” says Emily. She loves watching families come to the market, then go home and prepare a meal together using fresh, local foods.

The market has come a long way since its informal beginning in 1988. It became part of Edmond Parks and Recreation in 2004 and has grown from around a dozen vendors to more than 60. “The Farmer’s Market has become one of the premier programs that the city offers,” says Emily. The market stays open year round, with the outdoor season at Festival Market Place and the winter season in the Edmond Multi-activity Center at Mitch Park.

Local Produce, Handcrafted Foods, and Artisan Crafts

Many shoppers love coming to the market for unique handmade soaps, jewelry, and other artisan crafts. This year’s season includes special monthly craft markets with artisans’ booths set up in the brick plaza area north of Festival Market Place. The first craft Saturday will be May 13.

Most Farmer’s Market vendor slots for this season have already been filled, but Emily always encourages new applications. Teens and kids are welcome to apply, too. One established vendor is a teenager who has sold handcrafted jewelry for three years. Emily is committed to working with everyone who wants to participate and doing whatever she can to help them succeed.

Helping Local Businesses Thrive

“I’m passionate about local businesses,” says Emily. “That’s why I do what I do.” She has coordinated the Edmond Farmer’s Market since 2020. On Saturday mornings you’ll always find her in the middle of the action, interacting with as many customers and vendors as she can. She logs 25,00030,000 steps on an average morning.

The demand for locally made foods has only grown since COVID-19, and at peak season the outdoor market serves between 5,000 - 7,000 customers a day. “During the pandemic they were there every single Saturday,” says Emily. “A lot of trust was built. The only way to know who’s handling your food is to shop locally. If you’re going to spend six dollars on a dozen eggs, wouldn’t you rather buy them from your neighbor?”

Emily encourages both new and established customers to stop by and see what this year’s market has to offer. “I want everyone in the community to know how grateful we are that they take the time to get up on Saturday mornings and invest in local businesses,” she says. “Our vendors are doing this to provide fresh, local, healthy, and unique foods. There are humans behind every one of these products. Every time you support them, you’re advocating for small businesses.”

The Edmond Farmer’s Market will be open Saturdays from 8:00-1:00 beginning April 15 at Festival Market Place, 26 W. 1st Street, Edmond. Learn more at edmondok.gov/365/farmers-market.

Rendezvous Pizza

By Laura Beam

Two great cities with two distinct pizzas are now at home right in the neighborhood near Quail Springs Mall. No need to settle for either New York or Detroit-style pizza–now you can have both! Rendezvous Pizza is the result of Casey Klepper’s and Buck Warfield’s lifelong passion for pizza. Casey was born in the Bronx and grew up on large, thin New York-style pizza slices. Business partner Buck grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan and would sneak off to Detroit at least once a week to indulge in deep dish, cheese-to-the-edge Detroit-style pizza. When the two collaborated in opening the first Rendezvous Pizza in Downtown OKC, “choosing just one pizza was never an option,” Buck admits. “We didn’t want to box ourselves in when both styles are so good.” Right down to the name Rendezvous–an ode to Buck’s favorite pizza place in Michigan, Buddy’s Rendezvous–everything at Rendezvous is crafted with excellence and a touch of local flavor.

All About That Base

One of pizza’s most defining characteristics is the crust, and Rendezvous prides itself on fresh, local, top-notch ingredients and processes to get it just right every time. Buck says, “Shawnee Mills, located here in Oklahoma, has been an incredible partner in working with our chef to create a proprietary flour for both our New York and Detroit doughs, and Chef Klaudya works one-on-one teaching our staff the meticulous execution.”

In addition to the flour, other local ingredients punctuate the menu with delicious hints of home. The hot honey on the Tito’s Vodka Pizza is made with Cheatwood honey from Sapulpa, OK. Rendezvous also serves many beers from local breweries.

Thick or Thin, All In

The Detroit-style crust is an airy dough in a thick, rectangular shape with edge-to-edge cheese, creating its signature caramelized crust. Finished with deep dollops of tangy red sauce, every bite eats like a meal. One of the most popular

selections is the Detroit Born Pizza, generously lavished with both smoked and Fontanini pepperoni.

In contrast, the thin, wide crust of the New York-style pizza is crispy on the edges but melty and foldable in the middle. And if you want the full New York experience, trust the aficionados and fold your slice in half vertically–it’s a must!

Sliced Right

Pizza is one of the best foods for bringing people together, but sometimes you just want a slice. Rendezvous serves up both Classic Cheese and Pepperoni in New York and Detroit styles by the slice every day, as well as rotating specialty New York and Detroit styles daily. It’s the perfect opportunity to try something new.

Another menu highlight is the classic Italian Tapenade appetizer. House made focaccia bread is paired with a delicious olive relish. “The olive relish is also used on our Italian Sub,” Casey comments. “The robust flavors stand up to the cured meats and balance the Calabrese chili oil.” With so many layers of flavor in one sandwich, it’s no wonder this one is always a hit!

Don’t overlook the Cherry Wood Smoked Wings–an unexpected treat on the menu. They are smoked in-house with cherry wood for a unique taste, finished on the grill, and tossed in a variety of sauces with fun flavor profiles.

Best of all, Rendezvous offers excellent variety without an overwhelming, huge menu. As Buck explains, “We spent three months during Covid cooking and eating everything over and over until it was perfect. If it wasn’t outstanding, it didn’t make the menu.”

Stop by 14020 N. May Ave. or visit rendezvouspizza.com. Enjoy happy hour Mon.-Fri. 3-6pm with half price New York slices and half price drafts. Don't miss great lunch specials 11am2pm Mon.-Fri: Slice, salad + soft drink or two NY slices + soft drink for $10.

Casey Klepper

Al’s: A Place for Collectors and Community

By Amy Dee Stephens

It was 1987. Ronald Reagan was President, Whitney Houston was topping the charts, and baseball cards were hot, at fifty cents a pack. That’s when Al’s Sports Cards opened as a hole-inthe-wall store in Edmond.

Thirty-five years later, Al’s Sports Cards & Gaming is one of the few remaining card shops around—and a top-performing store in the industry. Why? According to Al Marchese, it’s because he adjusted to his audience’s interests.

Fan Line Up

“It started with baseball cards, but in 1990, I moved to my current location and added non-sport collectibles, like Beanie Babies and Marvel products,” Al said.

It was that product diversity that set the stage for 1997, when Pokémon first burst onto the scene!

“Kids would be lined outside the store, squatting down with their Pokémon books. They’d see me arrive and scream, ‘There’s Al!’ and they’d start scrambling around,” Al chuckled. “I felt like a rockstar. We called it the Pokémon Phenom.”

Store Experience

The store is filled with a colorful explosion of cards. White plastic tables are set up so customers can browse through merchandise, chat with other card enthusiasts, or participate in gaming events, such as Yu-Gi-Oh! or Magic.

“Many of our customers are regulars. We get a lot of moms bringing in kids who are just getting started in gaming, especially Pokémon,” Al said. “And I’m seeing our third generation of sports card collectors, some who started when the shop opened in the eighties, and who now have children and grandchildren getting interested.”

When Al was young, he owned a typical shoebox collection of Yankees baseball cards, which disappeared when he went off to college. It’s a story of lament Al hears almost daily from other

collectors, but he loves helping customers find new favorite cards.

Al Retires

In February 2023, Al decided to officially retire. “I’ve been blessed to do this for 35 years, so I wanted to sell the shop to someone I feel good about. I picked Rob McAuley,” Al said. “He’s a personal friend, he’s got that ‘fire in his belly,’ and he knows the customers by name.”

Although Al is retired, he’s frequently at the store, chatting with customers and helping Rob transition. Al’s store was Rob’s “personal sanctuary” when his wife, Staci, went through cancer treatments in the 2000s. The disease took Staci’s life, leaving Rob to raise two daughters alone. On Rob’s days off, he started helping at the shop so that Al could keep it open seven days a week. Rob learned the business, and earned Al’s trust.

Rob Continues Al’s Legacy

Like Al, Rob was a longtime collector of baseball cards who also had a proverbial “missing” shoebox of Mickey Mantle cards. Rob also collects coins, stamps, autographed checks, and has one of the most extensive Pete Rose collections out there. Owning the card shop is a dream come true.

“Nothing beats going to a shop you love every day,” said Rob. “I hope I can do as good a job as Al’s done. He’s an institution! He’s been my mentor and friend, so I’m keeping the Al’s Sports Cards sign up.”

“There’s no atmosphere like coming into a card shop, feeling the product, and talking with people,” Al said. “It’s all about personal relationships and cultivating the young collectors of tomorrow.”

Visit AlsSportsCardsandGaming.com.

Al Marchese and Rob McAuley

Emily Sutton Motherhood & Mother Nature

By Taylor Bollinger

“You may think storms are not that dangerous, but some can spawn killer tornadoes,” a young Emily Sutton explained in her fifth-grade report on tornado safety. It was a natural choice of topic since her earliest memories include watching storms roll in with her dad outside of their Chicago home.

While it seems her career was written in the stars, Emily says it didn’t occur to her until college.

“It seems obvious but it didn’t cross my mind. I didn’t see many females doing the weather growing up,” she said. “I’m an extrovert, and I’ve always enjoyed the arts so I decided to study communication.”

She chose meteorology as an elective at the University of Missouri. That’s when Emily says the interest turned into an obsession. She added meteorology as a minor so she could join the storm chase team.

“One time I was supposed to sing the national anthem for ‘Greek Week’, but I had to miss it because I was ‘under the weather’,” she said. This technically true statement led Emily to her first storm chase.

“During my second storm chase, I saw five tornadoes,” Emily said, “and if you slow down the footage, you can see a KFOR vehicle in the background. I didn’t know then of course, but it was also my future husband’s birthday.” Fast-forward almost two decades, Emily is one of Oklahoma’s most trusted meteorologists, as well as a wife and new mother.

Though it fits, she doesn’t like the title “Oklahoma celebrity.” Emily says she is simply grateful to be a face and voice Oklahomans can look to in a storm.

“Especially in Oklahoma, people rely on the weather department for lifesaving information,” Emily said. “I get to

provide guidance in scary situations, and I am so grateful God gave me this path.”

With the addition of her daughter Ginny, Emily’s career isn’t the only thing on her radar.

“Now that I have my miracle baby, my goal is to be present. Last year was about surrendering control of my life to God, and this year it’s about enjoying every second with my little girl.”

Emily’s transparent experience with endometriosis has inspired many. Not only did it cause her great physical pain, it also was emotionally taxing as Emily and her husband struggled to conceive. “The cycle of hope and disappointment can be very isolating,” Emily said.

She continued to seek solutions to her situation. With the right combination of medical expertise and intervention, and an impressive amount of personal resilience, Emily’s symptoms are under control and her “miracle baby” arrived in November of last year.

“To anyone living with endometriosis or experiencing infertility, you are not alone,” Emily said. “My advice is to do your research. Get a first, second, third opinion, if needed. You know your body. Secondly, know your limits. Have an honest conversation with your partner, and come up with a plan before you even get started.”

In motherhood and meteorology, anything can happen. So Emily’s last piece of advice is to prioritize mental health (and keep an eye on the forecast). Keep up with the multi-talented meteorologist on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @emilyrsutton or watch her live on Channel 4.

Photo by Ely Fair Photography

Michael, Ginny, Winnie and Emily

The Bright Side of Blindness

By Taylor Bollinger

If Hannah Dangle could offer one piece of encouragement to the world, it’s this: "you can do hard things." And doing hard things is something Hannah knows a thing or two about. In her 23 years of life she’s overcome daunting diagnoses, and now is navigating total blindness.

Hannah was first diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma in October of 2019. The cancer attacked her entire body. “I was diagnosed on Halloween, which makes sense. This was not a Christmas kind of diagnosis,” Hannah said, her sense of humor shining through.

She immediately began an aggressive treatment plan that included radiation and chemotherapy. It cost Hannah her hair, her health, and many of the hopes she held for herself, but it saved her life.

“By April 2020, I was in remission,” Hannah said. “Then four months later, I was blind.” One night Hannah had an inexplicable urge to go stay at her mother’s. She awoke in the middle of the night to extreme darkness. Opthamologists soon confirmed the intensity of her radiation had permanently damaged her vision.

Still, Hannah’s humor and positivity are infectious. She attributes this to her faith, and the family and friends who support her–especially her mother (who happens to be her next-door neighbor), and her husband who she says has offered unconditional love throughout it all.

“I was able to see him propose to me,” Hannah said. “But I was blind by our wedding.” Like her wedding, college has also looked different than Hannah would’ve predicted. Health issues have forced her to medically withdraw from classes three times. Now, Hannah is back on track to earn a degree in counseling, with a focus on rehabilitation.

“Of course I have hard days,” she said. “But I try to focus on the fact that I am here. I get to live another day.” Not only is she living, she is actively making the world a better place for herself, and others facing similar challenges. Hannah works part time for the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, teaching others with vision loss to use technology in the world and workplace. She was recently recognized as the agency’s Services

for the Blind and Visually Impaired Client of the Year.

Hannah says she still has a lot to learn, and she is wasting no time doing it. Shortly after she lost her sight, she took up baking. She made an inordinate amount of blueberry muffins, but now she can measure and make her way around the kitchen with great skill. Hannah is also learning braille, and has undergone extensive white cane training to help her safely navigate Edmond and beyond. Soon, she hopes to have the support of a service dog.

Hannah considers blindness a great teacher. She recalls a moment of vulnerability during her cancer treatment when she asked her mother what people would love about her when she lost her beautiful red hair.

“My mom started listing all these qualities she loved about me that had nothing to do with material things or how I look,” Hannah said. “Now it has really come full circle because now those qualities are all that matter to me, in myself and in other people.”

Whether empowering young women at an event, or connecting with a stranger at a local nail salon, Hannah says blindness is a gift. “I don’t care what brands someone is wearing. It doesn’t matter if they’re pretty or not,” she said. “I focus on what they say and do. And words matter a lot.”

Hannah has also found that her journey has opened doors to hearing other people’s stories, and she loves listening – a skill that will pay off in her future as a rehabilitation counselor.

“It’s always comforting for me to meet people who’ve been through what I’m going through,” Hannah said. “And my goal is to be that person for other people, to let them know that they are not alone, and they can overcome hard things.”

Hannah’s next goal is to walk across UCO’s graduation stage. As she continues to impact others with her story, it’s clear: she may be blind, but Hannah is a woman of vision.

My goal... is to let [other people] know they are not alone, and they can overcome hard things.

Hannah Dangle

Nelson Landscaping

By Maria Veres

With spring right around the corner, Nelson Landscaping is ready to help you create an outdoor space you’ll love coming back to. The company is one of the area’s premier landscape designers, serving OKC for almost thirty years.

Customized Landscape

If you want to enjoy beautiful flower beds without the headaches of constant watering and weeding, you’re not alone. Owner Andy Nelson and his team are seeing more requests for low-maintenance landscapes. They can install decorative rock and crushed granite options that never need replacing, a perfect choice for xeriscape

beds. For clients who prefer to blend native plants with traditional, colorful blooms, Nelson Landscaping will create a bed that’s a mix of mulch and gravel.

Nelson Landscaping is also a leading designer of water features and custom in-ground pools. If your home already has a pool that needs updating, they offer many options to refresh the space at an affordable price.

Every landscaping project is customized and fully guaranteed. Andy’s team stays closely involved every step of the way.

Serving Edmond, OKC, and beyond

Born and raised in Edmond, Andy has been helping make local spaces more beautiful since he began mowing lawns as a 12-year-old. The business now includes his wife Keirsten and almost 50 team members.

“We have a very strong company culture,” says Andy. “Everything is built around our core values of humility, attitude, integrity, loyalty, and quality.” The team supports each other not only in career goals, but in personal goals too. This positive environment leads to outstanding customer service. Andy

encourages clients to check out the company’s excellent online reviews. Nelson Landscaping serves residential and commercial clients across the metro area and throughout the whole state. Anyone interested can reach out any time to schedule a free consultation. Contact Nelson Landscaping by calling (405) 202-4120 or online at their website NelsonLandscapingOK.com.

Andy Nelson with his family

Float OKC

By Maria Veres

We can’t float on top of the clouds, but a visit to Float OKC is the next best thing. An hour-long session of restful floatation can relieve pain, ease stress, and even boost your creativity.

Healing Your Body and Mind

“Floatation therapy has a myriad of benefits for the body and mind,” says owner Tonya Little.

Many clients keep coming back for the pain relief floatation therapy offers. It helps with short-term injuries and chronic conditions like arthritis. “Anybody that’s soaked in a warm Epsom salt

bath knows about the pain relief,” says Tonya. “Float therapy is like Epsom salt baths on steroids.” With 900 pounds of magnesium-rich salts in ten inches of water, a float tank is a zero-gravity oasis that takes stress off joints and muscles.

Floatation therapy is deeply relaxing and helps the mind create theta waves, just as meditation does. Many clients discover that floating enhances their creativity, helps with problem solving, and improves their sleep.

Accessible and Affordable

Floatation therapy is considered safe for almost everyone, including kids and elders. Three different filtration systems keep the water sanitary. Clients stay in full control of their experience–they can enjoy a dark, quiet environment or leave the lights on and listen to music. Each float tank is in a private suite, so the tank door can be either open or closed. After the session, clients are welcome to relax in the studio’s soothing tearoom.

The cost of a float session is often lower than other therapies like massage or acupuncture. The benefits have been documented in

many scientific studies. “Anybody and everybody can benefit from coming in and trying it,” says Tonya. “It’s a relaxing way to care for yourself.”

Float OKC is located at 180 W 15th St. Suite 170 in Edmond. Contact them at 405-340-0851 and online at floatokc.com.

Off to the Races with Clayton McCook, DVM

By Taylor Bollinger

On a normal Monday, Clayton McCook, DVM may see as many as 170 patients. The athletes he treats weigh around 1,200 pounds and can run up to 40 miles per hour. The Edmond veterinarian encourages Oklahomans to visit a quarter horse race at Remington Park to see his athletes in action. He says the doors are open, and there’s plenty to learn.

A lifelong horseman, veterinary work was always an aspiration. “I come from a long line of farmers and ranchers and my grandfather was a world-renowned breast cancer surgeon,” Clayton said. “It seemed like a natural fit to blend our love of animals with grandpa’s medicine. It sounds cliche, but this is what I wanted to do from a young age.”

Even with a clear goal in mind, Clayton calls completing veterinary school and launching his career “a tough hill to climb.” Clayton earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M in 2009. While completing an internship in equine sports medicine, he found his niche. “During my internship, I visited the track and saw the work equine veterinarians do, and I knew that was it for me,” Clayton said.

Clayton now works for Equine Sports Medicine as part of the Racehorse Division, where he says he enjoys the collaborative care and communication the practice provides. In this role, he works with quarter horses at Remington Park in Oklahoma City, Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, and Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico.

Clayton’s care for large animals continues off the clock as a member of the Oklahoma Large Animal First Responders (OLAFR), the nonprofit formed to provide animal disaster

response following the 2013 tornadoes.

His passion for equine care shows. As well as being a self-proclaimed “sucker for Seabiscuit," Clayton calls his fourlegged patients athletes not animals.

“The horses are athletes and all athletes have the potential to get hurt,” he said. “My primary interest is lameness–how horses move, how to prevent injuries, and how to treat them when they happen. I am always working to limit injuries and keep the horses happy and healthy.”

And while he does his job, they do theirs. “Racing is in their nature,” Clayton explained. “They are born for racing. From a young age, yearlings are racing each other across the pasture. They know when they win and when they lose, and they enjoy their jobs.”

Clayton also notes positive progress in the field of horse racing, saying he is proud of the work he does and the horsemen and women he works alongside. But he says the best way to address the myriad of misconceptions surrounding horse racing is to see for yourself.

“We race four nights a week during the quarter horse season, and it’s free and family-friendly,” Clayton said. “You can also schedule a barn tour to get a behind-the-scenes look at the horses and how they are cared for.”

The quarter horse racing season is currently underway at Remington Park, now through June 3. Visit remingtonpark. com to see the schedule, or plan a barn tour at okqha.org.

Clayton calls his four-legged patients athletes, not animals.

Clayton McCook, DVM

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Jay!

By Louise Tucker Jones

It’s another first! So many “firsts” after losing a loved one. In just five months, I’ve already hit Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, as well as first snow, first trip without Jay and more. Now April brings a “first birthday” without my sweet son.

Birthdays have always been special in our home. My kids would wake up to birthday streamers in their doorways, along with birthday banners throughout the house. When Jay was just a little tyke, he had no idea what to think about the streamers hanging in his doorway. I watched as he stood in his room and studied them a minute. Then suddenly,

he hunkered down and crawled under them. What a cutie!

And of course there were always birthday festivities. Whether Jay celebrated with a party at home, a restaurant, limo, concert, Chuck E. Cheese, or any other arena, he loved it as long as there were cake, candles and presents. He never ate the cake but loved blowing out the candles. He also enjoyed birthday cards, especially if there was a little money tucked inside. And if you gave him any WWE gift, you hit the jackpot. Jay was an avid fan. And though he never got to meet John Cena, the renowned wrestler, Jay loved meeting several of his favorite Christian music artists, as well as a few Hollywood stars, and everyone’s beloved Captain Kangaroo.

Memories flood my soul as I think of Jay’s 46 beautiful birthdays. They bring a wealth of emotions. Sad tears. Happy tears. All from a heart of love. And oh, how Jay brought such treasures to my life with his smile, hugs, excitement and unbridled joy. My heart has always been overwhelmed with Jay’s unconditional love and I miss him desperately.

Not sure how I’m going to handle this latest “first,” but I’ll definitely sing and celebrate on my boy’s special day. I might even dance because I know Jay would be dancing if he were here. In fact, I’m sure he’s already dancing in heaven while angels sing his birthday song.

“Happy Heavenly Birthday, Jay! Love, Love, Love And Miss You, My Sweet Son!”

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

a look back Unveiling Edmond's Past

Eloise Rodkey (pictured) married Kenneth Rees on October 1, 1940 at her home in Edmond, Oklahoma. Eloise came from a prominent Edmond family, involved in the flour milling industry from 1894 to 1972. The mill was one of the most successful businesses in early Edmond. The name Rodkey Flour Mill is still visible on the old grain tower by the railroad at 2nd street. Eloise was very involved in civic activities, writing, music and art. Eloise and Kenneth had three children: Kenneth, Carol, and Robert. Her daughter, Carol Eloise Rees, wore the same dress in the 1970s for her wedding, and then her niece, Julie Eloise Edgerton Place, wore it in the 1980s.

Eloise's dress, along with others, is on display at the Edmond History Museum as part of the "Unveiled: Edmond's Bridal Fashion 1875 - 2020." The exhibit runs through August 12, 2023.