Edmond Outlook - December 2019

December 2019

Ho Ho Ho, Here We Go!

Kirk Kahoe, Proud Member of International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas

Schoolmarm Time Machine

Ken & his Flying Machine

Lost and Found in Tokyo

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Features

It’s that gift giving time of year, when procrastinators procrastinate and the smart shoppers shop smart - I guess, I wouldn’t know. What do I get Alison? I’m not really sure. We got married this year, so it would be hard to top her rings with a bright shiny gift. Although she probably wouldn’t mind me trying.

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ASK EDMOND

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VISIT EDMOND CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Kids share their thoughts on Santa Ugly Sweater Run, an enchanted stroll through Luminance and the Handmade Holiday Market

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LOCAL EATS: ASPEN COFFEE

If you are influenced by advertising, apparently nothing says love like buying your spouse a fine european luxury automobile - and surprising them by parking it in the driveway with a giant red bow (que the gently falling snow) - yeah, she’d probably like that. And I would only need a second job to pay for it. I’ll put that on my “not this year” list.

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HO HO HO, HERE WE GO!

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LOST AND FOUND

Here’s a few things for the “Not to get your wife for Christmas” list:

• A gift certificate for Botox • A gym membership • Any exercise equipment • A new washer and dryer • A therapy appointment

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Actually, I have the perfect gift for the season - this very cold season.

This year, I’m giving the gift of sunshine. We’re celebrating in sunny California. Just my wife and her girls. We will stay at an Airbnb right on the beach a few blocks from my sister and her family.

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More than hot java

Beard enthusiast Kirk Kahoe works the holiday Phil Smith transcends time and distance to meet his brothers INSANELY EASY HOLIDAY SNACKS

Gina shares some easy nibbles for holiday entertaining EDMOND ANIMAL SHELTER EXPANSION

Edmond Animal Shelter set to more than double capacity for care SCHOOLMARM TIME MACHINE

Carol Anderson goes ‘old school’ at Edmond’s Territorial Schoolhouse KEN & HIS FLYING MACHINE

Garage-built experimental aircraft nears completion

Business

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I hope you make some wonderful memories this season no matter where you are or what you do. Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas - whatever works best for you!

Dave Miller Back40 Design President

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CLOTHES MENTOR

Wide array of clothing and authenticated designer bags RUNNING WILD CATERING

Huge variety of edibles for all occasions

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LOUISE TUCKER JONES

Christmas Adventure

ADVERTISING l Laura Beam at 405-301-3926 l laura@edmondoutlook.com MAILED MONTHLY TO 50,000 HOMES IN EDMOND/NORTH OKC 80 East 5th Street, Suite 130, Edmond, OK 73034 l 405-341-5599 l edmondoutlook.com l info@edmondoutlook.com December 2019 Volume 15, Number 12

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Edmond Outlook is a publication of Back40 Design, Inc.

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© 2019 Back40 Design, Inc.

PUBLISHER Dave Miller l ADVERTISING MANAGER Laura Beam l GRAPHIC DESIGN Adrian Townsend, Anne Richardson l PRODUCTION Rachel Morse PHOTOGRAPHY Marshall Hawkins www.sundancephotographyokc.com l DISTRIBUTION Edmond Outlook is delivered FREE by direct-mail to 50,000 Edmond & North OKC homes.

Articles and advertisements in the Outlook do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Back40 Design. Back40 Design does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The acceptance of advertising by the Outlook does not constitute endorsement of the products, services or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service that is fraudulent or misleading in nature. The Outlook assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials.

LOCALLOOK

Ask Edmond

Kids share their thoughts on Santa

We had some questions about Santa, elves and reindeer - so we found some local experts.

Here’s what they had to say...

Noah

Bethia

Emma

How does Santa decide if you are naughty or nice?

Santa watches you to see if you are doing mean stuff like bullying or doing nice things like helping homeless people.

How does Santa get into houses without a fireplace?

He could break in our house.

How does Santa get into houses without a fireplace?

He could open our door by using his own keys.

age 6

age 8

Where does Santa buy his red Santa suit?

He didn’t buy it. Mrs. Claus made it for him.

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What do reindeer eat?

Carrots

Where does Santa buy his red Santa suit?

He buys it at his own shop.

What makes Santa’s reindeer fly?

The ropes make them fly.

Wrigley

Lily

Elias

How does Santa get around the whole world in one night?

The reindeer wear a special thing that goes around their neck that makes them go really fast. Sometimes Santa makes inventions that make them go faster too.

Why does Santa eat milk and cookies?

Because humans make them.

Where do Santa’s elves sleep at night?

In caves

How does Santa decide if you are naughty or nice?

He is always watching on Santa Cam.

Where does Santa buy his red Santa suit?

At a store

age 5

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What makes Santa’s reindeer fly?

The necklaces that the reindeers wear.

age 4

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December 6 & 13

Winter’s Night at the Children’s Safety Village

6 - 9 p.m.

Edmond Fire Department 5300 E. Covell Rd. Free

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Luminance: An Enchanted Stroll 5 - 10 p.m.

Mitch Park 1501 W. Covell Rd. Free

More @visitedmond | visitedmondok.com

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Holiday Hop

1 - 4 p.m.

Three locations: Edmond Historical Society & Museum, Rodkey House Event & Education Annex, 1889 Territorial Schoolhouse Free

Free Wagon Rides

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Downtown Edmond Broadway north of 2nd St. Free

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Santa Fly-In

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1 - 3 p.m.

Guthrie Edmond Regional Airport 520 Airport Rd. Free

Boys Ranch Town DriveThru Christmas Pageant 7 - 9 p.m.

Boys Ranch Town 5100 E. 33rd St. Free, donations appreciated

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7, 14 & 21

Evergreen Christmas Tea Party 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Inspirations Tea Room 2118 W. Edmond Rd. $24.95/adults, $18.95/kids

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Cops & Claus

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UCO Winterglow

7 p.m.

University of Central Oklahoma 100 N. University Dr. Free

9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Edmond Fine Arts Institute 27 E. Edwards $55

5-8 & 12-14

There’s No Business Like Snow Business

7:30 p.m. (Show starts at 5 p.m. on the 8th only) UCO Jazz Lab 100 E. 5th St. $22 10

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Very Merry Art Workshop

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11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Public Safety Center 100 E. First St. Free

Ugly Sweater Run

5 - 7 p.m.

Mitch Park 2733 Marilyn Williams Dr. $15

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Local Handmade Holiday Market 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Venue 102 94 W. 1st St. Free admission

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Ho Ho Ho Holiday Kid’s Cookie Decorating Class 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Sweets on the Side 1704 S. Kelly Ave. $25

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FOODLOOK FEATURELOOK

Bailie Sedlacek and Lindsy Clark

By Laura Beam

Aspen Coffee Company

Oklahoma’s original handcrafted coffee Life is just better with a great cup of coffee in hand. It just is. The heat, the aroma, the caffeinated goodness as it hits your lips and warms your body— everything about it just makes the day more do-able. And when you discover a truly excellent brew, handcrafted by enthusiasts who obsess over every step in the process, it’s more than just a beverage, it’s an experience.

stay as long as they like. It’s a perfect spot to re-fuel and check email, meet a client for business or hang with friends. Or make some new friends. As Johnston tells his employees (Aspenheads), “Make great coffee and love the people.”

Two longtime best friends, Matt Johnston and Kelly Lyda, are all about creating that experience. In 1994, they tapped into the emerging coffee culture when they opened their first Aspen Coffee Company location.

Downtown Stillwater, OK was officially amped. “In 1994, coffee shops were becoming very popular due to things like Starbucks and the TV show, Friends,” Johnston reflects. “We realized a lot of college towns had independently owned shops that did well. Stillwater didn’t have one, so we got started and renovated a building downtown.”

Did someone say fresh pastries? Most are made in-house and are the perfect soul mate to your favorite drink. Delicious sandwiches, salads and breakfast burritos give you meal-time options from morning to night, too. You can’t resist trying new things at this flavor powerhouse, especially knowing that the meticulously roasted coffee makes every drink a slam-dunk. Warm up with a Breve--it’s like a cappuccino but made with steamed half-and-half instead of milk. Yes, please! Or get a quick shot of motivation with the hot help of a Cortado which blends equal parts espresso and steamed milk, making it one smooth operator. The iced coffee, frozen drinks and fruit smoothies add more fun to the liquid lineup. It’s the perfect treat at this busy time of year.

There’s no better way to make the most of the holidays. All you need is love... and coffee.

Something good in the neighborhood

Four Stillwater locations and two Edmond cafes later, this buzzing coffee shop still gives you all the feels of the original magic they stirred up 25 years ago. There’s a reason their lattes are legendary, with full, rich flavor and no burnt taste or harsh after-bite. Not only does Aspen Coffee source the best beans from all around the globe, they roast them in small batches more frequently, making it as fresh as it can be. “Roasting in small batches allows the Master Roaster to pay more attention to small details in how the beans react under different situations,” Johnston says. “This lets the roaster make fine adjustments and bring out the best flavor profile for each variety of coffee.”

Atmosphere and Aspenheads

The chilled-out vibe at the Edmond Aspen Coffee shops is no accident. Big tables, open spaces and rustic decor invite customers to hang out, relax and

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Bites and brew

Stop by Aspen Coffee Company’s Edmond locations at 180 West 15th St. or 3649 E. 2nd St. or visit www.aspencoffeecompany.com.

Laura Beam is a writer and advertising manager with 25 years in radio, newspaper and magazines.

Connect with her on LinkedIn or Facebook.

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FEATURELOOK

Ho Ho Ho, Here We Go!

By Amy Dee Stephens

Who Is That Bearded Man?

How can you tell who the REAL Santa is? Is it the twinkling eyes? The “ho ho ho?” Or is it the beard? The men of the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas know that to achieve the complete package—you have to start with the beard!

Santa Kirk Kahoe is aware of this first-hand, because children stare at him year-round, even though he’s wearing street clothes at the grocery store. The long, white beard is iconic. “Children look hard at me, and I know what they are thinking, so I smile at them and touch my finger to the side of my nose and tilt my head,” Santa Kahoe said. “Sometimes they get brave enough to ask me, ‘Are you Santa Claus?’ I ask them, ‘Are you being a good boy or girl?’ I always get a head nod.”

Beard Basics

Santa Kahoe has worn a short, trimmed beard since he was a young man— but even back then, he knew someday, when his beard turned white, he was going to be Santa’s helper. A few years ago, that dream came to fruition when a friend, a Santa himself, needed a substitute. He said, “Your beard is the right color, but it’s not long enough. If you grow it, you could fill some gigs for me.”

So Santa Kahoe grew his beard. He called upon his favorite seamstress, his mother, to make him a Santa suit. He selected an old-fashioned, long style coat, which he describes as Santa Meets King Arthur. Since he and his wife dress up for medieval fairs, it was the natural choice. The outfit is completed with a homemade leather belt and an old skeleton key, which allows him to enter houses without chimneys.

“It takes me an hour to get ready. It’s very important that my beard is washed,” Santa Kahoe said. “It’s about eight inches long right now, and, let’s just say I have more hair care products for my beard than I do for my hair. I always add some peppermint oil so that I have that Christmas smell.”

That Christmas Magic

The mission statement of the International Brotherhood is to “Put Christmas magic in the hearts of children of all ages.” Santa Kahoe’s first experience in his Christmas role was possibly more magical for him than for the children.

He was invited to a party hosted by AMBUCS, an organization that helps children with disabilities. He remembers seeing three older children, siblings, look at him with skepticism—but after a moment, they all three rushed him and hugged him. “It almost made me cry.”

According to Santa Kahoe’s worldwide network of “real-bearded Santa buddies,” he knows the inevitable is coming. It’s just a matter of time until he gets a Christmas request he can’t fill. “Some child is going to want something that’s not a toy. It’ll be something heart-wrenching that only God can fix, like, ‘Please make my mom well.’ I don’t know whether to look forward to that or dread it.” No matter how that occurs, Santa Kahoe is glad to spread the Christmas magic. He’ll be busy this season, making appearances at parties and accepting childrens’ wish lists. He‘ll be smelling like peppermint and “ho ho ho-ing,” but as he and the brotherhood agree, one important thing makes Santa the most believable. It’s the beard.

For more information, call 922-9090 or email kkahoe.kk@gmail.com 14

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FEATURELOOK

Lost & Found

By Lea Terry

Phil Smith transcends time & stars and meets his brothers Phil Smith had always known he was adopted, but never felt a strong desire to dig into his background or seek out his family in Japan - until two years ago. That’s when his adoptive father gave him an old photo album that contained pictures of his biological mother and several documents written in Japanese. Smith posted the documents on Facebook hoping someone could provide insight into their meaning, beginning a journey that ended with Smith finding Japanese relatives he never even knew existed.

and Koichi eventually made contact through an Instagram account. The brothers began communicating online in April of this year, using Skype, an Instagram group chat and Google Translate. Smith got to meet his brothers and their families via video, and learned all about his brothers’ lives. He also uncovered several similarities between them, including their dry sense of humor. The brothers quickly formed a bond that transcended the time and distance that had separated them.

“I think I had curiosities my entire life about my biological family, but I think I was always afraid to open up that door,” Smith said. “I think I was also afraid of hurting both my adoptive parents’ feelings.”

“It’s like it was always there,” Smith said. The reunion also helped Smith better understand many of his personality traits. “Now I know why I like rice more than potatoes, why I’ve always liked sitting on the floor, and why I like vanilla ice cream,” Smith said. They began making plans to reunite in person, and Smith finally visited Japan in November. Despite having very little memory of living there, he said visiting Japan felt “wonderfully strange and strangely familiar.”

Japanese adoption papers

Smith’s story begins 60 years ago when he was adopted as a toddler. His father, an American soldier, had left him and his mother, who was Japanese.

Fortunately, a couple on the military base who had been unable to have biological children fell in love with Smith and adopted him. The family traveled for several years before settling in Oklahoma.

A Japanese woman living in California, Tomoko Tillery, saw Smith’s Facebook post and offered to translate the documents, which turned out to be his birth certificate and adoption papers. Tillery also offered to help him track down his family in Japan. Smith experienced several setbacks along the way, including having difficulty locating records and learning that his biological mother had died just a few years before.

Smith had prepared himself for the worst, including his Japanese relatives not wanting to re-establish contact. However, he learned he had two brothers in Japan who had long wondered about him. Smith and his brothers Yasuo

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(Left to right) Yasuo Saito, Phil Smith, Koichi Kagawa in Tokyo.

Inset photo: Phil and birth mother Yuri Kagawa.

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Welcome Home Phil

“After landing in Tokyo, I walked into the terminal and saw 20 people behind the security line with a sign that said, ‘Welcome Home Phil,’ that was the beginning of an amazing week,” Smith said. Smith says the experience has changed his life “in every way.”

“Life is like a jigsaw puzzle,” Smith said. “We all have a few pieces missing, but now I have some really important pieces to my puzzle.” Smith has documented his journey on his Facebook and YouTube accounts. His daughter Mackenzie is producing a documentary about her father’s quest to locate his Japanese family.

To learn more visit facebook.com/phil.smith2

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FOODLOOK

Insanely Easy

Holiday Snacks The older I get, the faster the holidays seem to flash by. In the past, I would obsess over creating the picture-perfect dish for a holiday party and spend hours slaving away in the kitchen. Now, I have enough quick but dependable recipes in my repertoire to enjoy the season without spending it all alone in the kitchen. Here are two favorite recipes of mine that can be whipped up in no time at all and are still picture-worthy.

Holiday Tomato Puffs

These uber simple tomato puffs made the perfect addition to a holiday cheese board I assembled last season. I used holiday cookie cutters to cut them into festive shapes and served them with an array of cheese spreads. They’d be delicious topped with soft cheeses, spreads, pimento cheese, or even pesto.

Ingredients: • 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed according to directions • 10 - 15 red grape tomatoes, thinly sliced

• coarse salt • cheese spread

Instructions: Preheat oven to 400F. Prep a large baking sheet with a silicone mat or cooking spray.

On a well-floured surface, roll out your puff pastry until it’s about half thickness. Cut into festive holiday shapes and place on your baking sheet. Top with tomato slices.

Bake for about 10 minutes until golden brown around edges. Sprinkle lightly with coarse salt and let cool. Serve with cheese spread.

Seafood Salsa

Instead of shrimp cocktail, try serving this seafood salsa at your next holiday get-together. It’s as addicting as any salsa, and the addition of shrimp and crab elevate it enough for fancier shindigs. I love pairing it with blue corn chips.

Ingredients: • 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped • 2 jalapeños, finely chopped • 1 cup cooked shrimp, finely chopped • 1 cup imitation crab meat, finely chopped • 1/4 red onion, finely chopped

• • • •

1/2 cup corn kernels 2 tsp lime juice 1/2 tsp salt pepper to taste

Instructions: Combine all ingredients and mix well. Taste and add more salt or pepper as desired. Enjoy!

Gina is a long-time food blogger, Back40 Design web developer, professional eater, and new resident of Oklahoma. Find more of her recipes on her Instagram @gina.chong.

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FEATURELOOK

By Lea Terry

Under Construction:

Edmond Animal Shelter Long-planned expansion to be completed in July 2020

Within a few days of the Edmond Animal Shelter’s opening in 2005, it was already at capacity. Designed to house up to 22 dogs and 40 cats, the shelter takes in around 45 to 50 animals per month, according to Animal Services Supervisor Kenny Stevenson. Part of the increased demand comes from Edmond’s rapid growth over the past decade, and with the city nearing 100,000 residents, the number of homeless dogs and cats has increased as well.

“The public can actually come in and meet an animal, take an animal into that room, and interact with it in order to make a better, more informed decision on adopting that animal,” Stevenson said.

Completion in July 2020

Renovations began in July and are expected to be completed in July 2020. While the state’s unpredictable weather has caused some delays, Stevenson said they’re close to being on schedule. The expansion is part of a 10-year plan that the city instituted shortly after the shelter opened, and with Edmond’s significant growth and a steady influx of strays, the time was right to make the long-awaited improvements.

“The growth has had a significant impact on our shelter,” Stevenson said.

The demand is so great that the shelter has been turning to social media to appeal to local residents in hopes of finding homes for more animals. In fact, Stevenson said the shelter routinely runs between 75 to 100 percent over capacity. However, thanks to a long-planned expansion, the shelter’s size will more than double from around 3,000 square feet to around 7,500 square feet.

Doubling Capacity

“Creating more space for the animals will make living conditions better for them and create better enrichment for all the animals,” Stevenson said. “Shelter employees will be able to work a little more stress-free and with more space, and be able to more efficiently do their jobs.”

Animal Services Supervisor Kenny Stevenson and furry friend

After the expansion is complete, the shelter will have approximately 47 dog kennels and could divide them to create even more space if needed. The shelter will also increase its visitation rooms from two to five, creating more space for prospective adopters to spend time one-on-one with animals they’re interested in taking home.

Because of the renovations, the shelter has had to shut down the main entrance and create a temporary entrance. The shelter has put up safety signs to inform visitors of the changes and has also shut down some areas for the public’s safety. Stevenson said the payoff will be an improved experience for people and animals alike, and the ability to more effectively care for Edmond’s stray population.

“We’ll hopefully be able to have more adoption events once the construction is done, and that will also allow us to devote time to recruiting some more volunteers,” Stevenson said. Despite the challenges that have come with the expansion, Stevenson said feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.

“We greatly appreciate the citizens of Edmond supporting the expansion of the shelter,” Stevenson said. “I know a lot of cities don’t have that, and we’re excited that we have been given that opportunity.”

To learn more or volunteer visit www.edmondok.com.

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BIZLOOK

Clothes Mentor

By Maria Veres

What began as a side job has blossomed into a thriving business for Melanie Harris. She’s the proud owner of Clothes Mentor, a quality resale shop specializing in recent designer women’s clothing.

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decided to relocate. “I had a sister in Edmond,” Melanie says, “and it felt like coming home.”

Eventually her father, mother-in-law, and two daughters followed the couple to Oklahoma.

Clothes Mentor is a truly local business.

Melanie personally runs the store along with manager Jeniffer Nou. “All our employees are in Edmond. One hundred percent of our merchandise also comes from Edmond,” says Melanie.

Coming Home to Edmond A native of Ponca City, Melanie spent thirty years raising a family in Fort Worth. Then she started working at a Clothes Mentor store in her neighborhood. “My husband noticed how much I enjoyed my work,” she recalls. “He started saying we should open a store of our own. I thought he was joking at first, until he said it five or six times.”

Affordable Holiday Elegance The holidays bring many opportunities for customers to save at Clothes Mentor. Gift cards are a favorite option, and they come with a bonus card valid after January 1st.

The high-quality items at the store also make enticing gifts for people who are committed to sustainability. Clothes Mentor is a perfect place to find recent designer dresses for holiday events, at dazzlingly low prices. Most dresses sell for $24.00 or less. The store’s personal shopping service can help you find the ideal outfit—and it’s completely free.

There were no franchises left in their area, but Oklahoma was wide open. So the Harrises

If you need extra spending money this month, you can also sell your recent designer clothing

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Owner Melanie Harris with manager Jeniffer Nou

from any season. Since it’s not a consignment model, you’ll walk away with cash immediately.

Clothes Mentor offers a wide array of clothing and authenticated designer bags. “We fit so many different niches,” says Melanie. “We’re much more affordable than going to the mall.”

Clothes Mentor is located at 3208 South Boulevard in Edmond and online at clothesmentor.com/edmond.

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BIZLOOK

Running Wild Catering

By Maria Veres

Sharing delicious food is one of the best parts of any celebration. At Running Wild Catering, co-owners Debbie Lowery and Teresa Walters have been making magic at events across the OKC area for more than 20 years.

Holiday Feasts for Every Need Pop into a few office parties around town, and you’ll likely find Running Wild Catering team members serving up goodies. They handle gatherings of all sizes and offer a huge variety of edibles, from steaks to boxed lunches to quiche. “But probably not all at the same time,” Debbie jokes.

If you only need bar service, Debbie and Teresa have you covered with their sister business, Spirits a Go Go. For families, the company offers turkey dinners that feed six to eight people. All you need to do is heat the food.

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Weddings, Corporate Events and More Running Wild is a full-service catering company.

They rent dishes and linens, assist with event planning, and have relationships with vendors across the metro. “We’re not just the truck parked in front of the restaurant,” Debbie says.

Weddings are a mainstay of their business, and they cater seventy to eighty per year. October is their peak wedding season. “It’s better weather than June,” says Debbie.

The company also serves corporate clients of all sizes, and they’re happy to cater and plan other private special events.

A Lifetime Passion Both Debbie and Teresa have worked in food service all their lives. Teresa’s family owned a restaurant in Noble, and she was a cook for Aging Services in Norman before trying her wings in catering. Debbie started her career as a waitress and became a certified chef through the American Culinary Federation in 1993.

Debbie and Teresa both worked for Johnnie’s Catering, a division of Johnnie’s Charcoal Broiler, earned ownership in the company, and

(l-r) Teresa Walters and Debbie Lowery

eventually bought out Johnnie’s Catering. They rebranded as Running Wild Catering in 2010.

The company’s number one goal is customer service. “Every customer is special,” says Debbie. “If they are pleased, that makes the long days and sore feet go away.”

Visit Running Wild Catering at 3830 North Maney Avenue, OKC, or runningwildcatering.com.

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FEATURELOOK

By Amy Dee Stephens

Schoolmarm

Time Machine “Ding, Ding, Ding. Good morning, scholars. My name is Miss Lowery, and I am your schoolmarm today. As you enter Edmond’s beautiful 1889 Territorial Schoolhouse, I want you to step back in time. Forget about video games and cell phones, because for the next five hours, we are going to live life like Edmond children did 130 years ago.”

“When I say that, the school children’s eyes get big, and they start to smile,” said Carol Lowery Anderson. “It’s amazing how quickly they get comfortable playing their new role. After 15 minutes, they realize I’m really going to treat them like it’s a different time period.”

“Ladies line up first, because that’s polite. Next, the gentlemen. I know that you haven’t been in school for awhile because you’ve been helping with the harvest—so let’s go over the rules again. First, we will address each other with respect, using the names Miss and Mister…”

Carol, a retired classroom teacher, is in her eighth year as one of the schoolmarms—and it’s a role she sees as a privilege and a calling. “The schoolhouse provides a unique first-person experience. Even parent chaperones are shocked by how easily the children embrace playing oldfashioned games, writing with a quill pen or participating in the lost art of group recitations. Parents comment on how different life was back then—and in some ways, better.”

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After much research and reading pioneer diaries, Carol has concluded that young people today are hungering for the character qualities that existed at the turn-of-the-century. “They are seeking ‘community.’ The schoolhouse became the center of life for pioneers, who used it for quilting bees, square dances, church services, weddings and funerals. It’s how they spent time together. Now, people are gathering at historic places, such as The Patriarch and the Railyard, seeking togetherness.”

“Mister Edwards, did you sneak down to the creek at lunchtime? You left dirty footprints on the floor. Go sit on the three-legged stool, young man!”

Carol greatly enjoys bantering with the school children, homeschoolers, and even adult groups as they immerse themselves in the past. Frequently, the younger ones engage so completely that they believe she’s actually from another time zone! But all too quickly, Carol finds herself transported back to 2019. “It’s like a time machine. I just have to open the schoolhouse door and hear the street noise off 2nd Street,” Carol said with a laugh. “Going back to 1889 is harder. I get into schoolmarm mode by arriving early to sit quietly and read about the time period so I can prepare my mind and heart to fully engage. Of course, wearing heavy boots and a long skirt helps me get into character.”

“Quilting bees, square dances, church services, weddings and funerals.

The schoolhouse became the center of life for pioneers.”

“I like to weave themes into the conversation, like how the boys helped feed the animals before school and the girls did household chores. The children had important responsibilities back then, and it was physically intense. They helped gather water from the creek or find buffalo chips to heat the schoolhouse,” Carol said. “The people who settled in our town had fortitude. They couldn’t be lazy. Even young children had to learn hard lessons, and it made them stronger.”

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Carol Lowery Anderson

I often hear children say, ‘I wish school was like this every day!’ It’s a lasting memory for most children that goes far beyond the peppermint prize won at the spelling bee. They walk away realizing they can relate to the people who lived 130 years ago, and that history is interesting.”

“Miss Adelle, you may ring the bell to signal the end of the day. Class is dismissed.”

Visit www.edmondhistoricaltrust.com for public visiting hours or www.edmondhistory.org to sign up for schoolhouse programs.

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ALOOKBACK

Christmas Adventures

By Louise Tucker Jones When our children were young, my late husband, Carl and I purchased a live Christmas tree adorned with tiny, tight pinecones. We decorated it with lots of lights and ornaments we had collected through the years and placed it in front of the living room window. Our older kids, Aaron and Paula, liked being able to see it while playing outside, and baby Jay loved rolling under the tree and kicking low hanging ornaments or pulling ribbons off packages.

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But something unusual happened. We began to hear little clicking noises in the tree, especially when the Christmas lights were on. It was a mystery until Carl discovered that the miniature pinecones were gradually opening, click-by-click, to the warmth of the lights surrounding them.

It went on for days and the kids loved it. In fact, we were all enthralled with this simple act of nature. After Christmas, we kept the pinecones as souvenirs before disposing of the tree.

yet, invite them to your home for coffee or hot chocolate. For pure sweetness, attend a child’s Christmas pageant, and for your heart’s sake, visit homebound friends or family who can’t travel.

We didn’t know when we purchased that Christmas tree that it was special and would become a precious memory through the years.

That’s how life is. You never know when you will run into an unexpected adventure or make lifetime memories.

And always leave room for fun surprises like sitting in the dark with the Christmas tree lights shining and hearing the click-click of tiny pinecones opening.

The holiday season is a great time for new adventures and delightful memories. Things like donating to a charity or giving an anonymous gift to someone in need. Perhaps you could take a break from shopping and help with a community dinner or decorate a tree for an elderly friend. Gift your neighbors with homemade goodies. Better

Be sure to include some sacred moments in your festivities since this is a holy holiday. It’s the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and worshiping at a Christmas Eve candlelight service fills my heart with joy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! 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.

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FEATURELOOK

By Lea Terry

Ken & his

F lying Machine When Edmond resident Ken Worth went paragliding in his early 20s, he was instantly hooked on aviation - despite his fear of heights. “Aviation is something that until you experience it, you don’t know,” Worth said. “Some people just have to get up and face their fears, as I faced my fear of heights. I still have the fear of heights, but now I’m building a plane.”

Worth’s enduring passion for aviation eventually led him to pursue building experimental aircraft. He’s over halfway finished with his first plane, a lightweight two-seater with a wingspan of 30 feet and a length of 23 feet. While he hopes to use the plane to explore nature and share his love of flying with others, his main focus is on the process. “I look at it as the journey, not the destination,” Worth said. “That took a while to overcome, because I was anxious, but you’re going to make some mistakes.”

The aluminum plane folds, allowing Worth to store it nearly anywhere. And thanks to the rules that govern experimental aircraft, he can fly out of nearly anywhere as well. The freedom and flexibility is part of what drew him to this type of plane. The plane is what’s called “low and slow,” and has a maximum speed of 100 miles an hour.

“You can see the ground below, so you can see Mother Nature and what’s out there and then go find some of these little secluded spots to land in,” Worth said. “It’s a different perspective.” With this type of plane, Worth can land anywhere from a pasture to a creek bed.

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Family Project

Building an experimental aircraft requires passion and determination, Worth said, as well as an understanding of what’s involved and the commitment to see it through. Also necessary are precision and attention to detail - as well as some math skill. Worth’s entire family has participated in the project, and he said it’s helped show his younger kids that math isn’t such a bad thing. “We dread school from time to time as kids, but this project turns learing into something fun, and it’s a bonding moment as well,” Worth said.

“I still have the fear of heights, but now I’m building a plane.”

Folding Wings

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“That’s my goal, to be able to fly and land where a very small percentage of pilots fly and land - like a bush pilot,” Worth said.

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Worth belongs to the Experimental Aircraft Association, and he said it’s been incredible to connect with fellow aviation enthusiasts all over the world. He hopes to share his passion for aviation with others, which was the main reason he decided to build a two-seater. “I hope to introduce flight to someone who’s unfamiliar with it, and expand and keep the tradition going,” Worth said.

While building an aircraft in just a two-car garage is challenging, Worth has found ways to make it work. The wings are currently fastened to his ceiling to save space, and he’s tried not to take over the garage or house with his project. Building an experimental aircraft not only requires creativity, it also encourages it, Worth said. He belongs to several online forums where members can reach out to fellow aviators for suggestions and advice.

However, they often find those solutions right in their own imaginations.

80 East 5th St., Ste. 130 Edmond, OK 73034