December 2021
A Tradition of Toy Trains
Holiday Events
Film Friendly Edmond
Elephant Enthusiast
Alison and I missed Christmas last year. We were in Little Rock, AR in a conveniently located apartment with an awesome view of the Target parking lot. Our Twelve Days of Christmas were really 6 weeks of medical procedures. I spent my days at the nearby UAMS Myeloma Center getting a gift of life - my second stem cell transplant. In a stem cell transplant, the patient gets high-dose chemotherapy to kill the cells in the bone marrow. Then they receive new, healthy bloodforming stem cells. When Alison wasn’t shuttling me back and forth between the apartment and the center, she kept busy working remote, puzzling, and crafting. After treatments, I’m told, we watched football, Netflix series, and all sorts of movies - but I don’t remember much of that. I was basically comatose-in-arecliner. It’s kind of fuzzy, but I do remember volunteers from local churches and nonprofits stopping by with food, gifts, and cheer. Although we appreciated their acts of kindness, it was still our Holiday season that wasn’t. This year, we’re planning to make up for it. This year I’m feeling better and we’re looking forward to the holidays and seeing family. We even bought a bigger dining table - one that will fit a lot more people for the holiday dinner we are hosting. We’re already busy making a shopping list (and checking it twice) for our family, friends, and our Back40 and Outlook families. It will be a different experience - and I’m so glad I’m here to enjoy it. Dave Miller Publisher & Back40 Design President
12 26 8
Features 8
Holiday Events & Activities
10
Local Eats: Marlette and Company
12
Elephant Enthusiast
14
Film Friendly Edmond
18
Open for Business
26
Crafting a Unique Sound
30
A Tradition of Toy Trains
Business 22
Haggard’s Fine Furniture
24
Prime Health Associates
Columns 7
In Other Words With Dave
28
Louise Tucker Jones
Cover photography by www.sundancephotographyokc.com Special thanks to cover models Gentry and Jack Pinkston.
ADVERTISING l 405-301-3926 l sales@edmondoutlook.com MAILED MONTHLY TO 50,000 HOMES IN THE EDMOND AREA 1024 W Covell, Edmond, OK 73003 l 405-341-5599 l edmondoutlook.com l info@edmondoutlook.com December 2021 Volume 17, Number 12
l
Edmond Outlook is a publication of Back40 Design, Inc.
l
© 2021 Back40 Design, Inc.
PUBLISHER Dave Miller l EDITOR Jennay Wangen l ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Angie Clemens Byers l GRAPHIC DESIGN Adrian Townsend, Anne Richardson PHOTOGRAPHY Marshall Hawkins www.sundancephotographyokc.com l DISTRIBUTION Edmond Outlook is delivered FREE by direct-mail to 50,000 Edmond area 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
Holiday Events & Activities Luminance
Edmond Ice Rink
Through January 2nd Nightly, 5pm-10pm Mitch Park
Through January 3rd Monday-Thursday 3-9pm, Friday 3-10pm, Saturday noon10pm, Sunday noon-9pm; see website for exceptions Mitch Park
Luminance is a no-cost, walk-thru holiday light display. The park will be adorned with 3D lighted displays, with new features added this year. Luminance is a one-of-a-kind attraction, perfect for families. www.edmondlights.com
Merry Mitchmas 5K & 10K Saturday, December 18th, 9 am Mitch Park Join Red Coyote for the 3rd annual Merry Mitchmas 5K & 10K. The course will be a scenic winter wonderland route. Every participant will receive a Merry Mitchmas ornament race medal. Warm up with a festive hot cocoa after the race. $25 per runner. www.redcoyoterunning.com/merrymitchmas.html
Charcuterie Board and Cookie Decorating Workshop December 16th, 6-8 pm Commonplace Books Edmond Learn to build a charcuterie board and decorate cookies like a pro. All supplies will be provided. $75 per person, guests are encouraged to bring a bottle of wine to share. www.cheesetochocolate.com
8
l
EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
l
DECEMBER 2021
Enjoy ice skating to the tune of holiday music with food concessions on site. Great for groups, date nights, or family outings. Cost is $13 with skate rental, $10 for ages 5 and under; $10 if you bring your own skates. www.edmondicerink.com
Saturdays in Downtown Edmond Wagon Rides 11 am-3 pm Special visits with Elsa and Olaf 12-2 pm Territorial School Open House 1-4 pm Watch for announcements about live music, pop-up activities for kids, charity gift wrapping, carolers, and photos with Santa. www.downtownedmondok.com
Cops & Claus December 18, 11am-4pm Edmond Police Department The police will host Santa Claus and invite the community to visit and take photos.
DECEMBER 2021
l
EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
l
9
Michelle & Andy Marlette
Marlette & Company A meal prep and catering service By Laura Beam If you haven’t discovered the incredible gourmet-style meals by Marlette and Company, this meal prep and catering service will be a real game-changer. Not only convenient and time-saving, this creative cuisine proves that healthy eating can also be crave-worthy. Every bite of their perfectly tender grilled steak, juicy chicken, blackened salmon, and jambalaya is a nutritious and delicious indulgence. The dynamic duo, Andy and Michelle Marlette, who have been planted in Edmond for almost a decade with roots from Louisiana, have a passion for healthy food and a taste for excellence. Trained in the culinary arts, Chef Andy uses a masterful mix of ingredients and an intricate approach to preparation. “Everything is made from scratch and when you take a dish from the cooler and heat it in the microwave, I want it to taste as good as if it just came out of the oven,” he comments. Easy Does It Think meal prep service involves a long-term commitment and a high price tag? Not with Marlette & Company’s lifestylefriendly, weekly ordering! New items are posted on Sunday, ordered by Tuesday, and delivered or picked up on Friday from 3-5 pm at 1333 N. Santa Fe Ave. in Edmond. Choose 10
l
EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
l
DECEMBER 2021
individual or family size portions to fit your needs and find grab-and-go items in the fridge. Layered with Love When you taste incredible food with top-notch execution, you just know it. And so does Chef Andy! His famous 24hour steak sauce, a mustard demi-glace, elevates the beef filets to another level. Another fan fave, the roasted poblano sauce served over slow-roasted seasoned pork, was such a hit that it was added to the menu individually. Now foodies can drizzle it over all their favorite dishes, or straight up eat it with a spoon when no one is looking! The jambalaya with Andouille sausage and chicken blends the perfect amount of heat and hearty goodness. Enjoyed with a slab of cornbread and honey, it’s your best friend on a chilly day. Sweet Treats A meal on their own, Michelle’s famous PB Balls are packed with gluten-free organic oats, honey, dark chocolate, nuts, and more. “They are a healthy ratio of carbs, fats, and proteins,” Michelle notes. For a healthy ratio of everything else, Andy’s to-die-for bread pudding is no joke! Forget what you know about soggy bread pudding. This dense French bread holds up like a moist cake dunked in salted caramel sauce. “It’s all about the sauce,” Andy says, “and there are no raisins...ever!” Crowd-pleasing Catering & Cafe Whether you’re hosting a cozy dinner for two or an event for 200 people, Marlette & Company offers scrumptious full-service buffets, plated dinners, pasta stations and more. Hungry for a sampling of their food today? Stop by the recently opened M&M Cafe at the courthouse in Downtown OKC Mon.-Fri. from 7:30am-3pm. Find Marlette & Company on Facebook or contact them at marletteandcompany@gmail.com or (318) 780-2172.
Photo by Jessica Findley
Photo by Jessica Findley
FOODLOOK
DECEMBER 2021
l
EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
l
11
FEATURELOOK
Elephant Enthusiast By Amy Dee Stephens As a child, Rachel Emory loved animals more than anything, claiming that she wanted to be a female Steve Irwin. In college, she had two zoo internships working with elephants. “I caught the elephant bug and there was no going back. Nothing compares to them. Their intelligence level still astonishes me.” Rachel feels extremely fortunate that the Oklahoma City Zoo hired the Michigan-native straight out of college because working with elephants and rhinos usually comes after years of zoo experience. She moved to Edmond, and in just a few years, Rachel worked her way up to the top, becoming the curator in 2018. It’s a physically demanding job, but she enjoys hard work in the great outdoors. It’s also emotional work, as she is greatly invested in all seven Asian elephants in her charge. “Each one is unique, and we have to adjust to each one’s unique personality and communication style,” Rachel said. In a world focused on Covid, Rachel and her team of ten faced their own recent medical crisis. In late August, the dreaded moment arrived when the two-year-old baby elephant, Kairavi, tested positive for a herpes virus (EEHV). The virus is present in all elephants worldwide, with a 60% fatality rate in young elephants. “We knew this was eventually coming, so we swung into immediate action, giving ‘round-the-clock treatments. Kai was
pretty sick for about 19 days. Our team came in at 2:00 AM to give fluids and medications,” Rachel said. Kai also did her part, by participating in voluntary blood collections, and her herd mates donated blood and plasma–which was a result of prior training and practice. “It was draining, but we pushed through,” Rachel said. “We’d go home, sleep for three hours, and come back. But nobody complained or fell apart because we knew exactly what we had to do. It’s probably the proudest moment of my career. Kai’s completely recovered now, but if she had passed away, we know we couldn’t have done more for her than we did.” In the six years since the tragic and unexpected death of Malee, the zoo’s first baby elephant, the Oklahoma City Zoo has been a leader in EEHV research, working with the National Herpesvirus Laboratory in Washington D.C to develop a same-day testing lab on site. “We take weekly trunk washes or “snot samples,” and within a few hours, we know which of the elephants are actively shedding the virus and could cause exposure—so then we are on high Rachel Emory alert. We knew very quickly when Kai was in danger.” In Rachel’s spare time, she raises funds for elephants and has traveled to help elephant keepers in India. This year, when her trip to Nepal was cancelled because of Covid, Rachel switched gears. She sold t-shirts and helped the zoo partner with Eileen’s Colossal Cookies to raise funds for conservation instead. “It’s a career and a calling,” Rachel said. “I love working with elephants. Yes, it’s very difficult to face the illness, deaths, or transfers of these animals we care for—but it’s so rewarding. I’m constantly blown away by what they can learn and figure out. And I’m excited that we have another baby elephant due in February!” Rachel grinned. “I can’t wait to have three young ones running around. It will be the best kind of chaos.” To learn more visit OKCZoo.org
DECEMBER 2021
l
EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
l
13
FEATURELOOK
Photo by Dwight Polson
Film Friendly Edmond By Maggie Murdock Nichols The Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) has certified Edmond as a ‘film friendly’ community. Sarah London, Special Events Coordinator for the City of Edmond, who acts as the point of contact says, “The certification lets production companies know that we are organized and ready should they choose to film in Edmond.” “Edmond is a prime destination in Central Oklahoma for filmmakers with an attractive combination of unique shops, flavorful restaurants, expansive city parks, historic schools, and local attractions,” says Yousef Kazemi, Outreach and Production Manager for OF+MO. The OF+MO works to draw local, national, and international filmmakers to the state. Camera Rolling A list of Edmond’s points of interest has been added to a statewide database on the OF+MO website. The database allows scouts to do initial browsing. Edmond fulfills what many film production companies are looking for with affordable accommodations, hiking, and biking trails, many city parks, and historic sites, like the 1889 Territorial Schoolhouse and the University of Central Oklahoma’s Old North. From July 2020 to June 2021, OF+MO estimates the creation of 10,218 local jobs with a direct fiscal impact of $161.7 million from 33 film and television productions utilizing the state’s incentive program. 14
l
EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
l
DECEMBER 2021
Quiet on the Set Edmond has proven to be a great place to film with recent productions, including “Dotty and Soul”, “A Country Romance”, “Deadly Misconduct”, “Family Camp” and the upcoming Lionsgate theatrical release “American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story”. The city is the initial contact and works with the film company on any permitting, street closures, and community notification. Sarah says, “I’ve talked to various film companies and networks, many more are currently considering filming in Edmond.” After contact with the city, the production company can work with private property owners directly. That’s a Wrap The Mule closed their doors to the public for a day, allowing “American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story” to use their space to film a scene. The street and parking spots directly in front were reserved to allow cars with makes and models of the 1990s or earlier to be placed, ensuring the surroundings were authentic to the film’s era. Littler Lawn was used as a staging area along with an Edmond property owner’s vacant warehouse space. With The Mule’s kitchen closed, Around the Corner Restaurant provided prop food. Various restaurants in the area provided food and drink for the crew who stayed in hotel rooms and locally owned Airbnbs. Hotel rooms, rentals, meals, supplies, street closures, permit fees and extras are a few of the income generators tied to film production. “It’s difficult to account for all the ways the film industry boosts our economy. Time will tell, but it’s very positive for our community.” Sarah says. Janet Yowell, Executive Director of EEDA, confirms, “What will be really interesting is to see the notoriety and recognition the city gets once the films release.” Locals should keep their eyes peeled and watch for Edmond sites to be seen in upcoming films and TV shows. Don’t leave before the credits roll.
DECEMBER 2021
l
EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
l
15
Photo by Eriech Tapia
FEATURELOOK
Sarah Dickson, Janet Yowell, Toni Weinmeister, Donna Young
Open for Business By Maggie Murdock Nichols What if you had all the insider info on new businesses coming into Edmond? What if it was your job to attract those businesses? Janet Yowell, Executive Director of the Edmond Economic Development Authority (EEDA), is a driving force; a connector by nature, but self-effacing when it comes to her contributions to Edmond. Serving as director for more than 15 years and with EEDA for more than 25 years, she’s been among the first to know about Edmond’s defining developments. “You never know who will be on the other end of a phone call,” she says. “Developers want to know where the people are. We serve as a source of information,” Janet says. EEDA is a public trust of the City of Edmond, led by a nine-member trustee board. EEDA assists existing businesses and recruits new businesses to make their home in Edmond. Janet asserts, “Our primary role is to be in tune with what the community wants and move forward accordingly.” Edmond Asked, EEDA Answered An example of EEDA’s work in action is Showbiz Cinemas. “Leakage” is a term used to describe residents leaving city limits to spend their money elsewhere and that was happening when Edmond residents wanted a modern multiplex movie entertainment center. The EEDA’s work attracting and securing Showbiz Cinemas has been a great success and has increased sales tax revenue as well as the added benefit of an entertainment venue close to home. EEDA works in conjunction with the state to attract big companies that bring multifaceted economic benefits to metropolitan areas. Although the corporations may not be located in Edmond, many of their employees choose to live in Edmond for the schools and amenities like local restaurants, parks, and trails. Convenience Close to Home “Skyscrapers and smokestacks don’t work in Edmond, but there are a lot of opportunities for commercial growth here. 18
l
EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
l
DECEMBER 2021
Edmond offers every class of office, has light industrial and manufacturing space, and is a desired retail submarket,” Janet says. Edmond has seen substantial development in medical offices throughout the city as well as the addition of many restaurants offering a range of services, including drive-thru, curbside pickup and full-service dine-in. The addition of these conveniences keeps Edmond citizens from having to drive far for what they need. The I-35 corridor is ripe for development. Ground has broken for a multistory building that will house Regent Bank and restaurants: Chicken Foot, Sidecar Wine and Barley Lounge, and Hatch Early Mood Food. The restaurant group Provision Concepts will also have its headquarters inside the building. Local Dining Explosion Since 2000, 35 million private dollars have been invested in downtown Edmond alone, with much of that being within the last five years. Downtown has become a favorite spot for locals and draws visitors from our region and beyond. The local dining scene has seen considerable growth downtown and throughout the city. “People really care about restaurants!” There’s been a restaurant boom with more on the way,” Janet says. To keep up-to-date with Edmond Economics visit www.eeda.com. Now Open:
Coming Soon:
Railyard Pie Company The Lounge Campfire Pizza & Gelato Plant Wilder Coffee Neighborhood Jam HunnyBunny Biscuit Co. Organize Squeeze Bee Healthy Cafe Summer Moon Coffee Yo Pablo Tacos & Tequila
Pickleman’s Joey’s Cafe Pepperoni Grill Gabriella’s Italian Grill Bondi Bowls Empire Slice House Zambrano’s Peruvian Cuisine Low Battery Coffee
DECEMBER 2021
l
EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
l
19
20
l
EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
l
DECEMBER 2021
DECEMBER 2021
l
EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
l
21
BIZLOOK
Haggard’s Fine Furniture By Maria Veres
stain color. Depending on the piece, you can select from a wide variety of woods, finishes, leg shapes, table edges, and fabrics. “We encourage customers to take home samples to see how the woods and fabrics look in their own homes,” says advertising manager Jean Murphy. If you need a non-standard height or width, Haggard’s can special order to your specifications.
So much has changed in 105 years. But at Haggard’s Fine Furniture, owner Earle Haggard still carries on the mission Thriving in Challenging Times laid out by his grandfather, who founded As the quality of imported furniture the store in 1916—providing customers declined in recent decades, Haggard’s with quality, handcrafted furniture that responded by focusing on American lasts a lifetime. brands. Many of the store’s top lines Custom Crafted Quality are Amish made, handcrafted with Haggard’s specializes in Americancare and precision. But old-fashioned made lines that feature meticulous workmanship doesn’t mean sacrificing attention to detail and quality. Every line modern improvements. “Furniture is is personally vetted by Earle, who visits more customer friendly now,” says Jean. the factories to ensure they meet his These pieces are built to withstand kids, standards of excellence. dogs, dirt, and daily use. Many items The store offers many options for include up-to-date comfort features, like customization, far beyond picking a recliners with emergency battery packs
22
l
EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
l
DECEMBER 2021
Owner Earle Haggard Advertising Manager Jean Murphy
for power outages. Every order includes free delivery in the metro area. Business is booming despite pandemic-related shipping delays and shortages. It’s taking longer for orders to arrive. But the knowledgeable, lowpressure sales team works with each customer to ensure a perfect fit that’s worth the wait. “We’re dedicated to making sure people get what they want,” says Jean. “We don’t promise anything we can’t deliver.” Visit Haggard’s at 3415 North May Avenue or haggardsfinefurniture.com.
DECEMBER 2021
l
EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
l
23
BIZLOOK
Prime Health Associates By Maria Veres A long and healthy life doesn’t happen by accident. At Prime Health Associates, Kevin White, MD and his team are committed to helping patients achieve optimal health, both now and in the future. Partnering with Patients Prime Health Associates follows an integrative medicine model, meaning treatment focuses on the whole person, not just certain symptoms. “Our goal is to find the root causes of issues and catch diseases and problems early,” says Dr. White. He views his practice as a patient-doctor partnership, working together toward the client’s wellness goals.
24
l
EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
l
DECEMBER 2021
To identify underlying health issues, Prime Health Associates provides several types of comprehensive testing and monitoring. Solutions involve treating the whole person, so Dr. White partners with practitioners who offer everything from nutrition counseling to acupuncture to personal training. They have been fortunate enough to partner with Emma Ryan, the office’s nutritionist (and also owner of the local restaurant, Plant) and certified acupuncturist Dr. Seneca Dewbre. Time is valuable so minimizing idle wait times is a priority. Dr. White responds to most questions the same day. A Commitment to Health With years of experience as an ER physician, Dr. White has seen firsthand the results of a lifetime of poor health choices. “Unfortunately, it’s common to see individuals affected too early from progressive disease, negatively impacting the lives of Oklahomans and their families.” he says. “To have a robust
Dr. Kevin White
life span and health span, it’s imperative to delay the onset of chronic disease.” His goal is optimal health and longevity, not just for his patients but for himself as well. Born and raised in Oklahoma, Dr. White graduated from University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, residency-trained in emergency medicine at Washington University in St. Louis, and board-certified in emergency medicine and integrative medicine. Dr. White is currently accepting new patients. Prime Health Associates is located at 902 NW 139th Street Parkway in Edmond, and can be found online at www.primehealthassociates.com.
DECEMBER 2021
l
EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
l
25
FEATURELOOK
Crafting a Unique Sound By Amy Dee Stephens
26
l
EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
l
DECEMBER 2021
Marshall Hawkins has played and collected electric guitars for years, but his newfound hobby is building them from scratch. His unique, colorful creations not only look good, but they have a beautiful tone. And although Marshall still considers himself a novice, he’s pleased with his craftsmanship—which he owes to YouTube. “There’s a surprising number of helpful videos about building guitars, and I watched them all,” Marshall said. “My first attempt was to take apart my old Mexican Fender Stratocaster, repaint it, and rebuild it. I made a lot of mistakes, but in the end, it was a success. I began to think, ‘If I can paint a guitar and wire it up, surely it can’t be too hard to shape my own from scratch, right?’” When Covid cleared Marshall’s work calendar, he decided to try. He turned to some old high school sketches for inspiration. “I probably should have been paying attention in class, but I was drawing guitar designs. Some were downright crazy but cool,” Marshall said. “The one that has always stuck with me I called Lemon Drop, shaped like a lemon with a white to yellow sunburst paint job. I took the design to Photoshop, did the math, and printed the plan. Then, it was time to go shopping.” Because business had slowed, Marshall had to go low budget, using a block of wood that he described as “a couple steps up from particleboard,” plus cheap sandpaper and a borrowed router. It was a slow process since he’d never done woodworking before, but he was motivated by the art and music of guitars. “I appreciate their colors, their curves, and their sound. Every guitar has its own tone, based on the shape, wood, and hardware used,” Marshall said. Guitars have been a lifelong interest for Marshall, who practiced nearly three hours a day on the electric guitar he received for his 14th birthday. He took various music lessons and learned other instruments, but the electric guitar took hold, and he still plays regularly. Over the years, Marshall has both played and written songs for various bands, strongly preferring “hard rock with a good melody.” Marshall’s foray into guitar design has provided him a new avenue of appreciation, specifically the craftsmanship and patience required to create a quality musical instrument. “A whole lot of blood, sweat, and sandpaper went into shaping that first block of wood into a lemon-shaped guitar.” It took Marshall ten days to paint the different guitar layers. During the daily drying process, Marshall had an epiphany. “It dawned on me that instead of watching paint dry, I could start on more guitars!” He currently has five guitars under construction, including a flying V-shaped body, one for himself and a smaller matching one for his son. Having grown more confident in his skills, Marshall has since expanded into more quality woods, which affects the tone and enriches the guitar’s sound. “Sand it, curve it, shape it—those are the first steps to making it look right, but there are so many little steps that have to happen after the visuals are in place. And I can’t play the guitar until the very end of the process; after the painting is done and the bridge is set and the strings are on. The whole time, I’m impatiently thinking about how it’s going to sound. The most exciting moment is playing my guitar for the first time and hearing its tone! That’s what drives me to do this.”
DECEMBER 2021
l
EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
l
27
ALOOKBACK
A Magical Christmas!
was Mama’s chocolate gravy and biscuits for breakfast. A tradition I carried on to my family. But before Christmas arrived we had a community celebration at the school gymnasium where children, dressed in By Louise Tucker Jones bathrobes and tinsel, acted out the Holy Nativity while the high school chorus I’m at the place where Christmas is sang Christmas Carrols. both past and present. I love family When the pageant was over, Santa gatherings but also cherish memories Claus made a grand entrance and gave of yesteryear. First Christmas as out presents that parents had brought newlyweds. First Christmas as parents. for their kids. At the end of the evening, First Christmas as grandparents and each person went home with a brown everything in between. paper bag filled with hard candy, Growing up in a little farming chocolates, nuts and fruit. Our church community where most families had little did much the same thing, minus Santa, money but lots of love, Christmas seemed and again, everyone went home with a magical to me. We lived in a simple twobag of goodies. story house without a telephone, TV or In today’s world, this probably indoor plumbing, but my five siblings doesn’t sound like a magical Christmas, and I never felt poor or deprived. We but I always counted it as such. I felt decorated a tree that Daddy cut from surrounded with love, family and the field, and our grandparents were community. And on that holy holiday present on Christmas morning to see I pondered that first Christmas when what Santa brought us. A special treat Jesus came to earth as a baby. The
28
l
EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
l
DECEMBER 2021
Louise’s Family
Prince of Peace, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, born in a stable to a young, virgin maiden. The greatest miracle ever, yet most failed to see it. Too often we do the same. We look at the gifts instead of the giver. The mundane instead of the miraculous. The hassles instead of the holy. Why not choose to be different? Let’s celebrate the real Christmas, the most magical, momentous event ever. The birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Wishing You A Blessed 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.
DECEMBER 2021
l
EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
l
29
FEATURELOOK
A Tradition of Toy Trains By Amy Dee Stephens Most kids’ eyes light up as they see the tree on Christmas morning, but for young John Spall, that excitement came a month earlier when his father and uncle set up the family’s model train over Thanksgiving break. “I would sit at the top of the basement stairs with my brothers and sister, anticipating the moment mother would allow us to go down and see the train. We could hear my dad and uncle laughing as they set it up, and we’d hear the sounds of the train running. ‘We’re doing a test run,’ they would shout up, like two big kids down there playing,” said Spall. “Mom would finally say, ‘Let the kids come down.’ There was something new and different every year, so the anticipation was worth it.” As a young adult, Spall packed away the trains he’d inherited, but he revived the Christmas train tradition when his sons were young. Later, at his Michigan home, the basement had two stairwells, so neighborhood children would line the top of the stairs, repeating the tradition that Spall and his siblings had done in their childhood. “We’d turn off the lights and have seven different trains running at once. It was something,” Spall said nostalgically. The train tradition stayed with Spall as he moved from state to state and after his children grew up. He and an acquaintance once joined forces to create a large train display at the local historical society. After an enthusiastic response, Spall helped organize a local train club. He eventually became involved with the Toy Train Operating Society (TTOS), a nationwide organization that encourages model railroading. “And not just to collect trains,” Spall said, “But to run trains, at home or public events in the 30
l
EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM
l
DECEMBER 2021
community. The word ‘operating’ is key to the mission. We are interested in keeping the hobby going, fostering new young people or those who grew up with train traditions.” When Spall first started participating in train demonstrations with TTOS, his friends called him Two-Table John, but as his inventory grew, he bumped up to four tables, then six, then eight. His collection grew from traditional 1950s Lionel trains to include collectible tin trains from the 1920s. Spall was elected as the TTOS Western Region director in 2019. It was an unexpected nomination, but the timing was right, as Spall was about to retire from his career. His division now hosts four public shows each year, including the addition of an Edmond show this year. His wife, Joan, actively participates in John’s model train activity. She attends shows, sells tickets, and even owns her own personal train set. “Joan’s been part of model railroading from the beginning,” Spall said. “The Thanksgiving that I asked her to marry me, we’d just set up the train in the basement.” Their collection, which numbers almost 1,000 pieces, is set up in a custom-built room they call The Train Library. Display cases line the room, along with a low countertop that travels along three sides of the room for running the trains. “Part of the excitement is getting out trains, setting them up, and running them; not just letting them sit in a case,” Spall said. “I think the winning formula is to put them away, wait for the next time to enjoy it, and get them back out. We look forward to having one under the tree every Christmas.” To learn more, visit www.ttos-soonerdiv.org
1024 W Covell Rd., Edmond, OK 73003
