Edmond Outlook - February 2020

February 2020

Backstage with

Miss Oklahoma

Valentines: The French Connection Simply Indie Film Fest Local Eats: Pub W

Features

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ASK EDMOND

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VISIT EDMOND CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Remember when Amazon’s goal was to be the “Earth’s Biggest Bookstore?” How about when Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston tied the knot? Or when a volleyball named Wilson was Tom Hanks’ best friend in the movie Castaway. That all happened in the year 2000. That was also the year I started Back40.

Here we are 20 years later and Amazon overshot their goal - in a big way. Things didn’t turn out so well for Brad and Jennifer - or for Wilson either, but Back40 has done well. We’ve endured, grown and prospered. We’re still helping clients with their web and digital marketing.

I can’t take much credit for it. Well, maybe for hiring some really smart people. And for doing my best to run an honest and fair business. I feel blessed to use my talents in a creative field everyday.

Sure there have been struggles, worrying, going without, hard conversations, and days I’d rather be stocking an aisle somewhere - anywhere, but really for the vast majority of my days - I love what I do and I love what Back40 does.

And it’s still fun. When I was a little guy, I enjoyed drawing.

It’s pretty much all I did. I’d create worlds in my imagination that would flow off the end of my pen onto the paper. These worlds told stories and came alive - at least to me. I guess that’s one reason I keep inflicting this column on you, the reader. Selfishly, I get to do what I have always done - tell a story and draw a picture.

I hope you can take a few moments at work or at home and do what you love to do. It feels great.

LOCAL EATS: PUB W

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SIMPLY INDIE FILM FEST

Hal Smith Restaurant Group opens a neighborhood gathering place More than 90 films featured in Edmond’s first film festival

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VALENTINE SWEETS RECIPES

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BACKSTAGE WITH MISS OKLAHOMA

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A FRENCH CONNECTION VALENTINE

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BAKING UP FRIENDSHIP

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Spiced Pear Cake & Raspberry Sugar Cookies Addison Price reflects on her journey How a modern love story brought French culture and cuisine to Edmond Six friends gather to create desserts at Mobile Meals PILOTS FLY TO SAVE LIVES

Delivering blood to patients across Oklahoma

Business 22

EDMOND WOMEN’S CLUB

Annual Hollywood Nights Gala is coming up February 15

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NATIONAL COWBOY & WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM

New outdoor experiential playscape opens this spring

Columns 28

Dave Miller Back40 Design President

Simply Indie Film Fest, A Cabaret and Learn to Curl

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Sharing memories of the Rocket Slide

LOUISE TUCKER JONES

Leaving a Legacy

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 February 2020 Volume 16, Number 2

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Edmond Outlook is a publication of Back40 Design, Inc.

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© 2020 Back40 Design, Inc.

PUBLISHER Dave Miller 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 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

Ask Edmond

Rocket Slide Memories

The Rocket Slide located in Stephenson Park will be retired from play later this year as the park is revitalized. City plans will transform this Edmond icon into a sculpture that welcomes park visitors. We asked some Edmondites to share their favorite Rocket Slide memories.

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Tonya Garman Sign Language Interpreter OK Dept of Rehabilitation Services

Chris Helterbrand Director of Development Analytical Edge Laboratories

Grady Epperly President, Hi-Fi Public Relations

As a kid, I have summertime memories of climbing to the tippy top and sliding down, burning my bare legs. Years later when I would take my kids and cousins, I remember climbing up to the top and looking around inside the metal cone to see if I recognized any of the scratched-in names.

In 1970, my family and I attended the Edmond Church of Christ, which, at that time, was next door to the slide.

Before the final “Amen” reached the back pew, my friends and I would be in a full-on sprint to the slide.

My mom took us there often to eat takeout before Wednesday night church. I remember the first time I had gotten just a little too big and hit my head at the top of the ladder - and sometimes, the slide would give you a pretty good static shock.

Holly Baum Owner/Designer/Construction Manager BaumHaus Design-Build

Buck Brokaw Sign Technician Oklahoma County District 3

My mom, brother and I would picnic at Stephenson Park and then climb the rocket ship and slide down over and over. I have repeated this tradition with my daughters, and my dad loves taking my girls too. Three generations of my family have so many great memories there.

Back then, I lived at Shirley Lane.

After junior high games, we used to go downtown to Fred’s pool hall then wander over to the rocket and hang out. Sometimes, it was with girls and we’d go up there and make out.

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T-shirts commemorating the Rocket Slide are available at Bison Creek Clothing in downtown Edmond. Children and adult sizes are $25. All proceeds benefit AMBUCS Trykes Disabilities Program. More info: www.facebook.com/ AmbucsEdmondOK

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February Events

@visitedmond | visitedmondok.com

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trAi13 Outdoor Adventure Workshop: Backpacking/Hiking 6:30-8:30 p.m.

MAC at Mitch Park 2733 Marilyn Williams Dr. Free

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Cabaret: Broadway Bound 7:30 p.m.

Oklahoma Christian University Judd Theater 2501 E Memorial Rd. $15

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Simply Indie Film Fest Edmond Conference Center 2833 Conference Dr. $5-$25

Valentine’s Day with Phil Keaggy 7-10 p.m.

UCO Jazz Lab 100 E 5th St. $75

27-1 Nine

7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. on Sunday) UCO Mitchell Hall Theater 100 N University Dr. $15-$25

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Learn to Curl with the Oklahoma Curling Club 5-7 p.m.

Arctic Edge Ice Arena 14613 N Kelly Ave. $25 (advance registration required)

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Ties & Tiaras: Daddy Daughter Dance 4-6 p.m. & 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Edmond Conference Center 2833 Conference Dr. $15/person 10

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FOODLOOK FEATURELOOK

Pub W

By Maggie Murdock Nichols

Edmond’s Neighborhood Pub The “pub”, short for “public house,” originated from a simple desire to gather with neighbors. In a time before there were restaurants on every corner, the British would swing open the doors to their living rooms and welcome the public to gather inside. The spirit within the pub was lively and beckoned its guests to eat, drink and stay a while. The pub became the neighborhood’s gathering place, and Pub W has become that place for Edmond.

There is plenty of seating for those who wish to belly up to the bar for a drink or two. The drink menu features a section titled “gas station beer” for those who enjoy the classics. The craft beer list is diverse, offering many local varieties and rotators. The beers on tap are served perfectly chilled, letting the complexity of flavors shine. Cocktails are offered on tap, shaken or stirred to order. The wine list is carefully curated with offerings by the bottle or glass. Pub W has a not-so-average happy hour worth checking out.

Community Comaraderie

Pub W accommodates larger groups and welcomes families.

There are plenty of TVs to enjoy the game. Community and booth seating encourage conversation. The staff is attentive, knowledgeable and able to make recommendations or accommodations based on preference or dietary restrictions.

At Pub W, you’ll find not-so-simple bar food. The Spicy Pimento Cheese Fritters are a great place to start, or make your way through the shareables and small plates and call it a meal.

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A nod to the classic, The Fisherman’s Platter features fish and chips, fried shrimp, and squashpuppies served alongside housemade cocktail and tartar sauces. Previously a feature, The Fried Chicken is now served daily per demand. Pub W encourages eating the season’s best with special, season-limited dishes like the Winter Kale Salmon Salad served with brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, spiced pecans, feta and a maple vinaigrette. The Pork Ribeye is perfectly grilled, topped with pear onion compote, brown butter, spiced pecans, and served with green beans and mashed sweet potatoes. The menu has lighter options and something for everyone, including vegetarian and vegan options.

Adventurous Cocktails

The bartenders eyes really light up at the order of a seasonal cocktail. Toasts for Tangerine is winter-style spiced orange tequila sour topped with a cherry. The Abominable Snowman cocktail is made with Bulleit bourbon, St. Elizabeth allspice dram, vanilla-spiced simple, half & half, an egg white and finished with a smoked cinnamon stick.

Hal Smith Restaurant Group brings Edmond another gem with an elevated iteration of the pub. Within weeks, Pub W had regulars, but welcomes new faces who happen upon their location on 2nd between Coltrane and Bryant. Pub W is open daily with weekday lunch specials and offers weekend brunch with accompanying brunch cocktail menu.

For more information visit www.pubdub.com

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FEATURELOOK

Local filmmaker, Yousef Kazemi directing his film “The Stand-In” Photo Credit: The Stand-In Film

Edmond’s First Film Festival

By Maggie Murdock Nichols

Are you interested in experiencing Edmond history in the making? Edmond is home to a diverse arts scene consisting of more than 200 pieces of public art, a fine arts institute, exceptional university art programs, a jazz lab, street festivals and world-class auditoriums. The year 2020 will be a first for film in Edmond.

Simply Indie Film Festival will take place February 20 - 22 with more than 90 films of varying length and genres. The Edmond Conference Center at the Hilton Garden Inn will host the festival. Filmophiles, cinephiles, casual movie enthusiasts and curious inquirers are all welcome. With affordable passes, excellent amenities, and convenient location, locals are invited to take advantage of this opportunity to experience film!

All Access passes are $40 with a t-shirt or $25 without.

These passes include entry to all films and a kickoff party at the Patriarch Craft Beer House in Downtown Edmond. Day passes and passes per film or segment are also available.

Simply Indie founders, and Edmond natives, Lynzi and Marisa Carlson will host crowds from across the world and across the street. More than twenty countries will be represented in the film festival. Film categories include drama, documentary, animation, horror, action, thriller, and student. The founders desired for the festival to be

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simple and approachable. They have elected to feature all independent films. Hence the name “Simply Indie.”

Local producer Yousef Kazemi will screen his film “The Stand-In,” which is inspired by Sara Cunningham, founder of the nonprofit advocacy group Free Mom Hugs. Jesse Monday’s “Inside the Heart” tells the story of Wild Heart Ranch in Claremore, OK. The animal rescue has defied seemingly insurmountable odds, saving more than 70,000 animals.

Awards and prizes will be given in each category.

Filmmakers will be on site for a Q&A session after their screening. Novice filmmakers attend to have their work critiqued. More seasoned makers attend to offer advice and guidance. On both ends of the spectrum, film festivals offer an alternative distribution channel for non-commercial films, creating an opportunity for networking and further advancement in the film world.

The most important thing Simply Indie wants you to know?

You’re invited and all are welcome. Film festivals can seem intimidating. Lynzi and Marisa are working to break the image down by offering a range of passes at affordable prices and a clear order of events. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at www.simplyindiefilmfest.com or when you arrive.

FRESHLOOK

Valentine Sweets

for Boo

On my first Valentine’s Day with my now husband, he gifted me a meal of filet mignon, crab risotto, asparagus, and creme brulee. I’d never tasted some of those and back then, I was a terrible chef, so it blew me away. This month, I wanted to share two recipes that can blow your boo away but are still doable for even us terrible chefs.

Spiced Pear Cake • • • • • •

1 c cake flour 3/4 c granulated sugar 1/2 c oil 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp ground cloves 1/4 tsp ground ginger

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2 XL eggs 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 tsp kosher salt 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp allspice 1 c pear, chopped

Directions: Heat oven to 350F. Line two 6-in cake pans with parchment paper or grease. Sift together flour, salt, baking soda, and spices. Set aside. Beat together eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and oil. On low, mix dry ingredients into wet. Fold in the chopped pears, and divide the batter equally between pans. Bake 30-35 min until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cakes cool in the pans. Enjoy as is or visit my blog for filling and frosting ideas!

Raspberry Sugar Cookies Makes 35 two-inch cookies • • • • •

1 c butter, softened 2 eggs, room temp 1/2 tsp almond extract pink candy melts 1 pkg. (1.2 oz) freeze-dried raspberries

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2 c granulated sugar 1 tsp vanilla 2 tsp baking powder 4 c all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp salt

Directions: Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, and almond extract; combine well. Beat in baking powder and salt, then stir in the flour. Crush raspberries until they’re 1/3 powder, 2/3 crumbs. Reserve 2-3 tbsp for garnish and add the rest to the dough. After combined, form dough into two balls. Place one between 2 long pieces of plastic wrap and roll out to 1/4 inch thick. Slide it onto a pan and refrigerate one hour. Repeat with the other ball.

Heat oven to 375F. After chilling, remove one sheet of dough. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone. Cut shapes out of dough and place 1 inch apart on the sheet. Bake 7 min. These ideally are golden brown on the bottom but not the edges. Let cool. Continue until dough is gone. To decorate, place cooled cookies over parchment paper. Melt candy according to directions, doing only a handful at a time. Spoon melted candy into the corner of a sandwich bag. Make a small snip in the corner and drizzle over cookies.

Immediately sprinkle with raspberry crumbs and let harden.

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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

Addison with her parents Shannon and Cris Price and brother Andrew Price.

Backstage with Miss Oklahoma

By Maggie Murdock Nichols

In December of 2019, Edmond-native Addison Price represented Oklahoma in the Miss America Pageant.

“To have the support of my community means more to me than I can find words to describe. Honestly, it hasn’t fully set in that it actually happened. I keep waiting to wake up and realize it was all a dream,” Addison says, reflecting on her journey. Addison was chosen as the third runner up and awarded a scholarship. She

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was welcomed home by a cheering crowd at the airport. “I would have loved to bring the title home to Oklahoma, but I know I did my best, and I’m thankful for a Top 5 finish. Getting to come home to Edmond is always a win!”

Edmond was abuzz with excitement on the night of the competition. Addison handled each step with grace, but gave us insight to an unexpected twist: “The competition looked different this year. The celebrity judge panel gave immediate feedback to contestants. We had no idea this was going to happen until they started talking!”

A Moment of Humility and Gratitude

Between a whirlwind of rehearsals, press interviews and filming, Addison recalls a moment that brought it all into perspective: “I will never forget the first night of preliminary competition standing backstage as the show started. Through the curtains rang the voice of Nia Franklin, Miss America 2019,

as she sang the national anthem. Each woman stood proudly with her state’s name across her chest and hand over her heart.

Many of us had tears in our eyes. It was an unspoken moment of humility and gratitude.”

“Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved the thrill of competing. I started competing in dance when I was seven and danced from the time I was three. I get butterflies and nervous energy right before I go on stage, but as soon as I feel the warmth of the lights and see the audience, I feel a sense of peace come over me.”

Addison says hearing her family’s voices cheering loudly above the crowd, deep breaths and prayers also help.

Addison claims to have been a shy child who came to life on stage. “My parents quickly saw the confidence and interpersonal skills I was developing through pageants.” The high value the pageant world places on community service also resonated with the family. “My parents exemplified the value of serving others.”

The platform of Miss Oklahoma has allowed Addison to connect with and advocate for children who have learning differences.

A standout memory for Addison was the opportunity to speak about her social impact initiative, “The Dyslexic Difference,” to students and teachers at her alma maters, Clegern and Cheyenne. Addison attributes her success in overcoming dyslexia to the support she received through Edmond Public School System and to her parents, Shannon and Cris Price.

There are No Days Off

Addison is already halfway through her term as Miss Oklahoma. She says, “Being Miss Oklahoma is 100 times harder than I ever imagined but 1000 times more rewarding than I ever could have hoped for.” Addison went from being a full-time college student living in a sorority house to starting a full-time job, taking a year off from school, and living by herself.

Addison states, “It’s a great honor and responsibility. Whether I’m pumping gas, at the gym, or running to Target, I’m always representing the Miss Oklahoma brand. There are no days off.”

In the spirit of the pageants, Addison gives us a backstage glimpse into her personality. She laughs and says, “I have many quirks or ‘Addi-isms’ I won’t go into those… I do like to get hyped up to the song ‘Baby’s Got Back’. I would call it a guilty pleasure, but I don’t feel guilty!” When asked what she would do with a day off, Addison says, “I am almost embarrassed to admit it, but my days off with no plans or obligations typically consists of an allday Rom-Com movie marathon. If I am feeling really crazy, I will bring out a puzzle. A very typical 20-year-old day, right?”

You can keep up with Addison on Instagram @missamericaok, on Facebook @missoklahoma, or by tuning into her podcast “Living Visible.” Addison expresses gratitude for her Miss America scholarship. She plans to continue her education at Oklahoma State University and to study abroad. Addison says she feels proud to call Edmond home. The feeling is mutual.

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FEATURELOOK

Chef Olivier Bouzerand and Susan Wedel (center) and their Fait Maison team

The French Connection

By Maggie Murdock Nichols

Fait Maison opened its doors in November 2017.

Edmond was abuzz, an award winning French chef had somehow landed in Edmond. What could bring Michelin-rated Chef Olivier Bouzerand to Edmond?

When asked, he’ll smile. This restaurant came to fruition by way of a modern love story.

Research tells us that the digital age has brought about isolation, a disconnect from the people sitting right across the table. This story suggests otherwise. Worlds apart, an unlikely connection would begin through the online game, Clash of Clans.

What began as friendly banter, took a turn when Susan Wedel casually decided to leave her clan. Word got to Susan that she was missed in the clan (by Olivier), so she came back. The two began a private message conversation. The first time they could see each other’s profile, Olivier messaged Susan, “Is that photo really you?” Susan laughs at her response, “Who else would it be?” It’s clear by the way he looks with admiration as she speaks, Olivier was and is taken aback by Susan’s beauty. He’s quiet and serious, but a glance from Susan makes him smile. As their online conversation continued, the two were becoming more than clan members. Susan admits to initial apprehension. She played the game with no intention of meeting anyone, same for Olivier. The odds of the two meeting through this game are incredible, one in a million. A chance has to be taken on odds like that.

After some convincing and an initial visit to Edmond, Susan visited Olivier in France. The two met in Paris and then traveled to Cannes to Olivier’s renowned restaurant Le Mesclun. Susan laughs recounting the first dinner Olivier cooked for her, “Well,

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I knew he was a chef, but I was blown away.” Olivier dreamed of opening a restaurant in America. He considered New York City, L.A., or Miami. He asked Susan to travel with him, help him decide where to open. She said, “Edmond is my home. My life is here.” After hearing Susan’s affinity for her hometown, he considered opening a restaurant in Oklahoma, in Edmond. The couple laughs, “He thought I was some kind of unicorn. I was just so nice. He traveled to Edmond and realized everyone is nice here!” Olivier laughs, “It’s true, that’s the biggest difference. I really like it here.”

When asked about the hard parts of working together as a couple, Susan and Olivier shrug and laugh. Olivier says, “It’s good.” Susan adds, “I’ve learned to let little things go, life is too short.” Susan recalls, “After opening, Olivier said he was going to change the red wine sauce for the beef. I didn’t think it was a good idea. He asserted, ‘I’ll change the sauce’. I brought it up a few more times, then dropped it.” Olivier changed the sauce.

Susan learned to trust the whims of the chef and was pleasantly surprised. Every iteration of the menu has been a new and delicious flavor experience. Sourcing was a challenge and Olivier refused to lower standards. The couple worked together to find the best produce and goods, local when possible. They have learned to compromise when necessary in their relationship, but they won’t compromise when it comes to details at Fait Maison.

It’s clear that Susan and Olivier care about experience, from the tasting menu to the chairs and chandeliers. Fait Maison invites guests to connect and enjoy the ones they’re with. Susan believes, “You could pick this restaurant up and drop it in the middle of France, it would fit right in!” Fait Maison has brought a taste of French culture and cuisine to Edmond. The culmination a stunning atmosphere, impeccable French cuisine, and exceptional service has the ability to transport guests to France, if just for the evening.

For more information go to www.fait-maison-ok.com

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BIZLOOK

Edmond Women’s Club

By Maria Veres

Fighting the February blahs? Edmond Women’s Club (EWC) has the cure. EWC’s annual Hollywood Nights Gala is on February 15th, and you’re invited.

Dinner, Dancing, and More

KFOR’s Joleen Chaney will emcee the event. After a silent auction and cocktail hour, guests will enjoy an elegant dinner featuring tasty drink options, beef tenderloin, chicken, a vegetable medley, and choice of desserts.

The evening includes a live auction, and EWC president Denise Roberts promises that some unusual, enticing items are on offer. “Picture cute, cuddly and furry, but not a cat or koala,” she says. Acclaimed motion sports artist Bill

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Patterson will produce a live painting during the event, which will also be auctioned.

Dancing, casino-style gaming, live entertainment, and a bourbon tasting will make the celebration complete. If you don’t want the party to end, you can stay at the Hilton Garden for a special rate.

Falling on Valentine’s weekend, the gala offers the perfect chance to celebrate close to home. “You don’t have to fight crowds,” says Denise. “Just grab your date, and enjoy a wonderful evening.”

Supporting Local Nonprofits

“The gala is our premier fundraising event,” says Denise. All proceeds go back to the community as scholarships and grants. Some of the many organizations EWC supports include the HOPE Center of Edmond, UR Special Ministries, and Edmond Mobile Meals.

EWC awards new grants annually, and nonprofits must reapply every

Edmond Women’s Club Board of Directors

year. The club’s grants committee carefully reviews each application.

Representatives from many nonprofits who have received grants will attend the gala.

Founded in 1983, Edmond Women’s Club has raised over $3 million for the community. The gala is an opportunity for everyone to be involved in giving back to Edmond. “We put a lot of effort into making each gala better than the prior year,” says Denise. “It’s a fabulous time, and it’s for a great cause.”

The EWC Hollywood Nights Gala will be held at the Edmond Hilton Garden Inn at 6:00 PM on Saturday, February 15th. To learn more or purchase tickets, visit www.ewc.org.

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BIZLOOK

The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

By Maria Veres

New treasures await visitors to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum this year. The Cowboy will host intriguing exhibitions and open an outdoor experiential playscape this spring.

Warhol, Lange & True Grit Exhibitions

Andy Warhol isn’t a name that comes to mind when most people think about Western art. But the legendary artist traveled extensively in the West and found inspiration there. “People will be surprised to know he loved the West, and he wore cowboy boots quite often, sometimes splattered in paint,” says Gina Anderson, Communications Strategist for The Cowboy. Running through May 10th,

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Warhol and the West features art from Warhol’s last major project, Cowboys and Indians. Western objects and works from his personal collection are also on view.

Another stellar exhibition will open February 14th. Dorothea Lange: Politics of Seeing will showcase some of the 20th century’s most unforgettable photographs, paired with quotes and comments from the people Lange photographed. The exhibition will include unedited proof sheets, personal memorabilia, and historic objects.

Movie buffs can enjoy Two Grits: A Peek Behind the Eyepatch, an exhibition contrasting the 1969 and 2010 versions of “True Grit”. Visitors can even see the script copy used by John Wayne, with a doodle on the side of one page along with his Academy Award.

Experiential Learning at its Best

The $15 million dollar expansion will premiere to the public just in time for spring break, March 14th-20th. It’s called Liichokoshkomo’ (pronounced Lee chokosh-ko-MO), a Chickasaw phrase for

“Let’s play!” This hands-on, minds-on space will include an intertribal Native American village, trading post, railcar, indoor event center, and much more.

Something for Everyone

“We foster diversity and showcase the cultural influences that helped build the American West - here everyone is a Cowboy,” says Gina. “The Cowboy’s best loved traditions will continue in 2020 and beyond, including the prestigious Prix de West art show and the Chuck Wagon Festival.

But new exhibitions and events are creating an experience that is inclusive and familycentered.

The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum is located at 1700 NE 63rd Street and online at nationalcowboymuseum.org.

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FEATURELOOK

The Baking Team: Nina Loeffler, Dina Pederson, Cindy Reich, Karen Janjua and Janice Bunas (not pictured: Sharon O’Bright )

Baking Up Friendship

By Amy Dee Stephens

They call themselves The Baking Team. Every Tuesday, six friends gather to mix up batches of desserts with decadent names like Ooey Gooey Butter Cake and Granny Cake. Not for themselves, but for the 240 people receiving food assistance from Mobile Meals of Edmond.

“When you get older, dessert becomes more important. You eat it first,” said Dina Pedersen with a laugh. “A homemade dessert brings them joy. We make a variety of cookie bars and brownies. The clients tell us what they like, and we try to mix it up so that they get new recipes and old favorites.”

It was nearly 13 years ago that Sharon O’Bright and Nina Loeffler first started baking together. Janice Bunas and Dina joined 10 years ago, and then Karen Janjua and Cindy Reich came on five years ago. As mostly stay-at-home moms with children of similar ages, they found comradery that also served a purpose.

Now, this team of six shares a fast friendship, celebrating birthdays and special events, and even going to Disney World together. They build their schedules around the Tuesday baking shift, which always starts with lunch before they report to the Mobile Meals kitchen.

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“The kitchen gets very noisy on Tuesdays, because we are constantly laughing and cackling, and the mixers are going, too,” Cindy said. “We share recipe ideas and trade stories and advice. I always go home feeling good about myself and good about what we’ve done.”

After so many years of weekly baking, they’ve certainly had their share of food disasters. They laugh as they share stories about missing ingredients, equipment malfunctions and food falling to the floor after coming out of the oven. “And believe me, we hear about it if something we make doesn’t taste right!” Karen added. “We had to start using fewer chocolate chips when we got complaints that the chocolate desserts tasted too sweet.”

Friendship is the key ingredient of this team’s longevity, but they are also deeply rooted by their individual beliefs in Mobile Meals. In addition to baking on Tuesdays, each one of these ladies volunteers for a different shift on a different day.

Some drive and deliver meals, some cook, and others prepare weekend trays.

“We love this organization and what it does for the people in our community,” Dina said. “I enjoy delivering the meals and getting to know the people—and they always look forward to our desserts.”

Every week, The Baking Team dishes out over 700 desserts, but they all agree that what they get in return is far sweeter.

“We enjoy each other so much,” Cindy said. “I call it “baking therapy” because we talk about everything while we’re baking--but that part stays in the kitchen!”

To learn more visit www.edmondmobilemeals.org

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ALOOKBACK

Leaving a Legacy

By Louise Tucker Jones

I love a good romance and since this is the “love month,” well…. Enjoy!

They grew up on different sides of the mountain and met at a singing convention. At least that’s how my mother tells the story. She was a 14 year-old beauty and Daddy a strapping 17-year-old. I don’t think my father was nearly as interested in the music as he was in who was attending the event. When the service was over he insisted on walking her home. The dirt roads were muddy from a recent rainfall, and

being the perfect gentleman, he laid his coat over a puddle of water so she wouldn’t get her feet wet. I suspect he carried her across a few also.

After a few more meetings, he let other eligible young men know that my mother was spoken for. Having never known luxury, there was no horse and buggy for “sparking.” Walking or riding horseback was their only mode of transportation and being a bit unorthodox, Mama did the unthinkable for a young woman at that time. She actually rode in the saddle with Daddy, his arms surrounding her, rather than riding behind.

The two became inseparable, so it probably was not a complete surprise when the couple eloped at the ages of 16 and 19. After hearing about the ceremony, my maternal grandfather invited the newlyweds to come home with him.

They accepted, but when they walked into the house, my father found himself staring down the barrel of a shotgun held by an angry mother. Needless to say, he was not invited to spend the night!

And though my mother obliged by staying in her parent’s home as her brand new husband was escorted outside, she didn’t stay long. A few nights later, she wrote a note to her parents, slipped it under her pillow, and ran through the fields by the light of the moon to meet my dad. My paternal grandparents welcomed them into their home then some months later, my mother’s parents did a complete turnaround and asked the young couple to come home. Mama and Daddy accepted the invitation, and my grandparents embraced my father without a trace of animosity, forging a strong, loving relationship that lasted for the rest of their lives.

My parents were married nearly 70 years before my father died just short of his 89th birthday. My 103-year-old mother still cherishes his memory and often wonders why her handsome blue-eyed husband fell in love with a freckled-face girl like her. They raised six children and lived through some of the most difficult times, as well as the most progressive years in history, from riding horseback to air travel, which Daddy compared to a bumpy wagon ride. But most of all they passed on a legacy of love to their children, grandchildren, great-grandkids and great-great grandchildren.

Now that’s a love story!

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

Pilot Alvin Jung prepares for flight.

Pilots Fly to Save Lives

By Amy Dee Stephens

It’s no secret pilots love to fly. Now, a new program allows them to fly with purpose, delivering life-saving blood products to patients across Oklahoma and surrounding areas.

It started one night 18 months ago, when Carvin Brown was up in the middle of the night, driving blood to a patient in critical need. Carvin thought, “There’s got to be a faster way. Speed equals life.” He had an idea. He called Guthrie pilot Stanley Young, and asked him for help.

“I’ll meet you at the airport in fifteen minutes,” Stanley said. They loaded the blood products into Stanley’s plane and delivered within 30 minutes, instead of the three hours it would have taken to drive.

600 Deliveries and Counting

“We now have 35 pilots, both male and female, participating in Flight for Life. We need even more,” said Sundee Busby, volunteer director for the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI).

“We are a grassroot program, but we’ve completed nearly 600 deliveries. That’s saved us many road miles--but the bottom line is patients are getting help more quickly.”

“Pilots, I’ve learned, are always looking for a reason to fly and a chance to stay proficient,” Carvin said. “There’s a term among pilots called the Hundred-Dollar Hamburger. They fly to a place, eat lunch, and fly back. That’s a Hundred-Dollar Hamburger. But now, pilots can choose to fly with a purpose.”

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The program is very pilot-friendly. Participants can sign up to fly a scheduled delivery if they have time or they can be on-call for an unscheduled emergency mission. Not only do the pilots fly in Oklahoma, the OBI provides blood to Little Rock, Arkansas and Amarillo, Texas.

For pilot Stanley, it’s gratifying to help people in need. Three years ago, he learned about OBI’s need, and although he doesn’t fly every day, he flies often. He is met at the airport by an OBI van carrying boxes with the life-saving plasma and platelets. The boxes are loaded, and he takes off.

Meaningful Retirement

“I’m doing something worthwhile with my retirement years,” Stanley said. “I once flew an emergency supply to an expectant mother needing platelets. Although I don’t usually know who is getting the blood, I always know it’s helping somebody.”

Another pilot, Dean Sather, also understands the urgency of their mission. He can’t imagine being a parent with a sick child, waiting hours for a driver to arrive with blood and “hoping my kid makes it through the night.” That’s the reason he chooses to volunteer his time.

“Ask our pilots and they’ll tell you how great they feel about flying with blood products,” Sundee said, “They’ll tell you it’s much more gratifying than going for a Hundred-Dollar Hamburger.”

Visit www.obi.org/about-us/flights-for-life to learn more.

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