Alison and I enjoy scrolling through the news with our morning coffee. A few weeks ago, she was deep into an article about President Jimmy Carter’s remarkable century-long life. She mused aloud, “Wow, 100 years.” I paused mid-sip, equally puzzled and flattered. I gave her a look and asked, “What did you just say?” She repeated— this time slower, with increased volume—“WOW…100… YEARS.” (Married guys of a certain age, you’re probably familiar with this type of delivery). I laughed. “Oh, I thought you said, ‘Wow, I love your ears.’” Now, we’ve exchanged some quirky compliments before, but “I love your ears” cracked us up and has become our go-to when we need a smile. Alison reassures me that love is all about interpretation— and if I choose to hear oddly sweet compliments in our ordinary conversations, so be it. It’s these little moments, these accidental laughs, that make a hundred years feel possible.
Love is patient, love is kind—and sometimes, love needs hearing aids.
Dave Miller Publisher & Back40 Design President
40 Years of Edmond History Museum
By Amy Dee Stephens
The Edmond History Museum made history in January, celebrating its own 40th birthday! What started with a small group of volunteers has grown into a successful institution, creating award-winning exhibits and programs, achieving record attendance numbers in 2024, and housing 43,000 artifacts!
The idea for the museum was born in 1983, as citizens began to anticipate Edmond’s centennial year of 1989. They desired to save Edmond’s pioneer history before too many generations passed and the stories disappeared. The original intent was to foster an understanding and appreciation of Edmond history and to save “items of historical consequence.”
In April 1984, volunteer Quimby Enterline began coordinating the efforts of the newlyformed Edmond Historical Society, and in 1985, the museum officially opened in one room of the original Armory building. The National Guard had operated in the building from 1936 to 1972, but after a new Armory was built on Bryant, the City of Edmond allowed various community-based nonprofits to work in the space.
For the next 10 years, Granger successfully led the museum’s development by gaining financial donors and adding staff. She was assisted by a long list of people, who created the gallery’s footprint and built a foundation of professionalism.
Curator Derek Lee, the museum’s longest-serving employee, was hired in 2013. He crossed paths with many of the museum’s founders. “I’m glad I started when I did, because I got to meet Quimby and many of the early volunteers who cared passionately about saving Edmond’s history,” said Lee. “They clearly had faith in the museum concept and the patience to let it grow over time.”
In 1985 the museum officially opened in one room of the original Armory building.
Operated by a very dedicated group of volunteers, the museum grew and improved. In 1988, an additional room was renovated for displays, just in time for Edmond’s 100th Anniversary. Through the 1990s, the museum gained its first computer, added the genealogy library, and eventually expanded into the entire Armory. In 1991, the Armory was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the first employee, Brenda Granger, was hired as director in 1994.
“I remember entering the big room for the first time, which was totally empty except for a large stage, which took up the north side of the room,” said Granger. “I thought it really had great potential for telling the story of Edmond, its founding, history and people. I told my dad I had a big job ahead of me!”
Lee has witnessed many changes in the last decade. When he was hired, the gallery still had displays up from the 1990s, which he updated. The building underwent renovations to remove asbestos, improve lighting, and reorganize storage areas.
Artifact donations expanded to include modern topics, and in the course of answering hundreds of research requests, Lee’s historical files are increasingly robust.
“After every exhibit, related artifacts surface,” said Lee. “Most recently it’s been wedding dresses, radios, and memorabilia from Edmond High School. I think I’ve gotten better at capturing those items’ stories and then digitizing the information.”
As the museum launches into its next decade, Lee hopes to make more of Edmond’s history available online, accessible by everyone. Granger, who watches from the sidelines as the Director of the Oklahoma Museum Association, is proud to see her once-empty Armory fulfilling its purpose, fostering an appreciation of Edmond’s history. “It’s grown beyond my wildest dreams,” said Granger.
Visit EdmondHistory.org for further information.
Curator Derek Lee and Michael Schwarz of Abandoned Oklahoma
The Fried Taco A Flavor Fiesta with an Island Twist
By Laura Beam
Just when you thought tacos couldn’t get any better…they did! At The Fried Taco, a celebration of bold, tangy flavors inspired by Puerto Rican and Caribbean traditions light up the menu. Since owners Ruben and Kristal Pacheco started their food truck in 2016, then opened their first restaurant in Midtown OKC in 2019, and opened their Edmond restaurant at The Icehouse Project in 2022, they have wowed customers with deliciously unexpected flavors and combos. Think slow-simmered meats, vibrant salsas, creamy sauces, and crisp slaws–all wrapped in golden, fried-to-perfection tortillas. It’s a party in a shell. Signature items like the Slow-Simmered Brisket Taco with white BBQ sauce and purple Sriracha slaw, and the Old Fashioned Ground Beef Taco reinvented with Puerto Rican seasoned ground beef, remain staples, while several new items have quickly become fan faves.
The new Puerto Rican Rice Bowl is a hearty, flavorful dish featuring a choice of carne asada, carne frita (pork), or shredded chicken served on a bed of Puerto Rican arroz con gandules (rice and beans). Topped with pickled red onion, mango guacamole, and a crispy, freshly fried tostone (plantain), this bowl brings the authentic tastes of the Caribbean to life. Another newcomer, the Cali Burrito, is a huge burrito stuffed with carne asada meat, Cali-seasoned fries, mango guacamole, and avocado tomatillo crema–yum! Served with a side of chips and salsa, this bold, super-satisfying dish has a West Coast vibe.
Let’s Taco 'Bout Catering
Forget the basics next time you’re planning a gathering and spice it up instead! For 10 to 200 guests, The Fried Taco’s buffet-style setup can be customized for a variety of tastes and styles. Start with a lineup of meats, cheeses, toppings, sides, and all the fixins for tacos, nachos, or rice bowls. “Catering has a slightly different setup than standard ordering at the restaurant,” Kristal explains. “While the meats and shells are still freshly prepared in-house, customers assemble the tacos themselves, adding meat, toppings, and sauces. This interactive, versatile style is a hit with customers since it allows guests to mix and match ingredients to create their own tacos, nachos, rice bowls, and taco salads to suit their tastes.” Gluten-free, vegan, and other special dietary meals are available too. The Fried Taco’s experienced staff provides delivery and setup of food, as well as offering the restaurant for private event space. For spur-of-the-moment fun, their Taco Take-Home packs keep the party going any time, anywhere!
If Tacos Were a Soul Mate…
Valentine’s Day at The Fried Taco is a festive affair. “Each year, customers are excited to enjoy our signature heart-shaped tortilla chips and our fun, heartshaped salsa bowls,” Kristal comments. These creative touches make dining extra special for couples, families, and friends. February also marks the third anniversary of their Edmond location, and the Pachecos are deeply grateful for the support they have received from the community. “We love our Edmond friends and neighbors,” Kristal shares. “Partnering with Edmond Public Schools for fundraising events is one of the ways we enjoy giving back.”
Visit The Fried Taco at 119 W. 2nd St. at The Icehouse Project in Edmond or 308 NW 10th at the Collective Food Hall in Midtown OKC. For more about catering and food truck bookings, visit thefriedtaco.com.
LAURA BEAM
Account Executive, editor, and writer with experience in radio, newspaper and magazines. Interested in what Outlook can do for your business? Contact her at laura@edmondoutlook.com
Manager Ronnie Swaffer and Owner Ruben Pacheco
Kim & Nathan Lost at Sea, Bound by Love
By Taylor Bollinger
There’s nothing like being stranded in the middle of the ocean to put wedding vows to the test. Edmond couple, Kim and Nathan Maker swam right past “sickness and health” and straight to “sink or swim” when they were left alone for 40 hours in the Gulf of Mexico following a scuba diving excursion gone awry. Their biggest takeaway from the harrowing experience? They wouldn’t have survived without each other.
A Dive Unlike Any Other
When they left the shores of Freeport, Texas, it was supposed to be just another dive to add to their list of five-hundred-andsomething journeys into the deep. “The water was clear, but the current was fierce,” Kim recalled. Divers ahead of them had struggled, and as Kim and Nathan were ascending, another diver was pulled away from the line. “Nathan was able to grab her and pull her back to the rope, but in doing so, he lost his grip and was unable to get back.”
Kim reached for him, and lost her grip as well. And from that moment, they were in it together. “We didn’t panic, we tethered ourselves together using some of our dive equipment, and we made a plan,” she recalled. “We’ve been in tough conditions before. Diving is what we love to do together.”
Still, their experience wasn’t enough to fight the ocean. They inflated their buoy and waited. Ten hours passed. The boat searched but never found them. “I was in denial for the first half,” Kim said. “I thought, ‘They’ll come get us. No big deal.’ Even when the coast guard plane flew by, I thought, ‘That’s for us.’”
Lost But Together
As the sun set, worry crept in. “Nathan, the eternal optimist, did his best to keep things light,” Kim said. “We told jokes, sang songs from Sunday school as kids, told stories about our childhood, and planned the cocktails we’d make once we were home.”
But things only became more bleak. Both Nathan and Kim experienced extreme illness and suffered from dehydration. A
violent storm struck. Nathan experienced hallucinations. Swimming efforts became futile, and plane after plane passed them by. But Kim and Nathan are experts in spotting silver linings.
“Even in the worst circumstances, we were able to really appreciate some aspects,” Kim said. “At one point we were swimming through bioluminescence. You would just run your hand through the water and it would light up.” She also shared what they called “their own personal Seaworld experience.”
I know for a fact I wouldn’t have survived without him.
“A pod of maybe a dozen dolphins showed up. They were swimming around us and jumping. We were so depleted, and yet we were so happy in that moment.”
These lighter memories help brighten the darker aspects of their experience. “We had already had the conversation on what we would do if one of us couldn't make it,” Kim said. “We had a plan. We knew how we wanted things to go. It’s not a talk you imagine having, but we didn’t have a lot of hope at that point.”
Night fell for a second time, and the couple heard what they thought was the last Coast Guard plane passing by. Then, they heard boats. They used their flashlights to send SOS signals, and finally – if a bit slower than seen in a blockbuster film – they were found. They were rescued 15 miles off the Texas coast.
The details of the Makers’ time at sea and subsequent rescue could, and probably should, fill a book. There would be chapters on the survival choices that saved them, the heroes that rescued them, and the safety gear they say every diver should carry. But every page would carry the themes of true partnership and love.
“I know for a fact I wouldn’t have survived without him,” Kim said. Nathan agreed, adding, “Life throws you curveballs, but if there’s one thing I know, it’s that we’re not giving up. Not on each other. Not ever.”
Kim and Nathan Maker
Strength Forged in Tragedy
By Mustafa Kujo
Six years after suffering the worst tragedy of his life, Aaron Hudgins has come to understand and appreciate the event he wished had never happened. “Without it, I wouldn’t be the man I am today,” he says. “I’m just grateful with where I am.”
Aaron enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 1997. In 1999 he deployed to Moore for the F5 tornado disaster response, then in 2000 to Bosnia for peacekeeping operations, and in 2007 to Iraq on a combat deployment. After 13 years in the infantry, he transferred to Oklahoma National Guard Headquarters where he met Jari, who he calls JJ, and later married.
Hearing the Call of Duty
Jari was a Staff Sergeant in the Guard with two deployments, to Iraq and Afghanistan. When they married, she was ready to stay stateside for the rest of her career. But, as her unit prepared to deploy again, she felt called to go and trained to become the first woman in Oklahoma to earn the infantry badge. In 2017 however, she broke her hip and femur in a training accident. Her recovery was excruciating.
“JJ had to learn to walk all over again,” says Aaron. “While she rehabilitated in El Paso, I was busy taking care of the five children in our blended family.”
When Jari returned home, she lived with chronic pain, walking with a severe limp. It was emotionally draining for a soldier who had only months before undergone grueling infantry training. Then she was told that due to her injuries, she would be medically retired from the Army. She became depressed and in April 2018, Jari died from suicide.
Aaron’s world collapsed. “The emotional roller coaster that comes with a tragedy like this is unbearable.” For the next few years, he focused on taking care of his children, went back to school for a degree at OU, and retired from the Army. But he knew he needed more help. Then he responded to an email out of the blue from the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) to participate in a survivor expedition. “The whole survivor world was new to me, but I decided to try it.”
"If Not Me, Then Who?"
First Lieutenant Travis Manion was a Recon Marine killed by an Afghan sniper in 2007. In 2008, his family formed the TMF, their ethos driven by Travis’ response when asked why he was deploying again; “If not me, then who?”
The survivor’s expedition changed Aaron. “It was so therapeutic… their focus was on teaching us how to thrive, find meaning, make an impact, and focus on relationships while helping others.” Later, Aaron’s eldest son, Josh, went on a survivor expedition to Puerto Rico. When he returned, he told his father, “We need to form a Travis Manion chapter in Edmond. We need to build a legacy for JJ!”
One of their first projects was to conduct a remembrance for Specialist James Wickliff-Chacin, a 2010 graduate of Edmond Santa Fe, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2013. “We had the whole Santa Fe soccer team participate in the service where we talked about the importance of character,” states Aaron. James’ mother attended and was moved to tears. She immediately volunteered to help Aaron and Josh set up the TMF chapter. Aaron adds “Today, we have eight volunteers I can call on anytime. Our goal is to focus on youth mentoring and monthly community service projects.”
Aaron and Josh are driven by their desire to honor Jari’s legacy. “JJ was a proud member of the Caddo nation, with a warrior spirit and a desire to serve," Aaron says. “That’s how I want the world to remember her and why I’m doing my part to serve Edmond.”
To learn more go to travismanion.org.
Aaron Hudgins with photo of Jari
Puerto Rico Survivor Expedition
Miracle Method Surface Refinishing of OKC
What household surfaces can be refinished?
Miracle Method refinishes a variety of household surfaces, including:
• Bathtubs: Porcelain, fiberglass, acrylic, cultured marble, and clawfoot tubs.
• Countertops: Laminate, Formica® , tile, solid surfaces (such as Corian® , Silestone®, etc.), and cultured marble.
• Ceramic Tile: Walls, countertops, shower pans, showers, and floors.
• Concrete: Garage floors, patios, and other surfaces.
What are the benefits of refinishing versus replacing?
Refinishing is a cost-effective alternative to replacing worn, damaged, or outdated bathtubs, countertops, and tiles. It repairs chips and cracks while restoring surfaces to look and feel brand new. Unlike replacements, our process eliminates the need for demolition, reducing cost, mess, and downtime.
In addition to improving appearance, our refinishing process seals surfaces, making them easier to clean. Say goodbye to porous grout lines and unsightly seams, and enjoy a durable, low-maintenance finish that lasts for years.
Do refinished surfaces look "painted"?
Not at all! A refinished bathtub with the Miracle Method process boasts a high-gloss finish that closely resembles new porcelain. Most people cannot tell the difference between a brand new bathtub and a refinished one.
Refinished countertops mimic the appearance of new laminate, and when enhanced with Natural Accents®, they achieve the premium look of natural stone or surfaces like Silestone®.
Owner Todd and Shonda Mattoon
How long does it take?
• Bathtubs: A standard-sized bathtub in good condition takes about 3 to 5 hours to refinish and is usually ready to use within 12 hours.
• Countertops: Most countertops are completed in a day, with larger kitchens requiring up to a day and a half.
• Shower Stalls: Typically finished in one day. Tiled showers may take an additional day for cleaning and preparation before resurfacing.
• Full Bathroom Resurfacing: Projects that include the tub, wall tile, vanity, and floor are generally completed in 4 to 5 days. Miracle Method ensures high-quality results with minimal disruption.
What types of repairs can you do before refinishing?
We provide professional repair services to restore various materials, such as:
• Bathtubs: Porcelain, fiberglass, acrylic, and marble. Chips and cracks are seamlessly repaired for a smooth finish.
• Countertops: Minor damage, including chips and scorch marks, can be repaired before refinishing.
• Tiles: Missing grout is replaced, and the refinishing process seals the grout to enhance durability and ease of cleaning.
Our repair and refinishing process ensures surfaces are restored to their original beauty and performance.
How durable is the finish, and does it require special care?
With proper maintenance, a refinished surface by Miracle Method can last 10 to 15 years or more. The MM-4 bonding agent creates a strong, chemical bond between the original surface and the new finish, ensuring exceptional durability.
Care is simple: avoid abrasive cleaners, and your refinished surfaces will maintain their beauty and functionality for years to come.
We welcome you to visit our showroom and experience the difference refinishing can make! To learn more, contact us today.
Before After
Taryn Rogers
Taryn’s Wild Spade Every Hat Tells a Story
By Taylor Bollinger
Edmond mom Taryn Rogers, an advertising professional and business owner, wears many hats—literally. Her company, Wild Spade Hat Bar, specializes in custom, hand-shaped cowboy and wide-brim hats. And it's taking the state by stylish storm.
As Taryn transitioned from full-time advertising executive to stay-at-home mom, she quickly realized she needed an outlet that would allow her to use her professional skills and passion for creating. It wasn’t long before inspiration struck.
"I had seen these custom hats in Nashville and Fort Worth. They were so cute and fun, and I thought, 'I want one of these for myself.'" Taryn began experimenting, picking up a hat, and letting her creativity flow. "I started playing around with it and thought, 'I want to try this here in Oklahoma.' But I wanted to add something more than just decorations."
I love bringing that personal connection to each design.
Determined to elevate her craft, Taryn discovered a hatshaping school in Denver. "It was this full hat-shaping program for old Western styles plus contemporary trends," she says. “I had been doing pop-ups for trucker hats for about a year and saved enough to go learn in Denver."
After a week of intense learning, Taryn returned home, ready to hit the ground running. "I already had things booked when I got back. I kept doing pop-ups, and within a couple of months, the interest grew so much that I opened a storefront in Norman this past August.”
Her Campus Corner location has been such a success, Taryn has made a move on a Stillwater location. “This is really special to me as a proud OSU alum," she said. But thanks to digital reach – and her captivating content – Wild Spade Hat Bar reaches far outside of Oklahoma’s borders.
“We were invited to create hats for the CMA Awards. We set up a pop-up at the Sony Record Label party, and now there are celebrities like Megan Moroney who are wearing our custom creations. That’s really cool to see,” she said. “Another fun project was for OSU President, Casey Shrum when she needed the perfect hat for homecoming.'"
Taryn’s background in advertising has undoubtedly given her an edge. "My background gave me the skills to create our brand and online presence we needed, and my team of girls help keep me young with what's cool online.”
Taryn says the best part is the personal connection that comes with creation. "It’s not a fast process. Every time I create a hat from scratch for someone, we end up talking for a while. Often, the hats represent something sentimental. I once branded a design for a woman whose daughter had passed away. Every hat tells a story. When they leave, I know so much about their lives."
Wild Spade Hat Bar accepts walk-ins, but customers can also schedule appointments to ensure Taryn is personally available. "I have all the blank hat selections on the wall. They try them on, pick a color, and we dive into customization – measuring heads, choosing bands, fabrics, metal bands, pins, cards, and feathers. If they want burning on the brim or crown, we do that, and then I handle the final branding. It’s 100% their vision, and I just bring it to life."
Even at pop-ups, the process remains intimate. "It’s the same experience but on a smaller scale. Every hat is crafted with care, and I love bringing that personal connection to each design."
Find Taryn online at wildspadehatbar.com or on Instagram @WildSpadeHatBar.
Monkeys are so cute, especially babies. Their human-like faces are endearing, innocent, and intelligent, deceiving people into thinking that monkeys would make charming pets. Once the cuteness wears off, however, most people find themselves in dramatic or dangerous situations.
“Primates like to explore, climb, tear things up, and exhibit other behaviors people see as aggressive,” said Tim Ajax, sanctuary director at Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary in Newcastle. “Frankly, people with good intentions soon find themselves with an uncontrollable animal that is destructive or bites. So, the monkey gets moved into a cage, and the behavior grows worse.”
Providing Refuge & Shelter
T he Role of Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary
By Amy Dee Stephens
Ajax has dedicated three decades to caring for exotic animals rescued from the pet trade. He got his start in Texas during the 1990s, when it was popular to keep big cats, like mountain lions or jaguars. Eventually cities enacted regulations against housing big cats, so then, the primate trade took off.
Primate Problems
According to Ajax, “Owning monkeys is legal in many states, but breeders literally pry a weeksold baby away from its mother, so the baby is traumatized from the beginning. Many monkeys then develop the same heartbreaking behaviors that highly-traumatized children develop, such as biting or hitting themselves or other abnormal behaviors.”
Ajax wishes his job didn’t exist, but the need is great. Pet-trade primates cannot be returned to the wild because they don’t “act” like primates. Their improper social behaviors are not accepted by their wild counterparts, who usually chase them away, injure or even kill them.
The sanctuary, founded in the 1990s, has outdoor enclosures housing 96 individual animals, representing 15 species of primates. Experienced staff manage the primates’ health and provide enrichment. For a job that can sometimes seem sad, the staff view every rescued monkey as a success.
“We can’t give them the wild lifestyle they were denied, but we provide them a more natural and enriching environment than they had,” Ajax said. “We don’t play with them. They aren’t our friends or buddies. We don’t sell, trade, buy, breed, or display them. This is simply their home.”
Nikki’s Story
Ajax is gratified when any monkey shows evidence of improved behavior, by getting along with another monkey or showing interest in the great outdoors. He has fond memories of an extremely old Japanese Macaque named Nikki, who was rescued from the home of a deceased owner.
“Nikki was living in a parrot cage covered with feces, and she had a huge mass on her leg,” Ajax said. “After the mass was removed, she was put in an outdoor enclosure. It was probably her first outdoor experience, her first time to sit on grass, hear a bird or see a butterfly. Surprisingly, she even had successful interactions with another monkey.”
“Although Nikki passed away peacefully several years later, I can say that she had some time in the sun and the rain, and she had a better quality of life in her final years.”
Sanctuary Improvements
The Primate Sanctuary is trying to upgrade and expand its operations. Decade-old enclosures need refurbishing, and the site has reached full capacity. Without state or government funding, it operates solely on grants and donations.
Above all, Ajax encourages people to avoid primates as pets. “It’s easy to fall for the cute baby monkeys, but please consider a cute shelter dog or cat instead. Hopefully, someday, primate shelters won’t be needed any longer.”
Visit OkPrimates.org or OkPrimates on Facebook and Instagram to learn more.
We can’t give them the wild lifestyle they were denied, but provide a more natural and enriching environment than they had.
There’s so much to love about Braum’s An Affair of the Heart. It’s a time to gather with friends and family, support small businesses, and purchase unique handcrafted items you won’t find anywhere else. Celebrating 40 years of joyful gatherings, the locally owned event will hold its first 2025 show this month.
Bringing the Community Together
Held at the OKC Fairgrounds, Braum’s An Affair of the Heart features a vibrant mix of local and national vendors. The lineup changes with every event but always includes familiar
faces. The upcoming February show has three buildings filled with vendors, so don’t forget to wear your walking shoes! Oklahomans of all ages look forward to attending with their loved ones every year. It’s not unusual to find three or even four generations of shoppers enjoying the event as a family. Friends and church groups often attend together as well.
Celebrating 40 Years
The event began as a small craft show in OKC in 1985. It quickly grew into a beloved local tradition. The show expanded to Tulsa ten years later, and there are now five events every year— three in Oklahoma City and two in Tulsa.
Founded by eight local women with a passion for supporting small businesses, Braum’s An Affair of the Heart is still managed by four of the original founders. Braum’s became the presenting sponsor in 2019.
Fortieth anniversary festivities will include free commemorative bags for the first few shoppers each day, as well as other surprises and giveaways. Check the Braum’s An Affair of the Heart
website and Facebook and Instagram pages for updates.
Braum’s An Affair of the Heart will take place Feb. 7-9, 2025 at the OKC Fairgrounds. Additional 2025 OKC shows are June 13-15 and Oct. 17-19. Learn more at aaoth.com.
Eleanor Blakeman, Lois Rogers, Susie Crews, and Anita Hinkle
Neptune Society Cremation Services
By Maria Veres
As more Oklahomans choose cremation as their preferred end-of-life option, Neptune Society has built a reputation as a trusted and respected provider. Matthew R. Boydstun, Neptune Society’s Service Manager and Funeral Director, is proud to offer this alternative to families seeking simplicity, compassion and economy in making final arrangements.
Serving the Community with Care
The loss of a loved one is never easy, and there are many details to manage during such a challenging time. Neptune Society is here to ease anxiety, answer questions, and guide families through every step of the planning process. Matt strives to make this time as simple and stress-free as possible.
A Simple and Flexible Choice
Cremation offers an affordable alternative to burial, with the added benefit of flexibility in how remains can be handled. "Cremation provides a wide array of options," says Matt. "Families can choose to keep their loved ones close in treasured keepsakes, scatter at meaningful locations, place at a local or national cemetery, and/ or send a small portion of the ashes into space!"
No matter the choice, Neptune Society is here to ensure your wishes are carried out with dignity and respect. Neptune Society is available 24/7, with a dedicated team that assists families in making arrangements. In addition, families have access to grief resources including their Compassion Helpline® staffed by professional counselors, as well as a permanent online memorial where families can share their loved one’s story and photos and friends can add their memories and express condolences.
Prearranging for Peace of Mind
One of the most thoughtful steps individuals can take to ease the burden on their loved ones is to prearrange their cremation services. Pre-planning not only locks in current prices, protecting against
future cost increases, but it also ensures that your wishes are clear and respected.
“Pre-planning really takes a huge burden off families,” Matt explains. “It gives everyone peace of mind knowing the arrangements are taken care of, no matter where life takes you.”
Neptune Society even offers flexible, monthly payment plans for those looking to prearrange their services. For those who move, rest assured that your prearranged plans are transferable to any Neptune Society location nationwide. And their Away from Home Protection Plan covers you no matter where in the world you might pass away.
Neptune Society is located at 3248 S Broadway, Suite 160, Edmond. You can phone them at (405) 562-6177, or visit online at neptunesociety.com for more information.
Matthew R. Boydstun
Uncommon Art
By Taylor Bollinger
Josh Brooks didn’t go looking for artistic acclaim. Instead, it walked right into his Edmond shop when a representative of Uncommon Ground, Edmond’s upcoming sculpture park, asked for his collaboration.
“We started talking about projects for the park, and I was given the freedom to develop an idea for 12 sculptures in total,” Josh said, explaining that the steel sculptures are not a far departure from the work he’s been doing for 12 years at Precision Automotive Development.
After graduating from Oklahoma Christian University with a degree in business and art, Josh opened the shop best known as “The PAD OKC.” There, he and his team produce top-tier automotive welding and fabrication, sought by local car legends like the 405 Guys and featured on shows like the Discovery Channel’s “Street Outlaws.”
“It was a pretty natural transition from the artistic work we do on cars to the artistry required for these sculptures,” Josh said. “It might not be what most people would automatically consider ‘art,’ but the visual component of cars is huge. Our work turns functionality into art.”
“For this project, I had a couple of reference pictures to start from. But for the actual build process I worked directly on the sculptures,” Josh said of the creative process. And since the sculptures needed to be installed in dry ponds, his timeline was short. “It took a little over a month to complete all 12 sculptures while running my fabrication shop full time.”
Future visitors can look for Josh’s work, “The Water Dancers.” The twelve colorful humanoid shapes, ranging from seven to 12 feet tall, will appear to dance across Uncommon Ground’s three water features. Six are made of plate steel,
Artist Josh Brooks
six from tube steel, and all are built to last generations.
“These 12 sculptures started with raw sticks of plate, bar, and tube steel,” Josh explained. “They were then cut into appropriate sizes and hand fit into each other with various hand tools and then welded. Next there was a lot of grinding, sanding, and polishing to get a smooth, clean finish for primer and paint.”
Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park Executive Director Melissa Pepper expressed her excitement about Josh’s contribution: “Josh is a true Renaissance man. His pipe and steel sculptures are not only visually striking, but they also reflect the virtues of art, work, and play.”
“I love Edmond and so being able to contribute these creations back to the city is an honor,” Josh said. “And of course, it’s cool to think that 20 years from now I can take my kids and grandkids and say, ‘Yeah, daddy built those back in the day.’”
Though Josh never expected his passion for art and his profession to intersect in this way, he welcomes the opportunity and all that could follow. “Maybe I could have already put more art pieces into the world if I’d tried,” he reflected. “But I like to believe things in life happen when and how they are supposed to. So I’m excited to see where this might lead.”
Uncommon Ground is set to open in the fall of 2026. Until then, car connoisseurs and art lovers can follow Josh’s work on Instagram @ThePadOKC or online at thepadokc.com.
The twelve colorful humanoid shapes, ranging from seven to 12 feet tall, will appear to dance across Uncommon Ground’s three water features.
Heart-Keepers
By Louise Tucker Jones
February is sometimes called the “Love Month” with Valentine’s Day bringing elaborate marriage proposals. I once saw a movie with a young couple at a ritzy restaurant and the young lady found an engagement ring in her glass of champagne. Wow! If that’s the norm, my late husband, Carl and I missed the memo. I definitely got a heart-shaped box of chocolates, but we were way too poor for champagne and fancy restaurants while dating in college. And about those extravagant proposals, Carl slipped an engagement ring on my finger in the parking lot at Northeastern State College just hours after purchasing it at a local jeweler. Having been drafted into the U.S. Army, he was leaving the next day for Basic
Training and wanted me to have a ring on my finger before he left. Talk about romance! Though I was proud of the ring, I was devastated that we would be apart for some weeks.
A few months later we were married in a little Army chapel, just hours before Carl deployed overseas to a place I couldn’t go. When Valentine’s Day came around, I sent my new husband a lovely, romantic card, but I also sent him a letter with a couple of small, heart-shaped hard candies included which said, “I Love You” on them. He let me know that the letter with the cute little hearts was opened to check for contraband. A fun memory that kept us exchanging those heart-shaped “I Love You” candies every Valentine’s Day.
But of all the gifts I received from my late husband on Valentine’s Day, what I treasured most were the cards with his written sentiments. The same with my kids. I cherish all those sweet, handmade valentines my children made for me through the years with messy block writing on the back. I call them “Heart-Keepers.” My son, Aaron keeps up the tradition of sending a Valentine’s Day card with a sweet, hand-written
note to his mom, knowing how much it means to me.
So, yes, definitely celebrate on Valentine’s Day, and be sure to make some beautiful memories. They just might become “Heart-Keepers.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Louise Tucker Jones is an award-winning author, inspirational speaker & founder of Wives With Heavenly Husbands, a support group for widows. LouiseTJ@cox.net or LouiseTuckerJones.com.
a look back Valentine's Day 1956
Valentine's Day at Edmond High School, 1956. Maggie Overholser was crowned EHS basketball queen on Valentine's Day in 1956. Although not normally associated with Valentine's Day, EHS incorporated a Valentine's Day theme into its basketball court because the ceremony fell on Valentine's Day.
