February/March 2015 by Etown Magazine

Creative Exchange

H. Holden Oklahoma Hall of Fame Inductee

Miss Rodeo

Oklahoma 2015

E Etown • 227 W. Broadway • Enid, OK 73701

Sylvan Reynolds

PAID

Permit No. 2000 Oklahoma City, OK

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage

TUNES

Annie May Phillips 90 years young, Annie Mae Phillips is a familiar face within the Enid community, former driver of the Wheatheart Nutrition bus for 18 years, longtime member of the First Missionary Baptist Church and staunch supporter and volunteer for the Southern Heights Community. To many, she is a smiling hero and to her family, she is an angel. Annie May Phillips married her true love upon his return from serving his country in the United States Army. Sherman Phillips and Annie welcomed six children to Enid, and both Sherman and Annie exemplified love for community and family. For the 18 years in which Annie drove the Wheatheart Nutrition bus, Sherman would happily substitute for her if Annie was unable to drive. Both Sherman and Annie were heroes to their children, complementing each other in every aspect of life. Sherman passed in 2001, but Annie continues to serve others for the both of them. Annie’s passion to spread community and family was always evident in her volunteerism for the Southern Heights Community, as she sponsored an outside musical and helped lead the way for a parade to benefit food shelters and clothes for those in need. She has received awards and plaques from the area, thanking her for her continued support. Daughter Miss Marsha says of her mom, “My mother is truly a beautiful lady. Her motto is, ‘love, sharing, and caring.’ She always tells us to pray for everyone, because you never know what a person is going through.”

E contents Febr uar y/March 2015

A century of service

giving an old home new life

Miss rodeo oklahoma 2015

ETunes: sylvan reynolds

creative exchange

get ‘in the mood’ to dance

the men who wish to be mayor

This year Enid’s oldest independent family owned funeral home will be celebrating its 100th year of service to Enid and surrounding areas.

With just the flick of a wrist and a few minutes of anxious anticipation the call of an auctioneer can change your life.

A northwest Oklahoma native will spend 2015 representing Oklahoma’s rich history and rich future in a very special way.

Sylvan Reynolds doesn’t have many regrets in his 66 years of life but there is one that comes to mind.

For prototypical solitary working artist and man-of-few-words Harold T. Holden, a tailor-made opportunity to mentor aspiring young artists has taken shape in recent years.

This will be his first turn leading an orchestral group, but he’s been playing the bass in various jazz bands for 30 years.

Stability is a word that seems to sum up Bill Shewey’s life. He has stayed the course on whatever he has done and is a candidate for re-election as Enid’s mayor. Ward 6 City Commissioner David Vanhooser, M.D., has tossed his hat into the ring for Enid Mayor.

February/March 2015 Volume 9, Number 1 Managing Director Frank Baker Art Director ThéOtis Pace Project Coordinator Lynne Benkendorf Etown Promotions Director Cathy Nulph Writers Candace Krebs Robert Barron Jacque Hince Cathy Nulph Trina Walker Liz Cady Elaine Bigge Skylar Osburn Eric Castillo Photographers Nancy Killam Kelly Killam Cammeron Kaiser Dawn Muncy Kayla Waldrop Lisa White Tana Garrison Ownbey Photography Account Executive Cathy Nulph Cover Harold T. Holden Photographer: Ownbey Photography

SUGGESTIONS Do you have an idea for future stories for Etown? We’re always looking for good ideas of people and places to feature. If you have a suggestion give us a call at 580-548-8186 or e-mail fbaker@eaglemkt.com.

says Matt. to the business,” l ta en m ru st in s t everything ar Enid’ would be to pu pe This ye ho y “M ily take care of ent fam me about how to ht oldest independ ug ta he be ples moving home will d use those exam an owned funeral le op pe of 100th year celebrating its forward.” ofessionals and surrounding ads a staff of 9 pr le t at M service to Enid . H . Secretary in 1915 by H. r the community fo g rin areas. Founded ca in n with the enninger-Hinso ksa has been Fu a Henninger, H ilm W ed ed funeral e has provid ce 1959. Licens sin ny pa Funeral Hom m co l na eri Haines of exceptio d embalmer K an or ct five generations re di t. us inson for ssion and tr ith Henninger-H w en be service, compa s ha l ra ages the ner and fune w and also man no s ar ye As current ow 8 n so yrd is a ge, Matt Hin rentice Brent B pp A e. director in char fic of re counselor r the quality ca and insurance ed ne continues to offe epr t ea licensed at his great-gr a soon to be so al is and service th d an er embalmer. “We . H. Henning ral director and grandfather H ne fu oyees here,” ury ago. me great empl so provided a cent ve ha up ailable 24 Hinson grew t. “We are av at M As a child, ys sa e th week to working in y, seven days a da a s ur with his family ho e th pport to grateful for comfort and su e id business and is ov pr ily m .” rry on the fa eir time of need opportunity to ca to families in th le neral ab Fu g in be n is so goal ninger-Hin en H tradition. “Our ey th services, needs whatever offers funeral e om H meet people’s ue in services “We want to cont and memorial n io at em cr are,” says Matt. . H . ices. Over me service that H l as military serv el w as to provide the sa , 15 19 received ted back in the building has s ar ye e th Henninger star .” on uding a e family traditi of updates incl ty rie va a keeping up th en be pril 2000 ther Brian had e remodel in A et pl m Matt and his fa co s es sin families ners in the bu r accommodate tte be working as part to g in ss funeral fter Brian’s pa visitation and th bo r since 2006. A fo r. ne became sole ow es. in 2014, Matt as very servic “My dad w

For more information on Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home, call 580-233-1700, visit www. enidwecare.com, or stop by and visit them at 601 West Broadway in Enid.

TESTIMONIALS: “The Henninger-Hinson staff are like a beam of light at a time of darkness. Their kind words and professionalism really comfort families. They made sure that our loved ones were taken care of with the upmost respect and integrity.” -Conrady Family

every day, “These people deal with death al and very yet they are very profession you are, they personable. No matter who e care of the treat you like family and tak details.” –Bonnie McBee

Junior Welfare League Annual Charity Gala Photos by Tana Garrison

1. Jamie McGuire

6. Maisie Hinrichs; Julia Voth

2. Sara Curttright

7. Greg Leap; Lori Leap

3. Calvin Carr; Stephanie Carr; Diane Feightner; Michelle & Mike Adams, Jeff Abbott

8. Sharon Trojan

4. Susan and Ed Vineyard

10. Virginia and John Groendyke

5. Jeanice Manning, Tana Garrison

11. Linda and Phil Outhier

9. Becky and Paul Woodward

On December 13th, Enid’s Junior Welfare League hosted their 11th Annual Charity Gala at Enid Convention Hall. The Venetian Masquerade themed event featured a variety of gourmet hors d’oeuvres from Panevino as well as live music from the Stars Band. Silent and live auctions also took place with exciting items such as jewelry, trips to Cancun and Napa Valley, sporting event tickets, and a “Bucket List” package that included a hot air balloon ride, tandem skydiving and scuba diving lessons. 4

Due to the kindness of the Enid community, the Charity Gala has become a highly successful fundraiser, allowing JWL to disburse over $292,000 to 31 local nonprofit organizations in the community over the past ten years. Funds raised at this year’s event will benefit Enid organizations such as 4R Kids Foundation, Hope Outreach Tea, Sandbox Learning Center, Enid Kiwanis Club, Loaves and Fishes as well as a variety of Junior Welfare League programs. 5

This year, members of the Junior Welfare League of Enid created a JWL Legacy Award to honor an honorary or sustaining member of the Junior Welfare League of Enid who has provided many years of extraordinary service following her tenure of active membership with the organization. The first recipient of the inaugural JWL Legacy Award was Gail Wynne. This award is recognition of Gail’s countless hours she has given to the community as a Junior Welfare League of Enid member.

Giving an Old Home New Life. By Trina Walker

With just the flick of a wrist and a few minutes of anxious anticipation the call of an auctioneer can change your life. Dream homes do not always come move-in ready with a welcome mat on the front porch. Sometimes you have to squint a little and scratch your head to see the potential hidden deep, deep, deep within. I had always dreamed of living in a big farm house with a wrap-around porch and lots of character. When a friend told me Wiggins Auctioneers was auctioning a home near her I wanted to see what it looked like inside. I had driven by this home for years and always thought how nice it could be if it was fixed up. The 1933 farmhouse had been moved from Enid in the late 1970â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Its original location was at the corner of Garland and Chestnut. I walked into the open house as a curious observer and I walked out totally head-over heels in love. The first thing I did was call my mom babbling like a giddy school girl about what an awesome house it was. Neither my husband nor myself really expected to buy this house. With a mix of joy and shock we found ourselves with the final bid. We were now home ownersâ&#x20AC;Śwhat were we thinking? Yes, you had to look past some interesting design choices to see the great bones. I tried to be objective about issues in old homes. Siding issues,

plumbing issues, electrical issues, insulation issues. OK, enough with the reality of issues...letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get to the good stuff. While some 1970s renovations had been done, most of the original woodwork was intact. The beautiful entry with oak paneled staircase still had the original wood pillars leading into the front. The unfortunate choice of sticky tiles turned into a blessing. Once removed they revealed beautiful original oak floors with an inlay pattern. First things first. The popcorn dropped ceilings had to go. With keys in hand and

hammers swinging we took possession on December 26th, 2012 and ripped out our first ceiling. This was a very dirty and messy process but worth the effort to reveal the 10-foot ceilings throughout the house. Most of the 15foot- long 2x4â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s were tacked in with just one nail making their removal somewhat easier. A time capsule of vintage wallpaper was revealed above the drop ceiling. Our demo also revealed old windows on interior walls, a mystery door that would have opened into the stairs and a section of floor in the master bedroom that was the opening to a long removed staircase. These finds along with a rather large amount of horse hair in

the plaster led us to speculate that part of the house was actually built around the turn of the century. The dining room looked like a bomb had gone off in it during demo. The original lath and plaster ceiling had fallen and was weighing down the dropped ceiling. This was a hardhat zone as large chunks of cement-like plaster came crashing down as we worked. We developed a system where my husband pulled down the sheetrock leaving the insulation attached. I came behind in full hazmat gear using a garden hoe to stab the insulation letting all the plaster fall in front of me. This was a much less painful method of ceiling removal. While we did most of the work ourselves there were some jobs we brought in help. Clay Williams was our carpenter on the job. He hung drywall and put up the tape and first coat of plaster. I did the finish work on the plaster. Retexturing the rough walls in the living room to a smooth finish was a workout. Our goal was to bring back the beauty of the original house. We spent countless hours removing layers to reveal original detail. I found missing banister railings for the back stairs in a pile a scrap wood on the drive way and one outside on the back deck. Finding bits and pieces here and there was like a 6-month long scavenger hunt. The only structural change I decided to make was opening the small doorway from the living room into the kitchen. The challenge was that the opening cut into the back staircase opening up the bottom three steps. Being a good sport, Clay listened to my idea and said it could be done. I have known his wife Lynette for many years. She came to me

laughing the next day saying he was a bit concerned. Clay told her “I really hope Trina likes this big ol’ hole she wants me to put in her wall.” Despite his initial hesitation to my plan Clay loved the opening once he began to see my vision. A conversation piece in the house was the ‘Tetris’ window seat. This name came about because it was the strangest trim job we had ever seen. Wood trim was just cut into odd shapes and fit in a haphazard way. Many pieces were not even nailed in. Once again, the lack of nails made for an easy removal. Clay fixed this by turning it into a useful and attractive window seat with storage. My favorite part of this house and the one thing that I waited to the very end to work on where the wood floors. Every floor in the house was covered by either carpet, linoleum, sticky tile or plywood and in some cases all of the above! I had new flooring picked out for every room in case we discovered damage that could not be repaired. With the ceilings and walls plastered and painted I was ready to reveal the much-anticipated floors. The dining room floor is the most detailed. The center diamond pattern looks like a giant bow tie. The front room has a border around the entire floor with a diagonal in the middle. The living room and kitchen are the simplest pattern but were the most difficult to refinish.

The kitchen floor was covered in orange linoleum glued to a plywood subfloor. The floor was not level enough for tile so we planned to put down new linoleum. The problem was that the old linoleum had been ripped up in places. It was so stuck to the plywood we could not get a smooth surface. We decided that it was best to remove the subfloor and go back to the original wood. There was some damage to the old floor but once finished it has a nice hand-scraped, distressed finish that I actually love. Earlier I made reference to the lack of nails used for various projects… we found ALL the extra nails in that subfloor! There was a 4-inch nail every

foot. Needless to say, the simple job of pulling the subfloor was a mess. Not only did we find huge nails but we also had to cut the floor away from the cabinets that were sitting on it. Thank goodness my husband is good at demo. Under the linoleum, under the subfloor, under another older layer of linoleum was tarpaper. This ran from the kitchen into the living room. For two weeks I spent my evenings on the floor with a borrowed wallpaper steamer hand scraping layers of sticky tarpaper goop. DYI is much more glamorous on TV than it is in real life. Finally ready to rent the sander, I cannot say thank you enough to my fabulous friends, Kristy Morton and Joyce Jewell. They saved me by helping on the floors. I jokingly say I went

through two friends to get my floors sanded. Kristy tackled the second floor with me first. My husband had a conference the weekend I had to get the upstairs floors finished. Dragging the sander home I discovered it was too heavy for me to carry upstairs alone. With the help of Kristy we got it up the stairs and she stayed to sand all day. With the upstairs finished I thought it would be a piece of cake for Joyce and me to do the downstairs…how wrong I was. With the wood pattern running in different directions we had to use a vibrating sander that is less abrasive. The old finish turned to goo and ruined the sandpaper. The rental company said old finish may have beeswax in it. To fix this we used play sand to give the paper extra grip and absorb some of the goo. This did help and we eventually said it was “GOOD

ENOUGH!â&#x20AC;? Coming into this my goal was to finish ceilings, walls and floors on the first floor before moving in furniture. In the six-month renovation we not only completed this list we also finished the upstairs. While some areas still need work we have been able to bring back the beauty of the original home. Bathrooms are the next big project with new kitchen counters tops somewhere down the list. I tell people that out of three bathrooms we have one and a half that work. I have been told that in old houses the work never really ends so I do not anticipate finishing everything anytime soon. Every room tells a story. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve talk to many people a bit leery of older homes. They ask if it is haunted. Clay told me once he has worked on homes that felt a bit off but he got only good vibes from our house. He felt like the house was saying thank you for bring her back. With the dirty work behind us we can now sit on the front porch and enjoy loving our home.

For Robert and Candice Hoy, Emmanuel Baptist Church is a second home full of family, friends and memories. Candice was introduced to Emmanuel as a child when she began attending services with her parents at age 3. Robert grew up just outside of Enid and began attending Emmanuel when he and Candice started dating. A year later, the two were married in the church with Pastor Wade performing the service. “I have always felt so welcome at Emmanuel,” says Robert. “We really enjoy Pastor Wade. He has a way of connecting with you in his services and makes you feel like he is speaking directly to you.”

During their time at Emmanuel, Candice and Robert have been involved in small groups, taught Sunday school classes and have participated in a variety of church activities. Candice has been the Youth and Singles Administrative Assistant for the past six and a half years and is also the wedding coordinator at the church alongside her mom, Carolyn Riffel. “For me, Emmanuel is just like home,” says Candice. “I walk inside and even after all the renovations, I know every square inch of this place. I really enjoy working here.” Robert is the General Sales Manager at Curttright Honda in Enid and has been working with the business for 15 years now. He is involved in the Make A Wish Foundation through his job and is looking forward to becoming even

more involved in the months ahead. Robert and Candice are proud to call Enid home. “Enid has had quite a bit of additions to the community in the past few years and I definitely see the benefits,” says Robert. “It also has a great Honda dealership and a great church.” Candice appreciates how Enid is a large enough town but still has that small town feel. “I love the fact that we have a lot of family-owned businesses here,” says Candice. “It is also is a great place to raise your kids.” Robert and Candice have a teenage daughter, Morgan, who is a junior at Enid High School. Morgan is currently working towards her third mission trip to Poland. She has been to Poland the past two years with Emmanuel and is extremely excited about the opportunity to go back for a third

time. Morgan also has a huge passion for animals, which is a strong possibility why the Hoys have 3 dogs and 4 cats, six of the seven pets being rescued animals. While work, keeping up with the life of their 16-yearold and taking care of their 7 pets keeps Robert and Candice pretty busy, they do have some free time to enjoy a few hobbies. Robert has recently taken up hunting and also enjoys golf. Candice says she tries to golf, but also enjoys baking in her free time. The two also both enjoy traveling and experiencing new things, as well as spending time with their Emmanuel family. “Everyone is always so welcoming. There are so many wonderful people here at Emmanuel and we have made a lot of great friendships here,” says Candice. “We are very blessed to be able to call Emmanuel home.”

Miss Rodeo

Oklahoma 2015 By Bridget Nash Photo by Dawn Muncy A northwest Oklahoma native will spend 2015 representing Oklahoma’s rich history and rich future in a very special way. Nash, Oklahoma’s Sierra Pecha has been named Miss Rodeo Oklahoma 2015 and will spend this year representing not only Oklahoma rodeo but the great state of Oklahoma. “I will spend my year traveling as Miss Rodeo Oklahoma,” said Pecha.

Miss Rodeo Oklahoma is a title that comes with much responsibility including print, radio and television interviews as well as commercials and personal appearances. “We are ambassadors for the sport of rodeo,” said Pecha. Rodeo has always been a big part of Pecha’s life. The 2012 Pond Creek-Hunter High School graduate began the sport when she was very young.

“Rodeo has been a part of my life from day one,” said Pecha. “I started competing in rodeos when I was probably four or five. I junior rodeoed.” Pecha’s mother, Ronda Merrifield, was in the professional rodeo circuit and Pecha continued the tradition by competing in the sport with her family. However, being a rodeo queen wasn’t always Pecha’s goal. “I have actualy only been doing the

rodeo queen piece of it for about two years,” said Pecha. The title of Miss Rodeo Oklahoma is a competition in which the winner must have knowledge of rodeo and the world outside of rodeo. Part of the competition is an interview during which the contestants are asked to answer a variety of questions ranging from current events to their own personalities. Pecha said rodeo queen contestants must have public speaking skills as well as equestrian skills. She must compete in a horsemanship interview and have a working knowledge of the Professional Rodeo

Cowboys Association rules and guidelines. Pecha’s affinity for these skills is reflected in her studies at Oklahoma State University where she in majoring in multimedia journalism and hopes to move on to law school. Rodeo is a big part of Oklahoma but its media coverage is limited, something Pecha hopes to remedy. “I believe that Oklahoma is just as strongly rooted in the western way of life as other states,” said Pecha. Oklahoma’s vast diversity is one of the reasons Pecha believes rodeo is sometimes overlooked.

“Oklahoma is so rich in things it has to offer,” said Pecha. “I would love to see more media coverage of rodeo in Oklahoma. So many rodeo legends come from Oklahoma and I think that speaks volumes for Oklahoma.” Pecha has already put her skills to use, considering ways the sport of rodeo could expand its fanbase. “The way for us to get more of those bigger events in Oklahoma is to market them in a different way,” said Pecha. Rodeo participants are a close group which is one of the things Pecha loves about the sport. “There are so many special things. For me, the thing that is most special is it is the biggest, tight-knit family that I have ever known,” said Pecha. “It is the most unique professional sport in the world where the athletes are not only human, they are animals.” Pecha said another unique aspect of professional rodeo is only the winners are paid for their efforts in competition. “It is something you have to truly love to do,” said Pecha. Pecha is looking forward to her year representing Oklahoma and the rodeo and will compete in December for the title of Miss Rodeo America. That title is currently held by Alva, Oklahoma’s Lauren Heaton. “I am so excited for my year as Miss Rodeo Oklahoma,” said Pecha. “The sport of rodeo and the state of Oklahoma have made me who I am and I just can’t wait to spend a year giving back to Oklahoma.” Pecha’s official coronation will be Jan. 31 at Enid Event Center. The event will include dinner, a fashion show and an auction. “I would love for people to join me there,” said Pecha. Pecha is the daughter of Rhonda and Loran Merrifield and has three siblings: Samantha, Cicily and Brandon.

The Garfield County Bar Association Annual Christmas Party 2014 Photos by Tana Garrison

1. Benjamin Barker; John Hodgden

8. McKiesha Claypole; Clint Claypole

2. Luda Thayer; Oscar Boyd; Jamie Boyd;

9. Tana Garrison; William Maxwell

Laova LaBianca Puente; David Puente

10. Judge Paul Woodward; Randy Wagner,

3. David and Pam Henneke

Carolyn Wagner

4. Sherry and Bill Shaw 5. Kelly and Patrick Anderson 6. Craig and Katresa Riffel 7. Reagan Allen; Ben Bowers 9

Downtown Kitchen Store Jessica Andrew owner of DKS is always asked to share her familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite dinners Jessica is sharing her secret recipe

Blue Cheese Chicken Servings- 4

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Ingredients 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts 8 ounces Blue Cheese 2 eggs(beaten) Garlic Powder(to taste) 2 cups Seasoned Bread Crumbs Grated Parmesan Cheese(to Taste) 4 pats of unsalted butter cooking twine or toothpicks Pound each chicken breast very thinly being careful to not tear the chicken. Beat the two eggs and place in a shallow container. Mix the seasoned bread crumbs with garlic powder and parmesan cheese. Feel free to make your own bread crumbs if you have time. You can also purchase seasoned bread crumbs at the store. You can use as much or as little of the garlic powder and parmesan

cheese as you prefer. Place the bread crumb mixture in a shallow container as well. Dip the chicken in the egg and then in the breadcrumb mixture making sure to coat well. Repeat for all 4 breasts. Place coated chicken on a cookie sheet. Place a handful of blue cheese in the center of each chicken breast and roll up and secure with either twine or toothpicks. During this step, you might lose some of the coating. If so, Add any remain-

ing bread crumb mixture to the top of your chicken. Butter the bottom of a 13x9 dish. Place rolled chicken in the dish. Top each chicken breast with a pat of unsalted butter. Bake at 350 degrees for around 40 minutes. Depending on the size of the chicken breasts will determine how long you will need to cook them. Enjoy! This dish pairs well with garlic roasted potatoes and asparagus.

Crab Tortellini Servings-4 Ingredients 4 Tablespoons Butter 2 tablespoons olive oil 8-12 ounces lump crab meat 1 19oz bag frozen tortellini 1 yellow onion(diced finely) 2 cloves garlic(minced) (2) 14oz. Tomato Sauce or marinara sauce 1 quart heavy cream 8 oz. parmesan cheese(grated) Add 2 tablespoons butter and olive oil to sautĂŠ pan. SautĂŠ the diced onion and minced garlic until soft. Be sure to stir frequently to prevent garlic burning. Add tomato sauce. Heat to almost boiling and then add around 1 1/2 cups heavy cream. Simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes. Add 4 oz. of the grated

parmesan cheese. Stir and continue simmering on low heat until cheese is melted. And pepper to taste. The parmesan cheese should add enough salt to the sauce without adding extra. As the sauce is simmering, cook your tortellini according to directions. While tortellini is cooking, heat lump crab meat

with 2 pats of butter in small skillet just to warm it.Toss cooked tortellini with prepared sauce in skillet. To serve: Plate the tortellini and top each serving with crab and grated parmesan cheese. This dish pairs well with crusty garlic bread. Enjoy!

Growirng Throaugh The Years With

GRACE: Navigating the Maze By Jacqueline Hince Photo by Nancy Killam

“Don’t entrust your future on others’ hands. Rather make decisions by yourself with the help of God’s guidance. Hold your beliefs so tight and never let go of them!” – Hark Herald Sarmiento

Throughout our lifetime we are faced with millions of decisions. A Cornell study once found the average adult makes more than 200 decisions a day about food alone. Some decisions are easy and do not carry much impact. However some decisions take more time and can have a large ripple effect on our lives. As you age, deciding when it is time to move out of your home and where to move is one of those life-changing decisions. As we explore ways to Grow Through the Years with Grace and continue our series on taking charge of your future this article aims at helping you “navigate the maze” of retirement living options. Lori Long, who along with her family owns and operates Greenbrier Village in Enid, feels strongly seniors exercise independence to choose what they want as they age. Especially when it comes to the many options there are for retirement living. Long feels it is never too early to begin thinking, research-

ing and communicating with family what you want in a future home. “The idea is for older people today to start thinking about the opportunities available that offer the best of both worlds: independence with support, security, social interaction and purpose. These things can be found in many senior communities that did not exist when their parents were growing old,” notes Long. She goes on to encourage seniors to begin asking themselves now what the circumstances might be that will be a sign it is time to possibly move. “The goal is for you to think about these things while you are well and can make your own choices, not necessarily others choosing for you,” says Long. Perhaps your “trigger” to explore other living options is when you are homebound. It could be you need more assistance with the household chores, or you are not able to drive yourself to appointments anymore. Maybe you are lonely or afraid. Loneliness can add to many other health and emotional issues. Once you figure out your “trigger”,

communicate your wishes to loved ones. “It doesn’t mean you do not change your mind. We all evolve and change,” says Long. However, she says it is extremely important you have a voice in your future, and by communicating your wishes now you can ensure your voice is heard. Next explore your options. Mike Weatherford, Manager of Burgundy Place at Greenbrier Village, says transitioning homes can be a hard, emotional process, however there are ways to make the switch easier. “If you are going to make the decision to move into a care level home, or you are making the decision for your loved one, it is not like buying a candy bar in the check out line at the store. This is where you are going to live and it is important to make a wise choice. You have to study up,” remarks Weatherford. Weatherford has worked for 17 years at Burgundy Place, part of the Greenbrier Village family. He suggests first you simply begin looking at options available in your area

or perhaps in the area near family if you choose to move closer to them. Research online or drop in and ask for a packet of information. Maybe talk to a friend living in a community. “Whether you are the caretaker or the senior, begin to educate yourself. It is always harder when someone waits until the last minute. It’s doable, but when you prepare you feel more in control,” says Weatherford. As you gather information, Weatherford also suggests you take notes. Write down questions. What are your needs? What will make you happy? “Make your list and then when you go in and tour match your most important needs with the services and amenities offered. If you are prepared you will have a better understanding of the retirement living levels available,” notes Weatherford. Here at Greenbrier Village they offer four levels of care. Independent living, where residents have their own apartments at Burgundy Place. There they take care of such services as housekeeping, transportation, social activities and menu style dining is available for those who do not wish to cook. Greenbrier Assisted Living is the next level of care. At this level all meals are provided in a beautiful dining room where menu style dining is enjoyed. A nurse and medical support staff manage all medications and associated care. The Homes of Greenbrier is Greenbrier Village’s 24-hour care facility. Located within The Homes of Greenbrier is the Rogers Home where residents with cognitive impairment are cared for. Lastly, Greenbrier Village is home to a Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where patients follow a specialized program to ensure they go back home safe and healthy. The best way to decide which level a loved one may need or desire is to go in and talk to staff. Greenbrier Village prides itself on educating their staff in providing topnotch care and services thus ensuring residents and their families are happy with their choice. “Sit down face to face and just be honest and open,” suggests Weatherford. “The key is to feel heard and more important listened to. Know your needs then set out to find a facility that best meets those needs.” Weatherford stresses before you make any long-term decisions regarding moving into a retirement community it is imperative you visit and see it in person. “See what it looks like, see what it smells like, are people happy? If you see a resident ask them, ‘how do you like living here?’ You are about to make a decision that will impact you for years so take your list with you to again, ensure your needs will be met.” Doing these things will help you to feel more at ease as you move into your new home and you can rest assured you made the right choice. Lori Long and everyone at Greenbrier Village want to take away the stress that comes with deciding your future. Through this series Long and her staff want to empower seniors and their families to be proactive and become their own advocate as they navigate the maze of retirement living. “When you stick a mouse in a maze, at the end of the maze is the prize. Yet the mouse has to hit dead end after dead end in order to find it,” remarks Burgundy Place Manager Mike Weatherford. “What we try to do is take out the walls. Regardless of whether they end up at one of the retirement levels at Greenbrier Village or not, our desire is to be a resource and advocate to seniors and their families here in Enid and Northwest Oklahoma.”

TUNES

Sylvan Reynolds

By Eric Castillo Photos by Nancy Killam

Sylvan Reynolds doesn’t have many regrets in his 66 years of life but there is one that comes to mind. “I try not to have too many regrets in life but one is that I, for some reason, put my guitar in its case… and let it sit there for about 20 or 25 years,” laments Reynolds. “Of course, that’s time lost that I’ll never get back.” Reynolds has been doing a superb job of redeeming lost time, playing regularly with his band of six years while also playing a key role in organizing some popular and indispensable components of Enid’s growing music scene. Music has always been a part of Reynolds’ entire life, from piano lessons as a kid to flute and piccolo as a band student growing up in Okeene. He picked up guitar as an undergraduate at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater while studying to become a speech pathologist, a job that eventually landed him in Enid. It wasn’t until after retiring that Reynolds began playing publicly. Six years ago he formed a small band with George Davis playing lead guitar and Dale Gillham on mandolin and backup vocals. Eventually, David McCoy was added on bass. The band then recruited Rob Johnson for percussion and, most recently, Steven Harwood for keyboard, accordion, and backup vocals. Together they form the band “Those Guys” with Reynolds taking lead vocals and playing guitar. They classify their style of music as “swinggrass.” “That’s a term that Dale coined,” explains Reynolds. They started off playing big band swing from the 20’s on up to the late 40’s. “We’ve thrown in a little bluegrass on top of that and just kind of came up with a mishmash of various sounds so we call it ‘swing-grass.’” Reynolds sees playing with the band as a way of giving back to the community and contributing to the arts and culture of Enid. In truth, Reynolds has done just as much and more in his capacities outside of playing music. While serving on the board of Enid Beautiful Inc, Reynolds introduced the idea of a music festival at Government Springs Park. It took some convincing but Reynolds was able to bring the idea to fruition, recruiting local musical talent and coordinating the free community event. The inaugural Fling at the Springs was a success, seeing crowds of up to 1,000 and raising a significant amount of money for the park during the festival’s six-year run from 2001 until 2006. The event was revived in 2011, thanks in large part by community organizer and current city commissioner Tammy Wilson, and Reynolds has been helping bring live music to Government Springs Park on or near the last Saturday in September each year since. A more frequent event that Reynolds has helped organize and grow is Third Thursdays, a

monthly open mic night. Reynolds says the idea came from local musician Scott Carson, who said he felt it was a shame there weren’t more venues for musicians to perform in Enid. Taking Carson’s concern to heart, Reynolds suggested the Turpin Theatre, a smaller space sharing residence with the Gaslight Theatre, where the rent was reasonable and the vibe of the room lent itself well to an intimate gathering of musicians. Reynolds helped get the concept off the ground in 2011 and the event has been held on the third Thursday of each month since—save for Decembers to avoid holiday conflicts. The event, under the name Turpin Tunes, became popular among local musicians, even as young as eight years old,

who took advantage of the opportunity to share their craft with a friendly audience. Reynolds remains dedicated even as Third Thursdays—shedding the name of Turpin Tunes—changes locations to St. Matthews Episcopal Church. Reynolds, who also goes by the nickname Sly, may use the help of a cane to get around but he still has the tireless attitude of a true hippie, as evidenced in the ponytail he keeps. When it comes to serving the local community of musicians, he isn’t slowing down. He’s already working with Expectations Coffee House to develop Second Saturdays, an open mic event akin to Third Thursdays. “There’s live music on a regular basis and it’s a good thing. People seem to really

enjoy it. The audiences are getting bigger, better, and more appreciative.” Looking forward, Reynolds has his sights set toward events on a grander scale. His hope for the future is to eventually see a multi-day festival along the lines of the Walnut Valley Festival, which draws in 15,000 bluegrass fans to Winfield, Kansas. While it may be difficult to envision now, Reynolds sees no reason why Enid couldn’t hold a similar multi-day event in the future. It’s that kind of forward-looking, big picture thinking that Enid’s music community needs. The open mic events and music festivals Reynolds works on now are the stepping-stones that will be the foundation for greater things in the future.

Creative Exchange

Oklahoma Hall of Fame painter and sculptor Harold T. Holden mentors a new generation of aspiring artists through his role with the Pioneer Cellular Smokinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Red Dirt Art Fest By Candace Krebs Photos by Kayla Waldrop

For prototypical solitary working artist and man-of-few-words Harold T. Holden, a tailor-made opportunity to mentor aspiring young artists has taken shape in recent years. As the honorary judge for the annual Pioneer Cellular Smokin’ Red Dirt Youth Art Show, held in conjunction with the community-wide barbecue fest in April, he attends an opening reception, meets the participants and mingles with their teachers and parents. “It’s a great program,” he said. This winter Holden went a step further, agreeing to meet with last year’s best-in-show winner for a special evening of one-on-one “art talk” inside the cozy garage studio at his rural home near Hillsdale. The budding artist who came to visit was Clay Jacks, an Enid High School wrestler who likes history, reading and “military stuff.” For last year’s Red Dirt Arts Fest, he entered a sculpture depicting a bust of Abe Lincoln on one side that transforms into the face of a slave on the other. Holden, of course, needs no introduction as the prominent Western artist behind 20 monuments in four states — including the iconic statue of a cowboy racing to stake his claim in the land run, an image now synonymous with Northwest Oklahoma — along with countless smaller pieces and untold numbers of paintings. His most recent and arguably biggest honor came when he was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in November. “That old grouch with the twinkling eyes and gifted fingers,” is how personal friend and former Cowboy Hall of Fame executive director Chuck Schroeder described Holden as he made the introduction during the ceremony. Holden shares “his heart through his hands,” Schroeder said, bringing ranching traditions alive for generations of Oklahomans who otherwise would lose touch with their rural heritage. Accompanying Clay to the meeting with Holden was his father, Don Jacks, an independent petroleum engineer. Also present was Holden’s wife, Edna Mae, a local oil and gas attorney. Their conversation ranged from how to establish an art career to specific tools of the trade to changes brought about by the digital age. One of the things Clay wanted to know was whether Holden had started out working “regular” jobs to get where he is today. Holden talked about his early years doing commercial artwork for a silk screening company in Wichita, where he was responsible for creating the little fiberglass man who once crowned Pizza Hut restaurants. He later moved to Houston where he was the art director for Horseman

magazine. “I always wanted to do cowboy art,” he said. “I was raised on a horse.” Holden also acknowledged the influence of his famous grandfather, George E. Failing, who is best known for inventing the portable drilling rig back in 1930 and for founding the highly successful Enid manufacturing company that still bears his name. Lesser known is that Failing studied art before going to work in the oilfield and later became a fine art collector. “I grew up knowing what good art was,” Holden said. Is it getting easier or harder to make it as an artist these days? Holden wasn’t sure. “It’s hard to make a living at fine art, but it is easier now too in some ways, because of all of the publicity, the magazines and the galleries,” he said. The visit actually gave Jacks exposure to more than one model for how to live the creative life. Holden pointed out that his wife Edna Mae is a talented Western singer-songwriter in her own right, producing three albums and performing live on occasion, despite working full-time in the legal profession. Don Jacks, who is engineering manager for Maverick Brothers Energy LLC, also dabbles in artistic pursuits. “My dad has done a lot of wildlife carvings, and I took inspiration from that,” Clay said. The senior Jacks took up wood carving in his 30s after watching a friend make an intricate birdand-prey piece, which later sold for $7,500 after six painstaking months. “I quickly did the math and decided maybe I’d keep my day job and do art as a hobby,” the senior Jacks said with a chuckle. Still, he’s continued to indulge his creativity and hopes his son will do the

same, regardless of where life takes him. “I just want him to keep going with it,” he said. Jacks said his son exhibited artistic talent from a very early age. “From age 5, Clay, you were drawing pictures, and the pictures would have a three-dimensional depth to them,” he said. “I’ve saved some of those pictures through the years.” “I’ve been sketching things since as far back as I can remember,” Clay said. Even so, it came as “quite a surprise” to Jacks to learn that his son had entered a sculpture in the Enid show, crafted to fit the theme Lincoln: Liberty and Freedom. It was the first sculpture Clay had ever attempted. Like Holden, Clay Jacks prefers depicting three-dimensional figures to landscapes. Over the years his subject matter has included The Beatles and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. When he mentioned history was one of his favorite subjects, the Holdens lit up, describing the countless hours of research that goes into insuring the historical accuracy of their respective artwork. “The history of Oklahoma is unlimited,” Holden said. “You could spend all of your time just painting stories about that if you wanted to.” One unique distinction of Holden’s work is that it grew out of being a cowboy first, an

artist second. “It was the subject matter that drew me in, not the other way around,” he emphasized. For Clay, finding a focus for his artistic gift is more of a challenge. He was uncertain what direction his future artwork might take but was obviously impressed by Holden’s strong affinity for his subject. “That’s what I’m trying to think about is what do I want to do on a daily basis?” he said to Holden. Despite a lengthy career, Holden said he’s still learning and has yet to feel like he’s “made it” as an artist. One major undertaking still on his bucket list is the opportunity to create a life sized monument of Oklahoma State University mascot Pistol Pete. (Among his many awards, Holden was chosen OSU’s Distinguished Alumnus in 2005.) After more than two hours of visiting, Clay and his dad both appeared a little star-struck by the encounter as they said their goodbyes and stepped out into the cold night lit by clanking oil wells and the blinking red lights of a nearby wind farm. “This is a gift to my family,” Don Jacks said. “It’s huge. I’m not sure whether all of the stars will come together for Clay to pursue his art, but the important thing to me right now is just recognizing and encouraging his interest.”

Oklahoma Hall of Fame 2014 Inductees and Presenters 42

Photos by Ownbey Photography

Chuck & Kathi Schroeder, Ken and Mary Ann Fergeson and Edna Mae & H Holden (at OHA reception). Chuck was Hâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presenter and Ken was instrumental in getting H inducted.

Edna Mae, Dr. Nazih Zuhdi and H

H and Alfre Woodard

H, R. W. Hampton and Chuck Schroeder

Blake Shelton, H and Chuck Schroeder

H and Leona Mitchell

Former Governor Frank and Kathy Keating, Edna Mae H

H and his homeboys Donnie Dennis, Raymond Hayward and Bill

Bob Moorhouse and H

H and Governor Mary Fallin

H, Edna Mae and Coach Doug Sauter

Mary Ann Fergeson, H and Ken Fergeson

Alfre and Edna Mae

H and grandchildren Payton Meyer and Morgan Meyer

Photos by Lisa White

The eyes have it! Lately I’ve been obsessed with eyes, how to make them “pop” and how to avoid the tired look. With the help of my buddy Courtney, Bare Escentuals makeup artist Michelle Nightengale demonstrated some fun ways to make the most of your gaze. Here’s an important tip: do not fear shimmery eye shadow. I know, I know, you’ve heard it makes you look old. Hooey! If applied in the right spots, it reflects light, creating a glow. Michelle began by applying eye shadow in a shade called “Queen Phyllis” to the middle of Courtney’s eyelid (the ball of the eye) for a splash of impact. Then she applied eyebrow gel and shimmery eye shadow to Courtney’s brows to frame her face. Finally, to conjure an allover healthy glow, she used Bare Minerals finishing powder to brighten Courtney’s complexion. I think you’ll agree that Courtney looks refreshed and ready for any occasion! See you around good ole E-town,

Cathy Nulph

Grand National Quail Hunt Cocktail Dinner Photos by Cammeron Kaiser The Grand National is made up of four organizations that share a common passion for Quail Hunting and camraderie among like-minded gentlemen. Those four organizations are the Grand National Quail Club, the Past Shooters Council, the Grand National Quail Foundation and the Grand National Gun Club. Since 1967, the Grand National Quail Club has put on an invitational celebrity quail hunting event. The Grand National Quail Hunt has grown into a classic. The Grand National is a community effort to show participants the proud tradition of Oklahoma and its genuine, friendly, progressive people. For the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top wing shots and most quail hunters, the Grand National represents the pinnacle. There is nothing else like it - no other place where a participant can join with a select fraternity of sportsmen and celebrities dedicated to the enhancement of the long-standing game bird hunting traditions of America. - Taken from the website 1. Paul & Caroline DuPuy 2. Jay & Kara Bowers 3. Scott & Christy Northcutt 4. Jonathan & Ivy Epps 5. Retired Admiral Jay Yarkley with Barb & Eric Benson 6. Jason & Torry Turnbow 7. Grand National President David Craig with wife Tanya

Get ‘in the mood’ to dance

at upcoming barbecue festPlanners, performers to ‘jazz it up’ for Friday concert By Candace Krebs Photos by Nancy Killam

A night of big band music returns to the

Roberts Ranch Smokin’ Red Dirt Barbecue Fest

in April, this time under the direction of a new bandleader, Dave Kennedy. “I’ve been in Enid coming up on six years now, but I’m relatively new to the music scene,” Kennedy says. This will be his first turn leading an orchestral group, but he’s been playing the bass in various jazz bands for 30 years. “I can’t remember how many times I’ve played ‘In the Mood’ by Glenn Miller,” he notes. “I have the sound in my head.” Friday night’s free concert will open with complimentary dance instruction from 6 to 7 p.m., accompanied by a set from the band. “These songs weren’t just meant to be listened to on the radio, they were meant to be danced to,” Kennedy says. “We’re also going to play swing versions of some more recent popular songs. We’re just going to have a lot of fun with it, and we think the people who come out will have fun too.”

Cathy Nulph performed at the first barbecue fest ten years ago and has been coordinating the musical entertainment for the event since joining Eagle Marketing as promotions manager nine years ago. She tapped Kennedy to take the reins for this year’s cue fest concert. “I put Dave in charge, and I’m kind of like the general manager,” Nulph says. “We bounce ideas off of each other.” She met Kennedy while performing at a Christmas event at the museum’s Humphrey Heritage Village and helped him get back into playing on a regular basis. She says he seemed like the right person to bring some fresh ideas to the concert. “I wanted to do something a little dif-

ferent for our tenth anniversary,” Nulph says. “I wanted to have the same big band sound but something a little more lively and swingy. Jazz it up a little bit and make it more dance friendly. We’ll be adding in some contemporary music that young people will recognize but it will still have an old-time feel to it as well.” Wells-Kime Dance Studio of Stillwater will offer free dance lessons during the first hour, followed by a two-hour concert and dance at Convention Hall. “It will have a family feel, with something for young and old alike,” Nulph promises. Dancers from dance clubs in the area are expected to travel in from surrounding towns to join the fun as they’ve done in past years.

Kennedy is excited about the opportunity to head things up and hopes the rehearsal band will continue to practice together and offer to play as needed at other community events throughout the year. Both he and Nulph say the community is blessed by an abundance of talented, professional musicians. Kennedy’s bass playing goes back to his high school days. While still in college he decided to join the Army so he could play in one of about 35 active duty military bands around the country, which required him to complete basic training and attend the Armed Forces School of Music. “For four years, I was a bass guitar player for the U.S. military,” he recalls. “No two days were ever same. On the busiest day I can remember, we played for a large military ceremony early in the morning followed by a welcome back for some troops from Asia followed by a small reception at the Commanding General’s house and then those of us who were in a separate rock band played at the officer’s club that night.” It was a great experience but also “a crazy existence,” as he recalls it. Afterwards, he returned to college to study history with the goal of becoming a museum curator. He interned at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana, which is known for having one of the best collections of dinosaur bones in the country and a living history farm dating to the 1850s — “really cool stuff ” — and later landed a full time job at the Cody Firearms Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming. It was the new Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center that brought him and his family to Enid in May of 2009. He joined the project as the old museum was transitioning into the outstanding regional attraction it has become today. “I was able to take an active role in that process,” he says with obvious satisfaction. “It turned out great. It really is a world-class museum. And we have a lot of great stories to tell.” Busy with his new job and a growing family (he and his wife have two elementary school-age children) he didn’t have much time for music when he first came to Enid, but over the past year he started playing in what he calls a “party band” with vocalist Cathy Nulph. The two are now putting their heads together to make the annual barbecue fest entertainment bigger and better than ever. The success of the annual festival, which brings thousands to downtown, is evidence of strong “civic pride” within the community, as it pursues urban redevelopment and new parks and trails, Kennedy said. He and his wife have no regrets about their move to Northwest Oklahoma, even if it has meant leaving the mountains behind. “That’s the one thing we miss,” Kennedy admits. “My wife grew up on a ranch at the foot of the mountains in Montana. But we have really grown to love Enid. In fact, it reminds me of my hometown back in Central Illinois, with those big grain elevators on the horizon.”

1 AMBUCS AmTryke Presentation Wymer Brownlee Photos by Nancy Killam 1. Bryan Skaggs with Jonathon and Jenie Lam 2. Diane Fosmire, OT, Jenie Lam, PT, Robert Perry, Enid Noon Ambuc President, Anna Blubaugh, Past National President & Chapter AmTryke chair, Sara & Mike Stuber, 2

corporate sponsors, Bryan Skaggs, AmTryke committee. Family names Khanh Tran, father, Grace, sister, & Tam Tran, mother. Boys, Timothy & Jonathan. 3. Jonathan, 7 and Timothy, 6 and mother Tam Tran from China 3

SNB presents the Vance-Enid Partnership Page

1. VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Andy Swanner and Marty Quinn, members of the aircraft maintenance section, help move a T-38 Talon Nov. 1 out of the Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma west gate and transport it to the main gate to be displayed as a static. The T-38 came to Vance from Warner Robins, AFB, Georgia. Members from the Enid community donated funds to bring the plane to the base airpark. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Nancy Falcon) 2. Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Currier 3. VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Airman 1st Class Graham Davis, a 71st Flying Training Wing Judge Advocate Office paralegal, stands in front of legal reference books in his office, Nov. 10. Davis is the 71st FTW Airman of the Month for November. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Frank Casciotta) 4. Mr. and Mrs. Ron Janzen 5. VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Master Sgt. David Justiss, the 71st Mission Support Group first sergeant, hangs an ornament on the “Angel Tree” inside The Exchange, Dec. 9. The Angel Tree represents a project run by Vance first sergeants that aims to support Team Vance families that might be struggling during the holidays. The ornaments provide basic information about a child, such as; age, gender,

shoe and clothing sizes and special requests in some cases. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Frank Casciotta) 6. VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- 1st Lt. Patricia MaCartney, a 71st Medical Operations Squadron aerospace and operational physiologist, pies Capt. Mark Favinger, a 33rd Flying Training Squadron check flight instructional pilot, at the Vance Collocated Club during the pie-in-the-face fundraiser for the Combined Federal Campaign Nov. 14. The fundraiser raised $457. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Nancy Falcon) 7. VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Ashley Cutright, left, a Tulsa Opera alto vocalist, and Pedro Willis-Barbosa, a Tulsa Opera tenor vocalist, sing a duet during an adaptation of “Jack and the Beanstalk” for Eisenhower Elementary School students Nov. 17. The Tulsa Opera performers visited the school as part of an outreach program to give children a taste of the performing arts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Frank Casciotta) 8. Mrs. Janelle McAlear and Ms. Mary Feightner 9. VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Jack Cinnamon, son of Col. John Cinnamon, the 71st Operations Group commander, pulls out freshly-baked cookies from an oven during Operation Cookie Cutter in the Community Chapel Activity Center Nov.

14. For more than 20 years, members of Team Vance have mailed cookies and other sweets to deployed Vance Airmen. Twenty-two boxes filled with about a dozen cookies each made their way to Team Vance’s deployed warriors. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Frank Casciotta) 10. VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Elaine McPherson, the Airman’s Attic liaison, stands in the uniform section of the Airman’s Attic Nov. 12. McPherson is the lead volunteer at the Airman’s Attic, which provides free clothes, kitchenware, childcare items and electronics for Airmen ranks E-1 through E-5. Officers are welcome to the Airman’s Attic as well, but they are limited to the uniform section. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Frank Casciotta) 11. Attending the 71st Flying Training Wing Commander’s Holiday Civic Leader Party is left to right, Col. Clark Quinn, 71 FTW Commander; April Danahy, Honorary Commander; Kelly Menozzi and Col. John Menozzi, 71 FTW Vice Commander 12. 71 Flying Training Wing Commander’s Holiday Civic Leader Party Mr. and Mrs. Chad Caldwell and Caroline

Favorite Films of 2014 I am spoiled, as are we all. This year has been duly fraught with thoughtful cinematic expression, both cynical and sanguine filmic extravagance, and the sheer spectacle that a movie theater alone can provide. I’ve said before that every year is a great year for film, and 2014, in its refusal to be an exception, unloaded a treasure trove of visual storytelling for the masses. However, I do have my gripes, as much as I try to bludgeon them into the recesses of my cinephile mind. Just like every other year, those of us living far away from entertainment hotbeds like Los An-

ing over too heavily for me, but what can’t be excused is the quantity of acclaimed domestic films having such late releases that they are spilling over into 2015. J.C. Chandor’s A Most Violent Year, with a limited release on New Year’s Eve and a still-to-be-announced wide release, looks like the type of brooding, withheld, Rembrandt-shaded crime piece that owes everything to The Godfather, and I have little reason to doubt that it will become an instant classic for me. Selma, a biopic of sorts for Martin Luther King, Jr., is being heralded as one of the most immediate and important films of the young decade, but its wide release will not arrive until January 9th, the same day as the release of Inherent Vice, the polarizing Pynchon adaptation from Paul

geles or New York City have to wait an annoyingly long time to view some of the year’s most acclaimed foreign films. Given the fact that 2014 seems to have been a benchmark year for international cinema, this is a pretty big problem, and as a result, I have yet to see the Russian social parable Leviathan, the new Dardenne film Two Days, One Night, or Godard’s apparently groundbreaking Goodbye to Language. (I only have myself to blame for, as of yet, refraining from watching We Are the Best! which is now on Netflix.) Realistic expectations keep this bothersome situation from go-

Thomas Anderson, who is the best prominent director of the past twenty years, in my humble opinion. Last but certainly not least is Bennett Miller’s follow-up to Moneyball - my favorite sports films (not counting BASEketball) – Foxcatcher, which looks like a Kubrick-influenced horror show about the mixture of drive and barbarity. The persistent thought that all four of these films would likely have earned top spots on my list is rather irritating, to say the least. To be a tad more upbeat, I will admit that 2014 has shown me one of the largest bulks of good films in recent memory. This was a particularly strong year for blockbusters, giving us the intelligent Edge of Tomorrow, the oft-hilarious Guardians of the Galaxy, the

surprisingly brutal Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and the messy but overall meaningful Interstellar. In the realm of “serious” cinema – not that the distinction matters to me in the least bit – there were just as many films of merit. The Rover, The Homesman, Birdman, Enemy, Locke, Only Lovers Left Alive, and Under the Skin all gave me much to contemplate, that final film especially. From cerebral director Jonathan Glazer, this piece about a seductive alien learning about love, identity, and even deformity through twisted, violent abduction will probably mean more to me once I can digest it a few more times. Now, all grievances and merits aside, here they are: my favorite films of 2014. 10. Boyhood - I’ve had many issues with

this film spring into my head since first reviewing it a few months ago. A film made up of life’s quieter, more intimate moments does not excuse limited development of the boy at its center. An attempt to displace melodrama in realist cinema does not excuse an excessive lack of real drama over the course of a three-hour film, though Boyhood does have a few notable exceptions. Overall, these criticisms contest the popular notion that Richard Linklater’s new film is one of the best ever made, but they do not devalue the true merit that it does contain. Patricia Arquette gives one of the best performances of 2014, bringing to life a character with far more depth than her son (which is somewhat understandable, given his age), and some of the vignettes that string this life together have an immense beauty. 9. Ida - A retroactive Holocaust horror story that also serves as a cinematic, feminine bildungsroman complete with differing perceptions on the presence of God during times of great secular strife, Ida is incredibly thoughtful and, unfortunately, the only foreign language film on my list this year. Gorgeous black-and-white photography abounds in this juxtaposition of human tragedy and spiritual awakening, along with one of the more interesting character duos of 2014. 8. Gone Girl - Fincher is still the king of tongue-barely-in-cheek, virulent genre filmmaking; Gone Girl is replete with his standard topics of damaged male/female relationships and social isolation, and is still coated in that sickly green haze which he can’t seem to shake off. Adding jabs at media buffoonery this time around, and by turns twistedly funny and shockingly unforgiving, this is top-tier work by Fincher. 7. Fury - The year’s most unexpectedly staggering comments on soul-crushing warfare came from the most unlikely of places. I had not planned on seeing David Ayer’s latest film, but I am very glad that I changed my mind. Brad Pitt astonishes with his permanent but withheld thousand-yard stare, Shia LaBeouf proves just how serious he is about his work, and Logan Lerman makes a compelling case as to why we should all consider him as one of the most promising young stars in Hollywood. 6. Snowpiercer - As subtle as an axe to the brain, Bong Joon-ho’s first English language film is a chaotic social allegory set aboard a high-speed, never-ending, post-apocalyptic locomotive. Some of the most memorable action sequences of the year and a subversive turn

for Chris Evans elevate this slightly pretentious picture into one on the more memorable sci-fi experiences in recent years. 5. Nightcrawler - Made with the predatory rage of Martin Scorsese and the subtle assuredness of Sidney Lumet, this film is a dyedin-the-wool 70s social thriller from its mise-en-scene down to its thematic bite. Dan Gilroy, as director, puts his name out there with style and intellect while providing Jake Gyllenhaal more opportunities to exude his distinctive talent. 4. Blue Ruin - More proof that 2014 has been a special year for young filmmakers, this crowdfunded revenge film cuts back any flair that the genre is usually afforded in favor of an almost unbearably tense meditation on a human’s capacity for hate. On a narrative level, almost every plot point feels like a surprise, and I know that I’ll be returning to this film very soon. 3. The Grand Budapest Hotel - Wes Anderson grows on me every day. Rushmore initially left me cold, but I found it rather pleasing upon a second viewing. I enjoyed Moonrise Kingdom and loved Fantastic Mr. Fox immediately, and I think I feel the same way about Grand Budapest. In a role as far removed from Lord Voldemort as humanly possible, Ralph Fiennes plays the endearingly neurotic and flamboyant Monsieur Gustave in this wickedly funny farce about the maintenance of taste and culture. 2. Calvary - These last two films are basically a tie, and no words of mine can provide an ample description of their power. Brendan Gleeson remains one of the most underrated performers in cinema with this turn as Father James, a remarkable man attempting to hold together his own trust in God along with the faith of his parishioners and his community. 1. Whiplash - This film will quite literally take your breath away. I described it to a friend shortly after seeing it as the clashing of Mark Zuckerberg and Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, a battle between an iron-willed prodigy and a cold-hearted brick wall of a man. The three most important things this film has to say are as follows: Miles Teller is going to be great, J.K. Simmons is already a giant, and Damien Chazelle is the filmmaker to watch out for. Happy New Year, everyone.

For over 50 years Edward Jones financial advisors have proudly served the Enid community. Over the past five decades, the firm has grown from one advisor, to two, to now 13 active Edward Jones Advisors who call Enid home. However, throughout their expansion Edward Jones values, morals and principles have remained the same. Each Edward Jones advisor works oneon-one with investors face-to-face to provide proven, long-term investment strategies and help clients reach their financial goals. Edward Jones was founded by Edward Jones Sr. in 1922 in Saint Louis, Missouri. The small firm experienced growth under the leadership of Jones’ son, Edward D. Jones Jr. or “Ted”. Ted Jones felt strongly about offering investment opportunities to rural communities. He also felt advisors should live where they worked and invest in personal relationships. In 1964 the first Edward Jones firm opened in Enid with a single advisor. One advisor served the community until 1980, which is when Joe Newsom moved to town. Newsom, who is in the process of retiring from Edward Jones, has been with the Enid firm for 35 of 56

their 50 years. “When I came here and I would be calling on prospective clients, they had never heard of Edward Jones,” recalls Newsom. “Today, I venture to say a large percentage of our community now knows who Edward Jones is. We have name recognition and that has been established through one-on-one relationships. We’ve worked hard to grow our business over time and grow it in the right way.” Enid is not the only area to experience growth. Across the nation, Edward Jones has rapidly multiplied. Today, the firm serves 7 million investors and boasts the largest number of investment offices in the nation. They have consistently been ranked among the top companies to work for by FORTUNE Magazine. “It is a wonderful, wonderful company,” says Newsom. “Not only to work for but to represent.” Each day, Enid Edward Jones advisors meet with current clients, ensure they are up to date

on the firm’s latest investment strategies and call on prospective clients. The 13 advisors are also all very active in Enid and give back to the community in a variety of ways. Over the 50 years Edward Jones has served Enid residents, advisors have worked hard to

consistently offer reliable, trustworthy and excellent service to help clients meet their financial goals. “We pay attention to the details,” adds Newsom. “We cannot guarantee results, no one can do that, but we can try our best on a daily basis.”

That is the one thing Edward Jones can guarantee: each day they vow to work tirelessly to follow the company wide mission of helping friends, neighbors and fellow community members reach their serious long-term financial goals.

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The Men Who Wish to Be Mayor Bill Shewey By Robert Barron Photos by Wess Gray

Stability is a word that seems to sum up Bill Shewey’s life. He has stayed the course on whatever he has done and is a candidate for re-election as Enid’s mayor. Shewey has been mayor of Enid the past four years and said it has been a learning experience. Shewey believes his major acomplishment as mayor has been educating himself on water and water issues. Water has become important in Enid and across the U.S., with many areas experiencing continuing drought. He also educated himself on the operation of Vance Air Force Base, which is Enid’s largest employer. Housing has also been an important issue. “There are 400 housing units in progress now. I appreciate the bank allowing me to be involved in the areas that helped educate me,” Shewey said. Shewey has come a long way for a boy

born in tiny Orienta. Shewey was born in a white two-story house and was delivered by a mid-wife, which was common in those days. After being taken to Enid General Hospital for complications with the birth, he returned home to Orienta. He attended school in Orienta through the eighth grade and graduated from Fairview High School. He attended the Uiniversity of Tulsa on a football scholarship, playing quarterback and linebacker, graduating with a degree in Math and Secondary Education. Upon graduation he took a job with the First National Bank in Tulsa. At the bank he worked in the data processing department. He worked for the bank 14 years and during that time he helped establish the first credit card program at the bank. “I had nine months to get it running, and I eventually became credit card center manager,” Shewey said. He was promoted to personnel manager of the banking center,

which he also started in the early 1970s. In 1978 he moved to Enid to work for Central National Bank. He has been in banking for 50 years. While living in Enid, Shewey has been active in a number of civic organizations. He was treasurer of the Enid Noons Lion’s Club, he is a 20-year member of the former Campfire Council of the Plains. He has served on the board of the Enid Chamber of Commerce and also served as president of the Oklahoma Banker’s Association. His son Brian is an optometrist in Enid and his daughter Jennifer Crenshaw, also lives in Enid, and he has five grandchildren who live in Enid also. He met his wife Jana at the University of Tulsa. Jana was born in Chicago. They have been married 51 years. Stability. Yeah, that’s a good way to describe him.

The Men Who Wish to Be Mayor David Vanhooser By Robert Barron Photos by Wess Gray

Ward 6 City Commissioner David Vanhooser, M.D., has tossed his hat into the ring for Enid Mayor. Vanhooser is a heart and thoracic surgeon, who established himself as an ambitious young man at an early age. Midway through high school, he took the ACT test and made a near perfect score. He then enrolled at Oklahoma Christian University, graduating in two and a half years at age 18. Since he was too young to enter medical school, he accepted an offer from Baylor University to teach organic chemistry and do research with an electron microscope during a year of graduate school there. At 19, he entered the University of Oklahoma Medical School. While there, he had the unique distinction of assisting in the first heart transplant in Oklahoma. He traveled to Georgia to acquire the replacement heart and brought it back for the operation.

Vanhooser performed three years of residency at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Oklahoma City and two years at Waterbury, Ct., which is part of the Yale University program. He also spent two years in North Carolina in training before returning to Oklahoma, where he established an independent practice in Oklahoma City, associated with Integris Health Care. He has lived in Enid since 2001, when he came to town to expand the surgical services offered by Integris Bass Baptist Hospital. He was the hospital’s first heart surgeon. Since his practice began, Vanhooser has done roughly 6,000 surgeries, of which 2,000 have been heart surgeries and the rest lung and vascular procedures. When Vanhooser is not involved in his medical practice, he and his wife Stephanie like to race cars on the amateur Formula One circuit. “When you’re driving as fast as you

are, it’s pretty hard to remember anything else. It’s really a good way to get your mind off everything,” said Vanhooser, who belongs to the Sports Car Club of America. He and Stephanie also enjoy scuba diving, taking trips with their motor home or on their Harley-Davidson motorcycles (they’ve been to Sturgis several times) and tailgating at OU football games. Vanhooser is a member of the Enid Noon AMBUCS. He and his wife have three grown children and two grandchildren. His oldest son is a service technician for Oklahoma Natural Gas Co., his daughter is a physician in internal medicine, and his youngest son is an attorney in Edmond.