June/July 2013 $3
red dirt bbq recap
MAY FETE
Liz Cromwell By Elizabeth Bradley Photo Provided
As Liz Cromwell was going about her duties as principal of an English-language school in Guatemala last November, her world literally shook. A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the nearby village of San Marcos, resulting in 52 deaths and a large amount of devastation. Wanting to reach out to the people in need, Liz wrote about her experience on her blog and offered to be the conduit for funds that any of her family and friends might wish to donate for badly needed help. The quake received limited press coverage and there was not an outpouring of international aid. Liz collected several hundred dollars in a short amount of time and made the trip to see the devastation for herself. She travelled with some of her friends from her school, and one of them knew a pastor of a Nazarene congregation. Liz reported that the sights were amazing – there would be no devastation and then severe damage, side by side on the same street. What she learned was that the adobe homes did not hold up but the homes made with reinforced concrete blocks withstood the tremors. And the next thing she learned was that enough concrete blocks could be purchased on the local economy to rebuild a home for $500! This was Step I. Then Step II came into play. Her aunt, Lish Glasser, went to the Mission Committee at her church, Westminster Presbyterian of Enid, and the committee voted to donate $1000 to the cause and approved a “Bears 4 Earthquake Relief � effort. Lish agreed to knit a bear for a donation to the fund. And knit she did; a total of 47 bears, 2 rabbits and 1 felted purse. A majority of the bears found homes with Presbyterians, a few with coffeehouse friends and more than a few became Christmas presents or Valentine presents for grandchildren or great-grandchildren in the Enid area! Enough funds have been sent to the Nazarene congregation from the Westminster congregation by way of Liz to help a total of 30 families receive concrete blocks for rebuilding and repair. Construction is underway with members of the congregation helping each other pour the concrete floors, build the walls and raise the roofs.
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Liz has repeatedly visited the village over the last several months and will update the congregation of Westminster Presbyterian this summer when she is home. She will always be someone special to these people in San Marcos, Guatemala. Her caring spirit and love of people is reminiscent of Terri Guillemets’ words, “Chase down your passion like it’s the last bus of the night.” Liz has a passion for helping people and sharing love; she inspires others to join her in that cause. Way to go, Liz!
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E contents June/July 2013
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MAY FETE
Enid High School just celebrated its 98th annual May Fete. May Fete is an important rite of passage that honors graduating seniors.
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Let’s Celebrate food: Healthy Family
Let’s face it - although we want to serve our families healthy meals, sometimes life gets in the way.
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Building The dream at pheasant run
Anyone who has ever watched the movie, “Field of Dreams,” is familiar with the saying, “if you build it, they will come.” Ronny Dow, the owner of Pheasant Run Golf Course, took this saying to heart.
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Heavy Metal Mayhem
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Free Art FridAy
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red dirt bbq recap
Welcome to the ghostly netherworld of metal recycling, where it helps to be strong as steel and tough as tin but it doesn’t hurt to be tender at heart.
Community can mean many things, but the most accurate seems to be individuals coming together to support a common purpose. On April 5th, that purpose was Free Art Friday – an event coinciding with Enid’s own First Friday.
It’s meant to signify something big that causes your town or community to be noticed. We all want that something significant to be positive and that unfortunately doesn’t always happen.
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June/July 2013 Volume 7, Number 3 Managing Director Art Director Project Coordinator Etown Promotions Director
Frank Baker Theotis Pace Lynne Benkendorf Cathy Nulph
Writers
Candace Krebs Jacqueline Hince Audra W. Harris Ebby Stratton Carrie Vega Audra Harris Michaelene Malan Bridget Nash
Photographers
Account Executives Cover
Muncy Photography Nancy Killam MotoPhoto Cammeron Kaiser Alan Tarin Tommy Seiger
Cathy Nulph Highway Photo by Dawn Muncy
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.
Etown Magazine • P.O. Box 1192 • Enid, OK 73702-1192 • 580-548-8186
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May
Enid High School just celebrated its 98th annual May Fete. May Fete is an important rite of passage that honors graduating seniors. It is the only official Queen and Court that are elected by the entire senior class. Other school organizations vote for their own Queens and voting is limited only to their members. These students must show academic competence, and great citizen and leadership skills. After all, they will be presented to the viewing audience as representative leaders of our future. Many past members of the May Fete Court have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs. Many have opened prosperous and long-standing businesses in Enid. While sitting atop Government Springs western grassy knoll, I noticed the shining sun hit the western
Helen Anderson May Fete Queen 1918
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Natalie Coldiron May Fete 1945
Fete
by Carrie Vega Photos by Nancy Killam
Faye Orelup May Fete Queen 1915
Henry Bass May Fete Herald 1915
May Fete Queen & Herald 2012
fountain at such a perfect angle that a spectacular rainbow lasted until the Court was seated in the Greek-style gazebo. The remaining seniors were presented around the park by junior and sophomore girls. Parents, teachers, and classmates filled up the surrounding area. A look back at current events that have helped shape and mold
May Fete Court 2012
these emerging young adults was broadcast along with the Enid High Band setting the mood with traditional processional and Maypole music. May Fete may be rich in pomp and pageantry, but by being steeped in tradition, May Fete ties together past and future generations of this great city we call Enid.
“Sustaining its popularity with students and patrons through the years, May Fete has endured disastrous floods, times of war and depression, changing social attitudes, and dress styles. May Fete is a unique Enid High tradition that has and will continue to bond decades of Plainsmen together in heart and spirit.” RuthAnn Sailors
May Fete 2013
Queen and Herald - Lillian Mera and Michael Walker, III • Honor Attendant and Honor Escort - Colleen Zelenski and Jake Scott
Court
Claire Andrews and Jesus Camarena • Kaitlin Bell and Angel Chavez • Katie Bushman and Kit Chavez-Lona • Chelsea Callant and Edgar Delgadillo-Placencia • Hope Frisbie and Rob Frantz • Paulina Medrano-Garcia and David Prater • Rachel Pyper and Ben Weber
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There is one thing you can count on as a military family: One of the many challenges that you will be faced with on your journey is a Permanent Change of Station (PCS). Moving is a necessary and inevitable part of military life. It is also a very large emotional and physical challenge, not only for you but for your entire family. We at Paramount Hom es Real Estate understand those needs, as we have moved num erous times with children in tow. A PCS is a “moving” experience in more ways than one. No matter how often families change resid ence, moving brings with it a variety of emotions and situations . It is often very easy to get caught up in the moving checklist of boxes, cleaning, packing and moving, and overlook the emo tions that are tied to the transition to a new location. When it com es to your children it is very important that you take the time to allow them to share their thoughts, feelings and experiences relat ed to the impending move and also once you have arrived at your new location. While children may understand that your family is moving, their reactions may vary depending on their personality and developmental age. Some children are inqu isitive and will want to know “why” every step of the way. Som e are outgoing and will naturally find friends immediately while others will become nervous or worried. It is important for you to know that most children’s sense of identity is formed by their peer groups and social belonging. The biggest worry that school-age children endure is whether they will make new frien ds and fit in easily at their new school. Cater to satisfy this worr y by painting the move in a positive light. If you see your move as an exciting adventure your children will most likely follo w your lead.
Moving Tips for Military Children • It is critical that your children have
the enough time to say good-bye to the family members and friends they’re leaving behind. Encourage them to exchange contact information.
• Allow
your children to help with separating and packing.
• Explain
the process of how the move will work and where the military is sending you, how long it will take to get there, and how/when you will find a new home. Most questions and fears can be eased when you sit down and
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have a “moving” conversation with your child. Let children be present on moving day as the boxes are packed and movers take away your belongings.
• Make
sure children have an opportunity to pick out favorite things to take along on your trip to your new duty station.
• Give
children a special job on moving “out” and moving “in” day so they feel a valuable part of the process.
their new room children to decide how r arranged. should be decorated and/o r new neighborhood • Investigate and explore youexc iting things. Allow and together. Look for fun of lore or write down a list them to use a map to exp t. ou m the k es and go see their favorite things/plac locate after-school • Make a concerted efforten tocan make new friends activities where your childr with similar interests.
• Allow
For more questions or concerns regarding how to move with children, please contact Jennifer Fugazzi or any one of Paramount’s Associates at 580-237-6200/580-484-7536 or email ParamountHomesRE@suddenlinkmail.com Etown Sponsor Content
www.paramounthomesre.co
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Andrea Stephens Ministries The B.A.B.E. Event Teaching teens they are Beautiful, Accepted, Blessed, Eternally, Significant Photos by Nancy Killam 2.
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1. 3 Union 2. Mia Jones, Ciara Rodriquez, Jordan Kostka, Brooke Sears 3. Andrea Stephens – Featured Speaker, author of the B.A.B.E. Books 4. Lorac Yerian & Alison Moore 5. Carolyn Koepping, Brooke Wayman, Morgan Minx 6. Julianne Thomison – Miss Oklahoma’s Outstanding Teen of the Year 6.
Photo taken by MotoPhoto
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A shout-out to Mom
Mother’s Day came and went on May 12, but any day is a good day to give a shout-out to mom, right? Here is mine. My mom is the one who started me on a path to loving music as well as silly and fun fashions. Millie is a true Southern belle, born and raised in Mississippi. She was introduced to my dad while he was attending the seminary in New Orleans. Long story short, Dad joined the Air Force as a chaplain and traveled the world, and Mom went along as an accomplished singer. even made cute little shorts for my brother out of the same material. “Gunk” dresses and jumpers were all the rage back then (cool until junior high, anyway, when the hormones kicked in.)
Mom still enjoys her bling. However, occasionally her holiday attire of pumpkins and Santas is a bit too much, even for me. But it suits her personality: fun and outgoing. Isn’t that really what fashion is all about?
Thanks, Mom…. It’s been a fun ride. For more updates, stay tuned to my Cats Fluff N Stuff Facebook page, as well as Etown.
Cathy Nulph
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While we lived in Europe, she continued to hone her talents. The local choir director happened to be an opera singer and picked up on Mom’s great voice. He helped her launch a singing career in Europe. Growing up I remember how proud I was of her. Mom also had a knack for style and made all of our clothing. She and my sister and I would often wear matching dresses. She
Let’s Celebrate Food! By Ebby Stratton
Photos by Alan Tarin
healthy families
Let’s face it
- although we want to serve our families healthy meals, sometimes life gets in the way. We rush from one activity to another and barely have time to breathe, much less cook healthy food. We often times just pick up fast food and call it good. What happened to the ‘good ‘ole days’ of everyone sitting down at the kitchen table and enjoying a wholesome meal together? You know – the Wally and Beaver kinda meal? Well, for one thing, families today are busier than ever. There are more families where both parents work and more single parent families. Children today are involved in so many activities, it’s enough to make a parent’s head spin. Often, kids eat in the car going from one activity to another. What does all this mean? Well, simply put, children today are not Ava Jackson, Danielle Jackson, Lindy Northcutt
getting the healthy foods they need. Poor nutrition leads to many health problems such as obesity, diabetes, heart problems and poor school performance. Our children deserve better, they deserve to be given foods to help them grow strong and healthy. And parents need healthy foods to help keep up with their kiddos!! What can we do to stop this trend of serving our families food that is over-processed, over-sugared, over-salted and therefore unhealthy?
Alex Stallings, David Sheperd
How can we get back to serving real food? task.This doesn’t have to be an impossible Take a little time to plan; what does your family really like to eat? Can you make it healthier? What are some easy cooking methods you can start using? Maybe cooking in larger quantities is good for you; eat ½ now and freeze the other half for later. Dust off the crock-pot and use it weekly. Involve your kids in the planning; actually ask them what meals they like, and then make it a little healthier. If they say spaghetti, use wholewheat pasta. If chicken nuggets are a family favorite, make your own baked version. Not only will you save money but you will also pump up the nutrition.
It all starts with what foods you buy at the grocery store. Make a grocery list of simple proteins, vegetables, dairy, whole grains and fruits.
Food doesn’t have to be fussy. As a matter of fact, most kids prefer simple foods. Why do we think we have to take vegetables, cook them to mush and load them down with creamy soups? Pinterest may have some yummy recipes, but if they take 15 ingredients and an hour to make, it’s not possible for many families
to do. A meal of grilled or sautéed chicken, fresh green beans and a baked sweet potato takes a small amount of time to prepare and is so nutritious. If your child is always begging for Cheetos or Oreos for a snack, consider just not replacing it when they run out. Your child can only eat at home what you have at home. You may be pleasantly surprised when your child reaches for fresh fruit or string cheese instead of chips! Planting a garden is another opportunity for your family to experience fresh food! I just know your children will get a kick out of picking zucchini from the garden and it definitely will encourage them to eat it. Since snacks seem to be a problem in
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Cristian Vega
Ava Jackson, Danielle Jackson, Lindy Northcutt
Alex Stallings
Lorryn Fuller, Ava Jackson, Danielle Jackson Alex Stalling, Carlos Vega, Cristian Vega
David Shepard
many homes, I thought it would be interesting to have a ‘Tasting Party’ with kids ages 4 thru 12; just to see if they would try and maybe even like some healthy snacks. Call me crazy, but I love this type of thing. So, one Saturday, Christy Northcutt and I got together at The Non-Profit Center downtown with 13 children and their moms. Serving green smoothies, yogurt parfaits, fruit & cheese kabobs and pinwheel sannies to 13 kids proved to be very interesting to say the least!! The first treat I made was green smoothies….. well, they were suppose to be green but ended up this dreadful brownish color. The addition of strawberries totally changed the color, oh well, lesson learned. Into my smoothie machine went frozen strawberries, banana, almond milk, honey yogurt and 2 big handfuls of fresh spinach. As I looked out in the crowd of children, I noticed Jackson Hatchel had his head in his hands, peeking through his fingers to watch in horror as I added the spinach. I can only imagine what was going through his head – “I have to drink THAT?? no way!!!” may have been the theme. As I poked the spinach down, somehow the lid came off and the smoothie – the brown smoothie at that - spewed everywhere. That set off some giggles from the little girls. Oh well, when you do real cooking, you are gonna have real accidents!! The kids lined up with their cups to taste………..and guess what? They loved it!! Even horrified Jackson loved it and asked for more!! Janna Jackson, who attended with her two darling girls, told me later, “ I put greens in smoothies for my kids, but I never told them about it! I was a little surprised they tried the smoothies knowing about the spinach.” Carlos Vega created a smoothie recipe that was a big hit; he added peanut butter to the smoothie along with various fruits and of course, spinach! His recipe was the favorite of all the kids. That’s the thing about smoothies; you can add anything you want!! Really, that’s the thing about making your own real food; you can add the ingredients you like. Be creative with your cooking – challenge your
Hayden Hatchel, Nate Northcutt
family to experience different tastes and textures. For kids to develop healthy habits, it’s important for them to learn to love a variety of fruits and vegetables served in different ways. Encourage different tastes and textures to help develop a mature palate that is more open to a wider variety
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of new foods. The topic of healthy REAL food is one of my passions. I truly believe food is medicine – what we eat determines and supports our health. So, don’t be surprised if you see more on this topic. Let’s celebrate healthy food!!!
What is a healthy family? By Christy Northcutt
Photos by Alan Tarin
Health
a state of complete physical, chemical and social well being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity – Dorland’s Medical Dictionary . Now let’s add the family to it! Since Ebby covered healthy food choices in the previous article, I’m going to focus on healthy physical and social well-being choices for families. Every family is different. My kids are young. Your kids may be
Family Dinnertime:
Kids that eat dinner with their families are less likely to smoke, drink, do drugs, get depressed or consider suicide and are more likely to do well in school and eat more vegetables. So, decide on one night a week that you will eat dinner together as a family. A suggestion might be Table Talk Tuesdays. During dinner ask your kids a question such
teenagers – bless you. We have lots of kids to play with in our neighborhood. You might rather meet with friends somewhere outside your home. No matter the age or lifestyle of your family, I hope the following ideas will be helpful.
as: What is one thing they plan on accomplishing this week? or What is a reward you received recently and why was it important to you? You might think these questions are too advanced for younger kids, but when I asked my 5-year-old about the reward, she said her dance medal because she worked all year on her dance for the recital. Asking one thoughtful question is prob-
ably enough. You want to start a conversation not an inquisition. Pick a question that gives you insight into your child’s personality, likes, fears, beliefs, struggles, etc. My kids have no idea I use this tactic on them, but I’ve learned a lot about them through their answers.
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Be Involved. Stay Involved. Family Day – Be Involved. Stay Involved.
Family Day is a national movement promoting parental engagement as a tool to keep kids substance free. It’s a FB page and their daily posts have topics such as these: •Word of the Day: The word for today is Amicable – characterized by friendly goodwill. Try using this word at dinner tonight. •Quick Ways to Connect with Your Kids: Ask your kids to fill in the blank: Our family shows respect for one another by __________. •Talking to Your Teens: Ask your kids: If you saw alcohol/marijuana used at your friend’s house or party, what would you do? •Tips for Parents: 2 Sets of conversation starters for elementary-school-aged kids and middle-school-aged kids.
Lindy Northcutt & Lorryn Fuller
Nate Northcutt
Free Play:
Kids need a chance to direct their own playtime. It doesn’t matter if it happens at home, the backyard or a local park. They just need time to play on their own as well as with their peers. This goes for teens as well. Most kids are involved in sports that have rules and regulations. During self-directed play, the kids are in charge of what is going to happen. They use their creativity while cooperating with others. I know safety is an issue and kids can’t roam the neighborhoods like when I was growing up. If you invite friends over or take your kids somewhere, you can still give your kids freedom to play as they wish. Supply the bike and /or scooter (with a helmet), basketballs, sidewalk chalk and let them create the games. Keep a watchful eye for their safety and be a referee ONLY when absolutely necessary. Most kids can work it out if they’re given the chance.
Lindy Northcutt & Emma Ainsworth
Hayden Fuller & Nate Northcutt
Lorryn Fuller
Gabe Ainsworth
Love:
Love your child for who they are. No one is perfect. I wasn’t as a child and I’m definitely not as a parent. Encourage your child and be their cheerleader. Build a bond with your child that will emotionally support them for the rest of their life. As Abraham Lincoln said, “Love is the chain whereby to bind a child to its parent.”
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Ideas for Family Fun FREE or Almost Free Champion Splash Pad & Park - FREE 10th Street & Chestnut Avenue A sun awning covers Splash Pad’s water play features. Park playground equipment was newly installed this spring. Hoover Splash Pad & Park – FREE Hoover Street & Oklahoma Avenue A fence secures Splash Pad’s water play features. Park offers basketball court and play toys. Champlin Park – FREE S. Van Buren Street & W. Owen K. Garriott Rd The new nature-inspired playground is planned for installation by July 1st. Park also includes a wide sidewalk for walking, jogging, biking, and roller skating. Enid Trails System – FREE Trailhead on Cleveland by Meadow Point Apartments The trails system located throughout Enid is perfect for all types of fitness activities. Whether you walk, jog, bike or roller blade, you can enjoy the great outdoors on a safe, paved trail. Oakwood Bowl – FREE 4709 W. Owen K. Garriott Road May 13 – August 31 Visit www.kidsbowlfree.com to signup for 2 FREE games of bowling each day of the summer. Offer good for kids 15 years and younger. Also receive Family Passes so parents bowl at a discount. Meadowlake Park - $1 & up S.Van Buren Street & Rupe Avenue Park offers playground equipment, horse shoe courts, tennis courts, baseball field, walking and jogging trails. Enjoy fishing or feeding the ducks at the lake. Train rides and miniature golf are available Memorial Day to Labor Day. Adventure Quest Twilight Time - $2 200 E. Maple Street May 27 - September 2 Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 5-8 pm enjoy the 3-story wooden castle that features bridges, slides, swings, mazes, water table, dinosaur dig and tot lot.
GRANOLA Approx. 7 cups of old fashioned oats – ½ of the large 42 oz. container 1 6 oz. package slivered raw almonds 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds ½ cup coconut – sweetened or unsweetened 1 T. cinnamon Mix all the above in a large bowl. ½ to ¾ cup coconut oil ¼ cup raw honey ¼ cup brown sugar Heat above in saucepan on low to melt sugar and honey. Add 1 T. vanilla Mix well. Pour over oats and mix well. Cook on large cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. 350’ for approx 40 min. Stir often. The joy of this basic recipe is that you can add or remove any ingredients to your taste. All measurement is definitely approximate!! For the Tasting Party, I used this granola to make the yogurt parfaits. Simply layer the following in a clear cup - your choice of yogurt, blueberries and strawberries, granola, yogurt, fruit and top with granola.
GREEN SMOOTHIE 5 strawberries 1 banana 1/2 cup honey greek yogurt 1/2 - 3/4 cup almond milk, depending on how thick you want it. You can also add orange juice! 2 handfuls fresh spinach a few ice cubes anything else you would like to add to pump up the healthy goodness Put all in smoothie machine or blender and blend well. From experience, if you would like your green smoothie to be green, omit the strawberries and add green apple.
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Anyone experiencing legal matters in Northwest Oklahoma need look no further than Mitchel, Gaston, Riffel & Riffel. Mitchel, Gaston, Riffel & Riffel has a
While the firm is available to help in a wide variety of legal areas it has recently received national recognition in the area of Medicaid benefits. For winning the case of Morris v. Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Mitchel, Gaston, Riffel & Riffel has been recognized for litigating the seventh most important Elder Law decision in the nation in 2012. “There has been a lot of misconception when it comes to these benefits,” said Craig Riffel. “What’s really rewarding about this practice is that, at some point, people’s lives change. At some point we can see a physical and emotional change.” Whether it’s helping people receive their Medicaid, Medicare or Veterans Affairs benefits or helping people through legal areas in agriculture, family law or mediation, helping people is why Craig Riffel got into the business. Riffel received his law degree in 1995 and Mitchel, Gaston, Riffel & Riffel has been in Enid since 2004. “Enid’s been good to us,” said Riffel. “We have an excellent litigation practice.” Riffel said the firm’s success is achieved through a group effort. “I’m fortunate enough to have some very bright lawyers. There’s only a handful of guys who do what we do in Oklahoma,” said Riffel. There are seven lawyers in the firm’s Enid office: Craig Riffel, Katresa J. Riffel, Philip J. Outhier, Jessica L. Caruthers, Timothy F. Campbell, Zachary J. Denney and Ashley McDermott. Three attorneys are housed in Woodward: Michael W. Mitchel, Donald C. Gaston and Jay M. Mitchel. Together, the lawyers at Mitchel, Gaston, Riffel & Riffel have litigated in all tiers of federal court from Federal District Court to the 10th Circuit of Appeals to the United States Supreme Court. “Not a lot of people like federal practice,” said Katresa J. Riffel. “It’s more intense.” Philip J. Outhier said, “We work collaboratively. We work together in a team approach to get a result. It’s a unique way for lawyers to work.” In addition to the firm’s attention from through various cases involving benefits, it has also received recognition for a case in which the firm represented
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team of eager, experienced and ethical attorneys who are always available to use their knowledge and experience to help anyone with legal issues.
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more than 2,000 plaintiffs. “The other thing this firm has been known for recently is when we represented the LSV (low-speed electric vehicle) people,” said Craig Riffel. That case was brought against the Oklahoma Tax Commission when thousands of people purchased LSVs for a tax credit and then were refused the credit. “It was really a major undertaking just
to represent that many people,” said Riffel. “We won those credits.” Mitchel, Gaston, Riffel & Riffel is known for its “big” cases but the firm does so much more than those cases that have been in the spotlight. Mitchel, Gaston, Riffel & Riffel’s services include the practice areas of agriculture, appeals, asset protection, bankruptcy, criminal law, employment law,
estate planning, family law, insurance defense, juvenile law, litigation, mediation, personal injury, probates, social security disability, tax and trusts. The attorneys at Mitchel, Gaston, Riffel & Riffel are eager to help anyone who seeks their counsel.
Enid Typewriter’s 75th Anniversary 1. Sharon Franklin & Sandy Waltz 2. Curt & Thelma Horrall 3. Marcia & Ron Janzen
Photos by Cammeron Kaiser 4. Brian Lechner & Matt Clark 5. J. Emmons & Alan Sayre
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First Friday - April Photos Nancy Killam
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1. Piper and Chaney Tucker
4. David and Cheri Ezzell
2. Kristen Damrey & Penn, Kristen
5. Gaslight Cabaret performers
Tefft & Nora
6. Paul Stone & the Larsen family
3. Billy Beck
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Michael & Amy Red Cross – Dueling Pianos Photos Nancy Killam
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2. Jennifer Stone & Kimberly Lainson 3. Tom, Vicki & Taylor White 4. Jason Earl & Bryttani Probst 5. Brenda & Jimmy Merrick 6. Mike Stuber & Ashley Hatcher 7. Attendees Singing on Stage 7
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Every day Dr. David Weaver is called into work, he witnesses a miracle. He says even after all these years, and though he delivers nearly thirty babies a month, the wonder and joy that comes with giving birth never ceases to amaze him. “I was a labor and delivery nurse for years in Las Vegas and I worked with David a lot,” remarks Lisa Weaver. “I could always tell that he truly loves bringing those babies into the world!” Delivering Enid’s youngest members is actually what brought the Weavers to Oklahoma. The two first met working in a hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Since that very first date we’ve never been apart,” says David. Soon they were
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married, David adopted Lisa’s son from a previous marriage, and they later welcomed a daughter. The two built their dream house and settled down in Vegas. That’s when God threw them a curveball. In 2002, Las Vegas doctors were faced with a “medical malpractice crisis” when the rates increased seven-fold. As a result, fifty-five of one hundred and fifty OBGYN’s left, David among them. “I told David that if God wanted to put us somewhere it would all just fall into place,” remembers Lisa. That’s exactly what happened. The job interview is what first brought the Weavers to Enid, however they say it was a visit to Emmanuel Baptist that left them feeling this is where they should
be. “It just felt like home,” recalls Lisa. “It just seemed like such a grace-filled church even that first day.” So they sold their home, packed up the family, and moved to Oklahoma. Years later they say Emmanuel Baptist still provides that same sense of home and comfort. Whether it’s been the youth group, going on mission trips, or becoming members of the adult Sunday school class, David and Lisa say Emmanuel has been a continual blessing in their lives. Right now David also teaches sixth-grade-boys Sunday school. “I love watching the boys as they grow over the year not only physically and emotionally but in Christ,” says David.
The Weavers add that perhaps the greatest blessing at Emmanuel was finding a tightknit church family for not only them but also Lisa’s parents, Jim and Nancy Brosius. Though they have now passed on, Lisa says the church was an incredible gift for her parents in the last years of their life. “My parents had such a delightful church family here that it was priceless for us to see them live those years with smiles on their faces.” Married for more than twenty years, the Weavers have spent eleven of those in Enid. David still has an active practice and Lisa is a real estate agent with Century 21. Their two children continue to live in the area and they have a three-year old grandson. The couple says looking back they can now see the divine plan that uprooted them eleven hundred miles and made Enid home. “It’s just been such a blessing,” concludes Lisa.
by Trina Walker Photos by Blake
Anyone who has ever watched the movie “Field of Dreams” is familiar with the saying,
“if you build it, they will come.” Ronny Dow the owner of Pheasant Run Golf Course, took this saying to heart. Building a clubhouse for the course has been an unrealized dream until now. When Ronny purchased the course a year ago turning this dream into a reality was a top priority. With membership on the rise...up to around 100 members, there is certainly something good happening at Pheasant Run. The stately brick and stone entrance is now home to a full pro shop and restaurant. Seating up to 60 people, “Bogies Bar and Grill” is more than a rest stop for golfers to eat and relax after a round of golf, it is a place for the entire community to eat and enjoy. “We are open to the public, you do not have to be out here
leap of faith. “I quit my job, started the spraying business, had our first son and built a home all in the same month...running a golf course is no problem,” laughs Ronny. It is however a lot of work; work that is much appreciated by the Pheasant Run members. Ronny’s background in spraying and turf management shows on the greens and fairways. Club member Paul Schepperley plays golf almost every day. While excited about the clubhouse, it is the condition of the grounds he is most impressed with. “Since Ronny took over, the greens are fantastic and the fairways are 100 percent better than they have ever been,” he said. The new clubhouse is a bonus. “It (the
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Etown Sponsor Content
golfing or be a member to come and enjoy lunch or supper,” said Ronny. Bogies’ menu is now expanded from the standard hot dog and burgers to include rib eye, catfish, pork chops and more. The supper menu will have more choices and Ronny hopes the community will come out to see what they have to offer. Purchasing a golf course was a big leap for Ronny and his family but challenges are something Ronny has always risen to. Before becoming a golf course owner Ronny owned a spraying company in Breckenridge, OK. The start of that company was also a
clubhouse) makes it feel like a club,” said Paul. “Ronny is a great guy, he deserves this.” Another longtime member, Nate Ross, also loves the clubhouse but is most impressed with the management of the course itself. Ross sees the clubhouse as a tool for increasing revenue allowing further investment back into the course. Ronny has created an atmosphere that encourages membership and involvement. “Members are helping and volunteering around the course,” said Nate. “I see members observing the rules more because they have a sense of ownership. “This is my course and it just keeps getting better and better,” Nate said. Roger and Jenni Lam have been golfing for years at Pheasant Run but it was not
until Ronny took over that they decided to become club members. “He (Ronny) has made this feel like a family and we wanted to be part of it,” said Roger. Jenni and Roger say that if one word could describe the atmosphere at Pheasant Run it is “fellowship.” “We were here last night moving stuff in to get ready for the open house,” said Jenni. “We want to be out here whether it is to play or help with some jobs.” Ronny’s wife Sara is grateful for the support they have had in this endeavor. “We could not have done it without the volunteers.” Sara is very supportive of Ronny and the many changes they have made in the past year. She is an elementary teacher in Enid
and will be spending her summer helping run the restaurant and working to get the clubhouse off to a good start. “We went from spending time together at home to this fast-paced life. I just love that we are doing this together,” said Sara. The open house was a day for members to come and see their finished clubhouse. Another special event for the day was the opportunity to visit one of the Golf USA tents on the driving range to custom select the
perfect golf club. John Anderson with Golf USA has set up at Pheasant Run in the past and is excited by the new clubhouse and course improvement he sees happening at Pheasant Run.
“It has been a great turnout…fantastic,” said John.
With golf companies like Titleist, Callaway, Adams and Cleveland represented, golfers have the opportunity to test out many different clubs and styles. “We provide custom fit clubs for ladies, men and juniors.” “Everyone has a unique swing. This allows golfers to work with their unique swing rather than trying to change it,” John said. A radar tracks the swing, measuring everything from the launch angle to back
spin. Onsite measurements are a little less detailed than what can be done in the store. Anderson says anyone interested in a full swing diagnostic should stop by his Golf USA store in Willow plaza. Club member, Lucas McCoy has worn many hats in his years with Pheasant Run. Signing up golfers to test clubs on open house day is just one. Lucas started out at Pheasant Run as a kid working on the grounds. Today he is a club member. “There has been a lot of progress made since it (Pheasant Run) opened,” said Lucas.
“There is now an atmosphere and attitude that is positive and moving forward. Ronny listens to members and puts money and effort where it is needed.” Looking back at the saying “If you build it, they will come,” it is easy to see that Ronny built it and they are coming. But what exactly did Ronny build? It is more than the clubhouse and more than just maintaining the grounds. There is now a sense of pride, ownership and fellowship at Pheasant Run. Ronny and his family have taken what was just a golf course and made it home.
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JPSO Golf Tournament Sheds Light on Disabled American Veterans By Trina Walker
hen Justin Morrison started a Facebook group for friends to argue about sports he had no idea what it would lead to. Justin Paul’s Sports Opinion Group now known simply as JPSO, has grown to 200 members mostly from Enid and surrounding areas. As the membership grew so did the connection between members. The lives of these people became part of the page and Justin found himself wanting to do more than just argue sports. When a friend and his wife had triplets they were struggling with the emotional and financial difficulty of taking care of their
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Photos by Tommy Seiger
babies. When they eventually lost one baby the entire JPSO group felt the loss. Justin, along with others, wanted to help their friend. This was the catalyst for the first JPSO Golf Tournament. An avid golfer, Justin came up with the idea of the tournament to raise money to help with hospital bills. This event was so successful the JPSO group went on to hold a concert, cook-out and even a beer pong tournament to raise money for others in the group. As a whole, around $15,000 was raised through these fundraisers.
In addition to helping with the triplets, money from these events helped replace a friend’s stolen car and with bills of another friend whose young son is having multiple heart surgeries. This year the JPSO Golf Tournament at Pheasant Run has expanded from helping individuals to helping a local group in need. The Disabled American Veterans of Northwest Oklahoma are in need of a new van to transport veterans to the VA hospital in Oklahoma City. When Justin learned of their plight it was decided that this year’s tournament
would help fund the DAV’s purchase. “These guys have put their lives on the line for us,” said Justin. Working with the DAV and meeting the veterans needing help with transportation has been an emotional experience for Justin. “These guys are big time war heroes,” he said. The JPSO golf tournament is the group’s largest fundraiser. The DAV needs $23,000 for the new van. Justin expects the tournament to raise around $10,000. “Every penny we earn goes straight to the DAV,” he said. “We are a low key group, it is about what we do not who we are.”
The DAV has already received support from people just seeing the tournament fliers around town. “This is a great cause…it is not a hard sell,” said Justin. Just by getting the word out about the DAV’s need an anonymous donor walked in with a $5000 donation. “The owner of Phil’s Construction is one of our members. He is a vet and recently suffered from a stroke,” said Justin. “While in the hospital he sent one of his guys into the DAV with a $500 check.”
Justin does not do this alone. It takes many JPSO group members working together to make these fundraisers happen. Help from companies like Jumbos and Advance Food has been tremendous through the years. The most important part of the golf tournament this year is building awareness of the DAV. The DAV needs the support of the community to continue their work. By making more people aware of the DAV’s work, the JPSO has done what they set out to do.
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Etown Sponsor Content
Growing Through The Years With
Grace:
Becoming a “Survivor” by Jacqueline Hince Photos by Cammeron Kaiser
“Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.” --Eleanor Roosevelt As the years tick by many of us are guilty of trying to turn back the clock or at least slow it down. Magazine pages are often littered with anti-aging secrets, creams and tips. However, Dr. Tom Snyder, the Medical Director at Greenbrier Village, says the key to aging gracefully isn’t found in a package. “The secrets to healthy aging are all common knowledge now. Good life habits, the more exercise
the better, stay socially and spiritually involved, take care of medical needs and preventative health. Successful aging doesn’t come in a bottle. It is not a supplement. It is more of a lifestyle.” Dr. Snyder has a unique view of the elderly population. As a doctor for nearly thirty years, and the medical director at Greenbrier Village for more than twenty, he has seen firsthand the physical and emotional
Dr Snyder with the Admission director Bobbie Jo Sutton and resident Glenda Hazelton effects aging has on the body. That’s why he calls the older generation “survivors”. He says they’re the tough ones among us. “They have made it through childhood illnesses, and the struggles of adolescence. They have made it through the pitfalls of the mid-part of life, like substance abuse or things like accidents or violence. Some of it
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is genetic, some of it is good luck and some of it is lifestyle,” mulls Snyder. Therefore the elderly are the pioneers among us. They are “survivors” who have defeated many of life’s challenges. They have amazing qualities like stamina and a sense of resilience. Which begs the question, are there things you can do to become a survivor?
Dr. Snyder says there are steps you can take to work to prolong your life and ensure you have a better quality of life. In his experience the two greatest struggles among aging populations is isolation and depression. Isolation, because it can become harder to keep or form new relationships and depression often stems from physical
pain. “Aging is not for sissies,” says Dr. Snyder. “It involves a lot of pain, it involves some rejection, it involves change and that all sounds like junior high.” He says it’s imperative to keep and maintain friends, have an active social life, stay involved in your church and try to maintain strong relationships with your children or grandchildren. “That can really make a difference,” says Dr. Snyder. Other actions that can make a difference include eating healthy, exercising regularly, visiting the doctor to get checkups as well as getting plenty of rest each night. “Aging gracefully has much more to
do with common sense then it has to do with an unhealthy lifestyle or trendy medical or nutritional entities,” reiterates Snyder. Dr. Snyder says by taking steps now, you are preparing your body to battle the inevitable challenges and struggles that come with age. Dementia is the number one reason the elderly seeks refuge in nursing homes, yet studies show physical activity may reduce dementia by as much as fifty percent. Dr. Snyder cites dementia as the main culprit for falls in the elderly as well. He suggests children of aging parents ensure their mother or father carry a cell phone
Dr Snyder with Director of Nursing Brandi Davidson, MDS Karen Swank and Resident Evelyn Radcliffe at all times to alert others if they take a tumble. Falling is also one of the first signs that aging parents may soon need assistance. However, it’s important to research the various levels of support available to your loved ones. Aging populations can get family and friend support to stay at home, or they may find a better fit in independent senior or assisted living. Skilled nursing homes are also available to provide round the clock care.
When it comes time to deciding if loved ones need extra support, there is a list of “activities of daily living” that can help you determine the functional status of a loved one. “Things like their ability to prepare food, get in and out of the bathroom, wash clothes, maintain their home, get the newspaper, keep from falling, pay their bills,” explains Snyder. ADL’s are the best way to gauge whether it’s time to move into a senior
independent apartment, assisted living or nursing home. Dr. Snyder encourages you to consult with a doctor if you’re concerned. In the end, Dr. Snyder emphasizes that no matter our age we are all still young at heart. We must take each day as a gift and live life to the fullest. “All humans have an eternal soul,” concludes Dr. Snyder. “So they’re basically young their whole life, because life is a small chapter of an eternal soul’s existence.”
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By Candace Krebs Photos by Dawn Muncy
Welcome to the ghostly netherworld of metal recycling, where it helps to be strong as steel and tough as tin but it doesn’t hurt to be tender at heart. One man’s junk is another’s treasure. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the mysterious netherworld of Southside Recycling where cars and computers, refrigerators and rebar, batteries and beer cans, go to die, and to be reborn. Surrounded by weathered grain elevators and bordered by a crosshatch of railroad tracks, this trash collection yard at Fourth and Hackberry is the original Cash for Clunkers drive-through, a teeming theme park where massive cranes with claw-like shears and giant swinging magnets loom over post-apocalyptic mountains of trash. A continual stream of vehicles — hundreds a day ranging from hulking semis to meager Nissans — drop off mounds of scrap or a few garbage bags of aluminum cans at a time, filing through the busy scale-house and leaving with thousands of dollars or a small wad of bucks.
Presiding over this menagerie of metal is owner Jim Holt, a big bear of a man with a calm demeanor and an unexpectedly soft heart. This spooky place, where cars are snipped in half as if they were paper, is as much about reincarnation as it is dismemberment. “I can’t tell you how many places I’ve helped clean up around town,” Holt says. “The industry itself has progressed and is cleaning up itself. Everybody’s concerned with the environment now.” It was the emergence of a market for recycled appliances 20 years ago that propelled this sprawling dump into the $8.5 million revenue generator it’s now become. Before that, unusable items were piled up on people’s porches or dumped into ditches. Today’s voracious recycling industry cuts the clutter by providing a home for just about anything.
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Metal wranglers, from left, Brian Carter, David Hensley and Bryan Hill “You never know what you’ll come across here. People have shown up with things that boggle my mind,” Holt says.
It’s Planes, Trains and Automobiles meets Groundhog Day. “A farmer will show up with a small bridge sitting on the back of a trailer. I had somebody show up with a piece of a train. We’ve had a couple of small Cessnas,” he says.
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Holt operates what he calls a “feeder yard,” an outfit that gathers and sorts trash and then hauls it all by truck to Yaffe in Tulsa, where it is processed through a monstrous mega-shredder and shipped out as fodder for steel mills and foundries. There “ain’t no mercy” inside that shredder, describes John Smith, a trucker who often makes two round-trips a day to Tulsa and watches each 84,000-lb. load go straight from the back of his semi into giant grinders that mangle the hardest substances on earth into new and compressed forms of perpetuity. By the standards of the industry, Holt’s
yard is considered medium-sized, moving 2,000 to 3,000 tons of material a month. Holt, who has been “scrapping” off and on his whole life, says prior to the current downturn, during a boom that ran from about 2003 to 2008, he was putting in 16-hour days six days a week. “This was my life, daylight to dark. I’ve got a life now,” he says leaning back in his office chair. (In case this gives the wrong impression, it should be noted he operates a demolition company and a wrecking service on the side and is working on opening a second recycling depot.) Southside is a family affair, both literally
Jim Holt
Highway
Ronetta Hobbs
and in the fullest sense of the word. Sons Caleb and Zachary Holt, Brian Carter and Michael Brown along with son-in-law Kevin Hetland (who is married to Holt’s daughter April) are all involved, plus Kevin’s mom Gail and his sister Ronetta Hobbs. (When the youngest son, college-bound Zachary, is asked if he is committed to the family business or excited to explore what else is out there, he says, “Both.”) But family here goes beyond blood. Holt is by nature a father figure with an ironclad insistence on repaying loyalties and an unwavering willingness to provide second chances. In part, that is by necessity. No matter how you dice it, the work here is rough, intense and dirty. When chief mechanic Justin Hobson enters Holt’s office, he’s covered in grease and grime from head to toe. “You’re working on a machine where every part is heavy. It’s either 20 degrees or 100: metal reflects everything,” Holt explains on Hobson’s behalf. Asked which of the roughly 40 employees has the hardest job, Hobson says, “There’s nothing here that’s easy.” Even Greg Grayson, the safety manager seated nearby in a strikingly clean tshirt, is ready at a moment’s notice to abandon his role as desk jockey and jump into a crane or start sorting junk. Job descriptions are fluid. Two relative youngsters — “Three Fingers,” aka Brian Hill who lost his digits from an unfortunate mishap involving a cigarette and a homemade firecracker rather than on the job at Southside, which has a near spotless safety record, and Pedro Hernandez, whose smiley morning face earned him the title of “shop clown” — basically say their jobs are to do whatever needs done. Hill is a former millwright and elevator mechanic who says he likes his new job “a whole lot better. It’s wonderful. I’ve got insurance.” Plus, he says, “I’ve never laughed so much at a job as I do here.” Older fellows mentor the younger ones, starting with Holt at the top and trickling down through the ranks.
“Most of the guys here have a colorful past,” Holt allows, “but everybody has to have a past.” Take Highway, the heavily ornamented ex-hippie who runs the scale-house. (His real name is Howard Johnson, memorable enough although hardly anyone can remember it now. Co-workers gave him his nickname after noticing that his motorcycle was always packed up as though he was headed out on a long road trip.) “I’m misplaced. I’m a musician and an artist,” he says amiably from behind the desk where he is entrusted with a cashbox easily containing a cold, hard hundredthousand, although money is something to which he seems largely indifferent — so indifferent he’s been known to show up for work even when Holt had nothing to pay him. “I was having a hard time so I decided maybe I could get a job cutting iron,” he recalls. “He bought me lunch before I even did any work for him.” That was back in the early days of the business when it was located on South Second Street, situated entirely outdoors without a single dragon-like machine or
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The kings of heavy metal, from left, Kevin Hetland, Kayleb Holt, Zachary Holt, Michael Brown, Brian Carter and Greg Grayson
covered building on the premises, although Highway notes appreciatively that it did have big shade trees. “We did everything by hand,” he says. From those modest origins, the enterprise “grew up around both our ears. It literally snowballed,” he recalls. “Jim is a pretty smart businessman, and he re-invested continually. We joke that we are riding a wild horse, just waiting to see how long we can stay on.” Highway’s ascension to a key customer service role is all Holt’s doing. “He started
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noticing that while I was cutting iron back there I would talk to everybody who came by and knew everybody,” Highway says. “He had a plan. He got me into sales, which kicked in my whole responsibility thing.” (“If he can’t account for 15 cents, he gets all rattled,” Holt describes in a separate conversation.) Highway is paying it forward by encouraging his young charges in a similar way. “I try to set an example,” he says. While dismissively modest about it,
Holt is a strong backer of several important at-risk youth programs in the community, including Gini Zaloudek’s Wild Horse Gang and Shop with a Cop. There’s an intensely personal reason for his gargantuan inner soft spot, best explained by the story of the letters tattooed brazenly across the tops of his fingers that spell out L-O-V-E S-U-E.
Who is Sue?
He doesn’t have a clue. Holt’s great-grandparents, both Native American, ran a dairy. He never knew his grandparents, who were not in the picture. His mother ran away with the carnival when she was young. His dad, also a member of the carnival, died before Holt was born. Growing up in a carnival might sound funny, romantic or just mildly intriguing, but Holt is quick to clarify that it was no proper envi-
ronment for raising a child. The tattoos happened when he was 12. It was considered good fun to have a party and get the kids all drunk as cheap entertainment. He can’t remember who gave him the tattoos and was never told what they meant. Except that now, whenever he looks at them, they do mean something to him. “I come from a family that strayed badly in life,” he says. “I’ve been dead broke or where I could write a check for a million dollars and not even blink. So when I look at it,
it reminds me of how things can happen.” In other words, every old clunker or broke-down oven or gnarly wad of copper wire is worth salvaging. So is every kid. And so is every banged up old character with a heart of gold who ever ended up on a wayward path. “He cares about all of these guys,” Highway says. “We take care of each other around here.”
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“Continuation of a Legacy” by Audra W. Harris Photos by Alan Tarin
Rodney Skinner Meet Rodney Skinner. He is a pharmacist at Scheffe Prescription Shop, and has been for the past five years. He is one of the friendly faces you will see when you need your prescription filled or have a question about your medication. From Clinton, Oklahoma, and an Oklahoma University graduate, Skinner’s ties to the Sooner State run deep. Skinner was hired to work at Scheffe’s as a pharmacist before he even finished his Pharmacy School program. He has been happily
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helping customers there ever since. During pharmacy school Rodney worked as an intern to gain valuable experience. Pharmacy was not his initial interest, although he did enjoy the medical field. His brother is also a pharmacist and is responsible for convincing Skinner that a degree in pharmacy was the right way to go. When asked what Skinner likes most about his job, he replies, “I learn something new every day.” His favorite work involves helping customers, and “putting their minds
at ease.” Some of his most memorable moments working with the public include helping patients who are newly diagnosed with diabetes who need help learning how to use their meters. As can be imagined, being diagnosed with this disease can be life changing, and Skinner likes to help his customers navigate the changes that need to be made. In addition to helping patients with diabetes, Skinner also works with compounding medications, and finding the
Rodney Skinner
best way to get them to the patients, be it in a pill, cream, or liquid form. One of his biggest challenges is identifying drug interactions that patients might encounter between their different prescriptions and how to combat that. It is a challenge that Skinner finds “fun.” He also enjoys helping his customers save money, by comparing name brand medications to their generic forms, and seeing which one will work the best for his individual patients. On the flip side, what Skinner likes the least is having to give patients bad news, for example – a hefty price on a prescription. Through this, Skinner also adds, “When someone comes back and thanks you for your service, whether it was for them or for a family member, it can keep you going.” While Skinner plans on being a part of the Scheffe team for years to come, his ultimate goal is to be the owner of his own pharmacy. Skinner looks forward to having the ability to “know [his patients] for generations.” Until then, you can visit him at Scheffe Prescription Shop located on Randolph Avenue in downtown Enid.
127 E. Randolph • Enid, OK 73701 • (580) 233-2152 330 South 5th • Enid • (580) 233-2128 Etown Sponsor Content
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Central National Bank 100th Anniversary Photos Alan Tarin
1. Brud Baker 2. Debbie Johnson and Teresa Coleman 3. CNB costume employee group shot 4. Jamie Denny, Mindy Rude, Kristy Mills 5. Casey Felix and Mickie Giberson 6. Bill Shewey 7. Leonard Northcutt and Lawrence Yunker
8. Marthella Holloway and Eldon Ames 9. Destiny Poplin and Alyssa Shaddy 10. Kayle Costello and Casey Felix 11. Susie Zaloudek and Carol Lambertz 12. Mary Hobson and Jackie Manning 13. Sarah Smith and Bill Shewey
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Larsen’s Party Barn Christening Photos by Cammeron Kaiser 1. Tim & Shelley Larsen
5. Chris & Alichia McDaris
2. Tammy Wilson, Mike &
6. Mark Lester, Tim Larson, Evyn
Sherri Stuber
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Helber, Shawn Byrd & Brad Nelson
3. Kenny & Wendy Bacon
7. Matt & Katie Johnson
4. Cammeron & Brian Kaiser,
8. Amber Palladino, Linda, Jerry &
Carl Fielder
Adam Beguin 3.
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By Michaelene Malan Photos by Nancy Killam
Josie Larsen ing nd r fi afte
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Ar tB loc kb y Na ncy Killam them know w e existed. There are talented people out there doing stuff.” And what better way than to accept art submissions and display the work downtown?
The idea was this: hand out wooden blocks of four by four inches to anyone interested. The artists then completed whatever art inspired them. The final step was the Art Lab’s as they hid 150 to 200 pieces of artwork throughout downtown Enid. Everyone who came out went on a scavenger hunt for free art to take home. Only one block was allowed per person, but of course, if you found a piece of art you liked better, switching and trading were nid Ro ller Gir ls. Lexy Tompkins – Art
ommunity can mean many things, but the most accurate seems to be individuals coming together to support a common purpose. On April 5th, that purpose was Free Art Friday – an event coinciding with Enid’s own First Friday. Kelly Tompkins, Director of Main Street Enid as well as First Friday activities, makes her company’s personal mission to bring people downtown. “I wanted to interject more art into downtown and add more interest in the local artists.” Robert Hoggard, creator of Art Lab Enid, had much the same idea. In fact, it was his idea. “I wanted to find local artists and let
Alex Castellanos finding Art Block by Josh Stebbins encouraged. “Free Art Friday isn’t about selling our art,” Hoggard says. “It’s about getting artists out and about.” And judging from the quickly dwindling appearance of wooden blocks by the first hour, the event seems to have been a success. Especially in getting local artists their recognition, which local artist, Josh Stebbins, admits isn’t easy. “It’s a tough road to travel, and I really hope people take the time to actually take some interest in these local artists,” he says. Originally from Enid, Stebbins also submitted his own work to encourage local artists. Having a show with seven other artists coming up in Los Angeles on August 2nd, he’s living proof that it’s possible. “There are more artists in Enid than we think, and it’s events like this that give artists a chance to actually have a voice.” Hoggard mentioned the possibility of another such event in the future, so artists might have another chance to participate. Everyone can view all the work submitted at artlabenid.com. And don’t forget to thank your artist if you took home a piece of their artwork.
–A rt B loc k by
B. Drake
Special thanks go out to you, Jena G. Kodesh!
en lst o H alie Nat
Robyn Eitzen, Stephanie Widick – excited about Art First Friday
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Maple Place Bed & Breakfast Ribbon Cutting Photos by Nancy Killam
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2. Jessica Solis, Denya Lara 3. Lisa Bland-Selix, Carmen Ball, Ann Blubaugh, Shala Miller 4. Cindy Griesle, Dusti Gragg, Reagan Allen, Chris Trojan 5. Ribbon Cutting 6. Roxanne & Barry Pollard
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Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce Vance AFB Enlisted Appreciation Night Photos by Lisa Bland-Selix
Senior Airman Ryan Garcia, Senior Airman Michael Elbo, Tech. Sgt. Lorylee Willis
Col. Darren James, 71st Flying Training Wing Commander, deals a hand to the players at the table while Senior Airman Cristina Mendez and Airman 1st Class William Ensrud look over their cards.
Senior Airman Jessica Navarro and Senior Airman Yenia Ortega-Flores
Tech. Sgt. Bobbie Wyatt, Airman 1st Class Dominique Lewis, Airman 1st Class Lawrence Mitchell, Airman 1st Class Torrence Johnson
Master Sgt. Briana Edson and Mary Feightner, member of the Enlisted Appreciation Night Committee
Airman 1st class Iisha Ricks, Airman 1st class Robert Rudder, Airman 1st class Cody Diehm
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Tech. Sgt. Iyendo Manchester
Back Row--Staff Sgt. Adam Self, Airman 1st Class Alejandro Figueroa, Staff Sgt. Christopher Weathers, Aubrey Howard, Airman First Class Kimberly Ross, Airman 1st Class Destin Ross, Airman 1st Class Michael Satterfield. Front Row—Tech. Sgt. Bradley Hancock, Tech. Sgt. Richard Myers, Senior Airman Casey Hamm, Staff Sgt. Jonathan Lee.
Airman 1st Class Destiny Mitchell and Bob Farrell, Emcee and Member of the Enlisted Appreciation Night Committee at the Chamber
Chief Master Sgt. Mark Aman, 71st Flying Training Wing Command Chief, Jon Blankenship, Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Col. Darren James, 71st Flying Training Wing Commander, Ed Greven , Mary Feightner, and George Pankonin . Greven was presented a custom-made shadowbox for his many years of service in helping with the Enlisted Appreciation Night celebration.
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1. Brendon Arnold performing 2. Francisco Pizarro performing – By Hank Pincken 3. Lori and Dr. Wayne McMillin 4. Marsha Scott & Brendon Arnold 5. John & Laurel Provine
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Main Street Enid Awards Photos by Nancy Killam
1. Stela & Riley Jantzen
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– (Stela is “Board Member of the Year”) 2. Enid Mayor Bill Shewey & wife Jana 3. Curtis Tucker, Glen McDaniel, Ty Tompkins 4. New Board President John Arend (passing of the torch) 5. David Hume, Paula Nightengale & Errol Wofford 6. Vicki Brown, Lexi & Kelly Tompkins 7. Jennifer Stone & Carla Ruff
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Shok Hop 2013 Photos by Blake Jantz
Emily Outhier & Cobe Clark
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Chapter DO of the PEO sisterhood Celebrating 67 Years Photos by Alan Tarin
1. Chapter DO, PEO
6. Cindy Yost, Bobbie Stoner
2. Martie Oyler, Cathy Stocker
7. Judy Chambers, Kathy Eck, Lori Markes,
3. Sandy Kitterman, Lori Markes, Kathy Eck,
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4. Gail Hackett, Lori Long
9. Bea Simpson, Donna Messal
5. Lavonn McKnight, Sally Spillman
10. Cathy Berry, Sherry Dinsmore
1. April 5, 1946 is the founding date of Enid’s Chapter DO of the PEO sisterhood, one of nine chapters in Enid. Beginning with sixteen original founding women, the club today is fifty-three active members strong. A birthday gathering for the Chapter was held in the home of Lori Markes, on
April 5, 2013, to celebrate the group’s 67th year of enlightening and empowering women through education. A two-tiered Marguerite daisy-covered birthday cake and a giant star, the club’s emblem, helped to commemorate the occasion. Making it even more special was the
presentation to Gail Hackett of her 50 year membership pin as a sister of PEO. The Oklahoma State Convention of PEO will be held in Enid in 2014, making all Enid PEOs proud.
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Jake Voss Financial Advisor Growing up on a farm, Jake Voss knows how important it is to manage money. His family had to make ends meet with only one or two pay days a year. “So planning in advance was a challenge,” explains Voss. “It all depended on the volatility of the wheat and cattle market.” Voss says that’s when he first discovered how important creating and maintaining a financial strategy is. “I learned from that and wanted to have a career trying to help people keep from struggling financially,” remembers Voss. Voss left the wheat and cattle farm located between Carrier and Goltry after high school to attend Oklahoma State University. He then earned a degree in Agricultural Economics and began pursuing a career as a financial advisor. Voss was first turned on to Edward Jones after an internship with now fellow advisor Joe Newsom. From that moment on Voss was so determined to work for Edward Jones that when asked what his “Plan B” would be during his interview he replied, “I don’t have one. So if you don’t hire me, you are putting me in a really tough situation”.
Voss describes himself as hardworking and dedicated. He says his little girl, Claire, has opened his eyes to living in the moment and he loves being back in the Enid area to raise his family. “Ever since I can remember I wanted to come back and raise my children here. If we look around a little, I think it is safe to say ‘no one circles the wagons like Enid!’” laughs Voss. Voss has been working at Edward Jones for six years now and still works along side Newsom. When asked to describe Voss, Newsom replies,
“Voss is very conscientious in his preparation to make suggestions to clients. He’s excellent at listening to what is important to clients, their goals and financial objectives and he’s constantly researching ideas that will benefit his clients.” Clients are Voss’ top priority. He is such a strong believer in his mission that he often goes door to door to ask Enid residents for an opportunity to visit with them to
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establish goals that will help them work towards financial stability. He’s been known to stand out in sun, rain, or snow. He recalls one time when his eyelashes froze as
he talked with potential clients, but in the end, he says braving the elements is worth it. “Having the ability to change someone’s life for the better is very appealing
to me,” explains Voss. “In my opinion having a financial advisor is important because it gives a person options. Maybe it’s retirement, traveling, or paying for their children’s or grandchildren’s education. Whatever it is, they have options to do what they want.”
www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC
Etown Sponsor Content
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Oklahoma City Thunder - Court of Dreams
Super Seven - YMCA 3rd grade basketball team Photos provided
Coach: Amanda Runnels Team: Cheyenne Gill, Zoe Pace, Macy Lancaster, Stephanie Runnels, Jayln Ring, Christiana Lawerence, Emma Spring
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Have you ever heard the saying ‘We’re on the map’? It’s meant to signify something big that causes your town or community to be noticed. We all want that something significant to be positive and that unfortunately doesn’t always happen. I’m here to tell
you that in the world of competition barbecue, Enid is most definitely on the map and in a positive way
Scenes from the 1st Annual Pelagic Tank Kids Q
“You guys and girls have turned your event into one of, if not the best run event in the Country”. Joe Bill Moad, Crawford, OK
Kyle Dillingham & Doc Bryant
Doc Bryant’s Jazz Orchestra
Horn section of Docs Band
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Magician Chris Capstone entertaining the crowd
Day Without Violence - Clowns
Certified BBQ Judges Robert Johnson & Michael Oaks
“The people of Enid put on a great event. With the level of the cooks and KCBS Reps, this is and always has been one of our favorite events. The new location, even with the construction, was a perfect setting. All the people of Enid should be very proud of what you have accomplished”. Bob Hastings, Broken Arrow, OK
Purple Voodoo
Lemonade Louie serving up Peoples Choice
Scot Kee, Little Pig Town
If you’re a fan of the show Amazing Race, at the finale when the last team reaches the mat, the host always recaps the race by telling the participants how many miles and continents they’ve traveled.
Brad Blankenship & Clay Williams
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Scot Kee, Little Pig Town & Mike Davis, Lotta Bull
Cathy Nulph, Jamie Foster & Tani Mahaffey
Little Pig Town Grand Champion Pelagic Tank Kids Q 11-15 year Division
My friends, here is our recap. JP Custom Smoke Wichita, Ks Grand Champion
Kelly Killam & Rob Johnson
Jake Hassler Pelagic Tank Kids Q
March of Dimes Little Miss Red Dirt
Wildcatters Q Crew Enid, OK Reserve Grand Champion
Bar BQ Joint, People Choice Grand Champion
Greybreads Babies Grand Champion Pelagic Tank Kids Q 10 & under
Pelagic Tank Kids Q 2nd place winners, Barbour Barbecute
Enid, America…after a year of planning and preparation, your generous financial support, hosting hundreds of barbecue professionals in the form of certified barbecue judges, competition barbecue teams and those that just like
to eat barbecue representing TWELVE states, NINETY-SEVEN cities and THREE BBQ Pitmasters…Thank You! The 8th Annual Roberts Ranch Smokin’ Red Dirt BBQ was a tremendous success and its because of you that over
$32,000 was raised for six local nonprofit organizations. Who would think that barbecue could cause all that. Best in BBQ
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