MOORE MONTHLY - October 2022

COVER STORY

DOG DOCK DYNASTY — What could be more fun than watching dogs perform gravity-defying leaps, landing with tremendous splashes? We profile the rapidly-grow ing sport of Dock Diving and introduce you to a Moore woman who’s air-borne canine qualified for the national competition.

LOCAL NEWS

½ CENT SALES TAX RENEWAL — Half-a-penny doesn’t sound like much, but it adds up to better streets and safer emergency services for Moore residents, among other things. Why Moore voters will want to take note of this important item on the ballot coming up in November.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

40-YEARS OF SERVICE —State Farm agent Terry Cavnar has been doing business in Moore for 40 years. In this issue, Cavnar talks about how he got started in the in surance business and how his love for Moore and faith in God keeps him passionate about the community four decades later.

KAYLA TUCKER’S JOURNEY — A former Southmoore bas ketball star shares the important stops on her journey since high school, including a stellar career playing D1 basketball at an HBCU and her current role as an assistant coach at Southern Nazarene University.

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Letter from the Editor

In the October issue of the Moore Monthly, we’re excited to introduce you to a Moore woman and her dog, who have leapt into the national spotlight in the growing sport of dock leaping. Picture an energetic canine chasing a stick…while airborne for up to 30 feet. It’s an incredible image and an incredible story.

And it’s nearly impossible to think about World War II without the dramatic image of the flag raising on Iwo Jima coming to mind. Moore’s American Legion Post was recently renamed to honor two local men who were charter members of the post. Albert Herd fought in World War I and Harold Herd fought in World War II. We talked with Albert’s grandson, Major Mike Bishop, USMC (Retired) about the very unique con nection that ties the Moore post to that iconic photo graph of the flag raising on Iwo Jima. It’s a fascination story that we hope you’ll enjoy.

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MAKING A

DOG SPORT DOCK JUMPING EXPLODES IN POPULARITY

Little stands in the way of a dog’s love for its favorite toy. That canine passion for toys and play has become the foundation of the fast-growing sport called “Dock Diving.”

Local resident Sue Hathaway and her Belgian Malinois, “Wayland,” have qualified for the 2022 Dockdogs World Championships, set to be held in Dubuque, Iowa, on October 12-16. Hathaway says they initially got involved in dock diving to give Wayland a way to burn off energy.

“My husband and I are both military, and we had both been around the Belgians in the service,” said Hatha way. “I had a friend who had been coming down here to Brian’s place near Washington, and she suggested I give it a try. Brian gave us a few lessons, Wayland absolutely loved it, and we’ve been coming down ever since.”

The place Hathaway’s friend suggested is Oklaho ma Thunder Dock Diving, which Brian Sanders runs. Sanders is a 24-year law enforcement veteran, but he has invested significant time and effort in creating

Oklahoma’s first dock diving center. For Sanders, what began as a hobby has become something much bigger.

“It started for my wife and me when we saw some dock diving

events on television back in 2012 and 2013,” said Sanders. “We had some younger dogs and wanted to give it a go. Nobody did it in Oklahoma, so we traveled to Midlothian, Texas for events.”

After about a year-and-a-half of weekend getaways and prac tice in Texas, Sanders and his wife decided to build their facility to help grow the sport in Oklahoma. And it has grown.

“Ours was the first facility in Oklahoma, and now there’s a place out by Broken Arrow,” said Sanders. “It’s a great sport that allows you to have fun with your dog and meet many other folks who share that passion.”

If you think dock diving is fun for people, Sanders and Hatha way say that’s nothing compared to how much dogs enjoy it.

“The dogs love it,” said Sanders. “Their toy drive is in high gear, and they generate tremendous speed running down the dock. They want to compete like they know they’re competing against other dogs. You can see them feed off that energy.”

“Wayland is crazy about dock diving,” said Hathaway. “When we’re in the car coming down here, and we exit off I-35, he under stands where we’re going and starts whining with excitement.”

Photo courtesy Oklahoma Thunder Dock Diving

Sanders says almost any breed of dog can participate in dock diving. There are different disciplines and classes for com petition, so it’s easy for anyone from nov ice to expert level to find a place to com pete. Big Air, Extreme Vertical, and Iron Dog Challenge are the three dock dog disciplines.

Big Air is a long jump for dogs and con sists of the dog running along a 40-foot dock after a handler tosses their toy into the water. The distance jumped is mea sured from the end of the dock to where the dog’s tail breaks the water’s surface.

Extreme Vertical is the high jump event. The dog starts at the 20-foot mark on the dock and jumps up to grab a bumper toy extended out eight feet from the dock. The starting height for Extreme Vertical begins at 4’6” and goes up in 2” increments as the competition progresses.

Photo courtesy Oklahoma Thunder Dock Diving

The Iron Dog challenge incorporates Big Air, Extreme Vertical, and Speed Retrieve into a single event. Scores are combined in all three disciplines, with the overall best score winning.

In addition to the disciplines, Sanders says various catego ries dogs can compete in make it easy for any skill level to participate.

“It starts with the novice division, which is from one inch up to four-feet-eleven inches,” said Sanders, “And it goes up to the Premier division, which is 28-feet and up. We have local dogs that regularly jump over 20 feet.”

Sanders says the most crucial thing about dock diving is rec ognizing that the swimming part isn’t as important as the dog’s toy drive.

“If you want to get your dog involved, work on that toy drive,” said Sanders. “Once a dog gets to where they go nuts for the toy, that compels them to want to run faster and jump higher.”

It’s a spectacular sport made even more fun to watch by the enthusiasm of the dogs and their owners.

“It’s great fun to compete, but it’s certainly not a requirement that you do,” said Hathaway. “There’s such great camaraderie among the folks who come down to these events. Our dogs love

the water, love jumping, and Brian does a great job of getting folks and their dogs involved at whatever level they like.”

Sanders says that while competitive dock jump ing is an important part of what he does, a variety of activities people get involved in, including teaching dogs to swim. That makes sense in a state where lake activity is a popular pastime, and folks want to ensure their dogs are safe around water.

“We have people that come out and just want us to swim their dogs for exercise,” said Sanders. “Just like humans, water is a great way to exercise, espe cially for older dogs or dogs healing from injuries.

Photo courtesy Oklahoma Thunder Dock Diving

Photo courtesy Oklahoma Thunder Dock Diving

So, we do a lot of private lessons with dogs in the pool, just swimming and exercising.”

Crowds gather at Oklahoma Thunder Dock Diving for two major events each year. One is around Memorial Day, and the other is in mid-July. The events are growing in popularity.

Sanders says they’ve been nominated as one of the top five events for 2022. These compe titions attract huge crowds and serve as quali fiers for the National Dock Dog championships in the fall. Hathaway and Sanders suggest that anyone interested in learning more spend some time at the pool. It doesn’t matter what breed of dog you have.

“My husband and I started wanting to adopt a military working dog,” said Hathaway. “We fell in love with the Belgian Malinois, so we got Way land as a service dog, then recently added Jes sie, our second Malinois. Both of them love the water and love competing.”

“The different breeds involved have changed over the years,” said Sanders. “It started with

the Labradors, and then the Belgian Malinois became popular. Now people are going to the whippets. But you’ll see a lot of dif ferent breeds competing.”

The other great thing about dock diving is that it’s a sport that doesn’t require a constant investment of energy. Hathaway says it’s easy to get started and even easier to stay involved at what ever level you prefer.

“For us, it’s not an every-week thing,” said Hathaway. “I try to come down every three weeks on a Saturday or Sunday during the warmer parts of the year. During the winter, we just rest and play games with our dogs to keep their drive up.”

For folks interested in learning more, Sanders welcomes them to check out the Oklahoma Thunder Dock Diving Facebook page. You can text or call him at 405-640-7712 to set up a time to come by and check the place out.

BY ROB MORRIS

Half-Cent Sales Tax: An Important Ballot Question

Tuesday, November 8, will be an import ant day in Oklahoma as voters head to the polls to decide several critical po litical races. City of Moore officials want to remind residents that they’ll also be voting on the renewal of the significant half-cent sales tax, which directly impacts street repairs and the city’s police and fire departments.

“I think it’s important for voters to realize that this is not a new tax,” said Mitchell, “And as the city continues to grow, this half-cent sales tax al lows us to make critical street repairs, buy new vehicles and equipment for our police and fire departments, and contribute to our public safety operations.”

You might think a half-cent sales tax is insignif icant, but Mitchell says it raises about 4.3 million dollars annually. And because it is a sales tax, the burden is shared by non-residents who come to Moore hoping to take advantage of the robust shopping options avail able here.

“This is a vital source of revenue for us because as the city grows, we have more calls to our fire and police departments,” said Mitchell. “And the impact is always there on our aging infrastructure.”

If it helps you to visualize the amount, that’s one penny for every two dollars spent in Moore.

Mitchell wants to be clear about this half-cent sales tax. It is NOT a new tax. It’s a continuation of a tax first approved by voters in 2011. The funds generated by the tax go to residential street repairs, drainage projects, and public safety equipment for police and fire.

Mitchell said that without this half-cent sales tax, the city would be forced to find other ways to fund these residential street projects and provide equipment for fire, police, and emergency management.

“All those repairs and the public safety equipment would have to come out of the general fund,” said Mitchell, “And we would have to certainly cut back on many other services to be able to continue to

provide those other services as far as the repairs and the public safety equipment.”

Mitchell also wants voters to understand that the half-cent sales tax is different from the general obligation bonds used to fund major projects like the 4th street railroad underpass, the new Moore Animal Shelter, and other projects on major traffic arteries like Telephone Road. Mitch ell said city officials sincerely appreciate the voters’ approval of those projects because they allow funds to be moved to other areas of great need.

“The needs of our community means we never truly rest when it comes to these needs,” said Mitchell, “ There is always a need to be taken care of somewhere in the city, and this is a way to address that without raising taxes.”

Mitchell said that with the renewal of the half-cent sales tax, the city will be able to move forward on various residential street projects throughout Moore.

Polls will be open in Moore from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, No vember 8.

A Place to Be

Time spent somewhere cherished – even if it’s just for a few hours – can be a perfect opportunity to refresh and re-energize.

Certain places hold unique meanings. It could be a hillside with a winding path, a stretch of sandy beach, even a bustling restau rant. The location isn’t essential. It’s a spot with a particular con nection and always seems to make you feel grounded, relaxed, and happy. And often, its places right on your doorstep – a bench in a busy urban square, a local library, or a park – offers the most fantastic sense of joy.

For example, that hillside walk might be special because its views never fail to bring you to a standstill, or it could be it recalls heart felt childhood memories. A return to the same hillside or forest walk can be uplifting and help to clear the mind. As the essayist, poet, philosopher, and civil liberties advocate, Henry David Thoreau wrote: “Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.” There’s also the fact that being outside can improve sleep, boost levels of vitamin D, and strengthen the immune system. Additionally, a walk in nature is an opportunity to keep in touch with everyday beauty, something that’s often taken for granted, and an activity that can be done alone or with friends.

Others might find meaning and pleasure in a bookstore or gallery. The act of browsing books or taking time to reflect on a painting can

provide breathing space and a chance to nurture the soul. The im portant thing is to find a place that has personal significance or brings joy. A local café’ could be a go-to spot, not just because it guarantees an excellent coffee cup. It might also feel special because of the easy way you can chat with the owner or barista about everyday life. It can feel good to be a regular, whether it’s at the local café’, a small gro cery store, or the community library. Once inside, there’s commonly a warm welcome and a friendly smile.

Nostalgia can play a big part in why a location might be treasured, and the best thing is that a special place doesn’t even have to involve leaving home. For instance, my favorite place to be is sitting on my back porch in the furniture that was my mother’s when she lived in Boston, Massachusetts. The back porch sits up high on a hill with our land down below. I have plants, fairy lights, music, and always a good book going. I can enjoy this special place with friends, family, or a coffee cup watching the sunrise in the morning. I always feel at peace there and come away from sitting there refreshed and lighter.

You can build a place to be - It could be sitting in a cozy chair expert ly positioned to listen to a favorite piece of music, sipping a glass of wine on a balcony with rooftop views, or relaxing in a gently scented bubble-filled bath. Close the front door, relax, and enjoy your special place to be.

October 3

October 4

OCTOBER 2022

Classic Movie: Perfect Storm 9:00 a.m.

Country Music House Singers 10:00 a.m. Wii Bowling 10:15 a.m. Tai-Chi 12:15 p.m.

October 5 Board Games 12:15 p.m.

October 6

Speaker Russ Bridges

Sunset Memorial 11:00 a.m. Corn Hole 12:15 p.m.

October 7 Art Class 9:00 a.m. MCOA General Meeting 10:00 a.m. Speaker Kristin Oak Street Health 11:00 a.m. Bingo with Oak Street 12:15 p.m. Table Tennis 2:00 p.m.

October 10

Classic Movie: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid 9:00 a.m.

October 11 Tai-Chi 12:15 p.m.

October 12 Board Games 12:15 p.m.

October 13 Starla with Miracle Ear 10:00 a.m. S.A.L.T. Meeting with Kim Lopez 10:00 a.m.

October 14 Art Class 9:00 a.m. Bingo with Terry 12:15 p.m. Table Tennis 2:00 p.m.

October 17

Classic Movie: Sully 9:00 a.m. Bingo with Scott 12:15 p.m.

October 21 Art Class

9:00 a.m. Table Tennis 2:00 p.m.

October 24 Classic Movie: Munich 9:00 a.m.

October 25 Library 10:00 a.m. Tai-Chi 12:15 p.m.

October 26 Board Games

12:15 p.m.

October 27 Blood Pressure Checks with Accentra 10:00 a.m. OG&E Silver Energy Program 11:00 a.m. Corn Hole 12:15 p.m.

October 28 Table Tennis 2:00 p.m.

October 31 Classic Movie: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest 9:00 a.m. MCOA Board Meeting 10:00 a.m. Halloween Party and Costume Contest 12:15 p.m.

Exercise: Mon, Wed, & Fri 10:15, Stretch, Strengthen and Health: Tues. 9:30, Chair Yoga: Tues. & Thurs. 10:15, Arm Chair Travel: 9am, Wed., Line Dancing Lessons: Wed., 1:00, Woodcarving: Thurs. 9:00-11:00

Dominos, Card games, Jig-Saw puzzles, Pool, Quilting, & Volunteer work to assist the homebound or work is available at the Brand Center.

October 18

Country Music House Singers 10:00 a.m. Tai-Chi 12:15 p.m.

October 19

Fresh Cobbler provided by Village on the Park 11:45 a.m. Board Games 12:15 p.m.

October 20 Corn Hole 12:15 p.m.

Moore Council On Aging Bus Service: 799-3130 Seniors may have transportation anywhere in the City of Moore for errands or appoint ments 8am to 3:30pm, Monday through Friday

Aging Services

Monday through Friday Call & make reservation by 1:00pm. Reservations for meals: 793-9069

Donation for a meal for seniors 60 & above: $2.25 Required cost for guests under 60: $5.00

Celebrate Cleveland County’s Newest Emergency Room

Norman Regional Nine hosts opening celebration Saturday, Oct. 22

Acommon misconception is our quality of life de creases as we age. Norman Regional's Healthy Aging Awareness Fair aims to change this. The fair’s goal is not just to add years to our lives, but to add life to our years.

Norman Regional Nine, a project within Norman Region al Health System’s Inspire Health plan, will be opening its doors in October to meet the expanding healthcare needs in southeast Norman. The freestanding emergen cy department plus will feature emergency services, pri mary care, specialty clinics, outpatient rehabilitation, lab, imaging, and a Daily Grind coffee shop.

Norman Regional Nine is a two-story, 48,000-squarefoot facility, located on the southwest corner of Highway 9 and 24th Avenue Southeast in Norman. The complex is built on 30-acres that are slated for mixed-use develop ment such as wellness services, retail, and restaurants.

Norman Regional will celebrate the grand opening of Norman Regional Nine. The public is invited to discover all the new healthcare offerings and have some family-friendly fun!

The grand opening will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, October 22 at 2000 Ann Branden Blvd., Norman, OK 73071.

Participants can tour the facility and get a be hind the scenes look at the emergency depart ment, lab, imaging and more. Meet the provid ers who will staff this newest facility. There will also be activities for children including tours of trucks from EMSSTAT.

Free flu shots will also be available starting at 9 a.m. until supplies last. The flu vaccine is offered for those ages six months and older. To learn more, visit www.InspireHealthOk.

Pumpkin Anyone?

With Fall comes the pumpkin “this” and pumpkin “that” every where we turn. The pumpkin is a type of squash and a fruit, although it is usually considered a vegetable. Pumpkins have been around for thousands of years and used in vari ous ways. Did you know that many of the early settlers would not have survived without pumpkins and nutrients they received from them? They also used the pumpkin and its seeds in medication. There are so many benefits to pumpkin and I would like to share a couple of my favorites. Pumpkin is great for your health and can help with immunity boost ing. There are high amounts of Vitamin C, synergistic carotenoids, and beta – carotene in pumpkin flesh and seeds. Beta – carotene is good for your immune system due to it converting to Vitamin A and then triggering the making of white cells – this helps with fighting infection. The Beta – carotene and other carotenoids found in pumpkin can as sist in detoxifying your liver. 1 cup of cooked pumpkin can contain more than 200% of your recommended daily Vitamin A intake. Pumpkins can even assist in weight loss because it is a high fiber food which helps you feel full faster and longer.

Pumpkin has many benefits for those with diabetes or high blood sugar. It can slow the rate that sugar is ab sorbed into your blood. Several studies have shown that pumpkin can help “improve in sulin resistance and slow the progression of diabetes,” including a study published in Bio science, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry

Pumpkins are great for your heart. They are full of potassium and can have a positive effect on lowering blood pressure. According to the studies, it can be as im portant to consume enough potassium as it is to lower sodium intake for people with high blood pressure. Pumpkins are packed with soluble fiber, and this fiber aids in lowering cholesterol and triglycerides. As I stated before, pumpkins have beta – carotene, and this can help re duce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

Pumpkin seeds may be small; however, they pack a punch of nutrients. Pumpkin seeds contain: protein, magnesium, copper, phytosterols, man ganese, zinc, and antioxidants. They are a great source of tryptophan,

which converts into serotonin and melatonin which assists in anxiety and regulating sleep. Pumpkin seeds are a natural antidepressant, because they are full of zinc and magnesium and found in nature.

The following is the Oats & Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies recipe from www.foodpleasureandhealth.com. These Breakfast Cookies have the seasonal spin with pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice, because pumpkin is so popular this time of year. You can easily swap out the nut butter, seeds, and sweetener of your choice in order to meet your lifestyle needs. They are intended to be breakfast-friendly so it’s soft, dense, and not super sweet, but you could increase the sweetness a tad, drizzle melted chocolate, or add nuts for crunch.

Oats & Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 cups old-fashioned oats (use GF certified for GF diet)

• 1 cup pumpkin puree (not the pumpkin pie filling)

• 1/4 cup honey (use maple syrup for vegan or other sweeten ers of your choice)

• 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon peanut butter (or use any other nut butter of your choice)

• 1/2 cup flax seeds (use other seeds of your choice)

• 2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

• pinch of salt

Instructions:

Pre-heat the oven to 350F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, combine all the above ingredients and mix them well.

Take about 1/4 cup of the mixture and form them into a cookie and place them on a parchment paper.

Bake for 10 - 12 minutes and allow it to cool in the oven for addi tional 10-15 minutes.

Remove from the oven and enjoy.

Serves: 16 cookies

Marine Veteran Shares His Deep and Personal Connection with Moore’s American Legion Post

Major Mike Bishop, USMC (Retired), now lives near the North Carolina coast, but he has some fond memo ries of growing up in Moore and attending Moore High School. Those memories are especially fond when he talks about his grandfather, father, and uncle.

"All of them served in the military," said Bishop. "My grandfather, Albert Herd, was in the Army. My Uncle Harold Herd was in the Marines, and my father was ca reer Air Force."

Albert and Harold Moore were founding members of Moore's American Legion post, which was recently re named in their honor: The Albert F.-Harold A. Herd Memo rial Post 184. Bishop was back in Moore in mid-September to present the post with a unique plaque of the Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima. Bishop's connection to that iconic mo ment is highly personal.

"Not only was my uncle a combat veteran, but he was also on Iwo Jima during WWII," said Bishop. "He was one of the Marines who witnessed raising the U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi."

The plaque Bishop brought to Moore features a unique stamp showing the flag raising. Earlier this summer, he came across the piece of history on a Facebook page.

"A guy on the page mentioned he had a commem orative stamp that he wanted someone to have," said Bishop. "He didn't want any money or anything for it. He just wanted it hanging on the wall at a place of honor, where it would be appreciated. I figured the Moore American Legion post was the perfect spot for it."

As Bishop recalls, his grandfather and uncle didn't talk much about their combat experiences. Their stories and lives left an impression and led him to a career in the Marines. He graduated from Moore High School in 1973, spending some time

in college and playing with a band before realizing he need ed to get serious with his life.

"I started to get a little sense about me when I was 28," said Bishop. "I was originally going to join the Navy because I had an electronics background. But the Navy recruiter was never at the office. The Marine recruiter was there, so I end ed up talking to the staff sergeant there and decided, 'What the heck!'"

Bishop enlisted in the Marines and decided to make a career of it, climbing the ranks quickly. He made Staff Ser geant in nine years, then Warrant Officer. He was promoted to CWO-2 and CWO-3 a few years later before applying for Limited Duty Officer in Embar kation. Bishop was promoted to Major three years after that, retir ing at the rank after 26 years and 11 days of service.

"I got to be a combat cargo of ficer of the USS Essex out of Ja pan," said Bishop. "I worked with that ship for four years with the amphibious squadron headquar ters. We were involved in two or three Iwo Jima commemorations during that time. And, I knew that Uncle Harold had gone there, made the landing when he was 18, and survived it."

For Bishop, the opportunity to present the stamp to the Moore American Legion Post with its unique connection to Iwo Jima and his uncle is remarkable.

"I didn't do it to get accolades or anything like that," said Bishop. "Uncle Harold fought there and survived. He wit nessed a key point in our history. It just seemed the perfect place for this stamp to go."

Bishop plans to move back to Oklahoma with his wife in the near future to be near his mother, who is living in Moore. In the meantime, he says he cherishes the memories of his grandfather, father, and uncle. And he couldn't be prouder to see their name connected with Moore's American Legion post.

If you were around Southmoore football around 2012-to-2014, you'd undoubtedly remember Jalen Ad ams, one of the top athletes in Okla homa. Adams went on to play at North Texas and Oklahoma Baptist. You'll find him on the beat as a Patrol Office with the Moore Police Depart ment these days. Adams says it's a perfect fit for his passion in life: help ing others.

"I love to serve people," said Ad ams, "And so about five years ago, I was looking at what was going on in the world, and I thought, 'Man, I would love to be a part of having a positive impact on people as a po lice officer.'"

Adams decided to grow into the job, so he started with the Blanchard police department. After three years there, he moved to Newcastle, where he intended to stay for the long term. But after just over a year, he felt the pull to return to Moore.

"I really liked it in Newcastle," said Adams, "But I got to talking with some of the guys here in Moore, and I was already living here. It just hit me. This is where I grew up. This is where I'm from. This is my community, and I love it here."

He was able to secure a spot with the Moore Police Department just over a year ago and says it's been one of the best decisions of his life.

"I can feel good every time I go home and say I did something that impacted somebody's life in a good way," said Adams. "I also love working for a department com mitted to having a great relationship between officers and the community."

Throughout the year, the Moore Police Department par ticipates in several events to foster healthy relationships between officers and the community. National Night Out, Coffee with a Cop, Burgers, and Badges, and Shop with

a Cop are all programs Ad ams loves to see in place. He's also excited about a new MPD effort: geo-policing.

"This is an opportunity for of ficers to get very familiar with a certain area in the city," said Ad ams. "That way, we can interact with specific communities and get to know each other. Then if somebody has to call the police, they know the officers who will show up."

Adams has two children, a nine and a six-year-old. They're also a significant part of his motivation to make a difference in Moore.

"Man, they're growing up fast, and things are going by so quickly," said Adams, "This job allows me to take care of them while I make a living that I can be proud of, impacting the community posi tively."

As a wide receivers coach, the former football star also impacts the Moore High School Lions football team. Adams says it can be tricky making time for the extra activity but is grateful for the chance to be still involved in the game he loves.

"I knew Coach Hunt when I played at Southmoore," said Adams. "When he got the job at Moore, he called me and asked if I'd be interested in coach ing. I'd been coaching some at the junior high level, so this was a way for me to continue getting some great experience."

As he raises his kids and coaches high school ath letes, Adams says his passion for serving the city as a police officer is still a foundational part of his life.

"I take so much joy in this opportunity, and I be lieve that if you truly put others first, the rest of life will take care of itself," said Adams.

Dr. Barron Winters

Cyber Defense Instructor

Dr. Winters has worked in IT for more than 35 years, be ginning with the U.S. Army as a communications computer systems expert. His under graduate degree is in Security Management and he has an MS in Security Administration and a Doctor of Computer Sci ence degree in Specialization of Cyber Security/Information Assurance. His vast experi ence in the area of cyber se curity uniquely equips him to help prepare the next gener ation of professionals in this critical field.

Cyber Defense Offers Training for Growing Security Threats

Can you give me an overview of the Cyber Defense program at MNTC you work with and why it's such a great opportunity for potential students?

We can take we take students who have little-to-no experience in computers and we start them at the basics, getting them all the way through to our top level course, which includes a A-plus course a security plus course. This makes them ready for work once they graduate.

What should potential students know about Cyber Defense before they enter the program?

While incoming stu dents can enter the pro gram with little in the way of experience or prepa ration, they should know that it takes a lot of ef fort. Computers are changing all the time. Threats are changing all the time. And un like the images presented by Hollywood and popular media, they just need to know that it's not a game. Don’t get me wrong. I do encourage gaming because it teach es and gives you strategic posture, but students need to know that it takes a lot of work. It's not just to watch videos and play on computers.

What will students learn as part of the program?

As part of our program, they will learn how to secure their own data.

By that, I’m talking about your family, your friends, and when they go to work. Given the catastrophic rise in hacking, ransomware, and other kinds of cyber security issues, employers are becoming more concerned with how you might handle their data, so this gives people a solid understanding of the issues and provides them with a great security background.

Why is the need for trained Cyber Defense professionals growing right now? And what kind of job market can students expect?

The IT job market is limit less. When you come out of our program, employers will know that you're serious about security and have the training and background to back that up. Knowing that you are trained to watch all the various threats and you’re ready to contribute to their secure environment, helps you out, whether it be Tinker, Boeing, Dell, casinos, or any of the hospitals. Year after year, cyber threats have increased. Losses have increased. Matter of fact, experts are sug gesting that by 2025 losses due to data crime will be around $10.5 trillion. With those kinds of numbers at stake, it’s clear that the need for people trained in Cyber Security is increasing.

What’s the best way for anyone interested in the Cyber Security program to find out more or get in touch?

You can start by visiting our website: mntc. edu. We also love for you to give us a call at 405-801-5000 and ask to speak to anyone in our IT department. Finally, feel free to email me at barron.winters@mntc.edu

Cavnar State Farm Celebrates 40 Years

Terry Cavnar's name and face are probably one of the most familiar to folks throughout the Moore com munity. Part of the reason is that the Cavnar State Farm agency is celebrating 40 years of existence in 2022. But it doesn't take much digging to understand that there's much more to Cavnar's deep connection to Moore than his business.

"To realize that we've been here for 40 years is just humbling," said Cavnar. "As I re flect on the journey, I have to say that we've been extremely blessed in many ways. The most important blessing has been the rela tionships."

Those relationships begin in the office, where Cavnar team members have worked for anywhere from ten to 33 years.

"We've gone through so much together," said Cavnar. "We've seen three major torna does and all kinds of other challenges. And we're proud, not just of how our office and State Farm responded during those difficult times. We're proud of this city and how we all have locked arms to make Moore a special place to live and work."

For Cavnar, the emotional journey began as he grew up in Oklaho ma. He and his wife, Rhonda, graduated from Star Spencer high school. From there, he did a stint in the military before moving to Moore, where he taught at Moore High School from 1976-1979. He moved to Missouri to work in construction sales for a few years. Cavnar had his insurance there with a State Farm agent who was his son's Sunday School teacher.

"I had been talking about moving back home to Moore," said Cavnar, "And I gave him this business card for Ken Pryor, the district State Farm manager for Moore. He called and told him I'd make an outstanding agent, then handed the phone over to me. One thing led to another,

and I found myself in Moore starting an insurance agency from scratch."

Not only did Cavnar start his State Farm agency from scratch, but he also did it right as the oil bust of the 1980s was hitting the area hard. It took all they had for Cavnar and his wife to keep things moving forward.

"For about three years, we would send out 200 letters weekly," said Cavnar. "My wife would call those people at night to make appoint ments, getting less than ten for every 200 letters. And I would just get out and go door-to-door, which was pretty effective. We were trying to survive."

The Cavnar's went through a second mortgage, his teacher's retire ment, and his wife's teacher retirement. His wife went back to teaching to help make ends meet. Slowly the tide turned, and the business start ed breaking even. Soon the agency was making money, and Cavnar was able to pay back debt and begin hiring staff. Then ten years or so

later, when the agency was making money, he could appreciate the journey through the filter of his faith in God.

"I just really praise God for all that we experienced and thank him for the strength that he gave us to get through it," Cavnar said. "I can never fully express the power of God in our lives and getting us through those things."

In addition to his faith, Cavnar says it was living and working with peo ple in Moore and representing State Farm that also played a huge role in getting through the tough times.

"The integrity and attitude of people in this city is so powerful, espe cially how they worked to come back after those storms," said Cavnar. "And when our customers were working through claims in the wake of those storms, I never heard anything from State Farm other than, 'If we owe it, pay it."

Cavnar has also worked as a city councilman for the betterment of the City of Moore. He initially resisted the call to serve but decided it was essential to give back to the community as best he could.

"God gives us abilities and expects us to use them," said Cavnar. "I

just realized that this city has served me so well over the years that it was only right that I gave something back."

These days, his role at the agency is somewhat light er, but he has no plans to step aside soon. He does let his staff handle a lot of the work.

"I've been able to take a step back, and kind of en joy what we've built and know what's going on," said Cavnar. "I keep track of what's going on. They give me almost daily updates."

He and his wife have been able to use their downtime to take several trips to Europe, including France, Italy, Switzerland, and Ireland. Cavnar also tries to log 100 miles a week on his bike. They have one son, Brandon, who juggles an accounting job, a construction compa ny, and a garage door company. His biggest goal is to enjoy his life with his wife, who he met in high school.

"Our first date was the night I graduated," said Cavnar. "We've been married for 49 years, and I'm grateful to God for blessing me with her and all the blessings we've experienced here in Moore."

VIRTUAL PROGRAMS

Many virtual programs require signup in advance with a valid email address. Go online to www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org/ calendar for more information and the most current schedule of upcoming events.

Wednesday, October 5, 12, 6:00 p.m. PLS Reads Book Discussion: Healing

Tuesday, October 11, 6:00 p.m.

PLS Reads Book Discussion: Flight Behavior

Wednesday, October 12, 3:00 p.m. Behind the Story: Author Talk with Dr. Aziz Gazipura

Monday, October 17, 2:00 p.m. Healthy Brain, Healthy Mind: Meditation & Mindfulness

Tuesday, October 25, 6:00 p.m. Behind the Story: Author Talk with Kate Quinn

IN–PERSON PROGRAMS

Moore Public Library, 225 S. Howard Ave.

Saturday, October 1, 10:00 a.m. Making a Difference: Styrofoam Recycling

Monday, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 4:30 p.m. STEAM Kids (5-7 years): Spooky

Tuesday, October 4, 11, 18, 25, 10:30 a.m. Preschool Story Time (3-5 Years)

Tuesday, October 4, 11, 18, 25, 6:00 p.m. Connection Corner: Knit Together

Wednesday, October 5, 12, 19, 26, 10:30 a.m. Rhythm Babies (0-18 Months)

Thursday, October 6, 20, 10:30 a.m. Early Explorers (2-6 years)

Thursday, October 6, 6:30 p.m. Get Moving with All Levels Zumba

Thursday, October 13, 27, 10:30 a.m. Toddler Story Time (1-3 Years)

Thursday, October 13, 6:30 a.m. Eat Smart: Fall Flavors Cooking

Tuesday, October 18, 4:00 p.m. Sensory Explorers (2 years and up)

Saturday, October 29, 4:00 p.m. Haunt the Library

Southwest OKC Library, 2201 SW 134Th Street, OKC

Monday, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 6:30 p.m. Get Moving with Beginners Tai Chi

Tuesday, October 4, 10:30 a.m. Rhythm Babies (0-18 Months)

Thursday, October 4, 7:00 p.m. In My Experience: Homeschool Help

Thursday, October 6, 13, 10:30 a.m. Kick-Start Kindergarten (4-5 years)

Saturday, October 8, 2:00 p.m. Teen Connect: Animanga Club

Tuesday, October 11, 18, 25, 10:30 a.m. Rhythm Babies (0-18 Months)

Wednesday, October 12, 4:30 p.m. Build It! LEGO Bricks

Thursday, October 13 8, 6:30 p.m. Book Discussion with SOKC Library

Tuesday, October 18, 6:00 p.m. Pawsitive Reading Buddies (4-20 min. sessions)

Wednesday, Wednesday, October 18, 10:30 a.m. Family Story Time (All Ages)

The Station at Central Park, 700 S. Broadway

Monday, October 3, 10, 10:00 a.m. Healthier You: Walk with Ease

Wednesday, October 5, 12, 10:00 a.m. Healthier You: Walk with Ease

Thursday, October 13, 6:30 p.m. Get Moving with All Levels Zumba

Thursday, October 13, 7:00 p.m. Glow Walk – Story Walk

Hidden Pictures

Author: Jason Rekulak Genre: Adult Fiction Pages: 372

Reviewer: Abby Curry, Librarian, Moore Public Library

Dear horror fans and armchair detectives, are you looking for spooks, chills, and eerie thrills? Then grab your notepad and magni fying glass and open up a copy of Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak…if you dare.

Inside you’ll find a twisted tale of ghosts, psychics, and haunted people. Though the skeletons in their closets aren’t always of the paranormal persuasion, if it’s terror you’re looking for, you merely need peek at the sketches scattered throughout the book. These drawings are the work of one of our main characters, a child named Teddy.

Mallory, Teddy’s new babysitter, initially finds them charming, but as our story deep ens, Teddy’s drawings become disturbing and sinister. Follow along with Mallory as she digs for the hidden truth beneath the pictures and see if you can solve the mys tery of a haunted town and a haunted fam ily. Be brave, gentle readers, and don’t for get to check under your bed.

This title can be found at your local library, or check it out digitally using the PLS Con nect app or Libby.

PIONEER LIBRARY SYSTEM — CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW

Sometimes, All I Need is Me

Author: Juliana Perdomo Illustrator: Juliana Perdomo Publisher: Penguin Random House

Reviewer: Adara Bates, Children’s Library Associate, Southwest Oklahoma City Public Library

This children’s picture book follows a young girl as she reflects on all the rea sons she loves spending time with others, while also learning to appreciate the time she spends alone. The story explores the ways in which spending time with friends or family can maximize our fun, create better relationships, and make us hap py. It also discusses the ways alone time is beneficial to us and makes us happy. Its message is one that assures children that everyone needs alone time, and it can be just as fun and meaningful as spending time with others. Our main character rec ognizes that time alone can help foster a sense of home within herself, allowing her to conquer any challenges she may face.

This story contains themes around mind fulness, resilience, and self-confidence and is intended for children ages 2-5.

For more book recommendations or assis tance, stop by the children’s desk at your lo cal library or call 405.979.2200 to connect with a librarian at the SOKC Public Library. Happy reading!

CHURCH & SPIRITUAL CONNECTION

FRESH START COMMUNITY CHURCH FOOD PANTRY

Open the third Thursday of each month, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

309 N Eastern Avenue, West Cam pus-Family Life Center. Canned and dry goods available. Must be a resident of Moore (please bring an ID).

CELEBRATE RECOVERY

Monday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Faith Crossing Baptist Church, 13701 S. Pennsylvania. For more information, contact Nancy at 405-514-9990.

CITY MEETINGS & EVENTS

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday, October 3 at 6:30 p.m.

Moore City Hall

301 N. Broadway, Moore

PARKS BOARD MEETING

Tuesday, October 4 at 6:00 p.m.

The Station at Central Park 700 S. Broadway.

URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY

Monday, October 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Moore City Hall

301 N. Broadway, Moore

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING

Tuesday, October 11 at 5:30 p.m.

Moore City Hall

301 N. Broadway, Moore

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

Tuesday, October 11 at 7:00 p.m.

Moore City Hall

301 N. Broadway, Moore

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, October 17 at 6:30 p.m.

Moore City Hall

301 N. Broadway, Moore

FALL MARKETPLACE

Saturday, October 1 - 9:00 a.m.3:00 p.m.

Vendors selling crafts, handmade

items, crafts, quilts, yard art, food, farm produce, direct sale products, and other types of crafts. Food Truck: Coits Food Truck.

CITY OF MOORE RECYCLE EVENT

Saturday, October 22, 8am – 12pm Moore Recycling Center, 220 N. Telephone Road. Paper Shredding & Electronics* – 8 a.m.– Noon. (Normal Drive-Thru Time – 8 a.m.– 3 p.m.) *Will not accept printers, copiers or TV’s over 32”. For more information, please call (405) 793-4373.

GHOULS & GOBLINS: HALLOWEEN DANCE

Friday, October 28, 6pm – 8pm

The Station Recreation Center, 700 S. Broadway Ave. Cost: $10 pre-sale - $15 at the door/day of event. Join us for the new family-friendly Ghouls and Gob lins Halloween Dance. A spooky night to enjoy with the family. We will have a haunted room, treats and games. Costumes are encouraged. All kids 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. All participants must have a ticket to enter the event.

RED RIBBON PARADE

Saturday, October 29

Details not available at press time. Call 405-613-6200 or email mooreredrib bonparade@gmail.com for more infor mation. You can also visit the Moore Red Ribbon Parade Facebook page: @ redribbonparade.

HAUNT OLD TOWN

Saturday, October 29

Old Town Moore, 4pm – 7pm

Features family fun activities including trick or treating, food trucks, inflatables, games, music & candy. The Moore Community Center (301 S Howard Ave) will have trick-or-treating and a haunted room.

TRICK “ORR” TREAT

Saturday, October 28, 10am-9pm, Sunday, October 30, 10am – 6pm

Orr Family Farm, 14400 S. Western, OKC. Come in your best costume and collect candy around the farm!

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

ADOPT-A-PET

Moore Animal Shelter, S-I35 Service Road. Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., closed on holidays. For additional information call (405) 793-5190.

BIG TRASH PICK UP

Moore residents will be allowed two FREE big trash pick-ups a year and one free voucher to the city landfill for each physical address in Moore. Call (405) 793-5070 to schedule your trash pick-up.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM

Moore Police Dept. is starting a Neigh borhood Watch Program. If you’re interested in helping your neighbor hood reduce crime, contact Sgt. Jeremy Lewis, (405) 793-4448.

PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP

First Tuesday of each month, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 2800 SW 131st Street. For more infor mation contact Connie Daniels at 405703-2300.

MOORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CLOSED

Tuesday, October 4

SOUTH OKC CHAMBER OKTOBERFEST EXPO

Tuesday, October 4, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Join us for our Oktoberfest Business Expo on October 4, from 4 - 7 p.m.  at Royal Bavaria! The South Oklahoma City Chamber's Business Expo will consist of Business After Hours fun with a twistOktoberfest style! The night will be full of networking, great music, learning about South Oklahoma City Chamber businesses, delicious food samples, and happy hour priced drinks from Royal Bavaria! You won’t want to miss this fun night! Opportunities are avail able for businesses to purchase booth space to promote their services, show case their products, and connect with

potential customers. This is a marketing opportunity you won't want to let pass you by. Space is limited, so secure your booth space now! For more information contact Elizabeth Fox at 405-634-1436 or email elizabethfox@southokc.com

MOORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

Tuesday, October 4, 5:00 p.m. –7:00 p.m.

First United Bank, 2101 Interstate 35 Frontage Road. This event is a busi ness networking opportunity for Moore Chamber of Commerce Members. Attendees can make meaningful con nections that can result in successful business leads. Food and beverages are served. Check out the Chamber Calendar for the location of the next one! For more information contact Kelly Arnold at 405-794-3400 or email karnold@moorechamber.com.

NORMAN REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM RECRUITMENT HIRING

EVENT: IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL Thursday, October 6, 4:00 p.m. –6:00 p.m.

NRHS, 901 N. Porter Ave, Norman. You can talk to various departments and interview virtually! Make sure to bookmark this page to be ready when the link goes live. Please always wear a mask at these events. On-the-spot interviews and offers will be made, so bring a resume. Norman Regional is hiring for all positions both clinical and non-clinical! We are looking for regis tered nurses, licensed practical nurses, respiratory therapists, patient care techs, food and nutrition workers, envi ronmental services technicians, medical technologists, and lab assistants. Fulltime, part-time and PRN positions are available. Norman Regional's benefits include a nurse residency program, multiple career advancement oppor tunities, registered nurse differentials, generous paid time off accrual, and tuition reimbursement of up to $3,000 per year. For more information contact Sarah Raney by calling 405-515-1000 or email to sraney@nrh-ok.com.

MOORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NETWORKING LUNCH

Tuesday, October 11, 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Van’s Pig Stand, 1991 Tower Dr., Suite A. Join us for great food and an opportu nity to grow your business knowledge, share new ideas and connect with our business community. Each attendee is given the opportunity to present infor mation regarding their business to all in attendance. So, bring your best sales pitch - make it innovative and memo rable. To make sure that the restaurant is fully prepared for our arrival if you plan on attending, we will need you to register. Thank you. For more informa tion contact Amy Lee at 405-794-3400 or email alee@moorechamber.com.

SOUTH OKC CHAMBER POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE MEET AND GREET

Thursday, October 13, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

South OKC Chamber of Commerce, OG&E Electric Services Reception Hall, 701 SW 74th St., OKC. Join us for this come-and-go event to meet and greet candidates and network with other members of the community.

MOORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS

Thursday, October 13, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Center for Children and Families, 210 S. Cockrel Av, Norman. This event is a business networking opportunity for Moore Chamber of Commerce Mem bers. Attendees can make meaningful connections that can result in success ful business leads. Food and beverages are served. Check out the Chamber Calendar for the location of the next one! For more information contact Kelly Arnold at 405-794-3400 or email karnold@moorechamber.com.

MOORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOLE-O-WEEN

Thursday, October 13, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

HeyDay Entertainment, 3201 Market Pl, Norman. Join us for our annual fami

ly-friendly Hole-O-Ween miniature golf tournament and costume contest! Fes tivities kick-off at 6:00 pm at HeyDay with registration. The costume contest will start at 6:45 pm. Golf starts at 7:00. Don't have a group of people to play with? We will pair you with other indi viduals to make up a team! Cancellation Policy: If you register for an event and do not cancel your reservation at least 24 hours prior to the event you will be charged, regardless of attendance. For more information call Kim Brown at 405-794-3400 or email kbrown@ moorechamber.com.

MOORE STATE OF THE SCHOOLS

Tuesday, October 25, 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Yellow Rose Theater, 1005 SW 4th St. We will hear from our local education leaders with an educational update from Moore Public Schools, Moore Norman Technology Center, Mid America Christian University, Okla homa City Community College, and Randall University. If you register for an event and do not cancel your res ervation at least 24 hours prior to the event you will be charged, regardless of attendance. Pricing: $30 - Chamber member individual ticket - Register before 10/18 to receive a $5 Early Bird Discount, $35 - Non-Member individ ual ticket - Register before 10/18 to receive a $5 Early Bird Discount, $200 - Chamber member Table Sponsorship (Seats 8), $250 - Non Member Table Sponsorship (Seats 8), $500 - Corpo rate Sponsor (limit 1) (Seats 8). RSVP is required. For more information call Kelly Arnold at 405-794-3400 or email karnold@moorechamber.com.

MOORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WIN NETWORKING HOUR

Tuesday, October 25, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Paradigm Restorative Health, 1010 S. Santa Fe, Suite 400. Empowering, Impacting and Encouraging women in business and life. Newly formed in 2020, WIN was created to bring the businesswomen of Moore and the surrounding areas together for

strength, support, and camaraderie in both business and life. We will do this through events and programs through out the year. For more information call Kim Brown at 405-794-3400 or email kbrown@moorechamber.com.

SOUTH OKC CHAMBER INSTANT CONNECTIONS

Wednesday, October 26, 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

South OKC Chamber of Commerce

OG&E Reception Room, 701 SW 74th St, OKC. Join us for coffee and con versation with David Prater, Oklahoma County District Attorney. For more information contact Elizabeth Fox at 405-634-1436 or email elizabethfox@ southokc.com.

ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY AND PRESCHOOL FALL FESTIVAL AND CRAFT FAIR

Saturday, October 1, 10:00 a.m.3:00 p.m.

3616 SW 119th St, OKC. Food trucks, silent auction, firearm raffle, 40+ craft fair vendors, bounce houses, and tons of kid friendly activities.

P.A.L.S. PROGRAM FOR SENIORS

Seniors are assigned to a buddy who will call every day to check on you. Sign up with Sgt. Lewis, Moore Police Dept., (405) 793-4448.

PROJECT RETURN HOME FOR ALZ HEIMER’S PATIENTS IN MOORE

For information about enrolling a loved one, contact Virginia Guild at (405) 793-4478 or Sgt. Jeremy Lewis at (405) 793-4448.

TRANSPORTATION:

• Metro Transit will provide van service for age 60 and older on Tuesdays and Thursdays from the Moore area to Oklahoma City for medical appointments. Call Jackie at (405) 297-2583.

• Moore Council on Aging Se niors may have transportation anywhere in the city of Moore for errands or appointments. 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Monday – Fri day. Call (405) 799-3130 at least one day in advance.

• “Share-A-Fare” for age 60 and over or disabled. Purchase taxi fare at 40% off.

SEE THE FULL CALENDAR AT MOOREMONTHLY.COM

ACTIVITIES & CLASSES

DUE TO POSITIVE TESTS FOR THE CORONAVIRUS IN CLEVELAND COUNTY THIS SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY POINT IN TIME. Please check with www.cityofmoore. com or call (405) 793-5090 for the latest information.

This is a partial list of schedules, ac tivities, and classes available through the Moore Parks & Recreation de partment. You can find something of interest for everyone by visiting The Station website at: activiecommu nities.com/mooreparks/home or by calling The Station front desk at (405) 793-5090.

PROGRAMS AT THE STATION RECREATION

FIT AS A FIDDLE

WHEN: Sept. 6–Dec. 27

TIME: Tuesdays , 1–2 p.m.

AGES: 3–5

FEE: $25 per month/5 Station Passhold ers per session no charge

REGISTRATION: By the first Tuesday of each month, 20 maximum Toddlers will enjoy getting their exercise by running, jumping, tumbling on mats and dancing to favorite energetic songs.

WALK THE PARKS – FAMILY FIT

WHEN: Through Nov. 20

REGISTRATION: cityofmoore.com/walk theparks

Walk the Parks is a physical activi ty-tracking program that encourages participants get active by exploring our exercise-friendly city parks. The goal of Walk the Parks is to promote health, wellness, and community by highlight

ing the City of Moore parks and their resources for physical activity. Bring your family, friends, pets and walking shoes and get started on September 25, 2022.

FIT KIDS

WHEN: Wednesdays

TIME: 5–6 p.m.

AGES: 7–12

FEE: Passholders free; Non-passholder $20

This 55-minute class is packed with entertaining music, foundational fitness moves, and fun games. Fit Kid will get your child moving and learning the importance of making healthy choices all while having fun! For ages 7 to 12 years. Parents are welcome to stay.

COOKIES + CANVAS: HALLOWEEN

WHEN: October 8 th TIME: 2-4pm

AGES: 13+ FEE: $30 The theme for this session will be Halloween! Come and join us for a scary good time! Cookies + Canvas is a time to gather together and create beautiful pieces of art while eating some delicious cookies! In this weekend workshop, participants will follow the direction of the instructor while creating their own cus tom piece of art!

FALL BREAK CAMPS

FALL BREAK ART CAMP

WHEN: October 20-21

TIME: 9am-noon

AGES: 6-9

FEE: $40

Come and join the fun as we create sev eral different art projects using a variety of techniques!

FALL BREAK BASKETBALL CAMP

WHEN: October 20-21

TIME: 9am – Noon

AGES: 6-12

FEE: $40

For any young athlete who is looking to improve his or her skills, work hard, make new friends and have fun. What better way than by getting to play basketball for 2 days and learn some new things in the process.

FALL BREAK S.T.E.A.M. CAMP

WHEN: Oct. 20-21

TIME: 1–4 p.m.

AGES: 10–12

FEE: $40

In this fun and exciting camp, kids will learn about Science, Technology, Engi neering, Arts and Mathematics! Each day campers will learn new ways to discover S.T.E.A.M! (presented by The Pioneer Library System)

The Long and Winding Road Leads Tucker Back to OKC

Watching Kayla Tucker as a Southmoore basketball player, there was never a question that she was destined to achieve great things. Tucker was a two-time All-State player as a Sabercat before a stellar career at Alabama State University in Montgomery. During her col legiate career, the Hornets won a regular season conference championship, two conference tournament titles, two NCAA tournament appearances, and a pre-season WNIT bid. She's now back home in the OKC area as an assistant coach at Southern Nazarene University.

"To come back home and get to work at SNU is wonderful," said Tucker. "It's awesome to work for a university that is completely rooted in Christ and have a head coach who lives out his faith and tries to lead our team in a way that would be pleasing to the Lord."

The road to SNU has been a winding one for Tucker. Her goal after high school was to play D1 basketball, and fulfilling that dream while playing at an HBCU was a life-changing experience.

"For me, it was all about the relationships," said Tucker. "After I visited the campus in October of 2012, I couldn't imagine myself at any other place. Even though it was 12 hours from my parents, it felt like home. And it also gave me a chance to play Division One basketball at the highest level."

For Tucker, the environment at Alabama State deepened her understanding and appreciation of her family heritage.

"I'm biracial, so my life experience has been really mixed," said Tucker. "I think attending an HBCU helped me dial into the history of what they're built for, the re spect and strength behind them and the strength be hind them. I think that empowered me even more, to be just who I am no matter what, and to be sensitive to what people are going through around me."

After college, Tucker did some individual skills coaching on the side as she pursued a career in broadcast journalism. Her first official job was back home with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"Like everybody that grew up in Oklahoma City, we just love our Thunder," said Tucker. "Working for them was amazing. From there, I moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, where I worked as a producer. Then after a year-and-a-half, I moved to Panama City, Florida. I was a reporter there, and I remember that January in 2020, it hit me that this was the first time I'd truly been away from basketball."

"I'd been working with my cousin in Fayetteville, who had a training academy and a prep school, so I was still around the sport," said Tucker. "But when I moved

to Florida, that all went away. I didn't really like it too much."

Tucker, passionate about her relationship with Christ, remembers getting a clear mes sage from God during this time.

"He told me directly, like, you're going to be a graduate assistant," said Tucker.

Her very understanding news director let her out of her contract early. Even though she was looking for a graduate assistant spot at the be ginning of the COVID pandemic, she was offered a place at UT-Arlington. She ended up spending just a week-and-a-half in Arlington before mov ing to Lubbock.

"It turned out the head coach was interviewing for the Texas Tech job," said Tucker. "I said, 'Well, I get to go with you if you get it, right?' The answer was yes, so I was out in Lubbock within a week. It was an amazing experience there."

Tucker spent a year at Tech before moving to Ouachita Baptist in Arkansas as an assistant coach for the 2021-2022 season. Now the circle is com plete, and she's back home as an assistant at SNU.

"I'm loving every minute of being here," said Tucker. "The connection with Trent May, our head coach, and the rest of the staff is one of the best things I've experienced. And it's going so quick ly. We're just three weeks away from the start of official practice and less than 50 days away from our first game."

For Tucker, coaching at a school with deep roots in the Christian faith is something that she says nourishes her soul.

"Looking back over my life, I realize that even though I didn't know it at the time, many of my decisions were made on faith," said Tucker. "Everywhere I've been is exactly where God has called me to be. And so, when I was about 21 years old, I decided to give my life to Christ and live for him. Since then, I've been trying to be obedient because I believe that allows him to have more of an impact through me, to shine his light into this world."

OCTOBER SPORTS CALENDAR

(All scheduled events are subject to change)

MOORE

SOUTHMOORE

WESTMOORE

FOOTBALL

October 7 Southmoore

October 14 Jenks

October 21 @Norman North

October 27 Bixby

CROSS COUNTRY

October 1 Chile Pepper Festival@ Fayetteville, Arkansas

October 6 OBU Meet@Shawnee

October 11 COAC Meet@Deer Creek

October 22 Regional Meet

October 29 State Meet

SOFTBALL

October 5-8 Regionals – Location TBD

October 13-15 State Tournament@Hall of Fame Stadium

VOLLEYBALL

October 11 Regionals – Location TBD

October 20-22 State Tournament

FOOTBALL

October 7 @Moore

October 13 Norman North

October 21 @Jenks

October 28 @Enid

CROSS COUNTRY

October 11 COAC Meet@Deer Creek

October 22 Regional Meet

October 29 State Meet

SOFTBALL

October 3 Piedmont

October 5-8 Regionals – Location TBD

October 13-15 State Tournament@Hall of Fame Stadium

VOLLEYBALL

October 1 SHS Varsity Tournament

October 4 @Stillwater

October 11 Regionals – Location TBD

October 20-22 State Tournament

FOOTBALL

October 7 @Broken Arrow

October 14 @Enid

October 21 @Bixby

October 27 Norman North

CROSS COUNTRY

October 1 Chile Pepper Festival@ Fayetteville, Arkansas

October 11 COAC Meet@Deer Creek

October 22 Regional Meet

October 29 State Meet

SOFTBALL

October 1 OC Shootout

October 5-8 Regionals – Location TBD

October 13-15 State Tournament@Hall of Fame Stadium

VOLLEYBALL

October 3 @Mustang

October 4 Norman

October 11 Regionals – Location TBD

October 20-22 State Tournament