19th Street Magazine June 2021 by SportsTalkMedia

Moore Animal Shelter Volunteers

Calling All Animal Lovers

Unique Fundraiser Benefits Schools

Cornhole Classic

Veteran of the Month

Michael Devenitch

State Taken June 2021 • Issue 6 • Volume 4

JAGUARS WIN FIRST BOYS TRACK STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

HOME.

Features

JUNE CONTENTS 2021

ISSUE 6– VOLUME 4 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mark Doescher

Calling All Animal Lovers

10 by Rae Lynn Payton

MANAGING EDITOR Lindsay Cuomo

Helping hands needed at the Moore Animal Shelter.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Mark Doescher

CONTRIBUTORS

Cornhole Classic

16 by Callie Collins

Unique fundraiser benefits Moore Public Schools students.

Roxanne Avery | Sharla Bardin Callie Collins | Lindsay Cuomo Josh Helmer | Bill Moakley Rae Lynn Payton | Chris Plank

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES

Tracie Gray - tracie@sportstalk1400.com Trevor Laffoon - trevor@sportstalk1400.com Perry Spencer - perry@sportstalk1400.com

PUBLISHER

Casey Vinyard

Creating a Link

22 by Sharla Bardin

In Memory of

RANDY LAFFOON

Job board connects employers with technology center students.

State Taken

26 by Josh Helmer

Westmoore boys track win the state championship.

Hammered

34 by Chris Plank

Sooner softball is breaking records hitting the ball out of the park.

19th Street Magazine 2020 E. Alameda Norman, Oklahoma 73071 Phone: (405) 321-1400 E-mail: 19thstreetmagazine@gmail.com Copyright © 19th Street Magazine Any articles, artwork or graphics created by 19th Street Magazine or its contributors are sole property of 19th Street Magazine and cannot be reproduced for any reason without permission. Any opinions expressed in 19th Street are not necessarily that of 19th Street management.

Norman Regional Hospital:

47 75 Years and Counting

by Lindsay Cuomo Norman Regional Health System celebrates 75th anniversary, breaks ground on new facilities.

Oh Hail

54 by Roxanne Avery

Experience metro roofer shares tips to repair storm damage.

Veteran of the Month:

58 Michael Devenitch

by Bill Moakley Air Force veteran looks back on nearly three-decade military career.

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Cover photo by: Vesper Grantham

COMM U N I T Y

Calling All Animal Lovers Helping hands needed at the Moore Animal Shelter

oore Animal Shelter’s work is centered around one main goal: caring for animals while they’re with them and giving the absolute best care possible. Sam Phillips, the adoption coordinator of Moore Animal Shelter, has been with the shelter for eight years and she said that the staff and volunteers at the shelter are committed to making sure the animals in their care are comfortable by providing a safe, fun environment. Phillips said that the negative stigma shelters have as being a bad place where animals are stuck in their kennels is not the reality at Moore Animal Shelter. “That’s definitely not what it’s like at our facility,” she explained. “We take good care of our animals while they’re with us. Our staff works hard to keep things fun, clean and well cared for and to get the animals back home or placed in a new home.” The shelter takes in lost animals and owner surrenders in the Moore area, from dogs and cats to occasional ferrets or chickens. As a result, they are always full. With only six employees, the shelter relies heavily on volunteers to help keep things running smoothly.

10 June 2021

Volunteers help with a variety of things, depending upon what they enjoy, what they’re capable of doing, and what is needed at the time. “As long as they love animals and enjoy spending time with them, they’ll be a perfect fit,” Phillips said. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, or 16 with parent permission, and have had a tetanus shot within the past 10 years. Kiddos under 16 are not able to help at this time, due to liability, since all stray animals are accepted. Staff work to ensure volunteers do not interact with any animal that shows aggressive tendencies, but they must err on the side of caution and safety. Volunteers can also help with special events, such as their Microchip Clinic. If a volunteer has a special interest, they work to get them involved in that particular area at the shelter. “Everyone gets something out of it,” Phillips said. “We need the help, the animals need the attention and love, and the volunteers really seem to feel so rewarded from the experience. Everyone benefits from it.”

BY: RAE LYNN PAYTON Right now, volunteers can fill out applications online or in person. Volunteers are given a quick tour and rundown about the process and what to expect and always have access to staff if the need arises. An online volunteer training video will be available soon to make the process even more efficient. With only six employees on staff, resources that save time are important. The video will enable them to educate volunteers virtually prior to their first day.

VOLUNTEERS DO A VARIETY OF HELPFUL TASKS INCLUDING:

Timesheets are available for those that would like to track their volunteer hours, for employers or resumes.

• assisting with rehabilitation

Kitten season is in full swing, and several have arrived at the shelter. If you’re looking to adopt, be sure to give them a call. The shelter is always in need of donations. Specific needs right now include: kitty litter, wet or dry kitten food, dog collars of all sizes (used and new), treats of any kind, cleaning supplies and laundry detergent. Every little bit helps. Adoptions take place every weekday and on Saturdays. If you’re interested in applying for volunteer opportunities, adopting or donating, go to cityofmoore.com/departments/animal-welfare or call 405-793-5190.  -19SM

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• walking dogs • grooming • socializing pets • playing with animals in the play yard

• bathing • cleaning • paperwork • laundry • adoption packet preparation • taking adoption pictures • vaccine preparation

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COM M U N I T Y

Cornhole Classic Unique fundraiser benefits Moore Public Schools students

he COVID-19 pandemic has changed so much of community life, including how fundraisers take place. Sometimes, a new approach can result in creative ways to have fun and attract a broader audience. This year, the Cornhole Classic made its debut as a tournament-style fundraiser for the Moore Public Schools Foundation. In regards to planning this year’s spring fundraiser, staff knew they would have to make a shift from The Soirée, an annual casino-style gala event previously held for the past four years. “We opted for an outdoor event instead where people could feel safe,” said Executive Director Clayton Ramick. “This was our first year but it went over so well, we don’t know if it’s going to be the last one yet.” The event took place in April at Hollywood Corners, 4712 N. Porter. More than 235 attendees turned out, with 100 teams playing. A total of 25 businesses and community members sponsored the Cornhole Classic, with Classen Urgent Care as the title sponsor. Results far exceeded the organization’s initial goal. “We said ‘Well, it’s a new event. Let’s raise $15,000,’” said Ramick. “We raised more than $53,000. Most of that was sold through sponsorships, then those sponsors got teams

16 June 2021

where their employees could come and have a good time.” Ramick extended his appreciation to the event’s sponsors, especially Classen Urgent Care, and to the community “for coming out in support of Oklahoma’s students and the educators and administrators who serve them.” A community member first had the idea several years ago but the Foundation’s staff wasn’t sure where it could fit in their roster of events. The pandemic’s need for outdoor events made it seem like an ideal way to try the concept. All the funds raised directly benefit local public school students in the district, with 100% of the money raised given out in the form of grants. “Supporting youth through the Moore Public Schools Foundation underscores our commitment to local families,” said Michael Owens, office manager for Classen Urgent Care. “Helping teachers, administrators, faculty and staff work through logistical challenges ultimately benefits children at every level in our public schools, with tangible community impact.” Founded in 1995, the Moore Public Schools Foundation has provided more than two decades of direct teacher support. The Foundation has provided donations totaling more than $750,000 since 2017.

BY:CALLIE COLLINS A golf tournament held each autumn is another major fundraiser for the organization. Funds collected from the golf tournament make teacher resource grants possible, which help pay for field trips, classroom settings and provide supplies teachers need. The spring event is used for principal grants, which have a more holistic impact and can help purchase items like iPad sets or new library books, make outdoor classrooms and playground equipment possible and have a broader impact on a school. When the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the 2019-2020 school year, the Foundation had a direct impact on the district’s 25,000 students by helping out with the immediate need to print materials for student access and also supported teachers with direct funding. “What I always remind people is that public education is the basis of any thriving community,” said Ramick. “Support public education at all costs. Whether it’s through your PTA, your booster club or through our organization, that’s what moves the needle when it comes to supporting great communities.” Follow Moore Public Schools Foundation on social media or visit its website at mooreschoolsfoundation.org for more information about upcoming fundraisers and grant application deadlines. –19SM

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19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 17

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COMM U N I T Y

BY: SHARLA BARDIN

Cre at i ng a Lin k Job board connects employers with technology center students

Tina Fitzgerald, left, Career and College Connection coordinator, meets with a student at Moore Norman Technology Center. Fitzgerald said the center works to connect students with employers who are hiring.

oore Norman Technology Center offers an online job board that gives employers a place to recruit for positions and connect to additional workforce resources. Employers can post a job for free on the site, www.mntc.edu/ employers, said Tina Fitzgerald, Career and College Connection coordinator. “When they post, their job opening can be viewed by students, alumni and community job seekers,” she shared. Fitzgerald said the center developed the online resource six years ago and plans are in the works to upgrade the site with additional features this summer, such as providing more space for students to outline examples of their professional skills. Fitzgerald oversees the site and said it’s one avenue to help students gain employment. Her office also works with students on other skills, such as writing resumes, searching for jobs and practicing interviewing skills. “My whole goal is to have a prepared workforce and great opportunities for them,” she said. The job site gives employers “a direct line to our students and our instructors.” To access the site, employers must register and provide information about their company. From there, information is sent to the applicant about posting on the site. The job board also provides employers with ways to get involved with the center, such as offering work-based learning opportunities for students, participating in the center’s job fairs or a mock interview day or joining the center’s program advisory commit-

22 June 2021

tee where members guide and improve existing programs. Shar McLaughlin encourages businesses to find avenues to network with the technology center, which has served her company well, she said. McLaughlin and her husband started Irish Green Lawn Care Inc. in 2001. The Moore company specializes in lawn fertilization and weed control. McLaughlin said creating connections with instructors has given them insight into her business and what she’s looking for in new hires. For example, McLaughlin recently worked with Leslie Pfrehm, accounting instructor, on finding an employee with accounting skills. McLaughlin said the employee she hired is fantastic, and she’s employed other center students through the years. She said some of the qualities she’s looking for in new hires include technology and computer skills, and center students have that experience and expertise. “They know all the programs. They have the skills. They’re ready to go to work,” McLaughlin said. McLaughlin encourages employers to visit the center and “meet the teachers for the specific departments that you think would benefit your company and get involved.” Fitzgerald said the online job board and other workforce resources offer more ways for employers to interact with the center’s instructors and programs and connect students with jobs. “We just bring them together any way we can,” Fitzgerald said. For more information about the job board and other employer services, email Fitzgerald at tina.fitzgerald@mntc.edu. ” -19SM

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HI G H S CH O O L S P ORTS

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STATE TAKEN PRESENTED BY LARRY LEEMASTER DDS

Westmoore boys track wins state championship

estmoore won its first boys state track title, racing away from the competition with 107 team points. Second-place Union finished with 88 team points.

Photos courtesy: Vesper Grantham

Junior Kevion Williams captured the boys 400-meter state championship with a time of 48.62 seconds. Jaguars junior Angel Duarte Hedrick, senior Ja’Quan Richardson, Williams and senior Koryee Wyatt combined to set a new state record and win the 4x200-meter relay championship with a time of 1:25.42. Richardson finished second-place right behind Williams in the 400-meter with a personal record time of 49.32 seconds. Junior Jermaine Hardison clocked at 39.27 seconds in the boys 300-meter hurdles to finish runner-up. Westmoore’s 4x100-meter relay team of Duarte Hedrick, Richardson, Williams and Wyatt collected the runner-up finish with a time of 41.11 seconds. The Jaguars’ 4x400-meter relay team did, too. Sophomore Xavier Simpkins, Williams, Hardison and Richardson finished that race with a time of 3:21.27.

26 June 2021

Wyatt had a pair of third-place finishes in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes with times of 10.39 seconds and 21.27 seconds respectively. Senior Zane Miller also placed third in the boys shot put with a distance of 51 feet, eight inches. “It actually was a lot tighter state meet than the numbers show,” Tim Grantham, first-year Westmoore head track and field coach, said. “We ended up this season having thirteen school records… setting a state record, which is the first of my career. We had five state champions, fifteen state runner-ups… a collection of a whole bunch of kids contributing.” The first call Grantham made once he accepted the job was to convince Rodney Burkes to join him on the Jaguars’ staff. “It starts with a great coaching staff, first of all,” Grantham said. “I had to bring the number one sprints coach in the nation, Rodney Burkes, in with me. I knew I couldn’t do it without him.” Building that nucleus of coaches was the first order of

business. Then, Grantham knew he had something special straight away. “Evaluating the talent we had, it’s unbelievable. This place is a gold mine,” Grantham said. “We had a vision. The vision started with challenging the kids about setting a legacy.” He and his staff also worked to sell athletes on joining the program.

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“Angel hadn’t ever really run track. He ended up being an incredible leadoff for us on our relays,” Grantham said. “People bring enthusiasm and excitement to our sport. Coach Rodney hit the hallways and kids saw that there’s something different about these guys… bringing an expectation, a vision and just getting them on board for what’s going to happen.” It just so happened that Grantham’s first year at the helm of Westmoore track coincided with the novel coronavirus pandemic.

19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 27

“Our word this year was pivot, because it was just constantly pivoting, by the day, by the practice,” he shared. “I also coach football here and just adapting to everything, just the uncertainty was probably the thing that stressed me out the most. “Are we going to have practice today? Who’s going to be at practice? Holy cow, this guy just got sent home quarantined for two weeks. What do we do now? It was crazy… I think it helped strengthened us.” Grantham credited Zach Bice, Westmoore’s athletic director, and Principal Joseph Ross for laying the foundation for their success. “I’ve never worked with people like this. It’s just unbelievable. I don’t know how we couldn’t be successful with so much support,” Grantham said. Of the 22 kids that placed for Westmoore at the state meet, 14 are returning next year. “I really, really like what the future brings,” Grantham said. –19SM

28 June 2021

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19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 29

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S P O RT S

omer, tater, dinger, blast, big fly, round tripper, yard work, jack, long ball, whatever term you choose to describe a home run, the 2021 Sooner Softball team gave you ample opportunities to use it. The Sooners started hot with the four base hit and have not looked back, setting a single season record for home runs by a Sooner softball team. In setting a new mark for home runs by a team and home runs in an inning, the Sooners set the standard for offense in college softball and clinched its 9th straight Big 12 Championship in the process. Even with names like Lauren Chamberlain, Shelby Pendley and Jessica Shults, there has not been a Sooner team that has come close to doing with the 2021 team has accomplished offensively. Has there been a different approach? Has something changed? Or, is it simply that this team is just that good? “One of the things we really focused on the last couple of years is a holistic approach, mentally, physically, technically… through all aspects of the game,” said Sooner Hitting Coach JT Gasso. “You’ll hear hitters say they just want to hit the ball hard and when you hit the ball hard good things happen… but then there is more behind that with bat path and pitch coming in … this team has done a good job of embracing their overall development and understanding what they can do and how to fix things. “You must know how to fix yourself when your cars check engine light comes on. At the end of the day, I may see things, but they are feeling it. They’re doing a really good job of understanding themselves and putting a clear-cut goal into what they are trying to do.” OU set an incredible tone to start the season as the Sooners set an NCAA single-game home run record with 13 in the season opener versus UTEP, a 29-0 (5 inn.) run-rule victory. The team tied the NCAA record for homers in an inning with five in the first and fifth innings of the game. The home runs never slowed down and, in fact, reached historic levels.

Photos courtesy: Josh Gateley/OU Athletics

The Sooners broke the program record for home runs in a season, hitting 120 home runs in the regular season, surpassing the 2019 team’s 115 home runs in 23 fewer games. Oklahoma proceeded to kick off the postseason with 10 home runs in three games of the Big 12 Tournament fueled by Tournament MVP Kinzie Hansen. She hit five of those 10 home runs. While Hansen stole the show during the Big 12 Tournament, the lasting story this season when talking about the long ball has been senior Jocelyn Alo. The Big 12 Player of the Year will have another year of eligibility to continue to chase the career NCAA home run record of 95 that 2015 OU grad Lauren Chamberlain set during her time at Oklahoma. Alo entered the postseason just 14 home runs behind Chamberlain’s record and was the nation’s leading home run hitter during the regular season. “What we’ve seen is how smart she is and how into the game she truly is. It’s been fun,” JT Gasso said. “I keep telling our hitters it’s fun to hear the conversations about the game and

34 June 2021

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19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 35

36 June 2021

who they are facing and what they are going to do. She’s speaking her things into existence where she sees what she misses in one at bat and be right on cue with her next at-bat before it happens. The maturity factor is there, and it’s been fun to see her grown.” Alo was recently featured in our cover story for Boyd Street and has continued to stay locked in and motivated by competition. “Seeing the level of competition go up honestly, I knew we had a good freshman class coming in and, to be honest, I wasn’t going to let a freshman or anyone take my spot,” Alo said. “I feel like I’ve upped my game and I’m super locked into what I’m doing. I wanted to be locked in even more than I’ve ever been, and I feel like that’s where I am.” Erin Miller won two National Championships as a player and was the captain of the 2016 title-winning team. The current ESPN analyst has been impressed with what she has seen from a leadership and growth perspective from Alo. “I have been witness to her evolution and journey within a Sooner uniform,” Miller said. “I had a lot of one-on-ones with her about leadership and how to own a senior season. This is an athlete that took the reins and ran with it. She understood the stage and the moment. She set the tone. She has been crushing it in the weight room, she got fit, her mentality is in the right place, and she’s pulling the rope for this squad. “Can you imagine learning from her? Tiare Jennings is a sponge to one of the greatest hitters in college softball.” Jennings has provided the power for an electric Sooner Freshman class. The freshman from San Pedro, California is among the leading home run hitters in the country and has found herself in the mix for not just the Freshman of the Year in college softball but also the National player of the Year. In addition to learning how to be solid on the field and in the batter’s box from Jocelyn Alo, Jennings has learned how to lead. “I have known her since 8th grade,” Jennings said of Alo. “Being on the same sportstalk1400.com

19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 37

field with her is amazing. She is a straight queen on and off the field. Her mentality, her confidence is everything I strive to be. We talk every day, and she gives me the confidence she has and puts that in me. We’re super close on and off the field and she is an amazing person. I hope I can follow in those footsteps and be just like her.” Jennings has not been the only freshman making an impact for the Sooners in 2021. Jayda Coleman has found herself making highlight-reel plays and leads the team in both stolen bases and walks. It is no surprise to JT Gasso to see the Sooner newcomers making an impact early. “One of the things that we knew coming in was that every person on the roster is a gamer,” he said. “They would do what they need to do to win a game. They didn’t seem like they were fazed by anything. Maybe that’s something they needed to put in their tool bag for their careers to be in moments like that.” “It’s been a dream. These girls are the best in the country,” Jennings added. “The environment of competition every day pushes me to be my best. I didn’t expect to have this much success early but having my teammates have my back has brought out the best in me.” The offensive numbers for the Sooners are staggering. The more you look at them, the more you digest what they have done, the more impressive they are. The 2021 Oklahoma Softball team has set the program record 38 June 2021

for most run-rule victories in a season with 31, surpassing the 2019 and 2013 teams’ 25. Heading into the postseason, the team currently holds the single-season program record for runs scored (498), batting average (.420), on-base percentage (.507) and slugging (.799). OU averaged 2.73 home runs per game and hit 30 more home runs in two fewer games than the team that finished the regular season second in home runs on the season. “Competition every day… trying to stay in the lineup every day,” is what Coach Patty Gasso believes has fueled the Sooner power surge. “Our strength coach (Dane Somers) and hitting coach (JT Gasso) and good, smart athletes that share information with each other, that really helps them learn and feel confident. There is just a lot of confidence on this team.” The top two single-season home run totals in OU Softball history were engineered through the guidance of sixth-year hitting coach JT Gasso. While he is the last one to take any credit for the accomplishments of his hitters, his approach and focus is unmatched. “JT is an unsung hero,” Erin Miller said. “His first year was my senior year… I think back to his first season and how passionate he was about hitting then and every time I talk to Coach Gasso she mentions how impressed she is with his evolution since 2016.

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“The offensive powerhouse comes at the hands of JT Gasso. He is an expert. He’s scientific but simplifies the science behind it. He is cognizant of recovery, training and getting their body ready. He is the hottest commodity in college softball right now offensively.” The season was such a success that the Sooners swept the offensive and defensive awards in the Big 12. Alo was the Big 12 Player of the Year and Jennings took home the Big 12 Freshman of the year. All totaled the Sooners placed five players on the Big 12 first team. “When you’re working with a game that is all about averag-

40 June 2021

es, how do you handle when there are stretches where you’re above your average and stretches where you’re below it?” JT Gasso commented. “Think about basketball, if Steph Curry misses ten threes in a row, he’s not going to question his existence or season up to that point, or even his career… he’s going to keep shooting. You just must stay locked in, keep grinding and stay locked into your foundations and continue to be productive in different ways.” As a team, OU has hit at least one home run in 41 of its 44 regular-season games and has hit at least two in 35 of the 44 contests. Oklahoma has hit two-plus home runs in a single inning 26 times this season, including three or more seven times

and four-plus in one inning four times. The Sooners have hit back-to-back home runs 12 times in 2021 and back-toback-to-back blasts three times. “Going out there and trusting the process and having fun… This team is so much fun there is really no pressure,” said senior captain Lynnsie Elam. “We know that if we’re not on someone else is going to be on. Trusting that process and knowing that we’ve been working hard, it’s been nice to have the consistency.” There may not be a magic formula but the incredible season at the plate for the Sooners has been exactly what Patty Gasso laid out… a combination of competition, a solid strength coach and good old-fashioned teamwork. While the home runs garner the spotlight, setting home run records is not the goal for this team. “I think the biggest thing is that we aren’t satisfied,” Elam said. “We weren’t playing how we would have hoped to last year. Our record was good but internally we weren’t happy. Even going off the year before we went to the World Series and it’s a bad taste in our mouth what happened in the Championship Series. We keep that reminder so that we won’t allow ourselves to have that experience again. We’re not satisfied and we’re fighting to get better every day.” – BSM

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COMM UNI T Y

BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

75 years and Counting

Norman Municipal Hospital opened June 1, 1946.

Norman Regional Health System celebrates 75th anniversary, breaks ground on new facilities.

The cafeteria was enlarged and a coffee shop was added during a building project funded by a bond issue approved by Norman residents in 1962. sportstalk1400.com

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In the 1950s, mothers could talk on a color-coded telephone that matched the gender of their baby. In 1955, an expansion was added that increased in-patient capacity including two nurseries.

In the 60s, Norman Municipal Hospital expanded three times, adding a fourth floor, an intensive care unit and more than 60,000 square feet. A change in policies in 1976 allowed new mothers to choose “rooming-in” with their babies and fathers were first allowed into delivery rooms.

On Sept. 1, 1984, Norman Municipal Hospital was renamed as Norman Regional Hospital. The Cancer Management Center opened in July 1989.

48 June 2021

Norman Regional Health System purchased Moore Medical Center in 2007. The facility was rebuilt after being destroyed by a tornado and reopened in 2016 under a new name, Norman Regional Moore.

In 2004, Norman Regional opened a medical professional building at Tecumseh Road and Interstate 35, followed by the HealthPlex in 2009.

The Next Phase - Inspire Health Following an expansion expected to be complete in 2023, Norman Regional’s HealthPlex campus will house acute care services including a new Cancer Center. Crews will add a temporary, emergency entrance on the west side of the building for the public to use during construction. The final step in the Inspire Health plan, the Porter campus will become a mixeduse facility with physician clinics, senior center and more. Learn more about the expansion projects at InspireHealthOK.com. –19SM sportstalk1400.com

19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 49

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75th Anniversary Celebration

Norman Regional Health System invites the community to join their 75th anniversary celebration. On June 7, from 4 to 6 p.m., outside the Education Center on the Porter Campus, Normanites can hear from hospital staff and special guests from the past and enjoy refreshments and fun giveaways.

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Oh Hail

Experienced metro roofer shares tips to repair storm damage “If you don’t like the weather in Oklahoma, wait a minute and it will change.” –Will Rogers

ty roofing and window replacement and other services for residents and businesses.

pring in Oklahoma means crazy weather and the days in February of below-freezing temperatures played a role in this year’s severe storm season.

“We work hard to ensure that each roofing project, no matter how large or small, is completed with the highest quality workmanship and in a timely manner,” said Michael Cagle, company president.

Although no one can totally prepare for Oklahoma’s extreme weather, homeowners can devise a plan to make dealing with the aftermath less stressful.

Cagle has over 25 years of roofing experience beginning with installation, repairs, office administration, sales and whatever his father and All American Roofing founder Neil Cagle asked him to do.

The most important first step is to make sure homeowners and auto insurance policies are up to date with correct coverages. Then, set up an online account ahead of time with your insurance company in order to ease the claim-filing process. Finally, keep the name and phone number of a reputable roofing company handy in order to be one of the first to have damages evaluated. The professionals at All American Roofing have over 40 years of experience evaluating Oklahoma roofs and installing quali54 June 2021

“I’m super proud to be working at a family business that has accomplished so much over the last 40 years, from winning numerous awards such as Reader’s Choice, being a GAF Master Elite contractor & winning the GAF Triple Excellence Award,” Cagle said. “It was very rewarding to spearhead being the first Google Guaranteed Contractor in the Oklahoma City metro and continuing to improve our business while maintaining the idea that we want to do great work at a fair price.”

BY: ROXANNE AVERY Cagle shared his wealth of experienced knowledge so you can know what to do and not do if you think you have storm damage: • After the storm has safely passed, walk around the perimeter of your property to evaluate if you need immediate help, for example broken window, leak inside your home, etc. Make a written list of what you find. Review your insurance policy to determine the size of the deductible and type of coverage within your policy. • Find a reliable contractor. Do your research to find a contractor who is licensed by the state of Oklahoma and is also certified with a major shingle manufacturer. Your home is the most valuable asset you own. Would you let an uncredentialed door knocker help you with your retirement package? Take the time to find the right contractor who will help determine whether or not you have enough damage for a claim with your insurance carrier.

your insurance claim adjuster. Discuss with your contractor if he can also be at the property to help verify damages andcurrent building code issues that might arise from the claim.

• Contact your insurance company. Once you determine you have enough damage to your property either call your local insurance agent or the claims hotline to start the claim process.

• Don’t Rush. Most people only go through a claim situation every 10 years. Make sure you’re finding the right people to help you along the way and put your house back in order. Ask for referrals, check online, be patient with completing repairs and getting through storm season.

• Make time to meet the insurance adjuster. It’s always important to make a list of the damages to discuss or hand to

To learn more about the services at All American Roofing, visit allamericanrfg.com or call 405-787-0400. –19SM

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19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 55

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V ETE R A N

BY: BILL MOAKLEY

PRESENTED BY

CENTURIONCG.NET

Veteran of the Month: Michael Devenitch Air Force veteran looks back on nearly three-decade military career

year and a half into his time at Hudson Valley Community College, Michael Devenitch was thumbing through a book of potential jobs in the military. He came across flight engineer.

“I really didn’t know what it was, but I knew I wanted to do it,” Devenitch remembered. Devenitch took the leap and joined the United States Air Force. He spent five and half years as a flight mechanic. “I knew I had to be a flight mechanic first before I’d be a flight engineer,” Devenitch said. “As I soon as I could, I cross-trained.” A native of Schoharie, New York, Devenitch’s first assignment in his new position landed him in New Jersey after training in Altus, but it would take him to points around the world, including 70 different countries. “I flew for six and a half years and flew around the world,” he noted. “Africa, the Middle East, Europe. It was a lot of fun, the best time I had in the military. We had a mission where we ate breakfast in Turkey, lunch in Greece, dinner in Spain and we were in Germany for the evening.” Devenitch started out on large cargo planes that transported up to 13 pallets of cargo. As a flight engineer, he was responsible for the air conditioning, hydraulics, fuels and much more. He was also responsible for instigating emergency procedures should such a need arise. Devenitch was one of few personnel who held a Russian visa, so he flew in and out of Moscow quite bit. Did he like it? “Yeah, I did,” he said. “But, after you see the Moscow Circus five times, it gets old.” His favorite place to visit? “Since I was stationed in Germany, I love to go back to Germany and visit my friends,” Devenitch said. Over 21 years of flying, Devenitch flew in three different planes. “I started in the C-141 and went to the C-130 Hercules and did

58 June 2021

that for 10 years,” he explained. “I had a staff job at Randolph doing the C-130s. That’s more of a tactical, smaller plane that landed in the dirt. In that airplane, we look for service members missing in Vietnam as part of Operation Full Accounting. I would fly into Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, moving teams around that are looking for missing service members.” The final plane Devenitch was the AWACS planes flown out of Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City. “It got me to some new places,” Devenitch said. “I got to go and protect President (George W.) Bush down in Uruguay.” He also flew in support of combat efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq before retiring in 2008. Devenitch said of his almost 28 years in the Air Force, he would do it all again. “I wouldn’t change the thing,” he said. “I always tried to say ahead of the assignments. If he didn’t volunteer for something, you were going to get stuck with something you didn’t want.” Since retiring, Devenitch has spent the past seven years serving as commander of Moore’s American Legion Post 184. And it’s been an active seven years for one of the state’s busiest posts. “We started the ceremonies (on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day) for Veterans Park, about six years ago,” Devenitch noted. “It’s just blossomed. We have a couple of hundred people coming to those events. Last year, we were the only organization that held events during the pandemic. Those events end with a 21-gun salute.” Pre-Covid, the post sponsored bingo at the Norman Veteran’s Center. That is slated to begin again soon. Devenitch also served nine years as the state VFW commander. He has lobbied in Washington concerning issues impacting veterans, including expansion of the GI Bill and health care. Devenitch is still “active” at Tinker. He’s now one of more than 18,000 civilian employees at the base where he works in supply chain management.–19SM

FIVE LOCATIONS IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA Norman: Robinson at 36th NW • Main at University Blvd. • Lindsey at 12th SE Noble: 805 N Main St. Oklahoma City: 11671 S Western Ave.