Edmond Life and Leisure - January 27, 2022

January 27, 2022 Vol. 22, No. 37

In This Issue FOUR SEASONS

Entertainment great returns to Edmond

Four Seasons, by Kevin Box, in real life is located in front of the Center for Transformative Learning on the UCO campus, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper.

Email contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing.

For more information, see page 4.

Calendar of Events 2022 Inserted in this edition

FRIDAY, January 28 Sunny High 49° Low 26°

SATURDAY, January 29 Sunny High 57° Low 37°

SUNDAY, January 30 Partly Cloudy High 57° Low 31°

Branford Marsalis at Armstrong Feb. 10 Legendary NEA Jazz Master, Grammy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Branford Marsalis makes his long-awaited return to Edmond’s Armstrong Auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 10, at 7:30 p.m. along with the other members of his jazz quartet.

“Armstrong is ecstatic to welcome back Branford Marsalis,” Armstrong Auditorium Program Director Ryan Malone said. “Jazz is an iconic American tradition and the Marsalis dynasty has been significant in advancing it. Our audiences will be delighted by Branford and his quartet.”

The son of late jazz great Ellis Marsalis, Branford Marsalis is among the most influential and revered figures in contemporary music. The three-time Grammy winner recently composed the soundtrack for the Netflix jazz age film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. He also formed the Branford Marsalis Quartet in 1986 and cemented his rise to stardom as the leader of The Tonight Show band from 1992 to 1995. Among his wide-ranging projects, Marsalis has performed alongside artists such as Sting, Phil Collins and the Dave Matthews Band, as well as

other jazz legends such as Lionel Hampton, Miles Davis and more.

The Branford Marsalis Quartet won a Grammy Award for its 2001 album Contemporary Jazz and Marsalis also received a Tony Award nomination in 2010 for writing the music for the 2010 Broadway revival of the August Wilson play Fences.

Tickets to An Evening with Branford Marsalis: The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul range from $45 to $99. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Armstrong Auditorium’s website or call the Box Office at (405) 2851010.

The award-winning Armstrong Auditorium has established itself as a world-class center for the arts in Oklahoma since 2010. The theater has hosted acclaimed local and international performances from a vast array of genres, including classical, jazz and folk music, theater, classical ballet, folk dance and more. Designed to provide an exceptional acoustic experience, only 75 feet separate the stage from the back wall, allowing the 823-seat theater to boast a nine-millisecond initial time delay gap – a measure of remarkable acoustic intimacy. Arm-

strong Auditorium’s exquisite beauty and warm atmosphere continue to make it an extraordinary venue worthy of its numerous accolades.

Also please see Page 6 for a list of other events.

2021-2022 Performing Arts Series An Evening with Branford Marsalis The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul Thursday, February 10, 7:30 p.m.

The King’s Singers Finding Harmony Sunday, February 20, 7:30 p.m.

Polish Wieniawski Philharmonic, Wojciech Rodek, Principal Conductor, Sara Dragan, violin Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto Wednesday, March 2, 7:30 p.m.

Tabea Debus, recorder, featuring Alon Sariel. lute 17th Century Ohrwurm (ear worms) Thursday, March 31, 7:30 p.m.

Chanticleer Trade Winds: Exotic Climes, Exotic Locations Tuesday, April 26, 7:30 p.m.

Page 2 • January 27 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 27, 2022 • Page 3

Technology may improve liver transplants LifeShare of Oklahoma, the organization in the state responsible for the recovery of organs and tissue for transplant, has partnered with Ochre Bio, a British biotech company, to conduct research using new perfusion technology that is proposed to improve both the number and quality of livers available for transplant.

The research project is focused on using a liver perfusion device called the metra, which was developed by OrganOx, allowing livers to be maintained outside of a donor’s body while awaiting transplant, extending the time that the organ can be maintained prior to transplantation. It also provides transplant centers more time to evaluate the liver grafts before transplanting into a recipient, increasing the potential for a successful match.

“While LifeShare’s top priority is to save lives through organ donation, we also support medical research and development as it can have a direct impact in furthering our mission,” said Jeffrey Orlowski, President and Chief Executive Officer of LifeShare.

“The new technology we are using in our current research promises to be a game changer for those waiting for liver transplants.”

LifeShare has specially trained technicians that operate the OrganOx metra device. Following recovery specifically for research, the liver is perfused for an extended period of time, up to 5 days. During this time

Working on the device which can impprove the quality and quantity of liver transplants.

LifeShare staff gain valuable technical knowledge, preparing them for the future of organ preservation to serve transplant patients. While performing extended perfusions, LifeShare works with Ochre Bio to support preclinical research, developing potential treatments for patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH is a

Edmond Schools seek input on district with survey for patrons Edmond Public Schools is asking stakeholders to complete a brief survey to help the district identify opportunities for improvement.

Members of the community are encouraged to access the survey by visiting the district’s website www.edmondschools.net.

“This survey is designed to gauge the broad perspective of our stakeholders on a variety of topics,” said Superintendent Angela Grunewald.

“We want to know how we are doing and in what areas we can improve.”

The survey asks respondents about many topics including the following: •How the district should prioritize time and resources •What factors are important to student success •The level of engagement parents

have with their local schools Survey responses are kept anonymous and strictly confidential. Parents who have multiple children who attend Edmond Public Schools are asked to fill out one survey for their household. Parents of students who attend school in the district were emailed the survey link on Tuesday, January 25.

The survey will close on Friday, Feb. 4. Once the survey closes, the district will tabulate the data and share the results through its regular communication platforms.

leading cause of liver failure resulting in the need for a lifesaving transplant.

Since the launch of this research project in early November, LifeShare has successfully employed the device to keep four donated livers functioning outside the body, providing valuable research data and information

for Ochre Bio. “With 11,500 patients on the liver transplant wait list and estimates that over half of donor livers will be discarded by 2030, it's paramount that we search for therapeutic interventions to improve donor liver quality,” shared Jack O’Meara, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Ochre Bio. “Alongside pioneers in the field like OrganOx and LifeShare, we hope this research will impact the lives of transplant patients, and potentially even chronic liver diseases more generally.”

The current organ transplant wait list is at approximately 106,000 individuals from across the country, with more than 11,500 of those individuals waiting for a lifesaving liver. LifeShare is committed to maximizing every gift of donation to save the lives of those waiting for a transplant.

About LifeShare LifeShare is a nonprofit, federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) dedicated to the recovery of organs and tissue for transplant purposes. We work closely with three transplant centers and 145 healthcare organizations in the state of Oklahoma to facilitate donation.

Additionally, we strive to raise awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation through public education.

For more information about LifeShare, please visit www.LifeShareOK.org.

Page 4 • January 27, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

From the Publisher

My two cents on Ogle departure Last Friday my phone got jammed with texts from friends and colleagues. They all wanted to know what I knew about KWTV news anchor Kelly Ogle and his message at sign off of the 10 p.m. Thursday broadcast.

I am not sure what folks thought I knew about the goings and comings of television Ray Hibbard personalities other then I am old and have been in the media business for 42 years.

My answer was simple. I did not know a thing about it.

I am a regular watcher of KWTV, KFOR and KOCO news broadcasts. I am not a watcher of OKC Fox 25, but I should be. My understanding is that they do an excellent job as do all the stations in our market in covering local news. Trying to rotate watching three stations is about all I can manage in the evenings. It is a competitive business.

I watched a replay of his message. Ogle is not retiring but leaving the weekday evening anchor position and will be replaced by a younger person.

He will stay on with the station to do special reporting and updates on stories that he has covered in the past. I would guess it is more human-interest type of stuff. To be honest, reading between the lines I am also guessing the change was not his idea.

Why would this locally owned television station make such a change with such a highly rated newscast? Sorry, have not got a clue on that one as well.

I do know that sometimes consultants are brought in to help stations stay competitive. I know that because I have been one of those consultants from time to time in the Oklahoma City market. I have worked with two of the big three stations. None of the work I did dealt with on air personalities. It has always been dealing with marketing and local new coverage.

Now that I have shared what I do not know, here is what I do know: Kelly Ogle along with his entire family are about the best people you will ever meet. He is a topflight professional and a capable journalist. The first issue of Edmond Life & Leisure featured Kelly and his brothers Kevin and Kent on the front cover.

They did not have to let us do the story. I do not believe any of the people they worked for authorized their appearance on our cover almost 22 years ago.

If you know any of the Ogle brothers, you would not be surprised that they decided to ask forgiveness rather than permission. The Ogle family did not owe us a thing. They simply wanted to lend a hand to a local family starting a new business. They knew it would give us a boost on our credibility to have these successful Edmond natives on our first cover. It worked. We are still here and locally owned.

What I know about the ownership of KWTV is that they are good people as well. The Griffin family has a long-time history of being good corporate citizens with all their businesses in Oklahoma. As locally owned media ownership has continued to become rare in this country, KWTV has always been kind to us and willing to lend a hand if possi-

ble. We appreciate it.

My suggestion to all of this is to take what Kelly Ogle tells us at his word. Skip the social media information because it is probably being put out by folks that have no idea what they are talking about. Only believe what Kelly says and does over Kelly Ogle the next few months and what the station will tell us about their plans for the future. The OKC blogs were having a field day with the subject. All of the social media junk claimed to have a “mole” or inside information. No, they do not folks. They are just trying to rope you into readership.

What you can believe is what Kelly Ogle said.

He is not retiring, and we will see him again. I hope that is true because we need trusted journalist in this market. Edmond Life & Leisure loves you Kelly Ogle and we support you no matter what direction you decided to take your career. Heck, we have a free desk over here should you decided to write for a locally owned publication. I can tell you the pay stinks though.

2022 Economic Preview coming Feb. 17 The Edmond Economic Development Authority (EEDA) will host the 2022 Market Forecast sponsored by First Fidelity Bank, Thursday, February 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Edmond Conference Center 2833 Conference Dr., Edmond, OK 73034. To register, visit www.eeda.com or call (405) 340-0116. The 2022 Economic Preview will include networking, an Edmond update, a real estate panel and lunch.

This is a great way to see what is on tap and developing for the coming year in Edmond. Scheduled speakers include Janet Yowell, EEDA, William Forrest, CAPSTONE, Jim Parrack, Price Edwards &

Company, Brian Preston, RE/MAX at Home and Jonathan Thompson, Turner & Company. The cost is $30 per person if you register by Friday, Feb. 11 or $40 after that date. Any cancellations will need to be received by Feb. 11 as well.

If you would like to dig into some more numbers about retail development in Edmond or the rest of the metropolitan area, Price Edwards has a great 2021 year end report out. You can access it at www.priceedwards.com.

Here is what they had to say about the Edmond retail market: “The Edmond market mirrored the retail market as a whole over the course of the year: 11.9 percent vacant at year-end 2020, up to 13.0 percent vacant at mid-year and back to 11.0 percent vacant the end of 2021. The improvement during the second half of the year was fairly wide-spread and not concentrated in any large blocks of space.

Edmond’s demographics, particularly incomes and disposable spending, remain strong and it continues to be a strong market for retailers. It is the second or third location for many national retailers, although some believe they can serve the Edmond market from the Memorial Road corridor. But as Edmonds population continues to grow and the center of the city moves east toward Interstate 35, Edmond will become even more in demand as a retail location.

As a result, a number of developers are in the planning stages of Edmond developments, and, some existing developments, such as Legacy at Covell, are seeing more interest. The north Interstate 35 corridor will ultimately be the retail hub of Edmond” The information in the report and that will be presented at the Economic preview are good for business folks in Edmond to take in but I would encourage residents to pay attention as well. By the time projects and development plans get to city council meetings, the process has moved along too much to turn it around. You will have more influence as a citizen if you can put your thoughts on a project in the early stages.

(Ray Hibbard may be reached at ray@edmondpaper.com)

Real estate is a big part of Edmond’s economy.

Check out what’s inside!

---- Police report ..............................................................................Page 6.

---- Weekend calendar of Events ......................................................Page 6.

---- Prep player awarded scholarship ................................................Page 8.

---- Network national news always negative? ................................Page 10.

---- Health providers make appeal to public....................................Page 11.

---- George Gust reviews film ........................................................Page 14.

---- Crossword puzzle ....................................................................Page 14.

---- Business news ..........................................................................Page 17.

---- Comics ....................................................................................Page 18.

---- Worship directory ....................................................................Page 19.

This, and much more, in this week’s edition!

See if you can find ‘Four Seasons’ “Four Seasons” in real life is located in front of the Center for Transformative Learning on the University of Central Oklahoma campus, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper.

Please e-mail contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing.

Commissioned as a partnership between UCO, the City of Edmond and the Edmond Visual Arts Commission, “Four Seasons” was created by sculptor Kevin Box of New Mexico and was dedicated on the campus on March 24, 2011.

Kevin is a member of the National Sculptor’s Guild. His Box Studio LLC is a strong supporter of the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle concept, using recycled metal as part of the casting process for his sculptures. All of his work is 100 percent recyclable.

For more information on Edmond public art, please visit http://visitedmondok.com/public-art.php.

Publisher Ray Hibbard Jr. ray@edmondpaper.com Partner Christopher T. Hoke Editor Steve Gust news@edmondpaper.com Production Deanne York Advertising Director Business Editor Alexx Harms alexx@edmondpaper.com Contributing Writers Mallery Nagle, Patty Miller, Rose Drebes, and George Gust.

Photographer Melinda Infante

Cover Design Deanne York Legal Counsel Todd McKinnis Ruebenstein & Pitts, PLLC Copyright © 2022 by Edmond Media Publishing 107 S. Broadway Edmond, OK 73034 405.340.3311 (office) 405.340.3384 (fax) Mailing address: P.O. Box 164 Edmond, OK 73083 All rights reserved.

Material contained herein may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission from Edmond Media Publishing. edmondlifeandleisure.com facebook.com/edmondlifeandleisure twitter.com/edmondlifeandleisure instagram.com/edmondlifeandleisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 27, 2022 • Page 5

New Fairgrounds cattle show sees more than 2,900 exhibitors Back in the Fall of 2020 at the height of the pandemic, numerous cattle shows canceled across the nation, sending a tremor through the cattle industry.

A collective of concerned Oklahoma City businessmen led by Jarold Callahan, Tyler Norvell, and Bob Funk, Sr., amongst others, stepped in to support the cattle industry by creating the Cattlemen’s Congress which took place in January 2021 at the OKC Fairgrounds. In addition to providing a location for cattlemen and women to showcase and market their genetics, it also came at a time when the local hospitality industry was suffering. This inaugural event was a major success and boost to the Oklahoma City economy at a time when it was much needed. In its inaugural year, this elite show resulted in a record-breaking $50 million impact to the state’s economy, with $10 million resulting directly from cattle sales.

The second annual Cattlemen’s Congress returned to Oklahoma City in January 2022. This year’s show, which ran January 1 through 15 at the OKC Fairgrounds, attracted over 9,200 head of cattle, entered by more than 2,900 exhibitors from 40 states and multiple countries including Canada and Mexico. The It is the focus of the Cattlemen’s Congress to put on a show for cattlemen that is managed by cattlemen with a mission of hosting a worldclass event that caters to the agriculture industry and ranchers, both of which are vital to the state of Oklahoma.

“We were extremely proud and honored to be the host site for the Cattlemen’s Congress,” stated Timo-

thy J. O’Toole, Oklahoma State Fair, Inc. President & CEO. “Since 2005, we have invested over $120 million in expansion and improvements to this world-class facility, placing an emphasis on livestock and equine events. Those efforts have been validated in the feedback received from the various breed associations after the inaugural event in 2021.”

One of the key factors in the success of the Cattlemen’s Congress is the fact that Oklahoma City is the Crossroads of America and is centrally located in proximity to 40 percent of the nation’s cattle production.

Approximately $10.2 million changed hands during the various breed sales associated with the Cattlemen’s Congress this year. It is the second year for the OKC Fairgrounds to host this “New Tradition” offering one of the largest and most elite cattle shows in the world.

“Oklahoma sits in the heart of cattle country and therefore makes the perfect place to bring cattlemen together,” said Jarold Callahan, Chairman of Cattlemen’s Congress. “Each year cattlemen come together to find the newest and best genetics the industry has to offer, and their meeting place became OKC in 2021 and we hope for future generations.”

Cattlemen's Congress grew its international presence in 2022 hosting buyers and interested cattlemen from across the globe including: Dubai, Argentina, Mexico, Nicaragua, Canada and online buyers from many other countries. As pandemic protocols loosen, they hope to increase the opportunities for those internationally and gain notoriety as the world’s largest and most elite cattle show.

This inaugural event was a major success and boost to the Oklahoma City economy at a time when it was much needed.

Page 6 • January 27, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

(The following arrest reports are provided by the Edmond Police Department.

Guilt or innocence is determined in a court of law.

Also, CDS is controlled dangerous substance; APC is Actual Physical Control; DUI is driving under the influence.)

Jan. 10 Brandy Patrick Rocky, 37 homeless. Misdemeanor warrant.

Readrey E’charae Maxwell, 30 of Del City. Public intoxication.

Lerome Lee Venable, 34 homeless. Possession of drug paraphernalia and public intoxication.

Jan. 11 Sergio A. Lucha, 30 of Edmond. Operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license and no proof of insurance.

Jared Douglas Kevin Sellars, 31 of Edmond. Operating (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Tanya Antonia Rodriguez, 24 of Edmond. Resisting arrest, possess CDS, operating (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and any other intoxicating substance.

Karolina Dorota Kamienska, 40 of Edmond. Failure to appear.

Seth Tyler Bray, 27 of Edmond. Possession of CDS. Zachary Wayne Griffin, 18 of Edmond. Assault and battery on EMT. Jonathan Edward Milner, 43 of Oklahoma City.

Failure to wear a seatbelt, driving while license is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked and four counts of failure to appear.

Felicia Marie Williams, 34 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.

Jan. 12 Morgan Denise Moore, 26 of Bethany. Possess CDS and felony DUI/APC. Catherine Elizabeth Brooks, 28 of Guthrie. Misdemeanor warrant.

Nova-Dawn Kay, 38 of Oklahoma City. Felony

DUI/APC. Colin Michael Clark, 29 of Blanchard. Possess drug paraphernalia and two counts of possession of CDS. Jan. 13 Syeda Masooma Abedi, 41 homeless. Trespassing and possession of marijuana.

Freddie Doyle Johnson, 41 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.

Julia Anntionette Wasinger, 26 of Edmond. Driving while license is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Mayte Alexandra Navas, 26 of Edmond. Expired tag over three months, failure to devote full time attention to driving and driving while license is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Matthew Isaac Hicklin, 41 homeless. Public intoxication.

Cassy Jo O’Brien, 34 of Moore. Four felony warrants.

Hau Trung Tran, 35 of Wichita, Kan. Expired tag of more than three months and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Jan. 14 Latoya Monique Frederick-Ivy, 39 homeless. Public intoxication.

Vincent David Pendergraft, 49 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.

Syeda Masooma Abedi, 41 homeless. Petty larceny.

Brittany Nicole Long, 23 of Duncan. No proof of insurance, changing lanes unsafely and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Mark Allen Swiger, 34 of Oklahoma City. Misdemeanor warrant.

Max Christian Coyle, 34 of Guthrie. Possession of marijuana, non-assault resisting officer and public intoxication.

Kate Elaine McGinley, 38 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Jake William Gideo, 20 of Edmond. Following too closely and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Drey Donald Tucker, 31 of Edmond. Felony warrant.

Jan. 15 Kristal Lynn Shirley, 38 of Edmond. Driving with license canceled, suspended or revoke and felony DUI/APC. David Robin Whitmore, 52 of Oklahoma City.

Two felony warrants, possession of drug paraphernalia and false representation to an officer.

Jamila Tatyana Starr Rains, 23 of Midwest City.

Operating a motor vehicle with no valid driver’s license and possession of marijuana.

Jan. 16 Namory Gouamanene Wilf Sidibe, 25 of Oklahoma City. Transporting open container of beer or intoxicating beverage and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Anthony Lamar Graves 52 of Oklahoma City.

Felony warrant and public intoxication.

Ashlyn Marie Blankenship, 24 of Bethany. Transport open container of intoxicating beverage or beer and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

William Lee Gann, 27 homeless. Felony warrant.

Charles Derrick Hodges, 31 homeless. Two counts of failure to appear.

James Wesley Burns, 35 of Chickasha. Felony warrant.

Jan. 17 Corey Dewayne Baker, 35 of Oklahoma City. No tag — improper tag, no proof of insurance and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Rachelle Sharayle Riley, 27 of Edmond. Failure to use child passenger restraint, leaving the scene of an accident, following too closely, no proof of insurance, driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked and misdemeanor warrant.

Nathan Richard Gray, 37 of Oklahoma City. Failure to appear.

Travis Don Horton, 27 homeless. Three counts of failure to appear.

Weekend Calendar of Events Jan. 27-30 What’s Happening This Weekend Jan. 27-30

---- In the Gallery: Natalie Miller ---- Exhibit: The Clue in the Museum-A Nancy Drew-Inspired Detective Adventure ---- Downtown in December ---- Devon Ice Rink ---- Souled Out ---- American Bucking Bull Chute Out Futurity ---- Signature Tour ---- Late Night at the Museum ---- Construction of a Portrait ---- OKC Broadway presents: Oklahoma!

---- 2 Hip Chicks Roadshow ---- Paycom Center Presents: Jeff Dunham ---- Elton John in Concert

Location: Lazy E Arena Extra Info: Fri, Jan 28 – Sat, Jan 29; americanbuckingbull.com

Feb. 10 show at Fine Arts Gallery to feature talents of artist McNeill

Signature Tour Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Extra Info: Sat, Jan 29 & Sun, Jan 30; 1 --- 2 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Join us at the Edmond Fine Arts Gallery, 27 E. Edwards St, for a solo show featuring local artist Brad McNeill on Thursday, Feb. 10, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Brad McNeill is an abstract/impressionist painter.

He has loved art since a very young age, and as an only child, often alone, he tried to find things to occupy his time. Brad first started drawing then progressed to watercolors, focusing on subjects that interested him, like golf courses and football players.

Brad elected to study art throughout high school and college and, during those experiences, discovered the mediums of oil and acrylic and started experimenting Brad McNeill with abstraction. The unknown outcomes of impressionist art spoke to Brad. They liberated him enough to follow that path to a conclusion of earning a Fine Arts minor along with his major in Media and Advertising.

Currently, Brad works with many decorators, home designers, art galleries and furniture stores, and long-time valued collectors. He believes the greatest painter is God, and there is no better painting than an Oklahoma sunset, which no man can duplicate.

Brad lives in Edmond with his wife Rachel and their two children, Addi and Brody.

The Edmond Fine Arts Institute Gallery is open daily for public viewing Monday – Thursday or by appointment.

Monthly gallery exhibits are a program of the Edmond Fine Arts Institute, with support from presenting sponsor, Price Mortgage Group, LLC. FAI is Edmond’s nonprofit community arts organization providing year-round visual and performing art classes for children and adults and the Art in Schools Program for 3rd and 4th-grade students in Edmond Public Schools. For more information, visit EdmondFineArts.com or call 405-340-4481.

Late Night at the Museum Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Extra Info: Fri, Jan 28; 6:30 – 11 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Extra Information

Construction of a Portrait Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Extra Info: Sat, Jan 29; 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

In the Gallery: Natalie Miller Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute Extra Info: featuring the art of Natalie Miller; edmondfinearts.com

OKC Broadway presents: Oklahoma!

Location: Civic Center Music Hall Extra Info: Tue, Jan 25 – Sun, Jan 30; okcbroadway.com

Exhibit: The Clue in the Museum-A Nancy Drew-Inspired Detective Adventure Location: Edmond Historical Society & Museum Extra Info: through Mon, Jan 31; 10 a.m.

– 5 p.m.; Free; edmondhistory.org

2 Hip Chicks Roadshow Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park Extra Info: Sat, Jan 29; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; 2hipchicksroadshows.com

Downtown in December Location: Downtown, Oklahoma City Extra Info: Thu, Nov 18 – Sun, Jan 30; downtownindecembrer.com Devon Ice Rink Location: 113 S Robinson Ave, OKC Extra Info: through Sun, Jan 30; hours vary; downtownindecembrer.com Souled Out Location: UCO Jazz Lab Extra Info: Fri, Jan 28; 8 p.m.; $20; ucojazzlab.com American Bucking Bull Chute Out Futurity

Paycom Center presents: Jeff Dunham Location: Paycom Center Extra Info: Thu, Jan 27; 7 p.m.; paycomcenter.com Elton John in Concert Location: Paycom Center Extra Info: Fri, Jan 21 – Sun, Jan 30; 8 p.m.; paycomcenter.com

Please send calendar items to Melinda Infante at infante318@cox.net

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 27, 2022 • Page 7

GOP gains voters in recent registration numbers released The Oklahoma State Election Board released its annual voter registration report last week showing 2,218,374 Oklahomans are registered to vote. Oklahoma’s official voter registration statistics are counted every year on January 15.

According to Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax, the largest number of Oklahoma's voters are Republicans, who make up 50.6% of registered voters. Democrats are the second-largest party with 31.4% of registered voters.

Meanwhile, both the Libertarian Party (which gained recognition in 2016) and Independent voters have seen steady growth the past two years. Libertarians account for less than 1% of Oklahoma voters and Independents (those with no party affiliation) round out the total with 17.2% of registered voters.

The State Election Board reminds

Oklahomans that it is easy to register to vote in Oklahoma. Eligible applicants can fill out an application using the OK Voter Portal registration “wizard” or download a Voter Registration Application from the State Election Board website. Applications are also available at all seventy-seven (77) County Election Boards, most tag agencies, post offices, and libraries. The next voter registration deadline is March 11, 2022.

Current voters who need to make changes to their registration can update their address (within the same county) and party affiliation online using the OK Voter Portal or by submitting a new Voter Registration Application to their County Election Board.

For more information on voter registration or to view historical voter registration statistics, visit our website at oklahoma.gov/elections.

Race registration opens The Redbud Classic, Oklahoma City’s esteemed running and cycling tradition, will celebrate its 39th year of bringing fun, fitness and philanthropy to the community in 2022. Registration is now open for all Redbud events set for the weekend of Saturday, April 2, and Sunday, April 3, 2022.

Each year, the Redbud Foundation Board of Directors selects an Oklahoma City nonprofit organization with whom to partner and serve as the beneficiary of event proceeds.

Annually, multiple agencies apply to the Redbud Classic as potential beneficiaries.

The CARE Center, a nonprofit organization with a mission to prevent child abuse and provide opportunities for healing and hope for chil-

dren in Oklahoma County, was selected to serve as the 2022 beneficiary.

“We are so excited to bring the tradition of fun, fitness and philanthropy to Oklahoma City once again, but more importantly, we look forward working with our community to support The CARE Center’s mission of putting an end to child abuse,” Redbud Classic Race Director Kristin Hersom said. “For more than 30 years, The CARE Center has helped children find their voice and continues to advocate for them through healing and education.”

For complete event details including start times, course maps and registration information, visit redbud.org.

Blood Donation Milestone Oklahoma Blood Institute recently celebrated Edmond resident Barbara Atkinson for her 250th platelet donation. She began donating blood in the late 1970s and has donated plasma and platelets as well over the years. She is an Edmond native and attended college at the University of Central Oklahoma.

PHOTO PROVIDED/CHARLIE PRICE

Page 8 • January 27, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

A move under way to possibly exempt vets on retirement Reps. Kevin McDugle, R-Broken Arrow, Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, and Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City, have filed legislation to grant Oklahoma veterans a full tax exemption on retirement benefits they receive as a result of their service.

House Bill 3693 would maintain the current exemption through Dec. 31, 2022. Under the legislation, veterans would receive a 100% tax exemption on their retirement benefits, beginning Jan. 1, 2023.

Currently, veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces receive tax exemptions for up to 75% or $10,000 of the retirement benefits they receive from any component of the U.S. Armed Forces.

"As someone who proudly served in our nation's armed forces, I understand just how much this bill could

help my brothers and sisters-in-arms," McDugle said. "We need to take every opportunity we can to give back to those who have given so much for our country."

McDugle, a Marine, served in combat in Somalia, Bosnia and Saudi Arabia.

"Oklahoma is special to military members serving within our many installations across the state, and all will tell you how we treat our military is unparalleled to any other state," Townley said. "Regardless of where they end their military service, we want them to return here and retire here. Transitioning into civilian life in Oklahoma offers them a way to utilize their experience and help us grow our aerospace and defense industry. This bill will continue our efforts to show them our appreciation for their service."

Luke Hankins and Coach Logan Thomas

Burgess stipend given Hankins Luke Hankins of Edmond Memorial High School, class of 2022 recently received the very first “Blake Burgess Winning 10” Football Scholarship on late last year during their annual football banquet.

In memory of Blake Burgess, a scholarship has been established to award one Edmond Memorial football player a $3000.00 tuition-based scholarship to the college or post-secondary studies of the recipient’s choice. The recipient is chosen based on 10 qualities Blake exhibited each and every day: humble, hungry, leader, coachable, respectful, determined, loyal, courageous, passionate and positive.

Blake graduated from Edmond Memorial in 2018 where he proudly wore #10 and led the Bulldogs at quarterback. Blake passed away suddenly on Oct. 4, 2020 from complications from a pulmonary embolism. He was 21 years old attending the University of Oklahoma where he majored in business. He had such a competitive spirit but was humble and kind to everyone he met. Blake was a treasured leader both on and off the field.

“We are so honored to present the first award to such a wonderful young man. Luke displays these 10 characteristics not only on the football field but in the classroom as well.” Bobby and Karrie Burgess said. Following graduation this May, Luke will be attending Oklahoma State University and receive a degree in Engineering or Computer Science.

Due to the love and support from so many amazing people almost $100,000 has been raised for the Winning 10 Scholarship. An annual golf tournament is planned for the Spring with details to follow.

The Edmond Public Schools Foundation administers the scholarship and tax-deductible donations for the fund may be sent to 1001 West Danforth Road, Edmond, Oklahoma 73003 (attention Winning 10 Scholarship). For questions contact Deanna Boston, Executive Director of the foundation at (405) 340-2891.

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 27, 2022 • Page 9

Page 10 • January 27, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side

Network news formula I was watching one of the national network news programs over the weekend.

There seems to be a formula to all of them. A lot of emphasis is placed on accentuating the Steve Gust negative.

The first story was about a crackdown on illegal guns in the northeast and the new Governor of New York taking action on it.

One of the quotes from the reporter was “illegal guns are flooding the streets of New York.” We have a lot of illegal immigrants flooding America also. The left doesn’t appear to be too concerned about that.

Gun control is an interesting issue.

The left believes a few laws can solve the problem. I don’t think so, although I’m firmly on the side of people following the law on firearms. Gun laws, immigration laws and narcotics laws just don’t seem to solve the problem. Although where guns are con-

cerned, strict enforcement would help.

Not sure a lot of the Blue big city liberal district attorneys are much into strict enforcement.

Most of the rest of the newscast talked about a snow storm in the northeast,the ongoing virus news and Russian aggression. The snow storm was also referenced as bad, but expected to get worse. The virus report was unique because it did mention that Dr. Anthony Fauci saw some light at the end of the tunnel, a rare optimistic view from him.

Network news always seems to be about the same. We’re always told that every problem is bad. Then we’re reminded that the same problem can get worse.

—Don’t forget about the upcoming school board and school bond issue on Feb. 8.

I’m a bit old fashioned on this, but I think voting is a great privilege and very much needed on the local level.

(Steve Gust may be e-mailed at news@edmondpaper.com)

Nonprofit lauds Treat for helping education ChoiceMatters, an Oklahoma non-profit dedicated to increasing education options for parents, today praised Oklahoma State Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat for filing SB 1647, the Oklahoma Empowerment Act. The bill proposes giving parents control over a portion of their children’s education tax dollars, in the form of Oklahoma Empowerment Accounts.

The accounts would be eligible to fund private school tuition or to supplement home schooling with approved technology expenses, enrichment materials or other educational services.

“The biggest barrier to education freedom is income,” said ChoiceMatters Executive Director Robert Ruiz. “High income parents can choose the school that is right for their children, either by moving to the zip codes with the best public schools, by sending their children to private school, or by supplementing their children’s education with tutoring and other resources. We believe that parents of every income level in every zip code should be able to make these same choices and offer their children these same opportunities.

“Pro Tem Treat has

Greg Treat

put forward a bold vision to give every Oklahoma parent the freedom and the ability to find the best education possible for their children,” continued Ruiz. “We encourage his colleagues in both the Senate and the House to stand with parents and support this proposal.”

Jennifer Johnson, a Skiatook mother who helped start Parent Voice Oklahoma, an advocacy organization supporting efforts that include parent empowerment, school choice and educational freedom, also praised the proposed state legislation.

“Parents have realized that the balance of power in public education has tilted towards unelected bureaucrats and top-down control,” said Johnson. “Putting parents in charge of their own education tax dollars puts them back in the driver’s seat where they belong. This is the ultimate form of local control and parent empowerment. Thank you, Senator Treat, for giving parents a voice in our kids' education.”

Sen. Lankford gets A+ on pro-life record Senator James Lankford (R-Edmond), ahead of last weekend’s annual March for Life, received an A+ score on the latest Susan B. Anthony List National Pro-Life Scorecard, a tool for holding members of Congress accountable for their legislative records on life and highlighting leadership in the fight to protect unborn children and their mothers.

Lankford “Every life, born or unborn, has value and worth. As elected officials who swear to uphold life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, we should work to protect life at every stage,” said Lankford.

“During my time in Congress, one of my top priorities has been standing up for those who cannot speak for themselves, and I am humbled to be recognized for this work by the Susan B. Anthony List, which helps keep Americans informed about

pro-life work in Congress. I look forward to continuing my support of pro-life causes and legislation— we can and should protect the basic human right to life.”

“With the Supreme Court poised to decide the Dobbs late-term abortion case, potentially returning abortion policy to the people and their elected representatives, the life issue will be front and center in this year’s midterm elections,” said Hon. Marilyn Musgrave, SBA List’s vice president of government affairs. “In contrast to Republicans who are more united than ever in support of life, nearly all congressional Democrats support the radical Biden agenda of abortion on demand up to birth, well past the point when unborn children can feel pain, and even infanticide. Our National Pro-life Scorecard reflects that record. The overwhelming majority of Americans reject pro-abortion extremism. They deserve to know where their elected officials stand so they can hold them accountable and elect a pro-life majority to Congress this November.”

As the Senate’s most pro-life member, Lankford

Letters to the Editor policy We love mail, especially mail from Edmond Life & Leisure readers with complaints, compliments or comments about what they read here. The rules, even for e-mail letters: 1) You must tell us your full name; 2) You must give us your complete address and phone numbers (but we will identify you only by name); and 3) We reserve the right to edit letters for length, clarity and taste (our taste).

Send mail to Letter to the Editor, Edmond Life & Leisure, 107 S. Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034, or fax to 340-3384 or e-mail to news@edmondpaper.com.

has been a leading voice for the protection of life.

Yesterday, he spoke on the Senate floor about the importance of protecting life in the womb ahead of the 49th annual March for Life. Lankford has been vocal in his support of the State of Mississippi in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which presents the Supreme Court with the opportunity to overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. He joined an amicus brief signed by more than 220 Members of Congress supporting the state of Mississippi in Dobbs. Lankford released two episodes of a four-part series on his podcast, The Breakdown with James Lankford, highlighting the science behind life in the womb and the stories behind the pro-life movement.

Lankford pushed back on the Biden Administration’s rule to allow taxpayer funded abortions. He successfully secured language in the Democrats partisan $3.5 trillion Fiscal Year 2022 budget resolution to save the long-standing Hyde and Weldon Amendments, which prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars to fund abortions and abortion-related discrimination against health care workers, including insurers.

Lankford’s reaction to Dem voting bill “Last year, Democrats brought up their so-called ‘voting rights’ bill four times and four times it failed. Their fifth attempt has resulted in the same outcome. Americans have been clear— we do not want to federalize our elections. In 1965, our nation took a strong, bold step to protect the rights of every single individual to vote. Federal courts still have the authority to stop any law in any state that suppresses the right to vote. This partisan election takeover bill takes power from each governor, state legislature, and state election official and puts it in the hands of bureaucrats in DC. I strongly disagree with taxpayer funded campaigns, same-day voter registration, gutting voter ID laws, and forcing states to seek permission from the Department of Justice before making any changes to their voting laws.”

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 27, 2022 • Page 11

E.R.’s & caregivers swamped; patience requested

Health providers issue warning Dear Fellow Oklahomans, Our emergency departments are overflowing.

Our caregivers are still strong, but they are exhausted. Even these heroes can’t keep up much longer. The Oklahoma City Health Care System is at a breaking point.

Soon, you or a loved one may need us for lifesaving care, whether for a stroke, emergency appendectomy or trauma from a car accident, and we might not be able to help. This pandemic isn’t just impacting care for COVID patients.

We have 300 fewer beds than we did last year at this time, but we have the same number of COVID positive patients in the hospital – and this number will continue to go up, at least for the next few weeks. It’s a desperate battle and we need you to be aware and help.

Your local hospitals are trying to adapt as best we can to these circumstances. Unfortunately, between our four health systems, we have hundreds of co-workers in quarantine or unable to come to work due to kids out of school and no available childcare. This has nearly crippled our already limited staff. Nurses are having to stretch to care for several more patients than they usually do. This is devastating and prevents us from being able to

Letter to the Editor provide the excellent care we’ve been trained to give and that you’ve received in the past.

We have zero ICU beds and no inpatient beds available. This morning, all of our health systems across the Oklahoma City metro had a total of 107 patients in our emergency departments waiting for an open bed. They are waiting on inpatient or ICU beds, which are not available. To make matters even more difficult, many people who do not require emergency care are seeking COVID testing in our ERs that are there to serve very sick people.

We need you to know what we are up against.

We need your help. We want to see you in our ERs if you are experiencing a true emergency, like trouble breathing. But we have to preserve our very limited resources for truly sick patients. If you’re asymptomatic or experiencing mild symptoms, please visit one of the many community testing locations hosted by the health department or IMMY Labs. Get vaccinated. Get boosted. Wear your mask. Socially distance. Stay home if you’re sick.

We also need you to be kind to our caregivers and co-workers. Patients are coming to us struggling to cope with life stressors, and violence against health care workers is at an all-time high.

Our caregivers are wounded from this two-year battle and are being asked to work under unconscionable conditions. Please be kind and patient with them.

Please do your part so fellow Oklahomans, our loved ones and neighbors, will have medical care available to them when needed.

With concern and compassion, Julie Watson, M.D. – chief medical officer, INTEGRIS Health Chad Smith, M.D. - chief medical officer, Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City P. Cameron Mantor, M.D. – acting chief medical officer, OU Health Kersey Winfree, M.D. – chief medical officer, SSM Health St. Anthony

Republican house member files voting reform bills Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City, has filed three bills designed to make absentee ballot requests more secure and to facilitate earlier identification of voters who have moved or are now deceased.

"Oklahomans want an election process that is secure, reliable and efficient," Roberts said. "I am proud to spearhead this legislation in the House."

House Bill 3364 requires online absentee ballot requests include identification in addition to a voter's name and birth date. Identification may include their driver's license number, state identification number or the last four of their Social Security number. Under the bill, voters who registered prior to the requirement for additional identification information may submit a paper absentee ballot request or reregister to vote with the additional identification.

Roberts also filed House Bill 3365 and House Bill 3366 to facilitate earlier identification of voters who have moved or are now deceased.

HB3365 requires the cancellation of the voter registration if the associated driver's license was surrendered to the Oklahoma Dept. of Public Safety upon the voter being issued a driver's license in another state. It also adds a new group of voters to the address confirmation process, which is performed in odd-numbered years. Voters with the same address of residence as five or more other voters will be sent an address confirmation.

HB3365 also requires voter registration cards be mailed to the physical registration address if the address is valid for mail delivery. If the physical address is not valid for mail delivery, then the designated mailing address will continue to be used. If voter registration cards are returned as undeliverable, then the voter will be required to complete an address confirmation before receiving a ballot in the next eligible election that they vote in.

Roberts said this process is designed for earlier

identification of voters who have moved and not changed their voter registration address.

HB3366 requires that Oklahoma death certificates include the last four of the decedent's Social Security number and either their driver's license number or state identification number.

Matching death certificates to voter registrations using name and birth date can yield multiple matches, which doesn't provide the needed certainty that the correct registration has been located. The addition of identification greatly increases the accuracy of matching. The voter registration cannot be removed unless a definite match for the death certificate is located.

Roberts said that this additional information will facilitate the matching of death certificates to the related voter registrations.

All three bills are available for consideration in the upcoming legislative session, which begins Feb. 7 at noon with a State of the State address from Gov. Kevin Stitt.

Page 12 • January 27, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Ida Freeman Elementary Principal Nicole Marler, left, with TOY finalist Cindy Rosario.

Frontier Elementary’s TOY finalist Emily Boyett is congratulated by Principal Dr. Beth Kanaly, right.

Chisholm Elementary Principal Thomas Hidgon with TOY finalist Nikki Spence, left.

Teacher of the Year finalists named

By Patty Miller Thirty Edmond teachers recently competed to be the Edmond Public Schools Teacher of the Year.

“Teachers nominate their peers within their buildings and vote at the site level,” said Emily Steele, EPS Executive Director of Education Services.

Each site Teacher of the Year created a 7 minute video of their teaching, along with a brief information sheet to accompany the video Steele said.

“The committee spent an entire day scoring each video, using a rubric,” Steele said. “The rubric emphasized the following components to teaching: teacher's ability to relate to and engage students, teacher's knowledge of the subject matter, teacher's use of effective instructional strategies, classroom climate, and overall impression of the teachers as a possible representative of the ‘best’ of EPS, on a given day.”

The five teachers chosen to be interviewed later in February after completing a comprehensive portfolio are: Jordan Hopper, Cheyenne Middle School; Dalton Savage, Memorial High School; Nikki Spence, Chisholm Elementary; Emily Boyett, Frontier Elementary; and Cindy Rosario, Ida Freeman Elementary.

The District Teacher of the Year will then be announced at the annual EPS Foundation Celebration of Excellence on the evening of Thursday, March 3.

A small hitch in the plans happened when the morning the committee was set to score the site TOY videos, there was a power outage in Edmond.

“The outage caused the district offices to lose power,” Steele said. “This delayed our scoring by a bit, but the committee stuck it out and was still able to view and score all 30 videos.”

Steele recognized the partnership with the EPS Foundation.

“We have a strong partnership with the EPS Foundation,” Steele said. “They have helped support the recognition of all our Teachers of the Year by hosting the reception prior to the January board meeting for all Site Teachers of the Year and purchasing the poinsettias for each of the finalists in December.”

Jordan Hopper Incorporates collaboration, movement, choice Jordan Hopper is in her seventh year of teaching at Cheyenne Middle School where she is currently teaching eighth grade English.

Jordan grew up in Edmond where she said she had several teachers who made an impression on her.

Two of those teachers who made an impact on her life were ELA eighth grade teachers.

“Both of my ELA teachers made a lasting impression on my life and inspired me to follow in their footsteps,” Hopper said.

“They were talented educators,” Hopper added, “and they showed me the power of using reading and writing to cope with and even escape from challenges in life.”

Hooper explained that growing up she was not a perfect student by any means.

“I struggled in middle and high school with staying out of trouble,” Hooper said, “but several of my teachers were there for me no matter what.

“They didn’t give up on me, and I knew that I needed to repay that kindness to the next generation of students. I strive to treat my students the way that I would want to be treated and impress upon them the value of being kind.”

Hooper said she tried to incorporate collaboration, movement, and choice into her lessons whenever possible.

“Collaboration allows students to learn with and from one another,” Hopper said. “Movement helps students take a break from screens and interact with content in a variety of ways. Choice allows students to learn the content.”

During remote learning Hopper said teachers pushed themselves to learn various new teaching techniques and strategies which in turn pushed their students to grow in new ways.

Finding ways to help students connect with each other from a distance was one of the obsta-

Principal Tony Rose,left, with Dalton Savage Teacher of the Year Finalist at Memorial High.

cles Hopper said students had to overcome.

“Teaching is so much more than a job,” Hopper said. “It is challenging, it is intellectually stimulating, and it is rewarding because the work we do as educators is truly impactful.”

Hopper said she wants tp give her students her best.

“I put my whole heart into being an educator because my students deserve the best experiences and opportunities possible,” Hopper said. “It is not always easy but it is always worth it.”

Emily Boyett All given different gifts “I’ve always had amazing teachers, but Mrs. Wright (sixth grade) was the one who sowed that first seed of thought,” said Emily Boyett, Frontier Elementary. “I felt like I was her favorite ... well, everyone in her class likely thought that, but that's partly what made her so wonderful!”

In high school Boyett began volunteering at a camp for individuals with disabilities.

“The camp directors (and also ‘day job’ educators), Robert Franklin and Lonetta Sprague, noticed that I had a gift for working with that population and guided me toward the field of special education,” Boyett said.

Boyett said she thinks when a skill comes naturally to someone, they don't always realize it's actually a gift.

“That's how I feel about working with individuals with disabilities. The realization that enjoying working with and being around people with special needs was not everyone's cup of tea hit me in college,” Boyett said.

While in a leadership group, they were tasked with obtaining community service hours. Boyett had been volunteering at camp for individuals with various disabilities and needs and suggested they do that as a group.

“One of my peers looked shocked and blurted out that there was no way he was doing that and went on to say that that particular population got on his nerves,” Boyett said. “I was flabbergasted. I could not comprehend how anyone wouldn't enjoy that as much as I did. With time (and maturity), I learned that we are all given different gifts and interacting with and helping those with disabilities is one of mine.”

Boyett said just as each person is given different gifts, not all of the students are destined to be "tomorrow's leaders".

“My goal for my students is to equip them with the tools they need to functionally communicate their needs, desires, opinions and dislikes, and to be productive members of society to the best of their abilities,” Boyett said.

As a speech-language pathologist, Boyett treats a wide variety of communication disorders in students.

“My area of specialty is augmentative and alternative communication which is essentially helping students find functional means of communication in any shape or form (voice output devices, signing, gestures, picture symbols, text, words, etc.)”

Boyett said.

She also serves many students who are struggling readers and writers and strives to help them

TOY finalist Jordan Hopper, left, teaches at Cheyenne Middle School. Her principal is Michelle Grinsteiner.

find solutions that may help bridge the gap between how they are currently performing and their full academic potential.

This is her 22nd year in public education and her ninth year with EPS. “Since many of my students are nonverbal, I do a lot of sensory activities in therapy,” Boyett said.

“I make note of what they like and don’t like. I also ask the families to provide me with a list of interests so that I can use those to motivate them in therapy.”

Boyett added many of her students are functionally non-verbal or present with complex communication and/or physical needs; therefore, traditional remote learning was out of the question.

“This population cannot simply access a website or open an online textbook,” Boyett said. “There isn’t a set ‘curriculum’ for students with significant involvement and needs. We customize and individualize activities and materials for these students and remote learning is no different.

“I found I had to plan ahead more so than usual because hands-on materials had to be created, prepared, and delivered weekly to each student prior to their virtual therapy or educational session,” Boyett said.

She added that one of the most positive outcomes of remote learning was working closely with families while delivering virtual services to students with complex needs.

“Families were more than gracious as we coached them on ‘how to do school’ for their child,” Boyett said.

“On more than one occasion, a caregiver would say that they had no idea their child was capable of doing a specific task,” Boyett said. “In person learning is by far the best avenue for our friends with disabilities, but the collaboration with families proved to be a wonderful byproduct of virtual learning.”

Cindy Rosario Creates students safe, peaceful space Ida Freeman Elementary teacher Cindy Rosario said she had a very non-traditional path to teaching.

“I always knew I wanted to help people,” Rosario said.

She started out as a pre-med major and worked in a pharmacy.

“I moved up and became an instructor for the company,” Rosario said. “There was where I realized I had a passion for teaching and knew I wanted to pursue that full-time.”

Rosario said her “Why” she chose to be an educator is all about safety.

“I wanted to create a safe, peaceful space for the students that walk through my door daily. Especially at Ida, where for many of our students, the brightest part of their day is coming to school,” Rosario said. “This is what they look forward to, so I want to do my best to make it a special place. I want them to feel welcomed and loved inside and outside of the classroom. I want them to know that they have someone in their corner,

See TOY, Page 15

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 27, 2022 • Page 13

This Feb. 1 marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year.

Get some practice now with chopsticks.

Chopsticks always win

Here’s a feast from the East which comes to us slim & trim

By Carol Smaglinski Ready for Chinese New Year on Feb. 1st? Are you handy with a pair of chopsticks?

They are at the heart of Chinese cuisine. No need to feel clumsy, it just takes practice. The Chinese are trained from childhood on the proper usage, but you can start now.

Simply place one between your index finger and your thumb and let it rest there. Grasp it a bit below its midpoint with the smaller end pointing toward the bowl. Add the second chopstick holding it as if it were a pencil. Finally, hold the first chopstick in its original position, and move the second one up and down. Keep those tips even and never let them touch your lips or teeth.

Now you can pick up anything (except women). The food is already cut up, but just ask your server if you would rather have a fork.

Centuries ago, chopsticks made of gold, now in museums, were used by the Imperial Court in China and only at banquets.

Silver chopsticks were often wedding gifts, but never used for eating as they were presumed to blacken on contact with poisonous food, as were ivory versions.

Slender ivory sticks in China have been in use since the Shang Dynasty and carry lots of superstitions.

Materials used included bone, agate and jade, which was too elegant and fragile for practical use.

Most banquets today offer ivory chopsticks at celebrations. Pairs are given to a bridal couple as wedding presents to ensure future male sons for the pair. In Chinese, chopsticks are called Faii Jee, meaning “quick little boys.”

You will eat slower when using chopsticks. The shorter size, about 10 inches long, is for the dining room table, while the 14-20 inch longer ones are used for cooking. Chopsticks are produced in plastic, ivory, wood, and bamboo, which is the

most popular. Wooden chopsticks seem to absorb the color and the flavor of food too fast. Ivory is the best.

Chinese chopsticks are bluntended; Japanese are pointed. Longer versions are used for cooking chores such as stirring things up in a wok with ease without getting burned and primarily to keep the food moving.

For example, egg drop soup is often made by pouring the beaten eggs through a pair of chopsticks into the hot broth.

Sharpen up your chopstick skills with this great-tasting recipe for two and serve with rice.

Curried Chinese Chicken oil ¼ cup sliced onions 2 Tbsp. curry powder ½ lb. chopped boned chicken (1inch squares) ½ cup water 1 tbsp. soy sauce 1 tsp. cornstarch well mixed with 3 tbsp. water ½ tsp. sugar Dash of freshly ground pepper Toasted sesame seeds Heat the empty bottom part of the wok until hot over medium heat. Add a bit of oil and then add onions and the curry powder on top of the onions. Stir, but let the onions cook for about 2 minutes. Add the chicken and stir fry while being careful not to let the curry burn.

Keep it moving.

Add water and soy sauce mixture.

Increase the heat to high and let cook for about 4 to 5 minutes. Finally, add the cornstarch and water mixture pouring through a strainer to catch lumps. Then add sugar and pepper. Let it boil and it should thicken quickly. If cooked longer, the mixture will thin out as cornstarch loses its thickness if boiled too long.

Remove the mixture from the wok, taste, and serve immediately over cooked white rice. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.

Page 14 • January 27, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

‘Power of the Dog’ worthy of Oscar hype

By George Gust “The Power of the Dog” is Netflix and writer director Jane Camion’s film adaptation of the Thomas Savage novel of the same name. Charismatic rancher Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch) inspires fear and awe in those around him. When his brother (Jesse Plemmons) brings home a new wife (Kristen Dunst) and her son (Kodi Smit-McPhee), Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love.

“The Power of the Dog” is set in the rural mountains of Montana in the 1920’s. The look and feel of this film is distinctly Western. However outside of the ranch setting, cowboys, horses and ten-gallon hats, this film forgoes the common tropes of the Western genre in favor of a more character driven tension-filled drama.

Campion has made a career out of telling emotional stories that get the audience out of the comfort zone, and in “Power of the Dog” she’s able to use her engaging style of filmmaking to elicit the uneasy atmosphere between these fully realized dynamic characters.

“The Power of the Dog” is the kind drama that is well suited for the upcoming Academy Awards

Answers appearing on Page 19

and deservedly so.

With a powerful and emotional performance (albeit a shaky American accent) Cumberbatch will likely be lauded for his role as the churlish yet charismatic cowboy with a painful secret in his past. And in support of Cumberbatch, SmitMcPhee is a surprisingly electric presence playing the young protégé of Cumberbatch. As the story progresses, there’s a mounting uneasy feeling between the two characters and Campion frames their relationship in a way that results in compelling drama.

Overall, “The Power of the Dog” is a brilliantly

designed, filmed and acted movie that delivers on the Oscar-worthy drama hype.

However, with this kind of movie, the slow pacing and lack of familiar Western tropes may not be as rewarding if you watch it in pieces on Netflix.

And the interpersonal drama can be somewhat difficult to follow if you’re not completely locked in on the characters as presented. Campion has created a beautiful take on the lonely western drama that doesn’t hold the audience’s hand and plays best in the emotional depths beneath surface plot elements.

“The Power of the Dog” is rated R for brief sexual content/full nudity. Now available to stream with a Netflix subscription.

4 out of 5 stars You can reach George Gust to comment at gust.george@gmail.com, And to look at some of George’s past movie reviews, please log onto www.edmondlifeandleisure .com

PHOTO PROVIDED

xBenedict Cumberbatch trudges through the Montana wilderness in Netflix's Oscar-worthy cowboy drama, "The Power of the Dog"

Making Bible the state book?

Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, has filed House Bill 3890 to name the Holy Bible as Oklahoma's official state book.

"We are people of great faith," Townley said. "The Holy Bible is an integral part of numerous faiths and is deeply important to many Oklahomans.

Even when we don't always agree with each other, we always know that we have a foundation higher than politics that we can rely on to remain unshakeable when times are tough."

Townley is a former owner of a Christian Bible bookstore.

The vast majority of Oklahomans identify the Bible as the dominate book of faith. According to data from Pew Research Center, 79% of Oklahomans identify as Christians.

Wycliffe Bible Translators estimates that the full Bible is available in 717 different languages, giving nearly 6 billion people access to the book in its entirety.

HB3890 is available for consideration in the upcoming legislative session, which begins Feb. 7 at noon.

Crossword Puzzle STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: Super Bowl ACROSS 1. Shout from a ship?

5. Shout from the bleachers 8. ____ and don'ts 11. Infamous Henry's number 12. One with COVID, e.g.

13. Fighter jet button 15. Resting stops 16. Not guilty, e.g.

17. One of Singapore's official languages 18. *Home of last year's Super Bowl winners 20. Armor chest plate 21. *Given name of 2011 Super Bowl MVP 22. African grazer 23. Greek woodland deities 26. Ramones' hit "I Wanna Be ____" 30. Big fuss 31. Like certain Chili Peppers (2 words) 34. Cattle call goal 35. Scatterbrained 37. Bonehead 38. In a different direction 39. JetÈ in ballet 40. More so than eggy 42. Conducted 43. Christmas firewood (2 words) 45. Annotator and commentator 47. Soda-pop container 48. Unpleasant and offensive 50. SWAT attack, e.g.

52. *Super Bowl I and II winning coach 55. Pertaining to a pope 56. Cain's unfortunate brother 57. Gives a hand 59. Anoint 60. BÈbÈ's mother 61. Season to be jolly 62. *Most Super Bowl wins by one team 63. Snoop 64. Carhop's load DOWN 1. *Roman number of this year's Super Bowl

2. "___ Misbehavin'" 3. Santa Maria's traveling partner 4. Despair in the face of obstacles 5. "The Hobbit" hobbit 6. "Caribbean Queen" singer 7. Colloquial approval 8. Cold cuts counter 9. South American tubers 10. Pig's digs 12. Not dense 13. Make corrections 14. *Florida team with no Super Bowl appearances 19. Return punch 22. Come and ____ it 23. Lamentably 24. Bye, to Edith Piaf 25. Bottom line 26. *2022 Super Bowl stadium 27. Upholstery choice 28. *Archie to Super Bowl MVPs Peyton and Eli

29. Exploits 32. *Super Bowl Halftime show Snoops's "last name" 33. Hardly a beauty 36. *Like some teams 38. Oenophile's concern 40. Many, many moons 41. Empower 44. Big Dipper's visible shape 46. Oppressive ruler 48. On the wagon 49. Nail salon board 50. Feminine of raja 51. Mt. Everest to Earth 52. Aladdin's light 53. Christian of fashion 54. Result of a brainstorm 55. Rudolf Nureyev's step 58. Stallone's nickname

Answers on Page 19

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 27, 2022 • Page 15

Don’t fall into an exercise rut

By Brian Attebery It is important to have goals in fitness.

Goals can range from weight loss, muscle gain to over all health and wellness to speak generically.

We tend to focus on goals of our “past self” when we can recall looking a certain way or being Attebery able to perform certain tasks like playing tennis or competing in a 5k. It is fantastic to have these ideas in our heads but if your focus is too much on doing it the same way you may have done when you are 18 and you are now in your 40s, 50s or 60s and beyond, then you may disappoint yourself and possibly get injured. Our approach to fitness must be a constantly evolving.

Several years ago, I attended a conference lead by the great Dr. Kenneth Cooper who was known for founding the Cooper Institute of Dallas, Texas.

He is from Oklahoma and is credited with pushing the benefits of aerobic exercises for maintaining and improving health.

His credentials are amazing and he has been a pilar to the health and wellness community.

What frustrated me listening to his talk was the only focus for aerobic activity was on jogging for the specific mode of aerobic exercise. For many people, jogging is not a good choice of aerobic activity due to the stress it can place on your joints.

This stress is exponential when you are overweight and trying to lose weight. When you get into the mind set that there is the “one way” to perform cardio because you have been successful in the past with it, you may being doing more harm than good.

The elliptical and its variants are an amazing alternative to jogging due to the “non-impact” aspect they provide your knees and hips. The lack of jarring on the body is a massive benefit. Bikes and stairclimbers may also been a great choice

over running for aerobic exercise. Even if you have amazing joints and are light in your body weight, I still recommend rotating your types of aerobic activity.

Weightlifters have their stereotypical workouts too. I like to call Monday, “International Bench Press Day”. It seems most men start the week off with a chest workout and start that workout with the bench press. There is probably not an athlete in North America that didn’t bench press in High School. I did but I can also tell you that I have not done traditional bench press in about 12 years. I work my chest out every week but with a variety of machines, free weights and cables.

I change the angles of the bench, the width of my grip, the volume of my routine (total number of exercises, reps and set) and I rarely repeat the exact same routine.

Why? Because you should. I am consistent with when I work what muscles I work but inconsistent in terms of how. That is not for everyone due to lack of knowledge but even clients I design workouts for, I recommend a new workout design every 4-6 weeks.

Your workouts are only effective if you recover properly. You need to listen to your body. If your knees are bothering you, take a day off from that cardio or at least choose a less intense version.

Going on a basic walk is good for your mind and body and is better than sitting on the couch. There is a fine line between pushing yourself and giving yourself excuses to not do your workouts. Don’t place yourself in a position of failure, frustration or burn out because you think there is only one way to approach getting into shape. Exercise programs, classes and equipment has evolved tremendously throughout the years and you should too.

(Brian Attebery is a Degreed/Certified Trainer.

He owns and operates Results Fitness and Nutrition Center, L.L.C. in Edmond. www.resultsfitnessusa.com)

TOY From Page 12 who will always show up for them.”

Rosario currently teaches fourth grade reading and social studies at Ida Freeman. She has been teaching in public education for four years, but prior to that she taught courses in healthcare for more than 10 years.

Her No. 1 goal is to keep her classroom a safe place.

“I have done my best to make this school year as if it was a normal school year despite this pandemic,” Rosario said. “We may not get to take field trips or have normal assemblies, but I try to keep our activities in the classroom very fun and interactive.”

Recently she did a CSI Unit to cover inferencing.

“During this activity our students were able to solve a crime,” Boyett said. “They had so much fun!”

During Social Studies units over the regions in the United States, she would take the students on

virtual field trips on their Chromebooks to each region.

“This exposes students to a wide variety of regions and cultures around the country,” Boyett said.

Boyett said last year teaching virtually and inperson simultaneously became quite a challenge to overcome.

“My team and I had to become quite creative to create engaging virtual lessons and activities for students to complete at home,” Boyett said.

She added successfully engaging students virtually was very rewarding.

“Slowly students became independent virtual learners and took ownership of their own learning,” Boyett said. “I believe this set them up for success for the rest of their educational career.”

Editor’s Note: The stories of teachers Dalton Savage and Nikki Higdon will be featured in next week’s edition.

Page 16 • January 27, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Penthouse goes on market for $7 million Just as Fast & Furious 10 is starting to film this month, its Taiwanese-born American film director, Justin Lin, has put his historic Downtown Los Angeles penthouse on the market, located in the thriving LA Arts District. Originally constructed in 1925 as the West Coast headquarters of Nabisco, it was converted to a live/work community in 2007. For the last few years, Lin has used the penthouse as an office for his production company, Perfect Storm Entertainment, with residence above. It is now for sale at $7 million.

Large in scale and with 360-degree views from its rooftop terrace, Lin’s home spans three levels, including the 7th through 9th floors, has wide open volume with open stairs working their way to the top level. The same year the building was converted, it was declared a Historic Cultural Monument. Currently offering two bedrooms and three baths, much of the space can be utilized in different ways with creative vision. There is 4,300 square feet of interior space and an additional 3,600 square feet of outdoor terrace space that can be used for anything from entertaining, a half-basketball court, and even a hot tub. The second floor houses the main living spaces and kitchen, while the entire third floor is dedicated to the owner’s suite. Office or creative space can reside on its first floor. The building is extremely private with around-the-clock concierge, a swimming pool, and the tax-saving Mills Act. There has been a recent resurgence for LA’s Downtown and Arts District with a new Whole Foods, new indie restaurants, three just-launched breweries, art galleries, boutiques and the revitalized Grand Central Market. The members-only Soho Warehouse opened there in 2019 with a hotel, gym and two restaurants directed at LA’s creative crowd. A group of savvy celebrities also have their eye on the neighborhood such as Johnny Depp who owns several condos in the area.

A look inside Justin Lin’s penthouse in LA.

State question on death penality?

Rep. Mauree Turner, D-OKC, has filed legislation for the 2022 Legislative Session that would create a state question on whether the death penalty should exist in Oklahoma.

While Oklahomans have previously supported the death penalty in ballot initiatives, the inhumane conditions of death row, botched executions, and exposure of the racism and error rate in guilty verdicts have given many reasons to grapple with what it means for a small number of state actors to have the power to decide who lives and who dies an often torturous death, especially in the face of exclusionary evidence.

“What I am hearing from my district, and people around the state, is an urgent need to end state-enacted murder in the name of a criminal legal system that seeks to kill people with impunity,” Turner said. “We have seen a growing movement, in the last year especially, of people calling for Oklahoma to abolish the death penalty.

And I want to give people a chance to express that on the ballot.”

A national poll of police chiefs by the Death Penalty Information Center showed that the nation’s police chiefs rank the death penalty last for effective crime reduction.

“The officers do not believe the death penalty acts as a deterrent to murder, and they rate it as one of most inefficient uses of taxpayer dollars in fighting crime,” the Death Penalty Information Center report read. “Criminologists concur that the death penalty does not effectively reduce the number of murders.”

FBI statistics, which show states

with the death penalty have a higher murder rate than those without capital punishment, support these expert opinions. Oklahoma’s murder rate is the 11th highest in the nation, according to the most recent CDC data.

Turner opposes capital punishment and knows that Oklahomans have a broad range of views and experiences, which is why they want to give the people another opportunity to use their voice.

“Nearly 200,000 more Oklahomans voted in the last election than in 2016,” Turner said. “I believe in democracy. Since 2016, the last time the death penalty was on a statewide ballot, we have seen Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, and Independents question Oklahoma’s use of the death penalty. With more information, views around this issue are changing, and we should give people a chance to express those new beliefs.”

Turner has already seen support from both community members and legal professionals.

“The ACLU of Oklahoma applauds Rep. Turner’s proposed legislation and their efforts to give the people of Oklahoma, not politicians, the opportunity to decide how they seek justice,” said Cindy Nguyen, Policy Director for the ACLU of Oklahoma.

“Even with the upcoming federal court case in February challenging our State’s three drug protocol, Oklahoma has three additional alternative methods that could continue the cruel, inhumane, and reckless execution spree the world has witnessed over the last several months.”

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 27, 2022 • Page 17

State tourism industry surprisingly healthy In a year in which the COVID-19 pandemic caused upheaval throughout the travel sector, the Oklahoma travel and tourism industry increased its market share of domestic travel and generated $7.1 billion in direct spending by visitors, according to new research by the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department.

Oklahoma brought in an estimated 17 million visitors in 2020, a 17% drop from the previous year, but the number was substantially less than the 34% drop in domestic travel that the United States endured. The state's share of the domestic travel market increased to 1.9% of all domestic travel, up from 1.5% in 2019.

Visitors' average trip spend in Oklahoma saw an even bigger increase. For 2020, it grew to $434 per night, up $91 from 2019's $343 per-night spend.

The pandemic caused a drastic change in travel demand. As visitors increasingly focused on traveling for outdoor recreation, the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department shifted its marketing strategy to focus on outdoor recreation and other higher-spend categories. The category has always been a key economic driver for the state, which has the most diverse terrain mile-for-mile in the nation.

The portion of travelers visiting the state for outdoor recreation was 13% in 2020 after being just 5% in 2019. Oklahoma State Parks saw record highs in visitation, drawing more than five million visitors from April to June of 2020 — an increase of over two million for those same months in 2019.

"Those of us who live here have always known how incredible the Oklahoma outdoors are," said

Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who is also the state's Secretary of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage. "During a time when many felt safer outside, many out-ofstate travelers also got a chance to experience that beauty — fishing our lakes, hiking our trails and scaling our summits."

Out-of-state visitors accounted for 61% of the state's total visitor volume; that number was up from 52% in 2019. Nearly 6.7 million Oklahoma residents traveled within the state.

Oklahoma was among the first states to launch pandemic-focused tourism messaging. The department's #OKHereWeGO campaign, which began in May 2020, encouraged Oklahomans to support local businesses and to travel when and where they felt safe.

The campaign eventually expanded to out-ofstate travelers.

Quitting trend also a problem in Oklahoma As workers continue to leave their jobs en masse, the phenomenon known as the “Great Resignation” seems to be far from over. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, quits totalled 4.5 million in November, a record high, and have been trending upward since April 2020. The quit rate — defined as the number of quits as a percentage of total employment—rose to 3.0% in November, tying September’s record. The rate in Oklahoma was also 3 percent.

Historically, job openings, hires, and separations have tracked each other. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted this pattern. At the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, total separations rose to a record 16.3 million as businesses across the country laid off workers and shut down. Separations were also high in April 2020 but then returned to more typical levels and have been trending upwards ever since. At the same time, job openings have been climbing rapidly, reaching near record levels in October 2021 amidst widespread labor shortages.

As businesses across the country struggle to hire, workers continue to quit in droves. Both total quits and quit rates have been rising since the spring of 2020, causing quits to account for an increasingly large share of total separations. The pandemic has caused many workers to reassess their priorities and look for jobs that offer more flexibility as well as better pay and benefits.

Helps to fund HOPE Center

The many, many fine goods sold at HOPEFULLY Yours

By Alexx Harms Business Editor HOPEfully Yours of Edmond is a local, resale store dedicated to help fund the HOPE Center of Edmond through their shop.

“HOPEfully Yours was opened to provide an outlet for donations that aren’t required or needed by HOPE Center clients,” says Executive Director, Chris Sperry. “The proceeds from HOPEfully Yours are used to help fund the food pantry, clinic and rent and utility assistance programs at HOPE Center.”

You can find an abundance of different types of items at their shop like clothing for the whole family, baby gear, toys, furniture, household items, artwork, books, small appliances and a wide variety of other items.

“HOPEfully Yours is more than a thrift shop,” says Sperry. “It sells designer clothing and purses, formals and wedding dresses, china, sporting goods and equipment and other upscale items.”

Sperry says it is very satisfying to be able to use every item donated to HOPE, whether they go directly to clients as is or as fresh fruit, vegetables, milk or meat in a good package from their food pantry.

“The customers at HOPEfully Yours are the best part of the business!” says Sperry.

Stop by the HOPEfully Yours thrift shop at 908 N. Broadway and see what treasures your can find while helping give back to the community.

They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm. For more information call 405-341-6849.

Promotion at Quail Creek bank Summer Hoffman was promoted to Senior Vice President, Director of Internal Audit, in December 2021 by the Quail Creek Bank’s Board of Directors.

Hoffman worked as a part-time auditor for the bank from 2003 to 2006 before entering the public accounting sector.

After a four-year stint, she returned to the banking industry and held several internal audit positions at Florida and Texas-based banks before returning to Quail Creek Bank in 2016.

Hoffman earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Central Oklahoma and is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Internal Controls Auditor (CICA), and a Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM). Hoffman is a recent graduate from the Graduate School of Banking Colorado.

Summer Hoffman

Jobs hurt most by resignations

Page 18 • January 27, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Arledge & Associates Q&A

IRS sending out millions of letters I received information letters from the IRS. What does it mean?

If you already received or if you receive information letters from the IRS in the coming weeks, you are not in trouble. The IRS started sending out information letters to those who received the advance Treska Child Tax Credit (CTC) in December and will continue into January. Taxpayers who received the third round of the Economic Impact Payment will begin receiving information letters at the end of January.

The eligible families started receiving advance CTC payments in July and continued monthly through December 2021. The American Res-

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cue Plan Act of 2021 authorized the third stimulus payment and disbursement began in March 2021 through December 2021. The third round of stimulus payments were a nontaxable advance payment of the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit that will be reported on the 2021 tax return.

Why should I keep these letters?

The advance CTC letters provide information that will help the recipients, or their tax professionals reconcile, prepare, and receive all the child tax credits the taxpayers are entitled. Half of the total credit amount was paid in advance monthly payments to eligible families. Therefore, to properly claim the child tax credit on the 2021 tax reSee IRS, Page 19

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 27, 2022 • Page 19

IRS From Page 18 turn, taxpayers who received advance payments need to file a 2021 tax return to compare those payments with the amount of the child tax credit they can claim. The Economic Impact Payment letters can be used to confirm the total amount received and to figure out if the taxpayer can claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax return.

If I didn’t receive the letter, where can I get the information?

Households that received the advance Child Tax Credit can use the CCT Update Portal available on IRS.gov to check the amount of payments received in 2021. Taxpayers can use Your Online Account available on IRS.gov to view all the stimulus payments received. Also, Get My Payment application can be used to check the status of the third stimulus payment only.

What can I do if I did not receive the advance Child Tax Credit or the third stimulus payment in 2021?

Eligible households that did not receive any advance child tax credit payment, can claim the full amount on their 2021 tax return (Form 1040).

The credit amount calculated on the return will reduce any tax liability or will be refunded, if applicable. Taxpayers who did not receive the third stimulus payment can use the information on IRS.gov to determine if they are eligible. If a taxpayer is eligible and did not receive the third stimulus payment or got less than the full amount, they need to file a 2021 tax return to

claim the Recovery Rebate Credit based on 2021 tax year information. The credit amount calculated on the return will reduce any taxes owed or will be refunded, if applicable.

Marsela Treska, CPA, is a Tax Senior at Arledge, an Edmond-based public accounting firm. Arledge is a recognized leader in the accounting industry offering practical solutions in the areas of tax planning, auditing, consulting, accounting advisory services and client account-

ing.

This article contains general information only and does not constitute tax advice or any other professional services. Before making any decisions or taking any action that might affect your income taxes, you should consult a professional tax advisor. This article is not intended for and cannot be used to avoid future penalties that may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Service.

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Page 20 • January 27, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 27, 2022 • Page 1B

Page 2B • January 27, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

How to manage kids’ screen time Devices are everywhere in the digital age. The Statista Research Department notes that a 2020 survey found the average American has access to more than 10 connected devices in his or her household. Though adults may be capable of governing their screen time, kids may not be so disciplined.

Devices can be valuable learning tools for young students, but the American Academy of Pediatrics notes that excessive media use can put children at risk of obesity, lost sleep, addiction, and violence. So it’s imperative that parents emphasize balance and moderation as they negotiate their children’s device usage. In an effort to help parents establish and maintain that balance, the AAP has developed its Family Media Plan, which parents can use to customize guidelines on screen time in their households. A family media plan can help parents ensure their children aren’t spending too much time staring at screens and it can serve as a valuable means to monitoring youngsters’ online lives, potentially alerting moms and dads to instances of bullying or other dangerous situations.

The following are some guidelines parents can follow as they customize their family media plans.

• Establish screen-free times and zones. Establishing a time of day when devices cannot be used and areas of the home where they should not be taken can help parents govern kids’ screen times. For example, by establishing children’s bedrooms as screen-free zones, parents can make sure kids aren’t spending all of their time staring at screens when they’re behind closed bedroom doors.

• Research apps and programs. The AAP recommends parents research the age-appropri-

ateness and ratings of apps and programs before installing them on devices. Speak with children’s teachers to determine which apps and programs kids will need for school. Read fellow parents’ ratings before installing any entertainment apps and programs on devices children will use.

• Use tech to monitor tech. “Family Sharing” capabilities on Apple devices allow parents to manage devices and screen usage across the household. Parents can add children to their accounts and then set daily time limits on apps children will use. They also can make certain apps off limits for children to keep kids safe.

Other device manufacturers offer similar tools to help parents effectively monitor and control kids’

device usage.

• Encourage new interests. Parents can help to control screen time by encouraging new interests and introducing children to new activities that do not involve screens. Commit time each weekend to activities that do not involve screens, such as hiking, gardening and painting. Exposing children to activities that don’t involve screens is a great way to get them off the couch and away from their devices. If kids don’t take to a given activity, keep trying.

Devices are a big part of life in the digital age.

Parents can develop family plans that allow for screen time but also emphasize activities that call for some time away from our devices.

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 27, 2022 • Page 3B

Keystone Offers Tours; Prepares to Open Enrollment for School Year & Summer Camps For sixteen years, Keystone Adventure School and Farm, an accredited preschool and elementary school in Edmond, has been welcoming students to a safe, inclusive learning environment full of the wonder of childhood.

Keystone students benefit daily from time spent outdoors, unstructured play, individualized education, art, group projects, music, time with animals, and hands-on learning. The school and farm is located on 15 beautiful acres with llamas, mini donkeys, a sheep, a goat, chickens, ducks, geese, a pond, a creek, an organic garden, and more.

If you’ve ever been curious about this unique school right here in our own community, now is your chance to check it out! Keystone is hosting multiple safe, small-group tours in January and February for potential families.

“These tours are a great chance for interested families to tour the school, meet the directors and staff, and even take a peek at our menagerie of animals,” said Jenny Dunning, co-founder/ co-director.

Interested families are encouraged to sign up on Keystone’s website for the tours. Enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year will open in late February, but families are welcome to start the process now by attending a tour and applying online.

Keystone’s summer program, Summer on the Farm, will start enroll-

ment in April. Keystone’s summer programs are designed to engage all kids from K through 5th grade. Spaces fill up fast, so if you’d like to be added to an email list to be notified about Summer on the Farm, that is available on the website as well.

“Our Summer on the Farm camps let students spend their days outside, on the pond and at the creek, or inside creating a functioning city where they earn money by doing reading or math,” said John Duhon, co-founder/co-director. “Summer kids also take care of our pasture animals in the

morning and our organic garden as well.”

Keystone is thrilled to be able to continue to offer safe, in-person learning for its students, following CDC guidelines and policies with masks required indoors, additional attention to social distancing and handwashing, and improved filtration and exhaust fans in every classroom. Plus, there’s always the added joy of being outside in the sunshine!

More information about Keystone is available on their website at: www.keystoneadventureschoolandfarm.com or by calling 405-216-5400.

Page 4B • January 27, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Teachers strive to create supportive and challenging classroom environments for their students. Such settings can bring out the best in students and help them overcome obstacles, including an inability to focus.

The struggles students can have with focusing on their studies was apparent during the pandemic. A 2020 survey of more than 400 college students found that 64 percent were concerned about their ability to maintain their focus and discipline in remote instructional environments.

Though educators, students and parents are hopeful that remote learning will soon be a thing of the past, no one is certain about what

lies ahead in regard to the 2021-22 school year.

Ideally, students will be back in school time fulltime five days per week by the start of the new academic year. However, there’s no guarantee that will be the case, and students may need help focusing on their studies.

• Emphasize one activity at a time. Various studies have shown that multitasking adversely affects performance and makes it hard to concentrate. A recent study from researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that performing two or three activities simultaneously puts significantly more demand on the brain than simply doing those tasks one after

another. All students, and especially those who are struggling with focus, should be encouraged to take on one task at a time.

• Take breaks. The Cleveland Clinic notes that various studies have found that periodic breaks improve mood, boost performance and increase a person’s ability to concentrate and pay attention. Many students are well acquainted with lengthy cramming sessions on the eve of a big exam, which can feel like a rite of passage for high schoolers and college students. Parents and educators can emphasize the importance of taking breaks during such sessions and how periodic rest can help improve performance.

• Take a piecemeal approach to big tasks. The Child Mind Institute notes that breaking big tasks down into smaller, more manageable pieces can help kids effectively tackle more challenging tasks.

The piecemeal approach can make big tasks seem less daunting, and the success kids have at each smaller task can provide some needed momentum as they draw closer to solving the problem.

Many students struggle to focus on their studies. Some simple strategies can help students overcome such challenges and fulfill their academic potential.

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 27, 2022 • Page 5B

Tips to help kids learn a foreign language At the start of a new year, many people would like to make changes that can lead to personal growth and future success. One of the skills that can open more doors, and even help create personal satisfaction, is learning a new language.

There are many reasons to learn a new language. Doing so can help people land a new job or speak fluently on an overseas vacation. Knowing more than one language can have various cognitive benefits as well. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages states speaking more than one language can lead to improved memory and problem-solving skills, and may enhance one’s ability to concentrate. Bilingual or multilingual people also may stave off mental aging.

Children take to foreign languages quickly and readily, but people of all ages can learn a foreign language.

• Set learning goals. Focus on specific, measurable outcomes. This can include learning a set number of words in a certain period of time to reduce feelings of being overwhelmed by the vast task of learning a new language.

• Invest the time. Set aside consistent time each day to devote to learning a new language. Neuroplasticity, or the ability of the brain to form and reorganize connections, doesn’t come as easily for adults as it does for children. Therefore, practice is necessary for adults to learn new skills.

• Use the correct learning style. Some people are visual learners and others auditory. Finding out one’s learning style can make the process go smoothly.

• Tie learning to culture. Having a vested interest in the culture of the language a person is trying to learn can facilitate the process and make it more interesting.

• There’s no “easy” language. Keep in mind that all languages have their challenges, and one is not easier to learn than another, say linguists. Accepting challenges and sticking with the process can help avid learners along.

Learning a new language can open doors and lead to both professional and personal growth.

Page 6B • January 27, 2022 • Edmond Life & Leisure