Edmond Life and Leisure - May 16, 2024

In This Issue

FOUR SEASONS

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.

marks 105th birthday See Page 5

Historic partnership

Students help history museum with four new exhibits

FRIDAY, MAY 17

Partly Cloudy High 82° Low 63°

SATURDAY, MAY 18

Partly Cloudy High 89° Low 66°

SUNDAY, MAY 19

Sunny High 89° Low 65°

Four new exhibits, on display at the Edmond History Museum this spring, are the result of a partnership with college students from the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO). The exhibits range in topics, including teapots, musical devices, high fashion and the Civil War.

“The museum often works with interns at UCO. Not only do the students learn new skills from professionals in the museum field, we benefits from their fresh ideas and work ability,” said Derek Lee, Curator of Collections. “This year, an influx of special opportunities and exhibit timing allowed for more student involvement.”

Exhibit Explore Tea History and Music Devices

Interns selected from the Museum Studies Program complete 160 hours at the museum, learning about artifact care, exhibits or educational programming. The students who work with the museum’s historical collections can select to either create an exhibit or focus on the preservation of a set of artifacts.

Intern Emmy Boyd chose to create an exhibit, which included the process of research, artifact selection, writing text panels, and properly displaying the objects. Emmy has a fascination with tea, and she was inspired by some of the teapots in the museum’s collection. She created the exhibit Tea-ducation, which has two cases of teapots and explores the history of tea, dating back to the Han Dynasty in China.

“I was able to learn a lot through hand-on experience with artifacts and labels,” said Emmy. “Unlike other experiences I’ve had, I was able to work with a bigger variety of items, handle the artifacts, and use their Museum Software as well.”

Intern, Samantha Barnes, also decided to design an exhibit. While looking through the collection, she was drawn to the old phonographs. Her exhibit, Evolution of Music Devices, explores the devices people have used to listen to music, from the early music box to modern electronics.

“I enjoy getting to installing and de-installing exhibits and experiencing behind-the-scenes museum work,” said Samantha. “I also enjoyed getting to explore Edmond history.”

According the Heidi Vaugh, Director of the UCO Laboratory of History Museum, “The opportunities the museum has provided for UCO student training and partnerships on exhibits and programs have been invaluable to the success of our students and our program. We are so extremely grateful for the talented, knowledgeable, and professional staff at Edmond History Museum.”

Exhibit Highlights Edmond Men from the Civil War

Braden Melton approached the museum about doing his master-level history project about Edmond leaders who fought in the Civil War before settling in Edmond.

The men whom Braden researched may sound familiar, as their names are now on parks, streets and buildings in Edmond, such as John L. Mitch, Eddy Townsend, Aaron Fretz, and Richard Thatcher. Braden created informational panels with photographs, telling about each man’s role in the war and, later, his role in Edmond. Civil War-related artifacts, mostly on loan from UCO, add atmosphere to Braden’s exhibit, called Serving a Nation, Building a Community.

continued on Page 3

PHOTO PROVIDED

Braden Melton at the new Civil War exhibit.

Man

“I feel that it is important to tell their stories to show that Edmond has its own unique history, and therefore, the people of Edmond can be proud that great men with great stories helped build this great city,” said Braden.

Fashion Marketing Students Display Elegant Dresses

In 2023, the museum displayed wedding dresses worn by Edmond women. Joann Wong, Ph.D., Program Coordinator of Central’s Fashion Marketing Program, spoke at the museum about the history of wedding fashion. An idea was born for her spring semester students in the Fashion Marketing class, to exhibit dresses from the UCO Fashion Museum Collection.

The class, made up of ten students, worked together to select nine garments and various accessories to display. They developed a theme exploring patterns used on fabric: plaid, florals,

polka-dots and geometric shapes. After working with the museum staff, the students met at the museum to install The Art of Repeat: Exploring Patterns in Historic Dress. According to the students, they enjoyed learning about museum display aspects including lighting, mannequin placement, signage and historical details.

“Students greatly benefited as they worked through the process of installing a professional exhibit,” said Dr. Wong. “For example, the students planned space proportions in relation to the garments and the area of the exhibit, while utilizing creative problem-solving skills to unit the different garments together to create a cohesive flow.”

The participants were: Blair Brawley, Kenzi Cobb, Erin Kelley, Mook Khunarak, Alexxa Lewis, Dahsauni Lyday, Sydney Naish, Sydney Snyder, Kaylea Taylor, and Daylee Vail.

“We are delighted to share this historic collec-

tion with the community,” said Dr. Wong. “It was an honor to collaborate with the Edmond History Museum and showcase the Oklahoma Fashion Museum Collection.”

The students’ exhibit on tea, music and the Civil War can be viewed until June 22nd, and the fashion exhibit will remain up until July 27th.

“It was fun for the staff to help the students delve into topics that interested them,” said Michael Cavazos, Museum Exhibits Coordinator.

“Our guests are benefiting from the variety of exhibits created by UCO students this spring.”

Museum Information: The mission of Edmond History Museum is to celebrate Edmond history through preservation and education. Museum hours are 10:00-5:00 Monday – Friday, and 1:004:00 Saturday. Please visit the museum website at www.edmondhistory.org or by calling the museum at 405-340-0078. Museum admission is free.

Some of the UCO students who helped in putting together a historical fashion exhibit.

From the Publisher

May is Bike Month in Edmond

Our friend and city planner for the City of Edmond dropped by to remind me that May is National Bike month. Edmond has always embraced Bike Month and our town is full of folks that love to bike. Of course, safety is at the top of the list when it comes to biking and all of the plans for streets in Edmond include accommodation for bikers.

This coming Friday, May 17th, is Bike to Workday Celebration. We gather at 7:30 a.m. at Edmond Municipal Library/Shannon Miller Park, 10 S. Boulevard. The promotional ride for the event leaves at 7:45 a.m. and returns for YOGA in the Park, breakfast refreshments and door prizes. It really is a fun event and if you feel like you live too far away to ride to the park, just bring it with you and enjoy the promotional ride. It is not long folks. If I can do it anybody can. The event is sponsored by the City of Edmond, Al’s Bicycle and 3’s Yoga.

That same weekend, May 17-19, is bike to worship weekend to encourage riding your bicycle to your place of worship. It would be a fun group activity.

Saturday May 18th is a big day indeed here in Edmond. It is Cycle 66 Training Ride which starts at 8:00 a.m., and leaves from The Edmond Municipal Library/Shannon Miller Park. There will also be a Heard on Hurd casual bike ride leaving the Edmond Post office in downtown Edmond at 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday May 21st is going to be Bicycle Movie Night at Frenzy’s located at 15 S Broadway in Edmond. It starts at 6:30 p.m. and you can watch a bicycle documentary movie snacking on popcorn and pretzels.

Jan and her committee do a great job on these biking events so I would encourage you to come out and participate. The events are for folks just wanting to have some leisurely fun or for the hardcore biking folks. It is all good.

National travel and tourism week

May 19 through the 25th is National Travel and tourism week. It is interesting to see the dynamics of travel and how they have changed since 2020. Much of it has seemed to rebound and trips closer to home have improved over these last few

“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.

years, which is good from where Edmond sits. We have an upward curve with more people seeking to stay close to home and with Edmond having more and more to offer.

A return to a thriving travel industry — and American economy — is dependent on the full return of business travel, meetings and events. Business travel, meetings and events produce significant economic contributions to destinations and host communities around the country in the form of travel spending, job creation and tax revenue. The biggest problem is that the business world has learned how to get by without the excess travel expense.

Why it matters: In the past, despite making up 20% of total trip volume, business travelers accounted for 40-60% of lodging and air revenue— underscoring the essential role of this critical segment to the travel industry and our economy.

In 2023, total business travel generated $294 billion in travel spending, marking an 81% recovery from 2019 levels. Transient business travelers generated $175 billion in spending in 2023. While transient business recovered to 83% of 2019 levels in 2023, growth has slowed as companies maintain cost constraints.

Group travel, while initially declining more than transient business travel has made significant progress and is projected to grow faster than transient travel through 2024 as a result of the desire for face-to-face interactions. In 2023, group travel generated nearly $120 billion in spending, recovering to 79% of 2019 levels.

Barriers to business travel: While cost constraints remain the top barrier to business travel, travel hassles are having an increasingly negative impact while cost concerns fall.

Some good news: Following months of persistent advocacy from the U.S. travel industry, Congress has passed funding for the office of the

Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism — a presidentially appointed, U.S. Senate-confirmed position that will work to increase international business travel by facilitating large conventions, sporting events and meetings held in the U.S. Funding this position is a step in ensuring the long-term global competitiveness of the United States.

Business travel and professional meetings and events are critical to the full recovery of not only travel, but also the U.S. economy. The industry is going to have to help business find a way to justify the expense because no business in this country is anxious to put this line item back into its budget without a good reason.

Driven by Tourism Economics' travel forecasting model, the latest U.S. Travel Forecast projects the following:

International travel to the U.S. is growing quickly but is still far from a full pre-pandemic recovery.

An expected global macroeconomic slowdown, a strong dollar, and lengthy visa wait times could inhibit future growth, with volume reaching 98% of 2019 levels in 2024 (up from 84% recovered in 2023) and achieving a full recovery in 2025. Spending levels, when adjusted for inflation, are not expected to recover until 2026.

Other countries with whom the U.S. directly competes have recovered their pre-pandemic visitation rates more quickly, and some countries—such as France and Spain—have even increased their share of the global travel market. Meanwhile, U.S. global market share is declining.

Business travel is still expected to grow in 2024, albeit at a slower rate.

Volume in the sector is expected to end the year at 95% of 2019 levels— up from 89% recovered in 2023. Slowing economic growth will hinder domestic business travel’s recovery, with a full comeback in volume not expected until 2026. Domestic business travel spending is not expected to recover to pre-pandemic levels within the range of the forecast.

Domestic leisure growth decelerated through three quarters of 2023 as consumer spending slowed amid higher borrowing costs, tighter credit conditions and the restart of student loan repayments.

The sector achieved a full recovery to pre-pandemic levels in 2022.

With COVID hanging over our heads overall travel is going to be slow to recover to pre-pandemic levels. We took a trip to Europe on the Viking river cruise line this last September. We brought back so many great memories, but we also brought back COVID. You take any kind of group travel, and you are sure to get COVID folks. This is another reason that travel has stayed closer to home. Our travel future will look quite a bit different in the future.

The airlines have much work to do as well. When we have the choice of so many great places in Oklahoma and surrounding states, it is far more tempting to stay close to home instead of fighting the work of taking a flight to a far away destination. We are lucky in that Lisa, and I have both traveled the world and we are at a point in our lives where we have a goal of making our trip a pleasant one instead of making it an adventure. I wonder how many will be the same.

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

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.

Ray Hibbard

Bradford Village’s Charlie McGregor turned 105 years old earlier this month. He has lived at Bradford Village for 18 years.

Charlie marks 105th birthday

Earlier this month, Charles “Charlie” McGregor celebrated his 105th birthday, according to Paula Brooks of Edmond’s Bradford Village senior center.

Charlie has lived in Bradford Village Assisted Living for five years and overall, at Bradford Village, for 18 years. He was married to Millie, who

passed away a year after the couple’s 75th wedding anniversary, The former farmer was one of the first men drafted for World War II. He spent four years and four months in the service, before being discharged in 1945.

He maintains a close relationship with God and continues to read his Bible every day.

Local artist is recognized

At Epsilon Sigma Alpha’s state convention’s Association of the Arts contest, Shirley Moore won first place in china painting and also received the coveted People's Choice Award. Participants were immediately drawn to the painting because it was so aesthetically pleasing and captured the imagination.

The composition of the painting made the animal seem real especially with the colors Moore chose. This piece really displayed Moore’s hard work..

Moore is a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha’s Gamma Zeta chapter and has been for the last 50 years. She also won first place and the People’s Choice award last year for her

china painting of her granddaughter. Gamma Zeta is so proud of her and all her hard work.

Shirley Moore

(Editor’s Note: 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.)

April 29

Brice Stanley Wein, 34 of Luther. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and (misdemeanor 1st & 2nd offense) larceny of merchandise from a retailer.

Larry Eugene Caesar. 43 of Oklahoma City. Expired tag – over three months and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

See Teong Lim, 44 of Oklahoma City. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Amy Kristine Reynolds, 40 of Edmond. Felony warrant.

Ruby Margaret Cole, 79 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Alan Lewis Craig, 62 homeless. Four counts of failure to appear.

Joshua Adam Helms, 39 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.

Chad Wesley Schwerdtfeger, 52 homeless. Public intoxication.

Cassandra Eileen McMinn, 52 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.

Chaston Devon Calton, 27 of Oklahoma City. No proof of insurance and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

April 30

James Brendan Curtain, Jr. 52 of Edmond. Indecent exposure and public intoxication.

Travis Don Horton, 30 homeless. Public intoxication.

Kevin Scott Hutchings, 50 of Edmond. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked and shoplifting.

Kristopher Wade Mackey, 48 homeless. Trespassing.

Cesar Eleazar Soto, 49 of Oklahoma City. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Jennifer Jean Satterwhite, 60, homeless. Trespassing after being warned.

Clinton Lee Miller, 37 homeless. Trespassing after being warned.

Isaiah Lamar Coulter, 32 homeless. Trespassing after being warned.

May 1

Adrienne Nicole Thompson, 38 homeless. Misdemeanor warrant.

Theotis Clupatrick White, Jr., 26 of Norman. Driving without proper/valid driver’s license.

Jonathan James Burgandine, 34 homeless. Trespassing after being warned.

Saunalei Leslie Glover, 39 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.

May 2

Rosemary Berry, 60 of Oklahoma City. Petit larceny

Tucker Mack Clemons, 29 of Abilene, Texas. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Blake Russell Phagan, 59 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Harrison Alan Higdon, 21 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Joseph Tyler Beck, 29 of Oklahoma City. Murder first degree.

Jessica Dawn Ellenburg, 38 of Edmond. Possess CDS, public intoxication and (misdemeanor) domestic abuse assault.

Ryan Neal Gillisipie, 41 of Oklahoma City. Use firearm while committing a felony, possess firearm after conviction of felony, threaten to perform violent act, reckless conduct with firearm, assault & or battery with deadly weapon, pointing a firearm, misdemeanor warrant and felony warrant.

Abdel Rafael Diaz, 60 of Edmond. Obstruction of police officer and felony DUI/APC.

May 3

Jeremiah Lee Anderson, 37 of Oklahoma City. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

Chayden Trae Justus, 22 of Edmond. Felony warrant,

Derek Lechonne Eaves, 55 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Tyler James Hutchens, 38 of Edmond. Shoplift-

ing and trespassing.

Anthony Richard Rutherford, 62 of Oklahoma City, Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

May 4

Stephanie Marie Agenbroad, 35 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Curtis Edward Barber, 42 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or combination of schedule 1 chemical or controlled substance and possess drug paraphernalia.

Nova Lynn Cordova, 56 of Wewoka. Public intoxication and shoplifting.

Romay Christopher Abdullahi, 30 of Edmond. Public intoxication and failure to appear,

Johnny Lee Greco II, 49 of Edmond. Interruption, disruption, interference with emergency phone call, (misdemeanor) domestic abuse assault and kidnapping.

May 5

Earl Stanley Green, 69 of Chandler. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more, driving with license canceled, suspended or revoked and a felony warrant.

Cameran Terrell Adkins, 26 of Oklahoma City. Misdemeanor warrant.

Alfred Baldwin III, 43 of Edmond. Failure to appear.

Curtis Blake Collins, 55 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

May 6

Woody Lynn Robinson, 56 of Edmond. Thirteen counts of failure to appear and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked. Chian Sim Tan, 41 of Edmond. Speeding (10 mph or less excess) and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Izabel Joanna Barry, 22 of Edmond. Failure to appear.

Nahum Cabera-Gutierrez 23 of Oklahoma City. Failure to yield from alley or private drive and driving without proper/valid driver’s license.

Shawndell Unique Roney, 34 of Oklahoma City. (Misdemeanor 1st & 2nd offense) larceny of merchandise from retailer.

Weekend Calendar of Events, May 16-19

Weekend Calendar of Events May 16-19 ---- In the Gallery

Kingdom of David and Solomon

Outdoor Edmond Farmer’s Market

Bike to Work Day

Cycle 66 Kick Off Training Ride ---- Heard on Hurd ---- National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Events ---- Dancing in the Gardens ---- Oklahoma City Philharmonic presents: Tosca ---- Miller in May Home & Garden Tour ---- Oklahoma Railway Museum Train Rides ---- Claude Hall’s Original OKC Gun Show

Extra Information

In the Gallery

Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute

Extra Info: Featuring Jeff Shoemake; free; Gallery is open Mon – Thu; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; edmondfinearts.com

Kingdom of David and Solomon Discovered

Location: Armstrong Auditorium

Extra Info: Mon, Feb 26 – Fri, Jan 17 2025; Free; Mon – Thu: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Fri & Sun: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; closed Saturdays; armstrongauditorium.org

Outdoor Edmond Farmer’s Market

Location: Festival Market Place and Farmers Market

Extra Info: Sat, Apr 20 – Sat, Nov 2; 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.; edmondok.com

Bike to Work Day

Location: Edmond Library

Extra Info: Fri, May 17; 7:30 a.m.; metrolibrary.org

Cycle 66 Kick Off Training Ride

Location: Edmond Library

Extra Info: Sat, May 18; 8 a.m.; distance 18 miles @ 13-14 mph pace; cycle66ok.com

Heard on Hurd

Location: Downtown Edmond

Extra Info: Sat, May 18; Free; 6 – 10 p.m.; mycitizens.bank

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Events

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Thu, May 16 – Sun, May 19: Choose Your Adventure!; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sat, May 18 – Sun, May 19: Signature Tour @ 1 – 2 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Dancing in the Gardens

Location: Seasonal Plaza, Myriad Botanical Gardens

Extra Info: Fri, May 17; 7 p.m.; muyriadgardens.org

Oklahoma City

Philharmonic presents: Tosca

Location: Civic Center Music Hall

Extra Info: Sat May 18; 8 p.m.; okcphil.org

Miller in May Home & Garden Tour

Location: Miller Neighborhood

Extra Info: Sat, May 18 – Sun, May 19; Sat: 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. & Sun: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; millerneighborhood.com

Oklahoma Railway Museum Train Rides

Location: Oklahoma Railway Museum

Extra Info: Sat, May 18; Train Times: 11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m. & 3:15 p.m.; oklahomarailwaymuseum.org

Claude Hall’s Original OKC Gun Show

Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park

Extra Info: Sat, May 18 – Sun, May 19; Sat: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. & Sun; May 19: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; okcgun.show

Send events to infante318@cox.net

Senior Follies this June

The Oklahoma Senior Follies is thrilled to be back on stage at UCO’s Mitchell Hall Theater. This year’s show is being reimagined by our new stage Co-Directors, Gina Bramlett and Michael Pone. They are the former owners of Dance Makers which is in Edmond. Matthew Jones is returning to the Follies as our Music Director. We will have an even larger band this year! Each year we try to make the show better than the last one. This year we will have more glitz and glamour than before. It will be a variety show with comedy, dancing and singing. We are headlining The OK

City Chorus of the Sweet Adelines, the Tarpley Tappers, and opera star Barbara DeMaio. The beauties will be returning to the stage in gorgeous gowns and hairdos. For the first time, they will be performing.This year, instead of a King, we will be honoring a couple, our “Dynamic Duo” Mark and Patti Mellow. The performances are June 8 at 7 p.m. and June 9 at 3 p.m. You can purchase tickets for $30 each or $25 for a group of ten or more. Tickets can be purchased online at www.oklahomaseniorfollies.com. Just select “purchase tickets” on the website.

Fran & Dot getting ready for the Senior Follies

Lodging tax helps Visit Edmond welcome visitors City Source

From City Source Edmond

All the things that make living in Edmond so attractive to residents also appeal to a broader and important audience – visitors who come to enjoy those same special events and places.

Tourism is a vital and important part of the local economy and helps make possible the venues, special events and interesting places that appeal to both those audiences.

“I’ve seen how much Edmond has grown in the past 30 years,” said Jennifer Thornton, who moved to Oklahoma in 1994 and was named the Visit Edmond Director of Tourism in 2019. “When visitors come to Edmond, we often hear from them how surprised they are at all we have to offer, and it makes them want to come back.

“We had consultants come here to help us with a wayfinding project and they said to us, ‘Do you realize what a mecca you have here – with the easy lake access and all the parks and trails and sports venue options to support sports tourism?’ We have so much to offer, and we want to tell the world.”

It takes resources to do that.

City Council approved on March 11 filing to place on the ballot a proposed increase of the Edmond Lodging Tax rate from 4 percent to 6 percent. This would be the first increase in 30 years and funds Visit Edmond to promote the city as a destination and attract, retain and sustain conferences and events for visitors and increase economic impact.

The Lodging Tax vote will be included on the June 18, 2024, ballot.

Tourism is an important component in generating sales tax revenue and growth in Edmond. When individuals and groups spend nights in Edmond, they also shop, dine and play which increases city sales tax revenue. This revenue improves residents’ quality-oflife, funding things like public safety, road improvements and maintenance, parks improvements and maintenance and more.

“When people stay the night in Edmond, they pay a 4 percent lodging tax and also contribute to our sales tax when they shop, dine and play,” Thornton said.

This tax is only charged for overnight stays in Edmond's 13 hotels, one bed & breakfast and more than 150 vacation homes. For example, one overnight stay costing $100, the tax charge would increase from $4 to $6.

Edmond’s 4 percent tax rate is the lowest in the

metropolitan area. The current rate has not increased since it began in 1994. In comparison, the current Edmond tax rate is much lower than other metro cities.

Norman has an 8 percent lodging tax, Guthrie and Stillwater each have a 7 percent lodging tax rate and Oklahoma City has a 5.5 percent rate. Oklahoma City is considering an election in August to increase their rate to 9.25 percent.

The proposed increase is estimated to generate an additional $500,000 annually for tourism development opportunities and will go directly toward helping Visit Edmond promote Edmond. Those efforts include:

• Marketing Edmond as a destination along Route 66 for visitors.

• Additional advertising dollars to target regional/national visitors.

• Provide sponsorships to attract, retain and sustain conferences and events.

• Recruit regional and national meetings that attract overnight stays.

• Promote arts, film and music to make Edmond a fun place to visit.

• Develop and implement a robust sports tourism strategy to promote Edmond facilities as a destination for local, regional and national sports tournaments – a strategy supported by the Victus Sports

Facilities Report, which strongly encouraged the development of sports tourism.

• Partner with upgraded city sports facilities like KickingBird Golf, Service Blake Soccer Complex and A.C. Caplinger ballfields to attract, retain and sustain tournaments.

• Collaborate with award-winning Edmond Center Court to support USTA tennis tournaments.

• Support University of Central Oklahoma to retain and elevate the OSSAA State High School Football Championships.

• Assist in attracting Lazy E Arena sporting events that bring athletes for week-long competitions that sleep, shop and dine in Edmond.

• Sponsor the U.S. Senior Open at Oak Tree National in 2027.

• Generate more sales tax dollars by encouraging visitors to dine and shop in Edmond.

Additional lodging tax revenue also would help Visit Edmond partner with facilities to bring new events. Just recently, KickingBird Golf was selected to host the NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Central/Midwest tournaments. Other opportunities, like the NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Tennis championships, as well as the 12-team Small College Basketball Classic – featuring teams from

See Lodging, Page 9

Promoting Edmond helps to bring in more business for retailers, such as this shop at Spring Creek Plaza.

Lodging

Division II, III and NAIA – which comes to Edmond in the Fall of 2025.

“We have a diverse tourism advisory board that includes a wide variety of representatives from the tourism industries in Edmond,” Thornton said. “They play a vital role in ensuring we are investing time and resources into myriad opportunities around our community. Their input and support are invaluable.”

Another important fact is, in addition to room rental, a guest at an Edmond lodging facility adds at least $65 per person each night to the local economy.

• 26 percent of Hilton Garden Inn rooms sold are from groups attending conferences at the Conference Center.

• The Edmond Conference Center increased the volume of events and revenues by 15 percent compared to last year (500+ events/36,000+ attendees).

• About 21 percent of Edmond Conference Center visitors were new to market.

• The Hilton Garden Inn Edmond continues to rank in the top 1 percent of the HGI Brand in Guest Satisfaction Scores and was awarded its 3rd consecutive Conrad Achievement Award.

• Edmond Conference Center won a silver award from Northstar Meetings Group’s annual Stella Award for Best Conference Center in the nation.

• Three hotels near I-35 (LaQuinta Inn, Hampton Inn by Hilton and Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott) are owned by a local company, Champion Hotels, with partners that live in Edmond.

Connecting statewide and regional meeting planners and tournament directors to the Edmond Conference Center, sports facilities and Route 66 are also examples of how Visit Edmond and the City of Edmond develop, promote and grow tourism. And that growth is a key component

From Page 8

First increase in rate in 30 years on ballot for June 18 vote.

in the City’s efforts to enhance the quality of life throughout the community.

“This is a full circle of economic impact,” said Janet Yowell, Executive Director of Edmond Economic Development Authority. “Edmond attracts visitors who spend their dollars before going home. The circle is completed when they decide to move their family and/or business here.”

Thanks to sales tax dollars and local partnerships, Edmond has 28 quality sports facilities.

Plans are underway to upgrade Service Blake Soccer Complex and renovate KickingBird Pickleball Center and AC Caplinger Sports Complex at Hafer Park. You can find information about those facilities, as well as more about dining and shopping options, fun events, all the City parks and Arcadia Lake has to offer and more at VisitEdmondOK.com.

“The revenue generated by our lodging tax and the ancillary sales tax tourism generates aligns us with surrounding communities,” Thornton said. “It helps take us to the next level and allows us to compete for those important events – like sports tournaments and conferences and special community events – that not only helps us grow, but also highlights all that Edmond has to offer both for visitors and our community.”

Learn more about the proposed new lodging tax rate at https://visitedmondok.com/lodging-tax.php and more about what’s happening around the City at www.EdmondOK.gov/CitySource.

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Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side

A great business citizen

By Steve Gust

There was a good piece in The

Oklahoman

Sunday about Love’s Travel Stops and its 60th anniversary.

Tom and Judy Love started it in 1964 with a modest station in Watonga. Today it’s a multibillion dollar operation with more than 20,000 employees – at some 640 locations in 42 states. Now that’s impressive. Whatever formula they used certainly worked. And the article said there are even more expansion plans in the works.

Tom passed last year. Judy continues the legacy of the company giving back to the community by donating to several good causes. The article didn’t mention it but they’ve also helped Bishop McGuinness High School and the Center of Family Love in Okarche – a group home helping intellectually disabled adults.

I certainly salute the fine work they do. The Oklahoman also proves that not all news printed has

to be bad. It’s refreshing to look at a truly successful operation, such as Love’s.

Speaking of Love’s. One of the greater surprises I got one time was at a Love’s station across the street from Riverwind Casino. Whenever anyone goes to Riverwind, they probably say, “let’s go to Norman to Riverwind.” Yet I was checking my gas receipt from Love’s and the business has a Newcastle address. Right there by Interstate 35 and Highway 9 is Newcastle? Who knew?

Once again, congratulations to Love’s on their first 60 years.

—I saw where some Duke University students protested Jerry Seinfeld speaking at their graduation over the weekend.

Some students walked out of the graduation.

Can’t they just give it a break? You’d think the students would try to enjoy a graduation. After years of studying, why not set aside one day and celebrate? But I guess it was more important to walk out on Jerry Seinfeld.

(Steve Gust may be reached for comment at news@edmondpaper.com)

Helps victims of domestic abuse

Edmond lawmaker

lauds signing of bill

Rep. Erick Harris, R-Edmond, last week celebrated the signing of Alanda's Law, House Bill 2478, which expedites the legal process for victims of domestic abuse seeking temporary relief in custody cases.

Under HB2478, courts are required to schedule a hearing on temporary custody orders within 10 days of a domestic abuse victim filing a request for temporary custody orders unless both parties mutually agree to waive this timeline.

Harris said this provision specifically applies in cases where the application contains allegations of domestic abuse and either an emergency temporary protective order is already in place against the accused party or the accused has been criminally charged with domestic abuse.

"For victims of domestic violence, the timing of a judge's availability should not be a barrier," Harris said. "It is crucial to ensure that domestic violence victims appear timely before a judge to expedite the decision-making process."

U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice, an Oklahoma State University alumna, returned to her alma mater as the spring 2024 commencement speaker to impart wisdom and encourage graduates Saturday in Gallagher-Iba Arena.

OSU played a pivotal role in the fourth-generation Oklahoman's life as it’s where she earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing in 1995, where she met her husband, Geoffrey, and where her daughters chose to attend college.

Bice took this opportunity to share with more than 3,900 undergraduate students how two small words that make one simple question — "Why not?" — profoundly impacted her personal and professional life.

The university’s 148th commencement speakers consisted of OSU President Kayse Shrum; OSU Provost Jeanette Mendez; Bice; Dr. Brandt Gardner, OSU faculty chair; Joe Hall, OSU A&M Board of Regents chair; and Ashley Peterson, Student Government Association president.

Bice’s father insisted she attend college to open doors of opportunity. Likewise, Bice knew her ulti-

mate goal was to receive a college degree, so she enrolled at OSU. At the end of her sophomore year, Bice was told her father couldn’t pay for college anymore, prompting her to ask, “Why not?”

Determined to finish what she started, Bice returned to OSU for her junior year.

“I marched myself into the financial aid office, and I applied for student loans,” Bice said. “Then, I headed to the Student Union to look at job boards to try to figure out what I was qualified for. My junior and senior years here were challenging. I worked 20 hours a week, took 15 to 18 hours a semester to try to finish in four years. But I look back and realize that it took perseverance to make it happen.”

Bice began her public service career in 2014 when she was elected to the Oklahoma State Senate.

Prior to that, she had never thought of running for public office, but when she saw Oklahoma ranked No. 49 in the number of female legislators, Bice knew that statistic had to change.

So, one afternoon when she picked up her daughters from school, Bice told them she was considering running for office and that it would require months of campaigning and possibly being gone some nights.

“My smart, thoughtful and somewhat reserved 12-

The measure will require the court to issue a ruling on the matter versus arbitrarily scheduling another hearing for a later date, enhancing the efficiency and responsiveness of legal proceedings in these critical situations.

"Often, children are involved in these situations," Harris said. "It is imperative that judges swiftly act to ensure families avoid unnecessary heartache during an already traumatic time."

Harris named HB2478 Alanda's Law after Alanda Bradshaw, a victim of domestic abuse, in honor of her memory and her beautiful daughter. He said the sustained abuse Alanda endured tragically contributed to her premature passing.

"I hope this legislation will honor Alanda and other victims of domestic abuse," Harris said. "The most dangerous moment for a domestic violence victim is when they try to leave their abuser. Alanda's Law protects victims and their families during this critical time."

HB2478 will go into effect on Nov. 1.

House Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, issued a statement regarding HB 3278, which passed off the House floor last week.

The bill updates the State of Oklahoma’s graduation requirements to include an additional math class. The bill removes the requirement for a student to take at least one world language class.

“I support rigorous public education standards. However, making foreign languages optional erodes that rigor,” Fugate said. “Yes, we need improved math education, but adding another high school math class does not achieve that on its own. The problem is not a lack of math classes, but a lack of foundational learning before students enter into high school. We can’t improve math education until we stop replacing experienced teachers with emergency and adjunct persons, and start providing them the resources they need. “

year-old daughter looked over at me from the passenger seat and said one simple question, ‘Why not?’ I was proud that my daughter thought nothing of the fact that I was putting myself out there and taking a huge leap of faith for something I'd never really thought about doing,” Bice said. “So, I put my name on the ballot, and I won a runoff election in 2014 to represent Senate District 22.”

For a third time, those same words — "Why not?”— popped in her head when she was asked to run for Congress. In 2020, she was elected to represent Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District.

"The point I really want you to take away is that life can be difficult, but don't shy away from those ‘Why not?’ moments,” Bice said. “Once you leave these halls, the world can seem challenging. Every day, we face adversity, apprehension, uncertainty. Whether it's changing careers, relocating to a new city, accepting your first full-time job, professional career decisions can be daunting, but those decisions are not permanent.

“Take the leap of faith. Don't be afraid to go after something even if you aren't sure it'll work out. You never know where the road will lead to next. Don't box yourself in, instead think about this. Sometimes, the answer to your question is as small and easy as two small words and one simple question. Why not?”

Several graduates in the class of 2024 did not have a high school commencement ceremony due to the pandemic, Hall said. He welcomed all the graduates into their new role as OSU alumni and the responsibilities it comes with.

“The Board of Regents says thank you and appreciation for a job well done,” Hall said. “On special days like this, it's a good time to realize how OSU has made a difference in all our lives. As you become OSU alumni, we hope you stay connected, and always remain loyal and true. We know that this takes a lot of hard work to get to this point and to overcome a lot of adversity.”

Steve Gust

Bice

Even more Frisco spots noted

By Elaine Warner

My

article

about sports in Frisco was too short to contain all the family fun activities available in one of Dallas’s burgeoning suburbs, so buckle up for more activities.

Some folks might consider video games a sport – or maybe just an entertaining pastime. However you look at it, you’ll learn a lot about the evolution of video games – and have the opportunity to play some – at the National Videogame Museum in the Discovery Center.

Starting with the earliest games –like Pong, which was played on home TV sets – the museum lays out the history of what is now an obsession with many fans. Exhibits include early equipment and the movement to small computers like the Radio Shack TRS 80 or IBM PCJr.

Interactives are interspersed with historical information. The Head to Head Wall presents a number of video games showing the progression of the technology and art. A twelvefoot tall Pong screen offers a chance to play that historic game.

Among the back-in-time exhibits is an ‘80s-style living room. Sit on the couch in front of the console TV and play classic BurgerTime.

The latest big display stars Mario and Luigi – a tribute to the 30th anniversary of the Super Mario Brothers Movie. Props and memorabilia range from Devolution Guns to Princess Daisy’s dress.

I loved the back story on the production of an exhibit on Native American representation in video games. In the past, when Native Americans were depicted in literature, movies, cartoons, etc. they were shown in demeaning and unflattering ways. While studying this in a course at Texas Christian University, students, in conjunction with the Videogame Museum, developed an exhibit which showed the way Native Americans could fight against stereotypes and be shown as relatable and realistic characters.

This is one of those museums where you can simply enjoy a surface experience or dig more deeply into the history and science of the subject. The end exhibit is an ‘80s arcade where guests can enjoy a number of classic games. And they have a cool gift shop.

I didn’t realize that esports were a

thing but for really serious gamers Complexity Gaming in The Star features state-of-the-art training facilities for competitors. It’s open to the public to come in and see the latest machines.

Also in the Discovery Center, you’ll find TrainTopia, a miniature train trip through the southwest U.S,. The 2,500 square-foot layout is the result of the passion of one man, the late Steve Sanders, whose family donated his magnum opus to the Museum of the American Railroad. Sanders based his set-up on a life-time of travel.

In this tiny world, you’ll journey from a realistic representation of the Dallas Union Station of the 1960s through mountains and deserts, past logging camps and oil fields and through the hoodoos of Palo Duro Canyon. Look closely for adobe ruins – and you might even see a movie playing at a local drive-in. Kids will love the trains – adults will marvel at the detail Sanders incorporated in his hobby.

Our group stayed in Hyatt Regency in Frisco. It was the perfect location. It was just a short walk to the Discovery Center and the Frisco Public Library.

You wouldn’t think of a library as a tourist attraction – but this one is. The building was originally used to manufacture rockets for space – and there’s a lot of space in the building. Occupying 158,000 square feet, this library is so much more than just books. And, as far as I know, it’s the only library with a life-sized replica of a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton in the middle.

Acoustical and spatial adaptations make it possible for many activities to happen simultaneously – without noise becoming an issue. Two special rooms – Tots’ Town and Kids’ Club –offer learning activities for youngsters while accounting for short attention spans and the need for movement.

I particularly loved the small scenes which were exhibited in glass cases inserted in the floor of the Kids’ Club. In the main library area, the cases hold dinosaur footprints showing the stride of the T. rex.

Another area, the MakerSpace, is a technology and science lab with 3-D printers, laser cutters, vinyl cutters, robotics kits and more. The library also provides digital access to worlds of information. What an amazing community resource! It’s definitely worth a visit; it’s the library of the future.

We didn’t even need to go outside our hotel to walk to the Stonebriar Centre Mall.

In addition to wonderful shops -biggies like Nordstrom, Macy’s and Dillards and smaller stores like Lululemon and Anthropologie – there’s a beautiful carousel, even an IFly indoor skydiving center. But my favorite was KidZania. Although there are 26 locations around the world, Frisco has the only KidZania in the United States.

For kids who do or don’t know what they want to do when they grow up, here’s an opportunity to try approximately 100 careers from firefighter to chocolate maker. Made up like a village, each business or service is an experience lasting approximately 20 minutes.

The firefighting experience starts in the firehouse learning about equipment, etc. then suiting up, getting on a small fire truck and rushing to a burning building. There the kids shoot water cannons at the simulated blaze.

Future MDs can check out the ambulance service or hospital and aspir-

ing dentists head for the Colgate Dental Clinic (corporate cooperation makes Kidzania possible). An airline cockpit complete with instruments and a realistic video through the front windows make taking off and landing a real experience (thanks, American Airlines).

Zupervisors guide small groups of youngsters through each experience. These are actual learning opportunities. For example, in the chocolate factory, guests are introduced to cocoa beans and the creation of edible chocolate treats is explained as the children move through the process and – at the end come out with their own Kinder Joy chocolate treat. Big disappointment – Kidzania is designed for kids four to fourteen. I couldn’t qualify!

I thought with two articles, I could cover everything I did in my three days in Frisco – I was wrong. You’ll just have to trust me. Travelers of all ages and interests will find something special in Frisco.

A replica T. rex skeleton adds interest to the library. Notice the acoustic tiles on the base – helping to dampen sound in the huge space.

Elaine

LEFT —- Visitors to the National Videogame Museum are greeted by favorite characters like Mario and Pikachu.

ABOVE —- Special lighting in TrainTopia turns day to night on this 1960 Dallas scene.

DAR gives ‘Good Citizens’ awards

The Samuel King Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, OSDAR, recently presented the DAR Good Citizens Award to two area 2024 high school seniors. Honored were Bella Benham, Guthrie High School and Gwen Tignor, Edmond North High School.

Cannon Little, a senior at Edmond North High School, served as a page for Rep. Erick Harris, R-Edmond, at the Oklahoma State Capitol from May 6 to 9 during the second session of the 59th Legislature.

Little plans to major in Management Information Systems at Oklahoma State University in the fall. He is involved in the National Honor Society and the wrestling team.

"It was great hosting Cannon as a page this past week," Harris said. "His attention to detail and commitment to excellence are impressive. I hope he remains an informed and civically engaged citizen throughout his life. I am confident he will achieve great things and wish him the best."

Pages are assigned for one week, Monday through Thursday, during session from the first Monday in February until the last Friday in May. T

he students work in the House Chamber during daily session, run errands for representatives and staff, and participate in the House Page Mock Legislature on the floor of the House Chamber.

Harris, a Republican, is in his first term representing House District 39 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

The DAR Good Citizens Program and Scholarship Contest is designed to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship: dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism. This program is open to all high school seniors enrolled in accredited public or private schools. The faculty of each school selects one senior class student per year to honor as its DAR Good Citizen.

Once selected as their school's Good Citizen, the student is then eligible to enter the DAR Good Citizens Scholarship Contest. Both Bella and Gwen chose to participate in the optional essay contest. Their task was to write a maximum 550-word essay on a topic provided by the National DAR, to be written during a 2-hour time-period and proctored by a faculty member. The topic was not provided to them in advance. This year’s designated essay title was “Our American Heritage and our Responsibility for Preserving It.” The focus question was: “What are the civic responsibilities of a good citizen and why are these duties, activities and behaviors important to the shaping of the America you hope to experience?” Non-DAR judges scored the written essays, resulting in Bella Benham’s essay being selected as Samuel King Chapter’s winning essay.

Bella and Gwen were recognized, along with their parents and school counselors, at the April 18th Samuel King general meeting, held at the First Presbyterian Church of Edmond. Each Good Citizen awardee received a DAR Good Citizens pin, certificate, wallet recognition card, award check from the Samuel King

Chapter and a gift bag with additional specially selected items, honoring them for being named their respective High School’s DAR Good Citizen for 2023-2024.

DAR Good Citizen Chairperson, Dr. Carolyn Cotton, stated, “Bella and Gwen join a very elite group of individuals, as only one senior per year can be recognized and receive the DAR Good Citizens Award from their respective high school. From this day forward, I hope they realize the honor and prestige that this award affords them and that they continue to exemplify throughout their lives the traits of Dependability, Service, Leadership and Patriotism.”

The Samuel King Chapter was established on April 17, 1976, in Edmond, and named for the patriot of the Organizing Regent, Mrs. Jacqueline Mellies. The Chapter consisted of Mrs. Mellies and fifteen charter members; the chapter first met at the Edmond Public Library. Early activities that have continued through the years include the celebration of Constitution Week (September 17-23), donation drives and special activities for veterans, as well as working with community youth through scholarships and community service projects.

The Guthrie Chapter was formed on April 6, 1943, with 15 Members-at-Large.

On April 24, 1998, the Guthrie Chapter merged with the Samuel King Chapter. The merging ceremony was held on January 21, 1999.

Samuel King Chapter members continue to support and assist with numerous area events, such as, participating in LibertyFest, Wreaths Across America, Guthrie Territorial Museum, Edmond Historical Ghost Tours, decorating the Guthrie Carnegie Library for Christmas, Colonial Days at the Capitol, Adopt-a-Street cleanups, and serving as docents for the 1989 Territorial Schoolhouse.

Harris, left and Cannon Little Edmond North senior serves as Capitol page

From left, are, Dr. Mary Meritt - Chapter Vice Regent; Kristen Ferate - Chapter Regent; Dr. Carolyn CottonDAR Good Citizens Chairperson; Bella Benham - Guthrie HS and Gwen Tignor - Edmond North HS

Review of film ‘The Idea of You’

Engaging romantic movie is streaming

By George Gust

"The Idea of You" is the latest Amazon Prime exclusive film release starr ing Anne Hathaway as Solene, a 40-year-old single mom who begins an unexpected romance with 24 year-old Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), the lead singer of the hottest boy band on the planet.

There’s an enjoyable kind of escapism to the “The Idea of you” that sweeps you away into the world of jet setting pop stars and art gallery owning 40 somethings that is missing from the big screen offerings to come this summer.

Which is a shame as this movie manages to deftly escape the snares of the small screen straight to streaming curse, by feeling like a polished and charming movie that would seem at home on the big screen instead of streaming in the background while you check updates on your phone.

You couldn't call "The Idea of You" an ensemble piece by any stretch, as the film follows the heavily inspired by Harry Styles character (Galitzine ) and Hathaway as they fall into a whirl-

Answers on Page 19

wind romance that feels grandiose and glamorous in the way this kind of romantic novel movie should.

Hathaway runs away with the movie with an empathetic and warm performance as a mother entering a new chapter in her life in an exciting and unexpected way, while still dealing with the insecurity and complexity that comes with the new changes.

And while her co-star Galitzine has the right look and brings more depth than you would ex-

pect to the character, his performance didn't quite stand up to Hathaway's which left the film feeling a bit unbalanced.

Overall, "The Idea of You" is an engaging romantic movie that is more emotionally mature and a bit steamier than you would expect from a straight to streaming romantic movie.

The first act of the film drags with unnecessarily long musical performances of some subpar mid to late 2010's pop music impersonations, but once our leads’ romantic storyline begins the film finds its footing.

"The Idea of You" succeeds in being a wish fulfillment fantasy to be part of the world of music and fame mixing a little bit of "A Star is Born" with a little bit of "Notting Hill."

“The Idea of You” is rated R for some language and sexual content.

3.7 out of 5 stars.

(Contact George Gust for comment at gust.george@gmail.com)

Amazon Prime.

Cast change is noted

The Oklahoma City Philharmonic has announced a cast change for its performance of “Tosca” on May 18 at 8 p,m. The title role of Tosca will now be sung by two-time Grammy Award winner and operatic star, Angel Blue.

“We just had an unexpected change of plans at the Philharmonic with Angel Blue jumping in for Tosca.” said Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate, Music Director for the OKCPHIL. “Angel is one of the most famous sopranos worldwide, singing in New York, London, Vienna and La Scala in Milano. It will be a real treat to welcome her to Oklahoma and I’m so excited.”

She is set to join a cast that includes Alan Held, Stephen Costello, as well as Canterbury Voices. This is a semi-staged production featuring our full orchestra and several well-known area vocalists all giving life to this dramatic score. Tickets at okcphil.org

Anne Hathaway leads the film adaptation of the romantic novel

Idea of

Outsourcing transforms accounting services for businesses Arledge & Associates Firm

By David Mayfield

In the fast-paced world of business, efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness are paramount. Among the myriad of tasks that demand attention, managing financial records stands as one of the most critical yet time-consuming endeavors. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the burden of maintaining an inhouse accounting department can be overwhelming, often diverting precious resources away from core business activities. However, a transformative solution exists in the form of outsourcing accounting services.

Outsourced accounting services revolutionize the way businesses handle their financial affairs. By entrusting accounting tasks to specialized third-party providers, SMEs can unlock a plethora of benefits that streamline operations and drive growth.

One of the primary advantages of outsourcing accounting services is access to expertise and specialization. Professional accounting firms boast a cadre of seasoned professionals well-versed in financial management. These experts bring a wealth of knowledge in accounting principles, tax regulations, and industry best practices to the table, ensuring that financial tasks are executed with precision and efficiency.

Cost savings represent another compelling reason for businesses to embrace outsourcing. Unlike maintaining an in-house accounting department, which

incurs significant overhead costs, outsourcing offers a cost-effective alternative. With outsourcing, businesses pay only for the services they need, eliminating expenses related to recruiting, training, and employee benefits. This cost-efficient model allows SMEs to redirect resources towards strategic initiatives that drive revenue and innovation.

Moreover, outsourcing accounting services affords businesses the luxury of focusing on their core competencies. By delegating financial responsibilities to external professionals, business owners and managers can devote more time and energy to critical tasks such as product development, customer service, and market expansion. This laser focus on core activities enhances productivity and fosters business growth.

Scalability and flexibility are inherent features of outsourced accounting services. As businesses evolve and adapt to changing market conditions, their accounting needs may fluctuate. Outsourcing provides the agility to scale services up or down according to demand, without the hassle of hiring or downsizing internal staff.

Whether it's managing seasonal peaks in workload or expanding into new markets, outsourcing offers a customizable solution that aligns with the dynamic nature of business operations.

Data security is a top priority for outsourced accounting firms. With robust security measures in place, including encrypted data transmission and secure cloud storage, businesses can rest assured that their sensitive financial information is safeguarded against unauthorized access, fraud, and theft. Com-

Arcadia Round Barn sets Elm Tree Concert Series

The Stillwater-based band “The Heard” will open the 2024 season of the Elm Tree Concert Series on Sunday, May 19, at the Arcadia Round Barn.

The concert is from 1 to 3 p.m. beneath the shade of the giant elm tree on the north side of the Round Barn. Admission is free but donations are accepted for the maintenance of the barn, which was built in 1898 and operated by the Arcadia Historical and Preservation Society.

Elm Tree Concerts are presented three Sundays a month from May through September. Live music at the barn also includes the Round Barn Ramblers concerts from 10:30 to

12:30 p.m. every Saturday, and the Round Barn Rendezvous jam session from noon to 4 p.m. on the second Sunday afternoon of the month.

This year’s Elm Tree Concert Series will also include such Round Barn favorites as Middle Sister, Gypsy Twang, T.Z. Wright, Edgar Cruz and Miss Brown to You. The Ukefest is scheduled for Sept. 8, and the season finale will be Terry Ware and the Sunday Flyers on Sept. 22. The barn is six miles east of Interstate 35 on Route 66, For more information about music at the Round Barn, call singer-songwriter Joe Baxter, who coordinates the music, at 405-833-1350.

UCO Melton Gallery exhibit

The University of Central Oklahoma's Melton Gallery will debut "UnCommon Bond," an exhibition showcasing the unique fusion of masonry and drawing by local artist Zack Easley at an opening reception from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, May 23, at the Melton Gallery, located in the UCO Art and Design building on Central’s campus.

On display from May 23-June 28, "UnCommon Bond" will feature Easley's architectural drawings of castles and construction sites alongside maps representing his family history and expertise in brick masonry. For the first time, Easley will showcase his drawings and masonry in a single exhibition, highlighting the connection between trade skills and fine art. His artwork, born from a blend of practical knowledge and creative imagination, challenges the perception that trade skills and art exist in separate realms.

"This exhibition initially explored the uncommon intersection of art and craft, but as I delved into Zack's work, I discovered an unexpected bond between him and UCO," said Keri Smith, Melton Gallery curator.

Easley, a fourth-generation master brick mason from Oklahoma, divides his time between teaching masonry at the University of Oklahoma and MidDel Technology Center and working as a full-time masonry sales representative.

Easley also has a personal connection to Central, his former sixth-grade teacher and now a UCO faculty member, who influenced his early castle drawings and proudly displays one of his pieces in her office.

In addition to his artistic pursuits, Easley is committed to promoting trade skills and inspiring the next generation of craftsmen. He volunteers with organizations like Build My Future OKC and Construct My Future summer camps,. For more information about "UnCommon Bond" or to schedule a visit to the Melton Gallery, contact Keri Smith at ksmith240@uco.edu or call 405-974-2432. Visit www.meltongallery.com for morel programming.

pliance with regulatory requirements is also paramount, and professional accounting firms ensure adherence to tax laws, reporting standards, and industry regulations, mitigating the risk of penalties and legal complications.

In summary, outsourcing accounting services represents a strategic advantage for SMEs seeking to streamline financial operations and achieve sustainable growth. By harnessing the expertise of external professionals, businesses can optimize efficiency, minimize costs, and maintain compliance with regulatory obligations. In doing so, they can focus their energies on driving innovation and creating value in their respective industries. As the business landscape continues to evolve, outsourcing accounting services will remain a cornerstone of success for forwardthinking enterprises.

David Mayfield, CPA, is a partner at Arledge, the largest locally owned accounting firm in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. 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 accounting.

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.

Frasier Castle

Mayfield

Support local businesses

The University of Central Oklahoma College of Business Professional Sales team placed 15th at the National Collegiate Sales Competition (NCSC) in Kennesaw, Georgia. More than 140 students representing more than 70 colleges and universities nationwide participated in the competition. Pictured, left to right, Missy Graham, Ph.D., associate professor of marketing and team coach; Allison Yates, a senior professional selling major from Bixby, Oklahoma; Luke Stein, a senior majoring in finance with a minor in professional selling from Collinsville, Oklahoma; Lauren Harman, a senior professional selling major from Moore, Oklahoma; Olivia Downing, a senior majoring in marketing with a minor in professional selling from Mustang, Oklahoma; and, assistant professor Emily Goad, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing and team coach.

UCO sales team at national event

The University of Central Oklahoma College of Business Professional Sales team placed 15th at the National Collegiate Sales Competition (NCSC) in Kennesaw, Georgia.

The competition allows students to test their skills through role-play events and speed-selling pitches. More than 140 students representing more than 70 colleges and universities nationwide participated in the competition.

In addition to the team’s success, Lauren Harman, a senior professional selling major from Moore, Oklahoma, finished ninth in the individual role-play competition and Luke Stein, a senior majoring in finance with a minor in professional selling from Collinsville, Oklahoma, had the top speed-selling pitch to Bunzl Distribution at the competition.

The UCO Professional Sales team includes Harman; Stein; Olivia Downing, a senior majoring in marketing with a minor in professional selling from Mustang, Oklahoma; and, Allison Yates, a senior professional selling major from Bixby, Oklahoma. Serving as the team’s coaches were Emily Goad, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing, and Missy Graham, Ph.D., associate professor of marketing at Central.

UCO offers a major and minor in sales, as well as an MBA with a concentration in sales, providing students with the necessary interpersonal communication, professional selling, sales management and leadership skills to be successful in a sales career. The Bob Mills Professional Sales Center at UCO also provides professional sales students with a dedicated space to practice selling strategies, prepare for competitions and interview with local executives and companies.

For more information about UCO’s professional sales program, contact Goad at 405-974-2805 or egoad@uco.edu.

To learn more about the UCO College of Business, visit business.uco.edu.

Art group to meet

The final spring meetingof the Edmond Art Association will be held May 28th at St. Mary’s episcopal church , 3100 N Broadway, Edmond, Dynamic Skies will be doing a demo for EAA on how they use their artistic skills to make stunning light shows. It will be available to view at the parking lot at 8 p.m. Visitors that wish to attend the monthly meeting may do so for a small fee of $5 or join for a yearly fee of $35 and attend all meetings and demos for free.

You may find more information about Dynamic skies at https://www.dynamic-skies.com/

You may find more information about Edmond Art Association that is in its 52nd year https://www.edmondart.org/

Business offering workplace solutions

Mydeskflex.com recently held a ribbon cutting with the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate their grand opening at 1015 Waterwood Parkway Unit D.

MyDeskFlex, is where flexibility meets functionality. More than a workspace, it represents an ecosystem tailored for professionals seeking adaptability and a hint of luxury in their professional surroundings. The team at MyDeskFlex recognizes the dynamic nature of work and has curated a variety of flexible workspace options to accommodate diverse business ventures. From high-speed internet to ergonomic furniture and cutting-edge technology, every aspect of the workspace is designed to facilitate seamless workflow and guaranteed comfort. For content creators, the podcast studio stands as a revolutionary addition. Tailored to meet the needs of podcasters, it features three distinct scenes catering to various interview settings, ensuring an engaging backdrop for audience interaction.

MyDeskFlex goes beyond the confines of

work; it fosters an environment conducive to networking, innovation, and personal growth. Embrace the MyDeskFlex experience today to explore workspace solutions that evolve with your business, offer unparalleled amenities,

and support your journey toward success. Your desk, your rules, your growth—this is the promise of MyDeskFlex.

To learn more about MyDeskFlex.com, check out their website,

AAA predicting millions on the road over Memorial Day

AAA projects 43.8 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Memorial Day holiday travel period*. This year’s total number of travelers is a 4% increase over last year and comes close to matching 2005’s record of 44 million Memorial Day travelers.

“We haven’t seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “We’re projecting an additional one million travel-

ers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we’re exceeding pre-pandemic levels.”

Road trips are expected to set a record. AAA projects 38.4 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend, the highest number for that holiday since AAA began tracking in 2000. The number of drivers this year is up 4% compared to last year and 1.9% higher than in 2019. Traveling by car is appealing for many people be-

Online job center

Legislation creating an online jobs center through the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) has been sent to the governor's desk.

House Bill 3595, authored by Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, would allow the agency to require claimants to take a skills test, create an account and add a resume to the online platform.

"House Bill 3595 presents an opportunity to streamline job matching, empower job seekers and close the hiring gap in Oklahoma," Hill said. "Through this measure, the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission can better connect individuals with employment opportunities while ensuring accountability in the unemployment benefits system. This legislation marks a proactive step towards a more efficient and effective job market for all Oklahomans."

Under the bill, OESC could also require claimants to apply to a mini-

mum number of jobs. Failure to apply or participate would result in the termination of benefits for a full period of unemployment. Additionally, OESC must verify the eligibility of claims filed and may cross-check various state and national databases to verify eligibility.

The measure was authored in the Senate by Sen. Jerry Alvord, R-Wilson.

"With this measure we are modernizing our approach to anti-fraud measures that will benefit Oklahoma employees without burdening claimants," Alvord said. "In fact, the anti-fraud measures in this bill have been recommended by both republican and democrat administrators. HB 3595 strengthens job search opportunities for individuals applying for and receiving unemployment benefits and contains robust protections to stop waste, fraud, and abuse."

If signed into law, HB3595 would take effect Nov. 1.

Business group thanks lawmaker

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, announced a new paid advertising campaign launching this month featuring a radio ad thanking Rep. Kevin Hern (OK-01) for supporting efforts to make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent by passing the Main Street Tax Certainty Act.

“Small business owners want to see Congress take action and make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent, and Rep. Kevin Hern has been a strong leader on this issue,” said NFIB Vice President of Federal Government Relations Jeff Brabant. “Main Street is at risk of a massive tax hike if the Small Business Deduction expires in 2025. Passing the Main Street Tax Certainty Act should be a top priority for Congress, and we are encouraged that this important bipartisan legislation has been introduced in both Cham-

bers. We urge Congress to pass it and we thank Rep. Kevin Hern for his leadership for Oklahoma’s small businesses.”

Listen to the radio ad thanking Rep. Kevin Hern here: https://youtu.be/reJtXqbIi70

The 20% Small Business Deduction (Section 199A) allows small businesses organized as pass-throughs (S corporations, LLCs, sole proprietorships, or partnerships) the ability to deduct up to 20% of qualified business income and is scheduled to expire in 2025.

NFIB President Brad Close recently penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal where he discussed the importance of the 20% Small Business Deduction for Main Street businesses nationwide. For 80 years, NFIB has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners

cause of the convenience and flexibility it provides. This Memorial Day weekend drivers can expect similar gas prices as last year when the national average was roughly $3.57. Pump prices rose this spring but have held somewhat steady in recent weeks. Prices may creep higher as the summer driving season gets underway. The wildcard remains the cost of oil, and unlike last year, there are now two wars – in the Middle East and Ukraine – that could roil the oil market.

Chamber officials rolled out the red carpet for a new Edmond business Mydeskflex.com

Scholarship recipient

Sara Abdullah was recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the National Technical Honor Society. Sara is a PreNursing student at Francis Tuttle Technology Center and completing her high school degree through Project HOPE. She will continue to pursue nursing at the University of Oklahoma starting next fall.

Sara – who has already received her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification through Francis Tuttle and is on track to become an Authorized Unlicensed Assistant – was one of 250 outstanding NTHS members to receive the Jon H. Poteat Scholarship based on their ability to consistently exemplify the 7 attributes of NTHS – Skill, Honesty, Service, Responsibility, Scholarship, Citizenship, and Leadership.

“We are so proud of Sara,” said Randa Pirrong, Principal of Project HOPE, said. “She has worked very hard this year and has a bright future ahead of her. This scholarship will help her as she pursues her nursing degree at OU.”

Since 1984, NTHS has been the honor society for Career and Technical

Education (CTE), serving high schools, career centers, community & technical colleges, and universities. Recognizing over 60,000 new members annually, NTHS exists to advocate for and empower all students to pursue the technical and academic skills needed to build their careers and a skilled global workforce.

In partnership with student leadership organizations and industry partners, NTHS has awarded over $3 million in scholarships to remarkable CTE students.

Hi and Lois

Shoe

Zits

Family Circus

Beetle Baily

Blondie

Hägar the Horrible

Sara Abdullah

OMRF dinner raises $450,000 for MS

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation’s MS Advocate dinner has raised $450,000 to support care and research for multiple sclerosis at OMRF.

OMRF Directors Jim Morris and Burns Hargis announced the total Thursday night during the annual event, which was held at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. The Chickasaw Nation served as presenting sponsor.

During the dinner, OMRF President Andrew Weyrich, Ph.D., presented the MS Advocate Award to Dr. Robert and Nancy Ellis of Nichols Hills. The Ellises have been instrumental in supporting OMRF’s Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence since its opening more than a decade ago.

“In science, you need pioneering donors like the Ellises,” said Dr. Gabriel Pardo, the MS Center’s founding director. “Their generosity makes it possible to improve patient care and advance our understanding of MS.”

Robert Ellis, M.D., is a retired allergist whose support of OMRF dates to the foundation’s roots in the 1940s. With his stepfather, Ray Balyeat, M.D., he worked to raise funds for OMRF’s inaugural capital campaign.

In the years since, personal experience has strengthened the Ellises’ ties to OMRF.

“My daughter, Angela, was diagnosed with MS in the 1990s,” Nancy Ellis said. After struggling initially, she began seeing Pardo, and she’s been a patient at OMRF’s MS Center since it opened in 2011.

“Angela has done wonderfully ever since,” said Nancy Ellis. “Today you’d never know she has MS

unless she told you.”

The Ellises made a $1.1 million gift to OMRF in 2023, with a significant portion of the funds designated to the MS Center. “We wanted to do something to help Oklahoma and Oklahoma patients,” said Robert Ellis.

Also at the dinner, OMRF announced a $1.5 million gift for MS care and research from Gail and Rick Muncrief. The gift matches a $1.5 challenge grant made last year by the Stark Family Foundation.

The funds have enabled OMRF to recruit Yang Mao-Draayer, M.D., a physician-scientist who joined OMRF from the University of Michigan this year. Together with Pardo and Chelsea Berkley,

M.D., they lead a team at the MS Center that cares for thousands of patients living with MS in Oklahoma and surrounding states.

MS affects nearly 1 million Americans. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the insulating layer that protects nerves in the brain and spinal cord. The resulting inflammation can cause vision issues, muscle spasms, tremors and paralysis. In its most common form, the disease includes periods of remission and relapse.

“Our ability to treat MS has improved dramatically, thanks in no small part to new therapies,” Pardo said. “With our donors’ support, we can continue to deliver better patient outcomes and quality of life to people with MS.”