Edmond Life and Leisure - April 18, 2024

In This Issue

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.

North

Heard on Hurd preps for food, fun Saturday

13

FRIDAY, APRIL 19

Cloudy High 65° Low 50°

SATURDAY, APRIL 20

Rain High 55° Low 46°

SUNDAY, APRIL 21

Partly Cloudy High 63° Low 44°

Citizens Bank of Edmond is excited to continue the much-anticipated Heard on Hurd festivities on April 20th with an Earth Day theme featuring butterfly stilt walkers from Inspyral Circus, beehive demo and local honey from Sweet Stingers and Apiary, butterfly and pollinator gardening showcase and fresh flowers from The Wildflower Cottage, and much more! Additionally, Citizens is celebrating its 123rd birthday and will hand out butterfly shaped wildflower seed packets to celebrate its BirEARTH-Day.

Heard on Hurd is the largest and most vibrant monthly food truck and music festival in the nation. This event, which has become a cornerstone of Edmond’s cultural scene, occurs every third Saturday from March through October in downtown Edmond, Oklahoma from 6-10pm.

Earning its reputation as a must-attend event, Heard on Hurd features an impressive lineup of more than 60 food trucks and pop-up vendors, and showcases the talents of local musicians. The April 20th lineup of bands includes Cherry Laurel at 6pm, Easier at 7:20pm, and Chelsea Days at 8:40pm.

Citizens Bank of Edmond, the host of Heard on Hurd, has been a steadfast supporter of local, small businesses. With a commitment to fostering economic growth within the community, the bank has played a pivotal role in the event’s success. Heard on Hurd has not only contributed to the revitalization of downtown Edmond but has also generated an astonishing $65 million in economic impact for the city.

“This family-friendly festival has become synonymous with community, great food, and live entertainment.

We hope to revitalize this beloved event with monthly themes for all to enjoy, including carrying out those themes with participation from local businesses. We hope you’ll come out to celebrate local food, local musicians, and local businesses,” said Jennifer Wallis, Chief Impact Officer of Citizens Bank of Edmond.

To find out more about the event, follow Heard on Hurd on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the website at mycitizens.bank/heard-on-hurd.

PHOTO PROVIDED

The Edmond Police get some help from a young recruit.

journalism students honored. See Page

PHOTO BY MELINDA INFANTE

Mia and Peyton love the pizza at Heard on Hurd street food.

Edmond Arts Festival Nears

FiLE PHOTO/MELINDA INFANTE

The 46th annual Downtown Edmond Arts Festival will be here in a few short weeks. The event, sponsored by the Downtown Edmond Business Association, will be featured by our publication in the issues leading up to the festival, May 3-5

By Jennifer Thornton Edmond Tourism Director

I was thrilled when Ray asked if I would step in and write his column this week. Having moved to Edmond in 1994 after graduating college, I raised three children and have seen many changes.

When my father was transferred to Oklahoma City from Ohio, my parents chose Edmond for the same reasons many newcomers do - great schools and safety. I visited my family in Edmond while in college at OU - the green and white OU (Ohio University in Athens, Ohio) - and remember thinking, I am never going to live in Oklahoma! But Oklahoma’s bright sunshine, friendliness and cost of living won me over.

In college, I was active in an association called Women in Communication. They had a chapter in Oklahoma. I remember being nervous walking into a professional meeting when I was home during summer break. It was the first time I experienced the “Oklahoma Standard,” when they welcomed me and shared internship opportunities. I interned at the Oklahoma Blood Institute and was offered a job upon graduation. I was moving to Oklahoma after all!

In 1995, I experienced the “Oklahoma Standard” for the second time during the Murrah Federal Building bombing. After the shock at 9:01 a.m., my job was to write press releases about giving blood and stories about how blood donations save lives. I saw lines of people stretching for blocks because they wanted to do something to help. Oklahoma Blood Institute had the difficult task of asking donors not to give blood when first responders stopped finding survivors. Oklahomans did not steal from vulnerable businesses, crime stopped, we gave every item that was requested and drove with our headlights on until every person was found. The bombing is forever etched in my heart, and I have felt like a proud Oklahoman ever since.

For the next 20 years, I worked at United Way of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Chamber and Staplegun Advertising. These jobs kept me busy in Oklahoma City even though I lived in Edmond. I look back now and realize I did not enjoy my hometown. We attended Edmond school functions, but for dining and fun we headed to OKC.

The opportunity to serve as Edmond’s tourism director in 2019 changed my ways. Working and living in Edmond helped me care for aging parents and be an accessible parent. I found countless ways to shop, dine and play. Visit Edmond is your tourism department. We have four employees, are a department of the City of Edmond and office at the Edmond Conference Center. Tourism is funded by a 4% lodging tax that went into effect in 1994 – it’s been the same since inception 30 years ago. Visit Edmond uses these tax dollars to:

• promote Edmond as a destination

• award sponsorships to events with overnight stays

• attract, retain and sustain conferences and events.

I see the “Edmond Standard” shine as we welcome visitors. The Edmond Conference Center opened in 2018 and has been a game-changer

for hosting large events, associations and regional conferences. With 20,178 square feet of meeting space and 11 meeting rooms, it averages 500 events a year with 36,000 guests. Edmond Conference Center revenue increased 15% over last year. The perks include charging spots for electric vehicles, delicious food and audio-visual included in rental costs. Events return to Edmond year after year because of this hospitality!

Visitors have the many choices when they spend the night in Edmond. Did you know we have 13 hotels, one bed & breakfast and more than 150 vacation homes? Visit Edmond sends a WEEKENDER email describing timely events and festivals so front desks and hosts can tell guests how to enjoy Edmond during their stay. This helps complete the economic impact circle: Visitors stay in Edmond and shop and dine while they are here. This contributes to sales tax dollars, which are used to improve citizens quality of life. Visitors spend an average of $65 every night they stay.

I had the pleasure of being part of the team that created VIBES-Edmond’s First Thursdays (April-October). Art and music lovers put their heads together and found a way to put a spin on the traditional “art walk.” In it’s third year, VIBES showcases performing and visual artists on 14 blocks of downtown Edmond. Festivals like VIBES, Heard on Hurd, the Arts Festival, LibertyFest and Luminance make Edmond a fun and vibrant community.

Visitors love the public art program that started more than 20 years ago with matching funds from Edmond Visual Arts Commission. From murals to bronze statues to interactive pieces, we have more than 300 across the city. Take your family and friends by the “I’m Grateful” chalkboard to write something special and commemorate an occasion by attaching a lock to the “Key to my Heart” L-O-V-E words. My 14year-old son, Gabe, and I walk by and look at our lock when we eat at the Railyard Food Hall. The economic impact of sports is growing in Edmond. Visit Edmond participated in a sports assessment with Victus Sports Facilities. They helped us prioritize needs and funding to attract more tournaments. I see the momentum! Some examples: Edmond Center Court won the U.S. Tennis Association’s Facility of the Year in 2022.

The newly renovated KickingBird Golf is considered the best municipal course in the region. At Hafer Park, construction will start this summer to add turf to the AC Caplinger baseball fields. The city-owned soccer complex on Danforth has been upgraded with amenities like shade and restrooms for Edmond Soccer Club teams and supporters. Oak Tree National will host the U.S. Senior Open golf tournament in 2027.

Have you been to a rodeo at the Lazy E Arena lately? Although not located in Edmond, Lazy E hosts cowboys of all ages and they sleep, dine and play in Edmond during rodeo competitions. For example, the National Little Britches Rodeo Association is a youth rodeo organization for kids ages 5-18. Each year, contestants compete for hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of awards and college scholarships. This weeklong competition is the largest youth rodeo event under one roof in the world and has been held each year at the Lazy E Arena since 2016. This rodeo alone attracts 6,000 visitors and has an economic impact of $17,231,136 in Edmond. Lazy E Arena is the youth rodeo capitol of the world!

I hope I’ve shown you how greeting visitors with our “Edmond Standard” improves the quality of life for Edmonites. I urge you to be an ambassador for your hometown. This can be as easy as a welcoming smile and inviting your family and friends to Edmond. If you are associated with a professional organization, suggest Edmond for their next conference. Visit Edmond is here to help! Sign up for a monthly email newsletter for the latest events and news at https://visitedmondok.com/newsletter and follow @visitedmond.

“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

The quest for work-life balance in modern world

By Jaira Draper, M.A., LPC-C Edmond Family Counseling

In an era where the boundaries between work and personal life blur more each day, the quest for work-life balance has become a central theme in the lives of millions. With the advent of remote work and the everpresent lure of digital connectivity, professionals find themselves navigating the tricky waters of always being "on" without drifting into the depths of burnout.

The concept of work-life balance is not new, but its relevance has skyrocketed in recent years. As we advance into 2024, individuals and corporations alike are increasingly recognizing that the key to productivity and happiness lies not in working longer hours but in working smarter and carving out essential time for rest, recreation, and personal relationships.

A recent study by the Global Wellness Institute highlights a pivotal shift in workplace dynamics, with companies now prioritizing the mental and physical well-being of their employees. Google, for instance, has been at the forefront, offering workshops on mindfulness and stress management, while smaller startups have embraced flexible schedules and unlimited vacation policies to attract and retain top talent.

However, achieving a healthy work-life balance is not solely the responsibility of employers. It demands a conscious effort from employees to set boundaries and recognize the signs of burnout. Here are some things you can do to prioritize a healthy work-life balance:

Set Clear Boundaries: Define your work hours and stick to them. Avoid working outside these hours to ensure you have time for personal activities and rest.

Prioritize Tasks: Identify what tasks are most important and focus on completing those first. This can help reduce stress and prevent work from spilling into personal time.

Take Regular Breaks: Take short breaks throughout the day can boost productivity and prevent burnout.

Practice Self-care: Regularly engage in activities that promote physical and mental well-being, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies.

Seek Support: Communicate with your employer about your need for balance. They may offer flexible working arrangements or other support.

The digital nomad trend further ex-

emplifies the evolving definitions of work-life balance. Professionals around the world are ditching the traditional 9-to-5 grind for a lifestyle that allows them to work from anywhere, be it a beach in Bali or a café in Paris. This shift towards remote work, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has shown that many jobs can be performed just as effectively, if not more so, outside the conventional office setting.

Dr. Lisa Fields, a renowned psychologist specializing in occupational stress, advises, "It's crucial to delineate clear boundaries between work and personal time. This might mean shutting off work emails after a certain hour or dedicating specific times for family and self-care." Yet, the journey to a balanced life is not without its challenges. The pressure to be constantly available and the temptation to overwork remain pervasive issues. Moreover, the stigma around mental health and the fear of appearing uncommitted can deter individuals from seeking the flexibility they need.

As society continues to grapple with these challenges, the dialogue around work-life balance is more important than ever. It's a reminder that in the relentless pursuit of success, one must not lose sight of what truly matters, health, happiness, and the cherished moments with loved ones.

In conclusion, the path to achieving work-life balance is both a personal and collective endeavor. It requires introspection, boldness in advocating for one's needs, and a cultural shift towards valuing well-being as much as we do success. As we move forward, let's redefine what it means to be successful by embracing the beauty of balance in our lives.

Jaira Draper, M.A., LPC-C is a staff therapist at Edmond Family Counseling. Edmond Family Counseling is a non-profit organization. We may be reached at 405-341-3554 to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed professional counselors. Donations may be made to Edmond Family Counseling, 1251 N. Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034, or online @ www.edmondfamily.org by clicking the YELLOW DONATE button. Follow us on our Facebook Page @ Edmond Family Counseling for additional information regarding mental health awareness.

Jaira

Visit Edmond Staff, from left, are Terry Lanham, Jennifer Thornton, Miranda Petre and Jodi Fetrow welcome visitors year-round.

Staff

(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 1

Constance Marie Thompson, 57 of Oklahoma City. Possess CDS.

David Eugene Oday, 51 of Edmond. Non-assault resisting an officer and public intoxication.

April 2

Michelle Lynn Allen, 45 of Guthrie. Trafficking in illegal drugs, possess drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor warrant and possess CDS.

Andrew Keith Palmer, 39 of Oklahoma City. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

Matthew James Branch, 32 of Oklahoma City. Murder in the first degree, arson in the third degree and arson in the first degree.

Dakota Gene Kappus, 28 of El Reno. Shoplifting and trespassing after being warned.

Miquel Angel Tejada Vega, 30 of Edmond. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked and reckless driving (+25 mph over the limit.)

Timothy Martin Saathoff, 62 homeless. Non-assault resisting an officer and trespassing after being warned.

April 3

Daniel Patrick LeBlanc, 59 of Edmond. Operate

(DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

Brandon Kyle Williams, 36 of Guthrie. Failure to stop — accidents involving damage to vehicle and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

April 4

Robert Staley Thompson III, 29 of Edmond. Failure to appear.

Gregory Steed Ferguson, 44 of Edmond. Felony warrant.

Myron Dejuan Dan, 37 of Oklahoma City. Possess CDS, driving with license canceled, suspended or revoked, transport open container of intoxicating beverage or beer and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

Tylin Nicole Knight, 20 of Edmond, Domestic abuse assault (dangerous weapon).

April 5

Alan Lavon Terry, 57 of Whiteland, Ind. Present false ID for purpose of committing felony, misleading officer, avoid prosecution and (felony) larceny of merchandise from retailer.

Charles Lamont Walton, 43 of Oklahoma City. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Timothy Fay Francis, 60 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol,

Daniel Homer Dye, 72 of Houston. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

April 6 Colette Marie Forney, 28 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication.

Bailea Madison Fuksa, 23 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Leo Stanton McComsey, 23 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication.

Peter Richard Johnson IV, 39 homeless. Possess drug paraphernalia and possess CDS.

Will Hudson Guinn, 30 of Edmond. Domestic abuse assault (strangulation)

Devon Rex Baggett, 33 of Garber, Possess CDS, possess drug paraphernalia, larceny from building and a misdemeanor warrant.

Donald Charles James, 37 homeless. Felony warrant.

Lowella Jean Rhodd, 35 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication.

April 7

James Lovell Holt, 34 of Edmond.m Burglary in the second degree and obstruction of police officer.

William Albert Fisher, 70 homeless. Trespassing after being warned.

Jimmy Drake James, 33 of Oklahoma City, Public intoxication.

Anh Tuan Tran, 48 of Houston. Possess with intent to distribute.

Khac Phan, 51 of Pueblo, Colo. Felony warrant and obstruction of police officer.

Lee Chester Flowers, 47 of Midwest City. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of anything other than alcohol.

Weekend Calendar of Events, April 18-21

Weekend Calendar of Events

April 18-21

---- In the Gallery

---- Kingdom of David and Solomon

Discovered

---- Outdoor Edmond Farmer’s Market

---- Edmond Jr Rodeo

---- Heard on Hurd

---- Live Music at Frenzy

---- Best of Books Story Time

---- Ryan Bingham

---- Kip Moore

---- National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Events

---- The Pollard Theatre presents: Monty Python’s “Spamlot”

---- Carpenter Square Theatre presents: Fireflies

---- 89er Days Celebration

---- The Truck Gathering

---- Oklahoma Railway Museum Train Rides

---- Shen Yun 2024

Extra Information

In the Gallery

Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute

Extra Info: Featuring James Coplin; 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

Edmond Jr. Rodeo

Location: Edmond Round Up Club –Carl Benne Arena

Extra Info: Fri, Apr 19 – Sat, Apr 20; Adults: $5 & 18 and younger: $1; Fri & Sat: 7 p.m.; Sat: 4 p.m.; edmondroundupclub.com

Heard on Hurd

Location: Downtown Edmond

Extra Info: Sat, Apr 20; Free; 6 – 10 p.m.; mycitizens.bank

Live Music at Frenzy

Location: Frenzy Brewing Company

Extra Info: Fri, Apr 19: Robert Allen @ 7:30 p.m.; Sat, Apr 20: Steve Brann @ 8:30 p.m.; Free; frenzybrewing.com

Best of Books Story Time

Location: Best of Books

Extra Info: Sat, Apr 20; Makenzi Fox

reads her book “The Day Cara Cut

Her Bangs”; 11 a.m.; Free; bestofbooksok.com

Ryan Bingham

Location: Riverwind Casino, Showplace Theatre

Extra Info: Fri, Apr 19; 8 p.m.; riverwind.com

Kip Moore

Location: Riverwind Casino, Showplace Theatre

Extra Info: Sat, Apr 20; 8 p.m.; riverwind.com

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Events

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Thu, Apr 18 – Sun, Apr 21: Choose Your Adventure!; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Fri, Apr 19; Late Night at the Museum: Into the Atherton Vault; 6 – 10 p.m.; Sat, Apr 20 –Sun, Apr 21: Signature Tour @ 1 – 2 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

The Pollard Theatre presents: Monty Python’s “Spamalot”

Location: The Pollard Theatre

Extra Info: Fri, Apr 5 – Sat, Apr 27; Fri & Sat: 8 p.m.; Apr 14 & 21: 2 p.m.; Apr 18 & 25: 8 p.m.; thepollard.org

Carpenter Square Theatre presents: Fireflies

Location: Carpenter Square Theatre, OKC

Extra Info: Fri, Apr 5 – Sat, Apr 27; Thu: 7:30 p.m.; Fri & Sat: 8 p.m.; Sun: 2 p.m.; carpentersquare.com

89er Days Celebration

Location: Downtown Guthrie

Extra Info: Tue, Apr 16 – Sat, Apr 20; 89erdays.com

The Truck Gathering

Location: 308-309 N 5th St, Guthrie

Extra Info: Fri, Apr 19 – Sat, Apr 20; Fri: 12 – 5 p.m.;

UCO graduate student Brooke Stoutjesdyk has been working on a team of researchers to study the effects of dandelion seed extract on cervical cancer cells. Pictured, Melville Vaughan, Ph.D., professor of biology with UCO and Stoutjesdyk at the 2024 Oklahoma Research Day with her poster presentation.

Dandelions to treat cancer?

When most people look at dandelions, they see a nuisance — a weed that can easily take over the yard. When researchers at the University of Central Oklahoma look at dandelions, they see a potential cure for cancer.

This research began in 2019, when Melville Vaughan, Ph.D., professor of biology with UCO, and Christina Hendrickson, Ph.D., a former UCO professor, started exploring the effects of dandelion seed extract on cervical cancer cells compared to healthy cells. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 11,500 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. each year and approximately 4,000 women die of this cancer.

Over the course of the research, UCO undergraduate and graduate students have had the opportunity to work side-by-side with the professors, including Brooke Stoutjesdyk, a UCO graduate student from Greenville, Michigan. She has been working on the project for more than two years and presented the team's latest findings at the recent Oklahoma Research Day held on UCO’s campus.

Stoutjesdyk originally came to UCO for the graduate forensic science program. But when she spoke with Hendrickson about the study, she knew she wanted to pursue a new area of study.

For a while, Stoutjesdyk was the

only graduate student on the team. This meant she got to be part of all aspects of the research as she helped to oversee the work of undergraduate students. As time went on, her focus on the project narrowed to picking a few specific genes that were affected by the treatment and describing what was happening on a more focused scale to get a better picture of why the cancerous cells were dying, which is what she presented at this year’s event.

“I love telling people what we do because it sounds crazy or sounds like we are just playing with flowers, but we are actually making strides in cancer with a weed.” Stoutjesdyk said.

Stoutjesdyk, who will graduate this May, has translated her work on cancer research at UCO into a position with Exact Sciences in Madison, Wisconsin, in their cancer lab, where she works with cancer patients to determine treatment.

“Dandelions grow in everyone's yard. It’s been really fun to get to share that, and Oklahoma Research Day is a great way to get to do that in a bite-sized format,” Stoutjesdyk said.

“Getting the opportunity to present our work was really rewarding.”

For more information about the UCO Department of Biology, including research, visit www.uco.edu/cms/academics/biology/.

Edmond Mobile Meals marks golden milestone

Edmond Mobile Meals is proud to announce its 50th anniversary of serving the Edmond community this month.

Established in 1974, Edmond Mobile Meals delivered its first six meals on April 22. Seven local churches donated $25 each and provided volunteer support to help the program get started. Since that first day, the nonprofit organization has delivered over 1.2 million meals to the homebound elderly and disabled residents in Edmond. Today, Edmond Mobile Meals delivers an average of 275 meals each weekday, 120 weekend meals, and an average of 50 meals for the Edmond Senior Center’s congregate lunch. Over 400 dedicated volunteers assist in preparing and packaging meals each weekday and delivering meals across 100 square miles of Edmond. A program record of over 73,000 meals were delivered last year.

Edmond Mobile Meals is the only organization that provides daily nourishing meals and wellness checks to the homebound residents of the community.

The organization provides these services regardless of an individual’s ability to pay for the service. Clients are accepted into the program based only on need.

“Our primary mission is to make sure that no senior in Edmond ever goes hungry or feels forgotten,” said Executive Director, Cristi Twenter. To prepare for the anticipated increase in need for home-delivered meals for seniors, the organization in partnership with the City of Edmond is in the midst of an infrastructure expansion that will result in triple the capacity of meals that can be prepared each day. Twenter continues, “The aging population is surging and will double in the next decade. We are determined to make sure Edmond Mobile Meals is ready to meet the

needs of Edmond’s seniors now and in the future.”

“We provide more than just a meal,” Twenter says. “The friendly volunteers who deliver our meals may be the only human contact some clients have each day. We know that social isolation and loneliness are extremely detrimental for homebound individuals. Real friendships are developed between our volunteers and clients. These relationships have a dramatically positive impact on our clients’ health and allows them to remain living independently in their own homes for as long as possible.”

In honor of this milestone anniversary, Edmond Mobile Meals asks for support of their endowment fund held at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. Any gift made to this campaign will receive permanent recognition on a Legacy Wall that will be featured in the organization’s renovated building. Twenter says, “When you donate to our endowment fund, you are giving a gift to our future. Your contribution today will give back to Edmond’s most vulnerable residents forever. It is a wonderful opportunity to honor loved ones, current or former clients, or volunteers.” To donate in celebration Edmond Mobile Meals 50th Anniversary, visit www.edmondmobilemeals.org/donate, or mail a check payable to the Oklahoma City Community Foundation with “fbo Edmond Mobile Meals” on the memo line. The address is 1000 N. Broadway Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.

Planned gifts can also be made to the Edmond Mobile Meals endowment fund. Commonly, these are donated through a will or trust. For more information about planned giving to Edmond Mobile Meals, please contact Cristi Twenter at cristi@edmondmobilemeals.org.

Christin Mugg making a delivery.

Common challenges faced by caregivers

Many people serve as caregivers to help a loved one manage an illness or injury. The senior housing resource A Place for Mom says, between 2015 and 2020, the number of unpaid caregivers increased from 43.5 million to more than 53 million. Many caregivers assist seniors, but some also help younger adults with physical or mental disabilities.

Caregiving can be time-consuming on both a daily and yearly basis. The average length of time caregivers provide unpaid care is 4.5 years. As life expectancies increase, the number of caregivers is likely to grow. As more people take on caregiving duties, the challenges those individuals may confront have drawn more attention.

• Emotional and physical stress: American Senior Communities reports that 22 percent of caregivers say their personal health suffered upon taking on a caregiver role. Emotional stress has been particularly prevalent among people caring for someone with dementia.

• Conflict about care: Unpaid caregivers often juggle caregiving duties with the responsibilities of their own lives. Sometimes there is not an equitable division of time and one person or another may feel overburdened by caregiving tasks, resulting in disagreements with others.

• Increased depression and psychological distress: Research conducted by Maastricht University in 2018 revealed unpaid caregiving for 20 hours or more each week can result in impaired self-care for the caregiver. That may lead to feelings of depression or additional mental health issues.

• Financial stress: Providing unpaid care requires some to leave a full- or part-time job to provide assistance to a loved one. That results in lost wages that can adversely affect caregivers’ financial security. Furthermore, there may be expenses directly related to caregiving that caregivers pay from their own savings. According to AARP, 22 percent of caregivers report using all of their short-term savings, while 13 percent say they went through all of their long-term savings while taking care of elderly parents at home.

• Isolation and/or lack of privacy: Caregivers may not be able to get out as much to engage in recreational or even typical family activities. In addition, some caregivers report that caring for a loved one in a small space means boundaries are broken and it’s hard to enjoy any semblance of privacy.

• Physical demands: Caregivers can injure themselves or face physical

strain when tasked with caring for someone with mobility issues. Lifting or helping someone move from beds, chairs or wheelchairs can strain various areas of the body.

• Time management: Balancing caregiving with other responsibilities can make it feel like there are not enough hours in a day. Caregivers also often decline invitations or miss out on gatherings because they cannot manage time to make it to

events when the needs of the person in their care must take priority. Job loss also may occur when caregivers must be away from work to go to appointments or help in a caregiving setting.

Caregivers often devote many hours to helping loved ones. Various challenges that can be emotionally, physically and financially taxing can arise in these situations

By Metro News

Many demands are placed on caregivers.

What’s up with politics?

By Steve Gust Sometimes

I wonder why anyone wants to get involved in politics.

It just seems like a brutal field.

In The Oklahoman Sunday, some guest columnist was praising former U.S. representative Liz Cheney because she is an anti-Trumper. He seemed to say he was a bit surprised she was defeated in her re-election bid a few years ago. I’m not.

understand why the GOP wants Homeland Security director Alejandro Mayorkas impeached. Schumer doesn’t see any reason to try to remove the guy from office. He seems to forget that Mayorkas has allowed millions of unscreened immigrants into this nation.

It most likely has put our whole nation at risk. Mayorkas, and maybe even Biden, should held accountable for this security breach.

State crackdown looms for illegals?

The people of Wyoming correctly concluded she wasn’t reflecting their values. Plus she served on the Jan. 6 committee.

I’d be leery of any committee Nancy Pelosi wanted me on.

Having said all that, Liz stuck to her convictions and didn’t waver. In a way, I admire someone who will say what they think even though I disagree with her and it’s most likely political suicide.

These days people just choose a political team and that’s it. It’s like Chuck Schummer – the uber liberal New York U. S. senator. He doesn’t

The invasion violates immigration law. The liberals will scream at the top of their lungs about nobody being above the law. That applies allegedly to Donald Trump, but not millions of people who violate the law at the border.

Now our state officials will consider measures to stem the flow of illegal immigration in Oklahoma.

They will be heavily criticized and the Biden people will go to court to stop them. Why would the feds do that? They will be targeted because Gov. Stitt and the state legislature wants the law to be obeyed.

These are odd and nutty times in the world of politics.

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

Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, and Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, today announced the substance of what will be included in jointly agreed to legislation aimed at addressing the illegal immigration crisis here in Oklahoma. The legislation, which will be filed next week, creates the crime of impermissible occupation. Details include:

A person commits an impermissible occupation if the person willfully and without permission enters and remains in the State of Oklahoma without having first obtained legal authorization to enter the United States.

Penalties for violating the new law will be:

First offense – Misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for a term of not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than $500, or both, required to leave the state within 72 hours from the date and time specified on the written order and prohibited from reentering the state at any time thereafter.

Second or subsequent offense – Felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Dept. of Corrections for a term of not more than two years, or by a fine of not more than $1,000, or both, required to leave the state within 72 hours from the date and time specified on the written order and prohibited from reentering the state at any time thereafter.

Additionally, the legislation includes a preemption clause prohibiting municipalities from becoming 'sanctuary cities.'

"This is common sense legislation that supports Oklahoma's right to legally defend our state's borders from those in our country illegally," said McCall. "I will not allow Oklahoma to become another border state, or be inundated with the issues that are being seen in states like New York and California. Oklahoma citizens should not be footing the bill for those illegally in our country, and this legislation will make Oklahoma the least attractive state in the nation for illegal immigrants to come to. It is my hope that this common sense protection for our state's border will pass the House and Senate quickly so we can get it signed by the Governor."

“Legal immigration provides endless opportunities for individuals to come to our country and prosper,” said Treat. “There is a clear pathway to citizenship, and we should know who we are allowing to come here legally. With the influx of illegal immigration, we are seeing a scourge of violent gang members coming in who are bringing deadly drugs like fentanyl across the border and into Oklahoma. After extensive discussions with law enforcement officials, our congressional delegation and many others, this legislation is absolutely necessary to keep Oklahomans safe, while upholding the rule of law in our country.”

The legislation includes a preemption clause prohibiting municipalities from becoming 'sanctuary cities.'

Lankford: Border crisis needs action now

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) spoke on the Senate floor today to discuss the real national security risk at our US-Mexico Border as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to identify Special Interest Aliens (SIA) but cannot provide a number on how many SIAs are in the US. SIAs, as defined by DHS, “are a non-US person who, based on an analysis of travel patterns, potentially poses a national security right to the United States or its interests.” Lankford provided immediate actions that President Biden could take now to secure the border including reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy.

Special Interest Aliens, including a whole lot of work on the other side of the border to try to prevent them from coming in the first place, and I know there are instances where we are contacted, but I’m not sure that as I sit here right now I can tell you that we’re contacted in every instance.”

Transcript

In March, Lankford pressed FBI Director Christopher Wray during an unclassified, open Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on the ongoing national security crisis at the southern border. In response to Lankford’s question on SIAs, Director Wray stated, “I know that we work closely with DHS, especially CBP, on the issue of

This week we're scheduled to begin a trial of the Secretary of Homeland Security. [It] [d]oesn't begin a conversation about homeland security in our country. That conversation started years ago now. The American people are incredibly frustrated with what they're seeing on the southern border, and they keep saying it over and over again. Remarkably so in a nation where inflation continues to be stubbornly high, where it's harder and harder to afford a carton of eggs, gasoline, all the basics of life, in all the areas you would think the economy would be the number one issue in the nation, actually national security and border security ends up being number one, regardless of what state you live in. This is no longer a border-state issue. Americans feel this is a problem. Well, they should.

In the past three years, more people illegally crossed our southern border than the previous 12 years combined, and it's not close, the number. We're approaching eight million people that have illegally crossed our southern border just in the last three years. Cities feel it. Americans feel it. School districts feel it. Communities feel it. Homeless shelters feel it. It continues to spiral into our country. This is not some accident of migration, as the Administration tries to say over and over again, that there's global migration happening everywhere. This was a series of Executive Orders done in 2021 that were intentionally designed to change what's happening at our southern border, and they certainly have. Decisions were made in 2021 by the Biden Administration to be able to shift multiple things, starting with loosening enforcement.

Day one of the Biden Administration, stop any construction of the wall and announce it publicly that we're no longer doing wall construction, not even repair.

Step two, dramatically loosen the actual enforcement so fewer people would be deported when they came, so if you cross the border illegally, it's much greater likelihood that once you get across you will not be deported.

Third, they change the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy. That simple policy to say yes, you can request asylum, but you can't just be released in the country. They shifted it from remain at the border, or Mexico, rather than being in detention you could be released anywhere in the country on your own recognizance and to go anywhere you want. That dramatically increased the number of people crossing. They also shifted where the State Department is no longer negotiating deals in Central America, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, to stop migrants moving through that direction, they have withdrawn those agreements, and the State Department stopped putting pressure on recalcitrant countries that would not take their people back. These were intentional actions.

Steve Gust

Lankford

Two state attractions in one day

By Elaine Warner

Sometimes my trips are like a double-header – all in one ballpark, but very different games. I had a day like that recently –in northwest Oklahoma.

I started the day near Kremlin –about 13 miles north of Enid. I was visiting the studio of Harold Holden, the well-known Oklahoma sculptor/painter who passed away in December. His wife Edna Mae was holding an open house for guests to see his last work, a larger-than life sculpture of Frank Eaton, better known as OSU’s mascot Pistol Pete. Eaton was Holden’s long-time idol. As a little boy, he had met the old lawman, sat on his lap, even held his six-shooter. Holden had long dreamed of doing a sculpture of his hero – but other commissions always seemed to get in the way.

With more than two dozen Holden sculptures scattered around the state, you’re sure to have seen at least one of them. Among his works are the large bison, “Monarch at Rest,” in front of the Oklahoma History Center, “Will Rogers, Oklahoma’s Native Son” at Will Rogers World Airport, “Headin’ to Market” at the Stockyards and “Thank You, Lord” at the Nazih Zudhi Transplant Institute at Integris Baptist Medical Center.

The last mentioned statue was created by Holden in gratitude for the team at the hospital which took him from the brink of dying to extending his life 13 years. Twenty-ten was the year he received a lung transplant.

As his health was failing again, Holden worked to complete the Eaton sculpture. Realizing he might not complete the work, he consulted with sculptors John Rule and Mike Larsen, leaving notes on how it should be finished.

The infrastructure of the piece was done and he was applying the clay which would bring details to the sculpture. After his death, Rule and Larsen completed the clay work and disassembled the monumental work for its trip to the mold-makers and, ultimately, the foundry for casting.

The plinth for the statue is in place in Stillwater on the southwest corner of Duck and McElroy. It stands empty waiting for the official installation of Holden’s ultimate work and tribute to everyone’s favorite cowboy.

Leaving the studio before lunch, it just made sense to stop in Enid. Callahan’s Pub and Grille was recommended – and I can second that now. By the name, you’d expect some Irish dishes – and you’ll find some – sort of. The beer-battered fish and chips are excellent. Several of the dishes have U.K. references –and the sides menu includes mushy peas. Other choices range from very American burgers to tikka masala and Flemish stew. So it’s international –American style -- with a fun vibe. My last stop for the day was the Railroad Museum of Oklahoma. When I first visited the museum in 1992, the organization consisted of the 1920s-vintage Santa Fe freight office and out-of-doors rolling stock. Now the museum is much larger and so are the collections

The museum houses a major display of railroad china. Back in the day, dining cars featured white tablecloths and gentile service. Each line

had its own china. The Enid collection comprises around 200 different patterns including the famous California Poppy used on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe line. There’s even a setting from the exotic Orient Express.

Collections range from tiny items like overall buttons to a massive locomotive. Look closely and you’ll learn odd facts, i.e., each railroad conductor had his own unique ticket punch, holes looking like everything from stars to animals. These punches were often passed down generation to generation in railroading families.

In one corner of the main room is the original station agent’s desk complete with telegraphic relay sounder and key. In another area is a display about hobos. Contrary to popular belief, hobos weren’t bums but usually men moving place to place to look for work. A card here describes symbols hobos left for one another. A drawing of a cat meant “kind lady lives here,” while a horizontal eight meant “Police here frown on hoboes.”

A short hall leads to a larger room with a wide variety of exhibits –everything from lanterns and tools to a railcar scale which weighed cars up to 300,000 pounds. Another exhibit in this area was a model railroad layout of the Campbell Brothers Circus. Founded in Illinois 1885, at its peak it traveled in 40 rail cars and was billed as the second-largest circus in the country. The show went bankrupt in 1913 and was subsequently purchased by other members of the family who moved the headquarters to the family farm near Enid. The show continued for seven more years.

Outside is where you’ll see the real deal – actual train cars – nine cabooses, eight box cars, two flat cars, two tank cars, one steam engine , one diesel locomotive and one passenger car. FYI: cabooses are no longer used on trains. The last ones were retired in 1984.

The passenger car was built in 1954 as a hospital car for the Army; however it was never used. Amtrak turned it into a lounge car with a dance floor in the middle. The massive steam locomotive was built in 1925 and belonged to the St. LouisSan Francisco Railway (Frisco). A ramp makes it possible to climb up into the cab where the engineer and the fireman worked.

After tramping around the tracks, we went back inside a large building – once a storage facility for Enid’s Gold Spot Dairy. I have no idea how many feet of model railroad track –or how many cars – are in this building. This is a model railroader’s Eden. It’s the never-ending project of the Cherokee Strip Model Railroad Association and a most impressive labor of love.

This was my favorite part of the whole museum. The work that has gone into the landscaping and engineering of these tiny worlds is more than impressive – and a lot of fun to watch.

Enid’s always a good day trip for its large collection of murals and public art, for the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center and Humphrey Heritage Village, for Leonardo’s Children’s Museum and the largest community-built outdoor playground, and Simpson’s Old Time Museum. But whatever you do, don’t miss the Railroad Museum of Oklahoma.

Elaine

The photo of Pistol Pete Eaton is one of several Harold Holden had in his studio. In the foreground is a small casting of Holden’s ‘The Drover.’

Docent Jason Reimer gives scale to the size of one of the wheels on steam locomotive 1519.

California Poppy china was used on the Santa Fe line between 1892 and 1970. Authentic pieces are popular with collectors.

The Railroad Museum of Oklahoma houses several rooms of model train layouts.

Photograph left

Congratulations Huskies

National awards for North Broadcast students

Earlier this month (April 4th to 7th) 12 students from Edmond North High School’s broadcast program, Husky Network, traveled to the National High School Journalism Convention in Kansas City, Mo. This event is put on by both the Journalism Education Association and the National Student Press Association. While at the convention, students heard a keynote address from National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson, attended breakout learning sessions, and competed in contests for both in-person events and pre-submitted works produced throughout the year. Many students had great success in their categories including the following:

JEA’s National Student Media Contests

Broadcast Package

Superior

Aaron Blosser & Isabel Hayes

Literary Magazine: Photography

Excellent

Gavin Edmoundson

Broadcast Newswriting

Honorable Mention

Keely Crawford

NSPA Best of Show Staff Recognition

Broadcast News Program

3rd Place (North Report | March 14, 2024)

Husky Network Staff

NSPA Best of Show Individual Recognition

Broadcast News Story

2nd Place (Oklahoma Book Bans)

Keely Crawford & Abigail Jones

Broadcast Feature Story

3rd Place (The Pawprint Feature Story)

Keely Crawford, Abigail Jones, & Ethan Pourtorkan

Broadcast Feature Story

6th Place (Coach Ryann Gerdes Coach Spotlight)

Aaron Blosser

Broadcast Feature Story

7th Place (Bella Williams Student Spotlight)

Megan Janzen

Broadcast Feature Story

10th Place (Inara Ukawuba Student Spotlight)

Abigail Jones & Mia Lewallen

Reporting: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

5th Place (Stepping Into the Spotlight)

Abigail Jones

“I was so nervous after not hearing our names in the announcement of Honorable Mention and Excellent winners. When I heard my name being called as Superior, I was in so much shock that I barely even remember what happened afterwards” said ENHS senior Isabel Hayes. This was the group’s first time attending the convention and participating in these competitions. Husky Network Advisor Ben Campbell had this to say, “these students have all worked incredibly hard for years to create a culture that got us here and I couldn’t be more proud. Seeing their hard work pay off brought tears to my eyes every time I heard a name called. It’s my hope that this success will help more aspiring journalists in Oklahoma believe they too can be one of the best in the country.” The group is encouraged by their success in representing Oklahoma at the national level and look forward to hopefully returning again next year.

All of the award winning works and more can be seen on the Husky Network YouTube channel.

Edmond North broadcast students win national journalism awards

Back row, from left, Chase Stewart, Cadon Rieger, Camren Jones, Isabel Hayes, Riley Witte, Aaron Blosser and Benjamin Campbell (advisor) On the front row are Megan Janzen, Abigail Jones, Ethan Pourtorkan, Gavin Edmoundson and Madison Townsend. North students from left, are, Gavin Edmoundson, Megan Janzen, Abigail Jones, Ethan Pourtorkan, Isabel Hayes and Aaron Blosser.

By George Gust “Civil War”

is the latest film from writer/director Alex Garland (“Ex Machina” “Annihilation”). The film follows a team of military-embedded journalists as they journey across a dystopian future America. They must race against time to reach Washington DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House.

On its face, you would think that “Civil War” is poised to be a divisive movie that is looking to push 2024’s political hot buttons by an art house style director from the art house production company A24.

However, Garland’s take on “Civil War” is more geared toward the humanity that endures in the face of horrific scenes of war and violence through the lens of journalism.

Our group of battle-test world weary journalists lead by Kirsten Dunst has seen it all, but their jaded view of war and the importance of journalism is thrown into upheaval as the war zone comes home and they’re no longer able to put the distance between “us” and “them”. Dunst is fantastic in the role as she starts as the cold and detached journalist and throughout her arc has a sting of

Answers on Page 19

empathy and call towards getting back in touch with her humanity and stirring emotion.

At its heart, “Civil War” is a road trip movie with the trappings of an alternate history United States.

The movie is broken down to a series of tense vignettes showing the range of realistic outcomes of this kind of large-scale conflict. Jessie Plemmons in a supporting role is the epitome of the kind of tension Garland is aiming to create, bringing the unpredictable yet familiar menace to the role. Garland does a phenomenal job of creating and sus-

taining tension through the cinematography and especially the sound design, as you sit in the theater with the massive speakers surrounding, the gunfire throughout the film registers in an affecting and terrifying way.

Overall, “Civil War” is a different kind of war movie from what you might expect. Garland has taken away the romanticism of war and shown the muddy and horrifying realities of the kind of unrest that comes from conflict.

“Civil War” is an effective and thrilling movie, that mostly glosses over the reasons behind why we ended up in a Civil War to tell a character driven story.

If you were expecting a large-scale alternate history/future war film you might be disappointed, but “Civil War” feels like the successful version of the kind of story Garland set out to tell.

“Civil War” is rated R for strong violent content, bloody/disturbing images and language throughout.

3.8 out of 5 stars

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

Classic Cancer run on April 20

Registration is open for the 15th annual PC Cancer Classic 5K race and fun run/walk to benefit cancer research at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.

Event details:

When: 9 a.m. Saturday, April 20

Where: Eldon Lyon Park, 7400 NW 36th Street in Bethany

Cost: $30 for 5K, $20 for fun run/walk

Participants in either event will receive a short-sleeve T-shirt with run logo while supplies last. First-place male and female runners in the 5K will receive a gift card. Awards will be presented at 9:50 a.m.

Students, parents and teachers in the Putnam City district have raised nearly $4 million for cancer research at OMRF since its Cancer Fund Drive began in 1975

For more information or to register: http://putnamcityschools.org/cancerclassic.

sure everyone knows where they are going and what they are doing in the event of an emergency.”

There are programs and tools that will help residents prepare for weather and unexpected incidents.

Storm shelter registration

Edmond's Severe Weather Shelter Registration Program is a free and voluntary program that allows residents who own a personal severe weather shelter in the Edmond city limits to register their shelter with the City of Edmond. Shelter registration is part of an effort to be proactive in response to rescue situations that can occur as a result of severe weather.

This program will provide rescue personnel with valuable, time-saving shelter-location information. This information would be critical should a storm shelter exit be blocked by debris or structural damage caused by severe weather. Shelter owners are also encouraged to include an out-of-town accountability contact as part of their personal severe weather plan. This program provides an additional safeguard against being trapped in a shelter.

To register a storm cellar, safe room, or other personal severe weather shelter, call 405-3594564, or register your storm shelter online with the Shelter Registration Form at gis.edmondok.gov/stormshelters/.

Free Weather Radios

The City offers free, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) "All Hazards" radios to qualified, multiple-occupancy sites, such as nursing homes, assisted living centers, daycare

Curry Director of Emergency Communications

centers, schools, churches, or businesses with 20 or more employees. To qualify, a site must have a written Severe Weather Preparedness Plan. The plan must be exercised at least annually, and training must be provided for staff and residents, where applicable. To learn more contact Public Safety at 405-359-4370.

CodeRED Emergency Notification System

CodeRED is a state-of-the-art voice messaging system that the City of Edmond will use to alert residents and businesses about homeland security issues, missing children or adults, evacuation orders, local criminal activity and other situations

that require immediate dissemination of crucial information. 3

he CodeRED dialing system attempts each telephone number up to 3 times and will leave a voice message.

A resident or business owner in Edmond can register on the CodeRED page at www.edmondok.gov/498/CodeRED-EmergencyNotification-System. Those who register can add other telephone numbers, such as cell phone numbers or out-of-county/state phone numbers as long as each is associated with their Edmond resident or business address.

The Emergency Management team is on-call for more than just weather events. They man the EOC during major public events – like Heard on Hurd, Vibes, the Arts Festival and Cycle 66 – and are available for any critical, large-scale incident responses by Police and Fire, ready to offer help or coordinate efforts between agencies.

“People tend to focus on the ‘emergency’ in our title, but it’s really the ‘management’ that makes a difference,” Pintens said. “It’s planning, preparing, making sure the City and our first responders and services have the resources they need to address incidents or situations. That’s how we make sure that we, as a City, are ready and prepared to come to our residents’ aid when the need arises.”

Learn about these programs and more at www.edmondok.gov/482/Emergency-Management.

Learn more about what’s happening around the City at www.edmondok.gov/CitySource.

UCO art exhibit set

The University of Central Oklahoma's Department of Art will showcase the artistic talents of seven graduating seniors at the Senior Capstone Exhibition titled “Tell All.” The exhibition will open with a reception from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, May 2, in the Melton Gallery, located in the UCO Art and Design Building, on Central’s campus. The exhibition will be on display in the Melton Gallery April 29 through May 10. The Melton Gallery is free and open to the public from noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and Fridays by appointment.

The exhibition celebrates studio art majors through a spectrum of the visual arts, including ceramics, drawing, printmaking, jewelry, metals, painting and sculpture.

"This spring, the seniors are exploring various topics such as identity, unmet expectations, the wounds and resilience brought about by family trauma and the sacrifice that goes into the art-making process,” said Cortney McConnell, M.F.A., visiting assistant professor of art at Central.

“The show title, ‘TellAll,’ celebrates the complexity of these themes investigated by each student." Exhibition featured student artists include: Violet Barr-Curry, ceramics major from Owasso, Oklahoma; Lo Coleman, ceramics major from Tulsa, Oklahoma; Kaleb Dunn, drawing and printmaking major from Edmond, Oklahoma; Carlos Gomez, painting major from Sand Springs, Oklahoma; Raven Lockheart, a double major in ceramics and jewelry/metals from Abilene, Texas; Brianna Lucas, painting major from Choctaw, Oklahoma; and, Abby Zimmerman, drawing and printmaking major from Edmond, Oklahoma.

For more information or to schedule an appointment to visit the Melton Gallery, contact Keri Smith, curator, at ksmith240@uco.edu or call 405-974-2432. Visit www.meltongallery.com for additional programming information.

To learn more about the UCO College of Fine Arts and Design and view a listing of events and performances, visit cfad.uco.edu.

Ben

A close up image of "The Three Graces" by Carlos Gomez, a painting major from Sand Springs, Oklahoma, which will be among the works exhibited at the University of Central Oklahoma's Department of Arts upcoming Senior Capstone Exhibition on display April 29-May 10 at the UCO Melton Gallery.

Edmond Electric returns to help Navajos

A crew of seven linemen from Edmond Electric left last weekend for Window Rock, Arizona as part of Light Up Navajo V initiative, a mutual-aid program to extend electricity to homes in the Navajo Nation without the infrastructure to get that service.

This is the second year in a row that a team from Edmond Electric will participate in the project. Edmond Electric’s team will work alongside line personnel from other utilities from across the nation, as well as Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) electric crews to assist in line construction within the Navajo Nation.

The Light Up Navajo initiative was created in 2019 through a unique partnership between the American Public Power Association (APPA) and NTUA. Electric line workers from throughout the United States recently traveled to the Navajo Nation to help connect the homes of Navajo families to the electric grid.

Of course, volunteering to help is nothing new for Edmond Electric. Personnel and equipment from the City of Edmond utility have traveled throughout Oklahoma and as far away as Florida to help recovery efforts from weather-related impacts. In 2023, a crew traveled to Florida to help communities impacted by Hurricane Idalia, and a crew also traveled to Florida in 2022 to help communities impacted by Hurricane Ian.

“We have great partnerships with APPA and municipalities across the state and country,” said Glenn Fisher, Director of Edmond Electric. “There have been times when we have needed help, and we know we can count on people pitching in and helping, and so when we have an opportunity to be part of a great cause, we won’t hesitate.

GOP calls rule ‘job killing’

Last week 22 Republican governors joined together to call on the Biden Administration to pause the implementation of a recent job-killing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that calls for the unnecessary regulatory overreach of particulate matter.

The letter to the EPA addresses the recent mandate dictated by the EPA that adds burdensome regulations which tighten limits on fine particles in the air, known as PM2.5, without considering the impact to states –namely rural states – and the private sector. The mandate is nothing more than additional red tape that ignores

significant progress in addressing fine particulate matter levels and would be disastrous for American industries and job creation.

In the recent letter, the Republican governors state that the tightening of the PM2.5 standards by the EPA necessitates a coordinated and strategic response to balance economic and environmental interests, not a job-killing, one-size-fitsall mandate.

The letter comes as House and Senate Republicans are also working to pause the EPA’s egregious government overreach through the Congressional Review Act.

Homeowners insurance pricey

Homeowners insurance is still on the rise, on a rocket, really, in Oklahoma, which already had the most expensive coverage in the nation.

It costs $5,858 per year for $300,000 worth of coverage with a $1,000 deductible, more than double the national average of $2,601, according to fresh statistics from Insurance.com, an online insurance information provider and marketplace.

In Oklahoma it comes to $499 a month, compared with $217 a

month nationally. That's a 10.2% hike over last year here, compared with a 6.8% increase for the nation.

As familiar as longtime Oklahoma homeowners may be with the high cost of insurance, newcomers to the state are often dismayed by the unexpected extra expense, said Vanessa Johnson, an agent with eXp Realty and president-elect of the Oklahoma City Metro Association of Realtors.

From The Oklahoman

Francis

Francis Tuttle Tech center names Sissom to position Sissom

In this role, Sissom will utilize his knowledge and experience to train and educate others in safety procedures. He brings both educational and private industry safety experience to this position, including having previously served as district safety specialist at Francis Tuttle.

Sissom holds a bachelor’s degree in occupational safety and health from

“This crew is typical of that spirit of community and service we see daily at Edmond Electric. There never was a question of if we should help, but more how and when can we help? Whether it’s here in Edmond, in Oklahoma, Florida, Arizona or anywhere, the people who work here at Edmond Electric are always ready and willing to go and do what we can do to help make a difference.”

Learn more about the Light Up Navajo program at www.ntua.com/light-up-navajo.html.

Tuttle Technology Center has appointed Brett Sissom as safety and technical trainer.

An Edmond Electric crew last year during their first trip to help members of the Navajo Nation.

New pledge for Epsilon Sigma Alpha

its newest

Gamma

Christine Merideth into Epsilon Sigma Alpha, an international service organization, that volunteers with U R Special, Boys’ Ranch Town, Salvation Army, No Boundaries, Int’l., and Free to Live as well as Oklahoma School for the Deaf in Sulphur and Oklahoma School for the Blind in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Our national project is St. Jude Children Research Hospital.

This fiscal year Gamma Zeta has donated 4,320 hours of service and $185,563.00, to local non-profits. Plus they have given an actual value of items in dollars of $27,273.00 and driven 11,758 miles to volunteer for our local non-profits.

Come join this energetic group and experience the joy of giving back to your community.

If interested, please call Jacci Gantz at 405-922-5954.

Hi and Lois Shoe Zits

Family Circus

Beetle Baily

Blondie

Hägar the Horrible

Zeta welcomed

pledge

Gamma Zeta member Ada Blankenship welcomes her new pledge Christine Merideth for Epsilon Sigma Alpha in a pin ceremony recently. Liz King, Gamma Zeta’s vice president, officiated at the ceremony.

A chance for juniors to check out UCO

The University of Central Oklahoma will host “Destination UCO” for high school juniors from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday, April 19 on UCO’s campus in Edmond, Oklahoma. The event provides an opportunity for attendees to learn more about UCO and how to become a Broncho.

Informational sessions will be held by representatives from academic colleges and campus services, as well as tours of UCO’s campus and residence hall options— giving high school juniors the opportunity to learn about the Central experience.

“We’re excited to host local high school juniors on our campus to give them a sneak peek of what it means to be a UCO Broncho,” said Jancy Scott, senior director of admissions and recruitment at Central.

“We offer many fantastic programs for students to explore as they expand on their education after high school graduation. We want to make sure these students know that not only is UCO an option for them for higher education, but it is also a great one.”

UCO is accepting applications for admission for the 2024-25 academic year. Visit apply.uco.edu to apply.

To learn more about UCO, visit www.uco.edu.