Edmond Life and Leisure - May 18, 2023

FOUR SEASONS

Street gala returns

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.

FRIDAY, May 19 Scattered Thunderstorms High 77° Low 58°

SATURDAY, May 20 Partly Cloudy High 73° Low 53°

SUNDAY, May 21

Cloudy High 76° Low 56°

The ongoing 10-season celebration of Heard on Hurd resumes again this Saturday evening beginning at 6 p.m.

Heard on Hurd is a street festival in downtown Edmond powered by Citizens Bank of Edmond that features dozens of retail and food vendors and local, live performing artists.

This time around it will be the guitarist duo of Michael Todd & Kiara Day.

Every third Saturday from March through October, join the family friendly fun entertainment, activities, and amazing food and drink from local restaurants and bars before you explore the pop-up shops, food trucks, and live music at Heard on Hurd.

At the Downtown Street party you might meet an old friend, make a new one or just kick back and enjoy something cool to drink while listening to a concert.

PHOTOS BY MELINDA INFANTE

Charles Memphis performed a past Heard on Hurd for opening act. Emilia and Evelyn Hyden enjoyed the food and the face painting at Heard on Hurd. The event, sponsored by Citizens Bank Edmond, draws large crowds.

Lankford helps to lead charge to keep rural hospitals open

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) was joined by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to introduce the Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act, which would support financially vulnerable rural hospitals facing risk of closure.

“It is not sustainable or safe for patients in rural Oklahoma and around the nation to be forced to drive hours to get to their nearest hospital,” said Lankford. “Our bill would ensure hospitals serving low-income or rural areas can keep their doors open and continue to serve their communities.

There are many areas of health care in our nation that need our attention, but while we continue to work to address them, we cannot leave out our rural communities. Oklahomans should be able to live where they want and still be able to access quality health care.”

“Rural hospitals are the backbone of the communities in Illinois and across the country, providing essential access points to health care and anchoring the local economy. Yet,

many grapple with financial vulnerabilities that have only increased, and patients across rural Illinois face challenges accessing the health care they need— with too few medical providers and long distances between them. Our bipartisan bill protects our rural hospitals from closing and strengthens our commitment to the communities that depend on these essential health providers,” Durbin said.

Lankford remains a strong advocate for addressing health care access deficiencies in rural Oklahoma and around the nation. Lankford announced a huge win late last year for rural hospital access in Oklahoma and around the nation after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced its Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) rule. The rule, among other things, redefined a “primary” road for purposes of establishing the distance a hospital must be from another hospital to receive CMS’ Critical Access Hospital (CAH)

designation.

The legislation would update Medicare’s CAH designation so more rural hospitals can qualify for this financial lifeline and continue to serve their communities with quality, affordable health care services.

Small and rural hospitals are the backbone of their communities, and often the largest employers, contributing nearly $5 billion in direct spending on payroll, goods, and services. Yet more than 135 rural hospitals have closed nationwide in the past dozen years, and an estimated 51 percent of rural hospitals ran operating losses last year and 450 hospitals are facing closure risk.

Under CAH status, hospitals are paid a higher Medicare rate— 101 percent of their actual costs, rather than set rates per service, as long as they have fewer than 25 inpatient beds; are located 35 miles from other hospitals; maintain patient length of stays less than 96 hours; and offer 24/7 emergency care.

The Rural Hospital

Closure Relief Act would support and stabilize rural hospitals by providing flexibility around the 35-mile distance requirement and enabling states to certify a hospital as a “necessary provider” in order to obtain CAH designation.

Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, with homeschooled junior, Briley Moore, who served as a page for the Senate during the 14th week of the legislative session from May 8-11.

Homeschooler pages at Capitol

Homeschooled junior, Briley Moore, has completed a week of service as a page for Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond. Briley served at the Capitol during the 14th week of session from May 8-11.

Paging gives high school students a behind-the-scenes look at the legislative process. They provide important services during the busy legislative session, including assisting in Senate committee meetings and daily sessions of the full Senate.

The group met with Gov. Kevin Stitt and took a commemorative photo. They also met with Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat

and Edmond Sen. Adam Pugh. The pages participated in a mock legislative committee meeting, along with a floor session, called Pageville, where they presented and debated bills from the 2023 legislative session. Finally, they toured the Oklahoma History Center and the newly renovated Capitol.

Briley has volunteered at Frontline Church and as a youth representative for the Visit Edmond Tourism Board. Briley would like to attend the University of Central Oklahoma to study kinesiology.

She is the daughter of Edmond residents, Casey and Jessica Moore.

Charging a Tesla can be complicated

We have had some calls at the newspaper about how to charge your Tesla in downtown Edmond. I am not a driver of these fancy cars. My 2013 Honda Pilot with 158,000 miles does not need to worry about where to charge itself. We just stop at the oldfashioned gas station and fill up. Simple like me.

Ray Hibbard

I was a little surprised when folks told me they could not charge their Tesla at the charging station at Farmers Market Place right behind my office. I thought there was no way the city would put in a charging station that doesn’t charge the most popular electric car on the market today. I see so many of them in downtown Edmond.

After calling the city offices I was referred to a nice guy named Phil Jones. He is the Sustainability Planner/ADA Coordination in the city of Edmond Planning Department and is the one in charge, pardon the pun, of the new charges installed downtown. I honestly did not know we had a sustainability planner in Edmond. This is why they don’t let me serve on city committees any longer. It is too much of a learning curve for me. Here was his response.

“Ray, thanks for the question. I imagine this will come up more than once. Chargepoint is the company that the City uses for consistency in monitoring usage through a cloud network. The Level 3 station at Festival Marketplace will be much faster than the other Level 2 stations the City has been locating around town, at 3 to 20 miles of range per minute, but for Tesla it does require an adapter.”

After a conversation with Phil, it seems the Level 2 stations charge Tesla’s just fine without a special adapter, but it does take longer to charge your car than a Level 3 station. There are several Level 2 chargers around including one by the police station. Tesla come with a standard adapter you may need at Level 2 stations.

The Level 3 for Tesla requires an additional and expensive adapter. Well, expensive by my standards. No need for no stinking adapter for the Honda. You just put the hose in and do the usual fill up thing. Tesla comes with a more standardized adapter I am told but they do not work on the Level 3 city charger. You

will need to order one which will cost you about $500. Phil was kind enough to send me the link to the Tesla charging adapter. CCS Combo 1 Adapter (tesla.com) He tells me that the city is working with Chargepoint to improve the situation. It is probably a good idea since you cannot swing a dead cat in Edmond without hitting a new Tesla. OK, forgive me cat lovers.

I am still not a fan of electric cars and probably will not buy one for a while. Here are some of my reasons: Their batteries need rare metals

The batteries for electric cars use a lot of lithium, the lightest metal and the lightest solid element under normal conditions. Chile produces the largest amount of lithium (8,800 tons per year), with other big producers including Argentina and China, while Bolivia has the world’s largest known reserves. Other metals used in electric cars include copper, cobalt, aluminum, nickel and sometimes manganese, along with conductive non-metal graphite. There are rich cobalt deposits in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it lies on the surface and is picked up by miners who include women and children. Cobalt is toxic to humans and most of these miners work with little or no protective equipment.

Check out what’s

Making electric cars creates more emissions

To get a real idea of how much greenhouse gas is emitted during the manufacture of an electric car, you must look at how its components are sourced and made. The raw materials for making the car must be mined, and the process of mining creates a lot of greenhouse gases. Then the raw materials must be refined before they can be used, which again emits more greenhouse gas. Then more greenhouse gas is emitted in the manufacturing process.

Making an electric car releases roughly the same amount of CO2, but then you must add in the production of the battery. Estimates suggest that 150kg of CO2 is released for every 1Kilowatt hour (kWh) of battery capacity. For an electric car to have a decent range (say 300 miles) between charges, it needs a battery that’s at least 60kWh in capacity. This means that a further 9 tons of CO2 will be emitted during the making of an electric car, giving a total of 16-19 tons of CO2 emitted.

They are only as green as their power sources

The environmental impact of an electric car can increase or decrease considerably depending on how the electricity that charges its battery is made. A coal-fired power station emits 800-850 grams of CO2 per kWh

(recent estimates suggest this may be lower, at 650g per kWh), whilst a cleaner, gas-fired power station emits 350-400g CO2 per kWh. Using renewable energy, like solar panels or wind turbines, around 36g CO2 is emitted per kWh, considering the emissions created during their manufacturing process. So, if a car is recharged using renewable energy, its negative impact on the environment is far lower than if it’s charged using electricity from a coal-fired power station.

You can’t drive as

far in an electric car

The best electric cars now have ranges of well over 300 miles between charges. But many have a range of just 150 miles or less between charges, which means they are much more suited for use in cities and on short, local journeys, rather than for long-distance travel. Oklahoma is a tough driving distance for an electric car. And to recharge them, they need at least half an hour of charging at a dedicated, high voltage charging point. Compared with the time it takes to fill the tank of a gas car and the fact that many new cars can now go 500 miles or more between refills and it’s obvious that fossil fuels still have a distinct advantage in this area. Using the heater or air con in an electric car will also have an impact on their range, and batteries hold less charge when it’s cold.

There aren’t enough charging points

Many people get round this by having their own charging point installed at home. But that’s not really an option for people living in streets of terraced housing where on-street parking means they often must park their cars some distance from their house.

As we shift to using more and more electric vehicles, we’ll have to think about how we keep them charged up. The electric vehicle may become the new smartphone, the next device that’s essential for getting us through our day that we must keep charged up and ready for action.

The need to charge our vehicles could potentially cause problems. What if everyone plugs their car into a charger when they arrive at work at 9am, or when they get home at 6pm? How will the surge in demand be dealt with?

Plus, do we have a plan for what to do with all those dead batteries? I am right with you EV drivers but not until technology improves.

(Ray Hibbard may be reached by e-mail at ray@edmondpaper.com)

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

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

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

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

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

Publisher Ray Hibbard Jr. ray@edmondpaper.com Partner Christopher T. Hoke Editor Steve Gust news@edmondpaper.com Production Deanne York

Director Business Editor Alexx Reger alexx@edmondpaper.com Contributing Writers Mallery Nagle, Patty Miller, Rose Drebes, and George Gust.

Counsel

McKinnis Ruebenstein & Pitts, PLLC Copyright © 2023 by Edmond Media Publishing 107 S. Broadway Edmond, OK 73034 405.340.3311 (office) 405.340.3384 (fax) Mailing address: P.O. Box 164 Edmond, OK 73083

The new word of electric cars and their chargers.

Weekend calendar, May 18-12

What’s Happening

This Weekend May 18 — 21

---- In the Gallery ---- Tiny, But Mighty! Exhibit

---- Unveiled: Edmond’s Bridal Fashion

1875 ---- 2020

Farmer’s Market

Frenzy in May ---- UCO Jazz Lab Events in May

Beginners Pickleball Club

Bike to Work Day ---- Heard on Hurd

Signature Tour ---- Read the West Book Club: The Big Sky ---- Paleontology: Under the Microscope

Bricktown Comedy Club presents: Adam Carolla

Civic Center Music Hall presents: Tim Allen

---- Oklahoma Gun Show

---- Budweiser’s Custom Cars Super Show Tour

---- Garden Festival in the Park

Extra Information

In the Gallery

Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute

Extra Info: Featuring the art of Jack Fowler; edmondfinearts.com

Tiny, But Mighty! Exhibit

Location: Edm. Historical Society & Museum

Extra Info: Wed, Oct 5 – Thu, Aug 31, 2023; edmondhistory.org

Unveiled: Edmond’s Bridal Fashion 1875 – 2020

Location: Edmond History Museum

Extra Info: Wed, Mar 1 – Fri, Dec 1; visitedmondok.com

Farmer’s Market

Location: Festival Market Place and Farmers Market

Extra Info: Sat, Apr 15 – Sat, Oct 28; 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.; edmondok.gov

Frenzy in May

Location: Frenzy Brewing Company

Extra Info: Thu, May 18: Eric Moore @ 7 p.m.; Sat, May 20: Brandon Birdwell @ 8:30 p.m.; frenzybrewing.com

UCO Jazz Lab Events in May

Location: University of Central Oklahoma – UCO Jazz Lab

Extra Info: Fri, May 19: Souled Out @ 8 p.m.; $15; Sat, May 20: Old Bulldog Band @ 7:30 p.m.; $15; Sun, My 21: Funk Southern Soul & Jazz @ 6 p.m.; $25-$45; ucojazzlab.com

Beginners Pickleball Club

Location: Kickingbird Pickleball Center

Extra Info: Sat, May 6 – Sat, Dec 30; 8 – 10:30 a.m.; Free; edmondok.com

Bike to Work Day

Location: Edmond Library

Extra Info: Fri, May 19; 7:30 a.m.; metrolibrary.org

Heard on Hurd

Location: Downtown Edmond

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

Signature Tour Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Sat, May 20 – Sun, May 21; 1 ---- 2 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Read the West Book Club:

The Big Sky

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Sun, May 21; 1 – 2:15 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Paleontology: Under the Microscope

Location: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History

Extra Info: Fri, May 19; 6 – 8 p.m.; samnoblemuseum.ou.edu

Bricktown Comedy Club pres-

ents: Adam Carolla

Location: Bricktown Comedy Club

Extra Info: Fri, May 19 – Sat, May 20; Fri: 7:30 & 10:15 p.m.; Sat: 7 & 9:45 p.m.; bricktowncomedy.com

Civic Center Music Hall presents: Tim Allen

Location: Civic Center Music Hall

Extra Info: Fri, May 19; 7 p.m.; okcciviccenter.com

Oklahoma Gun Show

Location: Oklahoma City Fairgrounds

Extra Info: Sat, May 20 – Sun May 21; Sat: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; oklahomagunshows.com

Budweiser’s Custom Cars Super

Show Tour

Location: Oklahoma Expo Hall

Extra Info: Sat, May 20; 12 0 6 p.m.; okcfairgrounds.com

Garden Festival in the Park

Location: Will Rogers Gardens

Extra Info: Sat, May 20; 9 a.m. –3:30 p.m.; facebook.com

A Wild West Show coming in June

The Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum will celebrate the lives of Major Gordon W. “Pawnee Bill” Lillie, his wife May Lillie and their famous Wild West Shows with a one-day celebration on Saturday, June 10. Pawnee

Bill’s Original Wild West Show will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the original historic ranch site. Stagecoaches will roll amid thundering horse hooves while the lightning of gunfire explodes around Pawnee Bill, May and their cohorts as the talented performers thrill and amaze audiences. This celebration will feature exhibitions of acts from the original Pawnee Bill’s Historic Wild West Show. Show cowboys and cowgirls will return this year to demonstrate their skills with reckless feats of horsemanship and entertaining races.

The museum and historic home will be open to the public during the festival from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Food from local food trucks will be available on-site. There will be historically accurate entertainment such as blacksmithing, chuck wagon cooking, gunfighters, sharpshooters, a magician and medicine man shows held on the ranch grounds from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Pawnee Bill Original Wild West Show stagecoach will be avail-

able for photos at the arena from 4 to 6:30 p.m., along with Wild West demonstrations and games. Pre-show festivities begin inside the area at 7 p.m., with the big show beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Admission costs are $10 for adults; $8 for seniors over the age of 62; $5 for children ages 6-12; and free admission for children five and younger. Tickets are not sold in advance or online. Tickets must be purchased at the Ranch entrance gate on the day of the event. Please join us in celebrating Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show and experience some of the best of historic Western entertainment. For more information, please call 918-762-2513 or email pawneebill@history.ok.gov.

Kevin Webb will portray Pawnee Bill for the 15th time. Webb, a longtime Wild West Show cast member and Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum employee, is also a whip artist and chariot racer. Alyce Webb will portray May Lillie for the fifth time, performing her act on horseback.

The Mike Pahsetopah (Osage) family will perform as the Dancing Eagles, paying tribute to Indigenous culture with their stunning Native dancing.

Shyla Navarre will perform with her sisters, Layna and Clara.,

When caring for aging parents

When people age, become chronically ill or suffer a devastating injury, the emotional and financial challenges reverberate across generations, says certified financial planner and investment adviser Dr. Nicole B. Simpson.

“Aging parents in a family can detrimentally impact the economic and emotional status of the parents themselves, their primary caregivers (who are usually their children) and their grandchildren — three generations,” Simpson explains.

In their new book, The Quiet Shift, Simpson and contributor Sharon Stanford aim to encourage readers (particularly Baby Boomers and Gen Xers) to be proactive when it comes to understanding how to manage family finances and maintain healthy family relationships.

Simpson offers readers a series of stories and insightful reflections on change, challenge and power, including her belief that when people prepare for the future both emotionally and economically they can build a legacy that will illuminate the richness and potential of those around them, while discovering deeper truths and new pathways for economic liberty and progress.

Drawing from her experiences as a mother, daughter, spouse, friend and pastor, Simpson shares the habits and principles she has developed

to successfully adapt to change and overcome various obstacles — the earned wisdom that helps her continue to build family and community. She details her most valuable practices, while including the experience and professionalism of Stanford to convey real-life examples of what happens when life shifts. With trademark humor, candor and compassion, Simpson also explores issues connected to race, gender and visibility, encouraging readers to work through fear, trauma and uncertainty to find strength in community and live in freedom.

“People will appreciate how the book is written,” Simpson added. “It tells multiple stories designed to have an impact on Baby Boomers (aging parents), Generation Xers (caregivers) and millennials (the next generation). The book is designed to spark the difficult conversations. Each party is able to see themselves, check their emotional engagement and reflect upon their present financial condition.”

About the Author Reverend Dr. Nicole B. Simpson, CFP, is a practitioner with over 30 years of experience in the securities industry, which she entered in 1991. She holds Series 7, 63 and 65 securities licenses. On September 11, 2001, Simpson was working as a financial planner on the 73rd floor of the World Trade Center’s south tower and was still in the building on the 44th floor when the south tower was hit. Today, Simpson compassionately assists families on how to begin to walk along the road to recovery when faced with a catastrophic, unexpected disaster. She is actively involved in spiritual, emotional and economic empowerment and frequently speaks on the lecture circuit about financial and life planning.

End of COVID-19 straining some budgets

The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) has ended, leaving Oklahoma nursing homes and facilities that care for the intellectually disabled facing a steep funding cliff unless lawmakers are able to provide additional financial aid. The ongoing PHE allows nursing homes to tap federal supplemental funds of approximately $36 a day per Medicaid resident, helping facilities deal with the skyrocketing costs of equipment and labor during the pandemic. Those funds will be paid out by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) through June 30, 2023, but will be unavailable after that. Unfortunately, financial analysis shows that the supplemental payments still fell short of the cost of care.

Beginning July 1, the OHCA projects that the cost of treating a typical Medicaid resident in a skilled nursing

facility will be $246 a day. Without the federal PHE funding, however, skilled nursing facilities will now receive only $189 per resident per day, a $57 gap. Similarly, facilities for people with intellectual disabilities will be paid less than their reported costs.

Care Providers Oklahoma President and CEO Steven Buck says the current funding situation is untenable and is asking lawmakers to include funding to save nursing homes in the budget they are currently crafting.

“The cost of labor in the skilled nursing profession has risen astronomically in the last two years,” said Buck. “We’ve already seen facilities unable to keep up with skyrocketing costs that have been forced to close. Now, on top of all those challenges, we are about to experience what

amounts to a practical funding cut of almost 20 percent beginning July 1. That is just not something our facilities can sustain. We have got to get funding levels up to the point where they are at least covering the cost of care. If we cannot, there will be mass closures.”

Buck said nursing home closures are traumatic for communities, families and vulnerable Oklahomans.

“Every time one of these facilities closes, especially in a rural area, you are losing one of the biggest employers in town. Second, you are forcing a family to find another option for a vulnerable loved one, and perhaps moving Grandma or Grandpa to a facility that isn’t ideal or is much farther away. Lastly, you are telling a resident that they can no longer live

in their home. We don’t want to experience this kind of trauma across the state. Oklahomans are counting on their lawmakers to come through for them by passing a budget that adequately funds care for nursing home residents and Oklahomans with intellectual disabilities.”

About Care Providers Oklahoma: Previously the Oklahoma Association of Health Care Providers (OAHCP), Care Providers Oklahoma represents the interests of more than 18,000 residents and 19,000 professionals that work in Oklahoma’s longterm care facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living homes and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Care Providers Oklahoma's mission is to assist its members in providing the highest quality care to the seniors

Marking a ‘Day of Prayer’

By Rep. Collin Duel

We celebrated the National Day of Prayer last week. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

National Day of Prayer is an annual event that is observed on the first Thursday of May. Every President since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation. On this day, people are encouraged to set time aside to pray and reflect on the country's spiritual and heritage values.

On Thursday, Guthrie FFA held its 86 annual banquet, which was an honor to attend. It was great to see all the member's hard work, dedication and determination over the past year. Students' participation in FFA proves they are the future leaders of Oklahoma, helping us find solutions to preserving our way of life.

By instilling a passion for agriculture at an early age, FFA teaches youth the tenets of hard work, commitment, and dedication, and it sets them on an excellent path for their future. FFA members participate in more than just livestock shows; members also engage in public speaking,

creating homemade goods, community improvement projects, and so much more. FFA is more than that, though; it's essential to our community, our state, and future generations. It prepares members for careers they dream of, such as agriculture, law, science, business, or public service.

I want to congratulate and thank all the members, along with the many volunteers and instructors who help run the program. It was great visiting with each of you.

In other news, we will have several ARPA meetings in the next two weeks as we approach the end of session. Over the past year, the Legislature approved 91% of the funds, and the goal is to approve the remaining 9% before we adjourn on May 26.

I am thankful and honored that the conÅstituents of House District 31 have entrusted me with the responsibility of serving in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any concerns at 405-557-7350 or collin.duel@okhouse.gov.

Rep. Collin Duel, a Republican, serves District 31 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which covers Logan and Oklahoma counties.

Lorene Catherine (Bellinghausen) Buettner

Lorene Catherine (Bellinghausen) Buettner, age 94, longtime resident of Edmond, passed away on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Edmond, Oklahoma. Lorene was born September 27, 1928 in Ponca City, Oklahoma, the third of seven children, to Louis Leonard and Martha Susan (Schiltz) Bellinghausen. She grew up on the family farm in Ponca City and graduated from St. Mary’s High School. She received an Associate Degree from Oklahoma A&M, which later became Oklahoma State University. While at A& M, She met Emil F. Buettner, an Okarche native. They married in 1948.

Lorene held a variety of clerical and paralegal positions at several Oklahoma City law firms while raising five children. She worked until her retirement from McAfee & Taft in 1988. She had a passion for guiding youth, working many years with Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Catholic youth groups. She was an avid traveler throughout her life, including many years with Friendship Force and church pilgrimage groups.

She is survived by her children: Diane Buettner (Mary Anne Bower), Ken Buettner (Barb), Vicki Ratke (Larry), Deb Jensen (Dave), Jan Foisy (Steve), and siblings, Patricia Jean Kastanek, Robert Peter (“Bob”) Bellinghausen, her 6 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Louis Raymond Bellinghausen and James Michael Bellinghausen, sisters Elizabeth Ann (“Betty”) Brown and Mary Catherine Kirkpatrick and many other close relatives. The family would like to give special thanks to Bobbie Nubine and the Mercy Hospice team for the extraordinary love, care and support given in her final time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Emil Buettner Scholarship Fund at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, Edmond, Oklahoma, PO Box 510, Edmond, OK 73083.

The funeral service was held at St John the Baptist Catholic Church.

State urges aerospace & aviation careers for the youth

The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission's Aviation Education Program has begun accepting applications for the 2023-2024 academic year. The portal will close on May 31, 2023. Grants are for education programs that are aviation and aerospace minded for primary through post-secondary grade levels. The program funds are part of more than $450,000 the agency annually provides to programs statewide aimed at exposing more Oklahoma young people to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and careers in the aviation

and aerospace industry.

There is nothing more important that we do at the Aeronautics Commission than to encourage young people to consider aerospace or aviation as a career when they finish their post-secondary education. The Aeronautics Commission’s aerospace and aviation education funding supports the Oklahoma Works initiative that aims to address the skills gap and to connect students to programs that will help build Oklahoma’s aerospace and aviation workforce.

Aerospace and aviation education is one of the Aeronautics Commission’s top priorities. Since FY2001, it has provided $4.15 million in aerospace and education funding to organizations and programs throughout the state. Within the last 5 years alone, the Commission has awarded nearly $1.6 million in education grants and contracts. Research the rules filed with the Secretary of State to verify that your program qualifies and then apply today! Be sure to share this opportunity with your local schools, career techs, colleges, cities, and community leaders.

By Steve Gust

Last week CNN gave former President Trump access to a televised town hall meeting in New Hampshire.

I have to admit I missed it, but I did catch many of the highlights.

What I found interesting is that some liberals were mad at CNN for giving Trump the exposure and “platform” for saying what he wanted to say.

Normally liberals have a narrative for Trump and they don’t want that changed by actually listening to what the former president has to say.

Like him or not, Trump’s opinions should be heard since he’s a serious candidate for president in 2024.

Everyone deserves to know what he believes, even people who watch CNN.

—

During the XFL championship game Saturday a photographer was injured on the sidelines. I hope the fellow is OK. They had to take him off in a stretcher.

From what I could see, the guy violated the No. 1 rule of taking football photos. You have to watch the play on the field. If it looks like they’re coming toward you, then move.

I did that more than once or twice while shooting pictures at football games.

One incident I saw, remains the most blatant late hit I’ve ever witnessed in any level of football.

A high school runner was having a good night and apparently frustrated two of the defenders who ran after the back all night. On one play, they ushered him out of bounds and threw the guy at a chain link fence near the sidelines. I had to turn completely around to see this. The two guys grinded this running back on the fence for four or five seconds growling the whole time. After that they grabbed him again and threw him at the fence once last time for good measure.

Now that had to be the easiest call the ref ever made.

It surprised me the two defenders weren’t ejected.

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

Editor’s Note: Op-ed from the Edmond Chamber of Commerce:

By Sherry Jordan

For decades, political leaders in both parties have claimed that immigration reform was a top legislative priority, yet none have succeeded in delivering lasting solutions to fix our broken immigration system.

Despite this track record, broad support for reform has remained consistent among various interest groups. The 118th Congress must secure our borders and modernize our legal immigration system to meet the needs of our economy.

Companies in Oklahoma are struggling to find, hire, and retain the workers they need to compete globally. Many businesses tell us they cannot find American workers to fill their job openings and those issues are making it difficult to meet the needs of their clients and customers. Bringing our legal immigration system into the 21st century would help all ameliorate these

workforce issues, but a key problem for many American businesses is the antiquated employment-based system and its arbitrary eligibility requirements and ridiculously low, decades-old visa quotas. It should come as no surprise that companies across a host of industries struggle to meet their workforce needs.

In many cases, the antiquated legal immigration system and its severe limitations on employmentbased migration are a key contributing factor to the current chaos on our southern border. Given the divided government in Washington, any legal immigration reforms that will help must go hand in hand with addressing critical border security issues. To address the current border crisis, Congress must increase resources – physical, human, and technological – along our borders and at our ports of entry. Congress must also enact sensible reforms to our asylum laws and modernize federal employment verification requirements.

Coupling enhanced border security measures with desperately needed updates to our legal immigration system is a politically popular course of action. According to a recent Fox News poll, overwhelming majorities of Americans – both Democrats and Republicans – agree that Congress should increase the number of border patrol agents on the southern border, increase the number of judges to process asylum cases more expeditiously, and make it easier to immigrate to the U.S.

The Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce believes the 118th Congress can rise to meet this crucial moment and listen to American voters to strengthen our borders and make the necessary updates to our legal immigration system to spur economic growth, boost job creation, and reestablish order on our southern border. Failing to address these issues will only make the crises we’re facing on the border and in our legal immigration worse. Three decades of legislative inaction is enough. Congress cannot afford to ignore these Issues any longer.

Sherry Jordan is thje President & CEO at Edmond Chamber Of Commerce

Fighting for our military installations

By Sen. Markwayne Mullin

May is Military Appreciation Month, and there is no better place to celebrate our nation’s active-duty service members and veterans than right here in Oklahoma.

Home to five world-class military installations and over 300,000 of our nation’s veterans, Oklahoma is instrumental in supporting the greatest military in the world. As the only member of our delegation on the Senate Armed Services Committee, it’s my great responsibility to ensure Oklahoma’s military installations have what they need to protect our service members and defend our nation.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve again visited Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Vance AFB, Altus AFB, and Fort Sill to meet with military leaders and understand how I can best fight for them in Washington, D.C.

Our first stop was Tinker AFB where we met with Col. David Miller and received a brief on military construction and operations updates on the TACAMO/E-6B squadron, E-3, KC-135, and KC-46

aircrafts. Tinker AFB is a vital resource for our pilots and Oklahoma’s economy, employing over 26,000 military and civilian employees and generating over $3.51 billion in annual statewide impact. In fact, Tinker is the largest single-site employer in Oklahoma.

Spending time on Base is essential to understand the unique needs of every installation. Under Commander Col. Jay Johnson, Vance AFB is transforming capable students into world-class pilots for front-line air mobility aircraft, bombers, and fighters. While visiting Vance, the premier venue for un-

dergraduate pilot training, I toured the Air Traffic Control Tower, visited the 33rd Flying Training Squadron, and reviewed Advanced Air Mobility Simulators.

When touring Fort Sill, I had the honor of meeting with Base leadership to receive an operations overview of the Field Artillery School which trains 10,000 students each year. I spoke with Col. John Barefield and Col. Curtis King about fleet expansion, modernization, and training Ukrainian forces in Oklahoma. The future of Fort Sill, from equipment to personnel, is heading in a positive direction.

We concluded our Base tour in Altus, where I met with Vice Commander Col. Patrick Brady-Lee of the 97th Air Mobility Wing for a briefing and tour of Altus AFB. I toured a KC-46 and learned firsthand how Altus AFB became the premier installation for producing the world’s most inspired, proficient, and adaptive mobility warriors to deliver airpower for America.

While each of our military installations, including the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant play different roles in faithfully supporting our Armed Forces, they all produce world-class service members and civilian personnel who are working every day to protect and defend our freedoms. I will never stop fighting for them in Washington.

Steve Gust

Leadership Edmond Class celebrates graduation

Class XXXVII of Leadership Edmond celebrated their graduation on April 27 at the Edmond Conference Center. Erin Wilcox was voted to be the class speaker. Dr. John deSteiguer served as the keynote speaker.

The class completed ten session program, coordinated by the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce to identify, educate and develop a select group of Edmond citizens for positions of community leadership. Class XXXVII was presented by Edmond Electric. The retreat sponsor was Sandler Training of Oklahoma, and the session sponsors are Francis Tuttle Technology Center, Frankfurt Short Bruza Associates, P.C. (FSB) and Mercy and MIDCON.

The program’s principal goal is to build a resource of community leadership on a planned, continuing basis with four specific objectives: to identify potential community leaders; to expand the leadership potential of participants by increas-

ing their knowledge of Edmond and the critical issues that face the community and by exposing participants to present community leaders; to improve communications between present and future leaders; and to provide a channel for those not presently in leadership roles to gain access to positions of community leadership in an informed and responsible manner. The program provides a backstage pass to the Edmond community.

Class XXXVII graduates include: Elisabeth Acosta, Quail Creek Bank; Trey Ayers, Francis Tuttle Technology Center: Bill Begley, City of Edmond; Josh Brock; Joshua G. Brock, DDS Cosmetic and Family Dentistry; Jesse Brown, Simmons Bank; Crissie Carter, Oklahoma ER & Hospital; Bibin Cherian, BeSpoke Vision; Chris Codding, Regent Bank; Jolene Curry, Flintco; Amanda Dunning, Valor Bank; Baylee Durrill, Hale & Company CPA; Judy Farrar, Oklahoma ER and Hospital; Wes Hall, YMCA; Bonnie Hardwick, FSB Architects + Engi-

neers; Jessica Heiderstadt, Great Plains Bank; Toni Karnes, INTRUST Bank, N.A.; Kristen King, Edmond Chamber of Commerce; Amy LaRue, Hope is Alive Ministries; Karla Lindsey, MidFirst Bank; Jay Mack, Oklahoma Christian Academy; Stacie Maple, Francis Tuttle Technology Center; Matt McCalla, Bank of Oklahoma; Zac McGrath, Manhattan Construction Company; Jennifer Williams Molock, University of Central Oklahoma; Jason Perez, Deer Creek Public Schools; Aubrie Ross, Oklahoma Christian University; Meredith Schneberger, Devon Energy; Brooke Scott, Oklahoma Christian Academy; Zach Shirley, First Fidelity Bank; Cati Stanila, Edmond Mobile Meals; Preston Stinson, Oklahoma House of Representatives; Samantha Strealy, Tinker Federal Credit Union; Jim Trent, BancFirst; Jadisyn Tudman, CITIZENS BANK OF EDMOND; Kyle Varley, The HOPEcenter of Edmond; Jennifer Vickery, Ocean Dental; Erin Wilcox, Cox Communications, Inc.

Leadership Edmond Class XXXVI (37) at their state government day session.

Erin Wilcox was voted the class speaker

Museum & fine dining all a part of Shawnee

By Elaine Warner

People from Shawnee will tell you there are lots of reasons to visit the town. For my family, there are two reasons – Hamburger King and the original Van’s Pig Stand. My husband grew up in Shawnee and these two spots were highlights in his history.

He remembers years when the family didn’t have a car. “We’d take a cab to church on Sundays. Our church was on East Main Street and after church we’d walk to Hamburger King.”

This little diner has a history longer than my husband’s. It’s been in business since 1927 and is now in the hands of the fourth generation of the Macsas family. Although the location has changed since Jack was a kid, the quality of the food still draws him back.

Almost everything is made from scratch, with a local lady bringing in fresh pies daily. The big thing here is the beef. If ever there was a reason to use the phrase “holy cow,” this is it. The one hundred percent Angus beef comes from cows raised by the monks at St. Gregory’s Abbey. Grassfed, grain-finished, the animals are pasture raised without hormones or antibiotics, and processed locally. You can’t get fresher or healthier meat.

The outside of Hamburger King is totally unpretentious. The inside is original ‘60s retro. This is a long-time, home-town favorite that is easily overlooked by visitors. They’re missing a treat.

While Van’s history actually goes back a century, the Highland Street location dates back to the early ‘30s.

pulled pork shoulder and the original rub. Van’s also has its own barbecue relish and barbecue sauce.

While there is a newer location in Shawnee, one in Moore and one in Norman, it’s the Highland store that draws us back. Try it for a great sandwich with a side of nostalgia.

Shawnee’s Main Street has suffered through the years – and could use a good facelift. There are, however, some interesting spots that brighten the streetscape – and may lighten your wallet.

One of the most surprising is Oak, Ash, and Thorn. First off, the striking store front stands out. Secondly, it’s a metaphysical emporium carrying rocks, crystals, incense, herbs, teas, dream-catchers and more. Check out the locally made jewelry. And don’t miss the selection of interesting jigsaw puzzles.

Be careful if you go into Savvy Bites. This store carries so many items; you’re bound to find something you didn’t know you needed. Kitchen items, olive oils, vinegars, French truffles, baby items, décor, some unusual lights – the store is crowded with shelves and the shelves are packed with interesting things. I wasn’t shopping but walked out with a lemon zester and a clip-and-go cell phone strap that was a life-saver on my recent European trip.

Thanks to our lunch at Hamburger King, I discovered the Monks’ Marketplace at St. Gregory’s Abbey. Here you can buy a variety of beef cuts, honey from the monks; hives plus jellies, candy, and soap made in other convents and abbeys. There are also some religious items. This little store, under the clock tower on the St. Gregory’s Abbey campus is only open three days a week: Thursday and Friday from 1:30 to 4:00 and Saturday from 9:00 to 11:30 and 1:30 to

Gerrer, it began with treasures Father Gerrer collected from all over the world.

The first thing visitors see is a Cabinet of Curiosities collected by Father Gerrer. This random assemblage includes such items as a 1605 volume of philosophy, foreign money, a sawfish bill, and some pieces of porcelain. The thing that always grabs students’ attention is a shrunken head.

In addition to being a world traveler and collector, Father Gerrer was a talented painter. One of the prize pieces in the museum is a portrait commissioned by Pope Pius X in 1904. A copy of this painting, also by Father Gerrer, hangs in the Vatican in Rome.

Museum collections range from ancient art to contemporary works. Each area gives just tidbits of the periods and styles. Only about four percent of the museum’s holdings are on display at any one time.

The museum’s Egyptian collection is one of the nation’s finest. School children are always fascinated with the mummies. The oldest mummy is about 2400 years old. Hieroglyphics on the mummy case tells us that her name was Tutu. Thanks to modern technology (X-rays and CT scans) we know that she was between 40 and 50 when she died. Her arms were folded over her chest, a common practice with high-status mummifications.

Other ancient civilizations including Sumerian, Greek and Roman cultures are represented in this area. Asian art from China and Southeast Asia and South America are also included.

From Medieval through the early Renaissance, much of the art created was religious or for the church – but not all. On display now is an ivory

works. When I think of this museum, the word “bijou” comes to mind. The museum is small compared to many art museums. Individual pieces in the collections are carefully chosen and elegantly presented. Mabee-Gerrer is definitely a jewel in Oklahoma’s crown.

Shawnee’s a short drive away and the perfect destination for a day-trip but it offers enough for longer visits. For more suggestions, check out www.visitshawnee.com.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Artful displays at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art present pieces to their best advantage.

Elaine

Hamburgers, chili and stew are among the favorite choices at Hamburger King. And they use local Shawnee Mills cornbread mix for their cornbread

Savvy Bites owner Vicki Grider combs the markets for unusual items like this multiuse Smart Baton Light

Father Gerrer was sent to Europe where he was ordained and then to Rome to study art. This painting, his first major commission, was displayed at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis

Summer Chamber Music Festival set for this June

The Brightmusic Chamber Ensemble will present its 12th annual Summer Chamber Music Festival June 10, 11, 13 and 15 in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, 1201 N Robinson, near downtown Oklahoma City. “Scenes from Childhood” features music for and about children, musical fairytales and the music of famous child prodigies. It’s a musical celebration of children at Brightmusic’s Summer Chamber Music Festival! And by the way, children are always admitted at no charge to all Brightmusic concerts.

“Child Prodigy” 7:30 pm, Saturday, June 10, presents the music of two legendary child prodigies: Mozart and Mendelssohn, and two less-famous prodigies: Aaron Jay Kernis and Carl Maria von Weber, including Weber’s Piano Quartet in B-flat major.

“Stories and Rhymes (Children’s Concert for Children of All Ages),” 4:00 pm Sunday, June 11, the Mae Ruth Swanson Memorial Concert. Featured are works by Poulenc, Schumann, Mozart and Hindemith based on childhood favorites, including Schumann’s beloved “Scenes from Childhood,” one of his best-known pieces for solo piano.

“Once Upon a Time” 7:30 pm Tuesday, June 13, includes works by Ravel, Schumann, Morricone and

local Chickasaw composer Jerod Tate, and includes Ravel’s “Mother Goose Suite,” arranged for piano four hands, and Schumann’s “Fantasy Pieces for Clarinet and Piano.

“Youthful Brilliance” 7:30 pm Thursday, June 15, presents early trios for winds by Poulenc and Beethoven and the Septet in E major by Joseph Miroslav Weber, “Aus Meinem Leben.”

The Beethoven trio was composed when he was just 15 and bears the unmistakeable influences of another child prodigy, Mozart.

It was discovered in Beethoven’s papers after his death in 1826 but was not published until 1888. Mere child’s play for the teenager from Bonn!

Free parking at First Baptist is available north and southwest of the building. Handicap access is available through the door under the awning on the south side of the building.

Tickets are $20 (free for students and activity duty military with ID), or save $30 with a festival pass ($50) available online or at the first two festival concerts. Existing season passes include the festival concerts.

The Brightmusic Chamber Ensemble is Oklahoma City’s foremost presenter of classical chamber music. For more information, visit us at www.brightmusic.org

Jonathan Nichol, Amy I-Lin Cheng, and Meredith Blecha-Wells at Harding Fine Arts Academy.

Predictability factor hurts film

By George Gust

In the past few years there has been an interesting trend in Hollywood. In 2017 we had “The Wife” in 2020 we had “The Father” and then in 2022 we had “The Son.”

Now in 2023 Netflix continues “The” family series with its action/revenge thriller “The Mother.” “The Wife” and “The Father” saw Oscar nomination for Glenn Close and a Best Actor win for Anthony Hopkins, respectively, but the Academy is likely to ignore Netflix’s boilerplate military Jennifer Lopez led thriller, but should you?

“The Mother” follows an assassin (Lopez) on the run from a dangerous group of assailants who must come out of hiding to protect her daughter she left earlier in life.

“The Mother” is a movie that lacks style and charm. Starting with the Lopez in the lead, “The Mother” has removed all the movie star charm from its lead in favor of a tough as nails, no nonsense assassin character that falls flat. And much of the running time of “The Mother” plays out flatly and feels like a movie going through the

motions of this kind of action thriller without much personality. While the movie is competently made and features some brilliant cinematography of the Alaskan wilderness, the focus on being as realistic as possible produces an uninteresting visual pallet and deflates the energy of the film even during the action sequences.

Overall, “The Mother” is a competently made movie that has all the elements on paper to be an answer to “John Wick” with the star power of

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Lopez, but the execution of these elements leaves much to be desired.

The script is uninspired with every story beat being rehashed from better action flicks in the genre and being so clearly predictable that it takes you out of the story.

“The Mother” may have been an acceptable movie that you stumble upon when scanning through the cable channels on a Saturday afternoon, but the flat execution and lifeless story make it hard to justify going out of your way to stream this one on Netflix. And you may find yourself in the company of the Academy as you look past this lackluster entry in the inexplicable “The” family series of movies.

“The Mother” is rated R for violence, some language and brief drug use. Now available to stream with a Netflix subscription,

1.9 out of 5 stars

To reach George Gust for a comment on this review, please e-mail gust.george@gmail.com

Free concert on May 21

he Oklahoma City Philharmonic presents a free concert Sunday, May 21, 8:30 pm. at Scissortail Park.

Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate conducts the fabulous OKCPHIL for "Sunday in the Park with PHIL," and an evening of music by Tchaikovsky. Special guest will be cellist Sophie Deng, OKCPHIL's 2022 Young Musician Competition winner.

"Community outreach is a big part of what we do," Mickelthwate said. "We feel the love Oklahoma City gives us, and we give it right back. This spring concert is the first of several at Scissortail Park, which is followed by 'Red, White & Boom' July 3, and another Sept. 3. So, put on your shorts and flip flops, bring a blanket, lawn chairs-whatever you need to be comfortable and join us. It will be so much fun!"

Presenting concert sponsor is Scissortail Park, located at 300 SW 7th St. in Oklahoma City.

At Scissortail Park

Crossword Puzzle

‘Jennifer Lopez braves the mountain cold and dangerous organizations in

‘The Mother.’

Proclamation honors ‘Skilled Nursing’

Governor Kevin Stitt has issued a proclamation declaring this week “Skilled Nursing Care Week in Oklahoma.” The proclamation is timed to coincide with National Skilled Nursing Care Week, a celebration launched by the American Health Care Association in 1967 to celebrate the essential role that skilled nursing care centers play in providing high quality care to millions of America’s seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Stitt’s proclamation notes that “Oklahoma's skilled nursing care professionals are a critical part of our healthcare system, providing compassionate care to our most vulnerable populations, helping them to maintain their health, independence, and dignity. … Oklahoma's skilled nursing care professionals have gone above and beyond during the COVID-19 pandemic, risking their own health and safety to care for others, and have demonstrated an unwavering

Gov. Stitt

commitment to the wellbeing of their patients.”

Care Providers Oklahoma President and CEO Steven Buck thanked Gov. Stitt for the proclamation and for the recognition of the work being done by Oklahoma’s thousands of skilled nursing employees.

“Anyone who has ever walked the hall of a nursing home or a facility for people with intellectual disabilities knows the staff there aren’t just clocking-in and clockingout,” said Buck. “Our staff become family members to our residents. They care deeply about their quality-of-life and happiness, and they put their hearts and souls into their caretaker role. It’s nice to see our governor recognize that effort and the important role it plays in allowing vulnerable Oklahomans to live in comfort and dignity.”

Ledington

City promotion is announced

Kirsten Ledington has been promoted to the Manager of the Building and Fire Code Services Department. She has been with City since 2007. Her previous role was as the Plan Review and Permitting Supervisor for the department since 2015.

Ledington will oversee the division consisting of plan reviewers, permit technicians and building inspectors. As the department head, her duties will include meeting with building professionals and the public to ensure that residents, developers, and builders will get the assistance required for their projects. The department is responsible for aiding builders and developers through the permitting process and interpreting building codes, confirming that construction and licensing requirements are met and providing technical support for all projects. She will work closely with all City departments involved in the development process.

Ledington holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Ethics from Mid-America Christian University.

Patriot Camp offered

This year, Edmond Republican Womens Club will sponsor a Patriot Camp for middle school students who will just be completing 5th grade up to going into 9th grade.  The location will be the State Capitol, and will include visits to the History Museum, the floor of the Senate, and the Oklahoma State Supreme Court. The dates are June 12th to June 15th, from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Cost is $35 per student with a discount to $25 for a second student in the same family. Each student will be responsible for transportation to the Capitol and will need to bring a sack lunch each day.

On the first day, the students will meet William and Mary Brewster, portrayed by Ike and Peggy Burris, with Dr. Dan Fisher presenting the Founders in the afternoon. The second day, will be on the floor of the Senate in the morning, with a tour of the History Center in the afternoon. These are just a few of the many activities on the schedule. If you have a student who loves history and government, and would like more information and/or an application, contact the club at ERWC1787@gmail.com.

OMRF studies one mystery of aging

The National Institutes of Health has awarded an Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist $3.3 million to unravel a particular mystery of aging.

Benjamin Miller, Ph.D., will study protein turnover – the body’s process of discarding and creating its building blocks. Thousands reside within a single cell.

“Much like a home deteriorates unless you make proper repairs, your body ages more rapidly without adequate protein maintenance,” Miller said. “Unfortunately, proteins can’t repair themselves, so the body gets rid of the old ones and replaces them with new ones.”

This shed-and-replace process is called protein turnover. Previously, the most advanced method of measuring it was by comparing snapshots taken over time. With advances in technology, Miller’s lab can now track proteins like a moving picture.

“Ultimately, this is about better understanding the aging process. If we know what goes wrong during aging, we can target efforts to prevent that from happening,” said Miller, who chairs the foundation’s Aging and Metabolism Research Program.

Miller’s lab studies the biological process of aging. His work aims to keep people healthy and independent for as long as possible.

Through the five-year grant, he also hopes to better understand which proteins deteriorate faster and the significance each type plays in the aging process. Miller expects to find that protein turnover differs from cell to cell, and that protein damage is more harmful in some cells than others.

“Certain proteins live a long time, so those would be culprits for accumulating damage,” Miller said. “But maybe those particular proteins don’t make much difference in the aging process. That’s the type of determination we hope to make.”

His lab also will explore this apparent paradox: Conventional wisdom among researchers is that aging slows protein turnover, allowing damage to accumulate. However, some treatments known to slow the biological aging process also reduce protein turnover.

Miller said he expects to find that there is considerable nuance within that conventional wisdom.

“When it comes to the body’s proteins, quality is more important than quantity,’” said OMRF Vice President of Research Courtney Griffin, Ph.D. “Dr. Miller’s research will move us a step closer to understanding how we can maintain those that are most significant as we age.”

Miller’s grant, R01AG074551-01A1, was awarded by the National Institute on Aging, part of the NIH. OMRF scientist Bill Freeman, Ph.D., also will participate in this research.

Ovarian cancer breakthrough?

An Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist has discovered that an overactive gene appears to play a role in the development of ovarian cancer and that it can be targeted to kill the cancer cells the gene is connected to.

The gene, SDHA, produces an enzyme called SDH that causes ovarian tumor cells to grow and migrate. OMRF scientist Magdalena Bieniasz, Ph.D., found that in research models, about 20% of ovarian tumors have large quantities of that enzyme.

“What this means is that in females, the tumors have a high metabolism and develop fast,” said Bieniasz, who joined OMRF in 2014 from the Huntsman Cancer Institute. She called the gene a “doubleedged sword,” because while it promotes growth in ovarian tumors, tumors with high levels of SDH seem to respond more favorably to chemotherapy than those with low levels of SDH.

About 20,000 U.S. women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer annually, according to the American Cancer Society. Because women frequently overlook the early symptoms of ovarian cancer, patients are often not diagnosed until it has spread throughout the pelvis and abdomen.

As a result, the five-year survival rate following diagnosis is about 50% –

far below the survival rate for most other cancer types. Among women, it is the fifth-leading cause of cancerrelated death.

Previous research found a connection between a deficiency of SDH and rare cancer types as well as neurodevelopmental disorders. However, scientists had not yet studied the link between too much of the enzyme and ovarian cancer, Bieniasz said.

Bieniasz used a library of compounds and found that several, including a plant-based compound, that could improve killing ovarian cancer cells with high levels of SDH by disrupting their energy production.

“This tells us that targeting this gene could be part of an effective treatment in certain ovarian tumors,” said Bieniasz, whose lab is in OMRF’s Aging and Metabolism Research Program. “The next phase of this work is to optimize targeting the gene in ovarian tumors while minimizing effects on other cells.”

OMRF scientist Benjamin Miller, Ph.D., who chairs the program, said both discoveries advanced existing knowledge about ovarian cancer.

“These are important findings not only for the genetic connection Dr. Bieniasz has found but also for this very early indication regarding one piece of a potential therapy,” Miller said. “These insights reveal more about how ovarian cancer cells use energy and suggest new ways to target their metabolism for more effective treatment options.”

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist Benjamin Miller, Ph.D.

Bieniasz

AAA predicts more than 42 Americans traveling over Memorial holiday

AAA projects 42.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Memorial Day weekend*, a 7% increase over 2022. This year, 2.7 million more people will travel for the unofficial start of summer compared to last year, a sign of what’s to come in the months ahead.

“This is expected to be the third busiest Memorial Day weekend since 2000, when AAA started tracking holiday travel,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “More Americans are planning trips and booking them earlier, despite inflation.

This summer travel season could be one for the record books, especially at airports.”

Nearly 3.4 million travelers are expected to fly to their destinations this Memorial Day, that’s an increase of 11% over last year. Air travel over the holiday weekend is projected to exceed pre-pandemic levels, with 170,000 more passengers – or 5.4% more –than in 2019. Despite high ticket prices, demand for flights is skyrocketing. This Memorial Day weekend could be the busiest at airports since 2005.

Memorial Day road trips are up 6% over

Welcome Chicago Title Edmond

Chicago Title Oklahoma recently held a ribbon cutting with the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the grand opening of their new location at 851 W I35 Frontage Rd Suite 250 Edmond, OK 73034.

The office is conveniently located off of the west frontage road off I-35 South of 2nd street and boasts a beautifully decorated space ready to serve the real estate industry.

"We are thrilled to open our doors in this new location," said Haley Hensley, the manager of Chicago Title Edmond. "We are excited to provide exceptional service to the community and help our clients with all of their real estate needs."

Chicago Title Edmond offers a wide range of services, including title insurance, escrow services, and real estate closing services. Their experienced team of professionals provide the highest level of service to ensure a smooth and successful transaction.

With the new location and talented team, Chicago Title Edmond is well-positioned to serve the growing real estate market in the Edmond area.

Contact: Haley Hensley Chicago Title Edmond 851 W I-35 Frontage Rd Suite 250 Edmond, OK 73034 Phone: (405) 348-7731 Email: haleyg@ctt.com.

Francis Tuttle broadcast students in industry awards

Broadcast and Video Production students from Francis Tuttle Technology Center capped off an exciting year with three big competition wins.

Student entries won first place in the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) Heartland Chapter Student Awards. The competition included several university programs, and high school students were competing for the first time this year.

The Francis Tuttle BVP Program received six nominations in total.

“Having been in broadcast journalism for 30 years, I’m not sure I’ve had a prouder moment,” Marc Dillard, BVP instructor at Francis Tuttle, said. “The degree of competition in this region is as top-level as it comes, and Francis Tuttle entrants set a high bar.”

The Heartland Chapter includes schools from Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming. Francis Tuttle entries won both the High School and College (Adult) level of Newscast and the College Arts/Cultural Affairs category.

“Francis Tuttle has been great,” Ben Corman, who was part of two projects that one first place, said. “It’s real-world, on the job experience and I learn by doing. They give you the tools to do it.”

In the High School Newscast category, Francis Tuttle’s first place entry WAKK News was created by William Longeman, Alley Marcus-Garcia,

Katie Guy, and Khalil Norwood. Their newscast included a story on how public education is adapting to teacher shortages and another on Blue & Gold Sausage Co.

“We put in the extra mile by going off-campus for stories and just getting out there,” Longeman said. “We had great teamwork and came together to put in a serious effort, and that showed in our project.”

The College Newscast entry, The Stampede News, features a story on paramedic shortages and a segment on Florence’s Restaurant. Francis Tuttle’s entry — created by Ben Corman, Brandon Decker, Terrell Hunter, and Seth Roybal — tied for first with Kansas State University and finished ahead of the University of Oklahoma’s OU Nightly entry.

“To see where my skills were starting out, from having little knowledge to what I have learned now from my instructors, [Waleed] Salim and Mr. Dillard, it’s amazing,” Hunter said. “I plan on going onto bigger productions now, like ESPN. I have an eye and an ear for it now.”

Corman also won first in Arts and Entertainment/Cultural Affairs for Unconquerable Spirit-The Chickasaw People, a promotion for the Chickasaw Cultural Center and the story it tells.

The videos that won the three NATAS first place awards are available to watch online.

Good credit rating at OSU

Two leading national credit rating agencies recently assigned AA- ratings to Oklahoma State University following extensive financial reviews, marking the eighth year in a row OSU has achieved the highest credit rating of any higher education system in Oklahoma.

“Our outstanding credit score is a testament to the diligent financial management of our university, reflecting the strong commitment of the regents and leadership to respon-

sible stewardship of our resources, which ensures a bright future for our students and faculty,” said Jarold Callahan, chairman of the OSU/A&M Board of Regents.

“We will continue to maintain a fiscally conservative approach as we work to cement OSU as the nation’s preeminent land-grant university where students receive a quality, affordable and meaningful education,” said OSU President Kayse Shrum.

last year. 37.1 million Americans will drive to their destinations, an increase of more than 2 million. Gas prices are lower this holiday compared to last year, when the national average was more than $4 a gallon. Despite the lower prices at the pump, car travel this holiday will be shy of pre-pandemic numbers by about 500,000 travelers.

More people this holiday are taking other modes of transportation, like buses and trains. These travelers are expected to total 1.85 million, an increase of 20.6% over 2022.

The chamber, and others, were on hand recently to welcome Chicago Title to their new location in Edmond.

A busy person’s guide to having some patience

By Colin Turpin Edmond Family Counseling

The car in front of you isn’t paying attention when the light turns green. Your nephew asks you the same question for the 50th time in a row. Your internet connection gets disconnected… again. Life is full of situations that test our patience. The bad news is that it’s natural and easy to let anger take over when we get overwhelmed. The good news is that patience can be learned, and I’m going to show you how.

The first step is to recognize symptoms of frustration in your daily life. While anger can feel like it goes from 0-100, reality is more often a slow building of tension over time that you may not realize until it is too late. Anger has a wide range of expressions between individuals, so being familiar with your

flavor of anger is important to catch early. It helps to identify specific reactions such as clenched fists, quickened breathing, or tense muscles. If you need help recognizing your symptoms, ask someone who spends a lot of time with you.

While this is a good start, simply acknowledging your anger won’t just make it disappear; you need to do something about these emotions. You have probably heard of calming techniques like controlling your breathing, taking breaks, or going to your happy place. While these can work to calm your body’s reaction, they aren’t necessarily making you more patient. To truly tolerate uncomfortable situations,

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Hi and Lois

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Family Circus

Beetle Baily

Blondie

Hägar the Horrible

Turpin

you need to change the way that you think about them. Adjusting your mindset could turn enemies into friends, obstacles into challenges, and failures into learning opportunities. While there are hundreds of ways this looks in practice, here are a few tips to get started in changing your thinking:

• Assess your expectations. One avenue toward increasing patience is asking yourself why you are getting mad in the first place. Why is this bothering me so much? What do I want to happen in this situation (and is that realistic)? Is there another explanation for what is going on? Getting yourself to assess your needs in real-time helps you focus on what is important and in your control.

• Take their perspectiv e. Empathy is the process of attempting to feel what another person is feeling. Putting yourself in another's shoes helps you gain insight into why someone is acting the way that they are. Even if you strongly disagree with what they are saying, sharing what they are feeling right now will increase your understanding of their behavior. It is possible to empathize where someone is coming from without endorsing their actions.

• Find humor in the situation . Humor can be an incredibly effective coping strategy during stress. Recognizing how ridiculous or comical the situation is adjusts the way you process information. If you imagine telling this story to a friend later, you're more likely to accept things as they

happen and not take yourself so seriously. Humor in your responses can also help diffuse tension within the room or provide a tactful way of setting boundaries without losing your cool.  Anger can come from many different places. Your current emotional state, your previously learned behavior, and your core beliefs about the world may also come into play. This act of viewing yourself from the third person helps you take a step back and get out of the immediate bodily reactions that so often dominate our responses. If you want to talk more about changing your

thinking or would like help making these changes, seek out a mental health professional in your area.

Colin Turpin, MA, 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 a appointment with one of our professional counselors. Follow us on our Facebook page @Edmond Family Counseling for additional information regarding mental health awareness.