January 1, 2026 Vol. 26, No. 33
In This Issue
Images of 2025 this edition & new edition
FRIDAY, JANUARY 2 Mostly Sunny High 61° Low 31°
SATURDAY, JANUARY 3 Mostly Sunny High 54° Low 41°
SUNDAY, JANUARY 4 Mostly Sunny High 65° Low 41°
Page 2 • January 1, 2026 • Edmond Life & Leisure
From the Publisher
Crystal Ball not always so clear Famous New Year predictions that never came true With any luck as you read this Lisa and I have taken our yearly break away to Scottsdale, AZ. We celebrate the New Year with friends and take some time to relax and warm up. This year the weather has been so good in Edmond that there is no need to run from the cold but right after Christmas is a great time to relax before hurling head on into Hibbard the new year. Every New Year’s Eve, as the clock ticks toward midnight, people around the world pause to reflect on the past and imagine the future. For centuries, this moment has inspired prophets, pundits, scientists, and everyday dreamers to make bold predictions about what the coming year—or even the coming century—will bring. Some forecasts are hopeful, others dire, but all share a common trait: they reveal as much about the hopes and anxieties of their time as they do about the future itself. Yet, history is littered with predictions that missed the mark sometimes hilariously, sometimes tragically. From technological marvels that fizzled to apocalyptic warnings that never materialized, the record of failed New Year prophecies is a testament to both human imagination and human fallibility. The ritual of making New Year predictions is as old as journalism itself. Legendary newspaper editors and my mentor J. Leland Gourley made it a tradition to publish annual forecasts, sometimes even grading their own accuracy the following year. Gourley held himself accountable by reporting what his batting average on predictions had been from the previous year. Some years were good, and some were just terrible. Gourley always kept his sense of humor about it. But Gourley was not alone. Religious leaders, scientists, and even a hen have been making predictions for the end of the world as long as the world has been around. They have predicted the destruction of the world through floods, fires, comets, and most recently, pandemics but luckily for us, none of it has happened. One of the most famous recent examples is the 2012 Maya Apocalypse. December 21, 2012, marked the end of the first “Great Cycle” of the Maya Long Count calendar. Many misinterpreted this to mean the end of the world, spawning doomsday predictions involving planetary collisions, solar flares, and catastrophic tidal waves. Survival kits flew off the shelves, and a modernday Noah’s ark was built in China. When the day came and went without incident, the world breathed a collective sigh of relief and perhaps a little embarrassment. Among the most prolific modern predictors of end times, Harold Camping publicly predicted the end of the world as many as twelve times, based on his interpretations of biblical numerology. Each time, his followers waited in vain, and each time, the date was quietly revised or abandoned. The tradition of failed doomsday predictions goes back much further. In 1844, Baptist preacher William Miller convinced thousands that Christ
would return on October 22. His followers, known as Millerites, sold their possessions and gathered on hilltops to await the Second Coming. When nothing happened, the event became known as the “Great Disappointment,” leading to widespread soul searching and the birth of new religious movements. In 1876, William Orton, President of Western Union, dismissed the telephone as having “too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication.” Sir William Preece, chief engineer of the British Post Office, agreed, saying, “The Americans have need of the telephone, but we do not. We have plenty of messenger boys.” Today, the world is more connected than ever, and these predictions seem quaintly absurd. In 1903, the president of Michigan Savings Bank warned Henry Ford’s lawyer not to invest in the Ford Motor Company, declaring, “The horse is here to stay, but the automobile is only a novelty, a fad.” The explosion of car culture in the 20th century proved him spectacularly wrong. Thomas Edison, in a 1911 interview, predicted that “the baby of the 21st century will be rocked in a steel cradle; his father will sit in a steel chair at a steel dining table, and his mother’s boudoir will be sumptuously equipped with steel furnishings.” While steel remains important, Edison’s vision of a metallic home never materialized. Raising five children made me wish everything were so easy to clean. In the early days of computing, several industry experts believed that people would not want or need a computer in their living space. Fast-forward a few decades, and you cannot escape computing devices, from laptops to smartphones. Even professionals at the forefront can miss how technology will evolve. We now have AI breathing down our backs and do not know what to do with it. Mid-20th-century futurists envisioned a world with flying cars by the year 2000. While advancements have been made, widespread use remains elusive. The dream of airborne commutes is still just that, a dream. In the 1970s, scientists and media outlets warned of a new Ice Age, based on a brief cooling period. Newspapers ran wild headlines, and people genuinely worried about glaciers creeping over cities. But as the years passed, the Earth’s tempera-
ture began to rise instead, and the scare faded away. Environmentalists have warned of global apocalypse for decades. In 1970, S. Dillon Ripley predicted that 75 to 80 percent of species would be extinct by 1995. Kenneth Watt warned that there would be no more crude oil and that the world would be 11 degrees colder by 2000. Paul Ehrlich predicted mass starvation and the death of ocean life by the end of the decade. What I do not understand is that if our local weather teams cannot predict what the weather will be like in five days, how can scientist predict global warming? In 1929, Yale economist Irving Fisher declared, “Stock prices have reached a permanently high plateau.” Days later, the market crashed, ushering in the Great Depression. In the mid-20th century, some futurists envisioned a society where nuclear power would be the flawless energy solution. Reality, however, introduced complications like radioactive waste and safety concerns. Instead of creating perfect utopias, nuclear energy became a complicated topic with environmental and geopolitical implications. I can remember Three Mile Island. Since biblical times, there have been thousands of false predictions for the return of Jesus and the end of the world. From the year 999, when pilgrims climbed Mount Zion to await the apocalypse, to the year 2000, when many believed the world would end, these prophecies have repeatedly failed. I am fairly sure Father John my priest will let me know. Charles Taze Russell, founder of what became Jehovah’s Witnesses, predicted Christ’s invisible return in 1874, followed by the end of the world in 1914. When 1914 passed, the date was moved to 1918, then 1925. The Watchtower Society has since abandoned date-setting after decades of failed predictions, left countless followers disillusioned. Despite the long history of failed predictions, the tradition endures. Why? Psychologists suggest that forecasting the future gives people a sense of control and hope. It is also a way to process collective anxieties—about technology, the environment, politics, and more. Even when predictions fail, they serve as cultural touchstones, shaping public debate and inspiring innovation. The record of failed New Year predictions is more than a catalog of mistakes; it is a chronicle of human curiosity, ambition, and resilience. Each miss reminds us that the future is inherently unpredictable, shaped by countless variables beyond our grasp. Yet, the act of prediction itself is valuable. It encourages us to imagine, to plan, and to adapt. As we enter another New Year, perhaps the best prediction is this: humanity will keep dreaming, keep forecasting, and, inevitably, keep getting it wrong. And that is not a failure. It is a testament to our enduring optimism. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
(Ray Hibbard, publisher of Edmond Life & Leisure , may be reached for comment at ray@edmondpaper.com)
It’s been 25 years since Edmond Life & Leisure premiered with local photographs and articles. We’re still publishing local feature and news articles. Please send local stories and photos to news@edmondpaper.com For Advertising contact Alexx Reger at alexx@edmondpaper.com
Publisher Ray Hibbard Jr. ray@edmondpaper.com Partner Christopher T. Hoke Editor Steve Gust news@edmondpaper.com
Check out what’s inside! --- City Hall news ............................................................................Page 4. --- Police booking report ..................................................................Page 6. --- Calendar of weekend events ......................................................Page 6. --- GOP Women’s Club to host candidates ......................................Page 7. --- Some changes for 2026? ..........................................................Page 11. --- Crossword puzzle ......................................................................Page 14. --- George Gust reviews new film ..................................................Page 14. ---- Business news ..........................................................................Page 17. --- Comics ......................................................................................Page 18. ---- Church directory ......................................................................Page 19. This, and so much more, in this week’s edition
Production Deanne York Advertising Director Business Editor Alexx Reger alexx@edmondpaper.com Contributing Writers Mallery Nagle, Kimberly Burk, Rose Drebes, and George Gust. Photographer Melinda Infante
Cover Design Deanne York Legal Counsel Todd McKinnis Ruebenstein & Pitts, PLLC Copyright © 2026 by Edmond Media Publishing 107 S. Broadway Edmond, OK 73034 405.340.3311 (office) 405.340.3384 (fax) Mailing address: P.O. Box 164 Edmond, OK 73083 All rights reserved. Material contained herein may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission from Edmond Media Publishing. edmondlifeandleisure.com facebook.com/edmondlifeandleisure twitter.com/edmondlifeandleisure instagram.com/edmondlifeandleisure
Edmond Life & Leisure • January 1, 2026 • Page 3
Images of 2025
Last January, an Edmond resident, Jake Amy, had a real thrill — making a half court shot during halftime of the Thunder’s game with Dallas. Amy won $20,000 for sinking the shot.
Free meeting on Jan. 15
Touchmark to look at ‘downsizing’ issue By Kimberly Burk for Edmond Life and Leisure For seniors, simplifying one’s life can be a good thing. But downsizing and the changes that go with it can also be overwhelming, says James Duehning, executive director of Touchmark at Coffee Creek. That’s why Touchmark will launch in January a free community outreach called the Downsizers Club. Every month, certified senior housing professional Connie Williams and members of her team will walk participants through a new aspect of the downsizing journey, from setting goals and exploring senior living options to selling a longtime home to making peace with letting go. The meetings will be from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Touchmark’s South Activity Room, 2801 Shortgrass Road in Edmond. People who want to attend should RSVP at least two days prior to each session by calling (405) 844-5906 so that enough workshop materials will be available. The Jan. 15 session is an introduc-
tion titled “Why Downsize?” The Feb. 19 session on decluttering will be called “The Joy of Donation.” Future sessions are scheduled for March 19, April 16, May 21, June 18, July 16, Aug. 20, Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 19 and Dec. 17, which will be a holiday party. “The topics are common subjects we hear that seniors are concerned about,” Duehning said. “These workshops are designed to make moving seem more manageable.” The workshops can help participants “find the clarity and confidence to love your life – not your stuff,” organizers said. While the monthly workshops are the foundation of the club, Duehning said, “members are also invited to attend select events within our community throughout the year. We hope the workshops themselves become a natural place for attendees to connect, share experiences and build relationships with one another, creating ongoing opportunities for both learning and socializing beyond the scheduled sessions.”
Outreach called Downsizers Club
Page 4 • January 1, 2026 • Edmond Life & Leisure
City mulls future of properties Three properties in downtown Edmond due consideration By Richard Mize Oklahoman.com With most city services now operating from the it-still-smells-new City Center Complex, Edmond finds itself in the real estate business. Vacated cityowned buildings will be for sale, or for lease, or headed for public-private development partnerships. Or, they could be knocked down, which is likely because it would put 3 prime acres in play for redevelopment in the heart of downtown. City officials haven’t decided what to do with the former City Council Chambers at 20 S Littler Ave., the former Municipal Court at 101 E First St., and the former City First Building at 24 E First St. But because of the development potential, whether public, private or a combination, it’s a priority, said Randy Entz, assistant city manager of development services. The city vacated each building when it moved the council chambers and city offices to the new City Hall at 22 E Main St., and the court and its offices to the new Municipal Courthouse at 120 E Main. “Now that we’re all moved into this building, all those various departments, we have some properties around downtown,” Entz said at a city strategic planning session on Dec. 2. “We need to consider what their future is. “We’ll consider city needs and work for a plan for the future on what the highest and best use for those is and how they can be catalytic for our downtown. Yet to be determined.” Neither city staff nor elected officials have said publicly what they would like to see happen, but the idea of razing the buildings and perhaps forming a second downtown Tax Increment Financing District to promote development has been mentioned privately, according to reports. At play are actually just two buildings: one on the northeast corner of First and Littler that housed both the council chambers and municipal court with 9,120 square feet of space plus a 3,074-square-foot basement, built in 1980; and the former City First Building with 8,686 square feet, built in 1957. The property gives Edmond “an opportunity to do something special downtown,” said Jim Parrack, senior vice president and head of retail and multifamily for commercial real estate firm Price Edwards & Co. in Oklahoma City. “This will give the city a chance to build on the progress of the last few years that have added new restaurants, apartments and mixed-use to the area,” he said. “But what should they do? Much of the land is along Littler. Make a pedestrian corridor? A retail node? Mixed-use with housing above commercial? “An entertainment district? All could make sense. Given the city’s ownership stake and the inherent difficulty of urban development, a publicprivate partnership seems likely. This will be mainly a
The former Edmond Municipal Court, 101 E First St.
local developer play given the size and importance to downtown Edmond.” Parrack added, “The good news is that both Edmond and Oklahoma City have a number of boutique developers that will be interested. Thinking about the cool possibilities is the easy part, now comes the who, what and when.” Whatever becomes of the buildings, or the land if the buildings are torn down, the City Center Complex that led them to be vacated itself is a catalyst for their development, said David Chapman, a developer who served on the City Council that launched the project in 2022. “We faced the reality of outdated and inadequate municipal facilities,” said Chapman, a professor of finance and real estate at the University of Central Oklahoma, walking distance from downtown. Chapman wrote a book based largely on his time in office, “sub-URBAN; Reimagining the Suburban Downtown.” City offices were in several buildings downtown, even in leased space at 7 N Broadway Ave., at the time. “City staff were scattered across a patchwork of old, repurposed buildings − some employees were literally working out of closets in a former church,” Chapman wrote. “Our municipal courthouse and city council chambers, built for a town of 40,000, were now trying to serve a city with nearly 100,000 residents. “The buildings lacked basic technology for presentations, proper safety features for judges, coun-
cil members and guests, and the kind of dignified space that reflects a growing city’s stature.” The City Center Complex was controversial, but the decision “wasn’t just about modernizing infrastructure, it was about reaffirming downtown as the civic heart of Edmond,” Chapman wrote. “The next step? In his book, Chapman foresaw a continuation of what the City Center Complex started, involving the former city-occupied buildings, or the land. “This investment became a turning point. It sent a clear signal that downtown mattered − that it was worth investing in. And that message rippled outward, inviting further development and strengthening the urban fabric of the core,” he wrote. Chapman hinted at the likely fate of the buildings, one 45 years old, one 68, and the possibilities for the land. “The demolition of functionally obsolete structures frees up valuable land for future public-private projects ... to meet the ongoing needed downtown revitalization,” he wrote. “A key aspect of this investment (in the City Center Complex) was its ripple effect: once the old municipal buildings are demolished, the land will be available.” Staff writer Richard Mize covers Oklahoma County government and the city of Edmond. He previously covered housing, commercial real estate and related topics for the newspaper and Oklahoman.com, starting in 1999. Contact him at rmize@oklahoman.com.
Edmond Life & Leisure • January 1, 2026 • Page 5
Images of 2025
The Oklahoma City Thunder climbed the NBA mountain last year —- winning the NBA title with a series win in June over the Indiana Pacers. It was also the first major sports championship won by an Oklahoma City team. (Photo provided by the OKC Thunder)
Page 6 • January 1, 2026 • Edmond Life & Leisure
(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.) Dec. 15 Jeremy Duane Farley, 48 homeless. Misdemeanor warrant. Christopher Michael Koskie, 53 of Guthrie. Carrying a weapon under the influence of alcohol or drugs and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of anything other than alcohol. Jewel Rafael Jackson, 38 of Edmond. No proof of insurance and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked. Donna Jean Hinton, 52, homeless. Six counts of FTA (Failure to appear) warrant, a misdemeanor warrant, possess CDS and (misdemeanor) porch piracy. Dec. 16 Lawrence Wesson III, 46 of Oklahoma City., No proof of insurance, no tag - improper tag and driving while privilege is cancelled, suspended, denied or revoked. James Francis Russel, 41 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more. Dec. 17 Kibayh Aruvar Birdsong, Jr., 21 of Oklahoma
City. Two felony warrants. Isaac Wantemo Mendiola, 20 of Oklahoma City. No proof of insurance, expired tag — over three months and driving while privilege is cancelled, suspended, denied or revoked. Lunden Gage Miller, 27 of Piedmont. Misdemeanor warrant. William Kenard Calhoun, 39 of Cushing. Shoplifting — petit larceny. Juanye Labrin Ward, 31 homeless. Failure to comply with sex offender registry, possession of marijuana and trespassing after being warned. Devon James Cox, 34 of Edmond. Failure to appear. Emma Elizabeth England, 22 of Edmond. Use firearm while committing a felony and possess CDS with intent to distribute. Dec. 18 Stevland Edward Shores, 56 of Edmond. Four counts of failure to appear. Aleasa Dione Ellis, 45 of Perry. Misdemeanor warrant. Marcus Konrad Calloway, 62 of Edmond. Operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license, possess drug paraphernalia and possess CDS. Mallary Lane Gatewood, 39 of Edmond. Felony warrant. Daxter Jordan Deardeuff, 36 of Edmond. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked and speeding/school zone (15 MPH over). Lawrence Gaillard Jr., 25 of Oklahoma City. Fail-
ure to appear. Dec. 19 Denise Alejandra Jimenez-Garcia, 40 of Edmond. Felony DUI/APC. Dec. 20 Gary Allen Maldonado, 54 of Edmond. Public intoxication. Connor Alan Burke, 24 of Edmond. Felony DUI/APC. John Manuel Beth, 41 of Edmond. Possess firearm after conviction of felony, child endangerment and domestic abuse assault (dangerous weapon.) Dec. 21 Sheila Kay Jackson, 52 of Oklahoma City. Three counts of failure to appear. Trayshawn Markelle Gipson, 20 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant. Sandor Layfayette Flient, 48 of Edmond. No tag — improper tag, no proof of insurance and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked. Walter Emmanuel McGlothin, 28 of Oklahoma City. Disregard red signal light, expired tag — over three months, no proof of insurance and driving without proper/valid DR. Jonathan Randal Duke, 39 of Guthrie. Threaten to perform violent act, carrying a weapon under the influence of alcohol or drugs, felony DUI/APC and obstruction of police officer. 28 booking reports
Weekend calendar of events, Jan. 1-4 Weekend Calendar of Events Jan. 1-4 ---- Indoor Farmer’s Market ---- Edmond Patriot Market ---- Weekly Game Night ---- Karaoke Night ---- Beer + Yoga ---- Saturday Morning Music Sessions ---- Saturday Storytime ---- Watch Party ---- Coffee & Guitars ---- Book Swap ---- Edmond Ice Rink ---- Edmond Electric’s Luminance ---- Devon Ice Rink ---- Downtown in December ---- 1st Day Run ---- Second Day Hike ---- Live Music: Larry Newsom ---- Live Music: Leif Nevener ---- Celtic Throne ---- OKC Zoo Safari Lights ---- SPARKLE Holiday Walk at Scissortail Park ---- Arcadia Lake Eagle Watch ---- Cattlemen’s Congress Extra Information In the Gallery Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute Extra Info: First Thu of every month Gallery opening: 5 – 7 p.m.; Free; Gallery is open Mon – Thu; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Free; Featuring Paint Pushers Group, “Interesting Places, Interesting Faces”; edmondfinearts.com Indoor Farmer’s Market Location: MAC in Mitch Park Extra Info: Sat, Nov 1 – Sat, Mar 28; Saturdays 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.; Free; edmondok.gov Edmond Patriot Market Location: 425 Fretz Ave, Edmond Extra Info: Recurring last Saturdays of the month; 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; free; facebook.com Karaoke Night Location: The Gin Extra Info: Recurring weekly on Thursday; 7 p.m.; theginok.com Beer + Yoga Location: American Solera – Icehouse Project Extra Info: Recurring monthly on the 2nd Sunday; Free; 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.; americansolera.com Weekly Game Night Location: American Solera – Icehouse Project Extra Info: Recurring weekly on Thu; 6 – 8:30 p.m.; visitedmondok.com Saturday Morning Music Sessions Location: Arcadia Round Barn Extra Info: Recurring weekly on Saturday; 10:30
a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; visitedmondok.com Saturday Storytime Location: Best of Books Extra Info: Recurring weekly until Mar 7; Free; 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.; bestofbooksok.com Watch Party Location: The Gin Extra Info: Recurring weekly every Thursday; Free; 7 p.m.; visitedmondok.com Coffee & Guitars Location: Edmond Music Extra Info: Every Saturday morning; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Book Swap Location: American Solera – Icehouse Project Extra Info: Recurring every 2 months on the first Sunday; 2 – 5 p.m.; visitedmondok.com Edmond Ice Rink Location: Mitch Park Extra Info: Fri, Nov 7 – Sun, Feb 1; $10+; Mon – Thu: 3 – 9 p.m.; Fri: 3 – 10 p.m.; Sat: 12 – 10 p.m.; Sun: 12 – 9 p.m.; edmondicerink.com Edmond Electric’s Luminance Location: Mitch Park Extra Info: Fri, Nov 21 – Thu, Jan 1, 2026; 5 – 10 p.m.; edmondlights.com
Celtic Throne Location: Armstrong Auditorium Extra Info: Sun, Jan 4; $35 ---- $80; 2 – 4 p.m.; armstrongauditorium.org OKC Zoo Safari Lights Location: Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden Extra Info: Sat, Nov 15 – Sun, Jan 4; 5:30 – 11 p.m.; okczoo.org SPARKLE Holiday Walk at Scissortail Park Location: Scissortail Park Extra Info: Fri, Nov 21 – Sun, Jan 4, 2026; Open nightly 5:30 ---- 9:30 p.m.; scissortailpark.org Arcadia Lake Eagle Watch Location: 9000 E 2nd St Extra Info: Fri, Jan 2 – Sun, Jan 4; 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; edmondok.gov Cattlemen’s Congress Location: Oklahoma City Fairgrounds Extra Info: Sun, Jan 4 – Wed, Jan 14; cattlemenscongress.com
Images of 2025
Devon Ice Rink Location: Myriad Botanical Gardens Extra Info: Fri, Nov 14 – Sun, Feb 1; Mon – Thu: 3 – 9 p.m.; Fri: 3 – 11 p.m.; Sat: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Sun: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; myriadgardens.org Downtown in December Location: Downtown OKC Extra Info: Thu, Nov 13 – Sun, Feb 1, 2026; downtownindecember.com 1St Day Run Location: Mitch Park Trail Extra Info: Thu, Jan 1; $20; 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.; edmondok.civicrec.com Second Day Hike Location: Arcadia Lake Mountain Bike Trails Extra Info: Fri, Jan 2; free; 1 – 2:30 p.m.; edmondok.civicrec.com Live Music: Larry Newsom Location: Frenzy Brewing Company Extra Info: Fri, Jan 2; Free; 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.; frenzybrewing.com Live Music: Leif Nevener Location: Frenzy Brewing Company Extra Info: Sat, Jan 3; Free; 7 – 10 p.m.; frenzybrewing.com
Many times during the year there are excellent stage presentations last year. ‘Oklahoma!’ was staged by Lyric.
Edmond Life & Leisure • January 1, 2026 • Page 7
Pugh
Cox
Miller
State school superintendent candidate to address group At GOP Women’s Club meeting Jan. 12 By Tonya Coffman The next meeting of Edmond Republican Women’s Club will be Monday, Jan. 12th, 2026, in the Meinders/Gaylord Center of Oklahoma Christian University, 2501 E. Memorial Road, Edmond. Doors open at 11:15 a.m., when check-in begins, with the buffet lunch served at 11:30 a.m. This month our speakers will be three Republican Candidates running for Oklahoma Superintendent of Schools. They are Senator Adam Pugh, who will be termed out of his present position as the Senator representing Oklahoma District 41, Dr. John Cox, who has led the Peggs Public School District for the past 32 years, and Rob Miller, who was recently named District 5 Superintendent of the Year. On December 15th, the club hosted "Cider at City Hall" in the Main Street Conference Room of the new Edmond City Hall. This event was a huge success with many members and guests, including many of our local legislators. The guest speaker was Edmond Chief of Police, JD Younger, who shared information regarding Edmond, his department, and the many changes that have taken place in Edmond over the past few years. Even though the holidays are extremely busy, we have not let up in our opposition to the petition that is
presently being circulated regarding SQ 836, Open or "Jungle" Primaries. SQ 836 would create a situation where only the two candidates receiving the most votes would move on to the general election, even though both belong to the same party. This could result in general elections featuring two Republicans, two Democrats, or other combinations. SQ 836 would limit a political parties ability to select and endorse their own candidates. This petition is being promoted as being more inclusive of Independent and third-party voters, but this type of ballot would actually hurt smaller third parties. Many of those who are pushing Open Primaries in Oklahoma are not actually from Oklahoma. They are outside influencers who have no concern for what is actually best for Oklahoma. Please be informed and aware of the facts. Again, the date of the next meeting is January 12th, 2026, in the Meinders/Gaylord Center of Oklahoma Christian University, 2501 E. Memorial Rd, Edmond, Ok 73013. Reservations can be made at ERWC1787@gmail.com and please indicate whether or not you will be having lunch. Lunch is $23 per person, or $5 for meeting only. We also have several gentlemen who are associate members of our club. Come and start off the New Year with us!
Engagement, Wedding notices Do you have a wedding or engagement notice? If so, please contact us at Edmond Life & Leisure, either by phone, 340-3311 or e-mail, news@edmondpaper.com. We will then send or fax you an engagement or wedding form.The cost is $35, which includes a photograph.
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Edmond Life & Leisure • January 1, 2026 • Page 9
Owner Tammy Weiss entertained diners on Christmas Eve morning again this year. She has performed in Las Vegas and many other venues during the year.
Have a blessed 2026
Page 10 • January 1, 2026 • Edmond Life & Leisure
Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side A few changes for 2026? Don’t stumble this There are a few things I’d like to see for this new year. Topping the list is fairness. The Oklahoman published an article Sunday discussing ICE and the arrests made on illegal imSteve Gust migrants. It’s a controversial issue – no doubt about that. But it amazes me that deportations were not an issue during the Obama and Clinton administrations. To remind everyone, millions of people were deported in those days. Obama and Clinton didn’t believe in open borders back then. No telling what they think of it now. Open borders are not a good idea today. Immigration isn’t a bad idea. But it’s got to be done right and legal. —Some year I’d like to see one of the television stations do a look back at the blizzard of 2009. In case you forgot, Edmond was hit with about 12 inches or so of snow. The event closed roads and major
highways and turnpikes. Just about everything that could be closed was closed. That was a far cry from last week’s 70 and 80 degree weather. By the way, did you know that last week Fairbanks, Alaska had temps for days dipping to 30 and 40 degrees below zero? I salute the people who live there. They’re must be stronger than nails. I always wonder how they protect their plumbing when it gets that cold. It would have to take more than just running the faucets at night. —Finally – are we overdoing the Epstein story any? It’s a serious issue and deserves coverage. Maybe if schools and hunger need that kind of coverage also. There was an article about Epstein over the weekend also. Toward the end of the article it said, “the president has not been accused of any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.” Shouldn’t that have been printed higher in the article? (Steve Gust may be reached for comment at news@edmondpaper.com)
year with resolution How to keep vow to exercise more If your New Year’s resolutions include exercising more, an Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist has three words of advice. “Give yourself grace,” said Zach Hettinger, Ph.D., a muscle biologist in OMRF’s Aging and Metabolism Research Program. “The main reason so many people give up on their fitness plan is that they set unrealistic expectations for themselves and feel deflated when they don’t fully meet them.” Almost without fail, when Americans are polled about their New Year’s resolutions, starting a workout routine is the top response, followed closely by eating a healthier diet and saving more money. However, those good intentions typically don’t last. Forbes Health asked 1,000 Americans in October 2023 about the resolutions they’d made 10 months earlier. The average “give-up” date: April 22. That may help explain this statistic from a 2020 survey by another
research firm: 59% of adults under age 35 said they’d made a resolution, compared to 19% of those 55 and over. Perhaps the latter group has simply grown weary of failing at previous resolutions. And yet, older adults are precisely who Hettinger encourages to stay committed to exercise. His lab studies the cumulative effects of a sedentary lifestyle on skeletal muscle. “With exercise, or really or any major positive lifestyle change, it’s crucial to create a new habit,” Hettinger said. “One way we do that is by setting manageable benchmarks along the way. If a person decides their goal is to run a marathon, most likely they’ll give up unless they’ve established incremental goals.” He said molecular function within our muscle and organs responds differently to exercise for each person, especially as we age. Better understanding those differences is the main point of a five-year OMRF study involving older people, said Sue Bodine, Ph.D., one of two OMRF scientists helping oversee the study. “If we can determine why someone isn’t responding to a particular exercise protocol, perhaps we can tailor it to meet their specific needs,” Bodine said. The study seeks healthy people age 60 and over who currently exercise less than twice a week. Participation requires a 22-week commitment to rigorous, thriceweekly workouts in OMRF’s fitness center. It includes a free personal trainer, regular metabolic blood panels and tests to determine changes in body composition, muscle mass, cardiovascular stamina and cognitive ability. Learn more about it at omrf.org/ExerciseStudy. Above all, Hettinger stressed, it’s important to set realistic goals — and then be prepared to cut ourselves some slack when life inevitably interferes with those plans. “We all stumble,” he said. "What matters is that we dust ourselves off and keep going when that happens."
Lawmakers allege improprieties at agency An employee of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) who is believed to have dropped out of college as a sophomore has been performing audits of utility companies collectively worth more than a billion dollars, a brief filed Thursday at the Oklahoma Supreme Court reveals. Reps. Tom Gann, R-Inola, Kevin West, R-Moore, and Rick West, R-Heavener, are challenging OCC orders approving some $1.5 billion of 2023 fuel and purchased power costs incurred by monopoly public utilities ONG, OG&E and PSO. Their brief asks the Court to overturn the OCC’s approval orders and require new, lawful fuel audits and prudence reviews by outside, independent auditors and experts, instead of the OCC’s Public Utility Division (PUD) staff. “Fuel adjustment clause charges are passed through directly onto customers’ bills, so the utilities have already collected this money from us,” said Gann, a customer of ONG, OG&E and PSO. “State law requires audits of the utilities’ fuel charges every year. It also requires the OCC to make sure those costs were fair, just, reasonable
and prudent before approving them. These laws exist to protect ratepayers, but the OCC doesn’t seem to care whether the people conducting these audits and prudence reviews are qualified or not.” The representatives’ brief includes an email from the University of Central Oklahoma confirming that the OCC PUD staff member in question does not have a degree from the university and has not been enrolled since 2015. A resume attached to his testimony shows he has been employed by the OCC PUD since 2019 and served as the OCC’s lead analyst in 2022 and 2023 fuel cases for PSO. At that staff member’s recommendation, the OCC approved more than $1.2 billion of PSO’s fuel costs passed through to customers in those cases. The brief shows the staffer also testified in recent rate cases for PSO and OG&E that resulted in almost $400 million in rate increases for customers. The representatives filed briefs at the court challenging those OCC-approved orders in August and November. All were approved by the OCC with votes by embattled OCC Commissioner Todd Hiett.
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Gann, Kevin West and Rick West’s newest brief accuses the OCC of violating state laws about audits and prudence reviews, and of violating ratepayers’ due process rights by permitting Commissioner Hiett to participate. ONG, OG&E and PSO were represented in these cases by attorneys who hosted a 2023 party where Hiett allegedly sexually harassed two female OCC employees and drove home drunk. ONG also was represented by an attorney whom the brief describes as “an outcry witness” to Hiett’s alleged sexual assault of a ONE Gas employee at a 2024 conference in Minnesota. The representatives argue that State Ethics Rules and the Code of Judicial Conduct prohibit Hiett from participating in OCC cases involving victims/witnesses of his alleged criminal conduct. The recent brief says the OCC’s disregard for the law has shielded more than $10 billion of utility fuel charges from lawful, required audits and prudence reviews since 2021. OG&E, PSO and ONG paid some of the highest natural gas prices in U.S. history during a two-week cold snap in February 2021, incurring some $2.8 billion in fuel costs during the storm and another $1.8 billion for the rest of the year. The representatives already have challenged more than $1.4 billion in 2021 Winter Storm bonds for OG&E and PSO authorized by the OCC, with an appeal of ONG’s $1.3 billion in bonds pending. Thursday’s brief says they also plan to challenge the OCC’s fuel approval orders for 2021 and 2022 in their appeals of the agency’s 2024 fuel approval orders, two of which were filed the first week in December. “Not everyone has to graduate from college,” Rick West said. “But state employees being paid with taxpayer dollars have to be qualified for the jobs they’re hired for. This situation is not only an assault on the household budgets of utility customers; it is an insult to thousands of qualified public servants who are legitimately earning their paychecks.”
Edmond Life & Leisure • January 1, 2026 • Page 11
The Southern Tenant Farmers Museum is dedicated to the Depression-era farm labor activities which became a major movement.
The hidden historical surprises of NE Arkansas By Elaine Warner One of the things I like best about my job is finding travel treasures in unexpected places. When Jack and I planned out big spring driving trip, I picked several cities where I knew I would get good stories. We chose differElaine ent routes going and coming home. The end of the trip gave me pause. We were coming through Arkansas where I’ve traveled a lot. What had I missed? Kim Williams, Director of the Arkansas Section of the Great American Road along the Mississippi, had the answer for me. The far northeast corner of the state – off the beaten path – had several surprises in store for us. In the 1800s Robert Edward Lee Wilson inherited 400 acres of seemingly useless land – swampy with many trees. With perseverance, he turned the property into a 65,000 acre cotton plantation and lumbering operation. In 1886 he founded (and owned) Wilson – a company town. At its peak, Wilson employed up to 11,000 workers – farm workers, teachers, doctors, everything the town needed. Workers used company-produced scrip at the company store, barber shop, even the movie theater. In the 1920s, his son, R.E.L Wilson II, after honeymooning in England, came back to encourage all construction in the town mimic the English Tudor buildings he had seen on his trip. The result today, is a little town that resembles no other town in the state. The last of the Wilson family sold the property to the Lawrence Group, an innovative design and development organization, which committed not only to preserving the town but making it a destination. Wilson was our headquarters for exploration in the area. Accommodations here include a boutique hotel, The Louis, and cottages. The hotel was full during our stay, so we stayed in a small building called The Hanger. Our room was compact but luxurious – and the best thing – it opened onto a large, screened-in porch. I’m an early riser – Jack isn’t. The porch was so peaceful – the silence only broken by the morning chattering of the birds. I actually identified eleven different species from cardinals and blue jays to red-headed woodpeckers and a white-breasted nuthatch. The town still has a large, operating cotton gin. Cotton grown in this area is highly-desirable long-staple cotton. And here’s the cool thing – cotton from here ultimately goes to Peacock Alley, creator of fine linens. So we were sleeping on sheets and under blankets made from cotton grown right here. The property also has a golf club and a field club with trap and skeet. Bring your wallet – these are extras. During the growing season, a beautiful garden supplies fresh vegetables and herbs to the Wilson Café. An attractive bar in the hotel offers whiskey flights, wine and cocktails. Their 12 Days of Christmas menu includes French Pear Martinis, Fresh Hen’s Egg Nog and Rum-Pa-Pum Punch. Wilson is also home to the Hampson Archeological Museum with displays from the Nodena site, a former Native American site (between 1400 and 1650 CE) on the nearby Mississippi River. Though we certainly enjoyed the luxury in Wilson, the history of the area includes many people and places that experienced hard times.
Having visited Elvis’s birthplace in Tupelo, we couldn’t pass up visiting Johnny Cash’s childhood home near Dyess. FYI: visitors need to start at the Dyess Colony Visitor Center in town before driving to the house. Born in 1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas, to struggling cotton farmers, Cash and his family moved to the Dyess Colony when Johnny was three. It was the height of the Great Depression and the family took advantage of a New Deal program promoting small subsistence farming and promised each participant 40 acres, a house and a mule, plus a loan to get established. Compared to Elvis’s birthplace, the Cash house looked luxurious. The home had no electricity but it did have plumbing fixtures –just no connecting pipes. Like the Presleys, the Cash family had an outhouse. The family raised cotton and Johnny and his six brothers and sisters all had to help pick. Life was hard and nature could be cruel. He later wrote “Pickin’ Time” and “Five Feet High and Risin’ inspired by the family’s experiences. There was always music in the house – his mother had a piano. She was the church pianist and the family sang there and at home. In 1950, Johnny graduated from high school and left Dyess for good. The Cash house is one of very few remaining houses from the Colony. Today the house is fur- Cotton, farmed by sharecroppers and tenant farmers, nished as it would have been when Johnny was was an important crop in the Arkansas Delta during the Depression. growing up. The floor covering is original and his sister Joanne’s purse and quilt lie on her Photos by Elaine Warner bed. The site is part of the Arkansas State Heritage Sites program and is a must for fans of Johnny Cash. Another ASHS site, the Southern Tenant Farmers Museum, is in nearby Tyronza. This museum tells the story of black and white sharecroppers and tenant farmers in the Arkansas Delta who banded together to insure fair treatment and wages from property owners. There’s a lot to absorb – and read – here. The graphics are supplemented with recordings and videos. My favorite part – old news reels like the ones that used to run in movie theaters before the feature. The Southern Tenant Farmers Union was active in a number of other southern states including Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Mississippi and Texas. The museum illustrates the difficulty of life in rural farming areas during the ‘30s. Leaving Wilson, heading for I-40, we stopped in Marion, Arkansas at the Sultana Museum. The explosion of the steamboat Sultana, carrying over 2,000 passengers on a ship designed for 374 plus crew, occurred when the national news was all about the assassination and funeral of President Lincoln. The majority of the passengers were Union soldiers released from Confederate prisons post-Civil War. The greatest marine disaster in U.S. history was a back page story. The Sultana Museum is full of individual stories and memorabilia. It’s another worthy stop. This and the other museums provide snippets of history that make up the patchwork story of America. The northeast corner of Arkansas is largely rural. The nearest large city is Memphis. There are chain accommodations in several of the small towns in addition to the up-scale Louis in Wilson. If you’re traveling on I-40, take some time to get off the interstate. There are interesting stories to be found in small town America. Staple, the bar in The Louis, is a good gathering spot
Page 12 • January 1, 2026 • Edmond Life & Leisure
A Stillwater High School student looks at cancer cells in the lab of OMRF scientist Jake Kirkland,
Students donate for cancer research Every cookie matters. That’s why Stillwater High School teacher Jody Webber so strongly encourages students to buy one – or more – during the bake sale of “Pink Out Week,” the school’s annual fundraiser for cancer research at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. “We tell them, ‘What if the dollar you spend on that cookie helps a scientist perform the research that finally solves cancer?’” Webber said. “That's the ultimate goal of Pink Out Week.” Each football homecoming week for the past 15 years, Webber has overseen the fundraiser as sponsor of Stillwater’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter. In addition to the traditional bake sale, this year’s Pink Out Week also featured specially embroidered pink bandanas and a 5K run. The school designated OMRF as its beneficiary of Pink Out Week proceeds in 2011. Students have since raised nearly $145,000, including $15,000 this year. Two dozen FCCLA students presented this year’s check at OMRF on Dec. 17, then heard from two scientists, one of whom has developed a special connection with Stillwater students. Jake Kirkland, Ph.D., studies the foundational science of cancer cells. Of particular interest to him is doxorubicin, a breast cancer chemotherapy drug often called “the red devil” for its distinctive color and its reputation. “It kills cancer cells faster than they can reproduce, but it makes most patients really, really sick,” Kirkland told the students. The chemotherapy drug is effective in about half of those who receive it. Kirkland hopes to someday predict who will or won’t benefit to help oncologists make better treatment decisions. A beloved girls’ basketball coach at Stillwater, Kendra Kilpatrick, was on doxorubicin before dying of cancer at age 36 in 2022. Most of her students and players have since graduated, but among those who still remember her is Ally Aguilar, a senior who is president of the FCCLA and Pink Out Week director. “We all associate Pink Out Week with Coach K,” Aguilar said. “When we were planning it this year, we talked about how we needed to go all out, because the seniors on this year’s girls’ basketball team are the last ones who ever had her as a coach.” Aguilar is also an OMRF Teen Leader, one of 56 Oklahoma high school students who come to the foundation monthly to learn about nonprofits and the impact that charitable giving makes on a community. Hearing from Kirkland, Aguilar said, brought home the importance of Pink Out Week. “It opens your eyes, especially for the students who knew Coach K,” she said. “It reminds us that cancer affects everyone and that our money is going to help people that we know.”
Students recently making a $15,000 donation to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.
Edmond Life & Leisure • January 1, 2026 • Page 13
Images of 2025
Mark Nash, above, is sworn into office last spring. Nash, below, defeated Tom Robins by 938 votes in a runoff for Edmond Mayor. Nash has been an Edmond resident for more than 35 years.
City Hall changes Janet Yowell is given a certificate marking 35 years of service with the Edmond Economic Development Authority. She announced her retirement in 2025. Giving her the certificate is Darrell Davis — former Edmond Mayor who stepped down last spring after two terms.
Page 14 • January 1, 2026 • Edmond Life & Leisure
Review of movie ‘Song Sung Blue’
Film’s drama & music a good combo By George Gust The Christmas season has a way of pulling families together with lights, music and tradition, but it can also sharpen the distance felt by people who are struggling. “Song Sung Blue” leans into that double edge. There’s warmth and communal joy in its musical moments, yet an undercurrent of loneliness and strain that never quite lets you forget the stakes. “Song Sung Blue” is based on the true story of Lightning (Hugh Jackman) and Thunder (Kate Hudson), a Milwaukee husband and wife Neil Diamond tribute act, who experience soaring success and devastating heartbreak in their musical journey together. The movie’s strongest asset is its honest, lived-in world. The production design from wood-paneled living rooms to neon-lit dive bars nails the era and the mood, and the wintery palette fits the story’s emotional chill. The first half moves briskly, giving the relationship and the band’s formation enough room to breathe without overexplaining, and the “getting the band together” section is genuinely fun: quirky characters, small victories, and the thrill of col-
Answers on Page 19
laboration. Where the film falters is in the second half, when the pace slows to reflect grief and hardship; the shift is purposeful but can feel heavy-handed at times. Stretching scenes until the emotional payoff is earned rather than felt naturally. It’s a deliberate choice, but some viewers may find the descent into sorrow a bit long. Kate Hudson’s portrayal is quietly winning with her warm, slightly homespun accent and grounded characterization make her instantly believable and easy to root for. She also showcases a singing voice that has been rarely seen in her career. Hugh Jackman brings
the expected stage charisma, but he also grounds his performance with a surprising vulnerability that keeps his character from becoming a caricature of the showman. Jim Belushi and Michael Imperioli add texture and humor as part of the motley crew, giving the band a lived-in chemistry that sells both the camaraderie and the compromises. There are moments of real musical magic when the cast comes together, and those scenes are the film’s emotional high points. “Song Sung Blue” isn’t a crowd-pleasing singalong of “Sweet Caroline” it’s more of an emotional ballad that balances joy and heartbreak. It’s moving without being sentimental, and while it isn’t an easy watch, it earns the ache it asks you to sit with. It captures the messy reality of pursuing art when life keeps throwing curveballs money worries, mental health struggles and the weight of personal history. If you’re in the mood for something honest and bittersweet that lingers after the credits, this one will stay with you. “Song Sung Blue” is rated PG-13 for thematic material, some strong language, some sexual material and brief drug use. 4.3 out of 5 stars.
Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson shine onstage in the emotional true story of dreams and heartbreak in “Song Sung Blue”
Fact file Although people lived throughout what is now considered Edmond, its humble history began in 1887 when a railroad station was built in what is now referred to as Downtown Edmond. Tracks for the Santa Fe Railroad were laid through Oklahoma and eventually at milepost 103, initially called Summit due its high elevation. Summit eventually became the Edmond Station or Edmond Burdock, and was a stop for food and a place for trains to get fuel, coal, and water. After those tracks were laid down and the Station established the area began developing overnight in 1889 with the Oklahoma Land Run. “Broad Street” and “Two Street,” present day Broadway and Second Street, saw a growth from the 3 initial settlers, Mr. and Mrs. Steen and their 2year old son, to well over 100 by the end of the day…and the Downtown Edmond was born. Within a short time businesses, grocery stores, and other shops began sprouting up along the Santa Fe R.R. line. At first, Edmond was just a place to stop if you were riding the train, due to the available city dining.
Crossword Puzzle STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: On the Farm ACROSS
1. Laura Ingalls' notebook 6. Boozer 9. Biblical pronoun 13. Sacred text, to some 14. "Fat chance!" 15. Afrikaners' ancestors 16. Cake spread 17. Chowed down 18. Clear the blackboard 19. *Barn chore 21. *John Deere, e.g. 23. Nirvana's "Come as You ____" 24. Spasm of pain 25. Broadband access overseer, acr. 28. Mark for omission 30. Recessed space 35. "____ and the Real Girl," movie 37. "Shoot!" 39. E in baseball box score 40. Oil org. 41. Intelligent 43. A mixture or medley 44. Children's respiratory disease 46. Foggy view? 47. Politicians, for short 48. In a sympathetic manner 50. Ski hill ride 52. Maiden name indicator 53. Bald eagle's nest 55. Repeated Latin dance step 57. *a.k.a. harvester 61. *Opposite of pasture 65. *Common varieties are yellow, red and white 66. Tall tale 68. Smooth, in manner 69. Audience’s approval 70. "____ at ease" 71. Stomach sore 72. Caribou or moose 73. Soldier's bed 74. Harsh DOWN 1. *Separate cream from milk 2. Locus, pl.
3. Seed coat 4. Form of Japanese poetry 5. Encircle 6. Deep pile carpet 7. *Cereal grass 8. Sorority letter 9. Cleopatra's necklace 10. Thermostat option 11. Guesstimate phrase (2 words) 12. Olympic cast-out, e.g. 15. Charles Darwin's vessel 20. Must-haves 22. Ribonucleic acid, acr. 24. Fine 25. *Group of chickens 26. Birthplace of Caprese 27. Oedipus' successor 29. *Baby sheep 31. *____ rotation 32. Acrylic fiber 33. Bridal veil fabric 34. With a jagged margin 36. Gulf War missile
38. *Pasture-raised chicken's morsel 42. Vanish without this? 45. Lamentation 49. Japanese capital 51. Rh in Rh disease 54. Indiana Jones' find, e.g. 56. Not a minor 57. For boys and girls 58. Popular fairy-tale beginning 59. Stephen King's "The Green ____" 60. *Male pig 61. Abe Lincoln's hat material 62. Tatted cloth 63. Done 64. Seaside bird 67. UN labor grp.
Answers on Page 19
Edmond Life & Leisure • January 1, 2026 • Page 15
Images of 2025
Powers at Law, LLC: Celebrating 25 Years of Dedicated Service Powers at Law, LLC proudly marked its 25th anniversary on November 13, 2025. Over the past quartercentury, the 2-member firm has built a legacy of dedication and service to its community and clients. Don Powers, an Air Force veteran who served in Vietnam, brings a wealth of experience to the firm. His professional background includes service for the City of Dallas, the Kansas City, Missouri school district, and as Director of Airports in Tulsa. Don is committed to supporting businesses and business owners and reminds his clients that it is much easier to address contractual issues before signing than after. His guiding principle is “to be part of the solution and not the problem.” G. Kay Powers, Ph.D., had a notable academic career at the University of Central Oklahoma as a professor, department chair, and college dean. Outside academia, she built homes, raised Hereford cattle,
In January last year — Edmond and downtown was hit with a winter storm. The snow may have made the landscape look neat — but it also caused problems driving.
The Farmer’s Market once again served thousands of people during its run in downtown Edmond. The market, with fresh produce, is open from March to October at the Festival Marketplace.
The Edmond History Museum always has something interesting brewing. Last winter in February they had a production of the ‘War of the Worlds’ radio broadcast. In the 1930s, some people were convinced the program was real — leading to a few incidents of panic.
and ran an antiques store and auction. She graduated from the Oklahoma School of Auctioneering and the Fullerton Modeling and Casting Agency. Now, she advises clients on estate planning-wills, trusts, and probate-believing a well-planned estate is one of the best gifts parents can give their children. Her motto is “to achieve and inspire excellence.” Don and G. Kay are proud Edmondites and active members of the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce, the Edmond Rotary Club, and their church. They work together in the same office, cherishing the best parts of each day-hug breaks. To their wonderful clients and all citizens of Edmond, Don and G. Kay say, “Thank you for providing us with twenty-five of the best years a company can have. Contact us for your estate planning and business transaction needs and experience ‘the power of two working for you.”’ 1420 Bond Street • Edmond 405-359-5999 www.powersatlaw.com
Page 16 • January 1, 2026 • Edmond Life & Leisure
Images of 2025
Jan Moran, of AT&T, helps to sponsor legislative guests at the chamber. Above she poses with Okla. Gov. Kevin Stitt. The Edmond Area chamber of Commerce almost always has interesting guest. Above, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin addressed the crowd in May providing interesting insights on Washington D.C.
Edmond Life & Leisure • January 1, 2026 • Page 17
Sovereign Bank Greets Public
The staff at the newly opened Sovereign Bank branch, 3480 S. Boulevard, in Edmond welcomed folks to their Holiday open house.
Some tips on mastering how to work at home Remote working might not be as common as it was during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when a significant percentage of working professionals were required to work from home as a safety precaution. A 2025 report from Wow Remote Teams estimated that 22 percent of American workers would spend the year working remotely, while the staffing and recruitment experts at Robert Half anticipated four in 10 workers being afforded some amount of remote work opportunities in 2025. Those figures might be a far cry from remote work statistics earlier in the decade, but they still indicate that a significant percentage of professionals are spending at least some, if not all, of their workday working from home. Working from home poses some unique challenges that are not necessarily present when commuting to an office each day. A few simple strategies can help remote workers overcome the unique issues that may arise when working from home. · Schedule each day. A work calendar that includes daily tasks and meetings can help remote workers stay the course and avoid succumbing to distractions present at home that are not around in a typical office. In addition to listing tasks and meetings, add goals to a daily schedule, which can keep remote workers motivated to continue working during lulls in the workday. · Minimize in-office distractions. Remote workers who spend enough time working from home to merit a separate home office space should do what's necessary to minimize in-office distractions. For instance, a television in a home office can be a needless distraction that remote workers may turn on even when they have a full day's work on
their plate. Additional creature comforts also can be nice but distracting. Minimizing such distractions in a home office can ensure remote workers are as productive at home as they were when they commuted to an office each day. · Stay in touch. One of the hurdles companies face when allowing workers to work from home is maintaining open lines of communication between staff members. Remote workers should prioritize communication with colleagues and coworkers even if they no longer see them each day. Identify ways to remain in touch so productivity does not suffer and projects are completed on time and up to par. Utilize communication channels such as email, messaging apps, text messaging, and Zoom to remain connected with colleagues. Management personnel can consider daily or weekly meetings with necessary personnel to ensure workflow is not suffering and confirm everyone is on the same page with projects and expectations. · Remain flexible. Flexibility is often cited as part of the appeal of remote work, but remote workers must recognize that's a two-way street. If employers and supervisors allow remote workers flex hours and other perks exclusive to working from home, then that flexibility must be reciprocated when the need arises. A willingness to work some late nights or even weekend hours is a good tradeoff for the benefits of working from home. Remote working remains a fact of life for millions of workers, who can employ various strategies to remain productive when working from home. From Metro News
Page 18 • January 1, 2026 • Edmond Life & Leisure
Images of 2025
In May, an Oklahoma State graduate summed up the feelings most graduates feel — earning a diploma.
Family Circus
Beetle Baily
Hi and Lois
Blondie
Shoe
Hägar the Horrible
Zits
Edmond Life & Leisure • January 1, 2026 • Page 19
Images of 2025
The annual LibertyFest celebration in Edmond gets under way in June. The concert is held outside at the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma.
“WHEN YOU ARE KIND TO OTHERS, IT NOT ONLY CHANGES YOU, IT CHANGES THE WORLD” - HAROLD KUSHNER
Page 20 • January 1, 2026 • Edmond Life & Leisure