There we were at the Home & Garden Show, standing in front of the perfect bathroom display: a gleaming white freestanding tub, a floating double vanity with beautiful stainless fixtures, and a glass-enclosed shower. Alison said, “Our bathroom could look like this.”
And just like that, our bathroom remodel went from “someday” to “apparently this weekend.” After getting a few quotes, thrifty Alison suggested we handle the tub and tile demolition ourselves. “It’ll be something we can do together. It’ll be fun.” Those are famous last words in the home improvement world. As she headed to Lowe’s to buy a 12-pound sledgehammer, I checked our prenup for a “no demo” clause — nope. Hand me my safety glasses; I guess we’re doing this.
She pointed me toward our first target: our built-in castiron bathtub. A 1970s relic. Solid. Indestructible. Basically, a Cold War bunker disguised as plumbing. I hoisted up the sledgehammer and let gravity do most of the work.
My progress was… slow. Standing safely outside my swing radius, Alison offered encouragement, “Maybe hit it a little harder.” That’s when the thoughts started creeping in: “Maybe I could fake a minor medical emergency?” and “Perhaps we should just move.”
But I kept swinging. And eventually, 300 pounds of cast iron surrendered. We stood there, staring at a pile of rubble where our bathroom used to be, both proud and slightly concerned about our decision-making skills.
The good news is we saved money. The better news is we didn’t spend those savings on a chiropractor or an ER visit. Up next is floor tile demolition and ibuprofen, not necessarily in that order.
Dave Miller Publisher & Back40 Design President
Growing Edmond’s Urban Forest
By Amy Dee Stephens
The people of Edmond clearly love trees. In the early 1900s, leaders campaigned to plant trees on the flat, treeless prairie. One hundred years later, local citizens convinced the City of Edmond that protecting the trees and the cross-timbers was a priority.
In 1999, the Edmond Urban Forestry Commission was formed to preserve and enhance Edmond’s tree presence. Now, five fulltime employees manage an array of tree-related projects. The team identifies public safety concerns, maintains public trees in parks and medians, enforces codes, and hosts community events.
“I love connecting people with the trees in their community,” said Leigh Martin, Urban Forester. “Urban Forestry has a strong focus on outreach, hosting volunteer opportunities, tree distributions, classes and more. It’s fun running into past program participants at events and hearing stories about trees they have received from us.”
The Legacy Tree Registry celebrates the biggest, oldest, and most meaningful trees that define Edmond’s landscape.
Martin, a Tulsa native, attended Oklahoma State University for her forestry degree, where she was introduced to the concept of managing trees in urban environments. Since 2009, she has been a steward of tree health and diversity in Edmond.
Big, Special, Old Trees
One project close to Martin’s heart is the Legacy Tree registry. “It highlights significant trees in the community due to their size, botanical interest, landmark location, community ties, or association with a historical event. If the tree meets certain criteria, it can be nominated as a Legacy Tree,” Martin said.
Legacy Trees located on public property or with a private owner’s permission are added to an interactive online map showing the tree’s location and history. Many of the trees are located at Edmond’s oldest schools and parks, and a few trees in east Edmond are identified as pre-Land Run trees.
Urban Forestry collaborated with Dr. Chad King from the University of Central Oklahoma biology department to date the oldest trees. “He and his students study tree rings by taking core samples to determine the age,” Martin said. “There’s a huge burr oak at Danforth and Douglas that’s 170 years old!”
Keeping Trees While Keeping People Safe
In addition to tree advocacy, Urban Forestry employees must address tree condition and risk. “Public safety is a priority,” Martin said. “Trees are dynamic organisms. We administer a proactive pruning cycle to address concerns such as dead and damaged branches, and when necessary, removal of dead or high risk trees.”
Removing old-growth trees for new construction, however, has recently been on the community’s radar since east Edmond development ramped up. As a result, Urban Forestry has worked to incentivize the preservation of existing trees during property development. Ordinances that require landscape plantings or save existing trees are what Martin calls “a good step” toward preserving the natural environment.
“In 2021, Edmond was the first city in Oklahoma to adopt tree preservation requirements,” Martin said.
Long Live the Trees
Urban Forestry is already working to prepare the next generation to love trees by reaching out to students through nature classes, educational programs, and art opportunities. Their biggest outreach event is the Arbor Week 5th Grade Art Contest, called Trees in Our Town. The students win treerelated prizes, and their art is displayed at the Edmond History Museum.
“It’s fun seeing how proud the kids are of their trees,” Martin said. “Our goal is to instill an appreciation for trees by creating positive memorable experiences. We hope Edmond’s long-term investment to value our trees will continue into the future.”
Learn more about the Edmond Urban Forestry Commission at edmondok.gov/614/Urban-Forestry.
The burr oak tree, located at Danforth and Douglas, is estimated to be 160-170 years old and is listed on the Legacy Tree Registry.
Rose Creek Country Club
Chef-Driven Restaurants and Resort-Style Amenities
By Laura Beam
Edmond is no stranger to growth and innovation, but the recently completed expansion and renovations at Rose Creek Country Club are turning heads across the metro and state. Since 2023, it has undergone a complete transformation–and the results are stunning! “We made a multi-million dollar investment in both the golf course and the clubhouse, elevating every aspect of the member experience,” Alex Hammill of Innovative Club Management explains. “The goal was to rethink what a country club could be.”
Beyond the exquisite golf course and its renovations, Rose Creek is now a modern, lifestyle-driven club, offering work, workout, dining, and socializing options all day. Best of all, Rose Creek’s award-winning Neighborhood Provisions restaurant led by Chef Jim Camp, is open to the public and has become a true go-to spot in Edmond over the years. The new Maple and Honey Coffee Co. inside The Retreat is also open to the public for guests to stop in for coffee, enjoy the lounge, and use the co-working space–a great way to experience the club’s refined yet relaxed atmosphere. And once you get a taste of this spectacular Edmond attraction, you’ll be wanting to know more about the variety of membership options available to both residents and non-residents of Rose Creek.
The Retreat
The biggest and perhaps most anticipated addition at Rose Creek is The Retreat, for members, which is now fully open and operating as a central part of the club. “It brings a true resortstyle experience to Edmond, featuring a full fitness facility, spa services, saunas, hot and cold plunge tubs, adult and family pools, a rooftop bar, and a coffee and co-working space. It has completely changed how members use the club on a daily basis,” Alex remarks. “We drew inspiration from high-end resorts, boutique fitness concepts, and chef-driven restaurants. Every space was designed to feel intentional, comfortable, and elevated, without being overly formal.”
Caché
Members are also raving about the new Caché, Rose Creek’s award-winning, members-only speakeasy and steakhouse. “It has quickly become one of the most talked-about dining experiences in the state,” Alex reveals. The hidden gem is tucked away like a cozy getaway all its own, where every cut of meat is either prime or wagyu, “delivering a level of quality that is hard to find in the market,” Alex says. Members receive
15% off, making it the ideal combination of value and quality. The experience goes beyond the food. Caché features over 700 spirits and a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list, along with a high-energy cocktail program and live music on the weekends. “It has received national recognition and brings a level of energy and exclusivity that feels truly unique to Oklahoma,” Alex comments.
Neighborhood Provisions - Open to the Public Neighborhood Provisions is a true dining destination with a warm neighborhood feel, complete with impressive views and a menu to match. Chef Jim Camp has been voted a Top 5 Best Chef by 405 Magazine the last two years, speaking to his commitment and passion for excellent food. Under his leadership, the superb menu continually evolves, with a focus on seasonal ingredients, bold flavors and approachable dishes executed with next-level touches. Whether relaxing over lunch, meeting friends for cocktails, or joining family for dinner or brunch, guests love the elevated comfort foods, fresh seafood, and delicious apps that keep the menu exciting. The spacious patio overlooking the grounds is a favorite gathering spot where you always meet new friends!
Visit 17031 N. May Ave. in Edmond or go to rosecreekgc.com to schedule a tour today. Mention this article and receive a $500 gift if you join Rose Creek by May 1, 2026.
Account Executive, editor, and writer with experience in radio, newspaper and magazines. Interested in what Outlook can do for your business? Email laura@edmondoutlook.com.
LAURA BEAM
AN ORATORIO BY RYAN MALONE
HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG COLLEGE CHORAL UNION with soloists Paula Malone, soprano • Mark Jenkins, tenor Rob Glaubitz, baritone
2:00 PM SUNDAY, APRIL 26
The Book of Lamentations is the Hebrew Bible’s most sophisticated poetry, capturing Jerusalem’s destruction with unmatched elegance and intensity. For the first time in modern history, every word is set to music in Ryan Malone’s oratorio Lamentations of Jeremiah. This groundbreaking work features both English and original Hebrew, blending traditional orchestral sounds with Middle Eastern modes. Don’t miss this world premiere!
Seth Bowen Oklahoma Smoke Diver
By Taylor Bollinger
For first responders, training never really ends. But some programs push even the most experienced firefighters to their limits. One of those is the Oklahoma Smoke Diver program, designed to test both physical endurance and mental resilience. Earlier this year, Edmond firefighter Seth Bowen became the first member of the department to graduate directly from the Oklahoma Smoke Diver program.
The milestone carries significance in Edmond. Before Oklahoma launched its own Smoke Diver training, 11 Edmond firefighters completed the prestigious Georgia Smoke Diver program. Bowen, however, is the first Edmond firefighter to earn the designation by completing the Oklahoma program.
Bowen has been with the Edmond Fire Department for just over four years, but his interest in firefighting began long before that. “I always wanted to be a fireman,” Bowen explains. “I witnessed a wreck on the highway and got out to help. When the firefighters and police showed up, they obviously got me out of the way. I couldn’t really do anything to help, but I wanted to. That kind of solidified it for me.”
After entering the fire service, Bowen began hearing about Smoke Diver training, a program widely respected across the profession. “It always piqued my interest,” he said.
After a few attempts to enter the Georgia Smoke Diver program, Bowen pursued the newly opened Oklahoma course, which is not easy to enter. More than 100 firefighters applied and tested for the most recent class. Candidates first complete a written exam covering firefighter knowledge and skills, followed by a demanding physical qualification test. Only the top scorers move forward.
The intense, 60-hour course spans six grueling days.
In Bowen’s class, 42 firefighters were selected for the six-day training. Only 11 graduated. From the very first day, the physical challenge is clear. “The program is extremely physically taxing,” Bowen said.
Each morning begins with intense physical training designed to push firefighters toward exhaustion. Obstacle courses, calisthenics, and drills, while wearing full firefighting gear, stress every muscle group. “You’re exhausted right away,” Bowen said. “They push you hard in the mornings, and then you’re out in the heat in your gear all day training.”
That exhaustion is meant to create pressure on both the mind and the body. Smoke Diver instructors want to see how firefighters perform critical tasks when their energy is drained and stress levels are high. “You’re physically
depleted, and that creates more stress on the decisionmaking side,” Bowen said.
For Bowen, that mental battle became one of the toughest parts of the experience. “You’re seeing people sent home all around you for not meeting the standard. If you start to feel like you’re falling behind, it can mess with you.”
The intense, 60-hour course spans six grueling days. Bowen says the experience revealed a deeper level of grit and determination. “All the guys in my department that did it before me are people I look up to,” Bowen said. “Seeing my name in the same category as theirs really meant a lot.”
Now that he has completed the program, Bowen plans to stay involved. The Oklahoma Smoke Diver Association operates as a nonprofit, and graduates often return to volunteer as instructors for future classes.
For Bowen, the title of Smoke Diver represents far more than completing a difficult training course. It represents the discipline and determination required to perform when lives are on the line.
Learn more about the Oklahoma Smoke Diver Association at oklahomasmokediver.com.
Seth Bowen and the Oklahoma Smoke Diver Training Facility
Listening Without Words Will Rogers Elementary's Teacher of the Year
By Taylor Bollinger
For Will Rogers Elementary’s Teacher of the Year, Natalie Reed, teaching is not just a career. It’s a calling shaped by personal experience and a deep belief in seeing children for who they truly are.
This spring, the special education teacher was named one of six finalists for the district’s Teacher of the Year award, a recognition that reflects two decades in special education and more than a decade in the classroom. Prior to her work at Will Rogers, Natalie taught at Northern Hills, John Ross, Edmond Early Childhood Center, and Clyde Howell Early Childhood Center. Today, she teaches at a developmentally delayed preschool, working with 3- and 4-year-olds during both morning and afternoon sessions.
Presuming Competence: A Classroom Philosophy
“I love the phrase ‘presuming competence,’” she shared. “Sometimes people meet young children who are nonverbal and assume they do not understand. They do. Our job is figuring out how they are experiencing the world and how they are trying to communicate.”
That belief drives her classroom approach. She focuses on how the brain develops visually first, using matching, pointing, visuals, and communication devices to help students show what they know. Some children use augmented communication buttons. Others select songs on Spotify to express needs or emotions. One student famously used a favorite song to ask for bananas at home.
“That creativity is incredible,” she said. “They are always communicating. We just have to listen differently.”
A Calling Shaped by Experience
Her path to education was not linear. She originally studied pre-med and worked at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. When funding ended, she took a job as a teaching assistant in special education, a role she already had experience with through family members with disabilities and as a caregiver for her niece with autism. She fell in love with the classroom and went back to earn degrees and certifications in early childhood, elementary, and special education. She has taught in Deer Creek, at John Ross Elementary, and now at Will Rogers.
In her Teacher of the Year portfolio, she posed a central question: What does it truly mean to understand someone? Not just their perspective, but how their brain receives information and how they try to express it.
Building Inclusion Beyond the Classroom
Inclusion is a thread that runs through everything she does. Her students trick-or-treat through the school each year, and she takes time to explain to general education peers that their classmates have the same feelings, preferences, and favorite things. “We are all more the same than we are different,” she said. “We just experience the world together.”
She builds community beyond the classroom, organizing zoo trips, pumpkin patch visits, pajama-and-pancake mornings, sensory-friendly Christmas events, and service projects like stocking a pantry using color-matching dice. She also serves as the disability minister at Memorial Road Church of Christ, leading accommodations and inclusion efforts for families.
She is quick to share credit with her teaching assistants, Heather Hall and Becky Vincent. “I could not do my job without them,” she said. “We are family, and they love these kids like their own.”
Together, they work toward a simple but powerful goal: “to help children love learning from the very start and to feel seen, heard, and deeply valued. We simply build connection and trust, and everything else grows from there.”
by
Natalie and Julian
Photo
Kassidy Coffman
Drawing a Bigger World Eric Osborn is Shaping Worlds on the Page and in the Classroom
By Taylor Bollinger
Before he was an Edmond North art teacher, Eric Osborn was already building worlds.
Those worlds began as drawings. Growing up in rural southeast Oklahoma, Osborn spent much of his childhood dealing with serious respiratory issues that often kept him isolated. While other kids were outside, he filled sketchbooks with superheroes, comic characters, and imaginary landscapes inspired by Batman, G.I. Joe, Calvin and Hobbes, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
“I longed to be part of a bigger world,” Osborn said. “So I started drawing worlds I wished I could be a part of.”
In elementary school, a teacher noticed one of his drawings of Batman and offered a bit of encouragement that stuck with him. “She said, ‘Wow, that really looks like him,’” Osborn recalled. That simple recognition helped spark a sense of confidence and pushed him to keep practicing.
As he grew older, drawing became more than an escape. Osborn spent years studying the artists he admired, filling sketchbooks, experimenting with techniques, and teaching himself how professional illustrators built characters and scenes. While he knew he was ahead of many classmates, he measured himself against the professionals whose work filled the comic books and graphic novels he loved.
That creative instinct never left. Over time, the drawings expanded into stories—stories that eventually became published books.
Today, Osborn creates under the name JEO Creations, producing illustrated works that blend adventure, science fiction, and imaginative storytelling.
One of Osborn’s recent releases is “Hiro: Doggie Space Corgi”, a children’s book inspired by his pet and his Chickasaw heritage. The story follows Hiro, a loyal corgi on a space adventure filled with friendship and discovery. Colorful illustrations and playful storytelling invite young readers into Hiro’s imaginative universe.
Osborn also explores darker science-fiction themes. His thriller “The Enigma Machine” follows Aaron Pike, a former soldier who receives a mysterious message from his long-lost father asking him to travel to Afghanistan. There, he
encounters a young girl who is actually a powerful android capable of shifting the balance of world power, drawing the attention of governments and bounty hunters.
In “We Promised Utopia,” Osborn imagines a future shaped by a new economic system designed to create global harmony and eliminate carbon emissions. As corruption emerges and an ice age threatens civilization, the story questions whether a perfect society can truly exist. The book received international attention, including recognition in Previews magazine and positive reviews from Kirkus.
Producing stories at that scale takes imagination as well as discipline. “Technical development will beat talent every time,” Osborn said. Years of drawing, studying, and refining his craft helped him move from sketchbook ideas to fully realized stories and published works.
But in recent years, Osborn has found a new outlet for that creativity: the classroom. After spending time working in commercial art and graphic design, he realized something was missing. The corporate world offered creative work, but not the human connection he was looking for. Teaching provided that.
Today, Osborn teaches art at Edmond North High School, where he has spent the past three years helping students build confidence through creativity.
His classes focus on teaching techniques in ways that students can understand and apply. “When I teach, my ceiling becomes their floor,” he said. “If I can show them how something works, they can take it even further. That is exciting.”
Watching students discover their creative voice has become one of the most rewarding parts of his career.
The kid who once filled sketchbooks to escape isolation now spends his days encouraging students to imagine bigger possibilities. Through art, storytelling, and classroom guidance, Osborn continues to do what he has always done–create worlds and help others find their place in them.
Visit jeocreations.com to follow Osborn’s journey, purchase a book, or enjoy some art.
Eric Osborn and Hiro
From Trail Rides to Race Day
Sixth Grader Zoey Builds Confidence and Speed on the Race Track
By Taylor Bollinger
At just 12 years old, Zoey is already making a name for herself on the race track. The sixth grader is beginning her third season racing in the Texas Outlaw Series, a competitive sideby-side racing circuit that travels around Texas and occasionally Oklahoma.
This year marks another big milestone. Zoey recently moved into a new race car capable of nearly double the speed of her previous one—a fact Zoey expresses with significantly more enthusiasm than her mom, Ashley.
Zoey’s love for racing started early. She first tried racing when the family lived in Idaho. “She raced one time when she was about six,” Ashley said. “Then we moved to Oklahoma, and she just kind of grew up around side-by-sides.” The small off-road vehicles have two seats side-by-side and are built for rough terrain.
Family camping trips often included riding trails together. In 2020, the family bought Zoey her own side-by-side just for fun. Racing was not initially part of the plan. “We would go to events where they were racing and watch,” Ashley said. “Years went by, and she didn’t race. Then one day she told her stepdad she thought it would be fun if she tried it.”
That simple comment sparked an idea. Zoey’s stepdad began transforming her recreational ride into a race car, working overtime and reaching out to racing companies for sponsorships. Her first season was all about learning. Zoey had to adjust to driving the vehicle as a race car rather than a recreational trail machine. Last season, things began to click. Zoey finished on the podium in five of eight races, earning four third-place trophies and one second-place finish.
“It was a learning experience for all of us,” Ashley said. “But Zoey just keeps improving.” This year brings a faster car and new challenges. The upgraded vehicle can reach around 80 miles per hour. “I’ve gone about 75,” Zoey said. “I try to push to get up there.”
The short-course races are intense. Each race includes five laps on a roughly two-mile track filled with tight turns and five jumps. Even with her growing confidence, Zoey says she still feels the nerves before lining up. “I feel a little anxious before,” she said. “I’m just a little scared, until we get going.”
Still, racing has helped her grow in ways her family never expected. “It’s boosted my confidence a lot,” Zoey said. “When you get on the podium you have to talk in front of people, which is something I haven’t always been good at.” Her mother notes the difference, too. “She’s been very shy her whole life, and I’ve really seen her come out of her shell,” she said.
Racing has also introduced the family to a supportive community. “We’ve created a race family out there,” Ashley said. “Everyone helps each other. When we broke an axle, people jumped in to help us fix it.”
Zoey’s team also relies on support from home. Several local businesses sponsor her racing efforts, and the family often hosts bake sales to help cover the high costs of the sport. The season runs through October with a break during the summer heat. For now, Zoey is focused on learning her new car and continuing to improve.
And when she is out on the track, Ashley said two things are certain: “She always has the biggest smile on her face, and she’s completely in her element.”
Legacy Painting, Inc.
“Legacy Painting, Inc. has been around since 1999—you know, the usual story: founded, built on hard work, yada yada yada,” owner, Kevin Calmes, says with a laugh.
“The truth is, a profitable business is great,” he says, “but the greatest thing you can do is serve people. If you do that, you end up with something way more meaningful than just making a profit.”
That mindset has shaped Legacy Painting for more than two decades. The company repaints homes and businesses across Edmond with a strong focus on quality and professionalism. What truly sets them apart, however, is how they treat people: customers aren’t transactions; they’re relationships.
In fact, many of their customers have become friends.
“I like to sit down and have a cup of coffee with a customer. Maybe I’m a little offbeat, but it’s true,” Kevin says with a laugh. “That’s just how I’m wired.”
It’s also why Legacy hosts a customer appreciation dinner each year, not as a marketing gimmick, but as a genuine expression of gratitude for the people who trust them with their homes and businesses. In an industry that can sometimes feel transactional, that kind of effort stands out, and people have noticed.
The company has grown steadily over the years, recently celebrating its 25th anniversary and relocating to a more visible location on Edmond Road. For Legacy, growth has always meant doing good work for people and doing right by them. Their motto, LIFE, stands for "Legacy Inspires Friendly Experiences," and it guides how they approach every job.
“There’s a lot of ways to run a business,” Kevin says. “We’re just trying to do it in a way that actually means something.”
In a world that often feels fast, automated, and impersonal, Legacy Painting moves in the opposite direction, prioritizing real conversations, genuine trust, and thoughtful care. Because at the end of the day, the job isn’t just about great painting; it’s about people.
To learn more about Legacy Painting, Inc. or to schedule a consultation, visit werlegacy.com, call (405) 286-5163, or stop by their office at 417 W Edmond Rd.
To promote your business with a BIZLOOK feature, contact Laura at laura@edmondoutlook.com.
Jeremy Canaday, Khristy Anson, and owner Kevin Calmes
Chisholm Creek Baptist Church
Citizens Bank of Edmond
Celebrates 125 Years Serving Our Community
For 125 years, Citizens Bank of Edmond has anchored the corner of First and Broadway with a mission to use local dollars to fund local dreams, serving the community with integrity and innovation.
“As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we also celebrate the communities we serve and the generations of families that have entrusted us with their investment. We’re also celebrating 250 years of America and 100 years of Route 66 this year, so be sure to keep an eye out for special events the bank is supporting in our community all year long!” said Jill Castilla, Chairman, President, and CEO of Citizens. Recognized as one of
the Most Powerful Women in Banking by American Banker for twelve consecutive years, Jill regularly represents the bank and our community on the national stage.
During her recent testimony before Congress, Congressman Mike Flood (RNE) noted, “Back in 2019, I was trying to remodel the downtown of Norfolk, Nebraska. And I looked at who in the nation had done the best job with their downtown. And this community banker from Edmond, Oklahoma hosted me for the better part of a day... She’s not just a community banker; she’s a community advocate.”
This advocacy expands beyond providing full-service banking to the community. Citizens also invests in local entrepreneurs through its business incubators, Vault 405 and RiSE (Retail Incubator for the Shopkeeper Experience), which support early-stage businesses with space, mentorship, and access to capital.
Citizens is also proud to present Heard on Hurd for 13 seasons running. Since its inaugural year, the annual street festival has generated over $100 million in
economic impact for downtown Edmond and supported hundreds of local artists and businesses.
Through visionary leadership and bold execution, Citizens Bank of Edmond continues to expand its services to support future generations of Edmond families. See how Citizens can support your financial goals by calling 405.341.6650, visiting the website at mycitizens.bank, or visiting in person at 1 East 1st St.
To promote your business with a BIZLOOK feature, contact Laura at laura@edmondoutlook.com.
Jill Castilla, Chairman, President, and CEO of Citizens
Hayley McFarland’s Journey to the Big Screen
By Taylor Bollinger
Long before she appeared in major television shows and films, actress Hayley McFarland was a young Edmond performer with a love for the stage.
McFarland began acting as a child through Michele DeLong’s acting academy in Oklahoma City. She also spent many summers performing and training with Lyric Theatre’s academy, where musical theater became central to her training. “I did musical theater classes at Lyric for most of my childhood,” McFarland said. “I loved becoming a character.”
Around the time she was 12 or 13, an unexpected opportunity arrived. A Los Angeles manager reached out to DeLong asking if she had any students interested in auditioning for film and television roles. “She sent him a tape of me,” McFarland said. “He liked it, so I started going out to LA during pilot season.”
At the time, pilot season meant spending several months in Los Angeles auditioning for new television shows that were hoping to be picked up by networks. McFarland would travel back and forth between Oklahoma and California for several years.
Eventually the auditions began turning into real work. In 2008, the then sixteen-year-old and her family decided it was time to make the move permanent. “It felt like a natural transition,” she said. “I had gradually been working more and more, and my mom was starting to see it as a feasible future for me.”
One of her earliest breakout roles came when she was 15 in the independent film “An American Crime,” starring Catherine Keener and Elliot Page. Soon after, she landed a major role on the FOX television series Lie to Me which she still considers a defining moment in her career. “That was probably my big break,” she said.
Since then, McFarland has appeared in a wide range of projects, including the hit horror film “The Conjuring.” The movie’s massive popularity helped introduce her to a new audience. She has also appeared in single episodes of several well-known television series, including Gilmore Girls, ER, Criminal Minds, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. McFarland later returned to television with a recurring role during the final two seasons of the FX crime drama Sons of Anarchy
Despite the success, McFarland says the entertainment industry still comes with challenges. “The hardest part is the rejection,” she said. “It’s very hard not to take it personally, even though it rarely is.” Over time, she has learned to focus less on outcomes and more on the creative process.
Hayley McFarland
“The most rewarding thing is the creative connections you make,” she said. “When you’re just creating for creativity’s sake, it reinvigorates the joy of making things.” In recent years, those collaborations have included projects like “American Comic” with her boyfriend, comedian and actor Joe Kwaczala. McFarland also recently lent her voice to the animated series “Strip Law,” now available on Netflix.
Even with a career centered in Los Angeles, Oklahoma still plays an important role in her story. “I’ve been able to go back and make a couple movies in Oklahoma, which has been amazing,” she said.
For young actors hoping to follow a similar path, McFarland encourages them to focus on building genuine creative relationships. “If you can find other creative people you truly connect with, that’s the most fulfilling thing,” she said. “The reward is in doing it.”
Follow Hayley’s career on Instagram @HayleyMcFarland.
Jay’s Special Gift!
By Louise Tucker Jones
I’ve always loved moonlight. It’s beautiful and serene. And for me it holds something unique. After my husband died, my son, Jay, with Down syndrome, would watch for the moon each night and when he saw it, he would throw kisses and wave and shout, “Hi Daddy!” It touched my heart.
I asked Jay if he thought Daddy helped God hang the moon at night. He smiled and said, “Yes!” It was nice knowing this helped his grief.
Then eleven years later, I walked out on my deck, in the middle of my grief, after losing my sweet son, Jay and saw the moon for the first time since his leave-taking. My heart literally leaped
in my chest, remembering all of Jay’s sweet kisses and messages to his dad. And right there on that deck, I lost all my inhibitions and yelled as loud as I could, “Jay, it’s Mom! Can you see me?” I threw kiss after kiss to my son and smiled through tears.
Who would have thought that my sweet boy would teach me how to grieve for him after he left for heaven? I like to believe God put those actions in Jay’s life, not only to help him in his grief on losing his dad, but to show me how to find a sliver of joy when grieving the loss of my son.
This month would have been Jay’s 50th birthday. That would have been amazing, but any cardiologist will tell you that Jay’s 46 years with his rare, progressive heart disease was absolutely miraculous. I believe, when doctors proclaimed a very short life expectancy for Jay, God smiled and said, “Just wait till you see the miracles I do with this child! Wait till you see his tenacity and love for Jesus! Wait till you see the joy his unconditional love brings to everyone around him. Oh, the things this child will do!”
Jay brought so much love into this world that I sometimes wonder how it exists without him. I’m beyond thankful that God chose me to be his mother. Happy Heavenly Birthday, Jay! Love you with all of my heart!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Louise Tucker Jones is an award-winning author, inspirational speaker & founder of Wives With Heavenly Husbands, a support group for widows. LouiseTJ@cox.net or LouiseTuckerJones.com.
HAPPY EASTER FROM OC!
At Oklahoma Christian University, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus was God, who came to this earth, to o er Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. We rejoice in knowing that on the third day, Jesus was raised from the dead, overcoming death. He made it possible for any of us to have eternal life.
From all of us at OC, we hope you have a wonderful Easter holiday.
