August 2026

AUGUST 2026

In Remembrance

Honoring lives lost on August 20, 1986

Peaceful Family Oklahoma

Light Up Navajo

Blue Thumb at Spring Creek

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Not too long ago, it seemed every vacant storefront in Edmond became a medical marijuana dispensary almost overnight. I wasn't exactly their target customer, but I had to admire the creativity. Some of those dispensary names were pun-tastic and deserved advertising awards.

A few years later, the commercial real estate trend shifted to car washes. New construction was popping up at nearly every major intersection. Good news, if your freshly washed vehicle gets targeted by a big ol’ nasty bird, there’s another car wash just a few blocks away.

Now it's coffee. The newest construction around town isn't an office building or restaurant, it's another coffee shop. We've apparently become a population determined to never be more than two minutes from our next drivethru beverage. Finding these places is easy, ordering, not so much – hot or iced, oat or almond milk, half sweet, extra shot, cold foam, or caramel drizzle.

And it's not just coffee anymore. It's energy drinks, dirty sodas, frozen concoctions, refreshers, lemonades, smoothies, juices, and countless other specialty drinks.

Whether you're looking for an afternoon boost or something a little healthier, there's probably a place nearby that has exactly what you're craving.

Every few years, it seems Edmond's commercial real estate becomes a snapshot of whatever we're collectively excited about. What’s next? I've noticed quite a few personal training studios opening lately. If someone figures out how to offer a drive-thru workout, they'll probably have a line of cars wrapped around the building.

Dave Miller Publisher & Back40 Design President

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Features 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 26 30

Light Up Navajo The Barlor Testing the Waters Edmond Remembers Back to School, 1889 Style Route 66 Beach Festival Peaceful Family Oklahoma FoodLook: Local Favorites A LOOK Back: Edmond’s First Swimming Pool

Business 22 24

Kind Birdie St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Columns 7 28

In Other Words with Dave Louise Tucker Jones

On the Cover: Cover Photography: by Amy Dee Stephens

ADVERTISING l 405-301-3926 l laura@edmondoutlook.com DISTRIBUTION: MAILED MONTHLY TO OVER 50,000 HOMES IN THE EDMOND AREA PO Box 3878, Edmond, OK 73083 l 405-341-5599 l edmondoutlook.com l info@ edmondoutlook.com AUGUST 2026 Volume 22, Number 8 l Edmond Outlook is published by Art, Link & Letter l © 2026 Art, Link & Letter, LLC

PUBLISHER Dave Miller l PRODUCTION MANAGER Alison Miller l ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE /EDITOR Laura Beam l GRAPHIC DESIGN Kasey Toliver ADVERTISING DESIGN Anne Richardson l PHOTOGRAPHY Marshall Hawkins sundancephotographyokc.com

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Articles and advertisements in the Outlook do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Art, Link & Letter. Art, Link & Letter does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The acceptance of advertising EDMONDOUTLOOK.COM by the Outlook does not constitute endorsement of the products, services or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service that is fraudulent or misleading in nature. TheAUGUST Outlook assumes2026 no responsibility for unsolicited materials.

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FEATURELOOK

Light Up Navajo

Powered by Edmond Electric

By Taylor Bollinger Few people think twice about flipping on a light switch. Yet thousands of families on the Navajo Nation still live without electricity. Each summer, volunteers from public power utilities across the country travel to Arizona to participate in Light Up Navajo, a volunteer effort that brings electricity to homes receiving power for the first time.

This year, Edmond Electric sent two teams of seven volunteers, each serving one week on the reservation.

Edmond Electric team lead Shannon Dodd said the experience keeps bringing crews back year after year.

"Edmond Electric has participated for multiple years and finds it very rewarding. We already love line work, but getting to bring power to someone who's never had it is something completely different."

The Navajo Nation spans roughly 27,000 square miles across Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, an area about the size of West Virginia. The sheer size of the reservation, combined with the remote location of many homes, makes extending power an enormous undertaking.

During their most recent trip, Edmond Electric’s sevenperson crew helped connect eight homes to the electrical grid. Working alongside Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) crews, they built new power lines to homes that had waited years for service.

"It's like working storm restoration," Dodd said. "Except instead of restoring power, you're building a new line so families can have electricity for the first time." For many

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families, living without electricity means relying on firewood for heat and hauling water long distances. Some homes have small solar systems that provide enough power for essentials like refrigerating medication, but full electrical service remains out of reach.

While the work is physically demanding, Dodd says the relationships formed along the way leave the biggest impression. Volunteer crews spend the week working alongside NTUA employees, who guide projects and ensure they meet all local and federal standards. At the end of each week, residents whose homes were connected gather with volunteers for an appreciation dinner. Dodd calls the experience “incredibly rewarding.”

The program has continued to grow since it began in 2019.

Electricians now volunteer to complete interior wiring, and many utilities use the experience as hands-on training for apprentice lineworkers while giving back to communities in need. According to the American Public Power Association, this year's Light Up Navajo initiative aims to connect more than 200 additional homes.

"It makes you appreciate what we have," Dodd said. "When you flip a switch at home, you don't think about it. Then you meet someone who's waited their whole life for that moment."

Learn more at publicpower.org/LightUpNavajo.

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FOODLOOK

The Barlor

By Laura Beam The front porch still hints at the 1900s, but step inside and the story takes a deliciously modern turn. In the heart of downtown Edmond, a 1918 Sears mailorder kit home has traded its once-formal parlor for chic lounge seating, handcrafted cocktails and artistic charcuterie boards.

The Barlor is a relaxed yet lively wine bar, the perfect place to hang out with besties or meet new friends. Opened in May and comfortably appointed with velvet and leather chairs, bejeweled lighting, and cozy conversation nooks, the space feels like the stylish living room at your friend’s house. In fact, every comfy chair has been personally tested by owner Maggie Sermersheim to make sure it is curl-up friendly. “And best of all, someone else cleans up before and after you hang out, and no husband or kids interrupt your friend time,” Maggie laughs.

Formerly an eighth-grade teacher, Maggie started catering in 2016, then opened an Edmond bakery in 2020 when catering came to a halt due to the pandemic. Though she returned to teaching, her passion quickly pulled her back to food and hospitality. “It’s the epitome of ‘happy’ to me,” Maggie admits. When looking for a catering kitchen, a real estate agent suggested she open a restaurant. But before opening The Barlor, she asked women what they liked to eat when they went to their girlfriends’ houses and discovered a different approach to elegant and comforting food that brings people together. “We built the menu of small bites, snacks, and charcuterie around that, rather than opening a traditional restaurant.”

Sip, Savor, and Stay Just inside the front door, the glitzy bar greets you with a selection of cocktails, mocktails, wine, and more. Enjoy a chat with Maggie or bartender Ivy as you order your favorite concoction. They will make it just the way you like it. While you wait, peruse the superb charcuterie and bites menu filled with all your favorite cheeses, dips, meats, breads, olives, nuts, and fruits. Choose a small board for two people, medium for six plus, or large for 12 plus, like the Mediterranean board with hummus, goat cheese, crispy prosciutto, and capicola, or the Parisian with blue cheese, candied fruit, French bread, and candied bacon. Butter boards, dessert boards, and comforting bites like mini Beef Wellington and chicken salad bites and are also standouts on this elevated menu. Have fun with the Build-Your-Own Charcuterie and choose a mini, for-two, or for-the-table board brimming with your favorite nibbles.

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Beyond the Board Once you discover the one-of-a-kind charcuterie and cocktails at this downtown Edmond destination, the fun and intrigue will keep you coming back for more. See some art on the wall you like? It’s yours! The Barlor features local artists and you can scan a QR code to the artist’s Etsy account and buy what you like. Looking for a place for your Mahjong group to meet? The Barlor accommodates with a swanky game room which also doubles as a conference room. There is a singles night every third Wednesday of the month with music bingo. “Music brings people together and creates great conversations,” Maggie says. And look for amazing special events like bourbon tasting parties featuring high-end spreads like crab cakes and curried lamb with peach chutney.

Visit The Barlor at 26 W. Hurd St. in Edmond, Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The kitchen closes at 7 p.m., and guests 13 and older are welcome from 5 to 9 p.m.

Learn more at thebarlorokc.com.

LAURA BEAM 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.

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FEATURELOOK

Blue Thumb's Spring Creek Stewards

By Amy Dee Stephens Every month, a small team of volunteers sets up a portable chemistry lab at the trailhead of Spring Creek walking trail. Their mission is to record the quality of water flowing through the creek, which is then compared to data from previous years.

John Harrington and Gretchen Jeane began volunteering for Oklahoma Blue Thumb, a water conservation organization, in the late 1990s. The program started as one of Oklahoma’s earliest citizen science programs, training volunteers to monitor 75 streams around the state.

Having documented Edmond’s Spring Creek for over 30 years, John and Gretchen have witnessed many changes to the stream, both seasonal differences and the results of development in the area. While photographs capture the physical changes in the landscape, only chemistry can identify the water’s true health.

“Oh, Wow! The water’s really low this month,” John says, coming around the curve to the testing location. “Look at that big sandbar in the middle of the stream.”

“Last month, the creek was really high after the rains,” Gretchen adds. “It looks totally different this time.”

“I’d guess it’s going to be a drought summer. Water conservation schedules are coming,” John says. “Hopefully it’s not a drought fall, too.”

Gretchen begins unpacking chemistry supplies from the wagon. John’s wife, Sara, sets up a small table and hands out collection bottles. Sara joined her husband seven years ago, completing the Blue Thumb trio. “I married into this,” she says with a laugh. “John loves sampling this creek, and I wanted to be part of it with him.”

As Gretchen scouts the streambed for running water, John points out wildlife tracks in the mud. “There’s some deer tracks….raccoons…a big dog. We’ve seen all kinds of animals.

A big snapping turtle. Even a bull snake up under the bridge where the barn swallows have their nests.”

“Here’s a good spot,” Gretchen calls. She walks across the sand bank, steps over some rocks, and kneels down to scoop up a bottle of water. “The water feels pretty good when it’s eighty-five degrees outside,” Gretchen says. “Not so much when it’s twenty-five degrees out here.”

Back at the chemistry table, John, Gretchen, and Sara pour creek water into vials and begin adding various chemicals.

Some test results show up immediately, others require a timer.

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Blue Thumb Crew: Sara Harrington, John Harrington, Gretchen Jeane and their mobile testing lab at Spring Creek

As they work, John explains why he began volunteering with Blue Thumb. “As a geologist for 37 years, I knew a lot about water flowing underground, but I didn’t fully understand the rest of the water cycle until I got involved with Spring Creek. In fact, most people don’t understand where their water comes from, other than the faucet.”

Gretchen was a biology major in college who wanted to be involved with hands-on conservation. Now, as a museum educator, she teaches people that their choices affect the natural world. “I want people to be aware that the trash they throw out their car window or the chemicals they pour down the drain all eventually show up in our water. We see it.”

“This time of year, we see fertilizers and pesticides increase,” Sara says. “And this creek flows into Arcadia Lake, which is the water supply for a lot of people.”

As the crew finalizes their tests, John records the results, which are submitted to Blue Thumb and made available to the public.

“It’s weird to think I’ve been doing this for thirty years,” John says. “I just really enjoy it. We’d love other volunteers to join us, too.” He laughs. “And I promise it’s not a threedecade commitment!”

To learn more, visit BlueThumbOK.com.

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FEATURELOOK

Remembering August 20, 1986

Forty Years Later, Edmond Reflects, Remembers and Honors

By Amy Dee Stephens The headline “15 Die in Massacre” shocked America.

The unexpected event shook Edmond to its core. Post office employees in downtown went to work as usual, unaware that one of their co-workers had been reprimanded the previous day. On August 20, 1986, that employee burst into the office, shot 20 people, and then killed himself. Fourteen of them died.

In 1986, only two other mass shootings had occurred in America. How could this have happened in Edmond?

“I took hundreds of media calls from around the world--and they all had that same question,” said former mayor Randel Shadid. “There’s no answer.

Edmond is one of the safer places you can live, but it happened. Unfortunately, mass shootings have happened a whole lot more since then. It’s very hurtful for people to go through, and it’s hard for me to talk about it.”

Shadid, who was mayor pro-tem that day, describes it as the worst day of his life. The memory of what he saw in the post office still haunts him. Even worse was watching as people learned that their family members had not survived.

“Telling people that their loved ones were not coming home because they were murdered was horrible,” Shadid said.

“They broke down, inconsolable. That was the most horrific part of the day for me.

Doing that 14 times.”

for Retired Federal Employees. “Even though the employees who worked at the post office back in 1986 are retired or changed jobs, many Oklahomans are still bearing the loss of that day.”

Yellow Ribbon During the aftermath of the massacre, dozens of memorial wreaths arrived, placed around the post office flagpole. Nationally, flags were flown at half-mast, and post offices held a moment of silence. Edmond citizens tied hundreds of yellow ribbons to trees, mailboxes, and lampposts across town.

A committee was formed to commission a large bronze marker. Citizens and various postal organizations donated $93,000 toward a statue, which was created by local sculptor Richard Muno. Yellow Ribbon depicts a couple holding a long yellow ribbon in the center of a concrete fountain, with fourteen waterspouts to represent each of the victims.

Over time, however, the fountain stopped working and the fragile yellow ribbon sustained damage. When Cinda Covel, Patricia Ann Chambers director of public art, tried to repair the memorial, she uncovered a confusing trail of Judy Stephens Denney ownership.

Richard C. Esser, Jr. “It was unclear who owned and cared for Yellow Ribbon: the federal government Patricia A. Gabbard or Edmond?” said Covel. “I found records Jonna Ruth Gragert proving that citizens paid for the sculpture, Patty Jean Husband but the fountain is on federal property, so we couldn’t make changes without permission.”

Betty Ann Jared City staff is currently working with the William F. Miller U.S. Postal Service to request an easement Kenneth W. Morey that will allow Edmond to manage future Ceremony of Remembrance landscaping and revitalizations. Meanwhile, Forty years have passed, and to Leroy Orrin Phillips the fountain is running again—in time for the those uninvolved or unborn, the event Jerry Ralph Pyle 40th Anniversary. might simply represent a sad moment Paul Michael Rockne “Yellow Ribbon is important to Edmond. in Edmond’s history. Those who lived Positive effort has been made to refurbish through it, however, still remember the Thomas Wade Shader, Jr. the sculpture and honor those who died,” feelings of shock, grief, and anger.

Patti Lou Welch Covel said.

To acknowledge the community’s “Memorials are sad, but they add a level of pain and resilience, a 40th Anniversary civility to a community,” Shadid said. “Yellow Ribbon was a nice ceremony is being planned. thing to do, because you don't ever want people to forget what “I remember that day, and I remember being proud of how happened here. I certainly can’t.” the City handled it,” said former mayor Dan O’Neil, who is organizing the ceremony on behalf of the National Association 14

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LOCALLOOK

Back to School in 1889

By Amy Dee Stephens

As schoolchildren gear up for their return to school, the Edmond Historical Preservation Trust invites students to glimpse a school day from the perspective of Edmond’s first students. The restored 1889 Territorial Schoolhouse at 2nd & Boulevard is the first public school of Oklahoma Territory and the only one-room school remaining along Route 66.

A Simplified School Day Today’s children typically prepare for the coming year by filling shopping bags with school supplies, new clothes, and increasingly larger backpacks. Parents check bus schedules or drop-off times, coordinate after-school agendas, and everyone adds various communication apps to their phones and devices.

It is an astounding amount of preparation compared to that of schoolchildren in 1889, who walked to school carrying only a lunch pail and wearing one of two outfits. By the time the school bell rang, most children had already completed an array of morning chores. In some ways, the start of school was a time for quiet rest and controlled focus.

Edmond's First Public School Edmond’s founding citizens, who settled on the prairie to start a new life 137 years ago, arrived with minimal personal items. As they began to clear their land and prepare homes, the townspeople communicated their desire to have “proper schooling” for their children. Education was a top priority, as many settlers had educated backgrounds.

With the help of some diligent fundraising by the Ladies School Aid Auxiliary, $25 was raised to buy lumber for the wood-framed school. Just four months after the town of Edmond was established, nineteen children attended class on September 6, 1889.

Although the students lived in houses equivalent to shacks

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today, families knew that their chance for a better life lay in the opportunity to read and write. The ability to attend 1st through 8th grade provided a solid foundation for many of the leaders who later advanced Edmond from a settlement town to an established city in the new state of Oklahoma.

Saving the Schoolhouse Because the population eventually outgrew the one-room school, the structure was converted into a house and later into a camera shop. In the 1980s, local historian Lucille Warrick fought to prove that the building was Edmond’s forgotten first school. She was proved correct when the inside walls were removed to reveal the original chalkboards!

Visit the Schoolhouse Visitors can see inside the restored 1889 Territorial Schoolhouse during scheduled times and events: Saturday Afternoons: The schoolhouse is open most Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers are available to give tours.

Children’s Schoolhouse Camps: Various camps are offered during summer and holiday breaks so that students can time travel back to 1889.

Adult Schoolhouse Days: Adults can experience the one-room school day, led by a living history schoolmarm on August 31 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Meet the Teacher at the 1889 Territorial School: It’s a come-and-go field trip August 1012 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with old-fashioned activities and crafts. Picnic lunches are welcome.

Learn more at EdmondHistoricalTrust.com and EdmondHistory.org.

Then & Now: The Classroom 2026 Classroom: Colorful walls decorated with kid-friendly posters and an electronic Smart-Board on the wall.

1889 Classroom: Wood plank walls with a print of George Washington and a black chalk board surface made of burnt sweet potatoes and milk.

2026 Books: Multiple shelves of colorful books of various reading levels and topics, plus a library filled with thousands of books.

1889 Books: A handful of solid-colored books with blackand-white print and wood-block images, plus a classroom set of McGuffy Readers.

2026 Necessities: Water fountains, bathrooms with automatic sinks and soap dispensers, electricity, playground equipment, air conditioning.

1889 Necessities: A tub of water with lye soap, an outhouse, candles and pot-bellied stove, jump ropes and potato sacks.

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FEATURELOOK

Route 66 Beach Festival Brings Olympic Rowing to Arcadia Lake

By Taylor Bollinger Forget everything you think you know about rowing.

There are no long, quiet stretches of water or distant boats gliding across the horizon. Instead, athletes sprint across the sand, leap aboard their boats, and race just feet from cheering spectators.

That's the kind of energy coming to Arcadia Lake, August 29-30 during the inaugural Route 66 Beach Festival, a free, family-friendly event. It’s centered around Beach Sprint Rowing, rowing's newest discipline and an official sport for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Competitors sprint across the beach, row a short offshore course around buoys, then race back to shore before finishing on foot.

"Beach Sprints is changing the rowing world because it's so different," said festival spokesperson Elizabeth Laurent.

"Traditional rowing is calm and precise. Beach rowing brings a whole new excitement to the sport." Unlike traditional rowing, Beach Sprints puts spectators in the middle of the action. Visitors can stand at the water's edge as competitors race across the beach, push off into the water, and navigate a fast-paced course before sprinting back across the finish line.

“It’s fun because spectators are right there where the athletes are racing," Laurent said. "It's immediate, firsthand action." The festival will welcome a wide range of competitors, from Team USA athletes pursuing Olympic dreams to experienced rowers trying Beach Sprints for the first time. Even beginners can get in on the action through introductory clinics held before the races, giving newcomers the chance to learn the sport and compete during the festival.

The festival also showcases another fast-paced water sport: dragon boat racing. Organizers also plan to feature dragon boat racing, where 10 paddlers power decorated

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boats across the water while keeping time with a drummer seated at the front. "It's very visual," Laurent said. "The boats are so colorful and the water is flying off the paddles as they race through the waves.”

Beyond the competition, the Route 66 Beach Festival is designed as a full day at the lake. Visitors can enjoy live music, including a Saturday performance by legendary musician Dean Torrence of Jan & Dean, along with food trucks, beach games, kayaking, and Arcadia Lake's swim beach.

The event also highlights Oklahoma's growing role in Olympic sports. With Beach Sprints making its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028, the event is sanctioned by USRowing, which will also host a coaching clinic in Edmond leading up to the event. "It's exciting for Oklahoma to get this attention from USRowing and help introduce this new sport," Laurent said.

Community members can also take part behind the scenes through volunteer opportunities. Some will greet athletes and guests, while others will have, perhaps, the most memorable assignment of all: standing waist-deep in the water, steadying race boats until competitors sprint aboard.

Admission to the festival is free, with only Arcadia Lake's $10 per vehicle entrance fee required. Whether cheering on future Olympians, trying a new sport, or simply enjoying a day at Arcadia Lake, visitors will experience one of the fastest, most spectator-friendly rowing events in the world, right here in Edmond.

Learn more at route66beachfestival.com.

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FEATURELOOK

Peaceful Family Brings Hope

By Taylor Bollinger Nearly one in four Oklahoma children is impacted by addiction in their family. Behind that statistic are children facing challenges that often go unseen, carrying burdens no child should have to bear. Peaceful Family Oklahoma is working to ensure they don't have to face them alone.

The Edmond nonprofit provides free, research-informed programs designed specifically for children and teens affected by addiction in their families. It's the only organization in Oklahoma dedicated solely to this mission.

"One of the biggest breakthroughs is when kids realize they're in a room with other children who have had similar experiences," said President and CEO Lisa Reed. "Living with addiction in your family can feel incredibly isolating. Knowing you're not alone goes such a long way."

The need remains significant. Each year, Peaceful Family Oklahoma serves about 1,000 children through day camps, school programs, family events, and ongoing support, all provided at no cost to families. With additional funding and community support, the organization hopes to reach even more children who need these services.

Just weeks after purchasing a new building, the pandemic forced Peaceful Family Oklahoma to rethink how it could best serve children and families. Reed and her team turned to community partners, asking what needs had become most urgent. Those conversations led to an updated curriculum, expanded teen programming, and new family support opportunities that continue to shape the organization's work today. Since 2020, PFO has grown from a staff of two to more than 10 mental health and education professionals.

The organization's day camps combine age-appropriate games, activities, and peer connection. Reed says children and teens process healing differently, so seemingly small details matter. Settling into a beanbag on a fluffy rug with a favorite snack can help create the comfort needed for meaningful conversations. "The snack table is often the first and last stop for all of the kids!"

Peaceful Family Oklahoma fills a critical need by providing children affected by family addiction with a safe place to learn, grow, and heal alongside peers who understand their experiences. Along the way, they also strengthen relationships with the trusted adults in their lives.

The support doesn't end when a program concludes. Through monthly family support groups, special events, and ongoing activities, Peaceful Family Oklahoma helps parents, grandparents, foster families, and caregivers continue building healthy connections at home.

Reed says healing doesn't erase difficult childhood experiences, but it can build the protective relationships and resilience children need for the future. "Our work is healing for some, prevention for others, and strength-building for all," she said. "When we talk openly about addiction, we reduce the stigma, and that makes it easier for other families to ask for help."

That mission will be celebrated September 17 during Peaceful Family Oklahoma's annual fundraising event, where J. Blake Wade will receive the Heal Out Loud Award.

Wade, a decorated Vietnam veteran, Oklahoma Hall of Fame inductee, and respected civic leader, has also been a quiet but influential advocate for addiction recovery since beginning his own recovery in 1983. Through initiatives such as the FIRSTEP Recovery Program and his efforts to help establish Arcadia Trails Treatment Center, he has worked to expand recovery resources across Oklahoma while openly sharing his own story to encourage others to seek help.

Learn more about the event or ways to join Peaceful Family Oklahoma’s mission at peacefulfamilyok.org.

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BIZLOOK

Kind Birdie Kind Birdie was founded in June 2025 with a mission to help high-capacity Christian women find biblical rest in the middle of busy, demanding lives.

For founder and CEO Dana Byers, the business represents the culmination of more than 25 years of experience serving others as a pastor, nonprofit leader, missionary, certified leadership coach, wife, and mother. After witnessing countless women struggle with overwhelm and burnout, she set out to create practical resources that could extend the impact of her coaching beyond one-on-one conversations.

The inspiration for Kind Birdie came from both personal experience and years of walking alongside women facing similar challenges. While returning home from a vacation, Dana made the spontaneous decision to purchase the Kind Birdie domain and immediately

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shared the news with family and friends, creating the accountability she needed to turn a long-held vision into reality.

Today, Kind Birdie offers faith-centered planners, journals, and gifts designed specifically for women who spend their days caring for others. Rather than focusing only on productivity or attractive design, each product is rooted in Scripture and shaped by proven coaching methods. The company's tagline, "Light Hearts. Anchored Souls," reflects this thoughtful balance of encouragement and spiritual depth.

While the planner and journal market is crowded, Kind Birdie stands apart by leaning into meaningful content and spiritual depth and inviting local women into the design process. It's unlike many trendy products that prioritize aesthetics without much substance.

The company donates 20% of profits to City Care OKC, a local organization serving neighbors experiencing homelessness.

For Dana, the mission of helping women flourish and caring for the vulnerable in her community are two sides of the same coin.

Looking ahead, Kind Birdie's Upward Year subscription launches in August

Founder and CEO, Dana Byer

2026, This will be Kind Birdie's most comprehensive offering yet, designed to walk women through a full year of soul care with both physical planning tools and coaching-rooted teaching content delivered monthly.

To learn more about Kind Birdie and its faith-centered products, visit kindbirdie. com, follow @kind.birdie on Instagram, or stop by the office at The Collective, 239 N. Broadway in downtown Edmond.

To promote your business with a BIZLOOK feature, contact Laura at laura@edmondoutlook.com.

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BIZLOOK

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church For more than 135 years, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church has been a place of faith, fellowship, and service in Edmond. The parish traces its roots to June 24, 1889, when its first church, a one-room building with a bell tower, was completed at First Street and Boulevard.

As Edmond grew, the parish expanded through new buildings, renovations, and its move to the current campus at Ninth Street and South Littler Avenue in 1955. Today, the church includes a worship space completed in 1982 and a 20,000-square-foot Learning Center.

The mission of St. John the Baptist is simple and enduring: to make disciples by walking alongside each person on their journey of faith. Whether someone

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has attended church for years, is exploring Christianity for the first time, or is returning after time away, the parish strives to provide a welcoming community rooted in the teachings of Jesus.

Opportunities for spiritual growth are available for every stage of life.

Ministries include Catholicism 101, the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, Faith Formation, Youth Ministries, TimeOut for seniors, and an active Knights of Columbus chapter.

The parish is also home to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School, serving students from Pre-K 3 through eighth grade.

The church actively strives to offer opportunities for involvement and outreach by hosting many upcoming events. These can be found on their website's events page. The Samaritan House, sponsored by St. John’s, provides direct assistance to people in need.

Parish volunteers provide food and other assistance to neighbors in need within the community.

The church continues to invest in its campus. A recent renovation of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel included

new flooring, lighting, paint, and the restoration of an antique altar dating to 1918. The chapel remains open for perpetual Adoration 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering a peaceful place for prayer and reflection.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church welcomes everyone, whether lifelong Catholics, those returning to the faith, newcomers to Edmond, or visitors seeking a church home. Visit 900 S. Littler Avenue, call (405) 340-0691, or learn more at stjohn-catholic.org.

To promote your business with a BIZLOOK feature, contact Laura at laura@edmondoutlook.com.

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LOCALEATS

LOCAL FLAVOR

— A LOOK AT LOCAL FAVORITES — By Laura Beam THE BIG BISCUIT

The Big Biscuit is known for generous portions, classic comfort food, and a commitment to the communities it serves.

Guests can create the perfect Build Your Own Breakfast Sandwich, enjoy their famous plate-sized buttermilk pancakes, or spice up lunch with the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich. Beyond the menu, The Big Biscuit supports local schools, helps fight food insecurity, and gives back through community initiatives like Stuff the Bus. It's more than a place to enjoy breakfast and lunch— it's a restaurant that believes great food and strong communities go hand in hand. Dine in at 1333 N. Santa Fe Ave. in Edmond or visit bigbiscuit.com.

PURE GREEN, ROSE CREEK PLAZA

Check out Edmond’s hot new juice bar that’s become an instant hit! Ed Gray and daughter Susannah have brought healthy, delicious eating to Edmond with Pure Green’s handcrafted, made-to-order cold-pressed juices, superfood smoothies, and acai bowls. They’re packed with real, whole superfoods–no added sugars, no added anything. Each 20 oz. smoothie and acai bowl is a powerhouse rich in nutrients with unparalleled taste. Choose one for every mood. Energize, chill, or just indulge, and feel good doing it! Check out the cool patio too. It’s great for meeting a friend or small group parties.

Open every day 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. at 16613 Rose Creek Blvd., Edmond. Prefer to stay in? Order through DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub. Visit puregreenokc.com.

EMMA ELLE'S ITALIAN KITCHEN

Celebrating four years in business, this locally owned Italian kitchen has become a favorite among Oklahoma diners. Wood-fired pizzas are baked to order in an oven from Italy and arrive in just minutes, while their housemade bread, complimentary with every meal, is served with an 18-year-aged balsamic. The Arancini, creamy risotto and fresh mozzarella hand-battered, fried, and served with garlic aioli, is a must-try. Pastas, homemade Bolognese sauce, housemade meatballs, and superb gluten-free and vegan options are always perfect any day, yet special enough for celebrations. Dine at 4401 Grant Blvd., Yukon, or visit emmaelles.com.

BUSH LEAGUE SPORTS TAVERN

Bush League Sports Tavern is Oklahoma City’s go-to gathering place where great food, family, and sports come together. Their madefrom-scratch menu offers something for everyone, from hearty favorites to shareable appetizers, all served in a welcoming atmosphere.

With 41 TVs, you'll never miss the big game, while their two full-swing golf bays provide fun for friends and families alike. Whether you're stopping in for lunch, dinner, a weekend outing, or to cheer on your favorite team, Bush League Sports Tavern is the perfect place to relax, connect, and make lasting memories over delicious food and genuine hospitality. Visit 12252 N. May Ave., OKC or bushleaguesportstavern.com.

LAURA BEAM 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.

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LOOKBACK

Wonderings and Ponderings!

By Louise Tucker Jones Are you a wonder-er like me? Do you ponder things? I wonder why I’m the only person I know who doesn't like strawberries. I’m also curious as to who might have the exact August birthdate as me?

My late husband got used to my “wonderings,” but even he and my eldest son sometimes found humor in them.

I once mentioned my trip to San Marcos, Texas, on a Greyhound bus a few years back. Okay, several years. The trip took all day, stopping at little towns along the way to let passengers on or off, or at a rest stop. I was eighteen and found the journey fascinating.

I told Carl and Aaron how I wondered about every little town we passed through. What were the people like?

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Would it be fun living there? Both my husband and son looked at each other, gave a smirky smile, and shook their heads.

“What?” I asked. “Don’t you ever wonder about such things?”

“No, Mom,” my son quickly answered.

“Only you do that.”

Well, maybe so about trivial happenings. But what about deeper things? For instance, I wonder if angels cry. Yes, I truly do. The Bible says God weeps with us, so wouldn’t angels do the same? I ponder many heavenly things.

I wonder if my blue-eyed baby boy, who went to heaven at three months old, will still be a baby in heaven. Will I get to raise him in a celestial environment?

Some think their children will be grown when they get to heaven, but I think Travis will look the same and be snuggled in his daddy’s arms when I arrive.

I picture my loved ones in heaven much the same as when they left this earth, except no illness. Perfect health, perfect love in a perfect place with Jesus.

And I definitely believe we will know each other. Having three beautiful children in

Travis Sherman Jones

heaven, I know I will recognize them.

A mother never forgets.

These ponderings help me hold memories in my heart. Remembrances of long ago August birthdays with family and friends, while looking forward to this year's celebration. I know it will be Wonder-ful!

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.

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Photo provided by Edmond History Museum. edmondhistory.org

LOOKBACK

a look back Edmond's First Swimming Pool Edmond's first swimming pool was located on the campus of what was then the Central State Normal School (now UCO) behind Old North. Built by the manual training class at the Campus School, the concrete and stone pool was immediately a popular attraction when it was constructed in 1915. The pool also had a large slide and changing rooms. This was the only pool in Edmond until the Seymour Pool opened at 5th & Boulevard in 1924.

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PO Box 3878 Edmond, OK 73083