I visited an old friend during a recent trip to Orlando, Florida. It had been decades since we’d seen each other. Our meeting place was set: We were to reunite outside the Comic Strip Cafe at Toon Lagoon in Universal Studios. Alright, that’s clear enough; I can handle that.
Alison had gently encouraged me over the years to reconnect. She’d ask about him, and I’d share stories from our time in the mid-90s—some of which were unbelievable. We attended conventions, parades, book signings, and even Howard Stern’s Private Parts book party together. In Scottsdale, Arizona, we had breakfast with Charles Schulz. My friend and I shared stories with thousands of people every day of the week for nearly ten years. Then it was over. I walked away from that phase of my life and moved on. Perhaps that was just how I could best cope with saying goodbye to someone so close. We certainly had some history, but like many friends do, we lost touch.
In the years that followed, family, coworkers, and friends spotted him. Some even sent me photos of themselves posing with him, as if he were a celebrity they’d stumbled across. These unexpected sightings kept him alive in my world, even though I hadn’t seen him in a long time. That changed when I finally turned the corner at Toon Lagoon. My old friend came into view. I had never seen this 16-foottall reproduction of my syndicated comic strip character, DAVE, in person. He had been waiting patiently there since 1999, alongside all his friends: Beetle Bailey, Cathy, Hagar the Horrible, and Snuffy Smith. I stood there, simply taking it all in. It was definitely a full-circle moment. We said goodbye— until next time. Then Alison and I set off to ride the Incredible Hulk roller coaster.
Dave Miller Publisher & Back40 Design President
Crafting Patriotism
A Veteran's Mission to Honor Heroes
By Taylor Bollinger
When Kris Morgan picks up a piece of wood in his Guthrie garage, he doesn’t just see lumber. He sees a story waiting to be told, a life waiting to be honored.
“I started making flags as therapy,” Morgan says, brushing sawdust off a half-finished American flag. “But it’s turned into something much bigger than me.”
Morgan, a U.S. Air Force Veteran who once served at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, is the heart behind Flags for Veterans, a personal mission to handcraft wooden American flags and deliver them in surprise visits to Veterans across the country.
Military service runs deep in his family. His father and one grandfather served in the Army. His brother and another grandfather were in the Navy. Following that tradition, Morgan joined the Air Force in 1994 and worked on the AWACS aircraft during his time at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas and then at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City. In 1995, he deployed to Saudi Arabia as part of Operation Southern Watch. While overseas, he sustained a non-combat head injury that would change the course of his life. After returning home, his condition worsened. He experienced seizures, migraines, and would eventually suffer four heart attacks. A recent diagnosis of restrictive lung disease was tied to his volunteer work in the aftermath of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.
“I couldn’t hold down full-time work because of my medical issues,” Morgan says. “And that led to a really dark place. Depression took hold.”
A Veteran friend encouraged him to connect with local non-profits, where he rediscovered a sense of purpose. Bonding over fishing, hunting, and golf offered him healing, but it was in woodworking that he found something more lasting.
What began as a hobby became a calling. Since then, Morgan has created more than 1,450 wooden American flags, with over 1,200 of them gifted to fellow Veterans.
Each flag is handcrafted in his garage workshop. They come in various sizes and styles, but every single one is made with intention and care. Names of Veterans are submitted to him by loved ones or community members. Sometimes, sponsors purchase flags for strangers, trusting Kris to deliver them where they’re needed most.
“When a Vet builds a flag, we also have them build a wooden American Cross. They have to promise me not to gift this cross to a friend or family member,” Kris said. Instead, he encourages them to leave a cross in their car and gift it to a veteran they encounter in daily life. “Then they send me a picture and come build another cross so they can repeat the pattern over and over. This shows the Vets how awesome I get to feel when I give away a cross or flag.”
While Kris travels across the country to deliver flags, his base of operations is right here in central Oklahoma. He recently moved into a new home in Guthrie, equipped with a larger workshop, where his vision is expanding.
When I gift a flag, it’s like saying, "I see you, and I honor you."
“My dream is to have a space where Veterans can come learn woodworking, hang out, swap stories – maybe enjoy a whiskey or a cigar by the fire,” he says, smiling. That dream is already underway. He has hosted approximately 90 Veterans in monthly workshops so far and hopes the community of support continues to grow.
“Being in that space together is healing,” Morgan says. “Some of us didn’t even realize we needed it until we showed up.”
For Kris, this mission is more than craftsmanship. It’s a way to serve, to connect, and to remind other Veterans that they are seen, remembered, and deeply appreciated. And it is 100% in service. “Veteran Flags by Vets is 100% non-profit,” Kris explained. “Every dollar that comes in stays in the program. We have zero paid employees, and board members are all volunteers.”
“I may have been medically retired,” he says, “but I’m still serving. Just in a different way now.”
Learn more at veteranflagsbyvets.com.
Kris Morgan
Photo: News 9/Simon Hurst
Food Near Me |
CREME DE LA CRUMB
When you walk through the door of locally owned Crème de la Crumb Viennoiserie, you will see a beautifully curated array of pastries, a place for friendship and a taste of France. Owner Gabrielle Nugent's mission is to bring her community joy by creating exquisite pastries, croissants, strudels, cruffins, tarts, breads, and more! And, Crème de la Crumb will open their new bistro next door in late July. Customers will enjoy a beautiful atmosphere, and a menu that includes delicious salads, sandwiches, and soups. For more information, stop by 5825 E. Covell, Wednesday – Sunday from 7:30 am – 6 pm or visit www.delacrumb.com, follow us on Facebook @delacrumb, or Instagram @de.la_crumb.
DONATOS PIZZA
Will and Matt McLain, Edmond natives and Donatos Pizza franchise partners, are opening their second location at 178th and May. Try Donatos thin crust, handtossed or thicker crust pizzas with edge-to-edge toppings—100 pepperonis on every large! Enjoy fresh veggies, aged smoked provolone, Romano cheese, and all your favorite toppings. Or go for oven-roasted wings, baked subs, crisp salads and more. Visit 1148 S. Bryant or the new location at 2929 NW 178th St, Edmond, OK, opening July 22. Eat in, pick up, or get it delivered. Order now at Donatos. com. Donatos: Gotta Love More!"
By Laura Beam
ARCADIA FARMER’S MARKET GENERAL STORE
Check out Edmond’s newest, year-round indoor farmer’s market right in the neighborhood, open seven days a week! Arcadia Farmer’s Market has opened its second location, now in Edmond, featuring a fantastic selection of grass-fed meats, free-range eggs, milk, and organic produce. Committed to supporting local farmers and artisans, the spacious store offers delicious pickles, pasta and sauce, fresh breads, baked goods, nuts, local honey, take-and-eat treats like sandwich wraps, and ready-to-bake lasagna. Find candles and soaps and items for great gifts, too. Open 10 am daily, noon on Sunday. Visit 130 NE 150th St, Edmond, just east of Santa Fe, or arcadiafarmersmarket.com.
BRICKTOWN BREWERY
Cool off this summer with awardwinning Bricktown Brews! Crisp, smooth, refreshing, bold–there’s one for every taste and mood. Kick back on the fun patio at the 2nd Street location and soak in the warm summer evenings over comfort food classics and local favorites with that famous Bricktown spin. You can’t go wrong with generous portions of hand-breaded chicken tenders, Creekstone Farms Black Angus Beef burgers, Big Mike’s Meatloaf, salads and seafood, artisan pizzas, and more. The laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere is everything you love in a consistently delicious local spot. Look for their next Limited Time Offer food and beer menu coming July 24! Visit in Edmond at 1150 E. 2nd St. or 5516 W. Memorial Rd., or bricktownbrewery.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.
1,000 Cookbooks and Counting Culinary Adventures Through Time
By Amy Dee Stephens
Sara Memmott’s home is lined with dozens of bookshelves where she keeps nearly 1,000 cookbooks! After decades of working as a special collections librarian, the cookbooks are, of course, carefully grouped by topic. Sara admits that she’s not a great cook, but she has other reasons for collecting cookbooks.
“I love books, I love history, and cooking brings people together,” Sara said.
Sara’s mother used to laugh at her and say, “You only need four cookbooks. As long as one of them is by Betty Crocker, you can make all the meals you need.” Her mother didn’t realize that Sara had an unusual set of friends.
“I had a good friend who taught English Literature. She asked me what foods were eaten during the era of Chaucer, a poet from the 1300s,” Sara said. “I found my Metropolitan Museum cookbook of recipes from the Elizabethan Period to Richard the 2nd, and it was just what she needed for her class.”
Another friend asked Sara what French foods would have been served to Madame Bovary. Sara turned to her copy of Literary Gourmet: Menus from Masterpieces to save the day.
“If I’m having a get-together on, say, Saint Patrick’s Day, I look through my Irish cookbooks to find an appropriate recipe. My friends know that I might spring a cooking experiment on them,” Sara said with a laugh. “I once made a mushroom souffle that was so beautiful, the guy I made it for proposed! I didn’t say yes, but it’s fun to remember.”
Sara’s collection includes many used and out-of-print editions, but she also buys new ones when she travels, calling them “useful souvenirs.” Her shelves feature a wide variety of cookbooks, including state and Presidential titles, as well as volumes focused on Asian cuisine, Native American traditions, holidays, and, most recently, healthy eating.
Sara finds it interesting to read the cookbooks, regardless of whether she tries the recipes. The history about how cooking has changed over time intrigues her, from unheardof ingredients to the curious ways that cooks described measurements.
“Early cookbooks might suggest scooping butter the size of a walnut or a hen’s egg” Sara said. “I like looking at the notations
made by previous owners about their recipe adjustments. It’s the old-fashioned handwriting and the splatters that make them special.”
At one point, Sara wanted to be a Civil War reenactor. She gathered cookbooks from the era, including a pre-Civil War cookbook from 1861. “That cookbook has notes written in the front by the first owner, who was obviously on board a ship. He was trying to stop the blockade runners during the war, and he mentions the names of the ships they captured,” Sara said.
A peculiar cookbook experience in Sara’s life occurred years ago when she still lived in Kansas. Her father visited estate sales to appraise and price books. One day he brought Sara a used cookbook and said, “This cookbook belongs to you.” It was from Waverly, Iowa, where Sara’s grandmother grew up.
A handwritten note or a splatter on the page makes a cookbook feel alive with history.
“Sure enough, a recipe was written inside the book in my grandmother’s handwriting!” Sara said. “I assume she loaned the cookbook to someone, and they died before returning it. Somehow it made its way from Iowa to Kansas. Thank goodness Daddy found it. It’s an ugly book, but it’s so precious to me.”
For Sara, cooking recipes perfectly is not the end goal. Her cookbooks reveal personal stories and notations about history, and they provide an avenue for gathering friends together. “I guess you could say that I collect cookbooks—because they are about people,” Sara said.
Sara Memmott
Notes from the Past Authentic Sounds of the Civil War
By Amy Dee Stephens
Tanner Morgan is the director of America’s only Historic Brass Band for high schoolers. His student musicians play authentic songs from the Civil War––on instruments that date from the 1860s and 1870s!
“These instruments are old, and fragile, and could belong in a museum,” said Morgan. “Some have been in attics for a century, but now I maintain them to keep them in playing condition. The students, selected from the school’s band leadership team, take this very seriously. They know the history of each instrument and protect them by wearing white gloves when playing them.”
Morgan is the head band director at his alma mater, Edmond Memorial High School, but the Civil War instruments are from his personal collection. “I tell the students that if something breaks, I’ll fix it, but I remind them if an instrument is destroyed, my investment in history is lost forever,” Morgan said. “Some of these instruments don’t even exist anymore.”
These instruments could belong in a museum, but instead, they play music from over 150 years ago.
His favorite instrument is an E-flat Over-the-Shoulder Bass Saxhorn. “During the Civil War, every regimental army had a band that marched in front of the soldiers. The troops in the back couldn’t hear well, so a family of instruments was invented with the bells pointing backward. The design became unnecessary after the war, so it’s now a very rare instrument––but it’s highly likely that mine was played during the Civil War.”
Morgan’s love for historic instruments stems from his childhood captivation with model trains. “My dad and I share a hobby of tinkering with model steam engines, which led to grandfather clocks and player pianos,” Morgan said. “The same skills, like silver soldering, also apply to keeping musical instruments in tip-top shape.”
Inspired By History
As a student at the University of Central Oklahoma, Morgan was inspired by music historian,
From the top: Maxwell Kraft, Allison Kraft, and Anna King
Director Tanner Morgan
Dr. Ted Honea, who invited Morgan to spearhead a periodspecific ensemble. The idea stalled during Covid-19, and then Dr. Honea retired—but Morgan’s interest in old musical instruments continued. He had a small collection of early-1900s instruments, so he started a Victorian Ensemble at his first teaching position in Harrah Public Schools.
“I’m so proud Tanner Morgan went on with this concept,” said Dr. Honea. “And I’m amazed by these high schoolers. It’s incredibly difficult to get these old instruments in tune together.”
Dr. Honea donated some of his historical instruments to further Morgan’s cause, and Morgan’s wife, Kaitlyn, the band director at Central Middle School, added from her collection. “Between the two of us, we now own about 100 instruments,” Morgan said.
When Morgan was hired at Edmond Memorial in 2022, he expanded on the Victorian concept by adding a Saxhorn Band, focused on the civil war period. “Playing musical repertoire from the past is the closest thing to a time machine that you can achieve,” Morgan said. “Original music played on original instruments creates authentic sound, so audiences are hearing how the music would have sounded to President Lincoln himself!”
The Edmond High School Historical Brass Band is now two years old, and the musicians are earning both admiration and superior contest ratings. “It’s like magic watching people light up as they witness historical music. It’s why I wanted to be a teacher,” Morgan said. “These Civil War instruments are like living machines, taking audiences back in time.”
“I believe these students will carry this experience with them their whole life,” Dr. Honea said. “That’s what music education is supposed to do—give people something for life.”
Portraits in Harmony Celebrating Oklahoma’s Music Legends
By Taylor Bollinger
Marie Kash Weltzheimer presses play. As the first notes fill her studio, the rhythm moves through her ears and into her fingertips. Her collection of work explores the deeply human connection between music and emotion, a theme that has become central to her career.
“I’m interested in the energy between the person and their music,” Marie says. “Music expresses love, joy, anger, sorrow, praise, worship – there’s an ordinary beauty in the creation of it that in turn creates an extraordinary human connection. You’re not alone if you have music.”
That belief inspired her musician portrait work, beginning with a deeply personal tribute to one of her longtime favorites: Elton John. In 2020, during the early days of the pandemic, Marie decided to practice her portrait skills with a challenge: painting one portrait of Elton John for every year of his career. The result was 52 striking works.
The series was exhibited at a fan event in Los Angeles the same weekend as Elton’s farewell concert at Dodger Stadium. It even caught the attention of his husband, David Furnish, on Instagram, “That kind of encouragement reminded me how much I love this – art, music, portraiture. It all came together,” she says.
Each portrait starts with pressing play and letting the music guide my brush.
Now, Marie is turning her attention to her home state’s vibrant musical legacy with her new exhibit, Oklahoma Sounds at Edmond Fine Arts, opening July 10.
“Oklahoma is rich in musical talent, and I want to showcase that through my work,” she says. “Some of my subjects are widely known, some were famous decades ago, and some have always been around, and you just never knew it.”
Her aim is to help viewers not only recognize the names and faces of these musicians, but to feel their music through
paint. “My inspiration was to create art that you can hear and feel the emotion of their music coming through,” she says. The series includes emotive, strikingly accurate renderings of Oklahoma stars, including Vince Gill, Kristin Chenoweth, Blake Shelton, Sandi Patty, Chet Baker, and Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne, who has praised Marie’s work and follows it on social media.
For Marie, the series is an ultimate union of her two passions: music and art. “I’ve loved drawing since before I could write my name,” she says. Although she initially pursued music as a trumpet major at UCO, a drawing class reignited her first love, and she eventually transitioned into full-time art.
Working in oils, pastels, pencil, and charcoal, Marie approaches each portrait with intention. She listens to the artist’s music as she works, choosing colors that reflect their personality and sound. “I’m a methodical person,” she says.
Marie Kash Weltzheimer
“I research, sketch, underpaint with browns to establish value, and build the palette from there.”
Marie’s work is award-winning, internationally exhibited, and deeply rooted in emotion. But for her, it all begins with that moment of pressing play and letting the music guide the brush. The public is invited to see the inspiring products of this process firsthand at Edmond Fine Arts. Oklahoma Sounds will be on display beginning in July, with an opening reception on Thursday, July 10, from 5–7 p.m. The show will be on display for the month of July and is open and free to the public.
Follow Marie on Instagram @marie. kash.art or find events and other information online at mariekash.com.
Operation Ukraine A Collaborative Medical Mission
By Amy Dee Stephens
Amid ongoing missile and drone attacks in their homeland, Ukrainian physicians have become some of the most experienced trauma specialists in the world—particularly in treating facial injuries. While attending a national medical conference, Dr. Mark Mims, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon at OU Health and assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma, learned of a critical need: Ukrainian doctors were seeking opportunities to advance their skills in facial reconstructive procedures.
“A plea was made to create a program allowing top Ukrainian surgeons to attend a four-week training session in the United States,” Dr. Mims said. “I knew Oklahoma had a lot to offer, so I volunteered. It turns out I was the only volunteer. Fortunately, OU Health agreed to oversee the initiative.”
Welcoming and Sheltering Surgeons
Dr. Mims helped establish program criteria for the first team’s arrival. The surgeons required sufficient English proficiency to communicate effectively, and they needed a commitment of support and technology from their Ukrainian hospitals to make full use of their training.
Michael McGrail, OU simulations specialist, was asked to set up cadaver labs so that the Ukrainians could practice
procedures while having time to ask questions and navigate language challenges–– without the pressure of a live patient.
Two weeks before the first group arrived, a housing option fell through for two of the surgeons. “While touring the cadaver lab, I mentioned to Michael McGrail that I needed a host family,” Dr. Mims said. “In an instant, Michael said, ‘I want to help out!’”
After a quick call to his wife, Jennifer, the housing issue was resolved. The McGrail’s son was headed to college, and they had a spare bedroom.
“We believe in opening up to new experiences and new people,” Jennifer said. “Having Ukrainians live with us for four weeks at a time is now one of the brightest parts of our lives. We eat meals with them, do their laundry, and they become part of our family.”
Finding Four Weeks of Safety
So far, 24 individuals have participated in the program, named Operation Ukraine. The sixth cohort of ten surgeons will arrive in August. Families from Edmond and Oklahoma
Mark Mims, M.D. director of Operation Ukraine at OU Health; Mykola Zhuzhoma, M.D., oral and maxillofacial surgeon from Kharkiv, Ukraine; Dmytro Los, M.D., orthopedic surgeon from Lviv, Ukraine; and Mubeen Shakir, M.D., Chief Quality and Safety Officer at OU Health.
City have stepped forward to house the Ukrainians, after hearing about the McGrail’s positive experiences.
For each American host family, there is a moment of profound realization about the horrors their guests have lived through. “They all talk about feeling safe,” Jennifer said. “They say things like, ‘I slept all night for the first time since the war began,’ or ‘I didn’t hear any air raid sirens in the middle of the night.’”
“One morning, a motorcycle roared down the street. When the surgeon heard it, he grabbed my arm and said the Ukrainian word for drone,” Michael said. “He was expecting to hear guns firing next, because the anti-aircraft battery is located on top of the hospital, one floor above him.”
Exchanging Knowledge
Two years of feedback from the Ukrainian cohorts has resulted in more hands-on engagement. In addition to cadaver training, they are allowed at the surgery table to assist American surgeons. By the end of the month, they have observed about 50 procedures.
Even amidst war, there is space for compassion, connection, and collaboration.
The process is far from one-sided, however, as the Ukrainian physicians also share their discoveries from having encountered injured jaws, cheeks, and eyes multiple times a day. According to Dr. Mims, the global collaboration reveals the similarities and humanness of healthcare in other countries.
“Our interns and residents who have observed this program are feeling called to pursue global work or medical missions, and other universities are now contacting us about the program,” Dr. Mims said.
Becoming a Global Family
The Oklahoma partners of Operation Ukraine feel that the personal connections they are making are just as important as the clinical achievements. Much like an exchange program, Ukrainians have the opportunity to experience American culture. The McGrails have found that the surgeons are less interested in tourism, however, and mostly prefer to experience calmness and interaction at home with their host families.
“They become our adopted kids, regardless of their ages,” Jennifer said. “We’ve witnessed two of them get engaged and married. One man received a call that his wife was pregnant. We are part of each other’s lives. It’s scary, too, because we know they return home to danger. We’ve mapped their locations and listen to news reports about the war so that we can check up on them.”
“When this war ends, the mission will not end,” Michael said. “Even after the ceasefire, the trauma of this war is going to continue for years, both physically and psychologically––but this collaboration can continue to expand global healthcare so we can help take care of our growing family across the globe.”
For more information, visit ouhealth.com/healthprofessionals/educational-observership-for-ukrainiansurgeons.
Lott & Valentine
By Laura Beam
What began in the 1980s as a Workers’ Compensation Defense firm has grown into a legal practice that now helps Oklahomans with some of the most personal and complex decisions of their lives.
Today, Lott & Valentine is co-led by founding member Dean Lott and partner John Valentine, who both started their legal careers in the 1990s.
While defending employers and insurance carriers in Workers’ Compensation cases remains a major part of their work, Dean Lott felt a
growing desire to serve families more directly. “I’ve always been drawn to helping people prepare for the later stages of life,” Lott shared. “From longterm care planning to making sure loved ones are provided for after death, these are issues that touch every family.”
That calling inspired the firm’s expansion into Elder Law and Estate Planning—two areas that often overlap for clients and demand a compassionate, knowledgeable approach. “Many people don’t realize they don’t have to lose everything to qualify for Medicaid,” Lott explained. “Helping them protect what they’ve worked for is incredibly rewarding.”
Lott & Valentine takes a collaborative approach, frequently working with realtor estate agents, financial advisors, banks, and care facilities to ensure every detail is handled properly. The firm keeps pace with industry changes, regularly updating processes and incorporating new technology to better serve its clients.
Looking ahead, Lott is committed to growing the Elder Law side of the practice, while maintaining excellence in Workers’ Comp Defense. “We’re
excited about this next chapter,” he said. “We’ve always been proud of our legal work, and now we’re able to build even stronger relationships with clients in meaningful ways.”
Their office is conveniently located at 921 N.W. 164th St., Suite B, in Edmond. To learn more visit lottvalentine.com or schedule a consultation. Contact Lott & Valentine at (405) 840-3290 or email dean@lottvalentine.com or dale@lottvalentine.com.
Michele Evans, Robert Lott, Dale Arbuckle, and John Valentine
Camp Bow Wow Edmond
By Laura Beam
After spending over two decades in social work, primarily in child welfare and foster care, one local mom decided it was time to follow her heart in a new direction—toward the dogs.
In February 2024, Amy Marshall became the proud owner of Camp
Bow Wow Edmond, a doggy daycare, boarding, and grooming facility that’s been serving local pet lovers since 2006. But her journey with Camp Bow Wow began long before the ownership papers were signed. “My own dogs had been going to Camp since 2020,” she said. “When the former owner decided to retire, I knew this was the opportunity I’d been searching for.”
A lifelong dog foster and animal welfare advocate, she saw Camp Bow Wow not only as a career move but also as a way to further her mission. “I wanted to do more to help with Oklahoma’s pet overpopulation and rescue challenges,” Amy explained. “Now I get to do that every day.”
Camp Bow Wow Edmond sets itself apart with open-play daycare and boarding, where dogs interact throughout the day. With a passionate, experienced staff and transparent policies—including live webcams and open tours—pet parents feel confident their furry friends are in good hands. Amy says, “We keep it simple: We love dogs, and we treat them like family.”
Pet care trends have shifted, she notes, with owners seeking more
enriching experiences. Camp delivers with extras like snuggle time, ball pits, bubble days, and splash pad fun— especially popular among boarding guests.
Community involvement is also at the heart of the business. “Many of our team members foster dogs,” she shared. “Right now, we’re housing two rescues from a local organization.” Camp Bow Wow also holds annual donation drives to support area shelters.
Looking ahead, Amy dreams of expanding into Oklahoma City—but for now, she’s focused on providing the best care possible right here in Edmond. Every new dog gets a free interview day and guests are encouraged to come check out the facility. Book your dog’s visit using the Camp Bow Wow App, online at campbowwow.com, or by calling 405-359-7297.
Amy Marshall with Harlow, one of the Camp foster dogs
Edmond Mahj Moms
By Taylor Bollinger
When Edmond moms Allison Fannon and Kelli Miller first learned to play mahjong in 2023, they didn’t just like it, they fell in love.
“We bought our very first sets that night,” laughs Allison. “It takes four players to play, so we immediately started asking, ‘Who wants to learn? Because we want to play!’”
What began as a shared hobby quickly turned into a passion project and then a full-fledged business. The two friends, who had first met during the toddler years of the COVID-era motherhood, realized that their youngest kids were entering school, and a new door was opening for them.
“We were eager to share our love of the game,” Allison says. “It requires strategy and focus. You have to put your phone down and be present. That quality of fellowship is one of the things we love most about it.”
Their enthusiasm for the game is contagious. Friends, neighbors, book clubs, and Bible study groups all wanted in. Soon, the duo was teaching private lessons and hosting events all over town. From backyard get-togethers to corporate parties and nonprofit fundraisers, the Mahjong Moms were everywhere, bringing their love of the game to anyone willing to learn.
“We knew early on that we wanted to design our own tile set,” says Allison. “We worked with local artist Blake Elms to bring our ideas to life. They’re Oklahoma-inspired, kind of like how you might have themed playing cards. Every detail is intentional.”
While the beautifully designed tiles are a fun feature, the heart of Mahjong Moms lies in building community.
It’s not just about the game, it’s about connection.
“Private lessons are where the magic really happens,” says Allison. “Meeting people in their homes, sitting with their favorite people, sharing something we really love. It’s not just about the game, it’s about connection.”
They’ve hosted countless events, including fundraisers for Hope is Alive and Edmond Young Life. They also run a seasonal league that provides solo learners with an opportunity to connect with other players and grow in the game.
“Our league is great for people who come alone,” Allison says. “By the end, they’ve made new mahjong partners and even better friends.”
For those curious about the game, the duo admits, “It definitely takes a lesson or two, and guided play helps. It’s strategy meets luck, and the more you play, the better you get.” Still, they say children as young as 10 or 11 can begin to learn the increasingly popular pastime.
To learn more, book a lesson, or order a tile set, visit edmondmahjmoms.com, or follow them on Instagram at @edmondmahjmoms and join the growing community of Edmond mahjong lovers – no experience necessary, just a love of fun and friendship.
Allison Fannon & Kelli Miller
The Edmond Mahj Moms league
photos submitted
Buzzing with Life UCO’s Pollinator Garden Flourishes
By Amy Dee Stephens
The garden of wildflowers and grasses at the entrance to the University of Central Oklahoma is humming and buzzing with insects. The John F. Barthell Pollinator Garden, which came to life just two years ago, has seen a higher-thanexpected number of insect visitors—proving that Edmond traffic isn’t just on wheels.
The Garden’s Visionary
The garden was the longtime dream of Dr. Gloria Caddell, a botanist who began teaching at UCO in 1990. She often ventured to the outskirts of Edmond to gather plant samples for her classes, but as native prairies disappeared, she proposed creating native plant landscapes on campus. Her vision came to life in 2023 with the construction of a 4,000-square-foot garden adjacent to the Donald Betz STEM Center, designed in collaboration with landscape architect Connie Scothorn.
“This garden is a small dot on the Edmond landscape, but the pollinators found it quickly and took up residence,” said Dr. Caddell. “We named it after Dr. Barthell because he was a beloved entomologist on campus.”
The Garden’s Namesake
Dr. John Barthell grew up exploring the outdoors in Wyoming, where his insect collection won at the state fair. By fourth grade, he was set on a career in entomology. His studies at the University of California Berkeley and research on bees pollinating almond crops led to a deep interest in insect diversity. As a UCO faculty member, he conducted research on bees in diverse locales, including California and Greece.
“Little did I know that bees would become a big deal,” Dr. Barthell remarked. “Back in the 1980s, most people didn’t care about pollinators—then the honeybee crisis changed everything.”
Dr. Barthell’s commitment to undergraduate research at UCO inspired Dr. Victor Gonzalez, a University of Kansas taxonomist, to name a newly discovered bee species after him: Eufriesea barthelli, a vibrant metallic-colored orchid bee. “My goal is to someday visit Mexico to meet the bee in person,” Dr. Barthell said.
The Garden’s Diversity
The pollinator garden has become a hub of activity and discovery. Dr. Barthell and his students have identified 25 bee species representing five of the six bee families in North America. Beyond bees, nearly 700 insect species were recorded in 2024 alone, including some yet to be identified. “The diversity is impressive,” said Dr. Barthell. “We’re finding species we never expected in an urban environment.”
The garden currently hosts about 70 plant species, all finding their place within the ecosystem. “I hope this garden inspires more people to create native gardens,” Dr. Caddell said. “Imagine the impact a thousand native garden beds in Edmond could have for pollinators and our planet.”
What began as a modest vision has blossomed into a thriving ecological sanctuary, reminding us all of the power of native plants to transform urban spaces into vital habitats for pollinators and beyond.
We have verified 25 different bee species in the garden, representing five of the six bee families in North America.
Dr. John Barthell
Dr. Gloria Caddell
John F. Barthell Pollinator Garden at UCO
My Daddy My Hero
By Louise Tucker Jones
My father was my childhood hero, a picture of unreserved love. My earliest memory is of Daddy rocking me in a straight back chair, feeling the back and forth, thumping motion while he sang “Bringing In The Sheaves.” With few photos of my childhood, I have little to trigger long ago memories, but many are etched on my heart forever.
When I was about five years old, Daddy would sometimes wake me before daylight so I could go with him to deliver milk to the dairy in town. The owner let me watch the automated system fill glass bottles with milk then pop a paper seal on top.
When it came time to till the garden, Daddy would often let me ride on the horse’s broad back while he guided a handheld plow behind, always singing a beloved hymn. He loved music and led the singing in our little country church.
Daddy taught me how to tie my shoes, spit watermelon seeds, and drive an ancient truck in hay fields and on dusty, country roads long before I was old enough to drive. When I was ten, I tried shaking peanuts and picking cotton with my brother. I made two cents the whole day. Daddy laughed, then bragged about my tenacity.
Throughout my life he assured me I could do anything I set my mind to if I worked hard enough. However, he didn’t adjust well to my leaving for college to do that. Once, when I had been gone too many weekends, Daddy showed up at my dorm to take me home.
My first Christmas after marriage was one of my hardest with my husband, Carl overseas for the past nine months. I loved being at my parents’ home with lots of family, but became so sad that I quietly closed myself in a dark bedroom, collapsed on the bed and cried. Soon, Daddy slipped into the room, gathered me in his arms and
cried along with me. No words. Just tears. I’m so thankful God gifted me with such a wonderful father. He loved Jesus. Loved family. And he’s now singing with the angels in heaven. Blessed!
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.
ABOUT
Dancing with Daddy
a look back LibertyFest Parade
Children of all ages pedaled their decorated bicycles down East 2nd Street during the 1985 LibertyFest Parade, continuing a beloved tradition that dates back to 1895. This festive display has long been a highlight of Edmond's Independence Day celebrations, which began in 1890 and have evolved into the cherished LibertyFest tradition since 1973.
