Edmond Outlook - July 2020

July 2020

Automotive Enthusiasts of 1 Percent Every Town has a Past

Local Eats: Philly Homa

Love Locks Sculpture

Features

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ASK EDMOND

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LOCAL EATS: PHILLY HOMA

What do you do when you are stressed out? Personally, I have some good “go to” behaviors and some not so good ones.

Work stress, parenting teens stress, caretaking aging parents stress, nightly news stress… how do we deal with it?

I’ve heard it said, prayer is talking to God and meditation is listening. So what fills the space before, between or after prayer and meditation? For me, it’s affirmation. I find repeating a set of affirmations to be centering. Sure, I don’t always go there first, sometimes I turn to other behaviors like eating, watching shows, scrolling, or obsessively working. It is probably better for me to surrender to the quiet place first.

30 years ago, someone shared with me three simple affirmations: • I am open to the abundance of the universe.

• Golden opportunities are everywhere for me.

• All my needs are being met in God’s good order.

For me, these simple sentences pulled me through so many tough times. I’ve repeated those sentences to myself in the middle of the night when my thoughts attacked me. I’ve said those phrases out loud on my morning walks. Over and over, like a mantra. I may not even take in the meaning of the words, but they actually self soothe me.

Hopefully you have tools, faith and beliefs that get you through times when you need to be lifted up.

Even if you don’t believe in using affirmations, pause when you’re stressed before taking action or speaking - it’ll help you focus, or even better, it will make you appear wise.

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Authentic cheesesteaks made to order LOVE LOCKS

Artist Zonly Looman heads up the creation of Edmond’s largest sculpture EVERY TOWN HAS A PAST

Councilman Darrell Davis shares thoughts on honoring history and how to look forward 1 PERCENT

Owners of exotic, limited-production cars share the experience FIAMMA’S EXTREME MINI-GOLF ADVENTURE

Local golfer competes on ABC’s Holey Moley sports competition show SHERRY JORDAN Q & A

Edmond Chamber President on reopening, local business support and what’s new at the Chamber BROADWAY & FIRST

The Murdock Family continues their LibertyFest tradition

Business 22

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SOS POOLS

Specializing in pool maintenance and refinishing since 2006 PESTBOIS

Edmond-native business offering weed control, pest control, and holiday lighting

Columns 20

Dave Miller Back40 Design President

What reminds you of your childhood summers?

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RECIPE: LEMON SUGAR COOKIES

Classic iced sugar cookies with a lemon twist LOUISE TUCKER JONES

A World of Love

Cover photography by Marshall Hawkins

ADVERTISING l 405-301-3926 l sales@edmondoutlook.com MAILED MONTHLY TO 50,000 HOMES IN THE EDMOND AREA 1024 W Covell, Edmond, OK 73003 l 405-341-5599 l edmondoutlook.com l info@edmondoutlook.com July 2020 Volume 16, Number 7

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Edmond Outlook is a publication of Back40 Design, Inc.

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© 2020 Back40 Design, Inc.

PUBLISHER Dave Miller l EDITOR Jennay Wangen l ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Angie Clemens Byers l GRAPHIC DESIGN Adrian Townsend, Anne Richardson PHOTOGRAPHY Marshall Hawkins www.sundancephotographyokc.com l DISTRIBUTION Edmond Outlook is delivered FREE by direct-mail to 50,000 Edmond area homes.

Articles and advertisements in the Outlook do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Back40 Design. Back40 Design does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The acceptance of advertising 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. The Outlook assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials.

LOCALLOOK

Ask Edmond

What sound, scent or flavor reminds you of your childhood summers?

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Bailey Wilson Owner Bondi Bowls

Malcolm M. Savage Attorney at Law Savage Law Office

Alvin R. Bates Investor Retired CPA/Attorney

My favorite sound is of the volleyball being served over sand, children screaming as they fall off the tube and fireworks bursting overhead.

I spent my childhood summers mowing lawns, hauling hay, working in our family’s huge garden, and with the cows and pigs. I love the smell of fresh cut grass, the sound of cows mooing and the taste of fresh vegetables.

So many scents come to mind, but none stand out more than the smell of a “it may just rain” warm humid breeze carrying with it the scents of the field as I haul freshly cut hay.

Josh Valentine Executive Chef - Partner Livegrass Butcher + Bistro

Shelley Dutton Development Director Limbs for Life Foundation

Peggy Buller Land Professional

Growing up in Oklahoma, summer time meant tomatoes. At least once a week, my grandmother would make a pot of beans, fried potatoes, and cornbread.

My favorite thing was a cornbread sandwich, with a fresh garden tomato, buttered of course.

My summer flavor is peach, homemade peach ice cream. My Mother made incredible ice cream.

The anticipation, sitting on the ice cream freezer while my Dad cranked away. We had some of the best conversations there. Sweet, delicious memories!

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Homemade ice cream! We had family cookouts often and homemade ice cream was a special treat in the summer, especially on the 4th of July and birthdays. My parents had an electric ice cream maker, but my grandparents used a manual one and we kids all thought it was fun to help make it “like they did in the old days.”

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FOODLOOK FEATURELOOK

Authentic Cheesesteaks Made to Order

Philly Homa

By Katie Standlee

Charles McEntire, Philly Homa owner

Serious authentic Philly cheesesteaks, stuffed to the brim with anything your imagination can conjure up. That is what Philly Homa is offering the Edmond community and surrounding cities.

Deciding where or what to eat is often a point of contention for people. Philly Homa strives to meet demands for variety with many starters, entrees, sides and a couple of homemade desserts. Delivery is available for a comfy night at home, or patrons can take a seat in the cozy, wooden dining area positioned closely to the energetic open kitchen.

inspiration for Philly Homa was born. The big question with Philly Cheesesteaks is usually, provolone or Cheez Whiz?

“The Cheez Whiz is more of a Northern thing, and then Oklahoma folks prefer provolone,” Charles said. “We can always tell who’s from where.”

The restaurant offers more variety than the cheese selection, though; 10 popular specialty recipes reign supreme. Charles said the customer favorite is the Southwest Philly. Stuffed with steak or chicken, the sandwich features a mix of grilled green, yellow and red peppers, grilled onions, mushrooms, jalapeños, Authentic Philly southwest sauce, and choice of cheese.

“The sandwiches are authentic Philly Other specialties include the Pizza that you can’t get anywhere else,” owner “The sandwiches are Philly Steak, Mac ‘N’ Cheese Philly, and Charles McEntire said. “You can’t get it in authentic Philly that you can’t Kickin’ Bourbon Philly. Branching out Oklahoma, nobody ships their bread and for even more variety, there are several get anywhere else.” meats in from Philadelphia. You can get starters, salads, wings and chicken a Philly anywhere, but it’s not authentic.” tenders, tacos, a Mac ‘N’ Cheese bowl and a kids menu.

The steak and chicken are cooked in the traditionally thin style, The desserts are made daily by co-owner Sharon Jesse, and and double ingredient amounts are stuffed into bread. Philly give a comfort feel of home-cooking.

The cinnamon rolls topped Homa doesn’t just carry the famous provolone or Cheez Whiz with cream cheese icing are devoured as soon as they enter the toppings, they offer a variety of 12 cheeses to go with their classic display case, Charles said. cheesesteaks. Charles said the piled-high sandwiches are fresh and made to order.

According to Pat’s King of Steaks history site, Pat Olivieri created the Philly cheesesteak in 1930. At the time, Pat owned a modest hotdog stand in South Philadelphia’s famous Italian Market. As the story goes, Pat was working the hotdog stand one day and decided he wanted something different for lunch.

He cooked up what is now the Philly cheesesteak and the smell drifted into a cab driver’s car, who insisted he sell the sandwiches instead. To this day, Pat’s King of Steaks sells Philly cheesesteaks.

Charles made his start with three restaurants in Dallas, and in 2019, he founded Heifers and Hens in Oklahoma. Much like Pat, Charles realized Phillys were outselling his burgers, and the 10

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Stay Calm and Carry Out “Stay Calm and Carry Out” still hangs in the window of Philly Homa from the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, but as the state reopens, so is the restaurant. Dining is unrestricted and masks are not required. Charles said employees are sanitizing everything after use.

Charles and Sharon opened Philly Homa’s East 2nd Street location seven months ago and also own a location in South Oklahoma City. The plan is to add two more locations with one in the Paseo district and the other on Meridian and Memorial.

To learn more visit www.phillyhoma.com

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FEATURELOOK

Love Locks Zonly Looman

30 Foot Interactive Sculpture for Downtown is Nearing Completion

By Amy Dee Stephens

“All you need is LOVE, da…da...dadada.” It’s a sentiment shared by both the Beatles and a large team of Edmondites who have pooled funds and creativity to create a showstopping art form for downtown Edmond. Large metal letters made of smaller hearts spell the word L.O.V.E. in a big way. From L to E, the length is nearly 31 feet! The philosophy is that love should be a foundation of our community.

The lead artist, Zonly Looman, believes it is the largest sculpture in Edmond. “The Native American statue, Touch the Clouds, by the entrance of the University of Central Oklahoma is certainly taller, but this is longer. You won’t be able to miss it,” Zonly said.

“It’s a positive message because love is what we all need and want out of this life; to share love, give love, and to feel love.”

“Love Locks” is more than a visual icon; it’s an interactive sculpture. People are invited to add padlocks to symbolically lock-in their love for each other. Decades from now, thousands of padlocks will hang from the hearts, creating an ever-changing art piece.

It was initially Matthew Myers, a local businessman, who had the idea to create the interactive art piece. He was inspired by a similar concept in Paris where couples add padlocks to a metal bridge and throw the keys into the river. “We obviously don’t have a river, but I think it will be a great memory for people to come back year after year to see the symbol of their love locked securely on the heart.”

Matthew took his idea to Studio Z, where Zonly, and his father, Robert, began brainstorming. “It was originally just a heart 12

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shape, not the letters,” Zonly said. “We started thinking it could be a bigger statement, so my dad sketched the concept, and I added my flair to it.”

Matthew approached some like-minded friends who were willing to participate financially: Casey Massegee, Chris Anderson, David Maschino, Kyle Copeland and Christopher Dingess. The Edmond Visual Arts Committee also contributed funds, and local businesses were used for various parts of the fabrication.

From concept to construction, the project came together in just two months—but the Love Lock partners predict that L.O.V.E. will become the visual icon that makes Edmond a “destination.”

Local retailers are already ordering unique padlocks to sell, anticipating that strollers and outof-town visitors to downtown might be inspired to spontaneously add their own love lock. There is also discussion about creating a way to collect the keys, maybe to melt down to create new art.

“I have a passion for art, and I love our bronzes, but I also want to see other types of art here, too,” Matthew said. “This isn’t just my dream, it’s a lot of people coming together with a vision of helping families and couples engage with art.”

“For couples to put the lock on together and click it around a heart—that’s a memory,” Zonly said. “And at the end of the day, memories are what we have about the important things we’ve done in life. Love is one of those important things.”

Edmond’s about to get a whole lotta LOVE!

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FEATURELOOK When Edmond was founded during the 1889 Land Run, early settlers included black people. Because of the cultural shift in the 1920s, they faced segregation, and it wasn’t until the mid-1970s that African Americans began moving back.

“Let’s stop erasing history. Let’s keep it to show its significance and how to move forward,” Davis said. “We have a strong history along Route 66, but driving the road was not the same for everyone. People of color had to carry “green books,” basically a traveler’s guide about where to safely lodge and dine during segregation. How can we tell that piece of history along the route?”

Diversity is in the national spotlight, but according to Davis, Edmond started looking at inclusiveness years ago, even listing it as one of its Eight City Core Values. “Sure, it was long overdue, but it’s not a new conversation.

The Chamber of Commerce Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee met back in February. I’m also a board member for the Black Male Initiative Summit at the University of Central Oklahoma.”

Mentoring is a role Davis embraces. As a contract negotiator for the Air Force, he has risen as the highest-ranking African American in his job series at Tinker Air Force Base. While moving up the career ladder, he initiated a mentoring program for people of color to help guide them on their career path embracing the ‘no one gets there alone’ mindset.

His role in community leadership began over 20 years ago when he started volunteering on various city committees. Davis helped bring Crest Foods to Edmond and helped expand 15th & Santa Fe to a four-lane road. He spent 15 years on the Parks & Recreation board, and has been on the city council since 2011.

Davis currently serves on the Edmond Historic Preservation Trust board.

“The Trust looks for historical projects to preserve Edmond’s history,” Davis said. “We recently saw a need to help at the Gower Cemetery.”

The Gowers, a black family who settled in northeast Edmond during the Land Run, set aside one acre of their 160-acre plot as a cemetery for black people. The 93 identified graves include Buffalo Soldiers, Spanish American War veterans, early settlers, the Gower family, and a section for the poor.

“The Gower Cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Places, but it has fallen into disrepair,” Davis said. “We contacted the living heirs, and are working to help clean it up. We want to preserve it and make it a bigger part of Edmond’s history.”

For Davis, this is one more step toward sustaining the diversity conversation. “I hope people can see me and say that Edmond is changing. We are all the same, but we are all different. Let’s recognize that we all have biases, but we can overcome those biases. Let’s talk about it.”

“Let’s not suppress it, let’s talk about it!”

City Councilman Darrell Davis

Every Town Has A Past

By Amy Dee Stephens

As Edmond’s only black city councilman, Darrell Davis is acutely aware that Edmond’s history includes racial injustice.

Edmond once advertised itself proudly as an all-white town, had a Ku Klux Klan chapter in the 1920s, and was debatably a sundown town.

Rather than hide it, Davis has long encouraged the preservation of this history so it can be shared, discussed, and used as a catalyst for change.

“Let’s not suppress it, let’s talk about it! Yes, there used to be rules implemented to keep people of color out of Edmond,” Davis said. “And yet, my family has lived here for 31 years and have found this community to be very welcoming by the majority. My three kids grew up here and flourished. Let’s tell ALL of Edmond’s history--the good, bad, and ugly--so everyone can see where the city was and where it’s trying to go in the future.”

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FEATURELOOK

1 Percent It’s likely you have seen them around town, at Pops, or at a Cars & Coffee event. These exotic, limited-production cars are generally low slung with fat tires and have beautiful hand-built engines that produce amazing horsepower and unique exhaust notes. Oh, and they cost quite a bit - most of them more than the average home in Edmond.

Why is the group called 1 Percent?

1 Percent was established in 2009 by a small group of automotive enthusiasts. “One Percent” doesn’t imply elitism. Not everyone truly appreciates the automobile as more than basic transportation, we’re the 1% that do.

How does one become a 1 Percenter?

Access is granted on an individual basis to trusted persons. It is by invite only and usually initiated at car events.

What cars do we have assembled here today?

We have 2 McLaren 720S (Twin Turbo V8, rated at 720HP), Audi R8 (610HP V10), Mustang Shelby GT500 (760HP), Lamborghini Gallardo (530HP V10) and a 991 GT3RS (500hp Flat 6) Are there 1 Percent events?

1 Percent has a private annual cookout open to members and their families, and we also host a public meet the 3rd Thursday of every month.

What’s great about owning an exotic car?

It’s hard to explain in words the passion we hold for these cars, it’s certainly not rational. It’s fun getting to share these cars with others that share the same passion. We play an integral part of Redline4Kids. We will go to the children’s hospital and put the cars on display for the patients to walk around, sit in, and sometimes go for a ride.

What’s not great about the experience?

The cars are low, and you have to be more aware of speed 16

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bumps, parking curbs, etc. As long as they aren’t your primary vehicle, the downsides are minimal.

What kind of speed are these cars capable of?

Most of the cars have top speeds over 200mph.

Where can you take cars like these for service?

Many of the cars are still under factory warranty, so they’ll go to their respective dealers. For the highly modified cars or cars outside of warranty, Edmond Motorwerks on Kelly and 33rd is our service provider of choice Do you run errands in these cars or are they weekend only cars?

Our group is a bit different. We’ll drive them in the rain, sleet, snow or sunshine. It doesn’t mean we always do. They are by no means weekend only.

Do these exotics appreciate in value? Do you consider them an investment?

Some do, some don’t. Like any car, the newer you get, the higher your chance of losing money.

What would be a good “beginner” exotic car?

Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari F430, Audi R8, Aston Martin Vantage, Bentley Continental GT, Maserati Gran Turismo, Mclaren MP4-12c Any advice for someone looking to buy their first exotic car?

Don’t buy cheap. Buy from a reputable dealer. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done. Lean more toward buying cars with all the service records. One and two owner cars seem to be better cars. Remember, a lot of these cars are hand built, so they can have some inconsistencies. One car of the same year and model might be better than another car that’s the same year and model.

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FEATURELOOK

Fiamma’s Extreme MiniGolf Adventure

By Katie Standlee

Fiamma lined up her shot, it was less than 10 yards to sink regional champion before attending Tulsa University, and quickly the Putt. She’d taken thousands of shots from this distance, but entered the professional level after two years of college. never a shot like this. To her left were a line of 8 porta potties She has played the Cactus Tour, Symetra Tour, LPGA Futures rigged to open randomly. To the right a pool of water. “I got up Tour, finished second on the Golf Channel’s Big Break Florida there and saw a foot wide strip of grass, and I was like, oh yeah, contest and competed in numerous charity events and Pro-Am I’m definitely going into the water.” This was no ordinary golf golf events. Today, she is working for Rehab Medical as a medical course. Fianna was a contestant on ABC’s Holey Moley. sales representative. She still plays golf on the weekends and It’s a cross between mini-golf and American Gladiator, competes in charity events. reminiscent of the obstacle courses and water-dunking-antics Did she make that Holy Moley putt? After chipping down the of Wipeout. Filmed in California, Holey Moley foot wide turf, she sprinted across the narrow has its own twists and humor with quirky green as the porta potty doors randomly commentary by Rob Riggle and Joe Tessitore, opened and closed, slamming her into the and guest star and resident “golf pro” Stephen water. On her final attempt, she putted the Curry. ball down the turf, where it hit a bathroom After watching the first season of Holey sign - which shot it over two small hills and Moley safely at home, professional golfer then finally came to rest near the cup. Falling Fiamma Felitch was intrigued and decided to into the water counts as a stroke penalty, and audition as a contestant in season two. She’s after attempting the hole twice, Fiamma didn’t proud to have the opportunity to represent make it to the next round.

Oklahoma and compete in the show. “Just the “I wish I would have moved on obviously, experience was worth it for sure,” she said. because I’m so competitive,” she said. “But on Fiamma Felitch “Because to get to the end, I mean, there’s like the other hand, I had a lot of fun. The whole 96 contestants, so you have to make it through experience was very special to me because my a few rounds and lots of long nights.” parents got to go with me and be in the live Contestants of the show face dauntingly large obstacles in this audience,” she said. “Mom and dad really enjoyed that. My dad’s oversized mini-golf, 18-hole course. The contestants play one 90, and I grew up playing golf with him.” another one hole at a time, and the winner of each hole moves This episode is expected to air on ABC July 2 at 7 PM. Fiamma onto the next with a new rival. can be found on Instagram @fiammafelitchgolf and on Twitter Competition is nothing new to Fiamma, she’s been swinging @FiammaFelitch. For more information about Holey Moley visit golf clubs since she was four. She was a standout player at www.abc.com/shows/holey-moley Bishop McGuinness High School. She was a Class 4A State and

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FRESHLOOK FEATURELOOK

Lemon Sugar Cookies I love the impact of colorful sugar cookies. They are so fun and festive. The secret is to not overbake them. Happy decorating, and happy 4th of July!

Cookies Makes about 48 three-inch cookies • • • • •

1 c butter, softened 2 c granulated sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp lemon extract

• • • • •

2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 4 cups all-purpose flour zest of 2 lemons powdered sugar for dusting

Royal Icing: • 5 Tbsp meringue powder* • 2/3 c fresh lemon juice (2-3 lemons)** • 1 tsp cream of tartar

• 2 lbs powdered sugar, sifted • food coloring gel • extra lemon juice • sprinkles (opt.)

Directions: Beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Then add vanilla and lemon extract. Combine. Beat in baking powder and salt. Add lemon zest.

With mixer on low, gradually add the flour and mix until the dough starts to pull away from sides of the bowl. Dough should be pliable like soft clay. Divide into 2-3 parts, form each into disc shapes and wrap in plastic wrap. Let chill in fridge at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375F and fit two baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.

Dust a clean surface with powdered sugar. Take one disc and flatten with a rolling pin.

Continuously dust surface, dough, and rolling pin to avoid sticking. Roll out dough to 1/41/3 inch thick. Cut out shapes and place on baking sheets. Bake 10 minutes or until edges are just beginning to golden. Do not overbake! Let cool a few minutes on the pan, then once hard enough, place on cooling rack. Shape leftover dough into a disc again, wrap in the plastic wrap, and chill while working on next dough disc. Cycle through all dough until done. Cool cookies completely.

For the royal icing: Combine lemon juice and meringue powder in a clean stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Whisk on medium to combine, then add cream of tartar. Add powdered sugar. Beat on low for 10 min, scraping bowl sides as needed. Icing should smoothe out in 10 seconds when you run your spatula through it (less is too thin, more is too thick). If too thick, add lemon juice, a little at a time. Once you get the right consistency, separate icing into different bowls to add food coloring. Cover any icing you’re not using with a damp towel to prevent crusting. Fill pastry bags fitted with tips to decorate. For basic flooding, use a #2 or #3 tip. For details, use a #1. Keep your tips from crusting over when not in use by resting bags in tall glasses filled with 1cm of water. Wipe off water before reusing. *I have found meringue powder in the baking sections of craft stores and supermarkets. **I used the juice from the 2 zested lemons for the cookies, then filled in the rest with bottled lemon juice.

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Gina is a long-time food blogger, Back40 Design web developer, professional eater, and new resident of Oklahoma.

Find more of her recipes on her Instagram @gina.chong.

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BIZLOOK

SOS Pools

By Maria Veres

While many of his high school classmates worked entry level jobs, Zach Teague was already building a career. His father worked for a large pool company, and Zach often went with him on calls.

“I had a lot of experience before I ever got out of school,” he says. Since 2006, he has owned SOS Pools, an Edmond-based business focusing exclusively on pool maintenance and refinishing.

Making Pools Sparkle SOS Pools takes the headaches out of pool ownership with regular maintenance services. Technicians clean, brush, check chlorine levels, and balance chemicals.

Customers can opt for vacuuming as well. Surprisingly, the busiest pools often stay the cleanest. Activity increases

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water circulation, but an unused pool accumulates more dirt.

SOS Pools also provides refinishing to bring pools back to life. They can make whatever repairs are needed, and offer plastering using top-quality SGM products.

Meeting Oklahoma’s Challenges As a native Oklahoman, Zach knows wind and weather extremes create obstacles for pool owners. Regular maintenance is a must, since blowing dirt and dust can clog filters.

High calcium levels in local water present another challenge. It’s impossible to stop calcium deposits from forming on pool sides and bottoms, but Zach can slow down the process through additives in the water, filtration, and cleaning.

Committed to Safety Zach wants customers to enjoy their pools despite COVID-19. He stresses that as long as everyone takes precautions, swimming is a low-risk activity.

Maintaining proper chlorine levels is a key to safety. It’s also essential to keep

Zach Teague, owner social distancing in the pool. “You won’t get the virus from being in the water,” says Zach, “but you can get it if an infected person breathes too close to you while you’re swimming.”

To protect their customers, all SOS team members wear masks and maintain social distancing around customers.

SOS Pools serves Edmond, Deer Creek, and northwest Oklahoma City. As the area has grown, their business has grown, too.

“We show up, we’re prompt, and we make sure our communication with customers is on point,” says Zach.

Visit SOS Pools at edmondokpools.com.

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BIZLOOK

Pestbois

By Maria Veres

A childhood friendship has grown into a thriving business partnership for Easton Miller and Tyler Vaughan. The two Edmond natives co-own Pestbois, offering weed control, pest control, and holiday lighting.

Rooted in Edmond Easton earned a degree in horticulture and took over a family business started by his grandfather, Miller Lawn Care. He ran it as a side business while he pursued a career in oil and gas.

Over time, Easton noticed Pestbois signs in many yards he serviced. Then he discovered the owner of the pest-control business was Tyler, who he had known since second grade. “We grew up in church together,” Easton recalls, “and we both graduated from Edmond Memorial High

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School.” Their wives were also friends and Memorial graduates.

Since they shared many customers, Easton and Tyler decided to merge their businesses in 2017.

Safe, Effective Pest and Weed Control Pestbois takes a thorough, three-fold approach to pest control—inspection, cleaning, and treatment. They offer several different plans, including a very affordable quarterly option that covers both indoor and outdoor areas. Their weed control program is also comprehensive, so customers’ yards stay beautiful all year long. Technicians use safe, high-quality fertilizers and chemicals for all treatments.

Pestbois was one of the first local companies to offer mosquito control.

Before treatment, they do a careful inspection and target areas where mosquitoes lurk, like standing water and leaf piles. They offer conventional and organic options. “We’ve established ourselves as one of the primary mosquito control services in the area,” says Easton.

Pestbois

Plan Now for the Holidays Pestbois’s holiday light service is a fairly new addition to their business, and Easton recommends planning early. “It’s almost impossible to reserve someone to hang Christmas lights by October,” he says.

Summer is a perfect time to book.

For customers who don’t mind getting that holiday sparkle sooner, Pestbois even offers a discount for installing lights in September.

With several months of pest and weed season still ahead of us, Easton and Tyler are happy to talk with new customers any time. Visit them at pestbois.com.

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CITYLOOK

Opening Edmond Outlook spoke with Edmond Chamber President Sherry Jordan about Edmond’s re-opening and the future of local businesses.

On June 1st, Edmond City Council approved the 3rd phase of reopening. What does that mean for local businesses?

While Phase II opened a lot of doors, Phase III allowed businesses to resume unrestricted. Staffing and group sizes were no longer limited. This means that after six weeks of necessary restrictions, businesses began to operate at full capacity again.

Why should we promote local, Edmond businesses?

If you enjoy parks, public safety, sidewalks, biking trails and other capital improvement projects, then you should support your community by shopping locally. When you spend your money in Edmond, your sales tax dollars contribute to all those amenities and more. Local businesses are owned by your neighbors, people who put years of work and planning into creating something that benefits their city.

What “firsts” are we experiencing in Edmond?

Despite a global pandemic, we’re experiencing several firsts in 2020. The historic E.A. Bender building is now home to Frenzy Brewing Company, Edmond’s first ever brewery. Blocworks, the city’s first indoor climbing gym, is also located downtown and offers bouldering for all age and ability levels. The city’s first Firecracker 5K will be Saturday, July 4 on the newly extended Spring Creek Trail.

What is the chamber doing to promote the re-opening?

The Edmond Chamber partnered with the Edmond Economic Development Authority to create a joint task force called Elevate Edmond. The task force helped support the approach to reopening the Edmond economy to ensure greater collaboration between the business community, government and education stakeholders.

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We partnered with the Edmond Economic Development Authority and Edmond Futures to grant $150,000 to small businesses who were impacted by the pandemic. We also generated more than $40,000 in sales to local members and paid out more than $2,000 during our two-week retail and restaurant rebate program.

What can we all do to help local businesses?

Keep your money in the community. There are so many ways to support a local business, but they need you to spend your money with them. Before looking for an item on Amazon, check to see if any local shops carry the same item. Set aside money to support a local restaurant once a week (or once a month) and invite your friends and family to join. When you’re choosing a new dentist, pest control service or landscaper, choose a business based in Edmond.

What’s new at the Chamber?

Diversity and Inclusion Series - This program is currently still in the planning stage, but we’re excited to announce more information in the coming months.

New Logo, updated website, mobile app – The Edmond Chamber brought in 2020 with several new changes including a new logo, mobile app and updated website.

Accreditation with the U.S. Chamber – Out of approximately 7,000 chambers in our nation, the Edmond Chamber is one of only 125 that have a 5-star designation. We’re one of only three in the state. In 2020, we’ll be working hard to maintain our accreditation.

Edmond’s Longest Table – This new event will be held in October 2020 and is designed to bring people together who may have never met for a night of community bonding. Guests will be seated around the city’s “longest table” for a casual dinner in downtown Edmond.

To learn more, go to www.edmondchamber.com

ALOOKBACK

A World of Love

black student, always understood him and translated his needs to teachers and others. Jarvis was also a little older and very protective of Jay. Cookie, another classmate, came to Oklahoma from Ecuador. She quickly became bi-lingual in spite of therapists

By Louise Tucker Jones telling her family she would never be able to learn two languages, speaking My son, Jay was born with Down Spanish at home and English at school. syndrome over 40 years ago. Doctors Her mom and I enjoyed chatting in were quick to point out all he would never Spanish occasionally to keep up my be able to do in his “probably short” skills since I was no longer teaching the lifetime. But thankfully, Jay exceeded language in school. those boundaries and is one of the most During Special Olympics, we parents loving persons you could ever meet. all sat together for the parade of athletes When he was young, Jay attended a and cheered for our young ones as they small, private Montessori program with marched onto the field. There were no a handful of other students with Down black, white or ethnic issues. We were syndrome. The kids in that classroom family! We loved each other’s kids and were like family in spite of different would take care of them at a moment’s abilities and ethnicities. Jay has a severe notice. When Jay was in Cub Scouts he speech articulation disorder, which makes had a friend with Cerebral Palsy but it difficult for others to understand him. never gave Jarod’s wheelchair a second However, Jay’s best friend, Jarvis, a young thought.

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Jay and his friends are what the world needs to be. Loving, accepting and nonjudgmental. I believe God made every individual perfect. Maybe not perfect in your sight but perfect in His. My son is more like Jesus than anyone I know.

He doesn’t know how to hate. He never looks at race, color or disabilities. He just loves everyone.

I have learned so much about faith, love and acceptance from Jay. I am truly blessed to be his mother!

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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FEATURELOOK

Broadway & First:

A LibertyFest Tradition Continues

By Maggie Murdock Nichols

Though the LibertyFest Parade has been cancelled, the Murdock family will still sit in “our spot” at Broadway and First to celebrate. Our family has resolved to keep a 30-year tradition of gathering for a lawn chair breakfast.

We take Fourth of July seriously. Our friends playfully call it “The Murdock Christmas.” Our tradition began before I was old enough to form memories, but we have pictures in patriotic outfits to prove our presence at the parade. As the years have passed and crowds have grown, spots have become a hot commodity, especially on the shady side to avoid the blaring July sun. I doubt we’ll have to fight for our spot this year.

The Murdocks aspire to perfect attendance. We’ve sat in our spot after the OKC bombing, in times of war, after 9/11, following horrific tornadoes and local tragedies, in tense election years, in rain, in cold, and in blistering heat. This year, the pandemic makes a parade gathering dangerous to the very community we love. So 30

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instead, we will gather our family, don our patriotic apparel, snap a few photos for the memories, and remember that the Fourth of July is a time to honor the sacrifices made for the greater good.

This is not an act of defiance, but in declaration of our hope that we will gather once again.

The tradition began with our family of four. We have my mom and dad, Denise and Steve, to thank for their commitment to tradition on Fourth of July and to the community every day in between. My sister Mallory and her husband Jason have passed the love of Fourth of July to their children, Deacon and Salem. My husband David and I will add another girl to our family later this year. Our daughter Corrie is thrilled to be a big sister to Merritt!

The Murdocks can be found in this spot every Fourth of July morning. Next year, we hope and pray it’s alongside 50,000 of our closest friends.

80 East 5th St., Ste. 130 Edmond, OK 73034