Edmond Outlook - August 2017

AUGUST 2017

100,000 Mile Man Tom Parrott Kids in School: Time for Moms

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Features

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I signaled and carefully turned onto a side street. I lowered my window and the mid-afternoon heat quickly poured in. With my hands clearly visible on the steering wheel, I waited for the question.

“Do you know why I pulled you over?” I truly didn’t know (unlike some other times). The officer was polite but straightforward. “I pulled you over because you went through a red light.” He explained that I actually stopped and waited, then I went straight on the left arrow.

I was dumbfounded. He told me the turning traffic had to wait for me to continue my infraction before they could complete their turn. I was lucky I didn’t cause an accident. I had no idea.

He asked if I was on my phone. I wasn’t. Then he asked me if I had a lot on my mind. Yes, that’s it! He nailed it, here’s my impromptu therapy session...

My daughter, son-in-law and grandkids just moved back to Edmond from Colorado. This quarter, I’d like to cut business expenses and increase profits. I’m a widower and finding my way in a new relationship. My dog has a rash I can’t figure out. I can’t get my Roomba to connect to my wi-fi.

I ordered a new couch and it’s taking forever to get delivered. I’m hungry, I have salad at home but I really want some Chipotle. My sisters and I are selling my dad’s house in California, and I wish we had more showings...

I wondered if he’d mind standing out there in the heat because I could go on and on. But, no. I didn’t share any of that. Instead, I agreed to be more mindful while driving, and he let me off with a warning.

They say don’t text and drive - it can wait. For me, I can add not thinking too hard. That can wait too. Drive safe.

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Goodbye summerHello freedom

DARCI’S GOT TALENT

12-year-old ventriloquist wows on national show

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100,000 MILE MAN

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READ, TAN, RELAX

BACK TO SCHOOL MOM

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Edmond runner shares his secret for reaching the milestone Dive into adventure and relaxation this summer with books by local authors POSTCARDS FROM THE PAST

More than 15,000 postcards trace OKC’s and Edmond’s beginnings

Business

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HOUSE OF VACUUMS

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THE WINE BARREL

The ultimate in form and function

TROTTER OVERHEAD DOOR GARAGE + HOME

Keeping Edmond floors clean since 1976

Raise your glass to Edmond’s new social experience

Columns 26

DR. J. DAVID CHAPMAN

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LOUISE TUCKER JONES

Dave Miller Back40 Design President

So you want to be a landlord?

Great Expectations

ADVERTISING l Laura Beam at 405-301-3926 l laura@edmondoutlook.com MAILED MONTHLY TO 50,000 HOMES IN EDMOND/NORTH OKC 80 East 5th Street, Suite 130, Edmond, OK 73034 l 405-341-5599 l edmondoutlook.com l info@edmondoutlook.com August 2017 Volume 13, Number 8

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Edmond Outlook is a publication of Back40 Design, Inc.

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© 2017 Back40 Design, Inc.

PUBLISHER Dave Miller l ADVERTISING MANAGER Laura Beam l GRAPHIC DESIGN Adrian Townsend l EDITOR Tara Lynn Thompson PHOTOGRAPHY Marshall Hawkins l www.sundancephotographyokc.com l DISTRIBUTION Edmond Outlook is delivered FREE by direct-mail to 50,000 Edmond & North OKC 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.

FEATURELOOK

Goodbye Summer.

Hello freedom.

Okay, moms. We all know that spending the summer nervously watching new swimmers at the pool, repelling mosquitos, playing referee to the kids squabbling in the backseat on a family road trip is part of the refining process that is motherhood. But, guess what time it is? It’s back-to-school season. Once the school supplies have been purchased and divvied up, it is time for Mom. Here is a list of musts for your newfound freedom:

1

COFFEE DATE WITH GIRLFRIENDS

You actually drink your coffee the first time it’s served. Have you been to All About Cha? Their goguma latte is truly delightful. Be on the lookout for a soft opening at their new location in Covell Village this month.

2 SHOP

Now is your chance to go to the stores and slowly peruse the aisles instead of racing through before your toddler melts down. Broadway Antiques is one of my favorite spots in town. Check out Moore Home Interiors and do so in perfect solitude…or with your favorite co-room moms.

3 BINGE WATCH/LAUNDRY

If Game of Thrones isn’t your thing, try re-watching Grey’s Anatomy from the beginning. You can thank me later. The only cure I have found for folding mountains of laundry is doing so while watching your favorite series (instead of PBS kids).

4 SELF CARE

Go get your mani/pedi, take a mom nap, get your hair blown out, surprise your husband with a lunch date, the list could go on! Treat yourself without the guilt that you could/should be focusing on the littles.

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5 PERSONAL PRODUCTIVITY

The title “working mom” is so redundant. Every mom I know is taking on many different roles while remaining present for her family. Maybe it is direct sales, house work, running a small business from home, training for a marathon, or the aforementioned laundry. There really is something so rewarding about remaining productive for seven hours straight without any interruptions.

BOTTOM LINE IS Motherhood is the practice of serving yourself last. More often than not, we busy ourselves with the needs of our family, home, and marriage, especially in the summer. We serve as the family’s tour guide through the long, hot summer days and forget that even tour guides need a break.

This August, I hope you can indulge in your newfound solitude after school drop off, but just remember we only have 12 back-to-school seasons with these babies under our roof. Soak up the silence and relish the quiet, but then be present in the chaos of the after-school shuffle and bedtime routine. After all, just like the sweet summer days, the time we have with our kids at home won’t last nearly long enough.

Bethany Schwarz is the mother of 3 active children (6, 5, and 18m). She is in pursuit of building community while getting to know her neighbors through story and shared experience.

Life and Legacy:

It’s like a fat dime.

The Art of Jerome Tiger August 25, 2017 – May 13, 2018

It’s seriously cracked.

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1601 S. Broadway, Suite B

Edmond

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Mon-Sat 8a-8p, Sun 10a-6p

6315 N. May Avenue

Oklahoma City 405-842-7587

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HOMELOOK

Garage doors have evolved into the new front door.

Ultra stylish and available in a stunning variety of designs, today’s garage doors have a whole new form and function. With this new focus, it’s important to know what kind of door best suits your home’s needs and how to maintain your garage door’s longest life span.

We asked Jesse and Tina Trotter, owners of Trotter Overhead Door Garage + Home, what Edmond homeowners should consider when purchasing or maintaining their garage door.

1Yes.Should I buy an insulated garage door?

Insulated doors are more durable and better control the

temperature in your garage. An insulated garage door will either have a vinyl back or steel back. For optimal performance, the Trotters recommend an insulated steel back with polyurethane.

2 What is the difference between polystyrene and polyurethane insulation?

Polystyrene is the most commonly used insulation. However, the higher density of polyurethane makes it far superior to polystyrene.

The thickness of your insulation will directly affect your door’s ability to resist heat flow. Trotter recommends polyurethane insulation to add extra strength, durability, and stability to your garage door.

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3Springs Why do garage door springs break? provide anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 uses. On the

average, a spring will break anywhere from three to seven years, depending on its usage. It’s best to have your garage door springs maintained to extend optimal usage and life.

4 Aren’t all garage door openers basically the same?

Absolutely not. Most residents enter their homes by pressing their garage remote or using Liftmaster’s myQ technology on their smart phone. With the garage door being your main point of entry, the opener needs to be the highest quality and most efficient.

For more information on getting your own beautifully crafted custom garage door, visit their 15,000 sq. ft. showroom. Experienced staff and a skilled in-house woodworking expert can create a personalized garage door to compliment your home. You can also have Trotter technicians visit your home for a free 25-point inspection of your garage door and opener.

TROTTER OVERHEAD DOOR GARAGE + HOME trotteroverheaddoor.com 14000 N. Santa Fe Ave. 405-341-9601

F looring BREATHE EASY

If you’re looking for an effective way to help the allergy sufferers in your family breathe easier, consider carpet. Loved for its noise reduction and insulating qualities, carpet is also beneficial in reducing allergens in the air, says Don Pekrul of Don’s Floor Gallery. The fibers work to trap soil, dust, and other allergen-inducers until you’re ready to remove them by regularly vacuuming or periodically steam cleaning.

Exterior Painting

DON’S FLOOR GALLERY donsfloorgallery.com 2320 S. Kelly 405-340-8226

ON THE SURFACE

Even if your home’s exterior isn’t composed of siding, a freshened appearance is possible. A new, brightened exterior can be created with paint, which can be applied to many additional forms of exteriors, such as brick, rock, stucco, vinyl and aluminum siding, says Kevin Calmes of Legacy Painting.

LEGACY PAINTING mylegacypainter.com 405-286-5163

Furniture THE SAVVY DECORATOR

When you’re ready to spruce up your home with fresh furniture or a new decorating style, take your budget farther by buying consignment furnishings, says Jaclyn Wavra, manager of Furniture Buy Consignment, a locallyowned consignment store with a spacious showroom of home furnishings and decoration.

By shopping consignment, can find the brands you love in the best quality and condition, and all without the high-end expense of buying new.

Backyard OUTDOOR LIVING LARGE

If you want to expand your living space, don’t let walls stop you.

Outdoor living spaces add value to your home, while also adding additional living areas for entertainment, relaxation, or a favorite spot for an enchanting dinner under the stars. Andy Nelson of Nelson Landscaping says there are many unique outdoor options, such as outdoor kitchens, pergolas, fireplaces, fire pits, night lighting and more to create your perfect backyard getaway for the fall.

NELSON LANDSCAPING nelsonlawnservice.com 405-202-4120

FURNITURE BUY CONSIGNMENT 44 East 33rd 405-285-5552

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FEATURELOOK

By Amy Dee Stephens

Darci Lynne Farmer captured American hearts when she auditioned for the television show, America’s Got Talent. In just four minutes, she caused the audience to laugh, sigh, cheer and cry.

It’s hard to dazzle the show’s judges, but Darci’s singing and ventriloquism was so impressive that one judge, Mel B, was inspired to press the golden buzzer.

As gold confetti showered the stage, it was announced that Darci had earned a coveted free pass. She would skip the next rounds of auditions and go straight to the live show, airing this fall.

For the shy 12-year-old from Deer Creek, just auditioning was an accomplishment—but keeping her win a secret for two months was even more of an accomplishment. The Farmers had to stay quiet from March until May, when America’s Got Talent finally released the audition. “It was extremely hard,” Darci said. “I told a few friends that I did well, but that’s all I could say.”

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The night the episode aired, Darci gathered around the television with family, friends, and Petunia, her rabbit puppet.

Darci’s Debut The audience enjoyed Darci’s short banter with her rabbit but they reacted with shock when the rabbit began to belt out the deep, soulful song, “Summertime.” Not only was it a surprise to hear such a mature voice from a young girl, but she was doing it without moving her mouth. “When Mel B hit the golden buzzer, my friends screamed and cried and bawled for half an hour,” Darci said. “That was the reward of keeping that secret.”

Darci’s three older brothers have all reacted to her new-found fame in various ways. There’s the bragger, the one who keeps her lovingly grounded, and the “social media dude” who tracks her fan following. Darci’s mom and dad are the ones who pray for her protection and happiness. “God gave Darci this gift and a desire to pursue it,” Misty said. “She’s a sweet person who wants to make people smile.”

Although Darci’s mom and her coach, Gary Owen, help her write her puppet scripts, Misty attributes the bulk of the performance to Darci, who’s only been a ventriloquist about three years. “It’s impressive how she can pick up a new puppet and instantly start talking with it.

She knows the name, the personality, and which voice to use,” Misty said.

Darci has an array of puppets who act grumpy, sassy, shy, and even one that really yodels. Yes, Darci taught herself to yodel with her mouth closed.

She is already perfecting her act for the next season of America’s Got Talent. Of course, the details and puppet choice are a secret, but this summer, she will be traveling to Los Angeles for a dress rehearsal. Only time will tell how far Darci will go, but her focus is on getting through the next show. “I’ll be way more nervous since it’s the live show. It’s up to America to vote for me,” Darci said. “I hope they like me.”

BANDS

Midland Kevin Fowler Michael Ray Frankie Ballard Grainger Smith (Earl)

DETAILS GATE OPENS: 3:00 SHOWS START: 4:00 Food trucks throughout the day Beer Garden

AUGUST 19 Free tickets will be at JAKE FM drop sites.

Listen to 93.3 JAKE FM for dates, times and locations.

VIP tickets at GRANDBOXOFFICE.COM

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VIP Tickets also available

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GRANDBOXOFFICE.COM I-40 EXIT 178 | SHAWNEE, OK | 405-964-7263 AUGUST 2017

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FEATURELOOK

100,000 Mile Man

By Ian Jayne

For some, running is a chore; for others, it’s a labor of love that spans distances and decades.

103,000 miles is a number you might expect to see on a car’s odometer, not on someone’s running log. But for Edmond resident Tom Parrott, that’s exactly the case. Parrott, 69, has run over 100,000 miles since he first picked up the habit in the 1970s.

Perhaps the most remarkable element of his feat? It simply happened, a product of persistence and discipline.

“I don’t have a specific mileage I’m trying to achieve,” Parrott said. “I’ve never run a hundred miles a week, and for several years, that was a criteria that several distance runners always wanted to achieve.” For Parrott, running started as a means to an end. After graduating high school, Parrott entered the Navy, and he’d begun to pursue collegiate studies. Knowing that he wanted to become a coach or teacher, he developed an interest in good health.

Back in the 70s

Parrott and a friend decided to set fitness goals during a summer in the mid-70s; they would swim and run a mile. “When we got to swim, the water was cold, so we decided just to run,” Parrot said.

“So we ran, and we kept running basically every day from that point forward.”

Primarily interested in running as a way to better his golf and tennis performance, Parrott persisted mile by mile. After a couple of years, he began to keep track of his mileage just to see how far he would go. Eventually, Parrott began running twice a day to achieve a total of 10-12 miles per day. Over the decades, he’s had the unique opportunity of watching Edmond’s evolution into a sprawling suburb, replete with sidewalks, trails and parks.

Parrott’s interest in running led him to co-found the Edmond Running Club, and he ran multiple races, even qualifying for the Boston Marathon. While running can have a definite social element, Parrott said he likes to avoid the crowds of thousands of runners at large races; for him, the activity remains a path towards fitness and mental clarity.

Personal Reflection

“Typically, a run for me is just a personal reflection time,” he said. Parrott’s advice for novice runners? Just start where you are, with your current level of fitness.“I encourage someone to start with a walking or jogging endeavor,” Parrott said, noting that over time the activity cements itself into a habit.

Now, after suffering some running-related injuries and recovering from surgeries, Parrott has scaled back slightly. He runs an average of six miles per day, and he has taken up yoga as a way of improving the flexibility that diminishes with age.

Ice, rest and shots for inflammation are also part of Parrott’s approach toward running pains.

Paula and Tom Parrott with Pete

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After decades, running is now an integral part of Parrott’s lifestyle. Rain or shine, it’s a habit that doesn’t seem likely to change for him anytime soon. “I may start to take a day or two days off down the road, but I’m trying to save that for when I get old,” Parrott said.

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BIZLOOK

By Morgan Day

“We try to figure out what their exact needs are, what their flooring situation is, whether it’s carpet, hardwood or a combination of both, whether they have pets or allergies,” March said. “Once we determine that and find the right product, for a lot of customers, it’s kind of shocking to learn they don’t need a certain feature and the vacuum is half the price they thought it was going to be.”

Whether you’re searching for household products to clean upholstery, carpet, specialty rugs, tile or wood floors, House of Vacuums, 1425 S. Santa Fe Ave. offers products to keep all types of flooring and furniture looking, feeling and smelling great.

All products carried have the House of Vacuums’ stamp of approval, so you’re never sold something the store’s experts don’t believe in. Customers can even walk away with a courtesy vacuum to use while theirs is being repaired, and take advantage of try-before-you-buy options for new vacuums.

The vacuum store and repair shop has been in the Edmond community since 1976, offering customers everything from chemical-free green cleaning supplies and odor-eliminating products, to steamers for chemically-sensitive individuals and allergy-prone Oklahomans, and a variety of vacuums for non-carpet areas.

Owner Bob March said the store’s prices are also a big factor in what keeps people coming back.

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The store carries a highly effective private-label spot remover and a glass cleaner that March says is “the best glass cleaner you can get.” Many customers prefer to use the non-streaking spray on tinted windows, mirrors and chrome motorcycle parts.

March started working for the company as a college student in 1994 and bought the business four years later. He’s proud to be a small business

owner in Edmond and cherishes those customers who continue to shop local and support the community, given the vast online options and nearby big-box stores. Those customers, he said, make the job worthwhile.

“What I enjoy most is the people and the community that we’re in,” March said. “After 20 years of doing this, I’ve seen three generations come in and, in some cases, four generations. It’s really about them - the people, the customers and the caring.”

To learn more about House of Vacuums, visit edmondvacuums.com or call (405) 341-4750.

Come visit

you’re welcome anytime

405.359.1230

SENIOR LIVING

Choosing The Veraden Senior Living means choosing a better quality of life. Upgrade to a luxurious lifestyle in this new, modern community focused on improving your health with personalized care plans.

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THREE EDMOND LOCATIONS. TOUR TODAY. 1100 N. KELLY AVE. 405.348.0009

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*Programs and hours of operation may vary by school. Offer provides a choice of free registration OR $150 tuition credit; new enrollees only. Child must enroll for a minimum of three full days per week. Registration fee credit is applied upon enrollment (registration fee varies by location). Tuition credit is applied in $75 increments in week 5 and 6. Child must remain enrolled for 6 consecutive weeks to receive full tuition credit. To redeem the $150 tuition credit, full weekly tuition must be paid in advance by check or ACH. Enrollment is on a space available basis. No cash value. Limit one offer per child. One time use. Learning Care Group is not responsible for and cannot replace or redeem lost, stolen, destroyed or expired coupons. Offer not valid for Learning Care Group associates or their immediate families. Offer valid at participating locations only and subject to availability. Offer does not guarantee enrollment. Certain restrictions may apply to subsidy families—See school for details. Expires 9/1/17. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. ©2017 La Petite Academy, Inc. ELPA1. POS Codes: FY18 3rd party FreeReg, BTS Choice offer- $150 CREDIT, BTS Choice offer- FREE REG.

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FEATURELOOK

Read, Tan, Relax Four local writers entertain with tales of crime, secrets, rock & roll, and romance.

Curl up by the pool or under the shade, grab your favorite frozen drink, and escape to the beach, into a ghost story, or lose yourself in a deadly mystery with must-reads of the summer from local authors.

Saving Grace

Ghostlight

Grace Aundine, a beautiful socialite, hasn’t known real love since the death of her parents.

Controlled by her grandmother, betrayed by her boyfriend, and abandoned by her sister, Grace is on the run and hiding from her family and the world.

In Ghostlight, things that go bump in the night are just the beginning when a summer film project becomes a real-life ghost story!

By Sonia Gensler

By Kimberly McKay

Nathan Burkette just wanted an escape. He knew all too well about betrayal. After the military, Burke chose a solitary life on Oahu, where he thought no one would bother him until Grace showed up on his beach alone and battered.

He tried to leave Grace to her own devices as she sat on the sandy shores until fate intervenes putting them on a path of falling in love and straight into Grace’s dangerous past.

Will he save her in time?

Nothing ever happens on Avery’s grandmother’s sprawling farm, where she and her brother spend the summers. That is, until Avery meets Julian, a city boy with a famous dad, whose family is renting a nearby cottage. When Julian announces his plan to film a ghost story at Hilliard House—a looming, empty mansion—Avery jumps at the chance to join him.

When the kids explore the secrets of Hilliard House, eerie things begin to happen, and the “imaginary” dangers in their movie threaten to become very real. Have Avery and Julian awakened a menacing presence? Can they turn back before they go too far?

Praised by Kirkus as “frightening and engrossing” and by The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books as “deliciously spine tingling,” Ghostlight is perfect for readers 8-12 who enjoy spooky mysteries.

Kimberly McKay has been writing suspense and contemporary Christian romance for the last ten years. Find details about her or her other books at: www.kimberlymckayauthor.com.

Author Sonia Gensler is a former high school English teacher who now writes full-time in Oklahoma.

Learn more at www.soniagensler.com.

Continued on pg 22

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FEATURELOOK Continued from pg 20

Live From Medicine Park

Not Another Superhero, Just Another Sidekick

Documentary filmmaker Ray Wheeler is down on his luck.

Embroiled in a lawsuit, he is reeling from the consequences of a near-fatal shooting on his last film, and has just lost his teaching gig. Broke and beleaguered, he can’t afford to be particular about his next project. So when a former student invites him to film the comeback of Lena Wells, an iconic rock-and-roll singer who hit it big in the seventies, he reluctantly agrees.

Samantha Addison remembers the mugger. And his gun. How he pointed it at her head. When he pulled the trigger. She remembers everything, except how she survived.

By Tara Lynn Thompson

By Constance Squires

When Ray arrives at Lena’s hometown of Medicine Park, Oklahoma, he is determined to approach his topic with the professional detachment that has guided his career. However, it doesn’t take long before Ray violates his own ethical standards and is drawn romantically toward Lena.

When disaster strikes Ray’s set again, this time in Medicine Park, he must face truths he has avoided for too long—about love, relationships, and responsibility.

Constance Squires is the awardwinning author of Along the Watchtower: A Novel and Wounding Radius and Other Stories. She teaches creative writing at the University of Central Oklahoma. constancesquiresofficial.com

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But it’s only Monday. She’s embarking on a riotous week of near misses and a delicious mystery growing with each attempt on her life.

Through all the hilarious, hair-raising events, a sexy man in a black hood keeps saving the day before vanishing.

Who is this guy? And can he keep her alive?

It’s a race against time, trouble, and her sarcastic tongue to solve the mystery before the clock runs out. In the end, her very survival may come down to deciding who she can trust and who she absolutely cannot.

Then, continue the adventure! Follow the uproarious escapades of the witty, hard-not-to-like Samantha Addison in the sequel, Just Another Sidekick, available this month on Amazon or at TaraLynnthompson.com

Tara Lynn Thompson is an Emmy and Addy award-winning writer and author of The Another Series books, Not Another Superhero and Just Another Sidekick. taralynnthompson.blogspot.com

SATURDAYS

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BIZLOOK “It’s a wine social club where people with an interest in wine and beverages get together,” said business partner Steve Eckroat. “We don’t sell wine, we don’t serve wine. Wine Barrel members bring their wine and they serve themselves.”

By Morgan Day

Edmond wine aficionados and enthusiasts now have a chic place to stash their wine, entertain friends and learn about their favorite beverages.

The newly opened Wine Barrel, which occupies the basement of a North Kelly Avenue office building, offers members a temperaturecontrolled, state-of-the-art cellar for convenient access to secure wine storage. Due to the sleek, light wood lining the rounded ceiling, it also looks like a wine barrel inside and offers members a character-rich entertainment space.

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Members can treat the place like an extension of their own home cellar. They have around-theclock access to the Wine Barrel, which is kept safe and secure during off-business hours by a central alarm monitoring station. Members are privy to the Barrel Room, a lounge area complete with comfy seating, tables, TVs, wine glasses and dishwasher for easy cleanup. The room is even available to rent for private use, Eckroat added.

be found on the Wine Barrel’s website.

“It’s like going back to school, but for grownups,” he said. “We give you the inside story about a winery or the industry in general. Wine is a great topic because everybody loves to drink it, but they often don’t know much about it. They want to educate themselves about specific wines they like to drink and also the progression of what wines they’d want to drink next.”

Described by Eckroat as “the speakeasy of educational classes,” the business’ Wine Club University gives students a chance to learn the stories behind the wine in an intimate setting.

Open since February, the Wine Barrel employs seven certified sommeliers and a beer-certified instructor to lead the classes.

Classes range from novice to advanced and last about an hour and a half. Eckroat said classes aim to be fun and approachable for anyone on any knowledge level. A full lineup of the classes can

The Wine Barrel is located at 2808 N. Kelly Ave. Suite 400 in Edmond. To learn more, visit winebarrelokc.com, call (405) 285-0315 or email info@winebarrelokc.com.

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CITYLOOK is that, over time, increases in property value have been highly correlated with inflation. So much so, it has lived up to its reputation of being a hedge against inflation.

By Dr. J. David Chapman After selling our technology companies in 2001, my wife and I invested in real estate.

Our first purchase was a small office building in Edmond. We have continued to purchase real estate assets over the last 15 or so years, constantly adjusting our portfolio by buying and selling, depending on market conditions and our appetite.

Owning rental property has been the key to our family’s flexibility and financial security.

Investors purchase income-producing property for different reasons. Most desire income, some crave appreciation, and still others are interested in the tax advantages that are available.

While I believe real estate is a wonderful investment, what most people don’t understand

This is why I teach and believe that the best opportunity is purchasing quality property, with the proper leverage (loans) and sufficient income to cash flow with the intent of holding, managing, and paying off the asset. We refer to this as equity gain.

in history. This presents a great opportunity for landlords and investors.

However, the challenge is rental rates have increased 66% since 2000 while household incomes have increased only 35%. At a time when more people are renting, those people are generally less qualified to do so. These statistics simply reinforce the need for prudent qualification of tenants, which might be the most difficult task for a new landlord.

Obviously, I am a big proponent of real estate as an investment, but only when potential investors understand the challenges and legal responsibilities that are placed on landlords to do those tasks appropriately.

The most important and difficult aspect is management. Real estate, unlike other more passive investments, requires sophisticated management. This entails getting the property ready to market, showing the property, insuring the property, qualifying potential tenants, signing leases, collecting rent, and even occasionally evicting tenants. More people are now renting in the U.S. than at any other time

Now, go out there and build the financial freedom you desire!

Dr. J. David Chapman is an Associate Professor of Finance & Real Estate at UCO. jchapman7@uco.edu

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ALOOKBACK But I did play basketball from the time I was in grade school through my senior year and even some intramural sports in college. I also kept my grades at top notch, pleasing both of my parents.

By Louise Tucker Jones

When I was growing up, my dad would often say, “When they dropped a bomb on Japan, one was dropped at our house, too.” He was referring to my birth. Yep, first part of August and you can guess the year. I’ll also let you guess why he considered my birth an explosive event.

Daddy was always my fan. He loved my open, fun, curious nature. My mom preferred normalcy. One year in junior high, our class discussed having a girls’ wrestling match for our school’s annual fall festival. Daddy loved the idea and could hardly wait to watch his little girl. Not my mother. She put her foot down the minute the idea was mentioned. Evidently, so did the other mothers because it never came about.

I have learned that words and expectations in a child’s life are important. I never considered my father’s words derogatory. He meant it as a compliment to my outgoing personality. And when my teachers expected more than average from me, I worked hard, wanting to make sure they had reason to continue such expectations.

When my church asked me to accompany a group of grade school girls to an overnight camp as their counselor at just 16 years old, I accepted the challenge, excited that parents trusted me.

Children often live up or down to what is expected of them, especially from the adults in their lives. They need positive words and encouragement.

As a mother, I have had the awesome privilege of parenting both typical and challenged children. I tried to encourage each child in his

own unique strengths and abilities. I messed up plenty, but something certainly turned out right.

I have two amazing sons. And nope, there were no bombs dropped at their births. Just bountiful, beautiful blessings from the Lord.

Aaron and Jay—Love you beyond the beyond!

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

By Amy Dee Stephens

John Dunning’s been collecting Oklahoma memorabilia since he was a child. Now, the size of his private collection is staggering. He estimates his collection has over 15,000 postcards alone.

John Dunning

Dunning isn’t fancy or pretentious about his collection. He just likes old stuff.

Amassing such a large collection has taken a lifetime. He attributes his initial interest to his grandfather, who told him the great stories of Oklahoma’s history.

“Stories like the Land Run, Pawnee Bill, the Indians, the oil boom. For a kid, these are fascinating stories,” Dunning said.

“In the 1960s, when I was about ten, my grandfather took me to museums and antique shops around the state. He would buy political buttons from the antique shops, and since they didn’t cost much, I started buying them, too, with my allowance money.”

Dunning’s interest in the little country town of Edmond began about the same time. He and a friend would catch a bus north from Oklahoma City. They would walk around, exploring alleys and poking through old chicken houses—just looking, not being mischievous. He later attended college in Edmond.

He now has a large collection of Edmond postcards which cover four main topics: the town, the college, Route 66 tourist stops, and most uniquely, homemade postcards of Edmond family life.

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“In the early 1900s, communicating by postcard was kind of like using the telephone today. That’s how people stayed in touch,” Dunning said. “They would take pictures of their farm, their family or their business and send it out. In many cases, it’s the only existing documentation of people’s lives, and I may have the only remaining examples.”

Of his Edmond postcards, Dunning particularly likes the images of early student life at Central State University (now the University of Central Oklahoma) and Route 66 postcards from roadside diners, such as the Wide Awake Cafe and Royce Café.

Although Dunning doesn’t describe himself as the obsessive artifact hunter he used to be, he still enjoys the thrill of finding something new. And he enjoys sharing with others.

He is frequently called upon by historians, authors, and citizens looking for certain images.

He recently donated two of his collections - one on the oilfield and one about Oklahoma politics - to the Oklahoma History Center. The political collection, alone, was comprised of 20,000 ribbons, buttons, brochures and campaign letters.

The Chickasaw Nation tribe is also a recent recipient of his large Native American collection.

For a living, Dunning has run his own antique business and is the owner of the vintage College Stop Record Shop. He is currently opening a second location in a historic art deco theater, which he’s having restored.

“I like the idea of lost history being found, so it can be part of something worthwhile,” Dunning said. “I guess, in the long run, most of my collection will end up at the Oklahoma History Center because I want it to remain part of our state’s long life.”

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