Edmond Outlook - February 2018

February 2018

Confessions of a Wedding Photographer 5 New Edmond Eateries 3 Perfect ACT Scores at Santa Fe Edmond on the Bay HGTV Features Local Couple

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Features

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10 I was out for a drive the other day with my dog Bailey in the passenger seat. The top was down on my little convertible, and the sun was blasting us. I’m pretty sure we were both smiling. Then I realized – I’m that middle-aged guy that we’ve all seen at one time or another in a convertible with a dog. My smile turned to self-judgement. Is this really me? How’d I become that guy?

5 NEW EDMOND EATERIES

Savor what’s new in local dining THE SKIT GUYS

Tommy and Eddie’s excellent 30 year adventure

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CONFESSIONS OF A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Bridezillas, forgetful flower girls and other wonderful memories

I have relied on identities all my life. I’m “this” or I’m “that,” and then my behavior and actions followed.

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EDMOND ON THE BAY

When did all this start? Middle school, when everything else starts. I remember first identifying as an artist – because I loved to draw and was really good at it. Then in high school, the next logical step for me was to become a somewhat angst-ridden tortured artist. After that, it was an easy segue into a ‘partier.’ I excelled at that identity into my early twenties, when it was quickly followed by a phase where I identified as a 12-stepper.

Then I met Sandy, and I became a husband and an instant dad. Early in our marriage, I went through my struggling artist phase (different than tortured), then suddenly, I was a successful syndicated cartoonist. From there, I transitioned into a business owner, then an empty nester, then a caretaker and finally, a widower.

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PERFECT, PERFECT AND JUST PERFECT

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TEAMING UP FOR TENNIS

I identified strongly with all these phases of my life. The transitions were sometimes abrupt. Some overlapped for several years. Now, with my wife gone and kids out of the house – I’m left with the question, who am I really? Underneath all the titles and personas.

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UPPER CRUST

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OU MEDICAL CENTER EDMOND

Am I that guy who buys a big house east of I-35 and chills? Or am I that guy who downsizes into a condo downtown and becomes an art patron? Or maybe I’m a writer? Hang on, I think we can all agree I’m not a writer.

So 2018 starts a new chapter. I’m feeling healed and ready for what’s next. And if you see Bailey and me riding around with the top down – no need to judge. I already have.

3 Santa Fe students score perfect ACTs The Kickingbird Tennis Center moves forward

Business

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Slices, sandwiches and salads Continuing expansion and services into 2018 STOCKTON & ASSOCIATES

Benefits, insurance and investments

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DR. J. DAVID CHAPMAN

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LOUISE TUCKER JONES

Dave Miller Back40 Design President

Brent and Patrice househunt on HGTV

Administrative Services Building The Dating Scam

Cover photography by Marshall Hawkins

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 February 2018 Volume 14, Number 2

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Edmond Outlook is a publication of Back40 Design, Inc.

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© 2018 Back40 Design, Inc.

PUBLISHER Dave Miller l ADVERTISING MANAGER Laura Beam l GRAPHIC DESIGN Adrian Townsend and Sable Furrh 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

Pineapple Bourbon Cakes at Neighborhood JAM

New Tastes About Town

By Bethany Schwarz

3 Chile Pepper Café – Scratch Made Food

15220 N Western Ave Ste. G, Edmond, OK 73013 • 405.285.1160

White bean chicken chili is just what you need to keep warm this winter.

Check out this cozy, casual, walk up to order restaurant. The employees alone are worth coming back time and time again to see. With a friendly wait staff, hearty portions, and food made from scratch, this cafe will bring you back time and again, especially for favorites like their “fry sauce” for dipping.

Choose your own meat with the “rolled tacos”-- might I suggest the smoked chopped chipotle brisket?

4 Bistro 22 – Inspired Cuisine

1417 E Danforth Rd, Edmond, OK 73034 • 405.562.4884

One of my plans this new year is to try new things. With all the exciting new restaurants popping up around Edmond, food seems like a good place to kick off my plan!

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Neighborhood JAM – Breakfast with Heart

15124 Lleytons Court #103, Edmond, OK 73013 • 405.242.4161

This is my jam! General manager, Michael Kraft is intentional about the name of this new restaurant, which opened in October 2017. With dreams of serving his neighbors, making great food and supporting the community, Kraft and his restaurant have taken the area by storm…with homemade jam, giant biscuits, and full-service coffee and bar. Go for the Hot Jam Biscuit with fried chicken, candied bacon, cheddar cheese and homemade jalapeno peach jam. You may want to get the NoWait app to get your spot reserved in line, or walk in and enjoy yard games (and a mimosa or a latte) with your crew while you wait.

2 The Heat – Authentic Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

1319 S Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034 • 405.715.1818

You may or may not know them as Humble Pie; with some updates and a few changes - The Heat is on. Their location is inconspicuous, but don’t be fooled – their authentic deep dish pizza is exceptional. Dollar bills that dangle from the ceiling (patron donations, matched by owners and donated to the Emergency Response Assistance Program), sporting events that are projected on the walls, plus craft beer and a friendly wait staff all support the worthy wait for their delicious deep dish pizza. The Deep Dish Supreme goes will with The Calling IPA and the experience will make you feel like you left Edmond for The Windy City (just for a bit)!

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When was the last (or first) time you had truffle fries? How about a chicken salad served on toasted, buttery, sourdough bread? Whatever your answer is, it was too long ago. Make plans now to get to the sister restaurant of Signature Grill. The owners have again hit the ball out of the park by bringing delicious and inspired food to Edmond. I would recommend this as a lunch (and drinks) spot with friends ANY Tuesday-Saturday!

5 Fait Maison – French for Home Made

152 E 5th St, Edmond, OK 73034 • 405.509.2555

Romance is not dead! It is alive, here in the heart of Edmond. This elegant, yet unpretentious restaurant with soft touches boasts an authentic French dining experience. The two owners, Susan Wedel and Executive Chef Olivier Bouzerand, formerly of Cannes, France, have perfected their concept of a comfortable, French romantic culinary experience. Start with the escargot, sip some champagne and finish with crème brulee; anything you do in between is guaranteed to be incroyable. The Valentine’s Day Menu (with and without wine pairing selections) is already set, are your reservations?

This year, you can support local chefs and restaurant owners all while expanding your culinary palate! WIN WIN! Bon Appetit!

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.

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FEATURELOOK

Comedy Duo: The Skit Guys

Tommy Woodard and Eddie James

By Amy Dee Stephens

Meet two guys who were class clowns at Edmond Memorial High School.

That was in the 1980s, and they’re still at it 30 years later--except now it’s their job to make people laugh! Tommy Woodard and Eddie James are The Skit Guys. They perform live comedy sketches on stage and create a variety of funny videos and mini movies. Their trademark is clean, family-friendly humor which is especially embraced by churches looking for short videos with a positive message.

Video themes vary widely, such as “Granny’s Dating Advice,” “Mom Goggles” for Mother’s Day, or a hilarious series called “Awkward Invites.”

“We’re like a 2018 version of the Smothers Brothers, except cleaned up,” Woodard said.

“In the beginning, we stole material from Saturday Night Live and made it Christian,” James said. “That’s very hard to do!” Woodard added.

Their career journey began on Sept 17, 1987 when Woodard invited James to come to his youth group. “And I went because I heard there was pizza,” James said. “It changed my life, and we started doing regular Wednesday night skits for our youth group. Now we’re two fat, middle-aged guys, but we’re still making people laugh.”

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“A sketch usually starts when James says, ‘Hey, I have an idea.’ He shares it with me, and I look at him like a cow looking at a new gate--and then I start to get it,” Woodard said. “Then it’s, “I say this, and you say that, and I’ll say this...’ We improv it with audiences, and it usually takes about a year to get it where we want it.”

A few of the skits Woodard and James perform are serious in nature. The most poignant one, God’s Chisel, has gone viral. “People resonate with it.

When we do it live, people start to cry,” James said. “It’s like that moment when Billy Joel plays “Piano Man” on stage, and the crowd goes nuts and gets emotional.”

“One guy told us that he was divorced, but after watching God’s Chisel with his ex-wife, they got remarried,” James said.

Woodard and James perform about 50 shows a year, all over the country.

Their stage show isn’t fancy--two guys on a stage with minimal props--but they have a large following of fans. They remember one week when they performed in someone’s garage, and the very next week, they performed for 24,000 people at a Dallas arena.

Between stage appearances, The Skit Guys are working on their latest mini-movie. “There’s an insurgence of faith-based movies in the market, but most of them are dramas--so we are writing a comedy,” James said. “It’s not cheesy Christian funny, it’s real, gut-busting funny, to make you laugh, cry, think and hope.”

“That was incredible,” James said. “You don’t forget the sound of 24,000 people laughing together.”

“We constantly get new ideas from people who share their real-life stories with us,” Woodard said. “We’ve had so much fun for 30 years now. What people are seeing in our skits is Eddie and me living out our friendship on stage.”

The Skit Guys are moved by the feedback they regularly receive. Woodard and James are blown away by comments from people who began watching them because of their comedy, but then found hope in their message--like the

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man who watches The Skit Guys online in the privacy of his home because it’s illegal to profess Christianity in his country. Or the bitter school teacher who graded papers on Sunday morning at the school where a church service was held. He started rushing to the auditorium every time he heard the uproarious laughter. He enjoyed watching the comedy skits, but eventually committed to Christ.

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For more information and videos go to skitguys.com.

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Upper Crust: Slices, Sandwiches and Salads

By Ian Jayne

Pizza: It’s an ever-familiar comfort, at once a standby and a standout. The same could be said for Upper Crust, a Hal Smith purveyor of specialty wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, salads and drinks in a cozy, Napa-style environment. Wine bottles handpicked by the management team glimmer on the shelves, while craft beers and signature cocktails provide even more libationary choice.

“We’re a neighborhood spot,” said Brent Baisden, Area Partner. “We want people to feel welcome.” Whether it’s a first date or a family outing, Baisden said Upper Crust provides the perfect setting, with its consistent service and fun, friendly atmosphere.

With its extensive menu, Upper Crust also offers something for everyone.

Handcrafted, New York-style pies range from the classic Margherita to the meaty Flying Pig. Vegetarians rejoice: the L.K. Veggie and Psycho Shroom make meatless meals a delight, and every pizza can be made with a glutenfree crust. Out-of-the-box thinkers can build their own pizzas.

Pizza may be the most obvious choice at Upper Crust, but the other half of the menu awaits adventurous taste buds. Start with the Italian Meatballs or Kale & Artichoke Dip, but save room for a hearty salad. Try the U.C. House Salad, which, with its capicola ham, candied pistachios and oregano garlic vinaigrette, is anything but typical. Or, go with the Long Stem Artichoke Salad, replete with hummus and mustard aioli dipping sauce.

Take a culinary trip to the Big Apple with the NYC Grinder sandwich, a fivemeat wonder on a sesame baguette, or try the updated classic, Grilled Cheese made with cheddar and havarti (and accompanied by tomato basil soup, of course). Culinary twists and turns abound. The Knife & Fork Meatball Sub dares you to practice your utensil skills, and the Classic Turkey Piadine spices things up with chili mayo. Satisfy your sweet tooth with apple pie or the Cookie Pie, a pan cookie topped with ice cream that’s so popular some come just for it.

The menu, helmed by chef Brad Johnson, changes twice yearly, with many frequent additions to keep things fresh. The featured pies and appetizers rotate weekly, so there’s always something new and fun to try, Baisden said.

Pair your pizza with a local beer on tap--perhaps a Coop F5 IPA or DNR, an Anthem Uroboros stout or a Mustang Rocket Fuel pale ale. For a midday meal, order the Upper Lunch and snag a seven inch version of any pizza on the menu, a side salad and a non-alcoholic drink.

“We’re a really well-rounded restaurant with lots of offerings,” Baisden said.

And Baisden’s favorite? The crispy-juicy Bricked Chicken and a Farmer’s Market Salad, which features fuji apples, candied walnuts and gorgonzola, all topped by a white balsamic vinaigrette.

Visit Upper Crust’s Edmond location at 1205 NW 178th St., call (405) 285-8887 or visit ucpizza.com for more information.

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FEATURELOOK

Amy Hawkins, Bride Lauren Thacker and Marshall Hawkins

Confessions of a

By Amy Dee Stephens

Wedding Photographer Warning, this story is sappy! It’s about a married couple who find themselves in a constant state of wedding bliss. Nearly every other week, Marshall and Amy Hawkins are photographing a wedding. The “love in the air” feeling must rub off on them, because the two talk about each other like they are still a dating couple.

Amy feels lucky to have learned a new skill set that allows the husband and wife team to work together. “He was a great teacher. He never stops learning and looking at new trends, so he’s a better photographer at every wedding.”

“We feel so blessed that we’re happy and married, and we get to see other people become happily married,” Amy said.

Now, they’ve done over 200 weddings together. Marshall says that Amy handles the most stressful part—the bridal room. “She’s really good at assuring brides that things never go perfectly, but it will be all right in the end.”

“We’re always a little mushier a few days after a wedding,” Marshall said. “It takes us back to why we got married.”

“There’s one moment in every ceremony, during the vows, that I’ll sneak a peek at Marshall. He’ll give me a wink and a nod like, ‘I chose you, and you were the right person for me.’ It’s like a renewal of our own vows,” Amy said.

The Joining of Two People When they married in 2009, Amy had no experience as a wedding photographer. She started tagging along and helping with equipment, because she enjoyed watching Marshall’s “charm and charisma” in action.

He noticed her natural eye for photography and trained her on techniques and perspectives. Marshall says that Amy now is as good as anyone in the business. “I see the big picture, and she sees the fine details--like if the bride’s necklace is straight,” Marshall said.

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The Perfect Wedding

“Brides either stress out or let it roll off,” Amy said. “But I find it exciting to be in the bridal room to capture those wonderful, giddy moments when she’s so excited about who she is going to marry.”

Because the Hawkins know the wedding business, they often take on the unofficial role of wedding coordinator when one isn’t present. Marshall frequently touches base with caterers about the food schedule or cues the DJ to start the music. Amy gets all kinds of questions in the bride’s room, like, “Which leg does my garter go on?” “How do I put on my boutonniere?” “Can you help me button this dress?”

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FEATURELOOK Continued from page 14

The Funny and the Fallen

The Tear-Jerking Moments

The Hawkins feel fortunate to have avoided the stereotypical “bridezilla” wedding, stating that sometimes a bride might have a snappy moment, but she always apologizes. The Hawkins have, however, been witness to a variety of awkward wedding situations: The bride who showed up an hour and a half late. The bride who requested a photo of herself on the toilet (discreetly surrounded by her voluminous dress, of course). The groom who passed out while lighting the unity candle.

The Hawkins are continually in awe of the sweet gestures of love they see in the ceremonies they photograph. They were moved by a shy bride who surprised her new husband with a beautiful solo. They are appreciative of divorced family members who put aside their differences. And they will never forget the moment that one bride was ultimately selfless.

“When holding fire, it’s not the time to pass out,” Marshall said. “Fortunately, the groom quickly revived, the couple laughed, and no fire was started.”

Funny moments inevitably occur, too: The bride hit with bird poop. The officiator who imitated the nasal-voiced wedding priest from the movie, “The Princess Bride.” The groomsman who broke out in a 1980s dance routine to the song, “I Wear Sunglasses at Night.”

Amy recalls a 5-year-old flower girl who had a basket in one hand, a Wedding Barbie in the other, and she was also trying to raise her too-long skirt as she climbed the stairs. “She tried so hard, but she stumbled on every step, and the audience gasped every time,” Amy said. “Once the ceremony started, she looked up and started pointing at the ceiling. You could tell she was counting the lights, one by one. Slowly, all the groomsmen started to look up, and you could tell they were counting, too.”

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“During a father/daughter dance, the bride suddenly stopped, grabbed the hand of her older sister, and let her finish the dance. For some unknown reason, the sister had missed this opportunity during her own wedding, but this bride spontaneously shared her moment,” Amy said. “It was so special. I had tears rolling down my face, but I couldn’t wipe them away because I was holding the lighting for Marshall.”

“I know it’s sappy, but I’m so privileged to capture these wonderful memories alongside my husband,” Amy said. “A lot of brides forget the details of their wedding day, so it’s our job to help them recall those moments. Ultimately, we’re more than photographers--we become their friends, and then we photograph their babies and watch their families grow and flourish.

To learn more, visit sundancephotographyokc.com

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BIZLOOK

OU Medical Center Edmond

By Morgan Day

OU Medical Center Edmond recently ushered in a new state-of-the-art catheterization laboratory, allowing the hospital to provide even more advanced treatment for those seeking cutting-edge cardiac care.

What makes the hospital’s new cath lab unique is, unlike its old piece of diagnostic imaging equipment that was upwards of 18 years old, the new apparatus’ path is not dictated by tracks along the floor or ceiling. Although the new equipment is tethered to the ceiling, it uses magnetic properties in the floor’s concrete to move freely about the room, making it easier to capture any angle.

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What’s more? OU Medical Center Edmond is the only hospital in the area to employ the new 3-D imaging equipment to better serve patients with interventional cardiac and vascular procedures, said Leslie Buford, the center’s director of business development.

“The cath lab allows our physicians to go into the body with minimal invasiveness and not only see how different organs and body parts are working and if they’re working correctly, but also help our physicians conduct procedures,” Buford said.

“This new machine can be positioned 360 degrees around a patient so it can get more unique views of whatever body part the physician is looking at.”

Buford said the addition of the new $1.7 million cath lab in October 2017 fulfills a need in the

Edmond area, as heart disease continues to be the No. 1 killer of Oklahomans. The cath lab is instrumental in not only cardiac-related procedures, but those targeting vascular, kidney and ovarian issues, just to name a few.

That’s not the only big news coming out of OU Medical Center Edmond. The hospital is expanding its behavioral health services, with a concentration on patients 55 and older, by offering outpatient services for those who require further therapy for behavioral health issues.

The hospital has expanded its surgeries as well.

Buford said the center has continued to bring on highly talented surgeons and has seen exceptional growth in the area of hernia surgery with the hire of Dr. Jeffrey Bender, known throughout the state as a hernia expert, and Dr. Alex Raines, who conducts hernia repair surgery with the assistance of a surgical robot.

OU Medical Center is located at 1 S. Bryant Ave. in Edmond. Learn more about OU Medicine and OU Medical Center Edmond by visiting oumedicine.com, or call (405) 341-6100.

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FEATURELOOK

HGTV’s

Edmond on the Bay

By Amy Dee Stephens

The search for a vacation getaway turned into a television adventure for Brent and Patrice Douglas. As the two searched for their perfect waterfront property in Fairhope, AL, an eight-person crew from HGTV followed them around. The Douglases are no strangers to a viewing audience. As a business consultant Brent regularly speaks to large groups and Patrice was the Mayor of Edmond from 2009 until 2011, but reality television was a fun new experience for the couple.

“We’d already been looking for a house in Fairhope when our realtor called and said that HGTV wanted to feature the community in an episode,” Patrice said. “The realtor suggested us because she knew our backstory.”

Patrice had hand-picked the Fairhope area because it was named as a 10 Best Towns for Families by Family Circle, an honor also held by Edmond, OK when she was mayor. Patrice once lived in Alabama, and she had strong memories of visiting Mobile Bay with her dad. She convinced Brent to take her there, and they found the community to be quaint and friendly. “It felt like Edmond on the Bay,” Patrice said.

Filming for reality television, however, turned out to be quite different from filming political commercials, as was their previous experience. “We worked three 12-hour days,” Patrice said. “And you have to be careful what you say when you’re wired to a mic for 12 hours a day! In one house, we were just goofing off. Brent tackled me on the bed and said, ‘Wow, honey.’ They immediately asked us not be so racy.”

Although the Douglaes laughed about that, they highly praised the crew as organized and professional. “They called us ‘the talent,’ which cracked us up,” Brent said. “I’d ask for a bottle of water, and they’d put a piece of tape with my name on it. It made us feel a bit like movie stars.”

For every scene that made it onto the show, Patrice and Brent had reenacted it at least three times. They had to mimic their initial reaction so it could be

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filmed from different angles. Filming in the bathroom posed the greatest challenge, because of the tight space and mirrors. “The camera men were trying to stay out of view, so they would run into the bathroom and dive behind the shower curtain, or they were ducking underneath you,” Brent said.

“It was hard navigating like nothing was going on, especially when they were under your feet.”

Outdoor filming also posed challenges. Lighting was a constant challenge, as the sun would go behind a cloud at just the wrong moment, and the beach backdrop was unpredictable. Boats roared past and interfered with sound levels, and beach visitors unintentionally caused noisy distraction.

Ultimately, the Douglases selected one of three vacation homes that best met all their requirements: a quaint community, a location their adult sons would enjoy visiting, and a site facing the bay. What made their final decision? “The view,” both said in unison.

“The house isn’t fancy, but it has huge windows with an unobstructed view of the bay,” Patrice said. “Oklahoma sunsets are gorgeous, but you should see them at Fairhope.”

The Douglases wanted the Edmond community represented in their vacation home, so they decorated the interior with art purchased from last year’s Edmond Art Show. “If you watch the episode—you’ll see it on our walls,” said Brent.

In the end, 150 hours of filming was boiled down into a 23-minute show.

Patrice only regrets that the photographs of her late father didn’t make it into the show. “He first took me to the beach in Mobile Bay, so that’s one of the sentimental reasons for living there--but coincidentally, the show aired on November 5th, my dad’s birthday, so that meant a lot to me.”

The Douglases can be seen on the “Alabama Gulf Coast Getaway” episode of HGTV’s Beach Hunters, which first aired Nov 2017.

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FEATURELOOK

Perfect, Perfect and Just Perfect

By Amy Dee Stephens

Senior Brian Carlton, Sophomore Joshua Zhu and Junior Michael Yu

Three young men at Santa Fe High School achieved the impressively perfect score of 36 on their ACT tests this year. Here are their reactions to their scores and advice to other students. For anyone seeking the secret to their success, just take note of their commonalities: music lessons, advanced placement (AP) classes, and motivating friendships.

Joshua Zhu, Sophomore Reaction: I’d gotten up one morning to look on the website for my score— and I couldn’t believe my eyes! I thought I’d prepared well, but not a 36. My parents were thrilled.

Success Secret: I took a bunch of advanced classes, and I’m thankful for that, because I learned the ACT skills in those classes. I want to thank my teachers, mentors, counselors and friends at school. Santa Fe demonstrates quality education. They teach me not just material, but how to manage my time more efficiently. My parents also encourage me to spend my time wisely.

Free Time: I play violin in the school orchestra. I’m also in the environmental club and on the academic team, and I plan to do more clubs, because I want to be involved with school. In my free time I go out with friends and watch movies.

Future Plans: I’m just a sophomore now, but hopefully I’ll go into business like my sister did. She’s in New York now. She also scored a 36.

Advice: I think it’s definitely important to be motivated and to make good use of your time. Having Michael Yu as one of my friends probably helped. I had the feeling he’d get a 36 because he’s brilliant, and maybe that provided a small amount of pressure for me to want it too.

Michael Yu, Junior Reaction: My mom woke me up one morning and said I “got 36.” I was still tired, and I was like, “36 what? 36 dollars?” After I woke up and realized

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what she was talking about, that was really nice. I thought I might have made a 35, but not a 36. I think my friends were more excited than me. I remember Joshua Zhu jumping around.

Success Secret: I took the official practice tests, and ever since middle school, I’ve taken summer classes that allowed me to get enough credits to skip a grade, so it bumped me up to a junior this year.

Free Time: I’ve played piano since I was four, and violin since 6th grade. I like to read old classic books, like Don Quixote. I’ve also been pulled into the genre of non-fiction books because I read the book, Freakonomics, and the points were so interesting, and it was written with a fiction-like storyline.

Future Plans: To get into a better college.

Advice: My motivation was, “Don’t do worse than Joshua.” I’ve always had good friends throughout school who have worked hard and motivated me.

Having that competition helped.

Brian Carton, Senior Reaction: I was in physics class when I was called to the office. The principals gathered around and showed me my score. I was blown away. It seemed unattainable--but there it was. The principals were very congratulatory, and my parents were very happy.

Success Secret: I’ll say it’s a combination of a desire for knowledge and taking AP classes. AP classes are very difficult, so it made the ACT seem easy.

Free Time: I play cello in the school orchestra, and I’m also in the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra. Music and computers are my hobbies.

Future Plans: My inbox is completely full of college emails, by my plan is to go to the University of Oklahoma because I want to stay in state. I want to double-major in computer engineering and mathematics.

Advice: Take AP classes, apply yourself, and with enough practice--you can do anything!

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BIZLOOK

Stockton & Associates

By Morgan Day

At Stockton & Associates, the customer experience comes before all else. It’s the client centered approach to business that has made the Edmond based insurance/financial agency a leading provider of employee benefits for 30 years.

“Since 1988 we’ve been helping employers across the state of Oklahoma create and design the most competitive and highest quality benefit packages for their employees,” said James Stockton, independent insurance and investment broker and the president of Stockton & Associates.

James added, “Our client base has steadily grown throughout those three decades mainly through referrals from clients who felt their needs and goals were being met.”

“We always want to do right by the customer,” Stockton said. “I want to go to bed at night

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knowing I did right by my clients and that I always have their best interest in mind.”

Located at 1901 S Kelly Ave, Suite 100, Stockton & Associates represents all major insurance carriers, including BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma, United HealthCare, and Aetna. This ensures their clients get the best value for their healthcare dollars.

You can find Stockton Financial at the same address. James Stockton & Jeremy Baldwin offer clients independent & unbiased financial and wealth management advice through personalized service and expert financial counseling. The privately held financial and investment advisory firm provides 401K services, estate & retirement planning and asset protection. They offer lots of “Safe Money” investment alternatives for those clients who don’t want their funds to be exposed to the market risk.

With his business dependent on satisfied clients, Stockton says, “Word of mouth referrals have been key to our success.” One phrase he hears frequently from his clients is “above and beyond service.” Clients appreciate the extra care his staff takes to ensure their healthcare and

financial needs are met. He adds, “My staff works diligently to resolve issues quickly and tries to find innovative solutions to our clients’ problems. They also follow up after the fact.”

“We’ve done a fantastic job of developing creative ideas as the healthcare industry has changed and we continue to be on the cutting edge by creating plan options that best fit our clients’ needs. Above all, our staff continues to provide an unparalleled level of service to employers and their employees.”

To learn more about Stockton & Associates visit www.jcstockton.com. To learn more about Stockton Financial visit www.stocktonfinancial.com. You can also email James at james@jcstockton.com or call him at (405) 843-6800.

The crew at Fossil Stone Granite and Flooring enjoys turning dreams into reality. The talented team at Fossil Stone have all the skills needed to complete a home improvement project from start to finish.

“We are a full remodel company, we can handle every aspect of a project” said owner Cary Small, an Edmond native. “Aside from granite and flooring, we build custom cabinets, do professional paint finishes, connect plumbing, install backsplashes-everything. We’re like a one-stop shop.“ Fossil Stone eliminates the need to deal with mulitiple contractors, saving the homeowner the headache of juggling bills and timelines.

While running his countertop business, Small realized homeowners found that dealing with a handful of contractors for one project was a nightmare. Seeing a need for better service, Small started growing his team and business to cover more of the homeowners’ needs.

Not only do the home or business owners eliminate dealing with multiple tradesman, they see a higher quality of work because the project is overseen solely by one company. Consolidating the construction and installation process ensures a more cohesive plan and fluid project completion.

Small also attributes that high quality of work to his skilled team. They, together, have over 60 years of combined experience in granite, tile, cabinets and paint and special finishes. The company has seen such success in recent years, it’s now located in a larger facility in Edmond. The building houses a tile design center and more product displays, all with a professional atmosphere and on-site consultations.

Small said customers are wowed by his crew’s attention to detail and desire to leave them with the best quality product. Plus, while other companies might slack on customer service after the sale is made, Fossil Stone shines.

“Our service after the sale isn’t the standard one year warranty,” Small said. “If you call three or four years after the sale and there is an issue with the workmanship, we’ll fix it. We really stand by our stuff long term.”

1341 Fretz Dr. in Edmond FossilStoneGranite.com Call for Free Estimates: 203-1600

CITYLOOK

In the Works: Administrative Services Building

By Dr. J. David Chapman

The new 70,000 sf City of Edmond Safety Center on the SE corner of First Street and Littler Ave. forever changed the built environment in Downtown Edmond. The entire police operation and detention center were moved to the building in 2016. This move left the former police station located at 23 E. First Street on the NW corner of 1st and Littler Ave. empty. The move also prompted the City of Edmond to hire Small Architects to complete a study to evaluate potential uses of the empty building and an assessment of City of Edmond administrative office needs.

Thomas Small delivered the facility needs assessment report to the city council that contained six options. The recommended option calls for the demolition of the former police station to make way for the new City of Edmond Administrative Services Building. This new building would be architecturally similar to the safety center across the street, be 83,000 sf, five stories tall, and consolidate all the downtown City offices to one building.

The first floor of the new building would house the public utility service currently located in the Hardgrove building in Downtown Edmond. There would also be first floor retail facing the street to serve the building.

The second floor would house the planning staff, building services, and engineering that are currently in the “red roof” building at 10 S. Littler. The community image, finance, and human resources departments would occupy the third floor with administration and risk management services on the fourth floor. The fifth floor would be offset from the rest of the building to

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reduce the impact of the height of the building on other structures downtown and contain the city chambers, multipurpose rooms, executive session conference rooms, a catering kitchen, storage area for event furnishings, and a roof-top garden and balconies.

The Downtown Community Center will be demolished for potential parking. The tenants including the Oklahoma County and Driver Testing Center will be moved to the “red roof” building at 10 S. Littler. The City First building housing the Mayor and councilmember offices will also be demolished to provide for a “pocket park” allowing for a terrific view of the new building from 2nd Street. Approximate cost for the new building would be $24 million or $283 per square foot. While this was only a workshop for the architect to present the proposal, it appears the City is serious about consolidating services into a new building. This proposal would not only accomplish that, but make another huge improvement to the built environment of downtown Edmond.

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

ALOOKBACK

The Dating Scam

By Louise Tucker Jones

A while back, I wrote a story called The Dating Game. Basically, I gave my limited experience into the world of online dating. After that story was published, I heard from several women concerning the other side of online dating—those who were scammed. Each asked me to write about the subject so I’m sharing a few of their stories.

A friend in OKC told how she became so enamored with a gentleman online that she almost fell hook, line and sinker for his scam. After months of communication, they were finally going to meet. However, he had a company emergency while out of state and his bank would not release funds to cover the expense because he never did business online.

Could she possibly send the money and he would pay her back when he saw her? Only after confiding in a friend was she able to see it was a scam and not respond, saving thousands of dollars.

Another woman thought she was about to meet the man of her dreams. He wrote lovely, flowery emails and could hardly wait to meet her but was transferred from one place to another. She got suspicious and found an online site that exposed scammers. Sure enough, there he was. She saw emails to others that were verbatim to what he had sent to her. He also used the picture of some gentleman who had no idea his identity was stolen and used online.

Many reading this wonder how this could possibly happen and are certain they would never fall for such a ploy. Don’t get too comfortable with that thought. In the last year, I have heard innumerable stories and one of the worst was from a lady in Kansas.

She met her prince charming online and they had a long distance relationship. Though he lived in another state, they would meet halfway at least once a month and he even spent time in her home. More than a year later, the romance had blossomed and they planned to be married.

At least that was her plan until she found he was dating two other women in another state, even living part-time with them. Besides the heartache of a broken relationship, she had loaned him money. After all, they were planning marriage and she trusted him implicitly. The money was never returned and she discovered he had also scammed money from the other ladies.

Though none of the above women lost hundreds of thousands of dollars like the scams highlighted in newspapers and TV, they still lost personal

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savings along with some self-respect and trust. They felt betrayed and violated.

And these scams do not happen to women only. TV personality, Dr. Phil, had a program where he revealed a woman who had stolen someone’s picture identity and scammed a gentleman out of more than $200,000.

And yes, there are some positive online stories where couples meet, marry and are living the happy ever after dream, but it is the exception.

The message is to be extremely careful. Do everything you can to protect yourself. Do background checks. Though they will not show any type of online scam, at least you can know a little about their employment history and any legal problems involved. Move slowly with your online relationship and get to know them as a friend before plunging into the romantic realm. Meet in a public place for your first face-to-face date and always tell someone where you will be.

If your relationship becomes serious, introduce him/her to family and friends. Ask their opinions. Always beware of anyone who immediately wants your personal contact info while on a dating site or tries to isolate you after meeting in person and doesn’t want to meet your family. One lady went out with a man who eventually became a stalker.

Also be cautious if you only hear about friends, family or grown children but never meet them. This could be reason for concern.

For those who are still hoping to meet a soul mate online, I hope you do.

Just remember, if your online sweetheart seems too good to be true, he/ she just may be exactly that.

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

Teaming Up for Tennis

By Ian Jayne

An in-development Edmond tennis center is the product of collaboration between city and school, for the community and beyond

Tennis can be a game of singles or doubles, but the new Kickingbird Tennis Center definitely falls into the latter category. A joint partnership between Edmond Public Schools and the city, the 28-court facility--10 indoor courts, 18 outdoor courts, with room for potential expansion--will be located on 23 acres at 15th St. and Kelly Ave. The facility will also include a clubhouse and locker rooms for Edmond High School students and the public. David Minihan of Edmond Tennis Services is slated to direct the new center.

With an expected price tag of around $14 million, the City and Edmond Public Schools will split the cost. The City purchased the land for $2.5 million, with $4.5 million to follow for construction costs, money derived from city trust funds, sales tax initiatives and capital investments. Two bond issues from 2015 and 2017 will fund the $7 million contribution from Edmond Public Schools.

The project arose from stadium construction and limited tennis facilities at the three public high schools in Edmond, said Superintendent Bret Towne.

“We started talking about doing a district tennis center, and then we asked the City if they might want to enter into a partnership,” Towne said.

According to Towne, the new development drew inspiration from the similarly structured competitive pool at the Mitch Park YMCA, which Edmond schools, the City and the YMCA share. “We only need these courts a limited time during the day, and then they can be used by other groups,” Towne said. “It really is all about maximizing the usage of facilities, and not duplicating.” The development for the new complex is currently in design, tentatively expected to go out to bid in late spring or early summer.

After the bidding stage, construction is expected to take 12-14 months, with a completion date sometime in 2019. Towne said that the project aims to construct several outdoor courts as soon as possible so that Edmond students can begin using them.

Following the precedent of the Mitch Park YMCA, the new tennis complex represents a collaboration that’s largely unique to Edmond, said Steve Commons, Assistant City Manager of Administration. “The key to this is sharing resources, and the willingness of each party to give a little in its availability,” Commons said. “We could have something very special here, and that wouldn’t have been possible had we all not been willing to give a little bit.”

The proposed facility’s scale could also make it attractive to statewide or even regional events run by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Oklahoma branch--the governing body for tennis.“We’re incredibly excited about this facility,” said Bill Towler, President of USTA Oklahoma.

For Towler, the facility’s singular purpose of providing space for tennis programming stands out. Towler said that at tournaments, local players would be able to sleep in their own beds before tournaments at the new complex, while visitors could find Edmond a more compelling destination for tennis tourism. “When you have somewhere that’s tennis first - that’s where you want to come back,” Towler said.

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