May 2023

DUSTIN MUSICK

He is now 52 years old and has been married to his beautiful wife for 20 years, has 11 children, both biological and adopted. He has 6 children in the home, and 5 adult children living out of the house, the youngest being 3, and oldest 35, not to mention the countless children him and his wife have opened their arms and hearts to without hesitation. Their home is full of family and love. He has owned several businesses, including appliance repair, photography, and a security company. After 20 years in law enforcement/security, Dustin retired from the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office but has also worked with numerous departments around the Enid area.

including one with Frank Shamrock, former middleweight UFC fighter.

Dustin Shane Musick was born in Enid Oklahoma to Loretta and Dennis Musick. His parents moved to the hills of Kentucky while he was still young and he attended schools there until he was 15. They moved back to Enid in 1985, moving right next door to his grandmother. Family is very important to him coming right behind God. He grew up as an only child but always yearned for siblings and a large family and now has a huge family both by blood and by choice. He loved sports, playing on several teams in school. He was in line for a baseball scholarship until a shoulder injury took him away from that path. He played on the adult Enforcers football team for a couple of years and he still loves all sports.

Dustin began training in martial arts at the age of 6, when his parents found an instructor who would teach him for free. Now, he runs a MMA, Kickboxing, TaeKwonDo, Jui-jitsu, and Boxing studio. He currently offers a free TaeKwonDo program for ages 5-17, to help the at-risk youth in the community. He is the Founder of Humanitarian School of Martial Arts and has taught for 22 years in the Enid area. He created the program in hopes of making a difference in the lives of the youth of the community like the free lessons he received as a child. He currently has plans to teach children on the base through a program they are developing. He was inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in the early 2000s and went to training camps

Dustin holds various ranks in several styles he has studied over the years including Grand Master of TaeKwonDo. He has worked with Chuck Norris and Bill "Superfoot" over the years. He has awarded around 28 black belts over the years and is so proud of each and every student for achieving this rank. Only a small percentage of those students still practice or teach martial arts but most of the others have gone on in life to accomplish great things. Not every story is rosy though, 6 of those black belts were awarded posthumously upon their death. It is the tradition of HSMA to award the highest rank, 10th dan to those who pass on before they reach the ultimate goal.

If this all was not enough, in his free time he is a substitute teacher, plays bass in a local band called “The RevoLt”, plays with the worship band at the church and gives private guitar and vocal lessons.  He has recently graduated from Central Christian College with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and minor in Psychology, achieving a long time goal. Loves going to lake with family and friends, camping out and fishing.  Over the years he has worn many different hats .... son, husband, father, poppop, officer, brother, grand master, sir, friend, the list goes on and on but the best one is child of God. He is a true Local Legend!

“If you can read this, thank a teacher!” And this month, just as the school year is ending, we are doing just that. We are highlighting five teachers, from three local districts, who have won awards this year, including teacher of the year. Of course there are dozens of worthy teachers in our community, so be sure to thank a teacher next time you see one!

May is also the final few weeks of voting for “Best of Enid 2023!” You can vote up to one time per hour here: https://enidmonthly. com/wp/best-of-enid-voting-2023/. Voting ends on May 20th, and we will be honoring all finalists (and winners) at the Best of Enid Awards Show on June 1st! You can contact Blake at (316) 719-0849 for sponsorship, table or ticket purchase information. Good luck!

Robert Faulk Editor

BY K A CI CARPENTER

As the 2022-23 school year comes to an end, many schools in the area are naming their best and brightest through Teacher of the Year Awards.

Enid Monthly would like to recognize and introduce our readers to five of these amazing teachers who were named Teacher of the Year at their respective Districts, and two who were finalists: Sandra Lippard, Enid Public Schools; Lacye Russell, Oklahoma Bible Academy; Jim Ebel, Chisholm High School; Amy Barnes, Chisholm Middle School; and Kalli Mason, Chisholm Elementary School.

According to parents, coworkers and administration who nominated them, all five teachers go above and beyond for their students and show tremendous dedication to education.

Sandra Lippard – Enid Public Schools Teacher of the Year

Sandra Lippard is a pre-k instructor at Coolidge Elementary, and in her 18th year teaching.

According to Coolidge Principal Shae Mercer, “Sandi goes above and beyond for our youngest learners each and every day. She creates a safe and welcoming environment for her students and their parents in her classroom. It is amazing to watch how far her students come from the first day of school to the last because of her high expectations and dedication.”

Debra Loop, a staff member at Coolidge, shared more, “Mrs. Lippard is a fantastic choice for our Teacher of the Year at Coolidge because she works so hard to help each of her students feel seen and loved. She not only teaches the academic skills they need to succeed but also the social and emotional skills they need for life. She is also a wonderful friend to the teachers and staff and will offer help and encouragement in any way she can.”

Teaching is not only Lippard’s passion, but it’s in her blood. “I come from a long line of teachers, and I wanted to be a teacher since I was a child,” Lippard said. “My mother was a wonderful teacher and a great inspiration to me, and I longed to be a teacher just like her.”

After pursuing other passions, such as a in-home daycare, she felt directly called to teaching, “I opened a home daycare so that I could stay home with my children. That was the push I needed to see that I was born to be a teacher. It is funny how God uses life’s events to get you back on the track he ordinally created you to be on. I loved being with all the children that I cared for in my home and after a couple of years, I knew I wanted to do more. I was ready to go back to college and get my teaching degree. It has been the best decision I have made,” she said.

“I love watching children of all ages grow in their learning.” Lippard has experience teaching students in pre-k through third grade.

“My greatest accomplishments as a teacher have been learning from my own two girls that struggle with dyslexia,” Lippard said. “I don’t have all the answers but walking alongside them as we try to figure it all out has helped me become a better teacher.”

“As a Pre-k teacher, I am honored that I get to be one of the first educators to help build a strong foundation that will help them be more successful for their Kindergarten year. Each teacher should be a building block for the next one because ‘teamwork makes the dream work’.”

Lacye Russell – OBA Teacher of the Year

Lacye Russell started teaching at OBA in the fall of 2016. She teaches art for grades six through 12, as well as yearbook, photography, AP drawing and AP art and design. Before her time at OBA, Russell taught

at Mid-South Community College and Oklahoma City Community College. She was a drawing and foundations instructor at both Oklahoma Christian University and the University of Central Oklahoma from 2007-2016.

Lacye knew she wanted to teach art from a very early age based on her time in the mall community of El Dorado, Arkansas. “For a small community of around 20,000 people, we had an amazing arts presence. My elementary school brought in artists-in-residence from our local arts center and working with those artists instilled a love for art early on. I also grew up taking private art lessons and at the local art center, the South Arkansas Arts Center. By 4th grade, I knew that I wanted to be an art teacher. My goal never changed. Stephanie Busbea, Melinda Cameron-Godsey, Helene Lambert, Marie Bukowski, and Peter Jones are just a few of the art educators and art professors that had a major impact on my life. Honestly, I wanted to be just like them (and still do),” Russell remembered.

“Building relationships with students is one of my main reasons to teach,” Russell said. “All of my art students have a huge piece of my heart and are like an extension of my own family. I know not every student will leave OBA and become a professional artist or even study art collegiately, but my goal is for them to appreciate the arts.”

Last year Russell was named the Oklahoma Middle Level Art Educator of the Year. “I was very honored to receive the Middle School Art Educator of the Year for Oklahoma because I had to be nominated by another art educator,” Russell said. “For another art educator to acknowledge my passion for both my classroom and art students, and to recognize the grit and talent of my OBA students' artwork is an incredible feeling. It is extremely humbling.”

OBA Headmaster Andrew Wilkins stated, “Lacye finds the educational sweet spot of challenging and supporting students to achieve beyond what they believe are capable. She can educate a student as far as God has gifted them."

Kalli Mason – Chisholm Elementary Teacher of the Year and District Teacher of the Year

Kalli Mason attended Chisholm Public Schools from pre-K through 12th grade. After graduation she went on to receive her associate degree from Northern Oklahoma College and then earned her bachelors degree in elementary education at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. She started her teaching career in Texas while her husband was finishing his masters. She has been teaching at Chisholm Elementary for the past six years. For the first five years, Kalli was teaching fourth grade science and social studies. This year she made a change to teach fourth and fifth grade special education.

Mason stated, “This has been my favorite year in my career so far. It is an unbelievable honor to receive this award because I am surround-

ed by incredible educators who make a difference in our students’ lives every day. I am thankful that I am able to spend my days doing what God has put me on this earth to do.”

One parent described the impact Mason made for her son. “Kalli went above and beyond for my son when he was in fourth grade. He was diagnosed with Charcot Marie Tooth disease in June of 2019. We had no idea what school was going to look like, but she made it more than amazing for him that year.”

“He lost the privilege of doing things that every kid gets to do all the time, such as skating, jumping rope, running, jumping on trampolines, and bounce houses. Every time the kids in the school got to do one of those things she made sure to find a different activity or way to reward him, since he too had earned whatever the activity was.”

“Now that she is a special education teacher, she is touching the lives of so many students. She is touching the lives of children and truly leaving a lifelong impact.”

Amy Barnes – Chisholm Middle School Teacher of the Year

Amy Barnes is a middle school science teacher at Chisholm. During her five and a half years with the district, she has also coached volleyball, basketball and track.

Barnes started her teaching career a little later than most. After graduating from West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas with a degree in biology, she thought a career in the medical field was her future.

While in school, Barnes took a few education classes to have as an alternate option, which ended up being her true passion. She grew up in a household of educators and had several family members who also followed that path, and they always told her that she was meant to be a teacher. She just wasn’t sure at the time.

After a few years of working within several elementary and middle schools doing different jobs, she decided to spend nine years at home raising her children. Amy and her husband, Brett, have two children, Brylee and Brayson, who attend Chisholm.

Barnes stated, “I have loved every year of being in the classroom. The relationships I have built with students and the joy of seeing them grow in their education makes it all worth it.”

Barnes was nominated by three different teachers for Teacher of the Year. One nomination stated, “Amy is a go-getter inside and outside of the classroom. She manages to balance academics with athletics without fail. She goes above and beyond for her students.”

The nomination continued, “When it comes to academics, she takes the time to ensure that her students are prepared and are learning even when she is worn out from giving so much to her athletes. If a student is not performing to the best of his/her ability, she is always willing to pull him/her aside to chat about what it would take to be successful in his/her learning. She is patient and understanding with her students and is always willing to go above and beyond for each one of them.”

Jim Ebel – Chisholm High School Teacher of the Year

Jim Ebel grew up on a farm in North Dakota. After high school he served in the Army for 12 years in medical services. He has many hobbies including boating, skiing, riding his motorcycle, jogging, and has a side hustle of restoring old vehicles. Mr. Ebel is married and has four children.

Teaching runs in Ebel’s family - his mom, grandma and aunts were all teachers. Mr. Ebel worked as a nurse in Minnesota for three years and found his way to St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Enid for another five years.

Mr. Ebel continued his education at Northwestern Oklahoma State University obtaining both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in history. Ebel taught history for ten years at Longfellow Junior High, one year at Waller Junior High and is completing his ninth year at Chisholm High School.

Co-worker Gary Hula said, “Mr. Ebel strives to make connections with each of his students. Whether it is talking about movies, cars, sports, or even Pokemon characters, Mr. Ebel goes the extra mile to get to know his students to establish a rapport to facilitate his teaching.”

Hula shared a situation illustrating Ebel’s ability to engage with students. “One of our students was having trouble with his car. This student obtained advice from Mr. Ebel, who has a wealth of knowledge about vehicles,” Hula said. “I overheard Mr. Ebel say to the student, ‘If that doesn’t work, give me a call, and I will come over and help you out’.”

“That is a reflection of Mr. Jim Ebel and the type of person and educator he is. Not only does he devote time to students within the classroom but also outside the walls of Chisholm as well.”

It goes without saying that all five of these teachers are more than deserving of these awards they have received. All five of them give their all to represent their schools with such great merit. Enid is extremely grateful for the commitment and devotion they show their students day in and day out. Teaching is definitely not the easiest career choice, but these teachers above prove that it is worth it just to be able to change the lives of their students.

Children's Book Review

Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa, Putnam Six Bookstore

We Don’t Lose Our Class Goldfish

Author: Ryan T. Higgins

We Don’t Lose Our Class Goldfish is the third book in the Penelope Rex series by author and illustrator Ryan T. Higgins. The book was released in late March of this year and is targeted for kids aged 3-5. The first book in the series, We Don’t Eat Our Classmates, is still the most hilarious of the three, but the newest book is pretty great as well.

In Penelope’s kindergarten class, everyone is taking turns having the class goldfish, Walter, home for the weekend. Penelope, who is a dinosaur, is terribly frightened. Walter, after all, has those menacing fins and

those unblinking eyes – not to mention the one time he bit Penelope’s finger. When Penelope’s weekend comes, she tries to distract him, but he just keeps staring at her with those eyes. She can’t take it anymore, so before she goes to bed, she puts him on the kitchen table. But the next morning, he isn’t there! As she searches high and low for him, Penelope realizes that she actually misses Walter and that maybe he really isn’t so scary. And if she can face that fear of hers, what other ones can she overcome?

The wonderful thing about Higgins’s books is that they have great messages, yes, but the illustrations are fantastic too. For example, when Penelope approaches Walter, she’s got a pillow tied to her front, oven mitts for her hands, a colander as a helmet, and who knows what for goggles. The whole series make for perfect read-aloud books, with short, simple sentences and plenty of sound effects printed too. If you’ve enjoyed Penelope’s journey thus far, you’ll surely enjoy her latest adventure as well.

Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa, Putnam Six Bookstore

Adult Book Review City on Fire

Author: Don Winslow

Looking for a Godfather-like crime thriller to take to the beach this summer? Look no further than author Don Winslow’s latest trilogy. City on Fire is the first book in the series and now available in paperback, while book two, City of Dreams, was just released in mid-April. Set in Providence, Rhode Island, in the late 1980s, City on Fire introduces the protagonist Danny Ryan, a flawed but likeable character in the middle of two warring crime families.

The Irish and Italian mobs were enjoying a time of peace, but when a new leader has to prove himself on one side and a beautiful woman gets involved on the other side, it can only lead to war. Each murder prompts a revenge shot, and soon the body count is rising rapidly. Danny knows that his side, the Irish, are outnumbered and outgunned, so he is forced to get creative. New alliances are formed and new tactics are employed. When he gets the opportunity to hijack an incoming shipment, he thinks he has finally gotten his ticket out, enough money to run away with his son and start a new life. But when the time comes,

he can’t help but think that the operation went too easy – suspiciously too easy…

City on Fire is certainly not for the faint of heart – nor for those wanting political correctness – but it feels very gritty and authentic. It’s a little challenging to keep all the characters straight, but it’s never enough to throw off the plot. The book is action-packed but also tackles themes of loyalty and betrayal and family and love. Don Winslow has created a main character you can root for and a thoroughly entertaining, fastpaced read that will have you instantly reaching for the next book in the series.

Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of City on Fire today!

EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU

FOCUS ON Wellness News from May Is Stroke Awareness Month: Learn the Facts

The most common types include:

• Ischemic strokes occur when an artery in the brain is blocked and forms a blood clot. This is the most common type of stroke. Typical symptoms include facial drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulty.

• A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) occurs when the blood supply to the brain is temporarily blocked. TIAs are sometimes referred to as “mini strokes.”

TROUBLE SEEING in one or both eyes

TROUBLE WALKING, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

SEVERE HEADACHE with no known cause

Nationally Recognized Stroke Care at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center

The good news for residents of northwest Oklahoma is that when every minute matters, quality stroke care is close to home.

By the time you are done reading this article several people in the United States are likely to have experienced a stroke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, someone in the United States has a stroke on average every 40 seconds. Sadly, stroke is also a leading cause of serious long-term disability, with half of all stroke survivors over age 65 experiencing reduced mobility. What’s more, every four minutes, someone in this country dies from a stroke.

While that makes this all-too-common occurrence a leading cause of death and disability, many people are not familiar with stroke’s signs and symptoms.

Kristy Petersen, MD, medical director of the Rehabilitation Institute at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, shares important information on stroke.

What

Is a Stroke?

A stroke happens when an artery that carries blood to the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel ruptures, causing brain tissue to die as it is deprived of vital blood supply.

• Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel ruptures in the brain and leaks blood into or around brain tissue. People experiencing hemorrhagic strokes may describe them as the worst headache of their lives.

Think F.A.S.T.

The American Stroke Association provides guidelines on stroke symptoms.

These include:

F = Face Drooping

Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?

A = Arm Weakness

Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S = Speech Difficulty

Is speech slurred?

T = Time to call 911

They also advise you to watch for other symptoms of a possible stroke, including sudden:

NUMBNESS or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body CONFUSION, trouble speaking or understanding speech

The Oklahoma State Health Department has designated St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center as a Level II Stroke Center. This means that the St. Mary's stroke team has an organized approach and protocols for managing patients who come to the hospital for stroke treatment.

In addition, St. Mary’s has received the American Heart Association’s® Stroke Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

St. Mary's is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and earned its Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. The hospital has also been rated a high performing hospital by U.S. News & World Report in stroke care.

For more information, visit stmarysregional.com/ services/stroke-center.

Physicians are on the medical staff of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website.

BYSOP H I A FAULK

¡Cinco de Mayo! Teen SCENE

Hey, y’all, and welcome to the May Teen Scene column in ENID MONTHLY. As most of us should know, May has a very important holiday for many Hispanics and other cultures. CINCO DE MAYO!! This got me thinking about some really amazing traditions I have got to experience and learn about from my Hispanic friends and wondering about where Cinco De Mayo came from. So let's first talk about the history and some cool Hispanic traditions that lots of teens experience.

According to history.com, Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army's May 5, 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. The day, which falls on Friday, May 5 in 2023, is also known as Battle of Puebla Day. This victory impacted the citizens of Mexico greatly. Many say that it helped and encouraged Mexican immigrants' pride in their Mexican heritage.

I don’t celebrate Cinco De Mayo, personally, but one cool Hispanic tradition I do celebrate with my friends is QUINCES!!!

A quinceanera is celebrated when a (Hispanic, Latina, Spanish, Mexican, etc.) girl turns 15. Some have huge parties called a quinceanera (or quince for short) to celebrate it. I’ve gone to at least 8 quinces and have been invited to 3 and they are really fun. You dance, eat bomb food, and talk with your friends.

My favorite memory from Quinces is dancing cultural dances with my friends. Sounds like a pretty fun time to me!! The Hispanic cultures are amazing once you really experience them.

Another fun thing I’ve experienced is Mexican cookouts or Carne Asadas. I and my friends would ride four-wheelers around the ranch, play volleyball and soccer, eat the best meat and rice, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors. My favorite memory from a Carne Asada is when we kids would beat all the adults in volleyball.

Thank you for reading this month's article. I hope you enjoyed it!! I would love to hear about your experience with any kind of cultural tradition so email me at tweensceneenid@gmail.com also if you have any questions, comments, or ideas for upcoming articles email me for that too. I hope you all have an amazing May, Mother's Day, and Cinco De Mayo! See you next month!!

Enid's Enid's E-vents E-ventsE-vents

May Events

MAY 2

6 pm

Tipsy Artist Class

Stride Bank Center (301 S. Independence)

6 pm

Singo!

Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

MAY 3

9 pm

Karaoke

RED (302 E. Maple)

MAY 4 – 5

90th Annual Tri-State Music Festival

Solo Contest and Honor Groups

Locations throughout Enid

MAY 4

7 pm

Basketball: Enid Outlaws vs. Potawatomi Fire

Stride Bank Center (302 S. Grand)

6 pm

Trivia

Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

MAY 5

6 – 9 pm

First Friday Fiesta

Downtown Enid

6:30 pm

YWCA Enid’s Walk a Mile in her Shoes

Downtown Enid

7 pm

Live Music: All Town Trio Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

9 pm

Cinco De Mayo Party! RED (302 E. Maple)

9 pm

Live Music: Chuck Briseno The Cooker (710 Walker St.)

1 & 4 pm

Art Quest

Leonardo’s Children’s Museum (200 E. Maple)

4:30 pm

Fundraiser: Hospice Circle of Love Mint Julep Jubilee

Oakwood Country Club (1601 N. Oakwood)

6 pm

Basketball: Enid Outlaws vs. Pearland Texas Warriors Stride Bank Center (302 S. Grand)

6 – 8 pm

Leonardo’s Royal Ball

Leonardo’s Children’s Museum (200 E. Maple)

Tickets: www.leonardos.org/ royalball

7 pm

Live Music: Sean Thane

MAY 6

10 am – 5 pm

The Market Neighborhood Mother’s Day Craft Show

Stride Bank Center (301 S. Independence)

11 am

Craft Food Fair

The Farm on Norman (1401 Norman Rd.)

11 am – 3 pm

History Alive!

Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (507 S. 4th St.)

Re-enactment characters portray life at the time of the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893

Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

7 pm

Monster Trucks

Chisholm Trail Expo Center (111 W. Purdue)

7:30 pm

Auto Racing: Twister Nationals

Enid Speedway (312 E. Oxford)

8 pm

Live Music: Buffalo Jones & the Heard

The Alibi Bar (224 W. Broadway)

MAY 7

3 pm – 8 pm

Live Music: Lane Haas & Scott

Carson

The Alibi Bar (224 W. Broadway)

MAY 9 – 31

10 am – 5 pm Tuesday –Saturday

Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War ll

Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (507 S. 4th St.)

MAY 9

5 – 7 pm

Sensory Sensitive Playgroup

Leonardo’s Children’s Museum (200 E. Maple)

6 pm

Singo! Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

MAY 10

11:30 am – 1 pm

Chicks in Charge Lead & Learn

Luncheon

PJ Champagne Bar (212 W. Randolph)

9 pm

Karaoke RED (302 E. Maple)

MAY 11 – 14

Baseball: NJCAA Region ll Tournament

David Allen Memorial Ballpark (301 S. Grand)

MAY 11

7 pm

Basketball: Enid Outlaws vs. Wichita Sky Kings

Stride Bank Center (302 S. Grand)

6 pm

Trivia

Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

MAY 12 – 14

7:30 pm Friday & Saturday

2 pm Sunday

Live Theater: Arsenic & Old Lace

Gaslight Theatre (221 N. Independence St)

MAY 12

7 – 7:50 am

Sunrise Yoga

Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (507 S. 4th St.)

7 – 9 pm

Museum After Dark: Village Sounds

Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (507 S. 4th St.)

7 pm

Live Music: Stacey Sanders

Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

MAY 13

10 am – 2 pm

Sunset Plaza Second Saturday Sunset Plaza

(Corner of Garriott & Cleveland St.)

If you would like a free listing for your event, please email robert@enidmonthly.com by the 5th of the month PRIOR to your event! Events are as accurate as possible as of print date. Please see VisitEnid.org for any updates/changes.

1 & 4 pm

Weekend Wonders

Leonardo’s Children’s Museum (200 E. Maple)

10 am – 4 pm

Enid Gem & Mineral Society

Rock Swap

The Breezeway (214 W. Randolph Ave)

MAY 18

7 pm

Live Music: Little Big Town

Stride Bank Center (302 S. Grand)

6 pm

Trivia

Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

10 am – 5 pm

Mother's Day Flower Bar

Red Bird Farm (8812 N. Hwy 81)

7 pm

Live Music: Carter Combs

Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

7:30 pm

Enid Symphony Orchestra: Caroline Cox Turek

Enid Symphony Center (301 W. Broadway Ave)

8 pm

Live Music: Bobby

Bennett Band

Moose Lodge (302 E. Purdue)

MAY 14

1 – 3 pm

Mother’s Day Mommy & Me Tea

The Farm on Norman (1401 Norman Rd.)

Tickets: square.link/u/ QQr95Ac6

MAY 16 6 pm

Singo!

Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

MAY 17

9 pm

Karaoke RED (302 E. Maple)

MAY 19 – 20

7:30 pm

Gaslight Theatre presents

Arsenic & Old Lace

Gaslight Theatre (221 N. Independence St)

MAY 19

7 pm

Live Comedy: Pun and Grub

Comedy Tour

The Spot (417 N. Grand)

7 pm

Live Music: Jordan Holmes

Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

MAY 20

7:30 am – 10 am

Woodring Regional Airport

Breakfast Fly-In

Woodring Regional Airport (1026 S. 66th)

11 am – 3 pm

History Alive!

Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (507 S. 4th St.)

Re-enactment characters portray life at the time of the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893

8 pm

Live Music: Country Vault Band

Moose Lodge (302 E. Purdue)

9 pm

Anything But Clothes Party!

RED (302 E. Maple)

MAY 21

3 pm

Basketball: Enid Outlaws vs. Little Rock Lighting Stride Bank Center (302 S. Grand)

MAY 23

6 pm

Singo!

Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

MAY 24

9 pm

Karaoke

12 pm (Registration)

Fundraiser: Enid Noon

Ambucs Cornhole Tournament

The Farm on Norman (1401 Norman Rd.)

Cash prizes! Call (580) 6032270 to enter

1 pm & 4 pm

Art Quest

Leonardo’s Children’s Museum (200 E Maple)

3 pm – 6 pm

Austin Box “12” Prescription Drug Awareness Day

Champion Park (10th and Chestnut)

Free food, information, and resource fair!

7 pm

Live Music: The Revolt

Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

RED (302 E. Maple)

MAY 25

6 pm

Trivia Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

MAY 26 – JUNE 3

Baseball: NJCAA Division ll World Series

David Allen Memorial Ballpark (301 S Grand)

MAY 26

7 – 7:50 am

Sunrise Yoga

Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (507 S 4th St)

7 pm

Live Music: Greg Demyon Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

MAY 27

7 pm

Live Music: Jordan Holmes Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

9 pm

Glow Night Rave RED (302 E. Maple)

MAY 29

10 am

City of Enid Memorial Day Service

Woodring Wall of Honor and Veterans Park (1026 S 66th St.)

MAY 30

6 pm

Singo!

Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

MAY 31

9 pm

Karaoke RED (302 E. Maple)

Coming Attractions

Leonardo’s Da Vinci Day Camp

more traditional options like daycare or babysitters and is frequently more affordable!

Da Vinci Day Camp 2023 runs from June 5 to July 28, and the theme for this year is “Adventure Land at Leo’s!” where kids will journey through eight amazing lands using S.T.E.A.M. concepts (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) to find their way. All without ever leaving the 200 block of East Maple in Downtown Enid!

“We always have a blast at camp, and this year is shaping up to be more fun than ever!” says Tracy Bittle, Executive Director at Leonardo’s. “The kids are going to love the 'destinations' we have lined up. Throughout the summer, we will go from the beach to the Arctic and beyond.”

Summer break is almost here! Kids get a break from school and can just be kids! But as wonderful as summer is, it also leaves many parents scrambling to find the best options for their children. Fortunately, there are more options than ever, but parents have to decide which one is the best for their child and offers the best value.

One great option to consider is Leonardo’s Da Vinci Day Camp! Leonardo’s has been inspiring children in the Enid area with fun, hands-on art and science for more than thirty years. Mostly known for their children’s museum and giant community-built playground Adventure Quest, they have also become a summer camp staple!

At Da Vinci Day Camp, kids get to spend eight weeks, either full day or half day, exploring, creating, and playing at Leonardo’s! This makes for an enriching, screen-free experience that many kids and families come back to year after year. In terms of value, the cost of camp is comparable to

New this year to Da Vinci Day Camp are two new programs that are partnerships with other great organizations that serve Enid. The first is a partnership with the Garfield County Master Gardeners, who will teach the kids basic gardening and help the campers grow vegetables to feed the animals in Leonardo’s Critter Clubhouse. The second is a partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Health, who are providing materials that will cover important topics like self-esteem building, recognizing advertising, decision-making, and much more.

“We are fortunate to have great partners in our community. We all work hard to meet our missions, so it’s great when we can work with organizations like the Garfield County Master Gardeners, Oklahoma Department of Health, and Park Avenue Thrift, just to name a few. We can achieve so much more when we work together!” said Leonardo’s Business Operations Manager Guin Cahill.

The enrollment deadline for camp is June 2, and you can sign up for the entire eight weeks or for select weeks. To learn more, visit leonardos. org or stop by Leonardo’s Children’s Museum.

OBA Commitment

Passion, patience, and perseverance are the three words that came up when discussing what art at OBA has taught three of our seniors. Over the past several years, art at OBA has become the passion of many students. While some students have had that passion throughout their life, some did not develop it until they really dove in.

This year, seniors Becca Benjamin and Creighton Hofen, won the Art Excellence Award for Visual Art along with, junior Lawson Morgan. Last year, senior Reagan Redelsperger won this same award as a junior. These are the highest level awards given to the top Oklahoma students. Twenty-two Oklahoma students received the award and three of them were OBA students!

However, while talking with the three seniors, Benjamin, Hofen, and Redelsperger, they kept touching on the fact that they were not “overnight sensations.” Their commitment to bettering their art was a theme throughout our conversation. A key aspect of their growth was art teacher Mrs. Russell. The seniors said of Mrs. Russell that she has a good balance of teaching and pushing students outside their comfort zone to achieve outstanding results. Not only is she her student's biggest fan, but she is also just as invested in her student's well-being. She constantly comes alongside them to give them a new perspective that allows their art to flourish.

For all three seniors, pursuing art did not come without its sacrifices. Redelsperger’s love of art started at a young age. She knew it was

something she wanted to pursue throughout her high school career. She spoke of having to give up class time with her peers so that she could take seven years of art classes at OBA. Not to mention, the countless weekend and summer commitments that have allowed her to better her art and pursue her passion. Redelsperger attended a pre-college program in Rhode Island last summer for six weeks and plans to attend the Quartz Mountain summer program this summer along with Benjamin.

Unlike Redelsperger, Benjamin’s love for art is something that has developed over time. As a middle school student, Benjamin just took art as part of the curriculum. Then, in high school, something switched. Benjamin attributed that to Mrs. Russell’s keen eye for art and artists. Benjamin has had to give up weekends and weeknights to finish her art projects on time. Patience was the key thing Benjamin touched on when they were asked about their art. You cannot spend an hour and be done with a project, it takes hours or even days.

Hofen is somewhat of a balance of Redelsperger and Benjamin when it comes to his art journey. He’s always drawn and doodled for as long as he can remember, but through Mrs. Russell’s teaching, he has developed his skill tremendously. He feels like he’s been working toward being great at art and with winning the Art Excellence Award, it solidified that. Hofen discussed persevering through projects that were not his favorite, to finish something that looked great. He was committed to pushing through, even if it was the last thing he wanted to do.

Overall, art at OBA has had an impact on our students. Now, these students are taking principles they have learned in art and applying them to other aspects of their lives. Music and science were just two of the areas they mentioned, although we know it will carry over into more areas in the future. Congratulations, students, on your achievements and commitment!

PUZZLE ANSWERS

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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EASY SUDOKU

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HARD SUDOKU

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THE Garden

Mayflowers

as ladybugs and tachinid or lacewing flies. The leaves of the plant are known for producing pungent oils which are effective as a source of anti-fungal and pesticidal compounds. The plant is usually avoided by scent sensitive grazers like rabbits and other pests. Plant a few rows of French marigolds around plant beds to help your garden thrive.

Another favorite companion flower of gardeners is English lavender (lavandula angustifolia). English lavender not only has a lovely calming fragrance, but is especially hardy in our Oklahoma growing zones. It favors mild, dry climates and can withstand brief drought periods. The beautiful blue to violet blooms last through the summer. The shoots and leaves are pest-resistant and the scent can repel hungry grazers, such as rabbits and deer. As a companion plant, it also attracts pollinators which are beneficial to promoting fruit and vegetable growth. Zinnias also are great companion flowers for vegetable gardens as their bright colors attract a variety of pollinators.

April showers bring May flowers. What do May flowers bring? Pilgrims, of course! And healthier gardens. Companion gardening has long been a practice of many gardeners. Companion planting is when two or more plants are grown near each other for the benefit of one of those plants or for both of them. There are many reasons to plant certain crops together. Deterring pests by planting nasturtiums or weed suppression from sprawling crops like potatoes minimize open areas where weeds can take hold, help to lessen a gardener’s work. Attracting beneficial insects like pollinators or pest-eating wasps and ladybugs, helps lower the need for chemical insecticides. Additional benefits such as natural supports like corn or sunflowers support sprawling crops like cucumber, beans and peas, as well as provide shade for smaller plants like lettuces.

Initially, much of companion planting was based on folklore, but lately more and more science has validated some companion planting. While some gardeners believe that marigolds will control nematodes and other insects if planted among vegetables, not all varieties have this capability. Only the French marigold (Tagetes patula) varieties such as Nemagold, Petit Blanc, Vinca and Queen Sophia can reduce nematodes by their insecticidal root secretions and only in their immediate root zones. If you chose to use French marigolds, they should be planted throughout the garden area. The French marigold is an annual bedding plant with fiery bright blooms ranging in color from yellow-orange to brown. Frequent pollinators of this flower include beetles such

Perhaps the best companion flower for vegetable gardens is the Nasturtium. This annual flower has very distinctive, large, dish-shaped deep green leaves and lovely yellow to orange blossoms throughout the summer. It has many wonderful companion attributes and, as an added bonus, the roots, leaves and flowers are edible. The Nasturtium also has antibacterial properties. As a companion flower, Nasturtium entices aphids away from many vegetable plants, especially tomatoes.

Flowers are not the only companion planting to vegetables. Vegetables also support other vegetables. The “three sisters” have been traditionally grown by indigenous peoples for millennia. Corn is the tall sister, holding and protecting her smaller sisters, Bean and Squash. Corn provides the stalk for pole beans to climb. Sister Bean fulfills a need as she regulates the amount of nitrogen in the soil, a necessary element for plants to grow healthy. Squash, particularly winter squash such as butternut, acorn, spaghetti or pumpkin, provide ground cover to keep water from evaporating allowing Sister Corn to grow tall and Sister Bean to grow thick and lush. Plus, this little sister makes it difficult for critters such as raccoons, deer and rabbits to get to the corn and beans.

While there are many companion planting guides available throughout the internet, three of the best can be found at the Farmer’s Almanac, Burpee Seed Company and our own OSU Extension Office. Be sure to check out the OSU Extension gardening fact sheet HLA-6431 “Earth-Kind Gardening Series Cultural Control Practices” published in February 2017 by David Hillock for a list of Oklahoma companion plants for vegetable gardens.

"Three Sisters Permaculture" (c) by Garlan Miles is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

"Live the Creed"

Hibbets won the Muskogee tournament, finished second at Enid, and third at Jenks and Broken Arrow. According to Coach Rogers, she has done a great job filling the #1 role. “Haley’s biggest strength is consistency. She doesn’t get too high or too low, and plays best when she’s evenkeeled. She’s really powerful, and I think she can finish in the top 3 at State if she plays well.”

Garcia has also been really good at the #2 spot winning the Enid and Muskogee tournaments and finishing 2nd at Broken Arrow and third at Jenks. “Garcia is playing really good right now,” said coach Rogers, “she’s consistent, focused, and plays upbeat with a little passion. There is no reason she couldn’t place at State too.”

Coming off a 9th place finish last year (one of the highest finishes in recent memory), where the Enid High Girls Tennis team graduated half of the team, there could have been a little bit of concern of what the team would look like this year. However, according to Coach Wade Rogers, he was confident they would be able to compete on at least a similar level this year. “Losing 3 starters is never easy,” Rogers said, “but I knew who was coming up, and who we had coming back, and that made it a little easier.”

Last year’s team qualified at all 4 spots (#1 Singles, #2 Singles, #1 Doubles, #2 Doubles), and Coach Rogers expects this year’s team to do the same. “Haley Hibbets placed 3rd last year at #2 Singles as a Freshman, and this year she’s moved up to #1 singles. Alexis Garcia was 7th at #1 Singles, and this year we have had her at #2 Singles. Honestly, these two girls are pretty even, and have gone to tiebreakers when they play each other, so I thought moving them to different spots gave us a little better chance to score more points this year.” The move seems to be working so far as these dynamic players have both placed in several tough tournaments this year.

As for the Doubles teams, the new girls have stepped up and really done well replacing the three graduating seniors from last year. “Caitlyn Stotts and Madison Nickels have really been good in the #1 doubles spot. They have adapted to the faster pace of play and it would be really awesome if they could score some points for us (finish in the top 8) this year at state. In #2 doubles, Kenzie Stotts has started every tournament and has been paired with either Sage Haffner or Sophia Groendyke. I think they can surprise some people and score some points too. If the doubles teams really step up, I think, as a team, a top 5 finish is definitely doable,” said Rogers.

Regardless of this year’s finish, the future of Enid Tennis is bright, as they have a new tennis facility in the works. Thanks largely to the efforts of Tennis Booster Avadelle Hibbets in raising over $400,000 in private donations, as well as money the school district had set aside for the project, 8 brand new tennis courts will be built on campus over the next year. “I’m really excited about the new tennis facility,” said Coach Rogers, Avadelle was really amazing spearheading the fundraising drive to make it a reality. I can’t wait to break ground and think it will be one of the nicest facilities in the state, and hopefully encourages kids to try tennis!”

BYMOLLY NICHOLAS

RE al Life

5 Things Every First-Time Home Buyer Needs to Know

lem inside those walls or a nuclear waste plant being built down the block? There’s also a whole lot of money involved. There are mountains of information to navigate through before you make a massive payment, this is why you will want to have a trusted Realtor by your side to explain the ins and outs of the process.

Know there is no such thing as a perfect home

Here’s what every first-time home buyer needs to know to dive into house hunting with confidence—and with as few curveballs as possible. Whether it’s getting a mortgage, choosing a real estate agent, shopping for a home, or making a down payment, we lay out the mustknows of buying for the first time below.

How Much Home You Can Afford as a First-Time Home Buyer

Home costs are enormous, so odds are you’ll need a home loan/ mortgage, to foot the bill, along with a down payment. Still, the question remains: What price can you really afford? That depends on your income and other variables, which is why it is important to contact a trusted lender early on to determine your best price range. In general, experts recommend that your house payment (which will include your mortgage, maintenance, and taxes) should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. So, for example, if your monthly (before-tax) income is $6,000, multiply that by 0.28 and you’ll see that you shouldn’t pay more than $1,680 a month on your home mortgage. Mortgage pre-approval also puts home sellers at ease, since they know you have the cash for a loan to back up your offer.

Pick the Right Real Estate Agent

You buy most things yourself—at most, sifting through a few online reviews before hitting the buy button and making a payment. But a home? It’s not quite so easy. Buying a home requires the transfer of a deed, a title search, and plenty of other paperwork. Plus there’s the home itself—it may look great to you, but what if there’s a termite prob-

It’s your first home—we understand if you’ve dreamed about the ideal house and don’t want to settle for anything less. We’ve been there! But understand that real estate is about compromise. As a general rule, most buyers prioritize three main things: price, size, and location. But realistically, getting two of those three things is a win. You may get a great deal on a huge house, but it might not be in the neighborhood you wanted. Or you may find a nice-sized house in a more desirable neighborhood, but your down payment is a bit higher than you were hoping for. You may even find a home in the right neighborhood at the right price, but it’s smaller than you set out to find. Such trade-offs are par for the course. Finding a home is a “give and take.” “Perfect” can be the enemy of “good,” or even “great.” So find something you can live with, grow into, and renovate to your taste.

Do Your Homework

Once you find a home you love and make an offer that’s accepted, you may be eager to move in. But don’t be hasty. Don’t purchase a home or make any payments without homework. Know your contract and what is an acceptable strategy to cancel the contract if there are major problems with the house. Your Realtor will help negotiate the contract and work through any financing, inspection and contract challenges. This emphasizes why it is important to choose an experienced Realtor. They can help schedule, interpret and negotiate inspections and repairs as well as navigate through the paperwork required to complete the transaction. It is also important to work with your lender making sure financing is in place. An offer will be much more appealing when it is presented with a pre-approval from a reputable lender.

Know Your Tax Credit Options

The first-time home buyer tax credit may be no more, but there are a number of tax breaks new homeowners may not be aware of. The biggie: Mortgage interest deduction is a boon for brand-new mortgages, which are typically interest-heavy. If you purchased discount points for your mortgage, essentially pre-paying your interest, these are also deductible. It is important to stay up to date and again, do your homework. Working with an experienced tax professional will be helpful and well worth any expense you may incur.

THE LAW OF THE Land A Hidden Treasure

BYDALE N MCVAY

Did you know Enid has its own family-owned bait & tackle store? Located at 2011 N. Independence is Big Al’s Sinker and Lure Shop. Owned by Alvin Frye, the business has been in existence for 63 years. Once owned by his father, Al’s purpose in having the shop now is to honor his father, who was a disabled veteran Ranger from World War II. Big Al’s carries fishing tackle, fishing accessories, custom lures and live bait. His father sold to almost every bait shop in Northwest Oklahoma and currently only one other live bait shop exists in this area and it’s 60 miles away. Proudly carrying American-made products.

In addition to several varieties of live bait (Shad, Perch, Salty’s, Goldfish, Cajun Crawdads, Shiners and night crawlers), you can find frozen bait, custom-made stink bait, custom-made lures and custom weights. The live bait is cleaned and flushed daily with fresh well water. The bait shop is air conditioned and well and custom live wells with aerators can also be purchased.

Need equipment? Big Al’s carries custom rods and reels like Meat Hunter Rods and Abu Garcia Reels. There are over 400 jars and bags in which the customer can select and make their own fishing lures including jigs and spinner baits. Hooks, weights, swivels, fishing line, nets, it can all be bought here supporting a local business. He car-

ries custom-made Bucktails that are fire-glued and hand-tied, making them much more durable than those bought at big box stores.

A practice unique to Big Al’s is a “grab bag” box. For only a few dollars, you can reach into a box and retrieve a brown paper bag containing a variety of fishing tackle. In select bags are coupons for large-value items such as rods and reels. My daughter (pictured here with a nice slab crappie caught last weekend with minnows from Al) loves the thrill of the grab bags. For the novice (or even experienced fisherman) Al is more than happy to share his expertise or give recommendations particular to the species you are seeking.

For more information, see http://www.bigalsfishingtackleshop.com/home or check out the Facebook page. The shop was closed a good portion of last year due to health reasons, but it’s up and fully stocked again. Remember, support small local businesses and keep those lines tight. Until next time friends. . .