August/September 2014

Enid Modern Architecture

a feast for the eyes

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Gabby Barbour

Gabby Barbour and Addy Herr have been best friends for as long as they can remember. Their friendship began when they met through their older sisters while living in Texas.

“They have always had a very special relationship from the get-go. They just really hit it off well,” says Addy’s mom, Melanie. “Addy is the happiest when she is around Gabby.”

When Addy was just three days old, she was diagnosed with spinal meningitis, an inflammation of the lining protecting the brain and spinal cord. This caused Addy to have cerebral palsy, a broad term that is used to define disorders that affect muscle movement and motor skills.

“I love helping Addy whenever I can.

She is my best friend. I love her a lot, to outer space and back,” says Gabby with a smile.

Two years ago, the friendship faced the obstacle of long distance when Gabby’s father accepted a position with Pelagic Tank in Enid, Oklahoma. The families did not let distance stand in the way of their great friendship. They visit each other for many special occasions including Thanksgiving, spring breaks, and many birthdays. On a visit this past April, Gabby and her family were able to present Addy with a very special gift, an AmTryke therapeutic tricycle that helps improve motor coordination and muscle strength.

Gabby first saw the AmTrykes at a Kids-Q event that her dad’s company sponsored. As soon as Gabby saw it, she looked at her mom and said “Mom, Addy Herr & Gabby Barbour

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that is perfect for my best friend, Addy!”

“It really touched my heart, for her to be only four and be so persistent about getting her best friend an AmTryke,” said Gabby’s mom, Ramona.

With the help of Enid Ambucs, Ramona was able to help Gabby with her dream of raising money for Addy’s AmTryke. Gabby would earn money by

Addy Herr enjoying her AmTryke

doing chores around the house and getting good grades. She even donated all of her tooth fairy money to the cause. They also reached out to several of their friends to help with the funding. Addy was thrilled when she was presented with her gift. “The first time she rode it, she didn’t want to get off,” said Addy’s mom, Melanie.

Gabby has a constant smile on her face

when speaking about Addy. “I love my friend so, so much. I would do anything for Addy.” When asking Gabby what she wants most for her best friend, Gabby responds, “I want her to have everything that I have, for her to be able to walk and talk too. I dream of her walking. We are best friends forever and ever, for life, for eternity.”

Gabby Barbour and Addy Herr

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E contents August/September 2014

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Enid Modern architecture

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Miss Pinky

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Let’s Celebrate Food!

Some of our state’s best architecture lies far beyond big city limits in the small hamlets dotting Oklahoma’s countryside. Of course, Bartlesville and Norman may come to mind when talking about small-town Modernism, but after touring some of Enid’s incredibly distinctive modern buildings recently,

Miss Pinky tries not to remember the bad old days. The days when segregation gripped the United States, including Enid. But she says things are a lot better now, although there are still things to be done.

Food is my passion. I’m truly interested in all kinds of food, but I realize now more than ever that REAL food is where my passion really lies.

32 Aiming high

In many ways, the three high school graduates are similar: they’ve exhibited exceptional dedication and determination, stirring the pride and admiration of their families.

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growing through the years with grace

True horror relies on doubt. It can be doubt in the people you’ve loved, doubt in the principles you’ve held, or even doubt in the tangible – what you see, hear, and feel.

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peacocks butterflies & a feast for the eyes

“People think Enid isn’t much of a fashion place, but we’ve got some really cool things happening here,” says Dawn Muncy, local portrait photographer and Etown’s own fashion spread extraordinaire.

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August/September 2014 Volume 8, Number 4 Managing Director Frank Baker Art Director Theotis Pace Project Coordinator Lynne Benkendorf Etown Promotions Director Cathy Nulph

By Photos By Erin Haney & Lynne Rostochil

Writers Candace Krebs Robert Barron Jacque Hince Cathy Nulph Trina Walker Liz Cady Lynne Rostochil Photographers Muncy Photography Nancy Killam Kelly Killam Cammeron Kaiser MotoPhoto Dawn Muncy Lori Coonrod Lisa Bland-Selix The Grays Phillip Whitaker Erin Haney Lynne Rostochil Account Executive Cathy Nulph Cover Ellie Fuksa Photographer: Dawn Muncy

SUGGESTIONS Do you have an idea for future stories for Etown? We’re always looking for good ideas of people and places to feature.

If you have a suggestion give us a call at 580-548-8186 or e-mail fbaker@eaglemkt.com.

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Buck’s Party Shop & Costello’s Continental Cuisine Martini Tasting Party Photos by Lisa Bland-Selix 1 Spontaneous family pic of David, Cheri and Ben Ezzell.

2 Roxanne Costello mixing up samples for Kenny Smith and Hope Teply.

3 Friends Mary McDonald, Carmen Ball and Frank Baker enjoying the evening.

4 Steve and Merry Lee Nafus along with Catherine Costello and Frank Baker deem the event a success!

5 A toast to a fun night with friends Stela Jantzen and Kelly Thompkins.

1 6 Becky Allen, Wayne and Lori McMillin pause conversation for a quick pic.

7 Jana and Bill Shewey stopped in to say hello.

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Story by Robert Barron

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.

We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free — Ronald Reagan

July is naturally a patriotic time in our country, even more so in the “heartland”, of which Oklahoma stands proud with the traditional values, morals, and work ethic that brought this country to the greatest of statures. As we see these attributes whither and fade throughout many cities in our country, it only grows stronger in areas such as ours because we do not forget the price paid to achieve these heights of 8

liberty and freedom. Oklahoma has a proud history and an active presence of military service and will undoubtedly continue to do so in the years to come-this level of service naturally transcends generations and preserves our love of liberty As President Reagan so aptly opined, these treasures must not be taken for granted, they must not be forgotten, and they must be passed on in their truest nature for future

generations to understand the sacrifice necessary for our society to flourish.

All of us at Paramount Homes wish to recognize and honor our men and women in uniform with the sincerest of “thank you”…your sacrifice and commitment, and that of your family is an un-payable debt that will never be satisfied, only recognized with honor. We wish all of you the happiest of Independence Days, and a peaceful and prosperous 2014.

105 N. Grand Enid, Oklahoma 73701

www.ParamountHomesRE.com Etown Sponsor Content

2 Wild Horse Gang Cookout Photos by Nancy Killam 1 1 Daytona Ratzlaff with Carmen Schultz & Carol Stocksen 2 Hallie & Holly Marion Dunahoo 3 Mary Alice Stalcup Classy Cloggers 4 Larry & Rick Simpson 5 Hank Perdue

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1 Acorn Party Photos by Nancy Killam

1 Sara Hulse, Heather Sexton, Kristen Tefft, Ryan Zaloudek 2 Becky Kroeker, Jessica Andrew, Chelsea Bugg, Jessica Paweleu

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3 Andy Epstein, Andy Goldenberg 4 Jerry & Carolyn Smith, Rick & Donna Hundley 5 Dave and Kelly Callent 6 Tina Baker, Stephanie Vanhouser, Sara Hulse, Tyree Bullis, Haylee Fournier 4

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Enid

Modern Architecture

By Lynne Rostochil Photos By Erin Haney & Lynne Rostochil

Tour group in front of the Enid Public Library.

Some of our state’s best architecture lies far beyond big city limits in the small hamlets dotting Oklahoma’s countryside. Of course, Bartlesville and Norman may come to mind when talking about small-town Modernism, but after touring some of Enid’s incredibly distinctive modern buildings recently, I’d have to rank the Wheat Capital of Oklahoma right up there with her betterknown cousins. It’s all thanks to a group of architects who called Enid home during the post-WWII years and used their town as a canvas to explore innovative design ideas … and to building owners who were happy to go along for the ride.

Enter John and Kingkini Arend. Originally from Ohio and India respectively, the recent architecture school graduates moved to Enid four years ago for work. For the first year they lived here, they spent every weekend driving around and discovering their new hometown’s vast array of mid-century architecture by such local architects as Dura Smith, Frank Davies, Elbert Wheeler, Tom Rogers, and Dow Gumerson. These weekly architecture safaris led them to conclude that Enid was a significant architectural player during Modernism’s Golden Age, and they were eager to share their discoveries with everyone. So, John and Kingkini put together an architecture tour for local friends and members of the OKC Mod Squad, Tulsa Modern, and Oklahoma Modern groups that, I have to say, rivaled any Frank Lloyd Wright or Bruce Goff tour I’ve been on. After checking out building after incredible

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building on the tour, it’s really hard to believe that Enid isn’t as well known for its mid-century architecture as Norman and Bartlesville, but if John and Kingkini keep doing such a great job of spreading the word, maybe this metropolis of almost 50,000 soon will be.

We began our tour in the posh Indian Hills neighborhood, which is a delightful hodge podge of homes built from the 1930s through the 1980s. You can find such diverse examples as colonial, traditional, streamline, and happily for us, mid-century houses in this tree-lined, rambling neighborhood just a mile from downtown. It’s such a lovely area that more than once on the tour, I found myself pondering the feasibility of commuting to and from Oklahoma City every day just so I could call this lovely enclave home.

Our first stop was a charming ranch designed by Frank Davies. Davies grew up in Enid and studied under Bruce Goff at OU, graduating in 1952. The following year, he designed this home for his future in-laws, the Frantz’s. All I can say is that, if he was trying to score some brownie points with them, Davies succeeded mightily with his creation. The formal living/dining room is surrounded by windows on three sides, bringing the outdoors in while also creating a cozy and very livable area, and the spacious kitchen still boasts its original, minty green metal cabinets. The current owners treasure their little piece of mid-

House designed by Frank Davies

Ward Petroleum Office by D.A. Smith

Dillingham house by Elbert Wheeler

Bowers house by Frank Davies

century heaven, and I would, too, if I got to wake up every morning in such pleasant surrounds.

Next up on the tour was the Ward Offices, a complex built in 1967 that still looks fresh and modern today. Local architect Dura Smith (of Smith-Day and later Smith, Day and Davies — yes, Frank Davies) lived in this modest neighborhood of attractive clapboard homes surrounding a pasture and creek. He envisioned great things for the hilly grove bordering Owen K. Garriott Road and began talking to his neighbors about building a unique office complex on the site. One by one, they agreed, construction began, and this stunning collection of buildings was the result.

The four office buildings that make up the complex half rest on terra firma and are half supported by thick concrete stilts embedded just above the creek bed. It’s just too darned cool to be an office complex, with generous balconies overlooking the creek, plenty of windows to let in light, and contrasting red brick and green siding that lend an air of restrained drama to the whole place. Smith’s ingenious design made the most of a site that I’m sure many less innovative architects deemed impossible to work with, and his vision was rewarded with an architectural merit award from the Oklahoma AIA in 1970. Sadly, Smith didn’t live to enjoy this meaningful accolade from his peers. He was killed in a car/ train accident in town in 1968, cutting short a career that I’m sure would have left Enid with many more architectural marvels.

Another stop on this increasingly remarkable tour was the stunning library in the heart of downtown Enid, a building that was also designed by Smith, Day and Davies. Located on the site of a Carnegie library that had been condemned and demolished several years before, this two-story, modern concrete and glass replacement replicates the vertical lines of the massive grain elevators scattered around town that contribute so mightily to Enid’s skyline. Much like the Ward Offices, the library’s massive weight is supported by huge concrete pillars. A floating glass wall breaks up the monotony of the concrete and gives what would normally be a heavy-handed, almost Brutalist structure a much-needed light and airy feel. In addition to the use of concrete and glass, the thoughtful architects anticipated the potential need for expansion down the road and planned for an eventual third story. With grumblings that the downtown library has outgrown this beautiful building, maybe it’s time to consider adding that last story.

From the library, we travelled back to Indian Hills to have a look at the Dillingham house, designed by Enid native and OSU grad, Elbert Wheeler, of Wheeler & Wheeler (the other Wheeler being his brother, Glen). Built in 1960, the low-slung ranch is located on a quiet, tree-studded lot next to a bird sanctuary. The exterior’s focal point is the stacked red brick columns in front, an embellishment that is also carried inside. Luckily for us, Elbert Wheeler’s wife, Meme, was on hand to tell us that the bricks were salvaged when a school was being demolished in Tulsa and reused for this project.

Walk in the door and the whole house is one big wow, beginning with the terrazzo-tiled entry, complete with clerestory windows with a fun circle-patterned insert and a once-functioning water feature. Another big highlight is the gorgeous original kitchen with more clerestory windows, green metal cabinets, and a vent hood

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Bowers house by Frank Davies

Thayne A. Hedges Commuinity Speech & Hearing Center

House designed by Tom Rogers

House designed by Tom Rogers

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that looks like it came off a monstrous old phonograph.

Around the corner from the Dillingham house is another jaw dropper, the amazing Bowers house, which was designed by our old pal, Frank Davies. I’ve driven by this house before and have always marveled at its elegant and oh-so-eye-popping architecture — I mean, look at that carport and how much it lends to the design of the whole house!

Sadly, this part of the home was severely damaged in a fire several years ago when then owner, Chris Jones, likely had a fatal heart attack at the wheel of his running vintage car, which somehow caught fire and caused the conflagration. Jones was a much beloved friend to many and was also Enid’s resident architecture expert, who according to several on the tour, knew the behind-the-scenes dirt on almost every building in town. As for the house, I’m happy to report that the home Chris loved so much has been beautifully restored and looks better than ever.

Designed for the Bowers family and completed in 1962, the entire two bedroom home is built around a cozy central courtyard with curtain walls of windows in every room that face its tranquil beauty. Dark wood beams and paneling provide beautiful accents and further meld the indoor and outdoor spaces. Davies also designed a stunner of a kitchen, complete with a built-in dining room table that folds down to maximize space and an angled fireplace standing guard next to a cozy, breakfast area.

From the Bowers House, we moved on to a most unusual commercial building that is tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood, the Thayne A. Hedges Community Speech and Hearing Center. This unusual, rectangular concoction of waffle-like panels along the front and a cantilevered side facing a tree-lined creek bed was the brain child of Tom Rogers, who designed the building in 1969. Although the building is long and rectangular, the circular entry hints at what’s inside — a circle within a square. The ingenious circular design allowed for patients and their doctors to be in one room and parents in an adjoining room observing through a two-way mirror. The circle continues in the hallway that surrounds the observation rooms, as well as outside, where Rogers designed a ramp to the building long before law mandated that all commercial structures be handicap accessible.

Our last residential stop of the day was at a crazy hyperbolic paraboloid-roofed abode that looks like it’s straight out of a Jetson’s cartoon. This Googie concoction of wood, slopes, and sharp angles was also designed by Tom Rogers, an Enid native and OU grad who studied under Bruce Goff. Inside, the 1963 split-level home (living and kitchen is up and bedrooms are down) is just as impressive as the exterior, with an interesting and most unusual latticed ceiling. The current owner said that, originally, Styrofoam made up the lighter portion of the lattice. It was an era where architects used materials in new ways, so why not see if Styrofoam worked as a ceiling, Rogers must have thought. The material did work for awhile, but with age, the Styrofoam began to break down, and the owners found themselves looking like they had bad cases of dandruff until they replaced the deteriorating Styrofoam with metal a few years ago. Probably a good idea.

We wrapped up our fascinating architecture tour with a look at the Harvest Time Church, which was designed by D.A. Smith and built in 1960. Originally an insurance company, the church bought the building two decades ago; however, it recently moved out and the building is currently for sale. A split-level staircase in the bright, two story lobby leads up to a large work room and office space and down to what has been used as a nursery and Sunday school classes.

By the end of our tour, it was easy to conclude that Enid boasts a wide array of mid-century modern buildings that are both unique and innovative and add a great depth and flavor to our state’s outstanding architectural heritage.  I hope that the citizens of your beautiful city come to realize what great architectural treasures you have and figure out a way to both protect and publicize these truly special buildings. If you do, you might see that Enid will find itself at the top of the list of must-see places to visit for great mid-century modern architecture in Oklahoma.

Harvst Time Church

Harvst Time Church

Briggs Auditoruim

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After training pilots at Vance Air force Base for six years, Lieutenant Colonel Dave Kilcher and his wife Donna decided to stay call Enid home. In April 2013, Dave retired from twenty-eight years of service in the United States Air Force. Before his retirement became official, he began checking into what he could do next. While his hobbies of golf, running, cycling and scuba diving keep him active, Dave wanted to find something that would keep his brain sharp and still provide an adrenaline rush. As a teenager, Dave had a dream of becoming a pilot; to get money for his license and pilot training, he worked many jobs, one of which was a surgery tech to a local veterinarian in Ohio. After inquiring about the advanced medical programs at Autry Technology Center, Dave chose surgical technology.

With Autry having concrete plans laid out for their students to achieve their goals, Dave knew the intense and busy advance medical program of surgical technology would be both challenging and rewarding.

With graduation quickly approaching, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Dave Kilcher will proudly add certified surgical technologist to his lengthy and impressive resume which includes a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and a master’s in computer resource management.

During the eleven month daytime program students learn anatomy, medical terminology, and then move on to labs that teach instrument usage, and patient care.

Once the students become skilled in these areas, they begin clinicals at both St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center and Integris Bass Baptist Health Center.

Medical technology is constantly evolving which means Autry teachers are continually updating their curriculum to make sure their graduating students provide the support industry skilled and competent workers.

brought to you by

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Etown Advertiser Content

JWL Return Engagement Photo by Lisa Bland-Selix

Kerri Abbott, President of JWL, Elizabeth Hurlbutt and daughter, Katie, Sarah Matousek and daughter, Jessica, Shelly Haskins, RN, Enid Public Schools, and Heidi Ritchie (kneeling)

Our Care to Share committee will be presenting 34 “First

Over the past year, our Care to Share committee has spent

Aid� backpacks filled with supplies for field trips to the Health

nearly $7500 and filled requests for every school in Enid Public

Services Director for EPS totaling over $2000 on Thursday at

Schools, plus Chisholm Public Schools, Hennessey Public

10:30 am at Return Engagement. In addition, Care to Share

Schools, and Pioneer/Pleasantvale Public Schools. In addition

has purchased backpacks for Chisholm and Hennessey Public

to supplying school teachers, counselors, nurses, and staff

Schools and we will be filling and giving those to the schools in

with needs for their classrooms, we helped 3 families in crisis

August.

and provided clothing/school supplies to over 120 individual

children.

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Joe and Arlene Flaming remember the first time they attended Emmanuel Baptist church. “It was about 20 years ago, and after hearing the music and ministry for the first time, we just couldn’t keep from going back.

We really appreciated their ministry to us,” says Arlene. “Sometimes when you come from a smaller church, people are afraid to go to large churches. Emmanuel does such a good job of having many small groups.

You can fit in and you don’t have to feel lost.

They do such a great job of making you feel like part of the family.”

The Flamings have not always been residents of Enid. Joe did graduate from Enid High, but he was actually born in Cordell, Oklahoma, about 20 miles from Arlene’s hometown of Corn. The couple’s paths crossed a few times here and there, but it wasn’t until college that they started dating.

Arlene and Joe both attended Tabor College, a private Christian school in Hillsboro,

Kansas. “I had a car and my friend wanted to go to a ballgame,” says Joe. “My friend said he would help fix me up with Arlene if we could use the car to get to the game.”

Arlene chimes in with a smile, “We started dating then, and are still dating today.”

After college, Joe and Arlene moved to Enid where they got married and started a family of their own. They have three daughters, two of whom live in Enid and attend Emmanuel Baptist Church regularly.

Currently, Joe and Arlene own and operate three Napa Auto Parts stores; two in Enid and one in Helena. They have been in the Napa business for 33 years now and are honored to have some of their family members helping them out with the company.

Joe and Arlene have been devoted Christians for as long as they can remember.

“We both accepted the Lord as our Savior in the early years of our lives. Both of our families were involved in Christian ministry

or Christian education.” Arlene has been teaching music for about 55 years, and continues to give piano lessons today. “She’s the musician,” Joe says, “And he is the business head,” adds Arlene.

Joe and Arlene really enjoy the missions program at Emmanuel. “We at our age can’t participate in missions, but we like to be able to do what we can to support them financially,” says Joe. When asking Joe and Arlene what the one thing is that they like the most about Emmanuel, Joe responds.

“We love it all, but really enjoy the worship service and the ministry of Pastor Wade Burleson so much. He has just opened up the Bible hugely for us and his heart is just so wonderful. Of course we love the music as well. Those two things are what we always appreciate more than anything else, but we honestly love it all.”

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RSVP Annual Banquet Photos by Lisa Bland-Selix 1 Little Lottie_(Margaret Smith)__and Chip Baker enjoy a laugh with Ma(Gladys Nokes)

5 Steve Barnes 6 Some of the RSVP Board of Directors sing a tribute to the volunteers.

2 Marjorie Nivison and Beverly Richter share a hat.

7 Patrece Allen and Jan Norman 3 The Ladies of ARK(Acts of Random Kindness)Back Row: Annie 8 Leilanni Lewis, Mary Green(standing), Maudie Roberts, Joan Bushnell Pelto, Sandy Foster. Front Row: Sherry Walls, Cindy Milacek, Jen9 Marcy McGuar and Mildred Avery nifer Baker, Ina Long 10 Judy Gregory and Judy Zaloudek 4 Bobbie Stoner, Cathy Stocker, and Judy Zaloudek 1

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Miss Pinky

By Robert Baron Photos by Dawn Muncy

Miss Pinky tries not to remember the bad old days. The days when segregation gripped the United States, including Enid.

But she says things are a lot better now, although there are still things to be done.

Mary Laster-Porter came to Enid when she was 4- to- 5 years-old. She recalls attending Carver Elementary School, an all-black school that served the residents of the East Park neighborhood, now called Southern Heights. The teachers there taught with second-hand books.

“They did the best they could with what they had,” she said. “They were really good teachers.” After finishing Carver Elementary she transferred to Booker T. Washington.

She recalls seeing separate drinking fountains in town, marked “white” and “colored.” Restrooms were also segregated separating whites and people of color. At Government

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Springs Park the only area blacks were allowed to be is the area where the The Toll Taker statue now exists. Woolworth’s Five and Dime Store, would hire blacks to work there, but they were not allowed to eat in the store. Woolworth’s was like other stores in downtown Enid at the time. She recalls leaving school with some other kids one day to conduct a sit in at Sanford-Stunkle drug store. “Somehow our principal found out.

He sent word we better get back to school, and we left and went back,” Porter said.

Black students had to sit in the balcony of the movie theater and there were separate bathrooms and drinking fountains at Garfield County Courthouse, she said.

Before the swimming pool was built in the 50s, Porter said the kids in East Park learned to swim in Boggy Creek.

“It was very segregated (in Enid) when I

was a little girl,” she said. Enid was like many other communities in the United States where segregation was common during that time. Porter was among the first classes to attend the newly-integrated Enid High School where she graduated in 1960, spending her senior year at EHS. During integration, she said the students at EHS were very accepting of the black students who transferred. She said none of the black teachers at Carver or Booker T. Washington were hired. “They were out of a job,” she said. “And they were really good teachers.” Porter left Enid during the 1960s to return later.

As a young girl she recalls some racial tension in Enid, but has tried to put many things from her mind because it causes “flashbacks” and she wants to forget them.

She tried to stay away from areas where trouble occurred.

“I don’t talk about the violence, because I don’t want to think about it. The tension was always high when Enid played Booker T. They always came here, we never went there,” she said. Porter said black people mostly stayed on the east side of town and had their own community. “It was a nice community, we had a lot of businesses,” she said. There were some community leaders who stood out and tried to help the black community, whom she looked up to. She mentioned Dorice Allen, her mother Herbaline Laster, Johnetta Fitzpatrick, Derwin Norwood Sr., and Don Laster who fought for black civil rights. She also mentioned Kenneth Loyd and Clayton Nolen.

“That took courage and they got things here. I’m glad things turned around, but we still have a long ways to go,” she said.

The East Park Community was a safe place and a place where the kids could stay out of trouble. The community watched out for other people’s children. Today at 71, Miss Pinky recalls raising six children on her own. She is happy they participated in sports and all graduated high school.

Today she has 38 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

“It’s like a sore, you have to give it time to heal. Some is healing, and some is not,” she said. “Thank God for the opportunities for our children. Enid has changed and the old racism is dying away.”

She credits the United Way, Vance Air Force Base, and other Enid community organizations for their assistance to Southern Heights.

She never thought she would ever see a Barack Obama as president of the United States. “He gave us a lot of hope for our children. Our children now don’t experience the racial prejudice like we did. There are many opportunities for them we never had,” she said. “There is no excuse for them not to do well.”

In the old days the East Park area had its own ballpark and her parents Johnny and Estelle Laster kept things going there.

Today her son Clifford Porter is executive director of the Booker T. Washington Community Center, which offers a number of outreach programs for area youth.

She remembered when Enid first got a monkey pit in Government Springs Park.

She said it was built close to where she lived. The monkeys sometimes got loose and East Park residents didn’t know if they would have a monkey in their house or not. Then the city expanded the types and numbers of animals to make a zoo.

She recalled living close to the zoo how bad it smelled.

Enid people smiled and were courteous to black people and did not outwardly mistreat them, she said, but blacks “knew their place.”

“It’s better now, but there is still a ways to go,” she said.

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“Continuation of a Legacy”

by Audra W. Harris Photos by Nancy Killam

Josh Malone

Pharmacist Josh Malone is the newest member of the Scheffe Prescription Shop family and has been with the company for almost two months. This does not mean, however, that Malone is new to the pharmacy business. Having worked for CVS Pharmacy for the past year, Malone decided it was time to go back to his roots in pharmacy and work at an independent store.

While Malone is an Oklahoma native, he is not from Enid. In fact, he is from a small town in the panhandle called

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Beaver, Oklahoma. Malone’s interest in pharmacy started in a small shop in his hometown. During the summers in high school, Malone worked closely with the local pharmacist, who mentored him and explained how Malone could eventually become a pharmacist himself. With this as his inspiration, Malone headed to Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma, where he finished pharmacy school in May 2013. Malone then began to work for CVS.

In his decision to switch to an

independent pharmacist, Malone was looking for the ability to have more of a relationship with his patients, rather than just helping the “next person in line.” When asked what he thinks sets Scheffe’s apart from more nationally known pharmacies, Malone replied, “The atmosphere from the retail side of pharmacy is much friendlier.

I can take time with my patients and understand their needs and help them.”

In, fact, Malone’s favorite part of the job is helping his customers. He adds that, “a pharmacist is the most readily available

Josh Malone

healthcare professional. It is not only my job to act as the intermediary between the patient and their doctor, but also to be there for my customers to answer any questions they may have.”

How exactly does Malone help his patients?

Being that he is a pharmacist, Malone’s responsibilities include compounding drugs, creating medicines in different forms – such as capsules, creams, and liquids - filling prescriptions, administering vaccines, and filing all of the necessary paperwork that comes with it. In addition to this, a pharmacist’s job includes working with the doctor if there are any questions about the prescription, as well as the patient to make sure that the prescription does not have a negative effect on any other medications they may be taking.

Josh Malone would be happy to help you with your own prescription needs, as would the rest of the staff at Scheffe Prescription Shop. There are now three locations to conveniently serve you; on Randolph Avenue in downtown Enid – where you can find Malone – west Owen K. Garriott and on south 5th street. Let Scheffe’s help you stay healthy!

127 E. Randolph • Enid, OK 73701 • (580) 233-2152 * 1925 W. Owen K Garriott Road • (580) 242-3784 330 South 5th • Enid • (580) 233-2128 Etown Sponsor Content

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Let’s Celeb Downtown Kitchen Store Presents

Let’s Celebrate Food!

By Ebby Stratton

Photos by Lisa Bland-Silex

Farm To Table

Food is my passion. I’m truly interested in all kinds of food, but I realize now more than ever that REAL food is where my passion really lies. I suppose everyone has a different definition of Real Food. For me, Real Food is food in its most natural state. Fresh, unprocessed, local, organic when possible; just Real Food.

My dear friend, Delena Hardaway, shares my passion for food. Delena is an excellent cook – she works magic with everything she prepares. One day a few months ago we were discussing food, one of our favorite topics.

The Farm To Table dining trend came up and Delena said, “Let’s do it. Let’s have a Farm To Table dinner.” We both smiled and before we knew it, an Etown food feature was born!!

Our Farm To Table dinner would consist of food that was sourced locally and organic when possible. It would be simple and fresh and real food.

John’s Farm was our first stop on our foodie adventure! Delena and her husband John lived in Fairview, OK, for 14 years.

Delena has a friend, Kris Gosney who currently lives in Fairview. Kris and her husband, John, operate John’s Farm. John’s Farm is an organic beef and organic wheat farm. A phone call was made, and soon Delena and I

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were on our way to visit Kris and experience life at John’s Farm. It wasn’t until we were on our way that we realized it was Earth Day how fitting to be headed to the farm! After welcome hugs and small town chitchat, Kris loaded us up in her SUV and the journey began. As we traveled on the red dirt roads in the Cheyenne Valley, I wondered why I had never experienced the peace of the Gloss Mountains before. Beauty, nature, and a serene feeling surrounded me.

As we made our way to the family farms, Kris shared her story and what an amazing story she has. When Kris and John began farming, they did conventional farming like everyone else – chemicals and commercial inputs were the norm. In 1996 their operation began to change when a friend asked John to take over his land with one stipulation – continue to farm it organically as it had always been farmed. Kris admits they didn’t even know what that ‘O’ word meant!! After much persuasion and even more study, John agreed to farm his friend’s land organically.

After several years of study and hands-on organic farming the Gosneys decided to transition all of their farming operation to organic!!

They relied more on nature and sustaining the soil to rebuild itself. “This is what God

intended us to do. We will never go back to conventional farming,” said Kris. Their next change was transitioning to organic beef. This process took 10 years and eventually Cattle Tracks Organic Beef was in business! Certified organic beef means NO commercial inputs; no antibiotics and no growth promoting hormones. Their cattle eat only organic foods, which they mainly grow! “In many respects we are farming as our ancestors – dependent on weather to enhance growing opportunities and allowing healthy soil to produce healthy plant and animal life,” says Kris.

Our afternoon with Kris was not only educational but also full of family stories.

Kris easily shares the love she has of the land.

John’s Farm is in their blood and Kris has a spirit that is hard to put into words; very thoughtful, a woman of God, and she has a calm acceptance of what farm life throws her way. I like those qualities in a person!! As we said our goodbyes, Kris ran to her freezer and gave us two of the prettiest Cattle Tracks organic strip steaks I have ever seen; talk about generous! It was truly an amazing afternoon in the farmlands of the Cheyenne Valley and the plains near Fairview. I knew I would return sometime soon.

On our way back to Enid, Delena and

brate Food I discussed how we would definitely have Cattle Tracks steak be the star of our Farm To Table dinner. John’s Farm also sells organic whole-wheat flour, which we knew would be the flour used in Delena’s tasty homemade bread and dessert. We tossed ideas around and both agreed on a general menu. Delena visited Enid Farmers Market to see what foods were sourced locally. Paulette Rink of Rowdy Stickhorse had eggs, honey, blackberries, and lamb chops that were perfect for the dinner. Wagon Creek Creamery had butter, yogurt, and an array of cheeses we could certainly incorporate into the menu. An early Saturday morning trip to the old farmers market at the fairgrounds brought kohlrabi, apricots and beets – how fun it was deciding just how these seasonal local foods could play at our table. Delena’s husband John is quite the gardener. John has raised garden beds that provide a bounty of vegetables; potatoes, carrots, yellow squash, zucchini, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs happily grow in their beds. Zinnias reach for the sky with breathtaking colors. Sunflowers are grown for the grandchildren’s delight!

Now that we had our list of local foods, it was time to plan the dinner menu. Delena came up with an impressive menu!

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Farm To Table Dinner Menu

Tri color Goat Cheese Torte Kohlrabi Bites Gruyere and Rosemary Skewers Stacked Pesto Tomato Caprese New Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary Yellow squash, Zucchini, Carrot Ribbons with Butter and Dill Whole Wheat Artisan Bread Yogurt Herb Lamb Chops with Apricot Jalapeno Balsamic Reduction Organic Strip Steak with Grilled Red Onions Blackberry Whole Wheat Cobbler and Vanilla Whip Cream

You just can’t imagine how much fun we had talking about this Etown dinner party. We shared recipe ideas, invitations, food presentation, table décor, wine list, and we loved every minute of it!!

The day of our Farm To Table dinner started off cloudy, windy, and soon turned rainy. By late afternoon, the sun peeked through the clouds and the day turned glorious. Isn’t that just typical of Oklahoma weather! Wine and appetizers were served on the Hardaway’s back deck as John began grilling the steaks and lamb. Soon dinner was served and wine was poured. John’s grilling expertise resulted in

perfectly cooked strip steaks – that’s difficult with a 2” thick steak!!

As we dined on Delena’s scrumptious meal, the conversation at the table was diverse with recent travels, jobs, children, cooking techniques and our changing food habits being discussed. The food was delicious and everyone appreciated the local food sourcing Delena had accomplished. Our Farm To Table dinner was a pleasure in every way. Delena Hardaway certainly knows how to Celebrate a Farm To Table dinner extravaganza!

Here are a few of the recipes Delena prepared for our Farm To Table Dinner-

Yogurt Herb Marinade for Lamb Chops

Yogurt, several cloves of garlic, salt and pepper, ¼ cup of fresh thyme all mixed together. Coat the lamb on both sides. Refrigerate overnight. Scrape most of yogurt from the chops and bring to room temp before grilling.

Apricot Reduction Sauce for Lamb Chops

Pit apricots and char on a grill pan on the stove. Place charred fruit in a bowl and cover with plastic to sweat. Meanwhile medium dice a small red onion and half a seeded jalapeno. Add the onion, jalapeno, 1/3 cup of honey, and ¼ cup balsamic vinegar to a saucepan with ¼ cup of brewed tea. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to very low and add apricots. Reduce to a syrupy consistency.

Adjust seasoning to taste. Remove from heat and give it a whirl in a mini food processor/ or use an immersion blender to desired consistency.

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Blackberry Cobbler with Fairview’s Best Organic Whole Wheat Flour.

3 cups blackberries 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 t vanilla 1/2 t lemon juice 1 cup Fairview’s Best organic whole wheat flour 2 t baking powder 1/2 t salt 1/2 t cinnamon 1/4 cup sugar 1 cup milk 1 t vanilla extract 1 stick butter, melted Place blackberries in bowl and toss with 1/4 C sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice. Set aside. In small mixing bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and 1/4 C sugar. Stir in milk, vanilla, melted butter until mixed.

Batter will be lumpy. Pour batter into greased baking dish and “plippity plop” blackberries and juices on top. Bake at 375 for 35 – 40 minutes or until golden brown.

Delena served with fresh whipped cream with a touch of vanilla.

Recipe courtesy of John’s Farm on Pinterest

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Aiming High

By Candace Krebs Photos by The Grays

Three of Enid’s best and brightest win acceptance to the nation’s elite military academies.

In many ways, the three high school graduates are simi-

despite perilously low acceptance rates.

lar: they’ve exhibited exceptional dedication and determina-

tion, stirring the pride and admiration of their families. They

from lifelong Enidite to foreign-born. In the following para-

all express being motivated by a desire to help others and be

graphs, the three high achievers share how Enid’s influence

of service to society. And in each case, their hard work was

helped forge who they are today as well as their hopes and

rewarded with admittance to a prestigious military academy,

dreams for the future.

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But there are differences too. Their backgrounds range

Brendan Arnold Graduate of: Oklahoma Bible Academy Parents: Chris Arnold is financial project manager for Parrish Enterprises; Angela is a middle school teacher and coach. (Angela’s father, Jim Turley, also of Enid, is retired from the Air Force) Big dream: Science exploration Accepted to: U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs What drove me to apply (to the Air Force Academy) is that I have a servant’s heart. I value a well-rounded education, including athletics, and I’m big into music and academics. All of those things are available at a military academy. And I want to improve myself as an individual.

It was last summer when I started thinking seriously about going to a service academy. I had visited the Air Force Academy my eighth grade year, and I loved the campus there. A family friend got married at the academy chapel, and we were invited to attend the wedding. Getting that exposure was really good for me.

I’m interested in engineering. But I think it would be fun — if the opportunity arises — to try piloting. I’m definitely going to participate in everything I can. Music ensemble, trying out for intercollegiate track team. They also have a Big Brothers Big Sisters program and service club that I’m interested in.

Going to OBA was a fantastic experience. I loved every moment of it. So many people are behind me, rallying me and supporting me. It has been phenomenal. I consider OBA as part of my family. There’s a lengthy list of everyone who has helped me in some way to get to this point. I’ve enjoyed Enid, too, because it’s not a huge city, so there are not all of the dangers or negative aspects of it being extremely large, but it’s also not so supersmall that everyone knows everyone. I’ve had lots of opportunities here. I’ve been very involved with my church, Emmanuel Baptist, and I’ve done lots of community service. Small group Bible studies had a huge influence on my life, as well as several mission trips to Guatemala and Poland.

My goal post-graduation is to continue on to graduate studies and learn as much as I can. I want to focus on mathematics or science. Last year I attended the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics part-time through Autry Technology Center and took courses in calculus II and physics mechanics.

I absolutely loved that class! It was intriguing and challenging enough to help me grow beyond my capabilities. I really credit Mike Jantz, the OSSM instructor at Enid.

Brendan Arnold

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John Choi Graduate of: Enid High Parents: Abraham Choi and (John’s stepmother) Sun Kim are gas station owners (John’s biological mom lives in Japan) Big dream: Space travel Accepted to: U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland I was always interested in flying and space. So my big plan is to hopefully go into outer space one day as an astronaut.

I was born in South Korea and moved to the U.S. in third grade. The country was so different from Korea in what it offered for my life. I decided to do something that can positively affect everyone: I chose a military career.

Where I came from was very different than Oklahoma.

There are a lot of tall buildings, and it’s crowded everywhere.

I really loved it there. The hardest thing about living here was learning English. When I moved in third grade, I didn’t know English at all. How I communicated with my friends was mostly by using hand motions. But then one day my step-mom told me to watch a lot of TV shows. The cartoons here are the same ones we had in Korea, so I could kind of translate what they were saying. After a couple of years of that, I learned the language. But for a while it was very stressful.

As a freshman I joined the Air Force JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps). My instructors would talk to me about the academy. Those who got accepted had their names on a wall, and I said it right then: in four years, my name will be on there. That was my goal. And now it’s on there.

There are three instructors I’d like to mention: Mr. Anthony Peters was my wrestling coach and the naval academy liaison officer who interviewed me and talked to me about getting a Congressional nomination from all three of my representatives in Washington. I’m very thankful to him. Without him, I don’t think I could have done it. Lt. Colonel David Morgan, leading JROTC instructor, had me for four years, and he taught me many things. Chief Master Sergeant Edmond Rollins wrote recommendation letters to the academy and to my Senators.

At the academy, we’ll get to choose a major at the end of freshman year. Right now I have set a goal to major in astronomical engineering or nuclear physics. I want to succeed and come back to my hometown and talk to kindergarten or elementary students and give them hopes and dreams of what they can become and what they can achieve. That’s what I’m striving for.

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John Choi

Jacob Klamm Graduate of: Enid High Parents: Kevin Klamm runs Enid Learning Academy; Leslie is director of family ministries at First United Methodist Church Big dream: Practice medicine Accepted to: U. S. Military Academy, West Point, New York My mom’s father was in the Army and the Marines, and he’s been a big role model in my life. Also, I go on mission trips, and I just love helping others. The military seems like a great opportunity to do that.

I’ve always loved the idea of serving in the military, but at some point I realized that I wanted to be a doctor. I’m interested in pediatrics or maybe being a family physician.

At the end of my junior year, I started to look into it and found out I could be a doctor and be in the military.

In high school, I was on the soccer team with Coach Craig Liddell. I had him as a coach for four years and also had him one year as a student in his classroom. He played a big part in me being who I am today. David Markes, my tenth grade physiology teacher, really kick-started me loving science. I already wanted to be a doctor, but taking his class accentuated my desire to do that.

I love Enid. I’m excited to go somewhere else, but I’ve lived here my whole life, and it’s home. West Point is an hour and a half north of New York, so it will be very different, especially the weather and the scenery. It’s right on the Hudson River. There are tons of trees. I don’t know where I’ll end up, but I definitely wouldn’t rule out coming back to Enid to live and work someday.

As I get ready to leave, I’m definitely nervous, but I’m in the mindset that other people have done it, so hopefully I can do it successfully too. I had John (Choi) in two classes this year. The administrative process (of applying) was really long, so we talked about it a lot and went through it together, waiting on news of Congressional nominations and official letters of appointment and all that. It was really cool we were both able to go where we wanted. We’ve already made plans. We’re both going to the Army-Navy game, and we plan to meet up.

Jacob Klamm

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1 Juliette Low Lucheon Photos by Cammeron Kaiser

1 Guest Speaker Ann Hargis, First Lady of OSU. 2 Mary Stalling, Tary Davis (as Juliette Low) & Norma Ferguson 3 Norma Ferguson welcoming everyone.

4 Amina Switzer singing the closing song.

5 Shannon Evers, CEO of Western Oklahoma Girlscouts.

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6 Beverly Burch & Alice Lennox from Dallas, TX. 3

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ETowns fashion Week

Whew, I just spent a week in fashion heaven! Etown’s first-ever Fashion Week was a huge success! It was such a blast to immerse myself in clothing, hair and makeup for several days on end! Pulling off this event was truly a dream come true. I can’t wait to share a full recap in the October/November issue of Etown.

Who knew fashion could introduce me to so many new friends?

Thanks to Bobbie Miller from Channel 9 News for lending us her star power for the Friday style show. Corey Groendyke served as my advisor, and Aly Akers also shared in making the fashion show at

Convention Hall so fabulous. Thanks to our many sponsors, we were able to raise funds for Loaves and Fishes of Northwest Oklahoma food pantry throughout the week with fun activities at local salons, studios and boutiques. Next year will be even bigger and better! Isn’t it great that we live in such a fashion-savvy place?

See ya around E-town!

Cathy Nulph

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Vance Air Force Base Enlisted Appreciation Night Photos by Lisa Bland-Selix 1 Unknown, SrA Wesley Ritchie, TSgt Cory Davis 2 SSgt Erica McKissick, TSgt Linell McKissick 3 TSgt Richard Myers, MSgt Matthew Bowling, MSgt Michael Bolton, TSgt 4 SrA Justin Hawkins, SSgt Ashley McGill, SrA Ryan Gunn, SrA Aaron 5 A1C Destin Ross, SrA Kimberly Ross, Amn Carson Gorman 6 George Pankonin and SMSgt Mark Arehart 7 TSgt Christopher Nestor 8 MSgt Jason Trickey, SrA Branden Nyman 9 SrA Joshua Hubmann, SrA Maria Aguilar 10 TSgt Laquetta Spann, MSgt Deniece Miller, MSgt Wardell Henning 11 A1C Nancy Osborne, A1C Destiny Mitchell 12 Back row, Monica Tate, Debbie White, George Pankonin, Amy Snyder Front row—Patrice Allen, Anita Murrow, Tillie Sewell and Jennifer Fugazzi

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Etown Sponsor Content

Growing Through The Years With

Grace:

Three Cheers for Caregivers

by Jacqueline Hince Photos Provided

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

- Leo Buscaglia

Caregivers are an integral part of senior care settings. A direct caregiver’s job ranges from tending to the physical needs of residents, like eating and bathing, to offering simple companionship. However, though it is a necessary and important job, being a direct caregiver is not always regarded as an illustrious career. The Homes of Greenbrier, among other facilities across the state, are working to change that. “It is not the highest paying

job and it is a very difficult job,” explains Lori Long who with her family owns and runs Greenbrier Village in Enid. “Our goal is to build these caregivers up.”

One way The Homes of Greenbrier is working to add value to being a direct caregiver is through their “Welcome Home” concept. In her program, “Welcome Home Model - Casting a Vision for Oklahoma” Long writes, “All people have the right to home. That blend

of shelter, relationships, expressions, meaning and sense of self that we have enjoyed our entire lives. This is where our journey at Greenbrier begins; to bring back home to our resident begins…with the help of so many advocates for quality of life; a culture change is finally occurring through the regulatory system that frees us to promote what we all want: a place where our residents, their families and those household staff members can enjoy the

Bernice, resident, photographed with Cathy DiBella, CNA at The Homes of Greenbrier pleasures of daily living and relationships while at the same time meet the special needs of each person.” Throughout all facilities at Greenbrier Village they have implemented Long’s “Welcome Home” concept and have seen it make a huge difference among the residents and staff.

At The Homes of Greenbrier, the facility dedicated to residents who need the most care and assistance, they’ve eliminated the institutionalized feel nursing facilities once had and instead work each day to create a home-like atmosphere. Residents choose their schedule, their meals, and their activities and have a say in what goes on in their prospective “home”. There are four mini “homes” operating within The Homes of Greenbrier. Each one has the same staff dedicated to the

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residents who live there. Long says by becoming an essential part of the home, the entire staff, including direct caregivers, have a chance to see how their job plays an integral role. “Being a caregiver is not for everyone,” says Long. “You have to have compassion, love, and a vision for the elderly residents. Now with our home concept, people relate to homes, they know how to make a home. So we add that whole concept to them and it gives them a vision that I can do this, I can do something more meaningful than just brush someone’s teeth. It helps them see that brushing their teeth is just one thing that makes the home a better place.”

In the decade since The Homes of Greenbrier transitioned into

the home model Long has seen caregivers step up and not only understand their role and responsibility but embrace it, take ownership and become a leader in their field. “The home happens because we work together,” says Long.

“Residents, staff, they all meet together every week to discuss what they want to do. They decide together how they want to do things. Everyone has a voice.” By creating an atmosphere

Larry Brawner (left) and Kennth Underwood (right), both award winners. Photographed in the back is Deborah Bowles.

where every person counts, every idea is heard and everyone has a say, direct caregivers have a chance to step up and lead. Even though caregivers may not hold the highest position in the facility or have a college degree, they can be a leader in their “home” and make a difference.

“We value each person as a leader,” says Long, “and we want to build the self-esteem and the dignity of our direct caregivers and this career

Barbara, resident pictured with Mary Cordell, CNA at The Homes of Greenbrier

(Front Row, Left to Right) Cathy DiBella, Nancy Hernandez, Lori Porter (CEO of NAHCA & national speaker) and Larry Brawner.

(Back Row) Kenneth Underwood, Janet Crane.

Deborah Bowles with Vivian Hawkins.

Janet Crane pictured with Evelyn Radcliff

choice they’ve made and we’ve done it through joining a national organization.”

The National Association of Health Care Assistant’s (NAHCA) mission is: “to elevate the professional standing and performance of Certified Nursing Assistants through recognition, motivation, education, and development; building alliances with health care providers, reducing costs and improving the care of our

frail and elderly population.” Deborah Bowles is the Focus on Excellence Coordinator at The Homes of Greenbrier and works with direct caregivers who wish to further their education and training. The Homes of Greenbrier has a NAHCA leadership council and encourages all caregivers to get involved. When a new caregiver is hired they are matched with a mentor and are given opportunities to climb the career ladder, earning more education and higher wages.

Bowles says their partnership with NAHCA is a valuable asset. “There is more job satisfaction and they see that our management appreciates them and values them and they do not consider them the low man on the totem pole.

They see that their job is more than just giving someone a bath or feeding someone. This is someone’s mother, or daughter, or grandmother and they start to see that their investment in the residents is not just for monetary value, it is an investment in the lives of people.”

This June, Bowles and several caregivers attended the NAHCAs National Convention, where two caregivers from Greenbrier Village were recognized. Kenneth Underwood received the National CNA Key to Quality Award for Best Attitude and Larry Brawner was honored with the National CNA Key to Quality Award for Most Thoughtful. Bowles says it is rare that two national awards honor caregivers from the same facility.

It is important for people to be celebrated when they are doing a good job. Long urges family members and residents to let caregivers know they are valued and to help build their worth and esteem. These are the people doing 90% of the daily care of our elderly. They are there when they need cleaning, assistance, or just someone to talk to. Being a caregiver can be both difficult and rewarding and it needs to be recognized as the important job that it is.

“In building their self esteem in their career you are ultimately going to be creating genuine care for older people,” explains Long, “because most of the caregivers that do this work do it because they love older people and they want to help them.”

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Peacocks, butterflies & a feast for the eyes

By Candace Krebs Photos by Dawn Muncy

“People think Enid isn’t much of a fashion place, but we’ve got some really cool things happening here,” says Dawn Muncy, local portrait photographer and Etown’s own fashion spread extraordinaire. For this issue’s Fashion Forward feature, her goal was to pull out all the stops in a tribute to high fashion.

She struck gold — and blue and purple and more — by putting together a team of outstanding talents from the local community.

Following is a brief overview of the supporting cast of designers and stylists.

Shannon Armstrong made a splash by creating the “Etown gown” from old magazines for the cover of the December 2013 issue. For this issue, she crafted a dress out of garbage bags. “After I did the Etown dress

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from paper, I started thinking about other materials I could use other than just what I can get at the fabric store,” she says. A plant controller in the finance department at AdvancePierre Foods by day, she’s turned designing into a serious hobby. “Over the last ten years or so, I noticed when I was purchasing things, they weren’t the best quality. I just decided that it would be fun to make instead of buy. So I went to the fabric store and just started from there,” she says. “The first thing I made was a set of curtains for my dining room, and I loved them.” Eventually she created her own brand, My Little E (named for her daughter Emerson) and a Facebook page. “I do a lot of volunteer projects, and I love making things for other people,” she

says. “During the winter, I made a bunch of scarves and hung them around Our Daily Bread with a note, ‘If you’re cold put me on.’”

In another charitable move, she helped the women in a nursing home accessorize their walkers with fashionable tote bags. “I made sure each bag was unique and special,” she says. “Doing projects like this is just my way to unwind and be artistic.”

Carli Waken describes her own personal style as simplistic and down to earth but says clothing design gives her an outlet to express her “edgier, avant-garde” side. The dresses she made for this issue took their inspiration from Tulsa’s art deco architecture as well as from the playful juxtaposition of incorporating different fabrics into the same gown.

Born and raised in Enid, Carli went to Oklahoma State University to study apparel design and production and later landed a job as an assistant designer at McCubbin Hosiery in Oklahoma City. Participation in dance is what originally sparked her interest in fashion. “I made a few of my own costumes and always made my own themed outfits for dances and for Halloween,” she says. “Currently I make dance costumes for studios in Oklahoma, including the studios in Enid. For now, it remains a hobby or just a small side business; I have so much fun doing it, I could never consider it work!” Anyone interested in her design services is welcome to contact her by email at HYPERLINK “mailto:carli.waken@ okstate.edu” carli.waken@okstate.edu.

Connie Liles runs Rent Our Dresses out of a large, old house she inherited from her grandmother. “I just started collecting dresses, and now I have about 400, maybe a little more. Once I got started I couldn’t quit!

I wanted to create a place where people could rent and not have to buy.” Her selection includes formals for proms and weddings, vintage dresses and hats, suitable for all ages. “I got remarried later in life and didn’t want to have to buy a wedding dress, so I tried to find one to borrow and had a hard time finding anything. Then my daughter got married and we spent $2,000 on a dress that she only wore for a couple of hours,” Connie explains. “I’m a counselor, and I was counseling a lot of girls who didn’t have money to buy a nice dress.

Men can go and rent tuxedos, but there’s nothing comparable for women.” Her stash of gowns also provides an opportunity to work with a variety of fashion photographers; in addition to collaborating with Muncy, she’s shipped dresses to Guthrie, Minnesota and as far away as the East Coast. Look for Rent Our Dresses on Facebook.

Hairstylist Amanda Martin’s goal for this shoot — based on pictures of a whimsical dress made to resemble clouds of monarch butterflies — was “something big and blooming, like the opening of a cocoon.” She sees styling hair as a ministry, a way to make a difference in people’s lives, while also indulging her innate creativity. “I see it all as an art project,” she says. “When I’m creating art with

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hair, I want something that’s beautiful, that everyone wants to look at.” Competing in contests while learning the beauty trade at Autry Technology Center was perfect preparation for styling a Muncy fashion shoot, she adds. “I’m from Enid, born and raised, and I went to Autry Tech my junior and senior year of high school.

I competed in hair and nails, placing at the district level,” she says. “It all started as a way to pay for college, but then I discovered I had a real passion for it. When you are practicing for the boards, it’s all by the book, but once you get to competition, as far as creativity goes, it’s do-your-thing.” Amanda is currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in biology. She offers hair, makeup and massage services at Affinity Fitness and Beauty Spa.

A peacock feather provided the ideal source of inspiration for hair stylist Anne Klassen. “I love colors,” she says. “It makes everybody feel good. Color is such a quick transformation; it’s very uplifting.” Her first Etown project was helping with the styling for the Fab 10 makeover, featuring people selected from the local community. “That was so fun, just seeing their transformation,” she says. “That really hooked me.” Since then, she has worked with Muncy on several fashion spreads; when the two want to get their creative juices flowing, they just start throwing around ideas. “I actually went to school for accounting, but I’m not a sit-behindyour-desk kind of girl,” Anne says. “So I went to beauty school, and it was everything I thought it would be.” A native of nearby Waukomis, she adds, “I went away to college and lived in Texas for a little bit, but this is my hometown. I love it. I’m very blessed. Enid has been so good for me.” Klassen started her career at C.L. Meyer Salon and now works at Studio 22, which is preparing to celebrate its 14th anniversary in September.

This shoot was makeup artist Emilie Curry’s first chance to collaborate on a Muncy fashion spread. “It’s nice for me, because brides always want neutral and prom girls always want glitter,” she says. “This was a new creative outlet.” Emilie is originally from Columbus, a dot on the map in Southeast Kansas, but attended art school in Kansas City and Charlotte, North Carolina, and resided for a time in Fayetteville, Ark. “Someone once told me that Enid is the biggest small town you’ll ever live in, and it’s true,” she says. “The community is so artistic in its own way, with all of the little boutiques and with what Dawn is doing in Etown magazine.” Emilie originally set out to pursue interior design. “It’s still a passion of mine,” she says. “But my dad was a barber for 30 years and created a wonderful business with it.

Art school is great, but, at the same time, it is very expensive. I had been doing makeup on the side, and I finally thought, what better way to be artistic, playing with paints and blending and colors and contouring and highlighting. Plus, I love chatting with people, so it’s just awesome for me. My dad always told me, ‘No matter how bad the economy gets, bartenders and hairdressers will never go out of business.” Emilie got her license in January and shortly thereafter joined Hairtiques Salon offering hair and makeup services.

Models info for boxes/bullet points NAME: Sydni Grace Classen AGE: 14 HOBBIES/INTERESTS: Drawing, listening to music, basketball PERSONAL STYLE: Free spirit and edgy MUST-HAVE ACCESSORY: Black combat boots DREAM ON-LOCATION PHOTO SHOOT: Jamaican beach FUTURE ASPIRATION: Become an actress or tattoo artist WHAT BEAUTY MEANS TO ME: Beauty comes from the inside and works its way out

NAME: Ellie Fuksa AGE: 18 DAY JOB: Barista at Davinci’s Coffeehouse HOBBIES/INTERESTS: Playing volleyball and tennis, creating artwork, reading PERSONAL STYLE: Girly with a touch of bohemian MUST-HAVE ACCESSORY: Rose gold watch (makes a simple white tee and jeans a step fancier) DREAM ON-LOCATION PHOTO SHOOT: Swimsuits and gowns in New Zealand FUTURE ASPIRATION: Earn a degree from OSU and travel the world WHAT BEAUTY MEANS TO ME: It’s about feeling good inside your own body

NAME: Rebecca Ralstin AGE: 27 DAY JOB: Full-time theatre performance student at OSU HOBBIES/INTERESTS: Performing/volunteering at the Gaslight Theatre, attending the Enid Symphony Orchestra, playing the violin, working out at Finer Physiques PERSONAL STYLE: Classic-eclectic MUST-HAVE ACCESSORY: Scarves DREAM ON-LOCATION PHOTO SHOOT: Equestrian inspired glamour on the plains and beaches of Argentina FUTURE ASPIRATION: Complete bachelor’s degree in theatre performance in May of 2015 WHAT BEAUTY MEANS TO ME: The effortless honesty of being in the moment

NAME: Elise Wade AGE: 16 DAY JOB: Miss Rodeo Oklahoma Teen 2014 HOBBIES/INTERESTS: American Quarter Horse Association, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and the Rein In Cancer Foundation PERSONAL STYLE: Funky-classy-edgy MUST-HAVE ACCESSORY: Positive attitude (as indicated by a smile) DREAM ON-LOCATION PHOTO SHOOT: Dawn Muncy’s studio... seriously!

FUTURE ASPIRATION: To graduate from OBA and pursue a degree in broadcast journalism from OSU WHAT BEAUTY MEANS TO ME: True beauty comes from within

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Smarter Than Your Average

Blockbusters

Summer is just not my time of year; autumn takes that prize. I am elated at the thought of sunsets over orange and coppertopped fields accompanied by late-year feasts and a sense of family we tend to lose sight of throughout the warmer and colder months.

There may be a slight chill in the air, but it just makes me breathe a little deeper and feel a little more at ease. Add to these aspects Oscar season, the time when our most acclaimed directors and screenwriters in Hollywood bring their best ideas out to play. I love it.

However, the warm middle months tend to be the more oft-appreciated. Grills, pools, kegs, and fireworks. It’s sudden, it’s loud, it’s All-American, and it goes hand in hand with the movies’ season of summer blockbusters.

Many are loud and obnoxious train wrecks, most are middle-ground products that only tantalize the mind when it refuses to expect much, but every now and again we get a few movies that manage to marry their genres with an artistic splendor that will keep us coming back to them down the line. This summer had many more examples of the latter than I expected. Not all of them were so lucky, however, and I’ll get those out of the way first.

No one serious about the state of the film industry expected much from Transformers: Age of Extinction but it still seems to have oversold itself. Critics almost universally agree that it is every bit as jingoistic, poorly structured, and disconnected from reality as the previous entries. The Amazing Spider Man 2 isn’t quite as much of a disaster, according to reviewers, but it is still even more of a blunt disappointment than Sony’s first attempt at the famous web-slinger. Too many straying plot lines lead to botching the most important part of Peter Parker’s story. These two films might be the norm for some other years, but the summer of 2014 has been a great surprise, so they’re just examples of a few poorly-behaved strays amongst the full-breeds.

Blockbuster season was already off to a

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promising start back in March with Captain America: The Winter Soldier. A few thematic inconsistencies aside, it leaves you feeling bright with its even mixture of smooth action and essential character beats. On the other hand, most critics felt like the next big picture, Godzilla, let important characterization fade into the background so that background could be destroyed by giant monsters for two hours.

I understand why they have to address this, but I just thought it worked. For one, seeing the film in 3D IMAX at Oklahoma’s famed Warren Theater was an experience I won’t soon forget. But more to the point, it’s primarily a film about human incompetence in the face of the sheer might of nature, and yes, stronger characters would have driven the point harder and more completely, but I thought the focus on the destruction allowed it success nevertheless. There was no problem in this regard with X-Men: Days of Future Past, however. Bryan Singer’s new entry was extraordinarily character-centric for any blockbuster, but especially for a seventh installment. It was my first experience with Marvel’s group of mutants, and I know I’ll be returning for more. But, nothing can compare to my excitement for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (I’m currently writing this the

week before its release), and I still have to see the 2011 reboot first. Comparisons from early screenings to the likes of The Empire Strikes Back and The Godfather have my blood running wild.

Now, the sheer volume of blockbusters coming out in 2015 must be discussed. Fast & Furious 7, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Mad Max: Fury Road, Jurassic World, Terminator: Genesis, Assassin’s Creed, and Star Wars Episode VII. No other words really need to be written, but I will say this – either 2015 will push us into a new age of quality action-packed sequels, or it will make us run for the hills, begging for some genuine drama and introspection in our future.

not for the faint of art

By Robert Barron

Photo by Phillip Whitaker

Suzanna Davidson, Kay Shaughnessey, Stephen Weiderkehr

Three upcoming short plays may interest Enid playgoers because they are different than the usual play. Sanctuary directed by Christianne Chase will take place at First Presbyterian Church sanctuary, two other plays Mr Puppet Goes to Television, directed by 19 year-old Chandler Jackson, and Priscilla Dreams the Answer directed by Daniel Johnson, will be held in the Turpin Theatre in Gaslight Theatre. Sanctuary is a two-act play, written by James D. Freeman. Freeman is an ordained Presbyterian minister who became acquainted with Chase during national church functions. It concerns a group of individuals who take shelter in a church sanctuary during a flood. The people have a variety of backgrounds and personal issues. In the course of the play they explore what it means to belong to a community of faith, what faith means, and how individuals perceive their relationship with God, Freeman said. Freeman wrote the play in 2002 when he was on a Lilly Endowment to take a sabbatical for an energy renewal. He chose to follow up his interest in

Photo by Cammeron Kaiser

Chandler Jackson & Daniel Johnson playwriting and drama and he was accpted at the Yale summer program. He learned of Chase’s work in the theater and dicussed the play with her after they became acquainted. Jim and I are friends. He sent me an almost final draft. I was impressed because it is good theology and good theater, and the two don’t always go together, Chase said “It has good plot line, relatable characters,” she said. The play will be performed at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church, Sat. Aug.16. Goodman will speak at 6:30 p.m.

For a meet the playwrite session. The cost is $10 and the face value will be donated to the Salvation Army Enid shelter.

“Priscilla Dreams the Answer” will be performed in the Turpin August 8th, 9th and 10th. “Mr. Puppet Goes to Television” has performances set for Aug. 22, 23 and 24th. “Mr Puppet” will also be staged in the Turpin Theatre at the Gaslight in Enid.

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Ian Coppersmith Financial Advisor Ian Coppersmith has an eagerness to help. “I want to put people in a better place than before they knew me,” says Coppersmith. “With my previous career, I was helping people with their health and quality of life and to become more active. I now get to carry that passion for helping in a different way being in the financial field.”

A physical trainer before, Coppersmith has been with Edward Jones for more than two years and finds it was the right change. “I now get to help clients assess their long term goals, whether it be retirement, sending a loved one to college, or just helping them build on their savings,” says Coppersmith.

Coppersmith pursued a career with Edward Jones after visiting a close friend in South Carolina. “He works for Edward Jones and seeing him so passionate about his job and happy with it got me thinking and made me apply,” remembers Coppersmith. He says Edward Jones simply has an amazing culture about it and is filled with people giving back

to others. “Jones is like a big family,” adds Coppersmith, “everyone wants you to do well and succeed.”

A hard worker and known as a “jokester” around his family, Coppersmith attended the small private university Lindenwood in Saint Charles, Missouri. He brought his determined and upbeat spirit to the hockey rink there, playing for the varsity team as they won the national championship back to back.

Coppersmith majored in exercise science, but the more time he spends with Edward Jones the more he has come to realize this is the best fit for him and his personality.

“I like to set goals and reach them and I have the passion and skills to help others reach their goals as well.”

Coppersmith understands trust is earned and built between two people. He knows it can be tough for new clients, or potential clients, to trust someone new as their financial 58

advisor until they get to know him. But Coppersmith says his proudest and most fulfilling moment thus far at Edward Jones was the first time a client took that leap of faith

and they worked together to reach financial milestones.

“Being a part of that process is just a great feeling,” reiterates Coppersmith.

Coppersmith is fairly new

to Enid. Recruited by Edward Jones Financial Advisor Joe Newsom, Coppersmith says the people he’s met and the warm welcome he’s received is what really makes Enid a great place to live.

Coppersmith’s friends will tell you he never meets a stranger. Friendly and outgoing, Coppersmith is excited for the future here in Enid, Oklahoma, his future with Edward Jones and the future of the current and new clients. “He is anxious to help them throughout their financial journey.”

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

Etown Sponsor Content

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5th Annual

Written & photos by Rebecca McKenny

2014

5th Annual

Ebby Stratton & Husband

As I pulled in the gravel drive to the Farmer’s Market on Garriot and Grand, I watched the vendors carefully setting up their booths. A slight flutter of nerves hit my stomach as I parked my car and began unpacking my camera from its bag. I took a deep breath, camera in hand, and started off to the circle of events for Enid’s go green initiative, cleverly titled GreEnid, unsure of how people would feel about this strange Texas girl taking their picture.

As an intern for Eagle Marketing I was assigned the job of GreEnid bag passerouter/photographer/Reuseapalooza judge.

It turns out my boss, Frank Baker, really took me seriously when I told him to use and abuse me. As I approached the event, I was met by an older man dressed in blue jean overalls, a short-sleeve plaid button-up, and an orange and camo baseball cap. I couldn’t help but smile.

Being the new girl, I decided to walk up and introduce myself. I found out that this man was a farmer named Henry. Pleased to meet me, he excitedly told me about his squash this year, with which he made four

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Chuck & Colton delicious batches of squash bread. I instantly felt welcome and decided that it was going to be a good day.

My prediction was correct! I had a blast meeting all of the people involved, photographing the on-goings of the morning, observing as the Tossed competitors toasted to a fun and friendly competition and concocted their vegetarian meals, and getting to have my opinion affect the outcome of the Reuseapalooza contest as one of the judges (next to April Danahy and Carmen Ball.)

For those of you who don’t know, Tossed is a cooking competition with a ‘chopped’ meets ‘survivor’ dynamic, in which the three competitors, Ebby Stratton, Kathy Reihm, and Randy Wedel, were required to use pre-selected ingredients, in this case of the vegetarian variety, to create a meal. Sounds simple enough right? Here’s the catch: each competitor was only given one skillet, a wok (bowl), and one grill they had to share. In addition, the selected ingredients were not revealed until the actual start of the competition, and the meal had to be prepared in the hour and a half time span.

They all did an awesome job, with Kathy Reihm finishing as the winner!

Reuseapalooza also consisted of three competitors—Park Avenue, Broadway Exchange, and Lola’s—however, each had two team members. For this competition, the teams were required to construct repurposed items out of a pile of “junk” provided by all three teams’ businesses, in an hour and a half. The results were quite impressive. The competition ended with Park Avenue as the winner.

In addition to these fun events, there was the NBC Oklahoma potato racing, where the kids (their parents) stuck wheels into their selected potato (some even went a step further and carved his or her potato for better aerodynamics) and raced them down the provided ramp which was set up in the middle of the giant circle of booths. There was also a tomato beanbag toss, face painting, SPCA dogs, live music, and more. This was a great morning and a fantastic way to encourage friendliness to the environment.

Go green GreEnid!

2014

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