19th Street May 2019

Marcum’s Nursery

Spring Planting

Westmoore Baseball

Third Time a Charm?

Veteran of the Month

Allen Vann

Chance to Dance

Former OU Poms Give Back

May | CONTENTS

2019

08 by Chip Minty

Spring Planting

Despite “terrible climate,” seasoned landscaper grows on.

12 by Jim Massara

Closer to God

Former WWII submariner turns to ministry after fighting ends.

16 by Roxanne Avery

Moore Protection

School district wraps up $110 million tornado shelter program.

20 by Emily Robinson

Half Century of Helping

Norman agency celebrates history of work with children.

ISSUE 5 - VOLUME 2 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mark Doescher

MANAGING EDITOR

Chip Minty

SENIOR EDITOR

Lindsay Cuomo

PHOTOGRAPHY

Mark Doescher Lindsay Cuomo

CONTRIBUTORS

Roxanne Avery | Sharla Bardin Heidi Brandes | Kaylee Campbell Lindsay Cuomo | Steve Marshall Jim Massara | Chip Minty Emily Robinson

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES

Tracie Gray - tracie@sportstalk1400.com Trevor Laffoon - trevor@sportstalk1400.com Perry Spencer - perry@sportstalk1400.com

PUBLISHER Randy Laffoon

24 by Sharla Bardin

Ready to Launch

Technology center to graduate more than 500 in May.

28 by Heidi Brandes

Moore in Common

Gregory’s Sporting Goods thrilled to call Moore home.

32by Steve Marshall

Third Time A Charm?

Westmoore Baseball hopes for third chance at state title.

38 by Kaylee Campbell

Chance to Dance

SportsTalk Media 2020 E. Alameda Norman, Oklahoma 73071 Phone: (405) 321-1400 E-mail: editor@boydstreet.com Copyright © SportsTalk Media Any articles, artwork or graphics created by SportsTalk Media or its contributors are sole property of SportsTalk Media and cannot be reproduced for any reason without permission. Any opinions expressed in SportsTalk are not necessarily that of SportsTalk management.

Former OU pom leader opens free dance program for kids with special needs.

44 by Lindsay Cuomo

National Stroke Awareness Month

Norman Regional hosts stroke prevention community event.

4 | May 2019

Cover photo provided

COM M U N I T Y

BY: CHIP MINTY

Spring Planting Despite “Terrible Climate,” Seasoned Landscaper Grows On

M

onty Marcum is in the business of growing plants, and as a lifelong Oklahoman, you might think he’d have a sunnier outlook when talking about Oklahoma weather.

Not so much.

“Our climate is a terrible climate to grow plants in because of the extremes,” he says.

Those are harsh words coming from someone who runs nursery businesses in Norman, south Oklahoma City, Goldsby and Ardmore. But, to Marcum’s credit, it’s the truth.

Situated in the southern plains, the Sooner state seems to be exposed to just about every meteorological whim Mother Nature rolls out. Oklahoma weather changes all the time.

There is extreme heat, and there is extreme cold. Temperature swings are frequent in the winter, moving from frost to thaw more than 50 times a year, and in July, August and September, triple-digit heat is common. A summer without triple digits is a summer to behold.

Meanwhile, rain cycles are inconsistent and prone to drought. And, the wind blows nearly every day. There’s good reason Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein wrote about the wind sweeping down the plains in what is now Oklahoma’s state song. Oklahoma without wind is not Oklahoma.

So, what’s all this mean to the thou8 | May 2019

sands of people who show up at Marcum’s and dozens of other Oklahoma nurseries every Spring? Persevere and stick with what works, said Marcum, owner of Marcum’s Nurseries.

Plants have been growing in this region for millions of years, which proves there’s a spectrum of vegetation tough enough to thrive in Oklahoma’s inhospitable conditions. But Marcum says indigenous plants are not the only path to successful landscaping. There are many plant varieties that are not indigenous, but they have demonstrated an indifference to the mine field of hazards that Oklahomans call weather.

“Nandinas are shrubs that are not indigenous, but they do great,” Marcum says.

“The Yaupon Holly is not indigenous, but they still do extremely well here.”

In fact, he said most hollies, junipers, spireas, euonymus shrubs, crape myrtles and ornamental grasses are on his list of nonindigenous varieties that flourish in Oklahoma.

A quick survey of successful landscapes in central Oklahoma will show those plants and others that Marcum considers “sustainable, hard-nosed shrubs that are going to survive.”

He says there are 15 to 20 hardy plants that should make up the spine of any good landscape,” he said. After that, gardeners can experiment with plants that are less common to see if they’ll sur-

vive and grow.

“That’s when you get to the bells and whistles of the thing,” he says Who ever said there’s no adventure in gardening?

Anyone who has strolled through a greenhouse has probably been tempted by the bells and whistles that Marcum’s talking about. They’re the exotic plants that catch the eye and seem perfect for that corner next to the patio.

Just because they’re being sold in Oklahoma doesn’t necessarily mean they work here all the time, however.

Experienced gardeners know better, and novices soon learn about the fringes of landscaping in Oklahoma. Nurseries sell exotic varieties because they work in some landscapes, but not necessarily in all of them. Survival rates are not clear cut or consistent.

That’s why Marcum calls it experimentation. Survival can depend on soil type, drainage, sun exposure, water, care and many other things.

Marcum says most of the customers he talks to have enough adventure in their lives already, so they’re not all that interested in going out on a limb by purchasing an experiment at the nursery.

That’s why he says sustainability is so important. Which brings Marcum back to his list of hard-nosed shrubs.

“When we sell stuff to people, we want them to be successful because we want them to be better customers, but sometimes it gets kind of boring.”

On the other hand, plain jane isn’t such a bad thing, he says.

“Even if it’s boring, it’s green and it’s pretty. It’s all pretty, and you can do an endless amount of landscaping with those plants, and sustainability is the key. Without sustainability, a landscape is a loser. If it’s not sustainable, your going to lose it.”

In addition to creating new landscapes, Marcum says spring is also a good time to evaluate existing landscaping around the house to determine what plants have outgrown their lifespan.

Generally, plants are good for 10 to 15 years. After that, they may become overgrown and potentially destructive.

“A plant in the wrong place is a living liability,” Marcum says. “Watch out for destructive plants and don’t be afraid to take it out and replace it with something new.”

Help is never far away, Marcum said.

Nurseries know which plants work best in Oklahoma, and many have landscape experts who are willing to drive out, do a free evaluation and offer advice. Also, smart phones have made it easy for gardeners to photograph and video their yards when they have questions.

So, despite Oklahoma weather and its extremes, Marcum says there is no reason to wave the white flag. Successful landscapes may not always be flashy, but most of the time, they’re pretty.

“Common sense and a practical approach are the keys to success.” – 19SM

COM M U N I T Y

Closer to God

BY: JIM MASSARA

PRESENTED BY

Former WWII Submariner Turns to Ministry After Fighting Ends

T

he first thing you notice about Allen Vann is his handshake. It’s exceptionally firm. That makes it all the more surprising that Vann, one of several dozen World War II veterans at the Norman Veterans Center, recently celebrated his 100th birthday.

“Everyone here knows Allen” because of how active he is, says Rose Bollinger, recreation specialist on Vann’s unit. “He walks laps around the pond. People are shocked when they find out he’s 100.”

Vann earned his place at the center by loading torpedoes on the U.S.S. Seahorse, one of the first American submarines in the Pacific Theater and one of the best at sinking Japanese ships.

“She was a gallant old gal,” Vann says.

12 | May 2019

“When we went out, we never missed.”

In fact, the Seahorse sank 20 ships, making it one of the deadliest American submarines during the war.

That experience brought him closer to God in more ways than one. After risking life and limb, Vann decided to study the Bible on the G.I. Bill at Abilene Christian College, now Abilene Christian University. He became a preacher for the Church of Christ.

“I wasn’t a wicked person, but I was military,” Vann says. “I’d had four years, almost five years of killing. I wanted to do something” — his voice breaks and trails off — “besides killing.”

After two years of study, Vann traveled Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and

Wyoming, preaching for churches that couldn’t afford a full-time minister.

up on me.” And that’s how he arrived at the Norman Veterans Center.

“I went to very difficult places where the Bible was not very well known,” Vann says. “I went to so many places, I don’t remember.”

His wife passed away about 10 years ago. His sons, one now in Oklahoma City and the other in Dallas, visit him about once a year, he says.

He eventually finished his studies and settled in Oklahoma City, where he married and raised two sons. They both followed their father into the military and both, Vann says, are “faithful Christians.”

“I don’t do any traveling any more,” Vann says. “For one thing, I don’t have the time, and for another thing I don’t have the money. This is home for me now.”

Vann’s career took yet another turn when he was in his 40s, this time from preaching to teaching when he signed on as a teacher at Mark Twain Elementary School in Oklahoma City. He later became principal at the school.

“I wanted to get with some kids that I thought I could influence,” Vann says. “I wanted to get down to the ground level, because I could see a need in education.”

After that, Vann returned to preaching.

Then, as he put it, “time was catching

Vann’s room at the center is neat and comfortable, with an American flag on the wall and a Bible on the bookshelf, both representing important phases of his life.

That, Vann says, is how he wants to be remembered.

“I would like to be recognized as a devout Christian and citizen,” Vann says. “I believe in my country, I love my country. But if it comes to between what my country teaches and what my church teaches, I’ll go with the Lord.”

- 19SM

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COM M U N I T Y

BY: ROXANNE AVERY

Moore Protection

School District Wraps up $110 Million Tornado Shelter Program

D

ark, swirling storm clouds advanced in Southwest Oklahoma on May 20, 2013 as students in Moore were wrapping up another day of school.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service had issued a tornado watch for the eastern two-thirds of Oklahoma, and they were tracking a brew of meteorological conditions as they developed.

What they saw was no ordinary storm.

Eventually, the weather service issued a tornado warning for the Moore area, and worried parents began arriving to pick up kids as a tornado touched down northwest of Newcastle, damaging three homes as it continued to intensify.

The storm grew rapidly, evolving into a wedge-shaped structure of high wind and rain that forecasters identified as a tornado emergency. As the storm headed toward Moore and south Oklahoma City, chaos ensued as traffic was jammed several miles along Santa Fe Avenue.

As the tornado continued east, it slammed into Briarwood Elementary School and continued northeast to Plaza Towers Elementary. The storm continued to rage over a 17-mile path, killing 24 people and injuring 212, causing a nightmare of structural damaged all along the way, but two of the hardest hit were the elementary schools.

As a result of the storm, the Moore community resolved to build storm shelters in all of its schools and the last four are 16 | May 2019

under construction now. Shelters at Waylon Bonds Elementary, Oak Ridge Elementary, Heritage Trails Elementary and alternative school VISTA are expected to be complete by fall.

The cost for 35 shelters across the school district was $110 million, paid for through a bond issue put to voters in October 2015.

“These shelters are not just a tornado shelter, they’re usable space students are in and out of every single day,” said Moore Schools Superintendent Robert Romines. “Some schools received media centers while others received lecture centers or athletic components like gymnasiums or new classrooms. They are all built to withstand an EF5 tornado.”

“It’s a good feeling to know we have storm shelters at every site for students whose parents can’t get to the school in a timely manner, as well as for our staff,” Romines said. “We work up to the last minute with parents to get students checked out and parents can check their kids out from school at any time during the day if there is inclement weather.”

Eastlake Elementary third grade teacher Julie Stephenson said she is grateful for the shelters.

“Having these shelters has really changed the way I feel coming to school on a severe weather day. It has taken the worry out of my day which helps me take the worry out of my students’ day,” she said. – 19SM

An exciting summer education program for students ages 9-14!

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There will be no discrimination in the technology center because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender expression or identity, national origin, religion, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, age, or genetic information in its programs, services, activities and employment. The district also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the technology center’s nondiscrimination policies: MNTC's Human Resources Director (for employees) and the Student Services Director (for students). Inquiries concerning the application of this policy may be made by calling (405) 801-5000 or by visiting the Franklin Road campus at 4701 12th Avenue NW, Norman, Oklahoma 73069. Materials approved for distribution are not sponsored or endorsed by Norman Public Schools or Moore Public Schools.

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Half Century of Helping

I

Norman Agency Celebrates History of Work with Children

n celebration of its 50th anniversary, the Center for Children and Families is recognizing those who have contributed to the organization through the years.

CCFI Chief Executive Brandon Brooks, says the organization is pausing in the month of May to reflect on people in the community who have helped the organization bring positive change to children and families who have experienced trauma.

He said the agency has grown and adapted its services over the years to better serve its clients. Beginning in 20 | May 2019

1969 as a safe haven for children entering the foster care system, CCFI now provides a much more expansive suite of services.

The agency’s counseling staff helps children who’s lives have been disrupted by divorce, abuse or other types of trauma, and the agency works closely with other agencies such as Boys and Girls Club of Norman.

“You can see the stress and strain on the faces of the families we serve when they first come to us,” Brooks said. “Knowing what the kids have been through can be deeply troubling.”

CCFI is best-known for its counseling program, which provides mental health care to children.

As CCFI casts its vision for the next 50 years, the agency is changing the way people can donate, Brooks said.

Brooks said trauma is not just being exposed to abuse or neglect, but it could also be caused by a lack of affection or attention. He said it’s important for the community to be more aware of what can cause childhood trauma because Oklahoma has one of the highest occurrences of adverse childhood experiences.

“We count on our donors to make multi-year donations. Those pledges are so critical to our work because they allows us to make strategic decisions to carry out our organization’s mission.”

“We have a lot of work to do. We have more mothers in prison than any other state. Think about what that does to a family,” Brooks said.

On its website, CCFI is highlighting its history of leadership and stories about those the agency has helped. The features include leaders such as Libba Smith, the organization’s first executive director. There are also stories about young mothers who received resources and classes to create healthy environments for their children, and stories about children who build friendships and life skills through the Boys and Girls Club.

Additionally, CCFI is excited to launch a pilot program called Trauma Drama, which will give kids in middle and high school the opportunity to deal with difficult experiences through acting. This type of therapy will allow teens to act out scenes related to their trauma, have meaningful conversations about their experiences and explore their feelings in a healthy way.

“We are constantly looking at new and inventive ways to impact our community,” Brooks said. “The outcome of the work we do has a ripple effect. We aren’t just serving kids, we are serving their parents and other family members.”

More information about the organization is available at www.ccfinorman.org – 19SM

COM M U N I T Y

Ready to Launch

BY: SHARLA BARDIN

Technology Center to Graduate More Than 500 in May

T

he May graduation of students from Moore Norman Technology Center is more than a ceremony to honor their achievements.

The commencement is a launching of students into the region’s workforce or an advancement to further education at local colleges and universities.

These graduates also represent individuals who are making career changes or those who are currently employed and have updated and enhanced their job skills.

This year, 567 are scheduled to graduate from the technology center. The ceremony on May 22 is at the University of Oklahoma’s Lloyd Noble Center.

Here are some facts, figures and future plans from the center’s graduates:

GRADUATES REFLECT A MIX OF AGES The technology center’s students include high school and adult students of all ages. High school students come 24 | May 2019

from the center’s five partner schools, which include Moore, Westmoore, Southmoore, Norman and Norman North high schools. The technology center also serves private and home schools.

Of the center’s graduates, 91 percent either go to work or to further education, said Jeanette Capshaw, the technology center’s deputy superintendent.

“Last year, our students earned over $1 million in scholarships toward higher education,” Capshaw said.

For those who enter the workforce, the average wage of graduates starts at $14.78 per hour to a high of $55 per hour, according to the center.

PROGRAMS HELP PREPARE STUDENTS FOR IN-DEMAND FIELDS Students at the technology center can choose programs from a variety of career fields, such as business and financial services, computer information

technology, construction, health and manufacturing.

student can train and be employed with minimal debt,” she said.

In addition, center officials meet with business and industry leaders, who serve on program advisory committees, to discuss and modify curriculum to ensure it matches workplace needs.

The curriculum is designed to encourage learning through experience, so students have the opportunity to learn through theory and hands-on practice.

GRADUATES ENHANCE REGION’S ECONOMY

Students at the technology center can also earn state and national certifications in their industries.

Affordability also is one of the reasons that students choose to attend the technology center.

Adult students can attend for an average of $2.50 per hour and high school students attend for free, Capshaw said.

In addition, the center has a tuition waiver program available for adult students younger than 21, and “an adult

“Successful MNTC graduates — both high school and adult — are immediately prepared to become economic contributors to the Norman and Moore communities, and they will help elevate our state’s economy over their working lifetime,” Capshaw said.

She also said her hopes for the graduates going forward is that they will build on the skills and knowledge they’ve received from the center.

“Moore Norman Technology Center prepares every student to be career-college ready, and my hope is that they use this valuable experience to build a rewarding career and life for their families,” she said. – 19SM

B U S I N E SS

BY: HEIDI BRANDES

Moore in Common

P

Gregory’s Sporting Goods Thrilled to Call Moore Home

erhaps it was destiny, but after 38 years of doing business in Del City, sporting goods store owner Gregory Moore has found a community with ‘Moore’ in common. So, on April 11, the company held a ribbon cutting in the City of Moore and started a new era.

“We opened Gregory’s Sporting Goods in the fall of 1981 in Del City. After 38 years, we’ve become famous. People drive in from all over the state,” said Moore, owner and founder. “Del City wanted to attract a national chain store, so they gave us the boot. We called the city of Moore and they were happy to help us.”

On Feb. 12, Gregory’s Sporting Goods closed its doors in Del City, and three days later, Moore opened his doors at 609 N Moore Ave, on the south end of City Center.

“We moved 15,000 square feet of merchandise,” Moore said. “We are happy to be in Moore. The future here is bright.”

While the future is sunshine today, be28 | May 2019

coming one of the most famous independent sporting goods stores in the state was not as easy.

Moore’s father was a successful businessman, operating Don’s Alley restaurant in Del City when a friend of the family came to him with the idea of opening a sporting goods store. Instead of opening the store, the friend ended up leaving for New Mexico, so the Moores decided to open it themselves.

Moore said they called the store Gregory’s because they didn’t want to confuse customers with a store called Moore’s that operates in Del City.

“We weren’t very successful in our first 10 years. It was actually kind of a stupid thing to do. There was so much competition, and we had to learn the business.”

He says they finally found success by becoming the premier sporting equipment dealer for softball and baseball, two of Oklahoma’s most popular sports.

“Baseball and softball never really ends. The seasons take off from Thanks-

giving to mid-January, but there’s always ball,” he said. “They’ve become the biggest sports, and that’s how we found our niche. The big box sports stores have some baseball and softball equipment, but they also have fishing and camping and clothes. We continue with our niche and just focus on serving that niche.”

they can quickly react to ever-changing trends. Being local, Oklahoma natives, the owners have relationships with teams, players and coaches, and they know what their customers want.

At Gregory’s, the staff fits players into shoes, lace up gloves and offer samples of uniforms for customers. Even in the new location, Moore sees desperate customers who need help because merchandise they ordered from big retailers or on the internet isn’t what they needed.

“We are happy to be here in Moore. The mayor and the city helped us find this spot, and we just had our ribbon cutting,” Moore said. “We hit the ground running, and we have everything just about organized.”

“We feel like we give good service to people. In fact, we are Wilson’s Sporting Goods’ 17th largest dealer in the central alley, and we have become the big boy dealer because we can buy so much and charge lower prices,” Moore said.

Gregory’s Sporting Goods has always had a hands-on approach to doing business. Owners Gregory and Joe Moore work to service customer requests, and

The community of Moore may be a new home, but to Moore, it feels like he’s come home.

And customers are taking notice.

“We are seeing lots of new faces and customers, and we’re getting more southern customers from towns like Lindsay, Tuttle and Wayne,” Moore said. “We’re just closer to people here and right off the highway. This is a great place to do business.”

For more information, visit gregoryssportinggds.com.– 19SM

S P O RT S

BY: STEVE MARSHALL

Third Time a Charm?

PRESENTED BY

T

Westmoore Baseball Hopes for Third Chance at State Title

he Westmoore Jaguars are once again among the favorites to contend for the 6A baseball championship as the regular season winds down and teams begin post-season play.

The Jags have made it to the title game each of the last two years only to lose to Mustang in the 2017 championship and then to Union in last year’s title game by a score of 3-2.

Joe Patterson is in his fourth year as the head coach of the Jags and he hopes all that post-season experience, despite the losses, will help Westmoore bring home their first title since the team won it back in 1994.

“It’s been tough to lose in the title game two consecutive years,” said Patterson.

“But I believe because of that we’re better prepared to take on just about any obstacles that stand in our way this year.”

Westmoore roared into the playoffs, winning 16 straight to finish the regular season with an overall record of 28-5, 13-0 in district play and won the-end32 | May 2019

of-the-year Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference Tournament.

The Jaguars return eight players from last year’s squad, which finished 33-6. That team featured some of the state’s top talent. That includes right-handed pitcher and infielder Kale Davis, who has signed with Oklahoma State University.

Davis is ranked third in the state and 67th in the country, according to Prep Baseball Report. Davis ended the regular season with an 8-0 record and an ERA of 0.46 with 74 strikeouts in 45 innings.

“He’s our horse,” Patterson said. “He has pitched into the sixth or seventh inning in every one of his starts this year.

Throw in the fact he’s batting .347 with an on-base-percentage of .534, and you can see why he is one of the top players in the state and in the country.”

Jace Bohrofen is the top hitter on the Jaguar squad, leading in home runs with 10, RBIs with 59 and a batting average of .480.

“He is the best hitter I’ve ever coached,” Patterson said, “although I don’t know that I have a lot to do with his hitting ability, he’s just a natural hitter.”

Bohrofen is just a junior and is listed as the top uncommitted player in the country, ranked fourth overall in Oklahoma and 39th in the country as a first baseman and outfielder by Prep Baseball Report.

Junior outfielder Cameron Uselton is a Kansas State commit, and he heads into post-season play with 26 RBIs and a .308 batting average. He is the younger brother of former high school All-American Connor Uselton, who now plays in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

Chance Westervelt is the Jags catcher, and Prep Baseball Report lists him as the No. 1 senior catcher in Oklahoma, and he is one of the team’s top hitters, with a batting average of .388, hitting four home runs to go along with 47 RBIs.

Senior shortstop Erick Rey, who has committed with the University of Central Oklahoma, is the Jags lead-off hitter, and he’s ranked No. 44 in the state’s senior class with a .290 batting average and a .470 on-base percentage.

The one area coach Patterson would like to see improve is the team’s situational hitting.

“I think that is probably true for most teams at this point of the season,” he said. “Sometimes, it’s not about getting 12 or 13 hits a game as much as it is when you get those hits. Some of the games the last two years, we’ve just left too many runners on base.”

The Jaguars are hoping for some timely hitting and pitching in this year’s post-season play to put them over the top and bring home the championship.– 19SM

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Chance to Dance Former OU Pom Leader Opens Free Dance Program for Kids With Special Needs

T

here are 11 children with special needs who are getting the opportunity to experience something many kids never get the chance to enjoy, and it’s all because of a former University of Oklahoma Pom captain.

In fact, it was OU Pom that gave Kristen Privette the opportunity to discover her calling.

“I’ve always wanted to help people in a direct way,” Privette said. “While on OU Pom … we got to volunteer at the Special Olympics. I think that was the first initial spark when I discovered that I really like the special needs community. They’re so open and loving. They’re themselves 100 percent, and I love that about them.”

A separate appearance with the squad took Privette to Prom Night - an annual event for patients at Children’s Hospi38 | May 2019

tal at OU Medical Center.

Today, Privette is a licensed physical therapist, and she now works at Children’s Hospital.

As a result of all of her experience with Special Olympics and at Children’s Hospital, Privette started a dance class last year that was specifically designed for students with special needs. Fittingly, Privette established the class at the same studio where she learned to dance as a 4-year-old.

“The studio has been so great,” Privette said. “I grew up here.”

When Privette approached Dancenter about the project, studio director Lori Hays Elder embraced the idea immediately, and she agreed to donate the studio time for the program that Privette has named “A Chance to Dance.”

“I’ve always dreamed of creating a class like this, but I was always a little afraid to do it,” Privette said. “And going through school for physical therapy, I realized that these kids don’t always get the same opportunities as those that are typically developing.

“Now that I have that skill-set to help them - I see those kids on a daily basis at work - I feel like it’s my duty to do that for them.”

Privette also has help in her assistant Madi Galier, who she met at OU. When Madi was a freshman at OU, Privette was her OU Pom captain. Galier, a former Westmoore High School graduate, will graduate from OU this month.

“She does this just out of the goodness of her heart,” Privette said. “Neither of us get paid for it, and I mean, that’s the way I like it.”

A Chance to Dance started with its first class in August 2018, and it now has 11 students coming from as far away as

Harrah, Hobart and Lindsey. They also have a waiting list with about 20 other students.

Privette said she is on the lookout for the right person to help her and Galier teach dance to as many children as possible.

The rest of the students at Dancenter by Lori are getting involved, too. They have begun raising money to help provide A Chance to Dance students with costumes and shoes so they will be able to participate in the studio’s annual recital.

The recital will take place June 22 at The Nancy O’Brien Performing Arts Center in Norman. It is open to the public, and — like the class — it is free to attend.

For more information about A Chance to Dance, contact Dancenter by Lori at 595-7037 or Kristen Privette at kristin. privette@yahoo.com. Dancenter by Lori is at 1901 N Moore Ave., in Moore.

– 19SM

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BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

National Stroke Awarenes Month

Left to Right: Angela Carrick, DO, Emergency Medicine Physician and Co-Medical Director of the Stroke Program, Courtney Stark, RN, stroke program coordinator and registered nurse and Smaranda Galis, MD, Neurologist and Co-Medical Director of the Stroke Program

Norman Regional Hosts Stroke Prevention Community Event

B

ecause May is Stroke Awareness Month, it is a pertinent time to talk about the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of long-term disability for adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 800,000 people have a stroke each year.

which refers to the sudden numbness many experience. S stands for speech, as in the slurred or strange speech that is a tell-tale sign. T stands for time, since the first hours after a stroke are critical. Galis said other symptoms include vision problems, difficulty smiling, confusion and a severe headache.

That is roughly one incident every 40 seconds.

With all the seriousness surrounding a stroke, it is important to remember that strokes are preventable. While age, ethnicity and family history do play a role, Galis said “there is a lot we can do to prevent a stroke.”

Dr. Smaranda Galis, a neurologist with Norman Regional Health System and the co-director for the hospital’s stroke program, said that a stroke can happen to anyone regardless of age or gender, which makes knowing the signs so important.

“A stroke is a brain attack that occurs when an artery carrying oxygen or nutrient rich blood is blocked,” Galis explained. “Tissue begins to die due to the lack of blood.”

The CDC offers an easy to remember acronym, F.A.S.T., to help recognize a stroke.

The F stands for face and the A for arms, 44 | May 2019

“We cannot change who we are but we do have some degree of control of our lifestyle.”

High blood pressure, smoking, obesity, heart disease and even mental illness can increase the risk of having a stroke, as well as migraines and some contraceptives.

“Every year, we have almost 130,000 people die from a stroke,” Galis said.

But, with the total number of strokes annu-

ally at more than six times that, it is important to note that strokes are also treatable.

“At Norman Regional, we have a talented emergency group, and we also have an intensive care unit and stroke treatment center that offers high-quality care,” Galis said.

Their stroke program was recently awarded the American Stroke Association’s Get with the Guidelines award.

“This award means our stroke team follows the most stringent guidelines of care and best practices and that we stay up to date with our treatments,” Galis explained.

If you or a loved one has a stroke, Galis said Norman Regional will be there every step of the way, from emergency care to rehabilitation.

“We help patients determine their risk factors and find the best preventive medications. We also educate our patients about living a healthy lifestyle and the importance of following up regularly with a primary care doctor,” Galis said.

Norman Regional is hosting a Get Stroke Smart health fair on May 11 at the Norman Regional Hospital Education Center, 901 N. Porter Ave. Attendees can get free health screenings and hear from physicians about stroke risk factors, treatment and prevention.

Appointments are required to receive a free carotid artery disease screening and, to receive blood test results at the event, blood must be drawn before Tuesday, May 7.

To learn more, visit www.normanregional.com/services/stroke-center or call 5155000 to make appointments for the event.

– 19SM

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