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Behind the mask Formal Fantasy has donated over 350 masks to Stillwater Medical Center

C OV E R S T O RY

From formal wear to face masks K ay l a Dunn E di tor in C h ief @ KaylaJ_D u n n

Formal Fantasy has sewn and sold formal wear in Stillwater for the past 21 years, but this spring, it halted production for a new undertaking: mask making. Because of COVID-19 and the subsequent statewide closure of nonessential businesses, Formal Fantasy had to close its doors to prom-goers and soon to be brides. But owner Stacia Smith didn’t take the time to simply rest. “Stillwater Medical Center announced that they were asking for seamstresses to make masks,” Smith said. “There was a way for me and my staff to help the community.” Not allowing Stillwater’s Shelter in Place order to halt production entirely, Formal Fantasy has created and donated over 350 masks to SMC. To help pay for the fabric and cost of each mask, Formal Fantasy fills mask orders for businesses in Stillwater. For every mask Formal Fantasy sells, they donate one to Stillwater Medical Center. “We originally started this as the donation drive, and we’ve only moved to selling them to help us buy more fabric to give more donations,” Smith said. Smith employs four part-time employees who

have been helping to craft the masks. They use the pattern that the Stillwater Medical Center requested, which includes an accordion pleated mask with four layers of cotton and a tie string. Each masks takes around 20 to 25 minutes to create. “We’re not selling anything other than masks,” Smith laughed. “It’s been really nice for us to use our abilities to still help the community.” For members of the community that are purchasing masks, they also offer masks with elastic ear loops and in a various of colors and designs. Smith explained that they want to provide people a broad variety. “We did have a couple of businesses place large orders for their staffs, which was really exciting,” Smith said. According to a report by the U.S. Public Interest group, the price of face masks has increased 166% from the average price. The scarcity of masks and increased costs has been a strain on hospitals nationwide. Citizens like Smith and her staff are helping to fill that need, and the bulk mask orders from local business allow Formal Fantasy to donate more masks to SMC. “When the suggestion came out to have their staff members wear masks, [local businesses] called us and talked with us about bulk orders,”

Smith said. The support from the community has increased Formal Fantasy’s ability to donate to SMC. Individuals looking to purchase a mask can call Formal Fantasy and place an order or buy them from local shops such as Charlie’s Discount Drug. Formal Fantasy sells the masks for $15 each and offers a $5 discount on orders of four or more. Due to Stillwater’s continued encouragement of Shelter in Place policies, Formal Fantasy will continue to operate by phone call and appointment. “We will continue to make masks as the community needs it,” Smith said.

adam luther/O’COLLY

Formal Fantasy owner Stacia Smith works from home during COVID, creating and donating masks to Stillwater Medical

N E WS

Student teachers lament loss of classroom time J e t Turn er Staf f R epo rter @Je tBTurn er

Emma Schlebach has wanted to be a teacher her whole life. Now, with Oklahoma State University and the Stillwater Public School District canceling all inperson classes, Schlebach will miss out on the best experience an aspiring teacher can receive. Schlebach, a music education major at OSU, is missing out on her student teaching experience. When Schlebach found out she would not be able to complete her student teaching, a variety of emotions overcame her. “I cried,” Schlebach said. “I checked my email because I had heard some schools were closing, and (the email) said that we were not allowed to come back to our placements until the end of April, and then eventually it was never. “So, I cried and was stressed because we did not know if we were going to get certified and if that affected graduation and what I say when applying for jobs. And then I realized about two weeks later that no one really knew what was going on because no one has been in a situation like this before. There was a lot of uncertainty.” Student teaching was not Schlebach’s first experience teaching. She has conducted the First New Methodist Church Children’s Choir since 2018 and has experience teaching her

peers as a section leader in OSU’s Concert Chorale. She even had the chance to lead the Concert Chorale, which encompasses about 55 members. The student teaching experience was supposed to show Schlebach what is in store for her once she enters the workforce as a music educator. “Student teaching for me was an incredible practice of living in the moment,” Schlebach said. Schlebach did her first day of student teaching at Edmond Memorial High School while the choir there was getting ready for the Oklahoma Music Educators Association Conference. While the choir was preparing, Schlebach was observing and taking notes on the director’s teaching. “Then we had a plan after Martin Luther King Jr. Day that I would have a certain amount of responsibility,” Schlebach said. “Then, the drama teacher resigned, and my cooperating teacher took on a lot of extra responsibility outside of their own choirs. So, I would just show up every day and say, ‘OK, what do they want me to do today?’ I never really knew, but I was ready to do anything.” Not being able to complete student teaching leaves some perspective teachers feeling as though they will be at a disadvantage when entering the workforce. Katie Eddings, a human development and family science major, said missing certain experiences, such as parent teacher conferences,

harms her experience for the workforce. She will have to experience what parent teacher conferences are like for the first time as a certified teacher. “It’ll definitely put me at a disadvantage,” Eddings said. “I feel like, for the most part, I am prepared for going into the career. There are just things like parent teacher conferences, testing and different things like that I do not feel like I am really ready for.” Eddings jumped among a few majors before deciding to go into education. Now she is finally doing what she loves. Interacting with kids every day was one of Eddings favorite part about student teaching. “I was getting pretty close with the students,” Eddings said. “I would come in, and I would get hugs every day. “I was gone for a couple of days at the beginning of the semester, and when I came back, they all freaked out. Being a teacher, you grow this really big connection with your students, and I really miss them. I think I influenced them a lot and helped them meet some different goals in their educational and developmental achievement.” The coronavirus cut Eddings experiences with her students short on March 12 when OSU announced its intentions to hold classes online for two weeks after spring break. On March 18, it announced students would finish the semester online. Student teachers were not

Courtesy of Emma Schlebach

Emma Schlebach, a music education major at Oklahoma State University, had her student teaching experience altered because of the coronavirus.

allowed to go back to the school placements, even if the Public School Districts opened again. The Stillwater Public School District began its distance learning program April 6. Robert Graalman, president of the Stillwater School Board, said Stillwater was prepared for the challenge of moving all of its Pre-K–12th grade learning online. “I was not surprised (when the schools closed),” Graalman said. “The school board has an enormous range of policies that cover every possible emergency, it seems. Some of these policies would go back to other similar crises such as the SARS virus. So, we were equipped with plans that, for the current situation, just needed to be refined a little bit so that we can move ahead.”

Graalman said he is always impressed with the teachers, principals and school board members in Stillwater, but there are only a few times he has been overly impressed with their efforts in his five years on the board. The last time was during the teacher strike two years ago. “I would say that what we have gone through the last two weeks is at least (at the level of the teacher walkout) if not beyond in terms of the quality of our personnel and how passionate they are about getting young people educated,” Graalman said. Some student teachers are concerned about what the implications of distance schooling could have for the home life of students. Mattie Awtrey, a human development and family science major, is worried some kids might not have

their safe space anymore. “I really miss being in the classroom with the kiddos,” Awtrey said. “We think about kids that we might know that are not in good homes or do not have the resources they need like food or a good place to stay. For a lot of students that I have known and that I have interacted with, school is their safe space. So I think the hardest part for me has been knowing that a lot of those kids are not in their safe place anymore.” Awtrey comes from a family of teachers. Teaching is something she has always wanted to do. Most education and human science students have to complete field experience hours before they begin their student teaching, but Awtrey said that field experience does not compare to student teaching. full story at ocolly.com

lifestyle

New to Netflix in May E l li e Mele r o Ne ws Editor @ e l ean or _m el er o

Mayor Will Joyce announced Monday the City of Stillwater would begin the process of reopening Friday, but for those who aren’t quite ready to leave their houses yet, Netflix has you covered. Netflix has a great list of movies and TV shows heading to its catalog in May, and if you’re not quite sure where to start your binge watching session, I have some suggestions for you. Here’s what I’m most excited to watch this month. Avatar: The Last Airbender I don’t care what anybody says, this is the real “Avatar.” The animation is beautiful, the characters are relatable, and the storyline is compelling. It’s enjoyable to watch no matter what age you are, and I get something different out of it each time I watch an episode. This is arguably one of the best animated shows of all time. Plus, who doesn’t love season 3 Zuko? Sinister I’m a huge horror fan, and this is truly one of the best horror movies I’ve ever seen. I remember watching it at my cousin’s house in middle school with my sister, and all three of us decided to cram onto my cousin’s little bed that night because we were scared. I’m excited to watch it again after all these years, and Sinister II

is on Netflix, too, so I’m going to make it a double feature. Dead to Me: Season 2 A lot of people think Netflix Originals are hit or miss, and for me, this one’s a hit. I binged season 1 in two days. It does a good job of showing realistic grief, so you can actually feel for the characters, but there are also plenty of lighthearted moments that make you laugh. If you’re looking for something different to watch, I definitely recommend this. Underworld (1, 2 and 3 I really enjoy these movies; they were actually the first rated R movies I ever saw. They’re great for fantasy and action movie lovers, like myself. The overarching plot is good, and each movie is also to keep you hooked. Plus, since all three of them are coming to Netflix at the same time, you can have a nice little binge session. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend If you haven’t seen the “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” you need to. It’s completely ridiculous, absolutely hilarious and just overall amazing. This is an interactive episode, too, so I’m sure it’ll be even better than usual. Here’s a full list of what’s coming to Netflix in May. May 1 All Day and a Night Almost Happy Get In Go! Go! Cory Carson: The Chrissy

The Half of It Hollywood Into the Night — Netflix Original Medici: The Magnificent: Part 2 Mrs. Serial Killer Reckoning: Season 1 Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Back to the Future Back to the Future Part II Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Cracked Up, The Darrell Hammond Story Den of Thieves For Colored Girls Fun with Dick & Jane I Am Divine Jarhead Jarhead 2: Field of Fire Jarhead 3: The Siege Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Masha and the Bear: Season 4 Material Monthly Girls’ Nozaki Kun: Season 1 Sinister Song of the Sea The Curious Case of Benjamin Button The Heartbreak Kid The Patriot Thomas & Friends: Marvelous Machinery: A New Arrival Thomas & Friends: Marvelous Machinery: World of Tomorrow Thomas & Friends: Thomas and the Royal Engine Underworld Underworld: Evolution Underworld: Rise of the Lycans Urban Cowboy What a Girl Wants Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

May 4 Arctic Dogs May 5 Jerry Seinfeld: 23 Hours To Kill May 6 Becoming Workin’ Moms: Season 4 May 7 Scissor Seven: Season 2 May 8 18 regali Chico Bon Bon: Monkey with a Tool Belt Dead to Me: Season 2 The Eddy The Hollow: Season 2 House at the End of the Street Restaurants on the Edge: Season 2 Rust Valley Restorers: Season 2 Valeria May 9 Charmed: Season 2 Grey’s Anatomy: Season 16 May 11 Bordertown: Season 3 Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics Trial By Media May 12 True: Terrific Tales Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend May 13 The Wrong Missy May 14 Riverdale: Season 4 May 15 Avatar: The Last Airbender (Seasons 1-3) Chichipatos District 9 I Love You, Stupid Inhuman Resources Magic for Humans: Season 3 She-Ra and the Princess-

es of Power: Season 5 White Lines May 16 La reina de Indias y el conquistador Public Enemies United 93 May 17 Soul Surfer May 18 The Big Flower Fight May 19 Patton Oswalt: I Love Everything Sweet Magnolias Trumbo May 20 Ben Platt Live From Radio City Music Hall The Flash: Season 6 Rebelión de los Godinez May 22 Control Z History 101 Just Go With It The Lovebirds Selling Sunset: Season 2 Trailer Park Boys: The Animated Series: Season 2 May 23 Dynasty: Season 3 May 25 Ne Zha Norm of the North: Family Vacation Uncut Gems May 26 Hannah Gadsby: Douglas May 27 I’m No Longer Here The Lincoln Lawyer May 28 Dorohedoro La corazonada May 29 Space Force — Netflix Original Somebody Feed Phil: Season 3 May 31 High Strung Free Dance

Idaho is the secret Colorado Check out the full blog on ocolly.com

FOR RELEASE MAY 1, 2020

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

Houses For Rent

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

ACROSS 1 Declare 7 Domestic power connection, briefly 13 Large envelope 14 One working on arrangements 15 Feature of communication with space probes 17 Relevant 18 Escargot gatherer’s bounty? 20 Quebec neighbor 21 Harvest worker needing a bath? 30 Chewbacca trait 31 Club usually numbered 33 Frisée is its curly variety 34 Digestive aid 36 Your alternative 37 Flavored thirst quencher 40 Much ado about nothing? 43 Study aids 44 Successful gem seeker’s cry? 52 Butcher’s staple 54 Horn of Africa country 55 Little Debbie competitor 56 Blinker, e.g. 57 Many a Sunday magazine 58 Kindly DOWN 1 Tsp. and tbsp. 2 Sloop feature 3 __ Valley, Calif. 4 Pre-K follower 5 Be dependent 6 Kisser 7 Type of skiing 8 Natural light refractor 9 Sophisticated rock genre, briefly FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020

600+ Rental Units Available Full Listings @ Stillwaterpm. com Stillwater Property 633 N. Husband 405-743-2126

Your Classified Ad or Business Square could be here! $10/Week Published online 3 times a week. Email ads@ocolly.com or lori@ocolly.com Advertise your business specials, online or remote church activities, houses and apartments for rent, help wanted ads, or any other special your business is offering.

By Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency

Level 1

5/1/20

By Jeffrey Wechsler

10 Kissers 11 It offered soldiers Hope: Abbr. 12 Some hot rods 14 Muslim ascetics 16 Easy putt, in casual golf 19 Low isles 21 Religious prefix 22 Big name in animation 23 Down for a pillow 24 Mill fill 25 Snake or Gila: Abbr. 26 Analogue for -like 27 Rice dish 28 Verdi baritone aria 29 Relative of Fido 32 “You ain’t gwyne to drink a drop-__ single drop”: Twain 34 Word with lion or horse 35 Leather punch 37 Gallon’s 3.785 38 Summer treats

Daily Horoscope

c las s if ieds

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

5/1/20

Solution to Thursday’s puzzle

39 They may drift over valleys 41 “You have some crust!” 42 It may have many ashes 44 Nickname for Esther 45 __-watch: continue viewing a show you no longer like

5/1/20

46 ICU or ER site 47 Expressionist painter Nolde 48 All the __: popular 49 Radius neighbor 50 Slant 51 School since 1701 52 X as in Xerxes 53 Chaney of film

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

Today’s Birthday (05/01/20). Broaden your terrain this year. Discipline and organization build strong professional foundations. Reaching a shared financial obstacle this summer leads to a communication breakthrough. Adapt to changing conditions. Shift income sources next winter for a bonus in your shared accounts. Win through collaboration. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) -- Today is an 8 -- You can see what wasn’t clear before. Gain an unexpected insight into health, wellness and physical energy. Focus action toward building core strength. Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Brilliant creativity flowers along with unexpected romance. Enjoy profound conversations with people you love. Savor spontaneous fun and games. Get playful together. Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Talk about ways to make your home dreamier. You’re especially intuitive. Share insights with family and housemates. Clean and organize. Add color and spice. Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Things are starting to make sense. Take future appreciation into account. Make a creative revelation or discovery. Listen to your muses and follow their instructions. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- You’re full of creative moneymaking ideas. Let other people’s resources work for you through partnership and collaboration. Avoid controversy or fuss. Discuss lucrative possibilities. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Talk about personal dreams and visions for the future you’d love to inhabit. As you gain strength, you also gain options. Nurture your energy. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- New insights guide your thinking. Consider long-term dreams and revise plans to adapt to current changes. Peaceful productivity leads to revelations and discovery. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Learn from other viewpoints. Share resources, information and insight with friends and allies. Find what you need nearby. Connect and collaborate for common good. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is a 9 -- Focus on professional priorities. Make an unexpected and beneficial connection. Watch for opportunities and find them. You’re gaining respect and influence. Keep producing results. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Make long-distance connections with far-reaching impacts. An educational opportunity draws you into a new world. Broaden your perspective by studying new cultures, arts and flavors. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Solve a financial puzzle, aided by a small miracle. Meetings could conflict with family time. Changes necessitate budget revisions. Plan strategically. Join forces for funding. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Your creative collaboration sparks into flame. Share brilliant ideas with your partner, and prioritize the hottest possibilities. Romance flowers naturally as you express and connect.