Edmond Life and Leisure September 10, 2020

September 10, 2020 Vol. 21, No. 17

In This Issue FOUR SEASONS

Four Seasons, by Kevin Box, in real life is located in front of the Center for Transformative Learning on the UCO campus, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper. Email contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing. For more information, see page 4.

Topping off ceremony for Francis Tuttle tech center See Page 12 PHOTOS BY MELINDA INFANTE

It took seven weeks for Chase Anderson and Kiley Conner to turn this school bus, now named Cimarron, into a home.

FRIDAY, September 11 Partly Cloudy High 74° Low 52°

SATURDAY, September 12 Sunny High 78° Low 56°

SUNDAY, September 13 Sunny High 80° Low 58°

By Melinda Infante Many people would like to have a simple life with no house payment and the freedom to travel and stay anywhere that their job would take them. This is the dream life that has come true for a nice couple who met while working with young people. A cozy little house on wheels is now #buslife for Chase Anderson and Kiley Conner. This couple is the example of an outdoor life. They spend most of their time working with children of all ages in scouting and with snow skiing as the seasons dictate. Because of the COVID 19 outbreak there is a break in the activities and hopefully they will resume this fall. Kiley a Nebraska farm girl and Chase a 2012 Edmond North graduate love hiking, camping, and all outdoor activities. They met four years ago while working at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M. This mini home is perfect for their busy and traveling lifestyle. They found this 2004 GMC 3500 bus in Nebraska and began restructuring it from a small school bus to Cimarron the Bus, named for the ranch where they met. At Kiley’s parent’s house the

process began by gutting the inside, installing wood flooring and building the seats and a bed. “We didn’t have any blueprints to follow so we just built it off of our own design,” Chase said. They then moved to Edmond where more work progressed by installing a countertop and sink and solar panels

nities you would find in a home, but they have access to them in the parks where they stay for their various activities. Cimarron with the meaning, “wild” or “untamed” is a fitting name for the bus matching the adventures that Chase and Kiley get to experience. You can follow them on Instagram at @

Chase Anderson is a 2012 graduate of Edmond North High School. which is the electrical system for the refrigerator and eventually the air and heat system. The entire process took about seven weeks. The bus doesn’t have all the ame-

cimarronthebus. The couple will be in New Mexico until November. Then it will be a new destination, but they’ll always be home.

Page 2 • September 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • September 10, 2020 • Page 3

Kiley Conner, left, has to ability to move her home to anywhere in the country that has a road. Her, and Chase Anderson, have converted an old school bus into a home. See article, Page 1. MELINDA INFANTE

State provides guidelines for safe in-person learning The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), in partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), has updated its ‘Return to Learn’ guidance supporting a safe return to in-person learning for Oklahoma schools. The updated document clarifies key terms and responsibilities related to COVID19 response in schools. With the health and safety of teachers, staff and students as the top priority, the recommended guidelines are designed to provide district and local health leaders a framework for decision making. “The Oklahoma Department of Health has been a tremendous partner with the Oklahoma State Department of Education and schools across the state as we move into a challenging new school year,” Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister said. “This guidance is a critical tool for schools.”

“I have been encouraged in my work with Superintendent Hofmeister and her team, as well as our State Regents and university partners. We all share one common goal: keeping our students, teachers and support teams safe,” said Health Commissioner Lance Frye, MD. “In-person instruction is critical to the growth and development of Oklahoma’s youth. Their safety and that of the teachers and staff supporting them, is our top priority.” Key terms clarified in the update include isolation and quarantine, and the guidance delineates various stakeholder responsibilities related to COVID-19 response including required reporting of positive cases to local health departments, case investigation in schools. The full ‘Return to Learn’ school guidance is available at coronavirus.health.ok.gov in the “Resources and Recommendations” section.

Despite virus, OSU enrollment up Enrollment is up by more than 360 students at Oklahoma State University and retention is at an all-time high despite the challenges of a fall semester with a hybrid of online and in-person classes. The university saw a 1.5 percent bump in enrollment this fall compared with fall 2019. OSU has slightly more transfer students at 1,346, and the freshman class is nearly the same size as last year’s at 4,144. The combined student enrollment of the Tulsa and Stillwater campuses is now at 24,405. Enrollment for graduate and veterinary medicine students are up as well. “Although this is a difficult time for many as we work to keep safe and battle the impact of the pandemic, we are delighted that the loyalty and dedication of our students has resulted in increased enrollment and record retention,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “Our faculty and staff

go the extra mile to welcome students into the Cowboy family and provide them a top-notch education.” The university is retaining 84.9 percent of its first-time, full-time undergraduates who started at OSU last year. That figure is up 1.7 percent from the previous year and up 0.3 percent from the record set in fall 1999. Kyle Wray, vice president for Enrollment and Brand Management, said everyone from the Office of First Year Success, housing, student advisors, faculty and college staff members play important roles in supporting students. “It takes a village,” he said. “We feel good about being one of the few institutions that can point to being up in enrollment. It has been a hard, difficult year for families and the university, but we feel like we are in a good place. The admissions and financial aid offices have performed magnificently.”

Page 4 • September 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

From the Publisher

‘I took an oath’ Multiple texts came flying across my phone one day last week. I was being alerted that there was a veteran standing in the rain with signs urging folks to support America. Even though it was pouring rain, it was a story too good for any member of the working press to turn down. After several attempts, he Ray Hibbard was nowhere to be found. I must have missed him and the story or so I thought. Driving to the office the next day, standing on the corner of Broadway and Second street, there was our veteran surrounded by flags from all branches of the service, signs of support for America and a giant American flag standing tall by his side. An older man but in great shape so that his age did not show in the least. He was at attention and saluting those that honked or waved. Many of the passing cars shouted out to him, not in anger but in support as is the nature of the folks who live in Edmond. I was not going to miss him this time. Our veteran gave me permission to take his photograph but did not want his name used. He said his name was not important but what was important was his message to support this great country. He was a man of few words, but he did tell me that he served in the United States Army as a ranger. When I told him my son was an officer in the same service, I saw his eyes light up. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Tell him thank you for being willing to serve his country.” It made me swell up with pride for our boy. Confirming that he was the same person out standing in the rain the day before in another part of Edmond he said, “I am not a sunshine only patriot. He did joke with me about wishing he had been a Navy SEAL instead of a ranger when the

rain was pouring down on him. Our veteran is a longtime Edmond resident and was familiar with our newspaper. “You have been here a long time”, he said. He also told me that he had taught in the ROTC program many years ago. The reason for all of this? He said he took an oath all those years ago and he was not dead yet. He had been on mission delivering his message for about three weeks. The need for his message was not only important to him but was his duty to carry. He is still fighting for this great nation even if his formal service is done. He will always answer the call he said. I thanked him and our short conversation was over. We hope to see him again down the road. He is stoic and quiet about his service that continues. Give him a honk or wave if you see him on a street corner delivering his message. If you know this great veteran, no need to let us know his name. I will respect his wishes but please tell him thank you for delivering a much-needed message. Thank you to all who serve and have served our great nation. ‘Streateries’ allowed in downtown Edmond The City of Edmond is taking a bold step in allowing what are called “Streateries” to exist outside in downtown Edmond restaurant locations. Like most of us, you may want to know what a “Streatery” is, exactly. Here is how the City of Edmond has defined it in their new policy: "Streateries" are defined as the use of on-street parking spaces adjacent to business for outdoor seating and dining. The new policy is designed to aid businesses in encouraging social distancing practices recommended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also one of the many recommendations of the consultant for expanded uses and development of our downtown area. Folks that visit Europe have long touted the enjoyment of so many opportunities to enjoy al fresco dining options. The perception of weather in Oklahoma by the locals, including me, is that our winds make it difficult to enjoy such dining. Restaurants in midtown and downtown Oklahoma City have shown that it is possible to maintain nice spaces for outdoor dining. The challenges of social distancing in the pandemic have increase the use of such spaces. Now may be a great time to give this expansion of space a try in Edmond. The process is this: In the Downtown Area (areas zoned CBD and DRD) streateries may be administratively approved provided they can meet the conditions list below. Plans should be to scale and indicate how the conditions are being met. It is expected the streatery will be operational for a minimum period of two months (eight weeks). Before submittal of the plans, businesses are encouraged to meet with their neighbors to discuss the plans. Conditions: 1. The streatery is not located within five feet of a fire hydrant.

A vet showing his loyalty

2. The streatery is limited in size up to two par-

allel parking spaces or three angled spaces adjacent to the restaurant/bar and does not include reserved parking spaces for persons with disabilities. 3. Access into the streatery is provided only from the curb side. 4. The edges of the streatery are delineated from the parking area by a physical barrier. Physical barriers from traffic lanes will be provided by the City of Edmond. 5. The streatery does not block storm drains, gutters, or access to City utilities. 6. The streatery does not require bolting or any type of mechanical fastening that can cause damage to the street or sidewalk. 7. Any permits that are necessary (e.g. electric) must be obtained by the applicant separately. Plans and specifications can be submitted to Jan Fees in the City of Edmond Planning Department, 10 S. Littler, Edmond, Oklahoma, 73034 or jan.fees@edmondok.com. If every restaurant and coffee house in downtown takes advantage of the new program, we are going to lose many parking spaces closest to the doors of other businesses. Yet, there should be plenty of parking in the back-parking lots of the businesses on the west side of Broadway to accommodate the needs during the day or evening. The spaces will be blocked the entire eight weeks even if the blocking restaurant is closed so no break for visitors to Edmond during the day. Expanding restaurant seating to the sidewalks would have its own set of issues so that keeps sidewalks clear for passing traffic. There are a few safety concerns from the businesses in downtown Edmond. The city will use the water filled blockades between the tables of the restaurant and the traffic lanes. Edmond PD is going to have to really step up its enforcement of the new 20 mph speed limit for downtown. We still see cars zooming by at 50 mph on Broadway. It just will not be safe if they are still doing this with tables, chairs, and people in the on-street parking. Parents will need to glue your children to your side. Europe is full of outdoor dining and it is wonderful. I will say I have never seen it done in this fashion but that does not mean it will not work. Restaurants put tables and chairs out for each meal in plaza’s and streets that have no automobile traffic. From 20 years of travel all over the world, I have never seen tables and customers placed that close to a lane of traffic. We wish the program much safety and success. You should start seeing the “Streateries” going up by the end of September. Questions can be sent to planning@edmondok.com or 405.359.4790.

(Ray Hibbard may be reached by e-mail at ray@edmondpaper.com)

Check out what’s inside! ---- Scenes from Santa Fe volleyball match ........................................Page 6. ---- Police reports................................................................................Page 7. ---- UCO Foundation news ..............................................................Page 9. ---- A look at the new Fatima movie ..............................................Page 10. ---- Topping off ceremony for new tech center ................................Page 12. ---- George Gust pans Netflix movie ................................................Page 14. ---- Crossword puzzle ......................................................................Page 14. ---- OSU care packages for quarantined students ............................Page 16. ---- Business news ............................................................................Page 17. This and so much more in this week’s edition

See if you can find ‘Four Seasons’ “Four Seasons” in real life is located in front of the Center for Transformative Learning on the University of Central Oklahoma campus, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper. Please e-mail contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing. Commissioned as a partnership between UCO, the City of Edmond and the Edmond Visual Arts Commission, “Four Seasons” was created by sculptor Kevin Box of New Mexico and was dedicated on the campus on March 24, 2011. Kevin is a member of the National Sculptor’s Guild. His Box Studio LLC is a strong supporter of the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle concept, using recycled metal as part of the casting process for his sculptures. All of his work is 100 percent recyclable. For more information on Edmond public art, please visit http://visitedmondok.com/public-art.php.

Publisher Ray Hibbard Jr. ray@edmondpaper.com Partner Christopher T. Hoke Editor Steve Gust news@edmondpaper.com Production Deanne York Advertising Director Alexx Harms alexx@edmondpaper.com Contributing Writers Mallery Nagle, Kacee Van Horn, Rose Drebes, and George Gust. Photographer Melinda Infante

Cover Design Deanne York Legal Counsel Todd McKinnis Ruebenstein & Pitts, PLLC Copyright © 2020 by Edmond Media Publishing 107 S. Broadway Edmond, OK 73034 405.340.3311 (office) 405.340.3384 (fax) Mailing address: P.O. Box 164 Edmond, OK 73083 All rights reserved. Material contained herein may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission from Edmond Media Publishing. edmondlifeandleisure.com facebook.com/edmondlifeandleisure twitter.com/edmondlifeandleisure instagram.com/edmondlifeandleisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • September 10, 2020 • Page 5

PHOTO PROVIDED

The Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport (GERA) was recognized by the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association as the “Airport of the Year”. GERA Airport Manager, Schellon Stanley, was also named ‘Airport Manager of the Year.’ The small ceremony was attended by (left to right) Mayor Steve Gentling, Senator Chuck Hall, Schellon Stanley, and Representative Gary Mize.

Stanley gets best manager honor

Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport name tops in state Members of the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association (OAOA) named Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport as the state’s top airport for 2020. Schellon Stanley, the Guthrie/Edmond Airport Director was also selected as the 2020 airport manager of the year. Stanley came to the Guthrie/Edmond airport in 2015 after serving as the Airport Operations Officer at OU Westheimer Airport in Norman. In addition, Stanley served as a Site Manger and instructor at Sooner Flight Academy also in Norman. Stanley holds a Masters in Aerospace/Aviation Management from Oklahoma State University. “Schellon has been a tireless worker for the aviation industry providing support to the Aeronautics Commission in various capacities and at numerous events such as Oklahoma Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day and AERO Oklahoma, which is our industry day held at the Capitol each year during the legislative session. She also hosts a summer camp for school-aged children and fly-ins at the airport to bring attention to the possibilities of aviation and aerospace careers for kids. We are proud of her accomplishments and she is deserving of this honor,” said Victor Bird, State Director of Aeronautics. The airport receiving top billing in the state, has 132 based aircraft and is located 30 miles from downtown Oklahoma City and boasts a 5,001 ft. runway. The airport has greatly improved their infrastructure over the last two decades, and thanks to several major projects, including their runway extension, has seen tremendous growth over that time period unlike any airport in Oklahoma. In FY25, the Aeronautics Commission plans to assist the airport with a $4.9 million project to relocate the parallel taxiway in order to meet FAA runway/taxiway separation standards

to support larger business jet type aircraft and ensuring the airport can meet the needs of commerce and industry for these two Oklahoma communities. Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport is used by numerous businesses, including some of Guthrie and Edmond’s top employers such as Lazy E Arena, Zivko Aeronautics, Baron Exploration, John Vance Auto Group, and Wheels Up Partners. In addition to the aforementioned awards, OAOA President Pat Hurley honored State Director of Aeronautics, Victor Bird, with the prestigious President’s award for his service and support of Oklahoma airports for the 18 years he’s served as Director. “I’m honored to receive this award from OAOA. This association has shown what an amazing group of airvangelists can do when they come together to help serve the greater aviation community in Oklahoma and help move the airport system forward,” said Director Bird. Several other individuals received awards for their hard work and success in Oklahoma aviation. Don Nuzum, Airport Manager for the Ponca City Regional Airport received the Pioneer Award for his long-standing work with the association and with airports across Oklahoma. Don is one of the longest serving active airport managers in the association. In addition to the awards, OAOA took action at its annual meeting last month to elect a new round of officers for the upcoming year. Lance Lamkin, Airport Administrator for the Max Westheimer Airport in Norman was elected as President, Paul Priegel, Airport Director for Stillwater Regional Airport will be Vice President, and Drew Saffell, Airport Manager for Muskogee Davis Regional Airport will be Secretary. Immediate Past President will be Pat Hurley from the Lawton Ft. Sill Regional Airport and Treasurer is Gary Johnson from Stillwater.

Local news? Do you have a local news item or a local photograph? Share the good news with your neighbors and the community through Edmond Life & Leisure newspaper. Simply e-mail the items to news@edmondpaper.com There is no charge.

Page 6 • September 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Santa Fe takes on Stillwater in volleyball action

Year in and year out, Edmond Santa Fe High School has one of the best volleyball teams in the state. On Thursday the Wolves defeated visiting Stillwater. Above, Katelyn Branson (20) slams the ball back over the net. Looking on is Tristan Nolen (6) Katelyn is seen doing the same thing in the photo to the right. The team is coached by Will Ethridge.

Ava Newby (11) and her teammate engage Stillwater in a fight for the ball at the net.

Not much chance the ball will be making it back to the Wolf side of play.

Abiana Miraku (2) takes aim at a serve during the match played in SF’s gymnasium. In the background are many of the sports banners won by Santa Fe over the years. Several of them are from the success of the volleyball program.

Photos by Melinda Infante

Edmond Life & Leisure • September 10, 2020 • Page 7

Gives partial credit to plasma & Remdesivir

Metro man survives COVID-19 scare Don Wentroth celebrated Father’s Day and his 66th birthday this June, but like everything else in the year 2020, they weren’t the celebrations he had hoped for due to COVID-19. He says it all started about a week before his birthday. He and his wife, Susan, were at their grandson’s T-Ball game. “We had our masks on and we were social distancing - until it started raining. That’s when everyone packed together like sardines to get out of the rain,” describes Wentroth. “That’s our best guess as to where it happened.” Being in their sixties, the Wentroths had been vigilant about following the proper protocols in an attempt to avoid the illness. But despite their best efforts, they both became infected. Susan was lucky. While unpleasant, her symptoms resembled those caused by common allergies. Don on the other hand, suffered something far more severe. “I was shivering, had crazy aches and pains. I mean even my hair and skin hurt. I lost my sense of taste and I had a high fever for days.” He readily admits that he should have sought medical treatment sooner than he did. “I’m never sick. I exercise every day. So I thought I could tough it out and get over it on my own. You know, typical man stuff,” he says. But when his non-stop cough persisted and when it became more and more difficult to breathe, he finally went to the emergency room at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center. He was admitted to the hospital on June 14 with classic COVID pneumonia. Susan wondered if she would ever see her husband again. “I wasn’t allowed to be with him in the hospital,” she remembers. “I got to Facetime with him some, but he couldn’t talk much because he was on oxygen and talking made his cough worse. I was pretty scared that he might not make it.” Drs. Mark and Nancy Rolfe, a husband and wife team of physicians at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, were two of the physicians who took care of Wentroth. “When Mr. Wentroth came in, he was very sick,” says Nancy Rolfe, M.D. “We threw everything we had at him to avoid the need to put him on a ventilator. Thankfully, we were successful at that.” Two of the therapies used on Wentroth were convalescent plasma and Remdesivir. Convalescent plasma is an old therapy that dates back prior to the availability of antibiotics. In the 1880s,

Don & Susan Wentroth

plasma was used to fight bacterial and viral infections in both humans and animals. It was used as therapy or prophylaxis for pertussis and scarlet fever. It was also used in the Great Influenza epidemic of 1917. More recently, convalescent plasma has been used to treat Ebola, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (another coronavirus infection) and influenzas such as H1N1, Avian Flu and H5N1. “When COVID-19 emerged with no known therapies, it was the natural first response to turn to this old therapy again,” says Mark Rolfe, M.D. “Plasma from previously infected and recovered people has antibodies that will attack and ‘neutralize’ the virus. This process is known as passive immunity. Convalescent plasma from people who have been documented to have had the infection and recovered is donated by those people to be given to patients who are sick with the virus and less likely to recover.” Remdesivir is an antiviral developed to fight the virus that caused Ebola. “Because COVID-19 and Ebola both use the same RNA replication process, Remdesivir has proven to be effective in early stages of the infection to prevent further replication of the virus,” continues Rolfe. The combination of convalescent plasma and Remdesivir with steroids and supportive care are currently physicians’ best options for treating this virus. To date, INTEGRIS has treated more than 500 patients with convalescent plasma and nearly 350 with Remdesivir. “At the time Mr. Wentroth received convalescent plasma and Remdesivir, the combination of these two therapies was only recently available at INTEGRIS. Knowing that this virus can rapidly evolve into a life-

Edmond Police reports

Editor’s Note: The following arrest reports are obtained from the Edmond Police Department. Guilt or innocence is determined in a court of law.

Aug. 29 Shelby Rena Reeves, 26, Edmond. Charged with possession of CDS and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jackson Clay Brien, 20, Newcastle. Operating (DUI or APC) vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Wade Matthew Iven, 35, Edmond. Operating (DUI or APC) vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Jackson Edward Smith, 21, Krum, Texas. Public intoxication. Lacie Ann Florer, 28, Edmond. Charged (misdemeanor value) obtaining by false pretense, trick or deception, under $1,000. (misd. value) receiving stolen property, under $1,000. (Editor’s note. The police said it involved a check scheme.) John Alex Currie, 34, Wichita, Kan. Charged with driving while license canceled, suspended or revoked. Misdemeanor first and second offenses of larceny of merchandise from retailer under $1,000. Beatrice Elizabeth Cooper, 22, of Tyler, Texas. Charged with (Anything other than alcohol) operating (DUI or

APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of anything other than alcohol. Also possession of CDS. Stacy Renee Butts, 36, of Wichita, Kan. Misdemeanor first and second offense of larceny of merchandise from retailer under $1,000. Sheauna Ronea Brown, 26 of Edmond. Charged with three counts of failure to appear. Isaac Abisai Sanchez Maldonado, 19, of Edmond. Operating (DUI or APC) vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Latoya Monique Frederick-Ivy, 38, of Edmond. Three counts of failure to appear. Aug. 30 Steven Glen Bush, 45, of Oklahoma City. Charged with carrying a weapon under the influence of alcohol and operating (DUI or APC) vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Kristina Marie Burshik, 24 of Edmond. Charged with possession of CDS. Whitney Renae Mauk, 29, of Del City. Charged with operating (DUI or APC) vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Kevin Scott Hutchings, 46, of Edmond. Two misdemeanor warrants and two counts of failure to appear.

threatening illness, often in the matters of hours, these two therapies were quickly offered to Mr. Wentroth,” says Nancy Rolfe, M.D. Convalescent Plasma is a one-time infusion, where Remdesivir is given over a five-day period. “Mr. Wentroth responded as we had hoped and within a couple days was without a fever. He was off oxygen and back at home within seven days.” Mark Rolfe adds, “To put that into perspective, the average person who contracted this virus before these therapies often spent weeks in the hospital and if they were unfortunate enough to require a ventilator to breath, they were often hospitalized six to eight weeks or more if they did not succumb to the infection or its many consequences before then.” Wentroth is pretty much back to life as normal and is thankful for the care he received. “I can’t pinpoint one thing that saved my life,” says Wentroth. “But I do know without a doubt that Remdesivir and convales-

cent plasma were certainly contributing factors to me getting better. I wish I knew who donated the plasma I received. I would like to thank them for being a big part of my success.” The Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) has an immediate need for convalescent plasma from donors who have recovered from COVID-19 to treat seriously ill patients. The need for convalescent plasma in our area has increased over 700-percent in recent weeks, with demand now regularly greater than collections. Available supplies have reached critical levels, and patients will face delays in this lifesaving care if donors cannot be recruited in higher numbers. If you’ve recovered from COVID-19 or had a positive COVID-19 antibody test, please sign up today for Oklahoma’s registry by visiting bit.ly/covid19-registry-ok or calling 888-308-3924. Positive COVID-19 test results should be faxed to 405278-3140 or emailed to results@biolinked.org.

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PHOTO PROVIDED

Rheal Towner, Ph.D., (front) and Robert Floyd, Ph.D. (back) examine some research data. The Food and Drug Administration has given Orphan Disease Designation and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation to OKN-007, an experimental brain cancer treatment currently in Phase 2 clinical trials at eight U.S. sites. The drug was discovered by Oklahoma Medical Research.

OMRF brain tumor drug gets rare FDA designation The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has awarded Rare Pediatric Disease Designation (RPDD) for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and Orphan Drug Designation for treatment of malignant glioma to OKN-007, an investigational drug discovered at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and being developed by Oblato, Inc. DIPG is a fast-growing pediatric cancer that starts in the brain stem. It is one of several sub-categories of malignant gliomas, deadly cancers of the brain and spinal cord. “We are very pleased to receive the successful designations from the FDA for our proprietary compound OKN-007,” said Oblato President and Chief Executive Officer Won S. Yang. These designation programs provide for special status and pri-

ority review of regulatory applications for new therapies for rare pediatric or “orphan” diseases, conditions that affect limited patient populations. According to the National Brain Tumor Society, approximately 26,000 Americans will be diagnosed with primary malignant brain tumors this year. Of those, DIPG.org reports that up to 300 will be cases of DIPG. OKN-007 was initially discovered by OMRF scientists Rheal Towner, Ph.D., and Robert Floyd, Ph.D. Oblato acquired all rights to OKN-007 from OMRF, and the company is currently testing the investigational drug in a Phase 2 clinical study of 56 patients suffering from recurrent glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of glioma. The patients are being treated with the drug in combination with another medication, temozolomide, at eight sites

in the U.S. In pre-clinical studies at OMRF, Towner has also shown that OKN-007 inhibits growth of human DIPG tumors implanted in experimental models. Oblato is planning to begin clinical trials in DIPG patients in 2021. “Right now, there is no effective treatment for this deadly brain cancer,” said Towner. Going forward, Oblato and OMRF will continue collaborating, with a focus on improving treatment for patients suffering from a variety of solid-tumor cancers. “OMRF and Oblato are committed to a single goal: helping patients overcome these life-threatening illnesses,” said OMRF Director of Technology Ventures Andrew Westmuckett, Ph.D. “Our hope is that OKN-007 can transform the therapeutic landscape.”

Edmond Life & Leisure • September 10, 2020 • Page 9

Alger

Benjamin

Chandler

Deskin

Evans

Lang

Foundation names new board members & leadership The University of Central Oklahoma Foundation recently announced the election of five new members to its board of trustees and a new board chairperson. Each member will support the UCO Foundation’s work to provide scholarship assistance to deserving students and support for faculty, campus activities and vital programs at Central. Joining the board of trustees are Tammy Alger; Ann Benjamin; Michael Chandler, D.D.S.; Freda Deskin, Ph.D.; and, Jack Evans. Emily Lang will serve as board chairperson. The new board members began their three-year term July 1. Lang’s term is two years. “We are excited to expand our board with five new members who will bring diverse expertise and insight to our work,” said Anne Holzberlein, UCO Foundation president. “Each of our new board members exemplifies the spirit of community and brings expertise, talent and a fresh perspective to the table. I am delighted to welcome such a strong group, and I look forward to serving with each of them in the coming years.” Alger is the senior vice president and senior regional manager of Consumer and Business Banking at Bank of Oklahoma Financial Corporation, a role she has held since January 2016. An alumna of Central, Alger previously worked at U.S. Bank and BMO Harris Bank. Benjamin is a certified and licensed mental health counselor and executive coach in private practice. She earned her master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Central in 1977. Benjamin formerly worked as a speech therapist for the Employment and Residential Centers and as a school counselor for Edmond Public Schools. Chandler owns Edmond Dental Center. He graduated from the Uni-

fice as a public information officer and legislative liaison before leaving to lead a gubernatorial campaign. “Emily is a standout leader in the public relations sector, bringing passion, creativity and commitment to her work for the greater good. I am looking forward to the next two years with Emily at the helm of our board,” Holzberlein said. To learn more about the UCO Foundation, visit centralconnection.org. The 2020-21 board members are:

versity of Oklahoma College of Dentistry in 2000. After graduation, he completed a general practice residency at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Oklahoma City for one year, followed by three years of service in the National Health Service Corps. Deskin is the CEO and founder of Advanced Science and Technology Education Public Charter Schools (ASTEC). She establishes and oversees ASTEC budgets, accreditation and academic accountability, along with marketing, staffing, strategic planning and logistics, training and development, and developing shortand long-term goals. An alumna of Central, Deskin previously served as dean at Oklahoma City University and as principal at ASTEC. Evans is the founder and co-owner of Caerus Holdings LLC, which owns TimberCraft Homes LLC, Three Jacks LLC, Centerline Construction Services, and Thirteenth and Elm LLC. Before his career in real estate, he worked as assistant vice president at MidFirst Bank. Evans is an alumnus of Central holding a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance. Lang is a public relations expert with a background in journalism and public affairs. Before co-founding Price Lang Consulting in 2011, Lang worked for the attorney general’s of-

Executive Committee Emily Lang, Chairperson Brad Pumphrey, Past Chairperson Mike Patterson, Vice Chairperson Peggy Kates, Secretary Brandon Webster, Treasurer Randy Ross, At-Large Mike Moore, Audit and Finance Committee Chairperson Stacy Bozarth, Committee on Trustees Chairperson Margaret Brisch, Donor Relations Committee Chairperson Sheila Stinson, Governance Committee Chairperson Candace Hobbs, Investment Committee Chairperson Members Ancel Airington Tammy Alger Jeff Atkins Lee Beasley

Sherry Beasley Ann Benjamin John Bobb-Semple Victoria Caldwell Michael Chandler Jeff Coil Freda Deskin Carlos Evans Jack Evans Violet Ford Peggy Geib Ben Harris Joshua Hart Ana Carmina Herrera Dange Michael Kloiber Thomas Kupiec Alexis LoPresto Joni McClain Patrick Mok Juliane Morgan Kirby Ross Todd Russell Paige Williams Shepherd Carolyn Stager J. Michael Steffen Scott Streller Tom Thompson Stacy Tiger Max Tuepker Larry Westmoreland Garland Wilkinson Ruth Boss, Emeritus Trustee Mike Collison, Honorary Trustee Judy Love, Honorary Trustee Edmund Martin, Honorary Trustee Gerry Pinkston, Emeritus Trustee David Thompson, Honorary Trustee

Page 10 • September 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side

Fatima’s inspiration I did enjoy the new “Fatima” movie. I’ve heard there are some theaters showing it, but because of the virus, the film folks are letting us stream directly to our home. It comes at a $20 Steve Gust price. But I’ve been to enough movies to know you’d spend a lot more than that at theater. “Fatima,” is the 1917 story of Fatima, Portugal, where three children claimed to be visited by the Blessed Mother of Christ. I tend to believe them, so maybe I shouldn’t say claim. Mary told the children to meet her at a particular site for five more months. At the end of the sixth month, she promised to show the world a miracle. That turned out to be the “Miracle of the Sun.” The sun danced around and then appeared to be on a direct collusion court with earth. Needless to say, that scared many of the people who were there. Eventually the sun settled back down. That huge crowd has been esti-

mated to be somewhere between 70,000 and 100,000 Mary reportedly appeared to the children so the youngsters could tell the world to repent for its sins and draw closer to God. Sadly, we don’t seem to have learned a lot from the warnings and messages. We still seem to insult God more than we should. There is a scene where Mary shows the children what hell looks like. It gives them quite a fright eventhough all three were assured by the Blessed Mother that they would go to heaven. Yet hell is also a sober reminder for all of us. Despite this incredible event in 1917, there are still millions who are not believers. It’s like what Mary told the children in the film. I may be paraphasing here, but she said no amount of evidence or miracles would be enough to convince some people. That is sad also. Yet what isn’t sad is how inspirational Fatima is. The movie is a good reminder of faith and God. (Steve Gust, editor of Edmond Life & Leisure, may be reached at news@edmondpaper.com)

Criminal justice reform going before the voters By The Oklahoman Editorial Board Oklahoma voters have supported criminal justice reforms in recent years and are being asked to do so again in November, this time with a state question that, if approved, would affect prison terms for repeat nonviolent offenders. State Question 805 focuses on sentence enhancements. If approved, it would prohibit the use of prior felony convictions to enhance sentences in nonviolent cases, and would let those serving time for nonviolent crimes who were sentenced with an enhancement to petition the court to have their sentences reduced. SQ 805 is the work of Oklahomans for Sentencing Reform, a bipartisan group that also led the

push in 2016 for State Questions 780 and 781, reform measures that voters approved. Backers of SQ 805 cite data showing that compared with other states, Oklahoma inmates can spend 70% longer locked up for property crimes and nearly 80% longer for drug crimes because of enhancements, which are at the discretion of prosecutors. An analysis by the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, a conservative think tank, of records from criminal convictions found that enhancements are used in four out of five cases where they are available, resulting in sentences that, on average, are 36% longer than those without the enhancement. Approval of SQ 805 should reduce the prison population by 8.5% in

the next decade, the OCPA said, and reduce expenditures by $45 million to $186 million. “A reasonable projection is that Oklahoma taxpayers would save about $142 million over a decade,” the think tank said. The proposal does not sit well with the District Attorneys Council. Its chairman, Jason Hicks, has said punishment should be harsher for someone who has committed additional offenses. Hicks also argues that public safety would be compromised by approval of SQ 805. At least one prosecutor, however, supports SQ 805. Allan Grubb, DA for Pottawatomie and Lincoln counties, says the proposal does not limit prosecutors’ discretion and would not affect misdemeanor enhancements. Addressing a concern raised by some of his colleagues, Grubb wrote in The Oklahoman recently that SQ 805 “will not harm domestic violence survivors. … SQ 805 will still allow us to seek maximum sentences or decide to charge perpetrators of abuse with a violent offense.” The 2016 reforms approved by voters were changes to statutes, and thus can be revised by the Legislature. SQ 805 would amend the state constitution, meaning any later change would require another vote of the people. Gov. Kevin Stitt is among those who oppose SQ 805 for that reason, saying a better solution would be “a thoughtful, well-researched sentencing code” from the Legislature. That would be ideal. However, lawmakers haven’t shown much of a willingness to take on such reforms, leaving voters to decide the issue for themselves in November.

Why a working mom put kids in school By Anastasia Boden Insidesources.com Last month, I put my kids back into daycare. Is it because I don’t care about my kids and dismiss the risk of COVID-19? Of course not. I care deeply about the well-being of my children and I take the human consequences of the pandemic seriously. But I can also calculate risk and measure tradeoffs. I’ve read the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations, which suggest that the harms caused by remote learning (like social isolation and severe learning loss) outweigh the risk of coronavirus to children. I’ve read the studiesdemonstrating that remote learning has negative long-term effects on kids, which can lead to “poorer, shorter, less fulfilling lives.” Based on my discussions with our school’s administrators and teachers, I’m confident they have crafted a solid plan to reduce the potential risk of infection through social distancing, masks

and common sense. And I’m willing to take responsibility for my choice. I also receive tremendous satisfaction from doing my job and doing it well, and I know I cannot do it as well when my kids are at home. There’s been a fair amount of sneering at working parents, as if they’re malicious for wanting to work when the reality is that they’re working to be productive, to provide for their families, to maintain their mental health, and to do the best they can for their children. Not to mention that not all jobs can be performed on a remote basis. That’s not to say it’s an easy choice. Putting my kids back in school has meant having to endure painful separation from family members and friends who don’t share the same level of risk tolerance, or who, because of their age or health status, cannot risk any level of exposure. When my father was hospitalized last month with a rare auto-immune disease, I wasn’t able to visit him in part because my kids were in school. Not every-

Letters to the Editor policy We love mail, especially mail from Edmond Life & Leisure readers with complaints, compliments or comments about what they read here. The rules, even for e-mail letters: 1) You must tell us your full name; 2) You must give us your complete address and phone numbers (but we will identify you only by name); and 3) We reserve the right to edit letters for length, clarity and taste (our taste). Send mail to Letter to the Editor, Edmond Life & Leisure, 107 S. Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034, or fax to 340-3384 or e-mail to news@edmondpaper.com.

one would make the same choice, but that’s what makes us individuals. If my kids were just a few years older, I wouldn’t have the choice to return them to school, because in California (where I live), Gov. Gavin Newsom has effectively decided to close all schools, regardless of what parents, local health authorities or individual teachers want. The idea of one person choosing for every man, woman and child whether to go back to school is contrary to fundamental American ideals. Embedded in our Constitution is the fundamental right to direct the upbringing of one’s children. As the Supreme Court has stated, “the child is not the mere creature of the state.” Respect for people’s autonomy requires us to “presume that fit parents act in the best interests of their children,” leaving the state with little reason to “inject itself into the private realm of the family” or to upset parental choices. Newsom’s one-size-fits-all solution is a vast assumption of power that takes rational debate out of the public sphere. And it deprives people of the ability to decide what’s best for themselves and to choose (or to create) innovative solutions that fit their own needs. There is no one “correct” choice about whether to send children to schools because there are tradeoffs to each option. The risk of infection is real, and we’re still learning about the effect of COVID on kids. The risks created by closing schools to in-person learning are also real, particularly for kids from lower-income families (who get their only meals from school), or for specialneeds children (for whom remote learning will

See Mom, Page 11

Edmond Life & Leisure • September 10, 2020 • Page 11

Susanna Gattoni joins Energy sector pullback pushes TSET board of directors state’s gross receipts lower State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd has appointed the associate general counsel for the University of Oklahoma (OU) to the Board of Directors of Oklahoma’s Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET). Susanna Gattoni was appointed to the TSET Board of Directors by Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd. Gattoni will represent the 5th Congressional District, which includes most of Oklahoma County and all of Pottawatomie and Seminole counties. “The oversight and accountability of TSET funds is paramount to the agency’s ability to fulfill its mission,” Byrd said. “I look forward to the knowledge and insight Susanna Gattoni will bring the board as my designee. Susanna is an attorney who has gained a wealth of real-world experience during her career. She will be an asset to the TSET board.” Gattoni earned her bachelor’s and juris doctor degrees from OU where she graduated with highest honors. She has worked at law firms in both Tulsa and Oklahoma City. From 2006-2008, she served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, working in both the white collar and violent crime sections. Since 2018, Gattoni has provided legal advice to the OU administration as associate general counsel on both the Norman and Tulsa campuses. She represents OU in all state and federal investigations. “TSET’s mission to improve the health of Oklahomans through prevention and research is one that speaks to me personally,” Gattoni said. “I’m excited for this opportunity to serve the people of Oklahoma by working with TSET to address the major causes of premature and preventable death in our state.” In 2014, Gattoni was the recipient of the Courageous Lawyer Award from the Oklahoma Bar Association for pro bono work. She received the Leadership in the Law award from “The Journal Record” in 2012. She is

Susanna Gattoni a board member for Susan G. Komen Oklahoma and an alumni of Leadership Class 31 for Oklahoma City. She resides in Oklahoma City with her husband, Dameon Allensworth, and her son, Peter. “Ms. Gattoni brings a wealth of professional and personal experience to the TSET Board of Directors,” said Julie Bisbee, TSET executive director. “Her knowledge, passion and desire to make a difference in the health of Oklahomans will be an asset as the board oversees the funding and outcomes of TSET grants and programs.” The TSET Board of Directors, appointed by seven different elected officials and representing each of the state’s five congressional districts, oversees the expenditure of the earnings to fund grants and programs to prevent and reduce tobacco use and obesity. The Board of Directors also invests in cutting-edge research to reduce the toll of tobacco-related diseases in Oklahoma. The 5th Congressional District was previously represented by Dr. Curtis Knoles whose term ended June 30. TSET is funded by a portion of the payments received by the State of Oklahoma as part of a 1998 Master Settlement Agreement. The tobacco

Mom From Page 10 not work), or for parents who will be forced to leave their children unsupervised at home. Not everyone will weigh these risks in the same way. The same should be said for teachers; it should be their choice about whether to return to in-person learning. If they don’t feel comfortable, they shouldn’t be forced to go back ― although there’s a separate question of whether they should be paid full salary and benefits if they do not return to work. The teachers at my kids’ school have expressed that they prefer to be back at work; they feel safe under the new protocols and they derive joy from being there. Yet, for primary school through

high school, Newsom has taken that choice off the table. Allowing politicians to choose rather than parents, teachers and local health officials leads to the funny result that schools are closed while retailers, racetracks, casinos and the entire entertainment industry remains open. There are no easy choices here, but making tough choices is the privilege of being human. In an uncertain situation, allowing people to decide for themselves respects their autonomy and dignity. I’m grateful this choice was mine to make.

Boden is an attorney at Pacific Legal Foundation. She wrote this for InsideSources.com.

Gross Receipts to the Treasury slipped by almost five percent in August with oil and gas production taxes the primary driver, State Treasurer Randy McDaniel announced last week. August receipts from all sources total $979.5 million and are below collections from August 2019 by $47.3 million, or 4.6 percent. It marks the fifth time since February, the start of the national recession, that total receipts have been less than those of the prior year. Collections from the gross production tax, the state’s severance tax on oil and natural gas, fell by 46.3 percent, generating $40.7 million, or $35.1 million less than a year ago. Monthly gross production receipts have been less than the same month of the prior year for 12 consecutive months. “The gross receipts report provides evidence of the challenges facing Oklahoma’s anchor industry,” Treasurer McDaniel said. “Oil and gas tax receipts have dropped by more than $430 million during the past year. We will likely see a growing ripple effect into other sectors of the economy.” August oil and gas receipts reflect production activity during June, when West Texas Intermediate crude oil averaged $38.11 per barrel. Prices rose to $42.34 in August, but drilling activity and energy-related employment have continued to drop. July reports show 34,100 oil field employees in Oklahoma, down by 14,400 over the year. Rigs counts were set at 11 in August, a sharp reduction from 80 rigs last August. In addition to gross production collections, receipts from sales tax and motor vehicle taxes were below those of August 2019 by 4.4 percent and 8.2 percent respectively. Gross income tax receipts rose by 4.8 percent and use taxes paid on out-of-state

purchases increased by 2 percent in August compared to the prior year. Cumulative gross receipts from the past 12 months total $13.27 billion, down by $455.8 million, or 3.3 percent, from the trailing 12-month period. All major revenue sources except for corporate income tax and use tax are less than those of the previous 12 months. Other economic indicators The Oklahoma Business Conditions Index in August remained above growth neutral for a third month, following three months of numbers indicating economic contraction. The August index was set at 61.8, down from 69 in July. Numbers above 50 indicate economic expansion is expected during the next three to six months. The unemployment rate in Oklahoma was reported as 7.1 percent in July, up from 6.4 percent in June. The seasonally adjusted number of Oklahomans listed as jobless was reported as 128,087, according to figures released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The U.S. unemployment rate was listed at 10.2 percent in July. August collections Compared to gross receipts from August 2019, collections in August 2020 showed: Total August 2020 gross collections are $979.5 million, down $47.3 million, or 4.6 percent. Gross income tax collections, a combination of individual and corporate income taxes, generated $278.8 million, an increase of $12.9 million, or 4.8 percent. Individual income tax collections are $261.1 million, up by $2 million, or 0.8 percent. Corporate collections are $17.7 million, an increase of $10.9 million,

See Reciepts, Page 12

Page 12 • September 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Topping Off Ceremony for Francis Tuttle Tech Center

PHOTO PROVIDED

Francis Tuttle Technology Center held a topping out ceremony at their new facility being constructed in Edmond. The Danforth Campus will include 155,000 square feet on two levels and feature an entrepreneurial theme. The new campus is scheduled to open in August 2021. The new building is located on Danforth, between Coltrane and Sooner on the north side of Danforth.

Francis Tuttle Technology Center board of directors member, Kathy Reeser, signs a piece of steel that was hoisted to the highest point of the new facility being constructed in Edmond. In addition to housing all of Francis Tuttle’s current high school student academies, Engineering, Biosciences and Medicine and Computer Science, the Danforth Campus will house the new Entrepreneurship Academy.

Receipts From Page 11 or 160.7 percent. Combined sales and use tax collections, including remittances on behalf of cities and counties, total $466.4 million – a reduction of $17.2 million, or 3.6 percent. Sales tax collections total $401 million, a decrease of $18.5 million, or 4.4 percent. Use tax receipts, collected on out-of-state purchases including online sales, generated $65.4 million, an increase of $1.3 million, or 2 percent. Gross production taxes on oil and natural gas total $40.7 million, a decrease of $35.1 million, or 46.3 percent. Motor vehicle taxes produced $64.2 million, down by $5.7 million, or 8.2 percent. Other collections composed of some 60 different sources including taxes on fuel, tobacco, medical marijuana, and alcoholic beverages, produced $129.3 million – down by $2.2 million, or 1.7 percent.

Edmond Life & Leisure • September 10, 2020 • Page 13

Valeria Carreno

Carreno gets Paycom stipend The preservation of a legacy is helping one recent high school graduate fulfill her lifelong dream of going to college. Valeria Carreno, an Edmond North High School graduate, is this year’s recipient of the Paycom Software, Inc., (NYSE:PAYC) Barry Cladinos Memorial Perseverance Scholarship. Carreno moved to the United States with her family from Venezuela five years ago and was unsure how she would afford continuing her education. “I applied for this scholarship because we moved here a few years ago and my family doesn’t have the same savings other families may have,” Carreno said. “It’s my dream to go to college and I felt applying for this scholarship was how I was going to be able to go.” Carreno graduated in May with a weighted 3.9 GPA and will attend the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) in Edmond this fall. While a student at Edmond North, Carreno was involved in a number of clubs and activities, including ROTC, where she was part of the honor guard and trained 14 underclassmen on policies and procedures.

She also volunteered through her local church and the HOPE Center of Edmond. Carreno plans to study nursing at UCO, an avenue she hopes will lead to a career in the medical field. She is undecided on attending medical school after graduation, but is looking forward to the journey. “It’s going to be great for me! I’m going to be able to have a college experience, thanks to this scholarship,” she said. In 2018, Paycom partnered with the Edmond Public Schools Foundation to create the scholarship in memory of Barry Cladinos, an Edmond North High School and University of Central Oklahoma alumnus, who was a team member at Paycom, where he served as a supervisor in the New Client Setup department before his passing. Carreno is the third recipient of Paycom’s Barry Cladinos Memorial Perseverance Scholarship. Karli Spann received the honor in 2018, and Alysha Siddiqi was awarded the scholarship in 2019.

Cox commits to help students learn at home Cox announced this week an expanded commitment to bridging the learning divide as part of its ongoing effort to support kids and families learning and teaching from home during the coronavirus pandemic. Through June 30, 2021 Cox is suspending late fees and extending payment relief offerings for customers in the company’s low-cost internet program Connect2Compete who express an inability to pay due to pandemic hardships. “During this time of distance learning, our focus remains on connecting low-income families with a K-12 student at home to the internet and keeping them connected during this unprecedented time, said Pat Esser, president and chief executive officer of Cox Communications. “We continue to look at ways to support kids that need the tools to succeed and know it starts with an internet connection, device and digital resources.” Through June 30, 2021 Cox commits to the following as part of its ongoing efforts to bridge the learning divide: Actively promote Cox’s low-cost Connect2Compete program to drive awareness and adoption among eligible customers, including toolkits for schools to help families connect. n Continue no requirement of deposits or application fees and proactively waive late fees for eligible Connect2Compete customers. n Extend our low-cost Connect2Compete plans to eligible customers as long as they qualify. n Offer consistent and transparent pricing to eligible customers during plan enrollment. n Provide flexible payment arrangements for eligible customers who contact us with an inability to

pay due to pandemic hardships. n Partner with cities, school districts and community-based organizations to connect large numbers of low-income students to the internet. n Provide timely, exceptional service, including offering a fast-track qualification process for Connect2Compete plan enrollment and service activation with schools. n Promote existing partnerships with hardware providers who offer a low-cost device along with a connectivity plan for eligible customers. n Offer creative, interim solutions to provide connectivity before residential activation is possible, including immediate access to 3M+ Cox Hotspots nationwide. Additional support offerings Throughout the pandemic, Cox has implemented several programs to help families connect from home during the pandemic. Recently, the company announced a new offer for new qualifying families who sign up before Sept. 30 to receive Connect2Compete free for two months including free remote technical support just in time for back-toschool. Families can qualify for Connect2Compete easily from their mobile device or desktop by visiting www.cox.com/c2c. In addition to connectivity, many students need equipment to get their work done. Cox continues to partner with local, regional and national organizations to provide discounted, refurbished laptops and accessories to families that qualify for the Connect2Compete program. The James M. Cox Foundation recently awarded a $100,000 grant to PCs for People, a nonprofit that is dedicated to providing high-quality, discounted computers to low-income families,

Page 14 • September 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

One Netflix ‘romcom’ you can miss By George Gust ““Love, Guaranteed” is Netflix’s latest attempt to revive the much-maligned romantic comedy genre. To save her small law firm, earnest lawyer Susan (Rachel Leigh Cook) takes a high-paying case from Nick (Damon Wayans Jr.), a charming new client who wants to sue a dating website that guarantees love. But as the case heats up, so do Susan and Nick's feelings for each other. Netflix original content comes in all shapes and sizes, from the Oscar nominated movies like “Roma” and viral sensational true crime documentaries like “Tiger King”, but for a long time Netflix has been the only game in town for cinematic style romantic comedies from the 90s. With popular films with a small amount of star power like “Set it Up” and “The Lovebirds” they have staked a claim to a genre that doesn’t get much attention at the box office. “Love, Guaranteed” is an attempt to continue this string of romcom success, but unfortunately with the blandest of storytelling and lack of onscreen chemistry this film is severely lacking in both the ‘rom’ and ‘com’ categories. We’re introduced to Susan (Cook) as an uptight earnest lawyer who’s been too focused on her career

to develop a romantic connection in her personal life, a classic archetype for these kinds of romcoms. And in balance with Susan’s stuffy persona Nick (Wayans Jr.) enters the film with an absurd lawsuit against an online dating site. The two characters do the same old romcom tropes where they don’t get along at first and then grow to like each other throughout, but in “Love, Guaranteed” everything is done in a shorthand “seen it all before” kind of way, which isn’t as comforting as some of the other rote romcoms out there. Instead the whole affair feels tired and frankly boring, with neither co-star really standing out from the paint by numbers storytelling.

The premise behind “Love, Guaranteed” is trying to be contemporary like “You’ve Got Mail” was when it was released in the 90’s about love on the Internet. However, by now the idea has been done and overdone in movies like 2005’s “Must Love Dogs” and 2009’s “He’s Just Not That Into You” which by now feel like a dated view of today’s internet romance scene. “Love, Guaranteed” tries to put a courtroom drama spin on the tired premise, but even at that, the courtroom scenes feel like a poor approximation of the emotion the filmmakers were trying to evoke. Even when the film introduces Heather Graham as a wildly eccentric cultural icon, in the style of Gwyneth Paltrow, her opportunity for zany characterization falls by the wayside, never making nary an impression on the movie in total. Overall, “Love, Guaranteed” is only guaranteed to make you sleepy with its lack of charm or chemistry and an oh so familiar baseline romcom story. It looks like the filmmakers may have been only aiming for ‘guilty pleasure’ status, but it even falls short of that low bar. “Love Guaranteed” is not rated but would likely receive a PG rating. Now available to stream on Netflix. 0.5 out of 5 stars.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Rachel Leigh Cook and Damon Wayans Jr. take on internet dating culture in Netflix's latest romantic comedy ‘Love, Guaranteed.’

Crossword Puzzle STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: BOTANY 101

Answers appearing on Page 19

ACROSS 1. One's arbitrary assertion 6. "Swan Lake" step 9. Not Sunni 13. Mountaineer's tool 14. Tolkien creature 15. Bebe Rexha's "____ to Be" 16. Artificial or mannered 17. Snow runner 18. Nylon or Kevlar, in chemistry terms 19. Scooby-Doo's best friend 21. *Between order and genus 23. *Marine botany is study of plants living here 24. 35mm, e.g. 25. Public health agency, acr. 28. Partner of void 30. Small lynx 35. Stewart and Blagojevich 37. Grazing lands 39. Jawaharlal ____ 40. g or cm 41. Smelling ____, athlete's pick-me-upper 43. No neatnik 44. Lay to rest 46. They are hairy on a hobbit 47. Hefty volume 48. One in line, during COVID-19 pandemic 50. In the middle of 52. *Grainbearing tip of a cereal plant 53. Cattle meat 55. Fleur-de____ 57. *Pollinator attractors 60. *Food for a pollinator 63. One there at the beginning 64. Famous TRex 66. Lowest deck 68. Forearm bones 69. Cassius

Clay, ____ Muhammad Ali 70. Private instructor 71. ____-do-well 72. Thus far 73. Inflict a blow DOWN 1. Female sib 2. "Hamlet" has five 3. Sure or uh-huh 4. "The Forsyte ____," pl. 5. *Product of photosynthesis 6. One of a pocketful, according to Mother Goose 7. Genesis vessel 8. "The Matrix" genre 9. Highway hauler 10. Icy precipitation 11. Dr. Jones, fictional professor of archaeology, to friends 12. Filled up 15. Biblical personification of material wealth 20. Olden-day Celts 22. Priest's robe 24. Blank leaf in a book 25. *Seed holder 26. "Death, Be Not

Proud" poet 27. Mine passages 29. *Food manufacturer 31. Superlative of better 32. Actress Sevigny 33. Something in the air 34. *Potato, e.g. 36. Proofreader's mark 38. *Plant support 42. "...he found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked ____" 45. Sales lure 49. Electric fish 51. *Not monocots 54. Piece of writing 56. Pull strings 57. Carpet attribute 58. Marine eagle 59. Russia's famous Peter 60. Sans mixers 61. Choir voice 62. *Plant anchor 63. Good times 65. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's guitar 67. Prefix for priorfied John

Answers on Page 19

Civil War battlefield site will offer tours CHECOTAH, Okla. — Honey Springs Battlefield is excited to announce that it will host guided trail walks on the Honey Springs Battlefield led by site director Adam Lynn on Saturday, September 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This will be a great opportunity for visitors to check out the brand-new informative trail signs and to ask questions about key aspects of the largest Civil War conflict to take place in present-day Oklahoma. The guided tours will be limited to groups of eight, and all attendees will be required to wear masks and socially distance throughout the tour. The Honey Springs Battlefield recently installed more than 50 new trail signs on all six of its walking trails. To reach the walking trails, take the modern, paved battlefield road from the Visitor Center. From the road, each walking trail is marked by title and numbered one through six from north to south, ending at the monuments area. For more information regarding the walking tours and the Honey Springs Battlefield, please email honeysprings@okhistory.org or alynn@okhistory.org, or call 918-473-5572. Honey Springs Battlefield is located east of U.S. Highway 69 between Oktaha and Checotah.

Edmond Life & Leisure • September 10, 2020 • Page 15

PHOTO PROVIDED/KIMBERLY BURK

The shelves are filling up at the Arcadia Farmers Market General Store, scheduled to open Sept. 11.

Arcadia Farmers Market General Store to open The home-grown and home-canned foods that often sell out on summer market days will now be available year-round at the Arcadia Farmers Market General Store. The shelves will be stocked with locally raised meat, whole milk from a family dairy, farm-fresh eggs, cheese, honey, fresh produce and colorful jars of pickles, relish, salsa and jam when the store opens on Sept. 11 at 212 Odor Street in Arcadia, in the Windmill Shops. Also available will be specialty teas, coffee, skin care products, fresh and frozen pasta, gluten-free flour and bread mixes, Indian fry bread mix, spices, organic maple syrup, maple and chocolate candy, homemade dog treats and handmade soap and soy candles. Most items are grown or made in central Oklahoma. “We are excited to have new businesses in the town because it represents growth,” said Arcadia Mayor James H. Woodard. “This is the first time since the 1970s that there has been a food store in Arcadia,” said Linda Simonton, who co-owns the farmers market along with Jodee McLean. “It offers convenience and Oklahoma-made products, and you can always find

something in there to make a meal. We have recipes and we accept SNAP.” This is the third season for the farmers market. Simonton and McLean are longtime local business owners who both like to grow vegetables, and McLean also has chickens and a cattle operation, so the market was a natural fit, Simonton said. The market pavilion is also rented out for special events. The store will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Masks and social distancing will be encouraged. “We are pleased to have a local business such as Arcadia Farmers Market General Store join the Windmill Shops Center, to support and promote locally-made and farmgrown products,” said Viola Davis, co-owner of Windmill Shops. “Local people investing in the community is a perfect fit.” The outdoor market at Division Street and Historical Route 66 has ended for the summer season, but fall market days are planned for Saturday, Sept. 26, and Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information about the new store or to reserve booth space for the fall market days, call 405-226-0346.

Michael Music

Cushing musician Michael Music on tap for Round Barn performance Cushing musician Michael Music will present Morning Music on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Arcadia Round Barn. Music will perform from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beneath the shade of the giant elm tree on the north side of the barn. Admission is free but donations are appreciated. Music started his career at age 9 with a $12 guitar his parents bought at a Gulf Mart in Tulsa. He said his musical influences included his father, who played classic country songs, and his grandmother, Lois, “who left

a powerful impression on me about the inward power and soul of music.” The Round Barn is six miles east of Interstate 35 on Historic Route 66. The museum and gift shop are currently open Friday through Monday; check the Arcadia Round Barn website and Facebook page for operating hours. Masks are required. Outdoor concerts will continue at the Round Barn through October, weather permitting. For more information about live music at the barn, call Joe Baxter at 405-833-1350.

Page 16 • September 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

PHOTO PROVIDED/AVERY FULTON, OSU

Emily Emerson, from left, an Oklahoma State University alumna, Dr. Leon McClinton, director of Housing and Residential Life, and student Barry Bachman sort through donated care packages that will go to OSU students in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19.

Care packages for quarantined students Oklahoma State University students in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19 may have a little something to be thankful for after a local group donated the first batch of many care packages. The small group of Oklahoma State University faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members donated dozens of care packages filled with soup, crackers, candy bars and words of encouragement. “Our faith prompts us to have compassion and to care about other people,” said alumna Emily Emerson. “I thought about how it would be to be a person on campus and have to be quarantined a couple weeks without anybody else, so I thought we could do something to make that time that they have to spend in quarantine a little bit nicer.

“We’d love to do this as long as there are students in quarantine,” she said Friday. Director of Housing and Residential Life Dr. Leon McClinton said the donations are indicative of the Cowboy spirit. “Everyone is all about supporting each other, helping us be successful,” he said. “We understand the importance of keeping this semester safe. We want to keep our students here, we don’t want to have to go fully online, and so we’re doing everything in our power to keep students safe.” Students living on campus who test positive for COVID-19 must remain in isolation for 10 days. Students who come into contact with individuals positive for the virus remain in quarantine for 14 days. They can return home or isolate in an OSU-

approved space. Learn more about the process here. Tanya Massey, assistant director for residential living, has been busy making sure the needs of quarantined students are met. Sometimes it's something simple — one student really wanted Dr Pepper, and Massey made sure she got it — but Massey understands that little comforts can make a big difference. “Something I tell my staff is people trust us with their kids, and we need to be worthy of that trust,” Massey said. “It is really hard on these students. They feel isolated. They want to make connections. We really try to make sure that we are providing as much care and attention as possible.” To make a non-perishable donation, contact Res-

PHOTO PROVIDED/AVERY FULTON, OSU

Dr. Leon McClinton, director of Housing and Residential Life, carries a box of care packages that will be donated to Oklahoma State University students in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19.

Edmond Life & Leisure • September 10, 2020 • Page 17

Economy loses jobs & millions in sales

COVID’s heavy toll on art industry A new report released by the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution, co-authored by Richard Florida ("The Rise of the Creative Class"), confirms what many in the arts in Oklahoma have feared – the COVID-19 pandemic is taking a heavy toll on the state's arts and cultural industry. The report shows that between April 1 and July 31, 2020, Oklahoma experienced an estimated loss of 19,504 creative industry jobs and $606 million in sales of creative industry goods and services. Data indicates the fine and performing arts have been hit hardest by the pandemic, with losses disproportionate to other parts of the creative economy – representing up to 50 percent of jobs lost in some cases. Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Amber Sharples said without further relief for the arts sector, the data implies a grim outlook for Oklahoma. "This report verifies the dire circumstances facing our sector," Sharples said. "Artists and creative workers are out of jobs; performance venues, theaters, and festivals are shuttered; and, fundraising events are nearly impossible. As creative industries and occupations are essential to a healthy and growing Oklahoma economy, there is real

risk of long-term negative outcomes for our state. We must pursue all means necessary to provide relief to the arts industry so that our state can continue its Top Ten trajectory." The Economic Impact of Arts and Culture in Oklahoma Representing 2.3 percent of the state's gross domestic product (GDP), Oklahoma's arts and cultural sector is a sizable part of the state's economy (source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2017). A study released in 2017 showed that nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and their audiences in Oklahoma have significant economic impact, including: Producing $872.8 million in economic activity Supporting 29,165 jobs Generating $84.5 million in state and local tax revenue According to the authors of the Brookings Institution report, the creative sector is one of three key sectors that drive regional economies. The authors state that lasting damage to an area's creative sector will drastically undercut culture, wellbeing, and quality of life. The Brookings Institution report, "Lost Art: Measuring COVID-19's Devastating Impact on America's Creative Economy," is available for PHOTO PROVIDED From acclaimed stage productions in New York, to right here in Oklahoma, download at www.brookings.edu. many plays and musicals have been idled by the virus.

Citizens Bank of Edmond finalist for Finovate Award wide through this current crisis. Citizens Bank of Edmond This award proves that great inand Teslar Software, a provider novation is accessible to even of automated workflow and the smallest banks with the portfolio management tools most limited resources.” designed to help community fiPPP.bank has been a huge hit nancial institutions thrive, anwith business owners since it nounced last week that they was launched in late May. have been named as a finalist Within the first three days that for the second annual Finovate Castilla the site was live, it had 14,000 Awards. small business users. Today, it Citizens Bank of Edmond and Teslar Softward were recognized as has more than 230,000 pageviews to date. one of five finalists in the Best Fintech “We are proud to have been named Partnership category. The Best Fintech a 2020 Finovate Awards finalist for our Partnership Award is given to a financollaboration with Citizens Bank of Edcial institution and fintech company mond on PPP.bank,”said Joe Ehrhardt, who are working together to build a CEO and founder of Teslar Software. new, groundbreaking product and ac“This year has been incredibly tough for knowledges two organizations whose small businesses across our country, so partnership allows them to do somehelping them more seamlessly navigate thing together that is greater than the the complex PPP forgiveness process is sum of their parts. something we felt compelled to do. The fintech and bank were selected Supporting Main Street’s revival and for their launch of PPP.bank, a free contributing to the greater good will alwebsite that they created in collaboraways be a top priority for both Teslar tion with Mark Cuban to provide small businesses with assistance in navigating Software and Citizens Bank of Edthe U.S. Small Business Administration’s mond.” “The Finovate Awards highlight innoapplication for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgiveness. With PPP.bank, vative ideas that are driving fintech forward,”said Greg Palmer, Vice President any borrower can get an estimate for of Finovate. “This is often accomplished the forgiveness of their PPP loans and by strong bank and fintech partnergenerate a PDF application to provide ships, as we’ve seen here with Teslar to their lender. To keep applicants’ inSoftware and Citizens Bank of Edmond, formation secure, this site does not which is why this Best Fintech Partnerhave a database. Data that is entered ship category is always so competitive. will not be kept, shared, sold or They identified a need to simplify the archived. complex PPP forgiveness process and “It is a great honor for Citizens Bank offered it to small businesses free of of Edmond to be the first Oklahomacharge and regardless of bank affiliabased company named as a finalist for the prestigious 2020 Finovate Awards,” tion. It’s a timely and well thought out plan that provides a sense of undersaid Jill Castilla, CEO and President of standing and organization to business Citizens Bank of Edmond. “In just 10 owners who are struggling from the days, PPP.bank was built and deployed pandemic, and the recognition as a Fiout of a desire to help small businesses novate Awards finalist is thoroughly desuccessfully navigate the complex PPP served.” forgiveness application without fees or Winners will be announced during Fiprivacy concerns. Citizens Bank of EdnovateFall Digital on Sept. 14. More on mond is proud to have partnered with the awards can be found here: Teslar Software and Mark Cuban who are visionary leaders with a shared pas- https://informaconnect.com/finovateindustry-awards/awards-categories/. sion for a thriving Main Street nation-

Page 18 • September 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Group looks at ways to help first responders

Lewis Moore

State Rep. Lewis Moore, R-Edmond, last week held an interim study focusing on ways to serve first responders. Presenters at the study discussed current resources and techniques first responders have available, and also shared some stories of programs designed to address this issue, such as one implemented two years ago by the Tulsa Police Department. Additionally, presenters highlighted training and funding needs to better equip first responders and their families in the future. “Recent years have put a greater spotlight on the mental health needs of our first responders and their families,” Moore said. “Our first responders daily are on the frontline serving the public while also dealing with stress and trauma and other effects within their own ranks. They need proper training and equipment, and it is urgent that we secure additional funding, especially for our police departments.” Moore has been a leader on this issue at the

Federal & state grants reach record levels at metro’s OHSC The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center earned a record high $190 million in federal and state awards during state fiscal year 2020, a milestone that advances research and other strategies to improve health and well-being among Oklahomans. The total includes $86.3 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), considered the gold standard in research funding. The OU Health Sciences Center brings the most NIH funding to Oklahoma through its national centers of excellence, and the total for fiscal year 2020 represents growth of 40% over the previous year. That growth is a testament to the innovative work taking place across all seven colleges on campus, said Vice President for Research James Tomasek, Ph.D. “Research is a primary mission of the OU Health Sciences Center, with the aim of advancing knowledge and improving the health of the state,” Tomasek said. “As the academic and research partner of OU Medicine, the state’s comprehensive healthcare system, a critical component of our strategic plan is to make research discoveries that lead to new methods of preventing, diagnosing and treating disease.” Two of the OU Health Sciences Center’s key research areas, cancer and neuroscience/vision, saw a significant increase in grants in fiscal year 2020. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Eye Institute (NEI), two major NIH Institutes, awarded $16.1 million and $10.9 million, respectively, to the OU Health Sciences Center. That represents an increase of 26% percent from the NCI and 62% from NEI over the previous fiscal year. Those grants are used for projects ranging from laboratory science to clinical trials, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes at Stephenson Cancer Center and Dean McGee Eye Institute. The OU Health Sciences Center also received $8.3 million from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, an increase of 221% over the previous fiscal year. Much of that research furthers the understanding and treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in children and adults at Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, advancing the search for a cure. One of the largest NIH grants over

the past year was a five-year, $11 million award to create the Oklahoma Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunity, a hub for research into many types of infections and the immune system response, which is critical in facing COVID-19 and other emerging pathogens. This Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (CoBRE) grant establishes multidisciplinary research in Oklahoma and enables talented researchers to compete for additional federal awards. “This grant is an exciting opportunity because it will allow us to advance our research through collaborations with scientists in other disciplines and other universities,” said Jimmy Ballard, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology in the OU College of Medicine. “But the grant is also significant because a major component of the program is mentoring junior researchers. They will contribute to better patient treatment with their projects, while building their careers and attracting additional grant funding that helps to drive Oklahoma’s economic growth.” Many of the NIH grants earned by researchers at the OU Health Sciences Center are made possible by an important local nonprofit organization – the Presbyterian Health Foundation (PHF). Each year, PHF awards millions in grants, which researchers use to further their investigations or purchase crucial equipment they would otherwise be unable to acquire. “Our partnership with PHF is indicative of the importance of local funding to the process of research,” Tomasek said. “Because of the generosity of entities like PHF, our researchers are able to enhance their investigations and make discoveries that then attract the attention of federal funding sources like the NIH.” Overall, federal funds awarded to the OU Health Sciences Center increased by 43% over the previous fiscal year. Grants from the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) were second behind the NIH in federal awards to the OU Health Sciences Center. In fiscal year 2020, HRSA awarded several multimillion-dollar grants, including one for suicide prevention strategies in Native American and other communities.

state Capitol. He has worked with Landmark Recovery to serve individuals with drug and alcohol addiction. Speakers at the interim study included: Carrie Slatton-Hodges, commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; Verna Foust, CEO of Red Rock Behavioral Health Services; John Graham, EMSA Chief of Staff; and Sgt. Amber McCarthy with Tulsa Police Department. Help for first responders can be found at Red Rock’s crisis line 405-987-ROCK (7625) or online at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, https://www.ok.gov/odmhsas/. Interim studies give lawmakers a chance to hear from experts, asked detailed questions and examine issues in greater depth than is often possible during the legislative session. Today’s study was one of more than 70 approved by the speaker of the House.

School is a time for new fitness By Brian Attebery School is back in session. It may not be our normal yearbut schedules are being made and school is in session. For many, school year marks establishAttebery ing a routine. It is also a re-start of fitness and nutrition routines that fell off during the last few months. It is an important time to get your discipline back with fitness, nutrition and health. New Year’s Resolutions mark the beginning or new beginning of a fitness and nutrition program for many. Many of us have used the last few months issues as an excuse to park the exercise and eating healthy. We all know that is an excuse and not going to help our immune systems and over-all health. It is time to get back on track and treat yourself right! The start of the school year is a great time to start back on track if you have let it slip. Like New Year’s, this time of year marks the time to get back on a responsible schedule after having holidays and down time. Holidays and vacations are filled with high calorie, not so healthy foods that we all love to eat and drink. I do not exclude myself from this group. My trainers will fully admit we indulge in the yummy foods of life on occasion. Once again, moderation is the key. We deal with the same pressures as anyone. We don’t just eat broccoli and chicken. We fall off the wagon. We also get back on track after those indulgences and tighten up the diet, get back on the cardio and weights and start back over the day we get back. This year, I want you to get back on track but plan to have mini-breaks from your strict “nutrition lifestyle” and fitness. I use the phrase “nutrition lifestyle” because that is a long term, on-going process and not a moment in time like a “diet” tends to be thought of as. Food is intended to nourish our bodies. Treat food like that and think

about what it is doing for your body to make it healthy. Have junk food on occasion as a way to feel a reward for the lifestyle you have chosen to live. I like to use these “free days” where I allow myself some “fun foods” as a social release too. Make it a day when you gather with friends and family. We all appreciate having those social interactions no more than ever. We can talk about adults and their fitness without discussing kids. We all know that this has been a stressful year. Many people have been cooped up in their houses. It is easy to get into sedentary modes with your kids and grandkids. Kids absolutely need to exercise daily for their stress just like adults. It is vital for their physical and mental health. Limit their time on phones, movies and video games. Exercise as a family and get everyone back on track! The school year is when we must get back into a routine with our children and our selves. That really is the key to fitness and nutrition. You must make it a routine and schedule it. It won’t be perfect but you just keep going. Like school, where there are subjects that are more difficult to us than other subjects, fitness and nutrition can be the same. Some people lose weight easy but find muscle harder to build. Some people feel they get too bulky and can’t lose their fat on top of that. Some people find it difficult to workout because of health issues and do not know how to modify it. Once again, professional trainers are like teachers. Find one that has an education and allow them to help you get tutored on the “subjects” you struggle with. School would not be rewarding for children if they do not feel successful and as adults, we need to feel successful too. Let the new school year be a new start for you. Let’s get educated!

(Brian Attebery is a Degreed/Certified Trainer. He owns and operates Results Fitness and Nutrition Center, L.L.C. in Edmond. www.resultsfitnessusa.com)

Edmond Life & Leisure • September 10, 2020 • Page 19

Food drive for children ongoing Donations to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma's Food for Kids Match help the organization as it finds innovative ways to provide food to children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through Sept. 30, all donations to the Regional Food Bank's Food for Kids Programs are matched, dollar for dollar, up to $160,000 thanks to gifts from the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma, Dolese Bros., Mark and Beth Brewer, David and Lezlie Hudiburg and David Gorham. "Dolese Bros. believes that no child should ever have to worry where their next meal will come from. We are proud to partner with the Regional Food Bank for this opportunity to help provide meals to the next generation of Oklahomans," said Kermit Frank, director of communications and community relations at Dolese Bros. "We believe in supporting the communities where our employees live

and work and the Regional Food Bank's Food for Kids Programs are crucial to making that happen." As the school year begins, the Regional Food Bank and its partners are finding innovative ways to continue providing meals in hundreds of school districts across central and western Oklahoma, some of which have opted to host school virtually. In order to safely serve school districts and ensure that children are getting the nutritious food they need, the Regional Food Bank is offering delivery of Backpack Program components and boxes of food for the School Pantry Program. Innovative partnerships with school districts like Oklahoma City Public Schools will see food being delivered to Backpack Program students along bus routes. Backpack Program and School Pantry Program components for Yukon Public Schools will be de-

livered to the district's high school gymnasium, where the district will distribute the food to families with children who participate in the programs. “Collaborations like these are important in providing food to the growing number of Oklahoma children who are living with food insecurity," said Deb Bunting, interim CEO of the Regional Food Bank. " Make a donation today by visiting foodforkids.us or by calling 405-600-3136.

DHS tweaks its benefits website Oklahoma Human Services announced new features to its popular okbenefits.org website last week, including considerable support for foster and adoptive families. With this second release of okbenefits.org, prospective foster and adoptive families will find an easier way to say yes to fostering or adopting. New users can create an account to begin the application process and throughout their journey their very own dashboard will provide a progress stepper that shows where they are in the certification process. Families are also able to upload required documents and receive messages about their progress on their own schedule, day or night. The website, first launched in February as part of a multi-year plan to re-

place the agency’s outdated case management legacy systems, brought online the ability for Oklahomans to apply for child support and view benefit information to better manage their cases. More than 19,000 Oklahomans have already created accounts on okbenefits.org. “Our agency is dedicated to serving our customers where they are, and with the most efficient and effective tools at our disposal,� said OKDHS director Justin Brown. “OK Benefits is creating pathways for our customers to improve outcomes, and we’re doing it by providing more information and transparency than ever before.� Once approved, a foster family can access important information about children placed in their home.

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In light of COVID 19 for the time being, some worship services may be suspended or online. Please check with your house of worship for more information.

Page 20 • September 10, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure