At the Y, couples find their rhythm—whether that's a morning workout, a walk around the track, or just spending time together. Stay active today for a stronger tomorrow.
Pictured: Longtime Edmond YMCA members Brian and Karen
Alison loves to hang out with her friends - every day. She catches up with them while in her car, while she’s at the grocery store, and when she is relaxing at home. Like any relationship, it’s taken years to really get to know her friends. And thanks to the magic (or witchcraft) of internet media, she can drop into a conversation anytime she wants. She feels very much a part of these special relationshipsexcept she isn’t.
She calls them her “radio friends,” but technically, they’re parasocial relationships, the connections we form with the people in our earbuds and on our screens. They’re the Netflix characters who feel like coworkers. The podcast hosts who narrate our errands. The musicians who really, really get us with whatever we are going through. The time spent together can feel personal, intimate, and oddly comforting, despite the fact that they have no idea we exist. These relationships can give us perspective, broaden our world, and even educate us. There’s nothing wrong with that. They make us laugh. They keep us company. They’re low maintenance. They never cancel plans. They don’t ask you to help them move. They’re also never upset if you zone out halfway through the conversation.
Real-life relationships ask more of us. They notice when something’s off. They remember the long version of our story. They require us to listen when it’s not convenient and show up when it’s not easy. But they also give us something no screen ever can - the feeling that we are known, not just entertained.
So enjoy the shows. Relate to the lyrics. Laugh with the podcasts. But enjoy the true familiarity of friendship.
Six hours, eight-mile loops, and one unforgettable ride
By Taylor Bollinger
On a cold winter morning at Arcadia Lake, riders line up at the base of the dam, braced for the chill and the miles ahead. The wind cuts across the water. The clouds hang low. And somewhere between hour two and hour six, nearly everyone will start to feel it. Fatigue. Doubt. Hunger. That unmistakable zombie shuffle on two wheels.
Welcome to Dam Zombies.
Now entering its third year, the six-hour cross-country mountain bike race has become one of Edmond’s most distinctive endurance events. Hosted on the Arcadia Lake Dam Trails, Dam Zombies draws 100 to 150 racers, ranging in age from 14 to riders well into their 70s.
If you feel comfortable at the start line, you’re probably overdressed.
“This race will turn you into a zombie,” said Joe Miller, Arcadia Lake Trail Manager through the Oklahoma Mountain Bike Association. “That’s not just a name. That’s a promise.”
The race format is simple but demanding. Riders can compete solo for six hours or team up with a partner to alternate laps on an approximately eight-mile loop. Top competitors can log more than 80 miles. A three-hour solo option allows newer endurance riders to join the fun, starting later but finishing alongside the six-hour racers.
Winter conditions add another layer of challenge. Riders must balance warmth and breathability while managing nutrition, pacing, and mental fatigue. “If you feel comfortable at the start line, you’re probably overdressed,” Miller said.
Proceeds from Dam Zombies are directed back into trail maintenance and expansion at Arcadia Lake, supported by community partners such as Visit Edmond. “As trail manager, I want to showcase how special these trails are,” Miller said. “This race pushes people, builds community, and helps us keep growing.”
Miller has managed the lake’s natural surface trails since 2019, a period marked by massive growth. What was once a modest 1.5-mile trail system has expanded to more than 15 miles, with usage surging alongside it. “The lots are full on weekends now,” Miller said. “That’s pretty awesome to see.”
Miller shared a few additional developments coming soon to Arcadia’s trails:
• More than 70 new metal trail signs are being installed, clearly marking routes and trail names, including the popular Outer Space section with space-themed trail names.
• A 100-yard boardwalk is in development, designed for intermediate to advanced riders. It builds on earlier beginner-friendly features while expanding technical options.
• A new pavilion will feature a built-in bike element with a steep, rideable drop-in designed to help riders generate speed as they enter the trail system.
• In 2025 alone, 3.5 miles were added in the Outer Space area, featuring rocky outcroppings, jumps, berms, drops, and steep g-outs that quickly launch riders back uphill –and more is coming in 2026.
For more information, visit rideomba.org.
— A LOOK AT LOCAL FAVORITES — TASTE OF EDMOND
By Laura Beam
BRICKTOWN BREWERY
No one brings the party quite like Bricktown Brewery, whether you’re enjoying fantastic food and craft beer in the lively restaurant or gearing up to host a get-together at home. Their Watch Party Package is perfect for the Super Bowl and other gatherings. With 50 boneless wings, chips and queso, and a choice of three Bricktown Brewery pizzas, all for just $135, it’s a feast fit for any crowd. Or choose a party platter loaded with Bricktown faves like Big Mike’s Meatloaf, hand-battered chicken tenders, and mac & cheese. Order online for pickup or delivery at bricktownbrewery.com.
EMMA ELLE’S ITALIAN KITCHEN
Reserve your table Feb. 12-14 for Emma Elle’s spectacular Valentine’s Day Italian Dinner for Two! With choice ingredients and artisan preparation, Emma Elle’s menu is brimming with one-of-akind dishes. The house-made bread, complimentary with each meal, is served with an 18-year-aged balsamic that will forever spoil you. The Arancini with creamy risotto and fresh mozzarella – hand-battered, fried, and served with garlic aioli – is a must-try. Choose delicious pastas, pizzas, homemade Bolognese sauce with pork and imported spices, house-made Nichiyobi-Wagyu meatballs, and stunning desserts. The easy demeanor, cozy atmosphere, and fantastic prices are perfect any day, yet special enough for celebrations. Dine at 4401 Grant Blvd., Yukon, or visit emmaelles. com for Valentine’s reservations.
DONATOS PIZZA
Will and Matt McLain, Edmond natives and Donatos Pizza franchise partners, have a heart for Edmond! And Feb. 6-15, you can show your love to family and friends with a heart-shaped pizza. Try their thin crust with Edge-to- Edge toppings, hand-tossed, thicker crust, or cauliflower crust pizza. They’re loaded with aged smoked provolone, Romano cheese, homemade pepperoni, sausage, and fresh veggies. Or go for oven-roasted wings, baked subs, or salads. Visit 1148 S. Bryant or 2929 NW 178th St., Edmond, or donatos.com. For your Super Bowl party, get 15% off orders of $50 or more (code 030), 20% off orders over $100 (code 197) and $50 off orders over $200 (code 542). Eat in, pick up, or get it delivered.
THE OLD ICEHOUSE
Blending Edmond’s rich history and vibrant present, The Old Icehouse brings people together over classic comfort foods with a fresh spin, craft cocktails, live music, and a historic space that is alive with laughter. Not only loved for its deliciously memorable entrees and apps created by award-winning chefs, The Old Icehouse is a hub of entertainment with family-friendly fun you don’t want to miss, like the Mardi Gras celebration on Feb. 17th, complete with beads, bites, and a live Dixie Jazz band! And if you’re looking to wow someone this Valentine's Day, dine by candlelight over a curated menu at this great downtown spot. Visit 101 W. 2nd St., Edmond, Tues.-Sun., or theoldicehouse.com.
S&B’S BURGER JOINT
If you love great tunes and gourmet burgers (and who doesn’t?!), S&B’s new 2 for $20 special gives you even more to love! It’s perfect for a work lunch or date night. And speaking of date night, have some fun at SINGO every Thursday at both Edmond locations–first round starts at 7pm. It’s free to play for all ages and you win prizes. And now, their Rock Hour is seven days a week, so there are great deals to enjoy every day. S&B’s is perfect for family dinners too, with unique burgers, showstopping sauces, hand-breaded chicken tenders, and wings. Don’t forget their awesome food for your Super Bowl party, too! Visit in Edmond at 2088 E. 2nd St. or 1000 NW 192nd or sandbburgers.com.
TEXLAHOMA BBQ
Check out Texlahoma’s new lunch specials, Monday-Friday 11 am-4 pm, featuring a pulled pork or chicken sandwich, one side, and a fountain drink for $10.50. And as they say, “Is it really BBQ without the sauce?” Try their new sauce lineup, from the hot Cajun Cowboy to the Alabama White–all so good! Dive into slow-smoked, flavor-packed meats that are trimmed, seasoned, and smoked on site daily, like their famous ribs, brisket, turkey, and chicken. Need an easy solution for dinner, catering, or if it’s just too cold to get out? Their family packs, catering, delivery, or drive-thru at the 2nd Street location hit the spot. Visit 121 E. Waterloo Rd, or dine in or drive through at 2080 E. 2nd St., or visit texlahomabbq.com.
Building for Community Life A Shift Toward Walkable, Connected Living
By Taylor Bollinger
A new wave of development is quietly reshaping how people live, move, and connect, and it is happening in more than one corner of the city. Three urban developments now taking shape show a clear shift away from car-heavy sprawl and toward neighborhoods designed for real life. The kind with sidewalks, shared spaces, and reasons to run into your neighbors on purpose and by accident.
According to Cody Boyd, founder of Edmond Urbanist, that shift matters more than ever.
“We’ve done suburban sprawl for 50-plus years,” Boyd said. “People spend so much time in their cars just to do basic things. What we’re seeing now is a desire for closer community and healthier ways of living.”
Liberty Park
"What we’re seeing now is a desire for closer community and healthier ways of living."
Located in northeast Edmond, Liberty Park is envisioned as a destination-style development designed to serve as a focal point for the surrounding area. Boyd describes it as similar in spirit to places like Carlton Landing or the Wheeler District, but thoughtfully scaled for north Edmond. The project blends single-family homes, multifamily housing, shops, and restaurants with parks, playgrounds, trails, and sidewalks that connect the entire community.
“This is community-focused from the start,” Boyd said. “There’s a mix of housing, public spaces, and the potential for things like a church or small private school. It backs right up to Centennial Elementary School, which is huge for families.”
East Edmond 15A
Being developed by Arcadia Farms, LLC, East Edmond 15A brings a pedestrian-oriented vision to 645 acres near the future Post Road interchange on the Turner Turnpike. Planned as a long-term, mixed-use community, the project is designed to unfold over the next 20 to 30 years with a focus on walkability, access to nature, and everyday connection.
“This ‘live, work, shop and play’ village will promote a walkable environment with housing for all life stages,” Arcadia Farms LLC explained, noting plans for singles, families, and seniors alongside restaurants, village retail, and recreational spaces.
For Boyd, the setting is what truly sets it apart. “What makes this unique is that you get a lake community without leaving the city,” Boyd said. “You don’t have to drive to Lake Eufaula or Grand Lake to get that lifestyle.”
The development emphasizes healthy living through direct connections to Edmond’s trail system and Arcadia Lake parks, with approximately 200 acres of forested land preserved as open space.
“The project emphasizes healthy living,” Arcadia Farms LLC said, adding that the concept aligns with the City’s Edmond Plan 2018 and East Edmond 2050 Plan.
By combining village-style development with large, forested common areas, the project aims to balance growth with mental and physical well-being.
Farmpond
Located near Edmond North High School and John Ross Elementary, Farmpond takes a more compact, intentional approach to development. Built on a challenging parcel bordered by Edmond North, city streets, and nearby railroad
tracks, the project turns a difficult site into an opportunity for attainable housing in the heart of the city.
The Planned Unit Development allows for future townhomes or garden-style apartments, creating lower-maintenance living options for young professionals, small families, and downsizing homeowners who want to stay close to central Edmond. The project will include neighborhood amenities, landscaped green spaces, and modern stormwater detention infrastructure designed to manage rainfall and reduce flooding risk. Those green spaces also serve as buffers from nearby roadways and the rail line, while offering residents usable outdoor areas.
“This is a huge win for families, teachers, and school staff,” said Boyd. “Kids can walk to school. Parents can stay connected to their neighborhood.”
With downtown Edmond just a short walk, bike ride, or drive away, Farmpond supports daily life with fewer car trips and more opportunities for connection, reinforcing how thoughtful infill development can benefit both residents and the broader community.
A Return to Community
Boyd believes developments like these help combat isolation, something many communities now face as households grow smaller and more people live alone.
“These places create opportunities for unplanned human interaction,” he said. “Open lawns, sidewalks, shops right outside your door. You see neighbors walking, hanging out, living life together.”
“This style of development feels new to some people,” he said. “But it’s actually very traditional. Humans lived this way for thousands of years. We’re just remembering what healthy communities look like.”
For more information about Edmond developments, visit edmondurbanist.com.
Downtown Love Story
Robert and Lori Black
By Amy Dee Stephens
Robert and Lori Black are part of the fabric of downtown Edmond. They own Cafe Evoke, The Lofts at Evoke, a hospitality consulting business named Spring Board, Twisted Tree Baking Company, Bluebird Bookstore, and an upcoming new Mexican restaurant in the Railyard called La Loba Cantina & Grill. The couple never planned to own a business together, but their love story demonstrates how good things can be born out of tragedy.
“We both lost our spouses in 2015, within two weeks of each other,” Lori said.
“In our forties, and suddenly I was a widower and she was a widow,” Robert said.
We both spouses within two of each
“My husband had been on hospice. The funeral was over and everyone had gone home,” Lori said. “I was languishing. The death of a spouse is very different from a divorce. We had a life and a love and dreams and plans, and suddenly, he wasn’t there.”
“We both had two kids, and were walking kids through the grief journey, too,” Robert said. Does it Get Easier?
“We didn’t know each other, but we did have a common friend,” Lori said. “I had never sent a random message to someone’s Facebook friend before, but I needed to ask him a question: ‘It’s been four weeks. Does it get easier?‘”
“I was only two weeks ahead of her,” Robert said. “I told her days were getting better, but nights were really hard.”
The two decided to meet one afternoon to commiserate. They decided to lean on each other as a mini-support group, since few people their age could relate. Every few weeks, they touched base and compared notes. One night, they met for dinner at a nice restaurant.
“I was still wearing my wedding ring. I still felt married,” Lori said, “so I started feeling awkward, like I was doing something wrong.”
“Whoa!" Robert said. “This is NOT a date. There is nothing romantic going on here.”
They reverted back to occasional texting. Their next in-person experience, however, took a different tone. Lori and one of her female friends attended Odyssey de Culinaire. Robert, a chef by trade, was attending the event as a board member for the Oklahoma Restaurant Association.
“She shows up in a stunning outfit, and I suddenly DO have romantic feelings!” Robert said. “I can still picture her, all sparkly, like she had a halo around her.”
Lori laughed. “My friend said, ‘He has puppy dog eyes for you.’”
After several more weeks of texts and informal dinners, Robert invited Lori on a “proper” date,
and she agreed. They met at a Mexican restaurant that Lori termed as “casually awesome.” It was not the usual get-to-knowyou event, however, it was a full-out disclosure. “For three hours, we told each other all the worst things about ourselves,” Lori said. “If we were going to move forward, we had to be clear. We both had careers and kids who would be impacted.”
lost our in 2015, two weeks
each other
“Our sixth-month anniversary was on Valentine's Day, and we married in 2016,” Robert said. “Some people said it was too fast, but I think it had to be or I would have closed off my heart and become a hermit.”
“We became a modern-day Brady Bunch, combining our kids, our cats, our dogs, and my fish,” Lori said. “Our kids loved each other because they were all dealing with things their friends couldn’t understand.”
Unintended Business
The couple never planned to own a business, but their new life was going in new directions. Robert decided to let go of the restaurant lifestyle. “I left home at 7:00 am and came home at 11:00 pm, seven days a week,” Robert said. “My priorities had changed, and I wanted to enjoy my family.”
He joined Lori’s non-profit consulting business, creating a hospitality branch to help restaurants get off the ground. The opportunity to buy Cafe Evoke became available. Lori remembers that bluebirds flew over her head as they talked about it in the garden. They decided it would be an easy investment that would run itself. A few months later, COVID hit.
“We lost all our consulting clients, and suddenly, I was learning to make coffee and scrub kitchen floors while thinking, ‘What have I gotten into?’” Lori said. “It’s hard times like that when you grow. We should have lost everything during COVID, but the community realized the value of small businesses and kept coming.
“We didn’t plan to own the bakery or the bookstore either, but we wanted to help businesses that people wanted to see downtown,” Robert said.
“We both came from small towns, but Edmond has become our community. People had helped my family while I was managing my first husband’s cancer appointments, and then they helped us through COVID. I hope that our desire to give back to the community shines through in our businesses, because Edmond is a special place.”
In the spring, the Blacks are opening an authentic Mexican restaurant, La Loba Cantina & Grill, in the Railyard that they describe as “casually awesome.” Legend has it that La Loba, the she-wolf, breathes life back into the bones left in the desert. Black’s goal is to keep breathing life into the downtown area — an area they describe as having almost become a ghost town ten years ago.
“Our businesses are all busy,” Robert said.
“Maybe people sense the love and energy that we’ve put into them,” Lori said.
“Life hasn’t been butterflies and daisies. We’ve had ups and downs. In chef terms, the bitter helps us recognize the sweet. We believe that our marriage is a result of God’s work after a devastating tragedy.”
Faith, Flour, and First Place
Stefanie Embree wins Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Baker
By Taylor Bollinger
Cooking in front of Gordon Ramsay isn’t something most bakers ever experience — and winning his competition is even rarer. But that’s exactly what Stefanie Embree did when she stepped into the spotlight on Next Level Baker, competing under the pressure of a national television audience and one of the most demanding chefs in the world.
Fueled by hard work, preparation, and a heaping tablespoon of faith, the Edmond-based baker rose to the “top floor” to win the first-ever Next Level Baker title, plus $25,000 and a HexClad prize package that truly put the icing on the cake.
The first call came quietly in April. A casting scout had spotted Embree on social media and encouraged her to apply for a new baking spinoff of Ramsay’s popular competition format. Embree hesitated, then leaned into a year she describes as willingly walking through whatever doors God might open.
The interview process moved quickly at first, then slowed to silence. But while she waited, OKC Sweets hit a perfect storm of timing and momentum. As the Thunder entered the playoffs, Embree and her team rolled out themed treats that took off almost overnight.
“The month of June was just wild,” she said. “Lines out the door, down the street. We had players’ moms coming in for cakes. It really bonded us to the OKC community.” In the middle of the waiting, Embree experienced a moment she still smiles about. After church one Sunday, her family stopped for Chinese food. She opened a fortune cookie.
“It said, ‘You will have an incredible culinary experience during your travels,’” she said. “That seemed to me like a little God wink.”
And she was right. In August, the phone rang. At the end of a routine call outlining possible next steps, the producer paused and said, “Congratulations, you’re going to Ireland.”
Filming lasted about a week and a half, with four straight days of competition. Embree prepared by watching every episode of Next Level Chef to understand the rhythm and
pressures of the format. She also spent hours baking beyond her usual specialties, sharpening skills she rarely uses in her shop.
“I wanted to feel confident no matter what I was handed,” she said. She also prayed constantly, her commitment and excitement mirrored by her supportive husband. “He said, ‘You absolutely should do this.’ He had confidence in me even when I didn’t.”
The competition placed bakers in vertically stacked kitchens, from a bare-bones basement to a fully equipped top floor. Embree spent most of the season alongside Gordon Ramsay, who surprised her with his hands-on encouragement.
“He really is a mentor on this show,” she said. “If he gives you advice, you should listen.”
If Gordon Ramsay gives you advice, you should listen.
After a discouraging bake sent her back to the basement, Ramsay gave her a simple directive. “Forget what just happened,” he told her. “Now we move forward.”
With limited ingredients, Embree chose to make macarons, a staple at OKC Sweets. Hearing Ramsay say they were “good enough to be a gift” was a full circle moment for Embree.
She won the competition, but the lesson lingered longer. “Sometimes you’re in the basement in life, too,” Embree said. “I’ve come to realize, true joy is not circumstantial.”
She extends this encouragement to others: “If you have a passion for something and are gifted in an area, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. We get in our own heads, or compare ourselves to others, which we know is the thief of joy. Focus on what you do well and allow yourself to find joy in the journey.”
When asked about what her future might hold, Stefanie said, “I’m so excited to find out.”
To learn more, go to @stefanieembree on Instagram.
Stefanie Embree in the Next Level Baker "Not So Silent" Season Finale episode aired on FOX, now available on several streaming services.
One of the finest period ensembles in the world, the Venice Baroque Orchestra returns to the Armstrong stage February 11, with virtuoso violinist Chouchane Siranossian. Their award-winning program “Bow Duel in Venice” features works for the violin by Baroque composers from Venice, including Vivaldi, Tartini, Locatelli and Veracini—all gifted at showing off the fireworks of the fiddle!
From Italy With Love
Three Italian Tenors
FEBRUARY 19
Direct from Rome, the Three Italian Tenors sing beloved Italian opera arias from Turandot and Rigoletto and favorite Italian love songs like “Mama” and “Volare.” Bellissimo!
From Hope to Home How Habitat for Humanity Creates Affordable Homeownership
By Taylor Bollinger
For Roman Kadi and her family, homeownership is no longer a distant goal. It is a front door that now opens daily to stability, space, and a future they can finally plan after years of hard work and uncertainty.
After qualifying through Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity, the Edmond family recently received the keys to their home, signing off on a 30-year loan to a brand-new, energyefficient home, built not as a handout, but as a partnership grounded in perseverance.
“It feels very good,” Roman said. “Seeing my children comfortable and happy reminds me why I worked so hard in the first place. We always wanted to buy a house for our kids to call home and grow together, but due to some life difficulties, we couldn’t afford to do so.”
Those difficulties included a season when both Roman and her husband were injured and unable to work. The pause forced the family to adjust their plans, but not abandon them. “We stayed focused,” she said. “Glory to God that time has come, and we couldn’t be any happier.”
At Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity, families like Roman’s are selected through a detailed application process that evaluates three core factors: the need for safe, affordable housing, the ability to repay a 30-year conventional mortgage, and a willingness to partner with Habitat through sweat equity.
Applicants must meet income guidelines, demonstrate stable employment, and complete 100 volunteer hours helping build homes or supporting Habitat programs. The homes are sold at cost, require no down payment, and are designed to keep longterm expenses manageable.
“Roman applied just like every other Habitat family,” said Ann Felton Gilliland, chair and CEO of Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity. “Her need for a larger affordable home, her dedication to her family, her steady work history, and her commitment to the process really stood out.”
Gilliland said stories like Roman’s reflect a broader housing challenge facing working families. “We’re seeing more families
than ever who are working hard, playing by the rules and still finding themselves priced out of the traditional housing market because there simply isn’t enough affordable housing available,” she said.
“When families like Roman’s can’t access affordable homeownership, it affects far more than just where they live. It touches their health, their children’s education, and their ability to build long-term stability and generational wealth.”
For Roman, that stability is already taking shape. The new home means space to study, play, and grow, and the chance to build routines that once felt out of reach. “It brings a strong sense of stability, happiness, and excitement,” she said. “We can finally plan long-term and make the home truly ours.”
The moment they revealed the house to their children was unforgettable. “At first, they were quiet because of all the cameras,” Roman said. “But the next day, they ran from room to room, laughing and imagining how they would make it their own. They’re so excited about the backyard, the garage, and having their own rooms.”
Roman’s journey to this moment is also tied to her career with Edmond Public Schools, where she has built a reputation for faithful, consistent work. “I’ve put a lot of hard work into my career,” she said. “Edmond Public Schools has given me opportunities to grow, and I’m very grateful to be part of the team. I love my Washington Irving family.”
As Roman looks ahead, gratitude leads the way. “I sincerely thank Habitat for Humanity and the entire team,” she said. “This home has changed our lives.” For families in Edmond and beyond, it is a reminder that when community, opportunity, and determination meet, home becomes more than a place. It becomes a foundation.
Learn more about Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity at cohfh.org.
top: COHFH Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland with Roman Kadi and her kids at the family’s surprise home dedication.
Kim Baker 72SOLD
For many people, buying or selling a home ranks among life’s most stressful milestones. For Kim Baker, Realtor with Keller Williams Central OK and 72SOLD, that challenge is exactly what drew her to the industry. Licensed since 2017 and now in her ninth year in real estate, Kim has built her career around one core principle: serving people with intention and care during times of major transition. Kim joined 72SOLD three years ago after recognizing that traditional real estate methods often fall short of today’s homeowners’ needs. The 72SOLD program uses innovative marketing strategies designed to increase demand, create competition, and protect seller privacy, all while helping homes sell faster and often for more money. “It’s a process that truly serves the consumer,” Kim said. “It allows sellers to stay in control
while benefiting from modern, data-driven marketing.”
One of the most common questions Kim hears is about timing. When is the best time to buy or sell? Her answer is simple: when you’re ready. “Life doesn’t follow seasons,” she explained. “If there’s a need to sell, there are buyers who need to buy, and if you want to buy, there will be sellers ready to sell.” By focusing on individual circumstances rather than market myths, Kim helps clients make confident, informed decisions.
That personalized approach is central to how she works. Kim believes a successful real estate relationship begins with listening. “My clients make the final decision. My role is to be their guide, providing the information they need in order to make the best decision for themselves,” she said. She prioritizes clear communication and education, checking in regularly to ensure clients feel informed, heard, and supported throughout the process.
Looking ahead, Kim sees signs of a shifting market. Inventory has increased, buyer activity is picking up, and conditions appear to be moving toward a more balanced landscape. Sellers, she notes,
will need to be well-prepared and strategic to attract serious buyers. Staying current on market data and home-styling trends allows Kim to guide her clients effectively.
Above all, Kim values her connection to the Edmond community. “Edmond is a special place to live. It’s an honor to help Edmond residents with their real estate needs,” she said.
Follow Kim on Instagram and YouTube at @kimbakeredmondrealtor. If you're thinking of selling or buying, call or text Kim today at 405-480-0244.
Kim Baker, Realtor & 72SOLD Regional Director
Hearing Care by Hough
Hearing Care by Hough has become a trusted resource for hearing health in Edmond and the Oklahoma City area, helping patients reconnect with the sounds that shape their daily lives. The practice is known for its patient-first philosophy, clinical expertise, and commitment to personalized care.
The clinic was founded in 2008 by Dr. David Hough, to serve the community with dedication and integrity. He was inspired by his father’s legacy as a world-renowned Otolaryngologist and Founder of the Hough Ear Institute (HEI).
In 2019, Jeff Mashburn, MS, CCC-A, who had previously worked at HEI, joined due to clinic growth. As they continued to grow, Dr. Sandra Over, Audiologist, joined the office. After a long career at HEI, her
background includes research, implants and hearing aids.
Hearing Care by Hough offers a comprehensive range of services, including: hearing evaluations to diagnose hearing loss and related disorders, aural rehabilitation, hearing aid fittings, tinnitus evaluations, cerumen management, and custom noise and water protection. The clinic also provides the 100% invisible Lyric hearing device.
A defining focus of the practice is affordability. Hearing aids start at $999 per pair, and patients are guided through options that fit both their hearing needs and their budget, whether through insurance or direct purchase.
Today’s hearing devices are increasingly digital and user friendly, often including smartphone apps that allow patients to adjust settings to match their preferences and environments.
The clinic hosts annual patient appreciation events, including a recent Hear N’ Beer gathering that encouraged open conversations about hearing health in a relaxed setting. This commitment has earned recognition, including the #1 Community Choice Award for Audiology Clinic in 2022 and 2023, then a secondplace finish in 2025.
With providers bringing a combined total
Dr. David Hough, Dr. Sandra Over, and Jeff Mashburn, M.S., CCC-A
of more than 100 years of experience, Hearing Care by Hough continues to deliver trusted care and advanced solutions for the community it proudly serves.
Hearing Care by Hough is located at 100 NW 150th St., Suite A2. For more information, call (405) 513-6465 or visit hearingcarebyhough.com.
To promote your business with a BIZLOOK feature, contact Laura at laura@edmondoutlook.com.
More Than a Landmark How the Blue Hippo Became Part of One Couple’s Love Story
By Taylor Bollinger
If you grew up in Edmond, chances are the Blue Hippo has been part of your life longer than you realize. You passed it on car rides, pointed it out to friends, and bonded with fellow Edmondites over the city’s signature sight. For newlyweds Dillon and Anna Beth Cammack, the oversized, brightblue landmark became a hallmark of their love story.
“I grew up in Edmond, and when I was little, we’d drive past the blue hippo on Broadway all the time,” she said. “I just always loved it. I thought it was fun to look at.”
As a kid, Anna Beth told her mom she wanted to get engaged in front of it someday. It felt playful, a little offbeat, and very Edmond. As the years passed, the idea became more of a joke than a plan.
“My mom would say, ‘That’s kind of weird, do you still want that?’” Anna Beth said. “And I told her, I think it’d be fun.” Then life moved on, and she never mentioned it to Dillon. Not once.
Dillon is not from Edmond, but during their dating years, he started noticing how often Anna Beth pointed out the hippo when they drove by. Still, he had no idea it carried any deeper meaning. That changed when he went to her parents’ house to ask for their blessing.
Years earlier, Anna Beth’s mom had found a tiny blue hippo figurine at an antique store. She bought it as a joke, assuming no one would ever actually propose in front of the real thing. When Dillon came into the picture, she handed him the figurine and told him the story casually.
“He just kind of tucked that away,” Anna Beth said.
On their two-year dating anniversary, Dillon told her he was taking her out to dinner at Boulevard Steakhouse. His uncharacteristic texting, general distraction, and unusual route began to pique Anna Beth's curiosity.
“I kept thinking, there’s no way he’s proposing,” she said. Then he pulled into the parking lot by the Blue Hippo.
“The second we pulled in, oh my gosh,” she said. “I started freaking out.”
Dillon played it cool, telling her they were just stopping to take photos. Meanwhile, friends were hiding nearby, filming the moment on their phones. Grainy video and all, it was perfect.
“He thought through everything,” Anna Beth said. “Even the fact that I’d always said it would be funny to have it in the background of photos.”
They were engaged on August 13, right by the hippo, just like she’d imagined as a girl. Three months later, they were married and revisited the hippo for photos on their wedding day, adding yet another layer to their landmark story.
Looking back, Anna Beth still marvels at how much attention the proposal gets. “It’s not a huge story to me,” she laughs. “But people seem to think so.”
Maybe that’s the magic of the Blue Hippo, an ordinary place that becomes unforgettable when love and memories come into play.
RECOVERY!
By Louise Tucker Jones
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 KJV
I was 30 years old, six months pregnant and recovering from an emergency appendectomy when I read Isaiah 40:31 on a hospital menu. I claimed those words for myself, anxious to renew my strength. Little did I know it would become a life verse for me and my family through the years. Even today, I’m claiming this verse as I recover from another emergency surgery.
On Christmas morning, in Arkansas, I awoke to blood gushing from my nose and
down my throat. (Sorry for the graphics.) I called 911 and landed at the local ER where my nose was packed and repacked along with advice to go to the hospital if it happened again. Next day, the tsunami hit again and my son rushed me to Mercy Hospital ER in Rogers, where an ENT diagnosed the problem.
A blood vessel was spurting blood from my nasal cavity but he couldn’t get to it because of a deviated septum, which I didn’t know I had. He recommended immediate surgery to repair the septum and cauterize the blood vessel. Seeing no other choice, I agreed and remarked, “I hope you’re good.”
He responded, “I am!” Interesting that it felt a little comforting to have this young, slightly egotistical doctor in charge. And of course, my son, Aaron was there to support and watch over his mom.
After a two-day hospital stay, I was discharged to the care of my son, who spent a few days with me in my little cottage in the woods in Bella Vista, Arkansas. As I write this I am still in the midst of recovery, claiming God’s promise from Isaiah 40:31.
Though this is not a Valentine story, as
February stories go, it is definitely one of love. Aaron has taken great care of me, and I’ve been blessed with prayers from friends, family and people I don’t even know. Thank you for caring, sharing and praying for my recovery. God Bless!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Louise Tucker Jones is an award-winning author, inspirational speaker & founder of Wives With Heavenly Husbands, a support group for widows. LouiseTJ@cox.net or LouiseTuckerJones.com.
Aaron and Louise ~ Christmas Eve
a look back Reality TV
Edmondites and newlyweds Rodney and Ruth Steward were married on national television on the "Bride and Groom Show" in 1953. The ceremony was performed at the CBS studio in New York City live on air. The couple also received a complimentary honeymoon to the Laurentian Mountains in Canada. They are pictured here before boarding the plane to Canada.
