Cleveland County, OK February 2023 by City Lifestyle

F E B R UA RY 2 02 3

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OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH MARIAH ROBBINS WESTMOORE HIGH SCHOOL

Recent sports or academic highlight?

A wrestling highlight for me would be placing second at freestyle state and going to Fargo to wrestle for team Oklahoma as a first-year wrestler.

Personal highlights?

My parents are Norman Robbins and Kristy Vick. I am the oldest child and have two younger sisters and a younger brother. I have wrestled for only two years, and I really caught on! I wrestled folk style for Westmoore High School, and wrestle freestyle for the Westmoore wrestling club. I love to hang out with my youngest sister, and I actually convinced her to start wrestling. I enjoy getting to braid my teammates’ hair before tournaments and duals. I normally spend my free time hanging out with my best friend, my little sister.

How do you maintain balance?

Being able to maintain school, sports and my personal life just became a regular thing for me. Being a student-athlete, it’s important to let your teachers know when you will be gone so you can either get it done before or have an extra day to do your assignment. I never struggle with having homework because I make sure that I do any kind of homework after I finish my notes or assignments in class. I feel that’s what helps me maintain my goals for my future.

Plans for the future?

My future plans are to attend a college, that I will feel happy at and be able to be a part of a wrestling team. I do not have any specific college I am looking at right now because I don’t graduate until 2024, My goal is to be a chiropractor and in order to achieve my goal I would like my major to be in one of three things, human biology, exercise science, or kinesiology.

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ADAM STONE

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Recent sports or academic highlight?

I dropped 2 seconds in my 100 breaststroke at last year’s regional competition.

Personal highlights?

I have been swimming since my parents signed me up at the YMCA when I was 4 years old. My parents, David and Jerri Stone, also pushed me musically and academically, so a few of my favorite things are piano, math and watching YouTube.

How do you maintain balance?

Although it’s not the easiest thing to do, there are 24 hours in a day, and that leaves plenty of time for a few hours of practice and study while still having time to relax.

Plans for the future?

As a National Merit semifinalist (hoping to become a finalist soon), I plan on accepting OU’s full-ride scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in computer science.

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Eight Years, 85 Issues!

February 2023 PUBLISHER

Jimmy Darden | jimmy.darden@citylifestyle.com 405.541.5650 MANAGING EDITOR

As I write this letter, it is Jan. 2, and I cannot believe 2023 is already here. It will be February before this message is received in the beginning of our eighth year serving the Cleveland County community. I want to thank our advertising partners, as they make our endeavor possible, and I am so grateful to each of them. They are our sponsors that allow us to highlight all the great things in the Norman, Moore and South Oklahoma City area. We invite you to join them on the “new town square,” where like-minded businesses that love our community gather together. Our team makes my job easy, and I want to thank our managing editor, Jerri Culpepper, along with our talented writers and photographers for all of their hard work. Additionally, I want to thank our monthly readers—now numbering 120,000—who also make our purpose a reality. If you or someone you know is involved in a charity or nonprofit, know that part of our mission is to help get the good word out about their missions, public events and successes. Please enjoy our 85th issue, and feel free to reach out to me at any time by calling/ texting me at 405.541.5650 or emailing me at jimmy.darden@citylifestyle.com May God bless each and every one of you throughout the year!

Jerri Culpepper | jerri.culpepper@citylifestyle.com ADMINISTR ATIVE ASSISTANT

Lindsey Nantze | lindsey.nantze@citylifestyle.com CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

William Blake, Jerri Culpepper, Lacey Lett, Peter Levinson, Joy Hampton, Staci Elder Hensley CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S

Ana Covey, Allen Pearcy Galeana, Joy Hampton

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

JIMMY DARDEN, PUBLISHER @CITYLIFESTYLE_CLEVELANDCOUNTY

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier

Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise

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Proverbs 3:5-6 Cleveland County City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Cleveland County area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Cleveland County City Lifestyle™ is gathered from

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

HEALTHY SMILES

for life.

SARA K. SPURLOCK, DDS JENNIFER M. JENKINS, DDS

& associates

We are excited for our kids to be back in school and back to routines. Did you know dental decay is one of the leading causes of health-related school absences and can lead to poor attention, focus, and speech development due to pain? Making oral health part of your routine is essential to overall health and well-being. Ensure your family is set up for success this year!

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 3

inside the issue The Local Love Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

20 Visual Narratives: First American Photography

Lifestyle Letter

Business Monthly

Local Experiences

Artist’s Palette

Healthy Lifestyle

Home Update

Must See

Hometown Hero

LI FE + C U LT U R E

Local Limelight

A RTS + C U LT U R E

Events

Realty Report

Expert Help

Artists Capture Moments in Time That Also Tells an Entire Story

24 Ortho Stat: Same-Day Clinic

New Option Can Help You Avoid Long ER & Urgent Care Lines

30 Enhancing Lives Through Strategic Investments

American Rescue Plan Act Funds Helping Some of Area’s Most Vulnerable

40 For the Love of Jazz

Jazz Both a Vocation & Avocation for Saxophonist Eric Walshap

O N T H E C OV E R

Photograph titled To the Edge, by Chickasaw artist Jim Trosper. He is one of five First American photographers featured in the exhibit, Visual Narratives: First American Photography, on display at Exhibit C Gallery.

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 3

business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Dillingham to Be Honored With Native Son Award

Fundraiser Set for Jenny Bryan

Build Healthy Habits at Your Library!

Kyle Dillingham, “Oklahoma’s Musical Ambassador,” will be honored as the South Oklahoma City Chamber’s Native Son Award, to be presented at a chamber banquet Jan. 19 at The First Americans Museum. While still in high school, Dillingham was twice featured on Nashville's Grand Ole Opry and performed with legends Roy Clark and Hank Thompson. Dillingham has taken his music to 41 countries earning him the title of "Oklahoma's Musical Ambassador.”

A fundraiser to benefit Norman Police Department officer and mother of four Jenny Bryan, who is fighting cancer for the third time, is set from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Huckleberry Hill Barn, 20551 Ladd Ave., Purcell. Jenny was also a 2021 Cleveland County City Lifestyle Woman of Influence. Tickets to the fundraiser are $50 and can be purchased at eventbrite. c o m /e / t e a m j e n n y - f u n d r a i s e r tickets-468712701307.

Keep up with those New Year’s resolutions when you visit your library this year! Search the Pioneer Library System events calendar at PioneerLibrarySystem.org to discover all the great health programs offered in February and beyond, at the locations of your choice! Classes include beginning strength training, Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL), tai chi, Zumba, yoga, and healthy spaces and places! Many programs require registration.

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B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C L E V E L A N D C O UN T Y

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The Carlstone, a luxury, 55-plus active living community located in Norman, was honored for the second year in a row by the Apartment Association of Central Oklahoma and NOVA Awards. NOVA Awards were created to recognize outstanding members for their professionalism, hard work and contributions to the apartment industry. Award winners represent the best of the best in the Central Oklahoma multifamily industry.

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Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/ClevelandCounty

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 3

local experiences The best places and things to do in our area. ARTICLE BY LINDSEY DAVIES

From restaurants, shops, artists and more, show your love and support to our city’s creatives and visionaries. Enjoy these local establishments that you’re sure to fall for while giving back to our city’s economy simultaneously.

Our Picks to Show Your Local Love APPLE TR EE CHOCOLATE: Apple Tree Chocolate...Chocolate is their passion, and they love to make unconventional confections. Ideal for Valentine's Day giving! 405.310.3959 209 E Main Street, Norman, OK MIDWAY DELI: Hidden in the heart of Norman, tucked at the end of a quiet residential street, sits an old-fashioned deli where a meal's still a treat. 601 W Eufaula Street, Norman, OK PR ESS & PLOW: A purveyor of fine wine, spirits, coffee and provisions, Press & Plow was established in 2018 to provide quality goods to the community. 2596 W Tecumseh Road, Norman, OK SAM NOBLE MUSEUM: The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History at the University of Oklahoma inspires minds to understand the world through collection-based research, interpretation and education. 2401 Chautauqua Avenue, Norman, OK PINK ATTITUDE BOUTIQUE: Pink Attitude Boutique carries trendy clothing and accessories for the everyday woman. 10617 South Western Avenue Oklahoma City, OK

Apple Tree Chocolate

Scan for more photos and the full list.

MEET THIS MONTH’S CURATOR

Lindsey Davies Lindsey Davies is the proud mother of a 5-year-old son (Liam) and a frequent contributor to Cleveland County City Lifestyle, most notably pulling together the calendar and Local Experiences and writing many of the features on our area’s numerous worthy nonprofits. She enjoys exploring central Oklahoma (and beyond) with her family.

LOCA L E X P E R IE N C E S

Kelly Langley, "Monument Valley Night"

ARTICLE BY LACEY LETT

Lester Harragarra (Otoe-Missouria) is one of five featured artists in Exhibit C Gallery's Visual Narratives: First American Photography exhibit. Photography Ana Covey of Blue83 Photography & Design

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CULTURE

Visual Narratives: First American Photography A R T I S T S C A P T U R E M O M E N T S I N T I M E T H AT A L S O T E L L S A N E N T I R E S T O R Y

To capture the night skies with elaborate detail takes patience as well as talent, but Chickasaw artist Jim Trosper doesn’t mind. In fact, he thrives on getting the perfect shot, no matter how long he’s outside in the elements. “I shoot pictures of stars, and that process entails a long exposure technique. I do about 30-second-long exposures to get the stars to come through and then play with light in the foreground to liven up the scene in front,” Jim explains. He then enlarges the photo and prints them on aluminum metal to make it feel as if the viewer was there when the photograph was taken. The Chickasaw photographer’s works, along with that of four others, come to life in the exhibit Visual Narratives: First American Photography, on display now at Exhibit C Gallery in downtown Oklahoma City. The current exhibition also features artists Philip Busey Jr. (Cherokee), Peggy Fontenot (Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia), Lester Harragarra (Otoe-Missouria) and Kelly Langley (Chickasaw). “It’s often been said that the camera doesn’t lie, and this exhibit certainly offers a powerful glimpse into each subject, whether it’s a rural landscape, tribal ceremony or a breathtaking destination,” said Paige Shepherd, director of tourism for the Chickasaw Nation. “These artists have done a remarkable job at capturing moments in time that also tell an entire story.”

Each artist brings a different perspective to their artistry with varying backgrounds and First American influences. For instance, Philip Busey first picked up a camera in 2002 during an internship, which led to becoming a professional photographer for a daily newspaper as well as in the Southwestern Oklahoma State University public relations office. “Keeping with my photojournalist beliefs, I make little to no alterations. On occasion, I will make shadow or saturation adjustments; otherwise, the images are unaltered,” Philip states on his website. In this exhibit, he focuses on family artifacts, including Caddo regalia taken up-close to bring out details from these vintage pieces. Peggy Fontenot creates photography that creates awareness of social issues and injustices. “It can cause us to look at things in an emotional way, a clinical way, scientifically, or in a way that might provoke change,” Peggy says. Based in Los Angeles, Peggy first showcased her work in 1983. Her works are created on film and processed in her wet darkroom using a split-filter technique. Peggy’s photography, as well as beadwork and silver work, have garnered numerous awards around the country, including at the International Photography Awards, Southwestern Association for Indian Arts and Annual Black & White Spider Awards.

CONTINUED >

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C L E V E L A N D C O UN T Y

Jim Trosper, "To the Edge"

Lester Harragarra fell in love with photography on his 8th birthday when he received his first camera. Almost six decades later, he is an award-winning professional photographer and the official photographer of the Black Leggings Warrior Society. Lester utilizes vibrant colors to showcase First American cultural gatherings and traditions in his large-scale photographs. One of his pieces in the art exhibit, titled “Sanctified by Sacrifice,” beautifully captures a memorial of a family of First American veterans. “It’s [the display in the photography] our family friends that honored their grandfather, father and their son,” Lester said, recalling a discussion he had with his mother while he was still young about the negative treatment given veterans, especially during the Vietnam War. “My mother is 93. She remembers a time when America wasn’t as patriotic,” he says. “I wanted to illustrate that we have always honored our veterans for hundreds of years. That’s just how American Indians have always been.”

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CULTURE

Kelly Langley, Ph.D., is a retired educator and member of the Chickasaw Nation. She has won several awards for her photography, including the top prize at the Artesian Arts Festival in 2022. “Those of us who grew up on the Great Plains learned at a young age to keep our eye on the sky and our feet on the ground,” Kelly says. “We know the serenity that photographs come with seeing for miles in every direction, the marvel of how the sunset can set the sky on fire, the fascination of an afternoon thunderstorm, and the inherent grace in acts of goodwill. These are the simple themes that drive my landscape.” Kelly has transitioned from film to digital photography, drawing on minimal techniques for processing her photo art. She currently resides in southeastern Oklahoma and continues to showcase her works in museums, galleries and juried art competitions across the southwest. “We are fortunate to have so many talented First American artists to display in the gallery,” Paige said. “Each piece invokes an emotion that is felt throughout the gallery space—all while providing a perspective from their own cultural lens.” Visual Narratives: First American Photography runs through the end of February. A closing reception will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 1 E. Sheridan Ave., at Exhibit C Gallery. For more information on the gallery and art exhibits, visit ExhibitCGallery.com.

Lester Harragarra, "Sanctified By Sacrifice" Philip Busey, "Caddo Regalia #1"

“These artists have done a remarkable job at capturing moments in time that also tell an entire story.” — Paige Shepherd, director of tourism for the Chickasaw Nation

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C L E V E L A N D C O UN T Y

ORTHO STAT: SAME-DAY CLINIC

New Option Can Help You Avoid Long ER & Urgent Care Lines ARTICLE BY JERRI CULPEPPER

Michael Crawford, PA-C. treats 14-year-old Ryan Kuklinski at the new Ortho Stat clinic after dislocating a pinky finger while playing basketball.

H EA LT H Y LIF E ST Y LE | HE ALTH + W E LLNE S S

When Heather Kuklinksi’s 14-year-old son Rylan recently dislocated his pinky finger playing basketball, she knew just where to go, and it wasn’t a hospital emergency room or urgent care clinic, where there would almost certainly be a long wait and probable exposure to flu, strep and COVID-19, among other illnesses. Instead, she took him to Ortho Stat, a new clinic recently established by Ortho Central (and located in the same location, at 3400 W. Tecumseh Road, Suite 101). Fortunately, Heather had “inside” information on the new clinic: she is Ortho Central’s director of Operations! “Ortho Stat is an orthopedic same-day clinic,” she said. “If you’ve a broken bone, or suspect it’s broken, if you’ve twisted

Jordan Hobbs, MHS, PA-C

your knee, or if you’ve hurt your elbow, we’re there to help, seven days a week, no appointment necessary.” The clinic also will see patients suffering from closed fractures (when the bone does not break the skin), various sports-related injuries, sprains and strains, lacerations and cuts, swollen joints and work-related orthopedic injuries. Heather noted that the idea for the clinic was borne out of the pandemic. “When COVID hit, we knew we needed to think outside the box, to find a way to relieve some of the pressure at emergency rooms. And this winter, we were hit with a triple threat of flu, strep and COVID, and very sick people filling up our ERs, urgent care clinics and hospital rooms. “When you come to Ortho Stat, you won’t have to expose yourself to these germs,” she added. “And you get the benefit

Michael Crawford, PA-C

of our extensive orthopedic experience in diagnosing, casting, splinting, and advanced imaging. We can also schedule all follow-up treatment before the patient leaves the clinic. It’s more economical and convenient, truly full service.” Ortho Stat patients also save valuable time because, unlike at ERs and urgent care clinics, they won’t find long waiting lines. “We realize that injuries don’t always happen during business hours, so we have done everything possible to ensure Ortho Stat provides great care in a convenient setting,” Heather said. Last but not least is the cost savings: ER visits are significantly more expensive than clinic visits. Ortho Stat’s hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday–Friday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Ortho Stat accepts patients from age 2 up.

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C L E V E L A N D C O UN T Y

SHOW YOUR HOME LOVE NOW

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TATYANA DAWSON

ARTICLE BY WILLIAM BLAKE

COMPANY OFFERS NEW PREVENTIVE METHOD TO PREVENT NEED FOR PIERCING

H OM E U P DAT E | HOM E SE RVI CE S

Like many homeowners in Oklahoma, we know that you either have a foundation problem, or eventually WILL have a foundation problem. That’s because the soils in our state are mostly made of a silty clayey mix that expands and contracts while the seasons change, and Mother Nature runs her course. This means that when we experience the extreme heat of summer, the soils will shrink; it’s the opposite in the wet seasons, when the soil expands and softens when wetted. This recipe of expansion and contraction leaves our homes on unpredictable to unstable soils that may leave cracks in your sheetrock, sticking doors and leaving unsightly stairstep cracks on the outside brick of your home. For decades it has been common to pier your home using engineered steel piering systems as a reactive measure. With newer technology, the team at Vesta Foundation Solutions has been preventing the problems from even occurring

using a state-of-the-art method that treats the soil first, not the failure. It’s a revolutionary technique called deep soil stabilization. You see, the soils under a home are unpredictable because of the shrink/swell properties. Deep soil stabilization is a method in which the soils are injected with a structural polymer that prevents it from moving during even the most extreme weather conditions. This way, you can rest easy knowing your home will never need piering systems in the future. The system has been used for decades by the Department of Transportation to solidify roadways on unstable soil. It has been tested by engineers nationwide as a suitable means to prevent movement out of fill soils in numerous applications. The installation is quite simple. Every 3-5 feet around the perimeter of your home, a specially designed metal tubing is driven deep into the soil. These are placed at various depths, ranging from 7’ to 3’ deep. Then a structural polymer called POLY400 is injected into the soil, allowing it to soak into the surrounding clay. This is done at a high pressure and heated to help prevent it from solidifying too quickly. The injection is like a foam that will expand into the soil and then solidify it after it cures. The product will remain a liquid for the first 20-25 seconds and then strengthens the surrounding soil around the injection point. Once the injection is complete, the metal tubing is cut off underneath the grade and hidden from sight. After 20 minutes, the soil is then cured and free from the expansive/ contractive qualities experienced before. In fact, it becomes as hard as concrete!

The home is then strategically benchmarked for ongoing monitoring. No electric or WIFI monitoring system or monthly charges needed. This allows our teams to work around existing bushes, shrubs and patios without the need to remove any obstacles. Most installations take place in one day and can be installed year-round. One of the best features is that the product is 90% inert recycled materials that do not affect the soil or home in any environmental way. With this technique of deep soil stabilization, our customers now have the peace of mind of knowing their biggest investment is protected from ever moving and will not have to venture through the expense of piering. It is very affordable, and in larger systems, financing is available To learn more, visit VestaFoundationSolutions. com or call 405.213.0492. We would love to help you understand more about this great service that is helping so many homeowners across the Sooner State. William Blake is owner of Vesta Foundation Solutions, 3709 NW 3rd St., Oklahoma City, OK 73107. The company also offers crawl space repair, basement waterproofing and concrete services.

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C L E V E L A N D C O UN T Y

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Food and Shelter Executive Director April Doshier speaks to a guest.

American Rescue Plan Act Funds Helping Some of Area’s Most Vulnerable

M UST SE E | LOCA L SERV I CE S

ENHANCING LIVES THROUGH STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOY HAMPTON

Sonya McCoy lives in a cottage at a local homeless shelter. Sonya cares for her three grandchildren, ages 9 months, 3 years and 10 years. When her rent became too high for her income, she started looking for resources and found help at Food and Shelter in Norman, where she qualified for one of the cottages. When veteran Eric Wilson needed help paying for mental health treatment, he turned to American Legion Post 88 for assistance. “They got me that mental health help that I needed, and that was all due to my service officer here at the American Legion,” he said. Amber Freeman was homeless and had addiction issues. “It’s really hard to ask for help,” she said. “I tried to get sober on my own many times, and it never really worked. I am in Cleveland County’s treatment court, and they were the ones that recommended the Virtue Center to me. I got my family back.”

When tragedy, suffering and hardship strikes, one of the best things people can do is to start with the question, “How can I help?” Cleveland County has answered that call, leveraging American Rescue Plan Act dollars to assist the robust network of Cleveland County nonprofits already working on the front lines to improve the health and welfare of our people. Currently, The Virtue Center serves 2,000 people like Amber each year who suffer from behavioral health issues. Due to $500,000 in ARPA money received through Cleveland County, the number of people Virtue Center can assist will more than double over the course of the next few years. “This funding is extremely important to our mission and the impact that the pandemic has had on our community and the county. We are seeing more and more severe cases,” said Virtue Center Executive Director Teresa Collado. CONTINUED >

TOP: Virtue Center Executive Director Teresa Collado speaks during a check presentation ceremony by Cleveland County on Oct. 25. BOTTOM: American Legion Post 88 Commander Ernest Martin (second from left) accepts a presentation check from Cleveland County Commissioners (from left) Rod Cleveland, Harold Haralson and Darry Stacy on Nov. 10, 2022, at The Well. Also pictured is Cleveland County veterans' coordinator Charlie Neely (far right) FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C L E V E L A N D C O UN T Y

Cottages like this one at Food and Shelter, pictured on Nov. 9, 2022, serve as long-term, temporary housing.

Cleveland County commissioners saw how the pandemic affected the lives of county residents during and after the COVID-19 surge, starting with loss of life, loss of jobs, increase in mental health issues and substance abuse, loss of services, and supply chain shortages. Today, inflation continues to impact working-class families. When the county leadership learned Cleveland County would receive $55 million in ARPA funds, the process began to determine how to spend that money to benefit the most people. County commissioners literally asked, through at dozens of stakeholder meetings and a countywide survey, “How were you affected by the pandemic? How can we help? How do you want to see this money spent?” From that feedback, the county developed three funding priorities: public and behavioral health, infrastructure and economic impacts. Nonprofits submitted applications for ARPA funding, and the county looked at other services and programs that were needed. Following this long public process, the first announcements were made in October, starting with The Virtue Center. “About 52% of our clients are reporting active trauma symptoms,” Teresa said, emphasizing that alcohol abuse, meth and heroine, including heroin with fentanyl, continue to be major threats to public health throughout Oklahoma. Fentanyl, in particular, can be deadly, she said. “We’re even seeing people use fentanyl purposefully as a way to cope with their mental health issues.” Another early beneficiary is American Legion Post 88 in Norman. Post 88 received $330,000 to pay for wiring and structural upgrades of their facility and to support the food pantry. “When we got the notification that there were funds that were going to be available, the first thing I thought is, we’ve got to get this post something to help us out,” said Post Commander Ernest Martin. “This building was built in the 1930s by the WPA. We have wiring that’s not the best in the world. It still works, but it needs to be upgraded. We’ve got plumbing that needs to be upgraded.” Post 88 has helped qualified veterans, service members and veteran families receive more than $8 million in benefits since 2019. Food and shelter volunteers are ready to serve lunch at the area nonprofit.

M UST SE E | LOCA L SERV I CE S

American Legion Post 88 Service Officer Carl Ellison works with a veteran applying for benefits at Post 88 in Norman.

Cleveland County has $500,000 available to veterans service groups. While American Legion Post 88 was the first to receive funding, several others have applied for county ARPA funds and are on the list to receive money. On Dec. 8, county commissioners presented Food and Shelter with $1 million in ARPA funds. “The work we do at Food and Shelter is pretty simple. We feed people who are hungry and we help people who have lost their homes find their way back home,” Food and Shelter Executive Director April Doshier said. “Without food, people can’t really live to their fullest potential, so we really give the most basic of human needs to help people get through the day and start to make some big steps for tomorrow.” April said the ARPA investment by Cleveland County will go a long way to bolster the services Food and Shelter offer. “We often see people who are facing eviction,” April said. “They’re worried about how they are going to pay their rent, and so they come to us looking for resources. Our goal is to keep those folks housed. “The majority of people who come to us are just struggling people,” she added. “They’re moms and dads and kids and seniors and veterans who have limited income. They’re struggling to pay those bills, and they turn to us to make those dollars stretch through our food pantry or through our emergency services.” In addition to living in one of the cottages, Sonya works in the kitchen and the food pantry at Food and Shelter. She said she found a warm, safe place to live with her grandchildren, and she’s appreciative of Cleveland County awarding funds to the agency. “It’s a blessing that they were willing to give. It’s going to help a lot of families,” she said. Requests for county ARPA dollars are vetted carefully to meet federal qualification guidelines and some requests are still being processed. The county has also allocated funding for infrastructure and mitigating the economic impact of COVID. To learn more about Cleveland County’s ARPA plan and the distribution of that funding, check out their ARPA Recovery Program page on the county website at ClevelandCountyOK.com/384/ ARPA-Recovery-Program. Amber Freeman tells her story for a video team documenting Cleveland County ARPA awards on Oct. 11. (Photo provided)

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C L E V E L A N D C O UN T Y

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Meet Norman’s Own ‘Papa Joe’ Gil VETERAN, BUSINESSMAN CONTINUES TO SERVE COUNTRY AND COMMUNITY

Joe Gil, as Norman American Legion Post finance officer, shows off a check the organization recently received through the American Rescue Plan Act. Margaret Cullins and Joe Gill at the closing of Joe's Tavern

Imagine being only 22 years old and finding yourself in command of a battalion of U.S. soldiers, some of them older than your father. Then imagine the prospect of taking those soldiers into combat overseas. That’s the exact situation faced by a young Joe Gil, who was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1965, beginning a military career that would last nearly

H OM E TOWN H E R O | L IFE + CULTURE

Over the years, Joe also became a surrogate father of sorts for his many young employees, most of whom referred to him as Papa Joe, Pappa or Papi. Today, that concern for others carries over into every aspect of Joe’s life. For two years he’s helped veterans through his work as finance officer for Norman’s American Legion Post. He’s also an active officer with the Norman Cross Timbers Rotary Club, and he does both fundraising and hands-on volunteering with a long list of charitable organizations and schools. “My time in the service made me a better man, and the skills I learned there and as a businessman enable me to help others,” he said. “I do this because I care and because I can, and I use that as the backbone for all that I do. “I’ve learned to forgive our nation for how they treated us as Vietnam veterans,” Joe added. “But I’ll never forget, and all the (community) work I do is because I came home, and 58,000 soldiers did not. That put me on this path, to do what they might have done. I do this for love of my brothers.”

ARTICLE BY STACI ELDER HENSLEY

two decades and include service in the Vietnam War and multiple leadership positions with the Oklahoma Army National Guard. Today, many years later, Joe’s is a familiar face across all sections of Norman society, as he volunteers in a leadership role with a number of veterans’ groups, along with various charities, civic organizations and Norman public schools. “I try to do something each day, and I thank my time in the service for helping me to be a better man,” he said. Joe’s path to becoming a Norman resident was a winding one. Originally from California, he made his first visit to Oklahoma after basic and advanced training, when he was accepted into Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, graduating as a second lieutenant. (He would later be promoted to captain during his tour in Vietnam.) After the war, Joe returned to Fort Sill, where he was honorably discharged. While job hunting post-service, he joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard. He chose to live in Norman but spent weekends commanding three separate guard units over the years, two in Enid and one in Blackwell. His personal experiences during and after Vietnam have made Joe determined to ensure that America’s veterans receive the respect and assistance they deserve. “I went through a lot of anger and survivor guilt; there was a lot I had to work through, given how we Vietnam veterans were treated when we returned to the States,” Joe said. “It was very difficult, especially when I came home, and everyone turned their back on us.” After leaving the Guard in October 1980, Joe worked in a managerial role for several Norman restaurants and bars, including Kelly’s, Luciano’s, Genjii EuroJapanese and Pink’s (now The Library). He drew on that and his military experience to take a leap of faith and become a business owner. In 1993, Joe opened what would become the iconic Joe’s Taverna on OU’s Campus Corner. “I turned it into a lot of fun,” he said. “We had a ‘Cheers’-type atmosphere that I deliberately worked hard to achieve.”

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C L E V E L A N D C O UN T Y

The Sooner Theatre Presents A Nice, Normal Neighborhood

Murder

Annual Murder Mystery 'FUN'draising dinner and show!

Written and directed by James Briggs

Feb. 9, 10 & 11, 2023 Tickets $75/Tables of 10 $750 A murderously funny, musical fundraising dinner and show for adults only benefiting the programs and productions of The Sooner Theatre of Norman, Inc.

PAID OFF MORTGAGE SPONSORS: Armstrong Bank, Eide Bailly, Hartzog Conger Cason, H&H Construction, Valliance Bank LEASE-TO-OWN SPONSORS: First United Bank, Norman Pediatric Dentistry

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For the Love of Jazz Jazz Both a Vocation & Avocation for Saxophonist Eric Walschap We recently caught up with Eric Walschap, for whom jazz is both a vocation and avocation. Eric’s many accolades include being voted as the Oklahoma Music Professional of the Month for February 2021 by Oklahoma Film & Music out of a selection of 4,500 professionals in the music industry, as well as contributing to the upcoming Martin Scorsese movie, Killer of the Flower Moon, where he worked as the music consultant.

Q. I UNDERSTAND YOU HOLD A “DAY” JOB AS ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR AND ADJUNCT PROFESSOR OF MUSIC AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA SCHOOL OF MUSIC? A. I primarily oversee the facilities and technology for the department, spanning three buildings: Catlett Music Center, the Reynolds Performing Arts Center and Carpenter Hall. As we have 90+ faculty and staff in addition to roughly 500 music students (and thousands of non-music majors who take classes and use our spaces), every day is exciting. In addition to my administrative duties, I also teach a class called Experiencing Music, a class for non-music majors where I view my job as having 16 weeks to make students understand music in a new light, be exposed to new and exciting music, all while falling in love with the art even more than before they stepped into my classroom.

Q. SO, WHY JAZZ? A. When I got to 10th grade at Norman High School (after a slow start on the flute, then saxophone), on a whim, I joined a jazz band. For the first time, I felt I had the opportunity to play truly exciting, challenging music. Even sitting last chair in the band, I knew my part was unique to the group and integral to the whole sound—and playing with the upperclassmen and seeing how talented they were was awe-inspiring. CONTINUED >

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | A RTS + CULTURE

ARTICLE BY JERRI CULPEPPER PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALLEN PEARCY GALEANA

Photo by Allen Pearcy Galeana FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C L E V E L A N D C O UN T Y

Photo by Allen Pearcy Galeana

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | A RTS + CULTURE

Our jazz band director, Jim Meiller, not only instilled the love of music in general for me but showed me what happens when you apply yourself and actually practice. It was with this jazz band, in 2000 as a 10th grader, that we were invited to play at Jazz in June. Being able to perform and play a solo in front of thousands of people the same year I started playing the genre was truly a jumping-off point for my career. I know I say this with a bias as a jazz musician and saxophonist, but even compared with incredible art forms like hip-hop, country and rock, I feel jazz is truly unique in its place in American history and how it fits into all forms of music today. People forget it was the most popular genre for several decades starting in the 1920s, and instruments like the electric guitar, the drum set and even microphones owe their existence to it. Additionally, every five to ten years jazz essentially undergoes a metamorphosis and sounds completely different than it previously—or in some cases—has ever, sounded. The range of styles from Fats Waller to Snarky Puppy, from Louis Armstrong to Jon Batiste, from Miles Davis to Jacob Collier, no other genre can hold a candle to the sheer amount of diversity found in the genre. I think people who haven't had a guiding hand when listening to the genre tend to think of two primary areas of jazz” “elitist, I can’t understand it” free jazz and “sellout, boring” smooth/pop jazz. While they both have merit and are appreciated by many, they are at opposite ends of the jazz spectrum and represent the extreme 1% of either side. Look for the juicy middle section of the genre, and I guarantee you will find a deep pool of artists and bands you'll love that break the preconceived idea of one of the most diverse types of music in the world.

Q. WHAT TYPE OF JAZZ DO YOU PERFORM? A. While some of the biggest names in Jazz might stick to a few sub-genres of jazz that they find success in, most of us mortals must be willing to play any style that comes up if we want to put food on the table. Big Band, bebop, swing, funk, it's all fair game.

Q. WHEN AND WHERE DID YOU FIRST PERFORM PROFESSIONALLY BEFORE A LIVE AUDIENCE? A. My very first paying gig was in 1999 when I was a part of the Norman High School Saxophone Quartet. We were asked to perform for the grand

opening of the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, and to this day I still have the $25 check framed. It would be a few years later that I ever saw payment for playing again, and it was mostly in the form of gas-station food and a floor to sleep on when I was touring with a punk-ska band in my undergraduate years.

Q. DO YOU PERFORM SOLO, AND/OR WITH A BAND OR OTHER MUSICIANS? A. While I've been in a little over a dozen groups, at the moment the only performing group I'm with that survived the pandemic is Boyd Street Brass (boydstreetbrass.com/), a seven-piece band made up primarily of OU School of Music faculty. We formed nearly a decade ago with the mission of bringing fun and exciting New Orleans-style jazz to students around Oklahoma. The idea was to show students in band and orchestra that it can be “cool” to play these traditional instruments by dancing around and blasting funky tunes in their face. Over the years, we've morphed into doing the arrangements of band leader and arranger Jay Wilkinson, who is also the head of the OU Jazz Department, and now incorporate jazz/brass band arrangements of more popular music as well as his own exciting originals.

Q. WHERE HAVE YOU HAVE PERFORMED, AND WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND YOUR MUSIC, ONLINE OR OTHERWISE? A. I’ve had the honor and pleasure of performing in some exciting locations and with truly some of the best musicians on the planet, full stop. I've toured to and performed in Hollywood and Las Vegas, I’ve soloed in the middle of the court, alone with a clip-on mic, during halftime of a basketball game at Madison Square Garden, I've performed or given lectures at several national saxophone conferences, and have appeared on about a dozen albums covering a wide range of music, from indie rock, punk, afrobeat, country and, of course, jazz. Most recently, I recorded some music for the podcast 40 Minutes of Funk, hosted by Michael Bendure, which also included musicians like eight-time Grammy-winning keyboardist Shaun Martin (Kirk Franklin, Erykah Badu) and four-time Grammy-winning guitarist Mark Lettieri (Eminem, Adam Levine). While I don't have solo albums, most of the music I have recorded can be found on traditional

CONTINUED >

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C L E V E L A N D C O UN T Y

streaming services like iTunes and Spotify. I appear on all the albums for Boyd Street Brass, Pidgin, and Third Grade Scuffle, and have appeared randomly on other artists' albums, including Parker Millsap, Dorian Small, Christina Giacona and Patrick Conlon.

Q. I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE AN ONLINE PERSONALITY WITH A SHOW CALLED “THE RESONANCE SERIES.” COULD YOU ELABORATE? A. The Resonance Series (ou.edu/finearts/music/series/ resonance) is a guest lecture series that started in August 2020 when the world was shut down. I had been bringing guests to perform and talk to my students at OU prior to the pandemic, but since all musicians were essentially grounded and unable to travel or perform, I started reaching out to some of the more high-profile contacts I've made over the years to see if they’d like to Zoom in and talk about their careers. Over the last two years, we've had over 30 guests, over half of them Grammy winners, including some Oscar and Pulitzer Prize winners, and we are no longer virtual but instead bring most of these guests to campus to perform and workshop with our students.

Q. WHAT IS YOUR CONNECTION WITH JAZZ IN JUNE? A. I originally joined Jazz in June in 2013 as a board member and served on the program committee under the direction of Jim Johnson, host of KGOU's “The Weekend Blues.” As a Normanite since 1989, and as a performer on the stage in 2000 and 2013, Jazz in June has just always been a part of my life and

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | A RTS + CULTURE

it was one of the honors of my lifetime to be able to assist in any way that I could. Starting in 2019, I became chair of the programming committee and was then hired as director of programming, where I stepped off the board but was simultaneously hired as a professional to advise the board on which bands and artists should perform at the festival. I am supported by a passionate committee where we consider hundreds of artists each year to fill the three days of music that is enjoyed by tens of thousands of people. Jazz in June is truly a special, free festival that brings the world's best jazz musicians to the heart of Norman year after year. June 15-18, 2023, we will celebrate its 40th anniversary (look for details on the festival and associated events at jazzinjune.org/) with a lineup that is nothing short of spectacular.

Q. HOW DID YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN THE MAKING OF THE KILLER OF THE FLOWER MOON FILM COME ABOUT? A. I was sought after because they were needing period musical instruments built in the early 1920s. I already owned a 1920 Martin C-Melody Saxophone, which appears in the movie, and helped secure a half dozen other instruments. I was then hired to go to the set and make sure everything looked accurate while filming, as oftentimes in movies people "fake" playing instruments. Luckily, Scorsese has a penchant for details, and they made sure real jazz musicians were hired that played these instruments that were all over a hundred years old.

Q. I UNDERSTAND YOUR WIFE, JENNIFER, IS A FELLOW MUSICIAN AND INSTRUCTOR, AND YOUR SON LEIF MAY BE FOLLOWING IN HIS PARENTS’ FOOTSTEPS MUSICALLY. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT BOTH? A. I actually met Jennifer when I was the interim instructor of saxophone at OU. My students needed to be accompanied by a pianist for their juries (graded end-of-year performances) and recitals. One of them was Jennifer and, well, let's just say I was smitten by more than just her piano playing! She holds degrees in music including a master in piano pedagogy from OU, considered the No. 1 program in the country, and is also Suzuki certified, a specialized teaching method that focuses on teaching children. She runs a studio called Imagine Music and Arts (Imaginemusicandarts.com). Our son Leif is nearly 6 months old, so while we haven't forced him into piano lessons quite yet, he's rocking his shakers! Although we do hope he has a natural inclination for music and we will fill his childhood with opportunities, we of course will support him in whatever he is passionate about. Jennifer and I joke about being scared he'll turn out to be an NFL player or NASA scientist...!

Q. INTERESTS OUTSIDE WORK AND PERFORMING? A. Don't let my students know, but I've been an avid gamer pretty much all of my life and continue to enjoy them even as my free time evaporates. This last year I also jumped in the deep end of archery and have found it is an incredible source of joy and stress reduction, sharing the pastime with friends and family. I suppose I should also mention I enjoy ridiculous vehicles; a lifetime ago I used to ride a Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle, but a few years ago I purchased a Polaris Slingshot—essentially a go-cart motorcycle/car hybrid on steroids. It makes my daily commute a bit more exciting, and of course because it's in bright red it goes a little faster!

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C L E V E L A N D C O UN T Y

F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 3

events A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area. F E B R UA RY 1 0 T H

Remember the Time: Flashback to the '80s Adult Prom

T HE STATION GYM, MOORE | 7 :0 0 P M For Ages 21+ .... beer and wine sales will be available on-site and light refreshments will be served. '80s formal wear is encouraged. Tickets will also be available for purchase at The Station front desk. CityOfMoore.com/Upcoming-Events F E BRUA RY 11TH - 14TH

Valentine's Day Scavenger Hunt in the Parks

MOOR E PAR KS The Scavenger Hunt will run Feb. 11-14, and residents are encouraged to visit Central, Kiwanis and Parmele parks in search of a Valentine picture card. One card per person can be traded in for a treat at The Station front desk. CityOfMoore.com/Upcoming-Events

F EB RUA RY 1 7 T H

Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine Dedication

Mark your calendar on Feb. 17 for the dedication of the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine, 700 SE 89th St., Oklahoma City, which will feature a museum and pilgrim center on the campus. Dedication Mass open to the public, but seating is limited. There will be outdoor room as well, weather permitting. Event will be live-streamed on the archdiocesan Facebook and YouTube page. Learn more: RotherShrine.org/dedication . CONTINUED >

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EVE N TS

FE BRUARY 2 0 2 3

realty report A sample of recently sold properties in Cleveland County. NEI GH BO RH O OD

OR IGIN AL PRIC E

SO L D P RIC E

%SO L D/ O RIG

DO M

B DRM S

B AT H S

Trophy Club, Norman

$1,300,000

$107,200

82%

3.1

$987,000

100%

3.1

$1,499,000

$675,000

45%

152

3.3

$710,000

$575,000

80%

3.1

Brookhaven 40, Norman Quail Brook 5, Norman Rural SE Moore Estates of Belmar, Moore

$537,352

$564,852

105%

Hallbrooke 6, Norman

$549,200

100%

2.1

Church Hill Estates, Moore

$530,000

100%

Kingsbridge Estates, SW OKC

$525,000

100%

2.1

The Legacy, SW OKC

$519,500

100%

2.1

Lost Creek, Moore

$596,000

$500,000

83%

3.1

Foxmor Estates, SW OKC

$600,000

$498,500

83%

131

3.1

Rockport 3, SW OKC

$490,000

100%

2.1

Little River Trails Sec 3, Norman

$524,999

$477,500

90%

2.1

The Willows, Moore

$470,000

$465,000

98%

2.1

Cascata Lakes, SW OKC

$429,900

$425,000

98%

2.1

The Waters, Moore

$467,990

$423,340

90%

Monterey II, Norman

$419,950

$411,000

97%

2.1

Williamson Farms, SW OKC

$369,000

$362,000

98%

2.1

Seiter Farms, Moore

$339,900

100%

Brookhaven Square 2, Norman

$385,000

$325,000

84%

165

This data is a sampling of sold properties from last month. Source: OKC/Norman Multiple Listing System.

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F E BRUA RY 1 7TH

Senior Sweetheart Dance

BRAND SEN IOR CEN TER, M O O RE | 6:00 PM Come to the Brand Senior Center for senior prom, for ages 55 plus. Enjoy a live band, snacks and door prizes. Tickets will be on sale at The Station and Brand Senior Center. CityOfMoore.com/Upcoming-Events/ Senior-Sweetheart-Dance

F E BRUA RY 1 7TH

ARTxFACTS: Dating with Dinos

SAM NO BL E MUS EUM, NO RM AN | 6:00 PM Experience a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum's vertebrate paleontology collection and learn about some of their lesser-known specimens. Then unleash your creative side as you follow along with the OU Print Club to make a dinosaur-themed print of your own! Give your print as a valentine or keep it for yourself as a one-of-a-kind souvenir. SamNobleMuseum.ou.edu/Calendar

F E BRUA RY 1 8TH

Norman Mardi Gras Parade

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DOWNTOWN NORMAN | 6:00 PM Make your way to Main Street to celebrate this Cajun tradition with marching bands, parade floats, musicians, dancers and just plain weird and wonderful characters. Join thousands of revelers for the Mardi Gras Parade and watch them march, dance and roll their way around downtown Norman. This family-friendly parade will begin at dark.

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BV FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C L E V E L A N D C O UN T Y

ARE YOU COVERED? Most Businesses Underestimate Amount of General Liability Coverage Needed ARTICLE BY JONATHAN BRASSFIELD

As a former restaurant owner, I know the grit and determination it takes to run a small business. The expression “blood, sweat and tears” comes to mind. As a business owner, time and knowledge is everything. As a master of your craft or trade, you know your business better than anyone. However, being a master of your craft or trade doesn’t mean that you are a master of circumstances. Accidents can happen, even to the best of us. Those happening within your business can be highly detrimental. I owned that restaurant long before I became an agent. I had commercial insurance, but I didn’t know the ins and outs of the policy. I recall getting mailed my 100-pluspage policy, but I had other priorities besides reading all that. With the experience I now have, I realize I had gaps in my coverage. My agent had provided me a standard policy, but he didn’t care about my business like I did. So, things were missed. Most business owners only find out what their coverage is once a claim occurs—not the best time to find out that you have gaps. Talk about a mountain of stress! There are a lot of moving parts in commercial insurance. Having an agent who cares about your business, who can help guide you and fill in the gaps, can help you save thousands of dollars on a claim. A good agent can also

alleviate some of the stress of that claim while allowing you to continue running your business smoothly. General liability is essentially lawsuit protection for your business. Say that you, your business or your employees are being sued for something that (allegedly) happened within your business. General liability coverage will kick in and protect you. Many business owners don’t have enough, though. The typical coverage amount is $1 million per claim, or $2 million per year. Sounds like plenty, right? Think again. Currently, the average lawsuit results in a payment of $1.5 million. With only $1 million in coverage, your business is on the hook to pay the remaining balance of $500,000. Your business and assets may be in jeopardy. That is one of a few types of policies available for your business. Each policy has many facets that can be adjusted for every business type. They all play a key purpose in protecting you and your business. I know insurance is not fun to talk about or deal with. But I hope you can see the need for commercial insurance that is unique to your business. I enjoy going over customers’ policies to ensure that it is tailor-made for them, with no gaps. Peace of mind is my top priority for my small-business owner clients. I will always treat your business like it’s my own. You could say, I take it personally.

Jonathan Brassfield Jonathan Brassfield is a Farmers agent with offices located at 120 SE 19th St., Ste 100, Moore. He can be reached at 405.310.4719 or jbrassfield@farmersagent.com.

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Sentiments from our Realtors

"Kathy and Steve have treated me almost like a son. They are always available, willing to help, and extremely supportive of our career paths. I have confidence that not only do my customers have my expertise, negotiation, and hard work they also have my amazing brokers behind them as well. Prime Realty is a great part of the community."

Dustin Whittern

Leslie Switzer "I've been with Prime Realty since 2009 and love the family atmosphere. Kathy is the most knowledgeable broker that I have come across but what's more amazing is her patience and willing attitude to help out on any and all situations. Recently I tested the waters with another firm and quickly found out that it wasn't as grand a situation as they painted. The environment was cold and they treated the employees more like numbers than people.

Jerry Flowers

Prime Realty is one of the best real estate companies to work for because of its knowledgeable broker, willing agents to help each other, its weekly training and the beautiful office space thats available to meet clients expectations."

"Prime Realty is truly the most precious gem in the heart of Oklahoma! I am so grateful for the teachings and lessons I’ve learned and have been able to apply to my business and personal life. Kathy and Steve are unmatched in their continuous support and I love my Prime Realty family. One of the biggest blessings in my life!"

"In an industry where often we see real estate offices & agents that are territorial and downright cutthroat when it comes to business dealings, you can be assured you’ll never find that temperament in the Prime office. Kathy and Steve set a standard for the expectation level of professionalism as well as integrity. They support their agents in achieving that standard as well as providing tools and resources to help agents succeed."

Tiffany Elcyzyn "Prime Realty is FAMILY. Being with the Prime Realty family for over 10 years tells you a lot already. We look out for each other when in need always. Kathy & Steve Griffith exemplified the integrity Prime Realty stood for. They have always been there to mentor the entire team in every aspect of the real estate process. I could not have become the realtor that I am today without all of their support and encouragement."

Nguyet M. Kieu

Tera Painter

Glenda Slusser

"From the very first meeting with Kathy and Steve, I wanted to be part of Prime Realty, Inc. Two days after our first meeting I received a beautiful card in the mail from Kathy saying she would like me to join them in Real Estate. I was so excited and couldn’t wait to get started. Prime Realty has been the only brokerage I have been in since starting in Real Estate. All of our Realtors help with advising and encouraging one another. Kathy & Steve have a way of bringing everyone close to their heart. They are always ready to answer any question and ready to cheer us on no matter what crazy idea we may have in marketing and in life."

"I grew tired of the large brokerage where it was all about numbers and the broker didn't know my name, even though I was a top 10 personal producer. I wanted to be in a much smaller firm that was more like family and supported each other in all facets of life. Kathy and Steve Griffith and Prime Realty are that Realtor family I was looking for! They have the utmost integrity and wisdom, but they actually care and make time for us whenever we need them. I'm thankful the Lord led me to them and I couldn't be more grateful for them."

"Working as the Office Administrator for Kathy and Steve at Prime Realty has been an incredible privilege. The atmosphere is fun and relaxed, but also very professional. Our Realtors are always so helpful to one another and we know Kathy and Steve are here for us whenever we need them. Prime Realty has cultivated a culture of fun, love and family. It's a wonderful combination, of which I'm glad to be a part."

Lisa Marie Elrod "Being new in the real estate profession, I found the perfect home to start a new career. Prime Realty radiates compassion and integrity. Kathy and Steve understand that each agent has their own goals, therefore, each agent’s goals become their goals. We receive tremendous levels of encouragement and support to meet and achieve those goals, while also being provided the resources needed to continuously learn and succeed in a constantly changing industry."

"Becoming part of Prime Realty, Inc. was the best decision for me as a new realtor. With Kathy and Steve not only do we have the most supportive, accessible, motivating leaders but they offer amazing education tools. I love being a part of The Prime Realty Family!"

Amber Watts Tracie Woods

"Working with Prime Realty and Kathy and Steve Griffith was one of my dreams when I became a realtor. I met Kathy years ago through BNI and the moment I met her, I knew she was who I wanted as a mentor once I got my license. When I finally pursued real estate, and got my license, I reached out to Kathy and the rest is history.

"When I made the choice to move to Prime Realty, I didn’t even realize what I was missing before! It truly feels like a family who all have each other’s backs, which is modeled so well by Kathy and Steve. The environment is one of kindness, trust, teamwork, encouragement, welcoming, support on all levels, and very family friendly! I can say that I truly feel like Prime Realty is as good as they come!"

Brigit Axton

Cami Martz "Prime has been nothing but welcoming and supportive since I started. They have given us their time and tools to succeed in the business. They are there for you anytime you need anything and that has been the most crucial part for me. Everyone definitely works as a team to reach the same goals!'

Kenia Reynosa Flores

Being a Realtor with Prime Realty is like reaching the ultimate goal as a family - to be loved and supported throughout not only your real estate journey, but also, life. They have all been there for me, cheering me on, and providing anything me or my family has needed throughout my cancer journey, that started in January 2022. Kathy and Steve are always available for questions and/or to help. They have and continue to provide so much knowledge and education. They are always cheering us on, encouraging us to be and do better. They constantly share our accomplishments to anyone that will listen. They truly CARE about their realtors and it shows in everything they do. The most important thing I believe is that anything they ask of us, they also ask of themselves. I honestly couldn't ask for anything better than the family I have with Prime Realty."

Prime Realty Luxury Homes

S T E V E 405-613-4141

Steve@PrimeRealtyLuxuryHomes.com

K A T H Y 405-213-7839

Kathy@PrimeRealtyLuxuryHomes.com