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Thursday, February 18, 2021

For here or to-go? Stillwater sees decline in restaurant retention

Ryan Novozinsky

Jack in the Box in Stillwater is permanently closed.

By Jared A’Latorre The City of Stillwater has recently had a surge of businesses coming and leav-

ing for many reasons. Jack in the Box is the most recent business to shut down, as reported by The O’Colly on Feb. 7. The O’Colly has reached out there Jack in the Box at their corporate office for comment, but so far, no answer. There have been other stores, such as Zaxby’s, and

the on-campus Jamba Juice that have closed down within the past year. Project Manager of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, Trenton Inselman said that Zaxby’s businesses in Stillwater were not the same as businesses as elsewhere. “The franchise owner owned multiple units across

Oklahoma and ran into some issues. They had to shed most of their franchise locations and only kept the highest performing stores.” Inselman said. “Other reasons could be corporate decisions closing newer stores that aren’t performing at the same rate as existing stores,” Inselman said. “In this case, it makes more sense for them to focus on the highly successful stores instead of the new stores that aren’t quite performing to their highest level.” Stillwater native and Oklahoma State student, Brodie Myers, still remembers Chipotle replaced a personal favorite, Goldies. “This fast-food Italian place, it had the best breadsticks in the world,” Myers said. “When that place closed down and Chipotle came in, I have not once set foot in Chipotle. Fazoli’s is my favorite restaurant on the planet.” When the Hall of Fame Book Trader closed down, Myers couldn’t believe it. As someone who didn’t go in just to buy books, but also OSU merchandise, losing this store was a surprise See To-go on pg. 2

Getting circled Gajewski highlights four young players raising eyebrows Freshman outfielder Scotland David By Sam Hutchens “Now here’s a guy who…” That is the start to what has become a catchphrase employed by Sunday Night Football analyst Chris Collinsworth. The broadcaster typically uses that phrase to highlight a football player. He tacks on something like, “...is an incredible pass protector” while simultaneously circling a lineman in yellow to accentuate their deft blocking on the previous play. Although he was not talking to millions of people while sitting next to Al Michaels, Cowgirl Softball coach Kenny Gajewski was in a similar position to the esteemed color commentator. When asked about some younger players on the team that could take a substantial leap forward this season, Gajewski was able to praise some younger players who have impressed in the offseason. “We’ve got a lot of kids who are pushing some older kids which is really healthy, Gajewski said.” He focused in on four young players who have displayed the potential to really impact the season

“Scotland David is from Florida,” Gajewski said. “Freaky athlete, maybe the fastest kid on our team. Tall in stature, left-handed hitter. More of a hitter but she does move her feet and she can move her feet and bunt some.” With her athletic background and highly-preferable left-handed stance, David is expected to be a reliable source of offense for the Cowgirls. “She’s going to be an offensive threat here for a long time,” Gajewski said.

Freshman outfielder Avery Hobson

Gajewski mentioned Hobson in the same breath as David and for good reason. “(Hobson is) an outfielder as well,” Gajewski said. “She is more of a move your feet, bunter kid. She may be the second or third fastest kid on our team. Both freshmen can play the same position and like David, Hobson possesses a deadly combination of speed and bunting ability. “Both of those kids are going to get at-bats,” Gajewski said.

Freshman pitcher/infielder Katelynn Carwhile See Getting on pg. 4

Joel Devick OSU coach Kenny Gajewski looks on during the Oklahoma State vs. Wichita State softball game.

Page 2 Thursday, February 18, 2021

News

To-go Continued from pg. 1 “I was shocked,” Myers said. “I understood that the paper textbook business was done, but I thought maybe they cut some employees, maybe if they only open a few days a week, they could survive with just the t-shirt and the hat.” In addition to routine and typical hardships in the restaurant business, the pandemic that has now lasted nearly a year has taken a large toll on the food industry welfare. “Other times, market conditions outside companies control can cause them to shut down,” Insleman said. “During COVID, we have had a few concepts very close to opening a Stillwater location, but they are waiting until market conditions improve before taking on the risk of a new location.” In the process of getting another chain or non-franchise in town, there has to be a location to build off of. “Certain brands like In-N-Out are not looking at the Stillwater market,” Inselman said. “Almost all brands will first open in Tulsa, OKC, Edmond and Midwest City.” “Stillwater is a little ways down the line for brand new concepts in Oklahoma.” Myers thinks that all of these closings could be an opportunity for just regional and even corporate markets to make their way onto Stillwater instead of local businesses. “I think it’s hard to start a place like Eskimo or one of the Joes,” Myers said. While that may happen, Stillwater

has also had success with non-franchise businesses, such as Tacos Los Primos which replaced Pizza Hut, Firo Pizza which replaced Long John Silvers, Ma-

Adam Luther ria’s which replaced Marco’s Pizza, and The Beet Box Food Truck. news.ed@ocolly.com

Stillwater COVID-19 update: Feb. 17 By Ryan Novozinsky The official Oklahoma coronavirus database on Wednesday reported 177 active cases in Stillwater. These new numbers bring the city’s total cases to 5,902 with 23 deaths and 5,702 recoveries. On the state level, the health department reported 1,078 new cases, bringing the total confirmed positive cases to 415,858. The state also reported 28 new COVID-19 related deaths, bringing the total to 4,089. There have been 393,169 total recoveries since COVID reached Oklahoma in March. Oklahoma state officials are encouraging Oklahomans to wash their hands, stay away from sick individuals and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. The virus is primarily spread from person-to-person with symptoms usually appearing two to 14 days after exposure. The most common symptoms of the coronavirus are fever, cough, shortness of breath or loss of taste or smell. Photo by Martin Sanchez on Unsplash

O’Colly file photo.

LET THE PEOPLES PRAISE YOU, O GOD! Let the peoples praise you, O God; Let all the people praise you. Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall blessed us. God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.” (Ps.67:5-7) Praise and thanksgiving are amazing actions when pertaining to God. It is so easy to think on the negative things of life; to dwell on the things that seem to be wrong in our personal life or in the world. The Bible continually points us to God and his ways, and encourages us to trust him and take him at his promises. We are even told to rejoice in our weaknesses that his power might be in our lives. (2 Co.12:9) This was the same challenge to those who walked with God before us, who trusted God and saw him work in so many ways. The

challenge is to trust God with all our hearts. I remember, years ago, that someone challenged me “Praise in faith at work.” Praise and thanksgiving are the practical ways of expressing our faith. An older minister shared some insight that seemed so simple at the time. I had asked him; “When you have a problem and you cannot figure out an answer or you have a question in the Bible and the solution seems to escape you, what do you do?” I was expecting some complicated answer. He said, “I shut my Bible, go to some quiet place and worship and praise the Lord.” In a church service, years ago, someone shared something that I have been reminded of many times. “You will come through a trial much faster if you will truly praise the Lord.”

news.ed@ocolly.com

Lifestyle 5 Ways to Spend a Snow Day With a Roommate. By Ellen Slater Being snowed in in college is a unique experience and you will see the true colors of your roommate and you will see yours. There will not be a lot of opportunities in one life to be locked in with their buddies, class canceled, and all the time in the world, so here are 5 things to do while snowed in with the roommates.

Nacho table

Yes, the one from TikTok. Grab the roommates, put down foil on the table, spread tortilla chips all over the table, and then go crazy with nacho ingredients galore. Nacho table is fun and will feed the whole roommate group all day! Bonus points if there is a meal plan involved and all of the ingredients are from Twenty-Something.

Snow Cones

PowerPoint Night

Each roommate can pick any topic to present to the group. Ones that other people have posted online from their PowerPoint nights consist of “Why each roommate is the same as a McDonald’s menu item and here is why” or “Why We Should Invest in a Pool in our Dorm”. PowerPoint night is not supposed to be taken seriously, so nothing to get rid of the winter blues like making the roommates laugh-- and stay inside from the cold.

While Josh’s Sno Cones and Cowboy Corner are most students’ favorite Stillwater snow cone shops in the summer, the story is a little different when Oklahoma is experiencing the coolest weather than it has in 100 years. Get some (clean) snow from outside and add some chocolate syrup on top. Or add whatever sweet thing you may have on hand. The roommate group will love this easy past time and maybe eating snow will help one forget they are about to run out of the groceries they should have done a better job of stocking up on. Also, the strip is probably closed, so if you are over 21, there is no judgment in making a frozen margarita as well. Alicia Young

Make some snow cowboy-men

Roommates need teamwork bonding too, right? Bonus points if is dyed with orange Gatorade. OSU basketball is still playing this week and needs the support regardless of everything else is shut down!

Stillwater Sledding

Notable places to partake in this: The hills behind the Commons and Boomer Lake. Maybe choose this one on a day the wind chill is not -30 degrees (looking at you Monday, looking at you.) Stillwater, as well as a large part of the Southern United States, is experiencing a winter storm unlike it has in years. Stay warm, stay safe and don’t forget you should still wear a mask. Alicia Young

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Page 4 Thursday, February 18, 2021

Getting Continued from pg. 1 The third player for OSU softball fans to keep an eye on is dual-threat freshman Katelynn Carwhile. “Just seems to have a knack for barreling up balls,” Gajewski said. “She’s a pitcher as well but I really think as of right now, her future is probably greater in the batter’s box.” She may need to find her specialty in order to crack the talented Cowgirl lineup, but Gajewski is excited to watch her development going forward. “We’ll see how her pitching keeps going here,” Gajewski said. “It’s going to be really hard for her to get innings here on this staff. But offensively, she’s got some lightning in her bat.”

Sophomore infielder Karli Petty The one returning player on Gajewski’s list, Petty has popped in practices thus far. “Maybe as much power as I’ve ever seen here,” Gajewski said. “We’ve got some kids that are really able to show power here. At least in BP, she hits balls that nobody else has ever hit here.” That is not superfluous praise. In fact, there is a rather scientific basis to Gajewski’s assessment of Petty’s bat.

Alicia Young OSU second baseman Karli Petty at bat during the Oklahoma State vs. Wichita State softball game on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at Cowgirl Stadium in Stillwater.

“We have a tree that we kind of measure everyone off of in right center field,” Gajewski said. “She’s hit ‘em higher and farther into that tree than anyone I’ve seen up to this point here.”

Conclusion With plenty of promising newcomers joining the established squad of veterans, the challenge for the

OSU coaching staff is making sure all the players have ample opportunities to succeed. “It’s my job to get all these kids in,” Gajewski said. “Like I told the kids who are fighting to get in our lineup, the first thing you’ve got to do is run the bases well because that’s where you are going to get your first looks. And then it’s pinch hitting.”

It will be consistency, not performance that will help even struggling players get the nod early. “We’re not looking for hits, we are looking for great at bats. We are not chasing hit were chasing great at bats. And then when you can do that and you are hitting then we’ find you a place.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

sports

On the rocks OSU softball learning to be a team again

Claire Boomer (Back row from right to left) Logan Simunek, Carrie Eberle, Chyenne Factor, Raquel Dominguez, (bottom row) Mady Lohman and Madison Neighbors before the No.14 Oklahoma State vs. Missouri State softball game on March 8, 2020 at Cowgirl Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma

By Marcus Trevino Kenny Gajewski mistakenly thought the Oklahoma State softball team could pick up right where it left off.

It had just extended its winning streak to 12 after a win over Wichita State on March 11, 2020. That was the last day everything felt normal. The worst pandemic in a century forced the players to split up and take the longest break from the sport in their lives. Their collective morale fell faster than a perfectly thrown drop ball.

When they were finally reunited, Gajewski, the OSU coach, expected spirits to rise as fast as they fell. “I thought, in my brain, that we would just pick right up from last year’s team. But then it was like, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re a mess’,” Gajewski said. “I was seeing looks in girls’ eyes that I hadn’t seen, and as a coach, it hurts, it’s painful.” Gajewski identified the

problem early and immediately worked to address it. But there was only so much he could do. He soon learned that no number of pep talks could fix it, for only one thing can — competition. “They just want to get back on the field against someone else. They’re tired of practice, tired of intersquads and kind of tired of each other to be honest,” Gajewski said. “I wish I had a magic potion I could sprinkle on them and say it’s time to be a close-knit team. None of our teams have been in a perfect place. It evolves.” The biggest obstacle the players have to navigate around is the changes in their relationships with each other. Much time had passed and the people who left Stillwater in the early spring weren’t the exact same who returned. “Everyone was doing their own thing for months on end,” outfielder Chyenne Factor said. “It’s hard to keep a bond when you’re not around people. It’s coming back and we’ll get there.” Time slightly fractured these relationships, but Gajewski said it will make them whole again too. “There is no greater thing,” Gajewski said. “We’re not void of problems. The one thing we’re going to do is take them head on.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Page 6 Thursday, February 18, 2021

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Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Roommates Wanted Room for rent: $300/month includes bath, washer/dryer. Stillwater. 918-630-0319

Help Wanted

The O’Colly at OSU is now taking applications for student ad representatives. Duties include contacting clients and providing them with advertising options for print editions, online editions, special editions and advertising bundling specials. Students should be able to meet clients at their businesses.

To apply come to room 106 in the Paul Miller email Lori@ocolly. com

Business Squares

4pm-9pm you can get steak, a side of your choice, and a salad bar, all for only $10 at Freddie

of beer, wine and liquor that Stillwater has to offer! Perfect for all your game day needs, come

Visit us for more information at http:// freddiepauls.com or give us a call at 405-377-8777. See ya there!

Shop located on 128 N. Main

Furniture Showcase is Furniture & Mattress Store! Located in Downtown Stillwater, we can help you design any room. Visit http://Stillwater FurnitureShowcase.com to see more!

Need some extra cash? Visit become a donor today! Located on Washington Street and open everydayeven weekends!”

Come check out the wide variety of elegant clothing at Formal Fantasy! Located on Downtown Stillwater

Church Meetings Join us every Sunday for our live streaming services! Matins @ 8:50am and Divine Liturgy @ 10:00am.”

Join the New Covenant Fellowship for service every Sunday at 10am and share in our passion for Jesus Christ!”

UKirk university group at First Presbyterian Church meets every week! Join us for

call 744-7355

Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.! For more information or for Zoom access, visit us at stillwaterfpc.com

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis ACROSS 1 “I __ out!” 5 Slavic title derived from “Caesar” 9 President born in Hawaii 14 Wrath, in a hymn title 15 Syllables from Santa 16 Egret, for one 17 Highway reading 18 __ of March 19 “Good Will Hunting” actor 20 “Even dialogue wouldn’t have saved that show,” e.g.? 23 Stir-fry ingredient 24 Camden Yards player 28 Golden __ 29 Alpo holder? 32 Needlefish 34 Guys 35 Abbr. after Shaker or Brooklyn 36 Misleading gossip? 41 Richard Wright’s “Native __” 42 __ Center: L.A. skyscraper 43 Urge 44 Face of a petty criminal? 48 Egyptian goddess 51 Anatomical ring 52 Dead Sea Scrolls sect 55 Pilot lighter, and a hint to the four other longest puzzle answers 58 Goes after 61 Do nothing 62 Hot under the collar 63 On top of things 64 Pentagon measure 65 Lacking depth and width 66 Phone messages 67 Exec’s benefit 68 Lepidopterists’ tools

By David Alfred Bywaters

DOWN 1 Tiny tufts 2 “God Is a Woman” singer Grande 3 “Stop badgering me!” 4 Camper’s supply 5 Wind instrument? 6 Belt with 12 parts 7 “I’m standing right here” 8 Flower with hips 9 “Phooey!” 10 Brimless cap 11 Limb with biceps and triceps 12 Low in the field 13 Martin who wrote many of the “Baby-Sitters Club” novels 21 Winfrey of HBO’s “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” 22 Sharp 25 Folk singer Phil 26 Wood strip 27 Minnesota twins? 30 “May I see __?”: diner’s query 31 1980s-’90s game console

2/18/21

Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved

33 Find incredibly funny 36 Stern 37 “Bus Stop” dramatist 38 __ de plume 39 Reason-based faith 40 Available and fresh 41 Like a wee bairn 45 Small racer 46 Select groups

2/18/21

47 Eccentric type 49 Pray aloud, perhaps 50 It’s not for everyone 53 __ preview 54 Tool storage sites 56 Thunder sound 57 Rabbit-like animal 58 Bowler, for one 59 More than impress 60 Jazz instrument

Daily Horoscope Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes (TNS) Today’s Birthday (02/18/21). Grow and develop through introspection this year. Discipline with personal passion projects pays in spades. Follow a delightful dream. Shift professional directions this spring, before winter domestic renovations satisfy. Change the message this winter, before a career breakthrough. Listen to your inner muse. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 9 — Money comes easier now. Consider big questions this month, with the Sun in Pisces. You’re sensitive to hidden undercurrents. You can see what’s important. Adjust plans. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Advance personal projects. Enjoy virtual social life and connect with friends and teams for the next 30 days under the Pisces Sun. New opportunities are born. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Consider plans. You can advance in your career over the next month, with the Sun in Pisces. Take advantage of new markets and favorable conditions. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Friends offer solutions, connections and resources. You’d like to expand your horizons this month with the Pisces Sun. Explore, investigate and research new frontiers. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Pursue practical professional in Pisces. You’re growing for the future. Build and strengthen support. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Expand your boundaries. Begin a month-long partnership phase, with the Sun in Pisces. Kindle a romantic collaboration. Coordinate for shared purpose. Connect at a deeper level. with shared accounts. Prioritize physical work and health this month, with the Sun in Pisces. Practice for energy, strength and performance. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Rely on strong partners. This month favors love, fun and romance, with the Sun in Pisces. Pursue your favorite diversions, arts and passions. Deepen connections. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — Maintain energy with healthy practices. Domestic renovation projects earn satisfying results. It’s amazing what you can do with fresh paint. Enjoy home comforts. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Prioritize fun and romance. You’re especially charming and creative this month, with the Pisces Sun. Write your story. Publish and share far and wide. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9 — Enjoy home comforts. The next month gets especially lucrative, with the Sun in Pisces. Get especially productive with domestic support. Tap into new silver. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Connect with creative

Level 1

2/18/21

Solution to Wednesday’s puzzle

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk © 2021 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.