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Outlook February 2016

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The Outlook is a monthly, full color, glossy magazine mailed free of charge to 50,000 homes in Edmond and north Oklahoma City. Since 2005, we’ve published hundreds of stories about local people, places, and events ─ stories of heroism, compassion, generosity, and just plain quirkiness.

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THE CALL YOU MAKE

AFTER 911Could Save a Life

Someone’s having a heart attack. You call 911. The ambulance arrives. Now you have an even more

important call to make: which hospital?

You could simply choose the closest hospital, or the best-equipped, but in Edmond you don’t have to

choose, because the best-equipped hospital is also nearby.

INTEGRIS Health Edmond has the only Level 1 Cardiac Arrest Center in the area, meaning life-saving

care is closer to home than ever. And you know you’re in good hands when your team of cardiologists

is among the region’s most respected: Drs. Amil, Daly, Garner, Prabhu, Reiter and Worcester.

Tell the paramedics: INTEGRIS Health Edmond.

integrisok.com/edmond | 405.657.3000

UNI_15-INED-26_Level_1_Cardiac_Arrest_Center.indd 3 11/10/15 2:53 PM

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Tickets Starting at $35

JAN 298PM

GRANDRESORTOK.COM

I-40 EXIT 178 | SHAWNEE, OK | 405-964-7263

Tickets Starting at $75

FEB 207PM

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Articles and advertisements in the Outlook do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Back40 Design. Back40 Design does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The acceptance of advertising by the Outlook does not constitute endorsement of the products, services or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service that is fraudulent or misleading in nature. The Outlook assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials.

PUBLISHER Dave Miller CREatIvE DIRECtoR Bethany Marshall aDvERtISING MaNaGER Laura BeamPHotoGRaPHY Marshall Hawkins www.sundancephotographyokc.com DIStRIBUtIoN Outlook is delivered FREE by direct-mail to 50,000 Edmond & North OKC homes.

80 East 5th Street, Suite 130, Edmond, OK 73034 405-341-5599 www.outlookoklahoma.com [email protected] 12, Number 2 Outlook is a publication of Back40 Design, Inc. © 2016 Back40 Design, Inc.

FEATURES 18 Better Black News Jillian Whitaker uses her broadcasting business, Better Black News to highlight positive news within the African American community

23 A Love that Lasts Four couples share their secrets for a lasting relationship

26 A Thriving City Mayor Charles Lamb looks forward to what 2016 can bring to Edmond

30 A New Look at Life NewView is a local organization that provides services and support to visually impaired individuals

8 Facts & Figures

10 Louise Life & Church

13 Food Date Night Dining

16 Business Running Wild Catering Clue Quest Escape Rooms

34 My Outlook Kim Leiterman, Artisan Chocolatier

To advertise, contactLaura at 405-301-3926 or [email protected].

Front cover photographyby Marshall Hawkins

32 Mission in MotionLampstand Media uses video storytelling to highlight global causes

OUTLOOK

An Apology and a Smile

When it comes to scrambled eggs, I’m a master chef. I know just how my wife likes them. Fluffy, with a side of

bacon and buttery toast - pasture raised butter. I deliver Sandy’s meal on a tray and she sends me packing for a napkin. When I return, she asks for some salt and for me to hand her the remote. I know she can’t operate the remote without her glasses, so I get ahead of her next request and I deliver both. After I take care of the kitchen, I stay close by in case she needs me

for something else.

I should mention there’s usually an apology and a smile that comes with her requests.

And she often tells me she feels like all she does is order me around. While it’s true I do a lot for her, I wouldn’t have it any other way. How did our relationship come to this? Cancer. Over the past year and a half there have been treatments,

procedures and operations—but now we are done with all that. Here we are now—in love and in hospice.

This journey was not part of our plan. But it has transformed us. There’s a different appreciation

we have for time—for our time together, for life, for love, for family and friends. There’s a certain beauty to it—it would be wonderful to have this transformation without the diagnosis but it didn’t work out for us that way. So for now, Sandy and I will continue to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us, in people, relationships and the love people have shown us.

I’d write more but Sandy would like a peppermint tea and a blanket. I’m on that.

Dave Miller, Publisher/Back40 President

February 2016

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RELATiONShip FACTS

o u t l o o k f a c t s & f i g u r e s

AroundTownVisit Journey Quilt Company in their expanded new location at 16502 N. Penn at the corner of 164th and Penn in Edmond! Browse the fun new displays in the showroom and see how the artistic and colorful mosaic T-shirt quilts capture life’s favorite memories and events. Call 340-0444 or visit journeyquiltco.com.

Don’t miss the Francis Tuttle Board of Education election February 9 from 7am-7pm. Anyone who lives in the Edmond or Deer Creek Public Schools district is eligible to vote. To find your polling place and view sample ballots, visit ok.gov/elections.

Register now for the Free Indeed! small group Bible study by his Truth Transforms, held March 1-May 3 every Tuesday from 6-8pm. Learn how God’s empowering presence enables us to live the Christian life victoriously. For details, visit histruthtransforms.org or call 603-2020.STATISTICS PRoVIDED By: 2011 THE

AMERICAN CoMMuNITy SuRVEy; E!oNLINE; CBS NEwS; 2014 uNIVERSITy

oF PENNSyLVANIA; NATIoNAL MARRIAGE PRojECT

5% of married couples say the

woman proposed

75% of married people have made only one trip down the aisle

Couples who went on a

honeymoon were 41% less

likely to divorce

Couples who rarely go out on dates together are almost twice as likely to divorce

Around 60% of married couples

say they met their spouse through a friend

40% of workplace dating relationships result in marriage

33% of online daters form a relationship

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In the last few years, my son, Jay and I have made several trips to Northwest Arkansas, where my oldest son, Aaron and his family live. We usually spend a few weeks in a private home on each visit so we always attend church on Sunday, trying several different ones to see what fits our needs. From as far back as I can remember, church has been a constant in my life. My first memories are of a little country church with wooden slatted pews and a minister who worked a full-time job during the week and preached on Sundays. I wonder if the families who enjoyed the services were even able to pay him a salary and still keep utilities running. As a child, I remember putting the dime my daddy would give me into a little white envelope every Sunday morning and checking all the boxes—Daily Bible Reading, Offering, Memorize Bible Verse, etc. In our small farming community, the grocery store, church and school were all within walking distance of each other—the hub of the community. Then on Decoration Day—the fourth Sunday in May—our family would travel to Beaver Mountain, where my parents grew up, and have “dinner on the ground” followed by a “singing” in that little mountain church. In college, I attended the Baptist Student Union as well as local churches, including a church in San Marcos, Texas where I was baptized at 19 years old during my summer work there. The next college summer, I attended a lovely Hispanic church (after a year of studying Spanish) where I taught a Sunday School class. As a young married couple and new parents, my husband, Carl and I joined a small congregation in Tulsa where we made lifelong friends. It was this sweet assembly of believers who surrounded us with love and compassion after our precious son, Travis, died suddenly

Louise

About the AuthorLouise Tucker jones is an award-winning author,

inspirational speaker and founder of the organization, wives with Heavenly Husbands, a support group for

widows. Email [email protected] orvisit LouiseTuckerjones.com.

on a Sunday morning. A few years later, a tenderhearted pastor from our church in a new town where we moved sat in my hospital room while Carl told me our newborn baby boy had Down syndrome and was in an isolette with oxygen because one lung had not yet inflated. Then it was in yet another church where I said my final goodbye

to my father, who still wore the bolo tie I gave him years earlier while his familiar cowboy hat lay on top of the casket. And of course, there is my home church, Henderson Hills Baptist, where all my children made commitments to Christ and where Carl and I started a flourishing ministry for people with

special needs. It was in this same church where I sat with my sons near my husband’s flag-draped casket, wondering how life could possibly go on without this loving man who had shared my life for 45 years.

We need churches in our lives. We need people who believe in a God of love and want to share our painful times as well as our celebrations. Every church should be a place of refuge. A place where people gather to love each other and love the Lord, no matter the size or denomination. It should be

a place of hope and inclusion. A place where everyone is welcome, no matter their race, dress, financial status, ability or disability. Like Jay and me in Arkansas, it may take time to find the church that fits your exact needs, but rest assured, it will be worth it. God’s church will always speak love, truth and peace into our hearts. May you be blessed to find such a place.

by Louise Tucker Jones

L ife & church

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Next to honesty and communication, date night is considered an essential tenet of a healthy marriage. I’m not complaining. I love the idea of nurturing my relationship over a fabulous steak or bowl of pasta that I didn’t have to prepare and don’t have to clean. High five to the experts who came up with this tasty relationship therapy. It’s no wonder food and romance go hand-in-hand. Turns out, when you actually get to sit down for a whole meal together, ignore your phones for an hour and have complete conversations, you rediscover all the fun things that made you a couple in the first place. As you celebrate this month of love, enjoy some choice local restaurants where mood and menu are all the romance you need. Boulevard Steakhouse & Martini Lounge One of Edmond’s tried-and-true tastemakers, Boulevard Steakhouse, blends posh style and local charisma, creating a romance all its own. Just ask General Manager Britton Stewart who sometimes has the pleasure of helping guests orchestrate special dinners such as marriage proposals. He recalls that once, a gentleman reserved and decorated a private area of the restaurant, pre-ordered the dinner

FOOD

courses and gave him a special CD to be played on cue when he proposed. Unable to wait until the end of the meal, the gentleman cued the CD just as the entrées were arriving at the table. As he nervously fumbled for the ring, he also realized he’d given Stewart the wrong CD. Amid a blaring hard rock song, rather than “It Had to be You,” the proposal was accepted. Stewart says, “When they finally sat down to their cold meal and the girlfriend realized what was going on, it was a funny moment for all. And of course, we took back their entrées to re-plate them.” In addition to excellent customer service, Boulevard boasts the finest selection of fresh seafood, chicken and prime and house dry-aged, hand-cut steaks, along with an extensive wine list and handcrafted cocktails. Guests also enjoy monthly wine and cocktail dinners and a monthly dinner club with a guest vintner. The Martini Lounge is like a swanky club from the Rat Pack era—sexy, sophisticated and fun. Handcrafted cocktails, a premier wine selection, decadent food and talented local musicians create an exciting vibe in the plush getaway.

by Laura Beam

CoNTINuED oN NExT PAGE

Date Night Dining

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Laura Beam is a business and food writer and 20-year advertising and marketing executive in radio, newspaper and magazines. Share new business tips and trends with

her on LinkedIn or email [email protected].

bar staff pairs wine or cocktails with each course. Who wouldn’t love the attention and such a unique experience? Kobe Sushi & Hibachi Steak House New to Edmond in the last seven months, Kobe Sushi & Hibachi Steak House is not only a great lunch, dinner and late night choice, it’s a fantastic date night destination. Though it’s conveniently nestled in the strip mall at Santa Fe and Danforth, its cosmopolitan flair gives it a stand-alone feel. Sleek décor and glamorous lighting set the tone, along with a lively hibachi grill expertly manned by an entertaining chef from New York with 15 years of experience. Fire and showmanship culminate with an exquisite custom meal prepared uniquely for each customer. Manager Thang Nguyen notes that the interactive dining experience is perfect for first dates or those craving a little excitement. A diverse menu of sushi, hibachi entrées, kitchen dinners, lunch boxes, appetizers and more treat guests to a range of tastes throughout the week. A Valentine’s special dinner for two will be offered February 12-14, featuring a choice of sushi or kitchen dinner packages, including appetizer, entrée, drinks and dessert for just $69. Whether Valentine’s Day finds you out on the town with the love of your life or lounging by the fire and giggling over an old movie you’ve both seen a hundred times, enjoy the romance. Enjoy the moment.

Rococo Restaurant With two metro locations at 28th & Penn and Northpark Mall, Rococo is quiet, cozy and warmly appointed with fireplaces for intimate dining. An extensive wine list, chef-driven menu and daily entrée specials create an exciting culinary adventure for all the senses.

As Chef Bustamante says, “It’s all about the love, and we mean it. Our Love Salad is made for two so you can share it with

your date. Rococo is also known for the freshest seafood in OKC, including lobster, mussels, clams and scallops—all

aphrodisiacs for those in the know.” Along with steak and pasta entrées, this fashionable eatery also offers exotic dishes like duck, escargot and Hawaiian poke tuna. To complete a special evening, pair a cocktail with one of their sinful desserts—date night success!

Rococo Northpark also has a chef’s table right in the kitchen. Talk about a special culinary

experience! It accommodates two to six people and can

feature menu items, a custom-made chef menu or you can let the chef experiment as you go, based on available fresh items or ingredients you like. The experience gets even better when the Rococo

DATE NIGHT DINING, CoNT.

Filet Dinner at Rococo

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As co-owner of Running Wild Catering, Debbie Lowery has a clear recipe for success. “We’re a good, strong, honest, fun-loving company,” she says, “and we work really hard to make our customers happy.” With partners Teresa Walters and Tom Deutsch, Lowery brings decades of experience in food service and a commitment to quality and service—a commitment that knows no boundaries. “We are not limited to any one type of catering,” says Lowery. “We do it all.” The broad scope of Running Wild Catering’s services ranges from box lunches and deli trays, to formal sit-down dinners, galas and wedding receptions. The company is also involved in institutional catering, serving a local hospital feeding patients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Running Wild is also the preferred caterer for events at the Oklahoma

History Center. The company’s talented, dedicated staff of 13 prepares all food at their Oklahoma City facility, then transports it to the designated event site. When asked to name the company’s food specialty, Lowery has a ready answer. “We stick to the basics. We do a lot of good old-fashioned American comfort food. We also do Italian, Mexican, Barbecue and more, but we stay with the basics. People are always coming back to that. We certainly can do specialty foods, and we love doing them, but our niche is really that zone of American comfort food.” Oh, and the company name, Running Wild? “We had been through at least 300 possible names,” Lowery says with a laugh. “We had picked one, but it really wasn’t a very good name.” On the day the three partners were

ToM DEuTSCH, DEBBIE LowERy & TERESA wALTERS, owNERS oF RuNNING wILD CATERING

Running wild Cateringby Kent Anderson

BUSINESS

en route to the bank to open their business account, they stopped for lunch, and asked each other if they were satisfied with the name they’d chosen. They weren’t. Then partner Teresa Walters offered this: “I don’t know why we don’t just call it Running Wild. That’s what we do.” The name stuck, and the company has never looked back. In the end, everything about Running Wild Catering comes back to customer service. “Seeing the personal satisfaction on a customer’s face when we’ve made them happy is so rewarding,” says Lowery. “This is hard work and long hours, but the satisfaction of knowing a customer is happy with what you’ve provided them makes everything worthwhile.”

More information about Running Wild Catering is available at 405-751-0688, or

www.runningwildcatering.com.

Call for Free Estimates!

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MICHELLE & DAN CoLLIER, owNERS oF CLuE QuEST ESCAPE RooMS

All it took was one visit to an escape room and Dan and Michelle Collier couldn’t see themselves doing anything other than running one of their own. The couple had been looking for a business venture they could take on together, and the thrill, strategy and creativity they saw in escape rooms clinched it for them. In June 2015, the two opened Clue Quest, Edmond’s only escape room. “Once we went through that room, we knew this was something that was very doable,” Michelle Collier said. “And with our personalities, we knew we could do this and do it well. I love to play games and word puzzles, so this kind of business is just right up my alley.” Exploding in popularity in the US the last few years, escape rooms combine video game-style adventure with hands-on puzzle-solving.

At Clue Quest, a group of two to six people must solve a series of clues and escape their locked room within one hour. Group members choose one of three 13x19-foot rooms: the eerie Victorian abode of a forlorn lover, the office of a famous archaeologist searching for a cursed Pharaoh’s treasure and a Game Master’s lair filled with mind-bending games, colors and numbers. The Colliers designed each room with a different theme, different puzzles, and different logical flow so participants have a truly unique experience in all three rooms. In one hour, the group works its way from one clue to the next while their progress is monitored via video by the Colliers. If they solve every clue and escape unassisted, each member earns a Clue Quest T-shirt. Clue Quest appeals to all types of

Clue Quest Escape Rooms

by Morgan Day

adventure seekers: local employees for corporate team-building and office parties, children for birthday parties and couples looking for an outside-the-box date night. Dan and Michelle agree one of the best parts of running Clue Quest is impressing customers with not only the elaborate, immersive escape rooms, but with how they’re treated by management. “We love to know: Did you have fun? Have you done this before? How did you hear about us?” Michelle said. “Customer service is number one. We talk to people as soon as they walk in the door and they become our friends, really.”

Clue Quest is located at 151 E. 33rd, Suite 101 and is open 11am-10pm daily. Book an appointment

by visiting cluequestok.com. To contact, call 625-3706 or email [email protected]

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JillianWhitakerisawomanfullofconfidence.Asthe Oklahoma breeze whisks her through the front doorofalocalcoffeeshop,alleyesareimmediatelyonher.Herbrightpurplepixiecutisaccentedwithafigurehuggingblackpencilskirtandablackblouse.Beforeheadingtothecountertoorderherlatte,she’sstoppedbyanadmirerwhooffersheracomplimentthatJillianisalltoofamiliarwith.“Iloveyourpurplehair,”thewomansays.Jillianwarmlythanksherandsitsdown,openingupaboutwhyherlookisanimportantfactorinhernewfoundcalling. “Igetthatallthetime,”shejokinglysays.“Idon’thavethatlookofatraditionalnewsreporter.Ihatethat.Whomadeupthatimage?”Today’spopularmediaseemstobeobsessedwithimage.Televisionanchorsseemtofitacertainprototype:straighthair,flawlessmakeup,andconservativeattire.WithoneglanceatJillian’spurple‘do,youimmediatelyknowthisisagirlwhoisnotusedtoplayingbyanyone’srules.That’swhatisspecialaboutJillianWhitakerandherBetterBlackNewsmediagroup:she’screatingherownrulesandchangingperceptionsintheprocess. “Ihaveanissuewithhowpeoplethatlooklikemearerepresentedinthemedia,”shesays.“We’reeithercriminalsorathletes.Iknowsomanypeoplethataredoinggreatthingsthatarenotbeingcoveredbecauseit’snotsensational.”Jillian’sissuewiththemedia’scoverageoftheblackcommunitymirrorsthebeliefsofmany.Inadesiretocreateaplatformtohighlightissuesandstoriesthatarebothbeneficialandimpactful,JillianstartedherownInternetnewsbroadcastingstationcalledBetterBlackNews.It’sbeenajourneyyearsinthemaking. WhenJillianwasastudentattheUniversityofCentralOklahomamajoringinbroadcasting,thereweresomeprofessorsthattookissuewithherappearance.Althoughshealwaysacceptedconstructivecriticism,sheknewherreachinmassmediawouldextendwellbeyondherhair.Jillian’sgoalhasalwaysbeentoconnecttoviewersthroughissuesandstoriesthatmattertoher.Herprofessorsdidn’trealizeitthen,butJillian’smessageandvoicewouldsoongarnertheheartsandmindsofOklahomans.Itwouldbeherpowerfulmessagethatwouldmakeviewersseewellbeyondthecolorofher

by Lance Evans

Better Black News

Jillian Whitaker uses her broadcasting business, Better Black News, to

highlight positive and inspiring news within the african american community

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hair and skin. Before starting Better Black News, Jillian took time to survey her target demographic to see how they feel and respond to news stories catered to the African-American community. “Before God blessed me with the idea of Better Black News, I did market research,” she says. Jillian surveyed black people online to garner insight into why minorities do or don’t watch the news. Their ages ranged from 18 to 70-years-old. The response she received was inspiring, but not surprising. “The main reason that people gave for not watching the news was because it’s too negative,” she says. “You’re not giving the audience what they want, need, and are hungry for. You have to cover the positive and be an inspiration.” Jillian’s desire to provide a positive outlet for black news led her to start Better Black News in August 2015. Jillian was asked to be featured in a blog detailing the passions of everyday people. Excited about the prospect of putting her story in front of online supporters, Jillian happily agreed. There was just one issue: she was afraid to speak about her passion. “I knew that I wanted to talk about how African-Americans were represented in the media,” she says. “But, I felt like that was stupid. I almost didn’t talk about it.” Jillian revealed her internal struggle to the reporter and finally received the confirmation she was searching for. “She told me to just talk about it. We talked and I literally answered my own questions.” The reporter asked what Jillian was going to personally do about the poor representation of black

people in the media and the idea of Better Black News was born. It’s important to note that Jillian created her own opportunity. She is the Chief News Reporter for Better Black News. She has hired two individuals, a videographer and sound technician, to help capture stories. Jillian pays her staff out of her own pocket. She has depleted her savings account to showcase her passion to the world, and she wouldn’t change a thing. Jillian isn’t going to slow down her process because it’s clear her stories are already making

an impact. She recently highlighted UCO’s Black Male Initiative and calls the experience one of her favorites. “They target freshman African-American men to help them come back after their freshman year,” she says. “They created this program to improve the retention rate among young black males at UCO.” The initiative focuses on providing mentoring services, opportunities to be involved in the community, academic assessments and more. As Jillian places her latte down on her plate, she looks up and says something about the experience that firmly acknowledges the need for her work: “Why wasn’t this on a major channel?” Jillian is helping place responsibility not squarely on the shoulders of news stations, but the community-at-large. She is happy to be creating a platform which makes people of various races and backgrounds proud. “I remind people to be better. No matter what race you are, just be better.”

Follow Jillian’s journey at BBMG.tv.

Retirees Seeking An Active Lifestyle

Approximately forty- four million people in the Unites States are now over the age of 65. That fi gure is expected to double by 2050. As the US economy struggles to meet the demands of the largest generation in history, baby boomers continue to set trends that diff er from any previous generation. The Chateaux at Mon Abri is a sought after solution for those active adults looking to make the most of the later years of their lives. The maintenance- free neighborhood located on N. Broadway in Edmond off ers a number of amenities including concierge service, spacious clubhouse, fi tness center, sports lounge, tornado safe room, walking trails, an outdoor living area, fi shing pond and social/travel opportunities. According to the Mon Abri developers, “This generation doesn’t want

to settle into a life of Bridge games, Backgammon and Bingo. They’re looking to maximize their life experiences and enjoy a high degree of fl exibility with minimum inconvenience.” Ron Walters Homes is nearing

completion of construction on the fi rst 27 multifamily homes. Chateaux fl oor plans off er a variety of luxury features including an open fl oorplan concept, expansive windows, wood fl ooring, stylish kitchens, fi replaces and fi nished loft spaces.

New Gated Community

for Adults 50+

Tours and information on The Chateaux at Mon Abri are available at 405-850-1546 and at

www.MonAbriEdmond.com

AMENITIES INCLUDE:MAINTENANCE FREE • CONCIERGE • CLUBHOUSE • GATED WALKING TRAIL • TORNADO SAFE ROOM • FISHING PONDS

“ “I know so

many people

that are doing

great things

that are not

being covered

because it’s

not sensational

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CoNTINuED oN NExT PAGE

Each February love fills the air, not to mention the stores, in the form of candy, roses and plush teddy bears. On Valentine’s Day, new couples, old couples, rocky couples and happy couples show their love for each other by buying things. New romances may be solidified with a single rose. But love is much more than a thing and much more than one grand gesture. It’s an ongoing choice to love someone and continually work at the relationship. In the spirit of February, the month of love, I met up with several married couples to get their advice on what makes a happy, satisfying marriage. Surprisingly, all couples, although in completely different stages of their marriage, had common points that helped strengthen their relationships. Eileen and John Markey have been married since 1961. John even laughed saying what “caught his eye” was her ankles. Humor aside, their love has stayed strong and true for nearly 55 years! One tip that especially stood out from the rest was the wisdom of the need to take turns listening to one another, allowing consideration of different viewpoints. Often, one member of a couple may discount the other’s

thoughts, but it is vitally important to hear your partner out and be open to discussion. An open line of communication is essential. Cindi and Mike Shelby just celebrated their 41st anniversary. They were married young, after only four months of knowing each other. This is a great example of not fully knowing someone,

but making a commitment to love one another through it all, no matter what. Mike explains that you need to always respect your counterpart as a unique person. “Don’t let marriage give one permission to treat the other as less than the person you once tried mightily to woo.” Kacyn and Brett Haney grew up in the same small town and have been in each other’s lives for as long as they can remember. Although they weren’t always labeled as “boyfriend/girlfriend,” they always remained connected and curious about the other. “Finally, as a junior in college I decided that I didn’t want to do life without him and we married at 21 years old,” said Kacyn. “As much as my young adult self tried to deny it, I really had loved him since we were 14.” Today, they have two children and have been married for six years. Tara and Chase Woodley have been married nearly two years and have learned—and continue to learn—the many ways to have a happy marriage. “The number one tip I would give is a tip my father gave to me, that is to never do anything during the first few months of marriage that you don’t want to do for the rest of your life,” laughed Chase. “An example of this is if you don’t want to be the ‘laundry man,’ then don’t always volunteer to do the laundry.” Some couples only love for a short while before they decide to part ways, while other couples stay together forever. So what do those

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by Chloe Shelby

john & Eileen Markey

Kacyn & Brett Haney

A Love that LastsFour couples share their secrets for a successful relationship

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couples have in common? What does a happy marriage look like? From having beautiful eyes to having a curious spirit, the reasons each married couple gave about how they knew they had met “the one” varied greatly. However, some notions remained constant, and that was how quickly they connected with each other and how at ease they felt in the other’s presence. Common themes addressed by the couples were the need to have interests and hobbies that you do together, while it is equally important to be happy individually with your own interests. “Some of my favorite connections with my husband come from those times when we plug

into the community together,” said Kacyn. ”But still pursue your own interests. You will be a more complete couple when you are individually happy in your lives!” Speaking with the two younger couples, spending time together alone and away from their extended families in their first years seemed to be a poignant experience in establishing their new marriage. New couples need that time to realize that they are now their own family

LoVE THAT LASTS, CoNT.

and need rely fully on each other. “My wife and I spent the first year of marriage several states away from our family and friends and I believe this experience helped us to learn to depend on each other,” said Chase. A recurring mantra in the longer married couples is the need to remember why you got married in the first place. It is good to look back and appreciate the qualities you loved in the other, causing you to pledge your love forever. Especially important for those times there is a growing pile of laundry, neither making it to the hamper or washing machine. John and Eileen explained how important it is to make time for family. The world can pull you in a million different directions, but your family is your anchor. Their entire family goes on a vacation each summer where they have the opportunity to learn more about one another, enjoy the company, making memories, to look back on in the more difficult times. Whether your romance is new, a mature love, or searching for love, true love is possible but takes work and dedication. Nurture your relationship, appreciate each other, laugh together and devote your best self to making your partner happy.

Cindi & Mike Shelby

Tara & Chase woodley

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NEW PLAYERS WELCOME! 18 TO ENTER. 18 TO PLAY.

Car trouble is never good news, but visiting a mechanic doesn’t have to be an overpriced experience. The highly reputable technicians at Certified Auto Specialists are successfully breaking the mold in automotive care, with honest pricing and dealership-quality work.Owner Tim Hayali originally worked for a local dealer for many years. “I took my experiences from the dealership and cut out all the false or miscellaneous charges,” Hayali says. From that, he and his team crafted a business plan that revolves around transparency. “We have seen in our experiences many unqualified people working in repair shops--working on brakes, flushing transmissions etc. When you bring your vehicle to us for service, you will have an ASE Certified Master Technician working on your vehicle, whether airing the tires, changing the oil, running computer diagnostics or doing engine and transmission repairs.”

In addition, Certified Auto Specialists does not add hidden or miscellaneous fees such as EPA charges or oil/antifreeze disposal costs. They consider that a part of doing business. “Most used oil recycling companies do not charge for their service,” Hayali notes. “In some instances they even pay to pick up your used oil.” Working directly with Hayali, Kyle DeForest moved from Kansas to Oklahoma in 2008 to pursue a career as an automotive technician. Prior to his move, DeForest was a top graduate at WYO TECH in automotive technology and chassis fabrication with high performance engines. While working in Oklahoma over the years, DeForest became ASE Master Certified as well as Nissan Master Certified. In the spring of 2014 Deforest left a local dealership and joined Certified Auto Specialists.

In their new shop for a year and a half now, Hayali is very pleased at the number of customers who have followed them to their new location. Certified Auto Specialists believes that when they service a car, their company name is tied to that vehicle. “We know customers can be taken advantage of, so we strive to keep each and every customer happy and satisfied. We are proud to offer a clean shop, but above all, we are proud of our reputation,” Hayali remarks.

Certified Auto Specialists | 405-753-4113 | certifiedautookc.com | 13841 N. Lincoln Blvd

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a d v e r t i s e m e n t

Dealer Quality Service at Fair PricesCertified Auto Specialists

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26 Outlook February 2016

Mayor Charles Lamb is thinking big for 2016. As the city’s elected executive, he’s focused on making the city a place where his children and grandchildren can thrive. His first priority in the new year is an election with huge consequences for the city’s future. Two sales taxes—a one-cent sales tax and a one-half cent sales

tax—both expire in 2016 and require voter approval to be continued. The election will be on April 5th. “My number one project for 2016 is to have a successful extension of both taxes. The election is crucial to continue Edmond’s momentum,” Lamb says. “These would extend current tax rates so we can continue to meet needs and wants of our citizens.” If approved, both taxes would continue for another ten years and would be used to fund a variety of city projects. Mayor Lamb says that voters can already see the direct results of the taxes they’ll be voting to extend. “Since the approval of the capital projects tax in 2001, downtown has received millions of dollars in infrastructure and utilities investment. We planted the seeds to create a friendly climate with sidewalks, public art and safe sidewalks. Without the tax in 2001, none of that would have been possible.” Transportation projects are also at the top of the mayor’s 2016 agenda. Construction continues at 33rd and Broadway and is expected to alleviate congestion and reduce commute times for Edmond residents. In addition, the ongoing development at I-35 and Covell Road is another priority. Engineering work and utility plans for the Covell project are complete, and the city expects to begin the bidding process in March. Lamb acknowledges that these projects bring short-term frustration, but that doesn’t stop him from seeing the long-term

by Austin Marshall

value they will provide to the city and its residents. Lamb and his colleagues on the city council will also work to sustain progress on the Downtown Master Plan. Future goals include new investment in arts and culture, development of bike and multi-use trails and the development of a regional transit plan with surrounding communities. The mayor’s long career as a public servant allows him to see many projects grow from ideas into successful programs. “The most rewarding projects are those that go beyond your expectations,” he says. He cites the juvenile court system as a prime example. “State legislation opened up the possibility, so we worked with the community to grow it into a model program that’s used statewide.” Additionally, the city prioritizes technology. “One of the best tools we have is our information technology, particularly geographic information systems. Our investment in that technology has paid off and is the silent, invisible part that makes this city work.” Mayor Lamb was first called to public service because of land use issues. He worked as a residential land development reviewer for the federal government, so land use was a professional and personal cause for him. “I noticed that 80 to 90% of what the city council struggled with were land-use issues, and thought I could bring something to the table.” Lamb served as the Ward 3 council member for sixteen years. In 2011, he was appointed to fill the term of resigning mayor Patrice Douglas. He was elected to his first full term as mayor in 2013 and re-elected in 2015. Lamb’s service extends beyond his capacity as mayor. He serves on local boards and has been honored with awards recognizing his dedication to Edmond. Lamb is a product of Edmond Public Schools and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Central Oklahoma. He has been honored as a UCO Distinguished Alumni for Community Service. He’s dedicated most of his adult life to serving the community, and that dedication shows no signs of weakening. “When I travel, I’m always happy to come home. I’ve lived the bulk of my life here. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The most rewarding

projects are those that go beyond your expectations

“ “

A Thriving CityMayor Charles Lamb looks forward to what 2016 can bring to Edmond

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28 Outlook February 2016

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outlookoklahoma.com 29

The crew at Fossil Stone Granite & Flooring enjoys making what other home improvement companies think of as the impossible, possible.The Fossil Stone “dream team” has all the skills they need to complete a home improvement project from start to finish. “We can handle every aspect of a project,”

said owner Cary Small, an Edmond native. “If the cabinets need altered or fixed, if you need plumbing hooked up, a backsplash—everything. We’re like a one-stop shop.” Fossil Stone eliminates the need to deal with multiple contractors, saving the homeowner the headache of juggling bills and timelines. While running his countertop business, Small realized homeowners found that dealing with a handful of contractors for one project was a nightmare. Seeing a need for better service, Small started growing his team and business to cover more of the homeowners’ needs. Not only do the home or business owners eliminate dealing with multiple tradesmen, they see a higher quality of work because the project is overseen solely by one company. Consolidating the construction and installation process ensures a more cohesive plan and fluid project completion. Small also attributes that high quality of

work to his skilled team of eight full-time workers. They have about 60 years of combined experience in granite, tile, cabinets and paint and special finishes. The company has seen such success in the past few years, it’s now moved into a new, larger facility in Edmond. The building will house a tile design center and more product displays, all with a professional atmosphere and on-site consultations. An official grand opening for the showroom will be happening soon. Small said customers are wowed by his crew’s attention to detail and desire to leave them with the best quality product. Plus, while other companies might slack on customer service after the sale is made, Fossil Stone shines. “Our service after the sale isn’t the standard one-year warranty,” Small said. “If you call three or four years after the sale with an issue with the workmanship, we’ll fix it. We really stand by our stuff long term.”

Fossil Stone Granite & Flooring | 1341 Fretz Dr. in Edmond | Call for Free Estimates: 203-1600

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a d v e r t i s e m e n t

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30 Outlook February 2016

A New Look at Life

1325 N. Bryant285-4932

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“I’m just sitting here crying and asking, ‘why?’ Why can’t I do anything anymore?” Young said. A year and a half ago, doctors told 83-year-old Aileen that her eyesight had deteriorated to the point that she couldn’t drive. They spent two minutes giving her that news, and that was it. No one pointed her to resources or help. That all changed when a grief counselor recommended NewView Oklahoma to Young. NewView Oklahoma seeks to empower blind and vision impaired individuals to achieve their maximum potential through rehabilitation, employment and community outreach. “I went to New View and they helped me with new lighting in my house and advice,” said Young. “I recommend anyone with vision loss to contact them—they can help.” Young isn’t alone. Every year, hundreds of Oklahomans with vision loss turn to the organization for not only vision rehabilitation, but employment opportunities and counseling. NewViewOklahomaisanon-profitbasedinOklahomaCity

that empowers the blind and those with vision impairment to live independently and live life to its fullest. It’s also the state’s largest employer of the blind and vision-impaired. The organization works with people from birth to end of life who suffer from vision problems. “There are 55,000 people in Oklahoma who live with vision loss and more than 70 percent of them don’t have jobs,” said Sara Norton-Sanner, Development & Marketing Specialist for NewView Oklahoma. “It’s very difficult for those with vision loss to gain employment, not because they aren’t skilled, but because a lot of employers do not realize their capabilities.” Part of NewView’s mission is to provide and find employment for adults with vision loss. With a manufacturing center in downtown Oklahoma City, NewView employs more than 100 people who are blind and vision impaired, training them to hold sophisticated manufacturing jobs. “Our employees manufacture different products for governmental agencies, like fire hoses for the forestry service, Purell hand sanitizer, electronic dispensers, rations for the military and shower curtains for universities,” said Norton-Sanner. “We have a long list of products. We work with the National Industries for the Blind to get national contracts.” Other clients are placed in work environments at companies like Boeing. NewView works to train their clients to adapt to a work

by Heide Brandes

A New Look at LifeAileen Young of Edmond is having a bad day. She always sewed

clothes for her children, but today she can’t even cut a straight

line. As a master duplicate bridge competitor, not being able to

see the cards is another blow that brings her down. She can’t

read anymore even though she’s surrounded by books.

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outlookoklahoma.com 31

place while helping employers learn how to make that place accessible to those with vision loss. “We also work in schools, universities and technical schools to make their programs more accessible too,” she said. “For instance, we have five new vision-impaired students who enrolled at Francis Tuttle this past fall after we worked with them on accessibility.” NewView also provides vision rehabilitation services. Being low vision means having vision loss that is not correctable through glasses, contacts or surgery. “We work with them in a way that’s like physical therapy for the eyes,” Norton-Sanner said. “We teach them how to use their remaining vision to live independently. You can be legally blind and still have some vision left, but you just don’t know how to use that vision. We work to help people find different ways of doing things in order to remain independent.” One of NewView’s clients, Adam Higby, has been at the organization since 2006. He wasn’t sure where he wanted his life to go and worked in several different areas of the organization. “Adam has a genetic disorder that he inherited that affects his vision,” Norton-Sanner said. “Adam worked here, but just didn’t know where he fit.” The organization asked him if he wanted to learn how to operate a computerized numerical control machine. “For three years, he’s attended Francis Tuttle to learn how to operate the machine, and today, he operates that machine on a full-time basis,” Norton-Sanner said. “That’s part of what we do. We raise awareness on a lot of misconceptions about the vision-impaired.” Blind citizens have the same desires, dreams and wants as sighted people do, she said. NewView teaches them how to use every day items that most people take for granted in order to live a full life.

“They are 100 percent capable of doing what sighted people do, except drive,” Norton-Sanner said. “I work with the happiest people I’ve ever met. They are so thankful to have a job in the center. They are truly living life.”

For more information about NewView and its services, visit www.newviewoklahoma.org or call 405-232-4644.

Looking Ahead

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“One in five children in the world die from drinking contaminated water,” Watson said. His company, Lampstand Media, has created multiple films about the Oklahoma-based organization, Water 4, which is taking hand-drilling techniques to indigenous people in third world countries so they can learn how to drill fresh-water wells. “It’s life-changing to them, but it’s certainly life-changing to me to be behind the lens, watching a blind, 80-year-old woman who is having her first drink of clean water. That kind of thing really sticks with you,” Watson said. The water crisis is just one of many heart-tugging causes that the Emmy-winning producer has captured. To Watson, powerful storytelling brings attention to people who are making a difference—and hopefully nudges other people’s awareness so they can help, too. “I believe whole-heartedly that my generation can be part of the solution, so that my kid’s generation can see the eradication of people drinking from muddy water holes or streams contaminated with bacteria,” Watson said. “It’s a dream come true to tell a story like that and be part of the solution.” Lampstand works with both corporate and non-profit clients, but in all cases, the videos, commercials and films take viewers

on an emotional journey—whether it’s the story of a glassblower, an inner city school or a nun. Lampstand is currently producing an independent film about a professional cage fighter who traveled to the African Congo to fight to free pygmy slaves. His talent for capturing human emotion began in high school. Watson, the son of a missionary in Lisbon, Portugal, started using a video camera to communicate back home, mainly because, “I couldn’t teleport my friends to Portugal to see why I loved it so much.” Watson majored in broadcasting at Oklahoma

Baptist University, which included an internship at OETA Public Television. He worked on documentaries for the show, “Stateline.” OETA eventually hired him for a photo journalist position, during which he developed a program named “State of Creativity.” Six years ago, Watson started his own home-based company, Lampstand, slowly developing a client base and a team of eight employees. “I’m firmly rooted in Oklahoma, which is funny, because I thought I would attend college and move on to Los Angeles or New York,” Watson said. “But I fell in love with the pioneering spirit here—and for various reasons, the opportunities have been greater here than those in other places. I like being part of the energy and excitement that is happening in Oklahoma.” Watson’s filming has taken him to 26 countries around the world—mostly to remote places that aren’t very glamorous. Even so, he knows the hard work is worth it because of the important causes he is showcasing. He described a video shoot he did for National Geographic that was 400 miles into the Sahara desert. It took his crew eight days to get to the location of an archeology dig, followed by three weeks in a tent, eating peanut butter crackers and tuna while a terrible sandstorm raged outside. “Sometimes, half of the job is trying to make it to the location with all our gear intact and within budget,” Watson said. “We have a ticking

Well-told stories move people and change

lives. That’s the philosophy of Derek Watson,

an Oklahoma film-maker who has traveled the

world to create important documentaries about

people and organizations which save lives.

by Amy Dee Stephens

It’s a dream come true to tell a story and be part of the solution

Mission in MotionMission in MotionMission in Motion

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clock to get as much footage as possible before returning home.” In other instances, he has pitched a tent along the outskirts of a remote African village for weeks at time. The crew wakes up before dawn to be at the right spot to catch the morning light. They then follow the hard-working villagers for 20 or 30 miles a day, and conclude with sunset shots. “Back in the tent, we work for two or three more hours downloading footage and trying to figure out how to charge batteries by wrangling a car battery or generator. We’re trying to tell a story, but we’re also trying to stay alive in brutal elements where conditions are constantly changing.” Lampstand recently produced the film, Sewing Hope, which shares the story of Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe, who is teaching female victims of the sex trade in Africa how to sew, cook and clean so they can support their children, once the soldiers leave them as single mothers. The film, available on Netflix, has local ties because the Sewing Hope Foundation formed in Oklahoma. “She’s bringing healing to thousands of young girls in the epicenter of this crisis in Uganda and Sudan,” said Watson. “She’s been named on the list of Most Influential People in the World by Time Magazine.” Watson is humbled by the compassion of individuals like Sister Rosemary, and it helps him see a bigger picture than the immediate challenges he might face on a video shoot. “I’m living my dream—so even the hard parts are fun,” Watson said. “On a day where I’m hanging out with a pygmy chief in the middle of the rainforest, and he’s teaching me something that’s been done this way for thousands of years—I have to pinch myself and think about what a cool life I live.”

Learn more about Lampstand Media at www.lampstand.tv.

Photography Provided by Lampstand

Media

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34 Outlook February 2016

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I N D E P E N D E N T CO N S U LTA N T

How long have you been working with chocolate? CocoFlow started in April of 2003. We are just shy of 13 years.

What got you started in chocolate? We saw a chocolate fountain at a trade show in 2003. It was a fairly new concept at that time. We recognized the potential and thought to ourselves, what a great side business—renting chocolate fountains for events. It was always meant to be additional income—we both held full time jobs. Within weeks we had two chocolate fountains, a name and a new catering business. As our business evolved we recognized a niche in OKC that needed to be filled.

What’s your favorite kind of chocolate? 65% Felchlin Madagascar Dark. It is a single origin chocolate with a hint of vanilla.

What’s the most common type of chocolate that you make? We are best known for our hand-rolled Truffles. They were the first line of chocolates that we developed and they are still the most popular and requested item.

What is the most unique type of chocolate you sell? That is a hard

Kim Leiterman, artisan ChocolatierMY outlook

by Bethany Marshall

How do you make your chocolate sculptures?We use several techniques to construct each individual piece. Believe it or not it often involves items from the hardware store. The process is the same as any other sculpture—we have an idea, which we translate to a drawing, and we base our sculpture off the sketch.

Why do people give chocolate on Valentine’s Day? Chocolate has always been a luxury item, often given as gifts or tributes to royalty. It was “food of the Gods.” And of course it was also considered to be an aphrodisiac, the Aztecs even served it at wedding ceremonies. The luxury and the lust of chocolate made it a popular choice for expressions of admiration, but it was the Victorian adoration of courtly love that propelled chocolates popularity as a Valentine’s Day gift. In 1861 Cadbury introduced the first heart shaped box filled with chocolates and a tradition was born.

What’s your most unique special order you’ve done? We did a size 18 chocolate sneaker for the Hornets when they were located in OKC. We also made life-size chocolate soccer balls for the MLS tournament in Kansas City.

question to answer. We experiment with different flavor profiles and combinations all the time—that’s the fun part of being an artisan chocolatier. We also work with single origin and single plantation chocolates.

How many kinds of chocolate treats do you make? What are they?We have five basic product lines: hand-rolled truffles, bon-bons, pralines, bars and molded pieces.

Which is the most difficult to make? Making chocolates is a process. That process is more elaborate for us because we do everything by hand. So all of our items are a challenge but the most difficult are the bon-bons. A single batch can take up to three days to complete.

How many kinds of chocolate are there? The answer to that question would take a separate article. These days it’s not just about percentage of cocoa; it’s about organic, region, plantation. Chocolate has as many differentials as wine.

What influences you when creating chocolate? We are influenced by flavors, colors and current ideas in food and fashion.

Where do you get your chocolate from? We mainly use Belgian and Swiss couverture chocolate along with single origin chocolate from many different regions.

How is it different than grocery store chocolate? It is an artisan product using only the finest couverture chocolate, intense flavors and hand-painted colors. Each piece is a unique work of art.

Learn more about CocoFlow by calling 524-9500 or visiting cocoflow.com.

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80 East 5th St., Ste. 130Edmond, OK 73034