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Head Back to School Healthy: Vaccinating Kids and Teens

By
St. Mary's Physician Associates
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The start of school is an exciting time of year for students and families. As students go back to school, it is important that they are up to date on their immunizations.

Rebecca D. Lewis, DO, FACOFP, family medicine physician with St. Mary’s Physician Associates, talks about the importance of vaccines and the ones that should be given prior to the beginning of school.

Why are vaccinations important?

Vaccinations protect students from diseases and help keep them healthy. On-time vaccinations help provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. Vaccines are tested to ensure that they are safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages.

What vaccinations does my child require?

  • School age: kindergarten vaccinations for ages 4-6 include: DTap (which is diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis [whooping cough] booster), polio and 2nd doses of MMRV or measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox).
  • Prior to entering 7th grade or for ages 11-12: Tdap (tetanus booster and pertussis) and first dose of Meningitis vaccination (MenACWY).
  • Ages 11-16: eligible for HPV vaccination (Gardasil). The second dose of meningitis (MenACWY) and the first dose of a second meningitis vaccine (MenB) are available at 16 and highly recommended for any child that will be in a large group situation such as staying in dorms, and team sports.
  • Annual flu vaccinations are important and typically available September of each year.
  • Please talk to your child’s physician about the vaccinations that are recommended for your child.

What are the recommendations for the COVID vaccine for children?

For the best protection, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older. A COVID-19 vaccine and booster, updated to the most common strain of the virus that causes COVID-19, might prevent your child from getting the COVID-19 virus or becoming seriously ill or hospitalized due to COVID-19. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help your child more safely participate in sports and other group activities too.

Does insurance cover vaccinations?

Most insurances cover scheduled vaccinations. If you don’t have health insurance, or if it does not cover vaccines, there are programs that may offer financial help.

To make an appointment with a St. Mary’s Physician Associates provider online, visit stmarysphysicianassociates.com. For physician referral assistance, call 580-599-6391.

For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website.

After 553 days, long-time resident Jaye teaches us not to give up on our best life!

By
Local Contributors
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Author: Megan Lavicky

Our community, comprised of dedicated staff, volunteers, and supporters, is the backbone of the ESPCA program. Together, we make a solemn promise to every pet that enters our care. We pledge to provide them with the best possible care and love, as if they were our own. Our shared goal is to find them a loving home where they can thrive and be cherished.

Jaye walked into the ESPCA bright-eyed and a generally happy dog over 550 days ago. Kennel life is as pleasant as possible, but it’s no long-term place for an animal. The staff and volunteers are excellent. There are walks, lots of pets, treats as someone passes by, and playtime in the yard, but it can’t substitute for life in a home and outside of those walls.

We hold on to the belief that the right person is out there for every adoptable pet. But finding that person can be a challenge, and hope can sometimes feel like too much to ask the team each day. Then, there’s the moment when the “One” walks through the door, ready to give a long-stay resident a chance at life outside the ESPCA. It’s these moments that fill us with hope and optimism for the future.

Jaye’s adoption post at https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=324995320692040&set=a.113498771841697 is heartwarming to read. Sonya, ESPCA’s kennel supervisor writes, “Oh, Jaye Jaye! For the past week, as I let you roam the work area, I told you we were going to get you adopted. You worked hard on your kennel manners and interacting with little people. You were always the go-to dog that we could dog-test the new arrivals with. I’m beyond happy for you and have cried over every comment. I hate that I wasn’t able to say goodbye, but maybe that’s best since I’m ugly-crying typing this comment. I hope your new mama shares this with you! Love you Jaye, and I thank your new mama for seeing you for you.” Ann writes, “I promise we will come for visits. He is the sweetest boy. He is already settled in and is relaxing and actually watching TV right now.”

For the ESPCA team and the animals in our care, some days are tougher than others. Despite facing lean donation months and constant requests to take in more animals, our team’s spirit remains unwavering. Jaye’s story serves as a powerful reminder that life can change in an instant, and that hope for a brighter future is always present. From all of us, we hope you’ll find joy in each day and not give up on your best life!

*Jaye is pictured above with his new sister Riley.

Included are other long-stay residents looking for the “One”.

Life is Back in Session

By
momentumHQ
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As August rolls around, it marks the beginning of the end of summer. Kids gear up for a new year of school, sports, and other extracurricular activities. Parents get back into a routine of a consistent schedule for work-life balance (cue taxi mode!) Corporations tend to increase marketing efforts and set tall goals for third quarter initiatives. People, in general, regain a sense of control over their lives as fall approaches to complete their annual ambitions before the year ends in the upcoming months. So, why not use this time to utilize momentumHQ as a tool to help connect these dots for your business? Take advantage of our summer deal by joining with a member fee of $50 in August!

The Flex Space at momentumHQ is the perfect space to host a large event, class, or training session as you regroup your business’s fall goals. One of our members has hosted a series of classes teaching skills on website development and SEO strategies. Other members have created a monthly networking group: The Working Women Breakfast Club. A Business Book Club was introduced in July and will be held on the third Thursday of each month in this space. On August 23rd, we will host a Friday Night Football Ladies Night: a basic introduction to America’s game for women who want to learn more about the sport. This class will highlight the positions of all players and general rules of the game for moms, grandmas, and wives to better understand what it is that makes this game so exciting each fall. Tailgate finger foods will be provided and those who attend are encouraged to wear their favorite team apparel. Register at www.momentumHQ.org today for a chance to win door prizes!

Do you have an idea of a group you’d like to begin? Maybe a class you’d like to host monthly or quarterly? Let momentumHQ provide a space for your sessions as well as marketing to help spread the word! Learn more at www.momentumHQ.org or drop in at 1909 W. Owen K. Garriott.

mHQ Member Highlight

Ricochet Roofing

This company’s home office is based in Moore, OK. The recent storms created an opportunity for them to expand into the northwest region of our state, and they found their Enid office at momentumHQ was a perfect fit for their business. As a roofing contractor, their staff is primarily in the field, but their project managers needed a place to call “office” to conduct necessary paperwork and coordinate professional phone calls with insurance companies for their clients. momentumHQ was able to fill that need by providing desks to fit their 3 project managers in a shared office space at an affordable rate where they can conduct their business successfully.

Indian Hills Plaza Business Spotlight

Midwest Music is ready to help your student prepare their instrument for the upcoming school year. Whether your student is new to band or orchestra and needs to purchase their instrument to start practicing right away or if your child already has an instrument in need of repair or tuning, Midwest Music is the best place to fill your musical needs. Located at the west end of the shopping center, stop in and let the professionals get you set up for the new school year!

Leonardo’s Children’s Museum Launches New Discovery After-School Programs: Drone Legends™ and Art in Action

By
Press Releases
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Enid, OK – August 12th, 2024 – Leonardo’s Children’s Museum is excited to announce the launch of its new Discovery After-School Programs: Drone Legends™ STEM Fundamentals and Art in Action: Perspective in Art. These programs offer enriching and interactive learning experiences for children in Enid and surrounding communities.

The Drone Legends™ program revolutionizes STEM education with its Turnkey Curriculum
Systems, designed by educators to align with the highest educational standards. The program aims to inspire students by embedding the mantra “Inside Every Child Lives a Legend” and encouraging a passion for STEM and Career and Technical Education (CTE). Highlights from the program include ten drone-themed STEM missions that foster teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation. Additional classes feature real-world drone pilots and learning opportunities.

Art in Action empowers students with a robust art curriculum that encourages creativity, critical thinking, self-expression, and resilience. This year’s theme, “Perspective In Art,” invites students to explore artistic techniques and cultural understanding through the works of renowned artists like Maurice Utrillo, Paul Cezanne, and Johannes Vermeer. Students will learn about art perspective, highlighting and shading, form, and 3-D perspectives. In addition, this program integrates with subjects like science, language arts, and social studies.

“We are so excited to once again fill our Education Annex with students that are excited about STEAM! We hope to continue to expand our educational offerings this school year and years to come,” said Charlet Ringwald, Leonardo’s Executive Director.

Drone Legends™ is scheduled for Tuesdays and recommended for students in grades 3rd through 6th, while Art in Action is scheduled for Thursdays and recommended for students in grades 2nd through 5th. Both programs run for 12 weeks starting the first week of September.

Full Scholarships and Partial Scholarships are available. These programs are made possible by a generous donation from the Whetstone Family Foundation. To find out more visit
Leonardos.org.

Leonardo’s Children’s Museum is a non-profit organization that has been serving the Enid
Community for more than 30 years with the mission of enriching and inspiring children of all ages with fun learning opportunities. Located at 200 E. Maple in Downtown Enid with regular business hours of 10am to 6pm, Tuesday through Saturday.

To plan your visit or to learn more about Leonardo’s visit www.leonardos.org or look them up on Facebook or Instagram.

Summer School

By
Robert Faulk
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Summer Camp

While lots of students are at the swimming pool, or on vacation, several Enid High Athletic teams ventured out of state to attend team camps to get better, bond, and have some fun.

Football

Coach Cameron Conder took the Enid High Football Team to Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas in June. “We took about 70 guys up there to a college camp, which they were really excited about. We thought it would be good to get them away from the local camps and see some other teams we don’t usually see (and keep some teams from seeing us),” said Conder. “Also, we thought an overnight camp would be cool so the team could get a little taste of university life, staying in the dorms and eating in the cafeteria. Some of our kids are getting recruited by Emporia too, so it was good to get them in front of their coaches so they could see a little bit more of them. It was a great experience. We haven’t been on a team camp like this in several years, so we really appreciate the booster club making it happen for us.”

Volleyball

For first year head coach Valerie Francisco, getting the kids to camp was not only about improvement in the varsity team, but the program overall. “This is the first year we have been able to take the whole team, including the freshmen and JV, and 29 girls attended,” said Francisco. “We are really trying to build the program, and it was really cool to see the team bonding that happened, especially between the seniors and the younger kids.”

The camp they attended was at Wichita State University and had about 30 other teams participate. The team stayed two nights in a nearby hotel and was paid for by fundraising the team did.  “The camp really wore the girls out. In the morning, we watched drills set up by the college coaches and teams, and then we went off to practice them on our own. The coaches would come by and offer tips and make sure we were doing them correctly, then we scrimmaged in the afternoon. We split up into 3 teams for the scrimmages, and each team got about 12 matches over the three days. It was also cool that some college coaches got to see the girls compete, which has led at least one college (Friends University) to attend our scrimmages.  It was an awesome experience and got me really excited for the season since we got to see our new offense in action. We have the ability to be really good!” said Fransisco.

Cross Country

Cross Country Coach Justin DeClerck’s desire to take the team to camp was born out of getting to go to camp as an individual when he ran in high school. “I got to go to camps when I was in high school, but not as a team. I really wanted to give the kids the opportunity to do it during high school as a team.” Seventeen from the boy’s team and one from the girl’s team were able to go to University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas. DeClerck was not named the girls coach until the school year ended so did not have as much time to encourage and recruit girls to the camp this year. “If I had six months to plan like I did for the boys, we would have had a lot more girls go,” says DeClerck, “but we still wanted to give them the opportunity.”

The four-day camp consisted of running, of course, but also a lot of classroom time that focused on different topics such as nutrition, training, recruiting, biomechanics of running, and how many opportunities are out there, not just D-1.

“By getting away, having fun, and team building, we accomplished all that I wanted to and am really glad we went,” said DeClerck.   

Black Forest Stuffed Cupcakes & Surprise Brownies

By
Emily LeBaron
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Hello friends! This month, I’m going deep into my recipe vault, to back when I was just starting to get creative with box mixed cake and brownies. Adding ingredients to change things up from the same old same old and adding a new twist! The two recipes this month require a box cake mix and a brownie box mix. They were always a family favorite – quick, easy, and delicious! Both of these recipes are made in a muffin tin, to make things even easier! Now serving, Black Forest Stuffed Cupcakes and Surprise Brownies!

Black Forest Stuffed Cupcakes (24)
18.5 oz pkg chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients to make)
8 oz pkg softened cream cheese
20 oz can cherry pie filling, divided
1 egg
1 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 cups Cool Whip or Reddi Whip
24 cupcake paper liners

Preheat oven to 350. Prepare cake mix as directed on box, set aside. In a separate bowl, mix softened cream cheese, sugar, and egg until well blended, set aside. Remove 3/4 cup of the pie filling and set aside for garnish.
Spoon 2 tbsp cake batter into each 24 paper lined muffin cups. Layer 1 tbsp cream cheese mixture on top of the cake batter and add 1 tsp cherry topping.
Cover each muffin cup with remaining cake batter.
Bake 20-25 minutes. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Top each cupcake with a spoonful of Cool Whip or Reddi Whip and a tsp of the remaining pie filling just before serving.

Surprise Brownies (12)
20 oz pkg fudge brownie mix (with ingredients to prepare)
Cooking spray
Reddi Whip
12 Nilla wafer cookies
12 unwrapped Kraft caramels

Preheat oven to 350, and prepare brownie mix as directed and set aside.
Coat muffin tin with cooking spray.
Place 1 Nilla wafer at the bottom of each muffin cup. Spoon 3 tbsp brownie mix over each wafer. Place 1 caramel in the center of each brownie, topping with a small spoonful of batter.
Bake brownies 22 minutes, cool for about 10, and then remove from tin and serve warm, topped with whipped cream. If serving cool, heat for 5 seconds in the microwave. Top with whipped cream.

Youth Leadership Greater Enid Summer Camp – Part 2

By
Sophia Faulk
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Hey Y’all!! And welcome back to part 2 (of 3) of my YOUTH LGE Summer Camp series!! 

I hope you enjoyed Part 1, and if I haven’t convinced you to encourage you or your teen to apply for YLGE yet, then I hope after reading this, you will! Let’s get started!

Day 2 started with grubbing on an amazing breakfast at Barnstormers at Woodring Airport. One of my favorite things about camp was the amazing meals we received for all 3 meals of the day. We had a special guest speaker talk to us over breakfast about financial literacy. We learned about the specifics of credit & debit cards, bank accounts, budgeting, and lots more. Now I know that might sound boring, but it was genuinely so educational, and I came out of it knowing so much more about finances than I would probably ever learn in school.

After breakfast, the airport owner talked to us about how he got to the position of ownership and a little bit about the planes and customers. Then, we went to tour ASIC, where a bunch of employees fix up crashed airplanes or just do some repairs and painting. We watched them cut through the metals with a fascinating and expensive water saw. We then took a trip across town to the famous Vance Air Force Base. I have toured the base multiple times, so most of the opportunities we got to do and see I’d already done and saw, BUT all of my classmates really enjoyed the whole experience since it was their first time. We got to do flight simulators and test our instincts by being blindfolded and spun in a chair having to guess which way we were spinning. One of my peers and I got to do another simulation where we sat in the nose of an airplane, and as it spun, we had to “fly” it by only seeing our flight map and screen. It was an awesome experience. They invited us to eat lunch at the clubhouse on base, which had very tasty food, and we had great conversations with a few of the trainees.

After that exciting tour, we got to see the BTS of EPD and EFD. At the EPD, they have a shooting simulator that the deputies practice on with realistic guns powered by air, and we all got to try it!! I didn’t do very well because my reaction time is terrible, but it was really cool.

Our first non-profit of the day was Youth & Family Services. We got a complete tour of the building and even the living area, which was one of my favorite things from the whole camp. What they do really inspired me, and I loved it so much. I have a big soft spot for less fortunate children, and the way they help these kids makes me so happy.

After Y&FS, we went a little bit outside of town to an amazing place called “Benny’s Barn”. What they do is horse therapy and teach kids and adults how to ride horses. Horse therapy helps disabled and abused people get better and more comfortable with everyday life. While riding a horse, you go through a lot of everyday motions. Benny’s also holds soccer tournaments for the kids to have a safe space, with others like them, to have fun and be normal! I loved coming here and seeing all of the beautiful horses and the opportunities they give to our community.

Our last stop was GSP Health. This stop was very short because I feel like there was not much for us to do at a clinic, but the new building was very pretty, and it was nice, clean, and a good stop before dinner.

To end our night, we had an Etiquette Dinner at the Country Club. We learned so much – like how to sit in your chair properly, which utensils to use, how to cut steak the right way, the rules of the table, and so much more. The food was 10/10 and 100% my favorite meal all week. It included 4 courses and a delicious and refreshing Shirley Temple. 

Thank You for reading this month’s article. I hope you enjoyed it. If I still haven’t convinced you about YLGE, then come back next month for the last part of this series. It is my duty and mission for all of you who are eligible to apply!! I hope you have an amazing August!! Bye for now <33

Children’s Book Review: City Spies

By
Chloe Fuksa
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Author: James Ponti
Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa

I know I have previously reviewed Spy School by Stuart Gibbs, so this month I turned to the other popular series in the genre: City Spies, by James Ponti. The first book in this series came out in 2020 and is suited for children aged 8-12. Whereas Spy School takes place in the realm of the CIA, City Spies involves the MI6 program in Britain.

Sara is a twelve-year-old girl living in a foster home in Brooklyn when she gets arrested for hacking into the NYC juvenile justice system. She is just about to be sentenced to juvie when a secret agent recruits her to instead join his team – at a castle in Scotland! There, she meets four other kids like herself, each with a different specialty. Kat, for instance, is a genius at cryptography, while Rio is a master at sleight-of-hand skills. Their first mission together is to protect an asset who is headlining a youth summit in Paris. When two people are found dead in the river, though, and a vial of a deadly virus goes missing shortly before the conference, the team must act quickly to protect everyone in attendance.

While I thought all the characters were fantastic and the friendships that develop between each of them were beautiful, I did think the final climactic scenes were a little weak, a little too lite on the action. But I could see where that would happen in the first book of a series, where the characters need to be developed and the foundation needs to be established. It was still a very enjoyable read though, and a really quick read at that, so I would definitely be intrigued enough to read the next book in the series and see where the characters travel to next!

Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of City Spies today!

Jessica Soles – Local Legend

By
Alita Feek
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This month’s Local Legend is Jessica Soles, who works at 4RKids, an organization that is dedicated to advancing opportunities for youth and adults with developmental disabilities right here in Enid. In her position, Jessica serves as Retail Manager for the Mini Golf and 2nd Story Gift Shop. Located on Overland Trail, the golf and gift shop raise much-needed funds for 4RKids, and Jessica oversees them both.

Originally hailing from the upper Midwest, Jessica has worked at 4RKids since 2021. Coming from a background in retail, working at 4RKids was a new avenue for Jessica. 4RKids has a unique mission, and the environment is one where Jessica’s talents and skills have been able to shine. According to Executive Director Rachel McVay, a large part of what drew Jessica to 4RKids was the mission and being able to help people. McVay said that Jessica “really enjoys working with the clients that we have.” Jessica excels at building relationships with the clients, always encouraging and helping them to “learn new job skills” and work to the very best of their capabilities.

Not only does Jessica manage the retail side of 4RKids, but she also represents the organization in the community. Jessica regularly appears at Enid Chamber of Commerce events, and she has also been invited to speak at the Enid AM Ambucs civic club. McVay said that Jessica “does networking for us…when new businesses come to town to help them know who we are and how we can maybe support them…she definitely has a charitable heart.”

Like everyone featured in this column, Jessica would never call herself a Local Legend. In truth, though, that sense of humility and genuine selfless nature are the qualities that make her one. McVay said, “Jessica is a workhorse. She will put in tons of hours to make sure something is completed, and she doesn’t ever ask for credit or want recognition. She just wants to do a really good job and then fly under the radar.”

When you take your kids (or just yourself!) to play mini golf, they might want to grab some popcorn or maybe a snow cone. When you visit the 2nd Story Gift Shop, you will see all the artfully arranged home décor items, shirts, and many other neat things. And when you eat that tasty snow cone or purchase that trendy tumbler, you can smile, knowing that everything is made possible thanks to a wonderful team of 4RKids clients and their phenomenal team leader, Jessica Soles. And that’s truly what makes her this month’s Local Legend.

INTEGRIS Health Welcomes New Pulmonologist

By
Press Releases
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INTEGRIS Health Medical Group welcomes Idayat Moyeni Brimah, M.D., MPH, a new pulmonologist specializing in pulmonology, critical care medicine and internal medicine, to INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Pulmonology in Enid, Oklahoma.

Her areas of interest include pulmonary sarcoidosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and lung cancer.

Brimah earned her degrees in medicine and surgery from the University of Ilorin, College of Health and Sciences in Nigeria. She completed her internal medicine residency at Harlem Hospital in New York City and her pulmonary critical care fellowship at Mount Sinai Morningside/West in New York City.

Brimah brings to Oklahoma her dedication to pulmonary critical care and her commitment to providing compassionate and comprehensive care to patients with pulmonary diseases. She offices at INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Pulmonology, located at 620 S. Madison, Suite 209 in Enid, Oklahoma. For more information, call 580-213-9741.

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