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Life as a Sophomore

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Hey Y’all, and welcome back to Teen Scene in ENID MONTHLY. For May, I thought it would be interesting to tell my readers about 5 things I loved doing for my sophomore year and some things to look forward to for upcoming sophomores. Let’s go!!

To start, one of my favorite things I got to participate in this year was Show Choir!! If you have never heard of it, Show Choir is a musical ensemble that combines choral singing with choreographed dance, often with an overarching theme. We have a lot of Pom girls on our team, and they help choreograph all of our dances as well as Alumni. I was so scared when we had to audition, but since the teacher/director is my Track and XC coach, I got less nervous. Show Choir was an amazing experience, and I can’t wait to do it the rest of my high school years. 

  Another fun experience to look forward to is Prom!!! Freshmen are not allowed to attend prom, so as a freshman, I was very disappointed. You get to dress up all pretty with your friends and dance and hang out all night!! Sounds like a pretty fun time to me! The only downside as a sophomore is that you have to be invited by an upperclassman, so hopefully you have some friends who are a junior or senior that can sign you up!! 

Getting to participate in May Fete is also an amazing and fun experience. Enid High May Fete is a rite of passage for the senior class of Enid High School. It comes from an old English May Day tradition that celebrates the coming of spring. Enid High turned this tradition into a ceremony that welcomes spring and honors the senior class each year. As a sophomore and junior, you get to be a pole winder and wrap a ribbon in a synchronized step dance around the “May Pole”. You get to dress in pretty dresses and carry around a beautiful floral arrangement called a Nosegay. 

An exciting event that will probably happen during most sophomore students’ years is getting your permit or license! I am not quite old enough to get my license because I am still 15, but I did get to earn my permit!! I love being able to drive with my mom or dad and being in control of my car rather than being a passenger-seat driver!! 

The last thing I loved doing during my sophomore year was taking AP classes. I know you probably think I sound like a nerd, but I promise that’s not why I enjoyed taking them. I not only got to experience class with my junior and senior friends, but I also got a GPA boost!! I loved looking at my GPA and seeing the 4.25 right there. Now they are a bit more challenging than regular and honors classes, BUT it is worth it in the end. I really appreciated my AP lang and comp teacher, Mrs. Ragle. She has taught me so much this past year, and Aspen was also in her class with me, which made it 10 times better.  Thank you for reading this month’s article. I hope you enjoyed it!! If you are an upcoming sophomore reading this, I really encourage you to participate in all things possible. If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for upcoming articles, email me at tweensceneenid@gmail.com I hope you have an amazing May!! See you next month :))))))

Best of Enid 2024 Finalists

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Congratulations to our Best of Enid 2024 finalists, and congratulations to everyone who was nominated! There may only be 1 winner for each category, but every business nominated and every business in Enid is special and appreciated. So, thank you to everyone who voted, and thank you to every business that helps Enid thrive.

The Best of Enid 2024 will take place June 6th in the Grand Ballroom at Stride Bank Center, and the doors will open at 6:00pm with the event starting at 6:30pm. Now, here are your finalists!

  1. Best Accountant
    Kelly Mendel – Campbell, Shaffer, and Company, P.C.
    Riley Hall – Schoonover Agency Tax Preparation
    Sandy Schoonover Hall – Schoonover Agency Tax Preparation
  2. Best Apartments
    Esplanade at Stonebridge Village Apartments
    Hunters Hills Apartments
    Pheasant Run Apartments
  3. Best Attorney
    Dalen McVay
    Joshua Conaway
    Russell Singleton
  4. Best Auto Maintenance & Repair
    Four J’s Tire Service
    Northcutt Toyota
    Town Square Auto
  5. Best Bank/Credit Union
    Bank of Oklahoma
    Stride Bank
    Tinker Federal Credit Union
  6. Best Bakery: Cakes, Cookies, and Sweets
    Bev’s Cakes
    Katy’s Pantry
    The Main Street Mercantile & Cookie Co.
  7. Best BBQ
    Blaze’s BBQ
    Smoke Wagon BBQ
    Swadley’s Bar-B-Q
  8. Best Bar
    Callahan’s Pub & Grille
    Enid Axe/Liquor in the Axe
    Pheasant Run Golf & Grill 
  9. Best Boutique
    Bee Jeweled
    Boho Teepee
    Dudes Men’s Store
  10. Best Breakfast/Brunch Spot
    Cafe Volare
    Pheasant Run Golf & Grill
    Wee Too
  11. Best Burger
    Lotta Burger
    Pheasant Run Golf & Grill
    Rockin’ TK Burger Barn
  12. Best CBD/Cannabis Store
    American Cannabis Company
    Mothers Joy Dispensary
    Natural Remedies MMJ
  13. Best Coffee Shop
    7 Brew Coffee
    Da Vinci’s Coffeehouse and Gelateria
    Waymaker Coffee Company
  14. Best Car Dealership
    Jacksons of Enid Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
    Northcutt Chevrolet-Buick
    Northcutt Toyota
  15. Best Childcare Provider
    Children’s Day School
    Emmanuel Christian School
    The Denny Price Family YMCA of Enid, Oklahoma
  16. Best Children’s Party Spot
    Gathered Events Enid
    Leonardo’s Children’s Museum & Adventure Quest
    Skatetown
  17. Best Chiropractor
    Cornerstone Chiropractic
    Coulter Chiropractic
    Kenyon Chiropractic
  18. Best Dental Care/Orthodontist
    Dr. Daulton Roberts – Healthy Smiles
    Dr. Elizabeth Chaloupek, DDS
    Dr. Jarrod Lack – TLC Dental
  19. Best Electrician
    Byrum Electric
    Harmon’s Electric, Inc.
    Slater Mechanical
  20. Best Entertainment/Nightlife
    Enid Axe
    Oakwood Bowl
    Stride Bank Center
  21. Best Eye Care
    Dr. Heath Stotts – Enid Vision Source
    Dr. Justin Funk – Premier Eyecare of Enid
    Dr. Thomas Nicholas II – Nicholas Eye Clinic
  22. Best Primary Care Physician/Provider
    D Andrew Ward, APRN
    Dr. Eve Switzer, MD
    Dr. Renah Gibson, DO
  23. Best Financial Planner
    Jake Voss – Edward Jones
    Keith Holsten – K/H Financial
    Will Gungoll – Buffalo Capital Management
  24. Best Fitness/Gym
    Finer Physiques Fitness Center
    Planet Fitness
    The Denny Price Family YMCA of Enid, Oklahoma
  25. Best Flooring
    A E Howard Flooring
    Carpet Plus Flooring & Furniture
    Enid Tile & Marble Inc
  26. Best Florist
    Enid Floral & Gifts
    Huffman Floral
    Uptown Florist, and Gifts
  27. Best Funeral Services
    Anderson-Burris Funeral Home & Crematory
    Brown-Cummings Funeral Home
    Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory
  28. Best Hair Salon
    Bloom Hair Studio
    Enchanted Beauty Wellness Spa
    Salon De’Fy
  29. Best Heat & Air
    Faith Mechanical
    Kemph Heating & AC
    Slater Mechanical
  30. Best Home Health/Hospice
    Complete OK Home Health & Hospice
    Hospice Circle of Love
    Traditions Health Home Health
  31. Best Home Maintenance & Remodeling
    Extreme Remodeling
    Le Roux Contracting
    Stephens Construction and Remodeling
  32. Best Insurance Agency
    Brandon Adams – Farmers Insurance
    Enid Insurance Agency
    Insurance Services Northwest
  33. Best Jewelry
    Ediger’s Diamonds
    Jackson Diamond Jewelers
    Mead Jewelers
  34. Best Liquor Store
    JB Liquor Store
    Rock Island Liquor and Wine
    The Wine Press
  35. Best Local Restaurant
    Callahan’s Pub & Grille
    Pheasant Run Golf and Grill
    Sandy’s Tacos
  36. Best Massage Therapy/Therapist
    Amanda Peters – Enchanted Beauty Wellness Spa
    Dia Metcalf
    Tonya’s Massage & Wellness Spa
  37. Best Medical Spa/Skin Care
    Amanda Peters – Enchanted Beauty Wellness Spa
    Kristen Morgan – Botox By Kristen
    Tonya’s Massage & Wellness Spa
  38. Best Mexican Dining
    El Patio Mexican Grill & Cantina
    Heydy’s Place
    La Fiesta Mexican Café
  39. Best Nail Technician/Salon
    Enchanted Beauty Wellness Spa
    – Enid Nails
    Star Nails
  40. Best Pet Grooming
    Grooms Closet Pet Center
    Lollie’s Grooming
    Unleashed – Pet Grooming Salon
  41. Best Pharmacy
    Family Pharmacy
    Rick’s Pharmacy
    Scheffe Prescription Shop
  42. Best Photographer
    Heddleson Photography
    Wess Gray – Wess & Jolene Gray Portraits
    Wolf Collective Photography
  43. Best Plumber
    A J Benge Company
    Dennis Plumbing Company
    Lee’s Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning
  44. Best Realtor
    Alexandria May – McGraw Realtors
    Lori Dick – Nicholas Residential Real Estate
    Veronica Hernandez – Cobblestone Realty Partners
  45. Best Roofing
    Fine Roofing and Remodeling
    USA Roofing Co.
    Vargas Roofing
  46. Best Senior Living
    Baptist Village (Formerly Golden Oaks Village)
    Greenbrier Village
    The Commons
  47. Best Tattoo Parlor
    Blood Brothers Tattoo
    Omocke Ink
    Tangent Wallflower Tattoo
  48. Best Thrift Store
    Park Avenue Thrift
    Return Engagement
    The Doll House
  49. Best Veterinarian
    Dwight Olson – Olson Animal Hospital, Inc.
    Kristy Krueger – Kristy Krueger Mobile Vet Services
    Ryan Staerkel – Staerkel Veterinary Clinic
  50. Best Wings
    Buffalo Wild Wings
    Pheasant Run Golf and Grill
    Wingstop

Tee It Up

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Coming off back-to-back State qualifying seasons for the boy’s golf team, first-year head coach Tyler Dunham knew that there were high expectations for the team to try to be just as successful this year. And by looking at the top of the roster, he knew he had a chance. “We returned two very good Senior Varsity team members,” Dunham said, “And I knew that would be a great base to work with.” Mason Haley finished 6th at the state tournament last year, and Dawson Branstetter has had a lot of success. However, I also knew that after them, we would be young. We ended up starting two freshmen and a sophomore, so that obviously is a little bit of a challenge. Dawson and Mason have really stepped up to mentor these younger kids and let them know what our expectations are, and the young guys have been getting better and better. While Haley misses a few tournaments for Jr. Golf Tournaments, the rest of the team has still had some success. Branstetter won the Big 7 Conference tournament this year, and Freshman Austin Kalow finished 3rd.

The girls’ team has not had as many recent accomplishments, but Coach Dunham is excited about the future. “We are only graduating two seniors from the girl’s team too,” said Coach Dunham,” and while we will miss the leadership of Brylie Cox and Stella Stanley, I have been happy with the progress and the improvement the whole team has shown. What’s really exciting is our junior varsity girls. They have played in several varsity tournaments with smaller schools and done really well. We won two of them and placed 4th in another. I can’t wait to see what these girls will do in the future.”

Coach Dunham is quick to point out that while high school golf is a “team” sport, it really takes a lot of dedication and personal motivation to get better. “Golf is not a sport that you can be very good at practicing an hour a day, five days a week for the Golf season. You have to go practice on your own and do your part when coaches aren’t around. Our job is to teach them golf etiquette, work ethics, and life lessons. And for the better players, we have got them hooked up with the golf pros around town to help them with the technical aspects of the game. If we continue to push them in the right direction, and they work hard, we will just get better and better.” With Regionals starting at the time of publication and state up next, we wish the golf team the best of luck!

STICKS AND STRINGS

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Howdy Okie friends! Comin’ back at ya with some useful knowledge for those of you that are archers, are “wanna-be” archers, or have ever had questions or the desire to learn the sport. This month with us we have Neil Cooley (who I can assure you is more proficient with a bow than I am.) That said, let’s get right to it.

 Tell us a little about yourself: I’m the Oklahoma Archery Shooters Association state director, co-founder of Triple-C Archery, and co-host of the Oklahoma Archery podcast. We are all about any kind of archery you want to shoot in Oklahoma or surrounding states. I travel coast to coast from Pennsylvania to Alabama and all the way out to Vegas every year to chase that Perfectly executed shot under the bright lights. I’ve been shooting since I was about 4 or 5 years old, still learning every single day.

Could you explain the organization you lead? There are so many organizations in this state that grow and support Archery at every level. From local fun shoots on the weekend to national programs televised live, we do it all. Locally, we have a full summer ahead of us with multiple shoots each weekend. The ASA is a yearlong qualifier trial that culminates at the state championship July 20-21 at the OKC Gun Club. It’s a one-day shoot round, so either day will work. There is no requirement to be there both days. On Sunday, we will be drawing several raffle prizes, including seven bows as well as yearly club memberships and merchandise for all things archery. You only need to shoot a single qualifier to be eligible. 3d Archery is my favorite, but I shoot indoor, field, target, and broadhead competitions as well. The only months we take off are usually October through December, primarily for deer season. 

There are classes for youth and adult men and women of every skill level. We want to emphasize that beginners don’t have to compete against seasoned veterans. Across the several organizations, there are different rules for each that can be confusing to a beginner, and we try very hard to help people navigate these obstacles to facilitate their passion for archery. Skill level does not matter, we want you to come join and learn with us. The community of archers is the most helpful and supportive group of people that you could ever meet. They become like family, and the weekends are spent together full of good memories and fun times. 

We want to be inclusive to anyone out there who has an interest. We are here to support you, and any questions/concerns you may have are always welcome. If there is someone you know that has an interest in trying archery, then you’ve come to the right place. For further information, contact Mr. Cooley at 918-639-6654 or neilcooley531@gmail.com.

There ya have it folks! All the information you need regarding all things archery. Until next time (when hopefully y’all will have harvested a turkey with your bow by then), make sure your bow, arrows, and form are tuned up. . .

Dates:
-State championship is July 20-21 at OKC Gun Club
-State annual meeting is September 14th at 6:00pm at Autry Technology Center

Children’s Book Review: Junia: The Book Mule of Troublesome Creek

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Author: Kim Michele Richardson

Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa

If you’re an avid historical fiction reader, chances are you’ve come across The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek or its follow-up, The Book Woman’s Daughter. Now, author Kim Michele Richardson has teamed up with illustrator David C. Gardner to create a children’s picture book, Junia, based on the endearing mule from those adult books. Told from the perspective of Junia, the book teaches young ones about the Kentucky Pack Horse Librarians and what a day was like for them back in the 1930s.

The story begins with Book Woman and Junia departing before sunrise to begin their book route over the rugged, treacherous hills. Their mission is to deliver books and magazines so that children and their families can learn and improve their reading. The route on this specific day includes a schoolhouse, a fire lookout tower, a houseboat, and many more. Junia loves seeing everyone and what they’re reading, but she must also always be on alert during the route – for animals like snakes and skunks, or challenging weather, like snowstorms and thunderstorms. At the end of the day though, with a belly full of sweet treats, Junia can rest easy knowing that she and Book Woman have helped the families on their route.

Junia is rated for ages 5-8, and it is rather more of a story book. Whereas other young books might have just a few words or a snappy rhyming sequence, Junia has at least a few sentences per page and tells a complete story from start to finish. It’s intended to entertain kiddos, yes, but also teach them a really interesting part of Kentucky history. Plus, there is a short author’s note at the end of the book with more information and real-life photos. Junia certainly has a cute, quirky personality, and readers are sure to get a kick out of her!

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

Fresh Fruit Salad

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May – Spring, flowers, fresh fruit, and vegetables! Graduations, birthdays, weddings, Mother’s Day, and so many more events! What better way to celebrate all these then with a fresh fruit salad! This salad is so versatile – we swap out the fruit and use the sauce on crepes or waffles! This fruit salad can be a sweet refreshing dessert, energizing breakfast, or perfect side dish for any occasion! Mix your favorite fruits and enjoy! Now serving, Fruit Salad!

Fruit Salad – serves 6

1/2 cup sour cream

1 tbsp orange juice

1 tbsp of honey

1 cup sliced strawberries

4 peeled and separated oranges

2 cups blueberries

3 bananas, peeled and thinly sliced

1 cup halved grapes

2 cups raspberries

In a large bowl, mix the sour cream, orange juice, and honey well. Add all fruit and stir carefully to coat all the fruit with the sour cream mixture. Then cover and refrigerate or serve immediately.

Furry Fun for Everyone!

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Author: Megan Lavicky

ESPCA Adoption Events

Mark your calendars and join the ESPCA and PetSmart for an adoption event on Saturday, May 18th, from 11 AM to 3 PM. Then, on Saturday, May 25th, the ESPCA dogs will be at Atwoods at an adoption event from 10 AM until 2 PM. Both events will allow you to meet adoptable dogs and talk to the team about their personalities, energy levels, and care. It’s an excellent way to see the dogs away from the shelter and in a more relaxed setting where you can visit with them. 

Even if you are not ready to adopt, you can still come by and say hello. To show your support, take a few photos and post them on your social media, telling your friends and family about who is there waiting to be adopted. It’s incredible how much of a difference one person can make in changing a life. Let’s help our furry friends!

Charity Mini-Golf Fun!

Join the ESPCA and 4RKids for the Putts4Pets event, a unique opportunity to have fun while making a difference in the lives of animals. It’s a cause worth supporting! Your participation in the mini-golf fundraiser on June 2nd at 2:00 PM will directly benefit the Enid SPCA. The proceeds will support foster care and help cover animal intake expenses. Your contribution matters!

The ESPCA also values the support of local businesses, schools, and community centers. Your help in sharing the event details with your networks and participating is crucial. Consider grabbing a Bronze, Silver, or Gold sponsorship to receive extra perks like exclusive branding, prominent logo placement, and recognition during the event. 

By teaming up with your family, friends, and coworkers for this friendly competition, you are not just having fun; you are showing your commitment to the cause. Consider having team names related to animals or golf themes. It adds a fun touch! There will be entertaining awards and celebrations throughout the event. Awards will be given in the categories of Youth (12 and under), Youth Teams, Adult (12 and over), Adult Teams, and “Generation Fusion” Teams.

The ESPCA has set up an easy-to-use online registration form for sponsorships and more information at enidspca.org/putts-4-pets. Remember, every putt counts—both on the golf course and in supporting Enid SPCA’s mission. Best of luck with Putts4Pets!

PARK AVENUE THRIFT ANNOUNCES 2024 SPRING COMMUNITY GRANT RECIPIENTS 

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[Enid, OK] – Park Avenue Thrift is awarding a total of $210,573 across 24 different nonprofit organizations and schools in Enid, OK this spring.

The 2024 spring grant recipients are 4RKids Foundation, A Fling at the Springs, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Atelier 339, Bennie’s Barn, Chautauqua Council of Enid, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Coolidge Elementary School, Enid SPCA, Enid Street Outreach Services, Enid Symphony Orchestra, Garfield County 4H Robotics Club, Garfield County Child Advocacy, Garfield Elementary, Gaslight Theatre, Leonardo’s Children’s Museum, Longfellow Middle School, Main Street Enid, Making a Difference, Northern Oklahoma College, PFLAG Enid, Railroad Museum of Oklahoma, RSVP Enid, and Youth and Family Services. 

“We are so happy to see so many nonprofit organizations and schools creating new programs and projects. We are beyond thrilled to be able to help make it happen, ” said Stela Jantzen, Park Avenue Thrift Executive Director. “We’ve had amazing support from the community this year and that’s what allows us to offer our community grants. We could not do what we do without our amazing shoppers, donors, employees, board members, and anyone who shares about Park Avenue Thrift and our mission.”

Park Avenue Thrift not only gives funding through community grants but also through event sponsorships and to classroom projects through DonorsChoose.org. 

For more information about Park Avenue Thrift and community giving, please visit their website at www.parkavenuethrift.org or follow them on the official Facebook or Instagram page for Park Avenue Thrift at www.facebook.com/ParkAvenueThriftEnid or www.instagram.com/ParkAvenueThriftEnid.

Adult Book Review: Horse

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Author: Geraldine Brooks
Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa, Putnam Six Bookstore

If the Kentucky Derby – the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” – is not long enough for you this May, perhaps a 400-page novel about the greatest race horse of the 19th century could last you a bit longer. Horse, by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks, is a work of historical fiction that originally came out in 2022 but has just had its paperback release in early 2024. It is, without a doubt, one of my very favorite books.

Horse revolves around the spectacular thoroughbred Lexington, who raced in Kentucky and around the South in the early 1850s, and Jarret, a young enslaved boy, who is Lexington’s caretaker and trainer. The two come to form an inseparable relationship based on trust and understanding and compassion, and what they achieve together is unrivaled at the time. The other two main characters in the book are Jess and Theo, who live in Washington, DC, in 2019. Jess is a scientist at the Smithsonian who discovers the actual skeleton of Lexington, while Theo is an art history student who happens upon a tossed-out painting of Lexington. Together, the two unravel the long-forgotten story of the famed race horse and his gifted groom.

It may take a few chapters to get your bearings with the different characters and time frames, but overall, Horse is such a strong, thought-provoking combination of topics. It has history and race, art and love, science and sport. The writing throughout is smooth, the characters are inspiring, and once the dots start getting connected, once you see how the different strands are woven together, it’s just a masterpiece. Dust off your Derby hat, mix your mint julep, and enjoy a spectacular ride of a book that will stay with you much longer than two minutes.

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

Angela Dawn Gallagher – Local Legend

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Angela Dawn Gallagher was born in Enid, Oklahoma, at Bass Hospital. Her parents had gone through several adoption agencies with no luck, but then their friend, who happened to be a doctor, gave them a call with the news they’d been waiting for. Angela went to high school in Alva, Oklahoma, and she graduated from Alva High School in 2004. She later moved to Enid when she married her first husband. She attended NWOSU as an elementary education major for a while, but she didn’t find her true calling until she decided to attend Enid Beauty College. She went on to graduate from Enid Beauty College in 2008.

Now she’s a hairstylist, certified lash technician, and cosmetologist, and she teaches dance at HYPE here in Enid. In her teaching career, she has helped cultivate students who’ve gone on to become D1 Cheer/Pom girls with full-ride scholarships. She’s also been involved with Gaslight Theatre for several years, and she’s helped with everything from choreography and assistant directing to acting. She recently took over the Gaslight Theatre Drama Camp, which takes place every summer in June, and the program encourages kids to be involved with the arts. She’s helped the program reach new heights by creating a block system, which allows more children to have the opportunity to participate in the program.

As a stylist and dance instructor, Angela shines in her field. In February, she was chosen to be part of New York Fashion Week, and she’ll be a part of the team going to Paris Fashion Week in September. She’s a role model, influencer, and leader with the kindest of hearts. Angela married her husband, Sean Gallagher, in 2020, and together they have 4 kids, Harrison, McCartney, Grant, and Evan. In regard to Angela, Sean says, “She would never consider herself a local legend, but due to her work ethic, willingness, and desire to positively enhance people’s lives, she’s legendary. However, above all, it’s her love for people that makes her worthy of such consideration.” Her kindness, caring heart, work ethic, and drive are reason enough to call her a local legend, but if you couple that with the strides she’s making for Enid outside of Enid, she’s truly a local legend.

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