Sydney JoLee Reigh was born September 30, 2011. She was an amazing, happy baby. She smiled all the time. In January of 2015, she was 3 1/2 years old and started to have excruciating headaches in the back of her head. She would cry and vomit and tell us it felt like someone was sticking a knife in the back of her head. Her Dad (Grant County Game Warden Marshall Reigh) made a video of one of the episodes, and I consulted Dr. Michael O’Quin. He ordered an MRI at OU Children’s Hospital in February of 2015. We found out that week that she had Chiari Malformation. Her brain was herniated into the base of her skull 22mm. On March 3, 2015, she had her first brain surgery. It was one of the hardest days of our lives. She would average a brain surgery every sixty-six days over the next five years. Thirty-Six brain surgeries would occur from that day to January of 2021. She is now twelve years old and in the sixth grade at Medford Public Schools. She enjoys learning, being the basketball manager, being a cheerleader, being in STUCO, fishing, and hunting.
I asked my little friend Syd a few questions:
“What made you want to start hunting?
Sydney: “I love spending time with my dad and my mom in the outdoors.”
“What’s your favorite thing about the hunt?”
Sydney: “Just being outdoors, spending time with my family hunting and fishing and learning to understand more about wildlife. My favorite animals to hunt are deer and turkeys. I love to hunt everything but those are my favorite. I also love to set traps with my dad.”
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Sydney: “I want to be a pediatrician or a Pediatric RN. I feel like I could really help little kids that are struggling with their health or that are scared to go to the doctor.”
There you have it folks; the toughest kid I know. THIRTY-SIX BRAIN SURGERIES by the age of twelve, yet if you see her selling fruits and vegetables at the farmers market or running around at ballgames, you’d never know. This young lady has harvested more or better wildlife than many of you probably have. I know she has more than me. She’s also way tougher than me. Until next time Okies. . .
As this year comes to a close, it’s nice to look back on the year and everything it encompassed. Reflecting on life is a big key to growth and improvement, and it’s important to look back and celebrate each and every accomplishment of the year, no matter how big or small. It’s also nice to look at all you’ve done to help plan what you’re wanting to do and accomplish for the new year. As we approach Christmas, we wanted to highlight how important it is to shop locally, and that’s what this month’s cover story is all about. In addition to our cover story, Enid Monthly and participating local businesses have compiled a gift guide for you all. The gift guide includes discounts, coupons, and guides for your Christmas gift buying! So, be sure to check out the gift guide and use all of the discounts and coupons and be sure to shop locally. And, on behalf of us here at Enid Monthly, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
As the year shifts into the swing of the holidays, so does the shopping focus. No matter what the year has brought, we can all find a way to enjoy the holidays in our community.
Traveling around to locally owned businesses downtown and around Enid, there are plenty of shopping choices – for both new and used items.
Locally owned businesses pick the items and products they sell based on what they know you like and want. Small businesses carry a wider array of unique products because they buy for their own individual markets.
At small businesses, customers are able to find and even request products and services that are not typically offered at big box stores.
“Here you’re going to get the memories with stuff for sale,” said Amber Mercado, employee of Broadway Antiques and daughter of the owners. “You might see something that your grandma or mom had here.”
Whether shopping for a gift or for yourself, small businesses offer unique, curated items and services.
“When someone comes looking for something they really want, we put it on a list to send to vendors who can go out and find it,” said Mercado.
“Small business owners here are very kind. If there is not something in the store that you want, they’ll look for it and order it,” said Natalie Rapp, Executive Director of Main Street.
So, next time you’re looking for that plaid fuzzy jacket, a book, or a pair of sunglasses – look no further than a small business before you look at a big box store.
Though big box stores offer a greater quantity of selection, they miss an essential part of community and the small town feel that towns like Enid hope to maintain.
Shopping in a small store, then running into someone you know to chat or even ask shopping advice brings a whole new feeling to shopping. It feels personalized, said Lori Coonrod, Membership and Special Events Director at the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce.
“The cold feeling of department stores in a mall, often feels rushed or even stressed so that you don’t even enjoy it,” said Lori. “Here, with the local aspect of it, you can run down the street or leave your house for an hour or two and shop at the boutiques. It’s just a different feeling.”
When you shop at that boutique downtown or run at the local gym, your dollars are going to the family of the owner, its employees, and back into your community by way of taxes.
“We like to shop locally too,” said Tani Mahaffey, owner of Boho Teepee. “As you become a small business, you become more aware of how much you are supporting your community and their family members by buying from them.”
You contribute to the holiday spirit of giving when you give your business to a small shop.
“It’s not all about money,” said Patricia Case, employee of Boho Teepee. “Yeah, you can go to Ross to get that, but you don’t get that sense of relationship and community. I’m from California,” said Patricia. “You see boutiques but not like here, where you know the family, the employees. Here, you’re going to have a relationship with them.”
Tani said that having a relationship with her customers and the community allows her to be a bigger part of the community. Many customers have turned to friends that just come into the shop to just talk to us on good days and bad, said Tani.
“Anytime I question what I do, I remember them,” said Tani.
Patricia added, “They aren’t even buying anything! They just come in to feel that sense of community, warmth, and acceptance. It’s not just about making money; it’s about having a relationship and a sense of belonging. Life is more than just money.”
It’s no wonder that both regional and national organizations for profit and not, push for consumers to buy from small businesses.
Thirteen years ago, Small Business Saturday was born. The holiday is on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and it was created to help small businesses gain exposure and to inspire consumers to shop within their own communities during the holiday season. This year, it’s on November 25.
Why buy your holiday gifts around town?
Shopping Small is investing in your local economy
Small businesses give back to their community
Shoppers will find customized service and special items
Sales Tax money is used to support public schools, parks, roads, and sidewalks, as well as fund public service workers. When you support a local business, you’re also supporting your town, city, and neighborhood by way of paying sales tax.
“Facing economic uncertainty and high inflation, many small businesses are feeling the pressure to have a strong quarter before the colder, slower months of winter to come. It is even more important this year to support small businesses and fuel a strong economy,” according to the U.S Department of Commerce.
Small businesses give back by staying, growing, and shopping in their local market. Raising a family here, spending, volunteering, donating time, money, and services – all done by small business owners and customers to help keep each other and their community going.
Small towns like Enid that have shrunk or lost their downtowns, have lost an essential part of a town’s community. If we don’t keep that alive, ours will go away too, said Patricia.
“If you don’t get out into the community, you don’t know what a great community we have,” said Tani. “It’s excellent if you’re out looking for it.”
Nearly all small business owners agree that community engagement is important for their business—and are actively engaged in giving back in several ways—including hosting or sponsoring community events, donating to local charities, and forming partnerships with other local businesses, according to the U.S. Chamber.
Many Enid businesses work in conjunction with each other, supplying each other with goods and services, but also providing support and referrals. With a strong small business network, downtown and other mom and pops businesses will be able to remain open.
“Enid has worked hard to present promotions throughout the years that encourage people to keep their holiday dollars at home, downtown and beyond.” said Lori Coonrod, Membership and Special Events Director at the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce.
There will be a few special shopping holidays in December locally. The events are put on by Main Street Enid running from 6-9 p.m.
December 8 – a Downtown ‘Sip, Snack, and Shop’
December 15 – Christmas Carol Crawl
Businesses will have different musical groups in their shops playing while you shop.
“I would say that shopping in Enid is an experience,” said Natalie Rapp, Executive Director of Main Street Enid. “It’s got a community feel. Everybody is extremely nice and wants to provide that holiday experience.” “It’s a hallmark movie here during Christmas time, and it’s wonderful,” said Natalie.
One of this year’s Sequoyah books for kiddos is the young adult version of Adam Makos’s 2020 release, Spearhead. Makos has taken the story and individuals from the popular adult version and turned it into a narrative non-fiction book for teenagers. It spans from September 1944 to April 1945 following the Americans, primarily Clarence Smoyer, of Easy Company, and Gustav Schaefer and his 2nd Company of Germans as they battle across Europe.
For Clarence, the book begins with his unit fighting in Belgium and advancing toward Germany. Clarence is a tank gunner, and it turns out he is an exceptional shot. Time and time again the men in his tank will rely on him to act quickly and decisively to save their lives. For Gustav, a tank crewman, his company is moving from Luxembourg to Germany to defend the town of Cologne. The two men square off in a crucial battle there, before the Americans move on to capture Paderborn, Germany, and its critical rail yards and air fields. There are numerous secondary characters as well, like Buck Marsh, Chuck Miller, and Rolf Millitzer, and they all have interesting backgrounds and roles too.
For this reviewer, Spearhead wasn’t polished enough. There were inconsistencies in descriptions – did the train “go right past [Gustav’s] farm” or did he have to “pedal his bicycle far from home to watch” them? – as well as a seemingly carefree method of formatting in the text itself. But if I put my qualms aside, I do think it’s a good book for the Sequoyah list, and I can see why it was chosen. It’s a really interesting story of military history that can hold the attention of young adults and show them some of what our veterans went through. Plus, the final chapter tells of Clarence and Gustav actually meeting up decades later, and it is certainly the best, most heartwarming part of the book.
Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of Spearhead today!
Your heart is a critical organ – the rest of your body depends on it. It is at the center of your cardiovascular system and is responsible for pumping blood around the body to send oxygen and nutrients where they are needed and to carry away unwanted waste products.
“Understanding the health of your heart is important because heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States, according to the American Heart Association ®(AHA),” said Lior Shamai, DO, a cardiologist with St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center. “The heart is the organ that keeps your body running. Recognizing that can inspire you to keep it healthy.”
The cardiovascular team at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center is here to help, from prevention and education, to diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. We offer award-winning, comprehensive services you need to get your heart health on track.
Is Heart Disease Hereditary?
“If you have a family history of heart disease, you may be at higher risk for having heart issues,” added Dr. Shamai. “Many different types of heart disease can be passed down through families. Some are caused by just one or a few genetic changes that have a very strong effect in causing disease.”
Known as monogenic conditions, they include uncommon disorders that mostly affect the heart’s muscle (such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) or electrical system (such as long QT syndrome). Another example is familial hypercholesterolemia, which causes very high cholesterol levels and may lead to premature coronary artery disease (occurring before age 50).
In addition, you can have an elevated risk for cardiovascular disease if you have family members with diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, which can have genetic predisposition. Still, family history is just one component of your overall risk for developing cardiovascular disease.
Heart Attack Awareness: What You May Not Know
When you think about cardiac care, a heart attack may be the first thing to come to mind. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that every 40 seconds, an American adult has a heart attack.
Senior man athlete having heart problems during exercise
“One mistake people make is delaying medical treatment when they experience potential heart attack symptoms,” noted Dr. Shamai. “Most heart attack symptoms start slow and mild. It’s important to understand that men and women may experience different symptoms.”
Men often (but not always) experience what are known as “classic” signs of a heart attack:
• Discomfort in the center of the chest that feels like pressure, squeezing or fullness that goes away, yet returns
• Chest discomfort along with fainting, lightheadedness, shortness of breath or nausea
• Pain that spreads to the neck, shoulders, or arms
In addition to a milder form of the “classic” symptoms, others (women) may also experience:
• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
• Back or jaw pain
• Nausea, vomiting or dizziness
• Palpitations, paleness, or cold sweats
• Mild, flu-like symptoms
• Unexplained anxiety, fatigue, or weakness
How Do I Know if I am at Risk for Heart Disease?
Ask your doctor about cardiovascular health screening tests. The most important indicators for cardiovascular health are blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. High blood pressure may indicate that your heart is working too hard to pump blood to your body, potentially damaging your blood vessels. High blood sugar can also contribute to damage to blood vessels. Meanwhile, high cholesterol indicates a risk of fatty deposit buildups in your arteries, which can lead to blockages.
Smoking, family history and body weight are also indicators for cardiovascular disease. Talk to your doctor to help monitor and manage these risk factors.
Advanced Heart Attack Care
Through a web-based data network, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center paramedics in the field can communicate with hospital staff to help improve heart attack outcomes while patients are on their way to the hospital’s Emergency Department (ED). This enables doctors to determine the best care protocols and have staff prepared before the patient arrives.
The cardiac care teams offer advanced diagnostic testing, noninvasive and invasive treatments, cardiac rehabilitation and preventive education about congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease.
After a Heart Attack… What’s Next?
It’s important to lower the likelihood of future heart problems or related death. The Change of Heart Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at St. Mary’s offers a patient-centered program that emphasizes a personalized approach to recovery through exercise, education, and encouragement.
The team of healthcare professionals includes cardiologists, registered nurses, exercise specialists and dietitians. And as many people who’ve participated in these programs can attest, it can help you feel better physically and emotionally and give you greater control over your health.
If you or a loved one experience signs of a possible heart attack, call 9-1-1 or get to the nearest emergency room.
Learn more about cardiac services at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center at www.stmarysregional.com/cardiology.
Source: American Heart Association®
Physicians are on the medical staff of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website.
If you’re going to read a non-fiction book about World War II, you probably can’t go wrong when the author is a military analyst for the CIA. Lena Andrews released her debut in August 2023, focusing on the part that women played in winning the war. Pulling from extensive research, as well as in-person interviews with the veterans themselves, Andrews shines light on the more than 350,000 women who served.
Valiant Women is very well organized, with Part I seemingly focused more on the different branches of the military and how the women were brought in – the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), for example, the WAVES for women in the Navy, and the SPARS for the Coast Guard. Then, Part II describes many of the different jobs that women performed, everything from administrative and clerical work to ferrying pilots and battlefield nurses.
What Andrews does best is she focuses on a specific woman, her background and her job in the war, then zooms out a little to talk more about that general line of work, then zooms out further to situate the woman and the work in the larger context of the war and the battles underway. Mary Sears, for example, grew up with a fascination of amphibians and oceanography, which turned into working at the Navy’s Hydrographic Office, which needed to know such things as the location of “propeller-fouling kelp” for landing sites in the Pacific.
There were a few instances where the writing was a little repetitive, re-using certain phrases, but Andrews’s research is thorough, and she doesn’t shy away from things either. She talks about the blatant sexism and hostility that the women dealt with, as well as the racism and segregation that Black women had to face on top of that. Excluding the notes and sources at the back, the book comes in right under 300 pages, so that, coupled with the relatively short chapters, makes Valiant Women a very approachable read. This November, while we’re thanking our veterans for their service, you can read a really wonderful account of how hundreds of thousands of women helped lead us to victory.
Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of Valiant Women today!
The Living Center, a local skilled and long term care facility, has donated 100 turkeys to the Community Development Support Association, as a gift of thanks and gratitude this holiday season.
“Our nursing home has been the recipient of so many generous donations and gifts from the community of Enid, and we wanted to give back and pay some of that kindness and generosity back to Enid. Our corporate ownership, Marsh Pointe Management, LLC., provided 100 turkeys for each of their homes, and let each facility decide how they wanted to distribute them. The Living Center is giving 100 turkeys to the community of Enid for the holiday season, as a small token of appreciation and thanks for the support, generosity, and kindness that they show us during the year”, said Jack Staples, Administrator.
C.D.S.A. was chosen to receive these turkeys. Together with their Youth Build program they distributed the turkeys to recipients within Enid. Rachael Harris, Youth Build Coordinator, worked closely with our staff to transport and distribute these turkeys to the community. Hopefully sharing this story with Enid will encourage even more generous acts of kindness and ways to “pay it forward”.
The ESPCA believes the love, joy, and companionship pets provide can mean a fuller, happier life for pet owners and works to strengthen this bond. The ESPCA Pet Pantry is one way they do this.
With generous donations, the Pantry provides pet owners approximately two weeks of food to enable them to keep their pets despite financial difficulties. This program is not intended to provide all the food necessary to sustain a pet but rather a supplement to help in a difficult time. No one should face the decision of giving up their pets just because they have no resources for pet food. Please consider donating dry and canned food to the ESPCA Pet Pantry today to keep pets in the homes that love them and out of the shelter!
Another exciting way to help the ESPCA Pet Pantry is happening now. Donate funds, and for every $100 that comes in, a new color and piece of an art mural will be added to the shipping container that will house the food donations. Ty and Kelly Tompkins of Hive Appeal will complete this exciting art project in the days to come. They have designed something truly special for the ESPCA, and we can’t wait to see it come to life. The ESPCA will post photos as each new color is added so you can join the fun and check out the project.
You can donate to the mural and get the details at enidspca.org. Click Donate and select ESPCA Pet Pantry from the drop-down menu or list of choices. This mural promises to be a welcome sign to all shelter visitors, with photo opportunities and beauty added to the functional storage. It will surely make an impact when people visit the ESPCA.
Shen is a young, friendly, goofy, and curious one-and-a-half-year-old Boxer mix. If you’re looking for a fun-loving, playful buddy, he’s your dog!
Reba is a little four-month-old calico cutie. She is making friends and greeting visitors in the ESPCA lobby. She’s a sweetheart!
Ed Warren is a big Lab/Shepherd mix, approximately 1.5 years old, and extremely well-behaved. He knows the word “sit” and walks nicely on the leash.
Laverne is an absolute doll. When this kitty gets comfortable with her person, she will roll over for pets and become more confident. She uses her litter box and doesn’t tear things up. Laverne will make a great friend.
Hi! And welcome to Teen Scene’s November column in ENID MONTHLY. We have 2 more months left of this year, and I cannot be more thankful for those I will be leaving 2023 with and bringing into 2024. Now, I know we all know thanksgiving is in November and on the holiday, we say EVERYTHING we are thankful for, but this time I am going to tell you about every PERSON in my life that I am very lucky to have.
I would first like to recognize my parents and siblings. Without them, I would not be the young lady I am today. My mom has helped me with so many things all the way from stressful times to just silly high school drama. Without her, I wouldn’t be able to rant about my little problems and would just keep them all bottled up and who knows who they would explode all over. Next, my dad. My dad has been at every single one of my extracurricular events since I was able to walk and only missed if he was sick or had a very big court case. I don’t know a whole lot of kids my age that would be able to say that about someone. Without my dad, I would not be as caring, sympathetic, and loving as I am now. When I think about how much support he gives me, it makes me hope I can be like that for my future kids. Also, did you know that November 13th is national mom’s and dad’s day!! Lastly, my brother and sister. I am so thankful for 2 amazing siblings, and even though we might not get along sometimes, I think about them all the time. Now I know all of us who have siblings probably have a very similar bond with them but each to our own.
Now for my BEST friends who I hold very dear to my heart. This year I have become very close with some very kind, loving, beautiful, and amazing girls that I would not trade the world for. I know if you’ve read some past articles of mine, you probably already know who Mallie is, but I just have to mention her again because I love her so much, and I’m so thankful to have had a friendship for as long as ours. During the summer of my freshman year, I met this girl on the first day of cross-country practice that I had never talked to. She was very quiet, but I just knew I HAD to talk to her. Camry and I ran together for about 5 miles just talking and getting to know each other the whole time. Ever since that day, we became very close and now we are closer than ever. She is also one of the SWEETEST girls I have ever met, and I have almost never heard a negative thing come out of her mouth. Ezzi and Gabi have also come into my life during cross country season. Ezzi never fails to make me laugh and always has a smile on her face no matter how upset she is. Gabi is a senior this year and will probably be the first time I have ever cried on Senior night. She is always up for fun and FOOTBALL!! The last girl I would love to mention is Aspen. I have also already written about her in a past article, so to keep it short and sweet, I am so glad I talked to her in my Speech and Debate class because if I hadn’t, I would not have someone I could call my Ride or Die. All of these girls have made such an impact in my life, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have them.
Thank you for reading this month’s article!! I hope you enjoyed it. I would love to hear about your favorite people in your life, so let me know at tweensceneenid@gmail.com. Also, if you have any comments, questions, or ideas for upcoming articles, email me for that too!! I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving and an amazing November! See you next month!!
Both the Boys and Girls Cross Country teams at Enid High are setting, and reaching, lofty goals, and running times not seen in quite some time from Plainsmen and Pacer distance runners.
When the girl’s Head Coach Mark Johnson took over the team last year, he only had five returning runners. Through his recruitment efforts, and new girls coming out, he was able to finish the year with 14 runners, and one state qualifier. That set up this year to be a breakout year, however, two of his expected top five runners have been injured most of the year. Luckily, a few girls have really stepped up and allowed the team to compete much better than expected after the injuries. “I can’t say enough about our fast runner this year, Eglan Gomez,” says Johnson, “this girl ran four miles to summer pride every day, worked out for two hours, went to help at upward bound, then worked until 10 or 11 at night. Her work ethic is off the charts and that’s why she went from running 28 minutes in a 5K to under 21 this year. It’s really cool to see. Esmerlda Solis is another one that has really contributed fast times this year after being injured last year. Her PR is just over 22 and she can really run.”
With Eglan and Esmerelda leading the Pacer pack, they came this close to winning the Big 7 Conference title. “We really competed at Conference. We had five girls in the top eleven, but Choctaw just beat us out. I was encouraged to see some of the girls, like Sophia Faulk, really competing though and am looking forward to regionals. We are in a tough region, but if we run some of our fastest times, we can make it as a team, and if not, we can maybe get Eglan and maybe Ezzy and Gabi (Hunter) to State,” says Johnson.
As for the boys’ team, 2nd year head coach, Justin DeClerck, says the team has come a long way from last year with running times that are almost as fast as the 2018 team that made the State Cross Country race. “We didn’t graduate any of our top guys last year, so we are a young team, but last year we got them a good base, and this year I’ve been able to put a lot of pressure on them in practice, which has translated into better races,” says DeClerck. “We started the year with a bunch of goals, and we are checking them off one by one, which I’m so proud to see.”
One of those goals was to win the Big 7 conference championship in both JV and Varsity, which they did on October 10th in Oklahoma City. “I went back 23 years and have not seen that we have ever won both JV and Varsity, and we did it this year, which was super exciting. Our Varsity averaged 18 minutes for the 5K, which is really close to that 2018 team. And I can’t say enough about our JV team – they are averaging about what the Varsity did last year (20 minutes). They are pushing the Varsity guys and really making them better,” DeClerck said.
By the time this article prints, the season will be over, but one thing is for sure, both teams have bright futures.
