The Enid Outlaws (11-2) scored a major victory last night over the Shreveport Mavericks (10-3) to take sole possession of 2nd place in the Central Conference. It was a close affair all game long, with the Outlaws pulling away at the end 117-112. Team leader Chance Comanche scored 32 points and had 16 rebounds, followed by five other Outlaws in double figures including Charlie Marquardt with 20. Of great concern to the Outlaws and their fans was an injury to Lindy Waters III in the 2nd quarter where he fell to the ground after a hard foul clutching his ankle. There has been no report on his availability for Sunday, but it would be surprising if he makes it back so soon and might need some time to rest.
Big fans of the Outlaws may have noticed a new face, Devin Harris, playing Saturday. Harris had 16 points and looked solid as a mid season signee, and was instrumental in taking some of the minutes needed after Waters’ injury.
The Outlaws have have a quick turn around and play at home again this afternoon against the Little Rock Lightning. The Lightning is 4-9 on the year, however one of their wins has come against the good Shreveport team the Outlaws faced last night, so the Outlaws cannot take the night off. The Outlaws have won both games they have played against Little Rock this year, 97-71 and 100-80.
The Lighting is led by big man Percell Washington (#22) who is averaging a stout 23.6 points and 11 rebounds per game. At 6 foot 11, this will be a good matchup with Chance Comanche. Deonta Terrell (#3) is their second leading scorer at 23.5 points per game and shoots 38.8% from 3.
As always, tickets start at $8 and are available at the Stride Bank Center Box Office or at www.stridebankcenter.com. Tipoff is at 4:00 p.m.
Your hometown Enid Outlaws (10-2) are hosting the Shreveport Mavericks (10-2) at 6:00 p.m. Saturday evening. This contest matches up two excellent teams in a battle for 2nd place in the Central Conference. After starting out red-hot, the Outlaws have dropped 2 out of their last 3 and really need to get a win over a quality opponent tonight.
The Outlaws are led by big man Chance Comanche, the league leader in points (27.9 PPG) and 2nd in rebounds (12.6 RPG) and Watonga native, Wayne Runnels who is going off for 21.9 PPG and pulls down 5.8 rebounds. Charlie Marquardt has been lighting it up over the last several games and has raised his average to 20.4 PPG and shooting an unreal 51.4% from 3 on a high volume of shots.
Shreveport is on a 4 game winning streak and heavily relies on point Guard AJ Mosby (#2) who is good for 26.3 points, 6.2 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game. SG Jordan Lyons (#20) is another really good player for the Mavericks (20.9 PPG, 45.1% from 3). Lyons is the co-owner of the NCAA D-1 record for 3’s in a game (15) while playing for Furman in 2018, so you know he can get hot.
The game will be held at the Stride Bank Center in downtown Enid and tickets start at $8 and are available at the box office or at www.stridebankcenter.com
Spring is finally here! Sunny blue skies, birds singing, warm weather, and now is your chance to get out and enjoy this most beautiful time in Northwestern Oklahoma. It is a wonderful feeling to be able to take a walk, enjoy times with family and friends or maybe even head out to the yard for a little spring cleaning or gardening. Now that spring has sprung, it is a great time to starting thinking about making some small changes to your everyday routine to live a healthier lifestyle.
Small changes add up! By making small changes to your everyday routine, they will add up over time to a huge change in your overall health. This is called action planning and it works.
You can start action planning today, just by making one small change in your life that you can accomplish in 7 days. Ask yourself these questions:
What do I WANT to change?
This is the most important question you can ask yourself. Because guess what, if you don’t WANT to make the change it won’t change. Make sure you choose something that you want to change, if you are willing to make the change it’s more likely to happen.
How can I incorporate this small change into my daily life?
Now that you have decided what you want to change. Now it is time to consider how you will implement the change. For example, let’s say you want to start moving more. You don’t have to join a gym or carve out an hour of your day to start. Start with 10 minutes. Ask yourself, can I find 10 minutes a few times in the week to incorporate more activity? What time of day would be best? And then schedule that 10 minutes into your daily routine. Start small, you can always increase the time you spend as you get more comfortable.
How confident am I that I can accomplish this change?
You must have confidence that you can accomplish your small goal. If your plan is too big it will become difficult to accomplish. It is important to make sure that your goal is doable. Remember you can only climb a mountain one step at a time. What you want to do is plan those small changes or steps.
Here are some examples of small goals that can get you started on the path to a healthier lifestyle:
Drink more water
Take a 10-minute stroll around your neighborhood
Take a trip to the Farmer’s Market for fruits and vegetables
Take 10 minutes to call a friend
Research different activity programs in your community
There are so many more ideas, but these few goals are a great start to get you thinking, get you moving and point you on the path toward success. The most important thing to remember is small changes make BIG impacts in your overall health. It just takes one small goal to get you started. So, ask yourself, what goal and I going to make for myself today?
If you have questions or want to learn more about action planning, you can always reach out to OHAI Northwest Center of Healthy Aging at (580) 297-5137 or you can email devon-murray@ouhsc.edu.
Take a trip to Downtown Enid and you will be impressed with what is happening. Over the years, Downtown Enid has worked to make the area a focal point where the community can shop, dine, and be entertained. In any community, it is vital to have a thriving downtown to support overall economic growth. Downtown business owners, the City of Enid, and Main Street Enid have invested numerous resources to make our downtown one of the best in the state.
In 1994, Main Street Enid was formed to revitalize downtown and increase economic growth. Over the past 27 years, numerous investments have occurred that provided the needed facelift and job creation. Over $1.3 million has been spent on 69 façade renovations and $37 million has been spent on other rehabilitation projects and new construction. In 2020 alone, nine façade renovations were complete and four other building rehabilitation projects and new construction totaling $547,500 in investment. Since 1994, there has been a total of 229 businesses opening, relocating, or expanding downtown with 16 occurring during 2020.
To complement the investments in renovation and new businesses, Main Street Enid and business owners have provided numerous events for the community to enjoy. Enid Lights Up the Plains, Octoberfest, First Fridays, and the Junior College World Series are just a few of the annual events that take place along with others throughout the year.
Enid’s heart is our downtown. When our downtown is thriving, the benefits are reaped across the community. Downtown Enid is an economic development driver and has made an impact over the past 27 years. We encourage you to make a trip downtown soon and often to support all the wonderful things taking place.
Curb appeal is all about highlighting the character of your home and creating an inviting property. Whether you’re doing a quick refresh or getting ready to sell, updating your exterior is an essential part of maintaining your home and increasing its value. From lights to landscaping, many factors play a role in elevating your home’s look. See these five essentials for sprucing up your home’s exterior below.
1. Elevate your front entry Swapping out old fixtures on your front entry goes a long way toward improving your home’s first impression. Enlist versatile accents like plants and a new doormat to create an inviting feel. Small details can help emphasize certain features of your home. Consider the architecture of your front door and interior entryway before deciding on the right updates to make. For a historic property, choosing period-authentic exterior lighting and hardware is essential for maintaining your home’s character.
2. Update your front door The right front door accents sets the tone for your entire house. Consider revitalizing your current door with new hardware or replacing the entire door with a brand new one for a completely different look. If you’re looking to update your exterior door hardware, it’s often an ideal time to look at sanding and repainting your door as well. Adding color to your door will add interest and make your home stand out.
3. Add accent lighting There’s more to outdoor lighting than just your porch. Try accentuating your home’s architecture with carefully placed lights. Outdoor lighting is designed to withstand the elements. Choose between damp or wet-rated, depending on the light’s location. Damp-rated lights are ideal for covered porches, while wet rated can be directly exposed to moisture.
4. Update your house numbers & mailbox Since it’s often the first thing people see when approaching your home, your house address should be easy to read from the curb. Upgrade with modern, oversized numbers with a durable finish. Select a finish that will stand out against your paint color. Next, don’t forget about your mailbox! A modern mailbox adds a nice finishing touch to complete your entry or your driveway.
5. Spruce up your landscaping As one of the biggest investments you can make to your property, landscaping can complete your home’s architecture and add significant value. Whether you’re embarking on a big project or simply adding a few plants here and there, the right greenery will transform your home’s curb appeal.It is also important to create a balance between privacy and visibility with your plant choices. Low shrubs provide a bit of privacy and create clear borders around the front yard while keeping the exterior of the home easily visible to guests and neighbors. Adding pops of color will present a cheerful feel.
Designers from Rejuvenation recommend that both stately colonial homes and minimalist retreats will benefit from these simple changes. They will improve curb appeal and make your home more desirable.
The Enid Outlaws (10-2) ended a two-game skid today with a 126-116 win over the Omaha Finest (6-6). The Finest, winners in three of their four last games, came ready to Enid ready to play.
The Finest led after the first quarter, 34-31. Devonte Patterson (10) and Craig Sword (9) helped get the Finest started. Charlie Marquardt (9) and Tavares Sledge (7) led the Outlaws in the early going. The Outlaws outscored Omaha 34-20 during the second stanza to take a 65-54 lead into halftime.
The second half was almost a carbon copy of the first half. Omaha outscored the Outlaws 32-23 during the third period of play, closing the score to 88-86. The Outlaws responded, outscoring the Finest 38-30 during the fourth quarter. Final score Enid 126-116.
The final 2:44 of the game got interesting. Lindy Waters III put Enid up 119-110. Craig Sword and Malik Amos scored two-point baskets, cutting the lead to five with 1:57 remaining. Waters was again fouled in the act of shooting and made another pair of free throws. Tavares Sledge made 1-2 free throws followed by a driving lay-up putting Enid back on top by ten in the closing minute of play. Chance Comanche put an exclamation mark on the win finishing Enid’s scoring with a dunk.
Leading the way for Enid was the inside combination of Chance Comanche and Tavares Sledge. Both finished with a double-double. Comanche finished with a game high 33 points and 17 rebounds. Sledge finished with 30 points and 13 rebounds. Charlie Marquardt had 18, Lindy Waters 15, and Wayne Runnels 15. Waters also had 9 rebounds and 8 assists in the contest.
Craig Sword (29) and Malik Amos (21) led Omaha. JC Show (18), Devonte Patterson (17), and KJ Scott (14) rounded out the scoring leaders for Omaha.
After the contest Ed Corporal, Outlaws Head Coach, stated – “We had a couple of tough games. We lost to Houston last weekend at home and then traveled to Dallas yesterday and lost another tough game. We challenged our guys prior to today’s game. They responded, leading all but five minutes and twenty five seconds of the game. Tavares Sledge and Chance Comanche stepped it up for us today, as did a number of our guys. It was a good win for us.”
The Enid High School Baseball team has continued to improve throughout this season. Just after the midway point in the 2021 season, the Plainsmen are finding their grove and Jake McCool is a big part of that success.
Jake has played baseball for the Plainsmen since middle school and has had his sights set on starting for the Plainsmen the entire time. His motivation was then, and still is, to be the best he can be every day when he shows up to practice or games. That motivation had paid off, as he is currently the 1st baseman and plays in the outfield for the Plainsmen. The starting position is one he has had to work hard and be patient for. His advice to upcoming athletes is to “work as hard as you can every day.”
This past year has been different for everyone to say the least, and for athletes around the world, including Jake, it is just another challenge in their lives. “This year I have learned that you can’t give up no matter how bad things seem.” Jake goes on to say that being an athlete has helped prepare him for this type of event. “Being an athlete has made me a better person because it has taught me how to be self-disciplined in many different situations.”
Jake plans on extending his academic and athletic career at Northwestern Oklahoma State University where he will play baseball and pursue a degree in Business. Coach Gore, the Enid High head baseball coach adds that “Jake has had to work very hard to get to where he is at today.”
We look forward to seeing Jake continue that hard work and play at the next level. He will continue a long tradition of Plainsmen baseball players doing great things beyond high school.
Enid Athletics Plainsmen/Pacer Pride of the Plains Brought to You by Slater Mechanical
Janet Cordell is a missionary and her mission fields stretch from Enid to Jamaica to Honduras, Mexico, and beyond, but her favorite trip was to Africa. Janet has been a Registered Nurse for over 40 years. Janet has served on numerous committees and task forces including the Governors Steering Committee for Oklahoma’s Healthy Futures Program, the Oklahoma Nurses Association, American Red Cross, Enid MS Walk, Success by Six, Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, and CDSA Community Action Agency, to name a few.
Janet is a member of Christian Church of the Covenant, serving in many roles throughout the church. She has been an adjunct instructor with Autry Tech, served as co-coordinator of the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Committee, and chairperson of the NORCE Foundation.
Janet has been recognized for many awards. In 2005 Janet was recognized as Pillar of the Plains and the Oklahoma Nurses Association awarded her the Excellence in Nursing Award. In 2009 Janet was awarded the Enid YWCA Woman of the Year award.
Janet states that her involvement with the American Red Cross “is one of my greatest passions and one that I am very involved in right now.” She serves as the Disaster Health Services Lead for Kansas & Oklahoma, which has recently occupied much of her time. Her mother was a Red Cross nurse in WWII and her father survived the Bataan Death March. In 2081 she received her Red Cross pin for 50 years of volunteer service.
Janet is actively involved with the Enid Community Clinic, which she has coordinated since her retirement. It is currently closed due to COVID. She doesn’t know when it will reopen, but it’s still serving the community. Those with questions about their medications can call and leave their name and phone number, and Cordell will get them in touch with Bob Taylor, the clinic’s pharmacist. He will pull up their chart and see if they need lab work. Cordell will review the lab work and discuss it with doctors as necessary. The Community plans to reopen but has yet to set the schedule.
Another one of Janet’s recent causes is the Garfield County Covid Vaccination distribution process. Cordell said the coronavirus is the biggest health challenge she has faced in her years of nursing because of its international impact.
“I can’t compare it to anything else,” she said. She was ready and willing to volunteer to give COVID vaccination shots after an Enid Board of Health meeting. “By God, I’ll put on a mask and give shots with the best of them,” Cordell said. “That’s what I have been doing all of my life. I was giving a shot and somebody said, ‘Surely tell me this isn’t your first job!’ No, I’ve been practicing for 50 years. If I haven’t been proficient at it before, giving two months of COVID shots has made me proficient at it now!” Cordell gives shots quickly in the “wham bam, thank you ma’am” fashion, like Dr. Bryan Whitson, one of her mentors. “I’ve worked on immunizations to kids,” she said. “There’s no messing around.” Janet is also quick to point out that she is not alone in her efforts. “We need to brag about our health department because they have done a wonderful job of putting it on,” she said. “Those doctors and other employees have put in tremendously long hours, way beyond the call of duty.
Cordell follows the philosophy of Mother Teresa who has said, “Love begins by taking care of the ones at home.” Based on her philosophy and her lifelong commitment to caring for others, she has been called the “Matriarch of Public Health” in Garfield County.
The Enid High School Golf teams are in full “swing” this spring, both teams have placed in various tournaments this season. Baylee Wood a Junior, and Max Fossett a Sophomore, are both leaders in our programs. “Baylee and Max are extremely hard working and they both strive to improve their game,” said David Lee, Enid High Golf Coach.
After a season off due to COVID last spring, Max and Baylee are both more aware of their opportunity and are focused on the team. Baylee says that “I have learned that when we help each other practice we can do the best we can as a team at our tournaments.” As for Max, he is “learning that teamwork plays a huge part in the success of the program.” Both are trying to help lead their teams in as many ways as possible.
Max Fossett
Coach Lee says that “Max is the leader of the boy’s golf team and is dedicated to improving the team.” Max plans to go to college and pursue a degree in the field of medicine and thinks that having been an athlete “has made me a better person and taught me how to work harder to go get what I want.”
Baylee adds that “due to the pandemic we lost a lot of our practice time, and that being an athlete helped me learn how to better balance my time between work, school and golf.” Baylee plans to attend college and study medicine, the skills she has acquired through being a part of the golf team will certainly help her achieve this goal.
Baylee Wood
Both Baylee and Max offer similar advice to upcoming athletes, Max says “never settle for less and keep pushing.” Baylee’s advice to upcoming athletes is to “do your best and don’t let negativity stand in your way.” Both pieces of advice are great reminders that when faced with adversity it allows us to achieve more.
Both Baylee and Max are great examples of how hard work and dedication to something bigger than themselves can lead to positive outcomes. We wish them good luck with the rest of their season and look forward to seeing them and the golf program continue to grow.
Enid Athletics Plainsmen/Pacer Pride of the Plains Brought to You by Slater Mechanical
Online trolls are the bane.of.my.existence. With empathy at the top of my Strengths Finder results, it was a rough adjustment when I started managing pages for clients.
Picture, if you will, a newlywed at dinner with her husband. The waitress fills their glasses, the couple raises a toast to a busy and successful week. They both smile. They’re tired and happy. It’s Friday evening. And then a phone dings. The woman picks up her iPhone, as prompt responses are important in her industry. She frowns. She types. She frowns.
Turns out, giving people the anonymity of a computer screen can make things ugly.
“I’ve seen the worst of humanity,” Cross-Industry Social Media Manager Linda Dianne says, quite relatably, describing the “harsh reality” of social media management for business.
Fortunately, trolls no longer have much control over my joy. Through trial, error and a little research, I’ve got some effective tools in my belt to deal with these negativity promoters.
If you’re in need of some troll management strategies, read on.
Before you respond online, it’s important to have an accurate narrative. Most difficult internet communication comes from unhappy or scared people who disconnect social media from the real world. Having this perspective makes it easier to calmly give them grace and respond appropriately. If you’re angry, back away for an hour, then re-address and choose your strategy.
Consider a “No Trolls” Policy, and Designate a Moderator
You wouldn’t leave your front door open, allowing a stranger to walk into your living room and berate your family. And you shouldn’t let a stranger hop on your social media pages and extensively berate your business. Set boundaries and clear expectations, and start with assigning a boundary enforcer.
Have a designated employee who fields comments, taking one of the effective actions listed below.
First, For the Love of All Things Holy, IGNORE Them When You Must
Seriously, there are times you can completely ignore people. It takes practice to gauge the ignorable jerks and the reasonable, respondable jerks. Don’t worry, you’ll get there.
If they are throwing around profanities, clearly under the influence, or relentlessly badgering you, just let it go. Let them type away, hide their comments, and move on with your life. (Click on the comment and select the “hide” button that pops up.) This will make their comments only visible to them, preventing them from attacking you for deleting comments, AND preventing any other trolls from joining their cause.
Second, If You Can’t Ignore Them, Address Any Lies
If said troll is posting something completely untrue, respond gently with facts. For example, if you’re running for a political office (making yourself a troll magnet), and someone comments, “All of her funding is from xyz corporation. Don’t believe the lies!” You can respond with a photo of an official document showing where your donations come from, including, “Oh, I’m sorry you received some false information. I’m actually funded by this, this and that. Thank you for the opportunity to clear this up.”
Responding with truth is a great way to disarm a troll.
Third, Be Shockingly Kind
This one is my favorite, and the most effective! Never repay meanness with meanness. If this person has come far enough to post something terrible on your page, they’re likely ready for a fight. Step back, take a breath, and type up something kind. This has been more than 95 percent effective in my experience! Trolls often deflate quickly.
“I’m sorry you had a bad experience. We’d love to make it up to you!” Or, if someone comments that another business is better, you can say something like, “So-and-so is awesome! There’s nothing wrong with a little competition. We hope you’ll give us a chance sometime soon!”
Fourth, Be Funny
This is my second favorite tactic. Just make sure you’re being kind, too, even if you throw in a little sass. Gifs are awesome, too. Throw out a “shocked looking” or “remorseful” gif, then use kind words. Tread lightly here, and be creative.
Fifth, Take the High Road
This applies to all of the above. Don’t stoop to their level. Make sure you can see the situation clearly and objectively, so you don’t wind up the butt of a joke in a BuzzFeed article.
Treat the troll how you want to be treated.
Finally, know when to ban a user. Sometimes it’s the best thing you can do for yourself, your business, and the entire internet. Just click and hold on that nasty, threatening or inappropriate comment, then click that beautiful red “ban user” button and do a happy dance.
Do you have any crazy troll stories? Any tips for handling them? We’d love to hear them on our Facebook page or the blog!
