A Look at Loving Relationships
“Do what you did in the beginning of the relationship and there won’t be an end.” – Anthony Robbins
Ron and Marcia Janzen
Ron and Marcia Janzen celebrated 61 years of marriage in December 2020.
They met in the summer of 1957 on a blind date when Marcia was a junior at Enid High School. Ron had graduated from Enid High in 1956, was attending college at Phillips University, and was a member of the Playboy Car Club, the group that held the get-together where they met. The outdoor party was held at Nine Mile Canyon, north of Enid, a popular getaway for picnics and such. Marcia had been invited by a neighbor. When asked what attracted them to each other, Ron says, “Marcia was a real looker!” They didn’t “go together” right away, according to Marcia, but Ron kept his sights on her!
They attended Marcia’s senior prom in May of 1958. When asked how Ron proposed marriage, Marcia says, “He really didn’t propose!” It seems Ron had wrapped up a heavy, large gift box for her to open on Christmas Eve. The surprise came when she opened the package, and among several cans of dog food was the wrapped engagement ring box!
They set the date for December 19, 1959. Marcia’s wedding dress was featured on the cover of a bridal magazine and it was decided that they must have a church with a center aisle to accommodate the volume of cascading ruffles of her skirt. They chose Davis Park Christian Church in Enid for the event.
According to Ron, the rehearsal went smoothly, but the next day when the wedding party arrived at the church, someone had placed a Christmas tree at the alter. Marcia was not at all pleased! “If we’d have had a photographer like they do at today’s weddings, they would have been snapping pictures left and right!” Ron laughs.
One well-meaning friend suggested that the couple should keep the tree in place and arrange their wedding gifts beneath it…Marcia again was not amused. The tree was promptly moved away from the altar before the wedding ceremony.
Marcia recalls that she and Ron did everything possible to avoid possible shenanigans from their friends after the wedding. She said the tradition of the time (a type of “chivaree”) involved pushing the bride around the downtown square in a wheelbarrow. “Everyone knew better than to ask Marcia,” chuckles Ron.
They also took precautions and hid their car during the wedding so it wouldn’t be accessible to pranksters. The photographer’s car was mistakenly targeted instead, recalls the couple.
When asked about their honeymoon, “I think we ended up in Missouri,” says Ron. Marcia recalls also being in Siloam Springs, Arkansas at one point. It was a very quick honeymoon trip as the couple was expected back to spend Christmas with family and they didn’t even do their Christmas shopping until they returned.
Ron mentions that his mother, who had a reputation for being opinionated and outspoken, thought that the marriage would never last. “She was a great mom, but not always the best judge of character,” says Ron. But, in 61 years together, the couple reports that they’ve never had a real fight. “Marcia might get irritated, but it never becomes a fight,” offers Ron. “He’s too laid back to fight,” explains Marcia. “We laugh a lot!”
Ron worked for the Social Security Administration for 39 years and retired in 2000. He was elected and served on the Enid City Council from 1987 to 1991 and the Enid Park Board from 1973 to 2007 while serving several terms as Park Board chairman. He also was one of the founders of Enid Mobile Meals, Inc. He served as vice president of Enid Mobile Meals from 1973 to 1978 and president from 1978 to 2002. He still delivers meals weekly. “I’m going for 50 years delivering,” Ron says, proudly.
Early in the marriage, Marcia worked as a teletype operator for Sears, Roebuck and Co. “It was very meticulous work, you could make no mistakes,” she recalls. “The best part of the job was that no one else wanted to do it, so I got an office all to myself,” she recalls. Marcia later worked at Hackney Iron and Steel and the couple raised three children together.
Ron and Marcia have adjusted domestic chores over the years. Marcia took over paying the bills early in the marriage after firm due dates were established. Ron would eventually pay the bills, but not necessarily in any timely manner, according to Marcia. Ironically, he served as treasurer of Noon AMBUCS, Central Christian Church, and Enid Joint Recreational Triad. “It’s easier to manage someone else’s money than your own,” Ron explains. Ron does all the cooking now, much to Marcia’s approval. “When Ron retired, the grocery bill doubled!” she laughs.
Marcia’s parting thought about a successful marriage is, “You have to have a sense of humor… and separate bathrooms!”
“No road is long with good company.” –Turkish Proverb
Jamie Moore
Jamie Moore is single, but has rediscovered herself.
“I lost myself in my marriage in my 30s because I was so reliant on the partnership.” She was married twelve years before the painful split.
Moore previously served as regional development coordinator for The Salvation Army. As a goodwill ambassador for the local corps, she created the sustainable funding model and incorporated mission-based tours. A Stillwater native, she attained bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Oklahoma State University and spent ten years with the university in student recruitment and retention, and four years teaching at OSU in the College of Education.
She suffered multiple losses in 2018 when her father passed away from cancer and she was laid off from The Salvation Army. “My parents were married for 54 years. My mom was my dad’s everything, and she was his everything,” recalls Moore.
Then, her mother, who lives in Morrison, was also diagnosed with cancer. Moore was spending as much time as possible with her until social distancing became essential. Moore still seeks closeness with her mother. On visits, she stays outdoors on the family farm, to keep her mother as safe as possible. “I need to be a daughter.”
Moore began her current position as Community Relations Coordinator for OG&E’s northwest Oklahoma service area in 2019 and says, “I have the best job in the company! Everything I did before led me to this position. My career is a big part of my relationships…I rely on work to build relationships.”
She is not able to be as close to her co-workers as before but looks forward to scheduled Zoom meetings to keep in touch. Moore is a member of Leadership Greater Enid and is still involved with The Salvation Army delivering OG&E donations for Christmas and other needs.
Bart, 5, and Briggs, 8, her beloved Boston Terriers share a home with Moore. She refers to them as her “4-leggeds”. Bart suffers from intervertebral disc disease and subsequently wears a diaper. “It’s my Karma for teasing my girlfriends with babies in diapers,” Moore quips. Bart and Briggs join Moore on her trips to her lake house at Grand Lake. They even enjoy kayaking and paddleboarding with her.
Her lake house is her “refuge”. She loves curling up on the porch/dock swing. “No matter whether it’s warm, cold, or rainy, I grab a glass of wine and relax,” she sighs, “I’m closer to God on the water.”
Moore confides that she is seeing a special guy, but she is being cautious. “We met through a friend at work,” she says, “When I’m with him I laugh all the time! One evening, right before the ice storm (in October 2020) he decided that I needed better firewood. He cut up logs and I loaded them in his pickup. It was chilly, we were working hard, we saw squirrels…and Briggs supervised.”
The couple does art projects and construction projects together. “He’s even helping me remodel both lake house bathrooms,” Moore says, happily. “I enjoy my independence, but need to be with my special people, too,” she adds.
“Don’t settle for a relationship that won’t let you be yourself.” – Oprah
Colton and Serena Johnson
Newlyweds despite COVID-19.
Colton and Serena Johnson met through mutual friends at a bonfire in Carrier in December 2014. Serena was 16, Colton was 18. It was a chilly night, but a spark was kindled in Colton. A week or two later, he invited Serena to his family’s house by offering to paint her fingernails for her. He claimed to have prior experience, but according to Serena, “I had spent an hour picking out new nail polish at Walgreens, but they did not look good!” According to Colton, “I was mainly trying to find a way to see her again!”
The couple dated for the next four years. Serena recalls “pestering” Colton on several occasions as to when he was going to propose. Unknown to Serena, he chose April 21, 2018 as the big day. The idea was for it to be a surprise proposal with the Myriad Botanical Gardens in Oklahoma City as a beautiful springtime backdrop. What he did not count on…April showers!
He and Serena were forced to go inside the Crystal Bridge to stay out of the rain. Colton had arranged for his friend, Shane, to be on-site to take photos of the proposal, but Shane was unable to locate the couple right away as he was still looking for them outside. Serena recalls lots of prom and wedding couples having their photos taken inside, making it extremely crowded. She started wondering why Colton hadn’t suggested that they leave and noticed he nervously kept rubbing his pants pocket.
Finally, Colton spied Shane among the crowds inside the Crystal Bridge, but it was 15 minutes to closing, so he quickly decided he couldn’t wait any longer for the photographer. He dropped to one knee, with Serena saying, “No, no, no!” He proposed to Serena, who was “embarrassed, but excited” and she quickly said “yes” to the applause of all the onlookers.
The wedding date was set for March 27, 2020 at The Springs in Edmond, a picturesque countryside wedding venue. Unfortunately, just days before their wedding date, Governor Stitt announced COVID-19 emergency restrictions on gatherings that caused the venue to cancel all upcoming events. “I cried a lot that week,” recalls Serena.
The restrictions on gatherings were later eased enough that Serena and Colton were able to wed on September 4, 2020, Labor Day Weekend. “I wanted to party a long time, and this gave everyone an extra day to recover,” she says. The postponement also provided another “silver lining.” Earlier, the venue would not allow the couple to include their three-year-old Husky, Cali, to act as “flower girl”. The venue had since modified its rules about having pets on the property, so Cali was included, much to the delight of everyone. The wedding went flawlessly with even Cali cooperating better than expected!
Before their marriage, Colton was awarded his bachelor’s degree at SWOSU in 2019 and is currently completing CLEET training with the Enid Police Department so that he can become a police officer in March 2020. He finds satisfaction in helping people and wants to make a difference. “The EPD works so well together… always as a team. Superiors want to help you,” Colton says.
Serena earned her associate’s degree from NOC in 2017 and now works as a medical office specialist for Dr. Chris Lee, OBGYN. “I’m basically the receptionist,” Serena laughs, “I enjoy seeing the moms during their pregnancies and when they bring in their babies…oh, it’s so fun.”
“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” –Audrey Hepburn
Brady and Meagan Lippard
Loving life together, even when it revolves around their children.
Brady and Meagan Lippard met in 2001 at Jumbo Foods. Not as shoppers, but as co-workers. “I was a checker and Brady was a sacker,” explains Meagan. “Not many of the sackers wanted to be in my line because I was really fast!” Brady had been doing extensive outdoor work for the owner of a large acreage and had recently decided to make the change to an indoor job with better hours.
Meagan was attending Enid High School, Brady had grown up in Ringwood, but he quickly decided to transfer to EHS to spend his senior year with Meagan. “We’ve done stuff together ever since we met,” he adds.
Meagan realized an interest in the nursing field as a high school senior. When she talked to her parents about the idea, they remarked, “You get sick at the sight of blood! Are you sure this is what you want to do?” It was decided that Meagan would work as a nurse aide at St. Mary’s Hospital to find out if the career was for her. After high school graduation in 2003, she attended Northern Oklahoma College, became a registered nurse, and currently works in the ER at INTEGRIS Bass Baptist Health Center. She’ll celebrate 15 years with INTEGRIS in June 2021.
Brady also attended NOC. In 2004, he completed Oklahoma Real Estate School and Missouri Auction School and enrolled in the fire academy at one point, but did not feel at home with the medical part of the job. “I like to be diversified with several sources of income,” he says.
In October 2005, Brady decided it was time to pop the question. He explored several scenarios, but none panned out. His “Plan C” was picking up Meagan after work at St. Mary’s Hospital and driving her to dinner at On the Sidewalk in downtown Enid. After the meal, Brady suggested they go for a walk. Meagan’s immediate response was, “It’s cold outside! I don’t want to go for a walk!” Brady had no formal backup plan, so he drove out to Vance Air Force Base so they could watch the planes take off and land (the base was much more accessible at that time).
“Plan D” materialized… a familiar song started playing on the radio, and Brady asked Meagan, “Do you want to dance?” He was again rebuffed because of the cold weather, so he finally proposed right then and there in his truck! Meagan said “yes” and when they told the exciting news to her parents, Pam and Lonnie Hill, they found out that it was the exact spot where they had gotten engaged many years before!
The date was set for May 20, 2006, and the wedding was held at Oakwood Christian Church. Meagan says, “Our wedding was just before large, elaborate venues were popular.” Her cousin was the photographer and a friend made the cake. For presentation purposes, there would be a traditional tiered cake, but it was just made of Styrofoam with a layer of icing. A more budget-friendly sheet cake would be served at the reception. The tiered cake was decorated at their home and placed on the kitchen counter during the rehearsal dinner. When the wedding party returned to the house, Meagan’s maid of honor made the unfortunate discovery…the couple’s 90-pound dog had easily stood up on the counter and licked off half of the icing! It was shocking at the time, but easily fixed, and is a fond wedding memory.
Brady started full time at Lippard Auctions in 2006. He had helped in the family’s business since he was in his teens. Brady’s job as an auctioneer has changed quite a lot since the arrival of COVID-19. Instead of traveling to an auction site, setting up equipment, and calling for bids, as much as 85 percent of current business is online only with “buy it now” options.
In 2011, Landon was born. Two years later, Brooklyn followed. Now ages 9 and 7, the Lippard children are actively involved in numerous extracurricular activities, including Jiu-Jitsu, basketball, and golf. One additional family member, Bear, is a cuddly four-year-old Goldendoodle who is very much a part of the Lippard family.
Meagan manages to juggle motherhood and a multi-dimensional career daily. She works ER night shifts twice a week, and times her sleep for when the kids are in school. She opened a local med spa in 2019, Blossom Beauty Bar, PLLC, where she is an Aesthetic Registered Nurse Injector three days a week.
The family spends time together in outdoor activities year ‘round such as snow skiing, boating at the lake, and hiking. When possible, the family travels to Troy and Angie Lippard’s place in Colorado, or the kids enjoy learning about farm life at their grandparents’ home west of Enid. Interactions with cattle, tractors, and ATV’s fill their days when they visit.
Brady and Meagan’s home is usually brimming with Landon and Brooklyn’s neighborhood friends. “I’m surprised the doorbell hasn’t been ringing while we are talking,” says Meagan. A few minutes later, youngsters are seen walking up to the front door, just as predicted. Brady comments that they are planning to build a backyard pool for friends to gather even more often. “When we are not up for entertaining, we just close the garage door and shut off the outdoor lights,” Meagan says, with a sigh.
Brady and Meagan’s idea of a date night is when the kids are in the care of their grandparents and the young couple simply chooses to stay at home. Brady, the main chef of the house, is known for his delicious chicken parmesan and juicy grilled steaks. Another quiet “adults only” activity is watching a favorite television show together after the kids are in bed. Sometimes it’s the simple things that keep a relationship flourishing!
“A successful relationship requires falling in love multiple times, but always with the same person.” –Unknown
Bert Mackie…Local Legend
Bert has been a mainstay in the Enid Community for many years. His strong leadership skills and gentle influence has made him the “go-to guy” for many local, state, and national projects. Over the years he has helped Enid become a better city with his knowledge in all areas of Finance, Public Utilities, Health Care, Education, Postal Operations, Local State and Federal Government Relations, Industrial Development and vast knowledge in policymaking, long-range corporate strategy, and making successful corporate business decisions.
Bert served the country in the U.S. Army Reserves for 6 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and Finance from Phillips University, getting his degree as a non-traditional student. He later earned an Honorary Master of Law Degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
Bert Mackie continued his 58-year banking career with the same institution. He began his career in 1962 in the Bookkeeping and Proofs department of Security National Bank. He held positions in all areas of the bank until becoming President in 1990. Bert held this position until 2006 and continues to serve as the Vice-Chairman of the bank’s Board of Directors.
Bert is a kind man who most consider a friend. He certainly is that to the Enid Community.
Mr. Mackie has served on numerous boards including Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Security National Bank and an Asset Manager for the Hamm Financial Group, Director of ONEOK Inc. founding member of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, Oklahoma Academy for Goals, Board of Governors for St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, President of Oklahoma Jaycees, the Garfield County Joint industrial Foundation and Enid Economic Coalition, United Way, Northwestern Oklahoma State University Foundation Investment Committee, Northern Oklahoma College Board of Trustees, and Enid Higher Education Council.
Bert is a past regent on the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and while serving as Chairman of the Board the state started the Concurrent Enrollment program for high school seniors. He served on the governing board of the Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and an advisory board member of Oklahoma City University School of Business. President Ronald Regan appointed him to the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service, where he served for 10 years, cutting costs and stabilizing rates and even served as Chairman of the Board.
Bert has been a strong advocate for higher education in Oklahoma and a leader in fundraising efforts for student scholarships, particularly through the Enid Higher Education and Scholarship campaigns. In 2011, Northern Oklahoma College formally dedicated their planetarium as the “Bert and Janice Mackie Planetarium.” They have touched so many lives through their dedication, service, support of the college, to higher education, and the Enid Community.
Bert resides in Enid and is married to Janice. Together they have two sons, Dr. Stephen Mackie of Ames, and David Mackie and family of Oklahoma City.
Local Legends is Proudly brought to you by Nicholas Residential Real Estate and Guarantee Abstract Co.!
Homemade Stew
Cold weather provides plenty of inspiration for cooking up some super satisfying meals to warm you up from head to toe. A big batch of homemade stew just has a way of warming a body up just thinking about it. The other great thing about stew is that it can accommodate a cadre of those vegetables we need to nourish us after a holiday season of sweets and treats. Making a great stew is more about the technique of bringing out the best in each ingredient. Here are some ideas to help you make a perfect stew, for you!
You can stop with potatoes, carrots, and onions or jazz it up with the addition of green beans and perhaps some chunks of butternut squash or a little parsnip surprise. I love to include a few Brussels Sprouts cut in half, but they are not popular with everyone. They are easy to ladle around when dishing up the stew. Who knows if one stumbles onto a little mini cabbage—they might like it! Ok enough for wishful thinking, but they are good for you!
You won’t need to be exact when it comes to ingredients for a stew, so don’t think you have to measure every morsel going into it. If you love carrots, then include lots of them. I love onions for the flavor they bring to the stew. They just have a way of simmering in combination with the beef that builds a lot of flavors. I suppose you could season your stew pot by starting things off with a strip of bacon before ever browning the stew meat. Bacon is always a great flavor maker.
I’m always on the lookout for lean stew meat during the winter. I like to keep some on hand in the freezer for those days when I just want to hibernate and not make a trip to the grocery store. Spread the pieces out on a small baking sheet to freeze then store them in a plastic bag. This is great if you want to be able to parcel the stew meat out according to how many portions you will want. (I plan to have enough stew on hand for a day or two of warm satisfying lunches of course.)
Browing the stew meat is important, so start with blotting the chunks dry with paper towels then dusting them with some flour or corn starch. I prefer Wondra flour for dusting my stew meat before browning. I season the Dutch Oven or stew pot with a small amount of grapeseed oil. It is very important not to crowd the pieces of meat when browning as this can hamper the browning process or even lead to a large mass of gray globby stuff in the pan. It may be necessary to brown the meat in several batches to avoid crowding.
Once the meat is browned, deglazing is the most fun part of making a good stew. With all the meat in the bottom of the pan add a splash of red wine or cooking sherry and enough beef broth to just cover the chunks of meat. Sometimes, I use a can of V-8 juice to deglaze. It is downright exciting as that liquid hits all those bits of browned flour and meat juices in the pan and sizzles up into a cloud of promise for the good stew to come. Cover the pot and simmer over low heat until the meat becomes tender. This will probably take about 15 to 30 minutes to tenderize the stew meat over low heat.
While the meat cooks and tenderizes, you can prepare the vegetables. Try to keep things like carrots and potatoes in similar sizes that work well in a spoon when cutting up the vegetables. If the carrots and potatoes are too large it will be difficult to enjoy them in combination with each other and the broth. I keep frozen green beans on hand to add to soups and stews, but I include them a little later in the process than the other vegetables so they maintain their bright green appearance.
You will want to include additional liquid for the final simmer of the stew. Canned tomatoes along with additional broth work beautifully. You can also add a zippy note to the stew with a cup or so of prepared salsa.
Recently, I made the stew by adding chopped onion and Poblano peppers to the saute’ of the stew meat with about a teaspoon of ground cumin. The cumin didn’t dominate the stew, but it did add just a hint of the Southwest. We loved it.
I hope this inspires you to simmer up some stew to satisfy your hungry on a cold winter evening!
Research Review: Exercise Boosts Immunity—Even in Isolation
Even the most committed exercisers may be struggling to stay active at a time when most of the population is largely confined to their homes. In fact, for those who are accustomed to exercising in a gym or group setting, finding the motivation to keep moving at home can prove particularly challenging. Bolstering immunity and good health, however, has never been more important. A new research review highlights the power of regular, daily exercise on the immune system and the importance of people continuing to be physically active, even during a lockdown.
The new research review, which is published in the international journal Exercise Immunology Review, highlights the importance of staying physically active at this time. The research confirms what you and other health and exercise professionals have been undoubtedly communicating to your clients: being in isolation without access to gyms and sports clubs should not mean people stop exercising. Rather, keeping up regular, daily exercise at a time when much of the world is in isolation can play an important role in helping to maintain a healthy immune system.
Does Strenuous Exercise Help or Hamper Immunity?
The analysis, which was led by Dr. John P. Campbell and Dr. James E. Turner from the University of Bath’s Department for Health in the United Kingdom, considers the effect of exercise on immune function. According to researchers, many studies over the past four decades have investigated how exercise affects the immune system. It is widely agreed that regular moderate-intensity exercise is beneficial for immunity, but a view held by some is that more strenuous exercise can suppress immune function, leading to an “open window” of heightened infection risk in the hours and days following exercise.
In a benchmark study in 2018, this “open window” hypothesis was challenged by Campbell and Turner. They reported in a review article that the theory was not well supported by scientific evidence, summarizing that there is limited reliable evidence that exercise suppresses immunity, concluding instead that exercise is beneficial for immune function.
“. . .exercise can help the immune system find and deal with pathogens.”
In the short term, they concluded, exercise can help the immune system find and deal with pathogens. In the long term, regular exercise slows down changes that happen to the immune system with aging, which subsequently reduces the risk of infection.
In the current review, Turner, Campbell, and colleagues examined whether the immune system can change negatively or positively after exercise and whether athletes get more infections than the general population. The researchers concluded that infections are more likely to be linked to inadequate diet, psychological stress, insufficient sleep, travel, and, importantly, pathogen exposure at social gathering events such as marathons, rather than the act of exercising itself.
“Our work has concluded that there is very limited evidence for exercise directly increasing the risk of becoming infected with viruses,” explains Dr. Turner. “In the context of coronavirus and the conditions we find ourselves in today, the most important consideration is reducing your exposure from other people who may be carrying the virus. But people should not overlook the importance of staying fit, active, and healthy during this period. Provided it is carried out in isolation—away from others—then regular, daily exercise will help better maintain the way the immune system works, not suppress it.”
Dr. Campbell wants to alleviate people’s fears that exercising might suppress the immune system and therefore increase one’s risk of contracting coronavirus. “Provided exercise is carried out according to the latest government guidance on social distancing, regular exercise will have a tremendously positive effect on our health and well-being, both today and for the future.”
A few more tips from researchers: At this current time, the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene when exercising, including thoroughly washing hands following exercise, cannot be overstated. To give the body its best chance at fighting off infections, they also suggest that, in addition to doing regular exercise, people need to pay attention to the amount of sleep they get and maintain a healthy diet that is energy balanced to account for energy that is used during exercise.
7 Steps for Decreasing Infection Risk
- Maintain good personal hygiene when exercising, including thorough hand washing after exercise.
- Exercise regularly for a positive effect on health, well-being. and immune system function.
- Get enough sleep.
- Maintain an energy-balanced healthy diet.
- Positively manage stress.
- Limit travel.
- Limit attendance at social gatherings.
Article reprinted with permission of the American Council on Exercise
The Tweens Talk New Year’s Resolutions
Hello to our readers out there in the world! It’s Sophia and Mallie writing the January column in Enid Monthly. We are very excited to share some things about the new year with y’all. Let’s get straight down to business.
So we all know that this last year has been really tough for a lot of people and families including ours. So we wanted to discuss why it has been hard. There are many reasons why people lost their jobs because of COVID-19 making it hard for them to support their families.
“For me this year has been tough because I didn’t get to do all of the fun things I wanted to do like go on vacation/traveling, going to trampoline parks and things like that, I also didn’t get to go swimming that much because of COVID, but the hardest part was wearing a mask everywhere I went.” -Mallie
“For me this year has been tough mainly because of having to go virtual for school and wearing a mask everywhere, another reason is that I was really scared, because I worried about getting my grandma sick if I got the virus or if I went over to a friend’s house, I could get their family sick if I had it and had no idea I did. Some other things are also not being able to go on summer vacation or traveling. But on a positive note we got through it and are hoping that 2021 will be way better!” -Sophia
We also wanted to talk to you about some of our New Year’s Resolutions:
“My New Year’s resolutions are to make all A’s on my report cards, having the motivation to do things and not just sit and be on my phone all day, get better at tennis, eating healthier, cleaning up after myself better, and having a healthy day routine.” -Sophia
“My New Year’s resolutions are to get good grades, to get better at soccer, and pay attention more in school so I can achieve good grades.” -Mallie
For the new year, we are mainly looking forward to going on fun vacations (hopefully with each other), as well as going back to school, hopefully with no mask, and the COVID-19 virus to be gone along with 2020. Last, we are most excited to watch the New York City ball drop and as soon as it hits midnight we will call out JUMANJI to get out of the 2020 and into 2021!
We are both hoping everyone has a great 2021! Thank you for reading our January column! Email us your New Year’s resolutions at tweensceneenid@gmail.com! See you next month. BYEEEEEE!
Adult Fiction Review: One by One
Title: One by One
Author: Ruth Ware
Reviewed by: Michaelene M
If you could snoop in real-time to what music a celebrity was listening to…would you? How about your next-door neighbor? Your friend? Would you let them know it was you listening in, or would you snoop in anonymity? Allow us to introduce you to Snoop, a music-streaming app where you can do just that!
But the company may be in trouble. During their skiing work retreat in the French Alps, the co-founders and employees of Snoop must decide whether to take a buyout or wait until a new update rolls out, one that could take Snoop to a whole new (and extra creepy) level.
It’s just another day on the snow-covered mountain…until one of the company’s co-founders disappears in what looks like a skiing mishap. It quickly snowballs into business as NOT usual when an avalanche forces them all together and the employees begin to disappear. One by one.
Readers looking for murder mystery on the slopes Clue-style will find Ruth Ware creates a masterfully suspenseful thriller, perfect for winter reading. Between the chilly setting, the creepy app, and the dynamics of the Snoop employees, readers will be on the edge of their seats until the very end.
One by One is available as a hardback in our physical collection. It is also available as an ebook and an audiobook on the Oklahoma Virtual Library. Call us at 580-234-6313 to place a hold.
Children’s Non-Fiction Book Review: Fry Bread
Title: Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story
Author: Kevin Noble Maillard
Illustrated by: Juana Martinez-Neal
Fry Bread is a children’s picture book filled with warmth that centers on food, family, and culture of a Native American family. Each member works together to create fry bread, a traditional recipe that’s been passed down but the ingredients vary between Native communities.
This beautifully drawn picture book centers on each element of making fry bread and in the passing down of tradition to another generation. The story uses all the readers’ senses as it captures a moment of family connection and celebration. Each illustration throughout is intentional and depicts a different aspect of Native American culture. An additional Author’s Note at the end provides further background and education on Native ancestry, and it’s a brilliant addition to an already vibrant story.
The inclusion of the fry bread recipe at the end offers readers an opportunity to try their hand at this traditional recipe. Fry Bread is a heartfelt and joyous book that invites readers of all ages to continue to learn and celebrate the history and culture of Native Americans.
Fry Bread won the 2020 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal. It is also a 2020 American Indian Youth Picture Book Honor Winner. Find Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story in the library’s physical collection. Call us at 580-234-6313 to place a hold and pick up through Curbside Delivery.
What to See This Year: Photo Collection
The year 2020 has been a wild ride. From COVID-19 to elections and natural disasters, it’s safe to say most everyone is looking forward to what 2021 has in store (hopefully not more of the same…) On this month’s Cosmic Mariner, we’re traveling into the world of the magical photon, AKA light, as we gaze upon the many cosmic wonders you can see from your backyard in Enid, America. That’s right! Every photograph you’ll view in this article was captured from my driveway or in the surrounding plains. Want to know what’s even cooler? Almost every one of these objects is visible with a pair of plain old binoculars! So, without further ado, let’s marvel at the curiosities our universe has to offer.
photograph is a grouping of 17 images stacked together to capture the most detail possible.
1. We’ll begin by viewing one of the most recognizable and easy to find objects in the night sky. The wondrous and ever-so colorful Orion Nebula. Visible to the unaided eye, albeit under darker skies, this enormous conglomerate of gases is one of the most dazzling objects to look at. This stellar nursery has provided astronomers with valuable insight into the evolution of stars and stellar objects while simultaneously captivating emerging astro-enthusiasts around the globe. If you look closely, you can see the Trapezium cluster of stars located at the center of Orion. These luminous stars help illuminate the enormous cloud of gas that surrounds them. This incredible structure is visible in winter months when the constellation of Orion is high in the sky. To view it, simply look at the middle of Orion’s sword. You can’t miss it.
2. Next up is Jupiter! While this gigantic Jovian planet is undeniably tricky to photograph up close in “stellar” detail, it’s the perfect planet to look at with a pair of binoculars or small telescopes. While the Great Red Spot can be tricky to see at times, mainly because Jupiter is almost 535 million miles away, the planet itself, including its colorful bands, is spectacular. In addition, simple binoculars reveal the ever-changing Galilean moons of Jupiter! From left to right on the image above, you can see Callisto, Ganymede, Europa, and Io. That blue-tinted moon, Europa, is one of our most favored places for life in our solar system! Unfortunately, you can’t see Jupiter’s 75 other moons…
star appears just above Mizar.
3. Next up is the second star in the handle of the Big Dipper (Ursa Major)! Mizar, as it’s called, is a rather ordinary star. You sometimes use it when you say to your friends/family “Hey, there’s the Big Dipper.” However, Mizar is unique and has a fascinating tie to ancient human history. If you look closely at the image above, you’ll notice a second bright star near Mizar; Alcor. In ancient cultures around the world, these stars were used to determine the resolving power of a person’s eyesight. If one could see both stars, they were likely to survive longer as they would become archers. Those who couldn’t see the stars were delegated to the front lines. But, if you look even closer…Mizar has another star right next to it. That’s because this star system is a sextuple system. That being said, through a high powered telescope, similar to mine, only three can be seen.
4.) Last, but not least, is M13, my Dad’s favorite Messier object and, perhaps, one of the neatest star formations in the night sky. This massive conglomerate of stars is known as a globular cluster. M13 is the most well known of the objects due to their brightness and easy location to find. Simply look at the constellation of Hercules in the summer months. M13 is located ⅓ of the way from the left star of the top two stars. Or, to simplify, use a star map on your computer/phone. This beautiful formation is home to hundreds of thousands of stars and covers roughly 145 light-years from side to side. That means, going back to the first episode of the Cosmic Mariner, if you traveled from one side to the other at the speed of light, it would take you 145 years! So cool! As is the case with the other objects listed, you can see M13 with a simple pair of binoculars.
Now that you’ve got a few things to look at, get outside and rediscover our innate fascination with the cosmos above! In the meantime, enjoy these photos and photographs of other, more difficult to find, objects that occupy the wondrous void above.
Happy 2021!
Container and Pot Gardening
Column by Susie Skaggs, Garfield County Master Gardener
Planting a container/pot garden has no limits. It doesn’t matter if you have a large garden, small yard, or a windowsill, there is a plant container/pot for every space. I had fun creating special “garden rooms” with my garden pots this past spring and summer. The Covid-19 shutdown allowed me time to watch gardening programs that encouraged planting in pots. In many instances, one can control what you plant, color schemes you want, plantings by plants, plantings by seeds, be it flowers or vegetables, trees, really the possibilities are endless. Planting in pots is a teaching tool about nature and gardening for children. They can use their imagination, improve their skills in math, art, and reading. Containers and pots can be used by anyone with a disability or other medical issues. One can keep any height and in a small area that is easy attainable.
What I found fun was learning I can use any kind of pot I want. I used clay, ceramic, plastic, cracked pots, fancy decorated ones, tall pots, short and round ones, a washtub my Dad used for planting and I used for my red, white, and blue petunias. My watering cans that were rusty on the bottom were used for kitchen herbs along with my first metal coffee pot used on the stove back in my teens. I did puncture holes in the bottom for drainage. I encourage you to check out various yard sales, auctions, junk shops, and even trash piles on the side of the road. Create your own plan and enjoy. Don’t be afraid to try what you like and if it isn’t working, dig up, repot, take and keep notes on what works and what doesn’t, and try again. This is one of the lessons I learned during Garfield County Master Gardeners class.
There are plants that can be planted in containers for spring, summer, fall, and winter. What you plant depends on what can withstand our Oklahoma heat, strong winds, and sudden fluxes in temperature. I kept my container garden very simple. Leading up to my pool area are concrete stairs. I wanted it to be fun, colorful, tropical, to make it inviting. It is an area easy to water. So no dragging a water hose around in the heat. I do encourage you to take a picture of your plantings. I did not. This is what I planted using plants that could take the heat most of the day and as the sun settled in the west the plants and flowers had some reprieve from the
sun: Elephant ears, lemongrass, citronella, hot pink Ice plant, Ipomea Margarita Sweet Potato vine, Color Blaze Torchlight, and Rediculous, coleus, herbs of Rosemary, Chives, and for color and scent, more red, white, and purple petunias, blue Mexican heather, various colors of Vincas and various succulents. For this year, my plan worked and it kept me plenty busy. For fall and winter, I planted pansies. Bulbs of any type can be planted.
Here are some additional tips for container gardening:
• Use potting mix with moisture.
• If you are going to cover drainage holes, use broken crock shards, gravel, or old window screen. There is debate about covering drainage holes. Ultimate goal: you want good drainage.
• To conserve on potting mix, fill large pots with plastic bottles, plastic packing material, then potting mix.
• Unpot plants by turning upside down and tap out of the plastic container and gently loosen roots with your fingers or if roots are larger, take a knife to make shallow vertical slices through the root ball in two or three places.
• Depending on the size of the plant, plant large plants 1-3” below the rim of the pot.
• Water well when you are finished planting. You may have to add more potting mix and water again.
• Fertilize from time to time. Pots do require more watering and the nutrients are depleted.
• One last fun tip. If planting seeds for flowers, for example, and they are all pink, you might forget what you planted. Paint the rim of your pot the color of the flower.
What is shared in this article is a small part of container gardening. I still have so much to learn. Visit and research websites that offer information on container gardening. One of the best resource websites is the Oklahoma State University Extension. (osufacts.okstate.edu). You will find fact sheets on just about anything you want to plant and grow. You can also call Garfield County Enid Extension for guidance!
My wish is to encourage you to make your own plan, find your own special garden room retreat, and enjoy your time with nature and what it has to offer in any season!
