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NORMAN magazine | JULY/AUGUST 2013 5


contents20 BEHIND THE SCENES

The way OU goes about maneuvering more than 85,000 in and out of cramped quarters, six to seven Saturdays each fall is a science with a little art as well.

46 WATER GARDENS Water gardens take many forms,

but most feature one or more waterfalls, a fountain, lighting, rocks or boulders, plants and, of course, water.

departments9 from the Publisher

11 from the Editor

12 Norman Events

38 Norman Style

42 Norman FYI

58 Norman People Pat Jacobs

64 Making a Difference Friends for Folks

70 Taste of Norman Local

73 Wine Time

78 NormanProfile Carl Sennhenn

SNaPShotS80 Pioneer Library Fuondation81 Jubilee Dance Club82 Jazz in June84 oU Cousins85 Gutter Bowl86 Graduation 201388 Weather Center Art89 Le tour de Vin90 toby Keith’s Golf tourney92 Burger Battle93 Parting Shot

On the Cover:The OU Women’s Softball team displays the NCAA championship trophy after defeating Tennessee 4-0 in Game 2 of the WCWS finals in Oklahoma City. Hoisting the trophy (l-r) Michelle Gascoigne, Jessica Shults and Keilani Ricketts . Story on page 32.. Photo by Ty Russell

20

61 A MAgicAl life Norman native,

Rob Lake, is an accomplished illusionist who performs his magic around the world.

74 A RiSiNg STAR 12-year-old Addison Baker

of Norman can now cross off singing on national television on her wish list.

features

46 32

6 NORMAN magazine | JULY/AUGUST 2013


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In the 30-plus years that I have professionally sat in front of a keyboard, including a manual typewriter early in my career, it never fails – sometimes the

words flow off my fingertips, and other times it’s dif-ficult to compose the first sentence.

As I type this column on a recent early Saturday morning with the sun barely peeking through the eastern sky, I am having one of those days when I am not sure what to write – a good case of writer’s block.

First, I was going to recall the horrific storms that recently hammered our neigh-bors in Moore, Little Axe and other nearby communities, but I stopped. How many more words can be written about the devastation and heartache experienced by thousands at the hands of Mother Nature? If I was going to take on this subject, the column would focus on the strength and resiliency displayed by so many. Prayers and thoughts are still with all as they move forward.

I then gave thought to banging away at the keyboard about the numerous events that are happening around Norman this summer. However, since this edition does not publish until early July, just after the Fourth, I decided summer would have al-ready hit its midpoint, so those thoughts will not fill this space.

Next was the inclination to write about the upcoming football season, but as you will see in a few pages, that topic is covered with a behind-the-scene look at the Sat-urday Gameday experience. Although most of us give little thought to what happens before we find our way inside OU’s Gaylord Memorial Stadium, this story shows it’s quite an undertaking to make this event happen week after week.

With those topics killed, I decided to let you know that this edition of Norman Magazine marks the beginning of our third year. The first two years have been great, and challenges await if we are going to top the last six editions.

Since July 2012, we have been fortunate to showcase a Who’s Who of Norman: we started with the first family of Oklahoma football - Bob and Carol Stoops and their family; followed by OU President David Boren and First Lady Molly Shi Boren; then Norman United Way President Kristin Collins highlighted our holiday edition cover; in the first edition of 2013, Olympic stars Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci relived their love story; Country music star and Norman resident Toby Keith was on the March-April cover, and that edition left the newsstands faster than any edition in our short history; and we ended the year two with Norman’s Ron Burton and his wife Jetta, who are now serving as Rotary International president and first lady. Overall, pretty strong covers.

Starting with this edition – that includes a look at Norman’s most-recent shin-ning moment, OU’s national champion softball team – we hope you enjoy what we are planning for our third year.

But before we move forward, I want thank you – our readers, advertisers and those who have graced our pages – with allowing us to capture a small part of Nor-man six times a year. Without your support, there would be no Norman Magazine.

When Norman Magazine debuted in July 2011, our goal was to showcase this special community like no other publication or form of media. We believed then, and still do today, that Norman deserves its own magazine that’s all about you.

So, thanks for including Norman Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 1, as part of your day. Enjoy.

mag

azin

e

it’s all about you

JULY/AUGUST 2013 VoLUme 3, ISSUe 1

PublisherTerry Connor

executive editor & General ManaGerAndy Rieger

advertisinG directorDebbi Knoll

advertisinG account executivesRebekah Collins

Robin EscarcegaKimberly Lehenbauer

Lee RobertsSherry Romack

Nick SheatsMarty Zumpfe

contributinG WritersJerri Culpepper

Amy DavidCarol Cole-Frome

Doug HillMick HintonChris Jones

Michael KinneyJohn Shinn

Doris Wedge

contributinG PhotoGraPhersTravis CapertonJessica CherryLindsey Davies

Doug HillKyle Phillips

Ty Russell

norMan style coordinatorRebekah Collins

desiGnerDaren Courtney

diGital coordinatorJason Clarke

Norman magazine is a bi-monthly publication of The Norman Transcript.

215 E. Comanche, Norman, OK 73070. (Phone: 405.321.1800). Letters or editorial

contributions should be sent to: Norman magazine, P.O. Drawer 1058,

Norman, OK, 73070 or emailed to [email protected].

Norman magazine is not responsible for unsolicited submissions. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner,

without permission is prohibited.

Address advertising inquiries to Debbi Knoll – (405) 366-3554

or [email protected] magazine can be found online at

www.normanmagazine.com

by terry connor

from the Publisher



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Early in the evening on the final Saturday in August, the Soon-ers and visiting Warhawks from

Louisiana-Monroe will line up on their respective Owen Field yardlines. When the football is sent skyward, all eyes will follow it to the return man.

Then, out of habit, my own gaze will immediately shift to the sidelines, where the gaggle of photojournalists will be with their long zooms scan-ning the field together. Credentialed with arm band banners, they move up and down the field depending on the game’s flow. They get more of a work-out than most of the bench players.

They work in tight quarters and are kept within their lines by stadium se-curity who know the regulars by name. Amateurs and dignitaries with sideline passes and cell-phone cameras just get in the way of a good shot. My eyes will instinctively look for the long-haired man in a Hawaiian shirt and shorts, Jerry Laizure’s trademark outfit at OU sporting events.

Jerry, The Transcript’s chief pho-tojournalist, longtime chronicler of everything OU sports and the best of friends, died in December at age 59 after a lengthy illness. His fellow pho-tojournalists wore Hawaiian shirts and shorts to the life celebration at Goodrich Memorial United Methodist Church in Norman.

Jerry came to OU in the mid 1970s to study journalism and work in the back shop of the student newspaper. His passion was newspapers, even fibbing about his age to work on the hometown daily in Bartlesville.

We met in the pressroom at The Transcript where he moonlighted on Saturday nights. The mailroom and

pressroom often had to wait for news and sports to finish their pages and we killed time pitching quarters at a crack in the floor. Closest to the crack won all the quarters. My lunch money went fast.

After college, we went our separate ways and got back together to co-publish a weekly newspaper in Noble. It was there that he honed his news and sports photo skills. Often, he was on the scene of accidents and fires before the first responders. His trade-mark shirts, seasonal Santa hats and candy cane antennae on his green Ford truck made him the most recognizable member of the press corps.

He often drove to out-of-town sporting events, usually traveling straight through with his sons taking shifts at the wheel.

At the College World Series this year, he would have been the first shooter on the field when the Sooner women won the national title. “I got your money shot,” he would say, know-ing we wanted the team hoisting their hardware.

A Hawaiian shirt,Santa hat and a camera

by andy rieger

from the Editor

Jerry’s photographs won multiple state and national prizes and were pub-lished in newspapers, magazines and websites worldwide. Sadly, they were stolen as often as they were purchased.

Jerry began helping state papers and the Associated Press set up a dark-room to process film and then trans-mit back to their sports departments. When darkrooms gave way to digi-tal photography, he started shooting sports on his own for our newspaper, sister papers around the state and then for his own photo service.

He understood technology and often joked that he preferred dealing with computers than co-workers. Our weekly paper was among the first in the state to be produced on comput-ers alone.

On the surface, he was acidic, gruff and demanding but endeared himself to anyone he considered genuine. Jerry had no patience for mediocrity and those who learned the craft from him were ever grateful for his counsel. “Your bar is set much lower than mine,” he would say if I described someone’s work quality.

As to news photographs from fire scenes, he would try and capture the firefighters efforts to save people and property. “It’s hard to screw up pictures from a three-alarm fire,” he would tell me.

Two sons, Jackson and Phillip, joined him and now carry on their father’s legacy. They’ll be on the side-lines at home and away games. Look for them at the next game. My guess is they’ll be the ones wearing the Hawai-ian shirts.

Jerry Laizure on the sidelines



Normanevents Information supplied by Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau

Photos by Jerry Laizure and Kyle Phillips

Ongoing Events Saturdays and Sundays

Discovery Days 2-4 p.m.Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History2401 S. ChautauquaDiscovery Days includes interactive, hands-on activities with stories, crafts and touchable specimens. Free with paid museum admission. www.snomnh.com

Sundays

Live music: Mike Hosty The Deli309 White Street 11 p.m.Mike Hosty performs live each Sunday night. thedeli.us

First Monday of the month

Free Admission the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural HistorySam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History2401 S. ChautauquaMuseum hours: Monday through Satur-day, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m.The first Monday of each month, the museum features free admission www.snomnh.com

Tuesdays

Comedy Night Othello’s434 Buchanan Street Sign up begins at 9 p.m. and the show begins at 10 p.m. www.othellos.us 9 p.m.

Wednesdays

Local Trivia Night Local2662 W. Main St. 8 p.m. Join LOCAL Restaurant for free team trivia every Wednesday, presented by TheLostOgle.com. It is free to play, but the winning teams will win cash prizes. www.thelostogle.com/thelostogle-trivia-night-oklahoma-city

First Fridays of each month

Second Friday Circuit of Art Mainsite Art Gallery120 E. Main St. 6-9 p.m.2nd Friday Circuit of Art – a monthly, citywide celebration of art – is a col-laboration between artists, art organiza-tions, and businesses, brought to you by the Norman Arts Council. 2ndfridaynorman.com

Ongoing through Aug. 3

Art Exhibit: Pablo Picasso’s Woman in the Studio Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art500 Elm Avenue, Norman Museum Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.For one year, Pablo Picasso’s Woman in the Studio (1956) will be on loan from the St. Louis Art Museum. Several works by Picasso from the FJJMA permanent collection also will be on view as a compliment to this featured exhibition. The museum is closed on Mondays. www.ou.edu/fjjma

Ongoing through Sept. 8

Exhibit – Beautiful Beasts: The Unseen Life of Oklahoma Spiders and InsectsSam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History2401 S. ChautauquaMuseum hours: Monday through Satur-day, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m.Oklahoma photographer Thomas Shahan will take you there.Beautiful Beasts presents a series of Shahan’s immense color macro photographs alongside descriptions of where and how the photographs were made. The exhibit chronicles the photographer’s tireless search for arthropods, a venture that has made him into an outspoken advocate for education about the role they play in our lives. Shahan’s up-close views of Oklahoma spiders and insects promise to forever change how visitors think and feel about these creatures. Sponsored by a grant from the Norman Arts Council. www.snomnh.ou.edu/information

Ongoing through July 28

OU Art Exhibit – Into the Void Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art500 Elm Avenue Museum Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Into the Void is a student-curated printmaking exhibition featuring works from the FJJMA permanent collec-tion by artists such as Victor Vasarely, Bridget Riley and Richard Anuskiewicz. The exhibition is a sensory experience that encompasses the entire optical spectrum. It is a modern ode to a few of the founding members of the Optical Art movement. Into the Void is curated by students from the OU School of Art and Art History: Andrea Duran, Laura Fortner, Alexa Healey, Theresa Hultberg and Jessica Schlarb. www.ou.edu/fjjma




Art Exhibit – Stirring the Fire: A Global Movement to Empower Women and Girls A World Literature Today Photography ExhibitionFred Jones Jr. Museum of Art500 Elm Avenue Museum Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.Stirring the Fire: A Global Movement to Empower Women and Girls showcases the work of photographer Phil Borges and his desire to shed light on specific gender issues worldwide while reveal-ing practical pathways for women and girls to achieve gender equality. Stirring the Fire is sponsored by World Literature Today, the University of Oklahoma’s award-winning magazine of international literature and culture. The exhibition is held in conjunction with the 2013 Puterbaugh Festivalwww.ou.edu/fjjma


Art Exhibit – Matthew Boonstra: Interruptions Mainsite Art Gallery120 E. Main St. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.mMatthew Boonstra’s work is an investigation into how socioeconomic circumstances impact our natural environment.mainsite-art.com/2013/04/interrup-tions-by-matthew-boonstra-june-14-2013-through-july-13-2013

Ongoing thru Sept. 15

Art Exhibit – Hopituy: Kachinas from the Permanent CollectionsFred Jones Jr. Museum of Art500 Elm Avenue Museum Hours: Tuesday – Thurs-day 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hopituy will feature six types of Hopi kachina figures as depicted in more than 175 objects from woodcarving, basketry and paint-ing. Within the cultural context they lend to each other, and by exploring the use of color, motifs and geometric shapes as relevant to each type, this exhibition examines the aesthetics of these figures from a perspective that is uniquely Hopi, or Hopituy. Exhibi-tion materials are drawn from the FJJMA’s permanent collections, including the James T. Bialac Na-tive American Art Collection, the Rennard Strickland Collection, the Richard H. and Adeline J. Fleis-chaker Collection and others.

July 2 & Aug. 6

NSAA Art Critique 6:45 p.m.Mainsite Art Gallery120 E. Main St. Held the First Tuesday of each month at MAINSITE Gallery, the NSAA Critique Sessions enable artists of all levels to present their in-process work and receive constructive feedback for the betterment of the piece and the artist.www.normanarts.org

July 4

Free Admission the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural HistorySam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History2401 S. ChautauquaMuseum hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m.Sponsored by VisitNorman to celebrate the freedom of the U.S. of A, admission will free to the museum on Independence Day.

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July 4

Norman Day Celebration & Fireworks Reaves Park2501 Jenkins Ave. 4:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.Norman’s 38th Annual Norman Day Celebration will kick off in the late afternoon and end with a fireworks show at dusk. The event will feature kids’ activities, as well as live music and much more. Call 405-321-1600 for more information

July 5

Billy Currington Concert Riverwind CasinoInterstate 35 and Highway 9 East 8 p.m. The performing artist will present a concert with songs from his newest album, Enjoy Yourself. riverwind.com/events/view/billy-currington-8084

July 6

Justin Moore in Concert Riverwind CasinoInterstate 35 and Highway 9 East 8 p.m. The Arkansas native wil perform in concert. riverwind.com/events/view/justin-moore

July 6

Outback Goat Show 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Cleveland County Fairgrounds615 Robinson St.

July 7

Summer Breeze: Hosty Duo Lions Park555 S. Flood 7:30 p.m.The Hosty Duo are Mike Hosty, an outstanding guitarist and songwriter, and Michael Byars, a world-class drummer. Their setup is simple, but their individual talents make this two-piece band sound twice its size. www.pasnorman.org

July 11

Gallery Talk: Traditional Protocol vs. Artistic License Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art500 Elm Avenue NoonUsing the materials in the Hopituy exhibition of kachina figures, FJJMA Assistant Curator Heather Ahtone will lead a walk-ing tour in the Records Gallery to discuss the delicate balance art-ists find between traditional Hopi protocol and artistic license in the making of kachina dolls and other art forms. This discussion will primarily focus on the formal aspects of the materials as a means of reflecting conversations with members of Artist Hopid in preparation for this exhibition.

July 12 & 13

Smokin’ Up a Storm Charity BBQ Cook-Off Cleveland County Fairgrounds615 Robinson St. 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. This year marks the second an-nual barbecue competition.

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July 12-14

Cimarron Opera’s Summer Operetta: Gilbert & Sullivan’s “Ruddigore!”Nancy O’Brian Performing Arts Theater, 1809 Stubbeman Ave.8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday The Cimarron Opera will present the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, Ruddigore.www.cimarronopera.org

July 13

Cookbook Swap & Shop (Fundraiser for the Norman Library)Norman Public Library, 225 N. Webster 9 a.m.-5 p.m.Every year the Norman Library puts on an annual cooking program that includes a cookbook swap presented by the Friends of the Norman Library. All kinds of prized and beloved cook-books will be available for recipe lovers to purchase. Proceeds benefit the Norman Library.

July 20

Tribute Show at Riverwind Casino Riverwind CasinoInterstate 35 and Highway 9 East 8 p.m. Enjoy an exciting tribute show featuring music from Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Karen Carpenter in the Showplace Theatre.

July 21

Summer Breeze:Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band Lions Park555 S. Flood 7:30 p.m.Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band sound is infectious – a concoc-tion of blues, 70s funk, rock and roll, and good-ole zydeco flavor – and makes even the most timid individu-als get their feet moving.www.pasnorman.org

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Aug. 1-4

Urinetown: The Musical Sooner Theatre121 E. Main St. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1-3 and 2 p.m. Aug. 2-4Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, Urinetown is an irreverently humorous satire in which no one is safe from scrutiny. www.soonertheatre.org

Aug. 4

Summer Breeze: Honeylark Lions Park555 S. Flood 7:30 p.m.Honeylark is the dark, sticky-sweet offering of Natalie Moore Houck and Ryan Houck (formerly of Oklahoma’s Green Corn Revival) to the ever tem-peramental gods of the aesthetics... Watch out for lightning. The group strikes a fine balance between Amer-icana roots and indie-pop sensibility, mixing country influences with a folk flair and a ‘folk-rock noir’ feel. www.pasnorman.org

Aug. 9 through Sept. 14

Art Exhibit – Skip Hill: Babel Mainsite Art Gallery120 E. Main St. Tuesdays through Saturdays,11 a.m. – 4 p.m.Mainsite will be featuring the work of Jessie Wilson, as well, in conjunction with Skip Hill’s exhibition.

Aug. 23-24

37th Annual Midsummer Nights’ Fair Lions Park555 S. Flood 6-11 p.m.The Midsummer Nights’ Fair is one of the largest arts fairs in Norman, tak-ing place in the evening, with a one of a kind atmosphere. The Firehouse Art Center takes this opportunity to showcase local artists, share their mission to provide quality art experi-ences and demonstrate their passion for the visual arts to the community. This juried arts festival features 30 unique, high-quality artist booths that offer pottery, jewelry, glass, sculpture, woodworking and more.

Aug. 24

Summer Breeze: Elephant Revival Lions Park555 S. Flood 7:30 p.m.Brought together by a unified sense of purpose - the spirit of five souls working as one, in harmony, creating sounds they could never produce alone. www.pasnorman.org

Aug. 24

Cleveland County Free Fair Horse Show Cleveland County Fairgrounds615 Robinson St. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, contact the Fairgrounds at (405) 360-4721.

Aug. 31

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Louisiana-Monroe Oklahoma Memorial Stadium800 W. Brooks 6 p.m. The Sooner football team kicks off the 2013 season at Owen Field, tak-ing on Louisiana-Monroewww.soonersports.com

Performing Arts Summer CampsJuly 8-August 2, 2013

•Acting, Singing, Dancing, Claymation, Improv, Making A Musical and More!

•Entering K-8th grades•One and two week camps

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www.soonertheatre.com(405) 321-9600NORMAN magazine | JULY/AUGUST 2013 17


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Behind theScenes

by john shinn

photos by travis caperton

OU’s Charlie Taylor at 2012 OU-OSU game

20-31_OU Football.indd 20 6/28/13 4:08 PM

BehindOne thing is for sure: the way OU goes

about maneuvering over 85,000 in and out of cramped quarters, six to seven

Saturdays each fall is a science with a little art as well.

Nothing, however, is left to chance. Every-thing seen outside of the actual game on the field is rehearsed down to every minute detail.

Everything from what to do in case of a tor-nado to is there enough toilet paper has a defini-tive answer.

Lindy Roberts has spent 12 years in Oklaho-ma’s athletic department and the last three as As-sociate Athletic Director in charge of event man-agement. Her biggest responsibility is running game-day operations. That means coordinating a staff of hundreds of employees and volunteers required for an event like a Sooner football game.

“When I took over as director of the depart-ment, that’s when I was like, ‘Holy Cow!’ You have no idea everything that happens behind the scenes,” Roberts said. “So many people think just showing up to a football game and you open the gates and it is what it is. Until you actually see all the moving pieces that are involved and the little tiny knick-knack details that have to come together to make sure this whole thing runs the way it should… it’s amazing, and a little over-whelming.”

It isn’t something that happens on a whim. The details of running an OU football game are scrutinized daily. Right before Roberts talked to Norman Magazine about the arduous aspects of the job, she’d just finished a staff meeting about the upcoming season — in early June.

No one knows for sure when football games at Oklahoma transformed to full-out events. It might have been in during the 1950s, when Bud Wilkinson elevated the program to a national powerhouse. It might have been in the 1970s when Barry Switzer’s teams began filling Owen Field with over 70,000 fans for each home game.

But everything intensifies as the season draws closer. There’s mandatory training in early Au-gust for anyone who going to serve in any ca-pacity. Every scenario has to be planned. Think getting 85,000 people to their seats is easy? Try evacuating them, which has happened several times over the last decade, because of lightning the area.

“Not only weather, but what happens if there’s an abandoned bag. It’s not just securities job. Everybody needs to be observant and on the lookout for anything and everything,” Rob-erts said.

Each Wednesday, Roberts conducts a meeting with the heads of each department involved in OU’s game-day operations. Non-coaching mem-bers of the football staff are present, but so are department heads from everything from conces-sions, to student life, to landscaping, to the OU police department. They and many others play a part in the game-day experience.

Everything from what will stream on the vid-eo boards to how a minute-by-minute rundown of pre-game festivities must be discussed.

“We never take a break on it,” OU associate athletic director Kenny Mossman said. “Even on weeks we’re playing on the road, we’ll still meet to evaluate a past home game. We usually start them in August and do it every week until the season ends.”

No stone is left unturned because OU’s goal is to make every game a unique experience gen-erations of fans want to enjoy again and again. It can’t control what happens on the field, but ev-erything else is their department.



OU has invested mil-lions of dollars in video boards at Owen Field and its other venues. It’s one of the integral aspects of the game-day experience.

Keeping fans happy is more important than ever. OU currently has an ath-letic budget between $90 million and $100 million. Roughly 35 percent of the money that fuels success on any of OU’s athletic fields derives from foot-ball ticket sales. It always has and will likely remain the athletic department’s biggest source of income.

Many see the money schools like OU are re-ceiving from television revenue derived from conferences’ television contracts as exploding revenues. The Sooners took home more than $25 million in television revenue proceeds over the last year.

However, television is also a rival of sorts. Why wouldn’t a fan who has spent $1,000 on high-definition television and another $1,200 a year on a cable or satellite subscription spend a

Saturday using it watching college football from morning until late into the night. After all, OU hasn’t played a game that wasn’t broadcast in some form — pay-per-view, cable or network television — since 2004.

“People can always stay home and not have to deal with crowds or pay all the money for concessions and not wait in line or any of that,” Roberts said. “We’re always asking what we can do better. It’s at the forefront of our minds every single second.”

The average game day begins well before kickoff. The gates at Owen Field open 90 minutes prior to kickoff. However, Roberts and members of her staff arrive at the stadium four and a half hours earlier. That means those days the televi-sion networks have slotted a Sooner home game for a dreaded 11 a.m. kickoff, Roberts will ar-rive at Owen Field at 5 a.m., and they’ll hit the ground running.

There’s the task of making sure all the gates are set up. Can’t filter 85,000 people into a stadi-um if all 12 at Owen Field aren’t in perfect work-ing order. Then there’s the massive amount of signs that must be in perfect placement. If one’s out of place, the flow of fans is disturbed.

It’s just part one in long process where the clock is always ticking.

The loyal “Sooner men” are among the first in the stadium each game.

OU uniforms are prepared for the players.



About four hours to prior to kickoff, the massive amount of volunteers and outside parties that are part of a Sooner football game begin to arrive. They will handle everything from working in concessions to security to the large law enforcement presence at every home game.

There’s a lot to go over. Any person who will work at an OU football game is required to attend a training ses-sion in August. It is required to go over everything from customer service to an emergency situation.

It all has to be done by 90 minutes prior to kickoff, because that is when the gates are opened and fans begin to poor in.

When they do get there, they’ll be greeted by an army of OU workers. More than 100 are there to make sure tick-ets are scanned. There are several plumbers on site all day to make sure restroom facilities are in perfect working or-der. Over 700 have arrived to staff OU’s concession stands.

The last part of the pre-game schedule is a meeting with the game officials. They’ll go over everything from what can be done if the play-clock in the south end zone malfunctions to how the referees will be evacuated if fans storm the field.

The minute-by-minute schedule of pre-game festivi-ties is nearing its completion. The Pride of Oklahoma hits the field at an exact time and exits with the same precision. The teams come out of the locker rooms at a pre-set time.

Prior to kickoff, Roberts and senior associate athletic director Larry Naifeh go to “The Spot” on the Owen Field sidelines. They aren’t there for a good view of the game. It’s the vantage point it offers for the whole stadium. It’s the spot where they can see everything. More important-ly they can be seen.

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“We stay there the whole time. Both of us are there usually the whole game. Sometimes he’ll have to leave and do a walk-around and check on things. When he comes back, I do a walk-around and check on my staff and make sure they’re do-ing everything they’re supposed to be doing and observing,” Roberts said.

The game usually takes three and a half to four hours.

They’ll be there until the game ends and remain at the stadium for up to two hours after. There’s a clean-up crew of more than 200 that descends on the stadium within an hour of the game ending. Tons of garbage have to be removed.

But the day is over. Another OU home game is in the books and 85,000 fans have come and gone. If everything went as planned, they never noticed the layers of work that went into the experience.

“You’re dog tired. I mean just exhausted,” Rob-erts said. “But you do feel good about it when things go really well. You have that great feeling that you were able to help the team win maybe and create a great atmosphere for our team and fans. You want them to feel like they had a great time and want to come back for the next game.”

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Reacting to a rule change, Bud Wilkinson’s genius changed football history 60 years ago

1953 substitution rule a little at a time obscured Wilkinson’s ge-

nius to some opposing coaches, allowing Oklahoma to dominate.

According to McDonald, with notable exception his first team

played the first quarter while the second team played the second.

McDonald was back on the field for the third quarter, and the sec-

ond team finished the fourth quarter.

Again, no one was assured they would be on the field for two

straight quarters at OU during the beginning of that era, certainly

the years McDonald played. The exceptions to that substitution

innovation were rare, such as the close Colorado game in 1956

when the starters played most of the game.

This coaching innovation fostered championships but did not

help individual statistics. Wilkinson was all about championships,

as he is still the only person to win three national titles as a player

and again as a coach. As a player at Minnesota from 1934-36 he

won three consecutive titles, and as a coach he led the 1950 and

1955-56 OU teams to three national championships.

Wilkinson’s insistence that Sooners maintain fresh legs in the

game and the ability to create both a 74-game conference win

streak and the more famous 47-game win streak caused his star

players to miss many noted awards in that era. McDonald points

to usually only playing half a game as why he didn’t get more

votes for the Heisman Trophy his senior year. Owing to his small

size, he believes that NFL scouts properly evaluated him only

because of his play on two national championship teams during

Wilkinson’s historic 47-game winning streak.

Wilkinson recruited and coached OU to national prominence

during his era (1947-1963) with 12-straight conference cham-

pionships and three national titles. Winning six of their eight

bowl games in 17 seasons, his teams produced three remarkable

streaks. A 31-game winning streak was followed by the more fa-

mous 47-game winning streak. These combined for the 74-game

conference win streak (3 ties in Wilkinson era). The excellence sus-

tained in that streak gives him a superb .900 conference winning

percentage for his 17 years at Oklahoma.

Wilkinson, who died in 1994 at age 77, shared his reasoning for

the fastest offensive pace possible on the gridiron in a 1983 inter-

view for a book about the Orange Bowl. “There’s no reason in my

Revisiting their mid-1950’s emphasis on running far more plays

than their opponents in games over the last five years, the Univer-

sity of Oklahoma football program has continued to dictate game

pace and tempo. They have reeled off more 10-win seasons than

any other teams. This earlier emphasis began with coaching leg-

end Bud Wilkinson’s hurry-up offense, which sought to take ad-

vantage of playing his first and second teams interchangeably.

That founding legacy of OU’s 60-year domination of college

football began in 1953, as new rules returned athletes to play-

ing both offense and defense while only entering the game once

in each quarter. After winning a national championship in 1950,

Wilkinson, a member of the American Football Coaches Associa-

tion rules committee, reacted to the new rule by taking the next

logical step in his coaching strategy.

In an era without recruiting restrictions, Wilkinson always

sought to recruit two full, equally talented teams to play for OU.

The winning tradition with the older WWII veteran players al-

lowed him to recruit widely. He was able to recruit many quality

high school players. The push was for no drop-off in talent from

the first to second team. As the saying goes, chance favors the

prepared mind. Wilkinson’s genius prepared OU to seize the op-

portunity to substitute whole teams when the rule change prohib-

ited substitution of whole offensive or defensive teams with the

change of possession. When things were going well on the score-

board for OU, quarters of rest for interchangeable teams helped

create that era’s sustained excellence.

Mike Treps, 27-year sports information director, was an OU

student during the 47-game streak, learning broadcast media. He

studied this era again as OU’s football radio voice for 24 years and

has helped with OU football projects since retiring in 1998.

“Coach Wilkinson always thought a complete football player

had to play both ways,” Treps said in March. “As a result, he was

very pleased when the NCAA dictated a change in rules prior to

the 1953 season forcing teams to do just that.” However, the rules

were altered soon after, Treps added, allowing a player to re-enter

a game once in the same quarter. A later change allowed one sub-

stitute each time the ball changed hands. The rules continued to

be reviewed with periodic changes, leading to what we see in to-

day’s game.

Wilkinson was ready for those restrictions with his two inter-

changeable teams gambit. It could be argued that liberalizing the

by darl deVault



view to let defenses go into a huddle and call a play against

you,” he said. “The so-called ‘hurry up’ offense that every-

body does in the last two minutes, there’s no reason not to

do that for 60 minutes.”

Wilkinson teams’ eight 10-win seasons helped continue

OU’s record 34 seasons with 10 or more wins to lead major

college ball. Because of conference Orange Bowl restrictions,

Wilkinson era teams played only 10 games for nine seasons

(four of which were undefeated), but he did manage to add

three seasons to OU’s record 20 seasons of 11 or more victo-

ries. Wilkinson picked up the march from Bennie Owen and

continued the winning tradition that continued through Barry

Switzer and now Bob Stoops. The four men now share the

major college record for amassing more than 100 wins at the

same school—the only coaches to accomplish that feat.

“I was always very conscious of let’s get the ball in play,”

Wilkinson said. “I used to—this is one of my pre-season

speeches all the time. ‘Going into the season, we’re not any

better than they are physically, and we’re not smarter than

they are, and we’re not any tougher than they are, but may-

be we are even with them in these things.” So if his team ran

15 more plays in their 30 minutes than their opponents, the

additional yards made on those 15 plays might make the dif-

ference in a win.

Wilkinson had some help in speeding up play. What he

termed a “fast break” in the mid-1950s got a boost when the

smallish, high school track star Tommy McDonald brought

his speed and competitiveness to OU’s backfield as a running

back, receiver, and halfback passer.

“McDonald added immeasurably,” Wilkinson said. “See, we

did it when he was playing, and we weren’t able to get it go-

ing quite that fast when he wasn’t playing.” Because of Mc-

Donald’s small size, Wilkinson said, he had taught himself in

high school to get up quickly after taking a hit and to run back

to the huddle. He did this to give the perception to his oppo-

nents that their hard hits had little or no affect on him.

Only 5-foot-7 and 148 pounds when Wilkinson recruited

him from Roy, N. M, he played at 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds as

a flanker for the Philadelphia Eagles at the start of his NFL ca-

reer. The sure-handed receiver went on to a historic, 12-year

career in the pros. He is still the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s

lightest member. Billed as the smallest man in pro football,

he graced a 1964, Sports Illustrated cover as a Dallas Cowboy.

McDonald is the only Sooner to lead the team in all four

offensive stats for a season—rushing, passing, receiving and

scoring. In 1955, he led in passing (with his halfback pass)

and scoring to become the first Sooner to score a TD in every

game of a season. He helped OU lead the nation in scoring

with 36.5 points per game, and in rushing and total offense.

In 1955 and 1956, McDonald was the leading rusher on

America’s best rushing team. He also led OU in receiving in

1956, averaging kick-off returns of 25 yards and punt returns

of 15.8 yards for his career.

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“In 1955, Tommy’s our best player—well, I don’t know if he’s our

best player, but he’s our most dynamic player,” Wilkinson said. “That’s

the best ‘quality athlete’ team that we had at Oklahoma, right across

the board. We had an exceptional backfield, exceptional line, they

could all play defense. They were just great athletes for that particular

era.”

Great athletes are not common. Wilkinson followed a skilled re-

cruiter as head coach. Jim Tatum brought Wilkinson as an assistant

to OU in 1946. Tatum recruited nine future All-Americans in that first

year before he moved on to coach Maryland. Wilkinson teams made it

easier to recruit when those All-Americans went undefeated in his third

year as a coach, winning the Sugar Bowl and national runner-up sta-

tus. Wilkinson seized on that attention to expand on that wide-ranging

reach Tatum modeled for his successful recruiting classes.

“But Tommy did, what we wanted everybody to do, and everybody

admired Tommy,” Wilkinson said. “His leadership made it happen. May-

be 50 percent better almost than we could ever get it going again, or

had it going up until that time. He played a great role.”

“Because of Tommy’s leadership, that ‘55 team, the minute the

whistle blew—they’re back in the huddle right now,” Wilkinson said.

“Tommy’s leadership got the team back to the huddle—but we didn’t

ever go without a huddle. That’s a misnomer. We huddled every play.

We didn’t stay in the huddle long, but we called a play in the huddle.

The difference in the timing—once the team breaks the huddle, most

of them play with fair rapidity—from the time you break the huddle,



snap the ball unless there is a check signal

or something, it’s fairly quick. It’s the time

spent when the ball is blown dead, getting

back to the huddle, that is the great dif-

ference.”

Sources point to the Colorado game in

1955 as the unveiling of the hurry-up of-

fense. It produced OU’s highest scoring

Searching “OU football video 1955” brings up

several Tel Ra Productions highlight reels for view-

ers as a YouTube posting on the Internet now, as

does 1956. The Touchdown Club of Oklahoma Leg-

ends Lobby located within the Barry Switzer Center

offers several exhibits about Wilkinson. The free

museum exhibits team and individual items that fill

three floors of displays. Hours are available online at

SoonerSports.com.

effort of the season with eight TDs against

the No. 14-ranked Buffaloes.

Former OU Maxwell Award winner Mc-

Donald is 78 and living near Philadelphia.

He says he would like to play for Okla-

homa now. “OU must have been in pretty

good shape this last season (2010) for all

those extra plays, and I would feed on

that tempo,” McDonald said in early 2011.

“That increase means more carries, more

catches and more chances for us to get in

the end zone. I would be looking forward

to every game with great anticipation.”

Oklahoma Head Coach Bob Stoops is

now brightly polishing their long legacy

of coaching innovations that Wilkinson

recognized and so richly elevated 60

years ago.

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OU players (l-r) Keilani Ricketts, Jessica Shults and Brianna Turang celebrate the NCAA Championship. Photo by Ty Russell


32-35_Softball.indd 32 6/28/13 4:08 PM

The University of Oklahoma softball team played 61 games this season. In 57 of them, they

came out on the winning side. That in-cluded the final contest of the season that clinched the programs second na-tional championship at the 2013 Wom-en’s College World Series.

However, it was the second to last game that told the entire story of the 2013 Sooners. The 5-3 come-from-behind victory over Tennessee was a display of the Sooners talent, drive and character. After that win, they seemed destined to walk away with the top prize in the sport.

“I don’t even know what to say, ex-cept I think that was the greatest game I’ve ever been a part of,” OU coach Patty Gasso said. “You know, Tennessee put some things together, but the resiliency of this team and the fight, and them fol-lowing instructions of just find your way on, don’t try to be the big hero. I really don’t even know what to say. That was one of the most amazing comebacks I’ve ever seen. I can’t imagine.

“I mean, it’s nervous on the field, I can’t imagine how people felt watching it. But this is a team on a mission, and, man, I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Lauren Chamberlain’s walk-off, 2- run homer in the 12th inning of Game 1 of the championship series didn’t win the national championship, but it took the heart out of the Volunteers, who were shut out 4-0 the next night to close out the series.

“It means the world to be able to have that National Championship for our senior year,” Keilani Ricketts said. “Because we’ve had a lot of high points throughout our careers, but this is defi-nitely the highest. I think we’ve built our way up to this point. Just to see these three girls have a tremendous year so far and for their senior year to go out so strong is awesome.”

It had been 13 years since the first and last time Oklahoma raised a cham-pionship banner in softball. But this time was different.

While the one in 2000 was all about the emergence of the Sooners as a pow-erhouse in the sport, this OU team seemed to be playing for a cause bigger than themselves. They were playing for an entire state.

The May 20, EF-5 tornado that ripped through Moore was just a few miles from the Sooners campus. The storm took the lives of 24 people and

Diamond Girls by michael

kinney


32-35_Softball.indd 33 6/28/13 4:08 PM

destroyed the homes of hundreds of others.

“It has definitely been emotional. History happened a few miles away from us,” Ricketts said. “It’s devastating to know the state of Oklahoma is go-ing through this. We’re just trying to be strong. We’re definitely building off the strength of the people here. We feel that strength.”

Since the tornado took place right as the Sooners were starting their postsea-son run, every time they were on televi-sion, talk of the tragedy would also come up during the game’s telecast. They car-ried it with them into every contest. That includes making Casey Angle, the sister of one of the tornado victims, their bat-girl during the postseason.

“I think having Casey in our dugout and having those girls on our field yes-terday just was a big reminder that ‘Yes, we’re in the middle of a Super Regional and there’s a lot of stress and we want to do good,’ but it gave us all a chance to see that ‘let’s just go out, relax and play,’” Sooners assistant coach Mely-ssa Lombardi said before the WCWS. “There are people right now that don’t

have their homes and are dealing with their tragedy and they have a lot more stress. We just want to relax, play and be a bit of a distraction for Oklahoma and just bring the people of Oklahoma some joy.”

The Sooners (57-4) came into the season ranked No. 1 in the nation. They held onto that title the entire year. Ten-nessee coach Ralph Weekly said OU proved they are deserving of being put in the class as one of the best ever.

“They are an amazing team,” Weekly said. “I spent nine years with our national team. This Oklahoma team would have beat most of the other countries. Even the great ones. I don’t know if they would have beat the U.S., but I tell you what, they are a great team.”

The Sooners accomplished that goal and more in winning the pro-grams second title in front of a capac-ity crowd of 8,527 softball fans, the largest attendance for a final game in WCWS history.

It was just a year ago when Okla-homa walked off the field in the final game of the season. But it was that loss

to Alabama in front of the Sooner na-tion that set the tone for this season. It also gave them a mission to embrace.

“I guess that’s probably the worst place you want to be, to make it that far to the national championship game and losing,” senior Brianna Turang said. “But we definitely used that to jump start the season. But we tried to not let that bother us, just keep moving forward and keep fighting, and keeping the faith. It was a great journey, and I wouldn’t choose another team to do it with.”

Ricketts, who was named the WCWS Most Outstanding Player, regu-lar season MVP and winner of the 2013 Honda Cup, given to the nation’s top fe-male collegiate athlete by the Collegiate Women’s Sports Awards, agreed with her teammate.

“After last year’s national champion-ship game, it definitely gave us one of the most painful feelings I’m sure all of us have ever felt,” Ricketts said. “ We just accepted the fact that God didn’t want us to win it that year. It wasn’t our time. That just gave us so much drive and determination to get back to this moment.”

OU infielder Jessica Vest makes a sliding catch during the Sooners’ game against Arkansas during the NCAA Regional Softball Tournament at Marita Hynes Field.

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Keilani Ricketts slowed down

many opponents with her out-

standing pitching.

Ricketts wins Honda cupTwo-time USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Keilani Ricketts capped her remarkable OU career by being awarded the 2013 Honda Cup, given to the nation’s top female colle-giate athlete.

Honda is the sponsor of the Collegiate Wom-en’s Sports Awards, which hands out its own player of the year awards in 12 NCAA-sanc-tioned sports.

The Honda Cup is saved for the best of the best, and this year that athlete is Ricketts, who became the third softball player to win the award, joining UCLA’s Natasha Watley (2003) and Lisa Fernandez (1993). Ricketts, who is a two-time Honda Sports Award win-ner, is the first Sooner to win the Honda Cup.

As a pitcher, Ricketts finished her senior sea-son 35-1 with a 1.23 earned run average, striking out 350 batters in 238.1 innings. As a hitter, she hit .379 with 15 home runs and 60 RBIs.

noRMan magazine | JULY/AUGUST 2013 35

32-35_Softball.indd 35 6/28/13 4:08 PM

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Nancy O’BrianNancy O’Brian CenterFor the Performing Arts

What is your connection with your landmark?I worked for Norman Public Schools for many years. My last assignment was Superintendent of Schools. When I retired the School Board named the building after me.

What does it mean to you to have something in your community with your name on it?Although I was very surprised that the School Board named the build-ing for me, I feel very honored. I continue to believe that my name on the building reflects the contribu-tions made by every single person who worked in our schools.

Tell a favorite memory you have of your landmark?The first large event I attended in the building is a favorite memory I still think of today. Our school dis-trict and our community made this wonderful facility possible.

What is your dream vacation?My dream vacation was to return

to Europe several years to see the places I had taught about as a teacher. The museums and art galleries were spectacular.

Name a recent accomplishment big or small you are proud of?During recent elections I supported candidates who were committed to continual progress for our city. My contributions were small, but I be-lieve helpful.

Norman FYI

How would a friend describe you to others?Hopefully as a person who cares about others, believes that friendship can provide many oppor-tunities and a sense that no matter what happens friends will still be helpful.

Would you rather go to a picnic in the park or a fancy formal dinner and why?I have always liked both of these events. It de-pends for me on what the purpose is and who will be there.

What is next on your bucket list?For me the “bucket list” is very different in retire-ment. The pace slows down. I can read all night if I want to, I can see my children and grandchil-dren, I can go places with friends. Life is good!

Tell us something funny about yourself?A confession is needed here! I must say things at times that pop into my head without intending to do so.

Who do you admire?During my career in the Norman schools I great-ly admired our architect Bill Kaighn whose com-pany designed renovations and new buildings including the Center For The Performing Arts. He listened to the needs in each building and worked to accomplish them, as district resources were available each year.


42-45_FYI.indd 42 6/28/13 4:20 PM

Mark AndrewsNorman’sAndrews Park

What is the connection with your landmark?It is named after my grandfather Abe Andrews. He was the first Park Superintendent for the city of Norman and worked for over 30 years in that capacity.

What does it mean to you to have something in your community with your name on it?I ‘m very proud to have our family name related to his historical landmark in Norman. Many im-portant community events are held at Andrews Park and it’s a part of our family’s history.

Tell a favorite memory you have of your landmark?Attending the dedication of the playground and tree carving of my grandfather with four gen-erations of Abe’s descendents that still all live in Norman. My father Bob Andrews had a child-hood friend actor James Garner also be a part of the celebration.

Why do you like living in Norman and how long have you lived here?Norman is a great community for raising a fam-ily. It has been part of my life for 41 years and much longer for other family members. Almost all of our family attended NPS and graduated from OU.

What is your dream vacation?My dream vacation would be an African photo-graphic safari.

Norman FYI

Name a recent accomplishment big or small you are proud of?My retirement from teaching at Cleveland Elementary for 31 years and starting my photography business.

How would a friend describe you to others?I asked a friend this and here is her re-sponse. Mark is pa-tient, dependable, enthusiastic, and con-siderate to others.

I like summer because…I can wear shorts everyday and is also means we’re not far from the start of OU football! Boomer Sooner.

What is next on your bucket list?We are traveling back to Alaska this summer with family and friends. I hope to photograph many whales and bears.

If you could have one “do over” in life what would it be and why?I wish I could have known my grandfather, Abe. He passed away before I was born.


42-45_FYI.indd 43 6/28/13 4:20 PM

Linda LockettLockettHotel

What is your connection with your landmark?My father built the hotel, which had its first guest in 1951, and I worked there for 10 years.

Tell a favorite memory you have of your landmark?Eating ice cream with Ella Fitzger-ald after her concert at the Univer-sity of Oklahoma.

Why do you like living in Norman and how long have you lived here?Norman is a great place to live. You never get bored here, with all that goes on-museums, plays, classes, festivals and wonderful places to spend time by yourself. I have enjoyed the opportunities Norman has to offer for close to 75 years.

What is your dream vacation?I had my dream vacation years ago, when I house sat in Versailles, France for a month.

Name a recent accomplishment big or small you are proud of?Being on the City Council

Norman FYI

How would a friend describe you to others?Most people describe me as having strong convictions.

Would you rather go to a picnic in the park or a fancy formal dinner and why?Go on a picnic in the park-I don’t own a fancy formal dress.

I like summer because….I’m always cold, and I get to see more people in town.

If you could have one “do over” in life what would it be and why?To learn more and talk less. You learn more by keeping your mouth shut.

Who do you admire?I am thinking about the au-thors of the Declaration of In-dependence.


42-45_FYI.indd 44 6/28/13 4:20 PM

Lynn ForemanForemanAvenue

What is the connection with your landmark?My father, Frank Foreman, named the street after himself just because Cecil Woods and Bob Barbour had their own streets. This street was in one of the first of many subdivisions that I was able to help develop with my father in the early 50s. I named Lynnwood, a street in the Rolling Hills addition south of Highway 9, after myself.

Tell a favorite memory you have of your landmark? This is not related to Foreman Avenue but to my father Frank Foreman. I can remember when he was developing a subdivision west of Berry Road and Main near Johnson Dairy. He got some odd comments about why he was going out into the country and putting in streets. He helped in kick-ing off the growth of Norman.

What is your dream vacation?We’ve had that. On 25 years of married bliss, Barbara and I took a cruise to the island east of Florida.

Name a recent accomplishment big or small you are proud of?A few years ago, Norman Rotary had its 90th an-niversary party. I was asked to stand as the old-est past president in attendance. I was fortunate to have Bob Berry to open our meetings with sports news and an aggie story if he had one.

Would you rather go to a picnic in the park or a fancy formal dinner?I don’t remember ever having a picnic in the park, but I would prefer a plain dinner over a fancy formal one.

Norman FYI

I like summer because…..It is warm and everything starts growing. Golf is bet-ter and I can work in the yard.

What is next on your bucket list?To see the business, Fore-man Agency, that was started in 1948 by my father continue on by the next generation of my family. I started working with the business in 1958. In the beginning the busi-ness included insurance and real estate develop-ment. Now it is primarily real estate management.

Who do you admire?My wife Barbara of 56 years. She has a memory that puts a computer to shame. She forgets noth-ing, especially when I fail to do something expected of me. We met in the first grade when I would walk past her house.

Why do you like living in Norman and how long have you lived here?We have everything we need here. Our university is here and makes everything go. Norman is just the best place to be because we have good weather and we are taken care of. Our city seems to be in good hands.

Tell us something funny about yourself? I like to write things that make people laugh.


42-45_FYI.indd 45 6/28/13 4:20 PM

Back to Nature


46-57_Water Gardens.indd 46 6/28/13 4:19 PM

Imagine. You come home after a long, diffi-cult day at work or a harried day taking care of family. You’re stressed. Your head hurts,

you neck’s stiff – even your eyes feel strained and bloodshot.

Rather than reaching for the bottle of aspirin or glass of wine or scotch, you change into your comfortable clothes and shoes, and step out into your personal oasis, where you are lulled by the sound of falling water, chirping birds and the oc-casional croak of a frog.

Small, medium or large, situated on a small patio in an urban area or in a large yard in sub-urbia, a well-executed water garden can serve as a haven for reflection and meditation or as a charming spot for intimate family gatherings or celebrations with friends.

Water gardens take many forms, but most feature one or more waterfalls, a fountain, light-ing, rocks or boulders, plants and, of course, wa-ter. Fish, koi being the most popular, also popu-late the majority of water gardens. Unseen but

vitally important are the materials and mecha-nisms that keep the water moving and clear, in-cluding liners, pumps and skimmers.

So, now you’re sold: you want to join the scores of other Norman-area residents (and oth-ers worldwide) who have already discovered the joys of owning a water garden. What is your first step?

According to several local water garden en-thusiasts and a water garden specialist from Moore, the first, vital step is to conduct exhaus-tive research. There are many books and maga-zines devoted to building and maintaining water gardens, and the Internet is another rich source of information. You may wish to ask the advice of experts, whether that’s a neighbor with an es-tablished water garden, or an organization such as the Water Garden Society of Oklahoma; its members are always happy to share their experi-ences and advice with novices.

Once you’ve conducted your research, your next big decision will be whether you want to

Water Gardensof NORMANby jerri culpepper

photos by lindsey davies



build it yourself or hire someone to build the water garden for you.

Mike Lucas, owner of Garden Ponds Unlimited in Moore, says this decision should be based on several consider-ations, including the size and scope of the pond and the amount of time the would-be water gardener wants to spend building his or her creation. Just about anyone can build the smallest water gardens, Lucas says, noting that these can take the form of a lined whis-key barrel on a porch with a couple of plants, small fountain and goldfish, to a bubbling vase on a porch. And, suit-ably armed with research and expert advice, he says, a retiree or other in-dividual with a strong back, determi-nation and the time also can successfully tackle larger, more complex projects themselves.

Generally speaking, Lucas says it’s usually best to hire an expert if the pond will be larger than 8 by 10 feet and/or if you work full time and have a hectic personal and work schedule.

Many people opt for professional installation, some be-cause of time constraints, others because they either can’t or

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The sound of flowing water in a backyard water garden is a way to relax after a busy day



Two other important facts to consider before estab-lishing your water garden:

-Budget. This is probably the biggest factor in deter-mining the scope of your water garden. Lucas is an ad-vocate of purchasing the best-quality materials available on the market, and he says it’s also important to buy ma-terials that are compatible. Often, this means buying a quality kit. Avoid buying the equipment – pumps, skim-mers, etc. – piecemeal, he advises, as they may not work together as well or as efficiently.

Lucas said the average (most popular) pond kit is 8 by 10 feet and 2 feet deep and costs approximately $1,000. If you choose to have your pond professionally installed, expect to spend about $5,500 for an average-sized pond; this includes a warranty that covers everything, including the fish. Lucas said a pond of this size will take a profes-sional installer about two days to complete, compared to at least a week for do-it-yourselfers.

don’t wish to perform the heavy work that is required: excavating the soil, moving and placing boulders, and so on isn’t for the faint at heart or the weekend warrior. And with professional installation, you are guaranteed the de-sired results, up to and including water quality sufficient for the fish to thrive.

Lucas noted that some 85 percent of the ponds they build are re-builds of improperly built ponds – by the homeowner or a contractor lacking the requisite expertise.

When planning a water garden, he said most people first consider general appearance (shape and size, plants, boulders, etc.) and sound (water trickling down a stream, the gentle roar of water falling over a waterfall, splash-ing from a fountain). The next priority for most people is fish, followed by low maintenance. Other benefits are less tangible: moisture-rich environment, the fun of watching wildlife (birds, frogs, dragonflies) attracted by the water, and so on.

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-Location. Lucas says it’s important to think through carefully where you want to place the pond, as it can’t easily be re-located. Most select a location off the back porch and/or near picture windows so they can be en-joyed inside as well as outside. Water gardens can thus be enjoyed year-round.

Once your budget has been set and location deter-mined, the next step is to start designing and building your water garden, or to select an individual or company to build it for you.

Lucas says that his company follows a 20-step process, which would also be applicable for do-it-yourselfers.

Those steps include: marking the outline of the pond and associated elements, such as a brook, with spray paint; excavating the dirt; lining the pond to prevent seepage; adding rock and gravel; establishing the plants; installing any lights, creating an attractive setting (Lucas recommends using the dirt from the excavation to line the pond and form the basis for waterfalls); hooking up the skimmers and pump; and installing the filters.

Water gardens can vary in size depending on the owner’s desire.



A properly installed water garden, Lucas says, re-quires only minimal maintenance weekly. Maintenance includes adding water lost to evaporation, emptying the skimmer and adding natural bacterium called SAT to help control algae. (And feeding the fish, of course!) A more detailed cleaning and inspection is required annu-ally. This annual maintenance service entails removing the water plants and fish, draining the pond, cleaning the pond and removing algae, testing the pumps and other equipment, checking the lights, de-chlorinating the wa-ter, and finally, reintroducing the plants and fish.

For those who want the beauty and sound of a water garden but not the cost or maintenance of even a small traditional water garden, Lucas said the new pondless waterfall is a popular way to go. Pondless waterfalls fea-ture a gravel pit through which the recycled water flows, eliminating the pool of standing water that could pose liability issues. Pondless waterfalls are an excellent choice for front yards or for those with young children, Lucas points out. “They’re safer because there’s no body of wa-ter, and they require less upkeep.”



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Water gardens can be found in just about every neighborhood in the Norman area. Small or large,

simple or elaborate, water gardeners are en-thusiastic proponents of these beautiful and melodious micro-environments. Despite re-cent severe weather that downed tree limbs and muddied the water, several area water garden enthusiasts welcomed photographer Lindsey Davies and this writer to tour their aquatic oases and offered tips for the future water gardener.

Larry and Mary Dunham, who live in a gated community off Alameda, had their pond and water garden profes-

sionally installed in 2001, shortly after their home was built, in part because the couple didn’t want the bother of mowing a lawn, but also because – like so many people – they cherish the appearance and sound of mov-ing water.

The pond was installed where they can enjoy it from their living and dining rooms all year. Larry Dunham said the water garden, which can be seen from the street, attracts neighbors; some even stop and sit on the bench to enjoy the pond and watch the koi. Though he doesn’t mind the neighbors stop-ping by to enjoy the view, he’s less fond of another visitor of late: a blue heron that discovered his pond, and its inhabitants, a few years after its installation. A net now spans the pond to protect the koi.

Framing the pond is a lush green spruce, a Japa-nese maple and an assortment of plants, which are switched out from time to time to lend the garden a new look.

Dunham said they opted for professional weekly maintenance, allowing them to enjoy the pond with minimal work on their part.

Dunham says that people considering adding a water garden, especially a larger one with a pond and a waterfall, should be aware that they require daily and weekly maintenance, plus a more exten-sive cleaning at least once a year.

Fish bring more life to many of the larger water gardens.



The water garden owned by Linda Young, who lives north of Highway 9 and Imhoff Road in south Nor-man, was designed by landscape architect and former

Garden Works proprietor Larry Forbes in 2000. Seven or eight years ago, Young said, she hired Lucas to re-design it.

Built into a berm in the rear of their lawn, it is within easy view from the patio, where she often entertains, as well as from the living room. Because it was built into a berm, this water garden sports greater-than-average elevation, which allows for a more generous waterfall. Another unique feature of this water garden is the twin stairs that lead to the water-fall’s top. Shade from the trees and mist coming off the wa-terfall help keep the area much cooler in the summer than the rest of the yard.

Young describes the water garden as “extremely relaxing and entertaining, especially to children, who love to feed the fish. And I love to hear the water,” she said, noting that the pond is home to seven different kinds of koi.

Young also chose to hire professionals to perform the weekly and yearly maintenance that is required to keep a pond clear and healthy.

“Ponds are great; they’re relaxing and so soothing, but you do have to take care of them,” she said.

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Karen Wolf, who lives in south Moore, is an avid gardener who considers her little piece of

heaven a “garden pond” as opposed to a “koi pond.” But after adding the koi, she was glad she did. “I found I enjoyed the koi far more than I realized I would,” she says.

Wolf ’s talent for growing extends to her entire yard, which is filled with a va-riety of trees, including a beautiful cork-screw willow; bushes, including a fra-grant variegated privet; and a myriad of plants, some potted, others not, includ-ing roses, geraniums and dusty miller.

She had the water garden, which measures 6 by 8 feet and holds 720 gal-lons, installed in May 2011, and thanks to a green thumb and lots of loving care, it is now a key feature of her back yard. Miniature cattails and water lil-ies provide shade and hiding spaces for the koi, while ice plants, pink button flower, Mexican feather grass, Mexi-can petunia, purple heart and a bird of paradise shrub, along with other plant-ings, frame the pond. The garden is also beautiful by night, thanks to underwa-ter white lights and a blue LED light that illuminates the waterfall.

Wolf ’s advice to those considering a water garden is to get involved in clubs or associations dedicated to gardening and water gardens, such as the Cleve-land County Master Gardener Associa-tion (a volunteer organization under the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service) and Water Garden Society of Oklahoma. A member of both, Wolf said she has benefited greatly from members’ expertise, and also enjoys sharing her knowledge.

Wayne and Beverly Chase, who live near Sooner Mall, don’t have a huge back

yard, but it appears much larger, thanks to an expanded patio space, walkways that meander around trees, shrubs and colorful plants, and a large water gar-den featuring twin waterfalls.

When building their home six years ago, the Chases knew they wanted a garden and outdoor space for enter-taining. And, having cared for a lawn before, he said this time ‘round they “didn’t want to see a blade of grass.” The garden was so important, in fact, that they designed the house around the garden, with most of the windows looking into the garden space.

Patio homes (with no or minimal yards) comprise most of their neigh-borhood. To accommodate their de-sire to grow vegetables and flowers, the Chases split a third lot with a neighbor.

Chase said that while there was suf-ficient space on their expanded lot to build a swimming pool, they decided a water garden was a better fit for their lifestyle. Today, between 15 and 16 large koi inhabit the large, 2,500-gallon pond. He said the patio, surrounded by fragrant flowers, a scattering of veg-etables and some shade trees, enhanced by the sound of two waterfalls, has become “just another living area” for them many months of the year.

Like the other water gardeners in-terviewed for this story, he says people

considering a water garden of any size need to understand that regular pond maintenance is required.

Jim Conner, who lives in southwest Oklahoma City, wants everyone to know that a large garden is not re-

quired to establish a water garden.At his previous residence, Conner’s

garden featured a 20-by-24-foot koi pond. He describes the yard at his cur-rent home as very small – too small for a traditional pond. Undaunted, he had a pondless waterfall constructed only a few months after moving in. Since then, he has enlarged it to enhance the sound of splashing water. He then set to work adding eight other water features, along with numerous trees, bushes, and both annual and perennial plants. Statuary and small, arched bridges complete the water garden.

“During the spring, summer and fall, it is very relaxing, sitting on the patio, listening to the sound of water and watching the birds fly around,” he says, noting that in the winter months, he turns off all the water features except for the pondless waterfall.

Colorful plants give the water garden a special look.



He recommends those considering a water garden join the Water Garden Society of Oklahoma – or just attend a meeting or two. “They meet once a month at the Will Rogers Garden Cen-ter (in Oklahoma City) on the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. A person can attend the meetings as a vis-itor,” he said.

Ruth and J.B. Turcotte’s starter pond was professionally in-stalled about eight years ago,

but over time, J.B. Turcotte found that it wasn’t quite what he had envisioned for his back yard in northeast Norman. So, six years ago, he hired a profes-sional to help him with the design, and went about building a better and bigger pond.

During construction of this final reincarnation of the pond, he took care to avoid previous pitfalls. This time, he laid a proper foundation and used quality materials. He also moved the pond away from the house so it wouldn’t receive rain run-off from the roof, which can result in contaminants en-

tering the water as well as a disruption of the water’s chemical balance. It was hard work, but Turcotte was aided by several family members who helped excavate and construct a respectably large pond, complete with “babbling brook” and waterfall. The pond holds almost 4,500 gallons and ranges from 22 to 36 inches deep.

Turcotte advises anyone considering adding a pond feature to their yard to conduct extensive research and to plan extensively before building one them-selves or having one built for them. Like Lucas, he advises purchasing as high-quality materials as the budget allows.

He said algae poses the biggest problem. To help combat algae

growth, he installed an ultraviolet tube light near the skimmer and pump and also uses the appropriate chemicals to maintain water quality.

Turcotte said that during his years in the military, he dreamed of some day owning his own home, complete with babbling brook, pond and garden. It took a great deal of research, vision, some innovative thinking, lots of hard physical labor, the help of family, and persistence, but he is finally living that dream.

Experts say water gardens take regular maintenance from the home owner or private services.



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In 1972, Pat Jacobs picked up a piece of wood from a political sign that had been in his yard. He carved and painted a soldier for his son. It was a simple wood carv-

ing, “crude looking,” he says. The painting lacked detail. But when a friend asked if he would carve another one for him, it set in motion a career as an artist. Since then he has produced thousands of wooden soldiers and other figures. It has been his full-time occupation since the late 1970s.

Jacob’s carvings are collected around the world, all sold by Jacobs himself, never placed in retail stores. Each one is hand carved and painted, and all are seven inches tall, the size of his original piece.

“People ask me why I make them seven inches and I tell them that on that political sign, a piece of wood was attached to the stake and the nail holes were 7 inches apart. That was what I used for that first soldier for my son.”

Each of his soldiers or other figures is carefully researched so that their painted attire is authentic. “The research is a part of the fun of it,” Jacob says. “I think I love the research as much as I do the work.”

Now in his early 80s, he works in his studio six days a week. There he has a supply of the kiln-dried ponderosa pine which he has rough cut into the 7-inch bodies. “That’s the only wood I have ever used,” he says.

When the weather is right, he works on the balcony of his studio apartment. In that peaceful setting overlooking the 10th fairway at The Trails golf course, he begins the process of sanding, sealing, and re-sanding. Arms are finished and holes are drilled to attach them to the body, then he draws the pat-tern on the wood body and head and prepares to paint. He uses sable brushes and acrylic paint to complete the project, one by one.

Some days he gets so involved in the work that he spends the night at the studio. “I put on classical music and work into the wee hours of the morning.” Most nights he returns to his Westside Norman home and his wife, artist Doris Lucas.

It was 37 years ago that Jacobs created a Christmas soldier, and there has been a soldier made available to 100 collectors each Christmas since. Each statuette in the series is a model of a soldier in a specific role. Research includes searching for

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A Real Work of ArtPat Jacobs carves magic into wood


58-63_Pat Jacobs.indd 58 6/28/13 4:23 PM

photos or drawings. “I need to see front, back and side views,” he says, as he prepares for the task at hand. His favorite? The 1833 French drummer.

He keeps in touch with his collectors, and knows that some of the collections have been passed on to children of the original collector. One set was lost in a fire and he has been asked to help the collector find the soldiers to rebuild the collection.

There are many commissioned works of which Jacobs is rightfully proud. He produced 100 sets of 10 figures for the state’s bi-centennial celebration, a project that took several years to complete. Then there were the figures of John Phillip Sousa’s band, sets made for the Enid Sym-phony. The Triple Crown race winners were made for jockey Willie Shoemaker.

Jacobs even carved a cowboy that was presented to President Ronald Reagan who called to thank the artist. His commissioned works have also included a Beefeater presented to Queen Elizabeth and a figure of a Vatican guard which went to the Pope.

Jacobs has done sets of the five civilized tribes warrior

chiefs, and he completed 250 sets of five musicians for the Oklahoma City symphony. He produced a set on Okla-homa history, beginning with the Spiro Mound people, an Indian woman with a papoose on her back, through the Vikings, Coronado, the French traders and the Okla-homa cowboy. Then he began Part Two with Will Rogers, Charles Colcord and an astronaut.

His current project is a set on the Chickasha tribe’s history. The research is always helped by people gener-ous with their time. “Once they find out what I am doing, they jump in to help me get the information,” he says.

“I have gotten to meet people I never would have met,” Jacobs says. “Imagine that, for a boy who grew up in Fort Smith and whose teacher once sent a note home to my mother saying that I couldn’t color within the lines.”

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The 30-year old Norman native is an accomplished illu-sionist who performs his magic around the world. His latest, most challenging and astounding feat occurred

in Memphis before an audience of 15,000, and broadcast on Good Morning America.

“I had to make a 20-ton armored truck loaded with a million dollars cash appear out of thin air,” Lake said, “and I had just three weeks to plan it. There were many

sleepless nights”When everything came together perfectly it was a “Wow”

moment for Lake, his crew, and a worldwide audience.On a recent visit to Norman to spend time with his parents,

Steve and Susy Calonkey, Lake (a stage name) talked about his childhood fascination and gift for entertaining others.

“When I was growing up in Norman I was into theater shows, and I remember kids didn’t want to come over because they knew I would put them in a show.”

Steve Calonkey said his son started doing back yard shows with his sister, Katelynn, as his assistant. And he just kept go-ing until he reached the top.

“His shows are live, and it used to make me nervous to watch,” the father said. “He is cool, calm and collected, and he has a good stage presence. He is not a glitzy, shiny guy, and I think his interaction with the audience is the best.”

Lake said he was 10 years old when his family visited a Branson show featuring illusionist Kirby VanBurch. The per-formance riveted the grade school student and he said it was the first time he saw a stage performance of what he wanted to do.

“I can still remember the feeling I had when I saw that show and I knew without a doubt what my life work would be,” Lake said.

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Norman native illusionist Rob Lake performs one

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Kirby, a comedian and close-up magician, became a mentor and one of Lake’s closest friends.

Shortly after the visit to Branson, Lake said another entertainer had a lasting influence on him.

Jim Smithson, a popular Norman magician came to Lake’s school for a lunchtime performance, and once again the young student’s love for the craft was solidified.

He knew in his heart what he wanted to do but see-ing it inspired him to keep his dream alive. He knew he would be on stage one day, and the two entertainers he met would have a role in his journey to success.

After his high school graduation, Lake enrolled at OU. After two years, he left school to chase his dream of be-coming an illusionist.

“I woke up one morning and I knew I had to get back to what I loved,” Lake said. “I contacted Kirby in Bran-son, and he took me under his wing.”

Lake said the road to success was really challenging at

first. He had to prove himself with hard work.“My creative wheels never stop,” he said. “Jim taught

me this is a talent, a gift to provide laughter and fun. It’s not trickery or being fooled.”

In 2008, at the age of 25, he won the prestigious Mer-lin Award as International Stage Magician of the Year, a top recognition of his talent by 40,000 members.

Lake’s Broadway style shows feature large-scale theat-rical illusions, music and dancers. He entertains in small towns, casinos, on cruise ships, and large venues around the world. He spent six months entertaining in Japan, and said he thrives on the constant travel and joy of en-tertaining.

“A good live show is engaging, and I think now more than ever people want the childlike wonder of these shows and a wish to believe anything is possible,” Lake said.

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Making a Difference

by carol cole-frowe

Friends for Folks is about to get lots friendlier.The Lexington Correctional Center male in-

mate dog-training program that trains rescue dogs to become companion dogs for families, the elderly, veterans or for facilities like the Norman

Veterans Center is expanding to the all-female Ma-bel Bassett Correctional Center in McLoud.The Mabel Bassett-trained dogs will be specially trained

for returning war veterans with post traumatic stress dis-order or PTSD.

“Instead of coming home to an empty apartment, they come home to a dog,” said Norman veterinarian John Otto Jr., who has volunteered with Friends for Folks since 1996

The program got a huge boost from the 43-min-ute compelling, several-hanky “Dogs of Lexington” documentary created by students and instructors at the Oklahoma City Community College courtesy of a grant from the Kilpatrick Foundation. The documen-

tary has been shown to thousands of people in central Oklahoma since its debut May 6 at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

A new leash on lifePuppy Love: Documentary helps grow Friends for Folks inmate dog

training program


64-67_Dogs.indd 64 6/28/13 4:23 PM

“Everything is going really well… a lot of good is coming from this,” Otto said. “We picked Mabel Bassett because it’s very much parallel to Lexington.”

About 11 inmates are currently involved training the Lexington Correctional Center’s FFF dogs, which have mostly come from Second Chance Animal Sanctuary in Norman.

“We can’t train (the dogs) fast enough,” said Lee Fairchild, LCC case manager and Friends for Folks training coordinator. He said he plans to expand the program to 15 inmate trainers, who must display good behavior in prison to be cho-sen for the program.

Friends for Folks teaches the inmates valu-able life skills, provides a well-trained and more adoptable companion dog, plus there are love and companionship benefits the dog provides to its eventual forever family.

Otto often calls the program a win-win-win situation.

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“It teaches (the inmates) about how to have a healthy relationship and how to give back,” he said.

Otto and his 13-year-old son Payton are writing a chil-dren’s book tentatively titled Marvin’s Shining Star, which features a former inmate and a dog star of the documen-tary. It details the dog-training journey of the now-late inmate Marvin Perry, who trained the black Labrador re-triever “Star,” to be a search-and-rescue dog.

Star saved the life of 78-year-old female Alzheimer’s patient Eleanor Black of Dibble who wandered off and had been missing for nine hours, despite the best efforts of a search-and-rescue canine team and a helicopter equipped with infrared. Star found the woman 20 min-utes after being deployed at about 10:30 p.m. that night. That incident led to the parole of Perry, and Star being inducted into the Oklahoma Animal Hall of Fame as a Hero Dog in 2006.

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Moving on to Mabel

Details are coming together for the Mabel Bassett Friends for Folks program.

Otto’s friend Derrill Cody donated $100,000 to build the Mabel Bassett kennels, which will be named after his late wife Serelda Cody who died in 2011. The kennels are being designed by award-winning Oklahoma City archi-tect Rand Elliott.

“(Derrill Cody) wanted to do this to honor his wife,” Otto said. “This is going to help so many women.”

In Lexington, the dog kennels were built by inmates. At Mabel Bassett, several handy parishioners from the about 700-member Harrah Church have volunteered to help build the Mabel Bassett kennels.

Dog trainer Barbara Lewis and the New Leash on Life program will head up training Mabel Bassett’s female in-mates to train the dogs. This program’s adoption partner, the Central Oklahoma Humane Society, will help screen and select the dogs, which will all be spayed or neutered.

Lewis said New Leash has been working with the Holdenville program on a similar program with male in-mates for the past nine years.

“In Holdenville, it’s all men, so it’s going to be interest-ing working with women,” Lewis said. “I’m pretty excited about it. I think it’s going to be very different.”

She said she spends a lot of time teaching behavior to the inmates. “We require the participants to keep a dai-ly journal,” Lewis said. “They learn how to give and ac-cept constructive criticism. How positive reinforcement works not only with dogs, but people too.”

Retired Vietnam War veteran Mac McCrory is a vol-unteer with the Central Oklahoma Humane Society.

“We have so many more (veterans) coming back with (PTSD) issues,” McCrory said. “Anything we can do to help and animals are certainly one way to do it.”

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Taset of Norman

by hannah cruz

photosby kyle

phillips

Norman’s LOCAL restaurant began as a dream: a vision be-tween sisters on every element

that would make up the perfect eatery.For owner Melissa Scaramucci that

perfection includes locally sourced, healthy food; a family-friendly atmo-sphere; affordable prices and a business that gives back to the community.

With local ingredients, in-house childcare and gallery space for area art-ists, Scaramucci has discovered a for-mula that has proven successful for the restaurant located at 2262 W. Main St. that opened its doors for business on March 15, 2012.

Since then, LOCAL has been hon-ored by the Oklahoma Restaurant As-sociation as a Hot New Concept and by the Norman Arts Council and the Norman Chamber of Commerce with the 2012 Business in the Arts Award. LOCAL won “Best Sample” at the 2013 Firehouse Art Center Annual Choco-late Festival, and has been nominated for various “Best Of ” Awards in the OK Gazette, the Daily Oklahoman, the Norman Transcript and OK Magazine.

LOCAL also recently won “Best in Show” for their food booth in the juried, annual Festival of the Arts in Oklahoma City. The restaurant also was featured on Jamie Oliver’s “Chef Race” a BBC America reality show documenting chefs racing and cook-ing across the country.

A Local Twistto Fine Dining


70-73_Food-Wine.indd 70 6/28/13 4:22 PM

Each item on the menu, which var-ies periodically to highlight seasonal products, is infused with a local ingre-dient, whether it is a protein, fruit or vegetable. All food, including ketchup, is made entirely from scratch, Scar-amucci said. Daily options include a variety of gluten-free, vegan and veg-etarian options.

Scaramucci loves the adaptability provided by a menu based on seasonal, fresh products.

“I love moving through the seasons and making small changes that reflect the growing season,” Scaramucci said. “Like the Cold Roasted Beet and Car-rot Salad with housemade mozzarella for winter. That moved to Beet, Spinach and Pecan-Crusted Goat Cheese for the spring. And that will move to a crazy fresh Caprese — back to our house-made mozzarella, basil, spinach and tomatoes. It’s awesome to showcase the fresh food from our Oklahoma farms in so many ways.”

Creative kitchen efforts are headed up by Executive Chef Kyle Mills, a Cor-don Bleu trained chef.

Customer favorites include chick-en enchiladas, prepared with free-range chicken from Tahlequah, Okla., and the meatloaf, prepared with Oklahoma beef, buffalo, lamb and pork. Scaramucci said the goal is to create familiar favorites with a mod-ern twist.


70-73_Food-Wine.indd 71 6/28/13 4:22 PM

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“It’s not just chowder, it’s green chile corn chowder with a ja-lapeno madeline. It’s not just a BLT— it’s a BLT with house ba-con, local tomatoes and lettuce, a sweet and tangy three-pepper chutney and melted brie. Our lasagna is turkey lasagna — much lighter with our house vodka sauce and piles of spinach and basil,” she said.

“We want our happy hour clients to have not just standard bar food like frozen French fries — but hand-cut fries tossed in sea salt and truffle oil. We love to take familiar food and elevate it, put our own twist on classic dishes.”

The Stacked Chicken Enchiladas gives this Mexican dinner sta-ple a spin with blue corn tortillas topped with ancho crema and tomatillo sauce. A side of fresh house salsa and chips completes this meal.

A gluten-free savory flourless chocolate cake matched with sea-sonal, fresh fruit is the perfect way to end a meal at LOCAL. Other desserts include carrot ginger cake, blueberry pecan cheesecake and vanilla bean panna cotta.

Between appetizers, entrees, daily specials, desserts and cock-tail drinks, LOCAL has a wide-range of fresh options to make ev-ery dream come true.

For more on LOCAL find them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or at eatatlocal.com.


70-73_Food-Wine.indd 72 6/28/13 4:22 PM

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Make time for Summer Wine

Summer is the time for light wine and wine drinks. Sangria and Vinho Verde spring to mind. Sangria tra-ditionally from Spain and Vinho Verde from Portu-gal, but popular around the world. Sangria is actually a wine punch, usually made with red wine, fruit and brandy, but variations abound.

According to the Real Sangria history, Sangria first made an appearance in the United States at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. I find it hard to believe that Sangria had not already made an appearance, but that is their story. Several different brands of Sangria are available in Oklahoma, including Real, Red Guitar, Yago and Madria, All brands are wine (red or white) blended with fruit juice and sweetener. You can make your own with any full bodied red wine, actual fruit, honey, sugar or orange juice. Then adjust with selzer brandy or fruit soft drink. Garnacha and Tempranillo grape varieties predominate in the wine used as a base. Serve Sangria in a pitcher or punch bowl.

Vinho Verde, literally green wine is designed to be drunk within one year of bottling. It comes from a designated region in Portugal, where it typically grows on vines trimmed so high ladders are required for the harvest. Originally, Vinho Verde was sold in crockery bottles to hide the residue from the fermentation in the bottle, which resulted in a slight effervescence. Now the effervescence it provided without the residue, and light, fruity Vinho Verdes come to us from several wineries, including Twin Vines, Hera, Avelada and Casal Garcia. These are served cold and are perfect for the summer.

Party Sangria3 ¼ cups dry red wine (1 750 ml bottle)1/3 cup of brandy preferably Spanish1/3 cup orange liqueur1/3 cup lemon-flavored vodka1 small lemon thinly sliced crosswise1 small orange thinly sliced crosswise1 small lime, thinly sliced crosswise1 medium pear, diced2 medium peaches, peeled, pitted and sliced2 cups sliced strawberries1 bottle carbonated lemon-lime soda

In a picher combine all ingredients except the strawberries and soda.

Chill in refrigerator overnight. Immediately before serving, add strawberries and limon-lime soda. Pour into chilled glasses and serve.

nOrMan magazine | JULY/AUGUST 2013 73

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Norman Profile

A Rising Star

Norman’s Addison Baker

by amy david


74-77_Baker profile.indd 74 6/28/13 4:35 PM

In June, the 12-year old from Norman sang The Star-Spangled Banner kicking off the IZOD IndyCar Series event, The Firestone 500, at the Texas Motor Speed-

way in Fort Worth. The race was broadcast on ABC and the opportunity is something she will not forget soon.

“It was probably the most fun that I have ever had!”Without missing a beat, Baker confidently belted out

her a cappella rendition of the national anthem just as if she had done it 1,000 times before despite the echo in the speedway and the roar of the jet flyover above her head.

“They didn’t tell me there was going to be a flyover and it was really loud. That was exciting but it made it hard to hear.”

Baker said she was the most nervous person in the world while waiting to go on stage, until she looked up and saw one of her teachers in the crowd.

Once I got on stage with people around me and the prayer began it was ok, she said.

Baker’s mom, Jennifer, said the racetrack was over-whelming when you walked in. But Addison was so ex-cited after she sang she was jumping up and down.

“It is already opening doors to more exciting things,” Jennifer Baker said.

This is not the first time the Whittier seventh-grader has stepped on large stages.

She has sung the national anthem at numerous sport-ing events for the University of Oklahoma and many Thunder basketball games, including this year’s playoffs. Baker is also a regular performer at The Rodeo Opry in Oklahoma City.

I like performing in front of large crowds but some-times it’s still scary, Baker said. However, she said, her trick is to not think about it.

“I breathe and look at the flag and don’t look up.”Like many her age, Baker likes playing softball, watch-

ing Sponge Bob, drinking chocolate milk and eating ribs.Her bucket list also includes one day adding her name

to the list of country music artists with Oklahoma roots and singing on Broadway.

Someday, Baker said, she would like to sing in front of one of her role models, Carrie Underwood, and get some advice from her.

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At age 5, Baker started performing at The Sooner The-atre in Norman.

She has appeared as Mary in the “Secret Garden” and Molly in “Annie.” In the children’s productions at Sooner Theatre she has been cast as Ariel in “The Little Mermaid and Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz.”

In 2010, she made her professional debut at Music Theatre of Wichita as Baby June in “Gypsy.” In 2011, the Disney Company selected 3 theatres across the country to produce the post-Broadway premier of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” Music Theatre of Wichita was chosen and Baker was cast as Flounder.

The past two years she has been featured in the Okla-homa City Philharmonic’s “The Christmas Show,” she was also in OU’s production of “Sunday In The Park With George,” and a Lullaby Tot in the National Tour of “The Wizard of Oz.”

July 23-27, she will be appearing as Mary Rogers in Lyric Theatre’s production of The Will Rogers Follies at the Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City.

Becky Switzer, president of Switzer Talent Agency, said she has watched Addison since she was a tiny little thing and has always enjoyed her performances.

“She owns whatever she does.” Switzer said anyone that watches her at The Sooner Theatre is getting a sneak peek at Broadway. “She is obviously going to make it, we just don’t know when. It is fun to watch.”

Switzer said her agency has been representing Addi-son for about three years.

“She is the real deal and Norman should be proud she is growing up here.”

In July 2011, Baker entered an online audition for the national search for the new Annie in the Broadway reviv-al of “Annie.” More than 7,000 girls auditioned and Baker got a callback for the role of Annie.

She flew to New York City and worked with the direc-tor. Although she didn’t get the part, she was thrilled to be invited back and did land a New York agent and man-ager. That audition led to 2 trips back to New York for callbacks for the role of Jane Banks in the Broadway pro-duction of “Mary Poppins” and 5 callbacks for the new Tony nominated musical “Matilda.”

During the six months of callbacks Baker grew three and half inches and looked nothing like the little girl they had originally called back.

“Even one inch makes a difference! It was all worth it though...it was a great experience,” said Baker.

The pre-teen said when she was little her Papa Leo and PeePaw taught her how to sing and she has been carrying a tune every since.

Her mom has been the executive director of Sooner Theater for 10 years.

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Growing up at Sooner Theater is where Addi-son has fallen in love with performing. Jennifer Baker said.

“It is in her blood. Sometimes people search their whole lives to find what they want to do. She is young but seems to have found a path. It is hard though. It can be such an ugly business.”

Baker said when her daughter stops loving performing they will have to find something else for her. Baker said she also did musical theatre as well, but said her girls are far more talented that she ever was.

“I enjoy watching them on stage way more than being on stage myself!”

Recently, mom and her two daughters were in “Hello Dolly,” together for the first time at Sooner Theatre.

“It was really special,” Baker said.Her other daughter, Aubrey is 9. This summer, the young performer is excit-

ed to be recording her first demo record, “No Matter What They Say.” Award-winning country artist and Oklahoman Kellie Coffey and Brett James, songwriter who wrote Carrie Under-wood’s, “Jesus Take the Wheel”, wrote the song.

Baker said her family and friends are very supportive which makes pursuing her dream more fun.

Claire LaReau said it’s amazing that Addison can get up in front of these large crowds and perform.

LaReau, who is also involved in musical theater, said knowing Baker encourages her to work hard.

“I don’t think of her as a super star. I think of her as my best friend.”

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Norman Profile

At a time when many teachers would retire and get a lot of fishing in, Rose State College professor Carl Sennhenn is just getting up to speed.

Recently, the creative writing professor turned 77—af-ter spending a stint as the state’s Poet Laureate, and now, with a recent book of his poetry, “Nocturnes and Some-times Even I,” winning the Oklahoma Book Award in April of this year.

“They’re supposed to be called ‘senior adults,” Sennhenn said of people his age. “I’m the same age as them, but I don’t worry about what I am. When you get to be 77, it doesn’t make a lot of difference.”

Nevertheless, Sennhenn’s “Nocturnes” isn’t an end-of-the-career compilation of poems written over the course of his more-than-20-year teaching career. He wrote the poems in it over last year. The next book is coming out even sooner, Sennhenn said.

Rose State College’s Award-Winning Poet Experiencing

“Now, the next book I’ve written in the last two months. This is a time of a very creative surge for me,” Sennhenn said.

Sennhenn initially retired from full time teaching at Rose State College in 2008. Although he had 20-year career with only one day of sick leave, things changed quickly. He returned to part-time teaching recently.

“Within two weeks of my retirement I was under the care of six different specialists,” Sennhenn said. “I thought, what the heck, I’ll go back where I was healthy. Besides, I miss people. All I wanted to do in retirement is to write…but that’s very solitary. I missed people.”

“People,” he now has aplenty, teaching poetry through the college’s Community Learning Center. For more in-formation, visit http://www.rose.edu/community-learn-ing-center or call 405-733-7392.


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Pioneer Library Foundation

Snapshots 80 Pioneer Library Fuondation / 81 Jubilee Dance Club82 Jazz in June / 84 OU Cousins / 85 Gutter Bowl

86 Graduations / 88 Weather Center Art / 89 Le Tour de Vin90 Toby Keith Golf / 92 Burger Battle

Pioneer Library System Foundation host-ed a private reception with “Old School” author Tobias Wolff at the home of Jim and Lisa Bowers. Guests got to visit with Wolff and sample hors d’oeuvres by Chef Derek Nettles, the former execu-tive chef for the Oklahoma Governor’s Mansion. The food was paired with wines from Joe’s Place Fine Wines and Spirits in Norman. Photos provided

Greg Heiple, Tobias Wolff

Lisa Wells, James Chappel Chef Derek Nettle

Aiden Street, Tim Mauldin

Susan Grossman, Jim Bowers, Jim Miller

Matt Baker, Tobias Wolff, Laura Smith

Tobias Wolff

Mike Pullin, Jim Bowers

Anne Masters, Carla Kimberling,Andy Kimberling

Jim Miller, Mike Marshall


80-96_Snapshots.indd 80 6/28/13 4:35 PM

Club members and guests visited, dined and danced at the spring party at the Marriott Hotel at the National Center for Employee De-velopment. Big-band and swing music was provided by the Kip Curtis Combo. Photos by Jay Chilton

Jubilee Dance Club

Judy Smith, Charles Sever, Jan Turpen and Randy Richison

Karen Gregory, Leo H. Whinery Jr. and Doris Whinery

Charlotte and Charles Bert Judy and Davis Egle Janet and Terry Crain

Bill and Terry McNichols Jack and Pat Murray Martin and Kathleen Hallren

Debbie Bugg with Jeff and Kathy McIver



Snap ShotsJazz in JuneAgain this year, Norman residents made their way to Brookhaven Village and Andrews Park to enjoy the annual Jazz in June Festival. The summer weather was beautiful, with a full moon, and the air was filled with wonderful music. Photos by Jay Chilton

Barbara and Chloe and Jackson NanceBob Seaton and Marty Dirling

Jane Dickinson and Jennifer Holliday

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Snap Shots

OU Cousins PicnicInternational students and their OU “cousins” were treated to an end-of-year picnic at the Cedar Crest Farm on Cedar Lane. Leo and Doris Whin-ery have hosted the gathering for many years. Photos by Jay Chilton

A plaque honors longtime OU Law professor Leo Whinery’s contribution to international relations. Professor Whinery died in November, 2012.

Jim Woolsey

Meghan Gallgher and Kelly PowersKaylin Sanders and Ora Smith

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t



Gutter Bowlat JD McCarty

Bowlers and even those who tried their best gathered at Sooner Bowl recently for a benefit bowl supporting Nor-man’s J.D. McCarty Center. The event raised funds for the center’s Camp ClapHans which opened this summer. Photos by Jay Chilton Megan Stanek

Darcie Miller and Kendal Butler

Gary Birks, Tara Harris, Edna Hulley, Edison Felty and Sophia Birks

Ernesto Bustos, Chris Richard, Ernest Harris and Armani OreCindy Matthews

Maria Bratton, Chrissy Hancock, Jennifer Hendrix, Mary Hebert and Randi Wilkie



Snap Shots

CongratulationsSeniors of 2013Norman and area high schools bid fare-well to the Class of 2013. Transcript pho-tographers were there to record the com-mencement ceremonies. More photos are available for viewing and purchase at www.normantranscript.com. Photos by Kyle

Phillips and Jay Chilton



Snap Shots

Weather Center Art ShowThe inaugural National Weather Center Biennale art exhibit opened on Earth Day with 100 works that interpreted the impact of weather on the human experience. Jurors picked the pieces from more than 700 pieces entered. Photos by Kyle Phillips

Leslie and Phillip BothwellGinann Manchester, Edie RaglandDave Parsons, Fred Carr

Matthew, Josh, Emily Goering

Phillip and Brenda Graham

Amber and Hunter Roth Jason Bigaouette, Beth Radtke



Le Tour de VinNorman Rotary clubs joined forces again this year in the annual Le Tour de Vin, a two-day wine and food tasting event that benefits club projects. This year’s recipi-ent is Food and Shelter, Inc. Friday night’s event was held at the west Norman home of Bridgit Finley and Dana Martin. River-wind hosted Saturday night’s dinner and auction. Photos by Jay ChiltonMelissa Hurt and Vanessa YounkinsAdam Ford and Lynsey White

Dawn Earn and Bill Schmidt

Becca Hybl and Anne Clouse

Cindy and Margaret CullinsSommer BaileyLisa and Jack Hooper, Gretchen Nicholson,

Matt Runkle and Sara Kaplan

April Doshier, Candice Hillenbrand, Arian Davis and Caitlin McArthur

Roger Lewis and Beth DutoitLori and Alan Thrower



Snap Shots

Toby Keith Charity Golf TourneyGolfers helped country singer and Norman resident Toby Keith raise money for OK Kids Corral. The event featured a golf tour-nament followed by a dinner and silent auction at Riverwind Casino. OK Kids Corral is a cost-free, home-away-from-home for pediatric cancer patients under construction in Oklahoma City. Photos by Doug Hill

Jerry Slater, Eric Bodenhammer, Jack Hands, Philip Gorman and Hunter Miller

Tim Morris, J.D. Runnels, Bret Mouse, Drake Mouse, Dennis Etter and Drew Wright

Sam Bowie, Randy Henderson, Ted Vitale, Kirby Middleton and Joe Dhooghe with team member “Jack”

Dennis DeWeerd, Bobby Flatt, Dermontti, David Milam, J.D. Jones and Rick Carroll

Greg Battistello, Randy Hatfield, Drew Sandubrae, Bret Saberhagen, Robert Frost and Gavin Rowland

Ryan Chattin, Shelby Drake, Jared Eck, Josh Eck, Jeremy Moe, Alex Brown and Bill McConnell

Joe Jon Finley, Doug Schultze, Nick Dungey,Tom Holder, Rick Bittle and Guy Haykus



Brandi Kelso, Lisa Woods

Scott and Kathleen Shuler

Gale Johnson, Amara Sinclair

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Snap Shots

Battle of the BurgerDavid Stanley Chevrolet in Norman hosted the annual Battle of the Burger competition, pitting area restaurants and local celebrities in a cookoff competition to benefit charity. First-place winners were Backyard Grillistas; S-Cap for Women, Norman Police and Interurban Restaurant. Proceeds benefit OK Kids Korral. Photos by Jay Chilton

Ron Blissit shows his prized 1914 Cadillac

Kevin Smith of Gr’illa Warriors

Tiffany Reaby and a young friend jump from the zip-line tower

Radio personalities Lisa and Kent of KOMA

Master Police Officer Teddy Wilson approves

Gary Cole’s 1955 Chevy Bel Air stands out in bright red at the first Classic Car and Hot Rod Show

Sgt. Larry Anderson of the Norman Police Department grills burgers

Kevin Smith of Gr’illa Warriors fights flames and smoke to churn out burgers

Master Police Officer Teddy Wilson of the Norman Police Department grills his burgers at David Stanley Chevrolet



Oklahoma enters a transitional season in 2013. Landry Jones is gone and OU has a true quarter-back competition for the first time since 2007. Three new assistant coaches — offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh, defensive line coach Jer-ry Montgomery and special teams coordinator/tight ends coach Jay Boulware — were part of the biggest coaching staff overhauls in years. The constant remains OU coach Bob Stoops, who is entering his 15th season, needing nine victories to surpass Barry Switzer as the winningest coach in the program’s storied history. Photo by Travis Caperton

It’s almost football time in Oklahoma

Parting Shot



Jessica Cherry photography4 0 5 - 2 5 0 - 7 7 0 3 | j e s s i c a c h e r r y p h o t o g r a p h y @ g m a i l . c o m

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Norman Magazine, July/August 2013

Documents

Transcript of Norman Magazine, July/August 2013