If you’ve driven past Stephenson Park lately, you’ve seen the dramatic change that has occurred since its $7 million renovation. The once-sedate park is now crawling with people! THE NEW FEATURES Playground Equipment The most visible new feature is the tall climbing structure leading to two, spiraling, tube slides. The design was selected for its space-age theme, a nostalgic nod to the park’s beloved Rocket Ship Slide from the 1960s. The new playground also has a lower climbing structure for younger children, swings, and musical elements. Surrounding the playground equipment are various cha ..read more

Dominic Bonocore, Tate Talley, and Ricardo Vara Sanchez Most kids dream of becoming their favorite superhero. They don makeshift capes, hatch harrowing plots, and leap from the tallest sofa cushion – all adrenaline and imagination. But Edmond native, Tate Talley took his childhood passion from pretend play to all-out production. The 22-year-old launched his production company, Infinity Entertainment, in 2021 and is currently completing his certificate in Digital Cinema Production – both of these steps giving life to long-held goals. “My parents got me a camera when I was in fourth grade. I s ..read more

Desiree Mathews Light bulb moments come in all sizes. Sometimes it’s a spotlight. Desiree Mathews’ moment was like a tiny night light. She was rubbing some essential oils on her skin when she wondered if these oils were absorbed so easily, what about chemicals used on fruits and vegetables? The more she wondered—and researched—the brighter that light became. Desiree, who teaches art in two Edmond elementary schools, remembers her folks, Doug and Doylene Manning, having a small garden when she was young. It was almost fifteen years later that Doug’s daughter became worried about the safety of ..read more

Taylor Williams in the Louis Vuitton menswear show in Paris. Oklahoma cowboy Taylor Williams was lured to France by Louis Vuitton. The world-famous fashion company wanted authentic cowhands to model a Western wear line by Pharrell Williams, the musician and creative director for the brand’s menswear line. In January, Williams and fellow cowboy Ronnie Davis found themselves on the runway for the Louis Vuitton menswear show, which was part of Paris Fashion Week. The invitation had gone first to Jakian Parks, who in 2021 founded Oklahoma Cowboys, of which Williams and Davis are members. The nonp ..read more

Stephanie Williams & Han Solo Unlike most Edmond Police Department employees, Han Solo accepts payment in treats and ear scratches. The yellow labrador retriever and his “mom,” Stephanie Williams, head up the Edmond Police Department’s Wellness Unit. Because “super cute” isn’t an adequate qualification, Solo has worked to become a therapy dog. The process includes multiple levels of obedience training, the Canine Good Citizen Program completion, and Therapy Dog certification. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Stephanie says Solo’s impact on the department is immeasurable. After contr ..read more

Hamzah Al-Rashdan, Brian Hiney, and Corson Smith Edmond traffic! It’s a topic of frequent irritation—but smart technology is improving traffic flow in subtle ways. By monitoring real-time video, analyzing traffic volume patterns, and adjusting signal timing lengths, cars spend less time waiting at lights—really! In a technology room near Covell and I-35, three engineers monitor Edmond’s traffic on multiple computers and screens. In real-time, they watch cars at intersections and adjust signal lights for situations such as car accidents, road construction, or even a large road event like the L ..read more

A trip to Eve’s and Lulu D’s Salon and Boutique isn’t just another beauty appointment. It’s more like a visit with your friend, sister, or aunt—the one who has a fabulous sense of style and knows exactly how to help you look your best. This longtime Edmond business is half salon, half boutique, and all about you.  A Personalized Beauty Experience Owner Michelle Gleason is at the heart of the family feeling within the business. “We know everybody by name,” she says. “We listen to what they have to say.”  The salon has several stylists, an esthetician, a nail tech, and a receptionis ..read more

Dr. Morgan Pollard People with chronic pain have more treatment choices today than ever before. Dr. Morgan Pollard grew up in Oklahoma and returned home after completing medical training at the Mayo Clinic. She opened her practice, Align Interventional Pain, in 2020 and is committed to helping each patient find ways to manage pain. New, Minimally Invasive Treatments “The beauty of this field is that it’s rapidly progressing,” says Dr. Pollard. In years past there have been little options between medications for pain and surgery. Now that gap is narrowing. Some patients can now avoid or delay ..read more

I have a little red stapler on my desk, tucked neatly under my Apple display. I rarely use it; I can’t remember the last time I stapled anything. Swingline manufactured it, and it has no significant value. How do I know this is my stapler? On the tail end of the stapler (as opposed to the business end), there’s a handwritten “D.P. Miller” inscribed in faded black permanent marker. My mom wrote my name on this small piece of office equipment when she sent me off to college. I can picture her putting together a little homework kit for me—a ruler, pencils, a sharpener, an eraser, and a stapler ..read more

The Oklahoma Mountain Bike Association (OMBA) invites riders to get out on the Dam Trails. No, that’s not a typo. It’s a reference to the 10 new miles of mountain biking trails they’ve created on the east side of Arcadia Lake.  Formed in 1996 to promote mountain biking in Oklahoma, the group is largely responsible for the creation and maintenance of trails across the state, including prime spots like Lake Stanley Draper, Bluff Creek Park, and the 29 miles of trails winding through the woods of Arcadia Lake.  “Arcadia Lake is one of the many trails the OMBA maintains,” said board mem ..read more