June 21, 2019 Issue, Page 4 of 12

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Web can hurt or help at the broken pieces, knowing By Don Munsch Editor ut Lif was ws areplacement forit would take months to arrive. Now there was no way he could ‘The internet began in earnest around 25 years ago, and complete the project on time, proprietors of all kinds of businesses - be they large or small Glynda Lomaxis a Chris- stump. Obviously, it should since the room was designed ~ knew then the ways they could use the web for spreading tian author and podcaster have been ground or burned to have one large perfect mir- their message about their service or product. who resides in the Ozark out, but no one had taken ror cover each wall. Businesses have bolstered their bottom line by selling Mountains of Northern Arkan- the time to do it correctly, Suddenly, as he stared at their wares online. E-commerce has changed the way people sas with her two very bossy and what remained was an the slivers and prisms of bro- shop. dogs. She wrote her first About unsightly mess for everyone ken mirror, he got an idea. But there exists a downside or two to doing online com- Life... column in 2003 for a The builder began taking merce or having a web presence. One ofthose is the cus- newspaper in Dallas.She is to see. Days later, after a quick the broken pieces and break- tomer review, which can be good or bad. Or in some cases, planning her next book. trip to the local garden cen- ing them into even smaller ter, the ugly stump became pieces. He then cemented Glynda Lomax the review is just phony, concocted by a company as part of a all the pieces onto one of the ploy to beefup the image of its product or service. “Talways tried to turn every the center of a beautiful walls. When he finished, a the once broken pieces now And then there’s this: A story from an Oklahoma televi- disaster into an opportunity.” flower garden. A large butter- breathtaking mirror mosaic reflecting crystal beams of sion station, KFOR, said a former patient ofa chiropractor ~John D. Rockefeller fly adorned it on one side and adorned the wall of the great light back into the majestic in Mustang left a three-star review for the chiropractor’s solar lights lit it at night. The palace, its exquisite beauty surroundings. Most build- Iremember years ago in round metal band had been far surpassing that of any business, and the chiropractor allegedly retaliated with a ‘Texas, perusing the very removed and bright blooms ers would have waited fora harsh response to the patient and then reportedly responded plain mirrored wall. replacement mirror to ar- barren front yard of the small cascaded over and all around in anegative fashion to another commenter. The story goes houseI had rented on a busy it. What once was an eyesore Instead of a broken mess rive, one that was whole and on to describe how the station contacted the chiropractor that could never be repaired, undamaged, but this artistic for a reaction, and someone from the office responded by street, one area of the front had become something every- the builder saw possibilities. yard was particularly ugly. It one could enjoy seeing. Instead of broken pieces and builder knew that beauty saying the doctor has over 100 five star reviews and that the had a large tree stump which Some time back, I read a could also come from broken- story by the station was “reflective on the state of journalistic chards ofglass that others standards today.” had been cut off unevenly story detailing the building considered trash, he saw ness and that not everything that stood approximately ofa luxurious palace in the building blocks of beauty. that looks like trash is trash. Gosh, I’m surprised the employee didn’t throw out the S inches above the ground, Middle East whose design And even though a shattered He knew that somewhere oh-so-tiresome “fake news” assessment. BTW: Is three stars surrounded by a round metal included huge mirrored walls mess lay at his feet, each in all the mess of that broken aterrible review, given that five-stars seems to be celebrated band and clumps of dry grass in one of its main rooms. The piece of which would need to by the business? Seems like a three would be average, not and weeds. building was going as planned be handled very carefully, he mirror lay a masterpiece. He horrible. Wondering how I could until something happened saw amasterpiece just wait- only had to imagine it. The larger story here is how businesses respond to criti- somehow beautify the ex- when the unusually large mir- ing for the right touch to turn cism and complaints. ceedingly ugly yard some- rors for the walls were being it into something unique that “When faced witha chal- In the olden days, when people had a problem with a prod- how, I sat drinking a fresh shipped. One of them arrived would be forever stunning. lenge, look for a way, not a uct, service or company employee, they could talk onsite to cup of coffee on my front broken into many pieces. The The mirrored walls of that way out.” - David Weather- the manager or owner or they could contact the company’s porch steps, staring at the builder stared disheartened palace became an attraction, ford home or regional office by mail or phone. Enter the internet, and customers no longer had to worry about finding a manager to gripe at. Folks can just go online to the company website now and leave a message. Or they can bypass all efforts to receive a response from the com- OICA continues work with youth programs pany and access an online review site or go to social media. By Oklahoma Institute We will be discussing that Ball). One ofthe reasons for CEO of the Lynn Institute, That may not always be a fair move, but it can work. It can for Child Advocacy CEO Joe topic more at our Fall Forum hosting these parties is to who was also instrumental at least get the attention of the powers-that-be. Dorman in October, so stay tuned! celebrate our annual award in organizing Count Me in 4 But to be fair, not every customer will have a legit com- OICA also helped orches- winners, who I am pleased to Kids, the collaborative effort plaint or write an accurate review. Some may have an ax to ‘As we move past the leg- trate the pilot program for announce today. to help children’s nonprofits grind or just desire attention. Take it with a grain of salt. islative session and into the Hoops 4 Heroes, a national The Kate Barnard Perse- in central Oklahoma. Karen Plus - and here’s where it can become interesting - peo- summer months, the team at nonprofit that is working to verance Award for lifetime and her team are implement- ple’s opinions can differ greatly on issues regarding service the Oklahoma Institute for start basketball camps for achievement will be pre- ing a youth directory for and product line. While one diner, for instance, can remark Child Advocacy (OICA) has the children of incarcerated sented to the family of Judge about a restaurant’s crummy atmosphere or enchilada sauce, had the privilege of working parentsin NBA cities across Lisa Tipping Davis. Judge services which will benefit many others may see it differently and may not mind that the with two successful youth the United States. Davis, who recently passed all Oklahomans as they seek place is essentially a dive and that the enchiladas — well, they programs: OK-LEAD and young athletes participated away due to cancer, was the aid for our youngest state taste perfectly fine, thank you. Hoops 4 Heroes. in the program, joining an presiding juvenile judge for residents. Toccasionally read business reviews. Lately, I’ve read a This most recent OK- existing camp associated with Oklahoma County and had Our Gateway to Leader- LEAD program brought the Oklahoma City Thunder. a distinguished career in ship Award, presented by few about Elk City restaurants because I am relatively new together tribal youth from They also attended special public service, especially for Gateway First Bank, will be to town. I just read a couple the other day about a diner I across the state for one day to events just for them focused helping young Oklahomans. had already heard good stuff about about. The reviews were given to two former state rep- meet in conjunction with the on teambuilding and em- Lisa’s children will be present resentatives who have contin- good, and I visited the restaurant and liked it, especially the Sovereignty Symposium, a powerment. The Hoops 4 to accept her award at the food and service. I'll return sometime soon. forum which examines issues Heroes kids also played in banquet, to be held on Friday, ued their careers in service. Online reviews perform a helpful function, and businesses impacting the 39 sovereign an exhibition game between July 26. Laura Boyd and Ron Peters, have to accept they’re here to stay, good or bad. nations located within our the Oklahoma City Police and The Sonic Commitment two champions for chil- state boundaries. Students at Fire Departments (congrats Award will go to the Oklaho- dren who had distinguished OK-LEAD met to share sto- to the police, who took home ma Commission on Children careers in creating policy to Have a letter to ries and discuss issues rang- ing from tribal and state laws the trophy!). Hoops 4 Heroes was started by two 14-year- and Youth, the program which has investigatory benefit children in need, will both be honored at the Heroes olds,Robert Goeas and Vinnie oversight over state programs Ball for their dedication and the editor? Email which impact the youth of the state, along with a history Nicholson, and it was very relating to child well-being. commitment. oftreaties impacting tribal inspiring to see young people OCCY is celebrating their it to editor@ members. One issue that display such a commitment to 35th anniversary this year Finally, we are also still taking nominations for our students were extremely en- helping their peers. and was created as a result ecdailynews.com gaged in was the importance of respecting tribal traditions With OK-LEAD and Hoops 4 Heroes concluded, OICA is of the Terry D. Lawsuit, the same case which created Anne Roberts’ People’s Choice Awards, so please now focusing on our summer olca. make your nominations at or stop by 109 W. when it comes to youth activi- ties, including school gradu- activities, which includes our The soon to be named oica.org to ensure we rec- ations. For example, some annual gala, the Heroes Ball award for individuals of the ognize those deserving for Broadway, Elk City. schools ban the wearing of an (and the accompanying “kids year will be given to Karen their work for Oklahoma’s eagle feather at graduation. only” party: the Sidekicks Waddell, the President and children!