March 26, 2022 Issue, Page 7 of 8

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March 26, 2022 Calling All Poets Elk City Friends of the Library is calling all aspiring One poem per entrant is allowed. Poems should be poets to celebrate National Poetry Month in April by submitted to [email protected] by April 30, submitting a poem to the Friends’ annual poetry con- 2022, The age categories for submissions are Adult, test. National Poetry Month is “the largest literary High School, Middle School, Intermediate School, celebration in the world,” according to poets.org. The 2nd through 3rd Grade, and Pre-K through 1st Grade. Elk City Friends of the Library encourages everyone Cash prizes will be awarded to the first and second to bea part of this cultural phenomenon. place winners in each category. Students attend Oklahoma’s Electric Cooperatives Leadership Summit aa" ot@ a TRIC bare tg) CKenersyD Merritt shot gun shooting team qualified for state. Courtesy photo. Nelle Explore “Return to College” Events Planned at SWOSU Southwestern Oklahoma State University NECT is available at www.reconnectok.org. will help Oklahomans who have successfully ‘The primary goals of Reach Higher: RECON- completed some college coursework, but have NECT Week are to increase awareness of the not yet finished a college degree, with a unique adult-friendly degree completion options avail- opportunity to submit college admission ap- able through the Oklahoma State Regents for OKLAHOMA CITY - Twen- bach and Kelly Barnes, who periencing new things,” Valdez plications, receive advisement and financial aid Higher Education's Reach Higher initiative and counseling, and enroll in college classes this Sat- encourage adults who have earned some college ty-26 students representing have collectively spent over 40 said. Zinser said her take-away urday, March 26, and Tuesday, March 29, on the credit to successfully complete their degrees. Oklahoma's Electric Coopera- years sharing leadership mes- was leaving with the impor- Weatherford campus. tives, attended the 2022 Okla- sages with students and adults tance of “developing my social Reach Higher provides two distinct degree homa’s Electric Cooperatives in the education, agriculture, skills and growing the variety Reach Higher: RECONNECT is a series of co- ordinated student recruitment events. completion program strands for adult learners. Leadership Summit on March insurance, health, transporta- of my network.” Reach Higher: FlexFinish offers flexible enroll- 14, 2022, at the Oklahoma tion and sales industries. The Both Valdez and Zinser ment and online options to working adults who State Fairgrounds. Represent- SWOSU faculty and staff will be on site in the students learned how to focus were presented with a $500 lobby of the General Thomas P. Stafford Center ing Northfork Electric Coop- on making the most of the ser- from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday (March wish to pursue an associate degree in enterprise erative were Mason Valdez and scholarship at the conclusion vice and growth opportunities 26) and 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday (March 29). development or a bachelor's degree in organi- Claire Zinser from Sayre High available to them now and in of the event. Oklahoma’s Electric Co- Dr. Todd Wiggen, coordinator for the Reach zational leadership. Reach Higher: DirectCom- School. the future. The program helped operatives serve a portion of Higher program at SWOSU, said there will be re- plete offers adult students the opportunity to This annual event is de- increase the students under- all 77 counties in Oklahoma. complete a degree program connected with signed to excite and motivate standing of how leaders create freshments. Additional information is available high school students to be- change, overcome obstacles While focusing on member by contacting Wiggen at todd.wiggen@swosu. workforce development needs that align with needs, cooperatives work for come leaders of their commu- and serve others through be- edu. In addition, information about RECON- Oklahoma’s 100 Critical Occupations list. nities. More than 500 Oklaho- havior and attitude. the sustainable development ma high school students have Valdez and Zinser were of their communities through been recognized for their lead- both appreciative of the op- programs, services and poli- Investors: Beware of cyber fraud ership abilities by having the opportunity to attend one of portunity to attend Leadership cies developed by member- Summit. “My most impactful elected boards. Cooperatives the previous Leadership Sum- take-away of this event, from are grounded on the premise It's unfortunate, but true: mission (SEC), which oversees So, be wary of any investment mits. a leadership perspective, is the of neighbors helping neigh- During times of turmoil, stocks and other securities, pitch that’s made through an The program featured importance of setting goals, bors, while powering the needs whether it be a geopoliti- and the Commodity Futures online group of which you are Oklahoma natives, Rhett Lau- investing in yourself and ex- of new generations. cal situation or the economic Trading Commission (CFTC), a member, or that appears in stresses of inflation and ris- which regulates more complex ing interest rates, scam artists investment vehicles, such as a chat room or online message in cyberspace will try to take futures and options. If you're board dealing with a specific Providing comfort and Supportfor End of Life cholces advantage of unsuspecting in- suspicious of an investment topic of interest to you. Even vestors. What can you do to offer, you could take several if the person making the offer Hospice care provides medical services, emotional support, and spiritual re- protect yourself? steps, including checking with appears trustworthy, you still sources for people who are in the last stages of a serious illness, such as cancer Here are a few suggestions: your state’s securities regula~ Be suspicious of unsolicited tor, to determine if the person need to be extremely cautious, or heart failure. Hospice care also helps family members manage the practical investment offers. Through making the offer is even regis- as this individual could have details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one. tweets, direct messages, tered to sell investments and if been fooled into thinking the emails or some other form of the investment itself has been investment opportunity was For questions regarding hospice service or eligibility, contact: social media communication, registered. legitimate. you might get unsolicited of- Be skeptical about online fers to invest from senders you newsletters. You can find le- Inadditionto being on guard Carrie Perry, RN/ Adminsistrat don’t know. Unsolicited sales gitimate online newsletters against investment advice you pitches may be part of fraudu- devoted to investment topics. might see on social media, you Pat Welsh, RN/ Coordinator of Patient Care lent investment schemes, so However, some companies pay can also take some practical you'll want to be highly suspi- newsletters to promote their steps. For example, keep your Some of the most common conditions are: cious of these offers, especially stocks, so the information personal information — birth- * Cancer * Failure to Thrive * End Stage Cardiac Disease (CHF) if they use words or phrases isn’t objective. This activity such as “guaranteed” or “can’t isn’t illegal as long as the news- day, Social Security number, * End Stage Cerebrovascular Disease (C' ‘A) * End Stage Amyotrophic miss. letters disclose who is paying phone number, address, etc. Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) * End Stage Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Do some research. Given them, but some fraudsters lie - off social networks. Also, * End Stage Liver Disease * End Stage Renal Disease * AIDS/HIV the market volatility of recent about their payments and also it’s a good idea to periodically * End Stage Neurological Disease such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer’s weeks, cyberspace fraudsters fabricate the success they've change the passwords on all may use social media to en- had in recommending stocks. courage unwary investors to Furthermore, these question- your financial accounts. And go outside the normal invest- able newsletters may be adver- of course, never communi- Professional, Passionate ment world and put their mon- tised on valid websites or on cate financial information or ey in “specialized” vehicles. But the online financial pages of account numbers to an unfa- Advance, Attentive... these instruments may have authentic news organizations. miliar source. If you're already significant risk and lie outside Watch out for “affinity working with a financial ser- Our Difference Is Our Care the supervision of those agen- fraud.” Your membership in a cies whose mission it is to help particular demographic, civic vices firm, that firm should al- protect investors, such as the or professional group is no ready have in place the proper Securities and Exchange Com- secret to potential fraudsters. security protocols for commu- Have you ever considered becoming nicating information to them. a hospice volunteer? Edward Jones Sadly, investment scams will probably always be with us. A fulfilling experience in the spirit But, taking preventive mea- of giving and receiving. Edward Jones, Member SIPC sures, can help reduce your chances of being victimized. 2014 W. 3rd | Elk City, OK 73644 This article was written by Ed- Robert Stephens (580) 225-3156 ward Jones provided by Robert Financial Advisor [email protected] Stephens of Edward Jones Finan- cial Advisor.