April 15, 2023 Issue, Page 3 of 10

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April 15, 2023 The Elk City News -3 News New education center planned at OSU's botanic garden enhance their education.” The building can also be used by other groups such find funding to do new things. “With the garden being as- sociated with the university, By Trisha Gedon mal and informal learning. building comes from multiple not only for our students but as Master Gardeners and the we have an education arm at ‘A ground-breaking ceremo- sources, including the Tobacco our community as well,” Anella Payne County Audubon Soci- the garden,” Campbell said, STILLWATER - Construc- ny took place March 30, and Settlement Endowment Trust, said. “We have 21 different col- ety to host meetings and other who also serves as an Ambas- tion will begin soon on the new the building is expected to be OSU Department of Horticul- lege classes that use the garden horticultural and educational sador for The Botanic Garden Horticulture Education Center complete by the end of 2023. ture and Landscape Architec- for educational purposes, and activities. Anella said he’s look- at OSU. “The garden has grown The 2,100-square-foot facility ture and private donors. In ad- when they need to do some- ing forward to offering the space for more face-to-face tremendously, and this is a at The Botanic Garden at Okla- homa State University. Locat- will feature a large classroom, dition, the board of Stillwater’s thing out there, the weather great opportunity not only for office space and restrooms. always is a challenge. This new learning opportunities. TSET, the cornerstone do- OSU Agriculture and the de- ed near the south entrance of Wondertorium donated funds the garden, the facility will be Lou Anella, director of The to this effort. building provides more oppor- used by students, faculty and Botanic Garden at OSU, said “This new building is so tunities for students to utilize nor for the building, works to partment of horticulture and the community for both for- funding for the $1.725 million important for programming, ‘The Botanic Garden at OSU to improve the health of Oklaho- landscape architecture but for mans, and supporting this new the university to showcase opportunity is another way the horticulture in Oklahoma.” organization can encourage a Campbell said with the Elk City Community Health Fair April 19 healthy lifestyle. “TSET is excited to part- ner with The Botanic Garden south entrance to the garden open from State Highway 51, there is an increased need to ELK CITY - More than a community we live and work,” - Substance abuse resources the Elk City Fire Department. at OSU to create a space for provide a space for educational dozen free screenings, tests said Leann Gilchrist, Okla~ and information the community to learn about opportunities associated with Most test and screening horticulture,” said Julie Bisbee, ‘The Botanic Garden at OSU. and other health-related ser- homa State Department of + Mobile blood drive results will be immediately TSET executive director. “Gar- “The Horticulture Educa- vices will be available to the Health Assistant District 5 : Fluoride varnishing for six dening is an excellent way to public at the Elk City Commu- Nurse Manager. months to 18 years of age provided to the participants as stay active. It can also inspire tion Center is a great addition nity Health Fair this Wednes- A variety of vaccinations - Community resources for well as educational materials healthy living by connecting and much-needed facility to day, April 19. and screenings at the health food, housing, prescription as- The Botanic Garden at OSU,” people to the source of their said Thomas G. Coon, vice The Beckham County fair include: sistance and Medicaid to help individuals understand food and increasing access to Health Department is the - WIC, SoonerStart ‘The health department will what results mean. Event orga- fresh fruits and vegetables. president and dean of OSU event sponsor and will partner + Sexually transmitted in- have its mobile wellness unit nizers encourage participants ‘The new Horticulture Educa- Agriculture. “The Botanic Gar- with several local community fection screening on site for health screenings. tion Center will be a wonderful den is a public space meant to organizations. The health fair + Glucose, cholesterol and Other community participants to come and eat lunch as food resource for Oklahomans.” promote discovery, encounter will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 blood pressure testing who will participate include trucks will be on site. Children Ray Campbell, retired OSU nature with others and inspire p.m. at the 5 Plex parking lot, - Veterans and family coun- Shortgrass Community Health can also meet local police and Extension director and former new ideas. We appreciate the 601 N Western Drive in Elk seling information Center, Our Blood Institute host of “Oklahoma Garden- donors who have helped sup- City. The event is open to ev- - Toothbrushes and dental (OBI), Oklahoma Dental Foun- firefighters as they will have a ing,” said he has been part of port the Horticulture Educa- eryone regardless of insurance information dation, Great Plains Regional smokehouse and patrol cars at since its inception and has tion The Botanic Garden at OSU Center to further enhance horticultural activities at the coverage or income level. + Biometrics — aerobic fit- Medical Center, South Western seen the creativity at times to garden. “For some attendees, this ness screening Oklahoma Development Au- the event. will be the only time they see » Mental health and depres- thority (SWODA), Lions Club, OSU researchers help sustain someone for a health-wellness sion screenings Red Rock Behavioral Health visit. We feel grateful for the - Vision screenings Services, Urban League of opportunity to hold this im- : Hearing and developmen- Greater Oklahoma City, Elk pactful event that affects the tal screenings City Police Department and long-time gigging tradition As I See It... ByAlisa Boswell-Gore but as with any fishery, har- ging tournament.” vest needs to be done in mod- After a year of tagging and brighter. There could be a grade. The storm blew out the STILLWATER — Thanks to eration,” Zentner said. “There studying sucker fish popula- lighter step in my stride. I feel windows on the back of our Oklahoma State University was concern that the size of tions and their movements, lighter, fresher, and happier home. I took a ride from a researchers, a long-standing the tournament might require Zentner has found that, for than any other time of year. stranger on the way home from annual Oklahoma tradition some regulation to sustain the now, officials don’t need to be As I watch the miracles hap- school to get home in time for will live on this weekend. On practice. We wanted to make concerned about sucker fish pen in nature is wonderful, the full force of the storm. Friday, northeast Oklahoma sure the children and grand- but nothing is perfect. Where populations declining. So, I have feared the wind, residents will head to Lake Eu- children of participants can “We found that not much there are positives, there are the hail, and the rain for years. also negatives, but who wants cha for the Green County Gig- continue the tradition in fu- needs to be done right now to know about those things? I finally realized that there gers Association's annual fish ture.” because the population is sus- I don’t, until I am faced with is nothing I could or can do gigging tournament. Zentner and Shoup said al- taining itself, and the harvest the wind... and last night I en- about it. I heard once that fear Instead of catching fish with though the research stemmed rate is smaller than what we countered my first mosquito. is faith not said its prayers. I a hook and fishing line, fish from the idea of population expected,” Zentner said. I panicked and tried to swat it believe the saying, and it gives gigging involves fishermen management, the researchers If sucker fish populations but gave up. I was driving and me comfort when I am afraid. catching them with a multi- approached the project from in northeast Oklahoma were that would be considered inat- Whether I am in awe of the pronged pole called a gig, This an ecological perspective. not mobile, that might be a By Sheryl Ponce tentive driving, I don’t want to miracle of spring or afraid of annual tournament of gigging ‘They wanted to find out more what may come, both are prod- problem for sustainability, but do that. for sucker fish species sparked about the fish themselves - Oh, what a beautiful day. Another downside to spring ucts of the beliefs that have a question in the minds of how they grow and where they it turns out, they are a well- Spring has sprung and this would be the storms. I have al- shaped my life. traveled fish species. Oklahoma Department of live, along with their popula- is my favorite time of year. I ways been so afraid of storms My faith seems to shape my Wildlife Conservation officials tion size. “Understanding what's go- love to watch the trees turning because I was almost caught in experiences in life, and those of whether Oklahoma's sucker “Almost anything we looked ing on with the fish is a big green and the buds coming up a blackout storm in the middle experiences make up what I fish population can be sus- at would be new information part of the research question on the flowers. The birds seem of the day in Ft. Worth, when believe to be true. At least that tained. on this fish,” Shoup said. “Be- because these fish are moving happier, and the sun seems I was in the second or third is the way I see it. Officials turned to OSU cause they have been so poorly around a lot. We can look at ecologists for the answers. studied, there wasn’t much lit- the whole water system, and “Bor along time, sucker fish if we saw individual fish that Providing comfort and Supportfor End of Life chotces have not been considered fish erature to work from.” Shoup said he and Zentner were staying in one spot, that of interest because a good even enlisted the help of local could be a concern. But that Hospice care provides medical servic emotional support, and spiritual re- anglers. chunk of the nation does not does not appear to be the case sources for people who are in the last stages of a serious illness, such as cancer harvest them,” said Doug- “They would report tagged with Oklahoma sucker fish. las Zentner, an OSU gradu- fish that they found so we ‘There seems to be a lot of sea- or heart failure. Hospice care als helps family members manage the practical ate student in ecology, who could see where the fish had sonal movement.” details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one. is researching the sucker fish moved to,” Shoup said. “The So, grab your gigs because For questions regarding hospice service or eligibility, contact: populations with the help of tournament organizers were the long-time family tradition Dan Shoup, professor in the also helpful to us. They let of sucker gigging can go on. Carrie Perry, RN/ Adminsistrator OSU Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Man- us take all the carcasses after OSU Ag Research is Okla~ they had cleaned the meat off homa’s premier research and agement. the fish so we could get age, technology _ development Pat Welsh, RN/ Coordinator of Patient Care “It was good to see people weight and egg status. We got agency in agriculture, natural G RMCAt using this underused species, all kinds of data at that gig- resources and the life sciences. Some of the most common conditions are * Cancer ¢ Failure to Thrive * End Stage Cardiac Disease (CHF) * End Stage Cerebrovascular Disease (CV. .) ¢ End Stage Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) * End Stage Pulmonary Disease (COPD) + End Stage Liver Disease * End Stage Renal isease * AIDS/HIV * End Stage Neurological Disease such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer's carrte Perry RN Professional, Passionate Advance, Attentive... ~~ Care Clinic Conveniently Our Difference Is Our Care S Have you ever considered becoming Located, Open 7 a hospice volunteer? A fulfilling experience in the spirit of giving and receiving. Days a Week (580) 303-5890 - 404 S. Eastern, Elk City