DuncanSpring2024

1 hometown living at its best

2 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group

3 hometown living at its best FRUITFULOAKSDPC.COM | 4086 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD | 580-952-9221 A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO HEALTHCARE In the heart of Duncan, Oklahoma, lies a healthcare clinic that is revolutionizing the way patients receive medical care. Fruitful Oaks Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a clinic that operates on a Direct Primary Care model, an innovative approach to healthcare that prioritizes the patient-physician relationship and offers high-quality care without the need for insurance or co-pays. Founded by Dr. Mark Rosekelly, M.Div., D.O., the clinic is a testament to the power of a holistic approach to healthcare that treats the body, mind, and soul. Dr. Rosekelly works together with his wife, Stephanie Rosekelly, an Advanced Practice Nurse and Midwife. Fruitful Oaks DPC desires to return to the way medicine used to be, when doctors and patients had a real relationship and patients' needs were met. The Direct Primary Care model varies in that insurance information is not needed, eliminating the need for a middleman. Instead, patients and families pay a low monthly fee to cover their cost of care. Text messages, phone calls, even appointments are all included in that fee, even if the doctor sees you five times in a month! This allows Fruitful Oaks DPC's patients to have ultimate access to their doctor through a variety of different means that fit the scenario. The clinic also offers wholesale cash prices for labs and imaging, making healthcare more accessible and affordable for all. Reach out today for a free consultation and to see if Direct Primary Care is a good fit for your family.

4 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group 8 DIGGING UP ROOTS IN STEPHENS COUNTY Duncanite Kristi King is helping trace family trees, branch by branch. 16 THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT Pathways for Future Careers gives Duncan students a vision for the future. 24 SHINING LIGHT ON ART OPPORTUNITIES As an active member in the Chisolm Trail Arts Council, a veteran art teacher, an avid painter and potter, Lou Baggett is stirring many pots to bring art experiences to Duncan. 32 FROM THE KITCHEN OF JAN COLE Frozen Chocolate Pie 34 HOMETOWN GRADUATES Congratulations class of 2024! Featuring Things I Wish I Knew When I Started College. 42 SAFE, SOUND & SECURE The Safe Center in Duncan is a safe haven for victims of Domestic Abuse. 52 HOMETOWN HAPPENING Light the Library 56 NAVIGATING HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES DRH dietitians offer practical advice on navigating trendy lingo, persuasive advertising and complex nutrition and ingredient labels. Contents On the Cover 24 34 52

6 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group A Hello Duncan! Duncan Lifestyles Magazine© is published bi-annually by Hometown Media Group, LLC. hometownmedia.group 502 N Main Street PMB 116 | Weatherford, TX 76086 817.599.6167 | PROUDLY PRINTED IN THE USA All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice. WRITERS Sabrina Forse Emery Mask Rebecca Sanchez Jessica Wesson PHOTOGRAPHERS Debbie Duggar Visuals CJae Studios (Graduates) Matt & Heather Martin Executive Publishers Casey Perkins Executive Publisher Lindsey Kruger Marketing & Client Relations content@hometownmedia.group Susan Avery Lead Creative Design Kayla Durham Sales Account Executive kayla@hometownmedia.group ON THE COVER Dr. Miller, Kaylee Harrison & Abby Carter Photo by Emily Pritchard Camela Dietrich Accounts Recievable accounting@hometownmedia.group As we welcome the arrival of spring, we are excited to present to you the latest issue of Duncan Lifestyles Magazine! Winter is fading, spring is emerging with a burst of color and vitality, reminding us of the beauty of new beginnings. It’s a time to shed the past and embrace the present with hope and optimism. In the gentle warmth of the sun, we find inspiration to grow, to bloom, and to believe in the endless possibilities that lie ahead. In this issue we are proud to feature Duncan youth in our Hometown Graduates section and The Future is Bright story over Pathways for Future Careers, the wonderful internship program at DHS. From teens starting out to adults winding down, we get to know two Duncan ladies filling their retirement years and blessing our community through genealogy and art in Digging Up Deep Roots in Stephens County and Shining Light on Art Opportunities, respectively. As always, we hope that this issue will inform, inspire, and entertain you. I believe that this season of renewal and growth presents opportunities for us to come together as a community and support each other. I hope you find ways to get involved and contribute to building a stronger, more vibrant community. Wishing you all a joyful and fruitful Spring season, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13 (NIV) Kayla Durham photo by Brandon Jones

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8 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group DIGGING UP ROOTS WRITTEN BY SABRINA FORSE | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE STEPHENS COUNTY GENEALOGY LIBRARY A Duncanite is helping trace family trees, branch by branch. in Stephens County

9 hometown living at its best YYou could be a descendant of one of the first families to settle in Oklahoma. You could find relation to royalty, a notorious family tree of outlaws, a birth that no one seems to want to discuss, or your great-great grandmother may have been known for making the best apple pie in three counties. Everyone and every family has a story. “I really think people who want to learn more about their family are seeking a connection. For me, it’s the historical aspect. History is never dead to me. I think if you don’t know your past, you could repeat some of the mistakes your ancestors made. I have an aversion to making the same mistakes over and over again,” said Kristi King. King is the Branch Manager of the Stephens County Genealogy Library. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in American History at Cameron University in Lawton and a Master of Arts at the University of Colorado, Denver in Modern European History, specializing in Russian History. Originally from the Lawton area, King and her husband retired to Duncan. In retirement, Kristi found what she would consider her dream job. She now assists others in tracing their own family history and helps them understand the historical context behind what they find. “I’ve always been an avid reader and spent most of my career working in book and video stores. This is the first time I’ve had a job that truly aligned with my love of history.”

10 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group It’s a passion woven in the story of King’s own family. “My grandfather had written a history of his family many years ago. It was fascinating to me. My parents were both depression-era babies and loved the movies. My mother loved to watch Anastasia, so I became interested in historical mysteries,” said King. Anastasia tells the story of an orphan tracing her roots only to learn she is the Grand Duchess of a Russian family. “I started researching the genealogy of European kings and queens. I would trace out their family trees on poster boards. Typically, I would learn that there was a member of the royal family who no one knew anything about, or the family was trying to cover up that lineage. As a kid, the fact that you could be ruled by someone not of your own heritage fascinated me.” When studying at the University of Colorado, King started researching her own family tree using books and writing letters to county courthouses. “At the time, there wasn’t any internet so you had to go to a specific place to learn more about it and I never could afford to do that. Now, that type of research is easily accessible.” The Stephens County Genealogy Library is a place to access and research information that can aid those on a mission to connect with the past. “I am thankful for the City of Duncan and the Stephens County Genealogy Society because without their support, we wouldn’t be here. There are very few individual genealogy libraries. This one is unique, and we have a lot to offer and I’m grateful the city saw a value in that.” Located at 321 N. 8th street in Duncan, the Stephens County Genealogy Library is housed in the same building that was used as the Duncan Public Library from 1937-1975. After being used by the genealogical society for several years, the City of Duncan made it its own branch of the library in 2018. “We have people from all over calling for information. I’ve had calls from Canada, Texas and California this week. A judge from Kentucky recently came for a few days doing some research.” Patrons can browse a massive collection that includes information on every county in Oklahoma, most states and some international databases. “The advent of forensic DNA has spurred the interest of genealogy for so many. DNA tests can fill in some blanks, but it only goes so far. You don’t get the personal stories and history,” said King. The Stephens County Genealogy Library’s collection includes records such as city directories, marriage records, school yearbooks, tax and voter records, obituaries and funeral home indexes. “People often want to know how someone died and obituaries don’t typically have that information. Funeral home

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12 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group indexes listed that information along with next of kin. Early on obituaries were only published for those considered important. Deaths would be published in church notices instead.” Online resources allow patrons to search military records, tribal rolls, grave sites, immigration lists and much more. “I’ve found errors in my own family history online, so people need to not take everything online as fact. We don’t start with family myths. We try to start with what someone absolutely knows as true and go from there.” King had grown up believing her mother’s grandmother was raised in a convent in New Orleans. “It intrigued me, but I couldn’t find much information. We later found that it wasn’t a convent in New Orleans, it was a convent in Galveston and all the paperwork was lost in the hurricane of 1900.” King hopes to help others preserve their own family history. A grant from the McCasland Foundation created the Memory Lab inside the library. There, you can digitize family photos,

13 hometown living at its best journals and more. Family photos and books can be scanned. Cassettes can be turned into CDs. VHS can go to DVD. Super 8 movie reels, 8 mm and microfilm can also be digitized. From photos to records, the journey of researching your family history can be a daunting one. “It’s easy to get overwhelmed. My advice would be to keep it simple in the beginning. You don’t want to get so wrapped up that you wear yourself out.” The library can give you the tools and resources to discover your family history, but King believes the best connection to the past is the present. She encourages you to get information directly from the source if you are able. “Talk to your family members. Ask family members questions. Some may not remember something that happened yesterday but still can remember something that happened fifty years ago. If you are going to a family occasion, bring photos, ask questions to identify who’s in the photos and the story behind them.” †

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T WRITTEN BY SABRINA FORSE | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY PATHWAYS FOR FUTURE CAREERS Pathways for Future Careers gives Duncan students a vision for the future. The Future is BRIGHT The pathway for Wyatt Wood’s future is a runway. The Duncan High School graduate is working toward earning his pilot’s license through 5B Aviation. “I’ve always wanted to be a pilot. When I was a kid, I would watch fighter jets do maneuvers. My mom has her pilot’s license and used to fly as a hobby so she is glad I’m seeking a higher education,” said Wood. Wood was able to spread his wings before graduation thanks to the Pathways to Future Careers program at Duncan High School. During his senior year, Wood interned at 5B Aviation. “Through the connections I made during that internship, I’ve been able to get most of my hours and training paid for.” Wood is one of 361 students who have interned with more than 158 Duncan area businesses and organizations since the program’s inception in 2017. In 2016, state legislators passed House Bill 2535 which allowed schools to enter into agreements with public or private organizations to create internships, mentorships and apprenticeships programs. Emily Prichard is the Coordinator for the Pathways to Future Careers at Duncan High School. “Junior and senior students can apply for the class which is two credit hours. In the classroom, we learn and practice soft skills such as communication. We do a lot of hands-onscenarios where we introduce them to research studies, basic business etiquette such as shaking hands, answering a phone, taking a message or addressing an envelope,” explained Prichard. “Then we take a career inventory and students decide on where to apply for an internship. They turn in a cover letter and resume and go on a formal interview. Once they get the internship, they spend one day a week in the classroom and the other four days they report for their internship for an hour and a half each day.” 16 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group

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18 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group Prichard works to match students with businesses that offer jobs that best meet their interests. “We like to introduce them to the good, the bad and the ugly of a career field. Through the year, they become more confident in themselves, their futures and their passions. Sometimes they find that they love what they’ve chosen and other times they don’t and that’s okay too. If they don’t love a certain career field, we find a different internship but it’s up to the student to have those difficult conversations with the industry partner they are leaving. It can be really hard to do but I find it makes students even more confident in their choices too.” The program wouldn’t be possible without the support of Duncan area business partners. “They build such an amazing relationship with our students and make sure they understand every opportunity,” said Prichard. One of those business partners is Duncan Regional Hospital, which has supported the program since its beginning. Betty Beck is the Director of Volunteer Services at Duncan Regional Hospital and helps develop the right path for the interns. “Duncan Regional Hospital is very supportive of students in our community. We are very honored to be a part of this program and love working with wonderful and bright students,” said Beck.

19 hometown living at its best “We have placed students in internships learning from professionals in radiology, outpatient rehab and nursing. While they can’t perform any licensed or specialized procedures, they are able to observe some procedures.” Beck has also been able to place students in positions outside of patient healthcare such as with the computer and accounting departments. Exposing students to the diverse opportunities available in Duncan is key to growing not only the student’s future but the city’s as well. “If we invest in the future of our youth then one day that future may be right here in Duncan. Growing our own is one of the best things we can do,” said Nicole Punneo, Operations Manager at Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation. “They are getting to see what our community has to offer. Many don’t realize that all of these companies need accountants, engineers, draftsmen and other different types of employees to make them work. Some may want to start working right after high school and others may want to go off to college and then come back to Duncan and raise a family. This program really helps them understand what they want to do and sometimes what they don’t want to do.”

20 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group “If we invest in the future of our youth then one day that future may be right here in Duncan. Growing our own is one of the best things we can do.” Nicole Punneo, Operations Manager at Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation

21 hometown living at its best With any chosen field, the Pathways to Future Careers class teaches students that they are starting as interns. “One of our key focuses is on grace and grit. Grace is something that society needs more of, so we learn about having grace in the workplace. We learn grit by understanding the time and grit it takes to form a pearl. You must work from the bottom up and work hard,” said Prichard. It’s that grit that Wood says helped him focus on his passion. “I interned at Sensia Global my junior year and learned about manufacturing flow meters for oil companies. I’ve always wanted to be a pilot, but engineering is a good plan B.” The experience and hours that Wood gained with Pathways to Future Careers is helping this young pilot seek a future of endless possibilities. “Flying is a freeing feeling. You can go anywhere in the world,” said Wood. Prichard hopes that all students leave Pathways to Future Careers with that excitement about their opportunities after high school. “I had a student that was extremely nervous about an interview and when she aced it, she was jumping up and down in the hallway,” said Prichard. I love seeing students get excited about their future. It’s not only their future; it’s Duncan’s future and it’s a bright one.” †

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23 hometown living at its best Living your BEST LIFE MMG Orthopedics & Podiatry can get you there 580.357.3671 ccmhhealth.com ORTHOPEDICS & PODIATRY

SHINING LIGHT 24 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group

25 hometown living at its best WRITTEN BY REBECCA SANCHEZ | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY LOU BAGGETT

26 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group Putting a brush to paper, watching how the bristles carry colors out into something new, elicits the notion of more possibilities. Duncan artist Lou Baggett enjoys helping people see those possibilities in art. Sharing her talents, she’s taught in the formal classroom, at community workshops and to groups of students around the kitchen table. As an active community member, she can be found organizing art shows, contests and classes. Originally from Wichita Falls, Texas, Lou later settled with her husband on ranchland in Duncan. Since then she has been enjoying the beautiful landscape and the good people she has found, involving herself in nearly every aspect of being an artist and teacher. Perhaps it runs in her family. Lou is among four generations of artists, the second after her mother. Her daughter is an accomplished artist, and her grandson is already showing promise too. Her mother boarded art teachers who were on sabbatical when her family owned a lodge As an active member in the Chisolm Trail Arts Council, a veteran art teacher, an avid painter and potter, Lou Baggett is stirring many pots to bring art experiences to Duncan.

27 hometown living at its best near Taos, New Mexico. Exposed to art and galleries, Lou took up drawing avidly, and eventually took over her mother’s art supplies. Starting with the oil paints and soon the pastels, she continued drawing people and began painting landscapes. She just kept going. Later it was a high school teacher’s efforts that affected her two-fold. Hearing she would pursue art at Texas Tech, he arranged access to art materials, introduced her to the pottery throwing wheel and taught her matting and framing. His influence imprinted on her future as an artist and as a future teacher, one who would also provide similar opportunities for others. In college, Lou explored art more, learned watercolor and took a hand-building pottery class. She took her degree and went to work teaching high school art and English for several years between the FAME Academy, The Edge and Comanche High School. Her ongoing private art lessons, which she has been conducting for 20 years, are mostly for homeschooled children around the table at her ranch home in Duncan. “I enjoyed having all those little girls here for years, and we started off with watercolor because it's cheap and easy,” Lou says. “It was just a way of introducing them to art and giving them that kind of outlet… That's what's important, just having an opportunity for kids to do art.” Opening the door for students to be expressive, to be curious about and enjoy art, provides the platform for seeing possibilities. “A lot of people miss the art in the world. They miss being able to see it, to think, ‘Oh! I could put that on paper!’ or ‘I could build something that looks like that.’ Just to see what's possible is important. I think that's possibly why I like that kids can see all the different things that they can do.” It is the same opportunity people had provided for Lou, and she is continuing an art legacy. After settling in Duncan nearly 30 years ago, Lou commenced with a long involvement on the Chisolm Trail Arts Council including service as a board member and council president. On the CTAC education committee, she helps bring visual and performance artists into schools, pairing them with groups of students for

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29 hometown living at its best workshops, once a kite maker and another time Native American dancers. On the gallery committee, she hangs all of the shows at the arts council gallery and has judged art contests such as Paint in the Park. Lou also highlights the art of local young people with the council in the National Youth Art Month show in March and teaches middle school-age students acrylic and watercolor painting at Art Explosion. “We invite teachers from all over southern Oklahoma to bring their students’ artwork,” says Lou, “and we hang it and have a big reception. I just love that. Having a place to show your art is important. It's one thing to do art in your house and never let it out, but to be able to share it with other people, I think that's what makes it a lot more fun.” To say Lou is still involved in creating her own art is an understatement. She has painted in Art Battle competitions back in Wichita Falls. A timed painting session with spectators, it pushes artists’ skills, changing their style by allowing them to break free from their usual parameters. Lou and one of her students have each won it, and Lou’s daughter is an Art Battle national champion. By putting her art out there and sharing it, Lou is doing just what she encourages her students to do. Her work was in the Wichita Falls Mystery Exhibit, and she challenges herself in the World Watercolor Group Facebook event of creating a painting each day during a single month. Painting for herself, working mostly in watercolor and pastels, capturing natural light, how it plays on something either rendering it from a photograph or painting en plein air, Lou is up for challenges. She

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also won first place in an arts council show with her pastel “Early Morning Trees,” a piece that demonstrates a characteristic element in her art —light. “There's something about the way light hits things that fascinates me,” Lou says. “I think what makes an art piece interesting is the different values, the lights, the darks that maybe spark the painting. Sometimes I'll see something like that, the way the light is shining through the trees, and I say, ‘I gotta put that down,’ and that's the kind of art I do for myself.” When art opportunities came full circle, after running into the former teacher who earlier had inspired her artistic endeavors, she was faced with another challenge. At his studio, he handed her a piece of clay and suggested she see if she could still throw. She could indeed still throw. Her husband bought her a throwing wheel, and together they built a pottery room. They make mugs, display them in the Wildfire Gallery in the Oklahoma City Paseo art district and sell them at a number of Viridian Coffee locations. “It's really kind of a neat thing,” Lou says. “We are busy making pottery, and it's really just amazing.” Amazing is also a good word for describing Lou’s involvement in the Duncan art and education community. Watch for her next workshop or her next light-capturing work of art. † 31 hometown living at its best

32 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group Ingredients • 3 ounces cream cheese, softened • 1/2 cup sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1/3 cup baking cocoa (I use a German dark chocolate bar melted) • 1/3 cup milk • 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed • 1 graham cracker pie crust. • Chocolate curls or chips, optional Directions 1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add chocolate alternately with milk; mix well. Fold in whipped topping. 2. Pour into the pie shell. Freeze for 8 hours or overnight. Sprinkle with chocolate curls or chips if desired. Serve directly from the freezer (pie does not need to be thawed to cut). From the Kitchen of Jan Cole FROZEN CHOCOLATE PIE "I love chocolate, especially dark chocolate!This is an easy recipe to whip up and keep on hand.

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34 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group Join us in congratulating them with prayers & well wishes for their future endeavors. Contact our office for information on being featured in our next HOMETOWN GRADUATES SECTION. content@hometownmedia.group HOMETOWN 1 2 3 4

36 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group THINGS I WISH I KNEW WHEN I STARTED COLLEGE Attending college is a huge milestone in a young person’s life. Going out on your own for the first time, learning the ropes of adulthood, and working towards a college degree— it’s a combination of exciting and scary to say the least. After attending college for the last 4 years here are some of the things I wish I would have known when I began this life changing journey. When you show up to campus on your first day just remember that you’re not alone. Every other freshman on campus is just as lost and confused as you are, so don’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions. Chances are those questions about ‘where is this class’ or ‘how do I get to the dining hall’ will lead you right to where you need to be, on time, and possibly with a new friend! Learning how to properly manage your time will be one of the best skills you can learn. That skill will not only get you far in college, but it will also be beneficial when you make your way into the real world. If you have the time I would suggest joining an extra-curricular or club. That is one of the best ways to find friends and community on campus. I was a part of the rodeo team at my junior college, and I made friendships that will last a lifetime. Attending your classes and keeping up good relationships with your professors is another important aspect. A majority of the time showing up for class and being engaged in the conversation goes a long way. College can get expensive fast, so make sure that you are aware of the financial aspects of it. Apply for every scholarship you possibly can, meet up with an advisor to get scholarship recommendations, and research scholarship opportunities. At the end of the day, it is important to know that a college degree doesn’t define who you are or the things that you can accomplish. It’s okay to mess up every once in a while. Life isn’t meant to be perfect; it’s just meant to be lived. by Emery Mask

37 hometown living at its best “Look back on the journey that brought you here. What moments challenged you most? When were you asked to step outside of your familiar territory in order to rise to the occasion of your potential? I want you to remember those moments because they will embolden you.” — Kerry Washington

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41 hometown living at its best Enjoying life and all it has to offer is easier when you’re healthy. For more than 115 years, Southwestern Medical Center has been providing personal, compassionate care in the expected and the unexpected moments of life. From maternity through maturity, we’re committed to improving life and health in this community we all love. That’s why we’re here. To learn more about our comprehensive medical services, visit us online at SWMConline.com. BE WELL. LIVE WELL. SERVICES AT SOUTHWESTERN • Behavioral Health • Cardiology • Emergency Medicine • Endoscopy • Ear, Nose and Throat • Gastroenterology • General Surgery • Gynecology • Imaging – Diagnostic • Infusion Services • Intensive Care • Internal Medicine • Joint Replacement • Laboratory Services • Laparoscopic Surgery • Medical/Surgical Care • Neurology • Obstetrics • Opthalmology • Orthopedics • Outpatient Diagnostics • Pain Management • Pediatrics • Physical Rehabilitation – Inpatient • Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy • Podiatry • Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation • Surgery – Inpatient and Outpatient • Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine

42 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group photo by ben white

43 hometown living at its best WRITTEN BY JESSICA WESSON | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE SAFE CENTER AND HMG Safe, Sound & Secure The Safe Center in Duncan is a safe haven for victims of Domestic Abuse.

44 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group photo by ryan antooa

45 hometown living at its best OON AVERAGE, 1 IN 3 WOMEN AND 1 IN 4 MEN HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME FORM OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER IN THE UNITED STATES, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. These numbers are just some of the many heartbreaking statistics of domestic violence in America. However, there is a force of people fighting to lower these statistics to zero. The Safe Center in Duncan has been a helping hand to many men, women, and children who have survived domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and child abuse, including those who are local and those just passing through town. A survivor of domestic violence, who will remain anonymous throughout this story to protect her identity, recently received help from the Safe Center in the middle of a long road trip she was on with her abuser. Jane Smith was traveling back to her home state after visiting relatives with her boyfriend. They had been in an on-again-off-again relationship for approximately four years, and she had decided to go see her distant family and asked him to join her for the multi-day road trip. After the visit had concluded, the pair were on their way home when things went wrong. Smith was sick with the flu, so her boyfriend did the driving. He started stopping at casinos on their route and would spend hours at a time gambling their money away. Eventually, Smith’s partner ran out of gambling money and started driving again. Convinced everything was back on track, Smith fell asleep in the passenger seat. She woke up to see road signs indicating they were traveling in the opposite direction of home. Confused, Smith asked her boyfriend why they were driving the wrong way. That is when he became aggressive and started hitting the dash of the vehicle and raising his voice while continuing to drive. He resorted to hitting the radio, and Smith Board Training: Stephanie Morcom, Megan McCurley, Bill Straily, Lisa High , and Jamie Phipps

46 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group became afraid for her life and begged him to pull the vehicle over. Her boyfriend’s anger only intensified, and he broke the windshield of the vehicle. Eventually, it escalated into physical violence and death threats when he started swerving over the center line in front of oncoming semi-trucks to frighten Smith. The car finally came to a stop so Smith’s boyfriend could locate his cigarettes. With no idea where she was, she jumped out of the vehicle and ran for the first people she saw, which were linemen working on a light pole on the side of the road. The kind strangers called the police and waited with her until a sheriff’s deputy arrived. One of the linemen gave the officer the plate numbers of the vehicle Smith’s boyfriend was driving, and the deputy took Smith to the Safe Center in Duncan. That’s where she met Taylor Pitts. Taylor is an advocate at Safe Center, and she was assigned to Smith when she arrived. The Safe Center is a nonprofit organization that is committed to breaking the cycle of violence TOP: Tom Heinrich, June Whaley, Sonya Cummings, Hailey Mahaffey, Scott Boland, and Sammy Richardson MIDDLE: Hailey Mahaffey, Taylor Pitts, Jamie Phipps, Jessica Palmer, Shera Tahbonemah, Alex Anderson, and James Almy BOTTOM: Neal Moore, Nuell Brown, Scott Boland, Jeff Prater, James Almy, and Greg Brooks

47 hometown living at its best TOP LEFT: Shera Tahbonemah, Scott Boland, and Amy Coberly; TOP RIGHT: Leslie Richardson, Staphanie Morcom, and Jamie Phipps BOTTOM LEFT: Hailey Mahaffey, Alex Anderson, Megam McCurley, and Shera Tahbonemah; BOTTOM RIGHT: Hailey Mahaffey and Jamie Phipp OUR MISSION: Safe Center is committed to breaking the cycle of violence for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking & child abuse by creating a safe place & supportive enviroment for individuals & families.

for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and child abuse by creating a safe and supportive environment for individuals and families. “We’re a crisis intervention program, so we offer a variety of resources to domestic violence survivors,” Pitts said. “We provide short term emergency shelter, individual advocacy and community outreach.” The Safe Center also offers a 24-hour crisis line, transportation, safety planning, victim support groups, legal aid services and education. The agency opened its doors in 1995. In 2021 the Safe Center started operating as a Child Advocacy Center by conducting forensic interviews. They provide a child-friendly, safe location for law enforcement and/or Child Protective Services to observe forensic interviews with children who are alleged victims of crimes. Each of these services are completely free and confidential. Pitts helped Smith with her intake process, which is where the center assesses the immediate needs of survivors and tries to meet them. “When Jane came through our doors and we heard her story, we knew she needed immediate shelter and a bus ticket for her to go back home to her family,” Pitts said. “It’s a case-by-case basis, and that process looks different for each survivor we help.” Smith only had the clothes on her back when she escaped from her abuser. He had taken her cell phone and smashed it, so she could not even call anyone for help. “I was so afraid when I arrived at the Safe Center, but I was welcomed and taken care of from the start,” Smith said. “I got to take a shower, and they gave me fresh clothes to change into. I was surrounded by angels there.” The team at the Safe Center helped her with emergency shelter and bought her food. They also provided her with a laptop so she could track down a family member to let them know she was safe. The next morning, she was provided with a new cell phone and a bus ticket to go back to the family members she had been visiting. “I was in a town where I didn’t know anybody, and I am just so grateful for the Safe Center,” Smith said. “I felt safe and supported, and I was back in my own home within 48 hours of the incident. Now I’m inspired to help out at a similar facility in my own community.” This story is just one of many that unfold at places like the Safe Center in Duncan. Unfortunately, the world we live in has domestic violence statistics, but people like Taylor and the team at the Safe Center are fighting every day to change that. “Our goal is to make survivors feel safe, sound and secure,” Pitts said. “If you’ve ever gone through or are currently going through something like this, please know that we are here to help you navigate that. You don’t have to do it alone.” † CALL THE SAFE CENTER’S 24 HOUR HOTLINE 580-252-4357. 48 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group

49 hometown living at its best PREVENT, PROTECT, & PAVE THE PATHWAY TO HEALING

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51 hometown living at its best

52 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group HOMETOWN Happenings

Light the Photos provided by DUNCAN PUBLIC LIBRARY The Duncan Public Library and the Friends of the Duncan Public Library held their inaugural “Light the Library” event on Friday, December 22, 2023. The event showcased the new custom 9-ft by 24-ft lighted sign purchased by the Friends of the Library. The library encouraged attendees to bring personal hygiene items for Christians Concerned and to take an ornament from the Safe Center Angel Tree. Guests listened to Christmas music and drank hot cocoa from the Friends-sponsored hot cocoa bar while visiting. Library director Amy Ryker thanked Friends members, officers, and those who purchased books in the year-round book sale or donated, for supporting the unique addition to the library. As the sun set, Ryker moved the crowd to the front lawn for a countdown to lighting the new holiday display. The bright white “Season's Readings” and warm glow of the amber book display brought cheers and photo ops. Several cars on Highway 81 honked in support as well! The Friends of the Library look forward to next year’s lighting and charity event and continuing the fun tradition annually for years to come! LIBRARY 53 hometown living at its best

54 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group

55 hometown living at its best

56 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group WRITTEN BY REBECCA SANCHEZ | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY DRH and HMG Navigating Healthy Food Choices

57 hometown living at its best

58 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group ating healthy is no easy task in a hectic world or in a busy grocery store with shelves full of items proclaiming to have our best interest at heart. Packaging fronts shout, “Low Fat!” and “GlutenFree!” or “Made with real…” (You fill in the blank.) Add navigating the nutrition label and ingredient list on the back of the package, can or carton while also striving to meet the needs of a medically prescribed diet and the challenge increases. When dietary needs are unique to each person, how does one begin? Before you do the grocery shopping, familiarize yourself with nutrition labels and common packaging vocabulary. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) put requirements on certain vocabulary claims such as “free, low, reduced, high, good source, more, lean, extra lean, high potency, modified, fiber source” and even “antioxidants.” “Healthy” even comes with stipulations, which update periodically with nutritional science. Take note that “No sugar added” doesn’t mean there isn’t sugar or carbohydrates. “Multigrain” simply means multiple grains, but whole grains have not lost their nutrients in a refinement process. “Organic” refers to how food is farmed. Knowing terminology makes for a more confident shopper. For another look, turn a food package over and examine the nutrition label. Beware of serving sizes calculated on how much of the food people typically eat and know that serving size doesn’t dictate a prescribed amount. Daily values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet, which may not match your own. Whether daily values are high or low depends on your dietary needs. Labels also alert us about the elements we want to limit, such as sugars, fats, cholesterol, and sodium. Ingredient lists can also reveal the truth behind the advertising because they are listed in order of weight, heaviest to lightest. The “real fruit” might be at the end. Trendy lingo, persuasive advertising, and complex nutrition and ingredient labels can make attaining your goals for healthier food shopping very overwhelming.

59 hometown living at its best Armed with guidance from a dietitian about your particular dietary needs, it’s time to shop. But good news. It’s not where you shop but how you shop. “I tell people to eat as fresh a food as you can,” says registered and licensed dietitian Jessica Nuñez at DRH Health. “The less processed foods the better… Think about when you go to the grocery store. What's on the outside? You have your deli, your bakery, your meat, your milk, your eggs -all those fresher items that have a shelf life, are on the outside of the grocery store. That’s what we call perimeter shopping. The inner aisles are those things that are processed with lots of preservatives in them. So, if you can eat as fresh of foods as you can, as often as you can, you're doing a good job there. If you can do more cooking at home, you know what you're putting in your foods.” Local farmers markets are a popular place for shopping healthy and fresh. "We encourage the public to choose foods, fruits and vegetables, that are grown locally and seasonally because the nutritional values of local, seasonal produce are higher than the off-seasonal, conventionally grown produce,” says DRH Health clinical dietitian Hui Hui Lee. “The local fruits and vegetables are usually harvested closer to their peak ripeness, which allows this produce to ripen naturally on the plant, so they retain more nutrients. The nutrient Hui Hui Lee Jessica Nuñez

60 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group contents of fruits and vegetables begin to deplete at the harvest time. In addition, fresh fruits and vegetables are often less expensive when they are in season." Myths about healthy eating also create obstacles. Carbs get condemned and fried foods are frowned upon. An all-or-nothing impression of good foods versus tasty foods can be confusing and defeating, but knowing which carbs and fats are which and how to fry healthier can open doors. Preparing your own meals with fresh ingredients is best, but baby steps count when it comes to building healthy habits. "You do not have to follow a specific eating regimen or drastically overhaul your entire eating pattern to eat healthier,” Nuñez says. “Small changes incorporated one at a time can have a big impact over time. Eat as fresh as you can, as often as you can. Watch your portions. Eat from all the food groups -protein, vegetable, fruit, grain and dairy. And, eat a variety of foods. You start by making one better choice at one meal. For example, if you go out to lunch and you usually order a hamburger, fries, and a soda, you can change the fries for a salad or a fruit cup. That is one small change that decreases your fat intake and increases your fresh fruit or vegetable intake, or you can change the soda for water. That is one small change that decreases your calorie intake and your added sugar intake. That is just one change at one meal. Overtime, these changes add up."

61 hometown living at its best Seeing a doctor and asking for an appointment with a dietitian is also a good place to start your healthy eating journey but be aware of the unregulated ‘nutritionist’ title. Dietitians are credentialed, backed by a bachelor’s degree, an internship involving nutritional science and having passed a national exam before applying for licensure. With food being so integral to health, dietitians are everywhere -in hospitals, Women Infants and Children’s clinics and outpatient settings too. Dietitians are guiding people who may have been recently diagnosed with a cardiovascular issue or diabetes, helping them figure out what’s right for their health condition. In outpatient settings, they help with managing a condition such as kidney disease or heart disease or to achieve goals such as weight loss. Dietitians help people understand the choices they can make from one’s food preferences to the grocery list to navigating the advertisement laden grocery store shelves. While the information available is vast, beyond the scope of this article, learning the lingo can bring confidence to choosing the right products for you. Ultimately, choose fresh as a first line of defense, shop smart and keep incorporating new daily healthy choices. †

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64 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group RESERVE YOUR GRADUATE ANNOUNCEMENT SPACE TODAY! Limited spacing available for the HOMETOWN GRADUATES SPECIAL SECTION Call 817.599.6167 or email content@hometownmedia.group for info.

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