By Adrienne Nobles
Imagine children arriving at school wearing houseshoes, broken flip-flops or perhaps just socks.
Sounds like something that might happen in a stereotypical “inner-city” school, but Edmond Medical Center (EMC) Director of Communications and Community Relations Leslie Buford said she and the staff at the center were shocked to find out that it happens in Edmond at schools like Orvis Risner Elementary.
“We were stunned that a school in Edmond was almost entirely a Title 9 school (free lunch and breakfast). Like many others here in the city, we just presumed that the high quality of life transferred over to our elementary school students.” [more]

By Rose Drebes
The children of Oak Tree Golf and County Club always look forward to Donna Roach’s Christmas gift — the annual Gingerbread House Workshop.
“I give my time — that’s my gift to the neighborhood kids,” she said.
For the past 17 years, Donna has been organizing the raising of the gingerbread roofs, during which, she said, as far as creativity goes, “The sky is the limit.”
“This is the day to do what they want to,” she said.
Donna began making gingerbread houses herself some 30 years ago as a hobby. [more]

By Mallery Nagle
In this season of giving, a longtime Edmond neighbor could use some help.
Boys Ranch Town, located on SE 33rd Street since 1953, is a residence for 44 boys who need homes. “It’s our mission to help children become capable, Christian adults,” said Boys Ranch Town administrator, Brent Thackerson.
Thackerson explained that many of the boys at his facility, which is one of the Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, are children who have been identified as “at-risk” by school counselors. [more]