by Mike Lee, Staff Writer

If life is a stage then 65-year-old Marilyn Govich wants to play her part.
Accomplished actor, singer, teacher – and most importantly, mother – Govich feels most comfortable when all eyes are on her.
And thousands were able to see her earlier this month as she performed in Lyric Theatre’s production of Mary Poppins.
“My part is small,” she says humbly.
Her role in this run may have been brief but the part she’s played in the lives of her students is immeasurable.
Govich was bitten by the stage bug early and she sang a lot in church. After winning the lead role in a fifth grade operetta voice lessons soon followed.
“I was blessed with a voice that stood out from other people at that time, at that age,” the professor of voice at the University of Central Oklahoma said. “My parents, I thank them so much.”
To say the Govich family is artistically gifted would be an understatement.
Daughter Milena is accomplished on stage and screen. She played Detective Nina Cassady on the hit series Law & Order. Along the way she’s appeared in seven feature films and maintained a thriving voice career, appearing twice on tour with China’s biggest pop star.
Her son, Mateja Govich, just returned to Oklahoma from New York City where he spent the last eight years pursuing theatre. Most notably, Mat performed in the Broadway revival of Cabaret at Studio 54.
He is currently working on his Master’s degree in Music at the University of Central Oklahoma where he is also an adjunct instructor of voice.
Her other son, Nikola, has helped elevate the New York City and now Minneapolis cocktail scenes as a mixologist.
Both Mat and Milena studied voice under their mother. The full impact would hit years later.
“This a stage mother’s fantasy,” she said. “They were both in Cabaret on Broadway at the same time. I’m sitting in the audience beaming and smiling.”
Govich went into teaching and then dropped out for a few years to become a mom.
“I was out of school 25 years after completing my masters and then went back to get a doctorate after a quarter century,” she says with pride.
The policy for UCO faculty was that you had to have a terminal degree to gain promotion. She didn’t do it for the money. Like most things she does, she did it for the accomplishment.
“I decided this was what I really wanted to be doing,” she said. “And I really wanted to be the best I could be at the highest level.”
So there she was teaching full-time as her own children were leaving to go to college.
“It was an exciting and busy, challenging time but something I’m really proud I did,” Govich said.
Her career is a celebrated one.
She has performed as a soloist with the newly created Center for Historical Performance Practice, and previously was a soloist with the Oklahoma Collegium Musicum.
She continues as an active recitalist, oratorio soloist, adjudicator and clinician. She has twice been selected to perform as a soloist at the National Conference of the National Opera Association in New York City and has twice presented Artist Recitals at the Texoma Regional Conference of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, as well as performed for regional conferences of The College Music Society.
She has recorded a scene from the David Yeagley opera “Jacek” with the Polish National Radio Symphony in Katowice, Poland for Opus One Records.
Two of her students recently won national Outstanding Performance Awards at the Kennedy Center of the American College Theatre Festival.
Govich understands that her stage and teaching career will someday come to an end. But all she has to do is pick up a current Playbill or turn on the TV to see that her work will live on for many years.
Govich now has four grandkids to wrangle. Two grandsons are in Minneapolis and a pair of granddaughters are here.
The widow of 16 years stays busy, even when she’s not.
Earlier this month, Govich played Miss Andrews in the Lyric Theatre production of Mary Poppins.
“She almost takes glee in administering the kids punishment,” Govich said of the nanny who briefly replaces Mary Poppins. “She’s more brimstone and cod liver oil.”
The performance meant more than most for Govich on a personal scale.
Lyric Theatre is known for bringing in accomplished performers from Broadway as well as using a mix of local talent.
The role of Mary Poppins was played by Lindsie VanWinkle, who had just finished a three-month run on Broadway in Nevermore – The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe.
When the two met in pre-production meetings in Oklahoma City a big hug ensued.
VanWinkle is a former voice student.
“She’s just phenomenal,” Govich said. “We have a wonderful relationship and we stay in touch.”
The other Mary Poppins female lead is Melissa Griffith, also a Govich pupil.
“I feel so blessed to have been a part of their lives and part of their training,” Govich says of the countless students she has mentored. “I just hope I’ve had a hand (in their careers).”

by Vickie Jenkins, staff writer

One of the residents at Heritage Assisted Living has been getting a little extra attention lately. Not only is he an all-around-good-guy but he has reached a milestone in his life. He is 100 years young! His name is Jack Bryant, a Navy Veteran who served his country in WWII.
Born in Oklahoma City, OK, Bryant likes to share his stories about his life. When Bryant was six years old, his mother had some medical issues and at the time, it was best for Bryant to move in with his grandmother. “I loved my grandmother very much and she took care of me. Her house was 3 blocks from the grade school and 4 blocks from junior high so I was within walking distance so it worked out great for me.”
“When I was six, I didn’t mind the walking to school, even though the 3 blocks seemed much longer back then,” Bryant said. “They didn’t have anything like a bus,” he added. “It didn’t matter what the weather was like. Even if it snowed, all of the kids in the neighborhood walked to school.”
“I was around 8 years old when I became a working boy! I delivered The Daily Oklahoman newspaper!” he said in a stern voice. “Now, back then, the only form of news was the newspaper. The paper ruled everything! If someone wanted to buy a house or buy a car, they would look at the newspaper. That’s just the way it was.”
“I enjoyed living with my grandmother. She was set in her ways but she allowed me to ‘be myself.’ She showed me how to treat others, teaching me respect. She allowed me to make my own decisions, teaching me responsibility. She taught me that my opinion mattered, teaching me how to stand up for myself. I’ll have to say, living with my grandmother was the best thing that could have happened to me. She taught me about life.”
At age 14, Bryant moved back in with his parents. His folks moved several times over the years and he graduated from Classen high school in Oklahoma City, OK.
The next thing I knew, Bryant started talking about cars. “My first car was a Ford Model A. I’ll never forget that ole thing. I was driving all over the place at the age of 15! Age didn’t matter back then,” Bryant paused for a moment, setting up tall and straight with pride in his voice and said, “You know, I drove for 85 years and never got a ticket.”
Going down memory lane, Bryant began talking about how he met his wife, Ella. “I was in the Navy, stationed at Daytona Beach, Florida. The USO was in town and they were having a dance that night. A friend and I were coming back to our barracks when we heard music in the distance; coming from the big building across the street. My friend mentioned that he was going to go check it out and he wanted me to come along. I didn’t really want to and we argued a few minutes and then, I figured I would. So, here we go, off to the dance! As we got closer to the building, the music was louder and louder…and then, I stood in the doorway. When I entered the room, there were men on one side of the room and women on the other. We were to choose who we wanted to dance with. I saw a pretty, young woman glancin’ my way and I walked over and asked her to dance. That’s how it all started,…she was the girl of my dreams and it wasn’t long after, we got married. I can remember the details of that dance like it was yesterday,” he said. “The rest is history. We were married for 71 wonderful years.”
Bryant was in the Navy for 3 years. After getting out of the military, Bryant worked for B.C. Clark Jewelers here in Oklahoma City. “Ella and I lived in the Village area, raising 3 boys there. Those were some of the best times of my life,” Bryant said.
Bryant is a kind, individual, storyteller that lived a good life and continues on. Serving his country in the U.S, Navy, Veteran of WWII, married to Ella for 71 years and enjoys spending time with his sons and their families as often as he can.
Bryant has made many friends along the way and will continue to do so.
A heartfelt thank you to Jack Bryant and all of the Veterans that served their country! You made a difference in our lives. Thank you!

The Oklahoma Insurance Department is joining forces to spread a life-saving message to drivers: “Move over. It’s the law.” The message is part of an initiative by the Oklahoma Traffic Incident Management Steering (TIMS) Coalition. The Coalition also includes representatives from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Sheriffs Association, Oklahoma Emergency Management and many more.
“As the holidays approach and more people will be on the road, we’re asking Oklahoma drivers to be more mindful behind the wheel,” said Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak. “Not only is moving over the law, it will help save the lives of first responders and lower the number of costly traffic delays.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 52 law enforcement officers were killed in traffic-related incidents last year. Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Nicholas Dees was hit and killed last year along I-40. His mother is featured in a new public service announcement which began airing this month. It can also be viewed here.
“Half of me died because of one man that did not move over for emergency vehicles,” said Shelley Russell, Dees’ mother.
Oklahoma’s Move Over law requires drivers approaching a parked emergency vehicle with flashing lights, including wreckers, to move over to the next lane. If the driver cannot move over, he or she is required to slow down. Troopers suggest drivers reduce speed to 15-20 mph or slower. The penalty for failing to slow down or change lanes is a ticket with a fine of more than $200.
Another benefit of drivers abiding by the Move Over law is a reduction in the number of costly traffic delays. According to the Texas Transportation Institute, for each hour a vehicle is stuck in traffic $21 is wasted per vehicle in time and fuel.
One way to ease the burden of traffic is for drivers to move over if they are involved in a non-injury car accident. This allows drivers to safely exchange insurance information and not block the flow of traffic.
“Many drivers seem to think that moving over is just an optional courtesy when they see flashing lights or have a minor wreck,” Doak said. “It’s not optional. Move over. It’s the law.”

by Vickie Jenkins

Almost all of us can remember our childhood days. We were stress-free, not a care in the world as we used our imaginations; using our fat, little fingers to sculpture our own little work-of-art with play-dough, color with brightly-colored crayons and draw numerous pictures. Our artwork seemed to take over the refrigerator. Did you know that as we were being creative, we were relieving stress? No wonder we were having so much fun!
Meet Danny Gordon, a self-taught multi-award winning artist/illustrator from Oklahoma City, OK. Danny has been drawing since the age of five years old. “I come from a family of 7 children. When I was growing up, my brothers and I would sit around the dining room table after dinner and draw pictures; animals, cars, houses, robots and anything else that seemed to fit a typical little boy’s style. Well, except for me. I was drawing people,” Danny answered with a smile.
After graduating high school, Danny attended several area colleges where he furthered his artistic skills and won numerous awards in the process, including the Most Prestigious Art Student in Oklahoma for 2 consecutive years, Prestigious Honor of Graphic Communication of Oklahoma and numerous awards for first place for his outstanding artwork. Most of his drawings consisted of portraits of people. Each canvas brought out the unique and creative side of Danny.
One of Danny’s first jobs was at C.R. Anthony Co. as an illustrator/fashion designer where he designed the ads for newspapers and magazines. His artwork was featured in various art shows, libraries, schools and children’s books. It was in 2004, Gordon’s art work expanded into “Danny’s Doggies.” These were pictures of a dog’s head drawn into cartoon form. The dogs took on their own personality as they held up signs of what they said to their owner. “Everyone liked the idea of the dogs,” Danny said. “I know everyone likes cats too but I love to draw pictures of the dogs. I have drawn over 600 kinds of dogs and that’s not even all of them,” he said.
“Is there one drawing that stands out from the rest?” I ask Danny. “I have always been a perfectionist, even when I was little. When I would draw and make a mistake, I would discard it right then. As my artistic skills improved, I didn’t discard as many pictures. Overall, I think one of my favorite drawings is one of my dogs, the Beagle. I name all of the drawings of the dogs and I choose a name that seems to fit their personality,” he replied with a laugh.
Wondering where Danny comes up with his ideas, he said, “Well, I am inspired when I see something. It can be anything. It causes me to be creative. Like with my dog art, I see a dog and his owner, and it makes me really think and study it. After a little while, everything becomes comical and it makes me want to make people laugh. That is one of my goals; to see people happy. I like the interaction between a dog and its owner. It’s kind of like the conversations are little secrets between the two of them.”
This successful and popular body of whimsical dog art has grown into a product line which includes collectible bean bag plush toys, dog toys, prints, and more. Not only does Danny’s artistic abilities come alive with his creativeness, his personality of passion for others shines through.
“Another one of my passions has always been teaching art to children. Many years ago, before I drew my first dog, I began teaching basic drawing lessons to children at the church that I attended. Since then, I have been visiting elementary schools throughout Oklahoma, teaching children to draw.”
Danny has visited many schools over the years. Children love for him to visit the classrooms where Danny gives the children a personal art lesson. “I usually draw a character like a mascot of the school or something. I let the children create what they want me to draw, choosing what the character will look like, how they will be dressed, if they are going to play sports or not. Children have a brilliant imagination and their mind runs wild sometimes,” he says with a laugh. “They have come up with some great ideas. One class even chose their character to be the class mascot. It was so much fun.”
Danny is the artist and founder of Comical Canine Gift Shop, located at 7918 N.W. 23, Bethany, OK. “Last year, we opened the Comical Canine Gift Shop and Art School where my comical dog prints and products are sold plus I am able to teach art classes for children age 7 and up. Here, you will be able to choose from a print of a dog, mug, coasters, backpack, tote bag, magnets and t-shirts. All of the items can be personalized depending on what is chosen.
Teaching children how to draw is another one of Danny’s talents. “Anyone can learn to draw whether they know it or not plus they have fun learning. Here are some basic learning skills that are taught in my art class. The students will be able to use simple basic shapes to draw a variety of images. They will learn about character design. An important step in drawing is when the student is able to demonstrate the ability to listen to a specific story and create a character. They use their imagination and this is so healthy for them. Basic Illustration is also taught. This allows the students to demonstrate the ability to hear a specific theme, concept or story and create a relevant image. The students will be able to use a variety of created lettering in segmented forms to create fun and interesting letters and lettering effects. One of the student’s favorites is Cartooning. The students will be able to demonstrate the ability to create humorous characters and scenes by using simple basic shapes. The children have fun with it plus they leave with their art work. This also gives the students a real feeling of confidence; a special feeling when the child draws a picture on their own and they succeed in their own little masterpiece. The look of surprise on their face is just priceless,” Danny says.
“The children love to think of something to draw and put it on paper. I have to share a story with you,” Danny said. One of my students, Ava, wanted to draw a picture of her cat, Beanie. She carefully completed her wonderful rendition of Beanie, then the amazing part happened! This was a reminder for me that no matter how many times my art is printed on a product, it’s utterly exciting! Ava chose to have Beanie printed on a t-shirt so that she could proudly wear it to school. She and her mother made this decision. Each of them was able to see the entire process of transforming Ava’s art into an actual product and their response was truly heartfelt. After I scanned Ava’s art and she and her mom saw the picture of Beanie on my large computer screen, they were so excited! I printed the t-shirt and the looks on Ava’s and her mother’s face was priceless! I love teaching children how to draw, showing them how they can create their own little masterpiece, putting it on to a useable product. Now, Ava’s mother is talking about having her art work printed onto a mug. She also wants a tote bag for her grandparents,” Danny explains.
Danny Gordon is a talented artist and enjoys his work of drawing and making children happy. Danny offers you a whimsical, funny and humorous dog art created from a unique and stylistic perspective. Each piece is a blend of caricature and accurate art that captures the small nuances of each dog breed he draws.
Starting May 7, 2016 and every following Saturday, Danny will offer two new comical pets to paint. You can go to the website www.comicalcanine.com which will show which pets are to be painted for that Saturday evening of painting and socializing. Danny’s Paint Your Pet Party is a non-alcoholic environment of fun for the family. For more information, please contact Danny Gordon at 405-498-3423 or stop by to see him at Comical Canine Gift Shop, 7918 N.W. 23, Street, Bethany, OK where you are always welcome.