Feature Story Post

The roofs on the houses slowly change from black to a mix of black with some interspersed blue as you get closer to the coastline. Some of the roofs are completely blue. They flap slightly in the salt-tinged breeze. The blue tarps are the best protection some residents of Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange, West Orange and Bridge City Texas have against the rain and the oncoming hurricane season.

The blue poly tarps are the only option some families have to act as alternatives for a roof. Other roofs feature a combination of shingles and tarp to defend against leaks. These hybrid roofs are just another part of the southeastern Texas landscape. Mary Young’s roof was blue after Hurricane Ike damaged her home in September 2008. Young, a 64 year-old African-American woman from Beaumont, Texas, is recovering from the damage Hurricane Ike caused to her home.

On first sight, Mary Young's house looks as if there is nothing wrong with it. In fact, the neighborhood Young and her family reside in appears to have not been affected at all by the hurricane whatsoever. The inside of the house however, tells a different story. Entire portions of the ceiling in various rooms of the house are missing and were temporarily replaced with plywood sheets. Young recalls the hurricane like a thief in the night.

“Ike came, he saw my little house and decided to take it,” Young said.

While Hurricane Ike did not take the entire house, Ike took some big chunks with him. Young said that when she returned to her house after a month, she could stand in her bedroom look up out of the hallway, through the ceiling and roof and see the sky. Water from the hurricane and every rainstorm after the hurricane damaged most of the furniture inside the house. Young said when she returned from her evacuation that many of the mattresses in the house were soaking wet. The carpet was drenched. A portion of the roof collapsed on her dining room table, which was lost. To some extent, Ike damaged everything in the house. In addition to the destruction of her house, she was not insured and was laid off just before the hurricane hit, leaving Young in a bad spot financially.

Due to her economic circumstances and the condition of her house, Mary qualified for assistance from Disaster Recovery, an organization that supplies mission groups with work sites, tools and materials to help families affected by hurricanes to mend and restore their homes. Susan Smith, site leader for Disaster Recovery in the Beaumont region, said that Disaster Recovery has helped 721 families that have been affected by Hurricane Rita. In addition the organization has also assisted 160 families affected by Hurricane Ike. Approximately 30 families are still on the list for assistance from Disaster Recovery.

However, “That number lessens everyday,” Smith said.

Young filled out an application for assistance from Disaster Recovery to replace her roof and finish construction work on her house. Makeshift repairs were put in place. A blue tarp was installed but leaked. Young battled the rain by placing buckets and blankets on the beams in her attic to catch and absorb the leaking water from the storms. She continued to live in her home, plywood and all, from October 2008 to February 2010 when her new roof was completed. Young relied on her faith and prayer to get her and her family through the hard times.

“I prayed. I knew I had to have help, so I kept praying. I tried not to get discouraged, sometimes I did. But I kept praying that I would get assistance and it's coming,” Young said.

The help did indeed come. A mission group comprised of college students, the young adult mission trip from FUMC of Keller, answered Mary’s prayers. A crew from the mission group answered the call on March 17 and repaired Mary’s ceiling. Young was overjoyed as the sheet rock was installed and her ceiling restored. Bruce Bacon, leader of the young adult mission trip, commented on Young’s house.

“The house was a very neat house. She has a lot of pride in it. To be able to help her and her family…the least we could do for her right then was to help her house become whole again,” Bacon said.

In addition to helping Mary Young, the mission team from FUMC of Keller assisted six other clients during their week of missionary work over spring break.

Football Cleats and Music Scores

Cleats and conducting, game plays and rehearsal schedules. What exactly do those things have in common? Dr. Richard Zielinski could tell you: it’s him.

Zielinski, Dr. Z as he is most commonly referred to, is the choral director of activities at the School of Music at the University of Oklahoma.

On the surface, one sees a man who has a love for music and teaching it, but on the inside his passion for music and sports flows through his body like ending vocals resonating in an auditorium.

Standing up looking at his bookshelf, he runs his fingers over the collection of sports books in a small section of the bookshelf in his office. Some of them were written by athletes and some by coaches. He gazes at them, all while mentioning his love for sports. Zielinski played sports all through his childhood and even into part of his college career, and actually attended Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis. on a sports scholarship.

“I never had to pick. It was always athletics and arts.”

If Zielinski weren’t teaching, he’d be a coach.

“What I do in front of a choir is very much like a coach. I’m trying to get people organized and motivated. Rehearsals are like a practice; you practice certain skills.”

Although his love of sports and competition runs deep, he did not continue to do sports for his entire college career; instead, he turned to music.

“Music can go on forever. Any athlete’ll tell ya that there comes a time when you hang up you cleats and glove.”

“I had three older sisters, and a lot of them were involved in music. So we had a lot of singing groups, piano, and we’re playing... So I just always thought that was kind of normal. There was always music at our house. My sisters and dad had a great LP collection. So I was just exposed to it at a very young age. You know, that’s the way I live my life.”

He also mentioned how the sports factored in, playing pickup games with the neighbors all day and everyone coming over to the Zielinski household where Mama Z, as the neighborhood kids called her, was with food and love, and an eye to keep on Ricky. When they went to the small three-bedroom house that was shelter to six people, they all gathered around the piano in fellowship and sang songs.

Reflecting on the wide LP collection the family had, Zielinski was exposed to different types of music.

“I’ve done all kinds of music in my life. You know, choral music, to symphonic, opera to rock ‘n roll. You know, I’ve done all that stuff. I’ve sung in rock ‘n roll bands; I’ve sung opera. You know, I’ve did all that. When I was a youngster, or younger.”

Zielinski’s athleticism got him pretty far, and his love and passion of music kept growing.

"Now I’d see, by the time I got to college, I’d go audition for choir in college They’d say ‘Why aren’t you in music? Why aren’t you a music major? You have a beautiful voice.’ I’d say, ‘Well I'm here. I’m gonna teach history and coach.’ I wanted to be a professional athlete. I always wanted to be. I was athlete of the year. I did realize that I had a lot of talent. I had great training.”

Another thing he enjoys is history, and he wants everyone to know theirs, including whichever school they attended or are attending.

“I like history. You know, I’m trying to bring back all these spirit songs. You know, these old spirit songs. There’s about 10 of them. I wanna get that football stadium singing; it’s one of my goals.”

Getting people involved and bringing them together as one community is one thing he really wants to do.

“I love how music brings the community together. There’s no division: it’s not black-white, it’s not young-old. rich or poor...They’re just singing. They don’t see that. And then think of how it looks to the audience when they see a multiracial, multicultural, multi-religious group of people. We sometimes take it for granted what choirs do. Choirs do a lot for a community.”

Dr. Mark Lucas, the assistant choir director said Zielinski could by described by intense. "But sometimes that word has a negative connotation," Lucas said, "And with him, it doesn’t." Zielinski's work ethic from his athletic years to his music years and having such a passion for it can be one reason many, including Sara Ledford, a graduate assistant that's been working with him for a bit, agrees to.

"I would also describe him as intense," she said.

Lucas also noted that he is "very energetic, words like intense, and serious describe him, but not in a negative way at all- it’s a very positive way."

From Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and traveling the world teaching and directing choirs, he’s ended up here: teaching history and coaching. 
Zielinski, a renowned and revered choir director, has traveled around the world came to OU from the University of South Florida.

-ReiL.

Oklahoma: Where the Stone Goes Sweeping Down the Ice

As the clock strikes five on the old scoreboard at the Arctic Edge Arena in Edmond, Okla., members of a local youth hockey team make their way off the ice and into the locker room.

As the team exits and the zamboni begins its circling of the rink, a small crowd begins to congregate at the north end. The diverse group patiently waits for the ice to be cleaned and makes its way onto the ice, donning sweatshirts, jeans and street shoes.

It’s now five thirty. Time for practice.

The group begins to warm up, one by one taking their position kicking off the hack and throwing a stone down the ice.

The newly formed Oklahoma Curling Club has officially begun their second week of meeting.

The club was started by Jonathan Havercroft, a political science professor at the University of Oklahoma.

Havercroft grew up playing the sport in Canada and when he moved down to Oklahoma he began planning what has now become the Oklahoma Curling Club.

“The most important part is finding a group of people that are interested,” Havercroft said.

Word of Oklahoma’s first curling club spread through email, Google and Facebook searches and features in the paper and on local news programs.

The club currently has about 70 paying members looking to give the sport a shot and see what it’s really about.

Curling is a sport normally associated with jokes and criticism rather than devout fans and followers. The sport is highlighted every four years when it can be seen during the Winter Olympics.

Curling is played between two teams of four. A game consists of ten ends, which are similar to innings in baseball. In each end, teams will “throw” a curling stone across a sheet of ice toward a bulls eye at the opposite end know as “the house.”

One of curling’s most famous elements are the two players that will glide alongside the rock, sweeping the ice ahead of it. The sweeping helps the team change the stone’s speed and direction in order for it to sit where they feel is most strategic.

Points are determined at the completion of an end based on which team has a stone closest to the center of the house.

Most of the members of the Oklahoma Curling Club have begun to understand the rules. It’s the technique they need to master, which many members feel they’re beginning to get a hang of.

Though Oklahoma’s club is small and still in its early stages, it certainly proves one thing: the sport is growing.

For many years, curling in the United States solely took place in select areas of the country. Wisconsin, Minnesota and upstate New York held most of the country’s clubs and interest in the sport.

Thanks to the curiosity the Olympics have stirred into those all across the country, clubs are beginning to pop up in many unconventional locations. Southern states such as Florida, Arizona and Texas are beginning to form curling clubs and local interest.

Many people will find these clubs through social media and Internet searches based on their own curiosity.

Others will try curling to answer a challenge.

“You turn on the radio anywhere in the country during the Olympics and somebody is make fun of curling,” said Rick Lemke, the president of the Wauwatosa Curling Club in Wauwatosa, Wis. “We have a lot of members who will call into those radio shows and say, ‘Hey, it’s a lot of fun. Why don’t you come give it a try?’”

One of the biggest challenges clubs face is taking people who try it one time and having them commit to a league, where the real fun begins.

Much like golf and bowling, curling will get a lot of people hooked because of its social aspect.

“My favorite part about curling are the social components,” said Erich Gross, a member of the Wauwatosa Curling Club. “There’s a little bit of competiveness and a little bit of social interaction. It’s mostly just hanging out.”

As word begins to spread and interest from the Oklahoma continues to grow, Havercroft hopes his club can continue maintain its members while attracting new ones.

He’s already planning a few Thursday night sessions on the basics of curling for community members who aren’t quite ready to commit to a league.

Though most of the state may never know the difference between a bonspiel or a slider, curling has officially begun in Oklahoma.

Feature Story: Steve's Rib

Steve’s Rib

As you drive through the streets of Edmond, Oklahoma, many mouth-watering smells overwhelm your nostrils.

Continue to drive until you finally reach the one-of-a-kind Steve’s Rib. Through the car window the aroma of ribs, brisket and baked beans fills the air. A smell so enticing you will enter the parking lot and begin walking towards the front door. As the doors swing open, hosts will welcome you with smiles as they lead you to the nearest open booth. Upon taking your seat, the sound of multiple sporting events ring from the plasma televisions posted onto the walls, as well as a low chattering from the surrounding customers.

Open the two-page menu, which allows for a number of choices and pick the items that sound most appetizing. Whether you order pulled pork, turkey or ribs with steak fries, your food will be served to you very promptly. Once you receive your food, drizzle some of the homemade barbeque sauce atop it and chow down. Steve’s Rib will provide a meal that will cause not only your taste buds to be satisfied, but also your wallet.

However, this story is about the creator Steve, a man who took yet a mere thought and transformed it into a thriving restaurant. As many know, behind every business is an idea from a dreamer. Behind every successful business is a history of hard work and determination. Steve’s Rib is the product of a dream turning into a reality.

In 1993, Steve became the proud owner of a kiosk in a Homeland grocery store. Attempting to put himself through architectural school, he began learning how to cook and create recipes. After receiving a few pointers from the previous owner of the kiosk, Steve’s Rib was well on its way. With assistance from his friend Mike, the two handled every aspect of the restaurant whether it was cooking, cleaning or serving. People began flowing into Homeland to wait in line for a taste of perhaps the best barbeque they would ever experience. Steve’s Rib soon became so popular that they knew they must upgrade to a bigger facility. Upon relocating to a new building within the same shopping center, business only increased. “It was very strange at first moving into the new building,” Mike said. “We went from doing absolutely everything ourselves to having employees. It changed from a rib stand to a restaurant. The growth was tremendous, and everything was completely different.”

However, the new restaurant was similar to a cafeteria style as it provided a line you progressed through picking out the food you desired as you moved along. Though it provided a larger space with tables to sit and enjoy your meal, it was still not the full service restaurant Steve had always desired.

Yet, Steve’s desire soon became a reality as business continued to grow so rapidly that a full service restaurant was the only option. With his architectural degree, Steve built the new building where the restaurant is still located today including a full bar, kitchen and seating. Through the increase of services, the income has also made a tremendous leap. “Since moving we’ve gone from a $500 a day business to a multi-million dollar business,” Mike proclaimed.

Steve’s Rib also supplies jobs to many college students, including Candace Gillette, who has worked at the restaurant for 5 years. Her job entails washing dishes, waiting tables, bartending and hosting on occasion. “It’s an easy job and pays very well,” Candace said. “It’s pretty low key and there isn’t a lot of structure. Because of the money and hours, I would definitely recommend working here.”

From the creator to the employees, Steve's Rib seeks to satisfy customers. A veteran of the restaurant, Katie Stuewe, has been a witness to Steve rising from the bottom to the top over the 17-year period. “I have very fond memories of going to the grocery store with my mom as a child," Stuewe said. "The best part about those trips was on our way out of Homeland, we would stop and get the chopped brisket and barbeque sauce from Steve himself. I always knew he was there, not because he was the first thing you saw as you entered the store, but because you could always smell his delicious barbeque before you even entered the store.”

From a kiosk in a Homeland grocery store to a full service restaurant, Steve’s Rib has flourished into a prosperous business, all of which started with a simple idea, hard work and determination.

Predisan: Medical Help in Rural Honduras

The sun creeps over the horizon as the rooster crows. It peeks through the trees and creates a golden haze that quietly awakens every creature from its sleep. Miles and miles of green stretch in every direction. There is not an inch of the mountains that is not covered by a bright green jungle. The morning sun shoots energy into the mountains’ inhabitants and pulls them out of their lull. Laughter rings through the morning and dirt covered children of all ages sprint up the gravel pathway to receive free soccer balls from the gringos.

Honduras is knows as the “banana republic” of the world. Its countless hills produce agricultural exports like coffee, timber and, of course, bananas that are shipped all over the world. But even with its massive international trade, Honduras’ financial reliance on these cheap products have not kept it away from the number two spot on the “CIA World Factbook’s” list of poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Andrew Burnett, a junior undergrad at Harding University, traveled to Honduras in 2009 to develop a microfinance program in the rural communities of Catacamas. “As we continue to work in Catacamas, we have to address the growing urbanization of the region, specifically the increase in poor populations. The focus for the mountain region now needs to be turned to education while maintaining the level of health care and existing programs for the rural population” Burnett says.

With a struggling economy, proper health care is regularly overlooked, leaving the remote mountain villages of Honduras without health care guidance. If a family needs to take a member to a hospital - miles out of the mountains and into the foreign civilization of Catacamas – they must face the treacherous mountain roads that regularly flood in the rainy seasons. They are also burdened with the fact that their poverty level will not even cover a fraction of the hospital bill.

As a solution to these issues, Predisan was launched in 1986. It is a Christian medical center with a simple goal to teach basic health care techniques to the people of Catacamas, Honduras. Most of the medical conditions that are acquired in the mountains and treated by Predisan can be prevented if the individual is aware of those basic health care techniques.

Bartola Madrid, adopted daughter of the medical director Amanda Madrid, describes the campaign: “It's one of the greatest missions there is in Honduras. They are fully dedicated to helping the people that are really in need...that cannot afford a doctor. And the most important thing is that Predisan is not only concerned about the physical need, but also the spiritual need. It's one of the things I love about it ...it is balanced.”

Predisan’s practices quickly spread to the surrounding rural and mountainous areas of Catacamas.

Predisan has established five fully-functioning clinics that serve a total of 51 mountain communities. These communities are scattered over the Honduran mountains in remote locations that are commonly without basic functions like running water and toilets that flush.

Madrid goes on to elaborate more about the work that Predisan does. “I can see how giving everyone is…how doctors, nurses, preachers and missionary groups are willing to sacrifice their comfort and travel deep in the jungles to vaccinate, do oral hygiene, build latrines…that amazes me and makes me want to be a part of it every time.”

Since its introduction in the 1980s, Predisan has grown from a heath skills learning program into a full-time medical facility. However, the health care programs it provides in the rural and mountainous areas are Predisan's passion. Predisan medical staff trains volunteers to go into the villages and conduct programs that teach everything from basic sanitation rules to providing vaccinations for poisonous snake bites.

A growing and increasingly popular campaign –for mission groups- that Predisan conducts is the Healthy School Program. A staff made up of medical leaders and volunteers are invited into the dirt-floored schools to teach children about the importance of hygiene and a healthy life-style.

In addition to the “health classes” classes taught by Predisan, oral hygiene, vitamins, healthy food, treatment for parasites and a physical assessment of the children are provided. The simple lessons that are taught provide an important foundation for the children so that they can develop healthy habits and improve their well-being.

“My [biological] mom died of cervical cancer and not because there was not cure but because she was not taught to get a regular check up. She never even had the chance to get to see a nurse because of distance and money” Madrid says.

Medical correspondents and volunteers of Predisan are encouraged to set up relationships with the teachers and students. Predisan wants the villages to know that although they are disassociated with urban life, medical and spiritual assistance are not out of reach.

Kelly Graham, office administrator for New Hope Church of Christ, has done mission work with Predisan since 1999. “The people make it special. I have built lasting relationships in Honduras...” Graham says, “It is locals helping each other and trying to improve themselves and their lives. The people are thankful and not expectant.”

"In Your Dreams"

Ding, ding. The door shuts behind me. “Hi, how are you today?” asks a friendly face behind the counter. I am immediately soothed by the Colbie Caillat tracks playing above and the sweet aromas coming from candles scattered around the store. My eyes scan the brightly colored merchandise filling the little boutique and I can feel myself smiling as I begin to look around.

“In Your Dreams” is an independently owned business that is notorious for the large variety of goods sold under one roof. "We carry an eclectic mix of everything: artwork, home decor, entertainment, kitchenware, loungewear, bedding, jewelry and more," employee Renee Coffman said. The shop sells many well-known brand name items, such as Beatrix Ball and Pine Cone Hill. According to the owner, the most popular brand item sold is Brighton jewelry, which has only been available in the store for the last two years. Owner Sally Elkin says, “Selling Brighton is like owning another business in one store. Business is huge; Brighton has great brand recognition and we do a lot to promote it.”

One thing that this boutique prides itself on is the variety of handmade items it sells. Several paintings by local artists hang on the walls, and during the holiday season, Elkin says that handmade glass ornaments are very popular with the customers. One particular item that receives a lot of attention is the Texas Cross. These crosses are handmade from barbed wire by the staff of Tender Heart Design in Texas. These workers then pray over the crosses, and bless and anoint them before shipping them to “In Your Dreams”. No other store in the Norman area carries this product. Coffman claimed that the care that goes into the crosses is the main selling point and attracts many customers.

There are several factors that set apart this shop from all the others. "In Your Dreams is unique in the fact that there aren't many stores like it. This is your true Oklahoma brick n' mortar store," Coffman stated. Perhaps the most distinctive items sold are the sorority items. Elkin works directly with Panhellenic to sell an assortment of gifts monogrammed with Greek letters. Students, alumni and parents with children at numerous universities all come to “In Your Dreams” to buy these items. One item that has become extremely popular has customers lining up outside the door. Elkin was the first person to bring the famous scent beads to Norman, and until recently, was the only one selling them in the area. She asserted that the beads are wildly popular among students, and are primarily hung from rearview mirrors in cars. At “In Your Dreams”, customers can pick their favorite scent from over a dozen types of aroma beads, and then put them into their preferred designed bag. These bags filled with beads can then be monogrammed, as many sorority members choose to do. These scent beads and sorority items are top sellers among the many college students in Norman. “I would say that about one third of our customers are college students, so it’s important that we sell products geared toward them,” employee Kylie Watson said.

Elkin, who opened the boutique 13 years ago, is known for her fantastic customer service. "Sally has strong roots to the community. She knows a lot of people in this town and she knows her customers," Coffman said. Elkin studied retail, fashion and merchandising, and marketing at the University of Oklahoma, which gives her the knowledge of how to run this business. Her favorite part of the job is working with students. “It’s important to treat every customer like we’re glad to see them, and I want the students that come in to feel this way too, just as the adults are treated,” Elkin said. One problem Elkin deals with is going too far in taking special orders. Customers often come in with special requests about a product they want that isn’t in the store, and Elkin tries to always follow through in providing for her customers. She feels that the most important thing in running a business is listening to your customers. These values are the very elements that make this shop special.

In Your Dreams is not just another typical boutique of Norman. It is a place where employees care about their customers and cater to their needs. The vast supply of products covers every category of home décor, and is reputable for bringing customers back regularly.

For information on the location and hours of the store, go to:

http://www.inyourdreamsoklahoma.com/

Feature Story

Christie Latimer

Feature Story

Female college students across the University of Oklahoma campus, wear colorful beaded bracelets of all different patterns and hues. The bracelets are an accessory to the typical uniform-like dress that girls follow; including athletic shorts, t-shirts, and an array of sweat pants. Just like the popular Nike running shorts, the beaded bracelets have become a staple trend that many have begun to follow. However, the beaded bracelets differ from other fads in that their proceeds benefit a cause greater than the salary of another CEO.

Global Girlfriend, a wholesale corporation sells the bracelets. According to their website, the company “specializes in fairly-traded apparel and accessories hand-made by women and communities in need.” When one buys a bracelet, one percent of the proceeds goes to a micro-grant fund for a woman in Africa. Global Girlfriend attributes the help given to the women in Africa to a partner organization known as Camfed.

The Camfed Seed Money Scheme was founded in 2000. According to the Camfed website, the “Seed Money Program offers training, peer support, grants and microloans to help young women learn economic skills and launch small businesses. This program is uniquely run by young women in Cama, the Camfed Association, creating a bond of female solidarity that is integral to its success.” Also according to the website, Cama’s microfinance program has helped 5,132 women start small businesses, and 1,327 women expand their businesses since 2000. This initiative is helping women in Africa break the cycle of poverty by learning to run businesses, be self-sufficient, and budget money and time.

College girls buying the bracelets because they simply want to fit in are unknowingly impacting women half way across the world. Several local stores such as Lucca and Caymans sell the bracelets. Lucca’s assistant manager, Lindsey Massad, said that the buyers did “absolutely not” understand the benefits of the bracelets. She continued “Most girls don’t realize the bracelets are benefiting women half way across the world. Most of the employees here probably don’t even know what the bracelets benefit. We sell the bracelets in sorority colors, which has become a huge selling point, and which is why most of the girls buy them.” As of March 20, Lucca had sold over twenty five of the beaded bracelets. The bracelets are sold at different prices, depending on the retailer. Global Girlfriend sells them online for $10, but boutiques such as Lucca currently sell them for $14.99, almost 50 percent more. Because of their popularity, many students are willing to spend more to get the bracelets instantly.

Tyler Dikeman, a current Lucca employee, indicated that the stores needed to do a better job advertising the benefits of the proceeds of the bracelets. “... a sign is needed to tell the story of the bracelets and the great things that they are doing. Most people who come in and purchase the bracelets here definitely don’t know what the bracelets benefit.” Both Massed and Dikeman agreed that the stimulation of capitalism and the empowerment of women in Africa were very significant, and needed to be better advertised.

Just as mentioned by Massed, Megan Raitt, a college student, and owner of several beaded bracelets was shocked to find out that they were more than just another accessory. “I got the bracelets for my birthday. I just assumed they were cute and went with everything. I had no idea that there was more to them. I like wearing more than one, and mixing and matching them” Raitt continued, “If people knew the bracelets were for such a good cause, way more girls would wear them.”

The "sorority girl" uniform is easily recognizable, especially in college towns such as Norman. Staple wardrobe items, hairstyles, and now even accessories are standardized amongst the masses of female college students. Typically, the necessity to fit in is frowned upon by most, as our society tends to praise the individual. However, the beaded bracelets, whether girls know it or not, are a trend which differ from the others. The desire to follow the latest fads may be seen as superficial, but the benefits of sticking to the bracelet trend are much bigger than simply fitting in. Women in parts of Africa are receiving life changing benefits due to the sale of these bracelets, and the poverty cycle is slowly being broken. Regardless of why girls are buying the bracelets, they are still buying them. And because of that, our world is slowly becoming a better place.