Story by Darl DeVault, contributing editor

Seniors 65 or older who like to walk or run can invest in a new experience, the Senior Marathon, on April 29th at the 23rd annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, akin to taking a vacation rather than buying themselves a new toy. Psychologists say it is much better for one’s well-being to invest in experiences rather than purchasing new things to own.
After 22 years of community service to help fund the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon now provides a new experience.
For the first time, seniors who walk or run before the event can support the downtown museum to help to honor the victims, survivors, rescuers, and those affected by the April 19, 1995 bombing. Mercy is the presenting sponsor of the inaugural event.
Beginning in January, Senior Marathoners who sign up will walk or run 25 miles before race weekend. They can walk as they typically walk or run in their local areas, recording their 1.5 miles weekly. They add up their mileage on a Senior Marathon Running Log available online 2023-Senior-Marathon-Running-Log.pdf (okcmarathon.com) to equal the first 25 miles of a marathon.

This mileage allows them to be a part of one of our nation’s most significant feel-good events for fitness in the lead-up to the “Run to Remember” event Sunday, April 30. The day before the marathon, Saturday, at 8.m., the Senior Marathoners complete their event between the 7 a.m. start to the 5K run and the Kid’s Marathon of a similar style at 9 a.m.
From the marathon starting line at the Oklahoma City National Memorial, seniors can run or walk the last 1.2 miles of their marathon distance directly south to the finish in Scissortail Park to be part of something much bigger than themselves. This allows seniors to feel like “elite” participants because of the on-course support from a massive outpouring of cheering from volunteering OKC residents.
These new Senior Marathoners can feel the camaraderie of attending, interacting, and supporting the Health and Fitness Expo that Saturday at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. The OKC Convention and Visitors Bureau and OU Health present the Expo adjacent to the finish line.
“There’s a generation of Oklahomans who were ever-present on April 19, 1995 … so we want to reconnect both the Memorial and race weekend with the generation that was so key on that day,” said Chris Fleming, Marathon trustee chairman. “The Memorial Marathon is America’s most meaningful marathon, and the new Senior Marathon will now be a part of it.”
Oklahoma City provides walking opportunities on its trail system, but walkers in groups along these trails are a rarity. This specific new goal in April reached with the logging of miles in January, February, and March has the potential to spark groups of seniors socializing as they use the trail system. Officials say the YMCA, senior centers and community agencies will offer senior walking events for those wanting to accumulate 25 miles in a group.
The two-day event some years hosts more than 25,000 runners and walkers from every state and several foreign countries. Aside from this inaugural inclusion of seniors, the event offers a marathon, half marathon, marathon relay (5 member teams), 5K, Kid’s marathon and a wheelchair division.
Costing $30, seniors will receive an event t-shirt, finishing medal and free entry to the Museum with their bib number as they share the experience with their friends and family. Achieving their fitness goal can energize many people to participate in an activity providing good health, a key to aging gracefully.
This is just one of the ways this new facet of the marathon can stimulate Oklahomans and those around the country to enhance their lives at the finish line in Oklahoma City. The marathon weekend is the largest fundraiser for the privately owned and operated Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.
The marathon has built a reputation as one of the best in America, praised in many running publications. It also attracts legends of marathoning to speak at the Expo and run at the event. This new form of inclusion has the potential to make the event even more significant as one of the premier marathons in the country. For more info, go online to: *NEW* Senior Marathon – Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon (https://okcmarathon.com/).

By Eddie Roach

As the new year begins, VillagesOKC reflects on a very rewarding 2022 and looks forward to an even bigger and better 2023.
VillagesOKC was established in 2018 as a plan founded on relationships rather than transactions. Like many small towns in Oklahoma, here like-minded members can trust the connections to valuable resources, education and programming. Membership allows for personal responsibility while Empowering Independence for mature adults to age well – in the way they choose.
The combination of internal leadership and external visibility has raised awareness and opportunities for VillagesOKC. Yet its three core values remain unchanged:
* LEARN (growing the brain at any age)
* PLAN (for the bumps in life)
* SERVE (helping others is life-giving)
Highlights of 2022 accomplishments:
LEARN:
* Offered monthly iPhone and iPad technology support
* Participated in monthly Town Hall Lectures
* Held six-week Brain Health Academy
* Continued 12-month Senior Living Truth Series as educational partners
PLAN:
* Updated the Gathering Information for Transitions (GIFT) workbook and expanded the number of facilitators
* Made GIFT registration, scheduling and payment available online
* Videoed GIFT testimonials for informational sharing
* Piloted one-hour workshops for Medical Power of Attorney and Advance Directive
SERVE:
* Launched the Veteran Initiative with pinning of 350 veterans at the Oklahoma History Center
* Expanded Caregiver Ambassadors to 18 faith communities
* Grew an exciting monthly women’s coffee
* Expanded partnership with NewView Oklahoma
* Established partnership with OKC Friday Newspaper, Oklahoma Warriors Honor Flight and Force50 Foundation
In 2023, VillagesOKC will begin LifeSkills Academy, expand The GIFT and Power of Attorney Workshops, expand the Veterans Initiative, double the number of Church and Synagogue connections, and double the VillagesOKC Advisory Board.
VillagesOKC is becoming the magnet, the trusted one source for senior connections in greater Oklahoma City.
To learn more about VillagesOKC, go to their website: https://www.villagesokc.org/ or call (405) 990-6637.

Christina Sibley, EMT/RMA, Bachelor of Science- Health Studies

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been a subject of debate for decades, with both sides of the fence claiming harms and health/longevity benefits of taking or leaving it. That can leave women, in particular, at a loss when trying to make an informed decision. Why is it so difficult to get a definitive answer?
In short: hormones, and their effects on the body are complicated and studies tend to concentrate on one or two hormones at a time, usually synthetic, like estrogen and progesterone. Results vary across studies, or even in the same study, when data is analyzed using different variables.
The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study is an example of this. A report was sent out in 2002 by the WHI that HRT showed increased risk of certain cancers and cardiac events. Because of that release, prescription and use of HRT plummeted shortly after. Their final report in 2013, after reassessment of study data and addition of new data, showed risk results depended greatly on age and/or time HRT was started post menopause.
Many studies, including the WHI study, only look at estrogen alone or in combination with progesterone, usually synthetic or animal based. They generally don’t consider testosterone (T) at all, which women also produce and is widely available in the body prior to menopause, especially surgical. Additionally, there’s much debate over using synthetic HRT vs bio-identical (plant based) HRT, which is not currently FDA approved. The most effective method of delivery (oral, injectable, creams/gels, patches, or implanted pellets) is also debated, further complicating the issue.
Where does that leave us now? The general consensus, according to the WHI, and other studies, is that in otherwise healthy women, benefits outweigh risks, especially if started closer to the beginning of menopause (natural or surgical). The decision should be made on an individual basis, by the patient and their physician, considering the health history and risk factors of that person.
Christina Sibley, with Sibley Insures, is a licensed health insurance agent who specializes in Medicare plans, all types, and Medicare education. Call (405) 655-6098 or visit https://www.sibleyinsures.com/.

It’s never easy to move your loved one to a nursing home. It’s a big deal in every family, and it can be a rather difficult process for all the family members. Even when finances are not an issue, the emotional distress and rejections are making it more difficult. It starts from the moment you realize you can no longer take care of your senior family member, and need to seek help. No matter how hard you try, it’s not always possible to dedicate the time and attention they need to feel safe and happy. The next issue is the acceptance of the senior to go to the nursing home. Some of them may refuse to do it at first – and this guide will help you go through all the steps. Here‘s how to prepare for moving a loved one into a nursing home and making it a smooth and pleasant experience for everyone.

Reasons why your loved one may feel better at a nursing home
Many people feel guilty about moving their senior family member to a nursing home. However, they shouldn’t feel that way as many Oklahoma facilities offer a much better and safer lifestyle for seniors. If you’re still not sure if that is the right decision, remember the following benefits your senior can enjoy:
* Constant supervision and care – if your senior loved one has lived alone until now, you know all the moments of worry when you leave their home. In a nursing home, you can have constant care and support, even when you’re not around. This is a lot safe option than leaving them alone when you’re out at work or taking care of the kids, etc.
* You can still participate in their care – moving a loved one to a nursing home doesn’t mean you abandon them. You can still actively participate in their care and be a big part of their daily routines.
* Socialization – with other seniors living at the facility, your loved one can enjoy socialization more than they could do at their own home. The feeling of loneliness is common for seniors, even the ones who live with their families. Spending time with people of similar ages can be very motivating for them, and it can help with the signs of dementia. Living alone has been shown to worsen such conditions, which is why socialization and participating in activities can be very helpful.
If you simply don’t have time to take good care of your senior loved one, a nursing home can be very helpful and beneficial for their physical and mental health. Now let’s see what steps to take before the arrival at a nursing home.

Moving your loved one to a nursing home – ways to prepare for a smooth process
This important life event is something you need to do properly to avoid unpleasant situations and negative feelings with your loved one. Here are some tips that will help you ease the transition and help everyone accept the changes.

Make plans
Planning ahead is the key to making the process predictable and therefore less unpleasant. Depending on the condition of the senior, try to include them in the process as much as possible, but without burdening them with too many details. Decide if they are capable of making certain decisions and participating in the process, so you can do this together and make the transition easier. Talk about the things they’ll bring, communication routine, plan the visits, etc. Ensure they know you’ll still participate in their life as much as possible. Furthermore, Best Cross Country Movers suggest you deal with the moving details as early as possible, so you can prevent common mishaps that happen in this process. Scheduling the move, hiring an expert team, packing – all of these are tasks that require energy and time, so be sure to deal with them as early as possible.

Expect negative feelings
It’s okay for everyone to feel discomfort when it comes to moving to a nursing home. Seniors don’t like change, and moving to such a facility can also bring feelings of abandonment. You should try to stay patient and positive, and tell all the benefits this move will have. Be optimistic no matter what, and always remind yourself that you’re doing this for their good. However, if you notice some behavioral problems that don’t seem to go away, seek help from a specialist.

Get all the necessary information
Prepare for the transition by learning all the details about the nursing home. With about 300 nursing homes in Oklahoma, make sure you pick the one that fits your senior needs and has a convenient location. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even the ones about small details such as meals, activities, professional staff, other seniors, etc. Knowing more about the facility will give you peace of mind and reassure you you’re doing the right thing.

Provide all the information
One way to get your senior ready for moving into a nursing home is to make a file with all the necessary details about them. This can be the history of their health, necessary medical documentation, and even photos of important people and moments in their life. These details will help the staff in the nursing home to get to know them, start a conversation and ensure they feel more welcome and familiar. Make sure to mention all the details about their physical and mental health that can help the staff react in case they notice anything unusual later on.

Ensure a safe relocation
Moving to a nursing home can be as complex as any other relocation. Make sure you find experts in this field so you can experience minimum stress and worry related to this Oklahoma interstate move. Trust experts with moving tasks so you can focus more on supporting your loved one and helping them pack and travel safely to an

Be understanding
It takes up to 6 months for a senior to adapt after moving your loved one into a nursing home. This period can include different reactions such as loss of appetite, feelings of sadness, and complaining. Try to be as patient and understanding as possible, and stay alert for more serious signs of depression or anxiety. If there are any concerns, make sure you talk to the staff and see if you can seek for mental health specialist at the facility. Being involved and attentive will make the transition a lot easier and safer, with your loved one knowing you’re there even after moving to a nursing facility.
Meta: Learn how to prepare for moving a loved one into a nursing home and make the transition as smooth as it gets, making sure both you and your senior feel good about the changes.

For a full list of events/details visit: www.okhistory.org/calendar/ohs

History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip January 7, 2023, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.|Recurring Event. Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, 507 South 4th Street Enid, OK 73701. History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip takes place throughout the year on the first and third Saturday of each month, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. On those days, the historic buildings in the Humphrey Heritage Village at Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (CSRHC) come to life with reenactors. These folks dressed in period clothing will have you convinced you have stepped back in time to 1893! Sit at school desks while lessons are taught at the Turkey Creek one-room schoolhouse, hear a pioneer tale from those tending their shops, and watch as craftsmen and women work their trades. For more information, please call the CSRHC at 580-237-1907
“Architecture of the Capitol” presentation by Trait Thompson January 7, 2023, 1 p.m.–2 p.m. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73105. On Saturday, January 7, from 1 to 2 p.m., learn more about the restoration of the Oklahoma State Capitol and the architectural design behind it from Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Director Trait Thompson. He will make a presentation, sharing his insights about the Oklahoma Capitol Restoration Project. Before becoming director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, Thompson was the project manager of the Oklahoma Capitol Restoration Project. Share his specialized knowledge of the history of the Oklahoma State Capitol and how this monumental restoration project was achieved. This discussion will take place in the Clark and Kay Musser Learning Lab on the first floor of the Oklahoma History Center. Free with admission to the Oklahoma History Center. Call 405-522-0765 for more information.

Quilting workshop with Martha Ray January 14, 2023, 9 a.m.–11 a.m.|Recurring Event. Sod House Museum, 4628 State Highway 8 near Aline, OK 73716. The Quilting workshop with Martha Ray meets on the second Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Sod House Museum at a cost of $5 per person. Martha Ray teaches how to create appliqué designs, traditional block patterns, original designs, crazy quilts, landscape designs, and paper piecing. New members of any skill level are always encouraged to attend! Share in the happy exchange of shared skills, fun, and camaraderie, door prizes, refreshments, discussions, and quilt patterns, along with old-fashioned bed turnings at the next meeting of the Quilting workshop. Proceeds directly fund Sod House Museum renovations. The Sod House Museum is operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, the museum is located southeast of Aline on State Highway 8. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information call 580-463-2441 or email sodhouse@okhistory.org.
“Researching Legal Documents” presentation by Dr. Le’Shawn Turner January 14, 2023, 12 p.m.–2 p.m. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73105. Dr. Le’Shawn Turner, the reference librarian for the Oklahoma City University School of Law will guide non-lawyers on the process of researching legal sources effectively. This class will be beneficial to college students, genealogists, and people with specific research interests. OHS Archival Collections Manager Mallory Covington will also share the various legal materials of the Eleanor and John Kirkpatrick Research Center in the Oklahoma History Center where the class will take place. This class is free with registration.

Modern Wall Hangings workshop January 14, 2023, 1 p.m.–4 p.m. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73105. On Saturday, learn the art of weaving while creating a modern piece of wall art to take home! The hands-on program for ages 12 and up will teach about various types of fibers, basic techniques, and historic practices of weaving. The cost of the make-and-take modern wall-hanging workshop will be $40 for members and $50 for nonmembers. All materials are included in the class cost. Registration is required and is limited to 15 participants. The workshop will be taking place in Classrooms A and B on the first floor of the Oklahoma History Center.
Museum OKademy volunteer training class and lecture January 21, 2023, 9 a.m.–11 a.m. Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, 507 South 4th Street Enid, OK 73701. The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (CSRHC) will host a six-session Museum OKademy course in 2023 to train volunteers and provide lectures on history. The classes will be held at 9 and 10 a.m., beginning on Saturday, January 21, and concluding on Saturday, April 1. The six-part lecture/workshop series, Museum OKademy, will be led by Jake Krumwiede (Executive Director), Neal Matherne (Director of Education), and CSRHC staff. These classes are aimed at both prospective volunteers and other adult learners who wish to broaden their knowledge base about the history of our area and the materials from which we learn. Reserve by emailing neal.matherne@history.ok.gov for more information. Attendance is limited so please contact us as soon as possible. Classes are free with regular museum admission. CSRHC members always visit free.
Museum After Dark: Village Sounds featuring singer/songwriter duo Desi and Cody January 27, 2023, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, 507 South 4th Street Enid, OK 73701. The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is hosting the Tulsa-based musical duo, Desi and Cody on Friday, January 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. for Village Sounds, a part of the center’s “Museum After Dark” programming. Desi & Cody, a Tulsa-based singer-songwriter duo, focus their music on life and experiences in Oklahoma. The group’s performance at the Heritage Center will be a two-hour acoustic set. “Museum After Dark: Village Sounds” events are intimate listening experiences held at the Village Church on the grounds of the Humphrey Heritage Village at CSRHC. This series explores the Oklahoma story from the perspective of musicians and songwriters from our state who are authentic interpreters of the past. The concert is included with the cost of admission to the CSRHC. Members of the CSRHC or the Oklahoma Historical Society always visit the center for free. This event is made possible through the financial support of CSRHC’s community partner, Park Avenue Thrift. For more information about this series, please call 580-237-1907.
Introduction to Botanical Embroidery January 28, 2023, 1 p.m.–4 p.m. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73105. On Saturday, January 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. join Oklahoma embroidery artist Lacey Plana as she leads this introductory class full of botanical inspiration. She will teach guests to stitch a vibrant Oklahoma-inspired bouquet of Oklahoma roses, firewheels, and yarrows. This is a great class to learn or brush up on embroidery basics such as how to create a variety of stitches and how to transfer your favorite designs onto fabric. Many stitches will be demonstrated, including the back stitch, French knots, woven wheel stitch, seed stitch, and single/detached chain stitch. The cost is $45 for Oklahoma Historical Society members and $55 for non-members. The class will take place in the Clark and Kay Musser Learning Lab on the first floor of the Oklahoma History Center. Each person taking part in the class will receive a pattern of the design, a stitch guide, and take home their botanical embroidery creations. All materials are included in the class cost. Ages 12+. Registration is limited to 15.
“On a Great Battlefield: The History of Gettysburg National Military Park, 1863–2022” presentation by Dr. Jennifer Murray January 28, 2023, 1 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Honey Springs Battlefield, 423159 E 1030 Road Checotah, OK 74426. On Saturday, January 28, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Dr. Jennifer Murray author and teaching associate professor at Oklahoma State University (OSU) will present a history of the Gettysburg National Military Park at the Honey Springs Visitor Center. Dr. Jennifer M. Murray is a military historian, with a specialization in the American Civil War at OSU. Murray’s most recent publication On a Great Battlefield: The Making, Management, and Memory of Gettysburg National Military Park, 1933–2013 (2014, University of Tennessee Press). Dr. Murray’s program explores the landscape of the infamous battlefield and the first preservation and commemorative efforts of the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association and the US War Department. Her main focus is the history of the Gettysburg battlefield in the 20th century, during the administrative era of the National Park Service (1933–present). In her words: “The history of the Gettysburg battlefield underscores the complicated relationship between race and reunion, public and private interests, between preservation theories and utilitarian uses, between the National Park Service and the American people, and between fact and fiction.” Murray is also the author of The Civil War Begins (2012). For more information regarding the presentation and Honey Springs Battlefield, please email honeysprings@okhistory.org or adam.lynn@history.ok.gov or call 918-617-7125.
Antique Doll exhibit opens February 1, 2023. Fred and Addie Drummond Home, 305 North Price Avenue Hominy, OK 74035. The Fred and Addie Drummond Home in Hominy will host an exhibit of antique dolls throughout the month of February. Beginning on Wednesday, February 1, and ending on Sunday, February 26, this exhibit is sure to delight doll collectors and doll lovers alike. The exhibit will feature a wide array of German-made dolls, including dolls by Armand Marseille, Kestner, and Koppelsdorf. There also will be a large group of china and porcelain dolls. During your visit, you are encouraged to tour the rest of the beautiful, historic Drummond Home. The three-story, Victorian-style house was built in 1905 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The antique doll exhibit is included with the regular admission fee. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors ages 62 and older, $4 for students, and free for children five and under. As always, OHS members receive free admission. Regular hours of operation are Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, please call 918-885-2374. The Fred and Addie Drummond Home is located at 305 North Price Avenue in Hominy.
Christmas Open House December 10, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Sod House Museum, 4628 State Highway 8 near Aline, OK 73716. The Sod House Museum’s Christmas Open House will be held on Saturday, December 10, from 1–3 p.m. Enjoy the holidays in Oklahoma’s only remaining sod house that will be decorated for the season in the style of a traditional 1890s Pioneer Christmas.
Photos with Santa at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum December 10, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.|Recurring Event. Will Rogers Memorial Museum, 1720 West Will Rogers Boulevard Claremore, OK 74017. The Heritage Gallery at Will Rogers Memorial Museum will be the perfect backdrop for Photos with Santa on Saturday, December 3, and Saturday, December 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your family and your camera to take beautiful family pictures with Santa. Admission is free to take photos. For more information, please visit willrogers.com or call 918-341-0719.
Christmas Open House Hunter’s Home, 19479 East Murrell Home Road Park Hill, OK 74451. On Sunday, December 11, from 1 to 4 p.m., Hunter’s Home will host its annual Christmas Open House. Visitors will see the home and general store decorated for the holiday season and will enjoy cider and snacks while sitting around a roaring fire. For more information, please call 918-456-2751.
Holiday Candlelight Tours December 15, 4 p.m.–8 p.m.|Recurring Event . Hunter’s Home, 19479 East Murrell Home Road Park Hill, OK 74451. Oklahoma’s only remaining pre-Civil War plantation home will host five nights of candlelight tours in December. The tours of Hunter’s Home will take place from Tuesday, December 13, through Saturday, December 17, from 4–8 p.m. each day. The 177-year-old home will be decorated in a Victorian holiday style. Period Christmas decorations and candlelight will adorn the home’s lavish parlor, sitting room, and dining room. Costumed reenactors will share the history of the home. For more information please call 918-456-2751.
December Bake Day and Gingerbread Decorations Fort Gibson Historic Site, 907 North Garrison Avenue Fort Gibson, OK 74434. Visit Fort Gibson Historic Site for a special holiday-themed bake day on Saturday, December 17, at 10 a.m. Fresh bread and batches of giant gingerbread men will be baked in the historic Fort Gibson ovens just in time for the holidays! Fresh batches of each will be ready at noon and again at 3 p.m. Gingerbread men will be ready for decorations throughout the day starting at 11 a.m.
History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip December 17, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.|Recurring Event. Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, 507 South 4th Street Enid, OK 73701. Step back in time and experience life in the Cherokee Outlet during History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid. On the first and third Saturday of each month, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the historic buildings in the Humphrey Heritage Village come alive with reenactors who are tending their shops, working their trades, or socializing at the Village Church.
“Shut the Door! Barns in Oklahoma: The Significance of Barns in the Oklahoma Cultural Landscape” webinar December 27, 6 p.m. The State Historic Preservation Office is hosting a webinar series entitled “Shut the Door! Barns in Oklahoma,” featuring presenters who specialize in barn history, construction, and restoration. On Tuesday, December 27, the topic will be “The Significance of Barns in the Oklahoma Cultural Landscape.” This December webinar will be the last of the 2022 series. These presentations will be held on the last Tuesday of every other month, beginning at 6 p.m.
Movie Night featuring Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) December 30, 6 p.m.–9 p.m. Will Rogers Memorial Museum, 1720 West Will Rogers Boulevard Claremore, OK 74017. Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore will host a Movie Night featuring the film Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) in its theater on Friday, December 30, at 7 p.m. “Horsing Around with Will” will take place from 6 to 7 p.m., during which families can enjoy activities and crafts relating to the movie’s theme. Guests can enjoy free admission, popcorn, and drinks while watching the film. Seating is limited, so early arrival is suggested.
Observing with NASA Smithsonian exhibit kiosk closes December 31. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73105. Observing With NASA, an authentic data experience with astronomical imaging will be on display at the Oklahoma History Center (OHC) until December 31, 2022. This exhibit kiosk from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory engages visitors in the art and science of NASA imagery. Observing With NASA offers an introduction to the tools, data, and skills that NASA space scientists and data visualization experts use to create the images of deep space objects that we all know and love.

An Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist hopes a new, two-year grant will help him pinpoint the genetic variants that can cause age-related hearing loss.
Scientist Gaurav Varshney, Ph.D., will receive $469,000 from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, a part of the National Institutes of Health.
Varshney’s lab studies human disease through zebrafish. More than 80% of human genes known to be associated with disease have a counterpart gene in the paperclip-sized fish.
In the U.S., hearing loss affects 1 in 8 people ages 12 and older, according to the NIH. The numbers rise as we age, with 1 in 3 experiencing hearing loss among those 65 to 74 years old.
Genetic causes account for up to half of all hearing loss cases, Varshney said. Scientists have narrowed the possible responsible genetic variants to about 100 mutations through genomewide association studies.
One such U.K. study, published in 2019, analyzed the DNA of 250,000 people between 40 and 69 years old with diagnosed and self-reported hearing loss. That study identified 44 regions within the DNA where one or more genetic mutations could cause hearing loss.
Humans and zebrafish share 39 of those 44 regions. Those 39 areas will be the focus of Varshney’s research.
“We want to pinpoint the specific genes within those 39 regions that could be responsible for hearing loss,” he said. “With that information, scientists can design better treatments for the condition.”
Varshney’s lab will use the gene-editing tool CRISPR/Cas9 to turn off individual genes within a given DNA region in the fish. To determine whether that missing gene results in hearing loss, his team will track fish behavior immediately after generating a startling sound. He’ll then repeat this process for genes in all 39 regions.
“Dr. Varshney’s research is a critical step, and it’s representative of how genetic studies often work,” said Patrick Gaffney, M.D., who chairs OMRF’s Genes and Human Disease Research Program. “You narrow the list of potential mutations until one day, hopefully, you can target a specific mutation with a drug therapy. That’s the direction his research is headed.”
Varshney’s grant is 1R21DC020317-01A1.

Her record may not equal the NCAA basketball coach of the same name, but Stillwater High School’s “Coach K” left an enduring legacy of her own.
In addition to the example she set for her former students and basketball players, Kendra Kilpatrick’s legacy includes helping fund research aimed at breast cancer – the disease that took her life on Nov. 26. She was 36.
Stillwater students last week presented the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation with a check for $13,489.52 in Kilpatrick’s honor, all raised during their bake sales, T-shirt sales and other fundraisers comprising the school’s annual “Pink Out” week. Every dollar will go directly to cancer research at OMRF.
“Coach K was beloved by everyone,” said her friend and fellow teacher, Jody Webber, who advises the student group that leads Pink Out efforts. “She was a lover of students – of all people, really – and you felt that love from her.”
Following the check presentation, students met with OMRF cancer researchers, including Jake Kirkland, Ph.D., who joined OMRF from Stanford University. Kirkland’s research focuses on a chemotherapy called doxorubicin, better known as the “red devil” for its toll on the patient’s body.
“About half of patients with breast cancer seem to respond to doxorubicin. My goal is to better determine who it will help and who it won’t,” Kirkland said. “If we know that, we can avoid putting women through unnecessary suffering caused by the drug.”
Stillwater senior Bess Glenn said the visit to OMRF was a valuable learning experience.
“I really enjoyed learning about all that OMRF does and how our Pink Out Week donations make a difference. The passion and knowledge the scientists shared was inspiring,” said Glenn.
Since designating OMRF as the beneficiary of their fundraising efforts in 2011, the Stillwater community has raised more than $114,000 for the foundation’s scientists.
“We are so grateful to Stillwater High School’s students, their families, and the teachers and staff who put in an incredible amount of work to raise these funds,” said Katherine Jackson, OMRF’s donor relations coordinator. “This kind of consistent support is critical for our researchers to continue their life-changing work on this terrible disease.”
Work at OMRF has led to an experimental drug called OKN-007, which is undergoing clinical trials at the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center and a dozen other sites around the U.S. to treat patients with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. The drug has also shown promise in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a fast-growing pediatric brain cancer.
Donations like those honoring Kilpatrick make such discoveries possible, and that, said Webber, is part of her legacy.
“This is part of what helps her to live on,” Webber said.

by Van Mitchell, OKNT writer

Dr. Elizabeth Diener, PhD, RN, PNP, CNE, has taught in programs of nursing for the past 30 years in New York, Missouri, and Oklahoma City University’s Kramer School of Nursing.
She said her 13-year stint at OCU has been the most rewarding of her teaching career.
“I can say without a doubt this is the best teaching job that I have ever had,” she said. “They have always encouraged me to explore my own personal research interests, in addition to fulfilling my teaching duties.”
That reciprocation was returned to Diener by her fellow staff members as she was named the 2022 recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty.
An acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System, The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died (at the age of 33) from complications of the auto-immune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP).
Barnes’s family was very touched by the remarkable compassion and clinical skill demonstrated by Patrick’s nurses during his illness, so they created DAISY to recognize exceptional nurses everywhere.  Diener said she was humbled by her award recognition.
“It would both serve as a validation of everything that I have done in my past 25 years as faculty,” she said. “It would also be quite humbling because I work with an incredible group of faculty that every day try to do their best to foster faculty and student relationships, and be experts in their field. I feel I am just a representative of all of our faculty.”
Diener currently serves as Professor of Nursing. She is trained as a Caritas Coach in Watson’s Caring Science Institute, holds a certificate as a Soul Collage Facilitator, completed a postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Arizona in Integrative Nursing Curriculum, and is a certified ANFT Nature and Forest Therapy Guide..
She is currently pursuing her teaching certification in MBSR at Brown University, School of Public Health. Her clinical practice areas have included, Pediatric AIDS Care, Neonatal Intensive Care, Pediatric Emergency Care, ECMO, Hospice and Palliative Care, and Nursing Leadership/Administration.
Diener said her parents encouraged her to pursue a career in healthcare. She said watching nurses care for some of her relatives growing up also influenced her to become a nurse.
“I was encouraged by my parents,” she said. “Women went into nursing or education. Either one would have been acceptable to my parents, but they really had a great respect for healthcare. I just have a real respect for the nurses that I saw and how they could comfort people, and assure them that things would turn out okay. It made me want to be a part of that.”
Diener said she learned early on in her clinical practice she had what it took to handle the stress and chaos that a nursing career can sometimes have.
“I got a really good look at what nursing would involve,” she said. “I knew then I had what it took to become a nurse.”
Diener said her approach to teaching has evolved as has the field of nursing with new technology, medicine, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has had on nursing.
“I think at the beginning I was more concerned with delivering the materials that were required or requested for a particular course, and assessing student performance,” she said. “As it has evolved, it has become not only that, but education has become much more in-depth. We have technology now that wasn’t available back in the day. Our skills have expanded greatly.”
Diener said the pandemic hit the nursing field hard with more nurses leaving the field due to burnout and fatigue.
She said nursing schools like OCU have worked hard to help recruit more nursing students, as well as hospitals and healthcare agencies helping them better transition from student to full-time nurse.
“It’s the quick turnaround from being a student to a functionally-responsible nurse,” she said. “It can be pretty overwhelming at times. Hospitals are trying to address that with internships and transitioning into practice.”
Diener said one message she tells nursing students is to always remember to take care of themselves.
“I think a thing we struggle with is how do we get everything done in the time allotted because there are so many demands,” she said. “I think the challenges will always change as they always do,” she said. “We are fortunate enough to be able to educate larger numbers of nurses. Nurses will get the job done.”
Diener said nursing and teaching is not just her career, it is her passion to help others.
“It is a career I never considered leaving, and one of the reasons is because under the umbrella of being a nurse, there are so many places that you can practice and so many roles that you can fulfill that you can be a nurse and still find your place,” she said.
For more information about Oklahoma City University’s Kramer School of Nursing visit:
https://www.okcu.edu/nursing/home

Story by Joyce Clark, Executive Director – Saint Ann Retirement Center

Winter is here. Sometimes that means power outages. Tornadoes and other events during the year can also impact utilities, travel, and access to needed items. Take steps now to ensure you have the knowledge, fuel, and supplies to stay warm and thrive without electricity. Pooling resources and gathering with others is an economical way to have access to more supplies and assistance. An added benefit is that more people in a small space helps generate heat. Outlined below is a sample list of things you may want to maintain in your home at all times.

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES TO STAY WARM DURING A POWER OUTAGE
Backup power for the most important needs. A generator, backup battery bank, charging station, or inverter can be incredibly helpful during a power outage. If you have critical medical equipment, it may be a necessity. Solar options come in various sizes and qualities.
Lighting – Items such as glow in the dark sticks, solar lights, flashlights, headlamp, or an old-fashioned oil lantern. Outdoor solar walkway lights are an affordable & easy light source. Just place them outside or in a sunny window during the day & use by night.

• Extra batteries. Rechargeable batteries with charger.
  Bottled water
  Hand, foot, & body warmers
  Back-up supply of essential medications & personal care products
  Extra oxygen tanks &/or battery power
  Extra blankets &/or zero-degree sleeping bag. Wool & down blankets are the warmest.
  Cot or blow-up mattress
  First aid manual & supplies
  Cooking source. Outdoor grill or camping stove, special designed indoor cook stove.
  Hand held radio or communication tool
  Solar, rechargeable, or battery operated radio
  Non-perishable food that does not require cooking or refrigeration
  If you have a cooking source, items like canned soups, chili, stews, & instant noodles are easy hot meals to keep in stock. Beverages such as decaffeinated coffee, tea, cocoa, hot lemonade, hot Tang, & apple cider will help keep you warm & hydrated. Avoid caffeine & alcohol because they can have an adverse effect.
  Manual can opener
  Power banks to charge phones & smaller items
  Layered clothing. Gloves & head covering. Down or wool coat.
  Heat activated fan to blow warm air from fireplace or alternative heat source. This helps keep the room warm & less heat rising to the ceiling.
  Emergency heating used properly. Fireplace & stocked wood, candles, terra cotta clay pot / tea candle heater. Mr. Buddy indoor propane heater. Be sure to keep a working carbon monoxide detector and fire extinguisher nearby.
  Propane or appropriate fuel. Wood for fireplace.
  Fire extinguisher, smoke detector, & carbon monoxide detector
  Matches & lighters
  Self-protection. This can be as simple as a can of wasp spray that can be used from 12 feet away. Sprayed into a person’s eyes, wasp spray can be very painful & stop or slow down an attacker.
  Small 2-3 person tent or a larger one if your emergency plan includes more people.
  Tarps, plastic sheeting, sheets, cardboard, towels, wide painter’s tape, or items to stop window & door drafts.
  Puzzles, games, & things to do
  If water or the well pump is not working, a 5-gallon bucket with plastic trash bags can be used for a toilet. Purchase a seat in advance or make one by cutting a slit in a pool noodle & sliding it on the bucket rim.
  Tools to turn off water if pipes freeze
  If the refrigerator is not working, put ice or snow in a clothes washing machine with your refrigerated or frozen food. The ice will conveniently drain away as it melts.

TIPS TO KEEP WARM DURING A WINTER POWER LOSS

DRESS APPROPRIATELY TO RETAIN BODY HEAT

• Dressing in layers is one of the best ways to stay warm. Wear items that can be easily taken off or on as the temperature changes. It is important to be comfortably warm, but not sweat. Moisture can wick heat away from your body.
• Protect your extremities. Keep your hands and feet covered and warm. The human body responds to cold by drawing the warm blood supply back into its core as a survival mechanism. This puts your hands and feet at risk for frostbite.
• Cover your head. Keep your head covered to prevent precious heat from escaping out the top.
• Dress warmly from the start. It is easier to stay warm than to get warm once you are cold.

PREVENT HEAT LOSS IN YOUR HOME
If there is potential the power will be off for an extended time, take action to keep the cold out and retain heat inside of your home.

• Block entry points for cold air. Take a look around and identify places where cold air enters your home. Block cold airflow by rolling up towels or blankets and stuffing under doors. Use wide painter’s tape to seal leaks around doors and windows. Avoid duct tape, which can damage paint. Common cold air entry points include:
  Gaps around doors & windows
  Kitchen exhaust fan
  Dryer vent
  External wall outlets & switches
  Furnace, water heater vents, & cold air returns
  Fireplace flue damper or chimney
  Cover windows. Insulating windows can make a tremendous difference in your home’s inner temperature. Start by closing curtains and blinds. Further insulate by taping plastic sheeting over the window, cutting cardboard to place against the window, or even draping an extra blanket over the top of the curtain rod.

CREATE A WARM SPACE

• If the cold is potentially dangerous, you can make a small warmer area to stay in until power is restored.
  Confine activity to one selected living area. A smart approach is to condense living and sleeping to one general area of the home. This enables you to use alternative heat sources in a smaller area and conserve fuel. Choose a space that makes the most sense. Is there a room with a wood burning stove, fireplace, or even a south facing window that can provide radiant heat during the daytime? A room on the south side of the home is often warmer than a room on the north side. Basements will be warmer than the main floor during the winter. Shut all the doors or block off areas by hanging blankets, sheets, or plastic. Confine alternative heating to this one space. Be sure to maintain a working carbon monoxide detector. If anyone starts to feel headachy or sick, stop using alternative heating immediately and get fresh air.
• Set up an indoor tent. Putting up a small tent inside your designated living area will help create additional warmth. A tent provides some extra insulation to retain heat. You can create a makeshift tent by placing blankets over the top of a table or bunk bed. Body heat and any source of warmth is more contained and effective in a small area like a tent. Protect your pet and generate more warmth by keeping it in your warm spot with you.

DRINK WARM LIQUIDS AND EAT HOT FOODS
Drinking warm liquids can be comforting and help the body maintain temperature. Hydration is important to preventing hypothermia and your body needs calories to create heat. Always keep the pantry stocked with bottled water and easy-to-prepare shelf stable foods and beverages.
Cooking during a power outage can be accomplished with the correct equipment and/or back-up power source. Be very careful not to create deadly carbon monoxide or start a fire. Outdoor grills and camping stoves are a safe way to prepare meals and boil water outside. Be sure to keep a fire extinguisher and sufficient propane or fuel in supply.

GET SOCIAL AND BE ACTIVE
Two people keep a space warmer than one. Three is even better. Pooling resources and having company during a power outage can be advantageous. Shared supplies and a helping hand could be life-saving. Spending time interacting with others and playing games helps keep spirits up and time pass faster.

Moving around will help you stay warmer. Twenty minutes of mild exercise can keep a person warm for an hour. It is important to exercise moderately and not break a sweat. Sweating will wick the heat way from your body and cool you.

HEAT SOURCE OPTIONS
It is best to prepare alternative heat sources in advance and have them on hand if needed. Potential sources of heat are all around. Huddle up with friends, family, or pets under a blanket to stay warmer.

• Dry rock or brick warmer. High density objects such as rock, concrete, brick, and tile can be used as thermal mass. Put the item near a heat source and it will retain the heat after the heater has been turned off. Cooler items are great for tucking in bed to keep you warm. Make sure any rock is completely dry before heating or it could explode.
• Hand, foot, and body warmers. Options include rechargeable, butane, and disposable warmers. They all provide instant warmth. Many will last for 8 to 12 hours.
• Hot water bottle warmers. To create a small water heater, simply heat water and fill a container. You can use a traditional hot water bottle or any water-tight container like a mason jar.
• Rice bag warmer. These are helpful if you can use a microwave powered by a backup generator or other source. Make flannel bags filled with dry rice or corn. Heat them in the microwave and then use them as a hand, body, or bed warmer. Your pets will love them too.
• Indoor emergency space heating. There is a significant risk of carbon monoxide poisoning with some backup heat sources. It is important to use one that is rated for indoor use. Mr. Buddy Propane Heater is a popular choice. The VESTA Self-Powered Indoor Space Heater & Stove is another helpful and affordable devise. It is powered by canned heat or Safe Heat and can be used as a heater or cooker. Candles can be used for warmth, light, and even cooking. A terracotta pot heater made with a tea candle and clay pot is a simple system that many people recommend.

Joyce Clark is the Executive Director of Saint Ann Assisted and Independent Living in
Oklahoma City. Saint Ann is an affordable and fun community that has new levels of care, including short-term respite stay. The home is a ministry of The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and people of all faiths love living at Saint Ann. Call Lisa at (405) 721-0747 Ext. #322 for more information about assisted or independent living https://www.saintannretirementcenter.com/.