Story and Photo by Van Mitchell, Staff Writer

Cornerstone Home Health has been providing services to seniors and veterans in the Oklahoma City metro area since 2003.
Ballinda Callison, President of Cornerstone Home Health said in an interview with Bott Radio serving veterans is a core aspect of their business.
“We service a lot of our veterans, and in fact, probably 80% of our business right now is with the veterans,” she said. “We take care of the veterans, we can do therapy for them, nursing wound care, all those types of things. We can also do their personal care, help them with showers or as little as driving them to an appointment for a doctor’s appointment, going grocery shopping for them, helping them strip and remake their bed, emptying the trash.”
Callison, the daughter of a nurse, has been helping to take care of patients in their homes since she was a young girl. As an adult with small children of her own, she brought meals and did light housework for members of her church, who appreciated the help and enjoyed seeing her children.
She later went back to school, earned a Business Administration degree in Health Care, and was licensed to work in Oklahoma as a Home Health Administrator. She was a co-owner of a staffing firm providing home health care services before starting CHH.
Callison said the lessons she learned as a child with her mother helped shape her vision for Cornerstone.
“My mother did work in convalescent homes,” she said. “She was working almost 16-hour days, and she ended up getting her RN license through the convalescent home years ago. After my dad got back from Vietnam, she started working in private homes for individuals. Somewhere between eight and nine years old, I went with my mother at times to go out to these people’s homes and help her work alongside her because we became their families. Senior care or the home care portion is a big part of keeping people in their home and keeping them from having to need advanced care.”
Callison said Cornerstone Home Health is about building relationships with their clients and families.
“We’d find out what their needs are and if they’re needing transportation to the doctor, if they’re needing physical therapy, if they’ve got a wound or if they’re, then we have to find out first what their needs are,” she said. “Then we would discuss what our services are.”
Callison said faith led her journey to Cornerstone Home Health.
“I look back on my life and the Lord had been preparing me ever since I was a young girl for this kind of work,” she said. “It’s very challenging, it’s rewarding, it’s hurtful. You’ve got to have a passion because if it’s about the money, it isn’t going to happen.”
Now, the veteran-owned company is expanding its footprint by opening a location in Weatherford.
“We’ve opened an office this summer in Weatherford and started taking clients here, within about a 35- to 40-mile radius of Weatherford,” Kathy McGee, Business Development Administrator. “That’s going to include Custer County, Blaine County, basically all the way up I-40 back into Oklahoma City.”
McGee said Cornerstone saw a growing need for its services outside of Oklahoma City.
“It wasn’t necessarily a decision to press forward in one area. It just came out of being contacted to take care of a client, then another,” she said. “Instead of bringing people from Oklahoma City to do that, we decided that we would just go forward this way. We opened the office in the summer, started getting to know some people in the area, and we are really starting to dial into community activities and taking more patients.”
McGee said Cornerstone Home Health wants to hire local caregivers in their expanded area.
“Clients that are here in the Weatherford, Clinton area, their caregivers are going to be from the Weatherford, Clinton area,” she said. “If we have a client that’s in Hinton or Watonga, it’s probably going to be more like someone from that area. Our goal is hiring caregivers in those areas that are closer to those clients that we have in the rural markets.”
McGee said Cornerstone is focusing on personal care services for seniors and veterans in their expanded area.
“We’ll start with maybe light duty housekeeping, meal prep, cooking. We can help with some showering, running errands, some of those kinds of things,” she said. “We offer nursing services for veterans now and will expand nursing services to seniors in 2025.”

For more information call (405) 354-5454 or visit www.cornerstonehomehealthservices.com.

With over 90 miles of trails weaving through the area, Oklahoma City’s numerous parks are a haven for walkers, joggers, and hikers alike. While the green urban spaces invite exploration of the hidden gems and points of interest throughout the city, one must-see landmark for visitors – day or night – is the iconic Skydance Bridge.

Arriving late in the afternoon, we parked on SW Second Street before heading south on foot through Scissortail Park, named after Oklahoma’s state bird – the scissor-tailed flycatcher. Our destination was the 380-foot-long pedestrian Skydance Bridge that spans I-40 and connects the north (40-acre) and south (30-acre) portions of the park. Opened in 2012, the state bird also inspired the bridge’s design with its striking V-shaped steel sculpture towering nearly 200 feet above the walkway, resembling the flycatcher’s distinctive forked tail feathers.

After admiring the bridge, we continued through the park and surrounding area waiting for sunset since the bridge is especially stunning when lit by LED lights during the evening. But there was no shortage of dazzling sights to fill the remaining daylight hours, including a walk around a lake with surrounding trees teeming with colorful chirping birds. Rental pedal boats, canoes, and kayaks glided slowly over the water as their occupants absorbed the relaxing view dominated by Oklahoma City’s tallest building. The sleek 50-story Devon Tower, also completed in 2012, is a skyline scene stealer with its reflective glass exterior. The Vast Restaurant occupies the top two floors offering both meals “sourced from local producers” and spectacular views of the city.

Myriad Botanical Gardens, just a couple of blocks north of the park off Reno Street, was intriguing. Since originally conceived by city leaders in the late 1960s, the 17-acre plot most recently underwent an $11 million renovation in 2022 and features immaculate landscaping, a children’s garden, a restaurant area, fountains, sculptures, and the dazzling Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory encased in a shell of over 3,000 translucent acrylic panels housing an impressive exotic plant collection.

The “Taking Flight: Light as a Feather” art piece, installed 2 years ago at the north end of Scissortail Park, was a delightful surprise find. The 6-ton 31-foot-tall metal sculpture is the artist’s vision of a delicately curved feather gently floating earthward. Stunning any time – and especially at night when fiber optic lights illuminate its intricate details – the sculpture truly comes to life just prior to sunset when we happened to walk past. As the sun hung in the darkening sky behind the sculpture, its dying rays filtered through the figure highlighting the steel bars comprising the feather’s ribs, offering an inspiring picture-perfect moment we were lucky to experience.

For many visitors, however, the star of Scissortail Park will be the illuminated Skydance Bridge straddling the busy Interstate below. The remotely controlled lights, programmable for holidays and special events, displayed a vibrant deep blue glow during our visit, dramatically highlighting the structure’s sweeping design. But the color varies from night to night. When viewed from the bridge’s south end and set against the backdrop of city lights, it was the perfect conclusion to our 2-mile urban nature walk around Oklahoma City.

story and photos by Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery in Alabama and has written features, columns, and interviews for many newspapers and magazines. His hiking column describes short trails, hikes, and walks from around the country that seniors might enjoy while traveling. See www.ItsAWonderfulHike.com.

What an honor and a privilege to be part of the inaugural Chaplain’s Corner segment. My name is SFC (Ret.) George Shafer, and I am the Chaplain for The American Legion LeBron Post 58 in Guthrie, OK.
I recently graduated seminary with a capstone thesis about online ministry and American Veterans. During the research phase of development, I felt as though the Lord directed me to Matthew chapter 8 verses 5-18 which states: “When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, ‘Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.’ And he said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.’ But the centurion replied, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, ‘Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ And to the centurion Jesus said, ‘Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.’ And the servant was healed at that very moment.”

Matthew 8:5-13 (ESV)

This passage is fascinating for several reasons. First, the geographical context of Capernaum at this time being “an important fishing village and commercial center…As a major city on the trade route, it had a Roman battalion, and one of the centurions approached Jesus.” Osborne and Arnold also believe that the centurion would have been either Syrian or Roman, and notes that the relationship between Romans/Syrian and the Jews was highly contentious.
Furthermore, this passage is the only one in Matthew’s gospel that “Jesus marvels at anything.” Jesus marveled at the faith of the centurion! But this passage gets even better; especially when we view this interaction within the scope of evangelism and missions. Osborne notes that “the miracle happened as much for the centurion as for his slave, and that in this, salvation has come not just to Israel but for the nations, so that the universal mission is found here in embryo.”
Did you catch that? Whereas we understand that the first Gentile conversion occurs in Acts under the command of God to Peter after his vision, here we find the Son of God himself carefully cultivating and preparing the way for Gentile inclusion… through a soldier.
If you are reading this and are struggling with your faith; perhaps the transition from soldier to civilian has been too much. Maybe you’re like me and your time in the military left you with scars, both visible and invisible. But I want you to know that He sees you. He hears you. He knows you and He completely understands you. The Gentile ministry that Jesus began with the Centurion over two thousand years ago in an embryonic state was not still-born but rather is alive and well in the pursuit of YOU.
I pray this message has encouraged you in your faith. If you have not yet considered the path of a faith-driven life, I would encourage you to stop by your local veteran service organization (The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, etc.) and speak to the local chaplain. May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may His face shine upon you in all you do today!
by Rev. George F. Shafer, SFC (Ret.), M.Div., B.S., Chaplain (TAL Post 58)

Family members and Veteran caregivers gathered at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Bossier City, Louisiana, to pay tribute to four World War II-era residents.

All eyes were on Veterans Alfred Procell, 101; Albert Smith, 101; Billie Taylor, 100; and Robert “Bob” Robertson, 100. Between them, the Veterans have 402 years of combined life experience to celebrate.

“These Veterans are truly a living encyclopedia of history, wisdom and experience,” said Kim Lane, associate director of the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in neighboring Shreveport, where many of the facility’s residence receive their care.

Each Veteran received a framed proclamation and coin signed by VA Secretary Doug Collins to celebrate their life achievements.

Robertson, a Navy Veteran, spent time as an engineer aboard the vessel “Landing Ship Medium 310” in the Pacific during his service.

“If the war hadn’t ended when it did, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here, had they not dropped the bomb on Japan,” Robertson said.

He credits his longevity to never drinking or smoking and some fortunate genetics.

“My dad lived to 103,” Robertson added.

Robertson, Smith and Procell each served in the Navy, while Taylor had a career in the Air Force.

“We’re grateful for the time they have spent with us here at the Veterans Home,” said Wesley Pepitone, administrator of the state-run Veterans home.
by David Hodge, Public Affairs Officer, Overton Brooks VA Medical Center

World War II Army Veteran, Leland D. Chandler, donated his service dress uniform, awards, decorations, military documents and artifacts to the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery Training Support Facility, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
In January of 1941, Leland Chandler enlisted in the Army at 18 years old, served during WWII and was stationed at the Corregidor Islands in the Philippines with the 60th Coast Artillery. At the young age of 19 years old, Chandler was captured and taken to Japan and listed as a prisoner of war. During his three-and-a-half year status as a POW, Chandler worked as a steel mill laborer with 12-hour shifts, slept on the workroom floor, required to perform under grueling conditions, if he was healthy enough to work-he was given a bowl of rice a day to eat and was beaten when he physically couldn’t perform his laborious duties.
“There were 400 of us that went into that Japanese prison camp and when we were freed, only 53 of us came out, Chandler recalled as his children unveiled his service uniform and awards during the recent donation to the Fort Sill Museum.
Chandler weighed approximately 190 pounds when he went into the Japanese POW camp and when the remaining survivors were liberated, he weighed only 58 pounds.
“They told me I wouldn’t be able to have children, we’ll I’ve proved them all wrong. Heck, they never thought I would live this long and I’ve proved them wrong on that one too!”, Chandler said.
Three of Chandlers’ five children brought their father to Ft. Sill and were happy to help their Father donate his service memorabilia to the museum.
“We all talked about what we wanted to do with Dad’s military history and we all agreed, that it wouldn’t be right to split up his uniform and awards and that we wanted it all to be in the same place to be properly preserve to maintain all this history,” Linn Woodworth, Chandler’s daughter said, “Now we have a place that his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids can come to see all of our Father’s history in one location.”
“Our facility is the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery Training Support Facility. We have three facilities here at Fort Sill-the Field Artillery Museum, Fort Sill Museum and the Air Defense Artillery Training Support Facility,” said Correy Twilley ADA Training Support Facility Curator. “Ours is a new training concept that uses history to develop our Soldiers, weapons and tactics.”
“We are ultimately a training facility and we have an obligation to teach our young AIT [Advanced Individual Training] students and OCS [Officer Candidates Students] that attend these courses about this part of our history so they can learn about the past in the hopes that we are not doomed to repeat it,” Twilley said, “We are grateful for this unique and well-preserved piece of Mr. Chandler’s history. With this donation, he is helping to educate the future generations of service members and their families who walk through these halls. So much of WWII history has been lost and Mr. Chandler and his family has helped us preserve this piece in time to teach those future generations about his contributions to our nation’s heritage.”
Chandler continues to defy the odds, at a very spry 101 years old, Mr. Chandler holds the title of centenarian and continues to puzzle the medical experts.
Chandler attributes his extraordinary good health to medical care he receives at the VA and his family that has taken such good care of him throughout the years.
“I’m 100 percent (VA service connection) and the VA has taken excellent care of me and they have done everything they needed to do for me and my wife-they are outstanding,” Chandler said.
“One of the best things the VA could have done for my Father is to ensure our Mother was also taken care of-this was a huge relief to me and our entire family,” Chandler’s daughter Linn Woodworth stated. Unfortunately, On December 1, 2023, Chandlers’ wife passed away, just four days after celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary.
Chandler encourages other Veterans to find out if they are now eligible for VA healthcare because the rules and laws have changed over the years. Although, Chandler gives some sage words of advice to Veterans and says to come to the VA prepared.
“Bring in the right paperwork, the documents you need to get them into the system,” Chandler said. Ask yourself, do you have what you need to back it up?”
When asked the question about Veterans who may be reluctant to come to the VA to find out if you are eligible or not, he gave some fatherly words of advice.
“Well, that is your own fault, if you don’t go in and find out-I don’t have any sympathy for people who don’t do the right thing. I don’t know about other places, but I know the VA where I belong, that is the way it works.”
Chandler added, “I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for my family and the excellent care they have given to me over the years.” Chandler said, “I don’t know what I’d do without them.”
For more information about OKC VA HCS, visit our website at the below link: https://www.va.gov/oklahoma-city-health-care

Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve heard that excessive earwax can cause serious health problems in elderly seniors. What can you tell me about this? Caregiving Daughter

Dear Caregiving,
It’s true! Excessive amounts of earwax can indeed cause problems in elderly seniors including hearing loss or ringing in your ears. Some people experience vertigo, which increases the risk of falling. And there’s also a correlation between hearing loss and cognitive decline and depression.
Earwax – which is not really wax at all, but a substance called cerumen that binds with dirt, dust and debris – is normally produced by the body as a way to clean and protect the ears. In most people, the self-cleaning process works fine. But in others, including more than 30 percent of elderly people, the wax collects to the point where it can completely block or impact the ear canal.
Those that are most affected are elderly seniors, especially those living in nursing homes or assisted living centers that provide substandard hygiene. And those highest at risk are hearing-aid users because the devices push wax down into the canal.
Earwax Removal
Usually, earwax moves up and out on its own so the best way to control it is to leave it alone. But that advice can backfire for those who accumulate excessive amounts of earwax.
The symptoms of an earwax problem can include an earache, a feeling of fullness in the ear, hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, an ear infection, ear itchiness, or cough due to pressure from the blockage stimulating a nerve in the ear.
If you or your elderly loved one’s experience any of these symptoms, try using a softening agent to help the wax leave the ear or to remove it more easily.
If you prefer the natural route, try baby oil or mineral oil. Using an eyedropper, apply a drop or two into your ear, tilting your head so that the opening of the ear is pointing up toward the ceiling. Stay in that position for a minute or two to let the fluid flow down to the waxy buildup. Then tilt your head in the opposite direction to let the fluid and wax drain.
Or try an over-the-counter earwax removal solution or kit, which are sold in most pharmacies. Solutions may contain oil or hydrogen peroxide, and some kits include a bulb syringe that you squeeze to flush your ear with warm water, if needed.
You may need to repeat this wax-softening and irrigation procedure several times before getting rid of the excess earwax. If, however, the symptoms don’t improve after a few treatments, you need to see an audiologist or ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor to have the wax removed.
Earwax removal is one of the most common ENT procedures performed. They have a variety of tools that can remove hard, stubborn earwax.
It might be tempting to poke a cotton swab, bobby pin, pencil or finger into your ear to get the gunk out, but don’t go digging. Yes, it’ll remove some of the wax, but it may also push the rest deeper into the ear canal and increase your risk of injuring your eardrum and making the problem worse.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

This winter, the Metropolitan Library System invites adults to embrace the joys of reading with the return of the beloved Book Bingo Winter Reading Challenge. Running from Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, this annual program encourages participants to explore unique reading categories, connect with their community and win exciting prizes.
Winter Reading isn’t just about books-it’s a celebration of all types of reading. Whether you prefer audiobooks, e-books, magazines, bedtime stories, or physical books, all formats count toward completing the challenge. The bingo card has fun ideas like “a book with a number in the title” or “a book set in the winter” to inspire you.
“All kinds of reading count for this challenge,” said Emily Williams, Teen Services Manager. “Audiobooks provide just as much vocabulary and reading comprehension as the paper versions. E-books are a convenient way to carry dozens of books at once, plus the library’s downloadable collection is just a Wi-Fi signal away.”
Participants can look forward to the reveal of this year’s collectible campfire mug design, a coveted tradition among Winter Reading fans. Beyond the prizes, the program highlights the benefits of reading, such as reducing stress, improving sleep and making daily activities more enjoyable. “Reading can help us process our experiences, receive reinforcement for our feelings or provide a distraction from everyday stressors,” Williams added.
How to Participate in Winter Reading Book Bingo:
1. Get Your Card: Pick up a bingo card at any Metro Library location or download one at www.metrolibrary.org/winterreading.
2. Track Your Progress: Fill in your card by logging the title and author of books you’ve read in the corresponding squares. Complete any five squares for a bingo or challenge yourself to fill the entire card with 25 books. Use the Beanstack app to track your progress online.
3. Submit Your Card: Return completed cards to any library location or log your progress online by Feb. 28. Participants can submit one card to qualify for prizes.
Prizes and Rewards:
• Read 5 Books: Earn a limited-edition campfire mug (while supplies last) and be entered into a drawing for prizes like Apple AirPods.
• Read 25 Books: Enter the grand prize drawing for an iPad, VIP tickets to Literary Voices featuring Jodi Picoult, and a YMCA membership.
Need help finding your next read? Librarians are available to provide tailored recommendations through Tailored Titles, at your local branch, or by phone at (405) 231-8650.
This cherished program has become a highlight of the season for many readers, offering a chance to unwind, explore new stories and connect with others. Start your Winter Reading journey today and see if you can get a bingo! For more details, visit www.metrolibrary.org/winterreading.
The Metropolitan Library System serves Oklahoma County’s 800,000 residents across its 19 locations, welcoming over 5.4 million visits annually with more than 10 million checkouts. Explore digital resources available 24/7 at www.metrolibrary.org.

Fifty years ago, immunologists were just beginning to understand a newly discovered type of white blood cell that would come to be known as the T cell. Decades of research have since shown these protective cells to be so crucial, we couldn’t survive without them.
Fast-forward to today, and research stands at a similar infancy with a closely related immune cell called innate lymphoid cells, or ILCs, says Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist Xiao-Hong Sun, Ph.D.
The National Institutes of Health recently awarded Sun a $3.4 million grant to continue unraveling mysteries about these cells, including whether they may offer clues about the differences in immune reactions between children and adults.
“It’s far too soon to say whether we will someday discover ILCs play a role as profound as T cells,” said Sun, who holds the Lew and Myra Ward Chair in Biomedical Research at OMRF. “But I hope this research will begin to answer that question.”
Sun joined OMRF in 1999 and studied T cells until pivoting her research to ILCs when scientists discovered them about a decade ago.
Initially, researchers believed ILCs originated only in bone marrow. In 2019, Sun discovered the thymus, a gland near the heart, can also produce them. The thymus trains the immune system to distinguish friendly cells from invaders. It tends to shrink and become less active as we age.
“Our previous discovery was important because it may shed light on why immune reactions differ between children and adults,” Sun said. “Childhood onset of asthma and food allergies are just two examples. This new study may help explain the underlying causes and suggest new therapeutic approaches.”
“It took a half-century of painstaking work by scientists around the world to get to our current understanding of T cells,” said OMRF Executive Vice President & Chief Medical Officer Judith James, M.D., Ph.D. “That’s often how science works. Dr. Sun is applying similar approaches to understand ILCs in an accelerated way. I’m excited to see where her research leads.”
Sun’s grant, No. 1R01AI178947-01, was awarded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the NIH. Oklahoma City’s Presbyterian Health Foundation provided funding for Sun to collect preliminary data for this research.

Elizabeth Wallace, better known as Bess, was born to David and Madge Wallace on February 13, 1885, in Independence, Missouri. 1
Bess was a bright young woman who excelled in sports. After graduating from Independence High School, she attended finishing school at the Barstow School in Kansas City.
At the age of five, she met Harry S. Truman at Sunday school at the First Presbyterian Church, and the two attended school together until they eventually became engaged in 1917. 3
After Harry Truman returned from serving in World War I, the two were married on June 28, 1919. 4
They welcomed a daughter, Margaret, to their family in 1924 and continued to live in Independence.
In the 1920s, Harry Truman embarked on a career in local, and later national, politics that eventually brought the Trumans to Washington, D.C. Bess learned the ins and outs of campaigning, formed friendships with congressional wives, and advised her husband while traveling between Missouri and the nation’s capital. She even worked on her husband’s office staff, handling correspondence. Harry Truman aptly called her “The Boss,” as she expertly navigated life as a senator’s wife and later as second lady during Truman’s tenure as vice president. 5
Following President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death on April 12, 1945, Harry Truman ascended to the presidency. Bess Truman was now first lady—a role she had never aspired to hold. Unlike her predecessor, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mrs. Truman preferred to stay out of the public eye. She canceled Mrs. Roosevelt’s regular women-only press conferences, though she paid special attention to correspondence from the public. 6
Behind the scenes, Bess was an important political asset and sounding board for the president, discussing critical domestic and international issues together.
The Trumans also moved into a White House in desperate need of repair, leading to a massive, multi-year renovation which modernized the home for generations to come. 7
Meanwhile, the family lived across the street in Blair House. Nevertheless, Mrs. Truman continued in her responsibilities as first lady, hosting events, traveling with the president, and managing their household. She also supported organizations including Girl Scouts of America, the Red Cross, and PEO Sisterhood. 8
After leaving the White House, the Trumans returned to their home in Independence. Bess Truman passed away ten years after her husband on October 18, 1982; they are buried beside each other at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence.