Story by Van Mitchel, Staff Writer

Oklahoma senior citizens, caregivers, and those interested in matters affecting aging Oklahomans are invited to the State Capitol for Senior Day Monday, March 11.
Attendees will have the opportunity to share ideas, needs and concerns with their state lawmakers, visit with organizations and state agencies to learn about services for older Oklahomans, and learn about current legislation that may affect older Oklahomans, said Rebekah Williams
Ombudsman Systems Advocate/Liaison.
“The Senior Day at the state capitol is primarily meant for aging Oklahoma’s caregivers, and those that have a stake in our aging population, to make sure they can age well and stay in Oklahoma,” Williams said. “We’re hoping to have at least 500 attendees this year, and they get to go into the House chambers and sit in member seats. It should be an amazing day for our elders in Oklahoma.”
The Oklahoma Alliance on Aging organizes the annual Senior Day event with the Oklahoma Aging Partnership; the Oklahoma Silver Haired Legislature Alumni Association; AARP; and the OKDHS Community Living, Aging and Protective Services Division.
The Oklahoma Alliance on Aging is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying the needs of aging Oklahomans, educating on issues, and advocating for solutions. It provides information and advocacy on issues including nursing homes, community care, housing, transportation, predatory lending, safety, legal rights, and quality of life.
Williams said attendees can arrive starting at 8:30 a.m. and sign in at the second-floor rotunda. Volunteers and signs will guide the way.
The event will run from 8:30 a.m.- 1p.m. at the State Capitol, 2300 N Lincoln Blvd. in Oklahoma City. The event is free to attend.
State agencies and nonprofit organizations will be there to provide attendees information on their programs and services for older Oklahomans.
The Senior Day session in the House chamber, fourth floor, begins at 10 a.m. with guest speakers including Lt. Gov. Matt Pinell, and House Speaker Charles McCall.
“The program starts at 10 a.m. in the House chambers, and that will be until noon,” Williams said. “The Lieutenant Governor will be greeting us, and the House Speaker is going to welcome us to the House. The Senior Day at the Capitol is to empower those individuals that are aging or caregivers, those that have stake in anything, to express their concerns and what they need, and what they want to see changed.”
Williams said attendees will have the opportunity to meet with their local legislators.
“We will get them hooked up with their perspective legislator, whether it’s senator or a representative, to be able to speak to them either that day or set up appointments to come back,” she said.
Williams said legislators look forward to meeting their senior constituents.
“A lot of the legislators are very glad when these elderly people that are so faithful to show up at polls, come during election year, but at the same manner then they need to validate their vote by making sure there’s a social infrastructure within to age well,” Williams said. “Senior Day at the Capitol is a time to empower and inform and educate the seniors.”
The Oklahoma Ombudsman Program serves residents in Oklahoma’s long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living, and similar adult care homes
For the last 7 years, Williams has been an Ombudsman based out of the Southern Oklahoma Developing Association in Durant. She was appointed to the role of Ombudsman Systems Advocate and Liaison where she works as a face and voice with lawmakers and agencies to represent the residents of long-term care facilities across Oklahoma.
“In my role as a system advocate ombudsman, I am detailed to the state capitol during session to consult with lawmakers on bills that are best for people aging, or we kill the bills that aren’t best for people aging,” Williams said. “We work with different agencies, legislators, whatever we need to do to make sure that our elders are given value, and the rules and laws that are being passed, with everything within us, are in their best interest.”
All individuals and groups planning to attend are encouraged to register on the Oklahoma Alliance on Aging website: https://okallianceonaging.org/events/.
Nonprofit organizations requesting an exhibit table, and those interested in sponsoring, may use the registration link to apply.
For more information call (405) 943-1895 or email info@okallianceonaging.org.

Seaman 2nd Class Cecil Thornton, born in Rogersville, Alabama, who died during the Dec. 7 attack on Pearl Harbor, will be buried with full military honors in the Civitan Cemetery in Rogersville, Alabama on March 11 at 10 a.m.
As Seaman 2nd Class, Cecil Thornton’s duties included performing ordinary deck duties in connection with the upkeep and operations of the ship, such as painting, cleaning, and polishing of the ship’s brightwork; the collection and disposal of garbage; maintenance and repair of various types of equipment. He also handled ropes and wires; stored and secured items; assisted with the movement of cargo on and off the ship. He stood watches as lookout, telephone talker, messenger, or similar duties. Also was member of a gun crew.
Awards and Decorations include Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal (with Fleet Clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medals.
Duty Stations were: USS Oklahoma (BB 37): 03/29/1940 and Naval Training Station Norfolk, VA: 12/15/1939.
Promotions include: Apprentice Seaman upon enlistment and Seaman 2nd Class: 04/14/1940

Story and Photos by Marise Boehs

INCLUDED IN THE RENT seems to be the catch phrase when talking about Carlston Adult Community and its luxury senior independent living. Located near Porter and Robinson, in the heart of Norman, Carlston is safe and quiet and fairly new.

Carlston offers a variety of amenities but the most impressive is the onsite restaurant with open dining. “They can come down to the restaurant and order off the menu,”  said Judy Ernst, Executive Senior Supervisor. “Breakfast is available all day,” she continued. “Our chef is a scratch cook, he cooks it when it’s ordered.”

Also in the restaurant is a coffee bar that has cappuccino, fresh brewed coffee, hot water for tea and hot chocolate. “It is available all the time,” she said. Restaurant meals, coffee and cappucino are all included in the rent.

Basic TV and internet is also included in the rent. “When a new resident moves in, they bring their TV and we hook it up,” she continued.

Washers and dryers are in each apartment. Utilities are included in the rent.

“We have morning and afternoon transportation. A resident can put their name on the list and their destination and we take them there. A doctor’s appointment needs to be scheduled ahead of time and if a resident needs to be in OKC or somewhere farther we use a driving service and we pay for that.” Transportation is included in the rent.

Upstairs offers a fitness room with treadmills, a recumbent bike, and a small barbell rack. Down the hall is a pilates room with instructor. Fitness gym and pilates is included in the rent.

The facility has a variety of game rooms for group activities and quiet sitting areas for reading. The ground floor has a 120-person capacity safe room that has comfy chairs, a TV and a bathroom to ride out the Oklahoma weather when needed.

During March and April, Carlstone is having a move-in special. A one bedroom, one bath apartment is $1999 a month for 6 months.

Call 405-701-2951 for a tour to check it out. See for yourself what’s included in the rent!

Visit us at Carlstone is located at 501 E. Robinson, Norman or https://www.thecarlstone.com/.

UCO Recognized for Service to Military-Connected Faculty, Staff and Students

The University of Central Oklahoma was designated a Purple Heart University by the Military Order of the Purple Heart Monday, Feb. 19, in a ceremony held on UCO’s campus. Central was awarded this honor for its longstanding commitment to serving military-connected faculty, staff and students, specifically those who were wounded in combat.
“It is an extreme honor for the University of Central Oklahoma to receive this designation as a Purple Heart University,” said UCO President Todd G. Lamb.
“This designation represents the dedication of UCO to serving those who have served. We are grateful to our military-connected students, faculty and staff for their service and sacrifice and are honored to help them as they pursue their next steps.”
To become a Purple Heart University, institutions must develop a purposeful approach to supporting not only those who are military affiliated, but also those who have sacrificed themselves in some way to defend our nation and earned a Purple Heart. Institutions must also meet and exceed standards in providing aid and programming to support Purple Heart recipients’ academic endeavors.
“UCO is honored to receive this recognition of our Purple Heart recipients and military-connected students,” said Tom McShane, director of TRIO Student Support Services – Veterans at UCO.
“We are grateful to the Military Order of the Purple Heart for this designation, which acknowledges our veteran and military-connected students, and the services UCO provides to them.”
The Military Order of the Purple Heart is chartered by Congress for combat-wounded veterans and is composed of military men and women who received the Purple Heart medal for wounds suffered in combat or by an act of international terrorism.
“We are honored to have UCO as a Purple Heart University,” said James Battles, Oklahoma State Department junior vice Purple Heart commander and Purple Heart chapter 820 commander.
“Having UCO support the military and those who have sacrificed for our freedoms humbles me and my fellow veterans. Having UCO support their military students and staff shows the military community that they are not alone in their service and sacrifice for their nation.”
UCO prides itself on our commitment to military-connected students, which is evident in our multiple national rankings and awards.
UCO ranks as a top 100 institution nationwide for providing services and support for military-connected students for the eighth consecutive year on the 2023 Military Times “Best for Vets: Colleges” list. Central was also named a gold-level Military Friendly School in the public universities category with more than 10,000 students by Viqtory Media’s 2023-24 Military Friendly Schools list. In 2023, Central was awarded a grant from the Boeing Foundation to address the emotional, physical and educational needs of military-connected students.
Central provides services and support for veterans and military-connected students through the Veterans Higher Education Resource and Opportunity Center (VetHERO) and federally funded programs. These programs provide services such as assistance with educational benefits certification, enrollment services, mentoring and campus and community engagement opportunities.

Story and photos by Marise Boehs

With the opening of VIPcare’s newest location in the Moore metro area, seniors now have a new and innovative health care option.

VIPcare has been serving senior communities since 2006 in clinics across the southern United States. VIPcare cares for more than 80,000 Medicare beneficiaries utilizing a health management approach that prioritizes spending quality time with the physician.

By focusing on a senior care model and increasing access to high-quality care, VIPcare’s model is at the forefront of the future of healthcare, as opposed to the current system the healthcare organization refers to as “sick care.”  Patients are encouraged to see the doctor often instead of only when they are sick, contributing to their success in patient outcomes.

VIPcare’s goal is to always provide a better healthcare experience for their patients: Less time in the waiting room, more time with the doctor, and more time to care.

VIPcare promises to be there when their patients need them the most with same-day, urgent care appointments, 24/7 on-call provider, and transportation assistance.

Anna Covey, Community Liaison with VIPcare

VIPcare is committed to delivering compassionate and preventive healthcare. This level of exceptional healthcare is something everyone should have access to. VIPcare specializes in primary care for individuals 65 and older. “We accept most Medicare Advantage plans and work personally with insurance plans to ensure families receive the coverage they need and deserve.”

We believe in better healthcare as opposed to ‘sick care. VIPcare eliminates potential healthcare burdens by offering same-day appointments and transportation assistance to and from appointments. Because our doctors only see an average of 12 to 15 patients a day instead of the industry standard of 25 to 35, they’re able to spend more time with patients, sometimes up to 30 minutes. This allows for a different mindset and a different way of providing care. At VIPcare, it’s about time. More time with the patient. More time to care.

Also, as the Community Liaison, Anna is available to assist with difficult paperwork, insurance, questions and other logistics for patients wishing to bring their primary care to VIPcare.

Jared Adams, M.D, Staff Physician

Dr. Adams is a board-certified primary care physician specializing in Family Medicine. He earned his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and completed his residency at the Lincoln Medical Partnership in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Dr. Adams has worked in numerous medical fields, including family medicine, obstetrics, urgent care, and emergency medicine.

KELLY & TANISHA

“When you come in here you will see us every time. We are the staff and we will NOT let you wait in the lobby or in the exam room for more than a few minutes.”

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

What can I say? This place is as advertised!

In an effort to get the real and full story, I decided to get involved in the VIPcare process and see for myself.

STEP 1: I scheduled an appointment and gave my insurance cards to Tanisha to process. Fortunately, my BCBS policy is accepted by them. So just like that, I was in with an appointment for two days later.

STEP 2: I showed up on time to my appointment. Tanisha greeted me as I came in the door. She was simply sitting at her desk, open to the lobby. No big plastic window barrier or nothing! She had some basic and traditional paperwork for me to fill out, which only took a couple of minutes. We chatted about the weekend and TV sports and kids playing softball while I checked the boxes. It was nice.

STEP 3: Paperwork finished, we went into an exam room. Now, when I say exam room, it is really more like someone’s den or sitting area. No computer. (Just digital scale that lies.) But anyway, Kelly did the basic nurse interview about meds I take and any problems or complaints – like the swollen arthritic joints in my hands. Blood pressure was a little high, and we talked about maybe why it was.

After chatting with her – and it did feel more like a friendly chat than an exam of my vitals – she left her notes on a clipboard on a chair saying the doctor would be in soon.

STEP 4: And, believe it or not, he really did come in soon!

We talked about all the stuff Kelly had made notes about.  And we talked about my fitness program, weight loss so far, and where I want to be going forward.

I am training for a 6-day, 230-mile bike ride starting June 2. I still have some weight to lose. But soon, I will need to focus more on strength and endurance.

Dr. Adams was all about it! We decided to do a blood panel and check back in a month to formulate a plan to get me to my goal.

I could not feel better about my experience with

VIPcare and look forward to working with them to stay healthy, live my life, and ride many more trails – 75 years and counting!!

Dear Savvy Senior, What types of funeral benefits are available to old veterans? My 83-year-old father, who has Alzheimer’s disease, served during the Vietnam War in the 1960s. Planning Ahead 

Dear Planning,
Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) National Cemetery Administration actually offers a variety of underutilized burial benefits to veterans as well as their spouses and dependents.
Most U.S. veterans (both combat and non-combat) who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge are eligible for burial benefits. To verify your dad’s discharge, you’ll need a copy of his DD Form 214 “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.” If you don’t have it, you can request online at Archives.gov/veterans.
Here’s a rundown of some of the different benefits that are available to veterans that die a nonservice related death.
Military Cemetery Benefits: If your dad’s eligible and would like to be buried in one of the 155 national or 119 state, territory or tribal-operated cemeteries (see VA.gov/find-locations), the VA provides a number of benefits at no cost to the family, including: a gravesite; opening and closing of the grave and perpetual gravesite care; a government headstone or marker; a United States burial flag that can be used to drape the casket or accompany the urn; and a Presidential Memorial Certificate.
If your dad is cremated, his remains will be buried or inurned in the same manner as casketed remains.
But be aware that funeral or cremation arrangements and costs are not taken care of by the VA. They are the responsibility of the veteran’s family, but some veteran’s survivors may be eligible for burial allowances.
The VA also offers a memorial web page called the Veterans Legacy Memorial for any veteran buried in a national, state, territorial or tribal cemetery. This allows families to post pictures and stories of their loved one online as a way to remember and honor their service.
If you’re interested in this option, the VA has a pre-need burial eligibility determination program to help you plan ahead before your dad passes. See VA.gov/burials-memorials/pre-need-eligibility or call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.
Private Cemetery Benefits: The VA also provides benefits to veterans buried in private cemeteries. If your dad chooses this option, the VA benefits include a free government headstone or grave marker, or a medallion that can be affixed to an existing privately purchased headstone or marker; a burial flag; and a Presidential Memorial Certificate.
Funeral or cremation arrangements and costs are again the responsibility of the family, and there are no benefits offered to spouses and dependents that are buried in private cemeteries.
Military Funeral Honors: Another popular benefit available to all eligible veterans buried in either a national or private cemetery is a military funeral honors ceremony. This includes an honor guard detail of at least two uniformed military persons, folding and presenting the U.S. burial flag to the veteran’s survivors, and the playing of Taps.
The funeral provider you choose will be able to assist you with all VA burial requests. Depending on what you want, certain forms may need to be completed which are always better to be done in advance.
For a complete rundown of burial and memorial benefits, eligibility details and required forms visit Cem.va.gov.
Burial Allowances
In addition to the burial benefits, some veteran’s survivors may also qualify for a $948 burial allowance and $948 for a plot to those who choose to be buried in a private cemetery. And $231 for a headstone or grave marker allowance. To find out if your dad is eligible or to apply, see VA.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit https://savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

In Recognition of Black History Month

Story by Art T. Burton, photo submitted by the Oklahoma Historical Society

Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves, born as a slave in Arkansas, grew up in Lamar and Grayson counties, Texas, where he belonged to Col. George R. Reeves, later to become the speaker of the house in the Texas legislature. As a young man Bass Reeves escaped north into the Indian Territory, and he became acquainted with the Cherokee, Creek, and Seminole. It is believed he served as a soldier with the Union Indian Home Guard Regiments during the Civil War. After the war Reeves settled down in Van Buren, Arkansas, as a farmer. On occasion he would serve as a guide for deputy U.S. marshals who worked out of the federal court at Fort Smith, Arkansas, into the Indian Territory. Reeves had once boasted that he knew Indian Territory “like a cook knows her kitchen” and, as a result of his skills and his knowledge of the territory, he was able to make substantial money as a scout and tracker for peace officers. In 1875, when Judge Isaac C. Parker took over the Fort Smith federal court, Parker commissioned Reeves as a deputy U.S. marshal. He is believed to be one of the earliest African Americans to receive a commission as a deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi River.
Reeves worked for thirty-two years as a deputy marshal in the Indian Territory. He was the only deputy to begin with Parker’s court and work until Oklahoma statehood in 1907. Reeves, standing six feet, two inches tall and weighing 180 pounds, became a celebrity during his lifetime in the Indian Territory. Muskogee Police Chief Bud Ledbetter said about him, “The veteran Negro deputy never quailed in facing any man.” Reeves became an expert with pistol and rifle. Territorial newspapers stated that he killed fourteen outlaws during his career as a peace officer.
When Reeves began riding for Judge Parker, the jurisdiction covered more than seventy-five thousand square miles. The deputies from Fort Smith rode west to Fort Reno, Fort Sill, and Anadarko, a round trip of more than eight hundred miles. When a deputy marshal left Fort Smith to capture outlaws in the territory, he took with him a wagon, a cook who served as guard, and at least one posseman. Reeves transferred to Wetumka, Indian Territory, in 1897 and then to Muskogee in 1898 after federal courts opened in the territory. The Chickasaw Enterprise on November 28, 1901, reported that Bass Reeves had arrested more than three thousand men and women for violating federal laws in the territory.
Newspapers praised Reeves’s reputation often. On November 19, 1909, the Muskogee Times Democrat wrote that “in the early days when the Indian country was overridden with outlaws, Reeves would herd into Fort Smith, often single handed, bands of men charged with crimes from bootlegging to murder. He was paid fees in those days that sometimes amounted to thousands of dollars for a single trip, trips that sometimes lasted for months.”
When Bass Reeves died on January 12, 1910, the Muskogee Phoenix wrote of the legendary lawman, “In the history of the early days of Eastern Oklahoma the name of Bass Reeves has a place in the front rank among those who cleansed out the old Indian Territory of outlaws and desperadoes. No story of the conflict of government’s officers with those outlaws, which ended only a few years ago with the rapid filling up of the territory with people, can be complete without mention of the Negro who died yesterday. During that time he was sent to arrest some of the most desperate characters that ever infested Indian Territory and endangered life and peace in its borders. And he got his man as often as any of the deputies.”
The greatest testimony to his devotion to duty was the fact he brought his own son in for murder once he received the warrant. Bass Reeves was one of the greatest peace officers in the history of the American western frontier.

Dr. Elise Brantley, M.D.

Practicing for almost 15 years, Brantley established Scissortail Dermatology in 2021.

Story by Van Mitchell, Staff Writer

Dr. Elise Brantley, M.D., owner of Scissortail Dermatology, 3030 NW 149th in Oklahoma City, says one of the biggest concerns her patients have this time of year is dry, itchy skin.
“To improve dry skin, it is important to focus on restoring the quality of the top layer of the skin,” she said. “Use soaps/body washes only in areas that need deep cleansing such as under the arms or in the groin. Moisturizers are most effective after a shower or bath. Pat dry, but leave the skin somewhat damp in the areas that are the driest. Apply the moisturizer to damp skin, being careful not to slip. Many patients find it safest to do this step while sitting down.”
She said creams like CeraVe and Cetaphil are great examples of effective and well-tolerated cream moisturizers.
“Creams are more effective than lotions in keeping the skin moisturized,” she said.
Scissortail Dermatology was established in 2021, but Dr Brantley has been practicing for almost 15 years, over 10 of which have been in the OKC metro area. Her clinic provides care to both North and South OKC. She has several hobbies including creating quilting patterns, which she has turned into an online business.
“My mom was a quilter,” she said. “I wasn’t really that interested in it until I saw this random sampler, crazy quilt that was just wild. It blew my mind.” She dove into the craft and now sells quilt patterns online.
Brantley’s other hobbies of long-distance running, reading, and playing piano keep her busy.
“I took piano (before), but quit in sixth grade,” she said. Now as an adult, her 12-year-old daughter Isabella is following her path in developing her own piano skills. After seeing how much she enjoyed watching her daughter perform in recitals, her husband encouraged her to start taking lessons again at the same time. She and Isabella now enthusiastically perform side by side.
Brantley said her husband Steven, an orthopedic sports medicine physician, and her Scissortail team are the key to her ability to pursue her endeavors.
“My husband’s very supportive.” The staff in the clinic are highly efficient and organized, which allows her time to develop her other interests on her days off.
Brantley is board-certified and has been practicing dermatology since 2009. Her practice focus is evaluation and treatment of growths of the skin with emphasis on skin cancer.
She is a native of Broken Arrow, graduated high school from the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, and attended the University of Tulsa for undergraduate studies.
She received her medical degree from the University of Oklahoma and completed her residency training at the University of Cincinnati where she served as chief resident.
While her husband was completing additional training in orthopedics, she served on the faculty of both the University of Cincinnati and Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia before returning to Oklahoma.
Brantley initially went to school to become OBGYN, but then did a dermatology rotation and was blown away at how fun it was to make a diagnosis.
“It was cool,” she said. “It’s fun to use your own visual skills to make diagnoses where you don’t always have to rely on labs. It’s just really fun to figure it out with your brain. It’s really fascinating to me.”
Brantley said diagnosing is a learned skill.
“We spend years learning a method of how to look at something (on the skin) and know what it is,” she said. She likens it to car enthusiasts being able to instantly recognize the make model and year of a car. She explains that learning to recognize a car by its characteristics such as bumpers, taillights, hood ornaments can become second nature to someone who observes them on a regular basis. “You just know you, and you don’t even think through why you know it. You just know it.” Brantley named her clinic Scissortail Dermatology to suggest something recognizable.
“I wanted something that felt comfortable and familiar,” she said. “I have scissortails on my kitchen wall, and I was Facetiming with my brother.” Brainstorming together for a name for the new clinic, he noted the bird hanging in the background. He suggested the name Scissortail and it stuck
Brantley said building a doctor-patient trust is important to her.
“It’s important for them to trust me that I have their best interests in mind,” she said. “I talk a lot to my patients about what kind of things interest them. We talk about their grandkids, we talk about their hobbies, we talk about their sun exposure, of course, what they’re doing outside. We actually catch up, they ask me about my daughter, I ask them about whatever projects they’ve been working on. If they’re quilters, we swap quilt pictures. I truly believe that’s the magic of what makes a practice like this work. I know them and they know me, and that builds a trusting relationship where we can actually make good decisions together. The fact that you can take care of someone through their lifetime is really appealing.”
For more information about Scissortail Dermatology call (405) 562-6222 or visit
www.Scissortaildermatology.com

Oklahoma City Ballet will present Ballet Ball: Coastal Cruise on April 6, 2024 at the Omni Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City. All proceeds from the
Ballet Ball benefit Oklahoma City Ballet’s programs and performances. Co-chaired by Bailey Gordon and Natalie Fitzpatrick, this gala will feature cocktails, dinner, a live auction, dancing, plus a special performance by Oklahoma City Ballet dancers. Guests are encouraged to dress in nautical-chic evening wear.
“This year’s Ballet Ball will be a boatload of fun”, said co-chair Bailey Gordon. “We are excited to welcome our guests for beachside cocktails, an incredible dinner, and a captain’s party complete with a yacht rock band. My favorite part of the night is always the special performance Oklahoma City Ballet dancers. It’s the perfect way to remind guests that funds raised at the
event fuel Oklahoma City Ballet’s programs year-round, including free community programs and performances that are enjoyed by thousands.”
The nautical theme is inspired by May’s production of Fancy Free, a ballet by Jerome Robbins that inspired the film On the Town. Fancy Free will be presented with Carmina Burana and Cacti, May 10-12, as part of the Ballet’s “Shorts” series, which features three short ballets in one program.
“Every year the Ballet Ball creates an annual theme which allows the attendees to get creative with their attire. It’s a lot of fun to see what people wear. This year, we want people to think of an elevated yacht party. We even have a “what to wear” guide on the website,” remarked cochair Natalie Fitzpatrick.
Live music will be presented by Soft Hands, a local yacht rock band. A highlight of the evening will be a performance by Oklahoma City Ballet’s professional dancers, who will perform a special piece choreographed just for this occasion.
Ballet Ball: Coastal Cruise will take place on April 6, 2024 from 6:30 p.m. to midnight at the Omni Hotel. Individual tickets are $250 per person and sponsorships are available starting at $1,000. Tickets go on sale March 1. To purchase tickets to the Ballet Ball, visit https://www.okcballet.org/balletball/, call (405) 208-8836, or email events@okcballet.org. Checks can be mailed to Oklahoma City Ballet, 6800 N. Classen Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73116.
Ballet Ball Sponsors at the Onyx ($3,000) level will receive a one-of-a-kind silk scarf or pocket square by local clothier William & Lauren, made exclusively for this event.
For more information, tickets, and to learn about other performances, call 405-838-TOES (8637), visit okcballet.org, or follow Oklahoma City Ballet on social media @okcballet.

Edmond Mobile Meals and the Edmond History Museum invite the community to join them at the “Meals and Memories” oral history exhibit opening reception at the Edmond History Museum. Tickets for the event are $50 each, and all funds will be split between the two organizations.
The happy-hour style (come-and-go event is scheduled for Friday, April 5, 2024, from 5-7pm. Attendees can enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres and cocktails prepared by Edmond Mobile Meals Chefs, Toni Washington & Matthew Rodriguez.
This event kicks off a month-long celebration of Edmond Mobile Meals’ 50th Anniversary of service in Edmond. Founded in 1974, the nonprofit organization has served over 1.2 million meals to homebound elderly and disabled residents in Edmond.
The oral history exhibit will feature several video interviews with Edmond residents about how living in Edmond has shaped their lives. Cristi Twenter, Executive Director of Edmond Mobile Meals describes how the oral history exhibit ties in with their anniversary celebrations. “Over the years, our organization has learned so much from our daily interactions with Edmond’s seniors. These residents have such a rich history, with interesting stories spanning over five decades of living in Edmond. We are honored to be of service to Edmond’s seniors who helped build our community to be the thriving place it is today, and so we wanted to preserve local seniors’ personal stories as part of Edmond’s historical record with an exhibit at the Edmond History Museum. We hope to continue to add to the collection in the coming years.” She adds, “It is fun to collaborate with other organizations in Edmond to share in the collective impact of making Edmond a wonderful place to live.”
“I’m always surprised how every oral history we receive at the museum provides new insight into Edmond history or connects to other research in our collection,” said Derek Lee, Curator of Collections. “I’m looking forward to hearing these and learning new information.”
“Hearing peoples’ life stories is the best way to learn about the past and connect different generations,” said Amy Stephens, Museum Director. “We applaud Edmond Mobile Meals for capturing and sharing these oral histories!”

For more information about this event or Edmond Mobile Meals, please contact Cristi Twenter at 405-341-3111, or email
info@edmondmobilemeals.org. For information about the Edmond History Museum and the oral history exhibit, please contact Derek Lee at
dlee@edmondhistory.org.