The Fountains at Canterbury, in conjunction with Right at Home of Edmond, will host Virtual Dementia Tours Jan. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Jan. 22 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Both events will be held in the conference room at The Inn of The Fountains at Canterbury, 1402 NW 122nd Street, in Oklahoma City.
The Virtual Dementia Tour is a simulation scientifically proven to help individuals better comprehend what life is like with an impairment such as Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Participants are equipped with vision disrupting goggles, headphones emitting loud, garbled sounds, latex gloves with fingers taped together and shoe inserts to hamper walking. These obstacles are designed to simulate the struggles of age-related ailments, as the participants are asked to complete a short series of everyday activities such as clearing a dining room table.
“This is such a unique opportunity, we think everyone can benefit from personally experiencing what people who have this ailment suffer through every day,” said Scott Steinmetz, executive director at The Fountains at Canterbury. “It really puts things into perspective, and helps families and caregivers better understand what’s really going on in the mind of someone living with dementia.”
As reported by the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, making up 60 to 80 percent of cases. With the number of individuals age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease estimated to reach 7.1 million by 2025, creating awareness of the difficulties one faces when living with dementia is critical. A better understanding fosters empathy from families and caretakers, improves communication and provides insight on how to better assist those suffering.
The Fountains at Canterbury offers a variety of affordable care options with resort-style amenities, 24-hour staffing and Watermark’s Thrive Memory Care program that cultivates personal well-being.
The Fountains at Canterbury is dedicated to being the first choice in senior living, providing a continuum of care including independent living, assisted living, memory care, innovative rehabilitation therapies and skilled care. The Fountains at Canterbury is managed by Watermark Retirement Communities and is committed to creating an extraordinary community where people thrive. To learn more, please call (405) 381-8165 or go online to www.watermarkcommunities.com.
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation physician-scientist Hal Scofield, M.D.
A seasonal virus that takes a toll on young children and older adults has returned this fall with a vengeance.
Surges in respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, typically parallels flu season, running from late fall into the spring, but this year’s outbreak started earlier than normal. This month, the Oklahoma State Department of Health reported rising case numbers and hospitalizations for RSV in many parts of the state. The figures mirror national trends.
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation physician-scientist Hal Scofield, M.D., said the current deluge in cases could be traced to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We saw a dramatic reduction in RSV during the pandemic due to the precautions we took to curb the spread of the coronavirus,” said Scofield, an immunologist. “Infants and young children whose immune systems had never been exposed to the virus were in a protective bubble. Now that bubble has burst.”
RSV typically causes a mild cold. But among children younger than 5, RSV is responsible annually for 100-300 deaths and up to 80,000 hospitalizations in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus is even deadlier among older adults. A 2022 National Institutes of Health study estimated more than 6,000 people 65 years and older die each year from RSV complications.
OMRF scientist Susan Kovats, Ph.D., studies RSV. She noted that before the pandemic, almost all children contracted the virus by age 2. Kovats said that because so many children avoided exposure to it in 2020 and 2021, the virus appears to be “playing catch-up” in pediatric populations.
Kovats is working to understand why RSV impacts children more frequently than adults and why it hits some infants so hard. The work is setting the stage for better treatments and will aid in vaccine design for the condition.
“Our early indications are that neonatal cells are less likely to make the proteins that stop a virus from replicating in the body,” Kovats said. “In essence, it appears to confirm previous evidence that babies’ immune systems are not quite developed enough to fight off RSV.”
Research teams worldwide are working on RSV vaccines. Pfizer plans to submit its vaccine, which protects infants from RSV by inoculating pregnant women, for Food and Drug Administration approval by year’s end. The results of the FDA review of British drugmaker GSK’s vaccine for older adults are expected in spring 2023.
Until a vaccine is available, Scofield said the best ways to avoid — and avoid spreading — RSV mirror those for the flu and Covid-19. “Wash your hands, wear a mask in crowded places and stay home if you’re sick,” he said. And if, despite your best efforts, you or a loved one has a run-in with a respiratory virus this holiday season, monitor symptoms closely.
“RSV can usually be managed at home. But when someone is having difficulty breathing or is exhibiting symptoms of dehydration, it’s important to get an evaluation from a health care professional.”
Oklahomans Urged to Send Cookies to Frontline Health Care Workers
First Lady Sarah Stitt, Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma (GSWESTOK), and the Oklahoma State Medical Association have launched Cookies for Courage, a program that allows Oklahomans to purchase a box of Girl Scout Cookies for medical professionals fighting COVID-19.
“Cookies for Courage is a great way for Oklahomans to let our health care workers know we are thinking of them during this very difficult time,” Stitt said. “Oklahomans always pull together in tough times, and this is a very sweet, very simple way to support our medical community as they work to protect us all.”
Cookies can be purchased online for $5 per box or $60 for a case at www.gswestok.org/cookiesforcourage. The cookies will be distributed to health care workers and others on the frontline. Proceeds from the program will support leadership opportunities for young girls through the Girl Scouts.
“Oklahoma’s physicians, nurses and other providers are working extended hours to keep our community safe during this health crisis. We are grateful to the Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma and its members for providing this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to those on the front lines of patient care,” said Oklahoma State Medical Association President Larry Bookman, M.D.
Girl Scout cookie season was set to run through March 22, but due to COVID-19, in-person sales have been paused. Individual Girl Scout troops have the option of returning their unsold cookies to GSWESTOK or continuing sales online through their individual Digital Cookie websites.
“Oklahomans always set the standard for how we care for our people,” said Shannon Evers, CEO of Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma. “Cookie season was cut short this year because of coronavirus, and while that’s disappointing for our girls, they recognize that there’s an opportunity here to show love for people who are fighting this pandemic on the front lines.”
Although it is improving, there is an economic cost to being a woman that reverberates into retirement. It results from multiple long-term socio-economic conditions.
The first is that women have consistently earned less than men, and real wages have stagnated. Currently women earn about one-fourth less than men. The disparities are even greater for black women, who earn about 30 percent less and Hispanic women, who earn about 40 percent less (census.gov). The Center for American Progress calculates that over a forty-year career life, that difference may add up to $300,000 for lower earners, $431,000 for average earners and $723,000 for higher earners.
Women are also less likely than men to start their careers in, or get promoted to management positions. A March 2010 Catalyst article in the Harvard Business Review reports that “women continue to lag men at every single career stage, right from their first professional jobs.” Women comprise only 5 percent of CEOs of the Fortune 500 companies. A 2014 Grant Thornton International Business Report survey, featured in the March 6, 2014 issue of Forbes, found that the number of women in senior management has “stagnated” at 24 percent since 2007. This means that most women miss out on the majority of lucrative executive benefits that may help secure their retirement.
An August 14, 2013 article in the Wall Street Journal, quoted an Aon Hewitt study, which said that the 401(k) gender gap is even bigger than the gender pay gap. The study showed that the average man’s 401(k) savings was $100,000 dollars. The average woman’s 401(k) retirement saving’s was $59,300 dollars– a full 40 percent less.
Women are more likely to leave the workforce for childcare and eldercare. This redirects their resources of time, money and energy away from retirement saving. It also hinders career progress. Studies by Claudia Goldin of Harvard show that when women reenter the workforce, they permanently lag behind in pay and promotions.
Women who leave the workforce for caregiving also incur consequences for Social Security. Women receive about one-fourth less than men in Social Security benefits, $13,236 versus $17,004. Nearly 30 percent of women over age 65 rely on Social Security for virtually all of their income, a rate that increases with age. The percent of women older than 65 living below the poverty level of $11,670 was 11 percent versus 6.6 percent for men, and 18.9 percent versus 11.9 percent for those living alone. Women who turn on Social Security early for financial reasons permanently lock in a lower lifetime benefit in what may be their only pension.
Women also tend to work in industries that don’t offer retirement plans, so they miss the opportunity for wealth building through an employer match. With women’s average income hovering around $38,345, it is difficult to see how women would have any discretionary income left over for retirement saving.
Marital status is also a factor. Married women fare best, divorced and widowed women next best. Never-married single women incur the most cautious outlook for retirement.
The longevity gap between men and women is narrowing, but women still outlive men, and end up living out their later years alone. Greater longevity is accompanied by larger risk of diminished purchasing power due to inflation.
The many socioeconomic issues facing women and retirement raise concern. What if the old method of trying to save enough for retirement doesn’t work for women?
New strategies are needed if women are going to thrive in retirement. Women should consider working longer in their careers, and part-time in retirement. Women should also consider non-traditional residence sharing – renting out empty bedrooms, getting a roommate, and downsizing. With the savings from reduced housing expenses, women could make financial investments in income-producing vehicles. Women could also turn their hobbies – for which they already have the skills, tools and materials – into profitable home-based businesses.
Women need to understand the role they play in their own retirement and take responsibility. They need to become financially literate and realize they will need income for life. Women need to create stackable income streams to empower their retirement security and meet their monthly spending needs.
Women should also start talking to other women about retirement planning. What are their friends doing to prepare for retirement? What if they got together once a month over coffee to start a conversation about women and retirement? They might discover that they have ideas, talents and resources to share with other women, which might enhance the retirement planning experience and success of a larger scope of women.
Donna M. Phelan has spent more than 18 years at some of Wall Street’s largest and most prestigious investment firms. She holds an MBA in finance from the University of Connecticut, and provides personal financial advice to clients coast to coast. The author of “Women, Money and Prosperity: A Sister’s Perspective on How to Retire Well,” (www.donnamphelan.com), she has lectured at conferences nationwide on a broad range of financial topics and has published numerous articles on investments, retirement and financial planning. Phelan was formerly president of the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII) Connecticut state chapter and was active in the Financial Women’s Association (FWA) in New York.
An innovative partnership with Orthopaedic and Neurological Rehabilitation is serving Tealridge residents in the comfort of their own homes.
Rising gas prices, the ongoing fear of contracting the latest illness, and just parking and traffic in general.
Tealridge Retirement Community residents don’t have to worry about any of it when it comes to receiving therapy services – all from the comfort of their own retirement community.
Tealridge Executive Director Melissa Mahaffey’s, MHA, goal was to bring convenience and accessibility to the residents of Tealridge – something that currently is being done in other metro communities. However, her aim was to find something that was very unique and different. She found what she was looking for when she found Orthopaedic and Neurological Rehabilitation (ONR).
“I think overall everyone’s aim is quality of life so people be independent as long as possible,” Mahaffey said. “We’re working together. The residents are top of mind of anything we do here and we want to make sure we have resources in place to make it easy and possible for each and every resident to access the care that they need.”
The ONR TOUCH program works with continuing care retirement, assisted living, and senior living communities to establish and maintain innovative, onsite therapy and wellness programs.
Support is matched to each resident’s ability to age gracefully by offering proactive, comprehensive therapy services across the continuum of care.
What that means for Tealridge residents is they are able to receive physician-ordered rehabilitative, physical, occupational, and even speech therapies without leaving their residence.
In addition to therapies, ONR also provides fitness, wellness, and educational programming from a full-time, onsite licensed physical therapist in Kate Glasgow, PT.
Glasgow previously worked in a home health setting. She likes the partnership with Tealridge, which gets her back into the residents’ daily lives and into the halls at Tealridge.
“It’s very beneficial,” Glasgow said of being onsite. “Building rapport and relationships with residents here and getting to know them on different levels helps them improve in their environment as opposed to offsite where the skills we work on might not transfer as well to their environment.
“It really is a convenience factor being on-site full-time. We’re here Monday through Friday.”
Kaitlin Petrie, OTR/L, is ONR’s director of business development.
She said Tealridge is the first ONR community partnership in the OKC metro area and one that’s sure to be a hit with residents and their families.
She expects the model to be quickly adopted by others.
“It lends itself especially to independent living residents because they are out and about and they want to be out and about,” Petrie said. “Our fitness classes allow us to connect with residents and build rapport and have more of an impact with fall reduction.”
“We’re so thankful and so blessed,” she said. “We’ve experienced exponential growth and I think it’s because our model is so unique. We’ve got the resource of a full-time director on campus Monday through Friday.”
The partnership allows ONR to fulfill outpatient speech, physical and occupational therapy orders from providers in the comfort of a patient’s own apartment or in the dedicated ONR therapy gym inside Tealridge.
Services are billed under Medicare part B outpatient services and covered under most insurance plans.
The ONR TOUCH program offers staff stability with the same dedicated director and therapists in the community daily.
Residents seeking enhanced mobility, greater independence and increased success with activities of daily living will enjoy the luxury of these onsite therapy services. With more than 30 years of experience providing personalized and specialized therapeutic care, ONR’s core tenet is that life should be lived to the fullest at every stage.
Pain, weakness, or limited mobility should not prevent you from doing the things you love.
Petrie said ONR’s program utilizes several evidence-based, research-based clinical programs that dictate plans of care and treatment programs.
“There are really very few ailments that exist that we don’t have a matching clinical program,” Petrie said. “It’s always evolving with the research and that’s where ONR dedicates its resources.”
For Mahaffey, the partnership just made sense for Tealridge and its residents.
“It’s convenience and accessibility,” Mahaffey said. “They’re going to be able to easily access these services. It keeps them independent for as long as possible and with a good quality of life and that’s all we want to aim for. In addition to ONR, Tealridge has several partnerships with home health agencies, physician mobile services as well as ComForCare Home Care.
“We want to have everything, hopefully, under one roof. For the most part, residents don’t have to leave the community to get medical issues taken care of unless it’s a specialist provider appointment.”
Tealridge Retirement Community is a full-service retirement community located at 2100 NE 140th Edmond, OK 73013. Should you have any further questions, please call 405-546-2385.
For more information on Tealridge Retirement Community visit: https://www.tealridge.com/
May 5/ Thursday/ Okla. City/ 9:30 am – 4 pm/ 951-2277/ Palinsky
Integris 3rd Age Life Center – 5100 N. Brookline, Suite 100
May 10/ Tuesday/ Midwest City/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 691-4091/ Palinsky
Rose State – 6191 Tinker Diagonal
May 10/ Tuesday/ Mustang/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 376-1297/ Edwards
Mustang Senior Center – 1201 N. Mustang Rd.
May 13/ Friday/ Okla. City/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 951-2277/ Edwards
SW Medical Center – 4200 S. Douglas, Suite B-10
May 18/ Wednesday/ Okla. City/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 752-3600 or 478-4587/ Reffner Mercy Hospital – 4300 W.Memorial Rd.
May 24/ Tuesday/ Edmond/ 1:30 pm – 3 pm/ 210-6798/ Palinsky
AARP State Office – 126 N. Bryan
May 24/ Tuesday/ Edmond/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 340-1975/ Reffner
Touchmark – 2801Shortgrass
Jun 2/ Thursday/ Okla. City/ 9:30 am – 4 pm/ 951-2277/ Palinsky
Integris 3rd Age Life Center – 5100 N. Brookline, Suite 100
Jun 7/ Tuesday/ Norman/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 307-3176/ Palinsky
Norman Regional Hospital – 901N. Porter Ave.
The prices for the classes are: $15 for AARP members and $20 for Non-AARP. Call John Palinsky, zone coordinator for the Oklahoma City area at 405-691-4091 or send mail to: johnpalinsky@sbcglobal.net
David Green is the owner and founder of North Pole City, located at 4201 South Interstate 44 Service Road, Oklahoma City, OK. 73119. Established in 1987, North Pole City is a magical wonderland of twinkling lights and festive decorations, bringing the holiday spirit to life for all who visit.
story and photo by Vickie Jenkins, Staff Writer
As the holiday season approaches, shoppers eagerly seek that holiday magic; twinkling lights, festive decorations and the perfect Christmas tree. For those looking to surround themselves with the spirit of the season, North Pole City, is the ultimate destination. Here, the magic truly comes alive, with a dazzling array of Christmas trees, sparkling lights, and unique ornaments at every turn. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, another enchanting display awaits, making it a holiday wonderland unlike any other.
David Green is the owner and founder of North Pole City. He recently shared the inspiring story behind his journey to entrepreneurship. “I’ve always been drawn to sales and have genuinely enjoyed the process,” he began. “When I was 12 years old, I dreamed of owning a bicycle, but my parents couldn’t afford to buy me one. Determined to make it happen, I started helping behind the counter at Harvey’s Drugstore, doing whatever tasks were needed. Over time, I saved enough money to purchase a shiny new bike. That moment was crucial to me. It taught me the value of hard work and perseverance and showed me that with dedication, my efforts would eventually pay off.”
When asked how he decided to open a Christmas store, David replied, “I guess it all started when I was a kid. My mother always made Christmas a truly special time for our family. Those memories stuck with me. After I got married in 1983, my wife and I would travel to Dallas, Texas for market, and there was this incredible place called The Original Christmas Store. It was absolutely beautiful and left a lasting impression on us. At the time, I owned a ceiling fan business, which kept me and my employees busy, mainly during the summer. But, I wanted to find something to keep us occupied in the winter months as well. That’s what led me to the Christmas business. The idea of opening a store dedicated to the magic of Christmas felt like a perfect fit. We chose the name North Pole City because it captured the spirit of the season. Today, we’re proud to be the only Christmas store in Oklahoma City.” The business, which began in 1987 when David Green built the original building, has been a family affair from the start. “Of course, my wife, Darra has been instrumental in everything over the years,” David shared with a smile. “We work side by side and have spent countless hours building this dream together. Our partnership has been a cornerstone of our success.” Now, their older children are becoming involved in the business, ensuring that North Pole City will carry on to the next generation. “This is truly a family-owned and operated business,” David emphasized. “We put a lot of thought and care into the displays and decorations because we want everyone who steps through the doors to feel genuinely welcome. Seeing the wonder on people’s faces when they walk in, that’s what makes it all worthwhile.”
David explained that North Pole City operates as a year-round business, with a buying season that begins in December and runs through the middle of March. “Starting in December, we also begin inventory work, which continues all the way through September. There’s a lot that goes into getting everything ready for the many people who visit our store each year,” he said. To keep things running smoothly, the business relies on a dedicated team of employees. “Right now, we have 12 year-round employees and an additional 25 seasonal staff during our busiest time. I’m fortunate to have some truly amazing people working for me. They’re like the cream of the crop,” David said with pride. “We’re like one big happy family. I have several employees who have been with us for over 35 years and others for at least 25 years. That kind of loyalty and dedication is rare and I have the utmost respect and trust for all of them. They’re a huge part of what makes North Pole City so special.”
David shared his vision for North Pole City over the next five years, emphasizing a focus on growth and innovation. “We’re always thinking of new ideas to enhance the experience for our customers and keep the magic of Christmas alive,” he said. “I’d love to see us continue to grow, possibly even build a new, larger space to expand our offerings, and create an even more mesmerizing experience. The goal to keep improving and finding fresh ways to bring joy to everyone who visits our store.”
Anna Diaz, Administrator of Noble Health Care Center, Noble, OK and Lois Lenz, resident for 4 years, share a hug.
by Vickie Jenkins
Anna Diaz is the Administrator of Noble Health Care Center in Noble, OK. The city of Noble declared July 22nd as Noble Health Care Center Day in recognition of the staff and employee’s loyalty, hard work and devotion to the elderly of their community and achievement in the Best Practices and Administrator of the Year awards.
Today, celebrating Noble Health Care Center Day, representatives from local hospices, dental agencies, retirements centers, etc. are on hand for the big event. The celebration is open to all. Balloons are hung, music is playing and plenty of food is being served. The music is provided by the Tinker Flying High Band and even ‘Elvis’ will be making an appearance, singing songs along with his famous dance moves.
Diaz has been at Noble Health Care Center for 21 years. “I just love these people so much,” she says. “It’s so easy to get attached to them because there is such a strong bond between us. I always remember why I am here; to touch lives. We have a very caring staff and I feel like they give their all to our residents. It’s like we are one big happy family, “ Diaz adds. “Some of our residents have lived here for a long time and I can’t tell you how close we become to that person and their families. We receive thank-you cards all the time from family members. It is so touching to be a part of this extended family.”
Asking Diaz what her greatest asset is, she replies. “I believe in longevity and a caring staff. We care for each other and we definitely work as a team. We laugh and we smile and we care for each other.”
Diaz thinks that Noble Health Care Center is the best nursing home around. “I think it is because of the tender loving care that each employee and each staff member share with the residents. It’s the caring that makes a difference, making our facility stand out from the rest. Love is present throughout the home and I think we all feel it; the residents and the staff. We are happy and positive and it shows each time we are with our residents. It’s not about the building where these residents live, but it’s about each individual and the strong foundation of the people on the inside that make up this home.”
When asking Diaz what her most rewarding thing about her job was, she answered. “Oh, it’s definitely the hugs from the residents. I usually can’t get down the hallway without someone giving me a hug or me taking the time to stop and chat for a minute. I love the people here. I feel so good about knowing how I am touching another person’s life in the smallest way. Sometimes, a smile, a hug, a kind gesture is all it takes. I know it is a true blessing because it is the residents that touch my life. To tell you the truth, we need each other.”
“What do you think is your biggest challenge here at the facility?” I ask. “I think it is the fact that I want to make sure everyone is happy. I can always tell if someone is having a bad day. We try to have good times, staying positive in every way. I realize that whatever I do is going to reflect back on me so I need to be the best I can be.”
“There are many activities offered to the residents here. We play board games, and listen to music. There are entertainers that come to the facility. We have different people come in with their music and the residents enjoy that so much. We have arts and crafts for the residents and church services. We have a good time,” Diaz says.
Asking Diaz if she had any words of wisdom or words to live by, she replied, “Yes, I live an Ephesians 3:20 life which is from Journey Church.”
‘God can do anything you know, far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams. He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His spirit deeply and gently within us.’
Bob Busby and Brent McMurry have helped build Hideaway Pizza into a household name in Oklahoma.
by Bobby Anderson, Staff Writer
It was the mid-1970s and Oklahoma State Students Bob Busby and Brent McMurry found themselves in need of a job.
As luck would have it, the geology major and sociology major wound up in the same Stillwater classroom.
Little did they know they would be working side-by-side helping building what would become a cult following in Stillwater and eventually all of Oklahoma in Hideaway Pizza.
“It feels like the guests take ownership in Hideaway, like they’ve worked there before, or like they’ve owned part of it when they’re introducing it to people,” said Busby, now Hideaway senior vice president. “They feel like it’s part of their own experience or their own story.”
Both are former owners (along with Gary Gabrel) of the Hideaway Pizza expansion restaurants that started on Cherry Street in Tulsa. Brett Murphy and Darren Lister are the current owners.
Busby now serves as the senior vice president while McMurry is the district manager for South Tulsa.
BACK IN THE DAY
Richard Dermer and his wife, Marti, bought the business back in 1957.
In the 60’s and 70’s, with happy customers filling the 12 tables in the tiny restaurant, Richard and Marti had a fleet of VW delivery Bugs racing over the streets of Stillwater.
Originally decorated with the Hideaway pizza man logo (Big Kahuna), they evolved into colorful, eclectic designs with zebra stripes, polka dots, flowers and ladybugs, and became synonymous with Hideaway Pizza.
The way to work at the original Hideaway Pizza early on was word of mouth. You had to be a friend of a friend or know someone who had worked there.
“My first shift was nine in the evening to two in the morning driving a Volkswagen,” Busby said. “I didn’t even know how to drive a standard. First thing I did was ask for someone to show me how to do this because I’ve got a load of pizzas.”
Pizza was delivered on campus through the via one of the largest fleets of Volkswagen Beetles in the U.S. Creatively painted by the employees, the VW bugs became an iconic symbol for the company along with vintage kites (Dermer was President of the American Kitefliers Association), collage art and the board game Pente.
In 1993, Dermer allowed the trio of trusted employees including Busby, McMurry and Gabrel (Pente creator) to form a development company to expand the concept into new markets outside of Stillwater while the Dermer family retains ownership of the flagship location.
The first Hideaway Pizza expansion restaurant opened in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Cherry Street District.
“It was just from the get-go lines out the door,” McMurry said.
Hideaway Pizza had successfully grown its footprint to include six restaurants in the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metro areas when Lister and Murphy purchased the company in Feb. 2006.
Under their leadership, the company has grown into one of America’s favorite pizza companies, employing approximately 1,000 in two states.
The newest restaurant location (#17) opened on Oct. 10, 2016 at 5103 Warden Rd. in North Little Rock, Arkansas. It was the first Hideaway Pizza to open outside of Oklahoma.
Hideaway Pizza plans to open its next restaurant in 2017 in Conway, Arkansas.
RISING SUCCESS
There are approximately 61,269 pizzerias in the United States and Hideaway Pizza was ranked No. 66 in Pizza Today magazine’s 2016 ranking of the nation’s most successful pizza companies.
That’s a six-spot jump from 2015. Two other Oklahoma-based pizza companies were included in the 2016 report. Tulsa-based Mazzio’s Italian Eatery was ranked No. 29 (No. 27 in 2015) and Simple Simon’s Pizza, headquartered in Glenpool was ranked No. 49 (No. 45 in 2015).
It’s still fun for McMurry and Busby, who admit they still regularly eat the pizza.
Both agree it’s never been about how many stores Hideaway has but the quality of the people and product inside of each.
They enjoy pouring into the staff as much as pouring into customers. The mantra has always been happy employees equal happy customers.
Maybe that’s why Hideaway has become an Oklahoma favorite. It’s not just a place to stop and pick up a pizza – although Busby admits the takeaway business is phenomenal – Hideaway is a place where friends and family come for an evening meal.
“Pizza is such a social food because you share it. You can feed a lot of people from one thing. It’s a unique niche of the restaurant business we’ve got here,” Busby says.
And you’ll still see both of them back in the kitchen making sure Hideaway Pizza stays an Oklahoma tradition.
Story by Van Mitchell, Staff Writer – Photos Shelton’s Photography & Design for SNL
Linda Traw
Crowned Ms. Oklahoma Senior America 2024 at The 16th Annual Pageant.
Ms. Oklahoma Senior America 2023, Karen Brown Tims (left) along side the new Ms. Oklahoma Senior America, Linda Traw of Tulsa.
Linda Traw of Tulsa was crowned April 6 as Ms. Oklahoma Senior America 2024 at the 16th annual pageant at the Mustang Performing Arts Center.
The winner will be sponsored by the Ms. Senior Oklahoma Foundation to compete in the National Ms. Senior America Pageant at the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Sept. 29-Oct. 4.
“I had no expectations going into the pageant and was really shocked when they called my name,” Traw said. “I’m completely honored to represent the state of Oklahoma for a year, and of course, to compete nationally.”
The pageant is billed as an exciting combination of talent and inner beauty along with the individual fulfillment and elegance.
By giving women 60 years and older an opportunity to display their “inner beauty”, talents, and elegance, the Pageant honors the achievements of senior women and motivates and encourages them to utilize their full potential to share a positive outlook on life with others. Participants represent a cross-section of America.
The Ms Senior America LLC Pageant is judged in two phases: the Preliminary Round and the Finals. In the Preliminary Round, each contestant receives a score, from 1 to 10, in each of the four categories – Interview – Inner Beauty (Philosophy of Life) – Evening Gown and Talent.
Finalists enter the stage of the Final Round with their scores from their Interviews and are judged a second time on their Evening Gown, Philosophy of Life and Talent Presentations.
Traw, a pre-kindergarten teacher in Jenks, said her co-workers and students were excited to see her return to school with her crown and sash.
“I brought my crown and my sash and I took pictures of everybody (students) wearing the crown,” she said. “They thought it was pretty cool to wear a crown. My co-workers are thrilled. They think it’s really amazing.”
Traw became interested in applying for the pageant after watching a friend compete in it last year.
“I went to see my friend, Debbie Hay. She was in it last year, and I was very impressed,” she said. “I thought, “I want to do that. That would be fun.” And that’s what just drew me in.”
As part of her pageant performance, Traw sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from the movie “Wizard of Oz.”
“I’m a goal setter and since I didn’t start singing until my 40s this was new territory to me,” she said. “When I find something I really want to do, I usually grab a hold onto it and go for it.”
Traw said her life prior to her 40s was like riding a roller coaster having overcome childhood trauma and losing her mother to cancer at a young age.
“I’ve been through dreams and tragedies,” she said. “In high school I did nothing. I always thought I could sing. I was too inverted and too afraid of the world to pursue it. I lived kind of trapped. I mean, I worked and got married and we had a son, but I lived in this world of denial that I had baggage.”
Traw said that baggage finally caught up with her in her 40s.
“It just caught up with me and somewhere in my 40s,” she said. “I returned to teaching after getting my certification in Oklahoma.”
Traw is a native Kansan and taught special education in the Sunflower state.
“I went back to teaching and taught special education, I realized it had changed a lot and it was too much, it became overwhelming. I realized I needed help,” she said.
Traw said she received counseling.
“I received counseling for probably about maybe close to a year, and learned that I wasn’t a victim, but I had a story that could be shared to help others,” she said.
Traw then decided to pursue her love of singing and performing.
“I took voice lessons and that gave me the start to go and pursue productions,” she said. “I’ve been in a total of four community productions around the Tulsa area, Sapulpa, Sand Springs, Broken Arrow, and I was at the PAC when I did “A Christmas Carol” in Tulsa. I used to sing with the Tulsa Praise Orchestra, which is a big band, and I’ve traveled to New York City for the Statue of Liberty’s anniversary and to Kentucky for the American Legion.”
Traw later created a singing business which included singing in retirement homes, but had to scuttle those plans due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“When COVID hit, I lost that business, and I went back to teaching, and now I’m a full-time pre-kindergarten teacher at Jenks Public Schools,” she said.
Traw said performing at the pageant pushed her out of her comfort zone.
“It’s definitely been a challenge,” she said. “It’s taught me a new skill that I didn’t have before. You can’t just get up on the pageant stage and just be there. You have to prepare. There are nerves that go into it. I think everybody was nervous, and there was excitement, of course.”
Traw said faith plays an important role in her life.
“My faith is huge in my life. I couldn’t be who I was, I can’t be who I am, I can’t do what I do without Jesus. It’s impossible. I totally give Him the praise because He’s the one who set me free,” she said.
Traw said this summer she will be more active in promoting the Ms. Oklahoma Senior America pageant.
“My goal is to make more women aware of it that are mature like me, so there’ll be more interest in the program and maybe more new people to participate in the spring,” she said. “I really want to give light to such a worthy organization. I would love to sing at retirement homes again. I thoroughly missed it, so that would be something I’ll probably be pursuing. My goal is to first serve my community, and then if I’m able to find some places where I can sing and entertain.”
