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!!

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/.

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.

By Nick Thomas

As any devoted Star Wars fan can deduce, the title of Billy Dee Williams’ new autobiography, “What Have We Here?” released in February, is a nod to the actor’s most famous character – Lando Calrissian. The smooth-talking caped space smuggler first greets Princess Leia with that line in 1980’s “The Empire Strikes Back.”
While the feisty cinnamon-bunned princess may not have swooned on-screen when the charming Lando gently kissed her hand before eventually joining forces to save their galaxy (although Leia’s fleeting smirk suggests her royal knees might have buckled slightly), other screen characters were not so demure when confronted with the suave actor.
For instance, Diana Ross (playing singer Billie Holiday) first glimpses Williams (portraying her future lover, Louis McKay) in 1972’s hit movie “Lady Sings the Blues.” Her character promptly sinks to the floor, emotionally melting – mouth agape – captivated by the dreamy, white-suited Williams gracefully descending a staircase.
“When I saw film of myself walking down those stairs, I fell in love with me!” said Williams, laughing, from his home in Los Angeles. In real life, too, fans were similarly drawn to Williams’ charisma.
“I even had a woman faint right in front of me and it’s all very flattering,” he recalled. “But I don’t take myself too seriously.”
Beyond his Hollywood status as a heartthrob or swashbuckling space pirate, Williams was a solid, compelling actor throughout his long career that began when he stepped onto a Broadway stage, barely 8 years old.
Raised in Harlem during the 40s in a moderately well-off household, young Billy’s family supported his interest in the arts which also included painting – a career he originally planned to pursue. But in 1956, on a chilly winter’s day in New York City, he literally bumped into a TV casting director emerging from a clothing store, striking up a conversation.
The chance encounter led to an offer of work as an extra in East Coast television series, reinvigorating his interest in acting. After moving to Hollywood, Williams would amass hundreds of film, television, and theater credits over the next six decades.
“For a young, brown-skinned boy like me growing up in Harlem, getting to Hollywood was a far-fetched dream in those early days,” Williams said. “I’m not a very competitive person when it comes to something like sports, but I am when it comes to acting. I was determined to make it.”
And he did, with lead roles in feature films such as “Mahogany” (1975), “Scott Joplin” (1977), “Nighthawks” (1981), as well as ABC’s “Dynasty” series and the acclaimed TV sports bio-pic “Brian’s Song.”
“I didn’t want people to just see a young black kid from Harlem on the screen, but to appreciate the full spectrum of the characters I was playing,” said Williams.
It’s been almost 45 years since Williams first entered the Star Wars universe as Lando Calrissian. With his broad appeal and extensive acting experience, he was a popular addition to the franchise.
While he acknowledges that sci-fi actors rarely win Oscars or Emmys, Williams remains grateful for the recognition the character afforded.
“In the long run, I think the whole idea of creating a huge fan base gives you much more longevity,” he said. “I’ll be 87 in April, and I’ve had a lot of interesting experiences throughout my life that are described in the book. Some were not pleasant, but working on ‘Empire’ (and two other Star Wars movies) was. I’m always observing, learning, and trying to be a sponge, so to speak, to make myself a better actor.”
Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery in Alabama and writes features, columns, and interviews for newspapers and magazines around the country. See https://www.getnickt.org.

By Marise Boehs

Meals on Wheels of Norman, Inc. founded in 1972, is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit agency. Fifty two years ago, Tedo Pricket and June Morgan saw the need and brought Meals on Wheels to the Norman Community The mission of Meals on Wheels is to provide nutritious noon-time meals to ill, disable, and senior members within the Norman city limits.  They strive to improve the nutrition and mental health of the isolated recipients by providing visitation; and to improve the well-being of their clients by coordinating with existing services in the community.

Clients must live within the Norman city limits. The price of each meal is based on a sliding scale ranging from $1.07-$8.25 and is dependent on the clients income.

“About 50% of our clients are no charge,” said Lynn Haynes, retiring Executive Director of Meals On Wheels of Norman. “These meals are covered through scholarships provide by grants and individual sponsorship.” Clients range in age from 18 to 100+ years.

Determining a client’s eligibility is a quick process and is determined through a brief income screening that can be conducted over the phone. A typical Meals on Wheels client is an elderly widow living on low-fixed income. Today only 9% of individuals served by Meals on Wheels qualify to pay full price.

Meals on Wheels benefits greatly through a community partnership with Norman Regional Health System. Not only does the hospital prepare the noon-time meals deliverd by Meals on Wheels, but provides an annnual subsidy of reduced meal cost, support, and in-kind services. Licensed dietitians determine diets of clients that have special dietary needs. Specialized diets such as diabetic, renal, healthy hear, pureed, and meals that are sensitive to certain food allergies are prepared with care. Additional care is take by the kitchen staff to cut the meat for clients without full use of their hands. All specialized diets are confirmed by the client’s physician to ensure that the appropriate needs are being met.

In order to serve the community, Meals on Wheels relies on a base of over 160 volunteer drivers to deliver approximately 335 meals each weekday. There are 21 different routes delivered daily between 11am and 1pm. Volunteers deliver hot noon-time meals, as well as shelf stable meals for the weekends and holiday, and pet food to the recipients with furry friends. These volunteers come from all walks of life and range in age from elementary school students to retirees. The service these volunteers provide is much greater than just a meal delivery. They offer a lifeline to isolated clients. On many occasions volunteers have found clients in life threatening situations and were able to save the day by just being there. During 2023, 90,711 meals were delivered to 963 ill, disabled, and senior residents of Norman.

Meals on Wheels is governed by a Board of Directors who are active in all fundraising, as well as daily operations. The staff is comprised of three full-time and one part-time positions. Interns through the University of Oklahoma Work-Study Program and TANF workers provide additional office help.

Fundraising is an essential aspect of Meals on Wheels’s survival and growth. Meals Ambassador Baker Mayfield’s No Bogey’s With Baker held at TopGolf in OKC last April was a big success, “adding a large bump to our budget,” said Haynes. Another major fundraising event is the annual golf scramble held in July. As the holidays approach, Meals on Wheels begins to promote its Poinsettia Sale. Their goal is to provide each client with a pretty plant for the holidays as well as raise funds for the budget.

“When I started here in 2002, our budget was $150,000. We had 9 routes and served around 100 meals a day,” Haynes said. “Our budget for 2024 is $920,000. We have 22 routes and serve 305 meals a day.”

HAPPY RETIREMENT, Lynn Haynes! 

YOU’VE EARNED IT.

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.

Read more informative articles on Senior News and Living today!

If you’ve been the primary caregiver for your senior loved one from afar, then you’ll know that there will probably come a time when moving closer to them might benefit them more. Senior News and Living shares how to make that move.

Decide if the Move is Right for You Both

Making the decision to relocate in order to be closer to a loved one signifies a monumental adjustment in your life, entailing not only geographical shifts but also emotional and relational transitions. The importance of thorough communication cannot be overstated in this context, ensuring that both parties harbor a mutual understanding and agreement regarding the impending move.

By affirmatively confirming that you and your loved one are unequivocally on the same page, you safeguard against the potential pitfalls of unmet expectations and misaligned future visions. A successful transition in such a critical life choice pivots on the axis of clarity, shared goals, and a unified approach to navigating the challenges and joys that lie ahead.

Decide Whether to Buy or Rent

Embarking on the quest for suitable properties promptly is imperative, alleviating one considerable concern from the multitude that typically accompanies moving. The dilemma of choosing between buying and renting can often hinge on multiple factors, including your certainty level regarding the permanency of your relocation.

Opting to buy a house undeniably signals a significant decision, embedding a degree of permanence and commitment to your new locale. Therefore, if hesitancy or unpreparedness to fully commit pervades your decision-making, embracing the flexibility of renting might emerge as the judicious choice for this juncture in your journey.

Buying and Selling at the Same Time

Embarking on the journey of buying and selling a house simultaneously can be a challenging yet exhilarating venture, demanding meticulous planning and strategic execution. Sellers often find themselves in a tightrope walk, balancing the intricacies of coordinating settlements, managing financing, and ensuring a seamless transition from one abode to another.

It’s paramount to engage a proficient real estate agent who possesses the expertise to skillfully navigate through this complex process, ensuring that both transactions progress smoothly and aligning the timelines to avoid potential pitfalls or a temporary homelessness scenario.

Prepare for the Move

BigSteelBox notes that another detail that you want to take care of sooner than later is finding a credible moving company that will assist in making your move-to-be as seamless as possible. Professional movers are notorious for scams, so be alert to things like deals that sound too good to be true, or a refusal to put estimates in writing. So take your time by checking out reviews and testimonials before making your final decision.

Speaking of moving, perhaps you need to move your business with you. Again, you’ll want to plan way in advance if you want the move to have as little impact on your business as possible. If you need to reorganize in your destination state, use a formation service for info about how to transfer an LLC to another state. It also might be helpful to have a policy drawn up of who will be responsible for what if you are not available for any reason.

Finding a reliable moving company is a must, as is labeling any and all boxes as accurately and descriptively as possible. Also, it may be helpful to have some staff members working remotely to help keep your business running as per normal while your staff adjusts to working on the move, so to speak.

Reconnect with HS Alumni

If your parents are still in your old hometown, it may be an ideal time to reconnect with friends from school, which is as easy as using an online search portal – simply input the person’s name, high school, and year of graduation. Not only is it a chance to refresh old friendships, but your peers are likely facing some of the same challenges. You can support one another as you catch up on each other’s lives.

Build a New Network

Moving your business to a new state can seem daunting, but it’s an opportunity to expand your network and explore new partnerships. To start, consider attending semi-professional meetups or joining relevant LinkedIn groups in your new location. Leveraging existing contacts for introductions to locals can also be beneficial. A key aspect of networking is the exchange of business cards.

Determine Your New Living Arrangements

Once you have relocated, you’ll have to decide on what everyone’s new living arrangements will be. Of course, it’ll probably come down to one of two options – either your loved one will live with you, or you’ll have to find a senior living community that can provide the level of care and supervision they need.

Care.com points out that if you are considering moving them to a nursing facility, then you’ll have to have a difficult conversation with them to help allay any concerns and fears they may have regarding moving somewhere new, especially if it means them losing the independence they have.

You may also feel like living with your loved one is the better option for now, so that you can get a sense of their current abilities and limitations. In this situation, hold onto items they still hold dear so that they aren’t confronted with too many drastic changes all at once. Your loved one may have difficulty with cleaning, so it’s a good idea to help out. Be sure to use carcinogen-free cleaners to avoid any sensitivity issues.

Moving a Business

Assisting a senior loved one in relocating their business to another state involves meticulous planning, covering both tangible and bureaucratic aspects of the move. The physical move entails careful packing, transporting, and setting up the business in the new location, ensuring that every item and piece of equipment is handled with utmost care to prevent any damage or loss. Concurrently, the paperwork, often an undervalued aspect of such transitions, demands equal attention; from updating the business address in all legal documents to ensuring compliance with the new state’s regulations.

Additionally, an often-overlooked component that warrants a scrutinizing eye is the business name, especially in the context of whether it coincides with a pre-existing entity in the new state. Given the intricacies of business naming rights, which fluctuate based on first-use in commerce and vary from state to federal levels, ensuring the chosen business name does not infringe upon another’s rights or violate regional or national trademarks becomes imperative to avert any potential legal entanglements.

Move Forward with Changes

This is a difficult time for you and your aging loved one, but the tips above should help make the transitions easier for you both. If you decide to rent and not buy in the interim, it’ll give both of you the time to decide what you want as far as long-term living arrangements go. If you both feel that a more structured community with the ability to transition from less to more care is best, then check out your assisted living options with your loved one.

Remember to be patient and ease your loved one into these changes. They signal a big transition in their life that can be scary and difficult to accept. The goal is to provide quality care, so keep that at the forefront of your decision-making.

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.

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.

Mary Lea Forsythe

(Right) 100 years old. Mary Lea Forsythe of Sand Springs was honored for her 100th birthday coming up on February 29 by the DAR Osage Hills Chapter. She attended Sand Springs schools and was in the High School All State Chorus all four years.

Janie Hackler

(Left) 100 years old. Ms. Janie Hackler celebrated her upcoming 100th birthday surrounded by a large crowd of family and friends at Crossroads Fellowship in Bixby. She was beautiful in a pale pink outfit and was such a lovely and gracious lady greeting each and every person by name and with a smile and hug.

Iru Daugherty

(Right) 100 years old. Iru Daugherty of Tulsa celebrated her 100th birthday over the weekend. When she moved to Tulsa in 1987 to work at Victory Church, her son Pastor Billy Joe asked her to “love on people.” And she has done just that, along with many other things, serving in whatever capacity needed & continues to work at Victory Church. She has had an interesting life with wonderful people & is so grateful for good friends.

Russell Shelton

(Right) 100 years old. Russell Shelton celebrated his 100th birthday today. He was awarded a Purple Heart for his service with the Army in WWII, has lived in Bartlesville since 1948 & is a retired chemical engineer from Phillips. He stays active by riding a stationary bike 8 miles & doing 150 push-ups a day and always taking the stairs.