If you won a free vacation where would you go? Oklahoma City Public Schools Child Nutrition

I’d like to go to Las Vegas to see the sights but I promised the Lord I wouldn’t gamble. Teresa Gipson

Mine’s weird, Transylvania. I like the vampires and were-wolfs. Paula Bonilla

I would go to Peru because that’s where my mother is from. Juana Latham

I’d be on my way to Hawaii. Wanda Weathington

Five officials representing a wide range of experiences will be inducted September 14 into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials. The black-tie optional hall of fame induction ceremony will be at the Tulsa Convention Center in Tulsa in conjunction with the Annual Conference Banquet for the Oklahoma Municipal League.
They will become the 56th – 60th inductees into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame since 2001.
Those to be inducted this year were recently announced by the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials Foundation, which is supported by eight organizations of Oklahoma municipal government officials or service organizations.
Those to be inducted on September 14 are:
Marilyn Kay Andrews, Former Mayor (deceased), Ponca City
Elaine Grace Carr, Mayor, West Siloam Springs
Mick Cornett, Mayor, Oklahoma City
Michael R. “Mike” Nunneley, Town Administrator, Mannford
Drake Rice, Former City Manager, Cushing (Asst.), Prague & Blackwell.
Formed in 1999, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials Foundation recognizes individuals for outstanding achievements or contributions to city and town government. To be selected, an honoree must make significant contributions to Oklahoma local government, through their positive spirit of public service, with unquestioned ethics.
The website:
www.okcityandtownofficials.org highlights the careers of each inductee in the past 15 years. Visitors to the website are able to navigate through biographies, video and photo features about each inductee.
The Oklahoma Hall of Fame Foundation is supported by the Oklahoma Municipal League, The Mayors Council of Oklahoma, the City Management Association of Oklahoma, the Municipal Electric Systems of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group, the Oklahoma Municipal Retirement Fund, the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority and the Oklahoma Municipal Clerks, Treasurers and Finance Officials Association.
Tickets for the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and banquet are $45 each available from the Oklahoma Municipal League by calling 405-528-7515 or by email to [email protected] .

Dear Savvy Senior, My wife and I are both in our late sixties and are looking to buy a new car. Can you recommend some good resources that can help us evaluate and choose a good car for older drivers? Car Shoppers
Dear Shoppers,
With more than 40 million licensed drivers in the United States age 65 and older, many automakers today are designing certain vehicles that are friendlier for older drivers. But what makes a good car for seniors? For many, top priorities include a vehicle that’s easy to get into and out of, easy to adjust for fit and comfort, easy to operate and see out of, as well as reliable, safe and a good value.
To help you narrow your vehicle choices, Consumer Reports and the American Automobile Association (AAA) offer some great information and tools to assist you.
CR Best Cars
Consumer Reports recently put out a top 25 ranking of new cars for senior drivers. Each vehicle on their list offers excellent or very good ratings on reliability, safety, road-test performance and owner satisfaction. And, they offer a variety of senior-friendly features that are extremely important to older divers, like:
* Easy front-seat access: Vehicles with low door thresholds, wider door openings, and step-in heights that reduce the need for ducking or climbing, make getting into and out of a car easier for those with physical limitations.
* Good visibility: Being able to see well out of the front, sides, and back of a vehicle for tall, medium, and shorter drivers.
* Simplified controls: Easy-to-read gauges and simplified/intuitive controls for changing the radio, shifting gears, and adjusting the heating and cooling is a high priority among older drivers.
* Bright headlights: Powerful headlights can make driving at night easier for people with decreasing or compromised vision.
They also weighed in extra safety features (standard or optional) like a backup camera, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning and blind-spot warning.
Their picks include a variety of compact and midsized sedans and SUVs, two minivans and a station wagon from seven different automakers. Here’s their top 25 ranking, starting with one through 25: Subaru Forester; Subaru Outback; Kia Soul; Subaru Legacy; Kia Sportage; Toyota Highlander; Toyota Prius V; Toyota RAV4; Honda Odyssey; Nissan Rogue; Honda Accord; Ford C-Max Hybrid; Hyundai Sonata; Toyota Camry; Subaru Crosstrek; Toyota Sienna; Honda CR-V; Honda Pilot; Kia Forte; Ford Escape; Toyota Corolla; Kia Sorento; Ford Flex; Hyundai Santa Fe; Hyundai Tucson.
For more information on their top 25 list, see ConsumerReports.org/elderly-driving/top-25-new-cars-for-senior-drivers.
AAA Tool
Another great resource that can help you evaluate and chose a vehicle that meets your needs is the AAA online tool “Smart Features for Older Drivers.”
At SeniorDriving.AAA.com/SmartFeatures you can check the areas you have problems with – like diminished vision, cognitive decline, limited upper body range of motion, decreased leg strength, arthritic hands, short stature or overweight – and the tool will identify vehicles that have the features that will best accommodate your needs. Although this tool looks at model-year 2016 vehicles, in many cases the features shown are carried over for 2017 models.
They also have a Smart Features brochure you can download that will tell you what to look for in a vehicle to best accommodate your needs.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma (BCBSOK) and INTEGRIS have reached a new contract agreement. The timely agreement comes just days prior to the current contract’s expiration – good news for the thousands of BCBSOK members who depend on INTEGRIS facilities and doctors across Oklahoma.
“Reaching an agreement was always our goal,” said Bruce Lawrence, president and chief executive officer of INTEGRIS. “Both INTEGRIS and Blue Cross and Blue Shield want what is best for our patients – and that is to continue offering high-quality, convenient and affordable medical care and coverage to the people of Oklahoma.”
The two-year agreement means BCBSOK members can seek services at INTEGRIS facilities throughout the state, including: Oklahoma City, Edmond, Enid, Grove, Miami and Yukon. BCBSOK members in the Blue TraditionalSM, Blue Choice PPOSM, Blue Preferred PPOSM, BlueLincs HMOSM, Medicare AdvantageSM and Medicare Supplemental plan provider networks will receive in-network benefits at INTEGRIS facilities as well as with more than 600 INTEGRIS doctors. As part of the agreement, INTEGRIS hospitals and employed physicians will also participate in BCBSOK’s exchange product Blue Advantage. That effective date will be announced soon.
“We are pleased to reach a new agreement that allows our members to continue receiving care at INTEGRIS at in-network rates and benefit levels,” said Ted Haynes, president of BCBSOK. “We take very seriously our role as steward of our members’ health care coverage dollars. This agreement underscores our commitment to provide our members access to quality, cost-effective health care and ensures members are treated by in-network health care providers when going to an in-network facility. We look forward to continuing our long-term relationship with INTEGRIS.”
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma and INTEGRIS thank the people in all the communities where INTEGRIS operates for their patience and support during this negotiation. BCBSOK and INTEGRIS worked diligently behind the scenes to resolve contractual issues and to prevent any lapse in coverage for BCBSOK members.

Beginning in September, Mercy will have a familiar leader at the helm in El Reno.
Cindy Carmichael will return to Mercy Hospital El Reno for a second time as administrator. She served as interim administrator in 2009 prior to becoming chief operating officer in her current role at Mercy Hospital Ardmore. “Cindy has a love for El Reno, and El Reno has a love for her,” Mayor Matt White said. “We’re excited for her to be part of our continued success.”
In addition to her new position, Carmichael will provide support and oversight to Mercy administrators in Kingfisher, Guthrie and Watonga as regional administrator.
Carmichael has been with Mercy for more than a decade and has spent a large portion of her career dedicated to the development of rural health care. While in Ardmore, she helped forge a deeper relationship with Oklahoma Heart Hospital, which provides cardiac care for patients in southern Oklahoma. Carmichael also was instrumental in the construction and opening of a new Mercy clinic in Ardmore.
“Cindy has spent her career helping provide quality health care to towns across Oklahoma,” said Jim Gebhart, regional strategy officer for Mercy and president of Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City. “She brings an awareness of rural health care that gives us great confidence with her in this role.”
Doug Danker, El Reno’s former hospital administrator, will continue his service with Mercy as director of emergency medical services, where he will focus on growing Mercy’s ambulance service across the northern half of Oklahoma. Danker began his career with Mercy, formerly Parkview Hospital, in 1989 as a paramedic. He later served as supervisor of medical surgery and as director of nursing before being appointed administrator in 2012.
“It’s a double win for El Reno,” White said. “Mercy has given us a fabulous team with Doug and Cindy, and I’m excited to see what they’ve laid out for the community.”

With Medicare open enrollment less than two months away, the Oklahoma Insurance Department is asking seniors to be on alert. The warning comes after several Oklahomans have reported questionable phone calls from people claiming to represent or partner with Medicare.
“These callers are insistent on getting personal information from our seniors,” said Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak. “We urge Oklahomans to never give out personal details such as date of birth, bank account numbers or their Medicare number over the phone. There are just too many cases of fraudulent activity in phone calls and new scams cropping up on a regular basis.” In one case, a man reported the caller asked for his birth date and Medicare costs. The caller implied that she was working with Medicare to audit Medicare supplement costs. In another instance, the caller told a senior he could get free supports and braces for his back and legs even though he did not need them. Seniors should beware of any promises of 100 percent coverage for medical equipment by Medicare. Medicare only covers durable medical equipment that is medically necessary and ordered by a doctor.
Purchasing medical equipment over the phone or internet and without involving your physician could actually cause more harm than good. The same is true for purchasing insurance.
To avoid potential scams, never buy insurance over the phone from an agent you do not know. It’s safer to use a local agent who you either personally know or who has been recommended to you by family or friends.
Here are a few more tips to protect yourself:
* If you don’t recognize the number on your caller ID, don’t answer the phone. If it’s important, the caller will leave a message. * If you answer the phone and realize it’s someone trying to sell you something or asking for your personal information, hang up. Seniors were raised to be polite, but in these situations, safety is more important. * If someone shows up at your home claiming to be from Medicare or claiming to partner with Medicare, close the door. Medicare will not come to your house, and Medicare does not endorse any particular policy or insurance company. * Report any suspicious calls to the Medicare Assistance Program at the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 800-763-2828.

The Stephenson Cancer Center will hold a Gynecologic Cancers Survivor’s Workshop on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 8 am to 4 pm in Oklahoma City.
The all-day workshop is designed to provide patients, survivors, and caregivers with the basics of gynecologic cancers as well as in-depth information on targeted therapies and treatments. Additional topics include: genetic and tumor testing, vaccinations and preventions, and supportive care topics including lymphedema, sexual health, and physical therapy.
The workshop is open to gynecologic cancers patients, survivors, and caregivers. Regardless of when or where treatment was received, all are welcome to attend. There is no cost to attend, and breakfast and lunch will be provided.
The Gynecologic Cancer Survivor’s Workshop will take place at the Samis Education Center at The Children’s Hospital, located at 1200 Children’s Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73104. To RSVP for the workshop, please visit stephensoncancercenter.org/gynoncworkshop or call (405) 271-1253. According to the American Cancer Society, about 22,440 women will receive an ovarian cancer diagnosis and about 12,820 women will receive a cervical cancer diagnosis in 2017. Ovarian and cervical cancers represent the majority of all gynecologic cancer diagnoses.

On Tuesday, September 26, 2017, Oklahoma City’s Brightmusic Chamber Ensemble will present its first concert of the 2017-18 season, “Song and Dance,” featuring works of 20th and 21st century composers celebrating song, dance and rhythm. Brightmusic strings, clarinet, horn and piano will present works by George Gershwin (“Porgy and Bess” Ballade), a suite of four tangos by Astor Piazzolla, a work by Oklahoma City’s Edward Knight and a sextet by Ernö Dohnányi (aka Ernst von Dohnanyi). Try and resist the urge to get up and dance!
The works on the program are: George Gershwin, “Porgy and Bess” Ballade (for violin, clarinet & piano) Gershwin was an early 20th-century American composer and pianist best known for his Rhapsody in Blue.
Astor Piazzolla, The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires (for violin, cello & piano) Piazzolla was a 20th century Argentinian composer best known for his tangos.
Edward Knight, Seventh Day of the Seventh Moon (for violin, cello, clarinet & piano) Knight is a contemporary American composer living in Oklahoma City celebrated for his distinctly American sound.
Ernst von Dohnanyi, Sextet in C major, Op. 37 (for violin, viola, cello, clarinet, horn & piano) Dohnanyi was a 19th-20th century Hungarian composer, pianist and conductor.
Brightmusic musicians performing are: Gregory Lee (violin), Mark Neumann (viola), Jonathan Ruck (cello), Chad Burrow (clarinet), Kate Pritchett (horn) and Amy I-Lin Cheng (piano).
The performance will take place at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, September 26 at St. Paul’s Cathedral, 127 NW 7th Street (at Robinson). Individual concert admission is $20 per ticket. Children, students and active-duty military personnel are admitted free with ID. More information about this concert is available on Brightmusic’s website at http://www.brightmusic.org.

by Bobby Anderson, Staff Writer

Excitement is buzzing up and down the halls at Village on the Park in Oklahoma City.
The retirement community is atwitter over what is expected to be the blockbuster event of the summer – the wedding of residents Ann Trumbly and Bud Barker.
“He caught me in a weak moment,” the 84-year-old Trumbly smiled when asked what led to the upcoming August ceremony.
Both currently reside in separate cottages at Village on the Park and each lost spouses in the past.
Neither ever dreamed they would remarry.
“We just clicked, we really did,” Barker said. “We weren’t expecting it but it happened.”
The couple’s first official date came last October when a group of Village on the Park travelers went to Royal Bavaria restaurant in Moore to celebrate Octoberfest.
For weeks Barker had been telling Marketing Director Karen Proctor that he planned on “bringing a friend” but declined to say who it was.
“And forever they were just going to be friends,” Proctor said, unfolding the story.
The couple agreed to go out once a week for dinner. One week Trumbly would pay, the next Barker would pick up the check.
“Somewhere along the way they shocked me,” Proctor said. “They’re both educated. They both love music and they both just love talking to each other.”
A few months ago the couple pulled Proctor aside to tell her the big news.
“I just cried and cried and cried,” Proctor said. “I was shocked. They had kept saying over and over it was nice to have a good friend.”
But both agreed it was great to have a best friend again.
EVERYONE’S ABUZZ
“Everybody’s so excited,” Proctor said. “We’ve had residents who have gone and bought dresses – even though it’s going to be super casual.” Everybody feels a part of it because they knew them with their other spouses and were so sad when their spouses passed away.
“It’s been fun to see them have so much fun.”
Cake and punch will be served back at Village on the Park.
“Real simple. That was Ann’s orders,” Proctor said.
She helped the bride-to-be shop for a wedding dress – all without ever leaving Village on the Park, helping Trumbly navigate the Internet for the perfect gown that was delivered to her house.
“They’ve got about 50 flower girls,” Proctor joked.
Barker swears he’s not nervous.
“Everybody has been fantastic, they really have,” Barker said. “Our children – she has a son and daughter and I have a son and daughter – and they’re all tickled to death. They could see we needed somebody.”
The couple doesn’t plan on registering anywhere, in fact, it might be the first wedding in history where guests receive all of the gifts.
The bride and groom are currently trying to downsize their respective cottages so that they may move in with each other after the wedding.
Once the nuptials are complete the two will fly down to Ft. Lauderdale to embark on a Caribbean cruise honeymoon.
But do the two have any skinny-dipping plans?
“I don’t know about that yet,” the 87-year-old Barker laughed. “Age is funny.”
Both are excited for the date to finally get here later this month.
They say planning – even a simple ceremony – doesn’t get any easier the second time around.
“Sometimes I wonder how we’re going to get through this. It’s not the marrying him (part) it’s about all the stuff you have to go through,” Trumbly said.
Trumbly has always been sort of a mother-figure for Proctor so it was Proctor who sat the couple down early just to make sure they had their bases covered.
The two had already discussed it with their respective families. A Sunday compromise was struck, with the couple attending Trumbly’s Catholic mass on Saturday nights and Barker’s Baptist church on Sundays.
Barker says he may be getting the better end of the deal, especially since Trumbly’s cottage has a washer and dryer as well as a covered carport for his Lincoln.
“There’s a lot of advantages for me, I don’t know about her,” he teased.
But the groom has shown he may be handy in the kitchen.
“I fixed her a bacon and tomato sandwich last night,” he said with pride. “Someone gave us a real nice tomato out of the garden and we stole some bread and bacon out of the kitchen and I cooked it in my room.”
It’s moments like those both were missing.
And they never expected to find them again.
“This is a marvelous place here. Everybody here is family,” Barker said.