Photography and Text by Terry “Travels with Terry” Zinn [email protected]

With so much time on our hands it is comforting to look back on the opportunities you had with experiences with the talents and charisma in theater. November of course is a time for Thanksgiving, and I know you are as I am, being grateful for gabbing significant experiences.

Three such persons for which to be thankful are, actor-teacher, Jonathan Beck Reed, choreographer and dancers, Derek and Julianne Hough, and singer musician, Peter Cincotti.
Well known to avid theater goers of Oklahoma is Jonathan Beck Reed. He started his acing career as a child in Lyric Theaters “Carousel” in the early 1970’s. As a professional he toured the nation as Harold Hill in “Music Man” and reprises the role a September ago when he led the Concert Version at OCC, which featured many familiar Oklahoma Actors. Besides portraying the epitome of Harold Hill, another memorable role was as Brick in “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof,” presented in the now razed Theater Center, as well as Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof.”
Perhaps my favorite was in the “Will Rogers Follies,” where his charm and talent exceed expectations of any Will Rogers fan. Among other venues the “Follies” was presented on a mobile stage in 2007 at the State Capital for the Oklahoma Centennial Festival of Statehood. Currently Reed is again Ebenezer Scrooge in Lyric’s holiday favorite, “A Christmas Carol,” this year presented outside at the Harn Homestead in Oklahoma City. The duel cast show runs through mid-December, so bundle up and get your tickets as there is only one hundred available for each show. Besides his versatility, if for no other reason he qualifies as Greatness for his professional longevity. It has been my pleasure to have seen Jonathan Beck Reed in many productions.
Fans of “Dancing With The Stars,” TV show already know of Derek Hough’s dancing and choreography skills. He has won many awards for his choreography. His radiant personality and inventive dance makes him a natural for admiration. He was in Oklahoma City a few years back with his touring dance show. Seizing the opportunity, I bought a high-priced VIP ticket which included a personal short meet and greet before the performance. This event was well attended.
The production company allowed personal greetings with arms over shoulders for a commemorative photograph. Before the greeting patrons could pose in front of a “green screen”, producing their image alongside Derek and sister, Julianne dancing. This image was either presented in hard copy form or in a digital file. Seeing Derek, now a “Judge on Dancing with the Stars,” and in special TV appearances, gives a personal connection to dancing greatness. I think the choreography was equal to the great Gerald Arpino, of Joffrey Ballet fame, which I saw decades ago in Wichita Kansas’s Century Two theater. That night in Oklahoma City it was my pleasure to relay that evaluation comparison to Derek and Julianne during our brief Meet and Greet.
Sometimes you just happen upon concert greatness, as I did at Edmond’s intimate Jazz Lab where touring Jazz pianist and singer, Peter Cincotti performed. While the drums and bass were a little overpowering in person, as often can happen with live combos, Cincotti’s talent and song empathy came through strong and clear. Putting his talent aside, his good youthful looks made a charismatic hit with the audience. As a hardworking professional he showed appreciation for his audience by staying over to sign autographs, CDs and a poster, which is now on display in the Lobby of the Jazz Lab. Later, listening to several of his CDs refreshed the memory of an exceptionally good time. Some songs elicited mature good-natured attitudes on love and dating, and others were just slow and heartfelt. Wanting a reprise performance by scouring his web page I could not find an appearance near Oklahoma, nor wanted to hop a plane to Japan. This reaffirmed the slogan, get while the getting is good, as it may be a onetime thing. I returned to the Jazz lab to take in theatrical productions such as, “Merry We Roll Along,” “The Grass Harp” and university faculty concerts.
Thanks to you my readers for joining me in my reminiscences, that only Seniors can do, and hoping this encourages you to do the same, and revel, enjoy and congratulate yourself for your good time choices.

Mr. Terry Zinn – Travel Editor
Past President: International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association
3110 N.W. 15 Street – Oklahoma City, OK 73107
https://realtraveladventures.com/?s=terry+zinn
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www.martinitravels.com

What is it about Thanksgiving that causes my heart to beat more rapidly as the day draws closer?
This doesn’t happen with other holidays; even if the Amazon delivery person failed to arrive on Christmas Eve with all the gifts I’d purchased for my family, I’d be fine. On Christmas morning, I would just announce that their gifts will be “arriving soon” and then happily open my gifts while they watched.
But Thanksgiving? Four years ago, I wrote about my desire to cancel it, so entrenched was this country in the Trump vs. Hillary debate. In 2018, to keep dinner conversations calm and civil, I suggested infusing all food items with CBD, the trendiest over-the-counter chemical compound at the time. Since then, 11 states have legalized recreational marijuana, greatly increasing the odds that at least one relative at your holiday table comes prepared and can sprinkle “something a little stronger” into the turkey if civility is your only goal. Plus, it might be fun to watch your rigid aunt giggle uncontrollably and then be unable to answer when you ask her, “What is so funny?”
Last year I doled out advice to those with extended families who might have to endure two Thanksgiving dinners in order to keep peace and harmony intact. My suggestion? Serve lasagna containing ground turkey at one of the meals. You’re still having turkey, technically, and cleanup will be much easier.
Which brings us to 2020, a cesspool of a year even if it didn’t contain the presidential election. Dr. Anthony Fauci, everybody’s favorite medical advisor unless you’re a diehard Trump supporter, suggested in a recent CBS interview that families consider canceling the holiday to ward off the spread of coronavirus. Too many people from too many locations gathered in a single household is exactly what this country doesn’t need now.
“You may have to bite the bullet and sacrifice that social gathering,” Fauci told CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell.
Considering that nobody took my 2016 advice to cancel Thanksgiving, I’m confident Fauci’s suggestion will fall on deaf ears. But I have an alternative proposal; one that will allow Americans to remain festive while still heeding all of Fauci’s suggestions for staying virus free.
Combine Halloween with Thanksgiving.
Fauci wants everyone to continue wearing face coverings, correct? Well, arrive for Thanksgiving wearing your scariest, most blood curdling mask. Just make sure the mouth opening is wide enough for turkey and sweet potatoes to pass through. Also, make the rest of your attire as horrifying as possible, thereby encouraging social distancing. Who would want to hug a family member with an axe in his shoulder or hands that resemble claws?
Once all ghouls are seated at the table, serve the plates and then wait for somebody to realize there is no silverware to be found. Announce that all food must be consumed by hand, including the gravy-laden mashed potatoes and the orange Jell-O mold with marshmallows. Everyone will immediately excuse themselves in order to wash their hands. And they will do it again once the meal is over. Somewhere, Fauci will be smiling, just knowing this simple act of hygiene is finally occurring.
Thanksgiving hosts, here’s where it gets really good. After the meal, you’ll be left with guests who are feeling bloated, with hands still vaguely smelling of giblets and struggling to breathe normally due to their masks. As a result, most, if not all, will opt to leave your house early, ripping their masks off as they throw their cars into reverse and peel out of your driveway. Now you can enjoy some peace and quiet on the couch while the dishwasher hums in the background. Cleanup, incidentally, will be easier than a lasagna meal, due to the lack of silverware.
If this works, I have another suggestion: Combine Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. At the least, it will mean we can end 2020 one week earlier.
(Greg Schwem is a corporate stand-up comedian and author of two books: “Text Me If You’re Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons From a Low-Tech Dad” and the recently released “The Road To Success Goes Through the Salad Bar: A Pile of BS From a Corporate Comedian,” available at Amazon.com. Visit Greg on the web at www.gregschwem.com.)
You’ve enjoyed reading, and laughing at, Greg Schwem’s monthly humor columns in Senior Living News. But did you know Greg is also a nationally touring stand-up comedian? And he loves to make audiences laugh about the joys, and frustrations, of growing older. Watch the clip and, if you’d like Greg to perform at your senior center or senior event, contact him through his website at www.gregschwem.com)

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is thrilled to announce that Niki, the Zoo’s 13-year-old Indian rhino gave birth to a healthy calf at 3:25 a.m. today, Friday, October 23, 2020. This new arrival is the first calf born to breeding pair Niki and father, Arun, 29, and the sixth Indian rhino, also known as the greater one-horned rhino, born at the OKC Zoo. The OKC Zoo has been home to Indian rhinos since 1981.
The calf was born in the early morning inside the Zoo’s rhino barn at Sanctuary Asia and discovered by caretakers when they arrived to start their day. An initial visual exam performed by the Zoo’s veterinary and animal care teams determined that both mom and calf are doing well. The calf is strong, standing on its own and nursing. At this time, the gender of the calf is still unknown as it continues to stay close to mom, enjoying some quality bonding time with her.
“We are very excited to welcome a new addition to our rhino group and to see that calf and mom are doing excellent,” said Rachel Emory, OKC Zoo’s curator of elephants and rhinos. “Indian rhinoceros are listed as a vulnerable species, so every successful birth is important, not just to us, but to the population as a whole.”
Mom Niki came to the OKC Zoo in 2009 from the Bronx Zoo and father Arun, 29, arrived from the Fort Worth Zoo in 2019 as part of a a breeding recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros Species Survival Plan (SSP). SSP programs were developed by AZA to oversee breeding management and sustainability of select animal species within AZA-member zoos and aquariums. The Zoo’s Sanctuary Asia is also home to adult, female Indian rhino, Shanti, 32, who also came from the Fort Worth Zoo with Arun.
The gestation period for Indian rhinos is approximately 16 months. The average birth weight for an Indian rhino calf is 120 pounds. Newborn Indian rhinos lack the distinctive horn of the adult rhino. Instead, they have a flat, smooth oval plate that eventually forms into a horn.
Native to northern India and southern Nepal, Indian rhinos are currently listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Through conservation programs, wild populations over the past century have recovered from under 200 animals to approximately 3,600 today. However, there is a continuing decline in the quality of their natural habitat and the species continues to be illegally hunted for its horn.
The OKC Zoo is helping save Indian rhinos by supporting the International Rhino Foundation’s efforts to protect vulnerable and critically endangered rhinos and their habitat in India with money from the Round Up for Conservation Fund. The Zoo’s Round Up for Conservation program encourages guests to donate their change from any Zoo purchase to help protect wildlife and wild places around the world. Plus, the Zoo’s American Association of Zookeepers chapter has raised more than $373,000 for rhinos in Asia and Africa through its fundraising efforts since 1990.
The Zoo will continue to share updates on the rhino calf and mom, Niki, on social. Weather permitting, the two could be visible to guests from their habitat at Sanctuary Asia as early tomorrow!
A sweet treat just in time for Halloween, come out to the Zoo this fall and meet our new rhino calf! The Oklahoma City Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Advance tickets are required for all guests and ZOOfriends members and can be purchased at http://www.okczoo.org/tickets. Zoo tickets are limited each day to ensure safe social distancing among guests. Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the OKC Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, Oklahoma City’s Adventure District and an Adventure Road partner. Regular admission is $12 for adults and $9 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Stay up-to-date with the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and by visiting Our Stories. Zoo fans can support the OKC Zoo by becoming a member. Memberships can be purchased at ZOOfriends.org or any place admission is sold in the Zoo’s Entry Plaza during regular business hours. To learn more about this event and Zoo other happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.org.

Full COVID Protocols and socially distanced seating in place at the Tower Theatre

The debate between the Beatles and the Rolling Stones has been going on ever since they first crossed paths on the charts 55 years ago. The argument at the time, and one that still persists, was that the Beatles were a pop group and the Stones were a rock band: the boys next door vs. the bad boys of rock. So who’s better? These two legendary bands will engage in an on-stage, throw down – a musical ‘showdown’ if you will – on Sunday, November 15 at 5 pm at the Tower Theatre courtesy of tribute bands Abbey Road and Satisfaction – The International Rolling Stones Show.
Tickets are sold in groups of 2, 4 or 6 to allow for CDC recommended social distancing. Patrons will be required to wear masks.
Taking the side of the Fab Four is Abbey Road, one of the county’s top Beatles tribute bands. With brilliant musicianship and authentic costumes and gear, Abbey Road plays beloved songs spanning the Beatles’ career. They face off against renowned Stones tribute band Satisfaction – The International Rolling Stones Show, who offer a faithful rendition of the music and style of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the bad boys of the British Invasion.
Where did the idea for the show come from?
“Music fans never had a chance to see the Beatles and the Rolling Stones perform on the same marquee,” said Chris Legrand, who plays “Mick Jagger” in the show.
“Now, music aficionados can watch this debate play out on stage.”
The Oklahoma City show is part of a 125 stop tour of the U.S., Australia and Canada and has been touring since 2011.The show also performs long term residencies for a number of the Harrah’s Casino properties. The production includes some of the more popular songs from the two rock pioneers and covers the scope of their musical careers, although the set list for Satisfaction usually includes Rolling Stones songs up to the 1980s.
“They certainly have more pop songs but we’re a really great live show. The fans are in for an incredible night of music!” says LeGrand.
During the two-hour show, the bands perform three sets each, trading places in quick set changes and ending the night with an all-out encore involving both bands. The band members have their outfits custom-made, since avid fans know exactly what the Beatles and Stones wore onstage during different time periods in their careers. There’s a lot of good-natured jabbing between the bands as well.
“Without Beatlemania, the Stones might still be a cover band in London,” said Chris Overall, who plays “Paul”.
“There’s no question that the Beatles set the standard.”
The audience naturally enjoys top shelf tributes to two legendary bands in the same evening. Like The Idaho Statesman said: “If you see only one tribute show, see this one…smart and loads of fun.”
“It’s just a fun time and a cool back-and-forth nonstop show,” Overall said.
“We’re going to bring it all. It’s going to be an evening of high-energy music,” said LeGrand.
Calendar: The two greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands of all time face off as the Tower Theatre hosts tributes to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Renowned tribute bands Abbey Road and Satisfaction – The International Rolling Stones Show engage in a musical showdown of the hits. Back by popular demand, Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown returns to the Tower Theatre on Sunday, November 15 at 5 pm. Tickets are $30 – $65, plus ticket fees, and may be purchased online at www.towertheatreokc.com. Tickets are sold in groups of 2, 4 or 6 to allow for CDC recommended social distancing. Patrons will be required to wear masks. The Tower Theatre is located at 425 NW 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73103. The show is appropriate for all ages.

by Bobby Anderson, Staff Writer

Who’s cruising tonight?
Whether you grew up in the 1950s or the 1980s that simple question eventually led to meeting up with friends along a main stretch of road in your hometown.
That road usually passed by a local drive-in.
A burger and a coke and lots of conversation about school, cars and life usually followed.
But with technology becoming more prevalent, cruising – or dragging main – simply became a lost art.
That was until Covid came along and the original social distancing came back to fashion.
Brian Smith didn’t grow up in Moore. He moved there at the age of 15.
When he was old enough to get behind the wheel he fell in love with the weekly bumper-to-bumper madness that was cruising in his newfound home along 12th Street.
In 2010 he made a page on Facebook – “Bring Cruising Back to 12th Street!!” – as a way to gather both pictures and memories.
“I had lost track of all the car guys,” Smith said. “I lost track of everybody. I didn’t even fathom it would possibly come back. I was just looking for pictures.”
It took him nine years for the page to amass 350 regular followers.
In the meantime, he researched the history of cruising in Moore.
In his research, Smith came upon an old Rolling Stone magazine story.
The story ranked 12th Street as the No. 3 cruising destination in the nation.
Smith believed it.
“I’ve personally met people from the East Coast and the West Coast who have come just to cruise,” he said.
In the late ‘80s the city encountered pushback from residents when it tried to ban cruising altogether.
But Smith always felt that cruising would make a comeback.
And then in April of this year something changed. Maybe it was people beginning to get stir crazy for what would be the start of a long Covid lockdown.
Maybe it was Lori Smith Meyers posting her car club would be going out on a Wednesday night.
Whatever it was ignited a spark.
By the end of that Thursday, Smith’s followers on Facebook doubled.
The page pushed over 1,000 followers the next day and then doubled again the next day.
By the end of that weekend, 4,000 people were interested in reviving cruising in the community.
“It was really, really cool,” Smith said. “It just kept snowballing.”
There were cars coming out that hadn’t been out for decades.”
That first Saturday night in April an estimated 3,500 cars cruised up and down 12th Street. Another 2,500 came the next week.
The sleepy, Oklahoma CIty suburb had gridlock at 10 on a Saturday night.
Smith was in awe.
You could see him smiling ear-to-ear when he pulled up to the local Sonic in his 1963 Ford Fairlane.
He was told stories of guys who had cruised decades before him in legendary vehicles.
Grandfathers began bringing their grandsons after working on their cars.
Guys like Jerry Beard and his 1926 Ford Model-T started showing up.
Mike Jury remembers he used to beg his dad to take him out to Braum’s on a Saturday night just to watch the cars go by.
Now he’s helping Smith’s effort to revive cruising for generations to come.
Smith and Jury put together the “Covid List,” a listing of businesses that were still open in Moore during the pandemic that would be meet-up friendly.
The number of cars grew so quickly that the Moore Police Department got involved, but not in the way you might expect.
“They took my list on their page,” Smith said. “The new police chief gave them a trial run.”
“It kind of made me official.”
“Moore (PD) never told them to stop cruising. They wanted to support it. It was part of Moore’s heritage.”
As the numbers grew – and a few noise complaints – Moore did have to step in and provide some guidance.
Entrances to businesses could not be blocked. All vehicles must be properly tagged and road compliant.
Meyers – now a moderator of the page – says the group has done a good job of policing itself.
Her and her husband own a local garage, one they started after he retired from General Motors 14 years ago.
At 62, Lori Meyers says the movement took off during a perfect storm.
“It’s a freedom to socialize. You feel safe and you’re in the fresh air,” said Meyers, who brings her 1946 Chevy Stylemaster out to cruise. “The Moore community is a good place.”
The interest keeps growing.
By the end of September, Smith’s Facebook page was pushing 10,000 followers.
“It’s insane. The word spreads like wildfire,” he said.
So who’s cruising again?

story and photos by Darl Devault

Insurance leaders fear seniors are susceptible to Medicare fraud as scams are being ramped up this year. Instead of being retirement privileged, many seniors are being retirement harassed. As the Medicare open enrollment period begins, owner Ginny Curtis with MCM Insurance, LLC, explains her concern for Oklahoma seniors.
“This year more than ever we are seeing many TV commercials elude to benefits clients are not eligible for and telemarketers use high pressure fear techniques,” Curtis said. “These scammers generate repeated phone calls from local numbers asking health related questions appearing to be a customer service call. We have seen instances of insurance agents claiming of new benefits that have not been released to the public.”
Her office has seen an increase in scammers targeting older adults. They appear to target seniors with serious long-term health conditions who appear to have a higher risk for serious illness.
Curtis says she has had many of her clients calling in to tell her they have been manipulated into giving out their information. Some have even been enrolled in Medicare plans they don’t qualify for, only to be cancelled off their current insurance because of that activity.
Curtis says, other than your doctor, health care provider, or other trusted representative, never provide your Medicare number or personal information to anyone who contacts you through unsolicited calls, texts, or emails.
MCM is a family owned local insurance agency. The main location is 2232 W Hefner Rd, found between Pennsylvania and May Avenue on Hefner Road in the Village right next to the post office. MCM’s 50 licensed agents have a combined 100 years of experience.
The agents pride themselves in providing exceptional education on Medicare and the many options its clients have. The agency is licensed with all the Medicare Advantage companies and services. It features all the Medicare supplement companies, along with all the Part D prescription plans available in Oklahoma.
More important than ever this year they teach a no-cost, hour-long Navigating Through Medicare educational seminar offered as individual sessions with their clients or in group presentations. This year the agency is also offering a virtual presentation, member meetings and phone appointments. Agency agents still offer face to face appointments at their office or in their client’s homes.
“I’ve been serving my client’s needs for 35 years,” Curtis said. “I enjoy my job helping others. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here.”
As 2020 begins to wind down, one of the most important times of the year for seniors begins rapidly approaching. The Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) occurs annually from (Oct. 15-Dec. 7). OEP is a time in which current Medicare beneficiaries can choose to change part of their coverage.
Clients can change their Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) and/or Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). It is a time to reevaluate their coverage based on their benefits, health, and finances. If they find a plan is a better fit for their needs than their current plan, they can then switch to, drop or add a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
During OEP Curtis’ agency goes into overdrive to make sure everyone who needs help making the changes coming their way is reached. “It’s very important to us each person who comes through our agency chooses their plan based on their specific needs,” Curtis said.
During an appointment with the agents from MCM, they will compare plans based on the customers list of medicines and doctors to narrow down which plan will cover all their needs the best.
“The first two weeks of October is a great time for clients to shop, ask a lot of questions. Clients can find the information they need without feeling the pressure of having to make a decision,” Curtis said. “By Oct. 15 they can schedule a time to figure out what’s best for them and make a decision.”
“We are a little different than some agencies, in that we represent all the Medicare Advantage companies,” Curtis explained. “We have a great relationship with every carrier. They all pay our agents the same fees so there’s no reason for us to sway a client one way or another.”
If you would like to schedule an appointment with a MCM agent to attend a Navigating through Medicare session, or schedule a presentation, you can reach the office at 405-842-0494. Clients can view the agencies’ calendar and get more info about the one-hour seminar at:
www.navigatingthroughmedicare.info.
During the open enrollment period for Medicare, clients can find agents in their offices Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. October 1st through December 15th. Beginning December 16th, they returned to normal business hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
If you would like more info, their website is:
www.mcmmedicare.com.
The firm also has offices in Tulsa and Shawnee.

Story by Darl Devault

The Tealridge Retirement Community in Edmond started a successful new Zoom series because reinventing how people get reacquainted with senior living services is important. Knowing the COVID-19 pandemic has changed many peoples’ lives, Tealridge needed to find a new avenue of communication with the greater community to change with the times.
With the extra precautions in place to limit visitor interactions with retirement communities, they knew they had to get creative in how they connected with those who needed to learn about their services.
Tealridge created a newsworthy internet-based Health & Wellness September Zoom series to connect with others. Zoom events are where one person hosts and all other participants have equal footing. The host can share hosting responsibilities with other participants. Any participant can share their input and ask questions from their computer screen. Our research has found this series is the first of its kind in the Oklahoma City metro area. This robust presentation series allows retirement privileged Oklahomans to keep up with their need for information as close as their computers by viewing live presentations.
“The feedback on this series has been positive,” said Melissa Mahaffey, MHA, Tealridge executive director. “The words newsworthy, informative, and great have been used to describe what we are creating. The response to the series has been positive. The audience has been interactive. The presenters have been helpful to answer questions.”
These free-for-the viewers Zoom presentations harness the original software-based presentation and feedback solution now being used around the world. Everyone with access to a computer can use these Tealridge sponsored Zoom meetings to incorporate health, wellness, education, as well as entertainment topics into their lives.
The first Zoom event was held on Sept 2; with their first speaker, Dr. Richard Vetrees Smith with the Meinders NeuroScience Institute at Mercy. Dr. Smith took the audience through a thorough yet easy to understand presentation on how a stroke is formed within the body. He explained how the same formation can lead to heart attacks. He followed with many ways to prevent a stroke from occurring.
Other topics include: Downsizing: You Can Do This! Family Relationships & the Pandemic, VA Benefits, What does Retirement Living During a Pandemic Look Like?
Tealridge plans to continue this success with many more presentations to come.
Mahaffey has worked diligently to connect the greater community with the retirement community. Prior to COVID-19 restrictions the Tealridge community has heard from other speakers at events. Some of the speakers in the past year have been News 9 Sports Director Dean Blevins, Kim Lopez, TRIAD Coordinator, Bruce McIntyre, executive director of the Oklahoma Parkinson Foundation, Miss Oklahoma Addison Price, and Jay Wilkinson, a motivational speaker.
Mahaffey says if a person can connect with retirement resources by learning about retirement living early on and be proactive, they can make a better transition from home to a retirement setting. Given as much information as possible, the fear of the ‘unknown’ decreases. She says retirees are better able to make the right choice about what retirement looks like for them.
This robust new series finds a new way to connect with the public while bringing exciting events to their senior retirement residents who access via Zoom.
Tealridge is recruiting speakers to fill their next Zoom series for October. Look for informative topics coming to Oklahoma City audiences through this series.
Latest topics included:
Sept 22 – “What is Home Health Care?” and “How Can I benefit From This Service While Living in an Independent Living Community?”
Sept 29 – 11 a.m. “What does retirement living look like during COVID?” Presented by Melissa Mahaffey, MHA
Oct 5 – 11 a.m. Meet Kadi Cox, Nurse Practitioner. How can a traveling nurse practitioner assist you to have a quality of life while living in a retirement community? Kadi Cox will educate the audience on what a nurse practitioner can do to assist you to obtain the quality of life that you would like to have while living in retirement community. She will discuss ways for you to keep yourself healthy.
Oct 7 – 11 a.m. Do you Know someone with Congestive Heart Failure, Renal Disease or suffer from Dehydration? Learn the benefits of “Zoe” presented by Complete Home Health & Hospice.
Oct 12 – 10 a.m. Tealridge Retirement Community Grief Support Meeting with Jill Nichols, LPC.
The organizers genuinely want to help others find the information they are curious about.
Tealridge Retirement Community, located at 2100 NE 140th Edmond, Okla., is a full care retirement provider offering the full spectrum of options including independent living, assisted living as well as memory care services.
The facilities have undergone a large remodeling project during the last year. The 30-year Edmond mainstay saw $1 million in improvements to their campus.
If you would like more information or would like to be added to the email list, please email: [email protected] or call 405-608-8020. Please contact Mahaffey if you would like to schedule a time to interact by Zoom or visit in person.

by Nick Thomas

When Halloween returns each October, so do the 50-year-old memories for actress Judith O’Dea who starred as Barbra in the 1968 horror classic “Night of the Living Dead” as one of several characters taking refuge in an isolated farmhouse under attack from flesh-eating ghouls.
O’Dea remembers watching the film on the big screen for the first time when it premiered in her hometown of Pittsburgh, where the film was also shot, although she recalls identifying more as an audience member rather than one of the cast.
“I looked at myself and began critiquing my performance,” said O’Dea from Los Angeles. “Then suddenly I found myself forgetting it was Judith O’Dea up there and became wrapped up in the storyline. That was a wonderful indication of a powerful story that could hold people’s attention.”
Over the years, O’Dea has also learned to look beyond the film’s horror scenes and appreciate director George Romero’s filmmaking skills.
“There’s a scene where I’m pressing the button on a musical box which George was shooting from the floor up,” she explained. “He was shooting right through the box and for a fraction of a second you see Barbra’s eyes which I thought was a beautiful artistic shot. Then at the end when it alternates between still shots of the bodies and live-action, that was a great effective use of the camera.”
The film, says O’Dea, broke barriers in the industry.
“As an independent movie made outside Hollywood, it raised its own money which I guess you could call one of the first Kickstarter’s for a film. It was also filmed almost like a docudrama – unusual for the 60s – and there’s no happy ending because everybody died.”
Shot on a shoestring budget of just $114,000, O’Dea says her final scene being dragged from the farmhouse still haunts her.
“In your mind it’s all pretend, but you get involved in the scene,” she said. “With all those ghoul hands grabbing at me, it was actually quite frightening and took me back to the fear I felt as a child when I saw Vincent Price’s face fall apart in the (1953) ‘House of Wax.’ That scared me so badly my folks had to take me from the theater. Whenever I’m called upon to be frightened in a role, I just think of that Vincent Price scene.”
Another memorable scene from the film produced one of the classic lines in all horror films, said to O’Dea’s character by actor Russell Streiner who plays her brother in the opening cemetery scene shot at the Evans City Cemetery in Pennsylvania.
“I don’t think a week goes by that someone doesn’t come up to me and say, ‘They’re coming to get you Barbra!’” said O’Dea, laughing. So has she grown weary of hearing the quote through all these years?
“How could I be tired of hearing something that has changed my life so considerably?” she says. “I love it when fans repeat the line to me. I feel so lucky to have been a part of something that was so different and has lasted so long.”

Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for over 850 newspapers and magazines.

Photography and Text by Terry “Travels with Terry” Zinn [email protected]

It’s most easy to remember the performing artist, when thinking about greatness. I recall many years ago experiencing the Lena Horne concert in Dallas, Texas. She is an icon of mid century entertainers, having appeared in several movies including the 1943 films featuring her signature song, “Stormy Weather.” Also well received was her performance in the movie version of “The Wiz.”
She was a lifelong liberal Democrat who was active in the civil rights movement of the 1960s. She worked with Eleanor Roosevelt on anti-lynching laws and during the John F. Kennedy administration she was a frequent guest at the White House. She was posthumously awarded a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars on November 26, 2012.
If you are not familiar with her, please look here up on the internet and you will be educated and enthralled with her life, I can still feel her presence on stage, even though I think she was in her 80s at that time, but remembering her many years after her death in 2010, is a tribute to her greatness.
The name and fame and notoriety of Shirley MacLaine should be well known. Popular in her movies and association with the Las Vegas “rat pack” she is as well known just as well for her out of this this world opinions and reflections in her over 11 books,
Several years ago her book tour and one woman career remembrance show was presented in Fort Worth. I and some friends drove down to see this lady with a past. While she did not sing or dance, she sat and entertained her packed audience with stories and with projected photos of her career. She was charming in her casual way. After the show she could be greeted at the stage door where I waited for her appearance in the hopes she would sign my copy of her 2011 book, “I’m Over All That.” When she came out to the crush of admirers she beamed straight toward me to sign my book, “Love Shirley.” I was thrilled, as she was tired and a bit cranky after the show and did not stay long. She was expecting to get into her car with driver by the stage door, and was told it was not there. She subsequently called out for it and it was, I assume, brought to another theater door, as she disappeared back into the building. Ah, the life of a star.
Greatness can be found in our own Oklahoma backyard. Colony, Oklahoma native, Justice Yvonne Kauger, was first appointed to the Oklahoma Supreme Court in 1984 by Governor Nigh, and since then has been active in not only implementing decisions on law, but has contributed to Oklahoma Culture and Heritage. Among others she is a co-founder in 1987, of the large annual Red Earth Festival, which brings together Native Americans from across the country to celebrate their heritage in art and dance. Her organization of the annual Sovereignty Symposium brings together for discussion legal authorities and those interested in Native American law with the June seminar.
She has overseen the renovation of the WPA Wiley Post Historical Society/State History Museum building in the Capitol complex,into the Judicial Center, as a repository and gallery for Oklahoma art. Currently the renovated building is home to the Oklahoma Supreme Court and Court of Criminal appeals.
In her home town she is constantly involved in its preservation and illumination with art in public places. In addition, she has conserved and renovated the old Colony post office into the Gallery of the Plains Indian, with displays of photographs and art relating to the annual Colony Cheyenne Arapaho Labor Day Pow Wow. On the exterior of the town buildings are murals depicting Native American dress and iconic cultural images, by California Artist Eric Tippeconnic. Artist Tippeconnic, is an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation on his father’s side and his mother hails from Copenhagen, Denmark.
Currently in the process of being added to the Colony main street is a 15 foot steel sculpture by Patrick Riley and Ron Lowry. Not only encouraging public art, grants have been secured to renovate the 1922 Kauger building, which will include an interior museum. This conservation of infra structure will cement the importance of this early Oklahoma town in Washita county. I should disclose that I have been a friend of Yvonne’s and in her presence for many decades and marvel at her stamina and continued dedication to Oklahoma culture, truly making her a person of Oklahoma Greatness.

Mr. Terry Zinn – Travel Editor
Past President: International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association
3110 N.W. 15 Street – Oklahoma City, OK 73107
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By Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our lives, patients are deferring routine medical visits or preventive services out of concern for their safety and health. However, these visits are critical, especially for people with certain medical conditions and older adults who are at the highest risk of contracting influenza and pneumonia. With Medicare reimbursing for telehealth visits, patients can now use video or telephone instead of face-to-face encounters for their preventive visits. Medicare beneficiaries pay nothing for most preventive services if the services are administered from a doctor or other health care provider who participates with Medicare. To protect your health during the current crisis, consider taking advantage of the following three Medicare preventive services for free:
1. Annual Wellness Visit If you have had Medicare Part B for longer than 12 months, you can get a yearly wellness visit. You pay nothing for this exam if the doctor accepts assignment. This exam is covered once every 12 months.
2. Depression Screening Mental health is just as important as physical health. For many, COVID-19 has been a source of anxiety, worry and depression. Please reach out if you need help. Medicare covers a depression screening once per year, and you pay nothing if your doctor accepts assignment.
3. Obesity Screening and Counseling According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, having obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) or 30 or adobe, increases your risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Medicare Part B covers BMI screenings and behavioral counseling to help you lose weight if you have a BMI of 30 or higher. An easy and essential way to stay healthy during this pandemic is to get disease prevention and early detection services like exams, shots, lab tests, screenings and counseling. These services will help you take care of your body and mind and get the advice and guidance you need. Our Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) also provides free, unbiased counseling and information to help Oklahomans understand preventive services covered by Medicare.
To view a full list of preventive services covered by Medicare, visit www.oid.ok.gov/consumers/information-for-seniors/preventative-services or contact the MAP division at (800) 763-2828.
If you have questions about other insurance issues, contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 1-800-522-0071 or visit our website at www.oid.ok.gov.