by Vickie Jenkins, Staff Writer

The birthday activities were just beginning Tuesday morning, May 3, 2016 at Brookdale Assisted Living as birthday balloons were scattered around. Two of the residents were celebrating birthdays today. Not just any birthday but their 100th and their 108th.
Resident Bertha Moore turned 100 years old. Born in Oklahoma, she lived here her whole life. She has three children and some great grandchildren. Living at Brookdale for 8 years, she has come accustomed to the everyday activities, etc. Bertha enjoys being around other people and likes the excellent care that she is given. She has seen such a change in the progression of automobiles and technology. She said that when she was young, she rode a horse and buggy to school. “Quite a change from those days.” I commented. Bertha remembers the days of working on the farm helping out in any way that she could. She has fond memories of her father working for Sinclair Oil and later on, getting a job herself, working for Sinclair Lease.
The other resident celebrating her 108th birthday is Leora Henderson. She has been a resident of Brookdale for 8 years now. She was born in Oklahoma, just 1 year after the state of Oklahoma was established. She remembers working in the soup kitchen during World War I and being a school secretary at the time of World War II. She can still recall when food had to be rationed. She also rode a horse and buggy to school and has some memories of the depression. In Leora’s opinion, history books don’t do women justice. She believes firsthand accounts are the most important.
Surrounded by family and friends, these two women celebrate their birthdays. Thanks to Rachel Kidd and Brookdale Assisted Living Facility for recognizing and honoring these two fine women. Happy birthday, Bertha and Leora!

Grand Tapestry at Quail Springs is now OPEN

by Vickie Jenkins, Staff Writer

Meet Ms. Anja Mottern, serving as the Community Manager of Grand Tapestry at Quail Springs managed by Greystar in December 2015. Prior to joining Greystar, Ms. Mottern worked at KETTLER Management, a real estate development and management company based in McClean, VA. During her 15 years at KETTLER, she was a Property Manager and prior to her move to Oklahoma she was responsible for transitioning all new acquisitions related to residential management. She also served on the Executive Committee as ARM Chair for the Institute of Real Estate Management for 4 years.
Ms. Mottern moved here from Virginia where she lived for 15 years. She went to Penn State and majored in Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education. She moved here to be with her sister, niece and nephew. Making the 3-day trip with her cats Lil’ Boo and Baby Emma. “It was a very interesting trip,” she commented. “We made it though. I have really enjoyed living in Oklahoma but the tornados have proven to be a bit scary,” she added. Asking her to describe herself in 3 words, she replied, “I would say loyal, passionate and energetic,” she answered.
Ms. Mottern, a pleasant individual that was excited to share the news about Tapestry at Quail Springs. “We are excited to let you know that Tapestry at Quail Springs is now OPEN! Currently right now we have 12 apartments occupied. Our pool is due to open mid-June. We have been waiting for the opening of Tapestry and I am excited to see what lies ahead,” she said. “This is a great place to live! Here you will find a new luxurious apartment community, exclusively for active adults 55 years and older. We have a community garden, outdoor dining and a dog park. We do 2-4 activities every day and we offer a continental breakfast Monday thru Friday. It really has everything you would want,” she commented.
“We are located at 14101 North Kentucky Avenue in Oklahoma City, OK and we are proud to show off our newest development,” said Ms. Mottern. “I would be happy to show you around. When the people come in to look at the individual rooms, I think they are pleasantly surprised. We have all of the conveniences of home. We are so proud to be the first Tapestry in this area. What a unique and wonderful place to live! This is a place you can call HOME,” she said. “Here at Tapestry at Quail Springs, you will find that we are located in a most convenient area. We are close to Quail Springs Mall, retail, entertainment, restaurants and medical facilities. You will have convenience, comfort and availability under one roof. There are also churches close by,” Ms. Mottern added.
Tapestry is designed to fit the needs of people 55 and older; the new place for active adult senior living. Providing a safe and secure lifestyle with a full daily schedule of physically invigorating, emotionally engaging and socially stimulated activities. The senior tenant lives independently with a full amenity and activity package. Shuttle transportation is available and garage apartments are available if needed. There is a comfortable, monthly rental cost that meets a senior’s budget and there are no buy-in or entrance fees. Additional services can be added by the tenant on a la carte basis, so that the senior pays only for the services needed.
Tapestry at Quail Springs offers spacious rooms, granite countertops, paying close attention to the detailed work throughout. There are many daily activities to choose from, a continental breakfast Monday through Friday and several meeting rooms that will be offered free to our residents. Another feature that residents seem to like; several area chefs that will be coming in to do food demonstrations. The 3-tier theater room is fabulous! Catered brunches for residents and their families will be available on Sundays. “This is a great place to make new friends. It’s like a close-knit community. Activities that one can enjoy with others; it’s like a little community with all the extras,” said Ms. Mottern. “The Tapestry brand will be expanding into Colorado, Tennessee and Illinois in the future,” she added. Feel free to call Grand Tapestry at Quail Springs at 405-605-6901 or stop by and take a tour. You will be glad you did.

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

The state of Florida has many popular and well known resort destinations, where you can find gourmet dining, beautiful ocean front vistas and upscale comfortable resort hotels. Undiscovered by many frequent Florida vacationers, is Vero Beach and the Vero Beach Hotel and Spa, which has all any tropical traveler requires.
Located on Florida’s East Coast an hour’s drive from Melbourne and about an hours and a half from Orlando, the Vero Beach community, with entertaining attractions, art and jewelry galleries is worth the travel time. (You might also consider flying into the Vero Beach Regional Airport.) Crossing the bridge over the Indian River from the mainland you might be surprised at the commercial development. Once you reach the Vero Beach Hotel and Spa, conveniently located in the middle of the action, you can be secluded on the beach as with the best of any ocean side resort. You will discover beach activities that accommodate family needs, seaside casual dining and beverages, near the outdoor pool.
The twin tower hotel hosts the indoor/outdoor Cobalt restaurant where breakfast and gourmet dinners are served. They are happy to prepare a breakfast Eggs Benedict to your tastes and the evening sea bass is a light and delicious repast. Adjacent is the Cobalt bar and lounge, where the cocktail wait staff and bar tenders are eager to prepare your Martini or other exotic cocktail, to your specific specifications. This added attention to your request is a rare commodity at many exclusive lounges. The Vero Beach Hotel and Spa prides itself on its attentive and congenial service. The happy hour specials are not to be missed, are not watered down and come at a friendly price point. You can also partake of specially priced appetizers as meet other congenial travelers looking for a relaxed yet lux atmosphere.
The Vero Beach Hotel and Spa includes the full service White Orchid Spa and salon where you could spend an entire day taking in their many services. You may find an amendable spa partner when having an expert and extensive Mani-Pedi. Your fellow Salon patrons might include a fascinating personality such as Toronto’s, Barbara Reed, who as a successful professional, also creates exotic one of a kind jewelry pieces, which she is happy to share. It’s this kind of serendipitous happening that keeps resort travelers returning to discover a happy encounter with like-minded persons.
For an evening or matinee be sure and check the schedule of the Riverside Theatre about 3 blocks from the hotel, accessible by taxi or a leisurely fifteen-minute walk. If your call for a taxi is too long a wait the front desk has a secure list of Uber drivers eager to please with prompt timing. Expert Theatre plays and elaborate musicals are presented year round, such as this Spring’s Sister Act, and next season’s Mame and Chicago. Good last minute seats are usually available.
Next door to the theater is the Vero Beach Art Museum with special exhibits and a convenient Museum café with fresh sandwiches, before or after your viewing of the esoteric museum exhibits.
With all this actively you can take many leisurely strolls along the clean and constant surf along the beach, where a stroll lets you really appreciate the beauty and power of nature. Be sure and ask at the front desk, or at the other establishments you visit for the current Inside Track Almanac, the official guide to the Treasure Coast, which is filled with attractions you can consider to entertain you in your leisure time. While you may not have heard of Vero Beach, it is highly recommended for putting on your list of Florida’s favorite resort destinations where Vero Beach Hotel and Spa can be your resort oasis. All Vero Beach’s specials can be found at: http://www.verobeachhotelandspa.com/vero-beach-hotel-deals  https://www.whiteorchidspa.info/

Mr. Terry Zinn – Travel Editor
Past President: International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association
http://realtraveladventures.com/author/zinn/
http://www.examiner.com/travel-in-oklahoma-city/terry-zinn
www.new.okveterannews.com – www.martinitravels.com

by Bobby Anderson, Staff Writer

Most people after 40 years in the same field think about winding things down, maybe taking a break and looking to relax.
For clinical social worker Ron Marlett, he’s running for public office.
“When you take into account our state legislature has made funding decisions that put over 250 of the 318 nursing homes in this state at risk of bankruptcy, when you look at cutting or denying Medicaid to working poor and you look at cutting food stamps to children it just can’t continue,” Marlett said of why he decided to run.
June 28 will be the democratic primary that Marlett is building towards.
“I want to increase funding for public education. I want to restore funding to long term care and make sure our seniors don’t have to choose between food and medicine,” Marlett said. “That’s a choice they should not have to be making. Along the way I’d like to see us make some major reforms in the criminal justice system. Prisons do not treat drug addiction and do not treat mental health issues.”
At this point, Marlett sees prison as the funnel for people with addiction and mental issues. He blames deals made with the private prison entities for contributing to the problem of overcrowding.
With Oklahoma currently facing a $1.3 billion shortfall, Marlett has been amazed at the bills showing up on the house and senate floor.
“We’ve got schools closing and the biggest concern they have is bathroom monitors?” Marlett said. “It’s the most misaligned set of priorities I’ve ever seen at the state capital. It’s been corporations first and then people if there are crumbs left.”
Marlett ran previously in 2008 against the polarizing Rep. Sally Kern. He gained 42 percent of the vote.
Kern terms out after this session.
“We have to look at at the proper role of government and the proper role is to help us do as a collective what we can’t do as individuals,” Marlett said. “I can’t build a road. That’s why we have governments, to put the infrastructure in place. It’s not the role of the government to monitor bathrooms. It is not the role of the government to insert itself into people’s bedrooms or in their private lives.”
This May Marlett celebrated 40 years in social work. All but two years have been spent in the field of mental health with the past 15 in geriatric care.
He works for Community Pathways Unlimited, a private mental health agency established in 1995 to serve the behavioral health needs of the citizens of Oklahoma.
He routinely visits four nursing homes in the metro area to provide counseling to seniors and disabled people.
Born in Binger, Marlett is a fourth generation Oklahoman, who is running for office because he wants to see an improvement in our political culture. He has seen the state he loves torn apart by people who would rather divide us into warring factions, instead of uniting us in the common struggle of ensuring a better day in Oklahoma.
“I’ve always worked hoping to make a difference in people’s lives,” Marlett said. “I love what I do. I think you’re really blessed when you can work at what you love.”
He grew up in the Union City Public school system and recognizes the value of a good education. After graduating from Union City High School, he attended El Reno Jr. College, and Oklahoma City University, where he earned a degree in Sociology, and the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work.
Having worked for four decades as a clinical social worker, mostly in the field of mental health, he understands the need to properly fund critical services in order to address our state’s most pressing issues.
He believes Oklahomans deserve a state government that functions well and works for the common interests of all.
He has been married to Liz Waring Marlett for 32 years. They have a daughter Chelsea, a son-in-law Chris, and a granddaughter named Cailey.
“The crisis we’re facing is not created by the oil and gas bust it was created by the decision to lower income taxes and give hundreds of millions (away),” Marlett said. “Out of $1.3 billion dollars in our deficit nearly three-quarters of a billion goes to corporate welfare.”
“If you want to solve the problem, end that. Right now we’re in a crisis.”

by Vickie Jenkins, Staff Writer

Meet Jerry Lee Tyner, a 78 year old who loves being around others. He is considered to be an Aficionado-True Tale Teller and Serendipity Songster. Tyner also volunteers as a tour guide at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, where he loves sharing bits of history and legends of the old west. “I started at the museum in the year 2007 and I enjoy what I do. The patrons are always eager to hear the stories,” he said. “Everything I do, whether it’s telling a story about the old west, or singing to a crowd, I like making people happy. I like being the one that puts a smile on their face. That’s what is important,” he added with a smile.
Tyner was born at home in a little house on the prairie in Washita County in Oklahoma. “It really was a little house on the prairie,” he laughed. He attended Port elementary school and attended high school in Elk City, OK, where he was Senior class president. Tyner is a very distinguished, pleasant individual that enjoys life and enjoys making others happy. His friendly disposition seems to have a way of drawing people to him.
Tyner has been singing and performing for others since January of 2000. “I was in a band with several others but we lost a few,” he said. “I was the lead and I really enjoyed that. We had a good thing going back then and it was a lot of fun. I did most of the vocals and played a little harmonica. Now all my music comes from a computer (Karaoke) which I admit is much easier to handle song requests than the way I did it before.”
Tyner is known to sing all kinds of vintage songs; Hank Williams, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, and Muddy Water, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Fats Domino, just to name a few. “I get quite a few requests for certain songs,” he said with a laugh. “I know most of the old songs so that makes it nice when I entertain in the assisted living facilities. Bob Wills’ songs are always a hit with the older folks. Those folks really like their music and some of them get up and dance to the tune. I love making these older folks happy. Seeing the people smile and enjoy my songs means a lot to me and that is why I do what I do.”
“What inspires you to get up and go to work every day?” I asked Tyner. Being the character he is, he replied, “I just feel lucky to wake up,” he laughed. Asking Tyner to describe himself in 3 words, he had an answer right away. “Oh, that’s easy. Good Ole Boy!” When I asked him what his greatest blessing was, he answered, “it is definitely my 4 children. They are all very successful and I am proud of each one of them,” he said. He loves spending time with his family and his 10 grandchildren; 5 granddaughters and his 5 grandsons. “My grandchildren call me Papa T. Oh, I just love being around them. They are really something,” he added.
Tyner has lived an interesting life. “One time, a friend of mine, Ken Selby and I walked from Oklahoma City, OK to Tulsa in 2009. We were just discussing it one day and thought, we can do that. We just wanted to see if we could do it. I was 71 and Ken was 73. We had a good time and we made it!” Tyner helped pass the law of no smoking in restaurants in Oklahoma. “One thing led to another on that issue. From a simple email to traveling to speak, I was a part of that. I guess you could say when I get something in my head, I am determined to finish it.” Being a storyteller comes natural to Tyner and he is in the process of writing a book about some of his early day adventures from the past.
It was 9 months before Tyner and his wife celebrated their 50th Golden Wedding Anniversary, that she passed away due to health issues. Being the considerate person Tyner is, now he helps others celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary by providing his entertainment for FREE. Jerry Lee Tyner is available to entertain at nursing homes, assisted living and independent living facilities. If you are interested, please call Jerry at 405-850-4865 to schedule a date or email him at [email protected]
A big thank-you to Jerry for being one of those entertainers, storytellers, good ole boy that enjoys life but most of all, enjoys making others happy.

The famous cat, named Zooby, turned 18 years old this month! Yes, she is still alive and well! To celebrate, her caretaker and author, Sherry Kelly, is giving away 18 copies of Zooby’s book, A Cat Named Zooby. The book is being handed out randomly in various places around the OKC area. Kelly says some people are very reluctant to accept something for free, while others are very pleased and excited. Zooby is slowing down in her old age and spends most of her time lying in the sun or on her heated pad. Since recovering from paralysis eight years ago, she has become one very spoiled miracle of a cat!

story and photo by Jason Chandler

When Pam Ross was a young girl, she always knew she wanted to be a nurse, she said. Today this registered nurse serves as the Director of Nursing at SYNERGY HomeCare.
“I wanted to help people because my passion is to help them feel better”, Ross said. “Through personal experiences of my own with my own family, I feel I have a good sense of how to do that with SYNERGY HomeCare.”
Ross started her career working in hospitals and surgery centers. She joined SYNERGY HomeCare a little over a year ago and has been a registered nurse for 24 years.
“I feel like we’re family,” she said. “I admire everyone’s loyalty and passion to help others.”
Ross said she enjoys working with Weama Kassem, the owner and Chief Executive Officer of SYNERGY HomeCare as well as with Charlotte Carey, the Administrator.
“SYNERGY HomeCare is not a home health nursing agency, but is a non-medical care provider,” Carey said. The company provides one hour to 24 hours of care for people in their place of residence, whether that is in a home, assisted or independent living community as well as in hospitals and rehab facilities.
Being non-medical, SYNERGY HomeCare does not require a doctor’s order as is the case with home health.
“We do have a Director of Nursing, Pam Ross, and an Associate Director of Nursing, Ramona Wilson on staff with us,” Carey said.
Carey said SYNERGY HomeCare looks to the in-depth experience and knowledge of different diagnosis and disease progression in both Ross and Wilson.
“Our nurses are able to impart some of that knowledge to our caregivers through their daily interactions as well as our monthly in-service training. Although we are non-medical, the knowledge and experience is important because it allows the RNs to work effectively in the capacity of a case manager to coordinate care with different agencies to accomplish a complete continuum of care for our clients,” Carey said.
“SYNERGY HomeCare helps individuals to maintain their independence for as long as safely possible,” Carey said. “It also adds a set of eyes, ears and hands for family caregivers who usually bear the responsibility for caring for an aging or disabled loved one.”
Carey said Kassem’s heart trickles down through the staff. She has attracted a team of people with similar passions which has created the company’s own synergy.
“We have a wide range of caregivers in the field,” Carey said. “We hire CNAs and CHHAs to take care of the clients in their places of residence,” Carey noted. “We do have some caregivers that are not CNA level certified, but our RNs see to it that they are supportive assistant trained. We don’t have “companion sitters”. Some other companies do and that is one of our distinctions. We’re also one of the largest providers for veterans in the state and we are quite proud of that.”
SYNERGY HomeCare has a Moore and Norman territory as well which allows them to cover north to Guthrie, south to Lexington, east to El Reno and west to Shawnee. The home office is based in Edmond, Oklahoma.
“We’re in the process of opening a new office that will serve Moore, Norman and south Oklahoma,” said Kassem.
She said her family has always been dedicated to taking care of elder members of the family. This sense of family inspires her career.
“We stay with our elders. We are the caregiver for them,” said Kassem, who was born in the United States but lived for a time in the Middle East before returning to the U.S.
She earned her Masters Degree in Business Administration at Oklahoma City University and decided to focus on her passion of caring for others at home.
“I love to take care of people, especially the elders. It’s something that’s just in my blood,” Kassem said. “Starting the franchise is one of my greatest accomplishments.”
The corporate owner in Phoenix, Peter Tourian, began the company as a caregiver 15 or so years ago. Kassem liked Peter Tourian’s message of compassionate care. “For Kassem to have been born in Arizona, then to live in the Middle East with her parents only to return to the corporate headquarter in Arizona where she was born is an amazing example of destiny. She has come full circle,” Carey said.
“The people in this company are my family,” Kassem said. “And we go for the bigger picture which is our client. They are our family. We become part of the family with each client, with each family. I fill my life with the love that they give. I love to give to people a lot. This is my truest passion.”
You can reach Pam, Charlotte, Weama, or any other members of this staff at (405) 254-3046 or Contact [email protected]