Often the concept behind a scientific study is quite complex. But sometimes it’s simply a matter of proving an idea that seems like common sense.
And so it was for Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientists Harini Bagavant, Ph.D., and Umesh Deshmukh, Ph.D.
Their discovery partially answers a lingering mystery of Sjögren’s, an autoimmune disease that affects moisture-producing glands. The condition causes painful dry eyes and mouth and can result in irreversible tissue damage, neurological problems, lung disease and cancer. Up to 4 million Americans live with Sjögren’s.
Scientists have long wondered why age is a risk factor for Sjögren’s. The median age for diagnosis is 52, and women are nine times more likely than men to develop it.
The OMRF study determined that a particular white blood cell associated with aging proliferates and infiltrates the salivary glands in older mice, resulting in inflammation and loss of immune tolerance.
“We found that as normal mice age, many of them spontaneously get the same features we see in Sjögren’s disease in humans,” Bagavant said. “The aging process drives the inflammation in the glands.”
White blood cells generally circulate in the blood and lymph and create antibodies to protect our bodies against infection. In this study, the specific cell type also was found in various organs – a finding that raised more questions.
“The fact that we found them in the salivary gland, just spontaneously accumulating along with the presence of inflammation, tells us they must be doing something,” Bagavant said. “Figuring that out is our next step.”
Beyond their finding is a more universal idea for future research of Sjögren’s and perhaps other autoimmune diseases: Reliable results require age-appropriate research models.
In this case, this means using mice between 15 and 24 months old. Historically, scientists have used younger mice for drug testing.
“What our study suggests is that if you want to test a potential drug, and your target population is older humans, those drugs should be tested in age-matched animal models,” Deshmukh said. “As more research is done, I believe we’ll see a directive on this topic from the National Institutes of Health.” Their discovery was published recently in the journal Geroscience. The research was supported by grant No. DE032911 from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, part of the NIH, and from Shared Instrumentation grant No. 1S10OD028479-01, also from the NIH, for the use of specialized equipment.

Paul McCann

(Right) 101 years old. WWII Veteran. He was in college but allowed to graduate before reporting to NYC for midshipman training & to Washington DC for ordinance training. He was then stationed in the Pacific at the Naval Ammunition Depot on the Island of Oahu where he was officer in charge of ordinance loading ships out of Pearl Harbor.

Ruby Taylor

(Left) 100 years old. Broken Arrow – She graduated in 1942, with the last graduating class from Mazie High School, where she & her twin sister Ruth played basketball. She worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 25 years. Playing cards at the senior center, reading on her I-Pad, playing solitaire & word search are her hobbies.

Robert Williamson

(Right) 100 years old. WWII Veteran. After graduating from Broken Arrow HS he served in the US Army during WWII. He was 1st Sergeant over 300 men for 3 years in North Africa. Upon being honorably discharged he worked for American Airlines for 22 years.

Oklahoma (Choate) Smoyer

(Right) 107 years old. Born in Gore, OK on June 29, 1917, one of 9 children in the Cherokee Native American farm family of William Choate & Mary (Benge) Choate. Brothers Charles lived to 101 years old & Sequoyah David lived to 102. Married to Daniel F. Smoyer, she had 3 sons, 2 daughters, 12 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren & 4 great-great grandchildren to complete this 5-generation family.

By Marise Boehs

Explaining the Stretch Zone difference, owner Wendy Uvino said, “Stretch Zone takes all of the stretching away from an individual, so it is totally practitioner assisted.”

“We have a series of straps that mobilize people onto the table which allows them to relax and stretch properly,” she continued. “Our practitioners have over 70 different stretches that they learn. And they put them together in protocols in order to work on whatever your goals are in terms of your body. It is something basically anybody can benefit from.”  

Stretch Zone’s isolation of individual muscles breaks up tissue glue, unwrapping the stranglehold on posture and valuable energy. Proper stretching slows down the aging process. Improved posture, circulation, and range of motion can be achieved at the stretch studio.

Different from stretching at home, practitioner-assisted stretching is a personalized routine performed by trained practitioners. Using our patented strapping system and proprietary tables to position, stabilize, and isolate muscles, our certified staff delivers a life-changing stretch experience to help you move efficiently and effortlessly. Simply put, we do all the work, you get all the benefits.

Starting in our 30s we begin losing flexibility at an average rate of 1% a year. Strains and micro-stresses on muscles compounded over time can glue them together. This “glue,” or scar tissue, tightens the surrounding tissue and restrains how we are able to move. Over time, the snowballing loss of flexibility ages us. Stretch Zone’s isolation of individual muscles within a muscle group breaks up the glue, unwrapping the stranglehold on our posture and valuable energy. Proper stretching slows down the aging process. We can feel younger by improving posture, circulation, and increasing range of motion.

Due to sedentary lifestyles and overworked, stressed muscles, we develop residual tension in resting muscle, or “tonus.” When we flex a muscle, we create excessive tonus in the muscle. A certain amount of resting muscle tonus is necessary to keep form and posture. But when we have excessive resting tonus, it becomes harder to move. Many people walk around with stiff muscles, and it’s not from the gym. Working with an experienced practitioner at one of the Stretch Zone studios can reestablish a more ideal resting muscle tone, relieving stiffness and soreness through active stretching.

Call today to schedule a free demo. 

Edmond 

309 S. Bryant 

Chatenay Square

10600 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Suite 5

405-445-6700

North Penn 

5629 North Pennsylvania Ave, 

405-242-3428

Marilyn Olson, VillagesOKC’s excecutive director, joined other stakeholders in the June 25 unveiling of the Oklahoma Multisector Plan on Aging, which has been dubbed “Aging Our Way.” The event at the Oklahoma History Center included a partner from Guidehouse consulting, Oklahoma Human Services leadership and Aging Our Way Ambassadors.
The Aging Our Way plan is an approach that engages public, private, and other organizations to work together to improve the lives of older Oklahomans – specifically those 60 and older. The goal is to give every senior the confidence to live life on their terms and to provide them with the resources needed to lead a healthy lifestyle.
In his remarks, Jeromy Buchanan, Executive Director of Community Living, Aging and Protective Services at Oklahoma Department of Human Services, who directed the plan’s development, said the plan is intended to be a roadmap for Oklahoma to be a wonderful place for people to age well.
“While today is a celebration of the plan’s completion and the work done to-date, it is really just the beginning,” Buchanan said. “Now that we have the plan, it’s up to all of us to put it to action. I encourage you to get involved or stay involved. Take a close look at the full plan on our website, Oklahoma.gov/aging.”
The official unveiling included remarks by the Honorable Lance Robertson, Guidehouse partner and VillagesOKC board member. Robertson is the former US Department of Health & Human Services Assistant Secretary for Aging. Guidehouse oversaw development of the Aging Our Way plan. He was joined by Olson and Deborah Shropshire, Director, Oklahoma Department of Human Services. Speaker introductions were managed by Joncia Johnson, Aging Initiatives Programs Director- Aging Our Way OK.
“It’s been our pleasure at Guidehouse to support Oklahoma Human Services in the development of the Aging Our Way Oklahoma plan,” Robertson said. “Our team at Guidehouse is committed to supporting state agencies around the country in navigating the challenges of long-term services and improving quality and outcomes for older adults.”
Information gathering for the plan began a year ago and included Listening Sessions and a Statewide Survey conducted in May and July of 2023.
Olson represented the grassroots sector of 50+ adults embracing change from the ground up. She served on the Advisory Committee representing private sector organizations and nonprofits and two Advisory Committee subcommittees providing subject matter expertise for each of the plan’s 10 focus areas. She is an Aging Our Way Ambassador and will be promoting the plan in her role with VillagesOKC.
“The Aging Our Way plan perfectly aligns with the VillagesOKC mission, and I’ve been proud to be involved,” Olson said. “Everyday at VillagesOKC we are actively connecting with individuals, businesses and organizations who offer trusted solutions empowering each individual age with vitality and purpose. Aging well is both a personal responsibility, and also a community responsibility. We are fortunate here in great State of Oklahoma to have a wealth of community resources from which to draw.”
Shropshire said, “It’s hard to believe this day is here. For more than a year, Jeromy and the Community Living, Aging and Protective Services team has been focused on building this Aging Our Way plan. And, as he mentioned, today is not the end, but the beginning. At Oklahoma Human Services, our goal is to be here when Oklahomans need support. And. that includes looking ahead to identify potential areas of need in the future.

For more information about VillagesOKC visit https://villagesokc.org

At 78, Annie Shurtleff still has a penchant for learning and experiencing new things.
In fact, over the last 23 years she’s turned into quite the road scholar.
“I’ve always been a very curious person,” the Tulsa native said, unfolding a story that began at age 55 and has chapters from all over the world.
After taking an early retirement from a 25-year career in customer service for Shell Oil, Shurtleff experienced wanderlust.
She liked to travel and always satisfied that itch by working at national parks beginning in 1996.
“I kind of put (travel) on the back burner for about 10 years, working at Yellowstone and other parks,” she said. “When I decided to slow down I started looking at the Road Scholar program more.”
Not-for-profit Road Scholar is the world’s largest and most innovative creator of experiential learning opportunities. The company has guided generations of lifelong learners on transformative learning adventures from San Francisco to Siberia, and nearly everywhere in between.
It’s comprised of a diverse community of knowledge seekers and explorers, united in the belief that lifelong learning is a vital part of overall well-being.
The belief is in living life to the fullest at every age – by experiencing the world, and not just looking at it. That goal is accomplished by meeting new people, touching history where it happened and, delving deep into the cultures and landscapes explored.
Alongside renowned experts, participants experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities by land and by sea on travel adventures designed for boomers and beyond.
Road Scholar offers thousands of learning adventures in more than 100 countries and throughout the United States. At any given time, nearly 2,000 Road Scholars – like Shurtleff – are experiencing the world on our learning adventures.
“I like to travel and I like the outdoors,” Shurtleff said.
She has gone on more than 50 excursions with Road Scholar and admits she’s been just about everywhere offered in the continental United States.
She’s even gone overseas with other companies and says oftentimes it’s the journey and not necessarily the destination that gives her the most memories.
“Usually, when people think of travel they think international,” she said. “I’m really an advocate for domestic trips.”
Shurtleff said she’s always stuck to the same formula when it comes to deciding on where to go. She starts with her available dates to travel. From there she looks over her interests, which for her are the outdoors and historical things.
Then she chooses a location offered.
“So sometimes it’s kind of a surprise to me that I end up someplace I really like,” she says.
Places like Chattanooga, Tennessee and Mobile Bay, Alabama are some of the communities she’s fallen in love with.
She admits she’s a small-town girl who loves the outdoors when she travels.
Natchez, Mississippi, and Channel Islands National Park in California have special places in her heart.
“Once you’re there, the one thing I really like is they take care of everything from the time you get to the hotel,” she said. “There’s transportation whether trolley or public transit or private vans so you don’t have to worry about a thing and they’re so comprehensive in their catalog”.
“They tell you literally down to how many steps you’ll have to take.”
Shurtleff said when she travels with Road Scholar she normally signs up willing to accept a roommate to save a little bit of money.
“I’ve made some good friends and I’ve always had good experiences, she said. “I’ve made some new friends that way and we still communicate.”
When she’s not traveling with Road Scholar you may still see Shurtleff in Colorado where she volunteers for YMCA of the Rockies. She volunteers at Snow Mountain Ranch by Winter Park for her room and board.
She teaches pickleball or serves as the lobby hostess.
“I love to meet and great people,” she said. “It’s been the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done because you’re dealing with a cross-section of humanity and you’re helping people with special needs and helping families reunite.”
And when she’s not doing that she’s boarding a plane, a train or a bus looking for her next adventure.
“I’m a real minimalist now,” she laughed. “It’s pretty much have bag will travel for me.”

By Marise Boehs

It’s called Big BAM (Bike Across Missouri) on the Katy Trail, starting in Clinton, MO, on the west end of the trail and riding to St. Charles on the east end. Six days, 225 miles across Missouri.

This was my 4th time to ride the Katy, but never had I not gotten on the SAG wagon nearly every day. My goal this year was to ride all the miles every day. I had trained and prepared. I had reached my weight goal. I wasready for the test. 

Sunday morning, June 2, with my bike loaded on my car, bags packed with healthy snacks, hydration powder, and electrolytes, I left Norman headed to Clinton. 

DAY 1 – CLINTON TO SEDALIA – 35.5 miles

I, and 175 other riders, left Clinton early in the morning. This first stretch is either tree lined or open prairie with wheat and corn fields. A very quiet and peaceful ride. The way the day breaks up is like this: first water stop was 16.5 miles; lunch stop was 25 miles and then roughly 10 more to finish the day by early afternoon.

DAY 2 – SEDALIA TO BOONVILLE – 37 miles

I was excited to get going on this leg of the ride because the trail picks up bluffs and the Missouri River as we approach Booneville. I spent the night at a nice casino hotel along the river and ate really good food. All the food is good at the end of a 4 hour ride!!

DAY 3 – BOONVILLE TO N. JEFFERSON  – 48.5 miles

This was the day I’d been dreading. The longest day. But also my favorite stretch of trail. Leaving Boonville the river runs on the right, and on the left, gorgeous bluffs. AND the famous Rocheport Tunnel. I rode the miles!!

DAY 4 – N. JEFFERSON TO HERMANN – 44.6 miles

Another long day, but I was feeling fairly confident that I could make it, having done more the day before. I did it! Rode all the miles that day as well. Spent the night in the historical Crown Hotel, ate hot wings and ice cream, and watched OU beat Texas to win the WCWS! It was a good day.

DAY 5 – HERMANN TO AUGUSTA – 36.6 miles

This section of the trail is absolutely gorgeous. River on the right, bluffs on the left, and a beautiful tree canopy that goes on for miles. The miles seemed to just roll away. When I arrived at the Augusta trailhead, I called my B&B reservation and the owner picked me up. I was in for a special treat this last night on the trail! The Enchanted Owl – if you have a chance, do yourself a 

favor and stay with them.

DAY 6 – AUGUSTA TO ST. CHARLES – 27 miles

Another day of river on the right, bluffs on the left for most  of the way. I took my time and enjoyed the last miles. I will daydream about the next time I can be there.

Last month, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 3089, the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Act, into law and kick-started the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) into organizing the program that will help Oklahomans fortify their homes and reduce homeowners insurance rates. The Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Program is set to begin early next year, so this month, I want to answer some key questions about the program’s timeline and criteria.
When will the application open?
The law will go into effect on November 1, 2024, and the application will open in early 2025. OID has already begun our implementation process, including creating consumer information materials, building the grant application and providing resources for evaluators and contractors. We will announce when the applications are open and continue to provide key updates to consumers.
What are the criteria for securing a grant?
The grants are open to homeowners who have their primary residence in any of Oklahoma’s 77 counties. Your home must be in good repair unless you have sustained damage from a tornado, windstorm, hail, or other catastrophic event. In addition, you must provide proof that you have an active homeowners insurance policy with wind coverage and an in-force flood insurance policy if your home is in a special flood hazard area. After completing the application, you will secure a home evaluator from our list of approved evaluators. Once the project is approved and work is completed, we will make payment to the roofing contractor directly.
What will the grant cover?
After evaluating your application and determining whether your home can be mitigated, the grant funds will be used to outfit your home to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) standards, specifically IBHS FORTIFIED Home – Roof™ – High Wind designation with the Hail Supplement. Mitigation under this standard includes enhanced roof deck attachment, sealed roof deck, locked down roof edges, impact-resistant shingles by IBHS, and wind and rain-resistant attic vents.
How will I save on my homeowners insurance?
Insurance companies offer discounts for Homes with a FORTIFIED Home™ Designation on the wind portion of their homeowner’s insurance premium. In making these enhancements to your home, you could qualify for discounts of up to 42%. You can find a list of some of the discounts on our website. Each company is different, and discounts vary. Check with your carrier to see which specific discounts would be available.
Which contractors can I use?
Contractors must become Certified FORTIFIED service providers to be chosen as part of the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Program. This certification requires specific training and an examination. Once contractors are certified, they will submit their information to OID for final review and approval to be added to the list of approved contractors. You can read more about the FORTIFIED Homes service provider certification process on the FORTIFIED Home website.
I’m looking forward to helping Oklahomans make their homes more resilient to disasters and bringing some relief amid rising prices through this pivotal new program launching next year. To receive more information about the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes program and to get the latest updates, visit https://www.oid.ok.gov/okready and follow OID on social media.

What are Adult Day Services?

As President and CEO of Daily Living Centers, I’m frequently asked to explain what Adult Day Services are and the benefits they provide. Adult Day Services are defined as: Structured, comprehensive programs that provide a variety of health, social, and related support services in a protected setting for some portion of the day. Its purpose is generally twofold: 1) To provide a safe environment for adults with disabilities during the day while providing programming that enhances mind, body, and spirit. 2) To provide hope, rest, and peace of mind for caregivers, many of whom find it necessary to continue to work.
Adult Day Services typically focus on adults of all ages with disabilities which may be physical, developmental, or intellectual. Common diagnoses include Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Autism, Down Syndrome, and other developmental disabilities.

What services are offered through Adult Day Programs?

Providers offer a variety of services to their participants. Healthy meals including breakfast, lunch, and snacks are a part of the daily routine. Assistance with ADLs (activities of daily living) including medication administration, feeding, showering, and personal care (toileting). Activities are designed for socialization, such as exercise, brain games, community outings, music therapy, art therapy, and more are integrated into adult day programs. Some also provide transportation to and from the center.

When is it time to consider adult day services?

If there is a need, the time is now to learn about adult day services. If you provide care to someone 18 or older with physical, intellectual, or developmental, disabilities, they should qualify. Caregivers typically need options for their loved ones after they graduate high school, especially if they cannot live at home alone. Seniors can also benefit from adult day services. Those who are independent attend just for socialization, while others need more assistance and care. We often hear caregivers say, “I wish I knew about adult day services a long time ago.” This is because of what it provided them personally and the opportunity it provided for their loved one to thrive in social environments. Increased socialization is so important in helping decrease isolation and depression, especially among older adults living at home.

How do I pay for Adult Day?

Adult Day Services are an affordable alternative to long-term care options, and typically cost 55% less than assisted living and in-home nursing services. While some centers are private pay, many have contracts with various funding sources. The average private pay rate in Oklahoma is $85 per day. If private pay is too costly, other sources of funding can be found through help from a social services staff member. Some centers offer full day rates, half day rates or even hourly rates. The VA contracts with many adult day service providers and pay for the veterans’ day services care. Developmental Disability Services (DDS) waivers and the Advantage Medicaid Waiver Program also provide funding for day services. Department of Health Services also provide funding based on the income criteria of the participant and their spouse. Long-term care policies can cover some adult day services which will be clearly explained in the terms of the policy. Respite vouchers can help pay some adult day expenses as well. These vouchers, offered through Sooner Success and Oklahoma Aging Services, provided limited amounts of money per quarter to use on respite services including adult day services, private duty in home care, and overnight respite stays, etc.

Why consider Daily Living Centers for Day Care Services?

Since 1974, Daily Living Centers (DLC) has provided rest and hope for caregivers. We are Oklahoma’s first and leading adult day provider and are in Edmond, Bethany, and SW Oklahoma City. We often hear that our services are “life-saving” for both our clients and their caregivers. With a fleet of 16 vehicles, including limos and wheelchair accessible vans, we provide door-to-door transportation and med rides. We have a staff of highly qualified, trained, and compassionate fulltime personnel along with many volunteers with a passion to serve others. They often come from the ranks of caregivers who’ve benefited from day service programs themselves. As a non-profit, our goal is to never turn anyone away due to lack of financial resources. Thanks to our generous donors and foundations, we have a scholarship fund available for those who cannot afford private pay but do not qualify for other funding assistance.
For more information about Daily Living Centers please contact Cindy Kanatzar, Director of Social Services at (405) 792-2401 or cindy@dlcok.org. Or visit us on Facebook, Instagram, or our website https://www.dlcok.org!

Nancy and Jack Nortz

First met during the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympic Games. Built a pickleball court in their backyard in 1997.

Story by Van Mitchell, Staff Writer

Nancy and Jack Nortz are an active and competitive couple.
The Oklahoma City residents wanted to find a sport they could do together in their senior years that allowed them to stay physically active, and keep their competitive edge.
The answer was pickleball.
“We just love doing physical things, both of us,” said Nancy Nortz, 71. “We have both competed in many sports, but they are not lifelong sports. If pickleball hadn’t come along, we wouldn’t have a competitive thing that we did every morning. There’s not another sport like it that allows you to be really physical and very skilled. It’s responsible for a lot of our mental and physical health.”
The Nortz’s love pickleball so much that in 1997 they had a pickleball court installed in their backyard.
“I think my favorite thing about pickleball, it’s the only sport I know that we can compete with anyone,” Nortz said. “It’s a game of strategy. It’s not just a power game. You can play a soft game and beat people. We will get on a court with some 20-something kids that are really talented athletes but haven’t played pickleball very long and kick their butts.”
Jack Nortz added why he enjoys pickleball.
“It’s just fun,” he said.
The couple recently competed in a United States Senior Pickleball tournament qualifier for the indoor national championships
“As a mixed team we won some matches and lost some. We didn’t medal. I won a gold in women’s doubles,” she said.
Nortz said playing pickleball has allowed them to have an additional circle of friends.
“We’ve created a whole group of friends. Not that they’re the only friends we have, but they get to be some of our favorite people,” she said. “Pickleball is very much a social thing for people that do it because it’s addictive. You work your life around pickleball. People I know that are still working will come early in the morning and play before they go to work, or they’ll come play under the lights in the evening after they get off work. Because we’re retired, we’re able to play almost every day in the morning. We’ve got lots going on, but we’ll make time for pickleball. It gives us a chance to go hang out with our friends and do something social and physical.”
The Nortz’s are no stranger to athletics. They first met during the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympic Games.
“In 1976, I had a gymnast that was a member of the U.S. Olympics team from here in Oklahoma,” she said. “Jack was coaching a girl that was from the Syracuse area, which is where he lived. Both of the girls made the Olympics training camp. They take the top 10 gymnasts in the nation, and they select the Olympic team. My gymnast made the team, and Jack’s gymnast was very young but very gifted. She didn’t make the team, but he was there (in Montreal) watching the gymnastics. We were running around together with a group of coaches and going out for meals in between sessions. We started talking and ended up dating long distance for two years.”
Nortz operated the Oklahoma City Gymnastics Center. Her business partner retired after the Summer Olympics, paving the way for Jack to join her in the business.
“My partner had just retired right after the Olympic Games, so I really needed his help down here,” she said. “He moved here in 1978, and then we got married in 1980 and had three kids.”
The couple operated the gymnastics business until 1987 before moving on to other business ventures.
“We were running a training center together and Jack was sculpting as a hobby,” she said. “After our third child was born, he told me, well, I’m really getting tired of coaching and I’d like to try and earn my living as a sculptor. I told him, well, if you’re not coaching anymore, that means that we’re done with this training center. So, we closed that and he became a sculptor. He is self-taught.”
Nortz said her husband had a successful sculpting career, creating a variety of pieces across the country including a sculpture of former OU quarterback Sam Bradford in the Heisman Park in Norman, and singer Vince Gill at Northwest Classen High School.
He also created sculptures of all the national champion coaches at the University of Alabama.
Nortz said Jack started his artistic career as a woodcarver in 1976 after meeting an amazing driftwood artist at an art show in Syracuse, New York.
When he moved to Oklahoma, he added sandstone carving to his ever-widening repertoire. He later started sculpting and carving for MTM Recognition, picking up clay sculpting for creating bronzes.
Nortz said Jack has been privileged enough to create hundreds of sculptures, but one stands out above the rest: the sculpture he created for the University of Oklahoma Gymnastics Center called “Equilibrium.” Just over 11-feet tall, the bronze piece features two graceful figures that appear to be made of intertwining ribbons.
According to a story from MTM Recognition in Oklahoma City, Jack, 74, came up with the idea for the piece by chance one day, noticing the beauty in a simple piece of cloth billowing in the wind.
He said he loves to approach each project with the eyes of a child- his favorite aspect of the creation process is the beginning, when he gets to gather information and envision the final design.
“It’s a high that is in me that is hard to explain. It is kind of like jumping off a cliff into a lake. It’s the anticipation that gets the heart-pounding when you’re looking over the edge, not the jump itself,” Jack Nortz said in the MTM article.
Jack also had the privilege to challenge himself with sculpting famous athletes, from the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award to the Brett Hull statue outside St. Louis’ Scottrade Center.
Nortz said she is very proud of her husband’s sculpting skills.
“He’s done an amazing job,” she said.