By Marise Boehs

Rose Rock Veterinary Hospital and Pet Resort, a staple of Norman’s pet care since 1970, has added two more skilled professionals to their growing staff and clinic practice.

A  full-service, companion-animal hospital committed to providing your pet with lifetime quality care, Rose Rock Veterinary Hospital and Pet Resort offers a variety of services for all pets including your aging pet.  Dr. Beverly Fritzler (who has owned the practice since 1990) and her family and staff are constantly looking for the next medical treatment breakthrough. And the practice has invested accordingly. They offer the latest technology and equipment and their staff stays  up-to-date with continuing education.

A complete list of their services is available on their website
(www.roserockvethospital.com)

Natalia Burgos, DVM
Dr. Natalia Burgos joined the medical team of Rose Rock Veterinary Hospital as an Associate Veterinarian in June 2024. Growing up in Cayey, Puerto Rico, Dr. Burgos always know that she wanted to become a veterinarian. Even when she experienced doubts throughout undergrad and vet school, she persisted because she remembered that this is what she’s meant to do.

Before becoming a veterinarian, she did research with sheep and goats during her undergrad. She also worked at 2 small animal practices in Puerto Rico. She received her undergraduate degree in Animal Science from the University of Puetro Rico in Mayaguez in 2020 before attending Ross University to receive her veterinary degree in 2024. She is a member of the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Her professional interests include surgery, preventative medicine, and internal medicine.

At home, Dr. Burgos has two dogs; Lola, a small breed mix that she’s had since 2016, and Mocha, a Boxer-Heeler mix that she just recently adopted. In her free time, she enjoys running in the mornings, and staying active at the gym. She enjoys outdoor activities and staying busy, as well as going to new restaurants to try different foods.

Victoria Mitchell, DVM
Dr. Victoria Mitchell joined Rose Rock Veterinary Hospital in July 2024 as an Associate Veterinarian. She was born in Oklahoma City and spent a majority of her time between OKC and Northwest Missouri. Growing up around animals, Dr. Mitchell knew she wanted to care for them because they brought her so much joy. As she got older, she realized the role that animals play in human health, which influenced her to become a veterinarian.

Before becoming a veterinarian, Dr. Mitchell worked at Awesome Care Veterinary Hospital. She attended Rose State College for her Associate degree before receiving two degrees from Oklahoma State University; a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science in 2017, receiving the President’s Honor Roll and the Dean’s Honor Roll. She went onto attend Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine for her DVM and graduated in 2024. Dr. Mitchell was a member of Phi Zeta Nu, the Honor Society of Veterinary Medicine. Her professional interests include surgery, ophthalmology, and exotics.

“I love the ability to advocate for animals and educate clients so they can make informed decisions regarding the care of their pets,” Dr. Mitchell shares.

At home, Dr. Mitchell has two Great Danes named Cleopatra and Gypsy, one German Shepard named Gracie, a bunny named Jerry Thanos, two cats named Snowball and Ash, and a Ball Python named Pickle. She enjoys reading, swimming, going to the movies and watching her kids, Anthony, Elijah and Gabriel, play sports with her husband, Brett.

By Nick Thomas

Her film and television career only lasted a decade, but Evelyn Rudie’s memories from the 1950s and 60s as a child actor remain vivid beginning with a small role in the Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron 1955 musical, “Daddy Long Legs.” After meeting director Henry Koster through a family connection when she was just 3 years old, young Evelyn was offered an audition at Twentieth Century Fox.
“They thought I looked exactly like Leslie Caron would have looked like as a child,” recalled Rudie, who ended up playing one of the orphan children in a scene with the French actress.
Throughout the 50s she appeared in several movies but received special acclaim for roles in live television plays on shows such as “Playhouse 90” and “General Electric Theater.” For her performance as Eloise in the 1956 CBS “Playhouse 90” episode of the same name, Rudie became the first child nominated for an Emmy.
The TV play was based on the Eloise children’s book series from the 50s written by actress Kay Thompson and illustrated by Hilary Knight. The books portray the fictitious antics of young Eloise who lives in the New York City Plaza Hotel. With plenty of dialogue, Rudie’s character was central to the story and her performance on live TV was flawless (the 90-minute show can be seen on YouTube), but the original plan was for Thompson to overdub Rudie’s voice.
“They wanted to know if I could say my lines if I was coached all day before the broadcast,” explained Rudie. “Well, I’d heard those lines every day for three weeks during rehearsals, so it really wasn’t any big deal for me.”
Rudie’s role in the 1959 “General Electric Theater” episode Nobody’s Child was also memorable, mainly due to her co-star.
“I worked with Ronald Reagan who was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met,” she said. “He had a way of looking at you that made you feel like you were the most important person in his life. He did that with the director, the gaffer, the lady in the commissary – everyone. Whether or not it was genuine who knows, but it probably served him well when he went into politics.”
And speaking of presidents, when bantering with Groucho Marx in 1959 on “You Bet Your Life,” she informed the comedian if she didn’t remain in acting, she wanted to become president of the United States stating, “a woman has just as much right to be president as a man does.” Not surprisingly for the time, the line drew only modest applause from the audience mixed with a sprinkling of what sounded like disapproving ‘oohs’ as well.
“At school, in first grade, we talked about career choices, so I only wanted to be president if my acting career didn’t work out. Fortunately, it did,” she said.
Rudie’s true acting passion turned out to be theater where she still works today. Along with husband Chris DeCarlo, the couple have been artistic directors since 1973 at the Santa Monica Playhouse where they also act in productions (see www.santamonicaplayhouse.com). This coming fall, the Playhouse will be premiering “My Father’s Trunk,” the story of her father’s years as an underground anti-Nazi cabaret creator. After he died in 1996, Rudie discovered an old trunk in the basement containing costumes, set designs, show programs, and most of the songs and sketches he wrote for the Secret Cabaret at the Tuschinski Theatre in Amsterdam.
“I’ve been translating the songs ever since and finally we’re ready to start putting the show together,” she says. “In a way, I’m grateful I didn’t do more films or a TV series because a lot of kids who did became messed up. I got to be a normal kid and enjoy an acting career at the same time.”

Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for many newspapers and magazines. See
https://www.getnickt.org.

by Van Mitchell, Staff Writer

Homewatch CareGivers of Edmond located at 3501 French Park Drive, Suite G, serves Edmond and surrounding areas, providing home health care services with compassion.
It is now transitioning to a new business focus called Total Care Solutions, which services include active care, wellness care, personal care, transitional care, care on demand, specialized care, and private-duty nursing, said owner Tobi Overgaard.
“We provide all kinds of care, for all ages and we specialize Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Long-term, spinal injuries, and wound-care,” she said. “We also do day service for clients who are having surgery, and we cover a large area of the State of Oklahoma. We employ Caregivers to (NP’s) Nurse Practitioners.”
Part of the Total Care Solutions service includes placing a camera in a client’s home.
“I believe we’re the first in-home care company in Oklahoma to do this ,” she said. It’s part of our service to have a way for the whole family to communicate with their loved one. The client will be able to have medication and appointment reminders and talk with Dr’s through the TV. They can view up to 10 people at a time on the screen. It’s HIPAA-compliant and it’s a game changer.” It allows the family to be able to check in with mom and dad if they’re far away, and just to keep an eye on them. We have people who have Anxiety, ADHD, PTSD who will benefit from having it in the home.
She continued, “If we have clients that are sitting at home, have clients that have Alzheimer’s, or that have dementia, they might not remember to take their medications. They might not remember to eat,” she said. “We can have a reminder pop up (on TV) and say, “Hey, don’t forget to have your lunch. We put it in the icebox, and we cooked it for you. It’s in the icebox.” It allows them to do care over television. So, if they can’t get to the doctor, the doctor can just tele-visit with them in-home.”
Overgaard said the camera placements also help parents who have children who have ADHD.
“We have a lot of ADHD kids, and when they put the cameras in their house, it’s life altering,” she said. “If they’re having an issue, and the mom isn’t able to get their child to the doctor’s appointment, they can do a home health call right there. They don’t have to leave the house.”
Overgaard said they also can put motion sensors in a client’s home.
“We have motion sensors we can put in the house, so that the family can track and see, “Hey, mom was up at 4 this morning, walking around. What’s going on? Is she okay? Did she fall?” she said.
Homewatch Caregivers provides in-home care for seniors on a weekly, daily, or 24-hour basis, but their teams can also assist with individuals of any age, ability or condition.
Overgaard said Oklahoma’s highly regulated in-home health, so hiring the right people is extremely important.
“We want to make sure all our people are fingerprinted. They’re insured. They’re FBI checked. Everything. We run through the gamut on our people to make sure we’re sending really good people to your homes,” she said. We make sure we train them that way so that they know exactly what they’re supposed to do and how you want it done.”
Overgaard said each client gets a home assessment for their needs.
“When we go in and do the assessment, we make sure things are done the way that you want it done,” she said. “I don’t want my caregivers just going in and putting in a TV dinner in the microwave and saying, “Okay, I’ve made you dinner.” I want them to cook the dinner. If they want a bowl of soup, don’t just stick it in the bowl and put it in the microwave. Cook it on the stove. If we can’t help you the way you need the help, then you don’t need us. So, we try to connect with the client and make sure they are taken care of. We go just a little bit further into better care. We’re like a family member, versus being just some lady that’s sent to your house to watch you. We interact with the client, and we care.”
Overgaard works closely with the Oklahoma City’s VA Community Care Provider Program helping veterans with their healthcare needs.
Community providers are a vital part of VA’s high-performing health care network, ensuring eligible Veterans and their beneficiaries get the timely, high-quality health care they need.
“I’m a community care provider,” she said. “The VA, when they have veterans come in, and they’ve been awarded hours to get home health, basically, either they pick us, or we find the veterans and we tell them, “Hey, if you need help, we can help you with this. If they haven’t received their VA benefits before, we will go to them with the paperwork, fill it out, send it in, and get them started on getting help, getting home health. We’ll walk them through the whole process.”
Overgaard is the only Homewatch Caregivers franchise in Oklahoma which allows her to offer veterans help across the state including rural areas.
“I bought the two largest areas already under my franchise license, but since there isn’t anybody else, the whole state is my playground,” she said. “The VA uses us a lot because we will go to those places. If there’s a veteran that’s out far away, and he can’t get home health, I’ll try to hire a caregiver in that area. They don’t even know that they can get this help. I come across that almost every single day.”
A two-time cancer survivor, Overgaard knows the importance of providing great care for others.
“You need the help that you need,” she said. “If we’re not helping you that way, then we’re no good to anybody.”
For more information about Homewatch Caregivers call (405) 444-3002 or visit
https://www.homewatchcaregivers.com

by Joan Collee

Director, Joan Colee, founded the Oklahoma Seniors Cabaret in 2008. Colee spent 20 Years in Hollywood/Los Angeles in her Brentwood Vocal Studio teaching many of the new and upcoming entertainers, and well-established movie actors, the art of singing. She honed her own singing, dancing and acting skills with well-known actors Jeff Corey, Marian Bell and Broadway choreographer, Danny Daniels. She appeared in many musicals with leading roles and appeared on the national television show America’s Got Talent at the age of 83 singing opera and tap dancing. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Music and a Master’s degree in Performing from Oklahoma City University.
When she returned to Oklahoma City, she discovered a need for seniors to have something to motivate them to stay mobile and healthy. Her experience with The Follies in Palm Springs gave her the idea of founding the Cabaret. Holding auditions in 2008 and attracting seniors to her idea, the Oklahoma Seniors Cabaret was born.
The group takes great pride that the Cabaret is a non-profit charitable organization (501c) with all profits donated to the John W. Keys Hearing Center at the University of Oklahoma. Those profits go to help seniors obtain hearing aids. We are proud to be endorsed by Governor Stitt and Mayor Holt.
None of the members of the Cabaret are paid for their time and talent. Members are 55 and older who sing, dance, act and/or play instruments. Classes are available for seniors who want to learn to tap, sing and act. It’s a wonderful group of people who love performing, learning and staying healthy through helping others.
We are looking for seniors with a need to move, groove and help other seniors. Joining us gives you the opportunity to participate in the performing arts.
Come join our organization!! Call (405) 840-1242 for more information.

By Marilyn Olson, VillagesOKC Executive Director

Many of the 370,000 people 50+ in the Oklahoma City metro know that having a good neighbor is the solution for borrowing sugar or the answer for a little help trimming a crepe myrtle or on a ladder replacing light bulbs. For others, it is getting a little assistance with an iPhone or Android device from someone who knows. Finding a trustworthy plumber, dog sitter, attorney or someone to go to the movies with is all a part of the connections available through VillagesOKC.
For the past six years, VillagesOKC has been serving the metro by developing programs and connection opportunities to empower local adults to age with vitality and purpose. With a variety of impactful initiatives, from educational workshops to veteran recognition events to caregiver support, VillagesOKC seeks to enhance the lives of older adults and their families.
Successful aging involves individuals taking personal responsibility to plan combined with community engagement. The GIFT, Gathering Information for Transitions, is another VillagesOKC program helping members learn about options, make decisions and write in a notebook for rapid access in a crisis. VillagesOKC is the one connection that unites both individual and community forces. This is important since the number of adults in Oklahoma will soon outnumber children under 18 for the first time.
The VillagesOKC mission of empowerment is founded on the transformative idea that the narrative around aging must be fundamentally redefined. Rather than viewing all seniors as dependents requiring constant support, VillagesOKC recognizes them as valuable leaders within the community. People 50 and older possess significant experience, wisdom and capabilities. This offers ongoing opportunities to lead, contribute and flourish. This shift in perspective not only enriches their lives but also strengthens the social fabric of our community.
Strategic partnerships with local organizations and businesses mean less duplication and more cooperation. VillagesOKC partnerships include Senior Living Truth Series, OKC Mature Moves, Buckelew Realty, NewView Oklahoma, Oklahoma Warriors Honor Flight, Force50 Foundation, YMCAs of Greater Oklahoma City and YMCA Healthy Living Center, Directors Life Assurance, Providence Home Care, Nerve Renewal Neuropathy Clinics, CompleteOK (Homecare, Palliative Care and Hospice), Pinnacle Behavioral Healthcare, Senior Care Referral Services, Concordia Life Plan Community, Mercer Adams Funeral Service, Navigating Medicare as well as DHS Community Adult Living and Adult Protective Services, and the State Council on Aging. For more information about VilagesOKC call 405-990-6637 or visit
https://villagesokc.org.

Dear Savvy Senior, If my mother needs to move into a nursing home, what are the eligibility requirements to get Medicaid coverage?
Caretaking Son

Dear Caretaking,
The rules and requirements for Medicaid eligibility for nursing home care are complicated and will vary according to the state your mother lives in. With that said, here’s a general, simplified rundown of what it takes to qualify.
Medicaid Eligibility
Medicaid, the joint federal and state program that covers health care for the poor, is also the largest single payer of America’s nursing home bills for seniors who don’t have the resources to pay for their own care. (Note that some states have different names for their Medicaid program.)
Most people who enter nursing homes don’t qualify for Medicaid at first but pay for care either through long-term care insurance or out-of-pocket until they deplete their savings and become eligible for Medicaid.
To qualify for Medicaid, your mother’s income and assets will need to be under a certain level that’s determined by your state. Most states (except California) require that a single person have no more than about $2,000 in countable assets ($3,000 for a married couple) that includes cash, savings, investments or other financial resources that can be turned into cash.
Assets that aren’t counted for eligibility include your mother’s home if it’s valued under $713,000 (this limit is higher – up to $1,071,000 – in some states), her personal possessions and household goods, one vehicle, prepaid funeral plans and a small amount of life insurance.
But be aware that while her home is not considered a countable asset to determine eligibility, if she can’t return home, Medicaid can go after the proceeds of her house to help reimburse her nursing home costs, unless a spouse or other dependent relative lives there. (There are some other exceptions to this rule.)
After qualifying, all sources of your mother’s income such as Social Security and pension checks must be turned over to Medicaid to pay for her care, except for a small personal needs allowance – usually between $30 and $160.
You also need to be aware that your mother can’t give away her assets to qualify for Medicaid faster. Medicaid officials will look at their financial records going back five years (except in California which has a 30-month look-back rule) to root out suspicious asset transfers. If they find one, her Medicaid coverage will be delayed a certain length of time, according to a formula that divides the transfer amount by the average monthly cost of nursing home care in their state.
So, for example, if your mom lives in a state where the average monthly nursing home cost is $8,000 and she gave away cash or other assets worth $160,000, she would be ineligible for benefits for 20 months ($160,000 divided by $8,000 = 20).
Spousal Protection
Medicaid also has special rules (known as the community spouse resource allowance) for married couples when one spouse enters a nursing home, and the other spouse remains at home. In these cases, the healthy spouse can keep one half of the couple’s assets up to $154,140 (this amount varies by state), the family home, all the furniture and household goods and one automobile. The healthy spouse is also entitled to keep a portion of the couple’s monthly income – between $2,465 and $3,854. Any income above that goes toward the cost of the nursing home recipient’s care.
What about Medicare?
Medicare, the federal health insurance program for seniors 65 and older, and some younger people with disabilities, does not pay for long-term care. It only helps pay up to 100 days of rehabilitative nursing home care, which must occur after a three-day hospital stay.
For more information, contact your state Medicaid office. You can also get help from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (see ShipHelp.org), which provides free counseling on Medicare and Medicaid issues.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit https://savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Senior Citizens’ Events at the Metropolitan Library System

Tai Chi for Better Balance Learn Tai Chi to help reduce the risk of falling, increase balance, and improve flexibility. This six-week class offers a series of slow, continuous movements. • Aug. 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 10 a.m. at Warr Acres Library

Tai Chi for Better Movement Bethany Library offers an eight-week Tai Chi class for seniors, promoting balance, flexibility, and overall well-being through gentle, continuous movements suitable for all fitness levels. • Aug. 3, 10, 17, and 31, 9:30 a.m. at Bethany Library

Total Wellness Total Wellness is a free program by the Oklahoma City-County Health Department designed to help adults prevent diabetes and heart disease through weight loss and increased activity. • Aug. 6 and 13, 5:15 p.m. at Midwest City Library • Aug. 7 and 14. 5:15 p.m. at Bethany Library

Stay Active & Independent for Life (SAIL) Designed to increase muscle strength, range of movement, and improve daily living activities. Includes chair exercises. • Aug. 19, 21, 26, and 28, 10 a.m. at the Village Library • Aug. 21 and 28, 10 a.m. at Choctaw Library

Alzheimer’s Support Group The Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group offers a supportive community for those caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia, providing comfort, practical advice, and a safe space to share experiences. • Aug. 27, 6 p.m. at Bethany Library

August Adventures: State Fair Fun and Back-to-School Excitement at Your Library

As the new school year approaches, the Metropolitan Library System invites guests of all ages to enjoy various events across its 19 locations. Explore the highlights below and visit:
https://www.metrolibrary.org/events/upcoming for more details.

Back to School Preparation Prepare for the school year with the Metropolitan Library System’s digital resources, including Creativebug for arts and crafts, Fiero Code for coding lessons, and HelpNow for live tutoring. Explore LearningExpress Library for practice tests, LinkedIn Learning for business and tech courses, and Tumblebooks for interactive children’s reading. Visit metrolibrary.org for more details on these resources and upcoming events! • Back to School Kit: Available throughout August at Choctaw Library, includes essential school supplies. • Educators Reception: August 5, 2:30 PM at Almonte Library, offering tours of the new library and Makerspace. • Back to School Slime Time: August 15, 4 PM at Bethany Library, a hands-on slime-making activity. • Web Developer Bootcamp: Learn CSS, JavaScript, HTML, and more at Choctaw Library every Thursday in August at 7 PM.

Metro Grows: Gardening for All Ages
Our Metro Grows Program returns with expanded tool lending at 12 locations and discovery backpacks for children. Join us for these upcoming gardening events: • Organic Pest Management: August 6, 3 PM at Bethany Library. • Fall Beginner Gardening: August 6, 6 PM at Del City Library and August 26, 6PM at Choctaw Library. • Tea Making: August 6, 6:30 PM at Jones Library; August 17, 11 AM at Northwest Library; August 20, 6 PM at Bethany Library. • Natural Dyes for Kids: August 7, 3PM at Jones Library; August 9, 10 AM at Choctaw Library; August 10, 11 AM at Village Library; August 14, 4 PM at Ralph Ellison Library; August 24, 2 PM at Southern Oaks Library; August 26, 1 PM at Almonte Library. • Fall Budget Gardening for Kids: August 10, 10:30 AM at Luther Library; August 19, 4:30 PM at Midwest City Library; August 20, 4 PM at Northwest Library; August 24, 10 AM at Warr Acres Library. • Planning Your Fall Garden: August 13, 6:30 PM at Luther Library; August 28, 6 PM at Midwest City Library.

LitFest Returns Join us for the 7th Annual LitFest at the Downtown OKC Library on August 17 from 10 AM to 4 PM featuring sessions on AI and writing, publishing, romance, dialogue writing, children’s books, Oklahoma folklore, comics, and more, including a critique partner speed workshop.

State Fair Fun at Your Library
Join us for “Go Again! With the State Fair of Oklahoma” with themed programming at all locations starting August 26. Activities include crafting state fair-themed souvenirs inspired by historical photographs and programs from the library’s archives. Each library will feature different activities, and guests can enter a raffle for a chance to win a four-pack of State Fair tickets. Raffle entries close on September 6. • Featured Take-Home Kits in August: • State Fair Pennant Kit: Begins August 26 at Del City Library. Teens and adults can create personalized pennants with materials inspired by historical State Fair souvenirs from the 1930s. This kit includes a felt pennant, ties, logo and year, and puff paint. All recipients will be entered into a raffle for State Fair tickets. • Miniature State Fair Food Kit: Available starting August 27 at Wright Library. Enjoy crafting miniature versions of your favorite State Fair foods.