LPN Returns to her Beloved Field

by Jason Chandler
Staff Writer

Caren Graham was a CNA for Golden Age Nursing Center in 2001. Graham is now a licensed practical charge nurse at the Guthrie nursing center. She works with a myriad of patients from skilled nursing to long-term care.
She is grateful that Golden Age paid for her scholarship to attend nursing school at Metro Tech in 2002 in Oklahoma City.
Graham loved school and signed a two-year contract with Golden Age stating that she would come back to work there. Before returning to Golden Age, Graham went into the field of home health when she graduated.
“The reason being is that I wanted it to be a slower pace so that I could get more familiar with patients and their diagnosis,” she said. “So I did that for a year and then I came back here and did my two years.”
The one year of home health did her a world of good, she said of being a seasoned nurse.
Graham then went to work with pediatric patients for eight years. She said being a pediatric nurse is good or bad with no in-between.
“I taught a 7-year-old how to smile but then again I had to say goodbye to some really young kids,” she said. “So for eight years I did that and was really happy, but just needed a break. So I came back to Golden Age.”
Golden Age provides a professional and efficient environment for nursing care, she said. That is what she likes about it.
“You know I don’t have to worry about my license being at risk,” Graham said. “I have been in some facilities where it’s everybody flies by the seat of their pants. We don’t do that here. It’s just very professional.”
She always wanted to be a nurse, she said. At age 16 she was a CNA living in Nevada. That was when nurses wore all white attire in a different era.
“My youngest son had passed away when I was 28,” Graham said. “And he was just an infant and it was very upsetting. I didn’t deal with that very well so I got out of nursing. As a matter of fact, I was a 21 blackjack dealer for quite a while in Vegas.”
There was some healing that had to happen within her spirit, Graham said. Then 20 years ago, she returned to Oklahoma to continue her journey as a nurse.
“The spirit knew where I was supposed to be,” she said.
She worked at a daycare in Guthrie for several years and met a nurse who worked at Golden Age. The conversation led her to work at Golden Age as a CNA. Everything fell into place for Graham.
“It’s my bliss. It’s what I was always meant to do,” Graham said. “I’m sure of that.”
Golden Age sets a high standard with their employees, she said.
Her second time at Golden Age is different than it was when she first worked here in a world of paper, she said. Learning the digital age of computers applied to nursing was intimidating at first for Graham, she said.
“You had to drag me into the technology era,” said Graham, 51. “I’m from the old school. So I worked with the young nurses. I have some experience they pull from and I pulled from their experience on the computers. So that’s working out great.”
Nurses in any field want to help someone who can’t help themselves, she said. So geriatric care is very gratifying for Graham. Helping the residents is more than giving them medicine. It’s determining what works for them by knowing their nuances, Graham said.
“I enjoy that. I enjoy a continuity of care when I can see people over and over. I learn their nuances, so I can see if their diet is working for them, so it’s the little, tiny nuances that I pick-up on when I have that continuity of care. And that’s a big thing here,” she said. “You don’t get switched around a lot. You’re not with somebody new the first day trying to figure out something that is chronic.”
She can put her head down at night and feel satisfied, Graham said. That is also the time she thinks of some of the best interventions for her residents.
“When I’m thinking about my day it’s like, ‘That’s it. That will help,’” Graham said. “When it’s quiet and all your tasks are done for the day, you can just lay there and reflect.”
During her leisure time, she and her husband like to travel. Their children are grown now. Graham enjoys listening to music and her husband plays golf.
“I have a granddaughter that just moved in with me so I’m kind of getting back into that role,” she said.

photos by Shane Rux

The champion’s ribbon that had glistened in 5-year old Maguire Biggs’ dreams is now clutched between her tiny hands each night as she sleeps.
Biggs, who lives in the Chickasha area, showed her 15-year-old bay leopard mare TXS Dinas Real Miracle to a win of the Leadline 6-Under Trail class this week during the 2016 Pony Of the Americas Club (POAC) National Congress at Tulsa.
The win came on Sunday but each night since she has toted the long blue, red and gold Champion’s ribbon with her to bed.
Maguire was asked Thursday how often she plans to sleep with the ribbon next to her.
The kindergartner-to-be at Amber-Pocasset Public Schools grinned widely and replied, “A lot.”
The 2016 POAC National Congress began July 7 and continues through Friday (July 15) at the Built Ford Tough Complex at the Expo Square in Tulsa. The national show has featured 2,675 entries and about 370 ponies. Participants and family members come to the show from Oklahoma, Florida, Wisconsin, Illinois, Oregon and many other states. Biggs said she heard a report in recent years that the show has an annual economic impact on the city of more than $1 million.
The POAC National Congress is just one example of how equestrian events in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and throughout the state allow children of varying ages to live out their dreams while forming a bond with their horses and making long-lasting friendships with other exhibitors.
Maguire is the daughter of State Representative Scott Biggs and Dr. Rosslyn Biggs.
Rosslyn Biggs is the show chairman for the POAC National Congress in Tulsa and she the represents the second of three generations of their family to show the Pony Of the Americas breed.
“I think every exhibitor that’s here, and we have both adults and youth, everyone dreams for titles,” she said. “Frankly, if I’m showing, I’m still dreaming for that title today as an adult.”
The awards represent more than a national championship in a particular class.
“It’s a culmination of practice and desire,” Biggs said. “Even as a small child, she’s willing to put in the hard work because she makes the connection between ‘If I practice then I do well and I get rewarded for that by ribbons.’ So, the things we’re building beyond just prizes at the end of the day are a group of exhibitors, a group of young people that understands what it takes to get the job done, understands hard work and understands determination and perseverance. Even from kindergarten age they are making that connection. Beyond the ribbons and the trophies, and don’t get me wrong those are nice, we’re creating the future of successful professionals in the workplace and in our communities.”
Maguire rides about six days a week, anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes to as much as an hour a day. Each day she’s at the back door of the house with her boots on ready to go to the barn to spend time with her friend TXS Dinas Real Miracle. On Thursday, Maguire was asked what she likes about her friend.
“She does good things and I like her spots,” Maguire said. “She likes people to scratch her legs. I do like her a lot.”
What did you think when they called your name as the champion?
The big grin returned, “I was so excited.”
Watching that excitement is gratifying to a parent whether their child is 5 years old and headed for kindergarten or in the case of Shari Clymer’s daughter Sarah, 19 years old and headed for college.
Shari Clymer of Edmond said her daughter clings to the words, “Living the dream.” Sarah’s has been an impressive dream that continues on.
“My husband and I knew nothing about horses,” Shari said. “We knew to go to the fair, stick your hand through the stall door and pet them, but she has always wanted to have a horse.”
So finally one year they decided to let her attend a horse camp in the Oklahoma City area. Sarah “loved it.”
So she started lessons and found a trainer and a POA. She has continued on with her dream, winning numerous titles and now will be a member of the Oklahoma State University Equestrian Team.
“She’s come from an accomplishment like being able to lope her pony around the arena one time to now this at OSU,” Shari said. “That really is a dream.”
As a parent she values the hard work that her daughter has put into achieving those dreams and the lessons she has learned.
Rosslyn Biggs echoed the importance of what is gained aside from awards.
“I think one of the biggest things it teaches from a personal aspect is the value of hard work, and that hard work will pay off,” Biggs said. “Another thing you learn is that sometimes life rolls your way and sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes you get a break and sometimes you don’t. Perseverance is a key because the hard work and the dedication will be rewarded.”

Katy Woodard, an associate of The Fountains at Canterbury in Oklahoma City, recently received her Oklahoma Long Term Care Administrator license from the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners for Long Term Care Administrators.
Woodard, program director and now administrator at The Fountains at Canterbury, fell in love with the senior population while engaging in philanthropic opportunities through her collegiate sorority, Sigma Kappa. Hoping to continue working with seniors, she pursued a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in speech-language pathology at the University of Central Oklahoma.
Woodard spent seven years practicing speech-language pathology in skilled rehabilitation, two years of which were spent as the director of rehabilitation in The Springs at The Fountains at Canterbury. Most recently, Woodard decided to continue pursuing her passion for the elderly by becoming a long term care administrator. She completed an 18-week class through Administrator University in Oklahoma City as well as 560 hours of required training. After passing the State Board Exam, Woodard completed the National Association of Long Term Care Administrators Boards in May of this year and became fully licensed by the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners for Long Term Care Administrators in June.
“We are very proud to have Katy serving as the long term care administrator in The Springs at The Fountains at Canterbury,” said Scott Steinmetz, executive director of The Fountains at Canterbury. “Her passion for helping our residents thrive motivated her to pursue her Oklahoma Long Term Care Administrator license. The time and energy she invested to achieve this milestone illustrates her dedication and commitment.”
The Fountains at Canterbury is dedicated to being the first choice in senior living, providing a continuum of care including independent living, assisted living, memory care, innovative rehabilitation therapies and skilled care. The Fountains at Canterbury is committed to creating an extraordinary community where people thrive. To learn more, please call (405) 381-8165 or go online to www.watermarkcommunities.com.

Museum partnering with University of Central Oklahoma to offer special fall course for history majors and future Museum docents

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is excited to announce a unique program for adult metro-area volunteers, art enthusiasts and history lovers to become a Museum docent who provides guided tours at the National Cowboy Museum. For the first time, the Museum is partnering with the University of Central Oklahoma to offer students and Museum docent candidates a university-level Western History and Museum course.
“Docents play a crucial role in the experience of each visitor to the National Cowboy Museum,” said Museum Chief Public Experience Officer Inez Wolins. “With increasing traffic through our galleries this year, we are excited both to offer our volunteers the opportunity of a unique partnership with UCO and new resources to make their experience as a docent the best it can be.”
Patti Loughlin, Ph.D., chair of the UCO Department of History and Geography, will lead an engaging 12-week course focusing on history of the American West and the National Cowboy Museum’s world-class collections. Participants will research selected art and artifacts and share presentations in collaborative groups. Upon completing the course, participants are eligible to apply for docent candidacy.
“Historians at UCO have a strong tradition of researching and teaching the history of the American West and museum studies,” Loughlin said. “My colleagues and I have put together a series of exciting presentations ranging from environmental history to Native American history to popular culture. We look forward to sharing engaging Western history content and interpretation with course participants and viewing and interpreting the art of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum together.”
Founded in 1965, the Museum’s program is one of the largest and most celebrated docent groups in the nation. Docents are awarded discounted Museum membership, enjoy free Museum admission and other discounts and are invited to behind-the-scenes opportunities.
An uptick in Museum tourism, particularly among school groups, is anticipated due to the Museum’s recent efforts to raise more than $40,000 to offset transportation and other costs for public school field trips this academic year.
Registration for the course is open now through Aug. 17. The course will run Aug. 22 through Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at the Museum. College students will have the opportunity to receive one credit hour upon completion. The class enrollment fee for incoming docents is $125, or free for those older than 65 with the purchase of a $30 reading packet. The tuition rate is $228.20 for matriculated UCO students.
Register online at http://go.uco.edu/cowboy-link or call the UCO Customized Education Office at 405-974-3030. For questions, call Gretchen Jeane, Museum Director of Education at 405-478-2250 ext. 277.

Photography and Text by Terry “Travels with Terry” Zinn  t4z@aol.com

It’s said that timing is everything, and it’s so true when picking a time to visit a destination. Mexico has many festivals throughout the year, but one such is the combination of the Puerto Vallarta’s LGTB May Pride Celebration as it coincides with their Restaurant week, providing many opportunities for both exceptional fun and food.
Puerto Vallarta has long been a friendly environment for the LGTB community and the community coming together to host their fourth annual May Pride Week in 2016 is such an example. Parties and receptions held in and around the town offers the visitor a chance to see venues, they might not know exists. There is a structured bar crawl (http://gayvallartabarhopping.com) where first time Puerto Vallarta visitors can easily partake of the festivities with a guide, and be in the right venue for special events.
The high mountain lodge at Villa Savana ( www.villasavana.com) supplies a panoramic view of the town and beach, and quaint views of the houses of local citizens. The white washed accommodation, offers an historic character to the complex of pool and vista filled terrace. At such a reception you might be treated to the guitar stylings of Eduardo Leon, and take home his CD for remembering the intoxicating experience again and again.
An upscale and visually stunning restaurant is the Café de Artistes (www.cafedesartistes.com) There you can have a Chilean wine with a smoked “Mahi Mahi”, a delicate roasted sea bass filet over a confit turnip perfumed with anise, spinach and fine herb sauce, the best Short Rib and Beef Petals duo with creamy chipolte chili sauce and topped off with a desert of “guanaban” sorbet and fried “bunuelos”. All were presented artistically and at times the visual presentation out shinned the taste.
A family owned and indigenous restaurant is the humble and quaint, El Arrayan (http://elarrayan.com.mx/en/) located in the middle of old town. Here the walls are filled with displays of ingenious art presiding over a table of authentic local tastes.
In operation for fifteen years, the Banderas Tapas (http://barcelonatapas.net/) offers a variety of small dishes fusing traditional tastes with other cultures accompanying wonderful sunset views. A tasting menu is available. The amendable bar tender can prepare exotic cocktails or fill your own personal Martini requests. With gourmet food in an open air vista filled venue and attentive service, who could ask for more?
A true delight is the food and ambiance of the ocean side setting of the Sapphire Beach Club (http://sapphire.mx), which also hosts accommodations and a fresh water pool, overlooking the palapas of the beach, complete with roaming sellers of local goods.
Your brunch at the Villa Mercedes (www.hotelvillamercedes.com ) might find a buffet of delights, by a pool and shaded lounge area, adjacent to a more formal restaurant and bar. You might relax here, or stay at this boutique hotel, before venturing over to the nearby Mantamar Beach Club (http://en.mantamarvallarta.com/. They supply food, drink, entertainment, and an expansive pool with cabanas, changing rooms and an upstairs area for viewing the pool and the expansive Puerto Vallarta Beach. You can spend an entire day there soaking up the festival culture with locals and out of town party goers.
For all of the above dining venues be sure to make arrangements before arriving to double check their availability.
Your home base might be the modern Casa Magna Marriott (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/pvrmx-casamagna-marriott-puerto-vallarta-resort-and-spa/) in the hotel zone away from the historic downtown, or stay a short distance away at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta (http://www.hrhvallarta.com/) Enjoy the VIP section of the beach with wait staff and a special VIP menu, or stroll around the pool areas with cocktail in hand, or relax in the shade, or take in the offerings of their Spa, with salon treatments or a massage, and don’t forget to sample several of their restaurants.
Despite all the shopping and dining opportunities in Puerto Vallarta proper, it’s easy to recommend a coastal sail along Banderas Bay with Mike’s fishing and charter tours (http://pvmikesfishing.com/, where with party music and refreshments gives you a chance to feel as if you are on a private yacht. This get a way sail, to a coast beach near of the Marietta’s Islands is where you might enjoy snorkeling. This relaxing day experience is not to be overlooked. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
Any time is a good time to experience the safe and tourist friendly resort town of Puerto Vallarta. A sunset stroll along the popular malecon with its iconic Puerto Vallarta Sea horse sculpture is a must. More information can be obtained at: www.visitpuertovallarta.com

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

Easter Seals Oklahoma Occupational Therapists are utilizing the popular phone app game Pokemon Go with patients to help with hand-eye coordination when looking for and catching Pokemon. It also helps with spatial awareness, visual perception skills, following directions and instructional cues, fine motor skills, impulse control and social skills in taking turns with peers.
Easter Seals Oklahoma invites Pokemon Go players to consider scheduling a tour of its facility while playing the game. Easter Seals Oklahoma is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. -5:30 p.m.
For more than 90 years, Easter Seals Oklahoma has provided services to children and adults with disabilities and other special needs and support to their families. Services include an early learning and inclusion academy, adult day health center, therapy services, screenings and financial assistance. For more information, please visit www.eastersealsoklahoma.org.