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

When you think of visiting Georgia you may only think of the big towns like Atlanta or Augusta, but there are other fascinating towns if you can make the time to travel by car which produces your own unique road trip.
Atlanta does have a lot to offer and I have to say I am impressed with my overnight stay at the Westin Peach Tree Plaza Hotel (https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/atlpl-the-westin-peachtree-plaza-atlanta/), with its downtown location, comfy rooms and an impressive observation deck on the 73 floor, capped off with a cocktail lounge and The Sundial Restaurant on adjoining floors. During the cocktail hour I enjoyed their Bar 73 New Georgia Peach Martini ($14) of Grey Goose, Peach Schnapps and Amaretto, to accompany a small Caesar salad ($9). The rotating cocktail lounge is a combination of exhilaration and relaxation with incomparable views of Atlanta.
Augusta (http://www.visitaugusta.com/) offers the historic yet quirky Partridge Inn which was the center of tourist attention of 1889 to 1930. After a recent renovation following many more previous additions, the Partridge Inn sits on “the hill,” as a testament to time and travelers of all seasons. A cocktail or light supper out on the verandah offers a tranquil and southern elegant evening. And while Augusta’s funky, The Bees Knees Restaurant is known for its variety of Tapas, I delighted in my first chicken and waffles. Among many attractions, Augusta offers for your education and enjoyment; the Canal National Heritage area, the Museum of History with a special exhibit of home town musician, James Brown, and an historic downtown with its Haunted Pillar. Touching or moving it may result in a death.
Escape to Statesboro (www.visitstatesboroga.com) where you will find a banquet size meal served in family style elegance complete with ghosts stories in the Historic Beaver House Restaurant (http://www.thebeaverhouserestaurant.com) at 121 South Main Street.
The home dates back to 1911 and has an antebellum charm but in a real family residence, where room sizes are small but portions are large. The Traditional Boarding House Dinner served on Friday and Saturdays offers exceptional Prime Rib and Fried Fantail Shrimp which is served along with a plethora of homemade sides. And if you need a sweet desert or more, try the Cotton Patch Bakery and Deli for more homemade madness. If you are in a shopping mode on certain days take in the Main Street Farmers market and the nearby comic memorabilia shop, that brings out the kid in us all.
Statesboro is also home of legendary entertainer Emma Kelly. She was called by song writer Johnny Mercer as the lady of ten thousand songs, She is featured in a chapter in the book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” and I was privilege to have sat in on a couple of her cocktail lounge performances in Savanah in past years. It was a life affirming joy to see that Statesboro renamed a theater in her honor before she past. (http://www.averittcenterforthearts.org)
You may think you are in Europe when you stay at the Hotel Indigo in Athens, Georgia. The rooms are equipped with modern amenities, and light switches that may take a little exploration for you to work. This modern design and the hotel’s LEED Gold Certified property of sustainability, fits perfectly with Athens being the host to the University of Georgia.
As one might expect of a university town, Athens has upscale dining as I experienced at The Five & Ten Restaurant where I had a pre fix dinner of Smoked Kielbasa with artichokes, radicchio, fermented sunchoke, sorghum gastrique with sunflower seeds, and an entrée of Glazed Lamb Shoulder with pickled blueberries, hakurei turnips, fennel, smoked pecans and onion broth. A red wine of Minerviois, Chateau D’Oupia, from Languedoc, France 2012 accompanied the meal before the desert of Panna Cotta with pecan sandie thumbprint and pickled peaches. All was impeccably served and while the Lamb was delicious the Panna Cotta was ecstasy! And the true test of fine dining is a properly prepared Martini, which Five & Ten poured to my satisfaction.
Besides the Georgia Museum of Art, artistic delights should be consumed at a number of other eateries, including The Place, Creature Comforts Brewery and the roof top of the Georgia Theatre at Phickles Pickles serving Fried Chicken Skins and Pimento Cheese made with goat cheese. Yum!
Albany, Georgia (http://www.albany.ga.us) has the Ray Charles Plaza complete with a bronze of the entertainer and his piano at Riverfront Park, the Welcome Center in the old bridge house of the Flint River, the Civil Rights Institute and the new Flint River Aquarium. Albany is home to eight golf course and a number of entertainers including, Ray Stevens, Luke Bryan and American Idol Winner, Phillip Phillips. To round out your road trip a stop in Washington (www.historyofwilkes.org) will be a surprise you will not forget with its quaint town square, row upon row of architectural house gems, and the Washington Historical Museum in a home built in 1835, and today serves as a reminder of the past to understand the future of Wilkes County.
When in Georgia think about taking in one of these under sung locales.

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 Mike Lee
Staff Writer

The last 10 years have been packed with life’s worst and best for Katrina Bright Cochran, Ph. D.
She’s fought Cancer twice.
She’s nearly lost her faith and turned around to find it stronger than ever.
In the meantime she’s found the love of her life – someone who finally values her for the person she is and the person she’s becoming.
And most recently, Katrina Cochran was blown away when she heard her name called as the 2015 Ms. Senior America Oklahoma winner.
“That was an absolutely huge and wonderful surprise,” Cochran said. “I was just blown away. I’m a very spiritually-based person and use a lot of spiritual language and in all reality the entire process was part of a divine plan of God.”
Looking back, Cochran admits seeing the hand of God during her life. She’s grown to realize that she has purpose beyond what she imagined.
Cochran accepted her crown as hundreds looked on at the Rose State Performing Arts Center earlier this summer.
It was a mix of emotions but gratitude was a big one. She saw it as yet another calling, and this one excited her.
Thryroid Cancer came calling in 2008. Breast Cancer found her in 2013.
Complications with Breast Cancer landed her in the hospital after her immune system was so compromised that bronchitis handed off to pneumonia.
With an oxygen saturation hovering around 85 percent her body was slowly being starved of air in January 2014.
“CJ Judd was the respiratory therapist on call that night,” Cochran remembers. “She came into the room and stood by my bed and worked on keeping me breathing and alive until four in the morning.”
Cue the divine intervention because Judd has directed the Ms. Senior America Oklahoma Pageant the past few years. She specializes in finding amazing women in the community and then convincing them to share their wisdom and inner beauty with the rest of the world.
“You’ve got to be part of our pageant and tell your story,’” Cochran remembered Judd saying. “I said to myself ‘how can I say No to someone who just saved my life.’”
So Cochran signed up for the pageant in 2014.
A severe reaction to surgery landed her in the hospital again on the eve of the pageant. Emergency surgery to stop a MRSA infection was the cause this time.
Cochran has been in the medical field with Mercy Health since 1988 when she joined as a clinical psychologist. She has stayed in private practice within the Mercy complex until today.
“I could have died twice in 2014,” Cochran said.“I decided God is not ready to call me home yet and he still has a plan for my life and I still have things to do.”
Plans with husband, Norman, whom she married nearly 12 years ago.
“He has just been incredibly supportive,” Cochran said. “He is truly my lifemate. It took me 55 years to grow up and mature enough to understand what it meant to be a wife. He is absolutely my rock and foundation.”
As a child of the 1940s, Cochran said the career path laid out for her by society was one of housewife. Getting a Ph. D and becoming the first woman to ever hold a hospital chair in her field was not a norm.
“Most of the men that were born in the 1940s found my professional and financial success pretty threatening,” she said. “My husband is a musician. He knows what it means to have a gig. He’s proud of me and says he feels enhanced.
“I was sold on that one.”
A partnership with the Salvation Army will keep her involved in the group’s women’s ministry will keep her in front of senior women at the organization’s meetings.
She’s consulted with the group for the past 12 years.
On a professional level, Cochran is in the middle of closing her practice which she hopes to have done by November 30.
Goal setting and living in the moment will be Cochran’s message as she travels the state this year to fulfill her duties.
The UCO graduate will be at the UCO Homecoming parade later this fall. Before that she will counsel parents of incoming UCO students.
And as she sees it, it’s all part of a great big plan that she’s learned to hang on to.

Jim Kendrick joins ten Oklahoma hospitals affiliated with Community Health Systems as Network CEO. Kendrick will oversee efforts to further enhance quality, improve access to care and expand services for patients across Oklahoma.
“Formalizing the hospitals and clinics into a health network will help us accelerate the plans we have to enhance the care we provide,” said Kendrick. “Together, we’ll leverage the resources and connections among us and with community partners to reinforce growth, strengths and goals of each hospital and our network.”
Kendrick began his hospital career in Oklahoma. He has two decades of executive healthcare management experience, serving in leadership roles at hospitals and healthcare organizations in Oklahoma, Mississippi and Texas. Most recently, Kendrick served as CEO of Longview Regional Medical Center in Longview, Texas. During his nearly 10 years at Longview, he led the organization through an expansion that almost doubled the number of licensed beds, added a new 21-bed NICU and remodeled all existing patient rooms.
“Jim has the right experience to guide our ten hospitals and clinics in expanding the services offered to the communities we serve,” said Charles Womack, MD, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Deaconess Hospital. “He has a strategic approach to managing healthcare organizations that will distinguish our network in Oklahoma.”
Hospitals in the network include Blackwell Regional Hospital, Clinton Regional Hospital, Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahoma in Durant, Marshall County Medical Center in Madill, Midwest Regional Medical Center in Midwest City, Deaconess Hospital – Oklahoma City, Ponca City Medical Center, Mayes County Medical Center in Pryor, Seminole Medical Center and Woodward Hospital. Midwest Regional Medical Center, Deaconess Hospital – Oklahoma City and Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahoma are owned, in part, by physicians.
The network also includes more than 70 affiliated medical practices and six home health agencies.

Participants Raise Critically Needed Funds for Alzheimer’s Care, Support and Research

The Alzheimer’s Association invites Oklahoma City residents to unite in a movement to reclaim the future for millions by participating in the OKC Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on Saturday, September 12 at 9:00 a.m.
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is more than just a walk; it is an experience for over 5,000 participants in the Oklahoma City area who will learn about Alzheimer’s disease and how to get involved with this critical cause, from advocacy opportunities, the latest in Alzheimer’s research and clinical trial enrollment to support programs and services. Participants will also join in a meaningful ceremony to honor those affected by Alzheimer’s disease, emceed by Lance West of News Channel 4.
Alzheimer’s disease is the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death and yet there is no way to prevent, cure or even slow its progression. As baby boomers age, the number of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to increase 40 percent from the over 5 million affected in 2015. The funds raised through the Walk to End Alzheimer’s not only support vital research efforts, but also provide free programs and support services to Oklahoma families impacted by the disease.
“Participating in the 2015 Walk to Alzheimer’s, by starting a team, raising money or volunteering, is one of the most impactful ways to further the movement to help end this horrible disease,” said Erin Logan, OKC Walk to End Alzheimer’s event chair. “By getting involved, you are truly making a difference.”
Registration begins at 8:00 a.m., followed by the opening ceremony and two-mile walk at 9:00 a.m. Entertainment will include: face painting; appearances by Disney princesses, super heroes and the Ghost Busters; a live DJ; Eat-On Mobile Bistro; a “Swag Shack” full of branded items for sale; and free Alzheimer’s resources and support information. To start, join or donate to a team, visit okcwalk.com.
The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s – the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health

by Vickie Jenkins

Anna Diaz is the Administrator of Noble Health Care Center in Noble, OK. The city of Noble declared July 22nd as Noble Health Care Center Day in recognition of the staff and employee’s loyalty, hard work and devotion to the elderly of their community and achievement in the Best Practices and Administrator of the Year awards.
Today, celebrating Noble Health Care Center Day, representatives from local hospices, dental agencies, retirements centers, etc. are on hand for the big event. The celebration is open to all. Balloons are hung, music is playing and plenty of food is being served. The music is provided by the Tinker Flying High Band and even ‘Elvis’ will be making an appearance, singing songs along with his famous dance moves.
Diaz has been at Noble Health Care Center for 21 years. “I just love these people so much,” she says. “It’s so easy to get attached to them because there is such a strong bond between us. I always remember why I am here; to touch lives. We have a very caring staff and I feel like they give their all to our residents. It’s like we are one big happy family, “ Diaz adds. “Some of our residents have lived here for a long time and I can’t tell you how close we become to that person and their families. We receive thank-you cards all the time from family members. It is so touching to be a part of this extended family.”
Asking Diaz what her greatest asset is, she replies. “I believe in longevity and a caring staff. We care for each other and we definitely work as a team. We laugh and we smile and we care for each other.”
Diaz thinks that Noble Health Care Center is the best nursing home around. “I think it is because of the tender loving care that each employee and each staff member share with the residents. It’s the caring that makes a difference, making our facility stand out from the rest. Love is present throughout the home and I think we all feel it; the residents and the staff. We are happy and positive and it shows each time we are with our residents. It’s not about the building where these residents live, but it’s about each individual and the strong foundation of the people on the inside that make up this home.”
When asking Diaz what her most rewarding thing about her job was, she answered. “Oh, it’s definitely the hugs from the residents. I usually can’t get down the hallway without someone giving me a hug or me taking the time to stop and chat for a minute. I love the people here. I feel so good about knowing how I am touching another person’s life in the smallest way. Sometimes, a smile, a hug, a kind gesture is all it takes. I know it is a true blessing because it is the residents that touch my life. To tell you the truth, we need each other.”
“What do you think is your biggest challenge here at the facility?” I ask. “I think it is the fact that I want to make sure everyone is happy. I can always tell if someone is having a bad day. We try to have good times, staying positive in every way. I realize that whatever I do is going to reflect back on me so I need to be the best I can be.”
“There are many activities offered to the residents here. We play board games, and listen to music. There are entertainers that come to the facility. We have different people come in with their music and the residents enjoy that so much. We have arts and crafts for the residents and church services. We have a good time,” Diaz says.
Asking Diaz if she had any words of wisdom or words to live by, she replied, “Yes, I live an Ephesians 3:20 life which is from Journey Church.”
‘God can do anything you know, far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams. He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His spirit deeply and gently within us.’

What is your favorite season and why? Easter Seals Oklahoma, OK

“I like all of the different seasons but I will say winter because my birthday is in January.” Lena Tisdale

“I like spring.  Everything is just better in the spring.” Gerald Cunningham

“I like  the fall.  I like the cool weather.” Lloyd Fortune

“I like the summer.” Julia Loveless

Robin Williams once called legendary Oklahoma comedian Argus Hamilton “The Will Rogers of the Baby Boom.”
Now the Hollywood-based comic will be welcomed back to Oklahoma City in a comedy dinner show at The Will Rogers Theater.
Hamilton, the host comedian at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood, Calif. and syndicated newspaper humor columnist, will star in “Argus at the Will.” a show that also features local comedians Kelly “Dr. K” Flanagan, Stan Silliman and Brett James, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21.
Tickets for the show are $55 general admission and $65 VIP when ordered in advance at TicketStorm.com or by calling 866-966-1777. The theater’s Classic Americana Buffet is included in the price of the ticket. There will be a cash bar featuring noted mixologist JoDaniel Johnson, who was recognized by The Oklahoma Gazette as one of the top bartenders in Oklahoma City.
Hamilton was delighted at the title and location of the show because Robin Williams and Hamilton’s timeless wit are not the only links he has to Will Rogers. His grandfather, Argus James Hamilton Sr., was a college friend of Rogers and officiated at the classic comedian’s funeral.
Hamilton’s resume includes four decades of comedy. After working as a writer for the television series “Laugh In,” he was one of the pioneer comedians of the 1980s comedy boom, making several appearances on the “Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson.” In 2007, former Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry named Hamilton the Official Comedian of the Centennial, honoring the state’s 100th anniversary.
Dr. K will be opening and hosting the show. The former journalist and college professor is a 10-year veteran of comedy and brings a unique mixture of one-liners and analogies to the stage
Also featured is author/comedian Stan Silliman, who has written for feature and headlining comics nationwide, cartoonists, roasts and special assignments. His cartoon-humorous poetry book “The News in Double Dactyls” was named Oklahoma Best Book of Poetry in 2002.
Also performing in the show is Brett James, who has taken the Oklahoma comedy scene by force in the past two years. James is a two-time qualifier for the World Series of Comedy. A master sergeant and budget analyst in the U.S. Air Force for almost 20 years, James is also touring the country as part of the Veterans of Comedy Tour.
The doors will open at 7 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7:30. The show begins at 8:30 p.m.