Story and photos by Darl Devault, Contributing Editor

Senior citizens can celebrate near-space travel with free admission to the fairgrounds on their special day with events from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sept. 21, in the Special Events Area at the south end of the Modern Living Building at the Oklahoma State Fair.
All seniors ages 55 or older are invited by OG&E and other sponsors to enjoy the “Fly Me to the Moon” themed event for activities, entertainment, exhibits, door prizes and health screenings designed especially for the golden ager.
“Senior Day at the Fair fits the 55+ fair goer in many ways. Some can enjoy the total experience of the fairgrounds. Some can come to the Modern Living Building to enjoy the Senior Day, never leaving the building,” said Cindy Dimit, longest serving committee member. “There are exhibitors, screenings, and entertainment. The audience can participate in themed activities on the decorated stage. We bring the fair experience right to your seat, so come fly with us on September 21st.”
This year features back-to-back Elvis tribute artists in the late afternoon and evening. Back from his popular performance last year, Mike Black sings Elvis’ songs at 5:30 p.m. From Choctaw, after growing up in Midwest City, he has opened concerts for major acts Percy Sledge, Eddie Raven, The Grass Roots, Three Dog Night and Blood, Sweat and Tears.
Shawn Klush kicks off the most significant tribute to Elvis outside at 7:30 on the Chickasaw Country Entertainment Stage. He has starred as ‘Elvis’ in the award-winning Las Vegas show “Legends in Concert.”
Klush has sung in the “Elvis Birthday Tribute Tour” with Elvis’ former musicians, singers, and friends in major venues in multiple cities. He portrayed Elvis in the “The King and I” episode of HBO’s historical drama TV series “Vinyl” produced by Martin Scorsese and Mic Jagger.
Activities planned for the day include a robust lineup of free health screenings: Blood Pressure Screenings • Blood Sugar Screenings • Pain Management Assessment • Vein Testing • Depression and Memory Screenings, and Diabetic Foot Screenings.
Total Wellness will offer Flu, Pneumonia, and B12 shots at a cost. Attendees are asked to present their insurance card if it covers their shots. The day also features 24 senior health and recreation exhibitors.
Door Prizes are offered (Registration: Session 1: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Session 2: 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. & Session 3: 3:30 – 6 p.m.) Pick up your ticket at the prize table for a chance to win one of many donated gifts. There will be multiple drawings in the morning, the early afternoon and then again during the late afternoon. Each session’s tickets will be discarded after the end of their respective time. Please register again for both afternoon door prize sessions.
The large Oklahoma Senior Games demonstration area is available for the whole run of the Fair. Along with special strength testing for seniors at their Senior Fitness booth, table tennis will be available.
Tests will include arm strength (pushups), leg strength (globet squats), abdominal strength (forearm plank), and balance. A victory stand with mannequins will be available for a photo backdrop.
The largest interactive demonstration court for seniors is one of the fastest-growing recreational sports, Pickleball. It is now widely embraced by seniors for its excellent health outcomes.
Pickleball is a recreational paddle sport for all ages and skill levels. Grandparents who welcome the opportunity to try new fitness outlets can play with their grandkids to stay active. Whether seniors are looking for a way to exercise or want to be challenged at a competitive level, there is a place in the pickleball community.
Volunteers are needed to help support the large Senior Games area from September 15th to 25th. By volunteering, helpers earn a free, fair ticket, T-shirt and close-in free parking. Schedule shifts at its signup website:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040A4DA4A628AA8-oklahoma2
The organizers are counting on the warm hospitality and strong sense of community spirit our citizens have shown as volunteers to allow the state to thrive.
“Our volunteers are a major part of how and why our state has proven itself as a great place to compete in senior games each year,” volunteer coordinator Regina Stewart said. “We have grown to offer more games because of the time and energy Oklahomans who do not compete have invested in offering the Games to those who do.”
Seniors can enter gates 1, 2, 6, or 10 to catch one of the free trams that begin running at 10 a.m. Ask trams to stop at Gate 3 or by the fountain on General Pershing Blvd to drop you off, as they are the closest drop-off points to the building. Electric and manual wheelchairs are available for rent inside Gates 2, 6 & 9 while supplies last. Free coffee and snacks will be offered at 10 a.m. until they are gone.
To view the schedule of activities online, visit: https://okstatefair.com/uploads//senior-day-one-page-schedule-2022.pdf

Story and photos by Darl Devault, Contributing Editor

In their first major onsite event since COVID-19, host Villagio of Oklahoma City welcomed 52 Senior Business Solutions Networking colleagues to a luncheon on August 18. This networking session revealed how many people in the industry are new or at new employers, as shifting demographics cause many changes.
Hosts from Villagio of Oklahoma City and Villagio of Bradford Village in Edmond colleagues spoke of some details of their work with seniors.
“This meeting today is the first time we have been able to engage with our larger community in this space since COVID-19,” said Caitlin Cairns. She is the director of community life at Villagio of Bradford Village. “We are all thankful for the opportunity to do this as it means a return to normalcy and a better way of life than worrying and working so much to combat a pandemic.”
Villagio of Oklahoma City offers its clients assisted living, memory care, and respite care, while Villagio of Bradford Village in Edmond features residential and assisted living.
Villagio and sponsors provided the meal and a large meeting room for the monthly gathering of senior healthcare marketers and senior-focused company workers. They engaged in the meaningful and relevant experience of building a network of contacts to better serve their patients and clients.
Eight attendees were learning about their community peers for the first time, as half of them mentioned they had only been with their new employers for three weeks. Several new attendees said networking with others, especially direct caregiver peers, helped them better understand some of the issues they face at their centers.
Some had attended the luncheons for many of the six years since Bill Muir pulled the SBS group together for the networking sessions.
The luncheon continued with each invitee giving a few minutes of background about their employer and, for some, as owners. The networking session is open to all senior care industry members and comprises a variety of guests explaining their backgrounds. They spoke of how they saw their role in helping seniors with their needs in the community. A few announced special events their venues were planning shortly, inviting others to attend.
Other speakers solicited donations of door prizes needed for the Senior Day on September 21 at the Oklahoma State Fair. Emerald Care Center Southwest was recognized for donations of large flat screen TVs for the Senior Day door prizes the last few years. Many attending volunteer and support the 24 booths at the event.
There was a spirited discussion of local Elvis tribute artist Mike Black who will headline the entertainment for the free Senior Day at the Fair at the end of the day, September 21. He performed last year, and several people mentioned he has sung at area senior centers.
Bob Loudermilk detailed the upcoming free Second Half Expo 2022 to be held on October 22 at The National Cowboy & Western Museum for the second year. This year attendees will receive a free ticket to the museum they can use anytime.
Expo and SBS sponsor Oklahoma Senor Journal owner Robin Gunn supported the Expo in her part of the discussion. She welcomed listeners to hear more details about the Expo on her radio program Rise & Thrive Radio Hour Saturdays at 9:05 a.m. on 96.9FM The Eagle during the run-up to the event.
The meeting continued with more personalized detail from each attendee. The event is an in-person version of a monthly networking newsletter with information, announcements, and networking within the retirement industry.
Some providers reported real-time availability for their care and housing options, along with home care and hospice providers. Speakers covered various topics ranging from personnel issues to renovation offerings and help explaining Medicare to patients and clients.
Conversations before and after the more formal portion allowed attendees to speak with their senior industry peers while sharing information about their employers and caregivers.

https://legendseniorliving.com/

Dear Savvy Senior, I just turned 62 and am financially prepared for retirement, but I’m less certain about how to spend my time after leaving work. Can you recommend some resources or tools that can help me with this? — Feeling Lost

Dear Lost:
This is a great question! Many people, when asked what they want to do when they retire, will say they want a mix of travel, play and meaningful work. Specifics, however, tend to be few and far between. But planning how to fill your time in retirement is just as important as the financial planning aspect. Here are some resources that can help.
Online Tools
A good starting point to figuring out what you want to do in retirement is at LifeReimagined.aarp.org. This is an AARP website (you don’t have to be a member to use it) that can help you rediscover what truly matters to you and focus on what you really want to do. It offers a variety of free online exercises and programs that will hopefully spark some ideas and give you inspiration.
Encore.org is another good resource that helps people who are seeking work that matters in the second half of life. Click on “Resources” on the menu bar and download their free Encore Guide, and consider purchasing a copy of their “Encore Career Handbook” (available at Amazon.com or BN.com for $10.50) by Marci Alboher, which is excellent.
Also check out the free E-book called “The Age for Change,” which can help answer the question: “What now?” You can download this at ComingOfAge.org.
And, if you’ve never taken a personality test before, this too can be a good tool to help you figure out what type of activities or work you’d like to do. A good option for this is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator assessment, which you can take online at MBTIcomplete.com for $50.
Personalized Guidance
If you want personalized help, you can also get one-on-one guidance from a retirement or life planning coach. Some resources that can help you here include LifePlanningForYou.com, which has a free exercise called EVOKE to help identify a path that might suit you best in later life, and provides a directory to registered life planners to help guide you.
Also see: RetirementOptions.com, which will connect you with a retirement coach who will give you an assessment to help reveal your attitudes and opinions about work, family life, relationships, leisure time and more. And the LifePlanningNetwork.org, which is a group of professionals and organizations that help people navigate the second half of life. You can also find life and retirement coaching at the International Coach Federation at CoachFederation.org.
Coaching sessions typically range from $75 to $300 or more, and usually require four to six sessions to get the most out of the process.
Other Resources
If you’re primarily interested in volunteering, finding a retirement job or even starting a business when you retire, there are lots of resources that can help here too.
For volunteering, PointsOfLight.org, VolunteerMatch.org and SeniorCorps.gov and help you search for opportunities, or even create one on your own.
To look for job ideas, sites like RetirementJobs.com, Workforce50.com and RetiredBrains.com list thousands of jobs nationwide from companies that are actively seeking older workers. FlexJobs.com can help you find good work-at-home jobs. CoolWorks.com and BackDoorJobs.com are great for locating seasonal or summer jobs in great places. Or to search for freelance opportunities in a wide variety of areas, there’s Elance.com and Guru.com.
And if you’re interested in starting a new business, the U.S. Small Business Administration offers tips, tools and free online courses to entrepreneurs that are 50 and older at SBA.gov/content/50-entrepreneurs, as does the nonprofit association Score at Score.org.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Sometimes your guardian angel appears in the form of an off-duty nurse. At least that is what Pamela Satchell believes after an INTEGRIS Health Miami Hospital nurse saved her life.
Shyanne Brandon, B.S.N., RN, was recently honored by INTEGRIS Health Miami Hospital Chief Executive Jonas Rabel for the life-saving measures she performed while attending as a guest at an employee appreciation event hosted by the Miami Nation’s Prairie Sun and Prairie Moon Casinos.
“Day in and day out, our caregivers report to work knowing that patients and their families are counting on us,” said Rabel. “Shyanne’s quick response to a medical crisis outside the walls of our hospital is a true example of heroism and her dedication to caring for our community, no matter where she might be.”
As food and beverage manager of the casinos, Satchell was assigned the task of checking-in employees and handing out t-shirts. After several hours in the hot July sun, she decided to go for a swim to cool off, and that is when things went awry.
“The only memory I have is going down the slide, landing in the water and then feeling like I was pulled under,” Satchell said. “I came up and told the lifeguard I needed help. That is really all that I can remember.”
Brandon witnessed the near-drowning and, without hesitation, began administering medical aid, which included checking for a pulse, rolling Satchell to her side, expelling water and continuing life-saving measures until emergency medical services arrived to transport Satchell to the hospital.
“As I helped pull Pam out of the water, I did a quick scene check and realized I was the only one around that could help,” said Brandon. “My training with INTEGRIS Health prepared me, and God truly overcame me with a sense of calm and clarity. I could hear all these people around me scared and worried, but I stayed calm. I can only say God truly was with me at that moment.”
Satchell spent two days in the hospital but is expected to make a full recovery. Weeks later, she was reunited with Brandon on the day hospital leadership presented her with an award for her off-duty heroism.
“Shyanne will always be my personal angel,” she added. “What a blessing to have someone like her at the right place and time.”
For more information about INTEGRIS Health visit: https://integrisok.com/

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

As seniors we have grown up and through the space race with its many accomplishments, many made by Oklahoma Astronauts. Once such celebrated Oklahoma astronaut is Lt. General Thomas P. Stafford. The Stafford Air Space Museum is a destination not to be missed if in or near Weatherford, Oklahoma. It is next to Interstate 40, at 3000 Logan Road.
You are greeted even before entering the museum with the Pathway of Honor exhibit. Here you can buy a customized brick around the foundation of the Apollo boilerplate exhibit in front of the museum. A 4 x 8 inch brick with two lines of text is $70, or the larger 12 x 12 inch brick with the option of a Company Logo with text, for $225.00. Your named brick will be in the company of astronaut legends of Neil Armstrong, Gene Cernan, and Jim Lovell among others. For further information and to contact the Pathway of Honor and museum call 580-772-5871.
The museum was named a Smithsonian Affiliate in 2011 as it houses over an acre of exhibits representing the evolution of aviation and space flight. They have worked closely with the Smithsonian Institution, NASA and the U.S. Air Force Museum assembling one of the best collection of aerospace artifacts in the central United States.
While there are some artifacts that are samples or replicas, many are the actual item used in space. This includes Stafford’s 1969 flown Apollo 10 pressure suit, space shuttle main engine, the mission control console, a disarmed Mark 6 nuclear warhead and an F-86 “Sabre” Fighter.
Besides American artifacts are Soviet examples like the Soviet Mig-21 “fishbed” fighter, one of the most produced jet fighter aircraft in history as the front-line fighter during the Cold War. There is also the actual V-2 Rocket Engine, as the only remaining actual V-2 rocket engine left in existence which was developed by Nazi Germany during World War II.
Replicas are also on display including: the Bell X-1 rocket plane that punched through the sound barrier in 1947, Hubble space telescope in 1/15 scale, and the full scale replica of the Gemini Spacecraft flown by Stafford in the Gemini 6 and 9 missions.
Stafford was born in 1930 and raised in Weatherford, graduating from Weatherford High then on to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1951. In 1962 he was selected in the second group of NASA astronauts and would go on to fly four space missions. In 1979 after retiring from the Air Force, he has flown nearly 130 types of aircraft and helicopters and logged near 508 hours in space. Today Stafford maintains a home in Oklahoma City and one in Florida near the Kennedy Space Center.
When in Weatherford a lunch or dinner at Benchwarmer Brown’s Sports Grill, at 108 East Main, is a delicious choice. A sports type bar/restaurant with video screens, offers several menu items, including a juicy Chicken strip entre. Other offerings are fresh burgers, hand breaded onion rings, other sandwiches, and brick oven pizza. At just over a year old, Benchwarmer fills a dining option welcomed in Weatherford.
If your road trip is not rushed an overnight at the clean and comfortable Days Inn might be your economic destination. Complete with a warm do it your self-breakfast area, pool and plenty of parking, it fills the needs of the average traveler. It is an easy off and on from the Interstate and less than a mile to downtown, at 1019 East Main.
And while this far “out of town” you are nearer to Colony Oklahoma and its Galley of the Plains Indian, where I have an exhibition of Indian Photographs, in an historic building adorned outside with colorful Indian murals. The highway South is close to the Weatherford exit off I-40.
Why spend time and money consuming trip to the Washington DC’s Space Museum – although it is amazing – when you can conveniently get an in-depth sample at the Stafford Air and Space Museum in Weatherford, Oklahoma? More information at www.staffordmuseum.org.

Mr. Terry Zinn – Travel Editor
Past President: International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association
3110 N.W. 15 Street – Oklahoma City, OK 73107
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www.martinitravels.com

When a fresh wound occurs, cells rush to produce collagen, which aids healing. But sometimes this process goes awry, resulting in one of two extremes: insufficient healing or excessive scar tissue.
Thanks to a recent discovery at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, researchers now have a better grasp on the cause.
“It’s a delicate balance,” said OMRF scientist Lorin Olson, Ph.D., who led the study published this month in the journal Cell Reports. “Everything must work just right for proper wound healing to take place.”
Olson’s lab focused on a protein signal called platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and cells called fibroblasts, which create collagen to form scar tissue. Several days later, these cells morph into a different cell type called myofibroblasts, which pull the wound’s edges together, essentially closing it.
Working with researchers from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Olson’s team discovered that PDGF controls this transition from one cell type into another and that optimal healing requires precise amounts of the protein signal.
“This paper focuses on wounds in the skin, but the same principles apply to injuries in other tissue or organs,” Olson said, “because in every injury, cells respond by migrating toward the damage.”
Too much PDGF results in wounds full of fibroblasts but no myofibroblasts, causing excessive scar tissue. In contrast, without sufficient PDGF, there aren’t enough fibroblasts to create collagen, and wounds fester.
Those chronic wounds cause significant medical and financial issues for millions of Americans. One common example is in people with diabetes. Poor circulation and nerve damage caused by the disease can lead to chronic foot ulcers, potentially requiring amputation. A 2018 University of Southern California analysis found that chronic wound treatment accounted for up to $96.8 billion in annual Medicare costs.
“Wound healing happens so routinely that we tend to take it for granted,” said Lijun Xia, M.D., Ph.D., chair of OMRF’s Cardiovascular Biology Research Program. “Dr. Olson has dedicated his career to better understanding the inner workings of this complex process. His discovery gets us closer to solutions for cases where a wound refuses to heal properly.”
Olson has taken these findings to delve into the cause of keloids – thick, often permanent, raised scars that most frequently form on the earlobes, shoulders, chest and cheeks of people of African and Asian descent. However, he said this discovery has far broader relevance.
“We’re studying PDGF signaling in conditions like atherosclerosis, where deadly plaque builds up in arteries, as well as cancer,” Olson said. “So if we better understand how it works, we can apply that knowledge to many other health conditions.”
Olson’s research is supported by National Institutes of Health grants R01-AR070235 and R01-AR073828, the Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research, a program of TSET, and the Presbyterian Health Foundation.

For a full list of events/details visit: www.okhistory.org/calendar/ohs

Working America: A Sam Comen Photography Exhibition opens Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, 507 South 4th Street Enid, OK 73701. Thursday, September 1, 2022. Artist Sam Comen presents a series of portraits of American immigrants and first-generation Americans at work in the small, skilled trades as icons of the American experience.

Drummond Heirlooms exhibit opens (all month) Fred and Addie Drummond Home, 305 North Price Avenue Hominy, OK 74035. September 1st Family heirlooms belonging to the Drummond family will be on display for the entire month at the Victorian-style home they built in 1905.

“Musket Demo Day” living history program September 9-10, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Fort Gibson Historic Site, 907 North Garrison Avenue Fort Gibson, OK 74434. Fort Gibson Historic Site will host a living history program based on the history of musket firearms and musket demonstrations. This program will run from 10 a.m. to noon and again from 1 to 3 p.m.

Quilting workshop with Martha Ray September 10, 9 a.m.–11 a.m. Sod House Museum, 4628 State Highway 8 Aline, OK 73716. Workshop will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. with instructor Martha Ray, and the cost is $5 per person.

Tuesday Tunes at the Mansion featuring Hunter Thomas September 13, 6 p.m.–8 p.m. Henry and Anna Overholser Mansion, 405 NW 15th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73103. Preservation Oklahoma, Inc. will be hosting a series of relaxed free summer concerts featuring local musician Hunter Thomas.

“Traveling by Keelboat” living history program September 16-17, 10 a.m. Fort Gibson Historic Site, 907 North Garrison Avenue Fort Gibson, OK 74434. On Friday, September 16, and Saturday, September 17, join the staff and volunteers at Fort Gibson Historic Site as they demonstrate the operations of a keelboat during a special riverside living history program. The tours will run at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. on both days.

Will’s Cowboy Trader Days at the Ranch September 17, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.|Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch, 9501 East 380 Road Oologah, OK 74053 Third Saturday of the month through October, make the trip to the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch in Oologah to take part in Will’s Cowboy Trader Days. See locally handcrafted and homemade items, saddles, cowboy hats, tack, boots, and a variety of work created by local artisans. Admission is FREE.

“A Long Walk in the Sun: Mexican-American War Days” September 17, 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Fort Towson Historic Site, HC 63, Box 1580 Fort Towson, OK 74735. FTHS will be host in mid-September. This event will feature an encampment set in the time period of the Mexican-American War, educational presentations, and opportunities to interact with experts.

“History of Masonic Temples in Oklahoma” by T. S. Akers September 17, 1 p.m.–2 p.m. Honey Springs Battlefield, 423159 E 1030 Road Checotah, OK 74426. A presentation by T. S. Akers. Akers, a historian of Freemasonry in Oklahoma, will discuss the establishment and architecture.

“Candles on Post” living history program” On Friday, September 23, and Saturday, September 24, from 10 a.m. to noon, and again from 1-3 p.m., the last September living history program will focus on the use of candles. Watch a candle-making demonstration in the palisade kitchens while learning about the differences between candles made of beeswax and those made of tallow. In candle making, wick preparation is the key to longer burning candles, and the use of herbs and scents was a 19th-century way of keeping pests.
educational presentations, and opportunities to interact with experts.

Movie Night featuring Animal Crackers (1930) September 24, 6 p.m.–9 p.m. Will Rogers Memorial Museum, 1720 West Will Rogers Boulevard Claremore, OK 74017. Animal Crackers (1930) will be featured in the theater. “Horsing Around with Will” will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Enjoy activities and crafts relating to the movie.

“Americana: A Musical Tour of the USA” featuring Jonas Nordwall September 26, 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73105. The fall performance of the Kilgen Organ series will feature organist Jonas Nordwall, presenting musical selections that follow the theme “Americana: A Musical Tour of the USA.”

CENTENARIANS OF OKLAHOMA was proud to honor Oklahoma City resident, Dellora Manske, on the occasion of her 100th birthday, and induct her into the Centenarians of Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Dellora is a retired school teacher who continued her vocation by volunteering to help students with their school work. Dellora has these words of wisdom for younger people: “Work diligently, be honest and truthful.” “Study hard to learn new things and follow the Golden Rule”!
There are believed to be 400-500 centenarians living in Oklahoma. On average, there are about 300 living centenarians in Oklahoma that we have honored. Additionally, there are about 50 other centenarians that we are attempting to locate, recognize, and honor.
To date almost 3000, centenarians have been honored in the state. All of the historical records of these people are in Tulsa, currently in the offices of Centenarians of Oklahoma. Once a Centenarian passes, their records are filed at the Oklahoma Historical Society in Oklahoma City.
The work performed through the Centenarians of Oklahoma could not happen without generous supporters like you and the organization operates by volunteers and donations while providing this special honor to our “Golden Okies”.

As college athletes across the country begin taking advantage of the Supreme Court’s June 2021 ruling allowing Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals, a newly-signed OU Sooner quarterback is dedicating a percentage of his earnings to Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health.
General Booty, who comes to Norman after playing at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas, recently notified Oklahoma Children’s Hospital of his support.
“My family has been a really good example to me my whole life, and we talked about the importance of giving back,” Booty said. “I have a special place in my heart for kids, so after my visit there, I knew Oklahoma Children’s Hospital would be where my support would go.”
Booty, a third-generation football player, is originally from Shreveport, Louisiana. His father, Abram Booty, is a former Louisiana State University wide receiver, his uncle, Josh Booty, is a former LSU and NFL quarterback and his other uncle, John David Booty, was a USC quarterback and Rose Bowl MVP during Pete Carroll’s coaching leadership.
“General is a great kid, with a big heart and full of faith,” said his father. “He knew Oklahoma Children’s Hospital could benefit from the partnership and made the decision to provide that support on his own.”
Booty’s family moved quite a bit while he was growing up and he attended four different high schools, including two in California and two in Texas, finishing his high school career at Allen, which is in the Dallas area. After high school, the quarterback played for Tyler Junior College, where he caught the eye of OU scouts. After a visit to Norman, he knew this was where he wanted to play.
Recently, the 20-year-old quarterback paid a visit to some Oklahoma Children’s Hospital patients.
“We have some young football fans going through health issues no one – let alone a child – should have to go through,” said Jon Hayes, hospital president. “Seeing the kids faces light up when General stopped by to hang out with them for a while was a great way to take their minds off where they are. We are delighted to not just have General supporting us through his merchandise sales, but just becoming engrained in what we do here. We can’t wait to see what he does on the football field.”
Booty is unveiling a website where fans can purchase shirts, hats and other memorabilia featuring his name, number and his brand “MTJN,” which stands for More Than Just a Name. “I have a unique name, but I’m also a good player,” Booty said. “That’s the connection … Oklahoma Children’s Hospital is more than a name. They are the best at what they do.
“I’m looking forward to coming back and hanging out with more of the kids … whether that means throwing a football around or doing arts and crafts.”
To purchase General Booty merchandise, go to mtjn.org.
For more information about Oklahoma Children’s Hospital visit oklahomachildrens.org.

As of the end of the day, Friday, August 12, 2022, OU Health and UnitedHealthcare (UHC) have come to a resolution. The two organizations had been negotiating their contract since November of 2021.
The agreement between OU Health and UHC for hospital and clinic facilities and services terminated on May 1, 2022, but have now been reinstated. UHC has agreed to retroactively process the out-of-network claims that would now be considered in-network. OU Health Partners, the health system’s physician and provider group, was under a separate contract, which was in effect through the end of 2022. Under the new agreement, the provider’s contract was extended through July 31, 2024. OU Health and UHC also agreed to re-engage transplant services to the same level as prior to May 1, 2022.
“With so many of our services not available anywhere else in the state, we are so pleased to be able to continue to care for our UHC-insured patients, so they can continue to receive services like cancer treatment or comprehensive children’s care,” said Richard Lofgren, M.D., OU Health president and CEO.
“Throughout this time, our focus and commitment to patient care and being an institution that champions the health of our state hasn’t changed,” Lofgren said. “We are extremely pleased to be able to reinstate and continue our partnership with UHC, and together, we will make a difference in the lives of Oklahomans.”