The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) is now accepting nominations for its annual awards program. Recipients of these awards will be honored at the OHS Awards Banquet to be held Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.
The OHS is seeking nominations for the following awards:
*Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame: This honor recognizes distinguished and long-term contributions to Oklahoma history through demonstrated excellence.
*Bruce T. Fisher Award: This award recognizes the significant contribution of an individual or organization for history-related projects, including exhibits, short-form publications, collections care, film, programming, and digital projects completed in the previous year with a budget under $20,000.
*Linda Williams Reese Award: This award recognizes the outstanding dissertation or thesis on Oklahoma history completed in the previous year. It includes a $500 award.
*Joseph B. Thoburn Award: This is awarded to a junior or senior in high school who exhibits outstanding achievements in the presentation or interpretation of state and local history. It includes a $500 scholarship.
*William D. Pennington Award: This award acknowledges an outstanding social studies teacher—one who makes a lasting impact on students and provides remarkable support for Oklahoma National History Day projects.
To nominate an individual or a history project, visit www.okhistory.org/awards and download the nomination form specific to the award. Current members of the OHS Board of Directors and current employees of the OHS and its museums, sites and affiliates are not eligible. The completed form must be submitted no later than October 20 to larry.odell@history.ok.gov or mailed to Larry O’Dell, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr., Oklahoma City, OK 73105.
Dear Savvy Senior, Which vaccines are recommended for Medicare seniors this flu season? Just Turned 65
Dear Just Turned, There are actually three different types of vaccines seniors should consider getting this fall to protect against a repeat of last winter’s “tripledemic” of respiratory illnesses, which included flu, RSV and coronavirus. Here’s a rundown of the different vaccines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending and how they are covered by Medicare.
Senior-Specific Flu Shots For people age 65 and older, there are three flu vaccines (you only need one) that the CDC recommends over traditional flu shots.
These FDA-approved vaccines provide extra protection beyond what a standard flu shot does, which is important for older adults who have weaker immune defenses and have a greater risk of developing dangerous flu complications compared with younger, healthy adults. The three senior-specific options include the: Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine, which contains four times the amount of antigen as a regular flu shot does, creating a stronger immune response for better protection. Fluad Quadrivalent vaccine, which contains an added ingredient called adjuvant MF59 that also helps create a stronger immune response. FluBlok Quadrivalent vaccine, is a recombinant protein (egg-free) flu vaccine that contains three times the amount of antigen as compared with a regular flu shot.
There isn’t enough evidence yet to indicate whether one of these three vaccines provides superior protection over the other two for seniors.
As for side effects, you should know that the Fluzone High-Dose and Fluad vaccines can cause more of the mild side effects that can occur with a standard-dose flu shot, like pain or tenderness where you got the shot, muscle aches, headache or fatigue. While the side effects of Flublok tend to be a little less frequent.
All flu vaccines are covered 100 percent by Medicare Part B as long as your doctor, health clinic or pharmacy agrees not to charge you more than Medicare pays.
New RSV Vaccines Anyone age 60 and older, especially if you have any heart or lung conditions, diabetes, kidney or liver disorders that make you vulnerable to the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) should consider getting one of the new FDA approved RSV vaccines (either Arexvy or Abrysvo).
These vaccines, recommended by the CDC, will help protect older and immunocompromised adults from respiratory illness, which is responsible for 6,000 to 10,000 deaths and at least 60,000 hospitalizations each year in seniors 65 and older.
The new RSV vaccines are covered by Medicare (Part D) prescription drug plans.
Updated Covid Booster If you haven’t had a Covid-19 booster shot lately, you should consider getting one this fall. Even though the Covid public health emergency has ended and the number of cases has gone way down, it has been surging in recent months causing an increase in hospitalizations, especially among the elderly.
The updated Covid vaccine targets the XBB omicron subvariants that are some of the most dominate coronavirus variants circulating in the U.S. It will also provide protection against the EG.5 variant (Eris), which is closely related to the XBB.
Covid booster shots are covered 100 percent by Medicare Part B.
When and Where Most health officials agree that it’s safe to receive the flu and Covid booster at the same time. But because the RSV vaccines are new this year, many doctors are recommending a two-week window between an RSV shot and the flu and/or the COVID shots.
You can find all three vaccines at most pharmacies, medical clinics and health departments, or you can do a search at Vaccines.gov.
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.
Story and photo by Bobby Anderson, RN, Staff Writer
Dr. Elise Brantley is a board-certified dermatologist who has practiced in the metro for more than a decade. Photo by Bobby Anderson, RN.
Your skin is your largest organ and the only one you can actually see and feel.
So as you age you might want to pay a little more attention to skin changes to prevent something minor from becoming something major.
That’s what one of the leading dermatologists in Oklahoma City tells her patients.
Dr. Elise Brantley is a board-certified dermatologist who has been practicing for more than 10 years.
Her practice at Scissortail Dermatology focuses on protecting your skin year-round.
“I think it’s a good idea for people to be aware of what the signs and symptoms of skin cancer are,” Brantley said. “Just so they know whether or not they need to come in. Another thing is for people to be aware of potential risk factors they may not realize.”
Scissortail Dermatology has offices on both the north and south sides of the metro.
You can learn more at their booth at the upcoming Second Half Expo being held at The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, on Saturday, October 21 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The free event is the largest senior expo in Oklahoma and will feature 130 exhibits, lots of free giveaways as well as information on senior living, education, and retirement planning.
When it comes to people and their skin, oftentimes they’ll ignore the proverbial warning signs.
“Honestly, everyday especially in the younger population who work outside,” Brantley said. “A lot of people who spend or have spent a lot of time outside (are at risk).”
All those ball games, summers at the lake, and work outdoors will eventually catch up.
As you start to age accumulated exposure to the sun can begin to take its toll, resulting in blemishes and forms of skin cancer – some of which can be deadly if left untreated.
“Especially when they reach retirement age, that’s when the problem arises,” she said. “Before you get to cancer some people experience pre-cancers that are uncomfortable, tender, and make the skin rough. The skin surface is altered and a lot of our patients struggle with that.”
Brantley’s practice focus is the evaluation and treatment of growths of the skin with an emphasis on detecting and treating skin cancer.
She is a native Oklahoman from Broken Arrow.
After graduating high school from the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics she attended the University of Tulsa for undergraduate studies.
She received her medical degree from the University of Oklahoma and completed her residency training at the University of Cincinnati where she served as chief resident.
She has been serving the Oklahoma City metro area for more than 10 years.
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. However, when detected early, melanoma can be effectively treatment. You can look for signs of melanoma by following the ABCDE method
Asymmetry is where one half of the spot is unlike the other half.
The spot has an irregular or poorly defined border
* C stands for color. The spot has varying colors from one area to the next, such as shades of tan, brown, black, or areas of white, red, or even blue.
* D stands for diameter. Melanomas are usually greater than six mm, or about the six of a pencil eraser, but can be smaller.
* E stands for evolving where a spot looks different than the rest or changes in size, shape, or color.
Performing a skin self-exam means taking note of all the spots on your body, from moles to freckles to age spots. Skin cancer can develop anywhere on the skin and is one of the few cancers you can usually see on your body. Ask someone for help when checking your skin, especially in hard-to-see places like the scalp and back.
The annual cost of treating skin cancers in the U.S. is estimated at $8.1 billion: about $4.8 billion for nonmelanoma skin cancers and $3.3 billion for melanoma, according to the Foundation.
Thanks to increased education and screening by dermatologists like Brantley, the diagnosis and treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancers in the U.S. increased by 77 percent between 1994 and 2014.
“It’s a great idea to come in for at least one assessment,” Brantley said. “Get an idea of what your risk factors are. You may not need to come in more than once a year. You may need to come in more often.”
For Brantley, an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientists Yen Chun Ho, Ph.D., and Sathish Srinivasan, PhD.
A discovery at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation could lead to a new treatment for a heart valve condition impacting more than 6 million Americans.
In mitral valve prolapse, the heart’s mitral valve doesn’t open and close completely, leading to inadequate blood flow. The disorder results from a birth defect or natural wear and tear over time. It can cause fatigue, stroke and, in severe cases, heart failure.
OMRF scientist Sathish Srinivasan, Ph.D., studies the lymphatic system, which transports tissue fluid throughout the body with the assistance of lymphatic valves. He wondered whether lessons learned from the lymphatic valves could also be applied to the heart valves.
“Lymphatic and heart valves are different, but we wondered, do the same molecules play roles in their function?” Srinivasan said. “It turned out to be a good guess.”
Srinivasan’s study, published in the journal Circulation Research, found that two proteins essential for lymphatic valve function – PROX1 and FOXC2 – are also key for good heart valve function.
In people who don’t have one or both of the proteins, Srinivasan said, valves continue to enlarge out of check. Preventing this overgrowth may be an effective new approach to treat dysfunctional valves.
“We tested a treatment that can imitate the job of the two proteins in research models, and the valves showed major improvement in function,” Srinivasan said.
This discovery is just the beginning, said Yen Chun Ho, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in Srinivasan’s lab.
“We have observed that other molecules known to operate in the lymphatic system are also present in the heart valves, so we know this is a promising direction for future work,” Ho said.
The research was supported by grant R01HL163095-01A1 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, and funding from the Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research, a program of TSET.
Robert Thomas Stout was in El Reno, Oklahoma on Feb. 27, 1920 and enlisted at Denver, Colorado as a Seaman Apprentice.
Robert reached the rank of Fire Controlman 3rd Class (FC3c) with duties included operating, maintaining, inspecting and repairing the weapons control systems used on combat ships. He also operated range finders, optical fire control equipment, repaired electrical firing circuits and manned fire control stations in action.
Robert’s Duty Stations included the USS Oklahoma in April, 1941 until death, USS Rigel in 1940, Elementary Fire Controlman School in 1940 at San Diego, USS Oklahoma in 1939 and the Naval Training Station Great Lakes, IL in 1939.
Awards and decorations included the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal (Fleet Clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (Bronze Star) and the World War II Victory Medal.
Robert Thomas Stout, Fire Controlman 3rd Class died during the Dec. 7 attack on Pearl Harbor, will be buried in the Cottonwood, Cemetery, 20499 1st Street, Cottonwood, California on September 15.
Families of Sailors that died in the Pearl Harbor attack are offered a choice to either have the family member re-interred at NMCP, or choose an alternate location, such as a veterans’, private family site, or Arlington National Cemetery. Navy Mortuary, a branch within Navy Casualty, will coordinate the movement of remains, which typically arrive a couple days prior to the burial.
Senior Day at the Fair 2023 encouraged an “Out of This World Seniors Day” theme including alien characters and fun decorations for visitors and vendors.Darrell Melancon from St. Martinville, Louisiana, won the Senior News and Living special prize of a gift card tree totaling over $65.
(Top) Little green man visits the Archwell Health booth.The 26-member strong Vocal Sounds of Oklahoma pose just before they share their love of four-part a cappella singing with the audience.
On September 20th, the Oklahoma State Fair lived up to its theme, “The Place to be in ‘23,” when it hosted the “Out of This World Seniors Day” at the Fair, providing activities planned for older fairgoers.
Senior citizens 55 and older celebrated near-space travel with free admission to the fairgrounds on their special day. Many otherworldly experiences were offered to the audience throughout the day.
Many games and contests entertained senior fairgoers who preferred to kick back indoors on the hot and sunny Wednesday in the Modern Living Building. All were entertained by many acts from the space-themed stage and by visiting booths featuring alien and flying saucer decorations.
“I want to share our feedback so far is that this year was our best senior day ever,” said Lisa James, CompleteOK community liaison and event committee member. “I want to thank everyone so much for being a large part of making that happen; we appreciate all of you.” In saying this year’s was the best yet, James added, “I believe the variety of exhibit offerings for our seniors was the best I’ve ever seen.”
The day of activities, entertainment, exhibits, door prizes and health screenings designed especially for the golden agers was packed. The entertainment kicked off at 10 a.m. and finished with Elvis tribute artist Mike Black at 7 p.m.
The Special Events Area at the south end of the Modern Living Building featured outlandish interpretations of many space motifs, including four larger-than-life green aliens with humans trapped inside the costumes.
Sponsor OG&E energized the day while many of the booths donated door prizes and offered giveaways designed especially for the golden ager.
This 46th annual Senior Day at the Fair saw the Okie Stompers’ well-choreographed group display their combination of tap with line dancing as their ten performers dazzled in special out-of-this-world T-shirts. After a quick costume change to a more patriotic outfit, they displayed their ultimate toe-tapping’ clogging when they performed again at 11 a.m.
The one-minute video entries from area independent and assisted living and long-term care communities of their residents “In Motion.” were shown all day to allow the public to select the winner.
Along with the many senior-oriented booths making their services available, “Senior News and Living” gave away their September issue at their booth all day. The publication supplied two door prizes from the stage and small glider planes at their booth.
Although official attendance numbers have not been released yet, “Senior News and Living” sales executive Amanda Miller gave away 900 copies of their publication in their bags before the last 100 were available for pickup without a bag.
The audience participated in themed activities on the decorated stage. At 1 p.m., audience singers took the stage to perform in the “Out of This World Karaoke Contest.” The audience was treated to Gary Aylor’s singing performance at a Robert Goulet quality level. Archwell Health provided his prize.
Activities planned for the day that saw 4,000 seniors last year included a robust lineup of free health screenings. Major organizer OU Health provided memory and depression screening. Passport Health offered Flu, 65+ Flu, vaccines and B-12 shots while more than $10,000 in door prizes were given away in three sessions.
Many seniors picked up a ticket for each session to win one of many donated gifts These multiple drawings in the morning, the early afternoon and then again in late afternoon saw many happy seniors celebrate on their way to the stage to receive their prizes.
The 26-member Vocal Sounds of Oklahoma award-winning a cappella men’s chorus sang several Americana ballads from the stage four-part close-knit harmony for the crowd at 4 p.m. without accompaniment.
The event chairs filled up as Elvis tribute artist Mike Black drew a packed house in the late afternoon. Back from his popular performance last year, Black sang Elvis Presley’s songs at 7 p.m.
The volunteer Senior Day committee works from January through September, planning an excellent event for Oklahoma Seniors 55 and over.
Adjacent, the Oklahoma Senior Games demonstration area was busy all day, with many waiting to play Pickleball on a demonstration court. As America’s fastest-growing recreational sport, it is being widely embraced by seniors for its excellent health outcomes.
Throughout the month of September, the University of Oklahoma Food Pantry will be competing with the University of Texas’s food pantry, the UT Outpost, to see which pantry can receive the most shelf-sustainable food.
The competition has been named the “Red River Food Fight” and the winner will be named the “Red River Food Fight Champion.”
Matt Marks, campus care coordinator and director of the OU Food Pantry, said they are hoping this competition will help both universities as they try to combat the above-average rates of food insecurity within each of the respective states.
“It’s a fun way to celebrate a historic rivalry,” Marks said. “There’s a lot of competitiveness on the football field, but we are coming together to combat food insecurity and hunger, which plagues both our states. Texas and Oklahoma are two of the hungrier states in our nation and this is a great way to come together to take steps to solve this problem. We’ve got a great relationship with the pantry down in Texas, and just had great conversations with them to bring this together and unite around a very heated game to try to take care of people within our communities.”
Royce Coleman, sophomore biochemistry major in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences and OU Food Pantry associate director of campus engagement, said he began having conversations with UT last fall.
While there was immediate interest, the timeline was too near to effectively execute the drive. But this year, the timing was right.
“The initial goal of the competition was to utilize our historic rivalry and our extremely passionate fanbases toward benefiting both of our food pantries, which in turn would allow us to better provide for our students and staff,” Coleman said. “We are hopeful that the many fans of this rivalry (the greatest college rivalry in the nation, if I may say so myself) will join us in promoting this competition and help us combat the food insecurity that exists on our campuses.”
Valeria Martin, assistant director for basic needs at the University of Texas at Austin, said there was no hesitation when the OU Food Pantry representatives approached them.
“We were so excited when the OU Food Pantry team approached us with the idea to collaborate in a friendly competition for the benefit of our campus pantries,” Martin said. “Our goal for the Red River Food Fight is to raise awareness about UT Outpost in our community. Drawing on the rivalry and competition helps energize our campus around supporting UT Outpost and keeping the pantry stocked while making more students aware of UT Outpost as a resource.”
The winner of the Red River Food Fight will be announced on Oct. 7, the day of the Red River Rivalry football game. Boxes to donate canned goods and shelf-sustainable food to the OU Food Pantry have been scattered across campus; donations also may be made directly to the food pantry. Other items and monetary donations are always welcomed but will not go toward the competition.
United States Representative Tom Cole received the National Distinguished Advocacy Award this week, the most prestigious award presented by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), in recognition of his significant contribution in the fight against cancer to increase research funding.
ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, presents the annual award to select lawmakers who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the area of cancer-related public policy advocacy.
“Representative Cole has repeatedly distinguished himself as a leader and true advocate on cancer advocacy issues, particularly through his commitment to increased biomedical research funding,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “His introduction of the Strengthen the Pediatric Research Initiative Act, to provide additional funding for childhood cancer research, is a true testament of his commitment to save lives from pediatric cancer. ACS CAN appreciates his steadfast leadership in investing in cancer research to improve public health nationwide.”
“Representative Cole is a true cancer leader”, said Howie Jackson, cancer survivor and ACS CAN Oklahoma CD-04 ACT Lead volunteer. “His commitment to providing additional funding for child cancer research is a testament to the value he sees in our next generation of Oklahomans.”
The award was presented on Sept. 19 as part of the annual ACS CAN Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. Nearly 700 cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones met with their elected officials to urge them to support policies that increase funding for cancer research and prevention programs and address barriers that prevent diverse populations from enrolling in clinical trials.
Oklahoma’s numerous indigenous cultures and Native American Nations are honored in the Dream Catcher-influenced medals.
Story by Darl Devault, Contributing Editor
Longtime volunteer Regina Stewart returns with a medal in 4×100 relay at a recent event.
The Oklahoma Senior Games provided a demonstration area at the Oklahoma State Fair, featuring Cornhole and Pickleball for the whole run of the Fair while recruiting volunteers for the remainder of this year’s events.
The largest interactive demonstration court for seniors at the Fair was 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.
Also displayed in the demonstration area were the uniquely Native American-influenced T-shirt and medal designs that earned the National Senior Games Association’s highest award for this year, recognizing the highest standards of excellence. The Oklahoma Senior Games T-shirts and medals were cited for demonstrating innovation in program development and following the NSGA’s and its athletes’ mission. It is rare for a state to earn national awards in both design examples in the same year.
The Games organizers say they count on the warm hospitality and strong sense of community spirit our citizens have shown as volunteers to allow the Games 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,” longtime volunteer 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 compete.”
Oklahomans with a flair for community service can help. Volunteers can help promote healthy lifestyles by encouraging active seniors 50 and over to enhance their lives through athletic and recreational competitions.
Stewart, also a Games’ senior track athlete, directly supports the concept. “This keeps me motivated to stay active and compete, which allows me to be healthy,” Stewart said.
Volunteering opportunities abound as the statewide events grow to more than 2,000 competitors this year. She said your fellow citizens need your help conducting the many activities required to allow events to run smoothly as they finish in October.
Stewart said she knows the community will continue embracing what has come to be known as the “Oklahoma Standard.” The Games promote healthy lifestyles for seniors through education, fitness and the spirited competition of sports and recreational games. This inspires everyone to embrace health and enjoy the value of sports-related exercise.
Officials ask that corporations organize groups of volunteers of 10 or more employees who can be assigned to specific sports in Oklahoma City, Moore, Yukon, Muskogee, Norman, Shawnee, Bixby, Perry, El Reno, Catoosa, Lawton, and Owasso. These groups will be kept together to spark morale within the volunteering ranks.
Senior volunteers are the largest resource for the sanctioned state organization to produce yearly state games. This help allows the events to be the qualifying sites in the Sooner state for the NSGA national competitions.
The Games provide 29 sports, games and activities, some with variations, that provide athletic training opportunities and social interaction.
These are just some of the ways to volunteer for the 10 remaining sports on the schedule in October. For Cycling at Ft. Sill, the organizers seek help with check-in, course monitors, bike holders, refreshments, and medals. The other nine sports, such as Badminton, need check-in and refreshments help. Shuffleboard organizers need scorekeepers, while Tennis needs help with check-in, refreshments, water coolers, t-shirt sales, and ball retrieving/distribution. This gives senior volunteers willing to help an idea of the help needed in Cornhole, Volleyball, Pickleball, Golf, Table Tennis, Weight Lifting, Fitness Challenge, and Racquetball.
Please visit the newly expanded https://okseniorgames.com for more info on volunteering and all the sports and games offered. Call (405) 821-1500 for general questions or email info@okseniorgames.org.
