Dear Savvy Senior,

Can you recommend any resources that offer help to family caregivers? I’ve been taking care of my 86-year-old mother and could use some help. Burned-Out Brenda

Dear Brenda,
Caring for an aging parent or other loved one over a period of time can be very challenging both physically and mentally. Fortunately, there are a number of tips and services you can turn to that can help lighten the load. Here are several to consider.
Assemble a care team: A good first step is to put together a network of people including family, friends and even neighbors that you can call on to help out when you can’t be there or need a break.
Tap local services: Many communities offer a range of free or subsidized services that help seniors and caregivers by providing things like home delivered meals, transportation, senior companion services and more. Call 211 to find out what’s available in your community, or call AARP’s caregiving resource center (877-333-5885), which provides referrals to local resources.
Use respite: Respite services can provide short-term care to your mom so you can take some time off. To locate services in your area, try the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center at ARCHrespite.org.
Hire in-home help: You may want to consider hiring a part-time home-care aide that can help with things like preparing meals, housekeeping or personal care. Costs can run anywhere from $12 to $30 an hour depending on where you live and the qualification of the aide. To find help through an agency, use Medicare’s search tool Medicare.gov/care-compare. Or to find someone on your own, which is a more affordable way to go, try websites like Care.com or CareLinx.com.
Use financial tools: If you’re handling your mom’s finances, you can make things easier by arranging direct deposit for her income sources and set up automatic payments for her utilities and other routine bills. Also, consider setting up your mom’s online banking service at her bank so you can pay her other bills and monitor her account anytime. If you want or need help, there are professional daily money managers (see AADMM.com to locate someone) that can do it for you. They charge between $60 and $150 per hour.
Also, if your mom is lower-income use BenefitsCheckup.org, a free, confidential website that will help you locate financial assistance programs that can help pay for her medications, utilities, health care, and other needs.
Get insurance help: If you have questions about what Medicare or Medicaid covers, or about long-term care, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free counseling on all these issues. Call 877-839-2675 or visit ShiptaCenter.org to locate a nearby counselor.
You can also get help at Medicare.gov or by calling 800-633-4227, and through the Medicare Rights Center, which staffs a helpline at 800-333-4114.
Tap other resources: There are a number of other organizations you can draw on for additional information like the Family Care Alliance (Caregiver.org/family-care-navigator), which provides a state-by-state listing of caregiving programs and services; Caring.com, which offers caregiving advice, senior housing information and online support groups; the Alzheimer’s Association (ALZ.org/care), which provides information unique to the challenges of dementia caregivers; and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (www.caregiver.va.gov), which offers caregiver support services to veterans and even spouses of veterans.
And, if you happen to be sharing care responsibilities with others, sites like LotsaHelpingHands.com and CaringBridge.org can help you coordinate together.
Take care of yourself: Make your own health a priority. Being a caregiver is a big job that can cause emotional and physical stress and lead to illness and depression. The only way you can provide the care your mother needs is to make sure you stay healthy.
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.

As part of a commitment to the health and wellbeing of anyone who walks through the door of a Mercy facility, Mercy’s team is now 100% vaccinated, or have received a religious or medical exemption and will undergo rigorous masking and protective equipment protocols and frequent testing.
“By requiring all co-workers to be vaccinated, we are making sure anyone who walks through any door of any Mercy facility is better protected from COVID-19,” said Dr. John Mohart, Mercy’s chief clinical officer and senior vice president. “What we all know is that when you visit a doctor’s office or hospital, you’re often already compromised in some way – whether it’s a cold or cancer or diabetes. That makes it even more urgent for us to make sure Mercy does everything possible to protect our patients, visitors and co-workers. It’s our responsibility as a health care organization to make our spaces as safe as possible. We take that responsibility very seriously.”
As of today, Oct. 28, all current and future Mercy co-workers are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved medical or religious exemption. Mercy announced the vaccination requirement in July, giving co-workers more than three months to meet this standard. On Oct. 1, any co-worker who had not been vaccinated or received an approved exemption was placed on a 28-day unpaid suspension with full benefits and given the opportunity to follow the policy. “We have done everything possible to assist our co-workers in doing the right thing for our communities and for each other,” said Dr. Jeff Ciaramita, Mercy’s chief physician executive and senior vice president. “Ultimately, it was their decision. Like the flu shot, which is also required, we know this is the only decision for a health care organization.”
Five-year-old Lottie Gross of Oklahoma City was born with a congenital heart defect, has had 23 operations and multiple hospitalizations for respiratory illnesses. Pediatrician Dr. Scott Melson at Mercy Clinic Primary Care – North Portland has been her physician since she was a baby.
“Our family is extremely careful when it comes to limiting exposure to protect our little girl’s health,” said Rachel Gross, Lottie’s mom. “It’s been almost two years and we are still isolating and only gathering with vaccinated friends and family. It brings a huge sense of relief to know her health care team is vaccinated and that her doctor’s office is a safe place to bring her.”
Of more than 40,000 co-workers across Mercy’s four state region, less than 2% made the decision to remain unvaccinated. Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City has around 3,000 co-workers and 98% chose to get vaccinated or received an approved exemption.“This was a difficult decision, and we knew we’d lose some co-workers in the process, but we simply believe it’s the right thing to do,” said Jim Gebhart, president of Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City. “Patients come to us to get better, not to catch an illness. Our communities trust Mercy to do the right thing and to take care of them. We’ve seen firsthand what COVID-19 does to people and, as health care workers, we have to be a part of doing everything in our power to prevent the spread in our hospitals and clinics where we live.”
In making COVID vaccines a requirement, Mercy joins many other health care organizations and companies across the country who mutually recognize COVID vaccination serves the common good, protects patients and is crucial to safeguarding public health.
“When you come to a Mercy facility, you can feel confident you’re safe,” Dr. Ciaramita added. “Virtually all of our co-workers have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19, making it highly unlikely that our co-workers would spread the virus. Everyone wants to return to some kind of normalcy after the world has been turned upside down by this pandemic. This is a step in the right direction that we hope others continue to follow.”

Windsor, Southwestern, and Midwest City locations are part of national rollout

Senior adults in Oklahoma City will soon have access to three innovative primary care health centers focused on meeting the needs of the medically underserved.
ArchWell Health is a new healthcare company providing an advanced model of holistic primary healthcare services to Medicare-eligible seniors with the Oklahoma City-area locations among the first in a planned national rollout.
The initial Oklahoma City area center to open is located at 4629 NW 23rd (Windsor) in Oklahoma City. A grand opening will be held Wednesday, October 20. The next day, Thursday, October 21, a grand opening will be held at the ArchWell Health center located at 7313 S. Western Ave. in Oklahoma City.
The third center is scheduled to open at 6951 Southeast 15th Street in Midwest City in November.
The Oklahoma City area centers are among the first in the United States to be opened by ArchWell Health. The company will be opening centers in several states this fall.
The centers establish state-of-the-art neighborhood healthcare centers featuring an advanced, senior-focused care model.
The company’s goal is to provide seniors access to excellent healthcare and healthy living options, irrespective of their economic situation. ArchWell Health centers will focus on providing comprehensive primary care for seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, with the goal of enabling members to live healthier lives by offering them a higher level of care and a more positive experience.
Dr. Michael Lipp, Chief Medical Officer, said ArchWell Health’s centers in the Oklahoma City area will provide a more comprehensive level of care than the traditional primary care model, including transportation to and from the center, 24-hour service, access to same-day appointments, specialty and ancillary services, social workers, nutritionists, and more.
Each center’s doctors will have significantly fewer patients than the current national average, ensuring they have more time with each patient to solve their individual health challenges. The doctors and their care teams are specifically trained to care for seniors, who have more challenging health conditions than the general population, and a higher rate of chronic conditions. Patients at ArchWell Health will receive care that is well coordinated, as compared to the fragmented care that many seniors experience today.
“Seniors often have complex medical and social needs, and our approach to care addresses each patient individually and holistically,” Dr. Lipp said. “The centers will be a safe place for seniors to connect socially and participate in activities such as exercise classes. We know how important social connection and staying active can be to leading a healthy life. We conducted extensive research in markets nationally, and we found a real need for these holistic services in the Oklahoma City area.”
ArchWell Health’s plan has been developed by a highly skilled management team with deep and broad healthcare experience in both provider and payor services.
Carl Whitmer, Co-Founder and CEO said seniors experience better outcomes through greater continuity of care and a more thorough assessment of acute, chronic, and social determinant health needs.
“The healthcare needs of the senior population are often multi-faceted, so our goal is to establish long-term relationships to monitor and respond to physical and emotional needs for achieving the best quality of life,” Whitmer said. “ArchWell Health’s primary care doctors caring for our patients will be supported by social, nutritional, and behavioral health services in each center.”
ArchWell Health will add hundreds of employees by year end 2021, increasing to more than 1,400 by end of 2023 as additional centers open.
Whitmer noted that with the growing senior population Medicare expenditures continue to strain federal spending, and there is a growing need for focused and cost-effective care of aging Americans.
“There are approximately 70 million Medicare beneficiaries today, and about 10,000 Baby Boomers join the ranks of Medicare eligibility every day,” Whitmer said. “Medicare beneficiaries account for approximately 20 percent of national healthcare spending today, and this percentage is expected to increase.”
He said the Company’s strategy of locating in underserved communities will help to deliver care where it is needed most. ArchWell Health intends to engage seniors in the communities where they live. Outreach teams will be active at community events and work with community groups, senior organizations, religious organizations like churches, and other organizations to reach seniors in need. In addition, ArchWell Health advisory boards will work together will local community members, including church leaders, aldermen, business leaders and community groups to identify the challenges common to seniors in a local area. Dr. Lipp closed with, “We are thrilled to be bringing together a team of excellent, caring primary care providers to begin serving our patients in our communities.”
To find out more visit archwellhealth.com.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) announces today the resignation of Commissioner Lance Frye, M.D. Frye began his time at the agency in May 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic response.
“It has been an honor to serve Oklahoma and advance public health for all Oklahomans,” Lance Frye, M.D. said. “I admire the dedication, resilience and tenacity of the OSDH team. They have worked tirelessly over the last two years to ensure Oklahomans had access to not only COVID-19 testing, vaccinations and critical information, but to other life-saving services.”
“Dr. Frye provided steady leadership during Oklahoma’s COVID response from his role in surge planning on the Governor’s Solution Task Force to guiding our vaccine rollout that was Top Ten in the nation as Commissioner of Health,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “With cases and hospitalizations down 60% in recent weeks, Dr. Frye has positioned the Oklahoma State Department of Health well to continue managing COVID effectively and I am grateful for his service to our state during an unprecedented time.”
“I am grateful to Dr. Frye for stepping up during a very difficult time, to keep Oklahomans safe and develop a path for a future state of health in Oklahoma. It is an honor to be in public service, and the state owes him a debt of gratitude for giving his time. I would also like to thank current Deputy Commissioner Keith Reed for agreeing to serve as Interim Commissioner of Health while a search is underway,” Kevin Corbett, Secretary of Health and Mental Health, said.
The critical work of the continued response and hundreds of other programs and services OSDH provides will be carried on under the continued leadership of Interim Commissioner of Health Keith Reed.
“I’m grateful for the service Dr. Lance Frye provided during such a critical time in our state’s history,” Keith Reed, interim commissioner of health, said. “In my tenure with OSDH, I have always admired the resilience of our staff and their commitment to remaining focused on serving Oklahomans. I look forward to continue working side-by-side with them as we continue to move forward.”

The Oklahoma Order of the Eastern Star recently marked 20 consecutive years of giving to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation with a donation of $7,937.92. The gift brings Eastern Star’s total contributions to more than $400,000 since designating OMRF as its charitable beneficiary in 2002.
Eastern Star designated its latest donation for research in neurological conditions, heart disease and cystic fibrosis at the Oklahoma City-based nonprofit. Previous gifts have funded research on cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s.
The group presented its 2021 donation to OMRF Vice President of Development Penny Voss this month during its annual conference at the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple in Guthrie.
“Eastern Star has been a dedicated and faithful partner to OMRF,” Voss said. “Each year, their gifts go directly to medical research. We are thankful for their continued support of our scientists who work every day to help more live longer, healthier lives.”
The Order of the Eastern Star, with headquarters in Washington, D.C., is a worldwide fraternal organization with chapters in 46 states and several foreign countries. It is dedicated to furthering charity, education, fraternity and science. It is part of the family of Masonry, similar to Shriners and Scottish Rite.
Eastern Star members support OMRF through individual donations and statewide events such as golf tournaments, auctions and marches, plus memorials to loved ones. The Oklahoma chapter, established in 1909, has 6,000 members and groups in 74 cities and towns.

Story and photo by Darl Devault, Contributing Editor

You know when an Oklahoman has massively advocated for the greater good when they become nationally known for earning the camaraderie and trust between active duty and former United States military service members.
The hallmark for Edmond, Okla. resident Major Edward Pulido’s, U.S. Army (Ret.) advocacy for his fellow veterans is known throughout the veteran services movement simply as Major Ed.
When the National Veterans Foundation lists its first podcast it simply states: Major Ed was our first guest to be interviewed on the American Heroes Network Radio 1/15/2013 on our first program.
Major Ed’s challenging work and determination to serve other veterans since his devastating injuries cut short his career while serving with the Coalition Military Assistance Training Teams under the command of General David Petraeus has promoted him into something rarer than rank, a brand in the veterans services movement.
Not consciously trying to build his brand bigger, he is simply displaying integrity by sharing his thoughts, feelings, words and actions to bring attention to the plight of America’s defenders after they have served.
Approached for an interview with the attention afforded the upcoming Veterans Day November 11 he changed the emphasis of this story from himself in a selfless gesture. He is advocating Oklahoman veterans attend the November 15-16 Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs 2021 Governor’s Symposium for Veterans Services in Norman.
The event featuring Gov. Kevin Stitt and his wife Sarah speaking in separate plenary sessions the first day runs 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at the Norman Armed Forces Reserve Center, 4000 Thunderbird St.
Topics are Suicide Prevention, Lethal Means Safety, Women Veterans, Native Veterans, Crisis Care and Management, Best Practices, Employment, Education, and more.
There will be special sessions on Veteran Agriculture as a means for Employment and Mental Health, and the release of OKVALOR (Oklahoma’s Veterans Assistance Locator).
Question, Persuade, Refer and Talk Saves Lives training will be available to those interested in suicide prevention training. Info at Governor’s Symposium (oklahoma.gov)
“Major Ed has stated in his work with the John Daly – Major Ed Heart of a Lion Foundation ‘At the end of the day it’s all about empowering and supporting those that fight for our freedom,’” said Lisa Mussett, U.S. Air Force veteran and Women Veterans Program Director with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs who has worked alongside Pulido for many years. “Major Ed’s statement about empowering and supporting our veterans is a key mission of the upcoming symposium. We strive to highlight many partners across the state, those providing services to veterans and their families.”
Mussett will offer a breakout session at the symposium, to discuss a special project for Women Veterans called the HerStory Project. “The project includes photographing women veterans to accompany the State Veteran Registry,” Mussett said. She extends a personal invitation to the 30,669 women veterans in Oklahoma to attend the Symposium, to learn more about the HerStory Project and the annual Women Veterans Recognition Day Program. Women vets can email her directly at okwomenvets@odva.ok.gov
Deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Pulido was fighting in a war where wounds had increased in severity as a result of a change in enemy tactics. The insurgency war had intensified with increased sophistication and use of improvised explosive devices (IED).
On August 17th, 2004, after 19 years with the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve, the 36 -year-old Hispanic officer’s life was changed forever. He was severely wounded by one of those IEDs or roadside bomb in Baqubah, Iraq, 35 miles northeast of Baghdad, earning the Purple Heart medal.
“I will never forget on that day I did not just lose my leg. On that day, I sacrificed my leg for my country and for everyone in this nation to be free,” Pulido said.
After that fateful day he faced multiple challenges, which, included miscommunication on his whereabouts, 17 operations, numerous hospital stays and rehabilitative sessions. Along with the loss of his left leg to amputation he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. He also faced what he says was one of the toughest battles of all—whether to stay in his beloved military or become a medically discharged veteran.
He says his decision to leave the military was based in part on a compelling desire to reach out to other wounded veterans and their families who were seeking help for their injuries and post-war obstacles.
He went on to devote his life to veterans’ services issues as the founder and CEO of the John Daly – Major Ed Heart of a Lion Foundation. He works with 2-time PGA Major Championship winner John Daly to provide mental, physical, and wellness support to our nation’s children, first responders, and America’s veterans. “Together, we will never leave our nation’s children, our first responders and Americas Veterans and their families behind on the field of battle, so help us God,” Pulido said.
He now sees his mission as advocating for and serving other wounded veterans with their ongoing needs while raising awareness about their sacrifices made to keep our nation whole.
“I was given a second chance to do something bigger than myself,” Pulido said recently. “Before August 17, 2004, I wasn’t educated about how important it was to have a purpose or a passion. But God tested me that day, gave me hope and another chance to do something really worthwhile.
Our veterans know what we can accomplish on the world stage, but they also want opportunities–to work, be productive and not be patronized or relegated to the notion they have returned home as damaged goods. Through my personal story, I want to help them reach their goals so when they encounter their own set of challenges, they can also experience their own triumph and positive change.”
He is the former Sr. VP, co-founding member of the Ambassador for Folds of Honor Foundation and co-founder of Warriors for Freedom Foundation.
He worked with Marie Bartlett to self-publish his story “Warrior for Freedom: Challenge, Triumph and Change.” The book details the extreme lows and highs of helping the American people understand the visible and not so visible costs of war. The book is his attempt to help the public and the corporate community understand how they can help our nation’s heroes and their families.
Warrior for Freedom is now available on Amazon and on his web site www.majored.org.

A portion of the proceeds from each book sale goes to veteran charities he supports and represents: John Daly-Major Ed Heart of a Lion Foundation www.jdme.org and Warriors for Freedom: www.warriorsforfreedom.org.

Nationally touring show returns to the Tower Theatre on Saturday, November 13

For decades, the battle has raged: Beatles or Stones? Through their heyday, fans accused London’s Rolling Stones of stealing ideas — even entire albums – from their Liverpool counterparts. At the same time, the Beatles secretly envied the Stones’ “bad boy” image and attitude, often copying their style. Both bands are unmistakably great, scoring an array of hits that changed musical history, but only one can be the best. The most infamous rivalry in rock and roll never played out in a public arena until now as Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown performs on Saturday, November 13 at the Tower Theatre at 8:00 pm.
Will the Stones be yelling for “Help” to fight the songwriting prowess of Lennon/McCartney? Or will the Beatles cry “Gimme Shelter” from the relentless sonic barrage of Jagger/Richards classics? The epic duel between two rock giants as both groups demand the ultimate satisfaction from an estimated 400 attendees on November 13 at Tower Theatrel.
While fierce competition fueled the creative output of both bands during the 1960’s, tension between the tribute performers is equally palpable.
“The Beatles cornered the rock market on cute suits and fluffy hairdos, but then they stood still on stage and modeled them,” that according to Chris Legrand, who plays a dead ringer for Mick Jagger in both swagger and ability.
“The Stones rocked the stage, and worked as hard as the bluesmen they modeled their stage show after, generating the smoldering sexuality that came to be a hallmark of great rock-n-roll acts. The Beatles? Well, they were cute! The Stones were the original punks, outsiders at best. Beatles took tea with the bloody Queen–how rock-n-roll is that?!”
As for the Beatle response? “We got our Sgt. Pepper jackets made a little long so the Stones would have no problem riding our coattails!” Mocks drummer Axel Clarke as Ringo. “That Mick Jagger sure can move! It’s a shame he has to work twice as hard to be half as good!”
Would you let your daughter marry a Rolling Stone, or your son come home with a Beatle haircut? This ultimate battle of the bands pits the mop tops against the bad boys. London against Liverpool. Guitars will weep and dice will tumble, and in the end, when the whip comes down, only one band shall emerge victorious. Whoever wins, the audience is sure to be dazzled by an “electrifying show” (O.C Register), with fantastic music, iconic wardrobe and spot on performances down to the onstage banter, missed notes and flubs heard on the original records.
Members of both Abbey Road and Jumping Jack Flash have taken great care to recreate the experience of seeing these incredible bands live so as to please casual fans and purists alike. That ‘All You Need is Love’ spirit appears to be lost on Messrs. Legrand and Clarke, who continue trading barbs. “The Beatles wrote Let It Be, but the Stones countered with Let It Bleed!” snarls Chris.
“Listen, mate,” counters Axel. “The song John and Paul gave to the Stones (‘I Wanna Be Your Man’ in 1963) was one they let Ringo sing…that says it all!” Ouch.
Beatles or Stones? You decide!
Calendar: Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown returns to the Tower Theatre on Saturday, November 13 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $30 – $65, plus ticket fees, and may be purchased online at www.towertheatreokc.com. Proof of vaccination or current (within 72 hours of entry) negative COVID-19 test is required of patrons. For more information on refund policies, lost or misplaced vaccination cards and more, please visit Tower’s COVID-19 Update page at towertheatreokc.com. The Tower Theatre is located at 425 NW 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73103. The show is appropriate for all ages. There is plenty of free parking available.

The training that you’ve needed

By Steven Sibley, MBA-Healthcare Administration, E7 Ret/DAV

This past August, I wrote an article for veterans, who read Senior News & Living, called: Tricare, VA Care and Medicare: The training that you didn’t get. It detailed my experience becoming Medicare eligible this year. While thousands turn 65 every day, less than 2% of that group are veterans, like me. Fortunately, for many veterans they already may have great, low cost to no cost healthcare benefits, through the VA and/or Tricare for Life (TFL) if they are retired from the military, which I did. Based on my VA disability rating, I get Priority 1 VA care, but I also have Medicare with TFL, which I use as a great backup plan if I choose not to use the VA.
My message in August was, many veterans really don’t understand how their health benefits work when they become Medicare eligible, simply because it’s The training that we didn’t get. I know, I was in the military for 36 years, retiring from the Active Reserve at age of 61 in 2017. In my last two years of service, I attended multiple Transition Assistance briefings on leaving Active Duty and transitioning back into civilian life. What I know is, you’ll likely leave the service without a real clue about how your healthcare is going to work, especially when you transition into Medicare, if you’re even fortunate enough to have VA Care and/or TFL after your leave the service.
My education came after my discharge when I decided on a career as a Medicare agent. Now, I want to share the information I have with every Medicare qualified veteran I can, who has TFL, VA care or both. Many don’t realize that at age 65, there Tricare benefits change, and costs go up with the transition to Original Medicare and a wrap-around plan which includes drug coverage, commonly called Tricare for Life. Also, many don’t know is there are addition benefits that veterans miss out on because they don’t understand how Original Medicare works, or that they can use other Medicare plans that offer additional benefits not offered through Original Medicare Parts A & B, TFL or the VA, that will enhance and complement their benefits and may even save them money.
The point of my message is this, don’t miss out on addition benefits because you don’t know about them simply because you have not been giving the information, the training, or the briefing you deserved but didn’t get. My mission is to make this, The training that you’ve needed and now can get. During the month of November, I will be providing information for Medicare qualified veterans on TFL and/or VA healthcare. I will share the knowledge you need to maximize your benefits and potentially reduce your healthcare and wellness costs. I will be at several locations throughout Oklahoma City during the week following Veterans Day as noted in the schedule below. Please plan on joining me at one of the times and locations below and be sure to bring a friend.

For more information, please contact me at: 405-850-1569 or visit: ssibleyinsures@gmail.com

Story by Darl Devault, Contributing Editor

The Santa Market Craft Show November 19-20 at State Fair Park has evolved the last dozen years into Oklahoma City’s premiere free two-day showcase for Christmas themed creations, benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association of Oklahoma.
As one of Oklahoma’s largest free nonprofit arts and craft shows, the 12th annual festive shopping experience will fill the Pavilion and Centennial Buildings with more than 180 carefully chosen creative vendors. It features free admission, free parking, a silent auction and more from 9 to 4 Friday and Saturday.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their children to get their free photos taken with Santa Claus at Oklahoma City’s most prestigious Christmas market each year.
Shoppers are treated to a variety of home decor, homemade arts and crafts, boutique and holiday items, jewelry, children’s clothes, and food goodies. Free shopping bags sponsored by local businesses will be given to the first 1,000 visitors.
Joan Clarke, along with Molly and Megan Nye began the event in 2010 after Joan’s husband died of Alzheimer’s in 2007. It has been a labor of love attracting many volunteers to help showcase the wares of the many high-quality vendors, who see it as an opportunity to support a local charity addressing one of America’s most difficult diseases.
“Molly and I had been selling items at craft shows for years and we decided to start our own event. We booked a small room in a hotel and started out with 17 vendors,” Clark said. “By the time our third year began, we realized how much work putting on a quality show involves, so we decided to make it a fundraiser. Molly immediately suggested Alzheimer’s since I lost my husband to the terrible disease.”
“Our excellent vendors are what make this show what it is each year. We are one big family, everyone helps promote the show, advertise, and find new merchants. They donate to our cause, both monetarily and with their products, even though it’s totally voluntary,” Clark said. “They help with set up, clean up and everything in between. We have 3 vendors that have been with us all 12 years. Countless more that have been with us 5, 8, even 10 years. One vendor named it ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ and it truly is.”
Even while spreading out over two buildings now, the organizers limit the number of crafters assigned space. Clarke says It is not about turning away new vendors, it is about only allowing a limited number of each type of vendor. They wish they could take everyone, but having a variety makes for a much better shopping experience and the merchants have a much better chance of success.
The event is now at the point where longtime merchants who display clamor to be back each year. This means the shoppers have high quality choices because the theme of the show is providing the highest quality Christmas theme material for their customers.
Clarke says some of the merchants see the event as an opportunity to make sure one of their favorite charities receive as much as possible from their craft world and from them personally.
Vendors write personal checks to the Alzheimer’s Association when the Santa Market rolls around, Clarke said. They also donate some of their hand-painted ornaments, clothing, pet items, artwork, wood working, signs, candles and more to the Alzheimer’s auction and Alzheimer’s booth at the event.
The 12th year means the Santa Market folks also supported the annual Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s which occurred October 23 in downtown OKC. The Santa Market fielded a team for the walk, captained by Janie Biggs, with 11 members this year who raised $8,512 by the day of the walk.
Taking place many different dates and locations, it is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The Walk in OKC was one of the top 30 in the nation in 2020.
“We are so grateful to the Clarke and Nye families who have used their creativity and passion to end Alzheimer’s to create such an amazing craft event,” said Jessica N. Hogner, OKC Alzheimer’s Walk Manager. “The Santa Market is not only responsible for raising more than $177,000 these last 11 years, but also helping spread awareness about Alzheimer’s Disease and the free services the Alzheimer’s Association provides.” Contact Joan at thesantamarket@gmail.com .

Story and photos by Darl DeVault, Contributing Editor

After 30 years of working at the national headquarters of an Oklahoma City-based insurance company, Jeanise Jones could see a pleasant retirement peeking over the horizon. With a pension ahead and a growing 401(k) retirement account, Jones’s future seemed secure—until suddenly it was not.
Her position at the insurance company abruptly ended in 2018, six years before her planned retirement. She eventually transitioned to a receptionist position at a metro counseling center until COVID-19 squelched her new start early in 2020. By summer of last year, Jones was out of work and wondering what else could go wrong.
Then lightning struck—and only in the best sense of the word. By late fall 2020, she was being praised for her role in Sacha Baron Cohen’s feature-length film Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. She was also giving phone interviews to overseas reporters and soon had a six-figure sum in a personal GoFundMe account.
The improbably series of events began with a phone call from Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, where Jones regularly attended and volunteered as an usher. Knowing Jones was out of a job, the caller asked if she was available for a day or two of work on a documentary.
“The film producers said they were looking for a grandmother-type for a foreign documentary,” said Jones, who fit the bill with six grandchildren of her own. “I wasn’t sure I wanted to do it. They said I probably wouldn’t even see it in the United States.”
It did not sound like much money, but at the time Jones needed anything she could get. She drove to Guthrie, where she thought she would continue interviewing for a part in the documentary. But her unassuming, forthright manner quickly won over the movie producers, and she was taken to a local residence to meet the zany Borat from Kazakhstan (played by English actor and producer Sasha Baron Cohen) and his alleged 14-year-old daughter Tutar (played by 24-year-old Bulgarian actress Maria Bakalova).
Unknown to Jones at the time, the supposed documentary was actually a “mockumentary,” the second of Cohen’s hilarious, risque productions since 2006. Just like a number of those who would appear in the production, Jones was unaware she was being duped. Cohen’s Borat movies are a takeoff on the old Candid Camera gag, but with a strange twist of Kazakh humor.
She was told that Borat had brought his daughter Tutar to America to find a mature, rich husband after certain cosmetic enhancements were made to the teenager. Jones’s role would be to mentor her for a short while. Jones was shocked by the low self-esteem shown by the compliant Tutar and the girl’s acceptance of her abusive father’s plans.
“But I let her know that she didn’t have to change herself to please anyone,” Jones recounted. “I told her, ‘Girl, you’re way too young for the cosmetic changes your dad wants, and you don’t want to be married to some old man anyway.’”
Although completely unaware she was being set up, Jones’s refusal to support father Borat’s schemes and her motherly attempts to rescue Tutar became an audience highlight of the movie. Sometimes actors can steal a scene when the genuineness of their empathy in their performance outshines the script.
Who knows if her honest advice changed the direction of the film as it evolved, being written by seven screenwriters? One thing is certain, it was the young Bakalova playing Tutar who garnered the lion’s share of the critical acclaim from the movie including an Academy Award nomination.
Borat did not receive any nominations for his over-the-top performance.
Jones was asked to appear in a couple of more scenes in the production, one of which took her to Washington, D. C. She was paid $3,600 for all her work, plus expenses for her travels. Still looking for employment when the movie was released in fall 2020, she was taken aback when a cousin called to ask her about her appearance in the comedy production.
“He told me I was in a movie that was about to be released on Amazon Prime,” Jones said. “I said, ‘Movie? What movie?’”
Her heartwarming efforts to help the abused Tutar won her a big following on Twitter when the movie was straight-to-streaming distributed. Recognizing the viewers’ outpouring of affection for Jones, Cohen donated $100,000 to her church last fall.
Great for her church, but not much help to the out-of-work Jones. In gratitude and as a way to help her benefit more from the movie, her pastor, Rev. Derrick Scobey, set up a GoFundMe web page for her. The site pointed out that she had been out of work during the pandemic. Money poured in from around the globe.
Jones is certainly grateful for her sizable GoFundMe account, but retirement is now just ahead, and the money in the fund might not be enough. “Maybe lightning will strike one more time,” Jones said with a laugh, “and I can get a good job for a few more years.”