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

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

Mr. Terry Zinn – Travel Editor
Past President: International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association
3110 N.W. 15 Street – Oklahoma City, OK 73107
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The Original Rodeo Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum continues the 65-year tradition of honoring rodeo’s greatest athletes after a year-long delay.

Since 1955, the Rodeo Hall of Fame has been dedicated to honoring and memorializing the legacy of great performers in rodeo and its related professions. Induction into this prestigious hall of fame is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on an honoree. The RHS Board of Directors reviews each nominee thoroughly and annually selects a slate of nominees.
Inductees will be honored during the annual Rodeo Hall of Fame Weekend, November 12 – 13, 2021, with induction into the renowned Rodeo Hall of Fame. The 2020 Rodeo Hall of Fame inductees as well as the Tad Lucas Memorial Award and Ben Johnson Memorial Award recipients were announced in August 2020, but were delayed in hosting the “Rodeo Weekend” ceremonies.
“After a year of waiting, we’re so glad to welcome everyone back in person for Rodeo Weekend,” said Natalie Shirley, Museum President and CEO. “These deserving honorees are finally getting the moment they deserve for their formal induction into the storied Rodeo Hall of Fame.”
Chosen via popular vote by RHS membership, the Rodeo Hall of Fame Class of 2020 in both the Living and Deceased categories includes:
LIVING
* Ricky Bolin
* Bobby W. “Hooter” Brown
* Richard Neale “Tuff” Hedeman
* Cody Lambert
* Jerome Robinson
* Bobby and Sid Steiner (father and son)
DECEASED
* John (1887 – 1973) and Thomas (1915 – 1981) Rhodes (father and son)
* Jim W. Snively (1911 – 1998)

Each year, the family of trick-riding legend Tad Lucas bestows the Tad Lucas Memorial Award upon a living female whose actions promote the values represented by Tad Lucas; the Ben Johnson Memorial Award winner is chosen by committee each year to honor a living individual who represents the Western lifestyle as exemplified by screen and rodeo legend Ben Johnson. The Tad Lucas Memorial Award honoree of 2020 is Pat North Ommert, while the Ben Johnson Memorial Award honoree is Carl Nafzger.
The Rodeo Hall of Fame Class of 2020 is stocked with a truly impressive lineup of rodeo greats. Following is biographical information on each inductee:
RICKY BOLIN was born November 24, 1958, in Dallas, Texas, and competed from 1975 – 1989. A high school bull-riding champion at 15, Bolin competed professionally primarily as a bull rider from 1975 – 1989. He qualified for the Texas Circuit in bull riding from 1978 – 1989, becoming the Texas Circuit Bull Riding Champion in 1988. Bolin qualified for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in 1978, 1979, 1983 and 1985, and was one of the first rodeo athletes to receive a major sponsorship with Coors Beer Distributing in Temple, Texas. Selected for the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Ring of Honor in 2017, Bolin lives in Sunnyvale, Texas, with his wife, Melanie.
BOBBY “HOOTER” BROWN was born January 1, 1952, in Amarillo, Texas, and competed in all three roughstock events and steer wrestling from 1970 – 1991. Brown went to the NFR 11 years in the saddle bronc event, becoming Reserve Champion in 1982 and taking third place in 1983. He held the highest-marked saddle bronc ride at Cheyenne for 25 years and won the $50,000 at Calgary the first year it was given. One of the Budweiser Six Pack Team, the first to be sponsored by a corporation and Texas Circuit Saddle Bronc Champion twice, today Brown is a corporate pilot who volunteers his time to fly surgeons and organs where needed for organ transplants. He lives in Newcastle, Oklahoma.
RICHARD “TUFF” HEDEMAN was born in El Paso, Texas, on March 2, 1963. He began bull riding, team roping and winning All-Around titles while in high school, and was on the Sul Ross University championship team in 1982, competing in team roping, steer wrestling, bull riding and bronc riding. Hedeman competed professionally from 1983 – 1998 in bull riding and qualified 11 years for the NFR. He was the World Champion Bull Rider in 1986, 1989 and 1991, and won the NFR Average in 1987 and 1989. A PBR co-founder and its president from 1992 – 2004, Hedeman was Bull Riders Only World Champion in 1993, PBR ProDivision Champion and World Champion in 1995 and the first bull riding millionaire. He lives in Morgan Mill, Texas.
CODY LAMBERT was born December 2, 1961, in Artesia, New Mexico. A saddle bronc, bull riding, calf roping and team roping cowboy, he won the Men’s All-Around at the 1982 National Collegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Finals. Lambert qualified for the NFR in saddle bronc competition in 1981, 1990 and 1991 and in bull riding in 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992 and 1993. Lambert was a PBR co-founder and went to the PBR Finals in 1994, 1995 and 1996. A Texas Circuit Finals Champion twice in bull riding, twice in saddle bronc and three years as the All-Around, Lambert designed the protective vest for rodeo in 1992. Chosen for the PBR Ring of Honor, today Lambert ranches near Bowie, Texas.
JEROME ROBINSON was born October 16, 1947, in Ogallala, Nebraska. A bull riding, steer wrestling, bareback riding and team tying participant, Robinson made the top 10 in bull riding during college, then joined the Rodeo Cowboys Association (RCA, today the PRCA) in 1969 and competed until 1982, qualifying for the NFR a total of 11 times. As an RCA bull-riding director, Robinson developed the PROCOM system, which vastly improved the system for entering rodeos, and was on the committee to build the PRCA’s facility and hall of fame at Colorado Springs, Colorado. As production manager for the PRCA Winston Tour, he took rodeos to Finland, Japan, France and Venezuela.
BOBBY AND SID STEINER are the third and fourth generation of legendary rodeo producers Buck and his son Tommy of Steiner Rodeo Company. Bobby was born November 27, 1951, and son, Sid, December 8, 1974, in Austin, Texas. Bobby competed as a bull rider and bareback rider from 1968 – 1973, qualifying for the NFR three years and becoming the 1973 RCA World Champion Bull Rider. Bobby is a PBR Ring of Honor recipient. Sid competed as a steer wrestler from 1995 – 2002, when he became the PRCA Steer Wrestling World Champion. Sid received the nickname “Sid Rock” during his career due to his rebellious nature and showmanship, qualities he received from his father, Bobby. Both Bobby and Sid presently ranch near Austin, Texas.
JOHN AND THOMAS RHODES were father and son who both excelled in roping events. John was born on October 3, 1887, and died November 25, 1973. Thomas was born July 24, 1915, and died September 15, 1981. Both were born in Arizona and became cattle ranchers there. John competed from 1919 – 1968 and Thomas from 1933 – 1960. John was a 1936 and 1938 World Champion Team Roper, a 1944 Champion Steer Roper and a 1947 Champion Team Tyer. He is known for innovating healing from the right side in team roping, and was instrumental in founding the Tucson, Arizona, rodeo. Thomas was a World Champion Steer Roper in 1943, Champion Team Roper in 1944 and World Champion Team Tyer in 1945 and 1946.
JIM SNIVELY was born September 17, 1911, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and was a top calf roper from 1935 until the 1950s when he began excelling in steer roping, too. Winner of the Calgary Stampede calf roping in 1951, he was among the top 10 steer ropers in the RCA from 1952 – 1962. Snively was the World Steer Roping Champion of the Rodeo Association of America (later changed to the International Rodeo Association) in 1954 and winner of the RCA Steer Roping Championship in 1956. He was the Reserve RCA Steer Roping Champion in 1952 and 1958, and in 1959 he won the Steer Roping Average at the first-ever NFR with 170.4 seconds on six head. Snively died September 18, 1998.
The 2020 recipients of the Tad Lucas Memorial Award and Ben Johnson Memorial Award are also highly regarded members of the Western community:
Tad Lucas Memorial Award 2020 honoree PAT NORTH OMMERT was born October 12, 1929, in Bell, California. From 1941 – 1962 Ommert wowed audiences coast to coast with her trick riding, Roman riding and specialty acts while appearing at venues such as the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Rodeo, Madison Square Garden, Boston Garden and Bobby Estes’ Wild West Show in Mexico City, to name a few. In 1969 Ommert was a Rancho California Horsemen’s Association founding leader, with a mission to develop a network of safe equestrian trails for future generations. A National Cowgirl Hall of Fame inductee, Ommert and her veterinarian husband, Will, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the California Professional Horsemen’s Association.
Ben Johnson Memorial Award 2020 honoree CARL NAFZGER was born August 29, 1941, in Plainview, Texas. During a 12-year bull-riding career, Nafzger qualified for the NFR three times in three consecutive years. After retiring from bull riding in 1972, Nafzger focused his energies on horse training and soon found success in that arena as well. Nafzger has trained three champion horses — Unbridled, Banshee Breeze and Street Sense — and has won the Kentucky Derby twice (1990 and 2007). Recipient of the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer in 1990, Nafzger is a member of the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame, Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame and the PBR Ring of Honor.
Rodeo Hall of Fame inductees, along with the Tad Lucas Memorial Award and Ben Johnson Memorial Award honorees, are recognized each fall during Rodeo Hall of Fame Weekend, which includes an Induction Ceremony and Champions’ Dinner as well as an Inductee Panel Discussion, the Rope ‘N’ Ride Cocktail Reception, live and silent auctions to benefit RHS and other festivities.
Visit nationalcowboymuseum.org/rhs for schedules and information regarding Rodeo Hall of Fame Weekend.

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 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.

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.

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.”

By Nick Thomas

Best known for her extensive television career that includes starring roles in shows such as “Falcon Crest,” “Castle,” and “Dharma and Greg,” Susan Sullivan is always keen to offer advice to others and that includes sharing with seniors her family’s experience with health issues.
“Exercise!” she declared from her home in Los Angeles. “I’m 78, and about 5 years ago Connell (her longtime partner) was suffering from back issues and we began a program of high-intensity interval training. A lot of our health issues were relieved. The benefits to strength, memory, balance, and overall well-being from exercise are well-known. Of course, the difficulty is staying with it and I find the mantra ‘just show up’ helps. I know this sounds simplistic, but a little self-talk is encouraging. You see, I am also giving rather annoying advice to myself on a daily basis.”
Her passion to counsel was highlighted on-screen earlier this year in “What Friends Do (#Expendables),” a story she wrote and acted in with several longtime friends and veteran colleagues for Smartphone Theatre, a livestream digital performance platform presented via Zoom and created during the early pandemic months (free to watch at www.smartphonetheatre.com).
During the 25 min story, the characters (portrayed by Sullivan, plus Kathryn Leigh Scott, Mitchell Ryan, and David Selby) banter back and forth with Sullivan’s art-imitating-life character offering advice aplenty.
“I wrote this play about being a senior and getting back into life,” she explained. “Like many people, I wasn’t working after the pandemic hit and was faced with two choices. Part of my brain told me to just collapse into myself – stay home, sleep late, and reread my favorite books. But another part urged me to remain engaged with friends and to keep my mind active. Fortunately, I listened to myself. And trust me, I don’t always.”
Her experience with the Smartphone Theatre production inspired Sullivan to continue writing, delving into a personal issue many will recognize.
“My father was an alcoholic and I’ll be doing an upcoming Zoom monologue about our relationship,” she said. “He comes back as a dog to give me advice – obviously a family trait!”
Her hope, she says, is to encourage people to explore difficult relationships they have with others, including parents.
“While we should acknowledge our parents for their positive role in our lives, very often we need to forgive a parent for what they didn’t give us. Has the relationship enriched you or has it created an obstacle for you? Even people in their 70s and 80s may be still unable to forgive the shortcomings of a parent, a sibling, or even a slight from a former boss. Perhaps my story will encourage others to write their own and release some resentments, the biggest killers of love. Let them go. Oh, there I go again.”
With Thanksgiving approaching, I asked Susan if her own holiday memories of growing up were difficult.
“Our family holidays were usually chaotic,” she admitted. “So, there aren’t a lot of good memories to share. But I will share what gets me up in the morning if you want to hear it.” Naturally, I did.
“It’s basically three things,” she began. “I need to have something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. These, and a good cup of coffee, allow me to show up and get on with the extraordinary business of being alive!”
Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, in Alabama, and has written features, columns, and interviews for numerous magazines and newspapers. See www.getnickt.org.

*Includes 19 hospitalizations in pediatric beds.
**Focus, Rehabilitation and Tribal Facilities numbers are not assigned to a specific region as their patient populations reside across the state. Information provided through survey of Oklahoma hospitals as reported to HHS as of the time of this report. Response rate affects data. Facilities may update previously reported information as necessary.
Data Source: Acute Disease Service, Oklahoma State Department of Health. As of 2021-10-27 at 7:00 a.m.

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

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.