Fred Millard, Jr., of Holdenville, has been featured by National Geographic and the Smithsonian Magazine for his extensive contributions to the freshwater turtle industry. But this time, he is in the spotlight for a vastly different record: his 25-pound, 2-ounce sweet potato.
Millard, who is turning 80 in December, has been gardening all his life. For more than 40 years now, he has aimed to grow his sweet potatoes bigger than the year before, and he even issued a steep dare for friends and family members.
“I’ll challenge anyone to a catfish supper if they can grow a bigger sweet potato than me,” said Millard. “Otherwise, they have to buy me one!”
However, that is a tough challenge to step into—Millard has only been beaten twice in more than forty years.
When asked if he aims to beat state and world records with his sweet potatoes, he said his only goal is to be a tad bigger than his competition for that year.
The Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, which records not only record-breaking pumpkins but also other vegetables, has been contacted to see if Millard’s sweet potato breaks Oklahoma records and we are awaiting confirmation.
“A sweet potato this big doesn’t require much peeling and you get quadruple the ‘good stuff’,” Millard said.
Millard and his wife, Caroline, plan to cut this sweet potato and can it—just like they do all of their sweet potatoes.
But with this one, there will be plenty to share. He said they will have to cut it with a saw and will save some for Caroline’s famous sweet potato casserole for Thanksgiving and Christmas and share the rest with Hughes County neighbors.

by Darl Devault

A nurse practitioner with an entrepreneurial spirit recently started a mobile urgent care practice for homebound patients, on-the-go parents and families. Based in Edmond, with scheduling available online, by text or phone, this groundbreaking advanced practice registered nurse delivers convenient, urgent care to her patient’s home.
Research shows that as a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Kara De La Pena is the only individual advanced nurse providing this service, NP 2 Go, in the Metro area. Her certifications in advanced cardiac life support, basic life support, and pediatric advanced life support allow her to claim first-in-market status.
Several corporate entities are dispatching caregivers at this level to people’s homes. Those companies are not matching the direct-fee, comprehensive impact De La Pena delivers to her patients.
“NP 2 Go’s mobile urgent care or house call service was born from seeing so many patients who could benefit from a more convenient option to get healthcare,” De La Pena, APRN-CNP, said.
The nursing profession is in high demand in Oklahoma. She also serves as a registered nurse at OU Medical Center Edmond part time in perioperative services, as she launches her new community-wide service.
De La Pena provides in-home urgent care visits, migraine treatment, primary care (for homebound patients), weight loss consults, IV vitamins/hydration, and sports physicals. She also helps patients needing advanced directive planning counseling. To answer those questions she says she draws on her experience as an ICU nurse being with many patients during their end-of-life period.
She says several patient populations need intravenous fluids, but have no other options than going to an emergency room. She serves that need in patient’s homes. She stresses how her practice assists other practices and medical offices to help keep their patients out of ERs.
When the flu, food poisoning, or a stomach bug causes some mild dehydration a patient fills out a health history and assessment. She calls the patient if there are any questions. If an emergency room visit is indicated, she sends them on, instead of seeing them. If the ER is not indicated, she provides the hydration in their homes.
De La Pena says many migraine sufferers can have an acute or chronic migraine that can last for several days and be debilitating. She can give the same medications an ER provides, after assessing their condition. Another ER trip avoided.
De La Pena was born and raised in Enid, Okla. She earned her associate’s degree in nursing from Oklahoma City Community College in 2012, and her bachelors of science in nursing from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in 2014.
In 2019, she earned a master’s degree in nursing while graduating as a family nurse practitioner from Maryville University in St. Louis. The school, founded 150 years ago, provides a technology-driven, mentor-inspired education.
Along the way she has been a certified nurse’s aide and licensed practical nurse before becoming a registered nurse. She says her mother prompted much of this by being a mentor and role model.
“My mother is the best nurse that I have ever met, often teaching me things that are not in books. She taught me about the comfort provided by simply flipping over a pillow, or the skill of practicing compassion towards people with unknown struggles,” De La Pena said. Her mother, Karla Brock, an RN since 1991, has worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Enid for 28 years.
De La Pena has a combined 15 years of experience helping patients throughout her years of basic patient care, nurse tech, CNA, LPN, RN, and now APRN-CNP status.
Her early caretaking skills were honed taking care of her great-grandmother who suffered a stroke when De La Pena was a teenager. She attended to her daily needs, as well as drove her to appointments.
Nurse practitioners in Oklahoma need only a supervising physician to oversee their prescriptive authority. They are prohibited from prescribing Scheduled 2 medications (Hydrocodone, Adderall, etc.).
Oklahoma Nurse practitioners are continuing to pursue legislation that allows for full practice of their license without a supervising physician. These nurses pushed legislation in 2018 seeking full practice authority. Their position then was that 22 states, most with better health outcomes than Oklahoma, allow this status.
De La Pena and her supervising physician have agreed on specific medication protocols for her new outpatient emphasis at NP 2 Go. They went over her business plan extensively before she started her private business ventures.
The company is private-pay only. When patients invite NP 2 Go to come to their homes, they get one bill. The NP 2 Go Website and Facebook cite the costs for the services provided.
De La Pena believes that patients deserve to have transparent billing and to know the costs of services before booking their appointments. NP 2 Go works with local companies to provide the most cost-effective labs, medications, or radiology. She says this provides a thorough solution to the patient’s needs.
De La Pena, 33, has lived in Edmond for more than 11 years, marrying Jason in June of 2014. They now have two daughters 8 and 4 years old. The family attends Victory Church in Warr Acres and enjoys boating at Lake Arcadia often. As soon as her new venture gives her more time, she plans to be more active in local government and volunteer in the community.
Visit www.thenp2go.com or call 405.696.7003.

www.meadowlakesretirementvillage.com

You’ve enjoyed reading, and laughing at, Greg Schwem’s weekly humor columns in Senior Living News.  But did you know Greg is also a nationally touring stand-up comedian? And he loves to make audiences laugh about the joys, and frustrations, of growing older. Watch the clip and, if you’d like Greg to perform at your senior center or senior event, contact him through his website at www.gregschwem.com

Beginning December 1, Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum will be beautifully transformed for the holiday season with festive decorations that will remain on public view during the entire month of December. Visitors can view the decorations for free during normal hours of operation.
One great opportunity to experience the holidays at Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum comes on Saturday, December 14, with the Pawnee Bill Ranch Association meeting and the Holiday Open House. The Pawnee Bill Ranch Association will hold its annual meeting in the Big Barn beginning at 11:30 a.m., with a noon meal for members following the short business meeting. For more information or to join the Pawnee Bill Ranch Association, please call 918-762-2513.
Immediately following the Pawnee Bill Ranch Association meeting on December 14, Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum will host its annual Holiday Open House for the public from 1 to 4 p.m. Holiday Open House activities will include surrey rides and camel rides outside (weather permitting), a children’s craft area inside the museum, a silent auction fundraiser and hot cocoa and cookies. Money raised from the silent auction will help to fund exhibits at the museum.
As a special treat later that Saturday, the ranch will host a Santas of the World Tour from 5 to 7 p.m. in the mansion. The tour is free and open to the public. Come to the ranch for a visit and photographs with these historic Santas. They are dressed authentically from their particular time period and country of origin. Some of the gift-bringers that may be featured are:
Black Peter (Holland, 1550); Grandfather Frost (Russia, 1900) and his granddaughter Babushka (Russia, 1800); Le Befana (Italy, 1800); Ophelia Noel (France, 1800); Civil War Santa (United States, 1861); Sinter Claus (The Netherlands, 1808) and his wife; Weihnachtsmann (Germany, 1800); Tundra Santa (United States, 1840); Tartan Santa (Nova Scotia, 1850s); and St. Nicholas (Turkey, 1100).
Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum is located at 1141 Pawnee Bill Road in Pawnee. Hours of operation for the months of November through March are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 4 p.m. For more information about these events, please call 918-762-2513 or email pawneebill@okhistory.org.
Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.

www.mcmmedicare.com

For many of us, lack of sleep, elevated stress and increased travel are as much a part of the holidays as turkey and stuffing or hanging stockings over the fireplace. So how can you set yourself—and your loved ones—up for a healthy holiday season?
1. Get your flu shot
Flu season has arrived, but it’s not too late to get your vaccination.
“The U.S. flu season doesn’t fully hit its stride until December,” said OMRF President Stephen Prescott, M.D. “But the sooner you vaccinate, the more time your body has to build immunity so you are primed and ready.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that last year’s flu outbreak affected up to 43 million Americans and resulted in, or contributed to, between 36,000 and 61,200 deaths. “Even though the flu shot isn’t perfect, it’s still your best chance to avoid this potentially deadly virus,” said OMRF immunologist Eliza Chakravarty, M.D.
2. Count sheep
Studies show that people who get eight hours of sleep are three times less likely to catch colds than those who average fewer than seven hours.
Sleep deprivation also causes stress hormones like cortisol to rise, signaling the body to go into fat-storage mode by slowing your metabolism. And when you’re sleepy, you eat more, which can put you on a slippery slope with all the extra treats around this time of year.
3. Hand-y advice
Think of all the hands will you shake at holiday parties and how many surfaces you will touch at the airport. Touch your mouth, nose, food or face, and you’re susceptible to the bacteria and viruses you just picked up.
“The more germs you come in contact with, the greater the risk of catching a cold, the flu or other illnesses,” said Prescott. “But there’s a simple defense: Wash your hands often.”
Good old soap and water work best, but hand sanitizer helps in a pinch.
4. Fit in fitness
A great way to neutralize the some negative holiday effects is to stay active.
“Too often, taking a little time off is the start of falling away from your exercise program entirely,” said Prescott.
Exercise does more than help avoid weight gain. “Even light exercise can lower blood pressure, strengthen bones and improve your mood,” he said. “It also decreases the risk of catching a cold or the flu. And who wants to be sick during the holidays?”

www.legendseniorliving.com

Story by Vickie Jenkins, Staff Writer

EXCELL’s mission is to provide the highest quality of genuine care for our clients and their families. Through personalized service and coordinated assistance, Excell Home Care, Hospice and Personal Care are committed to helping individuals maintain their comfort, independence and dignity.
Excell provides exceptional, comprehensive assistance to ensure the well-being of each patient we serve. As an established, reputable and highly-diversified service provider, Excell offers a wide array of skilled nursing and rehabilitation services, hospice care, personal care, Geriatric Care Management and the ADvantage Program.
Excell’s commitment to excellence, integrity, honesty, caring, compassion, attentiveness, creativity and innovation means that all of our customer’s needs, both expressed and unspoken, are met with the highest level of attention. –Excell Private Care Services-
Carol Mulligan, LPN is the backup case manager supervisor at Excell Private Care Services. “I started out as a nurse’s aide in a nursing home in 1990. I really enjoyed working with the elderly and I worked in several nursing facilities over the years. It was around 1995 that I found that it was hard for me to continue as a nurse due to being on my feet for eight hours a day. I still wanted to continue my career in nursing, yet I wanted to find something a little less strenuous. That is when I found out about Excell Private Care Services. I can still be a nurse and help the patients with the ADvantage program, finding them a place to live that suits them, along with a place that makes them feel comfortable and at home. There are some apartments and assisted living facilities in Oklahoma that are contracted with the state. That means that there are a certain number of rooms that might be available if they are an ADvantage member,” Carol commented.
“On an average, we have about eight case managers and each one of them usually carries forty to fifty members throughout Oklahoma. I worked with elderly people for numerous years while being a nurse. Working with the ADvantage program, I feel like I am on the other side of the spectrum now; helping the people get to a place that they enjoy as much as they can without putting them in nursing homes,” Carol said.
What qualities do you feel like make a good nurse? “I think one of the most important qualities to have is to be a good listener. It makes such a difference to both the nurse and the patient. Also, a nurse needs to be able to get along with others, no matter what the setting, whether it is in a hospital, home health or hospice. Teamwork always plays a big part in any job, no matter what the situation might be,” Carol replied.
Asking Carol how she can relate to patients in a positive way, she replied, “I realize how some people feel a little awkward about meeting a nurse or case worker for the first time and discussing their medical issues. When I meet a patient or a family member that may have someone that qualifies for one of our programs, I try to show kindness and compassion. They are more likely to relax and open up and know that I am there to help them. They just need someone to listen to them.”
Carol is married to her wonderful husband and they enjoy spending time with their three children, thirteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. That makes for a fun time when they all get together! Adding to the fun are their four Boxers; Gus, Molly, Jojo and Bess. What motivates Carol? “My motivation comes from my family and spending time with them. They keep me going,” Carol smiled.
What advice would you give to someone going into the medical field? “I would tell them to start off as a nurse’s aide first. You need to go into nursing with a genuine love and compassion for it. If you don’t feel that from the beginning, nursing is not the right job for you. Move forward and don’t look back,” she said. “You will find out that it can be the most rewarding job that you have ever had. Working for Excell has shown me how much it means to help others, getting them to their comfort place that they can call HOME. I love being a nurse, helping others and making them happy,” Carol added.
Asking Carol how she would sum up her life in one word, she replied, “FULL.”

www.excellcares.com

story and photo by Bobby Anderson, Staff Writer

The spirit of Christmas is alive and well.
At least it is when Jerry Chrisope steps into a room.
Chrisope is a member of the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas.
He’s one of thousands of individuals across the country dedicated to bringing the magic of Santa Claus to young and old.
“Even adults light up,” Chrisope said. “I used to travel a lot before I retired. I could walk through an airport and turn around the corner and see people’s faces light up. It takes them back.”
“It’s not just children.”
Chrisope went to his first Santa School in 2009.
“You cover costuming, makeup, voice, entrances, exits, all kinds of things,” he said.
SANTA ALL YEAR
Noshave November lasts for Chrisope through December before he takes off about half his beard and then starts growing it out in July.
Chrisope has mastered the look so much he’s routinely identified as St. Nick while he’s out and about – especially at the Oklahoma CIty Zoo where he works.
When kids question him he always points to “Jerry” on his nametag and brings a finger to his lips.
“I tell them it’s a great place to see who’s being naughty or nice,” he said with a chuckle. “I have a card I give them that says ‘I met Santa’ on one side with my picture.”
His card also has instructions for kids to follow about how to stay on the “nice” list including always looking for the best in people and always keeping Christmas in your heart.
CRUNCH TIME
Chrisope’s Santa season starts in the middle of November. The recent Santa Market at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds was his first event this year.
Chrisope says he’s the atypical Santa when it comes to working – typically doing between 30 and 40 events per year.
He will be at the airport the week before Christmas this year so Santa can greet travelers coming and going.
Do you have much home time in December?
“Mrs. Claus is shaking her head ‘No,’” Chrisope said with a laugh and his wife of 56 years, Sharon, looking on behind him. “She likes it. She has her own persona.”
The two team up for home events for larger families. Songs are song, stories are told and photos posed for along with the traditional giving of gifts.
The job can be grueling.
“Take your typical mall Santa,” Chrisope began. “Let’s say on a conservative effort he only sees 400 children in a day – but he can see three times that. Let’s say each child weighs 10 pounds so that’s 4,000 pounds he’s lifted onto his lap and off again.”
“Many of the santas can’t do that so they use workarounds – chairs, have the parents do it – because nobody can do that day in and day out for an entire season.”
He maintains three formal suits – one used for events that includes pets so he can prevent a reaction from children with allergies.
There’s travel, setup, and being constantly aware that all eyes are on him whether he’s in the suit or not. That means no drinking, no smoking, no foul language and always looking for the best in others especially when he puts on the crushed, red velvet suit
“There’s a lot more to it than putting on a red suit, sitting down and saying ‘What do you want?’” he said.
MARCH 15, 270 AD
Chrisope’s Oklahoma Driver’s license shows he’s passed his 78th birthday. But his St. Nicholas of Myra driver’s license dates him a bit more.
Christian Bishop St. Nicholas, who used his inheritance from his deceased parents to help the sick and poor, is widely believed to be the foundation for the modern day Santa Claus.
Maintaining the energy level is the hardest part of Chrisope’s role. Nobody wants a “flat” Santa.
“Learning how to keep children happy without destroying the magic,” he says as the hardest part of Santa to master.
Chrisope’s business card includes ways to reach Santa when he’s on his sleigh and when he’s home at the North Pole.
This time of year you’ll find members of his organization busy on their Facebook pages trying to cover all the requests for Santa to appear at an event in person.
And just like good ole’ St. Nick that’s how Santa makes it everywhere seemingly all at once.

http://www.crawfordcares.com

With cold and flu season in full swing, Oklahoma seniors are more at risk of getting sick this winter due to their lowered immune response. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hand-washing can prevent one in three diarrhea-related illnesses and one in five infections, including the flu. This is why it is important for seniors, and those who care for them, to be proactive about washing their hands.
Dec. 1-7 is National Handwashing Awareness Week, and GlobalHealth, an Oklahoma-based health insurance provider, is sharing information to educate Oklahomans on the importance of hand hygiene.
“Because our immune systems weaken with age, it’s important for seniors to wash their hands regularly to guard against germs that contribute to colds and other diseases,” said Dr. Wesley Williams, medical director at GlobalHealth. “In addition to washing your hands, remember to not cough or sneeze into them and do not put your fingers in your eyes, nose or mouth. While practicing good hand hygiene can help stop the spread of germs and sickness this winter, it’s also important to get a flu shot each year.”
GlobalHealth is providing information to help raise awareness of the importance of washing your hands regularly.
When to wash your hands. Four out of five germs and 80% of infectious diseases cause illness and are usually spread by touching something, such as handling food, emptying trash, using the toilet or handling pets and their waste. You should always wash your hands before eating, treating wounds or caring for a sick person, and inserting or removing contact lenses.
How to wash properly. You should always wash your hands with soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds to ensure they are properly cleaned. If you need a timer, you can hum “Happy Birthday” twice. Remember to scrub all surfaces, including between your fingers, under your fingernails and on the backs of your wrists. Be sure to rinse your hands under clean, running water, which removes the dirt and microbes you loosened when scrubbing.
Handwashing for seniors. Diseases, such as the flu and the common cold, can also cause seniors to develop infections like pneumonia or complicate existing conditions like asthma and heart disease. With more than 200 different viruses able to cause the common cold, the CDC says that hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs that contribute to dangerous diseases for seniors.

www.tealridge.com

Daily Living Centers of Oklahoma welcomes Bob Chamberlain to their board of directors. Chamberlain is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist.
“I can’t think of anything more important than helping care for and improve the quality of life of others,” said Chamberlain. “That’s why I’m honored to serve on the Daily Living Center’s board of directors.”
As President of Chamberlain & Sons LLC and owner/partner of Full Circle Home Technologies, Chamberlain brings with him an uncommon technology and construction background. He has held senior management positions in technology, building material distribution and new home construction. He is a current member of Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association and the National Association of Home Builders. The Daily Living Centers of Oklahoma is an adult day health non-profit organization offering affordable non-residential facilities that support the health, nutritional and social needs of disabled or elderly Oklahomans. For more information please visit, www.dailylivingcenters.org.