LIFE's Vintage Magazine - March 24

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Preventative

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Fragile X Syndrome

Mild Cognitive Impairment

Alzheimer’s Disease

Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Type 2 Diabetes/Weight Loss

Go behind the scenes of News On 6, page 24.

20 Considering Mary Louise Kelly

Mary Louise Kelly, co-host of NPR’s “All Things Considered,” reflects on her career, family life, and the challenges of early hearing loss.

BY KAREN SZABO

Tulsa Town Hall speaker Mary Louise Kelly opens up about her remarkable career, on page 20.

Photo courtesy of NPR

24 Newscast 101

Go behind the scenes of News On 6 to experience a typical day in broadcast news and learn how stories make the air.

BY DEE DUREN, MANAGING EDITOR

26 Where Are They Now?

Television news and weather personalities can feel like trusted friends who keep us informed and entertained. Catch up with some of your favorites.

BY STEVE CLEM

32 Moving Up

Real estate experts predict 2024 may be a great year to sell a home. Follow these steps before placing a “For Sale” sign in the yard.

BY JULIE ALEXANDER, ASSISTANT EDITOR

Photo courtesy of Jeromee Scot

Eileen Bradshaw President and CEO LIFE Senior Services, LIFE PACE, Vintage Housing eileen.bradshaw@LIFEseniorservices.org

Letter From Eileen

Dear Vintage Reader,

I think I start every March letter, year after year, the same way: Happy Spring! I apologize for my lack of originality; it is merely a reflection of my relief that winter will be leaving. Spring is my very favorite season, exemplifying potential and hope. Being Irish, I also love a good Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration. I love Irish music, and this is typically the only month where I hear it outside of my own home. My grandfather was from Ireland, and I am told that in the 1930s and ‘40s, he was given an annual one-day-only show on KRMG, during which he would sing Irish songs and tell folk tales.

Vol.

38, No. 9

EILEEN BRADSHAW

President & CEO of LIFE Senior Services, LIFE PACE & Vintage Housing

KELLY KIRCHHOFF

Senior Director of Communications

DEE DUREN Managing Editor

dduren@LIFEseniorservices.org

(918) 664-9000 www.LIFEseniorservices.org

This March is bittersweet for me, as it marks the 20th anniversary of my mother’s death. It is difficult to fathom that it has been that long. Grief intertwines with memories and makes time difficult to measure. It is odd what I remember from that March. My mother was funny, kind, and patient. She lived with my family in her last years, joining us before the birth of my youngest daughter. My mother was the only person Clare willingly allowed to comb her hair. She would sit on an ottoman, chatting sweetly while my mother ran the comb through her blond bob. When I tried, it devolved into shrieks immediately. I remember vividly, through the shock and grief at the hospital when my mom died, wondering what would happen to Clare’s hair. My older daughter and I put Preparation H around our eyes to reduce the swelling so that we could go out in public. Seems very unwise now, but at the time it worked. My son and husband wanted to help, grieving in their own ways. Friends were generous with food and prayers. The rest is a blur, but occasionally a whiff of a certain perfume or a seldom-used turn of phrase will catapult me right back to my mother. I am so grateful for those moments. I miss her still, and still converse with her on occasion — don’t judge me. But time’s gift to me is that I can remember more now with less sadness and more joy.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Vintage. The updates on former news personalities are so fun. Growing up here, I remember believing Bill Pitcock, Lee Woodward, and King Lionel were true movie stars.

Happy Spring!

BERNIE DORNBLASER Advertising Director

bdornblaser@LIFEseniorservices.org

LEAH WEIGLE Graphic Designer

JULIE ALEXANDER Assistant Editor

jalexander@LIFEseniorservices.org

CAROL CARTER Copy Editor

DICK MCCANDLESS STAN DIACON Community Distribution

LIFE’s Vintage Magazine accepts advertising to defray the cost of production and distribution, and appreciates the support of its advertisers. The publisher does not specifically endorse advertisers or their products or services. LIFE’s Vintage Magazine reserves the right to refuse advertising. Rates are available upon request by calling (918) 664-9000.

© LIFE’s Vintage Magazine and LIFE Senior Services, Inc., 2024. All rights reserved. Reproduction without consent of the publisher is prohibited.

Volume 38, Issue 9, March 2024

LIFE’s Vintage Magazine

(ISSN 2168-8494) (USPS 18320) is published monthly by LIFE Senior Services.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to

LIFE’S VINTAGE MAGAZINE 5950 E. 31st St., Tulsa, OK 74135.

Periodicals postage paid at Tulsa, OK.

Senior Day at the Capitol

Senior Day at the Capitol, sponsored by the Oklahoma Alliance on Aging, gives older adults a chance to meet with lawmakers and share views on important legislation. State agencies and nonprofit organizations will be present to provide information on their programs and services for older Oklahomans. This free event is Monday, March 11, with sign-in on the Second Floor Rotunda.

Oklahoma State Capitol

2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City March 11, 2024 • 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Register at okallianceonaging.org.

Bridge the Digital Divide With Low-Cost Programs

The federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), America’s largest broadband affordability program, is set to expire in April unless Congress extends funding. The federal program has provided discounts for internet service to qualifying Oklahomans.

Cox customers who received the ACP benefit may qualify for other low-cost internet services, according to Cox. ConnectAssist is a $30-permonth internet plan for low-income households. Connect2Compete is a $9.95 per month plan for families with children in grade school, including grandparents raising grandchildren.

Want more information?

Visit cox.com and search for low-cost internet plans to learn more about applying for these programs.

Experience April’s Total Solar Eclipse

Get ready to see the solar eclipse on April 8. The celestial event will happen when the moon passes between the Earth and sun, and Oklahoma sky watchers should be able to experience the eerie sight around 1:45 p.m., depending on location. You’ll have to travel to the southeast corner of the state to see the total eclipse. Towns in the “path of totality” include Poteau, Idabel, Broken Bow, and Hugo. The Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department notes that several state parks will be prime viewing areas including Beavers Bend, Talimena, and Lake Wister state parks.

April 8 will be the last total eclipse visible from the contiguous United States until 2044, according to nasa.gov.

You must wear eclipse glasses to safely view the sun directly

Monday, April 8, 2024

Learn more at nasa.gov/eclipses.

See Art in Bloom at Philbrook

Tickets are available now for Philbrook’s Art in Bloom weekend April 5 – 7, 2024. The Tulsa museum will be decorated with floral structures made by local floral designers and inspired by the architecture and art of Philbrook.

VIP tickets are available that include admission to the visiting exhibit “Collidoscope: de la Torre Brothers Retro-Perspective,” access to the “Bubbly Bar,” and a bouquet.

Philbrook Art Museum

2727 S. Rockford Rd. • Tulsa

April 5 – April 7 • 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. For tickets, visit philbrook.org.

LIFE EDU

LIFE Senior Services Community Education

Stay connected to a community of lifelong learners with LIFE EDU classes. Find opportunities to get involved, stay sharp, and live your best life.

Silver Linings

Silver Linings videos are posted most Wednesdays on the LIFE Senior Services Facebook page. Join our online community for these and other opportunities.

Aging Smart

Wednesday, March 6

AARP HomeFit

Wednesday, March 13

Crafting with Roxanne

Wednesday, March 20

Join Roxanne in making an oil or salad dressing bottle. Supplies needed: an empty wine bottle; black, white, and several other colors of enamel paint; a 2-inch paint brush and a small paint brush (stiff to medium stiff); a pouring spout with cork (available on Amazon); 12 or more small paintmixing containers; paint mixer, and rubbing alcohol.

Caregiver Toolbelt: Long-Term Care Decisions

Wednesday, March 27

Community Education

All classes are at Legacy Plaza East Conference Center, 5330 E. 31st St. in Tulsa, unless otherwise noted.

Aging Smart

Tuesday, March 12 • 2:30 – 4 p.m.

A panel discussion featuring senior-focused professionals in financial planning, care coordination, elder law, palliative care, geriatric medicine, and funeral planning. This seminar will provide an overview of helpful services and essential insights into aging.

AARP HomeFit

Wednesday, March 20 • 10 – 11 a.m.

If you or a loved one plan to age in place, come learn about some smart solutions for making your home a “lifelong home” that is comfortable and safe for the journey.

Clearing the Clutter

Thursday, March 28 • 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Is it hard to enjoy your home because of clutter?

Join Kristin Switzer from 2B Organized as she shares tips and tricks on clearing the clutter, including specific ideas on organizing your closet.

Grow With Tulsa Master Gardeners Get Tips at Lunch & Learn Classes

Tulsa Master Gardeners is hosting its 2024 Lunch & Learn series in March and April at two Tulsa City-County Library locations. These classes are a great opportunity to get tips from Master Gardeners, meet other gardening enthusiasts, and bring home ideas for improving your green spaces.

Bring a lunch if you like, and get ready to learn at two convenient locations. Sessions will be held Tuesdays from noon to 12:50 p.m. at the downtown Central Library, 400 Civic Center, and repeated on Thursdays from 1 to 1:50 p.m. at Hardesty Regional Library in south Tulsa.

Get the buzz on pollinators on March 19 and 21. Get tips for growing the best

tomatoes and other veggies on March 26 and 28. April topics include alternatives to chemicals (April 2 and 4); how to build a beautiful yard (April 9 and 11), and how weather patterns affect gardens (April 16 and 18). The final class looks at xeriscape gardens and sensational succulents and is offered on April 23 and 25.

Tulsa Master Gardeners is taking orders for its annual plant sale through March 17. Choose from a wide variety of perennials and annuals. Pick up your plants at the Exchange Center at Expo Square on Thursday, April 18. To learn more about Lunch & Learn sessions and to order plants, go to tulsamastergardeners.org or call (918) 746-3701.

Get Growing with the Seed Library

The Tulsa City-County Library system has nine locations where gardeners can check out seeds to grow their gardens. Save seeds from the best plants and return them to the library for others.

The Seed Library is just one of many tools for gardeners available at tulsalibrary.org under the programs & services tab.

By Carrie Clevenger, Volunteer Program Manager

a Volunteer Get Involved

Become

Home Builders Association of Tulsa

If you have a green thumb or enjoy completing projects around the house, you might like volunteering at the Home Builders Association of Tulsa’s annual Home and Garden Show, March 7 – 10, at Expo Square. Volunteers are needed to greet visitors, hand out programs, help with décor, and set up and tear down stages and booths. Volunteers are also needed for HBA’s Designer Showcase from April 25 through May 19. This year’s showcase home is at 3701 S. Atlanta Pl. The 8,000-square-foot house was built in the 1970s and features amazing stonework. Volunteers are needed to help with private parties, public viewings, and boutique sales.

For more information about the Home Builders Association of Tulsa, visit tulsahba.com or call (918) 663-5820.

Bridges Foundation

The Bridges Foundation works with individuals with developmental disabilities to help them grow their life skills and independence. Volunteers are needed at the Mercantile in Jenks to work with clients and assist in the store, making products and fulfilling orders for fundraising. The Mercantile makes and sells dog treats, gourmet popcorn, and other seasonal items to fund the Foundation. Volunteers will help with making popcorn and packaging it for deliver, making dog treats, restocking the store, and assisting with light cleaning. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.

Rhonda Moore has cultivated a small army of volunteers in Wagoner County. As a volunteer coordinator for LIFE Senior Services, Moore seeks out opportunities for service and then matches volunteers who are willing to fill those needs. Currently, LIFE has about 30 volunteers helping 13 partnership agencies around the county fullfill their missions.

“A group of my volunteers are part of the Oklahoma Home & Community Education program through Oklahoma State University,” Moore said. “They make stuffed bears to donate to children in the hospital. Our volunteers also lead bingo once a month at the local nursing home. They make lunch and supply all the bingo gifts for the residents.

They also bring that same group of residents Christmas gifts and cards every year.” Moore, who has been in the position since 2021, said being involved in the community is key to running a successful volunteer program.

“I try to make sure I am involved in the community events myself to represent LIFE Senior Services in my area and show support for the area. I have weekly meetings and functions I attend with my volunteers,” she said.

Other local groups that benefit from the program’s volunteers include the Wagoner County Election Board, Wagoner Area Neighbors, and local schools. Contact Moore at rmoore@LIFEseniorservices.org.

LIFE's

volunteer opportunities?

Contact LIFE Senior Services (918) 664-9000 • Ask for LIFE's volunteer department LIFE has a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout Northeastern Oklahoma.

Take Your Eating Habits Beyond the Table

National Nutrition Month®, sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, is held each year in March and focuses on the importance of a balanced diet and exercise. The 2024 theme is “Beyond the Table,” emphasizing the farmto-fork aspect of nutrition. “Beyond the Table” encourages us to consider how our food is produced and distributed, where we purchase it, and how we safely prepare and store it at home.

The “Beyond the Table” theme also asks us to be mindful of the various ways we eat. How can we

eat nutritiously, whether we’re around the dinner table or on the go, in restaurants, at games, and events? Finally, the theme also includes the idea of sustainability, for example, decreasing food waste at home and work.

Each month in Fabulous Flavors, we highlight fruits or vegetables that are in season in Oklahoma. Farm-to-fork nutrition reminds us to think of where our food comes from and stresses the importance of the farm. This month, we highlight beets and rhubarb.

Cleaning & Preparing

BEETS

Wash beets just before using. Store beets in a plastic bag at or below 41° F. for 7 to 10 days. Beets may be frozen for up to 10 months. Select tender, young, uniformly red beets, no more than 3 inches across. Remove fine hairs and any decayed spots. To cook cleaned beets, trim the stem and taproot. Place beets in a large saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Simmer until fork-tender, 30 to 60 minutes depending upon size.

Expand Your Palate

Healthy Benefits of Beets & Rhubarb

Beets are root vegetables that are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber yet low in calories and fat. They’re also a good source of several key nutrients, including folate, manganese, and copper. Beets contain antioxidants, compounds in foods that help repair DNA and maintain good cell health, and they have anti-inflammatory properties, reducing the risk for numerous chronic diseases.

Rhubarb is a vegetable that is a great source of vitamin K, vitamin A, calcium, vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. The benefits of this nutrient-rich vegetable include reduction of colorectal cancer, healthy bones, reduction of osteoporosis, improved wound healing, protection against heart disease, and assistance with digestion.

Now In Season

Colorful, versatile, and tasty, beets and rhubarb are fresh from the farm to your table in March.

RHUBARB

Select rhubarb stalks that are firm and crisp with small leaves which indicate a younger plant. Avoid limp or blemished stalks. Remove the leaves before cooking or eating as they are toxic to humans and pets. Don’t cut the stalks until you’re ready to use the rhubarb or it will dry out. To store, place the whole stalks into a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator. Use them within one week. To preserve rhubarb for future use, cut it and store in the freezer.

Beet Reuben

Recipe courtesy of Food Network

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 tablespoons chopped dill pickle

1 tablespoon ketchup

Dash of hot sauce

2 teaspoons ground coriander

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 teaspoon ground allspice

1 teaspoon ground mustard

Kosher salt and finely ground pepper

2 large beets, cooked and peeled

4 slices rye bread

4 thick slices Swiss cheese

1 cup drained sauerkraut

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions:

1. Mix the mayonnaise, pickle, ketchup, and hot sauce in a small bowl. Mix the coriander, smoked paprika, allspice, mustard, a half teaspoon salt, and a half teaspoon pepper in a shallow dish. Roll the beets in the spice mixture to coat. Slice the beets ¼-inch thick.

2. Spread each slice of bread with the mayonnaise mixture. Top with a slice of cheese and sauerkraut. Divide the sliced beets and arrange on top of sauerkraut. Add remaining cheese and close the sandwich, mayonnaise-side in. Press down lightly with your hand.

3. Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter. When the butter is melted, add the sandwiches. Cook until golden on the underside, about 3 minutes. Add the remaining butter, let melt, then flip the sandwiches. Cook until the underside is golden and cheese is melted, about 3 minutes. Cut the sandwiches in half before serving.

Yoga for Everyone

Whatever your size, shape, or flexibility level, there's a yoga class out there for you.

Fitness Move of the Month Standing Hip Abduction

Courtesy Katie Cody LIFE PACE registered physical therapist

Isaacs

If the word yoga conjures thoughts of people twisting themselves into pretzel shapes, you’re not wrong — it’s just not all of the story. The world of yoga has grown to include classes designed for diverse body types and fitness levels. Whatever your needs, you can find an in-person yoga class at almost any time of the day or evening and online classes around the clock.

The word yoga comes from a root word meaning “yoke,” and the practice is intended to unite physical poses with the mind through a kind of moving meditation. Yoga movements can help practitioners connect with their breath and bodies. The practice not only builds strength, balance, and flexibility, but it can also help with anxiety, stress, addiction, and chronic pain, according to numerous studies published by the National Institutes of Health.

CURVY YOGA

The therapeutic benefits are no surprise to yoga instructor Vicki Hibbert who began taking yoga at age 40. Seven years ago, she became certified to teach curvy yoga for larger-bodied people.

Stand next to a chair or countertop for support.

Raise one leg out to the side, keeping your knee straight and toes pointed forward, as much as possible.

Hold for one second before lowering your leg back down.

Repeat 15 times with each leg, using the chair for support as needed.

Photo courtesy of Cheshire

Instructor Beth Richmond teaches a free yoga class at Tulsa Central Library each Tuesday.

“I felt there was space to teach yoga to people who didn’t look like your typical teacher or student,” she said. “As a bigger person myself, I teach yoga as a way to meet ourselves where we’re at and know that everyone’s body is different. Those physical differences affect our practice.”

In addition to curves, Hibbert said structural variations like the length and shape of bones affect how each person can safely learn and hold poses. She teaches students techniques that can be transferred to other yoga classes or used at home.

For Hibbert, yoga “yokes” or connects the mind to the body after students may have spent years ignoring the messages their bodies are sending. “My hope is that people will be more at home in their bodies and live more comfortably in them,” she said. “If you can start from a place of self-acceptance, you’re going to find yoga much more beneficial.”

TYPES OF YOGA

Larger yoga studios post their schedules online and often include a description of the types of movement offered in each class. Experienced yogis who want a challenge can look for terms like power or vinyasa classes. In those classes, students flow from pose to pose, often syncing the breath with movement. Though vinyasa classes vary in pace and intensity, practitioners will generally move from standing poses to floor-based movements and back again with little pause.

For those who like a slower pace, yin yoga is a more meditative practice where students may hold each pose for as long as three to five minutes. Restorative yoga classes are great for those seeking stress relief or recovering from an injury. A typical restorative class involves passive stretching while supporting the body with bolsters, blankets, and other props.

No matter what class you attend, it’s a good idea to start slowly and adapt movements to fit your body and energy levels.

A PLACE TO BEGIN

Beth Richmond, certified yoga instructor, teaches “Yoga for Every Body,” a free class at Tulsa’s Central Library each Tuesday evening from 6 to 7 p.m. The library provides yoga mats, blocks, and straps — as do most yoga studios.

“I do my best to offer variations of movements and poses so that everyone in the room has something to choose from,” she said. “In each class, I encourage everyone to try something new, have a sense of humor, and always rest when they feel like it.”

Another free class to check out is Yoga for Veterans at VFW Post 577, 1109 E. 6th St., from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Yoga teacher Kendra Guthrie with the Humble Warrior Collective said the class is geared toward veterans but is open to non-veterans as well.

“It’s not a specific style of yoga,” Guthrie said. “We try to meet people and their nervous systems in the moment. We talk to people and see what they need before each class. Sometimes we practice on chairs because there are things you can do in a chair that you can’t do on a mat. It’s friendly for all ages.”

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Is It Time to Make the Move? When to Consider Long-Term Care

A question many caregivers face is how to know when it’s time to move a loved one to a supported living environment like assisted living or a nursing facility. This question can be hard to ask and even harder to answer.

Considering long-term care may feel like an ethical dilemma because we often want two things for our loved ones. We want them to be independent for as long as they can be, and we want them to be safe. As individuals become increasingly frail or dependent on assistance, these two goals are in opposition. It’s like a seesaw — the more independence allowed, the more safety may be compromised. Both are worthwhile goals but can be a struggle to balance.

Another reason the question is so challenging is that the answer is often, “It depends.” Every situation is different — and yes, there are some when a move may never be required. I strongly urge family members or caregivers to avoid promises of “never,” however. It’s impossible to know the future, and too many wellmeaning caregivers are crushed by guilt because they made a promise impossible to keep.

We continue this story in April, looking at long-term care options and how they can improve quality of life.

Here are some situations where safety considerations may make a move to long-term care necessary.

1

The person needing care has physical limitations.

In the case where someone is living alone or when available help is limited, the physical limitations of the person in need of care must be analyzed. Can they safely see to their own daily needs? Use the kitchen? Get to the bathroom at night? Climb stairs if necessary? Are they able to get in and out of the shower or tub unassisted?

2

The caregiver has physical limitations.

What are the physical limitations of the people providing care to the older adult? Can they provide the level of assistance that is needed? At some point, the physical demands — such as lifting, turning, or assisting in case of a fall — may put both the person needing care and the caregiver at risk.

3 4

The person needing care has cognitive limitations.

In the early stages of dementia, the person can often still manage daily life with minimal assistance; but as the disease progresses, safety issues can necessitate a move. There may be increased hazards of fire, falls, wandering, paranoia, or delusional thinking that put the individual at greater risk of injury, selfneglect, or becoming a victim of abuse.

The caregiver is experiencing burnout.

The mental and emotional burdens of caregiving can be overwhelming. The ongoing stress and demands of the work can cause health issues for the caregiver which may greatly impact the person receiving care. There is no shame in saying, “This is too much, and I need help.”

By Kathy Jones,

Medicare's Plan Finder

Make Use of This Valuable Online Tool

Medicare’s Plan Finder, located at Medicare.gov, has great online resources for Medicare beneficiaries.

By creating a unique Medicare login and password, you’ll be able to check your Medicare claims, print a temporary Medicare card, request a new card, and name a representative of your choice to speak to Medicare on your behalf. You’ll also be able to check the availability of preventative services and when you are eligible for them.

You can review your current coverage, find out how much of your Part B deductible has been satisfied, and start a live chat with a Medicare representative, among other things.

Even without creating a unique login and password, you’ll find lots of helpful information on Medicare.gov. Learn about healthcare providers that contract with Medicare including physicians, home health services, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities.

You can learn how to file an appeal and what benefits are covered by Medicare. You can get all this information in languages other than English, and you can still chat live with a Medicare representative.

LIFE IS HERE TO HELP

During Medicare’s recent Open Enrollment Period, LIFE’s Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) helped over 1,000 Medicare beneficiaries review their 2024 plans. LIFE’s remarkable volunteers saved those beneficiaries over $1.2 million.

Program Manager

Let LIFE’s Tax Assistance Program help you with filing your

income tax return for free.

Considering

Mary Louise Kelly

Mary Louise Kelly, co-host of NPR’s “All Things Considered,” opens up about her life in and out of the newsroom.

BY KAREN SZABO PHOTOS COURTESY OF NPR

Award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and author Mary Louise Kelly will speak about her experiences in and out of the newsroom at Tulsa Town Hall on March 8 at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

As NPR’s first intelligence correspondent and co-host of its award-winning flagship evening program, “All Things Considered,” Kelly has reported on some of the world’s most complex and pressing geopolitical issues. Whether covering a war zone or interviewing world leaders, Kelly is renowned for her incisive and nuanced reporting and brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to every topic she covers. NPR’s Chief Executive, John Lansing, commends her as “one of the most respected, truthful, factual, professional, and ethical journalists in the United States.”

Her Tulsa Town Hall presentation, “The World Considered: Global Flashpoints From a Journalist’s Perspective,” will recount her experiences reporting from such war-torn locales as Afghanistan, Kosovo, Pakistan, and more.

A Georgia native, Kelly’s first job after graduating from Harvard was pounding the streets as a political reporter at her hometown newspaper, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I was a summer intern and then weaseled my way into a permanent job,” Kelly recalled. “They let me cover the night cop shift for Cobb County. This was 1993 so before the internet, and you just sat in the Bureau and monitored police scanners. Crazy things would happen at Cobb County late at night.”

In 1996, Kelly moved to broadcasting, joining the team that launched BBC/Public Radio International’s “The World.” The following year, she moved to London to work as a producer for CNN and as a senior producer, host, and reporter for the BBC World Service.

Kelly joined NPR in 2001 as the senior editor of “All Things Considered.” Her work soon shifted toward covering national security, and in 2004, she launched NPR’s intelligence beat, reporting on the CIA and other spy agencies from war zones in the Middle East and elsewhere. For a decade, she traveled the globe to investigate issues of terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and defense.

In addition to her work at NPR, Kelly serves as a contributing writer at The Atlantic, and has written for The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Politico, Washingtonian, and other publications. She has lectured at Harvard and Stanford University and taught a course on national security and journalism at Georgetown University.

Reflecting on her remarkable 30-year career, Kelly emphasizes the rapid transformation in journalism, noting the impact of technology. “We didn’t have the internet. We had big giant phone books and that’s how you found people – or you just drove and banged on their door, which is still an effective way of getting an interview. We didn’t have cable news and we didn’t have Twitter or YouTube, so if a politician wanted to reach the public, they had to come through us.”

The advent of the internet, cable news, and social media shifted the time-honored role of journalists as gatekeepers. Politicians now have direct channels to the public, bypassing traditional media outlets. This change, coupled with the challenges of a 24/7 news cycle, has required newsrooms to constantly reassess how they deliver information. “I have not seen such a rapid acceleration of change as in these last several years. It has been the mother of all news cycles,” she said.

In 2011, Kelly stepped away from journalism following a particularly difficult trip to Baghdad. Looking for a career change, she drew on her spy knowledge to write her debut novel, “Anonymous

Sources,” published in 2013, followed by her second thriller, “The Bullet,” in 2015.

“I decided to come back to NPR at the beginning of 2016, which I thought would be a kind of quiet moment to be a national security reporter,” she chuckled. “It was a big presidential election year and foreign policy is not usually first and foremost in voters’ minds. I thought it would be a good time to ease back in. Needless to say, that’s not how it turned out and it has not really relented since.”

She points to the ongoing efforts in newsrooms to improve and adapt to the evolving landscape.

“We always took a president live when they called a press conference or held a rally, and we have stopped doing that. We don’t do it for Biden either. It’s not a personal thing about Donald Trump, but it did become very clear that we couldn’t fact check in real time enough that we felt like we were performing the public service that we wanted to do.”

She added that the NPR team continues to be mindful and transparent in their coverage. “We don’t get it right every time certainly and people are free to disagree with our approach to covering a story or a sequence of stories, but I want people to know that we’re trying our best and are being thoughtful and intentional about how we do it. I hope that that goes some way toward rebuilding trust that’s been lost.”

Kelly emphasized that the NPR team recognizes the importance of notifying their audience when an interview may become contentious, especially in complex regions like the Middle East.

“We will signal at the beginning and end of an interview that this is one of many voices we're hearing in a wide range of coverage across the Middle East, and tomorrow we’re going to hear

“I have not seen such a rapid acceleration of change as in these last several years. It has been the mother of all news cycles.”

– Mary Louise Kelly

Mary Louise Kelly Must-Reads

ANONYMOUS SOURCES

A young reporter’s assignment takes her from the courtyards of Cambridge, England to the corridors of the CIA. Searching for answers to a man’s death, she becomes the target of terrorists in this fastpaced thriller.

this and yesterday we heard that. We think hard about things like that,” she explained.

Outside of the newsroom, Kelly is a mom and her latest book, a memoir titled “It. Goes. So. Fast. The Year of No Do-Overs,” shares a personal account of her experiences as a working mother and the challenges she has faced in balancing her career anchoring the news and anchoring a family with two teen sons growing up – and finding the time to do both.

“When this job and my kids come into conflict, my kids win. And that is easier said than done. But I think for me writing brings me pleasure, it’s important to me and we all manage somehow to find time for the things that bring us pleasure and are important to us. I fall down on a million other fronts. I wish there were some magic answer that I have this great system that makes it work. I don’t. I basically have come down to finding the time in tiny little pockets. I have my reporter’s notebook for my day job and then this is what I always carry in my purse,” she says pulling a little red notebook from her handbag. “This has the seeds of my next novel – in its fragmentary, imperfect, flawed form. But it’s a start!”

During a 2014 book tour to promote her first novel, Kelly realized she couldn’t hear any questions from the audience. “It was really humiliating and became obvious everyone else could hear. Hearing loss runs in my family. My dad was very close to deaf as was his mother, so I knew it might be in my future — I just wasn’t expecting it at 42. It was very scary because my whole job is about listening to people. And I was just so young, and I think I’d always associated hearing loss and needing hearing aids with somebody who was old, and I didn’t feel old.” She began wearing hearing aids soon after and says the technology has been “life-changing” — especially the newest hearing aids with Bluetooth

THE BULLET

The discovery of a bullet lodged at the base of her skull shatters the life of a woman who learns she was adopted after her biological parents’ murders. This thriller traces her journey to uncover the past.

IT. GOES. SO. FAST.

A touching and funny memoir about the tough choices working parents must make. Mary Louise Kelly chronicles her eldest son’s senior year in high school and the joys and struggles of parenthood.

that pipe phone calls directly into her ears. But she noticed that hearing loss comes with a stigma.

“I was embarrassed for about three days to a week,” she recalled. “Everybody my age needs reading glasses, and there’s not really any stigma to that. But there is with hearing aids and I felt that. And then I thought, I need to make this work — and I need to be very open with my colleagues here in the newsroom about what I need to make it work because I have to do interviews in a somewhat different way. So far, we’ve been able to make accommodations and carry on. I can do my job fine.

“But I’m pushing the limits of what they can do with hearing aids because my hearing continues to worsen,” she continued. “I’m starting to look at what the next options are. But right now, it doesn’t impede how I’m going through the world.”

Kelly’s refreshing attitude toward her hearing loss serves as an inspiration for others. She recalled an NPR intern from a couple of years ago who is completely deaf. “She told me she never thought she'd have a career in broadcasting and then she saw an interview I’d given and thought ‘OK, I’m going to try it.’ And she is now a journalist. The last I heard she’s working in Arizona doing great things. Of anything I will do in this job, one of the things I’m most proud of is telling her ‘you go get ‘em. You can do this.’”

While this will be her first trip to Tulsa, she does have connections to Oklahoma. “My grandfather grew up in Prague. We lost him several years ago and my extended family is there, but flying in and out of Oklahoma City and then getting to Prague is the sum total of my time in Oklahoma. I have never been to Tulsa and I’m really looking forward to it!”

She’s also looking forward to the trip on a professional level, too. “I started my career in local news and one of the joys of my job at NPR is that they really want us out of the anchor chair. That is so incredibly helpful to me because then when I’m interviewing newsmakers in Washington it’s not just me inside the Beltway blathering on. I can say, ‘I saw this, I heard this. This is what people told us in Tulsa. What do you think? How do you respond?’ It makes, I hope, all of the journalism we do better.”

Mary Louise Kelly

The World Considered: Global Flashpoints From a Journalist’s Perspective

Tulsa Town Hall

Tulsa Performing Arts Center March 8 • 10:30 a.m.

Tickets are available at tulsatownhall.com/mary-louise-kelly

Newscast Breakdown

Broadcasting 11 hours a day, the News On 6 teams work in shifts around the clock. Here’s a look at a typical day shift that includes the noon, 4, 5, and 6 pm. newscasts.

News staff review and select top stories for the dayside newscasts with reporters assigned larger stories called “packages.”

Reporters and photographers go into the field to shoot interviews and supporting videos to be edited on location or in-house. Story assignments may change if sources are unavailable or there is breaking news. Producers write additional stories and format each second of what airs.

Take a behind-the-scenes look at a local television news station and how the news makes it to your living room.

By Dee Duren,

Managing Editor

Ever wonder how the day’s events make it to your favorite news broadcast? We went to an expert to learn about a day in local television news. Jeromee Scot is an assistant news director at News On 6, the locally-owned CBS affiliate that partners with News 9 in Oklahoma City

What is a typical news day like at News On 6?

“There’s a formula for how we start our day, but every day is different — that’s what I like about it. We have a morning editorial meeting to make plans for the day, and everyone has the opportunity to come up with ideas. We’re always looking for a diversity of ideas, and anyone can attend. Reporters are asked to bring at least two story suggestions. Then we have a conversation with producers, reporters, and managers and make story assignments for the day.”

How do you decide what makes the air and when?

“Some of it’s timeliness. Is it a story that has to run today or can it hold for another day or the weekend? Is it breaking news, a crime story, feature news, or something evergreen? A lot depends on when we can get someone to talk to us. Then we detail which reporter goes with which photographer. We still have multi-media journalists, or MMJs, who prefer to write and shoot the story themselves, but we’ve moved away from that unless it’s the reporter’s preference.

“There’s a formula for how we start our day, but every day is different — that’s what I like about it."

– Jeromee Scot

Managers and anchors review noon show scripts for accuracy and clarity. Production crew members prepare cameras, sound equipment, video feeds, graphics-generating programs, and other needed systems.

Producers and other staff manage pre-recorded and live video. Anchors read the news, introduce reporters, and interview guests. Meteorologists give updates on weather conditions.

Evening news staff plan content for the 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10 p.m. broadcasts. Reporter packages are assigned to each newscast; shorter versions are reserved for other shows.

Reporters and photographers shoot nightside packages. Producers write additional stories. Anchors go live in breaking news situations and record promotional videos for TV and radio.

Dayside stories are edited and approved for 4, 5, and 6 p.m. newscasts. Afterward, dayside reporters prepare their stories for the web and shorter videos for nightside newscasts.

Production staff work in the control room during a newscast.

“Reporters on the day schedule are assigned to the 4, 5, or 6 p.m. newscasts, and they start making calls. When people don’t return our calls or there’s breaking news, we pivot.

“Overall, when we consider stories, we look at, ‘What’s the viewer benefit? Can they relate? Will they learn from it? Will they find it interesting and will it help them?’ We look at what's community-based and has community interest — anything that Oklahomans would care about.

“There’s also a difference between morning show and evening audiences. We try to be aware of who’s watching. Are kids watching? We don’t want to omit important things but don’t want to be shocking or graphic.”

Where are some of the places you get story ideas?

“We’re constantly looking for new content. The public can call our assignment desk, email us, comment on our social media, or submit a story idea on NewsOn6.com. I can’t overstate the importance of people just remembering to tell someone at the station. We rely on the public to let us know what’s going on.

“We still have beats for reporters — crime reporters, education reporters, and reporters who may be assigned to particular counties so they can get to know the area and form relationships. This business is all about relationships — you have to know whom to call when breaking news happens.”

What is the process for getting that story idea on air?

“This is a business where you have a newscast every day at the exact same time, and you have to be ready. Deadlines are fast and constant. Television’s all about pictures, so for everything you say, you have to have pictures for it. Once the story and interviews are shot, the reporters log the sound and start working on the scripts. Managers look through the scripts and may make some changes or ask for clarifications. Once the script is done and approved, editing starts or the multimedia journalist edits it in the field and sends it in.

“After the newscast, the reporters break down their stories for the web and make shorter versions for other newscasts, including the morning show.”

What do you consider the most important stories to air?

“In Oklahoma, weather is everything. When you ask viewers what they want to know, weather is number one. It impacts everyone who’s watching. That’s why we have a helicopter and such a robust group of meteorologists. Even if it’s not severe, it may be inconvenient weather. Sometimes weather

is news when there is no weather — if you go to bed and it’s in the forecast that there may be snow, but there’s nothing at all. We want people to be prepared and know what’s out there when they step outside.

“Crime is always going to be important to cover. People sometimes say they get tired of it, but when you ask focus groups, they always say they want to know about crime. If we’re going to do a national news story, we look at the impact on people here. A school shooting is always going to be a concern even if it’s in another state because people care.

“We are the only Oklahoma station with a local reporter in Washington, D.C. He can walk into an Oklahoma senator’s office and get a story.”

What would you like viewers to know about the work you do?

“Most people who work on the news will never been seen by viewers. Most of us here have lived in Oklahoma all our lives, and we care about the community. We don’t do things perfectly, but we do our best because it’s important to us and our families.”

Meteorologist Alan Crone gives an update on the weather.

6 in the Morning anchors LeAnne Taylor and Tess Maune are behind the anchor desk.

WHERE ARE THEY

Television personalities inform and entertain us. They relate what is going on in our community and the world. They provide lifesaving information during a storm. They even help us cheer on our favorite sports teams.

If they are good at what they do, they become part of our routine. We view them as trusted friends. In the extremely competitive local TV landscape, there is a fair amount of turnover. We check in with some of our favorite former Tulsa TV luminaries.

CATCH UP WITH YOUR FAVORITE TV NEWS STARS

FRANK MITCHELL & TERI BOWERS

Former KTUL-TV Channel 8 Chief Meteorologist & Former News Reporter & Anchor

KTUL-TV Channel 8 Meteorologist Frank Mitchell told no one of the on-air surprise he had planned for that day’s “Good Morning Oklahoma” broadcast.

Mitchell, who now uses his full name, Frank Mitchell Mamola, and KTUL-TV news reporter/anchor Teri Bowers co-hosted the station’s morning show. Everyone commented about their chemistry on-air. When that chemistry combusted off-air, the couple kept it under wraps.

At the end of the show in October 1995, Mamola handed Bowers a small, gift-wrapped box. The secret of their off-air relationship was revealed as he proposed and she accepted.

They remain together 28 years later. When they started a family, Bowers left TV news for a more family-friendly schedule. Mamola was promoted to chief meteorologist when Travis Meyer moved to News On 6.

Mamola said working long hours whenever there was even a threat of severe weather took a toll, however. “It was taking me away from all my kids’ activities,” he said.

Mamola left TV to become a financial advisor. He owns Frank Mitchell Mamola & Associates in Sand Springs. Bowers is currently general manager for RSU-TV at Rogers State University in Claremore.

“People enjoy telling me they saw the proposal on the air,” Mamola said.

SCOTT THOMPSON

Former News On 6 Anchor

Former News On 6 Anchor Scott Thompson hosted the station’s primetime newscasts for over 20 years. After leaving KOTV in 2017, Thompson co-anchored the morning show on KJRH for two more years.

If you peel back that top layer of Thompson’s awardwinning work, you will uncover “The Oklahoma Traveler” series and rediscover the journalist’s gifts as a writer.

“I continue to work on personal writing and photography projects,” Thompson said of the long slate of projects that reflect his diverse interests.

“I have been working up a storm here at home designing, overseeing, and often doing the work, of ‘refreshing’ our home, inside and out,” Thompson said. A self-described conservationist, Thompson spends time planting and tending his native plant gardens. “I’m always hoping for rain and rooting for the birds and the bees.”

Thompson serves as a board member of the Sand Springs Education Foundation and as a trustee and member of the Executive Committee of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. “I continue to support and celebrate both our public schools and the academic excellence found within them,” Thompson said.

GLENDA SILVEY

Former News On 6 Anchor

A couple of generations of Tulsans remember Glenda Silvey for anchoring News On 6 at Noon. She joined the station in 1986 to host the noon show, eventually anchoring every newscast at the station.

In 1997, Silvey was pulled in a different direction after the Oklahoma City bombing. “That story pretty much consumed our lives for a couple of years,” recalled Silvey, whose daughter was in elementary school at the time. “I got this crazy notion that I would quit TV and become a public school teacher.” The change was short-lived. “I learned a lot from it, but it was a mistake.”

Silvey wishes everybody could teach public school for a year. “You will find out so much about young people, about society, about parents, about public education, and so on.”

She resumed her career at KOTV in 1999, again anchoring the noon news, leaving in 2007. Silvey then worked in the communications department at OU-Tulsa and the OU-TU School of Community Medicine. “After that, my daughter and I restarted an estate sales company that I had done previously with someone else,” she explained. “And that’s what I’ve continued to do.”

About getting recognized from TV: “Rarely now, people will say, ‘So you have the night off,’ and I don’t have the heart to tell them I ’ve been off the air for years,” Silvey laughed. “These days, I am more likely to get, ‘I grew up watching you!’”

KAREN KEITH

Former 2 News Oklahoma Anchor

Karen Keith started at KJRH/2 News Oklahoma in 1981 as a weekend news anchor. By the time she left, 21 years later, she had anchored every newscast, toured the Sooner State, and traveled the world.

From 1998 to 2002, Keith hosted “Oklahoma Living.” “Whether it was chefs in a restaurant or somebody’s beautiful garden, I had so much fun exploring Oklahoma,” Keith related.

“Back then, we had money at the TV stations so I got to go all over the world,” Keith explained. She was in Vietnam at the time of the Oklahoma City bombing. “It was the day we were leaving and I was at a hotel in Saigon. I remember waking up and seeing this building bombed out. ‘Oh my God, where is it?’ The CNN crawl came across ‘Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.’”

Keith became involved with city government while working in TV, taking a group to Oklahoma City to learn what OKC leaders had done to revitalize their downtown. That experience inspired her to join the City of Tulsa as director of community relations/vision implementation in 2002. Under Mayor Bill LaFortune, she worked on VISION 2025, which was approved by voters the following year.

Keith was elected County Commissioner in District II in 2008. “I’ve been doing this for 16 years and I have loved this job,” Keith said. She hopes to become Tulsa’s next mayor.

“Whether it was chefs in a restaurant or somebody’s beautiful garden, I had so much fun exploring Oklahoma."

– Karen Keith

JEFF LAZALIER

Former KJRH Chief Meteorologist

It is a safe bet that former KJRH/2 News Oklahoma Chief Meteorologist Jeff Lazalier never expected a career in meteorology to land him a part in a classic movie.

Lazalier had two tours as a meteorologist at KJRH/2 News Oklahoma. From 1984 to 1989, he handled morning and midday forecasting duties while serving as primary backup for Chief Meteorologist Gary Shore. Shore and his team brought in the new era of computer graphics and enhanced radar to Tulsa viewers.

"These were the earliest days of computerized weather graphics and enhanced weather radar. The weather graphics computer was slow and rudimentary compared to what is available today — but it seemed fantastic," Lazalier said.

In 1989, Lazalier left Tulsa for Indianapolis, and later, Oklahoma City, but landed back at KJRH as chief meteorologist in 1996, when businesses were just starting to get websites.

“Since 2003, I’ve been licensed and worked in life and health insurance,” Lazalier said. He said his Premier Partners Agency provides employee benefit brokerage services to over 175 businesses in Oklahoma.

Although his Tulsa TV time touched three decades, Lazalier’s legacy may be his scene in the 1996 film, “Twister.”

“I don’t think my part in the movie even lasted 15 seconds,” Lazalier recalled. “I suggest that people hit the pause button when my part comes on the screen to make it seem like it lasts a lot longer.”

/

By Julie Alexander, Assistant Editor

Taxing Times

Many seniors qualify for tax freezes and credits

Beware of Tax Season Scams

Tax season is also scam season. Sophisticated and aggressive scammers often target seniors. Follow these tips to avoid scams.

Behavioral scientists have finally discovered why people, especially Americans, hate paying taxes: It’s easy to hate something you don’t understand. According to BehavioralScientist.org, most taxpayers lack an understanding or appreciation for what their taxes do — fund social safety nets, police, fire, roads, public schools, and more — and dread filing taxes.

The yearly obligation causes stress and drives people to find ways to keep more of their money, especially seniors on a fixed income. There are a variety of tax credits and tax-saving strategies that seniors can use to reduce their tax burden.

KEEP MORE OF YOUR CASH

Tulsa County homeowners can freeze the taxable value of their home by applying for a Senior Valuation Limitation. Heads of households who qualify for a Homestead Exemption can, upon turning 65, apply to freeze their home's value through the county assessor’s office.

To qualify, the total gross household income of the home’s occupants can’t exceed $85,400 and includes all taxable and non-taxable income, annuities, pensions, and social security. It does not include veterans' disability benefits.

Applicants must provide W-2s, 1099s, or a completed tax return for the year they are filing. The application deadline is March 15.

Never Engage a Phone Scammer

The Internal Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration (SSA) will never contact you via phone or email, just regular mail. Hang up if the caller is asking for personal information.

Report a Stolen Social Security Number

If someone calls and has your Social Security number, do not confirm it to them. Immediately call the SSA and report it.

Monitor Your Credit Score

Monitor your credit history through Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion for signs of identity theft. Get a free credit report yearly at annualcreditreport.com.

The Limitation freezes the home’s fair cash valuation, but taxes can still be raised if additional millage is added or voters modify assessment percentages.

Applications are taken in person at the assessor’s office at 218 W. 6th St., in Tulsa, or via mail. An application is available online at www.assessor.tulsa. county.org/exemption/seniorfreeze. Other locations to apply in person include Jenks and Glenpool city halls, RCB bank in Collinsville, and the Sperry Library. For a complete list of satellite offices visit the website.

CAREGIVING TAX CREDIT

Caregivers in Oklahoma will get some financial relief with the passage of the Caring for Caregivers tax credit. The credit, which took effect January 1, is to help those caring for a family member to recoup some of their out-ofpocket expenses. Oklahoma is the first state in the nation to pass such a tax credit and it will be eligible for the 2024 tax year.

The credit provides reimbursement up to $2,000 for things like home health, adult day care, health care equipment, and other expenses related to caring for an eligible family member. Caregivers caring for a veteran or someone with dementia are eligible to receive up to $3,000.

To qualify, Oklahomans receiving care must be 62 or older and need assistance with two activities of daily living (ADLs) such as mobility, bathing, eating, toileting, or dressing. They must be related by blood or marriage to the individual caring for them, and live in a private residence. Caregivers must have an adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less or $100,000 for a couple filing jointly.

To apply for the credit, fill out form 529 from the Oklahoma Tax Commission and file with your taxes along with other documentation like receipts and proof of veteran status. Two or more family caregivers can claim the tax credit, with the credit divided among the caregivers.

There is an annual payout cap of $1.5 million, meaning once those funds are spent, no more credits are available. Some expenses not covered by the tax credit include prescription drugs and general household maintenance.

OTHER SENIOR TAX CREDITS

Seniors whose gross income does not exceed $50,000, or those with a physical disability are eligible for $40 in sales tax relief by submitting form 538-S. Seniors with simple returns can utilize 1040-SR which was introduced in 2019 for people over 65. The form has larger text and helpful tips for seniors.

The IRS and AARP offer tax help for those with an adjusted gross income of less than $72,000 a year. This free service is available in person and online. Trained IRS-certified tax preparers are available at locations. For a list of sites near you, visit aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/locations.

LIFE Senior Services’ Tax Assistance Program offers free tax preparation for those 60 years and older who have a total household income of less than $64,000. The primary tax site is LIFE’s Central office at 5950 E. 31st St. To make an appointment, call (918) 664-9000 ext. 1189.

Keep an Eye on Your Mail Box

If your Social Security benefits change, the SSA will notify you by mail.

Don't Provide Your Personal Details

Never give your credit card or personal information over the phone.

Report the Activity

If you receive a suspicious email, forward it to phishing@irs.gov or call (800) 829-1040.

For more puzzles, view the final pages of the digital edition found under the resources tab at LIFEseniorservices.org.

Commonym

A commonym is a group of words that have a common trait in the three words/items listed. For example, the words Ice – Sugar – Rubik’s – are all cubes. Answers on page 38.

Bird – Board – Berry

A Basketball Player – A Baby – A Soccer Player

A Rock Band – Traffic – A Copy Machine

A Pirate Ship – A Mailbox – A School

A Bomb – A Kiss – A Flower

A Waitress – An Iceberg – A Tongue

A Potato – A Storm – A Needle

Steam – Bird – Bubble

Brick – Swiss – Blue

Rubber –

– Cork

A bamboozable is a saying/phrase that is made up of a display of words in an interesting way. The goal is to try to figure out the well-known saying, person, place, or thing that each bamboozable is meant to represent. There are six bamboozables below. Answers on page 38.

For all parents of children with special needs, that journey includes lifelong planning to ensure that legal arrangements remain adaptable to evolving circumstances. This planning extends far beyond conventional considerations, becoming a responsive, ongoing process and a roadmap for the continued well-being of their children, offering financial security, and addressing unique care requirements.

Gum

Prominent broadcast journalists like PBS’s Judy Woodruff (above), the Today Show’s Al Roker, and NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel have something in common beyond their profession –they’ve each navigated the journey of parenting a child with special needs.

Home /

By Julie Alexander, Assistant Editor

Moving Up Is 2024 the

Year to Make a Move?

With mortgage interest rates falling and the stock market soaring, those who have put off selling their homes are hoping 2024 will be a better year to make the move.

Since 2022, the real estate market has been difficult for buyers due to increasing interest rates, low inventory of houses, and competition from other buyers. Homeowners with an existing mortgage and a low interest rate weren’t willing to sell.

Fingers crossed that this year will return real estate volatility to normalcy. Both interest rates and home prices are easing, according to Forbes magazine, and the Federal Reserve has hinted it may drop interest rates more this year. But before you stick that For Sale sign in the yard, you’ve got some work to do. From cleaning and decluttering to hiring the right agent, selling your house for top dollar is hard work — but worth it.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

When hiring an agent, Realtor.com recommends finding someone in your market. Your cousin’s girlfriend may have just earned her real estate license but probably isn’t experienced at listing

a home or reading the market conditions. Do some research and interview veteran agents before choosing one. Listing agents typically charge sellers a 6% – 7% commission, but don’t be afraid to negotiate.

Sharyn Willard is a local realtor specializing in helping seniors with real estate needs. A Certified Senior Housing Professional, she founded Mature Transitions of Tulsa in 2019. The company offers a range of services and works with other professionals to accommodate the needs of their clients. Her company can oversee some of the more stressful aspects of moving like decluttering, holding an estate sale, choosing a new home, and more.

“It can be overwhelming and seniors have unique needs,” she said. “We educate clients on the entire process and help with the stress of the relocation. We can even manage the process if you’re moving to a different state.”

PREPARING FOR A SALE?

Even if you’re not quite ready to sell, there is no time like the present to get rid of junk, declutter, and do a few home maintenance jobs to prepare

for a sale. Take a critical look at what is cluttering up your home. If you are downsizing, where will all that stuff go in your new home? You may have to make some tough decisions but in the long run, it will make your sale and the move easier and less stressful.

If you’ve lived in your home for a long time, it can be difficult to pack up all your memories, but it’s important that potential buyers can picture themselves in the home. This is a business transaction and you want your home to sell for the most money possible, so try to remove your personal feelings from the equation.

Go room by room and decide what you will keep and what goes. Remove personal photos and mementos cluttering rooms. Organize closets to make them appear larger. If the walls are dingy, a fresh coat of paint may be in order. If there is furniture or art you plan to leave to your kids, go ahead and gift the items to them now.

Everyone has heard the adage “kitchens sell houses.” Kitchens and bathrooms should be a priority when preparing for a sale. Cabinets should be organized. Throw out old food and mismatched plasticware. Cabinets and appliances should be spotless and countertops cleared of all small appliances and other items.

Don’t forget about curb appeal. If the exterior of your home looks unkempt, buyers will assume the interior is too. Remove all leaves and dead plants, trim any overgrown trees and shrubs, plant colorful flowers, and apply a fresh coat of mulch to flower beds. If you can’t do the repairs yourself, hire a handyman to do the work. Even small upgrades can increase your home’s value. Buyers will walk away from a home that needs too much work. Presenting your home as move-in ready will give you a leg up on the competition.

Thinking of selling your home or simply want more space?

Don’t Miss LIFE EDU Class: Clearing the Clutter

Thursday, March 28 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Legacy Plaza East Conference Center

5330 East 31st St. in Tulsa

Registration information on page 10.

BY CONNIE CRONLEY

Book Club/

This is the month of the vernal equinox. It’s also called the spring equinox since the word vernal comes from the Latin word meaning springlike.

For those of us here in the Northern Hemisphere, that day this year is March 19, the date the sun crosses the celestial equator.

The first day of spring.

Some people love winter — snug fleece and a fireplace inside, a snowy landscape outside. Not me. Give me spring. That’s when the daffodils and I pop our heads up and shout, “Hey. What’s going on out here?”

I think of spring as a fresh start, a new beginning, a new way to look at the world. These two books are guides to just that.

“ON LOOKING: ELEVEN WALKS WITH EXPERT EYES”

“On Looking: Eleven Walks with Expert Eyes,” by Alexandra Horowitz, takes us on a walk around a city block with different guides: a toddler, a dog, an artist, a sociologist, and more. Each expert helps us see the same urban landscape from a different perspective.

Author Horowitz is a professor of psychology and an expert in dog behavior, which I find a curious combination. Maybe not. Who among us hasn’t come across some dogs we like better than some people.

Horowitz says we go through life like sleepwalkers. We wear blinders and focus on what we need to see and are oblivious to much else. That is by necessity, of course, or we would

Two Books for Spring

never get from point A to point B. This book invites us to dawdle and see the big, exciting world around us.

Her walk with her toddler is a very slow walk indeed thanks to a toddler’s natural neophilia — fascination with all things new and unfamiliar. Everything from elm seeds on the sidewalk to a single, discarded shoe must be examined at a full stop.

A geologist helps her see the topography and identify the granite, bluestone, and limestone in the buildings in New York City. A typographer appreciates the fonts and lettering on signs. An artist sees social activity and a chance to interact with other people. “If you’re ever bored or blue,” that artist tells her, “stand on the street corner for half an hour.”

My frustration with this book is that it seems wordy and meandering. I would have preferred a simple, pared-down format. But I’m always in a hurry. Maybe this is the book I need.

“THE COMFORT OF CROWS: A BACKYARD YEAR”

“The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year,” by Margaret Renkl, takes us outdoors. It’s described

as a “literary devotional,” 52 short chapters of observations in her expansive Nashville backyard over the course of a year. This is a lovely book illustrated with art by her brother Billy Renkl and dotted with thoughtful quotes from poets and authors, like this from William Blake: “Arise and drink your bliss, for every thing that lives is holy!”

Unlike me, Margaret Renkl can see beauty in every season of the year. In winter, which she calls the season of sleeping, she writes: “The cold roots of the sleeping trees are even now taking in water. One day soon the water will rise and spring into the world in a rush of tight green leaves. Everything that waits is also preparing itself to move.”

In spring, she writes about toads. “You would not believe how soft a toad is to the touch — soft, soft, and so dry! Nothing like the way you’d think a toad would feel.” The trees were full of tree frogs and the ponds were full of every kind of chorus frog. “My God, the music!”

Renkl goes into the backyard or a public park for healing. She says following politics is to court bewilderment and despair. “I feel I am living in a country I no longer recognize. Immersing myself in the natural world … is the way I cope with whatever I think I cannot bear.”

This book urges us to pay attention. “Wherever you are,” she writes, “stop what you’re doing,” and look, listen, ponder, and contemplate. “The world lies before you, a lavish garden.”

Margaret Renkl

Alexandra Horowitz

CLASSIFIEDS

BOOKS

Missing Palm Tree

Missing Palm Tree: Stories from America's Clandestine Service. This is a widely acclaimed book which tells in vivid language how dangerous clandestine work is and the efforts which an agent must use to be successful. Written by W. Blaine Wheeler and is available on Amazon. com books/

CARPET CLEANING

ALL PRO Carpet Cleaning

Senior and caregiver discounts. Carpet, furniture, rug cleaning. Pet odor removed and Teflon protectant available. Emergency water extraction. Residential and commercial services. Professional truck mount steam cleaning. Carpet repairs and restretching. Prompt, professional, quality service at a fair price. Certified, insured. Veteran owned and operated. Call Thomas Fink, owner/technician, for free estimate (918) 636-6303.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Meadow Lake Ranch

Meadow Lake Ranch is a beautiful place to celebrate and to remember your loved one with family and friends. Indoor venues or woods and water patio.15 minutes west of Tulsa. Call Susie at (918) 494-6000 for a personal tour. Visit www.Meadowlakeranch.com or email meadowlakeranch@cox.net

CEMETERY LOTS

Across from Bell Tower – Memorial Park

Two plots across from the Bell Tower in Memorial Park Cemetery. Located in section 4, Garden of the Chimes. Each lot is $1,700 or make an offer. Call (405) 760-3655 for more information. Ask for Janice. If no answer, please leave name and number.

Across from the Chapel –Memorial Park

Three plots across from the chapel in Memorial Park Cemetery. Located in section 12 Sunset Garden, lot 221, space 1, 2 & 3. All three lots $5,250. Contact Jeff at (405) 595-6351 for more information. If no answer, please leave name and number.

Bell Tower in Memorial Park Memorial Park/Tulsa. Section 9A, Lot 394, Spaces 1 & 6. Just below Bell Tower. $2,000 for both! Great price! Call (417) 658-5756.

Calvary Cemetery Tulsa – Holy Family Section

Three plots in Garden 12: Holy Family, a quiet area with mature trees. Flat markers only. The three plots are offered at $5,000 (total for all three). The plots were valued at $2,600 each last year. Lot descriptions are as follows: Section 12, Lot 11, Spaces 4, 5 and 6. If interested, please text (918) 720-6395.

Floral Haven Cemetery Plot

2 bunk bed-style plots at Floral Haven. $10,000 or OBO. Lot-131-d. 1-16 x 24 Bronze with vase on 20 x 28 granite. Includes open and close

ground process. For more information and exact location map, send an email to 1231michele@gmail.com

Floral Haven – 4 Plots

Available Together

Masonic section, Row 100, Lot D, Spaces 1,2,3,4. Asking price is $1,500 each. Floral Haven price is $3,500 each! You don't have to be a Mason to acquire these plots. Price may be negotiable. Call Catherine at (918) 699-9311 and leave a message.

Floral Haven Lawn Crypts

Double depth lawn crypt space for two in the Garden of St. Paul including 16x24 bronze marker with vase & 20x28 granite base. Retail sells for $14,995, asking $8,997. Call or text Terry at (704) 460-4232 and leave a message.

Floral Haven Plot

$3000 – In Garden of the Prophets. Beautiful space! Worth $5,500. Call Tonya at (405) 314-3828.

Memorial Park – 3 Lots

Three plots for sale (Lot 59, Section 22, Spaces 2, 3, and 4) in mature area with trees. Flat bronze or granite markers permitted. Current retail value is $1,870 each. Selling all three for $3,600. Buyer must purchase all three. Call or text (505) 681-8075

Memorial Park Cemetery –Desirable Lots

Plots For Sale in Memorial Park. Four spaces, section 4, lot 42. Desirable established area with mature trees. $2,450 each or discounted further at $9,000 for all four. Transfer fees included. Serious inquiries please call (405) 887-2722

MEMORIAL PARK – DISCOUNTED LOTS

Two spaces Garden of Prayer, Section 14B Lot 31-Spaces 3-4, Flat Bronze Marker Only $1,100 each. Two spaces Park View North, Section 50 Lot 297-Spaces 5-6, Flat Bronze Marker only $1,100 each, or all 4 spaces $4,000. Transfer fees included. Text or Call Linda (918) 855-2351

Memorial Park – Garden of the Apostles

2 peaceful resting places in Section 28, Lot 383, Spaces 5 & 6… $1,750 each (Retail $2,150 each) Call/text Phillip: (801) 652-7480

Memorial Park Prime Cemetery Plots Section 26, Lot 157, Space 1 * Crypt included * Bronze or Granite approved. $2,000. Section 43, Lot 46, Spaces 2 & 3 * Bronze or Granite approved. $1,900 each. Contact: marphy3@sbcglobal.net

MEMORIAL PARK –SIDEWALK ACCESS

Three spaces in the Garden of the Christus. Section 15, Plot 128, Spaces 1, 5 and 6. One of the only sections with sidewalk access. $1500.00 per Space, transfer fees included. Willing to negotiate. Call (713) 922-1491.

Park Grove in Broken Arrow

Three lots available in section E of the cherished Park Grove on Houston in Broken Arrow. $3,000 each. Call DK (918) 835-0612.

CLEANING

Live Beautifully! You Deserve It! Here at Moore Cleaning, we want your house to be beautiful. We have over 19 years experience, and references from our loyal customers. Also offering window cleaning and organizing. We customize our cleaning to meet your needs. Safely cleaning with masks and social distancing if preferred. Reasonable rates. Please call today to set up your appointment. Marybelle Moore (918) 671-5065. Marybellemoore111@gmail.com.

Window Cleaning. Housecleaning. Widow Cleaning – I make your windows shine no matter what condition they are in. Chandeliers, light fixtures and mirrors. House Cleaning – can do on regular basis, move-in or move-out, construction clean, also will do curio/china cabinets and special projects. Experienced in all areas including detail and organization. Reasonable and with references. Call (539) 664-1986

COMPUTER SERVICES

Does Technology

Frustrate You?

Honest, patient, ethical help with your pc, modem, wifi, cell phone, email, streaming, camera, password recovery, etc. 30+ years of IT experience in Tulsa. Special rates for seniors.References available. Call or text Carmen Armstrong (918) 688-7453

DAYTIME CARE

Daytime Care For Older Loved Ones

LIFE’s Adult Day Health offers convenient, affordable daytime care at three locations in Tulsa and Broken Arrow. For more information, call LIFE’s Adult Day Health at (918) 664-9000.

ESTATE SALES

2MS Estate Sales...Tulsa’s Finest!

Downsizing? Estate Liquidation? Let us take the worry away and maximize your return. No out of pocket expense. We specialize in senior transitions, with over 20 years in the senior housing market. My team includes realtors, moving company, senior housing and attorneys if needed. Please contact Michelle Reed (918) 691-5893 or Atulsa@aol.com also Facebook 2MSestatesalestulsa for a free consultation.

FINANCIAL/INSURANCE

Medicare Assistance Program

The Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) at LIFE Senior Services provides accurate information, counseling and assistance relating to Medicare benefits for Medicare beneficiaries, their representatives and persons soon to be eligible for Medicare. Call MAP at LIFE Senior Services (918) 664-9000 or toll-free at (866) 664-9009.

Mutual of Omaha

Life, Long Term Care, Medicare and Cancer/Heart Attack/Stroke Policies plus Reverse Mortgages. Local Agent, Cindy Johnson, (918) 619-5919 cell.

Need A New Medicare Plan?

The Medicare Supplement Store at Promenade Mall is your “One-StopShop” for Medicare Supplements, Advantage Plans, & Drug Plans. We can give you a quote from top-rated carriers like: Aetna, Blue Cross, Humana, GlobalHealth, UnitedHealthCare, Mutual of Omaha and others. For information, call Bob Archer today (918) 814-5550.

GARDENING/LAWN CARE

AAA Lawns & More

Total tree and lawn care. Specializing in reasonably priced tree removal or trimming any size tree. Property line clean-up. Leaf Removal. Snow Removal. Fence repair and installation. Insured, honest, experienced and dependable. Veteran-owned. We are a small company with personal service. References available. FREE ESTIMATES. Call Larry. (918) 361-1299

Aardwolf Leaf & Lawn Care

Mowing, weed eating, edging, hedge trimming, garden tilling, gutter cleaning and lawn clean-up. Free Estimates! Call Patrick Mills. (918) 814-0973.

Affordable Leaf & Limb Removal

Affordable leaf and limb removal. Veteran Owned. Senior Discount. Reasonable rates. Call (918) 697-4321

Mower Repair / Maintenance

All brands – Riders, ZTRs, Walk-behinds, UTVs / ATVs. Top Quality work, ASE certified Mechanic. Pick-up and delivery available. Tulsa and surrounding counties. Maintenance specials include pick-up and delivery 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call Scott (918) 519-3869.

New Season Lawn & Tree

Spring clean-up available. Mowing, trimming, leaf removal, hedge trimming, flower beds. Small tree trimming. We offer weekly, bi-weekly & year- round services. Best rates, senior discounts. Free Estimates. Accepting new customers!! Call Todd (918) 639-2262. Email info@newseasonlawnandtree.com. and check us out at www.newseasonlawnandtree.com

New Season Tree Masters

Specializing in tree removal and stump grinding. Tree trimming service available. Certified arborist on staff. Serving all of metro Tulsa with over 20 years’ experience. Fully insured. Free estimates. Contact us at info@newseasontreemasters.com or call Todd at (918) 934-4868

www.newseasontreemasters.com.

HOME REPAIR/REMODELING

Allen’s Handyman Services of Tulsa

“Your Home Improvement and Repair Specialist.” 23 years serving Tulsa seniors. “One call can do it all.” 10% senior discount. Insured. All work guaranteed in writing. No pay until job is completed. Plumbing, drain cleaning, grab bars, electrical, carpentry, painting, seamless guttering installation/repair/cleaning. Dryer vent

cleaning. Roof, tile and drywall repair. Wood siding/trim replacement. Deck repair, power washing, staining. Tree trimming. No job too small. For free estimate, call Allen at (918) 630-0394.

Big C’s Plumbing Services

Your one stop plumbing shop! Call us and I guarantee you will never have to call another plumbing company. Licensed, bonded and insured for your protection....Call (918) 855-9216, tell us you saw us in the Vintage Newsmagazine and receive an automatic 10% discount. Call us now.

Bumgartner Plumbing

Licensed, with over 40 years of experience. Rates are low and based on the job, not the hour. No service call fee or travel time charge. Senior and caregiver discount. Plumbing service and repair our specialty. Honest, professional service you can count on. Lic. #82750. (918) 355-4747.

Carpenter’s Son Renovations, LLC

Christ-centered remodeling and construction service. We do everything from full home renovations to minor handyman services. All Flooring (Tile, Carpet, Wood, etc), Fence/Deck, Bathroom and Kitchen, Drywall, Paint, Landscaping, Wheelchair Ramps. Whatever you need we will take care of it. Including prayer! Call for free estimate (918) 509-5407.

Doc J’s Heat and Air LLC

We're listed on the A-List for Home Heat and Air, Tulsa People magazine. Service, repairs, maintenance plans and installations we do it all. Locally owned and operated with reliable and honest technicians. Your comfort is our business. (918) 921-4240.

DRYWALL & PAINTING

New to the Tulsa area! I specialize in drywall repairs, wood repairs, matching textures, painting interior/ exterior. Insured and Free estimates. Help us grow in the Tulsa community or in your community!! Call John at (918) 600-9129.

In a Jam? Services

Around the home repairs or replacements, inside and out. Fence Repair/Replacement, Power Washing, Gutter Cleanout, Garage/Attic Cleanout, Haul-off, Leaf/Snow Removal, Staining/Painting, Drywall Patching/ Replacement, Tile/Flooring, Deck Repair, and much more! No job is too small. Have any questions, please give me a call. Joe Moody (918) 740-7209 INAJAMSERVICES77@gmail.com

KMS Acquired Dave’s Heat & Air, Inc.

Locally owned since 1979, KMS is proud to be your new HVAC provider! Your comfort is our top priority, and our team of experienced technicians and staff are dedicated to providing you with prompt, reliable, and personalized service for all your residential and commercial HVAC needs.

(918) 437-8101. www.kmshvac.com

Same Day Services

Light Hauling /Light Moving – help you rearrange room furniture, lawns-grass mowing/small paint

jobs/cleanup/ fence repair/light construction/sheet rock tile repair – We are honest and dependable. References. Call (918) 313-5230.

Scrap Metal Haul Off

Free haul off/pick up of appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners, hot water tanks and any scrap metal. Call John at (918) 313-4405.

LEGAL

75 Years Experience in Oklahoma Courts

Frasier Law Firm is a full-service Tulsa firm with decades of experience in all Oklahoma courts. We handle all matters, including probate, wills and trusts, personal injury and negligence cases. We have estate planning specialists. Reach us at (918) 584-4724 or frasier@tulsa.com.

Full Service Estate Planning Law Firm

Trusts, Wills, Gift and Tax Planning, Powers of Attorneys and more! With offices in Sand Springs and Tulsa. Discount to Veterans and Retired Teachers. Willing to meet you in your place for no extra charge! Call Penni of the Skillern Law Firm at (918) 805-2511. www.skillernlaw.com

Protect Your Family.

Preserve Your Legacy. Whether you are planning your estate or need help with a loved one who may be financially exploited, South Tulsa Law will represent you effectively and compassionately. We work in all areas of estate planning and probate, trusts and trust litigation, guardianship, and elder exploitation. Call (918) 512-1800 or visit www.southtulsalaw.com.

MOVERS

Stewart & Stewart Moving, LLC

Local, family owned and operated moving business for all your moving needs. We’re licensed and insured. We offer packing, moving and unpacking. Local and long distance moves. Call us today for an estimate or to schedule (918) 759-7212

Tulsa Movers

Pianos, Office, Home. Load or Unload Rental Trucks. Low Rates. Free Estimates. Senior Discounts. Dependable Movers! Call (918) 836-3225.

NOTARY

Notary Services Available

24/7 Notary available. Never closed. Will come to your home. Will go to hospitals, nursing homes, private homes as needed. Call Joanne at (918) 282-8230.

PERSONAL ASSISTANCE

Administrative and Personal Secretarial Support

Handle mail, pay bills, balance checkbooks, make phone calls, schedule appointments, setup filing system, create spreadsheets, write/ edit letters, type documents/reports, provide internet ‘online’ research. The Warshaw Group, LLC, Bobbi Warshaw, MPH and Bob Warshaw, MBA. Contact at (918) 852-5302 or email bobbi.warshaw@att.net.

AFFORDABLE ORGANIZING

Too busy to stay organized?

Overwhelmed? Return harmony to your home and life. We help with: Downsizing, relocating (pack & unpack). Set up home office, nurseries, dorms. One room or entire house. Monthly maintenance. Disperse unwanted possessions, electronics, chemicals. Seasonal transitioning. Prepare for guests. Call Pat at Organize to Harmonize: (918) 200-5991.

Home Health Services

Tulsa’s Affordable Home Care offers compassionate, quality home care services to individuals. We provide the following services: personal care, bathing and dressing, companionship, exercise, grocery shopping, laundry, light housekeeping, medication reminders, meal planning and preparation, oral and personal hygiene, respite care for family caregivers. Please call (918) 622-7820 and schedule a free consultation!!!

Ms PAC Ma’am

Need help packing or organizing? I can pack boxes for moving, downsizing, or decluttering. I can help organize rooms, closets, attics, or garages providing you more space. Flexible hours –day or evening. Lots of experience. References available. $25/hr - 2 hr minimum. Boxes/bags provided upon request. Jacki (918) 922-9558.

Rush By Your Side

Looking for help with your loved one? Caregivers, Registered LTC's/ CNA's/HHA's, all with excellent references and 5+ years’ experience. Days/Nights, Long Term/Short Term, errands/appointments/ companionship. Taking a vacation or need a day off? Rush By Your Side could be your solution! Call Kami Rush (918) 810-6738.

Trustworthy Chauffeur, Cook, Handyman in One!

Let me make your life easier by helping your loved one live independently. A former chauffeur with background in security, skilled in nutrition and a personal cook. Will run errands with/for your loved one and go to all appointments. I can do minor handy work and housecleaning when needed. Prefer MondaySaturday. References furnished including most previous distinguished employer of 11 years. Call or text Rex at (918) 510-0091.

Vibrant/Senior/Male/Caregiver

Seeking a position in your own home as a Companion/Caregiver. Many years of experience in: Skilled Care, Rehab, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. Professional References provided upon request. I can be reached for further information at (918) 855-9546.

PERSONAL SAFETY

Safety Grab Bar Supply and Installation

Including handicap accessories for Residential, Commercial, Decorative, Indoor/Outdoor, Stairways, Bathrooms, and more. Secure your space, whether existing, remodeling or new construction, we handle it all. Call before you fall! Free Estimates.

Licensed & Insured with over 20 years experience. Grab Bars of Tulsa, (918) 619-7324.

PERSONAL SERVICES

Affordable Hairstyling

In-Home or My Shop

With 37 years’ experience, I can help with all of your hairstyling needs. Men's and women's haircuts, specializing in seniors. I will come to your home or you can come to my shop. Inshop special: haircut $7 for first time customers only and perms for $50. Available Tuesday – Saturday. A Mane Event hairstyling, located near 11th and Yale at 937 South Canton. Call Mary Wilkinson at (918) 834-2686

Salon Retro

Hair care for men and women, specializing in senior clients. This month’s special - First time customers receive one of the following for $15: Haircut or Manicure. $50 for one cut and perm. Pedicures are $25. Very Experienced Hairdressers! In shop services only, come see us in Midtown at Highland Plaza, 5661 East 41st Street (corner of 41st and Hudson). (918) 742-3440.

PET CARE

Dog Walker

The Woof Pack Tulsa: Dependable dog walking services for your four-legged family in Tulsa. Helping you take care of your furry friends when you’re out! We offer dog walking and pet pop-ins. Insured. Call or text us at (918) 770-6699. Visit our website at www.thewoofpacktulsa.com.

Home Veterinary Care

Experience Tulsa’s most convenient veterinary service in the comfort of your own home. Our goal is to develop a personal relationship with each of our clients and patients. Contact us today to schedule your house call appointment. Call (918) 892-9382 or email DrFielstra@gmail.com or visit us at www.homevetcaretulsa.com.

Laura’s Boarding & Dog Walking Services

40 years experience. Veterinary Assistant experience. Friendly, safe, fenced-in environment (.25 acre yard). Daily exercise provided, first aid, CPR, CNA, senior dog experience. Can administer oral and injection medications. I’m attentive, playful, kind and caring. Daily photos of your furry friend sent to you by text. References available. (918) 812-8001.

REALTOR/ REAL ESTATE

Mature Transitions of Tulsa Downsizing, Decluttering, Move Management, Estate Sales, Selling the Family Home. Call today (918) 605-1480. www.MatureTransitionsofTulsa.com.

SOCIAL

Single Seniors (50+)

We are a fun-loving group of seniors over 50. We meet every Thursday, 11:15 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Golden Corral, 8144 East 21st Street. We eat at 11:15, have a short meeting and then play cards. Join us for great fun and fellowship. Questions, call Linda at (918) 955-9180.

STAYCATION GETAWAYS

Spring Break Getaway!

Treat yourself to a Spring Break Getaway with a relaxing stay. Meadowlake Ranch offers authentic log cabins (complete with private patios & waterfront views) and breakfast delivered to your cabin. Enjoy bank fishing, walking trails, & s'mores by the fire! Also, family venues available. We are located just 15 minutes from Downtown Tulsa, & 20 minutes from Keystone Lake. Book online of call Susie at (918) 494-6000. Visit www.Meadowlakeranch.com or email meadowlakeranch@cox.net.

TRANSPORTATION

My Driver Transportation Service

Let me do the driving. To and from work, airport, shopping, errands, post office, appointments. Also, LIFT VAN transportation available. Able to assist getting to and from bed. Senior sitting. Also, small breed dog boarding. 20 years experience. CLEET certified and licensed. References. Member, Better Business Bureau. (918) 491-9929.

PREMIUM SENIOR TRANSPORT

NOW AVAILABLE

Entrusted Transport provides non-emergency medical & senior transportation services throughout Oklahoma. Our drivers are courteous & highly professional. We assist riders all the way to check-in at your appointment OR to home, just like family would! Wheelchair vehicles available. Call (918) 290-3400, Schedule Rides Any Date & Time. EntrustedTransport.com.

TRAVEL

ONLY 50 CENTS A MILE!!

6 days/5 nights bus tour to Cincinnati area attractions July 15-20. The Ark Encounter, Creation Museum, and Cincinnati Museum Center/OMNIMAX Show. Includes all transportation, room, 8 meals, all admissions, driver tip, snacks, and more. $780 double/$989 single. Visit www.GroupTrips.com/ ChristChurchExplorers for more information.

VOLUNTEER

JUST DO IT!

If you’ve been looking for a way you can make a difference, consider joining the Millennium Hospice team as a volunteer. Caregiver relief is so important during this difficult time.Volunteers provide that by sitting with patients for an hour or so. Training is provided. (918) 493-6555.

Volunteer for LIFE

Discover the variety of volunteer opportunities that LIFE Senior Services has to offer. Whether you want to volunteer within the organization or with one of our local non-profit or public agencies, we can find the best fit for you. (918) 664-9000.

CLASSIFIEDS

TO ADVERTISE, CONTACT:

Bernie Dornblaser

(918) 664-9000, ext. 1206 or bdornblaser@LIFEseniorservices.org

William Bailie

MARCH ANSWERS

For puzzles, see pages 30-31

COMMONYMS

1.

1.

BAMBOOZABLES

Broadcast News

This Month in History

MARCH 1, 1692

Salem Witch Hunt Begins

When two girls began experiencing mysterious fits, a doctor claimed it was the effects of witchcraft. Three women were charged with the illegal practice of witchcraft. One of them confessed to the crime, possibly due to coercion, which encouraged authorities to search for more witches. Over the next few months, over 150 people were incriminated for being witches. Nineteen of the accused were executed by hanging or crushing.

MARCH 3, 1875

First Indoor Game of Ice Hockey is Played

Indoor ice hockey debuted at the Victoria Skating Rink in Montreal, Quebec, attracting 40 spectators. Ice hockey had previously only been played outdoors as a casual game with no set dimensions or a limit to the number of players. The puck was also introduced over a ball as it was less likely to fly off the ice or injure someone.

MARCH 9, 1997

Rapper Notorious B.I.G. Killed Christopher Wallace, also known as Biggie Smalls or the Notorious B.I.G., was shot to death at a stoplight just six months after Tupac Shakur was killed in a drive-by shooting. The murders were thought to be connected to an ongoing feud between rappers from the East and West coasts. Ironically it happened only weeks before his new album, Life After Death, was set to be released.

MARCH 12, 1894

Coca-Cola Sold in Glass Bottles for the First Time

Coca-Cola was sold exclusively as a fountain drink until a candy shop owner in Mississippi began bottling the drink in glass bottles. He sent a case to the Coke brand owner, but he believed it would not generate much revenue. Five years later, the brand owner sold the bottling rights to two brothers for a dollar and reportedly never even collected that small sum.

MARCH 14, 1950

FBI Debuts “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives”

A most wanted list was first circulated after a popular wire service news story about the “toughest guys” the FBI wanted to capture. J. Edgar Hoover granted permission for the publication of the “Ten Most Wanted” list to gain public attention on especially dangerous fugitives. Since its debut, over 150 criminals on the list were arrested or located thanks to tips from the public.

MARCH 23, 1998

Titanic Wins Eleven Academy Awards

The iconic film tied the record for most Oscar nominations with 14 and tied for most Oscars won, taking home awards in categories including Best Picture and Best Director. The original budget was $100 million, but the movie ended up costing around $200 million, more than any other film up to this point. Titanic was the first movie to ever gross more than a billion dollars internationally.

© The History Channel

KOTV’s first broadcast at its studio at 302 S. Frankfort Ave. was Oct. 22, 1949. The building was formerly an International Harvester dealership.

Tulsa broadcaster Clayton Vaughn (left) interviews Tulsa Tribune owner Jenkin Lloyd Jones, Sr., on the set of KOTV Channel 6.

KTUL broadcasters Phil Warner Atkinson (Windy O’Day) and Bob Jernigan (Captain Ben) appear in “Captain Ben” in 1963. The patch on their bomber jackets reads “Lookout Mountain Air Service.” KTUL sits atop Lookout Mountain in West Tulsa.

Tulsa weatherman Lee Woodward interviews “Mission: Impossible”actor Greg Morris during the Roy Clark Celebrity Golf Tournament at Cedar Ridge Country Club in 1975.

Tulsa Historical Society & Museum • 2445 S. Peoria Ave., Tulsa

All photos courtesy of Tulsa Historical Society & Museum

The right time for the right Medicare Advantage plan.

more about Senior Health Plan—the only Medicare Advantage plan

in-network access to the four premier health care systems in northeast Oklahoma. Our plans have the benefits you want and deserve, including:

3 In-network access to Ascension

John, Hillcrest, OSU Medical Center and Saint Francis

3 $0 monthly premium*

3 $0 PCP copay

3 $0 Tier 1 drugs

3 Over-the-counter medicine benefit

3 Dental and vision

3 Flex Card for choosing fitness memberships

*Other

BONUS CONTENT

INGREDIENTS:

Filling:

• Unsalted butter

• 4 cups of rhubarb cut into ½-inch pieces

Rhubarb Crisp

Recipe courtesy of Food Network’s Nancy Fuller

Serves 8

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 lemon, juiced

• Pinch of salt

Crisp Topping:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 cup brown sugar

• ½ cup unsalted butter

• ½ cup rolled oats

• Pinch of salt

DIRECTIONS:

1. For the filling: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly butter an 8-inch square baking dish.

2. Toss together the rhubarb, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, vanilla, lemon and salt in a large bowl until the rhubarb is well coated. Fill the prepared baking dish and set aside.

3. For the crisp topping: Stir together the flour, brown sugar, butter, oats and salt in a medium bowl until crumbly. Spoon all of the crumble topping evenly over the prepared rhubarb and bake until golden and bubbling at the edges, about 35 minutes. Let cool slightly.

Easy Beet Hummus

Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com

Serves 8

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 small cooked beets, chopped

• 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained with liquid reserved

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

• 2 tablespoons tahini

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• ¾ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon cumin

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine beets, chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, salt, and cumin in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until

2. Pour reserved chickpea liquid in slowly, with the processor running, until hummus is smooth and desired consistency is achieved.

TIPS

If you don't have any leftover beets, roast 2 small beets (about 1/4 pound) in the oven wrapped in aluminum foil with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt at 375 degrees (180 degrees celsius) for 45 minutes, or until soft. You can then let cool and peel to use in the hummus.

Strawberry Rhubarb Chia Overnight Oat Parfaits

Recipe courtesy of loveandlemons.com

Serves 2+

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup whole rolled oats

• 1 cup almond milk

• Pinch of salt

• Drizzle of maple syrup, optional for sweeter oats

Strawberry Rhubarb Chia Jam (makes almost 2 cups)

• 2 cups chopped strawberries

• 1 cup chopped rhubarb (about 1 stalk, ends trimmed)

• ½ teaspoon lemon juice

• Pinch of salt

• 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons maple syrup

• 2 tablespoons chia seeds

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Make the jam. In a small saucepan over medium heat, simmer the strawberries, rhubarb, lemon juice, and salt for 10 minutes, stirring often so that the fruit doesn't burn to the bottom of the pot. Remove from the heat and stir in the maple syrup and chia seeds. Let cool to room temperature, 20 to 30 minutes (the rhubarb will continue to soften). Transfer to a jar and chill for at least an hour.

2. Make the oats. Divide the oats into 2 glass jars, pour in the almond milk, a pinch of salt, and maple syrup, if desired. Stir, cover, and chill overnight.

3. In the morning, assemble oat jars with a generous scoop of the chia jam.

4. If desired, serve with granola, (the crunch is a nice contrast to the soft oats) and maple syrup for extra sweetness.

Puzzles

WORD JUMBLE

The following jumbled words are practice skills to help keep your memory sharp (hint: we’ve underlined the first letter of each word for you).

NUMBER SEARCH

This puzzle is similar to a word search, but instead you are finding numbers. For most of the numbers, you need to solve the problem first, to get the number you are looking for.

After solving the word jumble, use the letters highlighted to help answer the riddle below. Eight letters have been filled in for you, and letters must be used multiple times to solve it.

“Why do reptiles have such good memories?”

•

• Christmas Day,

• The root of 1,000,000

• In which year did the USA declare independence?

Neuroscience is the study of the brain and nervous system, including their structure, function, and disorders. How many common four- and five-letter English words (no proper names or abbreviations) can you find in the word NEUROSCIENCE?

See how many you can find, and then check your words against ours in the answer key. Good luck!

Puzzles

Unscramble the following list of shuffled words to meaningful words!

Colors Word Scramble

MUMBO JUMBO WORD SCRAMBLE

A mumbo jumbo is a list of words/hints for you to unscramble. You then take designated letters from each word/hint to come up with the final word that is associated with each hint you have unscrambled.

Unscramble each of the clue words. Take the letters that appear in boxes and unscramble them for the final word. Answers on page 39.

R H

For puzzles on page 45 & 46 WORD

JUMBLE

“Because they have turtle recall.”

Associate

Relax

Concentrate

Focus

Slow Down

Organize Write Repeat Visualize

NUMBER SEARCH

Unscramble the following list of shuffled words to meaningful words!

ANILLVA HETCACOOL

Colors Word Scramble

Unscramble the letters to form a word in the boxes.

SRRBAWTEYR

PUZZLE THEME: Ice cream flavors

ANILLVA HETCACOOL

Unscramble the following list of shuffled words to meaningful words!

MTNI OATOEHCCL ICPH

PUZZLE THEME: A celestial body orbiting a star within the Milkway Galaxy.

OSKICEO ADN MAREC

SRRBAWTEYR

MTNI OATOEHCCL ICPH

ANILLVA HETCACOOL

BERUTT CAPEN

SRRBAWTEYR

OSKICEO ADN MAREC

RYKOC DAOR

MTNI OATOEHCCL ICPH

EOCEFF

BERUTT CAPEN

RYKOC DAOR

OSKICEO ADN MAREC

NLPENAATOI

BERUTT CAPEN

EOCEFF

PSHOCTAII

RYKOC DAOR

OEKOIC OGHUD

NLPENAATOI

PSHOCTAII

EOCEFF

TASDLE LRAEMCA

NLPENAATOI

OEKOIC OGHUD

EHRRYC AAGCRI

PSHOCTAII

APNUTE RTEBTU

TASDLE LRAEMCA

EHRRYC AAGCRI

OEKOIC OGHUD

SERAPYRRB REOBTS

TASDLE LRAEMCA

MCHAAT RNEEG EAT

APNUTE RTEBTU

EHRRYC AAGCRI

LEUDC ED ELHCE

SERAPYRRB REOBTS

APNUTE RTEBTU

MCHAAT RNEEG EAT

MOESO SAKRTC

SERAPYRRB REOBTS

OTUCONC

LEUDC ED ELHCE

MCHAAT RNEEG EAT

WNBOIAR EHBRTSE

MOESO SAKRTC

OTUCONC

LEUDC ED ELHCE

WNBOIAR EHBRTSE

MOESO SAKRTC

NEUROSCIENCE

Find Four Letter Words

OTUCONC

WNBOIAR EHBRTSE

cees, cere, cero, cine, cion, cire, coin, coir, cone, coni, conn, core, corn, croc, crus, cues, cure, curn, curs, ecru, ecus, eons, erne, eros, euro, ices, icon, inns, inro, ions, ires, iron, nene, neon, nice, nine, noes, noir, none, nori, nose, noun, nous, nuns, once, ones, onus, orcs, ores, ours, recs, rees, rein, reis, rice, rise, rocs, roes, rose, roue, ruin, rune, runs, ruse, seen, seer, sene, sere, sice, sine, sire, sone, sori, sorn, sour, suer, sunn, sure, unci, unco, uric, urns, user

WORD SCRAMBLE

Vanilla

Chocolate

Strawberry

Mint Chocolate Chip

Cookies and Cream

Butter Pecan

Rocky Road

Coffee

Neapolitan

Pistachia

Cookie Dough

Salted Carmel

Cherry Garcia

Peanut Butter

Dulce De Leche

Moose Tracks

Coconut