Community Spirit Aug / Sept 2017

Contents

Aug / Sept 2017 PUBLISHER & editor Tom McCloud 918-625-5324

FEATURES 6 8 9 10 11 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 30 36

CREATIVE Director Ben Allen

TU Football Tackles Alzheimer’s Champions Over 60 - David Wagner Champions Over 60 - Ron Minkler Champions Over 60 - Jack Wells Charlie Daniels, Churches by Daniels Teen Challenge - Brush Creek Bazaar Clear-tone Hearing Aids The Linden to Open in September!

Broadway’s Little Mermaid and BodyGuard Come to Tulsa Allied Plumbing Builds to Allow Aging in Place Meals On Wheels Tulsa Metro’s Calvin Moore Hillcrest Medical Augustine Christian Academy - Working Together Transforming Lives One Slice at a Time

COLUMNS 15 28 29 32 34

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tom McCloud, Randy Cowell, Justin Cowell, and Lori Frazee, DDS www.mccloudmedia.com • www.communityspiritmagazine.com Distribution Community Spirit Magazine is distributed to churches, schools, restaurants, Christian bookstores, and other businesses. Call us today to deliver to your church.

Community Spirit Magazine is published monthly by McCloud Media.

Claims by advertisers and the opinions of writers within this publication do not necessarily represent the views of Community Spirit Magazine or its publisher, Equipment Publications, Inc. Philippians 2:1-2 “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”

Our Mission: 1. Build Community – Develop a sense of community among all local believers in Christ 2. Inspire Good Works 3. Support Families 4. Share the Good News of Jesus Christ Like Us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CommunitySpiritMagazine

Healthy Smiles Dentistry Premier Advisors Ultimate Fitness Center ACT Financial Dr. Trung Tran - Periodontist

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

4 |

C o m m u n i t y S p i r it m agaz ine.com

Aug / Se p t 2017

Photo Credit: University of Tulsa Athletics

Coach Phillip Montgomery Tackles Alzheimer’s Disease Invites YOU to A Walk to End Alzheimer’s and September 23rd Game

T

he Golden Hurricane Football team will take on some tough opponents this year, but none as challenging as their willingness to tackle Alzheimer’s Disease. They have set aside their September 23rd game against New Mexico as a day to increase awareness of the fatal disease.

Serving as the chairmen of this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Coach Phillip Montgomery and his wife Ashli, are leading an effort to engage the entire Tulsa community in fighting back against Alzheimer’s. An estimated 5.5 million Americans and their families are currently dealing with the ravaging effects of the disease and, as the Baby Boomers hit their sixties, the numbers are expected to soar.

In fact, according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s website, “by midcentury, someone in the United States will develop the disease every 33 seconds (twice the rate of today).”

The fight is a personal one for the Montgomery’s. Both Ashli and Phillip have lost grandmothers to Alzheimer’s. Plus, Phillip’s mother is currently waging her own personal battle against it.

Unfortunately, the experience has provided them with a front row seat as they have seen first-hand, the devastating affects it has on the life of the patient and entire family. Frustrated, they longed to find some way to help. “There is currently no cure and no way for me to ‘fix’ this and that drives me crazy. If something is wrong, I generally find a way to fix it and move on. But this is a thing, I can’t fix,” Philip said.

Ashli first found out about the Alzheimer’s Association while Phillip was coaching at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Then, only a week or two after they moved to Tulsa, a friend, Mary Westbrook, invited Ashli to an Alzheimer’s Association luncheon. “That lit us on

6 |

C o m m u n i t y S p irit m agaz ine.com

Aug / Se p t 2017

fire. So then, when we went to the fundraising Gala event, we were blown away. We decided that this could be our way of fighting back.

After all, I can’t do anything for momma…just love her. However, this is a positive way for us to help to ultimately produce a better outcome for other families,” he explained.

“It is so tough for momma. She can remember you. Then, she can’t remember you. You know there are things going on in her head that she can’t spit out. She is going through so much and, it is painful for the entire family, especially my dad as he tries to be the caregiver.

There are many emotions that go along with that. It requires a tireless effort and it has been a real struggle. The only way you can deal with it is to understand that she is still in there and to cherish the occasional moments of clarity.”

Coach Montgomery’s mother is 74 years old and is healthy in every other way. She is part of the 10 percent of people over the age of 65 who have Alzheimer’s dementia. But researchers insist it is not “just part of getting older.” In fact, some 200,000 people across the country have younger-onset Alzheimer’s.

“Momma was a great mom. I am a preacher’s kid and so was she.

She met dad at Abilene Christian University her freshman year and they ended up getting married. She was strong in faith and a tireless worker. She did a great job of raising us…3 boys and a girl. And even though we were a handful, she was always involved in the community. She never missed our ball games and always brought food for the pre-game meals. She even worked as a substtute teacher, mainly so we could be around her.”

Phillip explained that because his grandmother had died of the disease, they were careful to watch his mother for symptoms. And

Of the estimated 5.5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's dementia in 2017, an estimated 5.3 million are age 65 and older and approximately 200,000 individuals are under age 65 and have younger-onset Alzheimer's.

• One in 10 people age 65 and older (10 percent) has Alzheimer's dementia.

• Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's are women.

• African-Americans are about twice as likely to have Alzheimer's or other dementias as older whites.

• Hispanics are about one and one-half times as likely to have Alzheimer's or other dementias as older whites.

Because of the increasing number of people age 65 and older in the United States, particularly the oldest-old, the number of new cases of Alzheimer's and other dementias is projected to soar. Today, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer's dementia every 66 seconds. By mid-century, someone in the United States will develop the disease every 33 seconds. (Alzheimer’s Association Website)

although they caught it early, did all the exercises and tried the medication to attempt to slow down the process, the disease progressed, sometimes slowly, yet dramatically fast at other times. His family was as prepared as possible, moving mom and dad off the farm to Eastland, Texas where Phillip’s brother lives.

“I see that as a Godsend thing. If they were still out on the farm it would have been a tougher transition. But we knew enough to see the signs and make plans. Eastland is halfway between Ft. Worth and Abilene on I-20. Even though we moved around a lot, it is where I call home. It was a good move and Dad has even quit retirement and is back to preaching again at a small Church of Christ. He gets to come up for some of the games.”

Phillip is proud of many things about his players…how hard they play for each other, how tight-knit they are and of their “tough–we’re in this together” attitude. It is the type of team he always dreamed of creating. He says he has been blessed to be able to hire really good men to coach the team. Together, they always try to promote a family atmosphere between the players.

“As things touch the lives of our players, we support each other.

Many of the players are involved in the Alzheimer’s Walk because they know how much it means to me. Others have their own personal connection to the disease. I hope they understand that family is vitally important. Giving to the community is the right thing. When I give back to others, I find that I usually get more than I give. I get the satisfaction of seeing faces. Whether I am feeding people, donating clothes, working in the community, or going to an elementary school to help mentor young students as they are struggling and trying to find their way…I get more blessings out of them because I see how it is helping. I get to see the light turn on in their eyes as I see them trying to take that next step. One of the things we talk about as we recruit players is… yes, you have to do great in the classroom and yes, we expect you to compete at a high level on the field, but we also want you to get involved in the community…to learn how to give back. The Alzheimer’s Walk is just another way of being able to do that.”

The September 23rd Alzheimer’s game will be the third such event for the University of Tulsa and it is the only school in the country to do so. This is the first year the Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be held on the campus. It will start with an early-morning party at 7:30, followed by the Walk at 9:00. And, although television coverage keeps them from knowing quite yet what time the game will kick off, Coach Montgomery hopes people will be able to participate in the Alzheimer’s Walk, enjoy some pre-game tail-gating, then come cheer the Golden Hurricane to victory.

Ashli and Phillip Montgomery are active members at Park Plaza Church of Christ. They have two children, Maci, a Junior at Cascia Hall and a son, Cannon, who is currently “walking on,” hoping to secure a spot on the University of Tulsa football team as a receiver.

Sign Up for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s!

Go to act.alz.org to donate, set up a team or sign up to walk by yourself.

You really can make a difference!

C ommu n ity sp ir itma ga zin e.c om

A ug / sept 2017

| 7

Champions Over 60

David Wagner Having Too Much Fun to Stop Now!

D

avid Wagner will tell you that he has the best job in the world… “a dream job.” He will also say that his role as Partner and Chief Financial Officer at the Schnake Turnbo Frank is one of a full career of “dream jobs.” From selling shoes as a teenager, to being a principal of a Christian school in Wisconsin, to traveling and speaking for ORU’s Education Fellowship, or later as the University’s Vice President of University Relations and Development, David has loved the journey and taken on every challenge as a blessing. Believing with absolute certainty that it is God who directs his steps, he has made each career change with a positive and absolutely contagious positive attitude, always anxious to take on his next God-given assignment.

Now, as he reaches an age when many of his friends are entering into retirement, David has never been so energized. He loves being at Schnake Turbo Frank. For much of the time he was at ORU, he had been their client. This gave him the opportunity to see why the well-known, local public relations firm has such a great reputation.

In his role as CFO, he loves working with clients from all different fields, as the firm focuses on providing leadership, reputation and strategy to businesses and profits here and all around the world.

However, drawing on his experiences at ORU, he especially enjoys working with their many faith-based nonprofits and ministry clients.

8 |

C o m m u n i t y S p irit m agaz ine.com

Aug / Se p t 2017

David never forgot Oral Robert’s charge for their students to “Go into every man’s world.” He continues to be a light in every business situation, often saying, “You don’t have to have a soap box, if you have a life box.” He speaks with passion and seeks God in everything he does.

He says he is still learning and quite often, reminds himself of the verse, “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 David prides himself in making data driven decisions. “There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, it is completely Biblical. We should first collect all the information, then, ask for the wisdom and understanding so that, equipped with this knowledge, we can make the best decision.”

So, why is he still working, mentoring and learning? “Because I am not finished yet,” he said with a smile.

Schnake Turnbo Frank offers branding, community relations, content writing, crisis management, digital advertising, digital auditing, event planning and executive coaching to a wide list of 23 different industries, including nonprofits. Focusing is on reputation, leadership and strategy, they have been a respected Tulsa-based firm for over 47 years.

You can learn more about them at www.schnake.com.

Champions Over 60

Jack Wells Building Vintage Airplanes at 90!

J

ack has no desire to sit and rest. At 90, he invests his time doing the same kind of things and with the same vigor as he did when he was younger…family, engineering and church. A couple days a week, you will find him out at the Jenks Airport, restoring vintage WWII airplanes.

He, along with around a thousand others like him across the country, are part of the Confederate Airforce, a group that works to keep history alive by rebuilding the airplanes which defended our freedom back in the 40’s.

Ever since his first physics class in college, Jack has been fascinated with astronomy, particularly with solar eclipses.

He drove his 1946 Buick out to Wisconsin to see his first one in 1954. Since then, this passion has taken him to the Andes Mountains, Mongolia, Hawaii, India, Aruba, Zambia, Turkey, Australia and Egypt. He is excited about the upcoming eclipse on August 21st, the first in North America since 1979. He plans to go to Nebraska to watch this one.

Applying his engineering knowledge and project management skills he acquired as Senior VP of Engineering at the parent company of PSO, he can tell you every detail of the work needed before this next airplane is ready to fly.

Jack sees God’s perfect design in every event. “Sometimes it happens for a couple of minutes. Other times, like the Australia eclipse in 2012, it lasts only 32 seconds. But it is always absolutely worth the trip and I would, and have, traveled clear around the world to watch it,” he said.

Jack and his wife Barbara have 4 children, 7 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. They are active in their church at the Brookside branch of Park Plaza Church of Christ (formerly Southbrooke), where Jack served as an elder for many years. He still serves as the volunteer building engineer and amazes the young men as he is the first to climb up in the attic or jump in to fix an air conditioner.

C ommu n ity sp ir itma ga zin e.c om

A ug / sept 2017

| 9

Champions Over 60

Ron Minkler Parkinson’s Disease Won’t Stop Me!

R

on Minkler has always loved to exercise… he loves to stay fit. At 74, he still runs, still lifts weights and climbs mountains. He has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft.) twice! He has also run 23 marathons, two 50-mile races, thirty triathlons, and countless 5K’s (just for fun). He also has competed in the Senior Games and holds the record for the most pushups done in one minute…73!

His active lifestyle is unique for his age, but it is especially unique considering the fact he has Parkinson’s Disease. Diagnosed at 60, he has refused to let it slow him down or defeat him. He has too much life to live.

“For 4-5 years before my diagnosis, I knew something was wrong, but it was tough to describe and I tried to ignore the twitching in my hand.

When the doctor finally told be the bad news, I went into a horrible depression. The more I learned about the disease, the worse it seemed,” Ron explained.

But gradually, Ron began to realize Parkinson’s is not a death sentence and that there are varying degrees of symptoms. He sought help from the Oklahoma Chapter of the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, located right here in Tulsa. They offered him support groups, encouragement, the latest research information, as well as phone numbers of people and businesses that could help and ideas on how to deal with the disease.

Ron was so impressed, he joined the board and began helping to raise both awareness and highly-needed research funds. Even though he had already climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, one of the seven peaks on the bucket list of every great climber, at 66, he agreed to climb for the Parkinson’s Association, an effort that raised tens of thousands of dollars. On the way down, he took a horrible fall and tumbled down the steep mountainside, some 70 feet. Bruised and bloodied, he pressed on through the next two days to reach the bottom and become the oldest Parkinson’s patient

10 |

C o m m u n i t y S pirit m agaz ine.com

Aug / Se pt 2017

to have every successfully climbed the mountain.

He wants the general public to understand that Parkinson’s is not contagious and that the person “doing the shaking” is not dumb. There is no cure, but the sedimentary lifestyle that some Parkinson’s patients choose, can lead to a premature death. Ron is committed not to let that happen to him. The retired General Manager and once part owner of Indian Springs Country Club, continues to exercise.

“Although every case is different, Researchers have found that exercise is one thing that will keep the disease from progressing as quickly. I did have to give up my motorcycle as the loss of balance is one of my symptoms, but my doctor always tells me I am the healthiest patient he has.”

So, what is next for this champion? He doesn’t rule out another climb up Kilimanjaro, but says there are other challenges that intrigue him… maybe tackling Colorado’s Flat Irons, a challenging, mostly hand-overhand, climb up over 14,000 feet.

Ron encourages all Parkinson’s patients to stay active and not to give up.

“We all have our own mountains to climb. For some, that might be just to make it from the bedroom to the kitchen. But don’t isolate yourself.

Keep fighting!”

Michael J. Fox is the probably the most recognizable Parkinson’s patient and has helped to increase awareness and understanding. Researchers are making progress and there are now medications that decrease the symptoms for many people. You can help the association with donations of time and money.

Contact them at www.parkinsonsoklahoma.com.

Unable to “see eye to eye” with his dad, Charlie left home at sixteen. “I did whatever I had to do to make a living, doing odd jobs and taking all the construction work I could find. What else are you going to do at that age? My wife, Sally, and I got married and we lived in North Carolina where I did my best to bring home a decent paycheck, but wasn’t doing a very good job at it,” he recalled.

Charlie Daniels

Founder of Churches by Daniels and Construction by Daniels

“We made a decision to tithe, mainly because I was so broke. In fact, I decided to do more than the tithe, because we needed help immediately. I don’t know if that is faith or what it is, but that decision was made early on and has continued all this time.”

“I guess we went through about what everybody does… the pains of marriage, children, and business good and bad, working your brains out and not making enough. I built my first house when I was eighteen. It cost me a total of $26,000 for the house, land and everything. It was brick and about 1400 square feet and I built it in the evenings after work. I later sold it for $52,000, making a $26,000 profit. I was making a $1.60 per hour, so you have to understand that this was a LOT of money to me. Anyway, it cued me in on the idea that I could build for a living.

By the time I was 24, I was doing some commercial work and by 25 or 26, I was building hotels, condos and developing properties.

Business was good, but spiritually, I really was lost. In my heart, I knew what to do. I finally made a decision for Christ and decided to move to Florida. We went to Reggie Scarborough’s church.

Reggie is a Rhema graduate and he took me under his wing. One day he said, “You really need to hear Pastor Hagin.” So, I drove to Miami with him to hear Hagin. Afterwards, I decided I would move to Tulsa and attend Rhema Bible College. It was really just that simple.”

C

harlie Daniels builds churches. In fact, he builds lots of them, all over the country. But it was never part of any personal master plan, nor was it something he majored in at college. In Charlie’s humble words, “it sort of just happened.”

However, as he told me the story, it became obvious that the “sort of just happened” part was indeed planned. It was part of the Master’s plan.

We sat in Charlie’s office, inside their beautiful, new corporate building in Broken Arrow. The building was a beehive of activity with all the needed manpower and skills required to support the twenty or more churches currently under construction all over the country, as well as other jobs such as schools, government buildings and athletic facilities.

Charlie said that being broke and going through Rhema with a wife and two kids at home is a story all by itself. “But somehow, we made it,” he said. “One night, I had a dream that I would someday get to do some work for Rhema. It seemed crazy. I had no relationship with them. I just went to school there. One month later, Brother Hagin came to me and said, “We believe you are supposed to build our church.”

Joining us, was Charlie’s daughter, Rachael Rowland, who serves as the company’s Office Manager and who obviously backs her father up as a trusted business ally. As Charlie told his story, I could tell she was proud of him, listening undistracted, like it was the first time she had heard it.

Charlie built the massive church and continued to work for Rhema for fourteen years until one day, Carbondale Assembly in West Tulsa got hit by a tornado. “God told me that I was going to rebuild that church,” he recalled. “I laughed and told God that I didn’t see how that was possible. I was still working at Rhema. But it happened a second time, then a third time. Finally, I said okay, but Lord, You are going to have to make that happen. Days later, Phil Taylor, the pastor at Carbondale called me and said, ‘We think you are supposed to rebuild our church.’ So, I went to Pastors Kenneth and Lynette Hagin and told them the story. They said they thought they were supposed to pay me while I built the Carbondale building. It was a true blessing.”

He explained that he was the son of a Pentecostal preacher, a tough-as-nails kind of guy who Charlie describes as “A human, with every fault and every flaw, but one who absolutely loved God.”

After Carbondale, Charlie stayed at Rhema for a few more years to build a camp in Checotah and to remodel some of the buildings on campus. About that time, churches started calling and Rachael graduated with her Masters and agreed to work with her dad.

C ommu n ity sp ir itma ga zin e.c om

A ug / sept 2017

| 11

Churches by Daniels flourished and they took on more and more churches, including Victory Christian Center.

“I think churches continue to call Churches by Daniels because we offer something really unique,” Rachael explained. “As a pastor’s son, my father understands many of the challenges churches have during a building project. Then, with the addition of Rodney James as Vice President of Business and Finance, who served as a pastor for many years, our connection to pastors has become even stronger. We understand the process pastors face, raising the money and designing a building, while dealing with the day-to-day efforts of focusing on the spiritual needs of their members. It is different than a business and because we understand, it allows us to help churches navigate those waters.”

The business continues to grow. “The company is expanding in a better direction than what I first envisioned. It will continue to become an even better company. I have some things I am working on. I see us doing other things to grow the company in Tulsa and nationally. This year we will do some other projects nationally that aren’t churches,” Charlie explained.

12 |

C o m m u n i t y S pirit m agaz ine.com

Aug / Se pt 2017

At 61, he plans to maybe slow down a bit, but can’t imagine ever retiring. His only hobbies are his work and his family. He very proud of his two children, three grandchildren (and one on the way!). “They are good people. Business comes and goes and life changes, but if your children are doing good, that is about all you can ask for,” he said with a smile.

“The Lord has blessed us through the years. In the middle of all of that, you have your times when you can’t hear from Him and you can’t understand why things aren’t working better and all that kind of stuff. But in His timing, He gives you the words you need and takes you over. It was a word from the Lord that changed my life.

We continue to believe in that and are always looking for it.”

Churches by Daniels continues to build churches. It is their calling.

Now, along with that, Construction by Daniels is taking on general construction work both locally and all over the country. The reason for their success seems obvious….God knows these folks will listen when He calls them.

The Brush Creek Bazaar Comes to Tulsa October 13-15 at 10900 S. Louisville

I

t’s time for that Brush Creek Bazaar that you have heard so much about through the years. It’s an annual festival of everything Fall, where each item you purchase helps raise money for a very special ministry!

The smell of roasted almonds, cotton candy and popcorn will soon waif through the air again at the beautiful ranch land hidden away at 10900 S. Louisville in South Tulsa. It’s an event many Community Spirit readers circle on their calendars far in advance.

After all, it is family fun no one wants to miss.

Whether you are shopping ahead for Christmas gifts, or just wanting something excitingly new for the house, the Brush Creek Bazaar is the perfect place to look.

Eighty or more booths featuring hand-crafted items are scattered throughout the gorgeous landscape. Musicians entertain the crowds with their special talents. And the food, well, it is everything you would dream of. Altogether, the pumpkin-laden, Fall Festival, is guaranteed to put you in the mood for Oklahoma’s best season.

And, it is all done to support the boys and girls of the Adolescent Teen Challenge ministry right here in Oklahoma. Adolescent Teen Challenge is a non-profit that helps troubled teen boys and girls overcome life-controlling problems such as addiction and abuse.

The successful ministry shares stability and hope with Oklahoma teens. Offering a Christ-centered recovery program, they change lives by providing youth, adults and families an effective and comprehensive faith-based prevention or solution to drug and alcohol addiction and other life controlling problems. The program has a proven track record of enabling students to find freedom from addictive behavior, and to become socially and emotionally healthy, physically well and spiritually alive. With committed staff, effective programs and vocational training, Teen Challenge endeavors to produce graduates who function responsibly and productively in a civil society, and who have healthy relationships in the work place, family, church and community.

14 |

C o m m u n i t y S pirit m agaz ine.com

Aug / Se pt 2017

In 2016, 91 people graduated from Teen Challenge across the state. Filled with new hope, 72 percent of them typically move on to pursue a college education. Most, over 70 percent, continue to live the life-style mentored to them and do not return to using drugs and alcohol.

You can play a role in this very important ministry with your donations, service and prayers. And… Your attendance at The Brush Creek Bazaar is a Family-Fun way to help!

Visit the Oklahoma Teen Challenge website for more information on this important ministry. www.okteenchallenge.com.

The Brush Creek Bazaar is an outdoor festival that has something for everyone. It is an "arts paradise" showcasing more than 80 craft vendors. There will be artists of wood, home decor, soap, jewelry, outdoor decor, metal, clothing, candles & much, much more.

This 3-day event also features live music of all genres from bluegrass & jazz, to contemporary and & country, as well as clogging & other dance styles.

Your kids will love it! There will be a "kidzone extravaganza" awaiting all children with facepainting, pony rides, a pumpkin patch, as well as other specialty activities for the children to enjoy!!!

Times and Ticket Pricing Friday, October 13, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 14, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 15, 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Tickets are $5 and may be purchased at the gate $3 for Senior Citizens Children 12 and Under are FREE

The Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Your Dentist

U

nless you have a partner complaining about your snoring and how it disrupts their nightly sleep, your dentist may actually be one of the earliest detectors to recognize that you have a sleep disorder. There are several signs that can appear in the oral cavity that will alert a dental professional a problem may exist.

One of the biggest oral health indicators of possible sleep apnea is excessively worn teeth. We now know that there is a link between teeth grinding (bruxism) and sleep disorders. Other indicators are a large tongue with scalloped edges, a small or narrow jaw, or redness and irritation in the throat.

Sleep studies show that people with sleep apnea have repeated breathing interruptions during the night. These interruptions are a result of the airway being blocked. Sleep disorders left untreated can lead to many other health problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, stroke, heart failure and even depression.

If a dentist or dental professional recognizes one or more of the oral health indicators of a sleep disorder, they may recommend that you have a sleep study. Although dentists are often knowledgeable of sleep disorders, along with the symptoms and methods of treatment, only a medical doctor can affirmatively diagnose sleep apnea.

If your medical doctor diagnoses you with sleep apnea after a sleep study is completed, you should ask your doctor if an Oral

Sleep Appliance (“OSA”) may be right for you. Many patients that have been diagnosed with a sleep disorder have been prescribed a Continuous Position Air Pressure (“CPAP”) machine. However, a large majority of patients have trouble tolerating the cumbersome CPCP device, which results in a very low compliance.

More and more patients are turning to their dentist to be fitted for an OSA, which is often a much easier to tolerate solution compared to the CPAP. The device consists of upper and lower mouthpieces with hinges holding them together that position the lower jaw appropriately.

The objective of the OSA is to move the lower jaw forward creating a consistent open airway, which in turn eliminates or reduces the sleep apnea episodes. The OSA is a great solution if the CPAP is not comfortable or becomes intolerable, or also for a frequent traveler who finds it difficult to carry the CPAP machine.

The connection between sleep apnea and your dentist can be a very important step to identifying and resolving a sleep disorder. From being one of the first to detect the possible disorder all the way to providing treatment to help eliminate or reduce sleep apnea, your dentist may play a vital role in your overall health.

Don’t be surprised if you are questioned about the possibility of a sleep disorder at your next dental visit, and if it turns out you have sleep apnea, remember to ask your medical doctor if the OSA could be a good solution for you.

C ommu n ity sp ir itma ga zin e.c om

A ug / sept 2017

| 15

Putting Off Hearing Aids?

Get Tested and Get Back in the Game!

Clear-tone Hearing Aid Labs Offers Easy Assessment

I

f you are putting off getting hearing aids, you are missing out,” says Joe Peery.

“My wife kept suggesting for me to go have my hearing checked.

She said I was continually asking our friends and family to repeat things. I finally listened and was amazed at what I had been missing. I went to Clear-tone and they put me through some very detailed hearing tests. Afterwards, they showed me the results and helped me understand the statistics. I was unable to hear many tones, especially the higher ones, typical of a women’s voice or a child’s voice. Immediately, I understood why, when I was in front of my Bible class, I couldn’t hear the comments of women in the back of the room. No wonder they often gave me that smile like I had misheard them or that I was responding incorrectly. That is embarrassing and it doesn’t have to be that way.”

“They are more than just a business, they have become personal friends. They treat people like family.”

Joe always prided himself in being a good listener. After all, he had made his living in labor relations and human resources. He is a people person. But before he realized it, his communication skills were being negatively affected by his poor hearing.

“I enjoy life and I have too much to do to miss out just because I needed hearing aids. I love to sing at church and with the chorus at Montereau. I also help lead my Sunday School class on Sunday mornings, like to spend time with my grandkids, fly radio-controlled airplanes, and we like to go on mission trips (He just returned from a medical mission trip to Guatemala. Russia is next!). I need to be able to hear.

I first tried some fairly basic hearing aids and they were fine. But after a few years, I could tell my hearing was getting worse. So, I went back in and graduated to the latest technology. Wow, I sure could tell the difference! Just a click with one hand and I can accommodate to any hearing environment. When I go into restaurants, the hearing aids can tune into the environment change and make changes for me that gets rid of a lot of the ancillary background noise.

It changed my lifestyle. I can hear the television without turning it up. I am enjoying music so much more now. And, I’m not embarrassing myself by mis-hearing in Bible class anymore. It is a substantial improvement.”

Because of Joe’s excitement and his satisfaction with Clear-tone,

16 |

C o m m u n i t y S pirit m agaz ine.com

Aug / Se pt 2017

he was asked to be on some commercials for the company. “I want everyone to know that I do that completely for free.

My testimony is from the heart and I am happy to help them.

They are more than just a business, they have become personal friends. They treat people like family.”

Joe tells all of his friends to go to Clear-tone. “They are genuine and they take a sincere, personal interest in you. When you are there, you get the sense that nobody is more important to them than you. They take the time to meet my needs. I am a retail guy.

I know what good service looks like and I look for it. Great service is personal service and that is what you can expect at Cleartone.”

“While you are there, they treat you to coffee, cookies and donuts and you can tell the staff is well trained. I also like the fact that they are obviously Christian folks. There are Bibles on the desks and Bible tracts are also available. That means a lot to me.”

Joe is 78 years old and he expects that his hearing will continue to change. He says he knows he can depend upon Clear-tone to make the necessary changes in his hearing device to make sure he doesn’t miss out on a single word.

“I depend on my hearing aids and on the folks at Clear-tone Hearing Aid Labs. They have never let me down and they won’t let you down either.”

2323 S. Sheridan Rd. Tulsa, OK 918-838-1000

‘Trailblazers’ set to call

The Linden at Stonehaven Square home

Opening Soon!

S

cheduled to open in mid-September, excitement and buzz are building for Tulsa’s newest option in assisted living and memory care – The Linden at Stonehaven Square.

Managed by Leisure Care, a company with more than 40 years leading the industry with its focus on hospitality, customer service, and fun, The Linden will bring to the Tulsa and Broken Arrow communities a unique and refreshing approach to senior housing.

Conveniently located off of 81st Street near the Mingo Valley Expressway, residents of The Linden will enjoy all that the local area has to offer. Family members will also have peace of mind knowing that the community is in close proximity of area medical facilities, including both St. Francis Hospital South and Hillcrest Hospital South.

Since the opening of the Information Center in June, the Linden has seen tremendous interest from the local community. A waitlist is building of future residents, or ‘Trailblazers’, who will begin selecting their apartments in mid-August and making plans to move into the community in mid to late September. An apartment selection kick-off event is scheduled for Saturday, August 12th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, and the entire community is invited. Enjoy breakfast burritos prepared by the Linden’s newly hired Chef, cool off with a refreshing iced tea or lemonade, and get to know the Linden team.

Speaking of the Linden team, Tulsa native and Oklahoma State University graduate Collin Coburn is the General Manager of The Linden and brings to the community vast experience in healthcare administration. “I’m really excited to be opening The Linden,” says Collin. “Having worked in senior healthcare

18 |

C o m m u n i t y S pirit m agaz ine.com

Aug / Se pt 2017

my entire career I feel very blessed to be part of such a great organization.” Sales Advisor Brett Baker has been on board for a few months now, and in recent weeks Collin has been busy recruiting the team that will drive the hospitality vision and delivery of services to residents. Joining Collin and Brett are Pam VanVleck, Health & Wellness Director, and Randall Cox, Chef, with additional positions being filled in the coming weeks.

In the Health & Wellness Director role, Pam VanVleck will oversee both assisted living and memory care at The Linden.

Pam has spent the last 30 years calling Broken Arrow home.

The bulk of her career was with St. Francis Hospital, however she also has experience in long-term care and teaching. Pam has a master’s degree in nursing. “We are so fortunate to have found not only an amazingly skilled nurse but an overall great person,” says Collin.

Randall brings to The Linden more than 27 years of culinary experience, the last 20 in the role of Executive Chef.

His training and experience includes the Ritz Carlton where he participated in the exclusive Michelin Star program under French Master Chef Bernard Bouduries. Most recently he held the position of Executive Chef at the Summit Club in Tulsa. “I love the freshest possible food cooked in its simplest form,” says Chef Randall. “I look forward to creating a menu at The Linden that will have our residents excited to dine each and every day.”

The Linden will feature 134 apartments licensed for assisted living and memory care services. Assisted living apartments include a variety of studio, one bedroom and two bedroom

floor plans while those needing memory care services will enjoy their choice of a private suite or a neighbor suite (personal living space with a shared bathroom). Whether you or your loved one needs a little assistance or a lot, The Linden can help. All residents will receive an assessment prior to moving in and, in conjunction with doctors and family, a comprehensive care plan will be developed. But it doesn’t stop there. Residents will be monitored daily and formal assessments conducted on a regular basis to ensure that care plans change as needs change.

Assisted living services are extremely flexible and can be started or stopped at any time. Services at the Linden include bathing assistance, medication management, mobility and escort assistance, continence support, care coordination, and more.

For those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, The Linden proudly offers Opal, Leisure Care’s signature memory care program. Touching on seven pillars of wellness, Opal allows care staff to get to know each resident personally, drawing on his or her life story, and providing programming and experiences that give meaning and purpose to each day. These seven pillars include physical, social, experiential, emotional and spiritual, creative and artistic, therapeutic, and sensory. Every employee at The Linden will receive specialized and ongoing training to ensure that each resident is cared for with respect, compassion, and the sensitivity needed in a memory care environment.

In addition to providing excellent care, The Linden will offer residents plenty of opportunity for socialization, engagement, and fun. Onsite amenities include everything from dining venues to an onsite theater, PrimeFit gym and fitness program, spa

and salon, bistro, game and activity spaces, and more. But life at The Linden extends far beyond the front doors. Residents will enjoy trips to the theater, outings to the ballpark, excursions to farmer’s markets, and more. The Linden also offers residents access to Travel by Leisure Care, where personal travel agents are on hand to help plan everything from a family member visiting from out of town to an Alaskan Cruise. “We aren’t your typical retirement community by any means,” says Collin. “The variety of services and amenities we offer are truly unique for the Tulsa area.”

The Linden is offering an amazing move in package for those who make a reservation prior to opening and are among the first 50 people to move in to the community. Members of the Trailblazer Club will receive up to $3,000 off their first month’s rent, $2,000 for moving expenses, and a guaranteed rate lock for the first two years of residency (not to mention tons of fun.) “We can’t wait to make a positive impact on our residents’ lives,” says Collin. “The Trailblazer Club is our way of thanking those who choose to be among the first to call The Linden home.”

For more information, visit www.lindenseniorliving.com or call (918) 212-8135.

Visitors are also welcome at The Linden’s onsite Information Center, located at 10802 E. 81st Street, Monday through Saturday or Sundays by appointment.

C ommu n ity sp ir itma ga zin e.c om

A ug / sept 2017

| 19

AUGUST 29 – SEPTEMBER 3 AT TULSA PAC Celebrity Attractions kicks off the 2017-2018 Broadway Season with the national Broadway tour of

Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID

T

his beloved fairy tale comes to life on stage at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center August 29 – September 3. Audiences of all ages are sure to fall in love with this underwater spectacular! Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, July 19 at 10 a.m.

In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories, with music by eight-time Academy Award® winner Alan Menken, it’s a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. Come fall in love with the magic for the first time – or all over again with classics such as “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl,” “Part of Your World” and more!

A veteran cast of Broadway’s best will bring this timeless fairytale’s most beloved characters to life on stage!

DIANA HUEY (Ariel) has an incredible voice. You have probably heard and seen her on television shows such as Leverage, The Glee Project and New Day Northwest’s theme-song singer. She also has a long, impressive list of Broadway credits and is a Helen Hayes Award-winner for Best Leading Actress for Signature Theatre’s Miss Saigon. DianaHuey. com.

ERIC KUNZE (Prince Eric) most recently appeared as Bruce in the International premiere of Fun Home opposite Lea Salonga. Additional

Broadway credits include Les Misérables (Marius), Miss Saigon (Chris) and Damn Yankees (Joe Hardy). He has a long list of Off-Broadway shows including Leopard’s Leap. National/International Tours: Miss Saigon (Chris), Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus), Whistle Down the Wind (The Man), The Fantasticks, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado.

MELVIN ABSTON (Sebastian) appeared on Broadway in Sister Act. National Tour credits include The Lion King, Joseph and The Amazing…, Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Sister Act. JENNIFER ALLEN (Ursula) has a multitude of Broadway credits, including starring and co-starring roles in Bridges of Madison County, Sister Act (Mother Superior), Memphis, A Catered Affair, Cats (Grizabella), Little Me, Guys and Dolls (Miss Adelaide) and City of Angels.

STEVE BLANCHARD (King Triton) is a veteran of both stage and screen. Broadway credits include Beauty and the Beast, Camelot, A Christmas Carol and The Three Musketeers. National Tours: Newsies, Little House on the Prairie, Camelot and Phantom of the Opera. Television: The Tap, Law & Order, Third Watch, Cupid, Ed, Sunset Beat, Police Story and Goody Goody.

ALLEN FITZPATRICK (Grimsby) has 10 Broadway credits to his name and was featured in five National Tours. Multiple TV/film roles. He currently portrays Major Werner on Chaldea.

FREDERICK HAGREEN (Jetsam) has appeared regionally in Assassins as John Hinckley, Jr., Pirates of Penzance and Jasper in Deadland (The 5th Avenue Theatre); Come From Away (Seattle Rep.); Bad Apples (ACT); Disney’s Mary Poppins and Les Misérables (Village Theatre); American Idiot and Really, Really (ArtsWest).

BRANDON ROACH (Flotsam) appeared in the National Tour of Beauty and the Beast. Regional: Tuacahn (Sister Act, Disney’s When You Wish), Surflight (The Wizard of Oz), Cd’A Summer Theatre (Mary Poppins; 9 to 5 and Hello, Dolly!).

CONNOR RUSSELL (Flounder) has many regional credits and received an Award nomination for Best Leading Actor), Brand Upon the Brain (Toronto Film Festival/New York Film Festival), Truth Slash Fiction (SeriesFest 2016 Winner).

JAMIE TORCELLINI (Scuttle) is a Broadway veteran, with credits including Cats (Mr. Mistoffelees), Little Johnny Jones (Standby for Donny Osmond), Me and My Girl (Standby for Jim Dale), Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, Man of La Mancha (Barber), Beauty and the Beast (LeFou) and the original company of Billy Elliot. Television/Film: Law & Order, ER, Mrs. Santa Claus, The Jamie Foxx Show, Stuart Little. Torcellini has also provided character voices for Disney’s Tarzan, Pocahontas and was the character model for the body of Aladdin.

Presented by Celebrity Attractions, Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID comes to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center for eight performances only August 29 – September 3, 2017. The performance schedule is Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased via phone 918.596.7111 or 800.364.7111, in person at the Tulsa PAC Box Office, or online at MyTicketOffice.com. Groups of 10 or more may be placed by calling 918.796.0220.

Celebrity Attractions is proud to have KOTV-News on 6 and Tulsa World as sponsors for this amazing season.

20 |

C o m m u n i t y S pirit m agaz ine.com

Aug / Se pt 2017

THE BODYGUARD The Musical PREMIERES SEPT. 26 – OCT. 1 AT TULSA PAC

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, AUGUST 25

C

elebrity Attractions is delighted to announce the first U.S. National tour of THE BODYGUARD The Musical makes it’s Oklahoma premiere at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center for eight performances only September 26 – October 1. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 25 at 10 a.m.

Grammy® Award-nominated and multi-platinum R&B/pop recording artist and film/TV actress, Deborah Cox stars as Rachel Marron. In the role of bodyguard Frank Farmer is television star, Judson Mills.

Based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar-nominated Warner Bros. film and adapted by AcademyAward®-winner (Birdman) Alexander Dinelaris, THE BODYGUARD The Musical had its world premiere on December 5, 2012 at London’s Adelphi Theatre. THE BODYGUARD The Musical was nominated for four Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and Best Set Design and won Best New Musical at the Whatsonstage Awards. The UK production of the musical recently completed a sell-out 16-month UK and Ireland tour and made its triumphant return to London’s West End at the Dominion Theatre on July 15, 2016.

Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker.

Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love.

A romantic thriller, THE BODYGUARD The Musical features a host of irresistible classics including “So Emotional,” “One Moment in Time,” “Saving All My Love,” “Run to You,” “I Have Nothing,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” and one of the biggest selling songs of all time – “I Will Always Love You.” Rounding out the principal cast are Alex Corrado (Gotham, Hannibal) as Tony Scibelli, Rachel’s personal security guard, Jarid Faubel (Black & White, X-Men: First Class) as FBI agent Ray Court, Charles Gray (Broadway: The Color Purple, Tour: The Lion King) as manager Bill Devaney, Jonathan Hadley (Broadway: Jersey Boys, A Class Act) as publicist Sy Spector, Jorge Paniagua (Regional: The Full Monty, Oregon Shakespeare Festival) as the Stalker, Jasmin Richardson (Tour: Memphis, Dreamgirls) as Rachel’s sister Nicki Marron and Douglas Baldeo (Broadway: Kinky Boots, Tour: Motown) and Kevelin B. Jones III (Idlewild Music Festival) alternating in the role of Rachel’s son Fletcher.

Welcomed by the Bank of Oklahoma, THE BODYGUARD The Musical comes to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center for eight performances only September 26 – October 1. The performance schedule is Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Deborah Cox is not scheduled to perform in the Saturday 2 p.m. and Sunday 7 p.m. performances. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 25 at 10 a.m. and may be purchased via phone 918.596.7111 or 800.364.7111, in person at the Tulsa PAC Ticket Office, or online at MyTicketOffice. com. Groups of 10 or more may be placed by calling 918.796.0220.

Get social with Celebrity Attractions by becoming a fan on Facebook.com/BwayTULSA. Follow at Twitter.com/BwayTULSA and Instagram.com/BwayTULSA. Join in the conversation by using

#BwayTulsa. THE BODYGUARD The Musical is part of the Celebrity Attractions’ 2017-2018 Broadway Season which also includes A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER, FINDING NEVERLAND, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS and the special add-on production of BEAUTIFUL-The Carole King Musical. For season tickets, call 918.596.7109 or order online at CelebrityAttractions.com. The best way to guarantee tickets to HAMILTON is to purchase a season subscription for the 20172018 Broadway Season. Subscribers who renew their subscription for the 2018-2019 Season will be able to guarantee their tickets for the premiere Tulsa engagement of HAMILTON before tickets become available to the general public.

Celebrity Attractions is proud to have KOTV-News on 6 and Tulsa World as sponsors for this amazing season.

For more information, please visit www.CelebrityAttractions.com and www.thebodyguardmusical.com.

C ommu n ity sp ir itma ga zin e.c om

A ug / sept 2017

| 21

22  |

C o m m u n i t y S pirit m agaz ine.com

Aug / Se pt 2017

C ommu n ity sp ir itma ga zin e.c om

A ug / sept 2017

| 23 

Calvin Moore

Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa “Together, We Can Deliver”:

O

ne of Calvin Moore’s earliest memories was going with his grandmother to conduct her little version of Meals on Wheels. Driving out to the rural countryside, they would deliver fresh vegetables, meals, and sometimes even livestock to those in need.

“Even though at the time, I didn’t always want to go, her servant example ultimately became a gift to my twin sister and me. It was Gospel in action and it proved that the best sermon told is a sermon that is lived. It was what she made her life about and she made sure that it rubbed off and became ours too. It was an emotional and spiritual genesis for us that I will never forget,” Calvin explained.

That is one of the reasons, Calvin was such a perfect choice to step into the shoes of the 32-year Meals on Wheels veteran Executive Director, Dan Rabovsky. Armed with a servant’s heart as well as the perfect career experience, Calvin has taken up where Dan left off, earning Tulsa’s Meals on Wheels the respect of communities all over the country.

“Dan was an extraordinary individual and he was a unifier. Years ago, Meals on Wheels was made up of some 16-17 different organizations, mostly churches who used the service as part of their outreach ministry. Dan and Board Chairman, Kathryn Offermann, were able to pull all of these groups together, making Meals on Wheels what it is today,” Calvin said.

Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa (MOWMT) provides nutritious meals and friendly, caring contact to elderly and disabled homebound individuals in Tulsa and surrounding areas. By doing so, they improve the person’s health, while helping them maintain their independence, dignity and well-being.

“MOWMT is not a faith-based organization, but it certainly is a faith-filled organization. We work with mostly religious organizations that see it as an extension of their ministry. They help make up our roughly 1600 weekly volunteers. We also have another 500 or so who volunteer from time to time. These volunteers provide around a 3.5-million-dollar impact to our organization and to the City of Tulsa every year,” Calvin said.

The 501c(3) organization is currently 100 percent privately funded. However, Calvin explained that in order to fuel the growth going forward, they are going to have to

24 |

C o m m u n i t y S pirit m agaz ine.com

Aug / Se pt 2017

take advantage of some of these pass-through dollars that were developed specifically for organizations like MOWMT. The need continues to sky-rocket as the Baby Boomer generation ages. Ten thousand Baby Boomers are turning 65 every single day and will do so for the next 15 years. Thousands of people can’t prepare their own meals or completely take care of themselves. Gearing up with a new kitchen and more volunteers, MOWMT is trying to meet the need. They bring more than just hot meals. Their volunteers act as first responders, providing connection to community and a source of protection.

Meals are available to people 62 years of age and higher, with exceptions down to 55 with a doctor’s request. Clients are given the opportunity to donate financially each month if they are able.

Calvin Moore and his team deserve your help. Go online to their website, www.MealsOnWheelsTulsa.org to volunteer or donate.

Calvin, your Grandmother would be proud. Thank you and your fine organization for serving Tulsa!

Meals on Wheels Metro Tulsa…

Is 99.7 percent supported by private donations Serves areas including Glenpool, Owasso, Jenks, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, and Sand Springs.

Trains and deploys approximately 1700 volunteers per year who render economic value for services in the amount of 2.3 million dollars annually.

Has a partnership with Home Depot Tulsa, and The Home Depot Foundation to perform home repairs to the home of Veterans Project 2020 goals are: Serve 1 million meals throughout our service area by the end of year 2020 Serve more than 2,000 unique clients weekly Deploy more than 2,000 volunteers annually Raise more than $3.5 million dollars per year to support operations

C ommu n ity sp ir itma ga zin e.c om

A ug / sept 2017

| 25 

Brian Sims (center) is joined by his family, son Colton (far left), wife Belinda (left) and daughter Kaylynn (far right), and members of his Hillcrest Medical Center care team.

Faith (and Football) Help Heal Rare Condition Survivor

By Ginny Hensley, APR, Hillcrest HealthCare System

“Life is fragile; handle with prayer.”

T

he Sims family of Greenwood, Arkansas learned just how fragile life can be, and how quickly it can change.

Brian Sims, assistant offensive line coach and head track and field coach for the Greenwood Bulldogs, noticed a rash on April 17. By May 3 he was admitted to the Alexander Burn Center at Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa.

“I can’t say I knew from the beginning that something was wrong; however, it never really looked like typical poison ivy and definitely didn’t respond to the medication in a way typical for him,” recalls Belinda Sims, Brian’s wife of more than 21 years. “I knew something wasn’t right; he's the strongest man I know physically and mentally. I never dreamed that we would go through everything that he’s been through.”

What Brian has been through is a battle with SJS/TEN, StevensJohnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, severe drug reactions that primarily involve the skin and mucus membranes. Both are incredibly rare and potentially fatal.

“Brian and I immediately Googled SJS/TEN when the ER doctor suspected that’s what Brian was facing; we both were scared immediately by what we read,” remembers Belinda. Over the course of Brian’s battle, “we nearly lost him four times and there were numerous other times when we knew it was very touch and go,” she says.

Brian experienced kidney failure and was placed on 24/7 dialysis as a result. Respiratory failure required intubation and eventually a tracheotomy, all while his blood pressure fluctuated to dangerous levels. Pain medi-

26 |

C o m m u n i t y S pirit m agaz ine.com

Aug / Se pt 2017

cations were a necessity to help with pain related to wound dressing and debridement of his skin. Most recently his gallbladder had to be removed.

Now recovering and undergoing physical therapy at the Kaiser Rehabilitation Center at Hillcrest Medical Center, Brian has welcomed some special visitors, including members of his offensive line.

Through it all, the Sims family’s faith has been a source of strength and hope. “Our faith has carried us through this ordeal,” says Belinda.

“Don’t get me wrong, there were moments when we questioned our faith throughout this journey. But then I would see a message on Facebook or have a text message from people who were praying for my husband.

These would always come during the most critical times, life threatening moments for Brian.”

When the situation was at its most bleak, Belinda sought peace in dealing with the idea that Brian might not survive. “I had to come to terms with the fact that God might have a different plan for Brian than what I wanted. This realization devastated me, but his determination and the strong level of dedication of the staff here at the hospital, along with the prayers of so many family, friends and even complete strangers have kept him progressing.”

Belinda also took comfort in visiting the chapel at Hillcrest Medical Center. The hospital’s Pastoral Care program meets the spiritual and ministry needs of patients.

Special “God moments” have also appeared along the Sims’ journey.

When Belinda reached out to friends in Tulsa asking for a recommendation for a hair salon, the Lord’s presence showed up in a powerful and unexpected way, enabling Belinda to have a special moment with the hairdresser who also serves in leadership at a local church. “He and I had

Brian Sims (center) played football with son Colton (left) on the green at Hillcrest Medical Center as part of his physical therapy. They’re joined by Brian’s wife, Belinda (right). a conversation about religion and God and life-threatening situations that he didn’t realize made an enormous impact on me. It was something my heart needed so very much; God has blessed us in the darkest moments in more ways than I could possibly begin to describe.”

Another “God moment” came when Belinda didn’t realize her Facebook settings had changed, making her posts about Brian public, enabling others to share them. “By the time I realized what had happened we were being so greatly blessed by the outpouring of prayers and support that I feel that was another intervention from the Lord – He knew we needed the support! Social media can certainly be negative, but in this case, it has been nothing but positive.”

The Sims children, Colton and Kaylynn, have also been strong support for Brian. “We’ve always been proud of them but they’ve shown such amazing strength and dedication to their dad and I throughout this situation,” says Belinda.

While Brian faces a continued road to full recovery, the Sims are grateful for how far they’ve come. “My opinion, my faith, my belief is that God gave each doctor, nurse, nurse's assistant, therapist, custodian, case worker, hospitality workers, volunteers, etc. the knowledge and talents needed to keep Brian alive,” says Belinda.

“There are no words to adequately express the amount of gratitude we feel for each person who has prayed, helped and supported us in so many ways. Brian is so very grateful for all the prayers! He has been astonished by how kind and supportive everyone has been to us.”

The state's first burn center and a regional burn center since 1968, the Alexander Burn Center at Hillcrest offers comprehensive burn treatment for minor burns to serious injuries for patients of all ages. It is one of the most progressive burn centers in the areas of wound care, nutrition and pain management. The Alexander Burn Center provides intensive care as well as a rapidrecovery unit for non-life threatening burns.

C ommu n ity sp ir itma ga zin e.c om

A ug / sept 2017

| 27

Ten Reasons for PERMANENT Life Insurance 1. Makes non-income producing assets, income producing 2. Makes income producing assets provide greater retirement income 3. Reduces income taxes throughout retirement

A

nyone that has worked with our ACT Financial team knows that we believe in protection and we routinely show individuals and businesses the “living benefits” of permanent life insurance. We call this process, “making it come alive”.

Permanent insurance is a powerful financial product and with the proper understanding and implementation it can enhance and even improve your existing financial plan(s). No matter your station in life and regardless if you are single, married or a business entity, owning permanent life insurance integrated with your other assets can protect you from several of the eroding factors affecting your finances. Factors such as market risk, inflation, income taxes, estate taxes, creditors, and interest rate decline can be mitigated with the use of this ingenious tool!!

I have used here a partial list of the attributes of permanent insurance that you likely WILL NOT hear about from many of the radio pundits that clearly do not understand the subject. In fact, I am pretty sure that somewhere in their youth, a life insurance agent stole their ice cream cone! Here are the irrefutable facts!

The statistics are overwhelming and there is no denying the fact that baby boomers are not prepared for retirement. With 10,000 baby boomers retiring each day, marching like lemmings, ill-prepared for retirement, the needed benefit(s) associated with owning permanent life insurance are becoming more apparent than ever. It is a sad day when 40% of those polled believe they will be required to work well past their normal retirement age.

Many believe they will have to work until they drop dead.2 Over the past three decades, I have been blessed to have seen my share of “financial” success stories. Almost without exception, life insurance has been the common denominator that could be directly attributed to a client’s overall success. Looking back, many of the attributes mentioned above were played out to provide our clients with a better retirement. Once our clients are educated to the benefits associated with permanent life insurance ownership, they are utilizing it and seeing results.

For more information on how you can make your existing insurance policies “come alive”, or if you would like to have a better understanding of the “living benefits” of permanent life insurance, please give us a call. We would love to help you navigate this very important topic. The future financial success of your family or business depends on it!

2 Bankers Life

28 |

C o m m u n i t y S pirit m agaz ine.com

Aug / Se pt 2017

4. Minimizes market or interest rate risk on asset portfolios 5. Provides increasing income rather than fixed income during retirement 6. Avoids the worry of running out of money 7. Reduces the amount of capital required to meet your retirement needs 8. Enhances protection of your assets against claims of creditors 9. Provides for legacy planning1 10. And finally, newer versions can protect your assets from depletion from the cost associated from long term care expenses.

PS&G Model™ Living Value™ Worksheet

1

RANDY C. COWELL ACT FINANCIAL (918) 664-0081 rcowell@htk.com 4111 S. Darlington Ave., Suite 800, Tulsa, OK 74135 Randy C. Cowell is a columnist and President of ACT Financial Services, Inc. in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is the author of “God Good-Debt Bad”. Randy welcomes your thoughts and prayers. He can be reached at 918-664-0081 or by e-mail at rcowell@htk.com. “Randy C. Cowell is a registered Representative of and Securities and Investment Advisory services offered through Hornor Townsend and Kent, Inc Registered Investment Advisor. HTK is a member of FINRA/SIPC and does not offer tax, legal and credit service advice. The views expressed are not necessarily those of HTK. ACT Financial Services, Inc. is not affiliated with HTK.”

Strong Is the New Skinny: Why Women Need Weight Training Ladies, here are 5 reasons you should start lifting weights today: 1. Builds Muscle and Burns Fat (Lean & Toned Body) a. Resistance training can improve the appearance of the body by toning and firming muscles. These effects may not make a difference to your bodyweight (because muscle outweighs fat), but can still result in a drop of dress size and overall increased body confidence.

2. Burns a Ton of Calories (Boosting Your Metabolism) a. Weight training builds muscle, as lean muscle increases so does your metabolism. Weight training has been proven to raise your metabolism for up to 24 hours after a workout. The more intense the workout the more calories are burned.

3. Maintain Bone Density (Bone Strength & Health) a. As women age they become increasingly vulnerable to bone loss and osteoporosis. Strength training and weight baring exercise has been proven to help increase a person’s bone mineral density (BMD) and slow the process of bone loss over time.

4. Stress Reduction (Enhances Mood) a. Weight lifting is one of the best ways to naturally enhance boost mood. Exercise and resistance training releases endorphins, which are neurotransmitters that prevent pain, improve mood, and enhance pleasure. These endorphins also help to relieve stress and put the body in a state of relaxation.

5. Reduce Risk of Injury (Improves Balance)

W

eight training, also known as resistance training, is a key part of achieving and maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle. Weight training is important for not only strengthening the body in general, but also for increasing a person’s bone mineral density (BMD), which is an aspect that all adult women should be concerned about. The misconceptions that weight training will cause women to become super bulky and masculine is completely ridiculous and incorrect. Until recently, the weight room has been a predominately male domain, but now that is starting to change. Today more and more women are recognizing the benefits that come from lifting weights and are putting these misconceptions to rest.

a. Better muscle tone and increased strength due to weight training has also been proven to improve balance and posture. This is especially important for older women, who may be at a higher risk for falling and sustaining injuries due to weak muscle mass. Weight training also increases strength in connective tissues and joints, this is important in helping to prevent injuries and can also relieve pain from osteoarthritis.

8007-C S. Sheridan Tulsa, OK (918) 320-0153 C ommu n ity sp ir itma ga zin e.c om

A ug / sept 2017

| 29 

The Love Story at Augustine Christian Academy Kirk and Gail Post Continue in Starring Roles

I

t’s been said that every great play contains a passionate love story.

If this is true and the founding of Augustine Christian Academy ever were told in a play, Kirk and Gail Post would no doubt be the leading characters. Still in love with each other and with the calling God has placed on their lives, they serve the school with the same vigor and excitement they had when they helped start the school twenty years ago.

From the beginning, the Posts shared a joint calling to establish a uniquely Christian school built around a Classical education model.

On purpose, by chance, or most assuredly by God’s design, the academy has been successful, becoming a close-knit community with a reputation for strong academics and a passion for the performing arts.

Kirk and Gail laugh when they think about how central the academy has become to their life together. Few dinners at home are ever complete without at least some discussion about what happened at school today. That is just fine with them. Augustine, or more importantly, the kids at Augustine are their biggest ministry and focus.

Kirk talks about what a blessing it is for the two of them to have the same calling and interests. “From the beginning when Gail and

30 |

C o m m u n i t y S pirit m agaz ine.com

Aug / Se pt 2017

I first started dating, she has always made herself interested in the things I felt were God’s calling for my life. Then, to see her being able to use the talents God has given her in the same place is very exciting. We have been able to share and appreciate each other’s gifting’s. For us, there is none of that jealousy that sometimes happens when someone is following a calling and their mate isn’t totally involved. When she spends hours preparing for a musical, I know what she is doing and why she is doing it. And when I am spending a crazy amount of time pulling something together for the school, she understands why that is such an important thing to me. We are in this together.”

For the last sixteen years, Gail has worked as a Court Clerk for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. She went part time seven years ago, allowing her to spend the remainder of her day at the school. But recently when she was pushed to make a choice between her work and the school, she quickly announced her retirement from the commission. “The decision was an easy one. One was a paycheck and the other was a passion,” she said with a serious tone.

“We have so much sweat equity in the school. I have no doubt I made the right choice.”

For a smaller-sized school, Augustine has a highly respected performing arts reputation. What started with only a touring choir twenty years ago, has now developed into an aggressive performance schedule which includes two major musical productions during the school year, a Summer program, some little theatres and an active touring choir. Visitors are astounded when they attend the ACA performances. How could such a big performing arts program spring from such a small school?

“We are successful because there is no such thing as can’t. Just because we are a small school or just because we might not initially know how to do something, doesn’t mean we can’t. There are no excuses. With God’s help, we can get it done,” Gail explained.

Gail does not have a drama degree, nor was she experienced in performing or putting on productions. She worked on her music education degree for 3 years, but when God surprised them with their third child, life got too busy and she didn’t finish. Because of this, she used to think she had something to prove. Not anymore.

“When the Lord calls you to do something, He surrounds you with people and the tools to be successful. You have a legacy to leave. It is something He gives, you don’t build it yourself,” she said.

Kirk and Gail met at church while they were in college. Working together on a Dawson McAllister leadership training program, they were asked to do some witnessing on Saturdays. Gail was impressed with Kirk’s humility and his desire to serve. Kirk was impressed with Gail’s spirit and her love for people. The rest, as they say, is history.

The Posts have been married 43 years and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Their family remains close and the grandkids love to take part in the Summer program at ACA.

Aside from his duties as Headmaster, Kirk gets involved in the productions by working on set design. It gives him an opportunity to work side by side with the students and to demonstrate that everyone can be involved. No matter their assignment, the students are taught a driving principle…that they are there to serve the Lord.

“You never hear out of my mouth, we are going to make you a Broadway star. We never mention the ‘B’ word (Broadway) or the ‘H’ word (Hollywood). That is up to the kids and their parents if they want to pursue that. We believe the arts belong to the Lord and we need to give it back to Him. So, we teach our kids that you can serve Him and be passionate about serving in the arts wherever you are. You don’t have to do it on Broadway or on any stage. You can do it anywhere you are. The Lord created the arts and all the creativity that comes with it,” Gail said.

What is the future for this dynamic couple? “We take things a day at a time. We just keep doing it and enjoying it. I guess when the people around us stop enjoying it (she laughed), or when God calls us home, we will quit,” she explained.

But for now, the productions continue, the audiences are “wowed,” and Gail still is lovingly presented roses at the closing of each show. “Make a difference,” she tells her students. Every student and every member of the audience agrees, Gail and Kirk Post already have.

C ommu n ity sp ir itma ga zin e.c om

A ug / sept 2017

| 31

Digital Misinformation – One of the Main Threats to Our Society?

I

t’s interesting how the things that keep people up at night change over the course of a lifetime. In one stage of life, it might be getting accepted into that prestigious university or getting a call back from the dream company you applied to. Fast forward a few years, and it could be the hundreds of thousands of dollars of student loan debt that you didn’t realize you racked up obtaining your education. Then, you start a family, your kids get older and now you wonder, “How am I going to pay for college?” Finally, as you get older (and wiser); you start to lie awake wondering, “am I on track to meet my financial goals?” “Do I have enough money saved to retire comfortably?” “Am I going to be a financial burden on my kids?” In 2015, CreditCards.com conducted a national survey and found that 62 percent of adult Americans are losing sleep over at least one financial problem, with 40 percent of them identifying “saving enough money for retirement” as the cause. Whatever stage of life you find yourself in, there’s no doubt you’ve experienced, or will experience, a few of these sleepless nights.

In this information age that we’re in, we can’t help but be sucked into a vortex of misinformation out there. On one hand,

32 |

C o m m u n i t y S pirit m agaz ine.com

Aug / Se pt 2017

for the DIY-er, the internet is an extremely useful tool. However, if you aren’t careful, you can find some really bad information ranging from medical advice to relationship advice to financial advice (most of which is conflicting). In fact, “The World Economic Forum has called widespread digital misinformation — which largely spreads via social media — one of the main threats to our society.” Think about that for a second. How many times have you read or watched something online, and because it sounded logical, or, looked easy to do, you followed the advice or instructions to a tee with less than ideal results? My wife can tell you that this happens to me all the time with Pinterest recipes! The honest truth is that if losing weight were that easy, remodeling your kitchen was a breeze, or, becoming a millionaire was as simple as saving 10% of your income into a 12% mutual fund, EVERYONE would look great in swimsuits, have beautiful kitchens and be millionaires.

However, you can look around you and see that isn’t the case.

I’m a firm believer that it’s the spread of misinformation that is setting people up for failure when it comes to their financial journey; causing people many sleepless nights. If you pay attention, most of the information is written by someone who is either

jaded or motivated. Beware! Anytime you read somewhere that a financial product is “terrible”, or, you should ONLY do X if you want financial freedom, then chances are that person’s perspective is biased – they are jaded. It could be for a number of reasons, but chances are, they had a bad experience doing X, so then it must be bad news for everyone.

Then, there are some people out there – certain financial entertainers – that are motivated to get you to use their programs, buy their books and use their products, because that is how they make their living. Again, their perspective is biased, causing many people to fall prey to misinformation. What I find upsetting is that most of the information I’ve read out there with these extreme

viewpoints begin with the wrong goal in mind. Instead of encouraging people to be as efficient with what they’re doing as possible and to figure out what works for them, they get people to buy into a one-size fits all mentality by beating up products and services that can actually help.

Please hear me when I say that your approach to achieving financial success should be customized to you and involve strategies that incorporate all sorts of different financial products; like tools in a toolbox. Otherwise, you could be missing out on some of the most creative products and strategies available. If you ever have questions about information you come across and you’d like a second opinion, I encourage you to call me at my office. I’m all about paying it forward, so I’d love the opportunity to be a resource for you.

Justin Graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in business Administration from John Brown University in 2007. For over 30 years, Justin witnessed his father, Randy, approach his financial planning practice as a ministry.

This inspired Justin to pursue a career where he could help families and business owners achieve their maximum financial potential.

Justin C. Cowell - Partner ACT Financial Services, Inc. 4111 S. Darlington Ave., Ste. 800 Tulsa, OK 74135 O: 918-664-0081 C: 918-810-7239 jcowell@htk.com

C ommu n ity sp ir itma ga zin e.c om

A ug / sept 2017

| 33

Something’s Missing...

Filling in the Gaps with Dental Implants

H

ave you ever felt incomplete? Like something was missing? Three months prior to Jim’s initial visit to our practice, he was at his dentist’s office and was given the unfortunate news that he would have to lose a back tooth because an old root canal went bad. Jim didn’t think much of it at the time and allowed his dentist to take the tooth out that day. It wasn’t until a few weeks later when Jim was having a steak dinner on a night out with his wife that Jim felt that something was missing.

This is the story of so many who come into our practice after having been told they are going to lose a tooth. As a periodontist, my primary objective is to help patients save their teeth. Unfortunately, there are many situations when keeping a tooth or teeth may not be the best option for the patient. To lose something that has been a part of you since you were a child can be a hard reality to accept and can become a very emotional experience.

For Jim, it was the fact that he struggled to enjoy his favorite meal. For many others, they are ashamed to even smile or speak because they have missing teeth.

Teeth are often something we take for granted. We don’t realize how much we use them and rely on them until they are gone. Not only do teeth allow us to chew food to take in the nutrition our body needs to stay healthy, but they also allow us to smile and speak. Losing teeth can drastically affect a person’s

34 |

C o m m u n i t y S pirit m agaz ine.com

Aug / Se pt 2017

physical, social and mental health. Fortunately, there are a few ways to replace missing teeth. Historically, a denture or a bridge (using the two adjacent teeth to “bridge” across the gap) were the only two options available to replace teeth. These options were often uncomfortable, inconvenient or required frequent repair or replacement for patients. Over the past few decades, dental implants have grown to become the preferred way to replace teeth for most patients and dentists. Dental implants are titanium posts that replace the roots or the foundation of teeth. Implants, unlike natural teeth, will never decay or develop cavities. They are also stronger than teeth and typically do not break as easily as teeth. They are very versatile in that they can be used to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. They can even be used to stabilize dentures to improve chewing or to prevent dentures from falling out while chewing or speaking.

Implants are a long-term investment in your health. Studies show an increase in lifespan and quality of life for people with more teeth. Like any good investment, it will require your time and money. Implants require multiple steps and can take up to six months or longer to replace teeth. Studies show that implants can last over 25 years with proper care and maintenance. Not everyone is a candidate for implants. Your dentist or periodontist will need to perform a thorough evaluation of your medical and dental status to determine whether implants are right for you.

If something is missing in your smile then dental implants may be your solution to filling in the gaps. Ask your dental professional or call our office to inquire about how dental implants can help you restore the smile, function and confidence that you deserve. Tulsa Dental Implants and Periodontics exists to help patients achieve their goals for a healthier mouth and a more beautiful smile. We offer the most comfortable, predictable, innovative techniques in treating periodontal disease, gum recession and dental implants. Choose health for your mouth and give us a call today to learn more. You’ll be glad you did!

Tulsa's Trusted Periodontal Provider Most Insurances Accepted www.TulsaPeriodontist.com (918) 609-0616 8006 S. 101st E. Ave., Ste. B | Tulsa, OK 74133

Transforming Lives ... One Slice at a Time

D

id you know that nearly every day, there's another child in North Tulsa either dropping out of school, getting suspended for fighting because they are embarrassed they can't read, withdrawing from their life dreams, and/or settling for a less than best life? It is happening at an alarming rate, and as the children grow up, they add to the broken lives we hear about on the evening news.

Pick out a North Tulsa youth who is a part of the new YouthWorks Pizza Factory, however, and you will hear a deliberately different story. Each child comes from a family in a high poverty neighborhood and is struggling with school, but quickly learns how to read and do math, experiences first-hand all the key components of how to run a successful business, plans out how to achieve their life dreams, and helps to serve others in their community who are struggling. All of this happens as the children team up to run their own pizza businesses.

What started as an outreach to neighborhood children a few years ago by the historic Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church (one of the 13 Tulsa churches burned down in Tulsa’s 1921 Race Riot), has now grown into an impressive partnership between parents, schools, businesses, churches, and local foundations that has impacted more than 1000 children in North Tulsa, including 200 children this year alone. YouthWorks has for several years consisted of a 10-week summer leadership camp, 30-week after school program, and 3 school break camps (Fall, Christmas and Spring break).

This year, after a few years of testing, the YouthWorks kids are excited to launch their Pizza Factory.

It works like this: every child who comes into the YouthWorks Pizza Factory is immediately assessed to determine their reading, math, servanthood, and business know-how levels, as well as their gifts, strengths, and passions. They then become members of the "E.A.S.T." league, which stands for Early Achiever Servant Team.

In this starting level, each child completes a 15-module training curriculum on topics ranging from getting their food handler's permit, serving others like Christ, reading over 200 pizza industry words, managing money, working as a team, developing a plan, and marketing their own business.

Also during this "E.A.S.T." stage, the children learn how to make top quality pizzas and then deliver them free of charge to families in low-income apartments, homeless individuals living on the streets, and their own families. After blessing someone with a free pizza, the youths lovingly ask the person or family if there is anything they need prayer for, and if so, proceed to pray their little hearts out for that person's request. The impact has been wonderfully double sided! After completing the entire 15-topic curriculum, the children graduate to the W.E.S.T. league, which stands for "Well Experi-

36  |

C o m m u n i t y S pirit m agaz ine.com

Aug / Se pt 2017

enced Servant Teams." Teams of 4 youths aged 6 to 14 are formed and each are led by a Pizza Coach. Together the team develops their own team name, business plan, and logo and begin searching for churches, companies, neighborhood associations and events where they can present their pizza business and sell their pizzas.

And best of all, when the children are making and learning how to sell their professional quality pizzas while on the W.E.S.T. teams, a portion of every delicious pizza sold by a youth goes right into their college savings account. It is a significant goal of the Pizza Factory to not only help each child to stay in school, but to also send them to college or trade school fully funded by their pizza sales. Further, another portion of all sales goes to fund YouthWorks' camps and after school program.

The children have already begun making their pizza presentations at companies and churches such as Arvest Bank, First United Methodist Sunday school classes, Christ the Redeemer Lutheran, Calvary Heights Baptist, Turley Assembly of God, Sanctuary Evangelistic, and many more. Just like the children's pizza, their Pizza Factory initiative is heating up!

If you and/or your church or company would like to have one of the Pizza Factory teams come present at your church, please call today at 918-734-0471 or go online to www.YouthWorksPizzaFactory.com. You can sign up for a pizza presentation by the children, order pizzas, sponsor a child, bless the homeless with pizza, host a pizza-making birthday party, or register for YouthWork's Friday night November 17th annual gala.

Tebow Time: Raising up Children to Live Out Their Dreams!

Pam Tebow, the amazing mother who raised 5 mission-minded children to live out their fullest life dreams including America's favorite Christian sports star Tim Tebow, is coming to Tulsa Friday night, November 17 to help raise funds for the children of YouthWorks and their new Pizza Factory.

She will share her insights on raising our own children to live out their dreams and also how we can help those struggling in the local high poverty areas and in the international missions fields to do the same. Co-chairs for the event are Renee England and Judy Doyle, and the emcee is Tulsa’s own Beth Rengel.

The Pizza Factory was built with the help of local pizza industry pioneers, area church and volunteer groups, individual donors, and grants from companies such as Arvest and Baucom Construction, and foundations including the David & Cassie Temple Foundation, Remnant Life, Christian Life, and several anonymous donors.

For information on how to attend or sponsor this event, go to www.YouthWorksPizzaFactory.com.

Chris Beach, co-founder of the YouthWorks Pizza Factory, stands with “The Jesus Pizza Team,” led by Pizza Coach Amanda Burcham, team members Darion, LilyAnna and Eliah, and Arvest Bank Manager David Gibson

Pizza Pop Team, led by coach Rylee Doyle, and team members Abby, Victor, Kemarion, and Destany.

Amazing World of Pizza Team, led by Pizza Coach Judy Doyle, and team members Fernando, Emilio, Mike, and Cameron.

Mr. T's Pizza Team, led by Pizza Coaches D. "Brad" Braddick and Myron Patrick, and team members Chris, Isaiah, Tyrese, Lahaad, and Micah.

C ommu n ity sp ir itma ga zin e.c om

A ug / sept 2017

| 37