July 18, 2026 Issue, Page 12 of 12

Page Text

12• SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2026 The Elk City News Years of Advocacy Lead to New Partnership with CMS, Giving Oklahoma Seniors a Stronger Voice in Medicare Advantage OKLAHOMA CITY – More eral agency that oversees Medi- Secretary of Health and Mental than 350,000 Oklahoma seniors care Advantage plans. Health and CEO of Oklahoma are enrolled in a Medicare Ad- “Since I’ve been in office, I have Health Care Authority. “The part- vantage plan, according to Cen- traveled each year to Washington, nership built with the Oklahoma ters for Medicare & Medicaid D.C., asking for states to have more Insurance Department and the Services (CMS) data. As enroll- authority in Medicare Advantage Centers for Medicare and Med- ment has grown, so have con- because no one understands the icaid Services gives the State a re- cerns from members about plan needs of Oklahoma seniors bet- al-time method to catch problems changes, coverage denials and ter than Oklahoma,” Insurance early and push the federal govern- access to care. Through a newly Commissioner Glen Mulready ment for solutions.” developed reporting system in said. “While Medicare Advantage Governor Stitt signed Executive collaboration with the Oklahoma is regulated by the federal govern- Order 2026-01 to push state and Insurance Department (OID) and ment, this partnership shows what federal officials toward a lasting the Oklahoma Health Care Au- can happen when state and federal solution for Oklahoma seniors. thority, our state is giving seniors leaders work together. Oklahoma With that solution now in place, a stronger voice and helping state seniors now have a direct way to the Governor has withdrawn the and federal officials identify prob- share their concerns with CMS, order — replacing a temporary di- lems and work toward solutions. and we’ll continue advocating for rective with a permanent process. OID created a report- improvements that help them get Oklahomans with questions ing form Medicare Advantage the care they deserve. This is a ma- or concerns about their Medicare members can use to share con- jor step forward for Oklahoma.” Advantage plan should access the cerns or suggest changes to their “We’re building the kind of new reporting form or contact the plans. These submissions will be oversight Oklahoma seniors de- Oklahoma Insurance Department reported directly to CMS, the fed- serve,” said Clay Bullard, Cabinet at 800-522-0071 for assistance. International fantasy literature group to hold annual conference in Oklahoma “Get Your Fantasy Kicks on quarterly bulletin of book reviews, Your Fantasy Kicks on Route 66” Route 66” is the theme of Myth- short articles, and other informa- Weekend and providing a $4,000 con 54, which will be held July 24- tion. grant from the Hotel-Motel Tax 27, 2026, at the Stafford Air and “Holding the 2026 conference Fund. Space Museum in Weatherford, Okla. Sponsoring the conference is the Mythopoeic Society, an in- ternational group founded more in Weatherford was important to us for two reasons,” Lenz said. “First, this is the centennial of Route 66, which is associated Special guests at the conference will be two authors, both Oklaho- ma natives: David R. Slayton, au- thor of the popular Adam Binder New Event Park Emerging in the than 55 years ago to study and discuss fantastic and mythopoeic literature. Mythopoeic literature is defined with journeys, often a theme of fantasy literature. Second, the digital archive of the Mythopoe- ic Society is housed at South- series, including White Trash Warlock, and the Dark Moon, Shallow Sea series, and Dr. Joe R. Christopher, a retired English Shadow of 2 Elk City Landmarks as creating a new and transforma- western Oklahoma State Univer- professor who has published more Red dirt is being moved to cre- than they do at events held on as- Thunderbird Bay, the new Ackley tive mythology or incorporating sity’s General Thomas P. Stafford than 200 scholarly essays and a ate an outdoor event center with phalt or concrete. Park aquatic center, in 2023; and and transforming mythological Archives.” fixture in scholastic science-fic- green space. The event park will be bordered the new miniature golf course in material, said Tim Lenz, a Society SWOSU Archivist Phillip Fitz- tion studies since the 1950s. Located on the east side of the on the north by 3rd Street, on 2025. steward and spokesman for the simmons said the Mythopoeic Conference presentations downtown business district, just the east by Madison Avenue, on These are all pay-as-you-go conference. Society publications are the most will run on two tracks on Satur- south of the Parker Drilling Rig the south by the Tag Agency and projects, which means paying The organization also focus- frequently accessed items in the day, July 25; Sunday, July 26, and and southeast of the Casa Grande Broadway, and on the west by the with funds on hand, with no debt es on the literary works of the archives. “Since opening the ar- Monday morning, July 27. Both Hotel, Elk City’s new park will alley behind businesses in the 100 taken on to complete them. Oxford University literary circle chive in 2017, the Mythopoeic in-person attendance and virtu- host public entertainment events. block of North Main Street. In addition to enhancing the known as the Inklings, which in- Society’s publications have been al attendance are available. Also According to City of Elk City The new park is being paid quality of life, the City of Elk City cluded J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, accessed more than 1.6 million scheduled is the announcement Project Manager Cody Whitting- for with revenue generated from also wants to continue investing in Charles Williams, and others. times from all the continents, with of the award winners. The list of ton, when completed, the event CAPPS funds, the one-cent sales downtown to encourage econom- Three major publications are the exception of Antarctica,” he nominees is at https://www.myth- park will have pavilions, seating, tax that Elk City voters approved ic development. currently produced by the soci- said. soc.org/news/news-2026-06-02. and include food-truck access to continuing in 2019 for communi- According to the most recent ety: Mythlore, an academic jour- Weatherford city officials have htm. feed the masses. ty projects. numbers provided by the State of nal; The Mythic Circle, a literary thrown out the welcome mat for More information is available “A covered stage area will be The event park was the brain- Oklahoma, Elk City businesses magazine of short stories, poetry, the conference by issuing a procla- at https://www.mythsoc.org/ placed in the northwest of the child of the CAPPS Committee— generated $1,477,050.38 in June and artwork, and Mythprint, a mation declaring July 24-27 “Get mythcon/mythcon-54.htm. space for entertainment, including the community oversight com- sales-tax revenue, outpacing even live music,” Whittington said. mittee for the use and expenditure some suburban cities with over Bathrooms will be available in of these funds for quality-of-life twice our population. the southwest corner of the event improvements. Of Oklahoma’s nearly 600 mu- park. CAPPS revenue also funded nicipalities, Elk City is in the state’s Whittington also said that at- construction of the Arrowhead top 5% in sales tax generation. tendees should stay cooler during Center in Ackley Park West, The City of Elk City hopes to While the grill warm weather on the park’s grass which was completed in 2022; continue this economic success. is heating up… Cooking for one or two: strategies for healthy meals and less waste By Trisha Gedon sary purchases and reduces food ferent ways will add variety to waste. meals as opposed to eating the STILLWATER, Okla. – Cook- Versatile pantry staples in- same thing for two or three days ing for one or two doesn’t have to clude canned beans, tuna or in a row.” mean endless leftovers, oversized chicken; whole-grain rice and Smart grocery shopping can portions or wasted food. With pasta; chicken, beef or vegetable also help reduce costs. Although some creative planning and a few broth; canned vegetables; and larger packages often have a low- simple strategies, consumers can frozen fruits and vegetables. er per-unit cost, they’re only a prepare healthy, flavorful meals Because many recipes are writ- bargain if the food will be used that save time, stretch food dollars ten for families, Evans encour- before it spoils. Buying unpack- and reduce waste. ages consumers to scale them aged produce is another way to Whether they’re living alone, down. cut costs while allowing shop- just starting out on their own or “If you’re right-sizing a recipe pers to purchase only the amount adjusting to life as empty nesters, to better meet your needs, mea- they need. many people continue cooking sure ingredients carefully,” she No matter the household size, the same way they always have, said. “Remember, smaller meals food safety remains essential. often ending up with more food will cook faster, so adjust cook- Evans recommends storing food than they can use. But lifestyles ing times accordingly. Right-siz- at the proper temperature, cook- change, said Christi Evans, Okla- ing recipes is a great option for ing to the recommended internal homa State University Exten- people who don’t want to eat the temperature and refrigerating sion food safety specialist. same meals for several days or leftovers within two hours. “With the cost of food today, who aren’t likely to freeze left- “Food is expensive, and it’s it’s important to reduce food overs.” wasteful to throw it away because waste,” she said. “Planning meals Evans also suggests being cre- it wasn’t cooked or stored prop- while keeping them flexible is the ative and thinking beyond the erly, or if you’re tired of eating key to eating well without getting original meal. Leftover taco meat the same thing,” she said. “Being burned out on leftovers that end can become taco salad the next mindful when shopping, and get- up in the trash.” day. Pot roast can be transformed ting creative in the kitchen, can A good place to start is plan- into burritos, while extra ham- help stretch food dollars while Search your name at ning meals that include fruits and vegetables, protein, grains, burger patties can be chopped and stirred into spaghetti sauce. still fixing fun, healthy meals.” OSU Extension offers more dairy and healthy fats. A simple When browning ground beef, information in a new fact sheet, formula, such as protein + vege- chicken or turkey for one recipe, “Cooking for One or Two.” table + grain with fruit or dairy cook extra and freeze it in meal- on the side, makes quick work of sized portions. Doing this can OSU Extension uses re- meal planning. save time when preparing meals search-based information to help Before heading to the gro- later in the week. all Oklahomans solve local issues The Oklahoma State cery store, Evans recommends “Something fun to do is make and concerns, promote leader- Treasurer is safeguarding shopping the pantry, refrigerator use-it-up meals,” she said. “Com- ship and manage resources wisely and freezer first. Planning meals bine different leftovers into throughout the state’s 77 counties. $1.4 BILLION around ingredients already on soups, stir-fries, bowls or om- Most information is available at hand helps prevent unneces- elets. Using the leftovers in dif- little to no cost. in unclaimed funds. Claim yours.