Alzheimer’s vs. Normal Aging

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, it’s estimated that more than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease and as the U.S. population aged 65 and older continues to grow, so will the number of individuals affected by Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. It’s not surprising then that nearly 4 in 5 Americans would want to know if they had Alzheimer’s before symptoms occurred and/or before symptoms interfered with daily activities. 

To help discern whether you or a loved one is experiencing signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association offers the following list of 10 early signs and symptoms. 

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life. While it’s typical to occasionally forget names and appointments, an early warning sign can be forgetting recently learned information, increasingly relying on memory aids, and/or asking the same questions over and over. 

2. Difficulty completing familiar tasks. Doing day-to-day activities becomes harder, such as organizing a grocery list or driving to a familiar location.

3. Confusion with time or place. Individuals may lose track of dates, seasons and/or the passage of time. 

4. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. One may experience vision changes as well as problems with judging distance and/or determining colors or contrasts. 

5. New problems with words – in speaking or writing. Following or joining a conversation may be difficult and/or one may struggle with vocabulary and naming familiar objects.

6. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. One may easily lose things or accuse others of stealing.

7. Poor judgment. One may start making poor decisions with finances or paying less attention to grooming habits. 

8. Withdrawal from work or social activities. Due to the hardship in participating in daily activities, individuals may withdraw from hobbies and/or social events.

9. Changes in mood and personality, such as being unusually confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful and/or anxious.

10. Challenges in planning or solving problems. Keeping track of monthly bills or following familiar recipes becomes difficult and time-consuming.

Cognitive Fitness

The brain is a complex organ and possesses the remarkable trait of neuroplasticity — the ability to reorganize and rewire neural connections. With neuroplasticity, we’re able to continue to learn new things and embrace new challenges throughout our lives. To help keep your brain physically fit, consider the following tips. 

• Challenge your brain. Remain a lifelong learner — try a new hobby, take an interesting class and engage in new experiences. 

• Exercise regularly. Regular physical activity has been proven to help boost memory and thinking skills.  

• Eat a healthy diet. A Mediterranean diet or other similar food plans have been associated with lowering the risk of cognitive decline. 

• Get good quality sleep. Quality sleep helps both our mental and physical health, as well as supports positive cognitive performance. 

• Maintain a healthy weight, blood pressure and manage and/or prevent diabetes. Doing what you can to avoid chronic illnesses and stay physically fit is beneficial to your brain’s overall health.

Glaucoma’s Threat

Glaucoma is a disease that damages the eye’s optic nerve and is most commonly caused by a buildup of extra fluid that increases the pressure inside the eye. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness for people over 60 years old — but with early treatment, reduced vision and/or blindness can be prevented. 

Steven R. Sarkisian, Jr., M.D., an ophthalmologist and founder and CEO of Oklahoma Eye Surgeons in Oklahoma City, says Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) is a newer approach that helps lower eye pressure with far less disruption than traditional glaucoma surgeries. 

“Because it uses very small incisions and delicate techniques, the risk of complications is lower, and the eye heals more naturally,” says Sarkisian. “MIGS can be done on its own or at the same time as cataract surgery, giving us flexibility to match our patients’ needs.”

He says one of the biggest advantages of MIGS is a shortened recovery time. 

“Most patients have much less discomfort and get back to normal activities within days to a couple of weeks,” says Sarkisian. “This is much faster and easier than the longer recovery times often needed with older glaucoma surgeries.”

He shares that most patients are open to trying MIGS.

“The idea of lowering eye pressure with a safer, gentler surgery and potentially using fewer drops afterwards makes sense to people who are tired of daily medications or worried about vision loss,” says Sarkisian. “When I talk to someone who is a candidate for MIGS, I explain that it’s a safe and effective option that can protect their vision while allowing for a faster recovery and less disruption to daily life. I also reassure them that if MIGS alone isn’t enough over time, we still have other options available. This flexibility helps patients feel confident knowing they’re not ‘using up’ their future choices by starting with MIGS.”

Preventing Hearing Loss

Whether it’s the roar from a music concert, sporting event or the mower while doing yard work, everyone is exposed to loud noises on occasion. And while most of us know that loud noise can be harmful to our ears, we may not always consider its long-term impact — known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).

Jeremy Foon, M.D., an otolaryngologist with Eastern Oklahoma Ear, Nose & Throat, Inc. in Tulsa, says repeated loud noise exposure is a preventable and irreversible cause of hearing loss.

“There are three parts to the ear — the outer ear (ear canal), the middle ear (space behind the ear drum) and the inner ear (the cochlea),” he says. “The cochlea is where sound is processed and sent as an electrical signal to the brain. Loud noise exposure causes damage to the inner structures of the cochlea.”

Foon says common risks for NIHL outside of a work environment include repeated noises, prolonged noises and short-term intermittent noises.  

“Some of the most common causes for recreational loud noise exposure are loud music at concerts, listening to loud music in the car or with earbuds, shooting firearms, and the use of power tools,” says Foon. “Not using earbuds or earmuffs is a huge factor, especially in predictably loud situations like shooting firearms or operating a lawnmower.”

As essential tools to help prevent NIHL, Foon says earmuffs and properly fitted earbuds can be worn together for better protection. For intense intermittent noises (i.e. firearms), he always recommends wearing both. 

“I want to stress that NIHL is preventable,” says Foon. “A good place to start is to turn down the volume a little on the TV or while listening to music. Once we get NIHL, it will never improve — so take every step you can to avoid this common issue. Otherwise, you risk needing hearing aids at a young age or developing deafness.”

Four Numbers that Affect the Heart

When it comes to heart health, several factors and relating numbers are essential to regularly check and monitor. From blood pressure and cholesterol to A1C levels and body mass index (BMI), cardiologist Sarah Anne Shaw-Dressler, D.O., with Saint Francis Health System in Tulsa, shares why these numbers are important.

“Regularly checking blood pressure, cholesterol, hemoglobin A1C, and BMI is essential for early identification and management of cardiovascular, metabolic and renal risk,” says Shaw-Dressler. “The American Heart Association (AHA) and the Endocrine Society both emphasize that these measurements are foundational for screening metabolic risk factors, which are major contributors to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).”

Blood Pressure & Cholesterol

While blood pressure tests measure the pressure against the artery walls as the heart pumps, cholesterol tests — also known as a lipid panel — measure the amount of cholesterol and fats in the blood. 

“Elevated blood pressure and cholesterol are asymptomatic but strongly associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke and other vascular complications,” says Shaw-Dressler. “The Endocrine Society recommends screening all adults aged 40–75 for these risk factors at least every three years and more frequently in those with established risk or prediabetes. The AHA recommends annual blood pressure and BMI assessment, with more frequent monitoring for those with risk factors or established disease.”

A1C Testing

She says a key marker for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes and prediabetes is a hemoglobin A1C test—a measurement of the amount of sugar in the blood. With regular assessments, individuals can seek early intervention and help prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. 

“The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends at least annual A1C testing in those with prediabetes or diabetes,” she says.

BMI

Shaw-Dressler says that while imperfect, BMI is a practical measure for identifying if one’s overweight or obese, which are central drivers of metabolic and cardiovascular risk. Tracking BMI along with waist circumference helps identify potential risk factors and guide preventive strategies.

“In summary, regular monitoring of these parameters enables risk stratification, early diagnosis and targeted intervention — which are critical for reducing the burden of ASCVD, T2DM, and related complications, as recommended by the AHA, the Endocrine Society, and the ADA,” says Shaw-Dressler. 

Younger People & Heart Attacks

As heart disease remains the leading cause of the death in the United States, there has been another alarming trend — more young people are experiencing heart attacks, or in medical terms, acute myocardial infarctions (AMI).

“Recent data demonstrate that both the incidence and the proportion of AMI occurring in adults under 55 years have increased or plateaued in the United States and other developed countries, with the most pronounced rise observed in young women,” says Shaw-Dressler. “This trend contrasts with the declining rates of AMI in older adults.”

Unfortunately, she says risk factors — such as smoking, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and substance abuse — have increased among young adults with AMI. 

“Notably, young patients often present with a distinct risk profile, including a higher prevalence of non-atherosclerotic etiologies (e.g., spontaneous coronary artery dissection, drug-induced vasospasm), and a greater impact of psychosocial and socioeconomic factors,” says Shaw-Dressler. “These differences are particularly relevant in young women, who have seen the largest relative increase in AMI incidence.”

In addition, she says symptoms in women can be atypical — including but not limited to chest pain, upper back pain, neck/jaw pain, epigastric pain, nausea/vomiting, shortness of breath and shortness of breath on exertion.

For individuals in this younger demographic, Shaw-Dressler emphasizes the need for aggressive risk factor modification and targeted prevention strategies. 

“The literature highlights the importance of early identification and management of cardiovascular risk factors in this population to mitigate the rising burden of premature cardiovascular disease,” she says. 

Robotic-Assisted Surgery

In the field of orthopedics, robotic-assisted surgery has greatly impacted procedures — offering greater accuracy, less complications and reduced recovery times.

Yogesh Mittal, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon with The Orthopaedic Center in Tulsa, explains the many benefits of robotic technology involving knee and hip replacement surgery. 

“Most people recover faster because there is less soft tissue damage and the implants are placed more accurately and better balanced than traditional surgeries,” he says.

Robotic technology provides a 3D virtual model of the patient’s joint for customized positioning of the implant and supports bone conservation by removing the minimal amount of bone needed. In addition, regarding hip replacement surgery, Mittal says robotics support a decreased risk of future dislocation and more accurate leg length recreation—which he says is the number one mistake involving non-robotic hip replacements. 

Mittal notes that while most of the procedures are outpatient, he prefers to keep patients overnight, if they desire, for additional support during recovery. 

“Typically, patients are in an older population, so I want to ensure they are able to walk well with therapy before discharged,” he says. 

As technology continues to advance, Mittal says artificial intelligence (AI) will also play a role in increasing benefits. 

“We will have an algorithm out soon that will automatically place the implants accurately,” he says. “We are collecting all the robotic data and using machine learning (ML) to advance the technology, and will be able to make the incisions needed in surgery autonomously — by the push of a button.”

Mittal, who has completed more robotic surgeries than anyone else globally, says the developing software and hardware—the robotic arm materials—continues to improve. 

“We have only scratched the surface and technology is advancing and rapidly improving patient outcomes,” he says. “In my opinion, we get so much information about the hip and knee before and during surgery, that it makes no sense to do the surgery without robotic technology.”

As well, Mittal touts the effectiveness and growth in regenerative medicine.

“Regenerative medicine has been an area of interest for years. Advances have brought forth opportunities to use micro-fat derived from adipose tissue, bone marrow derived from mesenchymal stem cells, exosomes which are micro-vesicles from ethically sourced placenta, and platelet rich plasma,” he shares.

“All of these modalities have their benefits and have been successful in treating varying ailments including arthritis, bursitis and tendinitis in well-selected patients. This area of medicine will continue to advance over the course of the next few years.” 

Digestion Red Flags

George Salem, M.D., is an inflammatory bowel disease gastroenterologist with OU Health in Edmond. He says while everyone experiences an occasional upset stomach or a short-lived digestive issue, there are certain symptoms you should never ignore.

“Especially if they persist beyond a week, recur frequently and/or are accompanied by other concerning signs — known as red flags,” says Salem. 

These ‘red flag’ symptoms include:

› Persistent abdominal pain or cramping

› Unexplained weight loss

› Ongoing diarrhea or constipation

› Blood in the stool — including black, tarry stools

› Night-time symptoms such as waking up in the middle of the night because of abdominal pain or bowel movement

› Difficulty or pain with swallowing

› Persistent nausea and vomiting, or vomiting blood (which may resemble coffee grounds)

› Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes

“When people think about digestive health,they often focus on the stomach or colon,” he says. “In reality, the gastrointestinal tract is an intricate, continuous system that starts at the mouth and ends at the rectum. It includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), rectum and anus. Each part has a unique role — whether it’s breaking down food, absorbing nutrients or eliminating waste.”

Helpful Tips for a Healthy Digestive System

› Eat a balanced, fiber-rich diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes.

› Stay hydrated — water is essential for smooth digestion.

› Limit ultra-processed and high-sugar foods that can disrupt gut balance.

› Add extra-virgin olive oil to your daily meals.

› Consider following a healthy diet regimen.

› Incorporate natural probiotic and prebiotic foods to your daily regimen, such as yogurt, kefir, bananas and certain vegetables to nurture healthy gut bacteria.

› Exercise regularly to keep the intestines moving.

› Manage stress, which can have a major impact on digestion.

› Avoid excessive alcohol and stop smoking.

› Keep up with recommended screenings.

“Colonoscopies save lives by detecting problems early,” says Salem. “Colonoscopies are safe and painless when performed by board-certified, fellowship-trained providers. [In addition], upper endoscopies in certain patient populations can prevent progression of certain pre-cancerous conditions of the esophagus and stomac

Broken Arrow native Kristin Chenoweth says Jackie Siegel, subject of the new Broadway musical The Queen of Versailles, is “maybe the role I’ve been waiting to play my whole life.”

“The character of Jackie is a complicated, wildly different and outrageous character,” she shares. “At the core of her, Jackie is someone who has the shared desires of building a better life for herself and her family – and that’s very relatable.” 

The show opens Nov. 9 at the St. James Theatre in New York. The score was written by Stephen Schwartz, known for hit musicals like Pippin, Godspell and, perhaps most notably, Wicked, in which Chenoweth originated the role of Glinda the Good.

The music in Versailles is especially suited to her voice, Chenoweth says, because longtime collaborator Schwartz “wrote it for me.” 

The new musical is based on a documentary by filmmaker Lauren Greenfield about Jackie, who rose from a computer engineer to Mrs. Florida to a billionaire – along with her husband David, the founder of Westgate Resorts, who was known as “The Timeshare King.” David is played by F. Murray Abraham, the stage and film actor who first came to prominence for his Oscar-winning performance as Antonio Salieri in Amadeus.

• In Chenoweth’s newest Broadway production, The Queen of Versailles, she portrays real-life billionaire Jackie Siegel, who set out to build the world’s largest private home in America (coming in around $100 million) right before the 2008 recession. All photos by Matthew Murphy

Jackie set out to build the largest private home in America — a $100 million house in Orlando inspired by the Palace of Versailles. But with the Great Recession of 2008 looming, Jackie and David’s dreams began to crumble, along with their lifestyle. The musical explores the true cost of fame, fortune and family.

“I think we can see ourselves in her,” says Chenoweth, who has won both Emmy and Tony Awards for her stage, film, television and voiceover roles.

“She’s someone that seems very easy to judge, since she puts her life out there on social media and in reality television, but truly, who are we to say how we would behave with a million dollars or more? Who are we to say how we would deal with real loss in our life? Just because you have a ton of money doesn’t mean life is easy.”

Playing Jackie, she says, is challenging her in new and exciting ways.

“I’ve spent a lot of time playing really fun characters and I’ve had a lot of variation of characters –for example, Sally Born, a cartoon, Glinda from Oz, and Jackie; this is a real person with complicated feelings and actions. As an actor, you still want to be challenged, no matter how old you get. I knew this would be the more challenging role than any other offers I’ve had in a while. It’s a whole different ball game when the person you’re playing is still alive.”

Chenoweth says that as she came to know Jackie the person, “I did grow to love her. She’d give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. She does a lot of very important charity work that is currently changing the world as we speak. I think we show a little bit of that in the show as well. But make no mistake, we show the good, the bad and the ugly in the show. We have to, because it’s authentic.”

Chenoweth believes that it’s her responsibility to “step into her shoes, find her energy and play that so I can be true to who she is at her core,” she says. “I’m also the type of performer and actress who’s going to make her my own. I’m never going to be a cookie cutter actor who fits into a lot of categories. I’m unique – and I’ve embraced the qualities that make me different.”

Fortunate to star alongside a number of leading men,  Chenoweth says “Murray is no exception. He is a delight every day that I walk into the rehearsal studio; he takes care of me, and I can tell truly loves me. I love him too. I know he is making me better in the role because he is just so good. He’s not only someone I admire, but I am proud to call my friend.”

To say Chenoweth has an “accomplished” career on the stage, the screen and the page would be an understatement. 

In 2015, Chenoweth received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2009, she received an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in Pushing Daisies. In 1999, she won a Tony Award for You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown and she was nominated for her role in Wicked in 2004. She was also nominated for two Emmy Awards and a People’s Choice Award for her role on Glee.

Her candid chronicle of her life so far, A Little Bit Wicked, debuted in 2009 on the New York Times hardcover nonfiction bestseller list.

Chenoweth has performed to sold-out audiences across the world, including performances at Carnegie Hall and Royal Albert Hall. 

The Art of Elegance, her album of American songbook classics, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s jazz charts, and No. 1 on Amazon’s vocal pop chart. In 2018, she performed with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square in their annual Christmas concert in Salt Lake City, which was later televised on PBS. 

Notable television roles include appearances in The West Wing, Disney’s Descendants and The Muppets. In film, Chenoweth voiced the role of Gabi in the animated film Rio 2 and Fifi, Snoopy’s beloved French poodle, in The Peanuts Movie. 

When the first Wicked film adaptation was released in November 2024, fans were delighted to see cameo appearances by both Chenoweth and her co-star from the original Broadway cast, Idina Menzel. They appeared as Wiz-o-Mania Superstars during the “One Short Day” number. 

“I heard from the producers and the director that they wanted Idina and I to do it,” Chenoweth says. “I was apprehensive at first – because I didn’t really view it as ‘my turn’ anymore. After some convincing, I came to understand that the audiences would appreciate it. It was nice to reunite with Idina.”

With a master’s degree in operatic performance from Oklahoma City University, Chenoweth is a member of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. She is well-known for taking pride in her Oklahoma roots.

“For me, it was never a question whether I would support my home state or not,” she says.  “The second I go back home to Oklahoma, I am reminded of my roots – and that makes me strong. I’ve always felt like if I forgot my roots, I would lose the compass of where home is. Now I realize, not everyone had a great upbringing like me, and some people want to forget where they came from. But for me personally, Oklahoma is who I am.”

She also hails from a state where voters are known to be influenced by their Christian beliefs and simultaneously, entertainers are expected to be vocal about their political ideologies.

“It’s funny, I grew up in a time where you could be politically whoever you were and separately be the artist that you want to be. It didn’t always have to go together,” Chenoweth says. “I long for those days – I long for the days where it doesn’t matter how I vote. I suppose in the world we live in today, you have to be black or white, there is no gray.”

But artists, Chenoweth says, “often live in the area of gray.”

Chenoweth’s charitable endeavors include a partnership with the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center Foundation. Ten years ago, she launched the Kristin Chenoweth Broadway Bootcamp, providing young Broadway hopefuls with the opportunity to take classes, perform and learn from mentors in the industry – including herself.

“We started KCBBC because there was nothing else like it in the state. I certainly didn’t have anything like that growing up,” Chenoweth says.

“I wanted to solidify what my legacy would be and change the lives of children and open up opportunities for kids who want to do what I do. We have a two-week intensive training program in the summer. I bring in wonderful faculty to teach. It’s important for my campers to learn from people who have actually done it on Broadway.”

Chenoweth says she is “seeing the fruits of my labor – meaning a lot of my campers are going on and making their own path in this industry and are becoming a big success. And that was the whole goal. I actually take mentoring very seriously.”

She had wonderful mentors in her younger days, Chenoweth says, “and I see how important they were in my journey. All I want to do is create a safe space for these kids to be able to create.”

Alongside a leading lady with Oklahoma ties, many Oklahomans are operating behind the scenes as producers of The Queen of Versailles – most notably, Tanninger Entertainment. Founded by Jay Krottinger, Ryan Jude Tanner and Patricia Chernicky, Tanninger Entertainment is a Broadway production company with global box office sales of over $700 million. 

Broadway and West End producing credits alongside The Queen of Versailles include The Outsiders, The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window, Come From Away, Oklahoma! and Waitress. In addition to producing, Tanninger Entertainment manages two global entertainment investment funds, with holdings in productions such as Hamilton, MJ, Evita, Beetlejuice and Much Ado About Nothing.

Featured photo credit: Oklahoman Kristin Chenoweth – an Emmy and Tony Award winner – is best known for projects ranging from Wicked to Pushing Daisies and The West Wing. Photo by Tony Matula, MA2LA

A Bit on the Bold Side

A dramatic black and burl wood kitchen is a perfect fit for this classic home full of dramatic moldings and exquisite fixtures, wallpaper and furnishings — all designed by Melissa Fitzgerald, owner and lead designer of Kitchen Society Design based in OKC. 

“These added touches bring a fun, eclectic feel which is one of my favorite combinations,” Fitzgerald says. “Classic, elegant charm paired with statement pieces that are a bit on the bold side.”

Fitzgerald says her objective was to capture the classic elegance of the home while also making it feel like it belonged with all of the other furnishings in the house.  

“I wanted the cabinets to feel like furniture pieces, and the finishes to be as stunning as the house,” she says.

She used a black, high-gloss finish for the perimeter cabinetry and a contrasting mappa burl wood on the island – “adding a reeded apron in black under the countertop in the sitting area to tie those two finishes together,” Fitzgerald says.  

The countertops are Cristallo and Macaubus Fantasy quartzite. The appliances are Subzero-Wolf-Cove — and this kitchen took first place in Subzero-Wolf’s global kitchen design contest.  

The combination of beauty and functionality are what Fitzgerald says she values most in the design.

The objective of this light walnut and blue kitchen design was to make the space more functional with plenty of storage, without changing the footprint of the room in a traditional home with unique details.  

“We wanted the room to feel lighter and bigger, too,” Fitzgerald says, “but also complement our clients eclectic, fun and elevated taste.”

She started with floor plan changes, moving the range and hood to the wall that is seen first from the front entryway to create a focal point. A stunning blue and brass La Cornue French range and a custom mixed metal stainless and brass hood compliments the house hardware.  

“The subtle curve of the hood softens up the metal,” she says. “The Subzero refrigerator is hidden behind beautiful walnut panels with gorgeous brass hardware and looks like three separate doors but is actually a pantry cabinet and a 36-inch Subzero.”

Around the perimeter of the room is in-house cabinetry in lightened walnut. 

“It gives the space that classy and elevated feel,” Fitzgerald says, “and then a pop of blue and reeded texture on the island and in the adjacent laundry room add some fun.”

The stone on the perimeter is Taj Mahal quartzite, and the island is Ijen Blue honed quartzite.  

“The mosaic tile behind the range ties all of these finishes together,” Fitzgerald says.

Social Spaces

Known across the country as an expert in European residential design, Jack Arnold recently had the pleasure of designing a completely new kitchen for close friends who bought a country French style home.

“In my experience, both of designing and of just living in houses, everyone congregates in the kitchen,” Arnold says. “Whether it’s family or friends, they all migrate toward the kitchen, and I think it’s fun that they want to hang out there.”

For that reason, a large island played a big role in the design of this kitchen.

“I like that people can walk around it, talk around it and have conversations around it,” Arnold says. “It’s a place where maybe a guest can help the homeowner set up for a party or they might have a cocktail there. So, it’s all about what kinds of things can happen at the island and what features the client wants there.”

Arnold says even with all the modern options for appliances, he encourages clients to keep the island simple and make sure everything works together. In this home, he incorporated lots of custom cabinetry for storage and a large sink for utility.

The countertops on the island, as well as the counters and backsplash on the cooking side, are crafted from an understated Taj Mahal quartz. A plaster vent hood is reminiscent of an old stone hearth — and iron light fixtures round out the feel of a European countryside farmhouse.

Since it was an older home, all the appliances were due for an upgrade as well. A separate refrigerator and freezer blend seamlessly with the cabinetry due to custom paneling Arnold matched to it. Refrigerator drawers, a steam oven and a wine cabinet are a few of the more fanciful additions to the completely revamped kitchen.

“Almost everything that you can think of, we included it,” he says.

A surprise element, hidden behind closed doors, is a pantry and a bar. That was constructed in a corner of the kitchen that was not getting much use.

“We brought in new cabinet work in the back of the space and put a little piece of Taj Mahal in the back and lit up the room,” Arnold says. 

Arnold says his wife, Susan, also helped select stylish containers for food storage to help keep the pantry looking smart and well-organized.

A Kitchen Fit for Family

When Gant Hinkle, owner of True North Homes, set out to design a home for himself and his family of five, a contemporary space with both style and functionality was the goal. The large, open kitchen and spacious primary bathroom exemplify just that.

The Hinkles have three kids and lots of family and friends in town, so they wanted to build a kitchen that could accommodate large gatherings, replete with good food and fellowship.

“It’s really important to us to have enough space for everybody to sit comfortably,” Hinkle says. “And my wife does a lot of cooking, so she has two large galley sinks in the kitchen area, one on the island and one on the exterior wall.”

On the exterior wall is a three-foot galley sink with a six-by-six-foot window overlooking the backyard. The 10-foot island with a quartz countertop is Inverness Stonestreet by Cambria.

“I like quartz just for durability,” Hinkle says. “And with Cambria, they’ve got really neat designs, so you get the high durability, plus you have really high end designs on the countertops.”

A large slab of the same quartz material was used on the vent hood, tying the look together. All the cabinets are custom built and stained white oak. The floors are engineered, sanded and finished white oak, as well. 

“We basically do all engineered floors in our homes,” Hinkle says. “The engineering material allows you to have wider planks so you get a really nice look.”

Striking light fixtures above the island finish off the feel of the kitchen.

“I really wanted to have some cool, contemporary lights that I haven’t seen anywhere in Tulsa,” he says. “And I really carried that throughout the house. I wanted to make sure it was unique and it wasn’t something people were going to see every day.”

Natural light is the showstopper in Hinkle’s primary bathroom. With a fifteen-by-six-foot window over the double sinks, this space is light and bright, yet private due to a film cover that doesn’t allow visibility from the outside.

The custom hanging mirrors were built in Turkey. 

“I had to customize exactly the length of the down rod and the mirror to make sure that they had enough clearance over the faucets on the vanities,” Hinkle said. “These countertops are also Cambria — Inverness Blakely.”

The bathroom features a large shower that has the look of stonework but is actually black wainscoting tile on the bottom half and fluted porcelain tile on the top — and an ultra modern black tub that Hinkle says is more of a showpiece than something that’s used often.

A Stunning Metamorphosis 

When you’ve been in the building business for 46 years, you sometimes get the opportunity to work with a client on more than one home. That’s the case with this kitchen, designed by Bill Powers of Powers Design and Build, where an open concept was on the short list.

“It’s a traditional home built in the 1990s and had a galley style kitchen,” Powers says. “The island is where the wall between the kitchen and the main living area used to be.”

The large 17-foot island is the centerpiece of the kitchen.

“It’s their table, their dining room, their breakfast room — all in that one spot,” he says. “It’s just two of them most of the time, but they have family and friends and they entertain a lot, so they use the island as seating for all occasions.”

The countertop on the island is crafted of Taj Mahal quartz. 

“It’s light in color, has subtle veining and a nice light color palette, so it’s easy to decorate around,” she says. 

The veneer on the back of the island is a cast concrete stone that the homeowner
actually applied himself, Powers adds. The island has lighting that runs along the length of the countertop and silhouettes the stone — and there’s also lighting in the toe kick of the island and on the cooktop side too. 

“The vent hood is open and has a tile surround, which is a popular feature these days,” Powers says. “Instead of boxing the vent hood in, this is what I call a more relaxed fit.  There’s still plenty of cabinet room.”

An arched entrance to the kitchen adds character and completes the open concept.

“That was previously just a cased opening from the hallway into the kitchen,” Powers says. “We enhanced that by making it larger for a more open feel in that regard. It really opened the house up,” Powers says. “When you take a wall out that size, it feels like you’ve added 300 square feet.”

A Peek at Other Local Visionaries

There’s simply too much talent in Oklahoma to profile every designer for this feature – but we also offer sneak peeks into other projects from local visionaries. This  photo-rich page highlights unique projects in Oklahoma, with truly stunning results. (Click to expand photos!)

National Inspiration

National brands and designers set the bar for luxury, innovation and timeless design, inspiring ideas beyond state lines. (Click to expand photos!)

Design perspectives content written by Mary Willa Allen

Based in Oklahoma City, Eventures is a full-service event planning and rental company founded by Mary Ellen Alexander in 1994. Passionate about serving others, Alexander’s first foray in event planning was in San Francisco. Later, she moved to Dallas, where she gained catering and hospitality experience working at the Marriott.   

At the time, the event industry was still burgeoning, and Alexander saw it as an opportunity to strike out on her own.

“I decided that I was moving to Oklahoma because there wasn’t an event planning production company in the state, and I was going to make it happen,” she recalls.

Since opening Eventures, Alexander and her dedicated team of event professionals have built a reputation for creating luxurious celebrations and events. Eventures produces all types of experiences — from nonprofit fundraisers to sporting events. The company also specializes in party rentals, offering custom-designed props and a wide selection of furniture, dance floors, linens and more.  

A leap of faith also led Ashley Farthing-Porto to found Farthing Events, a full-service event design and production company, in 2011. Born and raised in Oklahoma, Porto got her start in event planning at the Tulsa Zoo. 

“Establishing and cultivating relationships with our clients was really important to me,” she says about her experience there. “It really sparked a fire within me to want to work and serve people more.” 

Over the years, Farthing Events has carved out a niche specializing in high-end weddings and social events. Now highly sought-after, Porto focuses on a handful of elevated experiences every year. 

“Event planning is an outlet for me to design and be creative,” she shares. “But it also lends flexibility with how I get to spend my time as a mom, which is what is most important to me.” 

Stress during the holidays is nearly a universal experience. In fact, 84% of adults reported experiencing stress during the holiday season when surveyed by the American Psychological Association in 2024. Hiring a professional event planner to assist during the holidays — whether you’re arranging a casual gathering or planning a corporate event — can help take the pressure off hosting. 

“When you’re planning any type of party or celebration, the goal is for it to be fun and enjoyable,” says Porto. “Enlisting a trusted professional is key. They’re going to take your input and your desires for the event and put together a plan based on their expertise.”

An event planner can also help you understand how to optimize your resources, especially when it comes to managing certain elements on your own. “We can offer the best insights when it comes to maximizing your budget depending on your event and specific needs,” adds Courtney McPhail, event planner and designer at Eventures.

In general, keep DIY projects simple – like putting together party favors or stamping and sending invitations. 

If you are renting a private space, check with the venue to see what is included. 

“We recommend that our clients maximize what the venues have to offer, whether it’s tables, chairs or complimentary linens,” suggests Hannah Tweed, also with Eventures. 

Although family and friends may be willing to help with larger tasks, such as catering or photography, those items are best left to the professionals. 

“Let your friends be your friends the day of the event and not fall into the role of  business professionals,” advises Porto. “All the little touches we plan strategically as a team with our clients. That way they’re able to step in and feel involved if they want to be.” 

A party theme can elevate your event and keep your guests entertained all night long. While classic Christmas and Thanksgiving décor never go out of style, niche and unconventional themes are especially popular right now. 

“People are branching out from more traditional themes than they have in the past,” says Tweed. “We’ve also seen a big spike in themes that are references to movies, like the Polar Express, Elf or The Grinch.” 

Putting a twist on the holiday tradition, Eventures designed a beach-themed Christmas party for one of its clients last year. The company imported real sand for decorating, constructed cabanas and dressed Santa in flip flops. 

“Our clients bring us new themes and fun ideas every single year that we love bringing to life,” says McPhail.

Minimalistic, sleek décor for the holidays is trending, too. 

“A lot of people are going for a more modern aesthetic, adding touches like garland and floral elements that are still representative of the holiday but can be done in a way that’s different and refreshing,” says Porto. 

Sometimes the inspiration for a good theme can be more abstract. 

“I love to encourage my clients to find inspiration from what makes them happy. It could be a throw that you love, or maybe it’s a vase… You don’t have to be super strategic and browse the pages of a design book to find elements that you like,” says Porto.

Careful planning lays the groundwork for an unforgettable event. When working on a tight timeline, small details can be easy to overlook. Creating an event checklist can help you pace your efforts and ensure that all your bases are covered.

Creating an Event Checklist

◊ Finalize the event date, guest list and budget. 

◊ Book the caterer and venue.

◊ Hire a planner, if you’re using one. “Trust is one of the biggest things when you’re working with a professional,” Porto advises when choosing a planner. “If there isn’t trust on both ends, it’s going to make the process feel rigid.”

◊ Choose a theme or aesthetic. “Sometimes I get clients that don’t have a vision for their event upfront, and that’s completely fine,” says Porto. “We can put together a full proposal of what the event might look like for them.” 

◊ Book rentals, entertainment or a bartender. 

◊ Send out save-the-dates or invitations. 

◊ Confirm menu and drink selections.

◊ Arrange for decorations & party favors.

◊ Plan music, such as a playlist, DJ or band.

1-2 Weeks Out

◊ Confirm RSVPs with your guests.

◊ Communicate headcounts to vendors, if necessary.

◊ Do a final walkthrough of the venue. 

◊ Tip: Consider including your vendors in the walkthrough, that way they are familiar with the venue and can problem solve potential issues in advance.  

◊ Decorate and set up furniture and tables, if you’re doing it yourself. 

◊ Prepare any personal dishes.

◊ Do a final check-in with all vendors.

◊ Celebrate! “There’s nothing more exciting… than to be standing in the doorway and listening to the reactions of guests when they’re seen what we’ve accomplished. It’s the most rewarding experience,” says Alexander.

Picking the Right Date

The holidays are the busiest time of the year, so choosing a reasonable date for your event or party is a must. Not only will it influence attendance, but it also plays a role in the pricing of rentals and vendor costs.

Selecting a date earlier in the month of December may result in a higher turnout, as people tend to travel out of town the week of Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Vendors may also increase the pricing of their goods and services around this time. 

Weekdays, particularly Thursdays and Fridays, are prime times for corporate events – whereas the weekends are usually best for gatherings with friends and family.