Ava to mark birthday 105

Ava Forrester, an honest-to-goodness World War II Rosie the Riveter, will soon celebrate her 105th birthday. Living in Oklahoma City, she was hired as a Riveter for the left wing of C-47 planes at Douglas Aircraft, when war broke out.

On April 7, 2023, Lyndale Edmond Senior Living Center, at 1229 Lakeshore Drive, Edmond, Oklahoma, will host Miss Ava’s birthday celebration from 3 to 4 o’clock.

Forrester, one of America’s six million Riveters, retains an outstanding memory. She takes no medicine and loves to dance. Daily she walks a mile, taking stairs and long hallways at the Lyndale Independent Living Center where she resides in Edmond, Oklahoma.

At 98, she purchased her last car and, at 104, was given free merrygo-round rides at the Oklahoma State Fair. She believes she is Oklahoma’s only remaining Rosie the Riveter.

Her story currently appears in “Unsung Heroes: A Salute to Oklahoma Women Who Served Their Country” by author Glenda Carlile.

Miss Ava says of her war service: “The work was hard, and I went home tired, but also with a feeling of accomplishment. I realized early in my life that if I didn’t believe in myself, no one else would.”

For more information, contact Glenda Carlile, 405 694 6466 or glencarl@cox.net, or Forrester’s granddaughter Brandy Binkley at 405 808 1899.

Senior briefs

VillagesOKC offers two learning sessions for seniors in March

VillagesOKC, a nonprofit which connects older adults to activities and learning opportunities, will offer a free learning session in Northwest Oklahoma City and one in Edmond in March.

On March 20, a Senior LifeSkills Learning session titled "I Want to Volunteer, But..." will be at Our Lord's Lutheran Church. It will include a panel of four people who are volunteers, have managed volunteers or are looking for volunteers. Participants will leave with a handout of good places to start with volunteer opportunities.

On March 21, the Edmond Education Series will host Dr. Jonathan Vestal from Family Wellness Chiropractic. His “Steps for Improving the Brain" presentation will address how older adults can continue to grow their brains. The series is held in the Edmond Parks and Recreation building.

Both events are from 1-2:30 p.m. Details and registration information are available on the Events tab of VillagesOKC's website (www.villagesokc.org) or by calling (405) 990-6637.

(Send senior news to news@edmondpaper.com)