A Little of Everything

from Oklahoma Magazine June 2023

FEELING THE HEAT

Elaine Graybill is sure that the collections at Alva’s Cherokee Strip Museum – where she works as the business manager – make it a must-see among museums in northwest Oklahoma.

But whether the museum, located in the building that once served as Alva’s city hospital, includes late-night supernatural activities … well, she isn’t so sure about that.

Several paranormal teams have visited the privately-owned, nonprofit museum over the past few years, she says, setting up their specialized equipment at night and waiting for something extraordinary to happen.

“I’m not going to say we’re haunted, but there are just some … unexplained things,” she says.

“Most of the ‘activity’ occurs between midnight and 2 a.m.,” Graybill tells an inquisitor. “Some rooms are more active than others.”

The Cherokee Strip Museum (and its variety of exhibits) is just one of the attractions in Alva. The city sits at the intersection of U.S. Highways 281 and

64; Tulsa is 187 miles to the east, Oklahoma City some 150 miles to the southeast. With an estimated population of about 5,000, Alva is in the part of Indian Territory that was designated as the Cherokee Strip, and was established in 1893 as a land oﬃce for the Cherokee Strip land run.

The city is also the home of Northwestern Oklahoma State University. The Museum of Natural History at NOSU contains more than 8,000 artifacts, including birds, mammoth tusks and different types of fossils and artifacts – some acquired more than 100 years ago.

What became NOSU was first established in 1897 as a “normal” school to educate future teachers, according to the Oklahoma Historical Society.

The first classes met in a local church on September 20, with three faculty members and 58 students. In 1996, the Oklahoma Legislature established branch campuses of NOSU in Enid and Woodward, with the university emerging as Alva’s largest employer in the 1990s.

It also has an arrangement with the two-year Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, whereby students can transfer their credits and complete their bachelor’s degrees at NOSU.

Alva is also surrounded by some of Oklahoma’s richest outdoor life. The Alva Chamber of Commerce points out that the city is within 30 miles of some of Oklahoma’s most diverse and inviting outdoor recreation, such as Great Salt Plains State Park and Wildlife Refuge in Jet, Alabaster Caverns State Park in Freedom, Little Sahara State Park in Waynoka and the famed Selman Bat Cave.

Jo Decker, director of the Graceful Arts Gallery and Studios located in Alva’s

580-327-1647 visitalvaok.org downtown square, says the arts community in Alva is burgeoning, thanks in large part to the recent addition of visual arts as an academic major at NOSU.

“We have several students [from NOSU who] come and help us,” says Decker. The gallery pulls artists from most of Oklahoma, southern Kansas and the Texas panhandle. “The art community here is growing every year.”

The Chamber of Commerce also touts Alva’s Western credentials, with rodeos and all things “cowboy and cowgirl” as a strong local influence.

The Cherokee Strip Museum, meanwhile, continues to attract a stead y number of visitors, Graybill says, with the individual rooms allowing for several specialized exhibits. One section is dedicated to a World War II prisoner of war camp for German military oﬃcers that, for 28 months, was located just outside town.

“We were known as ‘Camp Alvaraz,’” says Graybill.

The former hospital’s surgical suite now is part of the museum’s medical display, and in the opinion of the paranormal investigating teams, might – or might not – harbor spirits from the underworld.

“We have been told that we have ‘friendly spirits’ running around,” Graybill says. “I’m not a believer – yet.”

HENRY DOLIVE

Senior living communities have transformed over the last few decades, as have perceptions of them. Long gone is the idea that these places are full of dim halls, bland food, few activities, lack-luster amenities and little stimulation.

Now, senior living communities are rightly known for fostering true happiness and growth for residents. Amenities range from high-end gyms to pools, activity centers and luxury lodging. Events and gatherings happen nightly, and residents are nurtured – mind, body and soul.

Easing the Transition

Making the transition to a retirement community is a big decision. It can be exciting, as seniors look forward to all the ways a supportive living arrangement will make life easier and more pleasant ... but it can also bring stress when the future resident thinks about the logistics.

“The easiest way to reduce stress that often comes with moving is to prepare in advance,” says Gary Frias, executive director at Tulsa’s Cedarhurst of Woodland Hills. He recommends downsizing gradually over time to make this process easier and smoother, as well as beginning the search for the right place well before the time comes to move; this way, there is no pressure to make a snap decision.

Another way to ease the transition is to begin to make friends in the chosen community before the move in, adds Frias. By doing this, the future resident has a support system in place ahead of time.

Once the move has happened, residents can expect an informational orientation, as well as welcoming contact from several groups, including other residents, staff and even a chaplain in some cases.

Jim Kiel, a chaplain at Covenant Living at Inverness in Tulsa, reaches out to new community members as part of his role. He says it is important to “[find] out about their past — [let] them tell me their story. Then [I look] for ways to help them find commonality in all that we offer them. This would include finding out about their faith background and doing what I can to help them feel included in what is offered.”

Making the Right Call

Before a senior can move into a new home, a community has to be selected. is should be carefully considered.

A few obvious elements to consider would be location, qualifications of staff and what levels of care are offered. Location can come into play both in regards to safety of the neighborhood, as well as proximity to family who may plan to visit/ provide care. And, depending upon the types of housing and care options available, the reality of another transition in the future should weigh into the decision.

But beyond these basic housing details, Frias also recommends really getting to know the community being considered and deciding if it is a good fit.

“Community fit can be described as the feeling you get when being there, and if you could see yourself living there,” he says. “The best way to determine if a community is a good fit for you or your loved one is to tour and experience the community for yourself. Touring also gives you a chance to interact with the people on site.”

This also gives the potential/future resident an opportunity to begin making friends and building that very important support system within their future community.

The Benefits of Senior Living Communities

Once the move has happened, it is time to start reaping the bene ts. But what exactly are those bene ts, and what are the best ways to take full advantage of them?

“When we ask our residents about things they would like to do; we truly believe that the sky is the limit,” says Sharon Goforth, resident life director at Covenant Living at Inverness. “Therefore, we have been skydiving, zip lining and had rides in a tethered balloon. If people want to do something, we try to make it happen.”

Through listening to their community members and possessing a sincere desire to help them meet their lifestyle goals, many of the local senior communities offer all types of beneficial amenities, including various kinds of educational and exercise classes, field trips to local attractions, outdoor activities like hiking, gardening and walking, and state-of-theart classes to boost brain power and memory.

But even beyond the amenities provided, the sense of community and care is what many seniors value most.

Kiel mentions the social interaction with peers that includes “shared memories, as they [have lived] through the same periods in history,” and “the added care available as we age, and living with professionals trained in caring for people of your age group.”

Nurturing Mind, Body and Soul

rough all the transition and changes that come with getting older, it is important to remember to nurture the mind, body and soul in tandem. is is another way a retirement community can provide help with overall well-being.

Rick Davis, a chaplain at Covenant Living at Inverness, lists several available activities to nurture all aspects of the whole person – including tai chi chih classes, worship services, Bible studies, book clubs and movies with conversation, topical presentations, and devotions offered while walking the campus. Davis also mentions counseling options, including grief and caregiver support groups.

“Believing in the many benefits of multi-generational experiences,” adds Goforth, “we have partnered with a local homeschool group.” The children come regularly to read to residents, or have residents read to them.

With all these amenities and opportunities for interaction, the most important thing to remember is to get involved right from the start.

“After a great orientation and welcoming from our residents and staff, we recommend participating in the numerous activities we offer and engaging as much as possible within our community,” says Frias.

BONNIE RUCKER