LIFE's Vintage Newsmagazine - March 2023

HAVING MEMORY PROBLEMS?

What

is a memory screen?

A 15-minute 30-point questionnaire is used to assess different areas of cognitive function.

Your score, along with additional medical information will help us to determine which study you may be eligible for.

If transportation is an issue, give us a call to discuss options.

Due for scheduled service?

Preventive maintenance is the best thing you can do for your health. If you’re 45 or older, now is a great time to schedule a colonoscopy. Early detection with regular colon screenings can give you the peace of mind to stay focused on the road ahead.

Start your preventive health journey as early as age 45 for a lifetime of wellness. Schedule a colonoscopy today.

For more information, visit uticaparkclinic.com/colon-screening

14

Telling Oklahoma’s Story

Meet Oklahoma writers Rilla Askew, Michael Wallis, S.E. Hinton, and John Wooley. Though their voices and styles differ, each author tells the story of their home state.

BY STEVE CLEM

22

Support Your Local Indie Bookstore

Independent bookstores aren’t just a place to find your next read. Check out these area shops to find inspiration, community, and so much more.

BY DEE DUREN, MANAGING EDITOR

18

Tulsa City-County Library Thrives in the Digital Age

Libraries are gateways to a larger world of information and imagination. Make sure you use all the Tulsa CityCounty Library system has to offer.

BY LINDSAY MORRIS

24

Everything You Need to Know About Book Clubs

When you’re ready to take your love of reading to the next level, try joining a book club. Here are ways to join an existing book club or start your own.

BY CONNIE CRONLEY

20

E-Reader Tips & Tricks

E-readers offer access to the world’s largest library of books ready for checkout 365 days of the year. Find out which e-reader has the features you need to read or listen to your favorites.

BY JOEY MECHELLE FARQUÉ

Senior living, with promise.

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Limited availability! • Independent & Assisted Living

Skilled Nursing • Memory Care • Rehabilitation

To schedule a tour today, call (877) 478-8455, or visit us online at CovLivingInverness.org

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eileen.bradshaw@LIFEseniorservices.org

Letter From Eileen

Dear Vintage Reader,

This issue celebrates you, the reader!

(918)

I assume that as you are reading LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine, reading is something you enjoy. The March issue focuses on books, booksellers, the library, and all of the new-fangled ways to get content. I love to read. I always have. My parents patiently read to me, working through the stacks of picture books that I laid precariously beside their chairs. My early favorites involved Tweety Bird and Woody Woodpecker, and I can still recite the contents. As I learned to read independently, B. Dalton Bookseller in Utica Square became my favorite place to while away the hours. I usually had a three-book limit, and it took so much for me to choose the winners. I loved mystery series like Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew. My favorite book series was “The All-of-A-Kind Family,” about a Jewish immigrant family set in the early 1900s in New York City. I was fascinated by the similarities to my own life despite the vast differences in time, location, and culture. Books provided a budget-friendly way to see the world, and I was transported from my north Tulsa home into so many magical places. I have been invited to several baby showers lately where the request has been that guests bring a favorite book for the baby. It makes me so happy that young parents are building that library even before the baby arrives.

I still love to read, although if I am being honest, most of what I read would not be classified as great

literature. Most truly great books contain epic struggles and sadness, and in adulthood, I find that I read to escape those very circumstances. My lighter reading list will occasionally be interrupted by a weightier read suggested by a friend. I love biographies, and the struggles portrayed within those pages don’t seem as daunting as their fictional counterparts. I have no idea why. While I own an e-reader, I seldom use it. I am old school. I like the feel of a page – even the smell of a new book is enticing to me. My neighborhood has one of the little lending libraries. I love visiting it and adding books I have read to its shelves. A neighbor once called to chat about a book I had contributed. He knew it was mine because I had left a boarding pass turned bookmark in its pages inadvertently. Since that occurrence, I try to imagine which of my neighbors might have donated the books I select. We have a varied and vibrant little neighborhood, and it is reflected on the shelves of our little library gem.

I hope you enjoy this issue and that you continue to read, in whichever fashion you prefer. If you have any good books to suggest, drop me a line at eileen.bradshaw@ lifeseniorservices.org.

I am always looking for good (and happy) suggestions!

Vol. 37, No. 9

EILEEN BRADSHAW

President & CEO of LIFE Senior Services, LIFE PACE & Vintage Housing

KELLY KIRCHHOFF

Senior Director of Communications

DEE DUREN

Managing Editor dduren@LIFEseniorservices.org

BERNIE DORNBLASER

Advertising Director bdornblaser@LIFEseniorservices.org

LEAH WEIGLE

Graphic Designer

PAULA BROWN

Assistant Editor pbrown@LIFEseniorservices.org

CAROL CARTER

Copy Editor

DICK MCCANDLESS

ESTEBAN VALENCIA

Community Distribution

LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine accepts advertising to defray the cost of production and distribution, and appreciates the support of its advertisers. The publisher does not specifically endorse advertisers or their products or services. LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine reserves the right to refuse advertising. Rates are available upon request by calling (918) 664-9000.

© LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine and LIFE Senior Services, Inc., 2023. All rights reserved. Reproduction without consent of the publisher is prohibited.

Volume 37, Issue 9, March 2023

LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine (ISSN 2168-8494) (USPS 18320) is published monthly by LIFE Senior Services, 5950 E. 31st St., Tulsa, OK 74135. Periodicals postage paid at Tulsa, OK.

Bradshaw, President and CEO

Eileen Bradshaw

President and CEO LIFE Senior Services, LIFE PACE, Vintage Housing

Eileen

MARCH 2, 1955: Teen Refuses to Give Up Bus Seat

Nine months before Rosa Parks’ act of civil disobedience, Claudette Colvin was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated Alabama bus. Colvin was traveling home from school when the bus driver ordered her and three fellow Black students to give their seats to a white passenger. Friends obliged; Claudette refused and was handcuffed, arrested, and booked into jail.

MARCH 6, 1475: Michelangelo is Born

The greatest of the Italian Renaissance artists, Michelangelo Buonarroti was born in Caprese. He grew up in Florence and became an artist’s apprentice at age 13. He was taken under the wing of Lorenzo de’ Medici, ruler of the Florentine republic and patron of the arts. His most important work was the Pieta (1498), a sculpture showing the body of Christ in the lap of the Virgin Mary.

This Month in History

MARCH 18, 1889: First Native American Woman Graduates Med School

Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte became the first Native American woman to graduate from medical school. Top of her class at the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, she graduated one year early at 24 and returned to Nebraska to serve her community. She eventually opened the first privately funded hospital on a reservation in 1913. She died from bone cancer on September 18, 1915.

MARCH 18, 1911: Irving Berlin Copyrights Biggest Pop Song

Before the phonograph became a common household item, there was already a burgeoning music industry in the U.S. based on the sale of sheet music. Funny to think that printed paper, not grooved lacquer or vinyl discs, helped songs gain popularity. None garnered more popularity than Irving Berlin’s “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” copyrighted 1911. The simplicity of it encouraged sheet music sales that topped 1.5 million copies.

MARCH 25, 1634: Maryland Settled

In 1632, King Charles I of England granted a charter to George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore, yielding him proprietary rights east of the Potomac River in exchange for a share of income derived from the land. The territory was named Maryland in honor of Henrietta Maria, the queen consort of Charles I. In 1634, the first English settlers (carefully selected Catholics and Protestants) arrived at St. Clement’s Island.

MARCH 30, 1955: First Asian American Wins Academy Award

Noted for use of wide-angle shots, low-key lighting, and deep focus, cinematographer James Wong Howe became the first Asian American to win an Academy Award for Best Cinematography for “The Rose Tattoo.” Born in China, he immigrated to America at age 5 and in later years became an assistant to Cecil B. DeMille. Over 60 years, Howe was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, winning twice.

Bob Boorah and Gary Vandever were photographed reading Boys’ Life magazine in 1940. The magazine is a publication of the Boy Scouts of America, now called Scout Life.

Members of the Shakespeare Reading Club, a book club circa 1980, are photographed around a cake with a quote from “Othello.” They are (from left) Faith Neuman, Mary Riggs, Polly Miller, and Mildred Hulings.

Two men and a woman oversee three young readers at a Tulsa library during the 1970s.

Tulsa Police Officer Lynn Jones reads a House and Garden magazine while sitting in a rocking chair in 1976.

Caregiver Tool Belt Grab-and-Go Documents

BY ERIN POWELL, CAREGIVER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Last month, we reviewed some of the legal documents that are important to have in place if you are a caregiver. This month, for our caregiver’s tool belt, let’s continue on the documentation journey and dive into the full list of documents caregivers should have on hand for their loved ones – or, at a minimum, know where the documents are

“On hand” simply means easily accessible. It can mean printed copies you keep within arm’s reach. My usual recommendations are to place printed copies in looseleaf notebooks that can be left at the care recipient’s home and in your car or home as well – where they can be easily found. In this digital world, I also recommend keeping easily accessible digital copies scanned on your computer or stored in a secure folder or app on your smartphone so that you can email them on short notice.

Documents to Keep Safe

Part of being a caregiver is planning and preparing for the unexpected. When the unplannable and unexpected come your way, you’ll be glad to know that you have some of the tools and information that may be necessary in places where you can easily access them.

The list of current medications can truly be a lifesaver if your loved one is admitted to the hospital or establishes new medical services. Some older adults are on multiple medications and missing a dose or two could be critical. Don’t rely on your memory or on the new medical staff’s ability to access your care recipient’s medications online.

Documents to Have on Hand

Copy of driver’s license and insurance cards

Copy of Power of Attorney, Advanced Directive, and Do Not Resuscitate order (if you have one)

An ongoing log of current medications (as well as any recent med changes)

Lists of all doctors with their contact information and if possible, bonus points for including the name of the nurse or office person that communicates most with you

Any critical passwords you may need to log in to a cell phone, a home computer, electronic medical records, or places where the abovelisted documents might be digitally stored

What’s Next?

Next month, let’s talk a little more about care planning as we begin to think through essential questions you have to ask when considering the future care of a loved one or family member.

Topics will include what to do when your loved one is no longer safe living at home. Will the care come to them, or will they need to go to the care? What are the options in the community, and what will their finances allow? What will be covered by insurance, and what must be paid for out-of-pocket? And finally, what are the broader goals that can help guide you and your loved one during this time?

You might be asking if all of this is necessary, and the answer is a firm “maybe.”

Medicare Fraud and Abuse 5 TIPS

BY KATHY JONES, MEDICARE AND TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SUPERVISOR

Committing fraud is illegal and should be reported. Anyone can commit or be involved in fraud, including doctors, other providers, and Medicare beneficiaries. Listed below are some examples of Medicare fraud and what you can do to help detect and report fraud and abuse.

BILLING FRAUD

If you have Original Medicare, your doctor should not:

• Charge you for most preventive services

• Bill Medicare for services that reflect a more severe illness than actually existed or a more expensive treatment than was provided

• Offer tests or other services that you do not need, especially if the doctor says that the more tests you receive, the cheaper they are

• Routinely waive your coinsurance (providers can waive cost-sharing for patients with great financial need, but not regularly)

Review your Medicare Summary Notices for errors and report anything suspicious to Medicare.

• Compare the dates and services on your calendar with the statements you get from Medicare to make sure you received each service listed and that all the details are correct

• Check your claims early – the sooner you see and report errors, the sooner you can help stop fraud. Log into (or create) your secure Medicare account to view your Original Medicare claims as soon as they’re processed, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227)

Keep track of when you see your physician, have lab work done, tests, or other services, by writing appointments down on your calendar or call LIFE Senior Services at (918) 664-9000, ext. 1189, for a free Health Care Tracker to track your services. When you receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) notice, you can compare what is being billed with the service you were provided.

MARKETING AND ENROLLMENT FRAUD

Examples of marketing and enrollment fraud include:

• You receive an unsolicited phone call from a company you have no prior relationship with

• A company represents itself as coming from or sent by Medicare, Social Security, or Medicaid

• An agent initiates a discussion about other insurance products, such as life insurance annuities, during a visit or meeting about a Part C or Part D Medicare product

• You signed up for a plan after being told by a company that certain prescriptions or services were covered, but after reviewing your EOB, you found they were not covered by the plan and you received a bill instead

Make sure to verify any marketing information you receive in the plan’s benefit manual or by calling the plan directly. Avoid enrolling in error by confirming whether the plan:

• Provides drug coverage

• Offers coverage through the coverage gap

• Has your providers, hospitals, and pharmacies in their network

• Offers additional benefits, such as vision or dental

NOTE: Always make sure you understand what the plan is offering you, and how all your benefits are affected. Ask to receive information about the plan’s benefits in writing. If you suspect that an agent is not following the rules, save documented proof (such as the agent’s business card or marketing materials).

If you find out that your plan has made fraudulent claims about your health or drug coverage, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to dis-enroll from your plan and switch to another one. To report fraud, you should contact 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227), the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Resource Center at (877-808-2468), or the Inspector General’s fraud hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). Medicare will not use your name while investigating if you do not want them to.

Sources: www.medicareinteractive.gov, www.forbes.com

For Tax Season Identify Theft Protection

Tax refund theft is more common than you might think. You likely won’t know you’re a victim until you go to file your taxes and the IRS rejects your (duplicate) return. Here are five tips on how to avoid being a victim of tax scams:

1. Be Organized and File Early

The earlier you file your taxes, the sooner you will get any refunds owed. Doing so will also make it much more difficult for tax scammers to beat you to the punch.

2. Be Diligent With Your Passwords

Try to use long phrases that will make it hard for a hacker to break. Your name, birthday, or those of your kids are not great passwords.

3. Update Your Cybersecurity Regularly

Don’t log into bank or investment accounts on unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Do not prepare and file your tax returns on a public computer. Back up your computer regularly, ideally to the cloud or another backup that is kept offsite. Lastly, invest in a shredder, and shred all paperwork that contains your personal information.

4. The IRS will Not just Call You

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will not call you out of the blue. Likewise, IRS employees will not email you. If someone calls and claims to be from the IRS, HANG UP!

5. Report Tax Fraud ASAP

If you think you may be a victim of tax fraud or scam, the IRS has laid out all the steps to take on its official site, IRS.gov. Or call the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at (800) 366-4484.

Celebrating 50 years of preserving independence and meeting the needs of our aging population.

Friday, June Sixteenth

TWO-THOUSAND TWENTY-THREE

SIX PM, COCKTAIL ATTIRE

Cox Business Convention Center

ONE-HUNDRED CIVIC CENTER

TULSA

Honorary Chairs

DENISE AND JOHN REDMOND

Cocktails • Dinner • Live Music • Auction • Dancing

Friday, June 16 – Cox Business Convention Center

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SPONSORSHIPS

AND TICKETS CALL RICKYE WILSON

(918) 664-9000, EXT. 1213 OR VISIT

WWW.LIFE seniorservices.org

LIFE’s Adult Day Health

Safe, affordable daytime care for older adults.

LIFE’s Adult Day Health provides services and support to older adults who have physical or cognitive impairments and need assistance during the day. Programming includes group exercise, nutritious meals, social activities, brain fitness activities, arts, crafts, music and more.

For more information call LIFE’s SeniorLine (918) 664-9000 or visit www.LIFEseniorservices.org.

Oklahoma’s Telling Story

Meet Four of Oklahoma’s Favorite Storytellers.

Four contemporary Oklahoma writers – four distinctive voices. Each is abundantly talented and awardwinning in vastly different genres. For these authors, Oklahoma is more than home, it is an often-visited subject or setting. All four writers, through their unique styles, are telling the complex, compelling story of their home state.

How many writers can claim they wrote a classic novel and created a literary genre before they graduated high school? Welcome to the world of Tulsan S.E. Hinton! In 1967, Hinton was a junior at Tulsa’s Will Rogers High School. She had written a novel and a friend’s mother had given her the name of an agent. “Although I didn’t know the difference between an agent, an editor, and a publisher, I sent her my manuscript of “The Outsiders.” The agent sold it to the second publisher who saw it,” Hinton recalled.

A new genre was born – young adult fiction. “The Outsiders” went on to become required reading for middle school students and has remained that for over a half-century.

Hinton solidified her status with “That Was Then, This Is Now” (1971), “Rumble Fish” (1975), and “Tex” (1979). Each won the American Library Association award for Best Books for Young Adults.

The early 1980s brought big screen adaptations, filmed in Tulsa, for “Tex,” “The Outsiders,” and “Rumble Fish,” for which Hinton co-wrote the screenplay.

About Tulsa being the setting for her most well-known coming-of-age tale, Hinton says simply, “I wrote what I knew.” What she knew were universal themes of youth such as class divisions, self-worth, love, and loss, and themes Hinton may not have been aware of at the time. “I usually have to wait for a few

BY STEVE CLEM

years for people to write and tell me what I was writing about before I figure out what I was writing about,” Hinton said.

It is the richly-drawn characters that inhabit Hinton’s stories – like Ponyboy Curtis and Johnny Cade in “The Outsiders” – that make the journey so enjoyable. That is the aspect of her writing that Hinton says makes her most proud . “All my characters have a different voice. For instance, you would never mistake Rusty-James (“Rumble Fish”) for Tex,” Hinton explained.

Hinton says the stories she most likes to tell involve character growth or change. In more recent years, she has tailored those stories to new audiences outside of the teen market.

“Big David, Little David” (1995), is an eyecatching children’s picture book aimed at ages 4 to 8. Some of “Tim’s Stories” (2007), with 14 short stories chronicling cousins Terry and Mike, land squarely in the adult fiction genre.

Hinton acknowledges that it is the universal themes that have helped “The Outsiders” “stay gold” for generation after generation of young readers.

“They grew up on the outside of society. They weren’t looking for a fight. They were looking to belong.”

– S.E. Hinton, “The Outsiders”

S.E. HINTON

I wrote what I knew.”

TELLING OKLAHOMA’S STORY, continued on page 16.

St. Louis, Missouri, native Michael Wallis was a journeyman journalist churning out articles for various publishers before a Tulsa trip changed that trajectory in June 1980. “Even though it was blazing hot, I really liked what I found –the history, the culture, I was drawn to that,” Wallis said. He also felt he had something to contribute. “I thought there were three elements here that were not being utilized to their fullest: The Arkansas River, the great reservoir of Art Deco architecture, and the Mother Road,” Wallis said.

By 1982, Wallis and his wife, Suzanne Fitzgerald, had relocated to Tulsa, and he began writing: “Oil Man,” (1988), a biography of Frank Phillips, founder of Phillips Petroleum in Bartlesville; then, in 1990, came “Route 66: The Mother Road.” That book – published five years after Route 66 was no longer on any map – became a phenomenon, igniting a worldwide renaissance in America’s Main Street, which, not coincidentally, runs right through Tulsa.

Wallis’s book told about another Tulsan, Cyrus Avery, the Father of Route 66. Through his tireless efforts for better roads, in 1926, Avery ensured that the major national artery from Chicago to Los Angeles came through his hometown.

With more drivable miles of Route 66 than any other state, perhaps Oklahoma has most to gain from the growing popularity of the road that meanders through eight states on its path to the Pacific Ocean.

Tulsa’s neon sign grant program has returned brilliant neon to 11th Street and Southwest Boulevard (Historic Route 66) while new businesses and attractions fuel the local economy as travelers from around the globe experience the ultimate American adventure – cruisin’ Route 66.

“At first, when people would say ‘aren’t you surprised by all this,’ well … I am in a way but I know that there are like-minded people like me who realize that Route 66 is not dead; 85% of it is still there; it’s just been decertified. They’re still out there dispensing hospitality and renting rooms for the night,” Wallis said.

Wallis has penned meticulous biographies of Pretty Boy Floyd (1992), Waite Phillips (1995), and Wilma Mankiller, the first woman to lead the Cherokee Nation (1993). He has told the story of the legendary 101 Ranch’s Wild West Show (1999). “Way Down Yonder in the Indian Nation” (1993), features fascinating essays about Wallis’s adopted home state.

Wallis’s 20th book will mine pre-statehood history and the life of outlaw Belle Starr.

“It takes multiple voices to tell Oklahoma’s story,” said Rilla Askew, award-winning author of historical fiction, essays, and short fiction. Born in Poteau and raised in Bartlesville in the 1960s, Askew moved to New York for many years before returning to her native state. “If Oklahoma is known at all outside of the state, it’s known in stereotypes and broad strokes and it’s really more complicated than that,” Askew said.

Askew was one of the first authors to add to the national narrative on the Tulsa Race Massacre. Her historical novel, “Fire in Beulah,” was published in 2001, a time when the longsuppressed history that Askew did not learn about in school, was just beginning to emerge. “It took 11 years to research and write it,” Askew noted.

Although the book was critically acclaimed and award-winning, Askew says it didn’t immediately catch on. “I think white audiences were uncomfortable because they wanted the main white character, who was a woman, to become like Atticus Finch, to become the hero who would stand against racism. But she never does it,” Askew explained. However, recently, the author has detected a shift in how her book is perceived. “After the kind of reckoning the country has gone through with George Floyd

and Black Lives Matter, readers now tell me they have a better understanding of what the main character, Althea, was doing – that I was writing about her white privilege.”

In her collection of non-fiction essays, “Most American: Notes from a Wounded Place” (2017), Askew addresses the contradictions of her native state, in subjects ranging from the Tulsa Race Massacre to the Trail of Tears to the Murrah Federal Building bombing.

In the latter, she outlines Oklahoma’s lack of regional identity. “Calls for submissions from southwestern writers often do not include Oklahoma, nor do calls for writers from the West, or the Midwest, or the South. These regions don’t claim us, although Oklahoma borders and reflects all of them. It’s as if each region shrugs and says to itself, ‘No, it’s no part of us; it must belong to them over there.’”

Askew notes a renaissance being led by native artists and writers representing Oklahoma, citing Sterlin Harjo’s indigenous television series, “Reservation Dogs,” and Joy Harjo, Tulsaborn poet, writer, and performer, representing the Muscogee Nation as the 23rd National Poet Laureate.

“I don’t think it has come to full flower yet,” Askew said.

“Even though it was blazing hot, I really liked what I found here.”

“It takes multiple voices to tell Oklahoma’s story.”

MICHAEL WALLIS

RILLA ASKEW

Photo courtesy of Tulsa People

Since selling his first story to a comic book magazine out of his Oklahoma State University dorm room in the 1960s, John Wooley has documented a lot of Oklahoma’s history in a career as an author, journalist, radio personality, and scriptwriter.

Wooley grew up in Chelsea, Oklahoma. After OSU, a stint in the Navy, and then grad school on the GI Bill, Wooley and his wife, Janis, settled in the area of his youth. “At 17, I couldn’t wait to get out – when I was 30, I couldn’t wait to get back,” Wooley explained.

Through his “day job” as an entertainment writer for the Tulsa World, Wooley penned a five-part, award-winning series, Rock of Ages, on Tulsa’s early rock ‘n roll history. For Oklahoma’s centennial, his book “The Colors of Oklahoma Music” (2006), traced a century of music, from the jazz influence of the Oklahoma City Blue Devils to western swing, the Tulsa Sound, Red Dirt, and the large number of country artists this state has produced.

One of Wooley’s most enjoyable reads is “Shot in Oklahoma: A Century of Sooner State Cinema” (2011), a journey through more than 100 movies filmed in our state. While the major productions, “The Outsiders,” “Rain Man,” and “Twister” are featured, Wooley delights in presenting the littleknown or forgotten history, like the very early movies made at the 101 Ranch and the all-Black films produced in Oklahoma’s African American towns. Wooley’s two recent collaborations with Brett Bingham preserve more Oklahoma music history. “Twentieth-Century Honky Tonk” (2020), tells the history of Cain’s Ballroom, the still-swinging Tulsa venue that has become a shrine for musicians and fans. “Thanks – Thanks A Lot,” (2021) is a biography of a beloved Tulsa figure, Billy Parker. The book chronicles Parker’s country music career and long stint as a KVOO-AM 1170 deejay – a communicator so gifted that radio stations did not require Parker to conform to the rules and pre-determined playlists the other deejays were bound to. While Wooley has also found considerable success writing fiction, he relishes his role in writing about what he characterizes as Oklahoma’s pop culture. “You know that corny thing about, ‘What are you put on this earth to do?’ I think I’m here to create, and to celebrate other people’s creativity,” Wooley said.

Tulsa County Master Gardeners host programs each spring and fall at Tulsa’s Central Library downtown.

Tulsa City-County Library Thrives in the Digital Age

Are you taking advantage of all Tulsa City-County Library has to offer?

BY LINDSAY MORRIS

Just like any thriving entity in our digital age, Tulsa City-County Library (TCCL) has evolved over the years. With a reinvigorated approach to reach Tulsa’s ever-diversifying communities, the library system has several new programs and services that reach an even wider audience.

OUTREACH SERVICES

Have you seen TCCL’s Bookmobile zooming around town? The Bookmobile exists to provide materials to “library deserts,” says Jackie Kropp, literacy, outreach, and volunteer services manager for TCCL. A library desert is any area that does not have a library branch within five miles.

The three TCCL Bookmobiles visit lowincome communities, senior housing, shelters, juvenile detention centers, and other locations to provide the citizens of Tulsa County with the same type of resources you would find at a physical library. Most of these visits are on coordinated, repeated dates (for example, the second and fourth Thursday of the month) so that patrons can count on the Bookmobile being in their area.

“We function like any branch in TCCL,” Kropp says. “Customers can check out items.”

Another relatively new service offered by TCCL is Books by Mail. People who are physically unable to get to a branch can sign up for Books by Mail, Kropp says.

“As frequently as they send things to us, we’ll send things to them,” she said. Think of Netflix when it first started – back when you received

The Digital Literacy Lab at Tulsa Central Library is a place where people can expand their computer skills, learn new software, and even use a flight simulator. The library holds orientation classes each week and often plans special programs.

Central Library’s innovative Digital Literacy Lab includes equipment for recording audio, digitalizing family history, converting old tech to new, and much more. There is no charge for using the equipment.

Kim Johnson, CEO of Tulsa City-County Library, received the 2021 Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries Distinguished Service Award from Dorothy Minor, Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries president. This award was presented to all TCCL staff for their work during the pandemic.

DVDs in your mailbox. Books by Mail can be utilized by people who are permanently or temporarily homebound.

Of course, digital books are an increasingly popular service. In December 2022, TCCL reached a record-breaking one million digital book checkouts for the year. Through smartphone apps like Libby that connect to a reader’s library card and digital checkouts through the TCCL app, the library serves the community even if readers are sitting on their couches at home.

Another service that many older adults find of interest is TCCL’s Seed Library. Nine library branches are seed packets for growing herbs, fruits, and vegetables that you can check out (up to 15 packets) and grow in your garden. You are encouraged to save seeds from the best plants and return them to the library so other gardeners can do the same.

LIBRARY PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS

The programs offered by TCCL have increased greatly over the last five years, says Rebecca Harrison, adult services manager.

One popular program that has grown steadily since 2018 is the weekly yoga series at the Central Library in downtown Tulsa. Held on Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Yoga for Anybody is led by a certified yoga instructor and appeals to yoga students of all ages and abilities. Each spring and fall, Central Library hosts a popular four-week Lunch and Learn series hosted by Tulsa Master Gardeners. “Each week is a different topic related to gardening, like how to avoid garden pests,” Harrison said.

Book clubs are another popular offering. “We have 26 locations, and every location has a book club,” Harrison said. “Some are themed. We have a romance book club at Central. We have nonfiction and fiction; we run the full gamut.” Information on TCCL’s book clubs can be found at tulsalibrary.org.

One of the biggest changes in TCCL’s programming in recent years has been the increase in technology-based classes. Some of these classes teach computer skills. “So many of the things we used to be able to do on paper are now online. We want to help people learn to be digitally literate,” Harrison said.

The Digital Literacy Lab located at Central Library exists to help individuals expand their online skills. Library visitors may use the Digital Literacy Lab to develop new apps and software skills, try out new pieces of equipment, digitize family history, and more. TCCL provides orientations weekly for the Digital Literacy Lab.

Many senior adults enjoy volunteering through TCCL. “We have volunteers at every branch in the system – doing shelving, organizing branches, and putting together craft kits,” Harrison says. “If seniors want to get involved, we would love to have them.”

One of the many volunteer opportunities through TCCL is the Ruth G. Hardman Adult Literacy Service. Volunteers are paired one-on-one with adult English learners for weekly tutoring sessions. If you are interested in becoming a TCCL volunteer, you can sign up online at tulsalibrary.org or call (918) 549-7408 with any questions.

DIVERSITY Access to All

In recent years, Tulsa City-County Library (TCCL) has increased its efforts to reach Tulsa County’s increasingly diverse population. “Our mission is to seek diverse perspectives with access to all. Everything we do is an outcropping of that,” said Jackie Kropp, adult services.

The African American Resource Center located at Rudisill Regional Library has frequent exhibits and speakers to provide the community with current and historical resource materials on the culture and history of African Americans. The Grapevine Literary Society book club meets on the third Monday of each month at various locations. The club is open to all men and women interested in expanding their knowledge of literature written primarily by Black authors.

The American Indian Resource Center at Zarrow Regional Library offers Yuchi language classes in person Monday nights. Kiowa language classes are available online. In March, TCCL’s annual American Indian Festival of Words includes events like basket and pottery making, Native American dances and cooking classes, among others.

Martin Regional Library’s Hispanic Resource Center has Spanish language books, movies, music, and more. Patrons can book an appointment with a Spanish-speaking librarian. Grandparents can take grandkids to a Bilingual Build-A-Reader Storytime and meet Lantinx authors and personalities at special events.

The Bookmobile is another of the many ways TCCL caters to the diverse population. “We try very hard to be responsive to the needs of our customers,” Kropp said. “We’ve served everybody from toddlers to seniors, extremely low income to high income, and everything in between.”

Recently, TCCL served Burmese and Afghan refugees in the Tulsa area through the Bookmobile. TCCL offers materials in several languages and is currently working to translate its materials into Zomi.

Tulsa City-County Library volunteers Vy Tipton (left) and Susanna Will.

Tulsa City-County Library has three Bookmobiles that transport services that you would find at a library branch.

E-READER Tips & Tricks

BY JOEY MECHELLE FARQUÉ

Reading is a beloved pastime that can bring joy and mental stimulation to people of all ages. However, as we age, our eyesight and dexterity can deteriorate, making it more difficult to read traditional print books. Fortunately, technology has made it easier for seniors to continue reading with the advent of e-readers.

E-readers, also known as digital book readers, are portable electronic devices designed to read digital books, magazines, and other digital content. They are generally lightweight and easy to take from place to place. E-readers can store thousands of books, depending on storage, that never need to be dusted.

Digital books and other reading materials can also be read on tablets, laptops, desktop computers, and mobile phones. Some people prefer to use a separate e-reader device because the devices are easy to read comfortably without the distractions of apps and other features found on a tablet or phone.

Make it Easy

Here are a few features of digital reading that may be particularly beneficial for older users.

A simple, easy-to-navigate interface can be more straightforward for older users.

Some e-reader models have physical buttons for navigation, which can be easier for people with arthritic fingers.

Most e-readers have the feature of voice-to-text, which can be helpful for people with arthritis or other conditions that make it difficult to type.

Show Me the E-Books

Most books are available for purchase from their associated stores – Amazon for Kindle, Apple Books for iPads, Barnes and Noble for Nook, and Google Play Books for Android devices. Other sites specialize in books you can download for free. Here are some of the top websites.

E-readers and other digital reading tools can be excellent options for seniors who want to continue reading and stay mentally stimulated.

The Lowdown Price and Battery

Battery life can vary widely depending last for weeks or even months on a single charge. shorter if you frequently use features such as

Amazon Kindle Starts

around $90

This e-reader is popular among seniors for its high-resolution display, adjustable font size and spacing, and built-in light. It also features a simple, easy-to-use interface and long battery life.

Kobo Clara HD Starts around $130

The Clara HD has a high-resolution display, adjustable font size and spacing, and built-in light. The device is lightweight and has a simple interface making it easy to navigate.

CHECK YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Tulsa City-County Library has a vast array of digital and audio reading selections – including LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine and LIFE’s Vintage Guide to Housing & Services.

BOOKBUB bookbub.com

With a membership, you can find free and discounted e-books.

FREE EBOOKS free-ebooks.net

Create an account, and free e-books can be downloaded or viewed online.

1.

2.

3.

Lowdown on Battery Life

on the model and usage – some can charge. However, the battery life may be as the built-in light or wireless connectivity.

With the right e-reader and the right tech tips, seniors can enjoy the convenience and accessibility of digital books, even with visual or dexterity impairments.

Barnes & Noble NOOK GlowLite 4e

Starts around $100

The Nook reads easily in any light, is glarefree, and reads for weeks on a single battery charge. It’s powerful enough to read in bed under low light or the sun’s bright light with its GlowLite illumination.

Don’t Strain Those Peepers

Here are some tips to make e-reading more accessible, help avoid eye strain, and make it easier for people with visual impairments.

1. Large, Easy-to-Read Font – Look for an e-reader with various font sizes and consider one that allows you to adjust the font size easily.

2. High-Contrast Display –An e-reader with a highcontrast display (i.e., black text on a white background) can be easier for older eyes to read.

3. Adjust the Text Spacing – Some e-readers allow you to adjust the spacing between lines of text, making it easier for those with visual impairments.

4. Change the Background Color – Some e-readers allow you to change the display’s background color. Black text on a white background is recommended for older eyes.

5. Adjust the Brightness – Many e-readers have an adjustable brightness setting. It’s recommended to adjust the brightness to a level that is comfortable for you.

6. Use the Built-In Light – An e-reader with a built-in light can make it easier to read in dimly lit environments.

7. Use the Night Mode – Some e-readers have a night mode feature, which adjusts the display to a warm, yellowish light that can be easier on the eyes in low-light conditions.

8. Take Breaks – Taking frequent breaks while reading can help reduce eye strain.

9. Use a Comfortable Reading Position – Reading in a comfortable position can reduce eye strain and help prevent neck and back pain.

Onyx Book Note 2

Starts around $600

This e-reader has a large, highresolution display, adjustable font size and spacing, and built-in light. It also has a note-taking function which can be helpful for seniors.

10. Various Reading Formats – Take advantage of various reading formats that are available on e-readers. These formats can make reading digital books and other content easier, even for those with visual or dexterity impairments.

11. Audio Capabilities – Many e-readers have built-in audio capabilities, allowing users to listen to audiobooks on the device.

MANYBOOKS

manybooks.net

This site has over 50,000 free e-books in various genres that can be downloaded to multiple devices.

OBOOKO obooko.com

Some recent independent e-books are located on this site. Most e-books are available as PDFs, so you’ll need a PDF reader on your device.

OPEN CULTURE openculture.com

This archive site features free classic books.

OPEN LIBRARY openlibrary.org

This site features classic and current books to read and borrow.

PROJECT GUTENBERG gutenberg.org

More than 60,000 free e-books are available, including books from as far back as the 17th century. They can be downloaded or viewed online.

BATTERY LIFE 1 to 3 Weeks

BATTERY LIFE About 4 Weeks PRICE

PRICE

Support Your Local Indie Bookstore

Find your home away from home at these independent booksellers in the Tulsa area.

BY DEE DUREN

Is there any place on earth more welcoming than a bookstore? Just opening the front door and crossing the threshold feels like a glorious invitation to the book lover’s soul. Shelves of books whisper promises of new adventures, excellent advice, inspiration, and thrills.

In addition to books, locally-owned bookstores offer a sense of community. Though reading may seem like a solitary business, the independent bookstore gives customers a chance to connect with like-minded people. They provide activities that bring patrons together over a love of all things book-related – like book signings and book clubs.

Indie booksellers in the Tulsa area also give a deeper meaning to the phrase, “shop locally.” Readers will find a broader selection of Oklahoma authors, regional subjects, and products made by local artists and artisans.

What independent bookstores need in return is the support of local shoppers who support these much-loved businesses with their shopping dollars.

Whitty Books

MAGIC CITY BOOKS

221 E. Archer St. • Tulsa magiccitybooks.com

The flagship of independent bookstores in the Tulsa area, Magic City Books, got a head start when they opened in November 2017, according to Pat Cawiezell, buyer and author program coordinator.

“We grew out of the existing BookSmart Tulsa program, so author programs have been part of the core make-up of our store. That sets us apart because it usually takes bookstores a while to build that up,” he said.

Magic City Books is owned by the Tulsa Literary Coalition, a nonprofit corporation. Profits from the store help fund the literary programs for which they are known. During the pandemic, the store quickly pivoted to a virtual format before returning to in-person events last fall. Last month, they hosted Tulsa native Tim Blake Nelson, the actor and director who recently published his first novel.

“We think it’s important to host a wide array of events,” Cawiezell said. Magic City Books specializes in literary fiction and thoughtprovoking, current nonfiction. It also prides itself on a strong local section with many books about Tulsa and northeast Oklahoma.

“Tulsa readers like to read about Tulsa and the history of this place. When it comes to local books, those books are really what’s most popular,” he said.

RIVENDELL BOOKS AND BAUBLES

2034 W. Houston St. • Broken Arrow rivendellbandb.com

Any “Lord of the Rings” fan will recognize the name of Broken Arrow’s new indie bookstore, Rivendell Books and Baubles, and likely feel at home there. The quirky shop has an air of the unexpected, not unlike JRR Tolkien’s elvish forest sanctuary. For example, the usual bookstore cat has been replaced by Quinn, a bearded lizard. Shop owner Heather Edwards left a successful career in private industry to open her bookshop last Halloween. The store already has three book clubs, a story time for younger readers, and a writing group called Shut Up & Write. They’ll soon be offering coffee as well.

“I did quite a bit of research and talked to other bookstore owners,” she said. “That’s one of the wonderful things about independent bookstores. We don’t compete; we help each other.”

Magic City Books

Fulton Street Books

Rivendell Books & Baubles

Rivendell offers new and some used books at the shop which specializes in popular fiction, fantasy and science fiction, young adult literature, and local history.

“I read every genre, so I can make recommendations no matter what you’re interested in,” she said. So next time you’re in the market for a gift, a book, or a little time in an elven sanctuary, check out this Broken Arrow indie bookstore.

FULTON STREET BOOKS

201 W. Latimer St. • Tulsa fultonstreet918.com

The owner of Fulton Street Books and Coffee, Onikah Asamoa-Caesar, came to Tulsa as a member of Teach for America. She stayed to be part of a Kaiser Family Foundation’s program which focused on creating opportunities for Tulsa’s most vulnerable families. Not content with those contributions, she opened an independent bookstore and coffee shop north of downtown Tulsa.

Fulton Street centers on “the stories, narratives, and lived experiences of people of color and marginalized communities.” Asamoa-Caesar’s educational background remains central to her business mission of growing literacy and community, particularly among black, brown, indigenous, and other people of color (BBIPOC).

“At Fulton Street, at least 70% of our books are written by or featuring BBIPOC and marginalized communities,” she said. “We envision a world in which everyone can find themselves or their stories reflected on the shelves and in a book.”

Fulton Street Books welcomes readers to join events like Noise on Fulton Street where musicians and poets are featured. They have a special story hour each month called Fatherhood Friday, where fathers are invited to attend with their kids. They also offer curated boxes of diverse children’s books for young readers, and a book club for women who are “well read, but not well-behaved.”

WHITTY BOOKS

2306 E. Admiral Blvd. • Tulsa whittybooks.com

Yes, that’s Whitty, not Witty Books, named for its location in the historic Kendall Whittier District of Tulsa. Funky and fun, Whitty Books is an independent bookstore just across the street from Ziegler’s Frame Shop and around the corner from the Circle Cinema.

Owner Victoria Moore manages the store and curates its collection of books, specializing in offers from smaller publishing houses and diverse authors – what they call an “under the radar” collection.

Booklovers will find plenty of top titles but also lesser-known books like “Chronicles of My Alien Invasion Life,” by Tulsa author Jes McCutchen, and Kathe Koja’s “Dark Factory,” about a dance club with three floors of DJs and customizable reality. Their book clubs are focused on genres like science fiction and fantasy, and horror literature. One of the first members of their popular Native American Lit Book Club is Oscar Hokeah, a Tahlequah resident whose debut novel, “Calling for a Blanket Dance,” was published last summer.

Whitty Books so believes in giving writers a chance that it is making the leap to forming its own publishing company. Moore just announced the formation of Horns and Rattles Press, a new independent publishing venture where they plan to do “some cool (and weird) stuff.”

Everything You Need to Know About

How to find one, how to join one, how to start one, and how to behave once you’re in one.

BY CONNIE CRONLEY

About 5 million people in the United States are members of book clubs, according to Inlandia Literary Journeys. The clubs come in more varieties than a jumbo box of Crayola colors: online and in person; in public places and private homes; a mix of genres (mystery, current events, romance, historical, etc.) or only one; a single gender or a mix; food and drink served or not.

My niece belongs to a book club of young women who read only fantasy literature and celebrate the solstice dressed in costumes. A book club for couples chooses books for their geographical setting, then serves the cuisine of that country. I heard of a book club that gathered to civilly discuss if they had run out of steam and should disband, but the meeting grew so emotional one woman ran out of the house crying – and she was the hostess. Book clubs of my experience have been sedate. Civilized, perhaps, because book clubs as a social phenomenon have evolved for centuries. The concept is simple: like-minded people come together to discuss what they’ve read and what they think about it.

BOOK CLUB HISTORY

In the 1700s, groups of men met in Paris salons to talk about literature and politics. In Victorian England and the United States, women began dominating book societies, often focusing on women’s rights and abolition. Today, 88% of private book clubs are

comprised of women. The oldest continuous literary club in America was started by Sarah Atwater Denham in 1866 in Quincy, Illinois.

The mighty Book of the Month Club (BOMC), founded in 1926 by an advertising executive as a mail-order subscription service, crowned authors and books with a Midas touch. Pearl Buck was a backwater wife of a missionary in China when her agent wired her that “The Good Earth” had been chosen as a BOMC selection. She replied anxiously, “Do they know I’m not a member of their club?”

None of the current celebrity book clubs –like those of Reese Witherspoon, Jenna Bush Hager, and Good Morning America – has the clout of Oprah’s Book Club, begun by Oprah Winfrey in 1996. The late Tulsa author Billie Letts was propelled to literary stardom when her novel “Where the Heart Is” was an Oprah Book Club selection in 1998.

HOW TO FIND A PUBLIC BOOK CLUB

Tulsa City-County Library has 26 book clubs for ages middle school to adult. Recent selections range from Broken Arrow Library’s Cover to Cover Adult Book Club’s “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas to Hardesty Regional Library’s Banned Book Club’s “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Indian” by Sherman Alexie.

TCCL book clubs sometimes require registration and often cap attendance at 10, according to Emma Aspenson, a Tulsa library

Tips for a Successful Book Club

Tulsa City-County Library provides these and other tips on its website.

1. A small group of eight to 16 is best for discussion.

2. Start with three friends and ask each to invite a couple of others. Or, post an “Anyone interested?” note on a bulletin board.

3. Set a schedule – once a month is popular – and stick to it.

4. During discussions, toss one question at a time to the group.

5. Try choosing a primary character to discuss.

6. Avoid using harsh words like “awful” or “idiotic” when discussing literature.

For a current list of Tulsa City-County Library book clubs, go to the TCCL library’s website (tulsalibrary.org) and follow this trail: select Books, Music, Movies; click the box Reading Resources; then click on Book Clubs. A printed copy of “My Library,” available in Tulsa branch locations, lists some, but the website is more detailed.

associate who oversees book clubs. Books can be ordered in advance and delivered to any library branch.

“Book clubs are a fantastic way to find community support, make friends with people of similar interests, and widen your reading horizons,” she said.

Many community organizations offer book clubs including senior centers. The Circle of Readers group meets at Broken Arrow Seniors, 1800 S. Main St., twice a month at Senior Center West. Selected books for 2023 include “The Book Woman’s Daughter” and “For Those Who are Lost,” both works of historical fiction. Learn more by reading their newsletter at baseniors.org.

Be sure to check with booksellers near you. Magic City Books, Tulsa’s premier independent book store, has five monthly book clubs. They meet at a variety of times to discuss different genres, including Wednesday evenings, Sunday afternoons, and Thursday happy hour.

“Book clubs allow us to have community when that’s becoming more difficult,” said Pat Cawiezell, author program coordinator, “and they are a forum to discuss a piece of art not available for TV or movies.” Read more about their book clubs at magiccitybooks.com.

Whitty Books in the Kendall-Whittier neighborhood offers casual book clubs Wednesday evenings in sci-fi/fantasy, horror, and Native American literature. You can find more information at whittybooks. com.

PRIVATE BOOK CLUBS

Most book clubs are private and convene in members’ homes. Sometimes the host chooses the book; otherwise, a committee or the club as a whole selects it. Members usually bring drink and food to share, or the host provides it. For added insight into the book, consider inviting a scholarly expert or the author as a guest speaker.

The oldest book club in the state is Tulsa’s Tuesday Book Club, in operation since 1905. Membership is limited to 30 and the format is set, according to former president Janelle Swearingen. The first book club in Oklahoma was established in Guthrie, but when the state capitol moved to Oklahoma City, the Guthrie book club disbanded. Book clubs, cultivated though they are, can be like that.

LIFE SENIOR SERVICES

LIFE Senior Services is celebrating 50 years of promoting and preserving independence for Oklahoma seniors. Read about one of LIFE’s diverse programs each month in LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine.

Vintage Publications

If you see this column, you are likely one of the thousands of subscribers to LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine. The magazine is mailed to more than 31,000 locations across the United States. Another 5,000-plus copies are distributed through 126 sites in the community, from the corner drug store to popular restaurants and supermarkets.

LIFE Senior Services began publishing the award-winning Newsmagazine in 1987, making this year 37 and counting. In its early days, the publication was printed on newspaper stock and was called The Vintage Tulsan. The name change came about as LIFE grew and expanded its services to much of northeast Oklahoma.

The Newsmagazine is a relative newcomer compared to LIFE’s Vintage Guide to Housing & Resources. The first Guide, published in 1983, was only 16 pages and mimeographed – a far cry from the glossy, bound resource catalog that is a trusted source of information for older adults and families.

LIFE launched a new publication this year, just in time for its 50th anniversary. LIFE’s Vintage Guide to Housing & Services in Central Oklahoma is now available in the Oklahoma City area. This publication has been greeted with open arms by senior service providers and residents of Central Oklahoma, and we look forward to seeing it grow.

Though the publications have changed over the years, their mission remains the same: informing and entertaining adults aged 55 and older. LIFE’s publications are distributed free of charge thanks to the support of our wonderful advertisers. We ask our readers to consider donating $50 in 2023 to support these publications – one dollar for every year LIFE has served the community.

Rivendell Books and Baubles, a new Broken Arrow bookstore, hosts book clubs and a writer’s group meeting.

Make Every

Bite Count With Nutrient-Dense Foods

By Kit Hines, Registered Dietician Nutritionist, Licensed Dietitian

Nutrition Month,

(AND), formerly known as the American Dietetic Association, stresses the importance of a balanced diet and exercise each year in March. If you’re still on top of your New Year’s Resolutions, carry on! If, like many of the rest of us, you’ve slipped back into less healthy habits, let March be your reset month.

It’s never too late to experience the transformative benefits of improved nutrition and fitness. In fact, the AND nutrition experts note that as we get older, our food and activity choices become even more important to our health. Older adults need fewer total calories but require higher amounts of some nutrients, like calcium and vitamin D. Focusing on nutrient-dense foods is vital to making every calorie count toward optimal health.

“Food is the fuel that keeps your body running smoothly throughout your life, so give it the nutrients it needs to meet each life stage,” said registered dietitian nutritionist Amy Bragagnini, a national Academy spokesperson.

DAILY REQUIREMENTS

MyPlate is the official symbol for the five food groups that replaced the old food pyramid model older adults may have grown up with. It’s important to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy or fortified soy alternatives. These are the five food groups that need to be consumed daily.

MyPlate is a simple way to include those food groups daily. Half of your daily plate should consist of fruits and vegetables. You can get a personalized MyPlate Plan at myplate.gov/ myplate-plan.

FRUITS

The fruit group includes all fruit and 100% fruit juice. Fruits may be fresh, frozen, canned, or dried. They can be eaten whole, cut up, mashed, or cooked. At least half of your fruit servings should come from whole fruit, rather than 100% fruit juice. A serving in this food group is 1 cup, and you should have three to four servings per day. Fruits are low in fat, sodium, and calories. Fruits do not have cholesterol. Fruits contain essential nutrients which include potassium, fiber, vitamin C, and folate. Fruits also have dietary fiber that helps reduce blood cholesterol levels, may lower the risk of heart

disease, and is also important for proper bowel function. Start your day with fruit at breakfast. Add fruit to any salad that you eat. Fruit also makes a great low-calorie dessert.

VEGETABLES

Any vegetable or 100% vegetable juice counts as part of the vegetable group. Vegetables may be raw or cooked and can be fresh, frozen, canned, or dried. They can be whole, cut up, or mashed. This food group includes dark green, red, and orange vegetables, and starchy vegetables. A serving size is 1 cup of raw or cooked vegetables or vegetable juice or 2 cups of raw leafy salad greens. You should have two to three servings from the vegetable group daily. Most vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories. Vegetables are important sources of many nutrients including potassium, dietary fiber, folate, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Vitamin A keeps eyes and skin healthy and helps to protect against infections. Vitamin C helps heal cuts and wounds and keeps teeth and gums healthy. Vitamin C also helps your body absorb iron more easily. Add shredded carrots to the lettuce and tomato on your sandwich. Make soups from your leftover vegetables. Stir-fry fresh and frozen vegetables for an easy side dish.

March is National

and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reminds older adults of the importance of eating nutrient-rich foods to maintain and improve health.

Choose seafood options that are higher in healthy fatty acids (omega-3s) and lower in methylmercury such as salmon, sardines, and trout.

Health benefits from the dairy group include building and maintaining strong bones.

GRAINS

Grains are foods made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, or other cereal grain. Bread, pasta, breakfast cereals, grits, rice, popcorn, oatmeal, and tortillas are examples of grain products. Half of your grain intake should be whole grains that have the entire grain kernel and will be made with whole wheat flour. Oatmeal and brown rice are naturally occurring whole-grain items. Consume 5 to 8 ounces of grains per day – 1 slice of bread, 1 cup of cereal, or a half cup of cooked rice, pasta, or cereal is equal to 1 ounce. Grains are important sources of many nutrients, including complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, B vitamins, and minerals (iron, magnesium, and selenium). The B vitamins thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin play a key role in metabolism – they help the body release energy from protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Magnesium is a mineral used in building bones and releasing energy from muscles. Selenium protects cells from oxidation and is also important for a healthy immune system. Start the day with a whole grain cold or hot cereal at breakfast. Substitute whole grain pita, tortilla, naan, flatbread, or rolls for sandwich bread.

PROTEIN

Protein foods include all foods made from seafood, meat, poultry, and eggs; dried peas and beans; lentils, nuts, seeds, and soy products. Meat and poultry choices should be lean or low-fat, like 93% lean ground beef, pork loin, and skinless chicken breast. Choose seafood options that are higher in healthy fatty acids (omega-3s) and lower in methylmercury such as salmon, sardines, and trout. Try to eat seafood at least twice per week. Protein intake should be 5 to 6 ½ ounces per day, preferably consumed in three, 2-ounce servings per day. A quarter cup of cooked beans, an egg, a tablespoon of peanut butter, or a half ounce of nuts or seeds is equivalent to 1 ounce of meat. Nutrients provided by the protein group include protein, B vitamins, vitamin E, iron, zinc, and magnesium. Choose cooking methods like broiling and roasting that do not add fat to the prepared protein. Make meatless meals such as bean-based chili, and lentil soups. Add nuts to salads for protein entrees.

DAIRY

The dairy group includes milk, yogurt, cheese, lactosefree milk, and fortified soy milk. The serving size is 1 cup of milk or 1½ ounces of cheese. The number of servings daily should be three. Health benefits from the dairy group include building and maintaining strong bones. Nutrients provided by the dairy group include calcium, phosphorous, vitamins A, D, and B12, riboflavin, protein, potassium, zinc, choline, magnesium, and selenium. Add low-fat or fat-free milk to oatmeal and pureed vegetable soups instead of water. You can also add milk to smoothies and scrambled eggs to increase dairy intake.

LIFE EDU

Virtual & In-Person Programming

MARCH 2023

Silver Linings

Join us most Wednesdays on LIFE’s Facebook page for short segments on a variety of topics including upcoming events, caregiver resources, Ask SeniorLine, and living your best life.

Practical Caregiving

Wednesday, March 8

Martha Rains from Morton Healthcare will introduce us to the Practical Caregiving class coming on March 16.

Crafting With Roxanne

Wednesday, March 15

Join Roxanne as she gives step-by-step instructions for making polymer bookmarks. You’ll need polymer clay (any color); enamel paint and brush; Modge Podge and foam brush; ribbon; parchment paper; a rolling pin, and an embossing craft folder (craft store).

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Wednesday, March 22

Sandie Sullivan from Ability Resources will disucss her upcoming seminar on March 30 about some of the challenges of grandparents raising grandchildren.

“Caregiver Tool Belt: Important Documents Part 2” Wednesday, March 29

Besides the legal documents discussed last month, you will also need these important documents handy and in a safe place for your caregiving journey.

Community Education

All classes are at Legacy Plaza East Conference Center, 5330 E. 31st St. in Tulsa, unless otherwise noted.

“Basics of Medicare”

Wednesday, March 15 • 10 a.m. – Noon

“Basics of Medicare” is designed specifically for those newly eligible or soon-to-be eligible for Medicare. Advance reservations are required and can be made by calling LIFE’s Medicare Assistance Program at (918) 664-9000, ext. 1189.

“Practical Caregiving”

Thursday, March 16 • 2 – 4 p.m.

Martha Rains, caregiver education coordinator for Morton Health Services, along with representatives from the Alzheimer’s Association and ABLE Tech, will address problematic areas of caregiving with real solutions to help. Register online at LIFEseniorservices/education or by calling (918) 6649000, ext. 1181.

“Three Important Tips for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren”

Thursday, March 30 • 10 – 11:30 a.m.

The circumstances may be different, but the joys and challenges are much the same. Sandie Sullivan from Ability Resources will share tips that are important for all caregiving grandparents, and a grandfather will talk about his own journey raising his grandson. Register online at LIFEseniorservices/ education or by calling (918) 664-9000, ext. 1181.

SERVING UP COMFORT A Condensed Soup History

BY KIT HINES, REGISTERED DIETICIAN NUTRITIONIST AND DEE DUREN, MANAGING EDITOR

What is it about a bowl of soup that feels so nourishing? Soup is the ultimate comfort food in cold weather. Imagine coming indoors from shoveling snow and finding a bowl of soup waiting on the kitchen table, steam rising. Or perhaps you crave soup most when experiencing that other kind of “cold,” the kind that keeps you in bed with a box of tissues nearby.

Soup has been with us for thousands of years, according to the folks at Campbell’s Soup, and they should know! The first example of a soup bowl, discovered in a cave in Jiangxi Province, China, is thought to date back to 20,000 B.C. The Roman Empire left recipes for a meatball and pasta soup commonly served at weddings. Their Turkish conquerors influenced the course of soup history by adding many types of vegetables, while medieval Europeans poured their soups over toasted bread.

The soup spoon was first fashioned during the Renaissance while the French took soup to a new level in the 18th century. That is when the first luxury restaurant opened in Paris and chefs developed the types of soup we know today – from bouillons to purees. In 1897, a chemist at the Campbell’s Soup Company invented its famous condensed soup which could be doubled by adding a can of water or milk.

This authentic recipe for a dark and hearty Irish stew calls for lamb, stout beer, and other traditional Irish ingredients. If lamb doesn’t appeal, substitute boneless beef chuck roast for Irish Beef Stew.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 10 ounces lamb, cut into 1-inch cubes (Can substitute boneless beef chuck roast)

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• ¼ teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

• 1 cup chopped onions

• 2 celery stalks, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• ½ cup Guinness beer

• ½ teaspoon dried thyme

• 2 cups beef broth

• 4 small baby red potatoes, cubed

• 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into ½-inch slices

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Heat oil in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Season lamb with salt and pepper and brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Remove the lamb from the pot and place it on a plate.

2. If no oil is left in the pot, add ½ teaspoon of oil and stir in the chopped onions and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally until the onions are translucent, about 2 minutes.

3. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally for 30 seconds.

4. Add the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce and cook, stirring constantly for 30 seconds.

5. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables. Stir until there is no visible flour and the vegetables look slightly mushy from the flour coating, about 1 minute.

6. Pour in the beer and dried thyme. Stir until the beer has reduced and

Add the broth and return the lamb to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 25 minutes. Stir occasionally and make sure the stew stays at a very low simmer. Add the potatoes and carrots. Cover the pot and cook on low heat for 25 minutes. When done, the meat should be tender and flake apart easily with potatoes cooked through. If not, cover the pot again and continue cooking, checking in 10-minute increments until cooked.

Recipe courtesy of Joanie Zisk

IRISH STEW FOR TWO

CARROT SOUP

Recipe courtesy of Eileen Bradshaw

This soup can be served hot or chilled. A dollop of yogurt, a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds, and a drop of chile oil add some texture and interest. However, the soup is great served plain, and you can adjust the flavors by substituting spices you prefer such as curry, smoked paprika, or sumac.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound of carrots

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil

• 2 cups low or no-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

• 13.5-ounce can of unsweetened coconut milk

• ½ teaspoon ginger

OPTIONAL GARNISH:

• A dollop of plain Greek yogurt

• A sprinkle of pomegranate seeds

• A drop of chile oil

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Oil a baking sheet and place carrots in a single layer. Toss carrots in olive oil; add salt and/or pepper to taste. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Test to make sure carrots are tender.

2. While carrots roast, saute onion in butter or olive oil until soft.

3. Add broth, coconut milk, and ginger to onions, then bring to a boil. Fold in carrots and let simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes, then puree in a blender until smooth.

4. Soup can be served hot or chilled. Good plain or with the garnish.

WINTER STEW

Is there anything better to eat during the cold weather than a batch of winter stew? This version is vegetarian with lentils and beans adding plantbased protein. Sweet potatoes or butternut squash make a hearty and healthy meal any time of year! Make it on the stovetop or in a crockpot.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 can of garbanzo beans, rinsed

• 2 pounds of sweet potatoes cut into 1-inch cubes (you can substitute butternut squash here)

• 2 large carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 1 cup red lentils

• 4 cups low or no-sodium vegetable broth

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 tablespoon ginger

• 1 ½ tablespoon cumin

• 1 ½ tablespoon paprika

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• ¼ cup lime juice

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Add all of the ingredients except the lentils and the lime juice into a crockpot and set it on low heat.

2. After cooking for about 3 hours, add the lentils. After 4 more hours, stir in lime juice and adjust seasoning. If you need to leave in the morning and want to return to a completed dish, you can add the lentils in the beginning; they may have a softer texture in the soup.

3. This can also be done on a stovetop, with a cooking time of about 2 hours in total.

Recipe courtesy of Eileen Bradshaw

COMMONYM

A commonym is a group of words that have a common trait in the three words/items listed. For example, the words Ice – Sugar – Rubik’s – are all cubes. Answers on page 39.

The Navy – A Deli – An Absent Teacher

A Person – A Watch – A Mountain

A Bowling Alley –A Roof – A Street

High – Uneven – Parallel

Goose – Theresa – Hubbard

Mare – Mustang – Bronco

Killer Whales – Referees – Old TV’s

Musica – Mail – Safe Deposit

Rail – Chain – Picket

Palm – Easter – Hot Fudge

BAMBOOZABLE

A bamboozable is a saying/phrase that is made up of a display of words in an interesting way. The goal is to try to figure out the well-known saying, person, place, or thing that each bamboozable is meant to represent. There are six bamboozables below. Answers on page 39.

MUMBO JUMBO

A mumbo jumbo is a list of words/hints for you to unscramble. You then take designated letters from each word/hint to come up with the final word that is associated with each hint you have unscrambled.

Unscramble each of the clue words. Take the letters that appear in boxes and unscramble them for the final word.

Answers on page 39.

RIBLYRA

© 2013 Wuzzles & Puzzles A

NUMBER SEARCH

HE’S did i know

TROUIMBLE

1. your blessing

2. your blessing

3. your blessing

Hand It

• Independence Day, 1965

• 20 x 10 x 12 divided by 3

• Valentines Day, 2001

• 84 + 26 x 7

• 88664422

• 52387 + 1256

• Square root of 7225

BLIND DATE WITH A BOOK

Fall in Love with Reading Again!

hey say not to judge a book by its cover, but sometimes that is easier said than done. I know I have put my fair share of books back on the shelf after looking at an unappealing cover or plot summary. Yet I find myself wondering if I had given those novels a chance, maybe I would have been nose deep in those pages for hours on end.

If you are a little too quick to judge a book or just want to expand your reading horizons, an up-and-coming bookselling technique might just be for you. It’s called a “Blind Date with a Book.” Books are sold wrapped in plain paper, so the reader has no idea what they are getting into! “Blind Date” books are often tagged with clues to pique interest such as the genre, time period, or general themes of the book.

“It allows us to expose the customers to some authors or stories that they might not have ever picked up, like books by indie or marginalized authors,” said Sierra Salem, manager of Too Fond of Books, a bookstore in Tahlequah that has a blind date section year-round. Salem says it originally started as a Saturday-only event, but eventually expanded as more and more people wanted to try it but were unable to make it on the weekend.

“Plus, there are a million good books with terrible covers, and while our customers love recommendations, it’s sometimes hard to get around a bad cover. Wrapping it in a set of pretty paper can sometimes push past this notion.”

Many libraries and bookstores use this program around Valentine’s Day to keep with the blind date theme. Some use this as a special promotion around Christmas time since the book is like a present for the customer! Fulton

Street Books & Coffee brought back their “Blind Date with a Book” for Valentine’s Day this year, as did Rivendell in Broken Arrow. The Tulsa City-County Library in Jenks and Tulsa Community College’s library offered the opportunity as well to their patrons.

Check out your local independent bookstore to see if they offer the “Blind Date with a Book” program throughout the year. Magic City Books in the Tulsa Arts District says they set up a “Blind Date with a Book” event about six times a year. All proceeds from the sales go directly to their nonprofit, Tulsa Literary Coalition.

Independent sellers on websites like Etsy and Facebook Marketplace also offer “Blind Date with a Book” all year round. Some sellers will allow purchasers to choose from a list of genres while others will send out a completely random book. Some shops don’t stop there. Why settle for one blind date when you can have multiple? This will give you an even better chance of finding “the one.” “The one” referring to your new favorite book, of course!

I found one Etsy listing for an entire box of mystery books, ranging from six to 12 books depending on genre. I even found one shop that matched buyers with a blind date book based on their zodiac sign. Some sellers will send more than just a book in their packages. Several listings offer “Blind Date with a Book” mystery boxes. Mystery boxes include random goodies any bookworm will enjoy like bookmarks, stickers, instant tea or coffee, candles, or even fuzzy socks!

Whatever book you end up unwrapping, it’s sure to be an exciting way to reconnect with your love of reading!

“It allows us to expose the customers to some authors or stories that they might not have ever picked up, like books by indie or marginalized authors.”

– Sierra Salem, manager of Too Fond of Books

BY ALYSSA DILLARD

Could you be denying yourself a marvelous read by judging a book by its cover? Widen your horizons by taking part in a popular reading program.

Bunkering With Books

WEIRD AND WACKY FAMILIES

BY CONNIE CRONLEY

I like reading about weird and wacky families. I mean other people’s families, not letters from home saying, “You won’t believe what Uncle Jack has done now.”

I don’t mean family stories that are painfully dysfunctional and tragic. That’s not for entertainment. I mean families that are beyondimagination rich, or off-the-charts bizarre, or overthe-top fanatic. I read about them and think how lucky I am to have an ordinary life.

“Educated: A Memoir”

“Educated: A Memoir,” by Tara Westover, reminded me of Jeannette Walls’ memoir “The Glass Castle” and her extraordinary triumph over a dirt-poor, nomadic family. Westover’s memoir is one of resilience and survival from a fundamentalist Mormon family of Idaho survivalists, ruled by a father who was most likely bipolar and damaged by one son’s almost sociopathic violence.

The family of seven children was isolated from society, surviving by the father’s scrapyard business and the mother’s herbal remedies. They didn’t believe in public education, so the children did not attend school, yet home-schooling was virtually nonexistent. Neither did the parents believe in modern medicine – “my father condemned doctors as minions of Satan” – and it’s a miracle the children lived to adulthood with all the car crashes, motorcycle accidents, life-threatening explosions, and near-fatal falls they experienced.

The story, beautifully written and harrowing, tells how the author so longed for education that, without a high school diploma, she taught herself trigonometry so she could be admitted to Brigham Young University. There she was so naïve she had never heard of the Holocaust, didn’t know Europe was a continent or why her roommates thought she should wash her hands after using the toilet. She went on – incredibly – to get a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge.

And yet, the book reads like a suspense novel. Could she pull away from the family’s fervent beliefs that a woman’s place was in the kitchen and that her religious duty was to marry and have children? She was torn by anger and resentment but tied to them by loyalty and love. What saved her was education.

“Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty”

“Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty,” by Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe, is the story of an American dynasty and how it made and lost fortunes with a cast of reallife characters as colorful as a Dickens novel — ruthless, feckless, heroic, social climbing, beautiful, and foolish.

The family saga began with Cornelius Vanderbilt, nicknamed The Commodore, born in 1794 in Staten Island. By the age of 11, Cornelius was running his father’s rather grubby ferry service. Although he never learned to read and write well, Cornelius built a fortune in shipping and

railroads. By the time he died in 1877, he was the richest man in America with a fortune the equivalent of more than $2 billion today. His son Billy, although called a “blockhead” by his father, doubled the fortune.

Cooper, a CNN broadcaster and award-winning journalist, is Cornelius’s great-great-greatgrandson. Between them came such kinsmen as Alva Vanderbilt, a powerhouse from Alabama who married into the family and spent $240,000 (equivalent to $6.4 million today) on a New York costume ball to outshine her rival, Mrs. Caroline Astor. She followed this headline event with “the greatest divorce case that society had ever seen.” Alva said, “I always do everything first.”

There’s Alfred Vanderbilt, who gave his life vest to a young mother and died in the sinking of the Lusitania, and Harold Vanderbilt, a yacht captain who won America’s Cup races.

One of my favorites is Gloria Vanderbilt, Cooper’s glamorous mother. She was an artist, lover (from Marlon Brando to Frank Sinatra), and one of Truman Capote’s “swans” that he trashed in a short story in Esquire magazine.

When she came of age in 1945, Gloria inherited $4 million, $60 million in today’s cash, and burned through it all by her death at age 95. “No one can make money evaporate into thin air like a Vanderbilt,” the authors write.

There’s much to be said for a simple, ordinary life.

SHARE

YOUR TIME & TALENT

If your organization needs help promoting its volunteer program, contact Paula Brown at pbrown@LIFEseniorservices.org or (918) 664-9000, ext. 1207.

Junior Achievement Tulsa

Empower Oklahoma’s future generation of leaders. Junior Achievement of Oklahoma is looking for volunteers to help with their mission: to inspire and prepare young people to succeed through the teaching of financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship. Community volunteers, like you, will not only deliver the lessons, but share real-world experiences to K-12th grade students. Training and necessary curriculum are provided to all volunteers. For more information or to register as a volunteer, go to oklahoma.ja.org/volunteer.

Modus

It’s a staggering number that roughly 80,000 Tulsans don’t have a reliable way to get to work, school, or the doctor. Modus is a nonprofit providing innovative transportation solutions, education, and advocacy. Help drive change by becoming a Modus driver volunteer where you can set your own schedule and transport clients in your own vehicle. A typical one-way Modus trip takes just 15 minutes. Volunteer drivers must be over 21 with at least two years of driving experience, a clean background and motor vehicle check, and an up-to-date driver’s license, registration, and car insurance. Go to modustulsa.org/volunteer for additional information.

Ascension St. John

Ascension St. John Auxiliary seeks volunteers for surgery waiting, information desks, gift shops, flower delivery, patient dismissals, and friendly rounding with patients. Volunteers will undergo an interview, background check, orientation, and health screening process before training for a placement. Ascension St. John will base placement upon your skills, interests, availability, and the needs of the location. They have campuses in Tulsa, Owasso, Broken Arrow, and Sapulpa. For more information contact Volunteer Services at (918) 744-2536, or go to healthcare.ascension.org. Find the location where you want to volunteer, and complete the volunteer application.

Tulsa Dream Center

Tulsa Dream Center focuses on addressing the Tulsa area’s critical needs through programs designed to produce outcome-based results, all within these primary areas of life: economic empowerment, educational advancement, health, character, and leadership. Their community services include assistance with food, medical, education, clothing, sports, and character development. But they need your help! Find a volunteer opportunity that works with your schedule; they offer weekly, monthly, and annual volunteer opportunities. Go to tulsadreamcenter. org, click on the volunteer button, and complete the application. For more information, contact Tulsa Dream Center at (918) 430-9984 or volunteer@tulsadreamcenter.org.

For more information about these volunteer needs, call (918) 664-9000 and ask for LIFE’s volunteer program.

Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.

– Samuel Smiles

To submit a Noteworthy event, contact Paula Brown at pbrown@LIFEseniorservices.org or (918) 664-9000, ext. 1207.

Wednesday – Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore

• Aviation Day

• Free small airplane for each student

Support Local Businesses With OKGO Market

OKGO Market by TulsaGo will once again host more than 200 local businesses in March. What a great way to welcome spring! Makers and retailers from 56 cities across the state will join together for one of the largest merchant gatherings in the state of Oklahoma. This carefully curated, one-day marketplace event will allow the community to support a wealth of small local businesses, all in one place. The OKGO Market initiative is a statewide expansion of the TulsaGo Market that was originally held in the spring of 2021.

Shoppers can expect to find Oklahoma-made wines, specialty spices and sauces, boutique clothing and apparel, handmade soap, candles, macramé, artisan candies, gift sets, souvenirs, pet accessories, pet treats, jewelry, artwork, home décor, baby and toddler accessories, natural beauty products, leather goods, handcrafted birdhouses, and much more. OKGO Market selects all merchants to build a well-rounded and well-balanced market.

The 2023 OKGO Market event will take place on Saturday, March 18 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Exchange Center at Expo Square.

Admission is FREE and open to the public. Bring your own shopping bag, or a special-edition, reusable OKGO Market shopping tote can be purchased for $5. For more information, call (918) 533-9650, or email info@okgomarket.com. View a list of merchants at okgomarket.com/merchants.

The best way to break into spring is – FREE! Take the kids to the Will Rogers Memorial Museum during spring break for a day or a week of fun. All children 17 and under will be admitted to the museum FREE during March 14 – 18, thanks to a donation from Win and Kay Ingersoll. Registration is not needed for activities; just come on in. Events include:

Monday, March 14 – Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore

• 19th Century hands-on activities

• Behind-the-scenes tour of the museum

Tuesday, March 15 – Birthplace Ranch, Oologah

• Behind-the-scenes tour

• Hayrides

• 19th-century games

• Mallet polo

• American Turf Flyers – RC Plane Displays

• Air evac helicopter

• Make your own paper airplane

• Paper airplane contest – 2:30 p.m.

Thursday – Birthplace Ranch, Oologah

• 100th anniversary of “The Ropin’ Fool” silent film

• Rope making (take it home after you make it)

• Test your own skills at calf roping stations

• Trick roping

Friday – Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore

• Moviemaking at the Memorial

• Create a movie poster

• How to do a storyboard

• Movie makeup and props

To learn more about each event, check their website under the Education/Kids tab, willrogers. com/spring-break. Starting in March, hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., seven days a week. Call (918) 341-0719 for more information.

missteps and their rhythm is thrown off when they discover the lodge happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s old Army general who is in desperate need of their help. A tale of love and friendship, “White Christmas” features a series of enormous tap numbers and dazzling songs including “Blue Skies,” “Sisters,” “I Love a Piano,” “How Deep is the Ocean,” and the most famous song of all, “White Christmas.”

Jenks Vocal Music Presents Irving Berlin’s evergreen classic “White Christmas.” Entertain the entire family with the allnew spectacular production of Irving Berlin’s timeless musical, “White Christmas.” This lavish, toe-tapping production will light

up the Jenks Performing Arts Center, from March 2 – March 5.

Join veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis as the all-singing, alldancing duo follow the stunning Haynes sisters, Betty and Judy to a magical Vermont lodge. The journey takes some hilarious

As fresh as new fallen snow, this uplifting musical is sure to warm the hearts of all ages. Performances are March 2 – 4 at 7 p.m. and March 5 at 2 p.m. in the Jenks High School Performing Arts Center, 398 W. F St., Jenks. Tickets to the performances are $7 – $20 and can be purchased online by going to jenksvocal.com.

Attend Jenks Evergreen Classic “White Christmas”

Will Rogers Memorial Museum Hosts Free Events

LIFE’s Vintage Newsmagazine does not endorse advertiser products or services. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising.

BIBLE STUDY

Weekly Bible Reading Session

Join us through a simple phone call in reading, explaining and discussing the bible on Tuesday nights 7:00 p.m. CST and 8:00 p.m. EST. Questions are always welcome. Perfect for those who cannot get out of the house. No need to drive anywhere. Seniors will love this! Call (918) 872-1400.

BOOKS

Missing Palm Tree

Missing Palm Tree: Stories From America’s Clandestine Service is a widely acclaimed book which tells with vivid language how dangerous clandestine work is. Written by W. Blaine Wheeler and is available on Amazon.com books/

CARPET CLEANING

ALL PRO Carpet Cleaning

Senior and caregiver discounts. Carpet, furniture, rug cleaning. Pet odor removed and Teflon protectant available. Emergency water extraction. Residential and commercial services. Professional truck mount steam cleaning. Carpet repairs and restretching. Prompt, professional, quality service at a fair price. Certified, insured. Veteran owned and operated. Call Thomas Fink, owner/technician, for free estimate (918) 636-6303.

2 Crypts Rose Hill Memorial Park

For Sale – Abbey Mausoleum, 4th addition, Tier 1784, Row B

All inclusive, 2 Int Crypts, Deluxe companion (chapel), 2 Emblems/ Letters.Deluxe Crypt Letters, 2 A/N Openings, Mausoleum entombment valued $14,000. Or best offer. Call Pastor Barak (918) 428-6407.

Memorial Park Cemetery – Bell Tower Area

For Sale By Owner. Two spaces (Spaces 4 & 5, Lot 277, Section 4) for $2,300 plus transfer fee. Call Norlea Anderson at (913) 856-5372.

Memorial Park – Across

From Chapel

Memorial Park Across from chapel. 4 attached lots. Sec. 14. Will sell each independently or all together. $1,500 each OR best offer. Call Jim at (918) 770-2750 any time. Flat marker of bronze or granite allowed.

Memorial Park Mausoleum, Double Crypt

Lakeview Mausoleum, Unit 1, Companion Crypt E, Row 16. Space for 2 retails for $11,075. Will sell for $6,000. Also, seller will pay transfer fee. Great deal for pre-planners! Call Terri at (918) 284-2266.

Memorial Park Prime Cemetery Plots

Section 26, Lot 157, Space 1 * Crypt included * Bronze or Granite approved. $2000. Section 43, Lot 46, Spaces 2 & 3 * Bronze or Granite approved. $1900 each. Contact: marphy3@sbcglobal.net

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Meadow Lake Ranch Meadow Lake Ranch is a beautiful place to celebrate and to remember your loved one with family and friends. Indoor venues or woods and water patio. 15 minutes west of Tulsa. Call Susie at (918) 494-6000 for a personal tour. Visit www.Meadowlakeranch.com or email meadowlakeranch@cox.net

CLEANING

Live Beautifully! You Deserve It! Here at Moore Cleaning; we want your house to be beautiful. We have over 19 years experience; and references from our loyal customers. Also offering window cleaning and organizing. We customize our cleaning to meet your needs. Safely cleaning with masks and social distancing if preferred. Reasonable rates. Please call today to set up your appointment. Marybelle Moore (918) 671-5065. Marybellemoore111@gmail.com.

COMPUTER SERVICES

Does Technology Frustrate You?

Honest, patient, ethical help with your pc, router, wifi, cell phone, email, streaming, camera, password recovery, etc. 30 years of IT experience in Tulsa. Special rates for seniors. References available. Call Carmen Armstrong (918) 688-7453.

Household Technology for Seniors!

Technology can help you stay in your home and Smart House is here to help! We are a local family-owned company, here to assist you with Video Doorbells, Connected Lights, Cameras, Alexa, Google Homes, Smart Thermostats, and More. (918) 948-7361 or heysmarthouse. com/seniors to sign up for our new free Technology Newsletter.

DAYTIME CARE

Daytime Care For Older Loved Ones

LIFE’s Adult Day Health offers convenient, affordable daytime care at three locations in Tulsa and Broken Arrow. For more information, call LIFE’s Adult Day Health at (918) 664-9000.

ESTATE SALES

2MS Estate Sales...Tulsa’s Finest! Downsizing? Estate Liquidation? Let us take the worry away and Maximize your return. No out of pocket expense. We specialize in senior transitions, with over 20 years in the senior housing market. My team includes realtors, moving company, senior housing and attorneys if needed. Please contact Michelle Reed (918) 691-5893 or Atulsa@aol.com also Facebook 2MSestatesalestulsa for a Free consultation.

FINANCIAL/INSURANCE

Life Protection For Your Loved Ones?

Funeral costs, medical bills, outstanding debts and even charitable giving can be covered at your death. Do you qualify for

Simplified Underwriting? Many surprisingly do. Get peace of mind. I will work with you as your agent. Excellent company/ experienced agent. Call Dian Peacock (918) 697-9415. dian@peacockfinancial.net.

Medicare Assistance Program

The Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) at LIFE Senior Services provides accurate information, counseling and assistance relating to Medicare benefits for Medicare beneficiaries, their representatives and persons soon to be eligible for Medicare. Call MAP at LIFE Senior Services (918) 664-9000 or toll-free at (866) 664-9009.

Mutual of Omaha

Life, Long Term Care, Medicare and Cancer/Heart Attack/Stroke Policies. Local Agent, Cindy Johnson, (918) 619-5919 cell.

Need A New Medicare Plan?

The Medicare Supplement Store at Promenade Mall is your “One-StopShop” for Medicare Supplements, Advantage Plans, & Drug Plans. We can give you a quote from top-rated carriers like: Aetna, Blue Cross, Humana, GlobalHealth, UnitedHealthCare, Mutual of Omaha and others. For information, call Bob Archer today (918) 814-5550.

What Medicare Option is Right for You?

Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement? What do I do? Call today for free advice. All carriers available. UnitedHealthcare, Community Care, BCBS, Humana, GlobalHealth, Aetna, multiple Medicare Supplement options, RX plans. Medicaid or Chronic issue? Call. Med Sup too high or do not qualify to change your Med Sup? I have a solution. Call Becky Today (918) 724-4022

WORRIED ABOUT FUNERAL EXPENSES?

Preferred Rates, Standard Rates, Guaranteed Issue Plans, Permanent Whole Life Rates never increase. Issue up to $40,000. Benefits paid to beneficiary of choice or assignment to any funeral home. We can give you quotes from top rated carriers, Mutual of Omaha, American Amicable, and AIG. Call or text Michael Moore Insurance Agency (918) 557-5665 for RATES or Email ineedlifeinsurance@sbcglobal.net

GARDENING/LAWN CARE

AAA Lawns & More

Total lawn care. Lawn Mowing. Leaf removal. Snow removal. Will remove or trim any size tree. Fence repair and installation. Dedicated to making your lawn look its best. Insured, honest, experienced and dependable. Veteran-owned. We are a small company with personal service. References available. FREE ESTIMATES. Call Larry. (918) 361-1299.

A Complete Yard Mowing, trimming, Fall clean-up, leaves, limbs, debris removal, hauling, flower bed work. Snow

removal. Fence and property line cleanup. Gutter cleaning and repairs. Guaranteed at a fair price. Veteran owned. Senior Discount. Call (918) 697-4321.

Kimble Davis Tree Company

Family-owned and operated. Specializing in all aspects of tree care: restoration, pruning/ thinning, removal, stump grinding, hedge trimming, firewood available. Serving Tulsa for 25 years.

References. Member BBB. Insured. ISA certified arborist. Check us out at www.kdtreeco.com. Call Kimble at (918) 853-5383.

Mower Repair / Maintenance

All brands – Riders, ZTRs, Walk-behinds, UTVs / ATVs. Top Quality work, ASE certified Mechanic. Pick-up and Delivery available. Tulsa and surrounding counties. Maintenance specials include pick-up and delivery 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call Scott (918) 519-3869.

New Season Lawn & Tree LLC

Now accepting new customers. Mowing, trimming, leaf and debris removal, fence line trim/cleanup, leaf mulching, flower beds. Tree pruning/ thinning and removal. Shrub and hedge trimming/shaping of all sizes. Pressure Washing driveway, decks, siding. ISA Certified Arborist. Fully insured with verified references. Best rates, senior discounts. Free Estimates. Call Todd (918) 639-2262 www.newseasonlawnandtree.com.

HOME REPAIR/REMODELING

Allen’s Handyman Services of Tulsa

“Your Home Improvement and Repair Specialist.” 22 years serving Tulsa seniors. “One call can do it all.” 10% senior discount. Insured. All work guaranteed in writing. No pay until job is completed. Plumbing, drain cleaning, grab bars, electrical, carpentry, painting, seamless guttering installation/repair/cleaning. Dryer vent cleaning. Roof, tile and drywall repair. Wood siding/trim replacement. Deck repair, power washing, staining. Tree trimming. No job too small. For free estimate, call Allen at (918) 630-0394.

Big C’s Plumbing Services

Your one stop Plumbing Shop! Call us and I guarantee you will never have to call another plumbing company. Licensed, bonded and insured for your protection....Call (918) 855-9216, tell us you saw us in the Vintage Newsmagazine and receive an automatic 10% discount....call us now.

Bumgartner Plumbing

Licensed, with over 40 years of experience. Rates are low and based on the job, not the hour. No service call fee or travel time charge. Senior and caregiver discount. Plumbing service and repair our specialty. Honest, professional service you can count on. Lic. #82750. (918) 355-4747.

Dave’s Heat and Air, Inc.

Licensed, insured, and bonded. Honest and reliable service for

over 30 years. Competitive rates. Specializing in heating and air conditioning service and repair. All makes and models. Residential and light commercial. Tulsa metro area. Family-owned and operated. (918) 437-8101.

Doc J’s Heat and Air LLC

Avoid costly repairs and breakdowns and save on service, repairs, and replacements with our Doc J Yearly Maintenance Plan. Mention this ad & get $25 off our Service Call Fee. Financing, free estimates, and senior discounts. Call Doc J today at (918) 921-4240.

Handyman & Construction Services

30 Years Experience! All Handicap Accessories – grab bars, handicap access abilities; Framing, Drywall, Tape & Bed; Texture & Paint, Plumbing, Electrical, Tile, Laminate & Wood Floors. Free Estimates, Competitive Rates, Professional Service. Call Craig (918) 892-4168.

Hero’s Painting & Remodeling

Hero’s Painting & Remodeling provides painting services, kitchen and bath remodeling, replacing drywall. Commercial and residential. Senior discount of 20% off services provided. Call (918) 809-5337.

In a Jam? Services

Around the home repairs or replacements, inside and out. Fence Repair/Replacement, Power Washing, Gutter Cleanout, Garage/ Attic Cleanout, Haul-off, Leaf/ Snow Removal, Staining/Painting, Drywall Patching/Replacement, Tile/ Flooring, Deck Repair, and much more! No job is too small, have any questions, please give me a call. Joe Moody (918) 740-7209 INAJAMSERVICES77@gmail.com

Painting by Charles

A Christian painter serving the community for over 20 years. Insured and estimates are free. Interior painting only. How about the fresh new look with a new paint job? Call Charles Grim at (918) 430-5706.

Same Day Services

Light Hauling /Light Moving – help you rearrange room furniture, lawns-grass mowing/small paint jobs/cleanup/ fence repair/light construction/sheet rock tile repair – We are honest dependable. References. Call (918) 313-5230.

Scrap Metal Haul Off Free haul off/pick up of appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners, hot water tanks and any scrap metal. Call John at (918) 313-4405.

LEGAL

75 Years Experience in Oklahoma Courts

Frasier Law Firm is a full-service Tulsa firm with decades of experience in all Oklahoma courts. We handle all matters, including probate, wills and trusts, personal injury and negligence cases. We have estate planning specialists. Reach us at (918) 584-4724 or frasier@tulsa.com.

Full Service Estate Planning Law Firm

Trusts, Wills, Gift and Tax Planning, Powers of Attorneys and more! With offices in Sand Springs and Tulsa. Discount to Veterans and Retired Teachers. Willing to meet you in your place for no extra charge!

Call Penni of the Skillern Law Firm at (918) 805-2511. www.skillernlaw.com

Need Legal Help? Call Me First. Ramona Jones, Attorney at Law. Why travel when we can do a video conference? Wills, trusts, deeds, advance directives, powers of attorney, probate, divorces, civil, DUI, criminal, guardianships, adoptions and more. Also paperwork for limited scope representation. Credit cards accepted. (918) 585-2255.

Protect Your Family.

Preserve Your Legacy.

Whether you are planning your estate or need help with a loved one who may be financially exploited, South Tulsa Law will represent you effectively and compassionately. We work in all areas of estate planning and probate, trusts and trust litigation, guardianship, and elder exploitation. Call (918) 512-1800 or visit www.southtulsalaw.com.

MEDICAL

Looking for a Personal Care Physician?

Whether you need a wellness check, or help with chronic illness like High blood pressure, Diabetes, COPD, or Gout, we are here to help! You can come to our office or we can come to you as your PCP. Give us a call. Next Level Primary Care. 5930 E. 31st St. Ste. 500. (918) 982-NEXT.

MOVERS

Tulsa Movers

Dependable Movers! Low Rates. Free Estimates. Senior Discounts. Call (918) 836-3225.

NOTARY

Notary Services Available 24/7 Notary available. Never closed. Will come to your home. Will go to hospitals, nursing homes, private homes as needed. Call Joanne at (918) 282-8230.

PERSONAL ASSISTANCE

Compassionate Personal Care

Let me give a helping hand to your loved one. Help with meal prep, light housework, laundry, running errands, companionship or sitting with those in need. Reasonable rates with many references. Call Melba at (918) 760-0688.

Financial Organizer/Liaison

Do you or a loved one need help keeping up with mail, balancing a checkbook, paying bills, making phone calls, organizing or preparing for tax time? I can help! I will work with you or act as a liaison between family members. Call or email me to discuss options. Essential Strategy Consulting, LLC. Gwen Stevens (918) 557-5259, esc9315@gmail.com

Good Day Concierge

Custom home-lifestyle services. Hourly-Monthly membership packages. Declutter/organize/ charity/shredding, meet-wait service, personal transportation services, small garden tasks, vacation home watch support. Special Projects Welcome. Mobile notary, 25+ yrs. Real Estate Sales, Elise Austin (918) 630-5381 – email: gooddaycontulsa@gmail.com

Home Health Services

Tulsa’s Affordable Home Care offer’s compassionate, quality home care services to individuals. We provide the following services: personal care, bathing and dressing, companionship, exercise, grocery shopping, laundry, light housekeeping, medication reminders, meal planning and preparation, oral and personal hygiene, respite care for family caregivers. Please call (918) 622-7820 and schedule a free consultation!!!

LOOKING FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL TO LOVE your loved one? Experienced, compassionate CAREGIVER seeking part-time employment to provide dependable assistance with health, home and pet care, run errands, provide transportation to appointments. Having been a former business owner, I have experience dealing with communication, paperwork, making calls, etc. Competitive rates. References upon request. Call Barbara at (918) 406-7877.

Ms PAC Ma’am

Need help packing or organizing? I can pack boxes for moving, downsizing or decluttering. I can help organize rooms, closets, attics or garages providing you more space. Flexible hours – day or evening. Lots of experience. References available. Jacki (918) 922-9558.

Need Help Organizing Photos?

I will help you organize your boxes or files of old photos. Let me create a BEAUTIFUL photo book for your family. Samples of books are available for your approval. All original photos are returned AFTER the book is created. Call or Text Mary (918) 640-9344.

Warshaw Group Concierge and Personal Assistance

For the past 18 years, we’ve made life much easier for our clients. From running errands, personal shopping/delivery, organizing spaces, event assistance, research projects, increasing home safety, administrative/secretarial support, and much more ... we can do it! Bob and I would like to speak with you about ways we can simplify your life. Call Bobbi, (918) 852-5302. bobbi. warshaw@att.net

PERSONAL SAFETY

Safety Grab Bar Supply and Installation

Including handicap accessories for Residential, Commercial, Decorative, Indoor/Outdoor, Stairways, Bathrooms, and more. Secure your space, whether existing, remodeling

or new construction, we handle it all. Call before you fall! Free Estimates. Licensed & Insured with over 20 years experience. Grab Bars of Tulsa, (918) 619-7324.

PERSONAL SERVICES

Affordable Hairstyling

In-Home or My Shop

With 37 years’ experience, I can help with all of your hairstyling needs. I will come to your home or you can come to my shop. In-shop special: haircut $7 for first time customers only and perms for $50. Senior special pricing can’t be beat! Available Tuesday –Saturday. A Mane Event hairstyling, located near 11th and Yale at 937 South Canton. Call Mary Wilkinson at (918) 834-2686. Following CDC Guidelines – safe environment.

Manicures and Pedicures Available

I provide house calls for manicures and pedicures. Call or text Yvonne at (918) 289-4171.

Salon Retro

Hair care for men and women, specializing in senior clients. This month’s special – First time customers receive one of the following for $15: Haircut or Manicure. $50 for one cut and perm. Pedicures are $20. Very Experienced Hairdressers! In shop services only, come see us in Midtown at Highland Plaza, 5661 East 41st Street (corner of 41st and Hudson). (918) 742-3440.

PET CARE

Dog Walker

The Woof Pack Tulsa: Dependable dog walking services for your fourlegged family in Tulsa. Helping you take care of your furry friends when you’re out! We offer dog walking and pet pop-ins. Insured. Call or text us at (918) 770-6699. Visit our website at www.thewoofpacktulsa.com.

Home Veterinary Care

Experience Tulsa’s most convenient veterinary service in the comfort of your own home. Our goal is to develop a personal relationship with each of our clients and patients. Contact us today to schedule your house call appointment. Call (918) 892-9382 or email DrFielstra@gmail.com or visit us at www.homevetcaretulsa.com.

SENIOR MOVE

DON’T WANT TO MOVE?

Don’t want to move because you’re feeling overwhelmed? You are exactly who I am looking for. Let’s make a plan. #DownsizingMadeEasy. Don’t hesitate. Call Today (918) 605-1480. www.MatureTransitionsOfTulsa.com

SOCIAL

Single Seniors (50+)

Are you over 50, single, divorced or widowed? We are a fun-loving group of single seniors over 50. We meet every Wednesday, 11:15 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Buffet Palace, 10934 East 21st Street. We eat at 11:15, have a short meeting and then play cards. Join us for great fun and fellowship. Questions, call Linda at (918) 955-9180.

TRANSPORTATION

My Driver Transportation Service

Let me do the driving. To and from work, airport, shopping, errands, post office, appointments. Also, LIFT VAN transportation available. Able to assist getting to and from bed. Senior sitting. Also, small breed dog boarding. 20 years experience. CLEET certified and licensed. References. Member, Better Business Bureau. (918) 491-9929.

PREMIUM SENIOR TRANSPORT

NOW AVAILABLE

Entrusted Transport provides non-emergency medical & senior transportation services throughout Oklahoma. Our drivers are courteous & highly professional. We assist riders all the way to check-in at your appointment OR to home, just like family would! Wheelchair vehicles available. Call (918) 290-3400, Schedule Rides Any Date & Time. EntrustedTransport.com.

TRAVEL

NATIONAL PARKS TOUR – May 26

An 8-day fully escorted deluxe motor coach tour of the Southwest from Phoenix through Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park to Las Vegas. Non-stop air on SW out of Tulsa available. $2,869 (dbl) Email: davidalanforbes@gmail.com or call (918) 770-1743 for no-obligation flyer.

VACATION SPOT

Relax at Meadow Lake Ranch!

The ranch has everything from authentic log cabins (complete with private patios & waterfront views) to event spaces ideal for celebrations & family gatherings. Enjoy bank fishing, walking trails, & s’mores by the fire! We are located just 15 minutes from Downtown Tulsa, & 20 minutes from Keystone Lake. Call Susie at (918) 494-6000 for a personal event tour. Visit www.Meadowlakeranch.com or email meadowlakeranch@cox.net.

VOLUNTEER

JUST DO IT!

If you’ve been looking for a way you can make a difference, consider joining the Millennium Hospice team as a volunteer. Caregiver relief is so important during this difficult time. Volunteers provide that by sitting with patients for an hour or so. Training is provided. (918) 493-6555.

Volunteer for LIFE

Discover the variety of volunteer opportunities that LIFE Senior Services has to offer. Whether you want to volunteer within the organization or with one of our local non-profit or public agencies, we can find the best fit for you. (918) 664-9000.

Vintage Friends

MARCH ANSWERS

For puzzles, see pages 30-31

COMMONYMS

In appreciation of contributions to LIFE Senior Services received in January 2023. We sincerely apologize for any error or omission. Due to publication deadlines, acknowledgment of gifts may take up to 60 days in the Vintage Newsmagazine. If there is an error, please call Rickye Wilson at (918) 664-9000,

IN HONOR OF Dona Frank Morris

In Honor of Lindsay and Ron Fick

Barbara Watson

In Honor of Tax Prep Volunteers

IN MEMORY OF Jeannie Alaback

In Memory of Larry Devero

Theresa M. Finck and Mary Ann Finck

In Memory of Theresa Ann Finck

Nancy C. Kurowski

BAMBOOZABLES

In Memory of Ginny McCann

Lois O’Neal

In Memory of Ann Smith (cousin)

Lois O’Neal

In Memory of Russell Keith O’Neal (son)

Candy Ogden

In Memory of Marilyn Darlene Judkins

Robert and Mary Ann Perkins

In Memory of Richard Rodgers

Kevin and Holly Raley

In Memory of Grant Bland

Lana L. Sparks

In Memory of Grant G. Bland

Marilyn V. Sylvan

In Memory of Nancy McFarlin

Lani VandeWege

In Memory of Don VandeWege

Dianna Withrow

In Memory of Marilyn Darlene Judkins

Beverly Zardus

In Memory of Vince Zardus

CLASSIFIEDS TO ADVERTISE, CONTACT:

Bernie Dornblaser (918) 664-9000, ext. 1206 or bdornblaser@LIFEseniorservices.org