Stay Active and Engaged: Senior Events at the Metropolitan Library System

The new year is a perfect time to try something new, stay active and connect with others. From fitness classes to creative workshops, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the library. This January, the Metropolitan Library System offers endless opportunities for fitness, crafting and personal growth. You’re sure to find something that inspires you. Visit metrolibrary.org for more details and a full calendar of events.

Focus on Wellness: Maintaining good health is key to living your best life and the library has you covered with a variety of wellness programs.
Total Wellness Classes: Presented by the Oklahoma City-County Health Department, these interactive sessions help prevent diabetes and heart disease through practical tips on weight loss, healthy eating and exercise. • Almonte Library: Tuesdays at 10 a.m. – Jan. 14, 21, 28
Tai Chi: This gentle exercise enhances balance and flexibility, perfect for all fitness levels. Classes are offered at several locations: • Southern Oaks Library: Beginner classes at 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; Intermediate classes at 10:15 a.m. – Jan. 7, 9, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30 • Midwest City Library: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. – Jan. 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30
Yoga: Relax and rejuvenate with yoga sessions tailored for all levels. • Choctaw Library: Fridays at 10:15 a.m. – Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 • Del City Library: Sunset Yoga, twice a month at 6:30 p.m. – Jan. 14, 28 • Edmond Library: Yoga and Meditation, Fridays at 3 p.m. – Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26
Sound Bath: Immerse yourself in a relaxing sound bath experience led by Anna and Mark from MARKANNA Wellness. • Ralph Ellison Library: Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. • Edmond Library: Feb. 23 at 3 p.m.
Learn and Create: The start of a new year is the perfect time to explore a hobby or learn a new skill.
Sourdough Basics: Learn the art of sourdough baking, complete with a starter kit to take home. • Belle Isle Library: Jan. 4 at 10 a.m.
Beginner Line Dancing: Get moving and have fun learning the basics of line dancing. • Southern Oaks Library: Mondays at 1 p.m. – Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29
Knitting and Fiber Arts: Whether you’re new to knitting or a seasoned crafter, join these community-focused groups: • Downtown Crochet and Knit Club: Downtown Library, Jan. 4 at 2 p.m. • Fiber Arts Club: Southern Oaks Library, Jan. 7 and 21 at 1:30 p.m. • Jones Library: Jan. 7 and 21 at 6 p.m. • Fiber Arts Group: Bethany Library, Jan. 15 at 1:30 p.m. • Community Fiber Arts Group: Edmond Library, Jan. 18 at 9:30 a.m. • Crochet Night Meetup: Capitol Hill Library, Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m.
Watercolor Painting: Local artist Jim Pourtorkan leads this workshop, perfect for beginners. • Warr Acres Library: Jan. 25 at 10 a.m.
Clothed Figure Drawing: Sharpen your artistic skills in this life drawing session with a live model. • Belle Isle Library: Jan. 28 and Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m

Chief Damage Controlman Dennis Cherry II, of Oklahoma City, Okla., conducts a debrief with the response team following an aircraft firefighting drill on the flight deck aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett after an aircraft firefighting drill, Jan. 6, 2025. The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brianna Walker

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Cameron Todd, from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, mounts a dental model using plaster stone aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the Pacific Ocean, Jan. 29, 2025. Nimitz is underway in U.S. 3rd fleet conducting routine training operations. photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Caylen McCutcheon

Logistics Specialist Seaman Recruit Ashtyn Burch, from Norman, Oklahoma, bands pallets of hazardous materials in the hangar bay onboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, in preparation for Docked Planned Incremental Availability while in-port Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington. Ronald Reagan provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States. photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kleighton Vitug

Seaman Elijah Meksula, from Oklahoma, City, Oklahoma, stands watch on the bridge wing of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) in the Philippine Sea, Feb. 20. Milius is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface.

Story and Photo by Van Mitchel, Staff Writer

The Military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) at Tinker Air Force Base serves as a liaison between the active-duty community and the retiree population.
The RAO is located in Bldg. 1, Door 7, Room 153 at Tinker AFB, and is manned by experienced military retiree members Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Our office is here to serve every retiree, regardless of rank or branch of service, when they need guidance or assistance with any issues, “ said RAO Director/CMSgt. (Retired USAF) Lorraine Caddy. “We also provide volunteers to support the Tinker mission at the RAO Office, and the Tinker Clinic Pharmacy.”
Chief Caddy said the Tinker RAO was started in 1982, and she has been with it since 1985. She started as RAO Director in 2014.
“Our primary mission is to be available for any military people or their families, regardless of rank or branch of service, to help them with whatever difficulties they’re having or get them to the right people to help them, which is really what we are,” she said. “We’re more of a referral agency than a doing agency. We have somebody here Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and they’re all trained with as much knowledge as we can give them. We just take the questions as they come on the phone or through the door.”
Chief Caddy said when someone calls or comes by the RAO, the process begins by determining what their problem is and how we can help
“Most military retirees should know how to handle their own personal business, but unfortunately, a lot of people don’t talk. Husbands and wives don’t talk, so they don’t all have the same information,” she said. “We try to find out exactly what their problem is, number one. We try to give them information about this office so that they know they can always come back here. I always tell people, “If we haven’t solved your problem, please come back. We’ll find somebody else who can help you,” because we always try to be available.”
Chief Caddy said once a veteran separates from their branch of service, it becomes more challenging to find help with services needed.
“When someone is on active duty, they basically have face to face help with all their human resource issues and things of that nature. But once you separate, you’re done. You don’t really have a local office to go to for admin information, things of that nature,” she said. “We try to get them the resources they need.”
Chief Caddy said one of the ways the RAO works to get information out is through its Military Retiree Appreciation Day happening on Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Tinker Event Center starting at 7:30 a.m. with the formal program starting at 9 a.m. with several speakers scheduled.
Chief Caddy said the 2023 Military Retiree Appreciation Day had 200 attendees.
“In years past, before COVID, we had more than that, but we had to stop completely for two years,” she said.
The event is planned by Chief Caddy and a committee of volunteers that she selects.
“We’ll open the doors to the public at 0730-for those attending with lite refreshments available while they last,” she said. “I currently have 20 booth folks lined up, meaning people will come and be at a table where you can go and speak with them, and these are people from TriCare and Casualty Assistance, VA, and more. We also have a bus tour that’s available for those who want to take it around Tinker. It takes about 45 minutes to do the bus tour.”
The Military Retiree Appreciation Day also includes the naming of the Volunteer of the Year.
“That award is presented by the Wing Commander at my request to the person at the Retiree Day Service ceremony, so that they know that we give a darn that they’re there, because these people are giving their time and they’ve already given 20 years or more of their life to service,” Chief Caddy said.
Chief Caddy encourages those attending Military Retiree Appreciation Day to ask their questions.
“When I send an email, I encourage them to bring their questions, and before I dismiss any speaker, I always say, ‘Do you have more questions? Please don’t wait until he leaves and then ask me,‘ which is what happens sometimes. They’re shy,” she said. “There’s no question that’s stupid, in my opinion. There is no such thing. If you have a question and you need answers then you need to ask it. Sometimes those questions can’t be answered at the meeting, but then I make sure that that person has an appointment with the people they need to speak with.”
Chief Caddy said she has a desire to keep helping veterans as she was helped along the way.
“I did 20 years of service, and I enjoyed every minute of it,” she said.
Chief Caddy said she was very fortunate to make Chief Master Sergeant after 15 years of service. She started her AF Creer in 1957 and retired from active service in 1977, and she was one of the first 10 women to achieve the rank of CMSgt in the entire United States Air Force.
“I was fortunate because I worked with people who cared,” she said. “Women veterans at that time were not assigned worldwide as they are today. I was working on an IG team and because of that was able to spend three years at Wiesbaden, Germany. My volunteer work with the RAO is great. I meet so many wonderful people and am happy to provide this service to our military retirees.”
Chief Caddy said veteran retiree volunteers are welcome to help with the RAO.
“We would love to have you join us as a volunteer in the Retiree Activities Office, and the Clinic Pharmacy,” she said. “We only ask for 3 hours a week of your time and you will know the joy of “continuing to serve.”

For more information about the RAO or to sign up for the Military Retiree Appreciation Day call (405) 739-2795 or email Chief Caddy at lorraine.caddy@us.af.mil

Attention Artists: The 2025 National Veterans Day Poster Contest is now open for submissions.

Here’s your opportunity to show off your talent and use your artwork to honor Veterans. VA and the Veterans Day National Committee are now accepting entries for the 2025 Veterans Day Poster Contest. Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on May 2, 2025.

This contest is open to all, and your art should reflect this year’s theme: “Service to our Nation.”

After receiving more than 150 entries last year, Myisha Godette, a retired, disabled Army Veteran from Queens, New York, was selected as the winner of the 2024 contest. In describing her design, Myisha’s inspiration was “the shared experience of service members—past, present and future—with elements like the American Flag, military “dog tags,” and the enduring strength of Veterans, embodied by a solid, dark concrete background in my design.”

The winning poster will be distributed to VA facilities, military installations worldwide, and across cities and towns in our nation. It will also serve as the cover of the official program for the Veterans Day National Observance at Arlington National Cemetery on Nov. 11, 2025.

To ensure your submission meets the technical requirements, please review our design submission guidelines before engaging your creativity. Successful designs are very simple, with minimal imagery and verbiage. To view examples of past winning submissions, visit The Veterans Day Poster Gallery.

Submit electronic versions as jpg/jpeg images or PDF files to vetsday@va.gov. Questions? Please email the Veterans Day Coordinator at vetsday@va.gov.

It was standing room only at VFW Post 4938, Edmond, on March 1 as retired Navy Master Chief Larry Van Schuyver, Oklahoma’s State Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) and other members recognized about 42 individuals and groups who volunteered in 2024 and 2025 to make a difference to Oklahoma veterans, including combat wounded veterans. The annual ceremony was a tribute to those who improve veteran’s lives in many ways.
After receiving a plaque, recipients told the 90-person crowd what they do for veterans of all Services. It was quite evident, through tears and quivering voices, how deeply each person felt about their mission to honor veterans. The name of the award and its recipient are in bold font. Remarks by several recipients, edited for brevity, are provided below.

Spirit of Oklahoma Award
Lt. Col. Peter Plank said, “What a nice recognition for what we’ve done over 20 years with the World War II…We formed a Liberty Jump Team, parachute team, 20 plus years ago. And we jump in Normandy, France, Holland, and we do a veteran program in Belgium every year. And we took some Battle of the Bulge veterans back to the battlefields. They fought the villages, they liberated, and one of them…101-year-old Chock Charleston was a Sherman tank driver and we took him back to the villages that he went through and it took him to the Luxembourg American Cemetery and brought closure.”

Purple Heart Business of the Year
Jessie Newell of Shawnee is a photographer and owns Bird Nest Baby Photography. “I photograph war veterans to honor their service with or without their families…I’ve photographed over a thousand veterans…So, my very first veteran was named Dewey Muirhead…So, he comes out and he brings about 20 family members and I photographed them all…Dewey told me what D-Day was like, how terrifying it was to lay on Omaha Beach in the middle of thousands of wounded and dead soldiers, hearing young men yelling out for their mothers, because all of them were between 16 and probably 20 years old or somewhere around there.” She concluded, “It’s a blessing that I would never walk away from.”

Outstanding Mayor of the Year
Matthew Dukes, the Mayor of Midwest City, bested 64 nominees to earn the award. Accepting the plaque, he smiled and told the crowd, “I’m very honored…All I did was make Midwest City a Purple Heart City. I appreciate the recognition and – shock – to Midwest City. We’re on the map now. I appreciate this very much.” Mayor Dukes is a retired Chief Master Sergeant of the Oklahoma Air National Guard.

Purple Heart Veteran of the Year
Don Nichols, Muskogee Adjutant of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (and a Purple Heart recipient), and volunteers came from Muskogee and Tahlequah. He said of them, “They worked to save the (Jack C. Montgonery) VA Hospital in Muskogee…We went out and got together 80,000 signatures and kept them from moving the hospital, and it was that group that did it… We built a National Purple Heart Monument in Tahlequah, Oklahoma (It was dedicated May 25, 2024)…We’re proud of it…We are just in the process of recognizing the 14 historical black towns in the state of Oklahoma as Purple Heart Cities.”

Service Before Self Award
Sixteen members of the (mostly) motorcycle riding group Flag Poles Honoring our Veterans attended. One spokesman said Kevin Blake, the group’s founder, started in March 2020 and added, “Since then, the group has installed 670 flag poles for veterans…Most of us are just patriots (not veterans)…We will raise the flag with the pledge of allegiance, say a prayer over it…We do the 13 folds of the flag and read the meaning of the 13 folds…And then we’ll have a veteran present the flag to the recipient. It’s a moving experience.”

Distinguished Service
Organization of the Year
Vet Chat at Cornerstone Church, Midwest City, has been connecting veterans with local agencies, organizations, and civic groups for advice and assistance since 2018. About 15 members attended the ceremony. Leo Webster, the Executive Director, thanked his volunteers. “You stepped into the life of veterans in need, offering them support, understanding the compassion that they may never have found anywhere else…Let’s be relentless in our pursuit of saving lives and ensuring that no veteran feels alone, abandoned.”

General Pete Costilow Volunteers of the Year
Fat Guys Club. This dedicated group donates countless hours providing cooking demonstrations at the Norman Veterans Center, donating clothing for a special care school in OKC, cooking for children receiving Christmas gifts with the Mafias Motorcycle Club, cooking and delivering Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners to needy families, and grilling food on Father’s Day and Valentines Day for veterans at San Marcos Mexican Restaurant, OKC.

Hall of Honor Supporter.
Plaques went to Oklahoma Representative Andy Fugate, Stacy Reddig, Debra Wimpee, and John Meek of the Navy Enlisted Reserve Association-Oklahoma. After Pugate received his plaque, he said, “I’m grateful for the recognition. I’ll stand up for you every day.” Additionally, Dr. Kayse Shrum, Former President of OSU 2021-2025, received the Purple Heart Legacy and Oklahoma Purple Rose Awards.

Lady Purple Rose Award
Melissa Morrison, Heather Rutherford, Sarah Wheatley, Cloris Webster and Rolanna Whitlock received these awards. As he gave them, Schuyver said, …”the Purple Rose to us is the highest form of honor we give those that are members of our family.”
At the end of the ceremony, Jessie Newell of Bird Nest Photography stood up and praised Master Chief Van Schuyver – and guests agreed with thunderous rounds of applause. “As amazing as his military service is, it’s his service after retirement that blows my mind…If he’s not repairing a home, he’s out in a widow’s flower bed, or he’s trying to make money to pay a widow’s bills.” Besides leading the Oklahoma Chapter of the OMHF, she noted his efforts to collect canned goods to fill up VFW pantry shelves.
After the meeting ended, most attendees stayed and donated money to the Fat Guys Club in order to enjoy a good company while eating a hamburger or hot dog. It was evident these volunteers don’t provide hundreds, even thousands, of hours a year to receive plaques – they want to support Oklahoma’s veterans who need and appreciate help and they find a variety of ways to do it. Volunteerism is alive and well in our great state. That’s a good feeling. story by Richard Stephens

By Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready

Many families have experienced the loss of a loved one only to discover later that a life insurance policy existed tucked away in old files, forgotten about or just unknown to the beneficiaries. Life insurance provides a financial lifeline during those most difficult times, but beneficiaries can miss out on the support they need when benefits go unclaimed. The Life Insurance Policy Locator (LIPL) can help in these situations. The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) has helped to connect thousands of Oklahomans with millions in unclaimed life insurance policy benefits since we launched this transformative tool in 2016. I want to share more about the LIPL and how it can help you.
Before we discuss using the tool, I want to stress the importance of life insurance in your financial planning. It may seem difficult to address or discuss, but it can help your loved ones in case something unforeseen happens to you. When to purchase, what kind of policy to buy, and how much in benefits will depend on you and your situation. You will want to consider how many people rely on you financially and your financial obligations to help you answer those questions. You can find more information about life insurance shopping at www.oid.ok.gov/life.
So, how does the LIPL work? It’s easy, free and secure. First, visit www.oid.ok.gov/LIPL and click “Get Started.” Next, you will submit your request, which requires information from the deceased’s death certificate, such as the Social Security number, legal name, date of birth, date of death and the decedent’s veteran status. You will also need to indicate your relationship to the deceased. Finally, you will click the submit button and receive a confirmation email. If a policy is found and you are the beneficiary, the life insurance or annuity company will contact you directly.
The success of the LIPL speaks for itself. Since the tool’s launch in 2016, OID has helped to connect over 8,000 Oklahomans with over $161 million in unclaimed life insurance policy benefits, with almost 1,500 claiming over $32 million this year alone. The LIPL has significantly impacted the lives of many, and it can do the same for you.
Life insurance can be a lifeline to loved ones in a time of loss. However, many aren’t aware that they may be the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or an annuity. If you believe you are a beneficiary, use the free LIPL tool to find out today. If you have any questions about life insurance or need assistance with any other insurance-related questions, please call OID at 800-522-0071 or visit www.oid.ok.gov.

Oklahoma County
Dr. William L. and Susie Price Haywood Estate
7100 N. Sooner Rd., Oklahoma City
The Dr. William L. and Susie Price Haywood Estate in Oklahoma City was constructed c. 1930 in the Late 19th and Early 20th Century Classical Revival style and is significant at the local level for its association with Dr. William Haywood, his wife Susie Price Haywood, and their roles associated with the Black community during segregation. Dr. Haywood was a prominent physician for the Black community as early as 1910 when he became the chief African American health officer of Oklahoma County. In the 1920s, he established the Utopia Hospital, which is believed to be the first African American hospital west of the Mississippi. In the 1950s, Haywood became director and chief-of-staff at Oklahoma University Hospital. Mrs. Haywood, a cum laude graduate of Langston University, established herself as the first principal for the summer school for Negro children and eventually as a summer faculty member at Langston as an English teacher and assistant registrar. Mrs. Haywood also published textbooks for students to use, covering topics traditional books did not. The Haywood Estate is listed in the National Register for the couple’s significant role in the African American community in Oklahoma City.
Listing in the National Register of Historic Places is an honorific designation that provides recognition, limited protection and, in some cases, financial incentives for these important properties. The SHPO identifies, evaluates and nominates properties for this special designation.
The State Historic Preservation Office is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.

Angeline Sivic, 99, is a part of World War II history, where she served as a Rosy Riveter working on airplanes in Wichita, Kansas.
Sivic, who turns 100 years old on April 14, was born on a small farm, seven miles north of Hartshorne.
After graduating from Hartshorne High School, Sivic, who resides in Iris Memory Care in Nichols Hills, followed a cousin to Wichita, who was already working at the Boeing airplane plant.
“I went up there and got a job, right out of school,” she said. “I liked it alright.”
Rosie the Riveter was the star of a campaign aimed at recruiting female workers for defense industries during World War II, and she became perhaps the most iconic image of working women.
American women entered the workforce in unprecedented numbers during the war, as widespread male enlistment left gaping holes in the industrial labor force. Between 1940 and 1945, the female percentage of the U.S. workforce increased from 27 percent to nearly 37 percent, and by 1945 nearly one out of every four married women worked outside the home.
While women during World War II worked in a variety of positions previously closed to them, the aviation industry saw the greatest increase in female workers.
More than 310,000 women worked in the U.S. aircraft industry in 1943, making up 65 percent of the industry’s total workforce (compared to just 1 percent in the pre-war years). The munitions industry also heavily recruited women workers, as illustrated by the U.S. government’s Rosie the Riveter persuasion campaign.
Based in small part on a real-life munitions worker, but primarily a fictitious character, the strong, bandanna-clad Rosie became one of the most successful recruitment tools in American history, and the most iconic image of working women in the World War II era.
Sivic married her husband John on Oct. 30, 1946, after he returned from the war. They had 4 children (3 girls, 1 boy), 6 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
Sivic laughed when she was asked what she felt about turning 100.
“I am getting old,” she said.

Jana Determan, Sivic’s daughter, said her mother grew up on the family farm and loved cooking and gardening.
“She enjoyed canning what food came from her farm,” Determan said.
Sivic said both her parents came to the United States from Europe and eventually settled on the family farm.
She said her father worked in the coal mines along with other family members.
“That’s what they did, coal mining,” Determan said. “What they did was underground.” Determan said growing up her family ate together at home.
“Every meal, we ate at home. We didn’t go out to eat. They didn’t go on vacation. They were just home on the farm, their whole life,” she said.
Determan said growing up on a farm developed her mother into a strong-willed and hard-working person.
“She was the strong-willed person in the family. She’s the one that pretty much ran it (life on the family farm),” she said.
Determan said she is proud of her mother’s work achievements as Rosie the Riveter during World War II.
“I think it’s the greatest generation (World War II military/civilian workforce) and there’s a reason for that,” she said. story by Van Mitchell

The Oklahoma Aging Advocacy Leadership Academy (OAALA) is accepting applications for 2025. For 27 years, OAALA has provided free training for individuals to be informed volunteer community leaders and advocates for Oklahoma’s aging population. Applications will be accepted until Jan. 10, 2025.
The course kicks off in February and includes coursework through Aug. 2025. Classes typically meet all day Wednesday and Thursday in Oklahoma City, but three of the sessions will be virtual in 2025. Classes are planned on the following dates. They are subject to change with as much notice to participants as possible:
• Kickoff Meeting: Feb. 13 OKC metro
• Session 1: March 12 and 13 Virtual
• Session 2: April 9 and 10 OKC metro
• Session 3: May 14 and 15 Virtual
• Session 4: June 11 and 12 OKC metro
• Session 5: July 9 and 10 Virtual
• Session 6: Aug. 6 and 7 – OKC metro
Attendance and participation are required for each full day. There is no cost to participate as tuition is covered by sponsors, including (when applicable) lunch, books, resource materials and overnight accommodations for those who qualify. Travel reimbursements may be provided under the State Travel Reimbursement Act.
Applicants should demonstrate a willingness to use constructive advocacy techniques to effect social change and a commitment to build communities that include and value all older persons and persons with disabilities. They should also demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of people and the ability to see things from the point of view of others.
“The impact OAALA graduates make in Oklahoma communities compliments our efforts to make services and supports available to older Oklahomans,” said Jeromy Buchanan, Director of Community Living, Aging and Protective Services, a division of Oklahoma Human Services. “We cannot support all the various needs of our aging population alone and are proud to serve alongside these engaged leaders and advocates in service to older adults.”
Applications are online and must be received along with a letter of support by Jan. 10, 2025.
For more information or to request a paper application, contact Jake Stover directly at 405-714-0015 or Email OAALA@okdhs.org, or call the Community Living, Aging and Protective Services main line at (405) 521-2281.