George Shafer, a U.S. Army veteran, was at his lowest point when his wife Meredith found him in their family’s treehouse with a shotgun aimed under his chin.
He credits her with getting him the help he needed when he was ready to end it all.
“I suffered a traumatic brain injury (while serving) and I got into a deep depression,” Shafer said. “I am a veteran that has struggled. I have struggled with the aimlessness, and the lack of passion, feeling worthless, feeling empty, feeling void.”
Shafer those feelings only heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic after he and his wife’s ministry which helped veterans struggling with addiction closed its doors.
“When the ministry (in Edmond) fell apart in the pandemic, I lost many relationships, and I really isolated myself. I hurt a lot of the friends that I had at the time,” he said.
Shafer said after Meredith found him in the treehouse; she went to work to get him help.
“She was relentless,” he said.
Meredith Shafer wrote in a Facebook post about her and George getting saved 12 years ago.
“Twelve years ago, today (Sept. 28) the Lord saved us,” she wrote. “I was pregnant with our youngest, and life had been in shambles for a while. Mr. Wonderful (George) was chained by addiction, and I was at the end of my rope. That day I found him in our kids’ treehouse about to take his own life. It turns out, he was at the end of his rope too and did not know how to get out of those chains. Twelve years ago, God met us in a treehouse and changed our lives forever. Not in an instant like we wanted, but over and over in the daily choices He showed us how to make.”
Shafer said their response to the pandemic helped shape his family’s future.
“When the pandemic hit Oklahoma, our family had a meeting around the dining room table. We were all nervous, but we discussed what opportunities were available in our new norm,” he said. “We told our kids that it was a difficult situation, but it was also globally difficulty being experienced by everyone. Meaning, the people who are quickest to adapt to change will be the most prepared when the pandemic was over. Our family received this well, and got to work! But they also helped me do the same.”
Shafer decided to go back to school online through Liberty University and receive his Masters of Divinity degree from Regent University.
“There’s just been a calling on my life (to complete his education), and I’ve known it for a very long time. And I ran from it. But when COVID hit that was one of the thresholds that was there for me to cross,” he said.
Shafer credits his wife and children for sticking with him through his studies.
“Meredith Shafer, Jack, Tate, Lucy, and Isaiah; this victory is for you,” Shafer wrote in a Facebook post. “For the missed: sports events, kid drop-off and pickup, parent/teacher conferences, etc. Thank you for helping me, believing in me, and trusting me for the past 7 years through both an undergrad and a challenging master’s program. For a guy who had a 9th grade education prior to college, there were days I wasn’t sure we were going to make it (math and Greek). You guys helped me break generational curses and change the trajectory of our family name.”
Shafer graduated with his master’s degree last spring but was still unsure of what was next for him.
That is when he and his wife felt a calling to come to Generation’s Church in Guthrie.
“I scheduled a meeting with my pastor Josh Seabolt (and told him his story),” Shafer said. “I told him I made a lot of mistakes, and he showed me the grace of Jesus Christ.”
Through that conversation, Shafer was later hired as Generation Church’s Pastor of Digital Communications, and his wife serves as Pastor of Assimilation and Small Groups.
He thanked Generations Church for giving his family a shot.
“To our Generations Church family, you will have no idea how much your love and support has meant to our family. So grateful for each of you,” he said. “It’s very humbling.”
Shafer is the former chaplain of the American Legion Lebron Post 58 in Guthrie, where he helped launch its Bunker 58 Esports program, which is designed to reduce veteran suicide by providing an environment of a connection, teamwork, and camaraderie for local veterans.
Shafer said his struggles help him better help other veterans.
“When I see that in somebody else, I’m able to recognize it,” he said. “Not because I’ve experienced exactly what that person has experienced, but it rekindles my desire to ensure that nobody ever feels that way again. To ensure that they understand that they’re made in the image of God, in the image of their creator, and that they have worth, and that they have value. Even if they no longer wear the uniform or serve the country, they still have value and they still have worth, and they still have things that they were put on this planet to do. And if I can help them get through this short, temporal period of feeling empty, it’s my honor to do that.” •
story by Van Mitchell, staff writer
For more information about Generations Church visit
https://www.generationsguthrie.com.

Senior News and Living sponsored a pop-up resource fair at the American Legion in Norman on Monday, May 13th. Here are a few highlights from the event.

In keeping with our new mission to bring Oklahoma veteran news to life, we are only now celebrating the installation and unveiling of the most important military tribute statues ever created by an Oklahoman for Oklahomans. On Veterans Day in 2021, Luther sculptor Joel Randell unveiled his bronze composition, “NSU Veterans: Serving and Communicating through the Decades,” becoming the most visually detailed and robust tribute to military service ever in Oklahoma, located in Tahlequah.

“The complexity of Randell’s tour de force is more than most sculptors will ever achieve in a lifetime if you add up many of their most important military statues,” said former CSU art professor Bob Palmer, Oklahoma’s most viewed muralist. “For one sculptor to bring so many heroic-sized figurative bronzes to life in one setting is the pinnacle of a once-in-a-generation sculpting effort.”

The larger-than-life bronze monument, depicting service members from all branches of the military, graces a plaza on the east side of Seminary Hall on Northeastern State University’s Tahlequah campus.

Two years in the making, following the initial prototype’s approval, the five bronze military figures are a testament to the involvement of many NSU students and community members in support of America’s military mission. The five bronze soldiers representing the military services surround a larger-than-life Lady Liberty, holding a large American flag and a lantern aloft to guide them home.

The Army is depicted by a Cherokee Code Talker from World War I, who sits and provides cryptic communication on the front lines of battle. NSU is the location of the original Cherokee Female Seminary, and Tahlequah remains the capital of the Cherokee Nation.

“We know the Cherokee Nation has a prominent place here in Tahlequah and at NSU. What their soldiers did in World War I was an incredible new effort to help save American lives,” Randell said at the unveiling in 2021. “Many know about World War II Code Talkers, but it was the Cherokee and Choctaw patriots who led that effort initially in their war.”

The Navy is represented by a catapult officer, better known as a “shooter,” who signals when a pilot should take off from a carrier’s flight deck.

A U.S. Marine is seen as a soldier from the Vietnam War wading through a flooded rice paddy while using his hand to signal to fellow soldiers.

The Air Force is depicted by a modern-day female officer pilot holding her flight helmet who successfully completed another mission.

“Incidentally, she would be the highest-ranking person in this composition. She is stepping off the world stage having finished a successful flight, with the satisfaction of a job well done,” Randell said.

The U.S. Coast Guard rescue crewman stretches his arms along a helicopter cable in a heroic effort to save someone in peril at sea.

Elevated in the middle stands a woman who represents the families back home. She is holding a lantern aloft, with a large, colorful American flag billowing in the wind. The lantern has a light feature that emits an amber glow at night.

“Lady Liberty is holding a lantern aloft, effectively shining the way home for those who are scattered abroad. She is standing on a representation I call a semi-globe representation of the Earth,” Randell said. “With her right foot, she is ‘standing’ on Tahlequah so those who see her can remember where home is.”

The two-foot-tall globe at the center of the monument, which all the figures are touching, shows how American veterans have served wherever they were needed around the world. The names of the branches of the services are etched low on the globe behind each service member to help viewers connect with their role in serving.

The artist titled the sculpture “NSU Veterans: Serving and Communicating through the Decades” because each figure uses their body to communicate, whether through a radio, a light, or an arm gesture.

“Lady Liberty’s light is something I’ve never done in a sculpture before. And quite frankly, I don’t know of too many sculptures that go to that length to have an internal lighting system,” Randell said. “It reminds you of a warm fire, and that’s what our service men and women think of, warm thoughts of being back at home.” The innovative lighting system adds a touch of warmth and nostalgia to the sculpture at night, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.

In addition to the flag, the artist placed a triangular logo representing the Space Force, the newest branch of the military, at the top of the flagpole to round out the depiction of American forces.

“I knew that we needed a topper for our flag, right up there,” Randall said. “I looked at the Space Force logo since it is a triangle shape in front of a globe. I think it makes sense at the top. I imagine it in this setting as a communication satellite.”

NSU President Steve Turner praised the monument in 2021, expressing his pride in the new addition to the campus and its proximity to the historic Seminary Hall. “I can’t think of a better place for it to be, adjacent to historic Seminary Hall,” Turner said.

NSU has been recognized as a military-friendly campus. It is also a veteran employer champion and a proud part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Yellow Ribbon campaign.

It offers comprehensive services for veterans and their families. Resources include a dedicated Office of Veterans Services to assist with educational benefits, a veterans’ lounge, credit for military service, and flexible online learning options. The university helps veterans maximize benefits, complete degrees, and transition to civilian careers.

Randell, 51, is nationally renowned for his patriotic bronze statues, particularly veteran-themed monuments. His prominent works also include the large bronze inclusive Women’s Veterans Monument of similar complexity in Del City, Okla., honoring women service members from each service.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in art education from the University of Central Oklahoma, studying figurative sculpture in bronze with David L. Phelps. After college, he completed his traditional sculpting apprenticeship with Shan Gray.

“The NSU Veterans Monument was a dream come true project,” Randell said recently in an interview. “NSU afforded me a robust budget, allowing me to include all branches of service, various wars and conflicts, while honoring both men and women in a glorious tribute to veterans. At 110 percent life-size, it was heroic size but not overwhelming. With the figures rising from the globe at different points, it is a visual feast from every angle. I am proud this sculpture captures the actions of serving in the military during both peace and war.” • story and photos by Darl DeVault, contributing editor

The Team Tinker Home Away From Home program began out of a tragedy but has turned into a triumph for the young military members stationed at Tinker Air Force Base.
The program was founded by Mike and Pam Kloiber that pairs young service members with civilian host families to help alleviate the anxiety of being alone and far from home, often for the first time.
On an icy Christmas Eve in 2011, two Airmen from the 552nd Air Control Wing were killed in an automobile accident in Oklahoma City. After a conversation with then-552nd ACW Commander Col. Greg Guillot, Mrs. Kloiber had her marching orders and set out to create a program modeled after a similar one at the Air Force Academy.
Over the last 10 years, more than 1,500 first term Airmen and Sailors have taken Kloiber up on her offer and actively participated in the program.
The goal of “Team Tinker Home Away From Home” is to provide all eligible, first-term Service Members with a “home away from home.”
The program strives to match community sponsors with young service men and women, giving them a welcoming, safe, and supportive place to spend time, especially during the holidays.
These community sponsors provide them a welcoming place to relax and offer opportunities to have fun away from the stress and day-to-day requirements of life on Tinker Air Force Base (TAFB). Families offer personal interactions that can develop into strong, long-lasting bonds.
In addition to the host partnership, “Team Tinker Home Away From Home” also provides monthly activities, volunteering opportunities, events, speakers, and professional Life Skills seminars at no cost to service members.
Pam Kloiber said she and her husband are proud of the impact their program has had on service members.
“Mike was the CEO/President of Tinker Federal Credit Union for 33 years,” she said. “Mike and I have always worked as a team, and so when he was working there, I also supported the base in any way I could. I didn’t realize how much of an impact that Home Away From Home would have on me when it first began. The program’s impact and the resiliency, connectivity and family immersion for the service members have exceeded more than I expected.”
Service members can become part of THAFH through several different avenues, Kloiber said.
In addition to being linked with a host family, service members can attend a monthly life skills class through the “Empowerment, Enhancement and Education” initiative.
“ I call all of the servicemembers my kids, and my assigned service members connect with Mike and I every Sunday,” she said. “I’m always trying to find new and innovative ideas to support the service member’s lives. I’m always searching for ways to help empower the service members”
Kloiber writes a program curriculum and each year she has a theme.
For 2025, her theme is Let’s Strive to Thrive, a Year of Empowerment, Enhancement in Education.
“Every month we have professional seminars because I want them to have the opportunity to be exposed and learn life skills,” Kloiber said. “Many of them have never bought a car, particularly service members that live in inner cities like New York City, Brooklyn, and they don’t know how to drive a car. We’ve helped purchase cars for many service members and help them to learn how to drive. I have a class on car buying.”
Kloiber said each month different skills classes are offered.
“Each month we have a speaker talking about various topics pertinent to this age group,” she said.
Kloiber said their program hosts an end-of-the-year party for servicemen and servicewomen called “Thanksmas.”
“We combine Thanksgiving and Christmas together, and we call it Thankmas,” she said. “At all our events we offer a free catered meal. The base leadership, commanders and chiefs all join in to serve the food to service members and they join in the class to show how important it is to better yourself. They take the time to sit and break bread, sit right beside an airman and have a meal. The conversation and connection between the leadership and service members is amazing.”
Kloiber said volunteerism is also an important part of Home Away From Home, following the Air Force’s values of Service Before Self.
“We volunteer in the community several ways,” she said. “We have a connection with Mayor Matt Dukes in Midwest City, and we volunteer with him. He has a neighborhood coalition for senior citizens that need help with various projects around their home. We also laid wreaths for Wreaths Across America, and we volunteered with Hope Therapeutic Horse Ranch. This year we’ve added a volunteer project and it’s Vet Chat, and we will be going in October to Norman’s Veterans facility. We will be having coffee and donuts while spending a Saturday morning with the Veterans in Norman.”
Kloiber said suicide is a factor in the military, but her program has been fortunate to not have experienced any suicides.
“We’ve had a lot of airmen that have reached out because they’re hurting, having some mental health issues and they need support. The families have been wonderful because they know when the service members come over, and they’re consistently visiting with them and doing things with them. They let their service members be there to support them.”
Kloiber said Team Tinker Home Away From Home is more than a program to her. It is her passion.
“It’s a passion now, a connection with young people that I have been able to see growth and development in them,” she said. “They have skills, they have talent, they have ability, but occasionally a few may have a weak self-esteem, and all they just need someone to say, “You’ve got this.”
For more information about Team Tinker Home Away From Home call Kloiber at (405) 503-5041 or visit www.teamtinkerhomeawayfromhome.org Home Away From Home is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable foundation, with no DOD affiliation or governmental status. story/photo by Van Mitchell

On March 29, National Vietnam War Veterans Day, a day designated to honor the service and sacrifice of Vietnam War veterans, the Oklahoma History Center (OHC) held its ninth annual service commemoration pinning ceremony.
This day was chosen as it marks the anniversary of the withdrawal of U.S. military units from South Vietnam in 1973. The ceremony at OHC was a tribute to the service men and women who served in any branch of the US Armed Forces anywhere in the world during the Vietnam War era.
The free and open-to-the-public event occurred in the Devon Great Hall of the OHC, with the Capitol in the background, from 10 a.m. to noon.
The ceremony began with the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 145th Army Band sharing patriotism through music.
Former Oklahoma Representative Gary Banz, now director of the Villages OKC Veteran and Patriot Initiative, welcomed the 200 people who gathered that day. The recognition pins were to honor any U.S. veteran who served on active duty or in the reserves in the U.S. Armed Forces from November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, Vietnam or otherwise. Family members of any veteran unable to be present were also to receive a pin.
The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Director, retired Rear Admiral James “Jay” Bynum, delivered the keynote address. In his speech, he put the war and the soldiers’ contribution to freedom in perspective, highlighting the bravery and sacrifice of the veterans and the importance of remembering their service.
“Today, March 29, holds a profound place in our nation’s history—it marks the 50th anniversary of the official disestablishment of the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, and the departure of the last U.S. combat troops in 1973,” Bynum said. “This day also saw the release of the final group of acknowledged prisoners of war from Hanoi—a poignant moment in the long and difficult road toward healing after the Vietnam Conflict.”
“While we gather to reflect on this date, we also look ahead to April 30, when we will mark 50 years since the fall of Saigon in 1975. That event brought the Vietnam War to its conclusion and, for many, represented both an ending and a beginning—a time for reflection on the sacrifices of those who served. These intertwined dates in March and April remind us of historical milestones and the enduring resilience of the men and women who served during this challenging chapter in our nation’s history.” Bynum was a career F/A-18 pilot deployed to support Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
The event was further steeped in patriotism when retired Navy Captain John Keilty, who heads up the Junior ROTC at Del City High School, inducted two of his senior cadets into the service. He mentioned they had performed with others in more than 300 honor guard presentations during their high school career.
“One of the greatest privileges a commissioned officer has is to be able to give a recruit or a Sailor the oath to defend and protect the Constitution,” Keilty said in an interview. “And being able to induct Sebastian Stanton, the Cadet CO headed for the Marines, and to Eva Black, the Cadet XO, was such an honor that I will cherish forever.”
Eva Black signed on to be a gunner’s mate in the Navy, while Sebastian Stanton signed on to be a small arms machinist in the Marine Corps. “Our Military will continue to be the best in the world when we enlist outstanding young men and women like Sebastian and Eva,” Keilty said.
The event also featured speakers and many former soldiers with their color guard representing the South Vietnamese community.
Vietnamese refugees arrived in Oklahoma City after Saigon’s fall, significantly transforming the city’s cultural landscape. According to the Oklahoma Historical Society, the Vietnamese population in Oklahoma City increased from 2,000 in 1975 to 10,000 by 1990, a testament to the war’s lasting impact.
The 2008 National Defense Authorization Act designated March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day, to be commemorated with annual nationwide events. The act stipulates that only Vietnam War veterans and their families are recognized.
The Vietnam War saw 58,286 Americans killed in action, 155 Medal of Honor winners, and still lists 1,615 soldiers as missing in action. The Missing Man Table, sometimes called the “Fallen Comrade Table,” was displayed. It reminds viewers of fallen, missing, or imprisoned U.S. Military service members.
The commemoration ceremony continued in recognition of the services represented by having the service members gathered stand service by service. The branches were represented by 3 Marines, 12 Navy, 20 Air Force, and 30 Army service members in the audience.
The crowd honored the service members as Banz read out their names and service details, including their highest rank, to those assembled individually. Each veteran had their veteran lapel pins affixed by Del City High School Junior ROTC members as a lasting memento of the Nation’s thanks.
The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that today there are 6.4 million living Vietnam veterans and 9 million families of those who served in this time frame.
One historical quote helps put the event in perspective.
Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Michael Brazelton’s (four-time Silver Star recipient and former Vietnam War POW) said at the July 8, 2015 Congressional Ceremony on the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin “I have had a number of medals pinned on me in my day and this is certainly the highest ranking and the most honors I have received for any pinning ceremony. Even though it might just be a lapel pin to a lot of people, this is like a medal to the Vietnam veterans.” story/photo by Darl Devault, contributing editor

The American Legion Waggoner-Trimble Post 12 of the Department of Oklahoma has established Veterans for Country and Service, Inc., a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to strengthen and expand the Post’s mission of serving veterans, families, and the community through charitable giving and partnership programs.

This new charitable foundation enables Post 12 to receive tax-deductible donations and grants that directly support initiatives rooted in The American Legion’s Four Pillars Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth.

“The creation of Veterans for Country and Service, Inc. is a major milestone for Post 12 and the Bethany-Warr Acres community,” said Brett Martin current Finance Officer of Post 12. “It allows us to expand our outreach and ensure every donated dollar helps where it’s needed most whether it’s aiding veterans in crisis, supporting youth leadership through Oklahoma Boys State, a program of the Oklahoma American Legion and Girls State, a program of American Legion Auxiliary, Scouting America, or strengthening our neighborhoods through fellowship and service. This embodies the spirit of For God, Country, and Service.”

Through Veterans for Country and Service, Inc., Post 12 will focus on initiatives that include:
• Assisting veterans and families in need through its community food pantry and emergency relief efforts.
• Hosting regular American Red Cross blood drives that give back directly to the community.
• Supporting youth development through Boys State, Girls State, and partnerships with the Boy Scouts of America.
• Coordinating the annual Flag Retirement Ceremony in conjunction with Robert Keyes, honoring our nation’s symbol with dignity and respect.
• Promoting patriotism, civic responsibility, and unity through year-round community programs.
Veterans for Country and Service, Inc. will serve as the charitable arm of American Legion Post 12, ensuring transparency, sustainability, and expanded capacity to serve the needs of local veterans and citizens for generations to come.

The American Legion Waggoner-Trimble Post 12, located in Bethany-Warr Acres, is part of the Department of Oklahoma’s American Legion Family. Post 12 is dedicated to serving veterans, military families, and the broader community through programs inspired by the Four Pillars of The American Legion: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth.
Martin said the new 501(c)(3) will help Post 12 better reach their goal of sending more students to Boys State and Girls State.

“Last year we sent 22 boys and 11 girls,” he said. “Our goal this year is to send 30+ boys and 15+ girls. Each boy we send to Boys State costs $350 and the girls we send to Girls State cost $335 each. It adds up quickly.”

Martin said Post 12 also uses social media to highlight their programs and needs.

“We got our first donation check and the other day off the social media post I put up from the Mcanally Foundation, LLC.,” he said. “They want to sponsor one girl and one boy at Boys and Girls State. You must be careful how you use it, but social media works.”

For more information about Post 12 and its services call (405) 818-1607. • story by Van Mitchell, staff writer

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

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

Downstairs, a collection of 96-years of cars and pick-up trucks held many aficionados’ attention. Upstairs, people learned about Route 66, also known as America’s Main Street and the Mother Road, by walking through cubicles that explained it’s history, gathered information in the Route 66 Community Center, looked at goods and services offered by 80 vendors and played games in a large Kid’s Activity Zone.

Ron Watkins of the Green Country Classic Mustang Club said 220 vehicles checked in for the car show. From a 1929 Ford Roadster to a 2025 Ford Mustang, there were polished and gleaming Chevrolet Cameros and Bel Airs, Ford Fairlane Victorias and Falcon GTs, Plymouth Firebirds and Barracudas, Dodge Challengers and Darts, and a variety of pick-up trucks. Car owners were happy to explain engines, body panels, tires and paint techniques to admiring guests. Awards were given to the Top 3 in 30 classes of vehicles.

Many visitors journeyed into Route 66’s past by visiting seven interactive, eight-foot-tall octagons in exhibits called “The Journey” that explained each decade (1920s – 1990s to Today). Each octagon held one or two vehicles, actors in period clothing, artifacts, historical facts, photographs, and lists of popular music that made up its ten-year period. For instance, the 1950s cubicle showed off a glossy 1959 Ford Galaxie Fairlane and the front end of a diner with a row of stools and a waitress that visitors could talk with. Several people were surprised to learn the route was created in 1926 and removed from the U.S. Highway system in 1985, a period of 59 years.
At the Presentation Stage, seats filled up to listen to a variety of “about the road” topics from writers, photographers and travelers of Route 66. On Saturday, Jim Ross and Shellee Graham discussed their new book, “Route 66: The First 100 Years”; Michael Wallis shared two personal stories about hitchhiking in the 1980s and 1990s; Richard Rawlings, the star of the popular Reality TV Show “Fast N’ Loud” and who owns Gas Monkey Garage, talked about car culture; Jennifer Rogers, Will Rogers’ great granddaughter, presented “Will Rogers & Route 66”; and Jim Hinckley provided a dark view of the Mother Road with his “Murder and Mayhem on the Main Street of America.”

Hinkley, author of over 20 books, told me, “This Road Fest is probably one of the best events on Route 66, blending education with good old fashion family fun. It’s the magic of Route 66 made manifest.”

In between presenters, the Red Dirt Rangers, Weston Horn, of Weston Horn & The Hush rock and roll band, and Daniel Jordan played together, as did the Annie Ellicott Duo.

On Sunday, Joe Sonderman from Missouri, another prolific Route 66 writer, gave his “Must Sees on Route 66,” Joey Madia discussed “Cyrus Avery: Father of The Mother Road” and planners from Claremore, Sapulpa and Tulsa talked about their plans for the route’s Centennial year in 2026.

Next to the stage, 19 vintage travel trailers from the 1940s to the 1970s parked in the Vintage Trailer Resort. Lots of families ducked inside them to see original and nearly-original furnishings.
At the Route 66 Community area, people learned about towns on or near it, state associations that promote and preserve it, and museums and hotels on its sideroads. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association manned a booth to explain all about Oklahoma’s Main Street. It’s President, Rhys Martin, said, “Route 66 has been called a linear village, and the Route 66 Road Fest is a great example of how true that is. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association was joined by folks from all eight Route 66 states to showcase how special this road is to so many people. We all hope our enthusiasm and education leads people to take road trips of their own.”

Steve Brant operates the Spirit of America museum in Stroud. He manned a booth in the Route 66 Community area. Brant said “people were delighted to discover the Route 66 Spirit of America Museum exists just down the road from the Rock Café…And they were happy to learn the museum will be launching the ‘American Moonshot Project,’ to help America break free of the culture of hate and division and adopt a culture of love and cooperation instead.”

Steve Sibley attended with his wife and brother. Asked what he thought of the Road Fest, he said, “It’s pretty cool – the cars, the booths that represent the different timelines and they have people dressed in character.” Road Fest wasn’t just a trip down memory lane for the middle aged who drove it 40 or more years ago – plenty of couples with children walked through the exhibits too.

Children had their own playground, the Kid’s Play Zone. Coupons could be bought for $1 each to participate in a Boy Scout-run Pinewood Derby, Hot Wheels and pedal car races, 18-hole mini golf, learn art or play 21st century virtual reality games. Although the area was mostly filled with children, a few adults were spotted racing cars and playing mini golf with their kids.

AAA organizers hoped for 12,000 attendees over the two-day period, which would be 2,000 more than in 2024. “We really hope our guests experience Route 66, which is celebrating its history and culture,” said Ben Young, Director of AAA’s Brand, Content, and Publications. “Our main goal is to get people exploring all that Route 66 has to offer.”

After picking up travel information about Route 66, it appeared visitors were ready to jump in their vehicles and cruise America’s Main Street upon leaving, perhaps starting in Tulsa, which has 28 miles, then continuing for the rest of Oklahoma’s portion of Route 66, about 400 miles.
story/photos by Richard Stephens, Lt. Col, USAF Retired