On October 7, 1911, a gunfight erupted between a posse of lawmen and train robber Elmer McCurdy. Elmer would not survive the encounter. He would, however, go on to become a legend. The story of outlaw-turned-mummy Elmer McCurdy garners worldwide interest and has been featured in books, documentaries and a Broadway musical. The Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library in Guthrie is the home of his story, and the “Boot Hill” section of Summit View Cemetery on the edge of town is his final resting place.
Join the Oklahoma Territorial Museum on Zoom on Tuesday, October 7, at noon as museum director Michael Williams moderates a discussion on the life and afterlife of Elmer McCurdy with David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna, creators of the Broadway musical “Dead Outlaw.”
Yazbek is an American writer, musician, composer and lyricist. He wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway musicals “The Full Monty,” “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,” “The Band’s Visit,” “Tootsie” and “Dead Outlaw.” He won a Tony and a Grammy for “The Band’s Visit.” He also consulted on the musical “Buena Vista Social Club.”
Della Penna is a composer, lyricist, instrumentalist and vocalist who has appeared on over 60 rock, pop and Americana albums. He has toured and recorded extensively with Joan Osborne, Natalie Merchant and Joan Baez and has worked with legendary music producer T Bone Burnett. He is conservatory-trained, holding a BFA in Classical Guitar from the Mannes School of Music (now The New School). He also plays the banjo, lap steel guitar and mandolin. In 2024, he won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics for “Dead Outlaw,” which was off-Broadway at the time.
This event is free; however, spots are limited, and registration is required. A registration form is available online.
The Oklahoma Territorial Museum is located at 406 E. Oklahoma Ave. in Guthrie. For more information, please call 405-282-1889. Please visit okhistory.org.

The Oklahoma National Guard Museum hosted a closing ceremony earlier this summer to honor its historic home, marking the end of an era for the 1937 Works Progress Administration building that served as a cornerstone in preserving the legacy of the Oklahoma National Guard and its service members.

During the 2021 legislative session, the Oklahoma Legislature approved changing the name of the Museum from the 45th Infantry Division Museum located at 2145 NE 36th Street in Oklahoma City to the Oklahoma National Guard Museum and raising funds to house a new museum building to serve as a home for the newly refocused Oklahoma National Guard Museum.

As the current museum focuses heavily on the 45th Infantry Division’s service during World War II, the new Oklahoma National Guard Museum will focus on telling the entire story of the Oklahoma Air and Army National Guard, from pre-statehood to modern times.

The museum will soon transition to a new state-of-the-art, nearly 40,000 square-foot facility located at 3301 Northeast Grand Blvd., is scheduled to open the summer 2026.

“The construction is going very rapidly actually. The building is enclosed. Sheet rock has gone up and we are still on target to open in the summer of 2026,” Dr. Denise Neil, the museum’s executive director said. “We closed the previous museum in May.”

It will provide enhanced space and tools to effectively tell the Oklahoma National Guard’s story from its founding through modern times, including a focus on domestic operations throughout the state and neighboring states.

“To be able to share and preserve and maintain a history of the men and women that serve in the National Guard in Oklahoma is really important that it drives our mission,” Neil said. “When we think about us starting with military history and how the Guard participated in wars, that starts really for us in 1898 with Guardsmen that leave the Guard to serve in the volunteers for the Spanish-American War. And that is history that people don’t know about because it’s so far removed.”

In addition to new displays, numerous artifacts from the 45th Infantry Division Museum will continue to be on display. There will also be a variety of interactive displays, which will provide more information about Oklahoma National Guard activities than is currently possible.

The museum has been instrumental in collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history of the Oklahoma National Guard. Its extensive collection includes the Jordan B. Reaves American Military Weapons Collection, Bill Mauldin’s personal collection of World War II cartoons, a tribute exhibit to the 12 members of the 45th Infantry Division and Oklahoma Army National Guard who received the Medal of Honor, a robust exhibit on the 45th ID’s role in the liberating the Dachau concentration camp 80 years ago, and more.

“All of the exhibitions will be brand new,” Neil said. “We will expand our storyline so we’re starting with the history of the Oklahoma National Guard beginning in 1890 with the establishment of the territorial militia and moving up as contemporary as possible. We also are expanding beyond telling the story of war so that we can tell the story of how the Guard responds to natural and man-made disasters in the state and the country as well. We’re also expanding how we tell the story of the Oklahoma Air National Guard in the new museum. And we’ve been pretty Army-heavy over here for a long time in the old museum, so we’re looking forward to that too.”

Though a bittersweet farewell to the building that housed the museum for nearly 50 years, Neil expressed gratitude and excitement for the future.

“My first job here was in the early 2000s, and then, fast forward to having the honor of guiding the museum to this new chapter,” Neil said. “The idea was that we needed a new building to house the museum’s collection so that we could tell a better story of the Oklahoma National Guard. We love our historic building, and it has great history to the [Oklahoma National] Guard, but it also has challenges, and a new building will allow us to do a better job.”

Neil said the Oklahoma National Guard and the Oklahoma Military Department intend to maintain their former building.
“The exact use in the future is to be determined, but they’re hoping that they will be able to take off the additions that we’re put onto it and turn it back to how it looked in 1937,” she said. “It’s a beautiful building and we’re sure glad they’re going to maintain it.”

Neil said the museum’s collections will start moving to its new site early next year.

“Everything is in the same building for right now. We will start moving collections toward January,” she said. We have relocated several sizable items from the park to another area. We are not taking everything out of the park. Some stuff will be maintained on the current property.”

Neil said the museum continues to attract visitors from Oklahoma and abroad.

“Our visitor numbers are good, and we look forward to them going up in the new space,” she said. “Most of our visitors are from Oklahoma. But on an average year, it’s not uncommon for us to have representation from foreign countries at all including from Germany and France. We aim to attract a broad international audience, as we believe our story is both compelling and worthy of attention.”

Neil said she wants visitors to the new museum to walk away with a better understanding of the role the Oklahoma National has played in the state’s past, present and future.

“I think my overarching message would be that we want people to come and learn about everything the Guard has done through its existence from pre-statehood days to current, and the impact that they have on the lives of Oklahomans to their service to community,” she said.
For more information about the Oklahoma National Guard Museum visit www.okngmuseum.com or scan the QR code. •
story by Van Mitchell, staff writer

Retirement isn’t what it used to be. In fact, according to entrepreneur and speaker Bob Loudermilk, traditional retirement as we know it is obsolete.

His new book, “Never Retire: Reinvent Yourself for Life’s Second Half,” invites readers to reject the old notion of slowing down and instead embrace life’s second half as their most meaningful, adventurous, and impactful season yet.

For generations, people have been taught that the pinnacle of success is reaching the day you stop working. But Loudermilk argues that the traditional script is broken. Longer lifespans, shifting economies, and a universal longing for purpose mean that “checking out” at 65 is not only unrealistic for many-it can also be harmful.

“Traditional retirement too often leads to boredom, loss of identity, and even decline,” Loudermilk says. “But what if these years could actually become your most vibrant, productive, and meaningful chapter yet?”

“Never Retire” shows readers how to trade the myth of retirement for the joy of reinvention. With a blend of powerful storytelling, practical strategies, and research-backed insights, Loudermilk paints a picture of what’s possible when people bring the same creativity, grit, and courage that shaped their first half of life into the second.

Readers will meet people who refused to fade away-entrepreneurs who started businesses later in life, artists who created masterpieces in their seventies and eighties, and everyday men and women who found new callings that gave them a fresh sense of joy and contribution.

“Many people, after retiring from an active career, loose their vitality quickly if they don’t remain active,” Loudermilk said. “Parking in front of the television and not engaging in social interaction is a recipe for rapid decline. My slogan is, don’t retire FROM something, retire TO something. The book is all about mindset and strategies to make your second half of life some of your best years.”

Loudermilk said this is not a book of theory. It is a practical roadmap for designing a second half filled with purpose, vitality, and lasting impact. Each chapter helps readers think differently, dream bigger, and take meaningful action to create a future worth living into. “It’s different from anything else on the shelf, and I think it will resonate with readers who are 50+,” he said.”

Loudermilk said the release of “Never Retire” is incredibly timely. With approximately 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 every day in America, this cultural moment demands a new way of thinking.

Loudermilk believes now is the time to dismantle outdated views of aging and replace them with a vision of possibility.
“The message is clear: the second half of life is not about retreat-it is about reinvention,” he said.
Dave Sheets of BelieversBookServices praised Loudermilk’s book.
“Bob Loudermilk doesn’t just challenge the idea of retirement-he dismantles it with wisdom and hope,” he said. “This book is a must-read for anyone approaching life’s ‘next act.’”
Loudermilk brings decades of entrepreneurial and mentoring experience to this message. He is also the cofounder of the Second Half Expo, the annual event that equips thousands of adults 50+ to thrive with resources, inspiration, and community. His passion for helping others live boldly in their later years flows through every page of the book.
The official launch celebration for “Never Retire” will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Second Half Expo inside the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.
Attendees will hear Loudermilk speak, connect with others who share the vision, and join in the book launch party at 10 a.m., marking the beginning of a movement. Details for the Expo are at www.SecondHalfExpo.com

Loudermilk said his message to readers is contained in this declaration: “I am not done yet. There is more in me than I realized. I have a legacy that I will be leaving, and I am creating my legacy right now. There is more ahead.”

He concluded “The closing chapter is about living by an ultimate operating system, which is faith. It is about living with an expectation that you have a purpose and that your life matters.”

Readers can download free sample chapters of the book or order their copy today at https://secondhalfexpo.com/never-retire/ . • story by Van Mitchell, staff writer

Don Nichols, Adjutant of Chapter 617 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, announced that the Department of Oklahoma’s Military Order of the Purple Heart is enhancing the National Purple Heart Monument in Tahlequah with a new QR code. The monument, created to honor all American veterans, is already unique for its existing QR code that lets visitors view veterans’ stories while on site.
The new addition will connect visitors directly to the Virtual Wall®, “an on-line web site that contains memorial pages honoring the 58,261 women and men whose names are inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C” according to the Vietnam Veterans of America. By scanning the code with a smartphone, guests can access detailed profiles and service information for each individual named on the Wall.
“We’ll have the only monument that has that capability,” Nichols said, that provides a direct link to the Virtual Wall®. He added, “We did that to let the families of veterans know they aren’t forgotten.” The Purple Heart Monument is located at the corner of Muskogee Avenue and the Bertha Parker Bypass, at 2001 South Muskogee Avenue. Scan this code to visit. • story by Don Nichols, Adjutant of Chapter 617 in Muskogee.

As an Air Force Chaplain from 1995 to 1998, I thought life’s path was set. Serving at Incirlik, Turkey, and other places, I bonded with airmen, praying through their fears with Psalm 91 verse 4, “Under his wings you will find refuge.” I just knew I was exactly where God wanted me. However, over time I could see this was just a steppingstone towards Gods call into civilian ministry. So, I left the Air Force expecting a smooth transition. Instead, doors closed – churches, ministries, even secular jobs rejected me. The bright spot during that turmoil was that I happily married my soulmate. Life moved on, filled with raising our daughter and teaching college-level Bible classes. Inside though, I felt adrift, my purpose lost after the military.
Fifteen years later, clarity came through crisis-and my Australian Shepherd, DB. One day, DB broke house rules, bolting at me with panicked eyes, something was wrong. A voice in my mind screamed, “You’re dying. Get help!” An image of my daughter growing up motherless flashed before my eyes. It hit hard. What’s happening to me? Was it God or DB? I can only describe it as surreal, as my husband drove me to the hospital. Then came the diagnose, a heart attack-my third due to a rare congenital condition causing coronary artery dissections-this was my gravest. The ER doctor was shocked at how lucid I was, given that I had a 90% blockage of my left anterior descending artery. At 100% it’s called a widow maker. Double bypass surgery saved me, but medications nearly killed me, leaving me desperate for alternatives.
I dove into research and consulted conventional and holistic practitioners. Slowly, I rebuilt my health with diet and supplements, sidestepping prescriptions. Gradually, my faith in God restored my courage and my health. Two years later, I was taxiing my daughter, teaching at a Christian university, and riding horses again. Then, a divine question pierced me: If you lived expecting to survive, not die, what would you do differently? I’d been living in fear’s shadow, not faith’s light.
That question sparked my calling. My recovery taught me the body’s healing power when stewarded well. I wanted to help others-especially veterans-overcome health barriers, to fulfill their purpose. Conventional medicine alone wasn’t enough; I needed training centered on the body’s innate healing. In 2015, I found it: a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine. Seven grueling years later, I became a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and moved back to my home state of Oklahoma. Now, in my Stillwater clinic, I guide clients through PTSD, pain, and fatigue with hyperbaric oxygen, nutrition, and herbal medicine from a faith-based perspective. Seeing a vet’s hope rekindled after activating the body’s self-healing mechanisms is my joy.
My journey mirrors Joshua’s in Numbers 13-14. As a young chaplain, I expected a linear path. Joshua, too, faced setbacks. After the Exodus, he spied the Promised Land, but doubt from others delayed God’s promise for 40 years. Only Joshua and Caleb, steadfast in faith, entered. Joshua 1:1-3 shows God’s faithfulness after Moses’ death, urging Joshua forward. Veterans, your setbacks-health crises, lost dreams-aren’t the end. Like Joshua, declare God’s power in your doubt. He equips you in spirit, soul, and body to seize His purpose.
Fellow veterans, your story isn’t over. My path from chaplain to survivor to naturopath proves it. Shift from fear to faith. Start small: sip water instead of soda, pray for five minutes daily, or call a battle buddy. Visit my clinic or a veterans’ group. God redeems pain for purpose-let’s steward our bodies and lives to fulfill His call. •
Patti V Sheeley, Chaplain, USAF, ND, M.Div, MA.

Herman Meinders and the Meinders Foundation have combined for an $8 million donation to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. The gift aims to transform neurodegenerative disease research in Oklahoma.
OMRF will add a new floor to its research tower that will serve as the hub for the Meinders Center for Neurodegenerative Research, the state’s first dedicated center to study brain diseases, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Meinders, an Oklahoma City businessman and philanthropist, contributed $2 million toward this gift before he died in March. The Meinders Foundation then increased the gift by an additional $6 million.
“This generous donation will help us build upon the groundbreaking discoveries our scientists have already made involving neurodegenerative diseases,” said OMRF President Andrew Weyrich, Ph.D. “Our ultimate goal is to improve diagnostics and treatment options for the millions of Americans who live with one of these debilitating diseases.”
At OMRF, 10 scientists lead labs that study various aspects of neurodegenerative diseases. The combined gift by Herman Meinders and the Meinders Foundation will integrate the work of these labs, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the causes behind brain disorders, including the environmental and genetic factors that increase the risk of developing one.
Meinders and his wife, LaDonna, were passionate supporters of causes that included research and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Their gifts established the Meinders NeuroScience Institute and the Meinders Center for Movement Disorders at Oklahoma City’s Mercy Hospital. Both centers provide advanced treatment for Parkinson’s disease, which Herman Meinders lived with over his final 10 years.
The couple also were longtime supporters of OMRF, and their foundation became aware of OMRF’s focus on neurodegenerative diseases shortly before Herman’s death.
OMRF scientist Mike Beckstead, Ph.D., had recently been awarded a National Institutes of Health grant to create novel research model for Parkinson’s research. Mo Grotjohn, treasurer and trustee for the Meinders Foundation, read a resulting newspaper article about the grant a few weeks before Herman’s death.
“As I learned about Dr. Beckstead’s research, I became convinced this was an endeavor worth pursuing, so I contacted OMRF Board Chair Len Cason and shared the information with members of the Meinders family,” Grotjohn said.
In Parkinson’s, nerve cells produce less dopamine, resulting in a loss of muscle control, balance and movement. It is second only behind Alzheimer’s as the most common neurodegenerative disease, affecting an estimated 1 million people in the U.S. and 10 million worldwide.
In addition to studying Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, OMRF scientists have made major breakthroughs for people living with other brain diseases.
For example, research at OMRF led to the only treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration for neuromyelitis optica, which robs people of movement, balance and sight. OMRF scientists also pioneered an investigational drug for glioblastoma, a deadly form of brain cancer.
“With this gift from Herman Meinders and the Meinders Foundation, we hope to make similarly meaningful headway toward improved treatments for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s,” Weyrich said. “Doing so would honor the memory of Mr. Meinders.”