The U.S. Navy has approved the commissioning date for the future USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29).
The Navy will commission Richard M. McCool Jr., an amphibious transport dock, September 7, 2024 at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Pensacola, Florida.
The naming of LPD 29 honors U.S. Navy Capt. Richard M. McCool Jr., who was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1945 for the heroism he displayed after his ship was attacked by kamikaze aircraft in the Battle of Okinawa. Despite suffering from shrapnel wounds and painful burns, he led efforts to battle a blazing fire on his ship and rescue injured sailors. LPD 29 will be the first of its name.
Richard M. McCool Jr. is co-sponsored by Shana McCool and Kate Oja, granddaughters of the ship’s namesake. As the co-sponsors, McCool and Oja lead the time-honored Navy tradition of giving the order during the ceremony to “man our ship and bring her to life!” At the moment, the commissioning pennant is hoisted and Richard M. McCool Jr. becomes a proud ship of the fleet.
Richard M. McCool Jr. will be the Navy’s 13th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship.
Amphibious transport docks are used to transport and land Marines, their equipment, and supplies by embarked Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) or conventional landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft (MV 22). These ships support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions and serve as secondary aviation platforms for amphibious operations.

About Captain Richard Miles McCool, USN, (1922-2008)

Richard Miles McCool Jr. was born on 4 January 1922 in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Appointed from Oklahoma to the U.S. Naval Academy, he graduated an ensign in June 1944, and was assigned to Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida. In December, following training at the U.S. Naval Amphibious Training Station, Solomons, Maryland, he assumed command of USS LSC 122 and was promoted to lieutenant in January 1945. On 10 June, while operating off the Ryukyu Chain, Japan, he led his vessel to rescue survivors of USS William D. Porter after a Japanese kamikaze bomb exploded underneath the destroyer. The next evening, 11 June, two Japanese suicide squadron attacked McCool’s ship. Organizing a counterattack, McCool’s crew downed one of the kamikaze planes and damaged the second before it crashed into LSC 122’s conning tower, engulfing it in flames. Wounded and suffering severe burns, McCool led his men until aid arrived from other ships and he was evacuated due to his injuries. For his “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty” on this occasion, McCool was awarded the Medal of Honor.
In January 1946, McCool was reverted back to lieutenant junior grade. In July, he assumed command of USS LSC 44, then transferred to the destroyer USS McKean (DD-784). In July 1947, he became the aide to commandant, Eighth Naval District, at New Orleans, Louisiana. After instructor duty at the University of Oklahoma with the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps in June 1949, he received orders to USS Frank Knox (DD-742), later transferring to USS Leyte (CV-32). In January 1951, McCool was promoted to lieutenant. Completing Armed Forces Information School at Fort Slocum, New York, in June, he received orders to Commander Naval Base, Long Beach, California, and served as the public information officer. A year later, he returned for duty at the Eighth Naval District. In July 1954, he attended Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, where he earned a master’s degree. In June 1955, McCool was promoted to lieutenant commander and assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C. The following year, he reported overseas as a staff member of Commander, South Eastern Asia Treaty Organization, Bangkok, Thailand. In December 1958, he was assigned staff duty with commandant of the Ninth Naval District at Great Lakes, Illinois, where he was promoted to commander in July 1960. In April 1961, he served on the staff of Commander, First Fleet and transferred three years later for duty with Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Japan. When he returned to the U.S., he continued staff duty with Commander, Seventh Fleet. In July 1965, McCool was promoted to captain. In April 1966, he became deputy commander of the Defense Information School at Fort Benjamin, Harrison, Indiana. Following his service in various public affairs posts, he retired from active duty in 1974 and became active in local politics in the Bremerton, Washington, area. Richard M. McCool died on 5 March 2008 and is buried at Naval Academy Cemetery, Annapolis, Maryland.

Harold Flasch

(Right) 100 years old. US Military Veteran of Guthrie. His many years of wisdom for us: Love and Honor God; Be A Christian; Love your Wife/Spouse and Family; Honor your Parents and Enjoy the Comradeship of Friends; Participate in Sports; Stay Active and Eat Healthy; Count Your Blessings Every Day and Have a Sense of Humor.

Margaret Moore

(Left) 100 years old. Broken Arrow – She was born in Mississippi but lived on four continents with her husband Don and two daughters. Margaret dedicated her life to volunteering for many organizations including the Salvation Army, Girl Scouts, Church, PEO and DAR.

Al Rutledge

(Right) 100 years old. A lifetime of achievements, including a degree from OSU, serving in the US Navy, and being a beef cattle producer, he shared his wisdom, saying, ‘Listen more than you talk.’

Hank Warren

(Right) 100 years old. He graduated from Central High School in 1942 and won an award for 12 years of perfect attendance. He attended Wheaton College, OCU and University of Oklahoma, earning a BS degree in Geology. Hank had a career as a Geologist until he retired in 2008. Hank is a US military veteran of the Army Air Corp, serving from 1942-1946 and Air Force Reserve, serving from 1946-1949. As a child, Hank was only allowed to play one sport in Junior High and High School. As an athletic trainer in the service, he played baseball, softball, volleyball, golf and football.

VillagesOKC has announced a collaboration with Navigating Medicare to offer that agency’s services to provide answers to individual Medicare questions in the VillagesOKC office during business hours – 10 am-3 pm on Mondays through Thursdays. The consultations are free.
“For six years, Navigating Medicare has been the trusted Medicare educator for VillagesOKC members,” said Executive Director Marilyn Olson. “Now we are able to make it even easier by providing space for them in our Bethany office.”
Olson said local hospitals such as Mercy Health and Integris also trust the agents at Navigating Medicare to provide the truth about Medicare Supplements, Advantage plans, and the impact of financial, healthcare, and specific physician selections.
“Because of the experience and integrity of Ginny Curtis-Gillespie, founder and owner of Navigating Medicare, many VillagesOKC members have found solutions that matched their unique health, dental, travel, financial, and location needs – even when they first purchased from another Medicare agent,” Olson said.
Curtis-Gillespie said, “So much of insurance these days is made to seem complex, difficult, and tricky. At Navigating Medicare, we strive to make insurance decisions simple. Our agency is built on our family values which are a commitment to honesty, integrity, togetherness, and support.”
Olson explained that since questions come at age 57- 65, it is important to have honest advice that is easily accessible. Medicare plans change every year, and 2025 has more changes than typically. Doctors and dentists also change plans – even mid-year.
“Staying informed is essential for everyone as they age,” Olson said. “Empowering adults to make good decisions about their lives is a key component of our mission to help everyone age with vitality and purpose.”
In addition the onsite availability of Navigating Medicare agents, VillagesOKC and Navigating Medicare are holding free information meetings to address the many changes coming next year.
“Navigating Medicare: Truth and Changes for 2025” will be presented at VillagesOKC, 3908 N. Peniel Ave, Suite 400, on the following dates June 8: 10-11 am, June 15: 10-11 am, June 18: 6-7 pm, June 29: 10-11 am, July 13: 10-11 am, July 16: 6-7 pm and July 27: 10-11 am.

The sessions are free with RSVP at info@villagesokc.org or (405) 990-6637.

Story by Van Mitchell, Staff Writer – Photos Shelton’s Photography & Design for SNL

Linda Traw

Crowned Ms. Oklahoma Senior America 2024 at The 16th Annual Pageant.

Linda Traw of Tulsa was crowned April 6 as Ms. Oklahoma Senior America 2024 at the 16th annual pageant at the Mustang Performing Arts Center.
The winner will be sponsored by the Ms. Senior Oklahoma Foundation to compete in the National Ms. Senior America Pageant at the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Sept. 29-Oct. 4.
“I had no expectations going into the pageant and was really shocked when they called my name,” Traw said. “I’m completely honored to represent the state of Oklahoma for a year, and of course, to compete nationally.”
The pageant is billed as an exciting combination of talent and inner beauty along with the individual fulfillment and elegance.
By giving women 60 years and older an opportunity to display their “inner beauty”, talents, and elegance, the Pageant honors the achievements of senior women and motivates and encourages them to utilize their full potential to share a positive outlook on life with others. Participants represent a cross-section of America.
The Ms Senior America LLC Pageant is judged in two phases: the Preliminary Round and the Finals. In the Preliminary Round, each contestant receives a score, from 1 to 10, in each of the four categories – Interview – Inner Beauty (Philosophy of Life) – Evening Gown and Talent.
Finalists enter the stage of the Final Round with their scores from their Interviews and are judged a second time on their Evening Gown, Philosophy of Life and Talent Presentations.
Traw, a pre-kindergarten teacher in Jenks, said her co-workers and students were excited to see her return to school with her crown and sash.
“I brought my crown and my sash and I took pictures of everybody (students) wearing the crown,” she said. “They thought it was pretty cool to wear a crown. My co-workers are thrilled. They think it’s really amazing.”
Traw became interested in applying for the pageant after watching a friend compete in it last year.
“I went to see my friend, Debbie Hay. She was in it last year, and I was very impressed,” she said. “I thought, “I want to do that. That would be fun.” And that’s what just drew me in.”
As part of her pageant performance, Traw sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from the movie “Wizard of Oz.”
“I’m a goal setter and since I didn’t start singing until my 40s this was new territory to me,” she said. “When I find something I really want to do, I usually grab a hold onto it and go for it.”
Traw said her life prior to her 40s was like riding a roller coaster having overcome childhood trauma and losing her mother to cancer at a young age.
“I’ve been through dreams and tragedies,” she said. “In high school I did nothing. I always thought I could sing. I was too inverted and too afraid of the world to pursue it. I lived kind of trapped. I mean, I worked and got married and we had a son, but I lived in this world of denial that I had baggage.”
Traw said that baggage finally caught up with her in her 40s.
“It just caught up with me and somewhere in my 40s,” she said. “I returned to teaching after getting my certification in Oklahoma.”
Traw is a native Kansan and taught special education in the Sunflower state.
“I went back to teaching and taught special education, I realized it had changed a lot and it was too much, it became overwhelming. I realized I needed help,” she said.
Traw said she received counseling.
“I received counseling for probably about maybe close to a year, and learned that I wasn’t a victim, but I had a story that could be shared to help others,” she said.
Traw then decided to pursue her love of singing and performing.
“I took voice lessons and that gave me the start to go and pursue productions,” she said. “I’ve been in a total of four community productions around the Tulsa area, Sapulpa, Sand Springs, Broken Arrow, and I was at the PAC when I did “A Christmas Carol” in Tulsa. I used to sing with the Tulsa Praise Orchestra, which is a big band, and I’ve traveled to New York City for the Statue of Liberty’s anniversary and to Kentucky for the American Legion.”
Traw later created a singing business which included singing in retirement homes, but had to scuttle those plans due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“When COVID hit, I lost that business, and I went back to teaching, and now I’m a full-time pre-kindergarten teacher at Jenks Public Schools,” she said.
Traw said performing at the pageant pushed her out of her comfort zone.
“It’s definitely been a challenge,” she said. “It’s taught me a new skill that I didn’t have before. You can’t just get up on the pageant stage and just be there. You have to prepare. There are nerves that go into it. I think everybody was nervous, and there was excitement, of course.”
Traw said faith plays an important role in her life.
“My faith is huge in my life. I couldn’t be who I was, I can’t be who I am, I can’t do what I do without Jesus. It’s impossible. I totally give Him the praise because He’s the one who set me free,” she said.
Traw said this summer she will be more active in promoting the Ms. Oklahoma Senior America pageant.
“My goal is to make more women aware of it that are mature like me, so there’ll be more interest in the program and maybe more new people to participate in the spring,” she said. “I really want to give light to such a worthy organization. I would love to sing at retirement homes again. I thoroughly missed it, so that would be something I’ll probably be pursuing. My goal is to first serve my community, and then if I’m able to find some places where I can sing and entertain.”

by Marise Boehs, staff writer

“While traditional stretching methods attempt to make you more “flexible,” we work to adjust the stretch reflex, gradually increasing your active range of motion,” explained Christian Hanly, General Manager of the Stretch Zone, Chatenay Square location.

Stretch Zone’s isolation of individual muscles breaks up tissue glue, unwrapping the stranglehold on posture and valuable energy. Proper stretching slows down the aging process. Improved posture, circulation, and range of motion can be achieved at the stretch studio.
Different from stretching at home, practitioner-assisted stretching is a personalized routine performed by trained practitioners. Using our patented strapping system and proprietary tables to position, stabilize, and isolate muscles, our certified staff delivers a life-changing stretch experience to help you move efficiently and effortlessly. Simply put, we do all the work, you get all the benefits.
Thanks to the modern sedentary lifestyle, starting our 30s we begin losing flexibility at an average rate of 1% a year. Strains and micro-stresses on muscles compounded over time can glue them together. This “glue,” or scar tissue, tightens the surrounding tissue and restrains how we are able to move. Over time, the snowballing loss of flexibility ages us. Stretch Zone’s isolation of individual muscles within a muscle group breaks up the glue, unwrapping the stranglehold on our posture and valuable energy. Proper stretching slows down the aging process. We can feel younger by improving posture, circulation, and increasing range of motion.
Due to sedentary lifestyles and overworked, stressed muscles, we develop residual tension in resting muscle, or “tonus.” When we flex a muscle, we create excessive tonus in the muscle. A certain amount of resting muscle tonus is necessary to keep form and posture. But when we have excessive resting tonus, it becomes harder to move. Many people walk around with stiff muscles, and it’s not from the gym. Working with an experienced practitioner at one of the Stretch Zone studios can reestablish a more ideal resting muscle tone, relieving stiffness and soreness through active stretching.
“Our goal isn’t to make you more “flexible” or “elastic,” it is to increase your active range of motion, so that you can move further without feeling a stretch by reeducating the nerve-muscle reflex, allowing you to move easier” Hanly said.
Call today to schedule a free demo.
Chatenay Square, 10600 South Pennsylvania Avenue Suite 5, 405-445-6700 North Penn, 5629 North Pennsylvania Ave, 405-242-3428
OPENING IN MAY
309 S. Bryant, Edmond

Visit us at our locations or online here:

https://www.stretchzone.com/locations/gaillardia-ok https://www.stretchzone.com/locations/chatenay-square-ok
https://www.stretchzone.com/locations/east-edmond-ok

SIDEBAR:
Pro-Athletes and Stretch Zone
Stretch Zone has enjoyed helping many pro-athletes reach their athletic best – in the NFL, NBA, MLB, & ATP. This includes sports celebrities from the U.S. Open Champion, the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, and even the IBF Light Heavyweight Champion of the world.
Athletes can improve spatial awareness, increase reaction time, and improve range of motion. Stretch Zone works with the nervous system to achieve lasting flexibility gains and has helped a variety of people from all backgrounds and ages, including pro athletes and celebrities, reach their athletic best. Practitioner-assisted stretching shouldn’t only be applied as a warmup or cool down exercise.
Athletes who are introduced to practitioner-assisted stretching learn their body’s limitations and increase spatial awareness. Increased spatial awareness allows you to better assess the state of your muscles and injuries, and also provides a sense of control and confidence, ultimately determining peak performance.

“Having embraced stretching as a vital part of my fitness regimen, Stretch Zone’s method proved to be the missing piece in my journey. It took my understanding of the benefits to a whole new level,” said Brees. “Stretch Zone showcased the transformative potential of their patented system. What truly captivated me was its universal applicability, tailored to meet the diverse needs of a variety of individuals.” Drew Brees, former NFL quarterback, as published in Franchising Magazine USA

Story and photo by Van Mitchell, Staff Writer

Faith has played a major role in Charlie McGregor’s life including several life-changing events that impacted him and his family.
Born on May 3, 1919, McGregor grew up in the small town of South Haven, Kansas, located 50 miles south of Wichita.
After graduating high school, he and his late wife Millie married before McGregor was drafted into the United States Army in World War II.
“My wife and I were going together, and we discussed whether we should get married now or wait until after the war? We decided to get married before the war in 1941,” he said.
McGregor served four years, four months, and four days in the war and was stationed in Marseilles, France.
He said that was an eye-opening experience.
“It was an education, that was for sure. I didn’t know anything. I was just a high school student,” he said. “I got promoted several times. I used to be a company clerk, then they made me a platoon corporal, and then they made me a platoon sergeant, then they made me a staff sergeant in charge of the supply room.”
McGregor traveled to Europe with about 18,000 other troops on the Queen Elizabeth ship.
“When they were going to invade France, they sent the Queen Elizabeth to pick up a bunch of us in New York. Picked up 18,000 of us,” he said. “We crossed the ocean in five days. My first child was born while I was overseas. The Red Cross let me know that I had a daughter named Judy. I wouldn’t get to see her for another year-and-a-half.”
After the war, McGregor and his wife returned to her family farm south of Honeywell, Kansas whose property extended across the Oklahoma state line.
McGregor took over his father-in-law’s farming operation after he passed away.
“He died of a heart attack, and I took over his land that he was farming, and I just stayed farming until I moved here (to Villagio of Bradford Village in Edmond).”
McGregor said he operated a versatile farming program. He had cows and sheep, and grew wheat and hay and barley.
“You have to be pretty smart to farm,” he said. “You have to know animals, you have to know grains, you have to know seeds, plants, and everything. I was free to make my own choices. I was my own boss.”
McGregor never farmed on Sundays.
“We always shut it down on Sunday. I had a very good relationship with God, and He showed me many things that I couldn’t believe, I couldn’t imagine,” McGregor said. “He taught me and blessed me.”
McGregor said prayer is a powerful tool. He cited the example of his daughter Diane who was born with heart valve problems, and wasn’t expected to live to be 7-years-old.
“We went to my mother’s place. She lived in Kansas City, and she had become a Pentecostal,” he said. “We went to church with her, and she came back, took Diane up to the front, to the pastor, to the people. Everybody in that church just rose up and went up there to pray for her. They all believed in healing.”
McGregor said the family asked for a family doctor friend to examine Diane a few days later.
“He was going over her with his stethoscope, and finally he said, “There’s nothing wrong with this girl. She’s 77 now and lives in Dallas,” McGregor said.
McGregor also recited a story about how prayer saved his wheat crop, while several around him had their crops destroyed from a storm.
McGregor and his wife raised four daughters, and has 11 grandchildren, 30+ great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.
“My children and grandchildren treat me very well. Better than I deserve,” he said.
McGregor has lived through two pandemics, the Spanish flu pandemic that lasted from 1918 to 1919, and the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.
McGregor said growing up in South Haven, his family was excited to be owners of new vehicles during an era when many people there didn’t own a car.
“Dad, my grandpa and three uncles all bought a new Ford in South Haven for $800 each,” he said. “It was a curtain top. You have to run the wipers a certain way. You had to crank the car to start it.”
McGregor spends each day reading his Bible, and says he always learns something new.
He also recites the same prayer each night.
“God, I’ll see you in the morning, your house or mine,” McGregor said.
McGregor said he has lived a great life, and he is not afraid of death. He said he looks forward to the day when he enters the Kingdom of Heaven.
“From what I read in the Bible, my mouth may fall open and I may not be able to close it for two or three days,” he said.

Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy are proud to announce rewarding an Oklahoma woman $2,000 for definitive information that led to the identification of the individual seen in a video published by media repeatedly stomping and killing a puppy in late March outside a business in southeast Oklahoma City.
Sarah Looney of Oklahoma City is receiving the reward for turning in her ex-boyfriend, Larry Don McMillan, 57, who was arrested last week for cruelty to animals and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Looney talked to Animal Wellness Action by phone from Oklahoma City.
“I love animals and I didn’t know [Larry] was like that. He was never mean to my big dog. But then he started getting that way (abusive) to me and then my puppy,” said Looney, who is a domestic abuse survivor. “People like that need to get help or not be let out of prison. I am glad he is locked up for what he did to animals, and for what he had done to me.”
Animal Wellness Action and Center for a Humane Economy will often offer rewards for critical tips to prosecute perpetrators of animal abuse that may be sent directly to OKcrueltytips@animalwellnessaction.org.
“We are grateful to Sarah for stepping up because as you can see, anyone who would do this is a danger to animals and people alike,” said Kevin Chambers, Oklahoma State Director for Animal Wellness Action. “Animal Wellness Action wants to help the Oklahoma City Police identify perpetrators of this type of heinous animal cruelty and bring them to justice.”
“Cruelty to animals is despicable in its own right, but we also know that people who do awful things to animals often turn their violent instincts against spouses, girlfriends, children, or other members of the community,” said Wayne Pacelle, President of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. “Sarah Looney exhibited great courage in providing a service to the community.”
In this case, animal welfare officials and local officers said the man now identified had carried the puppy down the street by its back legs, dragging its nose on the pavement.
Following the beating, the video showed the man picking the puppy up and throwing it on the ground before he leaves. The city’s animal welfare superintendent broke down the video for local news stations after it was shared Tuesday by OKCPD.
Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy also provide rewards, up to $2,500, for animal cruelty tips, including for dogfighting and cockfighting. Tips go to animalcrueltytips@animalwellnessaction.org

By Marilyn Olson, Executive Director, VillagesOKC

During the 3,691 days that my mother lived with us, there were hundreds of really good days, a few bummers, two or three frightening days and a lot of just ordinary days. Sandwiched in between were some that stood out because they made us laugh until we cried. Today, we laugh all the more when the story is retold. It was one of those that made us say, “You can’t make this stuff up; you gotta laugh.”
It was near the year-end holidays. My friend had given me an “Alexa” for Christmas. (You know, that’s the electronic voice-activated gadget everyone was buying in 2009.) After opening, she was eager to tell me all of its amazing features. She wanted me to know all about how it helps her keep a grocery list, tells the weather for the day, and even orders on Amazon. She was so eager to set it up and show me that she asked my Amazon password and placed a “pretend” order, before submitting – or so I thought.
That next week a small Amazon Prime package arrived; it was a slender bottle of lotion. Although I do not use Avon, I decided to put it away because Mother always is looking for hand cream and it would make a good gift for Mother’s Day. And besides, I hate returning things.
Five months after my friend had made the erroneous Avon order, I presented Mother with the gift of hand cream. Since she already had bottles of lotion open, she put it aside waiting until fall to begin to use it in preparation for a doctor’s visit. It had a delightful fragrance. “I can always use another bottle of lotion,” she said.
The monthly appointment with the doctor was uneventful, and afterwards, we went to Braum’s as usual to celebrate having a good checkup. The doctor applauded that she was walking regularly outdoors even though the days were getting cooler. “Great for Vitamin D,” the doctor said.
We were very busy preparing for Thanksgiving when all the family would be there. Mother said, “I’m really concerned about what is happening to my hands, neck and face. I wonder if you’d call Dr. Craven and see if the nurse can work me in for an appointment.”
When I investigated, Mother was worried about her skin’s yellowish tinge on both hands. Looking more closely, the faint yellowish pallor was even more apparent in the daylight. Mother was a worrier and thought she was jaundiced. And even though I didn’t let her know, I had concerns too. (She stayed very aware of her healthcare lab reports and watched her kidney numbers meticulously.) But it didn’t make sense because there were NO other symptoms.
After two more days of “apparent jaundice” but no other symptoms, I began to seriously investigate yet trying not to worry her.
“Mother, what bottle of lotion have you been using?”
“That one,” she said as she pointed to the bottle on the nightstand.
I picked it up to read the fragrance. It was the Avon bottle I had presented on Mother’s Day. For the first time I read the label aloud, and we both burst out laughing.
“Oh, my goodness! Mother, this is tanning lotion, Avon’s Golden Tanning Lotion. You aren’t jaundiced, you just have a golden tan. Guess I’ll cancel that doctor’s appointment and buy a swimsuit fit for a 98-year-old instead.”
We couldn’t wait to tell the family. And we all laughed until the tears came.

Edmond Mobile Meals is proud to announce its 50th anniversary of serving the Edmond community this month.
Established in 1974, Edmond Mobile Meals delivered its first six meals on April 22. Seven local churches donated $25 each and provided volunteer support to help the program get started. Since that first day, the nonprofit organization has delivered over 1.2 million meals to the homebound elderly and disabled residents in Edmond. Today, Edmond Mobile Meals delivers an average of 275 meals each weekday, 120 weekend meals, and an average of 50 meals for the Edmond Senior Center’s congregate lunch. Over 400 dedicated volunteers assist in preparing and packaging meals each weekday and delivering meals across 100 square miles of Edmond. A program record of over 73,000 meals were delivered last year.
Edmond Mobile Meals is the only organization that provides daily nourishing meals and wellness checks to the homebound residents of the community. The organization provides these services regardless of an individual’s ability to pay for the service. Clients are accepted into the program based only on need.
“Our primary mission is to make sure that no senior in Edmond ever goes hungry or feels forgotten,” said Executive Director, Cristi Twenter. To prepare for the anticipated increase in need for home-delivered meals for seniors, the organization in partnership with the City of Edmond is in the midst of an infrastructure expansion that will result in triple the capacity of meals that can be prepared each day. Twenter continues, “The aging population is surging and will double in the next decade. We are determined to make sure Edmond Mobile Meals is ready to meet the needs of Edmond’s seniors now and in the future.”
“We provide more than just a meal,” Twenter says. “The friendly volunteers who deliver our meals may be the only human contact some clients have each day. We know that social isolation and loneliness are extremely detrimental for homebound individuals. Real friendships are developed between our volunteers and clients. These relationships have a dramatically positive impact on our clients’ health and allows them to remain living independently in their own homes for as long as possible.”
In honor of this milestone anniversary, Edmond Mobile Meals asks for support of their endowment fund held at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. Any gift made to this campaign will receive permanent recognition on a Legacy Wall that will be featured in the organization’s renovated building. Twenter says, “When you donate to our endowment fund, you are giving a gift to our future. Your contribution today will give back to Edmond’s most vulnerable residents forever. It is a wonderful opportunity to honor loved ones, current or former clients, or volunteers.” To donate in celebration Edmond Mobile Meals 50th Anniversary, visit https://edmondmobilemeals.org/donate, or mail a check payable to the Oklahoma City Community Foundation with “fbo Edmond Mobile Meals” on the memo line. The address is 1000 N. Broadway Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.

Planned gifts can also be made to the Edmond Mobile Meals endowment fund. Commonly, these are donated through a will or trust. For more information about planned giving to Edmond Mobile Meals, please contact Cristi Twenter at cristi@edmondmobilemeals.org.

The 2024 Oklahoma Senior Follies is being reimagined this year! There will be lots of glitz and glamor as well as some new faces on stage. We will be opening with OKC Chorus (Sweet Adelines). Our variety show will also include Tarpley Tappers, Barbara DeMaio (opera star), our gorgeous beauties, and Mark and Patti Mellow as our Dynamic Duo! This year the beauties will not only be announced but will also participate by singing and dancing in the background in some of the numbers.
Gina Bramlett and Michael Pone are our Co-directors this year. Dr. Matthew Jones is our talented music director. They will be working their magic to make this a show to remember for the entire family!
The show will be at UCO Mitchell Hall on Saturday, June 8th at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 9th at 3:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $30.00 each or $25.00 each for a group of ten or more. Tickets are available on our website at www.oklahomaseniorfollies.com by clicking on purchase tickets, or by calling the box office at 405-974-3375.