The Oklahoma Mobility Institute (OMI), a connected organization to the Oklahoma Transit Association (OkTA), has been awarded a $10,000 local coalition grant from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
“OMI is a relatively new organization, and we are honored to receive this funding from APTA to further our mission of helping to facilitate an unparalleled transportation ecosystem with advanced mobility connectivity through shared resources and interorganizational partnerships,” said OkTA Executive Director Andrea Ball.
The grant funding will be used along with seed money from OKTA to support a Mobility Summit Listening Session for the State of Oklahoma to learn what services and support are required by transit providers. It will help OMI to develop tactics to achieve its goals over the next three to five years to advance transportation equity, inclusion, and mobility access for all Oklahomans.
“OMI’s goals include reducing no-show rates for appointments to medical and social services, ensuring weekly food access options for each community, providing grant support and application assistance to public transportation providers, and promoting mobility coordination and coordinated use of federal transportation funding,” Ball said.
The funding will also fund an OMI website that will provide online access to mobility resources in Oklahoma.
“The future website address is www.okmobility.org, and we expect it to be completed this summer,” Ball added.
APTA provides grants to help the fight for public transportation. Generally, grants awarded to coalitions range from $5,000 to $10,000.

Scammers are always finding new ways to steal your money and personal information by exploiting your fears. The most effective way to defeat scammers is to know how to identify scams and to ignore suspicious calls and emails.
One common tactic scammers use is posing as federal agents or other law enforcement. They may claim your Social Security number (SSN) is linked to a crime. They may even threaten to arrest you if you do not comply with their instructions. Here are three things you should do:
* Hang up right away or do not reply to the email.
* Never give personal information or payment of any kind.
* Report the scam at https://oig.ssa.gov/ to immediately notify the law enforcement team in our Office of the Inspector General.
You should continue to remain vigilant if you receive a phone call from someone who claims there’s a problem with your SSN or your benefits. If you owe money to us, we will mail you a letter explaining your rights, payment options, and information about appealing.
There are a few ways you can identify a scam call or email. Remember that we will never:
* Threaten you with benefit suspension, arrest, or other legal action unless you pay a fine or fee.
* Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.
* Require payment by retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency, or prepaid debit card.
* Demand secrecy from you in handling a Social Security-related problem.
* Send official letters or reports containing personally identifiable information via email.
If you do not have ongoing business with our agency, it is unlikely we will contact you. Again, if you get a suspicious call claiming to be from us or law enforcement about Social Security, you should hang up and report it right away to our Office of the Inspector General at https://oig.ssa.gov/.

Story and photos by Darl DeVault, contributing editor

Karen Brown Tims, 70, an Arcadia businesswoman, was crowned Ms. Oklahoma Senior America 2023 at the 15th annual pageant on April 15 at the spacious Mustang Performing Arts Center with Miss Oklahoma 2022, Megan Gold, as mistress of ceremonies. Ms. Oklahoma Senior America 2022 Roxanne Parks crowned her after the judges’ selection.
This annual pageant honors ladies 60 and up who personify the “Age of Elegance” by competing to reign as 2023 Ms. Oklahoma Senior America.
With 15 contestants competing in Interview, Talent, Evening Gown and a presentation of their philosophy of life, hailing from Arcadia, Jones, Newcastle, Bethany, Oklahoma City, Sand Springs, Yukon, Nichols Hills, Mead, Del City and Edmond, Oklahoma was well represented.
“Life is not over past 60. Continue to strive and accomplish, Tims said in an interview. “Our purpose is great even yet! The young people need to hear what we have learned and our guidance is imperative. This pageant and ALL the people involved inspired me and made me oh so happy! I would shout out to all women who are interested in joining us in the fun and growing with courage and confidence. It is never too late!”
Contestants were Barbara Bryant-Waggoner, Jones, Trish Carr, Newcastle, Sharron Clifton, Bethany with Wonna Cornelson, Lynn Jones, Carla Joy, Doreen Miles Williams, Edie Thomas, all of Oklahoma City and Karen Brown Tims, Arcadia. The others were Debbie Hay, Sand Springs, Ellen Henson, Yukon, Pam Holzberger, Nichols Hills, Judy Jackson, Mead, Eileen Milles, Del City and Venessa Saunders, Edmond.
The judges’ selections that round out the court for the 2023 Ms. Oklahoma Senior Pageant are Barbara Bryant-Waggoner first runner up, Ellen Henson as second runner up, Lynn Jones third runner up and Sharron Clifton as fourth runner up.
The contestants displayed a hobby or talent within 2 minutes and 45 seconds, modeled a long evening gown, gave their philosophy of life within 35 seconds, and were interviewed by judges for 5 minutes.
Tims garnered the most applause for her spoken word talent presentation conveying the zest of the “Age of Elegance.” Here is her “Bending Time” presentation about how all the ladies competing were so happy verbatim:
Think with me for a moment, please, and with a show of hands, who, like me, has often wondered how to slow down time? My life seems to be flying by.
The truth is, we cannot change time; however, we can change our perception of time, and we all know our perception is our reality!
Remember when we were children and how slowly time seemed to go by? Seeming that summer and Christmas would never get here?
As children, we were spontaneous, and all our experiences were new. Remember going out for recess and how fun it was and how that time went by quickly? How often would we beg, “Oh, please, just five more minutes” while doing something really fun?
My research tells me that as adults, we have become less mindful of our experiences, causing time to fly by! So…Start noticing the wonder and amazement of everything!
Let’s make our day last longer by going to new places, meeting new people, trying new activities, and being spontaneous.
My research further tells me; time seems to slow down when we make drastic changes!
Break old habits! Change what you have for breakfast. Eat dinner in the dining room on China and not in front of the TV on paper.
Above all, be unpredictable; it will make your friends and, better yet, your children wonder what you are up to.
I entered this pageant!
And to prove my point, this is a two-minute timer, and in my perception, I have been speaking with you for 10 or 15 minutes. Woo Hoo! I just bent time in my life.
I leave you with this, as a mother and grandmother, I give you all permission to take more recesses, and YES, you may have five more minutes.
Tims is a busy entrepreneur running her three businesses, two of which she added since she was 60. She owns Bankers Insurance Group, CB Farms and a residential rental property firm. Her business exploits are scheduled to be featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur and Fortune magazines in the next few months as a part of a Women Business Leaders in Oklahoma article. She balances that with spending treasured time with her two granddaughters.
Her love of horses extends to cowboy mounted shooting, cutting horse contests and trail riding. She volunteers at a nonprofit horse therapy program that teaches troubled children to ride. She enjoys skeet shooting and bird hunting on her farms.
Her volunteer work includes the Oklahoma City Rescue Mission, National Cowboy Western Heritage Museum, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Oklahoma Foster Care Review Board, House of Healing, Healthy Living Center and her church.
Tims will be sponsored by the Ms. Senior Oklahoma Foundation to compete in October at the National Ms. Senior America Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Foundation will pay her airfare, room and registration fee.
The national pageant is a nonprofit organization that honors senior women’s achievements and encourages them to use their full potential to share a positive outlook on life with others. Organizers say it is more than a “beauty pageant,” Senior America is a re-affirmation of life and self-worth, laughter and tears, inner beauty and outward charm.
This philosophy is based on the belief that seniors are the foundation of America and our most valuable treasure. Organizers say the younger generation has the opportunity to build a better society through seniors sharing of knowledge, experience and resources.
The Ms. Senior Oklahoma Foundation has been staging the pageant since 2008, now under the direction of State Administrator Carol Kallenberger and Directors Deborah Wedel and Dove Schmidt.
Kallenberger from Guthrie dedicates much of her time to this annual event. She says these elegant ladies reflect the grace, charm and fortitude that shines brightly throughout our state. “It was truly an amazing event with all the contestants displaying every aspect of the “Age of Elegance,” Kallenberger said. “I sincerely believe that a crown is not always made of rhinestones. It is made of discipline, determination, and courage. Thanks to everyone who helped make our 2023 Ms. Oklahoma Senior America Pageant a great success.”
For more information about Ms. Senior America, please visit
http://senioramerica.org.

Story by Darl Devault, Contributing Editor

Registration is now open for the 2023 Spring Season for Veterans Rowing, Dragon Boating, and Whitewater Rafting Teams to train and compete at RIVERSPORT, an official Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in downtown Oklahoma City on the Oklahoma River.
A RIVERSPORT Warrior is a Veteran 18 years or older who has served honorably in the military. Veterans with a military service connection can participate for free.
No paddle sports experience is necessary. New to paddle sports Veteran participants are encouraged to register. Participants will practice on the downtown Oklahoma River with RIVERSPORT coaches once a week until the Spring Season competition event.
The Warrior participants will train in rowing, whitewater rafting, or dragon boating to compete in the upcoming Stars & Stripes River Festival on June 24. Teams will compete against other novice teams at the OG&E NightSprints under the lights that evening.
“RIVERSPORT Warriors gives veterans with a disability a concrete way to reclaim their ability to be physically active in a team sport and in the process, helps restore a sense of hope for the future,” said Jamie Collazo, USMC Veteran and RIVERSPORT veterans program coordinator. “The social support, team camaraderie and feeling of accomplishment are irreplaceable. The increase in physical activity is a bonus.”
Warriors rowing practice will be held 10-11:30 a.m. Thursday mornings at the Chesapeake Boathouse in the Boathouse District until June 24. The fee is $250 or free for veterans with a service connection.
Warriors whitewater rafting practice will be 6-7:30 pm on Thursday evenings, May 18 to June 24, at the McClendon Whitewater Center in the Boathouse District. The fee is $200 or free for veterans with a service connection. Participants will practice on the RIVERSPORT Rapids with a professional raft guide once a week for a six-week season.
Warriors dragon boating practice will be from 6-7:30 pm on Wednesday evenings until June 24 at the Chesapeake Boathouse in the Boathouse District. The fee is $175 or free for veterans with a service connection.
Registration is open for the 2023 spring season. New participants are encouraged to register.
These coach-led practices will provide Veteran paddle sports participants of all experience levels the opportunity to work together and compete against other novice teams on the Oklahoma River and RIVERSPORT Rapids.
For more information or to sign up, contact Jamie Collazo at (405) 552-4040 ext 4992

Story and photos by Darl DeVault, Contributing Editor

Seniors over 65 were well represented at the 40th Redbud Classic Cycling event on the morning of April 15th as 60 seniors of the 619 riders set out from The Waterford Complex to Jones and beyond. The morning presented chilly and windy conditions on a timed group bicycle ride offering a 10 and 30-mile cycling tour and a 50-mile Fondo through Eastern Oklahoma County.
At 8 a.m., the temperature was a cloudy 53 degrees with a gusty 26 mph northwest wind that rose to 28 mph by noon. Although wind chill cannot be calculated above 50 degrees, when the speeds the riders achieve on a bicycle are factored in, the windchill was likely 40 degrees on the bike those first two hours.
Several seniors took the chilly conditions in stride. Two of the fastest riders in the 30-mile event were in the 65+ age group, almost winning their male and female events overall while easily setting the best time in their age group. Senior Rainer Stachowitz, 67, from Edmond, finished the timed 30-mile ride second of all the 168 males. MJ Marsh, of Oklahoma City, over 65, was the first of 88 women in all age groups to finish the 30-mile distance. Modern timing can sometimes document senior dominance.
“It is impressive that seniors in the 65-plus age group were one and two in their distances overall on a day when some of the volunteers were wearing blankets because of the windy, cold conditions,” said Brenda Schmitz, 30-mile rider, Oklahoma City court reporter and Zumba instructor.
The Spring’s first large organized road ride in Oklahoma would have been much more well attended except for the untypical cold and windy conditions. Often numbering more than 1,000 cyclists, the event brought to mind the condition cyclists encountered the first year the event was timed during its 15th start in 1997.
Comparing and contrasting events over a good many years is something older Americans are good at and can sometimes provide the reader with a different way of looking at seniors’ endeavors.
Record low temperatures in April of 1997 did not deter 285 frozen cyclists who braved the bitterly cold 26-degree weather, which almost matched the record cold temperature for the day of 23 degrees in 1953.
The cyclists were determined to participate in the first timed version of that 15th Annual Redbud Classic. The popular first major ride of the Spring began at the Waterford Complex in Nichols Hills. The 10-mile and 30-mile tours started at 7:30 a.m. along the same route as the 50-mile timed event. The 10-mile course was a quick out-and-back along N.E. 63rd, turning around at Bryant.
The cold and windy weather greatly affected the cyclists, both the would-be riders who thought better of the bitterly cold day and did not show up and those who rode the event.
Usually, as many as 1,500 riders started the bicycle event back then, but on a day when the water in their water bottles froze solid, far fewer cyclists braved the cold. With predictions early the preceding week for only 35 degrees and the night before only 32 degrees, turnout for the event was light. Many who rode found they weren’t prepared for the numbing cold of the frigid temperatures and the harsh 15-30 mph winds.
Jones volunteers hosted the turnaround point for the 30-mile event, and the Jones police and volunteer firefighters directed traffic on a day with a wind chill index below zero. Jones native Linda Schilling joined with seven other Phi Epsilon Sorority volunteers, of whom some wrapped themselves in blankets, to help at the rest stop.
The turnaround’s rest and refreshment stop was outside at the Jones Main Street Plaza, where many cold cyclists put aside the idea that they were losing valuable time in the first timed event by rearranging their clothing. The area was littered with people trying to warm up their feet and shake off the cold. Extra time was spent finding ways to unfreeze their water bottles so they could take on fluids for the ride back.
Many riders set about finding cardboard, newspaper, or plastic to put under their cycling clothing to help block the wind and be warmer on their bicycles for the return trip. Wheeler Dealer Bicycle volunteers came to the rescue with small plastic bags the cyclists could put on over their socks in their cycling shoes to help with their cold feet.
Some riders decided that to be completely warmer sooner was the better part of valor. They cut short their 50-mile ride in the blustery conditions. They decided to turn for home to only complete the 30-mile distance since the course was identical to and from the Jones turnaround.
The top riders who wanted to continue to complete the 50-mile distance strained up the many hills of Eastern Oklahoma County and earned bragging rights as inaugural timed-event winners. Having always included Jones, and the challenging hills leading to and from hilly Hogback Road, the 50-mile ride was a good test of the riders’ early-season conditioning.
The leader of the 50-mile timed ride was easy to spot, as an Oklahoma City Police patrol car with lights flashing led the way. Sponsor KWTV’s helicopter also hovered nearby, videotaping much of the ride and sending live shots statewide.
The event was well-organized, and the riders were well cared for from a safety standpoint. Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills, Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Department and Jones police ensured the participants were safe at every major intersection along the route.
Despite the low turnout in 1997, the Redbud Classic brought recognition to Jones, and the entire Jones Police Department turned out to support the event. Nick King of Choctaw and Steve Allen of Midwest City, who have done the ride for the last five years, said they were impressed with the event’s organization and safety measures. The event has grown to be one of Oklahoma’s most popular cycling events, drawing riders from all over.

by Van Mitchell, Staff Writer

GetBak’d, located at 516 South Coltrane Road in Edmond is part of a locally owned and operated patient-driven group that has come together to provide an excellent experience and selection for the Oklahoma medical marijuana community.
The Edmond medical marijuana dispensary store opened in 2018, and its hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Their mission is to provide the highest quality alternative treatment through a variety of cannabis and hemp-based products. They carry THC as well as CBD products to cover the patient seeking non-psychoactive treatment, to those seeking a stronger treatment through the use of high THC products.
“GetBak’d is the actual brick and mortar of the cannabis side of the of business,” said Marlon King, brand marketing manager. “When you think of a pot shop, you think are just going there to get high, and to get by. GetBak’d does offer THC, but we also offer a full CBD selection that offer no mental change while delivering relief. We offer flower, gummies, capsules, topicals, tinctures, vapes, oils, edibles and patches. We are a full holistic establishment.”
King said patients will need a doctor’s prescription recommendation to consume THC products, CBD and Delta 8 products are 100 percent legal under the 2018 federal Farm Bill and require no medical card.
He said GetBak’d has a monthly patient drive where patients can meet with on-site physician who can evaluate their qualifications for a medical marijuana card.
“We have a doctor on staff,” he said. “Patients can renew their (medical marijuana card) or get a new recommendation card at the monthly patient drive.”
A medical marijuana patient license allows someone with an approved application to legally buy, use and grow medical marijuana and medical marijuana products in Oklahoma. The license is in the form of an identification card that can be used to prove an individual is a license holder. The card contains the patient’s name, photo, date of birth, city and county of residence, the type of license, the date the license expires, and the patient’s unique medical marijuana license number.
King said there are misconceptions on how medical marijuana works. The most common use for medical marijuana in the United States is for pain control. The cannabinoids in marijuana may reduce pain by altering pain perception pathways in the brain.
“There are so many benefits it can have,” he said. “It does help relieve pain, anxiety, PTSD, helps with sleep, loss of appetite in cancer patients, neuropathy, or nerve problems. The biggest misconception is to get the relief that cannabis has, you have to feel high.”
King said another misconception about cannabis is the type of people that use medical marijuana products.
“We are all professionals, parents and productive people of society,” he said. “Just because we use cannabis as a natural alternative form to treat our life’s challenges we have, it doesn’t mean that we are the person getting high playing video games all day with no motivation. That is not it. We want to make sure that people understand that you can use cannabis with a purpose. That’s why identifying with a term is important Bak’d- the relief that comes from purposeful use/consumption of cannabis.”
For more information call (405) 438-2256 or email [email protected] or visit https://www.getbakd.com/.

By Marilyn Olson, Executive Director, VillagesOKC

Megan Gold has spent nearly a year as Miss Oklahoma, championing the cause of senior adults across the state.
VillagesOKC is proud to applaud this beautiful young professional who has a heart for seniors and wisely recognizes the value of community. It is in a community for every decade of life that “breaking bread together” provides food for the body and nutrition for the soul.
Because of her love for her grandfather, Megan, crowned Miss Oklahoma in June 2022, chose the platform for her social impact initiative to be “America Let’s Do Lunch – Ending Senior Hunger.”
After the death of his wife, Megan’s grandfather continued to live independently. But he felt alone, sad and no longer had the motivation to prepare nutritious meals. In fact, he didn’t feel hungry. Megan saw the value of Meals on Wheels which daily provided both a hearty meal and even more a friend with whom to share a meal.
During this past year’s reign, Megan lived in the senior living community Inverness in Tulsa while continuing as a TV meteorologist at Tulsa’s Channel 6 and carrying on her duties as Miss Oklahoma. She chose living there to further highlight her platform and to get to know more senior adults. The benefits of being in this community went two ways.
“I found that in my busy work life and traveling as Miss Oklahoma, even in all the crowds, I often felt alone,” she said. “The genuine friendships of these adopted grandparents cared for me as a person. They encouraged me.”
VillagesOKC will continue to follow Megan’s career and her ongoing initiative reducing isolation and food insecurity among seniors. VillagesOKC will also be encouraging young students and professionals across Oklahoma to value senior adults and consider the wide-open field of gerontology for their life’s work.
Megan is the daughter of Mike and Kathy Gold of Edmond and is the proud twin sister to brother Michael. Megan graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in broadcast journalism and meteorology. She has worked as a meteorologist in Texas, Missouri and now in Tulsa.

VISIT: https://www.villagesokc.org/