Dear Savvy Senior, I would like to make my last will and testament and would like to know if I can do it myself, or do I need to hire a lawyer?
Don’t Have Much

Dear Don’t,
Very good question! Almost everyone needs a will, but only around one-third of American have actually prepared one. Having a last will and testament is important because it ensures your money and property will be distributed to the people you want to receive it after your death.
If you die without a will (a.k.a. dying “intestate”), your estate will be settled in accordance with state law. Details vary by state, but assets typically are distributed using a hierarchy of survivors i.e., first to a spouse, then to children, then your siblings, and so on.
You also need to be aware that certain accounts take precedence over a will. If you jointly own a home or a bank account, for example, the house, and the funds in the account, will go to the joint holder, even if your will directs otherwise. Similarly, retirement accounts and life insurance policies are distributed to the beneficiaries you designate, so it is important to keep them up to date too.
Do You Need a Lawyer?
Not necessarily. Creating a will with a do-it-yourself software program may be acceptable in some cases, particularly if you have a simple, straightforward estate and an uncomplicated family situation. Otherwise, it’s best to seek professional advice. An experienced lawyer can make sure you cover all your bases, which can help avoid family confusion and squabbles after you’re gone.
If you need help finding someone the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA.org), the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC.org) and the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC.org) websites are good resources that have online directories to help you search.
Costs will vary depending on your location and the complexity of your situation, but you can expect to pay somewhere between $200 and $1,000 or more to get your will made. To help you save, shop around and get price quotes from several different firms. And before you meet with an attorney, make a detailed list of your assets and accounts to help make your visit more efficient.
If money is tight, check with your state’s bar association (see FindLegalHelp.org) to find low-cost legal help in your area. Or call the Eldercare Locater at 800-677-1116 for a referral.
If you are interested in a do-it-yourself will, some top options to consider are Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker & Trust (Nolo.com, $99) and Trust & Will (TrustandWill.com, $159). Or, if that’s more than you’re willing to pay, you can make your will for free at FreeWill.com or DoYourOwnWill.com.
It’s also recommended that if you do create your own will, have a lawyer review it to make sure it covers all the important bases.
Where to Store it?
Once your will is written, the best place to keep it is either in a fireproof safe or file cabinet at home, in a safe deposit box in your bank or online at sites like Everplans.com. But make sure your executor knows where it is and has access to it. Or, if a professional prepares your will, keep the original document at your lawyer’s office. Also, be sure to update your will if your family or financial circumstances change, or if you move to another state.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

An event at the Oklahoma History Center (OHC) will highlight the history, heritage and contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community to Oklahoma. “Asian American and Pacific Islander Experiences in Oklahoma: A Historical Journey” will take place on Wednesday, May 10, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May is AAPI Heritage Month in the United States.
Special honorees include Dr. Jordan Tang of Taiwan; Dr. Dick Hsieh of China; Dr. Thanh Van Anderson of Vietnam; former State Senator Ervin Yen of Taiwan; and current State Representative Cyndi Munson, a Korean American. Dr. Tang and Dr. Van Anderson will be honored posthumously.
The schedule includes a cultural fashion show, dance performances, hands-on activities and more. Performers include Dr. Gregory Lee on violin, Ai-Wei Chang on piano, the India Association, the Zomi community and the Japanese Association. Hands-on activities will include calligraphy and tea tasting.
Mike Lee Hoang, president of the Asian District Cultural Association and a Vietnam American, will be the emcee. Akash Patel, originally from India, will provide the closing remarks. Patel is the vice president of the United Nations Association USA, founder of the Happy World Foundation and the senior consultant for the Institute for Humane Education.
The event is free and open to the public. No registration is required. The event at the OHC is one of several taking place across the Oklahoma City metro throughout the month of May. The program at the OHC is part of the Oklahoma Historical Society’s Multicultural Office (OHSMO) and its “People of Oklahoma” series. The OHSMO has a working objective to develop programs and outreach initiatives to tell the story of Oklahoma’s diverse heritage and give voice to these historically underrepresented communities.
The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit
https://www.okhistory.org.

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation is seeking applications for its 2023-24 Teen Leaders class. Applications are due May 15.
Now in its 11th year, the program is open to high school students entering sophomore, junior and senior years. OMRF’s Teen Leaders program provides group activities, panel discussions with foundation scientists and state civic leaders, and new in 2023, more time in the foundation’s labs.
Students leave with the leadership skills and tools to be change-makers in their communities. They also learn how to become advocates for medical research and improving human health.
“Nearly 400 of Oklahoma’s young leaders have passed through our doors as Teen Leaders,” said OMRF Development Director Caroline Allen, who coordinates the program. “In response to their feedback, we’ve updated the sessions to include more time with our scientists. We hope that with even more access to real-world research, they’ll be inspired to become greater advocates for medical research.”
Selected students also learn the fundamentals of nonprofit fundraising and development, board structure, networking and creating impactful social media content. Teens also work together on a special event to cap off program activities each spring.
Group sessions will begin in September and continue through the 2023-24 school year, generally on the second Tuesday of each month. Applicants must demonstrate good academic standing and attend school in Oklahoma. There is no cost to participate.

by Greg Schwem

I gazed around the enclosure, wondering how such a small space could be the source of bullying, harassment, and a political maelstrom that shows no signs of abating.
Then I zipped up and exited the bathroom.
But not just any bathroom; a gender neutral restroom in a Chicago restaurant. Normally I don’t do so much thinking while urinating, but others are doing it for me, as evidenced by the increasing number of unisex bathrooms popping up in businesses and bars, and throughout college campuses. Not to mention the debates occurring in Congress.
I am 100% in favor of these facilities, as I feel sorry for women, or those who identify as female, who endure long lines in airports or concert halls while their male counterparts breeze in, do their business and leave, never once wondering if the art of peeing at a particular moment will cause them to miss their flight or the band’s encore.
Yet my question remains: Females, or those who identify as such, do you REALLY want to share a bathroom with us?
No, seriously, have you thought this through? I was in a college fraternity and, 40 years later, all I can say is, old habits die hard.
I’m not just talking about having to lower the seat when you enter the restroom after a male has used it. We’ve been leaving the seat up for years and we will continue to plead forgetfulness even if all toilet seats come with hand cranks to make the process easier. Not that it’s difficult now.
What about our aim? Or lack of it? Are you ready to see droplets, or puddles of urine on the floor and wonder how long they are going to remain there until somebody who is grossly underpaid cleans it up?
That’s what we look at. Unless we are the ones who misfired because, in our states of inebriation, we saw three urinals instead of one and chose incorrectly.
Now let’s move to the sink. Dudes consider it to be more than just a receptacle for handwashing. Quite the contrary. I’ve seen guys shaving in public restrooms or worse, brushing their teeth and spitting gobs of who knows what into that same area supposedly set aside for cleaning hands. Gals, or those who identify as such, you might want to turn off the faucet with your elbows, just in case.
Oh, and, if you think our bathroom habits are disgusting, please rethink the idea of gender neutral locker rooms. For I guarantee you, the restroom is a microcosm of what awaits you in a changing area.
Sure, you wouldn’t see our private parts, as unisex locker rooms are designed to ensure nobody has to change in public. But I guarantee you, we will still walk around in bare feet. Not just bare feet but fungus-addled, athlete’s feet. Is there a law against toenail clipping in a gender neutral locker room? Because I’ve seen guys do this as well. Just saying.
Our mouths have no locker room filters, so be prepared to hear conversations about topics ranging from our copious amounts of body hair to last weekend’s sexual conquest, which we are probably embellishing. We will also lie about what we plan to do THIS weekend and who we plan to do it with.
I applaud your right to identify yourself as “she,” “her,” “them” or “they.” Believe me, I do. I have attended numerous pride parades, in multiple cities, and love watching people celebrate whoever it is they want to be. Be loud, be proud.
Just remember that, when you enter that gender neutral bathroom, a dude whose idea of a perfect day includes a dozen beers and six street tacos may have just exited.
Nothing Congress can do about that.
(Greg Schwem is a corporate stand-up comedian and author of two books: “Text Me If You’re Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons From a Low-Tech Dad” and the recently released “The Road To Success Goes Through the Salad Bar: A Pile of BS From a Corporate Comedian,” available at Amazon.com. Visit Greg on the web at www.gregschwem.com.
You’ve enjoyed reading, and laughing at, Greg Schwem’s monthly humor columns in Senior Living News. But did you know Greg is also a nationally touring stand-up comedian? And he loves to make audiences laugh about the joys, and frustrations, of growing older. Watch the clip and, if you’d like Greg to perform at your senior center or senior event, contact him through his website at www.gregschwem.com)

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/.

From Terry “Travels with Terry” Zinn [email protected]

I often extend my visits to one local to gain the most in time and treasure. While in Denver why not venture further.
The ski resorts at Aspen / Snowmass seem to have something for everyone: whether it’s panoramic snow caped mountain views, the skiing and snowboarding slopes, shopping, fine dining, fun beverage pubs, or just plain sleeping in mornings in your lux resort room. Aspen/Snowmass is a bit farther than other Colorado Ski resorts if you are traveling by car from Denver, and so for decades it had to provide the best for its visitors, be it celebrities or weekend mountain enthusiasts. The two resorts are within comfortable driving distance to each other. Snowmass Village has many shops, dining venues and accommodations, while Aspen has another skiing venue, gondola, fine dining as well as upscale shops and fine art galleries.
I stayed at the mountainside, expansive, maze-like Snowmass Westin Hotel, where the service was fast and efficient, the dining at the Snowmass Kitchen extraordinary, and the mountain venues, complete with a ski lift right outside the rooms balcony, gave an authentic feel for a place and time out of the ordinary. The spacious mini suite offered two televisions, a mini fridge, Heavenly beds and a bath with tub and rain head shower. The Westin lobby bar, The Vue, was a convivial meeting place, whether refreshing yourself at the bar or lounging in the adjacent area Aspen complete with a blazing fireplace.
Between Snowmass Village and Aspen proper, is the turn off at a roundabout to the iconic Colorado vista called Maroon Bells: several mountain peaks guarding an alpine lake. On my December visit it was a must on my to do list, and undaunted and with directions from the Westin’s Concierge I ventured forth, up a snow filled road. There is a reason that more photos are made of it in springtime and summer than in winter, as the December road abruptly stopped 6 miles from the planned venue. The powdery snow was knee deep in spots, but a sighting across a frozen meadow produced a satisfying Winter view.
Down the road to Aspen I enjoyed a delightful brunch at the restaurant in Little Nell’s, called Element47, which is the periodic table of elements designation for Silver, which founded the town. The Salmon Eggs Benedict and champagne Mimosa were as satisfying as the people watching. Their butternut squash soup was a burst of comforting flavors. While I am not a skier it was thrilling to observe the skiers and snowboarders coming down the mountain to the back door of Little Nell’s, and a treat to take the adjacent gondola to the top of Aspen Mountain for a panoramic view of the Elk Mountain Range, where a glass of wine lets you toast your good fortune and mother nature’s majesty. Down in Aspen itself you could spend the day roaming from art gallery to art gallery, my favorite being the art glass of the Pismo gallery a short stroll from Little Nell’s.
Back at the Westin Snowmass Resort you may want to end your day, or start your afternoon by sampling the many New Belgian Beers at the Ranger Station, in the Westin complex. Besides the beer adventures, they offer several appetizers/snacks including pizza like pretzels and a sugar rocket treat of a giant s’more. The nearby Bar at Wildwoods is a lively nighttime venue.
If you are short on time and long on budget you may find flying into the small Aspen airport more to your liking than traveling by car, but then you miss the engineering feat of the interstate cutting through the Rocky Mountains, and interesting stops along the way such as Idaho Springs and Georgetown. In any case Aspen/Snowmass can provide you and your friends an enjoyable escape from the ordinary, and your stay at Snowmass Westin compliments the pleasure.
For more Information: https://www.facebook.com/ViewlineResortSnowmass, http://www.thelittlenell.com.

By Nick Thomas

Despite extensive on-screen credits throughout their long careers, the Three Stooges comedy team only spent about a month or two a year in front of the cameras, rarely producing more than 10 of their beloved comedy shorts a year. According to long-time Stooges fan Gary Lassin, the slapstick legends were on the road for up to 6 months a year, crisscrossing the country to perform largely vaudeville-like acts on stage.
Those journeys, from the 1920s to the 1960s are now recounted in exquisite detail in more than 750 pages of Lassin’s new book, “A Tour De Farce: The Complete History of the Three Stooges on the Road.”
As president of the Three Stooges fan club and owner/curator of a Three Stooges museum (The Stoogeum, see https://stoogeum.com/) in Ambler, Penn., Lassin began assembling touring data over two decades ago.
“I just opened a blank Excel spreadsheet and began going through my Stooges memorabilia – playbills, programs, ticket stubs, photographs – to compile their travel history,” said Lassin from his suburban Philadelphia home.
He also began searching newspaper archives back in the day before online databases existed. “Twice a year I’d drive to the Library of Congress in Washington to search their archives of major newspapers stored on microfilm.”
The book, currently available directly from the author (see
https://tourdefarce.net/), is also crammed with over 1,400 images mostly from Lassin’s private collection, hundreds being published for the first time.
Comprising the two Howard brothers Moe and Curly (Curly being later replaced by third brother Shemp, followed by Joe Besser and Joe DeRita) and Larry Fine, the Stooges are famous for the 190 short films produced by Columbia Pictures from 1934-1959. The trio of turmoil were masters of vintage Hollywood madcap mayhem, famous for brutalizing each other with any heavy object at hand, initiating food fights, and flattening their surroundings faster than a professional demolition team.
So what would audiences attending their live stage shows have experienced?
“Nothing like their films, really,” said Lassin. “They didn’t have the benefit of movie special effects or other actors they could play off. So they usually did a 10-15 minute act consisting of two basic routines. There were skits where they’d play roles and act out a little and the other was called patter where they would go back and forth with silly jokes.”
An example of the latter, says Lassin, is when one would ask, “You goin’ fishing?” To which another would respond, “Yeah, you got worms?” followed by the punchline, “Yeah, but I’m going anyway.”
Lassin estimates his book documents up to about 95% of live appearances by the Stooges. “We’ll never come up with all of them,” he said. “They also visited hospitals, military bases, and other places that weren’t advertised to the public.”
The author, who is related to Larry through marriage, has amassed over 100,000 pieces of Stooges memorabilia with thousands of items displayed in his museum. Like many adult Stooges fans today, he originally became enamored by the comedy troupe as a child.
“We only had three TV channels to watch when we came home from school,” he recalled. “So it was impossible for a kid not to see them and like them.”

Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery in Alabama and has written features, columns, and interviews for numerous magazines and newspapers. See https://www.getnickt.org/.

The Antelope Party
by Eric John Meyer Directed by Jesse Jou October 12-22, 2023. “The Rust Belt Ponies Meet-Up Group for Adult Fans of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” gather weekly to visit Equestria—a land of enchantment aka Ben’s apartment in rural Pennsylvania.
Looking for Tiger Lily
Written and Performed by Anthony Hudson November 16-18, 2023. Starring Anthony Hudson – the human vessel for Portland’s premiere drag clown Carla Rossi – LOOKING FOR TIGER LILY utilizes song, dance, drag, and video to put a queer spin on the ancestral tradition of storytelling.
Under The Radar: On The Road
In Association with The Public Theater January 25-28, 2024. OKC Rep’s annual collaboration with The Public Theater in New York brings a show directly from the NYC festival to Oklahoma City.
Vietgone
by Qui Nguyen, Directed by Nikki DiLorento February 29 – March 9, 2024. An all-American love story about two very new Americans. It’s 1975. Saigon has fallen. He lost his wife. She lost her fiancé.
Of a Mind: Oklahoma City
Created by Kelly Kerwin, Emily Zemba, and Listen&Breathe, Movement Direction by Hui Cha Poos May 9 – June 2, 2024. Put on your headphones and join OKC Rep for a remount of OF A MIND: OKLAHOMA CITY, the audio-guided theatrical walking tour that originally delighted audiences in Spring 2022.
For more information visit: https://www.okcrep.org/season

“Positive Aging” is the theme of a daylong workshop to be hosted by VillagesOKC as part of it’s Senior LifeSkills Learning series. The event will allow participants to hear from and ask questions of local presenters who are highly regarded in their fields. It is co-sponsored by Grant Estate Law.
VillagesOKC Executive Director Marilyn Olson said senior adults age 65+ are the target audience for this workshop which intends to educate and give older adults an opportunity to socialize with their peers.
“Nearly one-third of Oklahoma seniors face characteristics which are related to the risk of social isolation,” Olson said.
The May 10 event at Rose State College will feature author Bruce McIntyre, a panel discussion on “A New Look at Food and Fitness,” showing of “Age of Champions” video, and a presentation on “Your Heart-Brain Connection.” A light lunch will be served. The event is free.
McIntyre is CEO of the Oklahoma Parkinson’s Alliance. He shares his expert guidance and warm humor with thousands of people each year. He is the author of Receiving Peace, Thrive Anyway, Parkinson Positive, Graceful Transitions and Resilient Life.
Fitness panelists include Lori Manning, RD, LD, and Kimberly Cusher-Gonzalez, PT, DPT. Manning is a dietitian at Mercy Hospital where she specializes in outpatient nutrition therapy. She has a Bachelor of Science degree focused in Nutrition Sciences from University of Oklahoma. Cusher-Gonzalez is a doctor of physical therapy at Norman Regional Health System. Her specialties include Parkinson’s disease treatment, total joint replacement rehabilitation, and balance training.
“Your Heart-Brain Connection” is a presentation by Susan Radcliffe, RN, MN, MHR. Radcliffe has been a nurse and an educator for over 45 years including at OU Medical Center. Her presentation will explore how someone’s body was designed to optimally function and what the body does in response to thoughts, feelings and beliefs.
“Age of Champions” is a documentary about athletes preparing for the 2009 National Senior Games: a 100-year old tennis player from Cape Cod, brothers from Washington, D.C., in their 80s who swim, a Texas widower who finds solace in training, and his rival, an 86-year-old champion in field events intent on a world record.
The free, daylong session will be May 10 at Rose State College in the Jeanie Webb Student Union, FNB Community Bank Ballroom, 1910 Hudiburg Dr. in Midwest City Registration is at 9:30 a.m. Sessions run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. with a light lunch included. Online registration is available on VillagesOKC’s website:
https://villagesokc.helpfulvillage.com/events.