by Vickie Jenkins, Staff Writer

At the age of 90, Al Postelwait is well known and a beloved resident of Tealridge Retirement

Community in Edmond, Oklahoma, where he has been a resident for three and half years. Known for his gentle demeanor and dedication to helping others, Al has touched the hearts of many in the community. His upcoming 90th birthday was a highly anticipated event and the entire center was excited to celebrate such a remarkable milestone. The staff planned a grand celebration in honor of Al. The day would include a birthday party and a ‘surprise geese release.’
As I introduced myself to Al, he told me a little about himself. “I was born in the small town of Radeltt, Texas, a small farm town. It was a place where hard work was respected and family bonds were strong. After high school, I had a long career working for Olin and Mobil Chemical with the fertilizer division. I attended Oklahoma State University, where I earned my masters in Agriculture.”
“In February 1957, I was stationed in Brunswick, Maine as a Navy commissioned officer, serving as a navigator of seaplanes, patrol planes and search and rescue planes. I was the navigator and I never got lost and that was definitely a good thing,” Al said, laughing. “These were the old World War II-era planes, propeller planes, not jets. During my military service, I was assigned to various locations. I was assigned to Malta, Spain, Iceland, Guantanamo Bay and Bermuda, spending a lot of time away from home. I also served as a navigator during the Cuban Missile Crisis which was a significant part of my career.”
Al enjoys living at Tealridge, finding it to be the perfect place for his needs and desires. His room overlooks a beautiful pond with ducks and geese, which he watches everyday through his large picture window. There are a few benches by the pond, where it’s common to see residents feeding the ducks and geese.
About three months ago, Al and his friends were sitting on a bench close to the pond when a gaggle of Canadian geese walked by. Al noticed one goose had a bad leg and was hopping to keep up with the others. He began calling the goose Hop-a-long. The injured goose struggled to cover even half the distance of the others. Al reported the injured goose to the staff, who contacted Wildcare Oklahoma, an organization dedicated to rescuing native wildlife and providing medical care and rehabilitation. They came out, caught the goose and assured everyone that it would be well taken care of.
Signs about Al’s birthday were posted throughout Tealridge and the residents began walking down the hallways, ready for the birthday party. As they entered the room, they were greeted by Al’s three daughters. Al was the center of attention, receiving congratulations, hugs and handshakes. The room was decorated with balloons and streamers as family and friends gathered to wish him a happy birthday. Cake, ice cream and cookies were served as one of his friends played ‘Happy Birthday’ on the piano. Little did Al know, the staff had another surprise waiting for him. With the help of Wildcare Oklahoma, today was going to be special. Hop-a-long was ready to be released on this special day.
As the birthday party was winding down, an announcement was made:
“Al, we have a special surprise for you. Do you remember about three months ago, you told us about the goose that had a hurt leg? Wildcare Oklahoma restored him back to health and now, Hop-a-long is ready to be released!”
“I was excited as my friends and I made our way towards the pond. There was a cage with a cloth over it, and as I got closer, I could see four geese inside. The cage was opened and out waddled Hop-a-long, with three new friends. It was quite a surprise to see the injured goose home again.”
“Today, I still take great pleasure in watching the ducks and geese land on the pond, flapping their wings back and forth. Each descent reminds me of a seaplane gliding smoothly onto the water. While I can’t always distinguish one goose from another, I like to imagine Hop-a-long is among them, adding a bit of joy to the onlookers. The water and the soothing motions of the birds bring a sense of peace and contentment to my day. I’m not sure which goose is which, but I have a feeling, Hop-a-long must be there somewhere. I like to think so.”
Al Postelwait is a devoted father and grandfather who shared a wonderful 60-year marriage with his beautiful wife, Carole. A proud U.S. Navy veteran, he served as a commissioned officer and navigator, always maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle. He walks daily, attends exercise classes with 5-10 pound weights, and enjoys his weekly Bible study sessions. Additionally, he finds joy in working puzzles and watching the ducks and geese at Tealridge Retirement Community.
Happy Birthday Dad,
Dad taught us three girls to be independent and able to take care of ourselves during a time when most dads weren’t doing that. He was a ‘girl dad’ before being a girl dad was hip. He was steady, reliable, loving and caring. When our mom started suffering from dementia, he cared for her so well over the years that we didn’t even realize the extent of her illness. He was exemplified loving someone in a patient and unselfish way. Love, Lisa, Lora and Cara

By Marilyn Olson, VillagesOKC Executive Director

Many of the 370,000 people 50+ in the Oklahoma City metro know that having a good neighbor is the solution for borrowing sugar or the answer for a little help trimming a crepe myrtle or on a ladder replacing light bulbs. For others, it is getting a little assistance with an iPhone or Android device from someone who knows. Finding a trustworthy plumber, dog sitter, attorney or someone to go to the movies with is all a part of the connections available through VillagesOKC.
For the past six years, VillagesOKC has been serving the metro by developing programs and connection opportunities to empower local adults to age with vitality and purpose. With a variety of impactful initiatives, from educational workshops to veteran recognition events to caregiver support, VillagesOKC seeks to enhance the lives of older adults and their families.
Successful aging involves individuals taking personal responsibility to plan combined with community engagement. The GIFT, Gathering Information for Transitions, is another VillagesOKC program helping members learn about options, make decisions and write in a notebook for rapid access in a crisis. VillagesOKC is the one connection that unites both individual and community forces. This is important since the number of adults in Oklahoma will soon outnumber children under 18 for the first time.
The VillagesOKC mission of empowerment is founded on the transformative idea that the narrative around aging must be fundamentally redefined. Rather than viewing all seniors as dependents requiring constant support, VillagesOKC recognizes them as valuable leaders within the community. People 50 and older possess significant experience, wisdom and capabilities. This offers ongoing opportunities to lead, contribute and flourish. This shift in perspective not only enriches their lives but also strengthens the social fabric of our community.
Strategic partnerships with local organizations and businesses mean less duplication and more cooperation. VillagesOKC partnerships include Senior Living Truth Series, OKC Mature Moves, Buckelew Realty, NewView Oklahoma, Oklahoma Warriors Honor Flight, Force50 Foundation, YMCAs of Greater Oklahoma City and YMCA Healthy Living Center, Directors Life Assurance, Providence Home Care, Nerve Renewal Neuropathy Clinics, CompleteOK (Homecare, Palliative Care and Hospice), Pinnacle Behavioral Healthcare, Senior Care Referral Services, Concordia Life Plan Community, Mercer Adams Funeral Service, Navigating Medicare as well as DHS Community Adult Living and Adult Protective Services, and the State Council on Aging. For more information about VilagesOKC call 405-990-6637 or visit
https://villagesokc.org.

Story and photos by Marise Boehs

The mission of Healthy Living Norman is to promote the health and well-being of adults aged 50 and older by providing opportunities for physical activity, social engagement, and lifelong learning at the Adult Wellness and Education Center.

Healthy Living Norman uses a six-dimensional model of wellness that includes emotional, spiritual, intellectual, social, physical, and occupational factors. The goal of the wellness center is to embody and provide programs under one roof to improve the quality of life for adults 50 and above in the Norman community. The 32,000-square-foot facility serves as a hub of wellness activities.

To better educate the community and showcase this new facility, they held an open house on Saturday, July 13th.

“We have been open 8 months today,” said Katherine Leidy, Healthy Living Norman Branch Manager. “We have done some fun things and have more activities planned – more dances which have been a huge attraction. We have pickleball and billiards. The pool always has fun things happening.”

“Membership is $35 a month. But we do have a sliding scale for those with lower incomes. We also accept Silver Sneakers and Renew Active, which cover the monthly membership fee,” Leidy explained.

Membership includes access to the gym and pool as well as all activities and classes. While some classes may have a fee for materials, entry is included.

A 1st Annual Wellness Expo will be held on Saturday, August 17th. It is free and open to the public. This event is meant to encourage healthy lifestyles for people 50+ with demos, samples, and information about healthy lifestyles from various vendors.

They are planning a group trip to England, Scotland, and Wales in October. For more information check out their website at www.healthylivingnorman.com.

The website also has all Programs and Class Schedules available at the Center.

This is an awesome new center geared to 50+ persons to encourage  health, wellness and camaraderie. If you want to just check it out they have a day pass for $10.

Center Amenities
Warm Indoor
Saltwater Pool
Demonstration Kitchen
Fitness Center
Land and Water
Fitness Classes
Health Screenings
Seminars and Events
Billiards
Indoor Walking Track
Outdoor Pickleball Courts
Fireplace and Lounge Area
Small Gathering Spaces
Art and Educational Classes

by Joan Collee

Director, Joan Colee, founded the Oklahoma Seniors Cabaret in 2008. Colee spent 20 Years in Hollywood/Los Angeles in her Brentwood Vocal Studio teaching many of the new and upcoming entertainers, and well-established movie actors, the art of singing. She honed her own singing, dancing and acting skills with well-known actors Jeff Corey, Marian Bell and Broadway choreographer, Danny Daniels. She appeared in many musicals with leading roles and appeared on the national television show America’s Got Talent at the age of 83 singing opera and tap dancing. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Music and a Master’s degree in Performing from Oklahoma City University.
When she returned to Oklahoma City, she discovered a need for seniors to have something to motivate them to stay mobile and healthy. Her experience with The Follies in Palm Springs gave her the idea of founding the Cabaret. Holding auditions in 2008 and attracting seniors to her idea, the Oklahoma Seniors Cabaret was born.
The group takes great pride that the Cabaret is a non-profit charitable organization (501c) with all profits donated to the John W. Keys Hearing Center at the University of Oklahoma. Those profits go to help seniors obtain hearing aids. We are proud to be endorsed by Governor Stitt and Mayor Holt.
None of the members of the Cabaret are paid for their time and talent. Members are 55 and older who sing, dance, act and/or play instruments. Classes are available for seniors who want to learn to tap, sing and act. It’s a wonderful group of people who love performing, learning and staying healthy through helping others.
We are looking for seniors with a need to move, groove and help other seniors. Joining us gives you the opportunity to participate in the performing arts.
Come join our organization!! Call (405) 840-1242 for more information.

Story by Van Mitchell, Staff Writer

Navy veteran Tom Richey has faced several challenges in his life including being in a wheelchair for the last 50 years due to an auto accident.
But those challenges haven’t stopped him from living his life, and his desire to stay active at age 77.
“Trap shooting is my one and only thing that I still do,” he said. “Like I say, I’m too old to run marathons and play wheelchair sports and stuff like that, but I can compete against anybody. Just hold the gun up and bang. I’m on an equal footing with you. You want to come out and compete against me. We go head-to-head.”
Richey comes from a military family and decides to follow suit.
“My father was in the United States Navy, and so we traveled a lot, and I graduated in 1964 from Mar Vista High School, Imperial Beach, California,” he said. “It’s the most south westerly city in the continental United States. In 1964 Vietnam became a war, and I joined the Navy. They offered me a pretty good program way back in the sixties, nuclear power.”
After boot camp, Richey attended Nuclear Power Basic School in Idaho before finishing up in nuclear power submarine school.
Richey spent his entire 9-year Naval service working as an electrician on submarines, working 18-hour-days while at sea.
“I started on my first submarine, the Flasher, then my next ship, the 640 class Benjamin Franklin,” he said. “I got transferred to 623 and 624, which are Hale and Wilson. And then my last submarine was a new construction of the 684, which was the last submarine named for a fish. All those after that were named for city, different class submarines. I’ve been around the world three times, been in every major body of water, except I’ve never been in the Mediterranean.”
After nine years, Richey said he was ready to leave the long-working days on submarines and rejoin his wife and children back in Oklahoma.
Richey said the ride home to the Sooner state from Connecticut took longer than expected due to gas rationing across the country in December 1973.
“I started out driving from Connecticut, driving towards Oklahoma, and I had no idea that we had something called gas rationing,” he said. “It took me a week to get from Connecticut to Oklahoma.”
Richey landed a job in Oklahoma working as an engineer in the oil industry before the car accident that changed the trajectory of his life.
“On Feb. 3,1974 I went to work Monday morning. I got injured going home,” he said. “The steering gear separated on the truck. The steering wheel didn’t control the front wheels. The road had been graded. There was a triangle of dirt running down one side. They hadn’t smoothed all the way out. The left front tire caught that soft dirt. I was thinking about jumping, because coming up was a one lane, wooden ridge, no guard rails. Without control, it looked like that truck was not going to make it across the bridge. Just as I was thinking about jumping, the truck slid. I’m injured. I’ve been in a wheelchair for over 50 years.”
While recovering in the hospital, he was asked whether he was a member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), which he was not, but was given a one-year free membership while he was rehabbing.
The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) is a congressionally chartered veterans service organization specializing in assisting and promoting a full lifestyle for veterans affected by spinal cord injury or neurological disease.
The PVA was formed in 1946. The key objective of PVA is to take action necessary to restore spinal cord injured or diseased veterans’ bodies and life potentials as closely to those not suffering spinal cord dysfunction. This is accomplished by the coordinated efforts of the PVA organization through programs that do the following:
• Advocate for and monitor the delivery of high quality and appropriate health care benefits and services.
• Assist in identifying and securing veterans’ benefits and other benefits for spinal cord injured and diseased veterans and others as appropriate.
• Promote medical research to cure spinal cord dysfunction and other related issues.
• Educate society on the attitudinal, physical and legal barriers confronting persons with disabilities and to influence the removal of those barriers.
• Provide information and opportunities for the promotion of health, employment, sports and recreation, social services, and camaraderie for spinal cord injured and diseased veterans and others as appropriate.
• Provide cooperation and seek the support of other groups and individuals who share PVA’s objectives.
• Acquaint the public with the current and ongoing needs of America’s veterans and
• To acquaint the public with simple and effective means for reducing the risk of preventing spinal cord injury.
• To promote involvement of the public in national and local activities that support PVA’s mission.
Richey later became a certified nationally registered benefits officer for the PVA.
“I did that for several years and offered aid and assistance to really disabled veterans,” he said. “I did a lot of visitations in the VA hospitals doing the same thing that the guys did for me when I was injured. I started doing it for them, the next generation.”
Richey helped start the PVA chapter in Oklahoma.
“I was the vice president for a year and was then elected as a national director,” he said. “And I did that for 20 years.”
During his time with the Oklahoma PVA, he helped with finding ways for PVA chapters to make money to help disabled veterans.
The result was the creation of Stor-Mor Mini Storage located at 7600 N. Rockwell Avenue in Oklahoma City.
“We were looking for a way of funding money for the chapters so they could make money,” Richey said. “The national office partnered with the state PVA office and we got a loan for construction, purchased the land and did all of this. We designed this part of the living quarters, wanted it set up so that one of our members could run it. Beverly and I took it over the first day of May (from previous managers).”
Richey said he is now at the point in life where he needs assistance with his daily routines. He receives help from Brightstar Care of Edmond/Oklahoma City located at 3000 United Founders Blvd. No. 103G in Oklahoma City.
“Getting older, I’ve really slowed down,” he said. “Brightstar gives me the opportunity to live almost independently. The VA has classified me as housebound and pretty much I am. Brightstar is the company that the VA connected me with to give me a home health aide.”
Cynthia with Brightstar is Richey’s home health aide.
“Cynthia has been with us for a long time now,” he said.” She wakes me up, helps me get up out of bed, go through my morning routines, and then cooks breakfast, makes the beds, lays out my clothes. I don’t have to go live in a nursing home. Brightstar has allowed me to live here on my own. Without them, I’m not exactly sure where I would be.”

For more information about Brightstar Care call
(405) 896-9600 or visit
https://www.brightstarcare.com.

by Van Mitchell, Staff Writer

Homewatch CareGivers of Edmond located at 3501 French Park Drive, Suite G, serves Edmond and surrounding areas, providing home health care services with compassion.
It is now transitioning to a new business focus called Total Care Solutions, which services include active care, wellness care, personal care, transitional care, care on demand, specialized care, and private-duty nursing, said owner Tobi Overgaard.
“We provide all kinds of care, for all ages and we specialize Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Long-term, spinal injuries, and wound-care,” she said. “We also do day service for clients who are having surgery, and we cover a large area of the State of Oklahoma. We employ Caregivers to (NP’s) Nurse Practitioners.”
Part of the Total Care Solutions service includes placing a camera in a client’s home.
“I believe we’re the first in-home care company in Oklahoma to do this ,” she said. It’s part of our service to have a way for the whole family to communicate with their loved one. The client will be able to have medication and appointment reminders and talk with Dr’s through the TV. They can view up to 10 people at a time on the screen. It’s HIPAA-compliant and it’s a game changer.” It allows the family to be able to check in with mom and dad if they’re far away, and just to keep an eye on them. We have people who have Anxiety, ADHD, PTSD who will benefit from having it in the home.
She continued, “If we have clients that are sitting at home, have clients that have Alzheimer’s, or that have dementia, they might not remember to take their medications. They might not remember to eat,” she said. “We can have a reminder pop up (on TV) and say, “Hey, don’t forget to have your lunch. We put it in the icebox, and we cooked it for you. It’s in the icebox.” It allows them to do care over television. So, if they can’t get to the doctor, the doctor can just tele-visit with them in-home.”
Overgaard said the camera placements also help parents who have children who have ADHD.
“We have a lot of ADHD kids, and when they put the cameras in their house, it’s life altering,” she said. “If they’re having an issue, and the mom isn’t able to get their child to the doctor’s appointment, they can do a home health call right there. They don’t have to leave the house.”
Overgaard said they also can put motion sensors in a client’s home.
“We have motion sensors we can put in the house, so that the family can track and see, “Hey, mom was up at 4 this morning, walking around. What’s going on? Is she okay? Did she fall?” she said.
Homewatch Caregivers provides in-home care for seniors on a weekly, daily, or 24-hour basis, but their teams can also assist with individuals of any age, ability or condition.
Overgaard said Oklahoma’s highly regulated in-home health, so hiring the right people is extremely important.
“We want to make sure all our people are fingerprinted. They’re insured. They’re FBI checked. Everything. We run through the gamut on our people to make sure we’re sending really good people to your homes,” she said. We make sure we train them that way so that they know exactly what they’re supposed to do and how you want it done.”
Overgaard said each client gets a home assessment for their needs.
“When we go in and do the assessment, we make sure things are done the way that you want it done,” she said. “I don’t want my caregivers just going in and putting in a TV dinner in the microwave and saying, “Okay, I’ve made you dinner.” I want them to cook the dinner. If they want a bowl of soup, don’t just stick it in the bowl and put it in the microwave. Cook it on the stove. If we can’t help you the way you need the help, then you don’t need us. So, we try to connect with the client and make sure they are taken care of. We go just a little bit further into better care. We’re like a family member, versus being just some lady that’s sent to your house to watch you. We interact with the client, and we care.”
Overgaard works closely with the Oklahoma City’s VA Community Care Provider Program helping veterans with their healthcare needs.
Community providers are a vital part of VA’s high-performing health care network, ensuring eligible Veterans and their beneficiaries get the timely, high-quality health care they need.
“I’m a community care provider,” she said. “The VA, when they have veterans come in, and they’ve been awarded hours to get home health, basically, either they pick us, or we find the veterans and we tell them, “Hey, if you need help, we can help you with this. If they haven’t received their VA benefits before, we will go to them with the paperwork, fill it out, send it in, and get them started on getting help, getting home health. We’ll walk them through the whole process.”
Overgaard is the only Homewatch Caregivers franchise in Oklahoma which allows her to offer veterans help across the state including rural areas.
“I bought the two largest areas already under my franchise license, but since there isn’t anybody else, the whole state is my playground,” she said. “The VA uses us a lot because we will go to those places. If there’s a veteran that’s out far away, and he can’t get home health, I’ll try to hire a caregiver in that area. They don’t even know that they can get this help. I come across that almost every single day.”
A two-time cancer survivor, Overgaard knows the importance of providing great care for others.
“You need the help that you need,” she said. “If we’re not helping you that way, then we’re no good to anybody.”
For more information about Homewatch Caregivers call (405) 444-3002 or visit
https://www.homewatchcaregivers.com

Senior Citizens’ Events at the Metropolitan Library System

Tai Chi for Better Balance Learn Tai Chi to help reduce the risk of falling, increase balance, and improve flexibility. This six-week class offers a series of slow, continuous movements. • Aug. 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 10 a.m. at Warr Acres Library

Tai Chi for Better Movement Bethany Library offers an eight-week Tai Chi class for seniors, promoting balance, flexibility, and overall well-being through gentle, continuous movements suitable for all fitness levels. • Aug. 3, 10, 17, and 31, 9:30 a.m. at Bethany Library

Total Wellness Total Wellness is a free program by the Oklahoma City-County Health Department designed to help adults prevent diabetes and heart disease through weight loss and increased activity. • Aug. 6 and 13, 5:15 p.m. at Midwest City Library • Aug. 7 and 14. 5:15 p.m. at Bethany Library

Stay Active & Independent for Life (SAIL) Designed to increase muscle strength, range of movement, and improve daily living activities. Includes chair exercises. • Aug. 19, 21, 26, and 28, 10 a.m. at the Village Library • Aug. 21 and 28, 10 a.m. at Choctaw Library

Alzheimer’s Support Group The Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group offers a supportive community for those caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia, providing comfort, practical advice, and a safe space to share experiences. • Aug. 27, 6 p.m. at Bethany Library

August Adventures: State Fair Fun and Back-to-School Excitement at Your Library

As the new school year approaches, the Metropolitan Library System invites guests of all ages to enjoy various events across its 19 locations. Explore the highlights below and visit:
https://www.metrolibrary.org/events/upcoming for more details.

Back to School Preparation Prepare for the school year with the Metropolitan Library System’s digital resources, including Creativebug for arts and crafts, Fiero Code for coding lessons, and HelpNow for live tutoring. Explore LearningExpress Library for practice tests, LinkedIn Learning for business and tech courses, and Tumblebooks for interactive children’s reading. Visit metrolibrary.org for more details on these resources and upcoming events! • Back to School Kit: Available throughout August at Choctaw Library, includes essential school supplies. • Educators Reception: August 5, 2:30 PM at Almonte Library, offering tours of the new library and Makerspace. • Back to School Slime Time: August 15, 4 PM at Bethany Library, a hands-on slime-making activity. • Web Developer Bootcamp: Learn CSS, JavaScript, HTML, and more at Choctaw Library every Thursday in August at 7 PM.

Metro Grows: Gardening for All Ages
Our Metro Grows Program returns with expanded tool lending at 12 locations and discovery backpacks for children. Join us for these upcoming gardening events: • Organic Pest Management: August 6, 3 PM at Bethany Library. • Fall Beginner Gardening: August 6, 6 PM at Del City Library and August 26, 6PM at Choctaw Library. • Tea Making: August 6, 6:30 PM at Jones Library; August 17, 11 AM at Northwest Library; August 20, 6 PM at Bethany Library. • Natural Dyes for Kids: August 7, 3PM at Jones Library; August 9, 10 AM at Choctaw Library; August 10, 11 AM at Village Library; August 14, 4 PM at Ralph Ellison Library; August 24, 2 PM at Southern Oaks Library; August 26, 1 PM at Almonte Library. • Fall Budget Gardening for Kids: August 10, 10:30 AM at Luther Library; August 19, 4:30 PM at Midwest City Library; August 20, 4 PM at Northwest Library; August 24, 10 AM at Warr Acres Library. • Planning Your Fall Garden: August 13, 6:30 PM at Luther Library; August 28, 6 PM at Midwest City Library.

LitFest Returns Join us for the 7th Annual LitFest at the Downtown OKC Library on August 17 from 10 AM to 4 PM featuring sessions on AI and writing, publishing, romance, dialogue writing, children’s books, Oklahoma folklore, comics, and more, including a critique partner speed workshop.

State Fair Fun at Your Library
Join us for “Go Again! With the State Fair of Oklahoma” with themed programming at all locations starting August 26. Activities include crafting state fair-themed souvenirs inspired by historical photographs and programs from the library’s archives. Each library will feature different activities, and guests can enter a raffle for a chance to win a four-pack of State Fair tickets. Raffle entries close on September 6. • Featured Take-Home Kits in August: • State Fair Pennant Kit: Begins August 26 at Del City Library. Teens and adults can create personalized pennants with materials inspired by historical State Fair souvenirs from the 1930s. This kit includes a felt pennant, ties, logo and year, and puff paint. All recipients will be entered into a raffle for State Fair tickets. • Miniature State Fair Food Kit: Available starting August 27 at Wright Library. Enjoy crafting miniature versions of your favorite State Fair foods.