Story by Joyce Clark, Executive Director – Saint Ann Retirement Center

Senior living communities are a popular choice for people with a history of falling down because typically the building has design features to help reduce fall risk. Minimum thresholds, walk-in showers, handrails, contrasting colors, low-pile flooring, and non-glare lighting are examples of some senior living building amenities that help to lower fall incidents. You can implement these and other safety enhancements in your own home.
As people age they experience physical and lifestyle changes that can also lead to falls. Health conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, heart arrhythmias, dehydration, inner ear problems, vertigo, and urinary tract infection can increase a person’s chance of falling. Other risk factors include: * Dizziness * Foot problems like numbness, corns, bunions, ingrown nails, or ulcerations * Cataracts, glaucoma, depth perception and vision problems * Weak muscles or poor balance * Confusion or memory loss * Drinking too much alcohol * Vitamin D deficiency
It is a good idea to show a complete list of all medications, herbs, and remedies to your physician at each visit to help maintain safety and good health. Medication side effects or taking a number of medications at the same time can also increase fall risk. Even some over-the-counter medicines can affect balance and walking steadiness. Medications that most commonly cause blurred vision, dizziness, unsteadiness, drowsiness, or difficulty thinking include: * Blood pressure lowering medications * Sleep aids and sedatives * Antidepressants and psychotropics * Anticonvulsants for epilepsy
Some other general tips to reduce fall risk are: * Have your eyes and vision examined annually. * Stay physically active. Exercise helps to prevent falls, especially activities that enhance balance and coordination. A lot of exercise and stretching can be done from or using a sturdy chair for balance. * Wear shoes with non-slip soles. Socks can be a slipping risk. * Wear pants and clothing that are properly hemmed and don’t drag on the ground. * Take your time moving from a lying or sitting position to standing. * Use the arms of sturdy furniture when you sit down, reach, or stand up. * Use a reacher to retrieve items from the floor without bending over and from high shelves without using a footstool. You can use a reacher to wipe up spills while seated or standing. * Keep a mobile telephone nearby in an easy to reach location. * Wear an emergency call pendant or have “Alexa” in different rooms programmed to call for help when requested.
FLOORS AND FURNITURE
* Clean up clutter. Move newspapers, furniture, plants, and electrical cords out of traffic areas.
* Store clothing, towels, and household items where you can safely reach them.
* Eliminate uneven floor surfaces. Replace high doorway thresholds between rooms with low, beveled ones, or remove them.
* Replace thick carpets with dense, low-pile carpet or leave the floors uncovered.
* Arrange furniture to give you plenty of room to walk freely.
* Secure carpets to the floor and stairs. Remove throw rugs. Use non-slip rugs or attach rugs to the floor with double-sided tape.
* Put non-slip tape strips on steps, bathtub, and floors.
BATHROOM
* Use a shower chair / bench.
* Rinse all soap from tub / shower before getting out.
* Install adjustable height or hand-held showerhead.
* Mount grab bars with secure reinforcement at the toilet, bath, and shower walls.
* Secure bath mats with non-slip, double-sided rug tape.
* Install a night-light to help you get to the bathroom safely. There are also motion detector versions that automatically light up as you approach the area.
BEDROOM
* Sit in a sturdy armchair to dress and undress.
* Use a long-handled shoehorn to put on shoes without bending over.
* Use a dressing stick to pull on pants or skirts, take off socks, and reach hanging clothes.
* Place a portable commode or a plastic urinal near your bed.
KITCHEN
* Keep clean pans on the stove or in a countertop rack instead of hanging or putting them in a cabinet.
* Store plates, bowls, cups, and other frequently used items in an easily accessible drawer or shelf.
* Sit in a sturdy chair when you cut vegetables or do other kitchen tasks.
* Install slide-out shelving or a lazy susan.
* Use a wheeled cart for extra storage and to help move heavy items. For example, use it to move a dish from the refrigerator to the oven.
* Keep the floor dry. Have paper towels and a reacher handy for cleanup.
STAIRWAYS
* Make sure handrails are securely fastened.
* Install handrails on both sides of steps.
* Put non-slip tape on steps.
* Turn on lights before going up or down stairs.
* Take a pause before going up or down stairs.
LIGHTING
* Place nightlights in hallways, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and stairways.
* Install light switches at the top and bottom of stairs.
* Place a lamp near your bed. Touch on/off lamps are easier to use.
* Add lighting to dark spaces, entrances, and walkways. Motion detector lights can be a good option when they are set to stay on for a while.
* Keep a flashlight by your bed and in other easy to find locations in case the power goes out.
* Use light bulbs that have the highest wattage recommended for the fixture.
About Joyce: Joyce Clark is the Campus Director of Saint Ann Retirement Center, which offers independent and assisted living. She says watching people regain their strength, balance, and health is one of her team’s greatest rewards.
Clark encourages people to be extra careful at home getting in and out of the bathtub, where many people tend to fall. Call Lisa at Saint Ann Retirement Center, (405) 721-0747 Ext #322, if you would like more tips and helpful information.

Story and photos by Darl DeVault, Contributing Editor

Senior citizens celebrated their free admission day at the fairgrounds in record numbers on Sept. 21 in the Modern Living Building at the Oklahoma State Fair.
Event committee member Vicki Escajeda with OU Health Edmond saw the numbers waiting to enter the building before the 10 a.m. start. “This is the largest crowd we have ever had for the first hour (of the event),” Escajeda said.
OG&E and other sponsors invited all seniors ages 55 or older to enjoy the “Fly Me to the Moon” themed event. The first hour and a half of activities, entertainment, exhibits, door prizes and health screenings designed especially for the golden ager were packed. It did not slow down until about 2 p.m. But then attendance picked right back up for the 2:30 Game Show segment.
Activities well attended that day included a robust lineup of free health screenings: Blood Pressure Screenings * Blood Sugar Screenings * Pain Management Assessment * Vein Testing * Depression and Memory Screenings, and Diabetic Foot Screenings.
Total Wellness offered Flu, Pneumonia, and B12 shots at a cost. The day also featured 24 senior health and recreation exhibitors.
Door prizes were offered all day, and many picked up a ticket for each session to win one of many donated gifts. There were multiple drawings in the morning and early afternoon and then again in the late afternoon.
“Senior News and Living” sales executive Amanda Miller passed out more than 600 copies of the magazine’s latest issue to attendees while she welcomed the crowd to the event.
Several entertaining dance groups covered the entire stage to entertain the crowd, with 10 of The Okie Stompers of Norman led by Mary Burleson providing two well-received performances in different costumes. The well-choreographed group danced at 10 a.m. and again at 2 p.m.
The event chairs filled up again as Elvis tribute artist Mike Black drew a packed house in the late afternoon. Back from his popular performance last year, Black sang Elvis’ songs at 5:30 p.m.
“We concluded with a participation dance class because who doesn’t want to walk and dance like an astronaut? We returned to earth at 7 p.m. with a mission accomplished stamp of around 3,500 visitors dropping by the event,” said Cindy Dimit, Storey Oaks Memory Care marketing director and Senior Day committee member.

By Stephanie Fox, Navy Office of Community Outreach

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Chief Petty Officer Joel Hall is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission at Strategic Communications Wing One (STRATCOMMWING ONE). Its TACAMO (“Take Charge and Move Out”) mission provides airborne communication links to nuclear missile units of U.S. Strategic Command.
Hall, a 1994 Corona High School graduate, joined the Navy 24 years ago.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to better myself,” said Hall. “I thought the military could provide me with some much-needed structure.”
Today, Hall’s parents and family all live close by in Edmond, Oklahoma.
“Thank you to my wife and kids for their support,” said Hall. “My parents were another reason I joined. I wanted them to be proud.”
The Navy’s presence aboard an Air Force base in the middle of America may seem like an odd location given its distance from any ocean; however, the central location allows for the deployment of aircraft to both coasts and the Gulf of Mexico on a moment’s notice. This quick response is key to the success of the nuclear deterrence mission.
The Navy command consists of a Wing staff, the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, and three Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadrons: The “Ironmen” of VQ 3, the “Shadows” of VQ 4 and the “Roughnecks” of VQ 7.
Hall serves as a Navy career counselor with VQ 4.
“My favorite thing about my job is getting to help other sailors,” said Hall.
STRATCOMMWING One employs more than 1,300 active-duty sailors and 100 contractors to provide maintenance, security, operations, administration, training and logistic support for the Boeing E-6 Mercury aircraft fleet, an airborne command post and communications relay based on the Boeing 707.
Their mission stems from the original 1961 Cold War order known as ‘Take Charge and Move Out!’ Adapted as TACAMO and now the command’s nickname, the men and women of TACAMO continue to provide a survivable communication link between national decision makers and the nation’s nuclear weapons.
The commander-in-chief issues orders to members of the military who operate nuclear weapons aboard submarines, aircraft or in land-based missile silos. Sailors aboard TACAMO E-6 Mercury aircraft provide the one-of-a-kind and most-survivable communication needed for this critical mission.
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
Serving in the Navy means Hall is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy contributes to the National Defense Strategy through our global presence,” said Hall.
Hall and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest Navy accomplishment is getting to watch my junior sailors succeed,” said Hall.
As Hall and other sailors continue to perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy. “Serving in the Navy gives me a sense of pride,” added Hall. “I’m honored to have volunteered to do something that most people don’t have the ability to.”

Photography and Text by Terry “Travels with Terry” Zinn t4z@aol.com

The area is full of many live theater options, and if you don’t reserve your seat in advance you might lose out. If you schedule it, it will happen. If you don’t, it won’t.
Of course you can get in trouble as I did this summer when I bought a nonrefundable ticket to NYC’s Broadway production of Music Man, which I know would win lots of Tony’s and be in high demand in the fall. I scheduled my NYC trip complete with air and hotel reservations for mid October. With a recent physical accident I had to cancel the trip and try and pass along my $400 orchestra aisle ticket to a NYC resident. I don’t regret the buying of it or the canceling of the trip. Reality Bites.
Getting a season subscription to theater nearer your home, you can be relativity sure you can make it. Season subscriptions are the way to go – reserved seats and definite theater times for your calendar
I consider the professional reputation of theater before putting down a lump sum for future enjoyment. One such professional troop is the Prairie Sky Opera Company, who always produce excellent casts who shine with the meaningful and difficult medium of Opera. Recently I took in their Scalia / Ginsburg opera of supreme court justices in the OKC Contemporary Arts. They did not disappoint in this intellectual and ironic story of 2 supreme court justices. Outstanding was the performances of Brian Cheney, Lauren Cook, Jonathan Moots and direction by Rob Glaubitz. It concluded their regular season. Coming up is their Opera Gala at the Skirvin Hotel in OKC on Oct 14th in honor of well known Oklahoma City University voice profession and entertainer, the late Florence Birdwell. Space may be sold out but you might check it out at www.prairieskyopera.org.
I recently happened upon some home town talent at St Luke’s Methodist Church’s Broadway Revue. The local talent was good for the most part and the Broadway theater selections were exceptional. Their Poteet Theater Season (stlukesokc.org/poteet) is about to begin with: Spelling Bee. Season tickets are available.
The Professional company touring shows of OKC Broadway (www.okcbroadway.com/about) always delivers top notch talent with the material they offer in big theater productions in the OKC Music Hall downtown. Their recent tour of Pretty Woman, was week in material and the casting needed some charismatic personalities. But that’s the chance and joy you take with live theater. While the season tickets might be sold out, you can usually get a single ticket somewhere in the massive auditorium. Coming up is: Hadestown, Tootsie, Cats, Book of Morman and Hamilton.
Lyric Theater of Oklahoma never disappoints which can be proven by experiencing the upcoming shows of: Rocky Horror Picture Show, this month, and this season; The Play That Goes Wrong, Concerto, Sound of Music, Prom, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and the add on shows of Big River and A Christmas Carol. This month you can enjoy performances, food and drink at the October 13, Broadway Bash fund raiser at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.
If you are a theater regular be sure and check out the offerings at OKC REP (okcrep.org), the university productions of theater and musicals at Oklahoma City University, University of Central Oklahoma, University of Oklahoma, Stillwater’s Town and Gown, Canterbury, and Guthrie’s Pollard, among others. Many are looking forward to the reopening this fall in brand new location, of the longtime theater company of Carpenter Square. (www.carpentersquare.com) Oklahoma is not lacking for live entertainment.
It is said, especially with senors, that it makes life more enjoyable if you have something which to look forward. I am looking forward to the April 15 Philharmonic concert of virtuoso violinists, Joshua Bell. (www.okcphil.org) I bought my single ticket as soon as they were offered, and reserved my orchestra aisle seat. I have experience this artistic talent the last three times Bell performed in Oklahoma. It is also said that the greatest compliment you can give, is if you would do it again. Needless to say my compliments to Joshua Bell (joshuabell.com). He is scheduled to perform Mendelssohn: Violin concerto in E Minor, op 64 and Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, op 92. But anything Bell performs is exceptional.
Reserve it and enjoy it.

Mr. Terry Zinn – Travel Editor
Past President: International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association
3110 N.W. 15 Street – Oklahoma City, OK 73107
https://realtraveladventures.com/?s=terry+zinn
https://realtraveladventures.com/?s=zinn
http://new.okveterannews.com/?s=TERRY+ZINN
www.martinitravels.com

by Greg Schwem

At last check, the time spent waiting for a chance to file past Queen Elizabeth’s coffin was estimated at 24 hours. Prior to her burial, the time spent waiting to file past Queen Elizabeth’s coffin was estimated at 24 hours, a figure made slightly higher when Piers Morgan tried cutting in line.
Note, I have no proof Morgan actually did that; but the man seems capable, doesn’t he?
It’s probably a good thing the Queen was officially laid to rest yesterday. Had the public viewing at Westminster Hall lasted any longer, King Charles III may have been lying alongside his mum by the time some reached the queue’s front.
As I watched new reports of the most publicized funeral since, well, since Elizabeth’s former daughter-in-law, Princess Diana, I wondered what would make anyone stand on their feet that long, simply to spend a few moments reflecting in front of a flag-draped casket? Knowing my bladder’s limitations, I would be forced to seek out a kindly looking British chap and ask that he hold my place while I ducked into a public loo. Sadly, I would have to repeat this process 24 times.
Then the answer came to me: The queen wasn’t a fan of selfies.
Face it, when a famous person dies, social media immediately becomes littered with posts from users recounting the time they met the dearly departed, accompanied of course by a photo as proof. This year I often felt like I was the ONLY person who didn’t meet Olivia Newton-John. Or Gilbert Gottfried. Or Vin Scully. Or Madeleine Albright. The list goes on and on.
Don’t get me wrong, I have taken my share of celebrity selfies. When Magic Johnson, Pat Riley, or, heaven forbid, Bruce Springsteen enter immortality, I will be frantically scrolling my phone, eventually finding proof of my encounter, which I will post on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook along with the obligatory affirmation that, yes, all were nice, gracious and accommodating.
But, as I write this, it’s been more than a week since Elizabeth’s death and I have yet to see one photo of her with a random individual who encountered her in a restaurant, aboard a flight or in a public park and summoned the nerve to hold up an iPhone and say, “Your Majesty, would you mind?”
For someone who ruled over 50 countries, public access to Elizabeth seemed remarkably limited. One never saw her riding a bike like Joe Biden or, like his predecessor, crashing a wedding at one of her properties and attempting to justify it with a goofy thumbs-up gesture. Then again, I’m not sure Windsor Castle is for rent. I hope not, as I have two unmarried daughters who may be eyeing it as the ultimate destination wedding site.
I have seen photos of the queen with non-family members, but most were as famous, if not more so, than she. When your name is Mick Jagger or Elton John, and you are summoned to Buckingham Palace to be knighted, then I guess there are multiple opportunities for selfies.
It’s rare, but occasionally I will see a selfie of a non-celebrity with Pope Francis, or one of his predecessors. It’s not that difficult, considering tickets to a papal audience are free and the Pope has been known to wander into the crowds following masses. One just needs a readily available phone and a little luck.
Since Elizabeth’s death, much has been made about the sheltered life she led after her coronation in 1953. I saw more photos of her with horses and corgis than I did with people. Charles, take note, you may not be the most popular monarch — you’ve already been met with shouts of, “Not my King” — but the desire to be close to your mother, even in death, shows that people still love the Royal Family.
Maybe it’s time to reciprocate. Ditch the parades. Instead, take an unannounced stroll through Hyde Park wearing jeans, sneak up behind a canoodling couple and ask how their day is going. Visit Wimbledon next summer and sit with the fans, as opposed to in the Royal Box. Cheer the loudest when phenom Carlos Alcaraz rips a backhand winner. Hell, start the wave. And yes, pose for selfies.
You will get thousands of “likes.”
(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 Nick Thomas

While best known for joining the cast of the popular CBS spy series “Mission: Impossible” for the last two seasons in the early 70s, Lynda Day George became something of a minor horror movie icon before retiring from acting in the late 80s.
In the horror realm, she portrayed characters threatened by an army of ants (“Ants,” 1977), a pack of wild dogs (“Day of the Animals,” 1977), a demonic force (“Beyond Evil,” 1980), a haunted mirror (“Fear No Evil,” 1969), a chainsaw-wielding killer (“Pieces,” 1982), and even a deranged undertaker’s assistant in “Mortuary,” her final film in 1983.
“I enjoyed doing them, but I also love comedy and drama,” said Day George from her home in Sequim, Washington.
Off-screen, the actress also experienced considerable drama, although horror might be a more appropriate description of her personal tragedies including the loss of two husbands – one succumbing to cancer and another from a sudden heart attack.
Actor Christopher George, Day George’s second husband of some 13 years, died just weeks after the release of “Mortuary” which co-starred the husband-and-wife acting team. She continued to guest-star in another half-dozen TV shows during the remainder of the decade before officially retiring, eventually remarrying in 1990 and later moving to Washington.
“After Chris died, I needed to take care of my family,” she explained. “I’ve also lost my mother, father, step-dad, and brother, so there’s been a lot of loss to deal with. But right now, I’m feeling great living here in Washington and have a wonderful life with my daughter and friends. My house is between the ocean and an inlet, and I love it here. I do a lot of gardening and I’m involved with many local groups including the theater.”
Despite the tragedies, Lynda has retained her genial nature and joyful spirit and still sports her trademark long blonde hair. Her positive attitude and sense of humor have clearly helped her survive the personal hardships as well as her past macabre movies such as the gruesome theme of “Day of the Animals,” which depicted the cast being mauled by enraged birds, dogs, wolves, bears, rats, and snakes.
She remembers filming was periodically paused when fellow actors including Leslie Nielsen, Michael Ansara, and Richard Jaeckel would break out in laughter.
“We just had so much fun making it,” she recalled. “Michael was a terrific, funny guy. Richard was a treasure, just a sweetheart. Every time I saw him after that he was just a big pile of sugar. And Leslie Nielsen could make you laugh at the drop of a hat – he was a one-man riot!”
In one scene, crazed dogs were required to leap through a cabin window and attack the characters. “I could be petting one, then the trainer would give a command and it would take off like a shot or become threatening and begin growling. They were terrific animal actors.”
An animal lover herself who shares her home with several dogs and cats, Day George not only enjoyed working with the animals but, as a longtime environmentalist, embraced the movie for bringing attention to ozone layer depletion, a significant environmental concern in the 70s (and bizarrely responsible for the creatures’ aggression in the film’s script).
While the concerns of ozone depletion have been replaced by global warming worries, Day George remains optimistic about the planet’s future despite widespread gloomy predictions.
“We have so many extraordinary people who are teaching us more and more about our planet. Bless them all.”
Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, in Alabama, and has written features, columns, and interviews for numerous magazines and newspapers. See www.getnickt.org.

Story by Darl DeVault, Contributing Editor

One of the state’s most family-oriented organized bicycle rides began on a clear morning after rain overnight Sunday, September 11, at Mitch Park, in Edmond. The event is one of the few in the state that allows seniors to ride with their grandkids over 12 years of age in what many term a Grand Event.
The ride offered 27, 40 and 64-mile courses starting in the 280-acre park. The Oklahoma Bicycle Society Streak has evolved into a family event using one of Edmond’s premier parks as a base. Edmond’s Johnny Carino’s Italian Restaurant provided all registered riders a free lunch after the ride.
The ride was moved back to its normal September date because organizers moved it forward last year to avoid conflict with the Red Bud Classic bike ride that had moved later because of COVID-19.
Organizers emphasized the Streak is not a race, and they were proud the ride was back to being later in the year when it was cooler temperatures. Riders could check their names against the posting of the lucky registered riders winning the 15 door prizes offered by local sponsors.
Again, the ride has been going on for so long that seniors have come to see it as an opportunity to help introduce their grandkids to an organized ride. Adult riders accompanied youth riders (ages 12-18).
Multiple rest stops with restrooms were open until 1 p.m. on the hilly 100K, 40- and 25-mile routes. The ride had not used the hilly courses in 15 years, taking the riders east of Edmond into the hills. The previous course, much flatter, went west around Piedmont.
“The course this year is not my idea of a family-friendly ride, which is how they market the Streak,” said longtime area rider Larry Floyd of Oklahoma City. “It was almost all uphill or downhill, and the road surface was like cobblestone in the parts of the course. The old route west toward Piedmont was much more fun and family-friendly.”
Ample fluids and snack foods were available at the rest stops. Several local bicycle shops and volunteers provided SAG (Support and Gear) support.
The first 250 riders received event T-shirts, with more than 260 people riding that morning.
Proceeds from the OBS Streak supply helmets for kids who receive bikes from the Salvation Army Buck$ 4 Bikes program for Christmas.
The OBS is a not-for-profit group dedicated to the promotion of bicycle safety. It supports bicycling in all its forms and the furtherance of the sport by defending the rights of bicyclists. The OBS is active in working with the city, county and state governments as well as other organizations to improve cyclists’ safety and rights and promote the construction of recreational trails and designated bike paths on streets and roads.
OBS organizes weekly rides all year for riders of all levels. See their website for more information about their activities: okcbike.org.
For the latest news on the club activities, upcoming rides throughout the state, and to further the enjoyment of bicycling, the club has an online monthly newsletter, The Pathfinder, available on the website. The club asks seniors to consider joining the OBS to learn more about how to help keep bicycling safe.

Oct. 1 will be a busy day for thousands of “stick-and-string” hunters in Oklahoma. That Saturday is when several archery hunting seasons will open across the state. Those seasons are:
* Deer archery, running through Jan. 15, 2023.
* Elk archery, on private lands through Jan. 15, 2023 (or until quota is met).
* Black bear archery, running through Oct. 16.
* Fall turkey archery, running through Jan. 15, 2023.
* Pronghorn antelope archery, running through Oct. 14.
The popularity of archery hunting continues to grow in Oklahoma. For the third year in a row, archery deer hunters set a record with 36,522 deer taken, which accounted for 31 percent of all deer harvested in the state last year.
The annual Game Harvest Survey (GHS), a scientific survey conducted by the Wildlife Department, has been tracking hunter metrics for decades. The GHS estimated that 117,216 archers took to the field this past season with a deer license in hand.
“Another off-season has come and gone. Big game hunters will be heading back to the woods come October 1st and have a lot to look forward to,” said Dallas Barber, Big Game Biologist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
“Populations are in good shape even amid the drought conditions that plagued much of the state during the summer. These first few weeks can be tough due to warm conditions, so archery hunters might place more effort in that first and last hour of legal shooting light.”
Barber said the early season is an ideal time to capitalize on antlerless deer opportunities. Why not fill the freezer before focusing on bagging that big buck?
According to the 2021-22 Big Game Harvest Report published in the September/October issue of Outdoor Oklahoma magazine, archery hunters took 16,097 antlerless deer compared to 20,425 antlered deer.
“Doe harvest is critical to keeping a herd healthy,” he said. “It’s again time for hunters to meet the challenge to let young bucks grow and take a doe.”
In southeastern Oklahoma, archery hunters took 66 black bears last year. Senior Wildlife Biologist Jeff Ford said the summer’s hot and dry conditions could make this year’s bear hunting more challenging.
“These conditions may affect the fall mast crop, making it harder to find some good bear sign in the woods. So concentrate on water resources to find sign. Bears will frequent watering holes when the weather is hot.
“I would say the most important thing … is to find an area with fresh bear sign and then just stay with it. Most successful bear hunters start early in the season, and you may have to sit all day.”
Ford suggests public land hunters should scout as early as possible for areas with acorns (preferably white oak), which are most preferred by bears. “The acorns will start falling around the first of October, and bears are going to be searching them out.”
Bear hunters (including lifetime license holders) must buy a bear license before the season opens, as those licenses will not be sold after Sept. 30.
For complete regulations — including required licenses, open areas, harvest quotas, and reporting requirements — consult the 2022-23 Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations online at www.wildlifedepartment.com, on the Go Outdoors Oklahoma mobile app or Apple or Android, or in print free at license dealers statewide.

“Americana: A Musical Tour of the USA” featuring Jonas Nordwall September 26, 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73105. The fall performance of the Kilgen Organ series will feature organist Jonas Nordwall, presenting musical selections that follow the theme “Americana: A Musical Tour of the USA.”
Presente in Oklahoma! September 27, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic American Heritage Month. To celebrate the significant contributions of Latinos in the state of Oklahoma, the OHS Multicultural Office is planning “Presente in Oklahoma!,” a panel discussion focusing on Hispanic history to be held at the Oklahoma History Center on Tuesday, September 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The panel will consist of historians, scholars, and representatives from Hispanic families with deep roots in Oklahoma.
Annual Quilt Show opens Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum, 1141 Pawnee Bill Road Pawnee, OK 74058 Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum will host its annual Quilt Show during the month of October, featuring heirloom and modern quilts from across the state. Cimarron Valley Quilt Guild and Pawnee Bill Quilt Guild members are instrumental in putting together this yearly event. The show opens on Saturday, October 1, and closes on Sunday, October 30.
Research Center Book Sale The Oklahoma Historical Society’s John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick Research Center will host its book sale Wednesday, October 5, through Saturday, October 8, at the Oklahoma History Center, located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City. The sale is open from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. The sale will include books on a variety of topics, featuring many rare and out-of-print titles.
“History Never Dies” Halloween Carnival Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library, 406 East Oklahoma Avenue Guthrie, OK 73044. The Oklahoma Territorial Museum in Guthrie will host its “History Never Dies” Halloween Carnival on Saturday, October 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. This free, family-friendly event returns with a Hocus Pocus theme. At the two-hour event, families can enjoy carnival games, prizes, food, candy, and Halloween-themed activities both inside and outside of the museum.
Doaksville Historic Candlelight Tour Fort Towson Historic Site, HC 63, Box 1580 Fort Towson, OK 74735. Experience the history of southeastern Oklahoma at the annual Doaksville Candlelight Tours. Tours will be held Friday, October 7, and Saturday, October 8, beginning at 6:30 p.m., with the last tour departing at 10 p.m. A guide will take visitors on a 45-minute walking tour through the streets of this once prominent town. The venues on the tour will cover specific historic events in Doaksville’s history.
Quilting workshop with Martha Ray Sod House Museum, 4628 State Highway 8 Aline, OK 73716. Visit the Sod House Museum southeast of Aline for a quilting workshop on Saturday. The workshop will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. with instructor Martha Ray, and the cost is $5 per person. For more information, please contact Director Renee Trindle at 580-463-2441 or sodhouse@history.ok.gov.
History and Haunts at the Overholser October 8, 15, 22, 28, 6 p.m.–8 p.m. Visit the Henry and Anna Overholser Mansion for History and Haunts at the Overholser! The tours will begin with a brief introduction in the Overholser Mansion Carriage House followed by a rare glimpse inside the Henry and Anna Overholser Mansion after dark. See the home in its nighttime splendor, learn the history of the home and its former occupants, and discover why some say they are still roaming the halls! The tour will give time for guests to explore the historic home on their own. Tickets are $25 per person and each night is limited to 30 attendees, tickets are non-refundable. Purchase tickest online: https://www.preservationok.org/historyandhaunts
Folklife Festival Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73105. On Saturday, October 15, the Oklahoma History Center will host the annual Folklife Festival. The Folklife Festival is designed to engage visitors with opportunities to experience other cultures and traditions. Visitors are there to participate in the activities, not just observe.
Will’s Cowboy Trader Days at the Ranch Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch, 9501 East 380 Road Oologah, OK 74053. On the third Saturday of the month from April to October, make the trip to the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch in Oologah to take part in Will’s Cowboy Trader Days. See locally handcrafted and homemade items, saddles, cowboy hats, tack, boots, and a variety of work created by local artisans from October 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is FREE.
Cemetery Symbols: Carved in Stone Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73105. Join the Oklahoma History Center to explore the meaning behind historic gravestones on Saturday, October 29, from 1 to 3 p.m. Gravestones and cemeteries are rich in a language of symbols. Symbols can be difficult to interpret because their meaning changes over time. By examining the grave markers, one can learn more than just the person’s name. This in-person class for ages 16 and up will provide the skills necessary to investigate the past through tombstones.
Ghost Stories Candlelight Tour Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum, 1141 Pawnee Bill Road Pawnee, OK 74058. Visit the Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum to take part in a Ghost Stories Candlelight Tour for one night only on Saturday, October 29, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Guides will lead guests through an outdoor tour in the park telling spine-tingling, ghostly tales about Oklahoma, the surrounding area, and the Pawnee Bill Ranch. The tours will leave every 30 minutes from the museum building that night, so bundle up for cool weather. Admission is $5 per person.
Blacksmithing Demonstrations with the Saltfork Craftsmen November 5, Cherokee Strip Museum and Rose Hill School, 2617 West Fir Street Perry, OK 73077. Visit the Cherokee Strip Museum in Perry to watch the Saltfork Craftsmen give a Blacksmithing Demonstration in the blacksmith shop. The demonstration will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests can enjoy watching the craftsmen work and will have an opportunity for safe hands-on experiences. This event is for those who enjoy watching craftsmen at work, and for young and old alike to try their hand at the craft. The forge will be lighted at 10:00 am.
Cast-Iron Cooking class Chisholm Trail Museum and Horizon Hill, 605 Zellers Avenue Kingfisher, OK 73750. The Chisholm Trail Museum in Kingfisher will host a Cast-Iron Cooking class on Saturday, November 5, from noon to 4 p.m. In this casual, fun class, students will learn to care for and cook in cast-iron cookware. Participants will create a Dutch oven delight and participate in a group meal. The class will explore historical and modern recipes while learning backyard cooking skills. This class is restricted to children ages 10 and older with an adult.
Daughter of Dawn film screening at the Poncan Theatre November 6, 2 p.m.–3 p.m. Poncan Theatre, 104 East Grand Avenue Ponca City, OK 74601. On Sunday, November 6, at 2 p.m. the Pioneer Woman Museum and Statue will host a film screening of “The Daughter of Dawn” at the Poncan Theatre, located at 104 E. Grand Ave. in Ponca City. Rather than a set ticket price, patrons are encouraged to give a donation as admission to the screening. The program begins at 2 p.m.
Choctaw Code Talkers documentary film screening November 12, 1 p.m.–3 p.m. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73105. In honor of Native American Heritage Month, on Saturday, November 12, from 1 to 3 p.m., the Oklahoma History Center will screen the documentary of Choctaw Code Talkers. In 1918, although the Choctaw soldiers of the US American Expeditionary Forces were not considered citizens of the country, they served, using the Choctaw language as a powerful tool against the German Forces in World War I.
Rushmore Four performances at the Oklahoma History Center November 16, 2 p.m. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73105. On Wednesday, November 16, the Rushmore Four, a program featuring the presidents who appear on Mount Rushmore, will be returning to the Oklahoma History Center! Performances are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. There is no charge for the 2 p.m. performance, however, patrons are required to pre-register. Admission for the evening performance is $10 for Historical Society members and $20 for nonmembers.
“Hunter Trapper” living history program Fort Gibson Historic Site, 907 North Garrison Avenue Fort Gibson, OK 74434. On Friday, November 18, and Saturday, November 19, 2022, from 10 a.m. to noon and again from 1 to 3 p.m., the Fort Gibson Historic Site will hold a living history program about the practices of hunters and trappers of the area. Visitors will learn about the trade through a hands-on examination of the different animal furs and by seeing the different equipment, tools, and paraphernalia involved in making a successful hunting season.
“Holiday Special” Kilgen Organ Performance feat. Lance Luce Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73105. On Monday, November 28, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., the Oklahoma History Center will present the 2022 winter performance of the Kilgen Organ series featuring organist Lance Luce. The theme for the concert will be “Holiday Special.” A short film and an audience sing-along are planned as a part of the performance. Lance Luce is an internationally acclaimed theatre organist.