Author: Beth Case

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Amusing Advice on Aging from Animals

Tortoises — Take life slow and enjoy the ride

Tortoises are one of the most ancient creatures on the planet, living up to 150 years old.  They average a speed of .17 mph.  They’re not winning sprints, but they are highly effective burrowers and have evolved to survive harsh conditions.  They can endure quite a lot.  Tortoises may not be what you’d call the sexiest animals around, but they teach an important life lesson: Slow and steady wins the race.

Some Epworth Villa Residents heed this advice and take things as they come, while others are constantly on the go.  Just because one takes things in at a leisurely pace as another runs from one commitment to another doesn’t mean that they aren’t both living life to the fullest.

The great thing about Epworth Villa is that you can choose to take life a little slower or fly by the seat of your pants and go, go, go!  It’s all up to you!  We offer a lifestyle for everyone.  Take a look at our Weekly Happenings to see what is going on!

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Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday in the Christian Church is the start of the Season of Lent. Ash Wednesday is one of the more important observances, because it is the one day of the year when Christians think about their own death. While the Catholic tradition has practiced Ash Wednesday and Lent for many years, it has only recently started to be observed by many Protestant traditions.

Epworth Villa’s Ash Wednesday service was held in the style of Prayer Stations. This means, attendees came and went as their time allowed.  After walking into the Brill Chapel, Residents and Employees were greeted by stations set around the room. Guests were welcome to visit each station and move between them as they wished.  The Prayer Stations were available in the Brill Chapel from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Chaplains were on hand for the Imposition of Ashes, as well as to answer questions and requests for prayer. Thanks to all who made time to visit the Brill Chapel on Ash Wednesday.

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History of Epworth Villa-Part 1

An excerpt from the “History of Epworth Villa:”
In the third year of his tenure (1983,) Bishop John Wesley Hardt, a man of action rather than dreams, asked Dr. Charles Wells, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries and Dr. Elwyn Thurston, Director of the United Methodist Foundations to explore possibilities of including such a retirement facility in the ministry of The Oklahoma Conference of the The United Methodist Church.”

That was just the beginning…..stay tuned for more of the history of Epworth Villa.

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Special Agent in Charge

Earlier this month, Kathryn Peterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Oklahoma City Field Office was the guest speaker for the February Women’s Coffee at Epworth Villa.  Women’s Coffee leader, Sonie Liebler welcomed the guests.  Resident, Marilyn Williams gave a brief devotion and offered the opening prayer.  She gave thanks for the FBI and those who protect us.  She prayed for the protection of those who protect us and their families.

Peterson told the group of her journey to her current position  She also talked about how devoted her employees and agents are, and how they worked and did not get paid during the most recent government shutdown.  Peterson also spoke to the fact that government agencies work together so much more now than they have in the past.

She touched on the fact that the FBI faces challenges with technology and encrypted communication.  The legalities that prohibit gaining useful information has been a stumbling block.

Increased outreach and work with the private sector has increased at the FBI.  Partnerships with the community have proven to be beneficial in an effort to serve all.

Peterson spoke of recruiting new agents.  She suggested that the FBI is a calling – not just a job!

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Winter Film Festival

Resident Walt Lambert has set the dates and chosen the movies for this year’s Winter Film Festival.  The Festival is slated to begin 2:00 pm Sunday, February 17th and run daily through Friday, February 22nd and will feature Robert Duvall in his Greatest Roles.  Duvall was suggested by resident, Jimette McLean.  McLean said that Duvall is her favorite actor because of his long career playing a variety of characters.  His reach as an actor is great.  Second Hand Lions is McLean’s favorite Duvall movie, even though she feels like it wasn’t his best role.  On the other hand, she thinks his best part was in The Apostle.  McLean says that in this role as a preacher Duvall portrays a consummate saint AND sinner.

Lambert said that he assumed the responsibility of creating the Film Festival as well as other weekly movies.  He streams the movies on iTunes.  Last summer he held a festival that heralded Broadway musicals.  Approximately 25 residents attend daily, as well as residents from Assisted Living.  Lambert also runs weekly movies.  He says that if a movie is popular, he will run it 2-3 times in the Epworth Villa Theatre.

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Make Your Steps Count

It seems every day we pass someone anxiously looking at their wrist to see if they are on pace to reach the coveted 10,000 steps goal. But is this really a goal worth striving for, or might there be something better?

Professor Rob Copeland from Sheffield Hallam University performed an experiment comparing the benefits of 10,000 steps against something called “Active 10.” With Active 10 there is no step counting. The goal is to do three brisk 10-minute walks a day aiming to walk fast enough to work the heart and lungs while still being able to hold a conversation. The volunteer group was fitted with wearable fitness monitors to measure what they did and how vigorously they did it.

The group tasked with completing 10,000 steps (around 5 miles) only had 66% actually reach the goal and all found the task difficult. The Active 10 group, on the other hand, found their task relatively easy and all volunteers completed the task.

Professor Copeland analyzed the data and found that the Active 10 group actually did 30% more moderate to vigorous physical activity than the 10,000 step group. He noted, “And it’s when you are doing moderate intensity activity that you are starting to get the greatest health benefits.”

It’s worth noting that doing something is better than doing nothing, and while striving to complete 10,000 steps a day is beneficial, we can really improve our cardiovascular health by increasing the intensity with our exercise. Make your steps count!

Blaine Jackson, NASM-CPT, Wellness Coordinator

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Certified Healthy Oklahoma Recognizes Epworth Villa

We are pleased to announce that Epworth Villa Retirement Community has met the criteria to become a Certified Healthy Business.  Certified Healthy Business recognizes business sites that make a positive impact on the health of employees and patrons.  Epworth Villa’s contribution in creating a healthy environment is important to the future of Oklahoma.  There are three levels of certification: Basic, Merit and Excellence.  Epworth Villa has earned a Merit certification.

Epworth Villa’s commitment to pursuing this certification is a great step forward in helping Shape Our Future!    The program is sponsored by Certified Healthy Oklahoma.  March 7, 2019 Blaine Jackson, Wellness Coordinator for Epworth Villa will attend the Certified Healthy Oklahoma Event and receive the award on behalf of Epworth Villa.

 

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Robin Mills, 2017 Edmond Teacher of the Year

Mrs. Mills spoke to the Epworth Villa Rotary Club about the blessings and challenges she has teaching deaf/blind students in the Edmond school district. She briefly touched on the current situation with Oklahoma teachers. The Edmond school district is lucky to have Mrs. Mills. Epworth Villa Rotary is held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month.

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Concert Pianist Margaret Singer

Margaret Singer was born and raised in Crescent, Oklahoma where she received her earliest musical training and began her career as an accompanist at the age of twelve. After graduating from high school, she continued her studies at Oklahoma College for Women, where she was a student of Jacque Abram, the Artist-in-Residence. She continued her education on with a Fulbright grant to the Royal Music Academy of Music, London.

Upon returning to America, she moved to New York City, where she accompanied in many vocal studios, and eventually served as Assistant Conductor at the New York City Opera. This was followed by engagements with the San Francisco Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia, and Washington Opera (D.C.).