Joe and Olene Beshirs
Lillian Underwood, right, and Lucille Norman.
Floyd ParnacherEvery year the Chickasaw Nation Division on Aging hosts a Valentine’s Banquet. This year the party was held at the community center in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Each Chickasaw Senior Center has their King and Queen recognized and crowned at the banquet. Joe and Olene Beshirs were chosen to represent the Achille Senior Center. Joe and Olene have been married 62 years and set an excellent example of true Valentine Sweethearts! They have spent a lifetime ministering God’s word across America and are now enjoying retirement and the activities of the Senior Center.
While there, I had the opportunity to visit with several of our Chickasaw Elders and witness them in action on the dance floor. They made the “twist” and the “jitterbug” look easy.
Mr. Floyd Parnacher from the Purcell Center was in attendance. Floyd is a Chickasaw elder and a self taught artist! I am proud to say I have one of his paintings. To see some of his work, stop by the Purcell senior
Center and let the staff give you a guided tour. I had a chance to make a new acquaintance, Mr. Jack Kirby of the Davis/Sulphur area. It was also nice to meet up with Mr. Harris, a friend that I have not seen in a few years.
Thank you to the Division on Aging staff for all their hard work and effort. I can’t wait to see what next year’s valentine theme will be!
Later in the month, I had a chance to meet up with other Legislators for lunch at the Connerville Senior Center located in Connerville, Okla. I caught the cook, Lillian Underwood in action serving the noon meal. Her partner in the picture is Lucille Norman. Lucille is an active senior at the center also. It was nice to hear from the citizens at the site. Drop by for lunch and enjoy Lillian’s cooking. Lunch is served at 11:30 p. m. This is the best kept secret in Connerville.
Just want to remind you voters outside the boundaries to get settled in the voting district of your choice by April 1st. Currently, there are no provisions for changing your voting district after this date unless you move into a specific district. If you would like to learn more on this issue, contact the Tribal Election Office in Ada at (888) 661-0137.
**Reminder** If you know of a high school 2009 graduating senior(or anyone else) who is planning on attending college/votech in the fall, all applications for Chickasaw Tribal funding for college/votech MUST BE TURNED IN BY APRIL 1ST. Applications can be located on line or call the education department. (580) 421-7711.
A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22
