Dear Readers,

I hope you are warm and well this winter. A month into 2023 I’m pondering the idea of New Year’s resolutions. Many people make them and most break them. But why? Maybe they really weren’t something we wanted to achieve. Perhaps we have that old standard we throw out annually. Maybe we doubt our abilities and self-sabotage. Maybe our support system isn’t very supportive.

As we age our goals in life change. What we value and give energy to changes—the energy we have to give changes as our body ages. The scripture “... The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” takes on new meaning. A resolution is a firm decision to do or not to do something. A proclamation is a public or official announcement, especially one dealing with a matter of great importance. Maybe that is the problem: too many people’s resolutions are actually New Year’s Proclamations. Your goals are personal and not open for public debate and scrutiny. I would discourage making a public spectacle out of a personal goal. True close friends and supportive family are your biggest cheerleaders.

As a business owner, I plan my work year in detail with major deadlines, and events marked on my calendar. When my planning is done, if I only looked at all I have to accomplish from that broad annual view it would be overwhelming and I may never start. I know because I planned my work all I do now is work my plan. Each day I set manageable and achievable tasks and focus on that day.

Whatever your personal goals are for this year, make a plan. Be honest with yourself in your current reality. Don’t get historical and throw around the phrase, I used to could do, that isn’t fair to you now. If you suffered a health setback and want to get healthier in 2023 small changes implemented daily will move you toward your greater goal. If your goal is to move more don’t let your ego keep you from using a cane or walker to assist you. If you need it, use it. On health matters such as mobility and diet modification, setting a date or weight marker isn’t beneficial to true success. A daily goal is enough if you want to lose weight and have increased stamina and improved health. Just start and keep going.

If you are ready to downsize or just want to simplify your home and life. You want fewer chores and ease of maintenance but you have accumulated a lot of stuff over the years and every closet is stuffed spilling over into walkways and rooms. If you can safely begin eliminating clutter, do it. If you have a friend or family member offering to help you, say yes and start a project. Little goals and tasks add up to big positive changes in your life. I believe in you and know no matter your age you can accomplish so much when you set your mind to it.

In conclusion, I want to express my gratitude to those of you who have called, emailed, sent letters, and cards throughout the past year. They are a burst of joy straight to my soul. Your input plays a crucial role in the content of the magazine and what is incorporated into the events we host. I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming Better With Age FunDays and catching up. I have so many exciting new things planned for you to enjoy this year. May God bless you daily.

Sincerely,

LaShanya L. Nash

Publisher

EDITORIAL

Editor-In-Chief

LaShanya Nash

Art Director

Angela Blake

Writers

LaShanya Nash

Lisa Sydnor

Kathy Cocks, RN

Angela Blake

Shelley Stutchman

Jim Kettler

Emberlee Nash

Dep. Tara Hardin

Cover Photographer

LaShanya Nash

Contributing Photographers

Jessie Newell

Emberlee Nash

Community Outreach

Lisa Sydnor

405-314-7840 l.sydnor@betterwithageok.com

Layout Wise Marketing

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By Lisa Sydnor

It was with great anticipation that I went to interview Dr. Betty Hopkins Mason and Col. Alvin Ginsberg, Retired. I met Dr. Mason in the 1980s and was impressed by her commitment to excellence in education, her joy in life, and her beautiful smile.

I was not disappointed as she still has a beautiful smile and, at 94 years young, continues to be joyous in life and has such a kind spirit.

Meeting Col. Alvin Ginsberg (AKA Col. Al) reaffirmed my belief in gentlemen, a purpose-driven life, and commitment to excellence in educating our children. To spend several hours listening to them talk about education, young people, former students, and groundbreaking programs was a joy and learning experience. It is awe-inspiring how diverse life and career paths are brought together in service.

Two people, having two very different life paths, yet their commitment to serving others, education, and our youth put them on a journey that led to working in tandem for the greater good. They were the catalyst for bringing and implementing the Junior ROTC program to Oklahoma City Public Schools.

Dr. Mason, the daughter of a private home worker and a general laborer, with four brothers and one sister, was raised primarily by her mother. Her father died when she was 13 years old. A native Oklahoman, she graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa OK; earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bishop College in Marshall, TX; a Masters in Supervision and Administration from The University of California at Hayward and a Doctorate of Education from The University of Oklahoma at Norman, OK. Dr. Mason worked in Kansas, Missouri, Texas,

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California, Indiana and Oklahoma. Positions held included: school secretary, classroom teacher, reading specialist, assistant director of a Title One School, assistant principal, assistant personnel director, director of elementary schools, director of high schools and adult education, assistant superintendent of schools, and superintendent of schools. Dr. Mason was the first woman and first AfricanAmerican to be appointed assistant superintendent and superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools and the first woman to serve as superintendent of schools in Gary, Indiana.

Dr. Mason is in the Oklahoma Education Hall of Fame as a distinguished Oklahoma Educator; received a Beaver Award for work with the Boy Scouts; saluted by the Oklahoma Commission on Human Rights in 2010; honored by the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa in 1996 for Excellence in Education, and Outstanding Soror by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for her work in civic and religious organizations.

Col. Alvin Ginsberg was born in 1940 and graduated from Youngsville, Pennslyvania High School, Class of 1958. He was drafted into the United States Army in September 1964; completed the Artillery Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, OK, and commissioned in the Field Artillery in January 1965. Col. Ginsberg served in various staff and command assignments including two combat tours in Viet Nam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and the 25th Infantry Division. Col. Ginsberg also served with the 3rd Infantry Division Artillery in Germany and

Three Corps Artillery at Fort Sill, OK. He commanded a 105mm artillery battery in RVN and the 2/34th Field Artillery Battalion at Fort Sill. In 1991, upon returning from Italy with service in Allied Forces Southern Europe, he was assigned as the Commander of the 4th Brigade, Fourth ROTC Region, with responsibilities for ROTC and Junior ROTC programs in OK, KS, and AR. His military education includes the FA Career Course, Ft Sill, OK; The Command and General Staff College, Ft Leavenworth, KS; and the Air War College, Montgomery, AL. His civilian education includes a Bachelor of General Studies Degree from the University of Nebraska Omaha and a Graduate Degree from Webster University with a major in management and human relations.