Major Kevin Gerfen rehearses a scene for his role in Town and Gown Theatre’ s“ White Christmas” production in 2023( Photo Provided).
RAISING VOICES:
A dementia-friendly choir
Raising Voices Chorus, a dementia-friendly choir, consists of one-third persons with dementia, one-third caregivers and one-third community volunteers. The choir’ s rehearsals are held in the afternoons on Saturdays at the Hazel Modella Art Gallery at 721 S. Main St. The rehearsals continue each Saturday until the choir presents a concert, held at the Stillwater History Museum at the Sheerar. Singers of all ages and abilities are welcome to join the choir, including pairs of persons with dementia and their care partners and other volunteer community singers. The choir is free to join, and no previous musical experience is required.
Raising Voices is part of the“ Giving Voice” network, a nonprofit organization inspiring and supporting the“ creation of choirs across the world for people living with Alzheimer’ s or other dementias and their care partners.”
TOWN & GOWN THEATRE
For 75 seasons, the Town & Gown Community Theatre has entertained the community with its musicals and plays. But the theatre offers more than just an evening of relaxation. Seniors may apply to join the Board of Directors. If you don’ t feel comfortable in front of the lights, you may find other volunteer roles, including selling and distributing tickets in the box office; helping with lights, sound or other technical aspects; designing and building sets; helping actors with costumes, makeup or hair; directing, stage managing or acting as a stagehand; or welcoming patrons as an usher.
BLOCK 34
There’ s always something happening around the Block. In Stillwater’ s“ back yard,” you can join a yoga class( including a Moonlight Yoga until September), a Midweek Mindfulness Series, jazzercise and more. Block 34 Live offers live music, food trucks, interactive art Market 34 vendors and community events. Enjoy the Westside Gardens and the Musician’ s Walk, which honors Stillwater’ s musical heritage. The Sunset Market is held the third Saturday each month from May-August, and the City will also celebrate America’ s 250th birthday at the Block 34 Birthday Bash from 5-9 p. m. Thursday, July 2.
OUR DAILY BREAD
At Stillwater’ s Our Daily Bread and local resource center, the small grocery store allows guests to self-select groceries for their households at no cost to them and connect to other resources that help address the root cause of poverty. Volunteers are always needed to collect groceries from local stores or welcome guests to the shopping floor, and there are different tasks and roles from which to choose. ODB, located at 701 E. 12th Ave., has a mission of“ feeding our community collaboratively and providing connections that enable lasting change,” according to its website. Call the volunteer coordinator at 405-533-2555( ext. 102) or email volunteer @ ourdailybreadstillwater. org.
Raising Voices is part of the“ Giving Voice” network, a nonprofit organization inspiring and supporting the“ creation of choirs across the world for people living with Alzheimer’ s or other dementias and their care partners.” Find more information, follow Stillwater’ s Raising Voices Chorus on Facebook, email info @ raisingvoicesok. com or visit www. raisingvoicesok. com /.
Friends of the Library board member Lynne Murnane straightens books at the Friends of the Library Spring Used Book Sale( Photo / Jessica Marshall).