Yukon 66 Main Street, a local nonprofit, received a $6,990 AARP Community Challenge grant to buy 10 flashing pedestrian crossing signs that can be placed on the city’s Main Street during festivals and other events. Main Street—part of the historic Route 66, which was established in 1926—is four lanes wide and on a hill.

Four additional signs will help direct drivers unfamiliar with the area to available parking, says Vicki Davis, Yukon’s Main Street director. “We’re trying to develop a safe, walkable district,” Davis says.

The nonprofit is one of seven Oklahoma groups that received 2024 AARP Community Challenge grants totaling $66,550. The grants fund projects to make localities more livable.

Another grant of $3,200 will fund the creation of a community garden in South Coffeyville, on the Kansas border. Its raised beds will be used to grow Cherokee heirloom plants, such as corn and beans, says Kris Crane, with Native American Fellowship Inc., a community group that is part of the Cherokee Nation. The grant will also pay for benches.

Other grant recipients are:
► Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa, to provide home safety upgrades for older adults.
► Town of Cole, to create two community storm shelters.
► Comanche Nation Elder Council in Lawton, to build a community garden.
► Town of Davenport, to provide older residents with portable generators and carbon monoxide detectors.
► Food on the Move in Tulsa, to improve accessibility for older adults at a community garden. —David Lewellen

Honoring volunteers AARP North Dakota will host two community celebrations next month to showcase its work around the state this year and to recognize outstanding volunteers.

The dinners will be held in Bismarck on Thursday, Nov. 14, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and in Fargo on Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. AARP North Dakota will name its Community Fraud Fighter of the year and the recipient of the 2024 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service, the organization’s top state-level volunteer honor.

The events are free, but registration is required. Register at aarp.org/nd.

Staying informed To prepare voters for the upcoming election, AARP Wyoming is offering on its website a video series featuring interviews with more than five dozen state legislative candidates.

The candidates answer questions about property tax relief and discuss ways they would help older adults age in their communities. To view the videos, go to aarp.org/wy.

Find voting details, including information on early voting and how to locate your polling place, at sos.wyo.gov/elections and at aarp.org/wyvotes.

Helping caregivers To support the state’s estimated 490,000 family caregivers, the nonprofit OKCares, AARP and area providers are hosting the Oklahoma Family Caregiver Conference on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in multiple cities.

The free event will include discussions on respite programs, health and wellness, ways to recharge and energize, how to connect with other caregivers, and resources for aging in place. Participants can attend sessions in person in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Ardmore, McAlester and Enid, or they can watch online.

The conference is free, but registration is required. For registration and watch party information, visit aarp.org/ok.

Knowing the issues AARP South Dakota is urging voters to make their voices heard in the general election and will have information about ballot measures posted at aarp.org/sd.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Voters can get details about how, when and where to vote at sdsos.gov and at aarp.org/sdvotes. —DL