OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- The Oklahoma Department of Human Services Aging Services Division seeks entries for the annual Senior Oklahoman Poetry Contest. The contest is a popular event held in conjunction with Oklahoma’s celebration of May as Older Americans Month.

“Poets may write on any topic,” said Lance Robertson, OKDHS Aging Services director. “We usually receive more than 300 entries, and they cover a broad range of topics from humorous accounts of past experiences to very inspiring messages from people with great insight of life and living.”

Contestants must be 60 years of age or older and have been a resident of Oklahoma. All poetry must be original, and each contestant may submit no more than three poems.

Entries must be received no later than Feb. 1, 2008. As all appropriate entries will be published in a booklet that will be distributed during the Oklahoma Conference on Aging, the deadline will not be extended. Poems received after the deadline will not be considered.

Please send entries Attention: Claire Dowers-Nichols at OKDHS Aging Services Division, 2401 N.W. 23rd St., Suite 40, Oklahoma City, OK, 73107.

Contestant winners will be notified by May 2, 2008, so they may attend the conference and be recognized during a ceremony held on Senior Day, May 21. The winners will also be invited to read their poem during the ceremony.

All senior Oklahomans are invited to participate in Senior Day activities free of charge.

For information regarding the format required for poetry submission, contact your local Area Agency on Aging by calling the Senior Info-Line (800) 211-2116 or by calling the OKDHS Aging Services Division at (405) 521-2281.

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