OKIE FROM MUSKOGEE: Olshen likes getting involved

Sep. 7—It doesn't take long for New Jersey native Michelle Olshen to get involved in Muskogee things.

"I'm a people person," she said. "When I came out here, I didn't know anybody but my husband, and people made me feel so welcome. I got involved. That's the key when you move into a community."

She first got involved with the St. Joseph Catholic Church home and when her daughter was in fifth grade.

"I talked to the principal and asked how can I get involved and she said Casino Night is coming up," she said. "I Just jumped right in, subbed there when they needed help in classroom."

It wasn't long before the school asked her to teach preschool. She said it was a big change from the big Wall Street bank she worked with back east.

"Teaching preschool was one of the best career moves I could have ever made," she said. "Watching children grow and learn was so much fun. I feel I made an impact on their young lives."

She taught preschool for three years. When the COVID 19 pandemic affected work at the school, Olshen got involved with Friends of Honor Heights Park. That led to a position as assistant operations manager at the Papilion.

Olshen oversees the children's summer camp, helps plan events and weddings and does marketing.

She now is taking classes with the Oklahoma State University Master Gardener program, so she can know more about the Papilion's many plants.

Through the years, Olshen also has been involved with Kids' Space, Muskogee CASA for Children.

"Everyone has children, time constraints, but everyone has time to volunteer," she said. "I've made so many friends volunteering."

She said that in the 10 years she's lived in Muskogee, she has come to see its beauty.

"It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to," she said. "There's' something so special about Oklahoma."

She also sees beauty in Muskogee people.

"People are so friendly out here," she said. "The heart of this community is so strong."

Preschool provided learning experienceMichelle Olshen fondly recalls the small class sizes at St. Joseph.

"You really get an opportunity to get to know the child, get to know their learning styles, get to know what gets them excited and interested in learning," she said.

She said her largest class had 12 students.

"Going to preschool is so valuable to start them off on the right track for school," she said. "You learn social interaction, you learn about sharing. At that level, they're just little sponges. They pick up everything."

Olshen said it was hard, but important, to see her pupils fail.

"As a mom, you want to swoop in there and 'that's not the way to do it,'" she said. "But you have to step back and let them try, and let them fail, and learn from those failures, and those failures build success. You have to step back and let them try their own different ways, and just the excitement on their faces when they got it right."

Papilion was quick adjustmentOlshen adjusted quickly to her Papilion job.

"They really wanted someone to come out and help with the children's camp, and then help with events and market," she said. "It's a beautiful place to get married and have events."

About 20 youngsters participated in the children's camp.

The Butterfly House was a big learning tool.

"I wanted to make sure they knew what the parts were, the life cycle of the butterfly, why we put all different plants out here for them," she said. "I wanted them to engage with the butterflies there. It's pretty amazing when one flies on your shoulder."

They also learned about different plants.

"We picked some of the flowers and we would die fabric with them," she said. "We grew vegetables out there this summer, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers. We have fresh herbs out there. We had a little cooking class. We did some art out here."

Olshen Receives on-the-job trainingOlshen says she's still learning about butterflies and plants.

"If you're going to talk the talk, you've got to walk the walk," she said. "I really thought it was important to get the knowledge and education to know what I'm talking about. People come out here and they have questions about everything."

She said she's learning a lot through OSU Master Gardeners.

"They talk about the science of plants, of course," she said. "Pesticides and what they do, how to properly use them. We learn about planting different varieties of flowers, taking care of them how to nurture them."

Olshen said Oklahoma is a far different planting environment than her native New Jersey.

"Oklahoma is a tough environment for plants," she said. "We get the dry heat for long periods of time, then we get the torrential downpours. You have to really watch what you plant, really educate yourself about direct sunlight."

HOW DID YOU COME TO BE AN OKIE FROM MUSKOGEE?

"My husband brought me here. He is originally from New Jersey and a mutual friend introduced us. We dated long distance for a couple of years, then I decided to move out here and get married, about 10 years ago. Best decision I ever made. I love it out here."

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT MUSKOGEE?

"The community. Over the last few years, we've seen a lot of strife with the flooding, tornadoes and COVID. And the way the community has come together was absolutely amazing. You read on social media somebody needs help with something, and people just jump in, always willing to help."

WHAT WOULD MAKE MUSKOGEE A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE?

"More community volunteerism. More community engagement. I know the mayor and council have really worked hard to bring the community together and make more events and activities, bring in more tourism and awareness. People can sit around and complain all day, but that's not going to get us anywhere. We've got to get involved."

WHAT PERSON IN MUSKOGEE DO YOU ADMIRE MOST?

"My husband because he got me out here. He's a wonderful physician. He works at the VA. HIs passion and dedication to the community and to our veterans is awe inspiring. He never gives up. And my dear friend Angela Jackson. She and I have become friends over the last few years. She is one of the most driven people I've ever met. I've got a lot of things to juggle. I talk to Angela and she's like 'it's OK, we're going to get through it.'"

WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE THING TO HAPPEN TO YOU IN MUSKOGEE?

"First time I came out here from New Jersey back in 2014. Andy and I were just dating. He took me on a drive down the Illinois River. Just the sheer beauty of that trip, and seeing the awesomeness of that river was just amazing. Kind of sealed the deal for me."

WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?

"Travel. I love to garden. I love to hang out with my friends. I love to read. I love volunteering going, to events."

HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP MUSKOGEE IN 25 WORDS OR LESS?

"Muskogee is a gem. People are compassionate, friendly, loyal, probably one of the most beautiful places I've ever lived."