Older Wiser Little Seniors (OWLS)

Welcome to the OWLS Group webpage, a group for LPs 50 years old or older.  We have several events planned at both the district and national levels, which will be posted here as they are confirmed.  

If you have any questions, suggestions for future OWLS events, or have an event you would like posted, please feel free to contact LPA's OWLS Committee Chair, Leslye Sneider at [email protected]t.

LPA OWLS Mission Statement 

The Older Wiser Little Seniors (OWLS) Group, a passionate group of Little People of America members ages 50 and older, is focused on supporting all members of LPA as they plan for a good life while they age. The OWLS group will identify issues, opportunities, and share information so that our senior members can live and enrich their lives to the fullest and that members of all ages in the LPA organization may benefit from our skills and experience. 

History of OWLS 

In 2000, Jim Kay contacted Lee Kitchens about the need for activities and support for older LPs. He then spoke with his wife Gerrie, and they decided to work together to get something going at the next conference. 

Prior to the 2001 Conference in Toronto, Jim and Gerrie contacted Marge Carlisle, Conference Manager, and requested a room be designated for Older LP Adults, 60 and older. At the conference they scheduled two sessions, 60 Minutes each, to get feedback from the participants about their interests and ideas about activities that would be of interest and appeal to older adults. They informed the attendees that the room was reserved for older adults for the week and was available as an informal hang-out area.

During the Toronto meetings, attendees were asked for ideas about naming the older LP Group. Older LPs and other names were suggested but no decision was made about a formal name. Following the Toronto Conference, Al and Harriet Stickney mentioned that their Church had a volunteer group called OWLs, Older Wiser Lutherans. Al suggested that the older LP Group could be called Older Wiser Little Seniors, “OWLS”. Jim included that suggestion in a survey sent to all Older LPs following the Toronto Conference.  A majority of respondents agreed that Older Wiser Little Seniors “OWLS” should be the name of the group. 

Gerrie and Jim continued as Co-Chairs of OWLS until 2008.

The Year in Review

Looking back at the 2024-25 OWLS events -- Thanks Harold and Greg for your great work.  

OWLS Zoom Meetings

• 1/12/25 - 19 people attended - Charlie Milligan from AARP's TaxAide program was our guest speaker.
• 11/17/24 - 16 people attended - OWLS Cruise recap and discussion.
• 9/15/24 - 33 people attended - Dan Okenfuss was our guest speaker, talked about the heart problems he experienced and the medical treatment he received while he was at the Baltimore Conference.
• 7/21/24 - 30 people attended - Baltimore Conference recap.
• 5/19/24 - 21 people attended - shared planned event details for the Baltimore Conference and welcomed open discussion, suggestions, etc.
• 3/17/24 - 44 people attended - 2 members of the LPA Medical Advisory Board were our guest speakers - with Q&A after their presentation.
• 1/21/24 - 23 people attended - Charlie Milligan from AARP's TaxAide program was our guest speaker.

Baltimore Conference OWLS Events:

• 6/29/24 - 11 people attended - OWLS Lunch
• 6/30/24 - 44 people attended - OWLS Reception
• 7/01/24 - 5 people attended - Morning Walk w/Carole Henley
• 7/01/24 - 17 people attended - OWLS Lunch
• 7/01/24 - 10 people attended - OWLS Marshmallow Challenge
• 7/03/24 - 10 people attended - OWLS Lunch
• 7/03/24 - 25 people attended - OWLS Paint N' Sip
• 7/04/24 - 9 people attended - OWLS Coffee Chat

District Conference Gatherings:

• 5/18/24 - 13 people attended - District 4 OWLS Spring Conference Gathering
• 5/11/24 - 2 people attended - District 13 OWLS Spring Conference Gathering
• 5/04/24 - 13 people attended - District 12 OWLS Spring Conference Gathering
• 4/27/24 - 10 people attended - District 6 OWLS Spring Conference Gathering
• 4/20/24 - 11 people attended - District 3 OWLS Spring Conference Gathering
• 3/16/24 - 8 people attended - District 11 OWLS Spring Conference Gathering
• 3/16/24 - 11 people attended - District 2 OWLS Spring Conference Gathering

** Click HERE to view photos from recent events. ** 

 OWLS Committee Chair and OWLS District Representatives