55 Plus CNY 94, August / September '21 by 55 Plus: For Active Adults in Central New York

SAVVY SENIOR: HOW MUCH MONEY WILL I NEED TO RETIRE?

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55 PLUS

Issue 94 – August-September 2021

For Active Adults in the Central New York Area

cny55.com

Passion for Animals Ted Fox, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo’s director, celebrates 30 years working for the organization. He is holding Araña, a 7-year-old Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth who was hand-reared at the zoo. Page 28

Had a Stroke. Back on Stage.

Musician Todd Hobin KNOW THE SIGNS • CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY

Central New York music legend Todd Hobin knew nothing about stroke — but he does now. That’s why he’s raising awareness about stroke risk factors and its signs and symptoms.

FACE DROOPING

A. S.

ARM WEAKNESS

SPEECH DIFFICULTY

Fact: Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. Important to know: Stroke can happen to both men and women — at any age. Good news: Stroke is preventable by managing medical risk factors and healthy lifestyle choices. What to do: Time lost is brain lost. So it’s vital to know the signs of a stroke — F.A.S.T. Four words to live by: Call 911 and say, “Take me to Crouse.“ When it comes to stroke, every moment matters. As one of just 10 hospitals in New York State tohave earned Comprehensive Stroke Center status, and with the region’s newest ER and hybrid ORs, Crouse offers the most advanced technology for rapid stroke diagnosis and treatment

Read Todd’s story and learn more: crouse.org/toddhobin.

TIME TO CALL 911

OCTOBER 12 - 16, 2021

MUSIC BY SARA BAREILLES (“LOVE SONG,” “BRAVE”)

DECEMBER 7 - 12, 2021

APRIL 26 - 30, 2022

SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW! BroadwayInSyracuse.com • 315.424.8210

55 PLUS | contents

SAVVY SENIOR: HOW MUCH MONEY WILL I NEED TO RETIRE?

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PLUS

Issue 94 – August-September 2021

For Active Adults in the Central New York Area

cny55.com

August / September 2021 Story ideas? Information about advertising? Email editor@cny55.com or call 315-342-1182. To subscribe to the magazine, look for the coupon on page 26.

www.cny55.com

Savvy Senior 6 12 55 PLUS COOKS Gardening 8 • Vito Sciscioli of Syracuse shares one of Social Security Q&A 9 his favorite dishes: roast pork tenderloin with vegetables Dining Out 10 Aging 24 14 NAME Golden Years 26 • What do most people of a ‘certain age’ My Turn 34 wish to be called? Senior? Elderly? Life After 55 44 16 NEW LIFE Druger’s Zoo 46 • What to do after you retire?

18 RETIREMENT LAST PAGE

Nurse Rita Wicks: on off hours and weekends she volunteers at Brewerton Fire Department

55 PLUS - August / September 2021

• Retirees talk about what they wish they had known before they retired

20 HOBBIES • Syracuse resident Don Kowell is passionate about creating model circuses

28 COVER • Ted Fox, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo’s director, celebrates 30 years working for the organization

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36 SOCIAL JUSTICE • Donna Muhs-Mccarten: Dedicated to social justice

38 MILESTONE • Scout Museum in Constantia to celebrate 30th anniversary

40 MUSEUMS • These museums may not be on your radar but they are more than worthy of a visit

43 TRAVEL • Tons of places to visit nearby: Day trips to enjoy this season

48 VISITS • New York City has many attractions that won’t cost you a penny: We suggest 10 top destinations in the Big Apple

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savvy senior By Jim Miller

How Much Will You Need to Save for Retirement?

ow much money you need to retire comfortably is a great question that all working adults should ask themselves. Unfortunately, far too few ever bother thinking about it. But calculating an approximate number of how much you’ll need to have saved for retirement is actually pretty easy and doesn’t take long to do. It’s a simple, three-step process: Estimate Living Expenses The first step — estimating your future retirement living expenses — is the most difficult. If you want a quick ballpark estimate, figure around 75% to 85% of your current gross income. That’s what most people find they need to maintain their current lifestyle in retirement. If you want a more precise estimate, track your current living expenses on a worksheet and deduct any costs you expect to go away or decline when you retire, and add whatever new ones you anticipate. Costs you can scratch off your list include work-related expenses like commuting or lunches out, as well as the amount you’re socking away for retirement. You may also be able to deduct your mortgage if you expect to have it paid off by retirement, and your kid’s college expenses. Your income taxes should also be less. On the other hand, some costs will probably go up when you retire, like health care, and depending on your interests you may spend a lot more on travel, golf or other hobbies. And, if you’re going to be retired for 20 or 30 years, you also need to factor in some occasional big budget items like a new roof, heating and air conditioning system or vehicle. Tally Retirement Income Step two is to calculate your

55 PLUS - August / September 2021

55PLUS cny55.com Editor & Publisher Wagner Dotto

Writers

retirement income. If you or your wife contribute to Social Security, go to SSA.gov/MyAccount to get your personalized statement that estimates what your retirement benefits will be at age 62, full retirement age and when you turn 70. In addition to Social Security, if you or your wife have a traditional pension plan from an employer, find out from the plan administrator how much you are likely to get when you retire. And figure in any other income from other sources you expect to have, such as rental properties, part-time work, etc. Calculate the Difference The final step is to do the calculations. Subtract your annual living expenses from your annual retirement income. If your income alone can cover your bills, you’re all set. If not, you’ll need to tap your savings, including your 401(k) plans, IRAs, or other investments to make up the difference. So, let’s say for example you need around $60,000 a year to meet your living and retirement expenses and pay taxes, and you and your wife expect to receive $35,000 a year from Social Security and other income. That leaves a $25,000 shortfall that you’ll need to pull from your nest egg each year ($60,000 – $35,000 = $25,000). Then, depending on what age you want to retire, you need to multiply your shortfall by at least 25 if you want to retire at 60, 20 to retire at 65, and 17 to retire at 70 — or in this case that would equate to $625,000, $500,000 and $425,000, respectively. Why 25, 20 and 17? Because that would allow you to pull 4% a year from your savings, which is a safe withdrawal strategy that in most cases will let your money last as long as you do.

Deborah J. Sergeant Steve Yablonski Mary Beth Roach Margaret McCormick Barbara Pierce

Columnists

Bruce Frassinelli Marilyn Pinsky, Harold Miller Jim Sollecito, Marvin Druger Sandra Scott, Christopher Malone

Advertising

Amy Gagliano Cassandra Lawson

Office Manager Nancy Nitz

Layout & Design Joey Sweener

Cover Photo

Chuck Wainwright

55 PLUS –A Magazine for Active Adults in Central New York is published six times a year by Local News, Inc. at 185 E. Seneca St. PO Box 276, Oswego, NY 13126. Subscription: $21 a year; $35 for two years © 2021 by 55 PLUS – A Magazine for Active Adults in Central New York.

No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher.

How to Reach Us P.O. Box 276 Oswego, NY 13126 Phone: 315-342-1182 Fax: 315-342-7776 Email: editor@CNY55.com Editor@cnyhealth.com

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gardening By Jim Sollecito

Ironwood Garden

ou marry a girl, you marry her family. I lucked out in both cases; particularly back in the day. The younger me made life harder than it needed to be. I appreciate now the patience shown by those who stood by me, particularly my nuclear and extended families. There are just some places where plants won’t grow and there are just some problems that don’t have a good solution. You reach a certain age, whatever that might be, and the game is over. My mother-in-law, Bev Cree, at age 96, finished her journey June 5. She completed her very full life and left us behind to carry on. I do think she requested a late checkout, but her bags were packed and she was ready to see what lies beyond her tenure on this planet. My wife, Megan, helped her mother get both of her COVID-19 shots this winter. Bev always aimed to set a good example, serve community and be part of the greater good. As we mourn, we also marvel at the outstanding person she was her entire accomplished life. Rock steady, but also ready to smile with her impish grin as she drove all over the country in her stick shift V W. She taught and inspired hundreds of school children, Girl Scouts and her own grandchildren, by example expecting and demonstrating mutual respect. If Bev were a tree, it would undoubtedly be an Ironwood. Planted among that tree would be flowers of many colors, all treated and cherished the same. In life we seek reliability. Just knowing some people are there gives us a measure of peace. The older we get, that dependability becomes more meaningful. I knew Bev and liked her for more than 42 years. Some examples I’d like

55 PLUS - August / September 2021

You marry a girl, you marry her family.

to share. Use it up, wear it out, make do or do without. It’s better to do things than to have things. She showed her grit when diagnosed with breast cancer at age 89. After recovering from surgery, she accompanied us to the Florida Keys; she didn’t miss a beat. After every visit and conversation, I was reminded that acceptance and perseverance will help us through life. I invite you to join my long-held tradition. At the beginning or end of a life, plant something that will make you smile as a reminder of that special person. It doesn’t have to be a large tree, rather something that will bring

pleasant memories. Bev walked her journey. She didn’t run, but she walked all over until just her last few weeks. That healthy image will live on through my memories. Anywhere is walking distance if you’ve got the time. Godspeed, Beverly Butterfield Cree. Jim Sollecito is the first lifetime senior certified landscape professional in NYS. He operates Sollecito Landscaping Nursery in Syracuse. Contact him at 468-1142 or jim@sollecito.com.

Social Security

Community Heroes

Q&A Q: I am nearing my full retirement age, but I plan to keep working after I apply for Social Security benefits. Will my benefits be reduced because of my income?

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A: No. If you start receiving benefits after you’ve reached your full retirement age, you can work while you receive Social Security and your current benefit will not be reduced because of the earned income. If you keep working, it could mean a higher benefit for you in the future. Higher benefits can be important to you later in life and increase the future benefit amounts your survivors could receive. If you begin receiving benefits before your full retirement age, your earnings could reduce your monthly benefit amount. After you reach full retirement age, we recalculate your benefit amount to leave out the months when we reduced or withheld benefits due to your excess earnings. Learn more about Social Security reading our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits, at www.ssa.gov/pubs/10069. html.

Q: I worked for many years before I became disabled, but I didn’t have enough recent work to receive Social Security Disability (SSDI) payments I receive for SSI. Will I ever receive Social Security payments? A: It depends. If you have at least 40 quarters of coverage, you can be eligible for Social Security retirement payments beginning at age 62. Additionally, if you are performing some work while you are on SSI, you may become currently insured for disability payments in the future. There are other ways you could become eligible for Social Security benefits, including benefits through a spouse or a divorced spouse. For more information, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or contact your local Social Security office.

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August / September 2021 - 55 PLUS

Din i ng Out By Christopher Malone

Restaurant

Guide

Four large diver sea scallops ($35) on a bed of slaw, featuring corn, snow peas and carrots. The quality of the entrée exceeded expectations.

Flavorful Constructs

The Craftsman Wood Grill builds foodie hype

ou would hope that one of the longest restaurant names I’ve ever encountered — and I’m looking at you, The Craftsman Wood Grille and Tap House — would keep mouths as filled as saying its name. I’ve been meaning to check out this spot since it opened a couple years ago, a revamp and revision of what was previously The Limestone Grille. The restaurant, appropriately located at The Craftsman Inn & Suites, 7300 E. Genesee St. in Fayetteville, is a chic and comfortable spot. Judging by the interior and exterior

55 PLUS - August / September 2021

aesthetics, the eatery lives up to its name, especially with emphasis on the “craft” and “wood” parts. Of course, “tap” gets a nod with consideration for the 19 draught lines. Plus, the establishment means business if they have a stake at Maker’s Mark, considering The Craftsman’s own collection of private select bottles making a quiet yet distinct statement. Each single of the specialty bourbon is $16. I wasn’t feeling that frisky; however, I did order a lager from Syracuse brewery Talking Cursive. The $10 beer seemed a little high for a lager. Most of the other drafts were $6 or

$7. Yet, the smoothness and nuttiness of this Vienna lager (per Craftsman’s menu) or sunflower seed lager (per Talking Cursive’s site) won me over. The other bourbon ordered, a Bulleit rye (for dessert), also came to $10, so you see where the pricing is coming from. The Craftsman’s one-page menu boasts familiar small plate and entree options and crowd-pleasing favorites but with Chef Steve Batur’s creative efforts. The menu is compact enough where I’d want to try it all, order every item with no regrets.

The Berkshire rib pork chop ($26) was a generous hunk of pig and topped with frizzled onions. It was charred and cooked a perfect medium, as I ordered.

Speaking of no regrets, try the crispy cauliflower ($16). These tempura-battered florets are bathed in General Tso’s sauce and graced with scallions and peanuts. The tempura batter allows for a great crunch. The last few times I’ve enjoyed the General Tso’s chicken, there was no kick. However, for this small plate, the sauce had spiciness and a slight sweetness. If Craftsman were selling this sauce, they’d have to put a jar aside for me every couple of weeks. The cavatelli ($18) was as colorful as it was flavorful. The perfectly cooked pasta shared a dish with squash, zucchini, oven-dried tomatoes and spinach. The squash and zucchini were thin sliced so they didn’t have that slight crisp to them and teetered on the mushy side. However, combining them with bites of the tomatoes and spinach — all felt right with the dish. The lemon-thyme butter sauce was on-point. The balance of the seasoning and the citrus was cooperative, as if each was trying to selflessly push the other in the spotlight. The four, large diver sea scallops ($35) were presented on a bed of slaw, featuring corn, snow peas and carrots. The slaw was basic and fresh. The seared scallops stole the limelight with

Crispy cauliflower ($16 bathed in General Tso’s sauce and graced with scallions and peanuts.

their flavor and tenderness. Not one of them were tough in the slightest. Although the price made me scratch my head, the quality of the entrée exceeded expectations. It did come with a slide, however. For that side, cue the roasted yellow and red beets (regularly $6), which came with nuts. To quote the band Coldplay — the beets, they were all yellow. However, this didn’t make me red with anger. They weren’t tough and didn’t taste overly earthy. The Berkshire rib pork chop ($26) was a generous hunk of pig and topped with frizzled onions. It was charred and cooked a perfect medium, as I ordered. Unfortunately, it was pretty salty. The entree came with a red pepper sauce and a grilled portion of a garlic bulb. Cut off a piece of tender pork, pull out a little piece of garlic, stick them both on a fork to dunk them in the sauce — nothing short of delightful. The side to the pork was the zucchini fries with chipotle aioli (regularly $8). The large portion of lightly breaded, thick-stripped zucchini wasn’t overly heavy — of course, it wasn’t consumed in one sitting. The chipotle aioli had that slight smokiness and mild heat, a great

complement to the breaded veggies. It was a busy night but as the crowd died down and the leftovers were boxed up, the service kind of forgot about me. The water glass, which was filled a handful of times during dinner, sat empty for the last quarter of the meal, which is a no-no. My check was still in limbo, so I had to ask for it. Before tip, the bill came to $126 and change. If you’re a person looking for huge portion size, this isn’t for you. If you’re looking for quality ingredients and a meal to enjoy with friends or family, head on in. Build a night around your meal. Yes, I went there.

The Craftsman Wood Grille and Tap House 7300 E. Genesee St. Fayetteville, NY 13066 315-637-9999 craftsmanwoodgrilletaphouse.com, facebook.com/craftsmanwoodgrilletaphouse, instagram.com/craftsmanwoodgrilletaphouse/

Sun.: Closed Mon.–Sat.: 4–10 p.m. August / September 2021 - 55 PLUS

By Margaret McCormick

Vito Sciscioli, Syracuse

Above Vito Sciscioli prepares an appetizer in his Syracuse kitchen. He grilled some crusty bread (brushed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar) and topped the bread with sliced figs, prosciutto and a triple cream cheese (similar to brie). 12

55 PLUS - August / September 2021

Vito Sciscioli (pronounced shihSHOW-lee) is retired but likes to stay active. He and his wife, Janet, sing in the choir at University United Methodist Church. This time of year, you might find him in his garden, though he got tired of fighting deer and woodchucks and other critters and now grows mainly tomatoes and herbs. Sciscioli, 77, spent more than three decades in top positions at Syracuse City Hall, including public works commissioner. He later went on to chair the Greater Syracuse Land Bank, serve as executive director of Syracuse 20/20 and teach part time at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Now that he has more time, he enjoys spending time in the kitchen and cooking for family and friends, when possible. He’s not a fussy, detail-oriented cook. He describes his cooking style as “straightforward,’’ using ingredients that are familiar, readily available and seasonal. He learned to cook by watching his mother, and later from a variety of cooking shows on PBS and the Food Network, including “Cook’s Country’’ and “America’s Test Kitchen’’ (and their magazine counterparts, as well). He has a fondness for Italian American food, like cioppino (fish stew) and pasta dishes, and he likes to grill. “I am definitely not a French cook, and most dishes [I make] are pretty straightforward and do not require advanced techniques,’’ Sciscioli says. Sciscioli and his wife live in Syracuse. They have three adult children and one grandchild (“who has not figured out that eating my food will render big benefits to him”). Some family members are vegetarians. When cooking for them, Sciscioli looks to books like “Diet for a New America,’’ by John Robbins. “The lentil loaf and miso mushroom sauce is a holiday favorite when beef Wellington does not match up,’’ Sciscioli says. How would you describe your cooking style? “I cannot say I have a style except

I like to do preparation ahead of time, especially when a lot of vegetables need to be prepared or proteins need to be marinated… I do like to use everything and will put leftover veggies in the next morning’s frittata, or if I have salmon left over, I turn that into salmon cakes.’’ What’s your favorite dish to cook on a weeknight? “One of the easiest dishes to cook on a weeknight is pork tenderloin with roasted vegetables (see recipe, below) and a tossed salad. Toss in baked apples and it can be done in the oven at the same time except for cooking potatoes (which take longer to cook). In summertime, this changes from the oven to the grill.’’ What do you like to cook when family/ friends come over? “For family or when friends come over, the dish I like the most is cioppino — frutti di mare, fish stew, call it what you like. This involves homemade egg noodle fettuccine and assorted seafood with a light marinara sauce. However, this involves last-minute kitchen preparation so a lasagna, both with meat sauce, vegetarian and some gluten-free oven-ready noodles, can be an interesting balancing act. The casserole dishes allow for more socializing.’’ What have you been cooking during the pandemic? Have you been experimenting more in the kitchen? “I have not done a lot of experimenting during the pandemic. In the winter, making a lot of chicken stock allows for a variety of soup dishes, which I always have on hand.’’ Do you have a favorite recipe resource? “I recently joined The New York Times cooking app because I kept on getting blocked from reading Melissa Clark’s recipes and I am about to toss our recipe box out the window. Otherwise, watching the Create channel on PBS is enjoyable. Lydia (Bastianich), Sara (Moulton), Ming (Tsai), ‘Cook’s Country’ are all there.’’ What’s your favorite place to shop? “We shop at Wegmans and can find most things. I am still looking for a good butcher shop occasionally. If you really want to make beef steak Florentine-style or if doing osso bucco, you will have to hunt for prime cuts.’’

Roast Pork Tenderloin with Vegetables Recipe from Vito Sciscioli | Stock photo via GettyImages

Ingredients One pork tenderloin (approximately one pound) Salt and pepper A sprig or two of fresh rosemary A couple cloves of garlic, peeled ¼ cup olive oil ¼ cup balsamic vinegar ¼ cup coarse Dijon-style mustard An assortment of vegetables for roasting (see below) Instructions For the pork tenderloin: Shave the shine off the tenderloin by inserting a sharp knife under the white membrane near the middle and slide toward the end of the tenderloin. Place pork into a zip-top plastic bag with salt, pepper, rosemary, garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and mustard. Seal the bag and marinate the meat overnight, preferably, but in the morning will do for dinner time. Refrigerate until about one hour before roasting.

When ready to cook: Heat oven to 350F. Remove pork from marinade and place in a roasting pan. Place pan in the center of the middle oven rack. Check for doneness after 35 minutes (50 minutes tops). The internal temperature should be about 160F. For the vegetables: Cut an assortment of vegetables, including potatoes, a little larger than bite-size (you can use all kinds and whatever is in season). When cut, you will want enough to cover either a large Pyrex baking dish or a heavy-duty rimmed sheet pan. Place the veggies in a plastic bag or a covered glass bowl and marinate them with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic and rosemary. Do this in the morning or a couple hours before roasting. Vegetables can be cooked in the same oven as the pork, but potatoes take longer to cook. When pork has reached desired degree of doneness, remove it from oven and cover with foil. Continue to roast the vegetables until done. Serve with a tossed salad, if desired.

Notes: Exact quantities are not required for this recipe. It’s not a pastry, after all! Sometimes, Sciscioli adds a couple cored Cortland apples to either the dish holding the pork or the dish holding the vegetables. Add cinnamon to taste to the opening of the apple. Add brown sugar if desired, depending on the sweetness of the apples and your own taste. Skinless chicken thighs can be substituted for pork in this recipe. Nominate a 55+ home cook for this feature! Email details, including contact information, to Margaret McCormick at mmccormickcny@gmail.com. August / September 2021 - 55 PLUS

55+ name

Erin Palmitese, project director at Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in Oswego: “Our volunteers are called ‘seniors.’ This is a term used within our program name and comes from AmeriCorps, our federal grantor.”

Of a ‘Certain Age’ What do most people of a ‘certain age’ wish to be called? Senior? Elderly? By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

ince you are reading 55PLUS magazine, chances are you are of a “certain age.” What do you like to call your age demographic? The Senior List’s Senior Label Study (www.theseniorlist.com/data/ senior-label-study) interviewed 600 people aged 55 or older. They found that for most people — 20% — prefer “mature adult,” followed by “older adult” (18%), “seniors” (17%), “retirees” (16%), “senior citizens” (9%), another term (8%), no specific term (6%), “elders” (4%) and, the least favorite, “golden agers” (1%). The total does not equal 100% because of rounding. “We generally go with the blanket term as ‘senior’ for people 60-plus,” said Will Wallak, director of marketing and public relations at Jewish Community Center of Syracuse in DeWitt. “We do have certain classes geared towards seniors and many of our classes can be modified for

55 PLUS - August / September 2021

different ways for seniors.” Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in Oswego also uses “senior.” “Our volunteers are called ‘seniors,’” said Erin Palmitese, project director. “This is a term used within our program name and comes from AmeriCorps, our federal grantor.” “Senior” can denote the top-ranking class—those who have surpassed the freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. They are the upperclassmen, the ideal. They have arrived. “Senior” also represents the most esteemed level of achievement, such as a “senior officer.” It indicates respected tenure. Pairing it with “adult,” as “senior adult,” lends the idea of a wellaccomplished adult. But “senior” without “adult” can also relate to cheapness, such as someone constantly demanding a “senior discount.” The term is also used disparagingly for someone having a “senior moment” when

forgetting something, even though people of all ages can be forgetful. Douglas Goldschmidt, licensed clinical social worker and age 72, is a life coach in Syracuse. He has not retired and remains active but feels “at this point, I’ve no choice but to think of myself as a ‘senior,’ but I don’t call myself that and don’t identify as that.” His conflict arises from the previous generation’s perspective on aging and the current reality for people his age. Many live active, healthy lives with few physical limitations and can anticipate a much longer lifespan. “They’re more active when younger and they plan to continue being active,” Goldschmidt said of his generation. “I don’t know anyone my age who’s retired and sitting around, playing canasta. “I see it as another stage of my life. What you’re called is what fits comfortably. I work with groups that call themselves ‘sages’ which is much more positive. Yes, you’re older. My grandmother used to say ‘I’m old’ but she only did this as she was 90.” Using “elderly” to describe up to six decades of human age range is as absurd as calling a 17-year-old “infant.” The term does not match the likely abilities and limitations of the typical individual. Although a small percentage of 17-year-olds are infant-like and some 63-year-olds may have significant

Douglas Goldschmidt, 72, a life coach in Syracuse: “At this point, I’ve no choice but to think of myself as a ‘senior,’ but I don’t call myself that and don’t identify as that.”

frailty issues, most are not. Many of today’s people 55 and older start new businesses, embrace active lifestyles and generally seem more willing to try new things than previous generations at that age. Saddling them with a moniker like “elderly” seems patronizing and inaccurate. Nurse Michele Webber, director

of clinical services and president of Comfort Keepers in Syracuse, believes that calling those in her company’s care “clients” is “professional, respectful and doesn’t label anyone,” she said. “We try to preserve dignity from the get-go. ‘Client’ rather than ‘elderly’ is more respectful.” The organization primarily serves people around age 70. Webber said that most clients do not want to be identified as a senior or as elderly but call because they wish to remain as independent as possible. Years ago, “senior citizen” and “elderly” did not carry the derogatory baggage they do now. “Baby boomer” used to be used only as a demographic descriptor for people born shortly after the close of World War II. Age 51, Webber occasionally hears her children say, “OK, boomer,” to tease her when she cannot figure out something. On social media, the dismissive phrase is used by younger people to shut down comments considered out of date. Instead of describing an age group, the term has become a dig because it assumes the person’s opinion or lack of understanding is because of

a generational difference—and it lumps together every person in that age demographic as thinking and behaving the same. Terms such as “golden ager,” “keenager” or “zoomer” try to put a cute spin on aging that fools no one. Perhaps “older adult,” though straightforward, is the easiest term to use of all. Deb Coman, copywriter and public speaker in Syracuse, is 58 and feels that age is “just a number” and does not correspond with how she feels. “It almost feels irrelevant to me,” she added. She does not care for any age labels, a fact that hit home with her when a client referred to others as “middle-aged women” in a way that sounded derogatory to Coman. “It reinforced for me how powerful labels are and how personal our responses are to them,” she said. “Whenever possible, I refer to only what’s required and choose to state it more as a fact. If someone needs to be over a certain age to be eligible for something, I’d just say that it’s for ‘people/women/whomever over the age of x.’”

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August / September 2021 - 55 PLUS

55+ new life What to Do After You Retire You should plan on staying active, even after you’re retired

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

etirement may feel like a foot race. When you finish working, you win. But then what? Going into retirement with little idea of what to do next is not a good idea. This disenfranchisement can cause emotional distress, especially when one’s identity is wrapped up in a career or title. Retiring without a life plan can also mean a lack of structure and subsequent lack of motivation to get out and see people and do things. That can lead to isolation, cognitive decline and physical deterioration, according to Douglas Goldschmidt, 72, a licensed clinical social worker and life coach in Syracuse. “The people who don’t plan to keep themselves busy and develop no real interest, they end up in front of the television or not doing anything they find interesting once they retire,” Goldschmidt said. “Those people don’t tend to age well physically or mentally. If family has moved away, that limits their ability to interact with them. This is a problem. What do they have?” Since many people who retire from lifelong, full-time work have become so accustomed to their noseto-the-grindstone lifestyle, it may be warranted to transition into the next phase. Abruptly ceasing work and facing a blank slate is shocking for many people. Goldschmidt “failed” at retiring a few years ago—he enjoys his therapy and coaching work—but is beginning the process of phasing out of full-time work so he can have more time to travel. He is referring clients to other therapists in the area and not taking on more clients. He advises getting to know oneself for a while, including needs, wants and desires. This may include getting back in touch with previously dropped hobbies or brand-new ones.

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“If you never had enough time for it, here’s your chance,” Goldschmidt said. “The problem is that some people want to pursue activities that are no longer appropriate. They can run into a problem.” Instead of dropping a hobby altogether, Goldschmidt said it is better to modify the activity, if possible. For example, instead of mountain biking, riding a touring bike is less jarring. “It doesn’t mean aging precludes you from doing it, but the way you did it when you were young,” he said. With more time available, some retirees want to help their adult children more, such as providing childcare to grandchildren. While occasional visits might be enjoyable, the daily grind of providing care may feel more like a job. “Some are happy with it and some people feel used,” Goldschmidt said. “They’ve done it and don’t want to do it again. They do it because their kids need it.” Instead of handling all their childcare needs, doing so a couple of days per week can still offer some help while setting boundaries. Goldschmidt has taken up piano, performs evaluation studies for public organizations, and participates in a book club. He’s also toying with writing a book and taking extended trips to Buddhist monasteries. Volunteering can also help retirees fill their days with meaningful community involvement. “The majority of our volunteers choose to join our program to get involved and stay active in the community they have lived and worked in to give back and help those who may be less fortunate,” said Erin Palmitese, project director of Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at the SUNY Oswego Office of Business and Community Relations. Since so many groups want volunteers, deciding where to go is

the big question. In 2019, Paula Behm retired from her resume and career coaching business, Careers by Design in Syracuse, to care for a family member. Since she had not anticipated retiring then, she did not have a plan in place for her retirement—or even if she wanted to remain retired once her caregiving role diminished. “I’d have found some groups to get involved with, as my life was centered around one person,” Behm said. “I lost sight of what I needed in my life.” She has been reading a bevy of books on how to plan retirement and is currently considering several options, such as volunteering, auditing classes or possibly working part-time. “Sometimes, when we walk away from our career, we lose our identity,” Behm said. “That’s what I’m trying to figure out now.” She encourages soon-to-be retirees to think about what they really want to do and to rate and rank their decisions on what they desire—not others’ demands on them, such as providing childcare for adult children, unless that is what they want. “Write your own retirement description,” Behm said. “What is your ‘job’ as a retiree? Do you have to make money? Do you have to help others?” For now, Behm is still evaluating what she wants and is volunteering on a small scale, such as helping her neighbor teach her grandson how to swim.

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55+ retirement Missing in Retirement What they wish they had known before they retired By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

s with any transition in life — going to school, attending college, starting a first job, starting a family — beginning retirement brings some unexpected elements. For Susan Beebe of East Syracuse, who retired from Lighthouse Marketing and Tap Into Your Center in 2018 at age 55, the biggest surprise has been how easy it has been to fill her time. “We’ve worked full-time since age 16 and people said, ‘It won’t work; you’ll be bored,’” she said of herself and her husband, Jerry Beebe. “Not once have we not looked at each other and said we don’t know what we’ll do.” The couple spends winters in Kiawah Island, South Carolina, and summers upstate. They planned their retirement since 2008 so they could maximize their time together with each other and with Susan’s four children from her first marriage. Jerry has no children. “I appreciate that early retirement isn’t for everyone,” Susan added. “I appreciate that their identity is wrapped up in what they do. It wasn’t for me; I always wanted to slow down and enjoy life while still young and healthy.” The couple goes on three- and four-mile walks most days of the week, rides their motorcycle, fishes, camps and plays card games together. Susan wishes that she had worked more with their children as they adjusted to living half the year in the South and half the year in New York. Jerry retired from Infocon in East Syracuse, building components that sold to computer companies like SONY and Samsung. For Carl Patrick, Oswego resident former director of nuclear communications for the New York Power Authority, early retirement at age 53 meant a longer retirement, which he did not feel ready to embrace

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Carl Patrick, Oswego resident former director of nuclear communications for the New York Power Authority. “I wish I had known before I retired how many really interesting things there are to do,” he says. He is shown with his artwork, which is available at Riverside Artisans, an art co-operative in Oswego.

at the time. He worked for a few more years before he finally retired. “I wish I had known before I retired how many really interesting things there are to do, other than what I did for a living before I retired,” Patrick said. Once he took the plunge, he has discovered numerous new opportunities, such as participating in Riverside Artisans, a local art cooperative. “I’ve found these activities entertaining and very rewarding,” Patrick said. “I wish I had realized how great the possibilities were before and when I retired, so I could have avoided some of that uncertainty and anxiety.” Debbie Halliday, 67 of Sandy Creek, retired in 2012 from her position as an elementary teacher with the Syracuse City School District.

“I wish I had known that my body would find its own natural rhythm after being so on demand for so long,” Halliday said. In addition, she wishes she had known about the area’s volunteer opportunities. It took her a while to discover she could volunteer at the library. Septuagenarian Nancy Boyer of Altmar retired in 2003 from ABB Electronics. “I wish I had saved more money because I didn’t know that I wanted to travel,” Boyer said. Retiree Rachel Brooks, 85, has taught numerous RSVP classes, including osteo bone builders, better balance, tai ji quan and AARP driver safety. “These programs are all important to keep people moving and physically

Susan Beebe of East Syracuse said she has been surprised how easy it has been to fill her time. “We’ve worked full-time since age 16 and people said, ‘It won’t work; you’ll be bored,’” she says.

fit,” Brooks said. “The response from participants is so positive that it’s just such a pleasure to be able to give back in this way.” Brooks’ retirement activities reflect her working career, as she has taught numerous grades before retiring from the Baldwinsville School District in

1998. Brooks said that she never imaged that she would become so busy once retired. However, she also never imagined that “I’d make so many friends and have so much fun as a volunteer for RSVP,” she said. “Retirement is a very happy and fulfilling place to be in life if you make it so.” As a lifelong corporate worker — first rising through the ranks of Gannett to become president and next as spokesman for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield — Dave Mack of Canandaigua was accustomed to making plans. When he retired at age 65, he felt surprised that plans made for retirement don’t always work out. “It’s OK to have hopes, but don’t have an expectation,” said Mack, now 73. A few of his bumps along the road of retirement include knee replacement surgery and open-heart surgery. “If your parts haven’t started to wear out yet, they’re going to,” Mack said. “Preparing yourself psychologically is a good idea. You’re not going to live forever.” Developing gratitude for what he

can still do has helped. Mack also felt surprised at how quickly he left the limelight. In addition to his public-facing careers, he had served on numerous boards throughout Upstate New York. “It’s not to say I shouldn’t have dropped out of view, but I thought that some of the connections I had forged over the years might last a little longer,” he said. M o v i n g f ro m R o c h e s t e r t o Canandaigua two years after he retired may have contributed. He has become accustomed to more time in solitude, learning the difference between aloneness and loneliness. To alleviate the latter, he has worked toward getting out more, making more connections and getting back in touch with enjoyable pursuits. Mack enjoys newspapers, journals and biographies as an “omnivorous” reader. He has felt surprised that he now enjoys performing DIY projects around the house based upon the instruction he received as a youth from his father and stepfather. Mack is also working on a new volunteering opportunity.

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55+ hobbies Passion for Circuses Syracuse resident Don Kowell (and his wife, Barbara) visited 22 circuses nationwide in 2019. His hobby? To create model circuses By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

lowns, feats of skill, exotic animals, rousing brass band music—what’s there not to like about the circus? For most of his 65 years, Don Kowell of Syracuse has been a fan of the big top and everything under it. When Kowell was a child, his father, Richard Kowell, gave him a Corgi diecast model of a Chipperfield circus truck. A born builder and tinkerer, Kowell fashioned accessories for his circus truck and his lifelong passion began. Vi c e p re s i d e n t o f b u s i n e s s development at Granger Construction in East Syracuse, Kowell has remained fascinated by circuses ever since. He and his wife, Barbara, visit numerous circuses nationwide every year, totaling 22 in 2019. As a youngster, Kowell and his family visited several circuses each year. Kowell paid attention to the details of the circus equipment and performers and tried to replicate them at home. While a teen, Kowell’s first full circus model was on display at the New York State Fair, and numerous stores and banks. That led to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus tapping him to serve as honorary ringmaster while they showed locally. Kowell was 17. “I will never forget that moment,” Kowell said.

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Don Kowell of Syracuse works on one of his circus models. He helped start a Circus Model Builders chapter—known as a “ring”—in Liverpool.

He continued to build models, encouraged by the camaraderie of the Circus Historical Society, Circus Fans of America and Circus Model Builders to which he belongs. His mother, Mary, helped him by making tents for his circuses. Although Kowell took a break from model building during college, when he and Barbara built a house in 1978, he picked it up again. “While we were looking at houses to build, she was looking at floor plans; I was looking at basements for a good circus room,” Kowell said. Barbara supports his hobby by compiling scrapbooks of their circus adventures together; which started on their first date. Kowell helped start a Circus Model Builders chapter—known as a “ring”—in Liverpool, the Hoxie Tucker Ring, named for a famous performer. Comprised of 16 members, the Hoxie Tucker Ring spends weeks setting up 20 model circuses in the Bistro Room in the Arts and Home Building at the New York State Fair, as well as appearances at other venues. Their displays also feature authentic circus promotional posters and artifacts from the 1930s to the 1970s. Many of these items are from Kowell’s personal collection of thousands of circus items, from ephemera to life-sized cutouts. After The Greatest Showman (2017) movie debuted, the club’s exhibit included references to the movie, which paid homage to P.T. Barnum of circus fame. A young visitor assumed that Kowell was involved with the flick and asked him which song was his favorite of all the songs he had sung in the movie. “I know I sure don’t look like Hugh Jackman,” he said about the movie’s star who portrayed Barnum. Through the club’s exhibits, he wants the public to understand the modeling hobby better. “The important thing I explain to people is we’re like artists,” he said. “You can make a model of something as detailed or simple as you want. The detail brings it alive. Each of us has a different interest in eras or logistics. Some build just model trains, August / September 2021 - 55 PLUS

all handmade and hand-painted. Some like myself build a complete miniature circus. Some build dioramas. It depends on your time and space. If you see our shows, no two models are the same.” As some older model builders pass away, their lifetime of work on circus models is not always appreciated by their families, some of whom discard their models. Kowell feels saddened by that kind of disregard for the skill and craftsmanship exhibited in models. “Most guys who build things like dollhouses, model trains or ships, it

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takes skill that you have to have the aptitude and interest,” Kowell said. “I meet people who are 50 or 60 and they say, ‘I couldn’t do that.’ But if you can build a box, with some basic tools, you can build anything. You start simple and your hobby grows.” Kowell took his own children, Lindsay, David and Stephanie, to numerous circuses throughout the years, traveling in their motorhome. “All of them appreciate circus, growing up with it,” Kowell said. “None are into modeling but that is OK. But they still appreciate going to

circuses with us once in a while.” Kowell and his wife have attended circus enthusiast conventions nationwide. “Over the years, my wife and I have developed lifelong friendships with circus folks, including ringmasters, performers and animal people,” he said. When Kowell isn’t “running away with the circus,” he enjoys gardening, fishing, radio control planes, building things, car detailing, traveling, photography and spending time with his grandchildren.

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aging By Marilyn L. Pinsky

My Life in Diets

was the pudgy kid. The last one chosen for the team, the one beaten up on the playground and the butt of jokes. Being the only kid in the whole elementary school whose mother walked two blocks every day to bring her a glass of milk during recess didn’t help. The goal was to fatten me up and she succeeded. I was a Jewish mother’s dream. When my future husband brought me home for dinner, his mother loved me. Why not? I ate everything she served and asked for seconds. When we sent out for pizza, I had to have a whole one for myself. Actually, with some modifications, I still do. A therapist would probably say

it’s no surprise I have an obsession with my weight and why I have been on practically every diet known to modern man. If you include the paleo diet, then ancient man, too. My theory is that if you were a fat kid, you can be a twig now, but when you look in the mirror that 12-year-old you is still looking back. Around 16 my first diet was the grapefruit and eggs diet. I did lose weight. Then I yo-yoed for years. In the 1960s, a veterinarian friend wrote me a prescription for diet pills under the name, “Bowser Pinsky.” My guess is that those pills are what is now known as speed. My house was never as clean as it was when I was taking those pills. I was

a nervous wreck and couldn’t settle down for a minute. Even as much as I liked being thin, I knew those pills were not the way to get there. So I got off them and, of course, got chubby again. The problem is that I just love to eat. My kid’s friends remember

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visiting and watching me eat spaghetti sauce out of the jar and that crappy ready-made icing out of the can. My weakness was sweets. I would go from eating the icing off whole cakes to months of eating only vegetables. Then to only eating meat and sticks of butter on my way to only eating things with feathers that formerly clucked or quacked. In the late 1990s I followed the Dr. Atkins Diet and did a lot of cooking on my George Foreman grill. George and I did really well eating a lot of meat. Not so much Dr. Atkins. He slipped on the ice outside his office, hit his head and died. There were rumors that he really died because of the diet and that he was overweight and had heart problems (proven to be false). But I ended that diet because of all the talk about it not being healthy. Then I was on Dr. Tarnover ’s Scarsdale Diet. I scooped. I measured. I made sure to eat protein, fat and carbs in the right proportions. I lost weight one month and put it back again the next. I didn’t have such good luck on that diet. But, but poor Dr. Tarnover’s luck was worse. He was killed by his lover. That wasn’t such great publicity for the diet, but I guess some people get really upset when the diet doesn’t work for them. Next, and for a long time, was Weight Watchers. I became a life member. I loved the meetings and the people as we were all going through the same struggle. They’re still going strong and it seems to work for many. If I remember correctly, around 2010 is when I started the Wheat Belly Diet. I had awful stomach pains for years and tests didn’t show up anything. My daughter had read the Wheat Belly book and said, “Mom, maybe you’re gluten intolerant?” So I read the book and sure enough, giving up flour and all wheat products did the trick. So with a few tweaks here and there, no dairy either, I’ve basically stayed the same weight for years. I’ve traveled to places where I should have been more careful about what I ate, but each few weeks of sickness ended up in a loss of five pounds. Not a diet I would recommend. Now I’m reading about microbiomes and I guess that will be a fad pretty soon. And I also predict I’ll buy that book, too.

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golden years Email: hmiller@mcsmms.com

By Harold Miller

Migrants Flood America

am sure you have seen the pictures on TV recently, poor refugees sloshing through the rivers and swamps that divide our southern border from Mexico and South America. Recently a boatload of refugees from the Caribbean islands managed to sneak through the Coast Guard patrol boats and helicopters that ply back and forth over the southern beaches of Florida, where we reside in the winter season. Incredibly, they were able to sneak through the narrow Jupiter Inlet (adjacent to our home) and into the Intercoastal, where they were captured by local police and eventually returned to where they came from. The problem of all this will be the overloading of our present infrastructures and the undermining of the existing immigrant families who waited and entered our country legally. America still shines like a beacon of hope for those who dream of a better life. From the beginning of its time in history this unique country has been populated by those who risk all for

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the opportunity that only America can provide. From the Pilgrims escaping England’s oppression, to the Irish escaping famine, to the Jews escaping the concentration camps in World War II; this country has always kept the beacon shining. No one has ever expressed this credo better than Emma Lazarus in her famous poem, “Give me your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” The opportunity for a better life, however, comes with a price. Every ethnic group has had to fight against hardship and discrimination in order to fight for their place in the sun. The early generations had to work like slaves, often in sweatshop conditions, for meager wages. Their goals were always the same, to give their children a better life. They scrimped and saved and sacrificed to educate the next generation. Like tempered steel, each generation emerged smarter, tough minded, not afraid to work for their dreams, not limited to their father’s social status and not afraid to fight in order to preserve their independence. The entrepreneurial spirit was

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eptember 2021

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born in America. Go west young man, to open new territories, to create a new industry and work far into the night by candlelight, in order to invent electric light. Build the first automobile for the masses or put the knowledge of the world on a microchip and store it in a cloud for the world to use. America has created an atmosphere where the mind is not stifled, the soul is not oppressed, imagination is revered and nothing is impossible. Success begins with the individual but is nurtured by the American Dream. A plaque hangs on a wall of my office, author unknown, which appeared in Baron’s magazine ages ago. Its prophetic wisdom has inspiration to me for lo these many years: “Call Your Shot.” The reason that most people don’t get what they want out of life is because they don’t know what they want! They never completely define their objectives even to themselves. Is it any wonder that the wishful arrows they shoot in the general direction of the target, seldom make a bullseye? It may seem ridiculous to some, but there is ample evidence to prove that people can be pretty much what they want to be, if they will decide what that is and concentrate all their thoughts and actions on it. A person’s powers, often unrecognized, have a way of matching their dreams. They can’t win, however, just by wishing. They must concentrate every thing upon reaching their goals, and give up everything that stands in their way!

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imals Passion for An , celebrates 30 years ld nd Gifford Zoo’s director Ted Fox, the Rosamo ation. He is holding Araña, a 7-year-oPage 28 ared at the zoo. working for the organiz d sloth who was hand-re Hoffmann’s two-toe

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Carlton and Shirley West sit in the living room of their home.

Above: Harold and his late wife, Noni Right: Harold Bristol

Ray and Linda Straub

Modest beginnings laid the foundation for our lives. By working hard and being thoughtful with our spending, we have everything we need, while still maintaining a portion that is set aside for the Central New York community. As a professional advisor, I learned that there are three places your money can go: to taxes, people you care about and your community. That’s why Linda and I decided to support several community organizations through a designated fund, in addition to putting money aside for our heirs. It’s important to us to keep resources here to help charitable organizations continue their good work. We know that the Community Foundation is going to be here a lot longer than we are, and it feels good to know that what we’ve set up will continue under the professional guidance of the Community Foundation staff.

GIVING THOUGHTFULLY: RAY & LINDA STRAUB

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For the Love of Animals! Ted Fox, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo’s director, celebrates 30 years working for the organization By Mary Beth Roach

f the 35 years that the new Burnet Park Zoo — now called the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park — has been open in Syracuse, director Ted Fox has worked there for 30 of those years. As a point of clarification and a brief segue down memory lane, those of a certain age will most likely recall the “old” Burnet Park Zoo. The city of Syracuse turned it over to Onondaga County in 1979. It remained open until 1982, when it was shut down for a complete overhaul. It reopened in 1986 as the “new” Burnet Park Zoo. It was renamed Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park in 1999, following an endowment of $2 million from the Rosamond Gifford Charitable Corp., commonly known as the Gifford Foundation. A roast of Fox to celebrate his tenure will be the highlight of the zoo’s first-ever fall conservation ball on Sept. 10. Funds raised will support animal care at the zoo and conservation in the wild and the community, according to Carrie Large, executive director of the Friends of the Zoo. She said the Friends of the Zoo, which is presenting the event, financially supports the zoo, with funds going to animal welfare, community education, conservation and guest experience. The group funds many of the renovations and improvements at the zoo. Having celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020, the Friends of the Zoo is comprised of a staff and a volunteer board, and it oversees the zoo’s gift shop; membership; educational programs; the rental and catering of the zoo for special events; and such popular fundraising events as Brew at the Zoo. The Friends’ Pic of the Month contest invites the public to take pictures at the zoo and submit them for acknowledgement and

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prizes. Each month the winning photo is posted on the Friends’ various social platforms. His start at the zoo While Fox has had a love of animals, especially birds, since he was a young boy, he said he didn’t really know much about zoos early on. However, that all started to change when, in about 1990, he was invited by a friend to join him for a visit to the Burnet Park Zoo. He met the then-bird curator Ken Reininger, who encouraged Fox to volunteer at the zoo a few days a month. In 1991, Fox graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in animal science with a minor in poultry science and a concentration in natural resources. He began working as a part-time zookeeper in the bird department at the zoo. “That’s when I started thinking, ‘Boy, this field is something really special and it checks so many boxes for me personally,’” he said during a recent interview. It brought many of his interests together — conservation, public education and the opportunity to connect “community with something so special to me,” he added. He would go on to serve as a small mammals keeper, a birds keeper, bird collection manager and a curator. He would be named director in 2011, replacing Chuck Doyle. In describing his responsibilities as director, he referenced the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the accrediting organization for the zoo and other such facilities. “If you ask our accrediting body, there’s one person that’s in charge and responsible for everything that happens at the zoo and that’s the director,” he said.

Longtime Affinity for Animals Ted Fox’s love of animals dates back to his youth, growing up in Ithaca. His father, Francis, was a veterinarian, and taught large-animal medicine at Cornell University.

Photo Credit: Chuck Wainwright

He is shown with Mortoise, a 33-year-old radiated tortoise, a critically endangered species native to the island of Madagascar.

In charge of 700 animals, with only a staff of 60 Some numbers show the magnitude of the work. The zoo has about 700 animals, everything from insects to elephants, Fox said. In a typical year, there are an estimated 340,000 visitors and it does more than 250 on-site education programs and 150 Zoo to You mobile education programs. While these programs are a function of the Friends of the Zoo, Fox has to approve all the content and his staff trains zoo educators in the handling of ambassador animals. Fox oversees a staff of about 60, with 38 full-time and 20 part-time employees. He credits the staff for much of the success the zoo has achieved over the years. “Fortunately, we have an amazing team that all do wonderful things,” he said. “I’m not a micromanager to begin with. Part of the good thing about having such a long tenure is the people that I work with know me and knows what the expectations are and vice versa. Ultimately, the credibility and our standing with the AZA, within the community, are so important. That’s the ultimate goal for all of us. Having a great team is where it starts.” Fox also works closely with the Friends of the Zoo on a variety of projects. Although the executive director with the organization is relatively new, she said that she and Fox got along immediately. “Ted and I hit it off right away. We make a great team,” Large said. “His

Fox leans against the railing inside the Diversity of Birds exhibit.

enthusiasm for the zoo and its missions are contagious.” One of the most recent collaborations between Rosamond Gifford Zoo and Friends of the Zoo has been the Animal Health Center. The Friends of the Zoo has started a capital campaign to raise $1.1 million, augmenting the county’s allocation of $7.5 million. While the current clinic was stateof-the art at the time it was launched, it is only about 1,500 square feet. The more the zoo has grown and they learned about what is needed for

various procedures for the animals, that space is no longer big enough, Fox said. The new facility, which will be approximately 20,000 square feet, will allow the public more opportunities to view health care provided to the animals; expand the relationship with Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, with its vets working at the zoo, along with students, interns and residents; and will help to increase the possibility of more research and grants.

1914

1955

The Burnet Park Zoo opens on four acres of land; it’s operated by the city of Syracuse.

By this time, the zoo has expanded in size, and a children’s zoo and monkey exhibit have been developed.

1916

1979 The city of Syracuse transfers ownership of the zoo to Onondaga County.

The zoo’s first expansion, with an exhibit for bears and a waterfowl pond.

Lifelines of The Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park Sources: Staff at Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park; onondagacountyparks.org/ parks/rosamond-gifford-zoo; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosamond_Gifford_Zoo 30

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Educating, making connections One of the favorite parts of his job, Fox said, is acquiring new animals, interpreting them for the visitors and in those cases where a breeding program is involved, giving the animals the best life possible. He also enjoys designing and developing new parts of the zoo. Over his 30 years, he’s been involved in many of those projects. Some of his favorites include the soon-to-becompleted Animal Health Center; the Primate Park, with a large space where visitors can enjoy watching the activities of the animals there; and

Penguin Coast, home to the Humboldt penguins and one of guests’ favorites. It was built to resemble the coastal areas of Chile or Peru, the native land for these birds. There is also the Asian Elephant Preserve, which Fox believes is one of the best in the country. It brings the pachyderms as close to the public as possible. “That helps us in our education and making the connection, which is ultimately what we want to do with all our visitors,” he said. But it’s the visitors that he enjoys the most about his job. “Kids are so excited about being here and looking at an animal in the eye and making that connection in such an exciting way. You know that something impactful is happening, that they’re not going to forget that experience. That’s really a huge part of what we do,” he said. When asked about his accomplishments, Fox pointed out these facilities and the zoo’s conservation initiatives, but the one he mentioned first was the development of new personnel. “I think one of them would certainly be the amount of people that I’ve been able to interact with and help in their careers, interns especially. We have an incredibly good internship program here. Many, many of them either stayed to become fulltime people here or go to other zoos, which is really exciting to see and help. I really enjoy watching somebody develop and helping them learn and get excited about the things that we do,” he said.

A 30-year career is not without its challenges, budgets being among the biggest. “You always want to do more, and you have to find innovative ways to accomplish some of the things you want to do,” he said. Fox explained that it is expensive to keep up with the standards of the AZA and to retain the accreditation. The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is one of 238 that are accredited in the country. One of the consequences of losing that accreditation would be the loss of many of its animals. The ones that are threatened or endangered and are part of the AZA’s species survival program, would have to be transferred to an accredited zoo. This would include the penguins, the Amur leopards, Amur tigers and the elephants. Another challenge facing Fox and other zoo professionals is individuals and organizations that criticize these facilities. Fox said that a lot of time, care and money go into every aspect of the animals’ welfare, adding that “those are the stories we’re trying to tell now.” Onondaga County Parks Commissioner Brian Kelley cites Fox’s focus on animal care, infrastructure and his efforts in educating people as to the importance of what a zoo does. “As an AZA accredited institution, there are many standards and regulations that the zoo has to adhere to; Ted and his team at the zoo go above and beyond to achieve these standards daily,” Kelley pointed out. Detractors and the chance to educate further are what inspired

1999

2017

Following a $2-million endowment from the Rosamond Gifford Charitable Corporation in 1999, the zoo is renamed to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park.

Siri, one of the most beloved animals ever at the zoo, celebrates her 50th birthday.

2015 The zoo receives AZA Quarter Century award for 25 years of continuous accreditation.

The zoo is first accredited for the first time by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA).

1987

Primate Park opens, and a record nine Humboldt chicks hatch at the zoo.

Zoo breaks ground on the new Animal Health Center, a major goal of the strategic and master plan.

2010

2020 August / September 2021 - 55 PLUS

Must-See Animals at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park Photos courtesy of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park.

Bjorn, the zoo’s new Andean bear, is 4 years old, 250 pounds and 6 feet tall when he stands on hind legs.

The zoo’s Penguin Coast exhibit is home to a breeding colony of 29 Humboldt penguins that are native to South America.

Critically endagered Amur leopard Mina is housed in the Zalie and Bob Linn Amur Leopard Woodland.

The zoo’s Helga Beck Asian Elephant Preserve is a 7-acre home to a herd of six elephants, which are critically endangered in the wild.

Naga the Komodo dragon has outdoor quarters for the summer months and an indoor exhibit in winter.

A pair of critically endangered Amur tigers, including female Zeya (pictured), inhabit the zoo’s Amur tiger exhibit.

The zoo’s Primate Park provides an outdoor habitat for siamang apes Abe and Fatima, who share it on a rotating basis with other primates.

The zoo recently expanded its flock of Chilean flamingos — called a “flamboyance” — to 13 birds with 6 new arrivals from the Fort Worth Zoo.

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him to accept an offer to teach a class, titled “Scientific Issues and Practices: The Challenges of Modern Zoo Management,” as part of the Renée Crown University Honors Program at Syracuse University about 15 years ago. Although apprehensive at first, he realized that it would provide an insight into zoos, especially to this demographic. Many college students do not like zoos, he said, and many will become parents within the next decade. “Those are the ones I want to have in the classroom,” he said. “One hundred percent of the kids that have taken that class, over 15 years now, appreciate zoos by the end of the class. They have to do a paper at the end of the class, and there are some really good challenges and questions for us in the industry. But 100% of them said they might not donate money to a zoo, but they would definitely visit a zoo and support the fact that they’re important in what we do. That’s the reason I’ve kept doing it.” Of this class, professor Danielle Taana Smith, director of the honors program, said, “Students gain an appreciation of the ethics and complexities of zoo management.”

Ted Fox with Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and former Friends of the Zoo President Janet Agostini at the ribbon-cutting for the zoo’s new Wildlife Trail walkway in 2019. Photo provided.

Plans Fox is planning for the zoo’s future on the foundation of its history. Saying that Fox has been the heart and soul of the zoo for a long time, Commissioner Kelley said, “In the span of his 30-year career, he has touched the lives of a large part of this community with his dedication and passion for what the zoo’s mission is and why it is so important.” Fox plans to continue the AZA standards and to develop more exhibits. He has his eye on redoing the old elephant facility, which was right inside the zoo main entrance, an area he sees as prime real estate. In addition, there are plans for an African Savanna exhibit adjacent to the Animal Health Center. With a target opening of early 2022, it would feature a large open space with multiple species of animals with smaller exhibits around it. The zoo “is a place to come to create memories, spend time being entertained and actually learning something, too. You ask a lot of the visitors, they’re proud of the fact that we have a zoo like this,” he said.

Ted Fox at one of the windows of the Penguin Coast with some of the penguins in the background. Photo provided. August / September 2021 - 55 PLUS

my turn By Bruce Frassinelli Email: bfrassinelli@ptd.net

Should Parents Cry in Front of Their Kids?

y wife’s uncle was a crier. Uncle Larry would blubber at the slightest emotional provocation. I, on the other hand, was branded as “stoic,” even as a “cold fish,” because I showed little to no emotion, at least not outwardly. My father and my two brothers were equally tearless. I cannot recall even one occasion when any of them cried. I wondered about my own track record. Although I can never recall crying in front of my three sons, perhaps I did. Surely, they would remember, because, if I had, it certainly

would have been notable. When I asked them recently—ages 56, 55, and 53—I received the expected answer: no, never. In fact, my oldest son, Steve, put it even more emphatically: “I’ve never seen you even come close to crying,” he said. It got me thinking about my children’s children. Had any of these five ever experienced their parents crying in front of them? Four of them said “no” immediately. The fifth asked for more time to think about it, then a few days later said she recalled once during a movie and during several big moments in her life, such as

graduation. My wife’s Uncle Larry said he comes from a long line of criers, which he believed is why his tears flowed so freely. On the other hand, my father and my much older brothers may have set the template for me, because, back in the day, there was a pervasive feeling that male tears were a sign of weakness, femininity, maybe even cowardice. Being raised in a hard scrabble, heavily ethnic community in the coalfields of northeastern Pennsylvania, one needed an inner toughness and an impenetrable outer veneer to survive the daily taunts and physical challenges. This inner mettle needed to be complemented by an outward demeanor that announced that I was not going to take any guff. Tears were viewed as the antithesis of that strength, so I recall on some occasions that even though I felt like crying I kept it bottled up. I suspect this defense mechanism followed me into adulthood and through my childrearing years. Although I may have felt this way years ago; I don’t today. It is not unusual for me to get choked up and teary-eyed when looking at a

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photo of my children as toddlers or reminiscences of family milestones or remembrances of my deceased mother, wife, sister-in-law and nephew. I can even shed a tear these days for a sappy movie or by observing a tender street scene unfold before my eyes. So why did this change occur, I wondered. Was it a natural progression of things? Maturity? A change of perspective? The emergence of my softer side as I aged? Maybe it was all of these and more. This philosophical reckoning with my inner self was prompted by a Washington Post article I read asking, “Should parents cry in front of their kids?” There were times in my life when I was highly critical of myself for not being able to shed tears. There’s an expectation, I always thought, that tears of sadness were obligatory accompaniments to a period of mourning for loved ones. The fact that I could not shed tears naturally left me wondering about my compassion or lack of it. I certainly felt the loss acutely and profoundly, but all of those strong emotions were internalized while outwardly it appeared as if I were unmoved by this

grievous vacuum. The British call it “a stiff upper lip,” but with my strong ItalianAmerican background, I thought I would show more emotions. My mother pointed out once that this emotional outpouring is more natural with southern Italians compared to her and my father, who were born in northern Italy where emotions tended to be less demonstrative. When my children were under our roof, the idea of crying in front of them never even came up. First of all, there were few occasions that could have brought me to tears, but we did lose family pets, and there were uncles, aunts, close cousins and close friends who died. These are potentially emotional moments that could have and probably should have produced tears, but none would come. Would my kids be traumatized by seeing me cry? Of course they wouldn’t. One child psychologist noted that just as we should not hide our laughter from our children, we should be willing to let them see us exhibit other emotions, including crying. In trying to recall my reaction to my sons as toddlers crying, I remember

at times telling them to “stop crying,” “stop acting like a baby,” “stop crying like a girl,” “grow up,” “tough it out.” Then, it occurred to me. This is what my parents and my brothers used to say to me on those few occasions when I would shed tears at home away from the judgmental eyes of my friends (and enemies). Can I conclude then that it was passed on to me much as a defective gene would be, and I, in turn, passed it on to my three sons, and they, by some measures, have passed it on to their children? I have come to understand that there is no shame in not only feeling but expressing emotions, but there is a right way to do it, according to counselor Jessica Campbell. She believes we should tell our children what is happening – what has brought on these tears. It is important to let children know that their parents will keep them safe, Campbell said. When children are older, they can understand more fully what is happening in their lives, so a parent’s tears may not be as frightening. In fact, it may even lead to the child’s appreciation of the parent’s compassion and empathy.

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August / September 2021 - 55 PLUS

55+ social justice Donna Muhs-Mccarten: Dedicated to Social Justice ‘Everything we do adds to our community; everything we do adds to our wellbeing’ By Barbara Pierce

ocial justice has always been a big part of my life. And I’m interested in art. It’s a beautiful blending for me,” said Donna Muhs-Mccarten, explaining why she volunteers at the ArtRage Gallery. Located in the Hawley-Green Neighborhood of Syracuse, ArtRage is no ordinary gallery. “Art for peace and social justice,” the tagline of ArtRage, expresses it perfectly. “Our mission is to organize and mount visual art exhibitions with social justice and environmental themes,” said Rose Vivian, director of the nonprofit art gallery. “We believe the arts play a central role in creating social and environmental change.” This blends beautifully with Muhs-Mccarten’s values. The retired high school social studies teacher is passionate about creating social and environmental change, ardent in her support of all things relating to social justice. “To me personally, social justice is a blending of compassion, action and doing what is right for, and with, others and the self,” she said. “It involves treating and working for fairness and equality for all in a world that’s often unjust.” She is especially drawn to the current exhibit at ArtRage. “Deadlocked and Loaded, Disarming America.” The exhibit, featuring works in diverse media by 24 artists, explores the role of guns in our society, emphasizing the impact of gun-related violence on children and women. A photo of tiny bulletproof vests for toddlers, small sneakers hanging from the ceiling to visually represent the number of children who die from gun violence each week in the U.S., a quilt with the outline of a gun surrounded 36

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Donna Muhs-Mccarten in her home office. As a volunteer at ArtRage Gallery, she incorporates her love of art with her passion for social justice.

by rainbow colors — these are some of the works displayed. “This exhibit gets to me—as a mother and grandmother, and one who has worked in education,” she said. “These multiple shootings have torn me apart. Murdering children, putting children at risk; it’s so senseless.” One piece especially disturbing

to Muhs-Mccarten is Lisa Freeman’s assemblage of a little red schoolhouse that is empty inside. “It looks innocent, until you look closer and see the blood spatters on the desks and walls,” she said. Visual art can have so much more of an impact than words alone, she added.

Her favorite day of the week is Saturday, as that’s the day she volunteers at ArtRage, opening the doors, welcoming guests. “We have so many wonderful exhibits. I get a chance to see them, think about them and be challenged by what they present. It’s so rewarding to me,” she said. The lively, enthusiastic educator, in her early 70s, has been a volunteer at ArtRage off and on for years, since they opened their doors in 2008. She’s raised funds, helped with receptions, whatever they have needed. “It’s been a joy. I really enjoy doing it. I love it and it’s a way to give back to the community,” she explained. Advocating for social justice has been a part of her upbringing and an important part of her entire life for this Kirkville resident. In addition to volunteering at ArtRage, she does many things that reflect her values: she serves on the boards of nonprofits, volunteers at nursing homes, is involved with Native Americans, and is active on the Syracuse Peace Council. “Founded in the 1930s, it’s the oldest Peace Council in the country,”

she said. “We work on issues like food insecurity, prison reform, immigration and fair taxes.” Growing up in Rochester, she attended the State University of New York at Plattsburgh for her undergraduate degree and SUNY Cortland and Syracuse University for her post graduate degree. After studying at Syracuse University, she was offered a teaching position in Syracuse, and has lived here since. Married, with three children, all with careers in education, she proudly claims. And four grandchildren. Though Muhs-Mccarten doesn’t claim to be an artist, she does enjoy writing and “dabbles” in poetry. Travel is another of her passions: “I’ve traveled all over the world—on a teacher’s pension,” she said. “I’ve seen so many wonderful places.” Keeping fit is significant to her, being in her 70s. She works out regularly, walks, runs and does yoga. “Everything we do adds to our well-being,” she sums up her life now. “Keep finding things that inspire you. It’s so good to be around people as

we get older. Everything we do adds to our community; everything we do adds to our wellbeing.” “Do whatever you can to make this world a better place,” she urged. “Come to ArtRage. It’s a great place, with friendly people, a great director, and diverse audiences.” “We organize five exhibitions a season,” added Director Rose Vivian. Climate change, Cuba, and the refugee experience in Syracuse have been featured in past exhibits. The current exhibit, Deadlocked and Loaded, ended April 18. The next exhibit, beginning May 13, features Leslie Feinberg: “Screened in, looking out: A disabilities photo exhibit.” The gallery is closed between exhibits. “Each exhibit is accompanied by community events, discussions, artist talks, film screenings and workshops,” Vivian said. “We heavily depend on community volunteers like Donna in every aspect of our work. We couldn’t do it without them.” For more information on ArtRage Gallery, 505 Hawley Avenue, see artragegallery.org or call 315-218-5711.

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August / September 2021 - 55 PLUS

55+ milestone

Staff in charge of maintaining The William Hillcourt Scout Museum and Carson Buck Memorial Library.

Scout Museum to Celebrate 30th Anniversary The William Hillcourt Scout Museum and Carson Buck Memorial Library in Constantia preserves the history of Boy Scouting in Central New York

he William Hillcourt Scout Museum and Carson Buck Memorial Library is located in Constantia. Its mission is to preserve the history of Boy Scouting in Central New York. In September, it will celebrate its 30th anniversary. “I am the museum archivist and the Longhouse Council Historian. Steve Austin is the chairman of the museum committee. Curt Carpenter is the curator and Mike Kane is the assistant curator,” said John Binkowski. “We are all Eagle Scouts, as are many of the committee members, who have developed a lifelong love of scouting. I have been associated with the museum

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By Steve Yablonski for about 20 years.” The museum has preserved the history of scouting in Central New York for future generations, he added. “It is amazing to see the dream from 30 years ago of creating a museum to preserve scouting history for Central New York become the jewel that it is today,” said Austin, the chairman of the museum committee. “As an Eagle Scout, scouting has been a major influence in my life and the museum is a way to honor the traditions of scouting that have existed for 110 years.” The museum, located on the grounds of Camp Woodland, 491

Kibbie Lake Road, is celebrating its 30th anniversary Sept. 25 at the site. It will be an informal get-together with a few speeches and refreshments. The museum is named for William “Green Bar Bill” Hillcourt. He was very influential in the national and worldwide scouting movement from the 1930s until his death in 1992, Binkowski explained. “[Hillcourt] wrote many of the scout handbooks and patrol leader handbooks,” he said. “He also wrote many articles in Boys’ Life magazine regarding outdoor skills and patrol leadership.” The badge of a patrol leader

contains two green bars. Hence, Hillcourt became “Green Bar Bill.” Carson Buck was a prominent local scouter. Hillcourt was close friends with Buck and resided at Buck’s home for many years before his death, Binkowski added. According to curator Carpenter, the fact that the William Hillcourt Scout Museum has gone from a single room to what it is now shows how relevant the place is. “[It] makes me proud of the staff that gives so much of their time as well as the dedicated scouters who came before us. As curator I have always tried to make our displays interesting and that the experience is fun as well as instructive,” Carpenter added. “I would also like to thank those who have donated items and money that has kept us going for 30 years. Come visit us and see for yourself.” The museum is run by a committee of volunteers. “The chairman of this committee is the head person,” Binkowski explained. “Other committee members are chosen by the committee for roles such as curator, archivist, maintenance person etc. Each person has a written job description.” The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday, except on holiday weekends, “It’s difficult to estimate attendance. Some weekends we may have only one or two people visit; but if there is an activity in camp, we may have a hundred come through,” Binkowski said. “Let’s say at least a 1,000 a year.” There is no admission fee. They have been fortunate to receive some large donations. “We also have a small trading post where we sell items that do not fit the museum’s needs such as duplicate patches or items from other scout councils,” Binkowski said. “Although we are part of the scout council we receive no funding from them.” Almost all display items are donated. It’s surprising how many people want their scouting items and memories preserved, he said, adding that “Very occasionally we will purchase a very historically important piece.” “It’s amazing how the museum has grown in the last 30 years. It has had a huge impact on people with a scouting background considering

Rare uniform: The first uniform of the Boy Scout of America from 1910. It is one of the more valuable items on display at The William Hillcourt Scout Museum and Carson Buck Memorial Library.

all the materials that are donated to preserve Scouting’s past,” assistant curator Kane said. The idea of a museum began as casual conversations between David Brown, Tom Wallace and Bill McGee in the mid-1980s. McGee was an advisory board member of the Lee Scouting Museum in New Hampshire since 1980 and Brown wanted his input. The advice given was: “Unless you have a council executive who is 100% behind the museum, don’t bother.” In 1990, Bill Moran was the Hiawatha Council’s new council executive. He had been a district

executive at Daniel Webster Council in New Hampshire and had seen their Lee Museum start up and grow. He was 100% behind a museum starting in Central New York. Oct. 5, 1991, was the official dedication and opening of the Hiawatha Council Scout Museum. After a merger of Hiawatha Council and Seaway Valley Council (St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis counties) the council name changed. In June 1999, the committee voted to change the museum’s name to the William Hillcourt Scout Museum and Carson Buck Memorial Library. August / September 2021 - 55 PLUS

55+ museums

Museums to Visit This Fall Step back in time, explore interesting exhibits and artifacts By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural & Country Museum includes numerous displays depicting rural life of yesteryear, all organized into themed rooms.

tep back in time, explore interesting exhibits and artifacts and learn about the region through visiting area museums. Oswego’s Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum (http:// safehavenmuseum.com) chronicles the housing of 982 World War II refugees at Fort Ontario as President Roosevelt’s “guests” from August 1944 until February 1946. Read about their challenges and their eventual relocation after the war ended. Discover the region’s rural heritage at Auburn’s Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural & Country Museum (http:// wardwoharaagriculturalmuseum. org). The museum includes numerous displays of equipment and tools, along with dioramas depicting rural life of yesteryear, all organized into themed rooms. Also in Auburn, check out 40

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t h e h o m e s o f t w o re m a r k a b l e Americans, Seward House Historic Museum (https://sewardhouse.org) and Harriet Tubman National Historic Park (www.harriettubmanhome.com). The former was a New York state senator, governor of New York, a US senator, and secretary of state in the Lincoln and Andrew Johnson administrations. The latter led hundreds of freedom seekers from the South at the risk of her own life during the Civil War. In Syracuse, the Daniel Parrish Witter Agricultural Museum at the New York State Fairgrounds (www.nysagsociety. org/witter-agricultural-museum) is open when the fair operates and otherwise by appointment. During the fair, demonstrators show how farmstead owners carved wood, churned butter, repaired tools and used other skills to support their livelihood. View a reconstructed log cabin inside,

along with numerous artifacts of 1800s and early 1900s farm life. Click your red heels together and visit the All Things Oz Museum (www.allthingsoz.org) in Chittenango. Author L. Frank Baum, whose writings included “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”, was born in Chittenango. The museum includes more than 15,000 pieces with between 1,200 and 1,400 on exhibit at any time, including original props and costumes from “The Wizard of Oz” productions, Judy Garland’s autograph, 1939 MGM munchkin actor appearance costumes, and more Oz artifacts. Laugh it up at Jamestown’s Lucy Desi Museum and Desilu Studios (https:// lucy-desi.com). Few people realize that everyone’s comedienne lived in Celeron while growing up. She was also buried at Lake View Cemetery in Jamestown. Celebrate the First Lady of

comedy and her husband, Desi Arnaz, while viewing artifacts from their life and careers. Check the website for information on dual admission to the National Comedy Center, ranked by Conde Nast Traveler as “one of the best museums in the country.” The National Memorial Day Museum (https://wlhs-ny.com/nationalmemorial-day-museum/) in Waterloo commemorates the official birthplace of Memorial Day, as recognized by Congress. Open Memorial Day (of course) through Labor Day, peruse the museum’s displays to learn about the day’s solemn purpose and origins. If you love the water, visit Clayton’s Antique Boat Museum (https://www. abm.org). In addition to the 320 boat exhibits of boats of every shape and size, the 4.5-acre campus hosts boating events summer through fall. Five interesting museums in Wayne County include the Brick Church Museum, Mill Museum and Blockhouse (http://galenhistoricalsociety.org/ church.htm) in Clyde, H. G. Hotchkiss Essential Oil Museum (also known as the “Peppermint Museum”) in Lyons (https://lyonsheritagesociety.org), and Hoffman Clock Museum (http:// www.hoffmanclockmuseum.org) in Newark. These are small enough to visit all in one day. The Hoffman is inside of the Newark Public Library and is open for self-guided tours whenever the library is open. Unless one knows to look for it, it’s easy to walk right past it and not step inside to see dozens of everyday clocks on most grandparents’ mantels to rare clocks viewed by visitors from around the world. The Hotchkiss showcases Lyons’ historic distinction as the peppermint capital of the world. The minty gift shop is worth a visit. The Brick Church Museum houses artifacts from Clyde’s history of glassmaking as well as the town’s other industries. The Mill Museum is more of a general, daily life museum of life in the 1800s through early 1900s. Though a 1975 replica of the circa 1758 fort, the Blockhouse features authentic artifacts from the original fort’s era. Keep in mind that these museums may have different hours because of the pandemic. Check their website and/or social media page while planning a visit.

All Things Oz Museum includes more than 15,000 pieces with between 1,200 and 1,400 on exhibit at any time, including original props and costumes from “The Wizard of Oz” productions, Judy Garland’s autograph, 1939 MGM munchkin actor appearance costumes, and more Oz artifacts.

Display at Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum in Oswego. The site chronicles the housing of 982 World War II refugees at Fort Ontario as President Roosevelt’s “guests” from August 1944 until February 1946. Photo courtesy of David Granoff. August / September 2021 - 55 PLUS

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55+ travel

Day Trips to Enjoy This Season There is plenty to see and do right in your ‘backyard’ By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

he end of summer is the perfect time to day trip and enjoy the weather. Grab a friend or grandchildren and bring your enthusiasm for adventure for these local points of interest. The Erie Canal stretches from Albany to Buffalo. Pick any part of the Erie Canal to enjoy the canal side trails or on the canal itself with one of the many tour boat companies traversing its waters, including tours originating in Camillus (http://www. eriecanalcamillus.com/boat.htm) or Herkimer (https://eriecanalcruises. com). Wander into any of the small towns dotting the canal to try a new restaurant, buy ice cream cones or iced coffee and check out unique shops. Beverage tours abound in the region. To safely sip, engage the services of a tour company, such Quality Wine Tours (https://www. qualitywinetours.com), which covers Cayuga, Keuka and Seneca lakes. In addition to safety, guided tours take out the guesswork, as these adult-only tours are led by guides knowledgeable of the best stops in the region. O n t a r i o O r c h a r d s F a r m ( w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / OntarioOrchardsOswegoNY) in Sterling offers tours by appointment. Take the grandchildren to tour a working farm and, in season, pick your own apples and pumpkins. The

market in Oswego offers year-round shopping for baked goods, seasonal produce, plant nursery items, home décor and more. Sightsee with ease with rides offered by the Adirondack Railroad (www.adirondackrr.com) with departures from Utica and Thendara. In addition to riding the rails, the railroad offers railbike adventures, where you and up to three other riders pedal to provide the power. The ride features a few gentle grades and plenty of camera-worthy sites. Critz Farm in Cazenovia (https:// www.critzfarms.com) offers a brewery, you-pick produce summer and fall and year-round activities for all ages. Check the website for special events throughout the year. Also in Cazenovia, Nelson Farm (https://nelsonfarms.org) offers a local goods shopping extravaganza. The facility also offers tours so you can see how small-scale farm products go from field to FDA-inspected commercial kitchen to table. The 4 Corners Tap Room features local craft brews to imbibe. Before leaving Cazenovia, visit Friends of Lorenzo Historic Site (www. friendsoflorenzo.org), which includes a mansion, beautifully landscaped grounds and Rippleton Schoolhouse, to step into life in the early 1800s. Check the website for special events

hosted at Lorenzo. Get out of the heat at Howe Caverns (https://howecaverns. com) in Howes Cave. Since the attraction is 156 feet below ground level, it remains cool year-round. Bring along your grandchildren for the educational tour and explore the Adventure Park on the grounds. The children will enjoy the zipline, high ropes course, climbing wall and air jumper. Just down the highway, Secret C a v e r n s ( w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / SecretCaverns) in Cobleskill includes a smaller tour, but a spectacular 100foot underground waterfall. The Secret Caverns includes oodles of folk-art signs reminiscent of ‘50s and ‘60s roadside attractions. G e t b a c k t o n a t u re a t T h e Great Swamp Conservancy (www. g r e a t s w a m p c o n s e r v a n c y. o r g ) in Canastota. Bring along the grandchildren and the dog to enjoy seven miles of trails, including 900 feet of boardwalk. View birds and other wildlife in their natural habitat. Try your hand at angling at Simpson Park, which provides catch and release fishing opportunities. Also in Canastota, the Canal Town Museum (www.canastota-canal. com) displays artifacts about the establishment of Canastota and the Erie Canal. August / September 2021 - 55 PLUS

life after 55 By Michele Reed bazanreed@hotmail.com

Photos by Bill Reed

What a Journey!

Above Our beautiful village of Corneilhan, where we made our home in France. (2016 file photo) Left Bill Reed at the Café des Arts in Beziers. (2016 file photo)

n April I lost my best friend of nearly 50 years and my traveling companion through life, my husband, Bill, to a sudden heart attack. In the days and weeks that followed, one theme emerged in notes and comments from family, friends and even people I’d never met but who knew us from the pages of this magazine: “You’re so lucky you had that time together in France.” “Lucky?” I thought. In my grief, I couldn’t see anything to feel lucky about. But on reflection, I see they were right. Regular readers of this column — which has chronicled our adventures in France since 2014 — know our

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shared exploration of “la belle vie” in France has been the highlight of our retirement years. We took you along with us as we first researched the idea of retiring abroad, tested the waters with three months in the off season at a popular vacation spot, and searched for and eventually bought a home there. The truth of the matter is, I owe all that adventure, all that magic to Bill. Even before France we traveled together to Poland and Scotland. He was the one who, searching the internet one Sunday morning in Oswego, found the first house we rented, with a palm tree and a lemon tree bearing fruit in February in the backyard. And a couple of years later,

when we found our little house — high on a hill in the middle of a tiny village surrounded by vineyards as far as the eye could see — he was the one who urged me to jump at the chance to buy it. If it had been up to me, we would have waited and toured many more houses, possibly never fulfilling our dream of a tiny retirement home in France, a legacy we will leave our children. Bill was the one who was inspired to travel there through Barcelona, where we found history and culture to enjoy at every visit. And he was the one who planned “petite adventures” to explore places like Nice, Monaco and Lyon. Without him, I would never have climbed to the top of a

The church tower in Argeles-sur-Mer. From the top of it, we marveled at views from the Pyrenees Mountains to Mediterranean Sea. (2014 file photo)

We stood on the roof of the summer castle of the kings and queens of Mallorca in Collioure. (2015 file photo)

church tower, with views stretching from the Pyrenees Mountains to the Mediterranean Sea, or stood on the roof of the summer castle of the kings and queens of Mallorca with the sea breeze blowing my hair and the roar of waves crashing beneath us. I would never have walked the ramparts of Carcassonne, the model for Sleeping Beauty’s castle, or felt the cool water of a fountain designed by Picasso in the middle of a tiny village. And I never, ever, would have stood on tiptoes on a tiny rocky outcrop trying to touch the feet of Christ on a cross erected to greet sailors into the port of Collioure, with “nothing between us and Africa but the vast blue expanse of the Mediterranean,” as Bill noted once we were safely back on the beach. But with all these grand adventures, all the magnificent cathedrals, historic chateaux, majestic mountains and the unbelievable blue of the Mediterranean Sea, it’s the little things I’ll remember most about life with Bill in France. I’ll think of the begonias and pansies on our windowsill, that bloom all year long, and the year-round flower market every Friday in Beziers, where we’d stroll weekly, enjoying the scent of lavender, bougainvillea and mimosa. When I sip my morning coffee, I’ll remember the crusty baguette or a chunk of rustic French bread cut from a giant loaf on a scarred wooden table on the sidewalk outside our favorite bakery, Boulangerie Cristal. At 6 p.m., I’ll remember our rooftop terrace, where we’d share an apero, a pre-dinner glass of wine with olives and cheese. I’m thankful for the memory of our leisurely lunches at the Petit Ju, our favorite café, or a cold glass of abbey ale at the Bar de la Comedie, a historic 100-year-old bistro. And on cold winter days, I’ll be warmed by memories of Sunday promenades in the vineyards just outside our village, with the buzz of bees in our ears and the heat of the sun baking our skin. Bill gave me many gifts during our half century together, first as college sweethearts and then as husband and wife. And one of the best is the memory of our time together in France. I guess those people were right: We were pretty lucky indeed. August / September 2021 - 55 PLUS

druger’s zoo By Marvin Druger Email: mdruger@syr.edu

Clichés and What They Really Mean to Me

y all ma or ‘Can c s i h ‘T ored f s.a’ nyt I get you t i n o hing e be m purpose lse?’ y t i qual

ur society is filled with clichés. These are stereotyped comments or phrases that we hear over and over again until they lose their appeal from overuse. We are so accustomed to these clichés that we seldom even think about them. Sometimes, I like to analyze the cliché and respond to it in an amusing way. Here are some common clichés and how my mind responds to them: • When we call a physician’s office, we are likely to hear, “If this is a true emergency, please hang up and call 911.” My twisted interpretation of this greeting is, “If this is a true emergency, please hang up and call a real doctor.” • A waiter or waitress in a restaurant is likely to interrupt your meal and say, “How’s the food so far?” My temptation is to respond, “So far, it’s terrible, but I’m hoping it will get better as I keep eating it.” • A waiter or waitress asks, “Can I get you anything else?” My reply: “Sure. How about a new car and about $50,000 in cash?” • A waiter or waitress often asks:

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“Is everything OK?” My twisted response is, “Sure. My best friend just died, I got fired from my job, and my wife is filing for a divorce—otherwise, everything is fine. • A waiter or waitress asks: “Have you been here before?” My reply: “Yes. Don’t you remember? I’m the guy who gave you a big tip by mistake.” • A waiter or waitress asks, “Can I take these dishes?” My reply: “No, I’d like to leave them on the table so that I can remember what I ate.” • Another common restaurant comment is, “How are we doing today?” “Who the hell are ‘we?” I’m doing fine, but I didn’t know that you were also part of my family.” • Another common restaurant comment is, “Have you been here before.” My inner response is, “Yes, but I won’t make that mistake again.” • Yet another common waitress’ comment is, “I’m Jane. I’m going to take care of you today.” When I hear this comment, I envision myself lying in a hospital bed, receiving tender, loving care from the waitress. • “Older people often get the greeting, “Gee. You look terrific.” I

interpret this remark as, “I thought you would look much worse than you do. In fact, I thought you were dead!” • The storekeeper often says, “How can I help you?” My imaginative response is, “I need someone to mow my lawn, fix the dishwasher, paint the kitchen and, by the way, I could use about $50,000.” Another version of this cliché is, “May I help you?” My response is, “Sure, I need as much help as I can get!” • “Don’t put me under the bus,” is a cliché meant to ask someone not to denigrate or insult their behavior. My variation is, “Don’t put me under the bus, or train, or car, or anything that moves. Actually, my interpretation is that, “Your behavior is so obnoxious that I would really like to put you under a bus.” • “How are you?” is a common greeting. At my age, if I respond, “the same,” that’s good news. • A common greeting in the men’s locker room at the health club is, “How’s it going?” I wonder if “it” means, “Is your heart still beating? Is your car is still running? Is your computer still working? • A wrong turn in your car results in the GPS response, “Recalculating.” I imagine the additional comment, “How can you be that stupid? Now, I have to figure out where you are again.” • In business phone calls, we often hear, “This call may be monitored for quality purposes.” This comment makes me feel that the FBI is listening to the call and, if I say something stupid, it may cost me a fine and a few years in prison. • If you want to speak to a live human on the phone, say: “Live human, please.” I made a call to a customer service representative in a company. His voice answered the phone and said, “Please leave a message and I’ll return your call shortly.” Then, I tried to leave a message and was told, “This mailbox is full. Thanks for calling. Goodbye.” • Another frequent compliment when someone sees you is, “I love your hair.” My inner response is, “Would you like a few strands?” • A common greeting is, “What’s up?” I wonder if they are talking about the stock market? • A familiar remark when leaving someone is, “Take care.” I wonder if that phrase means take care of your

computer? Or take care of your sick relative? Or something else? • “You can’t please everyone” is a common cliché. This makes me think of a remark by an ex-friend when I told him that I had taught an estimated 50,000 students in my career. He said, “Yes, you have influenced and offended a lot of people.” • Whenever I hear that a person has “nerves of steel,” I wonder if that person also has an “iron stomach,” “wooden legs” and “a heart of gold?” • It’s common to tell someone to “Put yourself in someone else’s shoes” and “If the shoes fit, wear them.” This reminds me of the time I accidentally picked up someone else’s gym shoes in the health club locker room and wore them while exercising. They felt great, until the owner of the shoes caught up with me. • We are often told, “Don’t cry over spilt milk.” Older people are more likely to cry over a glass of spilt beer or wine. • “The early bird catches the worm.” I get up early every day, but I still haven’t caught any worms. I try to get up very early each morning so that I will have more conscious time in my life. • “Better late than never” is a common remark. I agree with this cliché. I always try to arrive late to the old age exercise class at the health club, so that I have to do less during the class period. • The final cliché is one that never loses its appeal, i.e., “Laughter is the best medicine.” There is humor in every situation. When times are bad, laughter heals. When I gave a talk at a meeting in Mexico, my presentation was translated from English to Spanish by a translator. After my talk, I said, “Thanks, Pedro, you did a great job. They even laughed at my jokes.” Pedro replied, “No. I’m sorry, but they didn’t laugh at your jokes. When you told a joke, I said, “The speaker has just told a joke. Please laugh.” I hope he was joking. Pedro also told me that he once translated a speech for someone who told inappropriate jokes. So, Pedro told his own jokes and everyone laughed. There is even humor in death. My wife, Pat, and I always had a warm, joking relationship. Her very last words to me before she died were, “Marvin, shut up!” Maybe, this a good time for me to stop writing this article.

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55+ visits

New York City for Free The city has many attractions that won’t cost you a penny By Sandra Scott

ew York City is always on the list as one of the most expensive cities in the world and thus one of the most costly places to visit. However, there are many free things available for tourists.

Big Apple Greeters: Visitors can book a free tour with a greeter. Big Apple Greeter is a nonprofit organization that matches visitors with New Yorkers who want to share the city that they call home. All greeters are volunteers — they are not paid professional tour guides, and tipping is not allowed. A typical tour is a walking tour of an area where the greeter has expertise and usually lasts two to four hours. Requests should be made three to four weeks ahead of time through its website, https://bigapplegreeters.net. Central Park: Most parks are free but most parks are not like Central Park. The Central Park Conservancy offers a variety of inexpensive tours but visitors are free to explore the park on their own. Free downloadable maps are available on the conservancy’s website or a map and guide can be picked up at one of their visitor’s centers. Of special

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interest are places like homage to John Lennon at Strawberry Fields with the “Imagine” mosaic and the statue of Balto, the sled dog who inspired the yearly Iditarod Race. Staten Island Ferry: The Staten Island Ferry has been carrying passengers between Manhattan and Staten Island since 1905 and has been dubbed “One of the world’s greatest and smallest water voyages.” The ferry runs 24 hours a day year round. The five mile, 25-minute ride offers majestic views of the NYC skyline — day and night. It is necessary to get off and then re-board for the return trip. It is best to avoid rush hour. Sunset is a great time to take the trip. Downtown Connection: The bright red, handicappedaccessible Downtown Connection bus is a free service that connects the South Street Seaport with the Battery and City Hall Park making 37 stops along the way. The stops are convenient to all of Lower Manhattan, subway lines, and many attractions. Service is provided seven days a week from 10 a.m., and ends with a final run at 7:30 p.m. There are many popular tour destinations along the route or just a short walk from the bus stop.

Little Island is the newest attraction in New York City. Opened in May, it features rolling hills, walking paths and open lawns, with dazzling views of NYC and a beautifully curated mix of trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses.

9/11 Memorial: The memorial honors the lives of those who were lost in the World Trade Center attack. The names of every person who died in the attacks on both Feb. 26, 1993 and Sept. 11, 2001 are inscribed in bronze around the twin memorial pools. There are signboards such as the one telling about the “Survivor Tree.” The tree was one of the few things in the Ground Zero area that survived even though it was severely damaged. It stands as a symbol of hope and survival. The 9/11 Memorial Museum is not normally free but on Tuesdays from 5 to 8 p.m. visitors may enter without a charge. Right next door visitors can find the Oculus, a transportation hub and shopping mall built alongside the One World Trade Center. High Line: The High Line is a 1.45-mile-long New York City linear park built on an elevated section of a disused New York Central Railroad spur called the West Side Line. Knowledgeable docents offer twice-a-week walking tours giving visitors an insider’s perspective on the park’s history. It is accessed by elevator and stairs at various points. Along the way visitors can view artworks, listen

to music, check out the vendors, and more. Art: The Chelsea area is home to many free art galleries. Most are between 20th to 29th street between 10th and 11th avenues. There are several museums that are always free such as the American Folk Art Museum while some art museums such as the Whitney Museum of American Art offer “Pay What You Wish” Friday evenings. Many museums are free on specific days or specific times while others like the Cloisters and the Metropolitan Museum of Art always offer “pay what you wish.” African American Burial Ground: One of NYC’s newest attractions is the open-air African American Burial Ground. A construction project in 1991 uncovered more than 400 caskets of slaves from an age when New York had more slaves than any American city outside of Charleston, South Carolina. The visitor center has a 20-minute video and many informative displays. Free ranger-led tours are available but must be requested two weeks in advance. Little Island: This is the newest attraction in New York City. Opened in May, Little Island is a 2.7acre garden that is floating on Hudson River. It’s connected to Manhattan by a walkway that takes visitors from the trendy Meatpacking District. It features rolling hills, walking paths and open lawns, with dazzling views of NYC and a beautifully curated mix of trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses. Its 700 seat amphitheater offers a variety of shows at no charge. Entrances are at 13th and 14th streets on the west side. More freebies: There is an event or parade nearly every weekend somewhere in the city. The Juilliard School of Music often has free performances. Many of the city’s buildings have amazing interiors and can be entered at no charge, including Grand Central Terminal, the Federal Reserve Bank, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the Chrysler Building but some have a fee for a guided tour. The Federal Reserve Banks offers free tours detailing its role and responsibility plus it includes the Gold Vault. Just steps from Times Square is beautiful Bryant Park where they host over 1000 free events, classes, and activities annually.

The Staten Island Ferry has been carrying passengers between Manhattan and Staten Island since 1905. The ferry runs 24 hours a day year round.

Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the Oculus — next to the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero — opened in 2016.

10.

The 9/11 memorial honors the lives of those who were lost in the World Trade Center attack. August / September 2021 - 55 PLUS

55+ last page

By Steve Yablonski

Rita Wicks Nurse is passionate about caring for the community — on off hours and weekends she volunteers at Brewerton Fire Department Q: Would you tell me a bit about your background to start? A: I was raised in Redfield, Oswego County, and at that time Redfield had a population of a little more than 300. I went to Sandy Creek Central School with the biggest graduating class ever of around 70 students. The summer before I left for SUNY Oswego, I started volunteering for the Redfield Fire Department; this was the start of my volunteering career in 1988. Q: What did you do next? A: I decided to transfer to the big city of Syracuse to become a registered nurse. While in nursing school I took an EMT [emergency medical technician] class and was hooked. I continued to volunteer when I could with local ambulance companies. After graduating nursing school, I started paramedic school. At this time, I was mainly volunteering more for EMS [emergency medical services] than fire. After obtaining my paramedic and getting some experience, I started working as a full-time flight nurse/ paramedic and volunteered my time with the sheriff’s emergency helicopter transporting the sick or injured. In 1996 I met my soon-to-be husband while working at the Brewerton Volunteer Fire Department where he also volunteered as a fireman. I helped the fire department when I could as the wife of a volunteer, but helping on the scene of an accident on the lake sparked my interest in the fire side again. I applied to be a volunteer firefighter in 2011, took firefighter 1 and the rest is history. Q: Where do you volunteer now? At more than one place? A: Brewerton Volunteer Fire Department. 50

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Q: Why do you volunteer? A: Helping the community and utilizing my skills to help those in need. Setting a good example for my daughter and leaving a legacy. Q: How long have you been a volunteer? How many hours a week do you volunteer? A: I have been a volunteer on and off for 33 years. Volunteer hours vary depending on the need. I currently hold the vice president position in the department. Q: How difficult was it for you, and volunteers in general, during the height of the pandemic? A: The anxiety of the unknown in the beginning was the most d i f f i c u l t . H o w e v e r, w i t h certain protocols and constant communication and education we were successful in assisting our community.

Q: What would you tell someone who’s considering being a volunteer? A: The experience and friendships you develop are for a lifetime while knowing you did something to help another person in their time of need. It can sometimes break your heart, but can also fill your heart with pride. With seven life-saving awards from Onondaga County, the ability to have the title of first female firefighter lieutenant for the Brewerton Fire Department, and having a legacy of helping those in need made it worth the time I commit to the community. Q: Do you still work? A: I work full time at Oswego Hospital. I oversee occupational health, employee health, the cardiac rehabilitation program at Lakeside Heart and I oversee the diabetic education and the school-based programs. Q: As a volunteer, what do you share with the people you volunteer for? A: I have shared my family. Q: If you weren’t volunteering, what would you do with your time? A: I would go fishing.

Q: Are there still certain safety protocols you have to adhere to? A: Our protocols have lifted tremendously with most of us being vaccinated. We still need to be vigilant and recognize on calls when PPE is needed. Q: What are the rewards of volunteering? A: Same answer as what I would tell someone considering to be a volunteer.

Nurse Rita Wicks is busy overseeing several health programs at Oswego Health. She also volunteers for the Brewerton Fire Department as its first female firefighter lieutenant.

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For the Love of Animals! - 55+ Cover