Cny55plus no58 by 55 Plus: For Active Adults in Central New York

David Zumpano: A Smart Way to Leave Assets to Loved Ones Syracuse Award-Winning Columnist Sean Kirst Turns 55

55 PLUS Issue 58 August / September 2015

For Active Adults in the Central New York Area

LIVING A LONGER, HEALTHY LIFE CNYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top geriatrician, Sharon Brangman, 59, on five things you should do to live longer. Plus a profile of the doctor

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August / September 2015 - 55 PLUS

CONTENTS 55 PLUS

David Zumpano: A Smart Way to Leave Assets to Loved Ones Syracuse Award-Winning Columnist Sean Kirst Turns 55

55 PLUS

August / September 2015

PLUS Issue 58 August / September 2015

For Active Adults in the Central New York Area

LIVING A LONGER, HEALTHY LIFE CNY’s top geriatrician, Sharon Brangman, 59, on five things you should do to live longer. Plus a profile of the doctor

Priceless

INSIDE: Skaneateles Doc, a Ping-Pong Champ

24 38

Savvy Senior 6 14 AGING Financial Health 8 • Award-winning Syracuse Gardening 10

columnist Sean Kirst turns 55

My Turn 18 20 ADVENTURE Golden Years 22 • Skydiver Marguerite Fratangelo Aging 40

didn’t stop jumping until age 80

24 Consumers Corner 43 CARING Life After 55 44 • Couple has cared for Camillus Druger’s Zoo 46

Chuck Parker, a 65-year-old outdoor enthusiast, inducted into NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame. Page 50 4

55 PLUS - August / September 2015

cny55.com

Erie Canal Park since 1972

33 LONGEVITY

• Dr. Sharon Brangman: Five tips to a long, healthy life

36 DAY TRIP

• Genesee Country Village offers fun, history

38 PROFILE

• Skaneateles doc continues winning table tennis tournaments

26 LEARNING

41 TRAVELING

28 COVER

48 VISITS

• Finally a degree in hand — at ages 74 and 55

• Dr. Sharon Brangman focuses on well being of the older set

• Experts say train travel is a smart choice

• Visit the Baseball Hall of Fame and much more

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savvy senior By Jim Miller

How to Choose the Best Place to Retire

f you’re interested in relocating when you retire, like millions of other baby boomers, there are a wide variety of free Web-based resources that can help you find and research a new location that meet your wants, needs and budget. Here are several to help you get started. Where to Retire: If you aren’t sure where you want to retire, a good place to begin is by taking a retirement test at sites like Sperling’s Best Places (bestplaces.net/fybp) or Find Your Spot (findyourspot. com). These are free quizzes that ask dozens of questions such as climate, recreation, community size and more, and suggest possible destinations that best match your answers. There are also various media sources and websites, like U.S. News and World Report, Kiplinger’s, Forbes, Money magazine, Reuters, Bankrate. com, TopRetirements.com, the Milken Institute and AARP that publish top retirement location lists you may find helpful too. To find them, go to any search engine and type “best places to retire” along with the name of the media source. You should also consider getting a subscription to “Where to Retire” magazine (wheretoretire.com, 713-9746903), which is designed to help you find ideal retirement settings. A yearly subscription runs $18 for six issues. Once you find a few areas that interest you, your next step is research them. Here are some important areas you need to investigate. Cost of living: Can you afford to live comfortably in the location you want to retire to? BestPlaces.net and Numbeo.com offer tools to compare the cost of living from your current location to where you would like to move. They compare housing costs, food, utilities, transportation and more. Taxes: Some states are more tax friendly to retirees than others. If you’re planning to move to another 6

55 PLUS - August / September 2015

state, Kiplinger ’s has a tax guide for retirees at Kiplinger.com/links/ retireetaxmap that lets you find and compare taxes state-by-state. It covers income taxes, sales tax, taxes on retirement income, Social Security benefits taxes, property taxes, and inheritance and estate taxes. C r i m e r a t e : To e v a l u a t e how safe a community or area is, NeighborhoodScout.com is a top tool that provides property and violent crime rates, and crimes per square mile. Healthcare: Does the area you want to relocate to have easy access to good healthcare? To locate and research hospitals in a new area, u s e H o s p i t a l C o m p a re . h h s . g o v and QualityCheck.org. To search for new doctors that accept your insurance, contact your plan, or, if you’re 65 or older use Medicare.gov/ physiciancompare. It’s also important to know that healthcare costs can vary by region, so you should contact your insurer to check out possible cost variables. Transportation: If you plan to travel much, or expect frequent visits from your kids or grandkids, convenient access to an airport or train station is a nice advantage. You should also investigate alternative transportation options, since most retirees give up driving in their 80s. To do this contact Rides in Sight (ridesinsight.org, 855-607-4337), a free transportation referral service, and the Area Aging Agency – call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 to get the local number. Other Resources: To learn more about specific communities across the U.S., AARP’s new livability index (livabilityindex.aarp.org) along with Epodunk.com and GangsAway.com are three excellent resources, as well as the city’s chamber of commerce office. To locate it, go to any search engine and type in the name of the city and state followed by “chamber of commerce.”

55PLUS cny55.com Editor and Publisher Wagner Dotto

Associate Editor Lou Sorendo

Writers

Deborah J. Sergeant Aaron Gifford, Sandra Scott Mary Beth Roach, Matthew Liptak

Columnists

Eva Briggs, M.D., Bruce Frassinelli Marilyn Pinsky, Harold Miller Jim Sollecito, David J. Zumpano Marvin Druger, Michele Reed Sharon A. Brangman, M.D.

Advertising

Marsha Preston Amy Gagliano

Office Manager Alice Davis

Layout and Design Chris Crocker

55 PLUS –A Magazine for Active Adults in Central New York is published six times a year by Local News, Inc., which also publishes In Good Health–CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper. Published at 185 E. Seneca St. PO Box 276 Oswego, NY 13126. Subscription: $15 a year; $25 for two years © 2015 by 55 PLUS – A Magazine for Active Adults in Upstate New York.

No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. Third class postage paid at Syracuse, NY. Permit Number: 3071

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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55 PLUS - August / September 2015

How to Leave Assets to Loved Ones

harles came into the office to start his estate planning. He was a widower and had no children. The bulk of his estate — in excess of $750,000 — was going to three nieces. Charles wanted to ensure that when he died his money went to his nieces quickly and without probate. He heard a living trust was the way to do that. When he came in to the office he discovered issues and options he h a d n o t p re v i o u s l y thought about. Specifically, he liked the option to ensure that when he passed, rather than leaving his assets to his nieces outright, he could give it to them in a protected trust that permits them access to it for the rest of their lives, but not their creditors, spouses in divorce, nursing homes, the government or lawsuits. Charles engaged the attorney and set up his estate plan so that when he passed, each of his nieces would receive their $250,000.00 in a trust for their benefit. The trust allowed each beneficiary to serve as trustee but also provided for a co-trustee, who could be appointed by each beneficiary. When Charles died, his brother F r a n k c a m e i n t o t h e o ff i c e t o administer Charles’ trust. Frank was confused, as were his children, as to why Charles left the money in trust instead of outright. They were a little disappointed. After some explanation by the attorney, they said that they understood and proceeded with the trust administration. Each of them received their separate share of uncle Charley’s estate in a trust in which they were named trustee. About a year later, Sue Ellen, one

of Frank’s children, contacted the attorney. She was concerned about a recent garnishment that had been put on her account at the bank. Evidently, she had been sued and a judgment was awarded to the party suing her. The creditor executed a judgment against all of Sue Ellen’s assets. Since Sue Ellen was a trustee of the trust left by Uncle Charles, they also put a lock on the trust account in hopes that they could empty it to satisfy their judgment. The attorney quickly explained to Sue Ellen that this is exactly why Uncle Charles had done what he did to ensure if any predators ever attempted to take the money from Sue Ellen, they would be prohibited. The attorney sent a letter to the law firm for the creditor and to the bank’s attorney advising them any attachment to the account was unauthorized and illegal. After a quick review of the trust, both the judgment holder and the bank acknowledged the account was not subject to levy and released it. The funds remained available for Sue Ellen’s use without the risk of any further attachment by the judgment creditor or anyone else. You can protect your loved ones when you die to ensure when they inherit what you have worked your lifetime for, it stays with them without being at risk of being lost to their divorce, lawsuits, nursing homes, the government or other creditors. David J. Zumpano is an attorney and a certified public accountant (CPA). He operates Estate Planning Law Center. He can be reached at 315-793-3622.

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David Zumpano: A

Smart Way to Leav

Syracuse Awa rd-Winning

gardening

e Assets to Loved One

Columnist Sea n Kirst Turns 55

By Jim Sollecito

Into The Mystic

PLUS Issue 58 August / Septem ber 2015

For Active Adults in the Central New York Area

LIVING A LONGER, HEALTHY LIFE CNY’s top geriatrician, Sharo n Brangman, 59, on five things you should do to live longer. Plus a profile of the

doctor

Priceless

INSIDE: Skaneate les Doc, a e an Age-Friendly

Report: Is Syracus

Ping-Pong Champ Community?

Time Go? Did all The Free ent Life! Where Ah, the Retirem

55 PLUS Issue 57 June / July 2015

For Active Adults Area York in the Central New

Should You Fund Your Retirement or? Your Kids’ College How Four CNYers Spend Their Retirement

AVES

KING OF THE AIRW

with more than 30 years ings is celebrating try Anchor Dan Cumm his career, the indus se. He talks about work Channel 9 in Syracu morning to go to wake up at 2 in the and what’s like to

Priceless

INSIDE: Prof. Marvin

ing

Druger: Tales of Dat

55 PLUS MAGAZINE Reach Active Adults in Central New York.

60,000+ readers (audited circulation)

•75% of readers

are between the ages of 55 and 74 61% of readers are women 74% of readers report earnings of $50,000 and higher

• •

For advertising information, send an email to editor@cny55.com 10

55 PLUS - August / September 2015

am in the midst of putting together live for as well as his lovely wife. If you have reasons to go on, do. It makes the our Sollecito family reunion. It’s something my father journey bearable. Recently, when he was informed started decades ago. It seemed important to him at the time. As a there are no more choices except young sprout, I just liked going and hospice, we spoke about what the eating all kinds of food my mother future holds. By the time this is published, he might have didn’t make. And seeing even have reached the people I wouldn’t see summit, much earlier otherwise. Sometimes you than a “natural causes” don’t miss something until demise. it is gone. So I ask you, when I My identity is tied to see him, do I say hello or plants. As a kid, people goodbye? always commented that I remember the first I was growing like a time I was introduced to weed. When we spoke, him when he was adopted conversation centered 57 years ago. As we were around how our gardens about the same age, we were growing. A bad year My cousin Mike and me. got in trouble together for tomatoes might still be a good year for squash. However, for the first time that very afternoon Italians consider tomatoes to be the and we never stopped. We grew and king of the garden. Some plants are laughed at the ironies of life. Like when a developer bulldozes down a forest of just more equal than others. At the first approach, I never really trees to make room for houses but then knew what to say to some of the older names streets after the trees. When all is said and done, we people. I felt in my heart this might be the last time I see them on this side of talk about our legacy, our message the mountain we are all climbing and and significance — those things that endure after you and I are long gone. I didn’t want the relationship to end. I didn’t want to face the hole that Our goal from the beginning was to would be created. I didn’t know how leave this world a bit better, hopefully to fill it. Life teaches us that some holes more colorful and interesting, than don’t ever get filled. We just cover when we entered it. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good. them with layers of scar tissue. And the last hug, which ends up My favorite cousin Mike, the kid I was always inextricably tied to, is being a lasting hug, is one that tugs at dying. It took Mike 35 years and two our hearts. You don’t have to say goodmarriages to finally graduate from bye to the memories as he lets his soul college. But he stuck with it. He had and spirits fly into the mystic. tenacity. Cancer is a terrible foe and does not fight fair. Once again, he showed Jim Sollecito is the first lifetime senior that same toughness. Mike endured certified landscape professional in NYS. He more than 44 chemo treatments before operates Sollecito Landscaping Nursery in the doctors ran out of options. He has Syracuse. Contact him at 468-1142 or at four kids and three grandchildren to jim@sollecito.com.

Social Security

Explore the rich heritage of Syracuse’s urban waterway online or in person!

Q&A

Q: What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? A: SSI is a needs-based program that pays cash assistance to people with limited income and resources who are age 65 or older, blind or disabled. Children with disabilities can get SSI, too. SSI is funded by general tax revenues — not Social Security taxes. To find out if you can get SSI, and how to apply, visit to www.socialsecurity. gov/disabilityssi/ssi.html. Q: If I get married, will it affect my Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment? A: If you marry, your spouse’s income and resources may change your SSI payment. If you and your spouse both get SSI, your payment amount will change from an individual rate to a couple’s rate. For more information, see the publication “What You Need To Know When You Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI)” at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs. If you receive SSI payments, it’s very important to immediately notify SSA about any changes in your income or resources to avoid a potential overpayment or additional penalty. Q: What is the Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs, and how can I apply? A: Anyone who has Medicare can get Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D). Some people with limited resources and income also may be able to get Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs. This Extra Help will help pay for monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription copayments. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,000 per year. You can apply for the Extra Help online. To learn more, read our publication Apply Online For Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

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55 PLUS - August / September 2015

August / September 2015 - 55 PLUS

55+

aging

Award-Winning Sean Kirst Turns 55 Columnist talks about getting older, his passion for Syracuse and what keeps him writing on a regular basis — after 40 years doing it By Mary Beth Roach

ean Kirst, an author and wellknown columnist for the Syracuse Media Group, turned 55 recently. This insightful writer began his career as a part-time stringer for The Dunkirk Observer when he was just a teen. He would go on to graduate from SUNY Fredonia and work for several papers in Upstate New York. He won the 2008 Ernie Pyle Journalism Award for human-interest writing. It is given by the Scripps Howard Foundation to the one newspaper writer nationwide who best exemplifies the works of Pyle, a famous World War II correspondent. He has lived in several cities in Upstate New York, working for those cities’ newspapers, settled in Syracuse with his wife, Nora, in the late 1980s, and raised their family. His love for Central New York is evident in his many columns. Kirst shared his thoughts on turning 55 and what’s next for him. Q.: How did you celebrate this milestone? A.: Nothing really special, but it was a good birthday. I was conscious of turning 55. Q.: Why? A.: A million reasons. The grim reason first. A brother I was very close to had a heart attack and died at 55. He was a runner and a guy who was in pretty good shape. He was a school superintendent. My dad had an early heart attack. My health is good. I don’t mean 14

55 PLUS - August / September 2015

it in a fatalistic way at all, but I’m appreciative of the opportunities. Q.: What are you doing to stay healthy? A.: What’s very frustrating to me was that I was a serious runner. I ran a lot and really enjoyed it. But I got really bad tendinitis the last couple of years. My big struggle right now is to overcome the tendinitis. I stopped eating red meat 30 years ago. I think that with my family

Sean Kirst at work at Syracuse Media Group in downtown Syracuse.

history, that’s helped a lot. I still eat way too much ice cream, but I try to stay pretty active. I walk a lot and by the next Mountain Goat Run, I want to be running seriously. I want to run The Goat; I miss The Goat. Q.: How many Goats have you run? A.: Six or seven. Running is my medicine. It relaxes me and clears my head. Walking is a big part of how you do your work, where you get your

stories. There’s no doubt that if you get out of your car, you’re a better journalist. That’s a challenge as you get older. You say, “Ah, I’m not going to get out of the car.’” Q.: What are your plans for the next chapter of your life? A.: I have a tremendous amount of writing I feel I have to get done. I’ve got books that are half-finished that I feel I should finish. The one nice thing about writing I feel is that if you keep your mind open, you should get better. Q.: Have you published any books? A.: I published a collection of baseball essays called “The Ashes of Lou Gehrig.” Then I worked with Earl Lloyd, who used to play with the Syracuse Nationals, on his autobiography. The Syracuse University Press has been waiting for a year for me to finish another collection of columns sitting on my desk. Then I’ve got a novel done in raw form that I have to go back to. That’s time-consuming. I have to discipline myself and find time. I’ve been playing around with a book on Syracuse lacrosse for 10 years. I’ve got to get serious about it. A buddy of mine, Chris Carlson, is going to come with me on this and we’re going to try to finish this. It could be wonderful. Q.: What motivated you to write a book? A.: That was there before I wrote a column. By the time I was in my late teens, I knew I wanted to write books. I think what reinforced that for me were great writers, people who wrote about real human beings. I’d read a novel and say, ‘Oh my God, I can see myself or someone I know in that.’ That feeling of communion is certainly what I’m after with my column. And hopefully that’s a seamless transition into other kinds of writing. That’s what makes a piece of writing work if somebody feels some sort of communion. Q.: After 40 years, what continues to motivate you? A.: I still love telling stories. I get paid to do things that made me curious when I was 15. I haven’t lost that yet. You still find curiosity in everyday life. I’ve lived in a lot of Upstate cities and every one in many ways is similar to Syracuse. This is the place where I can dig in my feet and say and make

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Kirst and his colleague Steve Billmyer at the headquarters of Syracuse Media Group in Syracuse. the point that it’s OK to love where you live if you’re Upstate. For so many years in this region, it seems like we just beat ourselves up, but it’s beautiful. You get a lot of snow here, but the springs here … the falls here … the architecture. I don’t mean that in a “chamber of commerce way.” I mean that in a real way. There’s a lot that binds us here, and what I find with my column is that when you write that simple truth, people respond to it. Q.: You’ve lived in a lot of Upstate cities — you, your wife and family. What makes you want to stay here? A.: We had to get an apartment. We answered an ad up in Strathmore, got an apartment right across from the Woodland Reservoir. The things that my wife and I were looking for — what we dreamed about — we didn’t even know existed. Could we find somewhere in some city a neighborhood where we could raise our kids, where we could live in a city, where we could have that feeling of a city that we remembered from our childhoods? We’re still in Strathmore. My kids, from the day they started kindergarten to the day they graduated from high school, never had to cross a street when they walked to school. We believe that we found something in Syracuse and I don’t know we could have found it 16

55 PLUS - August / September 2015

anyplace else. That’s why we’re here. Q.: How have you kept up with all the technological changes in the newspaper field — from print to social media? A.: I’m not a person who intuitively adapts easily. I’m amazed with my kids and my colleagues. We do a lot more of our own photography now. They like us to build photo galleries at work, and I’m notoriously slow. But I love social media. I never knew my grandparents. My parents were orphans. I saw a photo of my grandmother for the first time in my life last week thanks to social media. She was from Scotland. Anything is what you make of it. The push to social media has come easily to me. I’m all over Facebook. I like Twitter and I love Instagram. Q.: You don’t plan to retire in the near future, do you? A.: I could not retire in the near future. But at 55, you step back. I’m extremely aware of being appreciative of good health and how windows close. I’ve got to find a way to do more writing. I’m spiritual enough to believe I was put here to write this stuff. I’m not going to be happy with myself unless I get that done. The next 10 years, that’s my big challenge. Q.: Of the stories you’ve written,

is there one or two that stick out and why? A.: The piece I did on Eric Carle, the children’s author. With Dr. Seuss dead, he may be the greatest children’s author in the country now. He wrote a book called “Friends” that he based on a childhood photograph that showed him with a little girl whose name he didn’t know, whose family he didn’t remember in 1932. I wrote a column about the search for that little girl that became magical and unbelievable as anything I’ve ever done. One of my favorite stories is when I wrote about the bald eagles coming back to Onondaga Lake, right when they came here. I’ll never forget the first time I saw a photo of six bald eagles at Onondaga Lake. I love any column that generates a sense of wonder. Q.: If you weren’t a writer, what would you be? A.: I love telling stories and I like public speaking. I enjoy the idea of civic beautification, the idea of improving. In some way, I’d like to think I’d be employed doing something to better my community, whether it’s beautification, whether it’s human services. I love coaching Little League. Not because I love baseball, but because I love working with kids.

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my turn

By Bruce Frassinelli Email: bruce@cny55.com

From Party-Line Phones to a Smartphone World Technology is coming at us fast and furiously. It can be daunting. We can either embrace it or get left in the dust

The phone when I was growing up. No way to dial.

he year is 1945: At age 6, I quietly picked up our home phone and listened to the party-line conversation between my teen-age neighbor and her boyfriend. When she made some gooey and sappy comment to him, I couldn’t help myself and stifled a laugh. “Bruce, get off the phone!!!” she ordered. I did. Obviously, this was not the first time I had listened in. An hour later, I picked up the phone again. The lovebirds were still at it. I explained to my neighbor that my mother, who was at work in my parents’ grocery store several blocks away, told me to check in with her at this time. “Will you please get off the phone?” I pleaded; “otherwise, my mom will be really mad.” The neighbor and her honey agreed to continue the conversation later. After they hung up, a female voice came on the line. “Number, please?” she said in that soothing, but businesslike, tone that the Bell operators were noted for. “42-R,” I replied.

55 PLUS - August / September 2015

That’s right, no dial, no buttons and no seven-digit phone number. A few seconds later, I was speaking with my mother, assuring her that I was OK at home. We shared a party line with three other households, so when I would pick up the phone, I had to make sure one of the other three was not using the line. If one of them was, I would generally hang up, but if it sounded like a juicy conversation was in progress, I would lift the disconnect button ever so slowly so no one knew I had returned to the line. If I was discovered, there would often be screaming and, sometimes, intemperate language, demanding that I get off the line. On a couple of occasions, they even had the nerve to call my mother to rat on me, resulting in some physical consequences for my backside. As I look back on it, this curiosity may have played a role in my choosing to become a journalist, but that’s another story. Now, fast forward 70 years. I pick

up my smartphone, touch the Google app and say, “O.K., Google.” The phone makes a blipping sound after which I say, “How far is the earth from the moon?” A female voice answers immediately, “The moon is 238,900 miles from Earth.” A short time later, a friend and I, both fans of the TV show Columbo, were discussing star Peter Falk. We knew he had died a few years ago, but not precisely when. “OK, Google,” I spoke into my smartphone. “When did Peter Falk die?” The voice returned, saying, “Peter Falk died on June 23, 2011.” At the same time, a photo of Falk was displayed on the screen. Well, I don’t know about you, but I find this technology fascinating beyond words. Don’t get me wrong; I am not a technical whiz. Far from it. In

My current phone.

fact, if I need to solve anything except basic computer questions, I have to turn to the expert — my youngest son. For a curious mind such as mine, I find it so convenient to be able to look up anything and everything on my smartphone. In the past, I would have to go physically to a library to research a topic or subject, unless I were lucky enough to have a set of the Encyclopaedia Britannica at home, which I wasn’t. There is no question that as we age, we become more comfortable in our routine. Technology is coming at us fast and furiously. It can be daunting. We can either embrace it or get left in the dust. Being on a two-year phone plan, I had just gotten comfortable with my old phone and its functionalities when my son insisted that it was “old” technology. “No,” I objected. “The old party line of my youth — that was old technology. That’s when he rolled his eyes. He, of course, prevailed, and I now have the sleek HTC phone, which required a new learning curve. It’s amazing. I can say, “Call Mike” (one of my other sons), and in seconds, the phone is ringing his cell. There are still times I need help. No problem. I merely tap my Google app and say “HTC phone,” and the female voice immediately says, “HTC Corp. customer service number is 866449-8358.” If I want to send a message to someone, I have the option to type it out in a conventional manner, or speak the message, and the phone converts my spoken words to written words. Amazing, no? My phone also takes photos, not only of others, but I can take a “selfie” — a photo of myself. Yes, there is a setting on the phone which points the camera at me, rather than at a subject. This phone does a lot more, but you get the idea. Of course, my grandchildren would say, “Yeah? So what’s the big deal.” If only I could transport them back to the days of the party lines and operators who asked, “Number please?” Then I can announce with authority: “THAT’S the big deal.”

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adventure

Serial Skydiver Taking the leap: Marguerite Fratangelo, now 85, started skydiving at age 71, after she got a birthday gift to jump — she didn’t stop until recently, when she turned 80 By Mary Beth Roach

id you ever receive a birthday present that made you jump for joy? W h e n M a rg u e r i t e Fratangelo turned 71, she received a gift from her daughter, Pat Fratangelo, and son-in-law, John King, that made her leap — out of an airplane! And with this, Marguerite made her first skydiving jump. She had been saying that she wanted to skydive Fratangelo

55 PLUS - August / September 2015

for years and her daughter suggested she do it. “’If you really want to jump, I think you should at some point,’” Pat Fratangelo said to her mom. “I’ll try anything once,” said Marguerite, now 85. Although she was quick to add that she hasn’t tried bobsledding. Marguerite, admitting to having a little bit of a daredevil in her, has gone two more times — once to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary, and another

Marguerite Fratangelo, now 85, during her first skydiving jump when she celebrated 71 years of age. Jumping with her are Harold Stackhouse tandem master and two assistants, Cindy Davis (left) and Pat Frathome, right. Photo taken by Peter Hyde. “If Bush can do it, I guess I can, too,” Fratangelo said, alluding to former President George H.W. Bush’s jump in June 2014 to mark his 90th birthday.

one at the age of 80. “If Bush can do it, I guess I can, too,” she said, alluding to former President George H.W. Bush’s jump in June of 2014 to mark his 90th birthday. Marguerite has been familiar with skydiving for decades. Daughter Pat, now 58, has been jumping since she was in her teens and has logged about 3,910 jumps. Son-in-law John is the owner/operator of Finger Lakes

Skydivers, based out of the Ovid Airport in Seneca County. Since he’s opened Finger Lakes Skydivers in 1982, King believes he’s seen an increase in the number of adults, as opposed to college-aged kids or younger people, who are making their first jump. “I think a lot of people always wanted to jump in their 20s, but now they’re in their 40s, 50s, and 60s,” he said. He tells about a World War II vet who came to the Finger Lakes center a few years ago. The man had jumped in Normandy during the war and he had come to the Finger Lakes center at the age of 90 to make a jump. He returned the following year and made another jump. “If people thought about it, they shouldn’t keep putting it off, just go ahead and do it,” King said. “Don’t wait another week or another year.” “I tell people ‘think skiing.’’’ he said. “I think it’s same kind of exhilaration as skiing, but only 10 times better.” The Finger Lakes Skydivers’ website — skydivefingerlakes.com — advertises it to be “adrenaline-fueled.” The first jump is a tandem jump, in which the student is harnessed to the instructor. The student will receive a 15-minute briefing and sign off on a waiver, King explained. They then take off in the plane and climb to an altitude of 10,000 feet, which will take about 20 minutes. “We explain what’s going to happen during the skydive. We can talk to them in the airplane, and after the parachute opens we get them a refresher, but in free fall at 120 miles an hour there’s no way you can talk to them,” he said. For the tandems, they get about 30 seconds of free fall, then the instructor opens the parachute at about 5,000 feet, and the parachute ride is about five minutes before landing. Experienced jumpers get about 45 seconds of free fall, before opening at 3,000 feet and the parachute ride is about three minutes. The tandems are more complex, so they open higher, King explained. Participants need to be in good physical condition, and weigh no more than 210 pounds. Because of the small size of the aircraft, flexibility is a must, he said.

The tandem skydive is Pat Fratangelo and her husband John King. They own and operate Finger Lakes Skydivers in Ovid.

Skydiving: A Family Affair

n his early 60s now, John King, the owner of Finger Lakes Skydivers, has been skydiving for 41 years and has made an estimated 4,550 jumps. At the encouragement of a friend, he started jumping when he was in his 20s. He soon found himself spending all his time at the airport, he said. In 1982, he started Finger Lakes Skydivers at the Ovid Airport, and in 1989 he bought the airport. Since then, he has remodeled the hanger and the building that serves as the hub of his operation. The airport now boasts two runways — one paved; one grass. Planes and parachutes have not been the only things in the air at the skydiving center. It would appear there has been a little love in the air, too — this is where King met Pat Fratangelo, who became his wife. They reside in Trumansburg, about 12 miles from the airport. While King works full-time at the airport, Pat is the executive director of Onondaga Community Living in Syracuse, an agency that supports people with disabilities Pat herself had started jumping when she was 16 years old (the minimum age today is 18). While in high school, she had been taking ski lessons at Bristol Mountain. The instructor ran a skydiving operation

during the summer, and Pat said that she had always wanted to try diving. Her mother, Marguerite, had told her if Pat found an instructor and Marguerite liked him or her, she would give her consent. “And she didn’t go back on her word,” Pat said. Her mother signed the waiver, and Pat was airborne. Pat estimated that she made 30 jumps while in high school. She quit when she was in college. In the early 1980s, she attended an air show, and found herself volunteering to help a team pack their parachute. They later brought her to the Finger Lakes center, and she’s been there ever since.

Ready to Jump? T h e re a re a n u m b e r o f skydiving centers in Upstate New York, including locations in: • We e d s p o r t , S k y d i v e Central New York. Website: www. skydivecny.com • Saratoga, Saratoga Skydiving Adventures. Website: www.saratogaskydive.com • Ovid, in the Finger Lakes, Finger Lakers Skydivers. Website: www.skydivefingerlakes.com August / September 2015 - 55 PLUS

golden years By Harold Miller hal@cny55.com

Unlimited Devotion Husband-caregiver shows what selflessness is all about

ere it not for family caregivers like John Peeling, Americans could not afford the high quality of health care that is the envy of the world. John and I became acquainted in Florida because of our mutual love of sports cars. We attend car club events and races together and have become close friends. We’re both retired businessmen and love to bike, swim and drive fast cars. Beyond this, John is one of the kindest and most caring human beings I have ever known. His wife Donna

was stricken, over 30 years ago, with a rare disease that created a blockage in the blood vessels to her lower extremities. Gradually, Donna became completely paralyzed from the waist down. Consequently, John has devoted his life to caring for her every need, every day and seeing that she still has a family life and social life beyond her wheel chair. An average day for this devoted couple starts when John gets Donna out of bed and tends to her hygienic needs. Then he prepares breakfast (John prides himself on being a good cook and outdoes many wives in preparing meals). After breakfast, John takes care of his many business interests (mostly by telephone and computer) and then prepares for his bicycle trek around the neighborhood. His co-pilot and constant companion is Conner — which incidentally is Donna’s maiden name — a toy poodle who fits comfortably in his bicycle basket. Often, John will stop at our place during his daily sojourn to visit for a while. When he comes into the house, he places Conner in the crook of his arm and when John sits down, Conner snuggles into his lap. After a while we forget the cuddly little pooch is even there. Conner plays an important role for giving both John and Donna love and comfort.

Positive energy

John Conner of Juno Beach, Fla., has cared for his wife Donna for over 30 years. He’s shown with his dog, Conner — a toy poodle that fits comfortably in his bicycle basket. 22

55 PLUS - August / September 2015

As well as being one of the most caring people that I know, John is also one of the most optimistic (talk about positive mental attitude). He is always up on life and never complains about anything. Just to be with him brightens my day. We talk about many things, but usually the conversation gets around to our automobiles, Our oceanfront condominiums are near each other so that we are

neighbors. John selected his residence close to a major intersection in our little town of Juno Beach, Fla. because there are several restaurants nearby. This is so that he can wheel Donna to dinner many evenings. Occasionally, Janet and I meet them for dinner and delightful conversation. Last December, John decided to drive Donna home to their lakeside residence in the Adirondacks of Upstate New York, so that she could enjoy the holidays with their children. The trip turned out to be too much for Donna and she came down with the flu during the drive back to Florida. Donna was admitted to a hospital upon arrival and her condition worsened to pneumonia. Soon after, she developed a lung infection and it became necessary for her to have a tracheotomy and to be placed on a respirator in order to save her life. Her condition stabilized after a few weeks but Donna was still dependent on the respirator 24 hours a day. The weeks turned into months and John located a hospital in Lake Worth, Fla. that specializes in weaning people off of respirators. John’s daily schedule of taking care of his beloved wife changed to being a bystander as he spent his days at her bedside in the hospital. After a while, her recovery advanced to the point where she could be disconnected from the ventilator during the day but she still needed it during the night. At this point, John took instructions on how to hook Donna up to a portable ventilator so that he could take her home. Finally, in May, Donna was brought home to her Florida residence. At this writing, Donna and John can at least have their privacy as they struggle to get their lives back to a semblance of what it was before. As always, John is optimistic about the future.

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caring

Committed Canalers

Dave and Liz Beebe of Camillus have been overseeing the Camillus Erie Canal Park for over 40 years.

Devoted couple has cared for Camillus Erie Canal Park since 1972 By Matthew Liptak

he Beebes, a Camillus couple, have spent 43 years helping to transform Camillus Erie Canal Park from a jungle full of overgrowth and debris to an attraction that has drawn up to 200,000 people a year with trails, museums and boat rides. Dave Beebe, the 81-year-old director and president of the park, said the key to their being a successful volunteer couple was persistence. Liz Beebe, 80, is his wife of 56 years and executive director. She agrees. “We never give up,” she said. The hard-working pair sat down with 55 Plus magazine for an interview at the park’s Sims Store Museum to talk about their journey restoring the canal and creating the park. They had just taken lunch with a few of the 24

55 PLUS - August / September 2015

park’s 166 active volunteers, many of whom they’ve known since the beginning. They juggled inquiries from volunteers, phone calls and even a visit by salesmen during the sit-down, but handled it all in stride. After four decades, the couple has managing the park down to a science, but they continue to give of their time without letting up. They say age is just a number. “We don’t notice that very much,”

Erie Canal Park ,Camillus For more information on the Erie Canal Park in Camillus, go to www.eriecanalcamillus.com or call 315-488-3409 or 315-391-7020.

Dave said. “We don’t pay too much attention to it.” With lots of help, they have gotten a lot done over the years. The site is a far cry today from what it once was. “It was just wilderness here,” Dave said. “You could not tell there were even curves in the canal because it was so filled with trees since there wasn’t much water in there. All that has been cleaned out. Garbage was dumped in the canal here in different places — car bodies, all that stuff.” The state initially wanted to sell 160 canal acres to Camillus for $15 an acre in 1972. Dave and Liz had been part of the local Audubon Society chapter since the early 1960s and were well regarded. They were asked by the town to head the committee that would decide if the town should accept the state’s

proposal. After a year’s worth of research, the committee recommended to the board that Camillus purchase the land. The vote to purchase passed the town board 7-0, Dave recalled.

Park spreads out The park has grown since. It now encompasses seven lineal miles of the canal in length and some 400 acres. The Sims Store Museum was completed by 1977. It is an exact replica of an 1895 general store located along the canal that had burned down. Other than the Sims Store Museum, whose renovation was contracted out, volunteers accomplished most of the work, including the four boats that run at the park. It’s been a lot of work but also quite fun, the couple said. The park wouldn’t have evolved in quite the same way if the partnership between the two hadn’t emerged a half-century ago. They met at St. Lawrence University in Canton in the early 1950s. Dave spied a young student from New Jersey— Liz Ehret — at her Kappa Delta sorority house when he and a buddy were visiting. “Afterwards, we started talking and I really wanted to go with her. So we started dating up in St. Lawrence, but I had already asked a girl from Syracuse to come up for winter weekend,” Dave said. When Liz agreed to host the girl from Syracuse because Dave didn’t have the nerve to call off the invite, he knew Liz was the girl for him. Four and half years later, Liz and Dave were married when he got out of dental school. He enrolled in the U.S. Army and served as a dentist. They lived in Germany for three years until they came back to the states. Liz taught school for a while before the couple ended up back in the Syracuse area and

The Sims Store Museum located at the park is an authentic replica of an 1895 canal-side general store. The interior exhibits include a store counter filled with items that might have once been sold. started a family. Dave was a dentist in Syracuse for 45 years. Looking back, Liz said marrying Dave was absolutely a good choice. “She signed a contract,” Dave joked.

Canal aficionados Time hasn’t abated the couple’s enthusiasm for working at the park or for learning more about canal history. When they started, they knew nothing about canals. Now they could be considered experts. Dave wrote a book about the canal, “Camillus, Half Way There,” which was published in 2008. Camillus is the halfway point of the Erie Canal that ran from Albany to Buffalo. For both of them, summer is perhaps the busiest time of year. They keep very active, but there is a division of labor that seems to work well. Dave

“It was just wilderness here.You could not tell there were even curves in the canal because it was so filled with trees since there wasn’t much water in there. All that has been cleaned out.” Dave Beebe

sees to construction matters and Liz sees to the administrative end. “I have to be the person that holds things together, the volunteers together and the programs together, make sure that our committees are working — administrative types of things,” she said. “There’s just a lot of facets and they all have to be connected together, especially during the season from May through October. I’m busy all year but really the pressure is on. We have just a lot to do. A lot to take care of.” The park continues to grow. It has added a steam museum with one steam engine running and 12 others waiting to be put back together. That’s in its infancy, Dave said. They also are planning to break ground on a small welcome center in the fall made possible by a gift from retired Syracuse school teacher, Louise Wagner. As it has done for many years, the park hosts its dinner cruises on its pontoon boats that ply the canal. Things on the old Erie in Camillus are just heat up in summer. Dave and Liz wouldn’t have it any other way. “We met so many marvelous people here,” Dave said. “It’s a way of life with us now. We really enjoy it.” August / September 2015 - 55 PLUS

55+

learning

Finally, a Degree in Hand A 74-year-old woman and a 55-year-old man share their stories on how they decided to go back to school and get their degrees By Matthew Liptak

ladys Thomas is 74 years young from Syracuse. Greg Freitag is 55 and also from Syracuse. The thing that these two recent Onondaga Community College grads have in common is they decided to reach for their dreams later in life. What follows are their stories.

Gladys Thomas “Grandparents have to learn that they’re here for more than babysitting,” Thomas said. “They still got a life. You don’t sit around and wait for the kids to bring the [grand] kids. You move on.” Thomas definitely hasn’t been resting on her laurels since she retired

Gladys Thomas, 74, poses with her family after her graduation in May from Onondaga community College. “I saw on the Internet where Obama was saying that no matter what age you are, you can go back to school,” she said. “I said ‘OK, this is my opportunity.’” 26

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as a factory worker for General Motors after 21 years. She now hosts “Evangelist Gladys Thomas Ministries” on WSIV 1540-AM radio from 12:45-1:30 p.m. Saturdays. She is also president of the Syracuse-Utica Christian Women’s Council. With her husband John of 54 years, she has been parenting three of her grandchildren who live with the couple. They range in ages from 13 to 22. So what possessed Thomas, who has so much on her plate, to go to college for the first time in her 70s? Blame it on President Obama. “I saw on the Internet where Obama was saying that no matter what age you are, you can go back to school,” she said. “I said ‘OK, this is my opportunity.’ But I didn’t have any money, so I applied for financial aid and got it. I was really happy knowing I could go to school and all I had to do was keep my GPA up and they would pay. That’s what I did.” It wasn’t easy. Thomas faced challenges. Although much of her family was supportive, she said she had some negative friends and family who didn’t think she could do it because of her age. But Thomas was determined. “I didn’t come to OCC to

fail,” she said. “I knew I could do it with the help of God.” Thomas had to confront her lack of familiarity with computers when she got to campus. Most of the coursework was done online, she said. But there was a course on computer use and she took it to conquer that obstacle. She had support, too. She commends some of the faculty, such as Karen Harrison, for their help. And there was another family member, granddaughter Gladeshia Thomas, going to school at OCC too. In the end, Thomas received her associate’s degree in communications from OCC in May. She was the oldest student to graduate Greg Freitag, 55, a Syracuse resident, also poses with his family after graduating in May from Onongada Community College. He’s retiring from his job as a maintenance in the 2014-15 period. “It was great,” she said. person at SUNY Upstate Medical University and plans to pursue a second career in the “What I liked about it was hospitality industry. I had accomplished a goal that I always wanted. To be and getting it when I can.” school at OCC. able to walk across the stage was an Freitag said he usually could get The father of seven and now experience for me at my age. This just grandfather of two didn’t think he by on four or five hours of sleep a proves that you’re never too old to would be able to enter into a second night for a while and then catch up on accomplish your goals.” career some day. But that negative it when he could. He fit studying in Thomas plans to apply what she thinking ran into an optimist in the whenever possible. learned at school to her radio program form of his wife Nanette. Now, after graduating, he is and in her speaking engagements “She’s been telling me for a long considering if he should go on for his as president of the Syracuse-Utica time you should do something you bachelor’s in hospitality or just try Christian Women’s Council. She also really love, go back to school, learn to go into the industry directly after believes the education she received something new,” he said. “I always retiring from Upstate. He said he plans will help make her a better-informed thought that I couldn’t do it. I was to pick the brains of advisers at Paul mentor to her grandchildren. an old dog and I couldn’t learn new Smith’s College and SUNY Delhi, two “I believe grandparents are the tricks. I didn’t have the ability to do schools he could receive a bachelor’s glue that hold families together,” anything like that, but she convinced from through the OCC campus. He’s she said. “It’s important to educate me otherwise.” been accepted into both programs. ourselves.” The new graduate said he’s Freitag found his dream field when he brought his daughter to grateful that his mother, Beverly, was Greg Freitag Paul Smith’s College. It was there there to see him graduate. He calls Freitag plans for a second career in they learned about the hospitality her “his biggest fan.” The 85-year-old the hospitality industry after receiving industry and he said he “caught the placed a certificate from college her his associate’s degree from OCC in bug.” He said he had found his calling, son received in her bedroom so it’s the May. but he needed to get educated in it. first thing she sees when she gets up The 55-year-old Syracuse resident He discovered OCC had a degree in in the morning. continues to work two jobs while he He said he is grateful for all the hospitality. considers the possibilities. It was pretty challenging though. support he’s received in his journey Freitag has been working as a How does one manage two jobs, a big of reaching for his dreams. maintenance person at SUNY Upstate “I can’t tell you enough how family and a college class schedule? Medical University and plans to retire “Budgeting my time and my much I appreciate the opportunity there. The position has helped provide energies was difficult,” he said. “It that Onondaga Community College for him, his wife Nanette and their was a lot of hard work. I find sleep to has given and the support that I’ve seven kids, but it isn’t his dream job. be very overrated. I don’t get much. received from faculty, staff and the He also works three days a week at That’s a question that everybody asks students there and the love and the Syracuse Armory Square Marriott, me. It’s just a matter of knowing how support from my family has been a position he’s held since he started much sleep that I need to be efficient unbounded,” he said. August / September 2015 - 55 PLUS

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Making the Golden Years Glitter Sharon Brangman, CNY’s top geriatrician, focuses on well being of the older set By Lou Sorendo

ging with grace. With the absence of a magical fountain of youth, e l d e r l y A m e r i c a n s a re searching for ways to extend and enhance the quality of their lives. This is when Sharon A. Brangman steps in. She is a foremost geriatrician at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse whose pragmatic and practical approach to medicine forms a blueprint for a long and prosperous life. Brangman is professor of medicine at Upstate Medical University and division chief of geriatric medicine at Upstate University Hospital. She coordinates geriatric services with the department of medicine and Upstate University Hospital. “When I first was getting started in medicine, I had a lot of younger people who were coming to me asking for notes so they could stay home from work, and they had very relatively minor problems,” she said. “I was getting very frustrated because I was writing these notes for people I knew really should be out working.” On the other hand, Brangman encountered older people who had

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a whole myriad of problems and just wanted to stay independent and functional. “I really resonated with that age group and their problems and their strength to get through things even when they had a lot of real problems,” she noted. Brangman said she loves the diversity her job features. “That’s what keeps things interesting. Each day is a little bit different,” she said. “Some days I am taking care of patients, some days I am helping to develop programs that help take better care of a broader group of patients, and some days I do teaching so that others can get the skills to take care of older people,” she added. She has also advocated on a national level while addressing policy issues that would benefit older people. “I’ve taken a lot of different slants,” she said. Brangman, 59, is originally from Brooklyn. Her family moved to Syracuse and she attended Levy Middle School and Nottingham High School. She lives with her family in DeWitt.

“I think my parents wanted to get us out of the big-city environment,” Brangman said. “I think when growing up, it’s more manageable to be in a medium-sized city.” She said affordable housing and a beautiful environment are features that attract her to the Syracuse region. “There are lots of opportunities for cultural and outdoor activities,” she said. “I like being in a college town which gives a lot of academic and sports opportunities. It’s also easy to get around to the big cities when I want to.” “One of the things I like so much about geriatrics is that each of my patients has their own story. It’s very interesting,” Brangman said. “They survived a lot of things that would floor many people,” she said. “They have made it into their 80s and are doing well, or they’ve survived things that other people would have said, ‘Just take me out back and shoot me’.” “I always find it very interesting to see what their stories are and how they have their own personal tales of endurance,” she said. Brangman is past president of the

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cover the age and medical condition of a patient,” she said. The healthcare sector will also need geriatricians who can evaluate functional status, both physical and cognitive, with the goal of keeping individuals independent for as long as possible and living in their own homes and communities, she noted. “We also do a good deal of prevention to help people avoid things that can lead to trouble, such as preventing falls,” she said. “We want to help people maintain a healthy life so they can age well.”

Skills that are needed

Geriatrician Sharon Brangman, then president of the American Geriatrics Society, addresses members at an annual scientific meeting. Photo was taken May 12, 2010. Courtesy of SUNY Upstate. American Geriatric Society and is on the board of the Syracuse chapter of the OASIS Institute.

Action-packed schedule Brangman’s job is a combination of patient care, teaching, research and administration. Brangman said more than half her time is spent on the clinical end, while some weeks it is almost all clinical. “It varies, but I see patients all the time,” she noted. She has been on the faculty at Upstate since October 1989. “It’s just a lot of fun to help students catch that spark,” she said. “I also like to share my experience with others.” “There are not enough geriatricians around, so it’s important that all healthcare professionals and students get a perspective on geriatrics so they can include it into their practices,” she added. Brangman said the short supply of geriatric specialists stems from the low number of medical students going into primary care specialties. “Primary care specialties feed into geriatrics, so usually you do a residency in internal medicine or family medicine and an additional year training in geriatrics,” she said. 30

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Brangman said there are fewer students choosing primary care, internal and family medicine as opposed to other specialties within the field. She also noted there is a lack of exposure during medical training to older people. “Not every medical school has a curriculum that includes substantial contact time in the right setting with older adults,” she said. “People just don’t have a perspective of geriatrics as a career.” The demand for geriatric services is growing each day, Brangman said. “The oldest of the baby boomers have been turning 65 at the rate of 10,000 per day for several years now,” she said. “People are living longer, and you need someone who understands the difference between normal aging and disease processes that can help evaluate medications,” she said. As people get older, they require more medications, she said. “Sometimes those can lead to side effects that can impact quality of life, especially as you get older,” Brangman said. “The elderly need someone who can do an assessment of medications to make sure they are appropriate for

In term of skill sets needed to be an effective geriatrician, Brangman said it is imperative to have the ability to understand normal aging versus a disease process. “You also need skills to manage multiple medical problems at the same time, because most older people begin to have a series of medical issues one on top of the other,” she said. Another skill needed is being able to manage multiple medications, and then keeping track of what someone’s

SUNY Honors Sharon Brangman as Distinguished Service Professor Sharon Brangman, M.D., professor of medicine and chief of geriatrics at Upstate Medical University, has recently received the Distinguished Service Professorship from SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher. The Distinguished Service Professorship is granted to individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary service at SUNY and in their community, as well as through regional and state outreach. Appointment constitutes a promotion to the State University’s highest academic rank, and it is conferred solely by the State University Board of Trustees.

physical and cognitive functions are and how they impact their day-to-day life, she added. A geriatrician also helps people anticipate the needs they may have in the future versus what they need right now, she added. “Then we look at the person in the context of their whole person,” she said. “We do a very holistic approach and discover how they relate to family, what kind of support they have and how they relate to the community around them.” Brangman said she has developed patience and understands that it takes a long time to change cultures and habits. “This would apply to individuals as well as to healthcare institutions and practices that may have been established years ago,” Brangman said. “They need to be re-evaluated to make sure we are still getting the outcomes we want for older adults.” She said a geriatrician has to exhibit a strong work ethic and be willing to “roll up the sleeves and work for the long haul.” Brangman said to expect demand for geriatrics to soar in the coming years. “As we get older, we use more health services than when we were younger, and so there is going to be an increased need for certain services,” she said. “We want to make sure we are providing care that makes sense for that person in their stage of life.” Brangman said the healthcare sector needs to balance the issue between care and cure. “There may be things we can’t cure, but we can always take care of people. We want to make sure we’re helping people maintain a good quality of life,” she said. “These are some of the pressures we are going to see because there is going to be more older people everywhere, from the emergency department, the operating room and homecare agencies. It’s the whole spectrum of health care,” Brangman added.

The battle with Alzheimer’s Brangman is also director of the geriatric medicine fellowship program and is director of the Central New York Alzheimer’s Disease Assistance Center. The ADAC is one of nine centers

Dr. Brangman’s Thoughts On major challenges in healthcare: “I think that one of the biggest challenges are the shortage of geriatricians. The need is huge out there and it’s hard to meet all those needs. “There are lot of policies that make it easier for people to receive care in hospitals and not in their own home, where they would prefer to have it. “Another challenge is helping people understand what all their illnesses mean and what the best ways are to manage them.”

On electronic medical records: The advent of electronic medical records has proved challenging to many healthcare providers. “I’ve been trying to adapt and I’m getting better every day. I don’t want to be that person who

funded through the state Department of Health. It helps patients and caregivers get educated, diagnosed and managed appropriately with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. The center covers a 15-county region that extends from Watertown to Binghamton. It is a referral base in Central New York for patients who have any form of dementia. “There is no immediate cure down the road and there is a lot of research trying very hard to figure out what’s going on with Alzheimer’s disease,” Brangman said. She noted researchers do have a sense of what is starting to go wrong in the brain. “Right now, we are recommending that people do things that keep their heart healthy so they also keep their brain healthy because it seems to be connected,” she said. “ P ro b a b l y o n e o f t h e m o s t important things you can do is exercise every day and not think of it as a chore, but something you do that is just as vital as combing your hair and

is moaning and talking about the old days all the time. There have been some benefits for having an electronic record. “The challenges involve the whole technical piece of how to use it and then how to make sure it reflects the information that I need to know about my patients.”

On hospital-based TV shows: Brangman says she tries to avoid hospital-related TV shows. “They make me crazy. They make mistakes, although some of them are accurate. When I have down time, I don’t need a reminder about what the workday is like. “Some of them give misconceptions because they always come up with an answer in 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how long the show is. I think it makes people have unrealistic expectations.”

brushing your teeth,” she added. Brangman said there are changes that happen in blood vessels as people get older that change the way blood flows to the brain. When the brain senses subtle changes in blood flow, it can cause a cascade of events that can cause problems, she added. “There also seems to be a link with diabetes and certain forms of dementia,” she said. “There has been a huge increase in diabetes in our society and this can also have implications for maintaining brain health.” She said uncontrolled hypertension is also being looked at as another cause of dementia. “There are things we can do to optimize our health that may also keep our brains healthy as we get older,” she said. “It is not normal to have memory loss as we get older. As we get older, it may take longer to process information and retrieve it from the recesses of the brain. But it is not normal to have memory loss.” While exercise is critical to keep the mind healthy, so is a diet low in August / September 2015 - 55 PLUS

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sugar and high in protein and good fats, Brangman said. It’s also essential to “reduce stress and maintain good contact with people around you. In other words, don’t sit in a room looking at your computer all day. Get out and interact with people, volunteer and keep connected to the world around you. It’s more than just doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku.”

Balancing life, work Brangman said the majority of her job stress stems from “trying to meet all the needs that are out there. “I have to make sure I balance that with my own exercise, rest and doing things unrelated to work. I exercise every day and I work out with a trainer twice a week,” she said. “I try to maintain activities that are unrelated to medicine. It definitely is a challenge, and some days I’m better at it than others, but that’s my overall goal.” She noted it’s a “daily juggling act.” “It’s a challenge. Sometimes you have to say no to something even if it sounds interesting because I just can’t do everything,” she said. She is married and has two adult children, one of whom is doing a medical residency in San Francisco. “Certainly my kids were exposed to the medical field from the beginning, but they had the choice of doing whatever they wanted,” she said. Brangman received her undergraduate degree in biology from Syracuse University and her medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse in 1981. She completed residency training in internal medicine at Montefiore Medical Center in The Bronx, where she also completed fellowship training in geriatric medicine. She is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American Geriatrics Society, and was elected to the board of the American Geriatrics Society in May 2002. Brangman enjoys kayaking, reading, exercising and meeting up with friends.

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Health Pros Weigh In “I have known Sharon Brangman over 20 years and my admiration and affection for her continues to grow. I marvel at her combination of work ethic, modest demeanor and remarkable accomplishments. “She has made extraordinary contributions to the community and is a wonderful resource for the people who live here. “Dr. Brangman is a leader who leads by doing and inspiring and she makes me proud to be at Upstate.” Dr. Gregory L. Eastwood, interim president at Upstate Medical University: “Dr. Sharon Brangman has been involved in leading the American Geriatrics Society for over 20 years. “She was an early innovator for AGS focusing attention on developing content and programming that would address the needs of a diverse population. She led efforts to develop our Doorway Thoughts series that focuses on helping healthcare professionals to better understand how to communicate and work in partnership with people with different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. “Sharon has served in multiple leadership roles at AGS, including as a president and now serving a s p re s i d e n t o f i t s a c a d e m i c organization, the Association of Directors of Geriatric Academic Programs. “She has been a member of the AGS Health in Aging Foundation board since 2007. “She is one of our longstanding media spokespeople given her expertise, her dedication to our mission and her ability to explain clinical issues in a way that’s easily understood by all. She is an extraordinarily collaborative leader with a very pragmatic approach to how we as an organization can improve the health and quality of life of older Americans.

“I have worked with Sharon for over 20 years and she is both a mentor and friend. “She has taught me that one of the keys to leading a membership organization is being accessible to members and staff. Her pragmatic and collaborative approach to addressing issues is something I look to emulate as I take on leading the AGS. “I think that I still have much to learn from Sharon and I look forward to continuing to work with her in her ongoing leadership roles here at AGS.” Nancy E. Lundebjerg, chief executive officer for the American Geriatrics Society. “Dr. Brangman is an exceptional health care professional because of her commitment to the science and art of medicine and her care of her patients. She exemplifies life-long learning, always striving to be the best, to learn more, to push the boundaries of what is known. “She translates this knowledge into expert care of her patients with a compassion that is rare and moving to those who watch her in action. She is one of the most passionate patient advocates I have ever met. “Dr. Brangman has influenced my career through her expertise in geriatrics. There are very few passionate people who care for older adults, and when I ‘found’ Dr. Brangman, it was a breath of fresh air — finally someone who understood what I cared about so much. “Our collaborations have been stimulating and our research inspiring. She is a phenomenal team player and an enthusiastic collaborator.” Dr. Dale Avers, associate professor of physical therapy, College of Health Professions at Upstate Medical University:

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Living a Long, Healthy Life

Successful Aging: 5 Quick Tips To Get You Started By Sharon A. Brangman, M.D.

eople are always asking me for tips to stay healthy as they get older. Many are worried when they can’t find their car keys or they notice a new wrinkle or more gray hair. We have to remember that aging is a natural process, and considering the alternative, it is something we should all aspire to. We tend to focus on external signs of aging as we see our bodies wrinkle or sag. There is nothing wrong with dyeing your hair or getting a surgical lift, if that makes you feel better. However, you should not ignore the measures you can take to age well on the inside. I’ve watched my oldest patients over the years and have been making a list of the characteristics I see in those who age well. This doesn’t mean that these patients don’t have medical problems or have not faced some real challenges, but they do have some common traits that we should all try to incorporate into our lives. It is never too late to get started, and I encourage my patients at any age to follow these suggestions. Middle aged adults should also begin to think about how they would like to be when they are in their 70s, 80s and beyond. The earlier you get started, the better. So here are some things, in no particular order, that I have observed in those who age successfully, that has also been supported by research.

Be curious about the world around you. Try to learn something new on a

regular basis. Our brains respond to novelty and new activities stimulate the development of new brain connections. Consider taking up a hobby, which usually leads to learning lots of new information and skills. You will probably find others who share the same hobby. You

Stay socially connected with others in your community. Get out of the house

and get involved. Maybe volunteer, join a book club or a choir. Think about ways to connect with people who are not only in your age group, but who are also younger and older than you are. Remember that as much fun as Facebook might be, face-toface real life interactions are the best ways to connect with others.

Sharon Brangman, MD, is a distinguished service professor at Upstate Medical University, where she heads the geriatrics division. August / September 2015 - 55 PLUS

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get a double bonus if your hobby also keeps you socially connected.

Be resilient. Don’t underestimate your

ability to adapt to life’s circumstances and challenges as you grow older. I’ve had many patients who have rebounded pretty well, even after some devastating experiences. If you are inflexible and rigid and don’t adapt to change, you won’t age well. I had a patient many years ago who was losing his vision due to macular degeneration. I fully expected him to sink into a deep depression, but instead he told me that he always wanted to learn Braille, and that’s exactly what he did!

4 5

Reduce stress. We all experience stress.

What stresses me may not stress you at all. Stress, especially if it lasts for a long time, has a bad effect on the body in so many ways. If you can’t rid yourself of the source of your stress, then it is important to offset it. Try meditating, prayer, yoga or exercise…which brings me to the next tip.

Exercise every day. Our bodies were made

for movement and the more you move and exercise, the healthier you will be. You may have heard that sitting is the new smoking. Get up off the couch and get moving! Exercise does not mean you have to train to run a marathon or bench press 500 pounds. Walking every day for 30 minutes and lifting weights twice a week has more health benefits than most of the prescriptions I write every day for various pills and tablets. Do you know the most important muscles that could keep you out of a nursing home? It’s the quadriceps. These are the leg muscles that help you get in and out of a chair and on and off the toilet. Strong quadriceps will keep you independent and living in your own home. There are other exercises that help maintain balance to reduce the risk of falling. Falls are a huge cause of disability in older people. There are few downsides to exercise, and even those in their 90s have been shown to benefit. This is just a few of the items about aging well that I’ve been collecting over the years. Naturally, there are many other items on the list. The most important thing to remember is that the key to aging well is well within reach and it is never too late to get started.

Read 55 PLUS online at 55cny.com 34

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Genesee Country Village & Museum Offers Fun, History By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

ooking for a day trip that makes history come alive for your grandchildren? Or are you a history buff? Check out Genesee Country Village & Museum in Mumford, near Rochester. For an all-day pass for ($3 seniors, $18 adults, $10 children), you may access the organization’s 700-acre facility, which includes 68 replica and restored 1800s-era buildings manned by scores of costumed re-enactors. While you may enjoy seeing your great-grandparents’ furnishings, tools and general way of life, interactive learning will draw kids to the many hands-on attractions built right into the village. Stop by the tinsmith shop, where for $3, they can craft a punched tin ornament, for example. Visitors can also observe how people in the 1800s baked bread, spun fibers, wove cloth, threw pottery, pounded out horseshoes and scads of other activities of daily life that are so different from today. The re-enactors eagerly explain what they’re doing and helping children (and grown-ups) better understand life in the 1800s. The John L. Wehle Gallery features wildlife, outdoorsman and Western art. The museum includes the Susan Greene historic clothing exhibit, which displays

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Printing was more labor-intensive in days gone by. 3,000 period garments. The museum presents some of the clothing in dioramic style to show how their wearers would use them. Most of the clothing reflects every day items, so the children can see what kids their age would wear for school, play, and church. Make reading come alive as you peruse the Fashion in Fiction exhibit, which pairs clothing with fictional characters. The heirloom gardens and farms pay tribute to our agricultural heritage with vegetables, herbs, flowers and a few farm animals, including chickens, sheep, horses and cows. Anyone with a sweet tooth should visit D.B. Munger & Co., a hybrid of display and gift shop. Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the shop includes authentic or historically influenced candies and baked treats such as tarts and pies. Sports fans should catch an afternoon “base ball” game weekends through September at Silver Base Ball Park. Played according to the period’s rules, the games include wooden scoreboards, replica uniforms, top hat-wearing umpires, and no gloves or other protective gear. Don’t miss the mansion and the nearby octagon house.

Young “pupils” learn from the schoolmarm in the oneroom schoolhouse. Their stunning architecture and period furnishings reflect the well-to-do household in the 1800s, including the hoopskirted dress of the lady of the house. The one-room schoolhouse really grabs kids’ attention as its “teacher” both explains how schooling worked in days of yore and also teaches the children a typical lesson—just for fun. The schoolhouse even offers slates for the class’ faux scholars use. As you walk through the displays, try to relate what you observe to how it’s done today. Engage your grandchildren with conversation about the exhibits. “Can you imagine your dad cutting the lawn with a scythe instead of the push mower? Which one is easier? Which would you prefer?” Or, “If you had to weave all the cloth for your clothing, do you think you would have more or less clothing in your closet?” Genesee Country Nature Center includes more than five miles of trails among 175 acres of varying wildlife habitat. Educational signs along the way enrich the hiking adventure. If you can’t get enough history, schedule a weekend stay during Pioneer House Experience 2015. Live in an 1809 cabin, help out with chores, cook over an open hearth and gain hands-on history with your family, all while wearing period clothing and interacting with visitors to the village. • Check www.gcv.org to plan what day you would like to visit, as the facility’s exhibits and demonstrations change. Don’t use the directions automatically generated by your GPS because its directions to “Genesee Country Village & Museum, Mumford, NY” will not take you to the correct location. Instead, use “LeRoy, NY 14482” for the address.

dly Community?

cuse an Age-Frien

Report: Is Syra Time Go? Did all The Free nt Life! Where Ah, the Retireme

55 Issue 57 June / July 2015

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Should You Fund Your Retirement or Your Kids’ College? How Four CNYers Spend Their Retirement

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A Ping-Pong Champ Pediatrician from Skaneateles continues winning table tennis tournaments By Matthew Liptak

eil Ackerman, a 70-yearold pediatrician who lives in Skaneateles, has been playing ping-pong with a passion for five decades now, but he says older folks can find success playing even if they just recently picked up a blade. The sport, also called table tennis, requires quick reactions and even quicker thinking. Ackerman, a winner of two doubles divisions at the U.S. Open of table tennis, said he first picked up a blade or paddle when he was a kid. It wasn’t a driving passion back then. “I was a fairly un-athletic kid and spent a lot of time reading,” he said. “Naturally, I wasn’t that good at a lot of sports, period, and I was overweight and everything. I didn’t really do anything more with it than any other kid does as a minor pastime on occasion until later.” When Ackerman went to medical school in his 20s, he became hooked on the sport. He noticed a ping-pong table in a recreation area on campus and started to play seriously. It was a good way to blow off steam between studies. He learned there was a higher level of play possible than the one associated with the casual game. It involved better equipment and more advanced techniques. “I got hooked on it and gradually it became a real passion,” he said. Table tennis players are rated on a scale. Beginners are usually rated

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between 200 and 1,000 while the best players can approach 2,800. Ackerman was at a 1,500 rating when he started in tournaments. He built himself up to a rating of 2,100, but it was short-lived. “It took me a long time to get there

and I didn’t stay there that long,” he said. “That’s life. I think I peaked when I was about 52. When I was 50 I won the Esquire Singles in the state of New Jersey. That’s men 50 and over. In ‘96, my partner and I won the over-50 doubles at the U.S. Open. That was

pretty good.” Today, the physician’s rating is in the 1,700s or 1,800s, but he doesn’t play in tournaments too much any more. He does play six hours a week though — three hours at Pastime Athletic Club on North Salina Street in Syracuse on Sundays and then a few hours in Auburn at the Salvation Army on Tuesdays. Ackerman remains a serious competitor. He recently won his age group in the New York State Senior games in Cortland.

Pediatrician Neil Ackerman has been playing pingpong for five decades. He still plays six hours a week either at Pastime Athletic Club on North Salina Street in Syracuse or at the Salvation Army in Auburn.

Tough on the table “Neil is one of the better players in our club,” said Michael Gueth, 52, of Syracuse. “He has a very different style which gives many people problems. He is one of the only people in the area who uses long pips rubber which can be tricky to play against if you are not used to it.” Ackerman said he varies his equipment and style of play depending on his opponent. A good blade can cost between $60-$450, he said. The table tennis champ said at least some of the game comes down to the kind of rubber on the blade. Each player cuts and fits the rubber to the blades themselves. There are attack and defense surfaces that can be used. “The rubber isn’t just a sheet of rubber,” he said. “It’s usually an inverted smooth surface sheet of rubber with a similar tacky or grippy surface that comes with a layer of sponge beneath it. These surfaces vary in terms of speed, control and spin and there are individual preferences as to what you play better with.” Richard Baker, 59, of Liverpool is another competitor of Ackerman’s. He said the doctor is adept at using the rubber on his blade which can make him an imposing opponent. Baker said he has only won a handful of times against Ackerman. “One side is a smooth surface used to make quick-stroke attacks, while the other side is usually made of long pips which allows him to change the spin of his opponent’s stroke,” Baker said. “He’s very skilled at using these two types of rubbers, which makes it very difficult to defeat him in a match.” Baker likened table tennis to a game of chess. He said that most players, both old and young, have or had occupations that require brainpower and the ability to make complex

decisions. Ackerman agreed that it’s a sport that puts some demands on its players. That’s one of the reasons he loves it. It keeps him young, he said. “You have to think very quickly,” Ackerman said. “You have to react very quickly. It is physical so it involves being in good condition. It involves practice, skills and thought.” But for Ackerman, there is room for all levels of play at the ping-pong table. There are even wheelchair divisions. Gueth said even though players may slow down as they get older, there is

equipment and adjustments in style that can help them compensate. When Baker went to the senior games this year, he watched a player in his 90s who had no trouble getting around the table. As for Ackerman, he plans to keep on learning and developing as a player. He will only reluctantly put down the blade that has filled his life with so much passion and competition. “I’m going to keep playing till I fall over,” he said. “I enjoy watching it and I enjoy playing it.” August / September 2015 - 55 PLUS

aging By Marilyn L. Pinsky

Messages Pack Power Clothing enables people to express themselves

eventeen years ago, our daughter came home for Thanksgiving wearing a T-shirt that said “BABY” with an arrow pointing to her tummy. We got the message — our first grandchild! Happy 16th birthday, Sophie Craig! That same daughter recently told me I needed to buy new clothes because my shirts were too sloppy looking and had writing on them so you knew they were obviously “give a-ways.” When I looked, I saw I had at least 10 AARP shirts promoting different issues from social security to employment, a number of shirts given out at promotional events during my working days ranging from Meals on Wheels to Fit for the Next Fifty, and even shirts my sister-inlaw Stephanie was throwing out that I took instead. I guess the message I’m sending is, “if it’s free, I’ll take it and wear it forever.” Then I started looking around to see what other people had on their shirts and what the messages they’re sending might be. If you see someone wearing a T-shirt that says, “I’m With Stupid,” with an arrow pointing to the person they’re with, you might infer that’s not an ideal relationship. On the other hand, they might each be wearing T-shirts with arrows pointing at each other and both just have great senses of humor. A no-brainer message is people wearing clothes to show support for 40

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Write Your Own Message Here their teams. I’ve seen people on the subway (OK, maybe that wasn’t in Central New York) on their way to a game, wearing their team logos on their T-shirts and hats, and high-fiving each other even though they were obviously strangers. So messages on clothes can unite or divide us.

Eliciting responses Then there is my friend Ron who just has a great sense of humor. When I asked if I could take a picture of him in his T-shirt that said “This is What Perfection Looks Like,” and asked him what message he was sending, he laughed and said he just got a kick out of making people smile. I ran into two interesting younger women — one a gorgeous 20-something in a very “hot” bar, wearing a T-shirt that said “RAWR.” Her reply to my nosy question of “what does that

mean,” elicited a laugh from her as she explained, “it is the sound a tiger makes.” I neglected to ask what the message was but maybe it’s supposed to be open to interpretation. The other young woman’s shirt said “Racial and Youth and Birth and Gender and Labor and Immigrant and Reproductive Justice.” leading one to surmise she is an activist to whom those issues are important. I asked the guy wearing a T-shirt that looked like it was written in code (except if you’re a spy, do you wear T-shirts with a secret code on it?) and he was nice enough to explain that The Pines is a place on Fire Island. It was a very “in” place for gay New Yorkers to summer and that the island was established in the 50s, therefore the 1953. Other accessories also send messages. If someone is carrying a “Friends of the Central Library” tote bag, does that imply they’re intellectual, a reader, a supporter of libraries or that it’s just a really convenient tote bag? If you’re of a mature age and carrying a Victoria’s Secret shopping bag, does that give the impression you’re sexy and/or young at heart? What about people carrying reusable grocery store bags? Are they more environmentally conscious than the rest of us? Do they recycle more carefully? Do they eat healthier? Or did they just think it was a cute bag? As well as sending messages, I found that T-shirts and accessories are great conversation starters. In that case, maybe I better dig up some of my old T-shirts.

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traveling

Train Travel Is a Smart Choice

It’s cheap, enjoyable and free of hassles (yes, no security screening) By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

“

Getting there is half the fun” the expression goes. But with train travel, “getting there” may represent quite a bit more fun, as you can “make the trip part of your adventure,” according to Sally Fedrizzi, travel agent and owner of Vagabond Tours & Travel in Syracuse. “Travel by train is exciting and you get to see it all, from countryside to city centers.” For fall leaf-peeping trips or other travel through scenic venues, train travel lets every member of the group enjoy the views, not just the passengers. Train travel eliminates the hassles and expense of air travel. Single people prone to fatigue can retain more independence traveling by train

instead of driving. Many enjoy the example. chance to chat with seatmates, making “Consider a sleeper car for travel a more social experience than overnight travel,” Fedrizzi said. “The driving solo. And those on a fixed least expensive seats are for just budget may be pleasantly that: seats. If you don’t surprised with how affordable want to spend the train travel has become. night sitting up, book “The cost has gone down a roomette and relax.” quite a bit,” said Lynn Kistner, Rail riders may travel agent with Canalview want a seat for half Travel in Fulton. the trip and a roomette For a short trip, such as for the remainder to Syracuse to Chicago, the cost reduce the ticket cost for fuel if one drives compares and stay comfortable to train fare. Add in the cost of on long trips. wear and tear on the vehicle, Av o i d i n g l a s t and train fare becomes even minute travels can help more affordable. A passenger keep costs low. aged 62 would pay around “The further in $66 for a one-way ticket, for Fedrizzi advance you book, the August / September 2015 - 55 PLUS

better your price,” Kistner said. Amtrak offers discounts for AAA members and people 65 and older, so look into these options when booking online. Train travel also allows more luggage for less hassle than air travel. Amtrak accommodates group travel for parties of 20 or more with four or more days’ reservation. Discounts can apply, too. The company also offers travel packages and SmartFares discounts. Riding the rails bears a few caveats. Trains restrict travelers to a fairly

rigid schedule, unlike driving. While refunding train tickets due to changed plans can be easier than airline tickets, the departure times can be odd, such as the aforementioned Syracuse to Chicago train trip leaves only at 9:49 p.m. regardless of the day of departure. Unlike driving, travelers can’t just pull over for a break. With fewer train stations than airports (500 train stations, vs. 5,000 public use airports), train travelers may have to rent a car to get to the final destination.

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Travel Smart by Train • “Be aware of your surroundings. Stay alert. • “Don’t leave your purse or bag lying around. • “Don’t bring a ton of cash with you. • “Label your bags well inside and out with your name and address. Tying a bright piece of cloth on the outside of your bag can help prevent a mix-up.” Lynn Kistner, travel agent with Canalview Travel in Fulton, offered the following train travel safety tips. • “Pack lightly. You are often required to handle your own bags when embarking and disembarking. • “Print a copy of the train schedule for your route. Train times and station stops can help you gauge your location, especially if the train is running late and you are unsure of your stop. • “Gather your belongings about 10 minutes prior to the arrival in the station. Most trains have just a few minutes in each station. • “Know if your train requires a seat reservation or not. Some routes (or specific times on routes) require seat assignments in addition to rail passes. If it is an open car, check the overhead rail to be sure someone hasn’t paid for the seat you are selecting. • “Arrive at the station with enough time to navigate the station, find your track and rail car. Be sure to check the main board and the overhead signs at the track. Last minute track changes can happen at any time...If you don’t see your train listed at the track, ask for assistance. It is better than getting on a train heading in the wrong direction. • “Stow your bags in sight of your seat whenever possible. Use a strap or large Carabineer to latch your bag to a luggage rack to avoid theft.” Sally Fedrizzi, travel agent and owner of Vagabond Tours & Travel in Syracuse offered a few tips for traveling by rail:

consumers corner By Eva Briggs, M.D.

Why Medicare Fraud is Big Business

edicare is a big business. In 2013 it accounted for 14 percent of the federal budget, and Medicare payments were $583 billion. And if that’s not scary enough, fraud accounts for 10 percent — and perhaps 20 percent of that total. That’s a whopping $58 billion to $116 billion! As the infamous bank robber Willie Sutton said, he robbed banks because “that’s where the money is.” Wherever there is lots of money, there is a thief or fraudster, and so Medicare fraud has become a big business. Some frauds are brazen and blatant. For example, telemarketers call people and ask, “Are you 65 or older?” “Do you have chronic pain?” If the answer is yes, they’ll offer to connect you to a doctor who will write a prescription for an expensive pain cream. All they need is your Medicare number for billing. The problem is, Medicare will reimburse $260 for the cream, a tidy sum that can now be split by an unscrupulous doctor and pharmacist. And they might not even ship you the real stuff, just a cheap substitute.

In fact, Medicare fraud is so lucrative that even street gangs in Los Angeles use it. With expertise at stealing identities, gangs can steal the needed identities of both doctors and Medicare beneficiaries. Then they fraudulently bill Medicare for expensive durable medical equipment like electric wheelchairs. Or they recruit people from homeless shelters to visit bogus clinics. When these “patients” present their Medicare cards, phony doctors use the Medicare numbers to bill for expensive equipment and give the “patients” a small kickback. And the scam artists continue to use the information they’ve collected to file more false claims. A Texas scam involved selling bogus arthritis kits via telemarketing, TV infomercials, and door-to-door salesmen. Victims are promised state-of-the art osteoarthritis braces. Instead they receive inexpensive Velcro wraps (which are available over-thecounter from places like Walmart and pharmacies) while billing Medicare for expensive braces and splints. Home healthcare scams are another fast growing scheme. Clients sign up for services like physical

therapy, speech therapy or cooking and cleaning. The companies bill for professional services but provide only low-level care or fail to deliver anything at all. Another scheme involves bogus mental health clinics. These are essentially social clubs set up in storefronts, but the proprietors bill Medicare for psychological counseling. Some good news is the success of what is called the HEAT initiative, for Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team. This consists of strike teams formed cooperatively by the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services. They operate since 2007 in nine major cities and they have brought charges against 2,100 defendants responsible for $6.5 billion in fraudulent billings. The strike team efforts initially focused on electric wheelchairs, where fraudsters provided basic models while billing for more expensive models costing thousands of dollars more. In 2007 Medicare spent $686 million on motorized wheelchairs. As a result of the HEAT investigations, that dropped to $190 million in 2013. The bad news, of course, is that there are not enough fraud investigators. And the scammers are as creative as computer hackers. When one scam is busted, another springs up in its place. If you think you have been the victim of Medicare fraud, the www. medicare.gov website explains the steps you should take, and what information to gather before calling 1-800-MEDICARE. Eva Briggs is a medical doctor who works at two urgent care centers (Central Square and Fulton) operated by Oswego Health. August / September 2015 - 55 PLUS

life after 55 By Michele Reed Photographs by Bill Reed michele@cny55.com

One Week in a French Village

alfway through our second winter in the South of France, with the euro falling against the dollar and our love affair with the country still going strong, we decided to look at real estate, with the hopes of purchasing a holiday home for ourselves. While our beautiful resort village of Argelessur-Mer was quite affordable to rent in the off season, its location on the last sandy French beach before the Spanish border made it prime — read

“expensive” — property to buy. We decided to cast our net wider and that’s what brought us, for one warm sunny week in March, to the tiny village of Saint- Geniès-de-Fontedit, near the larger city of Béziers, 30 minutes from the Mediterranean. Named for a third century martyr and a fountain next to the church dating back to the time of Charlemagne, St. Geniès has just 1,300 people. With a history going back more than 1,000 years, it is a medieval circulade village:

The author writes her travel journal on the terrace of a gîte, or holiday home, in Saint- Geniès-de-Fontedit, with a view of the village rooftops, vineyards and surrounding mountains. 44

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Editor’s Note: Oswego residents Michele and Bill Reed spent the winter in the South of France, where they have been exploring the possibility of retiring abroad. In a series of articles, they take readers along on their journey, sharing the ups and down of senior expat living. a fortified church at the top of a hill, with houses built in concentric circles radiating from it. Our realtor rented us his lovely gîte (pronounced zheet), a uniquely French kind of self-catering holiday home, while he arranged viewings of some houses in neighboring villages. The gîte, Les Remparts, was built on part of the medieval fortifications of the village, and featured three stories with three bedrooms and all the amenities and a beautiful sunny terrace overlooking the surrounding vineyards. The house was full of typical Southern French charm, with stones and a fireplace from the original structure visible and even a stone sink we assumed was used to catch rainwater for washing in an upstairs bedroom. Exposed beams graced the third floor kitchen/dining room reached by curvy stone staircases. Even some walls were curvy, following that original shape of the ancient structure. Visiting St. Genies gave us a taste of very small village life. Wednesday the only bakery in town is closed. But the tiny grocery store across the

street brings in baguettes, bread and croissants that morning so villagers can get their necessities. Bill got up early and set out to make sure I had my daily bread. He arrived just as the grocery store owner was unloading the bread from her car — she only had one basket of baguettes, one of other bread and one of croissants, so it was good he got there early. My hero! Not only did he snag a crusty baguette but a bag of croissants with plenty of pain chocolat (chocolate-filled pastries)! The village is so small, the mairie, or city hall, announces things over a loudspeaker heard throughout the village. Once it was a lost dog. That day it was the travelling fishmonger, who drives his truck into town, parking in the village square for only 20 minutes on Wednesday morning. At 8:30 a.m. — as we were enjoying the croissants and a cup of French coffee on the terrace — the voice came from the sky. It announced that the seller of “poissons,” or fish, was here and then preceded to list every kind of seafood he had on offer. Quickly we dashed down the stairs, stepped out the door … and found our way blocked by a truck delivering a load of sand for a mason working on the terracotta roof of a house next door. The truck was so wide, and our street so narrow, there was no way to get around except by walking in the sloping gutter, our fronts touching the truck and our backs brushing the facades of the houses. The truck driver had thoughtfully folded in his side mirrors! On the way back, Bill found a shortcut, a medieval alleyway so narrow, our shoulders rubbed the stones of the walls on both sides. The fishmonger was parked on the square when we got there, the back of his truck open and the day’s catch laid out on beds of ice, including scallops, salmon and baby squid. Even though this village is inland, surrounded on all sides by vineyards as far as the eye can see, it is no more than a half-hour from the Mediterranean. Just right for a fishmonger to pick up a load at dawn and stop at every tiny village along his route. On Thursday the butcher came, also parking on the square, and we bought fresh liver and some homemade pâte. By Friday afternoon we were gone, but the oysterman comes bringing the succulent shellfish to kick off weekend dining. These

Streets are so narrow in the village, that a truck nearly touches the buildings on either side. villages are tiny, and at first I was shocked at the lack of shops, but soon came to learn that once you adjust to the rhythm of life, you can get what you need. And that pâte from the traveling butcher? We had it for lunch on the sunny terrace, with a glass of cold rosé from a local vintner (here they drink it with ice cubes in summer), a sliced, juicy ripe tomato and a handful of olives with our crusty baguette. It was March 9 and the temperatures were near 70, but the sun beating on our shoulders made it feel even warmer. Since we had a free day, we decided to take a walk about and explore our temporary home. We passed by the ancient homes of the vignerons — the wine growers. Their stone facades are pierced by huge archways and great wooden doors, where even centuries ago, they would bring carts of grapes in to crush. The viticulture here started with the Romans, about the 4th century BC, so you might say that the red in their veins is wine instead

of blood. Soon we were walking past the modern villas of townspeople who fled the crowded streets, leaving the village homes for tourists and expats to snap up. They find it easier to raise their families in comfortable, modern homes with backyards and garages like any American suburb. You can’t blame them, and I silently thanked them for the bonus effect – village houses for us to look at and consider as our holiday home.

NEXT – The house hunt continues About the author and photographer: Michele Reed retired after a career spanning four decades in public relations, advertising, journalism and higher education. She now writes travel articles, book reviews, haiku poetry and fiction. Bill Reed retired after four decades in social services with the County of Oswego, and now works at travel photography and photojournalism, along with writing book reviews. August / September 2015 - 55 PLUS

druger’s zoo By Marvin Druger

Supper’s Ready! To each his own when it comes to eating

e all enjoy eating, yet tastes vary greatly among individuals. In my family, one grandson eats mainly spaghetti with meat sauce, French fries, and chicken nuggets; another grandson — and a son — are vegetarians; one granddaughter thrives on breads of all kinds; my daughterin-law always eats salads; another is an advocate of organic foods. I devour almost any kind of food. Some people eat to live; I live to eat. Going out to eat in restaurants with my family is an adventurous experience. Italian food makes good sense, because it’s easy to get vegetarian or meat dishes. Steak houses pose problems for some in my family. Cooking a dinner at home is also problematic, since everyone likes something different. Also, in many families, there is no central meal where everyone sits down together at the table. Family members drift in to eat different foods at different times. My son told me that he is a vegetarian because he doesn’t like the thought of eating dead, cooked muscle (i.e., meat). However, he doesn’t seem to mind eating dead, cooked plant material. I remind him that plants are I living creatures also. immediately told In my biology course at Syracuse them that my policy was always University, we used to dissect pigs to provide an appropriate alternative to learn about mammalian anatomy. to the dissection for students who had Several students complained to the moral objections to doing it. I pointed dean that they were vegetarians and out that plants are also living things, they were philosophically against perhaps even more sophisticated doing the dissection. They said that than animals, since green plants can I was forcing them to dissect pigs. I make food in the presence of sunlight asked the three young ladies to come (photosynthesis) and animals cannot. to my office to discuss the matter. They argued that plants can’t move They came to my office, armed like animals. with animal rights brochures. They I replied, “They move by spreading said, “We are vegetarians and we roots and by dispersal of seeds. Roots can’t dissect an animal.” I responded grow downwards and stems grow jokingly, “I’m not asking you to eat it.” upwards. Also, plants bend toward 46

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the light.” “But they don’t breathe,” they countered. “Yes, they do. Plants exchange gases with the environment through tiny pores called stomata,” I retorted. I said plants have all the characteristics of life, i.e., cells, reproduction, respiration, responsiveness to environments, etc. but they do these life processes in different ways than animals. “But plants don’t have a nervous system. They can’t communicate with each other,” the trio said. Substantial evidence has accumulated to demonstrate that

plants can communicate with each other through chemicals sent into the air (i.e., volatile organic compounds, or VOCs). For example, when tomato plants are attacked by moth larvae, called cutworms, the plant releases a VOC that is absorbed by surrounding tomato plants. These neighboring plants convert the VOC into a substance that is toxic to cutworms and thus protects plants from damage. In other instances, plants can produce chemicals that protect themselves against harmful insects, or attract predators of the harmful insects. “But plants can’t feel,” they said. I replied, “How do you know that? Maybe, when you are chewing on green peas, they are screaming out for help, in their own way. Also, eating peas is like an abortion, since the peas could potentially grow into new pea plants.”

Tit for tat Finally, I said, “So, if you can’t eat animals because they are wonderful, sacred living things, how can you eat plants that are also wonderful, sacred living things? In fact, every living thing is wonderful and sacred. Then, what can you eat?” Every animal has to devour some other living creature to obtain energy in order to survive. Green plants can capture the energy from the sun and make food for animals that enable them to survive. It seems sad, but it’s true. It may sound cruel, but it’s the way of nature. A species survives by eating some other species, plant or animal. However, it seems to be true that being

a vegetarian may be a healthier way to live than by eating meat, since plants provide fiber and other nutrients and don’t have cholesterol. Eating a healthy diet is problematic. Many people accept the Mediterranean diet as a healthy one to pursue. This involves eating whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, very little red meats, and avoiding foods laden with saturated fats, sugar, cholesterol and salt. It’s difficult to follow a healthy diet in our society. Many of the foods that appeal to our taste are unhealthy, but we can adopt a healthy diet. I used to pour salt on my food. Then, I stopped doing so, and now I don’t salt my food at all and it tastes good to me. My daughter started eating a healthy diet and she lost weight and looks and feels terrific. It’s all a matter of will power. Will power is important in life. Story Musgrave, a retired astronaut, is a very accomplished person. He has six academic degrees, including a medical degree and doctorate. I asked him how he could accomplish so much? He replied, “I set my goals and I DO it!” He also phrased it in another way, “I get the job done!” This is a great slogan to keep in mind for how to live life. The slogan applies to the importance of having strong will power in eating a healthy diet. At first, will power may be difficult to apply. Sometimes, a health scare will reinforce someone’s will power to eat healthily. Sometimes, individuals may simply want to change their self-image of being overweight. But there is temptation at every

turn. I sometimes break down and sneak off to a fast food restaurant and gorge myself on a greasy hamburger and French Fries. I think that’s OK to do, as long as it doesn’t become a habit. Eating in moderation is probably the best pathway to follow, no matter what you eat. As we age, our food habits seem to change. For example, at Thanksgiving dinner, I used to stuff myself with stuffing, turkey, potatoes, cranberry sauce, and other Thanksgiving food. Now that I’m older, I don’t quite stuff myself so much and I eat smaller portions. I also eat more slowly. This has nothing to do with health. My appetite just seems to have diminished. I don’t seem to be as focused on eating as I once was. The food doesn’t seem as delicious as it once was. In my attempt to live every day actively, I don’t want to take the time to eat. The bottom line is that aging has its effects on all aspects of our lives. When I exercise, my brain orders my body to move vigorously, but the body doesn’t readily obey the commands. There is a good reason why older people should live every day, and eat whatever they want to eat (in moderation), unless there are important health issues. My childhood friends get together once a year to celebrate that we are still here. The organizer is BZ. This year, he received an email from one of our childhood gang members saying, “BZ, we should get together soon. Time is running out.” A grim thought, but true. So eat and enjoy!

I am Sandra Dunn. This is my IMAGING story. When Primecare physician Heather Finger, MD sent her upstairs to the medical imaging department of the Central Square Medical Center for a CT scan, Sandra Dunn found herself extremely nervous. “The medical imaging technologist Mark Heitmann quickly put me at ease, ” Sandra said. “He was so positive and had a very calming presence.”

oswegohealth.org August / September 2015 - 55 PLUS

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visits

10 Things to Do in Otsego County

Visit the Baseball Hall of Fame and much more By Sandra Scott

tsego County’s most iconic destination is the pretty village of Cooperstown, dubbed “America’s Hometown.” The name “Cooperstown” is often used as a metaphor for the Baseball Hall of Fame, but Otsego County is a multi-season destination that also lures the opera, art, nature and history lovers. The gentle rolling, tree-covered hills make it a destination for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of more populated areas. Located in the heart of New York’s Leatherstocking area, it is the county’s pastoral land that inspired favorite son, James Fenimore Cooper, to pen his beloved novels of the American frontier. Here are 10 things you shouldn’t miss:

1. National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum: It no longer matters that baseball was not “invented”

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in Cooperstown because it is still a pilgrimage site for baseball lovers young and old. Central to the many baseball-related exhibits and artifacts on display is the Baseball Hall of Fame Gallery and the multimedia presentation in the Grandstand Theater. A variety of activities and presentations honor the all-American sport. Shops along the Main Street offer an amazing array of baseball souvenirs and memorabilia. Try to catch a game at the nearby Doubleday Field.

2. Dreams Park: Dreams Park is

home of the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame where each week nearly 100 youth teams from around the United States take part in a National Invitational Tournament at the end of which participants are inducted into the Hall of Fame and receive their own Hall of Fame Ring. For one week youths 12 and younger live, sleep and eat baseball.

3. Farmers’ Museum: The 19th-

century comes alive in the historic village where visitors can chat with the blacksmith, pharmacist, school teacher and other historic interpreters to learn what life was like in rural New York before technology became an integral part of everyday life. At the Lippitt Farmstead visitors can pet the animals in the children’s barnyard. There are many seasonal activities such as sheep shearing and harvesting hops, the most important local crop at that time. Besides viewing the Cardiff giant, one of America’s greatest hoaxes, and riding the beautiful Empire State carousel, there are a variety of programs and workshops.

4. Fenimore Art Museum: Across from the farmer’s museum, on beautiful Otsego Lake, is one of America’s premier art destinations. The elegant neo-Georgian house built on the site of James Fenimore Cooper’s 19th-century

farmhouse is home to a collection of American folk art and the famed Eugene and Clare Thaw Collection of American Indian Art. On site is a 1750s Seneca log house and a reproduction of a Mohawk bark House. There is a café with a panoramic view of the lake and an auditorium that presents Weekend Flicks twice a month. The seasonal exhibits often complement presentations at the Glimmerglass Opera and other local happenings.

Old Stone Fort Museum

5. Glimmerglass Festival: Located

on Otsego Lake north of Cooperstown is the internationally-renowned summer opera theater offering familiar and rarely performed operas along with previews, backstage tours, and a variety of other events. Each season they stage four major productions, along with literary talks and a children’s theater. Theatrical professionals share their expertise via the Glimmerglass Festival’s apprenticeship program. Once a week during July and August their young artists present a baseballthemed concert at the Baseball Hall of Fame.

6. Fly Creek Cider Mill: A great

family-friendly place to learn about a historic, water-powered cider mill that first started pressing in the 1850s. Gone are the days when farmer ’s trucks would line up to have their apples pressed, now families line up for the cider and ice cream. Its Marketplace has daily tastings of more than 40 specialty items, many produced on site, including cheese, fudge and

The Chemist, today’s pharmaist, at the Farmers Museum cider — hard and sweet. Enjoy lunch and ice cream on the deck by the mill pond. Riding the child-size tractors in Tractorland and feeding the ducks and geese will keep youngsters happily occupied. Fly Creek is part of the area’s beverage trail.

7. Ommergang Brewery: The

brewery is another multi-purpose destination. On the tour learn what they mean by “there is a reason for everything” in the process of creating their famous Belgium-style beer. Afterward, while enjoying a tasting session learn the effect ginger, star anise, coriander and other ingredients have on the flavor. Enjoy a meal at their café and check their schedule of events. “Ommergang” means “walking around” in Old Flemish and visitors are invited to do just that.

8 . C h e r r y Va l l e y :

The Roy Campanella statue at the Hall of Fame

Watching the 30-minute video at the Cherry Valley Museum is the best way to learn about the area’s beginnings as a land grant in 1739 and grew only to be decimated during what is called “The Cherry Valley Massacre” in 1778. In 1780 another massacre followed. It is a story of

survival. The museum is chock-a-block full of artifacts and stories that bring to life the good times and bad times.

9. Glimmerglass Lake:

Glimmerglass was J. F. Cooper’s name for the beautiful nine-mile long Otsego Lake, which is the headwaters of the 464-mile long Susquehanna River that empties into the Chesapeake Bay. Today people can ride the “Queen’ for an informative lake tour, catch the wind on their sail boat or enjoy a serene paddle of the lake and river. There is swimming and camping at Glimmerglass State Park. Golfers can tee off on a course with great lake views. Or, just take a scenic drive around the lake.

10. Unique: Visitors will never run out of things to see and do. Watch a bat turning demonstration at the Cooperstown Bat Company, take a haunted tour of the Federal-style Otesaga Hotel and neo-classic Hyde Hall, enjoy the great outdoors while hiking one of the many trails, visit Oneonta to shop on their classic allAmerican Main Street, hop aboard the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad, explore the countryside on their 37-mile beverage trail, or visit during one of the area’s great events. The Cooperstown trolley connects major attractions and parking lots.

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Chuck Parker, 65 Outdoor enthusiast inducted into NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame Q. How does it feel to be recognized? A. “I’m honored. The people who took the time to nominate me, they thought I was deserving of the award and did what they had to do to get me nominated. There’s a lot of active sportsmen out there. I think there were 12 people inducted this year alone. Q. What first drew you to the outdoors? A. “My family’s been in hunting and fishing all my life. In first grade I had my first trap line. I set traps for about six or seven years. My initial hunting was rabbit hunting with my brother and my father. When I got older I moved into deer hunting. I just enjoy the outdoors. It’s one of those things if you have to ask you probably wouldn’t understand, the camaraderie with fellow hunters and it’s just a good sport. My father was a hunter. His parents were hunters. My sister and her husband fish. Both my boys actively hunt and fish and my daughter will fish a little bit. The grandchildren are coming along the same way.” Q . Why are outdoor sports important? A. “If you want to look at it from an economic point of view the governor’s budget last year estimated it as an $8.2 billion a year economic impact for New York state alone. I appreciate the role that hunting does as a conservation tool for wildlife management.” Q. Are fewer people active now in the outdoors? A. “Yes. The normal progression of a hunter is first as a kid you get your hunting license and you hone your hunting skills. You hunt different species or maybe go from hunting 50

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with a gun to a bow. As you get older you tend to get involved with some of the issues that help preserve and protect our rights to hunt and fish. What’s happening now is the younger generation — it’s time for them to start stepping up to the plate. We’re not seeing them do that in large enough numbers. The assumption that hunting will always be there, that it’s not something we have to stand up and defend, it’s not an accurate assumption. We need to speak up for our right to hunt and fish. You got your anti-hunting groups. You got some of your green groups that are restricting access. You always have to speak up for everything.”

Adirondacks. We need to get a better balance creating habitat for wildlife and having adequate forest. You get the umbrella effect. The brush and habitat on the ground gets shaded out by the bigger trees. Then it can’t support the number of species. A young forest supports more varied species than an old forest.”

Q. How did you get involved with outdoor groups? A. “I initially joined the Mad River Club. They had a place to hunt. They had some private lands where we could hunt. I took my son to a hunters safety course and listened to the course and said ‘Hey I could do this.’ I got involved in that. As far as the advocacy for sportsmen’s issues, friends of mine invited me to come to a meeting and I saw a place where I could be a positive influence. I just started getting involved and it mushroomed from there.”

Q. Is there anything the average person can do to preserve the outdoors? A. “My biggest thing is what we need is more involvement within such organizations as the New York State Conservation Council. Being willing to contact legislators as necessary to let them know your opinions. Those that would take hunting and fishing away from us are not afraid to speak up. Those of us that enjoy hunting and fishing, to many of us don’t see the need, realize the need, or are reluctant to say anything.

Q. Are we doing enough to preserve the environment? A. “We need to create more transitional habitat for wildlife. When forests are mature if they’re not harvested properly they just mature and the land loses its carrying capacity for wildlife. Forever wild forest preserves in the Adirondacks was first formed I believe in the early ‘70s. It’s now where it protects trees over wildlife and it’s actually lowering the carrying capacity of wildlife in the

Q. What do you look forward to? A. “I want to remain active in the sporting organizations. I ‘ve got grandchildren growing up. I’m looking forward to when the smaller ones get old enough to take them fishing and hunting—pass on the heritage.” Chuck Parker, president of the New York State Conservation Council, lives in Mexico and is a former James A. Fitzpatrick Power Plant employee.

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