55 Plus CNY 93, June/July '21

7 Trails You Should Absolutely Try This Summer

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55 PLUS Issue 93 – June-July 2021

For Active Adults in the Central New York Area

cny55.com BYE BYE NYS

Hal Miller: Why is everyone migrating to Florida?

STAINED GLASS

Self-taught in stainedglass making, former SU professor’s art helps assist Symphoria musicians SEX

Sexual intimacy challenges in later life

Not Slowing Down Local triathletes, including Kevin Maier, a 65-year-old Manlius resident, are ready to compete. They talk about what keeps them going.

Price of Divorce: Much Less Retirement Income

Had a Stroke.

Back on Stage.

Musician Todd Hobin KNOW THE SIGNS • CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY

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

F.

FACE DROOPING

A. S.

ARM WEAKNESS

SPEECH DIFFICULTY

Fact: Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. Important to know: Stroke can happen to both men and women — at any age.

Good news: Stroke is preventable by managing medical risk factors and healthy lifestyle choices.

What to do: Time lost is brain lost. So it’s vital to know the signs of a stroke — F.A.S.T. Four words to live by: Call 911 and say, “Take me to Crouse.“ When it comes to stroke, every moment matters. As one of just 10 hospitals in New York State tohave earned Comprehensive Stroke Center status, and with the region’s newest ER and hybrid ORs, Crouse offers the most advanced technology for rapid stroke diagnosis and treatment

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

T.

TIME TO CALL 911

We’re Ready to See You for Surgery.

If you’ve been putting off a procedure, surgery or screening — we’ve got what it takes to care for you right now at St. Joseph’s Health.

Here are some of the measures we’ve got in place to bring you a higher level of safety and care during your procedure.

Care Concierge

Enhanced Cleaning

We’ve got a Care Concierge to greet patients at the door to coordinate their entire journey.

We’ve got increased frequency and intensity of cleaning — using robust disinfecting processes.

Mandatory Pretesting

COVID-Free Zones

We’ve got required testing for all patients before elective procedures.

We’ve got COVID-Free Zones in many of our facilities where we provide care only for people known to not have COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms.

Separate Staff We’ve got separate staff to treat patients in each zone — so you won’t be treated by doctors and nurses who are treating patients with COVID-19.

A HIGHER LEVEL OF CARE

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55 PLUS | contents

7 Trails You Should Absolutely Try This Summer

55

free please share

PLUS Issue 93 – June-July 2021

For Active Adults in the Central New York Area

cny55.com

June / July 2021 Story ideas?

Information about advertising?

Email editor@cny55.com or call 315-342-1182

BYE BYE NYS

Hal Miller: Why is everyone migrating to Florida?

STAINED GLASS

Self-taught in stainedglass making, former SU professor’s art helps assist Symphoria musiciaans

To subscribe, look for the coupon on page 39.

SEX

Sexual intimacy challenges in later life

Not Slowing Down Local triathletes are ready to compete: They talk about their diet, exercise regimen

Price of Divorce: Much Less Retirement Income

12

www.cny55.com Like us on facebook

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55 PLUS 38

48

32 DIVORCE Savvy Senior 6 12 55+ COOKS • Price of a divorce: Much less Gardening 8 • Steve Moyer of Dewitt shares his cooking recipes retirement income Social Security Q&A 11 36 JOBS Dining Out 10 14 HIKING • Seven trails you should try this summer • If you’re 55 or older and looking for Golden Years 27 work, good luck. Local experts offer tips Aging 34 16 SOCIETY to improve your chances My Turn 43 • Experts field questions about 36 CAREERS nagivating pandemic’s ‘reentry period’ Druger’s Zoo 40 • Just because you retired doesn’t mean

18 THEATER

LAST PAGE JoAnne Spoto Decker, Onondaga County Office for Aging director: Local seniors are depressed, anxious

• Theater season in Syracuse to start

you have to stop working. Find out what two CNY retirees decided to do

20 ARTS

38 MUSIC

• Robert Oddy: Mastering the art of stained glass

• Learning to play an instrument later in life

22 PHOTOGRAPHY

42 SEX

• Photojournalist Kevin Rivoli captures ordinary people in extraordinary ways

• Barbara Pierce, Ph.D.: ’Sexual intimacy challenges in later life’

26 COVER

48 VISITS

• Local triathletes are not slowing down 4

55 PLUS - June - July 2021

• Albany: A city and a county

WE CARE LIKE FAMILY

We are growing and have exciting career opportunities in the health care industry.

To join our talented, professional team, please visit one of our care facilities career pages for available positions.

Become a part of Our Family!

Life in balance.

A company philosophy that speaks to a continual process of individual and collective development to improve our well-being, quality of life and personal relationships.

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To provide people in our community with healthcare, customer services, support & employment to achieve their individual best quality of life.

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savvy senior

By Jim Miller

Ages to Claim Social Security The most and least popular age bracket

Y

ou can sign up for Social Security at any time after age 62. However, your monthly payments will be larger for each month you delay claiming them up until age 70. This adds up to around 6% to 8% higher payments every year you delay.

To get a breakdown on exactly how much your claiming age affects your benefits, visit Social Security’s Retirement Age Calculator at SSA. gov/benefits/retirement/planner/ ageincrease.html.

In the meantime, here’s the rundown of when most people start receiving retirement benefits (according to 2019 SSA statistics), and how signing up at each age impacts your payout.

Age 62: This is the earliest you can sign up for Social Security and the most popular age. Around 34% of women and 31% of men signed up for Social Security at 62. But if you sign up at this age, you’ll get 25% smaller Social Security payments if your full retirement age (FRA) is 66, and 30% lower payments if your FRA is 67.

Age 63: About 7% of all workers start drawing their benefits at this age. Monthly payments are reduced if you sign up at age 63, but by less than if you claim at 62. A worker with a FRA of 66 will get a 20% pay cut by signing up at 63. And workers with a FRA of 67 will get 25% less.

Age 64: Around 8% of women and about 7% of men claim benefits at 64. Social Security payments are reduced by 13.3% for those with a FRA of 66, and 20% for people whose FRA is 67.

Age 65: This use to be FRA for people born before 1938, but it’s still

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enrollment age for Medicare. Around 12% of workers begin their retirement benefits at 65. By starting at this age, you’ll see you monthly payments reduced by 6.7% if your FRA is 66, and by 13.3% if it’s 67.

Age 66: This is FRA for people born between 1943 and 1954. If you fit into this age group, you’re eligible to claim unreduced Social Security benefits. Nearly 29% of men and 22% of women sign up for benefits at 66.

But if your FRA is 67, you’ll get a 6.7% pay cut if you sign up here.

Age 67: People born in 1960 or later will be able to claim unreduced Social Security payments starting at age 67. Baby boomers born before 1955 will get an 8% increase if they wait to claim their benefits at 67. Less than 4% of men and 3% of women start their benefits at this age.

Age 68: Only about 2% of workers start claiming their retirement benefits at 68. Those with a FRA of 66 will get 16% more if they claim Social Security payments at age 68, while those with a FRA of 67 will get 8% increase.

Age 69: Less than 2% of workers start claiming their retirement benefits at this age. Those with a FRA of 66 will get a 24% boost in their benefit by waiting to 69. While those with a FRA of 67 will increase their benefits by 16%.

Age 70 and older: Waiting to age 70 offers the biggest possible payout. Nearly 9% of women and 6% of men held out until this age. Those with a FRA of 66 can increase their benefits by 32%, while those with a FRA of 67 will get a 24% increase.

After age 70, there’s no additional increase for further delaying your payments.

55PLUS cny55.com Editor and Publisher Wagner Dotto

Writers

Deborah J. Sergeant Mary Beth Roach Margaret McCormick Aaron Gifford Kyra Mancine, Ken Sturtz Barbara Pierce

Columnists

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

Advertising

Amy Gagliano Cassandra Lawson Marie Parsons

Office Manager Nancy Nitz

Layout & Design Joey Sweener

Cover Photo Provided

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: $21 a year; $35 for two years © 2021 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.

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

Mary Pat Oliker sits in the patio garden of her home.

Central New York has been my home for 50 years.

It is where I met my husband, where our careers flourished and where we discovered a shared commitment to the many nonprofit and charitable organizations making here.

The Community Foundation provides the vehicle to ‘pay it forward’ through my donor-advised fund. I have also named the Community Foundation in my estate plan, knowing that our legacy of support for Central New York-based education, healthcare and arts programs will be honored into the future.

I am proud to give back to the community where Dick and I made our life together. I find comfort in knowing the Community Foundation will honor our wishes and use our funds to support the areas of interest that so profoundly defined our careers and broader community commitments.

GIVING FORWARD: MARY PAT OLIKER

Read more of Mary Pat’s story at Oliker.5forCNY.org

315.422.9538 | C N YC F. O R G

June - July 2021 - 55 PLUS

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gardening

By Jim Sollecito

T

All in the Family

here came a moment as children when we went outside to play for the very last time. And nobody recognized it. The clock struck “all done” and that was that. Ah, if we could only go back and savor those moments again.

The photo accompanying this article is me and my kid sister Kathy.

Oh, how I enjoyed doing just about anything to playfully make her and my other two sisters laugh, scream and, yes, sometimes cry. My father reasoned it was always my fault. Always.

And out came the board of education — to help educate my rear end. The result was that I continued the behavior but would contrive to do things without being caught.

So we grew up.

Life did what life does: wear off the rough edges and give us perspective.

Probably about now I should be asking forgiveness from everyone in my family, in fact everyone in my entire life, for things I could have done differently. But forgiveness does not change the past. It does, however,

The author, Jim Sollecito, with one of his sisters, Kathy.

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enlarge the future.

As for plants however, the past is very influential and conclusive.

Plants need to be situated and planted correctly. Without a proper start, a plant will let you know later. Because the past does catch up. Actions do have consequences.

I field a lot of questions regarding what to do with plants with issues. If I wasn’t there when it was planted, I need to determine afterward if it is worth putting effort and resources into a stressed plant. Or to start with a fresh new one. Generally, if a plant problem happens gradually, it is an insect or disease. To remedy these situations, the first step is correctly identifying the problem. Then determine if an organic or conventional spray will clear it up.

Remember, foliage that looks bad will not magically turn better. For the plant to improve, damaged leaves need to fall off and new ones must form. I have found that along with pesticides, horticultural support will do a world of good. This includes checking with a moisture meter, correct watering and regular use of a plant tonic such as Neptune’s Harvest organic fish and seaweed solution.

If the plant turned bad all at once, then likely the issue is at the root, not something a spray can help. Some problems have no treatment. That leads us on the path to upgraded redemption by removing the failing plant. Replace it with an improved selection that better matches the site.

New plant introductions offer more vibrant flower colors, longer periods of bloom, hotter fall colors and generally lower maintenance.

You might not be able to do much about past transgressions and missteps. But your landscape can gain value from renewed perspective.

Maybe this is the year for you to plant a fresh family tree, serenity garden, devotional corner, backyard haven or inspiring vista.

This is a gift to be enjoyed for generations.

Jim Sollecito is the first lifetime senior certified landscape professional in NYS. He operates Sollecito Landscaping Nursery in Syracuse. Contact him at 468-1142 or jim@sollecito.com.

Social Security

Q&A I know that Social Security’s full retirement age is gradually rising to 67. But does this mean the “early” retirement age will also go up by two years, from age 62 to 64?

Bringing comfort, peace and hope to thousands of families for over 30 years Proudly serving Onondaga, Cayuga, Oswego and Madison Counties

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No. While it is true that under current law the full retirement age is gradually rising from 65 to 67, the “early” retirement age remains at 62.

Keep in mind, however, that taking early retirement reduces your benefit amount. For more information about Social Security benefits, visit www. socialsecurity.gov/planners/retire.

How can I check the status of a pending application for retirement benefits?

If you applied for retirement or disability benefits online, you can check the status of your application at www.ssa.gov by selecting “Benefits” and “Check Application Status” under “Apply.” You will need to enter your Social Security number and the confirmation code you received when you filed online.

Your application status will show: • The date we received your application.

• Any requests for additional documents.

• The address of the office processing your application.

• If a decision has been made.

I recently retired and am approaching the age when I can start receiving Medicare. What is the monthly premium for Medicare Part B?

4487

In 2021, the standard Medicare Part B premium for medical insurance is currently $148.50 per month. Some people with higher incomes must pay a higher monthly premium for their Medicare coverage. You can get details at www.medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048).

June - July 2021 - 55 PLUS

9

Din i ng Out

By Christopher Malone

Restaurant

Guide

The critter tinga ($9.90) at Carmelita’s: “The flavor is really freaking delicious.”

La Comida de la Familia

T

It’s all about family and cuisine at Carmelita’s

ucked in the Lakeshore Heights Plaza in Cicero is a little eatery called Carmelita’s Mexican Restaurant. It’s been in that spot for a handful of years now but the name precedes itself.

Carmelita’s dates back decades ago, originally located in the city of Syracuse. It closed in the 1980s, according to an article from The PostStandard and syracuse.com. Theresa Aviles-VanDeWalker, daughter of the original restauranteurs, brought her family’s recipes and business back to the area.

One of my favorite quotes about Mexican food is from Midwest comedian Jim Gaffigan: “I’m convinced that anyone who doesn’t like Mexican food is a psychopath.” Needless to say, I agree. What’s not to like about Mexican food?

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Wait — I’ve had some really heavy cuisine in my day. Heavy to the point where I’m sweating and my stomach feels as heavy as an anvil, and I’m better off crawling across the floor.

That can’t be good, right?

Glancing at Carmelita’s menu, there’s a lot to take in. It boasts familiar favorites, so you know what you’re getting into. Many of the items are gluten-free and can be as vegetarian friendly or meat-filled as you want them to be. Much of the food comes out in twos or threes, which means this meal should be shared with people you care about, adding to the dining experience and conversation.

Plus, there’s a bold reminder that the food is handmade, fresh, and made to order — so don’t get snippy if food doesn’t come out super quick.

(Frankly, that would also be a concern.)

I started off with a cocktail ($10) made with tequila, mulled blackberries, lime and soda water. It’s definitely a cool, refreshing summer drink. The only issue was that there was a little too much soda water, which killed the flavor a little bit and tasted watered down.

To kick the meal off was the tostada — the critter tinga ($9.90). Out came a pair of crisp tortillas topped with an ample hill of shredded chipotle chicken, pico de gallo and sour cream.

The flavor is really freaking delicious.

And compliments to that handmade tortilla to withstand all that food. The chipotle chicken isn’t overly spicy and has a slight sweetness to it. Overall, it wasn’t too heavy.

Surrounded by lists of tacos, burritos, quesadillas and more, the San Rafael’s torta ($10.95) is in a category

The shredded chicken-filled burrito came out coated with cheese and wading in a mild red sauce.

The San Rafael’s torta ($10.95) is in a category by itself, as it should be.

The VanDilla quesadilla was a spicy, flavorful choice. It’s far from a boring quesadilla, and a large one, too.

The tacos offered at Carmelita’s are not your every day taco.

by itself, as it should be. I had my grilled sandwich filled with shredded and tender steak, peppers, and onions.

It also comes with lettuce, tomato, some of the most flavorful guacamole to enter my mouth, beans and cheese.

The toasted bread is nice and fresh, plus not overly heavy. Don’t be afraid to get messy. It’s a stacked sandwich.

The VanDilla quesadilla was a spicy, flavorful choice. It’s far from a boring quesadilla and a large one, too. The two halves can be easily split as well, giving four people an opportunity to enjoy the kick from the ingredients: ground beef, cheese, jalepeños and pico. Adding on the light sour cream will calm the creeping heat but adding the hot sauce adds a new level of flavorful intensity.

Joseph’s Combo ($14.99) and any of the family favorites or entrée plates are perfect for times of indecision. The platter features one tostada, one taco, one burrito, a dish of rice and a dish of refried beans. The amount of food

is intimidating to look at. But it can be tackled one bite at a time.

The tortillas are all homemade — they’re crispy, strong and delightful.

They’re perfectly browned and shaped – flattened for the tostadas, folded for tacos, or cut into triangles for chips — to hold contents, ingredients or dips.

None were scorched or undercooked to the point of being chewy. As far as meat goes, which has been discussed already, nothing was bland or dry.

The shredded chicken-filled burrito came out coated with cheese and wading in a mild red sauce.

Although the burrito was small in size, the flavor of the tender, lightly seasoned chicken with the sauce was applaudable. I used the leftover sauce for dipping in some of my quesadilla.

After coming this far, dessert was necessary. The flan ($6.95) simply sounded appealing. The standard slice of this custard dessert was presented with a small dollop of crème and a blackberry. The golden, glassy caramel

top shimmered in the light. I enjoyed it at home, savoring every soft bite, which boasted a hint of almond.

Before tip, the total came to $70 and change. For a homemade meal with that traditional family flare, Carmelita’s is an ideal, safe and clean place to gather with family or friends and indulge in some delicious food.

Carmelita’s Mexican Restaurant Lakeshore Heights Plaza 6195 Route 31, Cicero 315-699-7550 carmelitas.co, facebook.com/carmelitasmexican, instagram.com/carmelitasmexican/ Sun.–Tues.: Closed Wed.–Sat.: 4–8 p.m.

June - July 2021 - 55 PLUS

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55+ cooks for nutritionally balanced meals. Like much in our relationship, it easily and organically evolves over time.’’

Over the last year, Allen, 80, has been challenged with memory loss and other health issues, so Moyer, 67, has assumed more of the meal preparation and cooking. And that’s fine with him.

Moyer ’s position as a licensed associate real estate broker with Hunt Real Estate keeps him busy, so weeknight meals are fairly simple — something with a green salad, usually, and something that gives him leftovers to work with. He also takes advantage of prepared store-bought entrees and adds a salad or a vegetable slaw. On weekends, and as he and Allen get back in the habit of entertaining small groups of friends and family — safely — Moyer gets a bit more adventurous and creative.

Moyer and Allen live in DeWitt and enjoy travel and outdoor activities whenever possible.

How did you learn to cook? “A combination of watching others, watching cooking shows, my natural curiosity and enjoying books about the chemistry of food. Inspiration also comes from enjoying new foods prepared by others, or ethnic restaurants ... but more than anything else, I’d say it’s the classic necessity being the mother of invention.

You do what you have to do when dinnertime comes and learn to do at least a little planning ahead of time.’’

Steve Moyer (left) holding a homemade dessert he cooked, “Terrine of Summer Fruits.” Next to him is his husband Lester Allen.

Steve Moyer, Dewitt

By Margaret McCormick

S

teve Moyer is the main cook in his household these days, but that hasn’t always been the case.

For a long time, Moyer’s husband, Lester Allen, had more time to cook — but it wasn’t his favorite thing to do. “He’s a good cook, but preparing a meal is a chore to him,’’

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Moyer explains. “He does it well, but for him it’s just following the required steps, it’s not a joy or hobby. He sees no benefit in learning more about the process, methods, combinations, aspects of flavors, colors and textures.

For me, I’ve less time, but I’ve more curiosity about all that, and concern

How would you describe your cooking style? “Eclectic, sporadic, but rarely exotic would be the best description.

I stay away from baking, that would be too dangerous, resulting in an expanding waistline.”

What’s your favorite thing to cook on a weeknight? “A fresh green salad is almost always part of dinner, often soups in winter... and anything else, often with chicken protein included somewhere. Many things can be cooked in quantities that allow for leftovers, which we enjoy, either as a repeat or dressed up in a different way, or freezing portions for another time.”

What do you like to cook when family or friends come over? “Last summer, outdoor dining was the safe way to enjoy a small group of friends and family. I took full advantage of all the prepared dishes, such as lasagna, available for purchase at places like Costco, and would prepare a large salad such as chopped kale or a slaw ahead. All those already prepared or pre-prepared items, as well as having an hors d’oeuvre ready beforehand, minimized time in the kitchen away from company safely outdoors. Asking guests to bring, when circumstances allow, a dessert or some part of dinner, also makes entertaining others easy to accomplish.”

What have you been cooking during the pandemic? “I thought I would be expanding my range and trying more things, but that hasn’t happened yet.

Keeping fresh, often seasonal fruits and vegetables at home has been a priority.”

What’s your favorite recipe resource? “Like many of us folks ‘of an age’ who had a full life before the internet age, complete with shelves of cookbooks, we have a drawer full of pages of recipes ripped from magazines and also handwritten ones.

An internet search is always easy, I do that as often as I look through a printed cookbook.”

Where do you like to shop? “Wegmans, as an experience, including pleasant and helpful staff, has always been tough to beat. Yet during the pandemic, the joy of seeing and talking with so many folks you bump into was greatly diminished. Aldi’s, especially with the recent remodel of the stores, and Trader Joe’s are both easy to get in and out of early in the day, without big crowds, offer interesting and compelling choices and are often a better value.”

Do you know an excellent home cook from Central New York who is 55 or older? Nominate them for this feature!

Email details, including contact information, to Margaret McCormick at mmccormickcny@gmail.com.

Steve Moyer’s Favorite Dessert

Terrine of Summer Fruits Recipe from Delia Online (www.deliaonline.com)

Ingredients: 12 ounces small strawberries 8 ounces raspberries 12 ounces black currants, red currants and blueberries (4oz., or mix-and-match as you like!)

15 fluid ounces sparkling rosé wine or white grape juice 2 ounces sugar 2 packages (0.4 oz.) gelatin powder 1 tablespoons fresh lime juice Equipment: 2 non-stick loaf pans, 2 pounds (7½ by 4¾ by 3½ inches deep)

Note: It is necessary to add part of the liquid after the mold has set to avoid over-filling and spilling the bottom layer when you weigh it down with the second pan. Weighing it down makes it easier to slice!

At serving time: Turn out the terrine by dipping the tin very briefly in hot water and inverting it onto a plate. Use a very sharp knife (first dipped in hot water) to cut the terrine into slices. Serve the terrine with a drizzle of heavy cream or with yogurt, if desired.

Instructions: Remove any stems and stalks from fruit.

If the strawberries are large, cut them in half or in quarters. Then mix the fruits together in a large bowl, being very gentle to avoid bruising them.

In a small saucepan, heat half the rosé wine or grape juice until it begins to simmer, then whisk the sugar and gelatin into it. Make sure that everything has dissolved completely before adding the remaining wine or grape juice and the lime juice. Then pour the liquid into a jar or pitcher and allow it to cool.

While the mixture cools, lay the mixed fruit in one of the loaf pans. Arrange the bottom layer with the smallest, prettiestshaped fruit as this will be on top when the terrine is turned out.

Next, pour all but 5 fluid ounces of the wine or juice mixture over the fruit. Lay a sheet of plastic wrap over the mixture in the loaf pan. Place the other pan directly on top, then put two unopened canned goods to weigh down the top pan (see note at left).

Put the whole lot into the refrigerator for about 1 hour, or until the fruit-gelatin mixture has set.

When set, warm the remaining juice mixture and pour it over the surface of the terrine. Re-cover with plastic wrap and return to the refrigerator overnight to set firm.

June - July 2021 - 55 PLUS

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55+ hiking

7 TRAILS

You Should Try This Summer

By Kyra Mancine

L

ooking for an adventure? It’s the perfect season to savor spectacular views and get exercise at the same time.

Before you go, be sure to check the weather. As always, wear appropriate footwear (hiking or water shoes), leave no trace (carry in/carry out what you bring), stay on marked, designated trails and don’t forget water, sunscreen, a snack and your mask.

1. Chittenango Falls State Park 2300 Rathbun Road, Cazenovia

Less than half an hour from Syracuse, this 193-acre park includes many places to hike, and you can view an impressive 167-foot waterfall. A 14

55 PLUS - June - July 2021

winding trail into the gorge affords you a closer look from the footbridge.

2. Bahar Nature Preserve 3800 Appletree Point Road, Skaneateles

Part of the Finger Lakes Land Trust, this 25-acre preserve includes a lush forest and gorge with breathtaking views of the Bear Swamp Creek Ravine. You’ll enjoy shade on your hike, but proceed with extreme care, as the terrain is steep and uneven with many tree roots (and not all trails are marked). This challenging trek is meant for the more adventurous, experienced hiker. There are four falls here, including the 90-foot Carpenter Falls and the 62-foot Angel Falls. If you

aren’t up for a lengthy hike, the two tallest falls can be viewed with a short walk to the right and left from the kiosk by the small parking lot.

3. Pratts Falls Park 7671 Pratt’s Falls Road, Manlius

Home to Onondaga County’s first mill operation in 1796, you’ll enjoy walking through the woods on natural dirt and gravel trails. A highlight of your hike will be a 137-foot waterfall.

Open sunrise to sunset, April through October, park admission is just $2.

There are over five miles of trails here, with the shortest loop trail being less than a mile long.

Chittenango Falls State Park Hike to the footbridge for an impressive view of this 167-foot waterfall.

4. Green Lakes State Park 7900 Green Lakes Road, Fayetteville

If you want to feel like you’re in the Caribbean without leaving Central New York, this is the park to visit. The most popular trails here go around two ‘meromictic’ bodies of water — Green and Round Lakes.

These stunning lakes have deep, dense waters that don’t overturn or stir up sediment. This means you’re treated to a reflective, clear view of gorgeous blue/green hues. These lakes are so unique that they’ve been designated as a National Natural Landmark. The park itself includes 10 miles of trails on 1,774 acres, but the two lake loop trails can be walked easily in about an hour (roughly a 5K distance-wise).

Trail terrain is flat with a gravel, dirt and mulch walking path.

5. Sweedler & Thayer Preserves Townline Road (1.6 miles past Sand Bank Road), Ithaca

Want to immerse yourself in a forest? Located in Tompkins County, this 148-acre nature preserve is owned

by Cornell University. Part of the Finger Lakes Land Trust, this wild and undeveloped area includes many different species of trees, wildflowers, birds, three waterfalls (ranging from 25 to 93 feet) and a stream bed. Bug spray

Green Lakes State Park Two meromictic lakes make for stunning, clear-water views around these trails.

is a must! The Lick Brook trail is 1.2 miles round trip and includes a climb with a 500-foot elevation. Park at the small trailhead parking area.

6. Keuka Lake Outlet Trail, Penn Yan Keuka Lake to Seneca Lake, Penn Yan

This partially paved, partially gravel trail offers seven miles of hiking. Located between Penn Yan and Dresden, it follows a railroad corridor that used to be a part of the canal that drained into Keuka Lake. This scenic hike includes a mill site, old lock sites and numerous waterfalls (Seneca Mills Falls, Cascade Mills Falls).

7. Fillmore Glen State Park 1686 St. Rte. 38, Moravia

This 941-acre park offers hiking with history. Before you hit the trails, check out the replica of a cabin where President Millard Fillmore was born.

From there, you can follow the 1.3-mile Gorge Trail or the North Rim Trail. Most people flock to see “Cowshed” Falls, a glacier-carved, 30-foot waterfall with an overhang where cows supposedly took shelter from storms. If you’ve worked up a sweat, take a dip in the park’s natural swimming hole after your hike.

Pratt Falls Park As reward for your hikes through the gravel trails of Pratt Falls is this impressive, 137-foot waterfall.

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55+ society

Can We Hug Yet? Experts field questions about nagivating pandemic’s ‘reentry period’

By Margaret McCormick

R

emember hugs and handshakes? Crowding into a theater for a concert or movie?

Sitting down with a table of strangers at a wedding reception?

Sharing a cubicle with co-workers all day — and stepping out for a drink after work?

These things seem like a distant memory, but they’re also the things we think about when we contemplate easing back into the world after more than a year of mostly staying at home.

Will we always have to wear masks? Is anyone else nervous about returning to the office? Can we hug yet? Do we still need to wash our hands 120 times a day? When will life return to normal? What is normal?

What is our work life and social life going to look like going forward? I’m vaccinated! Are you?

So. Many. Questions.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of adults in the United States have received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine and more than a third have been fully vaccinated.

That said, a recent survey by KFF, an endowed nonprofit organization providing national information on health issues, showed that there are still many people who remain vaccine-hesitant and in “wait and see” mode. Thirteen percent of KFF survey respondents said they will “definitely not” be vaccinated.

As we take small steps to return to at least some sense of normalcy, there are still reasons to be concerned about COVID-19 — such as variants — and plenty of COVID-19-related conversations to be had. And sometimes those conversations can be awkward.

Take, for example, the topic of returning to the workplace — after more than a year of working remotely.

Michael Sgro, a business and leadership coach based in downtown Syracuse, says some people have deep anxiety about reentering the world and returning to their places of employment.

“Behaviorally we are all a bit different,’’ Sgro says. “Some people can’t wait to get back. Some people are prone to be nervous about reentry.

These are people wanting harmony and no ripples in the water. But this is a kind of ‘ride the rapids’ environment.

“Most of the anxiety over returning to work is that people are afraid,’’ Sgro adds. “They will need the most assurances from employers that things are safe. They will need something like a step-by-step, back-to-work timeline.

Give them time.’’

By this point, we are generally well-schooled in the reasons for and benefits of physical distancing.

Even when fully vaccinated, it is recommended that we continue to wear masks, avoid large gatherings and keep a distance from people — especially indoors. But we all have a friend, family member or colleague who leans in too close sometimes or likes to greet people with a big bear hug. What’s a person to do?

First, remember that it is OK to have boundaries. If someone in a work or social situation isn’t giving you enough distance, try saying something like: “Do you mind giving me a little more space, please? Thank you.’’

That’s the recommendation of the Emily Post Institute, a Vermont-based family business that bears the name of the woman synonymous with proper etiquette.

Smile through your mask — don’t say it with a grimace, an article on the institute’s website suggests. “You want to have an upbeat tone to your delivery, no edge whatsoever (think of that person you know who is always upbeat or sounds cheerful).’’

Daniel Post Senning, great-great grandson of Emily Post, author of

several etiquette books (including “Emily Post’s Etiquette — 19th edition’’), and co-host with his cousin, Lizzie Post, of the “Awesome Etiquette’’ podcast, says the institute and its leaders are fielding many questions about navigating what he calls “the reentry period.’’ Many of the questions concern workplace matters and social engagements, like hosting and attending bridal and baby showers.

A big question of the moment is: Are you vaccinated? Inquiring minds want to know but aren’t always sure how to ask. It’s a seemingly simple question, but also one that feels intrusive, in part because of the differences of opinion the pandemic has brought to the surface. Not everyone wants to get vaccinated or sees the benefits of doing so.

“I don’t think it’s a completely unrealistic question to ask someone these days, particularly if there’s a purpose to the question,’’ Senning says. “On the flip side, our health is a private matter. You can ask it with an opt-out for them: ‘I’m curious… I’m wondering if you would be willing to share if you’re vaccinated.’ That’s sort of a formal ask.’’

Krystine Batcho, a professor of psychology at Le Moyne College, says questions regarding vaccination should be asked thoughtfully and respectfully. “I think it should not be such a direct question because of privacy concerns,’’ Batcho says.

“Sharing your own experience can be a way of gathering information. Broach the subject in a collegial way: ‘I care for an elderly family member and it would ease my anxiety to know…’ ” Sgro recommends coming from a place of openness and grace. When speaking with clients, friends and family, he says, he lets them know he has been vaccinated. “I’m forthright about it,’’ he says. “I just got a text from someone saying, ‘I get my second shot next week, so let’s get a cup of coffee after that.’ I don’t think it’s wrong to ask. It’s about safety. It’s about our health.’’

As he does in all business, Sgro advocates a kind, empathetic approach.

One might say: “I’m vaccinated and I would love to see you.’’ Or, when in doubt of vaccination status: “I could meet you outside at XXXX.’’ “It’s always about the how — how we ask,’’ Sgro says.

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55+ theater

Theater Season in Syracuse to Start in the Fall

T

he M&T Bank Broadway Season will resume this fall after more than a year after the theater season was halted in Syracuse because of the pandemic.

According to Famous Artists, the company that brings the shows to Central New York, the season will feature shows like “Hamilton,” winner of 11 Tony Awards including best musical, and “Cats.” Here’s a summary of what’s planned: • Oct. 12-16: “Charlie & The Chocolate Factory”—Roald Dahl’s amazing tale is now Syracuse’s golden ticket! It’s the perfect recipe for a delectable treat: songs from the original film, including “Pure Imagination,” “The Candy Man,” and “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket,” alongside a toe-tapping and ear-tickling new score from the songwriters of “Hairspray.”

• Dec. 7-12: “Waitress”—Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker, dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Pouring her heart into her pies, she crafts desserts

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that mirror her topsy-turvy life such as “The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed by My Eggs Pie.” When a baking contest in a nearby county — and a satisfying encounter with someone new — show Jenna a chance at a fresh start, she must find the courage to seize it. Change is on the menu, as long as Jenna can write her own perfectly personal recipe for happiness.

• March 15-27: “Hamilton”—Based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, the show tells the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s righthand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway, “Hamilton” is the story of America then, as told by America now.

• April 26-30: “Cats”—Audiences and critics alike are rediscovering this

beloved musical with breathtaking music, including one of the most treasured songs in musical theater— ”Memory.” Winner of seven Tony Awards, including best musical, “Cats” tells the story of one magical night when an extraordinary tribe of cats gathers for its annual ball to rejoice and decide which cat will be reborn.

The production features the original score by Andrew Lloyd Webber (“The Phantom of the Opera,” “School of Rock,” “Sunset Boulevard”), original scenic and costume design by John Napier (“Les Misérables”), all-new lighting design by Natasha Katz (“Aladdin”); all-new sound design by Mick Potter; and new choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler (“Hamilton”).

Based on the original choreography

by Gillian Lynne (“Phantom”) and direction by Trevor Nunn (“Les Misérables”), this production is a new “Cats” for a new generation!

Season tickets are on sale now.

Visit BroadwayInSyracuse.com for more information!

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OUR OFFICE LOCATIONS 5112 WEST TAFT ROAD Liverpool • 315-701-2170

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55+ art

Mastering the Art of Stained Glass Self-taught in stained glass making, former SU professor’s art helps assist Symphoria musicians

By Mary Beth Roach

G

rowing up in Essex, England, he loved to draw. Today, Robert Oddy, who turns 77 in June, applies his talents to pieces of glass, crafting them into richly colored stained-glass artworks.

He put his interest in art aside as he prepared for college. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, a master’s in computing and a Ph.D. in information retrieval. He has worked as a computer programmer and taught college in England before accepting a position at Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies in the early 1980s. He resigned in 1997, as he has stated on his website robertoddy. com, to “devote myself to creating stained glass art.”

Within a couple of years of his arrival in Syracuse, he needed to find something to do at home, he said, and he started looking at stained glass, something he still finds a bit ironic.

“It’s funny because I was surrounded by stained glass in England, but it was much older stuff.

Medieval, some of it, and that didn’t really interest me very much.”

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What did pique his interest were works from 19th and early 20th centuries, and he decided to try the craft out.

He purchased a box of scrap glass, some tools and “just played with it,” he said.

Oddy is self-taught in stained glass making, and over the years has studied the techniques of some of the masters in the craft, including Louis Comfort Tiffany.

His studio, located in his home on the east side of Syracuse, is outfitted with two workbenches, a kiln, grinder, a ring saw, along with volumes of reference books. More than three dozen cubbies of various sizes line one wall, neatly filled with pieces of stained glass, and shelves line another wall, with assorted bottles of glass powder and chips.

Several samples of his work are displayed in some of his studio’s windows, and the sunlight pouring in makes the colors even more brilliant.

While he has made smaller pieces, such as lights and ornaments, he prefers working on windows and what

he calls stand-alone panels. He said his work is more representational, as opposed to abstract, often working from photos to create his images.

Since his work, most of which is commission-based, revolves around a client’s desires, he can do an extensive range of subject matter and styles, as his website, bertrobertoddy.com, proves.

Early on, he said, there were times when, upon the installation of the stained-glass window, the owner would host a party and invite people to view it. “We called them ‘window warmings,’” he said.

His works often take several months to complete, but it’s the whole method that Oddy finds enjoyable.

“I love the process itself. I enjoy cutting glass and shaping it,” he said.

Before cutting that first piece of glass, however, Oddy has noted that he sketches out his ideas, works with his clients to arrive at a final design, and decides on form and color. Selecting the glass is one of the most important aspects, he said. As he begins his work, he cuts the glass into various shapes,

Top Three of Robert Oddy’s recent pieces: “Florida,” “Seville,” and “Tree Textures.”

Bottom Oddy stands at his workbench above his piece, “Florida.”

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grinding down each piece to smooth out the edges and soldering pieces together with copper foil. He often adds texture with tiny glass pieces or powder.

Although the glass has degrees of contrast in its composition, Oddy will sometimes enhance shading by painting on the reverse side and then it fuses into the glass while in the kiln.

This piece of equipment has been programmed to heat and cool the glass at the correct temperatures.

Oddy sees a connection between his work in computer programming and what he does now in stained glass.

In the early years of his computing career, he explained, he worked on much simpler machines, on which programming was done at a detailed level.

“What I was doing,” he said, was “building some big-picture kind of thing out of the tiniest details. You have to have the ability to see how the little details would all come together in a big picture. That’s rather similar to making one of these. Bringing together all these details, but I’ve always got in my head the big picture.”

He estimated that he has done 60 to 70 pieces. But, he’s unable to really identify one that he prefers.

“I like different pieces for different reasons, and very often, the most recent one is the favorite,” he said.

However, there is one that is special titled “Symphoria,” which he created about nine years ago in honor of Syracuse’s orchestra.

An ardent supporter of the orchestra, Oddy was upset when the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra filed bankruptcy in 2011. The following year, some of the musicians regrouped and emerged as Symphoria. Oddy wanted to offer his help, so he approached the organization with the idea of making a piece to be raffled off.

“I was very distressed about the bankruptcy,” he said. “I wanted to give them whatever support I could.

And I decided I can actually raise more money doing this raffle prize than I could possibly do by giving them the cash.”

The piece raised about $15,000, he said.

In “Symphoria,” the central figure is a phoenix rising above a vintage scene of downtown Syracuse. As Oddy explains it, “The orchestra’s coming back. It’s coming to life again.”

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Robert Oddy, at his home studio on the east side of Syracuse, explains the work involved in two of his stained glass pieces.

With the ascending phoenix are a timpani, cello, trumpet and horn, a grand piano, and the scrolls from violins. In the bottom right-hand corner of the piece, which, at first glance might look like a fence, is actually a line from the score that Symphoria’s principal pops conductor Sean O’Laughlin wrote for the fanfare of the season. O’Laughlin gave Oddy the first page of the music prior to its debut.

Since Symphoria’s first season, Oddy has donated a prize, either a window or panel or something that the winner commissions, five times.

Most recently, the raffle prizes have included other donations besides Oddy’s art, and Symphoria Pam Murchison estimates that he has helped the organization to raise about $100,000.

“I think that the fact that it’s a friend and a neighbor, a local person, just makes all the difference. Central New York is an incredibly rich region.

People are very talented and very generous. Bob’s work is a great example of that,” Murchison said.

This season’s winner of the piece, titled “Florida,” has decided to give it back to Symphoria, so it could be displayed in a more public place for people to enjoy. Details as to the piece’s new home are being worked out now.

“The winner was so overwhelmed with Bob’s generosity and just really felt like having the piece somewhere where all Symphoria supporters can enjoy it and really take part in Bob’s generosity was the best way to share the piece,” Murchison said.

When the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra reorganized and premiered in 2012 as Symphoria, Robert Oddy created a piece in honor of the new season to be raffled off. Titled “Symphoria,” it raised about $15,000 for the orchestra.

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55+ photography

Kevin Rivoli returned to work at The Auburn Citizen newspaper on Dec. 7, after a near-fatal car accident on Aug. 3.

Photojournalist Kevin Rivoli Captures Ordinary People in Extraordinary Ways Kevin Rivoli returned to The Auburn Citizen after recovering from a devastating car accident

By Ken Sturtz

I

t was a warm summer day when Kevin Rivoli dropped off his two teenage sons at lacrosse practice and turned to head home.

Driving down a country road a short time later, he noticed a teenager in an oncoming car signaling to turn at an intersection. Suddenly, the driver began turning into Rivoli’s path.

“I tried to veer to avoid him and he just kept coming,” Rivoli said.

The vehicle T-boned Rivoli’s car on the driver side and smashed into it with enough force to push the car

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off the road, down an embankment and into a deep ditch. Rivoli, who was wearing his seat belt, was thrown around like a rag doll by the initial impact and then again when his car landed at the bottom of the ditch.

“So, my car basically exploded right around me,” he said. “The airbags went off, all that stuff.”

He banged up both knees and an elbow. The airbag cut him up and the seat belt left painful marks across his chest. There were a few broken ribs too. But, the worst was his lower

back. The accident occurred in early August. He underwent back surgery weeks later, but was able to put off a knee operation.

In a photojournalism career spanning three decades, Rivoli, 60, of Auburn, had covered countless car crashes, but this was different. For several days after the accident he felt stunned and struggled to fully wrap his head around what had happened.

“I didn’t think about my career coming to an end until I was recuperating from the back surgery

and it was a tougher recuperation than I thought it would be,” Rivoli said.

“And that was very upsetting to me.”

Rivoli enjoyed a long and distinguished career. His work appeared in national publications.

The National Press Photographers Association named him Photographer of the Year in the New York/ International Region five times. And yet, a career as a photographer was something he hadn’t considered earlier in life.

He took a photography class in high school, but never entertained pursuing photography. He studied physical education at SUNY Cortland, but after graduating moved around and worked odd jobs to make ends meet. He tended bar, waited tables, worked at a bank, sold insurance and took a job at a computer store.

“A job’s a job,” he said. “I just wasn’t happy with anything I was doing.”

He was living in New England when a lightbulb in his head went off one day while watching a football game on television. He noticed the sports photographers on the sidelines.

What a great, easy way to make a living, he thought.

He eventually found a how-to photography book, bought a Minolta X700 and began teaching himself the fundamentals of photography. He convinced a small weekly newspaper to publish some of his sports photos for free. That led to paying assignments and eventually a full-time job as a photographer at a weekly newspaper.

Rivoli was still very green to the news business in the late 1980s when he landed a position at The Auburn Citizen. The photography director there schooled him on many of the finer points of photography. At first, all Rivoli wanted to shoot was sports, but he soon became interested in telling stories of ordinary people doing ordinary things, captured in an extraordinary way.

After eight years with The Citizen, Rivoli spent five years as assistant photo editor for The Democrat and Chronicle in Rochester. Next, he spent 14 years working as a contract photographer in Upstate New York, mainly for The Associated Press, The New York Times and USA Today.

“I’ve been blessed to work with a lot of talented photographers, but pound for pound he’s probably the best

Saying it with Photos Kevin Rivoli, a photographer with The Citizen in Auburn has been working in photography for a long time. The National Press Photographers Association named him Photographer of the Year in the New York/International Region five times. Here is a sample of some of his photos.

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I’ve worked with,” said Gary Piccirillo, a longtime friend and colleague. “He’s got this ability to see what the rest of us can’t. There’s something unique and different about his vision.”

In 2008, Rivoli released “In Search of Norman Rockwell’s America,” a photo book two decades in the making.

An admitted “small-town America guy” and longtime fan of Rockwell’s work, Rivoli painstakingly captured photos similar to many of the artist’s iconic paintings.

“The book juxtaposed my images with Rockwell’s images, proving the point that the America that Rockwell painted still exists today,” he said.

“You just have to kind of look for it.”

Rivoli’s work was also part of a traveling gallery exhibit that placed a few dozen of his photographs side by side with Rockwell’s original paintings. The exhibit spent two years crisscrossing the United States and was featured in Japan.

Although he enjoyed his job, Rivoli’s contract and freelance work disappeared almost overnight when the Great Recession hit. It took several years to recover from the setback, but he went to work for Syracuse.com, shooting video and photos. In 2016, he returned to The Citizen as staff photographer covering life for Cayuga County’s 80,000 residents.

“We’ve been just so blessed to have him here,” said Jeremy Boyer, executive editor of The Citizen. “A photographer of his talent, they come along very rarely.”

When they discussed the job, Boyer said Rivoli, who lives in Auburn, wanted to return to being a daily news photographer and have more time to spend with his family. Boyer readily agreed. He said the combination of Rivoli’s experience, talent and determination are invaluable.

“He loves what he does and that really rubs off on everyone here,” Boyer said.

Rivoli has continued to practice his unique photographic style, capturing ordinary people in extraordinary ways.

His photographs are routinely featured on the newspaper ’s front page.

“It’s really just a tremendous place to live and work,” he said. “I’m always able to find an interesting face or story.”

Such was the case in late February 26

55 PLUS - June - July 2021

“My career in longevity may be on the downslope, but I’m basically at the peak of my game right now.”

Photographer Kevin Rivoli

2020. Rivoli was sent to cover a press conference concerning the power struggle between rival factions of the Cayuga Nation. He expected it to be over quickly and then he’d head to Onondaga Community College to cover the boys’ basketball playoffs. But after the event the two factions clashed and Rivoli sprinted toward the melee.

“I was also in the midst of 30 or 40 men on each side throwing haymakers,” he said.

While shooting photos, Rivoli was pepper-sprayed in the face. Blinded, he stumbled away. Once he repeatedly flushed his eyes with bottled water, he could see enough to continue snapping photographs. Afterward he called his editor to alert him to what had happened. He drove home, filed his photos and then headed off to cover the boys’ basketball playoffs.

As the world plunged into the pandemic last year, Rivoli began to view himself as part photojournalist and part historian. He said every photo he’s taken has been with a historical perspective in the back of his mind.

The masks, the separation, the death, the new ways to celebrate life and stay sane.

“Every photo I take is a record that will live long after I’m gone, especially with COVID,” he said. “It’s been a really sad year, but a very powerful year of pictures.”

After his accident and surgery Rivoli’s focus shifted from the pandemic to recovering from his injuries.

“I really didn’t anticipate the recovery to be as tough as it was,” he said. “I was in a lot of pain after surgery.”

At home with his wife and children, Rivoli slowly began to heal.

But, he soon realized he was never going to be as fit as before the accident.

The life of a photojournalist is more physically taxing than people might

imagine. Rivoli routinely totes at least 20 pounds of equipment. Depending on the assignment there could be squatting, climbing or running. Once while photographing a Syracuse University basketball game, 6-foot-9inch Rakeem Christmas accidentally landed on top of Rivoli, knocking him on his back.

Rivoli said he’s had to learn to live with a certain amount of pain and discomfort from the time he wakes up until he goes to bed. Despite the challenges, he said he decided “to make lemonade out of lemons.” If he wanted to continue working, from now on he’d have to be smarter and more efficient in his work and focus on taking care of his body.

“It did take a lot of wind out of me definitely,” he said. “I’m nowhere near a 100 percent.”

In early December, after four months, Rivoli returned to work at The Citizen. Since returning to work Rivoli has learned to adapt to physically challenging situations. And he’s refocused on his health, riding an exercise bike daily as well as lifting weights and trying to watch what he eats. The steps he’s taking to safeguard his health and extend his career expose a paradox in Rivoli’s professional life.

“My career in longevity may be on the downslope, but I’m basically at the peak of my game right now,” he said. “I’ve made, in my opinion, some of the best pictures over the last couple of years that I’ve made in my whole career.”

He said the reason is simple: he has so much life experience to draw upon. He views his age as an asset when it comes to documenting the world around him. He’s able to communicate with people of all ages and backgrounds, which leads to better photos. When he shoots an assignment, he already knows how the light will fall on a subject’s face or whether a wide-angle lens will better capture the moment.

While his career will end someday, as all careers inevitably do, Rivoli said retirement hasn’t crossed his mind and he’d like to keep taking photographs into his 80s or 90s; he can’t imagine doing anything else.

“My goal is to work as long as I can,” he said. “I love what I do so much that it’s not work to me. It’s a lifestyle to me.”

golden years

By Harold Miller

Email: hmiller@mcsmms.com

Florida: Best State of All Why is everyone migrating here?

A

s I write this in my den in Florida, overlooking a new cluster of condominiums being built across the way from our building that sits on the beach, I reminisce about how things were 50 years ago when we discovered Florida.

Half a century ago, South Florida was little more than a big sandbar with miles of sandy beach peppered by towns along the way like Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and other winter hideaways for the wealthy. The cities were created mostly by Henry Flagler, who was a partner of John D. Rockefeller during that period (read: “The Last Train from Paradise”).

Wa l t D i s n e y w a s m o s t l y responsible for populating Florida by bringing upper middle-class families (like ours at that time) to Disney World, which opened in 1971. We packed up the kids in our station wagon and trundled down to Orlando and marveled at the fantasy that was Disney World. After a couple of days with Mickey and Minnie and Pluto (who scared my son, Chris) we toured South Florida with our gang. They swam in the ocean, rode the waves and fell in love with this paradise.

Wife Janet’s brother, Dick Hirsh, had discovered Juno by the Sea, a few miles north of Palm Beach a year before and invited us to Christmas dinner at his apartment on the ocean. He told me that there were a couple of units that had not been sold. Next day I met with the real estate agent. She showed me how we could buy the beautiful apartment, with a balcony overlooking the ocean, and pay the mortgage by renting the place during the season (Christmas to Easter) and have the rest of the time for our usage. I bought it on the spot for $36,000. Today, that

property is worth more than $1 million.

Today, New Yorkers are migrating to Florida in overwhelming numbers.

Last year, Palm Beach County, where we live half the year, saw more than a million people, most of them retired, sell their homes, pack up their goods and move to Palm Beach County and many other locations in the Sunshine State. This mass migration has caused Florida to frog leap over New York state as the third most populous state. The people are doing so, mostly to escape the high taxes, lower their cost of living and gain the warm and sunny climate, New York City is emptying its office building tenants in lieu of the rioting and plundering going on.

Manhattan is moving to Miami. The people who pay the taxes are heading south leaving New York with a big hole in its budget. So far, the governor’s solution is to raise taxes higher. New York is rapidly overcoming California as the most tax unfriendly state in the union.

It all has to do with management.

As President Harry Truman once said, “The buck stops here.” Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis has managed the pandemic much better than Gov. Andrew Cuomo has. DeSantis has kept business open (still Florida is among the lowest in percentage of COVID-19 cases). Most of our favorite restaurants have stayed open (with required spacing). Many schools in South Florida — about half — are charter schools which stayed open, and hospitals functioned well under the circumstances. Most workers are not on the dole so there is far less upset for being stuck at home. Most importantly, we were among the earliest to get our vaccine. Publix Supermarkets has stores with pharmacies in practically

every town and city in Florida and they efficiently handled their millions of customers and all others who complied.

DeSantis might be a candidate for president next time around. He certainly has proven that he can get the job done. There are a lot of cities, particularly along the Pacific Coast, whose downtown stores and businesses have been plundered and their owners have deserted them for friendlier places. One of the friendlier places is Florida where business is booming and there are virtually no signs of the terrible upheavals our country has experienced elsewhere.

This did not happen by accident.

Through the years the leaders and builders of this great state of Florida have cultured a population of people from every place in the Western hemisphere and every place in the world. People who love the climate, love the beauty, love the freedom and love their neighbors.

Perhaps you should start packing up before there is no space left.

Editor’s Note: Harold Miller lives half of the year in Auburn, New York.

June - July 2021 - 55 PLUS

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55+ cover

Triathletes Aren’t Slowing Down They say with proper training and diet, you can compete well into your ‘golden years’

By Aaron Gifford

C

all them “Tri-guys,” but with four distinct seasons in Central New York, these four men are not limited to running, swimming and biking.

They have had to use their imaginations to find new ways to stay fit and cross-train regardless of bad weather conditions and closures. Keeping morale up during the year-plus pandemic that saw all competitions canceled has not been easy, but they found ways to remain engaged and focused as they get back in the game this summer.

“I’m not sure if triathlete is the right word for the men and women who are still involved with this,” said Kevin Maier, a competitor from Manlius. “You can also call us high-

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achieving problem solvers who like unknowns.”

Here are their stories:

Kevin Maier

“Now I’m at the right end of my age group” Kevin Maier, 65, was a different type of three-sport athlete growing up: football, basketball and baseball.

The Liverpool native continued to play football at the University of Rochester under legendary coach Pat Stark. Maier then launched his career in the sports industry, selling gear and uniforms to youth, scholastic and professional teams, including the Buffalo Bills. After

college, he remained active by playing softball and racquetball. He missed the intensity of the gridiron and gravitated to more physically challenging contests like 10K runs before entering his first triathlon in 1986.

“My shoelaces kept getting wrapped around the pedals and I got off the bike twice,” Maier recalled.

“But, I fell in love with it.”

Thirty-five years later, Maier tallied more than 130 events. At 50, he did the Ironman competition in Lake Placid, completing the 140-mile race in less than 12 hours. At 61, he finished third in his age group (60-64) at the world-level event in Canada. He retired from his full-time job in 2018.

As Maier was interviewed just before his birthday this spring, he was excited

other physical activities he enjoys that benefit his fitness, such as skiing.

Maier said he maintains a reasonable diet to stay in shape for competitions and has not had to give up his favorite foods permanently.

After Thanksgiving his eating habits become much regimented, with the main focus on consuming less sugar and more fruits and vegetables.

Maier ’s advice to older adults who are thinking about attempting a triathlon: Go for it!

“I have not met anyone who said they regretted it,” he said. “Not even the few that just did one and were done. There’s a lot of support out there to get into this at your own pace. You can get by without a lot of work as long as you are maintaining a basic fitness level.”

Larry Krieger

“You are racing against your own demons in your head”

In his youth, Kevin Maier played basketball, football, and baseball. In retirement, Ironman competitions and triathlons are what keep him active.

about turning 65.

“Now I’m at the right end of my age group,” he said.

Still, the competition in the 65-69 age group will not be easy, especially this year. Many of his competitors from the southern states have been running and biking all winter, Maier said, “while I’ve been shoveling snow.”

During the pandemic, Maier and his wife spent their 2020 vacation money on an elliptical machine and a rowing machine. Their daughter, Natalie, 27, also became a triathlete.

They do strength training and yoga at home and ski in the winter. Maier regularly reserved one lane at a local pool where he and three of his peers practiced their freestyle strokes. In early June, they put on their wet suits

and swam in Cazenovia Lake. During the colder months, they connected on their stationary bikes for Zoom meetings.

It’s not unusual for Maier to finish neck-and-neck with his friends and training partners in competitions, whether local or national.

“There have been times when me and Larry (Krieger) finish second and third place overall,” Maier said. “I’m happy if he beats me and he’s happy if I beat him. The most important thing is that we push each other.”

Maier estimates that, during the pandemic, he spent about 10 hours per week training during the winter months and up to 20 hours a week during the summer. That is specifically for triathlons and does not include

Larry Krieger got his inspiration from two women: His sister, Lois, and Julie Moss, who became famous for crawling across the finish line in a televised triathlon in 1982. Nearly 40 years later, Krieger, now 63, prefers to complete in events where those who cross the finish line are considered not just finishers, but survivors.

The New Jersey native was in his first year of medical school when he and Lois, still motivated by Moss, signed up for a half Ironman event at the Jersey Shore. Lois changed her mind shortly before the competition and cheered her brother on from the sidelines instead.

“It was an eye-opening experience,” Krieger said. “I was happy just to finish.”

After that, both siblings participated in triathlon events, including Iron Man races. Throughout the mid-1980s they did 15-16 competitions per year.

Krieger, an ear surgeon, was able to train about 20-25 hours a week all through medical school and brought his passion for the sport with him to Syracuse.

Krieger’s favorite race when he began the sport is still his top choice today: The SOS triathlon in New Paltz.

It’s an eight-stage wilderness race that, June - July 2021 - 55 PLUS

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Larry Krieger, an ear surgeon, likes to complete in events where those who cross the finish line are considered not just finishers, but survivors. His favorite event is the SOS Triathlon in New Paltz; “The toughest athlete gets reduced to tears,” he says.

unlike traditional tri-events, does not start with the swim. The first stage is a 30-mile bike race that features a combination of flat roads, rolling hills and a climb into the mountains. Stage 2 is a 4.5-mile run. That’s followed by a 1.1-mile swim, which precedes a 5.5-mile run. Then there’s another halfmile swim, followed by an eight-mile run. Stage 7 is the last half-mile swim.

The final 0.7-mile run is entirely uphill.

“You are racing against your own demons in your head,” Krieger said.

“The toughest athlete gets reduced to tears.”

The race is limited to 150 participants, but, because of the danger level, requires more than 300 volunteers. Krieger has done this event 30 times, more than anyone else in the world. In 1990, his first-place finish was televised on ESPN. Lois also loved this race. She fought a long battle with cancer and completed her last SOS event past the age of 50 before she succumbed to the disease.

“It’s definitely a motivator for me to keep doing this race,” Krieger said.

Krieger cross-trains by doing tae kwon do, cross-country skiing and dog obedience training. “I compete with my dogs,” he said. In 2012, Krieger was sidelined from training and competitions for about six months after a flu vaccination gone wrong left him partially, but temporarily, paralyzed.

He eventually returned to full strength.

He became a triathlete in 2000, at the age of 53. He was a runner and first flirted with the idea of the multi-faceted competitions in the 1980s, after seeing a televised race on Wide World of Sports. Photo provided.

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Krieger’s drive and perseverance is uncanny. But, he does not recommend others to take the same approach: There is a difference between an enthusiast, and a fanatic.

“Train hard if you can, but take it in stride and enjoy it,” he said. “But be careful. Don’t let it take over your life.”

Rich O’Neil

‘Ease into it very carefully...and don’t go it alone.’

At 73, Rich O’Neil is the oldest of the bunch, but he’s not the most tenured. He became a triathlete in 2000, at the age of 53. He was a runner and first flirted with the idea of the multifaceted competitions in the 1980s, after seeing a televised race on Wide World of Sports, but still could not imagine ever finishing something that grueling.

As they rang in the millennium during a New Year ’s Eve party, friends pressured O’Neil to make that resolution and give triathlons a try.

He pushed back, but the peer pressure placed on him was too strong.

“But I don’t have a wet suit,” he recalled saying at the time. “Then they said, we’ll loan you one. “I don’t have a road bike. Then someone else popped in — ‘I’ll loan you mine.’ I guess all of the stars came together.”

His first triathlon was in Elmira.

He got two flat tires and didn’t finish.

By then he already had two marathons under his belt and he refused to abandon the New Year’s resolution.

In his next attempt, he qualified for the world-level competition in Hawaii.

Two decades later, his resume includes 80 triathlons. Twenty-two of those were Ironman competitions (he finished 18 of the 22).

Over time, O’Neil prioritized triathlons over marathon foot races because the cross-training with biking and swimming alleviated some of the stress on his knees caused by so much running. He also got into weight lifting. He still participates in shorter foot races in the Syracuse area, typically 5 or 10ks, as way to supplement his speed training.

O’Neil, who still works full-time as an engineer with a department of transportation, continued his training routine as if none of the races

were canceled. On a warm weekend afternoon, for example, he would ride 50 to 80 miles on his bike and run five miles. He makes his return to competition at the Eagle Man event, scheduled for June 13 in Cambridge, Maryland.

Before COVID-19, O’Neil completed an Ironman event in the 70-74 age group in 2019. There were only six others in that division. “It falls off rapidly,” he said. Next year, O’Neil will be the “young pup” in the 75-79 group.

The years bring more aches and pains, and the training gets increasingly difficult. O’Neil still trains with others who are a decade or more his junior.

Sometimes he keeps up; sometimes the others have to circle back to him.

O’Neil still loves the sport and cannot imagine walking away from it any time soon. He considers himself lucky to have avoided any major injuries.

He keeps his weight down and, most importantly, if he has any pain, he gets appropriate rest.

“I don’t try to run through it,” he said.

O’Neil’s advice to other older adults who are thinking about giving the sport a try is two-fold: Ease into it very carefully. And don’t go it alone.

Take advantage of the Central New York Triathlon Club.

“Make sure you can swim. Then, get into a spin class for an hour or two to see how you like it (bike training).

Start with a shorter race and make sure you like it. But most of all you really need to join the triathlon club and see what’s involved. They will give you the encouragement. The longer distances you go, the more help you need.”

Mark Person

‘It’s not about trying to keep up with the 30-year olds. It’s about how well you can beat yourself.’

Mark Person’s advice to everyone, regardless of their situation, is: Be the best version of your aging self that you can be.

He remembers this daily. The 62-year-old Syracuse resident grew up on a dairy farm in Northern Illinois, where hard work was the norm. He

was a four-sport athlete in high school who played football in college.

“When I first did track, I chose the shot put because I did not like running without a ball in my hands,” he recalled. But there is something in Person’s genes about time and distance. Both of his grandmothers lived to be 101. He dreams about someday being the 90-year-old guy at the podium who finishes an Ironman race.

A t M a n c h e s t e r U n i v e r s i t y, Person’s buddies on the cross-country team encouraged him to try running.

He took their advice, ran 60 miles a week and dropped 30 pounds. He was invigorated by this experience and never looked back, finishing a 5k race in 15 minutes flat and running a mile in less than five minutes. He always enjoyed swimming and biking but never thought to try the combined events until he turned 56 years old. At first, triathlon training and competition did not come as easy to Person as foot races did. He suffered injuries during his first two years of training and could not enter the races he had prepared for.

He persevered in 2019, finishing the sprint triathlon race in Delta Lake, New York, qualifying for the national competition in his first attempt. The same year he finished fourth in his age group in the Cazenovia Triathlon.

Person, a vice principal at Christian Brothers Academy in DeWitt, is a fierce competitor who cannot stand to lose to anyone his age or older. When the pandemic hit, he found himself with more time to train. He does dry-land swimming by attaching tension chords to his arms and legs, tallying 1,500 strokes per session. He also has a stationary bike with an online screen that simulates rides through the Swiss Alps and other scenic, but difficult terrains throughout the world. And he runs outside year-round.

Last summer, Person did a practice half Ironman (70.3 miles) in hilly terrain between Jamesville and Pompey in less than six hours. His return to competition this year will start with the Green Lakes sprint triathlon in late June. A national-level event in Wisconsin is scheduled for August.

Person said he feels great, but he has had his fair share of wear and tear, including injuries to both knees.

He has pins and wires in his right leg after 90 percent of his hamstring ripped. A post-surgery infection to one

Mark Person’s advice to everyone, regardless: Be the best version of your aging self that you can be. He dreams about someday being the 90-year-old guy at the podium who finishes an Ironman race. He pays attention to his diet. “I haven’t put a quarter in a vending machine since I was 25 years old,” he says. Photo provided.

knee during the winter kept him out of the pool and off the bike for about a month. He’s persevered by using running shoes with thicker cushions that absorb some of the pounding on his feet and legs. And he follows a very strict keto diet aimed at maintaining 16 percent body fat.

“I haven’t put a quarter in a vending machine since I was 25 years old,” Person said.

His advice to those thinking about trying a triathlon or at least the training is the same thing he tells himself every day: Be the best version of your aging self.

“If you’re gonna live life to the fullest, why not move around and set goals? It’s not about trying to keep up with the 30-year-olds. It’s about how well you can beat yourself.”

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55+ divorce

The Price of a Divorce: Much Less Retirement Income Study shows divorced people have seven times less in their retirement accounts than married people

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

T

he saying “Two can live as cheaply as one” holds merit in several areas of finances.

Consolidating two households into one can reduce many expenses and provide discounts on things like auto insurance.

Divorce can bring the opposite effect, as each spouse must pay for previously shared expenses. These extra expenses can negatively effect retirement funding as divorcing people must not only pay for the one-time expenses of parting ways—primarily moving, setting up a new household, and the divorce itself—but also the ongoing expenses of their own housing, utility and insurance expenses.

They also lose the value of any unpaid services their spouse provided, such as childcare, housekeeping, household repairs and maintenance, lawn care and snow removal and must split assets and possibly pay alimony.

According to a report on www. magnifymoney.com that analyzes Federal Reserve data: 32

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• 23% more divorced people have no money in retirement accounts compared with married people.

• On average, divorced people have seven times less in their retirement accounts than married people — $15,083 compared to $107,011.

• Of those who are short on retirement funds, divorced people believe they are 75% short, on average of what they need, while married people believe they are 34% short.

“Divorce and disability are the two greatest destroyers of financial capital,” said Randy L. Zeigler, certified financial planner and private wealth adviser with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, in Oswego. “Married couples often generate two incomes and it is not much more expensive to support two people in living costs than it is to support one person.”

Younger couples divorcing have more time to ramp up their savings strategies to retire comfortably; however, divorce in one’s 50s means less time to recoup those losses before

retirement.

“I suggest that it is much less expensive to seek competent marriage counseling to work through the marital problems, assuming both parties are willing to do that, than it is to file for divorce,” Zeigler said.

For a couple considering divorce, Heather Youngman, partner at Tully Rinckey in Syracuse, said that a postnuptial agreement may help protect assets and maybe reconciliation.

“It’s like a pre-nup but done after the marriage,” she said. “They’re opting out of the rules in New York state as to how the assets are divided.

There’s less leverage with a post-nup.

It’s more like, ‘Let’s work this out and stay married.’ More moneyed spouses who haven’t been married long would be interested in getting this or agreeing to it.”

Otherwise, anything acquired during a marriage is subject to division—including retirement savings, regardless of who earned them. Youngman said that it is often 50/50. However, the court focuses on what is equitable, such as more money going to a spouse with a disability or more assets allocated to the stay-athome parent.

Once a divorce is filed, spouses may not move their assets, such as draining a retirement account or the court “can try to even the playing field,” Youngman said. “The court won’t be happy with bad faith acts.”

Anything an employer or employee contributes to a retirement plan is off the table; however, the court will take into consideration fluctuations in market investments.

She advises meeting with a financial expert as well as an attorney.

Like most financial advisers, Jennifer Lovell, certified divorce financial analyst at Firley, Moran, Freer & Eassa, CPA, PC, in Liverpool, advises people to ramp up their contributions to their employment-based retirement accounts to make up for post-divorce shortfalls.

“Speak with the human resources contact or an adviser,” Lovell said.

“Ask them what the company’s contribution is and what you need to do to receive 100% of that. Ask about what other wealth accumulation benefits are available.”

Whether the savings vehicle is a traditional 401k or IRA, which are taxed upon withdrawal, or a Roth

plan, where tax comes out before deposit, depends on an individual’s circumstances.

Reassessing retirement goals and current living standards can also help make progress towards saving enough for retirement. That should lead to a new spending plan that allocates more towards retirement savings and maximizing any workplace contribution.

“Maybe the money you spend, like buying coffee every day, you’ll look at it differently because you want that great vacation or whatever your plan is for retirement,” Lovell said. “Is what you spent your money on bringing you more joy?”

Paying off debt will also free up more funds to go toward retirement as well as reducing the amount of money going out once retirement commences.

To help pay off debts, cut back on superfluous expenses like dining out, vacations, “toys” and unnecessary professional services should be the first step. Look for less costly means of acquiring necessary professional services, like a less expensive salon or barber. Buy fewer prepackaged

foods and freeze clothing spending for a while. Cancel subscriptions and services you may not often use such as the landline phone and cable television. (If you already have highspeed internet access, streaming services are much less expensive than cable).

Sell any assets no longer useful to generate more money to invest in retirement funds.

Bringing in more income with a side gig is popular, from selling online to ride sharing; however, simply working longer can provide long-term benefits.

“While you’re working, you’re paying into Social Security and so is your employer,” Lovell said. “What a lot of people don’t think about is that your full retirement is 67 to get the full amount we put in.”

Reevaluate your goals. If your children are grown and you would downsize in a few years anyway, letting go of the family home—and its costly upkeep—may be a smart option.

“We know life is never going to be the same,” Lovell said. “Maybe keeping that family house doesn’t

Financial planner Randy Zeigler: “It is much less expensive to seek competent marriage counseling to work through the marital problems than it is to file for divorce.”

make the situation any different.

A lot of individuals are looking at renting in retirement. There’s a lot of maintenance that retirees don’t want to have to deal with.”

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aging

By Marilyn L. Pinsky

Why Should We Care About Climate Change?

D

You can play a big part to fight climate change

o you know the expression, “the teachable moment?” When something that didn’t make sense before, suddenly seems clear as day?

In just the last year, the Texas snowstorm, the wildfires out west, the increase in floods, have all been teachable moments for many of us about the effects of climate change.

My recent college graduate granddaughter, Sophie Craig, and I were both feeling badly that we hadn’t

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taken climate change seriously before this year. She wondered “how could I have gone through four years of college and never given thought to the most serious thing that will impact my generation?”

Sophie’s eyes were opened by new friends who had studied the subject and showed her facts that convinced her of the need to take action.

Mine were opened by a book I read, “Ministry of the Future,” which scared the daylights out of me. I felt that I needed to share my late to the table panic, and asked Sophie what she thought I could write that would get across the sense of urgency that she and I were both feeling?

“I’d say you definitely need to talk about what the world is going to look like if we don’t change our ways. Also, that we are doing this for future generations that haven’t even been thought about yet. For myself,” said Sophie. “I would like my grandchildren to live in a world similar to mine. Maybe not all the war, negativity or mental health issues, but definitely a world where we don’t have to wear gas masks and can drink the tap water.”

What follows is my attempt to

do that.

For more than 17 years, I have been receiving information from Dr. Rhea Jezer about a conference she organizes, the “Symposium on Energy in the 21st.

Century.” A faculty member at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, she is known for being a leader in the state on climate change advocacy.

I asked her how to explain an extremely complex problem and make it understandable enough to get people like me to take action.

“We all live in a bubble,” explained Jezer. “Because of the way our earth is formed, there is an impenetrable layer around us; when we put pollution into the atmosphere, it doesn’t go away. Ultimately, the same air that Moses breathed is the same air that we are breathing. The layer gets thicker and the rays of sun that could penetrate in, can’t be released because the bubble is getting thicker. It is very important to know that when there are major fires anywhere on the planet, like in Australia or Brazil, we are affected locally. It all depends which way the wind is blowing and that is something we can’t control.”

In my recent reading about climate change, it sounds like it is already too late to avoid disaster. “I don’t like to look at it that way,” replied Jezer. “Remember the acid rain that killed all the fish in the Adirondacks? That problem was solved through political action. By changing the level of smokestacks from coal-burning manufacturing plants hundreds of miles away in the Midwest, their polluting emissions no longer fell into the Adirondacks. And locally, look at Onondaga Lake. We didn’t think it was possible to clean up generations of pollution, but through political advocacy, action was taken and soon people will be swimming

and fishing in it again.”

There are many issues that are being addressed to counter climate change, such as solar, wind energy and geothermal. One major issue being worked on in the legislature today is the transportation sector. Thirty six percent of New York State’s emissions into the bubble is from transportation and that is because we are using dirty fuels in our buses and trucks. New York State has set a goal to get to zero emissions and is working towards a plan to get there. As old, dirty-fuel buses get retired, and new buses are purchased, there are bills in the legislature requiring that all public transportation, including school buses, change over to electric.

For years our government has been subsidizing gas companies but unlike other countries, we have put very little toward renewable energies. Coming up in future legislative sessions will be bills that require the purchase of clean transportation vehicles, including the thousands of school buses that are purchased annually and in those bills will be funding to incentivize school districts to be able to afford to make that change.

And here is where we can make a difference as ordinary citizens.

“If we all work together to make sure our elected representatives know how we feel about climate change, about clean energy, we can have a huge impact,” Jezer said. “In addition to writing, emailing and/or calling state and federal representatives, we can also encourage our local municipalities to convert their fleets to electric. If our elected officials start getting a lot of correspondence that lets them know their constituents are concerned about climate change, and in this case, specifically converting their fleets to electric when replacing older vehicles, it gets their attention. A most important way to minimize climate change is for legislators to actively support the change to renewable energy.”

To find your state representatives online: https://nyassembly.gov/ mem/ and www.nysenate.gov/ contact Locally, put your town village name and state into your browser and information will come up to reach the supervisor or mayor by mail or email.

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55+ jobs

Out of Work?

Try These Tips Experts offer suggestions to help you land the perfect job

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

If you’re 55 or older and looking for work, you may find your search more challenging than you had imagined. Try these tips from area experts to improve your chances: Tips from Laura Thorne, Owner, Laura Thorne Consulting, Syracuse • “When I talk with job seekers, the first thing they’re concerned with is their age and how they’re perceived.

I tell them if that’s their concern, I equally hear from young people who think they’re not experienced enough.

If you’re concerned about a workplace seeing you as too old or a place having ageism, maybe it’s not a place you want to work. Change the script in your own mind. You’re not old; in some cases, you’re over-qualified. Focus on what you can bring to the table that a young person doesn’t bring.

• “Get your LinkedIn page up and going. That’s where you can highlight the great stuff you do and your unique philosophy. Don’t put up a carbon copy of your resume. Highlight your strengths. LinkedIn is a great place 36

55 PLUS - June - July 2021

to follow the companies you want to work for and project you’re working on. You can focus on the company.

• “Keep your resume to one page.

If you can’t sell them on one page, you can’t sell them on two.

• “If you haven’t worked in a while, explain your gaps. If you did side projects, even unpaid, put that on there. I find it’s better to put things in chronological order rather than shift it around and try to fool them. Keep it in an organized order. If you had a business fail, recognize the strength you have and what you learned from it. You can explain it in the interview.

• “If you were a stay-at-home mom, explain any side business you ran during those years or volunteering.

Find a woman-owned company. Look at the values of the company. Are there other moms who work there? Have conversations with people at those companies.”

Tips from Carol R. Fletcher, president & owner, C.R. Fletcher Associates, Inc., Syracuse • “Keep up on tech and computer skills. Stay current, whether you’re in IT, sales or administrative. It’s really critical.

• “Don’t be afraid to tell them how long you’re going to work before retirement. You don’t know if they think you’ll work two years and leave.

• “Tell them you’re able to be flexible. The younger age bracket has to work from home if they have kids at home. If you’re 55 and older, you typically don’t have young children at home.

• “Certificates you’ve earned lately should always be on the resume. Stay up on what’s going on in your industry. Mention any recently attended conferences and anything you’ve done to further your learning experience after college.

• “Ask people in the younger generation where they found their job online.

• “After you get an interview, and let’s say it’s Zoom, dress professionally.

Don’t sit in your kitchen with a

sweatshirt on. It’s not the right way to portray yourself. Eliminate outside noises.

• “Use every resource but approach it as it you’re going onsite to a potential employer. Always follow up with a thank-you or email immediately. Make sure you get the person’s name, title and always mention something about the company specific to what they do. It shows you did research on the

organization.

• “If you are looking for a job word-of-mouth, whoever you talk with, make sure you can trust them because you don’t want it all over the street that you’re looking for a position.

Ask people about their work and how they got that job. Show interest in people. They may say, ‘We have an opening in our company. Would you like an introduction?”

• “If someone calls you on a position and it’s not what you want, be professional. You never know although that position isn’t for you, you could have one down the road that you do want.

• “Do not blow yourself out of the market by doubling the salary, asking for $200,000 when you are making $100,000. They ask for a range and a lot of people place themselves outside the market. Get the offer on the table and you can always go back and negotiate.

If they offer $100,000 and you want $125,000, say you want an increase. Set the right expectations.”

Tips from Barbara H. Stone, president, Build Your Path, LLC, Baldwinsville.

• “Networking is your net worth.

Throughout my career, I never had to put my resume out. People knew me. LinkedIn is part of networking, along with Slack communities, and More Good Jobs, an app that’s really connecting. People over 55 need to really tap into their network of people.

• “As you get older, it’s really about selling your skills and the value you bring. Be passionate and sell your value and talents. There’s nothing wrong with saying, ‘This is what I’m after; this is what I’m looking for.’

• “Find a handout on behavioral type questions. A lot of times, people are going to ask things like, ‘Tell me about when you led a team and they had a roadblock. Tell me about how you dealt with that.’ instead of ‘Tell me your greatest strength.’ They have a STAR formation: Situation, Task at hand, Actions, Results.

• “You really need to know your

resume and what you’ve accomplished.

You need to know your transferable and adaptable skills.

• “Make sure your resume has something you could quantify as to the results: I reduced inventory by 25% by doing so or I reduced safety instances by 30% by doing thus and so. They

want to see the value that you brought and contributed.

• “Remove early, unrelated employment from your resume as long as it doesn’t show any gaps.

• “Title and companies should be a brief blurb and then bullet points on accomplishments. If you can, quantify any significant contributions.

• “Eliminate any skills that aren’t part of the times; that might date you like WordPerfect or things everyone knows or that don’t relate to the industry.

• “Your appearance is about knowing your environment. Know the industry you’re dressing for.

• “Know you’re not 30 anymore.

It’s okay. Don’t pretend to be something that you’re not. Be authentic.

• “It doesn’t matter how old you are; you can still learn and contribute to the company and key is to be impactful. You want to bring value.”

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55+ careers

Encore Careers

Facing — or maybe regretting — your retirement?

It is not too late to do something different

Robin Mack stands at the register of her Sweet Dream Candy Shoppe, which she opened at 55 years old.

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

W

orking for yourself can be a good way to do something different later in life. That is how two Baldwinsville women shifted gears.

Here are their stories.

Robin Mack, owner of Sweet Dream Candy Shoppe Mack’s serpentine route to entrepreneurship began when she earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Nazareth College followed by a short stint as a circulation manager at a magazine. She earned a nursing degree at Onondaga Community College and spent 20 years working as a nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Auburn Community Hospital. But her biggest career switch was yet to come. In 2018, she discovered that she wanted to open a candy shop.

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She loved the small mom-andpop shops in Baldwinsville and wanted to open a store featuring a mix of nostalgic penny candy in jars, children’s favorites, chocolates and other sophisticated treats.

She thought she could make the business work but she realized that she could not rely upon walk-in business alone. Supplying weddings and birthday parties has been important sources of income.

Providing a self-serve candy table is a big trend for events. Personalized favors are also a popular item.

By April 2019, she opened the store, Sweet Dream Candy Shoppe.

She was 55.

Mack drew on her business school classes about retail management. She was just getting into the swing of the candy business when the pandemic hit.

However, curbside service, delivery,

online ordering and creating baskets for frontline workers has helped buoy her business, along with at-home activity kits for children involving candy.

Since candy is a food (and, for some, a food group!), Sweet Dream could stay open as an essential business.

Since Mack is a sole proprietor, that helped her keep the doors open last year. She has begun re-opening for candy events.

“As a nurse, I had a guaranteed income and knew what the future looked like for financial stability,” Mack said. “This is it for us. My husband is semi-retired. This is our bread and butter. There’s that worry.”

She also has less time off than she did while she was nursing.

Despite these challenges, she tells people to not fear entrepreneurship as their encore career.

“If you have a good plan and ideas to support what you’ll do, go for it,” she said. “It’s heartwarming that this community is so supportive. I think that they’re like this anyway, but the pandemic escalated that sense of shop small, that we need to support familyowned businesses.”

She is a member of the Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce.

Barbara H. Stone, president of Build Your Path, LLC. Stone founded Build Your Path after scaling the corporate ladder for 25 years in the manufacturing industry. She felt discontent as a senior executive.

“I started a road of discovery as to what I wanted to do. I really needed to find a purpose in my life,” Stone said.

For five years, she considered how she could use her skills in her own business. Stone eventually realized that she constantly coached employees; however, she was not a certified coach.

On Dec. 31, 2018, she completed her certification, quit her job and began Build Your Path. She also serves as a

business coach and counselor at WISE Women’s Business Center in Syracuse.

At first, Stone did not feel certain that coaching would work out for her.

In fact, when she quit her job, “I was shaking in my boots,” she recalled.

Many of her clients realize that they feel as Stone did before she started Build Your Path.

“You need to know your values and what’s making you tick so you can be happy,” she said. “Isn’t that what it’s all about?”

She loves knowing that her encore career can help people become better at what they do—or, like she did; switch gears altogether—through a variety of exercises. One of those is Best Possible Self developed by Laura King, Ph.D. in 2000.

“If everything were to be OK, what would you want your life to look like?” Stone said, representing how she would begin the exercise with clients.

Clients look past any real and imagined barriers to see what they really want.

Though she has been successful in coaching, she wants to try some other things while continuing to coach,

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including writing books, including children’s novels.

“You don’t know until you step out,” she said. “Is it scary? Yes. Unfamiliar territory? Yes. Risk? Yes. I support and hold people where they’re at. It’s important to meet people where they’re at.”

She believes that anyone beginning a business should select something about which they are passionate, not just something at which they can make money.

The next step should be gathering information.

Is there a demand for that service or product in the area where it will be sold? Is that market already saturated?

But Stone said that people need not plunge in right away.

“It’s just about starting to dip your toes in,” she said. “Take a look at different roads you’d like to go down.

If coaching didn’t work for me, I’d try something else. There’s no right or wrong but what taps into you. Once you go down that road, you won’t know what else will open up to you.”

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June - July 2021 - 55 PLUS

39

55+ music Picking Up an Instrument Later In Life Learning to play later in life is ‘pretty common’

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

E

ver wished you had learned a musical instrument? It is not too late. Learning to play later in life is pretty common, according to Gina Holsopple, owner and instructor at Gina Marie Music Studio in Oswego.

At least 10% of her students are 55-plus, signing up to take eight-week blocks of lessons.

“There’s a lot to be said for how it stimulates your brain,” Holsopple said. “It’s about the way you think about music and you’re moving muscles you’ve never had to move like that.”

Though most 55-plussers taking lessons from her go for guitar, others favor other instruments. Some had played instruments as youngsters; others have played nothing at all.

“You’ve built your life around your kids’ activities and all of a sudden, you’ve got time and you need that stimulation,” Holsopple said.

“You want something that’s yours and stimulates your brains. There is some incredible confidence boosting that happens in that space.

“I also see those who say, ‘This is harder than I thought it would be.’ But they love the challenge. It’s harder to learn but the benefits are even greater.”

Typically, students at this age already know what they want or they know the type of instrument they like to hear and select from that category, such as the violin from the stringed instruments.

Jay Gould, owner and instructor at Apex Musical Instruction in Syracuse, said that anytime a person learns

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55 PLUS - June - July 2021

something creative, it can be a positive experience, though “some have a predisposition so they can perform better than others. Most everyone sticks with it and manages to play songs eventually.”

Compared with children, new adult students have a few advantages.

Gould said that their hands are large enough to operate the instrument, for example. They also begin and continue playing with different motivations.

“There are plenty of times that a young student is here because someone else wants them to learn it,” Gould said. “Or the child shows interest and the parent gets really excited about it and it was only a passing interest.”

Adults can also manage their time better to ensure they will practice on their own often enough. Unlike children who have many other obligations with their time, retirees can spend all the time they want on practicing their instrument outside of their lessons.

Chris Rhoads, store manager at Guitar Center Rentals in Syracuse, encourages anyone who has been interested in playing an instrument to “scratch that itch if it’s something you’ve always wanted to try. You’re doing it for yourself. It’s not your parents dragging you to lessons like when you were a kid.”

While learning an instrument can be challenging—especially if playing in public is the goal—nearly anyone can achieve a level of playing that is tuneful and pleasant.

“Most instruments are not hard

Gina Holsopple owns Gina Marie Music Studio in Oswego.

enough to learn having fun playing,” he added. “You can spend a lifetime becoming a master, but it’s not too far down to the road to learn enough to have fun.”

Rhoads, who is 55, doesn’t believe that learning an instrument is too hard for someone his age or older.

“The regimen of learning an instrument keeps your facilities going,” he said. “You’re reconnecting in the brain of how to put your fingers here and there. You have to think in ways you’re not used to and you’re using your hands and or feet, depending on the instrument.”

A few of the drawbacks are like those ubiquitous to undertaking many other activities later in life, such as arthritis causing stiffness in the joints.

However, Rhoads said that choosing the right instrument can mitigate those effects.

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June - July 2021 - 55 PLUS

41

55+ sex

Sexual Intimacy Challenges in Later Life

By Barbara Pierce, Ph.D.

F

ive days after I turned 70, I left my husband.

I was happy in my apartment, but I was lonely. I didn’t have any close friends. Opening the door to my empty home day after day, dreading the long hours alone.

Something huge was missing from my life. Someone to care about, who cared about me.

Dating had changed since I was last single. I’d changed. So had the kind of man I was looking for.

“I’ll find him online,” I thought.

The odds were in my favor. A female acquaintance told me that she and her friends wanted nothing to do with men; they were done with sex. Plenty of men my age.

On a dating site, I posted my photo and answered questions identifying my interests, my body type, what I was looking for in a relationship, etc.

Nowhere did it ask whether I was sexually active, even though this is a deal breaker for many people.

It’s a huge issue. A sensitive issue.

Uncomfortable to talk about.

For me, I could take it or leave it.

Sexually intimacy wasn’t on my list of priorities.

My priority was a companionable man to live with in my last years, who wasn’t expecting me to support him or be his caregiver.

I meet many, many men. None that I wanted to see again.

Then I met Len — handsome, many of the same interests and values

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as I, a quirky sense of humor. We began dating.

The relationship progressed well as we were spending more and more time with each other. But his kisses were superficial, dispassionate, as he greeted me or said goodbye. He never got close to me physically. I longed for more physical intimacy than holding hands.

Finally, he said “This is an emotional relationship only. It’s never going to be a sexual relationship.”

He couldn’t get an erection and medication for erectile dysfunction caused bad side effects. He was not interested in exploring other ways to have physical intimacy. Case closed.

No more discussion.

I ruled him out as a long-term partner because of his personality characteristics, not lack of sexual intimacy.

It made me curious to know more about the sexuality of older men. I asked my male acquaintances, straight and gay, about their sexuality and that of their friends. From this sampling of 25 men, I determined that about three out of four men older than 65 have problems being sexually intimate.

Tom and Lou had cancer, which ended their ability to get erections.

Jim had diabetes which caused his ED. Bruce feared his penis is too small, even when erect, and has difficulty getting close to a woman sexually.

Tony and several others needed ED medication, and even then couldn’t

perform well.

Experts agreed with my research, saying that 60% of men in their 60s experience mild or moderate ED, 70% of men in their 70s are affected, for a long list of reasons.

Some men cope with this by avoiding women as it would be too hard to reveal their shortcomings to a woman, which I found sad.

And there were those on the other end of the spectrum, men who made it clear that sexual intimacy had to be part of the deal. The day before I was to meet Scott for the first time, he sent me an email, stating that sex had to be part of the deal or he didn’t want to meet.

I replied, “Yes, if we get to know each other, I’m open to that.”

My mistake. After our second date, he invited me to his home. I’m curious to see how people live, and overly trusting. We barely got in the door when he attempted to physically force me. It left me with a distinctly icky feeling.

And Mike, who suggested we face time each other. As soon as we both got on, he asked me to take off my blouse.

Distinctly icky feeling.

Ryan said he ruled out any woman who had been married to one man all her life and was now single, as they were failures as sexual partners.

I continued my search. The list of rejects grew. My loneliness grew. If he seemed even halfway a possibility, I screened him in.

All I needed was one man, just one. I’d screened at least 100 men, meeting at least 50 in person. All those men, not one was right.

That “right” man didn’t exist. I stopped looking. I’d find other ways to cope with my loneliness.

Then I got a message from an attractive, articulate man. I ignored his message.

Several more messages and then: “I’d like to come and met you.”

I said to myself “Why not? But he’ll just be another failure.”

“Ummm…not bad looking,” I thought as George walked toward me.

Tall, fit, a lot of white hair, handsome.

He was a recent widower.

He was “terrible” at our meeting, had no skills in meeting strange women. Obviously, he hadn’t done

this often.

And that was a huge plus. I’d had my fill of slick men. George was straightforward and honest. He didn’t embellish or try to promote himself. He didn’t try to impress me; he was just himself. I had good instincts about him and agreed to see him again.

We spent more and more time together. He grew on me; like an ember that built up until it burst into a happy sparkling flame.

After several dates, we found sex worked well for both of us.

After several months, I moved into to his home.

I’ve had a lot of partners — none as caring and giving as the one I found in the last chapter of my life. Even going through the isolation of the pandemic together has worked!

To sum up what I believe about sexual intimacy as we age: The desire for physical expressions of affection doesn’t vanish with age.

It doesn’t matter what it consists of — cuddling or full blown intercourse — the connecting of bodies reverberates in the psyche and soothes the soul. It’s the ‘special sauce” of relationships.

When you’re older, there are challenges: ED, dryness, chronic pain, limited mobility, side effects of medications, psychological factors, obesity, drug and alcohol use.

These issues mean adapting sexual activity, maybe finding closeness and intimacy without having penetrative intercourse. Focusing on pleasure, intimacy that doesn’t have orgasm as the only worthwhile goal.

There isn’t one right way. Each couple needs to find what works for both of them. Sex toys can help.

Unless you’re certain you’re in a committed relationship, use protection as STDs are thriving in the older community.

Barbara Pierce learned much about sexual intimacy through her frustrating experiences searching for a partner.

She found hers, George Mason, after extensive searching.

Pierce is a contributing writer to In Good Health newspaper in Mohawk Valley.

Contact her at barbarapierce06@yahoo.com

my turn

By Bruce Frassinelli Email: bfrassinelli@ptd.net

Covering a White House News Conference

T

he mailgram arrived 40 years ago, on July 2, 1981, signed by then-President Ronald Reagan.

“I would like to invite you to join me and other officials in my administration for a briefing and luncheon at the White House on Monday, Oct. 5. We will be discussing the economy and other domestic issues, as well as foreign policy.”

At the time, I was the managing editor of a newspaper in Pennsylvania for only three months. The president had survived an assassination attempt by John Hinckley outside of a Washington, D.C., hotel on March 30, just a little more than three months earlier.

Reagan was holding these periodic regional press conferences for editors of smaller papers and radio and television stations to bypass the giant newspapers, such as The New York Times and The Washington Post, major TV networks and major wire services such as The Associated Press. He said he wanted to get his message across to the American heartland through smaller media.

I called the White House Press Office and told an aide to sign me up.

I’d have to undergo a security check, the aide told me. I gave my name, address and Social Security number.

The aide told me she’d get back to me “if there were any problems.”

Since I didn’t hear anything, I concluded that the administration didn’t consider me a national security threat.

Mentioning the invitation in casual conversation with friends and colleagues, I received a spectrum of reaction. Some were reverently impressed; others suggested that I’d be lucky if the president even showed up.

I worried about that, too, especially since he had been seriously wounded

in the assassination attempt. Naturally, I was looking forward to meeting him. It would be nice if I could get to ask him a question during the press conference, and it would really be great if I could shake hands and talk with him for a moment.

I began to wonder how I could involve our readers. Many of them probably would consider meeting any president a once-in-a-lifetime thrill, an opportunity few would ever experience. Reagan, especially, was very popular with the public.

I decided that in some small way I’d try to get the pulse of at least some readers, so on the Thursday and Friday before I left for Washington, I drove through our circulation area knocking on doors.

I asked more than 30 people what they would say to President Reagan if they could meet him and talk with him for a minute or two. During the weekend, I compiled a summary of their comments.

When I arrived at the southwest gate of the White House at 8:58 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 5, 1981, I was met

by L.C. Jones, a 6-foot, 4-inch security guard. “May I see your ID please, sir?”

Jones asked, unsmiling. I showed him my press pass. “Please open your briefcase,” Jones ordered.

He and another security guard rummaged through the papers, magazines and assorted junk I had in the briefcase. Jones couldn’t get the snap to shut. After fumbling with it for about 10 seconds, he looked at me pleadingly.

“I’ll do it,” I said, taking the cue.

“Follow her,” Jones said, pointing to Karna Small, White House director of media relations and planning who took several of us into a wing of the White House and to another checkpoint.

“Step through here,” said a guard June - July 2021 - 55 PLUS

43

Meeting President Reagan: President Ronald Reagan shakes hands with 55 Plus senior columnist Bruce Frassinelli after a White House news conference in 1981.

as he motioned us through a security portal.

“Bong!” went the alarm as I passed through.

“Take your glasses off, sir, and try again,” the guard said. I did as I was told.

“Bong!” went the alarm.

I reached into my jacket pocket and fished out my camera. “Maybe this?” I asked sheepishly, embarrassed that I had forgotten I had it there.

“That’s probably it,” the guard said. I passed through the portal again.

This time, there was no bong.

The guard also checked my briefcase. Again, the snap would not close. “You have to know how to work it,” I laughed. The guard was not amused. Finally, the snap clicked shut.

At the entrance to the Treaty Room, where the briefing would be held, we were directed to stacks of a news release dated three days earlier.

“Oh, great,” I thought to myself.

“This stuff is old. This day is going to be a bust.”

The Treaty Room was spectacular.

The walls of the two-story room are embedded with marble panels.

The balustraded balcony is inlaid with Mexican onyx. The lamps are supported by four-foot high Cupidlike figures.

Nearly all of the seats were taken, but I noticed an empty one in the 44

55 PLUS - June - July 2021

front row. As I walked toward it, I saw a camera and bag on it and thought it had been reserved. Lucky break— it wasn’t. So I had a front-row seat no more than four feet from the lectern where the president would be speaking — assuming he showed up.

Karna Small briefed us, saying the president had a busy day. “Here it comes,” I thought, “the announcement that the president wouldn’t be here.”

“But he’ll be here for a few minutes at 9:30,” Small said. I mentally apologized for being a doubter.

A few minutes later, I heard a rustle of activity and heard people springing to their feet.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States,” someone announced.

Reagan walked briskly to the lectern. Joined by Treasury Secretary Donald Regan and Budget Secretary David Stockman, Reagan looked in perfect health. He wore a dark blue suit, white shirt, and maroon and blue tie, with a white handkerchief protruding from his breast pocket.

His black shoes were polished to a high gloss.

“Thank you very much and welcome,” the president said. “Believe me, it is a pleasure to welcome you to the White House. This is something that all of us in the administration have looked forward to, and you don’t

need me to tell you the tremendous influence you have on public opinion.”

The president was in good spirits.

Obviously enjoying himself, he interjected bits of humor among the somber news of the economy and soaring inflation, Social Security, defense and other major issues.

He gave a five-minute laundry list of what he and his administration had been doing in the last month. Then he looked up and smiled.

“Now I think that’s pretty good for a fellow who works only two or three hours a day,” Reagan joked. Lots of laughter. The reference was to some critics who said the president kept “country club” hours and didn’t do much work.

“I hope you will find your day here a useful and productive one, and I hope you will also relax and enjoy yourselves,” he said. “But don’t relax too much. As you know, my staff is rather reluctant about waking people up.”

That one brought down the house.

It was a reference to the flap that had occurred following the shooting down of a Libyan jet two months earlier after it had fired on an American aircraft.

Advisers decided not to wake the president to tell him about it until six hours after the incident.

The president said he would take a few questions.

I raised my hand. As I did, I heard this thundering rumble behind me and voices calling out “Mr. President! Mr. President.”

I flushed, embarrassed at my naivete. This was going to be done like the White House press corps does it: You spring to your feet, calling out “Mr. President,” and hope you catch his eye and outmaneuver the other questioners.

The idea was to anticipate when the president finished answering a question, then, you leap and call “Mr. President!” simultaneously.

For the first four questions, I had not gotten past a half-squat position on the way to my feet before he had acknowledged the next questioner.

“This obviously takes some practice,” I said to myself. I could feel little beads of sweat form on my brow, underscoring my frustration.

After the president had finished with the fifth questioner, I jumped up and with authority called “Mr. President!” but he pointed to someone

in the back of the room. “At least I got to my feet that time,” I congratulated myself.

The president answered that question — on block grants. Then, I was on my feet again calling “Mr. President,” this time louder.

Being only four feet away from the president and slightly to his right when I got to my feet, I was practically on top of him. He turned slightly toward me, pointed at me, smiled and said, “Yes?” I felt a hot light on my back — a television camera, I think. I saw eyes turning toward me. I had a sinking feeling. But, this was it, pal.

“Mr. President,” I started, feeling my voice quaver. “I hope I am not breaking with tradition by not asking a question.” He smiled and shrugged as if to say, “Well, I’ll let you know after we hear what this is all about.”

I continued: “After confirming my visit to this briefing, I decided to share the visit with some of the readers in our circulation area. I went knocking on doors in our area to ask readers what they might say to you if they had the opportunity to talk to you face-to-face.

“There were three things that came

through most often, and I thought I’d like to share them with you.

“They are encouraged that there seems to be signs that there’s somebody in Washington who’s finally doing something about the economy. They’re not sure yet whether it’s going to work, but they’re pleased there is movement.

“They generally feel comfortable with your style, but there is still a healthy amount of skepticism about where your administration is going and where it might wind up.

“There is a lot of apprehension about how budget cuts might affect them personally or their loved ones.

That concern was best expressed, I think, by a woman who asked me to tell you that in deciding how to make those cuts please think of us as a family, and make the decisions as a loving father would.”

The president smiled, obviously touched by the comment.

“And,” I continued, “everyone asked me to wish you the very best in what has to be a most difficult job.”

By this time, I was flushed and sweating profusely. I sighed with relief, glad that it was over and hoping I

hadn’t made a fool of myself.

“Well, thank you very much,” President Reagan said, talking directly to me. “As for that lady, I would like to fulfill her request, and we are trying to do it. We are trying to remove government from the private sector.

When you stop to think that today the biggest single cost item in the average American family budget is government, well, I don’t think it was intended to be like that.”

The president took several more questions, then said he had to leave.

We stood. He took a step toward me and extended his hand.

“Thanks for bringing me that message from your people,” he said, looking deeply into my eyes.

“Thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity,” I said with a gulp.

In addition to me, he shook hands with several other journalists in the front row, turned, waved and left.

I could feel a lump in my throat as I relished a special moment in my life — one I will never forget.

Next, it was on to lunch, which was hosted by Vice President George H.W. Bush.

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druger’s zoo

By Marvin Druger Email: mdruger@syr.edu

Misadventures in the Military

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have high regard for the military personnel who fight wars to keep the peace. There is a certain pride and camaraderie in the military that is admirable. You make good friends who are loyal to each other the rest of their lives.

My own military service was in the Coast Guard Reserve in between wars.

I was classified 1-A in the draft and received a letter and a one-way train ticket to report to Whitehall Street in New York City to be inducted into the U.S. Army. That same day, I received notice that I was admitted to the Coast Guard Reserve. I immediately returned the train ticket to the army office and agreed to serve in the Coast Guard Reserve.

I departed for Cape May, New Jersey, where I would do my basic training for eight weeks. I was glad to be classified as a seaman, because I thought seamen are on the top of the ship and the other possibility, fireman, was below decks where escape would be more difficult if the ship sank.

The company that I was assigned to had a mixture of young men who wanted to make the Coast Guard their career and science professionals who wanted to get their service over with as soon as possible.

When we first assembled in the barracks, the chief petty officer walked into the room. He was from Texas and had a southern drawl. His first words to the assembled group were, “Which of you boys is Jewish?” We looked at each other with trepidation. A friend of mine raised his hand. I hesitated but then, I didn’t want my friend to be persecuted alone, so I raised my hand.

“Get dressed up,” said the chief, “You boys is going to church.”

We were then transported to a synagogue in Cape May where we enjoyed bagels and smoked salmon, drinks, and even girls. This became a regular Sunday ritual.

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U.S. Coast Guard Reserve stationed in Cape May, New Jersey, where the author, Marvin Druger, served as company commander. He is shown in the front of the group.

Photo taken around 1957. Provided by Marvin Druger.

I was appointed company yeoman.

I was the only recruit who could leave the base to buy supplies and goodies for the other men. Everyone liked me because I was a source of pleasurable items. Then one day, the recruit company commander was attacked. His clothes were torn and he was beaten. The chief approached me, “Druger, how would you like to be company commander?” I replied, “Only if I can still be company yeoman,”

So, I held both jobs. At first, I slept with my buddy, Howie, in a double bunk. I was on top and Howie occupied the bottom berth. Then, I was able to move into a room with a bed and all the luxuries. I tutored one of the petty officers in math and received even more perks. I assigned my personal friends to the lighter duties. Howie was assigned by me to deliver the mail. Others who were not friends of mine were assigned to clean the latrines and do other menial,

unpleasant tasks.

But all was not fun and games.

As company commander, I had to march the recruits and drill them in freezing winter weather. One day, I was marching the recruits and we were approached by a company marching toward us. Ordinarily, we would simply slip by each other, but this didn’t happen. Opposing troops were hitting each other and cracking jokes.

I pretended to be angry. “This is not the Boy Scouts,” I yelled. “This is the Coast Guard and the next one who gets out of line will get two hours of extra duty tonight.”

Extra duty involved marching back and forth in the freezing night with a full pack.

A voice rang out, “Yeah, except for your friends.” I responded, “And you’re the first ones for extra duty.” I pointed my finger at two recruits at the end of the row. It was the two recruits who had beaten up the previous company commander.

As we marched back to the barracks, I said to myself, “I’m crazy to give them extra duty. They’ll kill me.” But I followed the rule of a good teacher or parent, “If you make a threat, you have to carry it out.” So, I sent the two recruits out for extra duty.

“We’ll get you, Druger,” they threatened as they left the barracks.

“You deserved it,” I said, with a shaking voice.

Several months after I returned home from basic training, I found a note taped to the door of our apartment.

“We were here, you weren’t. We’ll be back,” written in red.

I told my wife about the two recruits who had threatened me, so that she would know who to blame if something happened to me. Well, the note was from my brother and his wife, written in red lipstick. Whew!

Another memorable event in my training period was when I was second battalion commander. A battalion consists of hundreds of men divided into companies. A very high-level officer came to the base to observe the marching. There was a regimental commander at the head, followed by the first battalion commander with a horde of marchers, then the second battalion commander with a large group of marchers. Everyone was standing with a rifle by their side. The protocol was to issue commands that would get the men to lift their rifles to their shoulders

before marching. The regimental commander yelled, “Regiment.” The first battalion commander yelled, “Battalion.” I yelled to my men, “Battalion.” “Right shoulder,” yelled the regimental commander. “Right shoulder,” echoed the first battalion commander. “Forward,” I yelled. My troops started walking forward with their rifles dragging along with them.

Whoops! Somehow, I didn’t lose my job as company commander.

The base commander was fanatic about the raising and lowering of flags.

There were two flagpoles, one with the Coast Guard flag and the other with the American flag. The commander would always watch the raising of the two flags from his window. A maze-like pathway led to the different flagpoles. I carried the American flag, accompanied by four honor guards.

I marched them along the zig-zag pathway and stopped in front of the flagpole. I looked up. It was the wrong flagpole.

“About face!” I commanded and we zig-zagged our path back to the other flagpole. Again, I didn’t lose my job as company commander.

I was very active during basic training, and I even took up boxing. On one occasion, I badly beat an opponent in boxing. His friend decided to get even. He boxed me and landed an uppercut that made me see stars, and ended my boxing career. I can still envision those stars.

When I returned home, I was on inactive duty for seven years. I had my bag of Coast Guard clothing ready for immediate use. But, there were no wars during that period. I finally received an honorable discharge along with a very nice diploma. My wife refused to let me frame and hang the diploma.

“You should be ashamed of yourself,” she said. “Your friends were drafted into the army, served overseas in potentially dangerous situations and you were in the Boy Scouts for a few weeks.”

So, the discharge diploma remains hidden in my attic.

In a way, I am ashamed of my period of military service, compared to countless others who served during wars and were wounded or lost their lives. But, even during war, there is humor and military personnel all have humorous tales to tell. How else can they keep sane amidst the irrationality, cruelty and stupidity of war?

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55+ visits

Albany: A City and a County New York state capital region boasts unique attractions

By Sandra Scott New York State Capitol and Empire State Plaza in Albany.

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n 1609 Henry Hudson sailed his ship, the Half Moon, up the river that bears his name and claimed the area for the Dutch. He was impressed with the magnificent river and surrounding area.

In 1621 the Dutch set up a trading post and the area grew and prospered.

In 1797 it became the capital of New York.

At that time the population of Albany and New York City were about the same.

Albany is not only the capital of New York state it is also the name of the surrounding county. There are many things to do in both the county and city. The area is easily accessed by train, car and boat. It is the gateway to the Adirondack Mountains and the New York State Canal System.

Four New York governors became president and another four became vice presidents.

New York State Visitor Center: A good place to start exploring the city and county is at the NYS Visitor Center. Staff will help prepare the perfect visit by answering questions and suggesting things to see and do in the city, county and the capital district. Displays highlight the history of the area.

Museums: New York State Museum is the place to learn

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about the Empire State from the time of the dinosaurs to the present.

Permanent exhibits feature the Native people of New York, an archeological perspective of Albany, and heartwrenching aspects of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center in New York City. Everyone will find something of interest. Other museums include one dedicated to Irish-American Heritage and another to Italian Americans plus a children’s’ museum. The USS Slater, a canon-class destroyer escort, is now a museum ship on the Hudson River.

It is the only one of its kind afloat in the United States.

Empire State Plaza: The 98-acre plaza has three reflecting pools where many events are held especially in the summer. There is an outdoor farmers market and movies under the stars. Beneath the plaza there are restaurants, shops and a world-class abstract art collection. The 42nd floor of the Corning Tower Observation affords visitors with a panoramic view of the area. The plaza interconnects 11 buildings including the Capitol and State Museum.

The Capitol: When the Capitol building opened in 1899 it was considered one of the most beautiful buildings in America. It took 32 years to build at a cost that exceeded all other buildings of that time. Of special

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interest is the Million Dollar Staircase adorned with many faces including John Jay, Columbus, and even the face of the devil allegedly carved by a disgruntled stone carver. Stone carvers were given free reign over their designs. When Teddy Roosevelt was governor he would to run up and down the steps each day. Many legends and hauntings are part of the attraction.

Historic Homes: Albany County has many historic homes and districts but the most visited is the Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site, which has gained more prominence with the popularity of the Broadway show, “Hamilton.” Philip J. Schuyler, a Revolutionary War general, U.S. Senator and business entrepreneur, was the father of Alexander Hamilton’s wife Elisabeth. There is a downloadable brochure for self-guided tours of the historic places plus guided tours are offered at various times. Tours include the Van Schaick Mansion in Cohoes and the 1797 Ten Broeck Mansion that is now home to the Albany Historical Society. In Rensselaer the Crailo State Historic Site is a fortified brick manor house reputed to be where the song “Yankee Doodle” was penned.

The waterways: Albany owes its existence and growth to the Hudson River and NYS Canal System.

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There are several cruises available on the Hudson River, most of which include information on the historic significance of the waterway. The Erie Canal connects the Hudson River with the Great Lakes with the first lock in Troy about 15 minutes east of the city.

The Champlain Canal also connects the waterways.

The Arts: The Egg, you can’t miss it, at the Empire State Plaza, is the major preforming arts venue.

Additionally, the elegant Palace Theater hosts a variety of life performances as does the award-winning professional Capital Repertory Theatre. The Albany Institute of History & Art is one of the oldest museums in the United States and home to the 3,000-year-old mummy called Ankhefenmut. The downtown area is sprinkled with vibrant murals.

Shakers: In Watervliet learn about the Shakers, a utopian community that practiced equality in all parts of everyday life. Ann Lee founded the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing (Shakers) in 1770 and began the first Shaker settlement in America. The Watervliet Shaker Historic District encompasses nine Shaker buildings, an herb garden, the Ann Lee nature preserve, an apple orchard, and fields.

Lee is buried in the Shaker cemetery.

The society hosts several craft fairs each year.

Nature: Albany is renowned for its annual Tulip Festival, which brings to mind the area’s Dutch heritage. One of only 20 inland pine barrens can be explored at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. The Indian Ladder Trail at the John Boyd Thacher State Park in Voorheesville is home to one the world’s richest fossil-bearing formations.

Tasty: The Capital Craft Beverage Trail promotes craft and farm-based beverage producers in the Capital Region of New York State. This one-of-a-kind “drinking tour” promotes some of the region’s most popular craft beverage facilities.

Every producer sources ingredients locally, and beverages are created in small batches to maximize quality.

There are food tours of Albany and Troy. Most towns in the county host seasonal farmers markets.

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The Tulip Festival is the most popular event in Albany, which takes place in May and attracts thousands of people. This year, the event was virtual due to the pandemic.

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The Indian Ladder Trail at the John Boyd Thacher State Park in Voorheesville is home to one the world’s richest fossil bearing formations.

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The USS Slater, a canon-class destroyer escort, is now a museum ship on the Hudson River. It is the only one of its kind afloat in the United States.

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By Mary Beth Roach

JoAnne Spoto Decker Onondaga County Office for Aging director discusses results of survey, showing local seniors are depressed, anxious Q: In response to the survey question of what concerns seniors in Onondaga County you got 62% of the respondents saying it it’s the pandemic. Did this surprise you?

A: It did not surprise me at all. In fact, I thought that it might be a little higher.

visits, but they were making telephonic visits. Some of our transportation programs were still operational. A lot of our transportation programs that weren’t transporting, out of safety reasons, were delivering meals. Seniors are Job 1. Senior safety is Job 1. Access to services is Job 1.

Q: What are some of the services the Office for Aging provides to assist seniors during the pandemic?

A: The people that were connecting with our office were looking at nutritional needs, looking at transportation and for caregiver services. Our nutrition unit was able to work together with multiple food services agencies, human service agencies, Meals On Wheels providers during the pandemic. We began that coalition in March, 2020. Over the past winter, along with the help of the generous support, we were able to provide 350,000 meals to our seniors and healthcare workers.

We also have a senior shopper service that goes to the grocery store and shops for you, if you are unable to shop for yourself or have no one else to do so. Certainly, the pandemic exacerbated that problem.

The people pay for the groceries.

Our Office for Aging received masks and hand sanitizers from the NYS Office for Aging, and we were able to provide 35,000 masks and cases of hand sanitizers to assisted living facilities, nutrition staff, Meals On Wheels providers, senior housing, senior centers, and communitybased agencies and transportation programs. More than 65 programs and organizations received that shipment from Onondaga County Office for Aging. Our EISIP [Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly] program case managers were not making home

Q: According to the survey, 59% said they had felt down, depressed or anxious in the past six months.

What kind of services does your office provide to help seniors that are feeling isolated?

A: We have a geriatric mental health program that provides services and support for persons 55 years of age and older called the SHARP [Senior Health and Resource Partnership] Project. That program provides for persons aged 55 and older that may have substance use disorder and addiction.

They may suffer from depression, other mental health i s s u e s . We provide care management through that.

We ’ v e b e e n able, over the last four years, to establish very strong connections with Helio

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Health and Liberty Resources in providing counseling and support services through that program. We use other community resources as well.

Q: What did some of the questions in the survey focus on?

A: What concerns you most? Are you familiar with Office for Aging and their services? Seventy-five percent said, ‘I’m not really that familiar with the Office for Aging services.’

Q: Do you foresee any major changes or additions to your programs and services based on the findings of your surveys or the pandemic?

A: Yes, we do. We had our I Care Institute [Institute for Caregivers] that provided classes to caregivers on a variety of issues. We also had our in-person caregiver support groups.

We went virtual. When we can safely, we’re going to do both. We’re going to stay virtual and we’re also going to stay in-person. We’re going to stay virtual because caregivers might not be able to get to a class at 5:30 in Baldwinsville, or Cicero or Syracuse.

We’re also going to look at different platforms and formats on how we can get information out and working with other county departments to assist with that.

The pandemic has given us new ways to look at things, new ways to meet needs.

To learn more about the Office for Aging programs, call 315-435-2362, or visit www.ongov.net/aging.

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