55+ Life Summer 2023

A search for her family roots led Donna Langley-Peck to multiple spots in Wales, including Penrhyn Castle, above.

travel

21  Safety First Travel gear to protect you and your valuables

health and wellness

58  Power Up!

How to pick the right e-bike for you

68  Hide and Seek Welcome to geocaching, a multigenerational way to enjoy the outdoors

65  Hear Us Out

Why healthy hearing deserves our attention as we age home and garden

48  I Went to a Garden Party Ideas, tips, and tricks for hosting a gorgeous event

52  Making Your Garden Hum

How to create a hummingbird oasis

food and drink

44  Finger Lickin’ Good A new barbecue and grilling book to take your outdoor cooking to the next level

40  Palatable Picnics

Easy finger foods to enjoy outdoors lifestyle

56  Aging the Swedish Way Tips for living a happier life in your senior years

32  Finding Your Roots How the Capital District Genealogical Society can help columns

71  Essay

Boxed In: Dealing with the stuff of a lifetime

63  Be Your Best

Benita Zahn on the value of exercising in bite-sized pieces

74  The Vine

Rod Michael on the magic of first kisses

Health Care For Everyone.

At Hudson Headwaters, our Primary Care providers are dedicated to meeting your specific health care needs, and keeping you in good health. We’re here for you—at every stage and every age.

Publisher &

Alison Michael | alison@55pluslifemag.com

Consulting Editor

Janet Reynolds

Marketing Consultant

Terri Jacobsen

Consulting Art Director

Tony Pallone

Consulting Online Content Producer

Caitlin Manner

Contributing Writers

Joanne Cleaver

Valerie DeLaCruz

Rebecca Gatto

Chris Harris

Jennifer LaRue

Caitlin Manner

Rod Michael

Donna Langley-Peck

Janet Reynolds

Cari Scribner

Benita Zahn

It’s all in your head…

When people learn that I own a magazine called 55+ Life, I often get that “deer in the headlights” look or the sudden blurt, “I’m not 55 yet.” It feels as if we are subliminally taught that aging is somehow negative. I am quick to explain that you don’t literally need to be 55 to enjoy the content that 55+ Life offers.

But the reaction begs the question: Why are so many of us ashamed of our age? Societal and cultural pressures, perhaps — or maybe it’s that many of us neither think of ourselves as our chronological age, nor feel like it. I feel more as though I’m in my early- to mid-40s than my actual age (mid-to-late 50s).

Our story “Forever 44” (page 35) takes a deep dive into the age you are in your head vs. your chronological age, and why it matters. Turns out that our “subjective age” can have implications for our physical and mental well-being, as well as our prospects for aging.

I suspect most of us don’t feel like the age that’s associated with our birth certificate. When was the last time you asked anyone how old they feel — and the answer is older than their chronological age? Like never! I often have to stop and think how old I am when asked. It’s like I forget because I don’t “feel” 57.

Age boils down to how you feel. You can feel old at 40 and young at 80. What matters is living your life fully, with purpose and deep connections.

Wear your age — and, more importantly, your age in your head — well and with pride!

Henry Ford said: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t — you’re right.” Those who are fearless never grow old.

Alison Michael photo by Saratoga Potrait Studio/Becky Miller.

On the Road Again

Solo traveler? No problem

BY CARI SCRIBNER PHOTOS COURTESY JAN HAGEN

Ah, the many hassles of vacationing with family or friends. You may wish to be near the ocean, but one person in your group hates the smell of seafood. Some like to pack in a whirlwind of sightseeing at a pace brisk enough to wear out your favorite walking shoes. Others want to doze on the beach (no judgment). Selecting places to stay can also become a headache, as one member of your group wants a 5-star hotel with a view, and another wants a remote cabin in the woods. Some love to cruise;

others have no sea legs.

Perhaps it’s time to think about your own wishes and finally shrug off the notion that traveling alone will be lonely. Traveling solo may be just the ticket for the vacation of a lifetime.

Older adults may want to try out their solo travel theory by booking a group tour with a guide and transportation to bring them to all the sites they want to see and experience. You can choose tours ranging from visiting Iceland to the turquoise

 Jan Hagen with Minnesota-based friend Luranne McLean on a Road Scholar trip to southern Utah in March 2023. “We go back to junior high school!” Hagen says. “We reconnected in 2020 on a trip to Belize with another friend, also from Minnesota.”

waters of Cancun or the sumptuous restaurants in Italy.

Jan Hagen, a former professor at the University of Albany, knows firsthand the benefits of traveling alone but with a group. She has been traveling, among other favorite activities, since her retirement in 2013. “I think some people like to stay close to home,” Hagen says. “I like to venture out and see what’s going on in the rest of the world.”

Now in her 70s, she still loves the outdoors, especially camping, hiking and canoeing, and despite using a cane since recent hip surgery, walks every day. “The cane doesn’t slow me down,” Hagen says from her Albany home. “I used to walk five miles and now I only walk three, but that’s fine with me.”

Hagen also likes to travel on group tours, and has taken a dozen trips organized by a group aptly named Road Scholar, because the idea is to learn all you can about each destination. Hagen has been to Iceland, Prague, Easter Island, the Himalayas, on a boat down the Amazon, Moscow, New Zea-

land and many other exotic places.

One of her fondest memories took place during a recent trip to Puerto Rico, when she went snorkeling during a moonlight swim. “It was the experience of a lifetime,” Hagen says. “It was easy, too. If you can float, you can snorkel.”

Jan credits a high school Spanish language class for her desire to visit new places and immerse herself in the culture. “We learned about the Aztecs and South America, and I immediately wanted to see it for myself,” she says. “I can still make sentences in Spanish; my problem is understanding what’s being said back to me.”

While Hagen is just fine traveling by herself on group tours, she is also often joined by a former classmate from Minnesota who’s also in her 70s. “We went to Belize and stayed in tents on platforms,” Hagen says. “There was no internet, no cell service, and it was so peaceful.”

Another of Hagen’s most memorable trips was right in the U.S. “I stood on the rim of the Grand Canyon, and it was

breathtaking,” she says.

Hagen says she’s always felt comfortable being solo on the road or airplane or boat, for that matter but being part of a tour makes it a social activity. “I’ve made many friends along the way,” she says. “We choose the same trips because of our similar interests. They also put together tours at various activity levels, so none of us are overwhelmed.”

Most tours have free time built into the schedule, during which Jan likes to wander a bit, albeit cautiously. “For safety reasons, I would say always stick to main thoroughfares,” she says. “Tour guides will map out the area for you.”

Not surprisingly, Jan has a treasure trove of trinkets from her travels around the world. “I picked up whatever struck my fancy,” she laughs. “But now it’s time to downsize, because I am running out of space.

What’s next for the seasoned traveler? “Who knows where else I might go?” she says. “I was thinking about Croatia. That might be fun.”

 Another Road Scholar trip Hagen took, this one to Alaska. Below, Hagen and McLean in Utah, and Hagen in 1989 on a trek in Nepal in the Himalayas, home to Mount Everest.

GROUP TOURS FOR THE SOLO TRAVELER

• Walking the World walkingtheworld.com

• Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel) roadscholar.org/ collections/solo-travel

• Elder Treks eldertreks.com

• Firebird Tours firebirdtours.com

• Overseas Adventure Travel oattravel.com/ ways-to-save/ leader-in-solo-travel

Tips for Successful and Satisfying Solo Travel

Try something new! Group tours in particular can be an easy way to visit a place you might not normally consider as a solo traveler.

Research and plan every step of your trip before you depart. Whether you’re traveling across the country or around the world, make reservations ahead of time. This includes everything from accommodations to car rentals or shuttles to and from the airport. While you’re at it, make a copy of your itinerary and leave it with a trusted friend or family member. Arrange for times to check in with someone back home in case you switch up your plans. If your heart is set on dining in a special restaurant or touring a certain museum, check online about reservations and when to go to avoid busy times.

Be aware of your personal safety in all surroundings. (See our story on travel security on

pg. 21.) It’s easy to be distracted by the sights and sounds of a new city or lush tropical setting. Keep track of your purse or backpack, and be aware of your surroundings. If you’re part of a tour, stay with the group.

Pack as lightly as possible. The best-case scenario is to limit yourself to one piece of luggage with wheels and one carry-on. Consider a cross-body bag or belt a pouch around your waist. If you use a backpack, wear it in the front rather than on your back. Pack accordingly for the activities you’ll be experiencing. Always have a water bottle on hand to stay hydrated.

Be open to meeting new people. It may feel awkward at first, but make an effort to start conversations with others on your tour. You could make lasting friendships on solo vacations, and thanks to social media, remain connected.

— Source: AARP

 Hagen in 2016, in a view overlooking Lake Baikal in Siberia.

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For most of your adult life, you’ve probably had life insurance. If it was offered by your employer as part of your benefits package, you may not have given it a second thought. You knew it was there but didn’t know much about it. Or you might have taken out a policy to protect your family in case something happened to you.

But now you’re about to enter retirement — or maybe you’re already there. You no longer receive employer-provided life insurance, and you must decide whether to purchase a new policy or continue paying premiums on a policy you've owned for years. What’s the right choice?

Not surprisingly, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. But let’s consider the different variables that impact your situation. Here are some questions to help you determine whether holding onto life insurance makes sense.

Have you planned for Long-Term Health Care?

With longer life expectancies comes a higher probability that you’ll require ongoing assistance or supervision with your Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Today’s life insurance policies offer living benefits that allow the policy holder to accelerate all or a portion of the death benefit to pay for long-term care expenses, either at home or in a facility. Life insurance can also be used as a wealth replacement strategy when your own income and savings must be spent on the cost of long-term care for yourself or your spouse. If it’s a goal of yours to leave a legacy to children, grandchildren or a charity, the income tax-free life insurance death benefit can help replace what was spent on health care to fulfill your goal of legacy planning.

Are you still earning an outside income?

If you retire and no longer work to make ends meet, you probably don’t need life insurance unless you expect to owe estate taxes — in which case life insurance can be a good solution.

When you die, your family can usually inherit and receive payouts from your existing sources of income. Your named beneficiaries will receive your retirement accounts — but inheriting an IRA can create tax consequences for family members, depending on who inherits it and the type of retirement account it is. And while Social Security pays a survivor benefit, that varies based on your unique situation and it won't be as much as Social Security paid while you were alive. Make sure you know what benefits your family stands to inherit, any tax consequences, and their income needs before

Do You Still Need Life Insurance After You Retire?

BY BRIAN M. JOHNSON, MBA, CLTC ADVISORS INSURANCE BROKERS

deciding on whether life insurance is right for you. Do you have any debt?

Ideally, you will retire debt-free. However, that’s not always the case. Student loan debt is forecast to be a problem for an increasing number of retirees in the future. Over the past five years, student loan debt held by senior citizens has increased, whether from the remnants of their own loans or as a result of cosigning loans for children or grandchildren.

Continuing life insurance coverage might be advised if you’re still paying off debt. Take a conservative approach unless those debt payments are such a small part of your net worth that they present no risk of financial difficulty.

Are your children and/or spouse/partner self-sufficient?

If you reach retirement and your children are out of your home providing for their own families, and your spouse is self-sufficient, you probably don’t need life insurance. On the other hand, if you have children with special needs or kids who are still living in your home, you should consider keeping the life insurance you have — or purchasing coverage if you don't already have a policy. Also, if your spouse would lose a substantial amount of your pension income or other monthly payment upon your death, life insurance can fill that gap.

The final word

It may seem counterproductive to give up on life insurance after so long, but the truth may be that you no longer need it. If you have no income to replace, very little debt, a self-sufficient family and no pricey concerns around settling your estate, there’s a good chance you can say goodbye to that policy. For estate planning, you may need a different type of policy or major changes to your current one.

If you own a life insurance policy and no longer need it, don’t let it lapse or cancel it without getting advice. You may be able to request a reduced, paid-up policy, which may guarantee a smaller death benefit but require no additional premium. Or you could take advantage of a life settlement, where a third party will purchase the policy from you.

All these questions are perfect for a financial planner or a fee-only insurance consultant. To request a free copy of our Life Insurance Buyer’s Guide, please email us at bjohnson@ advisorsib.com.

Safety First

Travel gear to protect you and your valuables

BY JOANNE CLEAVER

We were sitting at the street-side patio of a café in Melbourne, Australia, watching commuters rushing by, when I realized that someone was watching us. Did we look like clueless, distracted American tourists who might be likely marks?

Probably. My husband and I both wore foldable sun hats and had shopping bags by our feet. We were pointing out landmarks to each other and comparing notes on a printed itinerary.

In other words, we looked like easy targets for thieves who thought they could snatch my bag or my cellphone, which rested on the corner of the table.

Except that my iPhone 13 Pro was leashed to my cross-body travel bag with a stretchy, unbreakable tether. The bag was attached to my chair because I’d looped one strap through the back slats of the chair I was sitting on, thanks to the latch that connected the strap to the bag.

Sure, endless vigilance could have gotten us through our two-week trip without loss of identification, credit cards, or cash. But a few well-designed pieces of gear protected us in two ways. The gear itself kept our bags and phones safely at hand. And using the gear forced me to change my travel habits for the better, keeping the whereabouts of my stuff top of mind.

Travel safety gear has to reconcile two opposite goals: keeping your things accessible so you can take photos, email, shop, and access identification and hotel key cards easily and quickly while simultaneously keeping your phone, tablet, and various cards safely hidden away from sneaky fingers.

Photo: iStockphoto.com/JackF.

Strapped on

We tested some gear and did some research to help you take your next trip without a security worry in the world.

Let’s start with bags. I love my Travelon Anti-Theft Boho North/South Crossbody bag, especially the zippered outer pockets that let me keep tickets and my phone close at hand, but quickly secured.

Whether you buy theft-proof gear online or in a store, it’s essential to thoroughly test the design before you rely on it to keep your things safe out in the wild, says Karen Jacobs, an occupational therapist and associate dean at Boston University. Older travelers, especially those with arthritis or other conditions that might complicate the use of safety gear and travel bags, should always test closures before buying. She advises making sure gear is light and easy to get on and off. And as tempting as it is to go for a sleek executive design, she says the focus should be on the sweet spot of security and access.

Zipped in

Travelon’s Boho North/South Cross-body bag features outer pockets that allow tickets and phone to be kept close at hand, but quickly secured.

And that means making sure the outer pockets of your bags can easily accommodate your phone and your plan for keeping it with you a point I neglected to check before our trip to Australia. The phone leash worked as intended: It wrapped around the corners of my phone like a fitted sheet. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite fit into the pocket of a bag I was testing a Metrosafe LS 200 from Seattle-based company Pacsafe which wasn’t quite big enough to accommodate my phone and its tether. Pulling the leashed phone from the outside pocket also pulled the leash off the phone.

The Metrosafe LS 350 from Pacsafe my go-to travel backpack has shoulder straps that unclip so the straps can thread around the arm or back of a chair or suitcase handle, keeping the bag close at hand. So far, so good. But the external zippers on the backpack use an all-too-clever system of tabs that slide together to click into a seemingly unpickable unit. Moderate arthritis and the unusual design periodically locked me out of my own backpack. More than once, I’ve resorted to YouTube tutorials to practice (again) how to

The strap on the Metrosafe LS 350 can be clipped around a stable object.

Under wraps Unlike a fanny packet, the RFID Secret Waist Wallet from

Cocoon

USA doesn’t advertise what you’re carrying.

Images (top to bottom) courtesy Pacsafe, Cocoon USA and Travelon.

quickly slide-release the zipper pulls.

I wish I’d practiced my setup at home for a weekend, before embarking on a 17-day global trip. If I had, I would have opted for a slightly bigger cross-body bag that offers a more capacious outer pocket to easily accommodate both the phone and its leash. A good example is the Delsey Paris Chatelet Air 2.0 Cross-body shoulder bag, a larger version of the company’s iconic hand-held crossbody that offers a great combination of outer pockets and zippered security.

Keeping essential cards and identification hidden on your person is another challenge. I sew my own clothes and have found that the hidden front pocket of the Style Falcon “Straight A’s” skirt is the perfect integration of comfort and security, especially for hotel key cards.

For those who don’t sew, new ver sions of an old standby the money belt are a versatile option. The Cocoon USA RFID Secret Waist Wallet offers the convenience of a light, easily concealed, two-pocket zipper case on a belt. It’s a great way to keep cards and IDs securely at hand without advertising what you’re carrying, as is the case with a fanny pack.

You can amplify safety at your accommodation with a doorstop alarm that both prevents intruders from opening the door and screeches when they try. The increased use of rentals through services like AirBnB and VRBO means that management and security during a trip can vary, depending on the site and its locale. It’s hard to know who actually has access to your rental besides you. “It’s not the owner you’re concerned about; it’s the maintenance workers, or the cleaning service,” says Nance.

For more traveling safety tips, the U.S. Department of State offers services on its website that are especially helpful to older travelers. The site has information on everything from medical insurance to ways to avoid scams.

The Department of State also offers an online itinerary tool called the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Here you can archive your travel information and documents at a secure online site that can be accessed by embassies and consulates. You can include your emergency contact information so that loved ones can assist from home if you need help replacing documents.

Stylish

Some elements of good design are invisible to users and thieves. Cases in point: cut-proof straps, which are internally reinforced with fibers that thwart knives and are invisible to users and thieves, and radio-frequency ID-lined bags, which help keep the information on digital cards from being swiped.

The Delsey Paris Chatelet Air 2.0 serves up both security and an iconic design.

Some safety experts think that RFID scanning is the least of travelers’ worries, with online scams abounding. Others maintain that it’s impossible for travelers to assess the risk of your card being silently stolen, so why not fend off one problem with RFID protection?

Two simple, low-tech pieces of gear can keep you safe in your room and while you’re out and about. A basic whistle can neutralize a street attack because it immediately calls attention to what’s happening, says David Nance, CEO of SABRE, which makes pepper spray and other personal safety tools. Blow on a whistle (keep it at hand on a lanyard worn around your neck) and people automatically turn to see what’s going on. If you look a little older, passersby will be more likely to assume you need help, he adds.

Of course, it’s always smart to make sure that trusted family or friends hold copies of your itinerary, reservations, passport, credit cards, driver’s license, phone and computer serial numbers, and maybe even backup access codes for your phone and computer. In turn, be sure that you carry printed versions of this contact information securely stored, of course. This ensures that even if your phone disappears, you still have key email addresses and phone numbers so you can immediately alert your family or friends to put a stop on credit card and digital account access.

And it’s always smart to check for country safety and health alerts with the Centers for Disease Control before any trip abroad.

I did make it back home with my phone, my iPad, my driver’s license, and all my credit cards. And I’m using that phone leash now in other situations that call for extra security. You should see the looks I get when I snap photos at my grandson’s soccer games, using a phone that’s continually attached to my bag, knowing that I won’t lose it among the clutter of a kindergarten sports league. n

Images courtesy Delsey Paris.

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JOURNEY TO THE PAST

One woman’s search for her Welsh ancestors

STORY AND PHOTOS BY DONNA LANGLEY-PECK

When I was growing up my family told many stories about my great-great-grandfather William Griffith, the “Slate Quarry King” who emigrated from Wales to Poultney, Vermont, in the mid-1800s. There were stories about the beautiful home he built complete with maid’s quarters, and the fireworks that he used to provide to the town on the Fourth of July, his son Willie’s birthday.

Our home was filled with antique dishes, furniture, paintings, pictures, and clothing that belonged to the Griffiths. I

remember dressing up in my great-great-grandmother’s Victorian clothing for Halloween and certain historical events. My interest in antiques and genealogy was fostered by the many artifacts and stories that surrounded me. William, I was told, was a bard. In 1905, he became famous as a composer, singer, and choral director of Methodist music in Vermont, composing and publishing choral music in the form of anthems, duets, solos, and hymn tunes. His music was performed throughout Wales and in Welsh communities in the United States and Canada.

 Penisarallt Cottage and farm in Tregarth, Wales

Yr wyf yn hel achau am

ei

fod yn fy ngwlad

(I

Fast forward to the 1990s when I began researching my Welsh ancestors. I visited the Slate Quarry Museum in Granville, Vermont, to find out more about “Gwilym Caledffrwd” and his history. When I visited the museum, I learned that they had not actually received any artifacts or information about him. I realized it was up to me to donate some pictures, clothing, and antiques from the Griffith family. Sifting through and organizing my boxes of Griffith treasures gave me an opportunity to delve into my research.

Fast forward to 2014, when James P. Cassarino, a music and Welsh professor at Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont, contacted me. Cassarino was fascinated by my great-great-grandfather and had spent 10 years researching his history as a slate quarry owner and his musical background. This included Griffith’s involvement as a judge of Welsh Methodist music at eisteddfodau, an annual festival of Welsh literature, music, and performance. I supplied Cassarino with family pictures of William for a dissertation he published in the Vermont Genealogy magazine in the fall of 2015.

As we became fast friends, Cassarino showed me where the Griffiths had lived; the slate quarry, where William, Catherine, and their two deceased children were buried; as well as the church where William was choirmaster for over 40

years in Poultney. While Cassarino was a professor at Green Mountain College, he had purchased William’s personal musical handwritten manuscript (llyfr pricio) from a rare and antique bookstore in New York City. This serendipitous find proved Griffith’s strong understanding of music composition and solid musical training. It was common in Wales for singers and musicians to make notations in manuscript books of the tunes and harmonies that were used in their chapels.

In addition to my research here in the States, I have been to the ancestral town of Bethesda, Wales, twice over the past 20 years. During one of these trips, I found the original Methodist Church where William attended Sunday services and where he composed his first hymns. Sitting in the same pew where he attended Sunday school was a profound experience that made my research more meaningful. Looking over the valley, I could view the vast Penrhyn Quarry where he labored for 11 years before coming to America. I knew I had to return eventually to spend more time in Wales.

This past March I finally went back for a longer visit. Using the internet and what information I had already gathered, I focused on visiting the ancestral farm, William’s two schools, the small town of Bethesda, and the Penrhyn Quarry. I contacted Cefyn Burgess, a friend of professor Cassari-

do genealogy because it is in my blood)

 Keepsakes related to the author’s great-great-grandfather, William Griffith, include (from left): a photo of his parents who lived on the family farm; a photo of William with his wife, Catherine; and the title page from William’s most famous Methodist composition.

no. Burgess had grown up in Bethesda and suggested I post an inquiry and photo of my ancestors on a Bethesda Facebook site entitled “Atgofion Bethesda/Memories of Bethesda.” Within ten minutes, a Bethesda resident posted a picture of William’s father’s family farm and some family census documents. Burgess suggested I book a room near his home at the Gwynfryn Bed & Breakfast in the nearby town of Conwy, which was close to the train station, Penrhyn Quarry, and Bethesda, to conduct my research and take pictures.

The Penrhyn Quarry was the world’s largest slate quarry at the end of the 19th century.

Currently, only a small section of the quarry is used for slate extraction. The abandoned and partially flooded part of the quarry now operates an adventure tourism facility featuring the largest zip line in the world, go-karts, and trolley tours with views of Snowdonia in the distance.

I was fortunate to experience a ride on the zip line over the quarry where William worked in the mid-1800s.

Thanks to Burgess’ knowledge of the area, his research, and his offer to drive me around, we were able to find my greatgreat-great grandparents’ farm in Tregarth, outside of Bethesda. The cottage was called Penisarallt (which means “bottom of the incline”) because at one time it was situated at the bottom of an incline of the Penrhyn Quarry railway en route to

Port Penrhyn in Bangor, Wales. The farm and cottage now partly encompass a caravan park called Dina’s Farm. Part of the property includes open land to accommodate caravans (small mobile homes) and tents. The original slate stone home and barns were in surprisingly great shape. Looking across the majestic farmland as baby sheep came running to the edge of the farm fence to greet me, I felt at home.

The drive and walk around the scenic village were magnificent. The sheep dotted the farmland, the Penrhyn Quarry sat off in the distance, and many original homes made of slate lined the hill town streets. We found William’s original primary school, Rachub National School, which is deserted but still standing. We also found the spot where his secondary school, a private school at Penygroes Church Chapel, once stood. Only a gate remains today. Walking the route William would have taken to school was surreal and a memory I will never forget.

The final visitation of the day was Penrhyn Castle, home to Lord Edward Gordon Douglas. Douglas developed small local quarries (including Penrhyn) into a global industry thanks to money made from sugar plantations in the Caribbean and Jamaica. The lord owned the quarry and surrounding land, and my great-great-great grandfather Griffith was beholden to the lord for the farm and his employment.

 The author gets a view of the quarry where William worked in the mid-1800s by taking a ride on what is now the largest zip line in the world.

The next segment of my research will be William’s journey and history when he moved to Vermont, opened up his slate quarry, became choirmaster at the Poultney Methodist Church, and participated in eisteddfod festivals of music and poetry. Eventually I hope to coordinate with Cassarino and publish a book.

Finding the ancestral farm, William’s schools, and the family’s church was much more than I expected to experience when I started this family roots journey years ago. I still receive posts and information on the Bethesda Facebook website. This may eventually lead to finding relatives still in Wales and therefore another visit.

Northern Wales is a step back in history. A magical place where mostly Welsh is spoken and distinctive traditions abound, this area of Great Britain is still steeped in myth and custom. Although Bethesda has made changes to keep up with modern times, it remains a true juxtaposition of the bygone religious ancestral village and quarry with successful modern hiking and tourist venues designated to promote the local economy. n

 During one of her trips to Wales, the author located the Bethesday Methodist church where William attended Sunday school.

Finding Your Roots

How the Capital District Genealogical Society can help

BY CHRIS HARRIS

If you’ve always been interested in tracing your family’s history but haven’t exactly known where to begin, you might want to check any Bibles you may have inherited.

Terri Moran, a past president and current trustee for the Capital District Genealogical Society, says that decades ago people would often use a pencil and the empty pages at the front of their bibles to keep track of births, marriages, and deaths in their families. “You’ll find these handwritten lists in family Bibles that can actually be very helpful,” says Moran, noting that the New York State Library has a considerable collection of Bibles for viewing. “They were collected by the Daughters of the American Revolution and they’re indexed, so you can see if any of your relatives left family Bibles behind,” she says.

Moran, a retired high school librarian, became a member of the Capital District Genealogical Society in 2006. Today, she’s one of more than 300 members who’ve joined the 41-year-old organization. The CDGS even has members living across the world, from Scotland to Australia.

Like many of the group’s members, Moran volunteers her time helping people all around the world learn more about their ancestors. “We get emails all the time from people who have relatives who started off in New York but migrated to other parts of the world,” says Moran. “These people are tracking down their family histories, and need records to help them in their efforts.”

The CDGS meets monthly and organizes online workshops open to the public designed to give people a more intimate sense of what life was actually like for their predecessors. (She says the CDGS hopes to return to in-person meetings soon.)

Past CDGS workshops have centered on the best ways to use certain government records such as census data and “vital records” as well as what life was like in the early 1800s as work on the Erie Canal was being completed.

“We have members who had relatives who lived on the Erie Canal when it was being built,” Moran says. “People want to know not only who their relatives were but what did they do, what was going on in history at the time, and what were their lives really like.”

In addition, Moran says up to a dozen CDGS volunteers maintain a desk at the New York State Library, where they help people researching their genealogy. “Our purpose is to assist people researching their family history,” Moran explains. “We also accept queries from our members and the public who contact us online or through the mail. We work on those queries at the library.”

Annual membership to the organization costs $25, Moran says. What the CDGS does for its members goes well beyond what you’ll get from online genealogy websites, although she admits those sites can also be helpful.

“Ancestry.com has hundreds of thousands of databases,” she says of the subscription-based site. “You can access them for free at a public library, frequently.”

Moran also suggests using FamilySearch.org, which is op-

erated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “For Mormons, part of their religion requires their members research their family tree, so that they can join them in heaven,” Moran says. “So, they possess microfilmed records from all over the world, and now it’s all digitized. And they are continually adding to their collections.”

Anyone wanting to know more about the people they came from should start by downloading a blank family tree form, says Moran. “Everyone thinks it’s just filling out the family tree, which you have to do to get started,” she says. “But it’s much more than that; you want to fill in all those details about their lives that makes it so much more interesting.”

Moran advises new members “to begin with themselves: who were their parents, who were their grandparents. It’s kind of surprising to know that, beyond their parents, most people don’t know the names of their grandparents, and the further back you go, the less they know.”

Vital records birth, marriage, and death certificates can be useful tools in your quest to learn more about your genealogy. “Vital records, that is what you start looking for first,” Moran says. “You want to find out where they were buried and get death certificates, which will include infor-

mation about any medical issues you should be concerned about for your own medical health.”

Moran says census records are available from as far back as 1790 and that the 1950 U.S. census was only just released. “This will include information on age and occupation,” Moran says.

“This data is useful for people who have immigrant ancestors, because it will say when they arrived in the U.S. And that can lead someone to a lot more records. It kind of snowballs.”

Moran further suggests that people write about themselves in detail, particularly if they’re elderly. “Write about yourself for your family’s sake,” Moran urges, “so that they can know who you are, what you endured, what made you the person you were.”

She also suggests people interview their own parents and, if possible, grandparents “to learn as much as you can about their lives, so then you can share that with the next generation.” n

For more information about how to track your family’s roots, check out our online stories on the best online family tree resources and the top DNA sites to trace your lineage.

Acommunityforallages!

Your age in your head vs. your chronological age (and why it matters)

BY JENNIFER LARUE

AsI write this article, I’m all too well aware of my age: I’m 62, and I know it. But in my head, I’m more like 50. (My neck suggests I’m roughly 87, but that’s another matter altogether.)

The discrepancy between my actual age and the age I am in my head my “subjective age” is a common and much-studied phenomenon. Turns out that, at least in Western cultures, most adults’ knee-jerk answer to the question “how old are you in your head?” is substantially and predictably different from the age on their driver’s license.

Subjective age isn’t just a parlor trick, though. The age we are in our heads can have implications for our physical health, mental well-being, and prospects for aging.

For those over 40, research has shown that the answer to the question “how old are you in your head?” a different question, it’s important to note, than “how old do you feel?” is usually 20 percent less than a respondent’s actual chronological age. So a 55-year-old reading this magazine is about 44 in his or her head. Following that formula, I would be expected to say, as I just told you, that I’m 50 in my head.

Before we move on, take a moment. How old are YOU in your head?

We were inspired to pursue this story by the publication of Jennifer Senior’s story “The Puzzling Gap Between How Old You Are and How Old You Think You Are” in the April 2023 issue of The Atlantic. In her exploration of subjective

age, Senior cites a leading study conducted in Denmark in 2006 in which nearly 1,500 adults were asked how old they were in their heads. The study, published in the journal Psychonomic Bulletin and Review, unearthed data that revealed and supported the 20 percent rule of thumb. But the two authors further determined that this formula doesn’t apply across a person’s lifespan. In fact, they found that people under age 25 tend to feel older in their heads; their younger subjective age doesn’t kick in until they cross the 25-year mark. After 25, the study showed, people gradually begin to feel younger in their heads to various degrees until they hit 40, after which time their subjective age remains pretty consistent at 20 percent less than their chronological age.

That pattern argues, the study authors observe, against the understanding commonly held among those who study gerontology and related fields that the difference between real and subjective age remains constant across the lifespan and that it represents a form of lifelong inner denial about aging. Instead of that “age denial” approach to understanding the phenomenon, the authors suggest that a “lifespan-developmental” model is a better fit, allowing for the variations in our subjective ages throughout our lives.

That distinction may mean more than it appears at first blush, Senior suggests. “Researchers who [focus on people’s tendency to subtract from their ages] often propose a crude, predictable answer namely, that lots of people consider aging a catastrophe, which, while true, seems to tell only a fraction of the story. You could just as well make a different

case: that viewing yourself as younger is a form of optimism, rather than denialism. It says that you envision many generative years ahead of you, that you will not be written off, that your future is not one long, dreary corridor of locked doors.”

Senior’s article explores how we arrive at the age we feel in our heads. For some, she speculates, that age reflects the age at which the “broad contours” of your life your primary romantic relationship, your profession, your housing situation might be in place, but you haven’t yet gotten caught up in the rush of parenthood and the weeds of a long marriage. Others, though, get locked into a specific subjective age because they have experienced a significant or even “calamitous” life event the loss of a parent or sibling, for instance at that age. And for some, the age in their head is that at which they recall first feeling like a completely formed human being, which can happen at any age at all.

Russell Ward, professor emeritus of sociology at the University at Albany, has researched perceptions of age for decades. In real life, Ward is 76. “But in my head, I’m in my 60s,” he says. “I think that’s true of a lot of people as they age. I’m still pretty much the same person as I was then.”

Ward wrote his doctoral dissertation about the stigma associated with aging and people’s tendency to attach negative labels such as “elderly” to themselves and others. He says the research he did in the 1970s indicated that “we all have a mental image of our life course, one that’s reinforced by all kinds of cultural images. People tend to exaggerate the problems of being older in terms of psychology, health, and fi-

“ You could just as well make a different case: that viewing yourself as younger is a form of optimism, rather than denialism.”

— Jennifer Senior, author of “The Puzzling Gap Between How Old You Are and How Old You Think You Are”

Photo: iStockphoto.com/kate_sept2004.

nances, and we internalize those images. The images you receive when you’re younger tend to stay with you as you age.”

“But I came back to it more recently, at the end of my career,” continues Ward, who retired in 2015. “I came across a national survey data set that examined the same questions I’d looked at in the ’70s and found that, after 41 years, the language surrounding aging is less negative than it used to be, and the word ‘senior’ has become a more positive label.”

That’s important, Ward says. “If you feel old, you’re likely to be more concerned about your health and what the future looks like. Maintaining a more anchored self, feeling that you haven’t changed much,” can help you preserve a sunnier outlook, Ward notes.

Of course, our physical health can influence our subjective age, and vice versa, Ward suggests. “If you enjoy good health, you might feel better about yourself. The two reinforce each other.”

If subjective age has such profound implications, for better and worse, is it possible to change our subjective age? “A senior 20 to 40 years ago is not the same as a senior or older adult today,” says Diane Conroy-LaCivita, executive director of the nonprofit Colonie Senior Service Centers in Albany and a 57-year-old who feels 35 in her head. “It’s always evolving as people are living longer and there are opportunities for more health care.”

While Colonie’s services and programs are not expressly aimed at altering anyone’s subjective age, Conroy-LaCivita sees abundant evidence suggesting that that’s how things play out. “The more social activities people participate in, the less they concentrate on their aches and pains and things they are missing and the more they enjoy the things they can do,” she says.

Conroy-LaCivita recalls an older patron who came to Colonie after losing his wife. “Like so many others, particularly men, who are just lost after losing their wives, he started by just coming for lunch. He met people, started participating in activities, trying new hobbies.” Pretty soon, she says, he became one of the “popular people on campus,” met a woman, and got married.

Conroy-LaCivita cites this experience as an example of the malleability of the age we are in our heads. This man, she suggests, felt a lot older in his head when he first came to lunch than he likely does as a newlywed. At the end of the day, she says, “What’s wrong with feeling 30?” n

At Tri City Rentals, we serve you best by offering superior customer service and an apartment you are proud to call home. With over 50 years of experience, residents can count on our knowledge and expertise to provide the ultimate living environment. Whether it’s a new job opportunity in the area or you’re looking for a change of scenery, let Tri City Rentals open the door to your next home.

Balanced SpinneyLife

SpinneyLife is a refreshed version of the lifestyle and wellness program exclusively provided at Spinney ”55 and better” active adult communities.

Designed to help Spinney residents embrace their life to the fullest and modeled after the International Council of Active Aging (ICAA)’s Dimension of Wellness

The Spinney at Van Dyke in Delmar

TheSpinneyatVanDyke.com

Schedule a tour! (518) 689-0162

program, the SpinneyLife wellness program is tailored to support and engage our residents in meaningful and impactful ways to live their best life.

If a Balanced SpinneyLife sounds like something you are interested in, contact us for more information about our Spinney communities:

The Spinney at Pond View in Castleton

TheSpinneyatPondView.com

Schedule a tour! (518) 479-0800

Community

Encourage and promote community building and involvement in our neighborhoods and community at large.

Programs and events in this category may include: volunteer opportunities, charitable giving experiences, career exploration (a new career, part-time work, gig-work, mentoring opportunities, etc.), and spiritual engagement. Our volunteer and charitable giving programs, spiritual programs and opportunities, and a maintenancefree lifestyle make it easy for residents to seek out meaningful ways to remain connected and involved in their community.

Surrounding oneself in nature through experiences and opportunities.

Programs in this category could include forest bathing, group hikes, and seeking out ways to engage in the natural environment such as gardening, meditation and more. Make a conscious effort to choose “green” and environmentallyfriendly resources and processes that support re-use and recycling. Our Spinney community amenities including walking trails, community gardens and community pools make it easy for our residents to benefit from this dimension.

SpinneyLife programming encourages residents to engage in creative and intellectually stimulating experiences. There are many ways to stay intellectually active in a Spinney community, including continuing education courses, music lessons, learning a new hobby or skill, craft and handiwork programs, our author visit program, and challenging oneself with games, puzzles, and more. SpinneyLife also provides programs and resources to support resident’s financial, legal, and safety awareness.

Social

The SpinneyLife lifestyle and wellness program weaves a social component into much of the monthly event calendar. Engaging in social interactions with neighbors, friends, and family are valuable to one’s health and well-being. Through SpinneyLife programming residents can interact with others in so many ways, including: joining community groups and clubs, attending social events at The Clubhouse, partaking in group trips and experiences, sharing personal histories, and meeting new friends and neighbors in the Spinney community.

Wellness

Supporting our residents’ wellness is at the core of the SpinneyLife program.

Through physical, mental, spiritual, emotional and health-related programming, residents in a Spinney community have support and encouragement through the programs and events to make lifestyle choices that can maintain and improve one’s health and wellness. Group fitness classes, personal fitness challenges, mindful exercise, stress management, healthy cooking and nutrition programs, health clinics, community pools and fitness, and walking paths are some of the many opportunities Spinney residents can enjoy right in the comfort of their neighborhood.

Palatable Picnics

Easy finger foods to enjoy outdoors

RECIPES AND PHOTOS COURTESY OF JENNIFER SEGAL OF ONCE UPON A CHEF

Picnics can range from elaborate affairs complete with candelabras, portable tables and place settings or they can be as simple as gathering on a blanket with tasty sandwiches and other finger foods. The point is that picnics are one of summer’s joys. Here are some recipes to consider for your next outdoor food fest.

TUNA SALAD

SERVINGS: 2 CUPS (ENOUGH FOR 4 SANDWICHES)

INGREDIENTS

• 2 (5-ounce) cans chunk white tuna packed in water

• ½ cup mayonnaise, best quality such as Hellmann’s or Duke’s

• 2 ribs celery, finely diced

• 2 scallions, light and dark green parts, thinly sliced

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)

• ¾ teaspoon Dijon mustard

• 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish

• 3 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Drain the tuna in a fine mesh strainer. With the tuna in the strainer, use paper towels to pat and blot the tuna until completely dry. Transfer the tuna to a medium bowl and flake with a fork. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until evenly combined. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Use immediately or store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Serve

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups dried chickpeas, rinsed and picked over

• 8 scallions, light and dark green parts, from 1 bunch, coarsely chopped

• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

• 4 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped

• 2 teaspoons salt

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

• ½ teaspoon cumin

• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

• Vegetable oil, for frying

INSTRUCTIONS

1 Soak the chickpeas: Put the chickpeas in a large bowl and cover with water by about 4 inches. Soak for 24 hours, adding more water if necessary to keep the chickpeas covered, as they will double in size. (Al-

FALAFEL

ternatively, if you’re short on time, you can use the quick-soak method: place the beans in a pot and cover with water by about three inches; bring to a rolling boil and boil for five minutes. Then remove the pan from the heat and let stand for one hour.)

2 Drain the chickpeas and place in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add all of the other ingredients except for the oil and process until the chickpeas are finely minced, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary, 1 to 2 minutes. The mixture shouldn’t be completely uniform you want a slightly nubby texture but you’ll need to process it enough so that it is moistened and binds together.

3 Form heaping tablespoonfuls of

the mixture into patties about ½ inch thick and 1½ inches wide.

4 Heat ¼-inch of oil in a large nonstick sauté pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add half of the falafel to the pan (the falafel should sizzle immediately when you drop it in the oil; if it doesn’t, wait another minute or two for the oil to heat up.). When the first side is golden, flip and cook a few minutes more until golden all over. The total cook time should be 3 to 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the falafel to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Cook the second batch, then serve warm or room temperature with tahini sauce or yogurt sauce (for sauce recipes, visit onceuponachef.com).

SERVINGS: 20 TO 24 FALAFEL PATTIES

Home to a New Generation

Enjoy cottage living, designed for active, independent “55 and better” residents. Life at The Spinney is more than a great home...it’s a community of friends.

Single-story, maintenance-free living with attached garages, patios and decks. Coupled with our lifestyle programming, residents are able to connect through a wellness-focused lifestyle that empowers and inspires.

Pond View amenities include…

• Pet Friendly

• Cable & Internet

• 24 Hour Maintenance

• Front & Back Porches

• Washer & Dryer in Unit

• Community Activities

• Attached Garages

• Snow Removal

• Trash Removal

• Water Usage

• Community Gardens

• 5000 Sq Ft Clubhouse

• Pools

Finger Lickin’ GOOD

BY JANET REYNOLDS

Chiles and Smoke: BBQ, Grilling, and other Fire-Friendly Recipes with Spice and Flavor

Brad Prose | Harvard Common Press | $26.99 | 192 pages

Brad Prose is a home chef who has devoted his life to all things grilling, barbecue and chiles. One of the results is his new cookbook, Chiles and Smoke: BBQ, Grilling, and other Fire-Friendly Recipes with Spice and Flavor (Harvard Common Press).

He writes in the cookbook about how his quest began when he tried to figure out what to cook for his girlfriend now wife who was a vegetarian (note past tense). As a lifelong resident of Phoenix, Arizona, Prose wanted to highlight the cooking influences of that area and his own love for Mexican food as well as celebrate the food from his wife’s home state of Chihuahua in Mexico.

As Prose studied global foods from Eastern Asia, India, North Africa and more, he realized that one of the common ingredients that tied these various cuisines together was the chile pepper. And so, as he was exploring barbecuing and grilling techniques, Prose began playing around with chile peppers in all their iterations.

Chiles and Smoke is the happy compendium of all Prose’s work. Filled with recipes for chicken, lamb, beef and seafood, the book is meant for the home griller interested in doing more than slapping a piece of meat on the grill. Prose gives tips on smoking, barbecuing and grilling so you can take your outdoor cooking experience to the next level. He also highlights various chiles and the characteristics of each so the home cook can try their own culinary experiments down the road.

Turn the page for a recipe to whet your appetite and take your outdoor cooking to the ooh-ahh level. Visit 55pluslifemag.com for more!

A new barbecue and grilling book to take your outdoor cooking to the next level

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CHIPOTLE TAHINI GRILLED CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS

CHIPOTLE TAHINI CHICKEN

• 4 pounds bone-in chicken legs

• 1 cup canola oil

• ½ cup orange juice

• ½ cup tahini

• 5 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce

• 4 tablespoons soy sauce

• 5 garlic cloves

• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

• Slices of lemon

MARINATED ONIONS

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

• 1 tablespoon ground sumac

• ½ teaspoon white sugar

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 red onion, thinly sliced

• 2 tablespoons flat leaf parsley, chopped

FOR GARNISH:

• 4 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

1 Pat the chicken dry. Using a sharp paring knife, cut parallel slashes into the chicken about 1-inch apart, all the way to the bone on both sides of the leg.

2 Add the canola oil, orange juice, tahini, chipotle chiles, soy sauce, and garlic into a high-speed blender and purée until smooth. Place the chicken in a sealed plastic bag or container. Pour the marinade and rub the chicken to make sure it’s evenly coated. Allow the chicken to marinate in the fridge for at least two hours, up to six.

3 Prepare the onions. Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, sumac, sugar, and salt. Taste and adjust with more salt if needed. Pour over the sliced red onion and parsley, tossing to combine. Allow these to marinate in the fridge for at least an hour.

4 Remove the chicken from the marinade and wipe off excess sauce.

5 Prepare the grill for a two-zone cooking setup at medium-high heat, about 350-400°F, with the hot coals on one side. I recommend adding hardwood to the charcoal, such as apple or hickory.

6 Clean and oil the grill grates when ready. Place the chicken skin-side down directly over the coals and grill for about 5-6 minutes until the chicken is seared and releases from the grates. Flip and cook for another 5-6 minutes to sear the other side. Move the chicken to the cooler side of the grill when ready and close the lid, allowing the chicken to finish cooking for another 10 minutes or until the meat registers at least 170°F.

7 Remove the chicken from the grill and allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes. Serve with the Marinated Onions and garnish with sesame seeds. Squeeze a slice of lemon over the chicken before serving.

I Went to a Garden Party

Ideas, tips, and tricks for hosting a gorgeous event

BY CAITLIN MANNER

Outdoor garden parties elevate the backyard barbecue into something a bit more … magical. The difference often comes down to a bigger focus on decór, with whimsical tablescapes and elaborate lighting schemes. Instead of serving burgers and hot dogs, a typical outdoor garden party might have finger foods, or tapas, or a family-style smorgasbord.

It may sound like a lot more work than your average summer gathering, but with a few tips and tricks you can pull off a memorable event without breaking the bank (or your back).

Michelle Dischiavo, event coordinator and designer at Intuition Events in Albany, offers some pointers for planning the perfect garden party.

Choose an Aesthetic

It’s easy to go a bit overboard when planning an outdoor garden party, so the first step is to decide on a theme. What kind of mood do you want to set? For example, are you going for bright colors and playful place settings for an afternoon tea, or are you going for more of a woodland fairy-tale evening, with natural hues and tons of lights?

When making this decision, consider your intended guests and the purpose of the gathering, as well as what kinds of items you might already have that you can use or repurpose. For example, a bunch of mismatching table linens can lend themselves well to a quirky and colorful theme. Or maybe you’ve accumulated a bunch of decorative lanterns and can use them to light up an evening of wine and charcuterie.

Consider the kind of food you want to serve when choosing your overall aesthetic. “You want to focus on what type of party you want to have, and then what type of food you have will either elevate it or bring it down to something more basic,” says Dischiavo. This can be the difference between cucumber sandwiches and sliders; they’re both petite and delicious but create very different vibes.

Foundations First

You can have the cutest place settings and most adorable decorations available, but if the table legs are sinking into soggy turf you’ll be in for a disaster. If you’ve had a lot of wet weather leading up to the party, it’s a good idea to consider keeping the essential furniture on a porch or patio or if you’re really gung-ho, you can create a temporary platform out of pallets or repurposed plywood. (Dress this up with layered throw rugs, or even sheets or blankets for a boho feel.)

Conversely, if you’re expecting hot weather, try to place your seating area in a shaded spot under a leafy canopy, an awning, or gazebo. This will keep your food, decorations, and your guests from wilting in direct sunlight.

Divide Food and Drinks into Stations

As the host, it can be challenging to balance serving your guests with socializing. If you are able to “delegate” the serving duties, you’ll be freed up to enjoy more of your party. By separating all the comestibles into different areas, your guests can spread out and help themselves. For example, instead of playing bartender the whole time, create a bar or drinks station with all the beverages, ice, and drinkware on display. Have a signature cocktail already made in a pitcher or decorative urn, or make little cards with suggested recipes guests can make themselves.

The food station will depend on what you’re planning to serve, but it will either be your main table (for a family-style gathering) or a separate station. Family-style is wonderful, but will mean fewer decorations to allow room for the food to be kept on the table. A buffet-style food area, on the other hand, opens up a world of possibilities. This brings us to another consideration: What kind of food will you offer?

The breakaway area can be whatever you want to make it: a makeshift awning over chaise lounges for people to sit and chat; an area with lawn games like cornhole or croquet; a pile of blankets spread out on the grass with cushions and parasols; or a circle of Adirondack chairs around a fire pit. Whatever your aesthetic, it should be a slightly separate place for people to socialize.

Set the Stage

Now, for the fun part! Decorating for a garden party is one instance where more is better. Go a bit overboard. Layer

tablecloths to add color and texture to an otherwise drab table. And when in doubt add a string of lights. Most importantly, Dischiavo says, is not to forget music. “I don’t know if that’s obvious, but you have to have some type of music,” she says. “Even if it’s classical music or jazz, you want some sort of background to set the stage for the event. It makes people feel more comfortable, you know, to fill in the dead air.”

Here are some more ideas to consider:

• The local thrift store is your oyster, so to speak. Whip up a whimsical tablescape by finding vintage flatware that share a similar color scheme. You can make unmatched silverware “match” by spray-painting the handles bright colors. You can buy a few old dresses in fun patterns and cut them into ribbons to tie onto the backs of chairs.

• Make garden chairs extra cozy by adding pillows, cushions, and throws.

• Candles are always a fun decorative addition; citronella candles go the extra mile to help stave off predatory mosquitoes.

• You can make your guests feel special by adding personalized place settings: Write their name on a card and tie it onto their napkin, or design little card holders.

• It’s called a garden party for a reason: put in-season flowers everywhere. It’s also very on-trend to include a ton of greenery mixed with florals, according to Dischiavo; it gives you “that boho-chic kind of feel, like a lot of plants and foliage, with color integrated using your linens or napkins.” You could serve cocktails with edible flowers as a garnish, as well.

• If your garden isn’t as lush as you’d like, potted plants can create the illusion of a floral wonderland without costing a fortune. Dischiavo particularly loves getting potted plants at Felthousen’s, and mentioned that smaller potted plants make excellent party favors.

• Trader Joe’s is a fantastic option for buying cut flowers at a low price, but Dischiavo is also an advocate of visiting pick-your-own flower fields at local farms. “It’s a great way to save money, the plants are seasonal, and it keeps it local, you know?”

• Place a few baskets of rolled-up blankets or throws around the yard to up the cozy factor.

• String lights and lanterns are perfect for making your garden look magical. Drape them over tree limbs, through bushes, or between poles for a makeshift arbor. You can place clusters of lanterns in areas you’d like to be well-lit, or hang them like a deconstructed chandelier.

• Make bunting from old wrapping paper or fabric swatches for an old-timey British feel.

• Craft your own table runners using butcher paper and stamps. (You can even make your own stamp by carving a design into a halved potato!)

• Add some pizzazz with a balloon arch kit; they’re relatively cheap and easy to construct.

• Dischiavo encourages hosts to find a common activity for the guests to engage in that is low pressure. “I’m a big fan of the Polaroid camera, to have it out for guests to use,” she says. “It’s fun, and it’s something to do, like a conversation piece that will connect people.”

• Everyone loves sparklers. n

 It’s the details, says event coordinator and designer Michelle Dischiavo, that can take an outdoor event to the next level. On these two pages are some examples of parties she has created for different people and events.

Photos courtesy Michelle Dischiavo.

Making Your Garden

How to create a hummingbird oasis

BY CAITLIN MANNER

ardens are often a source of solace, a sensory cleansing-of-the-palate that we can turn to for rejuvenation. They also serve an ecological purpose, creating an opportunity for increased biodiversity at a time when our planet needs it the most. With some careful planning and a bit of work, you can contribute to both of these aspects by creating a hummingbird oasis.

Hummingbirds are essential pollinators and helpful pest eliminators, but they’re also a joy to watch. You can easily encourage these cheerful little birds to visit your yard, but it takes a little more than just hanging a feeder. We spoke with Kathryn Schneider, author of Birding the Hudson Valley and a member of the Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club, to get more information on how to invite more hummingbirds to our homes.

Why It’s Worth the Effort

Aside from the joy watching them brings, hummingbirds are essential pollinators that help keep our ecosystem thriving. They also feed their young insects that we don’t like having around ants, aphids, flies, gnats, and even mosquitoes so their presence always has a net-positive impact. Unfortunately,

hummingbird-friendly habitats are dwindling thanks to property development and climate change, which could be having an impact across many of their migration routes.

According to Schneider, the Capital Region is home to only one species: the ruby-throated hummingbird. The males are distinctive, with ruby-red throats, a bright green back and a black chin. The females are more muted, but equally beautiful to observe. They are widely considered to be one of the friendliest hummingbird species; they readily come to sugar water feeders and flower gardens, and aren’t easily startled by the presence of humans.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds fly all the way to Panama for the winter to find the nectar they need to fuel their little hyperactive bodies. They migrate back north when the weather warms, and typically start showing up in the Capital District when the azaleas and rhododendrons start to bloom, says Schneider.

Hummingbirds are creatures of habit. Once a hummingbird discovers your property, the same individual is likely to return each year at about the same time. So, if you invest the time and energy now, you can enjoy hummingbird visits every spring and summer.

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CREATING THE IDEAL HUMMINGBIRD HOME

ou don’t need to have a huge yard to create an oasis worthy of hummingbird visits. Even in the largest cities, hummingbirds occupy parks and sometimes visit window boxes or rooftop gardens, as long as you provide the right attractants. The number of hummingbirds that frequent your yard is closely linked to the abundance of food, water, nesting sites, and perches.

FOOD: GO NATIVE!

It’s commonly thought that hummingbirds are drawn to the color red. That’s at least partly because the tubular flowers they prefer are often red. In reality, hummingbirds are more partial to native plants than they are to any particular color.

Schneider says that in our area, hummingbirds particularly love red salvia, foxglove, and Monarda (commonly known as bee balm). “I would highly encourage people to plant native plants as hummingbird attractants, because they’re more attracted to those than some flowers that are cultivated like zinnias and petunias, although they like those as well,” she says.

If you plant patches of the same species three or more plants in one area you can provide larger quantities of nectar and increase the odds of a hummingbird finding you. This can be done in your yard, and it works really well as the basis for a container garden, too. It’s also a good idea to select plants that bloom at different times of the year to provide nectar throughout the hummingbird season.

HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS

Hummingbird feeders filled with sugar water are great for hummingbirds, but you need to be careful. “The problem with feeders is that people don’t change them often enough. If you don’t change the sugar water frequently every few days, and more often in hot weather it tends to grow fungus inside, which can really harm the birds,” says Schneider.

Her advice is to use the correct dilution of four parts water to one part sugar, and omit red food coloring as it really isn’t necessary.

WATER

Hummingbirds need a source of water in their ideal habitat. Providing a birdbath is helpful, and hummingbirds particularly love one with a fountain or water that trickles to bathe in. Garden misters are equally attractive, and it can be a joy to watch the birds preen under the gentle spray.

THINK VERTICALLY

“If you’re going to put a feeder out, try to have a perch nearby,” Schneider says. Hummingbirds like to be able to survey the area for predators before they come down to feed, so a well-situated perch is essential. If your yard doesn’t include trees or shrubs that can readily serve this purpose, try to position a perch within 10 to 20 feet of the feeder or plants. By keeping the perch close to the house you can deter larger predators, and it’s equally important that the perch be high out of reach of any curious house cats.

You can encourage hummingbird nest-building by growing a diversity of leafy trees and large shrubs that provide shelter at varying heights. Consider growing plants that provide soft fibers for nesting material, such as alder, witch hazel, pussy willow, or maple trees. If you have pets that shed, leave some of their fur collected during brushings out in a bush or tree where hummingbirds can safely find it.

If you can find some way to incorporate each of these tips, you’ll be sure to have plenty of hummingbirds to watch all season long. Schneider encourages everyone to start simple, and plant native. “Foxglove is beautiful, and the hummingbirds love it!” she says. “I just have a planter on my porch, and I can sit there and just watch them coming to it, and I don’t have to do anything. It’s wonderful!” n

AGING

(the Swedish way)

Tips for living a happier life in your senior years

BY JANET REYNOLDS

Film icon Mae West reportedly said, “Getting old is not for the faint of heart.” While Margareta Magnusson, author of the The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly: Life Wisdom from Someone Who Will (Probably) Die Before You, might agree with that sentiment overall, she has other suggestions for managing the aging process.

Magnusson, who describes her age as somewhere between 80 and 100, became an almost instant aging guru with her bestselling book, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. In it, she reminds people that they are not actually what they own and that leaving all that stuff around for their relatives to clean up after they are gone is a disservice at the very least. She breaks down how to approach eliminating, donating, downsizing all the things we’ve accumulated over the years to just what we need now. Think Marie Kondo meets the Grim Reaper, but with a humorous, downto-earth sensibility.

Magnusson decided to expand on her death-cleaning idea during the COVID-19 lockdown by writing a collection of essays on how to age with grace and dignity and as the book title implies a little humor. The insights, while somewhat obvious at times, are good reminders that keeping track of what’s really important in life is something we can all benefit from, no matter how old we are.

In the chapter, “The World is Always Ending,” for instance, Magnusson writes about how easy it is to get caught up in the disaster(s) of the moment and forget that each day does, indeed, have something in it that’s positive, a mindset that we can control even as we recognize climate issues, government unrest and wars. Sometimes, Magnusson writes, finding these little pluses can feel difficult in a lifestyle that is increasingly diminishing. Thinking smaller and closer to home can help, she notes. She lists books and the world that is open to her thanks to technology as just a couple of examples.

As a survivor of World War II, Magnusson knows firsthand that what appears to be a disaster of huge proportions can, in fact, turn out differently. She offers this advice, compliments of the philosopher Immanuel Kant: “At every turn and action you must ask yourself, ‘What if everyone did this?’ It is a good rule. It helps me figure out what is right and wrong. Imagine if we all did this? Even at my age it is not too late to start. Then the world will never end.”

In another chapter, Magnusson shows how reframing what we think about our status can help us think more positively. She suggests substituting saying, “I’m alone,” for “I’m on my own.” It’s instantly a statement of power rather than one of loss or implied loneliness. “Why am I saying ‘alone’

Images courtesy Simon & Schuster Inc.

Author photo by Alexander Mahmoud.

instead of on my own?” she writes. “Do I feel alone? I have always enjoyed getting by on my own, haven’t I?”

While Magnusson’s ideas are not exclusively Swedish, some of her concepts pull from that Scandinavian country. She discusses the idea of kärt besvär, which essentially means doing something that is simultaneously cherished and burdensome. Paying your monthly bills, for instance, could be considered kärt besvär an annoying obligation that allows you to continue to have heat and reminds you to be grateful you have the money to pay your bills.

She notes that as people age, they often begin to think of many activities as burdensome, losing track of the upsides to being able to still do them. Seeing these so-called burdens as opportunities or pluses can help, Magnusson says, maintain a more positive attitude toward aging. “I think the secrets of aging well and happily are in finding ways to make your routines dear to you,” she writes. “I may not have a choice in how long they will take me to do or whether I will even be alive a few weeks from now, but I do have a choice to decide how to approach my daily life. Most days not all days I’m able to see my daily routine, my daily life, as kärt besvär.” n

The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly: Life Wisdom from Someone Who Will (Probably) Die Before You Margareta Magnusson | Scribner | $19.99 | 160 pages

 Author Magareta Magnusson wants everyone, not just Swedes, to learn how to age with grace and humor.

Power

How to pick the right e-bike for you

BY CAITLIN MANNER

E-bike is a broad term used to describe any bicycle fitted with a battery-powered motor. This latest trend of electric vehicles has divided the bicycling community, but it reopens the sport for those who felt excluded due to their physical abilities.

Matt McGowen, owner of the Freewheel Bike Shop in Albany, says that most people who come into the shop to buy e-bikes are of retirement age. “There’s this trope that e-bikes are for lazy people, or [if] you don’t want to ride a real bike,” he says. “I think that’s kind of untrue and not a fair assessment. Generally they’re good for getting people out more because it overcomes that barrier.”

E-bikes also offer an emissions-free option for commuting, make it safer to share the road with cars, and have proven to be a boon for getting people reinvolved in a healthy hobby.

One thing they are not, however, is inexpensive. Here’s what you need to consider before you purchase.

E-Bike Advantages

E-bikes are great for people who love the idea of riding a bike but feel as if they can’t because their fitness isn’t what it could be, or isn’t what it used to be, due to age or illness. This makes them a particularly wonderful choice for older people, especially if you’re trying to get out into nature again but are aware there are certain limitations in the beginning.

For example, many people struggle with hills and headwinds, or are limited by their endurance capabilities. An e-bike can allow riders to stop worrying about overcoming these obstacles on their own. As long as your battery is fully charged, you never need to worry about getting home. You are also able to control the amount of assistance you get from the motor, making your ride highly adaptable. As your confi-

Images: iStockphoto.com.

Photo, Uwe Moser; illustration, Fourleaflover.

Things to know before you buy…

CLASSES

E-bikes are generally separated into three classes:

CLASS 1: offers pedal assist up to 20 mph, providing a bit of additional power as you ride.

CLASS 2: has pedal-assist mode as well as a throttle — a little switch on the handlebars — that when engaged negates the need to pedal at all. You don’t need to use the throttle if you don’t want to, and the max assist speed is 20 mph.

CLASS 3: is solely pedal-assist (like class 1), but the pedal assist stops when the e-bike reaches 28 mph.

MOTOR TYPE: HUB VERSUS MID-DRIVE

You can pretty easily distinguish the two types of motors by sight: a mid-drive motor is usually located on the bar that goes between your legs, whereas a hub motor is located on the hub of the wheel (usually on the rear, but sometimes on the front wheel).

MID-DRIVE MOTOR: Mid-drive motors work a lot like traditional bicycles: They drive the chain ring from the crank just as you provide power when you pedal. Essentially, you are working with the motor, doing the same motion to move the bike forward. A mid-drive motor e-bike is usually geared by using the shifter just like on a regular bike.

HUB MOTOR: Located within the hub of the wheel, a hub motor operates more like a tandem system: You’re up front driving the chain ring that moves the wheel, and then the motor itself is running the wheel. It’s like two different drive modes operating at the same time. Because of this, the hub-motor bikes are geared differently. McGowen also says that traditionally, hub motors provide a less smooth ride.

PRICE

The average price of an e-bike is about $2,000. Entry-level e-bikes start around $1,000, while high-end ones can cost $6,000 or more. Some things that determine the price of an e-bike include:

BATTERY: Greater battery capacity provides more riding time between charges so you can ride farther with assistance. Measured in watt-hours (Wh), battery capacity typically ranges from 250 Wh to over 650 Wh, with higher capacity batteries being more expensive.

MOTOR: Hub motors are usually cheaper, while middrive motors start at a higher price point, due to their function as well as manufacturing costs. Motors come in a range of sizes — 250 W to 750 W — and the power determines how strong the pedal assist can be. The higher the watts, the more work a motor can do — but also the more battery power it consumes.

Torque measures the rotational force of the motor. The higher the torque, the stronger the support for the rider, especially at low cadences (like going uphill) or higher loads (carrying cargo).

RELIABILITY: On more reliable bikes, McGowen says the battery, motor, and controller are all the same brands. A well-known brand adds reliability as well as the ease of finding replacement parts or service tools. Cheaper systems or ones with mix-andmatch components may not be as dependable and may cost more in the long run.

DESIGN: E-bikes designed to integrate electrical components like the battery, motor, and wiring into the bike frame, as in a mid-drive, are going to cost more. A bike with an externally mounted battery and a hub motor costs less to design and produce.

BICYCLING REQUIRES some familiarity with the sport’s jargon and highly specialized technical specifications. McGowen provided some simplified explanations for what to look for when buying an e-bike.

dence grows, so will your physical fitness.

E-bikes are also safer in road-sharing situations. You can keep up with the flow of traffic more easily using the motor, making it so that fewer cars will feel the need to overtake you. Navigating intersections becomes less awkward as well, because you can use the motor to accelerate more easily from a dead stop.

This also makes e-bikes perfect for those wanting to rely less on cars for transportation. Their motor assist makes it possible to accomplish errands that you would never attempt on a regular bike and without polluting the atmosphere. You can go further, faster, and farther on an e-bike, and you wouldn’t be showing up drenched in sweat, either. You would dramatically decrease your carbon footprint, avoid traffic congestion, and save a ton of money on gas.

Picking the Right E-Bike

Picking the perfect e-bike is less about what name is emblazoned across the frame, and more about where you go to get one. Visiting a bike shop in person is an important first step. “In my experience, the most important thing is fit and comfort on the bike,” says McGowen. “Having something that you can try out in person is to your benefit.”

Shopping online for an e-bike can yield bikes built overseas in factories with very little quality control, so you might save some money but you can end up with an unreliable product. As one of the only bike shops in the area that will fix all kinds of e-bikes (even those not purchased from his store), McGowen bemoans the number of people needing significant repairs on these substandard bikes. His advice is to use brands that care more about their quality control and reputations for reliability. “Try to purchase from an American company Lectric, based in Utah, or Aventon in California are good companies. They’re more reliable; they’re like the Hondas of the e-bike world,” he says, “and Trek, Giant, Specialized they’re the Mercedes.”

Working with an e-bike specialist in person eliminates the need to make sense of all the bicycle-specific data and jargon. “Getting a bike that is comfortable from a reputable brand that will back their product with a good warranty there’s a huge benefit to getting it from a shop,” he says. “We know the product, we can source the parts and can trust where the parts come from.”

Customers can also try out a bike. While researching components and brands is helpful when buying your first e-bike, nothing is better than experience. “Taking a test ride is the best way to sort out what you want and don’t want,” he says. n

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Good for You When Snacking is

Sometimes a full meal just isn’t, ahem, on the menu. It could be due to a lack of time to prepare it, or to sit down and enjoy it, or simply no interest in having that much food. So, we turn to snacking. Some of the best meals with my husband start with carrots, hummus, cheese, crackers and, voila the next thing you know we’ve added some olives, perhaps shrimp, and a delicious, nutritious meal of diverse tastes has been enjoyed.

Turns out we can “snack” on exercise as well and obtain benefits similar to those that occur when we work out longer.

Most of us know that the Centers for Disease Control advises us to engage in moderate-to-vigorous exercise for 150 minutes a week. A pair of studies published in the April 2015 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) revealed that “Those who met the guidelines precisely, completing 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise, enjoyed greater longevity benefits and 31 percent less risk of dying during the 14-year period compared with those who never exercised.”

When I share that research with my clients, many respond by saying 1) they hate exercising and/or 2) they don’t have time to do all that. So, how to get the physical activity our bodies apparently need and probably crave? Snack!

Turns out that moving vigorously for a minute or two repeatedly through the day packs a powerful health punch. Two recent articles detail this. The January 2022 edition of the journal Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews found that performing short bouts (one minute or less) of vigorous exercise throughout the day is a “feasible, well-tolerated, and time-efficient approach” to improving heart and lung health and reducing the impact of a sedentary lifestyle on cardiometabolic health.

An article in the December 2022 issue of Nature Medicine bolsters this fact. Researchers in that article report that getting small amounts of vigorous non-exercise physical activity interspersed throughout your day is linked to a reduced risk of dying. Specifically, they note that those who engaged in three bouts of activity per day lasting about one or two minutes each had a 38%-40% reduction in all-cause and cancer

BY BENITA ZAHN

mortality risk as well as a 48%-49% reduction in risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. That’s right, three “snacks” a day have a positive health impact.

I checked out this theory with my go-to guy for all things activity related, Paul Arciero, professor for the Health and Human Physiological Sciences Department at Skidmore College. Spot on, he assures me, and he recommends these short bursts to all who are time challenged or embarking on a physical activity program.

The key to exercise snacks is that they must be vigorous. In other words, you must move at an intensity that makes it tough to talk. You can walk with a powerful stride, walk stairs with focus, or dance as if no one is watching. Even chores like mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, and playing with the grandkids can add up.

In a sense, these short bursts or snacks mimic the popular HIIT (high-intensity interval) workouts that consist of short bursts of high-intensity activity followed by a short breather. Moreover, once you embrace the snacking approach to exercise and start reaping the benefits such as improved energy, strength and even weight loss you might consider other programs or forms of movement that lead to the 150 minutes per week the CDC recommends. Yes, that’s still the gold standard but as the snacking research shows, a little exercise is far better than nothing. After all, “sitting is the new smoking,” a phrase coined by Dr. James Levine, professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic. He points to research showing a sedentary lifestyle is akin to smoking when it comes to mortality risk.

Just get started. Moving with intensity doesn’t require special clothing, a gym membership, or an extensive time commitment. There are many short-duration programs available online if you need suggestions or want more variety in your snacks.

Bottom line, like the Nike ad says, just do it. And snack to your heart’s delight. n

Benita Zahn photo by Michael Gallitelli.

BENITA ZAHN is a certified health and wellness coach working in the Capital Region. Visit benitahealthcoach.com.

Turns out we can “snack” on exercise as well.

Even small tastes of exercise can help you keep fit

Hear Us Out!

Why healthy hearing deserves our attention as we age

BY REBECCA GATTO

Anyone who has struggled to follow a conversation or hear a phone call knows that hearing loss feels like more than a physical ailment; it’s an emotional one, too. Hearing loss can be a frustrating, discouraging experience. Even composer Ludwig van Beethoven, who famously began to lose his hearing in his mid20s, wrote that he felt humiliated when others could hear music or voices in the distance that he could not.

While most of us will never have to face the extreme struggles that Beethoven did, many of us will lose some hearing ability as we age. One in three Americans over the age of 65 has some degree of hearing loss, making it a common experience for millions. But that doesn’t mean it’s inevitable or that its symptoms have to be accepted as a fact of life. In fact, seeking out help for hearing loss can have far-reaching positive effects that ripple outward to protect both physical and mental health.

When to ask for help

A person has serious hearing loss when they struggle to hear a volume of about 40 decibels (dB) in their better ear, or around the level of a quiet conversation, according to the journal The Gerontologist. Dr. Maggie McCarthy of Albany ENT offers some real life examples: “If you feel like people mumble, you misunderstand things, or struggle to hear when others around you don’t seem to be struggling, you should find an audiologist near you and get a baseline audiogram,” she writes in an email. Needing to turn up the volume on the television or radio can be another sign. Even if you haven’t noticed any symptoms, many health care providers recommend a baseline hearing test for everyone at age 60, with follow-up tests every few years.

It’s not just that hearing loss can sneak up on you there’s another obstacle that prevents people from accessing treatment. “Hearing loss can trigger a lot of negative emotions,” McCarthy notes. “People often have preconceived notions about hearing aids or tie age to hearing loss, even

Photo: iStockphoto.com/peakSTOCK.

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HEALTHY HEARING TIPS

Want to keep your hearing tip-top? Dr. Maggie McCarthy of Albany ENT suggests the following:

• Wear hearing protection when exposed to hazardous noise, such as using power tools or mowing the lawn.

• Get a baseline audiogram.

• If you think accumulating earwax might be an issue, have your ears cleaned regularly by your primary care physician or an ear, nose and throat specialist.

though hearing aids have changed tremendously over the past 10 years and people of all ages experience hearing loss.”

According to The Lancet, it’s common to hide hearing challenges because of unfair stigma. In other words, it can feel a bit embarrassing. These emotions are normal, but having a tough time hearing doesn’t mean you’re losing your edge it’s a common, treatable medical condition. In reality, the greatest danger of hearing loss is hiding it. People who conceal their hearing issues often isolate themselves, which can damage relationships, trigger mental health problems, and even contribute to dementia. On the other hand, improved hearing helps with a surprising range of things including balance, learning ability, and focus.

Prevention and treatment

Prevention is the best medicine for hearing loss, especially for those whose jobs involve constant noise, like industrial workers, mechanics, and military personnel. Over time, even sounds that don’t seem very loud can cause damage, which is why occupational hearing protection is so important. But loud noises aren’t the only causes of hearing loss genetics, viruses, nutritional deficiencies, and even head trauma can contribute.

Once hearing is damaged, there’s usu-

ally no way to repair nerves and complex mechanisms inside the ear. The good news, though, is that treatment can be highly effective. Hearing aids, once bulky and temperamental, have developed into sleek, high-tech devices. For some people, cochlear implant surgery can be life-changing, and new devices and procedures are being developed all the time.

But some of the best strategies are decidedly low-tech. The University of North Carolina’s Hearing and Communication Center suggests taking time to consider the environment when planning a gathering. A well-lit place with minimal background noise will help everyone enjoy the conversation. If you feel comfortable, tell the people around you how best to talk to you, such as sitting on a particular side. Don’t be afraid to ask those around you to speak more slowly or repeat themselves. Then, listen actively by asking questions to make sure you’ve understood. And above all, try to keep a sense of humor about the situation.

Hearing loss can feel scary, but even the most serious impairment can be managed with the right strategies. After all, Beethoven composed his famous 9th Symphony when he was 56 years old, after three decades of struggling with his hearing and we’ve come a long way since then. n

& Hide Seek

BY CHRIS HARRIS

Whether by yourself or with a group of friends, there’s something sublimely wondrous about roaming around in the woods. Nothing reawakens the child in you quite like traipsing through a lush and lively forest, reconnecting with nature. That’s what author Ernest Rugenstein was doing when he first learned about the fascinating hiking hobby known as geocaching.

“It was completely by accident,” says Rugenstein, 66, who lives in Troy. “It was 2004. I found a geocache under a tree as I’m walking through the woods, and I went, ‘What in the world is this?’ I’m first looking at it, and thinking, ‘Is this stolen loot or drugs?’ I mean, you never know people sometimes hide stuff out in the woods.”

Rugenstein said instead, inside the geocache typically, a small waterproof container, usually made of either durable plastic or wood was a seemingly unremarkable trinket. “I can’t remember what it was now,” he says. “My wife and I wanted to be more active, and geocaching turned out to be something fun that we could do together that wasn’t hiking, which we also enjoy. It’s a great form of exercise.”

Now Rugenstein is one of the administrators of the New York

Capital Region Geocachers Facebook group, which boasts over 650 members. He says geocaching has exploded in popularity throughout most of New York State since the late 2000s.

For the uninitiated, geocaching is an outdoor activity in which participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) or mobile device to hide and/or seek containers. Known as geocaches or caches, these containers are set at specific locations and are marked by coordinates around the world.

If you are the adventurous type, but you’re also someone who enjoys solving puzzles and being social, geocaching may be the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors. Beyond access to a GPS, all you need to get started is a decent pair of shoes or boots, a pen and a notebook, and a curious nature. Then, simply download the Geocaching app onto your phone, and head for the great outdoors.

The mobile app provides coordinates that “cachers’’ can punch into their portable GPS to help them locate the hidden containers. Not all are concealed in forests; even urban areas have geocaches. Some geocaches include “trackables,” or objects that cachers will move between different locations. Each has a unique code so that they can be tracked as they’re

moved about the world. The app can also keep track of all of the geocaches a person locates.

“For some people, there’s a real sense of pride in running up the numbers” and collecting caches, says David Scott, the education director at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site in Fort Hunter. But Scott who geocaches himself cautions that it takes a lot more than an app and a GPS to be a worthy cacher.

“You can keep up with the technology, but you still need to have an old-school sense of direction,” explains Scott, who estimates “thousands” of cachers live in the Albany area. “I am old enough to remember using a map to get around, and I think people of a certain generation are more observational. The tech puts you close to the cache, but you still have to develop that ‘geo-sense’ to identify what’s out of place or where a cache may be hiding.”

Now would actually be an opportune time to pick up the hobby, given the Saratoga-Capital District Region Geocache Challenge currently running through November 12. The annual event is organized by Ian Heney, an environmental educator at Mine Kill State Park in Schoharie County.

“Geocaching is great exercise for anyone, no matter their

age,” Heney says, noting he often sees geocachers heading out on the hunt with their kids and grandkids. “It’s also a great way to see a state park, because these challenges are designed to show off the major points of interest in each park.”

The 2022 Geocache Challenge, according to Heney, generated 1,850 “geo-visits” to the participating parks, leading to 6,729 geocache finds. He says the majority of the challenge’s participants are retirees. Heney also says geocaching like most hobbies comes with its own culture, own rules, and own etiquette. “Most of its common sense,” Rugenstein explains. “For instance, tell people where you’re going. Whether you’ll be by yourself or going out with your spouse, let someone know where you’ll be.”

Rugenstein says you should always keep your wits about you when geocaching, regardless of whether you’re doing it in a park or city. “And don’t destroy anything,” he emphasizes. “Sometimes, a geocache will be hidden in a stone wall, and people will just about rip the wall apart finding it. Yes, it may take some time for you to find some of this stuff but don’t destroy anything.” n

“You can keep up with the technology, but you still need to have an old-school sense of direction.”

— David Scott, education director, Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site

Boxed In

Dealing with the stuff of a lifetime

BY VALERIE DELACRUZ

No one wants to face the inevitable narrowing down of their lives as they age. The contraction of one’s space and possessions is both sad and overwhelming.

When my mom passed away 10 years ago, I had my first experience helping someone through their end of life. She was very organized and actually had an accordion file labeled “For Valerie Upon My Death” that outlined all the steps I’d need to take. After holding her funeral, distributing her things, and selling her house, I took what was left mostly meager scraps of 78 years on earth: pictures, her military and job awards, cassette tapes of her singing in her band, mass cards and curated my first box. Corrugated cardboard, 10-by-12, 15 inches deep, it would not be my last. That box sits gathering dust on the top shelf of a closet in my office. It gives me pause to think that all she was physically is now condensed to this.

Box No. 2 was for a dear lifelong friend who succumbed to frontotemporal dementia. I knocked on her door one day to find out why everyone was reporting her odd behavior, and ended up managing her life until she died three years later at 69.

Then came a 70-year-old distant cousin of my husband’s family with both mental and health issues who became an obese hoarder and had to move from an apartment to assisted living. I have been the “boots on the ground,” picking her up from the hospital, organizing and cleaning out her apartment, chasing down her bills, and helping her make funeral arrangements so everything can be tidy when she goes.

Although she’s still living in a nursing home, I’ve already got the box with the mementos and paperwork she doesn’t have space for in her small room, waiting for the inevitable day when none of these items will be needed or wanted. That’s Box No. 3. The corner of my basement is starting to get crowded.

Last year my uncle, who never married and was childless, died suddenly. I’d been working with him for two years as his health care proxy and executrix of his will, and I had power of attorney. Here I went again, distributing his things, selling his house, wrapping up his 81 years into a box that included his military discharge papers, tax returns, mass cards, Social Security card and little else. Box No. 4.

This past summer my dad died. I’d been managing his

Photo: iStockphoto.com/PeopleImages.

and my stepmom’s lives for the past three years. The first dismantling of the chock-full home they built 30 years ago was daunting disbursing items to family members, holding garage sales, selling items on Craigslist and still ending up with two dumpster loads of items no one wanted or could use. I did this all while keeping the rest of the family away so they couldn’t see my ruthless culling. Emptying out his most recent memory-care facility apartment wasn’t as hard since we’d downsized to a small room one week before he went into the hospital for the last time. Box No. 5.

All of these people fiercely resisted these reductions. My role was to be the diplomat and guide them through their final phase, a phase that doesn’t require (or have room for) a lifetime of objects. I think they pick me to be their escort through this culling precisely because they sense I can face it without hand-wringing; somehow, they trust me.

I’m not sentimental about stuff. I mercilessly purge items I won’t use again. I’ve never been interested in ancestry or relatives further back than my grandparents. I’ve preternaturally understood since my 20s that our lifespan is a fleeting grab at a fragile airborne bubble. I loved my parents, but it was their time. Would having another one or even 10 years have made a difference in our overall relationship?

I’ve held the hand of a loved one as they passed away three times so far. It’s profound and humbling, and reinforces my certainty of what matters. This last dance of the spirit does; the stuff in these boxes doesn’t.

I’ve promised my children I’ll try not to fight them when a decade or two from now they have to take over my life. It might be a wonderful relief not to have to decide anything anymore. I’ll have my own pile of boxes to add to these when my time comes, and I hope I can let go of them with

Photo: iStockphoto.com/mattjeacock.

That

It is that moment when everything changes. We have all experienced it. We are scooped up by Grandma, Mom, a wife, a lover or even a stranger, kissed and hugged and all our worries slip away. We feel safe, saved, happy, cared for and loved. I can still see my grandmother standing at the top of the stairs and saying, “Give me a kiss and hug, I have missed you so much!” She would also say to me, “However long our hug lasts, it does not last long enough.”

Or that moment could happen during that first magical kiss with someone you are falling in love with. You know there is no way of walking back those feelings the kiss has sealed the deal. It feels like your Higher Power just stepped in and made your life perfect.

We are living in times where, for some, it seems easier to be difficult rather than to be kind and courteous. But it really does not take that much to go out of our way to make someone else feel better.

A couple of weeks ago my neighbor stopped by and revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer. At first I did not know what to say. Then he said, “I need a hug,” and with that we embraced. In that moment, we felt that his condition was curable. I told him he would be on my prayer chain every night and that he was loved.

There is no denying that a kiss and a hug is that eternal fuel to solving a lot of life’s issues. Over time I have learned that a good old strong hug is worth more than a hundred meaningful words.

Recently we attended a family birthday party, and I was so blown away by the love I felt that day. As the great aunt and uncle, we love spending time with all our nieces and nephews, as they do with us. When we get there, we kiss and

Moment

BY ROD MICHAEL

hug. When we leave, we do it again. We are grateful for those beautiful moments and the times that we can laugh and talk about everything under the sun together. Laughing together is as close as you can get to a hug without touching.

I would like to finish with two kiss stories. The first happened when I was a young lad, about nine years old. I was sitting on the front porch with the girl from across the street and I stole a kiss. The magic of that experience made feel as if I’d suddenly gone insane. Luckily, our parents saved us. I think they suspected something, so I was quickly escorted inside and she back home across the street. I can only say from that moment on, I knew the power of a kiss.

The second story is somewhat longer. I was a senior in high school, and there was a beautiful girl on whom I had a huge crush in my typing class. Not being a good public speaker, my intentions went unspoken. I graduated and she graduated; she moved onto nursing school and I to a fouryear stint in the military. A close childhood friend then asked me to be best man at his wedding, and she was to be the maid of honor. We danced together at the reception; however, being in the military and dating someone in Brooklyn at the time, I was just not ready.

Fast forward nine months to Labor Day weekend that year, when my buddy said to me, “Would you like to go out on a date with her?” He did not have to ask twice; we concocted a cover story, and he asked her if I could tag along. She consented, not knowing the real game plan and 45 days later, we were engaged! Yes, she kissed me, and I kissed her, and with that we built our dreams.

There’s an Everly Brothers song lyric that captures that moment perfectly: “Never knew what I missed till I kissed ya!” n