August 2024 - BEACON Senior News - Colorado Springs
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Enjoy beautiful surroundings at a Brookdale community in your area. Our many convenient locations make it
for friends and family to visit and we’ll welcome them as warmly as we welcome you. Take a
Enjoy beautiful surroundings at a Brookdale community in your area. Our many convenient locations make it easy for friends and family to visit — and we’ll welcome them as warmly as we welcome you. Take a tour and meet our friendly residents and staff. We’ll even provide a delicious lunch for you while you’re here!
Choose from the many Brookdale communities located in and around your area.
• Pet-friendly communities welcome your four-legged friends
• A variety of ways to connect, from art and fitness classes to book clubs and happy hours
• Personal care plans tailored to your individual needs
• Several floor plan options to meet your
• Several floor plan options to meet your personal style and budget
Publisher Kevin K. VanGundy
Editor in Chief Cloie Sandlin
Managing Editor Rhonda Wray
Graphic Designers
Michael L. Madsen B. Bigler
Customer Service Manager
Stacey Splude
Advertising Director Kevin K. VanGundy
Advertising Executive Jil Goebel
Circulation Supervisor Andi Falcone
Delivery Bill Souba
Lyndsey Pitonzo
Deborah Becton
P.O. Box 50125
Colorado Springs, CO 80949
Phone: 719-900-7664 Website
Explore how water exercise classes enhance senior fitness and mobility while bringing fun to every splash
Back-to-School Isn’t Just For Kids
Meet seniors who are stepping back into the classroom, not exactly to teach students, but to inspire them
12 Recipe: Cellentani Caprese Pasta Salad
Embrace the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle with this summer salad recipe that’s perfect for sharing 13 What to Look for In a Senior Care Facility
When considering professional care for a loved one, follow this advice to ensure they receive the care they need, both now and in the future
Do Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Make Your Mouth Itch?
The South’s Rising Star
Learn why Greenville, South Carolina is capturing the attention of major travel outlets like The New York Times and Condé Nast Traveler
Learn how simple diet changes and cooking methods can help manage and reduce symptoms of pollen food syndrome 24 Faith: Lord, liar or lunatic?
Dog Days Gardening
Dive into a thought-provoking exploration of one of history’s most profound questions: Is Jesus Christ really God? 26 Walking for Health and Friendship
Join the Falcon Wanderers and discover the joys of walking as a gateway to better health and enriching educational experiences 27 Integrating Care and Coverage
Discover how Select Health prioritizes your health by seamlessly integrating care and coverage as both a health care provider and a Medicare plan
Mis- and Disinformation
Learn how to distinguish truth from fiction and become a trusted and responsible source of information for your family, friends and community
Statement from the National Council on Aging
House proposals to cut services for older adults would hurt American families
On July 10, the House Appropriations Committee proposed significant funding cuts to the Older Americans Act (OAA), which supports several essential aging services programs.
“At a time when 11,000 Americans are turning 65 every day, these proposals would hurt American families, and we urge Congress to reject them,” said Ramsey Alwin, president and CEO of the National Council on Aging (NCOA).
Alwin emphasized that supporting our families and communities extends beyond just protecting Medicare and Social Security. Non-defense discretionary spending like the OAA helps fund meals, transportation, healthy aging programs, job placement, elder justice and other services that enable millions of Americans to age with dignity.
Alwin further warned, “Un-
derinvesting in—or, as in some proposals, completely eliminating—these programs will hurt American families who are already struggling to care for each other across multiple generations.”
He outlined that the committee’s proposals are far-reaching and include:
• Eliminating the Senior Community Services Employment Program (SCSEP), the only federal program that provides job training and placement for low-income older workers. Since 2020, SCSEP has helped over 40,000 participants each year fight homelessness and poverty through training and work.
• Abolishing funding aimed at preventing falls among older adults, including efforts by the Centers for Disease Con-
trol and Prevention (CDC) to collaborate with health care providers, as well as a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program that assists low-income older adults in modifying their homes. Falls are the leading cause of injuries among seniors, with the nation spending $50 billion annually on treatment.
• Cutting $37 million from meal services when 12 million older adults are threatened by or experience hunger. Last year, an estimated 55.6 million meals were served in group settings like senior centers and churches, and an estimated 206.2 million were delivered to homes.
• Eliminating the Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center, the only federal center addressing the dire shortage
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Urge Congress to maintain funding for the Older Americans
Act by sending letters or emails to your senators and representatives. It’s crucial to include personal stories—yours or those of family members or acquaintances who have benefited from Meals on Wheels or the Senior Community Service Employ-
Senator Michael Bennett
1244 Speer Boulevard
Denver, CO 80204
Email him using the contact form at: bennet.senate.gov
of workers who help older adults and individuals with disabilities stay independent at home. By 2031, nearly 9.3 million total direct care jobs will need to be filled.
• Failing to invest in the decennial White House Conference on Aging (anticipated for 2025), which is crucial for mobilizing both public and private sectors to address the opportunities and challenges of our aging population.
“For decades, these programs have been underfunded,” said Alwin. “Now, facing a historic boom in demand, they are being asked to do even more with even less. This is unacceptable in a nation where every person deserves the right to age with dignity. We urge the House and Senate to reject these short-sighted proposals.”
ment Program (SCSEP). Personalized messages have a powerful impact, underscoring the vital role these programs play in the lives of American seniors and their families.
Get started with a template at act.ncoa.org/a/oaa or send your letter to:
Senator John Hickenlooper 1961 Stout Street Suite 12-300
Denver, CO 80294
Email him using the contact form at: hickenlooper.senate.gov
Congressman Doug Lamborn 1125 Kelly Johnson Blvd., Suite 330 Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Email him using the contact form at: lamborn.house.gov
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person’s right to age well. Working with thousands of national and local partners, the NCOA provides resources, tools, best practices and advocacy to ensure every person can age with health and financial security. Learn more at NCOA.org.
Locker makeovers then and now
It’s back to school time, and that not only involves school supplies, but where you store them. The lockers of my youth—and probably yours too—were utterly unremarkable dingy gray towers, invariably dented from teenage scuffles.
Surprisingly, my Michigan-based granddaughter got her first locker in first grade.
“My code is my birthday,” she shared conspiratorially.
But I was a seventh-grader. Lockers signaled leveling up to junior high, a true rite of passage. My big fear concerned the padlock. Would I be able to expertly rotate it right-left-right within the three-minute passing period between classes? At 12, you desperately don’t want to ask a teacher for help! Soon enough muscle memory takes over, and you’re flipping it open without a second thought.
Sharing your combination with anyone in those early grades was taboo. I doubt there was much inside to entice stealing, however, and everybody had the same old textbooks. (Remember the stamp on the inside cover with lines for every student’s signature who had ever used that copy?)
And your locker partner might be easy to get along with or leave lunches rotting in the back. It’s the luck of the draw that first year until you can choose for yourself—a bit like future college roommates.
Kids occasionally stuffed each other in lockers. I was relieved to be neither a stuffer nor stuffee.
My first locker was across the hall from Mr. Scott’s science class, imprinted probably because of the newness of it all. The locations of the rest are a blur.
The students of today, though? Their lockers are amazingly close to tiny homes. The sheer number and variety of locker accessories—a relative newcomer to the school supplies category—are mind-boggling. While we might have
hung a poster at most, these teen decorators have chandeliers. (Yes, really!) And that’s just the start of their creative personalizing.
They cover the inside with patterned wallpaper and put a shag rug on the floor. Then they hang fancy mirrors up, along with a gallery wall of framed photos and a smattering of motivational sayings. Succulent magnets or rainbow gem stickers add extra sparkle. Fairy lights and a disco ball further elevate the look.
Magnetic hooks and mesh shelves help with organization, holding necessary items. Blackboards, whiteboards and bulletin boards convey important messages. (Our communications were scrawled on notebook paper and shoved through the crevice in the door.) Even the lockers themselves now sport a multitude of colors beyond the basic gray. And the trend of decorating the outside of friends’ lockers on their birthdays? Fun.
In Augusts gone by, paper bags covered textbooks. All the pens worked. Anticipation ran high for friends, teachers—a fresh start. Everything was found and nothing was lost. But by May, the book covers fell apart, the school supplies were worn out and the locker poster had fallen off. Summer beckoned with warmth and adventure.
In my high school, the last-day-of-school tradition meant students emptied out their lockers in the curved corridor. Essays, worksheets and quizzes carpeted the hallway, marked with red A’s, F’s and every grade in between. How cheeky of us. Our custodian worked plenty hard without tackling that extreme littering.
In a world where textbooks are increasingly offered online, will lockers eventually be obsolete? Perhaps, though schools will likely keep them until they no longer stand upright or close.
Those metal receptacles held bits of our teenage selves for a year, passed down to the next student and the one after that—smart storage solutions providing a small oasis of personal space in crowded hallways and tumultuous lives. ■
I thoroughly enjoy your publication. The content is very helpful, very informative and covers an interesting variety of subjects. One of the reasons I enjoy reading it is that you stay away from political subjects.
- Randy L.
Everybody tells you when you do things wrong, but not too many take the time to tell you when you’re doing something right. The publication is much more organized under the new ownership and the person who answers the phone is so professional!
- Al W.
Keep up the fantastic work—you make a real difference in our lives!
- Kendra
Pickleball for All (July)
You all did a fabulous job presenting the story. Thank you so much for allowing me, Steve, and my dad Ray to be a part of this project, and thank you for artfully promoting the opportunities for seniors and people with all abilities (or disabilities) to play and compete locally in this great game of pickleball.
- Mick T.
E-Bikes: Easy as 1-2-E (June)
Good for rich seniors but many of us live month to month on SSA beyond our budget even with a tax credit.
- Nick W.
Scam Detection Quiz (June)
Thank you for this article. Another way people get scammed is by paying a contractor all or a portion of the job up front and then they never show up. That just happened to a client of mine.
- Caryn B
Rhonda: Thank you for sharing this, Caryn. It’s unfortunate that your client experienced that. We’ve forwarded this topic to our columnist, and we’re hoping to feature a story on contractor scams in next month’s issue!
Senior swimmers are making a Water exercise makes waves for fun and fitness
By Rhonda Wray
t’s morning at the Cottonwood Creek Family Center YMCA pool, where a majestic mountain view fills the large windows. Before swim lessons and squealing kids careening down the water slide take over, the pool is calm. There’s laughter and chatter as a group of water exercise enthusiasts—most of them seniors—stake their spot in the pool.
“March!” called out instructor Pam Burton, 58. “Kick—front, back, switch!”
The air vibrated with Pharrell Williams’ pop hit "Happy," as the swimmers enthusiastically followed Burton’s instructions in the forgiving water.
This class is called HIT (High Intensity Training) Aquatics, a pool-style program that adapts bursts of heart-pumping activity with recovery periods, enhancing metabolism through the water's natural resistance.
Burton curates movements to eight playlists, cycling through hits from various eras—“California Dreamin’” to “Sweet Home Alabama.”
It’s a blast that almost belies its health impact for those like Ralph Reed, 77, who’s done water exercise for 20 years.
“Run!” Burton commanded, prompting class members to pump their arms and legs, churning through the water. “You’re almost there,” she encouraged, her gaze fixed on her waterproof watch to ensure that all muscle groups receive equal attention during the workout.
Burton’s own transformation is as inspiring as the encouragement she provides.
“I’m so surprised I’m able to do this,” she confessed, reflecting on her own transformation from weighing 350 pounds to leading fitness classes, which she’s done since 2020.
“I like the mix of water and music, and the in -
structors are so great at the Y,” said Lori Priddy, 65, who turned to water exercise seven years ago after a hip replacement.
A longtime runner, Priddy has gone kayaking, biking and backpacking with Project Athena, an organization that supports women in achieving adventurous goals during their recovery from medical or traumatic challenges. Priddy finds swimming a gentler, yet effective, fitness strategy, noting an improved range of motion.
“It’s a good way to get out,” said Judy Bingman, 79, who attends classes at the Briargate and Cottonwood YMCAs. “The Y’s are easy to get to, you meet other seniors and the staff is always nice and helpful.”
SOAK UP THE PERKS
Bingman pointed out an undeniable asset: the water’s low impact.
It supports about 90% of a person’s body weight, providing cushioning for aging joints, enhancing flexibility and allowing for movements that may be painful or difficult to execute on land. Additionally, the built-in resistance of water helps burn calories and tone muscles faster. Since it’s denser than air, water makes the same exercises you do in the gym more challenging.
For those who prefer a solo workout, swimming laps is a viable option, with many pools designated with lanes specifically for this purpose.
IT’S A GOOD WAY TO GET OUT. THE Y’S ARE EASY TO GET TO, YOU MEET OTHER SENIORS WITH HEALTH ISSUES AND THE STAFF IS ALWAYS NICE AND HELPFUL.
“Movement is medicine,” said Scott Riggs, the healthy living coordinator at Cottonwood. “The moment you stop, you go downhill.”
He specifically recommends swimming for those with osteoporosis.
Swimming offers numerous health benefits for seniors. It helps postmenopausal women by maintaining bone density and it reduces mental fog through increased blood flow to the brain. Additionally,
All photos by James Harris Photography
swimming may enhance brain power by forging new neural connections; research has shown senior swimmers to have improved mental speed and attention compared to non-swimmers. It also develops the upper body, core and legs, which reduces falls—a study found that senior men who swim are 33% less likely to fall than those who don’t. Furthermore, the cardiovascular benefits of swimming develop a stronger heart that pumps blood more efficiently, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Nearby, the lazy river was anything but lazy as JoAnne Peters, 75, paced herself, going around and around the course.
“My arthritis doesn’t hurt,” she said of her back.
The ability to exercise arthritic joints without aggravating symptoms is another health area where swimming helps. As Peters moved into her 60s and 70s, she joined Silver Sneakers, a fitness program tailored for seniors, which recently recognized her dedication with a certificate for a thousand days of attendance. She once stopped for a month and depression hit.
“It’s even better for me mentally than physically,” Peters said. “I sleep better, too.”
REHAB’S RIPPLE EFFECT
At the Downtown Y, rehabilitation is facilitated through the city-run Therapeutic Recreational Program (TRP). The TRP’s Aqua Rehab Program leaders are trained in recreational therapy, and wheelchair transportation is offered, ensuring accessibility for all.
“I love being with people,” shared Koni Harper, 64, who finds that social interaction is crucial, especially when pain and fatigue make leaving the house challenging. “We’ve grown to really
Lois Goldberg doesn’t need to pump iron— she builds bicep strength in the pool using bodyweight exercise.
As part of a whole-body workout, participants stretch up high while moving their feet to the music’s beat.
care about each other,” she noted, revealing that many participants, like herself, live with multiple sclerosis.
Others in the class deal with common ailments such as arthritis, backaches and knee replacements.
“In the water, you’re weightless. Nothing hurts,” said Harper, with relief.
“That’s why the program is there—to help people who wouldn’t otherwise participate,” said Jeanette McCormick, 49. “Movement in water makes a huge difference. It’s the key to living a full life.”
COOL OFF AND GET FIT WITH THESE SUMMER POOL WORKOUTS
Explore the full potential of aquatic workouts with our online exclusive feature!
Visit BeaconSeniorNews.com/ summer-pool-workouts
OUTDOOR POOLS
Open through September 2 Wilson Ranch YMCA - 2335 Allegheny Drive, 719-598-3226, PPYMCA.org
Monument Valley YMCA 220 Mesa Road, 719-578-6636, PPYMCA.org
INDOOR POOLS
Cottonwood Creek Family Center YMCA 3920 Dublin Blvd., 719-385-6508, PPYMCA.org
Downtown YMCA - 207 N. Nevada Ave., 719473-9622, PPYMCA.org
Briargate YMCA - 4025 Family Place, 719282-9622, PPYMCA.org
Tri-Lakes YMCA - 17250 Jackson Creek Pkwy., 719-481-8728, PPYMCA.org
Fort Carson Aquatics - Nelson Pool 1446 Nelson St., Bldg. 1446, Fort Carson, 719-526-3122, carson.armymwr.com/aquatics
INDOOR/OUTDOOR POOLS
Widefield Parks & Rec 705 Aspen Drive, Widefield, 719-391-3515
Manitou Springs Pool & Fitness Center 202 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 719-685-9735
REHABILITATION
TRP’s Aqua Rehab Program ColoradoSprings.gov/TRP
FOR GRANDKID FUN
Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Water Park9494 Federal Drive, 844-553-9653
It’s not just for kids— local seniors help shape today’s youth
By Lisa Lowdermilk
When August rolls around, children load their backpacks with new school supplies and pack their lunchboxes. They might even have a hard time sleeping the night before school starts, with the anticipation of a new school year looming large.
But it’s not just the youngsters who are gearing up for their first day. Numerous employees, many of whom are as old as the students’ grandparents, also take great pride in their roles— whether it’s driving the yellow buses or tutoring them in class.
“It’s almost like volunteering to help the community, but you get paid for it,” said Elaine Wong, 74.
Before becoming a paraprofessional for Academy District 20, Wong worked as an ESL teacher in Japan and a professor at various universities. Now she works alongside a diverse group of colleagues, including bus drivers and fellow paraprofessionals who come from varied professional backgrounds—ranging from a retired nuclear engineer to former business managers and military veterans.
RETIREMENT REDEFINED
Working as a bus driver or paraprofessional is particularly well suited for older employees. These positions offer numerous benefits such as generous time off, flexible part-time hours,
WORKING WITH CHILDREN KEEPS EMPLOYEES YOUNG AT HEART AND BRINGS UNEXPECTED MOMENTS OF JOY AND LAUGHTER.
retirement benefits and the chance to positively impact students from all walks of life.
“We have one driver who just passed the 30year mark, and our oldest employee is 85 years old,” said District 20’s Director of Transportation Joey Eisenhut, 61.
One driver even works alongside the man who was his own bus driver when he was a kid!
The Transportation Department at District 20 employs about 200 people, with 75% of them over age 55. Many drivers start working with the intention of retiring at 65 but continue working because they enjoy it.
Pat Plagman, 77, a former IT technical engineer and manager, became interested in driving after attending a school district’s bus rodeo in Georgia. It wasn’t until returning to Colorado with his wife Sheila, 64, that he decided to pursue a position as a bus driver, later persuading Sheila to apply for a paraprofessional job.
Sheila, who was a certified project manager at Hewlett-Packard, remarked, “I swore I would never drive a bus. But after a few years and a lot of soul searching, I applied for a driver’s position because I wanted more responsibility.”
Sheila enjoys working with children, drawing on her past experience with the Special Olympics, a passion she shares with Pat.
EXPERIENCE MEETS ENERGY
Working with children keeps employees young at heart and brings unexpected moments of joy and laughter.
Academy District 20 paraprofessionals Raenice Wendell-Isley and Elaine Wong and bus drivers Mike Garcia, John Harl, Jim Allen and Tezzie Timberlake gear up for the 2024- 25 school year.
“You’re really old,” blurted one of Wong’s students.
“Oh, yeah? How old do you think I am?” Wong asked.
The student thought for a moment before replying, “50!” giving 74-year-old Wong a good laugh.
In many cases, bonding with students often happens quickly. As a substitute paraprofessional, Wong interacts with a variety of students— often over a very short period. She fondly recalled a particularly touching moment:
“One time I subbed for about two weeks before the regular para came back. One of the kids took my hand and said, ‘I don’t want you to leave.’”
In just a short time, Wong had left a positive impression.
Opportunities to connect are plentiful, whether in the classroom or on the bus.
Sheila shared her experience on one of District 20’s toughest routes: “I had a young lady on the bus who was a sophomore in foster care, and a very difficult student. On my last day, she exited, then came back on the bus, gave me a hug and said, ‘I’m really going to miss you.’”
Senior employees give generously of their time and experience, and they receive so much in return.
“You can actually come into work having a bad day, but when you see your favorite student, they’ll turn it around in a heartbeat,” Sheila said.
SCHOOLED IN SAFETY
These memorable experiences with students are made possible by the unwavering dedication of transportation professionals who prioritize student safety and comfort.
District 20 strictly adheres to the No Student
“IT’S ALMOST LIKE VOLUNTEERING TO HELP THE COMMUNITY, BUT YOU GET PAID FOR IT.”
Left Behind policy, ensuring that transportation staff conduct thorough inspections of their buses at the end of each trip to confirm no students remain onboard.
The commitment to safety extends beyond District 20’s own routes. Eisenhut works with third-party organizations like HopSkipDrive to provide transportation for students living outside the district’s regular routes, including those who are unhoused or in foster care. HopSkipDrive supports the district’s safety policies with strict driver background checks and real-time smartphone alerts that track every part of the journey.
District 20 offers comprehensive safety training to its drivers and paraprofessionals, covering CPR, first aid and protocols from the Crisis Prevention Institute. They are also trained in securing wheelchairs, safety vests and additional car seats.
The Colorado State Pupil Transportation Association collaborates with the Colorado Department of Education to host seminars and banquets that keep transportation employees up-to-date with the latest safety protocols and technical standards.
Transportation professionals play a crucial role in creating a positive atmosphere for students from the moment they step onto the bus.
“Bus drivers and paras facilitate the opening and closing ceremonies for every student that rides our buses,” Eisenhut said. “I tell them, ‘You’re the first representative of District 20 they see at the beginning of the day and the last represen tative at the end of the day. You
Bus driver Sheila Plagman’s friendly greetings help students start their school day on a positive note.
have the power to set the stage for the student’s entire day.’”
Superintendent Jinger Haberer praised the transportation team for their exemplary service.
“Our transportation team at D-20 is truly world-class and proves to be an essential part of our district,” said Haberer.
She is particularly grateful for those team members who are in their second careers and show up for the students every day.
“Their dedication to excellence allows our students to safely get to school and embrace their learning. We are so grateful for the entire transportation department and their cornerstone contribution to D20 Team One!” she stated, referring to the district’s aspiration to be one cohesive learning community.
The Plagmans, who are integral to this effort, share a unique perspective on their roles.
“It’s not a job,” Pat noted.
Sheila quickly added, “It’s an adventure!” ■
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EXPLOREACAREER AS A SCHOOLBUSDRIVERORPARAPROFESSIONAL
Academy District 20 JOB FAIR
AUGUST 1 • 4-6:30 PM. Education & Administration Center, 1110 Chapel Hills Dr.
Experienced
“I
“After
“A
Navigating long-term care is hard, even for experienced professionals. We can help you along your journey to make sure you are living your best life possible.
Cellentani Caprese Pasta Salad
Recipe courtesy of Barilla.com
Ingredients:
We serve as a
to ensure your needs are
and your voice is
1 box Barilla Protein+ Cellentani pasta
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 pints grape tomatoes, mixed color, halved
4 tablespoons lemon juice
8 basil leaves, julienned
2 cups small mozzarella cheese balls, halved
• salt, to taste
• black pepper, to taste
Directions:
Bring large pot of water to boil. Cook pasta according to package directions and drain. Drizzle pasta with 1 tablespoon olive oil and place on sheet tray to cool. Set aside.
In large bowl, combine tomatoes, lemon juice, basil, remaining olive oil and cheese. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add pasta and stir. ■
What to look for in a senior care facility
Dear Laird: It’s time to put Mom under professional care. Luckily, we have four facilities nearby. Most seem quite pleasant, except one. However, I’m struggling to understand what I should be looking for. Could you help by suggesting what questions I should be asking? Signed, Combing Through Care Centers
Dear Combing: It’s great that you’re beginning your search ahead of time. Many families delay until the need becomes urgent, which can lead to hasty decisions due to limited availability and waiting lists. Starting now, when you can deliberate carefully, is wise and tends to result in better choices.
Here are some important factors to consider when choosing a care facility for your mother. First, assess her current and future needs. Determine if independent living is sufficient, or if she needs nursing or memory care. If your mother needs routine medical treatments or has a likelihood of falls, you will need to consider nursing care. Understand each facility’s protocol for handling emergencies, such as serious falls: Will they call an EMT or transfer her to a hospital emergency room?
Your travel time to the facility is more important than you might think. Proximity matters, especially in the initial stages after placement, when you may need to make multiple trips for additional items or to address any unforeseen needs. If the facility is too far, this could impact the frequency and quality of your visits. Regular interaction is crucial for your mom’s well-being. Being nearby allows for better personal care and can help alleviate any feelings of guilt on your part. When evaluating care facilities, make several unannounced visits. While facilities often prefer scheduled visits, dropping in unexpected-
ly allows you to see how the staff interacts with residents during regular operations. Observe the cleanliness, the noise level and how residents are treated.
Take a moment to sit in the lobby and watch before approaching anyone. When you start to seriously consider a facility, plan visits at different times, including weekdays, evenings and weekends, to assess staffing, especially since fewer full-time staff may be working on weekends.
Be wary of the “chandelier effect.” Just like hotels, a facility will spend a lot of money on the lobbies to impress you. Focus instead on the cleanliness and upkeep throughout the facility. When touring the rooms, hallways and other residential areas, consider the needs and comfort of your mother, especially if she has dementia. Ensure the living spaces cater to her needs, not yours.
Costs are crucial when choosing a care facility. Focus on understanding not only the monthly fees but also any potential additional charges as your mother’s needs increase. Ask for a detailed fee schedule and check if you’ll be notified before any extra services are billed. It’s also wise to consult your regional Agency on Aging for financial guidance.
A comprehensive care plan is essential. Inquire about how the facility creates these plans and ensure
you can contribute to the process. This plan should reflect your mom’s preferences and needs, including medication regimens and activities she enjoys. Verify how often the
CAREGIVER SUPPORT BY LAIRD LANDON, PhD
care plan is updated and ensure you have regular access for review and approval.
Maintain open communication with the facility through regular meetings, especially for memory care, where quarterly check-ins are standard. Always come prepared with a list of questions or concerns. Remember, the learning doesn’t stop after placement; you can always seek better options if your needs or expectations aren’t met. Keep your mom’s best interests at heart, even if it means considering a change in facilities. ■
Park
Nestled in breathtaking Colorado Springs, our community o ers an exceptional senior living experience with Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care options. Enjoy gourmet meals, engaging activities, community outings, and the tranquility of our indoor saltwater pool. Embrace each day in our vibrant, welcoming spaces where friendships ourish. The Palisades at Broadmoor Park is more than a place to live—it's a place to thrive. Visit us this summer to see why our residents love calling The Palisades home.
4547 Palisades Park View
INDEPENDENT AND ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE
Colorado Springs, CO 80906 PalisadesatBroadmoorPark.com
Rocky Mountain PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) is here to provide innovative, coordinated healthcare, socialization opportunities, and support for older adults in the Pikes Peak region.
Pollen allergy sufferers: Foods
to avoid and how to prepare them safely
Have you ever felt a sudden itch in your mouth after biting into a fresh apple? You might be among the 5 to 10 percent of people affected by Pollen Food Syndrome (PFS), also known as Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS).
OAS is more common among those with asthma or hay fever due to grass and tree pollen. If you fall into this category, eating raw fruits or vegetables could trigger an immediate reaction. This condition is more prevalent in adults than in children, and those with a heightened sensitivity to allergens or pre-existing allergies are at a higher risk.
The condition occurs when someone with pollen allergies reacts to proteins in certain raw foods that are structurally similar to pollen—an unfortunate case of mistaken identity by the immune system. This misperception leads to allergic reactions primarily affecting the mouth and throat, causing itching or swelling soon after eating.
The charts below are the foods linked to common pollen allergies, broken down by the type of pollen.
in how you prepare and choose your foods can greatly reduce symptoms. Cooking methods like steaming, baking or sautéing can deactivate the allergenic proteins in these foods, making them safer to eat. That’s why cooked foods like applesauce or grape jelly might not trigger symptoms, whereas raw apples and fresh grapes can cause discomfort.
A wide variety of
Schedule your tour today! Call us at 719-623-7407 or email us at ThePalisades@mbk.com Contact Us Today for Lunch and a Tour: (719) 314-2327 or www.RMPace.org
Transportation to and from home to medical appointments and our adult day center. All-inclusive care plans that make it easy to access qualified doctors, nurses, and specialists.
activities and events hosted at our day centers to stay active and engaged.
Our staff and other seniors create a caring community that will help you or your loved one thrive.
Making a few simple changes
Ragweed Pollen Allergies
• Cucumbers
• Zucchinis
• Squash
• Bananas
• Melons
• White grapes
• Sunflower seeds
Grass Pollen Allergies
• Wheat
• Barley
• Rye
• Corn
• Melons
• Oranges
• Tomatoes
DEAR PHARMACIST
BY SUZY COHEN
For more articles and advice, sign up for Suzy’s newsletter at SuzyCohen.com
I’ve found that peeling fruits and vegetables helps too. The problematic proteins are usually concentrated in the skins. Another helpful tip, though not ideal, is to eat canned or slightly processed versions of your favorite fruits or vegetables. The heat used in processing breaks down the proteins, making them less likely to cause a reaction. In addition to dietary adjustments, I believe in natural medicine and dietary supplements. Probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria, can influence your immune response positively. Digestive enzyme supplements can also be helpful. PFS, while annoying, is manageable. By understanding how your pollen allergies interact with your diet, you can significantly reduce and manage your discomfort. ■
Birch Pollen Allergies
• Apples
• Pears
• Peaches
• Cherries
• Plums
• Nectarines
• Kiwis
• Apricots
• Bananas
• Carrots
• Celery
• Parsley
• Peppers
• Raw potatoes
• Hazelnuts
• Almonds
• Walnuts
Healthy caregiving
How joining a support group can help
By Angel Hoffman, Alzheimer’s Association
Are you a family caregiver for someone living with dementia? Caring for a loved one with this condition involves numerous challenges, and often entails a shift in roles and responsibilities.
You might find yourself managing household duties, finances, grocery shopping and meal preparations—tasks that may have once been shared or handled by your loved one.
For adult children stepping into a caregiver role, the reversal of roles can be uncomfortable as you transition into overseeing the care of a parent. It can feel particularly isolating if the person with dementia is someone you’re used to confiding in, and they are no longer emotionally or cognitively available for these exchanges due to the progression of the disease.
As a caregiver, you become an anchor for their ever-changing world, orchestrating daily activities that keep them engaged and providing personal care, all while navigating the complexities of their emotional needs.
Staying informed about the disease and knowing when to seek additional services like in-home care, adult day programs or a care community is important. Yet, it is also important to acknowledge the personal sense of loss and grief that comes with witnessing the gradual decline of someone you care for deeply.
Remember, you are not alone in this. Caring for a loved one with dementia is a selfless act of love, but it also comes with a unique set of challenges that can lead to caregiver stress and burnout. Recognizing the signs is the first step toward seeking the support you deserve.
Here are 10 common indicators:
1. Denial about the progression of the disease and its impact
2. Anger toward the person you’re caring for, which can stem from feelings of helplessness
3. Withdrawing from social activities and the friendships that once brought you joy
4. Anxiety over future care decisions and the well-being of your loved one
5. Depression that affects your ability to cope
6. Exhaustion that goes beyond physical tiredness
7. Sleeplessness driven by worriedness
8. Irritability
9. Lack of concentration that disrupts everyday tasks
10. Health problems that manifest due to the prolonged stress of caregiving
Research indicates that the most resilient caregivers are those who seek community and support. Caregiver support groups offer many benefits, such as enhanced coping skills, empowerment, stress reduction and connections with those who truly understand what you’re going through. ■
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Experience Life in Full Sound
The Benefits of Being Awestruck
By Jonathan Sundby
Growing up, my father always told me that if I ever needed to make a big decision, I should “go up into the mountains.”
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He’d made some of the biggest decisions of his life while hiking solo in the Rockies. The solitude and rugged beauty put things into perspective, melting away the anxiety surrounding his choices.
Nearly two decades later, I still follow his advice when I need clarity on a decision or an escape from the daily hustle.
Experiences that may induce awe range from witnessing a talented musician or having a perceived encounter with the supernatural to, most commonly, experiencing the vastness of natural beauty.
These moments make us pause and fill us with a profound sense of—well, awe.
It’s hard to define this feeling, but psychologist David Yaden and colleagues tried with their “Awe Experience Scale.” This scale identifies various physical expressions, such as “eyes widening” and “jaw
AWE
IS A STATE OF BEING THAT HUMANS EXPERIENCE WHENEVER WE ARE EXPOSED TO SOMETHING THAT IS SO VAST OR IMPRESSIVE THAT WE CANNOT FULLY COMPREHEND IT.
There are several reasons why hiking in the mountains is beneficial: exercise, fresh air and a chance to cultivate mindfulness. Recently, as a graduate researcher in psychology, I have discovered another reason why mountain walks benefit our minds: awe.
THE AWE EXPERIENCE SCALE
Researchers describe awe as a state of being that humans experience whenever we are exposed to something so vast or impressive that we can’t fully comprehend it.
dropping,” as well as more spiritual and existential emotions, such as feeling “connected to everything” and perceiving “something that was larger than me.”
Despite the difficulty in defining awe, a wealth of research documents its benefits. Experiencing awe often leads people to engage in pro-social behaviors, such as helping a stranger or volunteering their time. It also increases mental flexibility, which spurs creativity and allows us to problem solve in novel ways.
Experiencing awe in nature has
even been shown to decrease levels of distress and increase positive pro-social emotions in older adults.
This effect is often attributed to the “small self,” where individuals feel a sense of humility and insignificance compared to the vastness of the world around them. This can lead to moments of reflection, peace and calm. By widening one’s perspective, life is put into context, connecting us to something larger than ourselves.
Neuroscience provides insight into how this process works in our brains. Awe reduces activity in the default mode network, which is responsible for producing self-related thoughts. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this network is also implicated in producing ruminating thoughts and is related to depression and anxiety. Consequently, experiencing awe quiets the part of our brain focused on ourselves, allowing us to take a break from constant self-referential thoughts and instead immerse ourselves in the beauty and intensity of the world around us.
DAILY MOMENTS OF AWE
What can you do to induce awe in your daily life? If you’re a nature lover, try taking a daily “awe walk,” intentionally seeking out moments of awe, whether big or small.
Research shows that awe-inducing moments often come from small things: the sunlit ripples on a lake, a stunning sunset or the colorful beauty of autumn leaves.
If you prefer the indoors, there are still plenty of ways to incorporate awe into your life. Going to a museum, such as the Fine Arts Center, can foster feelings of awe, as does going to a concert or theatre production. Consider joining a choir or dance group. Collective sound, movement and coordination help cultivate the emotion.
You can even experience awe from the comfort of your home. Read an inspiring poem, appreciate the beautiful prose of your favorite author or listen to music. Personally, reclining in my favorite chair, closing my eyes and listening to Johannes Brahms’ “A German Requiem” is a surefire way to experience awe in just a few minutes.
When I have the time and energy, I still take my father’s advice and head to the mountains, especially when I have an important decision or thought on my mind.
Think about ways to seek awe in your daily routine. With so much art, music, nature and beauty surrounding us, there’s no excuse not to “go into the mountains,” in whatever form that takes for you. Psychological research, as well as generations of wisdom, show us how important awe experiences can be in spurring our personal transformation and growth.
Jonathan Sundby is a student clinician at the UCCS Aging Center. Learn more at healthcircle.uccs. edu/aging-center or 719-255-8002.
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• Schedule your Fall Immunization Appointments in September!
• Vaccines given in the office or drive-thru clinics for your convenience.
• Now accepting new patients age 60 and up. AUGUST IS National Immunization Awareness Month
HOUSEWORK CHALLENGED
Submitted by Leslie Sparks
One day, my housework-challenged husband decided to wash his sweatshirt. Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he shouted to me, “What setting do I use on the washing machine?”
“It depends,” I replied. “What does it say on your shirt?”
He yelled back, “Colorado Mesa University.”
BLOND MAN JOKE #1
Submitted by Wilson Edwards
#1: A blond man shouts frantically into the phone, “My wife is pregnant and her contractions are only two minutes apart!”
“Is this her first child?” the doctor’s receptionist asks.
“No!” the man shouts. “This is her husband!”
#2: A blond man was driving home drunk. Suddenly, he swerves to avoid a tree, then another and another.
A cop pulls him over. The man tells the cop about all the trees in the road.
The cop says, “That’s your air freshener swinging about.”
BILL, THE MAILMAN
Submitted by Doris Park
The mailman drives the same route every day. One morning, a girl was playing outside her house and called out, “Hi, Bill!”
Though that wasn’t the mailman’s name, he cheerily replied, “Hi!”
This went on for weeks until the mailman saw the girl’s mother. He
The senior market in Colorado Springs is
asked, “Why does your daughter keep calling me Bill?”
The mother turned red and replied, “Because whenever I see you coming, I tell her, ‘Here come the bills.’“
DOGGY DIAL
Submitted by Dixie Roy I was working as a telemarketer for a home security firm. Once, while reciting all the benefits to a potential customer, he interrupted me and said, “We don’t need it because we have a big dog.”
“That’s great,” I replied. “But can he dial 911?”
GOLF WIDOW
Submitted by Dana Soto
A woman goes into the local newspaper office to ensure the obituary for her recently deceased husband is published. The obit editor informs her that there is a charge of 50 cents per word.
She pauses, reflects, and then decides on the wording: “Fred Brown died.”
Amused at the woman’s thrift, the editor tells her there is a seven-word minimum for all obituaries. She thinks it over and, in a few seconds, says, “In that case, let it read, ‘Fred Brown died: golf clubs for sale.’”
REALITY CHECK
Submitted by Jeff Wood
While waiting for my first appointment in the reception room of a new dentist, I noticed his certificate, which bore his full name. Suddenly, I remembered that a tall, handsome boy with the same name had been in my high school class some 40 years ago. Upon seeing him, however, I quickly discarded any such thought. This balding, gray-haired man with the deeply lined face was too old to have been my classmate.
After he had examined my teeth, I asked him if he had attended the local high school.
“Yes,” he replied.
“When did you graduate?” I asked. He answered, “In 1962.”
BOOMING!
“Why, you were in my class!” I exclaimed.
He looked at me closely and then asked, “What did you teach?”
PRICEY PARROTS
Submitted by Julie Gomez
One day, a man goes to a pet shop to buy a parrot.
The man asks the clerk, “How much is the yellow one?”
The clerk says, “$2,000.”
The man is shocked and asks the clerk why it’s so expensive.
The clerk explains, “This parrot is a very special one. He knows typing and can type really fast.”
“What about the green one?” the man asks.
“He costs $5,000 because he types and can answer telephone calls and take notes.”
“What about the red one?” the man asks.
The clerk says, “That one’s $10,000.”
The man says, “What does HE do?” The clerk says, “I don’t know, but the other two call him boss.”
LITERARY WORKS
Submitted by Bob Breazeale
There’s the college kid who always falls asleep in English Lit. The professor throws a copy of “The Canterbury Tales” and hits the kid in the head. Startled, the kid asks, “What just hit me?” The professor replied, “A flying Chaucer.”
THE ROBOT
Submitted by Ben Kuckel
A father purchased a robot that slaps someone whenever they lie.
One evening at the dinner table, the father asked his son:
“What did you do this afternoon?”
“I worked on my homework,” replied the son. The robot slapped the son.
“Okay” the son said, “my buddies and I were watching a movie.”
The father asked, “What movie
were you watching?”
The son replied, “Toy Story.” The robot slapped the son again.
“Okay, okay, okay, we were watching an X-rated movie,” the son admitted.
The father became irate and said, “What?! I didn’t even know what X-rated movies were when I was your age!”
The robot slapped the father.
The mother chimed in, “Well, he sure is your son!”
The robot slapped the mother.
COMMENTS TO SAY TO YOUR WIFE
Submitted by Renee Cole
DANGEROUS: What’s for dinner?
SAFER: Can I help you with dinner?
SAFEST: Where would you like to go for dinner?
ULTRA SAFE: Have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: Are you wearing that?
SAFER: Gee, you look good in brown.
SAFEST: WOW! Look at you!
ULTRA SAFE: Have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: What are you so worked up about?
SAFER: Could we be overreacting?
SAFEST: Here’s $50.
ULTRA SAFE: Have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: Should you be eating that?
SAFER: You know, there are a lot of apples left.
SAFEST: Can I get you a glass of wine with that?
ULTRA SAFE: Have some chocolate.
SHORT JOKES
Submitted by Hap Jordan
A termite walks into a bar and asks, “Is the bar tender here?”
A shipment of Viagra was stolen yesterday by a gang of old men. Police are now on the lookout for these hardened criminals.
Someone found a hole in the nudist colony fence.
Police are looking into it. ■
July 1-August 31
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Dog days gardening
How to boost your plant health in the summer heat
The dog days of summer have arrived! According to the Greek calendar, the rising of the star Sirius heralds a time of heat, drought, sudden thunderstorms, lethargy and mad dogs. However, for us, it’s more about panting dogs!
This year, Sirius will rise on August 10 in our latitude (you can track this star at TheCurvesLineUp. com).
What the Greeks didn’t account for in August is the crucial feeding of our crops, which have been growing for months. Now, when we aim for peak production, we face the toughest climate conditions for plant health, making it essential for us to step in and provide a boost of nutrients to help our plants cope with the summer heat and continue producing.
SOIL & LEAF APPLICATION
Simply sprinkling granular fertilizers or adding compost to the garden isn’t enough at this time. Typically, it takes about three months for granular fertilizers applied to the soil surface to break down and become accessible to plant roots. Applying compost now would benefit plants around late October or November, not in the
immediate summer heat.
One alternative is to convert granular fertilizers into a liquid. Liquid applications can deliver nutrients directly to the plant roots much faster, often within three weeks.
To do this, mix water-soluble fertilizers in a bucket with water and stir occasionally. After two days, some nutrients will ferment—you’ll know by a film on the surface or a distinct smell. When this mixture is
poured onto the garden, the water helps transport the nutrients through the soil fissures directly to the root zone.
Spraying fertilizers directly to plant leaves is the best way to quickly boost plant growth, as nutrients can be absorbed through the leaves and into the plant within 45 minutes.
This method also requires water-soluble fertilizers.
To test solubility, mix your chosen fertilizer with water in a quart jar, shake well and let it sit overnight. If the sediment settles at the bottom and the water is clear, the fertilizer is not water-soluble and is better suited for soil application. If there’s a cloudy haze to the water, it means you’re in business.
Compost tea is the ultimate choice for foliar feeding. It’s water-soluble, packed with trace nutrients that enhance crop flavor and health, and its microbial content can help deter pests and diseases. Some insects avoid eating or laying eggs on leaves treated with compost tea.
To create a compost extract, soak compost in a burlap bag in water for a few days. This extract enriches soil nutrients, but the anaerobic conditions it creates can be harmful to plant leaves, particularly those of soft-tissue fruits and vegetables. To make compost tea suitable for foliar application, aerate the extract by introducing oxygen. Use well-composted, mature material or vermicompost (worm compost) to avoid harming your plants.
FALL PLANTING DATES:
August 1-13 and 26-31 are optimal fall planting dates.
HOW TO MAKE COMPOST TEA
Tools you’ll need:
• A one-gallon bucket (no lid required—a cleaning pail or a stock pot will do)
• A fish pump and airstone to keep the tea oxygenated (you can buy these from pet shops or stores that sell aquarium supplies)
Water selection: Use irrigation water since domestic water often contains antibacterial agents that can inhibit good microbial growth. Prep time: It takes 24-36 hours to make a four-gallon batch of tea, which is sufficient for treating a garden and the surrounding landscape.
Directions: Fill the bucket within 1 inch of the top and add compost. For a one-gallon batch, you’ll need 2 cups of compost.
You can use an old towel to create a makeshift tea bag by placing the compost in the center and pinning the edges. A nylon painter’s bag works well, as it’s reusable and can be easily attached to the side of the bucket with a clothespin. For larger five-gallon batches, use approximately a gallon of compost.
Add molasses to nourish beneficial bacteria and fungi. White sugar can also feed bacteria, while oat straw or oatmeal will support fungal growth.
After 24-36 hours of aeration, the compost tea will be ready to use.
Apply a 25% solution for general purposes, though you can increase it to 33% for problematic crops or less fertile soils. Avoid exceeding 40% concentration, as it might be too strong and inhibit plant absorption.
Use a pump sprayer or hand sprayer for application. For best results, apply after sunset to prevent UV rays from killing the microbes, allowing them to integrate into the leaf tissues. The optimal times for application are late evening or early morning.
Applying the tea every three weeks can aid in disease suppression and enhance crop fertility. ■
Send your gardening questions to Bryan in care of the BEACON, or email him at BCReed@ColoradoMesa.edu
Greenville, South Carolina is a small city with BIG attractions
By Victor Block
The South’s Rising S tar
WhenI first heard of Greenville, South Carolina, I had to consult a map to pinpoint its location. Little did I know that it had earned rave reviews from esteemed sources like The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure.
My agreement with those accolades came swiftly upon my arrival. My initial impression was of a place warmly inviting yet strikingly picturesque, being nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With a population of about 70,000, granting it small city status, Greenville exudes the Southern charm of a much smaller town combined with a surprisingly cool cosmopolitan vibe. It’s no wonder The New York Times placed Greenville 14th on its 2023 list of “52 Places to Go,” Condé Nast Traveler named it the “#1 Friendliest City in the U.S.” and Travel + Leisure recognized it as one of the “Best Food Cities in the U.S.” My task was to explore and verify the truth of these tributes, and verify them I did.
MAIN STREET MAGIC
I found myself enveloped in a setting that could easily be mistaken
for a movie setting.
In the city’s heart, the center of the action and highlight for many visitors is Greenville’s Main Street. This bustling artery features broad, tree-lined sidewalks that meander past restaurants and bars, art galleries and boutiques, creating a pedestrian-friendly environment. Notable among the eclectic lineup of shops are Cornerstone
Minerals, which offers an intriguing selection of crystals, minerals and animal skulls and skeletons; the Savannah Bee Company, renowned for its complimentary mead tastings; and the local outpost of Mast General Store. Founded in 1883, this storied retailer sells everything from cradles to caskets, including traditional merchandise like stoneground cornmeal and grits, locally
made “old timey” soaps and Amishmade rocking chairs.
As I strolled through town, I kept an eye out for the many sculptures, murals and other public art pieces that transform Greenville’s streets into an open-air gallery. I encountered references to more than 160 pieces, ranging from statues and fountains to plaques and more.
Perhaps the most renowned is a 40-foot-tall, two-ton kinetic metal sculpture that sways with the wind and supposedly represents the sun. At the opposite end of the size spectrum are nine tiny, whimsical bronze statues of mice scattered along Main Street, inspired by the children’s book “Goodnight Moon.”
Just a short distance away at Heritage Green, an arts and cultural campus, lies a world-class collection of artistic works and history museums. The Greenville County
Liberty Bridge, a 355-foot-long curved span uniquely suspended by a single cable—the only bridge of its kind in the U.S.
Downtown Greenville, a city that blends small-town friendliness with the sophistication of a much larger urban center.
THE CITY BOASTS HUNDREDS OF RESTAURANTS OFFERING DISHES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE GLOBE.
Other chapters of Greenville’s past are told in several historic neighborhoods. The Colonel Elias Earle Historic District features homes dating back to the early 1800s. The West End District, which began to develop in the 1830s, saw rapid expansion after Furman University was established there in 1852. The first residence in the Hampton-Pinckney neighborhood was constructed prior to the Civil War.
Greenville’s bustling Main Street features tree-lined sidewalks that meander past restaurants and bars, art galleries and boutiques.
Museum of Art hosts the world’s largest public collection of Andrew Wyeth’s watercolors, alongside an impressive array of paintings and prints by Jasper Johns. Its Southern Collection provides an overview of American art from Colonial times to the present.
Sharing the Heritage Green site are the Sigal Music Museum, a children’s museum, and my personal favorite, the Upcountry History Museum. This museum brings to life South Carolina’s “upcountry”— the state’s northwestern region, including Greenville—through videos,
dioramas and exhibits. It chronicles the nation’s history starting from the American Revolution and shares stories of diverse groups such as Native Americans, pioneer settlers and formerly enslaved individuals.
HISTORY & CULTURE
These touches of culture add a pleasant surprise in a community the size of Greenville. While its museums, galleries, theaters and symphony orchestra can rival those of much larger cities, Greenville still maintains the charm and attractions typical of small-town America.
offerings enhances Greenville’s unique charm as a city that blends small-town friendliness with the sophistication of a much larger urban center.
With so much to see and do in Greenville, visitors with limited time might wish to take advantage of the many tours available to suit any interest—be it history, mystery, culinary explorations or cocktails. Whether on foot, by bike or on a Segway, there’s likely to be something that fits your fancy. ■
SOUTH CAROLINA
The city’s early industrial era is reflected in the old brick warehouses that remain from when Greenville was a thriving textile-making and manufacturing hub. The Reedy River, which powered these industries, is now a scenic spot where I enjoyed watching ducks and geese swim and squawk while walking along the 20-mile-long Swamp Rabbit Trail, which runs alongside the narrow canal.
The river flows beneath Liberty Bridge, a 355-foot-long curved span uniquely suspended by a single cable—the only bridge of its kind in the U.S. Here, the Reedy River Falls cascades 28 feet over rocky terrain at the site where Greenville’s first European settler established a trading post in 1768 and later constructed grist and sawmills.
TOP CITY FOR FOODIES
Greenville’s culinary scene has also drawn accolades, earning it recognition from People magazine as one of the “Top New Foodie Cities in America.” In addition to downhome Southern cooking, the city boasts hundreds of restaurants offering dishes from across the country and around the globe.
This eclectic mix of culinary
IF YOU GO…
Reflecting on Greenville’s historical charm, the city introduced its first electric trolleys in 1901, with rides originally costing a nickel. Today, these vintage trams operate for free, running on five different routes downtown. They are wheelchair accessible and equipped with bicycle racks, making them a convenient and enjoyable way to explore the city.
Grenville Art in Public Places
Greenvillesc.gov/1114/Arts-in-Public-Places
Greenville County Museum of Ar t GCMA.org | 864-271-7570
Sigal Music Museum
SigalMusicMuseum.org | 864-5208807
The Upcountry History Museum
UpcountryHistory.org | 864-4673100
Colonel Elias Earle Historic District
Greenvillesc.gov/526/Colonel-Elias-Earle-Historic-District For more information, go to VisitGreenvilleSC.com or call 864-233-046
Lord, liar or lunatic?
By Will Sanborn
was London in the early days of World War II. A rescue team was digging through the ruins of an apartment house following a night of intense bombing by the Germans. Surprisingly, they found an old man sitting in a bathtub, naked but unharmed.
The man said, “You know, that was the most amazing experience I’ve ever had! When I finished my bath and pulled the plug to let the water out, the whole house blew up!”
His logic led him to believe that draining the tub caused the explosion—we would conclude something else!
I want to try some logic on one of the most important questions ever: Is Jesus Christ really God?
The answer to that question makes a world of difference. So how would you know?
The 20th century writer C.S. Lewis first suggested the question that has since been expanded on by others. Contemporary author Josh McDowell explained the approach this way: Lord, liar or lunatic?
In other words, when you consider the question of who Jesus was, it really comes down to one of
those three choices: either he was a liar or a lunatic, or he is the Lord.
Allow me to explain.
Jesus Christ plainly stated that he was God. At one point he said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father” (John 14:9).
Another time he claimed, “The Father and I are one” (John 10:30).
And to top it off, he said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Without question, he said repeatedly that he was the God of the universe in person on planet Earth.
That is either true or false. Either he is indeed God, or he is most certainly not.
So how can logic help evaluate this important question?
Let’s take it to the next step. If Jesus claimed to be God but that claim was false, then there are just two possibilities. Either he knew it was false but continued to say it anyway, or he believed it to be true, even though it wasn’t.
In the first case—if he knew it was false yet continued to say it— that would make him a liar. And not just some everyday run-of-the-mill liar but a terribly horrible person
because he asked people to stake their entire lives on his claims.
In the other case, if he truly believed himself to be God in person but that wasn’t true, then he would be insane. Anyone continuously claiming to be the God of the universe who obviously is not, is someone who has lost touch with reality.
As Lewis humorously put it, that would be on the level of a man who claimed to be a poached egg. Commit your life and your destiny to someone like that? I don’t think so.
The logic behind this trilemma looks like this:
The question then comes down to which possibility makes the most sense. Does what we know about Jesus—the kind of life he lived, the things he said and did, his wisdom, his love, the way he gave his life to die on the cross for the sins of the world, the evidence that supports the eyewitness accounts that three days later he came back from the dead—does all that lead you to believe that he was a liar? That he was crazy? Or would it lead a person to conclude that he really was and is God?
I’m not saying the trilemma settles it once and for all. Remember the Englishman in his tub—logic can take you only so far!
But this is a good starting point to consider the evidence about Jesus. The important questions to answer are, who is God? And what does he have to say to us? ■
Pastor Bob Hollopeter
Jesus Christ Claimed to be God
True
Lord False Liar Lunatic
Old humans can learn new tricks too
Chip was the last of 12 dogs in our 24-year marriage.
Onhis last morning, Chip savored the spring smells around our backyard. After lunch, he and his best friend Thor napped on adjoining beds. That afternoon, they drove squirrels off our deck. Before sunset, however, he had a seizure—and was gone. With Thor, my husband Kyle and I beside him, he departed our lives the same way he’d entered it: swiftly and unexpectedly. He was 17 years, 2 months and 12 days old.
Chip was the last of 12 dogs that overlapped throughout our 24year marriage. His mother, Yvette, was rescued from a snowbank and brought to the animal clinic where I worked. She needed a foster during the holidays, so I brought her home.
Little did we know this waif with the soft eyes and visible ribs had a big secret. Three big secrets, in fact—all born on a Sunday morning in January 2007. Yvette and her sons, Robby, Chip and Ernie, found a home with us, with Robby eventually moving to Beulah with family. Chip relished routine. He woke with the sun, enjoyed three meals a day, watched movies with us, went outside before bedtime and slept soundly through the night. Two weeks before his passing, a neighbor saw Chip and Kyle walking and
asked me if we’d gotten a new pup. I laughed.
“No puppies for us. We’re too old for that.”
The mornings after Chip passed, we overslept. Lunch and supper times passed quietly. And after the 10 p.m. news, Kyle stopped going outside for “one last trip.”
A week after he died, I sobbed as I tipped the nearly empty vacuum canister into the dumpster. I didn’t miss dog hair. I just missed the four-legged senior citizen with the motion-activated tail and pointy ears who generated all that fur.
Seventeen years of “undoings” was excruciating. Heck, counting all the dogs that preceded Chip, it was more like 24 years of doggie undoings.
We’d never sought out a dog before. They always found us. But Oakley is the exception.
Online searches for a pooch were overwhelming, with so many dogs in need.
Family and friends who’d adopted from shelters or rescue groups informed us the vetting process was sometimes lengthy. I applied to the first rescue organization on my list and prepared to wait. My heart raced when I read the text from them the next morning.
“We have a boy who may be good for you, since you know dogs.”
Oakley had gotten himself into a bit of trouble, as puppies sometimes do. He needed a home immediately.
Hmmm…was our experience with dogs a good thing or not?
We’d soon find out.
He is the first dog in our family
THE RUFF LIFE
BY MARTI BENSON
to go to school. Obedience school, that is. As he acquires new social skills, my husband and I, as dog parents, are learning, too.
Raising a puppy is a lot of work. Especially one with issues. But we’re slowly discovering that you can teach old humans new tricks. ■
Send your questions to Marti in care of the BEACON, or email her at OutnumberedByDogs@gmail.com
Oakley was the first dog that found us.
BEACON Senior News is THE VOICE of Boomers and Seniors in Colorado!
Stepping into wellness
By Mittie Pedraza
Walking is a necessary aspect of life. With age, regular movement takes on increasing importance to keep joints flexible and arthritis at bay. It’s an activity that requires no special equipment, offers social interaction and puts you in touch with nature and the community.
“Be involved and active, both physically and mentally,” urged Karen Seay, 80, who has been a member of the Falcon Wanderers Volkssporting Club since 1992.
Her active involvement in the club is the secret to her youthful energy. Currently, she serves as the club’s member at large.
“The purpose is to promote physical well-being and encourage people to exercise in an outdoor environment without stressful physical exertion,” said President
Terry Lunghofer, 77. A member of the Volkssporting movement since 1978, he has accumulated nearly 7,500 miles of walking over 46 years.
Volkssporting, translating to “sport of the people,” began as a noncompetitive activity in Germany and has evolved into an international nonprofit with clubs in 40
Falcon Wanderers make strides for fitness and friendship
and achievement awards.
“Participation in our year-round/ seasonal events brings people together, and a benefit is the lasting friendships forged as we walk and talk,” Lunghofer enthused.
And the walks are educational.
“Learning the area’s geography, history, scenic by-ways, architecture and people who live there”
THE PURPOSE IS TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL WELLBEING AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO EXERCISE IN AN OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT WITHOUT STRESSFUL PHYSICAL EXERTION.
countries. The Falcon Wanderers Club, founded at the Air Force Academy in 1981, boasts over 200 active members.
Though you don’t have to be a member to participate, membership brings benefits such as a newsletter, monthly meetings, patches
motivates Russ Kester, 67, a Wanderer since 2003.
Kester serves as the Falcon Wanderer’s trailmeister, ensuring the trail is safe and sanctioned by the American Volkssport Association. Garden of the Gods, Red Rocks and Fountain Valley are his favorite local trails.
Walking events range from 5K to 10K, and participants receive a map and trail description. Since everyone walks at their own pace, the goal is to find an individual or a group that matches your speed. The club sponsors monthly walks and hosts 22 seasonal/year-round events in a broader area, from Salida through Colorado Springs to Fort Collins. It is one of over 400 clubs in the American Volkssport Association.
Treasurer Debra Hare, 66, who joined the Wanderers in 2014, brought her enthusiasm for volkssport from her experiences in
Karen Seay and Terry Lunghofer.
Germany. She outlined the diversity of walkers within the club—slow, fast and fair-weather walkers. Walks can last up to three hours depending on the pace, and occasionally include stops at interesting sites along the route. Dogs are also welcome to join on a leash, and refreshments are available at the end of the hikes. New walkers are always welcome. For more information, visit Falcon Wanderers.org, follow them on Facebook or call 719-648-3176. ■
AUGUST EVENTS
These evening walks take place on Wednesdays at 5:45 p.m. If you want credit for the walk, the cost is $4. Otherwise, it’s $2.
• August 7: Olympic Training Center. Meet at the parking lot at the corner of Glen Avenue and Mesa Road. Distance: 6K & 10K. Trail rating: 1A.
• August 14: Broadmoor. Meet at the parking lot just north of the intersection of Broadmoor Valley Road and East Cheyenne Mountain Blvd. Distance: 6K & 10K. Trail rating: 2A.
• August 21: Pikes Peak Greenway Trail and New Santa Fe Trail. Meet in the parking lot of Criterium Bicycles, 6150 Corporate Drive. Distance: 5K & 10K. Trail rating: 2B.
• August 28: Manitou Springs. Meet at the parking lot on Beckers Lane just north of Fountain Creek. Distance: 6K & 10K. Trail rating: 2A.
Russ Kester and Debra Hare.
Select Health: Prioritizing you as both provider and plan
By G. L. Yenne
Everyone aims to make informed decisions after turning 65, particularly regarding healthcare and Medicare coverage. However, the available options can be overwhelming, even for the savviest seniors.
Patti Meyer, a Medicare sales manager with Select Health, simplifies this process by guiding you through selecting a Medicare plan and clearly explaining your options.
Select Health, a growing nonprofit health plan, has been serving over one million members across Utah, Idaho, and Nevada for 40 years and expanded into Colorado in January 2024.
As the insurance branch of Intermountain Health—a hospital system operating in these four states—Select Health leverages this partnership to deliver high-value care and superior service while supporting the health of their members
and their communities.
“We hope to enroll many more members in the future in this region,” said Meyer.
“Our plans suit people that are still healthy and active, as well as those who are sick and those who have chronic conditions. We can meet people’s needs wherever they are.”
Patti Meyer
Select Health has earned widespread acclaim for its customer service and quality of care within the healthcare community.
“We are a Five-Star Plan—one of the only ones in Colorado,” said Meyer. Just 3% of plans nationally are designated as such.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services award this honor based on excellence in member experience, plan performance, customer service, health management
for those with chronic conditions and prescription drug ratings.
As a regional carrier, Select Health’s proximity to area hospitals enables them to offer more personalized care to their members.
Meyer emphasized the close relationship between Select Health and UCHealth, including Memorial Hospital and Grandview Hospital.
“We are a provider as well as a health plan, so we take our members’ care seriously,” Meyer said.
Additionally, she highlighted their comprehensive approach to health, focusing on preventative and holistic care, with the overarching goal of helping individuals achieve their healthiest possible lives.
Select Health fulfills its mission by offering a wide range of benefits
that cater to various aspects that address multiple facets of health. These include physical wellness, medical treatment, telehealth services and access to healthy food for eligible members. They also combat social isolation by offering transportation and companionship services.
Furthermore, Select Health provides meals for post-hospitalization care along with dental, vision and hearing benefits.
“I would have given this health plan to my grandfather if he were still alive because I only wanted the best for him!” she said.
With significant changes coming to Medicare in 2025, it’s important to review your plan to ensure it’s right for you.
To learn more about Select Health, contact Meyer at 720-2857169 or patti.meyer@selecthealth. org. ■
Select Health is an HMO, PPO, SNP plan sponsor with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Select Health Medicare depends on contract renewal. Select Health obeys federal civil rights laws. We do not treat you differently because of your race, color, ethnic background or where you come from, age, disability, sex, religion, creed, language, social class, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and/or veteran status. This information is available for free in other languages and alternate formats by contacting Select Health Medicare: 855-442-9900 (TTY: 711) / Select Health: 800-538-5038. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística.
Learn why most estate plans fail and what to do about it in this seminar taught by Chad Spencer with EPIC Law Group at The Platinum Group, Realtors LLC. Choose from three times: Thursday at 2 or 6 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m. Please RSVP. 6760 Corporate Drive, Suite 300 | Free | calendly.com/epiclawgroup_ chad | 720-219-6606
August 1-4
“Emperor of the Moon”
It’s outdoor theater at its most outrageous at the Ent Center! A doctor convinced of life on the moon insists his daughters marry moon-men. They disguise themselves as celestial visitors and con their way into his blessing as hijinks ensue. The Friday show is indoors.
It’s the last month to bring lunch and a friend to the Immanuel Lutheran Church gymnasium and bask in the rich sounds of the historic 1927 Wurlitzer theater organ, the state’s largest, played by skilled organists— oldies, ragtime, film tunes and more! 12 p.m. Aug. 1 & 8, 11:30 Aug. 15, 22 & 29 | 828 E. Pikes Peak Ave. | Free (donations) | ppatos.com | 719-4186806
August 1-18
August 1-31
Pikes Peak Pastel Society Show & Sale
This pastel media show at Garden of the Gods Visitor Center throughout August showcases the Garden in all its splendor! Art is available for purchase by locals and tourists alike.
9 a.m.-6 p.m. | 1805 N. 30th St. | Free | pikespeakpastel.org | 719-338-5548
August 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 & 11
“The Play That Goes Wrong”
See this play-within-a-play by First Company Theatre at First United Methodist Church! The Cornley Drama Society attempts to stage a 1920s murder mystery when incomplete sets, unconscious actors and misplaced props plague the production—a hilarious parody of the whodunit genre.
Travel back to the ’40s with Funky Little Theater at the Palmer Lake Town Hall! Would-be missionary May meets an aspiring writer on the train. Their lives intersect—then their dreams die. Or do they? A WWII-era romance for the whole family.
1 or 7 p.m. | 42 Valley Crescent St., Palmer Lake | $19-$24 | funkylittle theater.org | 719-654-3312
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” Big laughs await at the Butte Theater in Cripple Creek! This musical features tweens at a spelling championship trying to avoid the soul-crushing “ding” of a misspelling and sharing hilarious and touching home life stories between turns. Plays five days a week.
1 or 7 p.m. | 139 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek | $20 | buttetheater.com | 719-689-6402
August 2 & 28
PPLD Movies
Beat the heat and watch movies in the cool confines of the library! “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” is August 2, 2-4 p.m. at the Cheyenne Mountain Library, 1785 S. 8th St., Suite 100. Senior Lunch and a Movie is “Colorado Territory” on August 28, 12-2 p.m. at the East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd. Free | ppld.org | 719-531-6333
August 3
Indian Food Festival
Enjoy the rich flavors and spices of India at Liberty High School! Feast on curries, dosas and street food with masala chai and spicy lemonade to drink, then explore the bustling market offering Indian spices, jewelry and clothing. Preregistration is required.
Explore this charming mobile home park and see what treasures await you! Come inside the clubhouse for the main sale, then drive around the park for individual yard and estate sales. Don’t forget to go down the cul-de-sacs.
Come to the Colorado Springs Bridge Center for brats (on them) and
stay for bridge! Please bring a dish to share. The game starts at 6 p.m. Anyone with 500 master points must play with someone who has less. 5:15 p.m. | 901 N. 17th St. | $1 | bridgewebs.com/coloradosprings | 719-634-7250
August 3-4
Renaissance Festival Hear ye! It’s the last weekend for the 47th annual festival in Larkspur, where you’re immersed in the 1500s with jesters and knights, music, gargantuan turkey legs and other unique foodstuffs, a “unicorn,” elephant rides, comedians, craftsmen and more. Huzzah!
10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. | 650 Perry Park Ave., Larkspur | $25-$28 | coloradorenaissance.com | 303-688-6010
August 6
Donny Osmond
Voted “Best Voice” in Vegas, ‘70s teen idol Osmond comes to the Pikes Peak Center with hits like “Puppy Love” and “Go Away Little Girl,” Broadway numbers and “Auto-rap-ography,” telling of his six-decade career.
Go behind the scenes with Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum curator Dr. Jennifer Levasseur and virtually step inside one of the greatest international achievements with this guide to space exploration. Registration is required for this online presentation.
12 p.m. | Free | ppld.org | 719-5316333
August 9
Happy Trails BBQ
Dust off your boots and head to Bear Creek Nature Center for an evening of great food, wine, incredible desserts, music by the Manitou Strings and an art sale at this fundraiser for El Paso County Nature Centers programming and scholarships.
Chris Daniels & The Kings Stop by Stargazers for horndrenched rock ’n soul! This band is celebrating 40 years together. They’ve released 19 albums, performed globally and played for three presidents and the Queen of Holland.
These hometown hitmakers are the inaugural act at the new Ford Amphitheater! They’ll play three shows, where you can rock out to “Counting Stars,” “Apologize” and other hits.
Experience this pared-down interpretation of Shakespeare’s story. A royal court is torn apart by the King’s jealousy. How much can time heal? Tragedy and comedy collide across lively, pastoral Bohemia and cold Sicilia. Performed by Counterweight Theatre Lab at Boucher Art & Stage.
The Petty Nicks Experience What if Stevie Nicks joined Tom Pet-
ty and the Heartbreakers? This powerful tribute show offers phenomenal costumes, lights and vocals! Rock out with “American Girl” and “Edge of 17” and mellow out with “Landslide” and “Leather and Lace.”
Country icon Black celebrates the 35th anniversary of his debut album, “Killin’ Time,” by playing every song live at the Pikes Peak Center, followed by “Put Yourself in My Shoes,” “Like the Rain” and others from his 22 #1 singles!
Your grandkids will be wide-eyed at this immersive, enchanting experience at the Colorado Springs Event Center! Take selfies with lifelike, animatronic unicorns, mermaids and princesses. Enjoy rides, games, dancing, food, a circus, Creation Station and face painting. Purchase tickets in advance online.
Take in this talented artist’s songs exploring love, loss and perseverance at Stargazers. A Kansas City Hall of Fame inductee and recipient of seven Blues Music Awards, Nicole recorded the opening track for the upcoming film “Which Brings Me to You.”
Enjoy fantastic musical entertainment this summer from many talented artists and genres at these local outdoor concerts.
T MONDAY
Manitou Springs Little London Winds Concerts, 42 Park Ave., Manitou Springs, in Soda Springs Park, Aug. 5 & 12 manitousprings.org
T TUESDAY
Classic Tuesdays Summer Concerts in Old Colorado City, 2408 W. Colorado Ave. in Old Colorado City’s Bancroft Park, from 6-8 p.m., shopoldcoloradocity.com
T WEDNESDAY
Hillside Gardens at 1006 Institute St., Admission is $15, from 6-8:30 p.m., hillsidegardensandevents.com
Summer Concerts in the Glen at Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Ave., from 6-7:15 p.m., broadmoorchurch.org
Boot Barn Hall Sunset Patio Sessions 13071 Bass Pro Dr., Aug. 2, 9, 16 & 23 from 6-9 p.m., bootbarnhall.com
El Paso County Concerts in the Park at Bear Creek Regional Park, 21st St. & Argus Rd., from 6-8 p.m., elpasoco.com
Concerts in the Park in Monument’s Limbach Park, 151 Front St., 6:30-8:30 p.m., townofmonument.org
Springs Contemporary Jazz Big Band at Bancroft Park, 2408 W. Colorado Ave., Aug. 9 & 23 at 6 p.m.
T THURSDAY
Banning Lewis Ranch Summer Concert Series, 8833 Vista Del Pico Blvd., Aug. 1 from 6-8 p.m., banninglewisranch.com
Black Forest Summer Music in the Park at the Black Forest Community Center, 12530 Black Forest Road, Aug. 1, 8 & 15 at 6 p.m., weareblackforest.com
Creekwalk Live Music in the Amphitheater, 100 E. Cheyenne Road, Aug. 8 & 22 from 6-8 p.m., creekwalkcos.com
T FRIDAY
Shops at Briargate Music
Under the Mountains at the Pikes Peak Patio next to Ted’s Montana Grill, 1685 Briargate Pkwy., Aug. 2 from 5-7 p.m.
Springs Contemporary Jazz Big Band at Bancroft Park, 2408 W. Colorado Ave., August 9 & 23 at 6 p.m.
Front Range Big Band Free Summer Park Jazz Concert at Soda Springs Park, 42 Park Ave., Manitou Springs, Aug. 16 from 6-8 p.m.
UVC Free Summer Concert Series, 5246 N. Nevada Ave., in University Village Colorado shopping center’s North Plaza, by Hacienda Colorado and Smashburger, Aug. 2 & 9 from 7-8:30 p.m., uvcshopping.com
Grace and St. Stephen’s Jazz in the Garden, 501 N. Tejon St. Aug. 9 & 23 at 7 p.m., gssepiscopal.org
Manitou Springs Summer Concert Series at Soda Springs Park, 42 Park Ave., Manitou Springs, 7 p.m.,manitousprings. org
Palmer Lake Library Village Green Concerts, The Village Green, 66 Lower Glenway St., Aug. 23 & 30 from 6-7 p.m., ppld.librarymarket.com/events
T SATURDAY
Music on the Mesa at Gold Hill Mesa Community Center, 142 S. Raven Mine Drive., Aug. 3, 17 & 31 from 4-7 p.m.
CALENDAR
right people. Join presenter Gregory Beal CFP with the nonprofit Association of Financial Educators at the Cheyenne Mountain Library as he addresses estate planning questions and topics. Registration is required.
10 a.m. | 1785 S. 8th St., Suite 100 | Free | tiny.ppld.org/estate | 719-5316333
August 13
Detoxify Your Life
Discover how to reduce your toxic burden by participating in a 21-day challenge to detoxify your body and environment. This is step three of Natural Grocers Nutrition Classes: 21 Days to a Healthier You, at Library 21c. Registration is required. 2 p.m. | 1175 Chapel Hills Drive | Free | ppld.org | 719-531-6333
August 15
Alan Parsons Live Project
The Project visits the Pikes Peak Center! Known for sci-fi themes with rock, classical and synth, their hits include “Eye in the Sky” and “Games People Play.” Grammy-winner Parsons worked with the Beatles and Pink Floyd, but with Eric Woolfson created a sound all their own.
Front Range Big Band Jazz Jazz up your Friday night at Soda Springs Park in Manitou Springs! Get some fresh air and bring friends as you revel in the big band sound sponsored by the Manitou Music Foundation. Find them on Facebook.
Hear the fruits of 25 years of entertaining audiences at Stargazers! This high-energy solo performer blends folk-rock and jazz to share his intimate stories. His sixth solo album, “Smilin’ at the Future,” received worldwide critical acclaim.
The Beach Boys Celebrate surf, sun and the ’60s when the Beach Boys, including “Full House” alum John Stamos, bring their Endless Summer Gold tour to Ford Amphitheater with pop hits like “California Girls” and “I Get Around.” “Good Vibrations” are headed your way!
Honor those who served the U.S. at Memorial Park (in Woodland Park). There’s a patriotic remembrance ceremony, POW/ MIA Recognition Ride, vendors, a silent auction, VIP guest speakers, a beer garden with live music, the veterans signature wall, poker run and more.
9 a.m. | 200 N. Park St., Woodland Park | Free | theveterans rally.org | 719-487-8005
August 16, 20 & 28
Taxes & the “Widow’s Penalty”
Did you realize your taxes could go up even if your income goes down?
This informative class by Thrivent covers how the widow’s penalty could affect your Social Security and health care premiums, key estate planning documents and savvy solutions. There are three dates: August 16 at Library 21c, August 20 (virtual) and August 28 at the Monument Library. No products will be sold. Please RSVP.
“Everybody needs to laugh,” says Breuer—and that means you! Hear this New York-bred comic storyteller, listed among Comedy Central’s “100 Greatest Standups of All Time,” at the Pikes Peak Center. He’s family-friendly and F-word free.
It’s time to get your beer on in Manitou Springs’ Memorial Park, with unlimited tastings from over 20 breweries, local food vendors and live music! Regular entry tickets include a tasting glass. Proceeds benefit the Heritage Center.
Join this conversation on friendship, reckoning and hope with New York Times bestselling author Shelby Van Pelt about her beloved novel, “Remarkably Bright Creatures.” Registration is required for this online presentation.
5 p.m. | Free | ppld.org | 719-5316333
August 22
Lawrence & Louise Dance your worries away to the acoustic music of Lawrence Yoshito Shiroma and Louise Wilson at the Downtown YMCA’s Community Dance!
Veteran Resource Panel Veterans, come to Library 21c to hear representatives from Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging, the Veteran Service Office, Home Front Military Network and others at this panel
discussion about local veteran and military resources. Find out about benefits, healthcare and more. Registration is required.
Lauren Daigle Daigle brings her big voice to the Ford Amphitheater, where she’ll sing about life and faith in anthemic hits such as “You Say,” “Look Up Child” and “How Can It Be.”
Are you already a health-conscious resident of the Pikes Peak Region, or do you hope to adopt some better lifestyle habits? Come to the Colorado Springs Event Center to get the lowdown on the latest trends in holistic health.
9 a.m.-2 p.m. | 3960 Palmer Park Blvd. | Free | karen.hogan@gazette. com | 866-632-6397
August 24
Guardianship Training
Non-professionals interested in guardianship, conservator and power of attorney can learn more at the Arc. Topics include mandatory reporting, decision-making, capacity, ward’s rights and required pleadings by the Police Department, a psychiatrist, a civil attorney and other professionals. Includes a light breakfast and lunch. Please reserve your spot.
Make a memory at Memorial Park! Enjoy music and food trucks as you design your lantern in remembrance or reflection, then set it aglow in Prospect Lake in the gathering darkness. Each ticket includes a floating lantern kit, LED candle and drawstring bag.
As individuals approach their 60s, they wonder when to start claiming Social Security retirement benefits. Join presenter Gregory Beal CFP with the non-profit Association of Financial Educators at Library 21c as he discusses important questions and topics. Registration is required. 10 a.m. | 1175 Chapel Hills Drive | Free | tiny.ppld.org/social-security | 719-531-6333
August 27
Quality Cruises and Travel, in partnership with Mayflower Cruises and Tours, gives you a preview of next year’s varied domestic and international travel experiences. Enjoy refreshments as you sign up and save! Please RSVP for more information and location and virtual Zoom presentations.
South African born Isakov, now based in Colorado, brings his indie-rock and folk music to the Pikes Peak Center. He’s recorded six albums, including the Grammy-nominated “Evening Machines,” with poetic lyrics and captivating music. Bonnie Paine of Elephant Revival guests.
See what the local area has for you at the Penrose Library. The Community Exchange is a monthly program that provides a wide variety of necessary services for anyone in El Paso County.
Rock your world at the Colorado Springs Event Center! There are demonstrations, vendors, presentations, a rock auction, live music, a beer garden, kids’ activities, games, supply sales, geology clubs, door prizes, food, gold mining tips and more. Runs through September 1. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | 3960 Palmer Park Blvd. | $5 | socorockandmineral show.com
August 31
Alzheimer’s Benefit Concert
Come to Boot Barn Hall for an evening of music that supports a vital cause. The Petty Nicks Experience brings Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks to life with electrifying performances of rock classics like “Free Fallin’,” “Edge of Seventeen” and “Landslide.”
5-10 p.m. | 13071 Bass Pro Drive | $59-$79 | bootbarnhallco.yapsody. com | 719-401-0600 ■
CLUBS
21st Century Toastmasters meets at Colorado Springs Fire Station 19. Fridays | 1 p.m. | 720-989-8944 | 21c.toastmastersclubs.org
Bridge Players Duplicate plays daily at the Bridge Center. Monday-Friday at 12:30 p.m. | Tuesdays at 9 a.m. | Saturdays at 6 p.m. | 719-634-7250
Broadmoor Rotary Club meets for lunch with a speaker at DoubleTree by Hilton. Please RSVP. 1st & 3rd Thursdays | 12 p.m. | 740707-3022 | rotarybroadmoor.com
Carnelian Coffee Book Club meets at Carnelian Coffee.
1st Sunday (2nd Sunday in July & September) | 1 p.m. | jpaisley@ ppld.org
Cheyenne Mountain Newcomers Club, a social club for women, meets September through April at Broadmoor Community Church. 2nd Wednesday | 9 a.m. | cmnccos. org
Colorado Springs Apple Computer Club meets at the East Library or on Zoom.
2nd Monday | 5:45 p.m. | 719-2379472 | smmug.org
Colorado Springs Chess Club meets at Acacia Apartments ballroom.
Tuesdays | 6 p.m. | cschess@juno. com
Colorado Springs Coin Club meets at Fraternal Order of Eagles #143. 4th Tuesday | 6:30 p.m. | 719-632-4260
Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society meets at Colorado Springs Christian School.
3rd Thursday | 7-9 p.m. | csms1936. com
Colorado Springs Numismatic Society meets at Gold Hill Police Station’s community room.
2nd Sunday | 2 p.m. | 719-632-4260
Colorado Springs Rotary Club meets for lunch with a speaker at the DoubleTree by Hilton. Visit website for Zoom link and to RSVP.
Curiosity Unlimited offers continuous learning opportunities with free UCCS professor lectures at the Ent Center. Visitors are welcome. 2nd Friday | 10 a.m. | uccs.edu/ curiosity | 719-470-1230.
DAV Knob Hill meets monthly and holds a bingo fundraiser to help local veterans at 6880 Palmer Park Blvd. 5:30 p.m. | Sundays
Downtown Lions Club hosts a civic speaker at MacKenzie’s Chop House, 128 S. Tejon St.
3rd Tuesday | 12:15-1:30 p.m. | 719338-7375
Evangelical Christian Singles looking for fellowship may request a profile sheet by email or SASE mail. brotherandsisterfellowship@gmail. com | P.O. Box 62504, Colorado Springs, CO 80962
Evening Adult Fiction Book Club for daytime workers meets at Woodland Park Library.
1st Wednesday | 5 p.m. | 719-6879281
Falcon Garden Club meets at High Prairie Library.
3rd Saturday | 10 a.m. | falcon gardenclub.org
Florissant Bookworms meets at Florissant Library.
2nd Wednesday | 10:30 a.m. | 719-748-3939
Falcon Wanderers Volkssport Club meets for regular walks. 719-597-4307 | falconwanderers.org
Friends at the Table Cooking Club meets at Florissant Library.
3rd Friday | 11:30 a.m. | 719-748-3939
Front Range Herb Society meets regularly. Call for the meeting schedule and events.
719-440-2888
Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship meets at Perkins, 3295 E. Platte Ave. Men and women are welcome.
2nd Saturday | 7:45 p.m. | 719-2293317
Garden of the Gods Rotary Club meets for lunch with a speaker at Texas T-Bone/Famous Dave’s BBQ. Please RSVP.
Hi Country Newcomers is a social group for women. Activities include hiking, book discussions, games, lunches and tours.
2nd Monday | 10 a.m. | ldsjroberts@ icloud.com
Hooked on Crochet meets at Cheyenne Mountain Library
1st Tuesday | 10 a.m. | 719-531-6333 ext. 7001
International Dance Club hosts weekly dances. Live bands, variety of styles, family friendly. Cost is $12. Saturdays | 7-10 p.m. | international danceclub.org | 719-633-0195
Maxi’s Dance Group meets at Eagles Club #143 with music for ages 40+ and food and drinks for purchase. Cover is $5 members, $8 non-members.
Thursdays | 6-9 p.m. | 719-660-1358
Open Book Club meets at Woodland Park Library.
3rd Saturday | 11 a.m. | 719-6879281
Piecing Partners Quilt Guild meets at Elks Lodge 309, 3400 N. Nevada Ave.
3rd Wednesday | 9:30 a.m. | ppqguild@gmail.com
Pikes Peak Camera Club meets at Living Hope Church, 640 Manitou Blvd. 2nd Wednesday | 7 p.m. | 719-6342376 | pikespeakcameraclub.com
Pikes Peak Flyfishers Club meets at Colorado Parks and Wildlife Center, 4255 Sinton Road. There are monthly fishing trips also. All ages. 1st Thursday | 6:30 p.m. | 910-6174714
Pikes Peak Genealogical Society meets virtually on Zoom with varied topics and speakers.
2nd Wednesday | 7-9 p.m. | ppgs. org
Pikes Peak Opera League hosts and promotes vocal arts events. See program schedule online. pikespeakoperaleague.org
Pikes Peak Pastel Society meets at Library 21c. Call for times. 719-338-5548 | pikespeakpastel.org
Pikes Peak Posse of the Westerners meets for dinner and a program at the Masonic Center. Please RSVP. 2nd Monday | 6 p.m. | 719-473-0330
Pikes Peak Traditional Dance meets for contra dancing at the International Dance Center. No partner needed. Beginner lessons: 1:30 p.m. Dance to live music: 2-4:30 p.m. Cost is $10.
1st Sunday | 719-578-8979 | pptd contra.com
Pikes Peak Water Garden Society meets at Mountain View Church of Christ April through October. 2nd Thursday | 7 p.m. | ppwgs.org
Pikes Peak Whittlers are woodcarvers who meet at Redeemer Lutheran Church.
2nd Saturday | 9 a.m. | pikespeak whittlers.com
Rampart Range Blue Star Mothers meets at Falcon Police Department.
1st Sunday | 2 p.m. | 719-651-8038
Read Amok Book Club meets at Florissant Library.
2nd Monday | 11 a.m. | 719-7483939
Reader’s Circle Book Club meets at Woodland Park Library.
2nd Thursday | 10:30 a.m. | 719-6879281
Red Hat Ladies meets at Fountain Valley Senior Center.
1st & 3rd Fridays | 1 p.m. | 719-6002644
Rocky Mountain Mustangers Club, for Mustang owners/enthusiasts, meets monthly at Phil Long Ford Motor City.
3rd Saturday | 4:30 p.m. | mustang ers.com
Sno-Jets Ski & Adventure Club meets at Trinity Brewing. See website for ski trips, biking, hiking and other activities.
1st Thursday | 6:30 p.m. | snojets.org
Socrates Cafe meets weekly for discussion at the Monument Library. Tuesdays | 1-3 p.m. | 719-531-6333
Sons & Daughters of Italy meets for dinner and a meeting at VFW Post #101.
1st Tuesday | 5:30 p.m. | 719-2608773
Sons of Norway meets at Viking Hall. 2nd Wednesday | 6:30 p.m. | 719-574-3717
Spanish Conversation Group meets in room F1 at East Library. Intermediate-advanced Spanish learners and native speakers discuss a variety of topics.
Veterans of Korean Service meets at BPOE Elks 304, 3400 N. Nevada Ave. Lunch and speaker are $13. Call to RSVP.
3rd Saturday | 11:30 a.m. | 719-2146121
Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 1075, meets at Skills Academy, 1575 Garden of the Gods Road. Last Saturday | 9 a.m. | 719-2358162 | vva1075.org
Walk with a Doc meets at the Santa Fe Trail parking lot, 1916 Baptist Road, for a short walk accommodating all ability levels.
Tuesdays | 12:30 p.m. | walkwitha doc.org
Women’s Army Corps Veterans Association meets at Sand Creek Police Station.
4th Saturday | 10 a.m. | peakwac vets@yahoo.com
Woodland Park Book Club meets at Woodland Park Library. 1st Tuesday | 10:30 a.m. | 719-687-9281
Yarnia! Knitting & Crochet Club meets at Florissant Library.
2nd Thursday | 10 a.m. | 719-748-3939 ■
By Rhonda Wray
What are you looking forward to most: Olathe sweet corn, Palisade peaches or Rocky Ford cantaloupe?
Grace Yenne
“I am looking forward to the orangey-pink lushness of Palisade peaches. Not only are they pretty, but they have just the right amount of tart and sweet flavor and a nice firm texture. I love to make peach crumble for loved ones!”
Rhonda Van Pelt
“I love, love, love Palisade peaches! Whether you eat them out of hand, in a pie or another recipe, they’re always delicious.”
RoseMary Jaramillo
“Someone gave me a Palisade peach for my birthday once, and I set it on my desk to ripen. It was the best peach I’ve ever eaten in my life!”
Phil Kinsinger
“Yes. All of the above!”
BEACON BITS
Medicare series helps with planning your health care This complimentary four-part series with Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging provides vital information on all facets of Medicare. All sessions take place at 5 p.m. at the East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd. Virtual sessions are also available. Registration is required. Visit tiny.ppld.org/ medicare or call 719-531-6333 for more information.
• August 6: Eligibility and Coverage (Part A/B)—Learn about eligibility requirements, how to enroll and when enrollment periods are open.
• August 13: Medicare Options: Medigap and Medicare Advantage Plans Medicare—Learn how these plans coordinate with Medicare and Parts A and B.
• August 20: Medicare Part D—Learn how it works, how to get it, what it costs, eligibility and applying for financial assistance.
• August 27: Medicare, Medicaid, and Other Health Insurance Options—Learn about Colorado Medicaid programs you may be eligible for and how they coordinate with Medicare.
Memory clinic has openings for assessment
The UCCS HealthCircle Aging Center is available to anyone 55+ for a baseline assessment of their cognition. The screen will reveal if memory or thinking difficulties are typical or signal a more serious problem. The Memory Clinic two-hour appointment includes a 45-minute assessment, a break while results are reviewed and a discussion of the results and recommendations with a licensed psychologist and a supervised graduate student clinician. Please call 719-255-8002 to schedule an appointment. They’ll ask your household income to determine if you qualify for financial assistance. (No one will be turned away for an inability to pay.) Visit healthcircle. uccs.edu/aging-center for more information. The HealthCircle Aging Center is located at 4863 N. Nevada Ave., Suite 321.
Mountain Metro offers free summer rides
This is the last summer month for a complimentary ride on Mountain Metropolitan Transit (MMT). The promotion runs through August 31. Free rides are available on all MMT buses as well as Metro Mobility paratransit services. This
and the Sons and Daughters of Italy Scholarship Fund. For more information and to purchase tickets, e-mail trodasta@msn.com. Adults are $15, Kids 12 and under are $5 and under 3 are free. Tickets are also available from all members and at the door. The event takes place August 18 from 12-4 p.m. at the Elks Lodge 309, 3400 N. Nevada Ave.
Pikes Peak Regional Airshow flies into town
Aviation buffs will be on cloud nine!
See the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Air Force Academy Parachute Team, the Bomber Parade, aerobatics,
Franklin’s Flying Circus, the Fighter Parade and loads more at the U.S. Army’s A/DACG facility located at 7250 Getting Heights on August 17-18, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Concessions are available. Proceeds benefit three area museums: the Fourth Infantry Division Museum at Ft. Carson, the Peterson Air and Space Museum at Peterson SFB and the National Museum of World War II Aviation. Tickets are $45-$53 and may be purchased online. For more information, visit pprairshow.org or call 719-623-1712. ■
Summer Farmers Markets are in Season
marks the third year MMT has participated in the Zero Fare for Better Air initiative, made possible by the statewide Ozone Season Transit Grant encouraging public transportation when ozone levels are highest. Last year more than 1 million riders took advantage of the free fares—a new record. Visit MMTransit.com for more information about MMT and the Zero Fare for Better Air initiative.
Labor Day Lift Off launches again
It’s up, up and away for Labor Day with early morning balloon launches and evening balloon glows at Memorial Park! In addition, there’s food, the Lift Off Lounge, a 5K race, live music, a drone light show, Aerial Aura, Wings of Blue USAFA skydivers, hot air balloon rides and much more. This three-day, free event is August 31-September 2. Memorial Park is located at 1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave. For a complete schedule, visit coloradospringslabordayliftoff.com or call 719219-3333.
Eat spaghetti, raise funds
Enjoy an authentic homemade Italian dinner prepared by members of the Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge 2870. A portion of the proceeds benefits Sarah’s Home
Buy local at these markets where the admission is free and the produce is fresh. There’s homemade food, handmade jewelry and art and many other unique items waiting to be discovered every day except Tuesday.
8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Saturdays | 66 S. Jefferson St., Monument
Backyard Market in Black Forest 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Saturdays | 6845 Shoup Road
Colorado Farm & Art Market at The Margarita
10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Saturdays | 7350 Pine Creek Road
Cordera
10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Sundays | 11894 Grand Lawn Circle
Kinship Landing Makers Market
10 am.-2
SUPPORT GROUPS
12-Step Program meets weekly at Benet Hill Monastery, 3190 Benet Lane, for anyone dealing with trauma.
Wednesdays | 10 a.m. | 303-9028283 | wealreadyloveyou@gmail. com
Alzheimer’s Association offers free caregiver support groups, in person and virtually. Call for current info. 719-266-8773 | alz.org/events
Cancer Support Group meets at Woodmen Valley Chapel. Call or email to learn about meetings. 719-331-2269 | annehoward199@ yahoo.com
Community Reinforcement And Family Training (CRAFT) has support for families and friends of loved ones struggling with substance use. English, Spanish, virtual and in-person options are available at Springs Recovery Connection. 719-377-2161 | aneeley@srchope.org
Dementia Support Group meets at Fountain Valley Senior Center. 3rd Wednesday | 2-3:30 p.m. | 719-600-2644
Dementia Support Group meets at Jackson Creek Senior Living, 16601 Jackson Creek Pkwy in Monument. 2nd Tuesday | 3 p.m. | 719-259-1331 | jacksoncreekseniorliving.com
Depression & Bipolar Support meets at the Peel House at First Lutheran Church, 1515 N. Cascade Ave.
Multiple Sclerosis Alliance meets virtually and in-person. Call or visit website for schedule.
719-633-4603 | msasoco.org
NAMI Connection Support Group, for those living with mental health conditions, meets virtually on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and in person at First United Methodist Church, room 235.
Thursdays | 7 p.m. | 719-473-8477
NAMI Family Support Group, for family members of people living with mental health conditions, meets virtually on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and in person at First United Methodist Church, room 234.
Thursdays | 7 p.m. | 719-473-8477
Parkinson’s Support Group for individuals and family caregivers meets at Jackson Creek Senior Living, 16601 Jackson Creek Pkwy in Monument. Please RSVP.
PEARLS Connect is for people over 60 experiencing loneliness or feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges. Call for location.
2nd Monday | 3-4:30 p.m. | 719-4592017
Pikes Peak Ostomy Association meets for support weekly via Zoom and once monthly in person.
6:30 | 719-459-2017 | pikespeak ostomy.com
Polio Survivors Support Group meets monthly in Colorado Springs. Call for details.
1st Wednesday | 303-212-0017
Prison Support Group, for those with incarcerated loved ones, meets in the prayer room at Woodmen Valley Chapel.
Thursdays | 1 p.m. | 602-762-0900
Space Holders offers support in times of suffering, loneliness, grief or passing through this life to the next. We offer handholding, humming and mercy with no advice, judgment or sermons.
Text 719-640-0069
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets for support (not a specific diet) at various locations most days of the week.
719-331-2815 | RJW88@yahoo.com | tops.org
Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group meets August to May at Penrose Hospital Cancer Center’s conference room B and C. 3rd Thursday | 6-7:30 p.m. | 719596-3710
Voices of Grief offers 6- and 8-week support groups in Colorado Springs and Woodland Park. Call or email for details.
719-286-0612 | info@voicesofgrief center.org
Widowed Persons Grief Support Group meets twice monthly at Silver Key, 1625 S. Murray Blvd. 2nd & 4th Fridays | 1-2 p.m. | 719955-3400 ■
FUN AFTER 50
Portrait Artists
9-11 a.m. | Wednesdays
Group Painting
9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Thursdays
Chess Club
12-2 p.m. | Fridays
1514 N. Hancock Ave., Colorado Springs
To register for classes, call 719-955-3400 or visit CSSeniorCenter.com
During the renovation, the Senior Center will continue programming at the Downtown YMCA, Westside Community Center and Southeast Armed Services YMCA.
DOWNTOWN YMCA
Low Income & Medicare
Are your Medicare costs too much? Learn about assistance that can help.
10-11 a.m. | Aug. 5 | Free
Tunes on Tuesday
Experience the Australian Aboriginal instrument, the didgeridoo.
2-3 p.m. | Aug. 6 | Free
Making Your Money Last
Turn your nest egg into a sustainable income without running out of money.
1-2:30 p.m. | Aug. 7 | Free
Introduction to A.I. Learn how A.I. is used, its current limitations and how it shapes the future.
2-3 p.m. | Aug. 12 | Free Cyber Security and Scams! Learn about scams targeting seniors and protecting yourself if you’ve been a victim.
1:30-3:30 p.m. | Aug. 15 | Free Summer Ping Pong and Pizza Tournament
Grab a partner and register by Aug. 21 for the double elimination tournament and tasty pizza!
1:30-3:30 p.m. | Aug. 23 | $5
Groups and Clubs
There is space to host additional groups and clubs. Please contact the Senior Center if interested in starting one.
Bingo
WESTSIDE
Winners get prize swag!
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. | Aug. 12 | $1
Pancake Breakfast
Enjoy flapjacks and fellowship.
9-10 a.m. | Aug. 16 | $3
Nurse Chats
Learn about nocturnal hypoxia and why you may need oxygen only at night.
1-2 p.m. | Aug. 21 | Free
Tie Dye
Practice the ice dye method on a bandana, then on your 100% cotton items.
10-11:30 a.m. | Aug. 27 | $10
Speed Dating, Senior Style
Are you 55+ and seeking companionship? Enjoy refreshments and meeting like-minded singles in a fun, no-pressure way. You’re notified of your matches afterward. Register early.
1-2:30 p.m. | Aug. 28 | $3
DAY TRIPS
Breckenridge Art Festival
After a scenic ride, you’ll enjoy viewing nationally recognized art, shopping, sightseeing and dining. Deadline to Register: Aug. 24.
8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. | Aug. 1 | $55
Senior Day at the State Fair
It’s the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo, with the crowning of the Silver Queen, live music, tasty lunch choices and much more! Registration deadline: Aug. 9.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Aug. 23 | $40
COMMUNITY
Forest Bathing
Immerse yourself in nature through guided invitations in North Shooks Run Park. Register in advance.
8:30-10:30 a.m. | Aug. 3 | $8 ■
66 Jefferson St., Monument
To register for classes, call 719-464-6873 or visit SilverKey.org/TriLakes
CONNECTIONS
Open Studio Painting
Pick up a brush for creating and camaraderie.
9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | 1st Wednesday | $5
Arts & Crafts
Socialize while you work on a weekly craft project.
11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Thursdays
Tech Support 101
We’ll figure out what stumps you with your devices! Please RSVP to swalker@silverkey.org.
12-1:30 p.m. | 1st Friday
MEALS
Connections Café
Enjoy hot, nutritious meals and socialize with others.
Play for fun and prizes! Must RSVP. 12-1 p.m. | Aug. 21 | 719-330-0241 | sue@monumentalfitness.com
Bunco
Bring $3 and a snack to share. 1-3 p.m. | Aug. 9
Chess Club
Beginners are welcome. 12 p.m. | Mondays
Spades
Let the bidding wars begin! 11 a.m. | Tuesdays
Pinochle
A classic combination of bidding, melding and trick-taking in one card game.
12-4 p.m. | Tuesdays
Hand & Foot
Be the first to get rid of your cards “hand first,” then foot in this Canasta-style game.
1-4 p.m. | Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Rummikub
A tile-based game combining elements of rummy and mah jongg. 11 a.m. | Thursdays
Mah jongg
Tile-based game with racks to hold players’ tiles (not mah jongg solitaire).
1-4 p.m. | Fridays
EXERCISE
Class fee: $50 per month (unlimited), $60 for 10-class punch card, or $8 drop-in
Lean & Fit
Build strength and endurance in this muscle conditioning class.
9-10 a.m. | Mondays
Tai Chi Fusion
Reduce stress and promote serenity through gentle, flowing movements.
12-1 p.m. | Mondays
Strong for Life
This circuit-style workout incorporates cardio and simple weight training.
1:30 p.m. | Mondays
Mind-ergize
Exercise your brain!
12-1 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays
Chair Yoga
Seated poses improve circulation and reduce stress.
12-1 p.m. | Wednesdays
Intro to Line Dancing
Learn some simple steps! Please RSVP to swalker@silverkey.org. 11:30 a.m. | Aug. 13 | $5
Mix It Up!
Low-impact aerobics, simple weight training and stretching.
8-9 a.m. | Wednesdays
Zumba
Cardio workout to Latin-inspired dances.
5:30 -6:30 p.m. Thursdays | 9-10 a.m. Saturdays ■
5745 Southmoor Dr., Colorado Springs
To register for classes, call 719-600-2644 or visit FVSCenter.org
SPECIAL EVENTS
Dinner, Karaoke & Bingo Night
Enjoy karaoke, then dinner before bingo–$50 payout for blackout!
Reserve by Aug. 4.
4-7 p.m. | Aug. 9 | $10 dinner, $5 cards
Barb Bragdon Entertains at Lunch
Munch to the music!
11:30 a.m. | Aug. 15 | Donations
Flying W Ranch Dinner & Show
Enjoy a chuckwagon meal and the Western music of the Wranglers! Reserve and check for time at the office
Aug. 16 | $75
Pammy K. Entertains at Lunch
Enjoy music as you eat!
11:30 a.m. | Aug. 20 | Donations
Colorado State Fair
Includes transportation to Pueblo. Reserve by Aug. 20 and check for time at the office.
Aug. 23 | $15
Dinner on the Town
Enjoy down-home country cuisine at the Black-eyed Pea! Please reserve at the office.
5 p.m. | Aug. 28
ART
Interpretive Dance
10:30-11:30 a.m. | Mondays
Tap Dance
10:15 a.m. | Tuesdays
Porcelain/Ceramics
9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Tuesdays
Quilters
8:30-11 a.m. | Wednesdays
Oil Painting
9-11 a.m. | Wednesdays
Rock Painting
12:30-2 p.m. | Wednesdays
Woodcarving
8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Thursdays
Card Making
9:30-11 a.m. | Thursdays
Jewelry Making
10:30-11:30 a.m. | Fridays
LEGAL
Legal Assistance by Appointment
1:30-2:30 p.m. | 2nd Wednesday
HEALTH
Wii Bowling
10-11 a.m. | Mondays
Chair Yoga
2:30-3:30 p.m. Mondays | 9-10 a.m.
Fridays
Zumba Gold
9-10 a.m. | Tuesdays
Blood Pressure Checks
10:15 a.m. | 1st & 3rd Tuesdays
Tai Chi
9:30-11 a.m. | Wednesdays
Chi Kung
10-11 a.m. | Fridays
Wii Games
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Fridays
Line Dancing
1-2 p.m. | Fridays
GAMES & LEISURE
Security Library Bookmobile
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Aug. 1
Ft. Logan Trip
9:30 a.m. | 2nd Monday | $30
Movie Day
1 p.m. | 2nd Wednesday
Bingo
1 p.m. | Tuesdays & Thursdays
Birthday Social
12 p.m. | 4th Thursday
Red Hat Society Meeting
1 p.m. | 1st & 3rd Fridays
Ice Cream Social
Entertainment: G & G.
12:30 p.m. | 3rd Friday | $1
Game Day
10 a.m.-4 p.m. | 1st Saturday
Thrift Store Super Saturday
Everything is ½ off.
10 a.m.-3 p.m. | 1st Saturday ■
WOODLAND PARK
SENIOR ORGANIZATION
321 N. Pine St., Woodland Park
To register for classes, call 719-687-3877 or visit WoodlandParkSeniors.com
SPECIAL EVENTS
Cripple Creek Museum and Train
The history of this mining town comes alive!
10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Aug. 2 | $5
South Park Museum
See this open-air museum in Fairplay–an 1800s reconstruction of a mining town from the Colorado Gold Rush.
10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Aug. 10 | $5
Indoor Miniature Golf
Try for a hole in one!
10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Aug. 23 | $5
AARP Safe Driving Class
Sharpen your skills on the road for an insurance discount!
1-4 p.m. | Aug. 14 | $25
ACTIVITIES
Quilters
Bring a project to work on and socialize.
9 a.m. | Mondays
Dominos, Cribbage & Euchre
Choose to play any of these domino games—or all three!
9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Monday-Friday
Mah Jongg
This tile-based game was developed in China. Check online activity calendar.
Various days and times
Crochet & Knitting
Bring a project to work on and socialize.
10 a.m. | Wednesdays
Bingo
Play for fun and prizes! 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Thursdays
Bridge
Partner up and take tricks!
12 p.m. | Wednesdays
ARTS & CRAFTS
Watercolor
Learn to paint with washes and layers.
1-4 p.m. | Aug. 19
Wire & Stone Tree Class
Make a beautiful miniature tree.
1-3 p.m. | Aug. 16
EXERCISE
Low-Impact Cardio
Tone muscle and pump up the heart in this low-impact exercise program.
9 a.m. | Tuesdays & Thursdays
Chair Yoga
Seated yoga poses improve circulation and range of motion and reduce stress.
9 a.m. | Wednesdays
Line Dancing
Choreographed moves to a variety of music.
10 a.m. & 6 p.m. | Wednesdays
Chair Tai Chi
Gentle, flowing movements alleviate stress, improve balance and reduce fall risk.
9 a.m. | Fridays
Zumba
Cardio workout to Latin-inspired dances.
10 a.m. | Fridays
MEALS
Silver Key Lunch
Make a reservation 24 hours in advance.
11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Monday-Friday | $3.50
Potluck Lunch
Bring a dish to share.
11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Aug. 13
Catered Lunch
The Coalition for the Upper South Platte (CUSP) will discuss fire mitigation as you eat.
11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Aug. 27 | $7
■
CROSSWORD
61. John of “Full House”
62. Lofty
63. Lacking teeth
65. “The ___ Dead”, classic horror movie
66. Nursemaid
67. “Comus” composer Thomas
68. Golfer Ballesteros
69. Arrow poison
70. Resting places
DOWN
1. “Caddyshack” director Harold
2. ___-garde
3. Pivot
4. Capital of Lesotho
5. Place
6. Draw forth
7. “M*A*S*H*” name
8. Louise’s cohort
9. Twice tetra10. Travel on water
11. Carson’s successor 12. Not duped by 14. Deep black
17. Manipulates
21. Purple bloomer
23. Impostor
25. Short time
27. Fighting Tigers’ sch.
28. Arthur Ashe’s alma mater
29. Surf sound
30. French 101 verb
31. Assist
32. Jump on the ice
33. Major ending
35. Hit letters
36. Irregularly notched
39. Director Howard
40. Architectural piers
41. Mischievous fairy
46. Aden native
48. Aleutian island
49. Aquanaut’s base
51. V-shaped fortification
52. Papas of “Zorba the Greek”
54. Love, to Luigi
55. In good condition
56. Much of Mississippi?
57. AAA recommendations
58. Overhang
59. 554, in stone
60. Model Macpherson
61. Filthy place
64. Compass dir.
SUDOKU
COMPUTER
& MEDIA
FLAT RATE COMPUTER REPAIR.
Starting at $60. Free pickup & delivery or up to 2 hours of on-site tune-up, virus removal and/or training. Call Richard with SOBE I.T. 719-470-1910.
ESTATE SALES/YARD SALES
HOLIDAY VILLAGE MOBILE HOME
PARK. Parkwide Yard Sale at 3405 Sinton Road, Colorado Springs, SATURDAY, AUGUST 3rd 9am to 3pm
FUN & ACTIVITIES
Maxi’s Dance Group is back! Dance party every Thursday 6-9pm, Eagles Club 1050 S. 21st St. Music for ages 40+, food and drink available for purchase. $8 cover; $5 members. 719660-1358.
HOME REPAIR
HANDYMAN SERVICES. ODD JOBS Plumbing, Carpentry, Fences, Decks, Doors, and more. (Mowing or yardwork in the spring and summer.) John 719-471-7471.
HOME REPAIR
MORE THAN A HANDYMAN. Home Maintenance, Repairs, Yard Work, Organize. 15% Senior Discount (62+). Call Mike - a Senior and Veteran. 719338-4279. Voice mail answered same day.
LANDSCAPING
SERVICES
PET SUPPLIES & SERVICES
DONA BYMASTERS PET SERVICES. Also available to do: house-sitting, mail pickup, water plants, stay overnight with pets. South and Central Colorado Springs only 719-640-4049 or 719473-4276.
DAILY LABOR SERVICE. Lawn mowing, yard cleaning, gardening, gutter cleaning, house cleaning and janitorial, handyman repairs. 719310-5247
SERVICES
HELP AT YOUR HOME. Cleaning, organizing, laundry, assistance with errands and appointments, garden maintenance and watering. Honest and dependable. Reasonable rates. Call Nancy 719-238-6837.
KINGDOM KLEAN. Custom Cleaning for all Residential, Commercial, Move Outs, and Construction needs. Senior, Military, & Widow Discount. Affordable & Reliable. 719-766-1699
MODEROW JUNK HAULING Veteran Owned Junk Hauling and Yard Clean Up. Call or Text: 719-432-7672
Senior, respectful Christian Lady serves Seniors as an Assistant, Private Secretary, Advocate and Companion. Homemaking, Errands, your projects, (garden, pack, travel, events), etc. Call Sunny 719-271-0165.
SENIORS
LOVE HELPERS
SENIORS LOVE HELPERS
that arrive at the door! If you do heavy lifting, climb ladders, painting, cleaning, cooking, or hair care, place an ad in the BEACON
that arrive at the door! If you do heavy lifting, climb ladders, painting, cleaning, cooking, or hair care, place an ad in the BEACON
Readers are hunting for your services!
Readers are hunting for your services! 719-900-7664
turn your
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
VOLUNTEER AT SILVER KEY to help provide seniors with meals, rides, companionship, food pantry support, and veterans support. Office staff and handyman tasks are also needed. Please apply online at: silverkey.org/ vip-new/ or call 719-884-2300.
VOLUNTEER AT SILVER KEY to help provide seniors with meals, rides, companionship, food pantry support, and veterans support. Office staff and handyman tasks are also needed. Please apply online at: silverkey.org/ vip-new/ or call 719-884-2300.
WANTED
WANTED
1950S-1960S LP’S, 78’S AND 45’S. Blues, jazz, rock ‘n roll, country, Broadway, movie soundtracks, TV, R&B, soul, children’s, spoken word, etc. I’m a collector, not a business. Call me first - I pay the most for your records. 719-633-5848 or 719-4409288
1950S-1960S LP’S, 78’S AND 45’S. Blues, jazz, rock ‘n roll, country, Broadway, movie soundtracks, TV, R&B, soul, children’s, spoken word, etc. I’m a collector, not a business. Call me first - I pay the most for your records. 719-633-5848 or 719-4409288
CASH FOR OLD BANKS AND TOYS, presidential pin back buttons, Simpich dolls, military insignia and memorabilia. Will buy single items or entire collections. 719-632-9904.
CASH FOR OLD BANKS AND TOYS, presidential pin back buttons, Simpich dolls, military insignia and memorabilia. Will buy single items or entire collections. 719-632-9904.
VINTAGE ITEMS WANTED. Toys, Comic Books, Halloween, Guitars, Amplifiers, Pedals. I’m a collector, not a business. 719-633-5848 or 719-4409288.
VINTAGE ITEMS WANTED. Toys, Comic Books, Halloween, Guitars, Amplifiers, Pedals. I’m a collector, not a business. 719-633-5848 or 719-4409288.
RETAIL
RETAIL
RESTAURANTS
RESTAURANTS
MISCELLANEOUS
MISCELLANEOUS
The risk to election integrity and public trust
By Janine Reid & Patrice Schell
HOW TO STOP THE SPREAD
is happiness HOME
In the digital age, distinguishing truth from fiction is more challenging than ever.
With the presidential election approaching, misinformation and disinformation are proliferating across various media platforms. The decline of newspapers, traditionally dedicated to fact-checking, has coincided with the rise of social media, which is more focused on influencing voters and generating revenue than providing objective information.
The magnitude of the problem cannot be underestimated. Research from 2016 by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences warned that digital misinformation is “so pervasive in social media to the extent that it has been listed by the World Economic Forum as one of the main threats to our society.”
This trend undermines public trust in government and threatens democratic processes reliant on transparency and accountability. Misinformation misleads, manipulates, confuses and divides us.
As voters, it’s crucial to identify unreliable media sources and expand critical thinking to make informed decisions.
HOW TO SPOT MIS- & DISINFORMATION
• Be skeptical: Does it seem too extreme to be true? We live in wild times, but if it sounds unbelievable, it probably is.
• Cross-check sources: Relying on a single news outlet can be risky. Verify information by consulting multiple trusted sources.
• Watch for emotional triggers: Real news can be upsetting, but disinformation often exploits our emotions to spark outrage and division. Be cautious of content that aims to provoke.
• Share accurate information: Become a trustworthy informant and refrain from sharing misinformation, even to debunk it. Spreading the “bad” can inadvertently amplify it.
• Identify trustworthy sources: Official government sites (ending in .gov) are typically reliable, but don’t stop there. Look at peer-reviewed scholarly articles and news outlets that consistently cite their sources.
• Correct misinformation respectfully: Be a credible source within your network. If someone shares inaccurate information, address it with kindness and respect. Begin by offering the correct information privately. If that approach doesn’t work, publicly share accurate information without being emotional or rude.
Governments combat misinformation through media literacy programs and legislation like Colorado’s SB24-084, which tasks the attorney general with fighting misinformation, promoting open discussions on national issues, and examining its spread across digital platforms. This law also reviews relevant legal frameworks to support these efforts.x
However, fighting misinformation isn’t just a top-down effort. We must all work together to promote a culture where facts matter and critical thinking is valued. ■
Janine Reid & Patrice Schell are with the League of Women Voters of the Uncompahgre Valley. For more insights on mis- and disinformation, check out LWV-UV.org and explore trusted sites like Vote411.org and FactCheck.org for non-partisan, factual information on political and policy issues.
