October 2024 - BEACON Senior News - Colorado Springs
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Publisher Kevin K. VanGundy
Editor in Chief Cloie Sandlin
Managing Editor Rhonda Wray
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Michael L. Madsen B. Bigler
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Phone: 719-900-7664
IN THIS ISSUE
6 COVER STORY
Portraits of Grace
Find out how to choose a photographer who captures the fearless spirit of those who embrace their age and the importance of legacy portraits
Polio’s Second Act
Jim Carr spent his life overcoming the challenges of “upside-down polio,” a rare form that primarily affects the upper body. Carr shares his journey with polio, from his early days in an iron lung to the ongoing challenges of living with post-polio syndrome
10 Recipe: Baked Broccoli Mac
11
Caregiver Burden vs. Burnout
Learn about the effects of prolonged caregiving stress and discover practical strategies to help manage and lighten the load
12 Dreams Turned Nightmares: Is Your Medication or Supplement to Blame?
While unsettling dreams are common, chronic nightmares shouldn’t be ignored. Learn how your medication or supplement may be impacting your sleep
13 Why We Like to Be Scared
How to Protect Your Pets From Halloween Hazards
As you prepare for a fun-filled Halloween with your grandkids, don’t forget about your furry family members! Keep your pets safe amidst the spooky celebrations with these tips.
20 How Technology Helped and Hindered My Mental Health
After a mental health crisis, our tech columnist explores how he navigated the pitfalls of social media and how technology both hindered and helped his healing
22 Haunted Historic Hotels
With Halloween approaching, explore the tales of haunted hotels, from mysterious sailors to spectral ladies in white, and decide if you’re brave enough for a spooky stay this season
24 Cutting-Edge Creativity
Where most see just a block of wood, the Pikes Peak Whittlers see endless possibilities. See them in action at their upcoming show!
28 CALENDARS
28 Calendar 32 Clubs
Despite their terrifying nature, horror films remain a beloved staple of Halloween. Why do we willingly pay to be scared out of our wits?
14 Wolfman Jack: A Howling Good DJ
Bob Smith found his stride as Wolfman Jack, his eerie howls and lively patter captivated a nation in the ’60s-’80s, leaving listeners curious about the man behind the voice
33 Question of the Month 34 Beacon Bits
35 Support Groups
36 Fun After 50 Senior Center Activities
38 Fun & Games
40 Classifieds
42 Opinion: What Seniors Need to Know About Changes to Medicare Part D
Christine June’s “50 Over 50 Portraits” celebrates the beauty of older women. Left to right, Annawyn, 89, Annie, 72 and Jan, 79.
• RELEVANT: An extensive resource directory with articles and contact information for hundreds of clubs, programs and businesses geared to helping local seniors.
• RELIABLE: We call and verify every listing for accuracy.
• REPUTABLE: BEACON Senior News is the trusted voice of Colorado Springs seniors.
• WIDELY DISTRIBUTED: The BEACON Guide is widely distributed through the magazine, at over 160 local pick-up points and is mailed free of charge to hundreds of seniors, their adult children and senior industry professionals who request it.
Keep it, kids
“Millennials don’t want brown furniture,” Stephanie Kenyon, 60, declared in The Washington Post. She owns an auction and appraisal business. Same goes for rocking chairs or silver-plated tea sets, according to Kenyon— thus spurning a whole generation’s carefully collected heirlooms and antiques. Like mine.
I also don’t think my kids would want my books. They read differently—namely, on their devices. They also make dinner that way, so my cookbooks would gather dust on their shelves.
But if the brown antique tables were turned, I wouldn’t want some of their stuff either.
Like my son’s skateboard. Watching him perform aerials and varials as a teen was a thrill. But as one who has sworn off climbing ladders, deciding it’s way too risky at this stage of life, why would I want to throw caution to the wind and roll on a platform? In the highly unlikely event that I would’ve ever had the desire or ability to master an ollie or kick flip, that window of time has rolled on by.
Or my daughter’s collection of oils, potions and supplements. She’s healthy all right, but is it her relative youth, or is it adding iodine drops to her water or bee pollen to her smoothies? The jury’s still out.
I’ll pass on my youngest’s vinyls and CDs. Vinyls? We called them records. Been there, listened to that and scratched them up. Didn’t we all rejoice when user-friendly CDs came out? Now I’m downsizing both. I appreciate the breadth of his music knowledge. I listen to some of his favorites myself. But I’ll skip the screamo and electronica in favor of music from my own young adult years and listen on my phone, laptop or Alexa.
Their collective vehicles—no thanks, for various reasons. One proudly drives a clunker. It’s his dinged-up badge of honor. It handles well enough, but it’s two-toned, parts patched
together like a metal crazy quilt, and the MIA piece in front exposing the tank of wiper fluid gives me pause.
Another drives a snazzy BMW that he worked hard for and paid off. But it’s a manual, and having never spent sufficient time mastering the art of the smooth clutch release, just—no.
The car I might be most likely to drive is my middle son’s Dodge Charger, but he’s even considered selling it. He’s a father of two now, and it’s not exactly a family-friendly vehicle.
Anything video game related would also have to go. My millennials/Gen Zers grew up with good old Mario and Luigi, and nostalgia keeps them playing. I never devoted much time to it, aside from a few Guitar Hero rock star moments or Wii Fit sessions, where my Wii Fit age was so wrong. They can keep all the Game Cubes, Nintendo Switches, controllers and games. I wouldn’t know what to do with them.
My youngest’s carefully pieced together desktop computer is cool—for him. He built it with the help of a friend and claims it’s “20 times more powerful” than mine. But I prefer the portability of my laptop.
Of course, there are a few items I’d want. My daughter’s paintings for sure. Perhaps my son’s beautiful Facebook Marketplace dining room table find (though I have my own table).
But if I could have them, most of the things I’d want from my kids are the intangibles: her artsy creativity and fashion sense, his unwavering loyalty and work ethic, his kindness and playful parenting, his easygoing charm and people skills. Their collective humor and tech skills, too.
And I’d love to have their lack of accumulated stuff. ■
Bridge & Brainpower (April)
I was very pleased with the Bridge Club article that appeared in the BEACON and am appreciative of the monthly copies we’ve been receiving. Several members have commented to me about articles and coupons, and that they are regularly reading the magazine.
- Bob W.
Soaring Over the Springs (September)
The article on my experiences with hot air ballooning was really good and the pictures were great but there were a few things that should be corrected. Most importantly, after we had formed the Ballooning Society of Pikes Peak, in 1979, I passed the baton to Dewey Reinhard, who turned the event into the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic, now known as the Labor Day Lift Off. One detail about a balloon hitting some high-tension wires—fortunately it was just the instruments that were blown out, not the propane tank. And for my volunteering with Angels of America’s Fallen, the balloon ride certificates are provided to be bought at auction.
- Stephen Blucher
Contractor Scams (September)
The article on avoiding contractor scams was incredibly informative! It’s great to have such practical advice, especially for seniors. Thanks for looking out for the community!
- Jen H.
Back to School (August)
Thank you so much for the article in The BEACON! Lisa Lowdermilk did a wonderful job. We all thoroughly enjoyed it and I believe it will help get more seniors involved.
- Joey Eisenhut, Director of Transportation, School District 20
Pikes Peak Trolley Museum (July)
They are such a fantastic group of historians and visionaries!
- Marti B.
Unexpected Twists at the Fourth of July
BBQ (Online only)
This article is funny and uplifting. Ernie Witham has a great sense of humor!
- Linda M.
Portraits Grace of
Legacy portraits show there’s more to age than meets the eye
By Colleen M. Story
What is a woman over 50?
Ask society and you might hear words like “diminished,” “older” and “invisible.” On the street, your gaze may pass right over her without a second thought. In movies or on social media, you’re unlikely to find any representation of her at all.
She’s just an older woman. In her prime, she might have been beautiful, but that was a long time ago.
Portrait photographer Christine June begs to differ. Through her lens, she reveals that a woman over 50 is far from invisible—in fact, she’s nothing short of amazing.
June didn’t set out to be a portrait photographer. She studied science in college, then went back to get her degree in painting, which is where she discovered her love for photography. She dabbled in many styles, including landscape, fine art, baby and family portraits—until a request from a 49-year-old woman for her 50th birthday shoot changed everything.
“It was so inspiring!” said June. “Her energy, her wisdom—all the things she survived to become 50.”
June, now 49 herself, says her clients have opened her eyes to the possibilities that await her after 50.
“These women are bold!” she said. “They’re bucking the whole system of beauty standards that say you must be this or that to be visible in the world. And it’s so powerful and eye-opening!”
She returns that energy to her clients in the portraits she takes.
CAPTURING MOMENTS IN TIME
After her portrait session with June, businesswoman Denise Perkins said, “I’m on the other side of 50, and for many people, that means things go downhill. But the last two years of my life have been some of my happiest, and I wanted to capture that.”
Perkins spent years in sales and marketing before stepping out on her own as a consultant two years ago. Now she does things on her own terms.
When she saw Christine’s portraits on social media, something resonated within her.
“She talked about doing this for yourself,” Perkins said, “and I thought, ‘This is the time I should capture who I am now, not who I was at 40 climbing the corporate ladder or when I was in college with a baby on my hip trying to break into the workforce.”
Jan Costas is also a big fan of embracing who you are.
Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, doctors told her she had six months to live without treatment, or two years with it. Four years later, she’s now 80 years old.
“I've taken it kind of like an adventure,” she said, attributing her faith in guiding her. “It’s a journey that I had not planned. I’m just going to trust and live my life as best I can.”
Christine June celebrates the timeless beauty of women in their 50s, 60s and 70s+ through her one-of-a-kind 50 over 50 Portrait Experience.
Karen, 70
Stacey, 55
Jan, 80
Losing her hair during treatment didn’t stop her from getting her portrait taken by June. Having lived in Saudi Arabia, she developed a love for henna—a reddish dye prepared from the dried leaves of the henna tree—and decided to wear a “henna crown” instead of a wig. Her portraits have become some of June’s most popular pictures.
Annawyn Shamas had a different reason for booking her portrait session. An actress and theater director, her headshot appearing in theater programs was outdated. She also appreciated the way June’s work celebrates women over 50.
As she approaches 90, Shamas has noticed how people interact with her differently.
“I do think there is a diminishing quality in how you are perceived, but that doesn't mean you have to accept that,” she said.
“They’re like, ‘Wow, that’s me!’ It’s a lightbulb moment!”
None of the women came into June’s studio feeling photogenic, but they weren’t interested in portraying society’s version of beauty.
“I don’t have to be a model to have a portrait that says, ‘This is who Jan is,’” said Costas.
All the women spoke about how much these portraits would mean to their families and reflected on photos they had of loved ones who had passed. But June’s greatest gift was helping them see their own inspiration.
It’s not just a photo; it’s a piece of art that says,
“This is me, this is my life, this is my legacy.”
STRENGTH IN EVERY IMAGE
We live in a snap-and-share world, said June, but there’s something magical about a portrait that digital images can’t replicate.
“It’s not just a photo; it’s a piece of art that says, ‘This is me, this is my life, this is my legacy,” she said. “For us women who have seen and lived through so much, a portrait can capture all the wisdom, strength and beauty we’ve cultivated over decades.”
June’s favorite part is revealing these qualities through her lens.
“This is who I am,” Shamas said, describing one of her favorite portraits, where she’s wrapped in a Native American shawl. “I’m not going to be beaten down by this or that. I’m going to be a tall woman standing, looking into the future. I didn’t know that I would have a photograph that would show that.”
Costas agreed.
“We are not just going to be ground into the dust,” she said. “Each one of us is special. I just want to treasure that.”
Perkins said her husband cried when he saw her photos, telling her how beautiful she looked. But Perkins saw something more.
“She’s got it together,” she said, speaking as a stranger might when observing the photo. “I think I’ve spent my whole life trying to keep it together! Don’t we all do that as women? I’ve lived a great life. It’s the power to give yourself permission to be who you are and not apologize for it.” ■
Create your legacy through portraiture
Christine June is based in Centennial, Colorado, but she offers these tips for capturing your legacy in a portrait. Imagine preserving your spirit, smile and life stories to share with future generations. While digital files may not last (who knows if JPEGs will be around in 50 years?), a timeless portrait will tell your story when you’re no longer around to share it.
■ Find a Photographer Who Gets You: Find a photographer who sees more than just what’s in front of the camera. You need a photographer who can look beyond the lens and capture your essence in a stunning portrait.
■ Tell YOUR Story YOUR Way: Highlight your hobbies, achievements or dreams that define your journey by incorporating them in your shoot.
■ Dress to Shine: Choose outfits that make you feel fabulous, accessories that sparkle as much as you do and go for a makeup look that makes you feel like a million bucks.
■ Enjoy Your Moment: Let go of insecurities and enjoy the experience. Chat with your photographer, laugh, share stories and let your personality shine.
■ Preserve It Forever: Think about how you want to showcase your portrait—whether framed, as a canvas or a stylish photo book. Make it something your family can cherish, hold and treasure for years to come.
See more of Christine’s work on Instagram: @christine.june.photography
Elena, 61
Denise, 68 Annawyn, 89
Polio’s second act
Confronting the challenges of post-polio syndrome
By Jim Carr
Throughout my years living with polio, I never heard the term “upside-down polio” until my first polio retreat at Easterseals Camp in Empire, Colorado, in 2018. Among the approximately 40 attendees, I was one of the few with polio primarily affecting my upper body— upside-down polio.
My right arm is paralyzed, my left arm is partially paralyzed, and my neck and shoulders are extremely weak. Additionally, I lack quadriceps in my left leg, which makes me prone to falling. Due to my significant upper body weakness, I am unable to use a cane, crutches or a walker. I also cannot break a fall with my hands or arms, and getting back up from the floor or ground is a challenge. When I was encouraged to share my story, someone suggested the title “Face First.”
THE SUMMER THAT CHANGED MY LIFE
In 1952, my family moved from Arizona to Michigan in search of better job opportunities. The auto industry was booming in Flint.
That summer, I fell ill with flu-like symptoms, which continued to worsen. My dad took me to the doctor, who initially prescribed flu medication. The next morning, during breakfast, I discovered I couldn’t lift my right arm to eat my oatmeal. My parents knew something wasn’t right so they took me back to the doctor. After a thorough examination, he sent me to the hospital, suspecting polio.
My world turned upside down at just 3 years old. It was around this time that the polio epidemic in the Flint area began to spiral. The hospital admitted mostly children, but some adults were affected too. There was no cure, no way to stop
Only parents, donning masks and gowns, were allowed to visit their kid in the iron lung section. My mom and dad were filled with nervous anticipation every time they visited the hospital, hoping I was still alive. The appearance of a doctor usually signified the death of a child. Each parent hoped it wasn’t their child and grieved with those who had lost their child. Mom recalled that 127 individuals succumbed to polio at Hurley Hospital that year.
After six months in the iron lung, my condition improved enough for me to be moved back with the other children. I spent an additional four months in the hospital, totaling nearly a year of hospitalization.
THE NEXT MORNING, DURING BREAKFAST, I DISCOVERED I COULDN’T LIFT MY RIGHT ARM TO EAT MY OATMEAL. MY WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN AT JUST 3 YEARS OLD.
polio and nowhere to run from it.
While I was in the hospital, my mother was by my side for most of the time, despite being pregnant with my brother. In a twist of fate, my younger brother was born in the same hospital and I was the first of my family to see him.
INSIDE THE IRON LUNG
My polio began with paralysis in my right arm and the upper part of my left arm, accompanied by weakness in my upper body. After two months, my condition turned into bulbar polio, impacting my ability to breathe, and I was put in an iron lung.
This machine became my lifeline, breathing for me around the clock for six months. The iron lung had port holes on the side, through which nurses provided hygiene care. The neck collar was tight to prevent air leakage while the machine facilitated my breathing by moving the padded tray I lay on back and forth. This constant motion resulted in a bald spot on the back of my head.
GROWING UP WITH POLIO
At 4 years old, I was finally able to return home to my family. I started working with a physical therapist who had previously worked with injured World War II veterans. She took a special interest in me and became like a part of our family.
During my visits to University Hospital in Ann Arbor, the medical team considered amputating my arm. However, my physical therapist was adamant and prevented it from happening.
The doctors tried different braces on my right hand and wrist to hold my fingers straight.
My first surgery took place on my right hand when I was 6. A bone was grafted from my hip and placed between my thumb and index finger to make my hand more functional. My second surgery was on my left hand to prevent my fingers and hand from curling up. Both surgeries were successful and significantly improved my quality of life.
After undergoing braces and two surgeries, by age 8, I was liberated from the frequent hospital visits
5-year-old me with a bilateral “airplane” brace to lift both arms.
An Emerson Respirator, also known as an Iron Lung, circa 1955, was a machine which enabled a person to breathe on their own when muscle control had been lost (often due to poliomyelitis). It used negative pressure ventilation to induce inhalation. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
On behalf of Colorado Post-Polio Organization, I made a donation to support the Ouray County Ranch History Museum. Joan Chismire, the museum’s curator, has a personal connection to this cause; the iron lung on display was used by her mother and has been refurbished to working condition.
and began living a life similar to other kids. Growing up, I didn’t dwell much on having polio. My parents treated me no differently than my brothers and sister. There was very little I believed I couldn’t do, which instilled in me the confidence to try almost anything.
POLIO’S SHADOW
After overcoming polio as a child, I grew up feeling pretty good about myself. I had a wonderful family, a fulfilling career and I remained physically active, engaging in activities like tennis, running 10K races, hiking, skiing, playing soccer, golfing and even climbing Longs Peak.
However, in my 50s, I began to notice changes. One of the first signs was during a skiing trip when I couldn’t push my left leg down into my ski binding. Around the same time, I was playing tennis but started feeling unstable on the court,
leading to frequent falls. It was during this period that I, like many other polio survivors, first learned about post-polio syndrome (PPS).
PPS is a condition that affects up to half of people who have had polio, often developing many years later. Symptoms of PPS include progressive muscle weakness, pain in muscles and joints, and fatigue. Some with PPS may require assistance with breathing, such as a bilevel positive air pressure (BIPAP) machine—a modern-day iron lung.
The polio virus selectively targets different muscles in the body. In my case, it weakened the diaphragm and rib muscles, making it challenging to breathe when lying down. With PPS, muscles that were already weak continue to deteriorate over time, and the “good” muscles that were overused throughout life also weaken more rapidly than with normal aging. ■
SIGNS OF POST-POLIO? HELP IS AVAILABLE
I serve on the advisory committee for the Colorado Post-Polio Organization (CPPO), a part of Easter Seals Colorado. CPPO’s mission is to help those with PPS by offering support groups, aid in acquiring durable medical equipment (DME) and resources for home modifications to improve safety and functionality.
If you or someone you know has had polio, contact Mitzi Tolman at 720-940-9291 to learn more about the various programs that can help.
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4
Baked Broccoli Mac
Recipe courtesy of Cookin’ Savvy
Servings: 4-6
Ingredients:
1 box (1 pound) pasta noodles, such as cellentani, elbow or penne
2 cups chopped broccoli
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy whipping cream or half-and-half
2 cups mozzarella
1/2 block pasteurized cheese product, cubed
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder salt and pepper, to taste
Topping:
2 cups breadcrumbs
1/2 stick butter
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F
In large pot, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain well, then add broccoli, chicken broth, cream, mozzarella, pasteurized cheese product, garlic powder and onion powder. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Mix well.
To make topping: In bowl, mix breadcrumbs, butter and Parmesan cheese.
Pour macaroni mixture into large baking dish, then sprinkle with breadcrumb mixture. Bake 30 minutes. ■
Caregiver burden
How to manage ongoing stress
Caring
for a loved one is a major emotional and physical investment. When you’re tending to another, it’s easy to neglect yourself.
While “burnout,” an old firefighting slang term, seems like a good moniker for the battle the caregiver fights, it suggests a blackened tree stump smoldering in the breeze. It is a one-time thing, over and done. But family caregivers’ stress is ongoing.
A better term is “caregiver burden,” the level of multifaceted strain perceived by the caregiver as a result of caring for a family member or loved one over time.
Stress is a physical response to danger. When a predator appears, the prey’s body releases adrenaline and cortisol that triggers flight, fight or freeze. Adrenaline makes the heart beat faster, raises blood pressure and gives you more energy. Cortisol increases sugar in the blood that gives the brain a jolt and helps repair injuries. These immediate effects help in responding to threats, but they come at a cost of upsetting the body’s normal rhythms.
If the threat does not dissipate, the body may not work right, causing symptoms like anxiety, depression, headaches, muscle tension and pain, heart disease and attack, stroke, sleep disruption, weight gain and loss of memory and focus.
Caregivers are stressed and subject to these symptoms—often for years. When a certified nurse assistant came to one of my groups, the others were interested in how a professional gets along with caring for a loved one.
She said, “I love my job. I help
CAREGIVER SUPPORT
BY LAIRD LANDON, PhD
people in need and find as much joy as possible. When I go home at night, I should get relief from work. But at home with my mom, I’m on duty all night. I now understand why families are so strung out!”
Getting up at night to help with bathroom needs deprives family caregivers of needed rest. But the emotional toll of watching a loved one fail is crushing. Caregiving for a loved one is one of the hardest endeavors.
IDEAS FOR CAREGIVERS:
• Resist thinking you are the only one who can do the job.
• Join a support group of others who understand. You can trade ideas.
• Talk to others about what’s satisfying, what’s hard and where you need help.
• Carve out time for yourself. Go in the bathroom, close the door for five minutes and listen to relaxing music. If that works, do it for 10 minutes.
• Invite others over and observe how they get along with your loved one. If they are comfortable, ask them to be a companion for a couple hours.
• If you get time off, don’t fill it doing unfinished tasks! That will leave you exhausted.
• Find an empathetic relative and confide in them. Ask them to relay the info to family and friends. Consider creating a private Facebook group.
• Journal. Writing releases emotions. Reviewing past entries will help you realize you’re getting the job done. ■
Send your questions to Laird in care of the BEACON, or email him at Laird@Family-Caregiver.org
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INDEPENDENT AND ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE
Experienced attorneys providing expert legal advice. If you are between the ages of 50 and 66, the regulations make it easier for you to receive social security disability benefits. If you can no longer work because of a physical or mental health condition, call for a
to find out if you qualify.
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Dreams turned nightmares
Emily,once a sound sleeper, found her nights plagued by vivid, distressing nightmares. These night terrors, triggered by newfound stressors and medication side effects, left her sleep-deprived and desperate for relief. While her doctor initially attributed her nightmares to her recent family problems, Emily’s discovery of my article on medication-induced dreams offered her a solution.
While these unsettling dreams are a part of life, chronic or frequent nightmares are not.
It’s important to recognize that medications can profoundly impact our dreams, a possibility that’s often overlooked.
The top 10 drug categories that can cause nightmares are antidepressants (especially SSRIs), antipsychotics, beta-blockers, statins, ADHD medications, smok-
ing cessation aids, corticosteroids, antibiotics, blood pressure medications and anti-malaria drugs.
In Emily’s case, the culprit was a statin drug prescribed for cholesterol management, but known to cause nightmares and mood changes. By temporarily discontinuing the medication and embracing lifestyle changes like exercise, a low-carb, high-protein diet and lipid management supplements, Emily was able to reclaim peaceful nights.
Similarly, some herbal remedies and vitamins, such as melatonin, valerian root, excessive amounts of vitamin B6, and ginseng, can induce nightmares. Sometimes, a simple adjustment can help reduce this side effect. For instance, you might try changing the timing of your medication or considering a dosage reduction. The goal is to minimize dream-related side ef-
Is your medication or supplement to blame?
fects while still benefiting from the medication.
You could also explore combination therapies, using a natural aid alongside a drug. For example, pairing a statin with fish oil or an antidepressant with magnesium. Adhere to good sleep hygiene, and optimize your bedroom so it’s cool, comfy and dark at night. Keeping a sleep diary to track nightmare patterns can also be helpful.
Having nightmares is awful. It can make you not even want to go to bed at night! It can impact cardiovascular function too, so even though it’s a bad dream and
DEAR PHARMACIST
BY
SUZY COHEN
The senior market in Colorado Springs is
you don’t even remember it (which is pretty normal), you should try to get to the root cause. Before seeking expensive sleep specialists or additional medications, consult your doctor to investigate if your existing medication or supplement regimen is contributing to the issue. That way, if a new side effect occurs on the heels of a prescription or herbal supplement you started taking, you can immediately figure it out, rather than waste months of sleepless nights. Always consult with your healthcare provider about adjusting or discontinuing medications, as sudden changes can be harmful. ■
Why we like to be scared
By Nancy J. Schaaf, RN
In 1956, I was 7 years old and my parents hired a babysitter for my 5-year-old brother and me while they attended the neighborhood block party. The sitter let us watch “The Werewolf,” which terrified both of us enough to have nightmares for days! (Mom was not happy with the sitter!)
Years later, I went to see the movie “Black Sunday.” I still recall the scene where the accused vampire had a mask with spikes on the inside pounded into her face by a man wielding a sledgehammer. Again with the nightmares!
Horror movies are often scary, gross and cause us to fear for our life (or at least the life of the characters). But as disturbing as they may be, watching them is one of the best ways to spend a Friday night, especially in October when gore, ghosts and other dreadful beings dominate.
This staple of the Halloween experience is one of the most enduringly popular film genres since “Dracula” and “Frankenstein” and other talkies of the 1930s. Movie characters also became part of the culture, like Norman Bates in “Psycho” and Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs.”
Generally, we try to avoid things that frighten us. So why do we pay to see a movie that evokes fear and terror?
The paradoxical appeal of horror movies arises from three factors: human curiosity towards the morbid and threatening, a mixture of fear and excitement and learning about our own emotional and dangerous situations safely in the context of movies.
“Fear is there to keep us alive,” said Mary Poffenroth, a San Jose
State University biology lecturer and fear scientist.
Fear triggers our fight-or-flight response, and we experience an increased release of adrenaline, endorphins and dopamine—which also happens when we watch scary movies. It’s the same feeling our ancestors had when they encountered a lion or a snake.
With horror movies, we feel in control. Watching movies from our living room stimulates and resolves fear without engaging a real threat, generating a sense of safety. Seeing another person confront and overcome a frightening series of events is also satisfying.
Additionally, most of us will never meet a Hannibal Lecter or Michael Myers; therefore, horror films satisfy our curiosity about the dark side of humanity. There’s a sense of catharsis once the credits roll—like we survived a brief brush with something dark and unexpected. Horror movies and rollercoasters are similar; both take us on a ride that feels dangerous but is intrinsically safe. ■
10 Scariest Horror Movies
According to Rotten Tomatoes (May 2022)
1. The Exorcist (1973)
2. Hereditary (2018)
3. The Conjuring (2013)
4. The Shining (1980)
5. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
6. The Ring (2002)
7. Halloween (1978)
8. Sinister (2012)
9. Insidious (2010)
10. It (2017)
ODYSSEY OF SOUND
A howling good DJ
Wolfman Jack’s mark on radio history
By Randal C. Hill
He couldn’t shapeshift into a wolf, and his real name wasn’t Jack. In fact, when he was born in 1938, Wolfman Jack was known back then simply as Bob Smith from Brooklyn.
Smith, who grew up entranced by radio personalities, wanted to deejay for a living. In doing so, he quickly realized that he would need a unique persona and style to make his mark in an overcrowded and competitive field. Thus, he spent countless hours mimicking the patter of black radio hosts who spun the day’s coolest discs while apparently having a blast on the air.
Brooklynite Bob started his career in the early 1960s when he signed on with WYOU-AM in Newport News, Virginia. Enchanted listeners became convinced that they
were grooving with a black hepcat by the name of “Daddy Jules.”
His next move took him to KCIJAM in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he called himself “Big Smith with the Records.” It was here that the horror-movie-loving personality created his “Wolfman Jack” persona, which featured black argot, rapid-fire, offbeat (and often racy) banter and his trademark greeting, “It’s de Wolfman, baybeee!”
His nationwide popularity, however, wouldn’t emerge until he went to work for XERF-AM in northern Mexico. Broadcasting at a staggering 250,000 watts—five times the limit set in the U.S.—the just-over-the-Texas-border signal blasted throughout the southern American landscape each night. The Wolfman’s raspy delivery, eerie howls and demented schtick were
often fueled by unfiltered cigarettes and throat-searing whiskey. His rapt listeners grooved to the day’s hottest platters amid spiels for everything from diet pills (made of sugar) to religious tracts and medical “cures.” In the studio, Wolfman was said to be as wild as he sounded, his face contorting, eyes bulging and hands waving as he howled and growled through each shift.
Returning to the States, he drifted from station to station for years. Along the way, many listeners found themselves wondering: Just what does this guy actually look like? (The Wolfman believed that remaining unseen added to his
enough serious cash for an in-person appearance. He reluctantly agreed, insisting that his payment— all in $20 bills—be brought to his house via a Brinks truck. Later, after arriving at the venue in a limousine, he strolled onstage with prosthetic rubber cheeks, foot-long fingernails, a flowing cape and oversized sunglasses.
Wolfman Jack portrayed himself in the 1973 film “American Graffiti,” where millions of viewers could finally connect a face to the voice. His appearance in George Lucas’ movie led to Wolfman TV commercials for acne cream, bathing suits, stereos and fast-food burgers. By 1974, he was co-hosting NBC-TV’s rock-oriented “Midnight Special.” That same year, “Clap for the Wolfman” gave Canadian rockers Guess Who their final top 10 single. He wrote his autobiography— “Have Mercy: Confessions of the
4 tricks and treats for keeping your pet safe this Halloween
By Jenna Kretschman
As you gear up for a wicked-fun Halloween with your grandkids, don’t forget about your pets! Follow these tips to keep your pet safe among the festivities.
1. Keep candy out of paw’s reach. The Pet Poison Helpline receives more calls the week of Halloween than any other time of year. Stash the candy bowl safely on a shelf or inside a secure cabinet, and make sure the kiddos know not to share their loot with the animals. Most Halloween candy contains ingredients that can be harmful to your pets, like chocolate, xylitol (a sugar substitute), raisins and even candy wrappers. But that doesn’t mean your dog or cat can’t be included in the fun! There are many pet-friendly DIY treat recipes online that are delicious and fun to make.
2. Have a plan for your pets. Before the big day, make sure your pets have proper identification and up-to-date microchip information. Ringing doorbells, costume-clad strangers and constant commotion on Halloween night might spook your pet right out the door. Setting them up in a quiet, secure space for the evening might be a good idea. If you have an indoor/outdoor cat, keep them inside so they don’t
CHOOSE A COSTUME THAT FITS PROPERLY AND DOESN’T RESTRICT MOVEMENT, BREATHING, SIGHT OR HEARING.
get cat-napped by well-meaning people or scared away or injured by the increased activity and traffic in your neighborhood.
3. Comfort is key when it comes to pet costumes! Seeing your pet all dolled up may be the highlight of your holiday, but keep these things in mind: Choose a costume that fits properly and doesn’t restrict movement, breathing, sight or hearing. Keep an eye on them while they’re in their costume to discourage your pet from destroying and swallowing the fabric. If your pet becomes stressed, snap a picture and then trade the costume for a simple bandana or festive collar instead.
4. Beware of decorations. Some popular Halloween decorations have parts like electrical wires, strings, cracking glow sticks or small pieces that can pose a hazard to your pet when chewed on or bumped into. Keep these items at a safe distance. All it takes is one curious kitty or wagging tail to knock over your jack-o-lantern’s lit candle and ruin the holiday. If you’re celebrating Halloween with your pet, send a photo of your pet’s costume to the BEACON! You can also tag us on Facebook @ BeaconSeniorNewsCS ■
Stephanie
Colgate,
13710 Struthers Road, Suite 120 Colorado Springs, CO 80921 719-800-7624 | stephanie.colgate@thrivent.com connect.thrivent.com/stephanie-colgate |
GOOD OL’ DAYS
Submitted by Jane Slepitis
I remember the good ol’ days when you lost a tooth and you got a quarter from the Tooth Fairy and you felt rich. Now you lose a tooth because the dentist took it and you gotta pay him—even if he gives it back to you!
ANONYMOUS BAKER
Submitted by Bruce Barday
A man working at a bakery wanted to remain anonymous. The other workers called him “John Dough.”
BLOND
MAN JOKES
Submitted by Bill Davis
A friend tells a blond man, “Christmas is on a Friday this year.”
The blond man replies, “Let’s hope it’s not the 13th.”
Two blond men find three grenades and decide to take them to a police station.
One asks, “What if one explodes before we get there?”
The other replies, “We’ll lie and say we only found two.”
A woman calls her blond neighbor and says, “Close your curtains next time you and your wife are having sex. The whole street was watching yesterday.”
The blond man replies, “Well, the joke’s on all of you because I wasn’t even home yesterday.”
OUTDOOR WOMAN
Submitted by Patricia Stevens
During her physical, a doctor asks a retired woman about her physical activity level. She says she spends three days a week outdoors.
“Yesterday was typical,” she says. “I took a five-hour walk through rough terrain, waded along a lake, pushed through brambles, got sand in my shoes and barely avoided stepping on a snake. I climbed hills, went to the bathroom behind trees, ran from an irate bear and drank scotch and three glasses of wine to recover.”
Amazed, the doctor says, “Wow, you are one heck of an outdoor woman.”
“No,” the woman replies, “I’m just a really bad golfer.”
CREATION OF THE MIDWEST
Submitted by Tom Richards
On the sixth day, God tells the archangel Gabriel, “Today, I’m going to create the Midwest. It will be a land of natural beauty with hills, plains, lakes, forests and fertile soil. The people here will be known as the friendliest on Earth.”
“But Lord,” Gabriel says, “aren’t you being too generous to the Midwesterners?”
“Not really,” God replies. “Just
Stress Tested
wait and see the winters I’m going to give them.”
COMMUNITY PICNIC
Submitted by John Anderson
A Jewish rabbi and a Catholic priest meet at the town’s annual Fourth of July picnic.
“This baked ham is delicious. You ought to try it,” the priest teases the rabbi.
“I know it’s against your religion but I can’t understand why such a wonderful food should be forbidden. When are you going to break down and try it?”
The rabbi grins and says, “At your wedding.”
THE COST OF KISSES
Submitted by Linda Miller
A pretty teenage girl spots some nice fabric for a dress at a store. She asks the young male clerk how much it costs.
“Only one kiss per yard,” the clerk says with a smirk.
“That’s fine,” the girl says. “I’ll take 10 yards.”
Filled with excitement, the clerk quickly measures the cloth, wraps it up and teasingly holds it out. The girl takes the bag and points to the old woman standing behind her. She smiles and says, “Grandma will pay.”
MYSTIC ENGLISH
Submitted by Emily Clarke
If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn’t it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked and drycleaners depressed?
KIDS THINK FAST
Submitted by Laura Collins
Teacher: Why are you late?
Joe: Because of the sign.
Teacher: What sign?
Joe: The one that says, “School ahead, go slow.”
Teacher: Cindy, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor?
Cindy: You told me to do it without using tables!
Teacher: John, how do you spell crocodile?
John: K-R-O-K-O-D-A-I-L
Teacher: No, that’s wrong.
John: Maybe it’s wrong, but you asked me how I spell it!
Teacher: What is the chemical formula for water?
Sarah: H I J K L M N O!!
Teacher: What are you talking about?
Sarah: Yesterday you said it’s H to O!
Teacher: George, go to the map and find North America.
George: Here it is!
Teacher: Correct. Now class, who discovered America?
Class: George!
Teacher: Tommy, why do you always get so dirty?
Tommy: Well, I’m a lot closer to the ground than you are.
Teacher: Ellen, give me a sentence starting with “I.”
Ellen: I is...
Teacher: No, Ellen. Always say, “I am.”
Ellen: All right. I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.
Teacher: George Washington not only chopped down his father’s cherry tree but also admitted doing it. Now do you know why his father didn’t punish him?
Johnny: Because George still had the ax in his hand.
Teacher: Desmond, your composition on “My Dog” is exactly the same as your brother’s. Did you copy his?
Desmond: No, teacher, it’s the same dog!
Teacher: What do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?
Pupil: A teacher.
Sylvia: Dad, can you write in the dark?
Father: I think so. What do you want me to write?
Sylvia: Your name on this report card.
LEARNING TO DRINK
Submitted by Michael O’Connor
While reading an article last night about fathers and sons, memories flooded back to when I took my son out for his first pint. Off we went to our local pub, only two blocks from our house. I got him a Guinness. He didn’t like it, so I drank it. Then I got him a Kilkenny’s. He didn’t like that either, so I drank it. Finally, I thought he might like some Harp lager. He didn’t. So I drank it. I thought maybe he’d like whiskey better, so we tried a Jameson’s. Nope! In desperation, I had him try that rare Redbreast, Ireland’s finest. He wouldn’t even smell it. What could I do but drink it? By the time I realized he just didn’t like to drink, I was so drunk I could hardly push his stroller home. ■
Experience Life in Full Sound
Could you use a little extra money each month?
• Do you love children and enjoy spending time with them?
• Are able to volunteer 15-40 hours per week helping children learn and succeed?
• Are you 55 years old or older? Do you live in El Paso County?
• Are you or your household on a fixed or limited income? You could qualify for our volunteer stipend.
• Could you use an extra $200 - $400+ per month, plus travel reimbursement?
If you answered YES to these questions, call (719) 632-1448 todayto get involved in the Foster Grandparent Program.
Next year’s garden starts now
One of the challenges of living in a high desert is that our native soils are low in organic matter. Ideally soil should be composed of 5% organic matter, but local soil tests show 1-2%.
Organic matter is any products that come from living things (like manure or grass clippings) and
Plant cover crops in October for a bountiful 2025 harvest
decaying plant or animal materials (think compost and dead insects). It’s full of building blocks necessary for plant growth—carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium—along with secondary nutrients, trace minerals, various acids and typically a host of microbes.
Farmers consider their soil as a bank for lending out cash later in the form of sales. Ensuring that there’s enough organic matter in the soil now is like making a deposit that will pay off next season.
REPLENISH ORGANIC MATTER
charitable dental clinic provides quality, ethical dental care with financial support available for any adults, seniors and Veterans who have difficulty affording dental care.
The beauty of a varied organic matter profile in your soil is that you’ll have all those nutrients and minerals in your crops. But the downside is that each harvest, each carrot pulled and every lawn mowed, those nutrients are removed from the soil. This means the percentage of organic matter decreases each year as it gets converted into plant food. Gardeners must actively replenish the soil bank by adding organic matter back into it.
We could have started next year’s garden last May by adding mulch to the garden, putting straw
or leaves over the soil surface. The underside would already be decomposing by now, and some of it can be turned into the top couple inches of soil in the fall to further its conversion to organic matter over the winter.
One of the easiest and beneficial actions you can take this month is to cut the spent tomatoes, cucum -
bers, etc. at the base of the stalks and leave the roots. Ripping the plants out roots and all short-circuits the nutrient cycle. You’re instantly adding organic matter, as the roots decay deep in the soil and become nutrients for next year’s crops, right where the plant roots will be. Additionally, by laying down the cut plants on the garden soil, they too break down over winter, and you’ll already have mulch materials for the soil next season.
COVER CROPS ENRICH SOIL
Farmers also plant cover crops in their pastures and orchards to build organic matter in their soils. Alfalfa and grasses are great, as the alfalfa
puts out a deeper taproot and the grasses have shallow fibrous roots. Alfalfa is a legume, so it fixes nitrogen that the grasses crave, and they both act as armor to protect the soil from erosion and outcompete weeds. You can mimic that same model, but instead of using perennial crops that come back each year, you can use annuals that are planted now and will get established before dying back or going dormant in deep frost.
You then have the option of lightly turning the spent plants into the topsoil next spring or cutting them at the stem and planting next summer in between where their roots are decomposing. Planting cover crops in between existing plants, into any bare soil after harvested roots or along the edges of the garden works well. Being annuals, you can slip them in anywhere starting in August to replenish all the pounds of food taken out. After winter, your annuals will be spent and you can plant freely in the early spring.
Austrian peas and hairy vetch are the kings of late-season legumes. They can be planted now until about October 15 and still germinate. Triticale is a cross between rye and wheat, which are both annual grasses. It grows many small fibrous roots for the soil and acts as a windbreak to catch any rain or snow and hold it in the soil for next year.
Arguably the best cover crop to plant now is cereal or winter rye. Local farmers have planted it before October 15, and it will
continue to grow in soils down to 34 degrees! It’s not uncommon for it to finally freeze out only to burst out of dormancy in the spring and produce more biomass and eventually seeds. A home gardener could choose to incorporate the plants into the soil next season or plant them in a corner of the garden to let them go to seed, be harvested and then plant a late-season vegetable crop in its place. (Rye bread anyone? Sprouted rye berries?)
The clock is ticking, however. A couple of weeks ago we could have planted mustards, kale, chard, black oats, rapeseed or winter wheat or barley and had the same effects on our soil. Since time is short, finding a local supplier would be best for getting the seeds in the garden soon.
The El Paso County Conservation District offers cover crop seeds, which may be ordered online at EPCCD.org and picked up from their office at 5610 Industrial Place, Suite 100 by appointment using calendly.com/epccd/visit or by calling 719-600-4706. ■
FALL PLANTING DATES:
The ideal planting dates for October are the 1st to the 6th, so get out there! The next phase is the 20th to the 31st, and that’s too late for outdoor planting.
GROW WILD
BY BRYAN REED
Send your gardening questions to Bryan in care of the BEACON, or email him at BCReed@ColoradoMesa.edu
The Best Senior Medical Care
Lisa Foster, NP Paula Hardy, NP Whitney Pahl, NP Brad Bingham, NP
Mike Kenny, PsyD Stephanie Vanlandingham, MD
Kulp, MD
Fixing my brain: How technology helped and hindered my mental health
Over the years, I’ve written several articles offering tips on how to use technology to research health issues, track your health, use your smartphone as a journal and communicate with family during difficult times. I’ve also been open about my struggles with occasional bouts of depression and grief.
A year ago, I made the mistake of letting my anxieties get the best of me and I completely botched an incredible friendship. Since childhood, nothing has been more important to me than human connection, so losing friends who I felt safe being myself around triggered a mental health episode, which forced me to confront over 40 years of difficulties navigating relationships.
EVENTUALLY,
I REALIZED MY SOCIAL MEDIA USE HAD BECOME TOXIC.
While I’d spoken to therapists and taken medication in the past, I never truly faced the underlying grief, trauma and attachment issues that had compounded my anxieties and amplified my socalled “weirdness.” After months— possibly years—of struggling emotionally and mentally, my brain finally broke. I realized I no longer had the discipline or focus to do my job. My wife stepped in, and I took two months of mental health leave to focus on fixing my brain.
This is the first column I’ve written with a clear mind since September 2023, right before my falling out with those friends. This month, I’m reflecting on how technology both helped and hindered my recovery—and how I continue
to use it to manage the pessimistic, intrusive bullies in my mind.
TECH IS A TOOL
I’ve never hidden the fact that I’m not truly a tech geek at heart. I’m an awkward, but happy people-person with an aptitude for technology. In my mid-20s, I discovered that I could make friends by helping them with their tech issues.
The best part of technology for me is finding ways to use it as a tool for creativity and efficiency, allowing me to explore my true interests and passions.
Before my mental health episode, I hardly ever journaled. I had stopped working on personal projects and was spending most of my spare time researching my interests online. Looking back, it’s clear that the biggest culprit in my mental and emotional breakdown was how I was using social media. Offline, I tend to get very attached to people I can be myself around. When I feel that safety, the little editor in my head that keeps my exuberance in check goes on vacation, causing my behavior to shift into the realm of weirdness. Unfortunately, this shift has caused many close friends to distance themselves, and my fear of abandonment only amplifies my behavior.
Before my episode, I used social media for humor and creativity. But when my emotions shifted and I no longer felt safe, my social media feed mirrored those feelings and went in the same scary direction. Feeling abandoned and self-conscious, I began posting about my feelings. In return, my feeds filled with quotes, videos
NOW THERE ARE DAYS WHEN I DON’T OPEN THE APPS AT ALL, AND I SPEND AT LEAST AS MUCH TIME TALKING
and messages that confirmed my pessimistic outlook. It became a vicious cycle.
When I felt betrayed, I saw posts about how true friends will never have true friends. When I felt like a failure, my feed was filled with posts about how unfair life is for good people.
The worst was when I was desperate for a friend to lean on and I’d get bombarded with quotes about how true friends never leave, as if finding a loyal friend was as simple as picking a new show to binge or finding new music to listen to.
Eventually, I realized my social media use had become toxic. Ironically, every time I deleted the apps or suspended my accounts for a few days, my emotions began to stabilize. During those times. I started to notice how many people cared about me offline. My negative posts prompted texts, phone calls, spontaneous visits and invitations to lunch.
HEALING OFFLINE
Gradually, I replaced social media with journaling, corresponding
COCHRAN
with friends offline, going to concerts, experimenting with openmic standup comedy and karaoke and creating tangible things with my hands. Those two months I took off from work to focus on healing were the hardest and most intense work I’ve ever done—far more challenging than anything I’ve done for a paycheck.
Now that I’m on the other side of the breakdown, I’ve rediscovered the value of technology as a tool. I haven’t abandoned social media or my devices, but there are days when I don’t open the apps at all. Nowadays, I spend at least as much time talking on the phone or in person as I do texting.
One of the best lessons I’ve learned is that almost everyone will accept a lunch invitation, and those face-to-face conversations trigger dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin. Unlike doomscrolling on social media, connecting over a meal leads to meaningful friendships. Plus, the meal tends to wrap up before I have the chance to unintentionally say or do anything off-putting. ■
n 1918, entrepreneurs and philanthropists
Spencer and Julie Penrose built The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, which evolved into the luxury resort it is today. Unfortunately, Julie disappeared into the surrounding woods one day and was found the next morning, confused and unsure how she had gotten there. She passed away shortly after.
Today, some guests claim to encounter Julie’s spirit wandering the halls and visiting the penthouse where she once stayed.
The Broadmoor is just one of many hotels around the country famous not only for their luxury facilities and amenities but also for their resident ghosts. With Halloween approaching, thrill-seekers looking for a spooky stay have plenty of haunted hotels and paranormal experiences to choose from.
EERIE ELEGANCE
Other historic properties also have their own claims to ghostly fame. Parts of today’s Admiral Fell Inn have stood in their location since the 1770s, in what was once a crime-ridden, ship-building neighborhood of Baltimore. Given its history, it’s almost natural—or perhaps supernatural—that sailors have been spotted
floating through the hallways. During a hurricane evacuation, a hotel manager once reported hearing the sounds of a loud party coming from within the inn, despite it being completely empty at the time.
Even an iconic cruise ship, which sailed over the Atlantic Ocean from 1936 until 1967, is said to be inhabited by sea-faring ghosts. The Queen Mary is docked in Long Beach, California, where it serves as a hotel, restaurant and museum.
Among reasons why Time magazine voted the vessel one of the “Top 10 Most Haunted Places in America” are sightings of an engineer who died at sea, a lady in white and children playing in a swimming pool. Haunted encounters tours are offered during the day, and twilight excursions and seances explore the ship’s haunted past and paranormal activity.
The Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, was voted one of Time Magazine’s “Top 10 Most Haunted Places in America.”
Photo by Giovanni Gagliardi/Dreamstime.com
The Kennebunk Inn was built near Maine’s Atlantic coastline in 1799 as a residence, then evolved into a hotel. The spirit of a clerk who worked there and died in the mid-1900s is believed to haunt his former workplace, causing wine glasses and other objects to topple over or fly through the air.
Other ghost-like figures have also taken up long-term residence. Among them is the “Pink Lady,” a young woman in Victorian dress surrounded by a rosy mist, who frequents the Omni Grove Park Inn. She is said to be a guest who stayed at the Asheville, North Carolina, property
in the 1920s, fell to her death and now haunts the inn.
FIVE-STAR PHANTOMS
Another lady in white haunts the Hotel Alex Johnson in Rapid City, South Dakota, accompanied by the spirit of the man for whom the building is named. So many reports of eerie occurrences have surfaced over the years that the hotel maintains a Ghost Journal at the front desk, where guests can record their inexplicable experiences.
At the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans, the International Society for Paranormal Research encountered over a dozen earthbound entities. They documented a restaurant door that remains locked yet mysteriously opens and closes, an elevator that stops at the wrong floor and
ghostly images of children playing.
The top window in the tower of the Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine, Florida, draws the attention of those hoping to spot the presence of Franklin Smith. He was the architect who opened the property in 1888 but soon ran into financial difficulties and sold it. After extensive and expensive renovations, the hotel was transformed into a luxurious throwback to the Gilded Age of the late 19th century. A man seen peering out from the ornate six-story tower is believed to be Smith himself, lamenting the turn of events that led him to lose his dream property.
In the late 1800s, Deadwood, South Dakota, was a lawless, rowdy town that attracted the likes of Wyatt Earp, Wild Bill Hickok and Seth Bullock, who served as the community’s first sheriff. Bullock built the hotel named after him, and he is believed to haunt it. Items moving on their own and voices echoing through dark hallways add to the eeriness.
The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, touts itself as “America’s Most Haunted Hotel.” The
hands of a stonemason who plunged to his death from room 218 during construction have reportedly been seen emerging from a bathroom mirror. The door opens and closes on its own, and the cries of a falling man are said to emanate from the ceiling.
Whether you’re a firm believer or a skeptical observer, staying at a hotel known for ghostly activity can be a thrilling and spooky experience. And what better time to do so than during the Halloween haunting season? ■
The Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine, Florida
The Crescent Hotel & Spa in Eureka Springs, Arkansas is known as “America’s Most Haunted Hotel.”
Photo by Cynthia Hanevy/Dreamstime.com
The Bullock Hotel in Deadwood, South Dakota.
Photo by Kenneth Sponsler/Dreamstime.com
Spooky decoration at Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans.
Photo by Carrie Moran/Dreamstime.com
Cutting edge creativity
Pikes Peak Whittlers craft wooden wonders
Story by Lisa Lowdermilk. Photos by Rhonda Wray
Wheremany just see wood, whittlers see potential. Paring a block of basswood into an object of beauty requires careful cuts, but it’s also a methodical, calming process.
From fanciful creatures like gnomes to useful items like walking sticks, the Pikes Peak Whittlers create an astonishing variety of art. Members meet monthly to discuss projects and provide demonstrations, and during the summer, they host weekly outdoor carving sessions. Their efforts culminate in an annual show every October. . Some members are as young as 12, but most are seniors.
“Whittling is the perfect hobby as we get older and have more time. It’s something you can start on, set aside and pick up a week
later,” said Steve Gurnett, 66.
Gurnett began whittling at age 11. His mentor, Jon Nelson, 83, has honed his skills for 61 years. Like Nelson, Gurnett enjoys carving caricatures, Santa Clauses and stylized sea creatures.
Mark Goodman, 63, took up whittling in 1997, finding its therapeutic aspects instrumental in his recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. He enjoys carving aliens and cryptids like Bigfoot.
John Armstrong, 73, began whittling and playing Native American flutes about 15 years ago. A member of the Pikes Peak Whittlers was so impressed with his skill that they invited him to the group. In addition to flutes, Armstrong makes gourd and cigar box ukuleles, relief carvings and abstract art.
Experienced whittlers are always eager to share their knowledge with beginners.
Whittling is the perfect hobby as we get older and have more time
“We’re a welcoming group of folks, so come out and talk to us,” said Goodman.
During his time as president of the Pikes Peak Whittlers at the height of the pandemic, he encouraged members to focus on finishing their unfinished projects rather than starting new ones. This effort, named “Clearing the Shelves,” helped him earn the title of Member of the Year in 2021..
“My talents don’t always equate to what [a project] looks like in my brain,” Goodman admitted. “But I draw my own carvings, and when I get the finished product to align with my drawing, it’s very rewarding.”
For Armstrong, the most gratifying moment comes “when your knife
slides through the wood like butter. It’s also the most challenging part.”
The whittlers emphasize the importance of ensuring your tools and materials are up for the task at hand.
“Finding good basswood can be challenging because it’s not native to Colorado,” Gurnett said. It’s a favorite among whittlers because it’s a soft wood that holds precise details well.
Regular knife maintenance is essential.
“Without a sharp knife, whittling is both drudgery and dangerous,” Nelson noted. “Far more people are injured by a dull knife than a sharp one.”
The process is all part of what
Above: Gary Fenton whittles Bigfoot in preparation for the Caricature Carvers of America convention, held in Colorado Springs this year.
Right: Closeup of Bigfoot carvings.
Above: Mark Goodman enjoys carving and socializing with fellow Pikes PeakWhittlers at Nancy Lewis Park. Inset: A donkey slowly takes shape in the skilled hands of Mark Goodman.
Gerry Canavan carves away everything that isn’t a gnome.
some call “three-dimensional doodling,” and the workmanship is quite spectacular.
“I love the anticipation of appreciation that people are going to have when they see the finished product,” Gurnett said.
UPCOMING SHOW
There will be plenty to see at the Pikes Peak Whittlers’ annual show on October 12 and 13. Be sure to carve out some time to attend this sale and competition.
Attendees can purchase truly one-of-a-kind handcrafted items for themselves or, with the holidays fast approaching, for loved ones on their gift list. Tools for beginners will also be available for purchase and attendees can enjoy live demonstrations while meeting fellow wood art enthusiasts.
The competition will feature categories for novice, intermediate
A Christmas carving by John Armstrong depicts a mythical “green man” being that inhabits trees.
and advanced whittlers. The show will also highlight related art forms like woodturning, woodburning and gourd art.
While the competition is sure to draw a lot of interest, the main draw of the show is the opportunity for whittlers to share their love of this art form with others of all ages.
“There’s nothing like seeing kids’ eyes light up and hearing them say [to their adults], ‘Go ahead to the rest of the show. I want to watch him [whittle],’” Nelson said.
Pikes Peak Whittlers welcomes new and experienced whittlers alike to their gatherings at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2226 N. Corona St., at 9 a.m. on the second Saturday of every month. For more information, visit PikesPeakWhittlers.com or contact them at PikesPeak Whittlers@gmail.com ■
Pikes Peak Whittler’s
Doubting Thomas: Exploring the evidence of Christ’s resurrection
By Will Sanborn
Fans of “Seinfeld” still remember some of the great nicknames that were used on the show: Hipster Doofus, Can’t-Stand-Ya, Vegetable Lasagna, Schmoopy, Dr. Pimple Popper MD, the Soup Nazi, Bubble Boy and so many more.
Nicknames are common in real life, too. One that almost everyone knows, even if they don’t know the origin behind it, is “Doubting Thomas.” It describes someone who doesn’t easily believe what they see or hear, even when everyone else does. But there’s an interesting backstory to this nickname.
Thomas was one of the twelve followers of Jesus: Peter, John, Matthew, James and Thomas, among others. The Bible records events from the three years Jesus spent with these men, leading up to his death on the cross. But here’s where it gets interesting.
Within days of his death, people began claiming they had seen Jesus alive again. One report described some of his disciples gathered in a room when Jesus suddenly appeared. Naturally, they were amazed and excited—even overwhelmed.
But here’s the problem: Thomas wasn’t with the group that night. When the others told him about it, he was skeptical. He insisted that unless he could see the nail marks in Jesus’ hands and feet, he
Jewish and Roman officials. He was convicted and sentenced to death. The Roman method of capital punishment was crucifixion—tying or nailing the criminal to a wooden cross to suffer a slow and humiliating death.
After Jesus died, his body was wrapped in grave clothes and placed in a tomb carved into the side of a hill. A large stone covered the entrance, and a squad of Roman soldiers was assigned to guard the site against mischief.
But three days later, eyewitness reports began circulating that Jesus Christ was alive, that the grave was empty and that hundreds of people had seen him.
Really? Did this truly happen, or was it all made up? No wonder Thomas had his doubts—this kind of thing just doesn’t happen. But the entire foundation of Christianity hinges on this event.
couldn’t—and wouldn’t—believe that Jesus was alive again. Doubting Thomas, indeed.
A few days later, he got exactly what he asked for. Jesus appeared in person, and this time, Thomas was there. Jesus invited Thomas to touch his wounds and challenged him to stop doubting and believe. This time, Thomas did.
But there’s a more significant question beyond the nickname:
Did Jesus Christ really come back from the dead, or is this just a story meant to inspire?
It’s not unreasonable to be a Doubting Thomas when you hear a story like this. It’s one thing to tell an unbelievable tale; it’s another to prove it. So, does the evidence hold up to scrutiny?
The gospel accounts state that Jesus was arrested and went through several trials by both
If Jesus Christ did come back from the dead, then Christianity is unique among all religions. Every other religion’s leader is dead, with a known gravesite. But Christians claim their leader is alive today, which they say proves that he alone is God.
That’s quite a claim. So, is it true or is it false? Next month, we’ll examine how some have tried to explain away this supernatural event. ■
October 2
Foreigner
CALENDAR
The ’80s British-American band with 10 multi-platinum albums brings their timeless rock anthems like “I Want to Know What Love Is,” “Cold as Ice” and “Waiting for a Girl Like You” to the Ford Amphitheater.
See Shakespeare’s spellbinding saga by Theatreworks, chronicling the meteoric rise of King Henry V at the Ent Center! From the throne to the tavern, to the battlefield and back, witness this epic interrogation of the steep cost of power.
Kids First Family Opera Figaro out a way to take a grandchild to a magical evening at Millibo Art Theatre’s opening night mini gala! Introduce them to the enchanting world of opera–the lively melodies and vibrant performances. Enjoy complimentary finger foods. Beverages may be purchased.
6-8 p.m. | 1626 S. Tejon St. | $10 | themat.org | 719-465-6321
October 4
Ivan Cornejo with Delilah Revel in an unforgettable evening of soulful Latin musical storytelling at the Ford Amphitheater! Cornejo brings heartfelt corridos and acoustic ballads of love and loss while Delilah captivates with her powerful vocals and emotional songs about empowerment.
Grab your leg warmers and shoulder pads and relive a generation of big hair and big hits at the Pikes Peak Center! The Philharmonic interprets ’80s classics from Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper, Cher and The Police.
Explore the holistic community at the Colorado Springs Event Center with alternative health, wellness tools, products and resources. There are learning sessions and presentations as well.
Inspired by the movie, this musical at the Butte Theater in Cripple Creek tells the legendary tale of King Arthur’s quest to find the Holy Grail in an untraditional, hysterically funny manner! Plays Wednesday through Sunday through November 2.
1 or 7 p.m. | 139 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek | $25 | buttetheat er.com | 719-689-6402
October 5
Women’s Wellness Walk
Join the nonprofit Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance on this walk at Panorama Park to raise funds and awareness for those living with mood disorders.
as Gainsborough had a passion for music and painted many significant composers, including Carl Friedrich Abel, Johann Christian Fischer and J.C. Bach. Come hear the music behind the portraits, performed on period instruments in the Peel House at First Lutheran Church.
Time travel back to the ’60s as this roster of celebrated musicians, Dweezil Zappa and Kenny Wayne Shepherd among them, pay homage to the inimitable Jimi Hendrix on the Pikes Peak Center stage!
It’s “Quiltober” at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp in Divide! Bring your supplies and design, pin and sew those UFOs (UnFinished Objects) on big tables. Share ideas and tips and enjoy fall colors, new friends and delicious food.
See “The Book of Life” at the East Library! This animated adventure set against the vibrant backdrop of the Mexican Day of the Dead follows Manolo, torn between family expectations and finding his love, Maria. 12-2 p.m. | 5550 N. Union Blvd. | Free | ppld.org | 719-531-6333
October 8
Help for Medicare Costs: PPAAA Retirement Series
Join Roma Costanza, Medicare Expert with the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging, at the Fountain Library to discuss programs that can help pay your medical or prescription
costs and how to apply for financial assistance. Registration is required.
1 p.m. | 230 S. Main St. | Free | tiny. ppld.org/PPAAA | 719-531-6333
October 8
Preventive Cardiology Series
Take control of your heart health! This first installment at the Heart Health Prevention and Wellness Office covers the basics and explores cutting-edge diagnostics. A Q & A follows, and heart-healthy snacks will be served. Call to RSVP and pay cash at the door, or Venmo @ hearthealth.
5-6 p.m. | 267 Washington St., Suite A, Monument | $5 | hearthealth.care | 719-203-2603
October 8 & 9
Chocolate USA
Celebrate chocolate with delicious samples and virtual stops in “cocoa capitals” San Francisco, Las Vegas, Boston, Chicago and Hershey, Pennsylvania. Registration is required. Sessions are October 8, 2-3:30 p.m. at the Ruth Holley Meeting Room 685 North Murray Blvd., and October 9, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Calhan Library, 600 Bank St., Calhan. Free | ppld.org | 719-531-6333
October 10
Art for Older Adults
Join local artist Elizabeth Stanbro at the Rockrimmon Library to produce high-quality art projects that respect your wealth of life experiences, skills and innate capacity to create. Supplies are provided. Registration is required.
1 p.m. | 832 Village Center Drive | Free | tiny.ppld.org/Art-OlderAdults | 719-531-6333
Calendar continued on next spread...
FALL HALLOWEEN EVENTS
October 2-6
“Dial M for Murder”
See Hitchcock’s sinister thriller live at the Fine Arts Center! Tony marries Margot for her money and arranges her murder—but the murderer ends up dead and Margot survives. Tony tries to frame Margot, but the messy truth changes everything.
Various times, 2-7:30 p.m. | 30 W. Dale St. | $27-$66 | fac.coloradocollege.edu | 719-634-5581
October 3 & 16 Oktoberfest
Ring in colorful leaves, sweater weather and all things autumn with live music and tasty refreshments at either of two celebrations. Please RSVP.
The Bridge at Garden Plaza, October 3: 3 p.m. | 2494 International Circle | Free | 719-630-3330
The Inn at Garden Plaza, October 16: 1:30 p.m. | 2520 International Circle | Free | 719-630-1155
October 4-5,11-12, 18-19 & 25
Ghost Stories of Old Manitou Walking Tours
Test your mettle with General Zebulon Pike and learn beautification techniques with The Homicidal Hairdresser as a Spirit Guide recounts local history and guides you from scene to scene. The one-hour, mile-long tours depart from the
Manitou Springs Heritage Center. Some terrain is uneven. Seating is available for rests.
5:30 p.m., with staggered times thereafter | 517 Manitou Ave. | $19, Free for 11 and under | manitouspringsheritagecenter.org | 719-685-1454
October 5
Pumpkin Palooza
Hit up Metcalfe Park for live music, food trucks with munchies from tacos to ice cream, a petting zoo, games, raffles, free family photos and pumpkins for the kids (must register), bounce houses, obstacle courses and more!
Fall into fall on Saturdays at the Western Museum of Mining & Industry. There’s a pumpkin patch, music, food trucks, hayrides, cornhole, a straw maze, giant slide, vintage apple cider press, a farm stand, animal encounters and panning for gold.
Watch out for the Headless Horseman! The gothic horror story starring schoolteacher Ichabod Crane comes to the historic Palmer Lake Town Hall by Funky Little Theater. It’s a new adaptation of Washington Irving’s classic, full of humor and charismatic storytelling. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays.
1 or 7 p.m. | 28 Valley Crescent Drive, Palmer Lake | $19-24 | funky littletheater.org | 719-689-6402
October 14
Seasonal Sign Painting
Paint a seasonal decorative sign with Kathy of SK Designs at the High Prairie Library. All materials are provided. Space is limited. Registration is required.
2:30-4 p.m. | 7035 Old Meridian Road, Peyton | Free | ppld.org | 719-531-6333
October 18
Boo at Bear Creek
Traverse the trails at Bear Creek Nature Center with a grandchild age 7+, meeting creepy creatures along the way that will dispel myths about things that go bump in the night. Preregister for specific times.
Dress up and head out to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for a haunted house, spooky graveyard, pirate’s cove, lighted pumpkin patch, trickor-treating and animals galore! Must purchase tickets online in advance.
4-8:30 p.m. | 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road | $24, $22 for 65+ & military | cmzoo.org | 719-633-9925
October 19
Harp Twins Halloween
Bring the family and rock out with the world’s only identical twin professional harpists at Stargazers! These spooky songs, tantalizing tunes, comedy bits and rock numbers are scary good. The Volfgang Twins play double drums for the
Celebrate creativity with these handmade items at Calvary Fellowship Fountain Valley! Support local artisans, enjoy live music by Blue Moon Lawrence and The Prodigals and nosh from the food trucks: Fountain Kettle Corn, Kona Ice, American Eagle sandwiches and La Tapatia tacos.
Celebrate Halloween at this fun annual event! Manitou Springs started the first coffin races in the nation in 1995, where costumed Emma impersonators ride on coffin-like contraptions pulled by teams of four “mourners.” There’s live music and a parade too.
History comes to life at the Pioneers Museum! Interact with historic figures from Colorado Springs’ past, make crafts and enjoy fall-themed performances and activities. Costumes are encouraged. Enjoy live music and food trucks too.
4:30-7:30 p.m. | 215 S. Tejon St. | $5 | give.cspm.org/event/night-at-themuseum-2024/e614161 | 719-3855990
October 11 CALENDAR
Spinphony
From AC/DC to Vivaldi, this all-female string quartet brings classical, rock and pop to Stargazers, with choreography too! It’s a high-energy, eclectic mix of rockin’ faves with their trademark genre mashups.
Got water? That’s the enduring question for Colorado Springs. John Harner, Ph.D., Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, explores it in this enlightening lecture at the Ent Center.
Hear unusual pairings by the Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble at St. Mary’s Cathedral: William Byrd meets Roxanna Panufnik. Finnish composer Jaakko Mäntyjärvi brings inventiveness to the familiarity of William Billings and Orlando Gibbons. Soprano saxophone meets a choir. They’ll even sing a hymn in Icelandic!
7:30-9:30 p.m. | 22 W. Kiowa St. | $10-$30 | ticketstripe.com/ events/5274105876165748 | 719-650-4754
October 11
Kansas
The band behind iconic ‘70s singles “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind” rocks the Pikes Peak Center! It’s 50 years of Kansas condensed into two hours of favorites from 15 studio albums, eight gold albums and three sextuple-platinum records.
Architecture buffs, come to the Pioneers Museum where CU Boulder professor Robert Nauman presents the Air Force Academy’s construction and design as a battleground for competing ideas about aesthetics and politics–the result of maneuverings involving U.S. military leadership.
2-3 p.m. | 215 S. Tejon St. | Free | cspm.org | 719-385-5990
October 12
The Play Crawl
See 10 mini plays at 10 locations around Old Colorado City! This roving dramatic experience by Funky Little Theater features a Crawl Guide who leads audience groups to various businesses to see each four-minute original play. Partake from delicious food trucks too. 4 & 7 p.m. | 2408 W. Colorado Ave. | $25 | funkylittletheater.org | 719654-3312
October 12
Blackberry Smoke
Experience this thrilling celebration of foot-stomping Southern rock live at the Pikes Peak Center! They blend country, blues and rock and spice it up with gritty guitar riffs and soulful melodies to deliver a high-energy performance packed with surprises.
Start Christmas shopping early at the Springs’ largest holiday show! There are 120+ boutiques at the Colorado Springs Event Center with unique handcrafted goods, featuring home décor, gourmet foods, art, jewelry, clothing, furniture and toys, and live entertainment too.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday | 3960 Palmer Park Blvd. | $8, 16 and under free | rjpromotions.com | 719-637-3960
October 12-13
Pikes Peak Whittler’s Show
You won’t believe the styles, sizes, characters and objects that emerge from wood in the hands of these capable whittlers! This annual sale and
competition at the Colorado Springs Shriner Club features walking sticks, Santas, abstract works and more.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. | 5 S. 33rd St. | $4 | pikespeakwhittlers.com
October 12 & 13
Odyssey of Sound Travel through music at the Ent Center! The Chamber Orchestra of the Springs performs “Songs from the End of the World” based on “The Odyssey,” followed by Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, a musical journey of loneliness and love.
You’ll be captivated by The Vienna Light Orchestra’s renditions of movie favorites from “The Greatest Showman,” “Frozen,” “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Phantom of the Opera” when these world-class musicians and vocalists from seven countries perform at the Pikes Peak Center!
Homeless and at-risk veterans are invited to Weidner Field by Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center for resources and services providing holistic care: food, clothing, health screenings and referrals, housing solutions, employment, substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling and more.
9 a.m.-2 p.m. | 111 W. Cimarron St. | Free| veteranscenter.org | 719-772-7000
October 16 & 17
Financial Basics II
This second class in Noea Moss’ series at the Fountain Library is for those who have a handle on their financial basics—debt paid down, good emergency fund in place— and wonder, now what? Learn to maximize investments and savings, weigh their pros and cons and see how they are taxed. October 16 is at 5-6:30 p.m. and October 17, 12:301:30 p.m. Registration is required. 230 S. Main St. | Free | ppld.org | 719-531-6333
October 17
The Black Jacket Symphony It’s black jackets for them and blue jeans for you at the Pikes Peak Center! This note-for-note, track by track recreation of Elton John’s “Madman Across the Water” is a must-see for fans of timeless rock. 8 p.m. | 190 S. Cascade Ave. | $30$40 | pikespeakcenter.com | 719-477-2100
October 18
Dementia Boot Camp
Join this community roundtable discussion at Jackson Creek Senior Living for spouses and families of individuals living with Alzheimer’s and related dementia, led by expert Paula Levy. Glean practical strategies, compassionate insights, and valuable support. Please RSVP. 2 p.m. | 16601 Jackson Creek Pkwy., Monument | Free | jacksoncreek seniorliving.com | 719-259-1331
October 18
A Taste of Hope
Enjoy a silent auction and food tasting at Focus on the Family and hear updates and messages from community leaders. Proceeds support Crossroads Ministries USA and the construction of the first HOPE home in Colorado Springs, emphasizing holistic care for the elderly. 5:30-8:30 p.m. | 8685 Explorer Drive | $10 | events.readysetauction.com/ crossroadsministriesusa/tasteof hope
October 19
Senior Life Expo
Seniors and their families won’t want to miss this community event at the DoubleTree by Hilton with the latest products, services and information on healthy aging. Visit with over 100 participating vendors and attend informative speaker sessions. Parking is free.
Browse handmade items at First United Methodist Church, including jewelry, crafts, cards, quilts, the “nearly new” shop, nuts, baked goods and frozen casseroles. Proceeds go to missions funding.
Eastern Alliance of El Paso County Committee Monthly Meeting
Those in need and at risk in local rural communities will find an ally in the EAEPCC, whose mission is to improve their quality of life. Every month on the third Monday, the EAEPCC hosts a guest speaker who shares services available in eastern El Paso County.
Mark your calendar for this educational workshop at Mason Law & Planning exploring why wills are important and the role they play in the probate process. You may speak with an attorney and ask personalized questions. Please register by October 15.
6 p.m. | 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 301, Monument| Free | .com | 719-428-4495
October 23
Fashion Show Luncheon
Women, enjoy an elegant lunch at The Pinery at the Hill and admire stylish clothes at the Woman’s Club of Colorado Springs’ annual event. Bid on fabulous Opportunity Baskets and mingle with friends while raising funds for various non-profits.
11 a.m.-2 p.m. | 775 W. Bijou St. | $60 | gfwc-wccs.com | 719-964-7704
October 26
Blue Moon Lawrence
Grab your morning coffee and listen to Lawrence Yoshito Shiroma play the golden oldies on guitar and trombone at Mission Coffee Roasters.
Feel the power of crashing waves as the Philharmonic embarks on a turbulent journey with Britten’s “Four Sea Interludes.” You’ll be enchanted by Theofanidis’ Concerto for Marimba, and Vaughan Williams channels the serene, rolling hills of the English countryside. Pre-concert talks at the Pikes Peak Center are one hour beforehand.
Join virtually on PPLDTV’s YouTube channel for an exclusive dive into the world of homemade English muffins. Master the art of creating these iconic breakfast treats with Elayne Prechtel. Watch this pre-recorded program when it suits you. Free | ppld.org | 719-531-6333 ■
Senior Holiday Dinner Dance
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 Garden Club meets monthly, September-June, at various locations
3rd Friday | 9 a.m. | 719-630-0307
Cheyenne Mountain Newcomers Club, a social club for women, meets September-April at Broadmoor Community Church. Annual dues: $40.
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, September-December and February-May. Check website for dates. 10 a.m. | curiosity-unlimited.org | 719-210-8168
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
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 Tuesday | 6:30 p.m. | 910-6174714 | pikespeakflyfishers.com
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. Thursdays | 1:30-3 p.m. | 719-2445902 | kay@stricklan.net
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
Do you have a pet?
Claudia Miller
“I have three shih tzus. I show one of them, Joey, at 35-45 dog shows a year, including AKC. My other two are Red and Bob—they’ve both won titles. I spend a lot of time grooming them—17 hours in the last five days alone.”
Kay Hosie
“I have a shih tzu-poodle mix, Dee Dee. I did a DNA test on her, and they said she’s one percent wolf.”
Cherish Orr
“I have a dog and a cat—a shih tzu, Biscuit, and a rescue cat, Taco. And my roommate has a husky named Duke.”
Pam McEwan
“No. I am allergic to cats and I have family members who are allergic to pets. I used to have two boxers and a black lab, but now I travel more, and you have to make sure they have somewhere to go.”
BEACON BITS
New indoor pickleball courts are under construction
Pickleball enthusiasts on the north side of the Springs will soon have all-weather, year-round courts on which to play. At Chapel Hills Mall, the former Burlington Coat Factory space is currently being renovated into Peak Pickleball. When it is complete, Peak Pickleball will be the nation’s largest privately owned indoor pickleball facility. It boasts 24 topquality, professionally surfaced and maintained concrete courts—and they’re not just the standard dimensions, but oversized (32' x 62' and 34' x 64'). The facility is spacious, welcoming and inclusive, with ADA accessibility, a high-grade sound system and comfortable relaxation spots. Peak Pickleball will host open play and league events for players of all skill levels, as well as lessons and even social gatherings. A monthly membership is $49 a month or $199 a month for the first year. The facility will be located at 1730 Briargate Blvd. Visit peakpickleball.us for more information.
Rent a plot at Ranch Community Garden
Dig in! Fall is for planting garlic, so bury your cloves now while dreaming of the harvest you’ll reap next summer. Ranch Community Garden,
at 4625 Ranch Drive, has plots for rent for the bargain price of $25 per year. Plant before the snow flies and keep on growing throughout 2025. For more information or to rent a plot, visit ranchcommunitygarden. com.
Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival offers new cinematic art
The longest-running women’s film festival in North America returns October 18-20 for its 37th season at Colorado College—the biggest festival yet. The three-day event features over forty films written, directed or edited by women from all over the world, including documentaries, narratives, shorts and animated films. In addition to screenings, the festival includes filmmaker forums and Q & As, after-parties, networking opportunities and more. The festival begins with “The Day Iceland Stood Still,” a documentary about one day in 1975 when 90% of Iceland’s women walked off the job and out of their homes, and the country came to a standstill. On Saturday evening, there’s a choice between short films or “Maya and the Wave,” a documentary about champion Brazilian surfer Maya Gabeira, who battles monster waves, chauvinism, setbacks, injuries and
Matching funds giving helps seniors in need through Silver Key Fall is a time of warmth and harvest, but Silver Key recognizes that it signals hunger and hardship for some, with higher heating bills and increased expenses, and a need for nutritious meals. The Abram and Ray Kaplan Foundation has generously offered to match every dollar you give to Silver Key through October 31 up to $25,000. If Silver Key reaches this goal, the Kaplan Foundation
a near-death experience to pursue her goal. Tickets are $20-$185 with a range of options, from single films to watch-from-home virtual access to the entire in-person event. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit rmwfilm.org
Library holds virtual author visits
Hang out with well-known contemporary authors from the comfort of your home! These hour-long sessions are free. Register at libraryc. org/ppld/upcoming.
• October 2, 12 p.m.: “Bat Island: A Rare Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats” with three Smithsonian-affiliated scientists
• October 9, 5 p.m.: Liberating Latin-American Genre Fiction with Silvia Moreno-Garcia
will double the matching grant amount to an incredible $50,000, making it $75,000 in total! This would enable Silver Key to better extend their reach of their support services, such as Meals on Wheels, the food pantry, the Connections Café and Companionship program and transportation to appointments and shopping. Mail in your support to Silver Key at 1625 S. Murray Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80916, or donate online at silverkey.org/ donate/moy
Center. A number of these individuals play one or more times a week at the center. Two of the honorees are 99 years old. Together, ten individuals will be recognized. The Bridge Center is located at 901 N. 17th St. Visit bridgewebs.com/coloradosprings or call 719-634-7250 for more information.
Author Shelley Read visits Library 21c
Six markets are still open for part of the month, weather permitting. Admission is free.
• Western Museum of Mining and Industry
9 a.m.-6 p.m. | Mondays & Wednesdays through October 23 | 225 North Gate Blvd.
• Colorado Farm & Art Market at the Pioneers Museum
3-7 p.m. | October 2 & 9 | 215 S. Tejon St.
• Old Colorado City
8 a.m.-1 p.m. | October 5 & 12 | W. Colorado Ave. & 24th St.
• Monument Hill Farmers Market
8 a.m.-2 p.m. | October 5 | 66 S. Jefferson St., Monument
• Backyard Market in Black Forest
9 a.m.-1 p.m. | October 5 | 6845 Shoup Road
• Colorado Farm & Art Market at The Margarita
10 a.m.-2 p.m. | October 5 & 12
| 7350 Pine Creek Road
• October 22, 12 p.m.: “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” with Lori Gottlieb
Event honors nonagenarian bridge players
The Colorado Springs Bridge Center is hosting an event on October 16, Four Score Plus Ten, which will recognize the ninety-year-old players in their unit and in the Colorado Springs Senior Center game that plays twice a week at the Bridge
Shelley Read will discuss her book, “Go as a River,” the 2024 Pikes Peak Library District’s All Pikes Peak Reads selection. An audience Q & A will follow, and Read is avail able for book signing (you can purchase books there if needed). Registration is suggested but not required. There are two sessions at Library 21c on October 5: 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m ■
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
Alzheimer’s Support Group meets monthly at Aberdeen Ridge, 2744 Grand Vista Circle. Please RSVP.
Last Tuesday | 10-11:30 a.m. | 719551-3700 | kfrisbie@pmma.org
Brain Injury Support Group meets at Penrose Hospital Cancer Center’s conference room A and B. 3rd Thursday | 5:30-7 p.m. | 719571-8372
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.
Marijuana Anonymous, a 12-step program for those who want to quit marijuana, meets at Rocky Mountain Recovery Center, 4368 Montebello Drive, #700. Wednesdays | 6 p.m. | 719-432-6555 | MA-Colorado.org
Multiple Sclerosis Alliance of Southern Colorado offers a men’s support group on Mondays, a women’s support group on Tuesdays and a mixed social group on Thursdays at 7011 Campus Drive and virtually on Zoom.
11 a.m. | 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
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
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
Chess Club
12-2 p.m. | Fridays
Open Studio Painting
1-4 p.m. | Fridays
WESTSIDE
207 N Nevada 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
Medicare 101 & Changes for 2025
Learn about Medicare and what to expect next year in an easy-to-understand manner.
2-3 p.m. | Oct. 8 | Free
Online Tools for Contacting Lawmakers
Learn how to communicate your opinions to those who influence policy decisions.
1:30-2:30 p.m. | Oct. 15 | Free
Streaming & Smart TVs
Don’t pay for channels you don’t watch–use a streaming service.
2:-3 p.m. | Oct. 17 | Free You’re Not Stuck
The Federal Housing Authority has amazing programs for those 62+ to move up or down, upsize or downsize.
2-3 p.m. | Oct. 18 | Free
Senior Style Trick or Treating!
It’s not just for kids! Wear a costume and bring a bag to get treats and learn about senior organizations.
1:30-3:30 p.m. | Oct. 31 | Free Groups and Clubs
There is space to host additional groups and clubs. Please contact the Senior Center if interested in starting one
Portrait Artists
9-11 a.m. | Wednesdays
Group Painting
9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Thursdays
Diabetes & Hypertension
Self-management
Learn to manage these chronic diseases.
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Oct. 2 | Free
Halloween Ghost Macramé
Learn knotting techniques to create a boo-tiful creature.
10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Oct. 8 | $3
Culinary Series: Sipping
Smarter & Superfoods for Seniors
Learn the secrets to healthier drinks and immune-boosting foods, plus plant-forward recipes.
10-11:30 a.m. | Oct. 9 & 23 | Free Bingo
Winners get prize swag!
10-11 a.m. | Oct. 10 | $1
Learn to Sew a Market Bag
The beginner or rusty sewer will complete three projects and learn about new machines and notions, measuring, laying out fabric/patterns, marking tools, etc.
12:45-3:15 p.m. | Tuesdays | Oct. 15-29 | $20
Nurse Chats: Appointments
Learn how to be your own advocate by asking questions and taking notes.
1-2 p.m. | Oct. 23 | Free
Traveling with Collette
Learn about this company that provides guided tours to must-see destinations. This presentation focuses on Italy and Ireland. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Oct. 23 | Free
COMMUNITY
Forest Bathing
Immerse yourself in nature through guided invitations in North Shooks Run Park. Register in advance.
8:30-10:30 a.m. | Oct. 5 | $8 ■
66 Jefferson St., Monument
To register for classes, call 719-464-6873 or visit SilverKey.org/TriLakes
SPECIAL EVENTS
Reserve & Ride
Those in eligible zip codes can get transportation to the Center and Connections Café.
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.
SUDOKU
CLASSIFIEDS
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.
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. 719-660-1358.
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.
MORE THAN A HANDYMAN. Home Maintenance, Repairs, Yard Work, Organize. 15% Senior Discount (62+). Call Mike - a Senior and Veteran. 719-338-4279. Voice mail answered same day.
LANDSCAPING
SERVICES
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 Senior News. Readers are hunting for your services! 719900-7664.
DO YOU HAVE THICK, FUNGAL TOENAILS? Corns and calluses? Can’t reach your feet? Better Feet provides medical pedicures performed by an RN in the comfort of your own home! Visit BetterfeetLLC. com to learn more! 719-351-3173
SERVICES
MODEROW JUNK HAULING Veteran Owned Junk Hauling and Yard Clean Up. Call or Text: 719-432-7672
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.
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
WANTED
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 719440-9288.
CASH PAID. Military relics, uniforms, medals, insignia, swords, knives, bayonets, ammunition, photos, anything unusual. Old toys, marbles, comics, coins. Gold, silver, costume jewelry- any country. Indian and old west relics. We pay cash. Leasures Treasures, 2801 W. Colorado Ave. 719-635-8539
RETAIL
RESTAURANTS
Golden Corral Buffet & Grill Friday morning early bird special for seniors, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
MISCELLANEOUS
50,000 BEACON FANS CAN’T BE WRONG!
What seniors need to know about changes to Medicare Part D
By Kenneth Thorpe
Recentchanges to Medicare’s
Part D prescription drug benefit, introduced through President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, aim to help seniors afford their medication costs. However, while some of these changes offer significant savings, others could inadvertently increase expenses, limit access to medicines and slow the development of new treatments.
As open enrollment season approaches—from October 15 to December 7—it’s crucial for seniors to understand how these changes may affect their Medicare coverage.
THE GOOD NEWS
Seniors using insulin now have their monthly costs capped at $35, which has already made a huge difference for those with diabetes.
Starting next year, out-of-pocket drug costs under Part D will be capped at $2,000 annually. Additionally, a new Medicare Prescription Payment Plan will allow seniors to spread their pharmacy costs throughout the year. Both measures can help seniors, particularly those on fixed incomes or who rely on multiple brand-name medications.
Currently, very few enrollees are aware of this new program. Medicare could do more to promote this option, as it requires seniors to actively opt in. During this year’s open enrollment, seniors should reach out to their Part D insurers to see if spreading out costs could benefit them.
POTENTIAL DOWNSIDES
One of the most controversial changes under the Inflation Reduction Act is Medicare’s new ability to set prices for certain drugs. While this is meant to control costs, it has
had unintended consequences for drug development. Already, the law has led to the discontinuation of at least 36 research programs and 22 experimental drugs.
Additionally, the law has contributed to higher premiums. This year, standalone Part D plans were projected to cost seniors an average of 21% more than last year, leading many to switch to cheaper options. The number of available plans has also decreased by about 25% since 2020.
The Inflation Reduction Act has also prompted some insurers to shift medications into “non-preferred” or “specialty” tiers that require higher out-of-pocket costs, limiting access to previously covered drugs. Others have imposed new rules, such as requiring patients to try lower-cost alternatives before being approved for the medications their doctors prescribe.
BE PREPARED
It’s important for seniors to stay informed about these changes and their potential effects on medication access and costs before open enrollment begins in October. Being proactive and reviewing options could help minimize negative impacts on your healthcare. ■
Kenneth E. Thorpe is the chairman of the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University and chairman of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease.
Enjoy maintenance-free living with energy efficient lighting/plumbing fixtures and appliances. Monthly rent includes electric, gas, water, sewer, trash, landscape maintenance and snow removal. Phone, internet and cable TV ready.
Beautiful, spacious apartments with balconies/patios that include dishwasher, microwave, stacked washer and dryer, quartz countertops with tile backsplash and lighting, walk-in showers and premium window shades.
All buildings offer safety and security with controlled access entry.
Conveniently located to downtown Colorado Springs and shopping, urban amenities, outdoor adventures and local public transportation.
Enjoy beautiful sunsets from the elevated views of Pikes Peak. Stay healthy in our fitness center, get down in the dirt in our community gardens, or have a ball with your best friend in our own dog run.
Several community spaces for residents to use and enjoy. Apartments are income and age qualified with a minimum age of 62.
