October 2023 - BEACON Senior News - Western Colorado

Morethan 1,100 people walked through the doors of Montrose Pavilion on September 14 ready for a day filled with vibrant entertainment, prize giveaways, delightful opportunities to connect with friends and a wealth of valuable information from more than 65 vendors!

Jimmy LIVE kicked off the show’s entertainment, followed by breakout musicians with Montrose’s own Valley Symphony Orchestra, Robin Freed & the Harps in Motion Ensemble, Jedi George and a square dance demonstration by the Black Canyon Twirlers and Delta Hubwheelers.

Local experts shared their advice about Medicare and breakthrough medical treatments to curious seniors who attended our free seminars.

BEACON readers selected Maxine Behrman and Judy Fairchild, a dynamic volunteer duo with The City of Delta / Bill Heddles Recreation Center, for this year’s Volunteer of the Year award. They, along with Kris Valentino (Roice-Hurst Humane Society - Delta) and Colie Bowerman (Museum of the Mountain West) were honored at the stage for their altruistic support of local nonprofits.

As if the seminars, live entertainment and vendors weren’t enough, attendees

had multiple chances to win door prizes every 30 minutes. We gave away gift baskets, restaurant gift cards, several rounds of golf, free oil changes, bowling, movie passes and more!

Thank you to all of the businesses who donated the wonderful gifts that made these drawings so exciting. Montrose-Delta BeaconFest wouldn’t have been the same without the friendly support of the vendors, restaurants with food samples, and our show sponsors: Humana, Aetna and Elk Ridge Health & Rehabilitation Center. Each booth painted a picture of its own unique offerings to create a fair of local businesses dedicated to helping seniors age well.

To our entertainers and you, our guests, thank you for coming to Montrose-Delta BeaconFest and for reading the BEACON! ■

Maxine and Judy believe that it’s important for seniors to stay active, and that having abundant recreation opportunities leads to a healthier community. That’s why BEACON readers recognized them for their volunteer commitment to growing the sport of pickleball in Delta and the surrounding area. Both ladies can be found on the court playing with friends or teaching new players, and behind the scenes organizing games and communicating with players. To learn more, join Delta Pickleball on Facebook or call 970-874-0923.

Maxine Behrman & Judy Fairchild

2023 SENIOR CHOICE WINNERS BeaconFest attendees voted…

Booth with the Best Giveaways Timberline Bank

Best Overall Booth Elk Ridge Health & Rehab Center

Booth with the Friendliest People Veterans Health Administration

10

6 Fun Halloween Contests For Your Grandkids

Spending Halloween with your grandkids? See if any of these wicked activities grab you

20

WIN 2 TICKETS TO SIMON & GARFUNKEL

24 Medicare’s Open Enrollment Periods: What’s the Difference?

Knowing about these two enrollment periods can help you make informed decisions about your coverage

28 In My Perfect World, I’d Be Adoringly Fat!

I’d like to return to Earth as an obese person in a world where fat people are adored, respected—even lusted over

Cities, Castles & Charm

Craggy mountains, rolling farmlands, still lakes, magnificent castles and charming towns—Scotland has it all

35 These Social Media Sites Don’t Get Enough Credit

Stay better connected with friends and family by using these four lesser-known social media platforms

36 Harps, Hammers & Joy

These Montrose harpists rekindle their love of music and will do the same for you

40 How Genealogy Became One of America’s Favorite Hobbies

And where you can go to get free genealogy help

44 MESA COUNTY

44 Calendar

46 Clubs

50 Support Groups

52 MONTROSE & DELTA

52 Calendar

54 Clubs & Support Groups

60 Classifieds

62 Opinion: Don’t Vote for a Number

Are Joe Biden and Donald Trump too old to be president?

surrounded by some of the dancers from

by

Grand Junction Air Show returns with the Blue Angels and other aerial attractions

The Grand Junction Air Show, presented by West Star Aviation, will take place at Grand Junction Regional Airport from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on October 14-15.

This weekend event features a variety of military and non-military aircraft, including a number of aerial performers as well as the world-renowned U.S. Navy Blue Angels headlining both days.

“We are excited to have the U.S. Navy Blue Angels as our featured jet team this year,” said Clay Tufly, president of Grand Junction Air Show, Inc., the nonprofit organizing the event.

Other crowd-pleasing attractions include: an F-35 Single Ship demo, Power Addiction Airshows from Brad Wursten, Free Man Airshows by Bob Freeman, a F4U Corsair from the Korean War, Navy Leap Frogs, Fat Albert, U.S. Air Force Glider Team, C17, plus static

displays, vendor booths and food trucks.

years since the last air show in Grand Junction,” said Tufly. “There will be many new acts, along with favorite military performers and static displays.”

The Grand Junction Air Show represents one of the largest community events in Western Colorado. The event is a joint effort between the Grand Junction Air Show, Inc., Grand Junction Regional Airport, West Star Aviation, St. Mary’s Intermountain Health and many other outstanding sponsors.

Veterans can pick up half-price tickets, courtesy of Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties, Land Title Guarantee Company and Cornerstone Home Lending. Veteran tickets must be picked up in person at Coldwell Banker, 131 N. 6th St. #200, Grand Junction, or at Cornerstone, 2452 Patterson Road #301, Grand Junction.

General admission tickets start at $30 per day for adults and $10 for children ages 5-12, and can be purchased online. More information can be found at GJAirShow. com. ■

MANY NEW ACTS, ALONG WITH FAVORITE MILITARY PERFORMERS AND STATIC DISPLAYS

Everything is beautiful at the ballet

Imay not remember my first sporting event, but I remember my first ballet.

My husband and I drove to Denver for the weekend to celebrate an early dating anniversary. We were out-of-the-house teenagers then, and “Dracula” was playing at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House downtown.

Neither of us had been to a ballet before, which is why we ventured to the big city. Additionally, the proximity of Halloween made attending “Dracula” a particularly fitting way to celebrate one of our favorite holidays.

“Dracula” was unlike any ballet I’ve been to. It was theatric, dark and elegantly seductive. The dimly lit theater, combined with the haunting score, was characteristic of the vampire tale from Bram Stoker’s 1897 Gothic horror novel. The dancers moved gracefully and powerfully with an almost inhuman synchroneity as the story about the legendary monster unfolded.

The ballet was a highlight of our weekend, but we haven’t returned to Denver for another dance performance since. That’s because we haven’t needed to.

Growing up in Dallas, Texas, I enjoyed going to plays, musicals, dance and various arts and theatre performances (although no classical ballets). However, when I moved to Grand Junction, I noticed an absence of these types of professional-quality productions and performances. Fortunately, that is no longer the case.

Now, we have a multitude of arts and theatre organizations that showcase the incredible talent of local dancers, musicians, actors and actresses, as well as those who support them behind the scenes. Thanks to these organizations, I’ve not only made new friends, but I’ve found inspiration to seek out related artistic works, and get to share these joyful performances with my young nieces and nephews.

If you’re a fervent lover of the arts, then I highly recommend reading this month’s cover story about one local woman’s dedication to supporting the arts in honor of her sister’s memory. It might just inspire you.

MEDICARE DOESN’T HAVE TO BE SCARY

Navigating Medicare may seem scary, but don’t let the idea of making changes to your plan spook you. Even if you’re happy with your current Medicare coverage, it’s important to review it yearly, as the cost, plans and in-network providers and pharmacies change. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to review. Open enrollment starts October 15 and ends December 7. For free, unbiased help with Medicare, call your local SHIP office. In Mesa County, call 970-243-9839, ext. 1. In Montrose and Delta, call 970-765-3129.

GET IN THE BEACON GUIDE

Planning is underway for our 2024 BEACON Guide in Mesa County and Montrose & Delta counties. Do you know of an organization or resource that should be listed? Pass along their info by emailing us at Contact@BeaconSenior News.com or call 970-243-8829. ■

I love the BEACON! Thank you! God’s blessings to you!

- Beulah G.

Just a note to let you know I enjoy the BEACON. I send the jokes to my sister-in-law in Deer Park, Texas. She gives them to a friend who gives them to her friend. Talk about recycling!

- Marjorie H.

I am a registered nurse with over 20 years’ experience. I’m hoping you will consider a PSA-type article citing the importance of making and carrying a current medication list. I find so many of my patients have no idea what medications they use and are under the impression that each medical office has access to all medical information with the touch of a button (not true!). This could avoid dangerous drug interactions, continued use of prescriptions no longer needed, etc.

- Sharon P.

Cloie: Thank you for reaching out to the BEACON with this idea! I have just the article to help start the conversation! You can read it on pages 14-15.

Montrose BeaconFest

Great event today! Everyone [was] happy. No vendors on cell phone—all talked! My only complaint is the vendors who didn’t park away from the building.

- Marcy M.

Editor’s Column (September)

“Your message about your dad and grandparents was very sweet.”

- Victor B.

“Dryers are more convenient than clotheslines” (September)

I was really excited to see the article on hanging laundry outside. I have never used a dryer in my years of homemaking! It costs too much to run. In Colorado, you can hang out laundry year-round as long as the sun is out—even in cold. If it’s snowing or raining, I don’t do laundry that day. It’s that simple.

- Deb M.

Katherine Kylen and her friend Kay treated my niece Amelia and me to a night at the ballet!

Forever bound by How it unites us and why your support matters

By Colleen M.

“Lookinside any sister relationship and you’ll find a wealth of interesting stories,” said writer and editor Colleen Sell.

That’s certainly the truth with Grand Junction senior Katherine Kylen, 77, and her younger sister, Irene. They were born only a year apart. While growing up in the Chicago area, they played and went to school together, but it was the arts that would bind them for life.

That’s why Kylen is now a primary donor to the all-new Colorado West Performing Arts Company. But there’s more to this story.

FROM AUDIENCE TO ADVOCATES

The girls’ parents were both immigrants, and music and dance were very much a part of their culture in Germany and Sweden.

“My mother played the piano and my father the violin,” Kylen said. “The arts were part of their upbringing and their joy.”

It made sense, then, that the parents wanted to instill that same love of arts in their children.

“We took tap dancing lessons, piano lessons and ballet lessons together,” Kylen said. “Other people may have gone to a show or a ball game. We went to the theater.”

Kylen loved it all, but she says for Irene, it was

something more.

“Dance, and especially ballet, was Irene’s passion,” said Kylen. “As a child, she cut out pictures of ballerinas and glued them into her scrapbook. She fantasized about being a dancer.”

Unfortunately, back in the 1950s and 1960s, ballerinas were tall and slender.

“Irene had a natural rhythm, balance and gracefulness,” Kylen said. “Intuitively, she would hear the music and know what to do.”

But she didn’t feel she was the right size and shape to be a dancer, so she let go of that dream.

Irene went on to teach special needs students, but she never forgot her love of dance. She was a long-time supporter of the Chicago Lyric Opera and Joffrey Ballet, holding season tickets for many years. She even took tap dancing and country line dancing lessons when she was in her 50s.

Kylen, meanwhile, moved to Grand Junction to run her business, Linked to Life, which she still does to this day.

“I’ve got longevity in my family!” she said, referring to her mother, who lived to be 99. “I figure as long as I can keep getting an income, I can afford to support the things that mean a lot to me.”

And what are those things? Music and dance.

From left: Kylen and sisters Irene and Barbara attend a 2021 fundraiser for Gulfshore Opera in Florida, a few months before Irene’s death.

“IT WILL REKINDLE YOUR SPIRIT FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC AND DANCE AND WILL BRING JOY TO YOUR SOUL.”

Story | Dance photos courtesy of Colorado West Performing Arts Company. All other photos courtesy of Kylen.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Dina Duckworth, 61, is another passionate supporter of the arts. As co-artistic director for CWPAC’s fall production of “Sleeping Beauty,” some of her duties include teaching and rehearsing with the cast, designing and ordering costumes and timing choreography to the music.

“This year, I’ve begun to put my little toe in Theresa’s shoes,” said Duckworth, who’s studied dance since she was a child. Most recently, she taught at Glenwood Dance Academy, with some of her students going on to perform with the prestigious New York City Ballet and Boston Ballet.

A PANDEMIC TRAGEDY

When Kylen moved to Grand Junction 48 years ago, she was thrilled to find a thriving arts community. Mesa College had its theater department and the Grand Junction Symphony started shortly after she arrived. With her background as a fervent supporter of the arts, she found herself at home in the Grand Valley and was soon a season ticket holder whenever she could be.

She raised her three boys, often attending concerts and performances, and though she missed her sister, life went on. They visited each other often. Kylen said she went to Chicago six to eight times a year. But then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and everything changed.

“I was going to retire,” she said. “My sister and I were going to take a lot of trips together.”

That was their dream, but it wasn’t meant to be. Irene caught the COVID-19 virus and ended up in the hospital. She fought hard, but couldn’t hang on.

“I never would have dreamed it would take our beloved sister,” Kylen said. “She had no medical conditions or anything. It was one of those things you never anticipate.”

Kylen still struggles today with the hole Irene

left behind, but she found an ideal way to honor her while keeping her close to her heart.

SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

In December 2021, Kylen took her son, daughter-in-law and three granddaughters to see “The Nutcracker.” That night, Theresa Kahl, owner and artistic director of Absolute Dance, announced that she had just received approval to create a local nonprofit performing arts company.

Kylen knew she wanted to be a part of the new venture. She wrote a letter to Kahl in which she told about her sister’s lifelong devotion to dance and her recent battle with COVID-19.

“I said I’d be honored to support her dream of having something here. And I included a check in memory of Irene,” she said.

As for Kahl, she was thrilled to have Kylen’s support.

“It was the validation needed to give me strength and perseverance to continue this challenge,” Kahl said. “Katherine has continued to support us both financially as well as with assurance that we are on the right track.”

With school funding cut for arts programs and outreach performances, support from donors like Kylen exposes local children to the art of ballet and ensures the future of enriching local performances for residents of all ages.

Joining local children in supporting roles, Colorado West Performing Arts Company hires professional dancers who all come to live in Western Colorado. Donations and contributions also help support the jobs of these artists and keep costs affordable so more families can experience the joy the performances bring.

“Performing arts brings people together in a world where we are often divided to unify and experience joy together,” said Kahl.

Kahl hopes they’ll be able to grow the number

of dancers in the company and bring in support for the artistic staff, whom volunteer the majority of their time.

For the 2023-24 season, the dance company will produce “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Nutcracker,” “Little Mermaid,” and as their last show, “Classics, Romantics and Modern Day Works II” in Grand Junction and Montrose.

Kylen loves seeing all the young people on and off the stage.

“I’m going to continue supporting this group because I can see so many children and families enriched by the experience,” she said.

She encourages other seniors who may not have ever attended a ballet to give it a try.

“It will rekindle your spirit for the love of music and dance and will bring joy to your soul,” she said. “It’s good medicine!” ■

For tickets to “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Nutcracker” and CWPAC’s 2024 performances, go to ColoradoWestPAC.org or call 970-314-2226.

6 WAYS

TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ARTS AND MUSIC PROGRAMS

Read more at BeaconSeniorNews.com/ forever-bound-by-art, or get this exclusive article when you sign up for our FREE email newsletter at BeaconSeniorNews.com/ wc-emails

Kylen and her sister Irene as children in Chicago, 1958

6 fun Halloween contests for grandkids from ghostly goodies to petrifying pumpkins

By Kimberly Blaker

Are you looking for some fun new ways to celebrate Halloween with your grandkids this year? Costume contests are just one of the many options to get everyone in the spirit. How about getting the whole neighborhood, a youth group or your grandkids’ friends involved? Read on to see if one of these wicked ideas grabs you.

1 CRAZIEST COSTUME

Pass out fliers inviting all the kids to meet at your house or meeting place an hour before trick-or-treating begins. This can even be done the weekend before Halloween. Give everyone a name tag when they arrive. Then each child and adult can fill out a voting slip. Include best costume, scariest, funniest, most creative and more. Hand out a special prize to the winners of each category. And don’t forget a small consolation prize for all children who participate—even if it’s just extra candy!

2 MOST GHOULISH YARD

If you have a large neighborhood, it likely has its fair share of houses that decorate for Halloween. You may even be able to convince others to join a decorating contest. You could have a few categories, such as scariest, silliest and best overall. Ask some of the neighbors to deliver their votes to you by a specified date after Halloween and award them with a handmade sign they can put up next year for bragging rights.

Question Month

By Linda Munson-Haley

Have you been somewhere that was supposedly haunted?

3 FUNNIEST CARVED PUMPKIN

Invite your neighbors or group to participate in a carved pumpkin contest. You can schedule a date and time when everyone will meet with their carved pumpkins at your home, neighborhood park or another public space. Suggest everyone who participates pitch in $2 per pumpkin for a jackpot. To keep it fair, allow only one pumpkin per child. Prepare numbered cards in advance so each pumpkin will have its own number. Then have everyone fill out a voting slip. The carver of the winning pumpkin gets the jackpot. You could also pass out small goody bags for all the kids who participate.

4 MOST FUN HALLOWEEN GAME

Hold a Halloween game day. Ask each participant to set up a Halloween kids game in their front yard, room or space. Participants can give out small prizes, such as stickers or candy, to each kid who plays their game. Kids can wander from one game to the next. When they’re done, have each child fill out a ballot for the most fun Halloween game. Then award the winner. Some game ideas: bobbing for apples, spoon relay race (with eyeballs!), guess the food, Twister, glow-inthe-dark Tic-Tac-Toe and scavenger hunts.

Paul Paladino

“Several years ago, the Montrose Library had a custodian named Daryl. Unfortunately, he died pretty young. After his funeral, some of the staff reported sensations of something brushing past them. Books would be moved or fall off shelves overnight No one was ever frightened by the occurrences. They just chalked them up to Daryl.”

Lesley Hallenborg

“The Peck House in Empire was the oldest hotel still operating in Colorado for many years. It only closed in 2014. I worked there in ’78-’79 in the dining room. Weird things went on there. The doors would slam for no reason. A rocking chair would rock with no one around. James Peck actually died there, and it’s believed that his ghost haunted the place.”

5 SCARIEST SCARECROW

Ask your neighbors or friends to participate in the scariest scarecrow contest. Keep the scarecrows secret until voting and set a specific day when they should be on display. Have everyone, whether they participate by making a scarecrow or not, hand-deliver their vote to you by the end of the day that the scarecrows are set out. Then deliver a fun Halloweenish homemade yard sign or other award to the winning home.

6 CREEPIEST FOOD

Hold a traditional potluck Halloween party. Each participating family should be instructed to bring a Halloween-themed food or dessert. Place a numbered card next to each dish. Then have everyone fill out a ballot for the cutest, grossest, funniest and scariest food. Once the winners are announced, take photos of the families next to their creepy food. Then everyone can dig in and eat the yummy dishes and treats.

Renee Lee

“I believe that Magic Circle Theater has two benevolent ghosts. The first one is theater founder Bette Dustin Spiro. I felt Bette in the lobby checking on me, but she didn’t bother me. We all pretty much believe that Ralph Farmer is up in the light booth. He has been gone for at least 25 years. No one feels afraid of him. They just feel like he is there to make sure everything is running smoothly.”

June Ebell

“When I’m in the Museum of the Mountain West by myself, sometimes it feels as though someone is stroking the back of my hair. I’ve been told by a medium that it’s a lonely ghost. There are two buildings where some guests have experiences. All of this occurs during daylight hours when the museum is open. They are not scary.”

Chipotle Chicken Flatbreads

Recipe courtesy of ButterYourBiscuit.com.

Ingredients

2 flatbreads

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 clove garlic, diced

4 chicken tenders, cooked and cubed

1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered

1/2 cup ranch dressing

11/2 teaspoons chipotle seasoning

2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, chopped salt, to taste pepper, to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375° F.

Place parchment paper on baking sheet and add flatbreads. Sprinkle cheese on flatbreads. Top with garlic, chicken and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bake 16 minutes until cheese is melted.

In small bowl, mix ranch and chipotle seasoning. Drizzle ranch dressing on flatbreads and sprinkle with cilantro leaves. ■

See more recipes at BeaconSeniorNews.com

Palliative care vs. hospice: What’s the difference?

Dear Laird: My 90-year-old mom is in assisted living. She is happy there but has had more care issues lately, like needing help getting dressed and forgetting how to get back to her room. She is also sleeping more than usual. The activity director told me, “I think your mom needs palliative care.” Does this mean she will die soon and that she needs hospice? Signed, Concerned

Dear Concerned: It’s frightening when you’re told your failing mother may need an unfamiliar treatment or type of care. Although they’re similar, palliative care and hospice care have distinct differences.

Cicely Saunders, a nurse, social worker and doctor, pioneered the concept of hospice in 1976 to provide pain relief and enhanced quality of life to cancer patients who had run out of options for medical treatment. Hospice encompasses spiritual support, interactive living and family participation to deliver meaningful comfort for those nearing end of life.

While hospice care has remained largely unchanged since Medicare began covering it in 1983, palliative care has evolved significantly in its utilization and interpretation.

Balfour Mount, a Canadian physician who’d collaborated with Saunders, wanted to expand comfort care to patients living with a serious illness at any stage, not just end of life. Palliative care is person-centered care that provides patients with comfort measures such as pain relief, relaxation techniques, and spiritual and emotional support, even while they’re actively seeking traditional medical treatments like radiation or surgery.

Family caregivers provide most forms of palliative care at home for as long as possible. The Caregiver

CAREGIVER SUPPORT

BY LAIRD LANDON, PhD

Support Foundation describes palliative family caregiving as keeping your loved one safe and comfortable, and creating moments of joy.

Palliative work is augmented by professional care. Eventually, we may hire in-home help, then independent living, assisted living and finally memory care.

Palliative care in medicine is also growing. About 55% of hospitals with more than 100 beds have palliative services. Twenty percent of smaller hospitals do as well. Typically, patients seek medical treatment before palliative care, but I believe both should be relevant throughout.

Back to your question: It’s important to clarify what the activities director meant by your mom needing palliative care. He or she could mean your mom requires more assistance each day. Hospice is palliative care to a degree; however, many people don’t understand that palliative care is more than hospice ■

CAREGIVER SUMMIT

See Montrose-Delta Beacon Bits on page 56 for details on the FREE Family Caregiver Summit on Oct. 6

Send your questions to Laird in care of the BEACON, or email him at Laird@Family-Caregiver.org

Medication Safety

Tips when starting new medications

By Jennifer Stoll & Alexandria Wahler

For most older adults, taking medications or supplements becomes a part of the daily routine and can improve quality of life for many. Still, as you get older, you should think twice about asking for a new medication or staying on medications that may no longer be necessary, as it could be dangerous to your overall health.

WHY DO MEDICATIONS AFFECT OLDER ADULTS DIFFERENTLY?

As we age, our bodies cannot process medication like when we were younger. Aging can decrease our ability to absorb, process and remove medications from our system. Because of this, some medications can create life-threatening

I

conditions such as falls, memory problems, hospitalizations and even death, like in the case of Alice Brennan.

Brennan died tragically at the hands of medication harm and health care system failures because she was given an inappropriate drug for a woman of her age, triggering a six-week cascade to her death.

In fact, some medications can cause more harm to people over 65 than help. The American Geriatrics Society has developed a tool for health care providers that guides them to making informed decisions about medication safety when prescribing potentially harmful medications to older adults. Both patients and their doctors should become familiar with the Beers Criteria Medication List® list and

consider the risks and benefits of these medications before they are prescribed and taken.

When a doctor prescribes a new medication, ask these questions:

• What is the medication for?

• What are the benefits and risks of the medication?

• What are the potential side effects of the new medication?

• Are there any alternatives to taking the medication, such as physical therapy, change of diet, or exercise?

Be on the lookout for any new or unfamiliar symptoms, as they could be a warning sign of new medication problems. Some examples of symptoms include: confusion, sleep problems, infections, nausea or diarrhea, feeling anxious, panic attacks, loss of appetite, weight loss, dizziness and falls, and hallucinations.

If you do experience new symp -

toms, this may be a sign that your body is reacting poorly to the new medication. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or someone in charge of your medication. Don’t stop asking until you know that the symptoms you are having are not related to the new medication.

Always notify your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before making any changes to your medication.

A CURRENT MEDICATION LIST COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

Because medications work differ-

ently as we age, they could become dangerous to you. Your doctor may advise you never to take them or stop taking them if you have already been prescribed them.

In Brennan’s case, when she was admitted to the hospital with a minor knee problem, her medication list in the hospital’s system said she was prescribed a muscle relaxant, Flexeril. Although she was once prescribed it, her neurologist told her never to take it, so she did not and disposed of it. These are referred to as “never meds.” However, Flexiril did not come off her medication list in her medical record, and the doctors in the hospital gave it to her, assuming it was a part of her medication routine without asking her or telling her or her care partner. This was the beginning of Brennan’s medication harm journey that ended in her death.

Something as simple as having updated medication lists could save your life. It is important to take charge and be proactive to ensure your health and safety. Here are some things you or a loved one should do to protect yourself from a similar fate, especially when going to the hospital or visiting a doctor.

Keep an updated list of all of your medications and identify what you’re taking them for, including:

• Over-the-counter medications

• Vitamins

• Supplements

Keep an updated allergy list and include:

• Any known allergies

• Your “never meds”—this will alert the health care providers that you shouldn’t take the drug. Be sure to:

• Carry your lists with you at all times. Keep it in your purse or wallet, or as a note on your cell phone.

• Provide your care partner or someone you trust with updated copies of both lists.

• Check that your doctors have an updated and accurate record of your current medications.

• Ask your doctor to review your medication lists annually. There may be medications that you no longer need or can be reduced. Remember, less is more.

• Don’t wait to be asked about your medication lists. Make it clear to your loved ones, care partner and your health care team of any known “never meds” that you should not take.

• Always notify your doctor, nurse

ST. MARY’S

ST. MARY’S

Community Connections

Community Connections

St. Mary’s Community Connections is seeking volunteers in our community to help older adults who no longer drive, with friendship and support with grocery shopping, medical appointments, and other errands. By providing this support for two or three hours once a week, you will help with maintaining their ability to live independently.

St. Mary’s Community Connections is seeking volunteers in our community to help older adults who no longer drive, with friendship and support with grocery shopping, medical appointments, and other errands. By providing this support for two or three hours once a week, you will help with maintaining their ability to live independently.

Please contact Amber Creek, Volunteer Coordinator, at 970-298-9092 or amber.creek@imail.org

Please contact Amber Creek, Volunteer Coordinator, at 970-298-9092 or amber.creek@imail.org

10 ways to treat hot flashes

Hotflashes affect up to 75% of women and are the most common symptom of menopause. The frequency and severity of hot flashes can vary widely, with some women experiencing only a few per year and others experiencing several per day. Some women never even get one!

Your risk for hot flashes increases with family history, smoking, obesity, adrenal conditions, stress and the use of certain medications. Hormones are the mainstay. Here are the 10 best things you can take to relieve hot flashes:

1. Black cohosh: This herb has been used for centuries. It may work by acting on serotonin receptors in the brain and helping regulate your body temperature.

2. Red clover: This plant contains phytoestrogens—compounds that can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. Some studies have sug-

gested that red clover may reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes.

3. Sage: This herbal option may reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes due to its cooling effect on the body.

4. Evening primrose oil: This oil contains a fatty acid called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Some studies have suggested that taking evening supplements may reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes.

5. Flaxseed: It contains lignans, which may help balance hormone levels and reduce hot flashes. Flaxseed can be added to a variety of foods or consumed in supplement form.

6. Vitamin E: Taking vitamin E supplements may reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes in some women because it’s an antioxidant.

7. B complex: Methylated B vitamins play a role in hormone regulation and may help reduce stress, which can trigger hot flashes.

8. Ginseng: This herb has been traditionally used for menopause symptoms, including hot flashes. Some studies suggest that ginseng may reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes.

9. Maca root: Maca is a plant that grows in the Andes Mountains and has been used traditionally for balancing hormones.

10. Bioidentical hormones therapy is, in my opinion, the best option for hot flashes because they are chemically identical to those produced naturally in your body. This

DEAR PHARMACIST BY

SUZY COHEN

option requires a prescription from a hormone expert. Bioidentical hormones are available in many dosage forms, including creams and pills. One common mistake mature women make is taking hormones equivalent to those produced by a 20-year-old woman. I don’t think “industrial size” hormone doses should be given to older women, so make sure you talk to your doctor about your options. ■

For more articles and advice, sign up for Suzy’s newsletter at SuzyCohen.com

Can dogs be superstitious?

This made me wonder: Can dogs be superstitious too? Apparently, yes.

By Marti Benson

There is a penny on the floor, and it’s heads up. “Oops,” I apologize to the cashier, pretending I dropped something. Avoiding the glances of the shoppers behind me, I snatch the lucky coin and squirrel it away in my pocket.

In my purse, I carry a variety of small objects. These good luck charms give me a measure of comfort when I travel or am in unfamiliar situations.

Inadvertently, I have passed a few of my superstitious ways onto my family. For example, when my husband or daughter or I mention something good that may happen soon, we instinctively look for a nearby wooden object and knock like a trio of frenetic woodpeckers. Dogs figure prominently in many superstitions. Growing up, my mother would say that there was rain on the way whenever our dog, Frisky, grazed on the lawn. A few others I’ve heard make me shiver:

• If a dog sits and stares at you, you may see a ghost between its ears.

• When a dog howls, it’s a sign of an impending death.

• Stepping in dog poo with your right foot portends bad luck, but if it’s your left foot, good luck is headed your way.

I recently read about a golden retriever who left a shoe on the bed whenever her owners left together. Once when the wife had to be away for a week, the husband came home from work on day one and found a shoe on the bed. Completely normal. The next day, the husband returned alone— and found three shoes on the bed. By the third day, every shoe in the house was scattered across the bed and couch, and all the wife’s dirty socks were in a bowl.

My husband and I wondered if any of our dogs were superstitious. We started remembering some of the odd behaviors we’d witnessed over the years.

Gummi, our pomeranian, obsessively chewed round holes in an old airline blanket we had. He left the little fabric circles everywhere. Though he’s been gone for 10 years, we still find those cloth discs in odd places.

Cassie, the border collie, poached items from neighboring properties and put them on display in our front yard. She carried one particular trophy—a deflated basketball—in her mouth, on all her walks.

Robby was afraid of thresholds. He had to be coaxed or carried across one when going from room to room.

Did our dogs’ quirky ways mean they were superstitious? Or was there a more rational explanation for their behavior?

Surely it wasn’t something we did. (Knock on wood.) ■

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A WEEK WITH NO WIFE

Submitted by Ben Kuckel

A man left for work one Friday afternoon and instead of going home, he stayed out the entire weekend and went hunting with his pals.

When he finally arrived home Sunday night, he was confronted by a very angry wife.

After yelling at him for some time, she stopped the nagging and said, “How would you like it if you didn’t see me for two or three days?” To which he replied, “That would be fine with me.”

Monday came and went and he didn’t see his wife. Tuesday and Wednesday came and went with the same result.

Thursday, the swelling went down just enough where he could see her a little out of the corner of his left eye.

I’M FREE!

Submitted by Jeanne Arnett

A prisoner had just escaped captivity by digging through a tunnel. He wasn’t sure where he was going to end up, so when he had the opportunity to poke his head above ground, he saw he was at a children’s playground.

He climbed up through the tunnel and shouted loudly, “I’m free!

I’m free!”

A little girl came running over to him and raised her hands. “I’m four! I’m four!” she shouted.

FURNITURE DISEASE

Submitted by John Pope

A young boy asks his grandfather why his tummy is so huge. He tells the youngster, “I have furniture disease.”

The youngster says, “What is

furniture disease?”

His grandfather replies, “That’s when your chest falls down into your drawers.”

FOUR HUSBANDS AT 80

Submitted by M.L. Madsen

An 80-year-old lady was getting married for the fourth time. The local newspaper asked if she wouldn’t mind talking about her first three husbands and what they did for a living.

She smiled and said, “My first husband was a banker, then I married a circus ringmaster, next was a preacher, and now in my 80s, a funeral director.”

When asked why the four men had such diverse careers, she explained, “I married one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready and four to go.”

I LIKE PUNS

Submitted by Bob Breazeale

A famous general dies. He’s given a grand funeral with full military honors. Afterward, he is cremated

and his ashes are to be flown to West Point for burial. However, all the planes are fully booked. Eventually, they find a helicopter to fly his remains. The headline in the newspaper reads: The whirly bird gets the urn.

A little person who regularly attends Oktoberfest is on his deathbed. The doctor asks him, “If you could have one last wish, what would it be?”

The little man replies, “I’d like a short bier.”

Q. Three men are in a boat out on a lake fishing. They have four cigarettes but forgot the matches. How can they light the cigarettes?

A. They throw one cigarette overboard, thus making the boat a cigarette lighter.

Doctor: I can’t do anything about your condition. It’s hereditary. Patient: In that case, send the bill to my parents.

Why isn’t “phonetic” spelled the way it sounds?

The Urological Associates of Western Colorado Extends a Warm Welcome to Dr. Sikule

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. David Sikule to our dedicated team of professionals. Raised in Albany, New York, Dr. Sikule honed his medical expertise at Albany Medical College where he completed his residency. This formative experience instilled in him a holistic approach to healthcare, focusing not only on the disease but also on the individual behind it.

Dr. Sikule is an advocate for continuous learning, a principle that ensures he remains on the cutting edge of developments in the medical field. This commitment empowers him to offer the highest standard of care to his patients, with a special interest in general urology, guiding and supporting patients through every step of their treatment journey.

Outside treating urological patients, Dr. Sikule is a family man who cherishes moments spent with his wife, their two cats, and their 12-year-old dog — a companion that shares his enthusiasm for skiing. Dr. Sikule is an active individual, a nature enthusiast who crafts his personal skiing equipment and looks forward to weekend adventures outdoors.

Dr. Sikule sees his role in the field of medicine as more than a career; it is a calling. It is a platform that enables him to stand with individuals in their vulnerable moments, offering not just medical assistance but a supportive hand guiding them towards recovery, with a focus on their overall well-being.

Join us in welcoming Dr. Sikule as he brings his wealth of experience and compassionate approach to patient care to our community. We are confident that his dedication to holistic healthcare and his enthusiasm for helping others will make a significant impact in the lives of his patients.

GOOD PETS

Submitted by Randal Hill

God was sitting on his throne, and a dog and a cat were at his feet.

God asked the dog if he had been a good pet during his time on Earth.

“Absolutely,” the dog replied. “I was loyal, friendly, obedient and was a trusted and beloved companion to the family at all times.”

“Excellent,” said God. He then asked the cat, “Were you a good pet during your time on Earth?”

To which the cat replied, “You’re sitting in my chair.”

NEW HEARING AID

Submitted by Bradford Huff

An elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number of years. He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a set of hearing aids that allowed the gentleman to hear 100%.

The elderly gentleman went back in a month to the doctor and the doctor said, “Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased that you can hear again.”

To which the gentleman said, “Oh, I haven’t told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to the conversations. I’ve changed my will three times!”

HOW YOU EARNED IT

Submitted by Shawna Mitchell

A young man asked an old rich man how he made his money.

The old guy fingered his worsted wool vest and said, “Well, son, it was 1932, the depth of the Great Depression. I was down to my last nickel. I invested that nickel in an apple. I spent the entire day polishing the apple and, at the end of the day, I sold the apple for 10 cents. The next morning, I invested those 10 cents in two apples. I spent the entire day polishing them and sold them at 5 p.m. for 20 cents. I continued this system for a month, by

the end of which I’d accumulated a fortune of $1.37…”

“Then my wife’s father died and left us $2 million.”

JOKES FOR ALL AGES

Submitted by Doris Joseph

If sea gulls are called seagulls, then what are they called when they fly over a bay? A bagel?

A neutron walks into a bar. The bartender says, “No charge for you.”

JESUS IS WATCHING

Submitted by Amos Gonzales

A cat burglar is going about his business burgling a house. He stops every so often when he hears a voice saying: “Jesus is watching you. Jesus will get you.”

He moves to another room and hears the voice again: “Jesus is watching you. Jesus will get you.”

He turns on the light and sees a parrot in the corner of the room.

“Is that you saying ‘Jesus is watching you, Jesus will get you?’”

The parrot replies, “Yes, of course.”

The burglar says, “What’s your name?”

The parrot replies, “Clarence.”

The burglar bursts out laughing and says, “Clarence? What kind of person gives a bird a stupid name like Clarence?”

And the bird replies, “The same person that named that rottweiler over there Jesus!”

HALLOWEEN JOKES

Submitted by Larry Brady

Why did the vampire need mouthwash? Because he had bat breath.

Why didn’t the scarecrow eat dinner? He was already stuffed.

How do you fix a broken jack-o-lantern? With a pumpkin patch.

Why are skeletons so calm? Nothing gets under their skin.

Why did the ghost walk into a bar? For the boos. ■

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Touch the Sounds of Silence

Simon & Garfunkel tribute comes to the Avalon

Sounds of Silence

October 31 • 7:30 p.m.

By Jan Weeks

Simon and Garfunkel changed the face of rock in 1965 with their first big hit, “The Sound of Silence,” and the second concert of the Community Concerts of the Grand Valley takes the audience on a nostalgic musical trip when Steven Delopoulos and Johnny Philipps bring their tribute to that famous duo to the Avalon stage.

The cousins grew up only a few miles apart—Philipps in Brooklyn, New York, and Delopoulos in New Jersey.

“We listened to music all the time as kids,” said Delopoulos. “We both took lessons, but mainly studied on our own. We learned out of pure curiosity and love.”

That’s why their act honors artists they admire by singing numbers they learned from those golden oldies.

Both dabbled with the piano but acoustic guitars were their go-to instrument, and they have spent 10 years building their Sounds of Silence act, as well as their other act, Burlap to Cashmere, in which they perform original songs.

The duo’s harmonies make you swear you were listening to Simon and Garfunkel live. However, the

duo also covers others, such as John Denver’s “Annie’s Song,” and “American Pie” by Don McLean.

Delopoulos said, “My favorite writers are Don McClean, John Denver and Bob Dylan.”

So expect a few tributes to those musicians during the show.

Delopoulos and Philipps began performing together at family gatherings before they hit their teens. Delopoulos gravitated toward folk

music of the 1970s while Philipps preferred more classic rock. Though their musical tastes are different, they both love singing harmonies, particularly on “The Boxer,” another Simon and Garfunkel mega hit.

Delopoulos and Philipps consider touring a kind of break from life.

“And we get to travel!” Delopoulos said.

However, they’re not fond of long hours of driving and grabbing fast food just to kill the hunger and move on to the next gig.

For a Halloween treat, plan to be at the Avalon Theatre, 645 Main St., at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31, to see Sounds of Silence in concert, brought to you by Community Concerts of the Grand Valley. Doors open one hour before the show. ■

WIN TICKETS FROM THE BEACON!

Before they were Simon and Garfunkel, what name did the duo go by? (Hint: It’s from a popular cartoon)

Answer:

Name:

Phone:

Email:

Send in your answer by Friday, October 20 to be entered into a drawing for two tickets to see Sounds of Silence perform at the Avalon Theatre in Grand Junction.

Email your answer to: Contact@BeaconSeniorNews.com

Or mail this entry form to:

BEACON Senior News, PO Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502

1236

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Garden checklist: 8 tips to prepare your garden for winter

According to the Celtic calendar, November 1 marks the onset of winter—nearly two months before the Winter Solstice on December 21. The Celtic calendar also appoints August 2 as the first day of fall harvest, which better aligns with our seasonal calendar here in Colorado. Tomatoes, peppers, okra and melon are ripe and plentiful when August rolls around. Peaches peak then, and apples and pears aren’t far behind. Our cool October nights dial back summer crop production and a frost usually puts a firm stop to summer annuals.

I give myself a deadline of October 31 to complete my fall chores. Just like we fortify our homes for cold weather by draining the swamp cooler and blowing out sprinkler lines, we finish out the summer garden by pulling irrigation lines and adding compost so that we have unrestricted access to the soil. Here are a few other things we can do this month while the weather is favorable:

➊ Push your plants. Prepare for your final harvest by stressing plants so they reach full maturity and put every last bit of energy into fruit production.

One way of doing this is to dig a shovel blade into one or two sides

OUR COOL OCTOBER NIGHTS DIAL BACK SUMMER CROP PRODUCTION AND A FROST USUALLY PUTS A FIRM STOP TO SUMMER ANNUALS

of the plant, severing some of its roots. It may be hard to do this to our little plant babies, but they will die off in the cold anyway. Pushing them into this stage of maturity will pay off because the plant will focus its resources on producing seeds, which are inside the vegetable we want to eat. Tomatoes can ripen faster and melons can size up quicker.

➋ Collect seeds. Now is your last chance to collect seeds for future planting. Mesa County Libraries’ has built a wonderful seed library at its central branch so community members can share seeds from healthy heirloom crops with other community members. The library also has great resources about saving seeds

➌ Plant garlic. The window is still open for planting garlic (October 3-17 are optimal planting

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➐ Tie up any climbing plants for added support. Young, new growth of honeysuckle and wisteria can get wind damaged in winter conditions. Don’t use twine or wire to secure them, as you don’t want that rubbing on the branches and canes. I previously used old pantyhose because it’s flexible, but I find that proper plant tape or grape tape lasts longer.

➑ Start a compost pile. I generate food waste all winter, so by stockpiling fallen leaves, I continue to make compost every time I fill a food waste bucket. Generally, two parts leaves to one part food waste will make a nice carbon-to-nitrogen ratio to get the composting process started. Fall and winter run more humid so the compost pile stays moist longer. ■

dates; October 10-12 are ideal for root crops). See last month’s article at BeaconSeniorNews.com for detailed instructions.

➍ Avoid pruning trees and shrubs. This can stimulate woody plants to produce new growth when we want them to direct energy down into the roots, not upward into the leaves. I leave the foliage on all my perennial plants for over-wintering. The frosted back leaves act as a mulch to protect the roots, and the upright texture attracts blowing snow for better moisture all winter.

➎ Mow the lawn, but set the mower on a higher setting to leave

more grass for over wintering. The extra biomass can insulate the roots in the event of a really cold winter. Now is also a great time to schedule a tune-up for your mower and yard equipment, as the shops are less busy.

➏ Add compost and mulch. Once you’ve added compost,

insulate your garden with mulch. Although there are no roots to protect, this extra layer moderates the temperatures so the soil microbes, worms and dung beetles that live in the soil won’t freeze and die. Plus, it prevents the soil from getting cold, which results in better seed germination come spring. Leaves work well as mulch, but straw tends to stay in place longer.

GROW WILD

BY BRYAN REED

Send your gardening questions to Bryan in care of the BEACON, or email him at BCReed@ColoradoMesa.edu

What’s the difference between Medicare and Medicare Advantage open enrollment periods?

Courtesy of National Council on Aging

For the more than 64 million Americans enrolled in Medicare, one of the first signs of fall each year is the arrival of the Medicare & You handbook. This valuable guide is a signal that two very important annual enrollment periods are just around the corner: Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment. This guide explains the actions you can take during each enrollment period. Knowing more about these two distinct enrollment opportunities can help you make informed decisions about your health and drug coverage. At a glance, there are two main ways these two enrollment periods differ:

• They are held at different times of the year. Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period is from October 15 to December 7. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment is from January 1 to March 31.

• They both offer different opportunities for adjusting your coverage. During Medicare’s

Open Enrollment Period (AEP or OEP), Medicare beneficiaries can make a wider range of changes. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period gives people with Medicare Advantage plans one additional chance to change Medicare Advantage plans or switch to Original Medicare. How does Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment Period work?

This annual enrollment period, from October 15 to December 7, is for anyone enrolled in Medicare Parts A and/or B, including those who may already be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Part D. As a Medicare beneficia -

ry, you can join, switch or drop a health and/or drug plan. You can also:

• Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan and vice versa

• Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another

• Join or switch Medicare drug plans

• Drop your Medicare drug coverage completely

• Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage to one that does and vice versa

You don’t have to change your

coverage if your current plans meet your medical and budgetary needs, but the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recommends all Medicare beneficiaries assess their coverage annually.

Open enrollment changes become effective on January 1, as long as you meet the December 7 deadline.

How does the annual Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period work?

This period, from January 1 to March 31, is for people who are already enrolled in a private Medicare Advantage plan. It gives Medicare Advantage (MA) plan holders an additional opportunity to make changes. You can only change plans once during this enrollment period. Here are some actions you can take:

• If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage)

• You can drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare.

• You’ll also be able to join a separate Medicare drug plan

Things you can’t do:

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan

• Join a Medicare drug plan if you’re in Original Medicare

• Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another if you’re in Original Medicare

Your coverage will start the first day of the month after you apply to join the plan.

The National Council On Aging has more information and experts you can talk to about Medicare

enrollment. You’ll also find Medicare resources, information and tools at NCOA.org. You can also explore coverage options by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-6334227) or visiting Medicare.gov.

Finally, you can talk directly to a licensed Medicare broker or contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free, unbiased advice.

• Mesa County: 970-243-9839, x 1

• Montrose & Delta: 970-765-3129 ■

Medicare terminology from My Medicare Matters® Glossary

• Benefit Period - Under Medicare Part A, a benefit period begins the day you enter a hospital or skilled nursing facility. The period ends after you have not received services for 60 days. You must pay the Part A deductible for each benefit period.

• Creditable prescription drug coverage - Under certain circumstances, to avoid a penalty under Medicare you must show that you have prescription drug coverage from a non-Medicare source that is at least as good as the standard Medicare plan. For example, this coverage could come from you or your spouse’s employer. Once the alternate coverage ends (for example, you are no longer working), you can elect prescription drug coverage under Medicare and not pay any penalty.

• Custodial care - Assistance with activities of daily living (i.e. bathing, dressing, transferring, etc.) either at home, in a nursing facility or in assisted living. This type of care can be performed by non-licensed people, including nursing assistants, and is typically not covered by Original Medicare.

• Extra Help/Low Income Subsidy - A program under Medicare to help pay Part D costs (premiums, deductibles and co-insurance) for people with limited income and resources. People who receive Medicaid, one of the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), or those who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) automatically receive Extra Help under Medicare. Other people with limited income and resources can apply for the program at the Social Security Administration. You can also learn more about Extra Help and apply online at BenefitsCheckup.org.

• Formulary - The list of prescription drugs that are paid for under a prescription plan. Before you enroll in a prescription drug plan and every year after, you should evaluate the formulary to make sure that your needed prescriptions are covered. This list is available from the company you get your prescription drugs through and is updated regularly. Your plan can change your formulary at any time, but they must notify you before the change is made.

See more helpful Medicare terms in next month’s BEACON.

PROBATE SEMINA R

4:00 - 6:00 P M

Thursday, October 26th, 202 3

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Grand Junctio n 743 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, CO 8150 6 Appetizers and drinks included !

REGISTER HERE: https://direc.to/jKg w OR CALL (303) 628-368 8

understand the idea of probate and selling a loved one’s property is an extremely di cult task to manage while grieving the loss of your loved one. This seminar will provide you with important information on the responsibilities of a personal representative, how a probate lawyer can ensure that you fulfill your role under Colorado law, how to maximize the return on assets for the estate, and how to alleviate the stress involved with the probate process.

Please join Ireland Stapleton attorneys Russell Kemp and Sarah Abbott, paralegal Laurie Dry, and Grand Junction real estate agents Brandi Vigil and Mike Chavez

THE ROLE OF A PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND THE STEPS TO TAKE AFTER SOMEONE DIES TO PROTECT THEIR REAL ESTATE AND OTHER ASSETS

By Arthur Vidro

WhenI was growing up, plenty of folks had diabetes or hypertension, but nobody was diagnosed with pre-diabetes or pre-hypertension. Nowadays, those terms are common. Probably some medical facility or drug manufacturer figured they could draw in more customers by expanding the definitions to encompass more people.

So folks who in my day would

have graded out as having normal health, are nowadays told they suffer from pre-hypertension or pre-diabetes. It doesn’t mean they’re going to develop hypertension or diabetes; it just means they’re somewhat closer to the unhealthy range.

But even with a “pre” diagnosis, you get offered immediate treatment. Some pre-screenings for medical conditions are free. But

folks who go often find themselves receiving potentially alarming results, with the suggestion to get full testing, which of course costs money.

When I was 12, everyone in school was pre-screened for scoliosis, which involved us removing our shirts and bending over while a gym teacher looked for a few seconds for possible spine curvature. Some, including me, were told we had potential trouble and should go see a doctor.

Mom took me to a doctor. He studied my bare spine for less than 30 seconds, said I didn’t have scoliosis and we could leave. Hooray! Then came the bill in the mail for $120 (around $350 in today’s money)—for a 30-second look-see.

We couldn’t afford to pay so we didn’t. The doctor’s office sent statements for five years, then stopped. The bill and statements were addressed to me, not my parents. Perhaps because I was a minor, they let me off the hook.

But I learned my lesson. No more pre-screenings for me. I’ll wait until symptoms develop before seeking care.

An adult pre-screening often involves a test that gets sent to a lab. If your result lands on the wrong side of the ever-shifting parameters, then you’re told to go for more extensive, more invasive and more expensive testing.

Who sponsors free pre-screenings? Often it’s parties that benefit from having more medical treatments occurring. (A manufacturer of adult diapers has sponsored free pre-screenings for prostate cancer, knowing the common side effects to men who let doctors treat them for the condition.)

This also applies to the world of sports. They used to have exhibition games—meaningless games where neither team cared about winning

but whose purpose was to gauge the talent of those trying out for the team. Anyone was allowed into the stadium to watch. The teams were happy to have some fans in the stands, and if they bought food and drink, so much the better.

Over the years, exhibition games morphed into “pre-season” games, which means you have to pay to get in. Yet the games are still meaningless. I can’t speak for the entire National Football League, but the Jets and Giants (the local markets where I grew up) charge the same money for admission to a pre-season game as for a regular game.

Not only that, season ticket holders are required to buy tickets for the pre-season too. If they don’t buy pre-season tickets, then they’re not allowed to buy regular-season tickets. They get knocked off the ticket holder list, and folks on the waiting list eagerly move up.

In education, somewhere along the way somebody coined the term “preschool.” I have never understood the purpose of preschool. It’s not really school, since the tots aren’t being instructed in anything.

Perhaps some kids got their start on the alphabet in preschool or kindergarten. But mostly it was a huge room filled with blocks, paints and other toys for occupying toddlers’ time. If preschool is just a glorified version of daycare, then it should call itself a publicly funded daycare center, not a school.

Whether it’s in medicine, education or sports, beware the “pre” factor. ■

WHO SPONSORS FREE PRE-SCREENINGS? OFTEN IT’S PARTIES THAT BENEFIT FROM HAVING MORE MEDICAL TREATMENTS OCCURRING.

OVER THE YEARS, EXHIBITION GAMES MORPHED INTO “PRESEASON” GAMES, WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE TO PAY TO GET IN.

In my perfect world... I’d be adoringly fat

By Laverne H. Bardy

Ihada talk with God recently. I’ve spoken with him countless times, but this time we had a two-way conversation. I explained that I am fed up with counting calories, fiber and fat grams, and sick of sugar substitutes, watery milk and imitation butter that lies in my frying pan like a blob refusing to melt. I told him I’ve had it up to here with boring walks to nowhere on my “dread mill” and horrendous fashions offered to women size 14 and over. I confessed that, on more than one occasion, I’ve contemplated breaking the sixth commandment for chocolate, and the only meaningful praying I’ve done takes place on my bathroom scale. I told him I’ve been fighting an uphill battle for five decades and am looking to him for hope that one day things will be easier.

God mulled over my words.

“Okay,” he said. “If you promise to continue your struggle, but without your usual attitude, I’ll consider doing something I’ve never done before. After you die, I will allow you to return to Earth in any form you want.”

“Wow! That sounds great!”

What would I be? A Pulitzer prize-winning author? The next Mother Theresa? An astronaut? Slender?

Of course! Slender! No one is more valued, revered and admired than the anorexic runway model.

I thought about it for several days and realized I wasn’t happy with that plan after all, so I summoned God again.

“Now what?” he asked.

“I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, God, but I’ve been thinking about what we discussed, and I

realize that, rather than returning slim, I’d like to come back overweight.”

God was confused. “Do you know what you’re asking?”

“Absolutely. I’ve given this a lot of thought.”

“Okay, then. You want to come back as a fat person.”

“Well, actually, I would like one thing more…if you don’t mind.”

“I’m already sorry. Make it fast. I’ve got real problems to attend to.”

“I’d like to return as an obese person in a world where fat people are ad mired, adored, respected and even lusted over, and slender people are viewed with pity, disgust and disdain.”

“You’re kidding, right? That would require me to change public opinion. This is going to be more difficult than I signed on for.”

“Please. Oh, please. It’s not just for me. Billions of people struggle with weight. You’ll make them very happy if you do this.”

“Fine! You’ll return to Earth as an overweight person, in a nation where most of the population is overweight. Hmmm. That’s not very different from the way things are now. But, everyone’s perception will have changed.”

“Exactly.”

“Okay, I have 19 quadrillion prayers and complaints to acknowledge, so let’s call this a wrap.”

“Thank you so much. I won’t bother you again.”

I fantasized sitting in a diner with a corpulent friend, stuffing down hot fudge sundaes with syrupy walnuts and whipped cream, trying not to stare at Ms. Size Four in a nearby booth, picking at her dressing-free salad.

“Has she no self-respect?” I ask my friend, as I reach across the

table and wipe chocolate syrup from her chin. “Surely she knows that eating a salad puts her at risk for losing weight. It’s disgusting. Either she has no willpower, or she doesn’t care.”

And in Kohl’s dressing room, I am repulsed as I watch a flat-bellied, tiny-assed, bikini-clad woman pirouette in front of a full-length mirror.

“For God’s sake, does she know what she looks like from the rear?”

I wonder, as the zipper on the size 32 slacks I’m attempting to pull over my hips bursts under pressure.

At a cocktail party, I devour a tray of hors d’oeuvres I seize from a passing waiter. I stuff my pockets with petit fours and truffles and chug-a-lug piña coladas straight from the bartender’s blender.

I pull my chair up to the buffet table and wolf down everything in sight while grimacing at a tall, willowy model-type in a slinky red Versace gown, sipping a Perrier and nibbling celery stalks. She is surrounded by a group of slack-jawed men, who stare at her with revulsion.

How sad, I think. Such a pretty face. She would be a knockout if she just gained 75 pounds.

On the back of everyone’s driver’s license, fat would be included with organ donations. What better than a gift of fat?

Turnstiles and airplane seats would comfortably accommodate overweight people, and Victoria’s Secret would offer lacy, sexy, industrial-strength bras. Best of all, “one size fits all” designers would be jailed for false advertising.

I’m in no rush to leave this Earth, but it’s sad that I have to wait until then to experience the benefits of such innovative thinking. ■

And Help Provide Rides and Independence to Homebound Seniors

Supporting Our Seniors (SOS) is a transportation program that provides rides to homebound seniors age 60 and over. Our volunteers provide seniors a ride to the grocery store, pharmacy, and medical appointments, helping them maintain their independence.

We are currently seeking volunteers who have their own vehicle, valid driver’s license, registration, and insurance. We offer flexible schedules and mileage reimbursement.

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Stingy Jack carves out his legacy

By Randal C. Hill

In a tale from ancient Ireland, the local blacksmith in one particular village was a notorious drunk who lied, cheated, played pranks, manipulated people and avoided spending his own money whenever possible. Locals called him Jack the Smith, but behind his back, he was Stingy Jack.

Lucifer, hearing of Jack’s reputation, decided to seek out the rascal. When the devil met him, Jack invited his visitor to the local tavern for a drink.

True to his nickname, Jack claimed to be broke when the drinking was done. The wily scoundrel then convinced Satan to turn himself into a coin so Jack could settle the evening’s tab. The bemused devil did as he was asked, and Jack slipped the coin into his coat pocket—and next to a silver crucifix, which kept Beelzebub from returning to his original form. Jack then left the tavern without paying the bill.

Jack eventually let Lucifer loose, but only after making him promise

multiple times,

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not to bother him for one year. And—oh, yes—not to claim the blacksmith’s soul when the Grim Reaper appeared later.

Jack was still up to his usual schemes one year later. When the devil came to collect the reprobate’s soul, Jack begged for a single last request: a juicy red apple. When Satan climbed a nearby apple tree, Jack hurriedly carved the sign of the cross into the tree’s trunk. As a result, Beelzebub couldn’t return to solid ground until he promised again to leave Jack alone—this time for a full decade.

JACK PLUCKED A TURNIP FROM THE GROUND, CARVED AN OPENING IN IT AND STUCK THE EMBER INSIDE TO CREATE A MAKESHIFT LANTERN.

Predictably, Jack wasted the next 10 years drinking, causing problems and annoying others. When he finally died and met St. Peter at the pearly gates, the good saint turned him away, convinced that God wouldn’t want such a miserable specimen of humanity in heaven.

But when Jack turned up at the gates of hell, the devil—still smarting from the tricks that Jack had played on him earlier—refused to admit him. (After all, Lucifer smugly maintained, that had been part of their original bargain.)

Satan soon came up with his

own way to punish the insufferable miscreant. Giving Jack a single chunk of burning coal from the fires of hell to light his way, he sent him away to “find his own hell” in the netherworld. There, Jack plucked a turnip from the ground, carved an opening in it and stuck the ember inside to create a makeshift lantern. He has tirelessly roamed the Earth ever since, finding neither peace nor a resting place.

In time, the Irish began referring to his ghostly figure as “Jack of the lantern,” which was eventually trimmed to read “jack o’ lantern.” People throughout Great Britain would eventually replicate Jack’s lantern by carving eerie faces into turnips, potatoes, gourds and beets. Eventually, migrants brought the Irish tradition of Stingy Jack to America, and it was here they discovered that pumpkins, native to America, made perfect jack o’ lanterns. ■

A Caring Gift for Those Nearing Retirement

Cities, Castles & Charm of

By Victor Block

he first thing that impressed my wife Fyllis and me about Scotland was its natural beauty.

Both the Highlands and Central Scotland are home to craggy mountains, rolling farmlands dotted by grazing sheep and the still waters of lochs (lakes). We agreed with a poll conducted by Rough Travel Guides that included Scotland among the most beautiful countries in the world.

Contrasting with that tranquility is a history that is replete with battles against a parade of invaders and tyrants. And during pauses among those clashes, high-spirited Scottish warriors took to fighting among themselves at times.

Some chapters of that history come alive at the countless castles that dot the landscape—some of which were built well before Columbus set sail for the New World—and charming towns, each with its own stories to relate.

Stirling Castle is located in a city of the same name. The city is known as the “Gateway to the Highlands.” Its oldest structures date back to the 14th century, and the Royal Palace looks much as it did when it was completed in the 16th century. One ceiling is adorned with original wood-carved medallions that depict images of kings, queens and other notables.

Doune Castle (pronounced Dune) dates back to the 13th century. Its quintessential fortress-like façade ap -

peared in the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” and more recently, in the “Outlander” TV series.

The past also lives in cities and towns, including even the tiniest hamlets that make up in allure what they lack in size.

Inverness sits astride the Ness River, whose source is the loch where the famous fabled monster resides. This is a welcoming, walkable town with numerous inviting cozy restaurants and small shops.

A personal favorite was the Victorian Market, which retains much of its original ornate splendor from 1891. Historic photographs line the walls and independent purveyors—a butcher, fishmonger, watchmaker and some 30 others— add to the ambience.

Dunblane stands on the banks of the Allan Water (River Allan), which powered factories and mills in the past. Exhibits at the compact but outstanding Dunblane Museum trace the area’s history. One thing I found especially fascinating the collection of beggars’ badges which, in the 15th century, identified indigent people who had permission to plead for money.

The pleasant Darn Walk Trail alongside the river links Dunblane with the Bridge of Allan, a 19th-century spa town which traces its history back to a hillside fortress built during the Iron Age.

CITY SIGHTS

Contrasting with towns that are

STRETCHING A MILE THROUGH THE CITY CENTER, EDINBURGH’S STUNNING ARCHITECTURE SERVES AS A BACKDROP TO AN ACTIVE STREET LIFE.

small in size but large in appeal is Edinburgh [pronounced Edin-borough], a magnificent city which in many ways is much more than just a pretty face. The Old Town area earns its accolade as “the heart of Scotland’s capital.”

Stretching a mile through the city center, its stunning architecture serves as a backdrop to an active street life. Entertainers attract crowds of passersby and street musicians add a background of music to the setting.

Edinburgh Castle overlooks the Royal Mile, as it’s known, from a hilltop which has served as a defensive fortress since ancient Roman times. At the opposite end of the road is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the English monarch in Scotland. King Charles III spends one week in res-

idence each summer but was not there when we were, so we couldn’t drop by for tea.

Another favorite site for us was Real Mary King’s Close, a narrow underground thoroughfare which provides a realistic immersion in the past. In the mid-17th century, Edinburgh was confined primarily within its security walls, and housing was built in small thoroughfares called closes, a Scottish word for alley.

These often were named for an occupant or the business or trade of residents, which accounts for signs identifying the advocates, bake house and Old Fish Market closes.

Real Mary King’s Close is named for a merchant who lived there for a decade (1635-1645) along with about 600 other people. The tour delved into Mary’s life, those of people from all social classes and horror tales about Edinburgh’s most deadly plague.

BACK TO NATURE

Another very different site that I suggest should be on a visitor’s wish list is the Trossachs, an area of heavily wooded hills, sprawling valleys and rocky peaks. This landscape in many ways represents a microcosm of Highlands scenery.

While our visit was limited to

a self-driving tour and hike, other activities include animal and bird watching, fishing and enjoying a boat ride on a loch. History lovers may check out prehistoric sites including rock markings, burnt mounds and artificial islands once occupied by lake dwellings. Reliving periods of history is but one of many attractions that invite visitors to Scotland. In an area about equal to that of South Carolina, its treasures include ancient history and architecture, some of Mother Nature’s most splendid handiworks and friendly people eager to share their proud heritage with guests from abroad. ■

visitscotland.com

Stirling Castle stirlingcastle.scot

Doune Castle

historicenvironment.scot/ doune-castle

Victorian Market, Inverness thevictorianmarket.co.uk

Dunblane Museum

dunblanemuseum.org.uk

Edinburgh Castle edinburghcastle.scot

Palace of Holyroodhouse

rct.uk/visit/palace-of-holyroodhouse

Real Mary King’s Close realmarykingsclose.com

Trossachs

lochlomond-trossachs.org

Death and multiplication

By John Vieths

John 12:23-24: “Jesus replied, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.’”

disciples even lived with him.

Jesus

draws a beautiful illustration of his death and makes an emotionally charged prediction of his sufferings here. It may not impress us deeply because we have become more or less comfortable with the idea of his suffering and dying. It’s our own suffering and dying with Jesus that troubles us.

We live in a world obsessed with ending all suffering. Doctors and scientists frantically struggle to hold death off as long as they can. Douglas Taylor-Weiss once suggested that “Eliminate pain” and “Have a good day” and “Be entertained” belong in our culture’s new set of 10 commandments. Preachers of the prosperity gospel suggest that becoming a Christian means the end of putting up with life’s unpleasantries. But suffering, and even dying, are tools the heavenly Father uses to bring glory to his name.

The picture Jesus paints of the seed is not difficult to understand. When it’s planted, it gives up all it has—its entire existence—to support the new plant. The seed itself “dies” and a new plant emerges. But the plant produces a whole crop of new seeds. Death leads to multiplication.

Jesus resembles that seed. Like the seed, Jesus gave up everything. He gave up the privileges of Godhood to live as a common man. He gave up the rights and freedoms of God’s Son to live in obedience under his parents, rabbis and rulers. He gave up his time to teach, heal and love the people of Judea and Galilee. He rarely took a day off. His

Ultimately, he gave up his Father’s love to know God’s anger at our sin. He suffered the hell we deserved. After tasting such spiritual death, he gave up his spirit. When they took his naked body down from the cross (for he had given up even his clothes to the Roman soldiers), they placed it in a borrowed tomb, because he had nothing left to give.

What if Jesus had never died? What if he had been spared all this pain and suffering, and sacrifice? Then he would have remained only a single seed. That would certainly have been easier for Jesus. But you and I would have no spiritual existence—at least not a positive one. Our sin made that impossible without him.

“But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” In God’s heavenly system of accounting, Jesus’ death cancels all the debt we owe for our sins. It sets us free from death itself. It may look weak and worthless, yet this great act of love has such power that the mere news of it miraculously takes hold of human hearts. It transforms rebellious sinners into believing children of God. In all this world, there is no greater power than Christ’s own self-sacrificing love.

You and I are the seeds Jesus’ loving sacrifice produced. We are the adopted sons and daughters of God, and we are only a small part of the family. It is so big—a harvest so fruitful—that when the Apostle John saw it in the book of Revelation, he described it as a great multitude no one could count.

This is the glory of our Savior’s death. It makes it possible to fear our own less as well. ■

Nourish your faith in between Sundays by reading more of John’s writings at BitsOfBread.org.

These social media

Social media is my favorite form of communication. Of course, there are countless downsides and ways to misuse and abuse it, but social media is the only form of communication that can simultaneously transcend time and space.

This month, I’ll focus on the positive side of social media and hopefully provide some valuable tips and insights into how you can stay better connected with friends and family.

COMMUNICATION TYPES

Communication is fascinating. Men greet each other with a simple glance and thrust of the chin. Civil War soldiers wrote flowery three-page letters to talk about the weather and the day’s events. And today, people fall in love and break up over text messages using memes and emojis.

All previous forms of communication have been limited.

Words on paper open the imagination and allow the writer to create images and appeal to the emotions of the reader. But it’s time-sensitive and half-duplex, meaning sending and receiving the message cannot happen simultaneously.

Audio provides a fuller experience and it can travel over great distances and be consumed live. But it’s often one-way. Take a radio listener, conference speaker, or a concert, for example.

Visual communication provides the most complete quantity of information in the most efficient way, but it stifles the imagination and is inherently one-way. In-person communication is wonderful, but it can only happen in person. Telephones are perfect for timely conversations and frequent updates, but they leave no record, video or transcript.

Social media simultaneously documents the past, establishes a full-duplex form of two-way

communication in the present, and provides a venue for preparing us for future events.

CONSIDER THESE SITES

I once heard someone explain that social media platforms fit into three groups: what you plan to do, what you’re doing right at this moment and what you’ve done in the past.

Facebook is, by far, the most popular form of social media, but it’s not always the best fit for every situation. Instagram is a fantastic way to post pictures and updates to the masses or to individuals, but it is also owned by Facebook, as is WhatsApp and the new Twitter alternative called Threads.

2. Reddit has been around longer than most other social media platforms, but it has withstood the test of time for a reason. It is an archive of questions, discussions, jokes, articles and data dumps on every topic imaginable.

Reddit doesn’t try to do everything. The service is for posting content and creating both live and delayed conversations for public consumption.

3. Discord is probably the nerdiest social media platform. It’s a small social media network for groups of people with similar interests. Discord is commonly used by people who play online video games, students and people in the tech industry. Slack is a close cousin that is very similar in purpose, but its user interface and functionality lend themselves more to businesses.

conversations into threads so that everyone can see what’s happening without wires getting crossed.

4. Nextdoor is probably the simplest social media platform to understand and use. It is designed for a very precise audience: neighbors. Nextdoor allows people who are connected geographically to connect in small social networks. Users can advertise their small businesses, ask about services, remind each other about important community events and it’s fast becoming the best and most popular platform for local classified ads.

There are four social media platforms that I think people should use more often for communication:

1. Marco Polo is one of my favorites. The service allows both delayed and simultaneous video updates using smartphone video.

Think of it as a video text message service that can also be used as a video calling service. If you want to show someone what you’re up to in real time, you can activate your camera and start talking. If the audience is available, they can watch live. If not, the video will be available immediately.

Unlike Instagram and YouTube, Marco Polo is designed to be personal for a small audience. It’s a great app for families who are spread out to keep in touch.

Either tool is great for groups of people who work on multiple projects, topics, events or subjects simultaneously. For example, if a church group has various committees that are all working on multiple events, Slack or Discord can be used to separate the topics and

BY ADAM COCHRAN

To get the best out of social media, it’s best to focus on why you need to communicate the message, who you need to communicate with, when it needs to be communicated and where the audience can best be reached. Nobody should feel obligated to use all forms of social media or any form at all, but it’s important to understand that avoiding social media means avoiding access to the most real-time and interactive form of communication ever invented. ■

AVOIDING SOCIAL MEDIA MEANS AVOIDING ACCESS TO THE MOST REAL-TIME AND INTERACTIVE FORM OF COMMUNICATION EVER INVENTED.

Harps, hammers and joy

By April Fitzgerald

Whena catastrophic failure left their fifth wheel’s axle inside their closet, Robin Freed and her husband were stranded in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Bored and attempting to make the best of their situation, they attended a hammered dulcimer festival. Freed was so intrigued by the instrument that she bought one that day.

The dulcimer is a trapezoid-shaped instrument that originated in the Middle Ages. It’s made of strings, a soundboard and a stand. Much like a piano, a small hammer is used to hit the strings.

Freed studied the organ and piano in her youth, which came

in handy when she took up the dulcimer. She taught herself to play and pursued musical opportunities whenever she could. A few years later, she bought her first harp.

“I was able to take private lessons and group lessons and concerts with the real masters of folk harp,” recalled Freed, 67.

When Freed and her husband moved back to Montrose in 2014,

she eagerly began teaching piano, harp and dulcimer. Her students, who span from children to adults in their 80s, don’t need to worry about finding an instrument. Her home abounds with harps and dulcimers of all sizes that students are welcome to borrow or use during lessons.

“I want to make sure that anyone who wants to play, we find a way that they can play,” said Freed, 67. Mary Loncar, 71, started playing the harp at Freed’s urging.

“Robin said, ‘Why don’t you just sit down at the harp? Why don’t you just, you know, strum the harp?’ Pretty soon, I was playing at nursing homes,” Loncar said with a laugh. “She pushes us in a lovely way!”

Charlotte Powers, 74, started performing after just a month or two of lessons.

“Robin is an excellent teacher, but she doesn’t let any grass grow under your feet!” she said. “I started in September and by November,

she says, ‘I think you should play in the Christmas concert.’”

Freed and her students hone their skills while bringing joy to others by playing at nursing homes, hospitals, libraries and local events. For Karen Nicholson, 80, that joy complements her own satisfaction as she continues to learn a new skill.

Research shows that playing music benefits older adults’ cognitive health. Freed’s students believe it helps in other ways too.

“This instrument brings calmness to people in pain and in sadness that I don’t think any other instrument could do,” said Loncar.

Freed’s lessons gives Joey VanderLaan a reason to learn with her 7-year-old granddaughter. Plus, playing the harp distracts her from pain.

“I have bad knees. You get used to [the pain], but when I play the harp, I forget,” said VanderLaan, 67. Other than learning and performing, Powers’ favorite thing about the group is the fellowship of the other players.

“I love these ladies. These are some of my best friends,” said Powers.

For more information, contact Freed at RobinFreed@HarpsAndHammers.com or call 970-2758996. ■

Freed and her students bring joy to others by playing at nursing homes, hospitals, libraries and local events like BeaconFest (above).

Aspen Ridge Special Care Center makes every moment meaningful

By Heidi Pool

It’s been nearly two years since Leo made the heart-wrenching decision to place his wife of 56 years, Mary, at Aspen Ridge Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Grand Junction.

“Driving away from her that first day was the most painful thing I’ve ever done,” he recalled.

But knowing Mary is in capable hands brings Leo great comfort.

“I believe she has a much better quality of life at Aspen Ridge than she would have at home with me,” he said. “I can’t say enough about the phenomenal care she receives.”

Established in 2004, Aspen Ridge currently houses 40 residents, with a capacity of about 50. Its classic, inviting furnishings evoke an elegant manor. Stone fireplaces in the two living areas, as well as paned windows punctuated with elegant fabric valances, contribute to an overall cozy atmosphere. Nostalgic music plays in the background, and residents are welcome to move freely throughout the facility at any time, including out to an enclosed courtyard that boasts a front-andcenter view of the Bookcliffs.

HONORING LIFE STORIES

The foundation of Aspen Ridge’s memory care is their Meaningful Moments® program.

“We work with the family of every new resident to develop a

personal history that’s incorporated into their care plan,” said Community Resource Director Ivone Rodriguez.

The underlying principle of Meaningful Moments is those suffering from dementia haven’t lost the capacity to experience joy, and are still able to lead meaningful lives. Staff members learn everything there is to know about each resident—their passions, achievements, careers, family, hobbies and interests. This unique approach helps bond caregivers to every resident, enabling them to see beyond the person’s current condition and recognize them for the extraordinary individual they are.

“It’s all about honoring the life stories of our residents,” Rodriguez explained.

Staff members also undergo extensive training about dementia itself: how it affects an individual’s brain and behaviors, attitudes towards caregivers and even eating preferences. In Mary’s case, dementia has caused her to become profoundly combative, and Leo is consistently impressed by her caregivers’ patience.

“They approach Mary’s behavior in a nonconfrontational way, and are very skilled at diverting her attention,” he said.

ENGAGING ACTIVITIES

Aspen Ridge residents enjoy a host

of activities like chair yoga, table volleyball, arts and crafts, cooking classes, therapy dog sessions, movie nights and a weekly live performance from local entertainers. A favorite among residents and staff alike is a visit from the animals at Harmony Acres Equestrian Center.

“We’ve had alpacas, miniature horses, rabbits, a baby burro and even a diaper-wearing goat,” said Rodriguez.

For Leo, the knowledge that Mary is where she needs to be has

greatly reduced his own stress.

“Everyone at Aspen Ridge has been very kind to me and my family. And the quality of attention and care Mary receives is deeply reassuring,” he said. ■

HOW TO CHOOSE A CARE FACILITY

If, like Leo, you come to the realization you can no longer properly care for your loved one at home, Rodriguez has four suggestions for evaluating care facilities. Find this story at BeaconSeniorNews.com/ aspen-ridge-meaningfulmoments or call us to request it

5 tips to safeguard yourself from fraud

By Natalie Campisi, Forbes Advisor

Fraud is often so well-disguised that it’s usually too late by the time you realize you’ve been duped. One familiar scenario is getting a phishing email from a bank imposter. Some fraudulent emails look so authentic it’s nearly impossible to distinguish them from an actual bank email. Romance scams

According to Federal Trade Commission data, imposter scams were the most common method of fraud in the U.S. during the first quarter of 2023. Romance scams, a type of imposter scam where a criminal adopts a fake online identity to gain a victim’s affection and trust, accounted losses totaling $1.3 billion in the last five years.

Typically, scammers prey on your fears—saying your account

has been hacked, for instance. They might also use the “ticking time bomb” approach to get you to act fast, before you have a chance to think. Before you know it, you’re clicking on a misleading link and giving over sensitive information.

Vigilance is key. Here are a few simple guidelines to help you sidestep con games.

1. Be suspicious of all incoming calls, emails and other communication

Assume any incoming communication is fraudulent. If you receive an email, phone call or letter, don’t respond. Instead, contact the source of the mes-

sage—whether it’s a bank, the IRS or some other entity—using a verified channel. Don’t use the phone number, link, website address or email provided in the incoming communication; those details could be fraudulent.

2. Don’t trust caller ID

Scammers can spoof caller ID to make their cons look authentic. Don’t assume you’re being called

by the business or person identified on the screen.

3. Don’t be tempted by prizes or free cash

Scammers often use prizes or promises of free cash to lure people into divulging their private information. One frequent tactic is asking a victim to pay a small fee in exchange for a prize.

4. Block unwanted calls and text messages

Protect yourself and your family members—including minors and older relatives who may be more susceptible to scams—by filtering and blocking spam calls and texts. Both iPhones and Androids have useful settings that will weed out spam and lessen the threat of scams.

You can also use call-blocking apps to filter spam calls and robocalls. Check the Cellular Telephone Industries Association website (ctia.org) for options from various wireless providers.

5. Don’t let yourself be scared into acting

Many con artists rely on fear to motivate victims. They may say they’re from the government, claim you owe money and threaten to repossess your car or

Getting Good Dental Insurance Over 65 Is Like Pulling

Halloween décor is emerging all over town and large bags of sweet temptations are appearing on grocery store shelves. If you purchase candy for trick or treaters, it may be a good idea to do so as close to Halloween as possible so you’re less likely to nibble as much.

Sugar has a larger impact on our bodies as we get older, especially our dental health. Medicare does not include routine dental coverage. Most Medicare Advantage plans offer routine cleaning and x-rays with limited coverage for other dental services. Individual dental insurance is available, but it’s often expensive and coverage is limited.

This may be a good time to evaluate your dental hygiene routines and take inventory of your oral health.

At SHIP, we strive to keep you informed about the ins and outs of Medicare and give you the tools to ensure positive health outcomes.

Call us to schedule a free Medicare counseling session with one of our State Certified Medicare Counselors today! 970-243-9839, ext. 1.

Trick-or-Treat Etiquette

If you want kids in your neighborhood to come to your door for treats, make sure your porch light is operational and turned on. If you’d rather not participate or you’ve run out of candy, leave your porch light off. Kids generally take that as a sign not to come knocking.

house if you don’t pay up. Before you act, always verify the caller’s identity. Simply hang up the phone and call the department or organization yourself, using a known phone number—one printed on a paper bill, for exam -

ple—to check the information. Many times you’ll find the original call was a scam. ■

This article was reprinted with permission from Forbes Advisor. View the original article and more fraud statistics at Forbes.com/advisor/ credit-cards/most-scammed-statesin-america

TYPICALLY, SCAMMERS PREY ON YOUR FEARS—SAYING YOUR ACCOUNT HAS BEEN HACKED, FOR INSTANCE.

Need Answers on Aging Services?

Searching our roots

How genealogy became one of America’s favorite hobbies

By David Wilkening

WhenI first met Alex Haley, the author of “Roots: The Saga of an American Family,” at the Walt Disney-owned Polynesian Hotel in Orlando, I asked him what was behind the growing popularity of genealogy. His answer was basically, “curiosity.”

“People of all ages, both young and old, always want to know who came before them and it’s a basic human question that helps us know who we really are,” said the best-selling author.

Genealogy, or the study of ancestors and descendants, is now one of the world’s most popular hobbies. It has become the second most popular in the U.S., behind only gardening, according to Time magazine.

Oddly enough, both hobbies deal with roots.

Why did this happen? First, let’s look at Haley, who certainly did not invent the trend but was a prime force behind it.

When I met Haley years ago, it was in early fall—soon after “Roots” was published in October 1976. I was a newspaper reporter on an assignment. I never spoke to Haley again but did closely follow his career.

While he gained fame and fortune from the book that traced his own slave family’s history, it was a bittersweet experience. “Roots” derived from the tales told by his grandmother and aunts. It documented that oral tradition with slave and birth records. Within seven months of its publication, “Roots” had sold more than 1.5

million copies.

A television series based on the book, telling of Haley’s efforts to trace his family back to 1760s Africa, aired in January 1977, breaking viewership records at that time. Haley’s book, which mingled historical facts with creative interpretations, was described as having “sparked an explosion of interest” in genealogy and family history research.

“Roots” was eventually published in 37 languages. Haley won a special Pulitzer Prize in 1977. The same year, “Roots” was adapted as a popular television miniseries of the same name by ABC. The serial reached a record-breaking 130 million viewers.

Writer and television historian Les Brown wrote that the mini-series “emptied theaters, filled bars, caused social events to be canceled and was the talk of the nation during the eight consecutive nights it played on ABC.”

Haley became a huge celebrity. But unfortunately, as “Roots” grew in popularity, awkward questions swirled. Haley was sued for plagiarism, which he settled out of court.

Much worse (and much more public) were the growing questions from historians and journalists, who questioned Haley’s research, pointing out that the dates he claimed were impossible and that several of his characters hadn’t even existed.

Haley died in 1992 after a heart attack. He was 70 years old.

Some say genealogy has gained popularity in the United States because we are a blend of various nationalities and cultures. Others suggest that humans everywhere have an innate desire to know in what country, and with whom, their physical roots lie. Others point out that studying our ancestors is nothing new—it goes back

thousands of years.

“The fascination goes back to antiquity,” sociologist Eviatar Zerubavel told LiveScience. “Royalty, for example, and nobility were very obsessed with creating genealogies that would link them to heroes.”

Prior to Haley, finding your ancestors was time-consuming and expensive. Today, thanks to the many companies and organizations offering their help, it’s far more available. Not to mention there are some legitimate “free” services such as Ancestry.com and others.

In what was perhaps his most frequently quoted remark on the subject, Haley explained its popularity by saying: “In all of us there is a hunger, marrow-deep, to know our heritage—to know who we are and where we have come from. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning.”

And there’s also curiosity. ■

Where to get FREE genealogy help

GRAND JUNCTION

The FamilySearch Center

2881 Orchard Ave., Grand Junction (inside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)

Open Tuesday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday 10 a.m.7 p.m., Saturday 1-4 p.m.

Call 970-243-2782 for details

Mesa County Genealogical Society

Get free one-on-one help at Mesa County Libraries on the first Friday of every month. Visit Mesa CountyLibraries.org to register, or call 970-243-4442

• October 6, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. -

Fruita Branch

• November 3, 2-4 p.m. -

Palisade Branch

• December 1, 1-3 p.m.Central Library, Grand Junction

The club also meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Koinonia Church. Call 303549-4398 to verify meeting time beforehand.

DELTA

Digging Your Roots Genealogy Group

This group meets at Cedaredge Library, 180 SW 6th Ave., at 10:30 a.m. on the 4th Friday of every month. Call 970-399-7674 or visit deltalibraries.org for details.

MONTROSE

Montrose Family Search Center

1251 Hillcrest Drive, Montrose

Open 1-4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

Call 970-249-4739 for details

Fore-Kin Trails Genealogical Society meets at Montrose Genealogy Center, 700 E. Main St., from 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. Call 970-240-1755 for details.

TODAY, THANKS TO THE MANY COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS OFFERING HELP, GENEALOGY IS FAR MORE ACCESSIBLE

“Monster Mash”

The story behind the Halloween smash hit

By Randal C. Hill

In summer 1973, Bobby “Boris”

Pickett’s original “Monster Mash” (released this time on Parrot Records) reached the Top 10 for a second time. Its first success had come about 11 years earlier, when Pickett’s platter shot all the way to number one.

Pickett sang lead with a Hollywood band called the Cordials. One evening, while performing the old Diamonds’ hit “Little Darlin’,” Pickett delivered the song’s monologue in the low-pitched voice of horror movie icon Boris Karloff. The audience loved the spoof and fellow Cordial Lenny Capizzi encouraged Pickett to keep up the fun. Eventually, the two musicians, who were both horror movie fans, decided that such goofiness could be developed into a Halloween novelty tune.

And, boy, were they right!

Their original title was “Monster Twist,” but at the time Chubby Checker’s “The Twist” was fading and being replaced by Dee Dee Sharp’s dance disc, “Mashed Potato Time.” The duo altered the lyrics

I was working in the lab late one night when my eyes beheld an eerie

For my monster from his slab began to rise, and suddenly to my

(He did the mash) He did the

(The Monster Mash) It was a graveyard smash

(He did the mash) It caught on in a flash

(He did the mash) He did the Monster Mash

The lyrics are, of course, based on Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel “Frankenstein.” In Pickett’s rendition, a benevolent monster throws a dance party that features other

horror-based creatures of lore, such as Dracula and the Wolfman.

Pickett and Capizzi’s taped demo came to the attention of Gary S. Paxton, a Los Angeles record producer whose initial success had been the 1960 million-selling “Alley-Oop” by the Hollywood Argyles. For the Pickett-Capizzi ditty in 1962 (which would also top the Billboard chart), Paxton created his own label, Garpax Records.

The female voices heard in the background came via the Darlene Love-led studio outfit, The Blossoms. (You’re hearing the same group in The Crystals’ “He’s a Rebel.”). Leon Russell played piano on that eventful day.

Paxton devised the sound effects for the one-hour recording session. A coffin lid creaking open was created by pulling a nail out of a two-by-four. Bubbles from a cauldron came by blowing through a straw in a glass of water. Dropping chains onto the studio floor provided the clatter of clanking shackles.

A hastily assembled Garpax album, “The Original Monster Mash” made the LP Top 20 and included such blessedly-now-forgotten tracks as “Blood Bank Blues,” “Graveyard Shift,” “Transylvania Twist” and “Me and My Mummy.”

Pickett’s novelty became a runaway hit. His follow-up track, “Monster’s Holiday”—where the creatures were now enjoying a Christmas party—hit the Top 30. For years after that, Pickett tried to wring one more success from his one-hit wonder. He released “Monster Swim,” “Monster Man Jam,” “Monster Concert” and, perhaps inevitably, “Monster Rap.” Each sank without a trace.

Pickett claimed that his “Monster Mash” sold four million copies.

“I’ve been paid,” he once said, “so I’m gonna believe it.” ■

Herb Alpert & Lani Hall

Inspiring icons come to The Avalon on Oct 15

By Miriam Singer

Herb Alpert was in the news recently when Taylor Swift became the second living recording artist in history to have four albums in the Top 10 Billboard 200. Herb Alpert was the first.

Creator and innovator, musician and producer, artist and philanthropist, Alpert has a profound passion. He was drawn to the trumpet in a music appreciation class in his elementary school when he was 8 years old. He was very shy and the trumpet became his voice.

At 88, Alpert is energized every morning thinking about what he’s going to sculpt, paint or play on his trumpet; or where he, his wife Lani Hall and their band will be performing on their tour. Lucky for us, they’re coming to Grand Junction’s Avalon Theatre on October 15.

THAT TIJUANA BRASS

Alpert co-founded A&M Records with his friend, the late Jerry Moss. But before that, Alpert began his musical career writing songs with his friend Lou Adler. Together, they penned Sam Cooke’s big hit, “Wonderful World.”

Alpert is best known for leading Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, which got its name after Alpert felt the excitement of the crowd at a bullfight in Tijuana, Mexico. When he returned home to LA, he wanted to capture that energy and sound of the mariachi brass band that played. He experimented with layering his trumpet recordings in his garage studio until he got it just right. The resulting song, “The Lonely Bull,” ascended the charts like a rocket.

Success wasn’t the only thing Alpert found through music. Alpert first met Hall when Sérgio Mendes

and Brasil ’66 showed up to record at A&M Records with her as their lead singer. Brasil ’66 later became the opening act for Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass.

Hall’s emotional vocals propelled Brasil ’66 to international stardom. Working hard on their musical paths, Hall and Alpert found themselves in each other’s hearts.

SEE THEM LIVE

Alpert is the only recording artist in history to have a #1 hit as a singer (“This Guy’s in Love with You,” 1968) and as an instrumentalist (“Rise,” 1979).

Multi-GRAMMY award winners

Alpert and Hall, along with pianist Bill Cantos, bassist Hussain Jiffry and drummer Tiki Pasillas, will perform at Grand Junction’s Avalon Theatre on Sunday, October 15 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com or by calling the Avalon Box Office at 970-263-5757.

Alpert and Hall perform a mix of some classic Tijuana Brass, Brazilian jazz, The Beatles, American standards and Brasil ’66 songs, while a screen displays hundreds of photos and videos from their music careers.

“I like to make uplifting music. I get energy from a concert. I have this opportunity to make people feel good,” said Alpert. ■

CALENDAR MeSa County

October 7

October 5

King ’n’ Trio

King ’n’ Trio’s signature harmonies and traditional folk sounds are uplifting and loved by fans of all ages. See them perform at the Avalon in support of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) Chapter DY, which provides scholarships to women seeking education. Tickets available online or at the box office.

7 p.m. | 645 Main St. | $20 | ava lontheatregj.com | 970-263-5757

Auto Parts SWAP Meet

Rev up to support this buy-and-sell auto parts fundraiser hosted by Wheels West Car Club and Moose Lodge #270. Browse a wide selection of auto parts and accessories. Food will be prepared by Women of the Moose. Call for vendor information.

8 a.m.-3 p.m. | 507 25 1/2 Road | Free | wheelswestcarclub.org | 720-473-3621

October 7

Turkey Roost Car & Bike Show

Get ready for a thrilling showcase of horsepower and two-wheeled wonders at this annual fundraiser supporting local veterans. It’s not just a spectacle for the eyes—there will be music, food and drinks at Eagles Aerie 595. Vendor pre-registration is encouraged!

October 6

Kiwanis Golf Challenge

Tee up for Kiwanis’ Golf Challenge at Adobe Creek Golf Course to benefit Mesa County Kids. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a novice, the scramble format ensures that everyone has a chance to shine.

1 p.m. | 876 18 1/2 Road, Fruita | $85 | kiwanis-gj.org/golfchallenge | 970-985-2219

October 6

9 a.m.-3 p.m. | 1674 US Hwy 50 | Free | 970-640-4646

October 7

Clifton Library GrandOpening

Uncover our communty’s newest gem and discover what’s inside this state-of-the-art haven for bookworms and learners of all ages. Tour the new library, and bring the family for activities, cake, food trucks and music by the Centennial Band and Super Fox. Magician Danny Baker will perform at 1:45 p.m.

11 a.m.-3 p.m. | 3270 D 1/2 Road | Free | mesacountylibraries.org | 970-243-4442

October 7

Cloudspotting

October 12

An Evening at EUREKA! Explore and get to know about EUREKA! Science Museum during Chinle Cactus & Succulent Society’s monthly program.

6:30-8:30 p.m. | 1400 N. 7th St. | Free | 970-773-7637 | chinlecactus club.org

October 13-14

Indoor Yard Sale

Prepare to unearth hidden treasures and fantastic deals at the Moose Lodge’s indoor sale. On the last day, everything will be free after 2 p.m. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | 567 25 ½ Road | Free | 970-242-4754

October 14

Walk to End Alzheimer’s Lace up your sneakers and join the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Colorado Mesa University Plaza. This event is more than just a walk; it’s a movement of hope, unity, and determination. By raising awareness and donating to support dementia research and

October 14-15

October 21

Fall Day on the Farm

Bring the grandkids to Cross Orchards to celebrate fall’s harvest! There will be an array of local vendors and farm stands, food trucks, museum exhibits, train rides and more. Don’t forget to take home some freshly pressed cider!

9 a.m.-3 p.m. | 3073 Patterson Road | $6 seniors, $5 kids | museumof westernco.com | 970-242-0971

October 20-22

Friends of the Library Book Sale

Calling all book lovers! Support your local library while expanding your personal library at Friends of the

Garden Party

Join Hilltop and the BEACON for a special outdoor concert and dance beneath the stars! Sway to big band hits performed by Clark Gault’s Swing City Express, accompanied by a BBQ dinner served by the kitchens of Hilltop from 5-6 p.m.

5-8 p.m. | 625 27 ½ Road | Free; $15 for dinner | 970-244-0422

In this tour of the sky by Gavin Pretor-Pinney, learn how to recognize dramatic cloud formations, from the fair-weather cotton tufts known as cumulus to the flying-saucer shaped lenticularis. He explains why clouds look the way they do, how they reveal the invisible movements of our atmosphere, and why spending a few moments each day with your head in the clouds helps you keep your feet on the ground.

6:30 p.m. | 1248 Houston Ave. | $15 | cloudappreciationsociety.org

Grand Junction Air Show

This weekend event at Grand Junction Regional Airport features a variety of military and non-military aircraft, including a number of aerial performers and the world-renowned U.S. Navy Blue Angels headlining both days. Tickets for veterans are $15 and are available only in person. See story page 6 for details.

9 a.m. | 1455 N. 12th St. | $30+ adults, $10+ kids | gjairshow. com | 970-243-0456

caregivers, we can make Alzheimer’s a memory of the past.

9:30 a.m. | 1455 N. 12th St. | Donation | act.alz.org | 720-699-9307

October 21

Virtuosic Solo Piano Works

Russian-Armenian pianist Anna Arzumanyan returns to CMU’s Love Recital Hall for a captivating recital, showcasing her unparalleled talent and masterful command of the instrument. The program will feature works by Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Khachatryan and others.

3 -5 p.m. | 1100 North Ave. | $17 | westernslopeconcertseries.org | 970-234-5661

The Power of the Long White Cane

Library’s fall sale. This sale features books, DVDs, CDs and special collections at prices you won’t want to miss. The bag sale will be from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. All sales are cash only.

9 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday & Friday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday | 1425 N. 5th St. | Free | mesacountylibraries.org | 970-243-4442

October 21

Spaghetti Dinner

Savor the flavor of compassion at Covenant Presbyterian Church’s spaghetti dinner fundraiser. Dinner includes spaghetti, a garden salad, French bread and dessert.

4-7 p.m. | 237 32 Road | $10 adults, $5 kids, free under 5 | 970-434-5683

October 24

SHIP Walk-In Day

Certified SHIP Counselors can help you review your Medicare Part D coverage or your Medicare Advantage plan to make sure you have the best coverage in 2024. Walk in or call to schedule an appointment.

9 a.m.-2 p.m. | 422 White Ave., Suite 90 | Free | 970-243-9839

October 26

Probate Seminar

Selling a loved one’s property is a difficult task to manage while grieving the loss of your loved one. In this free seminar by Ireland Stapleton attorneys

Russell Kemp and Sarah Abbott, and local real estate agents

Brandi Vigil and Mike Chavez, you’ll learn the responsibilities of a personal representative, how to maximize the return on assets for the estate, and how to alleviate stress involved with the probate process. Appetizers and drinks are included.

4-6 p.m. | 743 Horizon Drive | Free | direc.to/jKgw | 303-628-3688

October 26-28

Harvest Illuminated

See spectacular illuminated pumpkin sculptures created by artists from around the world, including Willy Tuz, a renowned local artist and carver featured on Food Network’s “Outrageous Pumpkins” and “Halloween Wars.” Proceeds from the event benefit STRiVE’s person-centered programs, serving children and adults with disabilities.

5-8 p.m. Thursday, 5-9 p.m. Friday & Saturday | 655 Struthers Ave. | $25+ adults, $15+ kids, free under 5 | strivecolorado.org | 970-243-3702

October 27-29

Raising Awareness Event

“Sleeping Beauty” Ballet

Fall under the spell of this fairy tale classic by Colorado West Performing Arts Company at the Avalon. This classic ballet features local children in supporting roles, with professional dancers taking the stage in dazzling tutus and tiaras.

2 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 7 p.m. Friday & Saturday | 645 Main St. | $25+ | coloradowest pac.org | 970-314-2226

October 28

Spooktacular

Head to Downtown Grand Junction for trick-or-treating, a costume parade, fun activities and more!

3-5 p.m. | Main Street, Grand Junction | Free | down towngj.org | 970-245-9697 ■

Accessibility

CLUBS MeSa County

American Association of University Women programs advocate for women and girls.

2nd Saturday | 11:30 a.m. | 970-241-9684

Art Quilt Association meets at Redlands Community Center.

3rd Saturdays | 9:30-11 a.m. | theartquiltassociation.com

Bookcliff Barbershop Chorus welcomes men of all ages to sing at First Baptist Church, 720 Grand Ave. Tuesdays | 7-9 p.m. | 970-257-7664

Bookcliff Duplicate Bridge Club plays at 636 31 Road. Call ahead. Fridays | 12:30 p.m. | 970-244-9989

Chatfield Country Kickers meets for square and round dancing at VFW #3981, 503 Florence Road.

1st & 3rd Saturdays | 7-10 p.m. | 970-434-0868

Chinle Cactus Club meets at Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 536 Ouray Ave.

2nd Thursdays | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | chinlecactusclub.org

Citizens’ Climate Lobby advocates for climate change solutions. 970-250-4832 | grandjunction@ citizensclimatelobby.org

Clifton Book Club discusses book selections at Clifton Library, 590 32 Road.

2nd Tuesday | 10-11 a.m. | mesa countylibraries.org

Colorado Archaeological Society meets monthly. Call for location.

4th Wednesday | 4:30 p.m. | 970-250-7402

Colorado West Quilters’ Guild meets at First Christian Church, 1326 N. 1st St.

2nd Wednesday | 7 p.m. | 970-2452522

Commemorative Air Force, Rocky Mountain Wing, honors military aviation at air shows and its museum at 780 Heritage Way, Gate 10. Call ahead.

2nd Saturday | 10 a.m. | 970-2560693 | rmwcaf.org

Community Bible Study meets at First Presbyterian Church, 3940 27 1/2 Road, starting September 7. Thursdays | 9:30-11:30 a.m. | 303263-4391 | grandjunction.cbsclass. org

Crafting Club meets at Clifton Library, 590 32 Road.

3rd Tuesday | 2-3 p.m. | 970-434-6936

Cribbage Lite plays at IHOP near Mesa Mall, 2420 Hwy 6 & 50. Tuesdays | 5:30 p.m. | 970-201-7823

Daughters of the American Revolution, Mount Garfield Chapter, celebrates patriotism and champions education. Club meets monthly. 970-250-7401

Desert Vista Garden Club is open to all women. Call for location.

1st Wednesday | 1 p.m. | 303-6531941

Embroiderers’ Guild of America, Desert West Chapter, meets at Appleton Christian Church.

1st Tuesdays | 9:30 a.m. | 970-858-2002

Explorer’s Bible Study, open to all women, meets at Redlands Community Church, 2327 S. Broadway.

Wednesdays | 9:30-11:15 a.m. | 970-260-0880

Fleet Reserve Association meets at VFW #3981, 503 Florence Road. Former, retired and active sea service, Navy, Marines or Coast Guard welcome.

2nd Wednesday | 1 p.m. | 970-434-0868

Friendship Force promotes travel and cultural understanding through home stays. Club meets at New Covenant Baptist Church, 3196 F Road.

3rd Saturday | 2 p.m. | 214-5362250 | ffwcolo.com

Grand Junction Brush & Palette meets at The Art Center, 1803 N. 7th St.

3rd Thursday | 1 p.m. | brushand paletteclub.org

Grand Junction Gem & Mineral Club meets at 2328 Monument Road.

2nd Thursday & 4th Thursday | 7 p.m. | grandjunctionrockclub.org

Grand Junction Modeleers flying club meets at 427 Sherman Drive.

2nd Tuesday | 6 p.m. | gjmodeleers. com

Grand Junction Petroleum & Mining Club meets at Grand Junction Convention Center.

3rd Thursday | 6:30 p.m. | grandjunctionpmc.com

Grand Junction Stamp Club meets at White Star Electric, 803 Winters Ave.

2nd Wednesday | 7 p.m. | 970-986-1502

Grand Junction Symphony Guild meets at First Presbyterian Church, 3940 271/2 Road.

4th Friday | 9:30 a.m. | sheri@mei. net

Grand Junction Toastmasters promotes communication and leadership skills.

Tuesdays at 6:45 a.m. | Thursdays at 12 p.m. | 970-241-1900

Grand Slam Bridge Club plays at Redlands Community Center. Beginners welcome.

Mondays | 12:15 p.m. | 970-2168807 | sharon7nt@gmail.com

Grand Valley Kennel Club meets at Pawsitive Directions, 571 32 Road, Clifton.

3rd Monday | 6:30 p.m. | grand valleykennelclub.org | 970-256-1938

Grand Valley Pets Alive reduces the homeless population of dogs and cats. Volunteers meet at Church of the Nativity, 2175 Broadway.

3rd Wednesday | 2-3:30 p.m. | 970-462-7554 | grandvalleypets alive.org

Grand Valley Valor Quilters meets at the Eagles Lodge, 1674 Hwy 50.

3rd Monday | 9:30 a.m. | 970-2700804 | valorquilters@gmail.com

Grand Valley Woodcarvers meets at Redlands United Methodist Church, 527 Village Way.

4th Wednesday | 1 p.m. | 970-2458817 or 970-257-1549

Grand Valley Woodturners meets at Redlands United Methodist Church, 527 Village Way.

2nd Tuesday | 7 p.m. | 970-245-8817 or 970-856-3632

Great Old Broads for Wilderness inspires activism to preserve and protect wilderness and wild lands. 970-986-8129 | marymccutchan4@ gmail.com

Guitar Club meets at First Christian Church, 1326 N. 1st St. Mondays | 6 p.m. | revkevgj@gmail. com | 970-778-5473

3rd St.

2nd Thursday | 6:30 p.m. | 970-270-6162

Knights of Columbus #13621 meets at Immaculate Heart of Mary, 790 261/2 Road.

1st Tuesday | 7 p.m. | 970-640-3263

Masonic Mesa Lodge #55 AF & AM meets at 2400 Consistory Ct.

1st Thursday | 6 p.m. | 970-2452277 | mesa55@masonicfamilygj. org

Mesa County Genealogical Society meets at Koinonia Church. Call to confirm meeting time.

2nd Thursday | 7 p.m. | 303-5494398 | mesacountygenealogy.org

Mesa Fiber Arts Guild meets monthly at First Congregational Church, 1425 N. 5th St.

4th Saturday | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | mesafiberartsguild.org

Not Going Quietly, a space of empowerment and grace for adults 60+, meets at Koinonia, 730 25 Road.

2nd & 4th Tuesday | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | 970-433-7799 | cslgj.org

Orchard Mesa Lions Club meets at the Eagles Lodge, 1674 Hwy 50. 1st & 3rd Monday | 7 p.m. | 970-208-7228

Questers, Grand Mesa Peaches, hosts speakers on collecting and restoring antiques. 970-256-9580

River City Singles meets at the Moose Lodge, 567 25 1/2 Road, with fun activities for singles over 50.

Fridays | 4:30 p.m. | 970-261-2232

Rotary Club of Grand Junction meets at Bookcliff Country Club, 2730 G Road.

Wednesdays | 12-1:15 p.m. | 970-234-5030

970-257-3760

Veterans of Foreign Wars #1247 Auxiliary meets at 1404 Ute Ave.

3rd Sunday | 2 p.m. | 970-242-9940

Veterans of Foreign Wars #3981 meets at 503 Florence Road.

1st Wednesday | 5:30 p.m. | 970-778-8242

Women’s Giving Club meets at Springhill Suites, 236 Main St.

1st Monday in February, May, August, November | 5:15 p.m. | 970-260-6140

Western Colorado Amateur Radio Club meets at First Christian Church, 1326 N. 1st St.

2nd Saturday | 9:30 a.m. | w0rrz.org

Guys’ Giving Club meets at Springhill Suites, 236 Main St.

1st Tuesday in February, May, August, November | 5:15 p.m. | 970-3617478 or 970-270-6184

Humanists Doing Good focuses on good deeds and establishing community for the nonreligious. View activities on Facebook or MeetUp.com meetup.com/humanists-doing-good | jessebond008@gmail.com

Kiwanis Club of Grand Junction meets at the Warehouse, 2565 American Way.

Thursdays | 12 p.m. | 970-260-8664

Knights of Columbus #1062 meets at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 230 N.

Military Officers Association of America meets quarterly at DoubleTree by Hilton, 743 Horizon Dr. 970-241-8714

Native American Cultural Program meets at First United Methodist Church, 522 White Ave.

2nd Tuesdays | 3:30 p.m. | 970-433-4763

Newcomers Club welcomes locals both old and new with friendship and fun activities at Grand Valley Event Center, 2400 Consistory Ct.

2nd Wednesday | 9:30 a.m. | 419450-9438 | gjnewcomers@gmail. com

SOS: Singles Over 65 is a gender-balanced social club for single seniors! Must join online. meetup.com/singles-over-65

Sunset Slope Quilters meets at American Lutheran Church, 631 261/2 Road.

2nd Wednesday | 9 a.m. | 612-2373491 | sunsetslopequilters.com

Sweet Adelines, Grand Mesa A Capella Chorus, rehearses at Redlands United Methodist Church, 527 Village Way.

Mondays | 6:30-9 p.m. | 970-245-1837 | grandmesaacappella.com

Thunder Mountain Camera Club meets at Western Colorado Community College, Building B. 4th Tuesday | 7 p.m. | thunder mountaincameraclub.org

Two Rivers Cribbage Club meets at Grand Valley Events Center, 2400 Consistory Ct. Thursdays | 6 p.m. | 970-261-1670

Veterans Coffee Club meets at Western Region One Source, 482 28 Road.

Wednesdays | 8:30-10:30 a.m. |

Western Colorado Astronomy Club meets at the Central Library, 443 N. 6th St. 1st Tuesday | 6 p.m. | 970-201-2865 | wcacastronomy.org

Western Colorado Artists Guild meets at First Congregational Church, 1425 N. 5th St. 2nd Saturday | 9 a.m. | 970-640-2751

Western Slope Coin Club meets at VFW #1247, 1404 Ute Ave. 4th Tuesday | 6:30 p.m. | 970-640-3765

Western Slope Model Yacht Club meets at Canyon View Park. Saturdays (April-October) | 10 a.m. | 303-503-3978

Western Slope Pickleball Club meets regularly. Call for details. 970-241-8561 | westernslope pickleballclub.com

Wheels West Car Club meets at the Moose Lodge, 567 251/2 Road. 1st Saturday | 9 a.m. | www.wheels westcarclub.org

Writer Chicks Coffee Club, a ladies-only writers club, meets at Main Street Bagels, 559 Main St. Wednesdays | 9-10 a.m. | melody jones@melodyjonesauthor.com ■

BEACON BITS MeSa County

New Clifton Library grand opening set for October 7

Join Mesa County Libraries for the official grand opening celebration of the new Clifton Branch at 3270 D ½ Road, Grand Junction, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The grand opening will include tours of the branch, activities for kids and families, food trucks and cake! An opening ceremony is scheduled at 11:15 a.m., followed by live entertainment from the Grand Junction Centennial Band, the band Super Fox and magician Danny Baker. At 17,800 square feet, the new library is about three times the size of the previous space with a community living room for quiet reading and relaxation, dedicated spaces for children and teens, two community rooms and six public study rooms, and more. The branch also is the future home of the Mesa County Libraries Adult Learning Center. For more information, call the library at 970-434-6936 or drop by during library hours.

Stress-busting program for family caregivers

Do you provide support for a loved one with a chronic illness? Learn stress management techniques, relaxation and coping strategies in this free series at St. Mary’s Hospital HVI (cardiac classroom). This multi-component program meets for 90 minutes at 4 p.m. every

Thursday through November 9. Respite care may be available. For more information and to register, call 970-289-7414 or email tiffany. waugh@imail.org.

Free Caregiver Summit aims to ease “the hardest job”

The Caregivers Support Foundation, a Montrose-based non-profit whose mission is to improve the

lives of caregivers, and Region 10 Area Agency for Aging are teaming up to provide the Family Caregiver Summit from 1-4:30 p.m. on October 6 at the Montrose Pavilion. The summit will be a safe haven for caregivers and their loved ones who are able to attend, and will offer a slate of speakers, including Region 10 Ombudsman Sandy

Walker, Montrose physician Dr. Michael Hehmann and Caregiver Support Foundation Chair Laird Landon. The event is free and open to anyone, but registration is recommended at region10.net. If you would like to contact the Caregiver Support Foundation, visit familycaregiver.org, or call 970-787-2343.

Storytelling training for Spellbinders

Have you ever heard someone tell a story and found yourself so caught up in it because you’ve been transported there yourself? Now you can learn how to be a successful storyteller and benefit school-aged children by helping them develop literacy skills and engendering a love of stories and imagination. Oral storytelling is the traditional art of presenting a story without the use of a book. Spellbinders will teach you all about stories and how to choose, learn and present. Once

His grit and character have sustained his community and will strengthen future generations. Explore new opportunities for him to thrive in the coming season.

trained, they’ll help you adopt an elementary-aged classroom to tell your stories to. For more information on this free training, visit spellbinders.org or email info@ spellbinders.org.

AARP Driver Safety Course in Grand Junction and Fruita

Become a safe and more confident driver, plus save money on insurance after taking the course in Fruita from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on October 10 and Grand Junction from 12-4 p.m. on October 19. Cost is $20 for AARP members and $25 for nonmembers. Registration is required. Call 970-433-0384 to register for the Fruita class and 970-324-0384 to register for the Grand Junction class.

Your soul’s journey after retirement

You’re retired; now what? Explore your soul’s purpose in this free three-session class led by retired

psychologist Anita Kemp, which involves guided imagery around the gifts and challenges you brought into this life, clearing of karma that is holding you back from your full expression and how to embody your soul’s purpose as an elder. Sessions are from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. October 4, 11 and 18 at 326 Main St. #205. For more information, and to register, call Kemp at 530925-1796.

Wholistic

health community

welcomes The Energy Collaborative

The Energy Collaborative is a welcoming community of professionals committed to help and empower people to cultivate vibrant, resilient and holistic health in their unique bodies, hearts, minds and spirits. Celebrate their opening from 3-7 p.m. on October 20 at 640 White Ave., Grand Junction. Learn more at theenergycollaborative.org

New wine touring book introduces the world to the Western Slope

Colorado’s Western Slope is finally receiving the credit it deserves as a unique wine-growing region in the newly released 80page book: “Discovering Colorado Wine Country.” Providing all the information a wine enthusiast needs to know about this fertile area, the full-color, coffee table-style publication invites adventurers of all kinds to explore, shop, dine and stay in the region, as they sample exceptional wines. “Discovering Colorado Wine Country was created to bring awareness to the American Viticultural Areas of Colorado and

celebrate the wines that are being made here,” said Publisher Greg Young. “This book is not a vanity project where individual wineries paid to be mentioned. It is written without bias to any winery as it introduces the reader to the topography, climate and other natural conditions that make our wine growing regions unique.” The book is currently available for sale in several local tasting rooms including Qutori Wines and Stone Cottage Cellars in Paonia. For more information regarding its distribution, contact gregyoung@ gregyoungpublishing .com. ■

SUPPORTCALENDARGROUPS MeSa SUPPORT GROUPS MeSa County

A Course in Miracles, a spiritual self-study program, meets virtually. Call for Zoom link.

Tuesdays | 10:30 a.m. |

801-369-8995

Adult Children of Alcoholics meets twice weekly at New Life Church, 1350 N. 7th St.

Wednesdays 10:15-11:30 a.m. | Sundays 4-5 p.m. | 970-201-2446

Alzheimer’s Association’s Persons with Dementia group meets virtually. Contact for Zoom link.

2nd Tuesday | 10-11 a.m. |

970-714-2875

Caregiver Support Group meets at Aspen Ridge, 622 28 1/4 Road.

2nd Tuesday | 1:30-3 p.m. |

970-640-7416

Compassionate Friends offers friendship to bereaved families at Messiah Lutheran Church, 840 N. 11th St.

1st Tuesday | 7-8:30 p.m. |

970-434-3822

Dementia Caregiver Support Group meets at the Alzheimer’s Association, 2232 N. 7th St.

4th Wednesday | 1-2 p.m. |

970-714-2875

Dementia Support Group meets at Aspen Ridge, 622 281/4 Road.

2nd Tuesday | 1:30-3 p.m. |

970-640-7416

Gamblers Anonymous meets at The Meeting Hall.

Tuesdays | 7-8 p.m. | 917-363-3719

Guitars 4 Vets meets at Western Region One Source, 482 28 Road.

Tuesdays | 9:30-11:30 a.m. |

970-257-3760

Head & Neck Cancer Support Group meets at Colorado West Otolaryngologists, 2515 Foresight Circle.

1st Tuesday | 6:30-8 p.m. | 970-245-2400

Healing Hands Hour meets in St. Mary’s Hospital’s Reflection Room. Thursdays | 12-1 p.m. | 970-298- 2351

Hearing Loss of America meets at Center for Independence, 740 Gunnison Ave.

2nd Saturday | 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | 970-241-0315 ext. 29

HEARTBEAT/Survivors After Suicide meets at First Congregational Church, 1425 N. 5th St. 3rd Tuesday | 7-9 p.m. | 970-778-9274

Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma Support Group meets in St. Mary’s Hospital’s Reflection Room.

3rd Monday | 4-5 p.m. | 970-298-2351

Loss of Spouse Potlucks are open to all who’ve experienced the loss of a spouse/partner. Guests are invited to bring a dish to share in a meal together at Brown’s Funeral & Cre-

mation, 904 N. 7th St. Registration is required to ensure there’s enough food for all.

3rd Wednesday | 6 p.m. | 720-7489908

MACHO Men cancer support group meets at the VA Medical Center, 2121 North Ave.

1st Thursday | 2 p.m. | 970-298-2351

Memory Café, a welcoming place for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia, meets at Cappella, 628 26 1/2 Road.

1st Tuesday | 4:30-6 p.m. | 970-822-7070

Mending Hearts is for any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one. Call for location.

Thursdays | 2-3:30 p.m. | 970-257-2390

Mens Health Group for Veterans meets at Western Region One Source, 482 28 Road

1st Mondays | 9:30-11 a.m. | 970- 257-3760

Moms Group for Veterans meets at Western Region One Source, 482 28 Road.

1st and 4th Tuesdays | 1-3 p.m. | 970-257-3760

National Alliance on Mental Illness meets at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1210 17 1/2 Road in Fruita. 4th Tuesday | 6-7:30 p.m. | www. NAMIWS.org | 970-462-3989

Parents of Addicted Loved Ones meets in the downstairs conference room at the Freedom Institute, 930 Main St.

Thursdays | 6:30-8 p.m. | 970-2162232 | tammytway@gmail.com

Overeaters Anonymous for people with compulsive eating and food behaviors, meets at Unity Church, 3205 N. 12th St.

Saturdays | 9-10 a.m. | 970-250-8435

S.M.A.R.T. Addiction Recovery meets via Zoom. Call for details. 801-369-8995 | smartrecovery.org

St. Mary’s Stroke Support Group meets virtually and in person. 3rd Friday | 1-2:30 p.m. | 970-298-1980

Tai Chi for Veterans meets at Western Region One Source, 482 28 Road.

Wednesdays | 1-2 p.m. |

970-257-3760

Thyroid Support Group meets at Grand Valley Wellness, 605 281/4 Road

4th Mondays | 5:30-6:30 p.m. |

970-263-2661

TOPS for weight loss meets at Grace Point Church, 606 28 1/4 Road. Wednesdays | 9 a.m. | 970-523-0241

TOPS 458 for weight loss meets at Community of Christ Church, 2880 B ½ Road.

Tuesdays | 1 p.m. | 970-628-4981 |

970-852-5880

Veteran Spouses Grief and Loss ladies-only meets at Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2830 Riverside Pkwy. Wednesdays | 9-10:30 a.m. |

970-263-8986

Vets 4 Vets meets at Western Region One Source, 482 28 Road.

Fridays | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. |

970-257-3760

Woman to Woman cancer support group meets in St. Mary’s Hospital’s Reflection Room.

3rd Thursday | 4:30-5:30 p.m. |

970-298-2351

Women Veterans Tai Chi meets at Western Region One Source.

Fridays | 9:30-11:30 a.m. | 970-257-3760 ■

FUN AFTER 50 Senior Center Activities

FUN AFTER 50 Senior Center Activities

Senior Recreation Center activities

550 Ouray Ave., Grand Junct. 970-243-7408

Registration is required for all activities. To register for programs, call 970-858-0360 or visit Fruita.org/parksrec/page/seniors

SPECIAL EVENT

Monster Mash Dance

Dance to live music while donning your best costume—there will be a contest!

3-6 p.m. | Oct. 28 | $15

ART

Brilliant Brushes Painting Class

Come paint and learn new techniques. Call for location. Register by Oct. 16.

2 p.m. | Oct. 20 | $10

FOOD

Meals on Wheels

Call 970-298-9844 to reserve your meal by 4 p.m. the previous business day.

12 p.m. | Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays

Senior Potluck

Bring a shareable dish to accompany the main course or pay just $3! RSVP by noon the Monday before.

12 p.m. | Oct. 19 | $3 if no dish

Food for Thought

Bring your favorite apple recipe to share.

1 p.m. | Oct. 30 | Free

HIKES & TRIPS

Skinner Cabin Hike

Bring a snack, water bottle and good walking shoes on this easy 1-mile roundtrip hike on an ADA-accessible trail. Learn about the restoration of this historic site. Meet at the Senior Center

and follow each other to the trailhead.

9:30 a.m. | Oct. 10 | $5

Leaf Peeping Trip

Witness gorgeous autumn colors on this leisure tour through Colorado’s Grand Mesa or Vega Lake State Park (depending on the colors). Dress warmly; a picnic lunch will be served.

Register by Oct. 4.

9:30 a.m. | Oct. 11 | $60

Dominguez Canyon Hike

Bring a sack lunch and water, and learn the history of the Bridgeport area on this 3.5-mile hike. Enjoy the fabulous fall colors of the Cottonwoods along the Gunnison River on the way to a spectacular waterfall. This trail is rated easy although the distance makes it moderate.

8:30 a.m. | Oct. 24 | $5

AppleShed Trip

The AppleShed sells apples and peaches, with a fine art gallery on site. Afterwards, have lunch at the Lost Mesa Grill in Cedaredge (included). Bring money for shopping and wine tasting.

Register by Oct. 19.

9:30 a.m. | Oct. 26 | $45

GAMES

Play Scrabble, pinochle, board games and more all month long at the Senior Center.

To register for these programs, call the Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Department at 970-254-3866 or visit GJParksAndRec.org

SPECIAL EVENTS

Water Lights at Night

Decorate a water lantern and watch them glow at sunset at Las Colonias’ Butterfly Pond. Lantern kits for sale. Get discounted kits in advance. Food trucks will be present.

5:30 p.m. | October 17 | Las Colonias | $7 for one kit, $36 for six kits ($9 day-of); free to watch

Giant Pumpkin Contest

Grow the biggest pumpkin for a chance at cash prizes. After the weigh-off, leave your pumpkin for professional carver Willy Tuz to transform for STRiVE’s Harvest Illuminated fundraiser. Each registrant receives two tickets to the fundraiser. October 21 | Botanical Gardens | $15-$20

Trick, Track and Treat

Have a howling good time running at this event. This meet is designed for track stars of all ages, from diaper dashers to one-mile thrashers!

5 p.m. | October 26 | Stocker Stadium | $5

FITNESS

10-punch passes are $60 and interchangeable for Gentle Yoga, Tai Chi or Yoga in the Park.

Latin Salsa Dance (English & Español)

This class will build upon skills each month.

6-7 p.m. | Tuesdays & Thursdays | Lincoln Park Barn | $6 (discounted fee for session)

Gentle Yoga

Develop flexibility of mind and body.

8-9 a.m. | Tuesdays & Fridays | Lincoln Park Barn | $8

Yoga in the Park

This low-impact yoga class allows you to improve flexibility, balance and strength. Bring a mat.

10-11 a.m. | Wednesdays | Rocket Park | $8

Tai Chi

Slow movements, breath control and relaxation techniques help reduce stress and anxiety.

8:30-9:30 a.m. Wednesdays | 9-10 a.m. Thursdays | Lincoln Park Barn | $8

SPLASH Aqua Aerobics

Moderate intensity activities in the water.

8:30-9:30 a.m. Mon, Wed, Fri | 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Tues & Thurs | Orchard Mesa Pool | $5

Open to adults 50 and older 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

MONDAY

9:00 a.m. Cribbage & Games

12:00 p.m. Canasta

1:00 p.m. Card Bingo

TUESDAY

8:00 a.m. Pinochle (DD)

9:00 a.m. Pool Tournament & Games

1:30 p.m. Bingo

WEDNESDAY

9:00 a.m. Games

9:30 a.m. Pool

1:00 p.m. Pinochle Call 970-243-7408 before 9 a.m. to play Pinochle

THURSDAY

9:00 a.m. Games 12:00 p.m. Pokeno 1:00 p.m. Rummikub

FRIDAY

9:00 a.m. Pool Tournament & Games

12:00 p.m. Canasta

12:45 p.m. Bridge

SATURDAY

9:00 a.m. Games

1:00 p.m. Bingo

October 6

CALENDAR Montrose & Delta

October 6-8

Cedaredge Applefest

Celebrate the harvest season at Cedaredge’s signature festival—a tradition that’s as sweet as apple pie! This weekend of family fun features live music, arts and crafts booths, food vendors, a chili cook-off, pinup competition and so much more! Visit the website for a complete schedule.

Family Caregiver Summit

This transformative event at the Montrose Pavilion brings together caregivers from all walks of life. Whether you’re caring for a loved one or working in healthcare, this summit is your gateway to enhancing your skills, finding balance and fostering resilience. Hear from helpful speakers, including neurologist Dr. Michael Hehmann, Caregiver Support Foundation founder Laird Landon and Region 10 Ombudsman Sandy Walker. Please register.

1-4:30 p.m. | 1800 Pavilion Drive, Montrose | Free | family-caregiv er.org/summit-register

October 6

First Friday

Montrose Center for Arts’ featured artist Stephanie Rody exhibits her artwork during October, starting with a First Friday reception. Meet Rody and learn why watercolor is her medium of choice.

6 p.m. | 11 S. Park Ave, Montrose | Free | montrosecenter forarts.com | 970-787-9428

All day | Cedaredge | Free | cedar edgeapplefest.com | 970-856-3123

October 6-22

“Little Shop of Horrors” Magic Circle Players presents this Broadway sci-fi smash musical that has devoured the hearts of theatre-goers for 30+ years. A meek floral assistant, stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II”. This R&B-singing carnivorous plant promises unending fame and fortune to the down-andout man, who soon discovers Audrey II’s out-of-this-world origins and intent towards global domination.

7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays | 420 S. 12th St., Montrose | $20+ | magiccircle players.com | 970-249-7838

October 7

Antique & Classic CarShow

During AppleFest, head down to Pioneer Town for this blast-fromthe-past car show and grab some refreshments and beer! Admission includes entrance to the Pioneer Town Museum.

9 a.m.-3 p.m. | 338 S. Grand Mesa Drive, Cedaredge | $2 | pioneer town.org | 970-858-7554

October 7

Fly Fishing Film Tour

Prepare to be hooked on this traveling roadshow of the best fly fishing films in the world! This series of

films at the Montrose Pavilion aims to inspire and support conservation efforts worldwide. There will be raffle and door prizes from premium sponsors and local fly shops.

6-9 p.m. | 1800 Pavilion Drive, Montrose | $10 | flyfilmtour.com | 970-596-4523

October 7

Delta Comedy Night

Get ready to laugh until your sides ache! This upcoming comedy show at CB’s Tavern features some of the best comedians on the western slope.

7:30-9 p.m. | 334 Main St., Delta | $12 | facebook.com/jokejunction standup | 970-399-3570

October 11

Delta Stargazing

Tour our galaxy without ever leaving the ground! Join local astronomy enthusiasts with Black Canyon Astronomical Society and view the night sky above through professional telescopes. Telescopes will be set up at Confluence Lake by the boat ramp.

7:30-11 p.m. | Gunnison River Drive, Delta | Free | thenatureconnection. net | 970-872-5910

October 14

Hidden Lake Craft Fair

Discover unique, handcrafted treasures, perfect for gifting or decking your home in the holiday spirit! Shop holiday-themed decor and gifts, crocheted blankets, hand towels, stained glass, woodworks, home decor, Native American jewelry, prints and more.

9 a.m.-2 p.m. | 62650 La Salle Road #324, Montrose | 970-615-9412

October 14

Bosom Buddies 5K/10K

Walking or racing, every step is one closer to offering help and hope to people whose lives have been touched by breast cancer. Every dollar raised from this event at Montrose Pavilion stays in Southwestern Colorado. There is no such thing as too much pink on walk day!

8 a.m.-12 p.m. | 1800 Pavilion Drive, Montrose | $35-$40 | bosombud diesswc.org | 970-252-2777

October 14

Campfire Cook Off

Come show off your camp-cooking skills at Fort Uncompahgre

Interpretive Center in one of these categories: open skillet, Dutch oven, breakfast and dessert. You don’t have to compete to attend, as this event is open to all.

9 a.m.-6 p.m. | 440 N. Palmer St., Delta | Free | cityofdelta.net | dbare la223@gmail.com | 970-874-7566

October 14

Love the ’50s to Death! Murder Mystery Dinner

Montrose Center for the Arts and Magic Circle Players takes you on an interactive theatrical experience filled with intrigue, scandal, sleuthing and blackmail all while enjoying a delectable meal and cash bar. Little do you know that your neighbor could be a *gasp* murderer!

5 p.m. | 11 S Park Ave., Montrose | $75 | montrosecenterforarts.com | 970-787-9428

October 14-15

“Sleeping Beauty” Ballet Fall under the spell of this fairy tale classic by Colorado West Performing Arts Company at Montrose Pavilion. This classic ballet features local children in supporting roles, with professional dancers taking the stage in dazzling tutus and tiaras.

2 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 7 p.m. Saturday | 1800 Pavilion Drive, Montrose | $30+ adults, $20+ (kids under 17 and adults over 65) | coloradowestpac.org | 970-314-2226

October 14-15

Scarecrow Festival

Your scarecrow may not have a brain, but that doesn’t mean you

can’t show off your creative genius and auction off your homemade scarecrow to benefit Montrose Botanic Gardens. Bring the grandkids in costume for an early treat, and be ready to bid on some fabulous silent auction items.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. | 1800 Pavilion Drive, Montrose | Free | montrosegardens. org

October 18

Flu Shot Clinic

Stop the flu bug by getting your flu shot at Montrose County Event Center, Olathe Corn Park and the Basin Clinic. High-dose flu shots will be available (while supplies last).

3-7 p.m. | Free | montrosefluclinic.com | 970-252-4505

October 20-21

Harvest & Holiday Bazaar

Kick off your holiday shopping with hundreds of bargains on crafts, antiques, collectibles and decor at Friendship Hall at the Montrose County Fairgrounds. Proceeds are donated to local charities by Montrose Woman’s Club.

9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday | 1001 N. 2nd St., Montrose | Free | 970-275-8902

October 21

Blue Jean Ball

No need to dress up to this gala! Wear your favorite jeans and western attire to Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans’ benefit dinner at Montrose County Event Center. There will be dancing, music by the Brown Family, a silent auction, games and giveaways.

6-11 p.m. | 1036 N. 7th St., Montrose | $100 per person or $175 per couple | whafv.org | 970-234-5661

October 22

Krinke Ellinger Duo

Pianist Susan Ellinger and violinist

Brian Krinke celebrate Delta-Montrose Community Concert Association’s 75th anniversary season with jazz-influenced compositions by Nikolai Kapustin and the dean of African American composers William Grant Still.

3-5 p.m. | 822 Grand Ave., Delta | $25 | concertassociation.net/DeltaCO | 970-835-4480

October 22

Virtuosic Solo Piano Works

Russian-Armenian pianist Anna Arzumanyan returns to Montrose Pavilion for a captivating recital showcasing her unparalleled talent and masterful command of the instrument. The program will feature works by Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Khachatryan and others.

3-5 p.m. | 1800 Pavilion Drive, Montrose | $17 | westernslope concertseries.org | 970-234-5661

October 27-29

Big B’s Cider Fest

Sip, savor and celebrate fall with crisp, refreshing cider at Delicious Orchards in Hotchkiss. This celebration features hay rides and kids activities, cider tastings and live music by The Itals, Peach Street Revival, Banshee Tree, Honey Don’t, Russ Chapman and more!

All day | 39120 Hwy 133, Hotchkiss | Free | bigbs.com | 970-527-1110 ■

Alpine Photography Club meets in room 100 at Colorado Mesa University in Montrose.

2nd Tuesday | 7-9 p.m. | apcmontroseco@gmail.com

Black Canyon Barbershop Chorus welcomes men of all ages to sing at Olathe United Methodist Church.

Thursdays | 7-8:30 p.m. | 970-2101793

Black Canyon Woodcarvers meets at Montrose Senior Center.

Thursdays | 1-3 p.m. | 970-323-5860

Citizen’s Climate Lobby advocates for climate change solutions and meets at Montrose Regional Library. 970-765-9095 | chapmanjanet@ yahoo.com

Crafternoon members knit and crochet projects at Montrose Regional Library to donate to charities.

Thursdays | 11 a.m-1 p.m. | 970-249-9656

Crafty Chatty members work on craft projects at the Montrose Senior Center. Bring your own materials.

Tuesdays | 9:45-11:30 a.m. | 970-249-7198

Columbine Quilters gather monthly at 4 Hilcrest Plaza Way, Montrose.

1st Saturday | 9 a.m. | 970-4623849 | paulalakecity@gmail.com

Delta Hub-Wheelers Square Dance Club seeks new dancers! 970-773-4495 | deltawriter47@ gmail.com

Digging Your Roots Genealogy Group meets at Cedaredge Library.

Last Friday | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | 970-399-7674 | deltalibraries.org

Friendship Quilters meets at Montrose County Events Center.

4th Thursday | 9 a.m. | 970-4174842

Fore-Kin Trails Genealogical Society can help you research your family history at the Montrose Genealogy Center.

Wednesdays & Thursdays | 1-4 p.m. | 970-240-1755

Gold Prospectors of America meets at Olathe Community Center.

3rd Thursday | 7 p.m. | 970-596-

9184 | wcgpaa.org

Golden Circle of Friends meets at Montrose Senior Center. Bring lunch and socialize.

Tuesdays & Fridays | 12 p.m. | 970-252-4888

Montrose Area Woodturners meets at 17800 6400 Road.

2nd Saturday | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | 970209-0981 | aheadaviation@outlook. com

Montrose Amateur Radio Club meets at Olathe Community Center.

3rd Friday | 7 p.m. | 970-417-6142

Montrose Family Search Center offers free genealogy help at 1521 Hillcrest Drive.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday | 1-4 p.m. | 970-249-4739 |

Montrose Historical Society meets at Montrose Events Center.

1st Wednesday | 7 p.m. | 970-2492085 | montrosehistory.org

Montrose Elks hosts Bingo at the Elks Lodge.

Tuesdays | 6:30 p.m. | 970-249-4852

Montrose Library Book Club meets in the library meeting room.

1st Saturday | 9-10 a.m. | 970-2499656 | lmclean@montroselibrary.org

Montrose Model Aircraft Association fly remote-control planes every weekend. Beginners welcome. mmaa-modelairplanes.org | 970-7650599 | mmaaflyer@gmail.com

Montrose Newcomers & Neighbors meets at the Montrose Senior Center, September through May.

1st Wednesdays | 10 a.m. | bethcav25@gmail.com

Montrose Pavilion Dance Club hosts dances at the Montrose Pavilion. All ages welcome.

2nd & 4th Saturdays | 7:30-10:30 p.m. | $10 | sanjuandanceclub@ gmail.com

Montrose Woman’s Club meets at Lions Park Clubhouse August through May. Bring lunch.

3rd Mondays | 11:30 a.m. | 970-9018743

Morningstar Therapy Dogs is a non-profit club promoting therapy dog programs and visits in Montrose.

SUPPORT GROUPS

HopeWest Bereavement Book Club members heal through discussions about death and grief from various literature at Delta Library, 211 W. 6th St.

3rd Thursday | 2-4 p.m. | 970-8749630 | deltalibraries.org

Caregivers Support Group

meets at Montrose United Methodist Church, 19 S. Park Ave.

2nd & 4th Mondays | 1-2 p.m. | 970-240-3714

Caregiver Support Group

Montrose meets at US Bank.

1 & 3 p.m. | 2nd & 4th Tuesdays | 970-275-2138

Caregiver Support Group Delta meets at Delta County Memorial Hospital, meeting room A.

1 p.m. | 1st & 3rd Fridays | 970275-2138

Caregiver Support Group Virtual meets on Zoom. For link, contact Laird@Family-Caregiver.org.

10:30-11:30 a.m. | 2nd & 4th Fridays | 970-275-2138

COVID-19 Grief Group meets at Touch of Care, 1100 E. Main St., Montrose.

2nd & Last Tuesday | 12 p.m. | 970-787-9988

Dementia Caregivers Delta meets at Crossroads Senior Living, 1380 Aspen Way.

Thursdays | 1:30-3 p.m. | 970510-0724

Dementia Caregivers Cedareddge meets at Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center, 195 W. Main St. 1st & 3rd Wednesdays | 1:303 p.m. | 970-510-0724

2nd Tuesday | 6 p.m. | 970-5969343 | morningstartherapydogs. weebly.com

SOS: Singles Over 65 is a gender-balanced club for single seniors! Must join online. meetup.com/montrose-singles-

Dementia Caregivers Hotchkiss meets at Town Hall, 276 Main St.

2nd & 4th Wednesday | 1:303 p.m. | 970-510-0724

Delta Diabetes Support Group meets at Grand Mesa Oncology’s Crag Crest room, 1501 E. 3rd St. 2nd Tuesdays | 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Essential Tremor Support Group meets bimonthly at Montrose Regional Health’s conference room, 800 S. 3rd St. Call 405-205-9397

GriefShare is a safe place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief in this 13-week group that starts August 1 at Rosemont Baptist Church, 1598 E. Niagara Road, Montrose.

Tuesdays | 6-8 p.m. | 970-2494887

Parkinson’s Support Group meets at Montrose Regional Health, 800 S. 3rd St.

Last Monday | 1-2:30 p.m. | 970252-2996

Stroke Support Group meets at Warrior Resource Center, 4 Hillcrest Plaza Way, Montrose.

1 p.m. | 2nd & 4th Thursdays | 970-765-2210

Veterans Coffee Cedaredge meets at The Pondy, 220 W. Main St.

3rd Tuesday | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Veterans Coffee Montrose meets at the Warrior Resource Center, 4 Hillcrest Plaza Way. Thursdays | 8-10 a.m. | 970-7562210 | whafv.orgv

over-65

Uncompahgre Treasure Club meets at Lions Park Clubhouse in Montrose.

7 p.m. | 2nd Monday | 970-258-1955 | uncompahgretreasureclub.com ■

FUN AFTER 50 Senior Center Activities

Cedaredge AppleFest

You don’t want to miss Cedaredge’s signature com munity event with apple orchards, artists, musicians and 180+ vendors.

To register for programs, call 970-252-4884 or visit MontroseRec.com

EDUCATION

Presentations are free. Call to reserve a seat.

Silverton’s Four Narrow Gauge

Railroads

Kate Burke explores the Silverton and San Juan Mining District and the four trains that served it to supply the mines, smelters and mining communities. There will be railroad and mining displays too.

1 p.m. | Oct. 23

Beneath Blue Mesa

David Primus gives a slideshow with his presentation of the Gunnison River Valley before Blue Mesa Reservoir was completed in 1965.

1 p.m. | Oct. 30

TRIPS & TOURS

Most trips meet at the Senior Center. Get on the waiting list if a tour is full in case another is scheduled.

Keystone Gorge LoopTelluride

This lovely trail winds along the San Miguel River through a pine forest and aspen groves with sights of old mining ruins. Eat in Telluride after this moderate 2.5-mile hike.

7:45 a.m.-4 p.m. | Oct. 5 | $21

8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Oct. 7 | $21

Walk and Dinner in Montrose

Socialize and meet new friends while taking a leisurely stroll in Montrose (2 miles or less) before dinner. If the walk isn’t for you, just meet at Pahgre’s. Bring money.

4:30 p.m. | Oct. 20 | $5

FITNESS

Tai Chi for Health & Energy

Tai Chi brings peace to the body, using controlled movements, weight transference, mental resistance and quietness of mind.

10-10:30 a.m. | Mondays | Donation

ART & MUSIC

Ceramics & Crafters

Bring your own piece to work on or purchase one from us. Paints, finishing sprays and glazes provided to ceramicists, plus we’ll fire it for you.

12-3 p.m. | Wednesdays | $15 for four months (ceramics), $25 for four months (crafters) | 970-4244451 (ceramics), 818-262-3272 (crafters)

Open Line Dancing

Learn steps with formal instruction.

3:30-4:30 p.m. (beginners), 4:30-

5:45 p.m. (improvers) | Mondays | $2

Jam Session/Sing-Along

Each person gets a turn to lead a song while others play instruments or sing along. Spectators are encouraged to attend.

3:45-5:45 p.m. | Mondays | $2

GAMES

Play games at the Senior Center all month long. Call for schedule.

To register for programs, call 970-874-0923 or visit CityofDelta.net/parksrecgolf

Pinochle

GAMES

12:30-3:30 p.m. | Tuesdays | $15

Tuesday Needlers

10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Tuesdays

FITNESS

Movement Medicine

Work your body hard, but in a gentle way! This non-impact classes uses various equipment to improve connective tissue and posture, restore neurological stability and balance, and enhance flexibility, strength and coordination.

6 a.m. | Tuesdays

Tuesdays Dance Fit

Burn energy, shake stress and show off your dance moves!

4:30 p.m. | Thursdays

Pilates

Low-impact movements that improve flexibility, muscular strength and endurance.

12 p.m. Mondays | 9 a.m. Fridays

Senior Circuit

Circuit training for seniors with flexibility exercises.

9 a.m. | Monday through Friday

Yoga Fusion

This vinyasa-style class blends yoga, Pilates and barre.

4:30 p.m. | Wednesdays

Healthy Body Strong Bones

Use simple hand weights to help increase flexibility, balance and bone strength.

9 a.m. | Tuesdays & Thursdays

Silver Sneakers Classic

Strengthen muscles and increase range of movement.

10 a.m. | Tuesdays & Thursdays

Body Blitz

Cross-train with this quick-paced muscle conditioning class.

9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays | 9 a.m. Thursdays

Body Bar

Get an entire body workout using a weighted fitness bar.

6 a.m. | Wednesdays

POOL FITNESS

Aqua Movers

Jump start your week with a mid- to high-intensity cardio and strength training water class.

5:30 p.m. | Thursdays

Pool Power

Workout in shallow water to focus and tone problem areas.

9:30 a.m. | Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

Body & Health

Enjoy a combination of aerobic and full-body workout in the pool.

10:30 a.m. | Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

Light-n-Lively

Build endurance and strength, designed for beginners.

10 a.m. | Tuesdays and Thursdays

Full Body Cardio

A full-body workout with water jogging, river running, jumping jacks and lunges.

5:30 p.m. | Tuesdays

Silver Sneakers Splash

A fun shallow-water exercise class that uses a signature splash-board to increase movement. Suitable for non-swimmers.

8:30 a.m. | Mondays & Wednesdays

Surviving Breast Cancer: Delta patient shares her story

When you go in for your firstroutine mammogram, you expect to get a call back about your results, but you don’t expect to be hit with the news that you have cancer. For McKenzie Jacobson, that was her reality when she was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer at age 40. That same day, her radiologist found cancer on her lymph nodes. She was diagnosed on October 20, 2022, and her treatment started at the Delta Health Oncology, Hematology and Infusion clinic in November. McKenzie used to work at Delta Health and knew she would receive great care. She had surgery and had a double mastectomy as well as a lymph node dissection. Fast forward and McKenzie is cancer free as of March 2023. According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Early detection includes doing monthly breast self-exams, and scheduling regular clinical breast exams and mammograms, says the National Breast Cancer Foundation. To learn more about how to perform breast exams and look out for changes, visit nationalbreastcancer.org. To

BEACON BITS

learn more about Delta Health, go online to deltahealthco.org or call 970-399-2895.

Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center hosts activities during AppleFest weekend

Visit the Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center (GMAEC), 195 W. Main St. in downtown Cedaredge, for some family fun activities, art and so much more during AppleFest weekend October 6-8!

• Edge of Cedars Art Exhibit: Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. This 49th annual exhibit features original work from artists across Colorado.

• Authors in the Gallery: Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Local authors will display, sign and talk about their books in the Starr Family Gallery.

• Fun for Kids on the Porch: Saturday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Bring the grandkids and watch them make an owl out of bark (what a hoot!), create bracelets with apple beads and create a tile handprint to be mounted in the Hall of Helping Hands!

• Artist Alley: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Artist and authors will have

STAAY AWHHILLE

Calling all caregivers! Free Caregiver Summit on October 6

Every year thousands of individuals have their lives hijacked by a loved one’s diagnosis of a brain disease like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. From that moment on, a son, daughter, wife, husband or other relative becomes a family caregiver. Family caregivers have always worked mostly with no instruction manual. But organizations such as Region 10 Area Agency on Aging and Caregiver Support Foundation have stepped up to provide support and care for the caregiver. On Friday, October 6, a free Family Caregiver Summit offers education and emotional support for caregivers in Western Colorado. The event, which takes place from 1-4:30 p.m. at the Montrose Pavilion, is a safe and relaxed place where caregivers can listen to informative speakers, visit with other caregivers and interact with vendors who provide resources to help them. For more information and to register for the free event, go to familycaregiver.org or call 970-787-2343..

booths in the parking lot with books and artwork for sale! For more information about GMAEC, call 970-856-9195 or visit gmaec.org.

Montrose Center for the Arts selects Stephanie Rody as its featured artist Stephanie Rody began her art journey in elementary school and pursued that interest with private lessons and school art classes through college. After teaching math for 30 years, Rody retired and has focused on exploring and creating art using different mediums. After moving to Montrose,

she began studying watercolor. She has won two Best of Show awards and many distinctions in both local and national art competitions. Rody believes that a piece of art should speak to the viewer and draw them in on a visceral and emotional level. She loves to capture a moment in time that speaks to the hearts of herself and her viewers. View Rody’s art at Montrose Center for the Arts, 11 S. Park Ave. all month long during business hours. Meet the artist at First Friday on October 6 at 4:30 p.m. Learn more at montrosecenterforarts.com or call 970-787-9428.

Back to the Ranch II Art Show

by Garris Flebbe

Delta artist Garris Flebbe developed a love of the outdoors at an early age that influences his work today. His artistic pursuits were put on hold for some years due to a growing career and family, but then workshops with Ralph Oberg, Jim Wilcox and others reignited the passion to paint. Retirement from nuclear medicine has allowed him

to pursue his art in a more consistent way. A student of the west, Flebbe loves to capture the old and new west in all its variations. Drawing on his love of the outdoors, Garris paints plein air and studio works in oil and acrylic. See his art at The Many Springs Ranch in Pea Green from 2-5 p.m. on October 14-15. Contact 970-874-0623 or visit garrisflebbe.com to learn more.

Local author revises acclaimed book for women on the cusp of retirement

Approximately 10,000 women born between 1955 and 1964 are approaching retirement. These women have gained respect and equality, partially due to the work of earlier Boomer women (those born right after the end of World War II), but society still believes older women do not contribute, despite being of the wealthiest segments in the country, said local author Elizabeth Wheeler. There are few resources for these women, Wheeler pointed out, as most retirement books are written by men. That’s why Wheeler updated her book, “Paths - A Primer for Ladies-of-a-Certain-

Age: A Workbook for the Road Ahead.” Wheeler recommends women go through this workbook in a group setting. The book examines the two time periods of the Boomer generation and the significance they played on women’s values and perceptions today. It also includes advice on finding your purpose in life, possibly moving to a new community, as well as health and finances. Wheeler wrote the book after retiring in Western Colorado in 2016. For more information, visit LadiesOf ACertainAge.com. The book is also available on Amazon and at Palisade’s Craig Gallery. ■

4. Small blemish

5. Abbr. on a toothpaste box

23. ___ Saud

25. Brownish gray baboon

28. ___ was saying...

29. Pres., militarily 30. Feel intense aversion

31. Picnic pest 34. ___ Crunch

35. Musical syllable

37. Tuck’s partner

Singer Janis

CLASSES

FREE WOMEN’S SELF-DEFENSE INSTRUCTION. Because “NO MEANS NO!” Simple and effective methods to escape assault taught by a nationally certified black belt instructor with 4 decades of experience. Call Bob (no texts please) 970-261-2445. Leave your name and number and I’ll return your call.

FOR SALE

Use ItchNoMore® shampoo for heat relief on dogs, cats & horses. Promote healing, stop scratching without steroids!!! At Tractor Supply® (www.happyjackinc.com)

BANK ON

HEALTH & WELLNESS

MEDICAL MARIJUANA DOCTOR

DAYS IN MONTROSE AND GRAND JUNCTION. Got pain? Find out if medical marijuana is right for you. Doctor evaluation and education on cannabis use in a professional HIPAA-compliant setting. Call for appointment times and days. 720-443-2420 or visit www. healthychoicesunltd.com.

HELP WANTED

RETIRED/NEED EXTRA INCOME

Part-time medical delivery position available. Shift starts at 3:00 am. Weekend call every 4th week. Good driving record required. Flexibility and dependability essential. Call for details 970-254-2897.

REAL ESTATE

We buy houses, any condition, any situation. 970-316-2488.

REAL ESTATE

Goldenwoods Condominiums at Powderhorn Resort deeded timeshare. Always during week 52 (ChristmasNew Years). Right on the slopes, 1 bedroom, 1 large bathroom and a pull-out couch. $2500; HOA $450. Please text 970-201-3945

SERVICES

ABSTRACT WINDOWS LLC, 970-3124717 Need your windows cleaned? give us a call or text. Residential and Commercial Window Cleaning. Serving Mesa County. Quality Work. Reasonable Rates. Free Estimates. Licensed and Insured. Senior and Veteran Discounts Available

THE CLEANING LADY, LLC. Sweep away the cobwebs and get the skeletons out of the closet, make your home, RV, Airbnb, or rental Boo-tiful in time for the holidays! Downsizing, reorganizing & cleaning. Linda K. 720841-7505 or 970-263-7364.

SERVICES

Pat's Hair Salon

Shampoo Sets, Blow Drys, Hair Cuts

Great Prices on Perms Senior Discounts

970-778-8075

ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES INC. Your needs Delivered. Join the many other Grand Junction area business owners who are utilizing our efficient restocking services. Rags, floor care, hand care, packing material, paper products, respiratory, gloves, eye protection, ear protections, and head gear, restocking all bathroom needs. Most everything you need for safety, cleaning and bathroom. Bi-weekly or Monthly restocking 970-434-9440

KIM’S CONVENIENT MOBILE NOTARY, because not everyone is mobile. From Mack to the Mesa & beyond. Commission number available upon request. Call for more information. 970-201-5293.

SENIOR COMPUTER ASSISTANCE. $40/hr Senior consultant (with over 30 years experience) will help guide you through frustrating computer and cell phone issues. Call Dave to schedule. 970-902-3768

VOLUNTEERS WANTED

SERVICES

10 ACRES HANDYMAN SERVICES. Home Improvements, Remodeling, Fencing, Flooring, Carpentry, Hauling, Land Clearing, Painting, Landscaping, and Much More! Licensed & Insured. Senior Discount Available. 970-312-5650

LOVE YOUR PIECE OF EARTH, LLC. Fall clean-up, sprinkler and swamp cooler blow-out & maintenance, professional lawn care, home remodeling & handy-man services, and more! Book now for fall services. 970-300-3411

SENIOR BEAUTY SPECIAL. First-time clients receive $10 off single service, $15 off cut and color packages. Regan’s Regal Beauty, 2500 North Ave., #2, Grand Junction. Call Regan to schedule: 719-425-0543

KETTLE ELECTRIC New construction, remodeling, inspections, and troubleshooting. Reasonable prices. 970-241-4825.

WANTED TO BUY

USED BOOKS BUY, SELL OR TRADE. Gently used books on hundreds of subjects. Westerns, romance, mysteries, suspense, kids, young adult, inspirational and many others. Large print. Special orders. 970-2423911. Twice Upon a Time Bookshop, 2885 North Ave., Ste. B. located in front of Walmart next to Subway. 10-6 Tues-Sat. **Bring this ad in for $10 Trade Credit**

Puzzle Answers

MONTROSE/DELTA MESA COUNTY

ADRC - SOS: Provide rides to homebound seniors. Apply at htop.org/ volunteer or call 970-248-2746.

A Little Help: Help older adults with home projects. Apply at alittlehelp. org/volunteering; call 970-404-1923.

Ariel Clinical Services: Be a host home for adults with intellectual disabilities. Call 970-245-1616.

Community Hospital: Support the hospital in varying positions. Contact codell@gjhosp.org or 970-644-3541.

Food Bank of the Rockies has volunteer shifts available. Contact foodbankrockies.org/westernslope-volunteer or 970-464-1138.

Grand Junction Visitor Center: Welcome guests to the Grand Junction area. Contact matthewh@gjcity.org or 970-256-4054.

Hilltop’s Senior Life Options: Help enrich the lives of senior residents. Apply at htop.org/volunteer or call 970-244-0659.

Lower Valley Heritage Room: Help preserve Fruita history. Call 970-8583868.

Master Gardeners: Teach landscape and gardening at CSU Extension. Apply at tra.extension.colostate.edu or call 970-244-1834.

Meals on Wheels: Deliver lunch to homebound seniors or serve lunch at local dining sites. Call 970-298-9844.

Mesa County RSVP connects individuals 55+ to volunteer positions in its member agencies. View available positions and apply at mesacountyrsvp. org or call 970-243-9839.

Operation Interdependence: Hand write notes for deployed U.S. military men and women. Contact carley@ oidelivers.org or 970-523-4217.

Palisade Historical Society: Share Palisade history and work on committees. Call 970-464-2177.

Red Cliffs PAC (formerly Mesa Manor) is looking for volunteers in the activities department. Email john. bruington@redcliffs-pa.com

Roice-Hurst Humane Society: Walk dogs, socialize cats, transport pets, help with events and more. Apply at rhhumanesociety.org/volunteer.

Montrose Library: Sort donated books and run book sales. Apply at montroselibrary.org/support-mrld or call 970-249-9656.

Golden Circle Seniors: Help seniors at the Montrose Senior Center. Call 970-252-4888.

Morningstar Therapy Dogs: Registered dog handlers and their pets visit nursing and retirement homes, hospitals and schools. Call 970-5969343 to learn more.

Museum of the Mountain West: Tour guides bring the past to life for visitors. Contact 970-240-3400.

Region 10 - RSVP connects individuals age 55 and older to volunteer positions in Delta and Montrose counties. Contact jwalker@region10. net or 970-765-3147.

Region 10 - SHIP Help other seniors navigate Medicare. Training provided. Contact jwalker@region10.net or 970-765-3147.

Senior CommUnity Meals: Help sort and deliver meals to homebound seniors. Call 970-874-7661.

Sharing Ministries Food Bank: Greet clients, pick up/drop off food, stock shelves and help in the office and at events. Apply at sharingministries. com/help/volunteer or 970-240-8385.

Time Bank of the Rockies helps people through a system of exchanged services. Apply at timebankofthe rockies.com/membership.html or call 970-209-6886.

Valley Symphony Association: Support local musicians who bring classical music to life. Contact info@ valleysymphony.net or 970-765-8323.

Welcome Home Alliance: Support local veterans. See current needs at whafv.org/volunteer.html or call 970765-2210.

Carefree retirement living.

The Cottages let you live independently while giving you the freedom to make the most of your retirement. Our single-level patio homes offer privacy and luxury with open living plans, two bedrooms, two baths, vaulted ceilings, contemporary kitchens, gas fireplace, covered patio, and a one-car garage. Enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle with paid utilities, bi-weekly housekeeping, snow removal, lawn maintenance, and flexible meal options at our Commons or Fountains dining rooms. Plus you and your loved ones get peace of mind with a 24-hour emergency response system.

Don’t vote for a number

By Dr. Glenn Mollette

Are President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump too old to be president of the United States? The answer to this question varies and depends on your perspective.

This perspective hinges on your expectations of America’s president. Should he or she be able to run up steps? What about walking down the steps from Airforce One without looking down? This is a good trick.

We have to be careful about hanging a number on the maximum

articulate? Does the candidate demonstrate leadership skills that we need to lead this country forward to better times? Will they be a peacemaker? Will they be a strong presence on the world stage?

Seventy million Americans don’t want a president who is going to cut Social Security or Medicare benefits. Millions of Americans over 50 don’t want the Social Security retirement age raised from 67 to 70. No one in this age bracket is going to support a candidate who infers either of the changes. Some say the full benefits age should nev-

970.434.2111

age to serve as president. Eighty may be too old, but maybe it’s not. I heard Billy Graham preach when he was 80, and he came on the stage talking and preaching like a dynamo! There was nothing inarticulate or incoherent about him. There are millions of 80-plus-year-old people in this nation who live active lives and have a lot to contribute to our country.

However, we have to be realistic. There are millions of 80-year-old Americans who are barely alive. Their health is terrible! Many can’t care for themselves, let alone care for a nation. Furthermore, there are millions of Americans between 36 and 70 who are not mentally or physically healthy enough to hold down the world’s biggest job.

Every presidential candidate must be evaluated by each American. We have to look at all of the candidates circumspectly. Do they have the knowledge, skills and relevant experience? Are they

er have been raised from 65 to 67. Millions of Americans will pay into Social Security all their lives but never make it to age 67, and thus never collect a penny. Of course, these people can collect a smaller amount if they want to retire at 62 and live on much less, which isn’t a viable option for many.

Don’t vote for someone just because they are young and vigorous. Youth is attractive and often charismatic, but it sometimes makes mistakes. Don’t vote for someone just because they’re 80. Hopefully they are wise and experienced, but they may be on the verge of becoming too frail.

Look at the whole person. Look at what he or she is able to bring to the job and potentially do to lead our nation. Age is just a number. ■

Glenn Mollette is the author of 13 books. His column is published weekly in over 500 U.S. publications. Visit GlennMollette.com

When you choose Hilltop Senior Living Communities, your money stays right here in our community, supporting a nonprofit that has provided Western Colorado with compassionate and comprehensive human services for over 70 years.

For your transition to Medicare, talk to Humana

may have a lot of questions. Some of the

There’s a lot to know about Medicare, which means you may have a lot of questions. Some of the basic ones might be these:

• What are my options here in Grand Junction?

• Which plan is right for me?

• How do I choose?

Medicare basics and beyond

learn about Original Medicare, available Advantage, which you can get from private health plans in Grand Junction and will help budget-friendly price.

Speak with your local, licensed sales agent. You can learn about Original Medicare, available through the federal government, and about Medicare Advantage, which you can get from private companies, such as Humana.

The whole story, for the whole you

Humana offers low-premium Medicare Advantage health plans in Grand Junction and will help you find the right one for your needs at a budget-friendly price.

agent

Call a licensed Humana sales agent

Patti Zapf

970-301-8752 (TTY: 711)

Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. pzapf@gmail.com

program

Ask about Humana’s Care Highlight™ program

A more human way

to healthcare™

Debbie Forest

970-217-7326 (TTY: 711)

Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. forestinsurance@gmail.com

subsidiaries comply with applicable Federal Civil Rights age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender not speak English, language assistance services, free (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su 1-877-320-1235 (TTY: 711). 繁體中文 (Chinese): 注意：如果您使用

At Humana, it is important you are treated fairly. Humana Inc. and its subsidiaries comply with applicable Federal Civil Rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, ancestry, marital status or religion. English: ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-877-320-1235 (TTY: 711). Español (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-877-320-1235 (TTY: 711). 繁體中文 (Chinese): 注意：如果您使用 繁體中文

。