December 2015 Beacon Senior News Print Edition

DECEMBER 2015 r guide FREE – You

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Vol. 29 No. 12

nty – FREE

Mesa County’s Monthly Newspaper for Adults 50+ Over 28,350 Readers

Mesa Cou aging well in

FREEE

he S ID TIN

MESA COUNTY

Guide - 2016

The MAGIC behind the suit (For adult eyes only)

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DECEMBER 2015

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DECEMBER 2015

EDITORIAL

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Seniors want your presence, not your presents

By Kevin K. VanGundy

Y

es, you’ve probably heard me say this before but I’ll say it again.

During this season of generosity, the best gift that you can give a senior is your presence.

One lesson I’ve learned during my time with the BEACON is that people want to be heard. Often, older people long to connect with someone.

For many of us who are still raising families and working, life has become super busy—rushing here and going there with little time for ourselves, let alone others. In addition, take into account the business of the holiday season itself and it becomes much easier to give a loved one a present instead of your presence.

Why not do both?

This year several local agencies are working with volunteers to deliver a warm Christmas Eve meal and companionship to homebound seniors.

The holidays can be a lonely time for senior citizens who have no family

here and who are unable to travel to be with family. You can help create new memories for yourself and keep a senior from feeling forgotten by picking up a volunteer form at Comfort Keepers, located at 514 28 1/4 Road, Suite 5, which is located directly behind StarTek. You don’t have to cook the meals— they’ve got that all figured out.

Thank you, BEACON staff.

Like a proud father, I’m happy to share with you the recent triumphs of our staff’s work at the North American Mature Publishers Association conference in Florida. Always a competitive conference, the BEACON Senior Newspaper won several national awards. Of course, you already knew how talented our staff is, as you enjoy the paper every month.

On a bittersweet note Cloie Sandlin, our esteemed and surprisingly young editor is moving to Denver this month to pursue a glamorous new career in television. She will be missed.

Happy Christmas from the BEACON 2016 BEACON Guide Our staff has spent the last several months putting together our 2016 BEACON Guide, which is included in this month’s BEACON. Known for many years as the RESOURCE Directory, we decided to change the name as several other, less established publications sprang up and used that term to describe their sparse offerings. Plus, our RESOURCE Directory has evolved into more of a guide to aging well in Mesa County. If you need more copies, they’re free, and available by calling us at 243-8829.

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COVER STORY

“The Autobiography of Santa Claus as told to Jeff Guinn” is an adventure-filled combination of history, Christianity, fiction and the answers to many questions surrounding the mystery of Santa Claus.

Born to Christian parents in Turkey in 280 AD, Nicholas was orphaned at age 9 and raised by priests. From his faith, he learned there was nothing better than giving. His career as a gift giver began at age 12 when he put coins in the socks of less fortunate children.

He continued the practice of Christian charity under the cover of night as to not bring attention to himself. Nicholas stopped aging at 63, and traveled the world meeting historical figures throughout the ages who joined his mission. People such as Attila The Hun, King Arthur, Charlemagne, Columbus, Leonardo De Vinci, Ben Franklin, Charles Dickens and George Washington became his faithful friends.

Known originally as St. Nicholas, he was given the name Santa Claus upon coming to the United States.

But it’s important to remember that no matter what his name, his passion remains the same.

Grand Valley Books, 350 Main St. in Grand Junction, has a limited number of books in stock, so gets yours today. You can also buy them online at Amazon.com

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

DECEMBER 2015

The MAGIC behind the suit

By Melanie Wiseman “What I hope you’ll learn above all else is that the real magic of Christmas involves love, and that the greatest joy is giving rather than getting. Just as this isn’t a perfect world, Christmas isn’t a perfect holiday, and won’t be until all human beings on this beautiful planet can live together in harmony. No single person can make this happen, but if we each do what we can, then there’s still hope that one Christmas Day we’ll find ourselves enjoying the most wonderful gift possible—complete peace on Earth, and goodwill from everyone to everyone.” - Santa Claus (From the forward of “The Autobiography of Santa Claus”) Have you ever wondered about the heart behind the rosy cheeks, snow white beard, red suit and robust “ho, ho, ho”?

I hadn’t given it much thought until I read the whimsical historical fiction book, “The Autobiography of Santa Claus as told to Jeff Guinn.” Upon Mrs. Claus’ urging, Santa shares his autobiography with Guinn during a visit to the North Pole, so people everywhere will understand the true spirit of Santa Claus.

Three local men could write their own heartfelt autobiography of Santa Claus, as they have portrayed him for a combined total of 90 years. To them it’s all about the kids—and a few adults, too.

Biff Messinger

For the love of Christmas Christmas was always a festive and exciting time for Biff Messinger.

“I got the love of Christmas from my mother,” Messinger, 67, said. “She kept our tree up until July.”

Messinger’s favorite movie is “Miracle on 3th Street,” so taking on the role of Santa Claus came easy.

“When I was asked to do it for the first time in 1990 at the US military academy at West Point, I didn’t even have to think about it,” he said. “All the things about Santa appealed to me. I like giving things to people, and I like making people laugh and making them happy.”

Messinger had such a positive experience that he continued the tradition and has volunteered his Santa services for 25 years.

“You can just see the magic in the eyes of the little ones that this is really Santa Claus,” he said.

Messinger also performs for adult groups, using a different personality than he does for the kids.

“For adults I do my homework and find out things about people in the group,” he said. “This way I can make it personal because Santa knows everything.”

As Santa, Messinger always enter the room laughing and is sure to stay in character with a voice and laugh he uses just for Santa. He said being Santa feels good and is therapeutic.

“I’ve contributed to the happiness of children and adults,” he said. “It’s all about giving. I never get tired of it.”

Just call him Mr. Santa Claus “I just love Christmas,” said Rick Green, who has portrayed Santa Claus for 43 of his 60 years.

He first volunteered for the role at age 17 for disabled folks at a state home and has been actively living the spirit ever since.

As well as portraying Santa at the Parade of Lights for 20 years, Green has donned the red suit for the downtown tree lighting, Spirit of Christmas Walk, St. Mary’s Breakfast with Santa, and office parties.

“Every once in awhile there will be a little one who looks at you with their big eyes and you just melt,” Green said. “They don’t want anything, they just want to come up for a hug or to say hi. A couple times kids have asked for their dad to come back and we had a pretty sensitive conversation.”

As a kindergarten teacher, it’s important to Green to be a positive role model. His heart stirs from the unconditional love he receives from the children.

“Even Santa is a role model,” he said.

Green has never personally taken a cent as Santa Claus, giving it all to charity or using it to update his costume and props. His dream is to have an artificial beard made from human hair, but the cost is in the thousands.

Green’s love of Christmas goes beyond his role as Santa Claus. The majority of his backyard is encom-

DECEMBER 2015

COVER STORY

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passed by a North Pole-themed electric train setup that operates throughout the winter.

He even named his daughter Jessica after the “Santa Claus is Coming To Town” TV special, where that was Mrs. Claus’ name.

At home he took the Santa role seriously. After his son threw a tantrum to show his disappointment in a gift he opened one Christmas Eve, Green made a trip to a gas station and bought briquettes.

“Coal is what Santa brought my son that year, along with a heart-toheart talk,” he said. “It was a good lesson and we still laugh about it.”

Green played Santa Claus for his own kids until they figured out who he was. His daughter also played Santa’s helper with him.

Green said he’ll keep being Santa for as long as possible.

“I love it,” he said. “It’s magical.”

Christmas from a father’s perspective Even though he grew up poor on a remote farm, Arvid Koppang said Santa still made appearances at his house. But for much of his life, Christmas was simple.

That all changed when he became a father.

“As a young father, Christmas became a big deal,” Koppang said.

Koppang’s son was handicapped, which changed his outlook on the world.

“Having him sensitized me,” he said. “A lot of people helped him and it just changed how I viewed things.”

For 20 years Koppang found that portraying Santa was a rewarding way to give back.

“At one time there were four of us at our church and we had a little business call GJ Rent-a-Santa,” he said. “All of that money went to the Sunday School. I’ve ridden on fire engines, Jeeps, antique cars—you name it.”

Koppang puts on his Santa suit up to 25 times a season and sometimes twice a day. At each affair that he plays Santa, the twinkle in his blue eyes usually comes with a bit of mischief.

“I would ask a young brother and sister if they were married, or ask what their mom wanted for Christmas,” Koppang said. “I would actually study what the hot toys were and

say, ‘Don’t you want one of these?’

The parents’ reactions were, ‘Where did they get this guy?’”

A doctor once hired him to crash the Christmas parties of other doctors. He was also hired by parents to be caught by their kids as he placed presents under their tree, leaving them wide eyed and mystified.

Koppang has many touching stories, including one where a young boy made a Christmas wish for his dad to find a job.

One encounter over 20 years ago still pulls at his heartstrings.

“I always tear up when I tell this one,” he said (and he did). “I had a little girl help me as an elf for the first time. On the job about 20 minutes, a mother brought up her child who was deaf and signing.

This little elf immediately started signing and the mother started bawling. It was the only time I had a deaf child, and that little elf was there at the right time. That was pure serendipity.” ■

National & Regional Award-Winning Publication Publisher ..............................Kevin K. VanGundy Founding Publisher....................... Susan Capps Editor............................................. Cloie Sandlin Senior Graphic Designer............ Melissa Trottier Graphic Design/Photography....Katherine Lopez Graphic Design.............................. Karen Jones Office Manager........................... Sherry Harmon Account Representative................... Sue Bowen Account Representative................ Sidney Jayne Proofreader...................................... Jan Weeks Cheerleader................................... Genevra Shal Delivery...........................................Cora Gentry Delivery ................................. Lauren VanGundy DELTA-MONTROSE BUREAU Assistant Editor........................Liesl Greathouse Account Representative...............Virginia Carlile Delivery...............................................JR Milner Delivery...................................... Brandon Carlile

P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502 ph: 970.243.8829 fax: 800.536.7516 Website: www.BeaconSeniorNews.com E-mail: Beacon@ PendantPublishing.com The BEACON is published at the beginning of the month. Our goal is to inform and inspire the 50+ community in Mesa, Delta & Montrose counties.

Christmas

LEFT: Rick Green as Santa visits with children at the recent Christmas Tree Lighting.

Photo by Katherine Lopez.

BELOW: Arvid Koppang as Santa

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Publication of advertising does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Columns are opinions of the writers, not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Display advertising rates are available upon request. Deadline for advertising and announcements is the 20th of the month preceding publication. © Copyright 2015 • All Rights Reserved

MERRY

Cover Photo: Mike Chedsey is another Grand Valley Santa Claus, seen here on a carriage ride with some happy local residents spending the day in downtown Grand Junction.

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FEATURE STORY

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! d r a o b a l l A

R

By Pat Martin

emember when the dream of every little boy was to own a model train? For many, their wish was granted on Christmas morning with a Lionel train set running around under the tree.

Some little boys never grow up and for Grand Junction resident Ron Senek, his first train he received at age 5 kindled a passionate love affair with trains, which he has preserved for over half a century. Although he was never employed by a railroad, Senek spent his working years as a miner in Leadville, Colorado, and Elko, Nevada. It was in Elko that his fascination with model railroading began.

DECEMBER 2015

ns i a r t l e d mo f o d l r o ini w m e h t r n fo o i s batteries instead of track power. s a p e g u h photo he He even has techniques to make as h n a used was of the old the trains look more authentic and m l Loca icehouse in Elko, which he reproweathered. When not in use, his

When he retired after 37 years in the mining business, trains became a year-round hobby for Senek, that has continued to evolve through the years. His train setup in the backyard of his Redlands home is testament to his dedication to G Scale (garden scale) model trains. Garden scale train cars and layouts are much larger than HO Scale layouts, which are usually located indoors. The present train spectacle in his backyard is his third and most elaborate layout so far, encompassing most of the backyard and surrounded by artifical scenes that are crafted with such exquisite detail they look realistic.

Senek carefully studies archival photos of trains and old buildings, and replicates and reproduces them into miniature models. One such

duced and built to scale as part of his layout.

Senek learned woodworking from his grandfather and usually spends five or six hours a day in the yard or in his well-equipped machine shop, creating model-size wooden structures, bridges, mining tipples and tracks. Some of his miniature buildings are roofed with tiny, individual shake shingles he painstakingly places one by one. Corrugated metal roofs are created from small pieces of aluminum pop cans flattened and crimped to resemble sheets of corrugated tin. The final touch is made when figures of people and vintage vehicles are scattered across the scene.

Senek’s trains can run in one big loop or in five separate loops, with the various engines running on drill

Senek is careful to make his models operate just like the real thing. One of his most interesting creations is the all-metal center lift span bridge, inspired by the bridge spanning the Illinois River in Ottawa, Illinois.

inventory of train cars and engines is stored on rollout shelves like cans in a pantry.

Senek is careful to make his models operate just like the real thing. One of his most interesting creations is the all-metal center lift span bridge, complete with tiny gatekeeper, inspired by the bridge spanning the Illinois River in Ottawa, Illinois. The whole center span stays level and is lifted up by a pulley system at each end to allow boats to travel underneath it. He also created a turntable in his realistic roundhouse, and a snowplow engine that really plows snow off the tracks.

DECEMBER 2015

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Senek said his railroading hobby is relaxing.

“It keeps my mind active—thinking up my next project,” he said. “My wife likes the fact that I’m here most of the time and not off somewhere doing something else. It tends to keep me closer to home.”

When he’s not working on his own projects, Senek volunteers at Cross Orchards Living History Farm in Grand Junction 12 days out of the year helping maintain the Uintah Railroad boxcars and caboose on display.

But even that isn’t enough to satisfy his railroad mania. Every year he and his wife Holly stay in Antonito, Colorado for a week or two, where Senek helps rebuild boxcars for the

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.

“It’s really sad that today’s kids aren’t much interested in trains and their history in the building of this country,” he said. “Most of them have never seen a caboose and don’t even know what they were used for.”

Holly is fully involved with her husband’s avocation and is also quite knowledgeable about the various kinds of engines and train cars. She joins him as they attend train shows all over the country. Senek joins other area train lovers as a member of the Grand Valley Model Railroad Club and the Utah Garden Railway Society.

If you are interested in seeing Senek’s trains in action, visit www. shadetreegardenrailroad.com or give him a call at 775-934-5753. ■

Watch the world of model trains at the Christmas Train Show Model trains take over during the holidays as Grand Valley Model Railroad Club members host their 27th annual Christmas Train Show at Cross Orchards Historic Site, 3073 F Road in Grand Junction. The expansive display will dazzle you with the sights and sounds of the world of model trains.

Admission is $4 per adult and $1 per child or $7 per family.

FEATURE STORY

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Sunday, December 27, 2015 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at The Commons of Hilltop (625 27 1/2 Road • Grand Junction) • Tour the area’s premier assisted and independent living communities including The Commons, The Fountains and The Cottages of Hilltop • Learn about Hilltop Home Care’s unique medical and non-medical services for seniors who want to remain safe and secure in their own homes • Talk to a dementia and Alzheimer’s care specialist • Learn about Senior Daybreak, a day program for those affected by memory loss

For more information call (970) 434-2111

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DECEMBER 2015

ASK THE OLD BAG

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ASK THE OLD BAG Advice Column for the Over 50 Crowd

By Gayle Lagman-Creswick Dear Old Bag: In response to your September column: God made man the pursuer in the male/female relationship.

God also made man to react quickly to anything visual and to become excited upon seeing a pretty woman. Today, women on TV wear very short dresses and have plunging necklines. Men are bombarded with all these sexual items every day, making it difficult—you can only play golf so often, join so many clubs, attend church functions, work for your community, read a book, etc.

Women need to understand this and not be so darn critical. Signed, Man Dear Man: I have to agree with part of your letter—the part where you describe how some women dress nowadays. I believe that many women don’t give a thought about the idea that showing more body turns men on—or maybe that’s what they want—I don’t know. However, if you are insinuating that this type of dress gives men the license to take women to bed, I disagree with that philosophy. Mature men and women have hopefully learned to control their animal instincts. Play another round of golf. To women: Take heed of how you dress. I have received many letters from grandmothers who object to the way their granddaughters dress to go to school, complaining that they are “asking for trouble.” To you grandmothers I say, set a good example for them. O. B. Dear Old Bag: I like your column a lot. You have good sense and a kind heart. Some time ago I read that you wrote a book about your daughter. I would really like to buy that book, if it is available. Signed, DH

about my daughter who had a severe bipolar disorder, and our life with her.

It is called “Mary Quite Contrary” and is available on Amazon. I believe Barnes and Noble will also order it for you. It’s under author name Gayle Carson Lagman Creswick. O.B. Dear Old Bag: Today I received a phone call from a man who said he worked for the U.S. Treasury and that I was receiving a $9,000 grant from the government because of my age and good credit status. Then he said there would be a $230 dispensing fee to release the money to me. I said I don’t give my money like that and he immediately hung up. I knew it was a scam from the onset, but wanted to see how it worked. I reported the scam immediately to the attorney general’s office. I thought to myself, “I wonder how many people fall for that.” There must be many because they keep doing it. Tell your readers to beware of scams and never ever give out your banking or personal information. BL Dear BL: There are many scams out there. Most of us older people are so trusting that we find it hard to believe that anyone would do such a thing. I hate to say this, but it appears that older women are more trusting than older men. At the Rotary Club I spoke to last month, a member said that a friend’s mother had been scammed of thousands of dollars by receiving a call that a granddaughter was in trouble and needed funds sent to Canada.

Never do this without checking it out. O.B. ■

Dear DH: Yes, I did write a book Send your questions to the Old Bag in care of the BEACON, or email lagmancreswick@cox.net

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THE HEALTHY GEEZER MENTION

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Are small amounts of carbon monoxide harmful to your health?

Healthy Geezer, By Fred Cicetti

C

arbon monoxide (chemical symbol CO) is a colorless Carbon Monoxide and odorless gas that can kill you. It’s a byproduct of combustion—it comes out of car tailpipes, gas ovens, fireplaces and heating systems.

Red blood cells absorb CO more readily than they pick up oxygen. If there is a lot of CO in the air, the body may replace oxygen in the blood with CO, which blocks oxygen from getting into the body, which can hurt and eventually kill you.

People with chronic heart disease, anemia, or respiratory problems are more susceptible to the effects of CO. Unfortunately, many seniors fit into one or more of those categories.

The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, irregular breathing, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. If you suspect CO poisoning, go outdoors and breathe some fresh air immediately. Then seek medical attention right away. If you stay in the house, you could become unconscious and die.

Making sure that all fuel-burning appliances are maintained and working properly is the best way to reduce the risk of getting dangerous CO in your home. Appliances in good working condition produce little CO. Also, have your chimney checked regularly.

CO

The following are signs that may indicate your appliances are not working properly: • Decreasing hot water supply • Furnace unable to heat house or runs constantly • Sooting, especially on appliances • Unfamiliar or burning odor • Increased condensation inside windows

Here are some other no-nos: • Leaving your car running in a garage even with the door open • Operating a gas generator in the house, burning charcoal indoors, or using a gas oven or dryer to heat the house • Putting foil on the bottom of a gas oven, because it interferes with combustion.

• Here’s one that may surprise you.

Do you have a car with a tailgate? If you drive with the tailgate open you should open your windows to make sure air is moving through your car. If only the tailgate is open, CO from the exhaust will be pulled into the car.

Next to preventing the production of CO, the best defense against this lethal gas is a CO alarm. CO gas distributes evenly and quickly throughout the house. A CO detector should be installed outside every bedroom to alert sleeping residents. ■

Send your general health questions to the Healthy Geezer in care of the BEACON, or email fred@healthygeezer.com.

DECEMBER 2015

HEALTH & WELLNESS 11

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Medicinal herbs from the Bible

By Suzy Cohen

M

any of you are convinced that prescription medicine is the best way to heal. As a pharmacist, I would agree with that at times, but not every time.

Don’t forget that before man pulled the plant from the ground, took it to a lab and attached a synthetic chemical to the plant by force (just to get it patented), we all used Mother Earth.

Now, let’s go back in time. Here are some ways that ancient herbs were used to improve health.

Bitter herbs: If you just had a salad of leafy greens, chances are you had some plants that are considered bitter herbs. The most common bitter herbs are romaine lettuce, parsley, green onions and horseradish. These contain antioxidants and support detoxification, while stimulating saliva, gastric and intestinal enzymes to help with digestion and high amounts of miner-

als. Horseradish root contains an enzyme called horseradish peroxidase, which is thought to kill cancer cells.

Garlic: Mentioned in the Bible after the Israelites escaped from slavery in Egypt, it’s dubbed “the stinking rose.”

The odor comes from sulfur-based compounds known today to promote heart health and reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. The journal “Cancer Prevention Research” shows that the sulfur compounds found in garlic deactivate cancer-causing compounds.

Almond: Also known as prunus dulcis, these nuts contain salicin, which acts like modern aspirin. Eat 10 to 15 almonds per day to get mild pain relief. The almond is a popular symbol of resurrection because the flowers bloom in January or February. The magnesium in almonds lessens nerve excitability and induces muscle relaxation.

Black cumin seeds: Known as nigella sativa and mentioned in Isaiah 28:23, these jet-black seeds help reduce blood glucose by improving beta cell function in the pancreas. It could be a great addition to a diabetes protocol. Further, a study suggests black cumin seeds help reduce the frequency of seizures, possibly in those who are resistant to drug therapy. Black cumin seed is not the same as cumin.

Cinnamon: Generally speaking, cinnamon can help with athlete’s foot, indigestion, cognition and blood glucose.

Frankincense: Goes by another name on supplement labels called “boswellia.” This “Gift of the Magi” has been shown in studies to help with ovarian and bladder cancer. It works a little bit like celecoxib (Celebrex), the prescription blockbuster drug for arthritis. It helps reduce a nerve toxin called Th-17 so if you have cognitive problems, consider boswellia. ■

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

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DECEMBER 2015

Simplifying exercise and healthy eating

By Melanie Wiseman

W

ouldn’t it be great to snap your fingers and permanently live a fit and healthy lifestyle? If only it was that easy. Although it takes conscious effort, there are many simple steps you can take so exercise and eating well are less of a chore and more of a natural and enjoyable part of your daily life.

Simple exercise Exercise doesn’t have to equate to hours of monotonous activities in a gym. Whatever your age or fitness level, adding even a small amount of physical activity to your weekly routine is better than none at all. You’ll be surprised at how regular exercise can positively affect your overall health.

According to HelpGuide.org, a nonprofit guide to mental health and well being, exercising moderately for 30 minutes, five times a week is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Taking short walks and gradually building up the length of your sessions is a great way to start. Hang in there, as it takes about four weeks for an activity to become a habit, so commit to maintaining your schedule for at least that long. Eventually the benefits will add up.

As you begin to get active, remember to go easy on yourself and go slow. Focus on activities you enjoy and make short-term goals. Stretch, drink plenty of water and make exercise a priority. Your mind and body will thank you for it.

Research shows that mild to moderate activity is enough to change your life for the better. According

to HelpGuide.org, moderate activity means that you breathe a little heavier than normal but are not out of breath. Your body should feel warmer as you move but not overheated or sweaty.

The key is to keep moving, and have variety in the way you get exercise. Having a dog, for example, leads to a more active lifestyle. Incorporating a pet, an exercise partner or social time with others doing activities you enjoy are great motivators.

Even daily activities, such as cleaning the house, washing the car, gardening, sweeping, mowing, using the stairs instead of the elevator, and parking farther from a store and walking encourage stretching and movement.

Health benefits can be broadened by mixing up different exercises.

Aerobic activities like cycling and swimming strengthen your heart and increase your endurance. Flexibility exercises, such as stretching and yoga, help prevent injury, enhance range of motion and reduce stiffness, aches and pains.

Strength training is one of the best counters to frailty as we get older.

Such exercises include weight lifting or resistance training, which build muscle and bone mass and improve balance and help prevent falls.

If you lose interest in your exercise routine, it’s time to shake things up and try something new. Try dancing, pickleball or tossing a ball or Frisbee with you grandkids or dog. If mobility is a challenge, there are many options of chair exercise classes available.

DECEMBER 2015

HEALTH & WELLNESS 13

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The key to any diet is moderation. For most of us it means eating less than we do now, but it doesn’t mean eliminating the foods you love.

Healthy eating Healthy eating is not about adhering to a strict diet and depriving yourself of food. A pleasing, varied and healthy diet that is good for your mind and body will give you more energy and have you feeling great.

The key to any diet is moderation.

Basically, this means only eating as much food as your body needs. For most of us it means eating less than we do now, but it doesn’t mean eliminating the foods you love. Banning certain foods or food groups may set you up to feel like a failure if you give in to temptation. As you reduce your intake of unhealthy food, you may find yourself craving them less.

Moderation is also about the balance we all need of carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber, vitamins and minerals to sustain a healthy body.

Focusing too much on calories can lead to anxiety, which gets in the way of healthy eating success.

Instead, think of your diet in terms of color, variety and freshness. Opt for fresh ingredients over packaged and processed foods. Read labels to be aware of large hidden amounts of sugar and salt in foods that claim to be healthy.

Eating more fruits and vegetables, cooking meals at home, and reducing your fat and sugar intake may help lower your risk for health problems.

Studies make a correlation between a diet filled with red and processed meats, packaged meals, takeout food and sugary snacks, with higher rates of depression, stress, bipolar disorder and anxiety.

Think smaller portions and take your time. It actually takes a few minutes for your brain to tell your body that it has had enough food, so eat slowly. Another common mistake is to interpret thirst for hunger, so drink plenty of water and stay well hydrated.

Eatig foods high in dietary fiber can

help you stay regular; lower your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes; and help you lose weight. In general, the more natural and unprocessed the food, the higher it is in fiber.

Good sources of fiber include whole grains; wheat cereals; barley; oatmeal; beans; nuts; vegetables such as carrots, celery and tomatoes; and fruits such as apples, berries, pears and citrus fruits. There is no fiber in meat, dairy or sugar. White refined foods such as white bread, white rice and pastries have had all or most of their fiber removed.

Eat more healthy carbs such as whole grains, brown rice, quinoa and barley.

Dairy products such as low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese are rich in calcium, as are many vegetables, greens and beans. Calcium is vital to build healthy bones and teeth, and is also important for the nervous system and regulating the heart’s rhythm.

Reduce fats found primarily in animal sources, including red meat and whole milk dairy products, as well as fats found in processed foods.

Healthy fats to add to your diet include plant oils and those found in fatty fish, such as salmon and sardines.

Adding high-quality protein to your diet means replacing red meat with fish, chicken or plant-based protein such as beans, nuts and soy.

Finally, it’s not just what you eat, but when you eat. Always eat breakfast, and eat smaller meals throughout the day. Eat dinner early to allow more time before breakfast the next morning.

For a healthier and happier new you, try taking these small steps toward exercising and eating right.

Enjoy the zest and energy of your newfound lifestyle! ■

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DECEMBER 2015

Terror on December 7, 1941

By Edward A. Joseph

W

hile traveling on scenic Route 28 in upstate New York, I saw an American flag fluttering next to a large sign encouraging visitors to stop and visit the Old Stone School House. Being a retired social studies teacher, I couldn’t resist stopping.

Since I was the only visitor at the time, the two guides who were there appeared happy to see me. After Len Utter and his colleague, Barbara, told me a bit about the railroad that formerly ran by the school, the three of us went into the building.

Looking around, I felt like I was on the movie set for a film about a oneroom schoolhouse. If you can imagine wooden desks with inkwells, a wood-burning stove, a large teacher’s desk in the corner, and an old chalkboard with some spelling words on it, you have the image of what I saw. Len Utter was a retired dairy farmer and a large, outgoing man with a quick

smile and an obvious love of local history. He did not attend the Old Stone School House as a young boy, as he lived just over the district line in Margaretville. However, the school house had a dual use. On Sundays, church services and Sunday school took place in the building and Len attended both.

After the school closed in 1940, the Sunday services and Sunday school continued. Len pointed out the desk near a window that he was sitting in on December 7, 1941—the day Japanese planes attacked Pearl Harbor.

I sat at his old desk exactly where it was on that terrible day as he related how the minister came into the room and interrupted the Sunday school lesson to announce that class was over because enemy planes were bombing Pearl Harbor.

Len was terrified when the minister stopped speaking. He started looking out the window, expecting to see planes dropping bombs on the

The Old Stone School House is located in Middletown, Margaretville, New York. school. He had no idea where Pearl Harbor was. Every step he took while walking home filled him with fear, as he kept looking up for planes and bombs. As he told the story his face changed, almost as if he was reliving those frightening moments that happened so long ago. As I walked to my car from the school, I looked up at the sky—the same sky Len looked up at more than 70 years before— and wished I could have gone back in time and taken that small boy’s hand and calmed his fears as he walked home.

[Historical note: The Old Stone School House, located in the Town of Middletown in Margaretville, New York, opened in 1820 and was rebuilt in 1860 because the original stone mortar had deteriorated. In one of its most crowded school years, 1858-59, 112 children between the ages of 4 and 21 attended at one time or another.

From “Brief History of Old Stone School House” by George Hendricks Jr., and John Mclean.] ■

DECEMBER 2015

The

RESOURCE DIRECTORY HIGHLIGHT 15

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Guide

Your guide to aging well in Mesa County

By Cloie Sandlin

M

erry Christmas from the BEACON! As a gift from us to you, you should find a copy of the BEACON’s annual Resource Directory stuffed somewhere inside this December issue. If you haven’t found it already, I thought I should give you a heads up because it looks a little different this year.

That’s because it has a new name and a new look. Now called The BEACON Guide, this trusted guide for area seniors, their families and those who assist them has only gotten bigger and better. In addition to the new name and design, it also features editorial content and additional information about the transitions in aging that you or a loved one may be going through.

From finding leisure activities to planning your retirement, and from home health care to moving to an assisted living facility, The BEACON Guide will help you navigate the continuum of care that we go through as we age. The options available can be confusing and expensive, but we’ll help you sort them out in this yearly guide to aging well in Mesa County.

Of course, our directory has many other helpful resources, such as clubs, churches, genealogy resources, pet vets and shelters, support groups and volunteer opportunities. Don’t worry. They’re all still there.

The BEACON Guide contains hundreds of listings and hard-to-find phone numbers in Mesa County. We’ve taken great care to make sure that each listing is accurate and up to date.

Each year, every listed phone number is called and personally verified.

Though geared for seniors, many households keep the resource directory on hand throughout the year. As

our community grows, so does our directory.

Many listings are added every year.

This year, there are over 900 listings in our Mesa County edition of The BEACON Guide.

Got technology?

For even more convenience our website, www.BeaconSeniorNews. com, hosts a virtual format of The BEACON Guide for seniors and their family members who live outside of the area. It’s senior friendly and can be turned page by page with a click of the mouse. You can search for keywords, zoom in and out, and click on an advertiser’s weblink to be automatically directed to its website.

Monthly highlights Every month, the BEACON Senior Newspaper highlights a local club or organization listed in The BEACON Guide. It’s a great way for readers to become better involved with organizations in the community. (This month, The BEACON Guide is what we are highlighting.)

Get your free copies If your copy isn’t in this issue of the BEACON, or if you’d like to request additional copies, call us at 970-2438829 and we will mail them to you.

Our Montrose-Delta edition will come out next month in the January Montrose-Delta edition of the BEACON and will also be available by calling 970-243-8829.

We widely distribute editions of The BEACON Guide in their respective areas—in Mesa or Delta and Montrose counties. It can be found at numerous doctors’ offices, senior centers, hospitals and more. Businesses are able to call and request them in bulk and we will deliver them personally and with a smile. ■

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16

LAUGHING MATTERS

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LAUGHING MATTERS Christmas stamps

strong. I wouldn’t be afraid if he was around.”

Submitted by J. Drover

A woman goes to the post office to buy stamps for her Christmas card envelopes. She says to the clerk, “May I have 70 Christmas stamps?”

The clerk says, “What denomination?”

The woman says, “Lord help us. Has it come to this? Give me eight Catholic, 12 Episcopalian, eight Methodist, nine Presbyterian, 10 Lutheran and 22 Baptist.”

The third woman says, “I like Michael Landon.” In unison, the other two exclaim, “WHY?” She says, “Well, he’s very handsome and seems to be a good person. And besides, I like to think he would be a very good lover.”

The other two reply, “For heaven’s sake, don’t you know why they call him ‘Little Joe?’”

Drastic measures Submitted by Richard Lemon

Submitted by Linda Roberson

He hangs up, and the son immediately calls his sister and tells her the news.

Tomorrow I’ve got 30 people to feed.

The resurrection

Bonanza

Submitted by Nancy Machtolf

Submitted by Bob Breazeale

One day after Sunday School, the pastor spoke to a group of young children about stories in the Bible. He asked them, “Can any of you tell me about the resurrection?” There was a moment of silence until one young boy raised his hand and said, “I don’t know much about it, but if it lasts more than four hours you have to call the doctor.”

She calls her father, “Don’t do anything till we get there! We’ll be there Wednesday night.”

The second woman says, “I like Dan Blocker (Hoss) because he’s so big and

Night Before Christmas (Woman’s version)

A man calls his son before the holidays. The father says to his son, “I hate to tell you, but we’ve got some troubles here in the house.

Your mother and I can’t stand each other anymore, and we’re getting a divorce. I’ve had it! I want to live out the rest of my years in peace. I’m telling you now so you and your sister won’t go into shock later when I move out.”

The sister says, “I’ll handle this.”

Three women are sitting in a bar having a few cocktails when the conversation turns to the TV show Bonanza. The first woman says, “I like Lorne Greene, the father, because is a strong father figure and really handsome.”

The father agrees, “All right.”

He hangs up the phone and hollers to his wife, “Okay, they’re coming for Christmas. Now what are we going to tell them next Thanksgiving?”

’Twas the night before Christmas and all through the kitchen I was cooking and baking and moanin’ and bitchin’.

I’ve been here for hours. I can’t stop to rest.

This room’s a disaster...just look at this mess!

They expect all the trimmings; who cares what I need?

My feet are both blistered. I’ve got cramps in my legs.

The cat just knocked over a bowl full of eggs.

There’s a knock at the door and the telephone’s ringing.

Frosting drips on the counter as the microwave’s dinging.

Two pies in the oven;

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DECEMBER 2015

LAUGHING MATTERS 17

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dessert’s almost done.

My cookbook is soiled with butter and crumbs.

I’ve had all I can stand; I can’t take anymore; Then in walks my husband spilling rum on the floor.

He weaves and he wobbles, his balance unsteady, Then he grins as he chuckles, “The eggnog is ready!”

It just leaves me exhausted, all shaky and dazed.

Retirement living with the emphasis on living

But I promise you one thing, if I live ’til next year, You won’t find me pulling my hair out in here.

I’ll hire a maid, a cook, and a waiter... and if that doesn’t work, I’ll have it all catered.

The stolen turkey

He looks all around and with total regret, says,

Submitted by Karen Jones

“What’s taking so long...aren’t you through in here yet?”

As quick as a flash I reach for a knife, He loses an earlobe—I wanted his life!

He flees from the room in terror and pain and screams, “MY GOD WOMAN, YOU’RE GOING INSANE!” Now what was I doing, and what is that smell?

Oh, darn, it’s the pies! They’re burned all to hell!

I hate to admit when I make a mistake, but I put them on BROIL instead of on BAKE. What else can go wrong? Is there still more ahead?

If this is good living, I’d rather be dead.

A game warden was driving down the road when he came upon a young boy carrying a wild turkey under his arm.

He stopped and asked the boy, “Where did you get that turkey?”

The boy replied, “What turkey?”

The game warden said, “That turkey you’re carrying under your arm.”

The boy looked down and said, “Well, lookee here, a turkey done roosted under my arm!”

The game warden said, “Now look, you know turkey season is closed, so whatever you do to that turkey, I’m going to do to you. If you break his leg, I’m gonna break your leg. If you break his wing, I’ll break your arm. Whatever you do to him, I’ll do to you. So, what are you gonna do with him?”

The little boy said, “I guess I’ll just kiss his butt and let him go!” ■

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18

TRAVEL

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DECEMBER 2015

An Ozark Mountain Christmas in Branson, Missouri

By Bobbie Green

ed for Christmas.

Another must see is the “Trail of he hills are alive with the sights Lights,” a drive-through animation and sounds of Christmas—that’s display on the grounds of the Shepwhat it’s like at an Ozark Mountain herd of the Christmas in Hills, an outBranson, Misdoor theater souri. It is hard production in to find a town the summerthat celebrates time. Allow a Christmas least one hour bigger, better to view the and brighter approximatethan Branson. ly one-mile The world is trail turned invited to this into a holiday little tourist wonderland. town to enjoy You will travel the Christmas through difseason in a ferent lands of communiholiday music, ty where its characters citizens openly and lights sure honor God and to put you in a country. Amerifestive mood. can servicemen All Branson venues decorate for Christmas.

At the end and women The reason for the Christmas season is of the tour, are honored in celebrated in Branson. you will almost every reach Inspiratheater production Tower, a 230-foot tower that is tion. Nativity scenes are displayed decked out to be a huge Christmas as prominently as Santa. The town tree during the holiday season. While has decked its streets and halls with pretty to look at in the darkness Christmas beautifully. How refreshof night, I recommend taking the ing, how politically incorrect and elevator to the top during the dayhow wonderful. light hours to get the best view of The most wonderful time of the the area. The staff begins the holiday year in Branson begins early in Nodecorating in July to be ready for vember with its “It’s a most wonNovember 1. Cost per family vehicle derful time of year” parade. Many is $42.41, or $11.31 per person and of the town’s entertainers don their $5.66 per child age 4-17. gay apparel for the promenade and give live performances at strategic If you are looking for a grandiose locations along the way—pure family state-of-the-art production, the innoentertainment for all ages. vative Sight & Sound Theatres fits the No one should miss seeing the bill. The newest Christian Broadway Yakov Smirnoff show. I guarantee Theater is now in Branson. During you will walk away with your sides the Christmas season, you will withurting from laughter, tears in your ness the “Christmas Story” with live eyes, and a renewed pride in being animals, 40-foot-high sets, incredible an American—all from the view of special effects and a cast of 40. The an American immigrant. Each of the theater boasts a 300-foot-long wrapBranson theaters is elegantly decorat- around stage. The 2,000-seat theater

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DECEMBER 2015

TRAVEL 19

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Where should you stay while visiting Branson?

There are many choices from budget motels to full-service luxury hotels. There are two Hilton hotels with water views in the Branson Landing area that are within walking distance to the old town shopping and Dick’s Five and Dime Store. Branson’s Landing has combined shopping and dining along the pedestrian-only street.

Located in the center is an event area large enough for 5,000 people. From Everyone finds fun shopping on the streets branching off from Branson Landing. Young and old enjoy the lakefront water show at the Landing in downtown Branson.

here, you can watch the amazing water fountain show along the Taneycomo Lake front.

The Branson Landing area is a fun place to be. Center Square is home to the huge lighted Christmas tree during the season. Santa arrives November 15 and resides in a tree house through December 24.

The Chamber of Commerce tells me many families scattered throughout the nation meet in Branson to celebrate either Thanksgiving or Christmas. What a great idea—I can’t think of a better place to get into the holiday spirit. Branson, Missouri, reminds everyone of the reason for the season. ■

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Sights and Sound Theatre gives grandiose state of the art productions on their 300-foot wrap-around stage. was full at the performance I attended. The beautiful lobby displays a 30-foot-tall decorated Christmas tree centered under the 54-foot-tall interior dome.

The animals for all programs live on site in a special barn in the cellar.

They are brought to the stage level on performance nights, where they each have their own dressing room equipped with a wall-to-wall gel pad on the floor to ease their standing time and to offer them something soft to lie on. Other productions that bring the Bible to life are given throughout the year. “Christmas Story” in Branson is priced from $47.99 per adult and $20.09 per child ages 2-12.

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20 HOME & GARDEN

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Holiday flowers change your mood from hectic to heavenly

By Lori Pelkowski

D

one with flowers just because it’s winter? Think again. Flowers lift our spirits throughout the year, and are especially welcome during the hectic holiday season. Whether from the florist or the supermarket, adding flowers to your home will boost your attitude and make you smile.

Roses, carnations or lilies in red and white are the stars of the holiday season. In vases, in bowls, or individually, use your imagination to transform your holidays from festive to magical.

Try these ideas from the Flower Promotional Organization.

Make a jar of water enhanced with floral preservative to use for all your holiday flowers. When using individual or small groups of flowers, always place them in a florist’s water vial, and check the water daily.

Jazz up an evergreen wreath with seasonal twigs and berries. Then add the finishing touch of groups of three bright red flowers tied together with holiday ribbon. Evenly space these beauties around the wreath and be the envy of the neighborhood.

Carry the look throughout the house by laying flowers along a bookcase or tucked into the china cabinet. Place them at intervals along an evergreen garland with ribbons and pinecones for a unique look. Spray paint different-sized pinecones silver and gold to add extra sparkle to any winter arrangement.

Place individual flowers in beautiful glass ornaments filled with water and hang them from the tree, the chandelier, or holiday swag. Fill a crystal bowl with golden glass ornaments and tuck red flowers around

or in the ornaments, or fill the bowl with white flowers and accent it with deep green ornaments. For a festive Hanukkah centerpiece, fill a silver bowl with blue glass ornaments studded with white roses.

Fresh flowers and candlelight are a match made in heaven for holiday decorating. Both flowers and candles come in so many shapes, sizes and colors that they provide limitless possibilities throughout the home.

Whether your mood is festive, elegant or whimsical, decorating with candles and flowers will add just the right touch.

Transform your holiday table with a circle of vines, greens and flowers around a grouping of pillar candles. Choose many colors, two colors, or a monochromatic theme for the flowers and candles.

Stand tapers in a variety of sizes in crystal candlesticks and add crystal vases or bowls full of flowers arranged on a sideboard or entry hall table. Then multiply the luminous beauty of the candles, flowers and crystal by placing a mirror behind your arrangement. Dazzling.

For a whimsical look, lay a strand of garland across a buffet and decorate it with candy canes and red and white flowers. Then let it twinkle with little star-shaped candles.

Don’t forget the champagne. Get some extra champagne glasses for your New Year’s celebration and fill them with water and your favorite flowers. Group the glasses in the middle of the table, march them in a line down the center of the table or scatter them around the place settings. Choose flowers in many colors for a white and gold themed table, or your favorite color flower to complement your patterned china. ■

DECEMBER 2015

21

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Honorary vet serves with Military Order of the Cootie Information and photo provided by Sue Chapman

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970 242-3151

Palisade Olde Fashioned Christmas

n t e o st & Show C d a e r b r e case g n i G Presented By:

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Palisade Community Center - Main & Front Streets S! PRIZE

~ 7 CATEGORIES FOR ALL AGES ~ Major Sponsor:

~ Free Gingerbread Cookies for Kids to Decorate ~

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S!

t was carefully folded at the bottom of the box, tucked in among the packages that were wrapped in colorful reds and greens and patterns of snowmen and Santas. It was my childhood Christmas stocking.

It had been delivered to me in a brown cardboard box, shipped by my parents who had obviously uncovered it as they continue to downsize and pass along a family’s lifetime of accumulation. There, together with the packages of new surprises and unknown delights intended for opening this upcoming Christmas morning, was the unexpected, well-worn, red and white cloth memory.

My hands reached for it first. I knew immediately what it was, even before I turned it over and saw the familiar script-written “Martha” across the white band at the top. My heart filled with joy and sadness. Simultaneous, spontaneous tears and smiles.

Something caught in my throat.

This wasn’t my first Christmas stocking. Somewhere in an attic-stored trunk I know I could find my first—colors faded, fabric worn thin, even to nothingness in places.

That original stocking had outlines of Santa in his sleigh and candy canes. It held my first blocks and a small cloth doll, and later a set of jacks.

But not far into my life, my mother must have decided it would be fun for us all to have matching stockings to hang across the fireplace mantel.

These stockings, however, were for decoration only, rather than filling with tiny treasures.

Each of these mantel stockings was made of red felt and graduated in sizes from Dad’s largest to Mom’s to my older sister’s to mine. Attached to the top of each stocking was a wide band of white felt. At the left edge was a cloth loop for hanging and across the white top band was written in bright red ink, in plain script lettering, our first names.

DECEMBER 2015

To me, these stockings represented our family.

There we were, all together, a set.

Different sizes and different names, but we matched. We belonged to each other. Hung across that Christmas mantelpiece every year was red-and-white-felt proof that we were a family.

I don’t remember when the red felt stockings were first omitted from the rest of the decorations. I suppose they fell out of fashion after awhile.

Or perhaps it was when we began to grow our own families. And we all moved away to different houses, different towns and different states.

As the only daughter without my own family, however, I continued to join the rest for Christmas in their homes. I have been blessed to have shared 60 Christmases with my family wherever they have been. I have adored doing it, even though it has meant leaving my own home for the holidays for over 35 of those years.

Driving, flying, snowstorms, ice, in the middle of the night, it doesn’t matter. I’ll be home for Christmas no matter what.

This year, however, I have decided that I will be at my home for Christmas. It is time that I celebrated in my own home, with my own wonderful friends and loved ones right here in my hometown that I love so much.

And when my stocking arrived in a package today, it was the perfect love- and wisdom-inspired gesture from my family.

So, to each of you, my Christmas wish this year is that you have your very own red-felt stocking, a mantel upon which to hang it, blessings and memories with which to fill it, and a family to love because of it.

Merry Christmas. ■

DECEMBER 2015

FUN AFTER 50 23

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FUN AFTER 50

Senior Recreation Center 550 Ouray Avenue - 970 243-7408

Activities offered by GJ Parks and Recreation

at Orchard Mesa Pool. Cost is $4.25 to drop in or $44 for a 12-punch pass.

The Senior Recreation Center offers activities for seniors age 50 and older. The center is open Monday–Saturday from 8:00 am–4:00 pm Annual membership is $10.

SPORTS

Senior Recreation Center Monthly Calendar of Events

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

SPECIAL EVENTS DECEMBER 5 Candy Cane Hunt Don’t miss the 15th annual Candy Cane Hunt and Mascot Run starting at 10 a.m. at Lincoln Park Barn. This free event includes holiday crafts, cookies and cocoa. Mesa County Library will render a holiday-themed puppet show and MJ Thomas Photography can capture a holiday family photo with Frosty the Snowman. Photo packages begin at $15. The candy cane hunt begins at 11 a.m. sharp.

DECEMBER 8 Holiday Light Tour for 50+ Get in the holiday spirit while you relax and enjoy the hidden gems of the city’s best light displays. Enjoy hot chocolate and goodies before you go. Space is limited, so register early. This event always fills. Meet at Lincoln Park Barn at 6 p.m. Cost is $5.

DECEMBER 12 Jingle Bell Run Arrive at Canyon View Park ready to race with your bells on—jingle bells, that is. Race day registration for the Jingle Bell Run/Walk is from 8 a.m.-8:45 a.m. The 5K begins at 9 a.m. followed by the Kid’s 1K at 10 a.m. Roice-Hurst Humane Society will be on site accepting donations of cat litter, and dog and cat food. We’ll be raffling off great prizes after the race. Advance registration is $24.

Day-of registration is an extra $5.

DECEMBER 17 Senior Christmas Party Celebrate Christmas with other seniors at the Grand Junction Senior Recreation Center, 550 Ouray Ave. from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Ham will be provided, but bring a dish to share. Also, bring a white elephant gift for the same sex under $10.

Enjoy live music by Bill Bartley.

HEALTH DECEMBER 4 Facts and Tracks: Chase Away Winter Blues Did you know there is no vitamin D available from Colorado’s winter sun?

Learn how this nutrient can super charge your immune system, brain, heart, mood and more. Then spend the next 30 minutes outside walking on the Riverfront Trail. Class is from noon to 1 p.m. at the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens. Cost is $5.

TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS Gentle Active Yoga This class is designed for an active beginner and above. Students must be able to get up and down from the floor unassisted. Class is 8 a.m.-9 a.m. at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $7 to drop in or $50 for a 10-punch pass.

AQUA AEROBICS These aerobic classes are for novice to intermediate individuals. Class is 8:15 a.m.-9:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

INDOOR PICKLEBALL Play indoor pickleball at Lincoln Park Barn on the following days and times.

Cost is $5 to drop in or purchase a 10-punch card for $30.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Tuesdays and Fridays: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

MONDAY 9:00 am 9:30 am 10:30 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 5:30 pm

Cribbage Cards Computer Classes Gray Gourmet Lunch Card Bingo & Dominoes Singles Pinochle (1st & 3rd Monday)

TUESDAY

Saturdays: 9 a.m. to noon

9:00 am Cribbage & Pool Tourney 12:00 pm Gray Gourmet Lunch 1:30 pm Bingo

Sundays: 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

DANCE THURSDAYS Senior dances with live music Dance from 7:30 p.m.-10 p.m. at the Senior Recreation Center. Cost is $3.

ART Art is a wonderful gift idea! Local artwork is for sale at the following locations: City Hall: Featuring the young artists from Independence Academy and the City of Grand Junction employees Tiara Rado: Featuring “The Need for Speed” exhibit by local artists at The Rock Clubhouse Two Rivers Convention Center: Aerospace and history exhibit featuring local artists

9:00 am 9:30 am 10:00 am

12:00 pm 1:00 pm

Ladies’ Pool & Cribbage Jack & Jill Pool Tourney Free Blood Pressure Clinic (3rd Wed) Gray Gourmet Lunch Pinochle & Canasta

THURSDAY 9:00 am Cribbage & Dominoes 10:00 am Dance w/Music (1st Thursday) 10:30 am Membership Meeting 12:00 pm Pokeno (Starts at 1 p.m. on 1st Thursday) 7:30 pm Dance FRIDAY 9:00 am

12:00 pm 12:30 pm 12:45 pm 1:00 pm

Painting Class & Pool Tourney Gray Gourmet Lunch Bible Study Bridge Canasta

SATURDAY 9:00 am Bridge 1:00 pm Bingo

To make Gray Gourmet lunch reservations, call 243-9844. $3.50

24

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

DECEMB

BEACON SENIOR NEWSPAPER wins national awards

By Cloie Sandlin Christmas comes early every year for the BEACON staff when our publisher, Kevin VanGundy, returns from the annual North American Mature Publishers Association (NAMPA) convention.

This year’s convention took place in Melbourne, Florida. Aside from seeing the sights with other senior publishers from across the country, a highlight of the convention is the awards banquet, where senior publications big and small vie for top honors in a variety of categories. Publications are independently judged on the quality of their written content, editing, design, photography, web content and more by the prestigious Missouri School of Journalism.

The best are then commended for their efforts with awards.

This year, your BEACON Senior Newspaper and its staff were nominated in the following categories:

General Excellence • BEACON Senior Newspaper, Colorado

Column Review • “Garden Smarts” by Kathy Kimbrough

Profile • “Freedom comes from sacrifice”

by Melanie Wiseman (July 2014) • “Love overcomes grief”

by Melanie Wiseman (February 2015) • “Mentoring is magical”

by Melanie Wiseman (March 2015 Create a Legacy) • “Tired of tasteless tomatoes?” by Carrie Kellerby (March 2015)

AND THE WINNERS ARE… Special Section

Column Review

1st Place: Transitions in Aging (August 2014)

2nd Place: “Garden Smarts”

by Kathy Kimbrough

Front Cover Illustration 2nd Place: Transitions in Aging by Heidi Graf (August 2014)

Feature Writing • “Heart to heart: Life lessons my ugly cat taught me” by Jan Weeks (August 2014) • “Pee pocket allows women to take a stand” by Cloie Sandlin (August 2014) • “Boomers get pierced, seniors get inked” by Jan Weeks, Rebecca Sanders and Cloie Sandlin (October 2014) • “Mesquite, Nevada: a newer version of an older Las Vegas” by Kevin VanGundy and Cloie Sandlin (January 2015) • “Roller Dam vital to our valley for 100 years” by Priscilla Walker (June 2015) • “KREX-TV: a 60-year legacy in broadcasting” by Carla Johnson (July 2014)

Feature Writing 1st Place: “Boomers get pierced, seniors get inked” by Jan Weeks, Rebecca Sanders and Cloie Sandlin (October 2014)

• “Relationships that last a lifetime” by Cameron Jones (September 2014) • “On the hunt for Elks” by Terri Benson (October 2014) • “Hippie Bus” by Liesl Greathouse (February 2015)

Front Cover Photo • “The Fruits of Freedom” (July 2014).

Photo by Cloie Sandlin.

• “Joe Higgins - 2015 Create a Legacy” (March 2015). Photo by Heidi Graf.

Front Cover Illustration • 2014 Transitions in Aging by Heidi Graf (August 2014)

Profi

1st Place: “Love overcomes grief” by

2nd Place: “Freedom comes from sacrif

BER 2015

25

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Feature Layout

Best Overall Design

• “Music fills the heart and soul” (July 2014). Design by Heidi Graf.

• BEACON Senior Newspaper, Colorado

• “Mesquite, Nevada: a newer version of an older Las Vegas” (January 2015).

Design by Heidi Graf.

• “Chinese New Year: Drinks and Sweets” (February 2015). Design by Heidi Graf.

• “Hippie Bus” (February 2015). Design by Heidi Graf.

• “Sentinel Pride & Perfection” (May 2015). Design by Melissa Trottier.

• “Finally a chance to explore Cuba” (May 2015). Design by Melissa Trottier.

Special Section • Senior Summer Traveler & Festivals (June 2015) • Transitions in Aging (August 2014) • Create a Legacy (March 2015)

Annual Senior Resource Guide • 2015 Transitions in Aging RESOURCE Directory

ile

y Melanie Wiseman (February 2015)

fice” by Melanie Wiseman (July 2014)

Give a Gift Subscription

Website General Excellence • BEACON Senior Newspaper, Colorado

Congratulations to you all!

Putting together a BEACON isn’t easy.

It takes novel ideas, creative design and photography, careful editing, intriguing and well-written stories, supportive advertisers, and a dedicated staff.

I believe that the number and quality of the local articles we publish in the BEACON make us stand out at such competitions. Many of our awardwinning stories about local people and local issues might never have been written if it weren’t for our wonderful, local writers. Thank you!

But above all, the BEACON would not be where it is today if it weren’t for you, our readers. As always, thank you for reading the BEACON. ■

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What everyon e needs to kno w about living healthy.

Read more in this month’s insert.

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The Christmas present caper

By Teresa Ambord

I

’d heard of people having their Christmas stolen right from underneath the tree but I never imagined it could happen to us. With the kids grown, our household consisted of my invalid husband, Mercy and me.

Mercy was our boisterous boxer puppy. She was a ball of constant energy. The moment I got up in the morning, Mercy would bolt out of her nearby bed, and go and go and go, full speed ahead, all day. By evening, Mercy was toast and so were we. We’d crawl into our bed and Mercy would collapse onto hers.

She’d sleep hard all night, then get up and do it all over again. Having Mercy there gave my husband and me a great deal of comfort. She alerted us to unusual activity and was fierce when strangers came to the door. She was a wonderful watchdog—until she wasn’t. That was the night we were robbed.

As our first Christmas with Mercy approached, we were watchful.

We’d had boxers before and they’d always been fascinated by the tree, the packages and the dangly ornaments. To our surprise, Mercy seemed oblivious.

When gifts arrived, we placed them under the tree and watched.

Although they were wrapped, we could tell some of the presents were edible. There were cookies, chocolates and breads that smelled delicious. There was even a box with Mercy’s name on it, which rattled

a piece of ribbon from a present.

A few feet away there was a scrap of wrapping paper, and then some like Milk Bones. But Mercy paid no glitter that had been on a package, attention whatsoever. For the first and some more Christmas wrap. time in years, we had an intact tree I followed the trail to the back and did not have to keep the presdoor. With my heart beating wildly, ents out of reach.

I summoned all my courage, flipped Three nights before Christmas, on the porch light, and jerked open we went to bed, exhausted as usual. the back door, terrified of what I’d With her usual huff find.

Mercy fell into her And there was the bed and was snoring perp. in seconds. Soon we Mercy lay under her were asleep, too. favorite tree, surroundThen in the dead ed by packages—or of night, I heard a what remained of noise somewhere them. Boxes and gift outside the bedbags of every shape room. I looked at my and size lay strewn poor husband, who around her. They’d was in no condition been chewed, gnawed, to help if there was pawed and looted. As an emergency. I I stood there looking had to investigate at the guilty pup, I Teresa Ambord’s stepmother the noise myself. pictured it. I guess all Polly Stellrecht with Mercy Without turning on that self-control she’d any lights, I tiptoed out and peered shown us had finally failed her, and around. There in the moonlight I she went berserk. She must have could see that every last Christmas carried out the packages one by one present was gone. through the doggy door, pillaged As I stood there with my mouth each, and gone back for another. hanging open I wondered how we Gone were the chocolates, the had slept through this. Why hadn’t cookies, the breads, the candy Mercy alerted us to intruders? Sudcanes, and four pounds of doggy denly I had a horrible thought. Had bones. And every non-edible gift was also opened just in case. The they somehow taken my beloved yard looked like the city dump. And dog, luring her with treats? right there in the middle of everyI frantically looked around the thing was Mercy, looking guilty and house—she was gone. My heart a little sick. sank. Mercy was worth more than Thank heaven we didn’t have to any number of Christmas presents. have Mercy’s stomach pumped. She Heartsick, I turned on the living room lights. There on the floor was was lethargic and not too interest-

Palisade Dental

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DECEMBER 2015

ed in her own food for a while, but soon she was back to her usual full speed ahead.

Of course, when Christmas morning came we had nothing to open.

Mercy had done that for us. We did have gifts to enjoy—the ones that Mercy did not eat because they were not edible. The trouble was we had no way of knowing who had given us what. The gift tags had been destroyed. This would be the first Christmas ever that I had no way to send out thank you notes and I was embarrassed.

Then I had an idea. Everyone who knew us knew Mercy and loved her.

So I sat down and wrote the story and sent it out to everyone as a sort of disclaimer. I included a card that said, “Thank you for the ???”

I also snapped a picture of Mercy, looking supremely guilty and sent it along, as if to prove my dilemma. I didn’t tell them that the picture was actually taken after Christmas. I’d stepped away from my easy chair to answer the phone and when I returned, my powdered donut was gone and Mercy was asleep, with white dust on her chops.

These days, we keep the presents and many other things under lock and key until Christmas morning.

But I still want to know how she pulled off that canine caper without a sound. In case you’re wondering why I named my dog “Mercy,” it came from one of my favorite old hymns, “Mercy Rewrote My Life.” Of course I had no idea then how true that would prove to be. ■

&

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Local Interest, Children’s Books, Maps & Gift Certificates Special Orders always welcomed 533 Main Street • Grand Junction

970-986-8086

outwestbooks@gmail.com

DECEMBER 2015

27

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“A Christmas Tale and Other Stories” warms the heart C hristmas is a time for miracles, and in each of the stories in “A Christmas Tale and Other Stories,” wondrous things happen.

For example:

mother’s secret, a secret that has shaped both their lives. …and more.

• A blizzard, a wreck, and two Samaritans show an estranged mother the way back to her children and to faith.

• Beggars outside an upscale L.A. church and a young girl teach the congregation the true meaning of Christmas.

• A girl encounters an angelic messenger after wishing on an heirloom ornament and learns her

Author Jan Weeks will give readings and signing books from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at Crystal Books and Gifts, 439 Main St., during the Christmas Walk. Books are available from Crystal Books and Amazon. The Mesa County Libraries Central Branch also has copies for checkout.

Weeks teaches writing at Western Colorado Community College. More info at www.weekslit.com.

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Generosity in Action “As a music volunteer, my hope is to inspire and possibly even bring some joy into the lives of the family members of patients at HopeWest and the staff who hear me play. I believe I am making a difference and helping create an atmosphere of hope and healing.”

– Larry Cappetto, HopeWest Music Volunteer

Join our family of volunteers!

HopeWest has many opportunities available to fit your needs or busy schedule. Visit HopeWestCO.org to explore the ways you can make a difference.

28 FAITH MOVES

Experience God's love in a traditional setting.

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

DECEMBER 2015

Think Christmas

By Neil Wyrick

I

love Christmas for the same reasons you love Christmas. I enjoy seeing all kinds of folk out and about loving and giving, and spelling out the meaning of this special season.

When the message of the carols shifts into overwhelm, it all starts making a king-sized difference. It starts making people think a little more of how man is such an awful fool with his greedy wars, his personal strife, and his constant bickering by deed and word.

Think Christmas—because even if we aren’t going to stop any global wars, we can make a dent in the mantle of anger and hate the world too easily wears. So wish yourself a double-double dose of Christmas.

What is Christmas?

It is lighting candles of faith in a world of darkness.

It is you when you are more concerned with giving than getting.

It is a tiny golden curl clipped from a tousled head, put in a jewelry box and given with a note that reads, “I made this for you myself.”

Christmas is a little boy giving blood to save his sister and then asking, “Doctor, when will I die?” having believed he was not just giving some of his blood but rather all of his blood.

May I suggest you have a funer-

al on Christmas day for any ugly thoughts that come to mind?

One of my favorite definitions of Christmas was given by Roy L. Smith: “He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.”

The special gifts it offers?

A smile so big it can hardly survive its extension.

Kindness so warm it almost causes a third degree burn.

The gift of your time to someone when you really don’t have any to give.

Actions that really deserve to be written home about.

It’s loving people so much you don’t have the time to worry about how much they love you.

“When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time.

Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?” penned G.K. Chesterton.

Call it a gratitude attitude and you will truly have captured the spirit of Christmas.

It’s important this Christmas season and every day of the year to love the unlovable and watch the change that love can cause to happen; to take old hurts and take their power away with the power of forgiveness; and to not be self-centered and selfish. ■

DECEMBER 2015

Memories of Christmases past

By Jerry L. Ginther

M

29

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

any of my generation will remember the fragrance of a freshly cut Douglas fir or spruce Christmas tree. Some may remember actually harvesting a tree from a wooded area where you could choose your tree and cut it yourself. There were grower/vendors in some areas that allowed cutting your own or you could purchase one from several that had been previously cut and priced according to size.

During the ’40s and ’50s, my childhood years, most families would acquire a new, live tree each Christmas on which to display their colorful ornaments and lights. Today most of the trees are artificial, flame retardant and serviceable for many years. However, it seems to me that these holidays are coming around more frequently and I’m putting our tree together and taking it apart more often than I used to in years past.

Over the years there have been gradual changes in many of the decorations, particularly the strings of lights. When I was 5 or 6 years old, the size of Christmas tree bulbs was considerably larger. The bulbs were round, much like a regular incandescent light bulb. That has changed over the years as the strings of lights have gotten longer and the bulbs much smaller. Also, like the artificial trees, the newer versions are much safer. The oldfashioned types were easily broken and more prone to being a fire hazard. Advancing technology has actually made the electric lights prettier as well as safer.

I love being out on cold evenings, going from store to store, being in the crowd of busy shoppers and hearing the greeting, “Merry Christmas” from smiling faces. Who could imagine this time of year without the magic of this cheerful greeting and the ringing of the bells pro-

duced by the Salvation Army volunteers? Also, many of the stores are playing Christmas music, ranging from “Frosty the Snowman” and “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer” to softer themes of roasting chestnuts and warm fires that stimulate thoughts of a romantic and cozy holiday. The cold and snow are outside; love and hot chocolate are inside.

One thing I haven’t heard in recent years, though, is the little three- or four-piece bands that used to play Christmas carols on city street corners during the holiday season. Perhaps I just haven’t been in the right place, but it is something I have missed. The Salvation Army bell ringers, the little corner bands, nativity scenes and groups of carolers moving about the streets all enhance the exhilaration of the season. They are traditions that revive in us a magical and mutual feeling, and for many of us the remembrance for our joy at this time of year for the birth of Christ.

When I’m out among the throngs of shoppers, their spirit is animating. Fortunately, we still have the tradition of caroling where I live and most stores allow the Salvation Army to set up their bright red collection canisters near their doors and ring those joyous bells to their heart’s content. I believe those bells are the next best thing to sleigh bells in the snow.

I love Christmas more each year. As a father and grandfather I know that the giving of gifts and the excitement of children creates lasting memories. Still the Christ child is the reason for the season so perhaps my appreciation for God’s greatest gift to humanity has expanded over the years as well.

This is also the time of year when we say goodbye to the old year and look forward to a brighter, happier new year. I’m wishing all of you a very merry Christmas, and a most prosperous and happy new year! ■

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www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

DECEMBER 2015

Your year-end financial checklist

By Nathaniel Sillin

N

ow is your opportunity to beat the rush to organize your yearend finances and make some smart moves for the New Year. Consider the following tasks.

Total up your year-to-date spending. Whether you organize by computer or on paper, make sure your tracking system for spending, saving and investment is up to date. This way, you can make sure you are on budget for the year and ready with data for tax time.

Once you are finished, determine your net worth and get an early idea of what you need to change next year.

Check in with your planner or tax professional. Take a minute to see if they can review your numbers and make suggestions on yearend financial activities and new moves you should make in 2016.

Make sure you’ve reviewed all your credit reports for the year.

You are entitled to one free copy of each of your three major credit reports from TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. Get your free annual credit report at www.annualcredit report.com.

Check and rebalance your portfolio. Be sure to check if your retirement and other investments are still on track with your investment goals. Get qualified help if necessary to see if the assets you own still fit your needs. And if you need to do any tax selling by the end of the year, now is the time to start thinking about it.

Check your insurance coverage. If you buy your own home, auto, life or other insurance policies, contact two or three agents to review the adequacy and pricing of your coverage. If you have made any structural changes or improvements to your home, make sure

those actions are reflected in your homeowners’ insurance. Such work may boost your home’s replacement value. Also, if you’ve had a major life or financial event like a new baby or the purchase of a new home, it’s time to make sure all your coverage is sufficient.

Update your W-2, benefits and estate plan if necessary. While you’re updating your insurance and investment needs for big life events related to family, property or marital status, see if your tax withholding and employee health coverage and investments need review.

Empty out your flexible spending accounts. If you have a flexible spending account for health care or other qualifying expenses, it’s time to submit outstanding claims. Remember you can only transfer $500 in your remaining balance over to the next year. Make any appointments or medical purchases you need to now and get the paperwork in fast.

Do a last-minute tax review.

Review your annual income, investment and spending data to see if there’s anything you can do in the final weeks of the year to save on taxes. If tax-deductible donations to qualified charities and nonprofits are recommended, consult sites such as GuideStar (www.guidestar. org), CharityWatch (www.charity watch.org) and Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org) to evaluate your choices so you know your contribution is being well spent.

Cut back on waste with online bill pay and deposits. Automatic online bill pay means you won’t have to waste time writing checks or risk late payment fees. Scheduling bill payment through your checking and savings accounts can save time and money, while setting up regular electronic deposits to savings and investment accounts can also help you save money before you are tempted to spend it. ■

DECEMBER 2015

Rethink how you use an ATM

By Teresa Ambord

A

SENIOR SCAMS 31

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

s fall rolls in, it gets darker earlier, which means we should rethink our activities, especially when using an ATM. Security is always important, but even more so when shorter daylight hours collide with increased shopping for the holidays. If you’re heading to the ATM, keep these tips in mind.

• Whenever possible, use an ATM during daylight hours. If you must use one at night, take someone with you. Be careful if there are bushes nearby or other areas where a thief can hide. Drive all the way around the bank to see if there are people lurking.

• Be ready before you get there, so you can quickly complete your transactions and leave. Lingering only makes you a target, so don’t rifle through your purse or wallet.

Don’t count your money. Don’t use your phone or do anything that gives the appearance of distraction.

• Don’t leave your receipt. While a receipt won’t give a thief access to your account, it does tell someone who might be watching that you are an attractive target, carrying a wad of cash.

• Choose your ATM carefully. The best ATM is inside a building.

Make sure the area is well lit.

Avoid stand-alone ATMs. If you use an outdoor ATM don’t choose one on a corner of a building, especially if you are alone. A corner makes it easier for a thief to sneak up on you, grab your purse or wallet and quickly escape.

• If someone is behind you at a walk-up ATM, stand as close to the machine as you comfortably can to shield the keypad from visibility.

• If you are driving through, keep your engine on. Open only the

window you must use to reach the ATM, keeping all other windows and doors locked.

• If you sense someone is following you, drive calmly but go straight to a police department or fire station or a well-populated area.

• Don’t wear flashy jewelry or carry expensive items that would attract thieves.

• Act confident, not distracted or confused. Thieves specifically target people who don’t seem to be paying attention or who aren’t sure of what they are doing.

• If the machine looks odd, damaged or different, don’t put your card in. Thieves might have visited during the night and installed their own card reader.

• Don’t use your fingertips to key in your PIN. Why? Fingers have heat and scammers have been known to use heat-reading devices that can capture your PIN from a distance. A thief with such a device can park down the street, aim the device at the ATM and read every keystroke based on the heat generated by fingers that touch the keys. Use a key, a coin or a pen instead—anything but your fingers. ■

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Nearly one of three cases of identity theft can be traced back to a close family member. Another 18 percent are committed by friends, neighbors, or in-home employees, according to credit bureau TransUnion.

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DECEMBER 2015

A 1967 Christmas tale

By Amy Abbott

I

was an elementary school student in the 1960s. My primary concern each December was what presents Santa Claus would bring me for Christmas. From the moment the Sears Wish Book arrived, I leafed through the slick pages, highlighting the toys I wanted.

Before big box stores, our small town had a bustling business district. Farmers came from the country to visit the “big city.” Wives bought flour, sugar and necessities at the market.

People gardened and canned, so few bought vegetables or fruit, except in December when the high school’s Sunshine Society sold Florida oranges to benefit the hospital.

Citizens visited the brick post office to see the postmaster, pick up mail, and to catch up on local news.

Across the street, a comfortable white house served as the town’s busy library with a real-life “Marian the Librarian,” Marian Bollinger.

Edna Michels, the story lady, donned a bonnet and old-fashioned long dress to host weekly story hours for children.

The day after Thanksgiving, the volunteer firefighters hung giant red and white plastic candy canes from the lamps on Main Street and displayed a life-size manger scene near the courthouse. Snow came early and blanketed the ground until after the boys’ basketball tournament at the beginning of spring.

My father bought our real Christmas tree every year from a local tree farm. Our ranch-style home lacked a fireplace, so my brother and I hung our red and white flannel stockings on the windowsills.

Mom used Elmer’s glue and green glitter to paint our first names on the white furry part of the red flannel Christmas stockings.

My father taught high school science and agriculture and advised

the Future Farmers of America chapter. Each year the FFA chapter raised money, bought the high school a real Christmas tree, and decorated it with blue, green and red bulbs and fragile, sparkling glass ornaments. The school community enjoyed the tree until the semester ended.

Tradition dictated that the FFA boys and my father take the tree, decorations and all, to a needy family chosen by the other teachers.

Our 1965 Chevy Biscayne station wagon was inadequate to cart the nearly nine-foot tree to this family.

Dad borrowed the school’s World War II-era Army truck from Willie Sims, the maintenance man.

The school was out for the semester a few days before Christmas.

Dad let the chosen family know they would be receiving a large, fully decorated Christmas tree. Dad and several of the FFA boys would bring the tree to their home.

The children ranged in age from an infant to an 18 year old, with 10 other children in between. The father was out of work, a rarity in our rural area during that time, when manufacturing and farming jobs were readily available. There were no subsidized school lunches, free books or heating assistance.

Dad had his students put the decorated tree in the back of the old truck. The three of them, the 30-something-year-old schoolteacher and the two teenage boys in blue corduroy Future Farmer jackets, were in a festive mood, congratulating themselves on the good deed they were about to do.

They traveled east on the state highway past the well-manicured farms, bright, freshly painted red barns and white fences. As the old truck turned onto a county road, pieces of packed ice and gravel spit up from the truck’s worn tires.

Nearing the family’s home, Dad turned around and looked in the

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truck bed to check on the gift.

No tree.

No lights.

No decorations.

No green and red metal tree stand.

Nothing but an empty and scratched truck bed.

Dad turned the truck around.

He and the students retraced their steps to town where the shops were closing for the night. The twinkle of holiday bulbs and the lights from the Evangelical United Brethren Church signaled evening.

Nothing was found. Now, past 5 p.m., stores were already closing, if not already closed, on Main Street. It was two days before Christmas.

Dad thought about it. “What should I do?” he asked himself.

“Should I go home and get our tree?”

He didn’t think that was a reasonable choice, with his two small children enjoying the tree, but he steeled himself for that option. If need be, he thought, his children could learn about sharing.

With darkness coming, the gray truck and three not-so-wise men drove over to a tree lot at the used car place that was closing for the night. Dad reached for his wallet and bought the healthiest tree that remained on the lot. Then it was off to the hardware store for lights and ornaments and a new metal tree stand. The store was closing for the day but the cashier recognized my father and let him in.

With a new tree in the bed of the beat-up gray truck, the group headed east again. As they tentatively approached the family’s large farmhouse, they could spy children watching them from each window.

The family’s older children greeted the group and set up the tree in their living room. Dad noticed a stack of presents and bags of candy and fruit donated by the Lions Club and other community groups.

The scent of anticipation and cinnamon apples hung in the air. The

teacher and the teenagers left the family with happiness and wonder.

Our family had our usual Christmas celebration. I am confident we went to our Lutheran church on Christmas Eve, and my brother and I sang in the children’s program.

I am certain nervous children in Sears’ plaid robes re-created the manger scene.

I am certain we sang carols about a needy couple 2,000 years ago who had their child in poor surroundings.

I am certain my brother and I ran from our bedrooms early the next morning to see what treasures lay wrapped and waiting under our tree.

I am certain my brother and I balked when our mother made us eat breakfast before unwrapping our gifts.

I am certain Christmas was delightful though I cannot remember one specific gift I received or what we ate at our holiday meal.

I don’t know what happened to the large family. I haven’t lived in my hometown for more than 30 years.

What I do know is this: My father spent much more on the family’s tree and decorations than he did on ours. Dad and those long-forgotten high school students received a huge blessing when they saw the lights in the eyes of those children.

My family receives a blessing in the annual retelling of this tale, with its message of the power in giving.

Several weeks later, Dad went into the post office to pick up the mail and chat with the postmaster.

A man Dad did not know began talking to the postmaster in a loud voice.

“Clarence,” the stranger said.

“It’s the oddest thing. You know, I was driving out east of town a few nights before Christmas, and you would not believe it, I found a completely decorated, beautiful, ninefoot Christmas tree that someone had thrown in a ditch!” ■

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DECEMBER 2015

Age is subjective: Season’s Greetings!

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By Melanie Wiseman “Getting older is not for wimps!”

I have been told this repeatedly by those my senior, as my own birthdays continue to add up.

This statement usually follows a story about a new ache or pain, the need for complex dental work, or something they can’t do with the same ease as they once could. We can’t stop the clock, but we do have control of how old we feel.

Aging is inevitable and is measured in terms of years and months a person has lived since birth. But many people don’t feel that their chronological age matches how old they feel, which is called “subjective age.”

When my husband and I see a 70or 80-something couple hiking in the mountains, we think to ourselves, “That’s going to be us someday.” At 57, I plan on adding myself to the list of seniors who believe age is just a number, and focus on feeling younger than my driver’s license portrays.

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Rick Tuma of the “Chicago Tribune” said the key to staying healthy and living longer is deciding you’re not old and decrepit.

“Those of us lucky enough to grow old must contend with the measurable stereotypes of what it’s like: the frailty, the forgetfulness, the early bird specials,” Tuma said.

“But in aging, as in many things, attitude can make all the difference.

Research has shown that how people feel inside and their expectations of their capabilities can have a greater impact on health, happiness and even longevity than the date on their birth certificates.”

Expectation, not biology, leads many seniors to set physical limits on themselves, according to Har-

vard University psychologist Ellen Langer.

“They assume they’ll fall apart, so they let it happen,” Langer said.

“What we want to do is not get older people to think of themselves as young, but to change their mindsets about what it means to be older.”

Take memory for example. Thirtyfive-year-olds forget lots of things but don’t blame it on dementia.

Older people jump to the conclusion that memory failures are part of their inevitable decline, when it may just be that their values have changed about what is meaningful enough to remember.

Many studies suggest that internalizing negative stereotypes about aging can have severe negative health consequences and be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Men and women over 50 with more positive self-perceptions of aging live 7.6 years longer than those with negative perceptions, according to a study led by Yale University Professor Becca Levy.

Other studies that look at subjective age have found that feeling younger than you really are is linked to better health, life satisfaction and cognitive abilities. A younger subjective age does not mean denying your actual age or yearning for youth. It means people feel healthier than they expected to feel at a particular age.

Feeling younger “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?”

- Satchel Paige In a youth-obsessed culture, it’s difficult to avoid the fear and concern of aging. However, worrying doesn’t improve a person’s appearance, health or enjoyment of life. The following traits may help change your mindset about aging.

• Focus on what matter most -

DECEMBER 2015

35

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Famous quotes on aging “Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.”

- Chili Davis

“Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.”

- Mark Twain

“Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”

- Leroy “Satchel” Paige

“Youth is a wonderful thing. What a crime to waste it on children.”

- George Bernard Shaw

“Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing.”

- Oliver Wendell Holmes

“Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many.”

- Author Unknown

Seniors tend to have a deeper sense of gratitude, emotional satisfaction and stability. They focus on personal relationships rather than on the what-ifs of youth. Loving and accepting yourself, and filling your life with vibrant people and experiences gives seniors that youthful feel.

• Healthy lifestyle - Take good care of yourself. Eat plenty of plantbased foods and drink lots of water.

Keep moving and do something physical every day. Yoga is a great way to stretch and strengthen as well as to focus on gratitude. Adults who feel younger put more effort into their health and are healthier overall.

• Keep experimenting - Grow creatively and explore more avenues of self-expression. Expand your interests and take risks. Grab a friend or family member and take an adventure to somewhere you’ve always wanted to go. Don’t wait.

Do it now. There are many safe and trustworthy travel companies who offer trips for all levels of activity and abilities.

• Get plenty of sleep - Seniors who feel younger report more hours of sleep per week than adults who feel older, and are much less likely to feel unrested during the day. Those who get consistent and adequate sleep feel higher energy and memory levels.

• Stay socially active - Seniors who feel younger than their actual age are more socially active. They volunteer, attend religious services and have frequent contact with friends. They are also more likely to feel they have contributed positively to others over the course of their lives and continue to do so.

• Lower risk for future illness - Reducing the characteristics that are risk factors for future disease can also make you feel younger. For example, seniors who are obese, smoke or take more medications are more likely to feel older than they actually are.

• Keep learning - Seniors who feel younger are more likely to be educated and keep learning as they get older. Attend free classes and presentations at the Mesa County Central Library, learn a new hobby, join a book club, or take a class through the Colorado Mesa University Golden Scholar Program or the Art Center.

• Have purpose - People who feel younger report having greater purpose in life and more control over their lives in comparison to those who feel older.

• Loving families - Less strain and more support from family has a big impact on feeling younger. ■

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36 LOCAL LORE

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DECEMBER 2015

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im Sutherland remembers it well. After begging his parents for money, he’d run down Lake Shore Drive to the Barren Lake Boat House to buy a soda pop or candy.

There he would find old man Art Williams, a cranky sort of fellow who, along with his wife Monedith and daughters Aileen, Merita, Mary Ann and Marilyn, ran the boathouse. In addition to boats for hire, the store sold all manner of fishing tackle, cigarettes, pop and candy, and was an official U.S. Post Office from 1953-1962. It was also the Williams’ summer home for 50 years.

Originally named the Sawtell Bros. Boat House, the structure was built by Walt and Marion Sawtell and sat on the knoll on the south end of Eggleston Lake near Barren Lake. It was once located where Lake Shore Drive sits today.

Williams began living at the boathouse when he started working for the Sawtells in 1928. He later leased it from them in 1932. In 1938, The Morse Lodge burned to the ground and a new boathouse was built on its ashes under orders from the U.S. Forest Service. The boathouse was renamed Barren Lake Boat House and Williams and his family bought the rights in 1946.

The lake’s namesake came from the fact that the lake was devoid of fish until English aristocrat William Radcliffe arrived on Grand Mesa and built a fish hatchery, stocking the Alexander Lake group, which he owned. Many historical accounts can be found about Radcliffe and his role in the war on fishing rights at the turn of the century, and how the murder of a local rancher angered citizens, who later formed

a mob and burned all of Radcliffe’s possessions.

When the Forest Service lease was up in 1955, Williams leased the operation to others for the next few years. The building was moved down to Eckert in 1981 and is now a private residence.

One of the Williams daughters, Marilyn Williams Boyd, lives in Olathe and has many fond memories of living at the boathouse.

She said boats were kept on both Barren and Eggleston Lakes, and the wooden, T-shaped docks floated on barrels, each accommodating 10 boats. It was the girls’ job to take care of the boats by cleaning them out, locking them up at night and repainting numbers on them each season. The boats rented for 40 cents an hour and in return for their hard work, they got to keep the money from rentals.

Worms were another big business for the boathouse. Boyd recalled digging them out of the barrels they were raised in and putting them in empty vegetable cans to sell them for 40 cents a dozen.

Much of the Williams’ business also came from the church youth camps on Barren Lake.

Grand Mesa has always been a popular vacation spot, especially for those who live in the valley. During the days of rationing gas and rubber during World War II, Grand Mesa was a prime spot to escape the valley’s heat without having to travel far. In the 1930s, the Barren Lake Boat House was often the site of the local Rod and Gun Club’s annual fish fry, which was quite popular because there was no limit to how many fish could be caught by an individual who contributed to

DECEMBER 2015

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The original boathouse owned and operated by the Sawtell Brothers.

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There were always lots of fish to be caught on Grand Mesa.

the feast.

Before electricity and refrigerators came to the boathouse, Williams had a snow house, which was a small, sawdust-lined icehouse with a removable roof. He would leave the roof off all winter and the snow would pile up and be packed down.

Come spring, the roof would be replaced and the snow house was a great place to store pop, fish and milk.

The Barren Lake Boat House was a social center on Grand Mesa with fishermen stopping in to brag about their catches or exchange advice, locals picking up their mail and visitors renting a tent or cabin.

This bustling enterprise is a thing of the past but you can learn more about the Barren Lake Boat House at the Pioneer Town Museum, 338 S. Grand Mesa Drive in Cedaredge, as Boyd has donated several photos and historical artifacts to the museum.

Do you have an interesting historical story to share? Contact Priscilla Mangnall at Priscilla.Mangnall@ gmail.com or call 260-5226. ■

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Mary Ann Williams sits behind the new Barren Lake Boat House sign.

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38 MESA COUNTY

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Healing Horizons Integrated Health Solutions Lynda Matson Dr. Tom Foote, DC Los Reyes Restaurant Inc. American Family Insurance (John Geer Agency, Inc.) Home Style Bakery Byron Caldwell Hot Streaks Curves Country Club Liquors

DECEMBER 2015

Mesa County Calendar DECEMBER 1 Light Up a Life Ceremony Join HopeWest and become a part of this heartfelt ceremony dedicated to remembering those who have touched our lives. The ceremony honors loved ones and celebrates the hope that HopeWest brings to patients and families. The evening will feature holiday music, an inspiring holiday message and refreshments. The ceremony takes place at 5:30 p.m. at the HopeWest Hospice Care Center, 3090 N. 12th St. DECEMBER 3 Lecture series: Monfort Human Performance Lab Mark your calendar for this segment of this free lecture series presented by Colorado Mesa University. Learn about the Monfort Human Performance Lab, a remarkable lab with high-tech analytical equipment, and learn of the expertise and interests of CMU faculty who work at the lab. The segment is free and is from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

DECEMBER 4 Christmas Cup of Cheer Luncheon Mesa County Republican Women and Mesa County Republicans hold their annual Christmas Cup of Cheer Luncheon at 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Two Rivers Convention Center, 159 Main St. Cost is $15 per person. The Central High School Madrigals will perform.

RSVP to mesacountyrepublicanwom en@gmail.com or call 434-9378.

DECEMBER 5 Informed Gun Owners Conference Peter Krumholz will discuss his experience in the federal constitutional challenge to new gun control laws enacted by the general assembly in 2013 at 6:30 p.m. at the Masonic Center, 2400 Consistory Court. The public is invited and donations are appreciated. For more information, call 261-4035.

DECEMBER 5 Calvary Chapel’s Christmas Bazaar Shop vendors and baked goods during

the fourth annual Christmas Bazaar from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at 492 Morning Glory Lane. Proceeds benefit missions to a battered women’s shelter in Mexico and the India Missions Project. For more information, call 243-2579.

DECEMBER 5 Wine into Winter The Grand Valley Winery Association proudly hosts the second annual Wine into Winter event from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at seven wineries throughout the valley.

Cost of $35 includes a commemorative ornament, a recipe booklet with recipes from each winery and wine suggestions, wine pairings with hors d’oeuvres at each winery, and a discount on select wine purchases. Stock up for the holidays and check off those wine lovers on your list. Tickets can be purchased at www.tworiverswinery. com/events or by calling 241-3155.

DECEMBER 5 Olde Fashioned Christmas Celebrate the holidays by taking Palisade Historical Society’s guided walking tours at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. and browse interesting photos, artifacts and exhibits during the Palisade Olde Fashioned Christmas. You can also enter into a drawing for a beautiful stained glass window created by Lorin Merriam and Gary Hines. See the window and enter the drawing at the History Center, 311 S. Main St. in Palisade. Suggested donation is $5 per entry. The drawing will take place at 2:30 p.m. and you don’t need to be present to win. Make a reservation for the history tour by calling 464-2177.

DECEMBER 5 Grand Junction Parade of Lights Visit downtown Grand Junction for the biggest parade of the year from 5 p.m.-7 p.m.

DECEMBER 6 Grand Mesa Nordic Council anniversary celebration

DECEMBER 2015

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The Grand Mesa Nordic Council’s 25th anniversary season kicks off with a special celebration during WinterStart, the first race of the 2015-16 Grand Mesa Nordic Race Series. The race will be held at Skyway, just off of Colorado Highway 65 on top of the Grand Mesa.

WinterStart features a 5K classic and freestyle race, hot soup, special treats and prizes. For more information, visit www.gmnc.org.

DECEMBER 11 Spirit of Christmas Walk Enjoy caroling, entertainment, free carriage rides, visits with Santa and extended shopping hours in downtown Grand Junction from 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

DECEMBER 11 & 12 Sounds of the Season concert The Palisade High School Choral Music Program proudly presents its fifth annual Sounds of the Season holiday concert/fundraising event called “Golden Glow and Silver Snow” at 7 p.m.

Friday, and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, 3940 27 ½ Road in Grand Junction.

Enjoy a scrumptious holiday dessert with a choice of coffee, cider or beverage. Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 at the door. Call 254-4800, ext.

25120 to purchase advance tickets.

DECEMBER 12 Fruita Hometown Christmas Enjoy a hometown Christmas in Fruita with holiday shopping and activities during the day, and the Parade of Lights at dusk.

DECEMBER 12 Fruita Arts & Crafts Fair Shop a variety of unique items and find something for everyone on your holiday shopping list at the Fruita Arts & Crafts Fair from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Fruita Community Center. The fair is free to the public. For more information, call 858-0360.

DECEMBER 12 Sweet Adelines’ Christmas concert The Grand Mesa Chorus of Sweet Adelines International invites you to enjoy

your favorite Christmas carols sung in four-part barbershop-style a capella harmony by the chorus and its quartet, Kickback. Guest artists include singer-songwriter Destinee Reed and 2015 Grand Mesa Chorus vocal scholarship winner Rachel Davis. Drew Hanlon will emcee the performance. Pattie’s Tiny Cakes will be sold during intermission.

Concert takes place at 3 p.m. at the Love Recital Hall at Colorado Mesa University’s Moss Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students age 13-18, and children age 12 and under are $5.

Tickets are available at the Shade Tree, Roper Music, Back Porch Music, from any chorus member and at the door.

DECEMBER 13 Bookcliff Barbershop Chorus holiday concert The Bookcliff Barbershop Harmony Chorus will present its annual Christmas concert at 6 p.m. at Northeast Christian Church, 2751 Patterson Road.

For more information, call Jim Witt at 209-9241.

River City Singles

DECEMBER 2015 Activity Schedule

“Young-at-heart adults getting together for fun and friendship!”

Calling all singles over 50!

Come meet new friends and join us at 5 p.m. Fridays at the Travelodge on Horizon Drive. You’re sure to find people who are young at heart with like interests.

Saturday, December 5 at noon - Enjoy billiards, games of pool and lunch at Bank 8 Billiards, 2460 Patterson Road. Call Mary at 255-7370.

Saturday, December 5 at 5 p.m. - Parade of Lights in downtown Grand Junction Thursday, December 10 - The Fun Lunch Bunch meets for lunch at Rib City Grill, 2830 North Ave. For details and to RSVP, call Penny at 712-2588.

Sunday, December 13 - RCS Christmas Party at the Lakeside Community Room, 3150 Lakeside Drive. For details and to RSVP, call Bev at 210-2722 or Jerry at 216-3048.

Thursday, December 17 - Restaurant Rove to The Local, 336 Main St. RSVP to John at 241-3171.

Tuesdays at 9 a.m. - Early Start Breakfast at Denny’s on Horizon Drive.

Visitors welcome. Call Debbie at 245-4995 for details.

DECEMBER 31 New Year’s Eve Dinner & Dance Welcome 2016 at Sacred Heart Church, 433 E. Aspen St. in Fruita, with a prime rib dinner, dessert and champagne toast, and an evening of dancing with music provided by the JJDL Band.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., dinner is at 7 p.m. and dancing is at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person. Proceeds benefit Sacred Heart Church Building Fund.

Purchase your ticket from the church office before December 21. For more information, call 858-3137.

DECEMBER 31-JANUARY 2 The Music Man This New Year’s Eve, High Desert Opera presents “The Music Man” fully staged with live orchestra at Colorado Mesa University’s Robinson Theater. There will be three performances—at 7:30 p.m. on December 31, and 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. January 2. Tickets can be purchased online at www.high desertopera.org.

S A L E S

E V E N T

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Medicare open enrollment is October 15 through December 7. Now is your chance to review your Medicare plan.

Free help is available. Trained SHIP navigators from Mesa County RSVP are available to help with free, unbiased assistance. Call Mesa County RSVP SHIP at 243-9839 to make an appointment or attend one of the free Annual Open Enrollment Events from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on November 2, 13 or 19.

December writing workshops

www.HighQSilt.com OPEN THE LATEST

HIGH DESERT OPERA presents

All workshops take place at Western Colorado Community College. For information about the class, call Jan Weeks at 255-6679. To register, visit www.wccc.coloradomesa.edu or call 255-2800.

December 1 - How to submit your manuscript writing seminar, 6 p.m.8:30 p.m. Learn how to write and format query letters and synopses and how to format your manuscript.

Cost is $39.

December 5, 12 & 19 - Creative Writing Workshop, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

Learn about setting, character, plot, how to use point of view effectively, how to create realistic dialogue and more. Cost is $89.

Story by: MEREDITH WILLSON and FRANKLIN LACEY Book, Music and Lyrics by: MEREDITH WILLSON

Sponsored by Dr. Michael Neste & Family Health West

Dec 31st & Jan 2nd at 7:30 pm Matinée on Jan 2 at 1:30 pm All performances in Robinson Theatre at CMU

TICKETS AVAILABLE: • Online - highdesertopera.org • Box Office - 970.523.9605 (Mon-Fri 10-2) • Roper Music - downtown GJ • At the Door - 1 hour before curtain * Prices range from $10-$39, with discounts for patrons under 13 and over 55 THE MUSIC MAN is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

DECEMBER 2015

Free estate planning workshops These free workshops will take place at the Law Offices of Brown & Brown, PC, 1250 E. Sherwood Drive in Grand Junction. Registration is required. For more information and to register, call 243-8250 or visit www.brownand brownpc.com.

• December 2, 4 p.m.-5 p.m.

“Unwrapping hope these holidays.”

Whether it’s caregiving, living alone or grieving a loss, let this seminar help unwrap some unexpected gifts of hope.

• December 9, 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

“What if there is no will? Colorado has written one for you.” This work-

shop will cover how your estate will be divided if you die without a will versus estate distribution if you leave a will. Learn how you can be in control of how your estate is distributed and more.

Colorado Gives Day on December 8 Over 2,000 Colorado nonprofits are participating in the sixth annual Colorado Gives Day on December 8. Colorado Gives Day is an annual statewide initiative to celebrate and increase philanthropy in Colorado through online giving for a 24-hour period. People throughout Colorado are encouraged to donate online at ColoradoGives.org on Tuesday, December 8 to their favorite nonprofit.

Every donation on Colorado Gives Day will qualify for the Community First Foundation and FirstBank $1 Million Incentive Fund that increases the value of every donation made. At the completion of Colorado Gives Day, the foundation will determine each nonprofit’s share of the incentive fund. For a list on participating organizations, visit www.coloradogives.org.

Giving Tree helps local needy families during the holidays Mesa County Libraries and Grand Valley Catholic Outreach are working together to help local needy families during the holidays. Giving Trees decorated with gift requests from underprivileged Mesa County residents of all ages will be at the Central Library, and the Clifton, DeBeque and Fruita branches through December 12. Using a Giving Tree is easy. To help someone in need this holiday, stop by a participating Mesa County Libraries location and select a tag describing a gift to purchase. Before leaving the library, provide library staff with your contact information on the smaller portion of the tag. After you have purchased the gift, bring it to the library unwrapped and with the Giving Tree tag attached. Please bring

DECEMBER 2015

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the gift to the library before December 12. Gifts are meant to be about $25 or less.

Holiday Heroes seeking donations Central High School’s Service Learning program is hosting Holiday Heroes on December 11 and 12 and is in desperate need of donations. The program is seeking toys, clothes and other items that are beneficial to needy families and individuals in the area. Clothing for men, women and children in all sizes are welcome.

Donations will be collected through December 9. Call 254-6200 for more information.

Glaucoma specialist joins Hoffman Eye Care Hoffman Eye Care by ICON is proud to announce the addition of Dr. James A. Fox, a top ophthalmologist and glaucoma specialist, to their Grand Junction team. With the concerns of an aging glaucoma patient population on his mind, Dr. Fox prides himself on ensuring patients understand their personal disease journey and providing the best treatment possible for each individual case. Dr. Fox specializes in both medical and surgical treatments for patients with glaucoma, cataracts, intraocular lens complications, trauma and those who might benefit from refractive surgery.

To schedule an appointment, call 256-0400.

Support groups

• Compassionate Friends offers friendship and understanding to bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents. The group meets monthly at 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on the first Tuesdays at Unity Church, 3205 N. 12th St. Call 434-3822.

• MS and Men, a support group for men living with MS, meets monthly on the third Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon at the Artful Cup. Call 241-8975.

• MS Breakfast Group meets monthly at 9 a.m. on the first Wednesdays at The Egg & I. Call 241-8975.

Volunteer opportunities • RSVP connects individuals 55 and older to volunteer positions in any of our member agencies. For a list of volunteer opportunities and to register, call 243-9839.

• HopeWest seeks volunteers for a variety of positions. Volunteering can be as simple as one hour a month.

Call 623-8816 for details.

• Operation Interdependence invites you to write notes for deployed troops around the world. They are also in need of Slim Jims, beef jerky, gum, snack bars, Chapstick, toothbrushes, etc. Call 523-4217 for dropoff location.

This is why Dan Carlson, artist and owner, has been customizing memorials since 1976. Every memorial is designed, engraved and installed by our craftsmen to insure the highest quality from start to completion.

It is our commitment to assist you and your family during this difficult time and hope to ease the experience with kind, compassionate professionalism.

We are honored to help you select the appropriate memorialization that will last through the ages for someone special. Your memorial will serve as a source of historical record for future generations.

hours: Monday-Friday: 8:00 to 5:00 For your convenience, Evening and Weekend Appointments

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• Grand Valley Pets Alive works to reduce pet overpopulation by funding spay/neuter of pet cats and dogs, and community cats. They are always looking for new volunteers.

They meet monthly at 4:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday at Church of the Nativity, 2175 Broadway. For details, call 256-1851.

We believe that a memorial should be a reflection of a life lived.

1st St

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers support groups for family members of adults who have a serious mental illness and for adults who have a mental illness diagnosis. Groups meet at various times

• Western Slope Visionaries, a low-vision support group, meets from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

Call 241-0315.

The Hands that Tell Life’s Stories in Stone

4th St

• Mending Hearts Support Group is for any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one. Grand Junction group meets from 2 p.m.3:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest. Fruita group meets at the Fruita Civic Center. Call 248-8844.

in Mesa County. Call 462-3989. The Fruita Group is for family members and meets monthly from 6 p.m.7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesdays at Family Health West Nursing Home, 228 N. Cherry St.

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DECEMBER 2015

Mesa County Club Activities

tions vary, but are posted at www. theartquiltassociation.com.

• Friendship Force meets monthly at 6:15 p.m. on the second Thursday at Community Hospital’s lower conference room. Call 260-4653 or visit www.thefriendshipforce.org.

• Knitting Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesdays at the central library branch. Yarn, needles, hooks and looms are available if needed. All ages and skill levels welcome. Call 623-1455.

• Western Slope Coin Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. the second Wednesday at the VFW Post #1247.

Get a free coin/currency evaluation at 5:30 p.m. Call 241-1770 or visit www.gjcoinshow.com.

• Two River Sams, Good Sam RV Club, meets at 11:30 a.m. December 12. For location, call 523-5625.

• Mesa Fiber Arts Guild meets monthly at 6 p.m. the first Thursdays at Color Creek Fiber Art, 1150 N. 25th St. Unit B in Grand Junction.

Call 243-3598 or visit www.mesafiberartsguild.org.

• Mesa County Genealogical Society meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday at The Commons of Hilltop and at noon on the fourth Wednesday at the Museum of Western Colorado. Help sessions are at 1 p.m. on the first Friday at a library branch. Call 640-2388.

• Two Rivers Cribbage Club meets from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays at the Masonic Center. Call 261-1670.

• Blue Lodge Masons meets monthly at 10 a.m. the first Saturday at the Masonic Center. Call 245-5312.

• Bookcliff Duplicate Bridge Club plays at 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at 2923 North Ave. Call 243-7874.

• Western Colorado Decorative Artists meets monthly at 9 a.m. on the second Saturday at First Congregational Church. Call 640-2751.

• Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Branch 244 meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesdays at the VFW Post #3981. All former, retired and active sea service, U.S. Navy, Marines or Coast Guard welcome. Call 434-0868.

• Grand Junction Toastmasters meets at 7:10 a.m. Tuesdays at St. Mary’s Life Center. Call 242-4863.

• Talk of the Town Toastmasters meets at noon Thursdays at the Business Incubator Center. Call 250-3969.

• Grand Valley Woodcarvers meets monthly at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays and at 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays at Redlands United Methodist Church.

Call 245-8817 or 523-5965.

• Grand Valley Woodturners meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesdays at Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 245-8817 or 856-3632.

• Western Slope Rovers RV Club meets monthly at Otto’s Restaurant for breakfast on the first Thursdays.

Call 858-3907 for time and details.

• High Desert Diamonds is a plus-level square dance club that dances from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. on the first and third Fridays of the month at the Masonic Center. Call 241-7457.

• Cribbage Lite meets at 6 p.m. every Tuesday at IHOP. Call 270-2433.

• Vestafjell Lodge, Sons of Norway will celebrate Christmas at 2 p.m. December 13 at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 3133 F Road. Members are asked to bring cookie treats for the annual cookie sale as well as a child’s Christmas gift or cash donation to be presented to the Salvation Army. Bring a potluck item to accompany the ham provided by the lodge. Call 245-5649 or visit www.vestafjelllodge.org.

• Art Quilt Association meets monthly at 9:30 a.m. on the third Saturday in Grand Junction. Loca-

• Grand Valley Pets Alive reduces pet overpopulation by funding spay/ neuter of cats and dogs. Members meet monthly at 4:30 p.m. on the third Wednesdays at Church of the Nativity, 2175 Broadway. Volunteers welcome. Call 256-1851.

• Swedes of the Grand Valley will celebrate Christmas from 4 p.m.7 p.m. on December 13 at Unity Church, 3205 N. 12th St. Ham and Korv will be provided. Bring a dish to share and an item for the silent auction. Call 241-2945 for details.

DECEMBER 2015

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 43

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Crossword Puzzle

Across 1 They meet at corners 6 “Bye!” 10 March 15 14 Sharon of Israel 15 One finishing off the cake 16 First name in jeans 17 Marquee says “BEN DESERVES NIKE” 20 Pitcher with a flaring spout 21 Put in your two cents 22 Poker player’s option 23 Slow-wittedness 25 Presley’s label 27 Marquee says “LIKE NOTHING” 33 What ­gamblers might get 37 Atmosphere 38 Paleozoic and Cenozoic 39 House and horse pests 41 And others (Abbr.)

42 Like society, before the Industrial Revolution 44 Be a bad winner 45 Marquee says “FROG STUMPER” 48 First name in guerrilla warfare 49 Do-it-yourselfer’s guide 54 One of the strings 58 Lemon drink 59 Capital of Latvia 60 Marquee says “NEEDED PINE CANDY” 64 Electrifying “Back in Black” r­ ockers 65 Wisconsin export 66 Bitter-tasting 67 Facial hair 68 Vereen and Jonson 69 Wedding vow word Down 1 Opposite of waxed 2 “___ having fun yet?”

3 Make more exciting (with “up”) 4 Lewd looks 5 Type of camera, for short 6 Decorate fabric, 60’s style 7 Did great on a test 8 Letterman’s list total 9 Flood refuge 10 She loved Rick 11 He loved Lucy 12 Party times 13 Start for saddle or walk 18 Traumatic event for a cat 19 From Qum 24 “___ now or never!”

25 December dew 26 Male swans

28 Contro­versial ­psychiatrist R.D. 29 Boat ­backbone 30 Absorbed by 31 “Final Four” org.

32 Moola 33 Not listening 34 As a result 35 Roseanne, before Tom 36 Former Russian ruler 39 They’re cold-blooded 40 Type of shift 43 Summary 44 Transcript no.

46 They’re above the pails in a dairy barn 47 Demeanor 50 Painter El ___ 51 Straphanger 52 Laboratory gels 53 Commit­mentphobe’s word 54 Druggist’s container 55 Quechua speaker 56 Track data 57 Poland’s Walesa 58 City of Yemen 61 Recede 62 Originally called 63 Corn field cry

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HELP WANTED WENDY’S NOW HIRING! Shift supervisors and crew members. We are looking for smiling faces and positive attitudes. We offer competitive pay, discounts and a great working environment. Full-time and part-time employment available. Please apply at your nearest location in Grand Junction.

RETIRED/NEED EXTRA INCOME? Part-time medical delivery position available. Shift starts at 2:45 a.m.

Good driving record and ability to drive manual transmission. Flexibility and dependability essential. Call for details 254-2897.

sales person wanted The Beacon Senior newspaper is growing and we’re looking for a mature, loving sales person to grow with us.

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DECEMBER 2015

writers wanted The Beacon Senior newspaper is looking for writers in Mesa, Delta and Montrose counties.

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HOME SERVICES HOUSE CLEANING & MORE! Safe and secure small animal pet sitting. Your home – Grand Junction/Clifton area. Call for current openings. References available.

Discounts for seniors. Call Benni at 241-2611 COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL CLEANING

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Please call for references! KayDee at 623-4722 (cell) or 241-1270 (office). PO Box 394, Grand Junction, CO 81502.

GOLDEN RULE PAINTING & HANDYMAN SERVICES Experienced, insured and not ready to retire. Seeking to do quality work for nice folks at reasonable costs.

Call 440-8039.

COMPLETE BATHROOM REMODELS Handicap accessible. Walk-in bathtubs. Affordable. FREE estimates.

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TREE SERVICE Get ready for winter. Tree trimming, tree removal, stump grinding.

FREE hauling, boom truck to 85 feet, FREE estimates. Licensed and insured. Chris 260-0222.

DECEMBER 2015

CLASSIFIEDS 45

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ANTIQUES, APPRAISALS, ESTATE SALES With over 40 years in the antique, appraisal and estate sale business, Great American Estate Sales is the valley’s leader in appraisals and estate liquidation. Settling an estate, moving into a smaller home or just simplifying your lifestyle? Great American Estate Sales can provide a worry-free and quick solution. Free consultation. 216-0048.

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CAREGIVER Personal Caregiver to do light housecleaning; run errands; cook; and assist with bathing, personal care and laundry. References available. Contact Shona at 208-5890.

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.

242-3911. Twice Upon a Time Bookshop, 2885 North Ave., Ste. B. Located in front of North Ave. Walmart and next to Subway. 10-6 Mon-Sat, 11-4 Sunday. **Bring this ad in for $10 Trade Credit** CASH Paid for Old Stuff Wind-up men’s wrist/pocket watches, gold and silver jewelry, pocket/ hunting knives, antique firearms, fishing gear, toys, BB guns, old Colorado bottles, old motorcycles, radios and amps, railroad, military, mining items. Cash2015@charter. net OR www.cash4oldstuff.net.

Mark 260-2327.

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46 REAL ESTATE

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

DECEMBER 2015

GOT MATU RE LIS TING S?

Merry Christmas

from Heath & Company Realtors 970-243-3376

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DECEMBER 2015

KUDOS & KVETCH 47

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

kudos \ ku·dos

 “For all of us jaded seniors who despair of the future, here is a suggestion: Go sit outside our terrific library and watch how many patrons hold the door for other patrons—not just for seniors. Many of these are younger children and teenagers. It is a joy to behold. There are parents out there teaching their offspring to be courteous.

Just seeing the amount of them using the library is encouraging in this day of electronics. In the United Kingdom, 324 libraries have closed due to budget cuts and lack of use. My latest experience to gladden the heart was at the airport.

While parked out front waiting for some seniors to arrive, I got out to open the trunk and a young man immediately got out of his big truck, which was parked behind me, and offered to help—once again renewing my battered faith in humanity. The lesson I learned here is to stop listening to all the doom and gloom and just look around. Yes, there are many problems, but there are many small things that can lift our spirits.

Concentrate on them.”

–Veronica M., Grand Junctionn  “The Colorado Legislature voted to increase the annual salaries of elected state and county officials. But our Mesa County Commissioners have declined the raise for themselves and all other county elected officials. Say what? They could have received an extra $21,750 a year. Commissioner Rose Pugliese said, ‘Given our current county fiscal predicament, coupled with the fact that our employees have, for the most part, not received raises in the past seven years, we cannot, in good conscience, take a $21,750 raise.’ I agree and I applaud their statesmanship.”

–Kevin K. VanGundy, Palisade

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In defense of the Christmas letter

By Amy Abbott

U

nless you are the grouchiest Grinch, your mailbox may be stuffed with cards, pictures and holiday letters over the next few weeks.

Call me old-fashioned but I still do the whole Christmas letter business.

I carefully select cards—Christian cards for friends who share my faith and cards for those who celebrate the Festival of Lights or nothing at all. I choose stamps that reflect the card’s message and then I write one of those horribly obnoxious Christmas letters, complete with well-selected pictures.

Perhaps you roll your eyes and toss my letter in the trash. I hope not. I come from a long line of women who like receiving notes, cards and pictures in the mail. My grandmother LeNore Enz wrote something annually called the “Enzo-Gram.”

In her 1967 version, she refers to the 10-year-old me as a “sweet and loving child who is a good reader and student.” She told about my singing in the children’s choir at the 450th anniversary celebration of the Protestant Reformation at the Fort Wayne Memorial Coliseum. I remember singing in the choir; I don’t remember being particularly sweet and loving.

My grandmother’s letter has that certain air of hyperbole of many holiday letters. While her letter is not particularly braggadocio, it’s also not entirely truthful and may slightly stretch the truth by not offering the full picture. Our family was (and still is) far from perfect.

This way of handling information is known as the sin of omission.

For many years, I wrote something called “The Newburgher” (a nod to “Talk of the Town” in The New Yorker.) Long on words and short on pictures, I realized it was a snooze to everyone but me. Even my husband wouldn’t read it. I’ve considerably shortened the letter

and added several pictures.

Like my grandmother, I am also guilty of the sin of omission. But who wants to read a holiday letter about the bad stuff?

For example, our 2013 letter highlighted a once-in-a-lifetime trip that five family members took to Scotland and Ireland. We had a wonderful time and saw many interesting sights. With five aging bladders in our family, we also saw every bathroom, john, potty, outhouse, privy, loo, washroom and truck stop lounge.

I included a photograph of our son in this year’s letter. He completed an internship at the House of Representatives. It’s a nice picture of him standing in front of the door of the office. Did I have a better picture? Yes, there is a photo of him outside the White House attending a Congressional event. His dress shirt is buttoned at the top, he has on no tie, and one jet-black hair clump stands straight up. He looks exactly like Alfalfa, if the “Our Gang” Little Rascal stood in front of the White House.

I did not include several wonderful photographs from our spring vacation to Las Vegas because then I would have been unable to include photos from the big trip. Why? Because the reader would note my weight gain. Vanity, thy name is Amy Abbott.

Every year, I say this will be the last time I do this. When I add up the cost of cards, stamps and the time involved, it’s too much. I swear I’m finished. I now have arthritis in both thumbs. My husband signed all of the cards this year, and I did not include personal notes.

I still defend the holiday letter. I enjoy getting them, and people tell me they enjoy receiving ours. Okay, so I left a few things out. I’m sure all the letters I receive include the absolute truth and full gamut of family life throughout the year. ■

PARTING

SHOTS

Kevin VanGundy poses with Pat and Tillie Bishop at the special screening at the Avalon Theatre of the movie “Trumbo.”

Pete Langford climbs through a hatch on the USS Blueback (SS-581), which was the last diesel-electric submarine of the United States Navy.

CMU Director of Orchestras Alejandro Gómez Guillén, plays music for Samuel Baseler’s 80th birthday celebration.

If you would like to see your photos in the BEACON email them to Beacon@PendantPublishing.com

Less than 3 pounds at birth.

Now destined for big things.

Landon couldn’t wait to come into the world, but when he arrived at just 26 weeks, it led to life-threatening complications. His little lungs just couldn’t cope. Luckily, his parents chose St. Mary’s for their baby’s birth, and Landon had the only team in the region capable of saving his life. The people in St. Mary’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit are among the many compassionate caregivers here to support moms, dads, and the whole family. For nearly 120 years we’ve been delivering happy, healthy babies…even when there are complications.

Learn more about our comprehensive labor and delivery services at stmarysmedical.org/birthcenter.

The PARC (Post Acute Rehab Center) at Larchwood Inns has listened to families, physicians and our community to design a Rehabilitation Center that provides physical, occupational, and speech therapies for your post surgical and post hospital therapy needs.

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Come take a tour and you feel the difference the moment you walk through our doors.