Montrose-Delta BEACON Senior News: April 2019

MONTROSE-DELTA

APRIL 2019

Volume: 5 | Issue: 4

Montrose & Delta’s Magazine for Adults 50+ with over 16,250 Readers

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT

These seniors don’t let gravity keep them down

6

Urban birdwatching How to improve birdsightings in your back yard

14

We’ve got spring fever!

And we have stories to help you get your home and garden ready

BEACON SENIOR NEWS

POWER MOBILITY

S E R V I N G

G R A N D

J U N C T I O N

&

M O N T R O S E

Sometimes we all need a little help caring for a loved one

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care, Support and Information.

Hilltop’s Senior Daybreak is a unique day program that keeps seniors with memory loss safe and secure while providing their caregivers the flexibility and support they need to care for their loved ones at home. We also offer valuable information and support groups specifically designed for those caring for someone affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s.

“Where Your Quality of Life Comes First”

1-800 262-0833 • 241-0833

ALL INSURANCE COMPANIES BILLED JOINT COMMISSION ACCREDITED

1708 NORTH AVE. GRAND JUNCTION • WWW.GRANDMESAMEDICAL.COM

National & Regional Award-Winning Publication

Love the BEACON? Visit us online!

Our award-winning website has: More fascinating stories!

More great photos!

More exciting events!

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

2 | APRIL 2018 |

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

Grand Junction (970) 241-7798 Montrose (970) 244-0860 www.seniordaybreak.org L O C A L L Y

O W N E D

A N D

O P E R A T E D

B Y

H I L L T O P

EDITORIAL COLUMN

National & Regional Award-Winning Publication Publisher Kevin K. VanGundy Founding Publisher Susan Capps Managing Editor Cloie Sandlin Creative Director Melissa Trottier Graphic Designer Chrissy Martin Office Manager Stacey Splude Advertising Assistant Siggie Carpenter Advertising Executives Sue Bowen Debra Romaniec Proofreader Jan Weeks Delivery Cora Gentry Lauren VanGundy JR Milner

210 E. Main St. Montrose, CO 81401 Phone: 970.243.8829 Website: www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

A party that’s worth the drive:

BeaconFest is Tuesday, April 16

W

ith all the activity—the people, vendors, prizes, live entertainment, freebies and food—it’s no wonder BeaconFest is the largest boomer and senior fair in the area.

Actually, as we know it, it’s the biggest mature lifestyle show in Colorado.

With booths from over 100 vendors, this year’s BeaconFest Boomer & Senior Fair in Grand Junction will be bigger than ever.

Restaurants, real estate professionals, home improvement experts, financial service providers, health and fitness gurus, community clubs and many senior agencies will take up every square inch of booth space available at Two Rivers Convention Center. We also have a lineup of eclectic entertainment, a hefty schedule of educational seminars, and plenty of opportunities to take home a prize or two.

We’ll be giving away colorful gift baskets, restaurant gift cards, home décor items, weekend travel packages and more every half-hour, culminating in our grand prize—two tickets to see The Rolling Stones live in Denver.

Email: Beacon@PendantPublishing.com

Did I mention admission is free?

YOUR OPINIONS MATTER

Did you know the BEACON accepts Letters to the Editor? We sure do, and sometimes we'll even print them.

It's all part of our mission of being a voice for Western Slope boomers and seniors. Part of this means inspiring readers to take action for themselves, their communities or for the benefit of older adults everywhere.

I bring this up because I recently received a call regarding an opinion piece we printed in our Mesa County edition that encouraged readers to vote in favor of the Grand Junction Community Center, a controversial issue. The caller said the article was "one-sided," which it was, and purposefully so, because it was one reader's opinion. The writer felt strongly enough to advocate for this effort and share her stance with seniors in her community, and we love that! What a great way to get involved! (By the way, congrats to the Montrose Community Center for their record membership numbers! What an incredible and inspiring feat!)

Do you have an article you'd like us to consider?

Send it to 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 and Montrose counties.

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 2019 • All Rights Reserved

Cloie Sandlin, Managing Editor

IN THIS ISSUE...

Cover Photo: John Kroft was hooked after

his first ride in a powered parachute. It’s one of his favorite means of exploring. He’s even taken it to Arizona and Alaska.

7 8 10

Baseball in my blood One man pursues his baseball dreams even though they weren’t what he expected.

Social media 101 A list of the most common social media channels and how they’re generally used.

Laughing Matters If laughter is the best medicine, our jokes are the cure for anything that ails you.

12 17 18

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM |

Let’s go downtown!

From shopping to chiropractors, Montrose Downtown has it all!

Count on VOA! Volunteers of America has helped the vulnerable in our communities for over 123 years.

Calendar of Events From tours to concerts, check out what’s going on in Delta and Montrose.

APRIL 2018 | EDITORIAL COLUMN | 3

COVER STORY

The sky’s the limit:

These seniors don't let gravity keep them down

By Diana Barnett illow Run, Michigan, near Detroit, was home to the factory that Henry Ford set up to build airplanes. The B-24 Bomber was built there and it was also where Alice Monroe first heard the drone of those planes over her house.

W

“My mother would see me watching those planes from the yard and would tell me there were soldiers in those planes,” said Monroe, whose curiosity about the planes launched a lifelong love of flying. “I was only about 4 or 5 when I would use a

wooden sawhorse as a plane. The garden hose holder became my steering wheel, and I would sit there and fly.”

After she’d been in Grand Junction for a while, she’d go to the airport, drink coffee and just hang out and watch the planes.

I took off, I was praying, too.”

At first, she feared big planes, but her curiosity got the better of her.

“At that time, you could go out where the planes were parked and look them over,” she said, “so that’s exactly what I did. I wanted to understand why this big hunk of metal stayed up in the sky.”

She wanted to connect with other pilots so she joined the Ninety-Nines, an organization of women pilots once led by Amelia Earhart.

“I learned that when you’re afraid of something, if you read and learn about it, then you’re not so afraid anymore,” she said.

Monroe said that tactic worked with her fear of spiders, so she studied planes—and nursing, which is what eventually brought her to Grand Junction.

TAKING FLIGHT

“The first time I rode on a commercial flight, I didn’t like it at all,” Monroe said. “It was too closed in. I made people hold my hand.”

4 | COVER STORY | APRIL 2018 |

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

One day, she asked a pilot to take her up with him in the cockpit. He did, and she studied his every move.

Once they were on the ground, the pilot told her he’d see her the same time next week.

“This guy was six-four and was the cruelest instructor in the world,” Monroe recalled. “I took lessons, and after 10 hours he told me to solo. ‘Just let me know if you’re in trouble,’ he said. He went over and knelt on the edge of the runway, which was appropriate, because when

At 50 flight hours, Monroe received her license. On one of her first trips, she flew home to Michigan.

In addition to flying as a hobby, Monroe’s pilot’s license came in handy for her nursing career. For several years, she flew a local orthopedic surgeon to rural destinations in Colorado.

She found a kindred spirit when she met Daryl Monroe, a paramedic with St. Mary’s Flight for Life Team who was just as passionate about flying as she was.

After they were married, they moved to a property on Glade Park, which they named “On a Wing and a

COVER STORY

"I was only about 4 or 5 when I would use a wooden sawhorse as a plane. The garden hose holder became my steering wheel, and I would sit there and fly."

Prayer.” They built Pinyon Airport, a runway approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, and together they restored a 1939 Fairchild aircraft that served in World War II along the Eastern coastline.

Although Monroe recently sold her personal plane, the Fairchild resides in a hangar in Delta. She continues to maintain the Pinyon Airport private runway, which is used by a variety of people, including President Barack Obama when he visited Grand Junction in 2012. Monroe said the South Carolina National Guard camped there for eight days to set up security for the visit.

NO FLIGHT OF FANTASY

John Kroft, another Glade Park resident, also grew up during World War II and remembers all kinds of planes flying over his Nebraska home.

“I admired those guys that could fly and thought it would be pretty neat to do that,” he said. “I never imagined that I would have that chance.”

It wasn’t until the late ’90s that he finally got that opportunity. One year, while wintering in Arizona, he and his wife, Avis, saw an unusual aircraft flying around. Kroft learned that it was a powered parachute, and wanted to take a ride.

“My gosh, I couldn’t believe all I could see!” he said. “We flew over the interstate and all those winter campers and I kept thinking of everything I could see in Colorado from one of these.”

He was hooked after that first ride so naturally he ordered one for his own. Before he left for Oregon to get help assembling it, he told the salesman not to tell anyone he had purchased it just in case he didn’t have enough guts to fly, or didn’t ‹ Alice Monroe's restored Fairchild from WWII sits at a hangar in Delta.

know what he was doing.

For the first few weeks, Kroft practiced flying close to his acreage near Glade Park.

He also flew over his son’s house, hollering and waving.

“Fifteen minutes later, he called my wife and asked if I’d bought some kind of flying machine,” he said. “I hadn’t even told him what I’d done.”

WILD ABOUT FLYING

Kroft and his powered parachute have become a popular sight.

Circling above the grounds behind the Glade Park Fire Department, he’s became a regular entertainer at the community’s Movies Under the Stars event during the summer.

From a young age, Alice Monroe's curiosity about planes launched her lifelong love of flying. She eventually joined the Ninety-Nines, an organization of women pilots.

Weighing 400 pounds, the ultralight has a two and a half hour fuel supply and only travels around 32 miles per hour. He takes off from the runway on his property and has flown into Utah, and has taken it with him to Arizona and Alaska.

“It’s amazing how peaceful it is while flying,” said Kroft. “In Alaska, I spotted caribou and grizzly bears.

You can look at birds and watch how they fly—how they glide when they are on an uplift and don’t even move a feather.”

John Kroft and his "flyin' machine"—a powered parachute.

Even though the craft is a two-seater, he usually flies alone.

“Avis is not very wild about flying,” he said.

He used to fly two to three times a week, but the weather hasn’t been favorable the last few years.

“As it’s gotten warmer and drier, we’ve had more wind,” he said. “You can’t have wind and safely take this thing up.”

Monroe and Kroft agree that you can learn a lot about life by flying.

“Those long distances make you think about a lot of things,” Monroe said. ■

Alice Monroe and her husband, Daryl, moved to a property on Glade Park, which they named "On a Wing and a Prayer." It's now home to Pinyon Airport, an approved runway by the Federal Aviation Administration.

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM |

APRIL 2018 | COVER STORY | 5

BEACON SENIOR NEWS

MAKE YOUR YARD WELCOMING

Urban birdwatching:

How to improve birdsighting opportunities in your backyard

By Kate Senn he entwined landscape and habitat found on the Western Slope is a dazzling destination for bird enthusiasts. Year-round sightings of over 200 unique species is not uncommon. How many birds have you seen lately? If you sit to think, it may be no more than 10!

T

Like all wildlife, birds need three things to survive: cover, food and water. From a simple potted flower to draw in hummingbirds to plotting where to put a birdhouse, this article serves as an introductory course on attracting birds to your back yard.

CREATE COVER

If you’re living in an apartment or condo, creating cover is sometimes hard or impossible to do. However, if you do have a yard, liven it up by planting trees, grasses and other native plants. Juniper trees and shrubs with berries are the best for birds as they provide a tasty buffet and protection. Grasses will encourage ducks, wrens and other birds to lay nests and reproduce.

Trees, dead and alive, will provide cover and food for many different species. Sleeping birds especially love to snooze in juniper, cottonwood, hemlock and evergreen trees. These trees also offer protection from cold winter winds.

6 | APRIL 2018 |

PROVIDE FOOD AND WATER

Most bird enthusiasts have at least one birdfeeder to attract birds.

Hanging birdfeeders are cleaner than feeding birds from the ground but carefully scattered corn or sunflower seeds in the winter months is a great way to attract many species of hungry birds. Hummingbirds are attracted to bright colors and sugar water, and can drink water from a misty spray bottle or hose as they fly.

If backyard feeding is not an option, attach a suet block or birdfeeder to your window for up-close bird encounters, or make a fun orange treat basket.

Flowers such as trumpet honeysuckle, scarlet and pineapple sage, apple-scented geraniums and spotted bee balm makes a hummingbird’s heart beat faster. They favor flowers with tubular structures that they “hum” on. Other bird cafés that can be potted in containers big and small include zinnias, cosmos, love-lies-bleeding and bachelor button flowers. When they go to seed in the late summer or fall, they burst with food. Finches, sparrows and juncos jump to their nutritious seeds. Planting fruit trees will also eventually attract fruit-eating birds to your yard.

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

Other things you can do to improve bird sightings include removing cheatgrass and any unused fences (a killer for owls and many predatory birds), planting native bunchgrasses, maintaining prairie dog towns, booking tree-falling projects to winter and fall months when the birds aren’t nesting, avoiding using pesticides and checking for nests before doing any work in the area.

If you’re looking for a landscaping project that will attract birds to your yard, plan variation among plant heights to service a variety of species’ needs. Since no two are alike, birds benefit from a landscape where there is a lot of variation in height and thickness among plant life.

Don’t knock the dead tree down if you don’t have to; woodpeckers need dead trees to forage for grubby nutrients. If you live in an area native to Colorado’s beautiful grouse species, a mixture of tall sagebrush and native legumes free of fencing is best.

Diversifying and improving conditions for birds on the lookout for flying insects, spiders and other tasty things to eat in your neighborhood can be a rewarding project to do yourself or with others in your area. Before you know it, new birds will be introducing themselves with their peculiar tweet-twe-tweet!■

BIRDSIGHTING CHECKLIST ❑ Create cover by planting trees, grasses and native plants. Consider planting juniper trees and shrubs. ❑ Plant flowers such as trumpet honeysuckle, scarlet, pineapple sage, apple-scented geraniums and spotted bee balm to attract hummingbirds. ❑ Plant fruit trees and pot zinnias, cosmos, love-liesbleeding and bachelor button flowers, which burst with food in the fall. ❑ Hang birdfeeders in your yard or attach one to your window. ❑ Add a birdbath or water feature to your yard to provide water for birds to drink and bathe in. ❑ Make your yard more bird friendly by removing cheatgrass and unused fencing, which are harmful to owls and predatory birds. ❑ Book all tree-falling projects to winter an fall months when birds aren’t nesting. ❑ Avoid using pesticides in your yard and garden.

Baseball in my blood since birth B

By Bill Vossler aseball has coursed through my veins every moment since birth. In the hospital where I was born, I could have heard the cheers of the crowds at Cobb Stadium three blocks away.

When Mom stepped out of the car, cradling me in her arms, no doubt the first sound I heard was the crack of baseballs off the bats of the Billings Mustangs rookie league team because we lived right across the street from the stadium. The Cincinnati Reds National League baseball team’s rookie-league members played there, striving to move to a higher level.

As a tyke, Mom said she took me over near the stadium. She sat on the grass while I stood with my fingers hooked through the fence, watching the Mustangs’ batting practice or the American Legion teams play, all the while imbibing the holy sound of the cracks, and watching the white balls soar.

Through baseball, I learned that I was left-handed when my stepdad said to his brother, who was helping me bat, “No, no, Billy is left-handed.

He bats from the left side.” At that, my love for the game blossomed.

Left-handed! Different! Special!

I believed that I would follow Mickey Mantle to become the next home run-smacking center fielder of the New York Yankees. I honestly believed it. Why not? I loved baseball, and played every chance I got.

When we moved to Wishek, South Dakota, my brother Ron and I tossed the baseball back and forth outside almost every summer day.

But I wanted more. I wanted games to show and build my skills.

But places to play in Wishek were limited. The city baseball park was far away and off-limits. The creamery lot was too small with too many

windows. The empty lot by our house had obstacles everywhere.

BEACON SENIOR NEWS

Question

That glorious summer we played baseball most every day. I cracked long home runs and made difficult running catches in center field—all part of reaching the Yankee dream!

But that dream crashed down while playing high school and American Legion baseball. My great abilities in our bandbox stadium translated to only average competing against players from other towns. And that was generous at best.

I felt like I’d been struck on the side of the head by a fastball, dizzy with the pain of my loss. I was disappointed knowing I would never smack home runs in teenage competition, much less for the Yankees.

Yet my passion for the game never waned. I realized I did possess one useful baseball skill: speed.

So I concentrated on bunting, stealing bases and patrolling center field, running down drives smashed deep into the outfield, and ended up playing on amateur teams that made the North Dakota State Amateur Tournament several times. Not as the star I’d wanted to be, but an average player just having fun. ■

Month

What is something you’re not so good at, but wish you could do better?

So when I was 12, with the bright fire of belief still burning inside me, we decided to build our own private baseball stadium on a sloping lot next to Jim Woehl’s family garage.

Initially, Woehl Stadium consisted of a pitcher’s mound and odd bases, like an old stop sign for second. A little later, a dugout—a cut-open Kelvinator refrigerator box dug into the earth with boards protecting the cardboard top. Inside, a burlap bag held our cracked taped bats, worn leather balls with seams restrung with fishing line, score cards and batting statistics, and finally a wooden home plate.

of the

Jeffrey Fleming “I wish I was better at romance.

If I was better at that, then life would be better all around.”

Kenneth Hoyt “I wish I was better at embracing technology. I have to use it every day at the stores and on my iPad. Modern technology has layers of usernames and passwords and each layer is different. On top of that, the passwords change constantly. Technology is ever morphing at a time when I’m losing neurons. At this point, I’d have trouble operating an abacus.”

Alison Colby “I would like to be better at acceptance.

I used to ski and hike a lot and then I had a hip replacement.

Now it’s debatable if I can ever do either again, which requires acceptance.

I wish I was better at that.”

Jerry Colby “I think I would like to be better at having patience. I’m working on it, but if I was better at having patience, I would be more at ease, more relaxed. I have to say though that the older I get the better I am at being patient.”

Compiled by Corey Colombin WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | APRIL 2018 |

7

TALKING DIGITAL

Social media 101: the crossover between

multi-way communication and traditional media

S

ocial Media is an overused and underdefined term.

Typically, a subject is referring to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other site where people are posting pictures of their food and arguing about religion and politics. Social media, however, is much more than a digital version of your annual Thanksgiving gathering.

A more broad definition would put more emphasis on the word “social” than “media.”

“Social” refers to the act of collaborating, sharing, discussing and otherwise communicating. “Media” refers to the digital platform used to carry out such interactions.

Traditional media is typically a oneway broadcast from one sender to an audience of any size. Social media is a platform or system of platforms that allow individuals to simultaneously act as both broadcaster and audience. So technically, email or video conferences are a form of social media.

Social media sites are typically designed as a network of multi-way communication, but social media can be as passively consumed as

any traditional form of media. Being active on one social media platform doesn’t mean you must participate in all of them. If Facebook scares you or Twitter is too abstract, there is no need to feel guilty for not signing up for them.

On the other hand, many people are participating in social media without realizing it. I like to break social media channels down to platforms that you use to mingle, plan for the future, present what you are currently doing, or preserve memories. They all cross over, but some platforms are better than others for certain uses.

Here’s a list of the more common social media channels and how they’re generally used: •F acebook - The largest and most versatile social media platform, Facebook is essentially the channel most people prefer for keeping track of acquaintances. If you’ve lost track of friends from junior high or coworkers from 20 years ago, chances are you can find them on Facebook and reconnect. It’s also great for staying connected with your extended family.

• Instagram - Although Instagram is completely connected to Facebook, you can use it as a separate platform. Instagram is exclusively for posting pictures or short videos with a brief caption. It’s great for posting photos and videos of what you are currently doing. If you’re on Facebook, then you’ve probably had a friend clutter your feed with photos or videos of a concert, birthday party or social gathering. While that behavior can be annoying on Facebook, it is the designated purpose of Instagram.

• Pinterest – I’ve talked with many people who tell me they avoid social media like the plague. Then they follow that up with, “The only website I spend a lot of time on is Pinterest.” Pinterest is one of the most successful social media sites because it has managed to attract users from some very reclusive digital demographics.

2019 No Filter Tour Sun | May 26 | 7:30 PM

Broncos Stadium At Mile High, Denver, CO 8 | TALKING DIGITAL | APRIL 2018 |

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

• Twitter - Once the backbone of social media, Twitter has been through many transitions, yet its purpose has always been the same: to broadcast short updates about what's currently going on.

A ny time you’re asked to set up a username and password for a “profile,” you are probably participating in a social media site.

Exceptions to this generalization might include banks, health care sites, insurance sites, or any other entity where privacy is protected by law. ■

TALKING DIGITAL

BY ADAM COCHRAN Send your technology questions to Adam in care of the BEACON, or email him directly at adamc@talkingdigital.org

Real Stones, Real Tickets, Real Free

The Rolling Stones

Pinterest is primarily used to plan for the future. People use it when searching for inspiration for remodeling a room, planning a wedding, designing business cards, expanding a recipe collection or just about any other project that requires inspiration or motivation.

2

WIN TICKE

TS

Enter to win at BeaconFest

Tuesday, Aprilat 16 the Gather

Two Rivers Convention Center, 159 Main St., Grand Junction.

stage at 2:30 pm fortheyour Gather near stage at 2:30 p.m. for this prize drawing. chance to win!

Show hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

ASK THE OLD BAG

Can you die of old age when you’re young?

Dear Old Bag: [In your reply to “Old Fogie” in your February column], you mentioned how a “peach stick” was at your rear when, as a child, you were sent to return a tricycle that you stole. There are many ways to correct a child and instill ethics and morals, and a peach stick at the rear is not a good one. Please don’t suggest that any form of physical punishment is a good way to teach a child the difference between right and wrong. Instead, it can instill fear and insincerity, among other unproductive traits. You offer much appreciated help, but this reply was not one of your better ones. Regards, from a psychotherapist and children volunteer/advocate.

Dear Child Advocate: Thank you for writing. I want to make it clear to my readers that I am not a therapist. I am a mother of seven, the youngest child of 12, the confidante of seniors for 40+ years, the foster mother of 18 children, grandmother of 23 and great-grandmother of 15. I was also a registered nurse and I have a BS in psychology. Now I am a senior, and I gained my wisdom from the school of hard knocks.

I have read about many methods of raising children. My early children received an occasional swat if they lied or were doing something unsafe. My children later on didn’t get the swat. In fact, my last child told me that I could not swat her because it would be child abuse! All I can say is that I would not trade my childhood for anyone’s. I never doubted that I was loved and cherished, which was very high on my list of priorities for my own children. And I always had a clear conception of what was right and wrong. I suspect the pendulum will swing again in the future as more data is collected. Thanks again. OB Dear Old Bag: How young can you be and still die of old age?

Signed, FND Dear FND: I take your question to mean, “Can you die of old age when you are young?” I do not believe people die of old age—they die from disease. Some of these diseases are in our genes and some are brought on by the way we live. If at age 50, you are sitting around, uninvolved, not exercising, eating unhealthily and have no interests, you might be considered old and you are inviting disease into your life, and no doubt shortening it. I hope this answers your question. OB Dear Old Bag: When I look around, I find that I have been mistaken about aging. I always thought that as you grow older, you become nicer and wiser, but my observation is that people often get belligerent and illogical. What is your take on this? Signed, DH Dear DH: My take is that people pretty much become more of what they are. If you are sweet, wise and logical as a young person, you will probably become more of that as you grow older. If you are a nasty young person, you may become nastier. If disease interferes with your healthy aging, a sweet person may become the opposite. Here’s a note to my younger readers: If you are young and have a nasty disposition, you better change it while you can. OB ■

ASK THE OLD BAG

Pamela Kreps, Owner Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist

(970) 628-4927 759 Horizon Dr, Ste E

Grand Junction, CO 81506 www.pinnaclehearingaidcenter.com

TURNING 65?

YOU HAVE A LIMITED WINDOW TO SIGN-UP FOR MEDICARE

FREE MEDICARE 101 CLASS MONTHLY

Call now to reserve seat.

Licensed Sales Agent • Medicare Advantage Plans • Medicare Supplement Insurance • Part D Prescription Drug Plans

ADVICE COLUMN FOR THE OVER 50 CROWD

BY GAYLE LAGMAN-CRESWICK

Send your questions to the Old Bag in care of the BEACON, or email her directly at lagmancreswick@gmail.com

Ashley VanGundy

970-712-8672

970

INSURANCE

www.970insurance.com

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | APRIL 2018 | ASK THE OLD BAG |

9

LAUGHING MATTERS

LAUGHING MATTERS Note from the Publisher: Humor is in the funny bone of the beholder. In last month's issue, we published a joke that was attributed to David West. First, this is NOT from the renowned Dr. David West of Grand Junction. Second, it was not our intention to make light of being overweight. Third, we love and support our teachers. I apologize for any consternation this has caused.

I REMEMBER WHY I RETIRED

Submitted by Robert Gale

YOUR SMILE IS WORTH THE DRIVE

VISIT OUR PROFESSIONAL OFFICE IN OLATHE

Dentures, Partials, Routine Exams & Cleanings, Restorations

(970)

323-6828

Medicaid Accepted

601 Main St. Olathe, CO Mon-Thu, 8AM-5PM

Colorow Care Center is the only Eden Alternative® Certified Community on the Western Slope.

Dedicated to creating quality of life for Elders and their care partners Colorow is a skilled nursing facility that believes in healthy living, person-centered care and nontraditional approaches in meeting everyday needs.

After landing my new job as a Walmart greeter (a good find for many retirees), I lasted less than a day.

About two hours in, a very loud, unattractive, mean woman walked into the store with her two kids, yelling obscenities at them all the way through the entrance.

I said pleasantly, “Good morning and welcome to Wal-Mart. Nice children you have there. Are they twins?”

The ugly woman stopped yelling long enough to say, “Hell no, they ain’t twins. The oldest one’s 9, and the other one’s 7. Why the hell would you think they’re twins? Are you blind, or stupid?”

So I replied, “I’m neither blind nor stupid, ma’am. I just couldn’t believe someone slept with you twice. Have a good day and thank you for shopping at Walmart.”

My supervisor said I probably wasn’t cut out for this line of work.

LIFE BEGINS AT 80

Submitted by Lynette Cherry I have good news for you. The first 80 years are the hardest. The second 80 are a succession of birthday parties.

855 S. Hwy 50 Business Loop Olathe, CO 81425

970.323.5504

www.vivage.com/Colorow We Accept: Medicare • Medicaid • RMHMO • Private Pay • PACE • and More

10 | LAUGHING MATTERS | APRIL 2018 |

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

Once you reach 80, everyone wants to carry your baggage and help you up the steps. If you forget your name or anybody else’s name, an appointment, your telephone num-

ber or promise to be three places at the same time, or you can’t remember how many grandchildren you have, you need only explain that you are 80.

Being 80 is a lot better than being 70. At 70, people are mad at you for everything. At 80 you have a perfect excuse no matter what you do. If you act foolishly, it’s your second childhood. Everybody is looking for symptoms of softening of the brain.

Being 70 is no fun at all. At 70, they expect you to retire to a house in Florida and complain about your arthritis. You ask everybody to stop mumbling because you can’t understand them.

If you survive until you are 80, everybody is surprised that you are still alive. They treat you with respect just for having lived so long. Actually, they seem surprised that you can walk and talk sensibly.

So please, folks, try to make it to 80. It’s the best time of your life.

People forgive you for anything.

GRANDMAS DON’T KNOW EVERYTHING

Submitted by Kay Hendricks Little Tony was 7 years old and was staying with his grandmother for a few days. He was playing outside with the other kids for a while when he came into the house and asked her, “Grandma, what’s that called when two people sleep in the same room and one is on top of the other?”

A little taken aback, she decided to

LAUGHING MATTERS tell him the truth.

I’M A SENIOR CITIZEN

“It’s called sex, darling,” she replied.

Submitted by Stella Hurley

Little Tony accepted the answer and went back outside to play. A few minutes later he came back in and said angrily, “Grandma, it isn’t called sex.

It’s called bunk beds. And Jimmy’s mom wants to talk to you.”

I’m the life of the party…even if it lasts until 8 p.m.

Providing the BEST hearing help for over 21 years.

I’m very good at opening childproof caps...with a hammer.

I’m usually interested in going home before I get to where I am going.

I’m awake many hours before my body allows me to get up.

SNOOZE

Submitted by Kathy Bruce An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of.

He calmly came over to me. I gave him a few pats on his head; he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.

An hour later he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back. He greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall. Again, he slept for about an hour. This routine continued off and on for several weeks.

Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: “I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful, sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.”

The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar: “He lives in a home with six children, two under the age of 3— he’s trying to catch up on his sleep.

Can I come with him tomorrow?”

I’m smiling all the time because I can’t hear a thing you’re saying.

I’m very good at telling stories…over and over and over and over.

I’m aware that other people’s grandchildren are not nearly as cute as mine.

I’m so cared for—long-term care, eye care, private care, and dental care.

I’m not really grouchy; I just don’t like traffic, waiting, crowds, lawyers, loud music, unruly kids, barking dogs, politicians and a few other things I can’t seem to remember right now.

I’m sure everything I can’t find is in a safe secure place…somewhere.

I’m having trouble remembering simple words like…

I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

If you’re only as old as you feel, how could I be alive at 150?

I’m a walking storeroom of facts.

I’ve just lost the key to the storeroom door. ■

For You or Your Loved Ones...

An Affordable Alternative Assisted Living •toLive Comfortably

Don't spend another Day alone

• Be Independent • Be Safe • Live Comfortably & Be Independent Be •Secure • Be•Safe Be Secure • Dine FreshMeals Meals • Dineon onExcellent, Excellent, Fresh • Enjoy• Enjoy Convenience, Activities Convenience, and Assistance Activities and Assistance Bring Your •• Bring YourPet! Pet! Respite Care Care Available • •Respite Available

Your satisfaction totally Yourissatisfaction satisfaction Your guaranteed!

Your issatisfaction totally totally is totally guaranteed! guaranteed!

Your Exclusive Provider of guaranteed!

Your satisfaction American-Made Your Exclusive YourProvider Exclusive of isof Ave. totally Provider Your Exclusive American-Made  Delta, CO 144 Eaton American-Made Provider of guaranteed!

American-Made 874-4910

144 Eaton Ave.  Delta, CO 144 Eaton Ave.  Delta, CO 874-4910 241 Ave. Jct.,CO CO  Grand  Delta, 144 Eaton Ave. YourGrand Exclusive 874-4910 Provider of 243-1990 874-4910 241 Grand Ave.  Grand Jct., CO American-Made

144 Eaton • Delta 241 Grand Ave. Ave. Grand Jct., CO 241 Grand243-1990 Ave.  Grand Jct., CO 874-4910 144 Eaton Ave.  Delta, CO 243-1990 243-1990

874-4910 241 Grand Ave. • Grand Jct

Call Heidi or Sigi for more information

241 Grand Ave.  Grand Jct., CO 243-1990 243-1990

970-249-2438 2710 Sunnyside Road, Montrose

info@springcreekchalet.com

www.SpringCreekChalet.com

Tell ‘em where you found ‘em!

Thanks to our advertisers, we get to provide YOU with the BEACON for FREE!

Tell our supporters that you saw them in your favorite senior news source.

Do you suffer from chronic pain?

Hahaha

s U e k a M

! h g u a L

Send your JOKES to

Beacon@pendantpublishing.com or

P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502

Prolozone is a non-steroidal injection made up of a proliferative solution mixed with Ozone gas. It causes the regeneration of ligaments and cartilage. It is a safe, effective and often permanent treatment for:

> joint pain > muscle pain > nerve pain > injuries > disc pain

> plantar fasciitis > hip pain > knee pain > ankle pain

Millennium Wellness

> low back pain > rotator cuff pain > shoulder pain > neck pain

(970) 856-4729

175 E. Main St. Cedaredge, CO | www.deltacountyacupuncture.com WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | APRIL 2018 | LAUGHING MATTERS |

11

BEACON SENIOR NEWS

W

R E A D Y. S E T. S P R I N G C L E A N .

DOWNTO

Donate Your Gently Used Items!

Monday - Saturday | 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

HeirloomsforHospice.com

Ready for an ad 317 S 2ND ST FE ATURED BUSINESSES

Mesa Family Chiropractic 701 E. Main St.

Complementary pick-up available for larger items.

DELTA 532 Main Street (970) 874-5251

GRAND JUNCTION 635 Main Street (970) 254-8556

MONTROSE 435 E. Main Street (970) 252-3648

Montrose Chiropractic Center 201 S. Third St.

Hoover Chiropractic

1228 E. Main St.

Good News Chiropractic,

101 N. Uncompahgre Ave.

Kensho Total Wellness Day Spa

37 N. Nevada Ave

Montrose Downtown has a good number of businesses that offer all kinds of health and wellness practices, including a good number of chiropractors: Mesa Family Chiropractic, 701 E. Main St. Mesa Family Chiropractic, which has offices in both Montrose and Delta, offers chiropractic services for repetitive motion injuries, sports injuries and carpal tunnel in addition to detoxification treatments, hydro massages and an FDA-approved weight loss program.

Mesa Family Chiropractic also offers something most others don't: chiropractic services for animals.

“My goal for all my patients is to have optimal health,” said Dr. Amber Wave. “I believe in order to achieve this goal, patients must actively partake in maintenance care of their bodies. This prevents an injury from happening or becoming worse. I know that overall health is important, so a well-balanced diet, exercise routine and chiropractic care helps to achieve this.”

Montrose Chiropractic Center, 201 S. Third St.

Orthopedic shoes never looked so good.

Available at

Cork footbeds, leather lined and leather upper.

Sizes 35-43

249-3668

316 Main St., Montrose www.montrosefootwear.com 12 | APRIL 2018 |

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

Good News Chiropractic Dr Jack Bradley and his assistant attending to a patient.

Mesa Family Ch introduces her y

BEACON SENIOR NEWS

E L C O M E

T O

OWN MONTROSE

djustment? Head Downtown!

Present in Montrose for a quarter of a century, Montrose Chiropractic Center specializes in helping to heal pain without the need for surgery or drugs. Dr. John Unger has a host of qualifications, including being the only chiropractic practitioner between Glenwood Springs and Durango to hold the advanced Diplomate Chiropractic Sports Physician status. His patient-centered approach lends itself to comfortable, effective health care for his patients, from school kids to retired seniors and professional athletes. Since 1986, he has been certified by the state of Colorado in the use of acupuncture for pain relief and to promote the body's natural healing process.

Hoover Chiropractic, 1228 E. Main St. Wayne Hoover joined the U.S. Navy, opened a private chiropractic practice in Beverly Hills and move to Redondo Beach for a decade before he arrived in Montrose to open Hoover Chiropractic in 1996. Hoover Chiropractic not only deals with patients who may have experienced an injury at work or in a car accident, but as a nationally recognized expert in the health and fitness industry, Dr.

hiropractic's Dr. Amber Ware youngest to a new patient.

Hoover can advise on all manner of health and fitness issues thanks to the on-site nutritional center.

Good News Chiropractic, 101 N. Uncompahgre Ave. It wasn’t until Jack Bradley was cured of ailments that prevented him from doing his work in a previous career that he turned his attention to chiropractic studies.

Having first opened a practice in Texas, Bradley opened a practice in Montrose and eventually moved here full time.

Bradley is one of only four certified doctors in the state to specialize in disc work, a technique that addresses herniated, bulging and degenerative disc disease along with stenosis and sciatica.

Seniors and Retirees have Different Real Estate Needs We help buyers and sellers transition into the next phase of life. The Real Estate Store has the highest number of certified Senior Specialists in one office in Western Colorado.

Leslie Gore

Michelle Klippert

Peg Evanoika

Senior Real Estate Specialist

Senior Real Estate Specialist

Senior Real Estate Specialist

lesliegorerealtor@ gmail.com

michelleklippertrealtor@ gmail.com

realtor@ pegevanoika.com

(970) 275-3195

(970) 275-3016

(970) 249-7653 500 E. Main St. Montrose, CO 81401 www.the-res.com Personal, Professional, Property Brokers

Away from the office, he can typically be found leading fishing trips as a licensed outfitter.

Kensho Total Wellness Day Spa, 37 N. Nevada Ave. Kensho Total Wellness Day Spa is a one-stop shop that offers chiropractic treatments, acupuncture, massage and aesthetic services such as facials, body wraps and full body waxing.

Established in 1997 by Ken Edgar, who relocated from Malibu, California, Kensho Total Wellness Day Spa started as a clinic but soon evolved to include all manners of other services. Edgar operates Kensho Total Wellness Day Spa with this wife Holly Padilla-Edgar, who is the resident esthetician.

(970) 209-3934

49 N. First St. Montrose 9 am-1 pm Mon. - Fri. 970-240-8385

443 E. Main St. Montrose 10 am-6 pm Tue. - Sat. 970-615-7484

S

ad e r p

the wor d…

Hunger does not end after the holidays, Support Sharing Ministries Food Bank by donating, volunteering or shopping at the Green Cupboard!

100% of all proceeds helps feed children, seniors and families in need.

To learn how you can make a difference call 970-240-8385.

With a new Season in Spring, It’s time to rethink and evaluate your marketing plans.

Till the soil, sow the seeds…

Ready to get adjusted? Head to Montrose Downtown!

Presented by Montrose Downtown Development Authority Melissa Lowe, Manager, 497-8699

Let’s grow some roots together.

Let’s get seniors DOWNTOWN! Call Siggie with the BEACON to advertise: 970-632-2376 WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | APRIL 2018 |

13

HOME & GARDEN

What's going in the ground?

POTATOES

How to make the most of your garden space As April carries us into planting season, it’s time to begin prepping, sowing and digging into the soil and start bringing our dreams and ideas to life.

I

’ve decided to try something new this growing season, and I invite you to be part of it. I’ll be centering my column around my own 12-by12-foot gardening space, where I’ll utilize concepts from permaculture, biomimicry and high-impact gardening to create a thriving garden ecosystem.

Join me in designating a precious space to growing food in a way that honors the earth, provides nutrition and nourishment to you and your loved ones, and brings us closer to Nature.

THE LAYOUT My garden, like me, lives in Carbondale, Colorado. Zone 5b. Using only hand tools and just a few simple, low-cost season extension items like blankets and straw, I’ll focus on

growing tasty and nutrient-rich annual plants, maximizing space and minimizing weeds using organic growing methods.

If you decide to follow along, you can tweak the layout I’ve designed below to fit your space and lifestyle. I’ve started with a 12-by-12foot square, giving me 144 square feet of heaven. Here are a few ideas for adjusting the design to suit your needs: • Build raised beds if kneeling low doesn’t feel good in your body.

• Widen the rows to 2 feet, or add additional rows. I’m planting in a way that minimizes the amount of exposed soil to prevent weeds and encourage moisture.

• Divide the square into smaller

spaces. If your space is longer and narrower, or you need to spread out your garden for some other reason, you can still follow this design and modify your layout according to the sections.

Sections 1, 2 and 3 can be pulled apart, and throughout the growing season, you can still follow the succession plantings.

• If there’s a particular crop you’re not fond of, simply replace it with something you love that has similar growing habits.

I’ll suggest alternative crops as much as possible.

GET PLANTING Once you’ve tweaked the design to fit your growing space, gather up your seeds and get planting! Prep your garden beds with compost and a nice layer of topsoil that will provide a nice space for your seeds to germinate.

This month, we’re planting potatoes, poppies, greens, carrots, beets, onions, sweet peas and buckwheat.

All these crops can be sown directly into the soil. It’s always best to sow extra seeds and pull the plants out later.

This will help ensure we have abundance, and will help prevent weeds from coming up in between spaced-out plants.

14 | HOME & GARDEN | APRIL 2018 |

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

Have you ever held onto a potato too long, and it starts sprouting growths? Those are called eyes, and they’re what we plant in order to grow more potatoes.

You can order potatoes for planting from seed companies, or you can find your favorite kinds at the grocery store and store them in a warm, light place for a few weeks until they sprout eyes.

One or two days before you’re ready to plant, use a clean knife to slice up the potatoes into sections. This will give the cut pieces time to dry out to prevent rotting.

Each section should have an eye or two. Smaller potatoes can be planted whole. Whatever you’re planting should be about the size of a golf ball.

On planting day, dig a 6- to 8-inch deep trench into soil that you’ve loosened and moistened. Place each potato piece cut side down, with the eye pointing up towards the sky, every 6-12 inches (fingerlings can be planted closer together, while larger potatoes will want a bit more room). Fill the trench with about 4 inches of soil. Let the plants start to grow, and mound up the soil around the plants as they grow taller. After about 10 weeks, they’ll be ready to harvest.

POPPIES AND PANSIES Poppies add beauty to the garden in spring, before it’s warm enough for many other flowers to come up.

Sow a row of poppy seeds at the surface of the soil. Poppies need light to germinate, so add a thin layer of straw on top of the bed to hold in moisture and provide some protection for spring frosts.

You can pick up plant starts from a local nursery and plant pansies along with the poppies. Pansies are also cold hardy and the flowers are edible.

HOME & GARDEN

Annual Spring Open House GREENS Spread seeds across the bed, so that each section of soil is sprinkled with an even layer of seeds. We’ll thin the plants as they come up, harvesting microgreens, young leaves and eventually fullgrown greens.

For this style of planting, a leaf lettuce might be easier to manage than head lettuce (though I love head lettuce and will mix some into my leaf lettuce mix anyway). Cover seeds with a thin layer of soil and then a thin layer of straw to hold in moisture.

CARROTS AND BEETS Mix a bit of sand into the section of soil where you’ll sow carrots and beets (unless your garden soil is mostly clay, in which case, skip the sand and add compost instead).

Seed these root veggies the same way you seed the greens, covering them with soil, then a thicker, 1-inch layer of straw. I like to cover my carrot seeds with a layer of fabric to create a darker environment.

of onion you choose, so follow the spacing guidelines on your seed packets when planting. Sow onion seeds in rows and cover with soil, then straw. Onions are slow to start, so be extra diligent with pulling weeds around them.

PEAS AND BUCKWHEAT We’re planting a larger area of peas for a few reasons. Young sweet pea shoots taste wonderful in salads, so this is a cover crop that we’ll harvest and eat! Later, we’ll use this space to plant corn, beans and squash.

e Exc

Saturday, April 27, 2019 • 9 am-5 pm

970.249.6109 | Open Daily 16612 S. Townsend Ave. Montrose, CO www.camelotgardens.com

Our thick bed of buckwheat will suppress weeds, put out flowers for beneficial insects and fix nitrogen in the soil—all while taking care of the space in our garden that will eventually hold tomatoes and peppers.

Please write and share your stories, questions and insights! I’d love to hear about your experience as we venture into this new growing season together. ■

ONIONS Spacing will depend on the variety

ALIVE & DIGGING

BY PAIGE SLAUGHTER Send your questions to Paige in care of the BEACON, or email her directly at paige@fruitionstudio.com WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | APRIL 2018 | HOME & GARDEN |

15

FUN & GAMES 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

15

16

17

18

19

20 23

26

27

28

29 35

- Pediatrics - Diabetic Eye Exams - Cataracts and other conditions

49

- Largest Selection of frames in Montrose

53

56

57 62

65

66

67

68

56. Did the butterfly 57. With “up,” exasperated 60. Plant of the buttercup family 62. Stalagmite makeup 65. Pillage 66. Catch 67. Least difficult 68. Stroll Down 1. ___ boy!

2. Historic Scott 3. La Dolce ___ 4. Cabinet dept.

5. Vietnam’s ___ Dinh Diem 6. Chest or closet material 7. Builds 8. Table scraps 9. Neckline shape 10. Animosity 11. Dupe 12. Lottery 13. Acquire through merit 14. Ultimatum word 21. Israel’s Barak 23. Food and water 24. Potpourri 25. Luges 26. Atlas feature

63

58

* We accept many insurances including Medicaid and Medicare among others

59

* Through April 30th; Restrictions apply

64

Call today to schedule an appointment

27. First prime minister of India 28. Treacherous 30. Narrow inlet 32. In shape 33. Diary bit 35. Live 37. Host 39. “___ don’t say!”

41. Parent’s sister 44. Reason to cancel school 47. Contiguous with 48. Vestiges 51. Old finnish money 53. Appliance brand 54. Cod, Good Hope, or Canaveral, e.g.

55. Home of the Bruins 56. Spanish muralist 57. Decree 58. French 101 verb 59. Woodland animal 61. French possessive 63. Baton Rouge sch.

64. MSNBC rival

Turn to page 21 for your puzzle answers 16 | FUN & GAMES | APRIL 2018 |

Dr. Buck Specializes in

33

45

52

61

32

41

48

55

Across 1. Move forward 8. Supervise 15. Part of a gun 16. Subscription continuation 17. Vacuum tube type 18. Hardens metal 19. Nabokov novel 20. Deck quartet 22. “Goodnight” girl 23. Compass point 25. Cease 26. Chip maker 29. Bad-tempered 31. Sault ___ Marie 34. Sea nymph 36. Decease 37. Thames town 38. Unsubstantial 40. Inflexible 42. Goddess and sister of Ares in Greek mythology 43. Goddess of dawn in Greek mythology 45. Thing that sucks 46. Boy king 47. Frank 49. Destitute 50. German auto 52. To talk, usually in a pompous manner 54. Heals

14

37

44

51

60

13

Buy two pairs of Glasses and we will hand you a $100 bill* 31

40

47 50

12

22

36

43

46

11

30

39

42

10

25

38

54

21

24

34

9

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

615-7210

Open 8 am-5 pm weekdays, except 9 am-6 pm Wednesday

Get famous.

1871 E. Main St., Montrose www.1houreyedocs.com info@1houreyedocs.com

Send your jokes, quotes and gloats to BEACON Senior News P.O. Box 3895, GJ 81502 or Beacon@PendantPublishing.com

BUSINESS PROFILE

Age Out Loud: Volunteers of America has what it takes to help you age gracefully

By Carole Ann McKelvey & Cloie Sandlin or many, aging is a complex and fearful unknown. Luckily, employees and volunteers with Volunteers of America (VOA) work tirelessly to alleviate this anxiety by helping local residents and the area’s most vulnerable individuals connect with resources and rebuild their lives.

F

VOA is a nonprofit organization and ministry of service started over 123 years ago by Ballington and Maud Booth. Since then, the organization has provided essential services to people regardless of faith or religious beliefs.

“We are a national faith-based nonprofit that operates seven different health care-related service programs, mostly for older adults in both Montrose and Delta counties,” said Regional Marketing Director Erin Berge.

rehabilitation therapy. Both facilities provide memory care services for those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

nutritious meals in a social setting at seven congregate meal sites throughout Delta and Montrose counties.

The Homestead at Montrose, 1819 Pavilion Dr., VOA’s assisted living community, recently added an independent living option to its list of services, diversifying the options for those who do or don’t require a care plan personalized to their needs.

The organization’s newest program, Berge said, is the AdvantAge Health Resource Centers in Delta and Montrose. Care navigators in both locations contract with Region 10 Area Agency on Aging to help with in-home assessments or services like personal care, housekeeping, transportation vouchers, respite

Patients can also elect to sign up for in-home skilled nursing care through Home Health of Western Colorado, which sends registered nurses straight to your home to help with physical, occupational and speech therapy; wound care; medication management; surgical aftercare and many other services.

VOA has been in western Colorado for upwards of 30 years, providing housing, meals, volunteer opportunities and a network of health care services to residents in need.

VOA also has two PACE programs (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) under the name Senior CommUnity Care. These programs in Eckert and Montrose are for residents age 55 and older and are designed to keep people living independently in their own home and active in the community.

Horizons Care Center in Eckert, 11411 CO-65, and Valley Manor Care Center in Montrose, 1401 S. Cascade Ave., are VOA’s nursing home communities that offer long-term care, short-term respite stays and

A great example of this effort is Senior CommUnity Meals, VOA’s meals on wheels program. Not only does it recruit volunteers to deliver meals to homebound older adults, but they also cook and serve

Age Out Loud with VOA, Hazel Miller & Chris Daniels

care and more.

“AdvantAge offers services to anyone at any age,” said Berge. “We have a database of local, regional, state and national resources that we use to help figure out what assistance they might qualify for and what things they’d like to investigate further.”

For more information on VOA and its services, call 844-862-4968 or visit www.voa4you.org. ■

You Can Count On Us To Be There, Always If you are unsure about options to care for yourself or your loved ones, be assured we are here to help.

Our network of services work together to meet you at the level of care you need: • Home Health, RN Care • Independent & Assisted Living • Injury or Post-Surgery Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy • Long-term, Skilled Nursing Care • Secure Memory Care

May 10 • 7 p.m. • Montrose Pavilion

• Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

Pre-concert with Donny Morales at 5:30 p.m.

• Community Dining and Homebound Meal Delivery

Silent auction • Food trucks • Cash bar This fundraiser concert benefits Senior CommUnity Care PACE’s One Simple Wish and Outdoor Adventure programs.

Contact one of our care navigators to explore all community services and resources or for a benefits checkup.

1-844-862-4968 | 1-844-VOA-4YOU | advantage@voa.org | voa4you.org WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | APRIL 2018 | BUSINESS PROFILE |

17

BEACON BITS

CALENDAR APRIL 6

Black Canyon Barbershop spring show “In Harmony” The Black Canyon Barbershop Chorus presents its 44th annual show at 7 p.m. at the Montrose Pavilion.

The guest quartet is Average Joes, the 2018 Rocky Mountain District Champions, and the show features Rocky Road and Sound Production quartets, Grand Mesa A Cappella Chorus, and high school choirs from Delta, Montrose and Olathe. Tickets are $15 and are available from choir members or the Montrose Pavilion Box Office. Tickets purchased from high school choir members will return $3 to their music programs.

APRIL 7

Montrose Community Band concert Join the Montrose Community Band at 3 p.m. for a free concert at the Montrose Pavilion. The band will be

playing a variety of Scottish and Irish music. Visit www.montroseband. com or call 596-1188 for details.

APRIL 10

Free grief seminar This free seminar examines ways that mental health professionals, health care providers and the community can support the growing number of aging Americans through loss.

“Living with Grief in Aging America: Coping with Loss, Dying and Death in Later Life” is co-sponsored by Taylor Funeral Service & Crematory and HopeWest and takes place from 9 a.m. to noon in the Mesa Lakes Room at Delta County Memorial Hospital Oncology. Registration is required. Call 874-0628.

APRIL 14

“Broadway: From ‘Hair’ to ‘Hamilton’” orchestra concert Valley Symphony Association’s final

MAKE THE MOST DANGEROUS ROOM IN THE HOUSE SAFER

concert of the season highlights the brilliant work of iconic composers like Leonard Bernstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lin-Manuel Miranda and features some of the best-known Broadway music of the last 60 years, including toe-tapping, sing-along melodies from “West Side Story,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Grease,” and “Wicked.” Concert starts at 3 p.m. at Montrose Pavilion. Tickets are $17 for adults and $16 for seniors, and are available at www.valleysymphony.net, at Clubb’s in Delta and at the Montrose Pavilion. Visit the website for more information or call 250-2440.

unique spirits at the fourth annual Taste of Spring event, hosted by Delta County Young Life and the Delta Lions Club. This event takes place from 5-8 p.m. at Bill Heddles Recreation Center. General admission for Saturday is $30 in advance or $35 at the door; tickets for an exclusive whiskey tasting are an additional $10. Don’t miss the special VIP dinner on Friday for $70, which gets you access to a multicourse meal paired with drinks, a ticket to Saturday’s event and the whiskey tasting.

Advance tickets can be purchased at www.TasteOfSpringDelta.com.

APRIL 15

Friends of the Montrose Library Book Sale The Friends of the Montrose Library will hold its spring used book sale in the library meeting room. Members-only hours are Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. Public hours are noon to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday; and noon until 4 p.m. on Sunday. On Sunday from 2-4 pm, customers can fill a reusable bag with books for $5. For information, call the library at 249-9656.

What if there is no will?

This free estate planning workshop will cover how your assets will pass if you do or don’t leave a will. Learn how a personal representative is appointed, who will administer the estate, and how the estate will be divided at 4:30 p.m. at the Homestead of Montrose. Registration required.

Visit www.brownandbrownpc.com or call 243-8250 for details.

APRIL 16

BeaconFest Boomer & Senior Fair BeaconFest Boomer Senior Fair, Colorado’s largest mature lifestyle expo, will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

•BATH BOARDS at Two Rivers Convention Center, •BATH •BATH BOARDS •BATHBOARDS BOARDS •TUB BARS 159 Main St. in Grand Junction. This •TUB •TUBBARS BARS •TUB BARS •BATH BOARDS •TOILET RISERS •TOILET RISERS year’s BeaconFest features an ex•TOILET RISERS •GRABBARS BARS •GRAB •TUB BARS citing lineup of entertainment, free •TOILET RISERS •GRAB BARS ••HANDHELD HANDHELD food, lively seminars and informa•TOILET RISERS •SHOWERS HANDHELD SHOWERS •GRAB BARS SHOWERS tional booths from over 100 se••TRANSFER •GRAB BARS TRANSFER TRANSFER nior-related agencies and businesses.

••BENCH HANDHELD BENCH BENCH•HANDHELD ••SHOWER Admission is free. Thousands of SHOWER SHOWERS • SHOWER SHOWERS STOOLS STOOLS dollars worth of door prizes will be STOOLS •TRANSFER •TRANSFERgiven away. A special ceremony will BENCH BENCH be held at 1 p.m. announcing the •SHOWER winner of this year’s Volunteer of the ALL INSURANCE •SHOWER COMPANIES BILLED STOOLS Year award and honoring nominees.

ALL INSURANCE ALL INSURANCE JOINT COMMISSION COMPANIES BILLED STOOLS COMPANIES ACCREDITEDBILLED 800-262-0833 • 241-0833 JOINT For details, call 243-8829 or visit JOINTCOMMISSION COMMISSION ••241-0833 ACCREDITED 1708 NORTH 800-262-0833 AVE. GRAND JUNCTION • WWW.GRANDMESAMEDICAL.COM 800-262-0833 241-0833 ACCREDITED www.BeaconSeniorNews.com.

1708 NORTH AVE. GRAND JUNCTION 1708 NORTH AVE. GRAND JUNCTION• •WWW.GRANDMESAMEDICAL.COM WWW.GRANDMESAMEDICAL.COM

APRIL 20

of Spring fundraiser Treat yourself to some of Western JOINT COMMISSION JOINT COMMISSION ACCREDITED 1-800 262-0833 • 241-0833 Colorado’s finest cuisine, most ACCREDITED • sought-after wines, craft beers and 1708 NORTH AVE. GRAND JUNCTION • WWW.GRANDMESAMEDICAL.COM 1708 NORTH AVE. GRAND JUNCTION • WWW.GRANDMESAMEDICAL.COM “Where Your Quality of Life Comes First”

ALL INSURANCE Taste ALL INSURANCE COMPANIES BILLED COMPANIES BILLED

800-262-0833 241-0833

18 | BEACON BITS | APRIL 2018 |

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

MAY 3-5

MAY 10

Hazel Miller Band & Chris Daniels Senior CommUnity Care PACE presents “Age Out Loud” featuring the Hazel Miller Band and Chris Daniels at 7 p.m. at the Montrose Pavilion. This fundraiser benefits Senior CommUnity Care PACE’s One Simple Wish and Outdoor Adventure programs. Starting at 5:30 p.m., Donny Morales will entertain at a pre-concert in the Pavilion lobby while concertgoers shop the silent auction. The One Simple Wish program allows chronically ill and financially disadvantaged older adults to request funding for experiences that will enhance their lives. In 2018, eleven wishes were granted in Montrose and Delta counties and several more are scheduled. The Outdoor Adventure program allowed older adults to stay actively engaged socially while they enjoy the outdoors.

For details, call 275-1220. ■

FUN AFTER 50

APRIL 9

FUN AFTER 50

Activities offered by the Montrose Recreation District To register for these programs, call the Montrose Recreation District at 249-7705 or visit www.montroserec.com.

EDUCATION Have lunch at noon and listen to educational presentations at 1 p.m. at the Montrose Senior Center. Cost for lunch is $5. Call 964-3419 the day before to make lunch reservations.

APRIL 2 It’s in the Air Allergy season is upon us, so learn how to support a healthy immune response to springtime allergens from health coach Charlie Spears.

APRIL 8 The Spring Creek Raptors A photographer’s introduction to birds of prey in Montrose’s Spring Creek area, presented by Mike Marino.

APRIL 15

History of American Barns Learn how barns were built from early New England through the Great Depression from Bob McHugh.

APRIL 23

Free Smart Phone Help Q&A session with Marck Hitchcox.

Call Cindy at 252-4884 to schedule.

TRIPS AND TOURS APRIL 4

Hike No Thoroughfare Canyon This four- to six-mile maintained trail on the Colorado National Monument leads to a seasonal waterfall, where a primitive route continues another mile to a second waterfall. This is a moderate hike. Meet at the Senior Center at 8 a.m. Cost is $19; bring a sack lunch.

Local business tours Ever wonder what happens to the Colorado beetle when it kills trees?

Find out at Montrose Forest Products, the largest lumber mill in Colorado. Wear closed-toed shoes and pants, and be prepared for stairs.

Matthews Alpines raises registered American alpines dairy goats and sells milk shares, soaps, lotions, farm fresh eggs and more. Metaphorse offers horsemanship, riding lessons, private trail rides and an equine experiential learning program. Meet at the Senior Center at 8 a.m. Cost is $15; bring money for optional lunch after the tour.

APRIL 18

Crawford tours and lunch Tour The Lodge at Needle Rock and Smith Fork Ranch during their off season. The Lodge at is a beautiful retreat center with views of Needle Rock and the West Elk Mountains, and Smith Fork is an all-inclusive luxury guest ranch featuring five-star dining, horseback riding and fly-fishing. Meet at the Senior Center at 7:45 a.m. Cost is $21; bring money for lunch.

APRIL 30

Nucla and Naturita tours Leaders of the West End Economic Development Corporation (WEEDC) are our guides on this tour of the high school, airport, collective mine co-working space and museum. Meet at the Senior Center at 7:45 a.m. Cost is $26; bring money for lunch.

MUSIC & DANCE SATURDAY NIGHT DANCES Dance along to live music at the Senior Center from 7:30-11 p.m. April 13 and 27. Cost is $5.

LATIN DANCING

Latin dance is from 6:14-8 p.m. on the third Monday of the month at the Senior Center crafts room.

LINE DANCING

Learn to line dance from 4-6 p.m. on the first and fourth Monday of the month and 6-8 p.m. on the second Monday.

JAM SESSION/SING ALONG Join us in the Senior Center crafts room from 4-6 p.m. Mondays if you play an instrument or sing! Each person gets a turn to lead a song and others play along.

GAMES APRIL 15

Monday Night Out Enjoy a potluck, line dancing, Latin dancing and games from 4-8 p.m.

Bring a dish to share and $2 for paper goods and prizes. For more information or for a ride, call Cindy at 252-4884.

FITNESS CHAIR YOGA

This free session is at 9:45 a.m. on the first and third Mondays of the month. ■

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | APRIL 2018 | FUN AFTER 50 |

19

BEACON BITS

BEACON BITS Montrose Community Center hits membership high Shortly after its two-year anniversary, the Montrose Community Center has hit a new annual membership high with 8,098 current annual pass holders. This is in a community with a population of 19,015 in the City. This is over three times the membership level initially projected in the 2013 Master Plan Pro Forma. The average admission is over 1,000 people per day. Furthermore, the annual pass number does not include daily admission, punch passes, three month passes, program participants or spectators. 88 percent of the annual pass holders are families or seniors. For more information, call 249-7705.

and certified each year through the IRS, ready to prepare and electronically file 2018 federal and state returns on behalf of community members at no cost to them. Bring your Social Security card, picture ID for each individual on the return, all documents needed to complete your return, proof of bank account and routing information, and last year’s return. Call 252-4889 to schedule an appointment or walk in to the Montrose Senior Center from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

Artists’ Alpine Holiday calls for entries Tell all your artist and photographer friends that online registration for the 59th Artists’ Alpine Holiday Art Show is open APRIL 25-June 24. The show will take place in Ouray from August 1-10. Go to www.ourayarts. org for details and to register.

Free tax preparation services through April 11 AARP Tax Aide volunteer preparers are trained in tax law, then tested

Life’s Legacy in Stone

Mention this ad and receive a $500* credit towards new purchase

Custom Engraved Memorials, Mobile Sandblasting, Monument Repair & Cleaning

Extraordinary nurses recognized at Delta hospital Nurses at Delta County Memorial Hospital (DCMH) were honored recently with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses ®. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. The 14 DCMH DAISY recognized nominee RN recipients were: Misty Armendariz, April Bonata, David Brodhead, DeEtta Frank, Rhonda Galvin, Lisa Garcia, Cindy Hirsch, Elizabeth Knob, Cristina Liddick, Tiffany Morford, Taneesha Rodriguez, Lorie Spencer Kelsey Stark and Kathy Wiley. The DAISY Award Winner for this quarter overall was April Bonata, RN, a medical/surgical nurse nominated by two of her patients. The application letters highlighted her compassionate care and ability to listen, along with a positive attitude and researching unanswered questions. “The kind of work the nurses at DCMH are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award,” said DAISY Coordinator Dawn Arnett.

Visit www.daisyfoundation.org for more information.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES • Senior CommUnity Meals needs volunteer delivery drivers and dining room helpers to help elderly citizens in Delta and Montrose counties. For details, visit www.seniorcommunitymeals.org or call 874-7662.

• Volunteer drivers are needed to deliver meals to low-income and frail seniors. Drivers’ backgrounds are checked and they need to provide references. Call 249-8804.

• The Friends of Montrose Library is looking for volunteers to fill several open board positions. Meetings are held once a month for an hour and include evaluating program funding, planning book sales and attending to other business matters related to the organization. For details, call 846-5287.

• Sharing Ministries Food Bank is looking for volunteers to help with their mission of providing nutritious food to those in need. For more information, call 240-8385.

970-323-6658 www.morrismonument.com 1630 South Main Street, Delta www.facebook.com/MorrisMonument

*purchase must be greater than $3000 20 | BEACON BITS | APRIL 2018 |

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

xtraordinary nurses recognized at Delta hospital E From left: DAISY Coordinator Dawn Arnett, DAISY award winner April Bonata and Delta County Memorial Chief Clinical Officer Jody Roeber.

BEACON BITS

CLUBS & ACTIVITIES

or email lvcribbs@charter.net.

Alpine Photography Club meets monthly at Colorado Mesa University’s Montrose Campus. For details, email apcmontroseco@gmail.com

Montrose Elks Bingo takes place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Montrose Elks Lodge, 801 S. Hillcrest Dr.

Black Canyon Barbershop Chorus is looking for those who want to sing four-part in an a cappella barbershop music style. Practices are from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Olathe United Methodist Church.

Call 216-3800.

Black Canyon Classics Car Club meets monthly on the first Tuesday. The club is open to all ages interested in classic cars, street rods, trucks and other vehicles. For details, call 249-6051.

Citizens Climate Lobby meets at 6:30 p.m. April 8 at the Montrose Library meeting room. For more information, call 240-9146 or email montrose@citizensclimatelobby.org.

Crafternoon members knit and crochet projects, which they donate to various charities, from 2:304:30 p.m. on the first, second and third Wednesdays of the month in the Montrose library meeting room. Supplies are provided, but yarn donations are always welcome.

Experienced crafters will help beginners. Call 964-2546.

Delta Hubwheelers Square Dance Club celebrates its 51st anniversary from 7-9 p.m. on April 6 in the Bill Heddles Recreation Center aerobics room. There will be a special guest caller and cuer for round dancing.

Admission is $7 for dancers. For details, call 773-4495 or 835-3771.

Montrose Amateur Radio Club meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the third Friday at the Olathe Community Center. Call 417-6142.

Montrose Area Woodturners meets monthly from 9 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday at 520 Collins Way in Montrose. Call 986-2550

Giving Club of Montrose meets quarterly at 5:30 p.m. at The Bridges of Montrose. Members donate $100 at each meeting and are invited to nominate a local charity to receive the evening’s total contributions.

For membership information, email givingclubofmontrose@gmail.com.

Guys Giving Club of Montrose meets quarterly. Members donate $100 at each meeting and are invited to nominate a local charity to receive the evening’s total contributions. For membership information, email guysgivingclubmontrose@ gmail.com.

Montrose Pavilion Dance Club hosts dances monthly from 7:3011 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays at the Montrose Pavilion.

Dancers of all ages are welcome.

Bring a snack to share. Cost is $5.

Call 252-7172.

Montrose Women’s Club meets for monthly luncheons at noon on the third Monday, September through May. All Montrose area women are invited to attend. For location, call 275-3336.

San Juan Dance Club meets from 6:45-9:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Lions Clubhouse in Montrose. Call 708-8333.

S AV E T H E D AT E !

LIV ING W ITH GR IEF - AGING A M ER IC A: Coping with Loss, Dying , and Death in Later Life

W E D N E S D AY, A P R I L 1 0 , 2 0 1 9 9 AM - NOON, DELTA COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, Oncology Building, Mesa Lakes Room 1501 E. Third St., Delta This program is offered free of charge through the generosity and co-sponsorship of Taylor Funeral Service & Crematory and HopeWest.

America is aging at a rapid rate with 10,000 people in the U.S. turning 65 every day. Medicare is expected to include 80 million enrollees by 2040.

In this seminar, we will examine ways that mental health professionals, health care providers, and the wider community can support the growing number of aging Americans through loss.

RSVP required by Monday, April 8th

For more information or to RSVP please contact Melanie McClanahan 874-0628

www.taylorfuneralservice.com

Delta 874-9988 | Cedaredge 856-3232 | Hotchkiss 872-3151 | Paonia 527-3836

Answers from page 16

Sons of Norway, Vestafjell Lodge, meets at 2 p.m. on April 13 at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Grand Junction. Learn about storytelling and Norwegian culture. Call 245-5649 or visit www. vestafjelllodge.org.

Western Slope 4 Wheelers meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesdays at the Montrose Rod & Gun Club’s indoor range, 1211 6450 Road in Montrose. Call 209-5326. ■ WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | APRIL 2018 | BEACON BITS |

21

CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS

HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL OR A SERVICE TO OFFER? List it here—pricing starts at just $29 per month!

Call Stacey at 243-8829, to reserve your space in next month’s issue.

HOME SERVICES Handyman Services 15 years experience, dependable, can supply references. Minor plumbing, electrical, landscaping, carpentry, cleaning out garages, snow removal and more! Call 303-808-2690 and ask for John.

FOR SALE 2012 Durango 5th Wheel $17,999 35 feet, 3 slides, 2 air conditioners, 2 bedrooms, outdoor grill, full custom skirting, four seasons, two TVs, Jensen stereo and DVD player. $17,999.

Great condition and a great deal!

Books for over $20K. Must sell! Call 858-4775.

HELP WANTED

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Handicap Ramp EZ-ACCESS aluminum handicap ramp to keep ADA standards; ramp will reach a 31” high doorway. 3 turning platforms for tight space. $9,600 new, asking $6,000. Lee 435-8623585. Leave message please.

EVENTS Montrose Elks Bingo - Tuesday Nights 6:30 p.m. Main bingo packs include five regular games and three progressive games worth up to $500, $1,199 and $15,000. For a great time filled with smiles and laughter, be sure to join us every Tuesday at the Elks, 801 S. Hillcrest Dr., Montrose, CO 81401. Funds raised support local charities.

Medical Marijuana Doctor Days in Montrose and Grand Junction Got pain? Find out if medical marijuana is right for you. Doctor evaluation and education on cannabis use in a professional HIPAA-compliant setting. Call for appointment times and days 720-443-2420 or visit www. healthychoicesunltd.com.

Medical Cannabis Certification Cannabis treats arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraines, Parkinson’s, MS, cancer, glaucoma, PTSD, etc.

GJ - Thursday 4/11

WE’RE HIRING! The BEACON Senior News is growing and we’re looking for talented folks who want to grow with us!

We’re hiring for the following positions: FREELANCE WRITERS ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES PHOTO JOURNALISTS Send your letter and resume to Beacon@PendantPublishing.com

Creative folks, don’t forget to send samples of your work!

No phone calls, please.

Rifle - Wednesday 4/10 Wendy Zaharko, MD, 970-319-0652, z@alumni.princeton.edu. Your local Western Slope cannabis physician since 2009.

HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL OR A SERVICE TO OFFER?

List it here!

Call Stacey at 243-8829

a B r b n e o r s y h n o a p Chor us C k c a l B PRESENTS OUR 44TH ANNUAL SHOW

IN HARMONY April 6, 2019 | Montrose Pavilion | 7 pm Featuring: Quartets Rocky Road & Sound Production; Grand Mesa A Cappella; Delta, Montrose and Olathe HS Choirs Guest Quartet 2 0 1 8 R o c k y M o u n ta i n D i s t r i c t C h a m p i o n s

A v e r a g e

J o e s

Tickets are available from Delta, Montrose and Olathe High School Choir members or any BCBC member.

Tickets may be purchased with a credit card by phone at the Montrose Pavilion Box Office, Call 249-7015, ext. 0, from 10 am-1 pm Mon.-Fri.

Tickets: $15 KIDS UNDER 12 ARE FREE

Tickets purchased from Delta, Montrose or Olathe High School Choir members will return $3 to their high school music programs

For information, call 240-9997 22 | CLASSIFIEDS | APRIL 2018 |

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

GRAND JUNCTION

GRAND JUNCTION

Enjoy the area’s largest boomer and senior fair!

FREE admission, entertainment, seminars, food

F

Tuesday, April 16, 2019 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Two Rivers Convention Center, Grand Junction For information call 243-8829 Thank you to our 2019 sponsors!

Hazel Miller Band with special guest star, chris daniels

Pre-show concert & silent auction with music by donny morales

Doors open at

5:30pm with food by

Blue Ribbon BBQ May 10 | Montrose Pavilion & Surfin’ Salmon, proceeds go to one simple wish & outdoor adventure programming music & silent auction

Reserved and General Admission tickets available at:

ageoutloud.voa.org general admission tickets available at PACE centers.

2377 RObins Way, Montrose or 11485 Hwy 65 in Eckert

Call 970-417-5670 for questions or assistance.

Horizons Health Care & Retirement Community

Proceeds go towards the Outdoor Adventure and Wish Granting Programs SCC is 501(c)(3) organization | www.seniorcommunitycare.org