Boone County Shopper Senior Living February 2023

S E N I O R L I V I N G S E N I O R L I V I N G SENIOR LIVING

Accounts Vary On Valentine’s Day Origins

Valentine’s Day, February 14, sweethearts celebrate their love & affection for one another. The origin of Valentine’s Day has generated much speculation over the years. A few distinctive tales may paint the picture of early Valentine’s Day, & they have nothing to do with stuffed animals or romantic dinners.

Roman festival - One of the earliest records of the term Valentine’s Day is traced to the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was a fertility festival. This annual event held on February 15 included animal sacrifices & priests called the Luperci who would take pieces of animal hide & touch it to the foreheads of women in the hopes it would make them more fertile. Fortunately for the squeamish (and the sacrificial animals), Pope Gelasius I ended Lupercalia & replaced it with St. Valentine’s Day by the end of the fifth century. Two or three St. Valentines? - Most people attribute the origins of Valentine’s Day to St. Valentine. But it seems that Valentine was the surname of a few different individuals. According to History.com, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus. One Valentine was a priest during the reign of Emperor Claudius II, who decided that single men made better soldiers. Claudius outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine disagreed with the decree & would perform marriages in secret. Others believe it was St. Valentine of Terni, a bishop beheaded by Claudius II outside of Rome, who was the true namesake. Yet another Valentine may have been jailed & fell in love with a jailer’s daughter while in prison. He purportedly wrote to her, beginning the first Valentine card or letter tradition. Other stories say the imprisoned Valentine actually was writing to a blind woman he purportedly healed, & signed the note “from your Valentine.”

It is hard to know who is who in regard to the name Valentine, as the stories & the people behind them are used interchangeably. Some historians believe they actually are the same person rather than several Valentines, while others insist there were multiple martyred individuals. However you slice it, the defiant actions of one or more people named “Valentine” set the course for centuries of romance to follow.

Fun Ways For Seniors To Stay Active

Exercise can increase lean body mass, prevent diabetes & cardiovascular disease, improve balance, & positively affect mental health/cognition. Exercise can foster socialization, helping people overcome boredom & isolation. Explore these methods for staying active.

Explore offerings at The Keen Age Center - they offer an array of activities, some of which include physical activities. Games, dances, and other activities all serve as ways to get out & about while meeting fitness goals. Garden or do yard work - The Office of Disease Prevention & Health Promotions says adults should get 150 minutes of moderate exercise/week. Raking leaves, mowing the lawn, digging in flower beds, trimming bushes, & other outdoor tasks could help a person meet this quota in a way that doesn’t seem like exercise at all. Play games with grandchildren - Kids may inspire older adults to be more active, as it can be difficult to keep up with those youngsters. Take kids for walks or push them in strollers. Attach a child seat or towing carriage to a bicycle & ride around the neighborhood or Belvidere Park. Play games that require movement, such as hide-andseek or Marco Polo in the pool. If it’s snowing, have a snowball fight or make a snowman in the yard. Take up a new hobby - Find hobbies that incorporate physical activity. Perhaps learning to salsa dance or taking Zumba™ would be fun? Pickleball has caught on across the nation. It’s a mix of tennis, racquetball & badminton. You can even play pickleball indoors at The Rivers Edge Rec Center. Physical activity is important at any age. Seniors can explore fun ways to stay in shape & be active to reap all the benefits of exercise.

S E N I O R L I V I N G S E N I O R L I V I N G SENIOR LIVING

What You Never Knew About The Puppy Bowl

The Super Bowl is just around the corner. Many fans are gearing up for the big game but it’s safe to say many are also big fans of Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl. Some of us almost like the Puppy Bowl more than the Super Bowl. In honor of the biggest show of the year here are some things you never knew about the Puppy Bowl. All those adorable Puppy Bowl puppies are shelter dogs - Everyone loves a good player back story, which is why everyone loves the back stories of each & every one of the Puppy Bowl lineup: They’re all shelter dogs! Flown in from rescues across the country, each & every one of those adorably fluffy dogs is 100% adoptable. Just like the NFL, there’s a sideline vet on-hand - making sure the players are staying safe, healthy & hydrated during the big match. Also on the field? Reps from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals & the American Humane Assoc. to ensure each dog gets VIP treatment & everyone is playing nicely. The Puppy Bowl takes days to film, and over 50 dogs - Unlike the Super Bowl (which lasts for four-ish hours) the Puppy Bowl is a multi-day, double-digit hours production with a crazy number of staffers & volunteers. The 2014 Puppy Bowl featured a poppin’ tailgate party - Emphasis on the tail. It wouldn’t be a tailgate party without some unexpected guests, so the Animal Planet invited kittens & cats, penguins, hamsters, party dogs & police dogs - just in case things got a little out of hand. Another fun fact? Every tailgate partier was also up for adoption...with the exception of the penguins.

Dogs are inspired to lick the camera with peanut butter - Believe it or not, the dogs are not naturally drawn to the camera with a primal desire to lick the lens. We’ve got peanut butter to thank for that, which is very much driven by a primal desire to eat all things.

Those puppies go through a lot of toys - The Puppy Bowl goes down on a 10’x19’ field & the football - er, toys - are swapped out every 20 minutes to make sure everyone stays fully entertained during filming. Anything that makes noise or resembles meat is the ultimate in the eyes of the contender, which makes all the sense.

You must be this tall to play in the Puppy Bowl - Just like in the land of the pros, not everyone is cut out to be a Puppy Bowl player (even though we’re sure the fine humans at Animal Planet would love to have ’em). Players must be between 12-21 weeks old & fit within certain height & weight parameters.

There’s a lot of poop. A LOT. - It wouldn’t be the Puppy Bowl without, wait for it, poop! Yep. There’s an average of four presents every 20 minutes of play, & bathroom breaks during timeouts & halftime are heavily encouraged. The Puppy Bowl will air on the Animal Planet Sunday, February 12th. For more fun facts visit www.rover.com

Shedding Some Light On Home Solar

Consumers shopping around for home improvement projects may be leaning toward overhauls that can reduce energy consumption & save them money in the long run. This is a driving factor behind a growing number of homeowners investigating solar energy for their residences.

How does solar power work? Solar power harnesses the sun’s energy & converts it into electricity that can be used in homes. Many people are familiar with photovoltaics (PV), which are the panels that absorb sunlight & create an electric field across their layers. Another solar technology, known as concentrating solar power, is primarily used in large power plants & is not appropriate for residential use, according to Energy.gov. According to the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, hundreds of thousands of solar panels have been put in use across the United States since 2008.

Costs associated with solar - The upfront expense of solar panels is significant, costing anywhere from $10,000-$14,000 for initial installation. However, comparatively speaking, homeowners can spend $1,500 or more per year on electricity, so solar panels will pay for themselves over time. Keep in mind that costs may vary depending on energy needs & how many panels will be required to service the system.

How much electricity can I expect? The Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Advice says that the amount of power generated from a solar energy system depends on a few factors:

1. The average number of hours of direct, unshaded sunlight your roof gets each year;

2. The pitch (angle), age & condition of your roof, & the compass direction it faces;

3. The size & strength of your system; and

4. Environmental factors such as snow, dust or shade that may cover the system. Save even more money - Consumers can contact their utility companies to find out if they provide homeowners who produce solar power with “net metering.” This program pays the homeowner money or gives credit for excess power the system produces & returns to the electric grid. Individuals also may be eligible for energy tax credits or other benefits.

Homeowners may find it worthwhile to explore solar energy, particularly if they consume a high amount of electricity.

S E N I O R L I V I N G S E N I O R L I V I N G SENIOR LIVING

How To Prepare Soil For Spring Planting

Spring is a season of rejuvenation, & perhaps nowhere is that rebirth more noticeable than in the yard. Extra sunlight & rising temperatures make spring a great time to plant flowers, grasses & trees. To ensure successful planting, homeowners must take steps to prepare the soil. Healthy soil can provide the ideal conditions for roots to take hold, helping plants establish themselves before potentially harsh summer conditions arrive. Preparing soil might seem like an extensive job, but a simple approach may be all that’s necessary.

• Clean up the previous months’ mess. It’s a good idea to clean up an area prior to spring planting. Fallen leaves, rocks, grass clippings, & other debris can contribute to compacted soil that makes it hard for plants to establish strong, healthy root systems. Clear away any debris prior to planting before taking the next step in your soil preparation routine.

• Loosen the soil. Once debris has been cleared away, loosen the soil. Depending on the size of the area where you’ll be planting, you may need to invest in tools like a shovel, spade, spading fork, and/or a lawn edger. If you’re planting in a small area, such as a deck planter box that still has soil from last year, you can either clean the box & replace the soil entirely or dig around with a handheld trowel. It’s important to loosen all of the soil around where you will ultimately plant prior to planting to ensure water can reach the roots & help them establish.

• Test and, if necessary, amend the soil. A simple pH test can help determine the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. This is an important step as soil that is too acidic or alkaline can decrease the availability of nutrients for plants. In addition to conducting a pH test, which can be purchased at little cost at a local home improvement store, homeowners can contact their local Cooperative Ext. Service to test their soil quality. Once the test is conducted, the local Coop Ext. Service may recommend amendments to improve the nutritional quality of the soil. Soil conditions go a long way toward determining if new plants will thrive. Preparing the soil prior to spring planting can ensure a successful season. For more tips on gardening sign up at the Ida Public Library for monthly presentations by the University of Illinois Extension Office. The next presentation will be at 6 PM on Tuesday, February 21st at 320 N. State St. To register visit idapubliclibrary.org/registration or call 815-544-3838.

This Month’s Healthy Recipe

Spinach, Mushroom & Feta Pizza

Ingredients

1 t. rapid rise or instant yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1/4 t. salt

1 t. vegetable oil

1 cup pizza or spaghetti sauce

Directions

1 cup flour (plus add. flour up to 1/2 cup if dough is too sticky)

8 oz. fresh mushrooms (or 1 can sliced, drained)

1/2 to 3/4 of 10 oz pkg frozen spinach (thawed)

1/2 cup feta cheese (or parmesan or mozzarella)

1 T. Italian seasoning

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Wash hands with soap & water.

2. Mix yeast, warm water, salt & vegetable oil in medium bowl. Add flour until it makes a stiff dough (about 1 cup).

3. Knead dough until it stretches easily without making a hole. If dough is too sticky, add 2 T. flour at a time.

4. Spray cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Spread dough on pan to 1/8-1/4 inch thick. Set aside & let dough rise.

5. Slice mushrooms. Spray small skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Sauté mushrooms over medium heat until tender (Skip if using canned).

6. Squeeze thawed spinach to remove excess water.

7. Poke dough with a fork. Spread pizza sauce onto dough. Add toppings, cheese & seasoning.

8. Cook for 20-25 minutes or until dough is cooked through & lightly brown with cheese melted on top.

Types Of Bird Feed For Backyard Feeders

Birding is a wildly popular hobby. It’s not uncommon for birding enthusiasts to travel great distances to see beautiful birds in serene settings. But individuals also can entice beautiful birds to come to them. Bird feeders beckon birds to millions of backyards every day. After choosing a bird feeder, novices may not know which food to use. This breakdown, from the National Wildlife Federation®, can help anyone find the right food.

• Nectar: You can attract hummingbirds with nectar, which the NWF describes as colored sugar water. Nectar must be placed into a hummingbird feeder & also might attract orioles to the backyard.

• Black-oil sunflower: The most popular bird seed. It attracts an array of birds, including blue jays, cardinals, chickadees, & sparrows. Novices may like that black-oil sunflower seed can be found at many grocery stores.

• Mixes: Seed mixes also can be found at grocery stores & appeal to a variety of birds. Individuals who want to keep their feeders close to their decks or patios may want to look for mixes described as “no-mess.” These mixes have been de-hulled, which means there won’t be as big a pile of unwanted seeds beneath the feeder.

• Suet: Suet is sought after in winter by bird lovers who want to help birds stay healthy & strong during times of year when food sources are scarce. Suet requires a suet feeder, which is unlike most bird feeders. Suet comes in squares & isn’t in seed form, though seeds are typically mixed in to the gelatinous cake.

• Thistle or nyjer: Goldfinches love this small, high-quality seed. Because thistle or nyjer is something of a specialty seed, birders who want to put it out will need to purchase a finch feeder.

Birding has millions of devotees across the globe. Knowing what to feed birds can be a great way for birding enthusiasts to attract these beautiful creatures to their own backyards.

C O U N T Y B O O N E C O U N T Y BOONE COUNTY

O U N T Y BOONE COUNTY

S E N I O R L I V I N G S E N I O R L I V I N G SENIOR LIVING

A MONTHLY FOUR PAGE SECTION FOR

SENIORS

BCCA Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Dear Friends,

What were you doing 50 years ago? Maybe you were graduating from high school or college, raising your children & headlong into your careers. For me it marked the beginning of my elementary school years. Major news events in 1973 included the United States ending its involvement in the Vietnam War after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords. Watergate hearings began & President Nixon maintained, “I am not a crook.” Secretariat won the Triple Crown. Inflation was also having a significant impact, running at 6.16%. Popular movies included The Exorcist, The Sting & American Graffiti. On the radio you could hear “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree,” “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown,” & “Killing Me Softly with His Song.” You could find “All in the Family,” “The Waltons,” and “Sanford and Son” on the television.

In the 1970s, Boone County Council on Aging (BCCA) was just getting its start. From the information that I can find, the early 1970s brought discussions about the needs of seniors in the Boone County area. A group called The Golden Agers met once a month at First Baptist Church. There was also support from the Salvation Army. Additionally, in the 1970s Northern Illinois Area Agency on Aging & Belvidere Township met with other local officials. Seed moneys for what became BCCA were provided by Belvidere Township, along with matching funds through the Older Americans Act. A needs assessment was completed & development of the BCCA Board took place.

October 1973 was the opening of a Drop-In Center for the purpose of meeting the educational, social, recreational, nutritional & transportation needs of Senior Citizens in the area. The mid 1970s also brought the first congregate meal site “Meet ‘n Eat.” Margaret Paulson is pictured in this photo serving meals for this program. Also in the 1970s, transportation expanded beyond Belvidere & into the County through funds received from Boone County. A needs assessment for chore & housekeeping services was completed.

We look forward to you joining us for a celebration in October 2023 to mark the 50th Anniversary of BCCA. Look for more information as we continue to plan. If you can help me out with additional information from this time, or have memories & photos from over the years, I would love to hear from you. Please contact me at (779) 5527249 or khillan@keenage.org.

BCCA Celebrating 50 Years - Together We Are Golden!

Kelly Hillan, Executive Director

Retirement is an opportunity to wave goodbye to the daily grind. Retirees may focus on rest & relaxation, and many make travel a major component of their lifestyle. According to a 2022 Gallup poll, Americans expect to retire at an average age of 66, up from 62 in 2022. However, most do not hold out that long; the average actual retirement age is 61. Upon retiring, many retirees discover that they sorely miss getting out of the house & being productive through some sort of employment. Others may find it necessary to supplement their retirement incomes. There are a few things to know about working during retirement, particularly if a person is collecting government benefits.

• According to the Social Security Administration, those falling under full retirement age for the entire year (which was raised to age 67 for those born in 1960 or later) will be subjected to an SSA deduction of $1 from your benefit payments for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2022, that limit is $19,560. In the year you reach full retirement age, SSA deducts $1 in benefits for every $3 you earn above a different limit, but they only count earnings before the month you reach your full retirement age. For full retirement age reached in 2022 your limit on earnings for the months before full retirement age is $51,960. After full retirement age, there is no limit on earnings.

• Keep in mind that if you are on Medicare, extra income could potentially trigger surcharges for parts B & D. It’s beneficial to speak with a financial consultant to weigh the pros & cons of part-time work during retirement.

• Part-time work does not need to be daily work. Many retirees work according to how they feel. Some options include seasonal jobs, such as driving shuttles in national parks or working during the holidays in retail stores. Or you may use your expertise to consult or start a business.

• A number of people work part-time during retirement simply to get out of the house. Jobs that help you interact with a number of people can be beneficial, as socialization has been shown to benefit mental health Working during retirement can supplement savings & provide structure that some retirees may be missing.

B O O N E C O U N T Y B O O N E C

Letter From: Kelly Hillan, Exec. Director of The Keen Age Center