Boone County Shopper Senior Living September 2023

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

Notable Roads To Drive In North America

With so much land & a wide variety of terrain, North America is an ideal place to take to the open road. Indeed, car enthusiasts have answered the call of the open road for decades. Road trips remain a fun & popular way to travel. With so many miles of highway ahead of them, drivers can consider this list of notable roads in North America as they plan to see some sights from behind the wheel.

• Highway 12 (Utah): The unique landscapes of the American southwest are on display along Highway 12 in southern Utah. Along Highway 12, road trippers can motor their way through national parks while taking in breathtaking natural views & the region’s distinct slickrock.

• Lake Shore Drive (Chicago): Though this 15-mile stretch of road won’t make for a long journey, it’s definitely one to take in when visiting the Windy City. Drive along the shore of Lake Michigan, looking out one side of the vehicle to take in its sandy shores & the other to see the stunning Chicago skyline.

• Pacific Rim Highway (Vancouver): A truly engaging experience awaits visitors to Vancouver’s Pacific Rim Highway, which features the stunning natural beauty Canada is known for. Ancient rainforests, awe-inspiring mountain ranges & sandy, secluded beaches are just a few of the sights along this breathtaking stretch of road.

• Great River Road (United States): Drivers with plenty of time on their hands can traverse the Great River Road, which is a collection of state & local roads that follow the course of the Mississippi River. There’s plenty to take in on this stretch of scenic roadway that snakes its way through 10 states.

• Highway 60 Corridor (Ontario): The Highway 60 Corridor passes through the southern portion of Algonquin Park. Geological formations, pristine rivers & expansive forests are just some of the stunning natural features & idyllic settings that await drivers who take to the corridor.

• Highway 50 (Nevada): Though it might seem impossible in a nation with more than 330 million residents, there are still places in the United States where drivers can feel alone & isolated. Perhaps nowhere provides that feeling of solitude better than the stretch of Highway 50 in Nevada. Pony Express stations & other abandoned relics of a bygone era are just a few of the sights to see on this lonely stretch of highway that provides stunning views of the southwest’s signature expansive skies.

• Highland Scenic Highway (West Virginia): The Highland Scenic Highway snakes through the Monongahela National Forest, which boasts more than its share of breathtaking views. Road trippers should know that the U.S. Department of Agriculture strongly discourages traveling the road between November & April, as conditions can be especially treacherous in winter.

Millions of miles of highways with breathtaking views await road trippers throughout North America.

THURSDAY, APRIL 20TH

Fall Yoga Classes For All Levels

The Belvidere Park is offering fall yoga classes for all levels. Hatha Yoga is an ancient practice of physical wellbeing which promotes optimum health. Through the use of gentle stretching & deep breathing techniques, yoga tones muscles, increases strength & flexibility, reduces stress, improves concentration, & results in a sense of balance & peace. The atmosphere of these classes are quiet & soothing. Students are encourage to work at their own pace. Wear loose fitting clothing & bring a blanket or mat. Classes take place at Rivers Edge Rec Center and are taught by instructor, Jeff Leaich.

Beginner Yoga classes are on Thursdays from 5:15-6:30 PM with sessions beginning on November 9th.

Intermediate/Advanced classes are on Tuesdays from 5:30-6:45 PM with sessions beginning on November 7th. For more information or to register visit belviderepark.org.

6 Tips For Taking Stunning Nature Photos

Exploring the great outdoors is a rewarding way to bear witness to the majesty of nature. Nature frequently presents awe-inspiring vistas that can take individuals’ breath away. Some nature lovers are content to bask in the moment & set the scene to memory. Others may want a more permanent way to commemorate the view. Amateur photographers eager to capture the majesty of the great outdoors can practice their picture-taking skills. According to the photography tips & technique experts at Picture Correct, many factors are involved in taking nature photographs. These tips can help anyone take stunning nature photos.

• Invest in quality gear. The right photography gear makes it much easier to take great photos. Lenses are very important for capturing shots. Macro lenses are designed for insects & flowers. Wide-angle lenses help snap landscapes. Telephoto lenses can focus on animals without having to get too close.

• Take the foreground into consideration. When you find an inspiring landscape to photograph, skip the empty landscapes & think about zeroing in on something interesting in the foreground. This can be a particularly attractive flower in front of a vast field, or even a rusty watering can left out in a row of crops. Items in the foreground impart interest in the photo.

• Consider depth of field. Sometimes you will have no control over the busy background an interesting subject is in front of in a planned photograph. A shallow depth of field achieved with a wide aperture can blur a background & separate the subject from that background, according to Shotkit, a photography & gear authority. Some post-production work also can be done to blur backgrounds in apps like Lightroom or through Photoshop.

• Zoom in & crop subjects. Smaller pictures can be just as compelling as larger ones. Zoom in on the bark on a tree, the skin of a lizard or the wings of an insect. Closer looks at what is hiding in plain sight in nature can lead to compelling pictures. Zoom in & think about a macro lens, which will magnify even the tiniest details.

• Study what you want to capture. The best photographers do their research. If you want to grab a great photo of an egret by the water’s edge, spend time watching these birds in their habitat & learning their behaviors. This might help you predict when to snap the best photo.

• Use light wisely. Expert Photography recommends taking photos primarily during the golden hours. These are right after sunrise & just before sunset. The light during these times of day has a softer, hazy quality that will illuminate subjects evenly & less harshly than midday, when shadows also may pose challenges. Taking photos during these times also means fewer people around & a better chance that wildlife will be out & about. Nature photography is wildly popular & there are many ways for photographers to make their photos pop.

How Communities Benefit When Consumers Shop Local

When consumers think about which stores to patronize, locally owned businesses may be the smartest option for a number of reasons - not the least of which is the way such enterprises benefit the communities they call home. More money kept in the community - Shopping locally means that more money will stay in the community. According to recent research from Civic Economics, local eateries return nearly 79% of revenue to the community, compared to just over 30% for chain restaurants. Overall, for every $100 spent at a local business, around $73 remains in the community, versus roughly $43 when shopping at a non-locally owned business. Get a personal touch - Local business owners typically are inclined to go the extra mile for their customers & are personally invested in the services & products they are selling. As a result, shopping locally tends to be a personalized experience. Furthermore, a local business owner may be more amenable to ordering products for specific clientele. Such personalized service is typically not accessible when shopping big box stores or other shops where owners are off-site.

Lines are short - Waiting in long lines for checkout or to pick up merchandise ordered online can drain consumers’ energy & contribute to stress. Local businesses tend to have short lines & small crowds, which can lead to a more pleasant shopping experience.

Generates tax revenue - Local businesses generate more tax revenue per sales dollar, according to Rubicon, a digital marketplace for waste & recycling businesses. Taxes paid by local small businesses go to support schools, parks, roads, & other programs that benefit the community as well.

Support nonprofits - Local businesses often support good work in the community, such as nonprofit groups. These can include schools & sports teams, among other groups. Studies indicate nonprofits “receive 250% more support from small businesses than larger ones.”

Support other local businesses - Local businesses support other local businesses by buying & selling among each other. A local, independently owned restaurant may source its ingredients from local farms, which means visitors to such eateries are supporting multiple local businesses each time they dine out.

Small businesses are a boon to the economy, particularly local economies. These enterprises help their communities in a multitude of ways.

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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

Facts For National Hispanic Heritage Month

For people of Hispanic & Latino descent, the weeks between mid-September to mid-October can be exciting & proud times to commemorate their unique heritage. National Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) occurs from Sept. 15th-Oct. 15th. Here are facts that offer insight into the Hispanic population across the country.

1. HHM started out as a week-long recognition. In 1968, the country originally observed the event as “Hispanic Heritage Week.” It was later extended to a month-long commemoration in 1988.

2. HHM celebrates independence. HHM is celebrated between mid-September & mid-October because those weeks coordinate with the independence day celebrations of several countries with large Hispanic populations. Such nations include Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, & Nicaragua on September 15; Mexico on September 16; & Chile on September 18.

3. HHM recognizes special Hispanic contributions as well. HHM also honors contributions such as Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship Day that is celebrated in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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4. The 2023 theme is: “Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, & Progress in America.” Hispanics have made significant contributions to the economic, social & political growth of the U.S. This theme focuses on these contributions & the representation of Hispanics in these key areas.

5. Millions of people comprise the demographic. The U.S. Census Bureau says that more than 60 million people identified as Hispanic or Latino in 2020. That figure represents a 25% increase since 2010. Hispanics & Latinos now comprise about 18% of the U.S. population.

6. There are many different celebrations. HHM is celebrated nationwide through festivals, art shows, conferences, community gatherings, & many other unique & festive events.

7. Mexicans are the largest Hispanic group in the U.S. Among the 62 million Hispanics & Latinos living in the U.S., those who trace their heritage to Mexico ranked as the largest demographic at 61.6%, followed by those of Puerto Rican descent (9.6% as of 2020).

National Hispanic Heritage Month remains a popular time to spotlight Hispanic & Latino contributions.

This Month’s Healthy Recipe

Directions

1. Wash hands with soap & water. Gently rub produce under cool running water.

2. Heat oil in 10” skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions to skillet & cook until tender.

3. Add drained tomatoes & green chile peppers, salt, chili powder & garlic powder to onion. Simmer until slightly thickened

4. Break an egg into a small dish. Carefully slide egg onto hot mixture. Repeat with remaining eggs.

5. Cover & cook over low heat 5 minutes or until egg whites & yolks are firm. Internal temp. of eggs should be 160 degrees F.

6. Wrap tortillas in microwave-safe plastic wrap & microwave on high for 10-20 seconds.

7. To serve, place 2 eggs & half of tomato mixture on each tortilla. Sprinkle with cheese & hot pepper sauce or salsa.

Managing The Medicare Maze

The fair comes to an end, the kids return to school & me, well I’m not exactly capturing the last days of summer & sitting by a friend’s pool. No, for me the training and recertification is in full swing. I’m up to my eyeballs in zoom classes, meetings with carriers & online training, doing a deep dive into this year’s changes so YOU can avoid the Medicare Maze.

You see, as a Medicare Specialist my focus is on helping people understand Medicare. You would think this would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, right? Nope! Let’s face it, when you turned 65 or retired you did your homework, found a great plan & now your set. Nope! Why not? Well, Medicare changes things up every year & so do the Insurance companies. To be on top of my game that means I need to find out all the details of the new plans.

Medicare is never a one-size-fits-all. Everyone has different needs. What can you do to make sure you have the best plan for 2024? Find a good specialist that represents a wide range of insurance companies & schedule a meeting. What should you expect at that meeting? Questions about your medications, your doctors, who is your dentist, do you wear glasses or contacts? Are you in need of hearing aids? Do you get help from the State? Do you have a serious illness that may qualify you for a special plan? This is the kind of information that is needed to find a personalized plan for YOU!

Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), starts October 15th & ends December 7th. Take an hour out of your calendar & make an appointment with a specialist this fall to insure you are in the right plan for 2024. It could make a big difference to the services you receive & the money in your pocket.

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

Together We Are Golden! 50th Anniversary

Submitted By: Kelly

Hillan,

Exec. Director of The Keen Age Center October 1973 was the opening of a Drop-In Center in Belvidere for the purpose of meeting the educational, social, recreational, nutritional and transportation needs of older people in the area. The vision created half a century ago lives on in Boone County Council on Aging’s Keen Age Center.

September Is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

The digital age has dominated twenty-first century life & transformed how people live. Access to information pertaining to just about any topic is now never more than a quick smartphone search away. That’s made info more readily available, but it’s also led some to believe there’s simply too much data to process at times.

It’s undeniable that many things are now around to compete for individuals’ attention, & it’s no small task to determine what does & doesn’t merit consideration. Health-conscious adults recognize the importance of staying on top of health-related issues, & that may involve educating oneself about certain diseases with the hope of understanding & reducing individual risk. For men, recognition of some important facts about prostate cancer can help them better understand a disease that the World Cancer Research Fund International reports is the second most commonly occurring cancer in men.

• The Prostate Cancer Foundation & the Canadian Cancer Foundation report that one in eight men in the United States & Canada will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime.

• Men are more likely to develop prostate cancer than they are melanoma & cancers of the colon, kidney & stomach combined.

• The PCF estimates that more than three million men in the U.S. are currently living with prostate cancer.

• The risk for prostate cancer increases considerably as men age. According to the PCF, roughly 60% of prostate cancer cases are found in men over the age of 65.

• Men who have a father, brother or son who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer could be twice as likely to develop the disease as those without such a connection.

• The American Cancer Society reports that the five-year survival rate for prostate cancer in the U.S. was 97 % between 2012 & 2018.

• The PCF notes that prostate cancer often produces no symptoms, which underscores the significance of prostate cancer examinations. The ACS reports that the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test is used mainly to screen for prostate cancer in men without symptoms. Men are urged to speak with their physicians about testing for the disease, even if they are symptom-free. The ACS indicates such a discussion for men who are at average risk for the disease should occur at age 50, while the MD Anderson Cancer recommends men open a dialogue with their physicians beginning at age 40.

Prostate cancer is a common yet treatable disease. Men are urged to educate themselves about prostate cancer and discuss prevention with their physicians.