SENIOR WISE Š Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
November 7, 2013
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November 7, 2013 Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
It’s a Long story By Bob McDonnell The Surveyor
Irene Long started writing many years ago. Long moved to Berthoud only about one and a half years ago. Her middle daughter, Sue Laser, lives here. Born in St. Louis, Long lived there until she was 8 years old. She moved to Colorado in 1966. First, it was Longmont, then Platteville before the transfer to Berthoud. She says she’s “in love with Colorado.” She particularly likes Berthoud, calling it “completely different from Platteville.” There are more arts here, and she feels “more of a brotherhood,” she said. She noted that Berthoud is “more civic-minded” and has more of a sense of history about itself. In her youth, as a seventh-grader, Long wrote a novelette. She remembers a model of a clipper ship at the Young Women’s Christian Association (Y.W.C.A.). Researching the ship formed the basis for the story. In the eighth and ninth grades, Long wrote short plays. During the same time, a historical novel’s roots were established. A high school teacher encouraged Long, telling her that she could be a novelist. Encouraged to read, Long tackled “Wuthering Heights” while in the ninth grade. After her children were born, she started doing serious writing. One book
focused on personal growth. After being unsuccessful for four years trying to get it published, she said, “That ended that.” This did not deter the writer in Long. She can’t remember when she started journaling, but the habit continues to this day. She even teaches journaling on occasion. This journaling and listening to family stories led Long to write a piece called “Reflections.” She calls it “My book about my siblings.” Many of her relatives read this family history, and they were pleased, according to Long. Retiring in 2005, Long felt the “need to do something,” she said. She redecorated her house, making room for an office. Then she just started writing. A well-organized room in Long’s current home allows her to continue writing. This commitment to writing led to the production of three books. The first of the trilogy she calls “Barnett.” The first novel of a trilogy, it is about the people who live in Barnett Manor, their legacy and their progeny. Long, calling herself a “young 81,” enjoys wildlife and scenic photography and keeping active when not in front of a computer. In days gone by, her physical activities included high school cheerleading and acrobatic tumbling. Long still keeps active when not writing. A treadmill and exercise bike occupy a room in her Berthoud home. Maybe part of this need to move around comes from
Long-time author Irene Long holds up her book. her paternal grandmother saying it is a sin to sit down. Balancing the exercise routine, Long likes to work her brain too. She takes college courses on CDs or sits in on college classes. Learning about philosophy, ancient history and religion interest her. “I look at myself as a perpetual student,” she said. As much as she likes to learn, writing
Photo by Bob McDonnell
is the priority, Long said. She summed up her life’s view by saying she wants to have fun with life. “Find one thing to laugh about every day,” she said. Long’s book, “Barnett,” is available at Buy Books on the Web (www.bbotw.com,), Barnes and Noble (www.bn.com) and at Nonna Bella Country Italian Restaurant in Berthoud.
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What goes around and around: Science fiction on the big screen
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y dad turned 58 last month and my present to him was a Star Trek lunchbox. He loved it. It’s my dad’s love of science fiction that instilled a love of the genre in me. While he grew up with the original “Star Trek,” I grew up with “Star Trek the Surveyor Next GeneraColumnist tion.” We never missed an episode in my house. This fondness for science fiction means that I am always super excited when a new wave of sci-fi films hits Heidi theaters and, Kerr-Schlaefer thankfully, that’s what’s happening this fall. However, it’s not like this every year. In the 2000s, there seemed to be a serious drought when it came to science fiction films on the big screen. According to movie experts, the science fiction movie that put an end to the drought was James Cameron’s “Avatar.” Premiering to critical ac-
claim in 2010, this marked the beginning of a new era in science fiction films, but when did the last era take place? The last good-times period for science fiction lovers was the late 1990s. A slew of science fiction movies were released, including “Independence Day,” “The Fifth Element,” “Starship Troopers,” “Men in Black,” and two of my all-time favorites, “Gattaca” and “Contact.” These films were released during the run up to the first release of the new “Star Wars” movies, something that is happening again today, as the “Star Wars” returns in 2015. The science fiction genre has existed almost as long as movies have existed. George Melies’ “A Trip to the Moon,” was a science fiction silent film released in 1902. The first fulllength science fiction movie, “Metropolis,” was released in 1927. In those early days, the genre was mostly comprised of low-budget films, unlike today when science fiction movies have some of the biggest budgets in Hollywood. A few current examples are “Ender’s Game” ($110 million) and “Gravity” ($80 million). It was Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” that proved the genre could be serious. This dramatic and cult-classic 1968 film was a huge
part of my childhood, as it was one of my dad’s favorites. I’ll never forget HAL 9000 singing “A Bicycle Built for Two.” This fall and winter will be a grand season for science-fiction lovers. I wasn’t a real fan of “Avatar” and thought the real renaissance of sci-fi films started with “Star Trek” (2009) and “Prometheus” (2012). These two movies have everything I want in a good science-fiction film; “Star Trek” has the humor, while “Prometheus”
Did you know?
Laughter and music just may be good for the heart. Millions of people routinely take prescription medications or make dietary changes, such as eliminating salt from their diets, in an effort to lower blood pressure. However, for those who are interested in making some easy lifestyle changes that can result in modest reductions in blood pressure, listening to music or laughing more may do the trick. In a Japanese study presented in
stirs the mind to deeper thought. While “Gravity” and “Ender’s Game” are in theaters now, there are plenty of brand new science-fiction films on the horizon, as well as many comic-book-based movies that often get lumped into the science-fiction genre. The next several years will be very good for science fiction film lovers, and we’d better appreciate it while it lasts, because if history is any indicator, a long sci-fi drought may follow. May at an American Heart Association meeting, researchers explained that people who took part in bimonthly group sessions built around music or laughter lowered their systolic blood pressure (the top number in the reading, which measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats) by an average of five to six points after three months. In contrast, the average bloodpressure reading in a control group that received neither therapy didn’t move. According to experts, this decline in pressure is the equivalent of what someone could expect from adopting a low-salt diet or losing 10 pounds. The American Heart Association recommends that healthy blood pressure should be less than 120 for systolic and less than 80 for diastolic.
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November 7, 2013 Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
Recommended immunizations for adults
Special to the Surveyor
Memories of childhood days when every visit to the pediatrician seemed to culminate in a needle in the arm may drum up an accelerated heartbeat each time you walk into the doctor’s office as an adult. But the chances you’ll be given a shot are slim, right? Not necessarily. Despite what many think, immunizations do not always cease once you’ve reached a certain age. There are certain recommended inoculations that adults can receive to protect themselves from illness. Although many people receive the brunt of their vaccines early on in life, you’re never too old to give up on immunizations entirely. The Immunization Action Coalition, in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, list certain vaccines that are recommended for adults. If you are plan-
ning on traveling overseas, there may be more vaccines you need to prevent illness or injury. By the time you reach 65 years of age, it is adviseable to have checked off this list of immunizations and work with your doctor to create a vaccination schedule. • Influenza: This vaccine is recommended annually in the fall or winter. • Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV): Individuals between the ages of 19 to 64 should check with their health care provider to see if they require this vaccine. Smokers may need one to two doses. Individuals 65 and older are recommended to get this vaccine if they have never before been vaccinated. • Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap): This is an adult version of the combined whooping cough vaccine. If you are an adult and frequently come into contact with infants, it is adviseable for the infants’ safety to have received a whooping
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cough vaccine. Tetanus is required er, you may require another dose. every 10 years. Chickenpox outbreaks can be more • Hepatitis B: If you have a spesevere in adults. cific risk for Hep B, you may need to • Meningococcal: This vaccine is take this vaccine. recommended for Regular and high-dose flu It is given in three individuals ages shots are available at Berthoud doses. 19 to 21 who live Drug and are for the strains • Hepatitis A: in a residence hall Again, risk factors H1N1 and H3N2 and B. or close contact Flu Mist, shingles, pneumowill signify if you with others. nia, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Meningococcal is need this immunization. This is a Tetanus (Tdap) are also availbest known as a able. No appointment is two-dose vaccine. cause of meningi• Human papil- necessary. For information call tis and sepsis. It lomavirus (HPV): 970-532-2034 can be transmitted HPV is responsithrough saliva and ble for many cases of cervical cancer. occasionally through close, prolonged It is adviseable for women age 26 or general contact with an infected younger or men age 21 or younger to person. receive the HPV vaccine. This vac• Shingles: The zoster vaccine cine is given in three doses over six is administered to keep shingles at months. bay. Shingles comes from the same • Measles, mumps, rubella: virus that causes chickenpox, and inMeasles has slowly been making a dividuals who have had chickenpox comeback despite have nearly been are at a higher risk for experiencing eliminated in the United States. shingles, which can be very painful, Adults should have at least one dose later in life. The vaccine is recomof MMR in their lifetime. Check with mended for those ages 65 and up. Vaccines are not only for the a doctor if you require a second dose. young. Certain immunizations can • Varicella: If you’ve never experienced chickenpox, or only received keep you healthy and are recomone dose of this vaccine when young- mended throughout life.
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November 7, 2013 Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
See you in the funny papers ... Popeye T
here have been many comic strip cartoonists over the years, but few of them could match Elzie Crisler Segar (1894 1938) for the sheer volume of work produced. He filled his SunSurveyor Columnist day pages with two strips; the popular “Thimble Theatre,” along with a topper strip titled “Sappo.” “Sappo” is a comic strip which began in 1920 under the original Rudy title “The Five Hemmann Fifteen.” The strip revolved around the daily adventures — and misadventures — of lead character John Sappo in his struggles to catch the 5:15 train (hence the original title) or in dealing with Myrtle, his formidable wife. In early 1923 the name of the strip was formally changed to “Sappo.” The strip later became the topper or complimentary strip to Segar’s more popular and better known “Thimble Theatre” in the fullpage, full-color Sunday editions of the strip. It was in the “Thimble Theatre” that Popeye made his debut. “Thimble Theatre” itself began publication in Dec. 1919 in the “New York Journal.” It was created by Segar, who worked for William Randolph Hearst’s King Features Syndicate. The original characters were the spindly, spinsterish Olive Oyl, her brother Castor Oyl and Olive’s boyfriend Harold Hamgravy (later simply “Ham Gravy.”) Olive’s parents Cole and Nana Oyl also appeared regularly. The strip eventually settled into a comedy-adventure type format with the main characters listed above. The characters acted out various stories
and situations in a theatrical style, which gave rise to the strip’s name. Though the “Thimble Theatre” had been in publication for a full decade when Popeye made his first appearance as a minor supporting character during January 1929, he soon became the central focus of the strip. The result was that “Thimble Theatre” became one of the most popular strips owned by King Features during the 1930s. Popeye’s entrance into the strip was innocuous enough. It seems Castor Oyl had developed a scheme to sail to Dice Island, on which a casino owned by the treacherous and unscrupulous gambler Fadewell was located. Castor’s plan was to “break the bank” at the casino by using the unbeatable good fortune bestowed upon anyone stroking the hairs on the head of a Whiffle Hen named Bernice. With his plan in place, Castor needed a partner to assist him in the subterfuge. Enter Ham Gravy. The two next went to the docks to recruit a sailor and arrange transportation to Dice Island. Castor spotted a oneeyed man dressed in a sailor’s outfit, a rather rumpled captain’s cap and sporting an anchor tattoo on his forearm. “Hey there! Are you a sailor?” shouted Castor. “‘Ja think I’m a Cowboy?” Popeye’s replied. From that instant Popeye became an integral part of the cast of characters of “Thimble Theatre.” Popeye was hired on the spot to crew a ship for the voyage to Dice Island. A few weeks later, while on the trip home, Popeye was shot several times by Jack Snork, an accomplice of the crook Fadewell. Popeye only survived because he was able to stroke the hairs on the Whiffle Hen’s head. Segar wrote Popeye out of the strip following this adventure, but due to popular demand the character was hastily brought back. Popeye became so popular that he was given a much larger presence in the strip and, as a result, the strip
was picked up by many more newspapers. At first Olive was not at all enamored with the sailor, but she eventually dropped Ham Gravy and became Popeye’s girl. However, over the years she would often display a fickle attitude toward him. Following his rejection by Olive, Ham was written out of the strip as a regular. Castor resumed his get-rich-quick schemes, enlisting Popeye in many of them. Over time he “reformed,” became a detective, later acquired a ranch out west and, after moving to the ranch, ceased to be a regular cast member. As the original characters left the cast new ones were added. In 1932 J. Wellington Wimpy, a mooching hamburger-phile who promised to “gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today,” became a permanent cast member. Wimpy was portrayed as being a soft spoken coward. (During WWII, Vickers Wellington bombers were nicknamed “Wimpys.”) George W. Geezil, a cobbler who spoke with a heavy accent. Geezil often attempted to murder Wimpy, and always wished harm would come to him. In 1933 a foundling baby was delivered to Popeye through the mail (I know, it sounds strange to me, too). He adopted the child and named it “Swee’Pea.” The exact gender of the baby was never determined. Eugene the Jeep, a yellow animal of indeterminate species, but resembling a dog. Eugene haled from Africa and possessed magical powers. The Sea Hag, a chief enemy of Popeye and a terrible, vengeful pirate. Alice the Goon, a nasty witch-like creature who began as the Sea Hag’s minion, but later reformed and became a babysitter for Swee’Pea. Two favorite Popeye expressions are “Blow me down” and “I yam what I yam.” The strip Segar drew differed considerably from the Popeye cartoons that came later. “Thimble Theatre” strips were more complex and filled with many characters which did not appear in the cartoons, the use of spinach to build strength was rare, and Bluto appeared in only one epi-
sode of the strips authored by Segar. As most of you already know spinach is a Popeye staple in the cartoons and Bluto is a regular there. On the other hand the Sea Hag is seen much more often in the strip. Segar would occasionally sign the early Popeye strips with a cigar because his last name was a homonym of the word “cigar” when pronounced as SEE-gar. Following Segar’s death in 1938 many different artists and writers were assigned the task of handling the “Thimble Theatre” strip until 1959 when the task was assigned to Bud Segandorf, who had been an assistant to Segar. He took over the daily and Sunday strips until 1986, when he relinquished control of the dailies. Segandorf continued to work on the Sunday editions until his death in 1994. However, London’s strips put Popeye and his friends in updated situations, but kept the spirit of Segar’s original. One classic London storyline, titled “The Return of Bluto”, showed the sailor battling every version of the bearded bully from the comic strip, comic books, and animated films. From 1986 to 1992 the daily strips were written and drawn by Bobby London. London was fired in 1992 and daily strips drawn by Segandorf were used to fill the void. After the passing of Segandorf the Sunday strips were written and drawn by Hy Eisman, who continues in that role today. I’ll see you in the funny papers!
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Larimer County selected as a livable communities collaborative Special to the Surveyor
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) has selected six communities from around the U.S. to participate in a MetLife Foundation-funded Livable Communities Collaborative. The six communities selected to participate are: Bellevue, Wash.; Larimer County, Colo.; Miami Gardens, Fla.; Monroe County (Rochester area), N.Y.; Sedgwick County (Wichita), Kans.; and York, Pa. According to n4a, a “Livable Community” for all ages is one that has: affordable and appropriate housing, adequate transportation and mobility options, accessible health and human services, workforce, volunteer and community engagement opportunities that enable citizens to thrive. By the year 2030, more than 70 million Americans — twice the number in 2000 — will be 65 and older, and AARP reports that nearly 90 percent of older adults wish to agein-place, or remain in their existing
homes or communities as they age. Locally, the Livable Communities Collaborative is led by the Foundation on Aging for Larimer County and the Larimer County Office on Aging, in collaboration with 12 other community organizations. In the next year, the organizing committee will conduct workshops, developing volunteer teams and planning a communitywide event to help advance the initiative. The end result will be to create an environment that supports and promotes age-friendly communities throughout Larimer County. Livable Community amenities help to maximize individual personal independence and quality of life while adding to the economic, civic and social vitality of the community at large, according to the organization. N4a launched this innovative collaboration to help make communities great places to grow up and grow old.
Meals on Wheels November Menu Nov. 7: Scalloped Chicken, Broccoli, Cinnamon Apples, Bread, Milk, Copper Penny Salad. Nov. 8: Roast Pork, Apple Chutney, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, Bread, Milk Banana. Nov. 11: Cheeseburger Pie, Squash Medley, Hot Fruit Compote, Bread, Milk, Carrot Pineapple Salad w/Cranberries. Nov. 12: Oven Fried Fish, Lemon Wedge, Tarter Sc., Corn Casserole, Green Beans & Onions, Milk, Pears, Creamy Coleslaw.
Milk, Mandarin Oranges, Peaches & Pineapple. Nov. 20: Beef Pot Roast, Carrots, Celery & Onions, Steamed Potatoes, Bread, Milk, Tropical Fruit Salad. Nov. 21: Ham & Bean Soup, Cornbread, Butter Buttered Green Beans, Peanut Butter/Celery Sticks, Orange Wedges. Nov. 22: Lasagna, Italian Vegetables, glazed Pineapple, Bread, Milk, Tossed Salad, Italian Dressing.
Nov. 13: BBQ Pork, Cheesy Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Vegetables, Bun, Milk, Plums, Tossed Salad, Ranch Dressing.
Nov. 25: Oven Baked Fish, Mediterranean Sauce, Parsley Lemon Potatoes, California Vegetables, Bread, Milk, Apricots.
Nov. 14: Country Captain Chicken, Rice Pilaf, California Vegetables, Bread, Milk, Peaches.
Nov. 26: Chicken & Dumplings, Broccoli, Curried Peaches, Bread, Milk, Cucumbers & Sour Cream.
Nov. 15: Beef Stew, Biscuit, Butter, Buttered Cabbage, Milk, Frozen Strawberry Yogurt, Applesauce.
Nov. 27: Roast Turkey, Stuffing & Gravy, Orange Sweet Potatoes, Green Bean/Almond Casserole, Roll, Butter, Cranberry Sauce, Pumpkin Dessert.
Nov. 18: Hamburger Stroganoff over Noodles Broccoli, Hot Fruit Compote, Bread, Milk, Pickled Beets. Nov. 19: Oven Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Buttered Peas, Bread,
Nov. 28: Happy Thanksgiving Nov. 29: Meat Loaf, Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Orange Beets, Bread, Milk, Tropical Fruit & Mandarin Oranges.
Psychological benefits of giving Special to the Surveyor Charities often benefit significantly from the generosity of donors and volunteers. But the person providing the philanthropy also takes away something from the experience, and there actually may be measurable emotional advantages to being charitable. Helping others not only makes a person feel good, but it may also increase physical and emotional wellbeing. Several studies have indicated that being generous has profound effects on how a person thinks and feels. One such study from researchers at Cornell University uncovered that volunteering increases one’s energy, sense of mastery over life and self-esteem. It also promotes feelings of positivity, which may strengthen and enhance the immune system. In 2008, Dr. Ellen Langer, a professor of psychology at Harvard University, advocated for giving gifts and being generous — even in tough financial times. “When you give a gift it makes you feel generous, it makes you feel in control, it’s good for your self-esteem, and it’s good for the relation-
ship,” says Langer. According to psychologist Robert Ornstein and physician David Sobel, authors of “Healthy Pleasures,” they talk about a “helper’s high.” This is a sense of euphoria that volunteers experience when helping others. It can be described as a sense of vitality and a warm glow. It has been compared to a runner’s high and may be attributed to a release of endorphins. Various studies have found that donors and volunteers gain the most from a charitable encounter. Here are a few more health benefits that may result from being altruistic: • an activation of emotions that are key to good health, • lower stress levels, • longer periods of calm after the generous act, • improved mood, and • a potentially longer life span. There are many ways to give back and experience these physical and psychological benefits, including: • sharing experiences at a school, • volunteering at a hospital, • volunteering at a national or local park, • donating unused items, like clothes or cars, • reading to children at a library, • helping to care for animals at shelters, • volunteering at a hospice and comforting those at the end of their lives, • donating supplies to a new teacher and • becoming a companion to a senior citizen.
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