South Coast Prime Times – May/June 2014

S o u t h

C o a s t

10th

Prime timeS M ay/June 2014 • Volume 10 • Number 3

Celebrate Spring Gear up for fishing season Fun on a budget Healthier you Brunch bunch Rock’n roll diaries Extra! Extra!

As the U.S. population ages, our housing needs also change. There are many alternatives in the market place such as condominiums, assisted living, etc. The multi-generational home is one of those alternatives where a mother and father can live under the same roof with children and grandchildren. The home presented here allows three generations to live together, but also independently, helping each other as needed and providing a positive attitude for all generations without traveling miles to help a loved one or child for a short period of time.

We designed this house for two available lots in Dartmouth, MA owned by R.P. Valois & Company.

This concept is permitted in Dartmouth up to 850 s.f.

In other towns there are varying zoning by-laws.

There are many iterations of this concept. Call us if you have a lot and wish to explore the possibilities.

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MAY/JUNE 2014

contents 10

6 8

18 28 I n e very issue

Prime se ason

P rime living

G ood times

4

6

10 Battling through

22 South Coast residents

From the Publisher

34 Extra! Extra!

Local news and views

by Elizabeth Morse Read

Low-cost options for grandparents

by Derek Vital

8

Know the rules for saltwater fishing

by Joyce Rowley

injury

by Sean McCarthy

14 Plan now to make

things easier for your family

by Jay Pateakos

18 Are we overusing

antibiotics?

by Elizabeth Morse Read

30 No need to fear

O n the cover

Hix Bridge in Westport is known as a hotspot among local fishermen.

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cataract surgery

by Dan Logan

share rock and roll memories

by Sean McCarthy

24 Broadening your

brunch horizons

by Elizabeth Morse Read

28 Chuck Williams and

his cookbooks

by Brian J. Lowney

40 The secret to living

a happy life

by Paul Kandarian

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From The Publisher May/June 2014 n Vol. 10 n No. 3 Published by

Coastal Communications Corp.

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

Ljiljana Vasiljevic

Time to put away the shovels, snow boots and sweaters.....it’s springtime!

Editor

Derek Vital

After being cooped up inside during a long, cold

Online editors

winter and early spring it feels nice to get some

Paul Letendre Mike Antonio

fresh air. Warmer temperatures mean more outside activities and the May-June edition of

Contributors

Paul Kandarian, Dan Logan, Brian J. Lowney, Sean McCarthy, Jay Pateakos, Elizabeth Morse Read, Joyce Rowley, and Derek Vital South Coast Prime Times is published bi-monthly.

Prime Times has a few suggestions.

Dust off the old fishing pole and reel in some haddock, cod, bass and tautog. Joyce Rowley goes over the do’s and don’ts of saltwater fishing in the region on page 8.

You love spending time with the grandchildren? On page 18, Derek

Copyright ©2014 Coastal Communications Corp.

Vital offers suggestions for low-cost activities you can do with the little

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means, without written permission from the Publisher. All information contained herein is believed to be reliable. Coastal Communications Corp. does not assume any financial responsibility for typographical errors in advertisements, but will reprint that portion of an advertisement in which the typographical error occurs.

ones.

Whether its gardening, walking in the park or playing sports almost everyone can find an activity they enjoy doing outdoors. Winter is in our rearview mirror and I am glad to see it go.

As always, we thank our advertisers who make it possible for us to provide you this entertaining and informative issue. Happy reading!

Next issue June 18, 2014

Circulation 25,000

Ljiljana Vasiljevic

Subscriptions

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

$14.95 per year

M ailing address South Coast Prime Times P.O. Box 3493 Fall River, MA 02722

Phone (508) 677-3000

Website http://www.coastalmags.com

E-mail editor@coastalmags.com

Our advertisers make this publication possible —please support them 4

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Prime season

The Ocean E xplorium brings science to life, with three touch tanks: R ays and Sharks, Scallops and Rocky Shore, where you can find crabs, mussels, quahogs and other local marine life.

Fun on a budget My son Connor eagerly looks forward to “Grandma Day”.

This involves him spending a day with my mother. The two Derek of them will do any number of Vital activities, from going to a local playground, watching planes take off and land at the airport or perusing some books at the public library.

Connor is her only grandson, so my mother relishes the time she spends with him. However, my mother is retired and has a limited budget. She is constantly seeking out low cost or no cost options that will be enjoyable for him.

My mother is not alone. There are countless grandparents that

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care for their grandchildren on a regular basis and are looking for affordable activities to partake in.

Spend time, not money Sue Wood of New Bedford has discovered several low-cost options while caring for her grandson Devin. Wood raves about the free hands-on projects she and Devin have completed at Home Depot and Lowe’s.

At Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic, children receive free safety goggles and an apron. They are given a kit and some tools to create objects like wooden cars or airplanes. The children can take their project home and also receive a badge that includes an image of their finished product. The program runs every other Saturday at 10 a.m. and you do not need to register in advance to participate.

Wood has also participated in the summer reading program sponsored by the New Bedford Free Public Library. Children read a set amount of age-appropriate books and they are eligible for prizes at the end of the summer. All children that participate in the program are invited to an end-of-the-summer celebration where refreshments are served and every child takes home a free book.

The public libraries also have free or reduced-price passes to popular children’s locations like the Museum of Science or Plimouth Plantation.

If your grandchild is interested in science, New Bedford’s Ocean Explorium is an excellent option. The non-profit marine science education center boasts several aquatic exhibits that showcase more than 100 different types of organisms. They have handson activities that children can take part in.

Admission is $7 for seniors aged 55 and up, $6.50 for children between the ages of 3 and 17 and free for youngsters under 3. The Explorium also offers annual memberships which cost $30 for seniors and $60 for families. The Ocean Explorium is located at 174 Union St. in New Bedford. They are open to the public Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

admission is $8. There is no cost for children under 1. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

A summer program run by the Boston-based Highland Street Foundation offers no cost admission to places like Battleship Cove or the Boston Children’s Museum during Free Fun Fridays. Every Friday during the summer, a set number of locations offer these deals.

“It’s usually very crowded,” said Wood. “But when you have a family of four-it’s free.”

In the Greater Fall River area, the Swansea Mall offers a Kid’s Crew program. It is free to sign up and members can participate in a free monthly event. The Fall River Public Library offers a host of free programs including story times, playgroups and movie nights.

A list of event offerings can be found at www.fallriverlibrary.org.

Elizabeth Correia of Fall River said her young grandchildren love the story times, which are hosted by David Mello, supervisor of children’s services at the Fall River Public Library.

“They really look forward to it,” said Correia.

Warm weather around the corner There are a wealth of outdoor activities once temperatures start to rise. Wood enjoys spending time at Fort Taber in New Bedford and Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven.

“They are great for science exploration,” said Wood. “I’ll get some books on beach plants and trees and then we will try to find them.

There’s a lot of science and nature around here.”

Wood is also a proponent of flying kites and releasing rocket balloons at the wide-open spaces offered at local parks. She said the balloons are a particular favorite of young children, who love to let the air out of the balloon and watch it soar into the air.

“If you’ve got one kid it’s a great way to make friends,” said Wood. “Kids are interested in it so they will come check it out.

That will give your child more friends to play with.”

These wide-ranging activities should bring a smile to most children’s faces without putting a frown on their grandparent’s wallet.

Derek Vital has been a writer and editor for various publications over the last 15 years. A lifelong resident of the South Coast, he lives in Dartmouth and has one son.

The Fall River Children’s Museum is another affordable option for the little ones. Located at 441 North Main St. in Fall River, the museum has several themed exhibits including a Lego Room, World of Water, Dino Dig and a Music Room. The hands-on activities are designed to encourage and inspire a love for the learning process.

A grandparent’s membership costs $70 per year while daily

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Prime season

Gone fishin’

By Joyce Rowley

April and May are the best fishing times for many saltwater species, just as the weather is making it enjoyable to go out to your favorite beach and cast a line out past the breakers. The beaches are still empty: college kids go elsewhere for spring break and school is in session for another month.

The water is cool (alright, cold) but the fish are on the move and hungry. With the weather we’ve had over this past winter, they may run a little late this year. But then, there’s no such thing as a bad day spent fishing.

Haddock fishing is best in the beginning of April, followed by tautog mid-month.

Look for the best striped bass fishing starting around May 1, with cod hitting its peak in May, too. But if you’re going north of Cape Cod, the season for cod doesn’t open until April 16. Black sea bass opens May 17, which times it right—the best time to catch black sea bass is usually around mid-May. Saltwater fishing is the perfect outdoor activity for grandparents. It’s free for children under 16 and free for those over 60. Although kids under 16 years old don’t need permits, people over 60 still need to get one. And even if you’re just under 60, the permit is only a nominal $10.00 per year.

The money is well-spent: it goes to improve public access for more fishing.

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New fishing regs out For all seasonal closures, and size and catch limits, consult the Massachusetts Recreational Regulations, available online or at your local bait and tackle shop released on March 25.

Not all fish can be fished year round, and some, like river herring, windowpane flounder and wolffish are strictly prohibited If you haven’t been saltwater fishing in a while, make sure you update your gear and timing. Not all fish can be fished year round, and some, like river herring, windowpane flounder and wolffish are strictly prohibited.

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There’s a lot more people on the planet these days, and a lot fewer fish. Environmental impacts, like those from power plants or oil spills, have depleted the resource. Increased temperatures from climate change have shifted the ecosystem so that the bays and nurseries are not always suitable for fish spawn or larvae.

Add a growing list of invasive and predatory species to the mix, and many fish are on the decline.

For example, impacts from the Brayton Point power plant coolant water intake decimated the stock of flounder in Mount Hope Bay, one of their primary nursery grounds. The two large water intake stacks (the things that look like Three Mile Island nuclear plant towers seen from Rte. 195) were built to recycle coolant water. That reduced the intake of Bay water by 90 percent. The towers also reduced the hot water discharge by a similar amount. Flounder, like most fish, are temperature sensitive and they left when things got too hot for them. Even with the new system, the fish stock needs time to rebound.

South and east of Cape Cod, the winter flounder season doesn’t open until April 26 this year and ends May 25 just before Memorial Day. There’s another month of winter flounder fishing in the fall between September 27 and October 26. You must release them if you have an incidental catch

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When you’re out there with your grandkids, you get a sense of the need to preserve the sport for the future. This is the time to pass on a legacy of angler stewardship to them.

So “limit your bag instead of bagging your limit.” Catch what you need and practice safe catch and release on the rest. That way there’ll be some for future generations, too.

Switch to circle hooks. These hooks reduce the chance of the fish swallowing the hook and improve its chance of survival when you release it. If the hook does get stuck, cut the line as close as you can to the fish’s mouth.

To give the fish the best chance of surviving, put it back into the water head first.

Each day at the Y, people of all ages are coming together to get and stay active. Seniors are engaging in social activities and meeting others who share common interests and passions.

They’re participating in group exercise and aquatics classes and learning about proper nutrition. And they’re working side-by-side with our Wellness Coaches to develop more active, productive lives.

Fish Sustainably

Never use the gills or the eyes to hold it.

Instead, keep it in water and support it under the belly as you unhook it. If there’s no water available to put it in while handling it, make sure your hands are wet to protect its scales.

Oh, and as they used to say: Take a picture, it lasts longer. After all, that trophy fish mount will eventually just collect dust in a closet. Big fish have great genes, and you’ll want to return it to the water to improve the stock.

Be an active fisherman: hold the line so you know when the fish hits and can reel it in before it guts the hook. Don’t prolong the fight or “play” the fish—the stress on the fish reduces its chances of survival on release.

And remember to take your trash with you. Fish line, plastic bait bags and sixpack holders are deadly to marine life like turtles, birds, marine mammals and fish.

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outside of those dates. Even during the season, the limit is two per person, and they must be at least 12 inches in length.

Likewise, the summer flounder (fluke) season begins May 22 and runs only until September 30 this year. Catch is restricted to five fish of a minimum 16 inches in length per person.

FITNESS FUN & FRIENDS

Since 2009, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries has held a catch and release category in their Saltwater Fishing Derby. Both catch and release and weigh-in categories are free and open to the public. All entries must be caught by hook and line.

The rules are detailed, so be sure and pick up a set before entering. (They even include “protests” to winning entries, so you know this is serious stuff.) Weigh-in entries must be measured and weighed at a Marine Fisheriescertified official weighing station. And no “shopping around,” only the first weigh-in station specifications count.

Download a full list of things that you can do to fish responsibly at the Division of Marine Fisheries website, also available in bait and tackle shops. Be sure and pick up a copy of the 2014 Massachusetts Saltwater Recreational Fishing Guide while you are there, also available online at www.mass.gov/ eea/agencies/dfg/dmf/recreational-fishing .

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Free annual saltwater derby January 1 through November 30

Joyce Rowley is a freelance writer and regular contributor to “The South Coast Insider” and “South Coast Prime Times.”

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Prime living

The road to recovery Unpredictable things can happen to people of all walks of life, and as a result there is a proliferation of rehabilitation facilities across the South Coast to assist and support them in their recovery. From Somerset to Wareham, there are rehab centers full of people striving to overcome their challenges.

Sean McC arthy

A first trip to therapy can be daunting. The patient may be nervous. But in a short amount of time they’ll realize that there is a group of people that cares about them. The people that make the rehab world go ‘round.

Their therapists “Our therapists get to know their patients on a personal level,” says Lori Frechette, Director of Inpatient & Outpatient Rehabilitation at Clifton in Somerset. “They do more than treat the ailment, they work with them to find out what they’re thinking and feeling so that we have an idea of what they’re going through.

“Everyone is an individual with individual needs and individual goals.”

And just because someone may be making their first visit to physical therapy doesn’t mean they’re the first patient that’s ever been seen. Therapists have knowledge of what first visits are like for the client. One of their main goals is to make the client feel comfortable.

A first visit begins with a conversation between the therapist and the client, and they then work towards the construction of a plan by assessing the injury and determining goals. The plan is usually flexible based on the patient’s response to the sessions over time. The patient may also receive exercises to be done at home between therapy visits.

Personal Touch Important for Therapists Beth Arrington has been practicing physical therapy since 1991 and has been

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at Clifton for seven years. She talks about what’s important when working with a new patient.

“I want to bond with them, I want to get to know them very well. I try to find a common ground, something we can talk about that will get their mind off of their pain.”

Therapists can become very important people in the lives of their clients.

“It’s sometimes difficult to say goodbye to a client, you can become very attached to them,” Arrington says. “I’ve developed friendships with people that have continued outside the facility for six or seven years. I occasionally get cards or flowers or food. Some patients go above and beyond where they need to.”

The therapists at Southcoast Rehabilitation Services also go above and beyond what they’re required to.

Some examples of Rehabilitation Services’ generosity include having a therapist pick up her phone to assist a patient with his insurance coverage and get in touch with a junior high school principal and nurse to make sure they know what a young patient can and cannot do on the playground to insure his safety. They also have been known to get in touch with a football coach to let him know the status of a player before pre-season training starts, assist a young patient with speech issues who ran out of insurance and find a college with a speech therapy program that would take him for free.

Henry Leal completed his therapy and moved on to a higher level of exercise.

At the age of 55, after 30 years as a truck driver and laborer, Leal felt like he was

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breaking down.

He sought therapy.

For years he took part in aquatic therapy at the Gleason Family YMCA in Wareham, but finally reached a stage where he was able to move on to a more extensive level of exercise.

At 64, the Marion resident attends the Y three days a week where he spends an hour doing activities such as swimming, walking, upper body weight training and stair climbing.

“With aquatic therapy there’s a buoyancy, you don’t have your full weight on your body, you’re not affecting your joints and knees. It’s like going cycling as opposed to jogging – you don’t have that pounding on your joints.

“It helped that my therapists were on the ball and they seemed to care about me as an individual.”

A new lease on life And then there’s the remarkable case of Janelle Porter, a 62-year old woman whose therapy took part in her return from the brink of death.

Few rehab patients face challenges as dire and desperate as Porter. Last May it seemed as though her life was at its end as she lay in a Hartford, CT hospital bed after having a massive stroke. With four college degrees – including one from Harvard – an internationally competitive triathlete, master swimmer and skier, she was a successful professional, working as an Educational Consultant and enjoying life in Freetown with her husband David Ouellette.

But Porter’s world came crumbling down in a matter of heartbeats.

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Continued from previous page After a conference in Westfield, MA, Porter began experiencing a severe headache. She passed out and was eventually helicoptered to a hospital in Hartford, CT. Porter was in surgery for nearly five hours and emerged with the left half of her skull removed. For almost three weeks she lay in the fetal position, full of tubes with her left side in paralysis. She could only speak one or two words.

After 24 days her real therapy began as she was transferred to Braintree Rehabilitation, where in the course of almost two months she was able to walk with a cane, although she had no vision left in either eye. In August, the couple decided that their best next step was to do outpatient therapy at Southcoast Rehabilitation Brain & Spine. Not necessarily because it was close to home, but because of the attitudes of the people they met.

“I was impressed that there was a conversation during our first meeting, they explained everything to us,” Ouellette says.

“It seemed like they cared.”

Sue Sherman, Team Leader of the Southcoast Brain & Spine Center in Dartmouth, put together a team of therapists – Physical Therapist Heather Robinson, Occupational Therapist Sarah Wordell, and Speech Therapist Lisa Yauch-Cadden.

“When you see how hard Janelle and her therapists work no one is surprised that her recovery is what it is, “Sherman says. They work every day to take another step.”

In addition to her outpatient work at Southcoast Brain & Spine Center, Porter walks every morning and goes swimming for an hour at the Middleboro YMCA. She also gets much use out of her recumbent bicycle.

“One of the things that I think is so important is getting the emotional support,” Porter says. “When someone is recovering from a stroke they get very depressed, and they need encouragement. That’s what I’ve gotten here.”

Porter’s occupational therapy paid off significantly when she and Ouellette took a three-month vacation to Florida. Based on instruction from Wordell, she was able to overcome her vision problems and balance the couple’s bank book.

“I kept track of all the money coming in and going out,” she says. ”When we came back I had paid for my physical therapy and everybody’s Christmas presents.”

Porter faces the future with the attitude of an athlete.

“I’ve learned that you’ve got to continually challenge yourself, you’ve got to push yourself.

“Right now I can walk, but someday I’m going to run.”

Patients’ needs are varied Therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. Every patient is provided with a therapist who specializes in what best deals with the client’s injury. Age may be one fac-

Physical Therapy A ssistant Lisa H arvey works with a patient at Southcoast Rehabilitation Services in Fall River

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tor. Or someone with a stroke would work with a therapist specialized in neurology, while someone with problems speaking would be paired with a speech therapist.

Someone with balance issues would be matched with a physical therapist specializing in treating balance disorders.

“One of the misconceptions about rehabilitation is that therapy always hurts,” Sherman says.

“We’re here to help and increase function, flexibility, motion and strength to get the patients back to their previous level of activity. Sometimes it may be uncomfortable.”

Most therapists have Master’s Degrees or Doctorates. But they must know how to do something they don’t teach in school.

Have fun.

“We want an atmosphere of fun,” Solomon says. “We want therapy to be fun.

A lot of our therapists have a good sense of humor. They dress up in costumes on Halloween and the clients vote on who has the best ones, and they dress up like baseball players on Opening Day. We want people to look forward to therapy.”

Southcoast Rehabilitation Services has 12 facilities throughout the region, serving approximately 400 patients per day.

Getting ready to head home Clifton Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinic sees about 150 outpatient clients a week, and each client attends two to three times a week.

But there’s more to Clifton than outpatients.

In some cases a patient leaving the hospital may require more attention than they can get at home and need a transitional setting. Clifton has a unit geared specifically for those patients who are between hospital and home. They call it their shortterm rehab services.

Along with providing medical services, Clifton goes beyond the traditional hospital atmosphere, giving clients the opportunity to be active and interactive. There are four common rooms where short-term patients can eat and converse with friends and family, a small library with an on-line computer and printer with Skype access, and wide screen tv’s. There is a kitchen for light cooking, a beauty parlor, and occasional musical entertainment. The facility can also host private parties.

Each inpatient is served breakfast, lunch and dinner, bathes daily and attends

A n exercise room and a therapy pool are some of the amenities available at Clifton Outpatient R ehabilitation Clinic in Somerset photos courtesy of Clifton

therapy sessions throughout the day.

They can participate in activities or meet with guests in one of the common rooms.

Sixty-eight year old Bradford Lawrence of Somerset is at Clifton for short-term rehab for the second time in a year-and-a-half.

He credits the staff with making his stay enjoyable, but still doing what’s necessary for him to make progress.

“The nurses, therapists and caregivers are very concerned with my well-being and my recovery,” he says. “They have great attitudes, they’re very congenial. I wasn’t concerned about coming here again because my first visit was so positive.”

But everyday has its challenges.

“They push me with my therapy to do things I probably wouldn’t do otherwise, but I know it’s for my benefit,” Lawrence says. “They do it a few more times than I’d like to, but I know that that’s what helps overcome the tendency for the muscles to contract.

“Therapy is like exercising by running or swimming – afterwards you want to relax – it’s a good tired and I feel like I’ve accomplished something.”

Lawrence isn’t the only one who’s comfortable with the idea of returning for therapy.

Michael Thompson, 58, of Marion, is a big proponent of aquatic therapy, attending classes twice a week at the Gleason Family Y in Wareham. His current classes are the sixth time he has gone back to the pool for his therapy in 15 years.

“It can be tough to get out of bed some days, but once you get in the water it’s

really nice,” he says. “You don’t really feel like you’re doing hard work, but when you get home you feel the ‘good pain’ that you get from working out.

“There’s a sense of friendship at the classes,” Thompson says. “When I get here I’m happy to see the people I recognize. We socialize. There’s a familiarity and a sense of camaraderie. When someone stops coming you miss them.”

James O’Hearn , 61, of Fall River, first visited Clifton Outpatient four years ago after having back pain from doing yard work.

This time he’s visiting for similar back pain from shoveling snow. He suspects that getting away from his home exercises may have been a factor.

Like Lawrence, O’Hearn had no fear returning for more therapy. He enjoys the atmosphere.

“They make me feel comfortable,” O’Hearn says. “I get the feeling that the therapists have a genuine concern for me.”

Sometimes a family member or friend is brought in to a facility to be trained as a caregiver for someone who is having difficulty with smaller issues such as putting on socks and shoes. Someone may also need assistance with exercise that needs to be done at home.

Frechette says that a patient’s progress should continue after they have completed their assisted therapy. Even if that means finding a new way to swing their golf club.

“We often take better care of our cars than we do our bodies,” she says.

“Patients need to think of preventative maintenance, so they should perform their

home exercise program given to them by their therapist, whether it’s just applying heat or ice. They can continue to gain benefits after their clinic sessions are completed.

“We want people to regain their mobility, stability and independence and be able to return to their home environment and most times they return to independence,” Frechette says. “Then it’s up to them to maintain that.”

H ard to say goodbye “It’s bittersweet to see patients leave,” Sherman says. “Especially the ones you’ve been working with for a while. It’s similar to seeing a child off to school – you want them to go off and show the world all they are capable of, but you miss the day-to-day contact.

“In 28 years I’ve seen hundreds of people discharged and I often see them out in the community and they may stop to say hello and ‘show off’ – that’s always a treat for me.”

Gail Correia is a Physical Therapist who is an instructor at the Aquatic Therapy in Wareham.

“Sometimes patients need encouragement and reassurance to get through their session,” she says. “We want to create a friendly environment. Therapy can be a journey and we want to make it a positive one.”

Sean McCarthy has been a freelance journalist for 25 years.

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Prime living

The importance of advance planning

My mother Clarice was a planner, leaving nothing to chance and working hard to not burden her loved ones when she passed on. But even my sister and I were surprised at the work she had done in planning her own end.

Getting into her 80’s, my mother decided to Pateakos plan her and her husband John’s exit strategy to the next life, down to the most minute detail. She made all the funeral arrangements for both of them, even writing her own obituary. It was a stunning case of preplanning, but in the end it took so much of the burden off of us. My sister and I were no longer required to make the difficult decision of what she or my father would have wanted. She had all her monetary accounts together, all with instructions on where and to whom they would go.

When my mother died in 2012, before I knew of all her planning initiatives, I had visions of going to the funeral parlor like we did when my brother died, going through the excruciatingly painful task of determining burial arrangements at a time of extreme grief.

Jay

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While you can never truly prepare for the death of a young person, you can for those getting on in life. My mom’s work in preparing her own burial decisions was something that couldn’t have been any more important for her family in easing the grieving process.

Unfortunately, my mother is still in the minority. Over the last decade, we have seen an increase in individuals who plan for their end rather than leaving it to their loved ones. Speaking from personal experience, this planning is the best thing you can do for your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews. Let them know what you want.

Be prepared William “BT” Hathaway, President of Hathaway Family Funeral Homes, with multiple South Coast locations, said there are many ways to prepare for the end of life.

Hathaway recommended people try to

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outline their own funeral arrangements and setting money aside for it before they begin transitioning to Medicaid. He noted that while Funeral Homes are more than equipped to put together obituaries, they will need information to go on and those that provide personal information, vital statistics, education, special accomplishments through life, leadership positions, etc. will help the process.

“We do live in a time where families are much more scattered, and one helpful thing would be to get your wishes organized because these families may not know where to go for a funeral home or what you want for arrangements,” said Hathaway.

He noted over the last four years or so, pre-arrangements have been on the rise.

Social workers, hospice volunteers and funeral homes have tried to make it a point to actively pursue pre-arrangements for those who are long past retirement age.

Hathaway said some of the problems that families face when arrangements are not set in stone is when a loved one says things like “just cremate me” or “don’t worry about it”, with families left behind that have no idea what the person truly wanted.

health care proxy.”

Hathaway suggested that those entering into their 60’s should start compiling a plan for what they want and who they want to carry it out when they get older.

In the end, your wishes will be carried out

There are difficulties for the families of those people who may have died unexpectedly including lack of a will or no power of attorney “It makes for uncomfortable people that are left behind that are forced to figure out the needs as opposed to them being dictated for them,” said Hathaway.

On the other side, Hathaway said there are difficulties for the families of those people who may have died unexpectedly including lack of a will or no power of attorney.

“Those are the most difficult situations where people may have never been married and lived a singular life where people left behind have no access to their information,” said Hathaway.

“There needs to be a plan in place, where you provide instructions and passwords to accounts, in a safe place, where nieces and nephews can get that information.”

Hathaway said they often spend a great deal of time with families working through all the pre-planning stages to assure that there is no burden on anyone when that time does come.

For younger people, Hathaway suggested keeping a running log of accounts and numbers and securing a will to determine where you want your valuables to go to just in case something does happen. Problem is, very few of us forty-something’s think that we are going to die anytime soon. If you look at the obituaries, you’ll see that none of us are immune to an untimely passing.

“It used to be that when someone died, you could stand by the mailbox to know what accounts or bills they had but in this age, mostly everything is electronic,” said Hathaway.

“You may not want to jot down your vital statistics in your 40’s because it will likely change 4-5 times before you retire. But you want to write down your wishes, secure a

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exactly the way you want and the burden of making those decisions will not lie in the lap of those that are grieving you.

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Get it in writing When it comes to estate planning and preparations for end-of-life, Fall River Attorney Jane E. Sullivan helps her clients put together some basic documents to see that their wishes are carried out as privately and expeditiously as possible, without the involvement of the Probate Court.

“For medical decisions, this includes a Health Care Proxy, which names a Health Care Agent whose job is to make medical decisions on behalf of the client when the client’s physician determines that the client is unable to make his/her own decisions,” said Sullivan.

“The Health Care Agent has no authority until the Health Care Proxy is activated by the physician. But once it is activated, the agent has authority to make all necessary medical decisions, including, as many clients describe it, ‘pulling the plug’.”

Sullivan said it’s important for the client to discuss with the agent his/her wishes with respect to things like artificial life support, resuscitation, feeding tubes, etc. If the client would prefer to be cared for at home, perhaps with Hospice services, rather than in a medical setting or nursing home, Sullivan noted that should be made clear. It is the job of the Health Care Agent to carry out these wishes, if the necessary financial resources or support services are available, she said. If a client wants to get these wishes in writing, it can be done in a document called a Living Will, as opposed to a Last Will and Testament, which describes who gets what when the client dies.

Sullivan said it’s also advisable to sign a HIPAA Authorization or Release, so that

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Continued from previous page loved ones can obtain protected healthcare information before a client becomes incapacitated in the event the client wants someone to assist with treatment decisions, billing questions, etc.

If the client is residing in a home setting (or assisted living) and wants only palliative measures taken, a Comfort Care Do Not Resuscitate Order can be signed through their physician, Sullivan said. A Do Not Resuscitate Order is more common in a medical setting.

livan said people are increasingly becoming aware of the importance of advance planning.

“I tell my clients that these “lifetime” or “disability” documents are just as, if not more important that having a will because they address taking care of the client and their estate during their lifetime, rather than who gets what’s left when they die.

“All of these decisions and this planning are crucially important if the loved ones caring for the individual are not related

With the availability of information via the Internet, seminars and workshops, people are increasingly becoming aware of the importance of advance planning “If an individual becomes incapacitated and there is no Health Care Proxy in place, the family may have to resort to the Probate Court to seek the appointment of a Guardian, who then has authority to make these medical decisions on behalf of the incapacitated person..

“If placement in a nursing home is necessary, specific authority must be obtained for such placement. Such a Probate Court filing can be a time consuming, expensive and intrusive process, thus the importance of avoiding it if possible.”

For legal and financial decision-making authority, the client should have a Durable Power of Attorney in place. This document enables someone to do things as simple as paying bills and doing banking, or more complex transactions like withdrawing funds from an IRA or Annuity account if such is necessary to pay for needed care.

Sullivan said if there is no DPOA in place, attorneys often must seek the appointment of a Conservator by the Probate Court, another painful process for the family.

“Although I assist with Guardianship and Conservatorship matters, they are my least favorite thing to do. I much prefer assisting my clients with advance planning.

“Even if someone has some cognitive impairment, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, it may still be possible to put these documents in place, before the disease progresses too far, said Sullivan.”

With the availability of information via the Internet, seminars and workshops, Sul-

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by blood or marriage. For example, if the client wants his/her partner to have visitation rights and decision-making authority, both during life and after death, this must be properly documented. As you can see, many complex legal and financial issues must be addressed, and the services of a qualified estate planning attorney should be engaged, said Sullivan.”

Simplifying the process While pre-planning funeral arrangements may be on the uptick, most of us don’t think about the moving portion of the equation-what to do with a loved one’s clothes or valuables once they die.

Founded in 2012, Simplified Lives was created to help people work through that process, as well as help in the transition of downsizing a home or moving a loved one to a nursing home.

When clients are transitioning, Valerie Achorn, president of Simplified Lives and her partner, Michael Sherman, encourage focus on the most important things for clients to have with them. Not necessarily the most valuable, but what is most important for happiness in their day-to-day living.

Careful attention is given to packing up family heirlooms or legacy items-individual heirlooms can be shipped anywhere in the country or the world. Insured and bonded as move managers, Achorn and Sherman are professional packers.

“If you, or your parents, have lived in a home for many, many years, the best time

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to think about moving or downsizing is a couple of years before one has to move,” said Achorn, whose Simplified Lives is a member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers.

“While the homeowner is still able to make their own decisions and is healthy enough to be part of the sorting and organizing process.”

When clients have special collections like antiques or extensive artwork from a lifetime of collecting, it is wise to begin to think about thoughtfully divesting to ensure the most appropriate donation, placement or sale of items.

“Generally the client has the best understanding of the provenance of a collection or the antiques or artwork that they own,” said Achorn. “During highly stressful health challenges or when a house is being rapidly sold and cleaned-out, wise and thoughtful decisions are often passed over for the most expeditious manner in which to get the house empty and sold.

“Busy adult children may not live nearby, and they may not have time to help organize and sort. For individuals or couples without children, relatives may not be interested or close enough to help.”

Achorn said Simplified Lives has an extensive network of resources to help individuals and families get appraisals, facilitate donations, and sell items the client wishes to part with. Antique dealers, consignment boutiques, online auctions, specialty auctions and estate sales can help a client recognize a financial return – and diminish the number of items left to organize and pack-up in the house.

“Clients often sheepishly admit that there are boxes and boxes of their unpacked inheritance from ‘grandma’ or ‘the in-laws’ in their attic or basement,” said Achorn.

“When a spouse has died and one person is left alone trying to figure out what to take when they move themselves, the thought of inherited family items left unpacked in the attic often becomes overwhelming. Adult children and younger relatives may inherit several generations of unpacked boxes and trunks.”

So what are some tips to help in this process?

1.

Do an assessment of whether or not you will be able to take everything with you when you move. Be honest, do you really want everything that you have in your home?

2.

Decide if you want to make your own decisions about who should get what from your home – and whether or not that will happen if you are not in the home to make the decisions.

3.

Talk to an elder law attorney to establish an up-to-date will and establish a power of attorney to make appropriate decisions regarding your finances and health care.

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4.

Talk to a professional financial planner, a C.P.A. or other person with financial knowledge to create a plan for your future.

5.

Talk to your children, other relatives and friends to formulate a placement or selling plan for collections, antiques, artwork, heirlooms and legacy items.

A few hours of planning could help make an already difficult situation a little more bearable

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In the end, death isn’t the greatest topic of conversation, but it can be one of the most important ones you make in ensuring that your wishes are carried out and the burden of those decisions isn’t left to those who are grieving your loss. A few hours of planning could help make an already difficult situation a little more bearable.

Who knows where we all end up after this life, but taking the stress of dealing with everything from funeral arrangements to powers of attorney to moving your stuff will provide a huge benefit to those that may not know what you want, whether even you know it or not. Take the time and figure it out. It’s worth it. Trust me on this one.

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Prime living

Antibiotics: killing the golden goose Eliz abeth Morse Read

When penicillin was discovered in 1928, it was a game-changer for the human race. Bacterial infections like tuberculosis, the Black Death (bubonic plague), and leprosy, which killed millions in epidemics throughout history, could now be tamed.

But penicillin, like all antibiotics, can only kill bacteria; it is totally useless in treating fungal or viral infections, like the common cold or the flu.

Think about it this way: aspirin is a powerful anti-inflammatory drug, but no matter how many aspirin you take, it will not cure cancer. Yet we’ve been using antibiotics as the magic bullet, overusing them to the point where they may soon become ineffective. It’s in our food, the environment, our homes, not just in the prescription bottle, and this has created a worldwide publichealth threat: the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Our grandchildren could succumb to typhoid, pneumonia, Lyme disease, strep throat or an infected cut because we’ve abused and overused the scientific golden

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goose—antibiotics.

The bacteria are fighting back Just because bacteria are primitive life forms doesn’t mean they’re stupid. When they’re constantly bombarded with something that can kill them, they mutate to become immune to that substance. The strongest bacteria survive and morph into new strains of antibiotic-resistant “superbugs.” Every year, more than 2,000,000 Americans develop antibiotic-resistant infections, and about 23,000 die, because our arsenal of traditional antibiotics (e.g., penicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline, amoxicillin) is losing the battle against the superbugs.

For instance, the antibiotic methicillin was developed back in the ‘60s to treat infections that no longer responded to

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penicillin. Now, fifty years later, we’ve got a superbug that’s resistant to methicillin.

It’s called MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and it’s making the rounds of hospitals and other densely-occupied settings like prisons, camps, nursing homes, homeless shelters, cruise ships, barracks and dormitories near you.

More and more, we’re encountering new strains of old diseases that traditional antibiotics used to treat effectively. Back in the ‘70s, a life-threatening form of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ disease made its debut.

Then there was the spread of the tick-borne Lyme disease, and most recently, outbreaks of a rare bacterial meningitis at Princeton University and UC Santa Barbara.

But the rise of the superbugs is not happening only in the US. Tuberculosis (TB) has been a human scourge since the Stone

Age. It was called the “white plague” in 16th and 17th century Europe, when it killed 25 percent of the adult population.

TB still kills more than a million people every year. But the miracle of modern antibiotics made it treatable and curable— until now.

expensive, but they have far more side effects such as, allergic reactions, drug interactions, and they require longer and more aggressive treatments. Sexually-transmitted diseases like gonorrhea and chlamydia were once successfully treated with a discreet course of antibiotic pills. But, more

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resistant tuberculosis New antibiotic-resistant strains of TB bacteria are popping up everywhere. In 2013, 84 countries reported cases of “extremely” antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis. Most of these cases are in the developing world, but it’s only a matter of time before ThirdWorld antibiotic-resistant strains of dangerous bacteria start spreading here. Bacteria are like rats: they don’t need a passport to travel overseas.

Overusing antibiotics How many times have you wheedled doctors into prescribing antibiotics for your screaming toddler’s ear infection?

Or for flu or sinusitis, which are just as frequently caused by a virus or fungus, not just bacteria. How many dentists prescribe antibiotics “just in case” before pulling a tooth? And, ladies, did anyone bother to explain that antibiotics mess with your birth control pills and can trigger a fungal vaginal yeast infection? Over time, people will need newer, more expensive antibiotics and more invasive treatments, because the older antibiotics have started to lose their punch. And it’s not because humans have built up an immunity or a tolerance:

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Over-exposed to microbials Americans are obsessed with ridding the world of “germs.” We spend billions every year on “kills 99.9 percent of all germs on contact!” products. But even if we don’t take unnecessary antibiotic pills, we’re surrounded by products containing “germ-killing” antimicrobial ingredients.

Corporations like Johnson & Johnson and Proctor & Gamble convince us to buy these products, promising that they’ll keep our families healthy. But this daily over-exposure to “germ-killers” accelerates the spread of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

Almost half the liquid soaps sold in the US are fortified with bacteria-killing chemicals like triclosan. And there’s increasing evidence that those products may actually be making dangerous bacteria more robust. Food-borne bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli are evolving to survive the germ-killing “anti-bacterial” products we use to sanitize our kitchens

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the newer, more potent

antibiotics are very expensive, have far more side effects and require longer and more aggressive treatments it’s because the infecting bacteria have mutated into “superbugs” that can’t be killed by traditional antibiotics.

To make matters even worse, the newer, more potent antibiotics are not only very

and bathrooms.

Triclosan, the most common anti-microbial ingredient, was created 40 years ago as a surgical scrub, but it has since been infused into everyday consumer products,

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Please do not feed the superbugs

Rule one: If your antibiotic prescription calls for a 10-day course of treatment, don’t stop taking the pills after five days just because you’re starting to feel better. You may have knocked out the weak bacteria in five days, but you’re giving a head start to the stronger bacteria still lurking inside you. They’ll survive and turn into superbugs.

Rule two: Never hoard unused antibiotic pills. The specific antibiotic recommended for acne may not work on a urinary tract infection or strep throat. And if you’ve been hoarding them, you’ve obviously broken Rule One.

Rule three: Never give your antibiotics to someone else. This should be a no-brainer, but if you’ve already broken Rules One and Two, and then someone walks in with an abscessed tooth, they need all the help they can get, right?? (Would you “share” your Lipitor or Viagra, too?)

Rule four: Don’t guilt-trip your doctor into prescribing an antibiotic if that’s not the medically recommended treatment for whatever ails you. If you think you’re smarter than your doctor, then why are you paying for the visit??

Rule five: Buy cleaning and personal care products that do not contain anti-microbial ingredients like triclosan. Alcohol, vinegar, peroxide, Clorox, lemon juice or just plain ol’ hot soapy water all work just fine. With a good scrub, they’re effective at killing harmful bacteria, plus they don’t encourage the proliferation of super bugs.

whether we want it or not. It’s in hand soaps, body washes, toothpaste, acne products, cosmetics, deodorant, shaving cream, first aid creams and sprays, kitchen cutting boards, knives, mops, socks, sponges, sanitizing wipes, toys,

Unless you’re eating free-range, wild-caught, antibiotic-free animals, you’re ingesting the all the antibiotics those animals ate interior paint, air filters, shoes, blankets, furniture, wallpaper, hoses, pencils, laminate flooring, mouse pads, and railings—to name just a few.

E ven in the food we eat Every day in America, more than 50 tons of antibiotics are consumed, and 80 percent of that is fed to livestock animals, poultry and cultured fish, not to humans. A major source of our overexposure to antibiotics—and the rise of superbugs—is the food we eat every day, particularly meats, eggs and dairy products. Unless you’re eating free-range, wild-caught, antibiotic-free animals, you’re ingesting the antibiotics all those animals ate, too.

There are indeed legitimate medical reasons for administering antibiotics to farm animals. But, too often, industrialscale animal farms feed antibiotics to their chickens or cattle or hogs solely to fatten them up before slaughter, not to treat actual infections. The FDA has asked that by 2017, all ranchers and farmers voluntarily stop using antibiotics in animal feed, and that only veterinarians administer antibiotics to sick livestock

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that an intolerable percentage of meat sold in the US harbored antibiotic-resistant bacteria. One test showed that 80 percent of raw ground turkey, 40 percent of raw chicken parts, and 70 percent of raw pork contained “superbug” strains of bacteria.

Not only does this expose consumers to potentially lethal food-borne illnesses, but just by eating antibiotic-resistant bacteria, we are hastening the arrival of the “postantibiotic era.”

You don’t need to be a brain surgeon to connect the dots.

Getting it from all directions “Bio-accumulation” is the total intake of a substance (e.g. pesticides, antibiotics, lead) from multiple sources; water, air, food, medicines, and consumer products.

The long-term effects of being saturated with antibiotics and antimicrobials are unknown, whether in humans or the environment, but it certainly doesn’t sound promising. It’s already known that triclosan disrupts hormones and may affect fetal development. It’s been found in human breast milk, and a CDC study detected it in the urine of three of four people tested.

One government study found that a

A 2011 investigation found that an intolerable percentage of meat sold in the US harbored

antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Rule six: Read the labels when you buy all meat products, fish, milk, eggs and dairy products and buy “antibiotics-free” brands. If that’s too expensive, consider becoming a vegan.

A CDC study in 2012 found that some female urinary tract infections had actually been caused by antibiotic-resistant E. coli bacteria that were traced back to antibioticfed chickens!

A 2011 government investigation found

and poultry. This massive overuse of animal antibiotics works its way up the food chain, passing along superbugs that are very dangerous to humans.

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third of US water supplies tested positive for triclosan, and it has been detected in plants and lake sediments, and may even be disrupting the balance of beneficial

bacteria in our waterways. Unfortunately, wastewater treatment plants can’t filter out chemicals like triclosan. Meanwhile, Canada has already declared it to be toxic to the environment.

The FDA met huge industry resistance when it first proposed regulation of triclosan in 1972. In 2010, after years of FDA inaction, Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA), pressured the FDA to ban triclosan in hand soaps, in products that come into contact with food, and in products marketed to children. Finally, this past December, the FDA ruled that manufacturers of antibacterial soaps, body washes and other consumer cleaning products must prove scientifically that their products are safe for long-term use, and are actually more effective in killing “germs” than plain ol’ hot, sudsy water. Proctor & Gamble has promised to eliminate triclosan from its products this year, and Johnson & Johnson will do the same by the end of 2015.

The post-antibiotic era So, picture this: on a typical day, you might cook up some bacon cheeseburgers made from all those antibiotic-resistant bacteria-carrying animal products.

Afterwards, you wipe down the kitchen counters with a “kills germs on contact!” cleaning product, and pop an amoxicillin pill for that sinus headache before you scrub down in the shower with an antimicrobial body wash.

Unless we all make some very serious changes very soon, the zombie bacteria are here to stay, and all because we killed the golden goose. Superbugs are no longer restricted to close-quarter living environments—they’re everywhere now, in waiting rooms, schools, theatres, gyms, airplanes, shopping malls, and daycare centers. Wherever humans congregate, these geneticallyevolved antibiotic-resistant bacteria are tagging along.

If we do nothing to halt and reverse this trend, we’re facing a tsunami of no-longertreatable infectious diseases. If you have a hard time wrapping your head around that thought, just imagine a world without vaccinations.

Elizabeth Morse Read is an awardwinning writer, editor and artist who grew up on the South Coast. After 20 years of working in New York City and traveling the world, she came back home with her children and lives in Fairhaven.

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iaries

You want to go out to a place where you can hear the lyrics, but you don’t want your ears to ring for days. You want to leave smelling the way you did when you entered.

Sean McC arthy

The times have, indeed, been a’changing.

Your rock resume is packed with some of the greatest music of all time. You’ve been in the rock and roll trenches and you’ve got your war stories— you just want them to be heard over the music.

We’ve got our yearbooks and photo albums because we love looking back. And we’ve also got our record collections to take us back. Many people in their 50s and beyond saw the birth of rock and roll and had it take them on a voyage that will never be duplicated, and certain songs from that journey have given memories that can never be repeated.

Here are some snapshots from some South Coast residents.

Great warm-up band It was the late 1960s and 21-year old Lydia Vincent’s innocent courage inspired

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her to move to the San Francisco area to experience the hippie culture first hand.

She hadn’t been there too long when her favorite band, The Rolling Stones, played a venue in neighboring Oakland. But that event would include a couple of surprises for Vincent.

She remembers the Stones’ show as “the social event of the year for the hippies.”

And to celebrate the night, Vincent’s boyfriend crafted for her a voluminous “electric purple” cape with three-foot fringe to wear to the show.

But the second surprise wasn’t the Stones—it was the act that took the stage before them: The Ike & Tina Turner Revue.

“It was 100 percent energy from the beginning,” Vincent recalls. “I remember her singing ‘Proud Mary’ and I was in love. She was such a lady and so passionate. I loved how she danced and sang.”

Vincent, now 65 and living in New Bed-

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ford, would see Tina Turner twice more—in the mid-1970s in Hyannis and again in 1997 at the Comcast Center in Mansfield, MA. “All those years later and she hadn’t lost a step,” the retired chemist says. “She was still rock and roll but polished perfectly.

And when I heard her sing ‘Proud Mary’ it took me back those hippie days. I’ve got a lot of memories from her—as well as a giant purple cape.”

If you check Bob Horne’s iPod these days, you may find the song that introduced him to rock and roll.

Definitely not a drag In February of 1967, “Kind Of A Drag,” by the Buckinghams, spent two weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 list.

Horne loved it then and still does.

“It’s a very catchy song,” says the 59-year old Horne, executive director of the United Way of Greater Fall River. “It’s upbeat and it stuck with me to this day. I asked my parents to buy me the 45 of the song and I played it constantly. I don’t even remember what the B-side was. What grabbed me from the beginning were the horns. They really caught me.”

All of these years later, “Kind Of A Drag”

is still in heavy rotation for Horne. “That song is a workout staple when I exercise at home. It’s still a good song for a lot of situations.”

Deadheads forever “There was a time when I would go see the Grateful Dead wherever they played in New England,” says Art Tebbets, a 63-year old musician from New Bedford.

“One time my friends and I went up to see them in Worcester. We had these rituals we used to act out, and when we knew it was about show time because it was the top of the hour and people were mulling around backstage, getting ready to come on and play for us, and we were talking about what songs we wanted to hear, because with the Dead you never really knew what you were going to get.

So I said, “I’d really like to hear ‘The Music Never Stopped,’ and my friend Mike Mahoney said ‘Oh, Art, they haven’t played that for years, it’s not likely that you’ll hear that tonight.’ Just then the lights went out and we shook hands and said ‘Have a good show.” And the band came on stage, plugged in and launched into ‘The Music Never Stopped.’”

How he missed Woodstock Hitch-hiking home from UMass Dartmouth (when it was SMU), Tebbets got a ride from a friend from Fairhaven who told him that he and some other friends would be going to Woodstock, and that there was room if he wanted to join them.

‘I just got back

from woodstock and it was far out’ “I knew that my parents would never let me go, but I didn’t want to tell him that, so I got out of it by telling him that I had tickets to see Arlo Guthrie at the Cape Cod Melody Tent that Sunday night. During that weekend the news was filled with Woodstock events—shutting down the New York Turnpike, 500,000 kids my age, big act after big act after big act, along with people we’d never heard of, such as Joe Cocker.”

And when Guthrie was flown into Cape Cod in order to get out of Woodstock in time for the Sunday show, Tebbets recalls him talking about Woodstock constantly, using the phrase, “I just got back from Woodstock and it was far out.”

“He was clearly happy to have played for

half a million people,” Tebbets recalls.

“When I saw the movie about Woodstock I remember he opened up with ‘Comin’ Into Los Angeles,’ which is my favorite song of his. And now I play it on a regular basis at my own gigs.”

Echoes of Kent State Jim Vincent, 61, of New Bedford, was 18 years old when he attended The Woods of Dartmouth Rock Festival at UMass Dartmouth on May 1, 2 and 3 in 1970. It was the Woodstock for the South Coast and Vincent remembers tens of thousands of people enjoying the music. But the spirit and unity of the experience was dealt a blow when Vincent heard the news the following Monday that four peaceful protesters at Kent State University in Ohio had been shot and killed by National Guard soldiers.

For Vincent, a retired journalist, the two paradoxical events are linked together for him.

“When I hear the song ‘Ohio’ by Neil Young it brings me back to those events, the weekend and the following Monday. I can’t think about Kent State without thinking about The Woods of Dartmouth. But Kent State doesn’t tarnish what a good time I had. The people were incredible and the music was incredible. It was my introduction to the hippie life, but those events will always be linked for me.”

Louie Leeman, 66, of Swansea, recalls his captivation with rock and roll with the first time he heard “You Really Got Me,” by the Kinks. “It was garage rock, but it was punk rock 10 years earlier,” he says. “I had never heard a guitar sound like that before. It’s was lots of fun to play and people loved to dance to it.

“But the first song I ever learned to play on guitar was ‘Louie, Louie,’ because my band, the Lost Causes, could only play songs in the key of E such as ‘Hang On Sloopy.’ ‘Louie, Louie’ is a great riff, and every band’s played it once. A long time ago we played at the Academy Theatre in Fall River and all three bands played ‘Louie, Louie.’ There’s a lot of guitar players who wouldn’t have ended up playing guitar if it wasn’t for that song.”

A famous riff It is arguably the most famous drum beat in rock history. And when Linda Quinn hears the opening of Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” it brings her right back to her senior year at Bridgewater-Raynham High School in 1978. Today she is the director of marketing at the United Way of Greater

Fall River.

“That beat is invigorating, we used to play it at football games to get people charged up,” Quinn says. “It was the song they played on the float we had at the Homecoming Thanksgiving Day Parade. It never gets old, it’s so energizing. Whenever I hear it on the radio I have to turn it up and sing along. It’s a song my teenage daughters enjoy as well. It’ll be with me for the rest of my life.”

‘It was an age of freedom, a great time to be young’

When Pat Bernier hears “Smoke On The Water,” or “Hotel California,” she is brought back to cruising around Swansea with her friends in her father’s Nova. But there was one song that was particularly special for Bernier.

“We played the music loud, “says the finance and administrative director of the United Way of Greater Fall River. “It was an age of freedom, a great time to be young.

We’d get together on weekends and go on road trips; play our favorite songs constantly.”

But there was a particular song that resonated with Bernier. Her fiancée was stationed in the Navy in Norfolk, VA and the song that touched her most deeply during those times was Barry Manilow’s “Weekend In New England.” She loved it so much and missed him enough to send him a cassette version of the song. And perhaps that song with a wise choice—even though he was hundreds of miles away. Today they are still married after 36 years.

For Pat Sylvia of Fairhaven, Christmas time has some personally treasured memories of her father. “When I was a child I remember my father singing Gene Autry Christmas songs, particularly ‘White Christmas’ and he sounded just like him.

We would go on rides and sing along to the radio. My father would make us laugh, it was a good, happy time. There was an innocence to that age, more honesty.”

Sylvia is currently an operations assistant at the United Way of Greater Fall River.

“Today the world is different and everyone’s in a hurry. There’s less magic to the holidays and more of an emphasis on material goods. There’s a lot of pushing and shoving, but whenever I hear a Gene Autry Christmas song I remember my father and what good times we had.”

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Brunch: not just for Sundays anymore!

Ah, brunch! -- it conjures up Kodak moments of lazy Sunday mornings reading the newspaper, drinking Kona coffee, noshing on bagels with cream cheese and lox, and chatting aimlessly with Eliz abeth a significant other or two. Very cosmopolitan, Morse Read very Zen. I lived long enough in New York City to become addicted to the concept, and it’s still my favorite way of “breaking bread” with friends and family.

Brunch is a unique mid-morning meal, half breakfast (“br-“), half lunch (“unch”). It’s meant to be a relaxed, intimate gathering (think: 1950s cocktail party), as opposed to a sprawling family feast, power lunch or a tailgate party. Brunch breaks the ice – with a new co-worker, your BFF, your fiancee’s parents, your long-lost cousin.

And it’s not just for Sundays anymore!

You definitely don’t want to trot out the old Bisquik quiche Lorraine, frozen melon balls, bagged salad mix, and pitcher of pre-

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mixed Bloody Marys…

A very special occasion All the major food groups show up in a brunch menu, just as they should in any regular meal, but they’re combined and presented in unusual ways, like on-a-stick or in-a-loaf [see sidebars]. Chilled foods and made-on-the-spot items create a spontaneous “indoor picnic” atmosphere.

Fruits and vegetables predominate on a brunch menu. For instance, a brunch might include a chilled vegetable soup like

gazpacho or vichyssoise, or a custom-made smoothie, or a Greek salad baked into a quick bread. And if alcoholic beverages are served, they usually involve fruits and vegetables – sangria, Bloody Marys, mimosas – along with freshly-squeezed juices.

When you design a brunch menu, highlight seasonal local produce. For instance, mix fresh local strawberries or blueberries with vanilla Greek yogurt, then scoop it onto your homemade scones. Add stir-fried “fiddleheads” (they taste like asparagus, available only in May-early June around here) to an omelet. Make spinach-andblueberry smoothies.

Going the eggs-tra mile Brunch menus focus less on meat and more on eggs and cheese as the protein portion of the meal (e.g., quiche, frittata, French toast, omelets), although preserved meats and fish (e.g., prosciutto, lax, bacon, pickled herring) are sometimes served on the side.

But unless they’re already mixed into a quick bread batter or quiche, eggs are most simply enjoyed hard-boiled or poached.

You can gussy them up by making devilled eggs [see sidebar], or you can serve them poached atop steamed spinach or asparagus, or on a slice of All-American quickbread [see sidebar].

Reuse ✦ Repurpose ✦ Recycle

Banish the bagel!

When it comes to the grain portion of your brunch menu, dispense with the store-bought bagels, croissants and muffins. Brunch is all about freshness and “onthe-spot” -- and that calls for an easy nonyeast flour product, like crepes or scones or quick breads or buttermilk pancakes. And if you plan ahead, there’s always time to make a “quick bread.”

“Quick” breads use non-yeast leaveners like baking powder or buttermilk [see sidebar], so they don’t “rise” as much as yeast breads do. However, they are a lot easier and faster to make than yeast breads (hence the “quick”). The texture of quick breads is dense and moist (think: banana nut bread), and is an excellent medium for holding nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, cheese cubes, fresh basil leaves, cooked bacon or chunks of fruit. If you’ve ever eaten cranberry-orange bread or zucchini nut bread, you’ve already enjoyed the “sweet” version of quick bread. But here’s the “savory” side of quick bread – and it’s like brunch in a loaf form.

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‘Quick’ bread dough Step One: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, whisk all dry ingredients thoroughly.

1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour 1 cup bread flour 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt Step Two: Prepare “brunch-in-a-loaf” ingredients [see below]. Fold in slowly with dry ingredients. You want to make sure they’re evenly coated and evenly distributed.

Step Three: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all wet ingredients, then fold them into the other ingredients with a spatula to blend everything into a sticky dough. (But don’t beat it to death.)

2 large eggs 2 ½ tablespoons olive oil 1 ¼ cups buttermilk [see page 27]

Step Four: Place the mixed dough into a greased/sprayed loaf pan, pat it down to spread evenly (or lift it off the counter and let it drop a few times – you’ll have a perfectly squared loaf bottom when it’s baked!). Bake in a preheated oven for 50 minutes, until the top of the loaf starts to brown. (And don’t keep opening the oven door to check – turn the oven light on.)

You test the browned loaf for “doneness” by sticking a steak knife in the middle of the loaf – if it comes out dry and clean, the bread is done. If it comes out streaky or gummy, wipe the knife clean and try another spot (you might have hit some cheese…). If it’s still not dry, put it back in the oven for another 10 minutes or so.

Cool the bread-in-the-pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then turn out the loaf onto the rack and let it cool another 30 minutes before slicing.

Brunch-in-a-loaf Add one of these mixes (or invent your own!) to your quick bread dough mix.

Greek Salad: ½ cup crumbled fat-free feta cheese, ½ cup dry julienned sun-dried tomatoes, one handful of rinsed-and-dried baby spinach leaves, ¼ cup sliced black olives, 3 whole scallions trimmed and chopped, 1 tsp. crushed oregano leaves All-American: 10 crispy bacon slices, crumbled; 1 8 oz. block sharp white cheddar cheese cut into ½” cubes, 3 whole scallions trimmed and chopped, ½ tsp. crushed rosemary

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Caprese: 1 handful rinsed-and-dried whole basil leaves, ½ cup dry julienned sun-dried tomatoes, 1 8 oz. block mild white cheddar cheese cut into ½” cubes (OR 8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese), 3 whole scallions trimmed and chopped, 1 tsp. crushed rosemary or oregano

Brunch-on-a-stick Those bamboo skewers you use for summer shish-kebab are perfect for serving brunch in interesting ways. Soak the skewers in warm water for 30 minutes (to prevent splinters), then thread them with any of the following suggestions. Cover and keep refrigerated until serving time.

• Wrap chunks of fresh melon or zucchini with a thin slice of prosciutto ham and basil leaf

• Wrap cooked linguica, kielbasa or pepperoni with spinach leaf, alternate with raw scallions

• Alternate strawberries with chunks of pineapple and green pepper

• Alternate cubes of cheese with grape tomatoes, black olives and basil leaves

How to make devilled eggs Hard boil six eggs (you’ll end up with 8-10 devilled eggs halves) and let them cool in a pot of cold water. Gently crack and peel off the shell and inner membrane under water, trying not to mangle the cooked egg white (older eggs are supposedly easier to peel than fresh eggs).

When the peeled eggs have cooled completely, slice them in half lengthwise. Gently squeeze or scoop out the cooked yolk into a small bowl (don’t worry about the dusky outer color), and put the surviving cooked whites on a paper towel.

(It’s inevitable that some egg white halves will get torn or totally mangled. You can mince them to sprinkle over the filled-in eggs, chop them for your salad or blend them to a smoothie.)

With a fork or whisk, gently mash the cold yolks into a uniform “flour.” Add one teaspoon mayonnaise or plain Greek yoghurt, ½ teaspoon yellow mustard and ½ teaspoon flavoring (curry powder, dried herbs, paprika, etc.). Mash and blend to form a moist paste.

Using a demitasse spoon or butter knife, place a heaping scoop of the yolk mix into the hollows of the surviving egg whites. Tap the yolk mix gently with the back of a spoon and pull upward to create a curly “meringue” effect. Arrange the filled-in eggs tightly in a single layer on a plate of fresh greens. You can garnish the eggs with caviar, minced chives, chopped pimientos or olives, or with more of the herb flavoring. Cover the plate loosely (don’t put anything on top of it!) and keep it refrigerated until it’s time to eat.

How to make your own buttermilk You can’t always find a carton of fresh buttermilk in the dairy section. There are powdered buttermilk mixes you can buy (meh), but it’s just as easy to make your own.

To make 1 ¼ cups of buttermilk In a large measuring cup, add ¼ cup of either white vinegar, lemon juice, or roomtemp plain Greek yogurt. Pour in 1 cup 2 percent milk, whisk and let it sit on the counter for at least an hour (You’re basically curdling the milk with an acid). For

whatever reason, it’s really important that you pour the milk into the acid ingredient, and not the acid into the milk. You can freeze pre-measured leftover buttermilk for up to three months.

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Chuck Williams at his store, the E agle Trading Company in A ssonet.

The recipe for happiness When you meet Chuck Williams, it’s difficult not to be impressed by the respected entrepreneur’s vast knowledge of culinary history and foreign cultures.

The 80-year-old founder of Eagle Trading Company in picturBrian J. esque Assonet Village Lowney has amassed a fascinating collection of more than 4,000 ethnic and regional cookbooks from all over the globe, and is one of the world’s leading retailers of gently-used cookbooks that not only provide enticing recipes, but also offer a glimpse of the history and culture of far-flung destinations ranging from the bayous of Louisiana to Switzerland’s Alpine villages.

Williams, who has no plans to retire in the near future, offers a simple prescription for life that anyone can follow.

“Be happy, and love people and life itself,”

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Williams begins, sitting in a chair surrounded by big cardboard boxes overflowing with cookbooks of all kinds.

“It all comes down to loving God,” continues the faithful man, sharing warm recollections of his great-grandfather, who was a freed slave, and his grandparents, Cora and the Rev. E.J. Williams, a missionary Baptist preacher who instilled a strong work ethic and love for learning in his grandchildren.

“I love what I’m doing,” Williams emphasizes, adding that he has owned the store for nine years. “It’s not work.”

A n early start Williams, a native of Thomasville, GA, learned his way around the kitchen at a young age.

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“I have been cooking since I was four and I was cooking alone at six,” the octogenarian recalls, adding that he learned to cook by watching his grandparents.

“I had one job – to keep the wood box full and not to get in the way,” Williams muses.

Some of Williams’ happiest childhood memories are of his grandfather preparing breakfast every morning, and his grandmother Cora’s delicious suppers, made from whatever his grandfather purchased at the local market, or from what the family picked from the garden or “shot or caught” – quail, rabbit, squirrel or fish.

“I don’t ever remember her cooking anything I didn’t like,” Williams recalls, adding that often times “the garden was the supermarket” and that his grandfather

earned a stellar reputation for his homemade biscuits which continue to be a prized traditional Southern favorite.

Williams recalls that while the family usually ate fresh fruit for dessert, his grandmother occasionally treated her loved ones to a delicious sweet potato pie or a scrumptious blackberry or peach cobbler.

The cookbook collector reveals that he can’t mention peach cobbler without recalling the fragrant aroma of his favorite dessert baked by his grandmother with juicy ripe peaches picked in the backyard.

“I can still taste it,” Williams says of his favorite peach dessert. “It was always something special to me.”

The young man’s culinary journey continued when his parents Charles and Annie Williams moved in 1943 to New Jersey, where his father obtained employment.

“I was curious to see what New Jersey was like,” he reveals.

“I discovered that people could cook from a book. I found it very humorous.”

In no time, Williams learned to follow recipes as he prepared breakfast for his two younger sisters, which led him to develop a lifelong interest in cookbooks and libraries. During his college days in Boston, he’d occasionally peruse a cookbook or two when given the opportunity but admits that library cookbook collections weren’t as extensive as they are today.

store than I ever knew existed,” Williams discloses, adding that he learns something new and interesting every time he peruses a new cookbook. He purchases the store’s inventory at book sales, from private collectors and at estate sales, and sells to customers all over the world.

Offerings include a nice selection of Portuguese cookbooks, volumes highlighting cranberries, cheese and chocolate, as well as rare finds such as books on Icelandic and Basque cooking. Williams says that dessert cookbooks always have wide appeal.

According to Williams, many people read cookbooks for pure enjoyment, probably without ever trying a recipe. These armchair travelers devour cookbooks like others voraciously read mysteries or true crime stories.

“They don’t get the book messed up,” Williams quips. “They don’t bring it to the kitchen. They read it in bed or just before they go to bed, just like some people read novels.”

Williams believes that cookbooks sold as fundraisers, whether compiled by a junior league, a church congregation or to benefit a certain cause, are usually the most reliable since the recipes have the submitter’s name and usually are proven family favorites.

Does Williams have a favorite cookbook?

After reading thousands of volumes and testing hundreds of recipes, the bibliophile says his favorite cookbook is the “Joy of Cooking,” an ageless collection of recipes still in print and always a popular gift to new brides and college grads moving into their first apartment.

“It’s got a recipe for everything from squirrel stew to Chateaubriand,” Williams ends.

The Eagle Trading Company is located at 4 Elm St., Assonet, MA 02707. For more information, call (508) 644-9880. Open Mondays and Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and by appointment.

‘I discovered that people could cook from a book.

I found it very humorous.’

Making his mark As Williams’ interest in food history and world cultures developed, he began to collect cookbooks. He started to analyze why various cultures employed certain ingredients and cooking methods, which made him start thinking about his own culinary journey.

The retired respiratory therapist, who has five children from a previous marriage, says his present wife of 33 years and large extended family weren’t too keen about his hobby of selling rare rifles because they felt that someday he might get injured or worse. They urged him to act on his other passion, which led Williams to change the focus of his business from guns to cookbooks.

“I have learned more about regional and ethnic cuisine since I opened this

BRIAN LOWNEY is a freelance writer based in Swansea. He is the author of the new book “Unconditional Love: Pet Tales to Warm the Heart”, which is available in local bookstores.

Marinated shrimp This delicious appetizer is one of Williams’ favorites, and is often served

by Southern hostesses. This recipe is adapted from “Justin Wilson’s Homegrown Louisiana Cookin’” (McMillan, 1990).

Ingredients: 1 pound peeled, cooked medium shrimp (see note below) ½ cup fresh lemon juice Louisiana hot sauce or ground cayenne pepper to taste ½ cup olive oil ¾ cup white vinegar ¼ cup honey 1 cup pitted green olives with juice 2 medium-sized white or purple onions, thinly sliced Salt to taste

Directions: In a large mixing bowl, combine the lemon juice, hot sauce, olive oil, vinegar and honey, and stir until the honey is dissolved. Add the olives and mix well.

Then add the onions, shrimp and salt, stirring gently. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight. Serves 1012 people as an appetizer.

Note: If using raw shrimp, bring one quart of water to a boil, to which 1 tablespoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper have been added. Add the shrimp, bring the water back to a boil, and let it boil for only one minute. Drain the shrimp immediately. Spread the shrimp out so they can cool quickly and then peel.

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Prime living

For the last year and a half the cataract developing in my left eye kept having more impact on my daily life.

A cataract is a cloudy hardening of the lens in Dan the eye. As the cataract L ogan got bigger, my view of the world become dimmer and hazier. Instead of being sharp points, oncoming headlights at night were unnerving smears spilling into my lane.

My computer screens were getting harder to read, and worst of all, trying to track a small bird in flight with my left eye while holding a camera to my right eye became an exercise in frustration.

No surprise, the thought of anyone getting to close to my eyes with a sharp instrument gives me the shakes, so I didn’t rush toward repair. But my friend Henry also had cataracts- in both eyes. Despite being very nervous about it he pulled the trigger last fall, having both eyes done in a two week period.

One reason for Henry’s being nervous was that several of his family members had cataract surgery. Some of them had complications but they were eventually sorted out.

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Within a few days of outpatient surgery, Henry was out and about without complications, and needing only reading glasses for close work.

Like me, Henry is a bird photographer.

Suddenly, he was seeing birds that I was losing. Hey, enough said. Bring it on.

Common for over-40 set In my opinion, anything that produces better vision for me qualifies as high-tech.

Replacing the lens in the eye isn’t cuttingedge medical technology, but it’s reliable and predictable. Which is just the way I want it.

Pinning down the cause of a cataract can be tough, but ultimately the cause doesn’t matter much. Cataracts are usually associated with aging, but other risk factors include too much sun, high blood pressure, heavy drinking, smoking and obesity.

In 2008, the American Academy of Ophthalmology estimated more than 20 million Americans over the age of 40 had cataracts. Roughly three million cataract

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surgeries are being done each year.

Interestingly, more young people are having it done as cataracts become apparent sooner due to people working with computers and electronic equipment.

The rule of thumb is when you’re finally willing to undergo cataract removal, you’re ready for it.

In good hands My ophthalmologist is Dr. David Kielty at Independence Eye Associates in Dartmouth. Dr. Kielty has been my family’s well-regarded eye doctor for years. I also discovered he has performed cataract surgeries on family members of our other family doctors. I learned he has completed over 13,000 such surgeries in his career.

Complications have been few and far between. Guarantees are impossible, but the odds appeared reassuring.

The first order of business was an office visit where the cataract got measured. Dr. Kielty gave me several options regarding the type of lens that would be implanted.

I chose the monofocal intraocular lens, meaning the lens has a fixed focal length set for distance work. With such a lens you’ll need reading glasses or another correctional device for close-up work, but

you’ll feel like Superman when driving down a highway.

You can also choose a multifocal intraocular lens- a progressive lens for the cataract set. Such a lens costs more and is probably not going to be fully covered by insurance.

I got the impression that there is a slightly higher possibility of complications.

My guiding principle was to choose the option offering the least chance of complication. I’ve been wearing glasses since I was seven, so I wasn’t concerned about wearing them post-surgery.

The moment of truth On the day of the procedure, I showed up at 6:30 a.m. at the surgery center on Faunce Corner Road in Dartmouth. I had laid off the blood thinners and been using three kinds of eye drops for a couple of days beforehand.

eye. By late the next afternoon I could drive.

E ye-opening results Two weeks after the surgery, I still feel a little bit of disorientation that seems to come from my eyes learning to work together in a different way. I can drive comfortably without glasses and there’s no flare from oncoming headlights at night.

In a few weeks, when the eye settles down, I plan to get a new pair of glasses with progressive lenses so that both my eyes are corrected at every distance. My left eye is now nearly 20/20, but I need reading glasses for close work. And since I do a lot of work on the computer, the design of my glasses requires additional tweaking for comfort at middle distances.

I can once again see small birds in flight with my left eye when I have my camera up

The event was anticlimactic, which was fine by me The event was anticlimactic, which was fine by me. Some IV solution, a couple of pills, numbing of the eyeball with some drops and finally a mild relaxant to keep the anxiety at bay. I was ready.

I was awake throughout the 15-minute procedure. I was aware of movement in my left eye, but not able to discern what I was seeing. Actually, I didn’t care. I was way into la-la land from whatever it was they gave me, precisely where I wanted to be when someone is working on my eyeball.

There was no pain, no discomfort.

Within two hours, my friend Bob was driving me home. No patch over my eye.

I was warned not to do anything strenuous for a few days to avoid pushing up my blood pressure.

By that evening my left eye vision was already sharper and brighter than the right

to my right eye. Comin’ to getcha, Henry.

I’ll be putting drops in my eye for a month after the surgery, but that’s only a minor inconvenience. Dr. Kielty estimates the slowly developing cataract in my right eye will be ready for removal within a couple of years. I’m anticipating that one with much less trepidation.

The upshot is, in my experience, you don’t have to have a lot of anxiety about cataract removal. And the payoff is worth the effort.

Dan Logan is a freelance writer and photographer from Fairhaven, MA. He also teaches classes about Nikon cameras and software at the Learning Connection in Providence. E-mail him at dlogan@thegrid.net.

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Teetering,

tottering and tumbling

By Jill H. G arvey

‘If you fall, I’ll be there.’ - The Floor So, it was 2:35 am according to the clock on my night table and my most pervasive, gutwrenching night-time fear had come to fruition.

The phone was ringing.

This could only mean one thing.

Something had happened to my Mother.

I wasn’t wrong.

My panicked brother quickly told me that he’d just found her laying on the kitchen floor.

I ran.

And there she was, calm as could be, in the snazzy Scotty dog pajamas we had given her the Christmas before. Stretched out on the floor. A pillow under her head. I don’t know how I was able to speak--what with my stomach in my throat, and all--but, I nonchalantly said, ‘Hey Ma, whatcha doing down there?’ as I plopped down next to her checking for pools of blood, bumps and broken bones.

To make a long story short, she had become dizzy due to a medication issue, which resulted in an abrupt and unpleasant meeting with the floor. Luckily, she was fine.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), one out of three older adults aged 65+ fall each year—but less than half talk to their healthcare providers about it.

A large percentage (20-30%)

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of people who take a tumble suffer moderate to severe injuries like cuts and bruises, hip fractures and head traumas.

These types of bodily harm can make it tough to get around or live independently—and they can increase the risk of early death. Big worries for elders, their loved ones and their caregivers.

The following are a few suggestions for fall prevention from the Mayo Clinic:

What’s up, doc?

See your doctor, review your medications, voice your concerns—take an active role in your well-being.

S ystems in place!

workouts and tai chi can help to improve strength, balance, coordination and flexibility.

What’s on your feet?

High heels, floppy slippers, shoes with slick soles and stocking feet can make you slip, stumble and fall. Let’s be sensible—wear properly fitting, sturdy shoes with nonskid soles.

Clutter be gone!

Make your home safer by removing all hazards from your walkway--toss the area rugs, remove boxes, electrical/phone cords and extraneous furniture/accessories. Store clothing, dishes, food and other necessities within easy reach.

Bottom line—a medical alert system can save your life. Let’s face it, if an unexpected fall occurs, you may not be near enough to a phone to notify 911—or even have the ability to make the call. Today’s medical alert systems are quite sophisticated—some versions can detect a fall, some even offer GPS tracking systems as part of the package. Be sure to do a little research before making a decision—there are quite a few models to consider. It’s a good thing.

Use non-slip mats, grab bars, a sturdy plastic seat and a hand-held shower head in your bathing area. While you’re at it, add a raised toilet seat, or one with armrests, to complete the bathroom ensemble.

Keep moving!

See the light!

With your doctor’s approval, keep active. Gentle exercises such as walking, water

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Clean it up!

Quickly wipe up spilled liquids, grease and food.

Splish splash!

Get a grip!

Install hand rails for both sides of the stairways and nonslip treads for bare-wood steps.

Keep your home brightly lit and place nightlights in your bedroom, bathroom and hall-

ways. Make sure that there’s a lamp within easy reach of your bed for night time sojourns.

Store flashlights in easy-to-find places in the event of a blackout. Turn on the lights before going up or down stairs.

There are many health professionals, including physical and occupational therapists (your doctor can give you a referral), who can offer outstanding safety strategies that may save you from a nasty fall and a lot of heart-ache.

Please, don’t shy away from embracing helpful modifications and asking for suggestions from those ‘in the know’. Time brings about changes in all of us—sometimes it’s not pretty, and it can be frustrating. But, the goal is to ‘age in place’ for as long as possible. We’re talking about your quality of life, here…your independence…and peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

As my 5th grade teacher used to say—‘let a word to the wise be sufficient’.

Jill H. G arvey is the Director of Admissions and Marketing for The Home for Aged People in Fall River, MA a nonprofit organization which operates Adams House, The Freeman Borden Transitional Care Unit and Bay View. She can be contacted at 508.679.0144 or jgarvey@thehomelcc.org

Our Family is Committed to Yours.

®

E

meritus at Dartmouth Village offers quality care for quality of life!

Our goal is to have you live as independently as possible while enjoying our many amenities, outings and activities.

Emeritus at Dartmouth Village currently has availability in both our Assisted Living and Memory Care apartments.

Please feel free to contact Kathy Givens, Community Relations Director, at 508-999-0404 to set up an appointment to visit today!

— EVENTS — Wed., April 30, 4:00PM - 5:00PM

“Avoid Crisis Provide Comfort”

Pre-Plannin g Funeral Presentation by Aime Delaney of Dartmouth Funeral Home/Dignity Memorial

274 Slocum Road Dartmouth, MA 508-999-0404 www.emeritus.com

If your loved one is currently on MassHealth Standard or Commonhealth insurance, you may qualify for financial assistance from Beacon Adult Foster Care.

Open House • Open House • Open House Every Tuesday night in April and May, 6-7pm 93 Spring Street New Bedford, MA

For more information call 774-202-1837 or visit our website www.beaconafc.com

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www.patenaudejewelers.com

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E xtra! E xtra!

In brief…

It’s time to move outdoors again! Start making summer vacation and day-trip plans, get your gardens goin’, and fire up the barbie. After Easter and Passover, don’t forget to celebrate Mother’s Day (May), Father’s Day (June), Memorial Day and all those graduations!

Eliz abeth Morse Read

Regional highlights…

During the height of a miserable winter, the South Coast was rattled by two earthquakes in less than a month. (Weren’t the frigid temperatures and endless blizzards bad enough??)

Greatest Show on Earth! The circus is coming! Watch the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus May 2-5 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence. Go

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to www.dunkindonutscenter.com or call 401-331-6700.

Fairhaven, Taunton and Plymouth received provisional approval from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to open medical marijuana dispensaries this summer.

The Southcoast Visiting Nurses Association will once again be sponsoring “Camp Angel Wings” for children and teens who’ve

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lost a loved one. It will be held July 12-13 at Camp Welch in Assonet. Call 800-6986877, 508-973-3219 or contact coel@ Southcoast.org.

Roll the Dice? Foxwoods Casino has secured an option to buy 30 acres in Fall River for a proposed $750,000,000 resort casino. If approved, construction would begin in 2015. Nearby Tiverton residents are not pleased.

Uh oh… Starting July 1, Massachusetts drivers will be paying more to register and inspect their vehicles or to take a road test.

The Dartmouth Police Station was shut down after an officer was hospitalized with Legionnaires’ Disease, which was traced back to the station’s hot water system.

Normal operations are being handled from trailers and nearby law enforcement agencies until the station’s hot water system is deemed safe.

Whaling City Health Woes: According to a massive Tufts Health Plan study, New Bedford is the least healthy community in Massachusetts, as measured by 100 indicators of healthy aging.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has delayed implementation of its controversial flood insurance rate maps for Plymouth County for at least a year.

New Bedford police and firefighters will now be equipped with the nasal-spray antidote Narcan to treat over-doses of opiates and heroin, which have been rising dramatically across the country.

mouth’s bond rating to AAA, the highest rating possible.

Local Art Merger: The New Bedford Art Museum and Artworks! have formally merged and will together offer community arts education and a venue for local artists and artisans.

The new Cape Flyer train platform in Wareham should be completed before Memorial Day, just in time for all the summer festivities.

Central Bakery of Fall River, which makes Portuguese muffins, has expanded and relocated to Tiverton.

The country’s oldest operating customs house, in New Bedford’s historic district, may soon become a tourist attraction.

Due to budget cuts, the Wareham Free Library may have to close its doors on July 1.

A whale of an idea: The Massachusetts Cultural Council approved New Bedford’s plan to create the New Bedford Seaport Cultural District, a boon to the city’s economic development, tax credits and increased tourism.

Coleman to Step Down: Bishop George W. Coleman, head of the Fall River Diocese, has submitted his resignation to the Vatican. He will remain until a replacement has been chosen by Pope Francis.

After several delays, the new Frontera Restaurant on Rt. 6 in Fairhaven is set to open.

Strange but true…

The US Postal Services is considering selling the iconic main post office building in New Bedford, and relocating its operations to another downtown site.

Weather fatigue, cabin fever and snow blindness hit hard this past winter – and some people got stupid. Back in February, a snow-plow driver was assaulted with a shovel by an angry Lakeville homeowner, after the driver deposited a wall of snow at the end of the man’s driveway. Two Fairhaven teenagers broke into a convenience store during a snowstorm, then trudged home, leaving footprints that lead police right to their door a few blocks away. During another snowstorm, a man robbed a pharmacy in Fall River, dropped his gun, then fell headlong in the snow trying to reach his getaway car. The car was fishtailing and spinning out so badly that bystanders got the license plate number and called it in to the police. Crime does not pay at the height of a snowstorm.

Bizz buzz…

Standard & Poor has raised Dart-

First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union has opened a new branch office in Wareham.

Marion’s Board of Health has passed regulations forbidding the sale of e-cigarettes to minors.

The suddenly-closed Davy’s Locker restaurant in New Bedford has been bought by the owners of the SeaFire Grill, formerly the Candleworks Restaurant.

Biotech startup Boston 3T Biotechnologies has moved into UMass Dartmouth’s Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Center in Fall River.

Once again, Taunton State Hospital is on the chopping block, as per Gov. Patrick’s latest budget proposal.

South Coast stars Twenty-year old Michelle Picard of Taunton, who played defense for the USA’s

Women’s Ice Hockey Team, brought home a silver medal from the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Tom Mulligan of New Bedford served as an athletic trainer for the USA’s Men’s Ice Hockey Team.

According to a sustainability report prepared by UMass Dartmouth students, Dartmouth produces more solar power than any other town or city in the state.

Attleboro native Susan Fleet, author of the Frank Renzi mystery novels, was awarded the gold medal for best mystery by the Feathered Quill Book Awards committee.

Lang Lauded for Performance: Up-andcoming actor Nate Lang, son of former New Bedford mayor Scott Lang, starred in the feature film “Whiplash,” which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

“My Brother’s Keeper” in Easton and Dartmouth is looking for volunteers and gently-used residential furniture for families in need. Free pick-up. Call 774-3054577 or visit www.MyBrothersKeeper.org.

On the road again If you’re 62 or older, check out the day trips sponsored by the New Bedford Senior Travel Program. There’s the Aqua Turf Club April 29, Fuller Gardens May 28, Lobster Roll Cruise June 11, the Provincetown Portuguese Festival June 28. Upcoming multi-day trips include Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC May 11-17 -- call 508-9916171.

“Senior Scope” is offering a San Antonio, TX Getaway May 11-15. Call 508-9791544. The Acushnet Senior Center will sponsor a day-trip to Wright’s Chicken Farm and Twin Rivers Casino on April 29 – call 508-998-0280.

Fall River seniors – contact your nearest Senior Center to sign up for Tommy Rull’s performance and luncheon at the Liberal Club on May 16.

Take a whirl at New Bedford’s free Fort Taber Dances on April 27 and May 4. Live music, refreshments available.

The New Bedford Council On Aging has opened a Senior Support Center on Hillman Street, which will offer computer training, social events and support services.

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Continued from previous page

abbey rhode

Lisa M arie Presley

loudon Wainright III

Listen to the music The Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River has a great line-up – there’ll be New York vs. Boston Comedy Series April 18, Funky White Honkies April 26, Loudon Wainright III May 22, Forever Young (rescheduled) May 25, Siobhan Magnus May 30, Playing for Change June 13, Lisa Marie Presley June 20 – and a lot more! For a complete schedule, visit www.narrowscenter.com or call 508-324-1926.

Don’t miss “Water Music,” performed by the Greater Tiverton Community Chorus April 25-27, benefit concerts for the Nature Conservancy in Rhode Island and the Westport River Watershed Alliance. For complete schedule and locations, go to www.gtcchorus.org.

“Heroes, Monsters and Madmen” is the theme of the Spring Pops concert of the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra at Plymouth’s Memorial Hall on May 10. For details, call 508-746-8008 or go to www. plymouthphil.org.

K a-ching!!

Now that the town is officially a Massachusetts “Green Community,” Acushnet has received a more-than-$150,000 grant from the state’s Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Thanks to a $75,000 grant from Bristol County Savings Bank, Taunton High School will offer a full-service restaurant operated by students in the fall.

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Enjoy the Sunday afternoon “Concert and Tea” at New Bedford’s Saint Anthony’s Church on May 4. Go to www.musicatsaintanthonys.org or call 508-993-1691.

Head for the Annual Benefit Pops Concert “Fairy Tales, Witches and Wizards,” performed by the Tri-County Symphonic Band on June 8 at Tabor Academy in Marion. For info, visit www.tricountysymphonicband.org.

Find out who’s on stage at the Titicut Green Coffeehouse in Middleboro. Follow them on Facebook or call 508-789-7957.

The Sandywoods Center for the Arts in Tiverton will present Kerri Powers & the Porch Party Mommas April 18, Brother Sun May 2, The Kennedys May 3, The Jammin’ Divas May 9, Michael Troy May 30, Bob Dylan Birthday Bash June 6, Abbey Rhode June 8 – and a lot more!

Go www.sandywoodsmusic.com or call 401-241-7349.

Follow the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra! They will perform the season finale, Alon Goldstein plays Beethoven, on May 10, and will present Yo-Yo Ma June 1, both at The VETS. Call 401-248-7000 or go to www.riphil.org or www.vmari.com.

Head for Common Fence Music in Portsmouth for Tom Rush April 26, Ana Egge May 3 -- and much more. Call 401-6835085 or visit www.commonfencemusic.org.

Don’t miss the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra performing “Music of the Spheres” May 10 at the Zeiterion. Go to www.nbsymphony.org or www.zeiterion. org.

If you’re a fan of Americana and roots music, check out the monthly Salon Concerts at the Wamsutta Club in New Bedford, sponsored by Wepecket Island Records. There’s The Rolling Roots Review May 3. For details, go to www.wepecket. com/tickets.

Wareham received a state grant of over $200,000 to purchase open land which includes an aquifer for a new well.

Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bond bill that includes $3,000,000 to jump-start its restoration.

Coggeshall Farm in Bristol received a $150,000 matching grant from Bristol Marine toward construction of a new barn.

YMCA Southcoast received a $50,000 grant from the state to expand and enhance its Early Childhood Education and School-Age Childcare programs. To learn more, go to www.ymcasouthcoast.org or call 508-996-9622.

BayCoast Bank’s newest branch has donated $10,000 to Dartmouth’s $350th Anniversary committee.

The historic Orpheum Theatre in New Bedford’s south end will rise again! The

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Compassionate Care Centers, which received provisional state approval to open a medical marijuana dispensary in

Yo-Yo M a

303 State Road n Westport, MA n

Monuments

n

Cemetery Lettering

n

Cleaning & Repair

n

Mailbox Posts

n

Benches

n

Address Rocks

n

Pet Markers

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Laser Etchings

Tom Rush

Fairhaven this summer, has pledged at least $100,000 each year in grants to the town and local charities.

When the kiddies come to visit

It’s the Spring Vacation Zoocademy for Kids April 21-25, the Earth Day Party April 22, the Food Truck Fest in June and Summer Zoocademy at the Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro! Go to www.capronparkzoo.com or call 774-203-1840.

Join in the fun at the Easton Children’s Museum. Register now for Summer Mini Camps! Go to www.childrensmuseumineaston.org or call 508-230-3789.

School vacation week will be busy at the Lloyd Center for the Environment in Dartmouth! There will be Adventure Week for kids 5-10 April 22-25, and also Biodiversity Blitz Week for high school students. Visit www.lloydcenter.org or call 508-990-0505.

A sight to behold

When the kids are out of school, find out what’s happening at the Providence Children’s Museum. Go to www.childrenmuseum.org or call 401-273-5437.

Tiptoe through the flowers during Daffodil Days at Blithewold Gardens in Bristol through the April 27 Fairy Festival. Go to www.blithewold.org or call 401-253-2707.

The new “Summer Camp Seahorse,” operated by the Mattapoisett Department of Recreation, will run for six weeks this coming summer. Call 508-758-4100 x 227.

Enjoy watching Newport’s Atlantic Cup Races May 24-25! Call 401-619-4840 or go to www.atlanticcup.org.

Take the kids to the Soule Homestead in Middleboro when they’re out of school!

Vacation programs are scheduled from April 22-25. Call 508-947-6744 or visit www.soulehomestead.org.

508-678-7801

www.AlbaneseMonuments.com

Your doctor.

Right here.

Our doctors care for you right in your community —

Stroll through the April 27 Cherry Blossom Friendship Festival at Cooke Memorial Park in Fairhaven. For more info, contact Gerry@WMFriendshipHouse.org.

School daze

at more than 30 sites from Rhode Island to Cape Cod.

New Bedford’s Ocean Explorium is a great school vacation destination, with Saturday afternoon programs in Spanish and Portuguese. To learn more, call 508-9945400 or go to www.oceanexplorium.org.

The Northeast Maritime Institute in Fairhaven has applied to the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education to create a two-year associate of science degree program in nautical science.

Find out what’s going on at the Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford. Go to www.bpzoo.org or call 508-991-6178.

As part of the “turnaround” plan for New Bedford High School, the school day will be extended by 33 minutes starting in

800-497-1727 www.southcoast.org/doctors

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Continued from previous page September, the equivalent of three extra weeks.

There have been muddled news reports that $600,000 was hacked from the Old Rochester Regional School Committee back in 2011, but not all committee members were notified until recently. The FBI is investigating the cyber-attack and has recovered almost all the funds.

Taunton Catholic Middle School may soon be moved into the Coyle and Cassidy High School building.

New Bedford High School has received part of a $92,000 state grant to purchase life science equipment and supplies to bolster STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education.

Thanks to a $75,000 grant from Bristol County Savings Bank, Taunton High School will offer a full-service restaurant operated by students in the fall.

In February, Bristol Community College was briefly on lockdown after reports of a gunman on campus.

New Bedford has received a $135,000 state grant to create an English Language Learning Enrichment Academy throughout the school district.

UMass Dartmouth’s online bachelor’s degree program has been ranked 69th nationwide by US News and World Report out of 1,000 programs surveyed.

The Wareham police department budget cut the position of School Resource Officer in the town’s schools, so the school department is hoping to find money for a part-time security resource position.

But shortfalls in the school department’s budget already cancelled plans to purchase new school buses, and eliminated jobs for four paraprofessionals and three food service workers. Meanwhile, Wareham school officials are considering mandatory school uniforms starting in the fall.

All the world’s a stage The historic Orpheum Theatre in the south end of New Bedford may rise again!

The state’s House of Representatives passed a bond bill that includes $3,000,000 to jumpstart its restoration.

“Squabbles” plays May 15-25 at Your Theatre in New Bedford. Call 508-9930772 or visit www.yourtheatre.org.

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It’s all happenin’ at the Z in New Bedford! There’s Doo Wop 9 on April 26, Garrison Keillor May 21, “Charlotte’s Web” June 1 -- and more! Call 508-994-2900 or visit www.zeiterion.org.

“My Husband’s Wild Desires” is playing now at the Newport Playhouse through May 23. Go to www.newportplayhouse. com or call 401-848-7529.

Save the date for something special at the Providence Performing Arts Center.

There’s “We Will Rock You” April 15-20, and “The Book of Mormon” April 29- May 11, Chris Botti May 31, Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band June 15. Call 401-421-2787 or go to www.ppacri.org.

Fun for the whole family The circus is coming! Watch the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus May 2-5 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence. Go to www.dunkindonutscenter. com or call 401-331-6700.

Get outside at the Lloyd Center for the Environment in Dartmouth! May 10 is International Migratory Bird Day, and there’ll be the Outer Cape Birding and Whale Watching Tour on May 17. Visit www.lloydcenter.org or call 508-990-0505.

Take your friends to Trinity Rep – “Veronica Meadows” runs through May 4, and “A Lie of the Mind” runs from May 29-June 29. Call 401-351-4243 or visit www.trinityrep.com.

Take the kids to the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence for Vacation Week Zoo Camp or Party for the Planet, both April 21-25. There’s a Bronx Zoo Day Trip May 3, free admission for Moms May 10-11, and Butterfly Exhibit Opening May 24. Sign your kids up for Summer Zoo Camp, too!

Call 401-941-4998 or visit www.rwpzoo. org.

Head for 2nd Story Theatre in Warren! “Sylvia” runs from April 18-May 18, “Becky’s New Car” runs from May 2-June 1. For details, call 401-247-4200 or go to www.2ndstorytheatre.com.

Enjoy free family fun and entertainment at AHA! Night in New Bedford. The May 8 theme is “City View,” and the June 12 theme is “Portraits of a Port.” Go to www. ahanewbedford.org or call 508-996-8253.

Food! feasts! festivals!

All hands on deck at Battleship Cove in Fall River! During school vacation (April 21-25), there’s plenty of “Liberty Week” activities; and Family Nautical Night is April 25. Free admission for veterans on Memorial Day weekend (May 24-26), and there will be a 21-gun salute at the Memorial Day Ceremony at noon on May 26. Plan ahead for 70th Anniversary of D-Day observances on June 8. Learn more at www. battleshipcove.org or call 508-678-1100.

Dartmouth will celebrate its 350th birthday in 2014, and there’s a full schedule of activities and events. To get involved, go to www.dartmouth350.org, 350@town. dartmouth.ma.us, or call 508-984-1359.

Plan ahead for the Food Truck Fest at the Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro in June.

Go to www.capronparkzoo.com or call 774-203-1840.

Stroll through the 20th Annual Garden and Herb Festival at Tiverton Four Corners on May 24. The Greybeards will perform at the Meeting House on June 8. For details, visit www.tivertonfourcorners.org.

Head for the Trinity Church Strawberry Festival in Newport June 14, rain or shine.

Call 401-846-0660 or go to www.trinitynewport.org.

Don’t miss the Great Chowder Cook-Off June 7 at the Newport Yachting Center!

Visit www.newportwaterfrontevents.com or call 401-846-1600.

Say it ain’t so! There’s talk that New Bedford’s Whaling City Festival at Buttonwood Park may be moving to Fall River.

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Check out the Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Military Museum on New Bedford’s waterfront. An Exercise Tiger Memorial Service will be held April 27, and there’ll be a WWI Encampment May 3-4. Free, open daily. www.forttaber.org.

Don’t miss all the special events at the Whaling Museum in New Bedford! There’s a full schedule of activities for April vacation week, then there’s The South Coast Emerging Leaders Awards celebration on April 23 – and plan ahead for the Homecoming of the Charles W. Morgan June 28-July 6. For info, go to www.whalingmuseum.org or call 508-997-0046.

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Respect, dignity, patience and listening: the keys to helping

by Michelle D. Beneski, esq

F

red is 90 years, unmarried and lives alone. His niece, Claire, looks after him. Physically, Fred is fine. But mentally, Claire thinks he is “not as good as he used to be.”

Claire has noticed unpaid or overdue bills. When Claire questions him, he becomes very upset with her.

A concerned Claire called our office for help. She doesn’t know if he has done any estate planning. Claire believes Fred is competent to make decisions for himself. I explain to her that if he isn’t competent, she could seek conservatorship. The court might appoint her to manage his finances. If he is competent, there is nothing we can do unless he is willing to accept our help. Claire arranges for me to meet Uncle Fred.

When I meet Fred, I tell him that everything is confidential. He tells me that his eyesight is worsening so he can’t write checks out. He hasn’t told Claire because she treats him like a child.

I explain that everyone should have a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) and a Health Care Proxy (HCP). These legal documents ensure that Claire can take care of Uncle Fred when he is ill. He is still in charge of his own life. However, if Fred did not select a health care proxy or durable power of attorney, the court would do so for him in the event he was incapable of making decisions for himself. Gradually, he lets Claire help him more. Claire has learned that to help her uncle she has to be patient and respectful.

Here at Surprenant & Beneski, P.C. we primarily work with seniors Because of our experience, we often know whom to refer you and your loved ones to, in order to provide the best services. If you need help with an elderly family member, call Surprenant & Beneski, P.C. at 508-994-5200 for a consultation.

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific questions you should consult a qualified attorney.

Michelle D. Beneski is an Attorney at Surprenant & Beneski, P.C. For specific questions call her at 508-994-5200 or send an e-mail to mdb@nbelderlaw.com

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M ay / J une 2014

39

good times

Follow your heart Paul K andarian

So I’m having a discussion with a guy I know, a fairly well-off fellow in the financial sense, a sense I’ve never managed to have my six decades on the great cash globe known as planet Earth.

“So what’s your portfolio like?” he asked

in all earnestness.

I thought that since I’m a writer, he meant my writing portfolio, a sampling of the thousands of stories I’ve done over the past 33 years. I know artists have portfolios, those big leather things stuffed with artwork. Maybe that’s what he meant. The answer then would be “empty,” since I save nothing and rely on the magic of the Internet to find links to my stuff.

Instead I answered cleverly, and honestly, “My what?”

“You know, your holdings, your investments, stocks, that sort of thing,” he said with even more earnestness.

Ah, that portfolio. I knew what his plan was, of course, he was going to listen to my holdings, my investments, my stocks, that sort of thing, and then in hushed tone reveal to me the secret of it all, how to enhance my portfolio to make me comfortable, if not rich.

“Oh, well, my money’s tied up mostly in coffee and gas and real estate,” I answered confidently, and honestly.

“Oh, great, commodities are always a good bet and you can’t go wrong with land,” he said approvingly. “What sort of ratio do you have, what do you have tied up in each?”

“Simple,” I said. “About two bucks a day for coffee, depending on where I get it, probably $50 a week for gas and $800 in real estate each month. For rent.”

His smile faded. He knew he was being mocked. People with keen financial sense don’t like being mocked. The discussion of my portfolio was over before it gained any ground.

40

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes

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I’m 60 years old. I see ads on TV with good-looking, gray-haired people in great shape sitting on a beach, looking out over the ocean, pondering their retirement options, wondering if they’ll have enough money to maintain the lifestyle to which they are accustomed.

I do the same thing. I’ll sit on the beach, being a reasonably good-looking, grayhaired balding sort in pretty decent shape, and wonder if I’ll hit Starbucks later or Dunkin’ Donuts, and maybe stop at Cumberland Farms for gas where my Cumby’s debit card gets me 10 cents off per gallon, after which I’ll worry about paying the rent. This is the lifestyle to which I am accustomed. Suits me just fine.

My money’s tied up mostly in coffee and gas and real estate, I answered confidently, and honestly That’s my financial sense. Day at a time, I say. What the hell, it works for AA people, why not us fiscally impaired types as well?

I’m not sure who to blame for all this, if anyone. My grandfather on my dad’s side was a very frugal man, an accountant who knew the value of a buck. He’d buy in bulk to save money and was always there to lend us a few when we needed it. I say “lend” as if we paid him back. We never did. That’s one of many things that made him a wonderful grandfather.

My dad had limited financial sense. He

M ay / J une 2014

did well, we lived comfortably and never wanted for anything, but he never managed to save much, nor invest wisely. He was the sort who had real estate and sold it – at the precise moment real estate prices started to soar. He bought gold when it was low, and sold it when it started to rise – at the precise moment gold prices started to soar. He once owned a restaurant that specialized in chicken that was doing pretty well and sold it – it didn’t soar, but he always lamented that he would have been Col. Sanders had he stuck it out.

We’re good at what we’re good at, we do what we love because we love to do it. I’m a writer, and think I’m fairly good at it, but whenever a young person asks about getting into writing for a living, I ask them to define “living.” If it means getting rich and famous, owning multiple homes, driving fancy cars, going on talk shows to blather on about your latest bestseller, investing your fortune and diversifying your growing portfolio, forget it. Play the lottery. It has a better return on investment.

But if you want to lead a life worth living, if you want to get up daily and not dread going to a high-paying job you hate but doing something you truly love, something your heart is invested in, do it, do whatever it takes, go wherever your passion leads.

Just don’t expect to get rich. You may, of course, and more power to you if it happens. Just don’t count on it. Count on yourself.

Many choose careers because they were told they should, because they followed a path others thought best for them, because they listened to hearts other than their own.

I’ll probably die broke, but happy. And that makes my portfolio the richest of all.

Paul Kandarian is a lifelong area resident and has been a professional writer since 1982, as columnist, contributor in national magazines, websites and other publications.

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