FPA AUG 2023

“I truly believe that I’m a better person, happier and more content because of my caregiving years,” says Sarahbeth Persiani, the author of “Run, Walk, Crawl: A Caregiver Caught Between Generations.”

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AARP fighting to protect and save Social Security

By Mike Festa, state Director aarP Massachusetts

It’s another big birthday for Social Security. This month marks 88 years of the program. The Social Security Act was signed into law by President Roosevelt on August 14, 1935.

AARP has been fighting for 60 years— and will continue to lead the charge—to protect and save Social Security for current and future generations.

Social Security was created in the aftermath of the 1929 stock market crash and the Great Depression. It is based on the concept of social insurance: that individuals contribute to a central fund managed by the government, and this fund is then used to provide income to individuals when they retire or can no longer work.

Social Security is your money— you earned it through a lifetime of hard work. And for most people, it is essential for helping to cover daily living expenses and pay bills.

Social Security is funded by almost all of us. Current workers and their employers pay into Social Security through payroll deductions. The payroll deduction is a part of your FICA tax. Employers and workers each pay a tax of 7.65%—6.2% is for Social Security and 1.45% is for Medicare.

In order to qualify for Social Security, you or your spouse must have worked generally for at least 10 years and paid Social Security taxes. Annual payments will be larger the longer you wait to start collecting your benefits. You can begin receiving retirement benefits at age 62, but it will cost you.

If you claim Social Security at age 62, you’ll get 70% of the benefit amount calculated from your lifetime earnings. If you wait until full retirement age— in this case, 67—you’ll get 100%. If you delay taking your benefit past the full retirement age of 67, Social Security increases your benefit 8% a year until you hit 70. There’s no financial incentive to delay past age 70.

While many believe Social Security is going broke, Social Security will not run out of money, as long as workers and employers continue to pay payroll taxes. It’s a pay-as-you-go system: Revenue coming in from payroll taxes largely covers the payments going out.

Social Security does face longer-term funding challenges. For decades it collected more than it paid out, building a surplus that stood at $2.83 trillion at the end of 2022. But the system is starting to pay out more than it takes in, largely because the retiree population is growing faster than the working population and is living longer.

Without changes in how Social Security is financed, the surplus is projected to run out in 2034, according to the latest annual report from the program’s trustees. Even then, Social Security will still be able to pay benefits from incoming payroll tax revenue. But it will only be enough to pay about 80% percent of scheduled benefits, according to the latest estimate. If Congress doesn’t take action in the next 10 years to protect and save Social Security, your Social Security could be cut by 20%—an average of $4,000 a year. The last time Congress took major action to shore up Social Security’s nearly depleted reserves was 1983.

AARP will keep fighting to ensure hard-working Americans who pay into Social Security get the money they’ve earned. We’ll need your help as well. If you’d like to join us in this fight, send us an email to ma@aarp.org.

Mike Festa

WORCESTER – The Worcester WooSox game on June 25 made Polar Park a true “field of dreams” for one avid fan.

Cheers rang out as Alberta Fullem, a Marlborough centenarian, lobbed the opening pitch in the WooSox’s match against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

“It was tremendous,” said Fullem following a memorable first trip to Polar Park. “I certainly didn’t think anything like that would ever happen.”

At 101 years old, Fullem is no stranger to the spotlight. She turned 100 with great fanfare in 2022. A party, held at her longtime home, New Horizons at Marlborough, featured elaborate presentations from friends, multigenerational family members and public officials.

This year’s birthday celebration, in January, led Fullem to Boston, where she toured Fenway Park. Months later, she was delighted to receive the WooSox’s invitation to pitch. Her regular dining companions insisted on going to cheer her on, so New Horizons arranged for a van and driver.

“That was the best part,” said Fullem. “It was so special to have a group of friends there supporting me.”

Other highlights of the day included sitting in the president’s suite, where she met WooSox President Charles

Steinberg and Red Sox legend Dwight Evans.

“It was amazing — I looked over, and there was Dwight Evans standing right beside me watching the game,” she said.

Fullem closely follows the Red Sox,

faithfully recording each season’s team roster and statistics in a dedicated notebook. Currently, her favorite player is pitcher Chris Sale.

During the offseason, Fullem remains active as a frequent participant in New Horizons’ many social offerings

such as sing-a-longs, crafts, and culinary activities. She moved to the notfor-profit senior living community in 2009, following the death of her spouse of 65 years, Matthew.

Although initially hesitant to leave her marital home, she has since become an advocate for communal living.

The New York native enjoyed an early career as a secretary, working for the federal government at the Empire State Building and for the South African Trade Commission on Wall Street. She later married Matthew and raised three children.

Left: Alberta Fullem throws the opening pitch at the WooSox’s June 25 game against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Right: 101-yearold Alberta Fullem takes the field at Polar Park, Worcester.

It was amazing — I looked over, and there was Dwight Evans standing right beside me watching the game.

Alberta Fullem

ADHD in older adults may resemble early onset dementia

By colin MccanDless contriButing Writer

REGION – An estimated 10 million U.S. adults suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s a neurodevelopmental condition in which people can exhibit a variety of symptoms. This may include difficulty paying attention, impulsiveness, restlessness, problems focusing on a task, poor time management skills, poor planning and trouble coping with stress.

Causes are varied

Psychiatrist Dr. David Brendel, M.D., Ph.D., who runs a psychiatry practice in Belmont, explained that ADHD is caused by a “combination of biological vulnerabilities and likely some complex genetics. Plus environmental factors and various kinds of work tasks that are challenging for certain people’s brains.”

While people may be more familiar with childhood ADHD, Brendel, who specializes in treating ADHD and mood and anxiety disorders in adults, said the symptoms of adult ADHD resemble those in children, they just show up differently because of the contrasting roles and responsibilities.

“Adults tend to be in school. Col-

lege or graduate school. Or in jobs,” he explained. “Outside of the professional realm they’re involved in all types of other things at home like parenting or running a household.”

“So the tasks and the challenges are different—the dynamics in many ways are the same,” Brendel added. “People have difficulty with focusing and locking in on a particular task, such as read-

ing or writing a report, completing a work project, organizing schedules for their kids or organizing a household and keeping things together. When they’re multi-tasking, it can become extremely stressful and overwhelming.”

This can sometimes lead to serious anxiety, stress or depression and hamper work productivity or amplify the difficulty of juggling family responsibilities. Then other vulnerabilities an adult might have may begin to manifest themselves including eating disorders and substance abuse.

“This is one of the reasons why ADHD is comorbid—accompanied by other psychiatric conditions,” said Brendel.

Distinguishing among ADHD and aging-related diseases

For someone who wasn’t already diagnosed with ADHD in childhood or as a young adult, some symptoms of ADHD in adults over 50 may resemble those of early onset dementia, which besides being clinically confusing, can be concerning to loved ones. According to Brendel, there is an overlap in symptoms among ADHD and Alzheimer’s and dementia. With both, adults exhibit cognitive decline, hindering an individual’s ability to organize, plan and carry out tasks. However, there are differences as well.

Alzheimer’s and dementia cause forgetfulness and short-term memory loss, but a person with these conditions might not be as inattentive to specific tasks. ADHD is less about forgetfulness than performing tasks like reading without becoming easily distracted. It deals more with attentiveness.

“With Alzheimer’s the forgetfulness is pretty persistent across all situations,” he noted. “With ADHD, the symptoms tend to worsen with stress, more tasks and more challenging tasks. So, if it’s a new onset thing, if a person did not have ADHD symptoms before

50 and they did not have evidence of dementia before 50 it can be hard to distinguish.”

“That’s where clinical evaluation comes in,” Brendel emphasized. “If a person or their loved ones are starting to observe this, the best place to start is by bringing it up with a primary care doctor.”

Treatments include medication and counseling

The most effective medications in treating ADHD are psychostimulants including the methylphenidate compounds Ritalin and Concerta, and amphetamine salts like Adderall and Dexedrine. Brendel advised caution when using these medications. “Psychostimulants should be taken only as needed,” he warned. “If a person does not need an extra boost to deal with a challenging task it’s best to take days off it to avoid having the brain get habituated or develop a tolerance to the medication. And also create a risk of dependency or addiction.”

Psychostimulants can potentially cause side effects such as sleep problems, reduced appetite and weight loss, heart racing and nervousness. People over 50 with medical conditions like a heart condition should be careful. For most conditions a psychiatrist can determine if it’s safe to take a medication, but for further questions about medical comorbidities, Brendel recommended consulting with a primary care physician.

Other effective non-medication treatments encompass various types of counseling like cognitive behavior therapy and executive function, or ADHD coaching. An adult with ADHD can work with an executive function coach to establish systems or techniques to stay focused. It might entail using a smartphone calendar or apps to introduce structure and create accountability, ensuring tasks get done. Additionally, mindfulness techniques such as mindfulness meditation or controlled breathing exercises can help people “stay grounded in the moment,” according to Brendel, “and that can help train the mind to be in the present moment with equanimity and focus.” His practice offers all three treatments. “I really believe in very much a holistic approach that usually involves a combination of medications, executive function coaching and mindfulness work,” he said.

ADHD coaching and support groups

Jenna Knight, a certified ADHD coach and founder of Never Defeated Coaching, has been working on behalf of people with ADHD since 2004. Knight assists all age ranges, primarily women, but also parents of children with ADHD, to guide them in implementing success-

If a person did not have ADHD symptoms before age 50 and they did not have evidence of dementia before age 50, it can be hard to distinguish, says Dr. David Brendel, a Belmont psychiatrist.

Jenna Knight, a certified ADHD coach and founder of Mass.-based Never Defeated Coaching, has been working on behalf of people with ADHD for nearly 20 years.

ful, proven strategies to minimize the challenges of living with ADHD. Her oldest client is 71.

Knight’s motivation stems from the fact that she was diagnosed with ADHD at age 28 and has navigated the daunting disorder firsthand. Her symptoms include inattentiveness, impulsivity and hyperactivity. She initially self-medicated with drugs to cope but is now 27 years clean and sober.

Knight is a member of CHADD of Central Massachusetts, a nonprofit ADHD advocacy organization supplying education and resources to those affected by ADHD in communities. She also belongs to ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Association), an organization serving adults with ADHD. ADDA provides support groups, establishing a community for ADHD adults that helps with time management, planning and organizing and healthy habits.

When Knight was diagnosed, these resources weren’t available. “I didn’t know about coaching back then. And I had to learn strategies myself. I had no support,” she recalled. Knight researched ADHD extensively in the library, reading everything about it. The first title she read was “Driven to Distraction,” a seminal 1992 book about ADHD. “And I worked my way through it,” related Knight of her experience. “Through tears, frustration, anger. Until I finally got a handle on it.

Some days I don’t. Some days I do have my moments. But that comes with the territory.”

Knight eventually started working with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission as a learning disabilities and ADHD consultant. Her job was ensuring that services were being provided to this cohort. She helped launch a support group for adults with ADHD and learning disabilities and collaborated with MRC’s training department to create an ADHD and learning disabilities training for the vocational rehab counselors. “I’m very, very proud of those accomplishments and those collaborations that I did with my team,” proclaimed Knight.

Despite the progress, she still observed a gap in ADHD services. In 2010 she met a woman who was an ADHD coach and had an epiphany. By 2011, Knight had launched her own ADHD coaching business and has never looked back. “I’ve gotten testimony from many of my clients thanking me for changing their life,” she said.

ADHD misdiagnosis: A cautionary tale

It can be challenging to diagnose ADHD in adults because some of its symptoms resemble those caused by other mental health conditions such as anxiety or mood disorders. Knight cited this major overlap between ADHD and

other disorders like bipolar and anxiety. “That’s why people get misdiagnosed,” she said.

JP Amin, who asked to be identified with a pseudonym, was one of those people who got misdiagnosed, and it had devastating repercussions. Amin was misdiagnosed with ADHD in 2009 at age 36 and prescribed Adderall. He spent 10 years addicted before a hospital visit saved him. “I’ve lived through hell,” reflected Amin.

Prior to receiving the inaccurate diagnosis, Amin had a good job working in financial services and was married with children. But he was simultaneously dealing with irrational fears and crippling anxiety, including a fear of disappointing his wife and kids. What he didn’t understand then is that he was suffering from anxiety. “Unfortunately ADHD and anxiety go hand-in-hand,” noted Amin.

After his struggles began causing issues at home with his marriage, Amin saw a therapist. Following his third visit to the therapist, he was diagnosed with ADHD, and the therapist contacted his doctor, who prescribed him Adderall. He started out taking 20 milligrams. Initially it seemed to work. “I remember feeling like I was on top of the world,” he recalled. “It was the honeymoon period. Now I know what addiction is.”

A few weeks in he went to work feeling strong, almost euphoric. He

shared these feelings with his psychiatrist, who told him it must be working. The hospital would later tell him this was a red flag and that he should have been taken off Adderall immediately. His 20-milligram dosage increased to 30 after two months. Amin took Adderall until late 2019, when he was 46.

His wife is now his ex-wife. He eventually lost his job of 23 years in 2017. At one point he contemplated suicidal thoughts. All because of Adderall.

“There was a fire burning in my brain and it was like pouring gasoline on it,” Amin recalled. The drug took a tremendous physical toll on him. He would be sweating and rambling during job interviews and would shake uncontrollably in front of his family. Amin yelled and screamed and was not himself. He abruptly cut conversations short and dismissed loved ones’ concerns or advice. As his dependency on Adderall grew, he went through withdrawals and began drinking in the evenings, compounding the drug’s effects. He told his doctor about it and was advised to take Adderall later in the day.

On Dec. 1, 2019, a desperate Amin admitted himself into Harrington Hospital in Southbridge. To his dismay, he was told he didn’t have ADHD and didn’t need Adderall. Because of the addiction, Amin thought he couldn’t function without it. He met with a team ADHD | 9

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Author says caregiver experience made her happier and more content

By nance eBert contriButing Writer

MILLBURY – When Sarahbeth Persiani began writing about her experiences as a caregiver, she had no idea it would eventually turn into a book.

She is the author of “Run, Walk, Crawl: A Caregiver Caught Between Generations.” While this book is a memoir, it touches upon many themes with honesty and humor and is very relatable for anyone who has gone through the caregiving process. This book is a culmination of trying to make sense of a difficult experience— one which Persiani was ill-prepared to have.

Not a ‘how-to’ book

“I never wanted this book to be prescriptive,” she said. “There are a lot of caregiving books out there that are the ‘how-to.’ This is not one of them.”

“I share several themes throughout my book after my five-year journey of being the caregiver for my elderly father,” she explained. “He was not

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Persiani’s book was the winner in the Caregiving category for the 2023 Independent Press Award, and won a National Indie Excellence Award, Next Generation Indie Book Award, NYC Big Book Award and earned several other accolades.

ly members, hoping that would help with her young (at the time) daughter’s care while dealing with her father. It didn’t quite work out the way she hoped, and she became a caregiver to them as well. Both her sister and mother passed, and her father’s death followed. She was emotionally raw and drained.

“I resigned from a well-paying position that I loved,” said Persiani. “I didn’t know how to delegate tasks. I didn’t ask for help and this did not serve me well in the workplace. I wish I had been more transparent as to what I was going through before and after each workday.”

It is not common to research elder care until it becomes necessary. Many of us are naively going through our lives thinking that we will never be put in the situation of becoming a caregiver. When it is thrust upon us, it can be quite overwhelming. She mentions a few themes throughout her book, one being wellness.

Caregiver self-care and support is crucial

only suffering from congestive heart failure but dementia as well. I juggled many things from being a mom, wife, friend, daughter, full-time employee and more.”

When Persiani first began writing, it was not intended for a book. It was simply to help her process what she was experiencing. She thought this would be therapeutic and help to make sense of this difficult situation. She talks about several themes throughout her book. Looking back, there are things she wishes she had handled differently but hopes this book will empower the reader with her insight.

The challenges of caregiving

Being a caregiver is quite challenging and burnout is a real thing. You are typically given the task of dealing with a loved one and have no idea what that involves. There are countless hours on the phone with insurance companies, aides, therapists, doctors and others. This, in itself, can become a full-time job. If you are employed, and/or married with children, your relationships can suffer. There are only a certain number of hours in each day to tend to the needs of others. Once you become emotionally and physically drained, it is difficult to function properly and tend to the needs of others. Navigating all your obligations successfully becomes impossible.

Persiani moved from Natick to the Worcester area to be closer to fami-

“I wish people would do a better job of ‘seeing’ each other, whether a friend, colleague, clergy member or relative,” Persiani explained. “Nobody really stopped to notice me as I was falling to pieces. I was getting very little sleep and was weepy. I was always worried about my dad’s care.”

“I would have welcomed a friend or colleague’s honesty in letting me know that I looked like a mess with my shirt buttoned incorrectly and my hair uncombed,” she recalled. “I also should have done a better job setting boundaries with my family,” said Persiani. Another theme is the spiritual component. She found solace listening to an AM radio ministry station in the car that helped to bring her back to her faith.

Throughout writing this book, Persiani has learned a lot of lessons and while she wishes that she had gone about certain things differently, she was able to take back her narrative. Her book was released in 2020 and was the winner in the Caregiving category for the 2023 Independent Press Award, and won a National Indie Excellence Award, Next Generation Indie Book Award, NYC Big Book Award and earned several other accolades.

“Despite the period of heavy responsibility, the perspective and empathy gained makes it all worthwhile,” she said. “I truly believe that I’m a better person, happier and more content because of my caregiving years.”

To visit her website, go to www. wearesharingthesun.com.

Eight lesser-known triggers of high blood pressure

By sharon oliver contriButing Writer

REGION – Anyone dealing with high blood pressure (HBP) is at least mildly aware of the usual suspects, or causes, for spikes. Stress, obesity, dehydration, certain medications, and genetics are some, to name a few. However, what may come as a surprise to many are a few other factors. While it is important to stay on top of your readings, it is equally important to know what could be behind those increased levels.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects the body’s arteries. The force of blood against the artery walls becomes too high, causing the heart to work harder in order to pump blood. High blood pressure is one of the most common symptoms associated with heart failure, kidney failure, vision loss and stroke. Although symptoms like headaches, nosebleeds and shortness of breath could signal a rise in HBP, there are often no indications at all. Thus it has earned the nickname “the silent killer.” Below are eight things that can send those diastolic and systolic numbers soaring. Low diet of fruits and vegetables – Potassium, which is found in lots of fruits and vegetables, decreases blood pressure. It is suggested that men should have an intake of 3,400 milligrams of potassium per day while women should aim for around 2,600. As anyone who takes medication to help control HBP knows, doctors often stress the importance of limiting the amount of salt used in foods, especially since about 75% of sodium is already in many of

the foods we eat. Foods like bananas, beans, dried fruit, and potatoes are good sources of potassium. Air pollution – Believe it or not, exposure to fine particulate matter found from car exhaust and burning fuel, dust from construction sites and roads can boost blood pressure levels. This is according to a study led by researchers at the University of Michigan. Black licorice – Due to its glycyrrhizin content, this candy can cause the body to retain a large amount of salt and water which are known to cause potassium levels to fall and help blood pressure to rise. Some people even experience abnormal heart rhythms. Full bladder – A full bladder can raise blood pressure by 10 to 15 points. Sometimes circumstances like traveling by car with no rest stop in immediate sight can delay relief. However, when the urge to go arrives, go right away if possible.

Let

Hyperthyroidism – Hyperthyroidism is an endocrine disorder. Having too much thyroid hormone tends to speed up many bodily functions, including metabolism and heart rate, leading to a rise in systolic blood pressure.

Inactivity and isolation – According to a study conducted by Annalijn Conklin, an assistant professor at the University of British Columbia, 28,238 single adults between ages 45 and 85 with limited social activity were found to be linked to higher-than-average blood pressure.

Medications – As with anything, certain medications do not mix well with a laundry list of things with people often joking about how the side effects seem worse than the initial problem. Therefore, be mindful about what you ingest, especially when it comes to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which can raise blood pressure. While decongestants are tailored to give relief from the common cold, they can also raise blood pressure. Even herbal supplements like gingko and ginseng can be of concern. Lack of sleep – Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes a person to stop and restart breathing throughout the night which can cause a spike in blood pressure. Also, studies have discovered that lack of sleep or interrupted sleep can bump up blood pressure as well.

For tips on how to control high blood pressure, visit https://www.mass.gov/high-blood-pressure-prevention-and-control.

In addition to wellknown causes like obesity, high blood pressure can also be influenced by several lesserknown factors.

Author raises a ‘Ruckus’ with memoir of his Worcester days

By Maureen sullivan contriButing Writer

WESTBOROUGH – The distance between a young man’s introduction to love, and where he sat on a cloudy Saturday afternoon, was not far in distance – a half-mile, perhaps a bit longer.

In time, almost seven decades have elapsed. But for Aaron Richard Golub, that distance evaporates with a thought.

“That night, it’s indelible,” he said. Golub visited Westborough on June 3 to chat about his latest work, a memoir about his younger days in Worcester and beyond called “Ruckus.”

About a half-dozen people attended the event at Tatnuck Booksellers on Lyman Street. The visitors included Bob Kirsch, a member of the “Crazy Eight” gang that included Golub.

“The adhesive of childhood has kept us together,” said Golub.

Memories of his father Golub and the rest of the Crazy Eight grew up in the Green Street neighborhood. Golub’s father and uncle—both veterans of World War II— ran a grocery store.

In the book, Golub described how his father often cashed checks that were bad or forged, and how he tolerated shoplifters.

“Ex-convicts, prostitutes — my dad loved them all,” he said. “He was a born social worker … he was there to extend his generosity.”

Golub went to Rome recently and learned more about his father’s expe-

riences when the Allies liberated the city in 1944.

Charles Golub was directing traffic when a girl came up to him and said she was hungry. The girl brought him to a storage room where she was hiding with her father. Golub gave them some food and then broke the seal of the synagogue that had been placed there by the Nazis.

For this deed, the synagogue installed a plaque in his honor.

What he was, and what he became

As for his own experiences, Golub recalled a lot of fighting, anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination in his neighborhood.

“Worcester was a city divided between extreme wealth and mostly working class with a lot of condescension in between,” he said. “It was also a tough place with lots of contention between immigrants and native Americans.

“There were people from Italy, Poland and Russia … there’s a lot of crazy stuff that’s not in the book,” he added.

Golub himself was not what one may call an ideal student. He was kicked out of two high schools for misbehavior, and got beat up at another.

He took business courses while in college, but he wanted to become a lawyer as a way to “overcompensate” for his father’s job as a grocer.

“By becoming a lawyer, I could pull the entire family up and remove dad’s bloody butcher’s apron,” he wrote in “Ruckus.”

He would graduate from the law school at the University of North Car-

Challenges

C ommit your mind and body to achieving success

H ave absolute faith in your ability to achieve your goals at all costs

A lways be a positive thought collector

L earn to use your mind filter to protect your positive thoughts

L earn to give without expecting

E njoy life by developing your senses

N ever work for anyone but yourself

G ive others a reason to hear your story

E ducate yourself by communicating with those who can teach you the most

S piritually awaken yourself to the powers of the universe

Special thanks to Doug Cox for this motivational message

Josephine L. Veglia, Esq.

Richard Golub with a fellow member of the Crazy Eight, Bob Kirsch.

PHOTOS/MAUREEN SULLIVAN

Sponsored by Chief Joseph Robert J. Terkanian, P.O. Box 808 • Northborough, MA 01532

olina; he became a trial attorney in New York, and he built a clientele of celebrities.

Golub said he started writing while he was in court, awaiting proceedings.

His first book, “Feisengrad,” was published in 2010. In this work, a dystopian world is dominated by four streets—speed (where they traveled), dirt (where the poor people lived), power (Salisbury Street, where the rich people lived) and gold (where the business transactions took place).

One of the main characters, “The Dollar,” a man with a high IQ and equally high fondness for alcohol, was based on one of Golub’s college professors; he also figures prominently in “Ruckus.”

“He pushed me to accomplish certain things,” he said.

Golub said he wrote “Feisengrad” over a seven-month period at home.

He is also the author of a legal thriller, “The Big Cut.”

These achievements receive a passing mention in “Ruckus.” Golub said he decided to focus that book on what happened before he was 24.

This includes the girl he met on a hayride in Westborough—his encounters with Linda Paul become the thread that binds the story together.

“It took almost eight years to write, and that includes many years

when I didn’t type a word,” he said. “My 15-year-old son kept saying to me, ‘When are you going to finish “Ruckus”?’

“I was impelled to write it,” he said.

Richard Golub chats about “Ruckus,” his memoir about his early days in Worcester, during a visit to Tatnuck Booksellers in Westborough on June 3.

Parts of “Ruckus” could be called “Raucous,” especially his account of a cross-country trip with a school buddy. But other parts deal with heartbreak, frustration and some sadness.

There is also happiness—Golub

became a father late in life; his son, Darrow, is now a teenager with some acting under his belt.

That’s Darrow about to light a cigarette on the front cover of “Ruckus.”

He and his father now call New York City home. Someday, perhaps Darrow Golub would want to write his own memoir about his own childhood and whatever career he chooses.

In case he needs to jog his memory about something, Darrow Golub can consult the diary his father is currently writing.

With maybe his own “indelible” moment?

ADHD in older adults may resemble early onset dementia

ADHD | from page 5 of therapists and was given a choice to stop taking it. Five days off the drug he started feeling better. Amin attended group sessions and read other harrowing stories of Adderall addiction. He found particularly insightful information from adult ADHD author and educator Gina Pera’s blog “ADHD Rollercoaster,” whose entry “Madderall” examines the overprescribing of Adderall.

Amin underwent an intensive therapy and recovery program through the hospital.

After just two months of not using Adderall, Amin applied for four jobs and was hired for all four. He now works remotely in financial services. He believes Adderall is one of the most overprescribed drugs in the country. “I had a very successful career and then plummeted,” he said.

In October 2020 he shared a

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“Ruckus” is available at Tatnuck and other bookstores, as well as amazon.com. lengthy Facebook post explaining what happened. Amin hopes that no one else will endure what he did. “I never wish what it did to my family on anybody,” he said. His advice for those who are prescribed Adderall is to educate yourself on the drug. “If you can’t function without it and go through withdrawal symptoms, you shouldn’t take it,” he cautioned. “If you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, you really should see a mental health professional.”

PHOTOS/MAUREEN SULLIVAN

By sarah FreeDMan contriButing Writer

HUDSON – A Hudson resident reached a milestone and recently celebrated her 104th birthday.

Esther Folkes, whose birthday was May 10, celebrated on May 5 surrounded by her friends and family at Peter’s Grove. Rep. Kate Hogan and Hudson Senior Center Director Janice Long both presented Folkes with certificates of recognition on the occasion.

Folkes expressed her thanks to the people at Peter’s Grove and the senior center for being so kind.

New York beginnings

Although Folkes now has a large family that includes six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and five greatgreat grandchildren, her story began in Brooklyn, New York.

“When I say I grew up in Brooklyn, New York, you visualize tenements,” she said. “It was Flatbush.”

The house had a double driveway and a two-car garage, Folkes said. When she went back to Flatbush, the area had changed from houses to highrise buildings.

Her father had a garage and provided storage for well-to-do clients’ vehicles, who would call ahead for their car. Her mother, Adele, stayed at home and raised Folkes, who was an only child.

Her grandparents, John and Sarah Morrison, lived with them as well, and she “always went places” together with them.

Esther Folkes poses with Hudson Senior Center staff at her 104th birthday celebration on May 5 at Peter’s Grove.

John was a Civil War veteran who served as a corporal in charge of the Confederate prisoners on Harts Island in New York.

He was the last member of his post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and the grand marshal of the Memorial Day Parade in Brooklyn for the last five years of his life.

Folkes recalled getting “all dolled up for the day” and going to the parade with him. Reporters came to their house to photograph him as one of the remaining Civil War veterans of the time.

Folkes said, “He was still very young [after the war].”

He enlisted at 15, but when his mother found out, she took in washing to earn money to buy him out of the war.

“Guess what he did when he was 16?” she asked.

John served near the Rio Grande, which he called a creek, as he was from New York, which is partially surrounded by water.

“That was his remark: That river was nothing but a creek,” Folkes recalled.

Folkes went to public school in Brooklyn, and, after graduating high school, she married Warren Folkes Sr. when she was 20 years old. She had four sons, Jack, Warren Jr., Kenneth and Donald.

After World War II, her husband went to work for her father. Folkes remembered taking her oldest son, Jack, to the Macy’s Day Parade.

“It was Thanksgiving. It was the right time to take him to that parade,” said Folkes. “He was a little preschooler.”

She got Jack ready, and they rode the subway to see the parade. People lined the curb, she said, and it was hard to get a spot.

“Here’s how people were,” she said. “This woman said, ‘Let that woman with that child up here. … This is for the children.’”

Life in Massachusetts

Folkes and her family moved to Ashland in 1953, and she worked at the Red Coach Grill in Wayland for 20 years as a hostess until she retired in 1985 at age 66.

“I was what they called an executive hostess,” Folkes said. “You ran the dining room.”

As part of her job, she wore a red uniform with a velvet collar. The only time she could dress up was on New Year’s Eve, so her husband took a picture of her.

“It still looks the same when you go by it,” she said.

When her children grew up, she went to the local senior center and “made friends there.” Folkes is active in her church, the First Federated Church in Hudson, and she loves to cook, swim and bowl.

“I love line dancing, and I love bowling,” she added. “You know, those kinds of things.”

Her granddaughter Debbie DeGregorio said that Folkes has always been a great cook.

Folkes said, “When I was a little girl, my mother’s sisters would come visit, and they would congregate in the kitchen. And they’d be baking.”

Her aunts visited her mother from Connecticut and Long Island. Folkes loved watching them.

“I didn’t have siblings. I loved it when they came because they would be cooking all the time, and I loved to cook,” she said.

Even though Folkes said she does not cook as much now, DeGregorio said she made a stew for her great-grandson a year ago.

She was married to Warren for 49 years. When her husband died in 1988, she moved into Peter’s Grove the following year.

ENJOY YOUR LIFE!

DISCOVER IF A REVERSE MORTGAGE IS RIGHT FOR YOU!

1. Is your Social Security and savings paying you enough each month?

2. Do you find yourself wishing you had a few more dollars?

3. Are you delaying retirement for fear of running out of money?

4. Are house repairs or improvements breaking the bank?

5. Do you wish you had a cash safety net if ever needed?

6. Are you curious about a reverse mortgage but someone said they’re “bad”?

If you are 62 years old or older and fortunate to own a home with some equity, then a government insured reverse mortgage may be the solution to a better life. This is especially true with the upcoming recession and potential downturn in real estate values.

A Reverse Mortgage gives a qualified borrower the option to receive tax free cash up front, or a monthly check, or a line of credit to access cash when desired with NO minimum or required monthly mortgage payment.* A reverse mortgage has no impact to Medicare or Social Security benefits. You still own your home and can prepay without penalty.

“I have a house full of friends here,” said Folkes.

Ellie Scouras, who has known her for eight years, called Folkes an inspiration and a lot of fun.

“She’s a real pistol,” she said.

Anna Halliday, who has known her for 15 years, said she has always been a nice person.

“She’s never changed,” Halliday said.

Her secret to enjoying life is camaraderie and appreciating the blessings in life, even when she is frustrated with something.

“I love people,” said Folkes. “I have a good time with people.”

She gets letters from her greatgrandchildren and great-great children addressed to “Gigi Grandma Folkes.”

“I get a big kick out of that,” she said.

DeGregorio said, “One characteristic about grandma, and I think why she is so amazing at her age, is she is truly interested in everybody in our family and what we’re doing.”

If she has a big meeting at work, Folkes will ask how it went. Folkes also is interested in what her great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren are doing, like meeting a new friend.

Speaking to her storytelling abilities, DeGregorio said that Folkes will begin a story and think of a component of the story, and then circle back to the original story.

She said to Folkes, “You really are just amazing.”

Folkes laughed and replied, “I don’t know about that,” but DeGregorio insisted, “She is amazing.”

Top Uses of a Reverse Mortgage

• Be able to afford your home

• Increase your monthly cash flow

• Pay off a current mortgage

• Pay off credit cards

• Access to tax free cash

• Complete needed home repairs

• Reserves for unforeseen emergency life events

• Estate planning to protect a surviving spouse

• Downsize and purchase a new home

• Peace of mind knowing that cash is available if needed

• And, the list goes on! What are your needs and desires?

*Note — You are required to pay ongoing real estate taxes ad property insurance and meet other loan guidelines.

Take Action!

A great place to start is get your free “How to Use Your Home to Stay at Home” 36page book. This is the official reverse mortgage consumer booklet approved by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development and published by the National Council on Aging.

To receive your free copy, please call me at (781) 724-6221 or email at av@powhse.com

I am also available to evaluate your specific situation, answer your questions, and calculate how much money is available to you.

Alain Valles was the first designated Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional in New England. He obtained a Master of Science from the M.I.T. Center for Real Estate, an MBA from the Wharton School, and graduated summa cum laude from UMass Amherst. He is the senior reverse mortgage loan officer MLO#7946 at Powerhouse Funding Corp. NMLS #1740551. He can arrange but does not make loans. Alain can be reached directly at (781) 724-6221 or by email at av@powhse.com

Esther Folkes with her grandfather.

Esther Folkes with her sons Jack, Warren Jr., Kenneth, and Donald.

By sharon oliver contriButing Writer

REGION – Mindfulness. People are becoming more intentional, more mindful these days about what they eat, how they exercise, and other aspects of daily living. It is all for the purpose of focusing on their overall well-being and surroundings. So, how can one be mindful about aging and all that comes with it? Since aging is a process that cannot be stopped, many fear the possibilities of typical hindrances such arthritis and other physical changes in the body.

Accepting aging and its changes

Mindful aging does not mean denying getting older. Instead, it is a practice which quiets a fretful mind to focus on the actual benefits of aging. By the time most people reach their fifties, they think more about growing older and retiring. Changes in the body are noticeable, children are or are close to becoming young adults and out on their own. Some people begin to have anxiety about the future including dying alone. Other signs of worrying are feelings of loss of meaning or purpose and even a desire to keep up or compete with younger people.

As we age, there could be cognitive changes involving attention span, memory loss, and multi-tasking. Certain abilities can start a subtle decline once we reach our fifties or even forties. However, there is evidence to suggest mindfulness meditation can have a positive impact on attention, general cognition, and memory.

Aside from chronic health issues, physical changes like decreased muscle mass and loss of collagen occur as we age. Studies show that mindfulness can influence some physiological factors associated with aging. Benefits include decreased blood pressure, improved sleep, and a strengthened immune system.

There are benefits

Benefits of aging most often include wisdom gained from life experiences, having time to pursue long-delayed interests, travel, and enjoying moments with loved ones. Goddard House, located in Brookline, is not only an assisted living facility but offers virtual mindful aging classes to help individuals cope with changes. Also, through their Creative Aging programs, Goddard House empowers older adults living in the community to remain vi-

brant and socially connected.

Candace Cramer, President and CEO of Goddard House, stated, “Arts are really transforming when you have a culminating event at the end of a program or workshop where people can really see what you have done.”

There are emotional benefits to mindful aging as well. Mindfulness meditation can help us to enjoy the moment, embrace ourselves and our emotional states thus developing a sense of gratitude. Growing older is inevitable, but the approach to how we grow older is a choice.

Mindful aging exercises

• Begin by motivating yourself, whether through journaling, reading daily devotions or gratitude quotes. Incorporating gratitude into a daily routine can have a positive effect on a person’s mental and physical and health.

• Join a community social group. Several offer an array of activities including luncheons, fitness programs, language classes, art classes, various trips and so much more.

• Take time out of your day to smell the roses and soak in a little sunshine. Go on a walk. Pay attention to the sights, sound and smells around you. Stop to appreciate the moment.

• Try something new.

• Surround yourself with like-minded people, those who are transitioning through similar stages of life.

The point is to be intentional about your focus when it comes to aging. With time, we are able to let go of things that don’t matter and hold on to what does. You’re not over the hill, just able to get a closer view of it and to quote the old adage, “you’re as young as you feel.” At the very least, you can feel as young as you allow yourself to mindfully age.

Paying attention to the sights, sound and smells around you and stopping to appreciate the moment is one good mindful aging exercise.

By Marianne Delorey, Ph.D.

Iam a cis-gendered, white woman. As such, I feel it borders on disingenuous to write about aging from anything but this perspective. Even writing about aging is hard as a fifty-something woman with minimal health concerns or chronic complaints.

However, I feel I must try for a few reasons. First, I have a microphone. Not everyone does. I should use this microphone to amplify the voices of those who cannot be heard. Second, if I only write about the perspectives, needs, and views of cis-gendered, white women, I am missing out on sharing the thoughts of a very good portion of the population. Third, and perhaps most importantly, we all need to exercise our empathy, including me. Reading about, understanding, and imagining

aging as a trans person or a person of color will strengthen my empathy muscle.

And so, with caution, I start what I hope to be a series of articles about the “otherness” of aging. I am going to be wrong, so feel free to correct me. I invite you on this journey in part because I hope I am not alone. I am hoping that together we can offer more understanding to ourselves, families, and professional caregivers. Please write in to tell me about the categories of “otherness” that need to have the spotlight. Tell me who you are and what you have seen. Tell me how that has impacted your aging. Tell me what we can learn from you.

Let’s start our journey together with the majority/minority – men. Men make up 50% of the population, but since men die younger (on average), they only comprise about 45%

The ‘Otherness’ of aging SUPER CROSSWORD PUZZLE

of the population over 65. 73% of men live with their spouse. Men also have a higher median income than women in retirement. Already this means that men have better support in their homes than the average, but there is more to aging than the numbers.

Men also have more to lose. In terms of social status, men have had it all. As they age, more and more gets taken away until they are (as the Japanese describe) fallen wet leaves sticking to the feet of their retired wives. With retirement, they often lack a role and a primary source of meaning. Men are often still connected emotionally to their working lives and still think of themselves as an engineer, plumber, or pest control technician. According to one psychiatrist, upon retiring, men need to create a new routine or risk significant decline in their relationships and/or well-being.

The losses men face can be catastrophic. Older men have the highest suicide rate of all demographic groups. We will focus on this in the next article.

But there is hope. According to new research by Festini and Park, people who self-report as busier tend to have better processing speed, working memory, episodic memory, reasoning and crystalized knowledge. This includes people who are older.

This means that men were lied to. Men were told they could really start relaxing in retirement, but this is not true. Men were also discouraged from forming deeper relationships, another role that prevents people from premature decline. We stay active by being involved. It may not matter if you are sweeping your stairs or reading a book, just the mere act of being busy could keep you healthier. So, set new goals as you approach retirement. Find a hobby, pursue knowledge, spend time with your grandkids, stay relevant, help your neighbor, volunteer, get a part time job. It may not matter who you used to be. As you age, as Dory from Finding Nemo would say, “Just keep swimming.”

NINE FLEET

Answers on page 19

You should have seen who I used to be.

— Resident Johnny

Keep your eye on the hole, not just the doughnut

By Janice linDsay contriButing Writer

Physically, I was driving in the sunshine to New Hampshire, looking forward to a pleasant visit with my brother and his family. Mentally, I was slogging through the cold, lonely, oozing muck of self-doubt.

When you write as a freelancer, rejection is part of the job. Book publishers and magazine editors turn away more manuscripts than they can accept. But I had just received two major rejections and a minor one. Emotionally, my creativity ship was foundering in gloom ocean.

And, sure enough, along came a bumper sticker that reinforced the current low level of my self-esteem.

Plastered crookedly onto the back of the dump truck in front of me, a white sticker with red ink showed a sketch of a hound dog and advised, “If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.”

Good point, I thought. Forget about trying to run with the big dogs. Life is easier and safer on the porch. Stick with the day job. I imagined all those rejected hounds sprawled on the veranda, listening to their accepted brethren yowl and frolic in the fields.

Then, a tiny, questioning, mental porch puppy wobbled to her feet. She yipped, “Where do the big dogs come from, if all the little dogs stay on the porch?”

And that rebellious puppy grew, and grew, and began to howl against bumper-sticker bromides and conventional wisdom. “Everything I need to know I did NOT learn in kindergarten. How can I get used to the heat if I stay out of the kitchen? Sometimes people SHOULD sweat the small stuff, and besides, it is NOT all small stuff.

Maybe I’m okay and you’re okay, but what if we’re not? And chicken soup doesn’t cure anything, no matter how many for-the-soul books they write about it. And, furthermore, I do NOT intend to honk, even though I love Jesus!”

But this was getting me nowhere (except to New Hampshire). I stepped on the gas and passed that stupid truck.

I reflected more calmly.

Most the time, in spite of occasional rejection-induced gloomy spirits, I’m an optimist. I look on the bright side. I expect good things to happen. I count my blessings. And for most of my life, I’ve agreed with the verse that school children used to write in each other’s yearbooks: “As you travel down the road of life, whatever be your goal, keep your eye upon the doughnut, and not upon the hole.”

That’s me. Eye on the doughnut.

But that porch-puppy made me think.

grain of sand finds its way inside an oyster shell, it irritates the oyster. The oyster doesn’t think, “This thing is depressing and irritating as heck, but, oh well, it only bothers one tiny part of me. The rest of my feels pretty good, so I guess I’ll just look on the bright side and keep my eye on the doughnut.”

The oyster doesn’t think that. It gets busy and builds a sculpture around the sand: a pearl.

Consider Post-It notes. An inventive man who worked for 3-M sang in the church choir. He got tired of losing his place in his music book when his paper markers slid out. So he invented paper markers that don’t slide out.

The urge to make life better by creating something new doesn’t lie in a contented acceptance of what is, it lies in a restless inkling of what might be, but isn’t yet. Creativity doesn’t always lie in the doughnut. Sometimes it lies in the hole. And I’m pretty sure it doesn’t lie on the porch.

Worcester County sheriff thanks seniors with picnic

By evan Walsh contriButing Writer

SHREWSBURY – Seniors from across Worcester County gathered at Shrewsbury’s SAC Park for Worcester County Sheriff Lewis Evangelidis’s annual senior picnic on June 10.

The event, which dates back over 10 years, has been held drive-through style since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The seniors drove through the event in orderly lines, stopping at different stations to get their barbe-

cue boxed lunch, goodie bags, scratch tickets and many other exciting items distributed by event sponsors.

“It’s a special day where we get the chance to come together as a community,” Evangelidis told the Fifty Plus Advocate. “This is our way of saying ‘thank you for all you’ve done’ to the seniors and appreciate them in a special way.”

Evangelidis reiterated his love for the event in a press release from the sheriff’s office.

“The sherriff’s annual Senior Pic-

SENIORS

CONTRIBUTE TO THE UNDERSTANDING OF AGING AND COGNITION

Are you healthy and vaccinated, mentally active, and over the age of 65?

Schacter Memory Lab is looking for participants!

Contact jlindsay@tidewater.net The experiment explores effects of aging on cognition.

I considered the oyster. When a

nic is always one of my favorite events … Each summer, it is great to reconnect with friends and familiar faces from all over Worcester County,” he said.

Over 1,200 seniors attended, making the senior picnic the largest event of its kind in New England. Lines for the event stretched around

the park and almost into the street. Nearly 100 volunteers helped run the event, directing traffic, distributing food and handing out gifts to the event attendees.

Bette Shaheen and Elaine Ford— both residents of Shrewsbury—received an elaborate raffle basket from Evangelidis.

Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early, Jr. and Worcester County Sheriff Lewis Evangelidis pose with attendees.

PHOTO/EVAN WALSH

Know the limits of using urgent care centers

By DeBBie sPingarn contriButing Writer

REGION – With nearly two hundred urgent care centers in Massachusetts, many people have used these freestanding medical care facilities from time to time. Urgent care centers, distinct from hospital emergency rooms, are open on a walk-in or appointment basis rather than emergency access, often through a 911 ambulance ride directly to a hospital ER.

Urgent care centers offer various services and are regulated by a wide variety of regulatory agencies, including the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Board of Medicine or hospital-affiliated boards. The type of access varies from appointments needed to walk-in services. Most urgent cares offer basic diagnostic procedures like X-rays, EKGs, blood tests and Covid tests, but advanced diagnostics are typically not available.

Hours of operation are limited and staffing varies

Elaine Adjemian, 70, of Norwood, sought out a local urgent care center on the night before Thanksgiving of 2022. At 7:30 p.m., upon arriving at the facility, Adjemian was told the facility was closed. However, the website indicated a closing time at 9 p.m., so Adjemian requested to be seen, as she had a high fever and cough. After a conversation with a representative at the door, Adjemian was turned away with no referral as to where to go. At the time, the waiting room was empty and Adjemian requested that she be seen but was again turned away.

Janet Harish Bartony, also of Norwood, also experienced hours of operation at the same facility that did not match what was listed on its website. She admits when it comes to urgent care centers, she “hates them,” and feels the hours of operation are sometimes misrepresented. Another nearby urgent care closes as early as 4 p.m. on weekends. Yet another requires advance appointment scheduling online and may be booked days in advance.

Urgent care facilities are sometimes not staffed by a medical doctor. One urgent care chain with many centers across the state, reputedly staffs its centers primarily with PAs (Physician Assistants). Despite having MD clearly displayed in its name, no MDs are allegedly on site at its centers. A call and email message regarding this issue sent to the corporate headquarters of this chain did not receive a response.

Conditions treated

According to Samantha Wulff, spokeswoman for the Urgent Care

Association, with headquarters in Batavia, Ill., of which many Massachusetts facilities are members, her organization is committed to Antibiotic Stewardship in Urgent Care, which monitors heavy use of antibiotics. Overuse of antibiotics is noted at urgent care centers and is a public health problem. Although the name “urgent” in urgent care suggests these facilities can treat emergency conditions, any potentially life-threatening issue (chest pain, severe pain, falls, heart conditions or other ailments common in over age 50 individuals) should be treated by calling 911 or heading to a hospital emergency room rather than a walkin urgent care center.

Urgent is not the same as life-threatening. Examples of urgency may be a mild burn or cut, pain in the ear, urinary urgency, cough, fever, congestion or mild pain. It should be noted that mental health conditions are not able to be treated at any urgent care facility.

Urgent care centers use the word urgent in their names. Older individuals, who may not use the internet, could have no way to access information about types of illnesses or injuries treated, as well as hours of operation, as the two Norwood residents, both over age 50, attested. Older individuals may have trouble using a smartphone or computer and have no access to information on the Web. This issue has become more prevalent as urgent care centers continue to grow in response to long waits at hospital emergency rooms. However, the hospital ER may be the best treatment choice and truly represents the word “emergency.”

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Despite the name, urgent care centers are not suitable for life-threatening conditions.

Urgent care centers, distinct from hospital emergency rooms, are open on a walk-in or appointment basis rather than emergency access.

By nance eBert contriButing Writer

REGION – Going to the grocery store, especially over the past year of high inflation, has created a lot of angst for many shoppers simply trying to feed their families. Everything from eggs, produce, fruit and more are substantially more expensive than ever before. There is, however, a way to save money by re-thinking the way we look at some of these items.

A new perspective

We have been conditioned to look at an apple and only buy one that is brightly colored and perfectly round. Vegetables are sought after as well if they look magazine-worthy. If we can simply look at fruits and veggies that are imperfect or misfit, and understand that their nutritional content is the same, you can, in turn, save money on your weekly grocery bill.

There are subscription companies that have become quite popular for those seeking to save money. Many of these have dubbed themselves “Ugly Produce Companies” and offer their customers the ability

to help reduce food waste while saving money at the same time. Some of these include Hungry Harvest, Imperfect Foods, and Misfits Market. Each offer their customers a healthy array of produce with home delivery right at your doorstep. Some charge a membership fee while others offer this subscription as a free service.

Companies in this category

Founded in 2015, Imperfect Foods is a grocery delivery service that provides imperfect produce with 100 percent recycled boxes and donates to food banks each week. There is no minimum cost to order, and they offer a selection of box sizes to choose from as well as regular and organic items. Meat, fish,

eggs, dairy and more can be customized for each order placed. Its delivery area covers Texas, Louisiana, and the West Coast as well as the Northeast. The average price per box is $11 to $30 per box with a delivery fee of $5.99.

Hungry Harvest has a slightly smaller footprint and delivers both organic and regular produce as well as bread to eight states currently. These include Washington DC, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Michigan, Florida, Maryland and Virginia. It allows you to customize your order and note items that you do not ever want included. You are also able to select different box sizes that can feed from one to seven people. Each order does incur a shipping fee of $15.

“I signed up for Misfits a few months before the pandemic shutdown and boy, was I glad I did,” said Stephanie Shulman of Bolton. “It kept the fresh fruits and vegetables coming in when no one wanted to go out to a store. The selection was good, the prices were great and organic is always my preference and that was their focus, so it was a perfect fit. It also feels good to be rescuing something that might otherwise go to food waste.”

Subscribing to one of the less-than-perfect food companies offers you the opportunity to both save money and help reduce food waste.

By sharon oliver contriButing Writer

REGION – Vegetables come in all sorts of forms, sizes and colors and are packed with vital nutrients. Red beets, yellow squash and orange carrots have their place, but it is the dark green leafy vegetables that are considered to be one of the most nutritious foods needed in our diet. Chock full of minerals and vitamins, this superfood group is so important that even your body may show signs suggesting there is an inadequate amount of leafy green consumption.

Symptoms of inadequate consumption

One such sign could be constipation, which is difficulty passing stools or infrequent bowel movements. Low in calories, rich in dietary fiber and loaded with vitamins, folate and iron, leafy greens promote better digestion. “Gut health is this sort of all encompassing, kind of de-

Save on groceries | from page 16

Misfits Market works directly with farmers to supply high quality organic produce that might look a bit imperfect to its customer base. It was founded in 2018. While its mission statement and business model are like Imperfect Foods, with its high-end pantry staples, customizable boxes, eggs, seafood and more, they are more widely available. Misfits Market delivers to forty- nine states and are happy to serve its customer base whether you are in an urban or rural area. They do have a minimum order of $30 as well as a shipping fee of $6.99. As a customer, you can order pet food, meat, fish, ugly fruits and vegetables, snacks, plantbased alternatives and even wine. Misfits Market has gained popularity and

terminate of overall wellness,” said Jen Belanger, a registered dietician in Belchertown. “It’s linked to so many chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes and even mental health issues like depression, anxiety and even schizophrenia and Parkinson’s.” When

asked what foods are important for gut health during an interview for Mass Appeal, Belanger replied, “Fiber is huge.” She added, “Something like IBS or constipation could be signs that your gut health may not be where it should be.”

Symptoms like fatigue, slow wound healing and weakened immune function could be a sign of vitamin deficiency, another possible indication of low leafy green intake. Dark leafy greens are a major source of iron and magnesium, which are crucial for maintaining energy. Since these greens contain antioxidants and phytochemicals, skin issues like dry, dull complexions could possibly be the result of a low consumption of dark leafy greens.

A wide variety to choose from Here is a short list of some healthy greens to consider adding to your daily meal plan.

Beet greens – Beet greens are great for the immune system and are an excel-

lent source of potassium.

Broccoli rabe – Broccoli rabe is a flowering leafy green that tastes like a mixture of mustard greens and broccoli and is a good source of vitamins A, C, folate and magnesium. Broccoli rabe is also rich in sulfur-containing compounds called glucosinolates, which contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

Collard greens – Collard greens are a good source of calcium and vitamins A, B9 (folate) and C. It is also one of the best sources of vitamin K, which is known for its role in blood clotting and may contribute to the reduction of inflammation.

Kale – Kale is rich in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, particularly vitamins A, C and K and is best eaten raw, as cooking reduces some of the nutritional profile of the vegetable. It’s also a favorite for use in smoothies and is available all year round.

Microgreens – Microgreens are immature greens, which are flavorful and packed with nutrients like vitamins C, E and K. Microgreens are often used as a garnish or for decoration.

it’s easy to see why.

“Ugly produce is worth a second look. If it’s just a bruise, that’s a surface blemish and you can just cut it off and the rest of the vegetable or fruit is completely fine. If it’s imperfect just because the shape is weird, it’s still fully edible,” said Linda Ly, founder of Garden Betty.

Big savings and less food waste

Another way to save on groceries is to buy directly from local area growers. Typically, farmer’s markets are a great way to get delicious produce and other food items. Because local farmers do not have to adhere to appearance standards like chain grocery stores, some of their fruits and vegetables might look a bit imperfect or ugly. The taste, howev-

er, will leave you smiling.

Saving big and letting less food go to waste

According to the Misfits Market website, “We can offer such great pricing on high quality groceries because of inefficiencies within the food system. It’s a sad fact but nearly half of what gets harvested never gets eaten. In order to fight food waste, we partner directly with farmers and makers to ensure any excess food never goes to waste. Instead, folks like you get to have it delivered at up to 40 percent off grocery store prices.” All of the food is delivered (depending on the season and temperature) with protective packaging, compostable bags, ice packs and more to ensure freshness.

Spinach – Popular as an ingredient tossed in salads, spinach is a great source of folate, which may prevent neural tube defects during pregnancy, such as spina bifida. Raw or cooked spinach is an excellent source of lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that may decrease the risks of age-related eye diseases.

Swiss chard – Rich in minerals and vitamins, such as potassium, manganese and vitamins A, C and K, Swiss chard has a unique flavonoid called syringic acid, a compound that may be beneficial for lowering blood sugar levels.

Turnip greens – The green leaves from this vegetable contain more nutrients than the turnip itself, including calcium, manganese, folate and vitamins A, C and K. Studies have found that they may reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, and inflammation.

Leafy green vegetables are considered to be one of the most nutritious foods needed in our diet.

The Massachusetts man who created America’s doughnut habit

By DaviD Wilkening contriButing Writer

QUINCY – Some reports of his death claimed Dorchester native William Rosenberg created a national habit: making a morning stop for coffee and doughnuts. That may be somewhat of an exaggeration or oversimplification. But there’s no questioning other facts of Rosenberg’s life. His life story was a classic comfort tale of “rags to riches.” He lived and fulfilled what was called the American Dream. He died on September 22, 2002, of bladder cancer at the age of 86 at his home in Mashpee.

By all accounts, the typical American breakfast when Rosenberg was starting out was the standard bacon, eggs, toast and coffee―and usually eaten at home. At the very least, he created the stop-forcoffee-and-donuts habit, in the city of Quincy just south of Boston, where a remodeled version of his very first Dunkin’ Donuts still greets customers.

The “rags-to-riches” story is a common one― at least the Hollywood version. That story is mostly a “fairy tale,” according to research from the Pew Charitable Trusts. The stunning successes are rare―making Rosenberg’s story even more noteworthy.

Rosenberg in his autobiography referred to the American Dream, which has various definitions.

Newly Remodeled Apartments with a contemporary flair

The most common version is someone achieving success “with luck and pluck” against overwhelming odds against it.

A struggling immigrant family

He was born in Boston in 1916, one of four children of Nathan Rosenberg, a grocery owner, and his wife Phoebe. Both parents were Jewish-German immigrants from Prussia. He grew up in Dorchester and was educated in public schools. Financial conditions forced him to leave school by eighth grade to help support the family, who lost their store during the Great Depression.

In his autobiography he recalled a childhood with few niceties but ample supplies of family, friends and food. A favorite memory was the weekly trip to the Faneuil Hall marketplace to buy

Entrepreneur William Rosenberg, founder of Dunkin’ Donuts, entered the workforce at age 14 during the Great Depression to help support his family.

I don’t know if Bill Rosenberg would recognize his own concept … but I am convinced he would be pleased.

Adam Goldman

wholesale goods from farmers, fishermen and butchers. There he encountered the “biggest nickel jelly donuts you ever saw...it was fantastic,” he recalled 80 years later.

Early ‘menial’ jobs prepared him for doughnut empire

He worked at various jobs, such as a delivery boy for Western Union. At the age of 17, he started working for Simco, a company that delivered ice cream from refrigerated trucks. He quickly rose from delivery boy to national sales manager at the age of

21. After working for Bethlehem Steel in Hingham during World War II, he borrowed $1,000 to add to his $1,500 in war bonds. Using his knowledge of meal delivery service, he started a company to deliver snacks and coffee break sandwiches to factory workers in Boston. Within a short time, he had 200 catering trucks, according to several biographical accounts. He quickly noted that 40 percent of his revenues were from doughnuts.

In 1950 he opened his first Dunkin’ Donuts, named for offering a “quick bite” in Quincy. For two

decades, it was primarily known for good coffee and doughnuts. There were initially only five doughnut choices. Later the menu expanded to other items that it is known for today. It was not until 1978 that the first major menu change occurred with the addition of muffins. Within five years, Dunkin’ Donuts had six locations and Rosenberg began franchising the business to expand its reach in the marketplace. His partner in the shop, Harry Winokur, got his own start by selling doughnuts on the streets of Boston, according to a company history. Winokur went on to found the Mister Donut chain, which was eventually acquired by the company that owned Dunkin’ Donuts.

In the early 1960s, Rosenberg also founded a fast-food chain called Howdy Beefburgers in Massachusetts. It was based on the TV show “Howdy Doody.” It grew to 27 locations in New England, but by the late 1970s all of them had been closed or sold to competitors like McDonald’s and Wendy’s.

Dunkin’ Donuts over to his son Rob ert in 1963. But he remained active with the company in management

issues and on the board until it was sold to a British food conglomerate in 1990. Today, there are over 12,000 locations (now called simply, Dunkin’ to reflect its menu expansion beyond doughnuts) in over 40 countries.

In his later years, Rosenberg became a philanthropist, particularly involving hospitals, perhaps inspired by surviving a bout earlier in life with lung cancer and also suffering from diabetes. In 2001, the year before he died at age 86, he published his autobiography, “Time to Make the Donuts: The Founder of Dunkin Donuts Shares an American Journey.”

One U.S. franchise owner in New Jersey, Adam Goldman, was questioned in Independent Joe Magazine, a publication for Dunkin’ franchise owners, on whether its founder today would recognize the chain with its diverse product offerings.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t hear a customer asking if it’s too late

The first Dunkin’ Donuts location opened in 1950 in Quincy, and despite numerous renovations over the years, it remains open around the clock today.

Colony Retirement Home III is congregate housing for seniors. Enjoy nutritious “Home Cooked Meals,” served in our attractive dining room with your neighbors and friends.

All apartments at Colony Retirement Homes receive rental assistance through the HUD section 8 program. Rent is 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Rent includes all utilities except phone and cable TV. Call Monday thru Friday, 9am to 5 pm for more information.

Colony Retirement Homes I are garden style studio apartments, located in a country-like setting. A short walk takes you to shopping centers, banks, restaurants and the bus line. A little bit of the country adjacent to the city.