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Senior Life

Enjoying the Golden Years in the Adirondack Region • Winter 2016

INSIDE:

Silent but Deadly

Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States

News & Notes

Community Friendship Volunteer Program added to Essex County Retired Senior Volunteer Program

Pictured: Verna Facteau enjoys bingo at the Ticonderoga Senior Center.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

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2 | Winter 2016 • Senior Life

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Tips for recognizing and avoiding financial scams Provided by Ticonderoga Federal Credit Union

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inancial scams are on the rise, and, unfortunately we are not immune to them in our area.

These scams could cost you thousands of dol-

lars.

Be Aware!

There are many variations of financial scams. It could start with someone offering to buy something that you advertised for sale, pay you to work at home, give you an “advance” on a sweepstakes you’ve supposedly won, or pay the first installment on the millions that you’ll receive for agreeing to transfer money from a foreign country to your bank account for safekeeping.

Whatever the pitch, the person may sound quite believable and if they have forwarded you a check – it may appear very real.

Have you received a check recently that you are considering cashing or depositing into your credit union or bank account?

If you can answer “yes” to any of the following ques-

tions, you could be involved in a fraud, or about to be scammed.

Is the check from an item you sold on the internet, such as a car, boat, jewelry, etc.?

Is the amount of the check more than the item’s selling price?

Did you receive the check via an overnight delivery service?

Is the check connected to communicating with someone by e-mail?

Is the check drawn on a business or individual account that is different from the person buying your item or product?

Have you been informed that you were the winner of a lottery that you did not enter?

Are you being asked to pay delivery fees or taxes in advance of winning a sweepstakes prize?

Have you been instructed to either wire, send, or ship money as soon as possible to a large U.S. city or another country such as Canada, England, or Nigeria?

Have you been asked to pay money to receive a depos-

Be suspicious of e-mails, texts, mail or phone calls that ask for your personal information, especially your financial information.

Members of the Schroon Lake Senior Citizens Club recently attended the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra concert, held at the Glens Falls High School. The group went out for dinner following the concert.

it from another country?

Are you receiving a commission for facilitating money transfers through

your account?

Did you respond to an e-mail requesting you to confirm, update, or provide your account information?

Has someone begun a friendship with you over the internet and is now asking you to send money?

Don’t deposit it, report it! Tell your credit union or bank immediately if you suspect a fake check scam.

Ultimately, you are responsible for the checks you cash or deposit, even if you have withdrawn the money.

Just because you can withdraw the money doesn’t mean the check is good, even if it is a cashier’s check.

It can take weeks for the forgery to be discovered and a fraudulent check to bounce. It’s important to partner with your credit union or bank and be forthright about the circumstances of your transactions.

Also, be suspicious of emails, texts, mail or phone calls that ask for your personal information, especially your financial information. If you suspect something might not be authentic, do not respond to their request and contact the company directly.

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Senior Life • Winter 2016 | 3

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RSVPÊ NewsÊ &Ê Notes

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Dar getting ready for the lunch crowd at Ticonderoga Nutrition Pro- Gayle Wells, Essex County RSVP Volunteer Coordination working at her desk. gram.

Ladies playing bingo before lunch at the Ticonderoga Nutrition Program.

ssex County RSVP is very excited to be partnering with Eastern Adirondack Health Care Network, Mercy Care for the Adirondacks, and Office for the Aging of Essex County in the planning process of adding The Community Friendship Volunteer Program to our already existing programs.

The Community Friendship Volunteer Program will help seniors stay connected to their communities through visiting, outings and socialization. This wonderful new program will pair up a volunteer with a senior individual in need of a friendly visit.

Other things the volunteer might do would be give a ride to purchase groceries and prescriptions, go to medical appointments, take them to visit a loved one, run errands, etc. Training will be provided.

This is just in the beginning stages of planning, so look for an update in the next issue of Senior Life.

At this time, there is a huge need for volunteers at the Town of Keene Meals on Wheels Program. If you think you may enjoy helping out please call 546-3565 for more information.

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program has fun and rewarding volunteer opportunities to suit everyone.

Do you have an hour or more a month to spare? As always we have a variety of programs and are constantly looking for new volunteers, or to reinstate an inactive volunteer. If you are 55 or over and would like to make a difference in your community, we would be pleased to sign you up to become an RSVP volunteer in Essex County.

To contact us about RSVP volunteer opportunities please call Gayle at 546-3565 or email: rsvp@logical. net. We value all our volunteers and hope to hear from you.

As a side note: It’s that time of year again. Tax time. The Free Tax aid sites are: The Hague Community Center, North Country Community College (Ticonderoga Campus) and The Lake Placid Public Library. Please call the RSVP office with any questions.

4 | Winter 2016 • Senior Life

FunÊ &Ê Games

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Valentine’s Day ACROSS 1. Often follows “taken” 6. Common inquiries 9. Tibetan monk 13. Shakira’s soccer-playing partner Gerard 14. Down Under bird 15. Female fox 16. Greyish brown 17. *Romantic destination 18. Unable to move 19. *Valentine and the like 21. *a.k.a ____ Awareness Day to some 23. Found on grass some mornings 24. *Lover of Aeneas 25. *Special celebratory drink 28. Preakness, e.g.

30. Release of gas 35. Baker’s baker 37. “In the ____” by Village People 39. Sound of battle 40. “Nana” novelist 41. West African storyteller 43. ____-do-well 44. *Keep nuptials a secret 46. Alternative to truth 47. German mister 48. Nine voices, pl.

50. Seaside bird 52. Chester White’s home 53. Lack of clarity 55. Workout unit 57. *Woo 61. *Popular Valentine shapes 64. Defendant’s excuse 65. Cook’s leaf 67. Torn down 69. Imitate 70. Grave acronym 71. Treeless plain 72. *Chaucer or Poe 73. Sierra Nevada, e.g.

74. An end zone is 10 of these

DOWN 1. Address abbreviation 2. Objectivity preventer 3. Greenish blue 4. *Expert archer?

5. More keen 6. Come clean, with “up” 7. Unit of electric current 8. To some degree 9. End of “traveling” 10. Figure skating jump 11. Mother in Provence 12. “Hardworking” insects 15. Relating to wine

20. Nasality in speech 22. *Words of commitment 24. Stray from the accepted 25. *Rose amount 26. Convex molding 27. Cantaloupe, e.g.

29. *Form of greeting 31. Hyperbolic tangent in math 32. Songs sung by three or more voices 33. Deflect 34. *”Love means never having to say you’re ____” 36. Back of neck 38. Bygone era 42. To the point

45. Like Thai cuisine, e.g.

49. Cul de ____ 51. Just about 54. Monochromatic equid 56. ___-____-la 57. Freeway exit 58. Hodgepodge 59. Play charades 60. Slightly 61. Hoopla 62. Russian autocrat 63. *Seal with a kiss and do this 66. Be ill or unwell 68. “____ and don’ts”

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Senior Life • Winter 2016 | 5

Fun & Games

Longtime Moriah clerk set for retirement Elaine Adkins worked for Moriah since 1999

By Keith Lobdell

keith@suncommunitynews.com

PORT HENRY — After 16 years in public office, Moriah Town Clerk Elaine C. Adkins has headed into the private sector as a retiree.

Adkins started at the town office is 1999, when she served as a deputy town clerk before moving into the town clerk chair in 2002.

“I like the job and I like the people,” Adkins said. “I have enjoyed working for the Town and it has been a pleasure serving the community. I will miss working with everyone here including all the departments. You can’t ask for a better bunch of people to work with. It’s been great working with Tom Scozzafava and the town board, they have been terrific to work for.”

Adkins said the thing she will miss most are the people she comes in contact with through her service.

“You get to do a lot of different things and meet a lot of different people,” she said.

“It never got boring.”

Adkins said she looked forward to seeing where the new chapter in her life would take her.

“I knew I was not coming in,” she said of that day. “I am looking forward to seeing more of the grandchildren and doing a little traveling.”

Uihlein Living Center employees Amy Winch and Judith Geesler volunteered at the Marina Thrift Shop with Betty Jean Trantham and Judy Grimard. The group, among other staffers, volunteered with community organizations this holiday season instead of participating in gift exchanges.

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Silent 6 | Winter 2016 • Senior Life

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but

DEADLY

By Tresa Erickson

ItÕ s quietÉ itÕ s deadlyÉ itÕ s heart disease, the number one killer of women in the United States. Approximately 500,000 women die from heart disease each year, yet according to a survey conducted by WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, more women are concerned about breast cancer than heart disease.

Many in fact are surprised when they are diagnosed with it. The disease is quiet, so quiet that some of those who have it donÕ t even know it. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce your chances of developing heart disease.

Start with your diet. Keep a journal of what you eat for one week and then sit down and analyze it. How much fat do you consume? Your fat caloric intake should not exceed more than 30 percent of your total diet in a weekÕ s time. What kind of fats do you consume? Keep saturated fats to a minimum and make sure you include some polyunsaturated fats in your diet, such as those found in margarine or cooking oil.

tein. You shouldnÕ t eat more than six ounces of protein per day. Although a good source of protein, egg yolks are high in cholesterol. Keep the cholesterol down by substituting whole eggs with one egg yolk and two or three egg whites, depending on the number of eggs called for.

Watch your salt and sugar intake. High salt intake can lead to hypertension, a precursor to heart disease. Think twice before reaching for the saltshaker and try to limit your consumption of processed foods, which usually contain a lot of salt. Although sugar isnÕ t directly related to heart disease, a diet high in it often translates to a diet high in calories and low in complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Grab a banana or apple instead of a snack cake.

Eat a variety of foods and pay atten- Choose healthier foods when shoption to portion sizes, especially pro- ping, cooking or eating out. Look

for words that might signal a food is high in fat, such as Ò buttered, fried, creamed, au gratin or scalloped.Ó Purchase the reduced-fat, low-fat or fat-free version of your favorite foods.

Be wary of the calorie count, though.

Some foods may be low in fat but high in calories. If possible, ask that any dressings or sauces be put on the side when dining out and replace ingredients high in fat and calories with reduced versions when cooking.

Pay attention to your weight. Eat healthy and exercise regularly to maintain your weight. If you are overweight, do your best to shed the extra pounds. Stay away from fad diets, though. They are dangerous and any weight you lose will probably return as soon as you stop the diet. Remember, the best way to lose weight is through proper diet and exercise.

These are just some of the measures you can take to reduce your chances of developing heart disease. If you feel you are at risk, speak to your doctor and find out what else you can do. Treat your heart right and keep it beating strong.

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8 | Winter 2016 • Senior Life

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March is Women’s History Month About Women’s History Month

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omen’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981, when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28, which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.”

Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987, after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.”

Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.”

From the Law Library of Congress’ guide to the legislative history of Women’s History Month

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Anne LaBastille

hile Anne LaBastille dedicated her life working to raise awareness to reduce the human footprint on nature, after she died, she left a giant one on the hearts of just about everyone.

The Wadhams-based author and ecologist passed away in 2011, having been an award -winning writer and Adirondack Park Agency Commissioner.

Friend Leslie Suprenant said she was also an important role model for women facing challenging circumstances in life. Former neighbor Rose Chancler said LaBastille, inspired an entire generation of women with her do-it-yourself attitude paired with a profound passion for conservation and education.

Although LaBastille chose to make home base a tiny log cabin without electricity or running water — it was donated to the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake last year — the New Jersey native frequently traveled the world to bring awareness to environmental degradation and to help create wildlife preserves, including pioneering work in Latin America.

Photographer Mark Bowie first learned of the local hero after reading a National Geographic spread in the early-1970s.

“The three iconic looks of the Adirondacks,” he said. “They really wanted to show the landscape Anne had helped preserve and had a large influence on her.”

LaBastille’s memory also lives on in the Woodswoman Memorial Scholarship at Cornell University and in the Adirondack Writing Center’s Anne LaBastille Memorial Writer Residency Program.

Grace Hudowalski

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ast year, the summit formerly known as East Dix was renamed to honor the first female to summit the 46 tallest peaks within the Adirondack Park.

A team of Adirondack 46er Club members worked hard to get a peak named in honor of Hudowalski, one of the founding members of the 46ers. Along with building support in the Adirondack communities, the team also created a video and were able to land a high profile narrator.

“Johnny Cash narrated the video which brought Grace to life for everyone who saw it,” said Doug Arnold, chairman of the Grace Peak Committee.

Hudowalski, who passed away in 2004, was a lifelong resident of the Adirondacks, calling North Hudson home.

“She was true-blue Adirondacker,” Arnold said.

In August of 1937, Hudowalski was the ninth person - and first female, to summit the 46, stepping foot atop Esther Mountain to complete her journeying. She would then serve as an advocate for the park and the 46er movement, lending her time and talent to promoting natural tourism in the park.

“With the 46er membership now approaching 10,000, we wanted to say thank you,” Arnold said. “We wanted to show a collaboration with North Hudson in celebrating this woman and her legacy with Grace Peak.’

Grace Peak was officially named June 12 of last year to, “commemorate Grace’s distinguished career, her inspirational public service to the people of the State and her native Adirondacks, and her legacy.”

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Senior Life • Winter 2016 | 9

Fun and Games solutions Soduko

North Country Honor Flight Director Barrie Finnegan shows off the new Honor Flight flag, which was designed by Essex County Sheriff Richard Cutting. The program has an ambitious schedule this year, said the new director, and is exploring ways to transport more vets to the nation’s capital during the brief flight season.

North Country Honor Flight lands new director

Summer 2016 will see the organization to expand scope to include more Korean War vets, ambitious flight schedule

By Shawn Ryan

shawn@suncommunitynews.com

PLATTSBURGH — This summer, North Country Honor Flight will fly on with a new director.

Barrie Finnegan was recently elected to run the local chapter of the national organization, stepping in for former Director George King, who led NCHF since 2014 and stepped down at the end of what he said was a successful 2015 season.

Finnegan, who has been involved in the organization since 2013, and was most recently the Executive Director of Operations, is inheriting an organization now well ensconced in the North Country landscape, which is beginning the inevitable transition of their mission from flying World War II veterans to their memorial in Washington, D.C., to including veterans from other conflicts as well.

Korean War veterans began regularly flying to Washington with NCHF in 2015 but, Finnegan says, World War II veterans still have priority on available seats.

Currently NCHF has a list of about 60 Korean War veterans for the summer flying season, but they are still picking up World War II veterans.

“If anything has come out of this, it’s that I’ve learned a great deal about the Korean War and the veterans,” said Finnegan. “Those guys did what they were asked just like the guys in World War II.” The director called it “a shame” that the public perception is different.

“They both did what they were asked, and there should be no difference in how they’re honored,” said Finnegan.

With their May 14 flight already full, and their waiting list growing, NCHF is actively looking for ways to fit more flights into the short summer flying season.

According to National Honor Flight directives, veterans only visit Washington in early and late summer due to the fact that the mid-summer heat in the capital is hard for veterans, some of whom are in their 90s.

One idea is to double-up on the number of planes flying out of Plattsburgh International Airport. Another option is to fly more weekends during the season.

Both options, Finnegan points out, will require more aggressive fundraising. Several events are already in the works in order to keep the planes in the air.

When Finnegan attended the send-off event for the very first Honor Flight in 2013, he was immediately hooked. His Mother LaVerne was a Canadian Army World War II veteran who served in London, and his Father Frank served in the Army Air Corps in China, Burma and India during World War II. At the time, his son Christopher was serving in Afghanistan.

“I went to that first send-off and I knew right then and there that I had to get involved. Bob Evans asked me to come down to the meeting with him. One thing led to another, and they were looking for people to do certain tasks, and here we are,” he said.

For Finnegan, the reaction of the veterans, from the time they’re picked up on the morning of the flight to when they get off the bus back home, is what keeps him coming back.

One veteran in particular, 95-year-old Marine Betty Johns, left her mark on Finnegan after her 2014 flight.

“She gave me a big hug and told me that that was the best day of her life. How can you not want to do that for other people? Plus it goes back to my mother and father — it would have been nice to see them coming down that walk of honor.”

After flying a total of 198 veterans, Finnegan credits all the volunteers who make NCHF tick.

Everyone involved in NCHF are unpaid volunteers, and without the people helping with the day-to-day tasks, from fundraising to beating the bushes looking for more veterans, Honor Flights wouldn’t be possible, he said.

NCHF maintains a web presence on Facebook at New North Country Honor Flight, as well as at nchonorflight.org, where veteran applications are available. They are also working with SUNY Plattsburgh’s public relations class on fundraising ideas.

“We’re on a good path,” says Finnegan. “If it ain’t broke, you don’t have to fix it.”

Crossword puzzle

10 | Winter 2016 • Senior Life

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NATIONAL MONTH

t f a r C

You can make some nice paper decorations that look like flowers of spring and its colorfulness in....

6 easy steps!

Supplies: Cardboard {I used a cereal box and cut it into an 8-inch circle} Paper 25-30 8.5×11 cardstock Hot glue gun Scissors

1. Begin by cutting you paper in

fourths. You don’t want the full pages. If you used the whole pages your wreath would probably be about 3 feed wide. I decided to use 1/2 sheet pieces of gray for the bottom layer.

In hindsight, I should have cut them down as well. If you use 12×12-inch paper, cutting it in fourths is still the way to go.

2. Roll your cut paper into a cone,

having a corner be the tip of the “petal”. Place a small dab of hot glue on the paper to keep it rolled in a cone shape.

3. Just keep rolling and hot glu-

ing so that you have a mountain of cones.

4. Take your cones and flatten and

fold up the bottom 1/2-inch. Put a small amount of hot glue on the flattened part and place on the outside rim of your cardboard circle. For the first round, leave a small gap between cones.

5. Continue to fold, glue, and place

the remaining cones, alternating their placement between the previous round’s cones. Glue each round closer to the center and not on top of the previous row’s flattened ends.

6. Keep adding your rounds until

you reach the very center! I made the middle 4 cones slightly skinnier than the previous rounds but that is not necessary.

Voila! Now you’ve created a show stopping Paper Dahlia Wreath that is just perfect for spring!! Just glue a little ribbon the the back of the cardboard and hang that puppy up!

Senior Life • Winter 2016 | 11

12 | Winter 2016 • Senior Life

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