9 minute read
A classic: Blast from the Past celebrating 40th anniversary
Group plays tunes from the 1940s, 50s and 60s once a month at Greater Midland Community Center
DAVE SHANE
For the Daily News
When the big band sound of Blast from the Past plays at the Greater Midland Community Center, it is usually a good evening of food, music and dancing. But this week’s appearance was even more special as it marked the 40th anniversary of the local group of musicians.
“We love to do this. We love to play,” said band leader Larry Carbary, who joined the group in 1991.
The group of about 20 members plays monthly at the community center, highlighting music from the 1940s and 50s, but also including a few more modern tunes — like Twist and Shout from the 1960s. Carbary says the all-volunteer band plays because the members enjoy it. “The best stereo in the world is sitting in the middle of a big band,” he said. “We love to do this. We love to play.”
Larry Carbary of Midland plays tenor sax during a recent rehearsal of the Blast from the Past band. Carbary is the band leader for the local group that plays monthly at the Greater Midland Community Center. (Photo by
Dave Shane/For the Daily News)
6 The community center hosts seven performances a year — from 6 to 8 p.m. on the first Monday of the month — beginning in October. A potluck dinner usually precedes.
Carbary, who plays tenor saxophone, said the band likes to make things click, and that still takes practice.
“At my age, I still work and practice all the time, and it’s a little bit harder to make progress than at 18 years old.”
While the group was marking 40 years together, there’s been some discussion that the group has been around longer than that – perhaps getting its start as early as 1978 or 1979. At least one band member believes former Midland High School Band Director James Stark put the group together in the fall of 1978, shortly after his retirement.
Tom Haynes of Midland plays the drums during a recent rehearsal.
(Photo by Dave Shane/For the Daily News)
Band members are asking the public if someone can confirm its startup date.
The group typically has four trumpets, three trombones, five saxophones, bass, drums, piano, guitar and a vocalist. Its playlist includes such classics as: Blue Moon, Pennsylvania 6-5000, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Mack the Knife and In the Mood.
Member Paul Schultz said between the music and the talented ballroom dancing that goes on, it is a great evening of entertainment.
“I’m impressed by the talent of the people who attend,” he said. “There are some good dancers, and I enjoy that.”
But not everyone is a senior, and not everyone is an expert dancer, he said.
“It’s quite a mix of ages and abilities.”
Carbary said he still enjoys the way his group comes together to produce the big band sound.
“The best part about it is the group playing together and the teamwork, and using it to support some of the excellent music in the band.”
The group’s next performance is scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 6.
From left, Paul Schultz of Midland, Dave Selley of Bay City, Tom Rice of Midland and Tom Peterson of Midland make up the trumpet section during a recent Blast from the Past rehearsal.
(Photo by Dave Shane/For the Daily News)
Jaren Wanttaja, a college student from Midland, plays bass during a recent rehearsal. (Photo by Dave
Shane/For the Daily News)
Senior Scope | November 2021
Covenant nurse manager believes in endorphin therapy
TEREASA NIMS For the Daily News
Each morning Nancy Riffel, who just turned 64, walks five flights of stairs to get to Covenant HealthCare’s Cooper five east floor, that currently cares for COVID-19 patients.
“I believe in endorphins,” she said from the Saginaw facility. “I kind of thrive on them.”
She admits even after a decade of climbing the five flights of stairs, she still “huffs and puffs” when reaching the top.
The nurse manager has been with Covenant HealthCare for 10 years.
“It’s been a beautiful fit for me,” said Riffel, who is responsible for about 60 employees. “I love this job.”
She helps oversee the quality of care, employee engagement, customer service and meeting expectations. She said the hospital has been a leader in customer service the past several years.
Riffel said the health care provider hires strong applicants and holds them accountable. She said the hospital has people who believe in the health care the medical facility values.
“If you hire and retain the right people, good things happen,” she added.
The floor services patients with respiratory illnesses. As of March 2020, the floor became primarily a space for COVID patients. As a November 2021 | Senior Scope result, it’s been a bit more difficult to hire for the department.
“It’s not an easy floor to work,” Riffel said. “This is not easy work.”
Employees are in and out of rooms, changing their personal protective equipment constantly. One of Riffel’s responsibilities is ensuring nurses always have the needed equipment.
“We’ve become very good at caring for these patients,” she said.
“It’s definitely a daily challenge,” she said of COVID’s role in healthcare.
To face the long days that begin at 5 a.m. and to work before 7 a.m., Riffel has her own regiment that she religiously adheres to. It’s 100 sit-ups each morning as part of her daily routine. She also runs/walks two to three times a week, outside on warmer days and in the gym during winter. She plugs in her iPod and turns on the country music, or maybe the Eagles or ABBA. “I always start my day with five to 10 minutes of exercise,” she said, noting that it doesn’t ever feel like a chore. Riffel is an exercise advocate. She wishes so many people didn’t dislike something that keeps your body and mind healthier. She thinks the seed was planted during her cheerleading days at Eisenhower High School. “I need it because some of these days are really stressful,” she said of exercise. “We’re doing everything to save peoples’ lives and they can decompensate quickly.” She said her job makes it important for her to say emotionally strong, so she uses exercise and endorphins to do this.
strong, so she Nancy Riffel has uses exercise & been a nurse manendorphins to do ager with Covenant this. HealthCare for 10 years.
Plus, she sets her sights on a minimum of 10,000 steps a day, which she accomplishes almost all the time. She enjoys getting her steps in. Riffel said people often find something negative about exercise, but for her, it brings joy.
“I love sweating and getting my heart rate up,” she said. “It makes me a happier person and more stable.”
Riffel is also a golfer, golfing in a women’s and couple’s league. She and her husband recently bought a house on a golf course.
“She is one of the most energetic people I know,” said Covenant HealthCare Planning and Communications Manager Kristin Knoll.
The mother of three grown children, Craig, Charlie and Nicole, and grandmother to five, said she surrounds herself with lots of friends. When she gets home in the evenings, she is greeted by her loving Golden Retriever, Bailey, then her husband, Rick. She jokes she would greet him first if he ran to the door wagging his tail.
She said Bailey, who the couple got a 18 months ago, also keeps them active with daily walks.
She also garners support from fellow hospital employees who are her nursing cheerleaders, Michelle Zell, Patrice Lanczak, Beth Charlton and Kathy Gillespie.
“It’s a very comfortable, respectful environment,” Riffel said of the hospital. “We have a diamond here that I feel privileged to work at.”
Seniors and mentors work together during one of four recent Cyber Seniors sessions at Senior Services of Midland County.
Thelma Diment (left) learns more about her smartphone while working with student Ellyana Tierney during Cyber Seniors.
Tom Fenske (foreground) receives help from H.H. Dow High School junior Wil Kuper on how to set up his new printer during a recent session of Cyber Seniors at Senior Services of Midland County. (Submitted photo) 8
High schoolers help Midland seniors navigate technology
Cyber Seniors is a nationwide volunteer effort
DAVE SHANE
For the Daily News
Technology keeps changing. And sometimes it can be hard to keep up with.
But a free program at Senior Services of Midland County offers a way for local residents to learn the latest – with the help of local high school student volunteers.
“Cyber Seniors” returned this fall after an 18-month pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fourteen H.H. Dow High School students helped about a dozen seniors tackle their technology questions during oncea-week sessions over a four-week period.
Need to set up your new Chromebook? How about linking up to a new printer? Do you need some tips getting started on Facebook?
Whatever the question, some students who are pretty good at those things have volunteered to sit down and take you through the steps to do it.
“It’s one of the most popular programs we have,” said Mike Trebilcock, a 51-year-old retired teacher who is education program coordinator for Senior Services.
Cyber Seniors is a nationwide volunteer effort that Midland’s Senior Services has been offering since 2016. A senior can work with a student once a week for up to four weeks, or simply attend one session and come away with whatever answers they need.
Computers are available at the Senior Center to work on. But most participants bring in their own technology.
“Most seniors have brought in their own device, that they want help with. … It can be a phone, a tablet, a Chromebook, or whatever,” Trebilcock said. “One gentleman brought in a new printer that he bought. It’s driven by the seniors, whatever needs they have for their technology.”
Trebilcock said the student volunteers also have found the program rewarding.
Wil Kuper, a 16-year-old junior at Dow High, explained what he liked about working as a volunteer during the recently completed session.
“I love it. I think it’s a lot of fun,” Kuper said. “We can help you with just about anything, and are very willing to help you.
“I think it’s awesome to connect to the older generation and hear how different it was for them at our age. … It’s just great to talk to them in
Senior Scope | November 2021
