Golden Times, April 6, 2020 by Lewiston Tribune

READER ESSAYS | 7, 10-11 SENIOR MEALS STILL AVAILABLE | 8-9 SCAM STOPPER | 11

Safety barriers

Local caregivers work to keep our most vulnerable safe, yet combat social isolation / PAGES 5-6

golden

TIMES A monthly magazine for the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seniors

APRIL 6, 2020 / VOL. 30, NO. 4

Birthday index: Page 4 ............................. Violet Opdahl Neva Matthews Theresa Sonnen Ron Jones

DON’T GET BURNED BY DEADLINE MAY BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS: Send your information to Golden Times by 5 p.m. April 17.

INDEX:

Birthdays ....................................................................... 4 Coping with the COVID-19 pandemic ............5-7, 14-16 Letter from the editor ................................................... 3 Life on the Hill: Fond memories of Scouting ............ 13 Reader Essays ..................................................... 7, 10-11 Scam stopper: Tips on staying safe ............................ 12 Senior meals still being served ................................. 8-9 Sudoku puzzle/solution ........................................... 13/4 Volunteers urged to practice self-care ........................ 16

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Find Golden Times online at lmtribune.com/ special_sections.

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TIMES ON THE COVER: This Golden Times photo by Pete Caster shows a grandfather and grandson connecting — through a pane of glass. Area senior care facilities are taking stringent safety precautions during the COVID-19 lockdown, Pages 5-6. SUBMISSION DEADLINE for the May issue is 5 p.m. April 17. EDITOR: Julie Breslin, (208) 848-2241/jbreslin@lmtribune.com GOLDEN TIMES: P.O. Box 957, Lewiston, ID 83501 goldentimes@lmtribune.com

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GOLDEN TIMES

M O N D A Y, A P R I L 6 , 2 0 2 0

A modern pandemic: We’re all alone in this together W

ell, the news has been all grams have shifted to brown-bag coronavirus all the time pickup service, available to mobile since mid-March, and Golden seniors in the Lewiston, Clarkston Times is no exception. and Moscow (see the story and As we’ve hunkered menus on Pages 8-9). down at home to wait out Life as we know it has COVID-19, the Quad Citbeen severely curtailed, ies area’s regular senior but we’re resourceful, activities and events have we’re resilient and we’re toppled like dominoes: watching out for one an Senior centers are other. We adapt, and life closed. goes on: There’s eating,  Classes and meetings there’s drinking — some have been called off. are even making merry, FROM THE  Libraries are doing since birthdays are still a EDITOR’S DESK business online only (check thing (Page 4). Of course, out the “Moving Online” open-house celebrations story at inland360.com for are a no-go, so please a comprehensive list of send a card. Don’t lick the services and websites). envelope.  Congregate meals are While you’re at it, you postponed indefinitely. might also consider writing Thankfully, since we still need to to your peers who live in senior liveat, senior meals providers coning or nursing home-type settings. tinue to deliver meals to the home- In order to keep their residents bound. And sit-down lunch prosafe from COVID-19 and comply

Julie Breslin

with federal regulations, facilities throughout the region have limited access to all but medical personnel and family in emergency situations. To combat loneliness, management suggests a number of ways loved ones can reach out (see the story on Pages 5-6). Writing to us is another useful way to combat cabin fever. We welcome reader essays of no more than 600 words about any subject of your choosing. Topics run the gamut from childhood memories, tributes, humorous experiences, politics and reflections on current events (find samples on Pages 7 and 10-11). If you have a flair for writing and have thought about contributing, now may be the perfect time. Essays may be emailed to goldentimes@ lmtribune.com or or mailed to Golden Times c/o Lewiston Tribune, P.O. Box 957, Lewiston, ID 83501. Staff members choose

Remembering who he was, drives us to care for who he is.

the best essays for publication as space allows. We also welcome story ideas. If you know of any local characters or programs that we should feature, let us know about them, too. If time is still weighing heavy on your hands, here are some other ideas that are helping my family while away the endless afternoons and evenings:  Play cards and games.  Keep your brain sharp with puzzles (find one on Page 13).  Crack open a book.  Pray or meditate.  Start a craft project.  Learn to play an instrument.  Go for a walk.  Get out in your garden. And remember, we’re all in this together. Breslin is the editor for Golden Times. She can be reached at jbreslin@ lmtribune.com or (208)848-2241.

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GOLDEN TIMES

B I R T H DAY S > APRIL 7

> APRIL 17

> APRIL 20

> APRIL 25

Violet Opdahl, 90

Neva Matthews, 95

Theresa Sonnen, 90

Ron Jones, 99

Violet Opdahl was born to Leonard and Doris Mino in 1930 on a farm in Iowa. She attended school at Grant Township Consolidated School there, and was valedictorian of her class in 1947. She earned a teaching degree from Waldorf College in 1949. At college, she met Duane Opdahl, who’d just returned from serving in the U.S. Army in Italy. She taught elementary school for a year, then they married July 8, 1950, and lived on the Opdahl family farm in Freeborn County, Minn. Violet taught at the local one-room school for the first year of their marriage. Their five children were born while they lived there. Other family includes 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, with two on the way. In 1976, Duane and Violet moved to Pierce, to join eldest son, Dennis, daughter-in-law, Jill, and Duane’s brother, Harlan. Violet worked at First Security Bank for five years and then served as secretary/ bookkeeper at Timberline High School in Weippe for 15 years. She and Duane also coowned Triple “O” Outfitters for a few years. Duane died in 2006, and in 2007 Violet moved to Lewiston, where she is enjoying retirement. Her family plans to hold a birthday celebration on April 18.

Neva Matthews, of Lewiston, was born in 1925 to Loyd and Florence (Chambers) Moon at their home in Woodland, Idaho. Neva married Wandle Matthews in October, 1941. They raised their four children — Shirlene Yates, Larry Matthews, Carol Jordan and Linda Brewer — in Lewiston, Woodland and Kamiah. Other family includes nine grandchildren and many great- and great-great-grandchildren, with the latest arriving a few weeks before Christmas. Later in life, after Wandle’s death, Neva married Earl Emery of Woodland. He also is deceased. Neva has been involved with veterans organizations and senior citizen groups in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. She attends senior coffee-cookie times and potlucks and enjoys sharing her homemade pies, noodles, cakes and jams. She loves music and can be seen at most of the area dances, dancing up a storm. She always has coffee on the stove and a cake, cookies or pie ready anytime family or friends stop by for a visit. Plans for a celebration are pending.

Theresa Gabriella (Uptmor) Sonnen, of Cottonwood, was born in Keuterville on Easter Sunday in 1930. She graduated from St. Gertrude’s Academy in Cottonwood and later graduated from Kinman Business School in Spokane. She married Everett Sonnen on April 11, 1951. They were married for 65 years, until his death Jan. 10, 2017. They raised their five children in Cottonwood. Other family includes 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. Theresa enjoys playing bridge and pinochle, and she bowled when Cottonwood had a bowling alley. She also enjoys traveling and visiting with family and friends. A birthday celebration will be held at a later date.

Ronald F. Jones of Lewiston was born in 1921 to Sol and Sarah Jones on the Garrett Ranch at Nezperce. He grew up on Cherrylane Ranch, Lenore, rode a horse to Myrtle Grade School and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1939. Ron served in the 4th Armored Division in Europe during World War II. He was a selftaught telegrapher and worked for the Camas Prairie Railroad Company for 42 years as auditor/freight agent in Headquarters, Grangeville and Lewiston, retiring in 1980. He was mayor of Lewiston from 1970-74, and he has been active in the community and state through multiple clubs, charities, civic organizations and the Congregational-Presbyterian Church of Lewiston. In 77 years of marriage, he and Mildred have enjoyed fishing, camping, traveling, golfing and many trips south for the winter. They have followed closely the activities of their five children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and remain active with friends. Ron is still driving, and he and Millie remain in the home they built in the ’80s. He loves gardening, and takes pride in his roses, dogwoods and tomatoes. He’s a candlemaker, peanut brittle connoisseur, has built two homes, helps with repair requests and keeps up with current events.

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To submit birthdays: Birthday announcements starting at age 70 and every year after will be accepted for free publication in the month of the birthday only. Length limit is 200 words. All submissions must include the name and contact information of the person submitting information. Current photos are welcome — please no dated pictures. To have photos returned, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Submissions may be sent to goldentimes@lmtribune.com or Golden Times, P.O. Box 957, Lewiston, ID 83501. Questions may be directed to editor Julie Breslin at jbreslin@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2241. May birthday announcements must be received by 5 p.m. April 17.

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GOLDEN TIMES

SUDOKU PUZZLE, Page 13 M O N D A Y, A P R I L 6 , 2 0 2 0

Coping, caring amid the specter of COVID-19 Local senior care facilities strive to keep residents safe, connected amid protective pandemic measures A grandfather and grandson connect through a pane of glass. Local assisted living facilities and nursing homes have virtually eliminated face-to-face contact between residents and their friends and family to minimize the risk of catching coronavirus. Homes are encouraging loved ones to call and video chat instead.

By JULIE BRESLIN GOLDEN TIMES

eeping ailing people safe, healthy and happy during their final years can be a daunting task in the best of times. And recent weeks have not been the best of times. Care facilities for our frailest are facing shortages of supplies and staff, and residents have been cut off from direct family support under strict isolation measures. “It’s a crazy time Michelle of life,” Fowler Michelle Fowler summed up. She is a registered nurse at Golden Girls and Living Spring residential care facilities in Lewiston. In a recent phone call, she credited the homes’ “incredible staff ” of about 30 with finding creative ways to cope as they strive to shield their 19 residents from COVID-19 exposure and mitigate social isolation. She owns the homes with her husband, Lucas, and runs them with her mother-in-law, administrator Pat Fowler. All three live in Lewiston. Pat, Lucas and the late Marcus Fowler founded the homes.

STOCKING THE SHELVES “Finding supplies has been our biggest challenge right now,” Michelle Fowler said. The homes must be prepared to provide isolation areas with personal protective equipment for staff and patients M O N D A Y, A P R I L 6 , 2 0 2 0

Pete Caster/ Tribune

— including masks, face shields, gowns and booties — and “it’s incredibly difficult to get gowns and masks right now.” Sterile gloves, incontinence supplies, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes are scarce too. “We’ve been able to find bleach, so we’ve just been using our own (disinfectant) solution,” Fowler said. Other supplies aren’t so easily replaced. “If this becomes an 1800s-type (situation), we could use cloth masks and gowns,” she said, “but they wouldn’t be sterile” and they would greatly increase the laundry burden.

For one critical tool there is no reasonable substitute: “We use thousands of gloves just in normal use,” Fowler said, and the need is likely to increase substantially in the event of a COVID-19 case. Suppliers are having trouble keeping up with demand, even though certain supplies, such as masks, are being reserved solely for medical care providers, Fowler said, and aren’t being sold online for personal use. A two-day turnaround is the norm for supply delivery to Golden Girls and Living Spring, but deliveries are about six days out during the current crisis, “and GOLDEN TIMES

our stocks are dwindling.” Meal-planning has grown difficult as grocery stores struggle to stock shelves. All menus need to be dietitian-approved, and food shortages have required last-minute substitutions that then must be resubmitted and checked for nutritional value. Shopping trips themselves are no picnic in the current atmosphere. Fowler urges community support for caregivers instead of the judgment she has sometimes gotten while pushing a mounded cart through the aisles. “We’re shopping for 19 people. We’re not hoarding; we’re just trying to take care of

(our) people, I promise.”

STAFFING THE HOMES Maintaining adequate staff has been difficult. “The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and the Department of Health and Welfare gave us guidelines last week that we are to limit all visitors to essential staff,” such as caregivers, nurses and doctors, Fowler said in the March 20 interview. “Any of our visitors or staff now have to be screened before they can even enter the facility.” The screening includes a questionnaire asking about a visitor’s current health and whether they’ve been around anyone exhibiting symptoms of illness. Temperatures are taken, and anyone with a temperature of more than 100.4 is denied entry. Caregivers who might develop a sudden sore throat or other symptoms of illness while at work must immediately put on a mask and a new worker must be called in. Those rules, coupled with extra caution taken at the start of allergy season, when many of us are coughing and sneezing, have left the homes stretched thin. So far, the caregiving team has really pulled together Fowler said, with people willing to take extra shifts and “everybody playing different roles” than normal to cover all their bases. “But I can see (staff exhaustion) on the horizon,” she said, “and we’re actively trying to hire, as

See COPING,CARING, Page 6 5

> Loneliness: The taboo public health threat There is a public health threat looming across the United States that’s not visible to most but affects nearly half of all Americans daily: loneliness. Social isolation is as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and is twice as harmful as obesity. Worst of all, loneliness is a contributing factor in senior suicides, which are rising in the U.S. While it is not something people like to think about, now more than ever, Americans must remove the stigma around mental health and spread awareness to better combat loneliness. About 12 million Americans older than 65 live alone, and the time of year when a lack of companionship and isolation is most palpable is winter, when travel challenges can keep them from attending family gatherings or the harsh weather deters them from venturing out for a social event. Although we’ve turned the corner into spring, seniors now face the additional challenge of an enforced isolation period to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Prolonged loneliness can quickly manifest into more serious issues. Loneliness doesn’t have to be synonymous with getting older or with aging in place. Here are tips on how to help keep loneliness and its negative health effects at bay: EARLY INTERVENTION: Spotting loneliness in yourself or someone you love can be difficult. The most common physical and behavioral signs of loneliness include persistent sadness, impaired cognitive performance, lower self-esteem or lack of motivation and energy. Early intervention can positively affect one’s quality of life, so it’s important to address these symptoms as soon as possible before they become overwhelming. USE TECHNOLOGY: Technology can play a key role in reducing loneliness, ensuring seniors are always connected to loved ones and care teams who can monitor and interact with them. Keeping in touch with loved ones remotely has never been easier thanks to email, video chatting, texting and phone calls (see the related story “Distant Socializing” at inland360.com for the best apps). GET OUTDOORS: Going outside for a walk, bike ride or gardening helps keep up strength and increases the brain’s feel-good chemicals. Being in nature has also found to be calming and provide numerous health benefits. Just be sure to stay 6 feet away from people you meet. BUILD A NETWORK: As soon as possible, when the current ban on gathering is lifted, connect with people. Having friends, purpose and passions helps eliminate feelings of isolation. Consider organizing or joining a book club or a group fitness class. Explore local activities organized by a senior community center (check out www.cityoflewiston. org and click on the Parks and Rec tab, then the 50+ Active tab) or find a National Council of Aging program through www.ncoa.org/ncoa-map. — NAPS news service

Julie Breslin/Golden Times photos

LEFT: A flag flaps last month in front of Living Spring Residential Care in Lewiston, where residents are confined during ongoing isolation measures. Only carefully screened medical and care staff are allowed into the building. RIGHT: Birds enjoy a snack at a bird feeder situated outside a window. Staff added the feeders and flowers to help bring the outdoors indoors for the residents, who are largely cut off from friends and family during the pandemic.

COPING, CARING

> Continued from PAGE 5

well as spreading out shifts so no one gets overwhelmed.”

A SENSE OF ISOLATION Residents’ mental health also weighs heavily on caregivers’ minds. “Almost all family members or friends of our residential homes have not been allowed to come into the facility since (March 15),” Fowler said. Loved ones are allowed in only in cases where “end of life is imminent,” and only if they are able to pass the health screening. “Most of our residents have a cognitive impairment, either dementia or Alzheimer’s, and have limited mobility,” she said. “So, yes, we do have to tell the story each day, several times a day about why their family members aren’t here.” Even within the homes, human contact is minimal. There is no more communal dining as residents are required to stay 6 feet apart. The sudden loss of social connection remains disorienting for some. But most take it in stride once the situation is explained, Fowler said. “Most of our residents have a World War II mentality: You GOLDEN TIMES

don’t complain. They’re more worried about us, don’t want to be a bother — they’re very community-minded.”

“We have a couple of tech-savvy residents,” she said, “and most all of our staff is very tech-savvy.” For those families who are less comfortable with video BATTLING THE LONELINESS conferencing, staff encourage phone calls, letters and even To minimize the sense of brief visits through an open isolation, the staff is helping window — from 6 feet away. residents write letters and “I feel like we’re supportsend cards. They’ve stepped up efforts to engage residents ing the entire family,” Fowler said. “Many of our residents’ with extra activities and crechildren are elderly, so we’re ated a cheerful atmosphere, trying to encourage social diswith bird feeders and flowtancing for them as well.” er baskets outside resident She recently heard from windows, colorful balloons a nurse at a larger longterm and music from the Big Band care facility of a family who era. Some staff members and residents have begun sharing gathered outside a resident’s hidden musical talents to keep window and held up signs to cheer her. things fresh as well. “I’m a Christian wom“Music is a wonderful tool an, so I’m just encouraging for cognitive impairment,” our families of faith to keep Fowler said. “We ask them, praying for peace through this ‘When have you heard this?’ time,” Fowler said. “It’s been or ‘Who sings this?’ or ‘Did a peaceful transition for the you know Bing Crosby?’ or most part.” ‘Did you ever dance to this?’ And keep reaching out. ” The music and questions “Continue to make the phone tend to bring residents back calls,” and send lots of mail,” to the 1940s and ’50s often she said. “This is a generation trigger stories of their lives who really values a well-writfrom that time. ten letter or a beautiful greetStaff also encourage and ing card. foster distance communi“Throw a CD in the mail ... cation with loved ones. For a favorite novel, fuzzy socks, residents without access to comfort items, herbal tea — a smart phone or computer, just anything to let them know the staff sets up times for they’re not forgotten and residents to video chat with (family members would) love loved ones using a sterilized to be here if they could.” facility tablet. M O N D A Y, A P R I L 6 , 2 0 2 0

spread of the coronavirus. Now, I can only leave if I have a doctor’s appointment. My daughter can pick me up but has to wait outside the building until I join her. When we return, I have to say goodbye outside, because only I can reenter the building. Once inside, my temperature will be taken before I can return to my apartment. One bright spot is mealtime: The food is wonderful here, and we sit at tables for four and visit and discuss the boredom of the lockdown. Last night, we enjoyed our choices for dinner. A tall waiter approached our table and asked Bob, Charlene, Eva and me if we would like some mousse. “Moose?” questioned Bob. “We’ve had our dinner and you didn’t offer moose.” “I have dessert for you,” was the tactful reply. At other tables I heard him quietly offering chocolate pudding.

Reader Essay

Many activities have been eliminated for the good of all. No more planned card games, trivia, chapel service, communion, exercise class, family and pet visits — even the hair salon has been closed. No foot care appointments are allowed. All this to protect us from that deadly virus. We are the most vulnerable age group, and we can only be grateful that we are living here — even with all the restrictions. We will be all right. Protected as we are, we are left to entertain ourselves. There is a huge library here, we have TV and the internet, we get the newspaper and other periodicals, puzzles we can work on in the library. Some of us like to write, play an instrument, engage in our own exercise routine, or best of all, simply sink into our favorite chair and take a nap. Those in charge here, and God, are taking good care of us. — Ruth Bosserman, 91, Evergreen Estates, Clarkston

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have never been locked up for any reason. It was a strange turn of events when at age 91, I was suddenly in the midst of a massive incarceration of all the residents of a retirement home. What had we all done to merit such treatment? We just happened to be alive when a worldwide pandemic of such unheard-of capabilities sent countries reeling under its force. At first, visitors could enter our building, using a single entrance that leads to the office. Once there, identification was taken, temperatures were taken, and those visitors could remain for only one hour. My daughter helped me get a case of bottled water, soup and other necessities up to my room on the second floor. She soon had to leave, and that was the last time she could visit me, as Washington Gov. Jay Inslee decreed that nursing homes and retirement homes should be on total lockdown to prevent the

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REGIONAL SENIOR MEAL SITES Readers are advised to call and check if their local meal providers are offering a pickup option during the current corona virus isolation measures. Congregate meals currently aren’t allowed in Idaho or Washington.

geville, (208) 983-2033, cow, (208) 882-1562, noon meals at noon on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Wednesdays and Fridays. Nezperce Senior Citizens

Juliaetta-Kendrick Senior Citizens Center

501 Cedar St., Nezperce, (208) 937-2465, noon on Mondays and Thursdays.

695 Main St., Pomeroy, (509) 843-3308, meals at noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Potlatch Senior Citizens

104 S. Sixth St., Kendrick, (208) 289-5031, meals Orchards United Methodist from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 1213 Burrell Ave., Wednesdays and Fridays. Lewiston, (208) 743-9201, Kamiah Senior Center meals at noon on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 125 N. Maple St., Kamiah, (208) 935-0244, Oroﬁno Senior Center meals at noon on Mondays, 930 Michigan Ave., Wednesdays and Fridays. Orofino, (208) 476-4238,

Potlatch Senior Citizens Meal Site, 645 Pine St., Potlatch, (208) 875-1071, meals at noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Riggins Odd Fellows Building

413 Nezperce St., Winchester, (208) 924-6581, noon Wednesdays.

1424 Main St., Lewiston, (208) 743-6983, meals at noon on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Grangeville Senior Center

Moscow Senior Center

Cottonwood Community Hall 506 King St., basement, Cottonwood, (208) 792-2465, meals at noon Tuesdays.

Craigmountain Senior Center

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Lewiston Community Center

meals at noon on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Palouse Senior Meals 220 E. Main St., Palouse, (509) 878-2301, meals at noon on Wednesdays.

Pomeroy Senior Center

412 E. Third St., Mos-

Pullman Senior Center 325 SE Paradise St., Pullman, (509) 338-3307, meals at 11:45 a.m. on Mondays and Fridays.

(208) 877-1717, meals at noon on Tuesdays.

United Methodist Church 313 Second St., Asotin, (509) 758-3816, meals at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Valley Community Center 549 Fifth St., Clarkston, (509) 758-3816, noon Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays.

Weippe Hilltop Senior Citizens Center

121 S. Lodge St., Riggins, (208) 628-4147, noon on Tuesdays.

115 First St. W., Weippe, (208) 435-4553, meals noon Mondays and Thursdays.

Pullman Meals on Wheels (509) 397-4305.

Valley Meals on Wheels

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LEWISTON SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM — When: Noon, Mon./Tues. and 11:30 a.m. Wed. • Where: Lewiston Community Center, 1424 Main St., and the United Methodist Church, 1213 Burrell Ave. • Cost: $4 suggested for seniors 60 and older; $5 for nonseniors • Note: Menu is subject to change. 7 Spaghetti/hot veggie/salad/fruit/bread

6 Salisbury steak/hot veggie/salad/fruit/ bread

14 Chicken-fried steak/hot veggie/salad/ fruit/bread

13 Tuna tetrazzini/hot veggie/salad/fruit/

bread

21 Beef stroganoff/hot veggie/salad/fruit/

20 Biscuits and sausage gravy/hot veggie/

bread

salad/fruit/bread

28 Stuffed peppers/hot veggie/salad/

27 Teriyaki chicken/hot veggie/salad/fruit/

fruit/bread

bread

8 Roast beef/hot veggie/salad/ fruit/bread

15 Ham/hot veggie/salad/fruit/ bread 22 Barbecue/hot veggie/salad/ fruit/bread 29 Pork loin/hot veggie/salad/

fruit/bread

SENIOR MEAL MENUS FOR APRIL

SENIOR ROUND TABLE NUTRITION PROGRAM — When: Noon, Tues./Thurs./Fri. • Where: Valley Community Center, 549 Fifth St. No. F, Clarkston; and the Asotin United Methodist Church, 313 Second St. • Cost: $4 suggested for seniors 60 and older; $7 for nonseniors • Note: Menu is subject to change. 7 Tater tot casserole/sunshine carrots/corn/

peaches/pudding wafers

14 Salisbury steak/mashed potatoes/corn/ pears/roll/cookie 21 German sausage with sauerkraut/roasted

red potatoes/fruit cocktail/roll/cookie

28 Pork roast/mashed potatoes/baby carrots/ juice/roll/cake and ice cream

9 Biscuits with sausage gravy/hash browns/ pickled beets/applesauce

10 Baked ham/scalloped potatoes/

16 CLOSED

17 Finger steaks/hash brown casserole/peas/spiced apple rings/muffin

23 Spaghetti/green beans with bacon/cole-

slaw/Texas toast/orange dreamsicle salad

veggies/fruit salad/roll/sunshine cake

24 CLOSED FOR STAFF TRAINING

30 Beef stroganoff/veggie medley/green

salad/Texas toast/peaches

MOSCOW SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM — When: Noon, Tues./Thurs. • Where: Great Room of the 1912 Center, 412 E. Third St. • Cost: $5 suggested for seniors 60 and older; $7 for nonseniors. • Details: Salad bar is available at 11:30 a.m.; soup and dessert available at each service • Note: Menu is subject to change. • Online: http://users.moscow.com/srcenter.

M 8

7 Sausage/oven-fried potatoes/coleslaw/fruit

14 Pot roast/red potatoes/carrots/roll/fruit 21 Loaded baked potatoes/peaches 28 Fish tacos/black bean-corn salad/rice/fruit

W GOLDEN TIMES

9 Chicken sandwich/broccoli salad/oranges

16 Porcupine meatballs/mashed potatoes/ corn/fruit 23 Baked chicken/pesto pasta/broccoli/fruit 30 Meatloaf/scalloped potatoes/peas/fruit

F M O N D A Y, A P R I L 6 , 2 0 2 0

Senior meals available for pickup or delivery and volunteers, safe, is vitally important,” Board President Claudia Jones wrote in a recent email, noting that the program is adhering response to COVID-19 Pandemic safety measures, to federal and St. Joseph Regional congregate meal sites have Medical Center guidelines. “If been closed throughout the Quad you are healthy and able to drive during this time, please sign up to Cities areas. According to news help deliver meals.” releases from area meal providMeals are prepared at the hosers, some still are offering lunchpital and are delivered by volunes for pickup or delivery. teers between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. To minimize contact with the year round. Cost is $3.50 per day homebound, meal delivery drivers are knocking on doors, setting for a hot meal and $4.50 per day bagged meals down on client porch- for a sack lunch. ï Lewiston’s Senior Nutrition es, then waiting in their cars to make sure bags are picked up, according Program, (208) 743-6983, continto WA-ID Volunteer Center Execu- ues its normal home deliveries five days a week for homebound tive Director Cathy Robinson. ï Valley Meals on Wheels, (208) clients. Brown-bag lunches are available for pick up from noon 799-5767, continues providing to 1 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays home-delivered meals. and from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. “Our seniors and home-bound Wednesdays. The lunches are neighbors are among the most vulnerable in our community and distributed curbside on the east keeping them, as well as our staff side of the Community Center,

By JULIE BRESLIN GOLDEN TIMES

1424 Main St. Cost is $5 for those younger than 60, and $4 is suggested for those 60 and older. Preordering isn’t necessary. ï The Senior Round Table Nutrition Program which normally serves meals in Clarkston and Asotin continues to serve homebound clients. Mobile seniors can pick up meals at the Valley Community Center drive-through. Meals are available at noon Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; preordering isn’t necessary. Cost is $7 for people younger than 60, and a $4 donation is suggested for those 60 and older. More information is available by calling (509) 758-3816. Program managers also are seeking to raise additional money to support the program, according to an email from Senior Round Table Site Manager Chrystal Wiese. “We had quite a deficit for 2019,” she wrote, “and if we can’t raise some funds, I am unsure what will

happen to the site and the many homebound seniors we deliver to as well as the seniors that join us for our congregate meal site.” Checks made payable to Senior Round Table Clarkston can be sent care of Valley Community Center, 549 Fifth St., Clarkston, WA 99403. ï The Friendly Neighbors meal service in Moscow is continuing its home delivery program. Mobile seniors may pick up “graband-go” lunches at the back door of the 1912 Center meal site at 412 E. Third St. Seniors must sign up for either service by calling Friendly Neighbors President Bill Terrio at (208) 310-3779. Meals are available at noon Tuesdays and Thursdays at a cost of $7 for those younger than 60 and a suggested donation of $5 for those 60 and older. More information can be found at http://users. moscow.com/srcenter.

VALLEY MEALS ON WHEELS — APRIL MENU Meals are delivered to established clients between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. 365 days of the year, with delivery guaranteed by 1 p.m. each day. Individuals can have a hot meal delivered to their residence for $3.50 per day or a hot meal and a sack lunch for $4.50 per day. More information is available by calling (208) 799-5767. Menus are prepared by St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and are subject to change.

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

HOT: Chicken parHOT: Ribs/ HOT: Roasted 7 mesan/noodles 8 turkey/mashed baked beans potatoes SACK: Ham sandSACK: Chicken salad/spinach salad/ wich/carrot-raisin salad/ SACK: Chicken salad/ gelatin fluff crisped-rice treat pea salad/cake

HOT: Chicken HOT: Beef 13 lasagna cordon bleu/ mashed potatoes SACK: Tuna SACK: Ham sandwich/ sandwich/cottage coleslaw/pears cheese/lemon pudding

HOT: ChickenHOT: Tomato20 fried steak/ braised beef/ mashed potatoes brown rice SACK: Egg salad/three- SACK: Turkey salad/ pea salad/applesauce bean salad/cookies

HOT: Baked

26 ham/scalloped

HOT: Ribs/

27 baked beans

HOT: Garlic

14 pork loin/roast-

ed potatoes SACK: Turkey/beet salad/cobbler

HOT: Rotisserie

211 chicken/mac-n-

cheese SACK: Ham sandwich/ potato salad/cut fruit

HOT: Chicken par-

28 mesan/noodles

potatoes SACK: Ham sandSACK: Chicken SACK: PBJ Uncrustables/ salad/spinach salad/ wich/carrot-raisin salad/ broccoli salad/oranges crisped-rice treat gelatin fluff

M O N D A Y, A P R I L 6 , 2 0 2 0

HOT: Turkey breast/mac-ncheese SACK: Egg salad/sweet corn salad/brownie

HOT: Chicken

22 cordon bleu/

noodles SACK: Krab salad/cauliflower salad/pudding HOT: Roasted

29 turkey/mashed

potatoes SACK: Chicken salad/ pea salad/cake

GOLDEN TIMES

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

HOT: Pork loin/ HOT: Crispy 10 rice chicken/macn-cheese SACK: Turkey SACK: Roast beef/tortel- salad/dill cucumberlini pesto salad/pudding n-onion salad/cut fruit

HOT: Meatloaf SACK: Roast beef-andcheese sandwich/pasta salad/Oreo mousse

HOT: Ribs/ noodles SACK: Seafood salad sandwich/green salad/peaches

HOT: Tuna nooHOT: Spaghetti/ 24 dle casserole meat sauce SACK: Tuna SACK: Turkey sandwich/Italian bread sandwich/cottage cheese/brownie salad/cake

HOT: Pork loin/ rice n-cheese SACK: Turkey SACK: Roast beef/tortel- salad/dill cucumberlini pesto salad/pudding n-onion salad/cut fruit HOT: Crispy

30 chicken/mac-

SATURDAY HOT: Baked ziti/meat sauce SACK: Pastrami sandwich/potato salad/cookies

HOT: Chicken tortellini alfredo SACK: PBJ Uncrustables/marinated cucumbers/fruited gelatin

HOT: Chicken

25 pot pie

SACK: Roast beef sandwich/fresh veggie cup/cobbler HOT: Baked ziti/meat sauce SACK: Pastrami sandwich/potato salad/cookies

Jenny: A straight-talker with a heart of gold B

ack in January 2000, my employer assigned me to a position in a department that makes .22 caliber ammunition. Few would consider the work to be very easy. The pieces are small and the pace is fast. Just the same, most people catch onto the techniques and routine after a few weeks. Well, two months into working in the area, I still wasn’t fast enough. I was having a negative impact on my coworkers on that assembly line and the entire department. I didn’t want things to be so. I felt like I gave my job everything I had, from starting time to quitting time every single work day. But let me tell you, 10 hours of that kind of frustration and futility day after day really beats a person down. There were days when I’d walk out the exit at quitting time thinking, “I’m not sure I can face this again tomorrow.” And indeed,

it was not uncommon for new workers in that area to come to work for a day or two and, without saying a word to anybody, never come back — sometimes even leaving part way through their shift. For the most part, my coworkers were supportive. I still count many friends among those I worked with during that difficult time. Most of them remembered well enough their own struggles and adjustments to learning the job. Management, however, was a different story. When the numbers didn’t jibe and an employee who was contributing to the problem could be identified, that person was fired for unsatisfactory performance. There was no reassignment to an area where their strengths and talents might be better utilized. It was a case of, “If you can’t perform here, you can’t perform anywhere.”

Reader Essay

Nothing personal, just “empty out your locker, turn in your badge, and the guard will walk you to the gate.” I had been formally warned that, unless I could “pull it together,” this humiliating fate awaited me — no pressure! Apparently my supervisor had made up his mind that he needed to act with respect toward me. He was chatting with a couple of his more experienced line workers, saying that he was going to call me into his office and give me the bad news, when one of the women spoke up. “Let me work with him for a couple of weeks,” she said. “He always comes to work. He has a good attitude. He seems to be trying hard. I just can’t believe we can’t get him up to speed.” Perhaps somewhat begrudgingly, in light of how long they’d already been nurse-maiding me, my supervisor said, “Go ahead.” I’d worked on the same line as Jenny quite a bit

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the previous month. She was a little bitty thing — probably didn’t weigh 100 pounds soaking wet. A little older, she had a reputation for being a little gruff at times. My retraining began with a couple-minute conference with her. She told me exactly where I stood and that we had, at most, a couple of weeks to improve me enough that I wasn’t a liability. For the next two weeks, Jenny worked next to me on the assembly line. She had a quick trigger if she saw me wasting motion or time or not doing things correctly — and a sharp tongue if she thought the dull one wasn’t getting through. Some — perhaps many — would’ve resented the way she treated me or the things she said, but I never did. Even then, I understood she was pushing me because she wanted to see me succeed. I tried to take everything to heart. There was no particular reason for Jenny to give a damn about what became of me. She’d

1346 12th Street | Clarkston, WA 99403 GOLDEN TIMES

worked on the lines for years. She’d seen many people come and go. I was no different from any of them. She probably knew I was supporting a family, but so were many others who’d been let go in the past. She might have known that, during the time we worked together, my infant son had a health crisis that took him to death’s doorstep. She had absolutely no way of knowing that doctors were working to treat me for some serious longterm sleep disorders. That entailed what seemed to be a constantly changing regimen of prescription medicines that either didn’t work or didn’t wear off soon enough for me to be alert. It wasn’t uncommon for me to arrive for my 12-hour shift on two or three hours of fitful sleep — through no fault of my own. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a pity party. Everyone has adversities he or she must overcome — those were just some of mine. Jenny’s efforts were successful. My proficiency and, perhaps more importantly my comfort level, improved. When my probationary period ended, the boss was satisfied with my progress and I was retained and promoted to a six-year stint on night shift, bringing one of the most difficult periods of my life to a merciful close. In the 12 years since Jenny helped save me from the company scrap heap, I’ve had the good fortune to be a valued and productive member of four departments. I can say with reasonable confidence that my efforts and contributions have M O N D A Y, A P R I L 6 , 2 0 2 0

a good chance I won’t see her again and that she will never see this essay. It might not even be for her benefit as much as for people who might see it and be reminded that sometimes, when we least expect it, our actions can have a bigger impact than we could ever imagine.

Jenny wished to read it. He got her contact information and completed the circle of friendship. “So Jenny,

here’s to you,” he writes. “You’re a friend I didn’t know I had, and I’m an admirer you didn’t know you had.”

We Work for You, Right Here in the Valley

— Kevin Keatts, 58, of Clarkston Postscript: Keatts wrote this essay in 2012 and later chanced to run into Jenny at the grocery store, the day after she retired from a 32-year career with the company. As they visited, he learned that, 13 years after rescuing him, she’d also trained his son-in-law. He mentioned this essay she’d inspired, and

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M O N D A Y, A P R I L 6 , 2 0 2 0

coworkers succeed. My experience with Jenny has made me value teamwork, patience, compassion and people who won’t mince words when things aren’t right — even more than I valued these qualities before. Jenny, this is an award from Kevin and everyone who cares about him. Your actions all those years ago shine as an example of what many of us can and should do with respect to our families, friends, coworkers and fellow people in general. Thank you. Jenny is about a year from retirement now, and we work different shifts at different facilities miles apart. There’s

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been appreciated by most of my coworkers, as well as by all of my supervisors. None of that would’ve been possibly had Jenny just shrugged her shoulders and thought “good riddance” or “there’s nothing I can do about it.” Now, you might think this essay is about me. That isn’t my intent at all. This is about someone who, with nothing to gain for herself, did something very helpful for another person — who had no way to really repay their consideration. We all have tremendous power to enrich the lives of those around us. Oftentimes, it doesn’t take much extra effort. Recently, I was in the lunchroom of the plant where Jenny works and I was getting coffee for the trip home, my work day over, when I noticed a little gray-haired gal with her back to me. It was her! We hadn’t seen each other in at least seven years. She didn’t realize I still worked for the company. We exchanged a quick hug — a violation of company policy. I didn’t care, and I thanked her for probably the 10th time for everything she’d done. We caught up for a couple of minutes and went our separate ways. Had I been fired all those years ago, my life would’ve gone on — I’m a survivor and, who knows, perhaps I’d have blundered into something even better. But on the whole, I wouldn’t trade the opportunities I’ve had or the friends I’ve made for anything — and I owe that to Jenny. My fledgling career was dead. But with the simple words “let me try,” she gave me the chance to resurrect it. Our company sometimes recognizes workers for exemplary performance, but I’ll wager nobody has ever been honored for helping

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> IF YOU SUSPECT YOU’RE BEING TARGETED BY A SCAMMER: DON’T  share any personal information  send money DO  hang up the phone  delete the email or  shred the letter  Check legitimacy of claims if desired, but not using a number supplied by the caller. Instead, look the company up in the phone book or online.  Report the scam (more information follows).

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 are unsolicited (you didn’t initiate contact)  are threatening in tone, promising scary or embarrassing consequences for noncompliance or  are euphoric in tone (great news, you won the lottery — we need your bank account number to deposit your winnings)  request personal information  request money — usually in the form of a prepaid debit or credit card  carry an aggressive sense of urgency

It’s a good idea to pay attention to details on bills and other ﬁnancial transactions; discrepancies can be a red ﬂag for identity theft. But many fraudulent schemes currently circulating are sophisticated and able to trick even the most savvy. Anyone who believes they’ve been contacted by a scam artist and/or fallen victim to a fraudulent scheme may …  Report it to local police at (208) 7460171 in Lewiston, (509) 758-2331 in Clarkston, (208) 883-7054 in Moscow or (509) 334-0802 in Pullman. Police can alert the community to new scams and help victims

GOLDEN TIMES

take steps to minimize damage and protect themselves.  Report it to their bank or credit institution if money was taken or information was shared.  Report it to the business or organization involved.  Report it to the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org/scamtracker/us.  Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint or by calling (877) FTC-HELP.  Find a list of current known scams and more information on avoiding scams, at www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alert.  Find information on scams circulating locally on the Lewiston Police Department’s Facebook page, where citizens also may sign up for news alerts.  Ask door-to-door solicitors to show their licenses, and call the police if they don’t.

> BEWARE OF CATFISHERS LOOKING FOR “LOVE” Catfishing is when someone fakes an online identity to scam victims for money, romance or physical harm. These predatory online relationships can last for months or even years. It’s catfishing if ...  They ask for money: An online friend or romantic interest whom you’ve never met asks you to send money or provide your bank information.  They won’t meet. Beware if the contact strings you along but avoids meeting in person. Some catfishers agree to meet but have an “emergency” — such as a canceled flight or a medical issue — that prevents it. Catfishers often claim to be stationed abroad or working on an oil rig as an excuse for not meeting.  Skyping is off limits, too. Catfishers refuse to video chat.  They seem too good to be true. Some people who catfish feel bad about themselves and often assume the online persona of a fashion model, actor, successful businessperson, etc.

> DON’T GET HOOKED Before meeting in person or providing any information about yourself, fact-check claims and verify online identities using Google and SocialCatﬁsh.com. — Golden Times



M O N D A Y, A P R I L 6 , 2 0 2 0

Scouting saved my life

SUDOKU |

SOLUTION, Page 4

was a Cub Scout, and tention for quite a while. our remedies and practhen a Boy Scout untices are now frowned I thought I was feeling a til bitten by the athupon by the U.S. Food and little dizzy; not realizing letics bug in high school. Drug Administration, the I had locked my knees. I Our little logging town in turned to my friend and American Medical AssoIdaho was perfect ciation and the American fellow Scout, Bill for Scouting. We Society for the Prevention Haggard, and told literally lived in of Cruelty to Animals. him, “I think I’m “the woods,” so However, the American going to faint.” I camping opportuAssociation of Ambulance don’t remember nities were always Chasers loves us. much after that. close at hand. The sister of one We were always Ward, 72, lived in Headquarters of the Scouts was prepared for an there to pick up her from 1948-70. He graduated from LIFE ON emergency — brother. She caught Pierce High School and received THE HILL which was usually me before I hit the a bachelor’s degree in education caused by our own at Lewis-Clark Normal School floor. I woke up to actions. (now Lewis-Clark State College). find a dozen coats Camping in the He’s now retired and living in on me, my feet summer “month” elevated on blocks Columbia, S.C., with Beth, his was not as chalwife of 47 years. His goal with of fire wood and a lenging as taking this column is to share the bonds satisfied crowd of to the wilds in the dead of community developed on onlookers gazing down of winter. Deep snow, the Hill. His stories are fairly at me. They were true to low temps and limited the motto, “Be Prepared” true — the names may or may resources made for a not be changed to protect the and saved me from who great time to learn surknows what. Yes, Scouting guilty — with thanks to the many vival skills. Of course, friends from Headquarters, spared my life that day. our leaders were always Pierce and Weippe (and all the I’d like to express my there to bail us out. One little wide spots between these undying gratitude to of our standard camp those who saved me from towns) who enriched his life foods was bread on a an untimely end. Many of and fueled these memories. stick. All you needed was Bisquick, water and any preferred additive to liven it up a bit. You mixed the ingredients together, put the dough on the end of a stick and cooked • Foot/Ankle Surgery it over a roaring camp fire. The results were • Diabetic Care somewhat mixed. You • Foot Pain usually had a charred, blackened outer coating, • Orthotics a soft uncooked center • Sports Injury and a perfect section to • Foot Diseases eat between the inner and outer layers. The depth of On-Site the good part depended on the patience and attenSurgery Center tion of each camp chef. Patience and attention were typically in short supply with many of us. Board Certified, American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. One day, we were being trained on first aid for 1630 23rd Ave, Ste. 1001 Lewiston things like small cuts, fainting, etc. We had been www.footdocallen.com standing dutifully at at-

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ne remembers the polio epidemic and the hardships of World War II. One is stoic about it all — because, he says, he’s already “here past the welcome.” A third, old enough to remember the aftermath of the 1918 flu epidemic, turns to her faith in challenging times. For older Americans, some of the people most likely to be affected badly by the coronavirus pandemic, these unusual days and the social distancing that they bring are rippling out in varied and nuanced ways. “This kind of thing is not new for us older people,” said Mimi Allison, the former director

“I think we’re not as stressed as some of the younger people,” Allison said. “We know that we’re all going to come out of it. Well, some of us won’t, but most of us will, and we’re all going to be better off for it.” Allison says she’s reminded of rationing in World War II and the polio epidemic that sickened her brother in the 1940s, when swimming pools and movie theaters were closed and families kept Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press Mark Andersen, 60, co-director of the nonprofit organiza- children close to avoid that tion, “We Are Family DC,” organizes groceries and food to be virus. So far, she says, it’s not all that different from brought to seniors last month in Washington, D.C. growing up in Buffalo, of the National Museum the main inconvenience N.Y., when blizzards often of Dance, who turned 90 of social distancing is not brought life to a halt. on Friday. She lives with getting to celebrate her Kathryn Betts Adams, one of her daughters and birthday with other family a gerontology consultant a teenage grandson in members, including two and former associate Asheville, N.C., and says great-grandchildren. professor of social work

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at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, worries about others in situations like that confronting her own sometimes confused 91-year-old father, whose independent-living center in Connecticut has banned all visitors because of the pandemic. Socializing in the dining room is out; he eats meals in his apartment on paper plates that had stacked up until Adams explained over the phone how to remove and replace trash bags. The key is to maintain some kind of connection, says the Rev. Michael Pfleger, 70, a charismatic Chicago priest who normally feeds off the energy of parishioners but now faces empty pews. His parish in a struggling South Side neighborhood includes many adults his age and older who are more vulnerable to serious COVID-19 complications and are sequestered in their homes. Many “already feel like nobody cares about them, and then add this to it. I just think we’ve got to be very careful about people not being traumatized,” Pfleger said. He has turned to live-streaming Mass on Sundays during Lent; the prospect of a vacant church on Easter is almost unimaginable. Instead of handshakes and embraces, he’s urging phone calls, especially for seniors without internet access or smartphones. “It’s so important to stay connected right now, because what depression does with people is have them turn into themselves and close their world, and then depression takes over,” Pfleger said. Mental health experts agree. Almost one in three older adults live alone, and many have chronic health M O N D A Y, A P R I L 6 , 2 0 2 0

problems. Those factors make them vulnerable to loneliness and depression; suicide rates among those aged 75 and older are among the highest in the nation. “Social isolation can be a risk for depression, physical illness, even mortality,” said Katherine Ramos, a Duke University specialist in aging and mental health. Now, she suggests, is a good time for older adults with internet access to take free online courses and make virtual visits to cultural attractions. For those accustomed to being more active, being confined to home and reliant on others for groceries and basic needs can be

disempowering, she said. Family members can help by involving relatives in conversations about health risks and need for social distancing. Helen Anstead, 106, isn’t fazed by the COVID-19 pandemic because, she says, she has pretty much seen it all. Anstead was 5 when influenza swept the planet in 1918. “I just felt the fear that the elders had when they talked about it,” she said. The retired teacher lives by herself on a farm in rural northeast Michigan where her son raises beef cattle. COVID-19 hasn’t reached her county yet. Anstead mostly stays indoors, pays attention to

the news but doesn’t worry cluding fever and coughs. existing health problems, about getting sick. Raised For some, especially older in a church-going family, adults and people with See ISOLATION, Page 16 she says she relies on her faith and watches Mass on TV every day. Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home & Crematory “When you’re isolated, you reach for spiritual help,” she said, “and it works for me.” The global coronavirus pandemic has infected at least 565,000, killed more than 25,000 worldwide, crippled economies and forced restrictions on the movement of millions of people in an effort to stop Dennis Hastings the virus from spreading Exceptional Service • Fully Licensed Staff • Competitive Prices further and overwhelming health care systems. Our Family, Serving Your Family for over 119 years. For most people, the new 920 21st Ave., Lewiston • 208-743-6541 • 800-584-8812 coronavirus causes mild www.vassar-rawls.com or moderate symptoms, in575405D_20

Is Imaging Necessary and Helpful in the Treatment of Low Back Pain? Imaging is used frequently in the management of lumbar back pain to help identify the potential source of symptoms. Generally, information Levi Frasier, PT obtained from these sources do not correlate with the cause of symptoms. One particular found that 32% of individuals without pain had abnormal findings on MRI and 47% percent with pain had no abnormal findings on MRI. Therefore, these studies would suggest that imaging with MRI is limited in its ability to help with diagnosis and treatment in the management of back pain. Imaging does have its place in management of back pain to potentially rule out severe abnormalities of which treatment is outside of the scope of physical therapy. Back pain treatment can be classified into clinical subgroups and when appropriately classified patients will have a better chance of improvement than they will relying on the results of imaging findings. Our professional staff at the Institute of Physical Therapy can perform an appropriate evaluation to determine the appropriate subgroup to treat your back pain effectively. Treatment will be tailored specifically to your needs to best suit your needs. If you have back pain, don’t hesitate to contact us for an evaluation.

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ISOLATION

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it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. It has forced lifestyle adjustments for everyone. Easter Brown, 77, works with a Washington, D.C., group that provides groceries, medicine and other services to older inner-city residents. But it’s pollen season and she has asthma,

making her more vulnerable to coronavirus. So on doctor’s orders, she has stopped making deliveries. She has also stopped walking outside for exercise and instead strolls her apartment building’s hallways for 35 minutes each day. Her daughter and grandson live in the building so she doesn’t feel isolated. Crossword puzzles, studying her Bible, cooking and watching TV keep her busy. Brown takes the small

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changes in her lifestyle in stride, and is still going strong — at least, “that’s what everybody says,” Brown said with a laugh. “As long as I stay in here, I don’t worry about catching it,” she said. In Dublin, N.H., 88-yearold Pete Thomas lives by himself and says, “I’m pretty happy being alone. I’m used to it.” He does miss his regular visits with friends at a nearby diner and has turned to take-out for most his meals. But he says he doesn’t feel deprived and doesn’t worry about getting sick. “At 88, I am sort of here past the welcome, as the saying goes,” Thomas said. “It will be what it is, and you deal with it as you will. I see no point in getting myself concerned about something I have no control over.”

Volunteers, take care of yourselves Cathy Robinson has a message for all volunteers: If you’re in the age group that’s vulnerable to corona virus, or if you have an underlying medical condition, please stay home and wait this out. “The vast majority of volunteers in this valley is seniors,” she said, “because everyone else is working or in school.” Robinson, executive director of the WA-ID Volunteer Center, noted that not much is going on anyway under the current isolation measures, so the need for volunteers isn’t great. The exception to that is senior meal delivery,

which continues (see Pages 8-9), and staffing at area food banks. The meal deliveries are pretty well in hand with the current volunteer force, Robinson said, but food banks, which have seen an uptick in need and a decrease in workers as older volunteers stay home, is actively recruiting younger, healthy workers (see “Pandemic pushes food banks to call for help,” at lmtribune. com). The volunteer center office is closed as staff work from home. They can be reached at (208) 746-7787. — Golden Times

What You Need to Know About Prearranging Why Should I Prearrange Services? It’s the right thing to do for you and your family. Here are five important reasons to plan your funeral now: 1.

You’ll protect your family from unnecessary pain & expense.

You’ll say goodbye in a way that uniquely reflects your personal style — not someone else’s.

You’ll lessen the financial burden. Our easy payment plans make it easy for you to comfortably pay for your funeral over time, at today’s prices, so your family won’t have to find the money later.

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You’ll show your love in a way your family will never forget.

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