Golden Times June 2024

Over Age 65 Health Plans

ON THE COVER: This photo by Chris Carlson, of The Associated Press, shows Gene and Sallie Carr in their recently remodeled home in Hendersonville, N.C. An increasing number of older Americans are upgrading their homes for the long haul. The story is on Page 6.

BIRTHDAYS: Catherine Solenberger Kelleigh, on Page 3

EDITOR: Dallas Marshall, (208) 848-2232/ dmarshall@lmtribune.com

SUBMISSION DEADLINE for the July issue is 5 p.m. June 15. GOLDEN TIMES: P.O. Box 957, Lewiston, ID 83501 goldentimes@lmtribune.com

JUNE BIRTHDAYS

> JUNE 15

Catherine Solenberger Kelleigh, 95

Catherine Solenberger Kelleigh, of Troy, will celebrate her 95th birthday on June 15. Catherine was born Catherine Belle Solenberger in 1929 in Winchester, Va. Her father, Hugh Sterrett Solenberger, was 31 and her mother, Mary Louise Thwaite, was 29. Catherine is older than her two brothers, John and Robert.

(Beatrice, John, Elizabeth, Catherine, Nancy, Stanley and Hugh). Catherine moved to Troy with Catherine in November 2022.

Cathrine lived with her family in Winchester until she attended college in Boston, where she met Stanley W. Kelleigh. They were married Nov. 10, 1950, in New Hampshire.

Catherine and Stanley lived in Wayland, Mass., where they had seven children

Catherine will celebrate her birthday with a family gathering.

To submit birthdays: Birthday announcements starting at age 70 are 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 the announcement. 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 Dallas Marshall at dmarshall@ lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2232. July birthday announcements must be received by 5 p.m. June 15.

Another meaning to ‘getting ready’

“Are you ready?”

Do you remember that question as a child when you were preparing to go somewhere? Do you remember using it with your own family? Even as an adult, before a big event such as a wedding, concert, play or funeral this phrase pops up. How often do you still say it?

What does the word “ready” mean? Webster says you are “in a suitable state for an activity, action, or situation; fully

prepared.”

Through the years, being ready has certainly changed it’s look. My mother spent hours washing our clothes, hanging them on the line, ironing them and storing them in our tiny closets, so they were easily accessible when we needed to get ready. Preparation for Sundays required a clean body, as well as clothes. She heated water on the big, black cookstove for our Saturday night baths. Polishing shoes was Dad’s

job. They made sure we could be ready.

Every morning getting ready required a big breakfast, washing your face, dressing and combing your hair. It took half an hour for Mom to comb my brown ringlets and put a bow in my hair. The routine was the same every day.

Women always wore dresses then. Mom would put on a clean apron every morning to protect her dress of the week. She had more aprons than dresses. When Dad wanted to go someplace, she would take off her apron, comb her hair, change her shoes and be ready to go.

For my grandparents and my dad, getting ready always included a hat. They wore grungy hats when they were outside working and stylish hats in public. Mom and I only wore hats to church on Easter. I don’t remember my dad in a public place without his smart-looking felt hat, even in the heat of summer.

Getting ready changed when I was in my teens. How I prepared depended on what I was going

to be doing that day — helping in the garden, hauling hay, picking berries, going to school, etc. Pants and pedal pushers were allowed on my days at home. I still had to wash my face and comb my hair but it didn’t take long. I had cut off my curls. Getting ready to go out in public took much longer. Dad finally let me wear make-up when I was in high school. I wouldn’t have been caught dead without my red lipstick. That passion stuck with me until I was in my late 50s. As long as I put on my red lipstick, I was ready to go anywhere. I’ve adjusted the color of my lipstick. I seldom wear red now. It’s too gaudy for an old lady. Unless it’s a special occasion, getting ready doesn’t seem as important in our present culture. It’s too much trouble to “get ready” on days I’ll stay home. People sometimes go to bed in the same clothes they wore all day. Even wearing pajamas to the store is about as ready as some people can be. Is that laziness or is it a low

self-esteem? I know pain can prevent the incentive to get ready, but pajama people are usually young. Getting ready is a mental and emotional status, as well as physical. We might call it getting our head in the right place. Preparation for others to view us in public, during a responsibility, event, speaking engagement, appointment and even meeting a friend takes discipline.

There is something uplifting and energizing about the act of getting ready. A daily routine of preparing our best appearance does something for us psychologically. When we care enough about ourselves to do something for ourselves, it makes us feel good. Even if pain, fear or sadness are too deep to get completely set for the coming day, try putting on a favorite garment, a hat, scarf, a pin or jewelry — at least clean clothes. Wash your face and comb your hair. Clean your glasses. Tell yourself you’re ready for the day, come what may. It will raise your spirit and change your outlook on the world. Oh, yes, and don’t forget to have a smile ready for everyone you meet.

Chase Hoseley is a freelance writer and retired kindergarten teacher who lives in Clarkston. She can be reached at shoseley8@gmail.com.

THINKING OUT LOUD

Sharon Chase Hoseley

For the LewistonClarkston Valley

> Monday-Friday

Coffee, 10 a.m. to noon, Valley Community Center, 549 Fifth St., Clarkston.

> Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Coffee, 10 a.m. to noon, $1 donation, Sixth Street Senior Center, 832 Sixth St., Clarkston.

Fit and Fall Proof, 9-9:45 a.m., Congregational Presbyterian Church, 709 Sixth St., Lewiston.

Fit and Fall Proof, 10:45-11:30 a.m., Orchards United Methodist Church, 1213 Burrell Ave., Lewiston.

> Mondays and Wednesdays

Yoga/lowimpact exercise, 9-10 a.m., Valley Community Center.

> Mondays and Fridays

Fit and Fall Proof, 10-11 a.m., Emmanuel Baptist Church, 2200 11th Ave., Lewiston.

> Mondays

Painting group, noon to 4 p.m., Valley Community Center.

Dance practice, 6:30-8 p.m., Sixth Street Senior Center.

> Tuesdays

Blood pressure checks, 11 a.m.12:30 p.m., Valley Community Center.

> Tuesdays and Thursdays

Fit and Fall Proof, 8:15-9:15 a.m., Elks Lodge, 3444 Country Club Drive, Lewiston.

> Wednesdays

Bridge, 12:30-4 p.m., Valley Community Center.

Zumba, 5-6:30 p.m., Sixth Street Senior Center.

> Thursdays

Footcare, Valley Community Center. By appointment only: (253) 218-7091.

> Fridays

Country jam, 10 a.m. to noon, Sixth Street Senior Center.

Cornhole games, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Valley Community Center.

> Sundays

Dance lessons, 5-6:30 p.m., $5 per lesson, Sixth Street Senior Center. Call or text (509) 5529457 to register.

> June 4

Karaoke, 6:30-8:30

SENIOR CALENDAR

p.m., Sixth Street Senior Center.

> June 11 and 25

Foot care, Valley Community Center.

By appointment only: (253) 218-7091.

> June 6 and 20

Dance, 6:30-8:30 p.m., $5 donation, Sixth

Street Senior Center.

> June 24

Seaport Quilters, 6-9 p.m., Valley Community Center.

Gleason Health Agent

SPLURGE OR STRUGGLE

Older Americans working to keep homes accessible

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — Brenda Edwards considers the four bedroom ranch-style house where she has lived for 20 years her forever home. It’s where the 70-year-old retired nurse and her 79-year-old husband want to stay as their mobility becomes more limited.

So she hired an interior designer for $20,000 and spent another $95,000 to retrofit their house in Oakdale, Calif. She had the kitchen aisles widened to accommodate a wheelchair in case she or her husband ever need one. The bathroom now has a walk-in steam shower and an electronic toilet seat that cleans the user when activated.

“We felt comfortable,” Edwards said in explaining why the couple decided to invest in the property instead of downsizing. “We have a pool. We have a spa. We just put a lot of love and effort into this yard. We want to stay.”

Even if they wanted to move, it wouldn’t make financial sense, Edwards said. Their house is almost paid for, and “it would be too hard to purchase anything else,” she said.

Like Edwards and her husband, a vast majority of adults older than age 50 prefer the idea of remaining in their own residences as long a possible, according to an Associated

Gene and Sallie Carr pose for a picture May 7 in their recently remodeled home in Hendersonville, N.C. An increasing number of Americans in their late 50s and older are staying in their houses, some by choice, others because they’re locked into low mortgage rates that are too low to give up.

Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll. But staying put is becoming less of a choice. Some baby boomers and older members of Generation X are locked into low mortgage rates too good to give up. Skyrocketing housing prices fueled by lean supply further complicate the calculations of moving house.

Despite feeling tied down, a subset of these older adults have enough extra cash to splurge on upgrades designed to

keep their homes both enjoyable and accessible as they age. The demand for inconspicuous safety bars, lower sinks, residential elevators and other amenities has given home improvement chains, contractors, designers and architects a noticeable lift.

Home Depot, the nation’s largest home improvement chain, is revamping its Glacier Bay brand to include sleeker grab bars and faucets that are easier to use. Rival Lowe’s created a one-stop

shop in 2021 that offers wheelchair ramps, teak shower benches, taller toilets and other products geared toward older boomers.

“They aspire for bathrooms that exude beauty and elegance, with essential accessibility features seamlessly integrated,” Lowe’s Trend and Style Director Monica Reese said of the target customers.

Toto USA, a subsidiary of a Japanese company that introduced a luxury

bidet toilet seat in 1980, markets the bathroom fixture to older people by saying it can help prevent urinary tract infections and reduce the burden on caregivers.

Toto USA research showed a 20 percentage point spike in ownership of the Washlet seats among consumers ages 46-55 between early 2020 and the end of last year. The increase indicates customers are thinking ahead, said Jarrett Oakley, the subsidiary’s director of

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

marketing.

“The growing older demographic is more knowledgeable about renovations and planning for their future needs, especially as they prepare to age in place,” Oakley said. “They’re looking to future-proof their homes thoughtfully and with a focus on luxury.”

Wendy Glaister, an interior designer in Modesto, Calif., who worked with Edwards, reports more clientele in their late 50s and early 60s remodeling their homes for the years ahead. The typical bathroom renovation in California costs $45,000 to $75,000, she said.

“Your home is your safe place,” Glaister said. “Your home is where you hosted your family for holidays.”

The need to age-proof properties will become more urgent in the decade ahead. By 2034, people age 65 and older are expected to outnumber those under age 18 for the first time in U.S. history, according to a U.S. Census report revised in 2020.

But the issue has exposed a divide between well-heeled and lower-income boomers regarding their ability to remain in place safely.

Cathie Perkins, 79, a retired teacher who has chronic fatigue syndrome, had a local nonprofit group modify the first-floor apartment she owns in Beaverton, Ore. The changes, which cost about $3,000, included replacing her tub shower with a walk-in version and installing a higher toilet. Perkins values her independence and said retirement facilities are beyond her means. “I am on a fixed income,” she said. “I have Social Security, and I have a pension.”

According to a 2023 analysis of the 2011 American Housing Survey by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, less than 4% of U.S. homes combine single-floor living with no-step entry, and halls and doorways wide enough for wheelchairs. The Harvard center

analysis found that 20% of survey respondents age 80 and above with incomes below $30,000 reported accessibility challenges, compared to 11% for those with incomes of $75,000 or more.

Jennifer Molinsky, director of the center’s Housing an Aging Society program, urges policymakers to address the shortage of affordable housing that’s a good fit for older adults.

“There are all these options for those people who have a lot of money,” Molinsky said. “But there’s a lot of disparity. There are people, through no fault of their own or for systemic reasons, who may not have the money to modify.”

Gene Carr, 67, and Sallie Carr, 65, have lived in their two-story, four-bedroom house in Henderson, N.C., for 27 years. The married couple had the money and vision to renovate in August 2022, hoping to stay in their home for at least another 20 years.

They hired builders to put a master bedroom and a bathroom on the first floor, both wheelchair-accessible. As the project neared completion a year ago, Gene Carr had a minor stroke that he describes as a “wake-up call.” His condition has improved, but the renovations make it easier to deal with ongoing balance issues, Carr said.

“We’ve got two pets that are old, and they don’t like going up and downstairs anymore either,” he said.

As retailers respond to the discomfort with aging itself in U.S. culture, Nancy Berlinger, a senior research scholar at the Hastings Center in Garrison, N.Y., who collaborates with Molinsky, encourages future home renovators to stay open-minded.

“We’ve all learned to love OXO Good Grips utensils and other simple, practical designs that work, so we can learn to love grab bars, too,” she said.

Tips to make an apartment or house safe and accessible

level by transforming a den or an office.

With a majority of Americans preferring to live in their own homes as long as possible, experts stress the importance of modifications to keep dwellings safe and accessible. Here’s a summary of tips from the National Institute on Aging and AARP, which offers a free room-by-room guide with practical suggestions for older adults living independently.

ENTRANCE WAY:

l Have at least one exterior doorway with step-free access. If not possible, consider a ramp.

l Add a bench in the foyer to sit on when removing shoes or to set down items while locking or unlocking the door.

BATHROOM:

l Install a walk-in shower with a bench and nonskid decals or mats to prevent falls.

l Add a hand-held nozzle to the shower head to facilitate rinsing off while seated.

l Install grab bars on the shower wall and near the toilet.

l Put in a taller toilet or add a toiler riser.

l Consider plugging in a nightlight.

BEDROOM:

l If stairs are too difficult to manage, create a bedroom on the main

l Make sure the bed is easy to get in and out of. Purchase bed risers, if needed.

l Invest in an adjustable bed for extra comfort.

KITCHEN:

l Purchase a stove with safety features that alert the resident when a burner is on or have automatic shut-offs.

l Relocate major appliances to make them easier to reach.

l Add slide-out drawers or trays to existing cabinets for better access.

l Install a lever-style, light-touch or sensor faucet, which is easier to use than a faucet with turn-style knobs or handles.

FURNITURE AND RUGS:

l Get rid of furniture and clutter to make rooms easier to move around in.

l Replace chairs with armrests to make it easier to stand and sit.

l Avoid furniture with sharp corners, which can cause bruises and cuts when bumped up against.

l Hide cords out of pathways — but don’t put them under rugs.

l Area rugs, if used, should be secured to the floor with a nonslip mat or anti-slip rug tape.

A grab bar next to the bathtub is shown in the Carr’s remodeled home in Hendersonville.

Chris Carlson/ Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS

In honor of those who served in the Vietnam War

The April 30 Lewiston Tribune had a short line which said the Vietnam War ended on April 30, 1975 — 49 years ago.

From 1961-75, the U.S. lost more than 58,000 men in the war, and their names are engraved on the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C. Of the names, 217 are from Idaho: six are from Lewiston and a few are from the surrounding area.

Let’s start by listing who the Lewiston men were who were killed in the war.

Rod Mayer was a 27-year-old, 1957 Lewiston High School graduate who played in the band, was a brilliant math student and

Idaho on a scholarship where he received a commission as a Navy officer. His beautiful white stone in the Normal Hill Cemetery gives details of his final mission Oct. 17, 1965, when the plane he was piloting off of the USS Independence was lost and never found.

Billy Hepburn, 19, was killed in 1966. He dropped out of Lewiston High School with Joe Schock, and they both joined the Marines.

Schock was decorated in Vietnam, and when he was

University of Idaho and became a war protester. In one anti-war demonstration at Washington State University in Pullman, he was arrested and spent some time in the Whitman County jail.

two sisters have visited him in France.

Besides Mayer and Hepburn, other Lewiston men killed in Vietnam were 21-year-old Duanne Akkerman in 1967, and Ed Bogges, Ralph Rotter and Michael Snyder, who were all killed in 1968 at the ages of 23, 24 and 25, respectively.

On May 4, 1970, four protesting anti-war college students were killed by the U.S. National Guard and nine were injured on the campus of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. It was a terrible mistake and among those angered was Schock. The next night on May 5, 1970, 29 Lewiston National Guard vehicles at the Lewiston Armory were burned up. Schock was caught a few blocks from the fire smelling of gasoline and charged with setting the fire. The judge released Schock on bail, and in October before his court date, he fled to Canada and was on the run for two years. He married and went to France, which does not extradite foreigners wanted for political reasons. His

Dennis McMonigle received the nation’s third highest award, the Silver Star, in 1968 when he was an Army captain in Vietnam. McMonigle was from Lewiston, where his dad owned the Chevrolet dealership. He attended St. Stanislaus Catholic School and then two years at Lewiston High School before graduating from high school in California. I remember him as a little boy when his sister Patty was a friend of mine around 1950. He retired as a colonel from the Army after serving 29 years. He and his wife, Jan, now live in Lewiston, and I visited him recently. Jan Sullivan was a 1962 Lewiston High graduate, and Patty McMonigle is a retired lawyer living in New York City..

My cousin Kent Valley was a combat Marine lieutenant in Vietnam where he received the Bronze Star and other awards. He graduated from LHS in 1958 as a football player and then played for the University of Idaho. Some others who served in Vietnam were the late Kay Kalbfleisch, who taught junior high school in Lewiston. He was an artillary officer who received the bronze star.

Bill Neimann, a 1961 LHS graduate, flew 148 combat missions in Vietnam and received four air medals.

Brothers Richard and John Vassar, both of Lewiston, were helicopter pilots in the Vietnam War. I realize there are many more Lewiston area men who served in Vietnam, and to them I say thank you, and to those who have passed away, may you rest in peace.

Riggs, 90, is a lifelong Lewistonian. He’s an avid Warriors fan, a retired educator, coach and school superintendent and volunteers his time at the Nez Perce County Historical Society. He can be reached at bdriggo@gmail.com.

WA-ID Volunteer Center, in the Lewiston Community Center at 1424 Main St., strives to provide individualized volunteer opportunities for those wishing to serve in Lewiston, Clarkston, Asotin, Pomeroy, Moscow and the Orofino area. Information and other volunteer openings can be found at waidvolunteercenter.org or by calling (208) 746-7787.

Volunteer needs include:

Tutors — America Reads needs tutors to help students in kindergarten through third grade become proficient readers. Volunteers need to be able to commit to at least an hour a week for the school year. Background check required.

Food bank help — Volunteers are needed

INTERLINK SEEKS VOLUNTEER DRIVERS

Interlink, Inc., a local nonprofit organization, is in need of summer volunteers.

Every summer, Interlink loses many of its volunteer drivers, thus it is unable to meet the requests of all of the clients who don’t drive but need transportation to grocery stores, medical appointments, exercise classes, beauty parlors, etc. Driving volunteers use their own vehicles and will be reimbursed for mileage. Drivers get to determine how much and how often they drive by setting their own schedules. Drivers are especially needed for the months of June, July, August and September. Contact the Interlink office for more information: (509) 751-9143.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

to repack frozen and dry foods for distribution. Front counter volunteers and drivers for morning food pickups also are needed.

AARP tax preparer —

Do you feel comfortable with computers? Can you spare a couple of mornings a week? AARP Tax Aide Program needs volunteers to help prepare free basic tax returns for seniors and low-income individuals. No experience necessary. Training and materials are provided.

Project Warmup — Crafters are needed to make hats, scarves, mittens and lap blankets (yarn is provided). Completed items are donated to local nonprofit agencies.

Companions — The Senior Companion program

provides companionship and respite care to the elderly and disabled. It allows low-income senior volunteers an opportunity to assist those who need minor help to continue living independently. Senior Companions visit clients in their homes, but it is not an in-home care program.

Medicare counselor —

The State Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program trains volunteers to assist local seniors with Medicare questions for Asotin, Garfield and Whitman counties.

Local hospital auxiliary — Volunteers are needed to greet people, deliver flowers, staff the courtesy cart, deliver mail, assist in the gift shop, create baby and child items, do clerical

work, provide hospital tours and more.

Lewiston City Library — Volunteer needs include circulation support, tech tutors and programming support.

Mobile blood drive canteen — Volunteers serve refreshments to donors immediately following donations, help maintain a comfortable atmosphere, talk with donors and answer questions while observing the donors for possible adverse reactions

Museum docents — Skills include meet-andgreet abilities, friendly personality and the ability to answer questions about the displays at the center. Training is provided.

Transportation — Drive seniors or disabled

community members to and from destinations across the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. You must have a valid driver’s license and auto insurance.

Garden and Park Volunteers — General lawn maintenance, weeding, sweeping, etc. Training provided. Community service approved.

Interlink Inc. is a nonprofit organization in Clarkston that matches community volunteers to people needing assistance to remain independent in their own homes. For information about becoming a volunteer and volunteer opportunities, call (509) 7519143. Volunteer applications and additional information also can be found online at interlinkvolunteers.org

lmtribune.com:

Busted at the border

Spring had come and I needed a break from the small mountain mining town where I lived in central Slovenia. So one Sunday I called Patti, a fellow American teacher who lived in Ljubljana, picked her up and we headed north into Austria for lunch.

vignette. But I will be happy to buy one,” I said. But no, the guard told me it was too late for that. I had to pay a fine of $100 to proceed. I tried to tell him it was an honest error and we had only been on the autobahn for the few miles from Villach.

the $100 we would still be there to this day.

I later found this was something of a national attitude. One Sunday when visiting a cousin in Austria and driving around looking at the sights, I was really hungry for something fresh, so I asked if we could stop at a market to get some apples.

“Please let me just buy a vignette right now. I am happy to. I always buy one when driving in Austria.”

ALTERNATIVE Nursing

Homemakers Transportation

Respite Care

Residential Habilitation

Yakima Office,WA: 509-469-3388 Spokane, WA: 509-315-1235 ANS is committed to caring. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for all those entrusted in our care.

Serving these Counties Nez Perce, Latah, Clearwater, Lewis,

Rather than go through the long Karavanken tunnel that connects the two countries, we opted to explore a small road that climbed a pass and descended into Austria near Villach where we planned to dine. The road was very rough with lots and lots of winter potholes but we made it eventually, my little red Renault 5 none the worse for wear.

We enjoyed a nice meal in a pleasant restaurant, and we did a bit of window-shopping before heading back home. This time I decided to take the autobahn to Italy, which would be quicker and smoother. This is an area where the three countries meet, and we were only 14 miles or so from the Italian border. When we stopped at the border the Austrian guard asked for my passport and then pointed out that I didn’t have a vignette on my windshield. Vignettes are window stickers cars must have in order to drive on autobahns.

“Oh no, I totally forgot because we came into Austria on the road from Dobrova, Slovenia. That little road doesn’t need a

“But you don’t have one now when you should,” he glowered and he refused to return my passport. Then he turned away as if bored. Patti was married to an Italian who had gone to Tuscany to buy house. She spoke fluent Italian so quickly ran to talk to the Italian guards on the other side of the border crossing and frantically explained the situation. They sympathized but could do nothing and told her the Austrians are like robots (he used a less flattering word) and refuse to change their minds.

The Austrian would not return my passport and so I dug into my purse and found my “foremergencies-only” $50 traveler’s check, but that’s all I had. Thank goodness, Patti also had $50. Together we were able to bail out my passport and go on our way. We were both furious at the unbending attitude of the Austrians. We were on the autobahn for only 14 miles. I think if Patti and I had not come up with

“Oh no,” my cousin replied, “shops are not allowed to be open on a Sunday. Everyone must have time to be home with family.”

It was hard to argue with that, but as an American I found it quite inconvenient, as well as rather strict. I guess, perhaps, I am spoiled.

Yet compare that with the attitude I found one day in Italy. I was at the airport that I normally used near Trieste. I after parking my car I always used one particular door. This time however, I found a sign on it and I was not sure what it said or whether or not I could use it. Just then two Italian men came through the door. I pointed to the door and I asked them in my limited Italian, “È possibile?” (Is it possible to use the door?)

They laughed and replied, “In Italia tutto è possibile!” (In Italy everything is possible.) Bless their hearts, they made my day.

Johnson, of Grangeville, worked in three different European countries — Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovenia — in the 1990s and early 2000s. She can be reached at johnsondixie@hotmail.com.

Still cruising along at age 80

My love for travel probably stems from listening to my father’s stories of adventure from hopping trains to serving in the armed forces. He sparked our imagination with stories of Hawaii and Mexico including the legends or superstitions.

My husband and I always dreamed of travel when we retired. We did get to make a few trips, but mostly involving my work, and then he died before we could manifest the rest of those goals. I would encourage you to go while your body allows and you remain together.

I now travel with women friends ranging in age from 40 to 80. Recently, four of us met in Miami, flew to Barbados and boarded the Seabourne Ovation for a 14-day southern Caribbean cruise. What an adventure we had and it was so much fun. We visited St. Martin, St. Kitts, Antigua, Martinique and Guadaloupe.

Some wore shorts,

GALLIVANTING GRANNY

Hazel Christiansen

swimsuits and sunglasses while I stuck to my Eddy Bauer sun-blocking pants and shirts with my floppy hat most of the time when we toured. Sunscreen is important when you’re so close to the equator. On board, we dressed appropriately for dining, sometimes more formal than others.

The food was excellent and one could choose to eat indoors or out, cafeteria style or formal dining. Quality meat from Snake River Ranches and Bollinger wine were available. We also had choices that ranged from lobster to escargot.

There were so many excursions from which to choose, with different modes of transportation and costs involved. They ranged from van, car, truck, jet ski, catamaran, even golf

carts or a helicopter. There were trips to rum distilleries, or for bird-watching, kayaking through mangroves, river tubing, jet skiing, hiking a botanical garden and a zipline.

While some of us slept in or read, others were in the pool at dawn. We all took sightseeing tours and snorkeled. We hit the beaches to hunt for shells and sample local food and drink. On a hot day, the rum punch seems harmless, but it’s sneaky. Punch is what it packs if you gulp one too many.

One of my favorite memories of this trip was the shore excursion on Bequia. We rode on benches in the back of a truck to a mountaintop view where cannons are still set in place, learned about the history and culture of the island. The government still allows the harvest of up to four humpback whales per year by the locals. Even with a 40% unemployment rate, the people still manage with communal living and shared wealth. Earlier cot-

REGIONAL SENIOR MEAL SITES

Cottonwood Community Hall

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

Craig Mountain Senior Center

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

Daley Senior Care

30302 Harley Lane, Culdesac, (208) 791-7438, meals at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. daily.

Friendly Senior Citizens of Troy

100 S. Main St., Troy, (208) 835-6092, dine-in or pick-up; noon Wednesdays. Grangeville Senior Center

108 Truck Route, Grangeville, (208) 983-2033, meals are at noon Mondays,

Wednesdays and Fridays.

Juliaetta-Kendrick Senior Citizens Center

104 S. Sixth St., Kendrick, (208) 289-5031, meals from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays.

Kamiah Senior Center

125 N. Maple St., Kamiah, (208) 935-0244, meals at noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Lewiston Community Center

1424 Main St., Lewiston, (208) 7436983, meals at noon Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The full list of regional meal sites is at lmtribune.com.

ton and sugar crops gave way to fishing, flavored sea salt and tourism of today.

Here you’ll find The Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary, which was founded in 1995 by Orton King for the protection and preservation for hawk-billed turtles. They are reared to 5 years of age before they are returned to ocean beaches. Their rate of return is more than 50%. A photographic opportunity allowed us to hold one of the smaller turtles. I’ve always said a turtle was my spirit animal because I’m slow to make decisions but do finish the race.

After a long day of

shopping, touring, swimming, hiking or walking, a hot stone or deep tissue massage aboard the ship was such a welcome treat. Live music could be found aboard almost every evening.

I could continue to gush, but you must see for yourself. It’s not too late; you’re not too old to seek out an adventure. The younger people I’ve traveled with are a joy to be with and they have grown up with and embrace technology that sure has helped.

Christiansen lives in Lewiston. She can be reached at petpal535@gmail.com.

Pre-planning your final wishes gives you and your family peace of mind. Whether cremation or burial - we are proud to offer a variety of options for every budget.

2

VALLEY MEALS ON WHEELS — JUNE

MENU

HOT: Ham/scalloped potatoes/ broccoli

SACK: Roast beef/pasta salad/Jell-O fluff

9

HOT: Roasted turkey/yams/ green beans

SACK: Seafood salad/ coleslaw/pudding

HOT: Pork loin/ mashed potatoes/ squash

SACK: Tuna salad/pickled beet salad/applesauce 16

HOT: Ham/scalloped potatoes/ broccoli

SACK: Roast beef/pasta salad/Jell-O fluff 23

30

HOT: Roasted turkey/yams/ green beans

SACK: Seafood salad/ coleslaw/pudding

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 $4 per day or a hot meal and a sack lunch for $5 per day. More info: (208) 799-5767. Menus are prepared by St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and are subject to change.

HOT: Lasagna/ squash

SACK: Tuna salad/green salad/ apple 3

SACK: Egg salad/ chips/pears 10

HOT: Chicken cordon bleu/ peas

HOT: Chicken pot pie/green beans

SACK: Egg salad/broccoli salad/cookies

11

HOT: Stuffed peppers/rice/ broccoli

SACK: Turkey/chickpea salad/Jell-O

HOT: Pesto chicken casserole/ cauliflower

SACK: Pastrami/ broccoli salad/pear 17

HOT: Lasagna/ squash

SACK: Tuna salad/green salad/ apple

HOT: Teriyaki meatballs/rice/ peas

SACK: Uncrustable/chips/ peaches 5

HOT: Beefy mac and cheese/cauliflower

SACK: Chicken salad/spinach salad/ cookies

HOT: Cheeseburger casserole/corn

SACK: Turkey salad/pea salad/cottage cheese 18

HOT: Chicken pot pie/green beans

SACK: Egg salad/ broccoli salad/cookies

HOT: Chicken strips/mac and cheese/peas

SACK: Egg salad/green salad/lemon pudding

HOT: Teriyaki meatballs/rice/ peas

SACK: Uncrustable/ chips/peaches 26

HOT: Chicken and rice casserole/cauliflower

SACK: Ham/potato salad/ chocolate pudding

HOT: Chicken tetrazzini/carrots

SACK: Roast beef/potato salad/ orange 13

20

HOT: Philly steak and onions/potatoes/cabbage

SACK: Uncrustable/carrot almond salad/cake

HOT: Chicken and rice casserole/cauliflower

SACK: Ham/potato salad/chocolate pudding

HOT: Tuna noodle casserole/carrots

SACK: Pastrami/ cucumber and tomato salad/fruit cobbler 7

HOT: Taco casserole/corn

SACK: Uncrustable/yogurt/ peaches 14

HOT: Salisbury steak/ mashed potatoes/ green beans

SACK: Chicken salad/ chips/pineapple 21

HOT: Tuna noodle casserole/carrots

SACK: Pastrami/ cucumber and tomato salad/fruit cobbler 28

LEWISTON SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM —

When: Noon, Mon./Tues. and 11:30 a.m. Wed.

10 Eggplant Parmesan

17 Broccoli casserole 18 Meatloaf

HOT: Spaghetti with meat sauce/ mushrooms

SACK: Pastrami/threebean salad/cookies

HOT: Stroganoff/ noodles/lima beans

SACK: Turkey salad/celery and carrots/banana 8

HOT: Vegetarian lasagna/mixed veggies

SACK: Ham/crudite cup/ fruit salad 15

HOT: Spaghetti with meat sauce/ mushrooms

SACK: Pastrami/threebean salad/cookies 22

HOT: Stroganoff/ noodles/lima beans

SACK: Turkey salad/celery and carrots/banana 29

4 Chicken Cajun casserole W 5 Spaghetti

19 Closed for Juneteenth

24 Fish sandwich 25 Chicken casserole 26 Ham salad sandwich

All meals served with: hot veggies, salad, fruit and bread.

• Where: Lewiston Community Center, 1424 Main St., or call for delivery at (208) 743-6983. On-site meals are every Monday through Wednesday. • Cost: $4 suggested for seniors 60 and older; $5 for nonseniors • Note: Menu is subject to change.

6 T T M W TH F M

SENIOR ROUND TABLE NUTRITION PROGRAM — When: Noon, Tues./Thurs./Fri. • Where: Valley Community and Senior Center, 549 Fifth St., No. F, Clarkston, or call (509) 758-3816 for delivery. • Cost: Donations appreciated for seniors 60 and older; $7 for nonseniors • Note: Menu is subject to change.

4 Chicken fried steak/mashed potatoes/corn/ peaches/roll

11 Spaghetti with meat sauce/broccoli/ cauliflower/fruit cocktail/garlic toast

18 Biscuits and gravy/hashbrowns/ carrots/juice

25 Birthday dinner: Roast pork/mashed potatoes/carrots/juice/roll/cake and ice cream

6 Tuna casserole/veggie medley/pickled beets/applesauce/garlic toast

13 Chicken strips/au gratin potatoes/peas/ Jell-O/cookie

20 Shepherd’s pie/veggie medley/ peaches/roill/cookie

27 French onion sausage casserole/peas/ pickled beets/mandarin oranges/roll

7 Turkey and swiss sandwich/ salad bar

14 Roast beef and provolone sandwich/ salad bar

21 Chicken salad sandwich/ salad bar

28 Ham and swiss sandwich/salad bar

MOSCOW SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM — When: Noon, Tues./Thurs. • Where: 1912 Center, 412 E. Third St. or call (208) 310-3779 for delivery. Cost: $5 suggested for seniors 60 and older; $7 for nonseniors. • Notes: Soup (starting at 10:30 a.m.), salad bar (at 11:30 a.m.) and dessert are available daily. Menu is subject to change. • Online: users.moscow.com/srcenter.

4 Pork chop with gravy/roasted broccoli and carrots/roll

6 Chicken strips/mashed potatoes/corn/bread 11 Chicken lasagna 12 BBQ meatballs

11 Meatloaf/roasted potatoes/orange slice/roll

18 Omelet/brussel sprouts with bacon/toast

T25 Spaghetti and meatballs/green beans

W TH F

13 Cheeseburger/sweet potato fries/mixed berries

20 Bean and cheese burrito/brown rice/black beans/corn

27 Scalloped potatoes with bacon/carrots/roll