Senior Life October 2011

Ferndale Record

Senior Life Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Celebrating Whatcom County's Senior Lifestyle

C6 — Friends, family and colleagues of LC teacher Harlan Kredit marked his 40th year as a ranger in Yellowstone National Park. At nearly 72, Kredit spends his summers in Montana and has no plans to retire anytime soon.

Above, Kredit leads LC students on a biology hike in Mount Baker National Forest.

A supplement of the Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 | Ferndale Record

SENIOR LIFE

At age 75, pastor keeps very busy in ministry to ship’s crews John Van Hemert alternates his seasons between Northwest and Florida ports Calvin Bratt Tribune editor WHATCOM — At age 75, John Van Hemert is still going strong with a Christian ministry to seafarers and ports.

And he could hardly have a greater cross-continental stretch to his ministry.

From the vessels that pull into Cherry Point and Vancouver, B.C., to the cruise ships that launch from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he gets familiar with them.

“We go north when the ships go north, and we go south when they go south,” John said for himself and his wife Jean. “It works very well for us.”

That means the couple keeps one residence in Florida and a second in Lynden.

Even so, he is gone from home for spells at a time to be on board a ship while it is sailing or to minister to a crew while in a port.

Van Hemert was delighted a year ago to reestablish a chaplaincy connection with the Port of Vancouver. Such access had been curtailed for 10 years for security reasons after 9/11. The invitation came about as a re-

sult of his work in Florida, but he still terms it “a miracle.”

“We are allowed to go where the workers are and do a lot of counseling and meet with the Christian fellowships. The Lord has opened doors and hearts,” Van Hemert wrote in a report at the end of August.

At Cherry Point he gets onto the tankers that supply crude oil to the refineries. One ship this past summer had nine Russian officers and 13 Filipino workers on board.

“They had been on the water for three weeks and were very happy someone came to see them,” Van Hemert wrote. “They accepted the Russian New Testaments and the Filipinos know English. We had devotionals and Bibles for them. What a joy to be with these dear people who so very much miss their families.”

With Holland-America Line out of Vancouver, he and Jean went on a cruise to Alaska on the ship Statendam. Then on Sept. 24, 2011 they sailed with the Suiderdam from Vancouver back toward the fall and winter duty in the Caribbean.

For the next half year, that’s where the

Jean and John Van Hemert have felt closely connected to the countries of the world going back to a pastorate in Vancouver, B.C., and friendship with an earlier harbor chaplain there. — Courtesy photo

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 | Ferndale Record

SENIOR LIFE

C ministry will be, out of the ports of Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach.

Van Hemert’s Action International Ministries has these objectives: to conduct worship services for the crews of ships, to extend Christian hospitality to men who are far away from their homes, and to offer them reading material ranging from National Geographic and Reader’s Digest to Bibles and Christian magazines. He may also help connect them to home by offering cell phones and phone cards.

Here in Whatcom County, two other local retirees, Lynden nurseryman Paul Van Zanten and Navy aviator Jim Butler, also do visits to ships at Cherry Point. That ministry was started by the late Les Hendricks, with whom Van Hemert worked for a few years.

And now he has another request: Can local groups help prepare Christmas care packages for those who work at sea? The Dorothy Society at Second Christian Reformed Church of Lynden is already involved.

Van Hemert wants packages to include: stationery, toiletries, dry goods, food goodies, homemade items, souvenirs and communication materials. He can get more specific with his suggestions if necessary.

The different items can possibly be gathered together and sent in bulk form. In any case, the packages should be easily able to open for security inspections.

To be involved, others may call Alice Dirksen of Second at 354-3252 or Van Zanten at 201-1674.

This ministry in “retirement” has a way

Through his ministry Van Hemert strikes up friendships with the crew members on ships. — Courtesy photo

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 | Ferndale Record

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Van Hemert

SENIOR LIFE

Many pastors retire here, stay active

Continued from C3 of tying Van Hemert — who had nine Christian Reformed Church pastorates in both Canada and the United States — back to his early boyhood in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where he was “always near water,” he said.

Van Hemert is moved by the near absence of any Christian support ministry to seafarers in some of the ports he visits, especially from Florida.

Earlier this year, he was able to travel on the Bahamas Celebration, a German-registered cruise ship that carries 1,300 guests and 400 crew between Florida and the Bahama Islands. The worship services for the crew were at midnight because that is the only time they have free from their duties.

In Freeport of Grand Bahama, he was distressed to count 12 huge cruise ships and freighters in port, yet not find a single mission to the thousands of sailors passing through there. “There is nothing! Zero! I cannot believe it,” he wrote in his newsletter. He said he hopes to bring his ministry into the void.

In mid-August he was privileged to be part of the public christening of a brand-new cruise liner, the Tropical Express, in Palm Beach with plenty of attendees. “What a privilege to bring a word from God, dedicate the ship and have prayer.”

He said that “God is so good” to allow him to continue Action International Ministries as he has.

Contacts: Van Hemert can be reached at 561-351-1239 or pastorvanhemert@gmail.com. Locally, he operates out of the Seafarers office in the Christian Hope Center, 205 South B.C. Ave., Lynden, WA 98264, and mail and dropoffs may be sent there. For a tax-deductible receipt for donations, write to: P.O. Box 398, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043.

Email Calvin Bratt at editor@lyndentribune.com.

WHATCOM — About a dozen Christian Reformed Church pastors, like John Van Hemert, who have received emeritation from full ministry continue to live in Whatcom County, and some continue on in aspects of ministry.

Except during the summer, they meet about monthly for a meal and fellowship. Their next meeting will be for breakfast on Nov. 7 at Dutch Mothers Restaurant in Lynden.

Here’s a rundown:

• Barry Blankers, Lynden native, still works about one-quarter time as associate pastor at First CRC visiting the elderly and occasionally preaching. He was honored recently upon reaching his 50th year in pastoral ministry.

• Mark Davies completed 38 years in CRC ministry last year at Second-Lynden. He now volunteers with Whatcom County Support Officers and chairs a regional church-affairs committee.

• Bernard Dykstra was a CRC pastor for 21 years until 2007. He occasionally preaches; he also does construction with brother Gerrit Dykstra.

• Ken Koeman has been in active ministry since 1968 including 26 years at Sonlight Community CRC-Lynden. He continues to preach locally.

• Lou Kok grew up in Lynden and spent about 35 years in ministry, mostly as an Air Force chaplain.

• Allen Likkel, a Lynden native, was emeritated last year after 40 years in ministry. He con-

tinues to coach and mentor younger pastors.

• Pete Mans had about 35 years in congregational and chaplaincy ministry including an interim pastorate in Lynden before retiring to Birch Bay. • Don Recker spent 42 years in four churches including Anchorage and Yakima. He stays involved preaching and with disability and safechurch concerns for the CRC in the region.

• William VandenBos pastored for 20 years, including at Sumas CRC. He was the part-time chaplain at Lynden’s Christian Healthcare Center for several more years.

• Alvin Vander Griend, Lynden native, has been in ministry since 1963. He pastored three churches for 19 years, then specialized in prayer and evangelism leadership. He stays active with Harvest Prayer Ministry.

• Homer Wigboldy had 32 years in full-time ministry including Everson CRC. He is now a part-time calling pastor working with senior members at Third-Lynden.

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 | Ferndale Record

SENIOR LIFE

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 | Ferndale Record

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SENIOR LIFE

Harlan Kredit celebrates 40 years at Yellowstone Local Lynden Christian science teacher, nearly 72, isn’t thinking about retiring anytime soon Mark Reimers Tribune reporter LYNDEN — Harlan Kredit has guided countless numbers of people through the oldest national park in the United States.

So it’s no surprise that he is often selected to help guide dignitaries when they make a pilgrimage to Yellowstone National Park.

“You’d almost think I knew something about the park,” Kredit said with a chuckle.

This summer, Kredit, who also teaches science at Lynden Christian High School, celebrated his 40th year of working as a park ranger in the Montana park. That milestone was marked while he was there with a gathering of many of the friends he had worked with over the years. The fact that hiswife Linda, children and siblings also attended was only natural.

“It was a family experience,” Kredit said. “My kids have a very deep attachment to Yellowstone.”

Working at Yellowstone is just a part of the story of Kredit and his family. His children tagged along in the summer and eventually worked in the park themselves. His daughter Karen even met her husband there and continues to come in the summer.

But working in Yellowstone is no walk in the park. Kredit noted that he often spends his time in the off season trying his best to read up on the latest happenings in the park, whether it be animal sightings or geological studies. Then, as soon as school is out in June and he arrives, he hits the ground running, even if he arrived late at night.

However, helping manage the park and its 3 million annual visitors is made easier by the fact that there are very few “problem” people, Kredit said. That’s because people who visit national parks tend to be those who value them the most and want to be in these showplaces of nature.

Kredit said that he has never viewed his two jobs as being a double life or at odds with each other. In fact, his work at Yellowstone provides a rich resource for teaching anecdotes in Lynden Christian classrooms.

In addition, he has maintained very close friendships with many of the full-time Yel-

A different walk in the park: Harlan Kredit leads Lynden Christian High School students Sept. 8 on a Senior Biology Class Hike up Church Mountain in the Mount Baker National Forest. — Courtesy photo | DON KOK lowstone park rangers, so much so that they often feel free to visit Kredit in Lynden.

It isn’t just his teaching that benefits from Kredit’s work in the park. He also confesses to being spoiled by the easy access to hundreds of scientific projects that happen all the time at Yellowstone. Researchers tend

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to be generous, he said, in sharing information with park personnel.

“I love field biology,” Kredit said. “It’s awesome, as a teacher, to be on the forefront of that research.”

Kredit’s 40 years at Yellowstone are more than matched by his 50 years of teach-

ing. While he spent the bulk of that in Lynden, he started with 11 years in Michigan.

What Kredit has seen and experienced first-hand in Yellowstone may surprise many people. Who knew, for example, that Yellowstone’s status as the first national park in the United States also means that it

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 | Ferndale Record

SENIOR LIFE

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Harlan Kredit has 50 years of science teaching under his belt, the bulk of it at Lynden Christian High School. — Courtesy photo | DON KOK is the first national park in the world?

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Furthermore, anytime something significant happens in the park, it makes international headlines.

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 | Ferndale Record

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SENIOR LIFE

Past Kredit milestones

Kredit: Every moment precious Continued from C7     “We had two fatalities last year,� Kredit said. “Yellowstone news is a high priority in Europe and Asia. It’s an automatic draw.�     To Kredit, it’s amazing to think that in 1871, a group of people in Washington, D.C., sat down to decide what to do with this piece of magnificent land in the Rocky Mountains. The results had a huge impact on history.     One of Kredit’s most touching memories is the time he was asked to help lead a group of cancer-suffering kids. The situation forced a new perspective on Kredit because he realized that some of his pupils

couldn’t look forward to careers in his field as many of his visitors did.     “They taught me just how important every moment of life is,� Kredit said. “For them, every minute is a victory.�     That perspective has been driven home even harder now with his 40-year milestone. Kredit, who will turn 72 next month, said people have naturally wondered if this means he is thinking about retiring.     “It doesn’t cross my mind much,� said Kredit, who is infamous for his active lifestyle both in Whatcom County and Montana. “I thank God for my health.�     Email Mark Reimers at reporter@lyndentribune.com.

• Field & Stream Hero of Conservation (2007) • Washington's 2006 PDK/Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year (2006) • SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Educator of the Year (2006) • The Walt Disney Company Teacher Award (2005) • Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (2004) • National Conservation Teacher of the Year (2004) • Washington State Conservation Teacher of the Year (2004) • Washington State Science Teacher of the Year (2004) • WFIS 2004 Best of Washington Teacher's Award (2004) • Washington State Secondary Science Teacher of the Year (2003) • Conservation Fund National Environmental Education Award (2002) • Washington State Dept. of Ecology Environmental Excellence Award (2002) • International Paper Environmental Education Award (2002) • Adopt-a-Stream: Streamkeeper of the Year (2000) • Calvin College Distinguished Alumni Award (1997) • National Conservation Teacher of the Year (1995) • Safari Club International National Educator of the Year (1995) • Washington State Environmental Educator of the Year (1995) • National Secondary Conservation Teacher of the Year (1994) • Northwest State Regional Conservation Teacher of the Year (1994) • Washington State Conservation Teacher of the Year (1994) • Washington State Department of Fisheries Governors Award (1987)

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 | Ferndale Record

SENIOR LIFE

The right room updates can help seniors age well at home     Whether  you  are  a  senior  yourself  or  have  a  loved  one  who  is  older,  living  independently  in  a  home  is  often  a  priority.  With  the  right  precautions  and  a  few  necessary  safety  modifications,  many  seniors  can  continue  to  thrive  in  their  own  homes.     The room that poses the most danger  to  seniors  is  the  bathroom. The  potential  for slips and falls is greater in this part of  the home — 75 percent of fall injuries occur in the bathroom — so it is a good place  to focus your renovation energy.      Have  you  considered  updating  these  parts of the bathroom?     Flooring:  Hard  floors  are  a  hazard  because even a small amount of moisture  can  make  them  very  slick.  Many  people  choose to install carpet because it does not  lift or move like rugs can, plus it is warmer  to walk on and softer if there is a fall.     Bathtub: Walk-in  baths  and  showers  are great for seniors who want to take baths  or showers but don’t want to risk slipping  and falling when stepping over the side of  a tub or entering the shower. Look for features  like  a  walk-in  door,  a  powered  bath  lift,  soothing  hydrovescent  therapy  and  easy-to-turn faucets.

    Higher toilet: These types of toilets sit  higher off the floor so that users don’t have  to bend their knees as much to get up and  down.     Good lighting:  To  help  seniors  see  better,  it’s  important  to  have  well-lit  rooms and walkways, making it easy to get  around  all  areas  of  the  house,  including  the bathroom.     Now  that  you  have  a  good  idea  of  what  types  of  things  should  be  replaced  to help keep seniors safe, it’s time to find  the right company to make the renovation  process  simple.  It’s  easy  to  get  lost  in  the  sea of options available, so here are some  tips  to  help  you  find  the  right  renovation  contractor for you.

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 | Ferndale Record

SENIOR LIFE

Free to serve: Retired local doing big things Dale Hendricks took his first American Red Cross trip shortly after retirement Tim Newcomb Tribune assistant editor LYNDEN — The email came across Dale Hendricks’ inbox on a Friday. By Tuesday morning, he was on a plane from Seattle to New York City, eager for his first involvement assisting the American Red Cross with disaster relief.

And by the time Hendricks returned home, in September, just over two weeks later, he had gotten a feel for what he had signed up for just a few months earlier.

He knows the first experience won’t be his last. “I will definitely do it again,” he said. “I want to be involved again.”

Hendricks, 62, retired as an owner of Oltman Insurance in Bellingham in January and immediately started looking into areas where he could volunteer.

The Red Cross “seemed to be a good fit.”

He took a handful of classes and got up to speed on the private organization — the group gets no government funding. And when Hurricane Irene struck the greater New York area on Aug. 28, Hendricks received the email, just like thousands of other Red Cross volunteers, asking if they could help out.

He arrived in Manhattan and was immediately assigned to the headquarters in Albany. “People came from all over to do different things,” he said. ““When you get there, you may be doing different things (than you anticipated).

If other things need to be done, you do it.”

Hendricks paired up with another volunteer, a man from Denver who is now his friend, to distribute cleanup supplies (rakes, shovels, food coolers, bleach, etc.) to the rural upstate New York communities dealing with the immediate aftermath of flooding brought on by Hurricane Irene.

The two men drove a 16-foot box truck full of supplies to more than a dozen small communities over the course of two weeks.

“Almost without fail, the communities had really pulled together and were helping one another,” he said. “People would pass on supplies, telling us where they were needed more. It was great to see their spirit.”

At some locations, the pair would park their truck and hand out the bulk items. At other spots, they went door-todoor offering help.

“We would talk to people, listen to their stories and see the people up close,” he said. “That was the most rewarding.

“A huge part of it is showing com-

passion and concern. The best thing we left them was a listening ear. The supplies just scratched the surface, but we were letting them know people wanted to help. We gave hope and encouragement.”

At the end of his time in Albany, now in the wake of Tropical Storm Lee, Hendricks transferred to the Binghamton, N.Y., headquarters near Pennsylvania and helped shuttle volunteers to and fro for three days.

Hendricks is just one of 460 American Red Cross volunteers in the Mount Baker Chapter, which covers Whatcom and Skagit counties.

Everson residents Dale and Audrey Snapper have been part of the Red Cross ever since Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and have been to at least five disaster relief sites.

The Everson couple said their latest excursion, heading to North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Irene, was a successful mission from the standpoint by which they evaluate all their Red Cross trips: “We made a difference in people’s lives,” Dale Snapper said.

The Snappers were busy doing disaster assessment this time around, but they have also been pivotal in the past heading into the field and feeding people.

Both Dale Snapper and Dale Hendricks said that the local chapter of the Red Cross has been a perfect fit for them.

“We are so blessed here,” Hendricks said. “It is a natural thing for all of us to reach out somehow. There are so many different opportunities to help others and volunteer.”

Email Tim Newcomb at tim@lyndentribune.com.

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Hurricane Irene was Dale Hendricks' first Red Cross mission. Above, Hendricks points to the areas of New York state where he helped. — Lynden Tribune | TIM NEWCOMB

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 | Ferndale Record

SENIOR LIFE

C11

Ode to the apple penned

by Lynden resident LYNDEN — This poem, titled “The Apple,” was written years ago by Mrs. Grace Verhoeven, who now resides at the Meadow Greens Retirement Community.

She said she has written lots of poetry over the years, and she wrote this piece about 20 years ago when still living in Everett. This poem was printed in the Wenatchee World newspaper. Wenatchee is nicknamed "The apple capital of the world."

The Apple The apple is a wondrous thing; Of all the fruits, it’s surely king.

It’s used in just so many ways And a vital part in history plays.

Adam and Eve, says the Holy Bible, Listened to Satan, and man now is liable For sin, because of the apple tasted — Think of the beauty and joy they wasted!

An apple falling from a tree Resulted in Newton’s law of gravity — And Johnny Appleseed, we’re told, Planted many a tree we now behold.

William Tell, to prove a point, (his enemies’ noses were out of joint) From his son’s head with bow and arrow shot An apple, and thereby his freedom bought.

Paul Bunyan, in the woods with his big blue ox, Always had an apple in his blue lunchbox.

He ate all the apple except the core, Which he gave to the ox, who wanted more.

Apples are crisp, juicy and sweet to taste; They won’t add girth around your waist.

They’re good for the teeth, the dentists say, And they’re supposed to keep the doctors away.

If you’re serious about wanting to diet, Keep an apple handy; you ought to try it!

You’ll find you’re fully satisfied And won’t eat something baked or fried.

A glass of wine and a cheese/apple plate Is a tasty treat for an evening date.

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 | Ferndale Record

C12

SENIOR LIFE

Poem: by Grace Verhoeven Continued from C11

Eat ‘em baked, carameled, glazed, spiced and stewed; You can freeze ‘em; make jelly — they’re a marvelous food!

Or for salad replacement they’ll all be praisin’ Serve apple wedges, nuts and raisins.

There are truly endless possibilities Of apples — and over 80 varieties: Baldwin, Delicious (yellow and red), Gravenstein, Jonathan and many others, it’s said.

Slice apple wedges when you travel — It keeps the driver alert; you won’t unravel.

Take ‘em along for a delicious snack To the mountains or to the lake and back.

Macintosh, Stayman, Rome Beauty and Kings And Granny Smith; apples are wonderful things!

They’re exported and imported, whole, sauced or in juices — The apple, worldwide, has myriad uses!

Eat an apple a day to keep you healthy.

Some say they’ll make you wise and wealthy.

I have found apples very handy As a treat for grandkids instead of candy.

Apples serve well as a gift to a neighbor Or a thank-you gift for a special favor; As a thank-you gift to a special teacher — You might say “thank you” this way to the preacher!

What’s more American than apple pie For Independence Day picnics? Or you can try Carmeling apples for Halloween Or bobbing for apples; for kids it’s keen.

Give a basket of apples to a friend who is hurting, Or polish one up to give when you’re flirting.

Or they’re perfect for one, for two, for a group — They’re perfect in everything I know of but soup!

In the fall, cross the mountains; see the fall colors And pick up some apples to share with others.

Give one to Santa; put them in Christmas socks, And be sure there’s an apple in every lunchbox.

Apples are easy, inexpensive, prolific!

Eat an apple! Give an apple! They’re really terrific!

If you’re happy, or not; married, or ready to woo, Give an apple! It really is friendly to do!

Cookbooks are full of recipes For apple uses from A to Z — Salads, dumplings, pies and cake Are just a few of the things you can make.

Fritters and cobblers and Brown Betty are good; Add thin slices to griddlecakes; you’ll eat more than you should!

Truly wondrous is the apple, Versatile, colorful and very adaptable.

Though they’re grown worldwide at a very great rate, None can equal the apples from Washington State.

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