Encore February 2020 by Lynden Tribune

ncore E Wednesday, February 26, 2020

What’s Inside.... C3 — Despite circumstances, Les Molenaar keeps a positive attitude C10 — Through transition to Rustlers Grill, Marilyn DeKoster continues waitressing

A supplement of the Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 26, 2020 | Ferndale Record

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 26, 2020| Ferndale Record

His motto: ‘Dwell on what you can do’

Though legally bind, Les Molenaar ventures out walking daily in Lynden from the apartment he and wife Lorna have on Judson Street. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)

Les Molenaar has never let his blindness be a handicap in his life By Calvin Bratt editor@lyndentribune.com

LYNDEN — Whenever Les Molenaar took on a new project, there was an urgency about finishing it. He was motivated by the possibility of going fully blind first. He also learned to assiduously com-

mit to memory the location and pattern of things, again out of concern of losing his eyesight. That way of operating began when Molenaar was 35 years old and got a proper diagnosis of his condition, usher’s syndrome, which can be an impairment of both hearing and vision. And now here he is today, walking unaccompanied — but with his signature yellow jacket and a long white cane — on the sidewalks and back ways of Lynden at age 76. “Don’t dwell on what you can’t do. Dwell on what you can do,” he says, sum-

marizing his overall attitude. Molenaar was a barber in Lynden for 46 years. In doing that, he was following in the family profession. His dad, a brother and a nephew also did it. Les and Lorna Molenaar lived in their well-kept home on East Grover Street for 53 years. “I knew that place by heart,” he said. Molenaar mowed the lawn there by placing a cone at each end and moving them over with each pass across the yard. He was not afraid to get onto the roof for maintenance too, if needed, by securing himself by rope to the chimney.

The couple looked around for a few years for the right place in Lynden that met a half dozen conditions they had set — no steps, close enough to walk to the senior center — a match they found in their 1,200-square-foot condo now in the south 800 block of Judson Street. From here there is also an southeastward view, so Les can rise early and see Mount Baker in sunrise silhouette “outline” on a clear morning. Alicia, one of the Molenaars’ three See Molenaar on C4

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 26, 2020 | Ferndale Record

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Molenaar

In his yellow jacket and using his long cane on the sidewalk, Molenaar has well-established routes for walking around Lynden. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune) Continued from A1

daughters, now living in Idaho, was on hand to help mom and dad move into their new quarters last year. And the experience refreshed her on just how Les needs to make absolutely sure of his surroundings in order to be able to navigate and function successfully. “I couldn’t believe how much he organized (the garage), because he needs to know where everything is,” she said. “I know everything by memory,” Molenaar added. He does not want things moved around or changed on him unannounced. The discovery of his challenges came in stages in life. Molenaar knew as a kid that he had night blindness. It was hard for him to play hide-and-seek with other kids at night — he was always “it.” Usher’s syndrome, in fact, is a condition with multiple symptoms, including retinitis pigmentosa of the eye. For Les, the

dominant feature he deals with is very narrowed “tunnel vision.” Through the insistence of a teacher, his hardness of hearing was discovered in second grade, and Les got used to being the only kid in school wearing a hearing aid. He developed “compensating mechanisms” as he grew older, such as using the parking lights of his car to see things in darkness once he started driving. His high school shop teacher told him he was good enough at woodworking, refinishing and fixing things that this could be a livelihood if he chose it. But in retrospect he believes that could not have worked out. “Even the choice of being a barber was in God’s hands,” said Lorna. Les had gotten his barber’s license early, as a profession he could fall back on, but it became his only one. In barbering, the proximity to the per-

son in the chair helped out, Molenaar said, as did also the constant touching of his hands on hair and scissors. He wore a white smock for better contrast, and he always lip-read what a customer was saying as well as using the mirror for help. It was testing by optometrist Dr. Roger Ekman, when Les was 35, that confirmed that he had only 10 percent of his peripheral, or field, vision. It meant that Les was technically legally blind, and Ekman thought that in three or four years Les might be entirely blind. It created a sense of not delaying what needed to be done. But Les coped with it determinedly and creatively. He likes to tell a story of teaming up with a new partner in playing doubles tennis on the Lynden courts — yes, he kept playing recreational tennis! — and finding out after they had bested their op-

ponents that a pair of legally blind guys had just beaten a pair of well-sighted guys. Always fitness-minded, Molenaar was active at the very origins of what is now the city Bender Fields recreation complex in the late 1970s. He was on a committee instrumental in getting the bond passed that acquired the land first, and then he was among those who put in endless hours of volunteer labor to create ball fields and diamonds out of farmland. Les and Lorna would bike together, with her eyes guiding for both of them. Their attitude, she said, was “how can we do this?” Last year, he still played on a Lynden Senior Center bocce team, with a little help from his mates identifying where the white object ball was. What Molenaar wants people to know, Continued on next page

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 26, 2020| Ferndale Record

ENCORE to help him out and have interaction with him, is “tap me on the shoulder and tell me who you are.” Four years ago, Molenaar had a cochlear ear implant for his hearing, and a person speaking close to him can help overcome other background noise. From their new address, Les is a faithful walker every weekday morning the approximate seven blocks to the Lynden Senior Center for coffee and socializing, and the last Saturday of the month for the special breakfast. He has a very set route and street crossings that he takes, and he has learned how to listen for traffic and other sounds, while of course relying on his reinforced memory. If the weather is fair, he may walk as far as two miles in a day. He has some strong ideas about what would be better at street crossings and in sidewalk construction for sight-impaired people. This month, Molenaar was due to be evaluated for receiving a seeing-eye dog from an organization in Oregon. He said he is looking foward to that possibility. Although he may have feared at some point losing all of his vision, “the Lord has really blessed me that I have a little bit left,” he said.

Here Les Molenaar has left the back side of the Lynden Senior Center and approaches an alley crossing. In life he has learned to commit firmly to memory the location of things to aid in his functioning. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 26, 2020 | Ferndale Record

What is self-determination in long-term care? This principle is honored at Lynden’s CHCC, says its administrator LYNDEN — When your loved ones move into long-term care, do they give up their rights to make decisions about their lives? Absolutely not, says the Christian Health Care Center administrator Tonja Myers. Living in a skilled nursing center like CHCC does not mean that people lose the ability to exercise their rights as citizens or residents of the United States. In fact, CHCC works diligently, day in and day out, to ensure that residents’ rights are protected to the greatest extent possible, Myers says. Family members and loved ones should rest assured knowing that residents’ choices are important. What is self-determination, and why is it important? Essentially, self-determination means that you retain the right to make decisions, as much as possible, about

important aspects of your life. Self-determination means that you have the right to: • Choose activities, schedules (including sleeping and waking times) and health care providers consistent with your interests, assessments and plan of care. • Make choices about aspects of your life that are significant to you, including what you eat and how you spend free time. • Manage your financial affairs — including the right to know, in advance, what charges may be imposed against personal funds. • Formulate advance healthcare directives to ensure that your desires are followed even when your health no longer allows you to make your own decisions. • Organize and participate in resident and family groups and community activities. • Participate in social, religious and community affairs that do not interfere with the rights of other individuals at CHCC. • Wear your own clothing and deter-

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 26, 2020| Ferndale Record

ENCORE mine dress, hairstyle or other personal effects. Your right to self-determination also extends to a right to designate a representative who may exercise your rights, on your behalf, to the extent provided by state law. The representative may exercise only those rights delegated to him or her, and your wishes and preferences will still be considered. You also will be provided with opportunities to participate in the care planning process, and you retain the right to exercise all rights not delegated to a representative — including the right to revoke a delegation of rights, except as limited by state law. If you come to live at CHCC, you have the right to make choices about aspects of life that are significant to you. What’s more, you have the right to exercise these rights free of interference, coercion, discrimination or reprisal. You have the right to a dignified existence. You have the right to spend time with other people inside (and outside, if you’re able) of CHCC. You have the right to self-determination. More information about the rights of those who live at Christian Health Care Center is available in the CHCC Resident Handbook. Copies of the handbook are available at the front desk and are given to every resident upon admission.

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 26, 2020 | Ferndale Record

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WHATCOM — Do you have parents, friends or neighbors who are living on Social Security income? Help them make the most of every dollar by sharing these special programs and services, which are designed to help senior citizens make the most of every dollar. This list was provided in January by the Christian Health Care Center of Lynden, Tonja Myers administrator. Transportation Seniors 65 and older can get what’s called a Regional Reduced Fare Permit that works on buses throughout the Puget Sound region. Riders with one of these cards pay reduced cash fares on fixedroute buses operated by Whatcom Transportation Authority or one of 10 other

Taxes Senior citizens in Whatcom County can get their property taxes reduced through the Senior Citizens & Disabled Persons Property Tax Exemption program. The income limit for the exemption program is $40,000 per year. A property tax deferral program for postponing the payment of property taxes also is available; seniors with an annual income of up to $45,000 are eligible.

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Utilities Seniors who live in Bellingham can get discounts on water and sewer bills if they are 62 or older and have an annual income of $40,000 or less. The discounts are

based on how far the individual’s income is below the upper limit, but even the lowest tier is a substantial discount, at 25 percent. Discounts on garbage service also are available in Bellingham. According to Northwest Regional Council, anyone who qualifies for the water/sewer discount also is eligible for a lower rate for trash collection. Some discounts on water and sewer bills also are available for seniors in Lynden, Blaine, Sumas and Everson. Check with the Northwest Regional Council at 360-676-6749 for more info. Home repairs Older homeowners within the City of Bellingham might want to take advantage of the Bellingham Home Rehabilitation Program. The program helps people 62 or older with low to moderate incomes get Continued on next page

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 26, 2020| Ferndale Record

ENCORE low, fixed-rate loans with deferred payments. Qualification depends primarily on the level of income, the amount of repairs needed, and the value of the property. Call the City of Bellingham at 360-778-8391 or check out www.cob.org/Documents for more information. Fitness The Whatcom Family YMCA, with locations in Lynden, Ferndale and Bellingham, has a number of discounted membership options for seniors, including SilverSneakers and Silver&Fit memberships for many Medicare members. Check the YMCA website for discounted specialty memberships that fit your loved ones’ situations. Entertainment Residents of Lynden or Bellingham can get a 30 percent discount on the basic cable rate from Comcast. Income limits apply. Bellingham residents should contact Comcast directly, and Lynden residents should call the City of Lynden at 360-354-1170. Seniors also get discounts to the Northwest Washington Fair,

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 26, 2020 | Ferndale Record

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Marilyn DeKoster keeps waitressing across transitions

Marilyn DeKoster serves breakfast to a Tuesday morning men's Bible study group that continues to meet at the Rustlers Grill. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)

She, and a daughter and granddaughter, chose to stay on with Rustlers By Elizabeth Kayser elizabeth@lyndentribune.com

LYNDEN — Marilyn DeKoster was a familiar face at Dutch Mothers Restaurant for 35 years. When Debbie and Dave Black decided late last year to sell the restaurant to Kevin and Belinda Seutz, a common question around the place was, “Is Marilyn going to keep waitressing?” It was actually that question that really

solidified the decision for DeKoster. Once news broke of the sale, customers were asking DeKoster if she would be staying on. She had a ready answer: Yes. “I would have missed my customers too much,” DeKoster said. DeKoster explained that it is special for her and her husband, Larry, to go into a restaurant and recognize a waitress. She says the dining-out experience is better when you feel like you know the staff and know you’ll be taken care of well. She knows that her customers felt that way about Dutch Mothers and so it was something she wanted to carry on at Rustlers. Before DeKoster was a waitress at Dutch Mothers, she made pies and served

tables at The Duke, a former restaurant in Lynden at Third and Grover streets. Back in the early 1980s, as Jim Wynstra started up Dutch Mothers, he approached DeKoster to make the switch over to make pies for him. She obliged, as long as she could waitress as well. Dutch Mothers saw some change over all the years since. When DeKoster first started there, the wait staff wore Dutch attire to go with the restaurant’s name. “We used to wear Dutch costumes — dresses, aprons, hats,” DeKoster said. That is now a fond memory of working at the restaurant. She enjoyed dressing up for work in that way, but eventually the tradition faded. About 10 years into working at Dutch

Mothers, the Black family bought the restaurant. Now, 25 years later, the Seutzes have taken over the eatery, changed the name to Rustlers Front Street Grill, revamped the decor and the menu, and modernized much. Across DeKoster’s time with Dutch Mothers, wait staff hand-wrote their orders and receipts, knew the prices of every menu item and calculated the total with a calculator. When they had an order to place with the kitchen, that was their handwritten ticket. With the new ownership, computers have been added. Continued on next page

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 26, 2020| Ferndale Record

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The new computer system has been the biggest challenge for DeKoster. At first it was taking time away from her customers, but she’s been slowly getting the hang of it. “It’s starting to come easier,” she said. “I’m starting to relax more.” DeKoster grew up in the Nooksack/ Everson area, with country life the surroundings that she knew. So the change in restaurant decor to Rustlers more “country” style is fine with her. “Kevin has done an excellent job,” DeKoster said. “Country feels right at home.” Kevin Seutz interviewed the staff at Dutch Mothers before the transition happened Jan. 1 and offered to keep DeKoster and other members of the staff on if they wanted. DeKoster chose to stay, as did her daughter and granddaughter. DeKoster said the transition was similar to when the Blacks took over ownership and the staff was rehired.

DeKoster was able to keep her normal shifts which she and her regular customers have gotten used to, Monday through Friday starting at 6 a.m. She said she’s a morning person anyway, so she enjoys the early shift and is glad she was able to keep it.

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 26, 2020 | Ferndale Record

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