BOOM Magazine September 2012

SEPTEMBER 2012 • OCTOBER 2012

Gregg Fore

Chairman, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association

Grandkids: creative bonding for the Hip Grandparent

Sail Away buying a boat

investment

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Touring wine country Locally!

In the driver's seat:

Gregg Fore

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ON THE

COVER cover story: gregg Fore Photography: CLASSIC IMAGE Photography

Photography: CLASSIC IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

boom

CONTENTS

EVERY MONTH 04 letter from the publisher 05 contributors, letter from the editor 06 BOOM Time 08 Book Review

boom THE BUSINESS 30 Investment 101: After Age 50

SPECIAL FEATURES 10 Apps to Keep you Savvy 12 5 Tips for Using Makeup to Fake Younger-Looking Skin boomin HEALTHY LIVING 09 Pecan Encrusted Salmon

Submitted by Diane Fisher

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Preparing for Menopause

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What Every Woman Should Know about Hormone Replacement Therapy

By Rebecca Maalouf Total Knee Replacement From the Patient Perspective

By Jeffery Yergler, M.D.

From Sour Milk to Lasers

The Quest for Beauty Has Come a Long Way

By Ronald K. Downs, M.D., FACS

Tips on Buying your Dream Boat ByChelle Costello

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Local Wineries

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Boom goes to Ireland!

What to Do If you Never Got Around to It

By Stephanie J. Salisbury

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Leaving a Legacy

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Tips for Buying a Second Home

By Marti Goodlad Heline

By Marti Goodlad Heline

boom CONNECTIONS 36 Bonding with Your Teen Grandkids

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By Stephanie Graham

The Sandwhich Generation

By Dena Benham

Finding and Losing My Dad

ByCharrise McCorey

Living Well After Joint Replacement Surgery

boom THE TRAVELER 20 About a Boat

boom COVER STORY 44 Gregg Fore: The Man Behind The Wheel

By Stephanie J. Salisbury

THE PLANNER 48 Boom events to put in your planner THE SCENE 52 Read about events around town

By Stephanie J. Salisbury The Notre Dame Opening Season Game against Navy

boom LOVERS' LANE 28 Plugging Back IN

Reconnecting with Your Spouse ByStephanie Graham

boom | SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012

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letter from the

publisher

Photography: Traditions Photography Makeup: CamellIa Cosmetics, Granger

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Betsy Tavernier Betsy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

EXECUTIVE Editor:

Stephanie J. Salisbury Stephanie@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

Advertising Account Manager: Jessica Marietta Jessica@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

Advertising Account Manager: Nicky Graham Nicky@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

Creative Promotions manager: Jena Bontrager Jena@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN Manager: Zuzanna Zmud Zuzanna@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

BOOM! You definitely have a great impact on the world around you... so, in honor of your active lifestyle, your zest for life, your impact on the economy and your impact on your family, I'd like to introduce you to BOOM Magazine!

MEDICAL EDITOR: Dr. Jesse Hsieh

Distribution Manager: John Ferguson

BOOM Magazine is a division of Michiana Family Magazines, LLC established in 2006. All rights reserved.

The philosophy behind Michiana's premier lifestyle magazine for baby boomers is to capture the active lifestyle of your generation and to be a resource to you as you enjoy the best years of your life. BOOM Magazine promotes healthy living, cultural delights, boomer personalities and savvy business via a charitable mission and one heck-of-a-hip mindset. Yes, you certainly have great impact on most things and we are very excited at The Family Magazines to provide a local magazine that is written just for you.

We would love to hear from you! Please submit press releases, event information and inquiries to: Media@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

I hope you enjoy our first issue of BOOM Magazine, and I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Email me at: Betsy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com.

Read BOOM Magazine online each month!

Go to www.MichianaFamilyMagazine.com and flip the pages, cover-to-cover the organic and green way!

The next issue of BOOM Magazine will release mid-November. You'll enjoy a special feature on a very critical industry for our neck of the woods – the RV industry – as well as a fabulous holiday shopping guide and many other high-quality editorial features.

September & October 2012 Volume 1: Number

Michiana Family Magazines 1233 E. University Dr. Granger, IN 46530 PH: 574.387.5420 • FX: 574.217.4700 www.MichianaFamilyMagazine.com Permission from the publisher is required for any reproduction or reprint of this publication.

Until then, seize the day!

Betsy

LOOK WHO’s TALKING

follow us on Twitter, and become our fan on Facebook.

Betsy Tavernier Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

@FAMILYMagazine www.facebook.com/Family-Magazine

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september october / contributors

letter from the

editor

Jeffrey Yergler, M.D.

Jeffrey Yergler, M.D. is a boardcertified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in joint replacement surgery from Rush University.

He graduated from the University of Michigan and earned his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine.

He completed his orthopedic residency at Duke University. Jeff grew up in South Bend and returned to the area, joining South Bend Orthopaedics in 2006. He lives here with his wife and four children.

Michele L. Ashton, MD, FACOG

is an OB/GYN at ObGyn Associates of Northern Indiana, a division of Allied Physicians of Michiana, LLC. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two little boys, ages 2 and 6 months.

Charrise McCrorey

is a certified business coach/ c o n s u l t a n t and certified transformative coach, with programs serving leaders and executive teams, coaches and consultants, and business owners around the world. In November 2006, she formed a private coaching/consulting practice, Emergence Business Coaching, LLC. Today she is well known as Coach Charrise. Her experience in life and business is vast and diverse, and she uses her own experiences to inform her work. In her work with business leaders, she facilitates transformation of individual leaders and teams and helps them remember their purpose for doing the work, which results in greater satisfaction and richer rewards. Charrise is also a sought after professional speaker and writer, most recently being honored as a guest lecturer for the United States Naval Academy. She has been a monthly feature writer for The FAMILY Magazine since its inception and writes a regular coaching Q&A column for SASSY Magazine.

She writes a popular blog on her website, which you can find at coachcharrise.com.

Dear Readers, It’s great to start out on the same page. I’m brand new to the Family Magazine family, and so is Boom Magazine – therefore, so are you! We’re jumping into this new adventure together, and I couldn’t be more excited about it. Thank you for joining me, and I certainly hope to have you along for the whole ride.

If you’re wondering what to expect from Boom Magazine, I can tell you a few things. You can expect to find pieces that speak to you in a unique way.

We’re not just talking about investing, we’re talking about investing after age 50 when you’ve never put a dime into a stock, bond or mutual fund before in your life. We’re not talking about playing games on Facebook, we’re telling you about some apps for your phone or tablet that you’ll actually find useful instead of time-consuming. We’re not going to tell you about the joys of grandparenthood, because most of you already know those – we’re going to give you some real-life tips on how to connect with your teenage grandkids who stopped worshiping you a few years ago.

We’re going to be real with you, because you’ve spent your life working too hard to waste time reading things you just don’t care about.

From sailing to wineries, from skin rejuvenation to heart-healthy eating, we’re going to be your go-to resource in Michiana. All of those people who used to tell you back in your 20s that you were in the best years of your life?

They may be wrong. You’ve lived, you’ve learned, you know who you are and you know what you want.

We hope there are the best years of your life.

Boom Magazine will be right there with you.

Stephanie

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september Events You’re a boomer.

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Settling in between the “Silent Generation” (born between 1925-1945) and Generation X (born between 1964 and 1979), you were a part of a dramatic increase in births following the return of American men from their tours of duty overseas during World War II.

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We thought you might enjoy some fun statistics on this generation:

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You were born between 1946 and 1964.

Michael, David, John, James and Robert were the most popular male names.

Mary and Susan were the most popular female names.

Approximately 79 million were born in the Baby Boom.

Popular Music

The top five songs in the first year of the Baby Boom were: 1. Perry Como - Prisoner Of Love 2. Eddy Howard - To Each His Own 3. The Ink Spots - The Gypsy 4. Frank Sinatra - Five Minutes More 5. Frankie Carle - Rumors Are Flying

The top five songs in the last year of the Baby Boom were: 1. Beatles - I Want To Hold Your Hand 2. Beatles - She Loves You 3. Louis Armstrong - Hello, Dolly!

4. Roy Orbison - Oh, Pretty Woman 5. Beach Boys - I Get Around

What Things Cost:

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FreeProstate Cancer Screening, Lakeside Urology, St. Joseph

Gasoline: House: Bread: Milk: Postage Stamp: Average Annual Salary: Minimum Wage:

1946: 21 cents/gal $12,500 10 cents/loaf 70 cents/gal 3 cents $3,150 40 cents per hour

Michiana Family Magazines

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Launching Your Own Business, Small Business Development Center, South Bend

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40th Annual Four Flags Area Apple Fesitval Begins, Niles, Michigan

Don't forget to check out our other publications: Family Magazine is fun for all ages! Keep up-to-date on how your kids are interacting with their kids! Great gift ideas, crafts, fun with the grandkids, places to go and family-friendly tips for everyone. Sassy Magazine for women caters to the business-minded, classy and edgy female who's not afraid to be herself. Sound like anyone you know?

Give it a read!

AUGUST 2012 § SEPTEMBER

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jolly good times: Classic Car Cruise-Ins

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A Wine-Tasting Spree

Fall Crafters' Fair Begins, Shipshewana, Indiana

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Local Art Museums Lake Michigan, Lake Michigan, Lake Michigan

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Our Bountiful Harvest Quilt Show, Vineland Center, St. Joseph, Michigan

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Glee Club Reunion Concert, DeBartolo Center, Notre Dame, Indiana

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Depression and Bipolar Disorder Seminar, Lakeland Medical Suites Conference Room, Niles, MI

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Corvette Racing School (Just ask our cover man, Gregg Fore!)

savory lamb stew

Corn Mazes and Apple Orchards

Ingredients • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil • 2 pounds boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 2 inch pieces • 1/2 teaspoon salt • freshly ground black pepper to taste • 1 large white onion, sliced • 2 carrots, peeled and cut into large chunks • 4 cups water, or as needed • 6 large red potatoes, quartered • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary (optional) • 1 teaspoon basil • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional) • 1 cup coarsely chopped leeks Directions 1. Heat oil over medium heat in a large stockpot. Add lamb pieces and brown evenly. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Add the onion and carrots and cook gently alongside the meat for a few minutes. Stir in the water. Cover and bring to a boil, then turn heat to low. Simmer for 1 hour – check tenderness of meat. Simmer a bit longer if need be.

3. Stir in potatoes, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, before adding leeks and spices. Continue to simmer uncovered, until potatoes are tender but not falling apart. Serve with garnish of fresh parsley and minced onions.

Watching the Leaves Turn

Quotes

Something magical happens when parents turn into grandparents. Their attitude changes from "moneydoesn't-grow-on-trees" to spending it like it does.

-Paul Linden

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Grandparents are similar to a piece of string - handy to have around and easily wrapped around the fingers of their grandchildren.

-Author Unknown

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Some of the world's best educators are grandparents.

-Charles W. Shedd

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Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild.

-Welsh Proverb

Decorating with Mums Spoil-a-Grandkid Day (Also known as: everyday!)

Fishing Antique Goodies and Late-Season Yard Sales

Some Great Boomer Websites AARP.com – Not just information on Medicare and Social Security, but also travel, work, retirement, and more. Learn how to become an AARP member, or just peruse the website. There are seminars, radio broadcasts and much more.

ThirdAge.com – health and wellness, relationships and love, entertainment, beauty, style, videos – it’s all here, and it’s all about you.

Grandparents.com – Not just about the little darlings, but all about your life, too. Job news, prescription drug info, ways to make yourself look younger and how to bond with your siblings, even now. Check it out! boom | SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012

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Book review

Mission to Paris Reviewed by Hank Herreman Alan Furst’s latest novel concerns events in Europe during the late 1930s. Paris, at that time, was a devious place, filled with an abundance of characters, all jockeying for position in an arena faced with imminent war.

Enter Fredric Stahl, an American movie star born in Vienna.

He becomes the common man caught up by forces he does not, at first, understand. Stahl is naïve about European political intrigue and particularly vulnerable because his status as a well-known figure makes him a target for those who want to manipulate him. These connivers, who include swastikas in all their decorations, would like to use Stahl as a spokesperson for their propaganda. Namely, why would France want to spend billions to re-arm when all of Europe’s problems can be solved by peaceful negotiations?

Stahl’s first experience with Nazi sympathizers comes when he agrees to attend a party given by one of Paris’s most famous hostesses. A quick study, Stahl immediately tries to distance himself from the Hitler crowd, but the Nazis are relentless. Their subtle pressure soon turns into strong-arm tactics. Stahl turns to the U.S. Embassy for advice on how to avoid the goose-steppers. Along with guidance, he receives a plea to help his nation by spying on the Germans.

There is plenty of romance as our hero woos and is wooed by several women of different nationalities. The novel concludes with Stahl and his favorite female trying to get out of Nazi-controlled Hungary.

“Mission to Paris” gets an 8 out of 10 from me. Its only weakness lies in Furst’s tendency to build up the suspense by putting Stahl and friends in dangerous situations, only to provide quick and easy escapes.

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by Alan Furst

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healthy living

I may not yet be a baby boomer, but I am an empty nester. This is one of our favorite meals to make; now that it is just the two of us, we can afford it! We love salmon and it is so good for you. This recipe makes it a little special, so if you have another couple over to play cards, it makes a lovely meal to share. Serve it with a simple salad and rice or carrots: that's all it needs. Delicious!

Pecan Encrusted Salmon

Salmon steaks (1/3-1/2 pound each, and ¾ - 1 inch thick) Chopped pecans Honey Honey Mustard Sour Cream Prepare salmon steaks by cutting them to be approximately the same size and thickness. I usually use a slab of salmon and cut my own, but you can purchase salmon steaks. I prefer wild salmon over farm-raised.

Line a baking sheet with foil, and place the salmon steaks on the sheet.

Leave a little room between each.

Coat each piece with honey on the top only. Press the pecans onto the steak – the honey is the glue. Place in a preheated 350 degree oven for 12-18 minutes or until fork tender.

Remove from sheet and place on platter or individual plates. Mix a small amount of sour cream with the honey mustard, and seal in a small zip baggie. Snip end, and drizzle on top of each steak. Serve hot.

Submitted from Diane Fisher Catering By Design, LLC

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• Private Rehabilitation Suites • Fast, Effective Recovery • Free Wi-Fi & Cable • Chef Prepared Cuisine • Five Star Rating • Newly Renovated • Massage Therapy • Natural Wooded Setting • Deficiency Free State Survey by the State Board of Health

Hubbard Hill offers a Full Continuum of Care Including:

574.295.6260

866.295.6260 F: 574.295.5852 • Dynamic Rehabilitation • Healthcare Center • Licensed Residential Apartments with Supportive Services www.hubbardhill.org • Maintenance-Free Duplex Homes in a Neighborhood Setting

28070 CR 24 W • Elkhart, IN 46517 – Faith Based – Locally Owned – Non Profit –

boom | SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012

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special fatures

Apps to

Keep you Savvy Shazam

The Shazam application allows you to hold your phone or other device up to a song, any song, that is playing. You click 'tag now', and the application will give you the title, artist and other pertinent information about the song. It will then give you the option to purchase the song, see the lyrics, share it with friends or watch the video. Lots of fun!

Weather Channel

Just like watching the Weather Channel at home, but you take it with you on your phone or tablet. You can see forecasts for any city or zip code in the United States. You can also sign up to get weather alerts via text message.

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SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012 | boom

Viber

Viber is an application for iPhoneŽ, Android™, Windows Phone and Blackberry phones that lets you make free phone calls, send free texts and share photos and location with anyone that also has the application installed.

All you need is a 3G or WiFi connection, and friends who are on Viber too. Viber is simple to use - it integrates seamlessly with your existing address book and uses your cell phone number as your Viber ID. Viber is constantly innovating and introducing new features, platforms and possibilities. *Operator data charges may apply

Pinterest

Pinterest wants people to share what they love to do, but they'd rather have people out doing those things. Thus, the quick and addictive passion of pinning recipes, ideas and tips can be right on your phone or other device so you can be out doing the things you love.

boom | SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012

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special fatures

Tips for Using

Makeup to

Fake Younger-Looking Skin

By Rebecca Maalouf

A

s a makeup artist who works with women of all age groups, it might not be good business to admit I have a favorite type. But I’m all in for women over 50, as much for their witty conversation styles as for their appreciation of fresh looks that work for them. Here are some of my top makeup tips to help you create younger-looking skin with makeup.

Some of them might surprise you.

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A Darker Base

Find Rebecca at Camellia Cosmetics at Eddy Street Commons, where she can help you find what makes you feel beautiful.

I know, you’ve seen the tell-tale “jaw line” of makeup and vowed that would never be you, but hear me out. As we age, our skin begins to show small discolorations and areas of redness from head to toe. This is real, it’s yours and you have to be true to these pigment changes.

Go just a bit darker with your foundation, and you will look more like you au natural, and less like you wearing a mask.

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Pink or Peach Lips and Cheeks

I’m back in the minefield – we have all witnessed little old lady rouge circles and if the seventies taught us anything it’s that mauve and bronze make us look natural and youthful. Until mauve and bronze make us look tired and muddy. Sound familiar?

Switch to sheer peach, pink or rose lip and cheek color, and lots of it! The resulting look is healthy, fresh and vibrant.

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Embrace a Good Concealer

You need coverage, but might not want it all over. Enter concealer – spot it on the inner corner of the eyes, then over anything red or brown on the rest of the face. Are sun spots a problem? (I’m referring to age spots, but not out of this mouth!) Try a peach concealer to cover and soften them. Peach is often perfect for full coverage that still looks natural.

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Find Your Look – Then Quit Fussing

If you don’t have a look that makes you feel pretty and truly represents who you are, or if you have early fading or other problems, turn to a professional for advice.

Then follow it! Go back every year or so for an update, and check “worrying about whether I’m doing this right” off of your list of things to do.

Don’t Compare Your Own Makeup to What Your Friends Are Doing

I love it when friends come in together, enjoy a glass of wine and discover new beauty options for themselves, but I’m always amazed when they can’t see what I see: two different beauty types with completely different makeup needs. Being over 50 is a beautiful thing, and every woman wears it differently. With something so reflective of your personal beauty style, comparing doesn’t make sense. boom | SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012

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healthy living

Preparing for

Menopause What Every Woman Should Know about Hormone Replacement Therapy Michele L. Ashton, MD, FACOG

Remember how you reacted when you got your first period? It probably depended on how much you knew about the female menstrual cycle. The same is true for when you get your last period.

As an OB/GYN, I’m always troubled by the anxiety many women have about menopause. Some can’t even mention the word without breaking into a cold sweat. But just like the day your menstrual cycle began, the more you know about what to expect, the better prepared you’ll be when it ends.

The basics Menopause is the natural process in a woman’s life that occurs when your ovaries stop producing eggs. Unlike your first period, menopause doesn’t come overnight.

Rather, it’s a gradual process that most women encounter in their late forties or early fifties. By medical definition, you've reached menopause when twelve months have passed since your last period.

That being said, the symptoms of menopause begin much earlier. As you age, your ovaries begin producing fewer and fewer hormones. It’s this change in hormone levels in your body that triggers the much-dreaded symptoms of menopause. These symptoms, which fade away in three to five years, can include changes in the pattern of your period, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, insomnia and many more. But don’t panic just yet.

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The truth about symptoms The first thing to know about menopausal symptoms is that some women don’t experience any. That’s right.

Every woman’s body handles menopause differently. So if you’re approaching menopause, don’t feel like you’re doomed to suffer hot flashes every night. You might be lucky and have no symptoms at all.

Or maybe you’ll be one of the women who experiences mild symptoms. A few headaches here and there, a little trouble sleeping, every now and then a hot flash. Mild symptoms are certainly inconvenient, but still tolerable.

Sadly, some women do suffer menopausal symptoms so severe that they affect their quality of life. If you happen to be one of them, you’ll want to know as much as you can about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

Hormone Replacement Therapy 101 Just like it sounds, HRT replaces the hormones that your body has stopped producing, thus minimizing menopausal symptoms. Unfortunately, HRT has gotten a bad reputation over the years due to a misconception about its health risks.

Let’s back up. In 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative published a study that linked HRT with an increased risk of breast cancer, heart attacks, blood clots and strokes.

This one study frightened millions of women into suffering through years of menopausal symptoms out of

fear of developing a much worse health condition. Today, we know the study was a little misleading.

The truth about HRT risks The problem with the Women’s Health Initiative study was that it didn’t fully factor in the ages of women and the length of time they were taking HRT. Now we know that HRT does pose an increased risk of certain health problems, but only when taken for too long or too late in life. For the average woman experiencing severe menopausal symptoms, HRT is considered safe when taken for three to five years. Just to be sure, it’s become a standard practice to prescribe the lowest amount of HRT that will curb symptoms to a tolerable point, and for the shortest amount of time.

Basically, only just enough for just long enough.

Different types of HRT When talking about the health risks of HRT, there’s another factor to include. That has to do with the two main types of HRT. Before menopause, your ovaries produce several types of hormones: estrogen, progesterone and even some testosterone. The symptoms of menopause are due mostly to lack of estrogen. So, to curb side effects, we need to replace that estrogen. The problem is, we know now that replacing your body’s estrogen with only estrogen (Estrogen Replacement Therapy, or ERT) poses a high risk of developing cancer of the uterus.

That’s why HRT also includes the hormone progesterone, which protects the walls of the uterus and essentially eliminates this risk.

So, HRT (estrogen and progesterone) is safe for women who have their uterus, while ERT (only estrogen) is safe only for women who’ve had their uterus removed during a hysterectomy.

The key to successful HRT Now that we’ve cleared up the misconceptions, it’s time to talk about what you can do to make sure your HRT is successful.

Since every woman is different, every woman’s optimal HRT regimen is different.

Remember, your doctor will want to prescribe you the smallest dosage of hormones that will curb your symptoms until they go away on their own. Since your body will continue to change as you go through menopause, your regimen likely will too. That’s why it’s important to meet with your doctor to adjust your HRT regimen at least once a year, or whenever you experience changes in how your HRT is curbing your symptoms. The sooner you stop HRT, the lower your risk for health problems.

Also, you and your doctor will need to determine the specific form of HRT that works best for you. HRT comes in many shapes and sizes: pills, patches, injections, creams, tablets and rings. What works best for one woman might not work well for you.

Put simply, the key to successful HRT is to make sure your regimen is right for you at all times. The best way to do this is to talk to your doctor often and honestly.

As you can see, there’s a lot to know about treating menopausal symptoms with HRT. It’s no wonder many women get overwhelmed when they think about menopause. Like anything else, the more you know, the better off you’ll be. By understanding the basics of menopause, including the symptoms and treatments of these symptoms, you’ll be well-prepared for the day when you have your last period. Maybe even more than you were the day you had your first.

Additional information is available from the North American Menopause Society at www.menopause.org. •••

THE RULES OF THE ROAD

To help you achieve investment success and avoid problems on your journey toward your financial goals, you’ll want to observe these 10 “Rules of the Road”: Rule #1: Develop a strategy.

Rule #2: Stick with quality.

Rule #3: Diversify.

Rule #4: Invest for the long term.

Rule #5: Address mistakes quickly.

Rule #6: Understand risk, and take steps to help reduce it.

Rule #7: It’s not just what you make, it’s what you keep.

Rule #8: Quality stocks have historically outperformed quality bonds.

Rule #9: Focus on what you can control.

Rule #10: Review your strategy annually.

R Scott Puckett, AAMS®

Edward Jones® | Financial Advisor

209 Concord Mall Dr | Elkhart, IN 46517 (574)-875-0828 | scott.puckett@edwardjones.com boom | SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012

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healthy living

Living Well After

Joint Replacement

Surgery

Total Knee Replacement From the Patient Perspective

By Jeffrey Yergler, M.D.

Each year, there are more than 600,000 total knee replacements performed in the United States, and that number is expected to increase with the aging of the baby boomer population. Interestingly, about 65% of these knee replacement patients are women.

But life does not end with a joint replacement; quite the opposite, in fact. Active baby boomers will find it comforting to know that, after surgery, they will be able to resume many of their favorite activities including golf, ballroom dancing, swimming and walking. Some knee replacement recipients have even continued to play tennis and snow ski.

A knee replacement might be more accurately termed a knee “resurfacing” because only the surface of the bones are actually replaced. During this surgery, the top of the tibia (shinbone) and the bottom of the femur (thighbone) are prepared to accept the artificial knee joint. While the procedure usually takes one hour, rehabilitation after the surgery can take several weeks.

Most of my joint replacement patients schedule an appointment because the pain has become unbearable.

Walking can become difficult and stairs can become insurmountable obstacles. The most common cause of a knee replacement is arthritis which damages the surface of the knee joint until the sensation is that of painful bone-on-bone friction as the knee joint moves.

Sandra’s Story Rather than bore you with statistics and detailed descriptions of surgery and treatment options, I thought it best for a patient to tell her story. Sandra is an active member of the baby boom generation. Like most members of that generation, she is active into her 16

SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012 | boom

60s and has a busy schedule that is the envy of most 40-year-olds.

This past winter, Sandra scheduled an appointment because she was having a tremendous amount of pain in both knees. She has had knee problems off-and-on for a few years. Mostly just mild pain, but it would flair up when performing more hard-impact activities such as jogging.

“I really felt the pain while out shoveling snow,” states Sandra. “At first, I thought I had just pulled a muscle but, after a week of pain and swelling, I realized that I needed to seek medical help.” Fortunately, her neighbor suggested visiting an orthopedic surgeon and that is how she became my patient.

“The pain really affected my life. I was not able to do many of my normal activities,” continues Sandra. “The worst part was the pain. It was so intense at times.”

Due to the excruciating pain, Sandra could not walk up and down stairs, couldn’t bend over and wasn’t able to do any of her regular household chores. Her normal routine was completely disrupted. Before her symptoms, she enjoyed long walks, gardening and working in the yard.

Most of all, the pain prevented Sandra from enjoying her two great passions: playing with her grandchildren and ballroom dancing with friends.

After a physical exam and taking x-rays of both Sandra’s knees, it was clear that she had osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis attacks the cartilage in your joints, causing it to erode away. When this happens, the bone rubs on bone, which can lead to discomfort and joint pain.

We discussed her treatment options. With many patients,

I suggest non-surgical alternatives  Chronic knee inflammation. This is usually inflammation and swelling that first such as anti-inflammatory does not improve with rest or medications. medications, cortisone injections and physical therapy. Given the  Knee deformity. Do you have bowing in or out of your knee? severity of Sandra’s osteoarthritis, I recommended a total knee  Failure of other treatments. Are you lacking improvement with other treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, replacement in both knees. lubricating injections, physical therapy or other surgeries?

One month after her initial exam, we It is also very important to have realistic expectations. An important factor in performed the replacement surgery deciding whether to have total knee replacement surgery is understanding on her left knee. Then, after some what the procedure can and cannot do. rehabilitation, she had her right knee replaced. For both surgeries, it was More than 90% of people who have total knee replacement surgery experience a an overnight stay in the hospital. dramatic reduction of knee pain and a significant improvement in the ability to She immediately started therapy perform common activities of daily living. But total knee replacement will not to improve mobility and keep the allow you to do more than you could before you developed arthritis. tendons from over-tightening.

With normal use and activity, every knee replacement implant begins to wear The therapy after surgery is quite and tear just like a natural knee. Excessive activity or weight may speed up rigorous. The goal is to get you back this normal wear and may cause the knee replacement to loosen and become to your normal lifestyle before you painful. Therefore, most surgeons advise against high-impact activities such as had the knee problems. For each running, jogging and jumping. knee, Sandra had about six weeks of rehabilitation therapy and a set of Realistic activities following total knee replacement include walking, exercises to perform at home. swimming, golf, driving, light hiking, biking, ballroom dancing and other low-impact sports. An active lifestyle definitely does not end with a joint “Overall, the experience was terrific,” replacement. And if you are a baby boomer like Sandra, it may be just what exclaims Sandra. “The physician and you need to get back to life!

••• staff were kind and wonderful. The surgery was a great thing: it brought my life back to me. Without the surgery, I would not have been able to return to the activities that I enjoy doing.”

Memorial BrainWorksSM presents Mary Morris Leighton Lecture 2012 Sandra quickly returned to gardening again and has no problem bending down to weed and trim bushes. Best of all, she is able to actively play with her five-year-old grandsons.

Brain Health: Not Just Another Crossword Puzzle Wednesday, Oct. 24 7 p.m. • FREE Century Center

Is It Right for Me? This is the question that most patients ask me: “Is knee replacement right for me?” While every case is unique, there are some common factors that the patient and physician need to consider:

 Knee pain or stiffness. Does

the pain and stiffness limit your everyday activities, including walking, climbing stairs and getting in and out of chairs?

Do you find it difficult to walk more than a few blocks without significant pain or do you feel the need for a cane or walker?

 Knee pain while resting. Has the pain and discomfort migrated from occurring during activity to while you are inactive or resting?

120 S. St. Joseph St. South Bend, IN 46601

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boom | SEPTEMBER &8/20/12 OCOTBER 2:55 2012 PM 17

boom

healthy living

From

Sour Milk to

Lasers

The Quest for Beauty Has Come a Long Way

By Ronald K. Downs, MD, FACS

S

ince the beginning of time, people have been searching for ways to look and feel more beautiful. Egyptian women bathed in sour milk and rubbed fermented grapes on their faces. The ancient Greek Herodotus believed a special kind of water in Ethiopia could support longevity. And, in 1513, Ponce de Leon traveled across the Atlantic to seek out the fountain of youth.

Today, the desire to turn back the clock is just as strong.

Fortunately, your options for doing so are much better than sour milk and mysterious water. You have a lot more of them, too.

This guide will bring you up-to-date on the latest and most effective treatments for looking and feeling younger. Before we get started, it’s important to note that there’s no magical cure. Everyone is different, and what works best for you might not work well for someone else. But don’t worry. Whether it’s wrinkles, skin tone, acne scarring or anything else, there’s almost always an option for you.

Let’s start with the most popular: non-surgical cosmetic treatments. These include injectables, laser treatments, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion, all of which are popular simply because most don’t take very long and there’s not much downtime involved. In 2011, over 9 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States, and 82% were nonsurgical.

It’s probably no surprise that the most popular of these is Botulinum Toxin Type A, or Botox®. Botox® and its competitor Dysport® are injectables that temporarily relax particular muscle groups by blocking nerve impulses. When these muscles stop contracting, wrinkles soften and become less noticeable. That’s the big secret to Botox®. It’s safe for most people and is great at 18

SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012 | boom

minimizing the appearance of forehead wrinkles, frown lines and crow’s feet. The only downside to Botox® is that, after four to six months, the treatment wears off.

But, due to it is affordability and minimal downtime, it’s the most sought-after cosmetic treatment today.

Then there are injectable fillers. These treatments usually consist of non-animal-based forms of hyaluronic acid, a natural chemical in your body that helps keep your skin smooth. As you age, this chemical dissipates, causing your skin to fold and form wrinkles. Injectable fillers refill your hyaluronic acid to help your skin unfold, which helps your wrinkles fade away. Many consider these treatments to be a more natural method of restoring youth to their skin, and thus more appealing.

Other fillers use Calcium Hydroxyapatite and Poly-LLactic acid to enhance collagen in the skin. Collagen is the elastic-like component that keeps your skin firm and smooth. As we age, our collagen breaks down and can’t be replaced by our bodies. Fillers can actually promote the regeneration of new collagen in the skin. Although not permanent, these treatments can maintain your youthful appearance by reducing the appearance of fine lines around the eyes, mouth, nose, lips and more.

Let’s move on to another type of treatment – the chemical peel. Chemical peels, just like they sound, involve using a chemical solution to remove the outer layer of skin and generate new skin cells for a newer, younger layer of skin.

Most chemical peels use alpha-hydroxy acids to dissolve the “glue” that binds skin cells together, creating a more even surface. The amount of skin removed depends on the type of chemical used, the Ph level of the peel, the strength of the product and the time left on the skin. Some peels don’t involve any “peeling” of the skin at all, but instead work biologically to improve surface texture with no downtime.

Perhaps the most aggressive nonsurgical procedure for wrinkle treatment and correction is the fractional laser. Fractional laser resurfacing is the latest trend in laser skin resurfacing, which uses gentle pulses of light to remove columns of damaged tissue and then stimulate the body’s own natural process of creating new skin.

Unlike traditional laser procedures, fractional lasers expose only part of the skin to the laser beam, which minimizes damage to healthy skin. This pinpoint precision makes fractional laser procedures one of the best options for improving the delicate areas around the eyes and mouth, which often show the first signs of aging and can be the most challenging to treat.

Last, but not least, is the traditional facelift. The most invasive of all the procedures mentioned here, the facelift involves surgically removing excess skin and/or tightening skin for a younger appearance. Facelifts are a good option when other treatments fall short. This procedure can help you combat sagging in the midface, deep creases below the eyes, around the nose and mouth and even displaced fat or the appearance of jowls.

As you can see, we’ve come a long way in terms of finding better ways to look and feel more beautiful. Hopefully this guide has answered many of your questions

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Does your space need a spruce?

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Microdermabrasion is another type of treatment that involves removing the outer layer of skin.

During this procedure, microparticles or a diamond tip wand is used to remove dead skin cells and stimulate new skin growth.

Affordable and noninvasive, microdermabrasion is most popular among younger people, but is a great option for treating sun damage, fine lines and coarsetextured skin for people of any age.

and brought you up-to-date. Remember, when it comes to cosmetic surgery, the more you know, the better. Learning more about the different cosmetic and reconstructive procedures including risks, costs, and conveniences empowers you to make an informed decision. No matter how far we’ve come since the days of sour milk, or how far we’ll continue to go, making an informed decision will always be the key to minimizing the risks of cosmetic surgery and maximizing your potential for success. •••

a v i t o Interior M ET

G

Chemical peels are a time-tested treatment that can improve the appearance of fine lines, sun damage, blemishes and acne.

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www.GetInteriorMotivated.com boom | SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012

19

boom

the traveler

About a

Boat

Tips on Buying Your Dream Boat

By Chelle Costello

H

ave you been dreaming about setting sail? Hoping to laze along the lake, swim and surf, fish and cruise? Whatever your nautical delight, if a boat is on the horizon, know a few things before buying. I spoke with Rodney Bensz, owner of B&E Marine and boat dealer extraordinaire, about what to think about when buying a boat: space, price, certification and activities. Here are a few things to know before setting off into the sun.

What To Choose “There are so many types of boats, so one should think about what they want to do on the boat before they buy it,” says Bensz. “Pontoon boats offer a lot of room and are for entertaining a lot of people on smaller lakes. Runabouts like Sea Ray Bow Riders are great boats for water sports such as skiing and tubing. They are also easy to trailer and take to different lakes if you want to travel. Center Console boats like Boston Whaler are good for fishing as well as water sports and are very low maintenance – just hose them down and go!” Bensz says. “Sea Ray Sport Cruisers, Sport Yachts, and Meridian Sedan Bridges are typically 26 – 60 feet and have cabins. These boats are great for cruising on larger bodies of water such as Lake Michigan.”

So take an inventory of the activities you’d like to engage in on your new boat. Will you use it for water sports? Fishing?

Cruising? First, choose your fun… then choose your boat.

But don’t forget to be smart about space! “Buyers should look for the U.S. Coast Guard Maximum Capacities plate located on all boats to make sure it will accommodate the number of people and weight that they will need for the majority of their boating,” Bensz reminds us. So don’t forget to think about the friends, family and grandchildren you might like to delight with a trip on the lake.

New or Used There are some pros and cons for used and new boats, but Bensz leans towards purchasing, or at least viewing, a new boat before checking out the used. “You can compare 20

SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012 | boom

different brands and models in the showroom or at boat shows to see what would work best for you,” he suggests.

“New boats also have a manufacturer warranty to rely on.

When you purchase a new boat, you know the history of the boat because you are the first owner.” If you’re paying on credit, he also has some good advice. “New boat financing usually has better interest rates.” And, for those who just like to have the best new toy out there: “New boats offer the latest in technology and innovation if you like the latest and greatest,” Bensz says.

Why would you want a used boat, then, since new ones sound so great? “Used boats are an affordable way to get into boating,” says Bensz. He has some tips for us in that arena, too. “When buying a used boat, it is important to buy from a dealer who checks their used boat trades and makes necessary major repairs prior to sale. Just make sure that if you’re buying a boat from an individual or broker you want to have a marine survey done prior to purchase.”

Just visit www.marinesurvey.org for a list of surveyors to make sure the boat you’re spending hard-earned money on is safe for travel.

Certified Boater!

“Most states just require a valid driver’s license,” Bensz says, but there are a few things to keep in mind if you’re hoping to teach a grandchild to operate a boat. “In Michigan, younger boaters between twelve and fifteen can take a boating safety class and get a certificate to drive a boat as long as they have an adult with them, and in Indiana no one under the age of fifteen can legally drive a motorboat greater than ten horsepower. Fifteen-year-olds can drive a boat until they become a licensed driver if they complete a boater education course and have an ID card from the BMV.” For more info on making those memories both powerful and legal, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr/ or www.in.gov/nrc/.

Economy and Boat Prices The economy is forcing cheaper prices for boats right

now, which works in the buyer’s favor, Bensz says, but there are also some unexpected advantages that the economy is forcing on boat makers.

“Manufacturers such as Brunswick Corporation who build Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Harris Pontoons and Meridian Sedan Bridges now have to think of different ways to build new products without increasing the prices,” Bensz says. “They’re doing this through leaner and more efficient manufacturing methods, research & development and purchasing of raw materials in larger volumes across brands.” While prices are low now, this new innovation may help keep them lower in the future.

Dealer Shopping No one wants to get taken advantage of or to be sold a boat by an incompetent dealer. That’s why Bensz says that buyers should look for dealers that are MRAA (Marine Retailers’ Association of the Americas) certified 5-Star dealers.

Other certifications to look for include Boating Industry Top 100 Dealers, Brunswick Ambassador Dealers, and Mercury Premier Dealers. “By choosing a certified dealer, you know they have the processes and training in place to make sure you have a great boat purchase experience,” Bensz says, “and better yet, a great service experience after the sale.” So be careful and don’t be afraid to ask questions about that certification – you won’t regret it.

Safety Tips “We recommend that new boaters take a boating safety class. At B&E Marine, we offer classes every spring,” Bensz says. “Classes meet once a week in the evening for six weeks and are put on by the local Power Squadron. We also offer on-the-water women’s boating classes.” He also recommends doing some online research on safety. For example, check out discoverboating.com for a plethora of safety tips.

No matter where you take safety classes, Bensz says, many times the class certificate can be shown to your insurance company to help reduce your insurance rate. Safety and a reduced insurance rate? I’m sold!

Happy sailing! •••

boom | SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012

21

boom

the traveler

Local Wineries

By Stephanie J. Salisbury

fter watching the movie Sideways, I must admit, I felt like a complete novice when it came to wine. There are so many folks out there with years of experience at wine tasting and traveling that it makes it difficult to know where to begin if you’ve never tried it before. The best advice, however, is to begin locally, and the Michiana area is quite lucky to have several wineries that will help you get your feet wet. Maybe not like the grape-crushing I Love Lucy episode kind of wet, but this will give you a start, nevertheless.

For more information, call or visit the website for each of our spotlight wineries today!

Lemon Creek: www.lemoncreekwinery.com 269.471.1322 Round Barn: www.roundbarnwinery.com 800.716.9463 Fruit Hills: www.fruithillswinery.com 574.848.WINE (9463) St. Julian: www.stjulian.com 800.732.6002 Tabor Hill: www.taborhill.com 800.283.3363

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Lemon Creek Cathy Lemon, Tasting Room Manager at Lemon Creek Winery and Fruit Farm in Berrien Springs, Michigan, has some great beginner information. This is perfect timing, too, for their last festival of the year coming up in October. “This is an opportunity to try new things,” says Cathy. “Ask questions about the wine, the grapes, the facility. Wine is a fascinating and endless subject that is more than just drinking.”

Lemon Creek has been family owned and operated for 157 years, and the Lemon family has been a staple in the Berrien Springs area since Benjamin Lemon had a saw mill on a creek. Eventually, the creek and the road would be named after him and, a century and a half later, the legacy lives on. The winery was established in 1984 by Robert and Helen Lemon and sons and, today, there is a wine list of twenty-seven different estate-grown and bottled wines.

Open every day from 10am to 6pm and Sundays from noon to 6pm, Lemon Creek does not give tours, but offers the ability to watch the harvest and crush right outside the door when you come for your tasting. They offer nineteen varieties of grapes and can talk to you about making your own wine at home, a hobby many have picked up lately.

Don’t be afraid of a wine-tasting if you’ve never gone before. Just follow some basic advice: “White wines are usually tasted first,” says Cathy Lemon, “followed by red wines, then dessert wines. It is recommended that you go from the driest you will be tasting to the sweetest.” In that sweet category, don’t miss the Silver Beach Sauterne – it’s one of their bestsellers. And don’t worry if you’re a lightweight, either! “You do not have to drink all the wine in your glass,” she says. “Your server will be happy to toss any unwanted wine for you.”

Round Barn Winery Next stop is the beautiful Round Barn Winery, with an estate property in Baroda, Michigan, and a tasting room in Union Pier. Though they also do not offer guided tours, General Manager Nicole Birmingham-Moersch says, “Guests are welcome to independently stroll through our historic tasting barns, developed property and vineyards.”

Round Barn WInery

The Round Barn website gives some tasting-room etiquette, but Nicole invitingly tells us, “There is no right or wrong. Be open to experiencing something new!

Engage with your Tasting Consultants, as they are full of knowledge and trained to help you find the perfect wine, beer or spirit for your liking.” Beer or spirit, you ask? Yes! “Not only are we a winery, we’re a brewery and distillery, too,” she says. “We’re celebrating our 20th anniversary this year, and are always creating new ways to engage and entertain our customers.” From high-energy festivals to free live music on weekends, Round Barn is fun and fancy at the same time. Be sure to check out their most popular wine, the Farm Market Cranberry Fruit Wine. “A delicious blend of sweet and tart,” says Nicole. “A perfect choice for the holidays and the only civilized way to have your cranberries!” Through October, they will be open daily from 11am to 6pm, and Sundays from noon to 6pm. boom | SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012

23

boom

the traveler

Fruit Hills Winery Then we have Fruit Hills Winery and Orchard, which is located in none other than Bristol, Indiana. Right on State Road 15, it’s a simple drive from anywhere in the area.

Owners David and Michele Muir, with the help of their son Nathan and daughter-in-law Brittany, have taken over the farm that has been in David’s family since 1852 and the fruit-growing legacy that began around 1898.

Open Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 6pm and Sunday from noon to 5pm, Fruit Hills is a great place to get your feet wet in the wine-tasting and touring arena.

Their story is one of complete serendipity. Due to the downturn in the economy, David had lost his job in March of 2009. He had already been a hobby winemaker, using apples, cherries and peaches and he made a comment while at a winery in Florida that perhaps winemaking was something he could do for others as well. Encouraged by Nathan and Brittany, the Muirs decided to give it a shot.

“At the time, it was a shocking situation to be in without employment,” says Michele, who is also the Tasting Room Manager. “At the same time, it was a blessing, because it made us do what he had dreamed of doing.” Eight months later, David had his job back – now he works full time and he and his family still run the orchard and winery because it is a passion. “I enjoy the people that come in and visit our winery,” Michele tells me. “It’s really nice. People come with a good attitude and leave with a good attitude. We’d like to get this built up so David can be here full time.”

Since its founding twenty-one months ago, Fruit Hills does not yet provide the ability to make your own wine, as they’re making just enough right now for what they need to have on hand for visitors. However, the friendly and inviting atmosphere gives any guest a comfortable place to ask questions and to learn. Michele is warm and encouraging, especially when you are tasting for the first time. “After you swirl, sniff and sip, I always add ‘savor’. It’s really important to take the time to taste the wine. People sometimes drink it down so quickly they don’t really get the full benefit; you can slow down and experience the wine,” she offers. Should you desire a look around, Michele will be glad to take you – she’ll probably encourage any others to come down in the cellar with her during the week since she’s the only one there.

The weekends are generally a better time to have a more detailed tour. Be sure not to miss their best selling wine, called Make Me Blush – “It’s sweet,” Michele says, which is a great people-pleaser in her findings. “The majority of people like sweet wines.”

St. Julian Winery Many people in the area are familiar with St. Julian Winery in Paw Paw, Michigan. Working with over thirty growers in a forty-five mile radius, St. Julian uses three types of grape varieties, some of which are hybrids. These types can more easily survive the harsh Michigan winters and help to ensure a high quality wine.

St. Julian is born of a dream of Mariano Meconi, born in Faleria, Italy in 1895, who emigrated to Canada at age thirteen and founded Border City Wine Cellars in 1921 at

24

SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012 | boom

age 26. This, in turn, became Meconi Wine Company, moved to Detroit, then to Paw Paw. After a name change to the Italian Wine Company, Meconi re-named it one last time to St. Julian, who was the patron saint of his birthplace village so long before. The rich history has shaped St. Julian into an award-winning winery that you won’t want to miss.

Offering wine clubs, tours and tastings, there is something for everyone here, from the novice to the refined connoisseur.

Their website gives a rich, in-depth history and enough information to really be prepared. “The Five Ss of Wine Tasting”, an article by their winemaker, Nancie Corum-Oxley, explains how to go about a wine-tasting if you’ve never done so before, and there is such a thorough introduction of their key employees that you feel as though you know everyone before you get there. St. Julian is open seven days a week, Monday through Saturday from 9am to 6pm, and Sunday from 11am to 6pm. If you buy twelve bottles, you get 10% off – it’s a great way to shop for the holidays or be prepared for any special occasion.

Tabor Hill Last, but certainly not least, is Tabor Hill in Buchanan, Michigan. This will most definitely be an experience you won’t forget. There is a theater in their cellar, where you can watch a video and learn about winemaking. Their walking tours are casual, and you can see the vineyards and ask questions of the staff and visit the tasting rooms, of course. They also offer sparkling wines and nonalcoholic juices so even if you’re not much of a drinker, you can still have a wonderful time.

Tabor Hill also provides a premier line of artisan chocolates

by Norman Love Confections. You can purchase these delectable treats at the winery, or you can enjoy them right there during your visit because there is also a fine-dining experience at Tabor Hill Restaurant to be enjoyed. Their exquisite menu gives fantastic advice on a wine pairing with each appetizer, treat or meal. Greatly appreciated by this conservation-loving girl, they will only serve you warm bread and ice water upon request, so it doesn’t sit uneaten on the table only to be thrown out when you leave. Know ahead of time that the largest group they can accommodate is twelve, so when you’re planning your trip, be sure not to ask more than eleven of your best friends to accompany you!

The restaurant at Tabor Hill is open from 11:30am to 9pm Wednesday through Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 9pm, and the tasting bar hours are Monday and Tuesday from 10am to 5pm, Wednesday through Saturday from 10am to 9pm, and Sunday from noon to 9pm. Don’t forget to buy a gift certificate while you’re there!

There is so much to do and see just locally, and if you have the time and the desire, you should most definitely plan a mini-vacation. Experience the local wineries, the beautiful sprawling orchards, the passion that each of these wonderful people have for what they do. You won’t be disappointed. ••• boom | SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012

25

boom Goes to Ireland!

boom

the traveler

The Notre Dame Opening Season Game Against Navy!

Score: ND 50 to Navy 10 GO IRISH! A reported 35,000 Americans made the trek to Ireland to show their spirit for the Navy and the Fighting Irish. We gave a group of 22 boomers a camera and an assignment to bring home some fun pictures of their trip to the Emerald Isle.

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SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012 | boom

boom | SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012

27

boom

lovers' lane

Plugging Back In Reconnecting with Your Spouse

By Stephanie Graham

“When you’ve been married as long as we have, it’s like an old shoe; it fits so good,” local wife Jean Phelps says with a smile in her voice. In fact, since she started answering questions about her marriage, all she seems to do is smile.

Jean and her husband, Bill, have been married for 44 years, and if they were to follow in the footsteps of a rapidly increasing number of couples in their generation, they’d be at the end of their rope and looking to get out.

The latest research from Bowling Green State University in Ohio gives the depressing details: in the last two decades, divorce among baby boomers has doubled.

What causes marriages of twenty-plus years, which have already triumphed over so many obstacles and had opportunity for such fun and connection, to end?

More importantly, how can that desire be avoided and replaced with a can’t-stop-smiling love like Phelps has?

Alone Together While all stages of marriage can have many of the same challenges, there are some that are specific to the boomers’ current phase. Many parents chased their kids through their childhood, drove them to music/sport/dance practice five days a week, encouraged them, nurtured them and cheered them on at a helter-skelter pace for the last couple decades. Now, the kids are in college or are college graduates and the parents are left looking at each other, wondering who they are and how they got there.

Sometimes, though, it’s due to a shift in the actual view of what marriage is supposed to be. Susan Brown, one of the Bowling Green study’s leaders, also found that, among other things, she has seen changes in the expectations of marriage from being based on each spouse’s role to that 28

SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012 | boom

of personal satisfaction or “individual fulfillment”.

Other explanations can often be more general: growing apart, falling out of love, and losing interest seem to be universal reasons people give for failed marriages.

“Many couples start to wonder if they ever should have married to begin with,” says Dr. John Petersen of Family Psychology of South Bend.

Many factors play a role, but one common denominator permeates them all: losing connection. Something brought these two people together years ago. There was an attraction, a link and then a bond that united them.

Now they feel that they’ve lost it and can’t get it back.

What does this mean for marriages that are still intact?

Is failure inevitable in any marriage that faces this lack of connection?

Though that doubling in divorce rate can seem disheartening, it must not be forgotten that there are still plenty of people who successfully navigate these issues and find the next twenty to thirty years of marriage to be a great reward.

Local couple Lew and Bettie Woods may not be baby boomers themselves, but as this November marks their celebration of a whopping 71 years of marriage, it might be worthwhile to hear what they have to say. “You need commitment to each other,” Bettie says. “It gets so much better the more you work at it and the longer it goes on.

It’s just wonderful.” Lew says his number one reason their marriage has lasted is, “Our faith in the Lord.” He also adds simply, “We learned to kiss and make up.”

Phelps agrees that, often, it’s the little things. “One thing Bill and I have always done is hug. If we pass each

other, we stop and hug.” They hug, she estimates, at least twenty times a day. “We say we love each other all the time. Those kinds of things keep your marriage intact and strong.”

It Takes You, Baby These marriage-strengthening habits don’t happen by accident. They have to be intentional. If you’re struggling with the basics in your marriage, even wondering if you have any desire to reconnect or stay connected with your spouse, Dr. Petersen suggests going back to your roots to remember what attracted you to your spouse in the beginning.

What was it that made you want to spend your life with this person? “This seems to anchor the relationship and bring a sense of purpose and passion,” Dr. Petersen says.

Once you’ve sparked that connection, or realized that it was there all along, it’s up to you to work at it on a friendship and emotional level with your spouse, and be careful not to allow conflict to interfere.

Some people decide that giving up will not be an option.

One rule of thumb in the Phelps household is, “Divorce is never in our vocabulary. We never even think that direction.”

The Woods’ find that the empty nest and retirement didn’t leave them bewildered because they found activities they both enjoyed. Bettie says, “Maybe because of retirement we don’t have all those pressures; we don’t have to be here and there all the time.” They have friends over, travel, attend church and read the Bible together.

For some people, it’s easiest to connect while doing something active, so when you find something that you are both interested in, capitalize on it. Do you and your spouse enjoy playing card games? Taking walks? Sports?

Working in the yard? Whatever it is, do it together as often as you can.

Dr. Petersen suggests, “Observe small moments of connection and ask ‘what were the ingredients there?’”

Then nurture whatever those ingredients were to make it happen more often. Also, when patients come in for marriage counseling, he usually has them make a list of what they want from the relationship. “Don’t look at it like, ‘this is what she used to be like’ but as what you want in the relationship now,” he says. “Start to ask, ‘what does that mean for us today?’”

While marriage counseling can be a fantastic option, another great alternative is to find mentors. This can be as informal as making friends with an older couple, or as formal as asking them to officially mentor you. Either way, spend time with them, observe them and see what they do to keep their marriage strong. You might be surprised what can rub off from simple observation and exposure to a marriage that has successfully weathered the same storms yours faces now.

With some hard work and commitment, you may find that like Phelps, your “old shoe” marriage still fits and has plenty of life left in it. •••

WELCOME WELCOME OUR NEW OB/GYN

Carlos R. Bolden, M.D.

Carlos R. Bolden, M.D. has joined the Obstetrics & Gynecology Department at The South Bend Clinic. He received his undergraduate degree with honors in Biomedical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis and his medical degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. Dr. Bolden completed his residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC, where he received specialized training in high-risk obstetrics and in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, including the da Vinci® robotic surgical system.

He also has consulting experience in the healthcare information technology sector.

Dr. Bolden provides a full array of obstetric care. In addition, his gynecologic care interests include minimally invasive surgery, operative hysteroscopy, advanced operative laparoscopy (including robotic surgery), endometriosis treatment, alternatives to hysterectomy and endometrial ablation. He is a junior fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Dr. Bolden will be seeing patients at The South Bend Clinic Granger.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Bolden call 574-243-2221. You can also visit us online at www.SouthBendClinic.com.

0 1 2 4

NUMBER 124 NOW SERVING YOU!

©2012 The South Bend Clinic

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Investment 101: After Age 50 What to Do If You Never Got Around to It

By Stephanie J. Salisbury

A

nyone who has listened to Dave Ramsey for five minutes knows that getting out of debt and building wealth is important. The problem is, so many of us have waited what we think is too long, and now have no idea how or where to begin. Closing in on retirement is the time when we usually start wishing ‘if only I had’ instead of thinking ‘this is the beginning’. I’m here to tell you not to wait another minute. There’s still plenty of time to invest, provided you start right now.

Take into account the average lifespan these days compared to what it was when our grandparents were kids. The chance of us living far into our nineties is much higher than it ever was in the past. If you are 50 years old right now, you could still have half your life left – and, if you don’t get started now, you might just spend a good portion of the last half broke.

Where do I Begin?

The first step for you, if you have never before invested a nickel, is to have an easily accessible cash reserve at a local bank of approximately three to six months of income. Mike Nichols, AAMS, EA is a financial advisor with Generations Financial Advisors, Securities America in Granger. He says it is possible to build your wealth even at this delayed juncture in time. “You are behind the eight ball,” he says. “In your twenties and thirties, little amounts invested can grow to big amounts by age 65. In your forties and fifties, you need to invest bigger chunks to get to the same place.” Your best bet to begin is to find out what work offers, Nichols suggests. “If there is a company match on a 401(k), at a minimum, you should contribute up to the match. If they match dollar for dollar up to 6%, put in 6%. If they give you 25 30

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cents on the dollar up to 3%, you should put in 3%. It’s free money.”

Scott Puckett, AAMS, a financial advisor from Edward Jones in Elkhart says, “It’s like a marathon. Would you run a marathon tomorrow? No, you would create a training plan until you build up strength and endurance.

The same is true of investments. What can you do right now? Start there, then build on that.” Often, we think that we should just give up because we’ve started so late, but that could be just the right time to start. “Some people get into the game late, look at their plans and they have nothing for retirement,” says Puckett. “That gives them a determined, laser-focus. They have a clear vision of what they want now, and they’re more willing to create and engage in a plan than they ever were before.”

The younger you are, the less likely you can be to take this seriously. We learn quite a bit as we grow. “When you are eighteen, you’re bulletproof: nothing bad is ever going to happen, and we’re relatively irresponsible,” says Puckett. “Once you hit fifty, the reality that you’re not going to live forever and you do want to retire someday makes you a very serious student, and that works in your favor. Take that, and find someone who can match you up with appropriate investments.”

Who can help out?

Both Nichols and Puckett agree: even though you can start investing on your own online with eTrade, Ameritrade, Vanguard, Fidelity and the like, it’s better to talk with a local advisor. “Talk to friends and family, get the names of two or three advisors and interview them all,” Nichols suggests. “You want someone who you are comfortable talking to as well as someone ethical, honest and who will

be in the business for awhile. Think twice before you give all your money to your nephew straight out of college who may not be in this field for more than a couple of years.”

Says Puckett of being an advisor, “As you know and understand your customer’s goals and risk tolerance and preferences, you can begin to craft a plan that is ideal for them.” If you try to do this on your own, you might have no idea where to start other than “so-and-so said this might

and you’re financially dependent on your kids. They’d probably rather make loan payments for ten years after college and have parents who are financially independent.”

I’m done working, though…

If you’re not working anymore, there are still some options. “If you’re already retired, it’s not so much about savings, but about making what you have last as long as possible,” Nichols advises. “There are tons of strategies around doing that. For instance, if your spouse is working, you can still make contributions to a spousal IRA if your spouse makes enough money for you to do that. You want to continue to have a couple of nickels to rub together twenty or thirty years down the road.”

Puckett shifts the focus to our family at this point. “You can find some kind of part time job to provide some added income. You can still invest to leave a legacy for your kids. And, you may want to continue to work and invest a bit because people are living longer. Do you want to live with just enough to get the senior special at restaurants, or in a world where you can travel and do the things you’d like to do in a long and healthy life?”

Just because you’ve come into the idea of investments late in the game doesn’t mean you have to sit on the sidelines. It’s not about having mountains of cash, but more about having a decent living for the rest of your days. “Money does not make us happy,” says Puckett, “but the mismanagement of it will certainly make us unhappy.” Be sure to think through your priorities for the second half of your life and decide now what you want your retirement to look like. Even something as simple as making a phone call can get you on the right track. There’s still time, provided you start taking those steps today. •••

be a good investment”. Chances are, if you have an advisor who is willing to learn about you and your preferences, you’ll be able to get a more firm foundation and have a better chance at building your wealth in the long run.

Stop putting the kids first?

Teaching our children the value of building their wealth is important, too, and you are their role model.

If you have a child in college or getting ready for college right now while you’re attempting to build for retirement at the same time, it’s important to prioritize. “Get a plan in place fast,” says Nichols.

“You can borrow for college but not for retirement, so consider loans or making junior work a little through college.” Puckett agrees: “Your priority has to be you and your spouse’s retirement. There are plenty of opportunities for your child to get a loan or a job and help pay for their own schooling. You have to take care of yourself, and you’re not doing your kids any good if you’re 78 and have nothing to retire on,

Saturday, September 29 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p. m. at

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Leaving a Legacy B

By Marti Goodlad Heline

y the time you reach 50, you’ve heard many times that you should have a will. If you don’t, then someone else (and the government) will decide what to do with any assets or valuables you leave at the time of your death. If you’re smart, you will see a lawyer and make a plan for where you want your money and assets to go upon your demise. This is particularly important if you have children so you can set up a guardianship and be sure they are cared for.

The will also lets you leave your best friend that collectible guitar of yours he has always wanted and makes sure your favorite cousin, and not your brother-in-law, gets your entire collection of Notre Dame T-shirts. You can also be certain that nobody in the family is inadvertently left out.

a lawyer with estate experience to make sure everything is handled properly. Many financial institutions have trust departments that can provide assistance with trust, investment and estate planning questions. Check with your own first to see what they offer.

The will can be anything from one you create with a legal form you obtain online (which is not recommended) to a fancier document involving an entire team of lawyers and financial advisors if that is what your needs dictate. Most of us, however, will fall somewhere in the middle.

You also can create a legacy if you wish to contribute or designate cash or assets to worthwhile organizations. If you want to support your surrounding area, you should look into your local Community Foundation. A gift there can continue to grow and benefit your local community.

For example, the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County created in 1991 allows you to contribute to a favorite cause, give to a scholarship fund, give to a favorite charity or just give to the community’s greatest needs. The foundations combined assets and endowment worth more than $125 million make it one of the largest Community Foundations in Indiana.

These days, instead of making just a last will and testament, we are advised to have what is often called an ‘estate plan’. For most individuals with assets like a home, stocks, pension, bank accounts, etc. – that is smart advice.

You may want to involve your financial institution’s trust services department or your financial advisor along with 32

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If the existing options do not meet your needs, the Community Foundation will work with you and your financial advisor or lawyer to set up your own fund.

Then you can work with the foundation, if you wish, to recommend grants to support local nonprofits or causes from this donor-advised fund. The Community Foundation already has multiple funds in the arts, education and other broad areas of interest along with many scholarship funds and specially designated funds for many charities and nonprofits. This is a cost-effective way to contribute because of its fee policy. Because of a generous donation by a local businessman, the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County waives the administrative fees that other foundations normally assess on donations. That means all the money contributed to the endowed funds goes to support the causes chosen by the donors.

The Community Foundation accepts gifts of cash, marketable securities or retirement assets. Donations may also be made through a will, trust or other options.

Other ideas for creating a legacy while you are still here can include working with your alma mater or some other institution of higher learning to create a special gift or scholarship fund. Universities use such donations for everything from athletic facilities to special grants.

Usually a foundation, department or representative will be able to work with you and your attorney or financial advisor to accommodate your wishes. You can also

St. Joseph County Heart Walk/5K Run

Saturday, September 15 Festival grounds open at 9:00am Robert C. Beutter Park, Mishawaka

contact the Alumni Association to get information on where the greatest need for gifts may lie.

Religious institutions and nonprofit health-related entities are also places where you could make a gift that will make difference to their work or research. Such organizations usually have a development director or other individual who will be more than happy to assist you and your advisors.

If you wish to donate your organs for transplant or your body to medical science, ask your lawyer to make sure those documents are included and then make sure to inform your immediate family and physicians of your desires.

By acting now and choosing yourself where you want to make a difference, your legacy can start while you are still here and you will begin to see your impact on the future.

For more information on the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County, go to www.sfsjc.org or call 574-232-0041.

If you need assistance in selecting a lawyer with experience in making wills and estate planning, you can contact the St. Joseph County Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Program at 574-235-9657. •••

Elkhart County Heart Walk

Sunday, September 30 Festival grounds open at 1:00pm Ox Bow Park, Goshen

Enjoy healthy snacks, live entertainment, health information, and Kid’s Zone. Join the community celebration of survivors and those that have made successful lifestyle changes. Strollers, wagons, and dogs welcome!

Register at michianaheartwalk.org Questions? Call 574-274-1783 or email laura.guy@heart.org Sponsored Locally by

United Healthcare, Kindred Healthcare, Frontier Communications, Brunk Corp., AJP Corp, Meijer, Triangle Rubber & Plastics, South Bend Medical Foundation, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. Yoder Ainlay & Buckingham LLP, Business Furnishings, Inc. Media Sponsors include, B100, ABC57, CW25, and Michiana Family Magazine

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Tips for buying a second home

By Marti Goodlad Heline

You want to spend time with the grandkids and wonder if a lake house may entice them to visit more often. Or you go south every winter and don’t like having to rent a place every year. Maybe you’re tired of doing maintenance on your house in town and want something easier to take care of when you come back from a winter home.

These are all reasons baby boomers consider buying a second home, according to local Realtor Diane Bennett of InspiRED Homes, a ReMax 100 team.

If a second home is something you’ve been considering, now may be the right time for you to take the plunge with the real estate market still favoring buyers, Bennett says. Along with that, mortgage rates are at record lows.

Location Where do you begin if you want to buy a second home?

First, you should probably make some choices even before you contact a real estate agent. These choices include location, type of home and how much you want to do yourself. “Basically, they are lifestyle choices. It’s a very personal thing,” Bennett says. “Typically, the youngest baby boomers are just now becoming empty nesters while others (the oldest ones) have grandchildren that are nearly grown up,” notes Bennett.

She finds that those wanting a second home fall into several categories. There are those who want a vacation spot. “We are a destination place for a lot of people, specifically like Chicagoans or those from northern Illinois. They come to northern Indiana or southern Michigan for the interior lakes. You’ve got to have a fun place to come if you want the grandchildren to come visit Grandma and Grandpa. So, a lot of times, the purpose of the second home is to get the grandchildren to come visit you.”

Other people want a vacation spot for themselves.

“If the primary residence is here, then they may want something in a warmer climate,” Bennett says. “A lot of my clients might sell their big primary residence here 34

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and may downsize to something like a condominium or a villa here in Indiana, and their second home might be a destination place such as Arizona, Florida or California.”

(A condominium is in a building or shares walls with other units, while a villa is freestanding.)

Sometimes a second home is desired close to where the kids have moved away, especially if that is in a milder climate, Bennett says. Another category of second, or even third, homebuyers is those who want something near the University of Notre Dame. “Many are the parents of students and buy so they don’t have to stay in a hotel, and not for their kids. Although, of course, some do buy for the kids,” says Bennett. Other buyers just want a convenient place near campus for business or to enjoy the sports and other amenities. Some of these second and third home purchases are the reasons the townhomes going up near campus are quite popular.

Traditional home or villa?

The decision whether to buy pre-owned or build new, buy one in good shape or a fixer-upper, a traditional home or a villa or condo, is just a matter of the buyer's preferences and how they wish to spend their time and money.

On many lakes, a buyer may have no choice but to buy an existing property. If the property is small or in poor condition, a new owner may tear it down and build on the site, Bennett says, or sometimes they will just add on or renovate. Some buyers actually like to undertake such projects themselves because they enjoy it.

The maintenance and care of the property is something to keep in mind when choosing what type of second home to purchase, adds Bennett. That can influence whether to buy a condo on Lake Michigan or a house on another lake. “Do you want to hire someone to do the maintenance, or do you prefer to have that taken care of through the villa or condo association?” she asks.

At a lake, new residents probably will get referrals from neighbors for people to hire for lawn care and other jobs that need to be done, especially when the owner is not there. If you’re thinking of a villa or a condo (no matter where), she advises to make sure the association is financially sound and to notice the upkeep of the common areas. For condos, it may be a good idea to ask if there are a lot of sublets or if they are occupied by the owners and their friends. Also, make sure you are comfortable with the condo rules, Bennett says.

Often, someone wants to downsize their big Granger, South Bend or Mishawaka home and get something smaller here at the same time they buy a property out of state, says Bennett. In such cases, she recommends to consider some or all of the following:

• What do you want to live near?

• Do you want to be close to friends or to the country club to play golf?

• Do you still work?

• Do you want to be near activities or volunteer work?

In terms of what you need, Bennett suggests thinking about what you plan to do such as if you will do consulting or work from your home. Do you have special hobbies and needs for them? Do you want space for guests? If you go away for the winter, consider the exterior care of a freestanding house versus a villa or condo where the association takes care of the exterior property.

Now is the time “For a long time, the second home market was very slow, but now it is really reawakening,” Bennett observes.

“When the economy tanked, that second home was a luxury, and the first thing people got rid of. It seems the whole second home market is way more active than it was, and there are also more local moves. There’s a loosening up of purse strings,” she says. “It is still a buyer’s market,” Bennett emphasizes. “Prices haven’t started to increase much yet. Prices are still really good.”

The homes that the seller has priced well, staged well and made to look clean and sparkling are the homes getting sold most quickly, Bennett says, because there is more competition from buyers.

Financing Mortgage rates are now at all time lows. “It’s insane to be as low as they are,” Bennett says. She points out that a second home is not going to be able to have a homestead exemption, and that buyers should make sure they know what property taxes and other assessments will cost. “You can buy a home for 3.5 percent down, but you get the best financing with 20 percent down and a conventional loan,” Bennett says. “The biggest recommendation I can make is to use a local lender,” she adds. “I would not use something off the internet. If you’re coming from Florida, don’t use your bank in Florida. Use a local lender who knows the ins and outs of the county ordinances and practices. Just from northern Indiana to southern Michigan, everything is different.” Real estate agents can suggest lenders they

like which is important if you’re new to an area.

For people who have not purchased a house in a while, in some ways it is simpler and some ways it is a lot harder, according to Bennett. “You have to provide much more documentation of everything now. It’s not hard to get financing if you’re wellqualified, but you have to jump through all the hoops and prove you’re not a valid risk,” she says.

It is easier now to compare the costs and know what your exact expenses for closing will be because government regulations require those items to be reported in the same way by all lenders. She recommends to get prequalified by one financial institution, but you may shop around more when you find a house. In selecting a lender, take into account the personalities, customer service and experience of the people you’re dealing with. She suggests shopping for those things over the price of the loan. To avoid headaches, Bennett advises against trying to get a discount loan from places that promise all kinds of things, but then don’t deliver.

Selecting a real estate agent Choosing the right real estate agent is worth spending time on, Bennett says. “You want to be comfortable with this person you will be working closely with for a couple of months. That’s very important. If you don’t have a comfort level, that’s not the right one.” She suggests interviewing several realtors to find a good fit. “Ask how they are about phone calls, getting back to you. Are they knowledgeable about their inventory? How do you run your business?”

There are so many details in real estate. If you miss dotting an ‘I’ or crossing a ‘T’ it can cost a buyer or seller thousands of dollars, so it can cost you. Real estate can be very complicated with lots of deadlines,” says Bennett.

She recommends prospective buyers hire a good home inspector and an appraiser to get their own information.

“Hire someone who does inspections for a living with a rigid procedure. Don’t just hire that contractor friend.

Something might get missed,” warns Bennett.

Economics A word of warning: a second home should not be thought of as an investment, Bennett says. “Sometimes when people are in the market to buy a second home, they think it’s an investment. Homes are not appreciating as they once were,” she warns. “Some homes have lost value.

The biggest loss of home value in the recession was in the second home market.”

On a positive note, purchasing a home, a primary one or a secondary one, gives the local economy a boost. “A sale of a house generates so much into the community,” Bennett points out. “Not just for the realtor, but the title company employees, lender, various inspectors, water testers and so on. In addition, the new owner may need to hire a painter or buy new appliances or furniture. And you have the gas used to drive around to look at homes. It pumps so much into the economy. People don’t think of that.” ••• boom | SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012

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Bonding with your Teen

Grandkids

By Stephanie Graham

It’s inevitable. Those cuddly little newborn grandchildren who grew into your little followers, begging to go to your house every weekend or holiday, are now teenagers.

Even the most mature of children can find it uncomfortable as they navigate the decade between childhood and adulthood, and the people who love them are often left wondering how to act around them. For grandparents, it can be even more daunting. Gangly and slightly aloof, these kids who used to practically worship you now have their own busy lives and it can be difficult to find things to talk about with them. The gap in age, tastes and styles makes it easy to wonder if you’re both from the same planet.

Some teens’ unapproachable nature may even make you wonder how much effort you should make, but Dr. Petersen of Family Psychology of South Bend says it can be enriching for both grandparent and grandchild. “Kids can be a great gift to older folks and they [the kids] just don’t realize that. Point it out to them and it gives them a sense of responsibility, capability and importance in the family.”

If you find yourself unsure how to handle this evolving relationship, you’re not alone. Local grandma Laury 36

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Barella says of her three grandsons, “I used to walk into the house and they’d run to meet me with their arms out and want to stay the night. Boy, would I love to hear that now.” Sleepovers, story times and bike rides have become a thing of the past, and they’ve come to find a new normal for themselves. “Now, when they come over we play cards and talk. They actually feel pretty free about telling me about girlfriends and things in their lives,” she says.

Recipe for Success Two foundational ingredients in building this relationship are perspective and respect. “I think we underestimate how much teens want to be taken seriously,” Dr. Petersen says. “Showing respect can go a long way.” The way you interact with these fledgling adults will greatly influence not just their respect for you, but their desire to keep a good relationship with you into their adulthood.

Dr. Petersen refers to the common urge to point out the differences between you and your grandkids; namely, the cultural climate when you were a teen and the one they live in now. “When there’s anything different we tend to say, ‘that’s not the way it was when I was a kid,’ giving the implication that it was right when I was young and wrong

now.” Barella agrees. “Sometimes I find myself saying ‘I remember when blah blah blah,’ and stop myself because I don’t think they want to hear it,” she laughs.

Finding ways to spend time together is another key ingredient, and it might be easier than you think.

Often, it’s as simple as involving yourself in activities they’re already doing. Do they play a sport or instrument? Go to every game and recital you can. Do they struggle in a school subject where you excel?

You could offer to tutor them.

Be proactive in observing what works and what doesn’t.

Dr. Petersen suggests you ask yourself, “When they do open up, who are they opening up to and why?” Listen to some of their music with them, take them out to eat, and, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, Dr. Petersen says, “Take a crack at their video games.”

For local high school student Elisha Bliss, one great opportunity has been to help his grandparents with household projects. “We go work at their house sometimes. The last thing we did was help them take out an old sink,” he says. If you could use a hand with yard work or heavy lifting, have your grandkids over to help and then feed them a meal, or at least a sweet treat, after they’re finished. This is a great time to make conversation and find out more about them.

Mission: Possible An open, fun relationship is achievable with your teenage grandchildren as long as you’re ready to adapt to their changes, interests, and personalities As for Barella, she doesn’t get to see her grandsons as often as she’d like, but they seem to have found a good groove. “When we’re together it’s always fun and we laugh and give hugs and smooches,” she says. Everybody has a different relationship, but once you’ve found your own groove, you can learn to enjoy your grandkids in every stage of life. •••

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connections

The Sandwich Generation

By Dena Benham

No one really wants to think about their parents aging and what it might mean. Denial is a great place to be sometimes.

We all hope that they will age gracefully in the same home we grew up in, but sometimes that doesn’t happen the way we had imagined in our mind. We go on with our busy lives running errands, taking kids here and there, grocery shopping, doing yard work, planning a vacation, sending kids to college, having weddings, and football games and then it happens. That moment you least expected, the crisis – and it can turn your world upside down. The hands that cradled you as a baby, that held your hands as a child as you walked across the street, are somehow different. You may have noticed subtle signs like forgetfulness, or maybe a newly acquired medical condition, and you are trying to help your loved one through it. Taking time off work, researching newly prescribed medications, taking them to doctor’s appointments and outpatient procedures, and fulfilling your own responsibilities as a parent, spouse, and professional...

And so you have entered the Sandwich Generation: a name for those who have children at home, careers, households to manage, and aging parents or relatives to care for.

For some, entrance into the Sandwich Generation is subtle and, for others, it is more crisis-driven. In my twenty years in healthcare, I have met many in the Sandwich Generation and I am one myself. Many of them delay getting help for their loved ones because they felt they should do it all by themselves.

It Starts With a Conversation If I could share my own insights into this phenomenon, my first words of advice would be “Have the conversation”.

Talk with your aging relatives about their wishes, their plans, and never make promises that you might not be able to keep. I have seen tremendous guilt on the faces of daughters who told their mom or dad that they would never put them in a nursing home. We don’t know what the future holds in each unique situation and, if you can start by having a conversation about the sensitive issues, it will make it easier for everyone involved. For example, what if your loved one can no longer live alone? Would they be receptive to having some type of help come into the home? If they had a stroke and were confined to a wheelchair, is the house wheelchair accessible? Would they ever consider maintenance-free living in a condo or an assisted living home with nursing services available?

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Would they ever consider living with a family member?

What if they can’t communicate their wishes regarding heroic measures and end of life decisions?

One Thanksgiving a couple of years ago after dinner, my mother said, “I have a present for you,” and handed me a legal envelope. I opened it, and it was my mom’s and dad’s living wills. Then she said, “We want you to be our Power of Attorney when we can’t manage our affairs.” After the delicate conversations we had had, they decided to put it all in writing. It truly was a gift. The conversation may be awkward and uncomfortable but it is a gift to your loved one and to yourself to have it.

Make it Your Issue – Not Theirs If your loved ones are not open to discussing delicate issues, try speaking from your point of view. You want to do what is best for them and you are asking for their help.

Remember to honor them by making it your issue not theirs.

Don’t point out their deficits or try to be the one in charge.

It is about control and their need to be in control of their lives. You may need to be creative. For example, “Mom and Dad, I worry about you mowing the grass when it is so hot outside. What if I had your grandson, Billy, mow it when the temperature is really high? It would make me feel so much better if you would let me do this for you. Then you could focus more on the vegetable and flower gardens.”

Don’t Be an Island Please don’t be afraid to ask for help. Often, I see caregivers who try to do it all on their own and sometimes it is detrimental to their health and personal relationships. It is okay if the house is a mess and it is okay if you are not a superhero. When you ask for help, realize that it might not actually be the care-giving but a different role that

helps just as much. In my own family, my uncles who would have been uncomfortable helping Grandma bathe, took on the roles of managing the medical bills and keeping the rest of the family up to date via the internet so my mom and aunt could care for my grandma. I drove 4 ½ hours home on the weekends to be the caregiver so my mom and dad could have a break. Remembering to take time for yourself will make you a better caregiver. Whatever brings you joy, rejuvenation or relaxation: meditation, prayer, spending time with friends or doing nothing at all… just take the time to care for yourself.

It will help you to better handle the stress of managing many lives, schedules, roles and responsibilities.

All situations are different and what works for someone else may not work in your situation. Dynamics and cultures are different. For some situations, home is best; for others, maintenance-free living, assisted living or even a nursing home is the best solution for the circumstance.

All journeys are different and should be respected and honored.

No matter what your situation is, knowing where to go for assistance will help make your role as a member of the Sandwich Generation easier.

There are many resources on the internet as well as local agencies such as the Council on Aging, health care organizations, your church, synagogue, family and friends to help you try to find balance. You do not have to be alone. •••

boom | SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012

39

o p x E2012 Provided by Michiana FAMILY Magazines

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41

boom

connections

Finding and

Losing

My Dad

By Charrise McCrorey

Y

ears ago, my grandfather once told me, “Death is part of life,” in an effort to comfort me about his imminent passing. I’ve since come to understand that on a much deeper level.

In July of this year, my dad passed away. Up until I learned that his cancer was terminal, I’d not had much of a relationship with him. He and my mom divorced when I was eight, and somehow we never really connected after that. Once we had a clear view of his limited and precious time, we chose to create something more meaningful together.

In those last months with him, it would have been easy for me to focus on the dad he never was, condemning him for being less than what I deserved or expected.

That would be a natural fallback position – to make him wrong for his lack of interest in building a relationship with me, his third daughter. I would certainly have been justified in my stance. I could say that he was to blame for everything in the past. He was, after all, the grown up.

The responsible one.

I knew that I had responsibility too. If having a relationship with him was important enough to me, I could have pursued it more. If I were committed to the outcome of having a great father-daughter relationship, I could have taken the action to make it happen.

It’s interesting how my perspective changed once I knew my time with my dad was limited. Not only did I invest more quality time, I showed up differently during our time together. I resisted my urge to judge him. I replaced my disappointment in what we didn’t have with loving acceptance for what we could have. I chose to believe he did the best he could at any given time and, frankly, so did I. I forgave both of us.

My willingness to forgive made it possible to have a second chance with him – a do-over, if you will. The conversations I had with my dad were not trivial, as most of my past conversations had been. They took on a weight, a new importance. I asked 42

SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012 | boom

questions, curious about his views. I asked him about his faith and about what he thought would happen to him spiritually when he passed. I listened to him tell interesting and funny stories of his growing up years, his mind still sharp as a tack.

As I watched him slip away, I appreciated the tiny moments.

The ones where our gaze connected and I could feel him somehow holding on, perhaps also sad for what we never had but could still have. I asked him questions, mostly to bring him back into my world, when he’d probably rather stay in that other far away place he slipped into.

I wanted to know what brought him joy and, through our moments together, I learned that he was very much in touch with his own version of joy. I listened to him talk about his regrets, knowing in his heart of hearts, he wished he would have spent more time with me, too. We healed wounds I wasn’t conscious of having.

As our second chance unfolded, I felt grateful for the new memories we created. My time with him reminded me how precious life is. I listened voraciously, imprinting his presence on my heart with each insight and declaration.

I was surprised by the way he spoke of love so naturally and effortlessly, as if it’s all he knew and had ever known.

I wondered how I could have missed that about him.

Following his lead, I surrendered to loving him with abandon: the wild, un-expiring, and unconditional love meant to be present between a little girl and her dad.

Each time I visited, another part of me said goodbye. I grabbed his cheeks and kissed him and told him I loved him. He smiled and loved me back. Sweet and sorrowful goodbyes — and precious all the same.

An amazing thing occurred the night before he died. My two sisters, my brother and I formed a circle around him, holding hands, and told him we were forming a circle of love for him. After not having moved or spoken for a few days, he jerked upright and tried to speak, giving us the signal we needed that he heard us, and loved us too. It was such a gift, this display of the power of love. I will never forget that.

He passed away on July 13. We were all next to him, fiercely loving him as he took his last breath.

Since his death, I’ve felt a profound sadness, strong like the roots of a dandelion. I can grab the top of it and swiftly pull off the new growth, but the root remains firmly planted. That root is my sadness.

It’s not like me to be so weepy, even though it makes sense that I would be. The I shouldn’t voice rears its head; the one that says I knew this was coming and I shouldn’t be so sad.

One day, the sadness enveloped me like never, ever before. It took me by surprise, that rich tapestry of grief. It felt all consuming, like being inside of a dark, heavy cloud. Clawing away, hoping to make my way out, I bit back tears all day. One word from someone who spoke of my healing sent me into convulsive sobbing, which went on for a while. I eventually ended up in the loving arms of my mother, who held me tight and let me cry like a child. It was a river, fiercely flowing, and it was necessary for my healing.

Grieving has taken on a life of its own, leading me through thoughts and emotions unfamiliar to me.

Anger, resentment, remorse, loneliness. I realize the importance of acknowledging my feelings, and yet these feelings are foreign and uncomfortable.

The cloak of sadness has lifted slightly, the familiar emotion of joy shining through. It seems the joy is in there, always, alongside the pull of the darkness of human grief. •••

It’s Only Love

A tribute poem honoring Keith Eldon Sweazy (1932-2012)

By Charrise Sweazy McCrorey woodworker.

Creative craftsman, his imagination a blueprint for matching wood, piece to piece.

Music the soundtrack, for dancing, dreaming, thinking, drinking.

Ample vision if not execution.

He was a dreamer.

A cowboy, or quite possibly an American Indian, an uncanny connection.

A wild one, unencumbered by duty.

Free from people-pleasing, living by his own moral code.

Adventurous without ambition, Curious and fear-captured.

Stuck in the muck of good intentions and disease.

A lover, misunderstood by most.

Loving central and unshakable, for those who had faith and no proof.

Introverted, perfectly perfect alone, unaware while we scrap pitifully for signs of affection.

Ever quick-witted and razor sharp, dulled by dependence.

Kind and open-armed, from a distance.

In repose, elevated to hero.

Clamoring to see the greatness he surely was, memories illusionary, almost real.

Love is enough even when it’s elusive.

A feather stroke.

Visceral.

Intangible, love is cellular.

Remarkably connecting, separation an illusion.

Love wins, cutting through hurt; the antidote to disillusionment.

In the end he taught me: it’s only love.

boom | SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012

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C o v e r s t ory

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Gregg Fore: The Man

Behind the Wheel

By Stephanie J. Salisbury

I

t’s easy to recognize a creature of habit. They get up at the same time every day, stop at the same place every morning for coffee and don’t even have to place their order to the barista, have lunch at the same place each day and go to bed at the same time each night. Their routines are a major factor in their personalities, and make them who they are. You’d expect to know everything about Gregg Fore just by watching his calculated routines each day: seeing him off to work at Dicor, grabbing his coffee and lunch at the Daily Grind every day for over a decade, driving home to Middlebury in his Corvette (just one in a series of ‘vettes he’s owned since 1998). “I like it when the decision-making is taken out of the equation,” Gregg says.

But if you expect that you know everything about Gregg Fore at first glance, guess again.

Born in Goshen, Indiana, Gregg went to Jefferson Elementary in first grade. His dad, Kenneth, decided in the early 50s like many others at the time that California was the place to be. He uprooted the family, packed everything up and was off to greener pastures with the wife and kids. After two months with a job but no home or hope of getting one, Gregg’s dad turned back around with the family once again and headed toward Indiana. After a short stint at Roosevelt Elementary, Gregg spent the rest of his school days at Concord and graduated in 1967.

His father worked in management at Taylor Products in Elkhart. While Gregg was in college at Purdue, his father left his job and suffered the consequences of unemployment for a period of time before eventually working for Coachmen. His parents sent him $10 a week while he was in college, but Gregg took out loans and worked hard to put himself through and finish in four years. He graduated Purdue in 1971 with a B.A. from the school of Humanities, Social Science, and Education. He quickly had a job offer to teach economics and government along with coaching basketball and football at Clinton Central School System in Michigantown, Indiana, just east of Frankfort. At that point, Gregg had a choice. Though this was a dream job for him, the positivity Gregg had witnessed in his father’s career change to Coachmen pulled on him, and had also interviewed there. After quite a bit of deliberation, in the end he chose the RV industry. “I’ve never regretted that choice for a moment,” he says. “I’ve still had plenty of opportunities to teach, just not in the same manner.”

After college, Gregg moved back in with his parents. His reasoning? He wanted to get married to the love of his life, Nancy Wells, who also graduated from Concord and Purdue just a year behind him.

However, he showed a maturity and fiscal responsibility that few have at that age. He wanted to boom | SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012

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C o v e r s t ory

begin his married life free of debt, which meant he needed to pay off his student loans. With Nancy his priority, and quite a bit of determination, he paid off his loans within a year. Forty years and two sons later, Nancy still puts up with him every day. “Most of those years were good, too!” Gregg jokes. In reality, he speaks very highly of his wife. “She is a very conservative and private person in many ways,” he says.

If you know Gregg, you must believe that opposites attract.

“Someone once asked me, ‘how do you know when you’re a success’?” Gregg says. And it’s a great question for someone of his stature: Chairman of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) for the last two years and on the board of directors for the last twelve, excellent businessman, successful marriage. But his answer may surprise you. With great pride, Gregg says, “I told them that it was when my sons became my best friends – and they are!” His boys, Bryan and Alan, are in their mid-thirties and, though they don’t all live near one another, he shares an incredible bond with them as men that began when they were boys. You can tell instantaneously that his friendship with his sons is one of the most important things in Gregg’s world.

In high school, Gregg's father bought him and his brother a set of golf clubs from Sears. It started a love affair that would last a lifetime. While his dad would golf with friends, he and his brother would golf on a simpler level, learning the

“Someone once asked me, ‘how do you know when you’re a success’?”

- Gregg Fore

basics. Gregg played a bit in high school, but not in college.

These days, however, he has golfed around the country, for fun and in tournaments, and has a house about a mile away from the course in Augusta, Georgia as well as playing at Elcona Country Club.

Another obvious passion is the Corvette. He’s owned five so far, this one a beautiful metallic blue and grey color. Enter Gregg’s trip to Corvette racing school. “I’d thought about it for quite awhile, and it sounded like something I really wanted to do, but not alone,” he explains. “My partner at work mentioned it, and we decided to finally sign up.”

After making the plans for the regular two-day course plus the optional extra day, Gregg booked the flight, paid for everything and, a few days later, mentioned to his wife that he was going to go. He recalls what began to sound like an

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SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012 | boom

argument when his wife said, “No, you’re not.” After a heated exchange, Gregg quickly realized it wasn’t that his wife didn’t want him to go – it was that he’s tremendously hard to buy for, and she’d already planned to send him to Corvette racing school as a gift. “I told her, ‘now you can buy me something else!’” he tells me, grinning.

As exciting as racing school sounds, it was extremely hard work. Laps upon laps, tight turns, high speeds, clenched knuckles! Forty-five minutes outside of Las Vegas, the temperature was 105 degrees outside, but cranked to a cool 60 inside the car. However, Gregg was sweating like crazy anyhow from the mental and physical exhaustion. So much is packed into the short three days. “They teach you how to accelerate, how to brake, how to turn – they cover the track with water because anything you learn when it’s wet is so much easier to do when it’s dry.” After two days with an instructor, and a lot of hard work, Gregg was racing on his own on day three. “Everything you think you should do, you have to do the opposite,” he explains. “They teach you all these different things individually, and then you realize when you get on the track that it all works together. It helps to drive the car now on the actual road, because now I know how the car handles.” When I asked Gregg if they gave him a grade, he replied, “No. But, I was the fastest.” Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me.

Does he sound a little competitive? Sure, a little. That’s why he enjoys watching middle school and high school sports. “They find joy in the game. They are learning things there they can’t learn anywhere else,” Gregg explains. “There are some things you can only learn from competition, from winning and losing. Striving for excellence.”

His words of wisdom to the youth, and to all of us, are simply, “Enjoy the moment.”

With all of his habits, all of his rituals, all of his enjoyment of the moment, Gregg Fore is an inspiration. Just being around him for fifteen minutes, you get caught up in the action and want to be a part of it. He’s witty and outspoken, but he’s also compassionate and loyal. In his trips to the coffee shop, he notes, “I’ve met some wonderful people, and it’s interesting because they’re people I wouldn’t normally have had the chance to meet anywhere else.” You see him making connections and cultivating friendships all the time. Above all, you can ask him any question and he won’t hesitate to respond. He is genuine and he’ll most certainly tell it like it is. “I have an opinion about everything!” Gregg Fore says, laughing.

That doesn’t surprise us a bit. ••• boom | SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012

47

The

Planner September • October 2012

September • October 2012 Events The following listing includes events around town. Always call ahead for updates.

Tuesday, September 18 Free Prostate Cancer Screening Lakeside Urology, St. Joseph, MI

Lakeland HealthCare Affiliate Lakeside Urology and the Margaret Beckley Upton Center for Health Enhancement are showing their support of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month by offering free screenings in September. For men over 50 or 35 with a family history of prostate cancer. All screenings 5 to 7 PM. No appointment or insurance needed. For more information, call 269.556.2872 or 866.260.7544.

Wednesday, September 19 Lose Weight…Find Education Seminars

Health:

Free

Lakeland Comprehensive Weight Loss Center, Niles, MI

The Lakeland Comprehensive Weight Loss Center is offering free seminars to learn about solutions to permanent weight loss.

Dr. Michael Schuhknecht and staff members will discuss programs available for losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight for years to come. The Lakeland Comprehensive Weight Loss Center specializes in working with each person to create a customized lifestyle plan, including medical weight loss management through diet or bariatric surgery, nutrition counseling, individualized exercise programs and monthly support groups. From 6 to 8:30 PM. For more info, visit lakelandhealth.org/weightloss.

OSHA: GHS Classification and Labeling Matterhorn Conference Center, Elkhart

(Elkhart Chamber of Commerce) The longawaited and talked about “Global Harmonized System” for classification and labeling of hazardous materials is upon us. By December 1st, we need to have trained all workers on new label elements and safety data sheet (SDS) format. By June 2016, all documents, labels and training must be in place and functioning. Join the first meeting to hear the latest on this important standard from the experts. From 7:30 to 9 AM. To learn more, register and find out what is available and required for non-members, or to learn how to become a member of the Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, visit Elkhart.org.

Thursday, September 20

Mary Cassatt: "A Woman of Real Genius" Snite Museum, Notre Dame 50

SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012 | boom

Dr. Mishoe Brennecke, Associate Professor of Art History, The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee will speak about Abigail May Alcott's tribute to the artist's talent and how it was also a reminder of Cassatt's gender as a defining, and sometimes limiting, element in her career. 4:30 PM in the Annenberg Auditorium. Reception at 5:00 PM in the Atrium. Part of Third Thursdays at the Snite. For more info, go to sniteart@ nd.edu or call 574.631.5466.

Tuesday, September 25 SBDC: Launching Your Own Business

Small Business Development Center, South Bend, IN

This two-hour seminar will help you to evaluate your idea, the local market, and your resources to assist you in determining whether you should proceed with your new business. Instructed by Alan Steele ISBDC Business Advisor. Cost is $25. From 6 to 8 PM. To learn more, visit the Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County website at sjchamber.org.

Wednesday, September 26 Home and Habitat

Lerner Theatre, Elkhart, IN

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Carrie Newcomer and award-winning author Philip Gulley are coming together to present "Home and Habitat", an intimate evening of story and music in a distinctive mid-western style. Operating at the intersection of progressive writing and spiritual music, Phil and Carrie will share their insights.

With beautiful vocals, passionate prose and a healthy dose of humor, Newcomer and Gulley are certain to delight and inspire. 7:30 to 9:15 PM. Cost: $25-30. For more info, contact info@thelerner.com or call 800.294.8223.

Thursday, September 27 – Sunday, September 30 40th Annual Four Flags Area Apple Festival Apple Festival Grounds, Niles, MI

Now that fall is here, it is time to celebrate the season of cooler temperatures, falling leaves and what else…APPLES! The apple festival will have a fine selection of apples, caramel apples, apple pastries and other tasty treats. Senior king and queen, Miss Apple Festival, Jr. Miss Apple Festival, court, prince and princess crowned just prior to festival.

Scarecrow contest, apple peeling, apple seed popping, apple pie eating, log sawing,

horseshoes, apple pie, pastries and cakes contest, beard and mustache contest and a biggest apple contest. Open stage Saturday and Sunday mornings during pancake breakfasts and puppet shows throughout weekend. Friday night performance by The Kentucky Headhunters: country music show.

7:00 PM Free. Saturday show: The System: Bob Seger tribute band. 7:00 PM Free.

Saturday night: Fireworks. Sunday events include the 14th Annual Custom Car show and the 24th Annual Lip Sync Contest. For more info, visit fourflagsapplefestival.org or call 269.683.8870

Saturday, September 29 Maple City Walk

Powerhouse Park, Goshen, IN

It’s the fourth annual Maple City Walk, hosted

by Downtown Goshen, Inc. Again this year, the route will include the Maple City Greenway and feature the Pumpkinvine Nature trail as the core of its 13.1 mile course, which is equivalent to a half-marathon. A full marathon walk is also available by walking the course twice. Cost: adult ($15); 15-18 ($8); marathon adult ($25); 15-18 ($15); under 15 free. For more info, visit cityonthego.org.

Sunday, September 30

Michiana Heart Walks – Elkhart County Heart Walk Ox Bow Park, Goshen, IN

The Elkhart County Heart Walk is the second of two walks being held in Michiana.

The Heart Walk features a free familyfriendly health festival that includes health information and giveaways. The Heart Walks raises critical funds for the American Heart Association’s research, educational and awareness program in Indiana and across the country in the fight against cardiovascular disease, the nation’s Number One killer. From 1 to 4 PM. Free event. For more info, call 574.274.1783.

Tuesday, October 2

SBDC: Legal Considerations for New Businesses Small Business Development Center, South Bend, IN

This interactive discussion will help you to learn more about the steps you must take in order to start a new business and protect your personal assets. Instructed by: Bruce Huntington, Botkin & Hall Attorneys at Law.

Cost is $25. From 6 to 8 PM. To learn more, visit the Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County website at sjchamber.org.

Thursday, October 4 Saturday, October 6 Fall Crafters' Fair

Shipshewana, IN (All Day Event)

Quilters, carvers, painters, cloggers, musicians and crafters of all types will flood the town and its many quaint stores, providing demonstrations and entertainment. There will be events for all ages and tastes. Hand-made decor, chainsaw carvers and musicians that will play as you enjoy the food available in town. For more information, contact andy@riegsecker.com or call 260.768.4725 or 888.447.4725.

Tuesday, October 9 Schola Concert

DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, Notre Dame

In 1993, the Schola Musicorum was formed by members of the Department of Music at Notre Dame to study and perform Gregorian Chants directly from medieval manuscripts. They present one concert in the fall and one concert in the spring every year. 9:00 PM. For more information,

contact performingarts@nd.edu or call 574.631.2800.

Friday, October 12

Our Bountiful Harvest Quilt Show Vineland Center, St. Joseph, MI

Over 150 homemade quilts will be featured by talented crafters and artists. Participate in the mini-quilt silent auction with proceeds going to Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank. Take time to browse the selection of hand-made American Girl Doll clothes for sale. Stop by the many vendor booths and our guild Boutique for quilting and craft items.

Appraisals are available by appointment.

From 2 to 8 PM. Cost: $6 Adults, under 12 free. For more info, visit btcquiltguild.org.

Saturday, October 20 Wind Symphony Fall Concert

Howard Performing Arts Center, Andrews University, Berrien Springs

The Andrews University Wind Symphony present their Fall Concert under the direction of Alan Mitchell. $5 Adults; $3 Students and Seniors; Free 12 and Under. 8:00 PM. For more info, go to howard.andrews.edu or call 269.471.3560.

Wednesday, October 24

Depression and Bipolar Disorder Seminar Lakeland Medical Suites Conference Room, Niles, MI

Marcia Wiinamaki, PsyD, Director of Christian Counseling and Psychological Services at Southwestern Medical Clinic, a Lakeland HealthCare Affiliate, will provide an overview of depression and bipolar disorders including local resources available for recovery. 6 to 7:30 PM. Free. Refreshments provided. To register, call (269) 556-2808 or (866) 260-7544.

Friday, November 2 – Saturday, November 3 Goshen First Friday: Open Studio Tour Downtown Goshen, IN

On the First Friday of every month throughout the year, businesses, artist, and entertainers throw a party in downtown Goshen. The Goshen Open Studio tour kicks off Friday, 5 to 9 PM, with art, music and dance and downtown merchant specials. Saturday, November 3 take the self-guided tour to view current gallery exhibits, get an inside look at artists’ studios, see work in progress and purchase original art directly from the artist. The tour is free and open to all ages, and runs from 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturday. For more information, contact Gina at dgi@cityonthego.org, or call 574.312.9922.

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The

Scene

BOOM Magazine promotes Michiana’s cultural offerings, personalities, attractions and local businesses, with a special emphasis on non-profit organizations’ events and activities. We expect this section of BOOM to grow significantly, and we’d like your help to get it rolling!

Please send us some of your favorite photos from your organization’s or charity’s best events and fundraisers.

They just may make the next issue of BOOM Magazine! We prefer snapshots of people that are full of life and enjoying the moment, so please send them our way: scene@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com.

Snite Museum of Art, Moderni-TEA, Sunday, August 26, 2012 Photo credit: James Bellucci The Snite Museum of Art hosted Moderni-TEA Sunday, August 26. Thirty guests enjoyed a variety of teas and treats offered by Carolyn Danner of Les Deux Soeurs Tea Room and Treasures in Mishawaka and a presentation by tea historian Pamela Bayer before heading up to the gallery to join a discussion with Curator of European Art Cheryl Snay about the exhibition Cassatt and Beyond: Paintings from the Flint Institute of Arts.

The spread at the Snite’s Moderni-TEA provided by Les Deux Soeurs Tea and Treasures in Mishawaka

Historian Pamela Bayer, Snite Museum of Art

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Liz Ware and Rachel Rice at Snite Museum of Art

Guests at Snite Museum of Art: Pam Schrader, Arlene Schrader, Claire Jones, Tala Jarjour, Mary Flannery

Chantelle Snyder, Georgette Harding, and Nada Worrell at Snite Museum of Art

You are invited to an exclusive preview of Lafont’s newest winter collection.

The Trunk Show is Saturday Sept 29th Join us from 12:00pm to 5:00 pm for new eyewear, snacks and sips

Optical Boutique

5323 N. Main St. at Main St. & Douglas Next to Starbucks www.eyesiteinc.com • 574.275.2727 boom | SEPTEMBER & OCOTBER 2012

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Let’s adventure together

Cambodia, Vietnam & Laos Jewels of Southeast Asia 12 Days | 11 Nights Adventures by Disney® specializes in taking families on unforgettable vacations to some of the most amazing places on the planet, including their newest trip to Cambodia, Vietnam, & Laos. Here, families will discover a land of ancient temples, peaceful villages and bustling modern cities. Travel the waterways and country back roads as you get to know the people and places of this surprisingly diverse region. With two Adventure Guides, engaging activities, VIP experiences and personal touches throughout, Adventures by Disney will make sure every moment of your vacation, for everyone in your family, is a moment you will remember again and again.

Adventures by Disney Travel Services, Inc. CST# 2082519-10.

GS2012-7805

574-534-1521 1-800-635-0963 www.mennotrav.com 54

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As to Disney artwork: ©Disney

Knee replacement kept me racing.

Terry McMillen, NHRA Drag Racer When knee pain was threatening to keep NHRA Drag Racer Terry McMillen from doing what he loved, he turned to the professionals at the Elkhart General Hospital Center for Joint Replacement. Ranked among the top 10 percent in the nation for joint replacement four years in a row by HealthGrades™, Elkhart General had Terry back on his feet and in his race car in less than two weeks.

For more information on why joint replacement may be right for you, visit us online at egh.org.

600 East Boulevard • Elkhart, Indiana 46514