BOOM Magazine May 2016

MAY 2016

Why Being 50

Rocks also

Mothers & Daughters It's Complicated Get Good Sleep More Than Just A Flower

SPORE STORY

Your guide to living locally and loving life!

HEALTH • TRAVEL • FAMILY • PETS • HOBBIES RECIPES • EVENTS • FINANCE • LIFE MAY 2015

Making

APRIL

2015

Memories that

LAST

JUNE 2015

CELEBRATING

to words E LIV

BY

MOTHER'S DAY With Your Grandkids

The Importance of

SOUTH BEND

y A Bus MER OO B

p to Kee What Ditch to What

CELEBRATING

150 Years HERE COMES

THE SUN

THE PURSUIT OF

HOPPYNESS

PROUD TO BE AN AM ER

ICAN

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What's inside

EVERY MONTH 4

Letter From The Publisher

5

Contributors & Testimonials

6

BOOM Timeline

boom RECIPE 21

Chicken Fajitas For A Crowd By: Katie & Theresa Slott

boom PETS 27

Loving Animals Are In Need Of Families

boom HEALTHY LIVING 8

Good Sleep Is A Reachable Dream

10

Spore Story

By: Majid Malik, MD By: Margo Bell

boom HOBBIES 14

A Lovely Day

16

Amber Waves Of Grain

By: Jim & Margo Bell By: Chuck Bergman

boom HOME 18

Taking The Mystery Out Of Mulch By: Evie Kirkwood

boom LIFE 12

Fifty For 50

20

More Than Just A Flower

22

Mothers And Daughters: It’s Complicated!

24

Maintaining Healthy Relationships With Adult Children And Grandchildren

26

Phone Scams: Don’t Believe Everything You Hear

28

Technology 101 Staying Safe

30

12 Reasons Why Being 50 Rocks

By: Margo Bell By: Rita Miller

By: Pam Gunterman

By: Rita Miller

By: Jamie Lober

By: Ed Marshall

By: Lisa A. Beach

cover photographer Ann Reiff is one of Michiana’s Premiere Real Life Photographers. Her heart and soul define her style, as she is able to capture the moments we wish to always remember. Ann shoots all varieties of sessions at her studio in Southwest Michigan and also loves doing shoots on location.

Contact her at: www.studio513east.com, ann@studio513east.com 269-228-0373

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

M

ay might just be my favorite month of the year. For one thing, the spring flowers bloom continuously. The crocus and daffodils might be gone, but they were just the beginning. The hyacinths and tulips bloom in early May followed by iris, poppies and lilies. Of course, there are all of the flowering trees and shrubs – the Bradford pear trees, the red buds, the crabapple trees (both white and pink), dogwood trees, weeping cherries, tulip trees and magnolias. I don’t want to leave out the shrubs – lilacs, azaleas and rhododendrons. This blaze of color from all the flowers is backed up by the wonderful soft yellow green, pea green and deep red colors of the leaves budding out on the trees. It is such an artist’s palate and all you need to do is look around to see it.

By May, we have usually seen the end of the snow and cold of winter even though we sometimes still have a mild frost or two. With the mild spring we have seen this year, I am hoping the cold weather is gone. The blue skies and sunshine bring such joy.

With winter gone, it’s time to bring out the spring and summer wardrobe. What fun it is to start the month with the Kentucky Derby and those giant flowery hats!

And May is the month to honor our mothers on Mothers’ Day, often with flowers.

Do you sense a theme here? It’s a slightly sad day for me because I still miss my mom a lot even though it has been over two years since I lost her. I wish all of our mothers a wonderful day!

May also ends with Memorial Day, a day when we honor all of our military veterans who died while in service to the US. It was originally called Decoration Day and began in the Civil War as a day to decorate the military graves with flowers and flags. On a much lighter note, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of the summer.

PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER: Sue Heinrich Sue@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

Managing Editor:

Jessica Haviland Jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

AD COORDINATOR & INSIDE SALES MANAGER

Amanda Oiler Amanda@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN Manager: Zuzanna Zmud Zuzanna@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

MEDICAL EDITOR: Dr. Jesse Hsieh

Distribution Managers: Chad Haviland

BOOM Magazine is a division of Michiana Family Publishing, LLC established in 2016. All rights reserved.

We would love to hear from you!

Please submit press releases, event information and inquiries to: Jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com The FAMILY Magazines P.O. BOX 577 Granger, IN 46530 PH: 574.387.5420 • FX: 574.217.4700 www.MichianaMom.com Permission from the publisher is required for any reproduction or reprint of this publication.

Read BOOM Magazine online each month!

Go to www.MichianaMom.com and flip the pages, April 2016 Volume 5: Number 4

So, what’s not to like about May? With the beauty of the flowers, the rebirth of nature, the consistent warmer weather, spring clothes, honoring our moms and the promise of summer, it is definitely my favorite month.

And, what’s not to like about our May issue of BOOM? You will find articles in honor of mothers - about the relationship between mothers and daughters and about relationships with adult children and their grandchildren. There are articles about flowers, mushrooms and mulch. And, there is an article about getting a good night’s sleep. You can read about staying safe from phone scams and while using technology as well as why being 50 rocks.

I hope you enjoy the month of May as much as I do and I hope you enjoy the May issue of BOOM!

LOOK WHO’s TALKING

follow us on Twitter, and become our fan on Facebook. @MichianaBoom www.facebook.com/pages/BOOM-Magazine/ www.pinterest.com/boommagazine/ MichianaBoom

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MAY 2016 | boom

boom / contributors

Evelyn Kirkwood

Evelyn Kirkwood is Director of St. Joseph County Parks in Indiana and host of Outdoor Elements, which is broadcast Sundays at 9 A.M. and Wednesdays at 5:30 P.M. on WNIT Public Television.

boom / testimonials

I try each and every recipe that BOOM has in their magazine and they have all turned out delicious!”

– Debra R.

Margo Bell Margo Bell, a first-wave Boomer, has a B.S. degree in Biology from Arkansas State University and worked in medical and marine biology research before making a mid-life career change to writing for adults and children. Margo is a former magazine editor and has published over 50 articles and features in newspapers and magazines. She and her husband Jim live in South Bend and have two grandchildren.

Photo Credit: Classic Image Photography

RITa miller

I love reading articles on keeping a strong relationship with your grandchildren!”

– Kathy H.

I absolutely enjoy reading BOOM Magazine on my back porch in the mornings with a cup of coffee in my hand!”

– Shelly N.

Rita Miller is a CPA in public practice, a mom of four, an avid reader and serves on two boards in the community. She has worked with a variety of industries, including medical professional services, real estate development and rental and retail establishments.

Pam Gunterman Pam Gunterman resides in Bremen with her husband of 35 years, Tony. She is the mother of two, step-mother of two and grandmother of seven. Pam is an active member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Bremen. She is a member and vice-president of the Indiana State Association of Theta Delta Chapter of Psi Iota Xi, a national philanthropic sorority, and was named the 2010 National Psi Ote of the Year. Also in 2010 Pam and several fellow chapter members authored a children’s book about the sorority.

In her spare time Pam is involved in theater.

Don't forget!

Keep up with us on Facebook by liking our page just for Boomers! boom | MAY 2016

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MAY Events 1 Wood Showcase, 8:00 A.M. – 2 Elkhart 5:00 P.M., Elkhart Environmental Center

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6 First Fridays, 5:00 P.M., Downtown Goshen & Downtown South Bend MS: Michiana 2016, 7:30 A.M., Indiana University South Bend 7 Walk Administration Building-South Bend 8 Happy Mother’s Day! 9 Meditation Yoga, 5:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M., Elkhart Environmental City

F Sa Su M Tu

Match-up TV’s favorite mom’s to their TV show!

Forever Plaid, 8:00 P.M., The Round Barn Theatre At Amish Acres-Nappanee

5 Cinco de Mayo

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Famous TV Mom Match-Up 1. Carol Brady

A. That 70’s Show

2. Kitty Forman

B. Leave It To Beaver

3. Sophia Petrillo

C. Everybody Loves Raymond

4. Marion Cunningham

D. The Brady Bunch

5. June Cleaver

E. Golden Girls

6. Marie Barone

F. Happy Day Answers: 1(D), 2(A), 3(E), 4(F), 5(B), 6(C)

Su

Women Of Hope Luncheon, 11:30 A.M., Windsor Park Conference Center-Mishawaka

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Wine Walks, 5:00 P.M., Downtown South Bend

11 ArtWalk Wednesday, All Day, Downtown Elkhart Mathis-60th Anniversary Concert Tour, 7:30 P.M. – 12 Johnny 10:00 P.M., Morris Performing Arts Center-South Bend Other Place – Presented By SBCT, 13 The 7:30 P.M., South Bend Civic Theatre

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Outdoor Spring Décor

For Life Of Mishawaka/South Bend 2016, 14 Relay 10:00 A.M., Mishawaka High School

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20 21 Bottlecaps & Corks, 4:00 P.M., Wellfield Botanic Gardens-Elkhart 22 Mayor’s Bike Ride, 7:00 A.M., St. Patrick’s County Park-South Bend

Sa Su

Front Porch Décor

www.countryliving.com

www.cottageintheoaks.com

Love Ladder www.homemydesign.com

Refreshing Homemade Oaklawn’s 17th Annual Spring Spectactular, 7:30 P.M., The Lerner-Elkhart

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Repurposed Tire Wheel

Lemonade Ingredients: - 1 ¾ Cups White Sugar - 8 Cups Water

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- 1 ½ Cups Lemon Juice

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Directions: 1. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and one cup of water and bring to a boil until sugar is dissolved.

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25 Anniversary Of Plain & Fancy, 26 30th 8:00 P.M., The Round Barn Theatre At Amish Acres Nappanee Kayak & Stand Up Paddle Board The St. Joseph River, 27 Canoe, 11:00 A.M., St. Patrick’s County Park- South Bend Mustang Show And Cruise-In, 28 Michiana 10:00 A.M., Eby Ford Lincoln-Goshen & Wine Festival, 29 Art 12:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M., Lemon Creek Winery-Berrien Springs, MI Canoe, Kayak & Stand Up Paddle Board The St. Joseph River, 30 11:00 A.M., St. Patrick’s County Park- South Bend hAPPY MEMORIAL dAY! Man Group, 31 Blue 7:30 P.M. – 10:00 P.M., Morris Performing Arts Center-South Bend MAY 2016 | boom

2. Cool until room temperature and then refrigerate until chilled.

3. Remove seeds from lemon juice (the pulp can stay if you so choose).

4. Stir Together the chilled syrup, lemon juice and seven cups of water.

5. Enjoy on a warm spring day!

We want all people to experience more of life's precious moments with healthy hearts and minds.

So until there's a world free of heart disease and stroke, we'll be working to make a healthier, longer life possible for everyone.

her love is why.

Everyone has a reason to live a heathier, longer life. What is yours?

©2016, American Heart Association. Also known as the Heart Fund. MWA

To celebrate and share your “why” • Visit lifeiswhy.org • Use #LifeisWhy on Twitter and tag @AHAIndiana

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Healthy Living

Good Sleep Is A

Reachable Dream By: Majid Malik, MD, Board-Certified Sleep Medicine Physician Medical Director, Elkhart General Sleep Disorder Center

W

orld Sleep Day may have been in March, but every day we should make it a priority. And yet, for many of us, even in retirement, sleep takes a backseat to other things like a nutritious diet and exercise. But it shouldn’t as there are three pillars of good health: a healthy diet, regular exercise and sleep.

Sleep Leads To Longer Life

7 Tips to Good Sleep: •

Establish a fixed bedtime and awakening time.

•

Bedroom is for sleep and intimacy only. Don’t use it as an office. Yes, that means no TV or electronics.

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No caffeine-containing products six hours before sleep.

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No alcohol four hours before sleep.

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Exercise early and not close to bedtime.

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Make your bedroom comfortable and conducive to sleep. Sixty-five degrees is considered the perfect temperature.

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Practice a relaxing bedtime ritual. If you can’t sleep in 15 to 30 minutes then get out of bed and do something else relaxing like reading. Go back to bed when you feel sleepy.

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Sleep problems are a global epidemic that threaten the health and quality of life for up to 45 percent of the world’s population.

Here’s the unvarnished truth: one in three Americans does not get enough sleep. This is the latest finding in the study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Individual sleep needs vary, but for most of us, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends at least seven hours of sleep.

The question you may be asking is, “Why should it matter that I get enough sleep?” You probably have also heard people say, “I can sleep when I’m dead.” But, the reality is that not getting enough sleep can actually shorten your lifespan.

Sleeping less than seven hours is linked to high stress, anxiety and depression, decreased mental capabilities, obesity, difficulty controlling high blood pressure and even cardiovascular risks, as well as the loss of creativity and alertness.

One U.S. study estimated that the annual cost of insomnia is $92 to $107 billion in the form of injuries, accidents and health issues.

Forty-six percent of individuals with frequent sleep disturbances report missing work and making errors at work compared to only 15 percent of healthy sleepers.

But, the problems tied to sleep deprivation don’t end there. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports almost 100,000 car crashes per year are the result of drowsy driving, leading to about 1,500 traffic fatalities. One study finds that people who drive after being awake for 17 to 19 hours actually performed worse than those with a blood alcohol level of .05 percent.

Factors Causing Sleep Problems in Seniors Primary Sleep Disorders:

More Than Just Tired Just because you are getting older doesn’t mean you need less sleep. And yet, it can be a real struggle to get the shut-eye you need to be at your best. Many people 65 and older deal with insomnia, and nearly half of men and women over 65 say they have at least one sleep problem. In addition to insomnia, seniors are diagnosed with sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder and Rapid Eye Movement behavior disorder.

The most disruptive and yet very treatable disorder is sleep apnea – the persistent interruption of breathing during sleep – affecting about four percent of men and two percent of women. Sleep apnea can result in a variety of health problems; next-day effects include a negative impact on one’s attention span, memory recall and ability to learn. Long-term effects may include obesity, diabetes, a weakened immune system exposing people to infections and even some cancers.

•

Circadian rhythm disorder

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Sleep apnea

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Restless legs syndrome

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Periodic limb movement disorder

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Rapid Eye Movement behavior disorder

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Pain from any source

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Neurologic disease (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease)

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Cardiovascular disease

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Gastrointestinal disease

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Pulmonary disease

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Psychiatric disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, psychosis, dementia, delirium)

Medications And Other Substances: •

Alcohol

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Anticholinergics

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Antidepressants

Though there are 100 different sleep disorders, most of them can be modified or treated with the help of a sleep specialist – and yet only one third of people with sleep problems seek professional help.

•

Antihypertensive agents

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Caffeine

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Corticosteroids

If your lack of sleep is causing health problems, get the help you need. You may not need medical help; it may just be a matter of learning ways to improve your quality of sleep. Make sleep a pillar of good health in your life and enjoy a fuller, longer life.

•

Diuretics

•

Herbal remedies

boom | MAY 2016

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Healthy Living

SPORE STORY I

By: Margo Bell

t’s a wonderful, mysterious creation of nature. Typically it may have gills but isn’t a fish. It’s loaded with nutrition but isn’t animal or vegetable. It can be propagated but can’t be raised like a farm animal or planted from seed. Its name has “room” in it but it isn’t part of a building, and also has “mush” but isn’t mushy unless it absorbs too much moisture.

Of course I’m talking about the mushroom. Also toadstool.

Mushrooms VS Toadstools So what’s the difference between the two? Well, from a scientific standpoint they’re the same. Generally speaking, mushrooms are considered to be the edible variety of the fungus, whereas toadstools refer to inedible, and frequently poisonous, varieties.

Many Kinds There are around 14,000 species of mushrooms, which is one reason why classification is often so difficult. Many have colorful, even funny names: puffball, stinkhorn, fairy ring, milk cap, paddy straw, wood ear, shaggy mane, hen-of-the-woods, hedgehog, jelly, oyster, and lobster, just to name a few.

The origin of the word “mushroom” isn’t clearly known but it may have derived from the French word mousseron (meadow mushroom), with mousse referring to “moss.” The word “toadstool” harkens back to German folklore and fairy tales where toads were often depicted sitting on mushroom caps flicking at flies with their tongues. Moreover, toads were thought to be toxic, disease-carrying creatures, and this may be the association between them and inedible mushrooms.

The poisonous types also have colorful names, such as devil’s droppings and wart caps. Old methods of determining which mushrooms are edible, such as “if you can peel it, then it’s safe,” are not only erroneous but dangerous. Eating poisonous mushrooms can bring on gastrointestinal problems, but some varieties can cause more serious damage, such as internal hemorrhage, kidney or liver failure, or complete organ failure.

That’s why it’s important to have a wild mushroom identified by an expert. Even beauty can spell trouble, as in the case of Amanita muscaria (fly agaric), with it’s round, ruby-red cap topped with what looks like white polka dots. (Admire but don’t eat!) Even edible mushrooms can stir up problems for those who find themselves allergic to them.

The mushroom/toadstool—and for simplification I’ll call it a mushroom—is the fruiting body of the fungus, the part that produces spores. The spore serves as an important tool in identifying the mushroom type, using such determining features as color, shape, size, attachment, orientation, and reaction to chemical tests. The gills under the caps release the spores into the ground. The mushroom gets its nourishment via the stem from underground decaying or dead matter.

Not all mushrooms have gills, however. Some have, instead, pores (boletes) or spines. Gilled types are called “agarics.” At any rate, the term “mushroom” encompasses all these varieties of the fungus.

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Those Magic Moments Then we Boomers may remember the psychoactive mushrooms of the Hippie era, although for centuries these have been used in ceremonies and medical treatment throughout the world.

Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as “magic mushrooms” or “shrooms,”contain psychedelic ingredients that cause hallucinations but are also being investigated as a treatment

aid for cluster and migraine headaches as well as certain psychological illnesses.

Commercial Production China is the world’s major grower of edible mushrooms, producing about half of the world’s cultivation.

Most of the U.S. crop of fresh edible mushrooms comes from Pennsylvania, notably lovely Chester County tucked in the state’s southeast corner just across from Delaware. The area’s presence of thoroughbred horse farms and racetracks has provided the manure for compost, thus attracting mushroom growers, many from Italy, to the region. The county’s 61 mushroom farms turn out over 400 million pounds valued at $365 million, or 47 percent of the U.S. production.

Mushroom cultivating facilities are also in Michigan and Indiana.

Most of these types are agarics—the white and brown button mushrooms and the popular portobellos—but “exotics” or “specialties” are also grown, such as shiitakes, maitakes and enokis, among others. Unfortunately, cultivation of prized wild types such as wild porcinis and morels hasn't been successful.

The Not-So-Sweet Smell of Success If the thought of horse manure in mushroom-growing medium makes you gag, don’t worry. Compost is made first from hay with added nitrogen (once from the manure) and is turned over and over until it becomes a steamy, stinky mass—not popular with the neighbors! The compost then goes to cinderblock buildings or mushroom houses, also known as mushroom barns or doubles, where it is spread on racks and—thankfully—pasteurized. The next step is planting the spawn and topping it with peat moss, limestone, and water.

The tightly clustered mushrooms pop up a few weeks later.

About 10 or so weeks after planting the mushrooms are harvested by hand and rushed to modern processing centers where they are cooled to 34 degrees.

Hours later they are cleaned, packaged, and placed into refrigerated trucks on their way to market.

Mushrooms can be cultivated both by hand and machinery, but mechanical harvesting wastes some of the crop.

Although commercial mushroom growing can be mechanized, it’s also labor intensive—in fact, finding enough workers is a big challenge in the industry.

“A mushroom—is the fruiting body of the funtgus, the part that produces spores.”

Rich with Nutrients Four B-vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid), and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc) are packed into a 100-gram (3.5-ounce) serving of mushrooms. Yet a serving of fresh mushrooms contains only 27 calories with 4.3 grams of carbohydrates, 2.5 grams of protein, and only 0.1 gram of fat, making these nutritious fungi a tasty, popular food in weight-reduction diets. Exposing mushrooms to both natural and artificial ultraviolet light turns their naturally occurring ergosterols into Vitamin D2.

Choosing and Storing Mushrooms come fresh, frozen, canned, or dried. The most common ones available in markets are the cultivated ones that range from white to tan in color and present a slightly earthy taste.

“Button” mushrooms are the younger, smaller versions of cultivated ones.

Although now available year-round, mushrooms are at their peak during cool weather.

When purchasing agaric types, look for mushrooms sold in bulk rather than packages to offer a better, more uniform selection. Pick the ones that are firm and evenly colored with tightly closed caps. Bypass those with broken caps or stems, and with soft spots or dark splotches on the caps.

Proper storage of fresh mushrooms requires cool air circulation. Spread them on a tray and cover with a damp paper towel before putting the tray in the refrigerator for up to three days.

When ready to use, rinse with cold water while gently scrubbing them with a mushroom brush or paper towel.

Never soak mushrooms in water; this will make them mushy.

Enjoy! •••

boom | MAY 2016

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life

50

FIFTY FOR

T

By: Margo Bell

his year marks the 50th anniversary of the St. Joseph County Parks system with activities for park lovers of all ages.

The system began in the mid-1960s when the State of Indiana set up laws for its governance, as well as mechanisms for funding.

The St. Joseph County Parks board was formed in April 1966 and held its first meeting a month later.

Bendix Woods County Park

The Oldest and the Smallest One week after this first meeting, the Studebaker Corporation donated to the board 175 acres of the former Studebaker Proving Ground, the first model test facility for an American automobile company that was established in 1926. After the shutdown of Studebaker U.S. production, The Bendix Corporation acquired 840 acres in 1963 for corporate purposes and the board named the county’s first park Bendix Woods County Park. A few more additional acres allowed a safe entrance from Timothy Road rather than off the busy State Road 2. Bendix Woods County Park officially opened in December 1969 and currently consists 12

MAY 2016 | boom

of 190 acres, making it the smallest of the established parks in the St. Joseph County system.

living advertisements and, along with the Studebaker Clubhouse, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Two unique features came with the land donation. In 1928 the Studebaker Clubhouse opened to offer overnight lodging for company employees.

Over time the building served various purposes, including the private home of Studebaker’s president, Sherwood Egbert, and now houses park offices and the Children’s Discovery Room.

Bendix Woods County Park is in New Carlisle just west of South Bend. Its welcoming features include a six-mile mountain bike trail, fall hayrides, a nature preserve and the Sugar Camp Days maple syrup festival in March.

Cross-country ski lessons are also offered during appropriate weather.

Also included was the half-milelong living pine tree sign planted by member of the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1938. Each letter of the sign STUDEBAKER consists of red pines in the center outlined by white pines.

A Christmastime ice storm in 2004 damaged many of the trees until they were replaced in April 2015 by volunteers. The sign still stands today, recognized as one of the world’s largest

Spicer Lake Nature Preserve This 320-acre park, also in New Carlisle, is home to several endangered plants and animals, such as the Northern Witherod plant and the Northern Ribbon snake. Because of the nature preserve status, the park’s usage is geared to passive programming that includes hiking, birding, nature observations and swamp stomps and habitat studies for young students.

a premier birding site for endangered grassland birds. A gravel walking and bike path traverses the area. It is comanaged with the St. Joseph County Department of Public Works.

Ferrettie-Baugo Creek County Park Photo Courtesy: Kathy Nobles flickr.com

Ferrettie-Baugo Creek County Park Hard to believe, this 214-acre park in Osceola used to be the former Mishawaka dump. “It’s the ultimate in land recycling,” notes Evie Kirkwood, Director of St. Joseph County Parks.

That aside, the park offers an 18-hole year-round disc golf course, hiking trails along Baugo Creek, picnic shelters, educational programs for schools and winter activities such as inner tubing and snowshoeing.

St. Patrick's County Park Photo Courtesy: commons.wikimedia.org/

St. Patrick’s County Park Parks director, Kirkwood, observes that the 398-acre park just south of the Michigan state line is the most heavily attended because of its accessibility to the largest population base. The Big Red Barn, once part of a working farm owned by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, is familiar to the community, and like the tree sign and clubhouse at Bendix Woods, is on the National Register of Historic Places. In past years the barn has hosted a variety of performances and is still a popular venue for weddings.

Visitors can rent canoes, kayaks and paddleboards for cruising the adjoining St. Joseph River in summer, and crosscountry skis and inner tubes in winter.

Crone Restoration Area Located on the south side of South Bend, this 111-acre park is the former Jackson Road landfill and now serves as

The St. Joseph Park system also comanages with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources the 82-acre Chamberlain Lake Nature Preserve on Crumstown Road in South Bend.

In addition, there are some other small properties in the system that aren’t yet developed.

Crone Restoration Area Photo Courtesy: birdingthebend.blogspot.com

Something for Everyone A variety of programs is offered at the various parks throughout the year, from Boomer and Beyond hiking clubs to archery workshops and playgrounds.

“It’s important to remember, too, that the St. Joseph County Parks exist to care for and protect natural areas,” states Kirkwood. “Whether it’s the halfmile river frontage, eagles and osprey nests at St. Patrick’s County Park, the pristine kettle-hole wetland at Spicer Lake Nature Preserve, or the beechmaple forest at Bendix Woods, these parks exist because foresighted leaders thought to set aside these natural treasures for the greater good of the community.”

Funding

and user fees. But perhaps the biggest challenge is long-term financial stability.

As property tax funding continues to decrease due to property tax caps in the Indiana Constitution, alternative funding for parks departments will need to be established to maintain the current level of programming and quality of park maintenance. “Like many parks systems, we face millions of dollars of deferred maintenance,” says Kirkwood. “We can only increase user fees so much.”

Just the same, throughout the year St. Joseph County Parks is sponsoring “Fifty for 50” discounted or specialoffer activities that will include Gate Fee Rollback, a vehicle admission fee of just 67 cents per car (admission price in the 1960s), Thursday Evening Spring Hiking Tours, and a Free Grassland Bird Hike, all in May. This summer the South Bend Civic Theater will present Mary Poppins at St. Patrick Park’s Fischgrund Amphitheater, and a collaborative performance by Indiana University South Bend with the Dickenson Middle School will be held there in September.

The parks are also involved in activities celebrating the Indiana Bicentennial, such as the terminus point at Bendix Woods for the Indiana Torch Relay in St. Joseph County October 8th, ending with a Bicentennial Birthday party featuring music, food, family bike rides and a Studebaker car show.

For more information on the celebration activities, contact sjcparks.org in the Calendar of Events marked by a blue cupcake with a birthday candle. •••

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Thanks to parks director, Evie Kirkwood, for providing most of the information for this article.

Operational funding for the parks comes from two main sources: property taxes boom | MAY 2016

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boom

HOBBIES

A Lovely Day By: Jim and Margo Bell

Photo Courtesy: en.wikipedia.org

With her dazzling smile and spattering of faint freckles, Doris Day was indeed our “girl next door.” We Boomers (and our parents) were—and thanks to cable, rentals and sales—still are captivated by her smooth singing, as well as her acting that ranged from light romantic comedy to more serious roles. We hope that this trivia challenge will make your day. (Sorry about the pun!)

Match up the Doris Day movie title with its co-star:

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1. My Dream Is Yours (1949)

a. David Niven

2. Calamity Jane (1953)

b. Rock Hudson

3. The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

c. Rex Harrison

4. Teacher’s Pet (1958)

d. Brian Keith

5. Pillow Talk (1959)

e. Jack Carson

6. Please Don’t Eat the Daisies (1960)

f. Rod Taylor

7. Midnight Lace (1960)

g. James Stewart

8. Move Over, Darling (1963)

h. Clark Gable

9. Do Not Disturb (1965)

i. Howard Keel

10. With Six You Get Eggrolls (1968)

j. James Garner

11. In 1939, orchestra leader Barney Rapp

encouraged his new singer Doris Kappelhoff to change her last name, something short that would fit better on a marquee. What inspired her to choose the name “Day?” a. She liked alliteration and chose the name to give her double “D” initials. b. It was taken from her rendition of the 1938 song “Day After Day.” c. It’s a shortened form of “Dayton,” her Ohio birthplace. (Doris Dayton sounded too “old.”) d. After deciding to hire her, Rapp said, “Doris, this is your lucky day!”

12. Before Doris became a singer/actress, she was a: a. Music store clerk b. Jazz pianist c. Dancer d. Radio announcer

13. Doris Day’s first acting role was in the movie: a. My Dream Is Yours b. My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time c. Starlift d. Romance On the High Seas

16. How many Oscar nominations did Doris Day receive? a. four b. three c. two d. one e. none

17. What film role did Doris Day turn down?

a. Cat Ballou in Cat Ballou (1965) b. Catherine Gunther in The April Fools (1969) c. Gwen Meighen in Airport (1970) d. Corie Bratter in Barefoot In the Park (1967) e. Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate (1967)

18. Doris Day is an activist for animals. Which of the following did she set up or co-found? a. Actors and Others for Animals b. Doris Day Animal Foundation c. Doris Day Animal League d. Doris Day Horse Rescue and Adoption Center e. All of the above

Photo Courtesy: en.wikipedia.org

14. How many films did Doris Day make? a. 26 b. 35 c. 39 d. 42

15. What actor made the most film appearances with Doris? a. Gordon MacRae b. Rock Hudson c. James Garner d. Jack Carson

Answers on page 25! boom | MAY 2016

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hobbies

Amber Waves of

Grain

What’s So Special About Wheat Beer?

By: Chuck Bergman

A

s the weather gets warmer and we prepare for the summer months, you may find yourself craving lighter beers with a little something special. Sometimes that may be a pale ale or IPA, but another great thirst quencher is wheat beer.

There are many styles of wheat beer to enjoy during the spring and summer months, but it all started with the German weisse beer. German brewing literature contains many references to wheat beer dating back at least to the 1400s in areas spanning from Denmark to Hamburg to Vienna.

Modern wheat beers are descendents of two German styles: the more popular Bavarian Weissebier from southern Germany and Berliner Weisse, you guessed it, from Berlin. A third wheat style that is growing in popularity today is the Belgian Wit, or white beer. Finally, there is the American wheat beer which usually comes in a variety of styles.

What is a Wheat Beer?

Though there are many different styles and sub-styles that can be called wheat beers, they all share certain characteristics. Wheat has a lot more protein in it than barley which contributes to thick, long lasting heads. This protein also creates haze in most wheat beers. Wheat contributes very little flavor to a beer but it does contribute a distinctively silky mouthfeel.

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Most wheat beers are light in color, ranging from a pale straw to a golden amber, but usually cloudy from the wheat malt. Many beer enthusiasts don’t realize that wheat beer is not brewed using only wheat. Wheat can vary from 30-70% of the malt, with the remainder made up of different malted barleys. The addition of wheat is what gives this beverage a very crisp and refreshing finish.

Of equal importance in a witbier is the use of spices. The predominant spices are always coriander and orange peel, but may also contain others. Freshly ground, and added late to the kettle to retain its aroma, it should fairly gush from the glass. This combination allows witbiers to be both fresh tasting and complex.

Hefeweizen, a Bavarian Weissebier, are generally highly carbonated beers and should pour pale and cloudy with an overflowing meringue-like crown. It is served unfiltered so the yeast used during fermentation is still present when bottle conditioned.

American Wheat Beer So, what is the American spin on wheat beer? Many brewers take the Hefeweizen recipe and replace the distinctive yeast with much cleaner fermenting ale yeasts.

This allows the malt character to shine and creates a cleaner flavor. The end result is a very subtle brew that makes a great transition beer for many new craft beer drinkers.

It has a thick, white and long lasting head with a full and soft mouthfeel. The special strain of yeast used in this style contributes banana and clove notes to the aroma and flavor of the beer. There is very little hop flavor or aroma in a Hefeweizen.

This style is excellent served cold, with or without a slice of lemon.

Berliner Weisse ranges from pale straw to light gold in color and is very low in alcohol, usually 3-4% ABV. These beers are unfiltered and are defined by their pronounced sourness. This beer should have a light, effervescent body with a dry tart finish.

This style originated in Berlin in the 1600s and is still brewed in Germany today. Though it faded in popularity outside Bavaria, the style has now been embraced by the craft brew movement as a refreshingly tart, sessionable sour style. Beliner Weisse relies on its special yeast for the flavor and aroma of this distinctive wheat beer.

Brewed similar to Hefeweizen, Belgian Witbiers use a yeast that is similar in the way that it adds flavor and aroma but those characteristics are distinctly different. So what defines a witbier?

First, their name means white beer and comes from the pale, almost milky glow of the brew.

American wheat beers range from pale to golden in color. Like the Hefeweizen, they are usually unfiltered with long-lasting head retention and a light to medium body. Hop character is often present to some degree with a moderate level of bitterness.

Many local breweries serve their own unique wheat beers on tap, but you can also find some great craft beer versions in bottles and cans.

Bell’s Oberon is a great seasonal wheat beer that arrives in our area every summer. Three Floyds’ Gumballhead is on sale year round and is an excellent example of a hoppy wheat ale. And, don’t forget Blue Moon’s variety of Belgian-style witbiers.

May is a great time of year to enjoy a light, cloudy wheat beer. It is a perfect complement to grilling out on the patio or as a refreshing beverage after finishing your outdoor chores. Try the traditional German styles, experiment with a witbier or maybe just pickup a six-pack of a tasty American wheat beer.

CHEERS!

The beer must also contain up to 50% wheat in the grain bill. Sometimes, a small amount of raw oats is added. The effect of the raw wheat and oats on the palate is a silky-smooth mouthfeel combined with a tart finish and noticeable fruitiness. boom | MAY 2016

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home

Taking The

mystery

Out Of Mulch By: Evie Kirkwood

F

or those of us that love digging in the dirt and helping green things grow, it can be a struggle to find time and energy to keep weeds at bay.

Many gardeners turn to mulch to reduce “unwanted” plants.

To curtail weeds and retain soil moisture, apply two to four inches of mulch on your garden. Mulch also moderates soil temperature and prevents soil compaction.

First, Prepare Your Bed Before spreading mulch, weed your garden well. Some gardeners use landscape fabric under the mulch, but it has drawbacks. Over time the fabric may get brittle, or become riddled with mole or chipmunk holes. As sections become exposed, it can become unsightly and requires replacing. In addition, as the mulch above breaks down it creates a layer of dirt on top of the fabric where weeds will soon grow. And, when you want to dig in a new plant, you must cut a hole into the fabric. For these reasons, many folks skip landscape fabric.

Not all mulch is created equal. Here’s a primer on some natural mulches and their pros and cons:

Pine Bark Mulch This mulch doesn’t break down as quickly as others, primarily due to the size of the chunks and the resilience of the bark itself. After all, bark protects a living tree from all sorts of menaces. Because of their large surface area, the nuggets may float requiring rearranging after a heavy rain. Pine bark mulch is usually made from trees that have been cut for other purposes, such as pulp for paper manufacturing.

Shredded Hardwood Bark Pine Bark Mulch

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A by-product at the sawmill, and similar to pine bark, shredded hardwood bark should be made from 100% tree bark. As it decomposes it improves the soil. Try to confirm its origin, as sometimes shredded wood is sold as shredded bark.

Shredded Wood This mulch is made from recycled pallets, wood scraps and raw lumber, ground and dyed. Shredded wood provides little nutrients to your garden plants, and in fact, it removes nitrogen from your soil as it decomposes. While some folks find the colors attractive, others find them “artificial” looking. The dyes are considered safe although the color usually fades within a season.

2-3 inches open space

Wood Chips/Aged Wood Chips Similar to shredded wood, chips from a utility or tree trimming company break down slowly and draw nitrogen away from your plants. Pathogens could be introduced into your garden if diseased trees were in the mix.

Community recycling centers often give away free mulch made from shredded yard waste. If it has been allowed to age and partially decompose, it will provide more nutrients to your soil than fresh wood chips.

Cypress Mulch Ubiquitously sold at gas stations, big box stores and school fund raisers, cypress mulch is a common garden cover. It has a great capacity to hold water, which in theory sounds good, but requires gardeners to water much more heavily. Most knowledgeable gardeners shun it since it is made from cutting living cypress trees out of southern wetlands causing great damage to these ecosystems. For these reasons Florida and Louisiana have banned the use of this mulch.

No volcanoes When applying mulch, do not pile it up against tree trucks, a practice known as “volcano mulching.” To keep trees healthy, leave an open space of two to three inches around the trunk to allow air exchange.

Cocoa Bean Hulls This lightweight mulch, a by-product of making chocolate, is easy to spread.

It has a rich, natural brown color and breaks down quickly. It tends to be pricy and limited in availability, but smells fantastic when first applied.

Free Stuff Although they may not be suited for formal gardens, grass clippings and shredded leaves can also be used as mulch. Grass clippings can draw out nitrogen, but are well-suited to vegetable gardens, especially if a nitrogen source, such as manure or compost, is also used to enhance the soil. If applied too thickly it can mat and mold. Shredded leaves improve the soil.

After they decompose, dig them into the soil and add a new layer of mulch on top. •••

Yar, ADEC Case Coordinator, runs with Kyle during the 2015 Chicago Marathon.

boom | MAY 2016

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life

More Than Just A

Flower By: Rita Miller

Memorial Day is much more than just the opening day of

the pool season. It is the annual holiday remembering those who died serving in the United States Armed Forces. This holiday originated after the Civil War when Union states moved to honor their dead by placing flowers at the gravesites. We’re a long way past the Civil War and memories fade. It’s important to remember the solemnity of this holiday but also to think to the future.

How can we respect the past and move to peace in the future? The answer lies in the planting of flowers as done hundreds of years ago.

Traveling home from DC earlier this year, I found myself in central Pennsylvania. My mother and father are buried in the parish cemetery in a small town near the West Virginia border, near the Ohio line. We were under time constraints to get back to South Bend and I couldn’t stop at their graves for prayers and flowers.

How is it that I had enough time to stop at Primanti’s Restaurant in Cranberry Township to get sandwiches to bring home, but I didn’t have enough time to detour to Waynesburg, Pennsylvania?

The daily rush of our lives, the constant time constraints, have left me searching my own soul. My mother’s best friend became the person to plant spring flowers at the site and send us pictures every year. Just as the war dead becomes a memory and Memorial Day has become the start of summer vacation, so have the threads of our lives become frayed.

This year, I’ll be out planting my summer garden on Memorial Day. I’ll include the old favorites of geraniums, impatiens and Dusty Miller; however, this year, I have two new things to plant: bulbs from my greatnephew’s birth and zinnias from my childhood.

I can’t look at a zinnia without thinking of that small town in Pennsylvania where I spent 18 summers. I’ll plant and remember hot summer nights with my mom and dad when we’d drive to the ice cream parlor and get orange-pineapple ice cream.

I’ll say a prayer for the Armed Forces and I’ll remember the real reason for the holiday.

I can look to the future with my new great-nephew (I was at his baptism in DC when all this remembrance started) and I’ll hope for peace in the world. I think the combination of all those things will make for a memorable Memorial Day. ••• 20

MAY 2016 | boom

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recipe

Chicken Fajitas For A Crowd By: Katie & Theresa Slott

Time: 15 Minutes Prep + 2-4 Hours Marinating Time + 30-40 Minutes Baking Time Makes: 8-10 Servings Ingredients: • 3 lbs. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast

Steps: 1. A few hours ahead of time, place the chicken in one of the casserole dishes. Stir together the marinade ingredients in a measuring cup, whisking to combine. Pour the marinade over the chicken to coat.

Cover the dish with a lid or cling wrap and refrigerate for 2-4 hours.

If possible, turn the chicken to coat more evenly with the marinade.

Marinade: • 1/4 c. Lime Juice • 1/4 c. Olive Oil • 2 t. Chili Powder • 1 t. Oregano • 3/4 t. Salt • 1/2 t. Black Pepper • 1/2 t. Cumin • 1/4 t. Garlic (Minced Or Powder)

2. One hour before serving, preheat the oven to 400F. Take the chicken dish out of the fridge.

Veggies: • 2 Large Sweet Onions, Cut In Half-Moons • 1/4 c. Olive Oil • 3 Peppers, A Variety Of Colors, Cut In Thin Strips • 1/2 t. Kosher Salt • 1/2 t. Black Pepper • 1/2 t. Oregano To Assemble Fajitas: • Tortillas • Sour Cream • Shredded Cheese • Salsa • Guacamole

Prep The Veggies: 1. Place the peppers and onions in the other casserole dish. Sprinkle with seasonings and toss well to combine. Place the veggie and chicken dishes in the oven for 40 minutes before serving. Stir every 10 minutes to prevent burning and to check for doneness.

2. When chicken is cooked through, remove from the oven and allow to sit for 2-3 minutes. Slice the chicken into strips.

3. The veggies will be done when they are softened and browning, and the onions are translucent.

4. Serve the chicken and veggies immediately over soft tortillas, with sour cream, shredded cheese, salsa and guacamole.

Tips: The chicken may be cut in strips before marinating. It may also be grilled instead of baked.

Katie and Theresa Slott are sisters-in-law who write the food blog, Cooking for the Fam, where they share lots of tips, family-favorite recipes and meal plans. For more recipes like this one, or to see step-by-step photos of this recipe, check out their website, www.cookingforthefam.com.

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LIFE

Mothers and Daughters

It’s Complicated!

By: Pam Gunterman

W

hen you mention mothers and daughters, the first pictures that comes to mind are those nurturing moments between a mother and her child. The

mention of fathers and daughters conjures a similar picture, one which seems to last longer than the images of those tender moments for mothers and daughters. Fathers and daughters even have songs that commemorate the lasting place that a daughter holds in her father’s heart: Butterfly Kisses and Daddy’s Little Girl, to name just two. But, not so for mothers and daughters. It seems that when a daughter becomes a teenager, more often than not, she and her mother begin a dance for position, a dance that may last for years and for some, unfortunately, a lifetime.

At whatever age the maternal instinct kicks in, which may vary based on level of maturity and circumstances, it seems that even as young girls we strive to protect those whom we love and care about. We want to make things run smoothly and, when we can, ensure a good outcome for those within “our world.” We take ownership of “our world” and give our all to keep safe those we feel responsible for. It has been my observation and experience that it is difficult, or even at times impossible, for two women to rule and protect the same “world” as our instincts are as strong or stronger as those of any mother protecting her young in the animal kingdom.

With my own mother and, once I married, my mother-in-law, I did have the opportunity to take my turn in that dance for position in the lives of those whom we all loved. I was lucky enough that both my mother and mother-in-law were women who were willing to dance with, rather than against, me and we worked together to each find our places and the roles we would fill when the music stopped. Some folks are not as lucky as I was and one or the other or both of the parties involved are unwilling to share the responsibility for those in their “world” and refuse to enter the dance.

Both my mom and mother-in-law are now deceased, but as Mother’s Day approaches I am grateful for the strong and patient women with whom I shared my “dance” and the many valuable lessons they taught me.

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In closing, I would like to share a poem inspired by my relationship and ultimate appreciation for my mother.

Mothers & Daughters Mother dear what can I say, you gave my life to me, They say we were inseparable when I was only three.

At five we spent our days always having fun, and at eight you were my model for how things should be done.

When I was twelve I could wear your shoes which of course I thought was great, but to wear your clothes was the thing for which I could hardly wait!

Then came the stormy years when I thought of only me and I was right, yes always right, and you were wrong you see.

Now that I am grown and have a daughter of my own, the memories come flooding back and oh how wise you've grown!

Mother dear what can I say, you gave my life to me, and now with all your great advice you've saved my sanity!

boom | MAY 2016

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life

Maintaining

By: Rita Miller

Healthy Relationships With Adult Children And Grandchildren By: Rita Miller

A

s my children grew up and started families of their own, one of my favorite Twitter accounts to follow was “Grown and Flown.” They provide great advice on getting kids out the door and on their way to adulthood. As they grow up and move on, my relationship with them evolves into something new and exciting, but it also means learning how to interact in different ways. I was no longer needed to make breakfast for a crowd, pack peanut butter sandwiches for lunch or work on science projects at night. The worst part of this whole process is I truly miss those childhood days. I loved being a stay-at-home mom. Really, I think of it as the best time of my life. Fast forward 20 years and all of a sudden I need good advice on parenting adults and watching them parent their own children. A wonderful group, Advocates for Youth, list five things for healthy family relationships: Learning, Loyalty, Love, Laughter and Leadership. This is where I chose to start my changes!

•

Learning: Thankfully, my family are learners in the traditional sense of the word. We like to learn. Unfortunately, when dealing with adult children, you need to learn fast because they are growing at light speed! They start college, make new friends, travel and have a whole new set of problems and they may ask for your advice. The advice you had as a child might not be appropriate now. When you hear about Tinder (popular dating site) adventures, you may be inclined to review safe dating habits. That ship has sailed; you laid the groundwork years ago and your dating history has no bearing in this conversation. Learning to respond with respect became an important skill for me to learn. I respect that my children make their own choices and that they are in charge of their own lives.

•

Love: Easy to do, but also easy to overdo! I adore my adult children and grandchildren but they do not always need my advice. If they ask for advice, then I’m entitled to give it free and clear. I like to think that I love them enough to mind my own business, sometimes!

•

Laughter: Any kind of positive fun and enjoyment is a good deal for me and my grandchildren. They laugh all the time, over all sorts of things. It’s good to remember that adults should laugh along with them. Nothing is more rewarding to me than to see my daughter enjoy a good time with the kids. It reminds me to sit on the floor and be present in their lives.

•

Leadership: Yes, you are still the oldest adult in the family and you need to act that way. Isn’t it tempting to believe that you can still wear the shorts you bought in 2001 out in public? Sad reality is, you are older and ragged blue jean shorts don’t work anymore. If Helen Mirren won’t wear it, put it away. Most importantly, this is a time to remember your own challenges. My best friend reminded me of this when she said “be brave” about the future. What better example of leadership to your children than being brave in the situations we face daily as “over 50’s?”

The bad news, we’re older and times have changed. The good news, it’s not too late to learn some new tricks and enjoy the fruits of our labor. As I type this, my teenager is making a Blue Apron meal for my lunch. She shouted out to ask if I wanted chilies in my quesadilla. “No, but please don’t use any salt, as you know it will kill me,” I shouted back. We laughed at that and I think of how much I love having a hot lunch served to me. Doesn’t get any better than that! ••• 24

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HOBBIES

A Lovely

Day By: Jim and Margo Bell

1-e; 2-i; 3-g; 4-h; 5-b; 6-a; 7-c; 8-j; 9-f; 10-d.

Doris Day’s dramatic roles were in Alfred Hitchcock’s, The Man Who Knew Too Much, the dark mystery, Midnight Lace, and the bittersweet movie, Young At Heart (1954) co-starring Frank Sinatra. Doris declared that her favorite role was that of Calamity Jane because she felt that the character was more like her than any other she portrayed.

11-b: Rapp liked the song Day After Day as well. Incidentally, “c” is incorrect because Doris was born in Cincinnati, not Dayton.

12-c: Doris enjoyed dancing in the mid-1930s and teamed up with Cincinnati dancer, Jerry Doherty. Injuries to both legs in a 1937 auto accident ended her objective to become a professional dancer. During her recovery, Doris began to sing along with songs she heard on the radio, and the rest is history.

13-d: At a party Doris met composer Jule Styne, who arranged an audition for

ANSWERS:

her with director Michael Curtiz. She got the part and scored a number one hit with the song, “It’s Magic.” Clue “b” is incorrect because it’s the name of one of her songs, not a movie.

14-c: Side note: as of 2012, Doris Day ranked sixth among the top 10 box office performers, both male and female.

15-a: Doris and Gordon teamed up in four full-length feature films: Tea for Two (1950); The West Point Story (1950); On Moonlight Bay (1951); and By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953). They also had cameo roles in a short film, So You Want a Television Set (1953), and Starlift (1950) that featured an all-star cast.

16-d:

In 1959 Doris received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her role in Pillow Talk but lost out to Simone Signoret (Room at the Top).

17-e: Doris rejected the part of Mrs. Robinson because she found the script “vulgar and offensive.” The role went to veteran actress Anne Bancroft.

18-e: While recovering from the leg injury, Doris took her dog on a walk “Tiny” got away from her, ran into the street and was run over by a car. Through her grief, in 1971 Doris co-founded Actors and Others for Animals. Seven years later she organized a grant-giving public charity, the Doris Day Pet Foundation, now the Doris Day Animal Foundation (DDAF). In 1987 Doris set up the Doris Day Animal League, a nonprofit lobbying organization to safeguard animal welfare, now merged into the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Her latest effort, The Doris Day Horse Rescue and Adoption Center, was formed in 2011 and is based in Murchison, Texas. Doris Day is still active in animal welfare.

NEXT MONTH: Robert Wise Photo Courtesy: www.doctormacro.com boom | MAY 2016

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LIFE

Phone Scams: Don’t Believe Everything You Hear!

By: Jamie Lober

S

eniors must make a conscious effort to get savvy when it comes to their knowledge regarding the telephone. “Gone are the days when we can pick up the phone and trust the person whom we do not know on the other end,” said Greg Zoeller, Indiana Attorney General. There are so many tricks that people can use to victimize others. “With caller ID spoofing and other deceptive tactics, it is easy for fraudsters to convince people they are someone legitimate, even a government agency,” said Zoeller.

Privacy comes first. “The best protection against phone scams is to simply not do any type of business or give out personal information over the phone unless you initiate the call yourself,” said Zoeller.

Basically you want to be on guard against people asking you for money or information for a fraudulent purpose.

The caller may ask you to wire money or use a pre-paid card to make some kind of purchase. “The most common phone scam reported to the Attorney General’s Office is the IRS impersonation scam in which callers claim to be with the IRS and demand immediate payment of past-due taxes,” said Molly Gillaspie, public information officer for consumer affairs with the Attorney General’s Office. They get people to give in by threatening arrest or jail time if the payment is not received right away. “Other versions of this scam have popped up where callers impersonate other state agencies, for example saying you must pay the Treasurer’s Office immediately to avoid losing your home,” said Gillaspie.

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Remember that the IRS will never contact you over the phone and will always reach out to you initially through official correspondence by mail. “People who receive a call like this should hang up immediately, report the scam to the IRS and file a consumer complaint with the Attorney General’s Office at www.IndianaConsumer.com,” said Gillaspie. You also must look out for offers of free prizes if you buy something or listen to a presentation as well as travel packages for free or low cost vacations. Investment schemes and con artists pretending to be with charities are other dangers.

Talk to friends and loved ones about how you can protect yourself. “Do not let a telephone solicitor pressure you to make an immediate decision; and ask for a caller’s contact information and tell them you will call them back,” said Gillaspie. Always verify information you are given to be sure it is accurate. “Know that most government entities, including the IRS, will not initiate contact over the phone and will never ask you for credit card, debit card or prepaid card information over the phone,” said Gillaspie. Never wire money or make payments over the phone unless you have independently verified the caller. “Check unfamiliar companies with the Attorney General’s Office or the Better Business Bureau before agreeing to a purchase,” said Gillaspie.

If you do not know who is on the other end, do not stick around. “Hang up on recorded message calls or ‘robocalls’ and do not press any numbers,” said Gillaspie. Indiana has a Do Not Call law that has the goal of eliminating illegitimate telemarketing calls to your home. “To register or confirm your phone number is on the Do Not Call list visit www.IndianaConsumer.com or call 888-834-9969,” said Gillaspie. If you suspect you are a victim of a scam, take action and do not sit back. “Individuals who believe they are a victim of a phone scam can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office by calling 1-888-834-9969 or online at www.IndianaConsumer.com and victims should also report the fraud to local law enforcement and to their bank or credit card company to dispute the charge,” said Gillaspie. There is good reason to believe that as folks become more aware of the meaning of a phone scam and how to avoid it that we can decrease their prevalence in our community. •••

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PETS

The Elkhart Humane Society Needs Your Help Loving animals are in need of families!

SPORT: Howdy, my name is Sport, I’m an

GOVINDA: It is a strange name, but I am a regular cat.

11-year-old Husky, Australian Shepherd mix. I’ve been a frequent visitor to the Humane Society in the past but I’m ready for a life on the straightand-narrow. Will you come visit with me?

Unique but not odd. I am 4-years-old and spayed. There are a lot of us tabby cats around because we make such fantastic pets. I have lived as a stray and that was both scary and a little bit exciting. I am now ready to settle down on a soft couch with a person to keep me company.

Volunteers Needed: The Elkhart County Humane Society is always looking for new volunteers to join their team. There are so many ways to make a difference. Give Janet a call at 574-848-4225 to learn more.

JAGGER: I am a little over a year old and have been neutered. Yes I am black, but black cats can be very lucky. I am young so I like to run, play and sometimes hide. I need a quiet cat nap sometimes. I like to sit on laps when I am done with my games. Take me home and I will be your lucky charm!

54687 County Road 19 • Bristol, IN 46507 (574) 848-4225 • www.elkharthumanesociety.org boom | MAY 2016

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life

Technology 101

Staying Safe By: Ed Marshall

J

ust a few years ago, scammers could come knocking at your door, call you on the telephone or send something through snail mail. Times have changed and there is so much technology out in the world. It changes nearly daily, some new “app” or software program is created, and the computers we buy today seem obsolete tomorrow. The hackers (bad guys) continue to look for new ways to get access to data, and scammers look for new ways to scam.

Not only do you have to worry about scams however, but now it’s computer viruses and other malicious pieces of the puzzle.

How do you protect yourself against these scams and other threats while online?

First and foremost, invest in an Anti-Virus program (if you haven’t already).

For these types of “viruses,” antibiotics are not the cure.”

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For these types of “viruses,” antibiotics are not the cure. There are free anti-virus programs if this is the way you’d prefer to go for now. I used free anti-virus programs for a while, but times change and I decided to purchase an anti-virus program. I purchased one that was highly rated. Research the various anti-virus programs that are out there and see what suits you best.

Install an Anti-Malware program.

Along with an anti-virus program, you’ll want to run an anti-malware program on your system. Anti-virus programs search for a particular piece of malware (viruses), while antimalware programs search even further for other types of “malware.” To me, an anti-virus program won’t be a “total protection” solution. Think of an anti-malware program as a second set of eyes that dig deeper to find problems. One popular anti-malware program that is often used is named “Malware Bytes.”

Run frequent scans! Keep your Anti-Virus definitions up to date.

In these programs, you have the option to setup automatic scans. Depending on your internet use, I’d say weekly. Most anti-virus programs are usually running in the background and are “actively aware” of any kind of suspicious activity and/or viruslike activity that shows up. Either way, I’d suggest weekly. Ensure that your anti-virus program is up to date and knows what types of things to look for.

How about Windows Updates?

These are essential to keeping your computer up to date, as these Windows Updates are directly from Microsoft. These updates fix any potential holes in the operating system that may be discovered or just address a particular issue within the computer itself. Always run Windows Updates. Vulnerabilities are discovered often and patching your computer will help mitigate risks. You can set Windows Updates to download updates automatically as well.

I often use e-mail, is there anything there that I can do as well?

• Don’t click on any links in an email that you don’t recognize or that appear strange.

• Don’t visit questionable websites. For example, clicking on an advertisement which offers you something for free, could lead you down a road that you don’t want to be on.

Clicking on e-mail links or attachments is one of the most common ways to get your computer infected with a virus or malware. Be very cautious on what you open, screen who it’s from and if it looks strange, there’s a chance it could very well be something you don’t want to open. If you receive an e-mail of some kind from a friend, give them a call and ask – “is this something you sent?” I’d rather be safe than sorry. I receive e-mails now and then that also look “strange” and often times, are that of a malicious type. Let’s say a friend’s e-mail gets compromised and spam is coming from their account, to everyone in their address book.

Then let’s say, someone clicks on it – their email is now potentially compromised and sent to their address book contacts. It’s a vicious cycle and can and does happen frequently. I seen it from people just checking e-mail at home to large organizations.

I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

Not tech savvy and need some help? Email Ed Marshall with your question at marshallej@outlook.com!

I hear of something called a Firewall – what is it? Can I get one?

A firewall is either hardware or software that helps protect against the bad guys! Not only does it prevent access to your computer (or other internet connected devices) – but it can also help prevent viruses, malware and more from getting onto those devices as well. You can purchase (or lease) a firewall for your home or business. Again, research is best in this case – as you can find one that will fit your budget and needs. It’s best to talk to your trusted IT professional on this to see your options in full.

From desktop computers to smartphones, technology is often relied on heavily, so it never hurts to be watchful and informed while using it. Following these tips and learning more will help you be prepared for the upkeep of your technology that is a part of your life. •••

boom | MAY 2016

29

boom

life

12

Reasons Why Being 50 Rocks

T

urning 50 gave me the wake-up call I needed, like a glass of ice-water in the face at 5 A.M. It was both unnerving (“I’m now this close to wearing Depends!”) and invigorating (“Prime of my life, baby. Bring it!”).

Casting aside all the “over-hill-hill” jokes and black birthday decorations, I’ve had a few months to come to grips with my half-century mark. And, quite frankly, I’ve made friends with 50.

“A seasoned woman is spicy,” writes Gail Sheehy, author of the best-seller Passages, on her website Seasoned Woman’s Network. “She has been marinated in life experience.”

Now there’s a visual. I love to think that I’ve been marinated, perhaps in a pot of hazelnut coffee or in my favorite bottle of red zinfandel. Steeped in my life experiences, I’ve been infused with humility, grace, compassion, wisdom and sense of humor that has carried me through plenty of rough patches.

All the complaints about wrinkles, gray hair and mental and physical decline aside (because, let’s face it, that part does suck), turning 50 ushers in a bright side, too.

This milestone birthday reminds me that I’m one of the lucky ones who gets to wake up, breathe deep and move forward in life.

By: Lisa Beach

So, here are 12 reasons why 50 rocks: 1. Not sweating the small stuff. Waiting to hear biopsy results is worth losing sleep over. Missing out on the season finale of House of Cards, not so much. Yeah, I occasionally lose my perspective, like when I can’t find my way out of a labyrinth-like parking lot. (Seriously, did anyone test-drive this blueprint before painting “right-turn-only” at the end of every lane?) But (mostly) ignoring the small stuff allows me to focus on the important things, like good health, loving relationships and a really good hair day.

2. Appreciating the power of gratitude. Being grateful helps me savor the good stuff in life and acts like a balm for the bad stuff. For example, I’m SO grateful I never got a tattoo or a nose ring. Nothing shows your age quicker than a stretched-out tat drooping down your once-taut triceps.

3. Totally claiming the phrase “hot mess” when I deserve it. Sometimes, that’s just where I’m at in life. I’ve learned to accept it, deal with it and not be a blame-shifter.

Besides, I think “hot mess” just sounds cool.

4. Reliving old-school childhood memories filled with playing neighborhood games of kick-the-can and relievio, riding bikes, setting up lemonade stands, coloring with my grandmother, running through the sprinkler in the backyard, getting a Bomb Pop from the Mr. Softee ice cream truck, catching lightning bugs, reading comic books, listening to my favorite record albums, talking (not texting) on the phone with my friends, baking cakes with my mom, staying up all night at sleepovers, enjoying cookouts with my relatives, passing notes in class, hanging out on my front porch with a bunch of friends on a Friday night, smelling chestnuts roasting in the oven on Thanksgiving and banging pots and pans at midnight on New Year’s Eve. No video game, “app” or website comes close to replicating these incredible experiences.

5. Not caring what others think. Whether I’m wearing a probably-out-of-style military hat or belting out my favorite Pink songs while I run errands. That’s right, truck driver next to me, I just dropped the F-bomb singing the explicit version of “Perfect.” Who knew? (Yep, another Pink reference – see what I did there?)

6. Owning my eccentricities. I totally embrace my quirkiness. It makes me, me. So what if I own more three-ring binders than an over-achieving high-schooler? I like to keep my paperwork really organized. And who cares if I like to make lists for everything, line my canned goods up so all the labels face out and insist everyone uses the “hotel fold” for our stack of bath towels? (Hmmm, I see an OCD theme emerging here.) Still, at 50, I embrace my inner dork.

7. Going make-up-free. Ok, this might seem like an oxymoron. The older I get the more makeup I need to look better, right? Well, yeah, that part’s true. But, I’m comfortable enough in my own (aging) skin to run to Panera for coffee sans makeup at 7 A.M. because caffeine outranks compliments hands down. In fact, there’s a group of guys who meet for Panera coffee every morning who probably think I never shower because they’ve never seen me without bed-head, puffy eyes, wrinkled T-shirts and gym shorts. And I’m OK with that.

10. Feeling liberated. I don’t mean the burnyour-bra kind of liberated, but rather the freedom to do and say what I want (within acceptable boundaries, of course). It’s still not okay to say, “You suck!” to someone I really don’t want to spend time with, but it is OK to say, “Thanks, but I’ll take a hard pass on that.” And I don’t add any “maybe-nexttime” false promises or even offer any explanation why. A simple “no-can-do” works wonders.

11. Being an optimist. When someone says, “You haven't changed a bit,” it could either mean “You look great” or “I see you're still rockin' those shoulder pads and stirup pants.” Forever looking on the bright side, I seize the compliment.

12. Embarrassing things don’t kill me. I recently walked into the men’s room on a college campus, and I think the guy coming out of the stall felt worse for me than I did. Sure, my face turned red as he zipped up his pants, but I scurried right past that urinal thinking, “Yeah, that just happened.” And I lived to tell about it.

8. Knowing what I like. Ask me about my favorite things and I can instantly rattle off a long list of smile-generators such as looking at the flowers in my garden, feeling the warmth of sunshine on my face, drinking coffee on my back porch, floating in my pool, reading anything, walking on the beach, playing games with my family, wearing flip-flops, cooking vegetarian dishes, sharing a glass of wine with my husband, scrapbooking with my mom, taking photos, discovering I’m a late-blooming foodie, watching my favorite TV show on Netflix (hello, Friends), learning something new, exploring my community, going out with friends and the list goes on and on. Finally, I get me.

9. Knowing what I don’t like. While I’m still open to trying new things, I draw a line in the Florida sand at things I’ve detested for decades, such as roller coasters, tent-camping, Star Wars and sausage. No need to pretend, give in just to keep the peace or take one for the team. Me no like? Me no do.

So, there you have it –a dozen reasons why I think 50 just rocks.

Cheers to being a mid-lifer! • • • boom | MAY 2016

31

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