Idaho Senior Independent Oct/Nov 10 by Montana Senior News

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John Fisher is a Lewis & Clark medical historian By Jack McNeel John Fisher might know more about the medicines of Lewis and Clark and the medicines of that era than any other person on the planet. His research is extensive and he is noted for assembling “the most definitive collection of medicine of the expedition, which includes over 60 medications I’ve identified,” he says. John is writing a book on the subject in addition to a research article on venereal disease and on mercury used

during the expedition. And he is doing this from his home near the small Idaho town of Juliaetta - practically on the trail the expedition traveled. John was raised in Pennsylvania, where he joined the army, “smartened up,” and went to college. He finished graduate school at Penn State in biology, with minors in Spanish and art. That led to searching for a teaching job in Idaho, which he landed at Lewiston. “I taught there 34 years and retired in 2002,” he says. “In 1999, I got involved in an education grant designed to put technology in the classroom using Lewis & Clark as a vehicle. I was interested in making hands-on educational historical trunks like I did in my science classes,” he says, explaining how his interest and knowledge of the expedition has evolved. Things did not go quite as he had hoped at the school, so he went off on his own to assemble collections of artifacts that represent what Lewis & Clark carried on the expedition. I was “specializing first in medicine and later science equipment and books taken on the expedition. I finally tried to get one of everything I figured they needed to have carried.” John approached the State of Idaho to see if it wanted to acquire the collection, but was unsuccessful. He then turned to the Fort Mandan Foundation in North Dakota. “We’ve put together a purchase/donation agreement, and they are acquiring my collection.” He estimates that there are roughly a thousand items; they will be part of the exhibits housed in a new $3 million addition. The medical collections include actual medicines he has purchased as chemicals (excluding opium and laudanum), plus plant specimens used on the expedition that he has collected in the field. He has assembled 20 medicine chests for universities, federal (Continued on page 19)

PAGE 2 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

A Second To Commencement Surprise

523-2704 Idaho Falls area

232-0767 Pocatello area

One of the best commentaries I have read in a long time was Marylyn Cork’s Commencement Surprise in the August issue. She related her having been to the University of Washington’s 2010 commencement exercises and was both surprised and appalled at some of the attire of those attending. I did not have to read very far to agree with her. I attended a granddaughter’s high school graduation a few years back and had similar feelings. You do not have to step out of a fashion magazine, but

could you at least take off your work boots, shrug off the t-shirt, forget the baseball cap, get a longer skirt than the one that grazes your bottom, and come with the attitude that this is a ceremony you are attending, not a Little League game? There are few meaningful ceremonies in most people’s lives, so dressing appropriately in something clean and simple should not be too much of a sacrifice. Thanks to Marylyn for the reminder and for letting me second it. Clare Hafferman Kalispell, Montana

A Special Invitation To Retirees Work so often becomes our world and identity that it is necessary to be re-engaged with our community upon retirement. May I suggest joining a Lions Club? Lions Club International is the largest service organization in the world. Thousands of pairs of glasses are provided for school children and the financially disadvantaged every year. Free screening is done to detect diabetes, sight loss, hearing loss, and glaucoma. Used lenses and frames are recycled. Each club has its own identity and local projects. As president of the Pocatello Sunrise Lions Club, I would like to extend a special invitation to anyone who is service-minded and who would enjoy getting together with some very interesting folks. We meet every 1st and 3rd Tuesday morning at 7 a.m. for one hour at Elmer’s. Check us out and let breakfast be on us. Call me - Steve Yadon - at 208-406-9975, or Bill Johns at 208-233-0484 for more information. Steve Yadon Pocatello

Idaho Senior Independent A Barrett-Whitman Publication P.O. Box 3341 • Great Falls, MT 59403-3341 208-318-0310 • Toll Free: 1-866-360-5683 Fax: 406-761-8358 www.idahoseniorindependent.com email: idahoseniorind@bresnan.net The Idaho Senior Independent is published six times each year in February, April, June, August, October, and December by Barrett-Whitman, 415 3rd Avenue North, Great Falls, MT 59401 and is distributed free to readers throughout the state of Idaho. The mail subscription rate is $10.00 per year (6 issues). The Idaho Senior Independent is written to serve Idaho’s mature population of all ages. Readers are encouraged to contribute interesting material. Views expressed in opinion stories, contributions, articles, and letters are not necessarily the views of the publisher. The appearance of advertisements for products or services does not constitute an endorsement of the particular product or service. The publisher will not be responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within five days of publication. All copy appearing in the Idaho Senior Independent is protected by copyright and may be reprinted only with the written permission of the publisher. Advertising copy should be received or space reserved by the 5th of the month preceding the month of publication.

Jack W. Love, Jr., Publisher/Editor Colleen Paduano Julie Crittendon Dan Hubbard Rhonda Lee Sherrie Smith

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

Your Chance For A Place In The Spotlight The Music Theater of Idaho announces auditions for the upcoming 2011 season. This professionally managed production company is unique in offering performance training and on-stage, professional opportunities to citizens of the Treasure Valley. We are seeking approximately 200 performers of all ages and levels to fill roles in eight musical productions throughout 2011. These productions will include Company, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Secret Garden, The Music Man, Hairspray, South Pacific, The Wizard of Oz, and A Christmas Carol. Auditions will be held on the evening of Friday, November 12, and all day Saturday, November 13 at the Nampa Civic Center at 311 3rd St. South. All auditions are by appointment only. The Music Theater of Idaho is offering audition preparation coaching as well. For more information about coaching and auditions, or to sign up for either, call 208-468-2385. You can also sign up for auditions by going online to www.mtionline.org and following the audition links. Sign up today! The Music Theater of Idaho Nampa

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 3

Great Book Review, If I Say So Myself I received my first issue of ISI today, and on page 15 was Ms. Daugherty’s report on my book, Fishing with Uncle Bud - Wow! According to her, I finally did something right in my life. One book does not make me an author; it was just something that had to be done to sort of pay back nature and the good people I met along the way. But I’ll have to admit, Ms. Daugherty’s in-depth report was sure an ego boost. Refreshing to read a book review/ report by someone who did, in fact, read the entire book. Truly a professional job - you are a credit to the fine newspaper ISI. Respectfully submitted, ISI Bud Larsen

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Recommended Reading Reviewed by Connie Daugherty Killer Summer by Ridley Pearson; G. P. Putman’s Sons, 2009 Arizona has Tony Hillerman, Montana has James Lee Burke, and Idaho has Ridley Pearson – all are writers of interesting, informative, and intriguing mysteries set in regional locales and solved by local law enforcement. It is the setting as much as the mystery that makes this sort of book so appealing and so readable. Pearson, true to form, has created another complex problem for Blaine County Sheriff Walt Fleming to solve as his personal and professional lives collide. Killer Summer is set in the Sun Valley-Hailey-Ketchum area. Pearson Paula Marano - Working for YOU! provides detailed descriptions of these small north-central Idaho towns, Make Donations Payable to: capturing the atmosphere created when the rich and famous settle in rural Paula Marano for Representative, PO Box 3443, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816 areas populated by nature-loving locals. The dialogue is natural, with referpmarano4rep@gmail.com 208-664-3676 www.VotePaulaMarano.com ences to popular movies and current events that make you almost forget you Paid for by Committee to Elect Paula Marano State Representative, Dist. 4, Seat B, Kathy Krapﬂ, Treasurer are reading fiction. The plot is a maze of twists and turns. Killer Summer is a must-read for anyone who enjoys reading about adventure and family complexities. “Walt Fleming didn’t want to be in the river. Any free time away from the office should have been spent applying for a loan…. That or risk losing his house, and his daughters, to the divorce.” But loans are not easy to come by; the economy is bad everywhere, even in Sun Valley. So Walt finds himself in the river fly fishing (not his favorite recreational Arthritis Idaho Arthritis & Osteoporosis Center www.idahoarthritis.com pastime) with his nephew, Kevin, that warm July Candidate Perez for House District 16A www.ralphdperez.com evening. Fate has a habit of putting Walt in the Dental Roberts & Hall www.smile7.com right place, for the right reason, at the wrong time. Whitening Fast Phone 208-664-3278 And then life takes over. As he is struggling with Destinations Our Lady of the Rockies www.ourladyoftherockies.net his line, he notices a wrecker towing a car along a Dialysis Table Rock Dialysis Center www.davita.com seldom-used country road, but headed away from Dining Marie Callender’s Restaurant www.mariecallenders.com town instead of toward it. Something is not right. Sandbar Riverhouse Restaurant www.sandbarriverhouse.com Although he is not on duty - he is spends quality time Entertainment Sixth Street Theater www.sixthstreetmelodrama.com with his nephew - Walt cannot ignore the anomaly. First Aid Oxarc www.oxarc.com The man in the car is unconscious, but not yet Health American Heart Association www.americanheart.org dead. The bad guys escape on ATVs as soon as Heating/Cooling RDI Heating & Cooling www.rdiheating.com they see Walt drive up, leaving behind a mysterious, Hospital St. Benedicts Hospital www.stbenshospital.com attaché case. In-Home Care AtHome Care www.athome-care.com Although the recession has affected the rich and Disability Action Center Northwest www.dacnw.org/pas famous who come to play in Sun Valley, weathering Insurance Department of Insurance www.doi.idaho.gov the financial storm is all a matter of perspective and Howard Insurance Agency www.howardagency.com personal decisions. For those who can, a financial Lodging Pheasant Hill Inn & Suites www.pheasanthillinn.net downturn is the perfect time to invest. In this case, Salmon River Motel www.salmonmotel.com the investment is three bottles of wine said to have Mortgages Waterstone Mortgage www.waterstonemortgage.com been a gift from Thomas Jefferson to John Adams. Nursing Almost Home Assisted Living www.almosthomellc.com The bottles are to be auctioned in Sun Valley at an Kindred Healthcare www.kindredhealthcare.com annual wine tasting. As the wealthy gather to see Pack Trips Eagle Cap Wilderness Pack Station www.eaglecapwildernesspackstation.com and be seen, a well-organized criminal team also Real Estate Four Seasons Realty www.4seasonsrealty.net arrives in the valley intent on pulling of the heist of Moscow Realty www.moscowrealty.com a lifetime. Coming upon the body in the car puts Retirement Living Fairwinds at Sand Creek www.leisurecare.com Walt right in the middle of the action. Whitewater Creek www.craigslist.com Controversy, chaos, and conflict develop with Travel Grey Fox Vacation Rentals www.oregoncoast.com/greyfox each clue, raising more questions than answers. Travel by Susan Phone 208-664-3278 Are the wine bottles really from Jefferson’s exten- Vision Charles P. Lawless Phone 208-232-4133 sive collection? Is the theft just an insurance scam? Who hired whom to steal what? Can Walt continue

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

to work productively with the deputy who is about to marry his ex-wife? Will Walt’s father ever accept his son’s decisions? Then there is an explosion just as the pre-auction cocktail party is getting under way. Suddenly there is no more time for theories and speculation, only action. “Emergencies instilled a certain calmness in Walt. His hearing heightened. He saw things more clearly. He loved this shit.” He is pulled in several directions at once; his theories tested, challenged, and reconsidered.

Although Walt manages to rise to the occasion in emergencies, this situation is full of complexities. His personal life and family obligations are interfering with what he knows he needs to do professionally. But, family is family, and he cannot use his work to hide away from them. “He was not a man to shrink from responsibility, yet, for a moment, he just wanted to walk out the door and keep going. No more phone calls, no more bad news.” Of course, he does not walk out the door, and the phone calls and bad news just keep coming. Bad situations only get worse, and Walt feels as though he is always one step behind. Finally, he makes a decision - a tough decision - but the only decision he could make. “Cringing, Walt hung up the phone. He had ninety minutes to save himself from certain hell.” Ninety minutes come and go, and Walt is forced into a corner that he dreads. But along the way, he has finally figured out what is really going on - or at least he thinks he has. Now he has to prove his theory, rescue the victims (including his nephew, Kevin), bring in the bad guys, and deal with his father. Killer Summer is a gripping mystery that will keep you guessing all along the way. You won’t be able to put it down! Killer Summer is the third of the best-selling Walt Fleming series by Ridley Pearson who has written more than two dozen novels, including the Lou Boldt crime series and books for young readers. Pearson lives with his wife and daughters in St. Louis, Missouri and Hailey, Idaho. ISI

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 5 103 S. 4th St., Downtown Coeur d’Alene

Education has changed considerably since the days of the one-room, rural schoolhouse. In his essay, School Days Gone By, Harold Dow reminisces about the charms and advantages of his student days at those schools. Our winning Remember When submission reveals the differences between then and now and reminds us about the things that never change (such as eighth-grade bullies). Thank you, Harold for your contribution. Remember When contains our readers’ personal reflections or contributions describing fictional or non-fictional events from some time

in the past. Contributions may be stories, letters, artwork, poems, essays, etc. Photos may be included. Each issue of the Idaho Senior Independent features the contribution(s) deemed best by our staff. The contributor of the winning entry receives a $25 cash prize. We look forward to receiving your contributions for our December 2010/January 2011 issue. Mail your correspondence to Idaho Senior Independent, P.O. Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403, email to idahoseniorind@bresnan.net, or call 1-866-360-5683 or 208-318-0310.

School Days Gone By By Harold J. Dow, Montpelier Remember when the landscape was dotted with one- or two-room schools? Most of them not more than a mile or two apart? Schools in those days stressed the three Rs, with a good dose of D (discipline). Teachers were backed up by the parents, and if you got in trouble at school, you got another dose of trouble at home. Sadly, those days have passed. The first school I attended was ultra-modern for its time. I do not know when it was built, but I started there in 1934 or 1935. It had a full basement with a furnace and its own power plant; it had electric lights years before the rest of the community. It also had a cloak room, water fountain, small library, and indoor bathrooms with flush toilets! There were two large classrooms that held four grades each, with a folding door between them that could be opened to form a large auditorium. The two teachers lived in a nice apartment upstairs. No bus service existed at that time, so some of the children walked as far as two miles or more. Few students missed school, except for potato picking in the fall. I was afraid of only two things: the flush toilets because they made so much noise and the dark, spiral fire escape. I fell in love with my first grade teacher because she read Winnie the Pooh to us and had beautiful brown hair and eyes. I wanted to marry her, but - alas - she did not wait for me and mar-

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ried a local farmer instead. We got to school early one morning, before the teachers came downstairs. One of the eighth-grade boys sat me on the water fountain and turned it on. One of the eighth-grade girls took me down to the furnace room and hung my pants up to dry. From the third to the sixth grades, I went to another one-room, RALPH D. one-teacher school. It was heated by a giant wood stove in the corner. Some of the DISTRICT 16 local parents supplied the wood, which was wPAIDww.R alphD P er ez.com stacked in the nearby - COMMITTEE TO ELECT PEREZ - MAJOR GENERAL BEN DOTY (ret). TREASURER wood shed. In 1941, We can be proud of the fiscally conservative principles which guided our state's Governor this school was closed, and Legislature. Our state is making the hard choices necessary to live within its means, just as you have had to do your entire life. I will also fight for these principles, while fulfilling and we were bussed our commitments to senior citizens. into towns about 20 miles in either direcWe are bankrupting our country and stealing from our children's future. As a father and tion. Even though we grandfather of two wonderful granddaughters, I will stand up for the rights of the state of Idaho against the misguided liberal policies of the National Government. were “country bumpkins,” we were ahead “Our senior citizens are those who fought to hand the next generation a country better than of the town kids in our the one they were handed. It is our responsibility to live up to their example and do the studies. ISI same. May God bless our seniors.” 208-761-4342

PEREZ

PAGE 6 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 7

Relive the magic of White Christmas If you are dreaming of a white Christmas just like the ones you used to know, then this is your lucky year! Undoubtedly one of the most famous holiday musicals, White Christmas will be performed at the Colonial Theater in Idaho Falls for three shows during Thanksgiving weekend. This theatrical production is the live-stage incarnation of the 1954 classic film. It features all of the spectacular dance, music, and holiday nostalgia that audiences have come to celebrate year after year. The Idaho Falls Arts Council is thrilled to collaborate with the reputable Playmill Theatre of West Yellowstone for the perfect way to kick off your holiday season. Roger and Heidi Merrill, owners and producers of The Play-

mill Theatre, have taken their productions to an entirely new level over the last several years, churning out professional performances and performers season after season. White Christmas features a cast of 20 actors, singers, and dancers who are sure to make your day merry and bright! Show dates are Friday, November 26 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, November 27 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $29 and are available by calling the Idaho Falls Arts Council at 208-522-0471 or by visiting the box office at the Colonial Theater, 498 A Street in Idaho Falls. For additional information, visit www.idahofallsarts.org. ISI

Paint that burger red and keep off the grass Submitted by Julie Hollar-Brantley Do you remember when waitresses were called “hashers” and had their own special language? 1. Adam & Eve on a raft - Poached eggs on toast 2. Burn the British - English muffin toasted 3. Sinkers and suds - Doughnuts and coffee 4. First Lady - Spare ribs (another Adam & Eve reference) 5. Burn one, clean up the kitchen - Hamburger 6. Two cows, make em’ cry - Two burgers with onions 7. Radio - Tuna (tuner) 8. Blonde & sweet - Coffee with milk and sugar 9. Squeeze one - Orange juice 10. Fish eyes - Tapioca pudding 11. Houseboat - Banana split 12. Nervous pudding - Jello 13. Eve with a lid on - Apple pie 14. Put a hat on it - Add ice cream 15. Sand - Sugar 16. Twins - Salt & pepper 17. Sea dust - Salt 18. Keep off the grass - No lettuce 19. Paint it red - With ketchup 20. Warts - Olives 21. In the alleys - On the side 22. High & dry - Served plain 23. On wheels - To go 24. Bubble dancer - Dishwasher 25. Soup jockey - Waitress ISI

Shannon

Forrester

Idaho Senate / District 11

www.forrester4idaho.com

(208) 484-6268

On Target for Idaho

Economy Working for good jobs in Idaho. Education Preparing our children to become effective citizens and leaders.

Pro-Constitution Preserving the 2nd Amendment, hunter rights & Idaho quality of life. 6th generation Idahoan, classroom teacher over 20 years, firefighter wife, 3x winner Idaho State Bowhunter of the Year Paid for by the Committee to Elect Shannon Forrester, Cara Rubel, Treasurer.

PAGE 8 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

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Make Your Move By Judy Kivela You know that it takes planning and preparation to sell your home and the same applies to making a purchase. But whether buying or selling, you will also have to put a lot of thought into Moving Day. After you have three in-home estimates from professional moving companies and have made your choice, start packing! By starting your packing well in advance, you are actually less likely to pack things you no longer need. Sort those items separately as you go, and then have a yard sale or get receipts and deduct your donations. When it comes to packing materials, you can save both money and the environment by us-

ing what you already have. Instead of bubble wrap or paper, use towels, sheets, and other soft items to wrap your breakables and save space. Label each box by number and room, and keep an inventory of its contents. Save a couple “load last” boxes for easy access on moving day and your arrival (towels, sheets, toiletries, medications, etc.). When you do arrive, try not to be overwhelmed by all the piles of boxes. It is a lot more fun to unpack and rearrange in your new home than it is to load everything up. If you are properly organized, you can quickly get settled. Just work on one room at a time and be sure to start in the kitchen! ISI

Selling Your Home - Are You Ready? By Judy Kivela In today’s real estate climate, you want to be sure to take all the necessary steps to squeeze every possible penny out of the sale of your home. Small oversights or missteps can be costly when it comes to your bottom line. However, some common mistakes are easily avoidable if you listen to the experience and advice of your real estate representative. One error that can cost you is to put your home on the market before it is truly ready for presentation. Image is everything, so get all the cleaning, painting, patching, and lawn

care done well in advance of your first showing. Another costly obstacle involves your initial listing price. Remember that you control the asking price, but not the selling price - that is finally determined by the buyers and what the market will bear. Try to detach yourself emotionally from what you want to net, and price your home aggressively against your competition, right from the beginning. Emotional attachment can keep you from perceiving and presenting your home as what it now is, a commodity. Present it, market it, and price it as you would any new product on the market. Your agent will make sure it gets exposure to the right demographic, and will help you avoid costly errors along the way to a successful closing. ISI

The Long And The Short Of It By Judy Kivela Markets go up, markets go down. Sometimes we see it coming, sometimes we do not. It all depends on what both consumers and businesses are buying, and when. How can we tell if and when real estate will recover? We need to ignore short-term fluctuations, like the spike in home sales last November, when buyers thought the first-time tax credit would expire. Then sales rates dropped significantly when Congress extended the tax credit and removed that original sense of urgency. We need to pay attention to long-term forecasts instead. Consider that homeownership increases by roughly 1 million each year. There are 4 million births, 2 million deaths, 1 million new immigrants, 2 million weddings, and 1 million divorces each year. All of those events spur people to buy and/or sell a home. Crunch the numbers, and you will see that we can expect roughly 60 million home sales in the next decade. Regardless of the subprime mortgage debacle, and the ensuing foreclosure crisis, real estate will remain on the rails, an unstoppable freight train barreling towards homeownership. Just as surely as the market sees recovery, buyers and sellers still need representation in these transactions. A recent survey by the National Association of REALTORS® reveals that 80% of buyers and sellers would recommend their agent to family and friends. That is a loud signal of the value of representation. ISI

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

Fall is here, and as the leaves turn and the air chills, why not find someone to cuddle up with and share a cup of hot chocolate? Respond to one of these ads or write your own and meet that special person with whom you can spend this beautiful fall season! To those who wish to respond to any of these personal ads, simply mail your message, address, phone number, and/or email address to the department number listed in the particular personal ad, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, P.O. Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. Your response, including your address, phone number, and/or email address will be forwarded to the person placing the ad. If you answer an ad in this section, there is no guarantee that you will receive a response. That is up to the person who placed the ad. Please make sure you submit your correct address plainly printed so you can promptly receive responses. Respond to the ads in this issue and also sit down now and prepare your ad for our December 2010/January 2011 issue. There is no charge for this service, and your ad may bring a breath of fresh air to your heart as well. Responses to personal ads appearing in this column can be submitted at any time. However, to place a personal ad in the December 2010/January 2011 issue, the deadline is November 10, 2010.

Lost my Idaho girlfriend to death and desire acquaintance with a lady who owns nothing. I am a retired USFS smoke jumper. I enjoy going to seminars on Mark Twain, to movies at the Flicks, and on mountain drives in the Seven Devils. Reply ISI, Dept. 6402, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403.

SWM, 64-years-old, would enjoy meeting a nice gal to hang out with. Someone between 55 and 75, who likes to take walks and long rides, maybe to Yellowstone, etc. Non-smoker, non-drinker. I am retiring and would like a new friend. Please send a photo with reply. Reply ISI, Dept. 6401, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403.

SWF looking for a special country gentleman. Do you enjoy pleasant conversation, being outdoors, evening walks, drives in the country or forest, and picnics? Do you like curling up in front of a fireplace when the snow is blowing outside? I do! I also enjoy music, gardening, listening to birds, and observing and photographing nature, and I am a die-hard animal lover. I feel openness, honesty,

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 9

Christian man, 6’4”, 200 lbs, would like to write to a Christian woman over 40. There is much love, affection, and devotion that I would like to give to and share with the right woman. Reply ISI, Dept. 6403, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. Would a girl in her 90s like to correspond with a younger boy? Please include 2 or 3 recent photos that can be returned. Reply ISI, Dept. 6404, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. WWM looking for live-in companion who likes to cook. I have an apartment with a garage for your vehicle 40 miles from Boise down along the Snake River. Lots of wildlife and birds singing. I’m tall and handsome. I would love to share my home at little cost. I’m not fussy about age. Reply ISI, Dept. 6405, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403.

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and a sense of humor are important. I am a nonsmoker and non-drinker - a country lady with oldfashioned values. Reply ISI, Dept. 6406, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. I am seeking a gentleman to share all that life has to offer. I like to travel by car and go south for a few of the winter months. In summer, I like to see more of the U.S. and Canada. I have a toy poodle that is black, 15 lbs, smart, and well-behaved. I live in Eastern Idaho. I’m 76 years old, 5’3”, 140 lbs, and very healthy. I like to walk and ride my Schwinn. Contact me if you have Christian values and are kind, honest, enthusiastic, healthy, cheerful, and

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W W W. C O M F O R T K E E P E R S . C O M

ALIVE! Reply ISI, Dept. 6407, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. Attractive, semi-retired gal wants to have fun with a man who is friendly, 58-67, likes to laugh, and enjoys life. I’m 59, non-smoker, light drinker, blond, blue eyes, 5’4”, moderately built, and all woman. I live in the Coeur d’Alene/Spokane area. I enjoy camping/traveling, gardening, and photography. I enjoy music way more than TV. Honest and financially secure, and want you to be. Your looks aren’t as important as who you are. Send photo and information about yourself; I will do the same. Reply ISI, Dept. 6408, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. ISI

State and county fairs were typically held in September and October in the good old days, and this American tradition has been immortalized in many films. How about testing your knowledge of these “fairly” good films? This month’s quiz, “What Do You Know About These Fairly Good Films,” was submitted by Julie Hollar-Brantley. She is the recipient of this month’s $50 ($25 carried forward from the August/September edition). Congratulations, Julie. Congratulations also to Bonnie Sweet of Fairfield who submitted the winning answers to the Significant Events of the Sixties quiz that appeared in our August/September 2010 issue and wins $50 ($25 carried forward from the August/September edition). Thank you, Bonnie. Two $25 cash prizes are awarded from the “Contest Corner” in each issue of the Idaho Senior Independent. One prize goes to the person who submits the entry selected by our staff as the featured quiz or puzzle in the “Contest Corner” for that issue. Turn your creativity loose and send us some good, interesting puzzles! The second $25 prize goes to the person who submits the correct answers to the featured quiz or puzzle from the previous issue. When there is a tie, the winner is determined by a drawing. Please mail your entries to the Idaho Senior Independent, P.O. Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403 by November 10, 2010 for our December 2010/January 2011 edition. Remember to work the crossword puzzle in this issue and on our website www.idahoseniorindependent.com.

 

Submitted by Julie Hollar-Brantley Below are 5 numbered descriptions of movies involving fairs and 5 matching movie titles. On a numbered sheet of paper, write the letter of the movie title you think goes with the description, and then e-mail or drop them in the mail to us. The winner will receive a $25 prize. Good luck! 1. Rex Harrison plays a snobbish phonetics professor who agrees to a wager that he can make flower girl Audrey Hepburn presentable among members of high society in this 1964 musical. 2. One of Elvis Presley’s lesser known movies, this 1963 film’s tagline included this phrase: “Swinging higher than the space needle with the gals and the songs…” The film, set in Seattle and also starring Joan O’Brien, Gary Lockwood, and Yvonne Craig, includes the songs One Broken Heart for Sale and A World of Our Own. 3. This 1945 musical, a remake of a 1933 film, features the Oscarwinning song It Might As Well Be Spring and stars Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrews, Dick Haymes, and Vivian Blaine. The film was remade in 1962 with Pat Boone, Bobby Darin, Pamela Tiffin, and Ann-Margret. 4. Co-directed by Gene Kelley and Stanley Donen, this 1955 musical features Kelley, Dan Dailey, and Michael Kidd as three ex-GIs who meet in New York City 10 years after their discharge and find they have nothing in common. That is, until a program coordinator wants to bring the three men together on a live TV show. Musical highlights include Cyd Charisse’s Baby, You Knock Me Out and Dolores Gray’s Thanks A Lot But No Thanks. 5. In this 1952 film, Percy Kilbride and Marjorie Main reprise their roles as the wacky parents of “the family that made laughter a national pastime.” At a county fair, he enters a trotter in a horse race, and she competes in baking to raise college tuition for their daughter Rosie. A. State Fair B. It’s Always Fair Weather C. Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair D. It Happened at the World’s Fair E. My Fair Lady ISI

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

Explore Physics by Myles Mellor 1

11 13

16 18

22 24

26 27

42 45

34 41

54 57

52 55

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Across

22. Astronaut Dr. __ Lu 24. Temperature 1. Widely used theory in pronouncement physics 26. Any of two or more nuclei 7. Thermodynamics term 11. Telekinetic individual, first with the same mass number and atomic number that have name different radioactive 12. Guinness suffix properties 13. Diffuse through a 29. Aka bosons membrane 31. Discoverer of fluores14. Refracts cence 17. Dear 34. Sodium symbol 18. Kind of radiation 35. Stumbling expression 21. Cause to form a coherent mass by heating without 36. Sound system, briefly 38. All nations org. melting

39. Port 41. Supporting shafts 43. Kind of bar 44. Chicago locale 45. Skywards 46. C 15 H 24 O 48. Velocity 50. Law man 51. He made the first terrestrial measurement of the speed of light 53. Inside shot? 54. Light, for short 55. Ship initials 57. Einstein, e.g. 58. Recently discovered silicon device for speeding up optical data

29. Pioneer in the theory of crystals, Bohr 30. Permeate 32. Where Archimedes was when he observed buoyancy and displacement 33. Made fundamental contributions to fluid dynamics 34. Prefix with second and technology 37. Most fitting 40. Mass in physics 42. Unit of luminous flux 44. Internet package exchange, abbr. 46. Fundamental units of computer information 47. Unit of frequency 49. Accumulate 51. Bug 52. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just ___ thought!â&#x20AC;? 56. Iron symbol ISI

Down

1. Division result 2. Ancient Sumerian city 3. Look through a scope 4. Creator of alternating current 5. Practice 6. Olympus Mons, for example 7. Traveling backwards in time concepts, abbr. 8. The lightest of elements, after hydrogen and helium 9. Come back into the atmosphere, e.g. 10. Guarantee 15. Large weight 16. Kind of dwarf? 19. Influence on a body or system 20. Concentration level used in environmental evaluation 23. Philosophies 25. Free radicals 27. Paranormal perception 28. Curve shape

Answers to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Significant Events of the Sixtiesâ&#x20AC;? 1. M, The Ed Sullivan Show - 1964 2. T, Robert F. Kennedy - 1968 3. W, Richard Nixon - 1960 4. E, Michael Collins - 1969 5. N, Stanley Kubrick - 1964 6. F, The Kremlin - 1962 7. X, Roger Maris - 1961 8. D, Robert McNamara - 1961-68 9. O, Harper Lee - 1960 10. J, The Andy Griffith Show - 1966 11. Y, Chubby Checker - 1961 12. C, Betty Friedan - 1963 13. U, San Francisco, California - 1967

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 11

14. K, Chicago, Illinois - 1968 15. R, Hair - 1967 16. G, Helsinki, Finland - 1969 17. P, The Peace Corps - 1961 18. A, Peggy Fleming - 1968 19. V, The Doors - 1965 20. L, Hasbro - 1964 21. S, DDT - 1962 22. H, Cesar Chavez - 1962 23. B, The Birth Control Pill - 1960 24. Q, Charles Manson - 1969 25. I, The Graduate - 1967 ISI

Answers to Firsts from August/Septemer 2010 page 18 1

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PAGE 12 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

Bryce Canyon’s fascinating formations captivate Idahoans Article by Dianna Troyer Decisions, decisions. A map of Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah showed so many hiking trails with intriguing names to pick from: Fairyland Loop, Peekaboo Loop, Mossy Cave, Queen’s Garden, Navajo Loop… My husband Eric, our daughter Jenna, and I were talking about our options while stretching our legs at Ruby’s Inn Canyon Rock Shop near the park entrance after a seven-hour drive from Pocatello. A shop clerk, Lyle Andersen, zeroed in on me. Lyle and his wife, Shanna, who are semiretired, started working in the park in 2007. The intense orange canyon country dotted with deep

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green pines, firs, and junipers captivated them. For years of family vacations, Lyle confessed, they drove right on past the signs along Interstate 15 for Bryce and instead headed for other vacation destinations farther south, such as Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks, or the Grand Canyon. While Lyle works in the rock shop, Shanna sells jewelry across the road at Ruby’s Inn. Lyle assured us it did not matter which trails we chose during the next couple of days. “You won’t be disappointed.” On the first day, we opted to hike down into the canyon along the 2.9-mile Queen’s Garden/Navajo Loop Trail. We hiked with dozens of other people, many from Europe and the Far East, judging from their conversations. With murmurs of oohs and aahs at the fantastic shapes, we shared a universal language and appreciation for the countless towering stony red and orange spires, pinnacles, chimneys, and even Queen Victoria on her throne. Signs provided scientific explanations of how eons of erosion and weathering caused the formations, but we liked the more entertaining explanation from the native Paiutes. According to tribal lore, the formations, or hoodoos, were created when Coyote simply dealt with evil people by turning them into stone. While Native Americans wandered for centuries through the canyon, it was not until the late 1800s that Mormon pioneers arrived. In 1875, the canyon’s namesake, Ebenezer Bryce, moved to the Paria Valley, built a home near the canyon, raised cattle, dug irrigation ditches, began building roads, and harvested timber. Although he only lived in the area five years before moving on to Arizona, he left behind his famous summary of the canyon - “a helluva place to lose a cow.” In 1928, the canyon was established as a national park. Because the park is at an elevation of 6,000 to 9,000 feet, it offers ideal summer hiking weather, neither too hot nor too cold. Normal daily summer temperatures range from 38 to 83, with extreme highs in the mid-90s. As we reached the bottom of the canyon, the light seemed to glow - rosy and golden like artists’ paintings of what they imagine heaven might look like. After our hike, we drove down the 18-mile main road through the park and pulled over at scenic turnouts, where paradise was punctuated with reality checks. Signs warned, “Dangerous cliffs, watch your children. Stay in your car during lightning storms.” At the end of the road, we pulled over at the one-mile Bristlecone Loop Trail and hiked to a 1,600-year-old bristlecone pine growing on a promontory that, along with us, was being scoured by a horizontal wind. After a few more days of hiking, we agreed with Lyle: “Bryce is a great place to be. We still haven’t seen it all.” ISI

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 13

Bob Vila ranks new 2011 EdenPURE portable heater #1 in North America U.S. designed and engineered GEN4 uses new Sylvania heat source and EdenFLOW™ direct air technology Accept no imitations - portable heaters and fireplaces “dry out” the air with inefficient ceramic heating elements Bob Vila, America’s Favorite Home Improvement Expert, Canton, Ohio I know why millions of Americans are saving on their heating bills with the EdenPURE® Infrared Portable Heater. And now you can save up to $102 on the new 2011 EdenPURE® GEN4, the finest portable heater in the world. The new GEN4 was designed and engineered in the USA and has several patented technological breakthroughs to save you money on your heating bill. U.S. engineers combined specially designed Sylvania Infrared Bulbs with the existing EdenPURE® copper heating chambers for more efficient heating. They even redesigned the air flow, resulting in amplified heating performance. The designers at EdenPURE ® call this their “EdenFLOW ™ Direct Air” technology. For over 30 years as your home improvement television host, I have reviewed and experienced thousands of products. I have an EdenPURE® in my Massachusetts home and found it to be a very safe and reliable source of portable heat. This is one of those few comfort investments I can recommend for your home that will truly pay dividends. We all know heating costs are expected to remain at record levels. The cost of heating our homes will continue to be a significant burden on the family budget. The EdenPURE ® GEN4 can cut your heating bills, pay for itself in a matter of weeks, and then start putting a great deal of extra money in your pocket after that. With over one million satisfied customers around the world, the new EdenPURE ® heats better, faster, saves more on heating bills, and runs almost silent. A major cause of residential fires in the United States is portable heaters. The choice of fire and safety professionals everywhere, the EdenPURE® has no exposed heating elements that can cause a fire. The outside of the EdenPURE® only gets warm to the touch so that it will not burn children or pets. And your pet may be just like my dog who has reserved a favorite spot near the EdenPURE®. The EdenPURE ® can also help you feel better. Unlike EdenPURE® imitators, it will not reduce humidity or oxygen in the room. These imitators use ceramic plates

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PAGE 14 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

Finding and Financing A New Assisted Living Home By Patrick M. Kennedy, Senior Wire When you bought that first home or moved into your first apartment, remember all the places you thoroughly examined. Well, choosing the right assisted living facility should be the same involved and carefully thought out process. Choosing the correct assisted living facility is vital because you will probably be living there for some time. What is an assisted living facility? First, it is a facility that provides care for people who want some help with activities of daily living, who are not helpless, but wish to remain as independent as possible. It is sort of the middle ground between independent living and a nursing home, if that becomes necessary. It should offer 24-hour supervision and an array of support services, with more privacy and space than most nursing homes, and at a lower cost. Approximately 33,000 assisted living fa-

cilities are operating in the U.S. today, and the number of residents living in each facility can range from a few to 300, but most commonly between 25 and 120. Assisted living facilities also go by other names, such as personal care homes, residential care facilities, domiciliary care, sheltered housing, community residences, residential care, personal care, adult foster care, and many more. What should every assisted care facility provide? The basics must include help with the tasks of daily living like bathing, eating, dressing, grooming, toileting, and just getting around. But look beyond these basics. Check out their community activities like golf, card games, social events such as dances, outings and tours – and transportation to outings and other activities beyond the walls of the rooms. Are community services such as laundry and dry cleaning available on site or nearby, and do they provide transportation for shopping and medical trips? Are there medications or some kind of medical service, a nurse or qualified medical person, or an emergency service or system available on site? Consider the environment of the facility. Do individuals have personal independence

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to go and do what they want? Is it in a neighborhood where you want to live, such as close to local parks and nature walks? Of course, you may want to live in an urban environment. The people you will be sharing the community with are significant. Are they active, invalid, older or younger than you, have a similar background and upbringing, religious affiliation, and does it look like these people could become your friends? Consider also whether they allow pets? Can you bring your own car and furniture? Is it clean and does it smell clean? Does it have good visitor facilities when friends and family come to see you? Does it make you feel comfortable? Beyond the facility itself, financial considerations are very important. Can you afford it? How long can you afford it? There are too many stories of people being evicted from assisted living homes because they have run out of savings and the facility will not accept Medicaid payments. It is best to consult your financial adviser or someone who knows your financial situation. Assisted living costs represent a significant expense many people will face in the later years of life. In a recent survey the national average for a one-bedroom assisted living apartment is about $2,900 per month or nearly $35,000 per year. This cost has grown by four to five percent over the last five years, and probably will not stop. Of course, nursing homes are an option, but much more expensive - nearly double that of an assisted living facility. If you own a house, then selling it for the profit

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

is one consideration. This can be implemented now when you are a little younger or later when you need it. But if you wait too long and need the money immediately, in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s real estate market, it may not be a quick sale. In that case, you may need to take out a bridge loan to finance your immediate needs. A second consideration is to take out a reverse mortgage. You will sacrifice a percentage of your homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s equity to enjoy a lump sum payment or monthly income. This can be helpful for a homeowner who needs to fund assisted living costs for their partner as they remain at home. Be careful of the fees associated with a reverse mortgage, which can be excessive. Medicaid is available, but it has asset and income restrictions that may leave you unqualified to apply. And, it does not pay for everything in long-term care. It does not cover room and board in an assisted living facility, which can be 75-80% of the monthly fees, which will be up to you to pay. It covers only the service expenses of the facility. It is a marginally reliable source to depend upon for financing your assisted living. One hint is to not spend all your savings to qualify for this assistance. Medicare and Medicare supplement insurance do not pay for assisted living. For veterans there is help with assisted living. The VA will help with long-term care costs after passing a medical qualification test. One program for non-service related health issues will provide around $1,900 a month for married veterans, $1,600 for single veterans, and

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 15

$1,000 per month for a surviving spouse. Long-term care insurance is probably the best option because it is designed specifically for paying most costs for assisted living. The earlier in life it is taken out and the healthier you are, the lower your premium will be. A single man in his 60s who first applies for long term care insurance may pay a $100 per-month premium. The younger you start, the lower the premium. Here are the living expenses that should be included in the monthly cost of assisted living: â&#x20AC;˘ Monthly mortgage or rent â&#x20AC;˘ 24-hour security service â&#x20AC;˘ Three meals/day plus snacks â&#x20AC;˘ Utilities â&#x20AC;˘ Housekeeping services â&#x20AC;˘ Daily health aid visitations â&#x20AC;˘ Transportation to off-site activities and appointments â&#x20AC;˘ Personal care â&#x20AC;˘ 24-hour emergency call system, as well as many small things. Assisted living, both the research and the financing, is something that should be thought about and planned for now, not Sometimes we all need later. The transition will be much smoother! ISI

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

Max Stephens just keeps fiddling By Jack McNeel You might say that fiddling is in Max Stephens’ blood. His brother Duane is a fiddler. His dad was a fiddler. And his granddad was a fiddler. At the age of 82, Max continues to play the fiddle at a variety of events every month. He even holds the title of Idaho Senior – Senior Champion. “That’s 70 and older,” he says. He won that title the first time in Idaho Falls and more recently in Grangeville. Max has that country sound in his conversation, the sort of the voice you expect and want to hear from a fiddle player. That comes naturally. “I was born down in Agatha (across from Lenore), which is above Lewiston on the Clearwater River. Actually, I was born on down the river, a place called Fir Bluff. It wasn’t a town and Agatha was the nearest post office. My dad was raised on a ranch down there. My granddad on my mother’s side had a cherry orchard up Cherry Lane.” Max soon moved with his family to Winchester in 1928, the same year he was born. Other than a couple of years spent in the army during the Korean War, this area has been Max’s home. He worked in the mill at Winchester until it shut down in 1965. A few years later he married,

Max gives a demonstration of his fiddling skills in his backyard in Winchester. [Photo by Jack McNeel]

and he and his wife moved to Lewiston, where he worked at the Potlatch Forest Mill. “If I’d known all my life what I know now, I should have quit the mill here and moved down there. I would have had a lot better pension there than we had here (in Winchester).” Max began playing the fiddle quite a number of years back. “My dad was an old-time fiddler. His dad was a fiddler back in Missouri. That was the way I learned. My brother is a fiddler too and I played guitar for him. After I got married I couldn’t follow them everyplace and finally quit playing guitar.” That guitar was one he bought after the war.

“I was interested in a good guitar. It’s a Gibson. I paid $150 I think it was and that was back in 1953.” Max explains that he has always been interested in the fiddle but did not have time to concentrate on it when he was playing guitar with the group. “After I got married, I started fiddling more,” he says. “I made the fiddle I’m playing. I finished it in 1956 and I’m still playing it. It’s a good fiddle.” He had an old guitar that went to pieces and he used it to construct the fiddle. “The side pieces in the fiddle were from the back of that guitar. It had a hardwood back. I made it the right width and everything. I was working at Potlatch then and got me a piece of nice spruce. I made that into the top of the fiddle.” He did buy a commercial varnish rather than making his own. “The book I used in making mine had some recipes for varnish but I ordered the varnish from the Roth Company” - the company that produced his brother’s fiddle. Max does not remember the first time he played for an audience, but he does remember the first time he won at a contest. “It was at Pierce, Idaho during the 1860s Days Celebration. I won third place and my dad’s youngest brother won fourth. He wasn’t very happy with me because I beat him.” Max says his brother Duane is a better fiddle player than he is, “but I got to where I’m playing pretty good too.” They play together in a group on a regular schedule: 1st Sunday at a nursing home in Grangeville, 2nd Wednesday at the senior center in Winchester, 2nd Thursday at the Senior Center in Nez Perce, 4th Tuesday in Cottonwood. They do recess from that schedule during the summer months, although they may play occasionally elsewhere. They had just played at the Raspberry Festival in Cottonwood in August when we talked and were set to play again during the county fair later in the month. The conversation turned to dancing and espe-

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cially square dancing. “Way back in Missouri where my dad was they really played square dances back then. That’s what the main dance was - square dancing. I’ve played for square dancing but I never did learn to square dance. They really went to town in some of those dances we used to play for out in the country. I played for many dances in the country here. I was playing guitar back then.” “I didn’t have nerve enough to ask a woman to dance (in the early years) but in later years I’ve been doing quite a bit of dancing. I didn’t learn to waltz, just round dances. They tried to get me out in some of those square dances but I said no.” Max married in the late 1960s. It was a wonderful marriage that lasted until his wife’s death on January 1, 2004. One can feel the love in his voice as he talks of their marriage. “She was sure a wonderful woman. She was 12 years older than I was. We were married 36 years. She’d been married several times through bad marriages. I

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 17

don’t know, she fell for me and fell in love with everything I did. She liked the mountains and I like to take rides up in the mountains, you know. We went huckleberry picking, blackberry picking, and all that kind of stuff. She just really ate it up. I bought a trailer shortly after we married, and we went hunting every fall. She followed me many miles. She loved fish. When she went with me and found out the kind of trout I caught up in these mountain streams, she found out there was no comparison with the ones she bought in a store in Boise.” Max still lives in Winchester and keeps busy playing the fiddle. Asked about the new generation of fiddle players he responds, “Some young people can sure learn to play a fiddle. Boy, I’ll tell you I’ve heard some good ones.” I suspect some of those good young ones could still learn a thing or two from an old-time fiddler like Max Stephens. ISI

Brent Glover works to aid horses By Jack McNeel Out of a deep caring for horses as individuals and as a way of helping others, Brent Glover opened Orphan Acres in Viola, Idaho when he moved there in 1985. He explains that it is a three-operation facility directed at horses, for rescue, rehabilitation, and as a sanctuary. Despite the value of Orphan Acres’ objectives, raising donations for these endeavors is becoming increasingly difficult. Many animal

Brent Glover works with a miniature horse [Photo courtesy of Ginger Rankin]

groups are diverting more funds to cats and dogs at a time when Brent would like to expand Orphan Acres. Brent would also like to do more work with veterans or children with autism or other disabilities for which horses can be therapeutic. “We’re getting so many requests for that,” he says. But it all boils down to needing more money and land at a time when dollars are ever scarcer. Orphan Acres is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is a 100% voluntary operation with no paid staff. “We average around 300-plus volunteers that put in over 20,000 hours of volunteer time annually.” Brent moved from the Reno/Tahoe area

where he was raised. While there, he worked in public relations, in the food and beverage industry, as a heavy equipment operator, in construction, as supervisor of a golf course, and as night manager for a ski resort. However, he was injured in an industrial construction accident and is now on social security disability. “I have limitations on what I can do every day, and that’s where volunteers come in, helping to do everything.” During its 25 years of operation, Orphan Acres has had over 3,000 horses. “We have placed 2,500 into new, caring homes,” he says. “We used to take anything that came along, but with the present economy many people are trying to get rid of horses because they cannot afford to take care of them. I just can’t take them all. What we take now have to be in a rescue type situation or emergency where the county or Humane Society picks up an animal and needs a place to put it.” The property is 51 acres, and two adjoining sites, which Brent would like to acquire, are 100 and 112 acres respectively. “There’s a campaign to come up with money but it doesn’t seem to be going very far,” he says. “There are usually 45-50 horses here all the time, and the most we’ve ever had was 138. We’ve got 80 right now.” The big summer hay harvest is done on ground donated for that purpose and

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Brent and his volunteers cut and bale it. All funding comes by way of donations and grants. Once a horse comes to Orphan Acres, Brent’s team attempts to place it with someone who wants a horse and is willing to care for it properly. “I get adults that bring children out because the kids want a horse and the parents know that it’s not going to work,” he laughs. “The kids come out and clean and muck stalls, clean water tanks, brush horses, and do all the things that go with owning a horse. If the kids are still interested after several trips the parents say, ‘Gee, maybe the kid is interested,’” he says laughing. The horses are not given away; they are adopted. The State of Idaho sets the minimum fee at $100 plus $28 for a brand certificate, which is

issued by the State. “It’s like licensing your car,” Brent explains. “Then we’re allowed to charge $3 a day maintenance for the animal until we can get it adopted. That’s about what it costs to maintain a horse.” An animal that has been there awhile can run to several hundred dollars for the buyer. “That (fee) never works out because some have been here for a year or two before we can find the right homes for them. They’re not two or three thousand dollar horses. You still sell the horse for four, five, or six hundred dollars. “We’ve had a little bit of everything - from draft horses to miniature horses, mules, and donkeys. We’ve had all different breeds - Arabians, appaloosas, quarter horses, thoroughbreds, Tennessee walkers, etc. We see more Arabs than anything else. Most people don’t know how to deal with Arabs. They aren’t higher strung; it’s just that they think more than other horses. They think about what they’re doing and how they’re doing it. It’s all a matter of how you handle them and what you do with them. The second largest number has been appaloosas. Not everybody can deal with an appaloosa, either. They have certain characteristics some people just don’t want to deal with.”

“Most of our volunteers come out of the universities, so during the school year we do clinics with different clinicians for the students, kind of hands-on. This is a horse; this is how your train it, etc. Some students in veterinary medicine have no experience with large animals whatsoever, so they spend time here and learn to work with the animals.” About half the work done at Orphan Acres is educational, including frequent visits from the YMCA, The Learning Center, church groups, and boy and girl scouts groups. Brent sees a change in the human reaction to horses. Older folks looked at the horse as a work or livestock animal. Now the younger generation sees it as a pleasure animal; some say, if you cannot make a profit, euthanize them. Brent disagrees with that philosophy. “If the animal has a (good) quality of life, they have a right to live. If the quality of life isn’t good, you don’t want them to suffer. We get some horses from time to time that come into rehab with medical conditions and complications and can’t be adopted out so they live the rest of their lives here as a sanctuary.” And so life continues at Orphan Acres for the lucky horses. ISI

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By Holly Endersby Just a stone’s throw across the Snake River from Lewiston, Basalt Cellars has set up shop in the revitalized port section of Clarkston, Washington. Housed in a former beer distribution warehouse, the current owners designed a small but friendly tasting room replete with a nice selection of gifts for wine lovers; the Chukar cherries are especially wonderful! On the day of my visit, co-owner Lynn DeVleming was pouring. She told me most of the grapes come from around Union Gap, Prosser, and Walla Walla - all towns reinventing themselves from traditional small farming towns to wine centers. In addition, grapes are harvested from co-owner Rick Wasem’s small vineyard across the river from Lewiston. Wasem, a Clarkston pharmacist with a solid background in chemistry, is the wine maker. While Rick got started in the industry by making homemade wine, Lynn was hooked when she attended her first Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers convention. She quickly followed her interest in making wine by enrolling in the Walla Walla Community College vintner and wine grapegrowing program. In fact, Rick and Lynn met at a grape symposium, which lead the two to establish Basalt Cellars in 2004. On my visit, Lynn first poured a lovely 2008 Semillon, made with 100% Semillon grapes, which is rather unusual. “We liked the wine enough to not blend it with any other grape,” she explains. “However, about 40% of this wine is barrel fermented in new French oak and 60% in stainless steel barrels. We blend the barrels before bottling because we want a nice balance that is not too heavily oaked.” The Semillon grapes begin fermentation with the leaves still on the clusters. The leaves and sediment are slowly and carefully stirred, which helps activate the natural yeast causing fermentation. When the cell walls of the yeast burst open, fermentation stops. By this time, the wine has acquired a rounded, full-bodied flavor that is just a tad dry. I found the wine nicely balanced and easy on the palate. It would go well with chicken, fish, and light salads. Our next pour was a Sangiovese, a red wine I have long thought a good introduction for people new to drinking reds. This wine was slightly peppery with a lovely balance. It would pair well with casual fare such as burgers, smoky grilled sausages, and pizza for a casual dinner.

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Speaking of peppery, have you ever wondered why wines are described by naming fruits or other food items? It is because there are over 800 chemical compounds found in wine, some of which are found in other foods - especially fruit. So, your palate is not playing tricks on you when you find a wine “slightly peppery!” Next, Lynn slowly poured a ruby red 2005 Syrah into our stemmed glassware. Swirling the wine released a lovely aroma of chocolate and dark plum. Mmmmm, good! This wine lingers on the tongue and feels more robust than the Sangiovese. Wine this balanced can be served with a wide variety of red meats as well as heavier seafood like lobster ravioli. “We believe reds should age a minimum of two years,” explained Lynn. “This aging process just improves the wine even more. Red wines have tannin, and the more tannin in a wine, the longer it takes to settle down. But it is worth the wait.” Basalt Cellars 2007 Cabernet Franc won first place in the Cabernet Franc division at the 2010 North Idaho State Fair this year. Just three years old, this fine wine could be kept for several years. It has a sharper edge to it that will gracefully mel-

low with age. The best selling wine is a blend called Rimrock Red that sells for $18. “It is our most popular wine at that price point,” says Lynn. “We only make this blend every other year.” My advice after tasting Rimrock Red is to be sure to buy it when they are making it! The blend of cabernet, merlot, and syrah was very smooth and had a sun-warmed fruit bouquet with a soft finish. This lovely wine will go well with just about any meal or appetizer you care to serve. I followed my own advice and left with a bottle of this yummy offering. Like many northwest wineries, Basalt Cellars buys Malbec grapes that produce robust wines often found in Chile and Argentina. The grapes for Basalt’s Malbec come from Union Gap; the wine won a silver medal at the 2009 Tri-City Wine Festival. If you are unfamiliar with Malbec, do yourself a favor and try one soon. While I often find Merlots “thick” and too cloying and Cabernet Sauvignon too sharp, a Malbec meets some-

Medical Historian - continued from page 1 agencies, and museums. Eight chests are walnut, eight are pine, and four were antique boxes he retrofitted. “We know Lewis & Clark had a walnut box and a pine box. They probably carried one straight through and left one to pick up on the way back.” His personal medical library consists of 30 or 40 books dating from 1700 to the early 1900s. “When I’m doing research on medicine, I have the original books so I understand the medicines, how they were formulated, and what the doctors of the period understood.” The expedition took a library of over 20 books with them, and only two such collections now exist. John Fisher has all but one of the books. He has also assembled a complete collection of scientific instructions and tools that were taken. “I think it’s considerably better than any other collection in the country. It’s a very major and important addition to the Fort Mandan Museum,” he remarks. John also owns a Lewis air rifle like the one Lewis carried. “It’s the single most valuable item in my collection and one of about five in the country and 15 in the world. My medicine chest is what I’m most famous for. I’ve produced about 20 in use across the country.” John is also part of two re-enactment groups. One is called the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, and John Fisher showing one of the medicine chests he the other is a local group has created and filled with medicines and tools from named the Hog Heaven the time of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. [Photo by Muzzleloaders. “Each of Jack McNeel] us takes on a persona,” he

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 19

where in the middle. It, too, has a distinct peppery undertone with aspects of blackberry that goes well with wild game and spicy foods. Finally, we tried Basalt’s dessert wine, a portstyle fortified wine that is delicious. To make this wine, ripe Syrah and Lemberger grapes are used to obtain an alcohol content of 11-12% prior to the addition of fortified brandy, which brings the final alcohol content to 19%. “The addition of the brandy stops fermentation,” explains Lynn. “We end up with about 9.9% residual sugar, making a very balanced wine that isn’t too sweet.” This is post-dinner sipping wine, best served with dark chocolate. Made as a ruby red port-type wine, this luscious offering is ready to enjoy now. And yes, I left with a bottle of it, too! Basalt Cellars is located at 906 Port Dr., Clarkston, WA 99403. Phone 509-758-6442. They are open Tuesday-Saturday from 12-6 p.m., but call ahead if you plan to arrive after 5 p.m. ISI

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explains. “After some thought, I took on the persona of Sergeant Floyd. He was the only man lost on the expedition. He probably died of a burst appendix. He didn’t get beyond Iowa but I figured the spirit of Sergeant Floyd would have been with them on the expedition. He was highly thought of by the officers and men and they mourned his loss.” The past year was extremely busy as the Idaho and Washington chapters of the Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation hosted their annual meeting at the casino near Lewiston. This group is headquartered in Great Falls, Montana, but has at least 30 chapters around the country. Each year one chapter hosts the annual meeting. John was one of about

half a dozen people highly involved in planning for the meeting. “My job was writing up interpretive materials and researching the interpretive sites they would be visiting,” he explained. “I produced images for the brochure and collected medallions, beads, and Spanish milled dollars (reproductions) traded on the Ordway Expedition, which were given to presenters. Basically I was in charge of interpretive materials.” About 170 people from across the country attended the meeting and another 30 were involved in various presentations. Pre- and post-conference trips took those interested to a newly discovered site on the Snake River, and other field trips led to expedition sites near Dayton, Kamiah, and Weippe. The Nez Perce National Park at Spalding also prepared special exhibits for the attendees. John gives a lot of credit to the Nez Perce tribe for its assistance as well. “We had tremendous participation from the Nez Perce Tribe. Almost every place we visited we had a Nez Perce as well as a Lewis and Clark interpreter. We also had a Nez Perce drum group and veterans group open and close our meeting. It was probably the greatest Native American participation in the annual meetings they’ve ever had in something like 40 years.” With the Lewis & Clark annual meeting behind him, John is returning to his major projects, which include writing a new book on the medicines of the expedition, completing his article on venereal disease and mercury, and researching the artifacts going to Fort Mandan. “What I’m going to do is take each group (of artifacts), cross reference them with the Lewis and Clark journals, and show how those artifacts were important to the expedition. It’s a big job and I’m a quarter to a third done.” The Moulton Journals, a 13-volume set started in the 1980s by Gary Moulton at the University of Nebraska, provides the basis for the research. Moulton worked 20 years to produce these journals, and they contain all the known journals from the expedition. “That’s the bible for any researcher,” John exclaims. He has researched the journals for all medical entries and assembled a list of medical problems associated with each member of the expedition. That is just one part of the raw data that will be utilized in his Professional Sevice - Personal Care forthcoming book. Serving Lewiston and Clarkston John Fisher may be region since 1925. retired as a teacher but he certainly has not Funeral planning from traditional to retired as a researcher, creative personal. writer, and collector. ISI Comfortable modern facilities.

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Finding Support For Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer (NAPSI) - Facing a diagnosis of breast cancer can be terrifying for any woman. And that fear is compounded when the diagnosis is metastatic breast cancer - cancer that has spread beyond the breast. While there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer, it is treatable and today, more and more women are living longer, fuller lives with the disease. Still many women with metastatic breast cancer can feel isolated and neglected by a lack of information geared toward the unique issues they face. They are not alone: In 2007, approximately 155,000 women in the United States were living with metastatic breast cancer and by 2011, that number is expected to increase to nearly 162,000. “Women living with metastatic disease have different psychosocial and medical concerns than women with other types of breast cancer,” said Jean Sachs, CEO of Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a breast cancer organization that assists women at all stages of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. “She may not relate to the term ‘survivor.’ For women with metastatic breast cancer, the goal of treatment is to keep the disease under control for as long as possible while trying to enjoy the best possible quality of life.” Thankfully, the medical community and support organizations are turning their attention toward women living with metastatic breast cancer and offering their support. “What a woman needs to know once she’s been diagnosed with metastatic disease is that there are other people like her,” said Ms. Sachs. “New programs and resources are cropping up to fill the information gap and provide critical support to patients and their loved ones. Programs like the Many Faces of Breast Cancer allow women to meet others who are facing the same issues they are, while learning more about living with this disease.” The Many Faces of Breast Cancer is an educational initiative that addresses the critical concerns of both the survivor community and those with metastatic breast cancer disease. Sponsored by AstraZeneca, in partnership with cancer centers and breast cancer organizations nationwide, the Many Faces of Breast Cancer is connecting women with leading medical experts to address their unique needs. Through educational programs and events, these women and their loved ones are empowered with new information about breast cancer, treatment options, nutrition and diet, methods to help them cope with the disease, and more. Equally as important, the program connects these women with other local women living with metastatic disease. The Many Faces of Breast Cancer is expanding its reach online, offering information, links, downloadable video and audio talks with leading breast cancer specialists and organizations, and announcements about upcoming educational events. To learn more about the Many Faces of Breast Cancer, visit www.Facebook.com/ManyFacesofBreastCancer. For information and support services for women with metastatic breast cancer, visit Living Beyond Breast Cancer at www.lbbc.org. ISI

Mind Games: Simple Mental Exercises That Create Razor-Sharp Recall No doubt about it, aging does have its gifts: retirement, grandchildren, increased travel, financial stability, and accumulated wisdom. However, as many of us reach “senior citizen’s discount” territory, the privileges of aging are offset by its darker realities. Sure you will get a cheaper ticket once you arrive at the movie theatre and maybe a discounted meal at the restaurant afterward... but first you have to remember where you put your keys so you can get there at all! It is one of those clichés that prompts a rueful chuckle and, simultaneously, a shiver of anxiety. Even if you are not worried about the dreaded “A” word - okay, not too worried - any memory loss can make you feel frightened and helpless. Don’t fret, says Patt Lind-Kyle. Just as you can stave off loss of muscle tone with weight training and bone loss with calcium, you can “firm up” your brain with conscious mental exercises. “The good news is that significant memory loss is not an inevitable part of aging,” says LindKyle, author of Heal Your Mind, Rewire Your Brain: Applying the Exciting New Science of Brain Synchrony for Creativity, Peace and Presence (Energy Psychology Press, 2009, ISBN: 978-1-60415-0568, $26.95), and mind training guide whose voice appears on the book’s companion CDs. “For most people, maintaining a healthy mind is largely under

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your control no matter how many years you have under your belt. You just have to intentionally focus on keeping your mind in shape.” Yes, we have all heard that a more active mind is a healthier mind, and that we should use our brains in order to keep our memories sharp. That is definitely true, Lind-Kyle agrees, but it is only part of the equation. If you want to enjoy life as fully as you can for as long as you can, you will need to do more than just the crossword puzzle - you will need to consciously explore and redirect your brain patterns, a process that has been scientifically proven effective. “It was once believed that, as we age, the brain’s neural pathways became fixed and thus unchangeable, and that we were stuck with our aging brains as they degraded over time,” Lind-Kyle explains. “However, there now exists strong evidence that the brain continues to evolve, change, and adjust throughout adult life in response to our thoughts, emotions, and actions. This concept is called neuroplasticity, and it essentially means that - to refute an old saying - old dogs can be taught new tricks. As a senior, you just have to decide which tricks you want to learn!” Curious? Skeptical? Perhaps a little of both? Then read on to learn what you can do to boost your memory at any age, and why it works: First, a recap of what you know. You have heard it before, “Use it or lose it.” If you do not use your brain, its functions will become sluggish and your memory will become fuzzy. In technical terms, the brain space that is allocated to rarely used functions shrinks because no energy is being poured into its circuits. So (as you have also probably heard before) you have to purposefully activate, connect, and grow your brain’s neural networks to prevent such shrinkage. “There are two ways to make sure that your brain’s neural networks are firing away,” shares Lind-Kyle. “One is through repetitive practice, such as working on a golf swing. The second is through having novel experiences, such as taking a trip to a new place or learning a second language. When either of these things happens, your neuronal connections grow and change, and supportive cells and blood vessels join them in the activation process. It’s great to know that the adult brain can continue to develop as long as we continue to use our mental capacities!” Next, get your head around the science you probably have not heard before. Here is a newsflash that may or may not surprise you: We humans do not have as much free will as we think we do. Yes, you are free to choose what you would like to eat for dinner and where you would like to go on your next vacation, but in terms of the really important things - your behaviors, reactions, thoughts, and mindset - many of us are essentially prisoners of our own minds. “Due to a mix of genetic factors and external conditioning, your brain’s neuronal pathways are wired to cause you to react to various situations and stimulants in distinct ways,” Lind-Kyle explains. “Often, these reactions are not useful - in fact, they can cause your mind to become cluttered

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 23

and foggy - and over time, they can have negative effects on your health and well-being. The good news is that this dysfunctional programming can be changed through a mind training process that encourages commitment, intention, attention, flexibility, and adaptability.” Mind training? What is that? Essentially, there are four brainwaves: beta, alpha, theta, and delta. Ideally, they should all work together in harmony, but one often dominates the others. This leads to dysfunctional thoughts and habits, and “negative feedback loops” of behavior. Mind training - a not-so-flaky form of meditation - helps you to focus on and become aware of each of these four brainwaves, thus triggering the neuroplastic function of the brain. “Bringing your brain waves out of whack and into synchrony is a key component of really sharpening your mind,” says Lind-Kyle. “By becoming truly aware of your thought processes and emotional responses, you will become better able to identify the behaviors and reactions that are keeping you from peak mental fitness!” Do not underestimate the stress/aging connection. Most of us would agree that stress is not a good thing. But on the flip side, its effects are not as concrete as those of smoking, say, or eating unhealthy foods are... right? Wrong, says Lind-Kyle. Stress has very real adverse effects that range from lack of energy to a compromised immune system to higher blood pressure. But of particular concern to the older section of the population are stress’s effects on the aging process. The stress chemicals that collect and circulate continually in your brain and body cause the hippocampus - which is the center for learning and memory to degenerate. Lind-Kyle explains: “As we get older and are not as active, our repressed automatic thoughts become more pronounced, and our repressed emotional memories begin to sur-

face. If we are not using some kind of mental training, the rush of anxiety caused by past memories increases, as do the associated brain chemicals. The resulting anxiety, stress hormones, and changes in brain chemistry accelerate the aging process, produce depression, and cause you to become less and less in touch with reality as it actually exists. So you see, it’s imperative to provide stress with an outlet - and mind training is among the most effective.” Learn to focus your attention and quiet your mind. Try this: Look around, find an object to focus on, and try to hold your attention on it. Did you notice all the thoughts that “popped up” as you tried to focus on the object? Really, you did not fully see the object itself because your mind was so clouded with relating the object to other things, naming it, evaluating it, judging it, etc. Can

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you see how in other situations this kind of “mental jabber” increases your anxiety and prevents you from acting positively and decisively? Chances are, you spend more time rehashing the past and worrying about the future than you do dealing with the here and now. You are trapped in a small world of your own making that only constricts with age. “When your brain is cluttered with unfocused thoughts, several adverse effects come about,” warns Lind-Kyle. “First, your ability to make discriminating judgments that can initiate positive growth is impaired. Second, your mind might wander and become scattered, making it difficult to focus on conversations, reading, or problem solving. Either way, your mental edge is dulled, and you find it harder to remember people, events, and facts because your conscious awareness was never on them in the first place. “To combat the racing thoughts that speed up your life and distort your focus, always start with simple breathing and muscle relaxation exercises,”

she advises. “While focusing on breathing, notice the areas of your body that are the tensest and release that tension as you exhale. By taking a few moments to do this exercise throughout the day, you will notice you’re able to focus more easily on the task at hand without being plagued by random, distracting thoughts. Remember - the brain likes direction and purpose!” “Ultimately, a great many of the effects of aging that are chalked up to the deterioration of the brain and the body are actually not the results of natural run-down, but of an unconscious lack of mental discipline,” concludes Lind-Kyle. “The brain-mind is facile, flexible, and plastic, and under normal conditions it can change at any age. With regular mind training, your mental edge will remain honed, your memory will remain accessible, you’ll be able to regulate your emotions in a positive manner, and you’ll be able to respond to difficulties with greater ease!” ISI

Eat Your Way to Fewer Wrinkles By Tait Trussell They are everybody’s nightmare: Wrinkles! Many women are looking for a face-lift in a bottle. Hence, drug store shelves - not to mention TV commercials - are loaded with products that promise to make your skin look young and more beautiful. The American Society for Nutrition released a study using data from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, where researchers looked into associations between nutrient intakes and skin aging in 4,025 women ages 40 to 70. Dermatologists conducted the clinical examinations. Skin-aging appearance was defined in the study as having a ,QGLYLGXDO 6WDWH 5LJKWV wrinkled appearance, senile dryness, and skin 5HVSRQVLEOH (FRQRPLF *URZWK D District isttriictt 2255 atrophy (thinning). House “Cigarette smoking ,QQRYDWLYH 4XDOLW\ (GXFDWLRQ 5HSXEOLFDQ is a well established ZZZ 6XWWHU)RU+RXVH FRP independent risk factor “Freedom First” Paid by Sutter For House, Cathy Gilbert, Treasurer. for facial wrinkling and

skin aging,” the researchers noted. Skin aging was found significantly in older women. No surprise. “Women with a wrinkled appearance, dryness, and thinning skin were more likely to be white, have lower family income, be postmenopausal, have higher exposure to the sun, and be less likely to be physically active.” Although vitamin A has long been said to have anti-wrinkle properties, and is used commonly in the cosmetics industry as a topical anti-wrinkle agent, clinical trials have failed to show this effect at least when taken orally, the study said. “We also found that women with a wrinkled appearance had lower vitamin A intakes [however] supporting the evidence that vitamin A benefits skin-aging appearance. We also found that women with a wrinkled appearance also had lower protein intakes. Lower protein intakes in older adults were shown to increase skin fragility. The researchers found that taking vitamin C and linoleic acid fought wrinkles. Linoleic acid is found in soybean oils, green leafy vegetables, and nuts. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, fruit juices, and tomatoes. Dietary recommendations promote higher consumption of fruit, vegetables, and fish. “Therefore, a benefit of skin-aging appearance from aspects of a healthy diet, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish, may motivate people (with wrinkles) and improve current promotions for healthy eating.” This is said to be the first study to examine the effects of nutrients rather than supplements on skin-aging appearance. Now, do over-the-counter wrinkle creams really reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles? This depends on a number of factors. A host of wrinkle creams and lotions sold in drug stores and department stores promise to reduce wrinkles and prevent or reverse damage caused by the sun. But do they work? Some research suggests that wrinkle creams have ingredients that may diminish wrinkles. But many of these ingredients have not undergone scientific research

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

to prove their benefit, according to the Mayo Clinic. These creams and lotions may slightly improve the looks of your skin, ladies, depending on how long you use the product and the type and amount of the active ingredient. Mayo says there are some common ingredients in these creams: Retinol. This is a vitamin A compound and is the first antioxidant to be put in nonprescription wrinkle creams. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals, Mayo explains. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that break down skin cells and cause wrinkles. A prescription topical treatment, called tretinoin, is approved by the FDA for treating wrinkles. The FDA also has approved a wrinkle “filler” called Radiesse. It is injected and temporarily corrects “smile” lines. Radiesse is quite costly at about $850 a year for injections. Many patients also use muscle-relaxer Botox around the eyes and forehead. Hydroxy acids. They are synthetic versions of acids from sugar-containing fruits. These acids are exfoliants. They remove the upper layer of old dry skin and stimulant the growth of new skin. Coenzyme Q10. Mayo says it is a nutrient that helps regulate energy production in cells. Copper peptides. They stimulate the production of collagen and may enhance the action of antioxidants. Kinetin. It helps the skin retain moisture and stimulates the production of collagen. Tea extracts. Green and black tea are said to contain compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea extracts are commonly found in wrinkle creams, says Mayo. Sad to say, but “you’re likely to need to use the wrinkle creams once or twice a day, for many weeks before noticing any improvement. And once you discontinue the product, your skin will likely return to its original appearance,” according to Mayo. So, it may well be what you eat more than what you dab on your skin that has the most beneficial effect. ISI

How’s that big toe feeling? Provided by the Arthritis Foundation Gout is a form of arthritis that causes sudden, severe episodes of pain, tenderness, redness, warmth, and swelling of joints. It usually affects one joint at a time, but gout can become chronic and affect several joints. Gout usually occurs in three phases: • Sudden joint pain and swelling that usually go away after five to 10 days; • A period of no symptoms at all, followed by new, sudden attacks of gout; • After a number of years, if left untreated, persistent swelling, stiffness and mild to moderate pain in one or more joints can occur. Gout can affect people differently. Some people have one attack and never have any other joint problems. Others have frequent, painful attacks along with lasting joint stiffness and damage. Gout attacks usually develop quickly. The first gout attack often occurs at night. Attacks may last a week or less and disappear completely. If the disease is not controlled by medications, attacks may occur more often and last longer. An attack of gout can be triggered by joint injuries, drinking too much alcohol, surgery

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

or sudden severe illness, taking certain medications for high blood pressure, crash diets, chemotherapy, and eating foods high in purines. The most common joint that is affected by gout is the large joint of the big toe. According to a recent article published in Arthritis Today, researchers have a few theories about why gout often strikes the big toe first. One is that toe joints often sustain injuries, so therefore, are more susceptible. Another theory is that cooler temperatures help the uric acid crystals to form, and big toes, being the farthest points away from the heart, are two of the coolest points in the body. Certain foods can raise uric acid levels because they contain purines, which metabolize into uric acid. Foods to avoid include large portions of meat and seafood, sardines and anchovies, organ meats, and alcohol, especially beer.

But half of all gout cases do not involve the toes. Some people experience their first painful gout attack elsewhere in their foot or ankle or even in their knees or elbows. Treatment for gout must be tailored for each person and may have to be changed from time to time. Medications, such as nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and Colchicine have been used to relieve the pain and swelling of an acute gout episode. Talk to your doctor about all medications you are taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and dietary supplements. Gout can be controlled and even prevented if it is diagnosed correctly, appropriate medication is taken, and diet and lifestyle changes are followed. ISI

Answers for Living When Life is Limited The Medicare/Medicaid Hospice Benefit Hospice Care. Hospice care is an elected benefit covered under Medicare/Medicaid Part A for an individual who meets all of the following conditions: â&#x20AC;˘ The individual is eligible for Medicare Part A or Medicaid; â&#x20AC;˘ The individual is certified as having a lifelimiting illness with a prognosis of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course; â&#x20AC;˘ The individual receives care from a Medicareor Medicaid-approved hospice program; and â&#x20AC;˘ The individual elects the hospice benefit (palliative or comfort care) rather than curative care. Medicare may provide the following hospice services for the life-limiting illness and related conditions: â&#x20AC;˘ Doctor services â&#x20AC;˘ Skilled nursing care â&#x20AC;˘ Medical equipment and supplies (hospital bed, commode, etc.) â&#x20AC;˘ Drugs for symptom control and pain relief â&#x20AC;˘ Home health aide services â&#x20AC;˘ Physical therapy â&#x20AC;˘ Occupational therapy â&#x20AC;˘ Speech-language therapy â&#x20AC;˘ Social worker services â&#x20AC;˘ Spiritual counseling â&#x20AC;˘ Bereavement counseling for the individual and family Certification Requirements. To enroll an individual in hospice care, the hospice must obtain a certification of

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the life-limiting illness by its medical director or the individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s physician, if he or she has one. To determine hospice eligibility, the physician asks whether, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Is it probable that this person may pass away in the next six months?â&#x20AC;? If the answer is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes,â&#x20AC;? the physician prescribes hospice. The physician continues to work with the hospice interdisciplinary team to provide the best care possible for the individual. However, anyone - friends, family, and the patient - can initiate a discussion on hospice care with the physician. Election Periods. The first period of hospice care lasts 90 days, after which the physician and interdisciplinary team reevaluate the individual. If the answer to the question, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Is it probable that this person may pass away in the next six months?â&#x20AC;? is still, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes,â&#x20AC;? the individual receives another 90 days of hospice care. And, as long as the answer is still, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes,â&#x20AC;? an unlimited number of 60-day periods of hospice care can follow. If the individual lives longer than six months, but still may pass away in the next six months, he or she is still eligible to receive hospice care. However, if the individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s condition should improve to the extent that a physician thinks that it is not probable that the individual may pass away in the next six months, the individual is discharged from hospice services. If the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s condition again deteriorates, and a physician thinks it is probable that he or she may pass away in the next six months, the individual can re-enroll in hospice. Levels of Care. Hospice patients receive one of the following levels of care at any given time, depending on the individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s situation. â&#x20AC;˘ Routine Care - the baseline level of hospice care that maintains the individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comfort and manages symptoms related to the hospice diagnosis. â&#x20AC;˘ Continuous Care - in a crisis situation that requires that hospice staff be with the individual for at least eight hours a day. â&#x20AC;˘ GIP - in a crisis situation in which hospice staff cannot control the individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pain and/ or symptoms. The individual is moved into a hospital until he or she can return to a lower level of care. â&#x20AC;˘ Respite - to provide a break for the individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family and other non-hospice caregivers. Individuals can stay in a nursing home for up to five days on respite care. Common Hospice Diagnoses. Many illnesses can qualify an individual for hospice care. Some of these illnesses include: â&#x20AC;˘ End-stage pulmo-

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

nary diseases (COPD, emphysema, fibrosis) - symptoms may include oxygen dependency, shortness of breath at rest, edema, and/or escalating involvement of other body systems. â&#x20AC;˘ End-stage cardiac diseases (arteriosclerotic heart disease, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, history of multiple heart attacks) - symptoms may include edema, increasing chest pain, and/or escalating involvement of other body systems. â&#x20AC;˘ End-stage neurological diseases (Lou Gehrigâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease/ALS, stroke/CVA, Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease, dementia, trauma/head injury) - symptoms may include inability to communicate, inability to swallow, compromised comprehension, diminished mobility, failure to thrive, and/or escalating involvement of other body systems. â&#x20AC;˘ End-stage chronic illnesses (AIDS, chronic renal failure) - symptoms may include failure to thrive, significant changes in functional abilities, significant changes in cognitive abilities, and/or compromised immune system. â&#x20AC;˘ End-stage liver disease - symptoms may include enlarged liver, jaundice, and/ or need for assistance in activities of daily living. â&#x20AC;˘ End-stage cancer with a decision to forego radiation, chemotherapy, and other curative treatments. â&#x20AC;˘ Failure to thrive (also called debility or chronic debilitated state) - symptoms may include multi-system failure, severe functional deficit, some degree of central nervous system impairment, and/or multiple co-morbidities leading to cumulative frailties. ISI

Geriatric Training Research Project Underway

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 27

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By Tait Trussell, Senior Wire Paid for by: Jana Kemp for Governor, Debbie Howard, Treasurer The Institute of Medicine says that 75 percent of Americans over 65 suffer from at least one chronic medical condition requiring continuing care. Add to this fact that 20 percent of these aging individuals have five or more chronic conditions. Over the next two decades, the number of seniors in this country is expected to increase to 70 million. This situation cries out for a significant increase in geriatricians - doctors who specialize in treating the aging. The Association of Directors of Geriatric Academic Programs (ADGAP) reports that in 2008 there were only 7,590 board certified geriatricians in our land. That is one for every 2,500 Americans 75 or older. Moreover, the ratio is expected to slide to one geriatrician for every 4,254 older Americans by 2030. The Institute of Medicine last April called for more and enhanced geriatrics training for all health professionals as well as financial incentives to boost recruitment and retention of these specialists caring for the elderly. The increasing shortage of doctors for the elderly led the MetLife Foundation to launch the Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) program several years ago. Since 1994, that program has trained about 1,350 medical students from nearly all of the medical schools in the country at nationally respected training centers supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), another sponsor of the program. NIA is a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The MSTAR program recently announced it has awarded a $200,000 grant to the American Federation for Aging Research. That grant will supply enough money to give 50 medical students the opportunity to take part in an eight-to-twelve-week research, educational, and clinical mentorship This deYLFH FDQ SrevHQW XS program among top experts at leading academic WR RI PLJUDLQHV Migraines typically presents as a disabling institutions in the nation. attack, including a pulsating headache Corrine Rieder, executive director of the John without medications. A. Hartford Foundation said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Given the demothat may be accompanied by nausea, graphic realities of the next 20 years and beyond, sensitivity to stimuli, and a peculiar visual our healthcare system desperately requires more aura. The World Health Organization places clinicians trained to meet the special needs of migraine among the most disabling diseases older patients. The MSTAR program is a poweron the planet. One major problem with ful and effective vehicle for introducing talented medications that are prescribed to treat future physicians into the field [which] will help us migraines is the medications themselves reach many more students, who will in turn serve can trigger headaches. as resource for their peers.â&#x20AC;?

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Richard Hodes, MD, director of the National Institute on Aging, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the past several years, the MSTAR program has successfully brought medical students and mentors together in the interest of aging research. This has encouraged some of the best and brightest in medicine to pursue a basic science, health services, or clinical research career for the benefit of our aging population.â&#x20AC;? As important and worthwhile as the MSTAR program is, it is fighting against difficult barriers. Medicare has never reimbursed geriatricians as much as it has other physicians. It is because they have to spend more time with the elderly and chronically ill patients than do other physicians, who can run many more patients through their offices in a day. It is partly because of inadequate compensation from Medicare that so many upand-coming doctors choose to go into other fields. The American Federation for Aging Research

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support biomedical research on aging. Its literature says it is devoted to creating the knowledge that all of us need to live healthy, productive, and independent lives. Since 1981, AFAR has awarded approximately $124 million to more than 2,600 early and midcareer scientists and medical students as part of a broad-based series of grant programs. It maintains that its work has led to â&#x20AC;&#x153;significant advances in our understanding of the aging process, age-related diseases, and healthy aging processes. Something to be thankful for. AFAR notes, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Research on aging and the aging process leads to a greater understanding of all age-related diseases. It has the potential to improve public health to a far greater extent than science that examines only one disease at a time. Aging research is likely to be the least expensive path to preventing and curing many diseases of the aging. For 28 years, AFAR has been at the forefront

AFAR says the number of seniors over 65 will of this approach to the science of healthier aging â&#x20AC;&#x153;studying the components of the diseases related double by 2030 and â&#x20AC;&#x153;the existence of an estimated to aging and studying the underlying mechanisms 500,000 people over the age of 100 will force us to of aging and how they regulate the processes in reexamine long-held notions of old age.â&#x20AC;? ISI our bodies.â&#x20AC;?

Hey, Buddy? Can You Spare A Kidney? By Dick Seelmeyer, Senior Wire Across the United States today, there are a number of people facing death or severely restricted lifestyles because of organ failure. They are part of a growing community of people that need new or regenerated organs immediately in order to survive. Their lives could be put back on a normal path if doctors had available organs for transplant. But, in the United States as is true around the world, the reality is simply that there are not enough volunteered organs to go around, and far too many people go to their graves without ever thinking about making provisions for organ donations, leaving those who are currently suffering without adequately working organs toward slow and often, painful deaths, or at the very least, restricted lifestyles.

No one ever gets too old to donate an organ. An 80-year-old donated kidney will keep a young man in good shape until he dies of old age. Medical researchers have been working for a long time to be able to create fresh organs from the stem cells of the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own body. Scientists say they are close to success, but the reality for those needing new organs right now is that close is not good enough. For them, the old-fashioned way of getting a donated organ from a person who has recently passed away, or in the case of kidneys, from a person willing to donate one. The things that can be donated by one person to another are limited. The list would include organs like the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas, intestine, and skin. Humans can also transplant tissues that include bones, tendons, corneas, heart valves, veins, and arms. In reality, most transplants involve

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kidneys, because kidneys can so easily go bad for a number of reasons in humans. The doctors who specialize in the field go to great lengths to determine if donor and recipient tissues are likely to be compatible for transplant, however there is never a guarantee that the body receiving the transplanted organ will accept it. If a donated organ is rejected by the body, the only remaining option for the patient is to undergo a tissue regeneration process and hope that it works. The federal government reports that while it is

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 29

true that more organ transplants are being made today than ever before, due to the rapid increase in total population as well as an aging population the number of organs available for transplant is minuscule in relation to the need. What could change things in a heartbeat would be if people of all ages across the nation would go to www.organdonor.gov and volunteer to allow their organs to improve some other person’s life in case of their death. It is that simple! ISI

TIME

For A Little Laughter Fifty Bucks Is Fifty Bucks Ken and his wife Edna went to the state fair every year. Each time they went, Ken would say, “Edna, I’d like to ride in that helicopter.” Edna always replied, “I know Ken, but that helicopter ride is fifty bucks, and fifty bucks is fifty bucks.” One year, Ken and Edna went to the fair, and Ken said, “Edna, I’m 75 years old. If I don’t ride that helicopter now, I might never get another chance.” To this Edna replied, “Ken, that helicopter ride is fifty bucks, and fifty bucks is fifty bucks” The pilot overheard the couple and said, “Folks, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take the both of you for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and

don’t say a word, I won’t charge you a penny! But if you say one word I’ll charge you fifty dollars.” Ken and Edna agreed, and up they went. The pilot did all kinds of fancy maneuvers, but not a word was heard. He did his daredevil tricks over and over again, but still not a word... When they landed, the pilot turned to Ken and said, “By golly, I did everything I could to get you to yell out, but you didn’t. I’m impressed!” Ken replied, “Well, to tell you the truth, I almost said something when Edna fell out. But you know, ‘Fifty bucks is fifty bucks!’” ISI

Lipstick In School According to a news report, a certain private school in Washington recently faced a unique problem. A number of 12-year-old girls were beginning to use lipstick, putting it on in the school bathroom. After they put on their lipstick, they pressed their lips on the mirror, leaving dozens of little lip prints. Every night the maintenance man removed the prints, but the next day the girls put them right back. Finally, the principal decided that something had to be done. She called all the girls into the bathroom along with the maintenance man. She explained that all these lip prints were causing a major problem for the custodian, who had to clean the mirrors every night. This inspired yawns from all the little princesses. To demonstrate how difficult it was to clean the mirrors, she asked the maintenance man to show the girls how much effort was required. He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it in the toilet, and cleaned the mirror with it. Since then, there have been no lip prints on the mirror. There are teachers... and then there are educators. ISI

The Memorial Stone Submitted by Julie Hollar-Brantley Billy died and his will provided $30,000 for an elaborate funeral. As the last guests were departing, his wife, Joyce, turned to her oldest and dearest friend, Jan. “Well, I’m sure Billy would be pleased,” she said. I’m sure you’re right,” replied Jan, who lowered her voice and leaned in close. “How much did this really cost?” “All of it?” said Joyce. “Thirty thousand.” “You’re kidding!” Jan exclaimed. “I mean, it was very nice, but $30,000?” Joyce answered. “The funeral was $6,500. I donated $500 to the synagogue. The whiskey, wine, and snacks were another $500. The rest went for the memorial stone.” Jan computed quickly. “$22,500 for a memorial stone? My God, how big is it?” “Two and a half carats.” ISI

Deep Thoughts Submitted by Julie Hollar-Brantley Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. If I agreed with you, then we would both be wrong. We never really grow up; we only learn how to act in public. War does not determine who is right - only who is left. Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting one in a fruit salad. The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. The evening news is where they begin with “Good evening” and then proceed to tell you why it is not. ISI

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

Hey Boo-Boo, Can I Watch You? By Anna Owsiak, Wildlife Biologist Idaho Department of Fish and Game - Southwest Region A fleeting glimpse is all most folks ever see of a wild Idaho black bear. Shy and secretive, these creatures usually avoid humans and prefer the solace of wild, quiet places. One place where bear watchers can get more than just a glimpse of a black bear is at the Cecil D. Andrus Wildlife Management Area, more commonly known as Andrus WMA. Located 19 miles west of Cambridge Idaho, Andrus WMA sits at the foot of Cuddy Mountain and along the Hells Canyon Breaks. More commonly known for its chukar hunting, Andrus WMA provides habitat for numerous wild animals - including black bears - and wildlife viewing opportunities for guests. Black bears are found on the Andrus WMA year around. In most years they can be seen near the WMA Headquarters from late August through midOctober. Numerous plum, apple, and pear trees planted by homesteaders and ranchers decades ago attract the bears, and they feast on fallen fruit to build fat reserves before starting their winter hibernation. Black bears tend to rest in the shade during the heat of the day, so early morning is the best time to look for them. From sunup to mid-morning is prime

bear-spotting time; they can be seen walking the hillsides or along creek edges. Bears usually appear along Brownlee Creek itself, which conveniently parallels Highway 71. The Middle Fork of Brownlee Creek, Grade Creek, and Camp Creek are also good locations to view bears on the WMA. Should you miss the early morning viewing hours, late afternoon is the second best time to spot a bear ambling out for an evening snack. Potential bear watchers need some basic equipment: a good set of binoculars or a spotting scope, hiking boots, a camera, and a daypack with water and other essentials. A short hike up any hill that allows you to look down onto a creek will provide the best opportunity to see a bear. Find a nice shady spot, have a Shy and secretive, black bears are seldom seen by seat, and keep an eye on people. For the adventurous, Andrus Wildlife Managethe creek and hillside. Sit ment Area provides bear viewing opportunities from a safe distance. [Photo by Evin Oneale, IDFG] as quietly as possible to improve the chance of observing bears and other wildlife. Mule deer, elk, meadowlarks, red-tailed hawks, and even golden eagles can all be seen on the WMA this time of year. When you spot a bear, remain quiet and still; enjoy the thrill of observing one of Idaho’s premier wild animals. Contrary to its common name, black bears come in a variety of colors, so do not be surprised if you see brown, blond, or reddish-colored “black” bears. Andrus WMA staff can provide directions to some viewing “hot spots” near the headquarters compound where bears are frequently seen. For information on bear viewing, contact the Andrus WMA at 208-257-3363. ISI

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 31

RV Travel: Tips to help you get started By Jim Miller The affordability, combined with the comfort, convenience, and personal freedom it offers makes recreational vehicle travel irresistible to retirees, including a growing number of baby boomers. Here is what you should know. Booming Popularity - According to recent numbers provided by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, there are more than 8 million Americans that own an RV today – and the numbers are growing by leaps and bounds. Why has RVing become so popular? Here are some of the most common reasons listed by RVers: • Freedom: RV travelers enjoy freedom, flexibility, and the personal control over where and when they go, how long they stay, and how they spend their time. • Affordability: Even considering ownership or rental costs, RV travel is more affordable than traveling by car, plane, or train – especially when you factor in lodging and restaurant costs. • Comfort: Many of today’s RVs offer a literal home-away-from-home with well-equipped kitchens and bathrooms, comfy living rooms and sleeping quarters, central heat and air, satellite TVs, surround sound stereos, and more. • Versatility: In addition to travel, camping, and outdoor recreation, RVs are being used year-round for a wide variety of other purposes, like shopping, tailgate parties at sporting events, pursuing special interests like horse, dog, and antique shows, and other hobbies. • Togetherness: Families that vacation by RV say it fosters an increased sense of togetherness, helps improve family communication and strengthens relationships. RV Options - Most people, when they think of RVs, think of huge motor homes, but RVs run the gamut from folding camping trailers and truck campers, to travel trailers and luxurious motor homes. Cost, too, will range from as little as $4,000 for pop-up campers all the way up to $1.5 million for fancy motor homes. To learn more about RV options, check out www.gorving.com (a resource created by the RV travel industry) which offers a free DVD or CD-ROM to help you get started. Call 888-467-8464 to order a copy.

The best way to ease in to RV travel and find out if you like it is to rent. Renting can also help you determine which type of RV best suits your needs. Rental costs will vary greatly depending on what you choose, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $300 per day. To locate one of the 460 RV rental outlets around the country, check your yellow pages under “Recreation Vehicle” or see www.rvda.org. Camping Options - With more than 16,000 public and privately owned RV campgrounds and resorts across the country (see www.rvia.org – click on “Directories”), RVers can roam coast-to-coast with no shortage of places to stop, or options. Depending on your tastes, many of the privately owned campgrounds, for example, offer amenities such as swimming pools, playgrounds, recreation centers, and snack bars (great for the grandkids), and are typically located near popular tourist destinations and even in metropolitan areas. On the other hand, facilities at public campgrounds tend to be simpler, offering easy access to outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and white water rafting. If you are interested in a little more extravagance, there are also a growing number of luxury RV resorts that offer tennis courts, golf courses, and even health spas. Or to save money, check out the Bureau of Land Management, where you can camp for little cost or free. See www.recreation.gov – click on “Recreational Vehicles” to find campsite locations. ISI

We’ve Been Expecting You In 2006 the oldest member of the 78 million baby boomers arrived at age 60, with the rest of us in this generation well on our way. In fact, almost 8,000 people cross into their 60’s everyday. Most of us don’t pay too much attention to these facts and figures. At Portneuf Medical Center things are quite different. We can’t stop thinking about, or planning for it. As our population ages, more people will require more healthcare more often than ever before.

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Endurance riding leads couple to Owyhee trails and around the world she gives of herself, the more she seems to gain in priceless experiences. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In 2005, I was invited to Malaysia to help get the sport established there,â&#x20AC;? Steph says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I made several trips back over the next three years, helping them promote endurance sport for their hosting of the 2008 World Endurance Championship. I just received an invitation from the King of Malaysia to ride one of his horses at the Sultanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup in November.â&#x20AC;? Steph owes her passion for endurance riding to a veterinarian neighbor in Potlatch, Idaho, who introduced her to the sport. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I rode a quarter horse, she had an Arab, and I could never keep up with her on the trails. She found an endurance horse for me, and I started competing and loved it. In 2000, we moved down here because the climate was warmer, drier, and more conducive to riding year-round. A few years ago, we decided to spend the winters in Arizona, so we could compete yearround. There are rides in the Southwest in the winter, unlike Idaho.â&#x20AC;? John laughs at himself as he tells how he transitioned from Stephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pit crew to a fellow competitor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When she first started endurance riding, I was supportive of her, but didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see the point and thought it was plain silly. Then I went with her to a five-day ride in New Mexico to be her pit crew and I met other people. I liked their simultaneous sense of camaraderie and good-natured competitiveness. They were the type of people who realized the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a person. They were great, loved the outdoors, were committed to the health of their horses, and I thought, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Why not give it a try?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Well, that was 1994, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been hooked ever since.â&#x20AC;? In 1995, John showed Steph how to establish and maintain their website, www.endurance.net. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always been intrigued with information technology and started one of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first internet service provider companies,â&#x20AC;? John says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When Steph started her site, there were only 1,000 websites nationwide.â&#x20AC;? Stephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s site is an indispensable resource to endurance riders, providing advice, product reviews, and coverage of national and international rides. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Last year, the website had 6 million page views and 800,000 visits,â&#x20AC;? Steph says. Her recent posts describe how she and Rhett completed the 100-mile Tevis Cup, the Westâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest and most prestigious race. The trail begins near 7RQV RI 'RRU 3UL]HV (QWHUWDLQPHQW $OO 'D\ Truckee, winds through /RWV RI )UHHELHV 5HIUHVKPHQWV the occasionally treach'R]HQV RI 9HQGRUV +HDOWK 5HFUHDWLRQ ,QVXUDQFH erous Sierra Moun)LQDQFLDO 0RUH tains, and ends in Auburn. Riders take two one-hour mandatory www.nampaciviccenter.com 468-5500 breaks to rest, but must

By Dianna Troyer As Steph Teeter grooms Rhett, her 19-year-old bay Arab gelding, they both exude happiness and anticipation; it is hard to tell whether horse or rider is more eager to head down the trail. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strong, steady, willing, and bold - a pure pleasure to ride,â&#x20AC;? Steph says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In horse years, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be considered middle-aged, just like me. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m 56.â&#x20AC;? As she brushes Rhett and picks his hooves, her husband John leads Batman, a black Arab/paint cross gelding, to the corral fence and begins brushing him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Batman is a very cool horse - exuberant, big, and bold. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only 7,â&#x20AC;? says John, who at age 60 is his mentor and the one who keeps him in line. Based at their ranch outside Oreana, about 60 miles south of Boise, the Teeters compete in endurance riding. In this sport, horses, mostly Arabians, race 25 to 100 miles. Physiologically, Arabians are an ideal breed for distance riding because they have slow-twitch muscles and oxygenate their blood efficiently. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We try to ride every day,â&#x20AC;? says Steph, who is a household name on the national and international endurance riding circuit. She competes, owns, and maintains an international endurance-riding website and manages rides that are sanctioned by the American Endurance Riding Conference. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a network of 400 miles of trails here, many with take-your-breath-away scenery, and I love to share that with people and have the ranch be the base camp for rides and races.â&#x20AC;? On October 30-31, she and neighbor Regina Rose are hosting the Owyhee Hallowed Weenies endurance ride, with race distances ranging from 25 to 50 miles. For the past two decades, endurance riding for Steph - whether she is training, competing, maintaining her website, or managing a ride - has been endlessly rewarding with equal parts hard work and play. Due to her enthusiasm and expertise, the world has become her playground, and the more

Get Out & Experience the Fun!

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

Steph Teeter aboard Batman (Ravenwood Dark Desire) and her husband, John, riding Sunny AKA Robin (Amaraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sonata), compete at a recent endurance ride in the Owyhee Desert south of Boise. [Photo by Steve Bradley]

complete the ride in 24 hours or less. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t push him, so we took our time and finished with about 15 minutes to spare. I was pleased he earned his 5,000-mile medallion with the completion of that ride. Of the 190 horses that started, 95 finished.â&#x20AC;? She chronicled the ride in cartoons on her website. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I studied art in college, focusing on oil painting, so I thought it would be fun to tell about the ride in graphics.â&#x20AC;? In a typical year, Steph rides 1,000 miles in competitions, and John rides around 500 miles. They have nine horses to pick from of various ages and stages of training, but for races, they rely on Rhett; Batman; 7-year-old Sunny AKA Robin, a half Shagya mare; and 13-year-old Rushcreek Mac, a purebred Arab. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I always have a horse to ride or for someone else to ride,â&#x20AC;? Steph says. One of her most beloved is Trusty Krusty, a 20-year-old Orlov trotter, a Russian breed known for stamina and speed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s big and black and still sound, so I loan him out to whoever needs him. Right now, a friend is riding him, and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s helping to restore her equestrian courage.â&#x20AC;? His real name is Natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Khrushchev, named

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 33

for Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, who gave an Orlov stallion to American industrialist Cyrus Eaton during the Cold War to express his gratitude for Eatonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s being instrumental in shipping agricultural commodities to the Soviet Union to prevent starvation. Steph and Trusty Krusty have ridden internationally. They competed at the Pan American Championship in Canada in 1999, traveled to France for the 2000 World Endurance Championship, and were invited to Dubai in 2001 to ride in the World Cup. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve also ridden in Spain, Argentina, Chile, and Malaysia, but at those races, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m usually provided with a horse,â&#x20AC;? she says. To keep themselves and their horses in condition, Steph and John ride 10 to 15 miles at a time, which takes about an hour or two. A week before or after a race, they give their horses time off to rest. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Once horses are in shape, they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lose their fitness level as quickly as people do, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not that time-consuming to keep them in shape,â&#x20AC;? Steph says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need constant work, and we do more gentle rides.â&#x20AC;? Steph advises riders who are considering endurance riding to find a mentor who can give advice about a horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s training program, diet, saddle fitting, and shoeing. With Rhett and Batman groomed, saddled, and ready to go, Steph and John mount up, settle into their saddles, and grin contentedly. Then they wander off toward a trail at an easy walk and soon slip into a steady trot. Within minutes, they fade into the distance until they are dots that merge with the sagebrush and their surroundings and then disappear. ISI

Community service and outdoor adventures keep Gayle Poorman active and involved By Natalie Bartley / Photo courtesy Paul Poorman Between outdoor adventures, Gayle Poorman of Meridian creates time for a variety of community service projects. Teamwork is a common thread in her life. As a volunteer member of the Boise Hospice Singers through St. Lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospice, Gayle sings at retirement centers and hospices. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been a tremendously rewarding experience. It brings a lot of joy to the person who is ill and to their family,â&#x20AC;? she says. Her musical past included singing jazz, ballads, and musical stories as a soprano in the three-woman group Sweet Hominy. Gigs included art, music, and street festivals, house parties, and the First Thursday events in downtown Boise. The group also recorded a CD titled Bridges. Gayle and Paul, her husband of 25-years, tested their teamwork on a 57-day, 4,011-mile tandem bicycle trip across the USA - from Washington to New Jersey - in 1990. They have logged over 10,000 miles on their original tan-

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dem bicycle. Their goal is to bicycle around the world in segments. They have already explored Europe, Canada, New Zealand, Iceland, and many U.S. states. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If there ever is a team building experience, it is riding a tandem,â&#x20AC;? says Gayle. The Poormansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; passive solar home in Meridian is a result of the pairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s teamwork ten years ago. Working together, they designed and built

the home, hammered nails, put up framing, and inserted solar panels on the roof for domestic hot water. Caring for the land is in Gayleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blood. On their acreage in Meridian, they have grown several thousand evergreen trees over the years and sold them for landscaping uses. The couple purchased a 550-acre ranch in Cambridge, surrounded by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) property with one and a half miles of Rush Creek flowing through it. They are working with the BLM and the Nature Conservancy to restore the ranch, with hopes of its being a working natural ranch as it was a hundred years ago, with bear, elk, and coyotes sharing the land. In 2000, Gayle retired from her career as a chemical process engineer with Micron Technology Inc., a Boise computer technology company. To her credit is a patent for a tool used in the production of silicon wafers in semi-conductor microchips for computers. Her gradual path to Micron started in 1977. She was a young 23-year-old living in her home state of Minnesota. Gayleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father and mother had always wanted to travel, but then her dad died. Her mom was diagnosed with cancer and the two women decided to do a cross-country road trip in a camper truck, heading west to visit parks and relatives. By the time they landed in Idaho, refueling at the Flying J Convenience Store along Interstate 84 in Boise, they had run out of money. They settled into Boise, where Gayle worked wrapping presents at a department store before she landed a job with Hewlett-Packard. Her mother stayed for a few months then moved back to Minnesota when her health worsened. Gayle established her life in Boise, completing a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Boise State University while working full-time. She met her future husband Paul while they were both working at HewlettPackard, and they married in 1985. By 1990,

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armed with a new degree, Gayle transferred to Micron. At Boise State, Gayle researched allelopathy, which is a characteristic of certain plants; these plants emit chemicals into the soil that influence the growth, survival, and reproduction of other organisms. Gayleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s studies in cheatgrass and invasive species in Idaho influenced her goal for their ranch and their project with the Idaho Nature Conservancy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So much of the rangeland in the west is overrun by exotic weeds brought in by people, domestic animals, and machines,â&#x20AC;? she says. The Poormans are working to set up their ranch in Cambridge as a conservation easement, creating a Native Grassland Preserve. Contributing to other conservation and preservation organizations rounds out Gayleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s community service. She is a board member of the Friends of the Weiser River Trail, and volunteers for Idaho Rivers United and Idaho Smart Growth. Gayle also served on the Idaho Conservation Leagueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Board. Between serving the community and maintaining their land in Meridian and Cambridge, Gayle and her husband explore Idaho and the west via backpacking, kayaking, rafting, cross-country skiing, and bicycling. Gayle is currently pursuing a Professional Ski Instructors of America Nordic Ski Instructor certification while working at the Bogus Basin Mountain Area Nordic Center. She celebrates her 56 th birthday in November. Her advice to others is, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pursue your dreams; if there is something you really want to do, find a way to do it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have had such a wonderful life and good experiences, now I just want to give back to the community,â&#x20AC;? she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is so much more I want to do to help others, to make a difference. Who knows what that will be?â&#x20AC;? Natalie Bartley is a Boise-based author of the newly released Best Easy Day Hikes Boise guidebook and the Best Rail Trails Pacific Northwest guidebook, available at outdoor retail shops and bookstores. ISI

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Athletic Don Reynolds applies ‘stick-to-itiveness’ to achieve his goals Article & Photo by Dianna Troyer Don Reynolds has won so many medals at the Idaho Senior Games that he has lost count, but he estimates his medal count most likely exceeds his age - 81. “I started competing in 1992, when I retired, and have competed every year since,” says the retired dentist, who lives in Boise. He has medaled in the long jump, javelin throw, discus, shot put, 5-kilometer walk, sprints, tennis, and racquetball. In August, he added three more shiny medals to his collection, winning gold in singles tennis, doubles tennis, and the 5-kilometer walk in the 80 to 84 age bracket. “I would have entered the track and field events again, but they were scheduled at the same time as tennis, so I couldn’t.” Competing in the Idaho Senior Games and winning gold medals keeps him fit for what he really likes to do - teach snowboarding and skiing fulltime at Brundage Mountain Resort near McCall. “The games keep me in shape in the off-season,” he says. “I also walk a mile up and down hills four or five days a week, play tennis four times a week, and have a good diet. One of the best books I’ve read about aging - one I like to recommend - is called Younger Next Year.” Don is still as slender as he was as a teenager. “I weigh about five pounds less,” he says of his 5-foot, 8-inch, 150-pound body. “As we age, our bodies lose some muscle mass, so it’s normal to lose weight the older we get.” Don has not only excelled at staying physically fit throughout his life, he has excelled at whatever occupation or hobby interests him. “My older brother tells me that he characterizes me by my stick-to-itiveness. When I start something, I don’t waver from my goal, like learning to snowboard at age 68.” Growing up on a farm in Emmett, Idaho, Don never imagined he would fly planes for the U.S. Navy, be a flight instructor, or eventually work as a dentist as he and his wife, Patsy, raised their four

children, then retiring to teach skiing and snowboarding. “When I was 14, my dad was hurt farming, and because it was during World War II, we couldn’t find a hired man. Everybody was off fighting. He had to sell the farm, and we moved into town.” After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and learned to be a pilot and flight instructor. “During the Korean War, I flew a P2V Neptune, a patrol plane with attack capability, and later instructed in a PB4Y-2 Privateer, a patrol bomber.” In 1954, he decided to resign from active duty and join the reserves. “We had two kids at the time, and Patsy wanted me around.” After his discharge, he enrolled at the University of Idaho and planned to be a mining engineer. “One summer, I had a job with the J.R. Simplot Company up in the Centennial Mountains. I talked to one of the mining engineers, and he was excited because he’d be able to be home for two months.” That conversation and wanting to spend time with his family steered Don toward a new occupation - dentistry. He studied pre-dentistry and was accepted to the University of Minnesota Dentistry School, where he applied his stick-to-itiveness and excelled. “When I graduated in 1960, I was the top student in our class.” He appreciated Patsy’s help. “You learn a whole new language, and she helped me study.” In 1962, he opened his dental office in Mountain Home, where he worked for 30 years. As his children - Keith, Eric, Merry and Anne - grew, they took ski lessons. Don decided to learn, too, and applied more stick-to-itiveness. “I was 40 when I started skiing,” he says. “The third time out, I broke my leg. I was snowplowing

and hit a heavy patch of snow. It wasn’t a bad break. I was in a walking cast and kept working. The next year, I kept taking lessons and gradually improved.” When he turned 55, he decided to set a new goal - to become a certified alpine ski instructor. “I thought it would be something I could do in retirement. I became fully certified when I was 70 and broke the ice for other older skiers who wanted to be certified instructors. Now, we have several upper age instructors in our district.” He is equally adept at teaching snowboarding or skiing and still does both. “Boarding is kinder to your knees than skiing,” he says. “If the snow is hard, I prefer skiing, and if it’s softer and ideal for carving a turn, I’ll snowboard. No matter which one I teach, one of the most important things I start with is showing the student how to control speed with the shape of the turn. I love teaching students of all ages and abilities.” When he is not skiing or competing in the Idaho Senior Games, Don and Patsy hike and collect wildflowers. “She dries them and uses them to make greeting cards for friends and family.” Throughout his life, occasional injuries and surgeries have never kept Don sidelined for long. “I have sleep apnea, had cardiac bypass surgery, and have had a rotator cuff repaired,” he says. “I didn’t hurt my shoulder skiing, though. One winter, I was walking our golden retriever, and we went past a guy with a cane, which frightened her, so she jumped on me and knocked me down.” At Don’s yearly physical exam, his doctor tells him he is very healthy. “Every time he says that, I can’t help but laugh, considering my CPAP machine for sleeping and my previous surgeries. It really tickles me.” ISI

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Believing is seeing for competitive bass fishing couple Article & Photo by Dianna Troyer Al and Cheryl Morgan, a husband-and-wife team at bass tournaments, know if they can believe it, they will see it. “Anyone who fishes will tell you that,” Al says. “Before you even step on the boat, you have to believe you will catch fish, and then you will.” Along with all their wishing and visualization comes hours of hard work. At tournaments, the Morgans fish with a focused frenzy, analyzing water conditions and choosing the perfect hard or soft plastic bait to use in the perfect fishing hole. By the end of the day, if all has gone well, their boat’s onboard water tanks are churning with fat bass, proof that what they believed, they saw, and they achieved. “We have a lot of fun fishing and take time off when we can,” says Cheryl, whose schedule as a realtor allows her flexibility to compete from spring through late autumn. Since retiring 11 years ago as a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manager and ranger, Al has time to keep their fishing gear in order along the numerous shelves in their garage and to keep their 20-foot Skeeter boat maintained. For the past 19 years from their home in Meridian, the Morgans have traveled the bass tour-

nament circuit in Idaho, Oregon, and Oklahoma, where they have a reputation for winning or placing by the end of the day. They have won or placed in 175 tournaments, and Cheryl has been Lady Angler of the Year two times and Angler of the Year once. T h e y plan to compete in the Turkey Bowl on October 2 at C.J. Strike Reservoir, south of Boise. The event is sponsored by The Searchers Bass Club to which they belong. “We placed consecutively first, second, and third in the Turkey Bowl in the past years,” Cheryl says. “One of the most fun events we did was the Jack and Jill Tournament in 2006, when we took first with 19 pounds for five fish. At the last tournament in July, I placed first with a 6.42-pound largemouth. The second day, zippo. You just don’t know.” Al, 67, and Cheryl, 59, have been fishing together and competing in tournaments since they met in 1991. They both grew up clutching a fishing pole almost as soon as they could walk. Al learned to fish in Oregon and Washington, where he grew

up. Cheryl was born into an Idaho Falls family that fished eastern Idaho’s rivers and reservoirs whenever they had some spare time. “When we first met and started dating, I had no idea what a bass looked like,” Cheryl recalls. “Never heard of them. I probably had thrown them back thinking they were trash fish when I was trout fishing. When you bass fish, you are in the boat and throwing to the bank. When you trout fish, you are on the bank throwing as far as you can out into the lake. Some consider bass a lot more fun to catch, but you really have to work at it. Smallmouth fight a lot harder than largemouth.” As they became acquainted, Cheryl q u i c k l y learned that Al was more than a casual, recreational fisherman. “As a kid, I fished for trout, bass, steelhead, and salmon with my dad, and then I started competing in tournaments when I was 16,” Al says. “Personally, I’ve won or placed in more than 300 tournaments. I’ve had corporate sponsors, but these days, I’d just as soon fish for myself.” Along with their tournament trophies, Al and Cheryl have earned bragging rights after landing some record-sized bass and releasing them. “In 1980, I caught an 8½-pound bass at Coeur d’Alene on a crank bait, a hard bait that looks like a crawdad,” Al says. Cheryl’s record is a 7½-pounder she hooked with a plastic worm at C.J. Strike Reservoir in 1993. The Morgans’ dedication to fishing extends beyond personal glory and bragging rights. Al twice volunteered to serve as president of the Idaho Bass Federation at a time when the organization represented about 400 members of bass clubs statewide. The organization has since divided into two groups: the Idaho Bass Federation Nation to serve western and northern Idaho and the Idaho Bass Federation to serve eastern Idaho. Currently, Al serves as a board member on the Idaho Bass Federation Nation, which has about 180 members. Cheryl is the secretary/treasurer for The Searchers Bass Club. She has also been in that position several times with The Midnight Bassmasters Club, which the Morgans started in 1993. “We do a lot of conservation projects with the Idaho Fish and Game and appreciate corporate sponsors such as Triton Boats and The Disney Corporation. They provide money to support very active statewide youth and conservation programs and to maintain boat ramps and access roads,” Al says. When they fish, the Morgans release what

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

they catch. “We want fish to be there for our kids and grandkids, so it’s catch-and-release,” Al says. “A bass takes a long time to grow compared to a trout. A 5-pound bass might take 15 years to grow, where trout can put on five pounds in a couple of years, depending on their environment.” The Morgans compete in about 10 tournaments a year. “It depends a lot on the economy,” Al says. “We used to go to about 30 a year and have gone as far as Oklahoma to compete in the BASS Club World Championship.” While the tournaments are an entertaining break from a daily routine, they are not a soothing, sit-around-and-read-a-book sort of getaway. “When Cheryl and I first started fishing tournaments, she asked why I needed more than one pole. Now we run five to ten poles each in the boat at the same time.” Rules at each tournament differ slightly, but generally competitors start at first “safe” light, determined by the tournament director, and end between 3 and 5 p.m. Winners are selected based on who caught the heaviest four or five fish, which are kept alive in water tanks on the boats. After the weigh-in, the fish are released. Part of the appeal of competitive bass fishing is the need to simultaneously analyze several factors. “Bass are very smart, and you have to figure out what they’re biting, depending on the water temperature, water levels, moon phases, or other weather conditions,” Al says. “It takes a lot of preparation and determination.” For Al, bass are more fun to catch and release than to eat. “We release almost 100 percent alive,

but there are a few that don’t make it. To me, there are a lot better tasting fish: trout, crappies, catfish, and walleye. Bass are harder to clean than a trout and have small fine bones and spines that always poke you when you least expect it.” Al blames his addiction to bass fishing on boats. “When I saw one of those high performance bass boats, I had to have one and have been doing the bass tournaments ever since.” He has even sold the boats. “I owned boating and tackle shops while working as a federal manager and ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.” In 1984, when an opening with the Corps occurred at Lucky Peak Lake near Boise, he applied and was hired. “At the same time, Nixon’s Marine in Walla Walla, Washington wanted to open a franchise in the Boise area, so I moved here and opened a dealership.” When the Morgans are not competing, they fish their favorite nearby reservoirs: C.J. Strike, Owyhee, Lucky Peak, and Brownlee. The end of their bass fishing season depends on the weather. “The water needs to be 45 degrees or warmer, so usually the season starts in March and ends in October or November around here,” Al says. Al offers advice to anyone who wants to compete in bass tournaments. “Join a club. Members are more than willing to help you out and give advice.” Information about bass clubs in western and northern Idaho may be found on the internet at www.idahobassfederationnation.com. In eastern Idaho, information can be found at www.idahobassfed.com. ISI

National Guard chaplain strives to bring peace in midst of chaos By Dianna Troyer As a devout Christian, Dave Tish likes to think he is always ready for the afterlife and transition from earth to heaven. As a Boise-based National Guard chaplain, that spiritual preparedness may suddenly become intensely personal and urgent - again. After completing missionspecific training in September and October at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, the 116th will deploy to Kuwait - approximately 2,000 soldiers. This will be Dave’s fourth deployment to the Middle East. “I remember the first time I was deployed to the Persian Gulf War in 1990, I was scared to death,” says the 57-year-old, who has been a chaplain since 1986, sharing his Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Dave Tish shares his spiri- spiritual tual faith with members of the Idaho National f a i t h Guard at Gowen Field in Boise. In March, he was participating in a “yellow ribbon” pre- through deployment training seminar for National c o u n Guardsmen and their families. [Photo by Col. s e l i n g , Tim Marsano, public affairs officer] leading Bible studies, conducting ceremonies, and simply living day to day. “I was never close to SCUD missile strikes, but once you cross the LD (line of departure), you realize you have to be ready to die, and you have to be able to say, ‘God, I’m ready.’” “If there is anything left unsaid or undone with family or loved ones, you better say it or do it before you go,” says Dave, who is one of two full-time chaplains based at Gowen Field in Boise. The field is home to the Idaho Army National Guard’s 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team and the 1st Battalion, 183rd Aviation, which serves as the air component of Idaho’s Army National Guard. The 116th provides armored reconnaissance, tanks, heavy artillery, logistics support, and personnel during war. “Most likely, we’ll all come back home,” he says, “but you never know and have to be prepared.” Dave understands the reality of living in a combat zone. He has been deployed four times. In addition to the Gulf War, he worked in Saudi Arabia in 1995 when a no-fly zone over Iraq was enforced, Bosnia in 2001 and 2002 for peacekeeping and to prevent ethnic cleansing, and Afghanistan in 2006 and 2007 to support the (Continued on page 39)

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 37

PAGE 38 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

Tips For A

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“I go to a physician for my diabetes, but didn’t know I should see a dentist too.” Keeping your mouth healthy can help keep your body healthy too. People with diabetes are more likely to develop gum disease, and untreated gum disease may make controlling your blood sugar more difﬁcult. Research is also showing possible links between gum disease and heart disease, arthritis, and pneumonia. Be sure to make a dentist part of your healthcare team.

“My medicine makes my mouth dry, and that can worsen my gum disease and risk for cavities.” Saliva reduces the acid in your mouth and washes away food debris. If you have a dry mouth, drink water often and avoid alcoholic, caffeinated, and sugary drinks. Choose only alcohol-free mouth rinses, and use mints or gum that contain xylitol. If your mouth still feels dry, ask your dentist or physician about saliva aids.

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National Guard chaplain - continued from page 37 war against insurgents. In Afghanistan, he conducted memorial services for three medics who died in combat and for those who died in two non-combat helicopter crashes. “I strive to bring the peace of God to chaos and help soldiers realize that death is part of life,” he says. “Overseas, we have a memorial service, where we remember that person’s life, and the body comes home for a funeral. The memorial service helps us with closure, so we can continue to focus on how to contribute to those around us.” Conducting a memorial service consumes a small portion of his time. “I do a lot of counseling not only with guard members but with their families to help them cope with being separated from their loved one during a deployment. I do weddings and funerals here in the states, generally promote morals and morale, and do what it takes to keep soldiers mentally and spiritually fit to do their job.” Dave grew up in the Nazarene Church but never considered becoming a military chaplain, until a parishioner in Amboy, Washington, who was in the Army Reserves, suggested the career to him. “He thought I’d be a good fit with the military, and he was right. I’m kind of loud and robust, and I enjoy being with people, being outdoors, and serving my country.”

In 1986, Dave joined the Army Reserves, 104th Training Division, in Salem, Oregon, to become a chaplain; he went to chaplain officer basic course in January 1987. Two years later, he was accepted for active duty and was assigned to Fort Hood, Texas. For the next 10 years, Dave was on active duty in Texas, Germany, and Fort Bliss, Texas. In 1998, he was passed over for promotion and forced off active duty. He joined the guard in February 1999 and was assigned to the 1st Battalion 183rd Aviation at Gowen Field. In August 2008, he was assigned to 116th HBCT and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in October 2008. During his decades of service, Dave has relied on countless Bible verses for guidance and comfort. “I have so many favorites,” he says, but when pressed he is willing to cite a particular one. “It would be Philippians 4:13, ‘I can do all things through God who strengthens me.’ That about

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Submitted by Jim Meade Woman’s Perfect Breakfast She is sitting at the table with her gourmet coffee. Her son is on the cover of the Wheaties box. Her daughter is on the cover of Business Week. Her boyfriend is on the cover of Playgirl. And her husband is on the back of the milk carton. Woman’s Revenge “Cash, check or charge?” I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase. As she fumbled for her wallet, I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse. “So, do you always carry your TV remote?” I asked. “No,” she replied, “but my husband refused to come shopping with me, and I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally.” Understanding Women - A Man’s Perspective I know I am not going to understand women. I will never understand how you can take boiling hot wax, pour it onto your upper lip, rip the hair out by the root, and still be afraid of a spider. Wife Vs. Husband A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, “Relatives of yours?” “Yep,” the wife replied, “in-laws.” Words A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day - 30,000 versus 15,000 for men. The wife replied, “That must be because we have to repeat everything to men.” The husband then turned to his wife and asked, “What?” Creation A man said to his wife one day, “I don’t know how you can be so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time.” The wife responded, “Allow me to explain. God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me; God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you.” The Final Word God may have created man before woman, but there is always a rough draft before the masterpiece. ISI

sums up everything. It all comes back to that.” Every year, the celebration of Easter revitalizes his faith. “It’s a time to celebrate the resurrection and hope of fulfillment of Christ dying for our sins. I truly believe in the afterlife and eternity.” After work, when he takes off his chaplain uniform, Dave referees high school football, basketball, and fast pitch softball. Dave says he is ready to serve and has the faith that he will return home to Boise to his wife, Joanne. He has two adult children - one married and living in Oregon and the other living again at home to be with Joanne during the deployment. “I’m here to serve God, my nation, and my family.” In 2012, Dave will turn 60 and plans to retire after 25 combined years in the Army. He looks forward to traveling and doing volunteer work during retirement. ISI

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By Jim Miller Thanks to a big financial boost from Uncle Sam, there’s never been a better time to upgrade your home to make it more energy efficient. Here are several programs that can help you save energy and money. Weatherization Assistance - Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also known as the stimulus package, the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) received a whopping $5 billion – more

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than 20 times the normal yearly budget – to help income-eligible people reduce their energy costs by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes. Around 30 million U.S. households are currently eligible for the WAP, which provides a variety of completely free weatherization improvements to home owners and renters who qualify. These services are done by local agencies and typically include things like installing insulation, weatherstripping and caulking around doors and windows, tuning and repairing heating and cooling systems, and installing ventilation fans. To be eligible, your income needs to be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. In 2009, that corresponds to an annual income of $21,660 for an individual or $29,140 for a family of two (it’s higher in Alaska and Hawaii). The federal guidelines allow states to give priority to people over 60, people with disabilities, and families with children. Final eligibility is determined at the local level. If you qualify, an energy audit is scheduled to see how much energy your home uses, and to determine the weatherization improvements it needs to make it more energy-efficient. To learn more or apply, visit www.weatherization.energy.gov or call the EERE information center (877-337-3463) who will put you in touch with your state weatherization office. Energy Tax Credits - If you don’t qualify for the WAP, you can still save some money through Uncle Sam’s expanded tax credits – also made possible by the Recovery and Reinvestment Act. As an incentive to make your home more energy efficient, in 2009 and 2010 you can now cut your tax bill by 30 percent up to $1,500, on a variety of home improvement projects like installing energy-efficient windows, doors, insulation, water heaters, cooling systems and more. See www.energystar. gov/taxcredits for details. And, by the end of the year, there will also be rebates to those who buy ENERGY STAR certified high efficiency appliances. Energy Assistance - In addition to the WAP and tax credits, another program that can help many people cut their home heating and cooling costs is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This is a federal program that also got a funding boost this fiscal year. Income qualifications for LIHEAP will vary by state. You should also know that in addition to LIHEAP, some utility companies offer discounts to people in need, and there are various charitable organizations that provide utility assistance, too. To learn more or find out what’s available in your area, visit www.energynear.org, a Web portal that provides a breakdown of LIHEAP, utility, and charitable energy programs in each state, as well as qualification details, how to apply and who to contact for more information. If you don’t have Internet access, call the National Energy Assistance Referral project at 866-674-6327. Savvy Tips: For energy savings tips the Department of Energy offers a handy booklet called Energy Savers: Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home. To get a free copy, call 877-337-3463 or visit www.eere.energy.gov/ library. Also see www.dsireusa.org, a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote energy efficiency. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book. ISI

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

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PAGE 44 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

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Financial Assistance for Medicare Part D Beneficiaries By Jim Miller One of the key benefits for seniors in the new healthcare reform law is improved coverage for Medicare Part D beneficiaries. Here’s what you should know. Donut Hole Rebate - This year, seniors who have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan are automatically eligible to receive a one-time $250 rebate check if they hit the “donut-hole” coverage gap and are not already receiving Medicare “Extra Help.” Medicare expects around 4 million Part D beneficiaries will actually hit the donut hole in 2010. The donut hole begins after you reach $2,830 in total prescription-drug spending and extends until your total drug costs for the year reach $6,440. Within that gap, you generally have to pay the bills out-of-pocket. After that, your Part D plan covers 95 percent of your remaining drug costs for the year. Again, you just need to reach the donut hole to qualify for the rebate. You don’t have to spend $250 within the coverage gap first. And you don’t need to fill out any forms to get your check. Medicare will send it when you reach the donut hole – you should receive it within 45 days. To make sure there are no delays, you may want to call your drug plan once you’ve hit the donut hole, to make sure they’ve notified Medicare of your eligibility. If you don’t get your rebate check, call Medicare at 800-6334227. Scam Alert - The

government also wants to warn seniors about possible con artists who may try to take advantage of the government rebate. If someone calls you claiming to need your personal information, like your Medicare or Social Security number, or bank account so they can process your Medicare rebate check, don’t give it to them. It’s a scam! Call 1-800-MEDICARE to report it. Coming Next Year - You also need to know that starting in 2011, Medicare Part D beneficiaries that hit the donut hole will receive a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs and a seven percent discount on generic prescriptions. After that, beneficiaries will pay a smaller portion of their drug costs in the donut hole each year until 2020, when they have to pay just 25 percent of those costs. Also starting next year, individuals who earn more than $85,000 (or $170,000 if married filing jointly) will have to pay a high-income surcharge for Part D Premiums, as they do for Part B. Extra Help Changes - Another change to be aware of is Medicare’s expanded prescription drug benefit to low income seniors (this is not part of healthcare reform). Changes in the law have now made it easier for about 1 million more seniors to qualify for “Extra Help” in paying their Medicare drug coverage. To be eligible, your annual income must be less than $16,245 for an individual and $21,855 for a married couple living together. And your assets such as stocks, bonds and bank accounts must be limited to $12,510 for singles and $25,010 for married couples. The value of your home and automobiles are excluded. Under the old law, applicants had to include the value of life insurance policies in calculating their assets. They also had to include as part of their income money received on a regular basis from relatives and friends to help pay household expenses. Under the new law, life insurance policies are no longer counted as assets and money received to help pay household expenses is not counted as income. To find out if you qualify, call Social Security at 800-772-1213 or see ssa.gov/ prescriptionhelp. ISI

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 45

Health Care Reform Means Many Changes In Tax Law By Simone Luttrell, EA Now that Congress has passed a landmark health care reform package, it is important for all of us to be aware of the changes and how they may affect our financial and health care decisions. While the result of the legislative process is necessarily health care-related, the tax law plays a major role in its implementation. From the tax credits and subsidies used to expand health coverage to the many penalties, fees, and surtaxes designed to pay for it, the Tax Code is front and center. The following review of the changes to the Tax Code will help us understand how this new health care reform will affect our lives. Two new laws - Health care reform is actually made up of two new laws: the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. The Patient Protection Act was crafted largely in

the Senate and sets out the general framework of health care reform. The Reconciliation Act was prepared in the House to modify the Patient Protection Act, especially in the areas of tax credits and cost sharing for individuals to help make coverage more affordable. Common features to both laws are delayed effective dates for many of the provisions, which make strategic planning more important. New taxes and penalties - Viewing the historic health care reform package from the context of the Tax Code, many new taxes and penalties stand out immediately above the rest. Initially, we would advise taking particular note of the following: • Individuals who earn more than $200,000 for the year ($250,000 for married couples) will pay an additional 0.9% in Hospital Insurance (Medicare) tax, starting in 2013. • Individuals whose adjusted gross income for the year exceeds $200,000 ($250,000 for joint filers), whether from wages or otherwise, will also pay

an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on net investment income, starting in 2013. • Employers with 50 or more employees who do not offer coverage or who offer coverage that does not meet new minimum essential coverage requirements will pay a penalty per employee, starting in 2014. • Small for-profit employers with no more than 25 employees are entitled to up to a 35% tax credit on the cost of providing health insurance for employees, starting immediately in 2010 (small tax-exempt employers may qualify for a reduced credit). • Young adults may remain on their parents’ health insurance plans through age 26. The health care reform package extends the income tax exclusion to any employee’s child who has not reached age 27 as of the end of the tax year. • Most individuals will be required to obtain health insurance or be subject to a penalty tax

PAGE 46 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

starting in 2014. • Tax credits to subsidize the cost of health insurance premiums will be available to individuals earning up to 400% of the poverty level, starting in 2014. • Health flexible savings arrangement (FSA) dollars will be limited to prescription medications with some exceptions after 2010, along with a $2,500 annual cap on expenses covered under health FSAs, after 2012. • A 40% excise tax will be imposed on high-cost, “Cadillac” employersponsored health coverage, starting in 2018. • Fees will be imposed on the pharmaceutical industry and health insurance providers, starting in 2011 and 2014, respectively. • An excise tax will be imposed on medical device manufacturers after 2012. • Limits on tax-subsidized medical expenses will be imposed by raising the itemized medical expense deduction floor for regular tax purposes from 7.5% to 10%, generally starting in 2013. Over the course of the coming months and years, the Internal Revenue Service and other federal agencies will issue regulations to implement the provisions of the health care reform statutes. It is important that we remain informed as health care reform unfolds so we can make the best decisions for ourselves and our families. ISI

How to Find Tax Help By Jim Miller For anyone seeking tax help, the free lunch is alive and well. The Internal Revenue Service, AARP, and several websites offer free assistance to the befuddled. Here are the different ways you can get help and where to find it. Phone Help - You can get fast answers to your basic tax questions by simply calling the IRS helpline. To speak to a representative call 800-8291040 between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. during tax season in your local time zone, Monday through Friday. When you call, be sure you write down the rep’s ID number, the date and time you called, and the answers. That way, if you get audited due to incorrect advice by the IRS rep, you can avoid penalties. Other helpful IRS numbers to note are 800-829-4933 for business tax questions; 800-829-4477 that provides recorded messages on about 150 different tax topics, and lets you check the status of your tax refund; and 800-829-3676 where you can order free federal tax forms and publications. Web Help - The IRS website is another option that offers mountains of tax information, and believe it or not, it is user-friendly. At www.irs.gov you can free-file (if your adjusted gross income was $56,000 or less in 2008), download or order tax forms and publications, learn about tax law changes, and look up answers to your tax questions through the Search tab or at their Tax Topics, Frequently Asked Questions and Tax Trails sections. AARP also provides online tax assistance (www.aarp.org/money/taxaide) and a place where you can ask your federal tax questions for free. It usually takes about a week to get an answer. Check the site’s FAQs first to see if your questions have already been answered. Tax-prep sites like H&R Block (www.hrblock.com) and Jackson Hewitt (www.jacksonhewitt.com) provide free tax tips and calculators on their websites along with Intuit (the makers of TurboTax), which also offers a community forum where other participants can answer your questions. Go to Turbotax. intuit.com and click on “Live Community” in the box on the right. You will need to register before posting a question. Another free resource where you can post tax questions and get answers is the Usenet group misc.taxes.moderated. Go to www.asktax.org/googroups. html and click on “Google Groups” to get there. You will need to register to post. TaxMama.com is another site that provides information and may answer your tax questions for free. Face-to-Face - If you cannot get your questions answered over the phone or Web, you can get one-on-one help by visiting your IRS walk-in Taxpayer Assistance Center. To locate your nearby center, visit www.irs.gov/localcontacts or call 800-829-1040. You do not need to make an appointment, but it sure cannot hurt to call ahead to find out when the person best able to answer your questions will be available. Free Tax Preparation - If you need even more help, the IRS sponsors two programs – Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) – that can prepare your income tax returns for you, for free, if you qualify. These services are available in thousands of communities nationwide. The VITA Program primarily offers tax help to low to moderate-income (generally, $42,000 and below) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns, while the TCE program provides free tax help to people age 60 and older. Call 800-906-9887 to find a VITA or TCE site near you. Also check with AARP, the largest TCE participant providing free tax preparation and counseling services at more than 7,000 sites nationwide – and you do not have to be a member to get help. To locate an AARP Tax-Aide site near you call 888-227-7669 or visit www.aarp.org/ money/taxaide. Savvy Note: For answers to Idaho state income tax questions, visit http://tax.idaho.gov/site.htm, http://tax.idaho.gov/pdf/EIS00129_02-10-2009. pdf, or call 1-800-926-2588. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www. savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. ISI

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

Cowboy Bank Loan Submitted by Julie Hollar-Brantley A cowboy from Pocatello, Idaho walked into a bank in New York City and asked for the loan officer. He told the loan officer that he was not a depositor of the bank but was going to Paris for an international rodeo for two weeks and needed to borrow $5,000. The bank officer told him that the bank would need some form of security for the loan, so the cowboy handed over the keys to a new Ferrari. The car was parked on the street in front of the bank. The cowboy produced the title and everything checked out. The loan officer agreed to hold the car as collateral for the loan and apologized for having to charge 12% interest. Later, the bank’s president and its officers all enjoyed a good laugh at the cowboy from Idaho for using a $250,000 Ferrari as collateral for a $5,000 loan. An employee of the bank then drove the Ferrari into the bank’s private underground garage and parked it. Two weeks later, the cowboy returned and repaid the $5,000 with interest of $23.07. The loan officer said, “Sir, we are very happy to have had your business, and this transaction has worked out very nicely, but we are a little puzzled. We checked you out on Dunn & Bradstreet and found that you are a highly sophisticated investor and multimillionaire with real estate and financial interests all over the world. In addition to your ranching interests in Idaho, we understand your investments include a large number of wind turbines near Laramie. What puzzles us is why would you bother to borrow $5,000?” The good ol’ Idaho boy replied, “Where else in New York City can I park my car for two weeks for only $23.07 and expect it to be there when I return?” ISI

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 47

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There are 5 things Idahoans with Medicare need to know right now …

and just 1 number you need to call:1-888-492-2583 (or TTY 1-800-377-1363 for the hearing impaired), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week. Medicare’s Annual Election Period runs from November 15 – December 31, 2010 ONLY. Whether Medicare is your only insurance or you currently have a Medicare plan from a company other than Blue Cross of Idaho, you need to make important decisions about your healthcare and prescription drug coverage BEFORE the deadline. Call Blue Cross of Idaho today. Learn why the best option for you in 2011 may NOT be the same coverage you have today.

Our FREE Informational Seminars are a great place to learn more — please join us! To register for an upcoming seminar in your area (or to request a FREE Information Kit by mail), call toll free: 1-888-492-2583 (TTY 1-800-377-1363),8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week. Or visit www.bcidaho.com/medicare to ﬁnd a meeting near you.

Blue Cross of Idaho is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. The beneﬁt information provided herein is a brief summary, not a comprehensive description of beneﬁts. For more information contact the plan. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings, call 1-888-492-2583 (TTY 1-800-377-1363), 7 days a week between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. A sales person will be present with information and applications for the HMO, PPO and PFFS plans that may be discussed at the event. Blue Cross of Idaho is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Y0010_BCI_MK 11062 CMS File and Use 09072010

You’ll feel right at home.

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