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Jane Fink-Cantwell Uses Education to Protect Idaho’s Birds of Prey
Photo by Dustin Weed, Quicksilver Studios
By Cate Huisman “That was a memorable day to me, for it made great changes in me. But it is the same with any life. Imagine one selected day struck out of it, and think how different its course would have been.” - Charles Dickens, Great Expectations For Jane Fink Cantwell of Saint Maries the epiphany came on a summer day almost 20 years ago, in her first week as a volunteer on a peregrine falcon project. “One of the conservation officers handed me a falcon during a media event,” she recalls. “I held this bird awkwardly, and the bird spun its head around and looked up at me. I’ll remember that moment until my last breath.” In that instant, Jane realized that humans could eradicate such a bird and its kin from the face of the earth, or they could restore the wild population of peregrines to its full glory. “That’s a pretty powerful position to be in,” she remembers thinking. And so formed the first link in the chain that has bound her since that day to birds of prey. Born in Germany and raised in the American Midwest, Jane grew up in an area devoid of eagles, ospreys, and peregrines. “I didn’t even know what a peregrine was,” she admits. After getting a degree in nursing, she was continuing with pre-med courses and planning on medical school when she decided she needed some time away from organic chemistry and physics. She has yet to make it to medical school. After the interaction with the particular peregrine that summer day, she switched academic directions and went to Purdue University where she wrote her master’s thesis on wintering bald eagle habitats. For the next ten years, off and on, Jane worked and studied at The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where she learned to treat injured raptors for release into the wild. (Continued on page 46)
Have You Found An Injured Raptor?
Individuals who come across an injured raptor should follow three steps to keep it safe and start it on the way to recovery: 1. Put a shirt or jacket over its head to calm it. 2. Wearing heavy gloves, grasp the bird by its legs (watch out for the sharp talons), and place it in a box or the trunk of a car immediately. 3. Call Idaho Department of Fish and Game (208-769-1414) or Birds of Prey Northwest (208-245-1367) to find out where you can take it for treatment.
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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 Co., 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 Angie Erskine Becky Hart Sherrie Smith
Office Manager Production Supervisor Advertising Sales Advertising Sales Graphic Artist Admin/Production Assistant
Contributing Writers Natalie Bartley Connie Daugherty Holly Endersby Clare Hafferman Cate Huisman Gail Jokerst Bernice Karnop Craig Larcom Liz Larcom Jack McNeel Michael McGough Dianna Troyer © 2009
DECEMBER 2009/JANUARY 2010
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Recommended Reading - Christmas Books By Connie Daugherty “Tradition,” declares the main character of “Fiddler on the Roof”, creates order out of chaos and connects the generations. As the holiday season approaches, we all think about the unique family traditions we have established. In our family, books are a big part of the Christmas tradition. Everyone, from newborns to great-grandparents, gets a book - a book chosen especially for them and their interests. My grown children recall the Christmas that they received or read a particular book. They remember laughing and sharing excerpts with each other. The grandchildren are already anticipating or requesting a special book they will find in their stockings this year. I would like to extend a bit of our family tradition to you by sharing a few books that might make good gifts for your family and friends. Some are by Idaho authors, or about Idaho, others are recently published titles I have found interesting or unique. One book that I found not only interesting and extremely well written, but also inspirational is “Two Years in Poland and other Stories”, a memoir by Lawrence Brane Siddall. It is an adventure memoir rather than a “thisis-my-life” memoir. The subtitle pretty much sums up the premise of the book, “A Sixty-Seven-Year-Old Grandfather Joins the Peace Corps and Looks Back on His Life”. Primarily a play-by-play of this retiree’s two-year commitment to the Peace Corps, Siddall’s memoir also includes several chapters of flashbacks to some of his earlier travels as a young man in the military and on his own. “I bought a French beret, an English duffle coat, and rode a used German bicycle. I grew a beard.” A year later, he and some friends traveled from Europe to through the Middle East to India in a VW Beetle. That was when he was young and adventurous. He eventually came back to the states, settled down, raised a family, and had a career. But retirement found Siddall ready to travel again - to experience another adventure. As a retired psychotherapist, he also liked helping people, so the Peace Corps seemed like a good fit. At sixty-seven, he decided to “leave the comforts of home and live in some far corner of the world.” It was not always easy, he admits. “After eight weeks I was having doubts about teaching for two years… 3,000 miles from home… but… here I was teaching English in a high school in Poland.” “Two Years in Poland” is a definite read for anyone contemplating retirement. Another book based on adventure or an alternative way of living is, “Treehouse Perspectives: Living High on Little” by Christina and Kirby Salisbury. In 1972, Kirby and Christina Salisbury loaded their two children and left their families, friends, and privileged lifestyle behind determined to “broaden our attitudes through new experiences in a new culture.” “Treehouse Perspectives” is about their experiences living, researching, and raising their children in Belize. It is about making unconventional choices because, for them, they were the right choices. It is about love, not only of each other, but also of life and nature. It is informative, well written, and worth reading. “Bunkhouse Built: a Guide to Making Your Own Cowboy Gear”, by Leif Videen is a straightforward, easy to follow how-to book for horse owners who, “contrary to stereotypes… are not rich.” Or for those who, like the author Leif Videen, simply take pride in making their own gear. “I can hardly think of anything finer than getting a job done ahorseback using gear I built in some bunkhouse or camp,” he writes. His illustrations are hand-drawn and his detailed instructions easy to follow. Making your own gear is not only practical, it can be fun. “Bunkhouse Built” is a craft book for cowboys and backcountry explorers. “Wild Places Preserved: the Story of Bob Marshall in Idaho” by AnneMarie Moore and Dennis Baird is a part of the Northwest Historical Manuscript Series. Essentially a compilation of original documents, many of which have never been previously published, “Wild Places Preserved” tells the story of Bob Marshall’s work in Idaho. It deals with wilderness areas like the Priest River Experiment Station, the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness area. “Wild Places Preserved” provides insight into the establishment and value of designated wilderness areas. It is informative and interesting, especially in today’s political climate as arguments over setting aside wild areas continues. “Outlaw Tales of Idaho: True Stories of the Gem State’s Most Infamous Crooks, Culprits and Cutthroats” by Randy Stapilus is a fun read that focuses on Idaho’s less-favored historic personalities. A mix of anecdotes and researched biographical fact, “Outlaw Tales of Idaho” is history from a different perspective, and a fun, informative, and easy read. “Northern Idaho Impressions” is one of the Idaho Focused Impressions series published by Farcountry Press. Featuring scenes from all seasons and all aspects of life, from backcountry solitude to theme park crowds, photographer, Tim Cady takes readers on a tour of Northern Idaho. Cady is a nationally published photographer whose work has appeared in magazines, on calendars, and as postcards. Tim lives in Moyie Springs
with his wife and children. ”Northern Idaho Impressions” is an excellent example of this talented photographer’s work as well as his connection to the life and people of Northern Idaho. Look for more from Tim Cady. For readers who like to curl up by the fire and escape into western fiction, “Ignorant in Idaho” by David Golden is a good choice. Garrett Stone travels to Boise City to rescue his younger brother, John who has once again found himself in trouble. But John is not all that Garrett finds in Boise City. A bit of romance, a bit of adventure, “Ignorant in Idaho” is a fun read for the western novel lovers in your family. What I have listed here is only a fraction of the books for Christmas giving that you can find at your local bookstore - especially books of local interest. Although I still prefer the tactile experience of holding a print book in my hands, of turning the pages, I have to admit that for long drives audio books is the way to go. Look for your favorite author in the audio books section. And remember other Idaho books and authors that I have reviewed over the past year. Look for poetry - both cowboy style and the more literary style. For historic novels, check out Bear Lake family saga. For the outdoors adventurers look for hiking and whitewater river guides. Whether your family’s tastes turn toward nonfiction or novels, literary works or commercial paperbacks, memoirs or photography, you are sure to find something. I cannot tell you which book I selected for which family member - it would spoil the surprise, but I can tell you we will continue the tradition! ISI
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The American melting pot reflects the traditions and customs from many different cultures, and what a colorful society this makes for our great country! Our winning Remember When entry this month tells the story of growing up in hard times and fondly recalled childhood experiences. Thanks go to F. Ruth. Thacker of Boise for her contribution, Then And Now. Thank you, Ruth, for helping us understand why past generations had such a strong family bond. Ruth wins this month’s $25 prize. 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 2009/January 2010 issue. Mail your correspondence to Idaho Senior Independent, P.O. Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403, email to idahoseniorind@bresnan.net, or call 1-866360-5683 or 208-318-0310.
Then And Now By F. R. Thacker, Boise “Yodeladeo, yodaladeo, yooodaladeoo,” I heard my Cousin, Henry, as he sang out at the top of his voice coming down the lane behind my grandfather’s barn. Grandma taught us to yodel so we could call back to Henry. “Rutka (Ruth in Polish), Rutka,” my grandmother called, “Run, run! Answer him! Grandpa just let Bessie out of the barn.” The job to lead Grandma’s milk cow to the pasture fell to me because Cousin Clarence had gone home for the weekend. My cousins, Evangeline and Clarence, my Brother, Del, and I lived with our grandparents during the school year and attended the elementary school across the street from their home. My cousins usually went home on weekends, taking my brother with them. They lived on one of grandpa’s farms, eleven miles away. My parents lived 30 miles away in another county and only took me home when they came to town for supplies.
“Rutka. Answer Henry, and run before he gets to the road,” called grandma. I ran through the peas and carrots in grandma’s garden and out the gate to the lane where Henry was leading the two cows. He handed me the lead rope and we continued down the lane to the pasture. My grandma, Tiny, milked her cow, Bessie, every morning and evening. I remembered the yodels echoing a block away. Henry would yodel that he was on his way and we yodeled back that we were ready to join him. Grandma made us practice our yodeling so that Henry could hear us. At first, we objected, but as our yodeling improved, we enjoyed calling to each other during our free playtime. I tried yodeling while I showered the other morning and failed miserably. With Clarence home for the weekend, his Saturday and Sunday chores were left to me - polishing shoes for Sunday mass and the cow duty. I detested the chore because Henry - 14, a tall, loud mouthed, awkward boy, who teased me about being kissed - was an embarrassment to me as a ten-year-old. Directly outside the back door of my grandparent’s home was a deep cellar. I think there were 40 steps to the bottom. We children were allowed only one curiosity trip to the bottom of that cellar. Grandpa had a pulley contraption with an attached basket in which he lowered the milk and cream down to grandma. This cellar served as her naturally refrigerated cold storage. She also kept the abundance of garden produce here for winter use. Grandma had an icebox on the back porch for immediate daily perishables. The icebox held a 50 lb. chunk of ice. The iceman came around with his truck weekly, and as he cut off a big chunk for her, all the neighbors’ children rushed with us around to the back of the truck gathering up errant chips of ice. There was a cream separator on the back porch. It had a very large metal bowl on top into which the milk was poured. The bowl had two spouts towards the bottom. When the motor was flipped on, the cream dispensed into a small spout and the milk into the larger one draining into pots set to catch the separated liquids. The cat sat by waiting for his daily ration as the separator was washed up. The fresh milk was used for cereals, cooking, baking, and other dairy edibles. The cream was used in coffee, over cobblers, and other desserts. Grandma made cheese, whipping cream, cottage cheese, yogurt, and butter. It was our job taking turns to churn the cream into butter. We didn’t mind. The reward was freshly baked bread with real butter and homemade jams or jellies. Our favorite piece was the first slice, the heel. We also liked to watch grandma mold the butter into a fancy half ball with a handheld wooden paddle. On one side of the paddle was a fancy embossed design. She placed the butter on a round glass plate designed just for butter and then passed the design over the butterball, which transferred the design onto the surface. Then she placed a glass dome over the butter. When margarine first became a substitute for butter, it was packaged with a small packet of food coloring. Grandma softened the margarine at room temperature and mixed the coloring into it to make it yellow like butter. My grandmother sometimes used this food coloring in her homemade cheese giving it that bright yellow coloring. She didn’t have processed canola or olive oil. Grandma used lard, which was rendered from the hogs my grandfather butchered. Grandma purchased sugar, cinnamon, and flour and with the other ingredients had the makings of my favorite childhood treat, “pierogies”. Flour was sacked in a cheap cotton bag that was a square piece folded in half and stitched on three sides with a good, strong cotton string, which if cut correctly, would easily rip open leaving a sheet of material. Grandma poured the flour into a bin in one of the kitchen cupboards, washed the sacks, and wrapped the string on a stick for reuse. Grandma gave grandpa strict orders that both sacks of flour he purchased had to be the same floral pattern. She used the material to make aprons and dresses for us little girls. Now flour is packaged in paper bags. Recycling was a thrift issue way back then.
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Grandma did not have an electric mixer to whip the cream. She used a wire whip, or she had what was called an eggbeater. It had two blades similar to our present-day electric mixers, with a rotary wheel at the top with a small handle attached to the wheel so that the blades rotated together as she turned the handle. She could turn it by hand until she had whipped cream. The butter churn was similar in design to the hand mixer, but larger
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with wooden paddles. There was a lid attached to the paddles that screwed down on the large glass jar, with a turn handle above the lid to turn the paddles. Recently, I found Grandma’s pierogi recipe in an old Polish cookbook, scribbled on a piece of yellowed tablet paper. It was one of my childhood favorite treats from tiny grandma. ISI
Grandma’s Pierogies By F. Ruth Thacker This is my Polish Grandmother’s recipe. She lived across the street from our elementary school, and an invitation to a pierogi lunch would yield her plenty of young lunch guests, including my brothers, cousins, and me. I have never found a similar recipe to Grandma’s. Pierogi Dough: 4 cups white flour 2 large eggs 5 Tbs sour cream 5 Tbs vegetable oil (save 2 TBS for later use) Pinch of salt ¾-cup water Filling: 1qt. dry cottage cheese. Dry cottage cheese is no longer available in the grocery stores. You may use creamy Meadow Gold Cottage Cheese by placing a sieve over a bowl with a loose weaved cloth inside and refrigerate over night to drain or use Ricotta cheese, which is less trouble. Mix with 3 tsp sugar and ½ tsp salt Sift flour onto a flat working surface or a large bowl. Make a well in the center. Break eggs into the well. Add sour cream, salt, and 3 Tbs veg-
etable oil. Blend ingredients with your clean fingers. Gradually add water, kneading mixture into smooth pliable dough. Divide into quarters. Cover the other 3 quarters with a damp cloth, while you roll out each portion into a circle about 1/16 in. thick. Cut out circles about 4 ½ in., using a 2 ½ pound coffee can or cereal bowl. Place 1-2 Tbs cottage cheese mixture on circle, fold in half, dampen half circle with water, fold over, and crimp edge with your fingers or tines of fork making a tight seal. Lay the pierogies on a large platter in a single layer as you make them. Bring 2-3 qts of water to a boil and add 1-2 Tbs oil (you reserved for use here) and 1/2 tsp salt. With a slotted large spoon, drop 4-5 pierogies into the pot. Stir once to make sure the pierogies do not stick to the bottom. Bring back to boil for 5-6 minutes. Lift out with slotted spoon; lay on a soft towel to drain. The best part: Melt butter in an iron skillet, and lightly brown pierogies on both sides. Prepare about three pierogies per hungry grandchild. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, and top with a dollop of real whipped cream. ISI
Royal Plaza We are well on our way into a New Year! Our first holiday will be one of romance and new relationships. Find someone to start the new year with and also celebrate Valentine’s Day. New beginnings can be wonderful and insightful. 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 February/March 2010 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, the deadline for the February/March 2010 issue is January 10, 2010. SWF, 65-year-old, widow, 5’2”, lives in northern Idaho. I would rather take pictures, paddle a kayak, hike along a river, explore new and old haunts, or go to a movie than go to bars. I make jewelry, unique post cards, and recently self-published three books. I am willing to relocate for the right man. That might be you! Handsome, wealthy, sugar daddy, NAH! Just an all around nice guy between 55 and 70, with a good sense of humor. Hopefully with a few common interests. Reply ISI, Dept. 5501, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWM, 62-years-old, looking for honest, caring woman, 55-70 years old. I am 165 lbs, 6’1”, and looking for a long-term relationship. I like camping, fishing, going for walks, and quiet evenings. Non-drinker, happy, and healthy. I like to show my car at car shows in the area. Reply ISI, Dept. 5502, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. Early 70s, white male widower, non-smoker, non-drinker, no drugs. I lead an active lifestyle with being, semi-retired (Cont’d on page 8)
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Cupid’s Corner - continued from page 5 and a member of many professional and fraternal organizations. I am white, 5’10”, and around 210 lbs. Well educated and well spoken, enjoy history, theology, genealogy, world travel, writing, JudeoChristian studies and research, and am also a reader. Live in Lewiston, Idaho and am not able to relocate at this time. I have led a very active life and would like to continue to do so. I am seeking a well educated, financially secure faithful woman for companionship and more in the 60-75-year age range who likes music, good food, activities, good conversation, exploring the high country, and canyons. Your reply will assure a reply from me. A
recent photo would be appreciated. I will also reciprocate with a letter/photo. Reply ISI, Dept. 5503, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWM, 64-years-old would enjoy meeting a lady for companionship. Someone between 55 and 75, who likes country music, taking long rides, give and receive massages, meeting people, enjoys long walks, and holding hands. I am retired, 5’5” 180 lbs, and blonde. I enjoy camping, fishing, cooking, and romantic evenings. Reply ISI, Dept. 5504, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. ISI
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The Second Time Around: Midlife Journey Through Internet Dating By Janice Doyle, Senior Wire What happens when you lose your husband of 31 years, your friends convince you to try your hand at online dating, and you find yourself viewing profiles of men who advertise themselves as Lover Boy, Gun in My Pocket, and Want a Wife Right Now? When that happened to 50-something Francine Pappadis Friedman, she was on MatchDotCom experiencing the ups and downs of cyber dating. There was excitement. She said, “There’s hope when you go home and your computer says you’ve got mail and you open it up and there are seven men waiting to meet you and you think, ‘My gosh there is somebody out there for me.’” There’s also a comfort level. The online dating experience, according to Friedman, means, “You’re sitting in your own home reading the profiles and there’s anonymity to it that’s not found when friends fix you up and then you have to tell them that it didn’t work out.” Here’s how it works: You create a screen name so no one can know your real name. Then you fill in a profile and respond to open-ended statements about your personality, dating style, relationship hopes, etc. Add a photo and you are ready to view hundreds of profiles which can be sorted by age, location, preferences, etc. Oh, yes, you can be contacted by any of them and you can send flirts or messages to them as well. All contacts are made by email routed through the website for more anonymity. So, you might turn on your computer and find an email entry that says “Someone wants to meet you.” You open that email, click on the link to the other person’s profile and photo and decide whether to respond or not. Responses back and forth remain anonymous until you personally pass on your real identity. Phone numbers and actual face-to-face meetings are at the discretion of each individual. Learning to interpret the profiles is important. For example, Friedman tells about one profile which said in part, “I am a renaissance man who loves old Woody Allen movies. Equally at ease in a tux or denim, but prefer the latter. I’m looking for a significant other to ride the waves with by day and snuggle down with by night.” Friedman translates. “What we have here is a guy who lives in his blue jeans, doesn’t want to go out for dinner, is desperate for a woman and thinks a date is watching “Annie Hall” on video.” And so she pressed the delete key. No contact there. There was much to learn about dating in midlife as well. One of Friedman’s dates was a too-long golf game, which taught her to meet her dates for coffee so she had an easy out. Her dates included Jack who tells joke after joke after joke. And Jeff, an aging hippie who was stuck in the ‘60s and hated his job. There was Allan who won’t go out after 7 p.m. on a week night. She met Craig who told her his sexual history and others who were equally mismatched to Friedman’s temperament and interests. “Computer dating used to be a negative thing,” said Friedman. “It has changed because it’s an easy way to meet people. Nearly half of dates are now found online. The stigma is gone.” She said her biggest surprise was that people came to dating with their hopes and expectations but not much interest in or consideration for the other person. “’It’s all about me’ is typical,” said Friedman. Worst dates? There were some, she said. “They were the ones that brought a lot of anger to the date from past relationships. I kept thinking, ‘Oh, just get over it.’” Funny dates? She said one guy stapled the second page of someone else’s profile to the first page of hers and kept insisting she had a daughter in Oregon among other things from another woman’s profile. Rather than be incensed, Friedman found it humorous. “MatchDotBomb” is her book about nine months of Internet dating. It is a warm, humorous,
DECEMBER 2009/JANUARY 2010
and insightful book. The title to “MatchDotBomb” has two meanings, according to Friedman. First, she and the men she met online bombed as dates, but the biggest bomb for her was positive - the burst of insight she experienced on a date. “My best date was the one with Harry because it catapulted me out of what was happening to me. Just listening to him and all he wanted to do, I suddenly realized I had things I wanted to do too, and instead I was going home and spending hours online and going on the dates. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it was taking away from things I really wanted to do.” Friedman says the point of “MatchDotBomb” is to get on with your life. She realized that she had a lot of her life ahead of her. By taking her
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focus off whether she was meeting anyone to date online, she was free to focus on her own life and desires. And that’s why the spark that set off the bomb of insight to get on with her life is the most important thing she learned from her nine months of putting her hopes for dates in cyber space. After stopping her online pursuits, she said, “I heard stories from people who had become suddenly single,” said Friedman. “I thought my experience could be a help to them, perhaps an inspiration. At least it can be entertaining.” “MatchDotBomb” is all of those and more. Now she knows. “If there is someone for me that’s okay, and if not that’s okay. But I don’t want to miss the cake looking for icing!” ISI
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Cecil Dodge loves tracking those big cats Article & Photo By Dianna Troyer When winter’s first snow flurries dust the mountains surrounding Pocatello, Cecil Dodge feels as energized as his hounds on a scent. The fresh snowfall helps him and his hunting partner of four decades, Arnell Jepsen, 65, and their hounds track a mountain lion from horseback. If all goes well, they eventually tree and photograph it. “I’ve probably treed 250 mountain lions from Nevada to the Canadian border,” Cecil says of his decades of hunting. “After following a trail for miles and for hours, when we finally tree a lion, we feel such a sense of success and an adrenalin rush to see it so close up.” Besides mountain lions, Cecil has pursued record-sized elk, antelope, big horn sheep, mountain goat, and mule deer. “I’ve hunted more than most people have in five lifetimes,” says the retired gunsmith and master class trap shooter, as he grins and his blue eyes sparkle at the memories. “All I’ve done is work or hunt. I’ve had a great life. God has been good to me. I always say God put me here for a reason, and several times I was in the right place at the right time to help save lives when people were in accidents or lost.” At his birthday party this past June, Cecil, who is slender, small-framed, and rosy-cheeked, informed his daughters, Joan Denton and Carolyn Smith, grandchildren, and friends that he still has plenty of living and hunting left to do. “Arnell told me we had to celebrate my 90th birthday this year with an elk hunt and a cougar hunt,” Cecil says. “I’ve already hunted 46 elk.” Cecil, has more energy than hunters who are decades younger, Arnell says. “I started hunting with Cecil when I was 21 in 1964. His physical and mental strength and determination amaze me. It’s always an honor to go with him.” Cecil laughs about his legendary stamina, because after a life-threatening car wreck in his youth, doctors predicted he would never walk again. “I fooled them and proved them wrong, didn’t I?” he says. “People tell me I like to hurry up a hill, run down the other side, and never quit.”
When he was 11, Arnell first met Cecil and visited him regularly after school at his business, the Pocatello Gun Shop. “Cecil has become my best friend, even though we have an age difference. He has been a guiding force in my life.” Cecil recalls his first impression of Arnell with a laugh. “He was always in the shop, and I joked he was like a cocker spaniel that I just couldn’t run off. A lot of people wanted to go hunt with me, but I didn’t care to. There was something about Arnell that made me finally take him along.” The mountain lions, big horn sheep, antelope, mountain goat, and bobcat hanging from 523-2704 Cecil’s walls are proof of how he gained his Idaho Falls area reputation as a skilled big game hunter. 232-0767 Before he talks about those animals, though, Pocatello area Cecil shows a certificate describing an accomplishment of Vera, his wife of 70 years. He is as proud of her achievements as he is of his own hunting trophies. “At the time, Vera set a national shooting record,” he says, as he pulls from an envelope a certificate from the National Rifle Association, showing that Vera and Marcella Oswald were a winning rifle team in 1952. They compiled 776 points in several categories: 20 shots prone, 20 shots standing, and 50 feet any sights.” The next year was Cecil’s turn for the record books, when his big horn sheep was listed as the fourth largest nationally in the Boone and Crockett Club’s registry of trophy big game animals. You’ve gotta check out this exciting new addition One of the mountain to our comprehensive Health & Wellness Program. lions he hunted preFairwinds - Sand Creek Retirement Community is a preferred served in a rug, stretchprovider of the Brain Fitness Program by Posit Science.TM It’s a fun and scientifically proven way to help you think more quickly and improve your memory. Call now for more info or to schedule your complimentary lunch and tour.
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es 7 feet, 9 inches long and was found up the West Fork of Mink Creek several miles from his home. During childhood growing up in Colorado, Cecil spent more time outdoors than indoors. After graduating early from high school and leaving home at age 15, he worked on ranches during the Depression. “I never did have trouble finding a job, whether in Colorado, Wyoming, Nevada, Idaho, or Montana. I’d look for a pretty ranch and tell the owner I’d work for free for three days. Then at the end of three days, if he liked my work, he could pay me, and if not, he wouldn’t have to pay. I always got my pay.” After the Depression, during World War II, Cecil worked as a ballistician, setting charges at a munitions plant in Salt Lake City, where he became interested in a career as a gunsmith. “I pretty much taught myself, which I wouldn’t recommend anyone do,” he says, chuckling. “After the war, Vera and I looked around and decided Pocatello would be a good place to start a business.” Cecil devoted his endless energy to the Pocatello Gun Store, which he and Vera, a bookkeeper, owned and operated from 1946 to 1984. “Every time I go into town, people tell me they wish we were still open,” Cecil says. Arnell recalls seeing Cecil work late at night. “During college, I worked a night shift at a bakery across from his shop,” Arnell says, “and he would still be working at 2 a.m. during hunting season to get a rifle ready for someone. He never had a 9-to-5 mentality.” To get in shape for his winter mountain lion season, Cecil hunts pheasants in the fall with Sheba, his Labarador/German wire-haired pointer cross. In winter, when lion season opens, he switches to his other two dogs, Brownie and Pat, crosses of leopard kurs and walker hounds. He retired his mule, Babe, that he calls “my lawn mower,” so he rides Arnell’s wife’s horse. When asked what advice he might offer young, aspiring hunters, Cecil laughs and says, “Play golf. It’s a lot easier.” ISI
Cecil Dodge relaxes in his den with a few of the trophies he hunted years ago.
Ballroom dancer glides along cruise ship dance floors Article and Photo by Dianna Troyer When he finds a rhythmic and experienced ballroom dance partner, Otmar Wehrli says he feels like he has died and gone to heaven. “It’s just wonderful,” says the tall, silver-haired, dark-eyed 69-yearold who has been working as a ballroom dancing host on cruise ships since 2001. “But if you don’t have the right partner, believe me, it can be tedious. “It’s a working vacation,” Otmar says of the 30-day stints he works a couple of times a year. “You have to dance about three to four hours a day, then the days we’re in port are my own.” Otmar describes ballroom dancing as his most recent addiction. “I’m a dance junkie. I got hooked about 10 years ago when informal lessons were offered here at the center,” he says during a break from waltzing around the floor with JoAn DiCataldo at the Senior Center in Pocatello. “I can’t stand the winters here, though, so I go to southern California. One year, I became acquainted with other ballroom dancers and learned you could be hired to be a dance host on cruise ships.” His agent in Florida books him. “She places me according to where I’d like to go and the availability. I’ve been along the East Coast, in the Mediterranean, and Canada. The Queen Mary has the best dance floor.” Otmar, whose favorite dance steps are the waltz, quickstep, and samba, is among about two dozen dancers who come every Thursday to the center, where ballroom dances are scheduled from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. with hour-long lessons offered after the dance. Like Otmar, JoAn, who teaches the classes at the center, has been hooked on ballroom dancing for years.
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“In 1956, I was living in San Diego and saw an ad in the paper that said dance instructors were needed and no experience was necessary. I applied, received instructor training and have been dancing ever since. When I’m on the dance floor, I always feel like this is exactly where I belong. Ballroom dancing is relaxing, challenging, and great exercise. It’s a nice way to make friends, too.” Although she is proficient in more than a dozen dances, JoAn’s favorite dance steps to teach are the Cha Cha and the West Coast Swing. She also organizes the ballroom dance contest for the annual Idaho Senior Games. In 2008, JoAn began teaching the classes at the center after moving to Pocatello to be near her mother. She replaced instructors George and Elsie Oyama who had been offering lessons but wanted to take a break from teaching. “The Oyamas really established our ballroom dance program here and deserve credit for that,” Otmar says. “They have encouraged people to participate.” Even though they were not teaching, the Oyamas still are part of the regular Thursday crowd at the center. “We’ve been dancing 30 years,” George
JoAn DiCataldo and Otmar Wehrli dance at the Pocatello Senior Center, where they teach others ballroom dance steps.
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says. “We started when we were 40, because it looked like fun.” They were living in the Bay Area at the time and learned ballroom dancing through a former Arthur Murray dance instructor. “When we moved here in 1999, we came to the center to meet people,” Elsie recalls. “Most people were doing the western two-step or country swing, and we thought it would be fun to teach some different dance steps.” The Oyamas’ expertise caught the eye of judges at the Idaho Senior Games ballroom dance contest four years ago, when they won a gold medal. The Oyamas no longer compete and are satisfied to participate in the weekly dances. Before Otmar heads back onto the dance floor, he grins and says every time he dances, “It’s an opportunity to learn and improve. It’s always worth it.” Then he quips that dancing is a wonderful activity to do “between here and six feet under. For me, nothing is too serious anymore.” Ballroom dance classes are free at the Senior Center, 427 N. 6th Ave. Dances are also scheduled Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. ISI
Spencer’s Claudia Couture Propels Opal Palooza Article and Photo by Craig & Liz Larcom When Claudia Couture of Spencer Opal Mines says that she has done every job at the family business, she means she has run the Cat and frontend loader at the mine, inspected the boulders for opals, trimmed away the rock matrix with hammer and chisel, cut the opal, set it, and sold it at the jewelry counter, as well as to other commercial concerns. She’s done shifts as a short-order cook at the Opal Country Café and shown rock hounds and novices how to find opals in the stockpile outside. Which goes to show that not only does Claudia have an amazingly diverse set of skills, but also that Spencer’s original opal company operates at every possible level of the opal business. Does the customer want to find opals himself? A few times a year the mine is opened for fee digging. Or he can
check over the load of rocks brought weekly from the mine to the café. If he would like to make his own jewelry, he can buy chunks of opal that are still in a rock matrix, or he can buy the opal ready to set. If he wants to buy jewelry instead of making it, he can purchase items that range in price from $15 all the way up to several thousand dollars for the best of the gold pieces. What a change from the business Claudia’s parents, the Mark Stetlers, set up when they bought the mine in 1964. Former owners of a rock shop in Missoula, Montana, the Stetlers simply catered to rock hounds who wanted to find their own opals. “They made a living off of the fee digging. But it’s just done a complete about-face from what it used to be back in the seventies and eighties. Over the years, the rock hound business has just kind of slowly faded away and our
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convenience store, commercial and retail sales evolved,” Claudia says. Spencer may be the “opal capital of America” now, but if two hunters hadn’t been lost in the fog in 1948, the story of the 33-person town would be quite different. Jesse Ray Bohney and Franklin W. Argenbright “knew they were on a mountain top in the area here, but they didn’t know where they were. So they sat down to wait for the fog to clear and while they were waiting they were just kind of poking around. The original opal was right on the surface there in the original outcropping. So they just picked up some pretty shiny rocks,” Claudia relates. “They didn’t have any idea what it was. It actually had some precious opal color in it.” Bohney later told Claudia that it took a couple years to find anybody who really knew what he’d found. When someone told him in 1952 that it was precious opal, he went back and re-located the site, and together with
Argenbright filed a claim on the area. The Stetlers purchased the property from the hunters and then patented the claim. Precious opal would stand out to any untutored eye. It flashes varied colors in succession as the eye moves its viewing angle the least bit. What’s going on in there? “For years they used to think that the color in there was created by the water molecules, kind of like you see in a puddle or something like that. But after they were able to electron-magnify the opal enough, they could see that it’s actually the silica lined up in a checkerboard pattern. The silica spheres aren’t exactly round, but when they line up there’ll be little spaces in between them. When they’re just right, it’s called a diffraction grating. It actually separates the light into the different colors of the spectrum. Everything has to be lined up just right in that layer and it has to have cooled just right to actually produce the color in there. That’s why it changes to your eye,” Claudia explains. Opal without the play of color is known as common opal, rather than precious opal. “It’s the precious opal that is the most sought after, just because it only occurs in a few spots. And out of all of the opal that we have here, only 10 percent of the opal has the precious opal color. So you go through a lot of stuff to find those few pieces that you’re going to be working on,” she adds. On top of that, opal is a delicate gem, soft and easily damaged as a person tries to remove it from the surrounding rock. That’s especially true in Spencer, where the opal deposits are typically quite thin. The remarkable color makes working with Spencer’s opal worth the trouble, though. Typically it’s made into a doublet or triplet, sandwiched between a backing stone such as basalt or black jade, and a protective top layer of clear quartz. Claudia was a part of Spencer Opal Mines from the get-go, when she was a teenager. But in the intervening years, “Everybody else retired and I’m still here!” she laughs. But that doesn’t mean new family members haven’t joined the team. For one, there’s her husband, A.J. who generally works at the mine. To accommodate daughter Erin’s cooking interest, they decided Spencer could use a restaurant, so they built the café. Erin’s husband Curt Mortensen cooks and assists all-around, too. The older two grandsons may be only 8 and 9, but they sometimes help sort rock at the mine. Beyond these family members, the Coutures only employ waitresses at the café. Unexpectedly, the café has proven to boost opal business, too. “We get people who have never dug a rock before, because they’ve sat here at lunch and looked out the window, and seen people having fun in the stockpile,” Claudia says. Diners also sit near the café’s jewelry counter. In the winter, the entire family closes up shop and moves to Arizona, where they prepare for the summer season by cutting and setting opals, and attending gem shows throughout the Southwest. Either place, when day is done for the opal business, Claudia likes to saddle up and go ride horseback. She may have dreamed of being a cowboy when she was a girl, but there’s no doubt her heart is also in the opal business. “If I could go back and pick the part of the work I like to do most, it would be mining. To be the first one to see the opal - that to me is the thrill of it, to be the first one to see that piece in the rough,” she says. In fact, Claudia has an eye for rocks even when she’s not in Spencer. Just watch when she drives up to a new place and pulls to a stop. As she swings her legs out, she can’t help it. Her eyes drop to the ground, automatically searching for whatever interesting rocks might be found. Opal Country Café, the business location for Spencer Opal Mines, is open daily, generally from April through October. Spencer is just off I-15 about 15 miles south of the Montana border. For more information, visit, www.spenceropalmines.com, or call 208-374-5476 in summer, 928-8593752 in winter. ISI
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Tribal elder shares plant lore, traditional tribal stories Article and Photo by Dianna Troyer As a child, after her school day ended, Ramona Walema’s favorite classroom on the Fort Hall Reservation was Ferry Butte or Mount Putnam, just about anywhere a plant was growing, so her father Charley Bell could point it out to her and describe its medicinal uses. “He was a Bannock medicine man and would take me out on a horseback ride and tell me to jump down and study this or that plant and remember what it looks like and how to use it,” says Ramona, a Shoshone-Bannock tribal elder whose sons recently filmed her for a DVD called “Traditional Uses of Plants.” Ramona’s dad not only taught her about plants, he also told her traditional Bannock stories, which she shares in a separate DVD, “Oral Tradition Stories of the Bannock,” that her sons also made. “My dad was the best story teller,” Ramona says. “Sometimes, he would tell us funny stories or scary stories at night before bed, so after he was done, we would run into our rooms and pull the covers over our heads. And before we knew it, we were sound asleep.” Ramona’s sons Charley B. Plenty Wounds and Dorsey C. Plenty Wounds helped her make the two DVDs because she wanted to pass on the knowledge she had gained from her late father, who raised Ramona and her sisters on a cattle and horse ranch north of Fort Hall, where she still lives. “So many elders pass on without passing on their knowledge to a younger generation,” says Ramona, who declines to share her age, adding with a laugh, “It’s my secret.” While she keeps her age a secret, Ramona has always been glad to share her plant expertise, tribal lore, native language, and arts and crafts knowledge through the public school systems in Fort Hall, Blackfoot, and Pocatello. “I’ve been in education for about 50 years,” says Ramona. She has worked as a teacher’s aide, taught students about basketry, beadwork, quillwork, cradleboards, and moccasins at Blackfoot High School, and because she is fluent in Bannock, she also has taught language classes. In 1990, Ramona was honored for her decades-long contributions to arts and education, when she received the Idaho Governor’s Award. At the same time Ramona was working in schools, she not only valued educating others but also herself. She enrolled in classes at Haskell Junior College and earned a social sciences degree in 1982. In 1987, she graduated from nearby Idaho State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, emphasizing Native American studies. She has to laugh, when she recalls taking botany classes at ISU. “I knew all the plants’ names in the Bannock language, so here I had to learn them all over again,” she says of memorizing plants’ Anglicized common names and scientific names. Ramona gives a few examples of how some
common plants are used. Peppermint growing along moist creek banks can be made into a tea to clear the sinuses and soothe a sore throat. Sagebrush leaves can staunch nosebleeds or be made into a tea to ease rheumatic pain. To relieve a headache, peel and chew pieces of aspen bark. “Anyone who wants to learn about plants should take someone knowledgeable with them,” Ramona advises. “There are poisonous plants around here, too, like water hemlock and poison hemlock.” Ramona is well known not only for her plant lore but also for her storytelling, which she has done throughout Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, and Montana at colleges, museums, and schools. The characters of cottontail, squirrel, beaver, cougar, and coyote as “animal people” come to life
as they learn valuable lessons through their many adventures on Mother Earth. “When I go into preschool and kindergarten classrooms, they call me ‘Grandma.’” Ramona says. “One of their favorite stories they ask me to tell is about Fat Boy and the Horse Race.” As she tells the story, she gestures gracefully with her slender hands, speaks in a soothing cadence, and laughs easily and often. Once, a boy was so obese, his parents worried about him, so his grandparents suggested he eat the heart of a killdeer. After eating small pieces of the heart, Fat Boy soon became as active as a killdeer, darting here and there like the bird. Soon he became slim, and one day a boy astride a horse challenged him to a race. She does the sound effects of the boy running steadily along and makes her fingers walk along her right leg. Then she makes the sounds of the horse galloping, and her other fingers fly along her left leg. “But soon the horse got so tired, and here came Fat Boy,” she says. “Well, he won the race.” It’s like the fable of the tortoise and the hare, she says, and it
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teaches the little ones to be persistent in reaching a goal. Ramona not only shares her values in the classroom through tribal stories but also from the pulpit through sermons. She is the pastor of the First American Gospel Church at Fort Hall. “In October, we celebrated being on the radio for 34 years,” says Ramona, whose church program airs Sundays mornings at 9:30 on KIDK 1240 AM radio. To provide musical entertainment at church, Ramona and her sons formed the Sage Bird Gospel Band. Ramona not only sings, she also taught herself to play the guitar, keyboard, harmonica, flute, drums, tambourine, and gourd. Besides school and church, Ramona’s most recent place to tell stories is in the theater. She wrote a script, and her sons made the 45-minute
movie Many Rivers, filming local actors in nearby locations. This Spearhead Productions film tells the story of a young man who is separated from his sister for many years and is eventually reunited. “I’m excited about it,” Ramona says. “I’m pleased with how it turned out.” She and her sons are in the final editing stages and plan to enter it in Idaho State University’s annual film festival this winter. Whether Ramona shares knowledge about plants or entertains with traditional tribal stories, she leaves a memorable impression on her audiences. Ramona’s DVDs are available for $17.50 each and may be purchased from her by calling 208-237-6345, 208-681-0300, or by writing to her at P.O. Box 866, Fort Hall, Idaho 83203. Ramona also is available to tell stories. ISI
Racing motorcycles satisfies Dave Horré's need for speed By Dianna Troyer Racing Motorcycle AsTo motorcycle racer sociation. Dave Horré, the word He was Sportsman “slow” is a foreign con500 Novice Champion cept his mind cannot in the National Vintage comprehend and a Motocross Series. He speed his body naturally was also Historic 500 rejects. Novice Champion in the Dave, a retired buildNational Post-Vintage er who ranches north Motocross Series, riding of Mackay, Idaho, coma 1974 Czechoslovakian petes on a motorcycle motorcycle. racing circuit in his spare The championship time, often escaping a titles do not motivate few Idaho snowstorms to Dave to race, however. ride in the warmer SouthHe races for the speed, west during winter. the camaraderie with He may be older and others, and the satisfacheavier than other motortion of racing on a bike cycle racers, but he rouhe rebuilt. tinely leaves his younger, He describes a relighter competitors in the cent race in Stockton, dust on tracks in Idaho, Calif., aboard his YamaMontana, Nevada, Caliha 750cc motorcycle fornia, Colorado, New as “my best race ever,” Mexico, Arizona, and [Photo courtesy of Mx Photography] Dave even though he did not Horré soars over a motocross jump in Milliken, finish first. Washington. “A racer’s average Colo., earlier this year. “I came in seventh in age is 20 to 25, and I’m 57 going on 20,” says the semi-final, but it was the best experience, a Dave, who has been racing on a motocross and really fast race,” says Dave, relaxing at his dining flat track circuit since 2002. room table in the spacious log ranch house he built His weight and age did not hinder his ability to north of Mackay, while his bawling cows serenade cross the finish line in first place again and again him from a nearby pasture. “I had a smile on my in 2008. At the season’s conclusion, he won two face the whole time. It was thrilling.” championship titles with the American Historic Dave’s blue eyes shine, and he grins as he describes what it feels like to race motorcycles, when he has spare time from ranching. “On a track, you’re one with the bike, going 90 miles an hour down the straightaway, and you come up behind another rider and tuck in behind him to let him draft you. You’re four feet from his rear tire, then at the right second you shoot out and pass him.” Racing motorcycles is a serious adrenalin sport, Dave says. “The flat track races are usually on a dirt horse racing track and only last about 15 minutes, but they’re totally intense. When you’re done, you’re soaked in sweat, and you can hardly walk from the stress and dehydration. “I’m so happy whenever I’m racing,” says Dave, who competes in about eight events a year. “My wife, Linda, goes with me and is really supportive, although she doesn’t race herself. The people at the track are great and like a family. Everyone knows each other, and if they don’t, they make the effort to get to know you.” No matter how many times Dave has raced, he has never grown weary of the scents and sounds of the track, which lure him and hook him like an angler setting bait. “It’s a petroleum sport. You smell exhaust fumes and dust and hear the rumbling engines.” Dave doubts he will earn a championship title for his 2009 season, because back surgery last winter and knee surgery this spring sidelined him. Decades of working in construction as a residential builder and engineering contractor - not motorcycle injuries - took a toll on his body.
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“We built everything from houses to bridge abutments. I lifted too many heavy loads, or my knees were in awkward positions too many times,” he says. “I’ve never been seriously hurt racing. Sure, you might slide out in a corner, but that’s normal. It’s a lot safer than street riding, because it’s a controlled environment. At the track, there are flagmen at every corner, so you know if someone is down, and an ambulance is always at the track, too.” He shows his heavy white-and-turquoise blue leather pants and jacket that protect him when he races. Along the sleeve is the motto, “Eat Beef.” Along the side seam of his pants is printed “Wood River Medical Gang.” Dave’s passion for motorcycles started in childhood. “When I was 7 or 8, my cousin let me ride his motorcycle. Then when I was 13 or 14, I went to a motorcycle shop and bought a broken Yamaha that was in a bunch of pieces in a box. I put it back together, and off I went.” He recalls his first race at age 16. “It was a mess. I was all over the track, falling down. But I kept coming back.”
Once he started Horré Construction in Sonoma, Calif., and married Linda in 1974, he no longer had time to race. Then he and Linda grew tired of a California lifestyle. “We wanted to live in a scenic rural area without crime, congestion, or factories,” Dave says. “My dad had some cattle growing up, and I wanted to start ranching.” He visited a cousin in Idaho, looked at real estate publications, and found Mackay. In 1992, he bought land north of town and built his house beneath the scenic shadow of Mount McCaleb. “It has been a really peaceful place for us,” Dave says. Then one day in 2002, while traveling to Salmon, Dave happened to watch a motocross race there and felt the dormant embers of his childhood passion reignite, and he has been racing ever since. “We like going to races in winter because it gives us a chance to be in a warm place for a while,” Dave says. “Racing motorcycles is my life. It’s a blast.” ISI
Submarine Sail Stars at Arco’s Idaho Science Center By Craig & Liz Larcom “Submariner Parking Only, All Others Will Be Torpedoed,” reads the sign in the parking lot at the Idaho Science Center in Arco. Beyond the sign stands the pride of the museum, the sail of the nuclear attack submarine Hawkbill, SN-666, along with a torpedo. The Sturgeon-class sub traveled a million and a half miles between 1971 and 1999, some in the Pacific and some for Arctic research. She was captured famously on film as she bashed through three feet of ice to surface at the North Pole in 1999. Moving beneath the ice in the Bering Strait, the Hawkbill, at times only 18 feet above the ocean floor, once maneuvered around ice 131 times in a six-hour shift. By the time she was decommissioned, 28 years after her first deployment, she was older than her average crewmember. Sailors nicknamed her the “Devil Boat,” because of her randomly assigned number, 666. It was a name she failed to live down to. Her assigned name, Hawkbill, was in honor of the smallest kind of sea turtle. Ironically, number 664 was assigned the name “Sea Devil.” Arconian Clay Condit thought a sail would be the perfect attention-grabber for the fledgling science museum, which focuses on nuclear energy. After all, 40,000 sailors learned how to run nuclear submarines at what is now known as the Idaho National Laboratory, east of Arco. The Navy was agreeable. Would the sail of the Hawkbill, on Puget Sound, be all right? “Okay, that’s great!” Condit answered. Then the plot thickened. “Now when would you like to pick it up?” “Well, that’s interesting,” Condit thought. “How do I do that? Go get a submarine!” Fortunately, Pixanna Walker, Condit’s assistant, had relatives that had three trucks, and Condit had a $4,000 grant that would cover the expenses. “So Pixanna went with her relatives up there to Puget Sound, they loaded the sail on their trucks and they brought it down,” says Condit. Then Condit, working on a contract at Hanford at the time, got an agonized call. “We’re at the Idaho border and they won’t let us in because we don’t meet highway specifications,” Condit heard. “Oh, boy! Here we go!” he thought. “I’ve got 60 tons of scrap metal sitting at the Idaho border. What am I going to do with it?” “But Pixanna, in her special way, jumped on and got a friend who was connected to our senator. And the senator opened the gates and we were able to bring it up,” Condit says. By the time it got to Arco, a town of 1,000 people, everyone knew the sail was coming. People lined the street as Mayor Jacques Marcotte rode into town atop the peak of the sail, which had been cut into pieces for the journey on the trucks.
“Here’s the nice secret thing that happened. There are many things people won’t tell me that I know have really happened. I had these 60 tons of scrap iron lying down out here. And I’m frantically trying to find out what are we going to do with it. And people were saying, ‘Well, Condit brought this scrap iron into town. What are we going to do with it? Looks terrible,’” Condit says. “And a guy comes up to me, and he says, ‘Say, Mr. Condit, can we help you a little bit? We kind of like that (sub).’ “And I said, ‘Well, yeah, yeah. What can you do?’” “It turned out he was the head of the Pocatello Naval Reserve Center. But he was somehow connected to the Department of Energy in Boston and he brought a cadre of sailors out, and were they good!” says Condit, whistling in admiration. “I believe that somewhere in there was a very smart engineer or two. They knew just exactly how to put that thing together. Well, what this tells me is that the guy I was dealing with that gave me that sail, they liked that sail, and they wanted it right. They were Navy guys, they like Navy stuff. So all these invisible hands were manipulating these people. “So this was one of those things that nobody
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told me. And when I called and talked to the guy who had arranged to give me the sail, ‘Well, I don’t know anything about that,’” Condit says imitating a smooth voice. He laughs. “It’s beautiful!” Condit’s connection with the Hawkbill goes deeper than the attention it brings to the museum. He worked at the Lab and had a hand in the submarine program. One task was starting many of the subs in the Sturgeon series. “Every nuclear reactor is kind of a weird beast to start with. So I would go and supervise the startup of the initial criticality. Once you find out where the rods go critical then you’re ok,” he explains. He may have started the Hawkbill itself, but does not remember for sure. Nuclear submarines were one of the earliest applications of nuclear power after the Manhattan project, as the nation began looking into developing nuclear energy. “There was a great potential capability for having a submarine that had nuclear power, because the submarine would never have to surface. We’d been blowing up German submarines in the Second World War because they had to come up for air at least every 48 hours. Well, by developing a submarine that didn’t have to come up, you’d developed a very strange weapon,” he says. “Now, the Navy came out and built its first nuclear submarine prototype, using the S1W plant, which was the first specialized water reactor in the world, built at the same time. And the idea was that you weren’t going to put 100 men in a submarine and send them under the water unless you knew all the eccentricities of the power plant or the system. So our game was to learn everything you could about a nuclear power plant, and find its problems and eccentricities and find ways to fix it, and then fix it on the submarine before it went in the water. “That worked pretty well, because in the last 40 years you’ve had 200 nuclear submarines and surface vessels. They’ve gone 140 million miles underwater. There have been no nuclear accidents, no radiation accidents. And they’ve been operated by 20year-old sailors. That’s good technology! All this
work, on the testing and the training, was done here at the Idaho National Laboratory,” Condit says. Bringing some of the history of nuclear energy to the public’s attention is Condit’s goal for the Idaho Science Center. He has completed a timeline, House as well as displays about how wars haveThe changed since 1945. Next, he is working on the benefits of nuclear energy and medicine while an Eagle Scout tackles the topic of storing radioactive waste. In the meantime, the log shows that the sail is attracting attention as planned. In the past year, visitors from 14 nations and 21 states left enthusiastic comments. The Idaho Science Center is on US 20/26 in Arco. Look for the Hawkbill and a small, unlabeled building nearby. Call for schedule and hours, 208527-3770. ISI
Need A Lift – Just Call TRPTA
Seniors and their family members in the Idaho Falls area can travel locally or to neighboring cities such as Rigby, Rexburg, Driggs, and Salmon by way of Targhee Regional Public Transportation Authority (TRPTA). TRPTA is the leader in comfort, convenience and wheelchair accessibility for its passengers. Whether you need a ride to the mall, to the grocery store, or just to the Museum, TRPTA’s courtesy drivers will be glad to accommodate you. TRPTA currently offers fixed routes and demand response to the general public at great rates! For more information or to schedule a ride, call TRPTA at 208-529-1489 or visit www.trpta.org. The main office is located at 1810 #7 West Broadway in Idaho Falls, Idaho. ISI
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Goatees are for goats By Gretchen Anderson My friend Vicky came sashaying back to the table at DaVincis and announced to us all, “the lighting in the ladies room is perfect for tweezing chin hairs!” I just about snorted my Chianti through my nose. There were six of us at the table and we had just taken in Menopause the Musical. We all had a good laugh and what ensued was a colorful, 20-minute discussion about the best ways and places to tweeze. Fellow brunette and sweet friend, Leslie is convinced her car is the best place. The natural light and the rearview mirror are perfect - that is until you are busted by the motorist next to you. Ooh, gross! It is one thing to tweeze your brows, but it is entirely unthinkable to groom one’s chin in public! We all decided it has to be in a private, confined space with spectacular lighting - and it is nice to have a magnifying mirror handy as well. As women, it is something we all have to endure eventually.
Nature throws us some pretty hard curves. My esthetician friend, Kalen is remarkable at removing unwanted facial hair. I am thinking of moving her into my home and keeping her on fulltime. Though I am certain my husband, Mr. Man, would not go for that. He claims he already has too many females in his life and does not need - or want another one. So, I have told my girls that when I get older, they will take turns keeping me free of chin hairs. There are three of them - girls, not hairs. If I schedule them in rotation, maybe they will not forsake me and introduce me as their werewolf mom. One of my worst fears is that someday - way in the future - my grandkids will not call me Mamma Grety. They will call me Goatee Granny! Do not get me wrong, I feel blessed having been born a brunette. I am thankful I have never had to endure a blonde joke like my sister, Jody. She has lived all her life shaking her head and smiling at all those blonde jokes. Of course, she is
secretly flipping off the teller of the joke while she is smiling. It goes with the territory. Blonde hair, blonde jokes. Dark hair, dark chin hairs. A few years back, I came home from a great ladies weekend. I told Jody all about how we laughed our way through the camping trip and how I made three new really good friends. I could sense she was kind of jealous and felt left out. With little emotion or hesitation, she reached up and grabbed a half-inch, long hair that was growing out of my jaw line, pulled it out and said, “Well, they must not be such good girlfriends - they didn’t tell you about that.” I guess she set me straight. Ever since that moment, I have been scrutinizing my chin and jaw line like an ethics probe in Congress. Short of creams, electrolysis, or laser treatments, I will keep plucking, trimming, and tweezing. And, if you happen to see a plate of pasta growing cold on a table at DaVincis, you will know where I am. ISI
Amusement for lexophiles 1. A bicycle can’t stand alone; it is two tired. 2. A will is a dead giveaway. 3. Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana. 4. A backward poet writes inverse. 5. In a democracy it’s your vote that counts; in feudalism, it’s your Count that votes. 6. A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion. 7. If you don’t pay your exorcist you can get 244 repossessed. 8. With her marriage she got a new name and
a dress. 9. Show me a piano falling down a mine shaft and I’ll show you A-flat miner. 10. When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds. 11. The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered. 12. A grenade fell onto a kitchen floor in France, resulted in linoleum blown apart. 13. You are stuck with your debt if you can’t budge it. 14. Local Area Network in Australia is the LAN down under.
15. He broke into song because he couldn’t find the key. 16. A calendar’s days are numbered. 17. A lot of money is tainted: ‘Taint yours and ‘taint mine. 18. A boiled egg is hard to beat. 19. He had a photographic memory which was never developed. 20. A plateau is a high form of flattery. 21. A short fortuneteller who escaped from prison is a small medium at large. 22. Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end. ISI
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New Kinship Caregivers Support Group Starting By Catherine Hepner Years ago, Ken and Ginny Ohls bought an RV and looked forward to travelling around the country to enjoy their retirement. Then they got a phone call that changed their plans. Their three grandsons needed them because their parents could not raise them. Soon, grandson number four came along. He recently turned 18 and left the house in May. Ken and Ginny made plans to restart their retirement. “We went to the RV meeting this summer and all those people had gotten old,” Ginny says with a laugh. “That’s when we realized that other grandparents in the Idaho City area were going through what we had just been through, and we had the time and energy to help.” Ginny, who already works at the school, explored the idea of starting a kinship caregiver support group with Michelle Alden of Healthy Foundations. The idea caught fire. “Someone donated meat and another person donated produce from their garden,” says Ginny. “I can cook up something for dinner so families can come directly to the meeting without worrying about feeding their kids.” It is not just grandparents raising their grandchildren who benefit from
sharing their experiences and connecting with other caregivers. There are also aunts, uncles, cousins, and adult siblings who take on the job of raising a younger relative when the biological parents cannot. With the growing methamphetamine problem, the population of children being raised by a relative (kin) is exploding. According to the 2000 Census, there were over 18,000 children in Idaho in kinship families. Idaho has the third highest percentage of children in kinship homes - and the trend is increasing. The children benefit from the meetings as well. Often the children in a kinship home feel as though they are the only ones in the situation. When they go to the meetings, they get a chance to feel more normal. They also get to talk about their situation with peers who understand the variety of emotions they experience daily. Often the children like talking to others in their same situation because they do not want to talk to their kinship caregiver out of fear of hurting their feelings. The support group meets the 4th Thursday of the month at Healthy Foundations, 108 Wall Street (parking in the back) in Idaho City. Children’s activities are provided so the adults can talk. For more information, contact Ginny at 208-344-4329 or 208-570-3022. ISI
Peace in the Valley: Seven Ways Caregivers Can Face Their Fears and Better Help Their Loved Ones Take That Final, Sacred Walk “I’m dying.” These are words that most of us dread hearing from the people we love. However, death is an inescapable part of life - and if it hasn’t happened already, chances are you’ll be called upon to help a parent, spouse, friend, or other loved one through the valley. Yes, it can be a terrifying prospect. But according to Donna Authers, it’s also a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity: to help your loved one make the most of his final years, months, and days... to help him take the next step without regret... and to create priceless memories for you to cherish. “The illness and decline of someone close to you, especially as the end draws near, is one of the most testing times in your life,” says Authers, herself an experienced caregiver and author of the book A Sacred Walk: Dispelling the Fear of Death and Caring for the Dying (A&A Publishing, 2008, ISBN: 978-0-6152458-5-0, $15.95). “Still, it’s important to know that serving as a caregiver can reward you with a rich, full experience.
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Death will always bring sadness, but it does not have to be characterized solely by pain and sorrow—it can also be accompanied by faith, grace, and love.” Authers - who grew up overshadowed by a paralyzing fear of death due to the early loss of numerous family members - first experienced the trials and joys of caregiving when she spent time with her beloved grandmother, Angelina, in the last months of her life. Through Angelina’s wisdom and example, Authers was able for the first time to witness a peaceful passing and experience “good grief.” “My grandmother’s faith strengthened my own, and I was able to realize that I hadn’t seen her for the last time,” recalls Authers. “Grandma taught me so much about living a full, selfless life with no regrets - not only through her life, but also through her death. Learning those lessons took courage on my part: the courage to face my fears, and the courage to continue loving Grandma even though I knew I would lose her soon.” Since that time, Authers has served as a caregiver to many others, both as a family member and as a representative of ministries and hospice organizations. “Through my experiences with the dying and their families, I’ve learned that there are two groups who need to be considered: the person receiving care, and the people who are giving it,” she says. “Focus on your loved one, but don’t ignore yourself and your own needs in the process. Remember that both of you are still alive at this moment, and use the time to draw even closer together.” Helping someone make his or her final life transition is an intimate and profound privilege, whether you are the primary caregiver or not. And while there is no single formula to follow during this bittersweet time, you can take steps that will enable you to provide support to your loved one without feeling unnecessarily frightened or burdened by stress and anxiety. Being a caregiver isn’t easy - but it is an experience you can’t afford to miss. Taken from A Sacred Walk, following are several important thoughts for all caregivers to consider as they spend the last bit of precious time with their loved ones: Strive to be “God with skin on.” In today’s busy, competitive world, the “still, small voice” of reason and love can easily be drowned out, and those who are hurting often have to maneuver life’s minefields without the support and companionship they so desperately need. Even before you are called upon to care for a loved one in need, you can serve as a caregiver to those whom you encounter in the ebb and flow of daily life. “Being a caregiver isn’t something that begins only when a loved one needs your help,” stresses Authers. “The skills you’ll use to walk a
friend or relative home are practiced and honed every day - something I call being ‘God with skin on.’ You never know which of your coworkers, friends, or acquaintances might need a pair of helping hands or a nonjudgmental listening ear. By developing patience, kindness, gentleness, and other selfless qualities, you’ll be ready to help when someone you meet has been unpleasantly surprised by life. And you’ll be able to step in without hesitation and put those skills to use when someone you care about is beginning his or her final journey.” You need care, too. When you’re a caregiver, you might feel as though you need to have all of the answers and show no sign of weakness. After all, you’re supposed to be the pillar of support, right? Wrong, says Authers. Your patient isn’t the only one who needs care - you do too. The responsibilities on your shoulders are immense, and they - like grief - are more bearable when they are shared. “Receiving care isn’t a luxury, as many people think,” explains Authers. “It’s a necessity. Quite simply, you can’t do it all by yourself. Take advantage of the consistent and reliable aid your support network can offer, and don’t be afraid to reach out if you need more. Those who are close to you can help you regain your balance after a traumatic event rocks your life. Even the little things - a meal prepared, a chore completed - can make a huge difference in your stress level. “Also, keep in mind that sometimes your family and friends may not be the right people to help you,” she adds. “They may be too emotionally involved, or they might not have the expertise you need. Sometimes a pastor, a counselor, or a volunteer who represents a caring organization might be best able to give you the support you need. Remember, the more at peace you are, the better you’ll be able to cherish the time you spend with the loved one for whom you’re caring.” Hospice is for the living. It’s a surprising statement, isn’t it? Most of us associate “hospice” with the final act of dying. The reality, though, is that the dying process can last weeks or even months, and it can pass through multiple stages. According to Authers, many people fail to realize that hospice facilities often provide support services to patients, caregivers, and family members throughout this journey, long before the patient is “ready” for hospice. “Hospice care is superior, and it provides welcome support that a hospital can’t,” asserts Authers. “For example, when my mother was in the final stages of cancer, she gained new friends in Helen, a volunteer who visited her at home, and in Carol, her nurse. Although Mom no longer had years ahead of her, she was still very much alive - and the relationships she formed with these two wonderful women cheered her up and comforted the rest of us. We knew that Mom
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had a medical professional who cared about her on call, 24/7. “Working with hospice can also take the responsibility of dealing with practical details off the shoulders of caregivers so that they can focus solely on their loved one,” Authers continues. “Many hospice facilities provide volunteers who will run errands or provide respite care when family members need a break. Some even provide medications, house calls, and grief counseling. Research what your local hospice offers - don’t overlook this invaluable source of support!” Don’t treat death as a secret. No matter how strong a support network your loved one might enjoy, her inner fears about dying may linger, and it’s important to make sure that they don’t remain unspoken. One of the greatest services a caregiver can offer is identifying those fears and making sure that they are alleviated. For example, these fears might include fear of the process of dying, fear of loss of control, fear of the unknown, and fear that life will have been meaningless. In addition to talking to your loved one, make
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sure that affected family members and friends are aware of what to expect as death draws near. By dispelling misconceptions, you will enable everyone to focus on the tasks at hand, and you’ll also help ensure that unnecessary fears of death are not perpetuated. “Talking about your loved one’s impending death and helping him confront his fears about it are difficult, emotional tasks,” Authers warns. “You might wish to sweep these issues under the rug because they’re so painful, but resist that temptation. Easing the fears of a dying loved one, as well as the fears of family and friends, will ultimately bring the fullest measure of peace and closure.” Anticipate what your loved one needs. As your loved one takes his final journey, he’ll probably need more physical aid than he once did - but his spiritual and emotional needs will be different, too. To ease the burden, don’t just ask what you can do to help. Anticipate it. According to Authers, those who are ill might be unable to think of or articulate exactly what they need or want, or they might be uncomfortable expressing it. “Your contribution might be preparing meals, vacuuming a neglected house, or coordinating a ‘driver pool’ to assist with transporting a patient to her doctors’ appointments,” suggests Authers. “These practical acts of kindness are some of the greatest gifts you can give. “Don’t underestimate the value of your time, attention, and presence, either. Be sensitive to the desires and fears of the person for whom you’re caring, and treat her as herself, not as someone who is dying. Try to make her final days relaxing, affirming, and reassuring. Listen to her patiently if she wants to talk, and above all, make sure she knows just how important she is to you.” Harness the power of forgiveness. Mental health professionals tell us that the number one inhibitor to finding peace is our inability to forgive. Forgiveness releases the hold the past has on the present, and it acts as a soothing balm to the soul. Perhaps the person for whom you’re caring needs
your help and encouragement in reconciling with others. Maybe there are even issues between the two of you that need to be addressed. Don’t hesitate to help restore the lines of communication. Doing so can dispel many of the regrets your loved one may be holding onto, and it can keep anger and resentment from being his legacy. “It’s bittersweet when people wait until they are on their deathbeds to restore a broken relationship,” observes Authers. “Sweet because a burden is being released and bitter because it didn’t happen sooner. Ultimately, though, working through disappointing relationships and situations encourages physical, emotional, and spiritual growth. When forgiveness, reconciliation, and love are present, even the fear of death can disappear.” Practice “good grief.” As a caregiver, you know that you will experience a great deal of grief when your loved one passes away. Chances are you’re experiencing grief already. Don’t try to avoid those feelings, even if you want badly to do so. Instead, learn how to grieve well. “Good grief” does not mean that you won’t feel sorrow and hurt - you will. However, by letting yourself experience the feelings of sorrow, pain, hurt, loss, and confusion that are bound to come, you will be able to embrace life once more with a stronger faith and a renewed sense of purpose. It is important to note, though, that after the initial shock of a terminal diagnosis has worn off, you should try to behave normally around your dying loved one so as not to burden him. Make sure you have others to help you work through your grief. “I learned the hard way that when you try to stifle grief or hurry it along, you only prolong its sting and confuse yourself,” Authers shares. “Grief manifests itself in different ways for different people. Express your emotions when they rise up, and be thankful for your tears - they are a blessing because of the love they represent. And remember something that my mother told me when she was dying. ‘Things will be different from now on, but different doesn’t mean it won’t be better.’ Cherish the memories you have, and have faith that you will see your loved ones again.” “Always remember, the work that you are doing as a caregiver is sacred,” concludes Authers. “Letting go of someone you love is excruciating, but you can protect yourself from debilitating grief by replacing your fear with new memories. Make them right until the end. Remember what you have learned from those who have died, and cherish the love and the laughter that you shared. Recall and be grateful for the help you received along the way. And finally, know that you have provided a service of inestimable, eternal value.” ISI
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Checklist Helps Caregivers Simplify Road Trips During The Holidays By Lisa M. Petsche If you are planning to take an older relative on a road trip of several hours or more, thorough preparation is the key to success, especially if the person has special healthcare needs. Follow these tips for a safe and enjoyable stay. Planning • Set realistic expectations. Consider your loved one’s needs and limitations. • Make plans and start necessary preparations well in advance. Lists are indispensable. • Include your loved one in the preparations to the best of his or her ability. • Research the accessibility of accommodations and attractions you wish to visit. If you are planning to stay at a motel or hotel, make reservations, especially if you will need specific features such as a room with handicapped facilities or a ground-floor room. • Learn the location of the nearest hospital in any areas you plan to visit. Avoid destinations where a hospital is far away. • Arrange a pre-trip doctor visit for your loved one. Share your travel plans and any healthrelated concerns, such as motion sickness or circulation problems. • If your loved one has trouble walking long distances, rent a wheelchair or ensure that the places you plan to visit have some available. • Have your car checked and serviced before departure. • If you are going to an unfamiliar area, obtain a road map and study it. If you belong to an automobile club, take advantage of its routeplanning service. • Plan to do as much driving as possible during off-peak traffic times. Or choose the scenic route if time and your loved one’s sitting tolerance permit. Packing - Include the following items when drawing up a packing list: • Loose-fitting, breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, and a cardigan for air-conditioned environments and cool evenings • Sufficient prescription and over-thecounter medications to cover the time you plan to be away, plus a few extra days’ worth in case your return is delayed • Sunscreen, insect repellent, antihistamine, and motion sickness tablets • A list of all health conditions and medications in case of a medical emergency • Any necessary medical equipment and supplies, such as a walking aid, food supplements, and incontinence or diabetic supplies • A cushion or two for comfortable positioning in the car • An extra pair of eyeglasses and spare hearing aid batteries • Sunglasses and umbrellas (the latter primarily for instant shade) • A pillow and a nightlight
• A cooler containing sandwiches, snacks, and beverages • Favorite music or books on tape for the car ride • Emergency roadside and first aid kits • Cell phone (Don’t forget to charge it and bring a recharging unit along) • Disabled parking permit Driving • Top off the gas tank at frequent intervals. • Stop approximately once per hour for stretch breaks or short walks. • Choose stops that have clean, well-lit restrooms. • Wear seat belts and, if your loved one is in the front seat, ensure that the headrest is centered at the back of his/her head. • Encourage your loved one to shift his/ her weight often and to do neck and shoulder stretches and foot flexes. Lodging • When checking in, ask for a room close to the lobby or elevator. A ground-floor room is ideal in case of an emergency in which elevators become inoperable. • If your loved one has a back problem, request a room with a recently replaced mattress. Recreation • Space out activities and allow ample time for each. • Schedule outings for the time of day when your loved one’s energy level is highest. Stick to regular meal, medication, and sleep times. • Have a flexible itinerary. Take things one day - and one activity - at a time. • Ensure plenty of time for rest and relaxation! With a little planning you can be sure that your loved one has a safe, enjoyable road trip and that you, the caregiver, are prepared easily to provide assistance when needed. Lisa M. Petsche is a medical social worker and freelance writer specializing in eldercare issues. ISI
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Jacks of All Trades By Joan Riley, Senior Wire When jobs are scarce and investments shrink, what can retirees do to increase their incomes? Well, an excellent example fraught with possibilities came to my attention recently. In fact, this scheme contains so many possibilities it’s almost overwhelming - and just a part of it may give you enough workable ideas. A special weekly drawing was announced at the local senior center for three hours of free household services by a group called Get ‘er Done. They boast 17 services, but I counted 18 on their attractive flyer and I am sure they would gladly add to those: Deliveries & Errands, Dog training, Elderly check-ins, Furniture repair/refinish, Garage cleaning/organizing, Handyman repairs/painting, Hauling/dump runs, Holiday decorating, Home Sale prep, Housesitting, Housekeeping, In-house computer training, Janitor service, Pet care, Space making, Tutoring, Window washing, and Yard clean up. “With free estimates for individuals, homes, and businesses.” I can think of several additional services you
could add to that list: check writing and balancing, yard sales organizing, party preparation. You can think of others.
To organize and run a business this diverse obviously needs the talents of a good, efficient organizer and record keeper — and a stable of talented, on-call “independent contractors.” The beauty of this type business is that it can be as small or as large as you wish and as demand requires. You would probably want to start out with just a few services that your family/friends could provide, and then gradually add other talented people to your on-call list as you encountered them or as their services were requested. To organize and run a business this diverse obviously needs the talents of a good, efficient organizer and record keeper - and a stable of talented, on-call “independent contractors.” The beauty of this type business is that it can be as small or as large as you wish and as demand requires.
But even confining your services to a few that you could perform yourself might keep you busy enough. Another service not mentioned, but very useful to many elderly, is shopping or escorted shopping. While a few chain stores such as Safeway now provide delivery services, this is usually only in the larger cities, not smaller towns. You can probably think of more services, too. Or take a survey at the senior center or elsewhere and determine the needs in your community. If you don’t care to head up an enterprise like this, just pick one of the services you are skilled at and announce it at the local senior center, post notices on boards around town, list it on the radio if they carry a free program for sales and wanted items, print flyers and distribute them. Don’t forget word of mouth is powerful, too. Have business cards printed and distribute them widely. Good luck! Readers are invited to submit questions about 55-plus work opportunities. Questions should be emailed to johall_95531@juno.com. Subject: Question. Joan Riley is a California editor, teacher, and writer specializing in senior affairs. ISI
Top Tools for Online Retirement Planning By Jim Miller When it comes to getting a handle on your financial situation and gauging how much you will need to retire, the Internet offers a buffet of tools and calculators that can be very helpful. Here are some good sites to help get you started. Retirement Tools - Some of the best retirement planning tools and calculators on the Web today, are offered through large financial service companies. While the purpose of these tools is to entice new business, most companies do not require you to be a client or purchase their products to use them. Here are four dandy sites to use (try several and compare), all of which are free. • WealthRuler: Available at TD Ameritrade, this tool charts your retirement outlook and suggests ways to help you develop a plan to reach your goals. Go to www.tdameritrade. com/planningretirement/wealthruler.html and plug in your financial information (taxes, planned financial events, yearly income, projected Social Security, IRAs, and other investments) to get your results. • Retirement Income Calculator: Provided
by T. Rowe Price (www3.troweprice.com/ric/ ric/public/ric.do), this tool uses the Monte Carlo methodology to project whether your retirement-income needs will be met based on your savings, assets, and age. • MyPlan Retirement Quick Check: Offered by Fidelity (Fidelity.com/myplan) this site starts with a fun “Snapshot” introduction that puts your retirement reality in perspective, and will help you create a plan to help you reach your retirement goals. Other Resources - If you do not like the company sites, there are many others you can turn to for free retirement planning information and calculators, such as: • Choose To Save: Created by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, this site (Choosetosave.org) offers the Ballpark Estimate retirement planning worksheet, more than 100 online calculators, savings tips, and links to resources to help you manage your finances and plan your retirement. • CNN Money (cgi.money.cnn.com/retirement/tools): Provides a number of calculators that projects what and how much you need to save for retirement, and how you compare with other people in your age and income level.
• MSN Money: Has a “Retirement and Wills Center” that offers a retirement planner and calculator and gives tips and strategies for saving for retirement. Visit moneycentral.msn.com/personal-finance – click on “Retirement.” • AOL Money & Finance: Provides financial and retirement calculators at www.walletpop. com/calculators/retirement. • Bank Rate: Go to Bankrate.com and click on “Retirement” for a variety of retirement calculators. Financial Planning - If you are looking for a detailed financial plan, there are several new websites that offer interactive tools to help you see your current financial situation and map out your financial goals – all free. The sites: SimpliFi.net, Planwithvoyant.com, and ESPlannerBasic (Basic.esplanner.com). You will need to plug in your income information, expenses, debts, assets, insurance, savings, and retirement accounts, and the sites will do the rest. 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
DECEMBER 2009/JANUARY 2010
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 23
Table Tennis, Anyone? (NAPSI) - Once the staple of church basements and family rec rooms, table tennis has emerged as the latest craze of both the Hollywood elite and small-town America. Even the Obamas are playing the new national pastime. Why the sudden resurgence of a game that has been around since the 1880s? For overstressed and overscheduled 21st century families, table tennis provides an opportunity to bond while getting some exercise. For families, it provides an activity that transcends generational differences in tastes and interests. Actress and table tennis enthusiast Susan Sarandon was reportedly introduced to the game by her teenage son and soon became obsessed by it. For families with grandchildren, table tennis gives kids the confidence to test their physical prowess against their parents in a venue where
they can be competitive and win. And for parents concerned about their and their children’s fitness, table tennis provides an activity that gets the whole family moving with health benefits that include: • Cardio and aerobic workouts • Enhanced reflexes • Improved hand-eye coordination • Low risk of injury. According to industry experts, during the past two years, table tennis participation has grown 25 percent. No doubt that growth has been helped by the game’s new hip image, with its coolness factor solidified by its appearance in an episode of Entourage. Table tennis fans in the entertainment community include George Clooney, Edward Norton, Matthew Broderick and rap star 50 Cent.
Table tennis hit a new celebrity high when it was revealed that President Obama purchased a Tournament Series Table Tennis Model from Stiga for the White House. A personal purchase by the president, it is in keeping with the Obama family focus on fitness and spending time together. “Table tennis is the perfect way for a busy executive like the president to spend quality time with his friends and family,” said Nick Martin, product manager, Stiga. “With its fast pace, the game, which is often called the ‘brain game,’ requires total mental concentration, and because it can be played by people of varying skill levels, it is a great family game.” So next time you hear the president shout, “Yes, we can!” he may be exhorting his table tennis partner to smash the ball. ISI
Good News for Those Who “Do Good with Wood” Nominations Wanted - You or your organization may be awarded a $5,000 cash grant (NAPSI) - Reality TV shows and DIY programs featuring home makeovers and doing good in the community have never been more popular, but one contest has encouraged and rewarded that kind of volunteerism since 1992. It honors people who “do good with wood,” improving their neighborhoods by donating their wood-finishing and woodworking skills to a worthy cause. Winning entries through the years have been inspiring. A formerly homeless man now mentors at-risk youths in his furniture refinishing and repair business; a guild of woodworkers uses their wide range of woodworking skills to improve the lives of special-needs children by building wooden holiday toys; and a group of high school students designed and built a fanciful wooden boat in a classroom to improve literacy among grade-schoolers. These are but a few examples of woodworkers and do-it-yourselfers of all skill levels that have been recognized by the Minwax Community Craftsman Award for improving the lives of others. Once again, handy people who help build a better community through wood finishing and woodworking could soon see additional rewards beyond the gratification that comes from helping others. Entries are now being accepted for 2009’s Award, with top honors going to one grand-prize winner and two runners-up. The grand prize is a cash grant of $5,000, a supply of Minwax wood-finishing products and a working consultation with author, television personality
and wood-finishing expert Bruce Johnson. Runners-up receive a supply of Minwax products. Additionally, a special recognition award and cash grant of $2,000 will be presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to his or her community by working with wood. Who Can Enter - Eligible participants include individuals, community groups, schools and associations that engage in an activity that involves, but is not limited to, wood finishing and woodworking. The deadline for submission is Dec. 31, 2009 and winners will be announced in the spring of 2010. All eligible applicants are encouraged to enter by writing a summary of recent woodworking projects that have been completed for the purpose of enhancing their community and helping others. Photos are optional but encouraged. Contest entries can be submitted at minwax. com, e-mailed to minwaxcca@brushfireinc.com, or sent by mail to Minwax Community Craftsman Award, c/o Brushfire Inc., 2 Wing Drive, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927. For more information, visit minwax.com. ISI
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PAGE 24 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT
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Financial Potpourri
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By Gerald Townsend, Senior Wire Q. Which is a better choice an index fund or an actively-managed fund? A. What is the best tool a screwdriver or a hammer? It depends on what you are trying to do. Index funds have low expenses and track their benchmark index reasonably well. However, which index or combination of indexes should you be tracking and when should you alter this mix? Actively-managed funds have higher expenses, but also provide opportunity to outperform the averages, along with the possibility of underperforming the averages. Since the combined performance of all funds represents the average, there will always be some funds that do better and some that do worse. If you are interested in active management, look for funds that are not “closet-index” funds and seek those funds who march to the beat of their own drummer otherwise, an index fund might be the better choice. Finally, keep in mind that index vs. active should not be your main concern. Instead, the major factors that will ultimately determine your investment success are having an appropriate and reasonable asset allocation strategy, adding to your portfolio on a regular basis, and sticking to your plan especially during the tough times. Q. What are the odds that my tax return will be audited? A. In its most recent annual data book (for fiscal year 2008), the IRS reported that only about 1.0% of individual returns were audited, which is about the same rate as the year before. If you had “total positive income” from $200,000 to $1,000,000, the audit rate increased to 2.6% and for those with income above $1,000,000 the audit rate rises to 5.6%. Threefourths of audits were correspondence audits and only one-fourth were conducted by IRS agents and examiners. Keep in mind that it is not just your income level, but audits are triggered by certain types of income and expenses. For example, one-third of the individual return audits were selected based on an earned income credit claim. Q. What is the difference between the Discount Rate and the Federal Funds Rate? A. When you hear about the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) changing interest rates, it really means that the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has set a target Federal Funds Rate. It is a target rate only, because the actual rate is determined by the market. When a bank has balances (federal funds) at the Federal Reserve, it can lend these funds overnight to other banks that need the balances. The interest rate earned by these banks is the Federal Funds Rate. Instead of borrowing this money from another bank, it could be borrowed directly from a Federal Reserve Bank, in which case the borrowing bank would pay the Discount rate, which is usually higher than the Federal Funds Rate. While the Fed cannot set a specific Federal Funds Rate, it can establish a specific Discount Rate. Q. I have a large IRA and some of my beneficiaries are minor children. I am concerned about their inheriting too much money at such a young age. How can I protect them? A. You could leave the minors’ share to a custodian under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA), but ultimately the IRA would still pass to a child when they become a legal adult – usually age 21. For more control and flexibility, consider utilizing a formal trust as the beneficiary of the IRA with the minors as the beneficiaries of the trust. You will need an estate attorney to draft properly the trust document in order to maximize the benefits of continued tax deferral as well as protecting and providing for the beneficiaries. One item to consider: Will there be just one big pot that benefits all the children, or will each child’s share be kept separate? Gerald A. Townsend, CPA/PFS, CFP, CFA, is President of Townsend Asset Management Corp (www.assetmgr.com), a registered investment advisory firm. Submit your question to 5120 Bur Oak Circle, Raleigh, NC 27612 or email Gerald@AssetMgr.com. ISI
DECEMBER 2009/JANUARY 2010
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 25
Sustainable Giving By Karen Telleen-Lawton, Senior Wire donations to our assigned recipients. For my part, Mom’s Tree Party has been an evolving it was also self-serving, since I prefer providing institution for close to 50 years. But last year’s needed gifts and am a reluctant shopper. version, which introduced a kind of sustainable I could not help noticing, however that some giving, may rank as its best iteration. It also children needed encouragement to express their shows how a tradition can outlive its goodness pleasure with the alternative gifts. When they but be renewed with a twist. received a goat to provide for a poor family in The party began in a developing county, for “...subjects were given a small amount 1961 as a Christmas example, they expected of cash. Half were instructed to spend it gathering for close famto have a real goat to on someone else, while the others were ily friends of my parents. play with. So when my told to buy something for themselves. At I was allowed to invite godmother Sally came the end of the day, the donors reported a three school friends, up with an improvement, higher level of happiness than those who since it fell on my birthI cheered. spent on themselves. day. I always felt under“Let’s everyone give privileged for never having had a “real” birthday to a charity of Marge’s choice,” she proposed. party, but in truth, many friends from my past Mom’s choice was easy: a local organization still remember my birthday because of the Tree providing healthcare, employment training, and Party. a food bank, where she has been an active The gathering’s central feature was tree volunteer for decades. Now we have a united decorating, with an emphasis on gingerbread focus, and parents can prepare and teach their cookies, popcorn-strings, and homemade or- kids about service and naments. These transformed tall spindly pines stewardship. into tantalizing delights for children and our dog, In every town, and PAGE 26 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT Shady Lady. especially this year, Another party tradition was strolling around there are dozens if not the corner to revel in a long block of 75-foot hundreds of non-profits deodara cedars that were strung to the top with that would appreciate thousands of Christmas lights. For at least half our gift dollars, proba century, local high school kids not suffering ably more than anyone from acrophobia have made great pocket money on our list would. Many stringing the lights. churches, synagogues, When we grew older, we spent most of our and mosques have altime yakking instead of decorating the tree or ternative gift catalogs, circling the block. Not many years after that, a like our church’s “Gifts dozen adult children from a handful of families of Grace” program that started bringing a new set of children to string supports six local and popcorn, nibble gingerbread, and plead to be international charities taken to see the Christmas trees. with whom parishioThat is the continuing advance of genera- ners are involved. You tions. The evolution I highlight here is the gift-giv- can also check out ing aspect, which became increasingly cumber- websites like GiveForsome through the years. There were host gifts, Change.com, but then birthday gifts, and gifts for each family, or each you need to do some child, or each person. There are now multiple checking to make sure December birthdays. all is legitimate and efAfter the first generation grew up, Mom ficient. instituted a blind draw, assigning each person You can give alterto bring a gift to one other. But there was never native gifts for altruism 100% attendance or 100% compliance, and or purely for your own often some itty-bitty child burst into tears with happiness. In a study nothing to open. Mom usually had a gift or two NPR recently hightucked away for this eventuality, but the time lighted, subjects were between discovering the child crying in the noisy given a small amount gaiety and fetching an emergency gift was like of cash. Half were inthat Christmas story about the boy who wanted structed to spend it on a pony or nothing for Christmas - his parents someone else, while bought him a pony, but it did not arrive until late the others were told Christmas afternoon. to buy something for Will & Estate For the past few years, some of us have themselves. At the end Planning Kit taken to giving “in lieu of” gifts: mosquito netting, of the day, the donors bees and honey, clean water, or other charitable reported a higher level
FREE
of happiness than those who spent on themselves. It happens that at this point we are again bereft of little children. Generation III ranges in age from about 15 to 27; all of whom still enjoy the traditional walk through Christmas-tree lane, but none misses receiving a little trinket. Our new tradition will be sustainable if, from the beginning, we can show the next generation the joys of giving instead of receiving. ISI
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he average person spends 80,000 hours working and building up assets during their
lifetime, yet people average less than four hours planning what their heirs will receive. The good news is that in less than one hour you can be well on your way to creating a plan that will protect your hard-earned assets and ensure your wishes are known and followed — exactly as you intend. It’s made possible by using a new, free resource from the American Heart Association. Our will and estate planning kit, Matters of the Heart, can help you save time, money and hassle. There is absolutely no cost, no obligation, and no reason to put off the most important hour you can spend!
Amusement For Lexophiles 1. When you’ve seen one shopping center you’ve seen a mall. 2. If you jump off a Paris bridge, you are in Seine. 3. When she saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she’d dye. 4. Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis. 5. Santa’s helpers are subordinate clauses. 6. Acupuncture is a jab well done. ISI
TO GET YOUR FREE COPY or request assistance, contact Mel Feeley at 888-302-8390 ext 8047 or e-mail mel.feeley@ heart.org ©2009, American Heart Association
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PAGE 26 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT
DECEMBER 2009/JANUARY 2010
2010 Open Enrollment For Medicare Advantage And Medicare Prescription Drug Plans Continues through December 31
Provided by the Medicare Rights Center The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMMS) is reminding people with Medicare that through December 31, 2009 they will be able to make changes in their health and prescription drug coverage for 2010. Because some beneficiaries will see changes in their plans’ costs and coverage, it’s important that people with Medicare review the coverage and NDEPENDENT costs of their health or drug plans for next year. Beneficiaries can go to www. medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, with our without drug coverage, or a Medicare prescription drug plan. Those beneficiaries who are satisfied with their current plan do not need to do anything to remain in that plan in 2010.” For beneficiaries enrolling into Medicare Advantage (MA) plans only, they can make one change in enrollment - enrolling in a new plan, changing plans, or disenrolling from a plan - between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2010. However, the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period cannot be used to start or stop Medicare drug coverage, or to enroll or disenroll in a Medicare Medical Savings Account Plan. Everyone who has Medicare drug coverage under Part D or the Medi-
3113 S 25th N • Idaho Falls • 208-525-1355
care Advantage should review their drug plan options for 2010, advises the Medicare Rights Center, to ensure that they will have drug coverage that best meets their needs next year. Even people who are currently happy with their plan need to review their options. They should not assume their plans will remain the same in 2010, as most plans change their costs and benefits every year. Until December 31, people with Medicare have the right to change their Medicare private drug plan or enroll in one for the first time. Medicare drug coverage (Part D) plans were required to send out the materials, called an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), by October 31, 2009. People who have not yet received their ANOC packet should call their plan and ask them to send it immediately. The ANOC contains important information that will help people decide whether or not to stay in their current plan. ISI
Note Changes in 401(k) and IRA distribution rules The Internal Revenue Service has provided guidance for retirement plan administrators, plan participants, and retirees regarding recent legislation affecting required minimum distributions. The Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 waives required minimum distributions for 2009 from certain retirement plans. Generally, a required minimum distribution is the smallest annual amount that must be withdrawn from an IRA or an employer’s plan beginning with the year the account owner reaches age 70½. The 2008 law waives required minimum distributions for 2009 for IRSs and defined contribution plans (such as 401(k)s) and allows certain amounts distributed as 2009 required minimum distributions to be rolled over into an IRA or another retirement plan. Notice 2009-82 provides relief for people who have already received a 2009 required minimum distribution this year. Individuals generally have until the later of Nov. 30, 2009, or 60 days after the date the distribution was received, to roll over the distribution. The notice also provides guidance for retirement plan sponsors. It contains two sample plan amendments that plan sponsors may adopt or use to amend their plans to either stop or continue 2009 required minimum distributions. Both sample amendments provide that participants and beneficiaries can choose to receive or not to receive 2009 required minimum distributions. Also, both sample amendments allow the employer to offer direct rollover options of certain 2009 required minimum distributions. Plan sponsors may need to tailor the sample amendment to their plan’s particular terms and administration procedures and must adopt the amendment no later than the last day of the first plan year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2011 (Jan. 1, 2012 for governmental plans). ISI
We go beyond Original Medicare... With coverage that offers all your medical and prescription benefits in one plan. Call us today to learn more! Or attend one of our seminars.
Join us for a free informational meeting to learn more: Call today to register for a meeting in your area! 1-888-492-2583 or TTY 1-800-377-1363, 8 AM to 8 PM seven days a week. Or, visit www.bcidaho.com/medicare to find a meeting in your area!
True Blue HMO, Secure Blue PPO and Flexi Blue PFFS are Medicare Advantage organizations with a Medicare contract and are Medicare approved Part D sponsors. We will discuss True Blue HMO, Secure Blue PPO and Flexi Blue PFFS, the Medicare Advantage plans offered by Blue Cross of Idaho at this seminar. A Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service plan works differently than a Medicare supplement plan. Your doctor or hospital can continue to treat you if it agrees to accept our terms and conditions of payment, and thus may choose not to treat you, with the exception of emergencies. If your doctor or hospital does not agree to accept our payment terms and conditions, they may choose not to provide healthcare services to you, except in emergencies. Providers can find the plan’s terms and conditions on our Web site at: www.bcidaho.com/PFFSterms A sales representative will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of persons with special needs, call 1-888-492-2583 or TTY 1-800-377-1363 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. seven days a week. Blue Cross of Idaho is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. H1350 H1302 H5863 MK 10074 (09/09)
DECEMBER 2009/JANUARY 2010
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 27
PAGE 28 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT
DECEMBER 2009/JANUARY 2010
Shopping the world right next door Cathy Evans, owner of Vista Travel in Boise loves to travel and when she travels, she loves to shop. She recently opened a new store, A 2 Zebra Distant Treasures at 1003 Vista Avenue across from the Vista Village shopping center. Now you can share in her treasures. Beautiful things from China, Mexico, the South Pacific, and Europe. Bring a touch of the exotic, the unusual and the rare into your home. Handmade pottery and garden sculptures… silk and pashmina scarves, leather jackets and beaded purses… jewelry, candles, and hand-blown glass - treasures from every corner of the world! If you’re a traveler, A 2 Zebra has accessories you need like power adaptors, neck pillows, and colorful luggage. Travel is exotic and exciting, so why travel with boring luggage! You can find luggage with zebra or leopard print, bronco orange, hot pink, red, lime green…,just to name a few. Check out A 2 Zebra for beautiful Christmas, Valentine’s Day, birthday, and graduation gifts. Whatever the occasion you’ll find unique and affordable gifts, home décor, jewelry, and more. ISI
DECEMBER 2009/JANUARY 2010
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 29
Yes It Is The Holiday Season, But What About Super Bowl Entertaining – Fast, Easy and Healthy with New Products By Ann Hattes, Senior Wire Enjoy your guests, watch the game, and spend a minimum amount of time in the kitchen when entertaining for the Super Bowl. Use new-to-themarket entrees and snacks that will make your preparation and clean-up tasks fast and easy. Consider bun-sized Chicken Grillables made from lightly seasoned, all-white chicken meat and featuring hints of garlic, onion, and other seasonings. With just 140 calories and 5 grams of total fat per serving, they’ve been named by WebMD the best bulk food buy for the grill in terms of both cost and health. Straight from the freezer, Chicken Grillables can be cooked directly on an outdoor or indoor grill, on the stovetop, or in the oven. For a small gathering of family or friends, Wanchai Ferry frozen entrees offer restaurant- quality Chinese dishes ready in 14 minutes. Classic flavors include Orange Chicken, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Spicy Garlic Chicken, Shrimp Lo Mein, and Sweet & Spicy Shrimp with vegetables and sauces included. In addition to the usual potato chips, serve Boulder Canyon rice and adzuki bean chips blending a taste of the Southwest with the distinctive flavors of Asia. The adzuki bean is naturally rich in fiber, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and vitamin B3. The artisan chips come in three gourmet varieties: sun dried tomato with basil, chipotle cheese, and natural salt. Lightly sweet, yet salty granola nut clusters by Nature Valley in four varieties: honey roasted peanut, nut lovers, roasted almond, and roasted
LIONEL HAMPTON INTERNATIONAL
Jazz F E S T I VA L
FEBRUARY 24 - 27, 2010 Scheduled to appear at the 2010 Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival: ALL STAR QUARTET � JOSH NELSON, DAVID WONG, KEVIN KANNER, GRAHAM DECHTER GERALD CLAYTON TRIO CLAYTON BROTHERS QUINTET THE PIZZARELLI FAMILY CYRUS CHESTNUT DEE DANIELS with the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Gospel choir TAJ MAHAL TRIO THE LIONEL HAMPTON NEW YORK BIG BAND HOW TO BUY TICKETS: Contact the University Ticket Office. Phone: Toll-free 1-88-88-UIDAHO or local (208) 885-7212 Location: Kibbie Dome – East End E-mail: tickets@uidaho.edu Web: www.uitickets.com FOR MORE INFORMATION: Phone: 208-885-6765 Web: www.jazz.uidaho.edu
PAGE 30 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT
cashew, make another handy snack. Nature’s Bounty offers affordable puffed fruit snacks, banana and pineapple with a crunch, and 100% organic artisan-panned chocolates like chocolate covered cashews, macadamias, and cocoa nibs, plus gluten free crackers. What wine to serve with such a broad range of flavors? Sacred Stone Masters Red Blend, from California’s Pietra Santa Winery, is specifically crafted to pair with a wide variety of casual cuisines. Rancho Zabaco’s Zinfandel also makes the perfect pairing for a wide range of cuisine. And for a quite different beverage option there is Knudsen’s Sparkling Essence, which combines the subtle flavor of organic lemons, cooling mint, whole blueberries, and fresh cucumbers with sparkling spring water. The result is a light and refreshing flavor without any calories, added sugar, or artificial ingredients. To add a personal touch, delight and nourish your guests with potato and tomato soup, or one of 100 others from Love Soup by Anna Thomas. And for a sweet grand finale consider bittersweet chocolate blackout cookies, one of the 745 scrumptious recipes in The Ultimate Shortcut Cookie Book where each recipe starts with a box of cake mix, brownie mix, refrigerated cookie dough, or ready-to-eat cereal. Potato and Tomato Soup with Sage (from Love Soup, W.W. Norton publisher) Serves 6 generously 2 red onions (about 1 pound) 2 tbsp olive oil, plus more for garnish 1-½ tsp sea salt, plus more to taste
DECEMBER 2009/JANUARY 2010
1-1/4 pounds yellow, Yukon Gold, or redskinned potatoes 10 cloves garlic, peeled 2 pounds ripe tomatoes, mixed varieties ½ cup dry white wine 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 2 tbsp chopped fresh sage leaves or 1 tbsp slightly crumbled dry sage 1 scant tsp fresh thyme A small pinch of chopped fresh or dried rosemary 2-3 cups basic light vegetable both, or canned vegetable broth Freshly ground pepper Peel and slice the red onions thinly crosswise. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick pan and sauté the onions with a pinch of salt, stirring often on medium heat until they are soft and lightly browned in spots - and do not hurry this. Meanwhile scrub and trim the potatoes and cut them into ½-inch dice. In a large soup pot, combine the potatoes and whole garlic cloves with enough water to cover (about 2 cups) and a scant teaspoon of salt. Simmer the potatoes and garlic for about 10 minutes, or until tender but not falling apart. Peel the tomatoes, either by blanching them and slipping off the skins or by using a serrated peeler, and cut them in pieces, saving all the juice. Add the caramelized onions to the potatoes and garlic, along with the tomatoes and their juice, the wine, and all the herbs. Simmer the soup, covered, until all the vegetables are soft, about half an hour. Add the vegetable broth; the amount you need will vary with the juiciness of the tomatoes you are using. The soup should pour easily from the ladle, the broth
slightly thickened by the potatoes and perfumed with the sage and garlic. Taste the soup and correct the seasoning with more salt and some freshly ground black pepper. Author Anna Thomas always drizzles a little fruity green olive oil on each serving of this soup, her favorite finishing touch. Bittersweet Chocolate Blackout Cookies (Recipe courtesy of Shortcut Cookie Book Cumberland House publishing). Makes 48 cookies 2 tbsp instant espresso or coffee powder ½ cup water 1 (18.25-ounce) pkg devil’s food cake mix 1/4 cup (½ stick) butter, melted 1 large egg 1 (8-ounce) package bittersweet baking chocolate, coarsely chopped into chunks Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Position oven rack in middle of oven. Spray cookie sheets with nonstick cooking spray. Combine the espresso powder and water in a large mixing bowl, stirring to dissolve. Add half of the cake mix along with the melted butter and egg to the same bowl. Blend with an electric mixer set on medium-high speed for 1-2 minutes, until smooth. Stir in the remaining cake mix and chopped chocolate with a wooden spoon until all dry ingredients are moistened. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls, 2 inches apart, on prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 9-12 minutes or until set at edges and just barely set at center when lightly touched. Cool for 1 minute on cookie sheets. Transfer to wire racks with metal spatula and cool completely. ISI
Key West – And All The Keys – What a Winter Vacation Spot! By Vic Block, Senior Wire There is much to be said for traveling to Key West, Florida in winter. It is fun, funky, and the sun casts its warming glow on lotion-slathered bodies. However, my recent visit to the Sunshine State had a different goal. I wished to check the claim that other islands in the chain boast hidden corners and enticing attractions that many visitors miss. I was not disappointed. On dots of land so narrow I could watch the sun rise over the Atlantic, stroll across the road and see it set hours later into the gulf of Mexico, I discovered off-thebeaten-track, often-overlooked little gems. The Keys include some 800 islands, only 30 of them inhabited, that make a gentle curve southwest from the tip of mainland Florida. The journey by car, less than three hours driving time, follows the Overseas Highway, officially Route U.S. 1, which crosses 43 bridges as it strings together the chain of subtropical islands. Almost immediately after leaving the mainland, travelers are immersed in local atmosphere.
Bridges and piers are lined with anglers seeking their dinner. Marinas are jammed with boats available for deep sea fishing excursions, and rides to favorite snorkel and dive sites. The popularity of water sports becomes immediately evident on Key Largo, the first, largest, and most populated island south of the mainland with dive shops and fishing boats lining the highway and cramming the docks. Film buffs associate the location with the 1948 motion picture starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, and several tourist spots seek to cash in on the claim that they had a part in making of the film. For example, a sign outside the Caribbean Club announces it is “where the famous movie Key Largo was filmed.” In fact, other than a few set scenes shot in the club’s bar, the motion picture was filmed on a sound stage in Hollywood. The scene is very different not far away at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, which covers 178 square miles of coral reefs, mangrove swamps, and seagrass beds. Scuba divers and snorkelers enjoy close-up encounters with some
55 types of multi-hued coral and 600-plus species of fish, while landlubbers seek to identify resident and migratory birds, some of them rare. Rental canoes and kayaks, short hiking paths, and two man-made beaches are among other facilities. It comes as a surprise to many that the beaches at the Pennekamp Park are among the few stretches of inviting sand in the Keys. That is because coral reefs lie just east of the islands, reducing the beach-building action of the surf. The other major exceptions are the two beaches at the Bahia Honda Key recreation area. Both have fine white sand lined by palm trees and Caribbean-turquoise water. Other swimming and sunning spots favored by Keys residents include the Harry Harris Park beach on Key Largo, Anne’s Beach on Lower Matecumbe Key, and Sombrero Beach on Marathon. The fact that there are few outstanding beaches on the Keys has its upside, leaving more time for discovering other treasures. One of these is close-up encounters with a variety of resident wildlife both in the wild and at refuges.
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Most appealing are the tiny and adorable key deer, a subspecies of white-tailed North American deer found only in the Keys. The miniscule animals, listed as endangered, stand only about two feet tall. Most make their home on Big Pine and No Name Keys, in a refuge established for their protection. These endearing creatures are spotted most frequently in early morning and late evening. While it is illegal to feed them, at times an especially courageous deer will approach a visitor to enjoy a snack of salt licked from the fingers. Other encounters with wildlife are available elsewhere. The misnamed Blue Hole on Big Pine Key, an abandoned limestone quarry that is actually filled with darkish water, attracts some key deer. It’s also home to wading birds, turtles, numerous fish, and an alligator that occasionally exhibits itself. An observation platform provides a close look at this menagerie. During fall and spring migrations, refuges on the Keys provide habitat for some 285 species of birds. While I am no ornithologist, I was intrigued by the opportunity to search for winged visitors with names like sooty shearwater, brown noddy, and dark-eyed junco. Inhabitants of the Florida Keys Wildlife Bird Center on Key Largo are not free to fly as they recover from accidents and disease. Residents being nursed back to health for eventual release when I visited included peregrine falcon, a redshouldered hawk, and a roseate spoonbill. Despite their small size, the Keys also offer a diversity of active pursuits. In addition to a choice
of inviting trails in parks and elsewhere, the Seven Mile Bridge is a favorite route for walkers. It was completed in 1911 as part of the railroad built by industrialist Henry Flagler to connect the Keys to the southern tip of the mainland. After the demise of the railroad, the Seven Mile Bridge became part of the Overseas Highway built to carry vehicular traffic. In 1982, a new span was built alongside it. Since then, the old structure has been a favorite route for walkers, bike riders, and so many anglers that it is referred to as “the longest fishing pier in the world.” Seeking to experience hidden backcountry areas of the Florida Keys, I signed up for a kayak paddle into an area of mangrove forests, tidal creeks, and shallow water grass flats. We alternated between paddling and, where the thick tangle of roots made that impossible, propelling the kayaks by pulling on tree branches. Along the way, we spotted tree and water crabs, shrimp, conch, lobsters, countless birds, and one snake, which to my relief, seemed as little interested in me as I was in it. This setting of complete stillness, with the sun filtering through mangrove branches overhead and dancing on the glass-smooth surface of the water, was a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Key West. It underscored my view that anyone who skips the other islands strung out like jewels on a necklace misses some of the very best that the Florida Keys have to offer. For information about visiting the Florida Keys, call 800-352-5397 or log onto fla-keys.com. ISI
It’s All In The Eye Of The Beholder A man is dining in a fancy restaurant and there is a gorgeous redhead sitting at the next table. He has been checking her out since he sat down, but lacks the nerve to talk with her. Suddenly she sneezes, and her glass eye comes flying out of its socket toward the man. He reflexively reaches out, grabs it out of the air, and hands it back. “Oh my, I am so sorry,” the woman says as she pops her eye back in place. “Let me buy your dinner to make it up to you,” she adds. They enjoy a wonderful dinner together, and afterwards go to the theater followed by drinks at an intimate lounge. They talk, they laugh, and she shares her deepest dreams as does he. At the end of the evening, as he walks her to her car, he says to her, “You know, you are the perfect woman. Are you this nice to every guy you meet?” “No,” she replies. “You just happened to catch my eye.” ISI
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What Wondrous Machines Our Bodies Are By Tait Trussell, Senior Wire Although some of us have aches, pains, cataracts, and high blood pressure, most of us do not realize what amazing machines our bodies are and how efficiently they work. Start with your heart. It is merely an 11-ounce muscle. Each day, it automatically beats about 100,000 times, pumping 1,800 gallons of blood. A tiny node causes the heart to beat. It sends a current about every second to nerve fibers in the heart. These fibers cause muscular contractions that send the blood churning through your body at about 10 miles/hour carrying oxygen to every
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cell in your body. Then drop down to the more pedestrian part of your body. Your feet support a relatively heavy weight on a small surface, thanks to arches. Arches act as levers that pivot at the ankle, for example, so we can press the accelerator of our car. The average person walks about 65,000 miles during their lives. Feet cushion our legs to achieve this. One-fourth of our body’s bones are in our feet. Our nervous system is highly complicated. It not only controls thinking, it monitors our senses and regulates our organs and even our memory. Specialized nerve receptors in the eyes, nose, and ears are continually sending messages to your brain at what scientists say is at a rate of 300 miles per hour. You may think you are getting flabby. But you have about 600 muscles, with about 6 million muscle fibers. Some muscles are voluntary - you have to move your arms and legs yourself. Each muscle has its own high-grade supply of food the body makes from sugar. The nervous system tells many muscles when to contract
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and relax. You may not hear as well as you used to, but the ear is a marvel of anatomical science. Sounds go into your ear through a channel to the middle ear where they vibrate the eardrum. Vibrations from this thin membrane travel into the inner ear to meet three small bones. Tiny muscles in these bones allow the vibrations to pass to another membrane, which generates movement in a small liquid-filled passage called the cochlea. It is filled with 25,000 receptors that pick up the sounds and transform them into electrical impulses. The auditory nerve sends these impulses to the brain. The brain gets 25,000 auditory impulses a second and interprets them into music, voices, or other sounds. A normal brain has 10 billion nerve cells and 100 billion glia cells. They furnish the batteries for the brain’s activity. These cells float around storing memories and sifting information. Your brain gets a remarkable 2,000 responses a second from each nerve cell in the body. Your brain also gets 100,000 hearing receptors from the ears and 137 million receptors from the eyes. The brain uses about 25 percent of your body’s oxygen. One of the amazing chemicals our body makes is a complicated sugar that scientists call hyaluronic acid. It is a lubricant that has elasticity so it can absorb shock yet return to its former shape. It is often added to expensive skin moisteners and other cosmetics. For you to be able to see, with or without glasses, many chemical and electrical reactions must occur. Researchers recently have found that for you to see an image, one chemical in the eye must respond as soon as light strikes it - 500,000 times faster than the best camera film. The liver, our largest body organ, performs 500 different functions and is recognized as a highly complicated chemical facility. It filters the impurities out of our blood to the extent that a year’s worth of purified blood would be enough to fill several tanker trucks. How about a word about sex? Sperm cells, powerful as they are, are only about 1/600th of an inch long. The sperm “head” contains the father’s genetic information, the body of the sperm holds energy, and the “tail” propels it. A muscle in the testicles maintains the correct temperature. An amazing 200 million sperm are created every 24 hours. Other cells secrete testosterone. What a wondrous container we live in.
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Healthy Mouths Make for Healthy Bodies The American Geriatrics Society Offers Tips for Proper Oral Hygiene Oral hygiene is important at every age, but for aging people proper dental care is an even bigger concern. Daily mouth care consisting of brushing twice daily, flossing, and visits to a dentist twice a year is a good start on the road to a healthy mouth. “The mouth is a place that is often overlooked. It’s not seen as a priority because of other looming health problems,” says Barbara Resnick, M.D., member of the American Geriatrics Society. “Other problems are easier to see because they are visible, but problems in the mouth are hidden and not always as obvious, but are just as, if not more important to treat than other ailments.” According to Dr. Resnick, there are key signs that caregivers should watch for that could indicate the need to see a dentist. Early diagnosis can help prevent more serious health problems caused by poor oral hygiene, such as gingivitis and pneumonia. • Malignancies - It is important to pay attention to changes in the oral tissue, especially among smokers. Growths, patches, or lesions in the mouth could be signs of more serious problems and should be brought to the attention of a health care provider right away.
• Dentures - Check for broken or missing pieces or dentures that no longer fit. Often, older adults lose body fat, which changes the way dentures fit and can cause mouth pain and discomfort. • Dry mouth - as we age, saliva production lessens and causes dryness and discomfort of the mouth. Dry mouth is also a common side effect of many medications. • Bad breath - is often an embarrassing topic for many people to address, but it can serve as an indicator for more serious health problems. “As adults age, simple tasks such as brushing or flossing become difficult due to physical and cognitive changes. There are a variety of products available to make the daily task of basic oral care easier,” says Dr. Resnick. Dr. Resnick offers older adults the following tips for healthy oral hygiene: • Brush and floss twice a day - Basic oral hygiene for seniors does not differ much from that of younger adults. However, due to aging health issues, such as arthritis, these tasks often become more difficult and as a result, may be avoided. Other options include electric toothbrushes or toothbrushes with larger handles for easier gripping. Floss holders have also made
Boning Up On Osteoporosis By Jim Miller For years, osteoporosis has been considered a disease that affects only the elderly, but the fact is more than half of all Americans over age 50 are at risk. Here is what you should know. Osteoporosis is a bone-thinning disease often called the “silent disease” because most people do not know they have it until they break a bone. In the United States today, around 10 million people age 50 and older already have osteoporosis, while another 34 million have osteopenia – which means they are at risk of developing it. But the good news is osteoporosis is both preventable and treatable. Are You at Risk? - Most people, by the time they reach their late 30s, gradually start losing some of their bone mass, but for women menopause is the time when this process really accelerates. Bone loss for men occurs much more slowly. However, by age 75, osteoporosis is as common in men as it is in women. (Tip: check your personal risk at www. yourdiseaserisk.com – click on “osteoporosis”). Here are the factors that increase your risk: • Gender: Women are four times more likely
than men of developing osteoporosis. • Age: Women over age 50 and men over 65 are at greatest risk, and it increases with age. • Ethnicity: Caucasian and Asian women. • Body size: People who are very thin or smallboned. • Family history: Osteoporosis runs in families. • Hormones: Low estrogen levels due to missing menstrual periods or too early menopause – before age 45. • Low calcium: A lifetime diet low in calcium
flossing easier. • Use an oral rinse - Mouthwash or oral rinses are a good addition to any oral hygiene routine. A simple rinse with water or a salt solution, using one teaspoon of salt in one quart of water can be very effective. Do not use mouthwashes with alcohol, as they tend to dry out the mouth. A health care provider could offer suggestions for the best oral rinse available for specific patients. • Proper denture care – People who wear dentures should take special care to avoid infections. Dentures should be cleaned after each meal and should be brushed and thoroughly cleaned once a day, in addition to soaking overnight. ISI
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and vitamin D. • Eating disorders: A history of anorexia or bulimia. • Medications: Certain drugs including glucocorticoids (steroids) which are used to control diseases such as arthritis and asthma; some anti-seizure medications; blood thinners; some diuretics; some antidepressants; antacids that contain aluminum; proton pump inhibitors; some medicines that treat endometriosis; some cancer drugs; and too much thyroid hormone for an underactive thyroid. (Note: If you are taking any of these medicines, talk to your doctor about what can be done to protect your bones.) • Sedentary lifestyle: Inactivity weakens bones. • Smoking: It robs your bones of calcium and lowers your estrogen levels. • Alcohol: More than two drinks a day can interfere with your body’s ability to absorb calcium. Boning Up - It is never too late to help your bones (see www.nof.org). A good first step in preventing and treating osteoporosis is to get screened. For women, that should start around menopause (if you are not taking estrogen), or for anyone who has broken a bone after age 50 or has other risk factors. All women over 65 and men over 70 should be tested every two years (for women it is covered by Medicare). Screening for osteoporosis is a simple, painless, bone density test that takes about five minutes. Here are some lifestyle changes that can help you protect your bones. • Boost your calcium: Those over age 50 should get over 1,200 milligrams of calcium daily. The best source is calcium-rich foods such as dairy products (low-fat milk, cheeses, and yogurt), fortified orange juice, broccoli, sardines, salmon, fortified cereals, almonds, and soybeans. If you cannot get enough calcium through your diet, talk to your doctor about taking a supplement. • Take vitamin D: Your body needs vitamin D to absorb all that calcium. Everyone over 50 should take a daily vitamin that contains at least 400 IU (international units) of vitamin D (600 IU after age 70). • Exercise: At any age, weight bearing exercises such as walking, stair climbing, dancing, and strength training with weights or resistant bands three or four times a week can significantly improve your bone health. • Other tips: Do not smoke, don’t drink more than one alcoholic drink per day and limit your caffeine intake to two or three cups of coffee, tea, or caffeinated soda a day. Treatment - If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, there is a variety of medications available today that can slow or stop its progress including a new once-a-year treatment called Reclast (see reclast.com). Your doctor can help determine which drug is appropriate for your particular case. 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
If Hearing Loss is Not Treated, Brain Can “Forget” How to Hear and Understand Speech Most of the 28 million Americans living with untreated hearing loss may not be aware that failure to take corrective action could result in the brain’s actually “forgetting” how to hear and understand speech, warns HearUSA audiologist Cindy Beyer. “When the brain is insufficiently stimulated by sound over a period of time, it can lose a portion of its ability to process information,” said Dr. Beyer. “This condition is called auditory deprivation and studies indicate that the longer a patient goes without treatment the more likely it is that the brain will forget how to process speech, even after treatment is implemented.” “These findings strongly suggest that delaying treatment for hearing loss for years, as so many do, can risk permanently impairing the brain’s ability to understand speech,” said Dr. Beyer. She offered these facts about hearing loss: • Thirty-six million Americans experience hearing loss. (American Academy of Audiology) • While the vast majority of Americans (95%) with hearing loss could be successfully treated with hearing aids, only one in five currently uses them. (University of California, San Francisco Department of Neurological Surgery)
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• People with hearing loss wait an average of seven years before seeking help. (Center for Hearing and Communication) • Those who have difficulty hearing can experience such distorted and incomplete communication that it seriously impacts their professional and personal lives, at times leading to isolation and withdrawal. (Better Hearing Institute) • Nine out of ten hearing aid users report improvements in their quality of life. (Better Hearing Institute) What are the indications of hearing loss? Dr.
Beyer says any one of these can be a symptom: • You feel that people mumble and don’t speak clearly • You understand some people better than you understand others • You have difficulty understanding phone conversations • Family and friends comment on the need to repeat themselves • You have difficulty following a conversation in a crowded room
How Do I Choose A Hearing Aid Compatible Cell Phone? By Kelley Olenick, Au.D. Hearing Zone, Pocatello As you may know, digital devices such as cell phones and computers give off different types of radio frequency and electromagnetic radiation. Consequently, when you hold a cell phone or other wireless devices up to your hearing aid, you may hear annoying interference. This interference is typically heard as a buzzing, humming, or whining noise that makes speech difficult or impossible to understand. In severe cases, interference may make your cell phone completely unusable with hearing aids. To avoid this problem, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated that cell phones be rated as to how much interference they are likely to cause to hearing aids. The FCC defines Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) of cell phones in terms of radio frequency (RF) emission, the “M” Microphone rating, and the “T” Telecoil coupling. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 4 with the possibilities as follows: M1 or T1 (poor); M2 or T2 (fair); M3 or T3 (good); and M4 or T4 (excellent). Only phones rated 3 or 4 are allowed to be sold as hearing aid compatible phones. Since September 2005, cell phone companies have been required to provide several models of cell phones that are rated as being hearing aid compatible when used with hearing aids in standard microphone setting (M3 or M4). Currently, many digital hearing aids
are also rated using the M and T system. If you use your cell phone with your aids, look for a cell phone with an M3 or M4 rating and look for hearing aids with the same rating. The more immune both your hearing aids and your cell phone are, the less likely you are to experience electrical interference when using the cell phone. ISI
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• People complain that you turn up the volume on the television to an uncomfortable level • You have ringing in your ears Noting that, in most cases, the progression of hearing loss is subtle, becoming greater and greater over time, Dr. Beyer recommends yearly hearing examinations and urges those diagnosed with hearing loss to promptly seek treatment and void the risk and consequences of auditory deprivation. ISI
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Staying Strong: A Key to Wellness By Lynn Pribus, Senior Wire “Wow, Grams, you’re turning into a jock,” Jan’s teenaged granddaughter Emily exclaims as Jan easily does 10 reps with a 20-pound weight. Emily is suddenly seeing Jan as a strong woman instead of an old lady. And Jan knows she’s dropped a dress size since launching on a program of strength training six months ago. Regular cardio exercise which sustains an elevated heartbeat is important for maintaining health. Strength training is also a significant aspect of fitness. Here are some of the benefits: • Boost your energy. As you become stronger, you’ll feel more energetic and more in control. • Become stronger. Whether you’re hoisting your carry-on into the overhead bin, caring for another person, or facing an emergency,
strength helps. • Look better. Trim your body by building muscle. Since muscle weighs more than fat, the scales may not show the difference, but your figure will. • Improve your outlook. Studies show regular strength training offers psychological benefits for those suffering from depression or experiencing difficult times. • Address medical problems. Strength training shows positive influence on osteoporosis (strengthens bones), arthritis (strengthens muscles supporting affected joints), heart disease (makes body leaner), and diabetes (makes muscles more sensitive to insulin and helps control blood sugar). • Manage your weight. Strength training can affect basal metabolism rate (BMR = the calories the body needs for breathing, digesting, maintaining body temperature, etc.) Increased muscle mass increases the BMR, meaning the body uses more of the calories it takes in. Dieting may significantly lower the BMR, because the body doesn’t know this “starvation” is intentional and it shifts into survival mode. • Maintain mobility and range of motion. How Does Strength Training Work? As you stress muscle fibers, you cause microscopic tears and the fibers become tougher and stronger as they mend themselves. Always rest a day or two between sessions so the muscles can complete their repairs. Before starting strength training, check with your doctor. As you work out, pay attention to your body. Feeling good is an indication you’re exercising properly. Persistent soreness is a signal to slow down. Not all strengthening exercises involve weights or machines. Climbing stairs, doing push-ups, gardening, and other activities build strength as well. But let’s talk about weights. How Much Do I Lift? If possible, work with a personal trainer for a few sessions to ensure your form is correct. Start with a weight you can lift eight times in good form, but after that you need to rest your muscle. Each lift or repetition - which gym rats call a “rep” - should take about nine seconds, four seconds to move the weight, a one-second pause to prevent “bouncing” and four seconds to return to your starting point. In this case, eight reps would constitute a “set.” Make a workout chart and keep track of your efforts. Although progress is slow, you should see improvement in as little as two weeks. Be patient. Tendons and ligaments aren’t as strong as muscles and need time to catch up and you want everything to get strong together. Proper breathing is important. Exhale slowly through your mouth during the most difficult exertion of each exercise. This ensures you don’t hold your breath and raise your blood pressure - particularly important if you suffer from diabetes, glaucoma, or another condition that could be affected by increased pressure.
How Should I Train? There are several methods of increasing your strength, each with pros and cons. • Free weights. Dumbbells and barbells are non-breakable and versatile. A full set costs about $100, but a beginner set (2#, 5#, and 8#) runs $20-$25. Check out garage sales and thrift shops for bargains. • Machines. Expensive. Fitness centers, which often have trainers available, usually have a variety of machines which are adjustable for a wide range of resistance. Safer and easier to master than free weights. • Exercise bands. Inexpensive elasticized bands or loops are light and easily portable - handy for travel. Booklets describe a good variety of exercises, but it’s hard to measure the level of exertion or progress. Too much resistance and you may not be able to complete a full range of motion. Too little and you won’t improve. To Learn More: Check your local library or bookstore. Weight Training for Dummies, by Liz Neporent and Suzanne Schlosberg, (IDG Books). This is an exercise bible for beginners as well as for those wanting to improve their strength-training. It has detailed information including cautions and “jargon alerts” on numerous specific exercises with free weights and machines. It also discusses training at home, finding a gym, and lingo such as “pecs” and “flies.” Photo-illustrated. Strong Women Stay Slim, by Nelson and Wernick, (Bantam). This book discusses strength training for weight management explaining why it works so well and illustrates exercises specifically designed for weight management. It includes recipes, meal plans, and progress logs. For more information and a monthly email newsletter, visit the website at www.strongwomen.com. There are also many good websites. Locate by typing “strength training exercises seniors” in your search engine. When to Be Careful Miriam Nelson, author of Strong Women Stay Young, Strong Women Stay Slim and other books, and Liz Neporent, contributing editor to Prevention Magazine and author of Weight Training for Dummies and other books, offer these suggestions: 1. Always warm up. To reduce risk of injury, do five minutes of easy aerobic exercise before lifting even small weights. 2. If you have glaucoma, a hernia, hemorrhoids, or any condition that could be affected by increased blood pressure, discuss strength training with your physician. Start at very low levels and never hold your breath as you lift your weights. Breathe! Exhale positively during exertion. Holding your breath can make blood pressure soar. 3. If you have a bad back, talk with your doctor. Start at the lowest levels and work up slowly. Maintain good posture. Do stretching and strengthening exercises for the abdominals as well as the back. 4. If you have osteoporosis, check with your doctor and start with very light weights or even no weights.
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5. Women should wait six months after a mastectomy. Your lymphatic system may have been affected and training could cause edema. Decrease weights if you notice any swelling or tingling on the affected side. 6. Control your reps and don’t speed. Move
slowly and with control both lifting and lowering. 7. Choose the correct weight. Every muscle cannot lift the same amount of weight - biceps can generally lift more than triceps, for instance. Too much weight and you may tear a muscle.
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Too little and you are not increasing strength. 8. Take a day of rest. Your muscles need about 48 hours to recover and heal between sessions. “Lynn the Jock” Pribus lifts weights in Charlottesville, Virginia. ISI
How will you be affected by the 2009 flu season and swine flu? Provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Will the seasonal flu vaccine also protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu? The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu. Who has been recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine? CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that certain groups of the population receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine first. These target groups include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems. One thing that appears to be different from
seasonal influenza is that adults older than 64 years do not appear to be at increased risk of 2009 H1N1-related complications thus far. About one-third of adults older than 60 may have antibodies against this virus. It is unknown how much, if any, protection may be afforded against 2009 H1N1 flu by any existing antibody. Therefore, as vaccine supply and demand for vaccine among younger age groups is being met, programs and providers should offer vaccination to people over the age of 65. Do those that have been previously vaccinated against the 1976 swine influenza need to be vaccinated against the 2009 H1N1 influenza? The 1976 swine flu virus and the 2009 H1N1 virus are different enough that it is unlikely a person vaccinated in 1976 will have full protection from the 2009 H1N1. People vaccinated in 1976 should still be given the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Where is the vaccine available? Vaccine is
Hillbilly Birth Submitted by Julie Hollar Deep in the back woods, of Letcher County Kentucky a hillbilly’s wife went into labor in the middle of the night, and the doctor was called out to assist in the delivery. Since there was no electricity, the doctor handed the father-to-be a lantern and said, “Here. You hold this high so I can see what I am doing!” Soon, a baby boy was brought into the world. “Whoa there,” said the doctor, “Don’t be in such a rush to put that lantern down I think there’s another
available in a combination of settings such as vaccination clinics organized by local health departments, healthcare provider offices, schools, and other private settings, such as pharmacies and workplaces. Are there other ways to prevent the spread of illness? Take everyday actions to stay healthy. • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcoholbased hand cleaners are also effective. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way. • Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. • Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures. ISI
one coming.” Sure enough, within minutes he had delivered a baby girl. “Hold that lantern up - don’t set it down there’s another one,” said the doctor. Within a few minutes, he had delivered a third baby. “No, don’t be in a hurry to put down that lantern, it looks like there’s another one coming!” cried the doctor. The hillbilly scratched his head in bewilderment, and asked the doctor, “You reckon it might be the light that’s attracting ‘em?” ISI
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We are going back in time to old movies and movie stars. If you aren’t old enough, see if some of your friends and coffee group can help. Thank you and congratulations to Sylva Mularchyk of Santa Maria, California, the winner of this month’s $25 prize for providing the best quiz, Famous Movie Roles. Our readers were stumped by October’s Foreign Food Words And Phrases trivia quiz. The $25 prize will roll over to the winning answers to this month’s Famous Movie Roles, so $50 is at
Submitted by Sylva Mularchyk, Santa Maria, California Of course you don’t remember, you’re too young! But perhaps you have heard the answers to these questions about the old-time movie stars who played the famous people in these famous films. Match the alphabetized actor to the numbered movie and send us your answers. 1. Who played Henry VIII in The Private Life of Henry VIII? (1933) 2. Who played Marie Antoinette in Marie Antoinette? (1938) 3. Who played Sergeant York in Sergeant York? (1941)
DECEMBER 2009/JANUARY 2010
stake! Send in your answers today! 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 most correct answers to the
Famous Movie Roles 4. Who played Bernadette in The Song of Bernadette? (1943) 5. Who was Al Jolson in The Jolson Story? (1946) 6. Who played Zapata in Via Zapata? (1952) 7. Who was Julius Caesar in Julius Caesar? (1953) 8. Who was Cleopatra in Cleopatra? (1963) 9. Who was Anne Boleyn in Anne of a Thousand Days? (1969) 10. Who played General Patton in Patton? (1970)
Answers to “Foreign Food Words And Phrases” 1. D. 2. P. 3. I. 4. M. 5. F. 6. U. 7. H.
Submitted by Marie Fish, Post Falls 8. AA. 15. B. 9. Q. 16. X. 10. A. 17. G. 11. V. 18. O. 12. L. 19. J. 13. R. 20. S. 14. W. 21. C.
22. Y. 23. T. 24. K. 25. Z. 26. N. 27. E.
The Family Tree of Vincent Van Gogh Submitted by Julie Hollar His dizzy aunt… Verti Gogh. His brother who ate prunes… Gotta Gogh. His brother who worked at a convenience store… Stop N Gogh. His grandfather from Yugoslavia… U Gogh. His magician uncle… Where-diddy Gogh.
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 January 10, 2010 for our February/ March 2010 edition. Remember to work the crossword puzzle in this issue and on our website www.idahoseniorindependent.com.
His Mexican cousin… A Mee Gogh. His Mexican cousin’s American half-brother… Gring Gogh. His nephew who drove a stagecoach… Wellsfar Gogh. His constipated uncle… Can’t Gogh. His ballroom dancing aunt… Tang Gogh. His bird lover uncle… Flamin Gogh. ISI
Actors: A. Larry Parks B. Elizabeth Taylor C. Gary Cooper D. Marlon Brando E. Genevieve Bujold F. Norma Shearer G. George C. Scott H. Jennifer Jones I. Charles Laughton J. Marlon Brando ISI
DECEMBER 2009/JANUARY 2010
Across
1 Period for enjoying festivities 8 Diamond for example 10 Ludwig’s middle name, Morrison’s first 11 Sleigh light? (2 words) 12 Santa Claus feature 13 Stan who created Spider-Man 14 Present carrier 17 Turkey or chicken, for example 19 Columbia locale 21 Pick up 23 21st century communication technology, for short 24 Adding beauty to 26 Ring material 29 “Love Story” star, first name 30 Brit. record label 32 Tree decorations 33 Bach piece 34 Deck 36 Christmas time 38 Shirt accessory 40 Velvet Underground singer 43 Company 44 Holiday drink 46 Radiant 48 Skywards 50 Not available, for short 51 Miscalculated 53 Old record 54 Historic leader? 55 Harry and David container
Answers to “Affairs of the Heart”
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 39
56 Present from Santa 57 Picnic buster
Down
1 Christmas songs 2 There were nine of them in the partridge song (2 words) 3 Presents for the studious? 4 Goes with Maria 5 Teacher’s Assistant, for short 6 Wild about 7 Christmas tree, often 8 “Love Actually” star 9 Steak order 15 Santa’s method of entry 16 Barbie’s partner 17 Bojangle beginning 18 Way back when 20 Bubbly drink 22 Forever and a day 23 Vital card 25 Icy coating 26 Present 27 Christmas illumination 28 Santa’s real helpers? 31 Enchant 35 Goes for the gold? 37 Kind of fire 38 Present for Dad, maybe 39 Driving move 41 Stopper 42 Shrek for one 43 Backup 45 Gossip 46 NFL time out play 47 Singer, Sayer 49 Honeybunch 52 1982 blockbuster 54 Loudspeaker system
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PAGE 40 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT
DECEMBER 2009/JANUARY 2010
What is Buzzin’ With The Bees?
By Clare Hafferman Over the past few years, there has been a thread of alarm woven through the agricultural blanket that covers the world. Workers in the field were getting sick and dying, and their overseers were unsuccessful in finding a reason for the illness. Colony collapse disorder is the disease, and the workers are honeybees - the black and yellow fliers that pollinate one-third of the food we eat and account for 15 billion dollars in agricultural products every year in our country. At risk are your salted almonds and avocados, cucumbers, and celery for your salad. There would be no apples, oranges, cantaloupes, watermelon, nor raspberry jam without the touch of the bee. Besides pollination and honey production, these winged wonders make beeswax, which is used in candles, lost wax and batik-dyed artistry, moisturizing cream, lip balm and soap, crayons, wood sealers and finishes, and as a coating for fruit. Bee pollen, propolis (a sticky resin collected from tree buds), and royal jelly are also sold in health food stores, each one advertised for special properties. Beekeepers were puzzled when they first noticed bees deserting the hive and leaving behind the Queen bee, some of her brood, and a few drones. The phenomenon spread and was soon observed worldwide. Researchers tallied information that pointed first to Varroa mites, which had arrived in
America in 1987. These parasites resemble tiny, reddish-brown ticks, and they crawl into uncapped cells and feed on new bee larva. Once the cell is capped, the female mite lays eggs on the larva and the mites leave the cell with the developed bee. Because the Varroa mites were already understood and treatable, beekeepers knew there had to be more than one cause of the problem. Researchers in Washington State identified two other causes. One was Nosema disease, caused by spore-forming parasites that affect the bees’ digestive system. When bees are inside the hive during long cold spells, they cannot leave to relieve themselves. When they defecate inside, Nosema can spread easily. Later, researchers in Spain found that an anti-biotic treatment for Nosema could restore infected colonies back to health. The scientists also found that many practitioners used the same honeycomb for years, which allowed pesticide residue to build up. Beekeepers were advised to get rid of the old honeycomb and if necessary, sandblast old paint off the hives and re-paint, using non-toxic paint. Considering the quantity of pesticides and herbicides used to produce weed-free lawns, golf courses, and genetically engineered crops, it is easy to understand that this is a factor in the problem. Some nations ban these crops on the basis that a plant raised to resist insects, cannot be safe to eat. Loss of habitat for all kinds of bees is also on the list, and the last factor may be that bees get no vacations. To pollinate the almond trees in California or the apple orchards in Washington, beekeepers from western states make long trips with their bees to these places. Also, healthy bees being let loose in an orchard with unhealthy bees might be a factor. One encouraging kind of beekeeping uses high-rise hives on the rooftops in Paris. Nicolas Geant, who has been in the business for 25 years, puts his workers above the soaring glass roof of the Grand Palais Exhibition Hall, just off the Champs-Elysees. Hives have also been placed in the Luxemborg Gardens, on the Century Palace, and above the new Opera Bastille. The Luxemborg Gardens’ hives produce more than half a ton of honey per harvest, which is sold to the public in September. The money collected is used to fund the facilities and for beekeeping classes. What helps the rooftop bees is that pesticides are banned from any parks or gardens in Paris. Other cities that have employed this practice include Berlin, London, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C. New York City, in an odd rule, regards bees as “venomous insects,” and punishes any kind of beekeeping with a $2,000 fine. If you are grateful for or interested in the marvelously engineered world of bees, be sure to pick up a copy of Honeybee by C. Marina Marchese (Black Dog & Leventhal, New York City). This new, well-written, illustrated, and detailed book can give you all the information you need to become a beekeeper or to satisfy your curiosity. Marchese was a director of a small giftware company. She developed gifts and home products that were manufactured overseas and sold here. A neighbor who had been involved in a local bee club introduced her to the art of beekeeping. On a trip to China, she noticed a group of hives outside a ragged tent on a dirt road. Her guide told her the Now’s a good time to get your home ready! Chinese regarded honey as ancient tradition and May we suggest . . . used it for health benefits. Armed with a jar she bought in a honey store, she decided to go home • Beautify New fixtures in the kitchen, bath or laundry. and join the club. • Add convenience After she left her giftware job and turned honey Food disposal, instant hot water dispenser, and tankless water heater. and bees into a full-time occupation, she copy-
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righted her Red Bee label and now sells honey and all the related goods that bees give us. Marchese meticulously describes how a hive goes together, the tools, and equipment needed to be a competent beekeeper, and the problems
and successes she has had with her “friends in the field.” She outlines the history of human association with bees, from Aristotle’s time until now, and even lists the many kinds of honey made from different flowers.
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 41
This book gives the reader extra knowledge concerning these insects, along with the hope that solutions can be found for the diseases that have decimated their numbers. ISI
Now - More Tax Credits For Home Buyers! The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has extended the tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence. The tax credit now applies to sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify. Probably more relevant to our readers is the new $6,500 Move-Up / Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit. Of course the devil is often in the details. Answers to the following questions will provide some clarity until the Internal Revenue Service updates its relevant tax forms in December. What is the definition of a move-up or repeat home buyer? The law defines a tax credit qualified move-up home buyer (“long-time resident”) as a person who has owned and resided in the same home for at least five consecutive years of the eight years prior to the purchase date. For married taxpayers, the law tests the homeownership history of both the home buyer and his/her spouse. Repeat home buyers do not have to purchase a home that is more expensive than their previous home to qualify for the tax credit. How is the amount of the tax credit determined? The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum
of $6,500. Purchases of homes priced above $800,000 are not eligible for the tax credit. The tax credit does not have to be repaid unless the home is sold or ceases to be used as the buyer’s principal residence within three years after the initial purchase. Are there any income limits for claiming the tax credit? Yes. The income limit for single taxpayers is $125,000; the limit is $225,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return. The tax credit amount is reduced for buyers with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) above those limits. The phaseout range for the tax credit program is equal to $20,000. That is, the tax credit amount is reduced to zero for taxpayers with MAGI of more than $145,000 (single) or $245,000 (married) and is reduced proportionally for taxpayers with MAGIs between these amounts. What types of homes will qualify for the tax
credit? Any home that will be used as a principal residence will qualify for the credit, provided the home is purchased for a price less than or equal to $800,000. This includes single-family detached homes, attached homes like townhouses and condominiums, manufactured homes (also known as mobile homes) and houseboats. The definition of principal residence is identical to the one used to determine whether you may qualify for the $250,000 / $500,000 capital gain tax exclusion for principal residences. It is important to note that you cannot purchase a home from, among other family members, your ancestors (parents, grandparents, etc.), your lineal descendants (children, grandchildren, etc.) or your spouse or your spouse’s family members. Please consult with your tax advisor for more information. Also see IRS Form 5405. ISI
PAGE 42 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT
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DECEMBER 2009/JANUARY 2010
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 43
Riders tackle the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes By Jack McNeel The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes from Plummer to Mullen is a 72-mile bike path along the old route of the Northern Pacific Railroad. It winds through Heyburn State Park where it crosses the southern end of Coeur d’Alene Lake, then twists and turns past the lowland lakes along the Coeur d’Alene River and continues eastward along I-90 almost to the Montana border. It is a challenge for most casual riders to complete in a day. The Tuesday Scenic Riders, an offshoot of the Spokane Bicycle Club, are primarily from Kootenai County and are somewhat more loosely organized - people who enjoy getting together once a week to bicycle some scenic or interesting route that one of the members has planned. The Tuesday Scenic Riders usually have 15-30 people on their weekly trips. As their last summer hurrah ride, the club picked the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, something a bit more challenging than their usual 15- to 30-mile jaunts. Riders could go the full distance or join at a trailhead en route. Of the nine who signed up, five opted to ride the entire distance. Those five gathered at the Hn’ya’)pqu’nn trailhead in Plummer. Yes, the spelling is correct. Plummer is on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation and many sites within the reservation are written in the native language. This term essentially means “the meeting place.” The five, Jackie McNeel, Jeannette Hill, Judy Waring, Jim Rundlett, and John Rowicki range in age from early 60s to early 80s. The temperature at 7:45 a.m. on this last day of September was unseasonably cold, just 32 degrees and cloudy, as the five bicyclists left the trailhead before dropping down to Heyburn Park at Chatcolet Lake. Wildlife sightings were surprising few throughout the day but one porcupine waddled down the trail ahead of them as they headed toward the lake. The sun started peeking through the clouds by 9 a.m. as they passed through Harrison. Two hours later the initial five met up with the remaining four bicyclists at Bull Run trailhead near Rose Lake. The lunch stop came at 12:30 when they reached the Snakepit at the junction of the North and South Forks of the Coeur d’Alene River. Reaching Wallace at 3:30, they took time to check into a hotel, drop their packs, and rest for a bit before the final climb to the end of the trail
at Mullan. Those beginning at Plummer had now covered 65 miles while those joining at Bull Run had pedaled some 31 miles. Only the three women who began the day at Plummer opted to continue on to the end of the trail at Mullan and then return to Wallace to spend the night. With 10.5 hours in the saddle and only a few brief breaks during the day, the three’s odyssey had covered a total of 79 miles. However, they were not finished. The next morning they climbed aboard their bikes and headed westward, stopping in Kellogg for breakfast. Several riders were met by family members along the way, with Jim Rundlett being the lone rider to continue all the way to Plummer. The total miles ridden per rider ranged from 86 to 129 over the two days - respectable numbers for people who can order from the senior menu! So why do they do it? Inge Bohnet had learned to ride in Germany and joined the bike club four years ago after her husband died. “I love sports and when I heard of the bike club I thought, ‘Oh, this is a great way to get back into biking and meet people.’” Alice Hostetter had learned to ride bikes in California back in the 1960s. When she moved to Spokane, she helped start the Spokane Bicycle Club when it was just four women who enjoyed riding together around the neighborhood. That group has grown tremendously, and as Alice says, “I just love these Scenic Rides.” Perhaps Judy Waring says it best, “I’ve been biking 30-35 years, and I love it. I’m goal oriented and by golly we just set a lulu!” ISI
[Photo by Jackie McNeel] Trail riders take a lunch break at the Snakepit.
PAGE 44 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT
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Father Tom Connolly – 30 years with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe Article and Photo by Jack McNeel Father Tom Connolly does not fit the image of a typical Catholic priest. I had seen him at numerous Indian powwows and events and finally had the chance to meet when we visited in the rectory at DeSmet on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation. I left knowing a man with a great sense of humor, an incredible knowledge of the history of Indian people in the region, the initiative to adapt Catholic ceremonies with Indian ceremonies, and a strong belief in the Church. The rectory itself was a surprise. Art created by Indian artists decorated the walls, the remarkable library contained a very large collection of books pertaining to Indian subjects, and even the wall plaques were of a humorous tone rather than the religious subjects I had expected, including one that says, “God is a
senior citizen.” Father Connolly was born in Shelton, Washington in 1929. His parents ties are to the timber industry and meat packing business in that area. He graduated from Shelton High in 1947 and worked in the meat market with his dad. “The biggest day in my life was when I turned 16 and could get a driver’s license and legally drive the delivery truck,” he says with a laugh. Gonzaga University was his next stop where he was considering law school, but he became attracted to the priesthood after seeing the work the Jesuits were doing. Two years later, he entered the Jesuit Seminary in Sheridan, Oregon for a four-year course of study. Then it was back to Spokane and Mount St. Michaels. “I spent three years at the big old building on the hill above Hillyard,” Father Connolly says, studying philosophy and related subjects. It was during this time he became interested in working with Native Americans. “We were pretty much confined to the top of the hill. The really good athletes went out and coached in the Catholic grade schools on Thursdays, our day off, and the real pious guys went down and taught catechism in the Hillyard area. Not being sufficiently athletic or sufficiently pious, I didn’t have a legitimate excuse to get off the hill,” he laughs. “So I got hold of Father Doyle who was doing some work on the Spokane Indian Reservation and started going out with him.” Father Connolly attended his first Indian funeral at Cusick on the Kalispel Reservation in 1955. Here he met noted Indian leader, Mitch Michael, who led the prayers at the funeral. It was the start of a lifelong friendship. “Mitch Michael was a tremendous guy with a great personality,” Father Connolly says. Michael wanted to reprint the old Indian hymns and prayers because the prayer books that had been printed at St. Ignatius, Montana in the 1870s were falling apart. “Naively not knowing what I was getting into, I said, ‘Sure.’ That was the first day of the rest of my life,” he adds, laughing. Father Connolly laughs a lot. The project required travel through various reservations recording interviews of elders on reel-to-reel tape. One result was Father Connol-
ly’s learning some of the language. “I was really impressed with the caliber of these old people. I know the prayers and hymns in the Spokane language,” he says. Father Connolly went to Toronto, was ordained, got a theology degree on top of the philosophy degree, and in 1963 returned to the Northwest where he lived at Gonzaga while working with area tribes. None of the three local tribes, Kalispel, Coeur d’Alene, or Spokane, was publishing a tribal newspaper at the time, so he started an intertribal paper, Northwest Indian Times. Because he did so much flying to Indian conferences around the country, Father Connolly was given the Indian name, Ch-tuht-asket, “One Who Flies in the Sky.” Father Connolly moved to the Coeur d’Alene Reservation 30 years ago where he has remained, firmly a member of the community and now a historian of Indian laws and life. He is a strong advocate for Indian people and speaks easily of the changes that have occurred over the years, the bad and the good. He has united Catholic ceremonies and Indian ceremonies in a variety of ways and laughs when he says, “I’m pretty open to doing things and probably pretty loose and too easy going. Bishop was just glad to have somebody out here working with Indians because it was a hard job to fill. “We would often use smudging as a symbol of prayer rising as the smoke goes up, using an eagle feather. We grind up sweet grass from the prairies to the east, sage from the deserts of the south, cedar from the forests of the northwest, and a healing root, to make our own incense. This was probably the first time smudging in this way was used in Catholic ceremonies but now it’s popular.” Mitch Michael suggested as a food blessing an old Indian song to use in certain ceremonials. Father Connolly has used it with Mass and with the cup dance in front of the altar at Cataldo Mission’s annual Feast of the Assumption pilgrimage, giving thanks for the bread and wine for Holy Communion. Father Connolly attends the annual powwow at Arlee on the Flathead Reservation in early July, the Kalispel powwow in August, and the Spokane powwow at Wellpinit over Labor Day weekend. You can see him dancing in the evening and then conducting Mass on Sunday morning right in the dance hall area. “I know almost everybody on the floor. We try to do the ceremonials and the processional with the drum around the altar area and Indian hymns and use sweet grass incense symbolism,” he says. Much of Father Connolly’s work is pastoral in nature - weddings, funerals, baptisms, and
DECEMBER 2009/JANUARY 2010
counseling. He finds that many of the younger Indians are not regulars at Mass. “But with a couple of funerals a month plus Christmas and Easter, we get them here pretty regularly,” he adds with a laugh. Father Connolly has published a couple of books, and he is working on a third one with a co-author that is directed at younger Native
Americans to provide knowledge of Indian ways of earlier years. Away from Church work, Father Connolly enjoys skiing at Schweitzer Basin where he has had a free lift ticket since his 75th birthday. Even a broken hip two years ago only cost him one year of skiing, and he marked his 80th birthday by
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 45
skiing at California’s Squaw Valley. Occasionally he will also climb aboard a bike for a ride along the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. Whether it is work or play, Father Connolly approaches life with religious faith, belief in the human spirit, and a sense of humor to keep it all in perspective. ISI
When the Eagles Return to Coeur d’Alene By Cate Huisman Although the bald eagles that return to Lake Coeur d’Alene are not as well known as the famous swallows of San Juan Capistrano, anticipation runs high for their return. The winged national symbols, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, arrive every December to Wolf Lodge Bay and Beauty Bay, in the northeast corner of the lake town. Their perennial visit to feed on spawning kokanee salmon has drawn increasing numbers of admirers. The kokanee were introduced to Lake Coeur d’Alene by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game in 1937. The lake is on a major flyway, and sharpeyed eagles - whose vision is three to four times more powerful than humans’ - noticed the fish immediately on the birds’ annual passage south from the Arctic and Canada. They’ve not missed an annual visit in the intervening seven decades. The number of eagles varies depending on the weather, annual fluctuations in the kokanee population, and even the number of humans watching. But from about the middle of December, through the peak in the first week of January, to their departure in early February, there are always birds to watch. Their white heads make them relatively easy to spot perching in trees and snags along the shoreline. “They’ll be anywhere on the east end of the lake because that’s where the shallow water is,” says Jane Fink-Cantwell, a local raptor biologist and president of Birds of Prey Northwest. While it’s fun to identify the eagles on their perches and watch them fly, it’s particularly exciting to watch them dive from the sky to the lake surface and fly back up with fish in their talons. “They usually come out of their nighttime community perch around sunrise,” notes Bureau of Land Management (BLM) wildlife biologist Scott Robinson. There are several opportunities for viewers to see the eagles both from shore and from boats on the lake. Birds of Prey Northwest, a non-profit organization that provides medical treatment and rehabilitation to injured birds and educational programs to humans, hosts annual fundraising cruises to watch the birds. This year they will be held on Sunday, December 7. Fink-Cantwell will come along to help viewers spot eagles and understand how they fish, perch, and travel. A special attraction will be her companion Liberty, a live “bald eagle ambassador” that her organization has rescued. Later in the month, the Coeur d’Alene resort runs eagle-viewing cruises on the weekends before and after Christmas. BLM environmental education specialist Beth Paragamian will be on board to present information about the eagles and to answer cruisers’ questions. Although she won’t be accompanied by a live eagle, she will have mounted juvenile and adult bald eagles to help enthusiasts learn about the birds’ life cycle. There are also several options for watching from shore. Two of the best are the Mineral Ridge boat ramp and the Mineral Ridge trailhead, both off Highway 97 on Wolf Lodge Bay. During Eagle Watch Week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, the BLM, U.S. Forest Service, Audubon Society, and Idaho Fish and Game will set up exhibits and spotting scopes at both locations. Biologists and volunteers will be on hand to help visitors locate the eagles and understand how they fit in
down the stairs to the west of the public boat launch the web of life around the lake. Enthusiasts may also walk along the roadway, at the foot of 3rd Street. Although eagles can be on the Mineral Point trail, or along the shoreline, viewed from inside the boats, the best viewing will but Robinson emphasizes that it’s best to keep be from the upper, open decks, so viewers should some distance from perching birds. “We usually dress warmly and bring binoculars. ISI discourage people walking underneath the trees they’re perching in because the birds get a little jittery,” he says. “We’ve seen them flee.” Indeed, there is some concern that the beloved eagles are abandoning their admirers and moving to fishing sites further from the road. So true wildlife lovers will keep N.S. Burbank, M.D. • C.J. Fatz, M.D. • K.C. Hewel, M.D. their distance and use spotting scopes or C.E. Ley, M.D. • A.J. Martinez, M.D. • K.P. McKlendin, M.D. binoculars. B.J. McNamee, M.D. • A.E. Michalson, M.D. The Coeur d’Alene Resort will run tours at 1 p.m. on December 20 and 21 and again L.S. Michalson, M.D. • D.E. Moody, M.D. on December 27 and 28. Tickets are $19.75 R.L. Opp, M.D. • T.F. Reichel, M.D. • R.S. Thornton, M.D. for adults, $17.75 for seniors 55 and better, Diplomats of the American Board of Radiology $11.75 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 and under. Tickets may be purchased at the 700 Ironwood Drive, Suite 110 1300 E. Mullan dock or reserved by calling 800-688-5253 or Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 Post Falls, ID 83854 208.666.3200 • Fax 208.666.3217 208.777.1305 • Fax 208.777.1313 208-765-4000. kootenaihealth.org/imaging Birds of Prey Northwest’s boat tours De165504_0927 cember 7 depart at 9:30 a.m. and again at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are $18 per adult, $12 per child 6-16, children under 6 free. The tours are popular and are likely to fill up, so it’s best to order tickets in advance, either online at http://birdsofpreynorthwest.org/wow. html, at the Wild Birds Unlimited store at 296 West Sunset Avenue in Coeur d’Alene, or by mailing a check to Birds of Prey Northwest, PO Box 3507, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816. For more information about these cruises, call Jane Fink-Cantwell at 208245-1367 or Roxanne Wolfe-Weaver 208-6875947. All tours depart from the resort’s cruise dock,
PAGE 46 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT
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Protecting Raptors - Continued from page 1 She also became a master falconer - the highest level of skill for licensed keepers of birds of prey. “I had always wanted to live somewhere where eagles nest and fly free,” Jane says, and this brought her to north Idaho eight years ago. Idaho has one of the largest populations of raptors in the country (and not coincidentally one of the sparsest populations) and is rich in the
intact forest ecosystems that support them. And here she has built a “raptor ranch” where she cares for injured raptors under special permits from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Many of the birds she treats have been injured by illegal gunshots, and Jane knows education is essential to preventing such injuries in the future. “It does me little good to repair a wing broken by an illegal bullet if I return the bird to an uninformed public,” she points out. So she has developed another entire set of skills to help people understand that the fate of raptors is in our hands. “Whose job is it to care for an eagle that falls from the sky?” Jane asks insistently, knowing that this responsibility does not appear on anyone’s job description. Keys to her presentations are the raptors themselves. Some of the birds she has treated are not able to recover completely and survive in the wild, so these birds are recruited to help prevent their wild brethren from suffering the same fate. Several ambassador avians will be with her at the Coeur d’Alene Resort on December 6th. In addition, Jane has bought land for a raptor education center at Wolf Lodge Bay on Lake Coeur d’Alene, and she continues to work tirelessly to find the funding to realize this vision. Beyond her love for birds of prey, there is another reason that she thinks the public should share her concern about them. “If you want to know your future, look at theirs,” she says. Birds of prey are bioindicators - toxins in the food chain are concentrated in their diets, so they are often the first to suffer when an ecosystem is disturbed. Remember that bald eagles were nearly wiped out by the widespread use of the pesticide DDT, which was finally banned in 1973. Thirty-five years
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later, Eagles were removed from endangered species list. Society’s intensive development has changed the way we affect them. “The emerging threat is habitat loss,” Jane explains. She has expanded her work to reintroduce birds into locales where their populations have dwindled. In one current project, she takes baby osprey from nests in Idaho (which has the largest population of osprey in the west) and settles them in nests on towers along the Missouri River in South Dakota. Here humans care for them until they are ready to fly and feed themselves, and they learn to think of South Dakota as home. Then instinct takes over. “They did leave the area and migrate normally,” Jane observes appreciatively of this year’s batch of transplants, “which is always an amazing thing to me. You take a baby bird from its nest in Idaho, move it to South Dakota, and it does what it’s supposed to do, with no parents, having never done so before.” When these osprey are ready to nest, their upbringing on the Missouri River increases the chances that they will return there to raise their families. Although she is passionate about raptors, Jane is not romantic about them. “I’m not a tree hugger; I’m a scientist,” she says. Her hope for the future of raptors lies in both the natural resilience of raptors and the ability of humans to learn. Although people almost caused the extinction of eagles, Jane notes, “We are also the same species that brought them back.” Now she is doing her best to teach us how not to let them go again. To learn more about Jane Fink Cantwell’s work or to support the Birds of Prey Center visit http://birdsofpreynorthwest.org/. To learn about volunteer opportunities visit
DECEMBER 2009/JANUARY 2010
Jeannette Hill – A lifetime of bicycling
Article and Photo by Jack McNeel The years have done little to change Jeannette Hill’s love of bicycling. Not even knee and hip replacements have kept her from the exercise involved in outdoor activities, which include hiking and snowshoeing too. However, the bicycle has filled hours, days, and even weeks of her life – and continues to do so past her 80th birthday. “As a kid I loved to ride my bike around town,” she says. That town was Redlands, California. She was the youngest of nine children and her dad had been a Baptist minister. She recalls those years fondly. “I grew up in a really wonderful household.” Jeannette remained there until she finished college at the University of Redlands where she majored in physical education with a minor in English. After graduation, Jeannette taught, with the exception of a six-year period when she cared for her two young sons. In 1979, she retired from her final teaching position at Encinitas, California. But Jeannette always had an interest in biking. “In 1952 we were living in Albuquerque. My husband was an insurance adjuster and did a lot of traveling in a car. He really needed to get some exercise so we bought a couple of 3-speed bikes and really enjoyed those. As our interest continued and our kids got to the point they could ride on the back of the bikes, we advanced to 10-speeds. Then we got a 10-speed tandem and we rode that for thousands and thousands of miles. So it just progressed from there.” “The longest trip my husband and I made on our tandem was from Seattle up to Jasper and down to Banff and then over to Victoria. We took a ferry back to Seattle. I think it was about 1,500 miles and took us three weeks. That was about 1972 or ‘73.” Following a divorce, Jeannette returned to Redlands and worked for the city until she again retired in 1993. “I knew I wanted to get out of California.” She moved to Steilacoom, Washington and then to Coeur d’Alene in 1993 along with a sister. They both now reside in Rathdrum. Jeannette soon got back into bicycling. “It was through the Panhandle Nordic Ski Club. I was interested in learning how to cross country ski. I became friends with a group who hike, bike, ski, snowshoe, and do the things I enjoy doing. One time we went to Bryce and Zion National Parks in Utah. We drove down and made a bicycle trip through those areas. Another tour was up through Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. We also made a trip through the Canadian San Juan Islands.”
Asked how the cross country skiing turned out Jeannette says with a laugh, “I decided after getting very tired of falling and trying to get up I was too old to learn how to cross country ski. I’ve switched to snowshoes, which I enjoy very much. There are some of us who go out on trails to just be outside and enjoy the scenery. I didn’t do much last year other than a couple of trips to Mount Spokane. I hope this year the snow will be friendlier.” Jeannette has done a “Bike and Barge” trip to Holland and has twice ridden from Seattle to Portland. Since then she says, “Nothing very unusual, mostly local trips. A group of us did take a three-day trip down the Oregon Coast about three years ago. It was hot, and there were a lot of big logging trucks. But, everything else I have really enjoyed doing.” Jeannette now belongs to the Spokane Bike Club and the Tuesday Scenic Riders, a loosely knit group from the Coeur d’Alene area. Jeannette also coteaches a Fit and Fall Prevention class in Rathdrum sponsored by the Panhandle Health District. “We meet two times a week and do exercises aimed at improving balance and flexibility. It’s not an aerobic thing, but as we get older those are primary concerns to a lot of us.” Jeannette’s joint replacements have been a matter of some concern. “They affected my balance, so I’ve been very conscious of balance problems. This exercise class has helped tremendously. As far as the effects on her bicycling, Jeannette says, “I feel it sometimes. With the knee, I feel it when I’m biking. Not too bad but I do feel it. When I get off the bike it’s fine.” Although Jeannette enjoys riding with a group, she also enjoys riding alone, but admits to being more cautious about where she rides. “I find great pleasure in being able to set my own pace and go and stop when I want.” Jeannette is definitely a bicycling lady. ISI
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 47
DECEMBER 2009/JANUARY 2010
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