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Joan and Bill Gundlach Canoe the Far Northern Wilderness

Photo courtesy of Joan & Bill Gundlach By Jack McNeel As the talk turns to wilderness canoeing trips measured in hundreds of miles, wildlife, and the adventure of the experiences, it is hard not to feel a bit of envy for Bill and Joan Gundlach. Their adventures aren’t like putting in on a local river or lake for a day; their trips involve months of planning, getting to northern Canada or Alaska, flying by float plane to a remote river, being picked up two or three weeks later 200-300 miles downstream, and then being flown back to civilization. These would be significant adventures for people in their thirties, but Bill and Joan are twice that age - 74 and 68 respectively. They are planning for yet another wilderness trip this coming summer - possibly into Alaska’s Brooks Range. This passion is not surprising to folks who knew Bill thirty years ago when he was a kayaker and member of the Spokane Canoe Club. Their first date was – drum roll – a canoe outing on Casco Bay of Coeur d’Alene Lake! (Continued on page 30)

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What a fine newspaper! I had the good fortune of going to my doctor’s office yesterday and picking up your newspaper to read while waiting. I was intrigued with the cover article and took the paper “home” with me as you state kindly. You cover so many facets of our daily living today in easy to understand language. After reading the whole of it, I am subscribing for myself and for my brother and his wife. I feel confident that they, too, will find it to be good reading. Again, thank you for putting out such a lovely newspaper and thanks to fate that I can enjoy it! Kay Johnson Athol

Boyington was a brave fighter in a real war Kevin Gonzalez in the Idaho Senior Independent’s article about Pappy Boyington Airfield at Coeur d’Alene helped me remember. Called “Pappy” because he was a senior of 31 when he led the Black Sheep Squadron’s Marines in 1943, Boyington was a World War II fighting ace who won the Medal of Honor because he earned it.

He was honorable in a “good” war that, like every war, was good mostly in retrospect. To those fighting in the Pacific with Pappy or to those fighting in Europe, the good war was war: prolonged boredom relieved by almost unendurable terror. Spielberg and other Hollywood warriors have tried to sanitize it. Real warriors like Boyington endured it or died in the dirt of Normandy or Iwo Jima. But after Boyington’s war and the forgotten “police action” in Korea, war changed utterly. With Vietnam, war and death came to America’s living rooms in living color. Television would have made even a good war, World War II, look as ambiguous or bad as it might have been. Although Pappy Boyington was remembered with a 1970s television series, the memory of his bravery was undone by television. Generations ignorant of war’s terrible reality, but immersed in TV and living-room war, learned to impugn the honor of honorable fighters like Boyington. When Boyington’s University of Washington recently debated the recognition of his service to America at a time when the world’s future hung by a thread, UW’s debate tilted toward those from

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the TV generation who chose to see Boyington as a killer, not a medal winner. Thanks to Boyington and thousands of other brave fighters, a younger generation has learned to forget what reality is. Boyington and others like him made America and the world safe for those who didn’t live when everything hung in the balance of life and death. The pleasant peace most of us enjoy now was won at a cost. The cost was war. Boyington and others like him paid the price. We must not forget. Jim Kerns Boise ISI

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

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

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How many of us are collectors, or at least were as children? Seashells, baseball cards, bottle caps - even rocks - are carefully chosen, amassed, and guarded as something precious. In his essay, The Collector of Stuff, Jack Kidd of Athol recalls the childhood moment that started his obsession with collecting. He also reminds us that the most important collection anyone can have is one of memories shared with friends and family. Thank you, Jack, for your contribution! Remember When contains our readers’ personal reflections or contributions describing fictional or non-fictional events from some time in

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

The Collector Of Stuff By Jack Kidd, Athol In 1953, I was ten years old and had lived all my life on a small farm in northwestern Arkansas. In April of that year we got our new telephone. It was a marvel in modern technology. The phone was black and had a round rotary dial with ten holes and numbers under each hole. There would be no more standing with your face to the wall just to talk to a neighbor, no more cranking a handle to get two longs and one short from the ringer. No sir-ee, Bob! This phone sat on the table. You

could sit in a chair and talk for hours without standing up once. When the phone man finished installing our new one, Mom said, “Jackie, take that old junker phone out to the garage.” A couple of months later, Mom and Dad were going to town to shop and told me to stay home with my little sister, Donna Sue. Mom said, “Jackie, you are in charge now. Hold down the fort.” I always felt good about being in charge of my little sister, for she required a lot of taking charge. No sooner had they left when Donna Sue came and said, “Jackie, there is a man at the door wanting to talk to the one in charge.” Standing at the door was a tall, slender man with a flat top haircut and a wide smile. He handed me a card that read, “Jessie Boon: Broker of Antiques and Collectables, Newark, New Jersey.” He said, “I am in the area buying old wall phones. Would you have one for sale?” “Why, yes, there’s one in the garage,” I said. After he looked at the phone, he told me, “I’ll give you a brand new, crisp one dollar bill for it.” Having learned from Dad, I said, “No, but I will take two dollars for it.” Wow! I could go to the picture show, buy some popcorn, and still have a dollar left over! He frowned then said, “Okay, you do drive a hard bargain.” Then he saw a box of Prince Albert tobacco cans. “I’ll give you fifty cents for that box of cans.” Boy, Howdy! This old fool will buy anything! It was generally known – Yankees were not very smart. “I have some old peanut butter jars over there I will sell,” I told him. In the background Donna Sue was saying, “Daddy’s going to be real mad.” “Be quiet, Donna Sue! I’m the one who’s in charge here.” It is amazing what collectables will do, for old Jesse Boon left our place a happy man, and I was a happy kid with two dollars and fifty cents in my pocket. But it cost me fifty cents to keep my sister’s mouth shut. Not long after Jessie Boon had gone back to New Jersey, Shaker Yates called. Shaker owned the local phone company. I heard Dad talking on the phone, “Yeah Shaker, I still have that wall phone. You’ll give me four dollars for it? I’ll bring it over tomorrow morning.” Dad hung up the phone, turned to me, and said, “Jackie, go get that old wall phone for me. Shaker wants to buy it.” I heard my sister say, “Ha ha ha!” “Shut up, Donna Sue!” With my luck, Shaker would want to buy Prince Albert cans and peanut butter jars, too. I finally ducked my head and told Dad what I had done. “Dad, I sold the phone to Jessie Boon.” “Jessie Boon? Who’s Jessie Boon?” “He’s that collectable guy from New Jersey. I did good though. He wanted to pay one dollar, but I got him up to two – just like you would do.” This is when I learned in life that it is always a good investment to have collectables. After all, that phone had doubled in value in just a few weeks. I was determined to start my own collection, but it was difficult to know what to collect. I first started with baseball cards. Before long, I had so much bubble gum that my jaws got tired of chewing. I took the gum to school to hand out, and all the kids wanted to be my buddy. I became very popular with everyone except Miss Moore, my teacher. She would look at the class and see twelve kids chewing, blowing bubbles, and stretching their gum. She told me to keep my gum at home or stay there myself. I once knew a guy that collected iron tractor seats. He had one wall in his shop crowded with iron derriere covers. In my older years, I have learned I never completely solved the puzzle of what and how to collect and invest. After all, most collectables just end up in the trash heap. But one thing I did without even realizing it: I collected fond memories of life – of loving parents and siblings, a faithful wife, and wonderful children and grandchildren. These are collectables that increase in value every day. ISI

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Spring is on its way, with all its beauty and new life. How about taking a chance on something new in your life this year? Respond to one of these ads or submit your own to see if this spring will bring you new beauty, life, and love! 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 April/May 2011 issue. There is no charge for this service, and your ad may bring a breath of fresh air to your heart as well. Responses to personal ads appearing in this column can be submitted at any time. However, to place a personal ad in the April/May 2011 issue, the deadline is March 10, 2011. SWM, retired, 65, would enjoy meeting a cool, exciting gal to hang out with. Someone between 55 and 80, who likes to take walks and long rides, maybe to Yellowstone or other hiking areas. Nonsmoker, non-drinker. If you’d like to meet a great guy, write me! Reply ISI, Dept. 6601, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. WWM, 70s, Boise-Nampa-Caldwell areas.

Would like to meet a widow for companionship and a support shoulder. I am tall, was dark but now gray, and handsome. Age doesn’t bother me, and I am not out for your money! I love conversation and a great Bible study group. Happy new year, girls! Reply ISI, Dept. 6602, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF, 64, seeking tall, white male, 62-65, for companionship or long-term relationship. I like to cook, sew, and garden. I love cats, dining out, and much more. No smoking, drinking, or drugs please. Reply ISI, Dept. 6603, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. Christian lady seeking the company of a sincere, serious gentleman. I enjoy gardening, going for walks, and going to see a movie now and then. I am looking for someone who is willing to deal with the ups and downs of life together and to compromise with each other’s likes and dislikes. I am a friendly and honest person. Reply ISI, Dept. 6604, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. I am a more or less retired professional man who is looking for a trim and fit senior lady who might enjoy traveling and likes dancing. I would like to take a cruise, but not all by myself. I am a light social drinker and do not smoke. I enjoy doing a little computer work, watching some TV, and cooking. I live in the Snake River Canyon. I

To My Newfound Valentine By Saralee Perel It was Thursday, June 10, 1976, the evening of my first lecture on “Life After Divorce.” It was a day like any other day - a day in a lifetime of days that gives no clues. What if I had known even a little of what to expect? He was seated in the front row of the lecture hall, wearing work boots and jeans. I could see, even from behind my podium, that his sea-blue denim shirt matched the color of his dazzling eyes. I put on my glasses, ostensibly to see my notes, but I was able to sneak a quick look to see the blue-eyed fellow’s nametag. It read, “Bob.” After the lecture. We were in the hallway. Bob asked if he could walk me to my car. “But I don’t even know you,” I said. “How do I know you’re not a mugger just pretending you want to protect me and then in the parking lot, you grab me and steal my purse and my wedding ring?”

He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms and his legs in a posture I would see for many years to come. Then he laughed and said, “That whole ridiculous scenario was just so I’d look at your hand and see you’re not married.” “Oh yeah?” I said as I started walking while hiding my smile because he was right. He caught up with me. “I’m not married either.” “I know that. You’re attending my lectures on divorce for heaven’s sake.”

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will answer every letter and age is not important to me. I am 6’2”, 217 lbs (less than when I joined the Navy in WWII). I clean up nicely. Will exchange photos. Reply ISI, Dept. 6605, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. Let’s start the New Year right! Single, mid-60s gentleman wants to share his travels and adventures with an outdoorsy and friendly lady. I’m a social drinker, non-smoker, moral person (but not religious). I’m looking for a similar lady friend who is financially independent, retired, not tied down, and healthy with a robust figure. Twin Falls. Reply ISI, Dept. 6606, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. Friend, companion, gentleman wanted. 65-80 and non-smoking. Would you like to meet a nice lady to relax and enjoy life with? I am clean, honest, sincere, financially stable, smart, and good-hearted. You can be yourself with me. I have been widowed for 6 years, and am a tall, slim, blond-haired, blueeyed, retired nurse. I wear Levis and love the outdoors, animals, flea markets, and much more. Write me now and make it happen! Reply ISI, Dept. 6607, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. ISI

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“That’s quite a presumption. I could be on my second marriage and not want to make the same mistakes,” he replied. I tried unsuccessfully to resist looking at his left hand, and he said, “I already told you I’m not married.” “You’re arrogant,” I said. “I’m arrogant?” he retorted. “At least we agree on something,” I said. I did let him walk me to my car - because I really wanted him to. One year later, he became my husband. Thirty-three years later, we still have our song. It was played at our wedding… I’ll be loving you, Always; With a love that’s true, Always. We danced to it at every anniversary, until our twenty-fifth. Suddenly, the music in our love stopped as abruptly as I suffered a spinal cord injury. Bob became my caregiver. I felt like a burden, but did not tell him. Bob was overwhelmed, but did not tell me. We cried by ourselves. If only we had cried together, we could have grieved and started to heal. No longer best friends, the words to Always seemed meaningless. I should have known what we needed. And that was to talk with each other rather than keeping our feelings inside. Instead, we believed it would be too hurtful to share our heartbreaking thoughts. We both put on an “I’m fine,” façade, but it was just a veneer to hide our shattered inner worlds. Then one day, a wonderful thing happened: I fell. While trying to get myself up, I started crying. Bob came quickly to

help me. And suddenly he began crying too. That was the day we finally cried together - tears of love, tears of healing. On a recent Valentine’s Day, Bob said to me, “We have to stay home today because there’s a surprise coming.” He kept looking out the front window, anxiously waiting for heaven-knows-what. I knew it was going to be something other than flowers or candy because he would not have been so nervous. Finally, there was a knock at our door. I opened it to find four gentlemen who greeted me by name, gave me a beautiful red rose, and marched right into our living room where they asked us to have a seat on our couch. They stood in a group in front of us and in magnificent barbershop harmony, sang Always. I was overwhelmed with tears. Bob had secretly arranged for this singing Valentine. With my loving husband plus some of the fellows helping me, I was able to stand while we had our picture taken. When I was a kid at summer camp and we jumped on the trampoline, we always had a “safety.” That was someone who was there to watch over us to keep us from harm. And so, when Bob or I need one another, in so many ways that we now do, we are always each other’s safety… Not just for an hour, Not just for a day, Not just for a year, But always... Award-winning columnist, Saralee Perel, welcomes emails at sperel@saraleeperel.com or via her website: www.saraleeperel. com. ISI

True Love Submitted by Jim Meade It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80’s arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9 a.m. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.

I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer’s disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, “And you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?” He smiled as he patted my hand and said, “She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is.” I had to hold back tears as he left. I had goose bumps on my arm as I thought, “That is the kind of love I want in my life.” True love is neither physical, nor romantic. Love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be. The happiest people do not necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. ISI

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If I Could Go Back By Pearl Hoffman, Los Angeles If I could go back, I’d return to my Spring. I remember my Spring, and I liked being there. There was rhythm and rhyme, in my life, in my prime, in that time, the sweet Spring of my life. If I could go back, I’d visit my Summer. I remember my Summer, and I liked being there. First love, then marriage, then, baby-carriage, in that time, the warm Summer of my life.

If I could go back, I’d pause in my Autumn. I remember my Autumn, and I liked being there. It all came together, at long last, fair weather, in that time, the gentle Autumn of my life. If I could go back, I might choose not to leave. I remember the journey, and I’m glad to be here. I’ll keep trying my best to do the best with the rest of my time, these quiet moments of my life. ISI

 By Craig Ziegler Maybe you are like many of our families and have asked yourself that very question. Maybe you have had a nagging feeling something needs to be done, but you are not sure why or even how to start. Let me ease your mind a bit and answer some basic questions in the process. Simply put, preplanning provides peace of mind. A carefully preplanned funeral service can be comforting to your family, as it spares them from having to face decisions that can be both emotionally and financially difficult at the time of death. It can give them satisfaction to know that they have acted in accordance with your wishes. Making pre-arrangements can be as simple or as detailed as you wish. You can make the selection of the services, casket/urn, music, pastor, and even supply most of the obituary information, etc. or simply record the information that will be needed for legal forms and other paperwork. Another reason to preplan is to ensure that your family will receive all of the benefits to which they are entitled. It is important that all of your personal records, insurance numbers, and location of important papers be accessible to your family in the event of your death. These vital details and your personal wishes for your funeral can be recorded ahead of time. This ensures that your beneficiaries will receive the protection you worked and planned for when they need it most. Many people prefer cremation as their form of disposition when they die. This option brings with it several questions that need to be addressed; and this is best done in the process of making a

There is no cure for birth and death, save to enjoy the interval. - George Santayana

pre-arrangement. A Cremation Authorization must be signed before a cremation can occur and it is not always clear who has the authority to sign this document. Idaho allows the person making their own cremation plans the right to sign their own authorization, thereby relieving the family of this complicated task. Another difficult decision can be the final resting place of the cremated remains. Niche placement, in-ground burial, scattering, and keeping them indefinitely are just some of the options you have in making this decision. Although not required when making prearrangements, most people choose to set aside funds that will cover their future funeral and final expenses. A good prepayment plan will allow you to control costs, and lock-in prices on the services and merchandise you select. If death occurs while traveling, a completed pre-arrangement can be invaluable. Your family will only need to call the funeral home in charge of your arrangements. Your local funeral director can handle everything from that point on, saving your family time, money, and untold frustration. Finally, preplanning can be a very important estate planning tool when considering spending down in anticipation of a nursing home admission. Federal and state guidelines are specific regarding this matter and, done properly, preplanning can help you qualify for state assistance before all your money is gone. As you can see, there are many good reasons to preplan. When you give your family the gift of preplanning, they will thank you for it and you will have what you really want - peace of mind. ISI

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A Sense of Order and Other Stories by Jack Harrell; Signature Books, 2010 By Connie Daugherty â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was the world itself and everyone in it that had been forever and simply too disorderly to suit him.â&#x20AC;? In A Sense of Order and Other Stories, Jack Harrellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent collection of short stories, we meet the meticulous Vern Rasmussen as well as many of those disorderly people who populate our everyday world. People like Jerry Sangood, Grandpa Buster Law, Grandma Ruckman, Donna Castle, and Renee Roundy, â&#x20AC;&#x153;a small wiry woman.â&#x20AC;? The art of short story writing is becoming a lost literary form. Talented writers like Jack Harrell preserve the unique style of writing where each word conveys a thought, each paragraph a theme. Even the names of the characters or locations imply a piece of the story. Some of Harrellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stories are only a few pages, but the force of the message in as present as it is in the longer stories. A Sense of Order is written in a readable, but very literary style that touches the spirit. The symbolism in the stories is sometimes obvious, sometimes subtle, but consistently entertaining and thought provoking. Each of these stories stays with the reader. Each story challenges the depth of our beliefs in our science, our religion, in each other, and in the

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supernatural aspects of our all too natural world. In Treganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mettle, a Rexburg teenager who â&#x20AC;&#x153;liked to prayâ&#x20AC;? although he does not generally advertise the fact, is joined by Jesus for a Megadeth rock concert simply because he prayed for someone with whom he could attend the concert. Nobody, not even Grandpa Law who is a leader in the Mormon Church, believes Tregan - Jesus told him they would not. Jesus does not appear to teenagers and he definitely does not attend rock concerts. Or does he? Is God only there for priests and missionaries or could He be a part of â&#x20AC;&#x153;anything that was good, anything that was real?â&#x20AC;? In The Trestle, Lon Green struggles with his own midlife crisis. He remembers his adolescence - his high school sweetheart and the good times with his buddies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d frightened themselves with stories that boys wanted to believe, oblivious to the real dangers theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d face somedayâ&#x20AC;Ś bad backs and dead-end jobs, marriages and mortgages, timetables and never enough money.â&#x20AC;? In this state of mind, at this time of his life, he meets the devil on a train trestle and is given a choice an opportunity to change the direction of his life. In October Soil a college student, married and expecting his first child, moves to Idaho from Illinois to finish his psychology degree. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The evening air smelled of autumnâ&#x20AC;Ś the evening sun cast an orange hue on the worldâ&#x20AC;Ś I imagined I was Adam in the Garden of Eden.â&#x20AC;? He contemplates fatherhood and all its responsibilities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Adam couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stay in paradise forever. He had to take his chances in the world.â&#x20AC;? In Flight, one of the shortest yet most powerful stories in the collection, a struggling divorced mother thinks about her life and that of her exhusband. â&#x20AC;&#x153;[S]he knew that only two places existed in the world - here, where itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tough and real, and somewhere else where itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only happy until it becomes familiar, until it becomes another here.â&#x20AC;? In Godsight, Morgan, a humanities professor at a small college, is at a crossroads - campaign for the department chair or relax into his pending retirement. Then he wakes up one morning with a supernatural ability to see what only God can see in his fellow human beings. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There, on each face, blazed a secret history of hurt and compromiseâ&#x20AC;Ś their suffering was so great it was all I could do to breathe.â&#x20AC;? Then Morgan literally cannot breathe

and has a heart attack. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I could see that their lives stretched back infinitely before this moment, ahead beyond this momentâ&#x20AC;Ś glorious, evolving threads.â&#x20AC;? In Grandma Ruckmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dream, a middle-age couple deals with an aging parent. Grandmaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stories of the past seem a bit fantastic - delusionary almost, but possibly real at the same time. While the young husband finds the stories intriguing, he feels guilty for becoming so wrapped up in them and in Grandma. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think those talks did a lot of good for Grandma. It was like clearing the junk out of an old attic.â&#x20AC;? Sometimes the memories seem to be mixed up with the present and with the fantastic and the young couple is confused, though Grandma remains sure of herself. When Grandma â&#x20AC;&#x153;started telling people that Jesus had taken her to breakfast,â&#x20AC;? they do not know whether to be embarrassed or concerned for her mental stability. In Jerome and the Ends of the Universe, a thirty-year-old man who lives with his domineering mother determines to find meaning and order to the world through science - â&#x20AC;&#x153;science was nothing less than the laws that predicted all movement, all activity - the recipe of existence.â&#x20AC;? For Jerome science is control of the chaos, understanding of the mysterious, and meaning for the inexplicable. It is life free of risk and uncertainty. But is that really all he wants? Would it be better to dare to embrace â&#x20AC;&#x153;uncertainty, love, mysteryâ&#x20AC;Ś a new life in Boise?â&#x20AC;? In the last story, Calling and Election, we meet Jerry Sangood, a man who determinedly lives a good life, a man who follows the rules. But a brain tumor is affecting his behavior causing him to act uncharacteristically; causing him to question goodness for goodnessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sake. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Only then did he realize what he had lost and why it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter.â&#x20AC;? Most of the stories in A Sense of Order and Other Stories deal with our perception of God and the supernatural in ordinary lives. Like the popular novel, The Shack, this collection of short stories dares to shake up the mindless rote of religious belief. Because Harrell is a Mormon, the Mormon beliefs and traditions play strongly in most of the stories, but the message can be transferred to other faiths as well. Jack Harrell teaches English and creative writing at Brigham Young University - Idaho. He has published fiction and essays in several Mormon journals and magazines. His 1998 novel, Vernal Promises received the Marilyn Brown Novel Award from the Association for Mormon Letters. Harrell lives in Rexburg, Idaho with his wife. ISI

8, (OSPICE )$3R)ND PDF !-

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 9

Tax Deduction - Do not forget that donations to nonprofits are tax-deductible, so when you drop off your donated item(s), be sure to ask for a receipt for your tax records. Or, if you are mailing it in or are using one of the Lions Club drop-off boxes, you will need to include a note requesting a letter of acknowledgement of the donation. Your note should include your name and a brief description of what you donated, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Savvy Tips: If you have other assistive devices or daily living equipment you would like to donate but cannot find a home for, contact your state assistive technologies director (see ataporg.org). They typically accept a wide variety of assistive living aids or may be able to refer you to groups or organizations that do. Or try usedhme.com, a free listing service website that lets you donate, sell, or buy used home medical equipment. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. ISI

Where to Donate Unused Assistive Equipment

By Jim Miller Donating old or unused assistive living equipment is a wonderful way to help those in need who cannot afford it, and in most cases, it is tax deductible too. Here are some good places to check. Mobility Equipment - Many foundations and organizations would be more than happy to receive your dad’s old wheelchair, walker, and canes. Local charities such as Easter Seals, United Way, American Red Cross, or the Muscular Dystrophy Association are all great options, as well as Independent Living Centers (see ilru.org to find one near you) that help people with disabilities. Local hospital foundations, children’s hospitals, school districts, veteran’s service organizations, and even churches are also good places that often accept these types of donations. Or, you could donate to your local Goodwill store or Salvation Army. Eyeglasses - One of the best places to donate old eyeglasses is to the Lions Club Recycle for Sight program. They collect nearly 30 million pairs of glasses each year and distribute them to people in need in developing countries. To donate, look for a Lion’s Club glasses donation drop-off box in your community. You can often find them at libraries, community centers, churches, schools, and many local eye doctor offices, or contact your local Lions Club for drop-off locations. Call 800-747-4448 to get the number to your state Lions Club office, which can refer you to your community representative, or visit lionsclubs.org. New Eyes for the Needy (neweyesfortheneedy.org) is another good organization that collects unused eyeglasses and distributes them abroad to people in need. Hearing Aids - To donate old hearing aids, hearing aid parts, or other assistive listening devices check out Hear Now (starkeyhearingfoundation. org/hear-now.php, 800-648-4327), a nonprofit program that is part of the Starkey Hearing Foundation. They collect around 40,000 hearing aids each year, have them reconditioned, and resell them using the revenue to buy new hearing aids for people who cannot afford them. Hearing aids and other assistive hearing devices should be sent to Hear Now, 6700 Washington Avenue South, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Another great place to donate is the Lions Club Hearing Aid Recycling Program. Old hearing aids should be mailed in to one of their 21 regional hearing aid recycling centers. Your state Lions Club (call 800-747-4448 to get the phone number) can give you the mailing address, or go to lionsclubs.org. Other local service organizations that may accept hearing aid donations are Sertoma, Knights of Columbus, Masons, Kiwanis, and Optimists clubs. There are also some states, cities, counties, and even local groups that have collection programs. Contact your Area Aging Agency (call 800-677-1116 to get your local number) or the nearest Hearing Loss Association of America chapter (see hearingloss.org) to inquire.

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How to Save on Long-Term Care Insurance By Jim Miller The biggest factor that keeps millions of Americans from purchasing long-term care (LTC) insurance is the high price tag. Depending on your age, you and your wife could be looking at $8,000 a year (if not more) to purchase a comprehensive policy that covers nursing home care, assisted living and in-home care. Fortunately, there are ways to save and still get adequate coverage. Here are several cost-cutting tips you should know. Buy Young - One of the most basic ways a person can lower their LTC insurance premiums is by purchasing a policy at a younger age. For example, a policy that costs a 55-year-old $2,000 a year in premiums could costs a 65-year-old more than $3,000. Health is another fact that can affect costs. While good health can lower your monthly payments, having a preexisting medical condition can increase your costs, or you may not be able to get insurance at all. Check Your Employer - Some employers offer LTC insurance as an employee benefit that is often 5-10% less expensive that buying a policy on your own. Or, if you or your wife is a current or retired Federal employee, you can get affordable coverage through the Federal LTC Insurance Program (www.ltcfeds.com). Tweak the Policy - The cost of LTC insurance depends greatly on the policy’s provisions. Here are some simple ways to trim your premiums: • Reduce the benefit period: A policy that covers you for two or three years, versus an unlimited benefit, meets the needs for most people and can cut your premiums in half. • Lower the daily benefit: You can get a policy that pays $100, $150, $200 per day, or more, but the higher the benefit, the higher your premium. To figure out how much coverage to get, check out the nursing home prices in the area you plan to be. Then figure out how much of the bill you could shoulder yourself, and choose a benefit that makes up the difference. • Extend the waiting period: Most policies have waiting periods (30, 60, 90 days, or

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more) that require you to pay out-of-pocket before the policy kicks in. The longer you wait the lower your premium. • Get cheaper inflation protection: Choosing a policy that offers inflation protection linked to the consumer price index is about 20 to 40 percent cheaper than standard policies that use a 5 percent compound inflation factor. Get State Help - Many states today have a LTC partnership program that can help you save. Under these programs, if you buy a LTC policy approved by your state Medicaid agency, you can protect an amount of assets from Medicaid equal to the benefits that your policy pays out. How does it work? Let’s say you buy a policy that provides $200,000 in benefits (multiply your daily benefit by your benefit period). If you use up all the benefits but still need care, you can shield $200,000 of your assets and still have Medicaid pay your remaining nursing home bills. With this program, you can choose a shorter benefit period, which will lower your premiums. Contact your state insurance department to see if your state offers a program or see www.dehpg.net/ltcpartnership. Add a Supplement - Another option to consider is Uncle Sam’s soon-to-be-established LTC program known as the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act – see healthcare.gov. Starting in 2013, this program will allow workers to set aside money from their paychecks for five years, in order to receive a cash benefit of at least $50 a day to help pay for LTC services when needed. While CLASS will not cover all your LTC costs, it can work as a nice supplement to a LTC policy allowing you to lower your daily benefit and reduce your premiums. Savvy Tips: For more information, visit www. longtermcare.gov. And for assistance in finding and choosing a policy, get a LTC insurance specialist who works with a variety of companies to help. See www.aaltci.org to locate one. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www. savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. ISI

Mobile Safety Solutions for People on the Go By Jim Miller There are several new emergency help products like Lifeline on the market that give people the flexibility to call for help both inside and outside the home. Here is what you should know. Help Devices - For years, emergency help buttons (also known as personal emergency response systems or PERS) like the Philips Lifeline, Life Alert, and others have been popular home safety products. By pushing a button on a pendant, a person can call a 24-hour help service anytime they need it. But these devices have one major shortcoming. They only work in and around the house. If you are in a distant location and need help, you are out of luck – until recently. Today, several new products and services can help people no matter where they are. One such product is MobileHelp (mobilehelpnow.com, 800-800-1710), which provides many of the same features as a traditional home based emergency help button, but it also has a separate mobile device that can

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011

be used to summon help anywhere you go. To call for help, you would simply push a button, and a few seconds later an operator from MobileHelp is on the line to assist. The other great aspect about this device is that it also contains GPS technology that can locate you wherever you are, which is critical in emergencies. The cost for MobileHelp is $40 per month, or $35 per month if paid a year in advance. Another more sophisticated option is ActiveCare’s Personal Assistance Link (activecare.com, 877-219-6628), which provides mobile one-button connection to their 24-hour call center to help with a wide variety of needs, like calling for emergency services, notifying family members, coordinating roadside assistance, providing directions, and much more. This device also comes with fall detection software that can automatically call for help without pressing the button, GPS locating technology, and it functions like a simplified cell phone so you can make calls. And, for people with dementia, the ActiveCare service lets you set up a virtual zone area that provides notification if the person wanders outside it. This service starts at $59 a month. Also worth a look is the new LifeTrac MobileProtector from SecuraTrac (securatrac.com, 888-973-2872) that provides GPS

technology, fall detection software, virtual border alerts, and can operate as a cell phone. And coming in late 2011, a new device from Lifecomm which you can preview at lifecomm. com. GPS Cell Phones - Another way to help stay safe when out and about is a cell phone with a built-in GPS tracking chip – many of today’s phones have them. Contact your cell phone provider to find out if your phone has it or if it can be added. With a GPS-enabled cell phone you can install free tracking software on it (at sites like buddyway.com, glympse. com or google.com/latitude) so you can know a person’s whereabouts via your computer or cell phone. Or, if you are a Sprint, Verizon Wireless, AT&T, or Alltel customer, they all offer family locator services for a small fee. If your mom does not have a cell phone, consider the AccuTracking (accutracking.com) “starter kit” that comes with a GPS Boost Mobile prepaid phone for $99, plus $16.50 for monthly service fees. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. ISI

Medicare’s Preventive Services Just Got Better By Jim Miller It is true! Since Jan. 1, 2011, as part of the new health care reform law, everyone with Original Medicare has access to many important preventive health services, and most of them won’t cost you a cent. Here is what you should know. No Cost Sharing - Over the years, Medicare has covered a number of preventive health screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies with varying levels of cost sharing (deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments). Cost sharing for preventive services typically means that you, the beneficiary, pay 20 percent of the cost of the service (Medicare picks up the other 80 percent), after you’ve met your $155 Part B deductible. Now Medicare beneficiaries will no longer have to pay any out-of-pocket costs for most preventive services, including annual wellness visits that are being added to the program to help keep you healthy. Here is a breakdown of the different preventive services that Medicare is offering that are completely free. Wellness Visits - In addition to the one-time Welcome to Medicare physical (which new beneficiaries can get but only within their first year of enrollment in Part B), free annual wellness visits with your physician are now available. These visits give your doctor the opportunity to develop and maintain an ongoing personalized prevention plan for improving your health. Each exam will include body and blood pressure measurements, a review

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 11

of your medical history including any medications you are taking and care you may be receiving from other health care providers, an assessment of your cognitive condition, and establish an appropriate screening schedule for the next five to ten years. Health Screenings - In addition to the wellness visits, here is a list of the free health screenings and vaccinations Medicare is offering its beneficiaries in 2011, along with the eligibility requirements you will need to meet to get them. • Breast cancer screening: Yearly mammograms for women age 40 and older with Medicare. • Colorectal cancer screening: This includes the flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy for all beneficiaries age 50 or older. • Cervical cancer screening: Pap smear and pelvic exams are available every two years, or once a year for those at high risk. • Cardiovascular screenings: Free blood test to check cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride levels are offered every five years to all Medicare recipients. • Diabetes: Twice a year screening for those at risk. • Medical nutrition therapy: Available to help people manage diabetes or kidney disease. • Prostate cancer screening: A digital rectal exam and PSA blood test is available to all male beneficiaries age 50 and older every year. You pay nothing for the PSA test, but you will have to pay 20 percent for the doctor’s visit. • Bone mass measurements: This osteoporosis

PAGE 12 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

test is available every two years to those at risk, or more often if medically necessary. â&#x20AC;˘ Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening: To check for bulging blood vessels, this test is available to men ages 65 to 75 who have ever smoked. â&#x20AC;˘ HIV screening: Available to those who are at increased risk or who ask for the test. â&#x20AC;˘ Vaccinations: An annual flu shot, a vaccination against pneumococcal pneumonia, and the hepatitis B vaccine are all free to all beneficiaries. For more details on Medicareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preventive

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011

services and their eligibility requirements, see your â&#x20AC;&#x153;Medicare & You 2011â&#x20AC;? booklet that you received in the mail in October. Or you can read it online at medicare.gov. Medicare Advantage - If you have Medicare Advantage â&#x20AC;&#x201C; these are private Medicare plans sold by insurance companies that are typically available through HMOs and PPOs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you need to know that the health care reform law did not require these plans to provide free preventive services. However,

most Advantage plans already offer Medicarecovered preventive services without cost sharing. You will need to check your plan to find out your specific coverage. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www. savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Savvy Seniorâ&#x20AC;? book. ISI

Caregivers, Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s How To Thrive In The New Year By Lisa M. Petsche Informal caregivers provide practical assistance and enhance the quality of life for older people who might otherwise require placement in a long-term care facility. Typically, they are spouses or adult children, many are seniors themselves. Their role involves physical, psychological, emotional, and financial demands. It is a heavy load, exacerbated by the limited availability of community support services. A common phenomenon is caregiver burnout, due to the physical toll and emotional strain of caring for an ill relative. If you are a caregiver, consider these strategies for not only surviving, but also thriving during the year ahead. Reduce your stress - Learn as much as possible about your relativeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s illness and its management, and educate family and friends to help them understand. Knowing what to expect and how to deal with challenges can go a long way to reduce anxiety and foster a sense of control. Accept realities you cannot change and focus instead on those you can influence. Pick your battles; do not make a major issue out of every concern. Use positive self-talk. Emphasize phrases such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;I can,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I willâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;I choose.â&#x20AC;? Practice relaxation techniques, starting with deep breathing. Nurture your spirit. Do things that bring inner peace, such as meditating, praying, reading something uplifting, journaling, or listening to soothing music. Create a relaxation room or corner in your home - a tranquil spot you can retreat to in order to rejuvenate. Develop a calming ritual to help you unwind at the end of the day. Avoid

watching the news before going to bed. Make healthy lifestyle choices: eat nutritious meals, get adequate rest, exercise, and see your primary physician regularly. Seek ways to streamline your life. Set priorities and do not waste time or energy on unimportant things. Simplify necessary tasks, letting go of the need for perfection. If finances permit, hire a housecleaning service or a personal support worker or companion for your relative, to free up some of your time and energy. Be flexible about plans and expectations. Take things one day at a time. Minimize contact with negative people. Do not keep problems to yourself - seek support from family members, friends or a counselor. Join a community caregiver support group (some offer concurrent care), or an online (Internet) group if it is hard to get out. Accept offers of help. Ask other family members to share the load. Be specific about the kind of help you need. Also find out about services in your community that may be of help now or in the future. Find out about funding sources that may assist with the cost of prescription medication, medical equipment, transportation to appointments, home health services, and community programs. (Consult the non-profit association related to your relativeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease.) Take advantage of respite services in your community, such as day-care programs and facilities that offer temporary residential care. (Inquire at your local office on aging.) Increase your joy - Stay connected to people who care, through visits, phone calls, e-mail or letters. Cultivate a healthy sense of humor. Read the comics, watch a TV sitcom now and then, or rent funny movies. Do not take yourself or others too seriously. Do something you enjoy every day, perhaps calling a friend, savoring a cup of tea, reading the newspaper, or engaging in a hobby (revive a former

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pastime or try something new). Make it a priority, even if all you can manage is 15 minutes at a time. Put together a pamper kit of items that give you a lift – for example, a favorite magazine or CD, scented candles, fragrant shower gel or body lotion, a face mask, foot balm, nail polish, or gourmet coffee or tea – and delve into it when you find your spirits drooping (or better yet, on a regular, preventive basis). Bring a bit of nature into your home: get a plant to nurture or buy fresh flowers every month. Do something nice for someone who is going through a difficult time. It will bring joy to both of you. Create little things to look forward to: a visit with a friend, calling a long-

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 13

distance loved one, watching a favorite movie, ordering takeout food, buying a book you have been wanting to read, or getting something new to wear. Plan a special outing with or without your relative - to a restaurant or perhaps a cultural or sporting event. Focus on the good things in your life, such as supportive relationships, and seek beauty and tranquility through appreciation of art and nature. Learn to live in the moment, enjoying life’s simpler pleasures. If you think looking out for your own needs is selfish, remember that you can only take good care of your relative if you take good care of yourself. Lisa M. Petsche is a clinical social worker and freelance writer specializing in adult care issues. ISI

A Visit To Tech Support What day in February is more famous, or infamous, than the 14th - Valentine’s Day? This month’s quiz, Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, I Love Trivia, And So Do You!, submitted by Peggy Parks of Challis, will test how much you know about Valentine’s Day. Thank you, Peggy! Congratulations also to Joyce Miller of Ola, who submitted the winning answers to the It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Quiz-mas quiz that appeared in our December 2010/January 2011 issue. She receives a $25 prize. Thank you, Joyce. Two $25 cash prizes are awarded from the “Contest Corner” in each issue of the Idaho Senior Independent. One prize goes to the person who submits the entry selected by our staff as the featured quiz or puzzle in the “Contest Corner” for that issue. Turn your creativity loose and send us some good, interesting puzzles! The second $25 prize goes to the person who submits the correct answers to the featured quiz or puzzle from the previous issue. When there is a tie, the winner is determined by a drawing. Please mail your entries to the Idaho Senior Independent, P.O. Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403 by March 10, 2010 for our April/May 2011 edition. Remember to work the crossword puzzle in this issue and on our website www.idahoseniorindependent.com.

Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, I Love Trivia, And So Do You! Submitted by Peggy Parks, Challis Below are 15 questions about Valentine-related facts. On a numbered sheet of paper, write the letter of the answer that you think goes with each numbered fact and e-mail or drop them in the mail to us. The winner will receive a $25 cash prize. Good luck! 1. What type of bird symbolizes Valentine’s Day? 2. Where did the St. Valentine’s Day massacre occur? 3. Since the 1950s, how has Valentine’s Day been celebrated in Japan? 4. The first televised tour of the White House was aired on February 14 of what year? Which first lady hosted the tour? 5. The first photo of a U.S. President was taken on February 14, 1849. Who was the president? 6. What were humorous valentines of the 19th century called? 7. The son of Venus, Roman goddess of love, is named what? 8. In which country can you find the oldest known existing valentine? 9. In Roman mythology, what liquid, spilled by Cupid, caused roses to grow? 10. Who wrote the lyrics to My Funny Valentine? 11. In what year did Hallmark make its first Valentine card? 12. According to mythology, what was once celebrated on Valentine’s Day? 13. What fruit is also known as the “love apple?” 14. What does the word “valentine” mean? 15. Sailors often used to scratch or carve designs on bone, tusk, or wood to give as love tokens. What was this hobby called? A. Cupid B. Fertility C. Heart D. Women give men chocolates. E. Vinegar Valentines and Penny Dreadfuls F. Lorenz Hart G. Scrimshaw

H. President James Polk I. Dove J. England K. 1913 L. Chicago M. Nectar N. Tomato O. 1962, Jackie Kennedy ISI

Submitted by Julie Hollar Customer: Hi, good afternoon, this is Martha. I can’t print. Every time I try, it says, “Can’t find printer.” I’ve even lifted the printer and placed it in front of the monitor, but the computer still says he can’t find it. Tech support: What’s on your monitor now, ma’am? Customer: A teddy bear my boyfriend bought for me at the 7-11. Tech support: Your password is the small letter a, as in apple, a capital letter V as in Victor, the number 7. Customer: Is that 7 in capital letters? Customer: I can’t get on the Internet. Tech support: Are you sure you used the right password? Customer: Yes, I’m sure. I saw my colleague do it. Tech support: Can you tell me what the password was? ISI Customer: Five dots.

PAGE 14 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

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Answers to It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Quiz-mas By ISI Staff 1. B. The Nutcracker 2. C. Under the Mistletoe 3. B. Gene Autry 4. C. A Hula Hoop 5. A. Cookies and Milk

6. C. A Button 7. C. The Scrooge 8. A. Green 9. D. Blitzen 10. C. Roger

11. C. Jacob Marley 12. A. The Grinch 13. D. Cranberry sauce 14. C. Indian Ocean 15. B. North America ISI

Across

Down

1 “____ believing in just one mind” Phil Collins (2 words) 5 Rose holders 9 “I ___ you” Bob Dylan 10 Dream for the future (3 words) 14 Main squeeze 16 Toni Morrison’s “___ Baby” 18 Girl’s name in Hawaii that means “beautiful” 19 “Come Away with Me” singer, first name 21 Aragorn’s love in “The Lord of the Rings” 23 Armand Hammer art museum is here 24 Ego’s pals 25 Well-kept secret, for some 26 “__ of a Woman” movie 28 Forever Valentine’s Day gift 31 Hospital show 33 “What was ___ think?” (2 words) 34 Haul 35 “Hearts in Atlantis” actor, Hopkins 39 Long for 40 Date 41 Award 43 Sweet Valentine’s day gift 45 MJ’s sweetheart, in film 47 Boldly 49 Diamond or heart, e.g. 50 Average name 52 “Casablanca” pianist 53 Actress who plays Spiderman’s love 54 Coyly

1 Katie’s beau 2 Yellow ribbon location? (2 words) 3 Longoria of “Desperate Housewives” 4 International Bollywood star (last name) 5 Kilmer of “At First Sight” 6 Any day now 7 Time for love messages (3 words) 8 Celebs’ cute daughter 11 Cheyenne locale 12 Bering, e.g.: abbr. 13 Romantic island 15 “Bambi” character 17 Boat races 19 What an Eskimo kisses with 20 Will Smith romance movie 21 Oakland baseball players 22 Lost fish 27 Film about racism and tolerance - that won an Oscar in 2006 29 Juan starter 30 Gotten to fall in love with, in a way (2 words) 32 Nicole Kidman’s character’s lover in “Cold Mountain” 36 Keanu Reeves role 37 Sherlock Holmes, for short 38 To this day 42 Take off 43 Celebration items? 44 Gazed amorously 46 Keats’ creations 48 Bottom line 51 Hot

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IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 15

Archery leads legendary shooter around the world Article & photo by Dianna Troyer Every time Dee Wilde steps into the Pocatello Field Archers’ indoor range to practice shooting his compound bow, his world-renowned archery achievements surround him. In the lobby, near the ceiling, two four-footsquare targets are tacked to the wall. “These are two world record targets,” Dee explains. “One is from the first U.S. team ever allowed to compete in Cuba, in which we set a new world record in 1998. The other is from the world championship in Riom, France in 1999. We broke that world record, and my youngest son Logan was on that team with me.” This month, Dee will site in countless targets, settings his sights on another world title, when he competes against archers from around the world at the National Field Archery Association World Archery Festival, February 11-13 in Las Vegas. Inside the shooting range, his other archery accomplishments - trophy mounts of Alaskan caribou he shot with his bow and arrow - gaze down from the wall. “I’ve also shot some good-sized deer, elk, and a mountain goat.” Dee has plenty to be proud of since winning his first national championship in 1987. Since then, the 60-yearold has won 34 national championships in team and individual competitions. From 1989 to August 2000, every year except 1993 and 1995, he was ranked the number one compound archer in the world. He has shot more than 40 world records. Competing on 13 world teams for the U.S., he has won seven gold and two bronze medals in world championship competition. In 1997, he was the first archer to win both the world indoor and world outdoor compound bow titles in the same year. Yet his proudest accomplishments are his family and coaching his internationally competitive sons Reo and Logan. “We’ve shot on the same international teams at times. My family is my legacy,” says Dee, who adds he is equally proud of his other children, Josh and Sabrina. “I’ve been lucky and blessed.”

Archery contests have taken him around the world. “I’ve shot in England, Italy, Turkey, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Mexico, and Cuba.” As other archers arrive to shoot, he hears the usual greeting, “Hey Poppa Dee.” “They call me Poppa D because I’m always willing to help everyone,” he says, grinning. His coaching skills earned him national recognition. In 2006, USA Archery named Dee the National Coach of the Year for volunteering on archery boards, coaching eight world champions, and setting up compound archery coaching programs in Italy and Mexico. “The award was surprising because I’m not part of the formal USA Archery program.” When Dee teaches, he first makes sure a student’s stance is correct. “Then it’s a matter of repetition, and practicing regularly,” advises Dee, who walks his talk, shooting 90 to 180 arrows daily. “It takes me about an hour to shoot 60. I also tell people to think positively, to control what you can, and not to let outside distractions bother you. Have a sense of humor, too, and don’t beat yourself up with negativity,” he says. “Humor can help you relax and clear your mind to help you focus.” Dee’s informal extended family extends internationally to his countless students as well as competitors. “At a competition in Turkey, there was one young

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man from China, shooting at his first international contest. The lens in his scope had broken, and he glued it back together. I gave him a new one, and you would have thought I had given him a million bucks. All I did was care.” Despite Dee’s countless honors and out-ofthis-world records, he remains down-to-earth and humble, a trait he attributes to his wife, Leta. “At one competition, she was sitting nearby while I was shooting, and I overheard a guy ask her, ‘Is that THE Dee Wilde?’ She told him it sure was, and he was no different from any other guy and threw his dirty clothes in a corner like any other guy.” At times, Dee’s decades of shooting experience are more a hindrance than a help. “It gets easy to become complacent and harder to stay focused,” he says. “Your mind tends to wander, when it shouldn’t.” Dee launched his archery career later in life than many of his competitors. “I never even knew there were archery contests until I was 33 and someone told me about them,” recalls Dee, who

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grew up on a farm near McCammon, Idaho. After high school, he served a tour with the Marines, was discharged, and then worked various jobs in sales for local agricultural businesses. “I’ve always loved archery hunting, and shot my first deer with a bow and arrow when I was 14, so I was acquainted with a bow.” After shooting in a couple of contests, “I absolutely fell in love with the sport,” he says. When he was 39, he opened his first archery store in Pocatello and later opened stores in Idaho Falls and Layton, Utah. A severe car accident in 2000 affected his archery career and businesses. “I was at a stop light and was rear-ended by another driver. His car hit mine so hard, it pushed

my car 35 feet. Six years later, I had to have vertebrae in my neck fused. I still compete, but I’ll never be at the top of my form again.” Several years ago, Dee sold his archery businesses. In August of 2009, he was hired at Valley Wide Co-op in Rupert, a diversified agronomics firm, to manage wholesale accounts and to oversee safety standards. “I tell people I know a lot about nothing and a little about everything,” he says, laughing. When Dee takes a break from practicing, competing, and coaching, he still has archery on his mind and hunts big game every year with his sons. ISI

Philanthropic ice anglers share fishing secrets and fish By Dianna Troyer Like salmon compelled to migrate, ice anglers Keith McBride and Wayne McClellan of Mackay are lured to the frozen Mackay Reservoir north of town every winter. “Every year, Keith is the first and last one out here on the ice,” Wayne says, as he jigs his line patiently through an eight-inch hole, certain that a fish will bite the meal worm and corn bait dangling below the one-eighth-ounce, silver-and-orange Kastmaster lure. “I always take a metal bar and smack the ice in front of me as I’m walking to make sure it’s thick enough,” says Keith, as he baits his hook, looking happier than a kid unwrapping Christmas gifts. “Last year, my last day was April 10.” Because they are retired, Wayne as a bank examiner from First Security Corporation in Salt Lake City and Keith from FMC in Pocatello, they fish on weekdays when the reservoir is not crowded. “You get a lot more people, probably 100, out here on Saturdays and Sundays,” Keith says of anglers who drive up from Idaho Falls and Pocatello. From early December to early April, depending on the ice thickness, Keith, his son Scott, and Wayne along with dozens of other dedicated anglers pull shimmering silver kokanee salmon and rainbow trout from the reservoir’s depths. Most fish are a foot long, but some stretch 16 inches and weigh a pound or more. Because Keith and Wayne cannot eat all the fish they catch four mornings or more a week, they clean and fillet the extras and deliver them to local homebound residents who yearn for a taste of fresh trout or salmon. “We usually catch our daily limit of six fish,” Wayne says, “so we take some to widows in town who really like fish.”

Keith McBridge, front, and Waye McClellan share their catch with the homebound in Mackay. [Photo by Dianna Troyer]

“Yeah, we keep Mackay supplied,” Keith says, laughing, “plus we have fish about three times a week for supper.” Besides sharing their bounteous catch with the homebound, Keith and Wayne dish out an abundance of bantering - the best bait, the best places to fish, and the best recipes. “It’s the camaraderie as much as the fishing that brings people out year after year,” says Ron Hocking, as he stops by to see whether Wayne and Keith have caught their limit. “We all know each other and have a good time out here. I grew up in Mackay and have been fishing here all my life.” They agree the best bait is simply mealworms or wax worms and corn. The best place to fish is anywhere the fish are biting, and the best recipes depend on personal taste. “I fix fish tacos with cabbage and tomatoes and a mixture of half sour cream and half mayonnaise,” Wayne says. “Or you can bake them with lemon and butter at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.” Keith likes to fire up his smoker to preserve the fish. Or he skins them, slices off the head and tail, cuts them in pieces, and cans them. “They taste better than any tuna. The kokanee has a nice red

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meat and salmon flavor.” Ron says, “The kokanee are excellent fried, then simmered in a little white cooking wine with some lemon pepper sprinkled on top. The fish have omega 3 fatty acids, which are really good for your heart.” Keith jokes that some people must think he and Wayne are phantom fishermen because they are rarely seen on the ice. “We catch our limit early in the morning, and we’re usually heading home by the time a lot of others are just starting.” Wayne says, “We’re usually out here by eight in the morning and have our limit in an hour. The

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 17

fish don’t seem to bite as much later in the morning.” On the slow mornings, Keith and Wayne pass the time recalling stories, true ones that are harder to believe than any fish tales they could fabricate. “We’ve had fish hooked in one hole that have jumped out another nearby hole right onto the ice,” Keith says. They have watched mischievous warm afternoons soften the ice and create havoc for anglers. Occasionally, four-wheelers or snowmobiles have sunk. (Continued on page 46)

Tips For Warmth And Safety (NAPSI) - Anytime is a good time for homeowners to have trained, qualified professionals - such as HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning) technicians - perform comprehensive checkups of their home heating systems. According to a recent survey conducted by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), however, just one in four homeowners has a professional inspection every year, while one in five has never had a home heating inspection. The survey also found that those who skip such inspections cite concerns over costs and the belief that they can perform such checkups on their own. Armed with these statistics, Danny Lipford, veteran home remodeler and host of the popular television show Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford, reminds homeowners with gas-operated home heating systems of to-dos designed to keep families safe and warm. Lipford and PERC also emphasize that while there are home maintenance tasks you can perform yourself, others should be left to professionals. The following is a list of recommended to-dos for homeowners: • Give your home its annual checkup - An annual checkup by a home heating professional helps ensure that a homeowner’s heating system is operating efficiently and is properly maintained. “The investment in a yearly professional inspection is worth it and could save your family money in the long run,” says Lipford. According to the PERC survey, homeowners who rely on regular inspections find that efficient heating system performance, avoidance of major repairs, and peace of mind are significant benefits. Important maintenance steps homeowners can take on their own include regularly changing or cleaning furnace filters and checking vents to be sure they are free from obstructions. • Leave it to the pros - Only a trained and qualified service technician has the proper training to install, service, maintain, and repair gas appliances. “Don’t try to modify or repair valves, regulators or other cylinder or appliance parts. Leave this to the pros,” advises Lipford. • Have monitoring in place - Carbon monoxide,

gas, and smoke detectors are critical to home safety, yet one in three homes is without one or more of these important devices, according to the homeowner survey. “Installing monitors is one item on your list that you shouldn’t put off,” says Lipford. “If you already have them installed, use this time to ensure they are working properly.” While household gas leaks are rare, knowing precautionary measures is important. “Should you or a family member smell gas from an unknown source [both natural gas and propane have a distinct rotten egg odor], leave the house immediately - then call emergency services and the gas company,” says Lipford. • Leave space when storing - When moving items indoors for storage, do not put anything - boxes, paint, clothing, furniture, and so onnear gas appliances. Read the instruction manual that comes with your gas appliance to find information on this important matter. For more information on home heating system maintenance and monitoring, visit www.usepropane.com. ISI

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Accommodating The Crafting Craze (NAPSI) Difficult times can call for crafty measures. Providing an affordable escape, crafting has evolved into a fashion-forward pastime for all ages. In fact, a recent survey by the Craft & Hobby Association revealed that 56 percent of U.S. households have worked on at least one craft project during the past year; a rate that’s remained consistent for the past three years. What kinds of craft projects have captured the hands and hearts of Americans? The same survey reveals that scrapbooking, home decor projects, and woodworking top the list. Other popular hobbies include quilting, jewelry making, knitting, art, and drawing. As more and more Americans discover the art of the handmade and the satisfaction it can bring, some are even turning their artisanal passions into profitable

side businesses. Creating Space - You can set up “shop” in your own home by designating a separate space to handle all your crafting needs. Serious enthusiasts can consider dedicating an entire room - attic, garage, or an extra bedroom - to their passion. If you do not have the space, you may choose to convert an extra closet into your own “craftastic” workstation to get the creative juices flowing. Getting Organized - Once you have selected the space, make sure it is properly equipped. Include a workstation or desk large enough to handle your craft projects and hang up a corkboard to pin design ideas and inspirations for quick comparisons. Keep yourself organized by adding shelving and adequate storage space for

tools, paintbrushes, or other accessories. For example, adjustable and ventilated shelving such as ClosetMaid® ShelfTrack™ can easily be installed on the wall or in a closet to keep supplies like fabrics, paper, canvases, paint, or varnishes within arm’s reach. Colorful ribbons and tape can slide onto closet rods for easy access, while buttons, clasps, and other small objects can be kept in clear jars of varying sizes. Display your how-to books on the shelves and place yarn in baskets or pullout wire or fabric drawers. Finally, a pegboard can be fashioned for color-coordinated thread or small-tool storage. Learn More - To find out how you can create your own unique storage solutions, visit www. closetmaid.com or call (800) 874-0008. ISI

Help for People Facing Foreclosure With more and more Americans carrying mortgage debt into their retirement years, the foreclosure rates among financially strapped people has become a big problem. Here are some things you can do to help yourself. Foreclosure Help - If you have fallen behind on your mortgage payments, or if your have already received a letter or phone call about missed payments,

your first step is to contact the lender immediately to explain the situation and see if you can work out a payment plan. Be prepared to provide financial information, such as monthly income and expenses. You also need to talk to a foreclosure avoidance counselor. These are HUD-approved, trained counselors that provide free advice and will help you understand the law and your options, and organize your finances. They can also represent you in negotiations with your lender if you need them to. To find a government-approved housing counseling agency in your area visit findaforeclosurecounselor.org, or call the Homeownership Preservation Foundation’s HOPE Hotline at 888-995-4673. Another helpful resource you should know about, and one your counselor can help you explore, is the Making Home Affordable program. Created in 2009, this program offers struggling homeowners the opportunity to modify or refinance their mortgage to make their monthly payments more affordable. It also includes the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program for those who are interested in a short sale or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. To learn more about these programs and their eligibility requirements see makinghomeaffordable.gov. Consider a Reverse Mortgage - If you have some equity built up in your house, another option worth considering is a reverse mortgage. This lets people (age 62 and older) borrow money against their home that can be used to eliminate their mortgage payments, and it does not have to be paid back as long as they live there. Reverse mortgages have also gotten better in recent months as many lenders have reduced or waived up-front origination or servicing fees making them a much better deal for borrowers. But, be aware that reverse mortgages are complex and they are not right for everyone. To learn more, or to contact a reverse mortgage counselor visit hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hecm/hecmhome.cfm or call 800-569-4287. Watch For Scams - You also need to be aware of the many foreclosure and loan modification scams that are out there today. These are con artists that reach out to foreclosure victims via letter, phone call or email, or they may advertise their services on television, radio, or in the newspaper, claiming they can stop your foreclosure or can negotiate a loan modification for you – if you pay them a fee first. Or, they may try to get you to sign

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documents for a rescue loan that actually surrenders the title of your house. Never sign anything or hand over any money unless you run it by your HUD counselor first. You can learn more about foreclosure fraud at loanscamalert.org. Savvy Tip: Make sure you are not missing

any financial assistance programs. The National Council on Aging’s benefitscheckup.org website contains a database of more than 2,000 federal, state, and local programs that can help people in need. The site will help you locate programs that you may be eligible for and will show you how to

Ready to buy another home? Here are some tips on getting a mortgage today (NAPSI) If you are planning to buy a home or refinance the one you own, prepare yourself for the challenges of getting a mortgage today. These days, more than one in every three homebuyers who apply for a mortgage fail to get one, many because they do not meet new, tough lending standards. In 2006 and 2007, lax lending standards enabled hundreds of thousands of borrowers to qualify for loans they could not afford, causing them to lose their homes and their lenders to lose billions of dollars. Now the pendulum has swung to the other extreme. New rules on income and debt make getting a mortgage harder today. In addition to a good credit score, your house payment should not exceed approximately 36 percent of your income before taxes. Furthermore, your monthly payment plus your minimum monthly revolving and installment debt should be less than 42 percent of your gross monthly income. Finally, you may need to document virtually every aspect of your financial picture: income, employment, assets, debt, and obligations such as alimony and child payments. Here is some advice from Sue Stewart, a mortgage expert from MortgageMatch.com, a new website designed to find and apply for the right loan. 1. Take Charge of Your Credit. Your credit scores and credit history are more important to lenders than ever. Check out your credit history at each of the credit-rating services: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Go over them carefully and take steps to correct errors. 2. Know How Much You Can Afford Before You Shop. Do not let yourself fall in love with a house you cannot afford. With today’s online mortgage tools, you can find out what you can afford in terms of down payment, closing costs, and monthly costs that include principal, interest, taxes and insurance. Decide what your limit is and stick to it. 3. Get Your Documents in Order. Do not wait until you have put a contract on a house to get organized. It may take you some time to get all your documentation in hand. Find out from your lender or your real estate agent what you will need and be ready to submit everything with your application. The good news about buying a home or refinancing these days is that interest rates are at historic lows. To take advantage of the “buyers’ market,” make it easy for your lender to approve the financing. ISI

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 19

apply. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www. savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. ISI

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My Gym By Martin Jaeger I have two families. One includes my wife, kids, and dozens of delightful relatives. My other family is the people at the gym - a place where people pay money to get pain. I see them every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday morning. My family at the gym is a microcosm of the world focused on health. My gym is for serious participants - definitely not a gathering place for yuppies - it is for folks in search of a light morning workout - euphemistically called Low Impact Aerobics - blended with large amounts of schmoozing. I try to maintain my worn body but it responds unpredictably to my nerve impulses. I also enjoy people watching from my perch on the treadmill. Once a super market, the gym is a vast box with white tile floors, mirrors on the wall, without any fixtures except the ceiling fluorescent lighting. It contains a hundred pieces of equipment whose names invoke images of instruments of torture: Chest Press, Rotary Torso, Pec Dec, Leg Curls, Hip Abductor, Leg Extension, and Star Trac treadmills. I always say, “Hello” to Laura, the owner. She wears red tights on her curvaceous body, large sunglasses with a ladybug design, and looks like she never needs to use any of the equipment. Then I head for a row of eight Star Trac treadmills, eager to start my routine. If I can, I choose the one closest to the window with a view of the parking lot. Watching people walk by is like gazing at tropical fish in a tank mesmerizing and colorful. I set the counter for a modest 1.2 m.p.h. Although it might seem slow, it is fast enough for me. At 75, I’m not trying to set any speed records.

Some of the younger members run at unimaginable speeds, ricocheting into the air, their feet rarely touching the ground. And they do this while reading a magazine and listening to music through their earpieces. I am having a hard time just maintaining my balance and not falling off. It’s hard to do two things at once. Look at Joe on the Stairmaster, engrossed in reading the newspaper - it has to be the stock market. When he looks up, I’ll wave to him. He’ll come over later and we’ll talk about his back problem. Chef Antoine has his usual crowd. He comes to the gym wearing an apron and white chef’s cap, where he is constantly barraged with questions about cooking. “How much ‘poivre’ do you use in steak poivre?” “Shall I use red wine or white?” I don’t like to be too close to Chef Antoine - I get too hungry. I see Karl fighting the shoulder press and wave to him. I met him when he walked next to me on the treadmill discussing our urinary problems. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a young man lifting weights. Maybe he is still in school or beginning a career. Perhaps he is married or it’s his day off. Speculating is a big part of my gym experience. Hey, there’s Todd. He uses a personal trainer. When I started at the gym, I hired a trainer named “Doc” to help me develop an exercise program. I said I wanted to develop a muscular look. “At your age, your goal is lifting your arms and not falling down,” he replied. That’s when I stopped using Doc. “Hi,” Craig says, displaying a smile in a frown-filled face. He is having injections in his knee that don’t seem to be helping. At 9:45 a.m., the senior van arrives, and people with walkers, canes, and wheelchairs amble in. Ten minutes later, the senior aerobic class is called to order and the music starts, with its loud, big beat, guaranteed to keep them awake. The floor seems to quake. “It’s time for fun,” Melinda, the petite, tireless instructor yells while jumping up and down, her long black hair flying in rhythm, and the people, some barely able to move their fingers, trying to bend this way and that. “Left side up, right side down,” she belts out drowning their sighs and groans. In the center of the gym, a few young kids in their forties are hopping up and down like jack in the boxes. After my last rotation on the Rotary Torso, I gather myself together and head toward the door, wobbly, as if getting out of the ring after a 15 round championship bout. I am ready to go home, rest and have my reward - a glass of no fat milk and a sugarless oatmeal cookie. After what I did to my body today, I need to get on its good side. ISI

Our bodies are our gardens to which our wills are gardeners. - William Shakespeare

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IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 21

Fitness For Dummies®, 4th Edition Whips You into Shape - and Helps You Stay That Way! Interested in a leaner, fitter you? Who isn’t? Fitness For Dummies®, 4th Edition (Wiley Publishing, Inc., December 2010, ISBN: 978-0-470-76759-7, $21.99) provides the latest information and advice for properly shaping, conditioning, and strengthening your body to enhance overall fitness and health. With the help of fitness experts Suzanne Schlosberg and Liz Neporent, you will learn to set and achieve realistic fitness goals and get the most out of your workouts! This fact-packed guide offers all you need to know to get in shape without expensive fitness club fees. Other valuable lessons include: • Fitness myths debunked • Getting cheap fitness gear and instruction • Keys to fitness success • Judging fitness articles and news reports • Getting the kids to exercise • Tips to avoid common exercise-related injuries • How to set up your own home gym

Featuring all-new informative fitness photos and illustrations, this revised edition of Fitness For Dummies is all you need to get on track to a healthy new body! Suzanne Schlosberg is a fitness writer whose work has appeared in Shape, Health, Fit Pregnancy, Ladies’ Home Journal, and other magazines. Liz Neporent is a health and fitness expert and correspondent for ABC National News. She is a frequent contributor to Shape, Self, and Fitness magazines. ISI

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How to exercise without hurting your feet! Tips from AOFAS surgeons to keep your feet injury free while enjoying outdoor sports Warm spring days will arrive soon inviting us to jump into our favorite outdoor sports after hibernating all winter. However, a quick move into high physical activity when your feet are not quite ready can cause major injuries to the feet ruining those plans for a summer of fun. Injuries related to plantar fasciitis, arch pain or flat feet, bunions, and arthritis to name a few can be avoided with proper planning. Tips from the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) can be invaluable in developing an exercise program that will be sure to keep your feet healthy. One of the most important ways to obtain good foot health is to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle throughout the year so extra weight does not suddenly adversely affect your feet. If you feel any discomfort with your feet, have them evaluated by your orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon before beginning an active exercise program. Remember, the feet are the body’s shock absorbers. What are some of the tips for keeping your feet pain-free? • Warm up exercises such as a short period of walking and stretching. • Stretch again after exercising. • Be sure to wear footwear that is specific to the sport. This may include being evaluated by someone who is knowledgeable in shoe wear and biomechanics, such as an orthopaedic surgeon, pedorthist, or physical therapist. • Appropriate training for the specific sport. Impact sports such as running will place greater stress on your feet. Without proper training that builds up your tolerance to impact activities, stress fractures can occur. • Cross-training with “feet-friendly” non-impact activities, such as swimming, biking, elliptical trainers, and steppers. If maintaining your fitness goals remains difficult, adding an orthotic device in your shoes may offer you what you need to remain active. Before doing this, always have your feet checked by an orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon. AOFAS member, Stephen J. Pinney, MD, of San Francisco says, “Walking puts more stress on your feet than you might think! Every time you take a step, 2-3 times your body weight goes through your feet, more if you are running. It is not uncommon for an active person to take 10,000-15,000 steps per day. That is a lot of cumulative force going through the sole of the foot and the various tendons that control the movement of the foot. This repetitive loading can predispose to many common “chronic” foot conditions such as metatarsalgia, tendinitis, and plantar fasciitis. Metatarsalgia is a painful condition involving the forefoot. It occurs when the tissue in the sole of the forefoot gets irritated and painful from the repetitive loading especially if the force is concentrated in a localized area in the forefoot. It is treated by trying to disperse the force away from the painful area by using appropriate shoe wear and orthotic inserts.” He continues, “Tendinitis occurs when a tendon gets excessively overloaded just like a rope that starts to fray after it is subject to wear and tear. The body responds to this type of tendon injury by sending inflammatory mediators to the area and this is what leads to the pain and swelling associated with tendinitis. Depending on which tendons in the foot are excessively loaded will determine which part of the foot will develop tendinitis. Not all of the tendons in the foot are loaded equally in every foot. For example, people with flatfeet will tend to overload the tendons on the inside of the ankle and may develop symptoms in this area whereas people with higher arched feet are more likely to develop tendinitis symptoms in the outside part of their ankle. Treatment of tendinitis may include:

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modifying activities to rest the painful area; using shoes and orthotics that help to smoothly spread the force of running or walking up the leg; gently strengthening and stretching the involved tendons; and possibly bracing the ankle.” Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of chronic heel pain. It develops as a result of repetitive microtrauma to the heel region. As Dr. Pinney says, “The plantar fascia is a dense tissue that is found in the sole of the foot beginning at the heel bone. With each step a person takes, this tissue is loaded. If someone increases the amount of walking they do, walks on hard surfaces, or gains extra weight they may suffer repetitive microtearing of the plantar fascia insertion. This will lead to heel pain, particularly first thing in the morning, which is a characteristic sign of plantar fasciitis. Like other types of chronic foot pain, plantar

fasciitis can usually be successfully treated by decreasing the overall loading to the foot. Dr. Pinney recommends, “Wearing appropriate shoes, walking or standing less and on softer surfaces, stretching your calf muscles, or losing extra body weight will all be helpful in decreasing or eliminating the symptoms associated with chronic foot conditions, such as plantar fasciitis.” To keep those feet healthy, always remember: • Proper shoe wear that is appropriate to the specific sport • Proper evaluation by an orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon • Adequate training • Stretch before and after exercising • Mix activities through cross training ISI

The Increasing Link Between Cancer and Fat is “a sedentary lifestyle By Tait Trussell The National Cancer Institute said, “A and over-consumption Underwire bras, cell recent report estimated that, in the United of high-calorie food.” States, 14 percent of deaths from cancer phones, and deodorants What have scientists in men and 20 percent of deaths in women can cause cancer. learned about the conwere due to overweight and obesity.” Wrong. There is no nection between obesignificant evidence that any of these causes cancer. But an unmistakable sity and cancer? Experts have concluded that colon cancer, breast cancer in postmenopausal cancer cause is being fat. The National Cancer Institute said, “A recent women, and cancers in the lining of the uterus, report estimated that, in the United States, 14 in the kidney, and the esophagus are linked to percent of deaths from cancer in men and 20 obesity. Some studies also have found links percent of deaths in women were due to over- between obesity and cancer of the gallbladder, ovaries, and pancreas. weight and obesity.” If you are already overweight, or obese, you But isn’t it common to put on extra pounds as you reach retirement? Isn’t middle-age spread as are advised to stop putting on any more weight and to lose that fat through a balanced low-calorie natural as winter following fall? As we age less food energy is burned off as diet and exercise. “Even a weight loss of 5 to 10 percent of calories and more of it is stored as fat. Then, there is the tasty pleasure of eating your total weight can offer health benefits,” the fatty or sugary foods. For many, relaxation is National Cancer Institute says. You may wonder how many people get cangiven a higher priority than exercise and weight cer due to obesity. At least 40,000 new cases of loss. So, how do you cancer in the U. S. were estimated to be due to know if you are really obesity. After menopause, obese women have 1.5 too fat? The National Institute of Health puts times the breast cancer risk of women of a adults in one of four healthy weight. Estrogen is produced in fat tiscategories based on sue. And, after menopause, when the ovaries their body mass index stop producing hormones, fat tissue becomes (BMI). BMI is a more the largest estrogen source. Estrogen levels in postmenopausal women accurate yardstick to measuring obesity are 50 to 100 percent higher in heavy versus lean women. Estrogen-sensitive tissues are therefore than weight alone. If you are a woman exposed to more estrogen stimulation in heavy who is, say, five feet women. This leads to more rapid growth of estrothree and you weigh gen-responsive breast tumors. And breast cancer between 145 and 165, is not likely to be detected until at a later stage in your BMI says you fat women. Finding a breast tumor is harder to are overweight. If you find in obese women than in lean women. Obese women also have a two to four time weigh 170 or more, you are considered greater risk of developing uterine cancer than do women of healthy weight. obese. Increased risk of colon cancer has been conIf you are a man who is, say five feet sistently reported in overweight men. But the risk eleven, and you weigh for women has been less. Obesity increases the risk of kidney cancer in from 185 to 210, you are overweight. If you women to two to four times that of lean women. Of the many studies on prostate cancer risk, weigh 215 or over, you are judged obese by most conclude there is no association with obesity. But some report a higher risk among fat men the BMI index. Seniors who are for more aggressive tumors than is the case for overweight or obese men who are not overweight. Some studies have examined the possible are at greater risk for association between physical activity and a lower many diseases, including diabetes, high risk of developing colon or breast cancer. In 2002, blood pressure, car- a review of trials found that physical activity - even diovascular diseases, moderate exercise - reduced colon cancer risk stroke, and certain by 50 percent. A recent study from the Women’s Health Inicancers. Obesity lowtiative found that walking about 30 minutes a day ers life expectancy. Nearly one-third of by postmenopausal women was associated with all Americans are now a 20 percent reduction in breast cancer risk. But this reduction in risk was greatest among women classified as obese. The chief cause of of normal weight. There is only one message from this reobesity, says the National Cancer Institute, search, “Cut the fat to cut the cancer risk.” ISI

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 23

New News Regarding Prostate Cancer By Joseph H. Williams, M.D. Idaho Urologic Institute The subject of prostate cancer continues to raise many questions that stimulate debate. It remains a significant health problem as the disease and fear of its diagnosis plague so many men and the families that love them. Though most men who die in old age have some degree of prostate cancer, the vast majority will not die from it. Yet, it still can cause much pain and suffering. This can be expressed in the fact that prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer in men and the second leading cancer killer in men. Early diagnosis still appears to make sense, as definitive treatment for prostate cancer with radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy will cure or effectively manage prostate cancer 90-95% of the time. Some health experts and physicians are concerned that screening, diagnosis, and treatment for prostate cancer cause too much anxiety and too many side effects to justify extensive efforts at early diagnosis. These are valid concerns and

points of discussion. However, it is hard to convince a physician who has had a patient die from the disease or a person who has lost a spouse or grandparent, that screening does not make sense. Recently, a large American study showed no significant impact from screening on mortality after patients were in the study for seven years. This group of patients will continue to be studied, and we may learn more over time. A similar study from Europe showed a 20% risk reduction from screening on mortality after patients had been in the study for 10 years. The newest big issue involving prostate cancer involves the question of prevention. That is an amazing concept, but we will be hearing more and more about it. We have had the idea that including specific antioxidants such as green tea, tomato products, selenium, and vitamin E in our diet will reduce our risk and therefore help prevent prostate cancer. From targeted research into these agents, there appears to be no significant impact on risk reduction. The bottom line appears to be that antioxidant intake in moderation makes sense,

Kidneys - Your Marvelous Filtration System Michael J. Haderlie, M.D., Idaho Kidney Institute Nephrology is the medical subspecialty that deals with your kidneys, especially their functions and diseases. Most individuals are born with two kidneys, and a healthy kidney can fit in the palm of your hand. Fortunately, if one of your kidneys stops working, the remaining kidney is usually able to perform adequately for most individuals. In addition to eliminating waste and fluid from the body, your kidneys also help to regulate body water and electrolytes, remove drugs and toxins introduced into your body, and release hormones that assist with blood pressure, the manufacture of blood cells, and promote strong bones. Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

but we should not go overboard with any specific agent. The newest information and recommendations involve a group of medications called 5-alphareductase inhibitors. These drugs (finasteride and dutasteride) are FDA approved for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male pattern hair loss (finasteride). With long-term use, a man will reduce his risk of getting prostate cancer by 20% with a few side effects. Also, there is new information regarding the use of statins (a class of medications designed to treat high cholesterol levels) in reducing prostate cancer risk. While the research continues in the quest to prevent and treat prostate cancer, it is most important that the patient have discussions regarding screening and diagnosis of prostate cancer with his primary care physician. A family doctor continues to be our best source for serious health related information. For more information, visit idurology.com or call 208-639-4901. ISI

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011

includes conditions that damage the kidney and reduce their ability to function and keep you healthy. In the United States, 26 million individuals have chronic kidney disease and others are at increased risk. Early detection can help prevent the progression of kidney disease in most cases. Unfortunately, most of the symptoms of kidney disorders are very non-specific. The two main causes of CKD are diabetes and high blood pressure, or hypertension. These account for nearly 60% of CKD. There are other causes as well. You may be at increased risk for kidney disease if you have a family history of kidney disease, are older, or belong to a population group that has a high rate of diabetes or hypertension. Warning signs of kidney disease include high blood pressure, swelling of face or ankles, frequent urination (especially at night), and rusty colored urine, to name a few. Any of these symptoms should require prompt evaluation by a physician. You should request a referral to a nephrologist. There are many things you can do to lower your risk for kidney disease starting with exercising regularly, staying well hydrated, maintaining a proper weight, not smoking, and being checked regularly for diabetes and high blood pressure. For more information, visit www.idahokidney.com or call 208-9044780. ISI

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Cope with your diagnosis with this solid advice By Tait Trussell, Senior Wire Your doctor has just told you something that could drastically change your life. For example, you have been diagnosed with cancer. What do you do? Many people, once they are given a life or death diagnosis have similar reactions. You might feel fear, confusion, depression, panic, stress, or just numb. The agency for Healthcare Research and Quality sets forth five steps you can and probably should take to cope with the alarming news. 1. First, do not rush to any rash decision. Usually you have time to explore your options to decide what is best for you. Disturbed feelings are normal, but they should not pressure you into making a hasty decision. Ask your doctor how much time you can take to make decisions. Taking the time can make you less anxious and stressed, more in control, according to the agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2. You do not have to go it alone. Even though you may feel overwhelmed, having others to turn to will help you know that you are not alone. Talk with family and close friends, first. There also are support groups of people with the same disease or condition who get together and share information. Support groups can make it easier for you to cope. A counselor or therapist can also aid with sadness or depression. Ask your doctor to recommend someone. Or, you might rather talk with somebody who has been there and can speak about their treatment choices. 3. Talk with your doctor about the specifics of your condition, the certainty of the diagnosis, and getting a second opinion regarding the diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor can explain your options and help you make the decision that is right for you. Good communication with your doctor can help you feel more comfortable about the treatment and the care you will receive. Prepare for your visit. Think about what you want to get out of your appointment. Write down your questions. Consider taking along a relative or trusted friend to help you remember and understand what the doctor says. Here are some questions for your doctor: • In plain English, what is the technical name of the disease or condition and what does it mean to my life? • How soon do I have to make a decision about treatment or surgery? • Will I need any added tests, and what kinds and when? • What are my treatment options? • What changes will I have to make in my life? • What support organizations do you recommend? • What resources do you recommend for further information? 4. Look into evidence-based information. This generally comes from two major types of scientific studies: • Clinical studies test new drugs or treatments on human volunteers. Participants are randomly picked for different treatment groups. Some get the research treatment. Others may get a placebo (a treatment that has no more effect than a sugar pill). Others in the trial get no treatment at all. Results are compared to see if the new treatment works and is safe. • Outcome research looks at the actual results of specific treatments – what were the results for patients? Take advantage of evidence-based information already available. Sources can be the federal government, reliable Internet sources, national nonprofit groups, such as the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, or American Diabetes Association, for example. Others include medical libraries, published clinical trial results, and PubMed Central on the Web – the National Library of Medicine’s database of medical journal articles. Avoid deceptive, over-promising ads. Watch out for phrases such as “secret formula” and “miraculous cure.” 5. Having learned about your condition and how it can be treated, work with your doctor. Get a second opinion. Examine the pros and cons of treatment options. Make sure your doctor knows your feelings and preferences about different treatments. Being active and informed helps reduce your chances of wrong decisions and helps you get quality care. ISI

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011

Prevent a Second Heart Attack 8 Foods, 8 Weeks to Reverse Heart Disease Each year, roughly 1.5 million Americans have a heart attack - and most of them survive. But research shows that just one year after their diagnosis, the vast majority of these heart attack survivors fail to adhere to the dietary changes that could prevent a second heart attack. After losing her father to his second heart attack and fearing that her husband Sam, whose heart attack at age 51 made her look very closely at what could be done to make a difference in his life, Janet Bond Brill, Ph.D., R.D., LDN, was inspired to write Prevent a Second Heart Attack: 8 Foods, 8 Weeks to Reverse Heart Disease. “I want to teach Sam and the 13 million other American heart attack survivors how to live long, happy, and healthy lives - and to teach them how to prevent that second lethal attack and even reverse the actual disease process,” Brill says. Brill, a leading diet, nutrition and fitness expert, offers a successful, straightforward, eight-point program in her newest book. Her simple, easy-tofollow lifestyle plan can reduce the risk of a second heart attack by up to 70 percent. Inspired by the heart-healthy, time-proven Mediterranean diet, Brill’s approach is simple: incorporate eight key food groups - like olive oil, oatmeal, leafy greens, even red wine, and dark chocolate - into your daily diet, and get moderate exercise each day. Do the following sound like a restrictive, tasteless plan? Among the more than 50 recipes, enjoy: • Oatmeal, Walnut, and Flaxseed Pancakes • Whole-Grain Pizza with Arugula, Eggplant, and Caramelized Onions • Shallow-Poached Salmon with Fennel and

Saffron • Shrimp with Artichoke-Garlic Sauce • Flourless Dark Chocolate Brownies with Walnuts These and the other recipes in the book feature the eight foods that are the core of the plan. Backed by cutting-edge research, Brill explains why each food is so important to cardiovascular wellness, and gives creative tips on how to get a daily dose of each one. Packed with every tool someone needs - including daily checklists, nutrition information, a complete two-week eating plan, and dozens of mouth-watering recipes to suit every meal, taste, and budget - the delicious and foolproof program ensures that heart attack survivors and their loved ones will be satisfied, rather than deprived, as they eat their way to better heart health. With the reassuring and accessible voice of a trusted health professional, Prevent a Second Heart Attack gives heart attack survivors the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to make simple - but life-changing - diet and lifestyle modifications to reverse their disease and live long, full, heart-healthy lives. Janet Bond Brill, Ph.D., R.D., LDN, is a leading diet, nutrition, and fitness author and guest nutrition and health expert on national television. She specializes in cardiovascular disease prevention. Her first book, Cholesterol Down: Ten Simple Steps to Lower Your Cholesterol in Four Weeks - Without Prescription Drugs has been widely endorsed. Dr. Brill lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and three children. ISI

Just What Does Hospice Mean And What Resources Are Available Provided by the National Cancer Institute Hospice is a concept of care that involves health professionals and volunteers who provide medical, psychological, and spiritual support to terminally ill patients and their loved ones. Hospice stresses quality of life - peace, comfort, and dignity. A principal aim of hospice is to control pain and other symptoms so the patient can remain as alert and comfortable as possible. Hospice services are available to persons who can no longer benefit from curative treatment; the typical hospice patient has a life expectancy of 6 months or less. Hospice programs provide services in various settings: the home, hospice centers, hospitals, or skilled nursing facilities. Patients’ families are also an important focus of hospice care, and services are designed to provide them with the assistance and support they need. The following resources may offer assistance for people seeking hospice care and information: • The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization offers publications, information about how to find a hospice, about the financial aspects of hospice. Call 800–658–8898 (helpline) or visit www.nhpco.org/templates/1/homepage.cfm. • The Hospice Association of America (HAA) is an advocate for hospice organizations. Publications can be viewed on their website and include information about the history of hospice, the benefits of hospice, hospice-related statistics, and locations of hospice organizations. Call 202– 546–4759 or visit www.nahc.org/HAA/home.html. • The Hospice Education Institute maintains a computerized database of all hospice and palliative care programs in the United States. HOSPICELINK helps patients and their families find hospice and palliative care programs, and provides general information about the principles and practices of good hospice and palliative care. Call 800–331–1620 or visit www.hospiceworld.org. • Hospice Net provides hospice information for patients, children, and caregivers. It contains articles regarding end-of-life issues and is dedicated to providing information and support for those facing life-threatening illnesses. Visit www. hospicenet.org. • The American Cancer Society (ACS) pro-

vides free fact sheets and publications about hospice. Call 800–227–2345 or visit www.cancer.org. When a patient receives services from a Medicare-certified hospice, Medicare insurance provides substantial coverage, even for some services not covered outside of a hospice program. The Medicare hotline can answer general questions about Medicare benefits and coverage, and can refer people to their regional home health intermediary for information about Medicare-certified hospice programs. The toll-free telephone number is 800–633–4227; deaf and hard of hearing callers with TTY equipment can call 877–486–2048. The booklet Medicare Hospice Benefits is the official publication for Medicare hospice benefits. This booklet, which outlines the type of hospice care that is covered under Medicare and provides detailed information about hospice coverage, is available at www. medicare. gov/Publications/Pubs/ pdf/02154. pdf on the Internet. In addition, local civic, charitable, or religious organizations may be able to help patients and their families with hospice expenses. ISI

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Submitted by Julie Hollar Brantley 1. Why are many coin banks shaped like pigs? 2. Did you ever wonder why dimes, quarters, and half dollars have notches, while pennies and nickels do not? 3. Why do men’s clothes have buttons on the right and women’s clothes have buttons on the left? 4. Why do Xs at the end of a letter signify kisses? 5. Why is shifting responsibility to someone else called “passing the buck?” 6. Why do people clink their glasses before drinking a toast? 7. Why are people in the public eye said to be in the limelight? 8. Why do ships and aircraft in trouble use “mayday” as their call for help? 9. Why is someone who is feeling great “on cloud nine?” 10. Why are zero scores in tennis called “love?” 11. In golf, where did the term “caddie” come from? 1. Answer: Long ago, dishes and cookware in Europe were made of dense orange clay called “pygg.” When people saved coins in jars made of this clay, the jars became known as “pygg banks.” When an English potter misunderstood the word, he made a bank that resembled a pig. And it caught on. 2. Answer: The U.S. Mint began putting notches on the edges of coins containing gold and silver to discourage holders from shaving off small quantities of the precious metals. Dimes, quarters, and half dollars are notched because they used to contain silver. Pennies and nickels are not notched because the metals they contain

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011

This Trivia Will Make You Smarter are not valuable enough to shave. 3. Answer: When buttons were invented, they were very expensive and worn primarily by the rich. Because wealthy women were dressed by maids, dressmakers put the buttons on the maid’s right! Since most people are right-handed, it is easier to push buttons on the right through holes on the left. And that is where women’s buttons have remained since. 4. Answer: In the Middle Ages, when many people were unable to read or write, documents were often signed using an X. Kissing the X represented an oath to fulfill obligations specified in the document. The X and the kiss eventually became synonymous. 5. Answer: In card games, it was once customary to pass an item, called a buck, from player to player to indicate whose turn it was to deal. If a player did not wish to assume the responsibility, he would “pass the buck” to the next player. 6. Answer: It used to be common for someone to try to kill an enemy by offering him a poisoned drink. To prove to a guest that a drink was safe, it became customary for a guest to pour a small amount of his drink into the glass of the host. Both men would drink it simultaneously. When a guest trusted his host, he would

then just touch or clink the host’s glass with his own. 7. Answer: Invented in 1825, limelight was used in lighthouses and stage lighting by burning a cylinder of lime, which produced a brilliant light. In the theatre, performers on stage “in the limelight” were seen by the audience to be the center of attention. 8. Answer: This comes from the French word m’aidez - meaning, “help me” - and is pronounced “mayday.” 9. Answer: Types of clouds are numbered according to the altitudes they attain, with nine being the highest cloud. If someone is said to be on cloud nine, that person is floating well above worldly cares. 10. Answer: In France, where tennis first became popular, a big, round zero on the scoreboard looked like an egg and was called “l’oeuf,” which is French for egg. When tennis came to the U.S., Americans pronounced it “love.” 11. Answer: When Mary, later Queen of Scots, went to France as a young girl (for education & survival), Louis, King of France, learned that she loved the Scot game golf. So he had the first golf course outside of Scotland built for her enjoyment. To make sure she was properly chaperoned (and guarded) while she played, Louis hired cadets from a military school to accompany her. Mary liked this, and when she returned to Scotland (not a very good idea in the end), she took the practice with her. In French, the word cadet is pronounced “ca-day” and the Scots changed it into “caddie.” ISI

Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat. - Theodore Roosevelt

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 29

Ray Stone â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Educator, Community Leader, and now Musician this award,â&#x20AC;? he notes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The rest are all Colonels and Lieutenant Colonels.â&#x20AC;? Ray spoke at the National Cemetery to a gathering of several thousand people with his commanding officer standing beside him. As one might expect, he has been active in various community associations over the years. He has served as president of both Toastmasters and Rotary and as Chair Ray Stone plays the drums with his small swing band New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve, of the American Heart Association. 2010 at the Coeur dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ALene Inn. [Photo by Jack McNeel] He has belonged to various other organizations and has served in By Jack McNeel several capacities with the First Presbyterian Ray Stone has been a musician for many years, and at age 87, he continues to perform on Church of Coeur dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Alene. Music remains a big interest in his life at 87 the drums with his group. The music came early. although he has slowed down some. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Music is â&#x20AC;&#x153;My mother played piano. I was 12 when I started playing the drums. She played at grange dances fun,â&#x20AC;? he exclaims. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun to be up there playing and it is fun to entertain. and I played the drums with her in a quartet.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s big band, swing style, with a little band,â&#x20AC;? Ray lived in Craigmont in those early years and the dances they played included towns throughout he says in describing the type of music they play. that region: Grangeville, Nez Perce, etc. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mother Members of the band change from time to time, was a good piano player. She could play most any depending on who is available but usually he puts together a quartet with a vocalist. song and you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need music with her.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have one regular player, Dennis Carey, He had his own little band in high school who used to be a teacher at Rathdrum. He is a and played for local dances in the CraigmontWinchester area. But the music was put on hold helluva saxophonist. I do not like to play without him because heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the lead player and he knows when World War II broke out. Ray served as a parachute infantryman in the the songs. You would have to be in the music 82nd Airborne Division in the U.S. Army from 1942 business a long time to know some of the songs. until 1946 where he participated in three combat What kid has ever heard It Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Mean a Thing campaigns in the European theater as a scout in if You Ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Got that Swing? Most readers readily recognize what he means. an intelligence and reconnaissance platoon. Ray averages about one engagement a â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was a paratrooper and I liberated a concenmonth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I could play more if I felt like hustling tration camp where I was the first one into it,â&#x20AC;? he more jobs. There are certain groups I like to play relates matter-of-factly. After the war, Ray pursued his education earn- for and other groups I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like to play for.â&#x20AC;? This past New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve Ray and his band ing bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degrees in U.S. History and Eduperformed for an older dinner/dance crowd at cation and a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Counseling and Educational Philosophy from Whitworth College. the Coeur dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Alene Inn. The band, Dennis Carey â&#x20AC;&#x153;During that period, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t play much (music),â&#x20AC;? (saxophone), Chuck Borus (guitar), Ray Clemons (keyboard), Ray Stone (drums), and Juanita he says. Ray moved to Coeur dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Alene in 1951, taught Ansteine (vocals), was dressed in white coats high school for seven years, and then went on to North Idaho Junior College where he taught sociology before becoming Dean of Instruction. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was there 26 years,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Perry Christianson (the college president) and I kind of held things together through some tough times.â&#x20AC;? Ray began playing the drums more earnestly during those years as an educator after pretty much being away from them since 1942 and his army service. Ray refers to leaving his 35-year education career as retirement, but more aptly, it was the beginning of another phase of his life - local politics. He served on the city council for eight years and then served another eight years as the mayor of Coeur dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Alene. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mayor was a much better job than being dean but it was tough. They didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pay much salary, but I put my whole heart into it and made it a full time job. I went every morning at 8 and came home at 5 and was paid less than $300 a month.â&#x20AC;? As an active leader in the Coeur dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Alene community working against the local Aryan Nations group, Ray received the Raoul Wallenberg Civic Award for leadership in the area of civil rights. This was a great honor in itself, but the combination of that activity and his involvement in liberating the concentration camp led to an even bigger honor in 1988, the Eisenhower Liberation Award presented by the National Holocaust Commission. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m one of two enlisted men that ever got

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with black ties, black pants, and black shoes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The manager there is the nicest guy Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever met in the music business,â&#x20AC;? Ray adds. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I prefer to play for older groups because they know what the songs are.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Music is fun,â&#x20AC;? Ray comments. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I only played drums. My mother wanted me to take piano lessons, but oh, no. I wish Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d had that talent.â&#x20AC;? To his audiences, it does not matter whether Ray had that talent or not because Rayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s little band with the big band music, make listening and dancing fun too! ISI

Lake City Senior Center Schedules Fundraiser Brunch Be sure to visit the Lake City Senior Center on February 13 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. for its fundraiser brunch featuring Echoes of Elvis at 10 a.m. The cost is $6.50 per person. When you are looking for fun, food, friendship, and plenty of activities to keep you busy, head over to the Lake City Senior Center and join us for lunch. Everyone is welcome in our billiard room ladies too! Sharpen your card skills with a game of pinochle, and be sure to take advantage of our library that is full of good reading and challenging puzzles. Regular activities include: â&#x20AC;˘ Mondays - Bingo with all cash prizes! Bridge

Club â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesdays - Fit & Fall Proof, Art, and Pinochle â&#x20AC;˘ Wednesdays - Knitting, Canasta, Yoga for MS, Blood Pressure Clinic, Nutrition, and Weight Watchers â&#x20AC;˘ Thursdays - Line Dancing, Rambling Rovers Luncheon, Quilters Group, and CPR/1st Aid Class â&#x20AC;˘ Fridays - Watercolor Classes, Pinochle, and Live Entertainment by Jim Dossey, Juanita Anstine, and J.J. Dion. Lake City Senior Center is located at 1916 Lakewood Drive in Coeur dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Alene. Please call 208-667-4628 for hours, times, and a complete schedule of activities and events. ISI

Joan and Bill Gundlach Canoe the Far Northern Wilderness - continued from cover

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Bill grew up in Coeur dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Alene, the son of a lumber mill worker, and graduated in engineering from the University of Idaho. Joan was originally a nurse from California who had moved to the area in 1977. Both had earlier marriages, and when Joanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son returned from his kayaking class at the YMCA and told his mother about â&#x20AC;&#x153;this very nice man,â&#x20AC;? well, as the saying goes, the rest is history. They married in 1983. The next few years saw them taking many canoe trips but primarily in the lower 48 states. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done the John Day River in Oregon so many times Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve forgotten,â&#x20AC;? Bill states. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Kootenai River in B.C. quite a few times, the Green River in Utah a couple of times, the Grande Ronde River quite a few times, the lower Salmon four or five times plus the main Salmon and the Middle Fork.â&#x20AC;? You can add to that list such waters as the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, the San Juan River in Utah, Bowron Lakes in B.C., the Salt River in Arizona, and more as well. So, with all these rivers and lakes closer to home, why the change in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;90s to waters in the far north? â&#x20AC;&#x153;You start doing these rivers you hear about, these real wilderness rivers up north. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just kind of a yearning to do that. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always liked to go to wild places, backpacking or whatever. The idea of going up into the tundra and what they call the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;barren landsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; north of the tree line was real intriguing. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d read stories of other people doing it and figured thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the things I wanted to do. I just knew I had to do it.â&#x20AC;? Their first trip to the arctic was in 1997 to the Thelon River. That twelveday trip covered 225 miles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maybe 100 people go down this river a year,â&#x20AC;? Bill explains. There are logistical problems. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The window of opportunity is from about the first of July for about two months. You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go down if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still frozen and you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t land a plane there either,â&#x20AC;? Joan explains. The reverse was true for a trip last summer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This past year the weather got warm early in Alaska and the herd of caribou we expected to see, some 44,000 strong, had gone through our area trying to get to the coast a week before we got there. The whole side of the river looked like a feedlot when we came out. It was just hacked by thousands and thousands of caribou going through there,â&#x20AC;? Bill relates. Since that first arctic trip, there have been many others, and the numbers look something like this. They have made eight canoe trips by themselves to the far north and covered 1,625 miles in 138 days. The longest trip was 28 days, and the longest distance was 350 miles. Those are impressive numbers, but they have also made canoe and raft trips with other people, two trips into B.C. and Saskatchewan, and another eight-day trip on the Wild and Scenic Missouri in Montana! And on occasion, they have only seen one or two other canoes during the entire trip. Viewing wildlife is a major attraction. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We see a lot of wildlife and have good encounters with them but nothing negative,â&#x20AC;? Bill

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explains. “We see lots of wolverines and arctic foxes. We found an arctic fox den area where we could sit nearby and watch them play. It was amazing. We have seen grizzlies on occasion and wolves too. One was right next to a bank. We pulled our canoe in and he was up in the bush just looking at us, yawning. Beautiful!” “We don’t carry guns, but we do carry bear spray,” Bill adds. Every time we’ve seen grizzly bears, as soon as they get your scent they are out of there; same thing with the wolves. At times, they were close by, they would be howling, and you could watch them. If you howl at them they’ll howl back. It’s been a lot of fun as far as wolves are concerned. We got to a den last year where there were four little ones – popping their heads up and out of different holes.” The stories continue about wolves, caribou, and others. “You just never know what you’re going to see,” Joan exclaims. “The most thrilling to me was to see my first musk oxen. I was so excited! There were about 18 in the herd including two little ones.” Bill is also an active birder and records species and

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 31

numbers of birds they see using GPS coordinates to record that information. They give this information to Alaska and Canadian wildlife officials and it is then assembled at Cornell University’s ornithology department. “That’s the way the bird range lists get extended,” Joan points out. Archaeology is another attraction explains, Joan. “We have photographed Inuit arrowheads, and the inuksuks (man-made stone landmark or cairn) are particularly wonderful… massive rocks and caches the Inuit would have carried to a big circle for meat storage. One river hadn’t been disturbed and it was obvious where Inuit had stacked rocks and channeled them down to a cliff to scare the caribou over the cliff.” Trips like these will continue for Joan and Bill as long as they can. “It’s so unique to do a trip like this. The hope is you don’t see anybody else for 28 days. Where can you go that you can have a true wilderness experience and have to be completely self-reliant? There’s nothing there except Inuit artifacts and wildlife. It’s so wonderful and beautiful!” Joan exclaims. ISI

Sandi Brodwater is a woman of many hobbies and community involvement Article and Photo by Jack McNeel Visitors are immediately struck with the variety and quantity of handwork that adorns the home that Sandi Brodwater shares with her husband Mike. The walls display many examples of crewel embroidery. “My first love,” Sandi exclaims. A complete tour reveals the extent of her quilts displayed on various beds, furniture, and as wall hangings. “I’ve always done a lot of quilting,” she says. In fact sewing in general has long been part of her life. “My kids still laugh about the pajamas,” which for the youngest meant several pairs of hand-me-downs. The emphasis on cloth, embroidery, and sewing might seem incongruous in light of another more rec recent hobby - woodcarving - but it is one that she practices at least weekly. “I’ve always had hobbies,” she says, so perhaps carving is not such an unlikely endeavor. Sandi has been a member of the North Idaho Woodcarvers for the past several years. “It’s a casual club,” she explains. “There are probably 20 to 30 of us that meet every Saturday morning. They don’t keep track of when you come but when you do they’re glad to see you. Some try it out for a while or a friend will come with a friend to try it out. I am probably the only woman who is there consistently.” She began woodcarving on a winter trip she and Mike took to Tucson in their RV. While staying in a camping community that offered “something like 250 activities,” Sandi decided to try woodcarving. Her initial goal was to carve a face. “Then I started dabbling with more, and I loved it, just loved it! My brother and sister both love working with wood too. We think it’s in the genes.” Sandi and Mike like to travel and that has caused Sandi to gear her hobbies to things that are portable. Quilt squares can travel in a plastic bag just

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like the needlework she does. “God bless little plastic containers,” she says. The same is true of carving. “I can take six tools and a tote bag with three pieces of wood and entertain myself.” She and Mike have volunteered at Indian Creek State Park at Priest Lake the past three years, working at the kiosk and gift shop during the month of August. When not working, “I can sit at a bench and carve. Wood carving is very portable. You don’t have to be tied to equipment at home. You can even pick up a stick where you are and make something out of it. That’s kind of fun.” Her various hobbies are strictly that. “Anything I make is painful for me to sell.” She says that’s generally true of the others in the carving group as well. “Many are older and have grandkids to make things for.” Laughing, she says, “As a woman carver I have some advantages. I can carve anywhere I want in my house. Some of them - their wives make them carve in the garage. I had to be a girlie wood carver so I made myself an apron with a little girlishness with pockets to hold the tools.” The volunteering seems to come naturally. “I’ve always been active in volunteer work. When the kids were young, I was active in PTA. Mike and I started the Cub Scout group at Ramsey Elementary. I helped start a juvenile diabetes association when our oldest son got diabetes at 15. I also helped start the Bell Ringer Program for the Mental Health Association in Coeur d’Alene. We held the first skate-a-thon for that group when the roller skating rink was new and to our surprise we raised $20,000.” Sandi also began volunteering one day a week in each of their kids’ schools but with four kids, she decided she might as well work full-time. She answered an ad that led to a job with the Coeur d’Alene Press for 17 years, hired partly because of her numerous community involvements and many contacts. Sandi had reviewed plays for the Press and, after retiring, she returned to Coeur d’Alene Summer Theater and volunteered her time and skills as a seamstress to help with costumes. Six years later she still does that. Sometimes this involves some rather unusual or dramatic assignments. One was a massive backdrop of an enchanted forest which stretched across the entire stage. Another was a horse costume for Don Quixote that the actors had to

get inside. She loves to sew and last year when her granddaughter’s dance teacher asked her to make some net tutus for all the other girls Sandi graciously volunteered to do them. This year the teacher called again and asked if she would make pinafores for each of the girls. Thinking there would again be about 20 to make, Sandi said, “Yes.” When the teacher arrived with the measurements for 38 girls, it would have seemed a daunting task, but Sandi readily agreed to make them. Sandi grew up in Twin Falls, Mike in New Jersey, they met in college at Utah State University, and they have lived in Coeur d’Alene since 1974. Retirement has brought a change in life but little reduction from work with Sandi’s hobbies and volunteering. With Mike now writing travel articles, there is plenty of impetus for the travel they both enjoy. ISI

I Wish You Enough Submitted by Jim Meade Recently I overheard a Father and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the Father said, “I love you, and I wish you enough.” The daughter replied, “Dad, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Dad.” They kissed and the daughter left. The Father walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there, I could see he wanted and needed to cry... I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, “Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?” “Yes, I have,” I replied. “Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?” “I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is... the next trip back will be for my funeral, he said. “When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, ‘I wish you enough.’ May I ask what that means?” I asked. He smiled. “That’s a wish that has been handed down from other generations in my family. My parents used to say it to everyone.” He paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more. “When we said, ‘I wish you enough,’ we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.” Then turning toward me, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory. • I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear. • I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more. • I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting. • I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger. • I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. • I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. • I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye. He then began to cry and walked away. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them; but then an entire life to forget them. ISI

Interesting Anagrams Submitted by Julie Hollar Brantley 1. PRESBYTERIAN = BEST IN PRAYER 2. ASTRONOMER = MOON STARER 3. DESPERATION = A ROPE ENDS IT 4. THE EYES = THEY SEE 5. GEORGE BUSH = HE BUGS GORE 6. THE MORSE CODE = HERE COME DOTS 7. DORMITORY = DIRTY ROOM 8. SLOT MACHINES = CASH LOST IN ME 9. ANIMOSITY = IS NO AMITY 10. ELECTION RESULTS = LIES LET’S RECOUNT 11. SNOOZE ALARMS = ALAS NO MORE ZS 12. A DECIMAL POINT = I’M A DOT IN PLACE 13. THE EARTHQUAKES = THAT QUEER SHAKE 14. ELEVEN PLUS TWO = TWELVE PLUS ONE ISI

N.S. Burbank, M.D. • C.J. Fatz, M.D. • K.C. Hewel, M.D. C.E. Ley, M.D. • A.J. Martinez, M.D. • K.P. McKlendin, M.D. B.J. McNamee, M.D. • A.E. Michalson, M.D. L.S. Michalson, M.D. • D.E. Moody, M.D. R.L. Opp, M.D. • T.F. Reichel, M.D. • R.S. Thornton, M.D. Diplomats of the American Board of Radiology 700 Ironwood Drive, Suite 110 Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 208.666.3200 • Fax 208.666.3217

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Ajo, Arizona for exploring Organ Pipe National Monument Article and Photo by Jack McNeel Springtime and southern Arizona sound sweet to those of us from northern climes, especially after the past two severe winters. Some migrate south for the entire winter while others visit more briefly as a respite from northern winters. Ajo, Arizona, about as far south as you can go in the United States, is adjacent to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and its unique Sonoran desert vegetation. Ajo is a charming community without lavish hotels or restaurants and the logical place to stay when visiting the monument or before heading south to Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) in Mexico. For many, the quiet of Ajo is preferable to the traffic and nightlife of Phoenix or Tucson. The first copper mine in Arizona opened in Ajo in 1917 although the history of mining in the area dates back to the early 19 th century. The open pit mine closure in 1985 changed the town into the quiet community it is today. Some of that former elegance is reflected in the beautifully landscaped town square. A circular drive leads around a grassy park laced with palm trees and the town proper is housed in a continuous series of buildings on the outer side of this drive, all in a classic Spanish design with shades of muted pink, bronze, and blue – stunning. Some buildings remain empty but a campaign is underway to fill those. An old theater that operated from 1921 until the early ‘90s is now home to the Oasis Café, a sandwich and ice cream shop where you can design your own sandwich and choose a seat inside or on the sidewalk across from the park. They use playing cards to determine orders and so the server can locate you. The Ajo in the Wall Grill across the way is Ajo’s most up-scale dining establishment. Other businesses around the circle include a pharmacy, post office, realtor, and an artisan’s shop. Just around the corner is another cute shop, the Si Como No. We enjoyed dining at small restaurants that were not fancy but served excellent meals. The Mexican choices were exceptional and Marcelas, in particular, was packed every time we entered - just good food and friendly service. There are several basic motels in Ajo. If you are looking for 5-stars, forget it. La Fiesta rents motel rooms

and small cabins, and has RV camping available. We found it very satisfactory. The cabin was small but clean and had a microwave and coffee pot. It was only a few steps from our door to a small swimming pool, basketball court, shuffleboard, and tables with barbeques. The Ajo area is a favorite with bird watchers and birds were calling continually around our cabin. We even had a cardinal perching in a tree adjacent to our parking spot. Most people staying in Ajo are on their way to Mexico or are planning to view the fantastic desert scenery at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, which you pass through en route to the border. Before crossing the border, be sure to purchase Mexican auto insurance from one of the many agents in Ajo. Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point), 110 miles south, used to be a classic Mexican fishing village where you could buy fresh fish and shrimp from the boats on the docks. Some of that is still available, but tourist hotels now have sprung up and it has become a higher end vacation spot and spring break destination for students. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument provides a wonderful experience for the nature lover and photographer. Some people envision a barren desert landscape, but this portion of the Sonoran desert is lush. There are saguaro cactus throughout the southwest but organ pipe cactus are rare north of Mexico. Both occur within the monument in huge numbers along with 26 other cactus species and a variety of other plants, and a variety of animal species that have adapted to this hot, dry climate. The visitor center is a good place to start your visit but it’s easy to get off by yourself to explore the desert. One excellent route is the Ajo Mountain Drive that begins near the visitor center. A printed guide is available and keyed to numbers along the road to provide information as you make this circular trip. Its 21 miles around but plan on spending several hours, as the road is gravel and quite slow – and you will likely want to make numerous stops to photograph the cactus in bloom or simply to view this remarkable landscape. Summer temperatures are very high, but during the winter and spring, it is delightful. Use caution around the cacti, especially the chollas, which are about the prickliest thing on earth and not to be touched. We did see a couple of rattlesnakes along the road, but common sense again keeps one safe. There are several picnic spots along the route and a restroom, so take a lunch and definitely some liquids and enjoy a landscape different from anything you will find in these northern states. To learn more, visit www.nps.gov/orpi/planyourvisit/index.htm or call 520-387-6849. ISI

Wear the old coat and buy the new book. - Austin Phelps

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Does Saving for Retirement Seem Easier than Spending During Retirement? By Tony Walker I am the weekly featured Retirement Specialist on a live TV call-in show based in Louisville Kentucky â&#x20AC;&#x201C; shall we say, the Heartland of America. A man named Rick recently called to ask about Ford stock he had bought at $2 per share a couple of years ago. Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s value: $16 per share! Rick wanted to sell it but had two concerns: taxes on the gain and the thought of possibly losing out if the stock continued to go up in value after the sale. My thoughts: â&#x20AC;&#x153;a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.â&#x20AC;? So I suggested to Rick that he take his winnings and enjoy the money. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You sound like my wife,â&#x20AC;? quipped Rick, saying that she thought he should sell it and spend the money. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She says Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m good at saving and making money, but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know how to spend it. We are in our early 60s - I cannot work forever. And with what I keep hearing from the financial world, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need a million dollars stockpiled before we can ever feel comfortable spending it.â&#x20AC;? I have worked and spoken with thousands of clients, callers, and workshop attendees who, like Rick, work hard at saving and investing money, but seem reluctant to spend it. How about you? Is it easier to save rather than spend? When was the last time you actually â&#x20AC;&#x153;spentâ&#x20AC;? - without any reservation, guilt, or shame - money from an account that was designated as savings for retirement? When was the last time you â&#x20AC;&#x153;spentâ&#x20AC;? - with pure enjoyment and absolutely no remorse - a large chunk of your 401(k) to do something you really wanted to do? This â&#x20AC;&#x153;inability to spendâ&#x20AC;? is tough to understand. I believe there are two culprits behind it: Family (namely parents and grandparents) and the Financial World. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s start with family - take my Granddad for instance. Born in 1918, my Granddad worked for the same employer for 43 years before retiring in 1978 with the assurance of a guaranteed monthly income (Granddad called it â&#x20AC;&#x153;mailbox moneyâ&#x20AC;?) from his Employer sponsored Pension Plan. The company pension check, along with social security, â&#x20AC;&#x153;forcedâ&#x20AC;? Granddad to spend and enjoy his savings (what was actually in the Pension Account)â&#x20AC;Ś he had to. So while Granddadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s generation continues to enjoy moaning and groaning about â&#x20AC;&#x153;save every nickelâ&#x20AC;? (his advice to me as a young lad), he and the rest of retirees under Pension Plans (something you and I will not have) were set up to spend their money the day they hit retirement. Make sense? The second culprit for folks â&#x20AC;&#x153;not spendingâ&#x20AC;? their savings is the Financial World. Their constant message of gloom, doom, and the fear of everybodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one day running out of money (I call it the â&#x20AC;&#x153;GuiltTrip Gospelâ&#x20AC;?) continues to rob our enjoyment and put our money at a standstill. There is a reason behind this constant mantra about saving more and more with them; it is called the theory of O.P.M. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x153;other peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s money.â&#x20AC;? The retirement dollars they tell us to stockpile with them (fear of needing more savings creates more O.P.M. for them to use) can be downright staggering! Most people I speak with do not have anything close to the mega numbers

the Financial World says we should have saved for retirement. No wonder so many Americans are afraid to spend and enjoy their money. The Guilt-Trip Gospel is unnecessary! In order to learn to spend your money without guilt or shame, you will need a change of perspective about the proper role and use of money. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve provided some helpful tips to get your saving AND spending on the right track: â&#x20AC;˘ Be willing to spend principal and interest â&#x20AC;&#x153;guilt-freeâ&#x20AC;? during retirement. Do not be so fearful of running out. Consider retirement instruments like annuities â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x153;mailbox moneyâ&#x20AC;? - that guarantee use and enjoyment without the fear of running out. â&#x20AC;˘ Consider â&#x20AC;&#x153;spending the pre-tax retirement accountsâ&#x20AC;? (401(k), IRA, etc) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; first. This allows you to deal with the growing tax tumor buried in these accounts by spending them now rather than later. Defer spending other more tax-efficient accounts, such as a Roth IRA, Whole Life, non-qualified securities, and even delaying Social Security. â&#x20AC;˘ Know your â&#x20AC;&#x153;spending and enjoyment window.â&#x20AC;? That is the period of time most retirees can truly enjoy their money (based on health, age, stamina, etc). I have discovered it is usually between the ages of 60-70. After age 70 (or thereabouts) the desire to â&#x20AC;&#x153;live it upâ&#x20AC;? has lost its luster. â&#x20AC;˘ Understand the â&#x20AC;&#x153;winnings off the tableâ&#x20AC;? theory, which says that money is not real money until it is sold/liquidated (turn in your chips), converted to cash, and used. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A bird in the hand is better than two in the bushâ&#x20AC;? especially if the latter are at risk, i.e. Rickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ford stock for instance. â&#x20AC;˘ Forget â&#x20AC;&#x153;leaving a legacy to your kidsâ&#x20AC;? (GuiltTrip Gospel concept) and think about giving some of your legacy to them NOW! If given a choice - now vs. later - most adult children I speak with would rather have the â&#x20AC;&#x153;legacyâ&#x20AC;? now so they too can spend and enjoy it (or simply use it to make ends meet). This strategy of giving money to kids now (rather than having them all crowd around your casket wondering whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s left) also allows you to â&#x20AC;&#x153;seeâ&#x20AC;? how well they do with it and hopefully, allow you to watch them enjoy it now vs. later. Be responsible with your money? Yes. Be prudent and wise with it? Absolutely. Just remember that in the end, if you do not spend your money, somebody else will. Oh, and one more thing; whenever you find yourself unable to

spend and enjoy your money, remember the famous words my Granddad shared with me one day when he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tony, you see all those funeral processions going up and down the road? Just rememberâ&#x20AC;Ś they ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t practicing!â&#x20AC;? Tony Walker resides in Bowling Green Kentucky. He is the author and creator of The WorryFree RetirementÂŽ as well as the author of Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Follow the Herd. Visit www.TonyWalkerFinancial. com for more information. ISI

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Boomers’ Inheritances – What They Might or Might Not Expect By Tait Trussell While the financial situations of baby boomers have been rocky at best in these recent times of recession - drop in housing values, and government deficits and debt - their future appears brighter, according to a new study by Boston College Center for Retirement Research. The study has a “wow factor” in that it found that boomers (born from 1946 to 1964) will inherit $8.4 trillion in 2009 figures. In fact, boomers have already received about $2.4 trillion. This breaks down to $64,000 per person left as an inheritance. Some will get less; some more. If you are in the boomer category, that does not automatically make most of you a millionaire. But an average of $64,000 is a tidy sum. And the relatively few wealthiest boomers will get an inheritance averaging $1.5 million. At the poorer end, boomers whose folks were not so well off still will receive an average of $27,000, which may be enough to pay cash for a new, inexpensive car. Total household wealth of Americans of all ages (in 2007 figures) stacked up to a hefty $65.9 trillion. This makes boomers’ inheritance a sizeable chunk of the country’s total wealth. In addition, the study says that the boomers have received, or will get, a substantial sum while their generous parents are still alive. This will add to the total assets transferred. The figure will go from $8.4 to a hulking $11.6 trillion.

Wealth may be consumed by medical and long-term care costs, or simply by virtue of long life. In short, boomer households should not count on an anticipated inheritance and forego the need for increased financial planning and retirement saving. Not all boomers can expect a juicy inheritance, of course. In fact, about a third will not be left any assets from their folks. Sandra Timmerman, director of the MetLife Mature Market Institute, which commissioned the Boston College study, said, in caution, “Regardless of the anticipated amount, any prospective inheritance is uncertain. Parents or grandparents who expect to leave a bequest may revise their plans based on fluctuations in asset values. Wealth may be consumed by medical and long-term care costs, or simply by virtue of long life. In short, boomer households should not count on an anticipated inheritance and forego the need for increased financial planning and retirement saving.” That should be apparent to all but greedy goofs licking their lips and planning spending sprees in expectation of a free load from the old folks. Also a warning from Alicia Munnell, director of the Center for Retirement Research a Boston College, “Policymakers should recognize that inheritances are not the silver bullet to achieve retirement security. They should be developing policies and programs to boost Americans’ savings and promote longer work lives. “The matter of inheritance,” she added, “should be a means to generate family discussions about estate planning.” While not everyone is comfortable engaging in this subject, it makes sense to do

so - often with the help of a financial adviser who knows estate law. The data for the study were analyzed from the Survey of Consumer Finances, a triennial survey that samples wealthy households. Latest data were available for 2007. Because of the bad economy since 2007, some decisions regarding inheritance may be lower. But in past recessions, the decisions regarding inheritance did not change substantially, the study said. Some of the other findings in the study: • Most boomers will get their inheritance - if there is one - late in their middle age, at the death of their surviving parent. The overwhelming majority of inheritances come from parents and goes to their children - about two-thirds of the inheritances and 74 percent of the money. Only 6 percent got inherited money before they were age 50. Grandparents are the next most common source of dollars - about 20 percent. The age of most boomers now being what it is, few of them have living grandparents. But most have at least one living parent. • Only 17 percent of boomers had received an inheritance by 2007, according to the study. But two-thirds eventually will get one. About half or more of all households will receive some bequest. • Households with considerable wealth tend to receive bigger inheritances in dollar terms. But these represent a small share of their total wealth - 22 percent for those in the top 10 percent. This compares to 64 percent for those in the second-to bottom tenth. Inheritances from highest to lowest averaged $335,000 and $8,000. • Considering past inheritances, the median amount boomers have received by 2007 (adjusted for inflation) is about the same as that received by the preceding 1927 to 1945 birth group at the same ages. So things really have not changed that much in the deep feeling of most parents to want to leave something to their children when they die. ISI

Social Security: Making Sure Your Benefits Add Up By Jim Miller The best way to keep an eye on your personal Social Security records is to carefully review your yearly Social Security statement, and do not be surprised if you uncover an error. Government watch groups estimate that the Social Security Administration (SSA) makes mistakes on at least 3 percent of the total official earnings records it keeps. Here is what you should know. Earnings Errors - Social Security benefits are based on your 35 highest-earning years as reported to the government by your employers. If an employer has given the government incorrect salary data or if the government has erred in recording the information, you want to get it corrected as quickly as possible. Otherwise, you may not get the full amount you are entitled to when you retire. So, when you receive your annual Social Security statement, take the time to compare the earnings listed in the statement with income listed on W-2 forms in your tax records. And, if you spot a discrepancy, follow these steps: • Call your nearest Social Security office (see www.ssa.gov/locator or call 800-772-1213 to get the number) to report the error. Some correc-

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tions can be made over the phone. However, you may need to schedule an appointment and go in with copies of your W-2 forms or tax returns to prove the mistake. You may be able to mail the information. • If you suspect a discrepancy but do not have backup records, the SSA may be able to use your employment information to search its records and correct mistakes. If the SSA cannot locate your records, you will need to contact the employer to obtain a copy of your W-2 for the year in question. Once your earnings record is corrected, SSA will send you a confirming letter. If you do not receive the confirmation within three months, contact SSA again. Be sure to double check the correction by reviewing next year’s statement. • If corrections are not made on the next statement you receive, start an appeals process (see www.ssa.gov/pubs/10041.html). Note: SSA statements are mailed annually about three months before your birthday to everyone age 25 and over who is not already

receiving Social Security benefits. If you are not receiving yours, see www.ssa.gov/mystatement. Other Mistakes - Earnings miscalculations can also happen if the SSA did not have your correct mailing address. If you do not receive your annual statement, that is a tip-off. If there is a mistake, contact the IRS (SSA depends on the IRS for addresses) at 800-829-3676 and ask them to mail you the “Change of Address” form 8822, or print it off at www.irs.gov/pub/irspdf/f8822.pdf, fill it out and mail it back to the address on the form. Two other factors that can cause mistakes are if you changed your name following a marriage or divorce, or if your date of birth in SSA records is not the same as it appears in IRS files. Double check your SSA statement for these possible errors and make sure your earnings data matches the amounts on your W-2 forms. Whenever you change your name, or if you notice a birth date error call the SSA (800772-1213) and ask for Form SS-5, “Application for a Social Security Card,” and submit it with

Use what talents you possess: The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best. - Henry Van Dyke

A rich pitcher wins freedom By Bill Hall Some people just do not know how to enjoy money – baseball players for instance. But not all baseball players. There are exceptions – Cliff Lee, for instance. He knows the true value of being a millionaire – freedom! A personal pile of money can buy something far more fun and valuable than cars and houses and jewelry. Late last year, Cliff Lee, one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, left $30 million on the table and passed up a chance to play for more money with the New York (all bow down) Yankees or the Texas Rangers. Instead, he signed with his former team, the Philadelphia Phillies for far less. But before you burst into tears, he is not exactly destitute. He snubbed the Yankees and the Rangers and settled for $120 million simply because he likes Philadelphia better than Texas or New York. “It’s plenty of money,” he explained. “When you hit a certain point, enough’s enough. It’s just a matter of where you’re comfortable, where you’re happy, where your family’s the most comfortable…” Exactly. The other two teams would have made him what the late William F. Buckley called “redundantly wealthy.” But if your family is fixed for life, what does it matter that you could have earned more to go play in some place you do not like? Most young sports stars don’t understand that. They are like farmers. You ask some farmers how much land they want and they will answer, “More!” But occasionally you encounter someone like Cliff Lee with a brain that is even stronger than his arm. He has a sane understanding of the best uses of wealth, including most especially the freedom to live where you please. It is not that way in the ordinary world of the underpaid and the unemployed. It doesn’t make much difference where you want to live if you don’t have a job in the old hometown while there is a job available in another town you have never liked. You pretty much gotta go there. Or if you have six kids and a $30,000 job and somebody offers you a $50,000 job in some hot, God-forsaken place, you may not have the economic freedom to say no to that offer. Most young baseball millionaires, egged on by an agent who gets a percentage of the action, seem to think there is an entry in the record books for the best-paid baseball player in history. Not so. If there were ever to be a bizarre entry like that in the record books, perhaps it should go on the same page that lists the druggist who taught home run hitters to use performance-enhancing drugs – the all-time, all-star baseball chemist. I sit here at the computer looking at a picture of Cliff Lee on the day he walked away from a pile of money to go play ball in the city of brotherly love. He has a huge smile on his face, a baseball version of the cat that ate the canary. He is back in a city that deserves him. The

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 39

the correct information. The form can also be downloaded at www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html. Calculation Errors - Even when all the earnings data is correct, the SSA occasionally errs in calculating benefits. You can double check their calculations by using SSA’s formula found at www.socialsecurity.gov, however the math is rather complex. If you think your benefits have been miscalculated, point it out to your local SSA office, and ask them to recalculate. If they do find an error, make sure you receive a confirming letter and that the correction appears on next year’s statement. If you are already receiving benefits, the SSA will reimburse you for the error. 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” books. ISI

PAGE 40 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

people of Philadelphia should be even more proud of that picture than they are of that pitcher. It says flattering things about both Philadelphia and Cliff Lee. Lee could teach lessons in sanity to the business community where $200-million-per-year

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CEOs care more about the bragging rights of redundant wealth than about looking after the corporate family by taking less and leaving more for the stockholders and employees. Cliff Lee left $30 million on the table and gave his wife and children the best place to live. That

is more than mere money. That is a fortune in family love. Hall may be contacted at wilberth@cableone. net or at 1012 Prospect Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501. ISI

Newest Credit Card Scam – Read Those Receipts Right There, Right Away! By Tait Trussell Nobody wants to carry around a large roll of bills - too much chance of losing your money or getting robbed. That is one reason credit cards were invented. And why so many people now use them. A report several years ago said that those over age 65 increased their credit card debt by 89 percent in a decade. One man reported that after putting two kids through college and graduate school and paying medical bills for his bedridden wife, he had debt that had spiraled to $180,000. “Everything I could, I charged,” he admitted regretfully. He may never pay off the debt. But that is a very unusual case. Most older people using credit cards are instinctively conservative about money matters and pay off their credit card bills soon after they arrive in the mail. I do, or I am afraid I will put the bill aside and forget about it. An old college friend wrote me recently about a credit card scam he ran into. He warned, “Check your receipt slip before leaving any cashier’s station where you are signing your credit card bill.” Most people just crumple up their customer copy after signing bill. My old friend wrote me he had bought over $150 worth at a store using his credit card. “I glanced at my receipt as the cashier was handing me my bags. I saw on the slip: ‘cashback of $40.’ I told her I did not request a cash back and to delete it. “She said she couldn’t delete it. So, I told her to call her supervisor. The supervisor came in a few minutes. He said I would have to take it. I said, ‘No. Taking the $40 would be a cash advance against my Discover card and I wasn’t paying interest on a

cash advance!’ I told them if they could not delete the $40 cash back, then they would have to delete the whole order. “The supervisor had the cashier delete the whole order and re-scan everything.” The same thing happened a couple of weeks later to the same friend. He said he looked at the slips before he signed. There was an entry for $20 in cash back. “At that point I told the cashier and she deleted it. The cashier said the electronic pad must be defective. Yeah, right. Obviously the cashier knew the electronic pad was not defective because she never offered me the $20. “Can you imagine how many people went through before and after me and at the end of her shift how much money she pocketed?” My friend said he had asked a few acquaintances regarding similar experiences. One acquaintance said that she had been in another store recently where the cashier had hurried her along and did not immediately give her a credit card receipt. She asked for a receipt and the annoyed clerk did give her the receipt, but the acquaintance did not look at the receipt until she got home. It showed that she had asked for $20 back, which she had not. She called the store, but the store said after investigating it, that they did not see the cashier pocket the money, so there was nothing they could do about it. The acquaintance called a friend at her bank. She was told that this is a new scam. A crooked cashier will key in that you asked for cash back. Then he or she will either pocket the cash or hand it to a friend nearby. When using your credit card make sure to look

at your receipt and that it accurately reflects the transaction. Older people might make good targets because we are polite and don’t like to hold up a line of people or bother with looking at the fine print on the credit card receipts. But we certainly should. ISI

Do You Need To File a Tax Return This Year? By Jim Miller According to the Tax Policy Center, more than half of all Americans age 65 and older will not have to file income tax returns this year mainly because their incomes are under the IRS filing requirements. Here is a breakdown of the 2010 filing requirements along with a few other tax tips you should know. Filing Requirements - If your gross income is below the IRS filing limits, you probably do not have to file a federal tax return. Gross income includes all the income you receive that is not exempt from tax, not including Social Security benefits, unless you are married and filing separately. You probably do not have to file this year if: • You are single and your 2010 gross income was less than $9,350 ($10,750 if you are 65 or older). • You are married filing jointly and your gross income was under $18,700. If you or your spouse is 65 or older, the limit increases to $19,800. And if you are both over 65, your income must be under $20,900 to not file. • You are head of household and your gross income was below $12,050 ($13,450 if age 65 or older). • You are married filing separately and your income was less than $3,650. • You are a qualifying widow(er) with a dependent child and your gross income was less than $15,050 ($16,150 if age 65 or older). Required Filing - You also need to be aware that there are some special financial situations that require you to file a tax return, even if your gross income falls below the IRS filing requirement. For example, if you had net earnings from self-

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employment in 2010 of $400 or more, or if you owe any special taxes to the IRS such as alternative minimum tax or IRA tax penalties, you will probably need to file. To figure this out, the IRS offers a page on its Web site called Do You Need to File a Federal Income Tax Return? that includes a list of financial situations and a series of questions that will help you determine if you’re required to file, or if you should file (if you’re due a refund). You can access this page at www.doyouneedtofile.info, or you can get help over the phone by calling the IRS helpline

at 800-829-1040. Check Your State - Even if you are not required to file a federal tax return this year, it does not necessarily mean you are also excused from filing state income taxes. Check on that with your state tax agency before concluding you are entirely in the clear. For links to state and local tax agencies see taxadmin.org – click on “Links.” Tax Prep Help - If you do need to file a tax return, contact an accountant or you can get help through the IRS sponsored Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE). This program provides free tax

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 41

preparation and counseling to middle and low income taxpayers age 60 and older. Call 800829-1040 to locate a service near you. Also check with AARP, a participant in the TCE program that provides free tax preparation at more than 7,000 sites nationwide. To locate an AARP Tax-Aide site call 888-227-7669 or visit www.aarp.org/money/ taxaide. Send your questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book. ISI

Some people are born on third base and go through life thinking they hit a triple. - Barry Switzer

PAGE 42 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

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Homebuilder collects, restores, and carves functional, artistic waterfowl decoys

523-2704 Idaho Falls area

232-0767 Pocatello area

By Dianna Troyer species. “We were vacationing there when I saw Syd Wood’s initial disgust turned to delight after some. I couldn’t wait to get back home and make he examined an old, unused utility pole that someone.” Other decoys float along in the family room one had cut down and left as debris on a lot where and swim around a shelf near the ceiling of his he planned to build a downstairs workroom. house in Pocatello. He treasures the “It was white cedar, decoys, not only for which is hard to find their function but also these days. It’s perfect for their aesthetic form. for making duck decoys “Some decoys are because it’s porous and just so beautiful they floats nicely, and it’s a become an art form soft wood, so it carves rather than a hunteasily,” says Syd, who ing tool. The antique recently hauled the old decoys are wonderpole to his shop and ful pieces of folk art sawed it into 30 decoyand are fascinating sized chunks. because they natu“A lot of people rally raise so many know I build houses, questions,” he says, but they have no idea cradling a canvasback I’ve made 120 decoys decoy in his hands. in the past 27 years,” “Where did it come says the 62-year-old from, who made it, Pocatello resident. He what is it made of, how started hunting ducks was it used, and how Syd Wood shows a Madison Mitchell style canvas back in his teens and began drake decoy. [Photo by Dianna Troyer] old is it? You can recmaking his own decoys ognize certain craftswhen he was 35. “One of my biggest decoys is a men’s decoys because their work has a distinctive black swan, two feet tall and two feel long, sitting style.” on the office entry table at the Black Swan Inn. I These days, carving decoys and talking about repair and restore decoys, too.” their history gives Syd as much satisfaction as Carving and restoring decoys relieves work duck hunting once did. “When I was younger, I stress, Syd says. loved hunting because I was outside and saw “I’ve always liked working with wood, using my firsthand the behavior of wildlife. I don’t hunt that hands to create some- much anymore and do most of my shooting with a thing people appreciate camera. I joke that you don’t want to ruin a good and admire. Most of the hunt by bringing something home to clean and decoys I give away to cook.” friends and relatives as Although his hunting days have faded, the gifts, or I donate them to dramatic memory of his first successful duck hunt those in need who are is still vivid and exciting. doing fundraisers. I’ve “It was a Saturday morning in fall. I was 13, kept a few for myself,” sneaking up on ducks, jump shooting without a dog he says, pointing to the along the Portneuf River down where Juniper Hills first three decoys he Country Club is today. I was heading toward the made, all from pine and Portneuf Gap, when, suddenly, a golden-eye flew all hollow, magnum- up,” he recalled of the plump black-and-white duck sized mallards. with distinctive lemon-yellow eyes. “Somehow it Although he used ran into my shot, and I had my first duck.” those decoys for deProud, he took the golden-eye home to his cades hunting water- mother. “Well, she knew a little more than I did fowl on local rivers and about that type of duck and told me to pluck it, reservoirs, today Syd and she would fix it for me. I didn’t realize goldenfloats the decoys on the eyes were bottom feeders and ate snails and other bookshelves of his den, things from the mud. It tasted about like what it ate. along with other decoys I did eat it, but it’s the last time I hunted a golden he has found on the in- eye.” ternet, at estate sales, Several duck hunting seasons later, he had or in antique shops. saved enough of his hay-hauling money to buy On the dining room “my first set of decoys, a dozen old beat-up paper table rests a decoy of maché decoys made by General Fiber Company.” a Nene goose, an en- Instead of trying to sneak up on ducks with spodangered Hawaiian radic success, he could now use decoys. The

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ducks would come to him. Eventually, he decided to try building his own decoys. “I went to the library and checked out a book called Duck Decoys by Eugene V. Connett and learned the techniques of the old masters.” Syd relishes the challenge of building realistic decoys. “Ducks have such good eyes, better than a human’s with binoculars. So you have to build a decoy that’s realistic and will make them feel safe and want to land in water when they’re 150 feet up in the air during hunting season. The decoys must have a natural and inviting head position in a variety of poses such as dabbling for food, sleeping, or preening.” To make a decoy, Syd uses a band saw with a flexible shaft to shape the body, head, and neck. Then he hollows out the body so it will float better.

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 43

Using a rasp and knife, he hand-carves the details around the mandible, nostrils, wings, and tail, then paints it with interior water resistant flat paint. Syd keeps a detailed journal describing each decoy he has made. He lists the species of waterfowl, its head position, what inspired him to create it, the person he gave it to, and the type of wood and paint technique used. On the bottom of each decoy, he engraves his signature, the date it was built, and a number. “I make 10 to 12 decoys a year and have about 10 to 15 hours in each one,” he says. “They sell for $125, so it’s not a way to make a living, but I enjoy it.” With his recent windfall of white cedar, he is wondering what waterfowl he will carve for decoy number 121. “I’ll have to see what’s hiding in the wood,” he says, grinning. ISI

Victory remembered by the Grace High School championship basketball team regional championship game. “You’d get a hairBy Brad Bugger The “glory days” for this collection of military cut and that’s all you’d talk about was that team. men, entrepreneurs, small businessmen, educa- You’d read the paper, and that’s all that was talked tors, church executives, and professional basketball about was that team. We were very cohesive, we loved to be coaches came around each in the spring other, we were of 1959, when close friends, they thrilled and it did make their hometown a big impact, I by winning the believe, on the Class AA state city of Grace.” high school basIt certainly ketball champimade a big imo n s h i p . N o w, pact on Lloyd, half a century a retired busilater, they are nessman from reunited at the Salt Lake City, Bluebird Inn and the othnear Bear Lake, er members catching up, Players and coaches from the 1959 Grace High state champion basketball laughing hard, team from left to right are Bart Hogan, Lynn Smith, Norm Prince, Gary Lloyd, of those two a n d t a l k i n g Curt Wilker, Phil Johnson, Wayne Anderson, Boyd Christensen, Dick Motta, G r a c e R e d Devils teams, smack - some- and Ron Condie. [Photo provided by Brad Bugger] thing they do who were inducted in surprisingly well. They don’t remember the precise details from 2002 into the ranks of those basketball seasons that indelibly imprinted the Idaho High School their lives. Missing are the names of the good Activities Association’s players on other teams or the details of the big “Legends of the Game.” “I moved to Califorplays, but they don’t have to remember now. As one declares, “We’re getting old enough we can nia when I left Grace and tell stories and there’s nobody around who can coached for 35 years and won a lot of champiremember any differently.” They do know they are all glad to be together onships,” explains assis- coming from places like Colorado and California tant coach Norm Prince, and from lives lived fully as pilots in Vietnam, an “but this is the only team energy executive in Texas, or NBA coaches. Lives that is still a team. That’s that took many of them a long way from Grace why we won the way High School, where in 1958 and 1959, they were we did - because we the toast of a 180-person student body and a had nobody who was outstanding, but they all 700-person town. “Everybody talked about us in that city,” recalls had a part to play and Gary Lloyd, who played guard on the 1959 cham- they played that part pionship team a year after losing a heartbreaking very well.”

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Coach Dick Motta, who coached in the NBA for 25 years and whose 1978 Washington Bullets won the NBA title, has been instrumental in keeping the team “together” all these years. But Motta remembers none of his 935 NBA wins or his time as a highly-successful mentor at Weber State with the same fondness he holds for those Red Devils squads. “I wouldn’t take any one of them for what we did with this particular team,” Motta declares. A large part of the satisfaction from that 1959 championship came from a loss in 1958. The Red Devils were 24-1 that season before losing to Wendell by three points in the regional final that determined who would play in the state title game – which Wendell went on to win. “We went through the whole summer committing ourselves to winning the state championship,” recalls Phil Johnson, scoring star of the team, a star at Utah State, and currently an assistant coach for the Utah Jazz. “So we went through that 1959 season and then we came down to the same situ-

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011

ation, basically the same players and the same coaches… and we won!” Grace ended the 1959 regular season at 18-2 mark, beat Aberdeen and American Falls in the Fifth District Tournament, and then travelled to Jerome for the Regional Tournament. They quickly dispatched Sugar-Salem, 59-40, and then beat Kimberly, 60-49, in the semifinals. That set up the rematch with Wendell, still led by its all-state big man, Jim Shields. It was the game that everybody in Grace had been waiting for – especially the hyper-competitive Motta. “When we lost to Wendell, I became obsessed with the following year,” Motta recalls. “I don’t think I would run into one of the team in the summer without talking about the hurt, the open sore of the loss to Wendell.” As is befitting Motta-coached teams throughout his career, the Red Devils won the big game with defense. They led by seven points with 3:36 to play and won 38-34. Johnson and Lloyd led Grace with nine points apiece, while Shields led all scorers

with 12 for Wendell. The state championship game against Potlatch, played at Idaho State College in Pocatello the following Saturday, proved anti-climactic. Johnson poured in 32 points and grabbed 30 rebounds as he and Lloyd led a 14-1 run right before half to bury the Loggers, 66-37. Lloyd finished with 18 points. If winning were the only thing that held this team together, it’s highly likely the Red Devils would have simply gone their individual ways. Motta and Johnson went to long NBA coaching tenures, Lloyd to his tire business, Bart Hogan and Boyd Christensen to highly successful military careers, Prince and Lynn Smith to high school teaching and coaching, Curtis Wilker to his oil and gas business in Texas, Wayne Anderson to a job with the District Health Department in Logan, and Ron Condie, a senior on the 1958 team, to his work as an accountant in Tooele. Perhaps there’d be Christmas cards exchanged, maybe a reunion for the Legends of the Game induction, but nothing like the palpable warmth felt at this reunion. “During our senior year,” Andersen recalls, “Coach Motta put together team parties. He said for every home game we won that year, we’d have a party. We’d take dates, play ping-pong, and we’d have a great time. “I think all the camaraderie we spent together, having a good time, enjoying each other’s company has just continued,” Andersen adds. “After 50 years, we still like each other; we still come back and have a great time.” Johnson also notes that, in addition to shared experiences, the players and coaches from those teams were bonded by a common background. “We were all virtually the same,” explains Johnson. “Some of the guys lived in town, but most of us are farm kids. We had the same core values. It’s amazing how these people have turned out. It’s an honor to be with this group of guys. This is the most important thing to ever happen in my life - winning the state championship in Idaho. All of the other stuff is irrelevant at this point.” ISI

It is a small world for HAM radio operators like Paul Smith

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Article and Photo by Dianna Troyer For HAM radio operators like Paul Smith of Pocatello, the world is literally their playground, where there are no strangers - only other operators they have not met yet. “I’ve worked every continent: Africa, Australia, Europe, the Pacific Islands, South America, Japan… you name it,” says Paul, who earned his entry level HAM (amateur radio operator) license in 1964. Since then he has studied extensively and passed more difficult exams to earn the most advanced classification of “extra” in 2005. His license from the Federal Communications Commission allows him to transmit on global radio frequencies. In an age of instant communication with email and cell phones, HAM hobbyists are still thriving, he says, because people worldwide still want to talk and connect with each other via radio. “You’d be surprised how many HAM radio operators there are in Pocatello – about 400,” says Paul, who is a member of the Pocatello Amateur Radio Club. “The average age of a HAM operator is 58, and it’s coming down slightly.” Relying on two repeater towers in the valley, the Pocatello club members provide communication services for a variety of community events including parades and a recent 50-mile ultramarathon race in the Caribou National Forest. Members recently had a field day at a Pocatello park, when they brought equipment for demonstrations and with a goal to reach as many other operators worldwide as possible in 24 hours. “HAM radio is a complicated and fascinating hobby, dealing with an incredibly wide range of equipment and modes,” Paul says. “There are so many aspects to it, and there’s room for anyone’s

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interest. I like to build my own antennae. Others are into the electronics. Some like to enter Amateur Radio Relay League contests to see how many contacts they can make in a certain amount of time.” Paul has more time for his hobby since retiring in June 2003 as a millwright at the Idaho National Laboratory’s Naval Reactors Facility. About four days a week, he explores global radio waves in a room he jokingly calls his Radio Shack. On a desk are three transceivers, an amplifier, a computer, and other equipment. He never knows who he will talk to. “In 2006, I talked to a missionary in Papua New Guinea who translated the Bible into native languages,” he says. He flips switches and turns dials to tune into radio frequencies. “Let’s get on and make some noise and see what we can pick up,” says Paul, whose call sign is W7EKG. Sounds of whirs, clicks, and on-air static come through the radio, until he can clearly hear a conversation between an Australian and someone in the U.S. They talk about radio equipment. Posters tacked to his wall for quick reference show maps of the world, radio frequencies, and other technical information. He refers to the maps when deciding the angles for his antennae in the backyard. Paul became interested in HAM radio when he was a Boy Scout. “One of our leaders, who was a HAM radio operator, taught us how to build transmitters for a project.” Paul learned about the fascinating movement of radio waves. “A signal sails up straight into the ionosphere, where it bounces back down and hits the earth and takes off again. It’s called a ‘hop.’ A wave hops around the earth.” The leader brought his radio to a meeting so boys could listen to transmissions. Although Paul could not understand the Morse code the HAM operators were using, his curiosity about radio communications was permanently piqued. The word HAM traces its roots to G. M. Dodge’s manual, The Telegraph Instructor, which defines HAM as “a poor operator or plug.” Later, Paul saved his lawn-mowing money to buy a receiver from a retired Navy HAM so he

On account of being a democracy and being run by the people, we are the only nation in the world that has to keep a government for four years, no matter what it does. - Will Rogers

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Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) is a U.S. Department of Defense program that coordinates a civilian auxiliary of licensed amateur radio operators who assist in military communications. Amateur radio operators also volunteer to participate in Skywarn, a National Weather Service program that relies on spotters to track and report severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. The Pocatello Amateur Radio Club welcomes anyone interested in becoming a radio operator. Members meet at 7:30 p.m. the second Thursday of every month in a lecture hall at the Roy F. Christensen Building on Idaho State University campus. “We’ll help you get started,” Paul says, “and we administer the HAM exams for the different radio classifications from September to May at the Marshall Public Library.” For more information, visit www.pocatelloarc.org, or call Paul at 208-237-7876. The club president, Brad Maxwell, can be reached at 208-238-0276. ISI

could listen to transmissions. After meeting radio hobbyists during a stint in the U.S. Air Force, Paul decided to study and become a licensed HAM operator after he was discharged in 1963. To receive a HAM operator’s license, applicants must pass an entry-level exam for technician classification, which provides an W E A R E C O M F O R T K E E P E R S® FCC license and privileges to transmit on certain frequencies. “The test for technician classification isn’t that hard anymore because you For over a decade, Comfort Keepers® S E R V I C E S don’t have to be fluent in Morse code,” has been helping seniors maintain Paul says. The subsequent tests for independent lives by providing in-home care and safety. Like cooking, light “general” or “extra” classifications are housekeeping, bathing or grooming. rigorous. “You have to study from these And our SafetyChoice ™ PERS and Transportation manuals,” he says, showing thick referMedication Management Systems means ence books with tiny print. help is always available. “Since I was first licensed, the technology of HAM radio has taken a – quantum leap and become more sophisticated,” Paul says. “The internet is full of free programs for HAM operators.” While technology has changed, HAM has retained its reputation for Entire being a clean, family hobby. “You can Entire Treasure Valley: 895-8822 lose your license or be fined by the Pocatello Area: 234-9825 Pocatello Area: 234-9825 FCC if you use vulgar or inappropriate Burley/Rupert: 434-8888 language on air,” he says. Burley/Rupert: 434-8888 Twin Falls Area: 733-8988 HAM operators also have a reputa- Treasure Twin Falls Area:208-895-8822 733-8988 Valley: tion for volunteerism, using their skills Each office independently owned and operated. © 2009 CK Franchising, Inc. for community service. The Military ®

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

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Spud fudge maker uses secret recipe and puts lots of love into her creations By Dianna Troyer As the sun rises and a new day starts, Sandee Tuck is ending her six-hour shift, finishing her latest 170-pound batch of spud fudge made from her secret recipe. “When I make a batch, I can’t have any interruptions or distractions from the phone or fax or people dropping by, so I’ll either start at 2 a.m. or late at night and work through the night,” Sandee says as she cleans up in her 1,000-square-foot commercial kitchen in Salmon, where the sweet scent of fudge fills the air. “There are more than a dozen steps in the process, and it’s quite complicated. It has one-third less sugar than usual fudge recipes because potatoes are naturally sweet. But the mashed potatoes also can make it runny, so I developed a secret formula to keep it firm.” Since 1989, Sandee has been shaping her spud fudge into what she has nicknamed her signature “Little Baker.” It resembles a brown baked potato in foil, topped with confections shaped like a dollop of white sour cream and a pat of golden butter. The 68-yearold makes 9,360 pounds of spud f u d g e a y e a r, nearly five tons, with most being sold at Christmas and Valentine’s Day through her business, Sandee’s Candee’s (visit www.spudfudge.com or call 877-756-4994). In addition to her signature “Little Baker,” she also makes 14 flavors of spud fudge truffles. “I’ll admit my spud fudge has made me famous. Now I’m just

waiting to get rich,” she jokes of her “Little Baker,” which sells nationally and internationally. Sandee’s spud fudge has been featured on the Food Network, in Rachel Ray’s magazine, and it has even caught the attention of Martha Stewart, who invited Sandee on her television program to show viewers how to whip up a batch. Sandee declined Martha’s invitation. Not even national acclaim could persuade her to reveal her secret recipe, a hard-won formula she devised after countless failures. “I was trying to make a chocolate-covered Easter egg and it turned out to look like a potato, so I thought why not make fudge from potatoes and shape it like a baked potato.” When Sandee started two decades ago, she worked on a hot plate. “I couldn’t afford a big kitchen. I made one batch at a time. A couple of years later, I converted a little 4-foot-square motel kitchen, and started making two batches simultaneously. In 2000, I started renting part of a county building and had this kitchen built, so now with more room I can make four, four-pound batches at once. It is still small by industry standards. Most companies make 170 pounds of fudge in one mixer.” While she jokes about fame and fortune, they do not fuel her inner fires. She gives credit for her culinary creativity to her Creator, saying her confections are an expression of her spiritual faith. “Some people say my fudge is a lucky accident gone well, but

Philanthropic ice anglers - continued from page 17 “We’ve seen helicopters pulling them out,” Keith says. He and Wayne usually fish north of a little village of about 20 ice-fishing houses that offer their owners’ some protection from weather changes. Keith is usually so focused on fishing that he is oblivious to wintertime temperatures. Even frigid weather cannot chill his enthusiasm. “I’ve been out here when it’s minus 15 with a 15 mile-an-hour wind,” he says. “The fish don’t know how cold it is.” Finally, Wayne’s patience has paid off, and he pulls a wriggling kokanee out of the hole. “Let’s call it a day,” he says. Wayne and Keith will be back another day and another season, too. Once the ice melts, they start fishing from a boat. For the two friends, any day spent fishing, regardless of what they catch, is a day well spent. ISI

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I don’t believe in luck or accidents. I give God the glory for a creative imagination,” she says. “That’s just me and what I’m about. I put lots of love into everything I make.” There are plenty of spud fudge recipes on the internet, but Sandee does not consider them to be competition. “I hear so many people tell me their potato fudge turns out runny. So did mine at first,” she says with a wink. Sandee works alone, except on her busiest holidays, when her daughter Tami helps or she hires temporary employees to fill Christmas and Valentine’s Day orders. “To make enough for Christmas, I start in September, and for Valentine’s Day, I start the last week of December or early January. At those times, I’ll work 14 to 18 hours a day. I freeze my fudge, and it doesn’t compromise the taste or quality of the chocolate.” After she fills her Christmas orders, Sandee admits the thought of returning to her kitchen challenges her. “By then, I’m burned out and sick of making fudge, so I take some time off. Then I’ll go back to start on the Valentine’s Day inventory, and

Kids in church Submitted by Julie HollarBrantley Three-year-old Reese recites the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father, Who does art in heaven, Harold is His name. Amen.” A little boy was overheard praying, “‘Lord, if you can’t make me a better boy, don’t worry about it. I’m having a real good time like I am.” After the christening of his baby brother in church, Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, “That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, and I wanted to stay with you guys.” One particular four-year-old prayed, “And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.”

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once I get started again, I think, ‘It’s not so bad.’” This month, at the Buy Idaho trade show in Boise, she plans to unveil her newest flavor in her espresso line. “It’s made with a white chocolate instead of dark, and I call it ‘mocha latte.’” Sandee always has a fresh flow of ideas for new flavors. “Next, I want to try a peanut butter and chocolate marble and a peach and raspberry ripple.” While her ventures into candy making have been gratifying, two decades of standing for hours and hours have taken a toll on her body. “This ole gray mare ain’t what she used to be,” Sandee says, laughing. “I need a knee replacement, and I’ve noticed recently I don’t quite have the stamina I once did. All my candies are individually dipped, decorated, wrapped, and labeled, so it’s a time-intensive, ARM-omatic process, not AUTO-matic.” Although spud fudge has not made her rich, she says she has been enriched with priceless experiences. “I’ve been blessed to meet countless wonderful people.” ISI A Sunday school teacher asked her children as they were on the way to church service, “And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?” One bright little girl replied, “Because people are sleeping.” A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin (5) and Ryan (3). The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. “‘If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ‘Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.’ Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, “Ryan, you be Jesus!” A father was at the beach with his children when the four-year-old son ran up to him, grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore where a seagull lay dead in the sand. “Daddy, what happened to him?” the son asked. “He died and went to Heaven,” the Dad replied. The boy thought a moment and then said, “Did God throw him back down?” ISI

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

www.portmed.org

777 Hospital Way

Pocatello, ID 83201

We’re happy to say that the doors to our new facility are scheduled to open in the summer of 2011 and there will be room for everyone. So don’t give the baby boom generation another thought…at least for today. At Portneuf, your Eastern Idaho Regional Referral Center, we will be ready to deliver MORE unparalleled healthcare and MORE advanced technology whenever you arrive. At Portneuf, we believe doing more matters.

1-877-721-MORE (6673)

www.portmed.org

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