April/May 2014

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Glacier Park Photo by Dianna Troyer

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Governor’s Conference on Aging: Inspired Aging – Inovations in Health & Wellness

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Recovering the lost art of pie making – two Montana bakers are keeping the tradition alive By Kim Thielman-Ibes There’s something about the aroma of a freshly baked, homemade pie that stirs the senses and awakens the soul. The art of making pies may become another relic, a piece of Americana relinquished to technological and less-heavenly advances like freezerready imposters and boxed-up commercial kitchen assembly lines. Luckily a pioneering spirit and pie making tradition lives on in Big Sky country. Two Montana pie makers from the Gallatin River and the base of the Rockies carry on, mastering the secrets of a truly flaky crust, whipping to perfection a stand up meringue, creating mouthwatering combinations with the illusive Montana huckleberry and elevating the common green apple to tasty new heights. For these two bakers, pie simply makes life more delectable. Eating a hard-to-come-by perfect piece of pie is akin to consuming an all-purpose elixir. With each bite, the clock ticks a little slower, problems become a little smaller, and smiles become a little wider. Though Marci Gehring has been baking pies for over eight-years along the Gallatin Valley at the Coffeepot Bakery and Café, she’s been creating them for over thirty-five. “I never get tired of making pies,” says Marci. “There’s just something so comforting about putting them together.” For Marci, they’re an expression of love and that, in a nutshell, is the only special ingredient necessary to make a killer pie. Marci bakes over a hundred pies and countless turnovers each week. Her turnovers use the same crust and filling and are essentially a piece of pie to go. Between the two, Marci insures over nine varieties are available on any given day – fruit flavors run the gamut from strawberry-huckleberry with a streusel crumb top, blackberry-pear, cherry-rhubarb and just plain old raspberry. And then consider a collection of cream pies including sour cream raisin, butterscotch cream, and chocolate cream. Finally, blend in a medley

(Continued on page 44) Gather the Hidden Eggs Just for fun, we have hidden 25 Easter eggs throughout this issue of the Montana Senior News. Can you find them and let us know the page numbers on which you found them? We will award a $25 prize to the person who finds all of the eggs. If there are multiple correct entries, the winner will be determined by a drawing. None of the hidden eggs is located within an advertisement. Have fun!

PAGE 2 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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Montana Senior News A Barrett-Whitman Publication

P.O. Box 3363 • Great Falls, MT 59403-3363 406-761-0305 or 800-672-8477 FAX 406-761-8358 montanaseniornews.com email: montsrnews@bresnan.net The Montana Senior News is published six times each year in February, April, June, August, October and December at 415 3rd Avenue North, Great Falls, MT 59401 and is distributed free to readers throughout the state of Montana. The mail subscription rate is $8.00 per year (6 issues). The Montana Senior News is written to serve the reading interests of mature Montanans 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 Montana Senior News 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 Kathleen McGregor Lisa Gebo Jonathan Rimmel Peter Thornburg Sherrie Smith

Production Supervisor Advertising Sales Advertising Sales Advertising Sales Production Assistant Graphic Designer Distribution Admin/Production Assistant

Contributing Writers Bob Campbell Connie Daugherty Clare Hafferman Sue Hart Kim Thielman-Ibes Gail Jokerst Bernice Karnop Craig Larcom Liz Larcom Michael McGough Jack McNeel Dianna Troyer © 2014

Shayla’s Grocery Store In your December/January paper, there is an article on Shayla’s Grocery Store. Many years ago my parents owned the store. I enjoyed reading the story you wrote and would love to have a couple of those papers. Is it possible to get them? Nancy Nordeen Gillette, Wyoming Ed: They are on their way!

No More Snow Your paper is and has been one of the best down home Montana styled things that has happened to the 55 and up and just good old-fashioned real folks. So thank you for a great job! My little lady shouldn’t be shoveling one foot of snow from my car anymore. Apartment living here has changed a lot in these past 10 years. So I’ll be gone, unless a white horse appears at my front door. I really hate leaving but it’s scary for sure… but “fear not” is what God kept whispering. May God continue to bless you all, and remember to keep a song in your heart. MaryJane Branson-Decker Polson

Shaping Montana In 1975, I was a new BLM employee attending BLM’s Lands and Minerals training facility in Phoenix. I still remember a question that was posed to us students: “Does anyone know why western Montana is so beautiful?” The instructor was from Idaho, and no one knew the answer. The answer is western Montana should be Idaho. He said the boundary between Idaho

and Montana was supposed to be the Continental Divide but the surveyors made a mistake at Lost Trail Pass. Jokingly the instructor said the surveyors asked their boss if a river could cross the Continental Divide – at this time they saw the Clark Fork River in front of them. The boss told them to head straight north from that point. I have not done additional research to confirm that this is true but would bet that it is. If you are curious and can prove me wrong, I would enjoy your feedback. Steve Hicks White Sulphur Springs

Print Too Small The print in the senior newspaper is too small. You’d think the print would be bigger than an average newspaper, not smaller. If it would be too expensive to have large print then make fewer letters. And I know, in order to have advertisements you need a lot of content. But do ads matter so much that you would lose readers? You can’t assume everyone has glasses. The newspaper itself is good, but the print is just too small. I read the newspaper and I think it’s good but the first time I read this newspaper I said, “Is this supposed to be for seniors?” I’m eleven, and it’s too small from my perspective. Just imagine a seventy-year-old trying to read print too small. So: Fewer letters. Bigger print. Sequoia Rhodes Eureka

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Whatever The Situation – Stay Positive! I lived in Great Falls from 1952 until 2012 and enjoyed reading the Montana Senior News. My family moved me to Bozeman where I fell and broke a hip. I am currently visiting my daughter in Indiana for the winter. Life presents many obstacles and surprises, and I find it takes about the same amount of energy to cry about a situation as to laugh about it – I choose to laugh. Enclosed is a poem I recently wrote which your readers might enjoy. Leila Williams Marion, Indiana

My New Companion By Leila Williams I have a new companion, Harry Walker is his name. Since I was introduced to him, Life hasn’t been the same. We decided not to marry, Following modern trends, So we just live as “housemates” For we are the best of friends. He takes me everywhere I go; Even takes me out to eat, And proudly goes before me As we stroll on down the street. He can’t seem to help me, though, As I struggle up the stairs, But he’s such a devoted helper, So really now, who cares? He takes me to the bedroom And then throughout the night, He stands patiently beside my bed And is morning’s welcome sight. I couldn’t live without him; It’s true love, I must admit, For without trusty Mr. Walker, I’d be chair-bound, there I’d sit. Once in a while, there are times Things get a little scary When his leg catches on furniture, The situation is hairy (Harry).

Help Honeybees This Year Most people are aware that bees are in peril. Between parasitic mites, viruses, pesticides, and a lack of good forage, bees are struggling, and

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since our food supply depends on bees to a large degree, it is in the best interest for everyone to do what we can individually, to assist them. Many hobby beekeepers have started up in recent years to help “save the bees,” and while it is a noble theme, improvement can only come from a total public effort. While mites and bee viruses can be fought though improved hive management, better forage for bees can be increased by anyone. Even small yards can support a few bee plants, while those with large yards could devote a large bed. Farmers could make a huge difference if they were to leave just one corner of a field or fence line unsprayed, and scatter flower seeds on those spots. While the mindset is to spray weeds with weed killer, those blooms provide a variety in the bee diet, which equates to better nutrition, so the spot back of the shed, or the fence row that usually gets denuded, can play a very important role in helping bees survive. Bee friendly seed mixtures are readily available. Whether you use seeds or purchased plants, bees will benefit most from later blooming varieties like asters, salvia, mint, and sage, as late summer is when bees have less food available, since we live in a desert, and the nectar flow has fallen off by then. Spraying of pesticides seems normal these days. We all fight bugs somehow. If you read the label before you purchase pesticide, it will indicate how toxic it is to bees. Choosing the mildest poison in the smallest quantity that will work is the best policy both for bees and your pocket book. If you care about bees, never spray pesticides in the middle of the day. For yard and garden, there are organic methods that will work well, but if you are going to spray bugs anyway, spraying in late evening is the best policy. The bees have pretty much gone to bed, and it gives the pesticide several hours to break down before bees begin to forage again. If you spray in the daylight, pesticideladen pollen is brought back to the hive and fed to the young. So we all can play a role, the beekeeper by using best management practices, and the property owner growing bee forage, and using common sense with chemicals. When bee habitat improves, we all benefit with increased farm production, and gardens that show significant improvement, so let’s work together. Frank Grover Boise, Idaho idahohoneybee.com MSN

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PAGE 4 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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The magic of Yellowstone National Park is a lifetime attraction. It seems that no matter how many times one has visited the Park, there is always something new and wondrous to see. We can all imagine – and some of us can recall – our first encounter with Yellowstone... Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, the mud pots (what a smell!), and bears begging from tourists (before modern bear management). This issue’s Remember When selection is by Pat Grabow of Livingston who shares part of a story about spending three summers on the shores of Yellowstone Lake with her family. Thank you, Pat for sharing this memory with our readers. Remember When contains our readers’ per-

sonal reflections, contributions describing fictional or non-fictional accounts from the “Good ol’ Days” or reflections on life in general. Contributions may be stories, letters, artwork, poetry, etc. Photos may be included. Each issue of the Montana Senior News features the contributions 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 June/July 2014 issue. Mail your correspondence to Montana Senior News, P.O. Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403; email to montsrnews@ bresnan.net; or call 1-800-672-8477 or 406-7610305. Visit us online at montanaseniornews.com.

Building the Log Girls’ Dormitory Behind Lake Lodge in Yellowstone Park By Patricia Grabow, Livingston This is the story of papa bear, mama bear, Goldilocks, and baby bear, gleefully living near the banks of Yellowstone Lake in the late 1940s and early ‘50s and of the construction of Mallard’s Dorm behind Lake Lodge as seen through the eyes of an eight-year-old (that is I). Starting with plans in 1949, my father, Harry Arnold Grabow (named after Harry Childs who built Old Faithful Inn and a good h ildi friend of my grandfather) was iin charge off b building the girls’ dormitory behind Lake Lodge. My father had worked on the 1918 addition to the Old Faithful Inn as a young man and knew log construction well. Mallard’s Dorm became a large

building made of hollowed, notched, vertical logs built to house the summer employees and administrative staff that come into Yellowstone Park each spring about the time that the migratory birds arrive. Mallard’s was single tiered in the front with a vaulted ceiling at the entrance lobby and double tiered and built into the hillside in the back. It was nestled in the tall pine trees around Yellowstone Lake and surrounded with small wild t b l t and d an occasional nettle patch strawberry plants that I learned to avoid. The forest floor was like walking on sponges because of the many generations of pine-needle carpet. Near the lodge was a huddle of log cabins that were largely log on the

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bottom half and canvas on the top. My cousin, Bill Grabow, had just graduated from architecture school at Montana State University and had designed the building working with his new associate Willson Architecture. My father had gone into business creating the AirLock Log Company with his good friend, Steve Babcock, in Thompson Falls. The logs were made and processed from the trees there and shipped to Yellowstone. Many of the buildings in Yellowstone were built from the trees in the Park originally, but the Park had long since abandoned that practice in an attempt to keep the rich ecosystem untouched. Each tree in Yellowstone itself that could have otherwise been used for building material was valued as support for an entire array of life forms from chipmunk to beetle. I know now that my father was making a living for his family, but at the age of eight, I loved three years living in the woods, absorbing every pine

scent, animal relationship, crimson sunset, and thrilling moment of his and my mother’s decision to take a job. I know it was a living for my father and family, but I lived it in another world. Yellowstone was aptly called “Wonderland” and particularly through my eyes as a child. To me, my parents filled the sky. Half of that decision to have all of us live for three summers in Yellowstone was my father’s who casually and comfortably reached 6’4” with no effort. Maybe it was because he had loved to dance all of his life that he moved through his entire life on the earth with such ease. Maybe it is because he was a remarkably kind man, that there was a peace about him. Maybe it was because he was raised, like my mother, through the efforts of his own parents in turn-of-the-century Montana. This story is the introduction to a longer article describing Pat Grabow’s memories of time spent in Yellowstone National Park. MSN

Be Sure You Have Had Your Cancer Screenings Central Montana Family Planning (CMFP) administers the Montana Cancer Screening Program (MCSP) that provides free or reduced cost mammograms, clinical breast exams, Pap tests, and pelvic exams for early detection of breast and cervical cancers, and colonoscopies and FOBT tests for the early detection of colorectal cancer. Diagnostic testing is also provided for the follow-up of abnormal screening tests. CMFP/MCSP processes all paperwork, helps with appointments and ensures proper payments of the screenings. Some financial assistance is provided through generous donations from local fundraising projects for those women or men that don’t qualify or who might have services outside of our payment schedule. The MCSP follow the screening recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force that has recently updated the screening guidelines for both breast and cervical cancer. Talk with your medical provider to determine how often you should be screened. May is Pink Ribbon Month and we encourage all people to be aware of any changes in their breasts and to be screened. If you need financial assistance, we are here for you. Our office serves the six geographical counties of Central Montana (Fergus, Judith Basin, Petroleum, Golden Valley, Musselshell, and Wheatland). For more information, call 406-535-8811 or 1-877-421-8646. MSN

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By Bernice Karnop Montanans ready to liven up after a cold and snowy winter will jump-start that process by showing up at one of the 2014 Governor’s Conferences on Aging. The theme in both Bozeman and Kalispell is Inspired Aging. Inspire, according to the American Heritage Dictionary, means to animate the mind or emotions. So, get ready to shift gears and move full speed ahead! The goal of the Governor’s Conference on Aging is to provide information relevant to issues of aging for individuals, families, and caregivers. “We have a very broad range of topics, all of them very informative, interesting, and challenging – things I think people will enjoy hearing,” says Judy Morrill, Senior Center Director in Bozeman. “We would like to invite folks from all over Montana to participate in our conference.” As many as 300 could attend at each location. The first day of both conferences will be similar as they are planned by the state. Different keynote speakers open the conferences: Kay Van Norman, a lively motivational speaker in Bozeman, and Jane Baker, who teaches memory techniques in a fun, hands-on presentation in Kalispell. Other topics to choose from include managing arthritis pain, navigating Medicaid, recognizing fraud, veteran’s issues, mental health, driving, and more. The highlight of day one will be the Centenarian Luncheon where those inspirational folks who will be, or have reached 100 years this year, are recognized. Governor Steve Bullock will be in Bozeman to hear the history their lives represent. Mini-grants are an additional event on day one. Day two is planned by the local committees. Flathead County Area IX Agency on Aging Director, Lisa Sheppard, says they will focus on home and community based services like personal care, home health, and hospice. They will also introduce some exciting and innovative programs available in the Flathead to support older adults. The Flathead Valley’s new and only geriatrician, Dr. Linda Hitchcock, will explain how her team provides assessments and makes recommendations that will help enhance wellness and help people function better on a variety of levels. The Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging will address the value of volunteerism and intergenerational

interaction. In Kalispell, individuals have the opportunity to attend a reception and tour at the Retreat at Buffalo Hills, a rehab and therapy center, sponsored by Immanuel Lutheran Communities. Day two in Bozeman starts with a keynote address by Dr. Popwell, a local neurologist who will talk about medical issues. Marcia Goetting, from MSU Extension Service and who delighted conference-goers last year, addresses a blind spot in her “You thought you knew what would happen to your property when you passed away. Think again” talk. Breakout sessions in Bozeman include healthy eating and exercise, and multifunctional agriculture and senior involvement. This one tells about how individuals can participate in sustainable agriculture and what is happening in the Gallatin Valley along these lines. Bozeman sessions also address guardianship and conservatorship, new options in long-term care and short-term care, and pain management. The Bozeman Senior Center plans a Hawaiian Luau for Thursday evening, complete with a roasted pig with an apple in its mouth. Local Hawaiian dancers will complete the island theme and send people home with a smile. The Luau also provides a chance to tour this stellar Senior Center and see all they have to offer. In addition to all the planned sessions, there will be on-site resource fairs full of information about services. People can pick up the information and take it home to read. Montana seniors will find that they have many options and services available. The $50 registration fee ($60 after April 20) includes all sessions, two luncheons, and the resource fair. The Bozeman conference meets at the Holiday Inn, and the Kalispell conference is at the Red Lion Hotel. You may register on line, www.aging.mt.gov, call 1-800-332-2272, or use the registration form on page 39 of this Montana Senior News. Check your local Senior Center for more information. “Please join us,” says Lisa Sheppard. “The real measure of a conference’s success is the participation of those who will use the information to inspire themselves and others to make Montana truly ‘the last best place’ to age.” MSN

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 7

Training Program for the Newly Blind & Visually Impaired

Red Hatters To Meet In Missoula

Losing vision is a very difficult adjustment for an adult but it isn’t the end of the world. That’s why every year the Montana Association for the Blind sponsors a summer program at Carroll College in Helena to help adults adjust to vision loss. The 2014 session will be held June 14 – July 12. Students taught by certified orientation and mobility instructors will learn how to get around safely in their homes and communities. In addition, cooking, Braille, computers, woodworking, aids to daily living, and use of low vision devices are among the courses taught. Students are housed in a dormitory and all meals are provided. Costs for the program are covered through the Montana Association for the Blind and Montana’s Blind and Low Vision Services. The ages of students range from teenagers to over 90. Applications are now available for enrollment in the 2014 session. If you, or someone you know, might benefit from attending the program, please call or write the association for an application and a brochure at 406-442-9411 or P.O. Box 465, Helena, MT 59624. MSN

Missoula Area Red Hatters are hosting the state 2014 Red Hat Gathering at the Holiday Inn Parkside, Friday-Sunday, September 19-21, 2014. This year’s theme is “Riches to Rags.� Red Hatters are a worldwide sisterhood whose main purpose is to have FUN. It is a nurturing women’s organization for spreading joy and companionship while they wear red hats and purple outfits for women over 50 years of age, and pink hats and lavender outfits for women under 50. The cost of the three-day event is $150, which includes three meals, fabulous entertainment, many door prizes, and lots of FUN. There are also vendors selling Red Hat items. The final date for registration is August 15, 2014. Submit your registration ASAP. We have a limited number of spots available. For more information, visit orgsites.com/mt/redhatters, orgsites.com/mt/ convergence, or contact Carma Gilligan at 406-549-8055 or E-mail bobcat4me@bresnan. net. MSN

The best history is but like the art of Rembrandt; it casts a vivid light on certain selected causes, on those which were best and greatest; it leaves all the rest in shadow and unseen. – Walter Bagehot

Tax season is taxing enough – do not fall victim to scam artists this time of the year Provided by AARP During tax time, most consumers are focused on getting their returns filed and are perhaps looking forward to spending a refund. Unfortunately, con artists are looking for ways to scam you during tax season. Every year, tax season is prime time for scammers and the scams are getting pretty slick. Don’t get taken. Here are some of the most common scams this season. Phishing Scams: Among the scams making the rounds again this filing season is a twist on “phishing� scams. E-mail scammers are impersonating the Internal Revenue Service. Across the nation, hundreds of thousands of people are receiving bogus e-mails claiming to be from the government’s tax-collection agency. Bearing the IRS logo, the messages offer

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tax refunds and direct consumers to an authenticlooking IRS “clone” website that requires the taxpayer to disclose personal information before the refund can be claimed. Federal investigators say a dozen Web sites operated by people in 18 countries are hosting versions of this “phishing” scheme – so called because the perpetrators are fishing for personal data. “Pay the Tax and Get a Prize” Scam: You receive a call or an official-looking notification saying

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that you have won a prize. The promoter claims that you have to pay taxes in order to receive your winnings. Don’t believe it! If you have really won a prize, you may need to make an estimated tax payment to cover the taxes that will be due at the end of the year. But the payment would go to the IRS, not the prize promoter after you receive your winnings. Whether you have won cash, a car, or a trip, a legitimate prize giver should send you a Form 1099 showing the total prize value that should be reported on your tax return. Armed Forces Refund Scam: Consumers need to beware of any variation of a scenario in which a telephone caller posing as a government employee tells a family member that he is entitled to a $4,000 refund because his relative is in the Armed Forces and then requests a credit card number to cover a $42 fee for postage. The scammer provides an actual IRS toll-free number as the call back number in order to make the call seem legitimate. However, the scammer then makes numerous unauthorized purchases with the victim’s credit card number. Social Security Refund Scam: If you’re offered refunds for Social Security taxes paid during your lifetime, don’t be fooled — the law doesn’t allow such a refund. The scam artist usually asks victims to pay a “paperwork” fee of $100. The con artist keeps your $100 and you get nothing. Phony Tax Preparer Scam: Unfortunately, tax season is the time of year when some con artists

take on the role of tax preparer. Unscrupulous preparers — many of whom disappear after the tax season — inflate a taxpayer’s return with fictitious expenses, false deductions, and unallowable credits. Then they take a portion of the inflated refund as their fee. The preparer files the falsified tax report electronically and tells the taxpayer that the refund will be sent to them directly. Meanwhile, the victim pays the con artist the inflated fee and may never receive their refund. On top of getting ripped-off, the taxpayer could be investigated for tax fraud. AARP serves as a resource on all sorts of scams and fraud. A big part of what we do is education and training on fraud and scams. We know the best kind of consumer protection is the kind where the crime doesn’t find the victim in the first place, which is why we began the AARP Fraud Watch Network. To find out more about prevention of scams and fraud or to sign up for “Watchdog Alerts” log onto the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/FraudWatchNetwork. People who believe they are a victim of fraud contact the Office of Consumer Protection at doj. mt.gov/consumer or call 800-481-6896 or 406-4444500 or via e-mail at contactocp@mt.gov. To locate an AARP Tax-Aide site, visit MontanaFreeFile.org or call 1-888-AARPNOW (1-888227-7669). MSN

What’s Your Legacy? Keeping Wealth in Montana to Build our Communities Montana has a long history of exporting its assets, starting with the silver and copper mines in Butte and continuing to this day. Montana is an aging state. Many of our young people are moving away in search of job opportunities. Unfortunately, many of them don’t return. What does this mean for the future of our state? It means that we will continue to export assets and wealth that we need here to create jobs, build more vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in the Big Sky state.

Many Montanans have been here their entire lives. They have built a successful business, sustained productive farms and ranches, built professional practices, or just worked hard and saved money. We also have many newcomers who fall in love with our state and bring their talents and treasures with them. When these productive people pass away, they often leave 100% of their assets to their children, children who don’t live here anymore or never did. What are we leaving behind then to nurture the communities that we love and

COUNCIL ON AGING MONEY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (MMP) The Council on Aging Money Management Program is designed for Seniors, At-Risk Adults, or anyone who is having difficulty managing their personal financial affairs focusing on making sure critical financial service needs are met and providing an advocate to prevent exploitation or abuse. The Money Management Program is a fee-for-service program based on a sliding scale according to income.

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cherish? How can we sustain healthy communities, thriving community organizations, and prosperous businesses? Part of the answer is to leave a legacy to support what you love about Montana, about your community and about your life here. The Montana Community Foundation commissioned a study in 2010 on the Intergenerational Transfer of Wealth occurring right now in Montana. In the United States, we are undergoing the biggest intergenerational transfer of wealth in our history as the “Greatest Generation” leaves assets to the Baby Boomers. In Montana, this transfer is happening even faster because of our aging population. Our research shows that between 2010 and 2020, $12 billion will pass from one generation to the next in our state. To see the transfer prediction for the county in which you live, visit http://www. mtcf.org/pdfs/TOW_Counties.pdf. If all Montanans who passed away left just 5% of their assets to endowments to benefit their community or favorite charities, our state would have an additional $619 million in permanent assets. With 5% granted from the endowments each

year, we would have an additional $31 million to feed hungry kids; help senior citizens; build parks and youth sports fields; preserve open spaces; support libraries, museums and theatres; beautify our downtowns; promote economic development and so much more. What legacy do you want to leave behind? Montana Community Foundation, or any one of our forty-five local community foundation affiliates across Montana, can help you fulfill your charitable goals by accepting your gift to the endowment for your local community. You can also start your own permanent endowment fund to benefit your favorite Montana charities or causes. You can build the endowment through current gifts, a future gift, or both. Gifts can be made in the form of cash, stock, land, crops, or livestock. A future gift could include making your endowment fund a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, retirement plan, or estate bequest. The endowment can be designated to certain charitable causes each year, or you can decide which organizations to grant to each year. Are you passionate about kids’ sports? Your endowment

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 9

could support your local youth sports teams every year. Do you visit the library every week? Your endowment could buy new books and materials for your local library. Would you like to help kids go to college? Your endowment could provide annual scholarships in your name forever. Do you want to honor your family’s legacy of farming? Your endowment could be named for the family farm and benefit your rural area. Montana is unique in that its taxpayers can take advantage of the Montana Endowment Tax Credit for all planned gifts made to permanent endowments. The Montana Endowment Tax Credit is one of the best tax credits offered to Montana taxpayers. We can help you set up a planned gift in minutes that could save you thousands in state income taxes. What’s your legacy? Let us help you decide. For more information about how you can create your own charitable legacy, call the Montana Community Foundation at 406-443-8313 or visit our website at www.mtcf.org. MSN

Guns – It All Depends On Where You Live Submitted by Julie Hollar You may have heard on the news about a Southern California man who was put under 72-hour psychiatric observation when it was found he owned 100 guns and allegedly had (by rough estimate) 100,000 rounds of ammunition stored in his home. The house also featured a secret escape tunnel. By Southern California standards, someone owning 100,000 rounds would be called “mentally unstable.” But imagine if he lived elsewhere – how would he have been described? In Arizona, he’d be called “an avid gun collector.” In Arkansas, he’d be called “a novice gun collector.”

In Utah, he’d be called “moderately well prepared,” but they’d probably reserve judgment until they made sure that he had a corresponding quantity of stored food.” In Kansas, he’d be “a guy down the road you would want to have for a friend.” In Montana, he’d be called “the neighborhood ‘go-to’ guy.” In Alabama, he’d be called “a likely gubernatorial candidate.” In Georgia, he’d be called “an eligible bachelor.” In North Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi, and South Carolina he would be called “a deer hunting buddy.” Finally, in Texas he would be just “Bubba, who’s a little short on ammo.” MSN

More interesting GCA on page 38 You Can Prevent Falls….. One Step At A Time ͻ dalk to your doctor about recent falls or your concern for falls ͻ Zeǀŝeǁ your ŵedŝcaƟons ǁŝtŚ your doctor or ƉŚarŵacŝst ͻ 'et your ǀŝsŝon cŚecked ͻ <eeƉ your Śoŵe safe

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Never Leaving Las Vegas (And it’s not for the reasons you may think) By Kim Thielman-Ibes After four whirlwind days zipping around Las Vegas (seriously, we actually did do a zip line), a friend and I find ourselves with an unscheduled hour, sixty full minutes to do with what we will. Afraid that if we actually sat down at this point we might not ever get up, we trekked over to Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat thinking its spa-like atmosphere might give us the energy we’d need to finish out the next 24 hours of our trip. The cool blue waters of the dolphin pools, surrounded by lush green foliage, and a calm, soothing ambiance, did indeed create a Zen-like, relaxing atmosphere. Watching the trainers work with these smart, beautiful creatures as they flipped, walked on their flukes backwards in water, tossed balls, and happily gulped down fish did induce a calming influence from the incredible adventure called Las Vegas. Adjacent to the dolphin pools, retired master illusionists, magicians, and entertainers, Siegfried and Roy, have created a preserve for the animals they’ve worked with over the years. Wandering through the reserve, where their white lions, spotted, Asian, and golden tigers live, we found Siegfried playing magic tricks with a small boy in front of the snow-white tiger habitat. He stopped for a few moments, took pictures with us, and spoke to us about his concern about this majestic creature. Apparently he had to be separated from his mate over marital issues and was understandably upset. I walked away thinking, only in Las Vegas. I’d had many of those thoughts over the five days we spent in Sin City, where as the saying goes, what happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas. Oddly

enough, given all the adventures, not one included gambling. I didn’t pull a lever, push a button, play a card, or place a bet of any kind – who has that kind of time! Since I don’t gamble, I wouldn’t have called myself your typical Las Vegas visitor, but like this city I have evolved. Las Vegas is nothing, if not a city of reinvention. Today the non-gambling activities on and off the strip are more fun than ever, diverse, and worth multiple trips back to this twinkling city. Sightseeing alone could have taken up our five days (though it did not, we squeezed this in between escapades). From the allout, expect nothing less, but larger-than-life, fine art and architectural designs, sculptures, and displays that grace each and every resort interior, to the Disney-like quality of a stroll down the strip – it really does feel as if you’ve fallen down a rabbit hole. There are so many must-sees, including the 2,000-square foot, hand-blown Chihuly glass ceiling at the Bellagio, to the spectacular 200-plus aluminum canoe sculpture in front of Vdara, and on a smaller scale the charming Beatle-mania sprinkled throughout the Mirage, a nod to the new Cirque du Soleil Beatle’s Love production, all worthwhile and fun venues. It’s best to have a designated walker to hang on to while strolling down the strip; this will allow you to take in the extraordinary sights without either running into or over your fellow visitors. Here, you can actually have your picture taken with Minnie and Mickey (or as we did with Alan and his tiger, a character from the movie Hangover). Sightseeing off the strip is equally mesmerizing. Just a limo ride away, Sundance Helicopters flew us over Hoover Dam, past the circular walkway overlooking its rim, for a champagne picnic on a picturesque plateau within the Grand Canyon. In the revitalized downtown core, the newly opened National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement – otherwise known as the Mob Museum, really got our attention, especially when our tour leader told us some of the old Vegas crew are known to stroll through its storied exhibits from time to time. A short drive away, Mesquite is the place for golf, and though we unfortunately didn’t have time

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to swing a club, I walked away with a promise to come back and golf as many of their 14 area golf courses as I could. They are stunning with their links wrapped around ancient red rock outcroppings. Along with the first class digs at the Eureka Resort, the Awesome Adventure Park (where we

zip lined and you can drive Rally Cars, rock climb, or try a 3-D archery range) and the affordable spa packages at CasaBlanca Resorts, it’s was a shame we only had a day to spend there. Our nights were filled with a variety of shows: Celine Dion, Jersey Boys, and Cirque du Soleil.

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 11

Truly, Las Vegas contains a depth, breadth, and variety of evening entertainment that is simply unequalled anywhere else. In between we sandwiched in spa treatments. And the food – don’t get me started. Las Vegas… who has time to gamble? MSN

Complaints from Travelers Submitted by Julie Hollar “One sign of an accomplished traveler is that you do not laugh openly at any of these complaints. Instead, you manage to sit at a dining table away from people who would say such things. We should admit, however, that after we have actually heard such statements, we will remember them forever and perhaps mention them to others at some later date.” – Tour Guide with 20 yrs. experience Following are actual complaints received by Thomas Cook Vacations from dissatisfied customers. 1. “I think it should be explained in the brochure that the local convenience store does not sell proper biscuits like custard creams or ginger nuts.” 2. “It’s lazy of the local shopkeepers in Puerto Vallarta to close in the afternoons. I often needed to buy things during ‘siesta’ time – this should be banned.” 3. “On my holiday to Goa in India, I was disgusted to find that almost every restaurant served

curry. I don’t like spicy food.” 4. “We booked an excursion to a water park but no-one told us we had to bring our own swimsuits and towels. We assumed it would be included in the price.” 5. “The beach was too sandy. We had to clean everything when we returned to our room.” 6. “We found the sand was not like the sand in the brochure. Your brochure shows the sand as white but it was more yellow.” 7. “They should not allow topless sunbathing on the beach. It was very distracting for my husband who just wanted to relax.” 8. “No-one told us there would be fish in the water. The children were scared.” 9. “Although the brochure said that there was a fully equipped kitchen, there was no egg-slicer in the drawers.” 10. “We went on holiday to Spain and had a problem with the taxi drivers as they were all Spanish.” 11. “The roads were uneven and bumpy, so

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we could not read the local guide book during the bus ride to the resort. Because of this, we were unaware of many things that would have made our holiday more fun.” 12. “It took us nine hours to fly home from Jamaica to England. It took the Americans only three hours to get home. This seems unfair.” 13. “I compared the size of our one-bedroom suite to our friends’ three-bedroom and ours was significantly smaller.” 14. “The brochure stated, ‘No hairdressers at the resort.’ We are trainee hairdressers and we think they knew and made us wait longer for service.” 15. “There were too many Spanish people there. The receptionist spoke Spanish, and the food was Spanish. No one told us that there would be so many foreigners.” 16. “We had to line up outside to catch the boat and there was no air-conditioning.” 17. “It is your duty as a tour operator to advise us of noisy or unruly guests before we travel.” 18. “I was bitten by a mosquito. The brochure did not mention mosquitoes.” 19. “My fiancé and I requested twin-beds when we booked, but instead we were placed in a room with a king bed. We now hold you responsible and want to be re-reimbursed for the fact that I became pregnant. This would not have happened if you had put us in the room that we booked.” MSN

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Recommended Reading By Connie Daugherty The Grey Ghost Murders by Keith McCafferty; Viking, 2013 “For years, Sean Stranahan had told anyone who cared to ask that the reason he went fishing was to think. On the river, thoughts didn’t pile on top of each other the way they tended to on land…. Sean would never make an important decision without turning it over first with a fly rod in his hands. But lately… he fished to erase the burden of thought, to immerse himself in the moment.” In The Grey Ghost Murders, Keith McCafferty’s second novel, fly-fishing private detective, Sean Stranahan, finds himself trying to solve two different cases that seemingly have nothing in common. The disappearance of a vintage and valuable fly, the Grey Ghost, and the improbable murder and burial of two men on a Montana mountain. A User’s Guide — Volume One “The grizzly sow Wit & Wisdom by Gwen Petersen, Ranch Woman & wasn’t picky… her two Birth Mother of the MT Cowboy Poetry Gathering cubs, grown to the size of border collies… watched 10&.4 t 4503*&4 t )6.03 as their mother wrenched 00 plus $200 shipping the decomposed body from the earth… she greedily tore at the tatORDER TODAY! Mail check to: ters of clothing.” When Gwen Petersen, P.O. Box 1255, Big Timber, MT 59011 a search dog finds the or call: 406-932-4227 | sagebrsh@ttc-cmc.net graves of two bodies on Sphinx Mountain near Bozeman, Sheriff Martha Ettinger suspects murder. But the grizzlyscavenged bodies don’t

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provide many clues – just a hole in the skull that appears to be caused by a bullet. “Harold Little Feather was the first to crest the rise of land…. Sheriff Martha Ettinger, a few steps down the ridge, raised her eyes…. They’d been conducting the conversation in whispers… they were working out tracks, trying to solve a riddle etched onto the surface of the earth.” Then the bear attacked. “Harold was down as if struck by a bat, the bear shaking him… as it worried his left arm.” Then it was over, an Air Mercy helicopter evacuated Harold to Hyalite Deaconess Hospital, and the rest of the search party trudged down the hill and drove back into town. With Harold Little Feather, her best tracker, out of commission, Sheriff Ettinger reluctantly asks Sean Stranahan for help. It isn’t that she doesn’t trust Sean’s abilities; it’s just that he’s a civilian and they have a history. Sean Stranahan is a recent newcomer to the Montana’s Gallatin Valley; but after fourteen months, he has become happily established in his new home. He has his art, his fly-fishing, plenty of new friends, and occasional work as a private detective. And he is good at what he does. “Sean realized… that he had been leading a largely pedestrian life since the previous summer. He painted pictures and he guided anglers. The day-to-day provided a living… but it didn’t elevate his heart rate. The bodies on the mountain engaged his fascination, but Martha Ettinger had made it clear that his involvement would remain marginal.” Then he is hired by the Madison River Liars and Fly Tiers Club, a group of eccentric anglers, to find an irreplaceable fly called the Grey Ghost. Now he has two interesting puzzles to solve

APRIL/MAY 2014

and a date with the barista from Lookers and Lattes as well. None of which is exactly heart rate elevating, but together they do provide a change in his routine. He finds himself caring more about the veterinary student/barista than he had expected he would and she seems to return his feelings. Then he becomes more than a marginal participant in the search for whoever killed those men on the mountain. Meanwhile he is knocking on doors, asking questions, searching for clues to who might have stolen the Grey Ghost. “He frowned inwardly. A little more than two hours had passed since Martha Ettinger showed him the bullet. You didn’t just knock on a door on an unrelated matter and find the man who owned the rifle that shot that bullet.” Or did you? And even if there is a connection between the man and the gun, how does that connect to what happened up on the mountain? Sean has more questions than answers as he continues knocking on doors. “Sean felt himself drawn to Emmitt Cummings… salt of the earth, roll up their sleeves, and do anything they could for you.” Emmitt Cummings, a local rancher, and the only year-round resident, acts as the de-facto caretaker for some of the properties including the cabin owned by the Liars and Fly Tiers Club. “Sean walked back to his rig thinking rivers, sky and people – this is why I’ll never go east again.”

Although his conversation with Emmitt felt comfortable and reassured Sean of the basic goodness in most human beings, it did not provide him with any answers either to the missing Grey Ghost, or to how a wealthy man with an expensive and rare gun would be connected to the murder and burial of two men on a Montana mountain. As he keeps searching, keeps his “eyes on the edges of the case,” Sean finds more pieces to the puzzle, but he can’t seem to fit them together. The how and the why of the situation just don’t quite work out. He comes up with a theory about the missing Grey Ghost also, but it doesn’t lead him to where he thought it would. The answer is there, right in front of him but just out of his grasp. Then he comes up with an idea and a plan. “Stranahan was an instinctive person who felt his way toward a decision and found that water helped… the current shifted the weight in some inscrutable way so that he felt the decision in his heart without knowing why or how the balance had tipped.” In tipping that balance, will Sean find the answers he is looking for? Can he solve the crimes without putting himself and those he cares about in danger? Nothing is as it seems in The Grey Ghost Murders. With spring and fly fishing season almost at hand, Keith McCafferty’s second Sean Stranahan novel is good before the weather heats up.

Recommended Reading By Connie Daugherty Works Cited: An Alphabetical Odyssey of Mayhem and Misbehavior by Brandon R. Schrand, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln 2013 Most bibliophiles have favorite books that they are sure somehow influenced or directed their lives. Many of us can remember when we read a particular book, the person who introduced us to the book – or to the joy of reading. Brandon Schrand is no exception. And in his recent memoir, he traces the important moments of his life through the books. “I acknowledge that books themselves cannot save your life,” he writes in the acknowledgements. “Not in any literal sense. But if I misread my ways into mayhem and misbehavior for so many years, I was able, finally to read my way to some kind of safety. That journey is my story.” Schrand’s story, Works Cited: An Alphabetical Odyssey of Mayhem and Misbehavior, is a cleverly developed and skillfully written memoir presented in MLA annotated bibliography style – from the first chapter, Abbey, Edward to the last chapter, Wolff, Tobias. The organization is more-or-less chronological. Each chapter introduces the reader to at least one book by the cited author, as well as to at least one aspect of Schrand’s life. This technique is not only unusual; it is a fun and inviting way to bring the reader into the story. Works Cited becomes more than one person’s story, because as Schrand examines his reactions to the books of his life he sets a scene in history and allows readers to re-connect with those familiar books, times and places. “When I was eleven… I picked up a particular book about a gang of goofy kids whose lives I wanted to be my own so badly that it left me aching in the joyous way books often leave us: high, yet abandoned somehow.” In the chapter headed, Brinley, Bertrand R., Schrand introduces the reader to the world of books and how a childhood book influenced his experience. Another boy’s author Schrand recalls is Samuel Clemens. “After the Children’s Bible but before The Mad Scientist’s Club there was The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn… I read the entire thing aloud to my grandmother and several women who worked in the café… the spell it cast over me.” Schrand was not so enamored with Dickens, but not without his own expectations. He had convinced himself that, “college was what other people did… not the rocker kid.” Not the “C student.” However, encouraged by his friends and having nothing better to do at the time, Brandon Schrand packs eight “to-read-for-college” in his trunk and heads off for college.

In the chapter headed, Abbey, Edward Schrand recalls his first days of college. “I had fled my hometown of Soda Springs, Idaho for Southern Utah University… plunk down the sage-brush-born, cow-shit-on-his-shoes, first-generation college kid in beautiful scenery inhabited by beautiful girls and be amazed that he doesn’t ditch classes… he is a nineteenyear-old boy who has confused the wondrous burdens of independence for manhood.” Thus begins the Odyssey of Mayhem and Misbehavior, citations of

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 13

Well-written with just enough fly fishing lore, just enough romance, just enough Montana character and humor to hook your interest and with plenty of intrigue and twists to keep the pages turning until the very end. Keith McCafferty is the Survival and Outdoor Skills editor of Field and Stream. He has won numerous awards including the Robert Traver Award for angling literature. He is the author of The Royal Wulff Murders and lives with his wife in Bozeman. The Grey Ghost Murders is his second novel. MSN

PAGE 14 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

APRIL/MAY 2014

Schrand’s memoir. During his first year of college, Schrand learns about fraternities, girls, acid, drinking, pot smoking, and meets The Great Gatsby and Strunk and White. He quickly discovered that he “felt out of place on campus, in my own skin, in social settings.” However, he found comfort and a moment of success in English 101. “The skies were clear and I felt like I was living, breathing, thinking for the first time in my life. The essay was a small success, but it was my first moment of validation in college, the first time I felt like I could really cut it.” And cut it he would, just not that year. But before he flunked out he rediscovered Hemmingway. Reading, writing, and that newly discovered need for an academic connection – “those golden days when everything existed in abstract” – eventually

brings Schrand back to the university, back to discovering more of his life through books, and back to writing and publishing an underground newspaper. Then one day on a boat in Lake Powell there was that one special girl and love, and finally graduation. In Morrison, Toni, he focuses on his final year as an undergraduate, the struggle, and the determination. Then it was marriage, graduate school, and searching for a thesis project. In the chapter headed Lopez, Barry he has an epiphany. “Maybe you could write about rural Idaho, I thought, and maybe people would actually read it.” Maybe it should be a story about his not-soordinary family and his not-so-unusual upbringing in a small Idaho town. Meanwhile Schrand has a family to support and classes to teach as well as his own academic work to do. He discovers Running in the Family by Michael Ondaatje. “My experience, then, reading the book was schizophrenic…. I would read this or that passage

about a strange family… and would be reminded of this or that story from my own life… it’s a book I always keep near at hand. A kind of manual.” In Orwell, George through Wolff, Tobias Schrand explores more of life’s changes, where he was, what he was reading, and how he reacted when the World Trade Center came down. Making difficult choices, the value of friendship, and finally growing up – sort of. Works Cited: An Alphabetical Odyssey of Mayhem and Misbehavior, while fully Brandon Schrand’s story, is one of those rare memoirs that is also everyone’s story. It is a story for anyone who has ever had a relationship with a book – serious, classical literature or cheap airport paperback. It is a must read for any book lover anywhere. Brandon R. Schrand is an assistant professor of creative writing at the University of Idaho. His book, was a River Teeth Literary Nonfiction prizewinner and a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection. MSN

Montanans Smile: Water Is More Valuable Than Oil By Bob Campbell This year we were concerned we were facing a drought that could mean crop failure and increased forest fires. In March we were hit with flooding which is an example of how quickly our weather can change. Areas of the world are being divided between winners who have access to clean fresh water and losers who do not. Montana is a big winner because of our vast watershed and our ability to capture water in our statewide system of rivers and reservoirs. But to be usable it must be kept free from pollution so it can be used by our citizens and will increase in value for future generations. In July of 1969, our first astronauts on the moon sent back a picture of our unique blue planet surrounded by the cold emptiness of space. Although the oceans support marine life, land plants and animals cannot survive without a source of clean fresh water. In this country we have always taken for granted that we had an inexhaustible supply

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and it allowed our cities to grow and increase the productivity of our agricultural land. We created a breadbasket that produced far more food than we needed and it created wealth by selling it to other countries. Early in our state’s history we had warning signs of large-scale water pollution from thousands of abandoned mining claims that were leaking into our underground water supplies. Corporations too big to regulate were influencing elections and blocked effective regulation and inspections. This year the residents of West Virginia and North Carolina awoke to find their drinking water polluted from large coal ash spill upstream. The same leaking wastewater is also a problem in the groundwater surrounding the Colstrip coal fired plants and other areas of Montana. Poplar has paid an enormous price for the loss of its underground water supply that began in the 1950s. Now fracking is approaching Poplar and they have every right to be concerned about the false promises that corporations can best protect their ground water quality. The worldwide depletion of clean water means that if we invest in protecting our water in Montana it will be more valuable than the overflowing barrels of oil in North Dakota. To do this depends upon our commitment to maintain and protect our constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. MSN

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DISCOVERMONTANA Montana State Parks Trivia By Bernice Karnop Summer in Montana invites citizens of all stripes to don their hiking boots, grab a picnic, and head for the great outdoors. While many have a favorite spot, it’s a good time to remember that some special places in the state have been set aside for public use. Forty-three different pristine areas in Montana are State Parks, open and accessible to all of us. What a concept! That means there are some close to where you live, and there are some that you probably have not visited. The Parks were set aside for various reasons, historical, geological, and recreational. Wildlife, scenery, and fresh air are some of the

blessings few states enjoy to the degree Montanans can. The history here is amazing. We have Lewis and Clark, Indian culture, mining, and the fur traders, to name a few, and State Parks give you access to the stories. Check out this Montana State Park Trivia and build a bucket list for this summer. 1. Flathead Lake is the largest natural fresh-water lake west of the Mississippi River. Montana maintains six stellar states parks here along this glacier-carved beauty. 2. Wild Horse Island in Flathead Lake protects 2,000 acres of prairie environment, wildlife, and historic resources. Access is regulated. 3. Pirogue Island is also isolated and undeveloped. It’s in the middle of the Yellowstone River north of Miles City. It’s home to wildlife and birds. Some people go there to hunt Montana’s wonderful moss agates. 4. Montana’s first territorial capital is now a ghost town, but it is a fun ghost town to visit. Bannack’s empty buildings, echoing board walks, and sagebrush hillsides fuel the imagination. No one should be surprised to see a ghost here. Granite State Park east of Phillipsburg, is another classic ghost town – a high-clearance vehicle is recommended. 5. Fort Owen is older than the ghost towns. The adobe and log buildings are what are left of the first permanent white settlement in the state.

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6. Chief Plenty Coups’ home stands under big cottonwood trees near Pryor on the Crow Indian Reservation. Visitors may walk through his house, visit the sacred spring, and stroll around on the peaceful farm. 7. Lewis and Clark Caverns provides hiking both above and below the ground. These caves may be the most beautiful limestone caverns you will see, featuring massive stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and flowstone. 8. Lost Creek State Park, just over a mile out of Anaconda, boasts pink and white granite formations 1,200 feet high. A short hike takes visitors to the 50-foot Lost Creek Falls. 9. Montana’s biggest State Park is Makoshika, near the North Dakota border at Glendive. Roads and trails dip into the whimsical badland formations, while the visitor center explains the geology, fossils, and prehistoric life. 10. The Missouri is a big river that travels far from home. Missouri Headwater’s State Park shows you the birthplace of this giant at the confluence of the Madison, the Jefferson, and the Gallatin Rivers. It hasn’t changed much since Lewis and Clark found it. 11. Giant Springs State Park on the eastern edge of Great Falls is another site that delighted the Corps of Discovery. It delights today’s visitors as well. In addition to the “giant” bubbling spring, one may visit the fish hatchery, access the River’s Edge Trail, see an array of wild birds, and visit the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. MSN

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Read This Carefully, Think About It, And Then Choose Submitted by Jim Meade John is the kind of guy you wonder about. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, “If I were any better, I would be twins!” He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, John was there helping the employee look on the positive side of the situation. Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, “I don’t get it! You can’t be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?” He replied, “Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or... you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or... I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept the complaining or... I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.” “Yeah, right, it’s not that easy,” I protested. “Yes, it is,” he said. “Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations You choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood The bottom line: It’s your choice how you live your life.” I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it. Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of

surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. I saw him about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, “If I were any better, I’d be twins. Wanna see my scars?” I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place. “The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter,” he replied. “Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices – I could choose to live or... I could choose to die. I chose to live.” “Weren’t you scared? Did you lose consciousness?” I asked. He continued, “The paramedics were great! They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got very scared. The look in their eyes said, ‘He’s a dead man.’” “I knew I needed to take action.” “What did you do?” I asked. “Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,” said John. “She asked if I was allergic to anything. ‘Yes, I replied.’ The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, ‘Gravity!’ “Over their laughter, I told them, ‘I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.’” John lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. And attitude, after all, is everything. As Matthew so wisely said in his gospel (Matthew 6:34), “Therefore do not worry about tomor-

row, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. MSN

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APRIL/MAY 2014

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Finally, spring is here – albeit a bit hesitant. And we even have some snow pack that will give us plenty of water for summer play! Now we know there is nothing but buds, blossoms, and bountiful gardens ahead for the next six months or so. Wouldn’t this be a good time to reach out and share the bounty of your heart with new friends or even someone special? Take time today to write a personal ad or reply to one of the personal ads on these pages. To respond to any of these personal ads, simply forward your message, address, phone number, or email address to the department number listed in the particular personal ad, c/o Montana Senior News, P.O. Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. We will forward your response, including your address, phone number, and/or email address to the person placing the ad. When 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 be 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 and prepare your own ad to run in our next issue. There is no charge for this service, and your ad may lead you down the path of true love! Responses to personal ads appearing in this column can be submitted at any time. However, to place a personal ad in the June/July 2014 issue, the deadline is May 10, 2014. 62 year old male, 6’1”, slender build. I was a horse trainer for over 40 years. Welder for 35 years. I like the outdoors, still love being around horses, love doing yard work, like going out to eat, and love to snuggle with a nice woman. I love the Lord. I’m easy going. Belgrade area. If you are a woman who shares these interests, please reply. Reply MSN, Dept. 30401, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWM seeks single lady seeking good man to cuddle with – I will cuddle with you. Looks and age unimportant. I do not smoke or drink. I live in Great Falls. My home is all paid for. Reply with photo and phone. I will answer all

replies. Reply MSN, Dept. 30402, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF, 81, 5’2” 130 lbs, look younger, in good health. I’m looking for an honest, non-smoking, male companion in the Butte area. I like scenic drives, movies, yard sales, travel, and concerts. I’ll answer all replies. Reply MSN, Dept. 30403, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF, Widow, 5’5”, 125 lbs, blue eyes, white hair, non-smoker, non-drinker, no drugs. I would like a male friend with old-fashioned values, who’s honest, gentle, a gentleman, to share some time with in the Flathead area. I like boating, RV, travel, reading, music, theater, and good conversation. Could we be a match? Reply MSN, Dept. 30404, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF, 75 years young. Happily retired and enjoying life. I keep busy doing many things. I am a petite lady in good health looking for a gentleman who respects a lady. I don’t do drugs, smoke, and only have a friendly beer once in a while. I like to travel, take drives, play a little bingo, pinochle, a game of pool, dance to the old-time music, fish, or just go for a walk in the park. Looking for a companion that can be a best friend and enjoy life. If interested please send a letter, I would enjoy hearing from you. Reply MSN, Dept. 30405, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF. I am looking to correspond with a nice caring gentleman 70–85 who likes to show love to a woman and is kind, considerate, and honest. I’m full figured and a good cook. 78 years young. Have lived in Montana 22 years, have a few acres, and love the outdoors. Do have some health issues but still do my own chores. Answer this ad to learn more about me. Reply MSN, Dept. 30406, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. WWF seeks gentleman in not too late years who is healthy, stable, and secure in many ways; who isn’t on drugs, smokes, or has other bad habits; who can travel, would like to correspond with a healthy light haired, attractive, slim older young lady, who has young ideas, likes country music, arts, crafts, gardening. I am very honest with oldfashioned values and also a good listener. Drop me a line and a picture. You won’t be sorry if you ever meet me as I am a one-of-a-kind faithful person. Reply MSN, Dept. 30407, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403.

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SWF early 60s, 5’5”, fluffy, attractive, faithful, funny, longtime recovered alcoholic, outspoken, opinionated, tenderhearted, and romantic. Looking for a compassionate, conservative Christian man who doesn’t drink, gamble, abuse drugs, or smoke (indoors). If our friendship grows into love, are you willing to relocate to Hamilton? I prefer slim to medium build, but age, height, and race aren’t important. Honesty, an open heart, depend-

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 21

ability, and loving Jesus are. I enjoy camping, picnics, dancing, singing, my 12 step program, church, games, cards, TV, movies, plays, art, affection, laughter, eating out, and good conversation. Please enclose a photo and address with letter. I’ll respond likewise. Reply MSN, Dept. 30408, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. MSN

Mermaid of a Whale? Submitted by Julie Hollar-Brantley Recently, in a large city in Australia, a poster featuring a young, thin, tan woman appeared in the window of a gym. It said, “This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?” A middle-aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded in a public letter to the question posed by the gym. To Whom It May Concern, Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans.) They have an active sex life, get pregnant, and have adorable baby whales. They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing themselves with shrimp. They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia, the Bering Sea, and the coral reefs of Polynesia. Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs. They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans.

They are loved, protected, and admired by almost everyone in the world. Mermaids don’t exist. If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity crisis. Fish or human? They don’t have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them, not to mention how could they have sex? Just look at them... where is it? Therefore, they don’t have kids either. Not to mention, who wants to get close to a girl who smells like a fish store? The choice is perfectly clear to me: I want to be a whale. P.S. We are in an age when the media put into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my kids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver, and a piece of chocolate with my friends. MSN

After 30-Year Courtship, A Bride Keeps A Promise On Groom’s 100th Birthday By Justin Rocket Silverman, The Daily At least no one can accuse them of rushing things. When Forrest Lunsway asked his sweetheart, Rose Pollard, to marry him nearly 30 years ago, she agreed - but only when he turned 100 years old. Rose, 90, proved true to her word when she married Forrest last month in Orange County, CA, on the groom’s 100th birthday. The wedding makes them the oldest couple to ever marry, with a combined age of nearly two centuries. They are planning to apply for a Guinness World Record – they are 82 days older than the French couple who currently hold the title. “Take your time and get to know one another,” Rose told The Daily when asked for relationship advice. “Get to know if you like all the things that person stands for. If they have the same values.” In this case, those values include a shared passion for ballroom dancing. The newlyweds rarely miss a dance at the Dana Point Senior Center, where they were married. Forrest believes it is physical activity that has kept him alive. Born in Indiana in 1911 and raised in Kansas, Forrest has never held a desk job. He spent his youth trapping animals and selling their pelts. Later, he moved to California and worked as a pipe welder. He smoked a pack a day for 27 years, and still enjoys a glass of wine at dinner with Rose (although he prefers whiskey and 7-Up if any of his drinking buddies are around). “My favorite food is fried food,” Forrest added. “Something you can get a chunk of. Cut a bite off a piece of meat, that’s what I like.”

The bride was born in Sacramento in 1920 and struggled as an architect during decades when sexism was rampant in the corporate world. Mutual friends introduced the couple when they heard Rose was looking for a dance partner, and Forrest moved into her place soon after. Early in the relationship, they wrote a list of everything they still wanted to do and have since checked off nearly every item – including walking the entire coast of California and kayaking in Alaska. Nowadays, it doesn’t much matter where they are going, or even when they get there. They are just content to enjoy each other’s company. “That’s one of the things we can forget about – time,” said Rose. “Because time doesn’t mean that much.” MSN

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DISCOVERMONTANA Incredible - Unbelievable - That’s Montana! So many facts about Montana are unique that discovering them all is probably an insurmountable task, Janet Spencer, author of Montana Trivia (Riverbend Publishing $10 + $2 S & H; 866-787-2363), probably knows more than anyone, so we have reprinted a few for your enjoyment. Answers are at the end. 1. This county reports the greatest number of UFO sightings, according to the Computer UFO Network. 2. This town was the final target of Carry Nation who, in her anti-alcohol crusade, attacked bars with her hatchet. 3. These are the only states that have more pick-up trucks per capita than Montana’s 361 trucks for every 1,000 residents. 4. What percentage of the original range of the grizzly in the lower 48 states is no longer occupied by grizzlies? 5. Montana’s record low is 70 below zero and the record high is 117 degrees, for a temperature range of 187 degrees. Are there any states that have a greater temperature range than that?

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6. How many years after the Lewis and Clark expedition ended did it take William Clark to receive the promotion Lewis promised him, from lieutenant to captain? 7. How would you win a game of cow-pie bingo at Flint Creek Valley Days in Philipsburg? 8. How long did it take to reduce the bison herds from millions to a few dozen? 9. The trumpeter swan at forty pounds is the largest bird in the state, but what is the smallest? 10. In the unusually wet year of 1916, some prairie farmers were able to raise eighty bushels of wheat per acre, but how many bushels did they average during the drought year of 1919? Answers: 1. Cascade County, home of Malmstrom AFB, with 75 UFO sightings. 2. Butte in 1910, where she was so badly beaten by barkeep and Madam May Maloy that she retired. 3. North Dakota and South Dakota. 4. Ninety-eight percent. 5. No. North Dakota comes in second place with a range of 181 degrees and Alaska is third with 180 degrees. 6. 195 years. It was awarded by President Bill Clinton. 7. A cow is put into a fenced field that has been marked with a bingo grid, and the winner is the one who correctly guesses in which square the first cow pie will land. 8. Seven years. 9. The calliope hummingbird at 0.1 ounce. 10. Only 2.4 bushels per acres – modern farms average about 32 bushels. MSN

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APRIL/MAY 2014

Crazy Horse Memorial: The Dream Becomes Reality

Seventy-five years ago, Lakota (Sioux) Chief Henry Standing Bear asked Korczak Ziolkowski to create a monument of Crazy Horse in the sacred Black Hills. Today, you can see Standing Bear’s dream slowly becoming a reality. Crazy Horse Memorial, humanity’s largest art project in progress (641 feet long and 563 feet high, with a 219-foot high horse’s head) is on U.S. Highway 16/385 between Hill City and Custer. Mount Rushmore National Memorial is just 17 miles NE of Crazy Horse.

Korczak, a noted New England sculptor, first came to the Black Hills in 1939 to help Gutzon Borglum on Mount Rushmore. Standing Bear read news reports of Korczak’s artistic achievements and wrote asking him to carve the mountain. After serving in the European theater during World War II, Korczak returned to the Black Hills to tackle Standing Bear’s challenge. He started with chisels and hammers, doing backbreaking work by hand. The first blast on the mountain was on June 3, 1948, dedicating a Memorial that South Dakota Gov. George T. Mickelson said, “Will serve to remind us of the debt we owe to these first Americans.” Korczak’s wife, Ruth, from Connecticut, was by Korczak’s side every step of the way. She was 18 years younger than Korczak, but embraced his dream. She took care of 10 children, five girls and five boys, the visitors, a dairy, a sawmill, and Korczak. Following his death at age 74 in 1982, Ruth took on Korczak’s monumental task of making the dream come true. She is supported by an enthusiastic staff, a business-savvy board of directors of the nonprofit foundation, and a growing

international group of friends that help support the Memorial who are called Storytellers. Seven of their children have continued to help expand on Korczak’s work. The other three children live within five miles of the Memorial. All 10 of the children grew up working on the mountain and helping with the visitor complex. Ruth still lives in the home Korczak built in 1947-48 and works 7 days a week keeping all aspects of the Memorial going. At age 87 she says, “If you love your job, it doesn’t seem like work, you are happy and grateful to begin each new day.” Crazy Horse’s face was finished in 1998, giving lasting human form in granite to what was once just a lofty wish. He looks out across the landscape with his hand pointing to the sacred Black Hills saying, “My lands are where my dead lie buried.” In 2014, the crew is focusing on finish work on the hand and the 219-foot high horse’s head. As the mountain evolves, so does the complex that hosts more than a million visitors a year. Our guests see not only the awe-inspiring mountain, but also much more. Korczak’s vision extended beyond the mountain carving, he planned a museum, a university, and a medical training center for the Indian people of North America. The Indian Museum of North America is one of the finest Indian Museums in the Midwest and is still growing. In 1978, Korczak began a scholarship program with just $250 to start the educational portion of the dream. As of this year, the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation scholarship fund has grown tremendously and in 2014 has awarded over $2 million dollars in scholarships to Native American students in South Dakota. In 2010, the Indian University of North American held its first summer program and the fifth class will begin in June of 2014. They can earn 12-14 college credits, work an internship at the Memorial, and get a jump-start on college making their dreams come true. Philanthropist, T. Denny Sanford pledged $10 million to the Memorial (Cont’d on page 55)

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APRIL/MAY 2014

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 25

Simple Television Remotes By Jim Miller

BAIR MUSEUM

Step into Montana History!

Visit the beautiful new state-of-the museum and the sprawling family ranch home; it’s a visual legacy of a proud family heritage! Alberta Bair and artist Will James

The Charles M. Bair Family Museum 10am -5pm, 7 days a week, Memorial Day through Labor Day $5 adults, $3 seniors. The Museum is located on Hwy 294, just 1 mile south of Hwy 12 between White Sulphur Springs and Harlowton.

Martinsdale, Montana www.bairfamilymuseum.org (406) 572-3314 info@bairfamilymuseum.org

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some easy-to-use television remote controls? I got my 74-year-old mother a new HDTV for her birthday, but the remote control is very confusing for her to operate. Shopping Son Dear Shopping, It seems like most television remote controls today come with dozens of unnecessary buttons that make them very confusing to operate. Add in the fact that many people use two or three remotes to operate their home entertainment equipment (TV, cable box, VCR, and DVD player, etc.), and it compounds the problem even further. Fortunately, there are several universal TV remotes available today that are designed for the technically challenged. These remote controls have bigger buttons and fewer options that make them much easier to see, program and operate. Simplified Remotes. Two popular consumerfriendly products to consider are the Flipper Remote and the Super Remote SR3. The Flipper works all major TVs including cable, satellite, and digital TV receiver boxes with only one remote. Available for $25 at flipperremote. com, it offers a tapered design that makes it easy to hold, and for simplicity it has only six large colorcoded buttons that are exposed (On/Off, Channel Up and Down, Volume Up and Down, and Mute.) All others buttons are accessed by sliding the top panel down, so they won’t get in the way during day-to-day TV watching. Flipper also has an optional feature that lets you program up to 30 of your mom’s favorite channels for easy access.

The Super Remote SR3 from Universal Remote Control, Inc. (sold through amazon.com for around $13) is a slightly more sophisticated userfriendly remote that can control three devices – TV, cable or satellite boxes, and DVD players. It offers a light-weight ergonomic design, large easy-to-see numeric buttons each in the shape of the number it represents, and a centrally located “My Button” that gives your mom the ability turn on the TV and set the tuner to her favorite channel with a single button press. It also provides four “Favorite” buttons for onetouch access to her favorite channels, and an “All Off” button that lets her shut down the entire home entertainment system with a single button press. Super-Sized Remotes. There are also a number of over-sized TV remotes that are ideal for people with vision problems. The “Tek Partner,” “Big Button,” and “Tek Pal” remotes all made by the Hy-Tek Manufacturing Company (bigbuttonremotes.com, 630-466-7664) in Sugar Grove, Ill. are three solid options to consider. If you’re interested in an extra large remote control, the $40 Tek Partner – which is 5½” wide and 8½” long – is their biggest. It offers huge brightly lit buttons with big readable characters, and a narrowed center (3½”) which makes it easy to handle for a big remote. It also contains only the essential functions making it easy to use and program, and it operates any combination of TVs, VCRs, DVD players, cable boxes, and satellite dishes. If you’re looking for something a little smaller (2½” x 9½”), there’s the $25, rectangular-shaped Big Button remote which offers the same large buttons as the Tek Partner and the same features. Or, if you only want a basic remote for the TV, there’s the Tek Pal which comes with just six large buttons (On/Off, Mute, Channel Up and Down, and Volume Up and Down buttons) that light up when pushed. Available for $19, the Pal will only work with televisions that have cable wired directly. 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. MSN

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  The Bair Museum will host a special exhibition of Montana artist Edith Freeman’s (1913-1992) woodblock prints and also feature a set of her working tools and a woodblock the public is allowed to touch, an experience that allows them to fully appreciate her artistry. In the 1950s Freeman developed her own technique for printing multiple colors with a single block. The results are lush and serene prints that capture central Montana in all its varied seasons. Freeman drew her inspiration from the undeveloped areas around Billings, from the sandstone Rimrocks to the slopes covered with yucca and sage and ponderosa pines. She also loved wildflower meadows and drew inspiration as well from her own garden of irises, poppies, and zinnias. Edith Freeman was born on her grandparents’ ranch near Broadview, received a BA from then Eastern Montana College in 1954, a MS in 1961, and taught in Fergus County and in Billings. After retiring from teaching, Freeman began her second career as a printmaker. Her work was exhibited throughout the United States and she was awarded the Montana Governors Award for the Arts in 1993. For more information on this exciting exhibit visit bairfamilymuseum.org or call 406-572-3314. MSN

The World Museum of Mining… Where History Tells a Story The World Museum of Mining was founded in 1963 when the close of Butte’s mining heyday was less than two decades away. In the end, Butte experienced a century of hard rock mining and earned the reputation of being home to one of the world’s most productive copper mines of all time. The museum exists to preserve the enduring history of Butte and the legacy of its rich mining and cultural heritage. The World Museum of Mining is one of the few museums in the world located on an actual mine yard – the Orphan Girl Mine. The “Girl” is the centerpiece of the Museum and is marked by a 100-foot high steel headframe. Once mined to a depth of 3200 feet, she produced silver, lead, and zinc from 1875 until 1956. Visitors to the museum are able to see, feel, and taste life in this mining camp by touring the massive steel headframe and venturing into the depths of the Orphan Girl Mine on an Underground Mine Tour. An experience so realistic, you can almost see the miners’ blackened faces and hear their exhausted sighs at the conclusion of the workday. For more information call 406-723-7211 and visit miningmuseum.org. MSN

Step Back In Time - Relive Montana History The Old Montana Prison in historic downtown Deer Lodge consists of five museums and free exhibits: • Montana Territorial Prison (home to outlaws and criminals for 108 years) • Montana Auto Museum (USA Today says “One of the Top 10 Must-See Car Museums in the U.S.”) • Yesterday’s Playthings (featuring a new exhibit of Raggedy Ann & Raggedy Andy) • Frontier Montana (wild-west cowboy artifacts & Colt firearms) • Powell County Museum (local history and mining museum) Free! • Milwaukee Railroad Exhibit (heavy iron) Free! • Cottonwood City Exhibit (1880s life recreated) Free! • Pen Art Gallery (2014 feature Yellowstone Engraved: The Art of William Henry Jackson, Thomas Moran & Others) Free! • Prison Hobby Shop (inmate crafts) Stop by the Prison Cow for old-fashioned madein-Montana ice cream. Do some Family Time in Prison! We are family friendly and affordable; one low price covers admission to all museums and attractions, and passes are good for two days! Summer hours 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. – 7 days a week. Don’t miss Grant Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site down the street. Free! For more information call 406-846-3111 or visit www.pcmaf.org. MSN

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 27

Wisdom from six-year-olds Submitted by Julie Brantley An elementary school teacher with twenty-four students in her class presented each child with the first half of a well-known proverb and asked them to complete the remainder of the proverb. It’s hard to believe these were actually done by first graders. Their insight will surprise you. 1. Don’t change horses until they stop run ning. 2. Strike while the bug is close. 3. It’s always darkest before Daylight Saving Time. 4. Never underestimate the power of termites. 5. You can lead a horse to water but how? 6. Don’t bite the hand that looks dirty. 7. No news is impossible. 8. A miss is as good as a mister. 9. You can’t teach an old dog new math. 10. If you lie down with dogs, you’ll stink in the morning. 11. Love all; trust me.

12. The pen is mightier than the pigs. 13. An idle mind is the best way to relax. 14. Where there’s smoke there’s pollution. 15. Happy is the bride who gets all the presents. 16. A penny saved is not much. 17. Two’s company, three’s the Musketeers. 18. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you put

on to go to bed. 19. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and you have to blow your nose. 20. There are none so blind as Stevie Wonder. 21. Children should be seen and not spanked or grounded. 22. If at first you don’t succeed, get new batteries. MSN

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IT’S SPRING!

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Finally It Is Spring And Time To Welcome The Season’s Character By Neil Wyrick I begin this ode to spring and April with two quotes that bring alive some very positive emotions. “April is a promise that May is bound to keep.� – Hal Borland. “April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks, ‘Go!’� – Christopher Morley April is to spring as October is to fall – but only cousins – because while the temperatures are somewhat the same, the moods are different – April brims with summer promise. This month also has a day dedicated to fools and no other month can or wants to do the same. It happened on April 1, 1976. An astronaut made a startling radio announcement about an extravagant celestial moment that was going to occur. As reported, the planet Pluto would pass behind Jupiter, causing a gravitational alignment that would counteract and lessen the Earth’s own gravity. Astronaut Moore further explained that if people were to jump in the air at the exact moment that this planetary alignment took place, they would experience a strange floating sensation. At exactly 9:47 a.m., well over 1,000 people left mother earth and without any other means of levitation remained air borne. One woman claimed that she and 11 of her friends rose from their chairs and floated around the room. It was an April Fool’s joke! (Continued on page 58)

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Professor reaches into the minds of stroke survivors Strokes and other brain injuries can shatter lives, sometimes leaving patients locked within themselves and struggling to communicate even the simplest information. Measuring the mental agility and comprehension level of these patients, however, is critical to knowing if they can make decisions for themselves, determining proper treatments and even understanding how much and what kind of socialization is appropriate. What is a caregiver to do when severe paralysis or an inability to speak make traditional evaluative methods ineffective in determining this critical information? Ohio University researcher Brooke Hallowell has developed a method that uses eye-tracking technology to address this issue. Hallowell, professor of communication sciences and disorders, has spent two decades developing a testing method that measures aptitude by placing patients in front of a computer screen with several images on it. When the tester names one of the

images or gives simple instructions, the eye-tracking device, manufactured by LC Technologies, follows the patient’s eye movements and tracks where he or she looks and for how long. Using this information, Hallowell can determine if and how much a brain injury really affects cognitive abilities even without any obvious physical movement or vocal responses. Hallowell is currently refining the aptitude tests and working with university colleagues to make the technology more user-friendly and affordable so clinicians throughout the world could eventually use the technique. Contact Dr. Hallowell to learn: • How the eye-tracking technology can help stroke survivors, medical professionals, and family caregivers. • Common misconceptions about the comprehension of those who have suffered brain injuries or strokes. • The challenges she faced in developing the tests. • What needs to happen before this method can be commercialized. For more information call Brooke Hallowell at 740-593-1356 or email hallowel@ohio.edu. MSN

Erectile Dysfunction Predictor of Heart Attack By Suzy Cohen Dear Pharmacist: I have a bedroom problem. I took Viagra for several years, and it stopped working, so I was put on Cialis. Sometimes that helps, sometimes not. I am too embarrassed to ask my doctor again; she says this is a part of aging because I am 58. Any suggestions? T.M., Bethesda, Maryland Answer: I have many! I’m stunned that she’s never mentioned bioidentical hormone replacement for you, as in testosterone or “T.” The reason most men develop erectile dysfunction in the first place is they are low in their natural “manly” hormone, which starts to decline with age. The declining T causes a relative increase in circulating estrogen, a hormone found in higher concentrations in women. Restoring testosterone or T puts balance back, so it’s my best recommendation for increasing mojo. Giving a man one of those super sex pills like Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis is the equivalent of jump starting the car every two miles, rather than just fixing the battery. Why do men medicate themselves every weekend, when they can fix the root cause by balancing hormones? It’s a good question isn’t it? A good physician should evaluate your hormones and neurotransmitters and decipher if it’s low testosterone, low dopamine, high cortisol, high estrogen, low progesterone, high insulin, low DHEA, or oxytocin. If you’re a man or a woman and you’ve lost that lovin’ feelin’, that’s what you need to evaluate and replenish. Prescribed sex pills, as useful as they are, can’t balance hormones. There’s another reason I get hot under the collar about this topic. Men are dying every day from heart attack and stroke that perhaps could have been prevented. The clue that you’re headed for trouble is erectile dysfunction. Think that out, it’s not hard to understand... if the blood isn’t effectively flowing

APRIL/MAY 2014

down south to your penis, it isn’t flowing up north either, to your heart. The blood vessels are clogged and that could cause erectile dysfunction years before a massive heart attack occurs. What does conventional medicine do? Prescribe a quick fixer upper, so you can have a night of fun, instead of helping you clear your arteries, improve vessel flexibility, correct hormonal imbalances, and manage cholesterol (they don’t even measure it correctly but that’s another column). I think there is an incomplete knowledge or understanding of physiology or hormones because sex pills should not be your go-to drug for erectile dysfunction. You think it’s just me saying that to alarm you? Not a

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 31

chance, I would never scare you; that’s not how I roll. A study published in March 2010 in Circulation concluded, “Erectile dysfunction is a potent predictor of all-cause death and the composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure in men with cardiovascular disease.” There’s no doubt, low testosterone is a risk factor for heart attack. Replacement therapy is controversial. Some studies suggest the very use of testosterone increases heart attack risk, but I find flaws with those studies. Balance is key. MSN

Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Mental Health & Depression But Were Afraid to Ask By James Day, M.D. Yes, in a non-clinical sense, of course everyone does get depressed periodically. The trouble is the word depression is used in everyday language and even medically at times to cover such a broad range of emotional states it almost loses its meaning. In common use, it covers everything from someone who is a little “blue” because of prolonged cloudy weather to someone totally immobilized by severe clinical depression. Also confusing the picture is the fact that even clinical depression exists on a continuum and not as separate states, such as “depressed or not depressed.” For example, a mild depression provoked by stress, such as grief after the loss of a loved one, usually resolves with time and support from our families and friends, but can at times progress slowly into a severe clinical depression. Depressed states of clinical significance are arbitrarily divided into diagnostic conditions that seem to share not only common symptoms, but respond in similar fashion to treatment and share a similar outcome whether treated or untreated. Major Depression is the current term used for more severe depressions, depressions that can be a lethal illness if not treated. These depressions usually require treatment to resolve in any reasonable length of time and cause a tremendous amount of disability and suffering. Treatment usually consists of a combination of antidepressant medications and at least brief psychotherapy focused on changing the negative ways of think-

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ing and behaving that often persist without psychotherapy, even when medications successfully resolve most symptoms. Major Depression is an illness of at least 2-weeks duration, which often can last months or even years if untreated, in which there is either depressed mood or the loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities. Symptoms may include constant awakening during the night, loss of appetite and weight, fatigue, loss of motivation, loss of interest in activities that normally would be enjoyed, an inability to experience joy or happiness, feelings of worthlessness or guilt; difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions; and recurrent thoughts of death, or suicidal thoughts, plans or attempts. The symptoms must be newly present or must have clearly worsened compared with the person’s previous status. The symptoms persist generally throughout the day with little or no relief and cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. For some individuals with milder episodes, functioning may appear normal, but requires markedly increased effort. Individuals often have various physical complaints and may be convinced they have physical illness. Actually, they do have a physical illness, though one different from what they might have imagined. Everyday activities may be exhausting and take twice as long as usual. A sense of worthlessness or guilt may include unrealistic negative evaluations of one’s worth or guilty ruminations over minor past failings. Such individuals often misinterpret neutral or trivial day-to-day events as evidence of personal defects and have an exaggerated sense of responsibility for untoward

events. The illness may include psychotic symptoms such as delusions. A sense of worthlessness or guilt may be of delusional proportions (e.g. an individual who is convinced that he or she is personally responsible for world poverty). Blaming oneself for being sick and for failing to meet occupational or interpersonal responsibilities because of the depression is very common. Many individuals appear easily distracted or complain of memory difficulties. Those in intellectually demanding academic or occupational pursuits are often unable to function adequately even when they have mild concentration problems. In elderly individuals, memory difficulties may be the chief complaint and may be mistaken for early signs of a dementia. Frequently there may be thoughts of death, ranging from a belief that others would be better off if the person were dead, to transient or recurrent thoughts of committing suicide. Although these symptoms are associated statistically with suicide attempts and may be helpful in identifying a high-risk group, many studies have shown that it is not possible to predict accurately whether or when a particular individual with depression will attempt suicide. Motivations for suicide may include a desire to give up in the face of perceived insurmountable obstacles or an intense wish to end an excruciatingly painful emotional state that is perceived by the person to be without end. The good news is that the illness responds to treatment 70% to 80% of the time and the chance of recurrent episodes can be considerably diminished by means of maintenance treatment, even in those with a history of recurrences. MSN

Arthritis And Your Teeth Provided by the Arthritis Foundation Having arthritis makes caring for your teeth difficult, but common dental procedures may make matters worse. According to an article in Arthritis Today, recent studies show an increased risk of developing one arthritis-related condition and suffering a serious complication of another. Studies found that dental x-rays could trigger Sjogren’s syndrome. Sjorgren’s syndrome is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes dryness, especially of the eyes and mouth. In addition to dryness, Sjorgren’s syndrome can cause problems in other parts of the body including joints, the lungs, kidneys, liver, nerves, thyroid gland, and skin. Studies show fewer cases of Sjorgren’s syndrome in less-developed countries where dental x-rays are uncommon and the disease is not present at all in the least developed countries. Researchers in the Oklahoma Research Foundation say it raises questions about a link between

x-rays and Sjorgren’s syndrome. Studies have now shown that the use of bisphosphonates, such as Fosamox or Actonel, for osteoporosis, along with invasive dental work, such as a tooth extraction, may lead to an increased risk of an uncommon but serious complication of osteonecrosis of the jaw. Osteonecrosis is the break down and eventual collapse of bone resulting from the loss of blood supply to bone tissue. Symptoms may include pain, swelling or infection of the gums or jaw, gums that are not healing, loose teeth, numbness or a feeling of heaviness of the jaw, drainage, and exposed bone. Researchers are not sure exactly how bisphosphonates contribute to osteonecrosis of the jaw. If you are concerned about Sjogren’s syndrome or osteonecrosis, please talk to your dentist or oral surgeon before any procedure or talk to your dentist about having x-rays taken less frequently. MSN

Delaying the Aging Process By Eddie Davila, MS, RCEP, HFS The Ridge Athletic Clubs Many changes occur in the body with advancing age. For example, there is a decline in physical capacity characterized by a decrease in maximal cardiac output, maximal oxygen consumption, muscle strength and power, flexibility, and neural function combined with an increase in body fat. So, what can we do about this? Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do to halt completely the aging process. However, there is something we can do to slow or delay the aging process... and that’s living a physically active lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle that incorporates regular exercise can have a profound protective/preventative and positive influence on the effects of aging. Regular exercise training doesn’t stop the aging process; it simply serves to delay the effects of aging while allowing an individual to perform physically at a higher physical level longer. This is a huge part of the reason some individuals maintain good physical conditioning well into their 50s and 60s, while others start deteriorating in their 20s and 30s. So, is exercise good for older adults? Absolutely! Older adults receive the same benefits from exercise as younger and middle-aged adults. Research has shown that those who engage in regular progressive resistance training can expect improvements in muscle strength, muscle mass, bone mineral density, and functional capabilities. Aging doesn’t appear to affect one’s ability to increase muscle size or strength. Furthermore, as in young adults, endurance training leads to improvements in cardio respiratory fitness, an important predictor of longevity. Increasing fitness allows one to perform daily activities such as cleaning, walking, or dancing at a lower heart rate

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and energetic cost. Stated differently, you can do more before getting fatigued! The best part...it’s never too late to start! A recent study compared the effects of exercise on quality of life, heart disease risk factors, and physical performance in a group of individuals under age 80 versus those over age 80. The authors concluded that individuals over age 80 still derived significant benefits in well being, risk factors, and exercise capacity. In other words, it’s never too late to start an exercise program and bathe in the benefits of regular exercise – age is just a number! So, what can you do? Starting a structured exercise program that incorporates cardiovascular, resistance, range of motion, and balance exercises is a good place to start. Federal guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity a week for health benefits. What else can you do? Well, there are many other forms of physical activity that can give similar effects. For example, walking with friends, hiking, dancing, cycling, and even playing with grandchildren are all ways to get healthy and maintain fitness! The key is to get moving and stay moving. Exercise programs are great options for getting physical activity and they offer other benefits as well. These offer a sense of community and camaraderie and they allow participants to develop relationships that extend beyond programs and into long-lasting friendships and support systems. There are multiple options to choose: • The Silver and Fit: a fitness and healthy aging program that promotes healthier lifestyles through regular exercise. • Silver Sneakers: an exercise program that helps adults take control of their healthy by encouraging physical activity and social gatherings. • The Arthritis Foundation Exercise: an evidence-based, community-oriented exercise

Telephone Program Assists Montanans To Hear On The Phone By Connie Phelps MT Telecommunications Access Program Do you get frustrated trying to hear someone over the telephone? It may appear the person calling you is mumbling, talking too quietly, or talking too fast to understand. The Montana Telecommunications Access Program (MTAP) can help you to be more successful in your conversations and our equipment is free to those who qualify. To be eligible for this program, a person must meet the following qualifications: Be a Montana resident, have a landline (not a cell), have a verifiable disability – hearing loss, hearing loss with a vision loss, speech or mobility disability, and meet the financial qualification. After your application is received, you will be notified of acceptance by our office. The MTAP equipment staff will evaluate your needs and provide you with a customized phone. We only have two equipment specialists that travel the state training clients, so in may take a short while for the technician to reach your area. The MTAP staff is skilled in assisting customers who have a hard time hearing on the phone. We have amplified phones that make the conversation louder, and a tone control to make it clearer. Our clients often tell us their caller is loud enough, but they can’t make out what the other party is saying. The tone control allows them to adjust the call to a frequency they can hear more clearly. Our program can assist those whose hearing loss is significant enough to need a captioned telephone. Every word spoken by the other party, shows up as typewritten words on your phone. The phone works via a relay system that is provided by our program. MTAP also provides phones that have a hands free dialing system for people with physical disabilities. As we work with people across our great state, we meet some of the nicest folks! The MTAP staff has the good fortune to meet our clients face to face. Training them to use the phone successfully is extremely satisfying. Many times friends or family hear about our program and share that information with someone who would benefit. One such

program that offers health education, relaxation techniques, and exercise guidance to help improve functional abilities, decrease depression, and improve one’s self-confidence with exercising. • The Walk With Ease: a community-based walking program that helps in developing a walking program, promotes ways to stay motivated, and provides education on pain management and exercise safety. • The StrongWomen: an evidence-based exercise and nutrition program targeting midlife and older adult women. • The Fit for Life: a program designed to reduce heart disease risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, and physical inactivity through diet and exercise education. Whatever you choose for physical activity, be safe, listen to your body, and have fun! For more information visit ridgeathletic.com, call 406-586-1737 or 406-586-0077, or visit or call your local gym, athletic club, or fitness facility. Happy exercising! MSN

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person is Greg Harbac in Bozeman. He heard of our program and contacted us to assist his mother and father. Greg says, “Thank you, thank you – all of you. The equipment you delivered for my parents is a great fit. You have simplified life for Mom and Dad and, as a positive spin-off, simplified life for my wife and me. I am glad that I found you!” Also, we can often help clients conduct business via the phone. Dean Rinta, of Dean’s Auto in Darby is just one of these people. Dean has significant hearing loss and uses a captioned telephone to keep his business running. Dean says, “I started working with the MTAP program 22 years

ago. At first I had an amplified telephone, but as my hearing became worse, I changed to a captioned phone. I couldn’t have continued with my business and working with the public if not for the assistance I received from MTAP.” As you can see, MTAP certainly makes a difference in people’s lives. If you believe MTAP can make a difference in your life, or someone you know, please contact our office for more information. We can be found on the web at www.montanarelay.mt.gov or give us a call at (800) 833-8503. We love assisting all Montanans in making successful telephone calls, whether it be business or pleasure. MSN

What are varicose veins and spider veins? Provided by Rocky Mountain Vein Clinic, Bozeman Varicose (VAR-i-kos) veins are enlarged veins that can be blue, red, or flesh-colored. They often look like cords and appear twisted and bulging. They can be swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are often found on the thighs, backs of the calves, or the inside of the leg. During pregnancy, varicose veins can form around the vagina and buttocks. Spider veins are like varicose veins but smaller. They also are closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. Often, they are red or blue. They can look like tree branches or spider webs with their Illustration courtesy of Elekta short, jagged lines. They can be found on the legs The Gamma Knife – the alternative and face and can cover The only Gamma either a very small or a to traditional brain surgery. Knife in 5 states! very large area of skin. Gamma Knife Perfexion® radiosurgery – now available at What causes variBillings Clinic – is the most advanced treatment available cose veins and spider for brain cancers, as well as select functional disorders. There is no scalpel, no incision, and no general anesthesia. veins? Most patients are treated during a single outpatient Varicose veins can session and resume normal activities within a day or so. Treatment is be caused by weak or coordinated by our highly-trained team of specialists and delivered using nearly damaged valves in the 200 very small beams of radiation focused on a precise location, or target, veins. The heart pumps within the brain – often reaching regions of the brain where traditional surgery blood filled with oxymay be too risky. The shape and dose of the radiation is optimized to hit only gen and nutrients to the the target, without damaging surrounding tissue. whole body through the For more information, call arteries. Veins then carry (406) 255-8400 or 1-800-252-1246. the low oxygen blood billingsclinic.com/gammaknife from the body back to the heart. As your leg muscles squeeze, they push Billings Clinic Gamma Knife Team blood back to the heart (pictured L-R): Mark Piedra, MD, Neurosurgery; from your lower body John Schallenkamp, MD, Radiation Oncology; Dennis Cheek, PhD, Medical Physics against the flow of grav(not pictured): Eugen Dolan, MD, Neurosurgery; ity. Veins have valves Miguel Lopez-Gonzalez, MD, Neurosurgery; that act as one-way flaps Christopher Goulet, MD, Radiation Oncology; Michelle Proper, MD, Radiation Oncology; to prevent blood from Christopher Veale, MS, Medical Physics flowing backwards as it

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moves up your legs. If the valves become weak, blood can leak back into the veins and collect there. (This problem is called venous insufficiency.) When backed-up blood makes the veins bigger, they can become varicose. Spider veins can be caused by the backup of blood. They can also be caused by hormone changes, exposure to the sun, and injuries. How common are abnormal leg veins? About 50 to 55 percent of women and 40 to 45 percent of men in the United States suffer from some type of vein problem. Varicose veins affect half of people 50 years and older. What factors increase my risk of varicose veins and spider veins? Many factors increase a person’s chances of developing varicose or spider veins. These include: • Increasing age. As you get older, the valves in your veins may weaken and not work as well. • Family history. Being born with weak vein valves increases your risk. Having family members with vein problems also increases your risk. About 70 percent of all people who have varicose veins have a family member who has them too. • Hormonal changes. These occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Taking birth control pills and other medicines containing estrogen and progesterone also may contribute to the forming of varicose or spider veins. • Pregnancy. During pregnancy, there is an increase of blood in the body. This can cause veins to enlarge. The growing uterus also puts pressure on the veins. Varicose veins usually improve within 3 months after delivery. More varicose veins and spider veins usually appear with each additional pregnancy. • Obesity. Being overweight or obese can put extra pressure on your veins. This can lead to varicose veins. • Lack of movement. Sitting or standing for a long time may force your veins to work harder to pump blood to your heart. This may be a bigger problem if you sit with your legs bent or crossed. • Sun exposure. This can cause spider veins on the cheeks or nose of a fair-skinned person. Why do varicose veins and spider veins usually appear in the legs? Most varicose and spider veins appear in the legs due to the pressure of body weight, force of

These symptoms affect one in four adults.

Tired

If you are suffering from these symptoms and they are affecting your daily lifestyle, then we at Rocky Mountain Vein Clinic have the solutions. Our comprehensive treatment plans for varicose or spider veins will give you your freedom and active lifestyle back. Treatments are virtually painless, take less than two hours, and immediately relieve the symptoms. Best of all, procedures are covered by insurance. Learn more about vein disease, call us today or visit our website at: www.rockymountainveinclinic.com

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 35

I’m not an aortic aneurysm.

I’m enjoying the sound of my engine. At St. Vincent’s Heart & Vascular Center, we help patients recover more quickly and with less pain through endovascular stent procedures. And our new Steve and Debbie Reger Hybrid Operating Suite combines catheterization and surgical equipment in one space. Now patients throughout the region have access to more innovative and personalized heart and vascular procedures from our exceptional team of specialists. Call (406) 237-7006 or learn more at svh.org/Dan.

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gravity, and task of carrying blood from the bottom of the body up to the heart. Compared with other veins in the body, leg veins have the toughest job of carrying blood back to the heart. They endure the most pressure. This pressure can be stronger than the one-way valves in the veins. What are the signs of varicose veins? Varicose veins can often be seen on the skin. Some other common symptoms of varicose veins in the legs include: • Aching pain that may get worse after sitting or standing for a long time • Throbbing or cramping Spider veins on the cheeks or nose of a fairskinned person can be caused by: • Heaviness • Swelling • Rash that’s itchy or irritated • Darkening of the skin • Restless legs Are varicose veins and spider veins dangerous? Spider veins rarely are a serious health problem, but they can cause uncomfortable feelings in the legs. If there are symptoms from spider veins, most often they will be itching or burning. Less often, spider veins can be a sign of blood backup deeper inside that you can’t see on the skin. If so, you could have the same symptoms you would have with varicose veins. Varicose veins may not cause any problems, or they may cause aching pain, throbbing, and discomfort. In some cases, varicose veins can lead to more serious health problems. These include: • Sores or skin ulcers due to chronic (long-term) backing up of blood. These sores or ulcers are

painful and hard to heal. Sometimes they cannot heal until the backward blood flow in the vein is repaired. • Bleeding. The skin over the veins becomes thin and easily injured. When an injury occurs, there can be significant blood loss. • Superficial thrombophlebitis (throm-bo-fliBYT-uhs), which is a blood clot that forms in a vein just below the skin. Symptoms include skin redness; a firm, tender, warm vein; and sometimes pain and swelling. • Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot in a deeper vein. It can cause a “pulling” feeling in the calf, pain, warmth, redness, and swelling. However, sometimes it causes no significant symptoms. If the blood clot travels to the lungs, it can be fatal. Should I see a doctor about varicose veins? You should see a doctor about varicose veins if: • The vein has become swollen, red, or very tender or warm to the touch • There are sores or a rash on the leg or near the ankle • The skin on the ankle and calf becomes thick and changes color • One of the varicose veins begins to bleed • Your leg symptoms are interfering with daily activities • The appearance of the veins is causing you distress If you’re having pain, even if it’s just a dull ache, don’t hesitate to get help. By consulting your healthcare provider, you can be assured of your vein situation and learn of steps to take to keep them from getting worse. MSN

Breast Cancer Not Indicator Of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among Older Breast Cancer Survivors Study Finds

PLAINSBORO, N.J. – Factors such as smoking, diabetes, and hypertension were far better indicators of an older woman’s likelihood of suffering a cardiovascular event than being a breast cancer survivor, according to a study published recently in The American Journal of Managed Care. Breast cancer survival rates are rising due to better screening and early detection. That means breast cancer survivors are aging, with more than half the 2.6 million women who have beaten the disease over age 65. That also means these women suffer the same ailments common among older Americans, including cardiovascular disease, which is the leading killer among those who have had breast cancer.

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But the question remained: Did having breast put a woman at greater risk of cardiovascular disease, or were the other factors that came with getting older the culprits? The AJMC study examined 2,722 women, half of them breast cancer survivors and half cancer-free, and followed them for 15 years to answer this question, considering factors such as race, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), smoking habits, hypertension, and whether the women had diabetes. Results found the women who had survived cancer were more likely to suffer from hypertension than those who had been cancer-free, while smoking habits and diabetes status were not significantly different. While equal numbers experienced a cardiovascular event – 45.3 percent of the cancer group and 47.7 percent of the control group – no overall differences were seen. The strongest predictors of whether a woman would have cardiovascular disease were whether she had diabetes, hypertension, or had used

A little more to share… Mildred Bennett mailed a single $1 bill in a recycled envelope to Greater Gallatin United Way annually. Several years ago, we received two $1 bills and a note that said, “I had a little more to share.” Mildred passed in 2012. Today, her children and grandchildren honor her memory through an annual gift on Mildred’s birthday. We miss Mildred’s annual donation, but her legacy lives on. If you have “a little more to share,” consider... • Making a gift of cash or appreciated stock • Including GGUW in your will or trust • Naming GGUW as beneficiary in life insurance policy • Designating GGUW as beneficiary of a retirement plan, IRA, or 401(k) • Establishing a Charitable Gift Annuity, Remainder Trust, or Lead Trust • Starting tax-free distributions from an IRA Mildred’s annual gift helped support our local programs focusing on immediate community human service needs. Legacy or estate gifts provide long-term support and flexibility to meet emerging and future community needs. A legacy gift to Greater Gallatin United Way benefits you and your family today while ensuring YOUR United Way can improve lives and build a stronger community well into the future. We are local. We are accountable. We are YOUR United Way. Call 406587-2194 or visit GreaterGallatinUnitedWay.org. MSN

Those who expect moments of change to be comfortable and free of conflict have not learned their history. - Joan Wallach Scott

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tobacco. The study concluded that primary care physicians are well equipped to manage cardiovascular screening for cancer survivors, based on these results. For the full study visit - ajmc.com/publications/issue/2014/2014-vol20n1/comorbidities-and-cardiovascular-disease-risk-in-older-breast-cancersurvivors/1. MSN

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Genealogy: Be Your Own Ancestor Detective

Housing Discrimination is Illegal! In the state of Montana, it is illegal to discriminate in any housing transaction against any household because of Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Disability, Familial Status, National Origin, Marital Status, Age, and/or Creed.

For more information about discrimination in housing, contact: Montana Fair Housing (406) 782-2573 / MT Relay: 711 1-800-929-2611 519 East Front Street Butte, MT 59701

e-mail: inquiry@montanafairhousing.org website: www.montanafairhousing.org FAIR HOUSING - It’s your right, it’s your responsibility, and IT'S THE LAW!!! The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the iews of the Federal Government.

By Bernice Karnop their research, or help verify what someone in the It can be fascinating to watch detectives on family may have written 40 years ago. They tell you television peel back layers of information until where problems occur in records, what informathey uncover some nugget of truth that tells “who tion to trust, what not to trust, and why. They do done it.” Jan Thomson, president of the Great Falls research for people and they show people how to Genealogy Society, says that do their own research. this group loves helping people They do most of this free, solve the cold case mysteries of charging only modest fees for their families by using some of copies, the computer, and certhe same meticulous processes. tain types of research. “All of us yearn to know more They have more than about our immediate families,” 10,000 resources in their library she says. “Finding where your and they help people navigate family came from and what the electronic goldmine of free they did can give you back a documents from across the sense of yourself,” she says. U.S. and around the world. The organization, located in the It’s amazing the amount of Montana Room on the third floor material available. Documents of the Great Falls Public Library, that help find ancestors include sees this happen all the time. It’s such things as census records, why genealogy is such a popular birth and death certificates, hobby among retired people. marriage and divorce records, The Society helped sisters voter registration, tax records, uncover a rich Metis heritage land records, military files, that their mother had never church, school, and military rementioned when she was alive. cords. Grandmother’s address They found the story of a grand- Jan Thomson helps a Great Falls library book or box of old letters is a patron with genealogical research. [Photo father who, after being drafted by Bernice Karnop] treasure trove of information. during World War I, left without Coroner’s reports, newspaper telling his family or saying goodbye. They helped articles about murders, car wrecks, and more are a young person whose parents had been married helpful. Old newspapers contain gossip columns multiple times learn about their original parent. that may tell you who your great-greats played The Great Falls Genealogy Society’s mission cards with, how they helped with community celis to start individuals searching their ancestors, ebrations, or whom they went to church or lodge help those who are stuck in a particular place in with. Jan clipped all of the Harlowton gossip columns from 1908 through 1979 when she was researching her husband’s family. She learned that before telephone lines were installed, the Thomson’s set up their own informal one on the barbed wire fence. After gleaning the family stories she organized, filed, and indexed the columns and donated them to the Harlowton Museums for others to use. In addition to helping people, the Great Falls Genealogy Society preserves, restores, and protects records for Cascade County. For a number of

APRIL/MAY 2014

years they have been working on coroner’s reports. Fifty or sixty years ago, they attached newspaper articles, autopsy reports, and other papers with glue or paste. The mucilage damaged the original report so genealogists carefully remove it, reattach the material safely, file them in archival folders, and index them so they can be easily found. Family legends usually contain some kind of truth, according to Jan, but it might be a different truth from what the family expected. Some hesitate to research a family’s black sheep but in doing so find that the bad things happen to good people. They clarify facts that were confusing. “We love to research black sheep,” Jan admits with a twinkle. Jan began her own rewarding searches after she retired from the Great Falls Public Schools where she taught and then served as curriculum and research director. Her inspiration was her grandfather Beck who lived to be more than 90 years old. He knew he’d come with his parents from Norway when he was 14 months old, and knew a location but little else. Jan began her research confidently. After all, she has a Ph.D. in research, but she hit a wall and could not find the place in Norway her grandfather had mentioned. When records from Norway came on line, a genealogist from there asked her grandfather’s name and his father’s name. In only about an hour, she discovered that instead of a village, the name her grandfather had stated was the name of their family farm. The American name came from the farm, but the Norwegian name was the first name of the grandfather with son added. Armed with this information, Jan found the farm, viewed it on Google Earth, and visited Norway twice. She says it was fun to stand on the farm with her daughter and look down toward the fjord. “People who were shadows or ghosts came alive,” she says. This careful detective work requires time and diligence. A person can’t just start with a 200-yearold dead ancestor. They could end up researching someone they aren’t related to at all. Instead, they

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start with themselves and search out what they know from their immediate past. They put together a research plan and pursue it in a consistent way. The Genealogy Society will help them make a timeline of the family and color code it for the different branches. They can introduce databases that help organize the material in an orderly way. For Jan, finding her own roots motivates her to help others. MSN

Hacking & ID Theft: Are You Next? Seven Tips for Protecting Your Identity & Money At least 110 million consumers were affected by the hack involving Target and Neiman Marcus retailers. Whether or not millions more will have their identities manipulated and finances ruined within the coming months due to more breaches of security at other stores is anyone’s guess, says identity theft recovery expert Scott A. Merritt. “By necessity, I became an expert on identity theft. My information was stolen in 2006, and in repairing the damage, I learned some not-so-obvious ways we can all protect against identity theft in the first place,” says Merritt, CEO of Merritt & Associates (scottamerritt.com) and author of Identity Theft Do’s and Don’ts. Merritt’s problems began quickly. While disputing financial charges and dealing with resulting business problems, in 2007 he was stopped for a traffic violation and arrested on a false outstanding felony warrant. He immediately knew why. “I had to enlist my U.S. representative and convince the state police, NCIC, FBI, and Secret Service that I didn’t commit the felonies. For a few years, I had to prove that the prints did not match the false record in question. After legal action, however, I was able to have this corrected.” Unfortunately, the millions affected by the recent hacks may be dealing with similar repercussions in the years ahead, he says. Before you become a victim of identity theft, Merritt offers seven ways to guard against it. • Understand how and where it happens. Identity theft is like being robbed when you are away from home; most thefts occur in places where you do business every day. Either a place of business is robbed, a bad employee acts improperly, or a hacker breaches the office through the computer. • Secure your wallet’s information. Photocopy everything in your wallet: photos, credit cards (front and back), membership cards – everything. Put the copies in the order the cards are arranged in your wallet, staple the pictures and place them in a strongbox or safe. • Make sure your information is consistent. For all of your identity and financial documents, make absolutely sure, to the smallest detail, that all of your personal information is accurate and consistent! Discrepancies such

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as using your middle initial on some documents, and not others, or having different addresses, can wreck havoc in proving your identity, and can compromise your credit score. • Secure your digital habits and data. Change your passwords at least twice a year on a non-scheduled basis – don’t be predictable. Have a strong firewall if you shop online, and only access sites that are protected by a strong firewall and high industry standards. Access accounts of a financial nature only from your personal computer. • Protect your banking information. While in the bank, keep account numbers and other data out of sight, and avoid stating account numbers, Social Security numbers, and similar information aloud. When planning a bank visit, have items such as deposits and withdrawal slips prepared in advance. • Account for your interactions with vendors. Every time you speak to someone with whom you do business, write down the time, date, name, and the purpose or outcome of the call. If an identity theft occurs on the vendor’s end, you will be able to reference these prior conversa-

One in five older Americans takes medications that work against each other By David Stauth About three out of four older Americans have multiple chronic health conditions, and more than 20 percent of them are being treated with drugs that work at odds with each other – the medication being used for one condition can actually make the other condition worse. This approach of treating conditions “one at a time” even if the treatments might conflict with one another is common in medicine, experts say, in part because little information exists to guide practitioners in how to consider this problem, weigh alternatives and identify different options. One of the first studies to examine the prevalence of this issue, however, found that 22.6 percent of study participants received at least one medication that could worsen a coexisting condition. The work was done by researchers in Connecticut and Oregon, and published in PLOS One. In cases where this “therapeutic competition” exists, the study found that it changed drug treatments in only 16 percent of the cases. The rest of the time, the competing drugs were still prescribed. “Many physicians are aware of these concerns but there isn’t much information available on what to do about it,” said David Lee, an assistant professor in the Oregon State University/Oregon Health & Science University College of Pharmacy. “Drugs tend to focus on one disease at a time, and most physicians treat patients the same way,” Lee said. “As a result, right now we’re probably treating too many conditions with too many medications. There may be times it’s best to just focus on the most serious health problem, rather than use a drug to treat a different condition that could make the more serious health problem even worse.” More research in this field and more awareness of the scope of the problem are needed, the scientists said. It may be possible to make better value judgments about which health issue is of most concern, whether all the conditions should be treated, or whether this “competition” between drug treatments means one concern should go untreated. It may also be possible in some cases to identify ways to treat both conditions in ways that don’t conflict with one another. A common issue, for example, is patients who have both coronary heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. Betablockers are often prescribed to treat the heart disease, but those same drugs can cause airway resistance that worsens the COPD. “There are several types of beta blocker that don’t cause this negative interaction, but many of the other types are still prescribed anyway,” Lee said. “It’s this type of (Continued on page 50)

tions effectively. Be sure to note any animosity or reluctance from the vendor. • Don’t carry around your birth certificate or Social Security card. Unless it’s necessary, keep those vital items in a safe, or at least a firebox. If you know someone is going to need a copy of your tax returns or your driver’s license, for example, make the copies ahead of time. This avoids the need for a firm’s employee to leave the room with such information. “Of course, you can greatly reduce being a victim of such recent hacks that occurred at the major retailers by using cash more often,” he says. “But if you’re going to use credit, use a card from a national bank or a national credit union and never a debit card, no exceptions.” Scott A. Merritt is the CEO and sole stockholder of Merritt Ventures, Inc. He has more than a decade of experience in the real estate industry, financial planning, insurance, investment services, and has more than a decade in mortgage services, all under the umbrella of Merritt Ventures. MSN

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Leslie Stoltz: Naturalist, Educator, Adventurer Article & photo by Kim Thielman-Ibes I first met Leslie Stoltz during a guided trip into Yellowstone National Park. She was one of two guides for our snowshoe and cross-country ski group. With a twinkle in her eye, Leslie engaged and entertained our early morning group, while our able cross-country ski guide commandeered our bus down Gallatin Canyon to our awaiting bombardier snow coaches in West Yellowstone. Over the course of the hour’s drive through the Gallatin Canyon, this soft-spoken woman, with her ready smile and diminutive frame, gave us a one-on-one tour of the Gallatin and Yellowstone ecosystem – its geology, history, wildlife, and their playful interdynamics. I couldn’t help but wonder if this Leslie’s knowledge knew any bounds. She was a one-stop treasure trove with a keen grasp of the area’s natural history. Of course, you say! She’s a guide. But Leslie is so much more than that: naturalist for sure, educator par none, but it’s the adventurer in her that sparks the imagination. ll t She spends winters guiding iin Y Yellowstone, spring in Ecuador, summer in the Grand Tetons, and fall in Nepal or Bhutan. As an independent guide with a biology degree and a natural curiosity about nature, Leslie’s life has unfolded along non-traditional lines. “For so many years I thought I should go in a professional direction, something more definable,” says Leslie. “I’ve had a hard time seeing where my life was going. It was more a matter of survival. But,” she adds with more than a dose of wonder, “it’s turning out to be pretty extraordinary.”

Leslie grew up in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. “I was definitely into big winters all of my life,” she recalls. Like Big Sky, Montana, where Leslie has called home since the mid-1980s, the region is known as a recreational haven for the outdoor-oriented. After completing her degree in biology, she had only one goal in life, to work for the park service. Her first job was working concessions at Roosevelt Lodge in Yellowstone’s Tower Junction area. After the summer season, she moved to Gardiner and worked for the park’s young adult conservation corp. In 1983, building upon her biology degree, she went to work in Glacier Park as a temporary on the Northern Continental Divide program. “I did field work and worked as a naturalist for four seasons,” says Leslie. During the off-season she migrated with friends back to Big Sky and worked for Lone Mountain Ranch. “It was sort of like camp and in those early years. Lone Mountain Ranch employees did a little bit of thi ” she h recalls. Everything, for Leslie, everything,” meant conducting the evening naturalist programs along with assisting in dining, housekeeping, and with the transportation of guests. Leslie was beginning to establish her nonconformist, nomadic life in terms of both naturalist and educator. It wasn’t until she met Walkin’ Jim Stoltz that she began to add adventurer to the list as well. “Jim had a huge influence on my life,” says Leslie. “He felt that whatever he chose to do it would work out. He encouraged me and I’m grateful I had someone like him in my life.” Walkin’ Jim was a force unto himself. Prior to Jim’s passing in 2010, he’s traversed some 28,000 miles over much of the most beautiful terrain in North America – the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Mountains, and Continental Divide to name a few. Along the way, he wrote music and poetry and co-founded

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MUSE – Music United to Sustain the Environment. Leslie and Jim married in 1988, settling on Big Sky for their base of operation. Leslie worked as naturalist and cross-country ski guide while Jim both toured as a musician and trekker. “I was a little more grounded in Big Sky,� recalls Leslie, “Lone Mountain Ranch was remarkable and pretty forgiving if I wanted to join Jim for a tour or long distance hike.� After a few years, Leslie started doing contract guiding to free up more time to spend with Jim in the wilderness or on the road touring. For the first couple of years she guided skiers, hikers, and budding naturalists for Lone Mountain Ranch. Eventually she garnered guiding contracts with the Yellowstone Association, Alpen Guides (snow

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coach tours into Yellowstone), Rode Scholar (Elder Hostel), and for Bozeman travel company ‘Off The Beaten Path’. As her reputation grew so did her guiding opportunities. “It was financially sketchy those first couple of years,� she recalls, smiles, then adds, “But it’s worked out well for me.� Over time, she began to guide outside Yellowstone and Glacier Park, working with Adventure Women guiding hiking and naturalist trips in Utah, Arizona, and as an associate representative for them in Ecuador, Nepal, and Bhutan. “I wonder what I would do if I didn’t do this,� muses Leslie. “I don’t have any skills,� she says. I laugh! MSN

Spring Fling Biking Yellowstone Article & Photo By Kim Thielman-Ibes As surely as night gives way to day, winter, though often reluctantly and with much fanfare, eventually must bid adieu to make way for spring. In southwestern Montana, it’s time to pack up the skis, boots, and poles to make room for transportation of the two-wheeled variety. It’s during this time that avid bicyclists look forward to their first spring fling: bike riding through Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone annually closes its winter gates to all travel on March15. Park crews then begin to plow Yellowstone’s roads, and when the all clear (or almost clear) is sounded, they reopen portions of the park to bikes, rollerblades, runners, and walkers only, through the first three weeks of April. The opening date is weather dependent, but is usually by the first week of April. The most popular route begins at the end of Boundary Street in West Yellowstone, at Yellowstone National Park’s west entrance. This road follows the Madison River, past

Mount Haynes, fourteen miles to Madison Junction. Riders can usually count on seeing a large variety of birds and eagles along the water’s edge and sometimes a bobcat or two looking for lunch. This scenic stretch progresses from crowded lodge pole forests to wide-open plateaus dotted with herds of bison and wapiti (elk). At Madison Junction riders stop and refill their water bottles and packs, make a quick call home, if needed on the park’s pay phone (cell service is limited), before saddling up to ride the next fourteen-mile leg northward to Norris. Here, the Madison River forks and riders follow the Gibbon River to the Norris Geyser Basin, known for having the hottest and most acidic hydrothermal features in the park. Gibbon Falls makes for a picturesque lunch spot and it’s difficult to bypass the Monument Geyser Basin and Artists Paintpots without taking a seat (and camera) break. Departing Gibbon River at Norris, the final leg

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takes riders north, just over twenty-one miles, for a much needed and welcome respite at Mammoth. Another face of Yellowstone’s majestic scenery awaits, Obsidian Cliffs. Gradually rising above the valley floor, its towering columns formed of volcanic glass catch the afternoon sun, sparkling in its wake. Along with Sheepeater Cliffs and Mammoth itself, this leg of the ride continues to delight. This is the longest, non-motorized ride within the park. While a few bikers make this a roundtrip jaunt, some prefer an out and back, and many elect to coordinate with friends – some start at Mammoth and others at West Yellowstone and then exchange car keys along the way and meet back in Bozeman or Livingston. There are two shorter spring bike rides in the park where one does not have to compete with cars. A 22-mile out-and-back between the South Entrance of Yellowstone National Park (located north of Jackson Hole, Wyoming) to Grant Village and a 6-mile ride from the East Entrance to the east end of Sylvan Pass. Spring biking in Yellowstone is an adventure onto itself. There are many factors to consider while riding anywhere in Montana during the capricious month of April. Beyond weather, some additional considerations that are matchless and particularly unique to Yellowstone National Park, namely wildlife,

elevation, and isolation. Yellowstone’s native animals can pose a challenge, yet are one of the most anticipated reasons to ride through the park unaccompanied by the stream of exhaust-laden, four-wheeled vehicles. Like us, bison, coyotes, black bears, and wolves use the parks road system to mosey around its scenic landscapes and broad volcanic plateaus. Bike riders may run across some of these animals during their ride, but can usually count on meeting a wily herd of bison, especially along the first leg just west of Norris Junction. The trick is not to panic, keep your distance (25-30 feet is recommended), find your camera, relax, and enjoy the scenery. Like some bike riders, bison can progress at a particularly undemanding pace. I’ve found it helpful to wait for a plucky, gungho bike rider to come along and break up herd, then follow quickly in their wake. Or, if the snow has receded sufficiently, go off-road and around. The average elevation in Yellowstone is a little over 7,800 feet. While many of Montana’s Rocky Mountain passes are higher, altitude, early season fitness, and breathtaking scenery will make this adventure one of the more relaxed outings of your biking season. As with all outdoor activities in Montana, prepare for weather, and remember there no services within the park, limited cell service, and there’s usually a west wind when you return from Madison Junction to West Yellowstone. But enough of this mother hen nonsense, get on your bike this spring and head for Yellowstone! For more information, visit nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/springbike.htm and yellowstone.co/biking. htm. MSN

True Love Goes On and On

2! NOCOATW IONS L

By Kathryn Hohmann Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter Your pets have given you a lifetime of love. So the perfect tribute to them is a lifetime gift to a community animal shelter. That is my message to the most loyal donors at Heart of the Valley, an “open door” shelter in Bozeman, where I raise funds for our life-saving mission. A legacy gift will guarantee that lost and abandoned animals will find their forever homes, for generations to come. Through tax-favored giving, you can make a bigger gift than you ever imagined and help more animals. By combining charitable giving with your financial and estate planning, you will create a personalized and lasting legacy. Some generous donors simply name Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter in their wills, and the gift is exempt from federal estate taxes. Other tools include trusts, gifts of property, and gift annuities. Learn more by visiting heartofthevalleyshelter.org, calling us at 406-3889399, or stopping by 1549 E Cameron Bridge Rd, Bozeman to see some of the 2,500 lost, homeless, or forgotten pets that find new homes each year. Animal shelters simply cannot exist without the support of givers like you! Thank you for supporting Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter. MSN

Pies - continued from cover

IS THE MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION ALREADY IN YOUR WILL, TRUST OR OTHER ESTATE PLANS? THANK YOU! Letting us know about your plans helps MSU prepare for the future. If you don’t have a will, you’re not alone. A complete estate plan is the only way to ensure that your wishes and intentions will be carried out. Contact Megan Berg at the MSU Foundation for suggested bequest language and advice on how you can attain your goals for your family. Help create the next generation of successes and unforgettable experiences at MSU. Call 800-457-1696 or email plannedgiving@msuaf.org

of seasonal pies and you might begin to divine the extent of Marci’s gift. For most bakers, Marci included, the perfect pie begins with the humbling experience of creating the perfect crust. “I’m kind of old-fashioned and I think pies are an old-fashioned dessert. It’s challenging because a pie crust is not an easy thing to master.” Marci applied for the job with no previous professional experience. Her interview concluded with, “Go home and make a pie.” She’s never looked back. “The perfect piece of pie does this.” Marci’s fork pierces a strawberryhuckleberry crumb, the jewel-colored center oozes out from between its flaky filo-dough-like top and delightfully tender bottom crust.

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Marci’s face lights up as she explains, “There’s a hundred different ways to make pie and everyone has their definition of what makes a good pie. It’s when someone comes in and tells me that this is the kind of pie they remember when they were little that makes it all worthwhile.” Two-hundred miles to the north, nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Choteau, the head baker and owner of the Log Cabin Family Restaurant has been making pies professionally for over sixteenyears. “I’ve made over 10,000 pies,” says a grinning David Maurer. “10,000 pies gives you 80,000 slices, so if Choteau is running around plump I guess that’s my fault.” That’s a lot of slices for 2,000 people! But it’s not just the locals who gather at the Log Cabin for his pies. People travel from all over the country to indulge in one of his ample creations like his trademark, four-inch-high peanut butter pie on graham cracker crust. This summer one customer sent word back to the kitchen, “’Tell the pie maker I want to marry her,’” David relates with a laugh. Maurer grew up on a ranch along the Teton River, one of six children – all boys, which contributed to some blurring of gender lines when it came to helping in the kitchen. “It couldn’t be beneath your dignity to wash dishes,” he explains. “Or make pies.” David made his first angel food cake in 1947 and a few years

later at age ten rolled out the dough for his first apple pie. Though he watched his mother make pies, he can’t say that he patterned his pies after them. “I’ve used a lot of my own techniques.” David bought Choteau’s rustic Log Cabin restaurant around 1995 where it has been an institution since the 1940s. Soon after, partly through necessity, he dived in and started making pies for the restaurant. “When you start something you try your best,” he says. He picked up many tricks from the cookbooks sitting on a wire shelf beside his pie refrigerator, his favorite being the country bible, otherwise called the Farm Journal Cookbook. “Every week I make up to thirty-five varieties. I think I could make them in my sleep.” His favorite pie is the lemon meringue and you’ll most likely find it available by the slice on any given day. The ingredients for David’s handcrafted pies are sourced locally as much as possible; he grows his own gooseberries and procures his eggs and fruit from the Miller Hutterite farm. David’s pies are not for the faint of heart. He uses two pounds of fruit in each ten-inch pie. His trade secrets are hard to come by but he did confess to using a little bit of cayenne pepper in his pumpkin, peach schnapps in his peach, and bourbon in his pecan. Beyond that, his lips were sealed. Where’s that coffee? It’s time for pie! MSN

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 45

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Take Charge Of Your Health To Reduce Complications And Prevent Situations That Could Land You Or A Loved One In The Hospital By Lisa M. Petsche As we age, our chances of being hospitalized increase due to the greater likelihood of developing multiple chronic health conditions. The good news is that numerous risk factors are within our control, and reducing the risks can help us prevent or manage health problems, lowering our chances of complications and hospitalization. Follow these tips to help preserve your wellbeing and independence or that of a loved one for whom you are providing care. Physical health - Get regular medical checkups. If you miss an appointment or a test, call to reschedule right away. Have your vision and hearing tested on a regular basis. Ensure vaccinations are up to date. Get vac-

cinated against influenza annually and early in the season. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other contagious illnesses. Keep hand sanitizer by your front entrance and use it coming and going. Also keep a travel size bottle in your vehicle or handbag, or a miniature-sized one in your pocket. Take medications as prescribed and at regularly scheduled times each day. Fill all prescriptions at one pharmacy. Ask the pharmacist about available products to help you organize and remember to take your medications. Practice healthy lifestyle habits: eat nutritious meals, get adequate rest, and exercise regularly. Limit your sun exposure and always use sunscreen outdoors. A wide-brimmed hat is also advisable, as are sunglasses that block out 100

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percent of ultraviolet rays. Do as much for yourself as possible to maintain your abilities. Investigate available resources in your community, some of which might include grocery delivery services, meals on wheels, volunteer driver programs, accessible transportation, home health services, and senior housing. Such information can be obtained from the local office on aging. Mental health - Do things that center you and bring inner peace, such as practicing yoga, keeping a journal, or spending time in nature. Keep in regular contact with friends. If your social network has diminished, make new connections by taking a class, volunteering, or joining a club. Safety - In addition to health- and age-related changes, hazardous conditions in the home environment are a major cause of falls resulting in hospitalization. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to reduce these hazards for yourself or a loved one. In stairwells: Ensure steps are in good repair and have a non-skid surface. Keep them free of clutter. Have solid handrails installed on both sides of stairways and ensure adequate lighting. In the kitchen: Keep regularly used pots, dishes, staple foods, and other supplies within easy reach. Ensure the heaviest items are stored in the lower cupboards. If you must reach high

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 47

places, get a step stool that has a high handrail and rubber tips. Never use a chair. In the bathroom: Have grab bars professionally installed by the toilet and in the bathtub or shower area. Use a rubber mat (the kind with suction cups) in the tub or shower, and a non-skid bath mat on the floor. Consider getting a raised toilet seat, a bathtub seat or shower chair, and a hand-held shower attachment. General tips - Wear slippers or shoes that fit snugly, offer good support, and have a non-skid sole. Ensure that throw rugs and scatter mats have a non-skid backing. Better yet, remove them. Keep walkways clear of electrical and telephone cords. Avoid clutter in rooms and hallways. Use night-lights in the bedroom, hallways, and bathroom. Get the kind that has a built-in sensor to automatically turn the light on in dim conditions. Also get plug-in, rechargeable flashlights that automatically come on when the power goes out. Sign on with a personal emergency response service, through which you wear a lightweight, waterproof pendant or bracelet that has a button to press if you run into a crisis and need

help. Visit a medical supply store and check out the many products that can make daily activities easier and safer. Consider a cane or walker if balance is an ongoing problem. Make sure you are fitted with the appropriate type of aid and receive instruction on how to use it properly. Lisa M. Petsche is a medical social worker and a freelance writer specializing in boomer and senior issues. MSN

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Celebrate Older Americans Month By Bernice Karnop When Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday. About a third of older Americans lived in poverty, and there were few programs to meet their needs. In April of that year, President John F. Kennedy, with the advice of the National Council of Senior Citizens, designated May as Senior Citizen’s Month. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter revised the name to Older Americans Month. The Montana Senior News joins in celebrating Older Americans Month this May. The theme of this year’s celebration is Safe Today. Healthy Tomorrow. We have a front row seat to appreciate the many ways in which older adults bring inspiration and continuity to the fabric of Montana communities. Their shared histories, diverse experiences,

and wealth of knowledge make our state what it is today. We also celebrate all the advances that help older Americans live longer, healthier, and more engaged lives. Older Montanans are out and about, giving back and making a difference in their communities across the state. They mentor leaders of tomorrow and take time to volunteer in schools. They connect with others by delivering meals, helping with home repair, assisting with shopping, and offering companionship and care. Join us in celebrating Older Americans Month by not only recognizing those who have gone beyond the call of duty, but also by contacting your local Area Agency on Aging to find out how you can be part of this amazing volunteer force. Opportunities are so diverse, we are sure there is a perfect place for you! MSN

Challenges Of Long-Term Ailments Can Be Handled By Lisa M. Petsche Approximately one in three North Americans has a chronic illness, defined as a permanently altered state of health that significantly affects daily living. Examples of long-term health issues include arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, and neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. Upon diagnosis of a major medical condition, most people initially go into a state of shock or disbelief. Subsequent emotions typically include anger, fear, anxiety, guilt, sadness, and perhaps a sense of aloneness. With progressive diseases, losses can be many, including strength, coordination and energy, communication, bodily functions, roles and responsibilities, previously enjoyed pastimes and plans for the future. The resulting dependence on others can strain relationships and negatively affect self-esteem. Periods vary for individuals, but eventually most people come to accept the reality of their situation. At that point, they are ready to plan for their future and take control of it as much as possible. Coping Tips. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a longterm illness, the following

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are some ways to become empowered mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Learn as much as possible about the illness and its management. Educate family and friends to help them understand. Be receptive to learning new ways of doing things and trying new activities. Concentrate on what you can rather than can’t do. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude, consciously focusing on the good things in your life, such as supportive relationships, and seeking beauty and tranquility – for example, through appreciation of art or nature. Learn to live in the moment and enjoy life’s simpler pleasures. Redefine what quality of life means to you. Recognize that there are many ways to lead a meaningful life. Remind yourself that your identity goes much deeper than your appearance and physical abilities. Find an outlet for expressing your thoughts and feelings – perhaps talking with a friend, keeping a journal, or participating in a support group. Accept that how you feel and what you can do may vary from day to day, and be flexible about plans and expectations. Take things one day at a time. Recall past life challenges and how you overcame them, to remind yourself of your resilience and to generate hope. Stay connected to people who care. If your social network is limited, develop new connections through volunteering, taking an adult education course, or joining a club or group. Allow yourself plenty of time to adjust to your illness and any lifestyle changes that are required. Recognize that your family and friends will also need time to adjust and may not know what to say or do. Let them know how you wish to be treated and keep the lines of communication open. Do something nice for someone. It will take your mind off your own situation and boost your self-esteem. Set aside quiet time each day, to nurture your spirituality and help to keep you grounded. If applicable, turn to your religious faith for comfort. Seek counseling if you are stuck in one of the phases of grieving, such as anger or depression, or if you find yourself making unhealthy

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lifestyle choices. Recognize that no matter what happens, you always have a choice about how to respond to your circumstances. Tap into your mental power. Final Thoughts. However unwelcome it may be, illness – like other life challenges – presents opportunities for growth. Many people gain a richer perspective on life, including a deeper spirituality; discover inner resources they did not know they possessed; develop new interests; acquire

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 49

new skills; and, form new relationships or experience strengthening existing relationships. If you are living with a chronic illness, rise to the challenges it presents. Think of yourself as a survivor rather than a victim. Attitude really does make a difference! Lisa M. Petsche is a medical social worker and a freelance writer specializing in boomer and senior health matters. ISI

Paying for Nursing Home Care with Medicaid By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, What are the eligibility requirements to get Medicaid coverage for nursing home care? Looking Ahead Dear Looking, The rules and requirements for Medicaid eligibility for nursing home care are somewhat complicated and will vary according to the state in which you live. With that said, here is a general, simplified rundown of what it takes to qualify, along with some resources you can turn to for help. Medicaid Rules – Medicaid, the federal and state joint program that covers health care for the poor, is also the largest single payer of America’s nursing home bills for people who do not have the resources to pay for their own care. Most people who enter nursing homes do not qualify for Medicaid at first, but pay for care either through long-term care insurance or out-of-pocket until they deplete their savings and become eligible for Medicaid. To qualify for Medicaid, your income and assets will need to be under a certain level that is determined by your state. Most states require that a person have no more than about $2,000 in countable assets that include cash, savings, investments, or other financial resources that can be turned into cash. Assets that are not counted for eligibility include your home if it is valued under $525,000 (this limit is higher – up to $786,000 – in some states), your personal possessions and household goods, one vehicle, prepaid funeral plans, and a small amount of life insurance. But be aware that while your home is not considered a countable asset to determine your eligibility, if you cannot return to your home, Medicaid can go after the proceeds of your house to help reimburse your nursing home costs, unless your spouse or other dependent relative lives there.

(There are some other exceptions to this rule.) After qualifying, all sources of your income such as Social Security and pension checks must be turned over to Medicaid to pay for your care, except for a small personal needs allowance – usually between $30 and $90 per month. You also need to be aware that you cannot give away your assets to qualify for Medicaid faster. Medicaid officials will look at your financial records going back five years to root out suspicious asset transfers. If they find one, your Medicaid coverage will be delayed a certain length of time, according to a formula that divides the transfer amount by the average monthly cost of nursing home care in your state. So if, for example, you live in a state where the average monthly nursing home cost is $5,000 and you gave away cash or other assets worth $100,000, you would be ineligible for benefits for 20 months ($100,000 divided by $5,000 = 20).

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Spousal Protection – Medicaid also has special rules for married couples when one spouse enters a nursing home and the other spouse remains at home. In these cases, the healthy spouse can keep one-half of the couple’s assets up to $113,640 (this amount varies by state), the family home, all the furniture and household goods, and one automobile. The healthy spouse is also entitled to keep a portion of the couple’s monthly income – between $1,838 and $2,841. Any income above that goes toward the cost of the nursing home recipient’s care. What about Medicare? Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older and some younger people with disabilities, does not pay for long-term care. It only helps pay up to

100 days of “rehabilitative” nursing home care, which must occur after a hospital stay. Get Help – Again, Medicaid rules are complicated and vary by state, so contact the local Medicaid office (call 800-633-4227 for contact information) for eligibility details. You can also get help from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which provides free counseling on all Medicare and Medicaid issues. To find a local SHIP counselor, visit shiptalk. org, or call 800-677-1116. 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. MSN

Older Americans takes medications that work against each other - continued from page 41 information that would be of value in addressing these issues if it were more widely known and used.” This study was done by researchers from OSU and the Yale University School of Medicine, with 5,815 community-living adults between the years 2007-09. The lead author of the study was Dr. Mary E. Tinetti at Yale University, and it was supported by the National Institutes of Health. The analysis included a nationally representative sample of older adults, and both men and women. The research identified some of the most common competing chronic conditions, in which medications for one condition may exacerbate the other. They included hypertension and osteoarthritis; hypertension and diabetes; hy-

pertension and COPD; diabetes and coronary artery disease; and hypertension and depression. These issues affect millions of older Americans. “More than 9 million older adults in the U.S. are being prescribed medications that may be causing them more harm than benefit,” said Jonathan Lorgunpai, a medical student at the Yale School of Medicine and co-author of the study. “Not only is this potentially harmful for individual patients, it is also very wasteful for our health care system.” The researchers pointed out that the presence of competing conditions does not necessarily contraindicate the use of needed medications, but rather the need for this competition to be more seriously considered in treatment. MSN

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Visit The Ukrainian Cultural Institute In Dickenson, North Dakota By Bernice Karnop When troops killed Ukrainian demonstrators in February, they were memorialized at a service in distant North Dakota. Children and grandchildren of the earliest Ukrainians still feel connected to the country although the settlers arrived in North Dakota in 1897-98. Among them were Agnes Palanuk’s parents.

“We are hurt and worried,� says Agnes, now 84 years old. “We pray for this to settle peacefully so they can live in peace.� In 1981, descendants of the Ukrainian emigrants organized the Ukrainian Cultural Institute (UCI) in Dickenson to honor the settlers and preserve the culture and heritage. Agnes is the key player in the UCI. People of any background will enjoy stopping at this combination museum, library, gallery, gift shop, and chapel just off Interstate 94. Anyone can be caught up in this fascinating culture and the stories of their early days on the prairies of North Dakota. The most prominent part of the stop is the store. Visitors buy Ukrainian blouses and men’s shirts, embroidered in a distinctive red and black on white pattern that runs down the front and around and down the sleeves. Other needle work includes table runners and scarves. The store also carries Ukrainian ceramics, and the intricately decorated

pysanka, the Ukrainian Easter eggs, and more. One unique feature at the UCI is the cheese button factory. Also known as pyrohy, this food item is dough filled with such things as potato, cottage cheese, or sauerkraut. It’s similar to a dumpling. Other eastern Europeans, including Poles, also make the cheese buttons. The Institute purchased a cheese button machine 17 years ago, saving many back-breaking hours of work. Today they produce about 11,200 buttons per week. The two pound packages sell, not only in the Ukrainian Cultural Institute, but also in grocery stores in Dickenson and in other parts of North and South Dakota. From the time she was very young, Agnes loved the stories her mother told about life in western Ukraine. She was surprised later to notice by the dates, that her mom was only a year and a half old when they immigrated. Mom’s vivid tales, passed to her by her own mother, made it sound like she’d grown up there. Agnes speaks and writes Ukrainian. The men and women who came in those early days were serfs in western Ukraine, which was then under Austro-Hungarian control. They were drawn by the free land in Dakota, but it was not at all what they were expecting. They only had a small patch of land in Ukraine and they had to share the produce with the land owner. However, the productive topsoil there was about six feet deep. In the new land, topsoil was only an inch or two deep. Many thought they had gone from something bad to something even worse. Agnes tells about a woman who followed her sister to North Dakota. As the train rolled past acres of fire-blackened prairie land, she wondered why she had come. The sister’s answer has become

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a kind of proverb, still used today when someone complains, “Oh, you’ll get used to it.” Church was, and continues to be the most important thing to Ukrainians, according to Agnes. It was one of the first things they built in the new land. There are four active Ukrainian Catholic churches in North Dakota now. She points out that they are not Roman Catholic, but Byzantine Catholic, more connected to Orthodox Christianity but with their own liturgy. After World War II, when it was evident that the Communists would take over the region, another wave of Ukrainians immigrated to America. These displaced persons, or DPs, were educated people seeking freedom rather than poor people looking for land. They have joined with the UCI and their differences enhance the story. In 1984, after years of not having contact with their relatives in Ukraine, Agnes and other immigrant descendants traveled there. They wanted to visit the village from which their families came, but the Communist government refused to let them. In a series of coincidences, children and grandchildren of the families who stayed behind were able to meet them in a park in a nearby town. These oppressed people refused to go into the hotel because the rooms were all bugged. The excit-

ing result was that relationships were confirmed and the families continue to keep in touch. After Ukrainian independence, Agnes, for one, returned three times to a friendlier country. The Ukrainian

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 53

Americans continue to send packages and money to their counterparts in Ukraine, she says. The UCI hosts a two-week dance workshop each summer, sponsor symposiums and workshops, and produce a newsletter. Right in the middle of the action is Agnes. Customers in the UCI bookstore may buy her book on the early settlers called Ukrainians in North Dakota: In Their Voices. Much of the information comes from interviews done in the early 1930s by the Works Progress Administration. Born in 1929, the octogenarian is now involved in the exciting production of a documentary about the Ukrainian settlers. This documentary premieres at Dickenson State University, July 18, 2014. Agnes says the documentary is excellent, but it’s not comprehensive. Someone needs to put the rest into a book, and Agnes is the one that can do it. Her laugh is like a musical bell. “I will be busy ‘til I die!” she says. “There are so many things happening all the time. One thing leads to another to another!” The Ukrainian Cultural Institute is open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by appointment. Visit the UCI web site at, www. ucitoday.org. The UCI is affiliated with Dickenson State College. MSN

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Cardston – A Nostalgic Ride Anchored by its landmark massive, white granite temple and the wide streets of its historic downtown, the town of Cardston (pop. 3,580) is backed by the towering snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies with distinctive Chief Mountain majestically watching over this corner of southern Alberta. Cardston, founded in 1887 by Charles Ora Card, a leader with the Mormon church who immigrated from Utah, is much more than a refuelling stop for travellers headed to and from nearby the Waterton & Glacier National Parks. Lined by a number of historic buildings, the town’s Main Street boasts shops, eateries, artisans, and the beautiful old Carriage House Theatre,

which has revitalized the arts scene locally. The theatre has undergone an extensive renovation to restore its art-deco-like glory. Besides serving as a movie house, there are also live performances and musicals almost nightly during the summer months performed by a large troupe of local talent combined with imported professionals. This summer they will bring The Scarlet Pimpernel and Tarzan to the stage. A visit to downtown would not be complete without a tour of the1887 Card Pioneer Home, the original log cabin built by the town’s founder. This provincial historic site is also a museum that contains period artifacts depicting the life and times of Card and his community. Also downtown is the Remington Carriage Museum – which houses North America’s largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles on display. Wander past immaculately restored antique carriages, school buses, hearses, and early automobiles. Enjoy the hands-on displays, or browse the museum gift shop, but make sure to leave time for a horse-drawn carriage ride through the town centre. Monday through Thursday during the summer, visitors can experience a guided Mormon Pioneer Trail Tour at the museum and during a carriage ride through Cardston. The museum grounds feature a life-size bronze statue of George Woolf, Cardston-born jockey, on the legendary racehorse Seabiscuit. Woolf rode Seabiscuit to championship glory in 1938 against War Admiral in what was touted as “The Match of the Century.� As you leave, don’t forget to snap your photo at the Fay Wray Fountain on the north side of Lee Creek, a block from the museum. The late actress, another of Cardston’s notable citizens, found fame in Hollywood movies such as King Kong. A few blocks west of Main Street is the Cardston Temple, which was built in 1923. Not only was it the first Mormon temple in Canada, it was also the

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second to be built outside the United States. In 1995, the Cardston Temple was named a National Historic Site, recognized as “the first consciously modern building in the province of Alberta.” While the temple is not open to the public, an information centre on temple grounds offers insights about the temple and the Mormon faith. Another provincial historic site that stands as a reminder of early days in Cardston is the Courthouse Museum. Built in 1907 from sandstone quarried just outside of Cardston, this building

was a working courthouse longer than any other in Alberta was. The courthouse still has the original judge’s bench and witness stand as well as jail cells, and other historical items. You can even ride in the footsteps of the original settlers and book trail rides to enjoy incredible wildflowers and wildlife through the rolling green hills in the shadow of Chief Mountain and the Rockies, or camp and fish at several beautiful campgrounds in the area. And don’t miss a main attraction each summer; Cardston Heritage Days, the second weekend in

Crazy Horse Memorial - continued from page 24 provided Crazy Horse friends match his gift, which will then become $20 million to further work on the hand and horse’s head. People from throughout the world are helping to achieve the goal – some with a dollar and some with very large gifts. All are very much appreciated and will accelerate the work on the mountain. When visiting Crazy Horse Memorial you will have the opportunity to see: • The 40,000-square-foot Welcome Center. This is where the storytelling begins, in two theaters showing the must-see Dynamite & Dreams. • The Indian Museum of North America, the visitor complex, and the scale models for work on the mountain. • The sculptor’s log studio-home, built in 194748, is filled with antiques and works of fine art as well as Korczak’s workshop, and sculpture gallery. • The new Mountain Museum that focuses on the mountain carving. • The Native American Educational & Cultural Center, where American Indian artists and artisans create their work and visit with the guests. Also, more than 100 Edward Curtis portraits of

American Indians and photographs of frontier life are on display. • American Indian dancers perform at scheduled times throughout the summer. • Legends in Light, a spectacular multimedia laser-light show on the mountain begins at dark nightly from Memorial Day weekend through midOctober. • An up-close view of the mountain carving is available by taking an optional bus ride to the foot of the mountain. A small guided tour to Crazy Horse’s face is available. • Museum gift shops featuring Indian made arts, crafts, jewelry, and the exclusive outlet for Crazy Horse gift items and souvenirs. • Laughing Water Restaurant & Snack Shop – dine inside or on the viewing deck – always FREE coffee. For more information on Crazy Horse Memorial, visit crazyhorsememorial.org, call 605-6734681, or e-mail: memorial@crazyhorse.org. MSN

Come Visit the Dakota Territory Air Museum The founding of Minot in 1886 occurred when a railway crew set up a winter camp. A tent city formed overnight and grew, as if by magic; thus Minot’s nickname: “The Magic City.” One hundred years later, the Dakota Territory Air Museum was organized. Its expansion has reflected the growth of the city – as if by magic. Hangar space tops 55,000 square feet that presents the best in aviation history in our region. Our museum is dedicated to highlighting aviation in action, encompassing restoration projects, demonstration flights, air shows, and education camps for kids. Guided by actual pilots and mentors, the ACE (Aviation Camp Experience) program introduces 3rd and 4th graders to general aviation concepts. PACE (Passport Aviation Camp Experience) is an accelerated program for 5th and 6th graders. The museum prizes its cooperative venture with the Texas Flying Legends Museum through which we are able to exhibit actual flying World War II aircraft. Come explore approximately 50 aircraft – both military and civilian – and be sure to visit our gift shop full of aviation themed gifts for everyone. We are open mid-May through mid-October, MondaySaturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 PM. Learn more (including our Sweepstakes) at dakotaterritoryairmuseum.com. MSN

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 55

August, welcomes former residents and visitors to enjoy a parade, pet show and pancake breakfast. The rodeo is a big hit every year, and is followed soon after by the World Mini Chuckwagon Championships at the carriage museum. Whatever time you choose to visit, you can be sure of a warm welcome with plenty to see and do. For more information, contact the Cardston Visitors Centre at 403-653-3787 and visit www. TheMormonTrail.ca and www.cardston.ca. MSN

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English – our beloved language that drove us crazy as students but can entertain us in poetry, story, and song – is such a full language of homonyms, antonyms, synonyms, eponyms, heteronyms, tautonyms, etc. where minor differences in spelling can produce significant differences in meaning or pronunciation. We took a turn this month toward language and spelling as the basis for our quiz. This issue’s winning quiz, Add A Letter Word Puzzle was created by Pete Shea of East Glacier Park. Thank you, Pete for challenging one of our most basic language skills. We hope you enjoy solving this quiz. Two $25 cash prizes are awarded from the Contest Corner in each issue of the Montana Senior News. One prize goes to the person who submits the entry that our staff selects as the

featured quiz or puzzle for that issue. Be creative and send us some good, fun, challenging, and interesting puzzles! The second prize goes to the person who submits the winning answers to the quiz presented in the previous issue. This month’s winners (3) of our special I Spy quiz from the February/March 2014 issue are Ray Alexander ($80) of Kalispell; Terri Ferster ($60) of Absarokee; and David Chvilicek ($40) of Havre. Congratulations to our winners and thanks to the hundreds of you who played I Spy. Please mail your entries to the Montana Senior News, P.O. Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403, or email to montsrnews@bresnan.net by May 10, 2014 for our June/July 2014 edition. Don’t forget to work the crossword puzzle on our website montanaseniornews.com.

Add A Letter Word Puzzle Submitted by Pete Shea East Glacier Park Below is a numbered list of words and a lettered list of clues. Add one letter to each word to create another word that means the same as one of the clues. For example, the correct answer to 1. is damp, which matches clue n. moist. On a numbered sheet of paper, write the new word and the letter of the clue that matches it. Mail or email your answers to montsrnews@ bresnan.net and you may win the $25 prize.

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 57

44. Earvin Johnson, Jr. 46. Of long ago 47. Burkina Faso neighbor 48. Olympian Ted Ligety’s sport 50. Feudal laborer 52. Bathroom sign 53. Like unwelcome neighbor 55. Web address 57. *Underground Railroad conductor 60. They are notoriously slow 63. *Location of General MacArthur’s last war 64. ET carrier 66. Nymph of lakes and springs 68. Liturgy instrument 69. In favor of 70. _____ brÝlÊe 71. Bookkeeping entry 72. Unwelcome deduction 73. Industrial center of the Ruhr

DOWN 1. Bathtub hooch 2. “U� in I.C.U. 3. Tree or shrub type having winged fruit 4. Absence of matter, pl. 5. Like one with low hemoglobin 6. *Nixon worked to do this to relations with China 7. Hudson’s Bay Co original ware 8. Bubonic plague carriers 9. Disembodied spirit 10. Italian money, 1861-2002 11. *The Colonial Period and Roaring Twenties, e.g. 12. Highly antici-

ACROSS 1. Tropical fruit 6. Bug enemy 9. ____ bargain 13. Relating to Quechuan people 14. Monetary unit of Afganistan 15. “_____ Science� (1985) 16. Daughter of a sibling 17. “But I heard him exclaim, ____ he drove out of sight...� 18. Wall hanging of hand woven fabric 19. *Anti-Communist ______ Doctrine

21. *U.K. and U.S.S.R. to U.S. (1939-1945), e.g. 23. One-shot Atticus Finch’s forte 24. *He sent naval fleet to support North in Civil War 25. Big fuss 28. Relinquish, as in property 30. Win an auction 35. Dull or dense 37. Dutch cheese 39. Game ragout 40. Carpet layer’s calculation 41. Indy 500 entrant 43. Cajole

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pated during Super Bowl 15. Toothy marine mammal 20. Arabian chieftain 22. ___-tzu 24. High tea padded accessory 25. *Washington’s veep 26. Relating to dura mater 27. Opposite of alpha 29. *June 6, 1944 31. A boor lacks this 32. “Ulysses� protagonist 33. Candidate’s concern 34. *Mason’s partner 36. Get-out-of-jail money 38. Insignificant 42. Old episode 45. Charles Ponzi, e.g. 49. Bygone bird 51. *Gave us Miss Liberty 54. A pinch in the mouth 56. Pinocchio and his kind 57. Civil wrong 58. Craving 59. Beacon light 60. Tender 61. *Things Washington didn’t tell? 62. “The more things change, the more they stay the ____� 63. Ornamental carp 65. Joker to Batman, e.g. 67. Bear home MSN

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Thoughts on April – Continued from page 29 Con artists build on impossible dreams and prove repeatedly that a fool is really a fool. And students of all ages try to prove one can get an education without studying – and that is no joke. As I pondered the subject of fools, I recognized some foolish things we all have done, sometimes more than once. 1. Eat crisp, brittle cookies in bed and then grumble all night because we can’t sleep because of the crumbs. 2. Tell a white lie to make someone feel better. Sweet, but lies usually have a way of catching up with you, even sweet ones. Remember also that silence is golden. 3. Make yourself as sick as a dog by eating too many sweets. But I also pondered some wiser thoughts: For example, Confucius once said there were three ways to learn wisdom: “First, by reflection, which is the noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience which is the bitterest.� Which is the most valuable? There are wise things to do that can be real fun. Enjoy an art gallery, some fine dining, or a museum when visiting another area – try Billings’ Yellowstone County Museum, the Bair Family Museum in Martinsdale, or Butte’s World Museum of Mining for example. Whatever April means, out of all of the months, its one great specialty is creating rainbows growing out of the ground – for that is what a garden is. MSN

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Putting Off Working On Your Tax Return May Cost You – Financial Planner Warns Three Tips for Keeping More of Your Own Money Nearly 150 million Americans will file federal income tax returns this year and, unfortunately, many will be shelling out much more of their hard-earned money than necessary, says veteran financial expert Jeff Gorton. “With the ridiculous complexity of our tax code, I can understand how the average person might want to put off doing their homework, but that’ll cost you,” says Gorton, a veteran Certified Public Accountant and Certified Financial Planner™, and head of Gorton Financial Group (www.gortonfinancialgroup.com). “When you think about all you do to earn

your money, and the lengths we’ll go to save a few bucks, it doesn’t make sense to not do all we can to prepare for the inevitable – our compulsory contribution to Uncle Sam’s bank account.” There is nothing unpatriotic about taking advantage of legal measures to reduce your tax bill, Gorton says. Most Americans, however, don’t understand the basics of how to minimize the tax burden, he says. “If you wait until the last minute to do your taxes, you’re sure to miss out on savings,” says Gorton, who offers some basic and more advanced taxsaving options. • Credits: Tax credits are usually subtracted dollar for dollar from the actual tax liability and may be utilized when filing for 2013. They include the Child Tax Credit, which allows up to $1,000 for children younger than 17; the American Opportunity Credit, featuring up to $2,500 in tax savings per eligible student for tuition costs for four years of post-highschool education; and the Energy-Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit, which grants qualifying taxpayers 10 percent of the cost of certain energyefficient building materials — up to a $500 lifetime credit. The Child and Dependent Care Credit, for those who have to pay someone to care for a child younger than 13, or another dependent, offers up to $3,000 for one qualifying individual, or up to $6,000 for two or more qualifying individuals. • Deductions: Like tax credits, deductions have phase-out limits, so you may want to consult with a professional. Deductions are subtracted from your income before your taxes are calculated,

which may reduce the amount of money on which you are taxed and, by extension, your eventual tax liability. Some examples include contributions made to qualifying charitable organizations. And, you may be able to write off out-of-pocket costs incurred while doing work for a charity. Others may include amounts set aside for retirement through a qualified retirement plan, such as an Individual Retirement Account; medical expenses exceeding 10 percent of your adjusted gross income are now deductible – expenses exceeding 7.5 percent are still deductible for those older than age 65; and, potentially, mortgage interest paid on a loan secured for your primary residence. • Tax-favored investing: This involves both tax-exempt investments and tax-deferred investments. Tax-exempt investments, which include such vehicles as municipal bonds and certain money market funds, offer a way to grow your money that’s exempt from federal taxes. Municipal bonds are free of federal income tax and may be free of state and local income taxes for investors who live in the area where the bond was issued. Tax-deferred investments, on which taxes are postponed until you withdraw your money, include qualified retirement plans, such as traditional IRAs and employer-sponsored plans, as well as insurance products such as annuities and, sometimes, life insurance. Jeff Gorton is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Financial Planner™ specializing in individual tax and retirement planning. MSN

History Worth Celebrating – and Supporting! The Montana Historical Society Recognized statewide and nationally as “the place” for Montana history, the Montana Historical Society (MHS) has identified, preserved, and shared stories of Montana’s past since 1865. The Montana Historical Society is the guardian of Montana’s memory. But we keep history relevant – by offering enjoyable learning experiences for visitors and by making Montana’s history meaningful. MHS shares information, expertise, and programs that can touch everyone in Montana – from schoolchildren and educators to families and history enthusiasts. The Montana Historical Society relies on folks like you that have lived – and love – Montana history to promote an understanding and appreciation of Montana’s cultural heritage – past, present, and future. Your help is needed to promote and support the work of celebrating Montana’s history! How can you help? Become a member of the Montana Historical Society, make a donation to support MHS programs, double your contribution by asking for a matching gift from your employer (yes, retirees too!), or consider leaving a personal legacy that will enable the Montana Historical Society to share Montana’s rich history with future generations. We’d love to hear from you! For additional information visit mhs.mt.gov/, call 406-4442694, or stop by 225 N. Roberts in Helena. MSN

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What would Honest Abe say? “That’s sweat on your pizza.” By Bill Hall Politicians who oppose raising the minimum wage have inadvertently made me see the greater wisdom of lowering the minimum wage. If raising the minimum wage does in fact reduce the number of minimum wage jobs, as we are told, then lowering the minimum wage should increase the number of minimum wage jobs. The more you lower the minimum wage, the more jobs you will produce. Granted, lowering the minimum wage below $7.25 an hour might fall rather harshly on such workers, producing a certain amount of malnutrition. But not to worry. Lowering wages below present levels is an essential sacrifice applied entirely to people who are too weak politically to fight back against the rest of us. The upper 90 percent of the population can pretty much dictate how low we push the minimum wage. After all, these are mostly young, relatively healthy kids. They are more likely to endure a certain amount of hunger than the rest of us. Best of all, lowering the minimum wage could lower the price of burgers, tacos, and pizzas, the principal diet of so many of us. Opponents of a higher minimum wage kindly point out that raising the minimum wage would drive up the cost of our favorite fast foods. That’s because the bosses of those workers feel compelled to pass on any increased cost of employee wages to customers like you and me. If an increase in the minimum wage lifts the price of a pepperoni pizza from $8 to $8.15, you pretty much have to concede a merchant his inclination to overcompensate and raise the price all the way to $9 just to be ready for possible future inflation. If a higher minimum wage would kill a lot of the current minimum wage jobs in our society, then cutting the minimum wage in half – to about 3.62 an hour – should double the number of minimum wage jobs. I remember the days I worked in restaurants for minimum wage. I was a busboy, and that doesn’t mean I was a boy driving a bus. No, I was bussing dishes. My job was taking dirty dishes back to the kitchen for washing and bringing clean glasses and silverware to the workstations of the waitresses. And while management was not likely to give a minimum wage worker a raise, waitresses would pitch in a little extra cash from their tips if you kept their stations stocked. That made it possible for waitresses to give the best service to their customers. And good service tended to increase the size of the tips. So the waitresses, in effect, would give me a modest but generous increase in pay even if nobody else would. When it came to waitresses, I scratched their backs and they scratched mine. That was my favorite part of restaurant work. You wouldn’t know a good day at work if you have never scratched the back of a waitress. I have never worked as hard since as I did in those restaurants. Whether you’re a waitress or a busboy, you are on a dead run for most of your shift, carrying heavy trays of dishes and racing through the high humidity and greasy air of a steaming kitchen. Minimum wage jobs were the hardest I ever did, and strangely enough, the more I was paid in later life, the easier the job. I really shouldn’t be paid for writing. That’s not work. That’s recreation. In fact, if this were an ethical world, the lowest paid workers would

be those with the most enjoyable work – writers, movie stars, CEOs, major league baseball players, members of Congress, and fishing guides. If justice ever prevails, the highest paid people would be garbage collectors, caretakers of the dying, bloody chicken pluckers, and waitresses, not to mention mothers of small children. Abraham Lincoln understood what is going on when you work people like slaves and pay them dirt. He lived his life with a melancholy heart, stressing a powerful biblical admonition. “It may seem strange,” Lincoln said, “that any men should dare to ask a just God’s assistance

in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men’s faces.” Minimum wage involves something like that. If we who are better paid are so fat and sassy that others must work for a pittance until the sweat runs down their faces, then we are stealing from the poor. Don’t think of raises in the minimum wage merely as simple justice. Think of them as a new emancipation. Hall may be contacted at wilberth@cableone. net or at 1012 Prospect Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501. ISI

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Whether You Are Buying A New Home Or Downsizing Follow These Tips NAPSI – The housing market is roaring back in many areas, as increased demand and decreased inventory combine with very low interest rates to boost real estate sales. Here are a few tips: • Know the market. Stay on top of new home listings by checking real estate listings using online search engines. In a market where a home can have multiple offers, buyers must be ready to make an offer quickly. Think through the “must haves” of your future home. • Show you are serious. Demonstrating that you’re prepared to close a purchase quickly can be an advantage in a competitive housing market. First, get a prequalification letter from your lender to show you qualify. Second, when making an offer, don’t “lowball” the seller. Make your bid competitive and keep contingencies to a minimum, particularly if there are additional offers. Sellers are looking for a worry-free, uncomplicated sale. • Consider all financing options. If you are nearing retirement, consider a larger down payment. Borrowers who have a down payment of less than 20 percent must also budget for mortgage insurance. Recent changes have made governmentsponsored Federal Housing Administration (FHA)

mortgage insurance more expensive, so private mortgage insurance may be a better option. In most cases, borrowers can save more than $100 per month with private mortgage insurance. Another consideration is policy cancellation. FHA no longer allows cancellation of mortgage insurance premiums for borrowers with less than 10 percent down, requiring them instead to pay premiums for the life of the loan. In contrast, private mortgage insurance can be cancelled once you’ve established 20 percent equity and loan payments are current, among other conditions. According to Mortgage Insurance Companies of America, 90 percent of borrowers cancel their mortgage insurance within 60 months. Check with your lender about all your financing options. Private mortgage insurance is available with down payments as low as 3 percent. Learn more at SmarterMI.com. A strengthening housing market means today’s buyers are facing new realities. Before you buy, make sure you understand and address these challenges, so you can increase your chances of getting into the home of your dreams. MSN

Smart Homes Enable People To Comfortably Age In Place A refrigerator that monitors food consumption and can detect expired food items is a complex piece of technology that seems to belong more in a science fiction film than the average American household. But as the technology we use within our homes advances, the definition of these commonplace items and appliances are beginning to take on new meaning. Referred to as “smart homes,” these structures can be designed or updated with a variety of advanced electronic and technological features. Microsoft chair Bill Gates’ home in Seattle, Washington is likely the most famous of the smart home models, with rooms that can adjust lighting, temperature, and even music, depending on the inhabitant’s mood. Less extravagant and more affordable alternatives exist. These highly advanced shelters can add safety, convenience, security, and assistance to a growing population of Americans that is becoming less independent in terms of their care, but also hesitant to leave their homes: • Smart mirror: The master bathroom mirror displays important messages or reminders – for example, to take medication – when needed. This technology could be expanded to other rooms. • Smart stove: A boon for fire safety, this device will monitor stove usage and alert the occupant, via the smart bed, if the

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logical Survey research ecologist stationed in of one of the biggest classrooms of all – Glacier Glacier Park, and wildlife biologists Lisa Bate National Park.” Aside from furnishing a welcoming venue and and Cristina Eisenberg have discussed the latest findings in their respective fields. Dan runs the scheduling the speakers, the Montana House Climate Change in Mountain Ecosystems project also follows each event with a reception. Free and hiked with former vice-president Al Gore coffee and hot cider plus sweet and savory treats when he visited the park to witness its shrinking are served, providing an opportunity to ask more glaciers. Lisa, of the National Park Service, has questions or just chat one-on-one. The store’s given presentations on her bat and harlequin staff and other locals who appreciate having such duck studies. Everyone expected those colorfully a wonderful program in their backyard contribute clad ducks to attract an attentive audience but as well by baking cookies and quick breads. it was the oft-maligned winged mammals that A longtime champion of native American and brought questions from a curious audience. Cris- Big Sky artists and artisans, the Montana House tina authored The Wolf’s Tooth, which describes was established in 1960 by Monica’s parents, the relationship between big predators, prey, Hans and Toni Jungster. Since it opened, over 500 artists and and plants. In her craftspeople talks, she has have sold their explored the reacreations here. sons why predaPottery, beadtors are vital to work, and jewelregulate ecosysry merely begin tems – be they the list of qualoceans, prairies, ity handmade or rain forests. items showHer work has cased here. Adbeen documented ditionally, the on CBS, in the LA work of several Times, and in The inductees into Denver Post. the Montana CirOther noted Lisa Bates and Monica Jungster at Montana House cle of American presenters inRegional Craft Shop [Photot by Gail Jokerst] Masters in the clude Chip DaVisual Fold and vis, Carol Guthrie, Traditional Arts is found throughout the store and Deirdre Shaw. Chip Davis, the founder of Mannheim Steamroller, has helped raise funds along with an array of books for adults and kids. So far, the Montana House has sponsored for the park through sales of his CD True Wilderover 40 presentations with more to come. The ness, which was inspired in part by his visit to Glacier Park. Missoula author Carol Guthrie has Glacier National Park Conservancy, which is penned five books. She spoke during the park’s an official Glacier National Park partner, has centennial celebration about her latest volume, promoted each talk through email blasts to its Glacier National Park, The First 100 Years. And extensive membership roster. Considering the Deirdre Shaw, Glacier Park’s conservancy’s mission is to provide “support for museum curator, has shared preservation, education, and research through her research on the historic philanthropy and outreach” it is a great match. “Part of our goal is to fund research that helps mark women have made on park managers make informed decisions,” says Glacier. “I’m sitting in the right place Jane Ratzlaff, executive director of philanthropy at the right time to offer infor- and outreach. “We wanted to find ways for remation and education in a non- searchers to be able to disseminate information political way,” says Monica, to the public and not have it linger on the shelf. who lives year-round in West This series allows the public to be engaged and Glacier with her husband, play a role in what we do. It’s just an amazing Chuck, the video-taper of all program.” For more information, call 406-888-5393, 406the “Look, Listen, & Learn” presentations. “It’s more fun 892-3250, visit www.montanahouse.info, or visit than learning in a classroom, www.glaciernationalparkconservancy.org. MSN though you are in the middle

Committed To Volunteering: Mary and Tom Nelesen By Gail Jokerst When you first meet Tom and Mary Nelesen, you can’t help but notice two seemingly contradictory traits about this Kalispell couple. Both are gentle, soft-spoken people. Yet when they discuss volunteering you soon realize those qualities are tempered with a steel core of commitment to organizations needing assistance. From helping the Flathead’s homeless and abused to improving the lives of women and girls here and overseas, Tom and Mary have championed the less fortunate. They have also devoted their energies to local environmental education, bringing books to the homebound, and working behind the scenes in Glacier National Park. In fact, it was the idea of volunteering in Glacier that prompted these two Wisconsin natives to relocate to the Flathead in 2004 after they retired. During a 1990s vacation in Glacier they fell in love with the majesty of the Crown of the Continent while also

HAPPY

Mother’s Day!

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Care & Rehabilitation Center Caring is the Key in Life

PAGE 70 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

APRIL/MAY 2014

logical Survey research ecologist stationed in of one of the biggest classrooms of all – Glacier Glacier Park, and wildlife biologists Lisa Bate National Park.” Aside from furnishing a welcoming venue and and Cristina Eisenberg have discussed the latest findings in their respective fields. Dan runs the scheduling the speakers, the Montana House Climate Change in Mountain Ecosystems project also follows each event with a reception. Free and hiked with former vice-president Al Gore coffee and hot cider plus sweet and savory treats when he visited the park to witness its shrinking are served, providing an opportunity to ask more glaciers. Lisa, of the National Park Service, has questions or just chat one-on-one. The store’s given presentations on her bat and harlequin duck staff and other locals who appreciate having s such a wonderful studies. Everyone p program in their expected those backyard concolorfully clad t tribute as well by ducks to attract b baking cookies an attentive audia quick breads. and ence but it was A longtime chamthe oft-maligned pion of native winged mamAmerican and mals that brought B Big Sky artists questions from a a and artisans, the curious audience. M Montana House Cristina authored w was established The Wolf’s Tooth, in 1960 by Monwhich describes ica’s parents, the relationship Lisa Bates and Monica Jungster at Montana House H Hans and Toni between big Regioan Craft Shop [Photot by Gail Jokerst] J Jungster. Since it predators, prey, o opened, over 500 and plants. In her talks, she has explored the reasons why preda- artists and craftspeople have sold their creations tors are vital to regulate ecosystems – be they here. Pottery, beadwork, and jewelry merely begin oceans, prairies, or rain forests. Her work has the list of quality handmade items showcased been documented on CBS, in the LA Times, and here. Additionally, the work of several inductees into the Montana Circle of American Masters in The Denver Post. Other noted presenters include Chip Davis, in the Visual Fold and Traditional Arts is found Carol Guthrie, and Deirdre Shaw. Chip Davis, the throughout the store along with an array of books founder of Mannheim Steamroller, has helped for adults and kids. So far, the Montana House has sponsored raise funds for the park through sales of his CD over 40 presentations with more to come. The True Wilderness, which was inspired in part by his visit to Glacier Park. Missoula author Carol Glacier National Park Conservancy, which is Guthrie has penned five books. She spoke dur- an official Glacier National Park partner, has ing the park’s centennial celebration about her promoted each talk through email blasts to its latest volume, Glacier National Park, The First extensive membership roster. Considering the 100 Years. And Deirdre Shaw, conservancy’s mission is to provide “support for Glacier Park’s museum cura- preservation, education, and research through tor, has shared her research on philanthropy and outreach” it is a great match. “Part of our goal is to fund research that helps the historic mark women have park managers make informed decisions,” says made on Glacier. “I’m sitting in the right place Jane Ratzlaff, executive director of philanthropy at the right time to offer infor- and outreach. “We wanted to find ways for remation and education in a non- searchers to be able to disseminate information political way,” says Monica, to the public and not have it linger on the shelf. who lives year-round in West This series allows the public to be engaged and Glacier with her husband, play a role in what we do. It’s just an amazing Chuck, the video-taper of all program.” For more information, call 406-888-5393, 406the “Look, Listen, & Learn” presentations. “It’s more fun 892-3250, visit www.montanahouse.info, or visit than learning in a classroom, www.glaciernationalparkconservancy.org. MSN though you are in the middle

Committed To Volunteering: Mary and Tom Nelesen By Gail Jokerst When you first meet Tom and Mary Nelesen, you can’t help but notice two seemingly contradictory traits about this Kalispell couple. Both are gentle, soft-spoken people. Yet when they discuss volunteering you soon realize those qualities are tempered with a steel core of commitment to organizations needing assistance. From helping the Flathead’s homeless and abused to improving the lives of women and girls here and overseas, Tom and Mary have championed the less fortunate. They have also devoted their energies to local environmental education, bringing books to the homebound, and working behind the scenes in Glacier National Park. In fact, it was the idea of volunteering in Glacier that prompted these two Wisconsin natives to relocate to the Flathead in 2004 after they retired. During a 1990s vacation in Glacier they fell in love with the majesty of the Crown of the Continent while also

HAPPY

Mother’s Day!

Home means family. Home means safety. Home means feeling restored. At Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation Center, home also means thriving—physically, emotionally and socially. We provide professional medical services such as skilled nursing and rehabiliation therapy in a quality, caring environment. Welcome home.

Whitefish

Care & Rehabilitation Center Caring is the Key in Life

APRIL/MAY 2014

“Two men in their 20s said to me, ‘We know the green rocks are jade. What are the red rocks?’ I just smiled inside,” remembers Tom. “Then I gave them a ten-minute geology lesson about the role of oxidation in rock formation. I think they appreciated the explanation.” Although actively involved with summertime Park volunteering, Mary also shares her enthusiastic spirit year-round with another project close to her heart – the Homebound Program. Based on a successful book-lending arrangement she parView into Glacier Park from Numa Ridge Lookout ticipated in while living in the North Fork region where Mary and Tom Nelein Wisconsin, Mary prosen hiked last fall. [Photo provided by Mary & Tom posed that the Flathead Nelesen] discovering the Park had four non-profit partners Public Library establish something similar with whom they could serve. “We decided to take our time; learn about each so that patrons lacking one; and choose which best fit our personalities,” transportation could still says Tom, who with Mary eventually selected Gla- borrow books, CDs, and cier National Park Volunteer Associates (GNPVA) DVDs. Not surprisingly, as their main, but not sole, volunteer venue in the during its trial period the Homebound Program park. “It exists – not to garner donations – but to quickly proved its worth. “It’s a volunteer serprovide opportunities for those who want to serve, vice provided by the so it enjoys a unique partnership with the Park,” Friends of the Library explains Tom. “Many of the jobs we take on, like backcountry preservation projects, are things the for people who can’t Park would like to see done but doesn’t have the come in person bephysical or financial resources to accomplish. We cause of illness or not having means to get augment their labor pool.” Last year, GNPVA’s members worked some there,” explains Mary, 6,745 hours. That translates to an in-kind labor the Homebound coordidonation worth over $140,000 to restore historic nator for Kalispell. “It’s a buildings and trails and fund internship stipends, rewarding program. You among other projects. GNPVA’s contribution has know you are providing been so significant; it earned this year’s Jack Pot- a service that is greatly ter Glacier National Park Stewardship Award from appreciated.” After receiving Headwaters Montana. “By design we stay under the radar, so to re- 20-minutes of training, ceive an award like this was incredible. For another volunteers are matched organization of that stature to appreciate what we with library patrons in do to that extent was humbling,” says Tom, current their vicinity, who note president of the 145-member organization. “To my which authors, book knowledge the associates have never been recog- genres, or films they nized like this over 25 years’ of service to Glacier prefer. The volunteer then selects them, Park.” Aside from participating in GNPVA, the Nele- checks them out with sens support Glacier by assisting with citizen-sci- the patron’s library card, ence studies of loons, pikas, and mountain goats. delivers the material, “I love getting out into the Park, it’s so beauti- and returns later for ful, and I love that these projects take me outside,” pick-ups. Incidentally, says Mary. “They provide an opportunity to con- if anyone from Bigfork, tribute to the study of select species of concern Kila, or Marion would because of climate change affecting their habitat.” like to assist, volunteers All summer, she and Tom also volunteer weekly fielding questions at Apgar Visitor Center. “That lets me share what I’ve learned and enjoy about the Park with visitors having no idea what to see or do when they get here,” states Mary, who hikes to Glacier’s fire lookouts and mountain passes whenever possible. Of all the questions asked during their seven years’ behind the information desk, the oddest one deals with the rocks residing on the bottom of Lake MacDonald.

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are needed for those areas. In considering why she dedicates so much of her life to volunteering, Mary says, “Like everyone I have made mistakes that I can’t undo and I struggle with regrets. Volunteering helps me to

APRIL/MAY 2014

know I can touch people in a positive way even if I didn’t do it in the past. I feel really good when I know that I made someone happy that day. You can make a difference in somebody’s world and it’s not costly.”

For information about the Homebound Program, visit imagineiflibraries.org/about-us/ homebound-service/ or call 406-758-5818. To learn more about volunteering in Glacier Park, visit GNPVA.org. MSN

Creston Auction turns 48 The 48th Annual Creston Auction & Country Fair and the accompanying Auto, Marine, RV & Equipment Sale will be held the weekend of April 5-6 in Creston – 12 miles east of Kalispell on Montana Hwy 35. This fundraiser for the all-volunteer Creston Fire Department is the largest spring event in Montana and draws thousands of people from throughout the region and Canada annually. On Consignment Day, Friday, April 4, merchandise will be accepted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the sale grounds in Creston. Items can be consigned, meaning a large portion of the sale price goes back to the seller, or donated, where all proceeds of the sale go to the Creston Fire Department. Saturday, April 5, is the main event: a daylong auction featuring building materials, household goods, tools, tack, antiques, and many other items. Grounds open at 8 a.m., and entrance is free. The opening ceremony will begin promptly at 9 a.m. with the presentation of colors and the national anthem. Bidding starts immediately afterward.

Bid numbers for Saturday can be purchased for $5. Local arts and crafts will be on sale in the Eastside Grange Hall, and a rummage and bake sale will be held in the Creston School gym. Donated items for the rummage and bake sale are always needed. Hot food will be available all day, including Montana beef sausages, chili, and Indian tacos. Sunday, April 6, the bidding starts at noon on cars, trucks, boats, recreational vehicles, tractors, farm equipment, trailers, and other large items. The $10 bid tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. We accept MasterCard and Visa (3% convenience fee) for auction purchases only, so attendees should bring cash, a check, or an ATM card for other purchases. There is no Buyer’s Premium for either day. For more information, visit our website and auction FAQs page at crestonfire.org, find us on Facebook, or call the auction hotline at 406-2507396. MSN

Applachian Dreaming Article & Photo By Gail Jokerst When Charles “Chuck” Bissonnette decides to embark on an adventure, he thinks in long-distance terms. For Chuck, that means traversing major chunks of the continent on an intimate foot-powered level. In 1978, he bicycled from his Lakeside, Montana home to New England. Then in 2012, he trekked 2,018 miles along the Appalachian Trail (AT) from Georgia to Maine. Chuck had hoped to complete the entire 14-state trail that year but when Mother Nature ceased cooperating his hiking clock ceased ticking. “I was in a remote mountainous area getting snow and ice. It was slippery and treacherous. Although I was upset about stopping, I knew it was the better part of wisdom because I had taken such a beating on the worst part of the trail,” recalls Chuck. “My boots were wet and my feet totally soaked, really cold. That night, I was so tired I forgot to put the boots in my sleeping bag with me. The temperature dropped to 20 degrees and my boots froze. To thaw them out, I had to pour boiling water into them and then hike five miles over a mountain in wet boots.” Those two days were so tough, he almost cried – though it is hard to say whether the tears would have been shed out of pain or frustration at having to abandon his quest. Undaunted by the delay, this self-described “trail purist” traveled East again the following summer and walked every remaining inch of the famed footpath (Cont’d on page 78)

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Cheryl Crowson is in the Race to Cure Breast Cancer at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Race for the Cure from Helena who walks in honor of her mother By Bernice Karnop In 2010 Cheryl Crowson’s friend, Bobbi Boutil- who died of breast cancer, and Pat Perl, also from ier, learned she had breast cancer. Throughout Helena, walked the Susan G. Koman 3-Day Race her surgery and treatment, Cheryl helped with for the Cure in San Diego. This time the Pink Rack cards, cooking, cleaning, and more. Then Bobbi Pack raised $7,500. They find it deeply satisfying lost her mom to breast cancer. She came through to help in the search for a cure for breast cancer. “We are making so many strides at finding a the treatment with a clean bill of health, but not cure. We do make a difference every time we do without some physical and mental pain. Cheryl wanted to do more, but Bobbi was done this,” Cheryl says. The Pink Rack Pack also participates every with even hearing the word cancer, or, “what can I year in the Montana Race do for you.” She just wanted for the Cure. While 75 perto find her new normal and cent of the money raised in get on with life. Susan G. Komen Montana When Cheryl heard on Race for the Cure remains television about the Suin Montana, most of the san G. Koman 3-Day Race money raised for the Susan for the Cure she looked in G. Komen 3-Day Race for to it. She learned that this the Cure goes for research. fundraising event was held “Montana might be small in several cities across the but we are mighty standU.S. on different days. Paring up for the cure,” Cheryl ticipants must raise $2,300 says. per person and walk 60 miles Watch for Cheryl and during the three days. She her Pink Rack Pack team thought it would take about a in the tailgate area at the year to raise the money and Montana Race for the Cure at least six-months to train. “I’m not this kind of per- Breast Cancer is serious but those who partici- on Saturday, May 17, in son that would get out there pate in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Helena. It’s Cheryl seventh and walk this much,” she don’t have to be. “Dress for the cause because it year in the Montana race, makes it more fun and cheers on the survivors,” the number of years she’s says. “But I thought, ‘I can do she says. [Photo by Bernice Karnop] lived in Montana. this in Bobbi’s honor.’” After In 2015, she’ll be back in San Diego for the Cheryl told Bobbi what she was going to do, Bobbi Susan G. Komen 3-Day decided to join her. “I don’t know how good I’ll be but I am going Race for the Cure. “I to walk with you,” Bobbi said. It would be chal- have to conquer those lenging since she’d just finished chemotherapy, hills,” she says with a but it seemed like a way to regain her footing after grin. “And next time I won’t be in the back cancer. They formed a team with Bobbi’s sister and of the pack watching Cheryl’s daughter, who lives with her family in those long pony tails Chicago. They raised funds by offering to cook a ahead of me, swinging gourmet dinner for company in people’s homes. back and forth. I am goThe host invited guests and Bobbi and Cheryl did ing to be in front where the preparation, cooking, serving, and cleaning up. the rest of them can Then the hosts made a donation. Cheryl worked watch my pony tail!” The Susan G. Komen her 8-hour days at Mountain West Bank, and then with her team, fixed dinner for someone. It was 3-Day for the Cure is demanding, but they raised an amazing $10,000 very do-able, according to Cheryl. You just need for research. For Cheryl, a passion was born. It was 90 degrees and the humidity was 100 to know where to begin. percent in Chicago the day of the walk in 2011. It She’s willing to coach wasn’t easy, but there were plenty of giggles to anyone with both the fund-raising challenge keep them going. “It makes it more fun if you dress for the event,” and with the training. Cheryl says. Their team, The Pink Rack Pack, She invites you to give wore pink camo t-shirts with a deer rack on them, her a call at 406-465designed by Cheryl’s daughter. They all walked 5742. MSN the 60 miles in 3 days. In 2013, Cheryl and Jackie MacDonald, a friend

Sign Up Now For The 20th Annual Susan G. Komen Montana Race for the Cure By Bernice Karnop Breast cancer. It’s an unwelcome guest in far too many households, and it randomly strikes both women and men. There is still no cure for breast cancer, but according to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, there is hope. Hope springs from early detection, improved treatment, and better access to breast health services. These factors give individuals a greater chance of survival than ever before. The Montana Komen Race for the Cure is Saturday, May 17, 2014 at the state Capitol in Helena (registration opens at 8 a.m.). Participants help raise money that brings awareness about breast cancer across Montana. Whether a person walks, runs, volunteers, or donates, the effort helps save lives by providing services like screening and education to underinsured or uninsured women. The Montana Race for the Cure fundraiser gives area residents an opportunity to support this important work. Women, men, and children can sign up now to participate in the 5K or 1K. Registration is $30 for adults, $15 for ages 6-17, and free for children 5 and under. You may register online at KomenMontana.org, or for more information call 406-495-9337. MSN

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Golf Goes Digital For Father’s Day With Sensoglove Digital Golf Glove Sensoglove works as a personal golf trainer to avoid bad habits with automatic sensitivity selection button for optimal pressure and it corrects “death grip” for a better, more accurate, and powerful golf swing. Sensosolutions www.sensoglove.com, a leading provider of innovative IT systems for sports analysis, motion, and performance measurement, announced today that the advanced version of SensoGlove, the world’s first digital golf glove, is available for Father’s Day. Bringing digital training to golf, the advanced SensoGlove features an “Automatic Sensitivity Selection” button to provide an automatic, more accurate pressure reading for a consistently smooth and powerful golf swing providing greater distances and lower scores. Developed based on feedback from international PGA professionals, SensoGlove is perfect

for golf lovers of all levels. Working as a personal golf trainer, SensoGlove features a small, sweatproof 1.2-inch LED digital monitor that analyzes the pressure of the swing through highly responsive sensors placed throughout the glove. By swinging the golf club, SensoGlove provides real-time audio and visual feedback at 80 times per second to warn you if you exceed your target level of grip pressure. The patented SensoGlove even shows you which fingers are gripping too tightly, so you can adjust your grip accordingly. Made of the highest quality cabretta leather, SensoGlove trains golfers to avoid bad habits and injury. All golfers can quickly learn how to hold the club, improving every part of their game, from backswing, downswing, impact, follow-through, to driving, putting, and chipping. The new advanced version of SensoGlove

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is available immediately at www.sensoglove.com and through distributors, sales partners, and golf schools around the world, including www.GolfStoreHome.com, www.Intheholegolf.com, www.Convenientgadgets.com, and Shankmeister.com. SensoGlove is available for men and women in right or left hand configurations, sizes small to x-large, priced at $89 (replacement gloves are available for $22.48). Made of cabretta leather, the built-in digital monitor can be removed to use SensoGlove as a regular golf glove. For more information, please visit www.sensoglove.com. MSN

Great Falls Hosts Montana Senior Olympics Summer Games The 29th annual Montana Senior Olympics (MSO) Summer Games are June 19-21 in Great Falls, with competition in 14 sports, including our newest activity, pickleball. Competition is open to men and women aged 50 and over. There are medals awarded to the top three finishers in each five-year age group. Because of support from generous corporate sponsors, the cost of competition remains affordable, only $10 to register plus $4 per event. Great Falls has excellent sports facilities, and there are two social events that should appeal to all athletes, an Alive at Five concert on Thursday night and a banquet on Friday night at the Holiday Inn. Athletes who have competed in past MSO events should receive registration packets in the mail by mid-March. Others wishing to compete can get information at Montana Senior Olympics website montanaseniorolympics.org or they can email state director George Geise at ggeise14@ gmail.com. Registration packets also will be available later this spring at recreation centers and senior centers in most major cities. MSO also is sponsoring a senior softball tournament in Great Falls July 19-20. Registration information for that event also will be on the MSO website. For more information and a complete list of sports, visit montanaseniorolympics.org. MSN

Time, which changes people, does not alter the image we have retained of them. – Marcel Proust

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Enjoy the Rail Trails of Western Montana and Northern Idaho about the abandoned rail bed she glimpsed from By Natalie Bartley Interstate 90 (I-90) in Montana. Jennifer thought Photos courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service Montana and Idaho are graced with old rail- it looked like an amazing place to run. By chance, road grades converted into recreational rail trails her explorations about the use of the rail grade for for modern-day users. Runners, hikers, mountain a running event coincided with the ongoing develbikers, horseback riders, ATV riders, and snowmo- opment the Route of the Olympian by the Superior bilers access the trails for exercise, solitude, and Ranger District of the Lolo National Forest. The a peek into America’s past when railroads ruled route is on the abandoned Milwaukee Railroad grade from near the transportation the Taft Exit off world. I-90 near Lookout In western MonPass to St. Regis. tana, the Route of “It was a great the Olympian Rail timing thing,” says Trail is quickly beJennifer. coming accessible The Trail Rail to recreationists. Run features four In northern Idaho, distances. All parthe Route of the ticipants in the Hiawatha Rail Trail 2013 event made is a world-famous it over the finish bicycle destination. line before the 14Plans include linkhour cut off time. ing the two trails. The 52-mile run The Route of the Olympian The Dominion tunnel on the Route of the Olympian Rail starts in Mullan, Idaho, follows the serves annually as Trail. [Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service] Northern Pacific a venue for the Trail Rail Trail, then connects to the Route of the OlymRail Run put on by the Trail 103.3 radio station in Missoula. In 2013, the inaugural ultra run attracted pian near the Taft Exit along I-90 in Montana, where 275 registered participants from 17 states. Ages the 33.5-mile run starts. All runners proceed eastvaried from 7- to 86-years-old. Whether you are a ward to the Savenac Nursery at Haugan, where the runner, supporter, or volunteer, this rail trail event 19.2-mile run starts. Runners continue eastward to is for everybody. The second annual Trail Rail Run the start of the 7.6-mile run at Ward Creek Road. All participants finish at the park in St. Regis. Along the is June 21, 2014. Race director Jennifer Straughan was instru- way, runners pass through the forest and across mental in creating the race. She frequently drove rail trestles. Numerous volunteers are needed to between Missoula and Seattle and was curious serve at the four starting areas, nine aid stations, and the finish line. This ultra run (longer than a marathon) is unique because runners travel along a gentle grade on a soft surface, perfect for runners new to ultra runs or as a training run. Plus the spacious width of the rail trail allows for side-byside running, something not typically possible on the steep, single-track trails where ultra runs

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often are held. “It’s wide enough for a train, by golly,” says Jennifer. Runners and other recreationists now reap the benefits of years of rail trail planning and work. Efforts have been underway since 2007 to develop and open the abandoned railroad section along the St. Regis River between St. Regis and Taft, the old railroad town site. Accomplishments included Dominion tunnel and trestle repairs, trailhead enhancements, and rail grade work, as well as purchases of necessary land parcels. Beth Kennedy, a recreation and resource staff member for the Superior Ranger District serves as the project leader for the development of the rail trail. She says, “It’s still very much a work in progress.” Trail improvements are evolving at various locations, with maintenance vehicles in action and construction projects underway. Before accessing the trail, Beth recommends contacting the Superior Ranger District regarding open sections and current closures. Segments open depend on the season and activity. For example, in the winter, snowmobilers use a portion of the rail grade as part of a groomed snowmobile system. In the future, a segment is proposed for summer non-motorized use while another segment is proposed for summer ATV use. The Dominion tunnel will be open to motorized use in the spring and fall, giving people a unique opportunity to

drive their vehicle through the rail tunnel and walk onto a trestle. Beth says the long-term, big picture is that the Taft to Haugan section will have parallel non-motorized and motorized routes. Two big projects are underway. One is rebuilding a fallen bridge. The other project is securing and repairing the 626-foot Saltese trestle, currently in private ownership and a critical link for the trail. Enter the Friends of the Olympian Trail, a volunteer group working on the rail trail. Save the Saltese Trestle is the group’s first project. “When all the stars align, the Route of the Olympian will be about 30-miles from the existing trailhead at the Route of the Hiawatha at the Taft Exit to St. Regis,” says Beth. If you are visiting the Montana/Idaho border area, add a mountain bike ride down the 14.4-mile Route of the Hiawatha Rail Trail from the Taft Exit trailhead downhill to near Avery, Idaho. Another exciting experience, near the historic town of Wallace is the Silver Streak Zipline Tour.

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Hooked on to metal cables, you’ll glide effortlessly from launching stations to landing stations 2,000 feet above the Silver Valley. Afterwards, delve into the history of the area at the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot Museum in Wallace. It is next to the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, a paved 72-mile rail trail between Mullan and Plummer that passes through old mining towns, along a river, and beside Lake Coeur d’Alene. For information: Trail Rail Run – register online (runners and

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volunteers) at trailrailrun.com; silverstreakziplinetours.com; Lolo National Forest – Superior Ranger Station, Northern Pacific Railroad Depot Museum in 406-822-4233; Wallace, 208-752-0111 and npdepot.org. Route of the Hiawatha Rail Trail and Lookout Natalie Bartley is a freelance outdoor writer/ Pass Ski and Recreation Area, 208-744-1301 or photographer based in Idaho. She has over 800 ridethehiawatha.com; Silver Streak Zipline Tours, 208-556-1690 and

magazine and newspaper articles to her credit. Look for her mobile app travel guide Boise’s Best Outdoor Adventures and trail guidebooks Best Easy Day Hikes Boise and Best Rail Trails Pacific Northwest. nataliebartleyoutdoor.com. MSN

Applachian Dreaming - continued from page 72

to complete the last 162 miles. “I’ve had a lifelong desire to hike the AT but my interest was really spurred on the bike trip. It seemed like a good adventure in a part of the country I’d not explored much,” remembers Chuck. He dreamed about returning, however, it took 34 years before he could undertake the odyssey with an open calendar and months of careful planning behind him. That first year, he hiked from February into October using the trail name of “Woodchuck.” The second year he slowed the pace to enjoy walking in Maine’s summer sunshine while nearing his goal. He savored ridge-top vistas from the Great Smoky Mountains. He camped with

bears. He had the time of his life. In fact, it was such a transformative experience, Chuck bought a farmhouse in Damascus, Virginia to convert into a seasonal hostel for other trail hounds. While loneliness may be an issue for some hikers, it was not for Chuck. “It’s nice to have company but I spent a lot of time alone. In North Carolina, I went two days without meeting anyone. Some nights, I was the only person in a shelter. But... you aren’t lonely,” explains Chuck. “You’re too busy with the basics of hiking, cooking, and sleeping. Trail life doesn’t revolve around anything else.” A typical day began at dawn when he would breakfast on oatmeal and cocoa before shouldering his 30-pound pack and heading out with his two best friends – his map and guidebook. “Morning is the nicest part of the day to hike, everything is fresh and beautiful. You get a good start on the day, too,” adds Chuck, “especially if the weather turns hot or closes in on you.” He would snack frequently on granola bars; stop for a peanut-butter-sandwich lunch; then resume trekking solo or with a fellow hiker moving at the same pace. As evening approached, Chuck would debate between sleeping in a shelter or pitching his tent nearby. On the plus side, shelters offered a refuge from the elements along with company and conversation. On the minus side, they also included a loud symphony of snoring. After chowing down on a freeze-dried dinner, he would replenish his water supply; check his itinerary; then collapse into sleep. “Hikers’ midnight is 8 o’clock. Most of the people are pretty much out by then. Even the youngsters are early to bed by 9,” says Chuck, a baby boomer who saw few trail sojourners of his generation. “But before going to sleep you want an idea of where you plan to hike the next day while remembering to be flexible. Since shelters are 10 to 15 miles apart, you need to keep that in mind, especially if it starts to rain. It’s hard to set up a tent in rain.” Of all the traits required to hike the AT, Chuck rates preparedness high but patience higher. To learn more about the AT, visit www.appalachiantrail.org. For Woodchuck Hostel information, email chuckbissonnette@gmail.com or call 406407-1272. MSN

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